European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Tuesday the EU had done "all in our power" to ensure an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-parliament-speaker-john-bercow-blocks-holding-of-new-vote-on-brexit-deal-257365">orderly Brexit</a>, but said the bloc would await British parliamentary approval for a new divorce deal before ratifying it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Expressing regret that Britain planned to leave the EU on October 31, Juncker said: "At least we can look ourselves in the eyes and say that we have done all in our power to make sure that this departure is orderly."&nbsp;

"We need now to watch events in Westminster very closely. It's not possible, not imaginable that this parliament will ratify the agreement before Westminster will have ratified the agreement," he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is desperately trying to secure a break from Brussels that severs many of the island nation's economic and political ties with Europe after 46 years of EU membership.

Lawmakers in Britain, meeting on a Saturday for the first time in 37 years, voted to demand that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-prime-minister-boris-johnson-prepares-fresh-brexit-push-257303">Johnson delay Brexit</a> while they further consider his newly-agreed EU divorce agreement.

The government's new strategy is to get parliament Tuesday to approve an accompanying package of legislation that needs ratifying for Brexit to take effect.

Britain has been struggling to agree on how to leave the EU ever since narrowly backing Brexit in a 2016 referendum.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Tuesday the EU had done "all in our power" to ensure an orderly Brexit, but said the bloc would await British parliamentary approval for a new divorce deal before ratifying it.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker insisted Tuesday the EU had done "all in our power" to ensure an orderly Brexit, but said the bloc would await British parliamentary approval for a new divorce deal before ratifying it. Expressing regret that Britain planned to leave the EU on October 31, Juncker said: "At least we can look ourselves in the eyes and say that we have done all in our power to make sure that this departure is orderly." "We need now to watch events in Westminster very closely. It's not possible, not imaginable that this parliament will ratify the agreement before Westminster will have ratified the agreement," he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is desperately trying to secure a break from Brussels that severs many of the island nation's economic and political ties with Europe after 46 years of EU membership. Lawmakers in Britain, meeting on a Saturday for the first time in 37 years, voted to demand that Johnson delay Brexit while they further consider his newly-agreed EU divorce agreement. The government's new strategy is to get parliament Tuesday to approve an accompanying package of legislation that needs ratifying for Brexit to take effect. Britain has been struggling to agree on how to leave the EU ever since narrowly backing Brexit in a 2016 referendum.

European Union 'have done all in our power' for orderly Brexit: Juncker

The US negotiator whose talks with the Taliban was halted by President Donald Trump is meeting with Russia, China and European allies on ending Afghanistan's war, the State Department said Monday.

Zalmay Khalilzad left Sunday on a trip to Brussels, Paris and Moscow as he looks for "how best to support accelerated efforts to reach peace in Afghanistan," a State Department statement said.

In Moscow, he will meet his Russian and Chinese counterparts to "discuss shared interests in seeing the war in Afghanistan come to an end," it said.

Khalilzad, a veteran US diplomat who was born in Afghanistan, led a year of talks with the Taliban to seek a deal that would see the United States withdraw most of its troops and end its longest-ever war.

Trump said in September that he had invited Taliban leaders to meet but then withdrew the invitation and ended the talks after an attack killed a US soldier.

Despite not reaching an agreement, General Scott Miller, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said Monday that the United States had pulled 2,000 troops from Afghanistan over the past year.

The United States has contentious relations with both Russia and China, but Khalilzad has repeatedly consulted the rival powers and appeared to find common ground on Afghanistan.

The Soviet Union fought then US-backed Islamic guerrillas in a disastrous intervention in Afghanistan in the 1980s, while China is keen to prevent any spread of extremism.

The US negotiator whose talks with the Taliban was halted by President Donald Trump is meeting with Russia, China and European allies on ending Afghanistan's war, the State Department said Monday.

The US negotiator whose talks with the Taliban was halted by President Donald Trump is meeting with Russia, China and European allies on ending Afghanistan's war, the State Department said Monday. Zalmay Khalilzad left Sunday on a trip to Brussels, Paris and Moscow as he looks for "how best to support accelerated efforts to reach peace in Afghanistan," a State Department statement said. In Moscow, he will meet his Russian and Chinese counterparts to "discuss shared interests in seeing the war in Afghanistan come to an end," it said. Khalilzad, a veteran US diplomat who was born in Afghanistan, led a year of talks with the Taliban to seek a deal that would see the United States withdraw most of its troops and end its longest-ever war. Trump said in September that he had invited Taliban leaders to meet but then withdrew the invitation and ended the talks after an attack killed a US soldier. Despite not reaching an agreement, General Scott Miller, who leads US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said Monday that the United States had pulled 2,000 troops from Afghanistan over the past year. The United States has contentious relations with both Russia and China, but Khalilzad has repeatedly consulted the rival powers and appeared to find common ground on Afghanistan. The Soviet Union fought then US-backed Islamic guerrillas in a disastrous intervention in Afghanistan in the 1980s, while China is keen to prevent any spread of extremism.

United States envoy consults Russia, China, EU on ending Afghan war

Social media app TikTok has taken down accounts that were posting propaganda videos for the Islamic State group, a company employee said Tuesday, in the latest scandal to hit the popular platform.

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, claimed some 500 million users globally last year, making it one of the most popular social apps.

An employee at TikTok told AFP that about ten&nbsp;accounts were removed for posting the videos.&nbsp;

"Only one of those videos even had views that reached into double digits before being taken down," said the staffer, who declined to be named.

The videos featured corpses being paraded through streets and Islamic State fighters with guns, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story on Monday.

The Journal said the posts were from about two dozen accounts, which were identified by social media intelligence company Storyful.

"Content promoting terrorist organizations have absolutely no place on TikTok," the company said in a statement emailed to AFP.

"We permanently ban any such accounts and associated devices as soon as identified, and we continuously develop ever-stronger controls to proactively detect suspicious activity," it said.

The Islamic State's self-declared "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria fell in March, but the group remains active in several countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, as well as still inspiring jihadists through an online presence.

The TikTok platform, which allows users to create and share videos of 15 seconds, is particularly popular with teenagers.

"Unlike other platforms, which are centred around users' friends or communities, TikTok is based on engaging with a never-ending stream of new content," said Darren Davidson, the editor-in-chief of Storyful.&nbsp;

"The ISIS postings violate TikTok's policies, but the sheer volume of content makes it difficult for TikTok to police their platform and root out these videos," he said.

The app has been marred by controversy in recent months.

In April, TikTok was briefly banned by an Indian court over claims it was promoting pornography among children.

The app is banned in neighbouring Bangladesh and was hit with an enormous fine in the United States for illegally collecting information from children.

The company has refuted the allegations, saying they abide by local privacy laws.

ByteDance has a version of TikTok in China called Douyin.

Social media app TikTok has taken down accounts that were posting propaganda videos for the Islamic State group, a company employee said Tuesday, in the latest scandal to hit the popular platform.

Social media app TikTok has taken down accounts that were posting propaganda videos for the Islamic State group, a company employee said Tuesday, in the latest scandal to hit the popular platform. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, claimed some 500 million users globally last year, making it one of the most popular social apps. An employee at TikTok told AFP that about ten accounts were removed for posting the videos. "Only one of those videos even had views that reached into double digits before being taken down," said the staffer, who declined to be named. The videos featured corpses being paraded through streets and Islamic State fighters with guns, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story on Monday. The Journal said the posts were from about two dozen accounts, which were identified by social media intelligence company Storyful. "Content promoting terrorist organizations have absolutely no place on TikTok," the company said in a statement emailed to AFP. "We permanently ban any such accounts and associated devices as soon as identified, and we continuously develop ever-stronger controls to proactively detect suspicious activity," it said. The Islamic State's self-declared "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria fell in March, but the group remains active in several countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, as well as still inspiring jihadists through an online presence. The TikTok platform, which allows users to create and share videos of 15 seconds, is particularly popular with teenagers. "Unlike other platforms, which are centred around users' friends or communities, TikTok is based on engaging with a never-ending stream of new content," said Darren Davidson, the editor-in-chief of Storyful. "The ISIS postings violate TikTok's policies, but the sheer volume of content makes it difficult for TikTok to police their platform and root out these videos," he said. The app has been marred by controversy in recent months. In April, TikTok was briefly banned by an Indian court over claims it was promoting pornography among children. The app is banned in neighbouring Bangladesh and was hit with an enormous fine in the United States for illegally collecting information from children. The company has refuted the allegations, saying they abide by local privacy laws. ByteDance has a version of TikTok in China called Douyin.

Social media app TikTok removes Islamic State propaganda videos

Sheffield United moved into the top half of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Bramall Lane on Monday that ended the Gunners’ eight-match unbeaten run.

Unai Emery’s side had not been beaten in any competition since their 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Aug 24, but they missed out on the chance to move up to third as the hosts earned a deserved victory.

Lys Mousset poked home the winner from close range on his first league start for the Blades after Nicolas Pepe wasted a gilt-edged chance for Arsenal earlier in the first half.

"For the club to host a game like this, the magnitude of it - to play well and get a win is massive,” Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told Sky Sports.

"We came under pressure in the second half but we limited them to a few chances and we backed up a good performance with a good result.”

The result leaves Arsenal in fifth place on 15 points, two behind Leicester City and Chelsea, while Sheffield United moved into ninth on 12 points.

Arsenal came into the game with five wins in their last six games in all competitions, while the Blades had lost their last three home games in a row.

The defeat continued a poor run of away form for the Gunners, who have now picked up just two points from their last four league matches on the road.

Emery was left unhappy with the result and believed his side should have been awarded a penalty in the first half for a shirt pull by John Egan on Sokratis Papastathopoulos, which was waved away by referee Mike Dean.

"With VAR, the foul on Sokratis should have been reviewed," said the Arsenal manager.

"It was clear but we have to accept it. We did not deserve to lose and we will think about where we can improve."

Pepe squandered a glorious chance to give Arsenal the lead midway through the first half when he got on the end of a Sead Kolasinac cross but miscued his finish horribly from six yards out.

Mousset punished the visitors’ wastefulness when Jack O’Connell headed a corner into his path for the striker to bundle in from close range after half an hour.

Granit Xhaka connected well with a half-volley on the brink of half time but was denied by a flying save from Dean Henderson, and after the break Arsenal substitute, Dani Ceballos fluffed a volley from a promising position to give the goalkeeper a comfortable save.

United’s defence held firm and the home side threatened to double their lead through John Fleck, who hit a rasping shot into the side netting before striking a swerving effort from distance which had to be gathered at the second time of asking by Bernd Leno.

Sheffield United moved into the top half of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Bramall Lane on Monday that ended the Gunners’ eight-match unbeaten run.

Sheffield United moved into the top half of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Bramall Lane on Monday that ended the Gunners’ eight-match unbeaten run. Unai Emery’s side had not been beaten in any competition since their 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Aug 24, but they missed out on the chance to move up to third as the hosts earned a deserved victory. Lys Mousset poked home the winner from close range on his first league start for the Blades after Nicolas Pepe wasted a gilt-edged chance for Arsenal earlier in the first half. "For the club to host a game like this, the magnitude of it - to play well and get a win is massive,” Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder told Sky Sports. "We came under pressure in the second half but we limited them to a few chances and we backed up a good performance with a good result.” The result leaves Arsenal in fifth place on 15 points, two behind Leicester City and Chelsea, while Sheffield United moved into ninth on 12 points. Arsenal came into the game with five wins in their last six games in all competitions, while the Blades had lost their last three home games in a row. The defeat continued a poor run of away form for the Gunners, who have now picked up just two points from their last four league matches on the road. Emery was left unhappy with the result and believed his side should have been awarded a penalty in the first half for a shirt pull by John Egan on Sokratis Papastathopoulos, which was waved away by referee Mike Dean. "With VAR, the foul on Sokratis should have been reviewed," said the Arsenal manager. "It was clear but we have to accept it. We did not deserve to lose and we will think about where we can improve." Pepe squandered a glorious chance to give Arsenal the lead midway through the first half when he got on the end of a Sead Kolasinac cross but miscued his finish horribly from six yards out. Mousset punished the visitors’ wastefulness when Jack O’Connell headed a corner into his path for the striker to bundle in from close range after half an hour. Granit Xhaka connected well with a half-volley on the brink of half time but was denied by a flying save from Dean Henderson, and after the break Arsenal substitute, Dani Ceballos fluffed a volley from a promising position to give the goalkeeper a comfortable save. United’s defence held firm and the home side threatened to double their lead through John Fleck, who hit a rasping shot into the side netting before striking a swerving effort from distance which had to be gathered at the second time of asking by Bernd Leno.

Sheffield United end Arsenal's unbeaten run with impressive home win

Japanese Emperor Naruhito formally proclaims his enthronement in 'Sokui no Rei'

China now has more privately-held start-ups valued by investors at over $1 billion than the US, a report said Monday.

There were 206 Chinese firms out of a global total of 494 ultra-valuable start-ups, known as "unicorns", in June 2019, according to the research&nbsp;firm Hurun Report.

This makes China the country with the largest number of unicorns in the world, with the US coming in second with 203 such companies.

"China and the USA dominate with over 80 per cent of the world's known unicorns, despite representing only half of the world's GDP and a quarter of the world's population," Hurun Report chairman Rupert Hoogewerf said.

"The rest of the world needs to wake up to creating an environment that allows unicorns to flourish in."

According to Hurun, China is home to the world's three most valuable unicorns, Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial,&nbsp;app maker ByteDance and ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, which have a combined value of $280 billion.

Major US names like Airbnb and coworking space operator WeWork also made the list, which included&nbsp;lesser-known startups like California-based automated pizza delivery company Zume and Indian fantasy sports platform Dream11.

Hurun, which released its inaugural Global Unicorn List Monday, told AFP this was the first time China's number of unicorns was confirmed by researchers to have surpassed the US.

A report released in June by another research firm, Visual Capitalist, found only 94 unicorns from China compared to 156 from the US, based on data from May 2019.

The companies identified by Hurun were founded only seven years ago on average,&nbsp;and more than half come from five industries "disrupting the world economy," Hoogewerf said.

E-commerce and fintech accounted for the most unicorns globally, followed by cloud computing, artificial intelligence and logistics, according to Hurun.

Additionally, a number of companies on the list were formerly units of larger companies that had been split off.

"Chinese companies are far and away the most successful at spinning off unicorns, with 18 of the world's 20 'spun-off' unicorns," Hoogewerf said.

"Alibaba, for example, started Alipay, before spinning its fintech business into Ant Financial in 2014."

China now has more privately-held start-ups valued by investors at over $1 billion than the US, a report said Monday. There were 206 Chinese firms out of a global total of 494 ultra-valuable start-ups, known as "unicorns", in June 2019, according to the research firm Hurun Report.

China now has more privately-held start-ups valued by investors at over $1 billion than the US, a report said Monday. There were 206 Chinese firms out of a global total of 494 ultra-valuable start-ups, known as "unicorns", in June 2019, according to the research firm Hurun Report. This makes China the country with the largest number of unicorns in the world, with the US coming in second with 203 such companies. "China and the USA dominate with over 80 per cent of the world's known unicorns, despite representing only half of the world's GDP and a quarter of the world's population," Hurun Report chairman Rupert Hoogewerf said. "The rest of the world needs to wake up to creating an environment that allows unicorns to flourish in." According to Hurun, China is home to the world's three most valuable unicorns, Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial, app maker ByteDance and ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, which have a combined value of $280 billion. Major US names like Airbnb and coworking space operator WeWork also made the list, which included lesser-known startups like California-based automated pizza delivery company Zume and Indian fantasy sports platform Dream11. Hurun, which released its inaugural Global Unicorn List Monday, told AFP this was the first time China's number of unicorns was confirmed by researchers to have surpassed the US. A report released in June by another research firm, Visual Capitalist, found only 94 unicorns from China compared to 156 from the US, based on data from May 2019. The companies identified by Hurun were founded only seven years ago on average, and more than half come from five industries "disrupting the world economy," Hoogewerf said. E-commerce and fintech accounted for the most unicorns globally, followed by cloud computing, artificial intelligence and logistics, according to Hurun. Additionally, a number of companies on the list were formerly units of larger companies that had been split off. "Chinese companies are far and away the most successful at spinning off unicorns, with 18 of the world's 20 'spun-off' unicorns," Hoogewerf said. "Alibaba, for example, started Alipay, before spinning its fintech business into Ant Financial in 2014."

China's 'unicorn' startups exceed United States number for first time

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-wants-closer-military-coordination-with-united-states-despite-disagreements-defence-minister-257203">The United States hopes Beijing will ease restrictions</a> on meetings between US diplomats and local officials after Washington imposed reciprocal measures against China, the US ambassador said Monday.

Washington angered Beijing last week after it announced that Chinese diplomats will now have to notify the State Department before meeting with American officials.

In China, US diplomats have to get permission from several levels of the Chinese government to meet local officials or academics, only to see such requests often denied.

"Even if we get permission sometimes it can get cancelled at the last minute. That's been frustration over a long period of time," US ambassador Terry Branstad said at a press briefing&nbsp;with a group of foreign journalists.

"We hope that the outcome (of the reciprocal measures) will be to get better access for US diplomats here in China," he said.

The US counter-measure comes as diplomatic tensions between China and the United States have risen over a host of issues, including a protracted trade war.

The US measure is a "very modest" step, Branstad said, noting that Washington is only asking Chinese diplomats to notify the US government about their meetings while their US counterparts in China must secure official permission.

Branstad was himself denied access to Tibet twice before finally getting permission to go in May.

But when he went to a coffee shop in Qinghai province on his way to Tibet, officials told people inside not to talk to the diplomats, Branstad said, recalling an example of the impediments US diplomats can face.

Branstad also cited the case of US consulate officials trying to meet Chinese students in the southern city of Guangzhou.

The foreign ministry initially said no student applied for the meeting and then said that none was available. The ministry later said students were "too shy" to meet with US officials, Branstad said.

Asked whether the US was also mulling restrictions on Chinese journalists in response to the difficulties foreign media face in China, Branstad said: "I think there has been some discussion about Chinese that are working for (Communist) Party-controlled entities and whether they should be treated as foreign agents."

Visa delays, detentions and suspected phone-bugging are among the challenges faced by foreign journalists in China.

US law requires people who do publicity for foreign governments or parties to register as foreign agents with the Justice Department and make periodic public disclosures about their activities.

The United States hopes Beijing will ease restrictions on meetings between US diplomats and local officials after Washington imposed reciprocal measures against China, the US ambassador said Monday.

The United States hopes Beijing will ease restrictions on meetings between US diplomats and local officials after Washington imposed reciprocal measures against China, the US ambassador said Monday. Washington angered Beijing last week after it announced that Chinese diplomats will now have to notify the State Department before meeting with American officials. In China, US diplomats have to get permission from several levels of the Chinese government to meet local officials or academics, only to see such requests often denied. "Even if we get permission sometimes it can get cancelled at the last minute. That's been frustration over a long period of time," US ambassador Terry Branstad said at a press briefing with a group of foreign journalists. "We hope that the outcome (of the reciprocal measures) will be to get better access for US diplomats here in China," he said. The US counter-measure comes as diplomatic tensions between China and the United States have risen over a host of issues, including a protracted trade war. The US measure is a "very modest" step, Branstad said, noting that Washington is only asking Chinese diplomats to notify the US government about their meetings while their US counterparts in China must secure official permission. Branstad was himself denied access to Tibet twice before finally getting permission to go in May. But when he went to a coffee shop in Qinghai province on his way to Tibet, officials told people inside not to talk to the diplomats, Branstad said, recalling an example of the impediments US diplomats can face. Branstad also cited the case of US consulate officials trying to meet Chinese students in the southern city of Guangzhou. The foreign ministry initially said no student applied for the meeting and then said that none was available. The ministry later said students were "too shy" to meet with US officials, Branstad said. Asked whether the US was also mulling restrictions on Chinese journalists in response to the difficulties foreign media face in China, Branstad said: "I think there has been some discussion about Chinese that are working for (Communist) Party-controlled entities and whether they should be treated as foreign agents." Visa delays, detentions and suspected phone-bugging are among the challenges faced by foreign journalists in China. US law requires people who do publicity for foreign governments or parties to register as foreign agents with the Justice Department and make periodic public disclosures about their activities.

United States hopes China will ease restrictions on diplomats

Gold prices were little changed on Monday as investors waited for more clarity on US-China trade negotiations, and Brexit after British parliamentarians delayed a crucial vote on the divorce deal.

Spot gold was flat at $1,490.03 per ounce as of 0519 GMT. US&nbsp;gold futures dipped slightly to $1,493.50.

Asian shares edged higher, limiting bullion's gains, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan up 0.2 per cent.

"The markets are quite long, and people are worried about the trade war. Investors are waiting for pullbacks in gold to step in again," AxiTrader market strategist Stephen Innes said.

"What has been supportive for gold are recessionary fears, and provided that remains in the headlines, it is a significant reason to stay long gold. Right now, there is no major catalyst to drive it any direction."

The long-standing Sino-US&nbsp;trade war has taken a toll on economies around the world with Japan's exports down for a 10th straight month, South Korean exports plunging 19.5 per cent&nbsp;in October, and Thai exports missing expectations.

In China, new home prices grew at a steady pace in September, a relief for policymakers who remain wary of high debt and bubble risk, and are refraining from stimulating the sector as the economy cools.

Providing little comfort to market sentiment, British Lawmakers on Saturday voted to withhold a decision on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deal, a move that forced him to seek from the EU the third postponement of Britain's departure from the bloc.

The vote for an extension dealt a blow to optimism that a deal agreed last week would ensure Brexit happens with little economic disruption.

Spot gold looks neutral in a range of $1,479-$1,502 per ounce, and an escape could suggest a direction, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said.

Among other precious metals, silver rose 0.2 per cent&nbsp;to $17.57 per ounce, and platinum rose 0.4 per cent&nbsp;to $892.64.

Meanwhile, palladium gained 0.9 per cent&nbsp;to $1,770.07 an ounce, slightly lower than a high of $1,783.21 it struck on Thursday.

"Sell rates for palladium reached the highest level since January. This suggests the recent rally has been driven by fundamentals, rather than speculative interest," ANZ Bank said in a note.

"And with the market likely to remain tight for the foreseeable future, we believe there is plenty more upside for (palladium) prices."

Gold prices were little changed on Monday as investors waited for more clarity on US-China trade negotiations, and Brexit after British parliamentarians delayed a crucial vote on the divorce deal.

Gold prices were little changed on Monday as investors waited for more clarity on US-China trade negotiations, and Brexit after British parliamentarians delayed a crucial vote on the divorce deal. Spot gold was flat at $1,490.03 per ounce as of 0519 GMT. US gold futures dipped slightly to $1,493.50. Asian shares edged higher, limiting bullion's gains, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan up 0.2 per cent. "The markets are quite long, and people are worried about the trade war. Investors are waiting for pullbacks in gold to step in again," AxiTrader market strategist Stephen Innes said. "What has been supportive for gold are recessionary fears, and provided that remains in the headlines, it is a significant reason to stay long gold. Right now, there is no major catalyst to drive it any direction." The long-standing Sino-US trade war has taken a toll on economies around the world with Japan's exports down for a 10th straight month, South Korean exports plunging 19.5 per cent in October, and Thai exports missing expectations. In China, new home prices grew at a steady pace in September, a relief for policymakers who remain wary of high debt and bubble risk, and are refraining from stimulating the sector as the economy cools. Providing little comfort to market sentiment, British Lawmakers on Saturday voted to withhold a decision on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's deal, a move that forced him to seek from the EU the third postponement of Britain's departure from the bloc. The vote for an extension dealt a blow to optimism that a deal agreed last week would ensure Brexit happens with little economic disruption. Spot gold looks neutral in a range of $1,479-$1,502 per ounce, and an escape could suggest a direction, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said. Among other precious metals, silver rose 0.2 per cent to $17.57 per ounce, and platinum rose 0.4 per cent to $892.64. Meanwhile, palladium gained 0.9 per cent to $1,770.07 an ounce, slightly lower than a high of $1,783.21 it struck on Thursday. "Sell rates for palladium reached the highest level since January. This suggests the recent rally has been driven by fundamentals, rather than speculative interest," ANZ Bank said in a note. "And with the market likely to remain tight for the foreseeable future, we believe there is plenty more upside for (palladium) prices."

Gold flat as markets eye trade talk cues, Brexit deal

Winnie Harlow to Ranveer Singh: Bollywood stars celebrate the power of womanhood at awards night

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri agreed on Sunday a package of reforms with government partners to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tens-of-thousands-demonstrate-again-as-lebanons-government-frays-257113">ease an economic crisis that has sparked protests</a> aimed at ousting a ruling elite seen as riddled with corruption and cronyism.

Officials told Reuters the agreement was reached as hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded the streets for a fourth day in the biggest show of dissent against the establishment in decades.

A sea of people, some waving Lebanese flags, called for a revolution in protests that resembled the 2011 Arab revolts that toppled four presidents.

Hariri, who is leading a coalition government mired by sectarian and political rivalries, gave his feuding government partners a 72-hour deadline on Friday to agree to reforms that could ward off the crisis, hinting he may otherwise resign.

Hariri accused his rivals of obstructing his reform measures that could unlock $11 billion in Western donor pledges and help avert economic collapse.

The reform decisions require a 50 per cent&nbsp;reduction in salaries of current and former presidents, ministers and MPs plus cuts in benefits to state institutions and officials. It also obliges the central bank and private banks to contribute $3.3 billion to achieve a "near-zero deficit" for the 2020 budget.

It also includes a plan to privatise the telecommunications sector and an overhaul of the costly and crumbling electricity sector, which poses one of the biggest strains on the country's depleted finances.

Government sources said Hariri's cabinet would meet at midday on Monday at the presidential palace to approve the reform package.

Hopeful

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-gather-in-lebanon-for-fresh-protests-256895">The anti-government protests</a>, fuelled by crippling economic conditions and anger at perceived government corruption, have fanned out across the country since Thursday.

Cheerful, buoyant and hopeful their protests would bring change, people of all ages and religions played patriotic songs and danced in the streets, with some forming human chains and chanting for their leaders to be ousted.

Festival-like scenes dominated the country from the capital Beirut to remote towns, with loudspeakers blaring music as crowds kept pouring into the streets.

"I am here because I am disgusted by our politicians. Nothing works. This is not a state. Salaries are very low, prices are very high. We don't even have work these days," said Cherine Shawa, 32, an interior architect, in Beirut.

Ending rampant corruption is a central demand of the protesters, who say the country's leaders have used their positions to enrich themselves for decades through favourable deals and kickbacks.

"We're here to say to our leaders 'leave'. We have no hope in them but we're hopeful that these protests will bring change," Hanan Takkouche, in her 40s and among a group of women in the capital.

"They came to fill their pockets. They're all crooks and thieves," she added.

Many blamed the ruling elite for driving their children out of Lebanon because they failed to build a country that could provide jobs.

Army troops and security forces deployed across the country and blocked roads leading to the presidential palace. Banks said they would remain closed on Monday and the main labour union announced a general strike, threatening further paralysis. 
 
Conditions met

A chorus of voices, from union leaders to politicians, have joined popular calls for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-sweep-lebanon-as-fury-at-ruling-elite-grows-over-economic-corruption-256839">Hariri's government to resign</a>. The Maronite Christian Lebanese Forces party has said its four ministers would withdraw from the government.

But the approval of the reforms by Hariri's partners seem to have met his conditions and would most likely push him to stay the course, government sources said.

If Hariri, a Sunni Muslim who is traditionally backed by the West and Sunni Gulf Arab allies, resigns it would be harder for the various parties that make up the ruling coalition to form a new cabinet.

A new cabinet would also likely see Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies more in control, a shift that would make it nearly impossible for international donors or Gulf Arab countries at odds with Iran to offer aid or investments.

Without a foreign funding boost, officials and economists predict a currency devaluation or a debt default within months.

The IMF said last week that Lebanon's crisis requires tough austerity measures such as tax hikes and levies on fuel, steps the country's politicians have publicly vowed not to take.

Lebanon's economy registered just 0.3 per cent growth last year. The IMF said the reforms were needed to stem a ballooning deficit and public debt it forecasts to reach 155 per cent of GDP by year-end.

The officials said the budget would not include additional taxes or fees after a decision last week to put a levy on WhatsApp calls triggered the unrest.

The reforms also called for establishing new regulatory and transparency bodies within a "short period" of time to oversee reform plans.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri agreed on Sunday a package of reforms with government partners to ease an economic crisis that has sparked protests aimed at ousting a ruling elite seen as riddled with corruption and cronyism.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri agreed on Sunday a package of reforms with government partners to ease an economic crisis that has sparked protests aimed at ousting a ruling elite seen as riddled with corruption and cronyism. Officials told Reuters the agreement was reached as hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded the streets for a fourth day in the biggest show of dissent against the establishment in decades. A sea of people, some waving Lebanese flags, called for a revolution in protests that resembled the 2011 Arab revolts that toppled four presidents. Hariri, who is leading a coalition government mired by sectarian and political rivalries, gave his feuding government partners a 72-hour deadline on Friday to agree to reforms that could ward off the crisis, hinting he may otherwise resign. Hariri accused his rivals of obstructing his reform measures that could unlock $11 billion in Western donor pledges and help avert economic collapse. The reform decisions require a 50 per cent reduction in salaries of current and former presidents, ministers and MPs plus cuts in benefits to state institutions and officials. It also obliges the central bank and private banks to contribute $3.3 billion to achieve a "near-zero deficit" for the 2020 budget. It also includes a plan to privatise the telecommunications sector and an overhaul of the costly and crumbling electricity sector, which poses one of the biggest strains on the country's depleted finances. Government sources said Hariri's cabinet would meet at midday on Monday at the presidential palace to approve the reform package. Hopeful The anti-government protests, fuelled by crippling economic conditions and anger at perceived government corruption, have fanned out across the country since Thursday. Cheerful, buoyant and hopeful their protests would bring change, people of all ages and religions played patriotic songs and danced in the streets, with some forming human chains and chanting for their leaders to be ousted. Festival-like scenes dominated the country from the capital Beirut to remote towns, with loudspeakers blaring music as crowds kept pouring into the streets. "I am here because I am disgusted by our politicians. Nothing works. This is not a state. Salaries are very low, prices are very high. We don't even have work these days," said Cherine Shawa, 32, an interior architect, in Beirut. Ending rampant corruption is a central demand of the protesters, who say the country's leaders have used their positions to enrich themselves for decades through favourable deals and kickbacks. "We're here to say to our leaders 'leave'. We have no hope in them but we're hopeful that these protests will bring change," Hanan Takkouche, in her 40s and among a group of women in the capital. "They came to fill their pockets. They're all crooks and thieves," she added. Many blamed the ruling elite for driving their children out of Lebanon because they failed to build a country that could provide jobs. Army troops and security forces deployed across the country and blocked roads leading to the presidential palace. Banks said they would remain closed on Monday and the main labour union announced a general strike, threatening further paralysis. Conditions met A chorus of voices, from union leaders to politicians, have joined popular calls for Hariri's government to resign. The Maronite Christian Lebanese Forces party has said its four ministers would withdraw from the government. But the approval of the reforms by Hariri's partners seem to have met his conditions and would most likely push him to stay the course, government sources said. If Hariri, a Sunni Muslim who is traditionally backed by the West and Sunni Gulf Arab allies, resigns it would be harder for the various parties that make up the ruling coalition to form a new cabinet. A new cabinet would also likely see Iranian-backed Hezbollah and its allies more in control, a shift that would make it nearly impossible for international donors or Gulf Arab countries at odds with Iran to offer aid or investments. Without a foreign funding boost, officials and economists predict a currency devaluation or a debt default within months. The IMF said last week that Lebanon's crisis requires tough austerity measures such as tax hikes and levies on fuel, steps the country's politicians have publicly vowed not to take. Lebanon's economy registered just 0.3 per cent growth last year. The IMF said the reforms were needed to stem a ballooning deficit and public debt it forecasts to reach 155 per cent of GDP by year-end. The officials said the budget would not include additional taxes or fees after a decision last week to put a levy on WhatsApp calls triggered the unrest. The reforms also called for establishing new regulatory and transparency bodies within a "short period" of time to oversee reform plans.

Lebanon's Hariri agrees to reforms amid nationwide protests over economic crisis

The Chief Executive Officers of top bluechip companies are able to make more money every year, even with global economies facing slowdowns.

Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella recently got an increment of 66 per cent.

For his services to the company, Nadella was paid a compensation of $42.9 million for the financial year 2018-19. In the previous year, Nadella earned $25.8 million.

When he took charge from erstwhile CEO Steve Ballmer, he was offered a salary of $84 million.

He took over Microsoft at a time when the company's fortune&nbsp;looked a bit uncertain and its hegemony in the computer operating software was being challenged. Nadella's job was to turn the company around.

Even then, Satya Nadella is not the highest-paid CEO in the world. That position is held by Tesla and Space X's CEO Elon Musk.

Reports say that Musk pocketed a salary of $2.3 billion in 2018, almost entirely in stocks. This is equal to the salary of the next 65 top CEOs combined.

A distant second on the list is Discovery's David M Zaslav, who made $129 million.

Interestingly, the world's richest man is a CEO. But he's not the highest-paid CEO. &nbsp;Amazon's Jeff Bezos is the wealthiest man on the planet, but his salary is a paltry sum of $81,840.

Bezos hasn't received an increment in 20 years, with his actual wealth coming in from the stocks he owns in Amazon.

In 2018, Apple's Tim Cook took home compensation of $15.7 million.

Google's CEO Sundar Pichai's salary in 2018 was $1.9 million including his stock award.

What about the regular employees?

The average increment of a white-collar employee in the United States was 3 per cent in 2018. The US economy grew by about 2.8 per cent.

In India, across industries, the average salary hike was 9.8 per cent.

The skewed nature of salary increments is not a new phenomenon.

In the last four decades, CEO salaries have risen by an average of 940 per cent.

But for a typical employee, this rise has been barely 12 per cent.

The Chief Executive Officers of top bluechip companies are able to make more money every year, even with global economies facing slowdowns. Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella recently got an increment of 66 per cent.

The Chief Executive Officers of top bluechip companies are able to make more money every year, even with global economies facing slowdowns. Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella recently got an increment of 66 per cent. For his services to the company, Nadella was paid a compensation of $42.9 million for the financial year 2018-19. In the previous year, Nadella earned $25.8 million. When he took charge from erstwhile CEO Steve Ballmer, he was offered a salary of $84 million. He took over Microsoft at a time when the company's fortune looked a bit uncertain and its hegemony in the computer operating software was being challenged. Nadella's job was to turn the company around. Even then, Satya Nadella is not the highest-paid CEO in the world. That position is held by Tesla and Space X's CEO Elon Musk. Reports say that Musk pocketed a salary of $2.3 billion in 2018, almost entirely in stocks. This is equal to the salary of the next 65 top CEOs combined. A distant second on the list is Discovery's David M Zaslav, who made $129 million. Interestingly, the world's richest man is a CEO. But he's not the highest-paid CEO. Amazon's Jeff Bezos is the wealthiest man on the planet, but his salary is a paltry sum of $81,840. Bezos hasn't received an increment in 20 years, with his actual wealth coming in from the stocks he owns in Amazon. In 2018, Apple's Tim Cook took home compensation of $15.7 million. Google's CEO Sundar Pichai's salary in 2018 was $1.9 million including his stock award. What about the regular employees? The average increment of a white-collar employee in the United States was 3 per cent in 2018. The US economy grew by about 2.8 per cent. In India, across industries, the average salary hike was 9.8 per cent. The skewed nature of salary increments is not a new phenomenon. In the last four decades, CEO salaries have risen by an average of 940 per cent. But for a typical employee, this rise has been barely 12 per cent.

As global economies go down, CEO paycheques go up

The Chinese authorities consider it necessary to strengthen strategic military contacts and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-talks-up-technology-prowess-in-face-of-united-states-rivalry-257035">mutual trust with the United States</a> amid various challenges and issues, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said during the opening of the ninth&nbsp;Xiangshan security forum on Monday. 
 
"The military relations with the US are, on the whole, stable, but they face multiple challenges and complications. The armed forces of the two countries should enhance strategic communications, strengthen mutual trust, cultivate cooperation in the area of risk control and management, and strive to make coordination and cooperation a solid bedrock of the US-China relations," Wei said. 
 
He added that Beijing was determined to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours, steadily develop military relations with the adjacent countries, and was constantly promoting raising the level of military cooperation. 
 
The 9th Xiangshan Forum on security is being held in Beijing from October 20-22. The event is organized by the China Association of Military Science and the China Institute of International Strategic Studies, with participating defence ministers, experts, and former military officials. The first Xiangshan forum was held in 2006. Starting from 2015, it is held annually.

The Chinese authorities consider it necessary to strengthen strategic military contacts and mutual trust with the United States amid various challenges and issues, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said during the opening of the ninth Xiangshan security forum on Monday.

The Chinese authorities consider it necessary to strengthen strategic military contacts and mutual trust with the United States amid various challenges and issues, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said during the opening of the ninth Xiangshan security forum on Monday. "The military relations with the US are, on the whole, stable, but they face multiple challenges and complications. The armed forces of the two countries should enhance strategic communications, strengthen mutual trust, cultivate cooperation in the area of risk control and management, and strive to make coordination and cooperation a solid bedrock of the US-China relations," Wei said. He added that Beijing was determined to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours, steadily develop military relations with the adjacent countries, and was constantly promoting raising the level of military cooperation. The 9th Xiangshan Forum on security is being held in Beijing from October 20-22. The event is organized by the China Association of Military Science and the China Institute of International Strategic Studies, with participating defence ministers, experts, and former military officials. The first Xiangshan forum was held in 2006. Starting from 2015, it is held annually.

China wants closer military coordination with United States despite disagreements: Defence minister

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