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ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday discussed with his Philippine counterpart China’s recent positioning of “militia vessels” near the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Austin spoke by phone with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana while Austin was flying from Washington to Israel to begin an international trip.

Chandigarh, Apr 10 (PTI) Intensifying their protest against the three farm laws, farmers blocked the Kundli Manesar Palwal expressway at some places in Haryana on Saturday.

The blockade started at 8 am and would last 24 hours.

08 Apr 2021; MEMO: Israeli Brigadier General (Reserve) Zvika Fogel yesterday warned that the political crisis in Israel and the conflicts among Israeli politicians have had destructive consequences on next generations, the Shehab news agency reported.

08 Apr 2021; MEMO: Lebanese President Michel Aoun held a phone conversation with Syria's Bashar Al-Assad to discuss the demarcation of the Lebanon-Syria maritime borders, Anadolu reported yesterday.

According to Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe, Aoun confirmed that "Lebanon will not accept to diminish from its sovereignty over its waters."

New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI) Delhi Agriculture Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday demanded that the Centre direct the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to set up counters in Narela and Najafgarh markets and start procuring wheat from farmers at minimum support price.

Rai said his department had written two letters, requesting FCI to set up counters in Narela and Najafgarh grain markets.

"The FCI replied counters have been set up and procurement started on April 1. However, these claims are false," the minister told reporters.

BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. President Joe Biden's administration should reverse policies toward China by former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, stop its geopolitical contest with China, and let reason return to U.S. policymaking, a renowned scholar has said.

07 Apr 2021; MEMO: Saudi Arabia reportedly owes billions of dollars to some of the largest construction companies in the world in unpaid bills for work completed on the Riyadh metro project, which is key to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's plan to modernise the Kingdom.

06 Apr 2021; MEMO: Abu Dhabi state carrier Etihad Airways began direct commercial passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates capital to Tel Aviv in Israel – the latest direct air link between the two countries that established diplomatic relations last year, Reuters reported.

06 Apr 2021; MEMO: An Iranian cargo ship has come under attack in the Red Sea, Reuters reported Al Arabiya TV as saying on Tuesday, quoting unnamed sources.

It cited the sources as saying the vessel was attacked off the coast of Eritrea and was affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards but provided no evidence to support the assertion.

Reuters could not independently verify the report.

06 Apr 2021; MEMO: Iran's chief nuclear negotiator on Tuesday urged the US to lift the sanctions from his country in a bid to restore the 2015 nuclear accord as talks between Iran and the world powers still party to the deal ended in Vienna, Anadolu Agency reported.