World

Moscow, Aug 31 (IANS) The prosecution in the espionage trial of former Russian journalist Ivan Safronov has demanded a 24-year prison sentence, a court in Moscow said.

According to investigators, the 32-year-old shared confidential information about arms deals and operations of the Russian armed forces in Africa and the Middle East to foreign intelligence services, reports dpa news agency.

Safronov's lawyer rejected the accusations at the start of the trial and explained that the journalist had only used publicly accessible sources.

Safronov was arrested more than two years ago and has been in prison ever since.

He used to write about military and security issues for the newspapers Kommersant and Vedomosti.

Before his arrest, he also worked for the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

According to a lawyers' association, a representative of the prosecution offered Safronov the prospect of 12 years in prison if the former journalist admitted his guilt.

--IANS
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Moscow, Aug 31 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his deepest sympathy upon hearing of the death of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Putin would be sending a telegram of condolence to the Gorbachev family on Wednesday morning, Peskov added on late Tuesday evening as quoted by dpa news agency report.

The former Soviet leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate died in Moscow on Tuesday at the age of 91 from complications arising from illness and old age, according to the Interfax news agency.

--IANS
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Moscow, Aug 31 (IANS) Mikhail Gorbachev, Russian Nobel Peace laureate and the final leader of the Soviet Union, has died in Moscow at the age of 91.

"This evening, after a serious and long illness, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev died," the Central Clinical Hospital (CCH) in the Russian capital announced late on Tuesday.

The statesman is to be buried next to his wife in Moscow's Novodevichy Cemetery, the burial place of many of Russia's most famous politicians, writers and composers.

The internationally respected statesman was often credited for bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end and for his instrumental role in German reunification. East Germans in particular still revere "Gorbi," as the man who brought them freedom over three decades ago.

In the 1980s, under Gorbachev's leadership, the Soviet Union concluded groundbreaking treaties with the United States on nuclear disarmament and arms control, while at home, Gorbachev initiated an unprecedented reform process with his policies of "glasnost" (openness) and "perestroika" (restructuring), which brought unprecedented freedom to millions of people.

In 1990, Gorbachev received the Nobel Peace Prize for his courageous reforms. However, the massive economic upheavals that ensued across the Soviet Union ultimately led to the collapse of the 15-nation communist empire and to Gorbachev's own political downfall, when the country he led ceased to exist in 1991.

A large part of the Russian population always saw the former party and state leader as the gravedigger of the Soviet Union -- and as a politician without an instinct for power, and Gorbachev was never to enjoy the massive popularity he had in the West in his homeland.

Gorbachev resigned as President of the Soviet Union in 1991 as the vast state voted to dissolve itself, creating 15 independent new countries. Staunch Gorbachev critic Boris Yeltsin became an independent Russia's first president in the same year, and Gorbachev was largely written off as yesterday's man.

In the three decades between his fall from power and his death, however, Gorbachev made significant contributions to Russian civil society with his eponymous foundation advocating democratic values and a Russian rapprochement with the West.

Gorbachev also wrote numerous books, including, most recently, one about his disappointment with Germany and the West. Specifically, he lamented what he saw as Russia constantly being cast as the enemy.

Unable to attend the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in autumn 2019 for health reasons, Gorbachev received regular hospital treatment in recent years.

Gorbachev was co-founder of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, which is critical of the Kremlin and repeatedly exposes abuses in Russia. In recent years, Gorbachev had repeatedly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin not to further restrict the freedom of the media and elections.

Putin expressed his sympathies upon hearing of Gorbachev's death and would be sending a telegram of condolence to the Gorbachev family on Wednesday morning, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said late on Tuesday evening.

UN Secretary General António Guterres called Gorbachev a "one-of-a kind statesman who changed the course of history," in a statement expressing his condolences.

"He did more than any other individual to bring about the peaceful end of the Cold War," Guterres said.

Guterres noted that when Gorbachev received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, he observed that "peace is not unity in similarity but unity in diversity". This was an insight he put into practice by pursuing negotiation, reform, transparency and disarmament, the UN chief said.

"The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace," he added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Gorbachev a "trusted and respected leader".

"He played a crucial role to end the Cold War and bring down the Iron Curtain. It opened the way for a free Europe. This legacy is one we will not forget," she said.

Britain's outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was saddened to hear of Gorbachev's death. "In a time of Putin's aggression in Ukraine, his tireless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to us all," he added.

--IANS
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United Nations, Aug 31 (IANS) The UN Security Council has renewed the travel ban and asset freeze imposed on individuals and entities obstructing implementation of the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, until August 31, 2023.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2649, the 15-member Council also extended until September 30, 2023, the mandate of the Panel of Experts monitoring implementation of the sanctions, as well as the request encouraging the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali to assist the panel, Xinhua news agency report.

"The situation in Mali continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region," the Council said on Tuesday in the resolution.

The Council requested the Panel of Experts to provide a midterm report no later than February 28, 2023, a final report no later than August 15, 2023, and periodic updates in between.

--IANS
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Islamabad, Aug 30 (IANS) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that Pakistan is facing a "monsoon on steroids" as the government issued more flood warnings for the next 24 hours, media reports said.

Heavy rains over two months have caused the worst flooding in more than a decade and damaged more than one million homes in Pakistan, The Guardian reported.

Guterres said on Tuesday that south Asia was a hotspot for the climate crisis and that the catastrophic flooding in Pakistan that has left tens of millions needing help was a warning to every nation of the destruction wreaked by human-caused global heating, The Guardian reported.

"The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids – the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and flooding. It breaks my heart to see these generous people suffering so much," he said.

The UN has issued an urgent appeal for $160 million to provide help.

"People living in these [climate crisis] hotspots are 15 times more likely to die from climate impacts," Guterres said, adding, "As we continue to see more and more extreme weather events around the world, it is outrageous that climate action is being put on the back burner, putting all of us, everywhere, in growing danger."

In Pakistan, Balochistan and Sindh provinces have had more than four times the average rainfall of the last three decades.

Flash floods fuelled by the climate crisis have affected more than 33 million people, officials have said. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDA) said on Monday the death toll from the monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan had reached 1,136 – with 75 killed in the last 24 hours, The Guardian reported.

The NDMA said that more than 1m houses had been damaged. In an immediate warning issued on Tuesday, Pakistan's Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) said that over the next 24 hours a very high level of flooding was likely to continue in the Kabul River, which flows into Pakistan's Indus River.

The Indus highway, in Sindh, was submerged under two feet of water. The highway connects Sindh with Punjab and Balochistan provinces.

A video shared by residents showed a coach that had slipped on the highway while water was flowing and authorities were involved in the rescue of passengers. Local people say there were no casualties, The Guardian reported.

The local media reported that there was a rise in waterborne diseases in Sindh and other parts of Pakistan. In some parts of Sindh, there has been a 100 per cent increase in diseases.

The flash flood triggered by an abnormal monsoon has washed away bridges, roads, houses, livestock and people across the country.

--IANS
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London, Aug 30 (IANS) Manchester United have reached an agreement with Ajax for the transfer of Brazilian winger Antony, the club said in a statement on Tuesday. The transfer is set to go through ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline, subject to medical, personal terms being finalised and international clearance.

Antony's omission from the Ajax squad last weekend came after he publicly pleaded with Ajax to sell him to United.

Antony will become United's fifth signing under Erik ten Hag, whose side have won their past two Premier League games after losing their opening two matches.

Lisandro Martinez will present Antony with a familiar face in the squad, having also joined from Ajax -- Ten Hag's former club -- while Tyrell Malacia arrived from Feyenoord.

Former Ajax, Tottenham and Inter playmaker Christian Eriksen arrived on a free transfer after leaving Brentford, and United last week signed Casemiro from Real Madrid.

Antony has 31 goals and 27 assists in 134 club appearances for Ajax and Sao Paulo, and two goals and two assists in nine senior appearances for his native Brazil. He has won two Eredivisie titles and a gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

--IANS

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New York, Aug 30 (IANS) A team of researchers, including one of Indian origin, believes that the risk of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or long Covid, in children appears to be lower than what has been reported in adults.

However, their study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, emphasised that more children have long Covid than those kids who are hospitalised with acute Covid-19.

"We concluded that many of the symptoms children experience post-Covid-19 are similar to what is seen in adults, but there are some features more unique to children, such as myocarditis, abnormal liver enzymes, hair loss, skin rashes and diarrhea," said researcher Suchitra Rao from the Children's Hospital, Colorado.

While the presentation has some overlap compared with adults, distinct features exist in children. The risk for PASC appears to be higher in children younger than five years of age, those with medical complexity and those admitted to the intensive care unit with their initial Covid-19 infection.

For the study, the team used electronic health record data of 659,286 children who tested for SARS-CoV-2 and compared 59,893 children who tested positive with those who tested negative.

The team conducted a multistate analysis using EHR data of children and people younger than 21 years of age who underwent testing for SARS-CoV-2 at one of eight paediatric health systems in the country.

Clinicians identified conditions, symptoms and medications associated with PASC in the one to six months following testing. Out of 660,000 children who underwent testing, 9 per cent were positive and most were tested as outpatients.

Symptoms most strongly associated with infection included changes in loss of smell and taste, hair loss, chest pain, abnormal liver enzymes, skin rashes, fever and chills, fatigue, and malaise. Conditions most strongly associated with infection included myocarditis, acute respiratory distress and myositis.

--IANS
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Osaka (Japan), Aug 30 (IANS) Ace Indian shuttler HS Prannoy advanced to the men's singles round of 16 at the Japan Open 2022 badminton tournament, here on Tuesday.

Prannoy, the world No 18, was leading 11-10 in the first game against Hong Kong's Ng Ka Long Angus when the latter retired from the tie due to an apparent injury.

The Ng Ka Long Angus withdrawal means that Prannoy will get the must-needed rest for his next round encounter which will be against the 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.

The Indian, who reached the quarter-finals at the world championships last week after beating Kento Momota and Lakshya Sen along the way, will fancy his chances against Loh Kean Yew.

In the women's doubles, the pair of Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam were knocked out after they lost 15-21, 9-21 to South Koreans Baek Ha Na and Lee Yu Lim.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen will begin his Japan Open 2022 campaign against Kenta Nishimoto on Wednesday. The likes of Kidambi Srikanth and Saina Nehwal also begin their campaigns on Wednesday, as do the pairs of MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila and Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand.

However, two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion PV Sindhu is still recovering from a stress fracture on her ankle sustained during the Commonwealth Games and will miss the tournament.


--IANS
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New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) United States Senator Jon Ossoff arrived in India on Tuesday on an eight-day visit to boost bilateral relations between the two countries. "I am leading this US delegation to strengthen friendship between our nations and meet the next generation of Indian leaders," Ossoff, who is from the State of Georgia said.

"We are part of the Indian American community in Georgia. Will also work to represent where the growing Indian diaspora is a thriving and beloved part of our community," he stated.

At 35, Senator Ossoff is the youngest US Senator in three decades. During his visit, Ossoff will work to strengthen economic, scientific, cultural and security ties between the US and India.

The state of Georgia is home to more than 1,00,000 Indian Americans. Earlier this month, Ossoff sent a message to the Indian people celebrating the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day, where he discussed the relationship between the two countries, highlighting the importance of deepening ties.

Before his election, Ossoff led a team which investigated and exposed corruption, war crimes and terrorism for international news organisations. In 2021, he won a crucial underdog election to secure a Senate majority for the Democratic Party.

During his first two years in office, Senator Ossoff wrote and passed legislation to strengthen civil rights, encourage domestic solar power manufacturing, and improve public healthcare, while leading a bipartisan investigation of corruption and abuse as chairman of the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

Elected in 2021, he serves on the powerful Senate judiciary; Homeland Security and Government Affairs; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and rules committees. He also works as the chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

--IANS
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Islamabad, Aug 30 (IANS) In view of the skyrocketing prices of vegetables amid the ongoing floods and relentless monsoon rain across Pakistan, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday demanded the government to give permission for vegetable import from neighbouring India through the Wagah border.

LCCI President Nauman Kabir urged the government to grant permission to import vegetables from India to control its prices, Geo News reported.

"The recent floods have destroyed crops of tomato, onion, potato and other vegetables across the country," he said, adding that the crisis is expected to prevail for the next three months.

The vegetable crisis could further worsen in September, October and November, he added.

It will take a few days to transport vegetables from India to Pakistan via the Wagah border, Geo News reported.

The prices of vegetables skyrocketed as the grocery vendors are charging exorbitant prices from consumers amid the countrywide floods triggered by torrential rains.

The traders are making hefty profits at a time when the death toll from the relentless monsoon rains has exceeded the 1,100 mark and inflicting $10 billion loss on the country's economy.

According to the details, tomato is being sold at 250 PKR per kg in the market while its official price is 190 PKR per kg.

Similarly, the vendors are selling onion at 300 PKR to 320 PKR per kg while the commodity's rate was fixed at 290 PKR by the authorities, Geo News reported.

Potatoes are being sold at 120 PKR to 140 PKR per kg instead of its official rate of 100 PKR per kg.

Ginger's official rate is 360 PKR per kg but it is available for 380 PKR per kg in the market.

Garlic is being sold at 250 PKR per kg while its official rate is 200 PKR per kg.

--IANS
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