Iran has unveiled a new domestic fighter jet, with President Hassan Rouhani saying that Tehran’s military strength was only designed to deter enemies and was aimed at creating “lasting peace”.

Images broadcast on state television on Tuesday showed Rouhani sitting in the cockpit of the new “Kowsar” fourth-generation fighter at the National Defence Industry exhibition in Tehran.

State media said it had “advanced avionics” and multi-purpose radar, and that it was “100-percent indigenously made” for the first time. 

Footage of the Kowsar’s test flights was circulated by various official media.

But live footage of the plane taxiing along a runway at the defence show was cut before it took off.

“When I speak of our readiness to defend, it means we seek lasting peace. If we lack readiness, we welcome war,” Rouhani said in a televised speech shortly after.

“Some think when we increase our military power, this means we seek war. [But] this is peace-seeking because we don’t war to happen,” he added.

“If we don’t have a deterrent … it gives a green light for others to enter this country.”

The plane was first publicly announced on Saturday by Defence Minister Amir Hatami, who had said it would be unveiled on Wednesday.

He gave few details of the project, focusing instead on Iran’s efforts to upgrade its missile defences.

Hatami said the defence programme was motivated by memories of the missile attacks Iran suffered during its eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, and by repeated threats from Israel and the United States that “all options are on the table” in dealing with Iran.

“We have learned in the [Iran-Iraq] war that we cannot rely on anyone but ourselves. Our resources are limited and we are committed to establishing security at a minimum cost,” he said in a televised interview.

The US has sold hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons to Iran’s regional rivals, but has demanded that Tehran curb its defence programmes, and is in the process of reimposing crippling sanctions in a bid to force its capitulation.

“Havana” singer Camila Cabello dominated major categories at Monday’s MTV Video Music Awards, taking home the silver Moon Person award for video of the year and artist of the year. More of the night’s biggest moments: 

Ariana Grande, Pete Davidson pack on the PDA

With little in the way of star power at Monday’s red carpet, all cameras were on the recently engaged Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson, whose whirlwind romance started a little more than two months ago. The couple was lovey-dovey smooching on the red carpet and seated first row, and Grande dedicated her award for best pop video to her fiance. “Pete Davidson, thanks for existing,” she said at the tail-end of her speech. “Love you.”

Red carpet: Ariana Grande, Pete Davidson kiss and more hot couples

Madonna gives head-scratching tribute to Aretha Franklin 

Madonna caught flak on social media when she introduced the award for video of the year, paying tribute to the late Aretha Franklin with a rambling, egocentric story about singing the Queen of Soul’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” at an audition. “The Aretha Franklin tribute is Madonna talking about herself at great length,” one Twitter user complained.

More: Madonna bashed over Aretha Franklin ‘tribute’

Kevin Hart blasts President Donald Trump

In one of the many celebrity takedowns of the evening, Kevin Hart didn’t hold back digs at Trump while presenting the award for best hip-hop video. “I’m looking at this like it’s game day, people, but do not worry because during this game, you’re allowed to kneel,” he said, referencing the NFL’s anthem protest. Trump’s supporters immediately began threatening to boycott Hart. 

Read: Kevin Hart faces boycott threats from Trump supporters after ‘kneeling’ jab

Logic dedicates performance to immigrant families 

After delivering a powerful message about suicide prevention at last year’s VMAs, Logic returned to the show with an equally stirring take on his new song “One Day” with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. The rapper took to the stage wearing a T-shirt reading “(Expletive) The Wall,” as he was flanked by dozens of children and families with shirts that said, “We are all human beings.” The pro-immigration performance ended with a human-made wall crashing down as people — all of whom have been affected by immigration issues, according to The Hollywood Reporter — embraced. 

More: The VMAs’ most savage moments: Feuding celebrities and political statements

Jennifer Lopez thanks “twin soul” Alex Rodriguez 

Couple goals! Accepting her Video Vanguard award, pop trailblazer Jennifer Lopez thanked her boyfriend of one year, former baseball player Alex Rodriguez. “Alex, you’re like my twin soul,” Lopez said, teary-eyed. “We’re like mirror images of each other. My life is sweeter and better with you in it, because you make me realize every day that the sky is not the limit. … There is so much more to do, to experience, and there is no one I’d rather do it with, baby.”

Read: We swooned when Jennifer Lopez called A-Rod her ‘twin soul’ at VMAs

Blake Lively, Madonna, Backstreet Boys curse on air 

It could prove to be a busy night for the Federal Communications Commission, after multiple celebrities used profanities while presenting awards. We’ll soon find out if MTV will rack up fines for slips such as Blake Lively’s, who said, “(Expletive) normally just works out for me” in a bit with “A Simple Favor” co-star Anna Kendrick about the Rockettes. 

More: Twitter takes down Backstreet Boys over ‘cringey’ performance

Nicki Minaj throws shade, takes a helicopter 

After making headlines this weekend for dissing Travis Scott for earning a No. 1 album over her just-released “Queen,” Nicki Minaj did not come to play at the VMAs. Accepting the award for best hip-hop video, Minaj took a pass at presenter Tiffany Haddish, who made a joke about the since-disbanded Fifth Harmony’s lack of nominations. “Don’t be coming for Fifth Harmony because (group member) Normani (Kordei) is that (expletive),” Minaj deadpanned. She later left in a “Queen”-emblazoned helicopter, following her fierce medley of songs “Majesty,” “Barbie Dreams,” “Ganja Burn” and “Fefe” at the Oculus transit hub for the World Trade Center. 

VMAs’ savage moments: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and more feuding celebrities

 

 

 

 

 

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USA TODAY

Published 4:12 a.m. ET Aug. 21, 2018

Paul Manafort jury deliberations resume 

A federal court jury ended its third day of deliberations Monday evening in the financial fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and they’ll be back at it Tuesday morning. But even if Trump’s former campaign manager is acquitted, his legal battle will be only halfway over. Manafort is due back in court in Washington next month for a second trial centered on allegations of lying to the FBI, money laundering and foreign lobbying. And prosecutors say they have more than double the amount of evidence they showed jurors in Virginia. 

Alaska voters to decide primaries for governor, U.S. House

Voters in Alaska on Tuesday will select a Republican to move on to what’s expected to be a closely watched governor’s race this fall and choose the latest contender to try to unseat the longest-serving member of the US House. Former state Sen. Mike Dunleavy and former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell are the highest-profile candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor. In Alaska’s other big race, independent Alyse Galvin and Democrat Dimitri Shein are among the candidates vying for a shot to take on Republican Rep. Don Young, who is expected to win his primary. Also running in the Democratic House primary are independent Christopher Cumings and Democrat Carol Hafner, who has never lived in or visited Alaska. 

Russian hacking attempts targeted conservative groups, report finds

New Russian hacking attempts targeting US political groups ahead of the midterm elections, a report released by Microsoft on Tuesday finds. The tech giant, which uncovered the attempt, tied it to a hacking group affiliated with the Russian government which spoofed a pair of conservative think-tanks, the Hudson Institute and the International Republican Institute. “We are now seeing another uptick in attacks. What is particular in this instance is the broadening of the type of websites they are going after,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith, according to The New York Times.There’s no sign the hackers were successful in getting anyone to click on the fake websites, the Associated Press reported. 

States aim to stop Internet release of 3D-printed gun plans

A federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on whether to block a settlement the State Department reached with a company that would allow it to post blueprints for printing 3D weapons on the Internet. 19 states and the District of Columbia sued and last month secured a restraining order to stop that process, and now they want to make that permanent by having the judge convert the restraining order into an injunction. They fear the plans, if disseminated online, could be used by people who are not legally permitted to buy or possess guns. Critics add that because the weapons aren’t made of metal, they would be undetectable. 

Husband accused of killing wife, two daughters appears in court

A Colorado man accused of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters earlier this month is scheduled for a court appearance Tuesday to hear the charges against him. Christopher Watts, 33, of Frederick, Colorado, was formally charged with nine felony counts, including five counts of first-degree murder, in the deaths of Shanann Watts, 34, Bella Watts, 4, and Celeste Watts, 3. A court filing unsealed Monday says Watts admitted to police that he killed his wife after claiming that she strangled their two daughters. The day before his arrest, Christopher Watts gave a television interview during which he said the disappearance of his wife and kids was “traumatic.” 

Contributing: Associated Press 

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England and Sale winger Chris Ashton will face a disciplinary panel on Thursday after he was cited for a tip tackle made in a pre-season friendly.

It was initially reported Ashton had punched Castres’ Rory Kockott but footage shows he lifted his opponent before throwing him to the ground.

He could miss the opening six matches of the Premiership season, with bans for such tackles starting at six weeks.

The red card came in his second game for Sale following a summer move.

The former Saracens winger moved to the AJ Bell Stadium from French club Toulon in July.

His move back to the English game prompted an immediate recall to coach Eddie Jones’ national set-up for a three-day camp last month following a four-year absence from international rugby.

He was part of the Australian’s first England squad in 2016, before serving bans for biting and eye gouging.

Sale begin their league season on 1 September against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop and if found guilty his competitive debut could be delayed until mid-October when the Sharks face Perpignan in the European Challenge Cup.

The Sharks could also be without Romania prop Alexandru Tarus, who was also shown a red card in the second half of their pre-season match against Castres and cited for dangerous play at the ruck.

Muslims across the world are celebrating the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, which coincides with the final rites of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

While many will celebrate on Tuesday, millions of others, including in South Asia, will celebrate the start of the religious holiday the day after.

Eid al-Adha, which in Arabic literally means the “festival of the sacrifice”, commemorates the story of the Muslim Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith.

Muslims believe Ibrahim was commanded by God him to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Tradition holds that God stayed his hand, sparing the boy, and placing a ram in his place.

The day is marked with the sacrifice of an animal, usually a goat, sheep, or cow, and the distribution of the meat among neighbours, family members, and the poor.

In the village of Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Mecca, it marks the day, millions of pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil.

The five-day-long Hajj is a series of rituals meant to cleanse the soul of sins and instill a sense of equality and brotherhood among Muslims.

The pilgrimage is required of all Muslims with the financial and physical means to perform it.

During the last three days of Hajj , male pilgrims shave their heads and remove the white cloth garments worn during the Hajj, known as the ‘ihram’. Women cut off a small lock of hair in a sign of spiritual rebirth and renewal.

Eid al-Adha is also known as:

• Eidul Adha in the Philippines .
• Eid el-Kabir in Nigeria and Morocco.
• Tabaski in Senegal and Gambia.
• Kurban Bayrami in Turkey.
• Hari Raya Haji in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
• Eid-e-Qurbon in Iran.
• Bakri-Id or Qurbani Eid in South Asia.

Below are some social media tweets marking the festival: 

My relatives are here to wish you all Eid Mubarak #Gaza #غزة #EidulAzha pic.twitter.com/hATGfy1H3x

— Muhammad Smiry Gaza (@MuhammadSmiry) August 21, 2018

 

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating! May we all draw inspiration from the values of empathy, charity and compassion that are celebrated during #EidAlAdha.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 20, 2018

 

Eid Mubarak! Sophie and I send our best wishes to Muslims in Canada and around the world as they celebrate Eid al-Adha. https://t.co/dUh9FyQYKf pic.twitter.com/nQa5WdhQ15

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 21, 2018

 

May all Muslim and Arab nations around the world enjoy and celebrate #EidAlAdha with loved ones, and may it be filled with peace and blessings. Eid Mubarak!

— محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) August 20, 2018

 

His Majesty King Abdullah II and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II join the families of Fuheis and Salt martyrs in performing Eid Al Adha prayer in Aqaba #Jordan pic.twitter.com/SkLKoi8zqY

— RHC (@RHCJO) August 21, 2018

 

#EidAlAdha
Don’t forget the poor. It’s truly the day of happiness and day brotherhood Muslim united to worship Almighty Allah.. Eid Mubarak from me to your family.. Eid wanagsan pic.twitter.com/6pyz3CqMgk

— Farry Abdi (@AbdiFarry) August 21, 2018

 

Eid Mubarak in some of the main languages of the world. pic.twitter.com/d7L3DgSQBX

— Maqsood Ahmad (@LasaniLogistics) August 21, 2018

 

First sheep is being distributed #EidMubarak #CareForGaza pic.twitter.com/FHYwnTKebQ

— Muhammad Smiry Gaza (@MuhammadSmiry) August 21, 2018

SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies

At least nine rockets hit near the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, where President Ashraf Ghani was delivering a speech to mark the beginning of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Afghan officials on Tuesday said fighting broke out between security forces and armed groups in the city’s old quarter, in which at least two people were wounded. 

“This morning a group of terrorists took over a building in Reka Khana and fired several rockets towards Kabul,” Najib Danishm a spokesman for the interior ministry told AFP news agency.

The attack comes as the Taliban rejected a ceasefire offer from the Afghan government on Monday, saying they would persist with their attacks.

Earlier on Monday, Taliban fighters ambushed three buses carrying nearly 200 passengers travelling for Eid.

Reuters news agency reported that 160 of them were later released, while at least 20 remain captive.

Two Taliban commanders said their supreme leader rejected Ghani’s Sunday offer of a three-month ceasefire, beginning with this week’s Eid, Reuters reported.

In June, the Taliban observed a government ceasefire over the three-day Eid al-Fitr festival, leading to unprecedented scenes of government soldiers and Taliban fighters embracing on front lines, and raising hopes for talks.

But one of the Taliban commanders said the June ceasefire had helped US forces, who the Taliban are trying to drive out of the country. 

Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhunzada rejected the new offer on the grounds that it too would only help the American-led mission.

In what amounted to the show’s closest thing to an opening monologue, Tiffany Haddish took a few shots at Fifth Harmony over Camila Cabello’s exit from the band. “Camila Cabello is here nominated for five awards. I’m super proud of her. So, those of you watching at home, hi Fifth Harmony!” Haddish quipped. Cabello shook her head at the joke and Nicki Minaj later stood up for Cabello’s former band members, saying, “Tiff, don’t be coming for Fifth Harmony because Normani is that bitch,” in reference to Normani Kordei. “I’m just saying!”