After Antony Blinken remarks, Netanyahu says Golan will always be Israel's
- Antony Blinken said on Monday he saw control of the Golan, which overlooks northern Israel and also borders Lebanon and Jordan, as being "of real important to Israel's security" but was circumspect about recognising Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
Reuters, Jerusalem
PUBLISHED ON FEB 09, 2021 08:37 PM IST
Israel will keep the Golan Heights forever, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday, after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced remarks that stopped short of recognising the claim.
In 2019, then-US President Donald Trump parted with other world powers by recognising the Golan Heights as Israeli. Israel occupied the strategic plateau in a 1967 war with Syria and annexed it in 1981.
Blinken said on Monday he saw control of the Golan, which overlooks northern Israel and also borders Lebanon and Jordan, as being "of real important to Israel's security" but was circumspect about recognising Israeli sovereignty over the territory.
"Legal questions are something else and over time if the situation were to change in Syria, that's something we look at, but we are nowhere near that," Blinken told CNN.
Briefing reporters, Netanyahu said in response: "Look, they said they are looking at it - but I have already looked at it. As far as I am concerned, the Golan Heights will remain forever part of the State of Israel, a sovereign part."
"What, should we return it to Syria?" he added, noting the internal strife in Israel's long-time enemy. "Should we return the Golan to a situation where mass-slaughter is a danger?"
Syria has long demanded the return of the Golan, and Israel's unilateral annexation of the area was not recognised internationally.
Hong Kong: 4 people fall ill after receiving China's Sinovac Covid vaccine jabs
ANI
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 09:29 PM IST
This means a total of 15 people have sought medical attention after receiving the vaccines over the past week, according to the government. Some 83,400 people had been vaccinated with the mainland-produced jabs as of Saturday, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
US will do what’s necessary to defend itself after attack in Iraq: Lloyd Austin
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 09:16 PM IST
Speaking on ABC's "This Week" program, Defense secretary Lloyd Austin said the United States is urging Iraq to quickly investigate the incident at the base located in western Anbar province and determine who was responsible. U.S. officials have said the incident fit the profile of a strike by Iran-backed militia.
Workers worry about safety, stress as US states ease mask rules
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 09:09 PM IST
Many business owners on the Mississippi Gulf Coast were glad Gov. Tate Reeves decided to eliminate mask requirements, limits on seating in restaurants and most other binding restrictions.
India, Iran, Russia to be part of new US push to find settlement in Afghanistan
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 09:09 PM IST
- Soon after Blinken’s letter was accessed by Afghanistan’s Tolo News on Sunday afternoon, the US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, spoke over the phone with external affairs minister S Jaishankar to discuss the peace process.
George Floyd's friends reflect on his striving, at times stumbling life
Reuters, Houston
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 09:09 PM IST
The Minnesota appeals court on Friday ordered the trial judge to reconsider adding a third-degree murder charge against former officer Derek Chauvin.
UK schools to reopen, backed by frequent Covid-19 testing
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 08:43 PM IST
The reopening of schools is the first step in the U.K. government's plan to gradually ease Covid-19 restrictions as the country's vaccination drive gains critical mass, with all restrictions lifted by June.
How women’s clothes became the first line of defence for protesters in Myanmar
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Kunal Gaurav, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 08:40 PM IST
- Protesters are stringing up women's clothing on lines across the streets of Myanmar to utilise a superstition in their favour.
Guyana receives 80,000 doses of Covishield Covid-19 vaccine from India
ANI, Georgetown, Guyana
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 08:20 PM IST
"Guyana Prime Minister Mark Phillips and High Commissioner of India to Guyana Dr KJ Srinivasa receive Indian gift of 80,000 doses of MadeInIndia COVISHIELD vaccines - a testimony of India's hand of friendship VaccineMaitri," India in Guyana said.
US flies two B-52 bombers over Iran as Washington-Tehran tensions rise
AP, Dubai
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 07:50 PM IST
- The US military's Central Command said the two B-52s flew over the region accompanied by military aircraft from nations including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli receives India-made Covishield Covid-19 vaccine
PTI, Kathmandu
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 07:43 PM IST
The 69-year-old Nepalese leader received the jab at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital on Sunday morning.
India, China should create 'enabling conditions' to resolve issues: Wang Yi
PTI, Beijing
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 07:36 PM IST
"It is important that the two sides manage disputes properly and at the same time expand and enhance cooperation to create enabling conditions for the settlement of the issue," Wang said at an online press conference.
Willing to engage with all parties in Myanmar, says China’s foreign minister
By Sutirtho Patranobis I Edited by Nadim Siraj
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 07:14 PM IST
Beijing has been cautious in its reaction to the situation in Myanmar where the military seized power in February
Iranian British Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe ends 5-year sentence in spy case
AP, Tehran
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 06:49 PM IST
- Zaghari-Ratcliffe, 42, was sentenced to five years in jail after being convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran’s government, a charge that she, her supporters and rights groups vigorously deny.
Protests erupt across Myanmar; Suu Kyi party official dies in custody
Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 07, 2021 06:46 PM IST
- The cause of Khin Maung Latt's death was not known, but Reuters saw a photograph of his body with a bloodstained cloth around the head.
Italian PM Mario Draghi prepares a video message as new Covid-19 cases spike
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | Reuters
UPDATED ON MAR 07, 2021 06:41 PM IST
It was not clear if Draghi would suggest further curbs to counter the spread of new, highly contagious variants. He is preparing a video address to mark Monday's International Women's Day and is expected to stress the need for solidarity with those suffering in the pandemic.