There is an ongoing dengue outbreak in Karachi with over 1,100 dengue cases reported in the first eight days of October. 
 
The public and private sector hospitals in Karachi have been receiving a growing number of high-grade fever cases with many of them testing positive for the Dandy Fever, Dawn reported. 
 
"North Nazimabad is a dengue hotspot along with Garden East, Union Council four&nbsp;of Metroville, Clifton Cantonment Board and Soldier Bazaar," said Dr Abdul Basit of Sindh's Dengue Control Programme on Tuesday. 
 
He also said that the department received data from hospitals and carried out fumigation (a process of disinfecting an area) in affected houses located in areas where plenty of cases were reported. 
 
"Routine fumigation is the responsibility of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and respective district municipal corporations," he said when asked why fumigation was not launched as a preventive measure before the monsoon. 
 
According to the official statistics, 115 dengue cases were reported in Karachi on Tuesday while eight in the rest of Sindh's districts. 
 
Reportedly, 4,403 dengue cases have come across this year in Sindh province, out of which 4,151 were reported from Karachi. The deadly fever has claimed 15 lives this year. 
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has asked for immediate anti-mosquito spray campaigns for eliminating mosquitoes. 
 
"Government should immediately start anti-mosquito spray campaigns on an emergency basis throughout Pakistan because the disease could only be prevented by eliminating mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment to combat this disease," the association said in a release.

There is an ongoing dengue outbreak in Karachi with over 1,100 dengue cases reported in the first eight days of October. The public and private sector hospitals in Karachi have been receiving a growing number of high-grade fever cases with many of them testing positive for the Dandy Fever, Dawn reported.

There is an ongoing dengue outbreak in Karachi with over 1,100 dengue cases reported in the first eight days of October. The public and private sector hospitals in Karachi have been receiving a growing number of high-grade fever cases with many of them testing positive for the Dandy Fever, Dawn reported. "North Nazimabad is a dengue hotspot along with Garden East, Union Council four of Metroville, Clifton Cantonment Board and Soldier Bazaar," said Dr Abdul Basit of Sindh's Dengue Control Programme on Tuesday. He also said that the department received data from hospitals and carried out fumigation (a process of disinfecting an area) in affected houses located in areas where plenty of cases were reported. "Routine fumigation is the responsibility of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and respective district municipal corporations," he said when asked why fumigation was not launched as a preventive measure before the monsoon. According to the official statistics, 115 dengue cases were reported in Karachi on Tuesday while eight in the rest of Sindh's districts. Reportedly, 4,403 dengue cases have come across this year in Sindh province, out of which 4,151 were reported from Karachi. The deadly fever has claimed 15 lives this year. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has asked for immediate anti-mosquito spray campaigns for eliminating mosquitoes. "Government should immediately start anti-mosquito spray campaigns on an emergency basis throughout Pakistan because the disease could only be prevented by eliminating mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or specific treatment to combat this disease," the association said in a release.

Dengue outbreak in Karachi, over 1100 test positive in 8 days

Despite having nuclear technology, Iran has never pursued building or using nuclear weapons, which its religion forbids, the country's highest political authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday.

"Building and stockpiling nuclear bombs is wrong and using it is haram (religiously forbidden) ... Although we have nuclear technology, Iran has firmly avoided it," State TV quoted him as saying.

Iran has repeatedly denied ever having sought to build a nuclear bomb.

A landmark 2015 deal that put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief has been on life support since May last year when US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from it and reimposed sanctions.

The remaining parties to the deal with Iran — Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia — have tried to salvage the accord, but Tehran has repeatedly accused Europe of not doing enough.

Despite having nuclear technology, Iran has never pursued building or using nuclear weapons, which its religion forbids, the country's highest political authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday.

Despite having nuclear technology, Iran has never pursued building or using nuclear weapons, which its religion forbids, the country's highest political authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Wednesday. "Building and stockpiling nuclear bombs is wrong and using it is haram (religiously forbidden) ... Although we have nuclear technology, Iran has firmly avoided it," State TV quoted him as saying. Iran has repeatedly denied ever having sought to build a nuclear bomb. A landmark 2015 deal that put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief has been on life support since May last year when US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from it and reimposed sanctions. The remaining parties to the deal with Iran — Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia — have tried to salvage the accord, but Tehran has repeatedly accused Europe of not doing enough.

Iran's Khamenei says building, using nuclear bomb religiously forbidden: State TV

Nepal and China are expected to sign numerous <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-discusses-bilateral-issues-with-chinese-president-xi-jinping-254769">bilateral agreements</a> and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during President Xi Jinping's upcoming two-day visit to Kathmandu. 
 
During the visit from October 12 to 13, Xi will be meeting his Nepali counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari, who will also host a banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary and his delegation, Nepal's Foreign Office said in a statement. 
 
Xi will also hold <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahabalipuram-preparations-in-full-swing-for-informal-summit-between-modi-jinping-254576">delegation-level official talks</a> with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The agreements will be signed after the talks, the statement added. 
 
Other senior Nepalese leaders are also slated to meet the Chinese President during his official trip to Kathmandu. 
 
Xi's visit to Nepal will be preceded by his trip to India where the Chinese President will hold an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mahabalipuram from October 11 to 12. 
Both Modi and Xi are expected to hold comprehensive talks on a host of issues concerning the bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues, as per the Ministry of External Affairs.

Nepal and China are expected to sign numerous bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during President Xi Jinping's upcoming two-day visit to Kathmandu.

Nepal and China are expected to sign numerous bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during President Xi Jinping's upcoming two-day visit to Kathmandu. During the visit from October 12 to 13, Xi will be meeting his Nepali counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari, who will also host a banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary and his delegation, Nepal's Foreign Office said in a statement. Xi will also hold delegation-level official talks with Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The agreements will be signed after the talks, the statement added. Other senior Nepalese leaders are also slated to meet the Chinese President during his official trip to Kathmandu. Xi's visit to Nepal will be preceded by his trip to India where the Chinese President will hold an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mahabalipuram from October 11 to 12. Both Modi and Xi are expected to hold comprehensive talks on a host of issues concerning the bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues, as per the Ministry of External Affairs.

Nepal, China to sign agreements during Xi's upcoming visit

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chinese President Xi Jinping&nbsp;on Wednesday and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interests. 
 
According to Dawn, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement said that Khan briefed Xi about the current situation in the country, and said that Pakistan has come out of the difficult economic situation and will never forget China's financial cooperation in this regard. 
 
"We will never forget China's financial cooperation in this regard," he was quoted as saying, adding that China had helped Pakistan without "any conditionality". 
 
Imran Khan thanked China for providing Pakistan with the opportunity to come out of a very difficult economic situation and appreciated Beijing's support under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. 
 
"Pakistan and China are all-weather friends and strategic cooperative partners", he said. 
 
The Chinese president lauded Khan for speaking on China-Pakistan relations during UN General Assembly's session last month, Geo News reported. 
 
Khan who is on a two-day visit to Beijing will also meet with Chairman of the National People's Congress today, besides attending the closing ceremony of Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition 2019. 
 
Khan's visit comes just days before Xi's scheduled visit to India and Nepal on October 11-13. 
 
On Tuesday, Khan had held bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. 
 
The meeting revolved primarily around the strengthening of bilateral economic partnership. During the meeting, Pakistan and China, both agreed to strengthen socio-economic ties, along with signing a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). 
 
It should be noted that despite Khan's top of the voice chant over internationalising Kashmir, Beijing, just ahead of Xi's visit to India, has apparently softened its stance over the issue and voiced that a dialogue may be a "way forward" to resolve the downgraded ties between the two neighbours.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interests. According to Dawn, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement said that Khan briefed Xi about the current situation in the country, and said that Pakistan has come out of the difficult economic situation and will never forget China's financial cooperation in this regard.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interests. According to Dawn, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement said that Khan briefed Xi about the current situation in the country, and said that Pakistan has come out of the difficult economic situation and will never forget China's financial cooperation in this regard. "We will never forget China's financial cooperation in this regard," he was quoted as saying, adding that China had helped Pakistan without "any conditionality". Imran Khan thanked China for providing Pakistan with the opportunity to come out of a very difficult economic situation and appreciated Beijing's support under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. "Pakistan and China are all-weather friends and strategic cooperative partners", he said. The Chinese president lauded Khan for speaking on China-Pakistan relations during UN General Assembly's session last month, Geo News reported. Khan who is on a two-day visit to Beijing will also meet with Chairman of the National People's Congress today, besides attending the closing ceremony of Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition 2019. Khan's visit comes just days before Xi's scheduled visit to India and Nepal on October 11-13. On Tuesday, Khan had held bilateral talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The meeting revolved primarily around the strengthening of bilateral economic partnership. During the meeting, Pakistan and China, both agreed to strengthen socio-economic ties, along with signing a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). It should be noted that despite Khan's top of the voice chant over internationalising Kashmir, Beijing, just ahead of Xi's visit to India, has apparently softened its stance over the issue and voiced that a dialogue may be a "way forward" to resolve the downgraded ties between the two neighbours.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan discusses bilateral issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday announced that they'll extend conditional support to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-central-bank-seen-keeping-rates-on-hold-ahead-of-elections-254686">election campaign</a>. 
 
"The SLFP will sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to form a new alliance called Sri Lanka Freedom People's Alliance," said SLFP parliamentarian Nimal Siripala de Silva at a press meet here. 
 
Further explaining the terms, SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the MoUs will be signed by the party within the next two days. 
 
"One agreement is to be signed between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The other agreement will be signed by the SLFP with the presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa," Jayasekara said. 
 
Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-faces-costliest-election-longest-ballot-paper-254467">the Sri Lankan Election Commission had announced that the Presidential elections are scheduled for November 16</a> and the acceptance of the nominations will be held on October 7. 
 
In August, Sri Lanka's main opposition party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, had named former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's younger brother and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday announced that they'll extend conditional support to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's election campaign.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday announced that they'll extend conditional support to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's election campaign. "The SLFP will sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to form a new alliance called Sri Lanka Freedom People's Alliance," said SLFP parliamentarian Nimal Siripala de Silva at a press meet here. Further explaining the terms, SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that the MoUs will be signed by the party within the next two days. "One agreement is to be signed between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The other agreement will be signed by the SLFP with the presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa," Jayasekara said. Last week, the Sri Lankan Election Commission had announced that the Presidential elections are scheduled for November 16 and the acceptance of the nominations will be held on October 7. In August, Sri Lanka's main opposition party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, had named former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's younger brother and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as its presidential candidate.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party extends conditional support to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

Turkish forces and Syrian rebel allies will push into Syria "shortly", a Turkish official said on Wednesday, in an operation world powers fear could open a new chapter in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war.

Turkey has been poised to advance into northeast Syria since the US&nbsp;troops began vacating the area in an abrupt policy shift by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump widely criticised in Washington as a betrayal of America's Kurdish militia allies.

On Tuesday, Turkish officials told Reuters that the military had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-strikes-in-syrian-iraqi-border-ahead-of-planned-offensive-254608">struck the Syrian-Iraqi border</a> to prevent Kurdish forces using the route to reinforce the region, though details of the strikes were hazy.

"Our work concerning the operation is continuing, the deployments, preparations are continuing," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told broadcaster NTV.

Ankara has said it intends to create a "safe zone" in order to return millions of refugees to Syrian soil, but the scheme has alarmed some Western allies as much as the risks posed by the military operation itself.

For Turkey, which views Kurdish YPG fighters in northeast Syria as terrorists because of their ties to militants waging an insurgency inside Turkey, an influx of non-Kurdish Syrians would help it secure a buffer against its main security threat.

The Kurdish-led authority in northern Syria declared a state of "general mobilization" across north and east Syria in light of the looming attack.

"We call on all our institutions, and our people in all their components, to head towards the border region with Turkey to fulfil their moral duty and show resistance in these sensitive, historic moments," it said in a statement.

President Tayyip Erdogan's communications director Fahrettin Altun said YPG fighters could either defect or Ankara would have to "stop them from disrupting" what he described as Turkey's struggle against Islamic State militants.

'Armed&nbsp;Thugs'

"The Turkish military, together with the Free Syrian Army, will cross the Turkish-Syrian border shortly," Altun wrote in a tweet and in a column published in the Washington Post. "Turkey has no ambition in northeastern Syria except to neutralize a long-standing threat against Turkish citizens and to liberate the local population from the yoke of armed thugs," he said.

Turkey's Demiroren news agency said Syrian rebels travelled from northwest Syria to Turkey in preparation for the incursion.

They will be based on the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, it said, across the border from the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain, with 14,000 of them gradually joining the offensive.

The Hamza Brigade rebels from the National Army, the main rebel grouping that Turkey supports in northwest Syria, moved in a bus convoy along with trucks carrying ammunition, DHA said.

"The National Army forces are still preparing for the start of operations east of the Euphrates (river) and they have started moving to the frontlines," National Army spokesman Youssef Hammoud said, adding he could not say if the battle would start within hours or days.

Previous Turkish operations backed by the rebels in Syria started with air operations, followed by artillery and then ground forces, Hammoud said.

A large convoy of buses carrying Syrian rebel fighters and trucks loaded with equipment arrived at the Turkish border town of Akcakale early on Wednesday, a Reuters witness said.

At Akcakale, across from Syria's Tel Abyad, howitzers were deployed behind earth embankments and pointed towards Syria, a Reuters witness said on Tuesday. Multiple launch rocket systems were stationed at Suruc, some 60 km&nbsp;to the west, opposite the Syrian border town of Kobani, he said.

Russia&nbsp;calls&nbsp;for&nbsp;dialogue

Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's strongest foreign ally, urged dialogue between Damascus and Syria's Kurds on solving issues in northeast Syria including border security.

"We heard statements yesterday both from Damascus officials and the Kurdish representatives that they are ready for such dialogue," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Kazakhstan.

"We will do our best to support the start of such substantive talks and hope it will be supported by all the key foreign players," said Lavrov, adding he spoke on Tuesday to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said the Turkish side respected Syria's territorial integrity.

Kurdish-led forces said on Tuesday they might start talks with the Syrian government and Russia to fill a security vacuum in the event of a full US&nbsp;troop withdrawal.

The prospect of a military offensive has unsettled Turkish financial markets, with the lira this week hitting its weakest level since late August. The currency firmed slightly to 5.8220 against the dollar on Wednesday morning.

Erdogan will visit the United States on November&nbsp;13 at Trump's invitation, a White House spokesman said. On Monday, Erdogan said US&nbsp;troops had started to withdraw after a phone call he had with Trump, adding that talks between Turkish and US&nbsp;officials on the matter would continue.

"Unfortunately, Turkey has chosen to act unilaterally. As a result, we have moved the US&nbsp;forces in northern Syria out of the path of potential Turkish incursion to ensure their safety," US&nbsp;Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said.

Trump's decision to withdraw troops from northeast Syria has rattled allies, including France, one of Washington's main partners in the US-led&nbsp;coalition fighting Islamic State.

Amid deepening humanitarian concerns, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties in northeast Syria to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians.

Kurdish-led forces have denounced the US&nbsp;policy shift as a "stab in the back". But Trump denied he had abandoned the Kurdish forces, the most effective US&nbsp;partners in fighting Islamic State in Syria.

Turkish forces and Syrian rebel allies will push into Syria "shortly", a Turkish official said on Wednesday, in an operation world powers fear could open a new chapter in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war.

Turkish forces and Syrian rebel allies will push into Syria "shortly", a Turkish official said on Wednesday, in an operation world powers fear could open a new chapter in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war. Turkey has been poised to advance into northeast Syria since the US troops began vacating the area in an abrupt policy shift by US President Donald Trump widely criticised in Washington as a betrayal of America's Kurdish militia allies. On Tuesday, Turkish officials told Reuters that the military had struck the Syrian-Iraqi border to prevent Kurdish forces using the route to reinforce the region, though details of the strikes were hazy. "Our work concerning the operation is continuing, the deployments, preparations are continuing," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told broadcaster NTV. Ankara has said it intends to create a "safe zone" in order to return millions of refugees to Syrian soil, but the scheme has alarmed some Western allies as much as the risks posed by the military operation itself. For Turkey, which views Kurdish YPG fighters in northeast Syria as terrorists because of their ties to militants waging an insurgency inside Turkey, an influx of non-Kurdish Syrians would help it secure a buffer against its main security threat. The Kurdish-led authority in northern Syria declared a state of "general mobilization" across north and east Syria in light of the looming attack. "We call on all our institutions, and our people in all their components, to head towards the border region with Turkey to fulfil their moral duty and show resistance in these sensitive, historic moments," it said in a statement. President Tayyip Erdogan's communications director Fahrettin Altun said YPG fighters could either defect or Ankara would have to "stop them from disrupting" what he described as Turkey's struggle against Islamic State militants. 'Armed Thugs' "The Turkish military, together with the Free Syrian Army, will cross the Turkish-Syrian border shortly," Altun wrote in a tweet and in a column published in the Washington Post. "Turkey has no ambition in northeastern Syria except to neutralize a long-standing threat against Turkish citizens and to liberate the local population from the yoke of armed thugs," he said. Turkey's Demiroren news agency said Syrian rebels travelled from northwest Syria to Turkey in preparation for the incursion. They will be based on the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, it said, across the border from the Syrian town of Ras al-Ain, with 14,000 of them gradually joining the offensive. The Hamza Brigade rebels from the National Army, the main rebel grouping that Turkey supports in northwest Syria, moved in a bus convoy along with trucks carrying ammunition, DHA said. "The National Army forces are still preparing for the start of operations east of the Euphrates (river) and they have started moving to the frontlines," National Army spokesman Youssef Hammoud said, adding he could not say if the battle would start within hours or days. Previous Turkish operations backed by the rebels in Syria started with air operations, followed by artillery and then ground forces, Hammoud said. A large convoy of buses carrying Syrian rebel fighters and trucks loaded with equipment arrived at the Turkish border town of Akcakale early on Wednesday, a Reuters witness said. At Akcakale, across from Syria's Tel Abyad, howitzers were deployed behind earth embankments and pointed towards Syria, a Reuters witness said on Tuesday. Multiple launch rocket systems were stationed at Suruc, some 60 km to the west, opposite the Syrian border town of Kobani, he said. Russia calls for dialogue Russia, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's strongest foreign ally, urged dialogue between Damascus and Syria's Kurds on solving issues in northeast Syria including border security. "We heard statements yesterday both from Damascus officials and the Kurdish representatives that they are ready for such dialogue," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Kazakhstan. "We will do our best to support the start of such substantive talks and hope it will be supported by all the key foreign players," said Lavrov, adding he spoke on Tuesday to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said the Turkish side respected Syria's territorial integrity. Kurdish-led forces said on Tuesday they might start talks with the Syrian government and Russia to fill a security vacuum in the event of a full US troop withdrawal. The prospect of a military offensive has unsettled Turkish financial markets, with the lira this week hitting its weakest level since late August. The currency firmed slightly to 5.8220 against the dollar on Wednesday morning. Erdogan will visit the United States on November 13 at Trump's invitation, a White House spokesman said. On Monday, Erdogan said US troops had started to withdraw after a phone call he had with Trump, adding that talks between Turkish and US officials on the matter would continue. "Unfortunately, Turkey has chosen to act unilaterally. As a result, we have moved the US forces in northern Syria out of the path of potential Turkish incursion to ensure their safety," US Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said. Trump's decision to withdraw troops from northeast Syria has rattled allies, including France, one of Washington's main partners in the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State. Amid deepening humanitarian concerns, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties in northeast Syria to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians. Kurdish-led forces have denounced the US policy shift as a "stab in the back". But Trump denied he had abandoned the Kurdish forces, the most effective US partners in fighting Islamic State in Syria.

Turkish military, Syrian rebels to enter Syria 'shortly': Erdogan aide

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-syria-attack-plans-complete-trump-delivers-threat-254495">Turkey denied on Wednesday that it had begun its operation against Kurdish militants in Syria</a>, but said its preparations were underway.&nbsp;

"Reports in some media outlets stating that the operation has begun do not reflect the reality. The operation has not been launched yet," a Turkish official said in a note to reporters.

Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said earlier on Wednesday that the military build-up along Turkey's southern border was continuing.&nbsp;

"Our preparations regarding the operation are ongoing. (Troop) transfers and preparations are still underway," Akar said, according to state news agency Anadolu.&nbsp;

AFP correspondents at the border witnessed the arrival of a large convoy of vehicles in the Turkish town of Akcakale in Sanliurfa province overnight.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said the Turkish military was shelling its positions over the border at Sere Kaniye.

That is one of the positions from which US forces withdrew earlier this week after the White House announced it was pulling back special forces from Syria's northern frontier.

Turkey denied on Wednesday that it had begun its operation against Kurdish militants in Syria, but said its preparations were underway. "Reports in some media outlets stating that the operation has begun do not reflect the reality.

Turkey denied on Wednesday that it had begun its operation against Kurdish militants in Syria, but said its preparations were underway. "Reports in some media outlets stating that the operation has begun do not reflect the reality. The operation has not been launched yet," a Turkish official said in a note to reporters. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said earlier on Wednesday that the military build-up along Turkey's southern border was continuing. "Our preparations regarding the operation are ongoing. (Troop) transfers and preparations are still underway," Akar said, according to state news agency Anadolu. AFP correspondents at the border witnessed the arrival of a large convoy of vehicles in the Turkish town of Akcakale in Sanliurfa province overnight. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said the Turkish military was shelling its positions over the border at Sere Kaniye. That is one of the positions from which US forces withdrew earlier this week after the White House announced it was pulling back special forces from Syria's northern frontier.

Turkey denies initiation of Syria operation

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-urges-european-unity-30-years-after-prague-exodus-252914">The German government gave its blessing Wednesday to draft climate legislation</a>, even though it has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and scientists alike as an unambitious package.

"For the first time, Germany's climate goals are becoming legally binding," environment minister Svenja Schulze said in a statement.

"Germany missing its climate targets cannot happen again," she added after ministers admitted the country will not succeed in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) output by 40 per cent compared with 1990 by next year.

By 2050, the country should be climate neutral -&nbsp;a goal that "will for the first time be anchored in the law", said Schulze.

Over the coming decade, Berlin now targets greenhouse gas output to fall 55 per cent compared with 1990, while some 65 per cent of Germany's electricity should come from renewables.

To get there, ministers agreed to extend CO2 pricing from energy and industry -&nbsp;already regulated at the European Union level -&nbsp;to areas like transport and construction.

They will gradually raise the CO2 price each year from a low starting level of $11&nbsp;per tonne and allow a growing role for markets from 2025.

That represents "the economically most efficient way to reduce emissions and hit climate goals," the federal government said on its website.

On top of pricing, there will be subsidies for big-ticket items like electric vehicles or insulation and heating for buildings.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-to-commit-at-least-100-billion-euros-on-climate-action-250843">And the government will invest in electric car charging points, public transport and passenger rail</a>, as well as levying higher charges on short-haul flights.

Parliament must now debate and vote on the package that has been hammered out in weeks of talks between Merkel's conservatives&nbsp;and junior coalition partners the social democrats.

The parties were forced into action as unusually hot and dry summers, years of car industry emissions scandals and months of "Fridays for Future" marches by students shot the climate up the political agenda.

Speaking to ZDF public television, Schulze had argued for a "more gentle" climate debate, after days in which Extinction Rebellion protestors attempted to hobble road traffic in Berlin.

"Climate protection isn't just something for a few people, but for everyone," she said.

The German government gave its blessing Wednesday to draft climate legislation, even though it has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and scientists alike as an unambitious package.

The German government gave its blessing Wednesday to draft climate legislation, even though it has been heavily criticised by environmentalists and scientists alike as an unambitious package. "For the first time, Germany's climate goals are becoming legally binding," environment minister Svenja Schulze said in a statement. "Germany missing its climate targets cannot happen again," she added after ministers admitted the country will not succeed in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) output by 40 per cent compared with 1990 by next year. By 2050, the country should be climate neutral - a goal that "will for the first time be anchored in the law", said Schulze. Over the coming decade, Berlin now targets greenhouse gas output to fall 55 per cent compared with 1990, while some 65 per cent of Germany's electricity should come from renewables. To get there, ministers agreed to extend CO2 pricing from energy and industry - already regulated at the European Union level - to areas like transport and construction. They will gradually raise the CO2 price each year from a low starting level of $11 per tonne and allow a growing role for markets from 2025. That represents "the economically most efficient way to reduce emissions and hit climate goals," the federal government said on its website. On top of pricing, there will be subsidies for big-ticket items like electric vehicles or insulation and heating for buildings. And the government will invest in electric car charging points, public transport and passenger rail, as well as levying higher charges on short-haul flights. Parliament must now debate and vote on the package that has been hammered out in weeks of talks between Merkel's conservatives and junior coalition partners the social democrats. The parties were forced into action as unusually hot and dry summers, years of car industry emissions scandals and months of "Fridays for Future" marches by students shot the climate up the political agenda. Speaking to ZDF public television, Schulze had argued for a "more gentle" climate debate, after days in which Extinction Rebellion protestors attempted to hobble road traffic in Berlin. "Climate protection isn't just something for a few people, but for everyone," she said.

German government presses on with criticised climate law

Thyssenkrupp&nbsp;will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November, the company's new Chief Executive Martina Merz told employees on Wednesday.

The German group announced in May it was open to new ownership structures for its car parts, plant engineering, marine systems, and elevators units, but investors criticised a lack of progress, leading to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thyssenkrupp-plunged-into-turmoil-as-ceo-kerkhoff-set-to-leave-252022">dismissal of CEO Guido Kerkhoff.</a>

This led to the installation of Martina Merz, who addressed her top managers for the first time as CEO this week.

"This is about strengthening businesses and improving performance. This is not a sellout," Merz said in the letter, which was released to employees following the management meeting.

Thyssenkrupp, which has already announced 6,000 positions will go, declined to put a figure on potential job losses, pending negotiations about cuts with labour leaders.

It said an update about the revamp would be given in November and that employees would have clarity in early 2020.

"It is true that this will not be possible without significant job cuts," Merz said, explaining that big changes were afoot in the Component Technologies and Industrial Solutions divisions.

Component Technologies will be renamed Automotive Technology and a new structure will be introduced.

Marcel Fasswald, Chief Executive of Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, has left the company, Merz said.

Thyssenkrupp will, however, continue with plans to sell or list its Elevators division, Merz said.

Thyssenkrupp will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November, the company's new Chief Executive Martina Merz told employees on Wednesday.

Thyssenkrupp will make sweeping job cuts and give an update on the new company structure in November, the company's new Chief Executive Martina Merz told employees on Wednesday. The German group announced in May it was open to new ownership structures for its car parts, plant engineering, marine systems, and elevators units, but investors criticised a lack of progress, leading to the dismissal of CEO Guido Kerkhoff. This led to the installation of Martina Merz, who addressed her top managers for the first time as CEO this week. "This is about strengthening businesses and improving performance. This is not a sellout," Merz said in the letter, which was released to employees following the management meeting. Thyssenkrupp, which has already announced 6,000 positions will go, declined to put a figure on potential job losses, pending negotiations about cuts with labour leaders. It said an update about the revamp would be given in November and that employees would have clarity in early 2020. "It is true that this will not be possible without significant job cuts," Merz said, explaining that big changes were afoot in the Component Technologies and Industrial Solutions divisions. Component Technologies will be renamed Automotive Technology and a new structure will be introduced. Marcel Fasswald, Chief Executive of Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, has left the company, Merz said. Thyssenkrupp will, however, continue with plans to sell or list its Elevators division, Merz said.

Thyssenkrupp CEO announces sweeping job cuts

The chairman of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nissan-considers-giving-renault-some-seats-on-oversight-committees-source-227300">France's Renault&nbsp;is set to kick off a process to replace the Chief Executive</a>&nbsp;Thierry Bollore, business daily Le Figaro reported, as the carmaker tries to move on from an era marked by the arrest of former boss Carlos Ghosn.

According to Tuesday's report, Jean-Dominique Senard, who was brought in to chair Renault earlier this year from tyre maker Michelin, could bring the succession proposal onto the agenda of the next board meeting on October&nbsp;18.

Renault declined to comment on the report, which cited unidentified sources, as did a spokesman for the French finance ministry. The state owns a 15 per cent&nbsp;stake in Renault.

The company, like its alliance partner Nissan Motor C, is still reeling from the arrest last year of Ghosn on allegations of financial misconduct, which he denies.

Bollore, long Ghosn's right-hand man, was also promoted alongside Senard to help steady Renault.

But as well as stabilising the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/fiat-renault-merger-good-opportunity-french-minister-225951">alliance with Nissan</a>, Senard was tasked shaking up governance at the firm, one step he had yet to take.

"It's sometimes good to change people who have been in a place for a long time," one source familiar with the French government's thinking said.

Any change at the top of Renault would follow hot on the heels of a management overhaul at Nissan, and could help to ease tensions between the alliance partners.

The Japanese carmaker on Tuesday named a new chief executive, replacing Hiroto Saikawa, who stepped down after he admitted to being improperly overpaid. Makoto Uchida, until now the head of Nissan's China business, is known for his close ties to Renault, which has a 43.3% stake in Nissan.

The chairman of France's Renault is set to kick off a process to replace the Chief Executive Thierry Bollore, business daily Le Figaro reported, as the carmaker tries to move on from an era marked by the arrest of former boss Carlos Ghosn.

The chairman of France's Renault is set to kick off a process to replace the Chief Executive Thierry Bollore, business daily Le Figaro reported, as the carmaker tries to move on from an era marked by the arrest of former boss Carlos Ghosn. According to Tuesday's report, Jean-Dominique Senard, who was brought in to chair Renault earlier this year from tyre maker Michelin, could bring the succession proposal onto the agenda of the next board meeting on October 18. Renault declined to comment on the report, which cited unidentified sources, as did a spokesman for the French finance ministry. The state owns a 15 per cent stake in Renault. The company, like its alliance partner Nissan Motor C, is still reeling from the arrest last year of Ghosn on allegations of financial misconduct, which he denies. Bollore, long Ghosn's right-hand man, was also promoted alongside Senard to help steady Renault. But as well as stabilising the alliance with Nissan, Senard was tasked shaking up governance at the firm, one step he had yet to take. "It's sometimes good to change people who have been in a place for a long time," one source familiar with the French government's thinking said. Any change at the top of Renault would follow hot on the heels of a management overhaul at Nissan, and could help to ease tensions between the alliance partners. The Japanese carmaker on Tuesday named a new chief executive, replacing Hiroto Saikawa, who stepped down after he admitted to being improperly overpaid. Makoto Uchida, until now the head of Nissan's China business, is known for his close ties to Renault, which has a 43.3% stake in Nissan.

Renault to start search for new CEO: Le Figaro

Britain's insolvency agency said on Wednesday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-to-fly-back-another-5000-people-on-thursday-after-thomas-cook-collapse-253440">Hays Travel had reached an agreement with Thomas Cook Group</a> Plc to buy 555 stores of the collapsed travel firm in the UK.

The travel agency will also re-employ some former employees from Thomas Cook's retail operations, the British agency said in a statement.

The world's largest travel firm, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/most-thomas-cook-holidaymakers-back-in-uk-252603">Thomas Cook, collapsed last month</a>, stranding hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers around the globe and sparking the largest peacetime repatriation effort in British history.

Britain's insolvency agency said on Wednesday that Hays Travel had reached an agreement with Thomas Cook Group Plc to buy 555 stores of the collapsed travel firm in the UK.

Britain's insolvency agency said on Wednesday that Hays Travel had reached an agreement with Thomas Cook Group Plc to buy 555 stores of the collapsed travel firm in the UK. The travel agency will also re-employ some former employees from Thomas Cook's retail operations, the British agency said in a statement. The world's largest travel firm, Thomas Cook, collapsed last month, stranding hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers around the globe and sparking the largest peacetime repatriation effort in British history.

Hays Travel to buy Thomas Cook's UK stores: Government agency

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/airbus-ups-estimate-of-20-year-demand-for-new-planes-250372">Airbus Defence and Space has issued an internal warning of significant challenges</a> in meeting cashflow and other targets for 2019 as it rolls out an internal efficiency plan called "Momentum", people familiar with the matter said.

It is the second time in as many years the group's second-largest division has been forced to urge its 33,000 staff to save more cash in the final quarter of the year, a period when government customers are often slow in finalising payments.

This year, the squeeze has gained extra urgency as Airbus remains locked in a dispute with Germany over a freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, imposed after the killing of journalist Jamal Kashoggi by Saudi operatives just over a year ago.

Airbus says the moratorium on defence export licences has disrupted an already long-delayed Saudi border systems contract.

Airbus Defence and Space staff have been urged to take steps to improve the division's cash position by the end of 2019, the people said, adding no figures were available.

One part of that effort is Momentum, a new plan aimed at achieving durable improvements in performance over the long term.

Responding to a Reuters query, an Airbus spokesman confirmed the focus on improving cash as well as the new efficiency plan.

"In early fall, as is rather customary, management has reminded the teams inside Airbus Defence and Space that we have to work hard in order to meet our targets by year-end," the spokesman said.

"Our particular focus in 2019 is on achieving our free cash flow objectives. Momentum, in its current phase, is one supporting tool in our instrument box to make that happen."

Airbus took a total of $228 million&nbsp;in first-half charges related to the Saudi contract but has declined to put any numbers on the fallout to its cashflow.

The group is targeting a positive free cash flow before M&amp;A and customer financing of approximately 4 billion euros in 2019 after an outflow of 3.981 billion euros in the first half blamed partly on higher inventories due to delayed jetliner deliveries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/airbus-orders-inspection-of-400-helicopters-following-norway-crash-249066">Airbus Defence and Space is the group's second-largest division by sales and contributes some 17 per cent&nbsp;of its revenue</a>.

The division supplies aerial refuelling tankers, satellites and military transport planes, and contributes to the four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet. It has also partnered with France’s Dassault Aviation&nbsp;to study a successor to the Eurofighter and the French Rafale.

Divisional chief executive Dirk Hoke has urged Berlin to relax the Saudi export ban, saying it will not lead to far-reaching changes in the Gulf kingdom. But Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has said there is no reason to alter the moratorium which has been extended to March next year.

Airbus Defence and Space has issued an internal warning of significant challenges in meeting cashflow and other targets for 2019 as it rolls out an internal efficiency plan called "Momentum", people familiar with the matter said.

Airbus Defence and Space has issued an internal warning of significant challenges in meeting cashflow and other targets for 2019 as it rolls out an internal efficiency plan called "Momentum", people familiar with the matter said. It is the second time in as many years the group's second-largest division has been forced to urge its 33,000 staff to save more cash in the final quarter of the year, a period when government customers are often slow in finalising payments. This year, the squeeze has gained extra urgency as Airbus remains locked in a dispute with Germany over a freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, imposed after the killing of journalist Jamal Kashoggi by Saudi operatives just over a year ago. Airbus says the moratorium on defence export licences has disrupted an already long-delayed Saudi border systems contract. Airbus Defence and Space staff have been urged to take steps to improve the division's cash position by the end of 2019, the people said, adding no figures were available. One part of that effort is Momentum, a new plan aimed at achieving durable improvements in performance over the long term. Responding to a Reuters query, an Airbus spokesman confirmed the focus on improving cash as well as the new efficiency plan. "In early fall, as is rather customary, management has reminded the teams inside Airbus Defence and Space that we have to work hard in order to meet our targets by year-end," the spokesman said. "Our particular focus in 2019 is on achieving our free cash flow objectives. Momentum, in its current phase, is one supporting tool in our instrument box to make that happen." Airbus took a total of $228 million in first-half charges related to the Saudi contract but has declined to put any numbers on the fallout to its cashflow. The group is targeting a positive free cash flow before M&A and customer financing of approximately 4 billion euros in 2019 after an outflow of 3.981 billion euros in the first half blamed partly on higher inventories due to delayed jetliner deliveries. Airbus Defence and Space is the group's second-largest division by sales and contributes some 17 per cent of its revenue. The division supplies aerial refuelling tankers, satellites and military transport planes, and contributes to the four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon combat jet. It has also partnered with France’s Dassault Aviation to study a successor to the Eurofighter and the French Rafale. Divisional chief executive Dirk Hoke has urged Berlin to relax the Saudi export ban, saying it will not lead to far-reaching changes in the Gulf kingdom. But Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has said there is no reason to alter the moratorium which has been extended to March next year.

Airbus defence unit sees cash challenge, adopts efficiency plan

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Bharat Sharma

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