ETHNIC ARMENIANS FLEE NAGORNO-KARABAKH AMIDST FEAR OF ETHNIC CLEANSING

Armenia reports that over 1,050 individuals have crossed its border from Nagorno-Karabakh, a region recently seized by Azerbaijan. The influx occurred following Yerevan's announcement of plans to assist those displaced by the recent conflict.

Azerbaijan, which reclaimed the territory inhabited by approximately 120,000 ethnic Armenians, aims to reintegrate them as "equal citizens." However, Armenia has expressed concerns about the possibility of ethnic cleansing in the region.

The Armenian government disclosed on Sunday that by 22:00 local time (18:00 GMT), 1,050 people had entered Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh. Many of them have already received government-funded housing.

The Armenian separatist forces in the area agreed to disarm following a swift Azerbaijani military offensive. Armenia has stated its readiness to assist anyone leaving Nagorno-Karabakh but repeatedly emphasized that any mass exodus would be attributed to the Azerbaijani authorities.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan mentioned that many within the enclave might view expulsion as their only option unless Azerbaijan provides suitable living conditions and effective mechanisms to prevent ethnic cleansing. He reiterated Armenia's willingness to welcome its citizens with open arms.

However, David Babayan, an adviser to Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian leader Samvel Shahramanyan, predicted that nearly everyone would choose to leave. He stated that his people did not wish to live as part of Azerbaijan, with an overwhelming majority preferring to vacate their historic lands. Babayan emphasized that the fate of the displaced population would be a stain on the Armenian people and the civilized world, and he called for those responsible to be held accountable before God.

NEPAL PM PRACHANDA PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR XI JINPING'S NEW INITIATIVES DURING VISIT TO CHINA

Nepal's Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as "Prachanda," has expressed his country's commitment to endorsing a series of significant concepts and proposals presented by China. Following his fruitful discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Saturday, Prachanda believes that these initiatives will bolster bilateral relations and deepen the bond between the two nations.

Prachanda is currently on a weeklong visit to China, which includes meetings with high-ranking officials. His itinerary includes in-depth talks on economic cooperation with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, scheduled for Monday.

During an evening reception organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, Prachanda described his visit to China as unique and emphasized the remarkable outcomes achieved during discussions. He noted that these conversations have instilled greater confidence in Nepal's future. Prachanda highlighted several areas of intensified cooperation with China, including agriculture, tourism, health, and education, all of which are expected to contribute to the strength and longevity of Nepal-China relations. Additionally, he addressed the Nepal-China Business Summit in Beijing, focusing on the theme "Facilitating Investments in Nepal: An Interaction with Chinese Business Enterprises."

AMID BLACK SEA THREATS, KYIV’S NEW LANE A LIFELINE

Ukraine has found a new shipping route to resume grain exports and bypass a de facto Russian blockade of its Black Sea ports. Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's Odesa port prompted the search for an alternative route. Two ships successfully used this new route last week, with three more following suit: Azara, Ying Hao 01, and Eneida. They are utilizing a temporary corridor established by the Ukrainian navy to export 127 metric tonnes of agricultural products and iron ore to China, Egypt, and Spain. Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July escalated tensions, but there have been no recent public attempts by Russia to impede vessels along the new route, likely due to increasing pressure from Ukrainian strikes in the Black Sea region.

JAILED KREMLIN CRITIC MOVED TO SIBERIA JAIL

An imprisoned Russian opposition figure has been transferred to a maximum security prison in Siberia and placed in a tiny “punishment cell”, his lawyer said Sunday. Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr, a journalist and an opposition activist, earlier this year was convicted of treason and sentenced to 25 years in prison as part of the Kremlin’s crackdown on critics. The charges against him stemmed from a 2022 speech he gave to the Arizona House of Representatives in which he denounced Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

EYE ON CHINA: US TO OPEN EMBASSIES IN PACIFIC ISLANDS

President Joe Biden is set to announce the opening of new US embassies on Cook Islands and Niue on Monday as the Democratic administration aims to demonstrate to Pacific Island leaders that it remains committed to increasing American presence in the region. The announcement about the new diplomatic missions in the South Pacific comes as Biden prepares to welcome leaders to Washington for the two-day US-Pacific Island Forum Summit. Talks are expected to heavily focus on the impact of climate change in the region.

Biden has put a premium on improving relations in the Pacific amid rising US concern about China’s growing military and economic influence. AP

WHITE HOUSE STEPS UP WARNINGS OF SHUTDOWN IMPACT AS DEADLINE NEARS

Washington : President Biden and administration officials have escalated warnings about a potential government shutdown, urging congressional Republicans to resolve their spending disagreements before federal funding lapses next Sunday. They highlighted the consequences, including unpaid military personnel, disrupted air travel, and program closures that safeguard the public. Biden attributed the situation to "a small group of extreme Republicans" opposing a spending deal he made with Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned of air traffic controller training halting amid staffing issues, leading to travel delays. House Republicans met on Saturday but struggled to devise a strategy to pass a stopgap spending measure amid internal opposition.

PHILIPPINES SLAMS CHINA FOR INSTALLING ‘FLOATING BARRIER’ IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

Manila : The Philippines on Sunday accused China’s coast guard of installing a “floating barrier” in a disputed area of the South China Sea, saying it prevented Filipinos from entering and fishing in the area.

“China’s installation of the barrier in part of the Scarborough Shoal is blocking fishermen from the shoal was depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities,” Commodore Jay Tarriela, a coast guard spokesperson, posted on X. “The (Philippine Coast Guard) will continue to work closely with all concerned government agencies to address these challenges, uphold our maritime rights and protect our maritime domains,” Tarriela said. The Chinese embassy in Manila did not comment.

China claims 90% of the South China Sea, overlapping with the economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Beijing seized the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 and forced fishermen from Philippines to travel further for smaller catches.Beijing allowed Filipino fishermen to return to the shoal when bilateral relations were improving under then-President Rodrigo Duterte. But tension has mounted again since his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, took office last year.

Philippine coast guard and fisheries personnel discovered the floating barrier, estimated at 300m long, on a routine patrol on Friday near the shoal, Tarriela said. Three Chinese coast guard rigid-hull inflatable boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat installed the barrier when the Philippine vessel arrived, he said.

BIDEN ADMIN POISED TO LET ISRAELIS TRAVEL TO US WITHOUT VISA

Washington : The Biden administration is poised to admit Israel this week into an exclusive club that will allow its citizens to travel to the USA without a visa despite Washington’s ongoing concerns about the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinian Americans. US officials say an announcement of Israel’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program is planned for late in the week, just before the end of the federal budget year on Saturday, which is the deadline for Israel’s admission without having to requalify for eligibility next year. The department of homeland security administers the program, which currently allows citizens of 40 mostly European and Asian countries to travel to the US for three months without visas. Homeland security secretary is set to make the announcement Thursday, according to five officials.

POLICE DAMAGE 75 GRAVES OF MINORITY GROUP IN PAK.

Nearly 75 graves and minarets of two worship places belonging to the Ahmadi minority community have been demolished by the police and radical Islamists in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

An official of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Pakistan said: “Police under the pressure of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) desecrated 74 graves of Ahmadis by destroying their tombstones in Daska city.”

In the other two separate incidents, minarets of Ahmadi worship places were destroyed by the TLP and the police in the Sheikhupura and Narang Mandi areas of Punjab.

NASA’S FIRST ASTEROID SAMPLES LAND ON EARTH AFTER RELEASE FROM SPACECRAFT

NASA’s first asteroid samples fetched from deep space parachuted into the Utah desert on Sunday to cap a seven-year journey.

In a flyby of earth, the Osiris-Rex spacecraft released the sample capsule from one lakh kilometres out. The small capsule landed four hours later on a remote expanse of military land, as the mothership set off after another asteroid.

Remains from Bennu

“We have touchdown!” Flight Control announced, immediately repeating the news since the landing occurred a few minutes early.

Scientists estimate the capsule holds at least a cup of rubble from the carbon-rich asteroid known as Bennu, but won’t know for sure until the container is opened. Some spilled and floated away when the spacecraft scooped up too much and rocks jammed the container’s lid during collection three years ago.

Japan, the only other country to bring back asteroid samples, gathered about a teaspoon in a pair of asteroid missions.

The pebbles and dust delivered on Sunday represent the biggest haul from beyond the moon. Preserved building blocks from the dawn of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago, the samples will help scientists better understand how Earth and life formed.