<p>Spain's far-right Vox party could nearly double its number of parliamentary seats in next weekend's general election, according to an opinion poll published on Sunday.</p>

<p>While the Socialist Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks set to see its number of seats slip to 121 from 123 last time round in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies, Vox will see tally jump to 46 from 24, according to the poll published in the daily El Pais.</p>

<p>Spain is scheduled to hold its fourth general election in as many years on November 10. The last time the country went to the polls was in April.</p>

<p>Even with support of the other leftist parties, Sanchez's Socialists will fall short of the 176 seats needed for an overall majority, the poll suggested.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The far-left Podemos party will likely secure 31 seats after picking up 42 at the last election in April, according to the poll.</p>

<p>By contrast, the conservative Popular Party (PP) looks set to see its number of seats rise to 91 from 66 in April.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And the business-friendly liberal party Ciudadanos will be the biggest loser, with just 14 seats, compared with 57 six months ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Spain's previously bi-party political system collapsed with the entry into parliament of Podemos and Ciudadanos in 2015.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A grand coalition between the Socialists and the Conservatives could surpass the 176 seats needed for an overall majority, but Sanchez has categorically ruled out any such scenario.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For the survey in El Pais, 2,002 voters were questioned between October 23 and 29.</p>


Spain's far-right Vox party could nearly double its number of parliamentary seats in next weekend's general election, according to an opinion poll published on Sunday.

Spain's far-right Vox party could nearly double its number of parliamentary seats in next weekend's general election, according to an opinion poll published on Sunday. While the Socialist Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks set to see its number of seats slip to 121 from 123 last time round in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies, Vox will see tally jump to 46 from 24, according to the poll published in the daily El Pais. Spain is scheduled to hold its fourth general election in as many years on November 10. The last time the country went to the polls was in April. Even with support of the other leftist parties, Sanchez's Socialists will fall short of the 176 seats needed for an overall majority, the poll suggested. The far-left Podemos party will likely secure 31 seats after picking up 42 at the last election in April, according to the poll. By contrast, the conservative Popular Party (PP) looks set to see its number of seats rise to 91 from 66 in April. And the business-friendly liberal party Ciudadanos will be the biggest loser, with just 14 seats, compared with 57 six months ago. Spain's previously bi-party political system collapsed with the entry into parliament of Podemos and Ciudadanos in 2015. A grand coalition between the Socialists and the Conservatives could surpass the 176 seats needed for an overall majority, but Sanchez has categorically ruled out any such scenario. For the survey in El Pais, 2,002 voters were questioned between October 23 and 29.

Spain's far-right set to double seats in upcoming election: poll

<p>Bangladesh said Sunday plans to relocate thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-chief-urges-myanmar-to-ensure-safe-return-of-rohingya-259659">Rohingya living in overcrowded refugee camps</a> to a remote island were "uncertain" after authorities failed to gain support from UN agencies.</p>

<p>Dhaka had wanted to begin its long-held plan this month to move 100,000 people to the mud-silt island of Bhashan Char, amid growing frustration with the presence of the squalid tent settlements in its southeastern border towns.</p>

<p>Bangladesh has said thousands of Rohingya families have volunteered to relocate, with some 3,500 of the Muslim minority due to be moved between mid-November to February during calm seas.</p>

<p>But the plan was&nbsp;in doubt as the U.N. has not supported the relocation so far, Bangladesh disaster management and relief minister Enamur Rahman told AFP.</p>

<p>"This has become uncertain," Rahman said of the relocation to the island, which takes around three hours to reach by boat.</p>

<p>"They (U.N. agencies) still haven't agreed to the relocation plan."</p>

<p>Aid agencies including the UN refugee agency UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the World Food Program (WFP), which held meetings with the government, told him the island was "isolated" and "flood-prone".</p>

<p>The agencies set out a list of conditions that had to be met, including a regular shipping service between the islet in the Bay of Bengal and the mainland, Rahman added.</p>

<p>The organisations provide humanitarian aid to the nearly one million Rohingya in the vast camps, including 740,000 who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in August 2017.</p>

<p>"We won't do anything forcefully," he said, adding that at least two ships were set to ply the waters between the site and the mainland.</p>

<p>A U.N. official told AFP on Sunday that "U.N. agencies cannot support a move for which (they) have no technical information".</p>

<p>Dhaka is due to hold another round of talks with the agencies on Wednesday, Rahman said.</p>

<p>Global activist group Fortify Rights said last month it interviewed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nearly-400-rohingya-return-to-myanmar-from-bangladesh-embassy-says-259097">14 Rohingya at three camps</a>, including some who appeared on lists of refugees allegedly willing to go, and found none had been consulted "and all opposed it".</p>

<p>Other groups have also expressed misgivings about moving people to the island, which is regularly hit by devastating cyclones.</p>


Bangladesh said Sunday plans to relocate thousands of Rohingya living in overcrowded refugee camps to a remote island were "uncertain" after authorities failed to gain support from UN agencies.

Bangladesh said Sunday plans to relocate thousands of Rohingya living in overcrowded refugee camps to a remote island were "uncertain" after authorities failed to gain support from UN agencies. Dhaka had wanted to begin its long-held plan this month to move 100,000 people to the mud-silt island of Bhashan Char, amid growing frustration with the presence of the squalid tent settlements in its southeastern border towns. Bangladesh has said thousands of Rohingya families have volunteered to relocate, with some 3,500 of the Muslim minority due to be moved between mid-November to February during calm seas. But the plan was in doubt as the U.N. has not supported the relocation so far, Bangladesh disaster management and relief minister Enamur Rahman told AFP. "This has become uncertain," Rahman said of the relocation to the island, which takes around three hours to reach by boat. "They (U.N. agencies) still haven't agreed to the relocation plan." Aid agencies including the UN refugee agency UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the World Food Program (WFP), which held meetings with the government, told him the island was "isolated" and "flood-prone". The agencies set out a list of conditions that had to be met, including a regular shipping service between the islet in the Bay of Bengal and the mainland, Rahman added. The organisations provide humanitarian aid to the nearly one million Rohingya in the vast camps, including 740,000 who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in August 2017. "We won't do anything forcefully," he said, adding that at least two ships were set to ply the waters between the site and the mainland. A U.N. official told AFP on Sunday that "U.N. agencies cannot support a move for which (they) have no technical information". Dhaka is due to hold another round of talks with the agencies on Wednesday, Rahman said. Global activist group Fortify Rights said last month it interviewed 14 Rohingya at three camps, including some who appeared on lists of refugees allegedly willing to go, and found none had been consulted "and all opposed it". Other groups have also expressed misgivings about moving people to the island, which is regularly hit by devastating cyclones.

Bangladesh Rohingya island relocation 'uncertain' after United Nations doubts

<p>Thousands of backers of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-withholding-105-million-in-security-aid-for-lebanon-sources-259197">Lebanon's embattled president</a> rallied Sunday in a show of support, after more than two weeks of massive nationwide anti-graft protests that brought down the government.</p>

<p>They paid tribute to President Michel Aoun outside the capital, ahead of another demonstration planned in Beirut to demand a complete overhaul of a political system deemed inefficient and corrupt.</p>

<p>In the town of Baabda, supporters of the retired general turned head of state filled up a two-kilometre-long&nbsp;road leading to the presidential&nbsp;palace, an AFP correspondent said.</p>

<p>Fans of the president waved large Lebanese flags and orange-coloured banners of the political party he founded, the Free Patriotic Movement, he said.</p>

<p>"We are here, General. We won't abandon you as long as we live," one poster read, responding to a cross-sectarian movement calling for an end to his term.</p>

<p>Some Aoun supporters wore orange T-shirts while others held up portraits of the 84-year-old president.</p>

<p>"General Aoun is a reformist and sincere man,&nbsp;not corrupt nor a thief," said one supporter who gave her name as Diana.</p>

<p>"There has been corruption in the state for 30 years. The president isn't responsible. He's trying to fight against graft," she said.</p>

<p>In Baabda, Aoun supporters said they backed the general demands of protesters nationwide but insisted the president was the only man able to bring about reforms.</p>

<p>"There were slogans against the president. That's not fair," said Hanna Nader, an unemployed man in his forties.</p>

<p>More than 25 percent of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-president-calls-for-merit-based-government-in-nod-to-protesters-259178">Lebanese live in poverty</a>, the World Bank says.</p>

<p>Economic growth in Lebanon has stalled in recent years in the wake of repeated political crises, compounded by an eight-year civil war in neighbouring Syria.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his cabinet would step down.</p>

<p>But it is still unclear what a new government will look like and if it will include independent technocrats as demanded by demonstrators.</p>

<p>Thousands of anti-government protesters flocked together in the northern city of Tripoli Saturday night, many from other parts of the country.</p>


Thousands of backers of Lebanon's embattled president rallied Sunday in a show of support, after more than two weeks of massive nationwide anti-graft protests that brought down the government.

Thousands of backers of Lebanon's embattled president rallied Sunday in a show of support, after more than two weeks of massive nationwide anti-graft protests that brought down the government. They paid tribute to President Michel Aoun outside the capital, ahead of another demonstration planned in Beirut to demand a complete overhaul of a political system deemed inefficient and corrupt. In the town of Baabda, supporters of the retired general turned head of state filled up a two-kilometre-long road leading to the presidential palace, an AFP correspondent said. Fans of the president waved large Lebanese flags and orange-coloured banners of the political party he founded, the Free Patriotic Movement, he said. "We are here, General. We won't abandon you as long as we live," one poster read, responding to a cross-sectarian movement calling for an end to his term. Some Aoun supporters wore orange T-shirts while others held up portraits of the 84-year-old president. "General Aoun is a reformist and sincere man, not corrupt nor a thief," said one supporter who gave her name as Diana. "There has been corruption in the state for 30 years. The president isn't responsible. He's trying to fight against graft," she said. In Baabda, Aoun supporters said they backed the general demands of protesters nationwide but insisted the president was the only man able to bring about reforms. "There were slogans against the president. That's not fair," said Hanna Nader, an unemployed man in his forties. More than 25 percent of the Lebanese live in poverty, the World Bank says. Economic growth in Lebanon has stalled in recent years in the wake of repeated political crises, compounded by an eight-year civil war in neighbouring Syria. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his cabinet would step down. But it is still unclear what a new government will look like and if it will include independent technocrats as demanded by demonstrators. Thousands of anti-government protesters flocked together in the northern city of Tripoli Saturday night, many from other parts of the country.

Thousands rally in support of Lebanese president

<p>Singer Ellie Goulding, actor Imelda Staunton, and model Daisy Lowe were among celebrities demanding that the governments act on climate change in a video campaign launched by Extinction Rebellion on Sunday ahead of Britain's December&nbsp;12 general election.</p>

<p>Extinction Rebellion launched in London a year ago, inspiring waves of colourful, disruptive actions around the world to call for rapid cuts in carbon emissions and the repair of collapsing ecosystems. Thousands of people have been arrested during protests.</p>

<p>The group's emphasis on the role that culture can play in shaping attitudes towards the twin climate and ecological crises has drawn support from a range of leading names from the worlds of music, fashion, art, and film.</p>

<p>The new video&nbsp;was created in a collaboration between film-maker Richard Curtis and Rankin, a creative agency headed by the British photographer of the same name. It features people aged 8 to 80 demanding a halt to the destruction of forests and oceans and the loss of plant, insect and animal species.</p>

<p>"Time has run out. It's act now or face almost unimaginable consequences for life on Earth," said British television presenter and naturalist Chris Packham.</p>

<p>"So if the drivers of change are asleep at the wheel, it's time to shake and wake them with one hand and to empower ourselves to make our own differences with the other," Packham said.</p>

<p>Among the best-known actors to feature in the film is Jim Carter. He played Mr. Carson the butler in 'Downton Abbey', a film and television series that won numerous awards for its portrayal of British aristocratic life in the early 20th century.</p>

<p>Other celebrities include Camilla Thurlow, who appeared in British hit reality series 'Love Island', film and television director Stephen Frears, and actor Jaime Winstone.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Smm_dWDSWMU" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>"This film must reach governments and ring the alarm bell to act now on the climate crisis we are all living in," Winstone said. "We must all ask of them #WhereIsYourPlan."</p>


Singer Ellie Goulding, actor Imelda Staunton, and model Daisy Lowe were among celebrities demanding that the governments act on climate change in a video campaign launched by Extinction Rebellion on Sunday ahead of Britain's December 12 general election.

Singer Ellie Goulding, actor Imelda Staunton, and model Daisy Lowe were among celebrities demanding that the governments act on climate change in a video campaign launched by Extinction Rebellion on Sunday ahead of Britain's December 12 general election. Extinction Rebellion launched in London a year ago, inspiring waves of colourful, disruptive actions around the world to call for rapid cuts in carbon emissions and the repair of collapsing ecosystems. Thousands of people have been arrested during protests. The group's emphasis on the role that culture can play in shaping attitudes towards the twin climate and ecological crises has drawn support from a range of leading names from the worlds of music, fashion, art, and film. The new video was created in a collaboration between film-maker Richard Curtis and Rankin, a creative agency headed by the British photographer of the same name. It features people aged 8 to 80 demanding a halt to the destruction of forests and oceans and the loss of plant, insect and animal species. "Time has run out. It's act now or face almost unimaginable consequences for life on Earth," said British television presenter and naturalist Chris Packham. "So if the drivers of change are asleep at the wheel, it's time to shake and wake them with one hand and to empower ourselves to make our own differences with the other," Packham said. Among the best-known actors to feature in the film is Jim Carter. He played Mr. Carson the butler in 'Downton Abbey', a film and television series that won numerous awards for its portrayal of British aristocratic life in the early 20th century. Other celebrities include Camilla Thurlow, who appeared in British hit reality series 'Love Island', film and television director Stephen Frears, and actor Jaime Winstone. "This film must reach governments and ring the alarm bell to act now on the climate crisis we are all living in," Winstone said. "We must all ask of them #WhereIsYourPlan."

Celebrities back call for climate action in Extinction Rebellion video

<p>Bollywood's 'Dhak Dhak'&nbsp;girl, Madhuri Dixit Nene on Sunday expressed excitement as her film 'Parinda', in which she played a strong female lead, clocked 30 years.<br />
<br />
The actor played the role of Paro in the film which according to her still holds a special place in her heart . The 'Kalank'&nbsp;star shared a small video on her Twitter handle showcasing close up shots of a young Madhuri teaching children while in the second shot she is flaunting her beautiful smile.<br />
<br />
"Paro still holds a special place in my heart even after 30 years of #Parinda. It was a sheer joy for me to portray a strong female lead character, back in those days. And working with Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff &amp; Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films was an experience in itself. Forever grateful!#30YearsOfParinda," she captioned the post.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Paro still holds a special place in my heart even after 30 years of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Parinda?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Parinda</a>.It was sheer joy for me to portray a strong female lead character, back in those days.And working with <a href="https://twitter.com/AnilKapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnilKapoor</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bindasbhidu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bindasbhidu</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/VVCFilms?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VVCFilms</a> was an experience in itself.Forever grateful!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/30YearsOfParinda?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#30YearsOfParinda</a> <a href="https://t.co/FFPS4IXwfY">pic.twitter.com/FFPS4IXwfY</a></p>
— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) <a href="https://twitter.com/MadhuriDixit/status/1190855120981872640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Vidhu Vinod Chopra-directorial is a crime drama that revolves around brothers Kishen (Jackie Shroff) and Karan (Anil Kapoor) who reside in Mumbai. Karan falls in love with Paro (Madhuri Dixit), a friend's beautiful sister, but he leaves India to attend school in America. Kishen, meanwhile, enters into a life of crime, falling under the sway of Anna (Nana Patekar), a drug dealer.<br />
<br />
When Karan decides to return to India to pursue a relationship with Paro, Kishen tries to keep him away from his criminal life. The film had hit silver screens on November 3, 1989.</p>


Bollywood's 'Dhak Dhak' girl, Madhuri Dixit Nene on Sunday expressed excitement as her film 'Parinda', in which she played a strong female lead, clocked 30 years.

Bollywood's 'Dhak Dhak' girl, Madhuri Dixit Nene on Sunday expressed excitement as her film 'Parinda', in which she played a strong female lead, clocked 30 years. The actor played the role of Paro in the film which according to her still holds a special place in her heart . The 'Kalank' star shared a small video on her Twitter handle showcasing close up shots of a young Madhuri teaching children while in the second shot she is flaunting her beautiful smile. "Paro still holds a special place in my heart even after 30 years of #Parinda. It was a sheer joy for me to portray a strong female lead character, back in those days. And working with Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff & Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films was an experience in itself. Forever grateful!#30YearsOfParinda," she captioned the post. Paro still holds a special place in my heart even after 30 years of #Parinda.It was sheer joy for me to portray a strong female lead character, back in those days.And working with @AnilKapoor, @bindasbhidu & @VVCFilms was an experience in itself.Forever grateful!#30YearsOfParinda pic.twitter.com/FFPS4IXwfY — Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) November 3, 2019 × The Vidhu Vinod Chopra-directorial is a crime drama that revolves around brothers Kishen (Jackie Shroff) and Karan (Anil Kapoor) who reside in Mumbai. Karan falls in love with Paro (Madhuri Dixit), a friend's beautiful sister, but he leaves India to attend school in America. Kishen, meanwhile, enters into a life of crime, falling under the sway of Anna (Nana Patekar), a drug dealer. When Karan decides to return to India to pursue a relationship with Paro, Kishen tries to keep him away from his criminal life. The film had hit silver screens on November 3, 1989.

This 1989 character 'Paro' holds special place in Madhuri Dixit's heart

<p>Keeping up with the Halloween spirit, singer Ariana Grande transformed her house into a haunted hotel for a spooky party. On Friday, the 26-year-old singer hosted a star-studded costume party called 'Ariana's Twilight Zone'&nbsp;at her home which she transformed into a haunted hotel with the help of a design planner Tricia Smith-Brown, reported a magazine.<br />
<br />
"Thank you @triciasmithbrown &amp; team for transforming my home into the most stunning, haunted hotel," the singer shared on Instagram which has been deleted now.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Qjz8aFe8R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">happy halloween’s eve 🖤</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/arianagrande/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Ariana Grande</a> (@arianagrande) on <time datetime="2019-10-30T22:16:19+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 30, 2019 at 3:16pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>"I can't believe how incredible everything and everyone was. thank you for making all my spooky, twisted, twilight zone dreams come true", she added.<br />
<br />
In the post, the singer shared some footage of the spooky set-up, which featured a long candle-lit dinner table occupied by creepy skeletons and chilling music playing in the background.</p>

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<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XisQIgC2h/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4XisQIgC2h/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">the family that scares together... 👻👻👻👻</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/frankiejgrande/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Frankie James Grande</a> (@frankiejgrande) on <time datetime="2019-11-02T15:19:59+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 2, 2019 at 8:19am PDT</time></p>
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<p><br />
Grande's brother, Frankie James, and their mother Joan were both in attendance, with Frankie sharing a picture of the trio from a photo booth and captioning it, "the family that scares together''. The ''Thank U, Next''&nbsp;singer was dressed in her ''The Twilight Zone''&nbsp;inspired costume for the event.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Grande transformed herself into one of the characters from the iconic series ''Eye of the Beholder''&nbsp;episode.</p>


Keeping up with the Halloween spirit, singer Ariana Grande transformed her house into a haunted hotel for a spooky party. On Friday, the 26-year-old singer hosted a star-studded costume party called 'Ariana's Twilight Zone' at her home which she transformed into a haunted hotel with the help of a design planner Tricia Smith-Brown, reported a magazine.

Keeping up with the Halloween spirit, singer Ariana Grande transformed her house into a haunted hotel for a spooky party. On Friday, the 26-year-old singer hosted a star-studded costume party called 'Ariana's Twilight Zone' at her home which she transformed into a haunted hotel with the help of a design planner Tricia Smith-Brown, reported a magazine. "Thank you @triciasmithbrown & team for transforming my home into the most stunning, haunted hotel," the singer shared on Instagram which has been deleted now. View this post on Instagram happy halloween’s eve 🖤 A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Oct 30, 2019 at 3:16pm PDT × "I can't believe how incredible everything and everyone was. thank you for making all my spooky, twisted, twilight zone dreams come true", she added. In the post, the singer shared some footage of the spooky set-up, which featured a long candle-lit dinner table occupied by creepy skeletons and chilling music playing in the background. View this post on Instagram the family that scares together... 👻👻👻👻 A post shared by Frankie James Grande (@frankiejgrande) on Nov 2, 2019 at 8:19am PDT × Grande's brother, Frankie James, and their mother Joan were both in attendance, with Frankie sharing a picture of the trio from a photo booth and captioning it, "the family that scares together''. The ''Thank U, Next'' singer was dressed in her ''The Twilight Zone'' inspired costume for the event. Grande transformed herself into one of the characters from the iconic series ''Eye of the Beholder'' episode.

Ariana Grande transformed her house into spooky hotel for Halloween party

Prince Harry who was on a solo visit to Japan received a beautiful compliment from a school kid which will surely make your day better. While visiting with a group of local schoolchildren before Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, the Duke of Sussex shared a sweet moment with a student who commented on how handsome he was as they posed for a group photograph, reported a magazine.

Prince Harry who was on a solo visit to Japan received a beautiful compliment from a school kid which will surely make your day better. While visiting with a group of local schoolchildren before Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, the Duke of Sussex shared a sweet moment with a student who commented on how handsome he was as they posed for a group photograph, reported a magazine. View this post on Instagram Hello Japan 🇯🇵 Ahead of attending the @rugbyworldcup 2019 Final in Japan, The Duke of Sussex has today visited the new Para Arena training centre in Tokyo to view training sessions including wheelchair rugby, boccia and powerlifting. #RWC2019 #RWCFinal His Royal Highness met athletes to hear about their Tokyo 2020 Paralympics qualification preparations. The Duke also met a group of local schoolchildren, including from the Yokohama area, where Paralympics GB will be based for pre-Games training. The Duke was present the last time England and South Africa met in the Rugby World Cup Final in Paris in 2007. HRH became Patron of RFU All Schools in 2013 and was made Patron of the Rugby Football Union in 2017, a role Her Majesty The Queen had previously held. 📷 PA Images A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Nov 2, 2019 at 1:34am PDT × In an adorable clip posted on The Royal Family Channel Twitter account, 35-year-old Harry is playfully pointing to his wedding ring and saying, I'm married! much to the delight of the rest of the children, who could be heard laughing. Ahead of the match, Harry also had a laugh with Japanese Paralympic hopefuls, after finding out that one of them was rooting for South Africa to defeat England. I'll have a word later, Harry quipped. "You might not be getting selected''. Following the match, which England lost 32-12, Harry gave South African President Cyril Ramaphosa a big hug in a sweet moment that was captured on the Sussex Royal Instagram account. View this post on Instagram Congratulations South Africa! Rugby World Cup champions 2019! • “Tonight was not England’s night, but the whole nation is incredibly proud of what @EnglandRugby have achieved over the past few months. Hold your heads high boys, you did an outstanding job and we couldn’t have asked more from you. To the whole of South Africa - rugby unites all of us in more ways than we can imagine, and tonight I have no doubt that it will unite all of you. After last month’s visit, I can’t think of a nation that deserves it more. Well done and enjoy! Arigatu gozaimasu Nihon 🇯🇵” - The Duke of Sussex #RWC2019 #RWCFinal Video © @rugbyworldcup Photo © PA A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Nov 2, 2019 at 6:13am PDT × ''Tonight was not England's night, but the whole nation is incredibly proud of what @EnglandRugby has achieved over the past few months. Hold your heads, high boys, you did an outstanding job and we couldn't have asked more from you," Harry wrote. View this post on Instagram A great effort by England in reaching the Rugby World Cup Final 2019 and congratulations to South Africa on winning a hard fought game. #RWC2019 #engvrsa A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on Nov 2, 2019 at 4:52am PDT × "To the whole of South Africa - rugby unites all of us in more ways than we can imagine, and tonight I have no doubt that it will unite all of you. After last month's visit, I can't think of a nation that deserves it more. Well done and enjoy!" he added.

Prince Harry flattered by sweet compliment from Japanese school kid

<p>Actor Bhumi Pednekar, who recently started her pan-India campaign 'Climate Warrior', joined hands with thousands of Mumbaikars to raise her voice for climate conservation. Thousands of people thronged the streets of Bandra while carrying out silent a march asking for climate justice as part of an initiative of 'Fridays For Future'.<br />
<br />
The 'Fridays For Future'&nbsp;Mumbai chapter had school children, climate activists, elderly people and youngsters holding placards with slogans against climate change.&nbsp;The actor shared a video on her Instagram in which she is speaking about the need to protect the environment and how people can tackle climate change in the world.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B4WenaGJ-lc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Each one of us have to save our planet, our environment. We are all #ClimateWarriors and I salute the commendable work that Fridays For Future has been doing to propagate the message of climate conservation. I recently participated in the peaceful strike that was hosted by them to stand up for climate justice and it was an eye opening experience for me to hear how socially conscious our next generation is and how fiercely protective they are about their future and environment. It is our responsibility to leave a better planet to our future generations and we have to make this happen. Let’s STAND UP and take action NOW!! #ClimateWarrior @fridaysforfuture @fridaysforfuturemumbai</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bhumipednekar/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Bhumi✨</a> (@bhumipednekar) on <time datetime="2019-11-02T05:29:27+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 1, 2019 at 10:29pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>"Each one of us have to save our planet, our environment. We are all #ClimateWarriors and I salute the commendable work that Fridays For Future has been doing to propagate the message of climate conservation. I recently participated in the peaceful strike that was hosted by them to stand up for climate justice and it was an eye-opening experience for me to hear how socially conscious our next generation is and how fiercely Urging people to step out and support the initiative'', she&nbsp;said.<br />
<br />
She&nbsp;also wrote, "It is our responsibility to leave a better planet to our future generations and we have to make this happen. Let's STAND UP and take action NOW!!"In the video, the 'Shubh Mangal Savdhaan'&nbsp;star spoke about how during her childhood they were told about the issue of climate change that has actually become a reality now. She also spoke about how Mumbai is her home and that we all have to act now to bring about a positive change.''&nbsp;</p>


Actor Bhumi Pednekar, who recently started her pan-India campaign 'Climate Warrior', joined hands with thousands of Mumbaikars to raise her voice for climate conservation.

Actor Bhumi Pednekar, who recently started her pan-India campaign 'Climate Warrior', joined hands with thousands of Mumbaikars to raise her voice for climate conservation. Thousands of people thronged the streets of Bandra while carrying out silent a march asking for climate justice as part of an initiative of 'Fridays For Future'. The 'Fridays For Future' Mumbai chapter had school children, climate activists, elderly people and youngsters holding placards with slogans against climate change. The actor shared a video on her Instagram in which she is speaking about the need to protect the environment and how people can tackle climate change in the world. View this post on Instagram Each one of us have to save our planet, our environment. We are all #ClimateWarriors and I salute the commendable work that Fridays For Future has been doing to propagate the message of climate conservation. I recently participated in the peaceful strike that was hosted by them to stand up for climate justice and it was an eye opening experience for me to hear how socially conscious our next generation is and how fiercely protective they are about their future and environment. It is our responsibility to leave a better planet to our future generations and we have to make this happen. Let’s STAND UP and take action NOW!! #ClimateWarrior @fridaysforfuture @fridaysforfuturemumbai A post shared by Bhumi✨ (@bhumipednekar) on Nov 1, 2019 at 10:29pm PDT × "Each one of us have to save our planet, our environment. We are all #ClimateWarriors and I salute the commendable work that Fridays For Future has been doing to propagate the message of climate conservation. I recently participated in the peaceful strike that was hosted by them to stand up for climate justice and it was an eye-opening experience for me to hear how socially conscious our next generation is and how fiercely Urging people to step out and support the initiative'', she said. She also wrote, "It is our responsibility to leave a better planet to our future generations and we have to make this happen. Let's STAND UP and take action NOW!!"In the video, the 'Shubh Mangal Savdhaan' star spoke about how during her childhood they were told about the issue of climate change that has actually become a reality now. She also spoke about how Mumbai is her home and that we all have to act now to bring about a positive change.''

Bhumi Pednekar gets vocal about climate change, starts Climate Warrior campaign

<p>The head of an international body auditing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-two-dead-in-bolivia-post-election-clashes-defence-minister-258986">Bolivia's disputed election results</a> resigned unexpectedly on Friday, casting further uncertainty over a vote that sparked deadly riots and delivered President Evo Morales a fourth term.</p>

<p>The chief of the technical mission from the Organisation of American States (OAS), Mexican Arturo Espinosa, announced he is stepping down from the role just a day after beginning the review of the controversial poll.</p>

<p>"I have decided to withdraw from the audit so as not to compromise its impartiality. I should have informed the OAS about previous public statements (declarations) about the electoral process in Bolivia," he wrote in a tweet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An OAS spokeswoman later confirmed his resignation to AFP.</p>

<p>Espinosa wrote two articles related to Bolivia's elections for a Mexican news website in the past two weeks, including one,&nbsp;published after the election, which raised doubts over the poll's transparency.</p>

<p>The 20 October election result, ratified on Friday by Bolivia's own Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), saw Morales narrowly secure the 10-point gap needed to win outright,&nbsp;but only after an abrupt and unexplained shift in the vote count in his favor.</p>

<p>Opposition candidate Carlos Mesa criticised the TSE's latest result calculations, saying that they show Morales committed a "fraud" and "an aggression against the good faith of the international community."</p>

<p>The 66-year-old former president has also refused to take part in the OAS audit, calling instead for the results given by the electoral court (TSE) to be annulled as a precondition of his co-operation.</p>

<p><strong>Poll violence</strong></p>

<p>Riots broke out almost as soon as the election ended and Espinosa's resignation now threatens to heighten tensions.</p>

<p>Protests erupted in various cities in Bolivia on Friday, especially in the south of the administrative capital La Paz, where roads were cut off and riot police guarded vital crossings.</p>

<p>The extended clashes have seen 191 people detained and 60 police officers injured, said police chief Julio Cordero said on Friday.</p>

<p>But some opposition groups protesting the election now support neither Morales nor Mesa.</p>

<p>Popular assemblies or "Cabildos" held on Thursday in La Paz and the eastern city of Santa Cruz have rejected the OAS audit and demanded new elections.</p>

<p>The council of La Paz has even proclaimed "Neither Mesa, nor Evo Morales!", in favour of holding new elections without either of the two main candidates who stood on 20 October.</p>

<p>The president said on Friday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-close-to-striking-deal-on-election-audit-as-protests-intensify-258432">Bolivians should wait</a> for the OAS audit report, which should be ready in two weeks.</p>

<p>Bolivia's first indigenous president, Morales has been in power since 2006.</p>

<p>Already Latin America's longest-serving leader, Morales is looking to remain in power until 2025 with a fourth term.</p>

<p>The country's constitution limits a president to two successive terms, and a 2016 referendum rejected a bid by Morales to remove term limits.</p>

<p>But Bolivia's constitutional court authorized him to stand for a fourth mandate.</p>

<p>The court, like the election tribunal, is made up of members appointed by Morales's Movement for Socialism.</p>


The head of an international body auditing Bolivia's disputed election results resigned unexpectedly on Friday, casting further uncertainty over a vote that sparked deadly riots and delivered President Evo Morales a fourth term.

The head of an international body auditing Bolivia's disputed election results resigned unexpectedly on Friday, casting further uncertainty over a vote that sparked deadly riots and delivered President Evo Morales a fourth term. The chief of the technical mission from the Organisation of American States (OAS), Mexican Arturo Espinosa, announced he is stepping down from the role just a day after beginning the review of the controversial poll. "I have decided to withdraw from the audit so as not to compromise its impartiality. I should have informed the OAS about previous public statements (declarations) about the electoral process in Bolivia," he wrote in a tweet. An OAS spokeswoman later confirmed his resignation to AFP. Espinosa wrote two articles related to Bolivia's elections for a Mexican news website in the past two weeks, including one, published after the election, which raised doubts over the poll's transparency. The 20 October election result, ratified on Friday by Bolivia's own Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), saw Morales narrowly secure the 10-point gap needed to win outright, but only after an abrupt and unexplained shift in the vote count in his favor. Opposition candidate Carlos Mesa criticised the TSE's latest result calculations, saying that they show Morales committed a "fraud" and "an aggression against the good faith of the international community." The 66-year-old former president has also refused to take part in the OAS audit, calling instead for the results given by the electoral court (TSE) to be annulled as a precondition of his co-operation. Poll violence Riots broke out almost as soon as the election ended and Espinosa's resignation now threatens to heighten tensions. Protests erupted in various cities in Bolivia on Friday, especially in the south of the administrative capital La Paz, where roads were cut off and riot police guarded vital crossings. The extended clashes have seen 191 people detained and 60 police officers injured, said police chief Julio Cordero said on Friday. But some opposition groups protesting the election now support neither Morales nor Mesa. Popular assemblies or "Cabildos" held on Thursday in La Paz and the eastern city of Santa Cruz have rejected the OAS audit and demanded new elections. The council of La Paz has even proclaimed "Neither Mesa, nor Evo Morales!", in favour of holding new elections without either of the two main candidates who stood on 20 October. The president said on Friday that Bolivians should wait for the OAS audit report, which should be ready in two weeks. Bolivia's first indigenous president, Morales has been in power since 2006. Already Latin America's longest-serving leader, Morales is looking to remain in power until 2025 with a fourth term. The country's constitution limits a president to two successive terms, and a 2016 referendum rejected a bid by Morales to remove term limits. But Bolivia's constitutional court authorized him to stand for a fourth mandate. The court, like the election tribunal, is made up of members appointed by Morales's Movement for Socialism.

Bolivia election audit chief makes surprise resignation

<p>China has launched an ambitious effort to challenge the US dominance in blockchain technology, which it could use for everything from issuing digital money, to streamlining a raft of government services and tracking Communist Party loyalty.</p>

<p>The technology received a crucial endorsement from President Xi Jinping last week, a signal that the government sees blockchain as an integral part of the country's plan to become a high-tech superpower.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-united-states-trade-negotiators-reach-consensus-on-principles-259561">Beijing</a> is the latest in a handful of countries to have adopted a law strictly governing the encryption of data,&nbsp;particularly blockchain technology, which allows the storage and direct exchange of data without going through an intermediary.</p>

<p>Reputedly unfalsifiable, blockchain is a database shared across a network of computers. Once a record has been added to the chain it is almost impossible to change.</p>

<p>It is perhaps best known for underpinning the operation of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin,&nbsp;which Beijing may seek to replicate as it pushes ahead with its plans for a world-leading government-run digital currency.</p>

<p>Although the new law for blockchain "is still rather vague", the country is clearly one of the most active in terms of regulation, Stanislas Pogorzelski, editor of specialist site Cryptonaute.fr, told AFP.</p>

<p>"China has understood very well that to stay a superpower, you have to be at the forefront of new technologies," said Pogorzelski.</p>

<p>Blockchain is set to play a key role in many sectors in the future, including digital finance, internet of things, artificial intelligence and 5G.</p>

<p><strong>Less human intervention</strong></p>

<p>It could also serve to make China's vast bureaucratic system more efficient.</p>

<p>The official Xinhua news agency said a blockchain-based system had been used for the first time to automatically generate and file an enforcement case in Chinese court against a party who failed to pay damages in a mediation agreement.</p>

<p>With less human intervention, such systems could make judicial enforcement in China "more intelligent and transparent," the agency said.</p>

<p>Chinese shares jumped this week as investors piled into stocks linked to the blockchain, after Xi said China should step up research and development of the technology.</p>

<p>"Blockchain should play a bigger role in strengthening Chinese power in cyberspace, developing the digital economy and promoting socio-economic development," Xi said.</p>

<p>"The general sentiment of Xi's comments was simple," said Anthony Pompliano, who writes a daily cryptocurrency newsletter.</p>

<p>"Blockchain technology is really important for the future and China plans to be the global leader," Pompliano added.</p>

<p><strong>Loyalty test</strong></p>

<p>According to analyst Kai von Carnap of the Mercator Institute for Chinese Studies, blockchain-backed tools have potential applications that go well beyond improving administrative efficiency in China.</p>

<p>"More interesting will be those targeting party discipline, internal stability, and ideological loyalty," Von Carnap told AFP.</p>

<p>One example is a newly launched app by the Communist Party that asks members to explain why they joined and what party loyalty means to them.</p>

<p>Blockchain technology is then used to store their responses on a permanent, widely distributed ledger,&nbsp;recording their thoughts in cyberspace forever.</p>

<p><strong>'Not a fan'</strong></p>

<p>As China trumpets its push for more blockchain technology, it is hoping to outpace <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-united-states-trade-negotiators-reach-consensus-on-principles-259561">trade-war rival the United States</a>, whose President Donald Trump tweeted his disdain for cryptocurrencies in July.</p>

<p>"I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air," he wrote.</p>

<p>The contrast between the world's two biggest economies is "striking", according to Pompliano, who says "bitcoin, blockchain technology, and digital assets are not a priority for America".</p>

<p>Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg had to defend his plans to launch a digital coin called Libra to the US Congress in October, after it faced a torrent of criticism from all sides -- including governments who see it as a threat to their monetary sovereignty.</p>

<p>"I don't think Libra will succeed," Huang Qifan, vice director of the CCIEE, an economic think-tank that advises Beijing, said this week in remarks widely reported by state media.</p>

<p>"It is better... to have sovereign digital currencies issued by a government or a central bank," he said.</p>

<p>Last year China released a damning report on existing digital currencies, saying they were "increasingly used as a tool in criminal activities."</p>

<p>But while Beijing banned cryptocurrencies two years ago, it is fast-tracking preparations for its own state-run virtual currency, which is supposed to facilitate transactions and reduce costs.</p>

<p>The anonymity of cryptocurrencies allows users to buy and sell freely without leaving a digital trail,&nbsp;but China's mooted e-cash system will be tightly regulated, experts say, and run by the People's Bank of China.</p>


China has launched an ambitious effort to challenge the US dominance in blockchain technology, which it could use for everything from issuing digital money, to streamlining a raft of government services and tracking Communist Party loyalty.

China has launched an ambitious effort to challenge the US dominance in blockchain technology, which it could use for everything from issuing digital money, to streamlining a raft of government services and tracking Communist Party loyalty. The technology received a crucial endorsement from President Xi Jinping last week, a signal that the government sees blockchain as an integral part of the country's plan to become a high-tech superpower. Beijing is the latest in a handful of countries to have adopted a law strictly governing the encryption of data, particularly blockchain technology, which allows the storage and direct exchange of data without going through an intermediary. Reputedly unfalsifiable, blockchain is a database shared across a network of computers. Once a record has been added to the chain it is almost impossible to change. It is perhaps best known for underpinning the operation of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, which Beijing may seek to replicate as it pushes ahead with its plans for a world-leading government-run digital currency. Although the new law for blockchain "is still rather vague", the country is clearly one of the most active in terms of regulation, Stanislas Pogorzelski, editor of specialist site Cryptonaute.fr, told AFP. "China has understood very well that to stay a superpower, you have to be at the forefront of new technologies," said Pogorzelski. Blockchain is set to play a key role in many sectors in the future, including digital finance, internet of things, artificial intelligence and 5G. Less human intervention It could also serve to make China's vast bureaucratic system more efficient. The official Xinhua news agency said a blockchain-based system had been used for the first time to automatically generate and file an enforcement case in Chinese court against a party who failed to pay damages in a mediation agreement. With less human intervention, such systems could make judicial enforcement in China "more intelligent and transparent," the agency said. Chinese shares jumped this week as investors piled into stocks linked to the blockchain, after Xi said China should step up research and development of the technology. "Blockchain should play a bigger role in strengthening Chinese power in cyberspace, developing the digital economy and promoting socio-economic development," Xi said. "The general sentiment of Xi's comments was simple," said Anthony Pompliano, who writes a daily cryptocurrency newsletter. "Blockchain technology is really important for the future and China plans to be the global leader," Pompliano added. Loyalty test According to analyst Kai von Carnap of the Mercator Institute for Chinese Studies, blockchain-backed tools have potential applications that go well beyond improving administrative efficiency in China. "More interesting will be those targeting party discipline, internal stability, and ideological loyalty," Von Carnap told AFP. One example is a newly launched app by the Communist Party that asks members to explain why they joined and what party loyalty means to them. Blockchain technology is then used to store their responses on a permanent, widely distributed ledger, recording their thoughts in cyberspace forever. 'Not a fan' As China trumpets its push for more blockchain technology, it is hoping to outpace trade-war rival the United States, whose President Donald Trump tweeted his disdain for cryptocurrencies in July. "I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air," he wrote. The contrast between the world's two biggest economies is "striking", according to Pompliano, who says "bitcoin, blockchain technology, and digital assets are not a priority for America". Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg had to defend his plans to launch a digital coin called Libra to the US Congress in October, after it faced a torrent of criticism from all sides -- including governments who see it as a threat to their monetary sovereignty. "I don't think Libra will succeed," Huang Qifan, vice director of the CCIEE, an economic think-tank that advises Beijing, said this week in remarks widely reported by state media. "It is better... to have sovereign digital currencies issued by a government or a central bank," he said. Last year China released a damning report on existing digital currencies, saying they were "increasingly used as a tool in criminal activities." But while Beijing banned cryptocurrencies two years ago, it is fast-tracking preparations for its own state-run virtual currency, which is supposed to facilitate transactions and reduce costs. The anonymity of cryptocurrencies allows users to buy and sell freely without leaving a digital trail, but China's mooted e-cash system will be tightly regulated, experts say, and run by the People's Bank of China.

China joins blockchain technology race, in direct competition with United States

<p>The signing of the world's largest trade pact will likely be kicked back to 2020, according to a draft statement by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-ready-to-work-with-asean-for-south-china-sea-peace-259624">Southeast Asian leaders</a>, delaying a deal craved by China to offset a painful tariff war with the US.</p>

<p>The 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) spans from India to New Zealand and includes 30 per cent of global GDP and half of the world's people.</p>

<p>Objections by India have dashed hopes of finalising the pact at this weekend's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bangkok, where members of the 10-nation bloc have been joined by the premiers of India and China.</p>

<p>"Most market access negotiations have been completed and the few outstanding bilateral issues will be resolved by Feb 2020," said a draft agreement obtained by AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Negotiations have sputtered for several years, but the statement said the text of all 20 chapters&nbsp;was now complete "pending the resolution of one" member, believed to be India. &nbsp;</p>

<p>But it said all members were "committed to sign the RCEP" next year in Vietnam, which will take over the ASEAN chair. &nbsp;</p>

<p>New Delhi is worried its small businesses will be hard hit by any flood of cheap Chinese goods creating "unsustainable trade deficits" -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an interview published by the Bangkok Post.</p>

<p>Beijing sees RCEP as a central pillar of its trade strategy for its Asian neighbourhood, and it is backed by the leaders of ASEAN and who represent a 650 million-strong market.</p>

<p>Concluding the deal has been made more pressing by the brutal tit-for-tat trade war with the US, which has chipped back at the growth in China, the world's second-largest economy.</p>

<p>RCEP,&nbsp;which includes the 10-nation <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asean-leaders-hanker-for-trade-deal-as-economy-sags-due-to-united-states-china-spat-259534">ASEAN bloc</a> along with China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand,&nbsp;accounts for 40 per cent of global commerce.</p>

<p>The tit-for-tat tariffs lobbed by the US and China on billions of dollars worth of goods could drag growth to the lowest rate in over a decade, according to the IMF.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump said he hopes to sign a deal with China's Xi Jinping in order to roll back some of the tariffs, telling reporters over the weekend an agreement could be signed in the US state of Iowa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chinese premier Li Keqiang said earlier in the day his country remained "firmly committed to supporting ASEAN centrality" as part of its regional ties.</p>


The signing of the world's largest trade pact will likely be kicked back to 2020, according to a draft statement by Southeast Asian leaders, delaying a deal craved by China to offset a painful tariff war with the US.

The signing of the world's largest trade pact will likely be kicked back to 2020, according to a draft statement by Southeast Asian leaders, delaying a deal craved by China to offset a painful tariff war with the US. The 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) spans from India to New Zealand and includes 30 per cent of global GDP and half of the world's people. Objections by India have dashed hopes of finalising the pact at this weekend's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bangkok, where members of the 10-nation bloc have been joined by the premiers of India and China. "Most market access negotiations have been completed and the few outstanding bilateral issues will be resolved by Feb 2020," said a draft agreement obtained by AFP. Negotiations have sputtered for several years, but the statement said the text of all 20 chapters was now complete "pending the resolution of one" member, believed to be India. But it said all members were "committed to sign the RCEP" next year in Vietnam, which will take over the ASEAN chair. New Delhi is worried its small businesses will be hard hit by any flood of cheap Chinese goods creating "unsustainable trade deficits" -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an interview published by the Bangkok Post. Beijing sees RCEP as a central pillar of its trade strategy for its Asian neighbourhood, and it is backed by the leaders of ASEAN and who represent a 650 million-strong market. Concluding the deal has been made more pressing by the brutal tit-for-tat trade war with the US, which has chipped back at the growth in China, the world's second-largest economy. RCEP, which includes the 10-nation ASEAN bloc along with China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, accounts for 40 per cent of global commerce. The tit-for-tat tariffs lobbed by the US and China on billions of dollars worth of goods could drag growth to the lowest rate in over a decade, according to the IMF. US President Donald Trump said he hopes to sign a deal with China's Xi Jinping in order to roll back some of the tariffs, telling reporters over the weekend an agreement could be signed in the US state of Iowa. Chinese premier Li Keqiang said earlier in the day his country remained "firmly committed to supporting ASEAN centrality" as part of its regional ties.

World's biggest trade deal to be delayed to 2020: Draft ASEAN statement

<p>Protesters in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-protesters-and-security-forces-clash-keep-umm-qasr-port-closed-259481">Iraq's</a> capital and its south shut down streets, schools and government offices Sunday, AFP's correspondents said, escalating the month-long movement demanding change to the country's political system.</p>

<p>In Baghdad, university-age demonstrators parked cars in the middle of the main thoroughfares, blocking traffic on the first day of the workweek in the Muslim-majority country.</p>

<p>Police officers manning nearby checkpoints looked on but did not intervene.</p>

<p>Other students took part in sit-ins at their schools, and the country's national teachers union extended the strike they began last week.</p>

<p>The engineering, doctors and lawyers syndicates have all backed the protests.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Kut to the east, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqis-pour-into-streets-for-biggest-protest-day-since-saddam-259373">protesters sealed off main roads</a> and bridges and most schools and government agencies were shut.</p>

<p>"We decided to cut the roads as a message to the government that we will keep protesting until the corrupt people and thieves are kicked out and the regime falls," said Tahseen Nasser, a 25-year-old protester.</p>

<p>"We're not allowing government workers to reach their offices, just those in humanitarian fields," including hospitals and police officers, he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Further south in Hillah, Nasiriyah, Diwaniyah and the holy city of Karbala most government offices were not open.</p>

<p>And in Basra, the oil-rich port city, public schools were shut down for the first time since the movement erupted last month.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protests-ali-al-sistani-warns-foreign-actors-against-interfering-in-anti-government-protests-259329">Demonstrations broke out in Baghdad</a> on October 1 in outrage at unemployment, poor public services and corruption, quickly spreading to the Shiite-majority south.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The activists were confronted by security forces, and 157 people,&nbsp;most of them demonstrators in Baghdad, were killed in six days of rallies.</p>

<p>But the protests resumed on October 24 and quickly swelled with the support of students, who skipped class to protest despite orders from Iraq's higher education minister to stay away from the rallies.</p>


Protesters in Iraq's capital and its south shut down streets, schools and government offices Sunday, AFP's correspondents said, escalating the month-long movement demanding change to the country's political system.

Protesters in Iraq's capital and its south shut down streets, schools and government offices Sunday, AFP's correspondents said, escalating the month-long movement demanding change to the country's political system. In Baghdad, university-age demonstrators parked cars in the middle of the main thoroughfares, blocking traffic on the first day of the workweek in the Muslim-majority country. Police officers manning nearby checkpoints looked on but did not intervene. Other students took part in sit-ins at their schools, and the country's national teachers union extended the strike they began last week. The engineering, doctors and lawyers syndicates have all backed the protests. In Kut to the east, protesters sealed off main roads and bridges and most schools and government agencies were shut. "We decided to cut the roads as a message to the government that we will keep protesting until the corrupt people and thieves are kicked out and the regime falls," said Tahseen Nasser, a 25-year-old protester. "We're not allowing government workers to reach their offices, just those in humanitarian fields," including hospitals and police officers, he said. Further south in Hillah, Nasiriyah, Diwaniyah and the holy city of Karbala most government offices were not open. And in Basra, the oil-rich port city, public schools were shut down for the first time since the movement erupted last month. Demonstrations broke out in Baghdad on October 1 in outrage at unemployment, poor public services and corruption, quickly spreading to the Shiite-majority south. The activists were confronted by security forces, and 157 people, most of them demonstrators in Baghdad, were killed in six days of rallies. But the protests resumed on October 24 and quickly swelled with the support of students, who skipped class to protest despite orders from Iraq's higher education minister to stay away from the rallies.

Student strikes, street closures in Iraq protests

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Bharat Sharma

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Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.