Turkey-Russia begin joint patrolling across Northern Syria

German Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/german-chancellor-merkel-kicks-off-her-3-day-visit-meets-pm-modi-259152">Angela Merkel</a> will host United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks in Berlin next Friday, a government spokeswoman said, as US forces resumed border patrols in northeast Syria.

Pompeo's visit comes after Thursday's return by US troops to patrol part of Syria's border with Turkey after a pullout ordered by US President Donald Trump that had opened the way for a Turkish assault.

"Alongside the bilateral relationship, current international questions" will be on the agenda at Merkel's office, spokeswoman Martina Fietz told reporters.

Pompeo also has meetings scheduled with Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas, finance minister Olaf Scholz and defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

Fietz declined to say whether the pair would discuss Kramp-Karrenbauer's suggestion for international troops to set up a "security zone" in north-east Syria.

The defence chief's suggestion has provoked discord in German politics, with foreign minister Maas blasted by MPs for calling it "unrealistic" on a visit to Turkey last week.

Maas had pointed to the reality on the ground, where Kurdish fighters have ceded ground to Turkish and Syrian troops as well as Russian units allied with the Damascus government.

Friday saw the first joint patrols between Ankara and Moscow's soldiers under a deal struck to ensure the Kurds departed.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rejected the idea of a U.N.-mandated security zone in a state television interview Thursday.

"We haven noted Mr Assad's comments but they change nothing about the federal government’s stated position on security and stability in the region," Fietz said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks in Berlin next Friday, a government spokeswoman said, as US forces resumed border patrols in northeast Syria.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for talks in Berlin next Friday, a government spokeswoman said, as US forces resumed border patrols in northeast Syria. Pompeo's visit comes after Thursday's return by US troops to patrol part of Syria's border with Turkey after a pullout ordered by US President Donald Trump that had opened the way for a Turkish assault. "Alongside the bilateral relationship, current international questions" will be on the agenda at Merkel's office, spokeswoman Martina Fietz told reporters. Pompeo also has meetings scheduled with Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas, finance minister Olaf Scholz and defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. Fietz declined to say whether the pair would discuss Kramp-Karrenbauer's suggestion for international troops to set up a "security zone" in north-east Syria. The defence chief's suggestion has provoked discord in German politics, with foreign minister Maas blasted by MPs for calling it "unrealistic" on a visit to Turkey last week. Maas had pointed to the reality on the ground, where Kurdish fighters have ceded ground to Turkish and Syrian troops as well as Russian units allied with the Damascus government. Friday saw the first joint patrols between Ankara and Moscow's soldiers under a deal struck to ensure the Kurds departed. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rejected the idea of a U.N.-mandated security zone in a state television interview Thursday. "We haven noted Mr Assad's comments but they change nothing about the federal government’s stated position on security and stability in the region," Fietz said.

Germany's Merkel set for talks with Pompeo next week

Police in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-free-nearly-150-from-school-in-northern-nigeria-257051">Nigeria</a> said they rescued 15 people chained up in a church in Lagos during the latest raid in a nationwide crackdown on religious institutions accused of abuse.

Detectives "stormed a prayer house used as a detention camp" on Wednesday evening and discovered 15 men and women aged between 19 and 50 chained by the legs, Lagos police spokesman Bala Elkana said.

The pastor of the church, "prophet" Sunday Joseph Ojo, and 10 others were&nbsp;arrested, Elkana said late Thursday.

The victims "were brought by their families to seek spiritual help from mental illness and other diseases," he added.

"The prophet said he has been in the healing ministry since 1986, (and) that he chained them in order to prevent escape."

Some of the victims had spent five years in the church, he said, adding that further investigations were taking place.

Non-government organisations first alerted police to Ojo's "Blessing of Goodness Healing Church" in the Ijegun area of Nigeria's most populous city, according to local reports.

The raid was the first on a church during a wider police crackdown on religious institutions,&nbsp;the majority of which have been Islamic schools,&nbsp;where inmates have been tortured, chained and sexually abused.

Hundreds of victims, mostly children, have been rescued in a series of raids over the past month, mainly across northern Nigeria.

Last week police rescued 108 "unfed and sick" inmates from a so-called reform centre in Kwara State, central Nigeria.&nbsp;

Religious institutions offering to "reform" victims of mental illness and drug abuse are common in Africa's most populous country in the absence of state support.

Police in Nigeria said they rescued 15 people chained up in a church in Lagos during the latest raid in a nationwide crackdown on religious institutions accused of abuse.

Police in Nigeria said they rescued 15 people chained up in a church in Lagos during the latest raid in a nationwide crackdown on religious institutions accused of abuse. Detectives "stormed a prayer house used as a detention camp" on Wednesday evening and discovered 15 men and women aged between 19 and 50 chained by the legs, Lagos police spokesman Bala Elkana said. The pastor of the church, "prophet" Sunday Joseph Ojo, and 10 others were arrested, Elkana said late Thursday. The victims "were brought by their families to seek spiritual help from mental illness and other diseases," he added. "The prophet said he has been in the healing ministry since 1986, (and) that he chained them in order to prevent escape." Some of the victims had spent five years in the church, he said, adding that further investigations were taking place. Non-government organisations first alerted police to Ojo's "Blessing of Goodness Healing Church" in the Ijegun area of Nigeria's most populous city, according to local reports. The raid was the first on a church during a wider police crackdown on religious institutions, the majority of which have been Islamic schools, where inmates have been tortured, chained and sexually abused. Hundreds of victims, mostly children, have been rescued in a series of raids over the past month, mainly across northern Nigeria. Last week police rescued 108 "unfed and sick" inmates from a so-called reform centre in Kwara State, central Nigeria. Religious institutions offering to "reform" victims of mental illness and drug abuse are common in Africa's most populous country in the absence of state support.

Nigerian police rescue 15 people chained up in Lagos church

A controversial law that would allow Russia to cut internet traffic from international servers came into force Friday, prompting fears from rights activists of online isolation.

The law, which President Vladimir Putin signed in May, requires Russian internet providers to install technical devices provided by the authorities to enable centralised control of traffic.&nbsp;

They will also filter content to prevent access to banned websites.&nbsp;

Supporters of the legislation say the aim is to ensure Russian sites keep working if they are unable to connect to international servers or in the case of a threat from abroad such as cyber-attacks.

But rights activists say it is another censorship bid following previous efforts in Russia to block services such as the LinkedIn social media site and the Telegram messenger service.

Human Rights Watch warned that the law means the "Russian&nbsp;government will gain even greater control over freedom of speech and information online".

'Directly censor content'

The internet is the country's main forum for political debate and opposing voices as well as coordinating opposition demonstrations.

"Now the government can directly censor content or even turn Russia's internet into a closed system without telling the public what they are doing or why," said HRW's deputy Europe and Central Asian editor Rachel Denber.

The bill prompted thousands of people to join street protests in Moscow and other cities in March, with some comparing it to China's Great Firewall, which heavily restricts internet access.

The Kremlin has insisted it has no desire to isolate Russian internet users.

"No one is suggesting cutting the internet," spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, accusing protesters of suffering from "delusions."

The bill's authors say the aim is to protect the country's websites from external threats and ensure the functioning of the internet is "safe and stable."

In the event of "threats to the stability, security and integrity" of the internet in Russia, the authorities can establish centralised control by the state telecommunications watchdog.

Internet providers have to take part in annual drills to test the technical devices needed for this.

These devices have not yet been installed by internet providers, however, and are currently being tested, the RBK business daily reported.

One of the law's authors, nationalist lawmaker Andrei Lugovoi, is a key suspect in the 2006 murder of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in Britain.&nbsp;

A controversial law that would allow Russia to cut internet traffic from international servers came into force Friday, prompting fears from rights activists of online isolation.

A controversial law that would allow Russia to cut internet traffic from international servers came into force Friday, prompting fears from rights activists of online isolation. The law, which President Vladimir Putin signed in May, requires Russian internet providers to install technical devices provided by the authorities to enable centralised control of traffic. They will also filter content to prevent access to banned websites. Supporters of the legislation say the aim is to ensure Russian sites keep working if they are unable to connect to international servers or in the case of a threat from abroad such as cyber-attacks. But rights activists say it is another censorship bid following previous efforts in Russia to block services such as the LinkedIn social media site and the Telegram messenger service. Human Rights Watch warned that the law means the "Russian government will gain even greater control over freedom of speech and information online". 'Directly censor content' The internet is the country's main forum for political debate and opposing voices as well as coordinating opposition demonstrations. "Now the government can directly censor content or even turn Russia's internet into a closed system without telling the public what they are doing or why," said HRW's deputy Europe and Central Asian editor Rachel Denber. The bill prompted thousands of people to join street protests in Moscow and other cities in March, with some comparing it to China's Great Firewall, which heavily restricts internet access. The Kremlin has insisted it has no desire to isolate Russian internet users. "No one is suggesting cutting the internet," spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said, accusing protesters of suffering from "delusions." The bill's authors say the aim is to protect the country's websites from external threats and ensure the functioning of the internet is "safe and stable." In the event of "threats to the stability, security and integrity" of the internet in Russia, the authorities can establish centralised control by the state telecommunications watchdog. Internet providers have to take part in annual drills to test the technical devices needed for this. These devices have not yet been installed by internet providers, however, and are currently being tested, the RBK business daily reported. One of the law's authors, nationalist lawmaker Andrei Lugovoi, is a key suspect in the 2006 murder of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko in Britain.

Controversial Russian law to control internet now enforced

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was on Thursday evening discharged from the Grande International Hospital here where he was admitted on Wednesday morning for a health check-up, the hospital said. 
 
Oli underwent kidney dialysis twice within two days during his stay at the hospital, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said. 
 
67-year old Oli had undergone a kidney transplant 13 years ago at the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi. In the following years, he has undergone several health check-ups in Delhi and Singapore. 
 
In August, this year, he was admitted to Singapore-based National University Hospital where he underwent plasmapheresis.

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was on Thursday evening discharged from the Grande International Hospital here where he was admitted on Wednesday morning for a health check-up, the hospital said.

Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was on Thursday evening discharged from the Grande International Hospital here where he was admitted on Wednesday morning for a health check-up, the hospital said. Oli underwent kidney dialysis twice within two days during his stay at the hospital, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) co-chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal said. 67-year old Oli had undergone a kidney transplant 13 years ago at the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi. In the following years, he has undergone several health check-ups in Delhi and Singapore. In August, this year, he was admitted to Singapore-based National University Hospital where he underwent plasmapheresis.

Nepalese Prime Minister Oli discharged from hospital

Relatives of victims of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/tezgam-train-fire-death-toll-reaches-74-in-pakistan-259073">Pakistani train fire that killed 74</a> people struggled on Friday to identify their loved ones, with dozens of people burned beyond recognition and needing DNA testing to determine who they are, an official said.

Fire engulfed three carriages of the train after a gas canister that passengers were using to cook breakfast exploded, triggering the worst disaster on&nbsp;Pakistan's accident-plagued railway system in nearly 15 years.

Jameel Ahmad, a senior official in Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab province, where the blazing train came to a stop, said 57 of the victims were very badly burned.

"Relatives of several people came to identify them but failed," Ahmad told Reuters. "Now the government is collecting DNA samples."

The train was on its way to the city of Rawalpindi, near the capital, from the southern city of Karachi, with many passengers travelling to a religious gathering.

People sneaking stoves onto trains to cook on long journeys is a common problem in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/tezgam-train-tragedy-prime-minister-imran-khan-expresses-grief-259003">Pakistan</a>, despite rules against it, officials say.

An investigator said that according to survivors, people in the compartment where the fire broke out had used gas cookers at least three times.&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;Railways showed pictures of a blackened, cracked gas canister recovered from the wreckage.

Pakistan’s colonial-era railway network has fallen into disrepair in recent decades due to chronic under-investment and poor maintenance, and accidents are common.

About 130 people were killed in 2005 when one train rammed into another at a station in Sindh province, and a third train hit the wreckage.

Relatives of victims of a Pakistani train fire that killed 74 people struggled on Friday to identify their loved ones, with dozens of people burned beyond recognition and needing DNA testing to determine who they are, an official said.

Relatives of victims of a Pakistani train fire that killed 74 people struggled on Friday to identify their loved ones, with dozens of people burned beyond recognition and needing DNA testing to determine who they are, an official said. Fire engulfed three carriages of the train after a gas canister that passengers were using to cook breakfast exploded, triggering the worst disaster on Pakistan's accident-plagued railway system in nearly 15 years. Jameel Ahmad, a senior official in Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab province, where the blazing train came to a stop, said 57 of the victims were very badly burned. "Relatives of several people came to identify them but failed," Ahmad told Reuters. "Now the government is collecting DNA samples." The train was on its way to the city of Rawalpindi, near the capital, from the southern city of Karachi, with many passengers travelling to a religious gathering. People sneaking stoves onto trains to cook on long journeys is a common problem in Pakistan, despite rules against it, officials say. An investigator said that according to survivors, people in the compartment where the fire broke out had used gas cookers at least three times. Pakistan Railways showed pictures of a blackened, cracked gas canister recovered from the wreckage. Pakistan’s colonial-era railway network has fallen into disrepair in recent decades due to chronic under-investment and poor maintenance, and accidents are common. About 130 people were killed in 2005 when one train rammed into another at a station in Sindh province, and a third train hit the wreckage.

Families of Pakistan train fire victims struggle to identify loved ones

Apple TV+, the iPhone maker's entry into the crowded streaming TV market, debuts on Friday as the first "all-original" subscription video service, according to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-beats-profit-forecasts-amid-growth-in-services-wearables-258969">Apple Inc</a> Chief Executive Tim Cook.

All of the programming is original because, unlike Netflix Inc and the forthcoming Disney+ from Walt Disney Co, Apple does not have rights to a back catalogue of TV shows and movies.

That makes Apple's offering relatively slim compared to other online video services. It is also cheaper than competitors at $4.99 per month. And anyone who has purchased an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV device, iPod touch or Mac after Sept. 10 can get a free subscription for one year.

Cook, in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, said he welcomes the wide range of competition in streaming video because he believes it will encourage more people to drop cable television and seek digital entertainment options.

"That really advantages not only Apple, but everyone in the streaming field," Cook said.

Launching in more than 100 countries and territories, Apple TV+ will debut with four TV series for adults, an episode of "Oprah's Book Club," a nature documentary, and three children's series. Additional programming will be added each month.

Here is what to expect on day one.

The Morning Show: One of Apple's most heavily promoted programs, the drama series stars Jennifer Aniston in her first TV role since "Friends," alongside Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell. The series, set behind the scenes of a morning news show, explores power dynamics between men and women in the workplace, ethics in the news business and ageism.

Reaction from TV critics has been mixed, with a 59 percent positive rating as of Thursday on the Rotten Tomatoes website, which aggregates reviews.

The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg said the show started with "a brutally dull pilot and a meandering second episode" before picking up steam in later episodes.

Judy Berman of Time magazine called the series "a sophisticated drama with A-list stars that capitalizes on hot topics and hot gossip."

The first three episodes of a planned 10-episode season debut on Friday. A new episode will be released each Friday thereafter.&nbsp;

For All Mankind: This 10-episode science-fiction drama series imagines a world where the Soviet Union wins the space race. That sets the stage for an alternate history with sweeping ripple effects on everything from women's rights and the environment to the Vietnam War.

Among reviews collected on the Rotten Tomatoes website, 73 percent were positive as of Thursday.

"The sprawling, yet precisely calibrated alt history is Tim Cook and Apple's first total touchdown," wrote Dominic Patten of Deadline Hollywood.

As with "The Morning Show," the first three episodes debut on Friday, and a new episode will be released each Friday thereafter.

Dickinson: Set in the 19th Century, the series is a half-hour dark comedy that reimagines poet Emily Dickinson, played by Hailee Steinfeld, as a rebellious teenager.

It had a 76 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of Thursday. All 10 episodes launch on Friday.

See: Starring "Aquaman" and "Game of Thrones" actor Jason Momoa, the epic drama takes place 600 years in the future after a virus has decimated most of humankind. Those who have survived are blind and must adapt while fighting to protect themselves from a powerful queen. Alfre Woodard co-stars.

"See" scored the lowest among TV critics, earning a 43 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

"Although the show creates a ruthless world - the action is brutal and visceral, and the story advances quickly - it's not inventive enough to overcome the stilted dialogue and stock characters," wrote Brian Lowry of CNN.com.

The first three of eight episodes debut on Friday, and a new one will be released every Friday thereafter.

Oprah's Book Club: In the first episode, Oprah Winfrey discusses the novel "The Water Dancer" with author Ta-Nehisi Coates. The book tells the story of a young man who was born into slavery and later joins the abolitionist movement and the underground railroad.

Apple TV+, the iPhone maker's entry into the crowded streaming TV market, debuts on Friday as the first "all-original" subscription video service, according to Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook.

Apple TV+, the iPhone maker's entry into the crowded streaming TV market, debuts on Friday as the first "all-original" subscription video service, according to Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook. All of the programming is original because, unlike Netflix Inc and the forthcoming Disney+ from Walt Disney Co, Apple does not have rights to a back catalogue of TV shows and movies. That makes Apple's offering relatively slim compared to other online video services. It is also cheaper than competitors at $4.99 per month. And anyone who has purchased an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV device, iPod touch or Mac after Sept. 10 can get a free subscription for one year. Cook, in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, said he welcomes the wide range of competition in streaming video because he believes it will encourage more people to drop cable television and seek digital entertainment options. "That really advantages not only Apple, but everyone in the streaming field," Cook said. Launching in more than 100 countries and territories, Apple TV+ will debut with four TV series for adults, an episode of "Oprah's Book Club," a nature documentary, and three children's series. Additional programming will be added each month. Here is what to expect on day one. The Morning Show: One of Apple's most heavily promoted programs, the drama series stars Jennifer Aniston in her first TV role since "Friends," alongside Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell. The series, set behind the scenes of a morning news show, explores power dynamics between men and women in the workplace, ethics in the news business and ageism. Reaction from TV critics has been mixed, with a 59 percent positive rating as of Thursday on the Rotten Tomatoes website, which aggregates reviews. The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg said the show started with "a brutally dull pilot and a meandering second episode" before picking up steam in later episodes. Judy Berman of Time magazine called the series "a sophisticated drama with A-list stars that capitalizes on hot topics and hot gossip." The first three episodes of a planned 10-episode season debut on Friday. A new episode will be released each Friday thereafter. For All Mankind: This 10-episode science-fiction drama series imagines a world where the Soviet Union wins the space race. That sets the stage for an alternate history with sweeping ripple effects on everything from women's rights and the environment to the Vietnam War. Among reviews collected on the Rotten Tomatoes website, 73 percent were positive as of Thursday. "The sprawling, yet precisely calibrated alt history is Tim Cook and Apple's first total touchdown," wrote Dominic Patten of Deadline Hollywood. As with "The Morning Show," the first three episodes debut on Friday, and a new episode will be released each Friday thereafter. Dickinson: Set in the 19th Century, the series is a half-hour dark comedy that reimagines poet Emily Dickinson, played by Hailee Steinfeld, as a rebellious teenager. It had a 76 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of Thursday. All 10 episodes launch on Friday. See: Starring "Aquaman" and "Game of Thrones" actor Jason Momoa, the epic drama takes place 600 years in the future after a virus has decimated most of humankind. Those who have survived are blind and must adapt while fighting to protect themselves from a powerful queen. Alfre Woodard co-stars. "See" scored the lowest among TV critics, earning a 43 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. "Although the show creates a ruthless world - the action is brutal and visceral, and the story advances quickly - it's not inventive enough to overcome the stilted dialogue and stock characters," wrote Brian Lowry of CNN.com. The first three of eight episodes debut on Friday, and a new one will be released every Friday thereafter. Oprah's Book Club: In the first episode, Oprah Winfrey discusses the novel "The Water Dancer" with author Ta-Nehisi Coates. The book tells the story of a young man who was born into slavery and later joins the abolitionist movement and the underground railroad.

AppleTV+ debuts streaming TV service with Oprah and Aniston

No Brexit, no worry: Britain kicks off election campaign

Novo&nbsp;Nordisk&nbsp;posted third-quarter operating profit a touch below expectations on Friday on weak insulin&nbsp;sales&nbsp;and impairments but nudged&nbsp;up&nbsp;its&nbsp;sales&nbsp;outlook&nbsp;on hopes for&nbsp;new&nbsp;type 2 diabetes and obesity&nbsp;drugs.

Novo&nbsp;now sees&nbsp;2019&nbsp;sales&nbsp;growth at 5-6 per cent&nbsp;versus 4-6 per cent&nbsp;previously, and held its forecast for operating profit growth at 4-6 per cent, both in local currency terms. It said operating profit rose 9 per cent&nbsp;in the last quarter, slightly below analysts' forecasts.

Shares in the healthcare group&nbsp;traded&nbsp;up&nbsp;1.6 per cent&nbsp;at 0923 GMT, outperforming a 0.3 per cent&nbsp;rise in the broader European STOXX 600 index and a 1.4 per cent&nbsp;increase in Copenhagen's main index.&nbsp;

The world's largest maker of diabetes&nbsp;drugs&nbsp;is betting on&nbsp;new&nbsp;treatments, including a first-of-its-kind tablet, to offset pricing pressure from competing insulins and US&nbsp;lawmakers, who have been critical of rising drug costs.

Sales&nbsp;of its&nbsp;new&nbsp;once-weekly injectable treatment, branded Ozempic, reached 6,872 million Danish crowns&nbsp;for the first nine months, attaining blockbuster status.

Ozempic's third-quarter&nbsp;sales&nbsp;came in 11&nbsp;stronger than expected, said Jefferies analysts.

The&nbsp;new&nbsp;drug is a competitor of Eli Lilly's Trulicity. Both&nbsp;drugs&nbsp;belong to the GLP-1 drug class, which imitate an intestinal hormone that stimulates the production of insulin.

These&nbsp;drugs&nbsp;are more expensive but make&nbsp;up&nbsp;a growing share of the diabetes market, as they have proved effective in reducing diabetes patients' blood glucose levels and weight.

"We believe we have the better product both in terms of glucose-lowering, weight (reduction) and the cardiovascular safety profile," said chief financial officer Karsten Munk Knudsen, referring to clinical trials.

"Our&nbsp;sales&nbsp;reps have what they need to go into the market and compete vis-a-vis with Trulicity," he said, adding that&nbsp;Novo&nbsp;is taking market share from Eli Lilly in the GLP-1 market.

Competition in the GLP-1 space is set to further increase as&nbsp;Novo&nbsp;recently won approval for its once-daily oral pill Rybelsus, which is aimed at patients with an aversion to needles used to deliver other diabetes treatments.

Third-quarter Trulicity&nbsp;sales&nbsp;fell short of Wall Street expectations with some analysts suggesting they were likely hurt by Lilly's efforts to defend its market share against the&nbsp;upcoming launch of Rybelsus.

Novo's third-quarter operating profit came in at 12.9 billion Danish crowns, slightly below the 13.1 billion forecast in a Refinitiv poll partly due to higher impairment charges.

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses this year are now seen 1 billion crowns higher than previously anticipated,&nbsp;Novo&nbsp;said.

Sales&nbsp;of&nbsp;Novo's GLP-1&nbsp;drugs&nbsp;grew 28 per cent, while total insulin&nbsp;sales&nbsp;fell 1 per cent.

Novo Nordisk posted third-quarter operating profit a touch below expectations on Friday on weak insulin sales and impairments but nudged up its sales outlook on hopes for new type 2 diabetes and obesity drugs.

Novo Nordisk posted third-quarter operating profit a touch below expectations on Friday on weak insulin sales and impairments but nudged up its sales outlook on hopes for new type 2 diabetes and obesity drugs. Novo now sees 2019 sales growth at 5-6 per cent versus 4-6 per cent previously, and held its forecast for operating profit growth at 4-6 per cent, both in local currency terms. It said operating profit rose 9 per cent in the last quarter, slightly below analysts' forecasts. Shares in the healthcare group traded up 1.6 per cent at 0923 GMT, outperforming a 0.3 per cent rise in the broader European STOXX 600 index and a 1.4 per cent increase in Copenhagen's main index. The world's largest maker of diabetes drugs is betting on new treatments, including a first-of-its-kind tablet, to offset pricing pressure from competing insulins and US lawmakers, who have been critical of rising drug costs. Sales of its new once-weekly injectable treatment, branded Ozempic, reached 6,872 million Danish crowns for the first nine months, attaining blockbuster status. Ozempic's third-quarter sales came in 11 stronger than expected, said Jefferies analysts. The new drug is a competitor of Eli Lilly's Trulicity. Both drugs belong to the GLP-1 drug class, which imitate an intestinal hormone that stimulates the production of insulin. These drugs are more expensive but make up a growing share of the diabetes market, as they have proved effective in reducing diabetes patients' blood glucose levels and weight. "We believe we have the better product both in terms of glucose-lowering, weight (reduction) and the cardiovascular safety profile," said chief financial officer Karsten Munk Knudsen, referring to clinical trials. "Our sales reps have what they need to go into the market and compete vis-a-vis with Trulicity," he said, adding that Novo is taking market share from Eli Lilly in the GLP-1 market. Competition in the GLP-1 space is set to further increase as Novo recently won approval for its once-daily oral pill Rybelsus, which is aimed at patients with an aversion to needles used to deliver other diabetes treatments. Third-quarter Trulicity sales fell short of Wall Street expectations with some analysts suggesting they were likely hurt by Lilly's efforts to defend its market share against the upcoming launch of Rybelsus. Novo's third-quarter operating profit came in at 12.9 billion Danish crowns, slightly below the 13.1 billion forecast in a Refinitiv poll partly due to higher impairment charges. Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses this year are now seen 1 billion crowns higher than previously anticipated, Novo said. Sales of Novo's GLP-1 drugs grew 28 per cent, while total insulin sales fell 1 per cent.

Novo Nordisk nudges up 2019 sales outlook as new drugs excel

Mazda&nbsp;Motor Corp&nbsp;cut its annual&nbsp;profit&nbsp;forecast by nearly half on Friday as the Japanese automaker expects a&nbsp;strong&nbsp;yen&nbsp;and falling cars&nbsp;sales&nbsp;in the United States and&nbsp;China, its biggest markets, to drive earnings to a seven-year low.

Japan's fifth-largest automaker expects to post $555.4 million&nbsp;in operating&nbsp;profit&nbsp;for the year ending March, down from a prior outlook of 110 billion&nbsp;yen, and lower than a mean forecast of 69.5 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;from 20 analysts polled by Refinitiv.

It represents a cut of nearly&nbsp;30 per cent&nbsp;from 82.3 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;profit&nbsp;a year ago.

The downgrade comes after operating&nbsp;profit&nbsp;came in at 18.8 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;in the July-September quarter, above analysts' forecast of 14.4 billion&nbsp;yen, although&nbsp;profit&nbsp;fell for the fourth straight quarter.

Quarterly operating&nbsp;profit&nbsp;recovered from a 2.9 billion&nbsp;yen&nbsp;loss a year ago.

Demand for&nbsp;Mazda&nbsp;vehicles, including the&nbsp;Mazda3 sedan and the CX-5 SUV crossover, has slumped since the company posted record annual&nbsp;sales&nbsp;of about 1.6 million vehicles in fiscal 2018.

Mazda&nbsp;posted global&nbsp;sales&nbsp;of 378,000 units for the quarter, down 4 per cent&nbsp;from a year ago, partly due to sluggish&nbsp;sales&nbsp;in the United States and&nbsp;China.

Global automakers have been grappling with a&nbsp;sales&nbsp;slowdown, as a prolonged trade war between Washington and Beijing and slowing growth in&nbsp;China&nbsp;have cut demand for cars in the world's top two economies.

The slowdown comes as carmakers invest heavily in electric cars, autonomous driving technologies and ride-sharing services to survive a market shift away from car ownership.

Mazda Motor Corp cut its annual profit forecast by nearly half on Friday as the Japanese automaker expects a strong yen and falling cars sales in the United States and China, its biggest markets, to drive earnings to a seven-year low.

Mazda Motor Corp cut its annual profit forecast by nearly half on Friday as the Japanese automaker expects a strong yen and falling cars sales in the United States and China, its biggest markets, to drive earnings to a seven-year low. Japan's fifth-largest automaker expects to post $555.4 million in operating profit for the year ending March, down from a prior outlook of 110 billion yen, and lower than a mean forecast of 69.5 billion yen from 20 analysts polled by Refinitiv. It represents a cut of nearly 30 per cent from 82.3 billion yen profit a year ago. The downgrade comes after operating profit came in at 18.8 billion yen in the July-September quarter, above analysts' forecast of 14.4 billion yen, although profit fell for the fourth straight quarter. Quarterly operating profit recovered from a 2.9 billion yen loss a year ago. Demand for Mazda vehicles, including the Mazda3 sedan and the CX-5 SUV crossover, has slumped since the company posted record annual sales of about 1.6 million vehicles in fiscal 2018. Mazda posted global sales of 378,000 units for the quarter, down 4 per cent from a year ago, partly due to sluggish sales in the United States and China. Global automakers have been grappling with a sales slowdown, as a prolonged trade war between Washington and Beijing and slowing growth in China have cut demand for cars in the world's top two economies. The slowdown comes as carmakers invest heavily in electric cars, autonomous driving technologies and ride-sharing services to survive a market shift away from car ownership.

Mazda sees 30% FY profit drop on strong yen, weak sales in US, China

North Korean state news agency KCNA said on Friday another test of super-large multiple <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-short-range-projectiles-souths-military-259136">rocket launchers</a> a day earlier had been a success, but the test drew protests from neighbouring Japan and South Korea.

KCNA said the latest test of the "super-large multiple rocket launchers", following two tests of the same weapon in August and September overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, indicated the progress of Pyongyang's weapons development while talks with the United States remain in limbo.

The success of the tests was reported immediately and Kim expressed satisfaction and congratulated the scientists who had developed the weapon, KCNA said, suggesting that Kim was not at the site for Thursday afternoon's test.

North Korea's state newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, showed a photo of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-unidentified-projectiles-souths-military-259004">multiple rocket launcher</a> surrounded by yellow flames and smoke.

Thursday's test verified that the "continuous fire system" of the multiple rocket launchers was able to "totally destroy" a group target of the enemy by a surprise strike, KCNA said.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said North Korea's latest test, which he described as a missile launch, was against United Nations resolutions and was "extremely regrettable". Suga said Japan had protested to North Korea over the missile launch.

Republican US&nbsp;Senator Cory Gardner, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, said North Korea was "engaged in increasingly escalatory behaviour".

"This launch and continued North Korean aggression underscore the need for the Trump Administration to re-commit to the maximum pressure policy" and for Congress to impose additional sanctions against Kim's government, Gardner said in a statement.

However, South Korea's national security adviser Chung Eui-Yong said the North's missile launches do not pose "very grave threats".

"We're also test-firing missiles, no less than North Korea does," he told a parliamentary session. "Our missile defence and intercept capabilities are absolutely superior to theirs."

The weapons test was the first since one day of talks between the United States and North Korea in Sweden ended without an agreement on Oct. 5. It came as North Korea repeatedly emphasises an end-of-the-year deadline that Kim set for denuclearisation talks with Washington.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula is at a critical stage, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a daily news briefing on Friday. All sides should work towards a peaceful resolution of the issue, he said.

KCNA said last month that while Kim and US&nbsp;President Donald Trump have a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-and-trump-have-special-relationship-state-media-257802">"special" relationship</a>, policymakers in Washington were "hostile to the DPRK for no reason". North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korean state news agency KCNA said on Friday another test of super-large multiple rocket launchers a day earlier had been a success, but the test drew protests from neighbouring Japan and South Korea.

North Korean state news agency KCNA said on Friday another test of super-large multiple rocket launchers a day earlier had been a success, but the test drew protests from neighbouring Japan and South Korea. KCNA said the latest test of the "super-large multiple rocket launchers", following two tests of the same weapon in August and September overseen by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, indicated the progress of Pyongyang's weapons development while talks with the United States remain in limbo. The success of the tests was reported immediately and Kim expressed satisfaction and congratulated the scientists who had developed the weapon, KCNA said, suggesting that Kim was not at the site for Thursday afternoon's test. North Korea's state newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, showed a photo of the multiple rocket launcher surrounded by yellow flames and smoke. Thursday's test verified that the "continuous fire system" of the multiple rocket launchers was able to "totally destroy" a group target of the enemy by a surprise strike, KCNA said. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said North Korea's latest test, which he described as a missile launch, was against United Nations resolutions and was "extremely regrettable". Suga said Japan had protested to North Korea over the missile launch. Republican US Senator Cory Gardner, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, said North Korea was "engaged in increasingly escalatory behaviour". "This launch and continued North Korean aggression underscore the need for the Trump Administration to re-commit to the maximum pressure policy" and for Congress to impose additional sanctions against Kim's government, Gardner said in a statement. However, South Korea's national security adviser Chung Eui-Yong said the North's missile launches do not pose "very grave threats". "We're also test-firing missiles, no less than North Korea does," he told a parliamentary session. "Our missile defence and intercept capabilities are absolutely superior to theirs." The weapons test was the first since one day of talks between the United States and North Korea in Sweden ended without an agreement on Oct. 5. It came as North Korea repeatedly emphasises an end-of-the-year deadline that Kim set for denuclearisation talks with Washington. The situation on the Korean Peninsula is at a critical stage, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a daily news briefing on Friday. All sides should work towards a peaceful resolution of the issue, he said. KCNA said last month that while Kim and US President Donald Trump have a "special" relationship, policymakers in Washington were "hostile to the DPRK for no reason". North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea says it conducted successful test of multiple rocket launchers

Sapporo was formally approved on Friday as host of the marathon events at next year's Summer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-2020-medals-unveiled-a-year-before-games-238165">Olympics</a>&nbsp;with the reluctant consent of Tokyo's governor, ending a showdown between the Japanese capital and the IOC over where to stage the flagship event.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stunned many Games organisers last month by announcing that the marathon, one of the most prestigious events at any&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;and one especially beloved in Japan, would be moved to the northern Japanese city of Sapporo to avoid the worst of Tokyo's summer heat.

The announcement enraged Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who said at the beginning of discussions with the IOC on Wednesday that she still wanted the marathon and race walk events to remain in the capital.

At the request of IOC delegation leader John Coates, representatives from the IOC, the 2020 organising committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and national government held talks on Friday aimed at reaching an amicable solution to what has become a very public spat.

Koike reiterated at the start of Friday's meeting there was no change in her feelings that the races should stay in Tokyo and that the IOC explanation still "wasn't sufficient."

"But on these points to make the&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;a success we need to build a positive framework going forward," Koike said.

"I don't approve but the decision can't be avoided," she said. "It's a decision without agreement."

She added that they had agreed Tokyo would not bear extra costs of the venue move but other points still remained to be worked out, such as how much of the money Tokyo has spent up to this point in preparation might be repaid.

Coates said they had agreed at a meeting on Thursday that the decision on where to hold the marathon and race walk events rested with the IOC, adding that there would be no other venue changes in the future.

"We will continue as a one-team effort," he said, referring to planning with host city Tokyo.

'Difficult decision'

In Wednesday's opening remarks to a three-day IOC coordination visit, Coates had said organisers "owed it to the people of Tokyo" to clarify any plans over the marathon and race walk and vowed not to leave Tokyo without a consensus decision over the events.

Tokyo temperatures in July and August, when the city will host the Games, regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity adding to the discomfort.

"We thought it would be possible to do something, but our opponent was nature," said Tokyo 2020 organising committee President Yoshiro Mori, adding that he respected Koike's "difficult decision."

The IOC is determined not to repeat the experience of the athletics world championships in Doha, where the heat and humidity forced many athletes to drop out of the race despite the marathon being held at midnight.

The IOC has said temperatures in Sapporo, which will also host soccer games, are as much as five to six degrees cooler during the day.

Asked at a news conference later on Friday about what he might say to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/young-guns-of-indian-shooting-ready-for-gold-rush-at-tokyo-olympics-249259">Tokyo</a> children missing out on the "memory of a lifetime," Coates once again cited Doha.

"I'm very aware of the special place marathons have in the minds of the Japanese. We also didn't want bad memories, we didn't want people to have bad memories of Tokyo," he said.

"We didn't want it to be remembered by some of the scenes we saw in Doha." Many marathoners at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha were forced to withdraw from races due high temperatures and unbearable humidity. Some were carried off in wheelchairs.

Organisers earlier this year had already moved up the starting times to 6 am&nbsp;for the marathon and 5:30 am&nbsp;for the race walk to avoid the midday sun, and Coates said they were considering moving up the time for some other events, such as equestrian events.

When Tokyo hosted the Summer&nbsp;Olympics&nbsp;in 1964, they were held in October, an option no longer possible due to international sports schedules.

Next year's Games are set to run from July 24 to August&nbsp;9, with the men's marathon to be held on the final day.

Sapporo was formally approved on Friday as host of the marathon events at next year's Summer Olympics with the reluctant consent of Tokyo's governor, ending a showdown between the Japanese capital and the IOC over where to stage the flagship event.

Sapporo was formally approved on Friday as host of the marathon events at next year's Summer Olympics with the reluctant consent of Tokyo's governor, ending a showdown between the Japanese capital and the IOC over where to stage the flagship event. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stunned many Games organisers last month by announcing that the marathon, one of the most prestigious events at any Olympics and one especially beloved in Japan, would be moved to the northern Japanese city of Sapporo to avoid the worst of Tokyo's summer heat. The announcement enraged Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who said at the beginning of discussions with the IOC on Wednesday that she still wanted the marathon and race walk events to remain in the capital. At the request of IOC delegation leader John Coates, representatives from the IOC, the 2020 organising committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and national government held talks on Friday aimed at reaching an amicable solution to what has become a very public spat. Koike reiterated at the start of Friday's meeting there was no change in her feelings that the races should stay in Tokyo and that the IOC explanation still "wasn't sufficient." "But on these points to make the Olympics a success we need to build a positive framework going forward," Koike said. "I don't approve but the decision can't be avoided," she said. "It's a decision without agreement." She added that they had agreed Tokyo would not bear extra costs of the venue move but other points still remained to be worked out, such as how much of the money Tokyo has spent up to this point in preparation might be repaid. Coates said they had agreed at a meeting on Thursday that the decision on where to hold the marathon and race walk events rested with the IOC, adding that there would be no other venue changes in the future. "We will continue as a one-team effort," he said, referring to planning with host city Tokyo. 'Difficult decision' In Wednesday's opening remarks to a three-day IOC coordination visit, Coates had said organisers "owed it to the people of Tokyo" to clarify any plans over the marathon and race walk and vowed not to leave Tokyo without a consensus decision over the events. Tokyo temperatures in July and August, when the city will host the Games, regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity adding to the discomfort. "We thought it would be possible to do something, but our opponent was nature," said Tokyo 2020 organising committee President Yoshiro Mori, adding that he respected Koike's "difficult decision." The IOC is determined not to repeat the experience of the athletics world championships in Doha, where the heat and humidity forced many athletes to drop out of the race despite the marathon being held at midnight. The IOC has said temperatures in Sapporo, which will also host soccer games, are as much as five to six degrees cooler during the day. Asked at a news conference later on Friday about what he might say to Tokyo children missing out on the "memory of a lifetime," Coates once again cited Doha. "I'm very aware of the special place marathons have in the minds of the Japanese. We also didn't want bad memories, we didn't want people to have bad memories of Tokyo," he said. "We didn't want it to be remembered by some of the scenes we saw in Doha." Many marathoners at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha were forced to withdraw from races due high temperatures and unbearable humidity. Some were carried off in wheelchairs. Organisers earlier this year had already moved up the starting times to 6 am for the marathon and 5:30 am for the race walk to avoid the midday sun, and Coates said they were considering moving up the time for some other events, such as equestrian events. When Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964, they were held in October, an option no longer possible due to international sports schedules. Next year's Games are set to run from July 24 to August 9, with the men's marathon to be held on the final day.

Olympics: Tokyo governor gives reluctant consent to moving marathon venue

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Bharat Sharma

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

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