Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Kiev on Sunday to protest broader autonomy for separatist territories, part of a plan to end a war with Russian-backed fighters.

Protesters chanted "No to surrender!", with some holding placards critical of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the crowd, which police said had swelled to around 10,000 people.

The country's 41-year-old president is gearing up to hold his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-plans-second-major-prisoner-swap-with-russia-kiev-253705">first summit with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin</a> in an effort to revive a stalled peace process to end the five-year separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

This week Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators agreed on a roadmap that envisages special status for separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution.

Zelensky's critics fear that Putin will push the comedian-turned-politician to make damaging concessions in order to retain Moscow's de-facto control of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

Protesters in Kiev's Independence Square said that agreeing to give broader autonomy to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic would mean surrendering Ukraine's interests.

"We are against a betrayal," protester Sergiy Lezvinsky, 58, told AFP.

"We want to put an end to the occupation, to the decisions that are being fast-tracked".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-leader-says-russia-sanctions-must-remain-in-place-249448">The provisional agreement of a roadmap&nbsp;was a key condition set by Moscow</a> for a meeting that will be hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and also involve German Chancellor Angela Merkel.&nbsp;

The plan has been dubbed "the Steinmeier formula", after the former German foreign minister, Frank-Walter&nbsp;Steinmeier, who proposed it.

But many critics say the proposal favours Russia.

Zelensky's predecessor Petro Poroshenko has called it "Putin's formula," claiming it will endorse the Russian annexation of Crimea and Moscow's de-facto control of eastern Ukraine.

"The Steinmeier formula is a Putin project," said protester Mykola Chepiga.&nbsp;

He said elections could take place in eastern Ukraine only if Kiev restores control of the country's borders in the east.

In an address to the nation earlier this week Zelensky said he respected the right of Ukrainians to protest but called on people not to "give in to provocations".&nbsp;

He pledged not to betray the country's interests.

The ex-Soviet country of 45 million people has gone through two popular uprisings in two decades and has been mired in a conflict with separatists since 2014.

The conflict - the worst East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-and-ukraine-carry-out-prisoner-swap-trump-calls-it-first-giant-step-to-peace-248311">broke out after Russia annexed Crimea in March</a>, 2014 and has claimed&nbsp;13,000 lives.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Kiev on Sunday to protest broader autonomy for separatist territories, part of a plan to end a war with Russian-backed fighters.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Kiev on Sunday to protest broader autonomy for separatist territories, part of a plan to end a war with Russian-backed fighters. Protesters chanted "No to surrender!", with some holding placards critical of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the crowd, which police said had swelled to around 10,000 people. The country's 41-year-old president is gearing up to hold his first summit with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin in an effort to revive a stalled peace process to end the five-year separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine. This week Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators agreed on a roadmap that envisages special status for separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution. Zelensky's critics fear that Putin will push the comedian-turned-politician to make damaging concessions in order to retain Moscow's de-facto control of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Protesters in Kiev's Independence Square said that agreeing to give broader autonomy to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic would mean surrendering Ukraine's interests. "We are against a betrayal," protester Sergiy Lezvinsky, 58, told AFP. "We want to put an end to the occupation, to the decisions that are being fast-tracked". The provisional agreement of a roadmap was a key condition set by Moscow for a meeting that will be hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and also involve German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The plan has been dubbed "the Steinmeier formula", after the former German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who proposed it. But many critics say the proposal favours Russia. Zelensky's predecessor Petro Poroshenko has called it "Putin's formula," claiming it will endorse the Russian annexation of Crimea and Moscow's de-facto control of eastern Ukraine. "The Steinmeier formula is a Putin project," said protester Mykola Chepiga. He said elections could take place in eastern Ukraine only if Kiev restores control of the country's borders in the east. In an address to the nation earlier this week Zelensky said he respected the right of Ukrainians to protest but called on people not to "give in to provocations". He pledged not to betray the country's interests. The ex-Soviet country of 45 million people has gone through two popular uprisings in two decades and has been mired in a conflict with separatists since 2014. The conflict - the worst East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War - broke out after Russia annexed Crimea in March, 2014 and has claimed 13,000 lives.

Thousands protest Ukraine leader's peace plan

Working-level nuclear talks in Sweden <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-would-not-give-up-old-attitude-says-north-korea-as-nuclear-talks-end-in-contrasting-assessments-253998">between officials from Pyongyang and Washington</a> have broken off, North Korea's top negotiator said late on Saturday, dashing prospects for an end to months of stalemate.

The talks, at an isolated conference centre on the outskirts of Stockholm, were the first such formal discussion since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June and agreed to restart negotiations that stalled after a failed summit in Vietnam in February.

The North's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Myong Gil, who spent much of the day in talks with an American delegation, cast the blame on what he portrayed as US&nbsp;inflexibility, saying the other side's negotiators would not "give up their old viewpoint and attitude."

"The negotiations have not fulfilled our expectation and finally broke off," Kim told reporters outside the North Korean embassy, speaking through an interpreter.

The US&nbsp;State Department said Kim's comments did not reflect "the content or spirit" of more than 8-1/2 hours of talks, and Washington had accepted Sweden's invitation to return for more discussions with Pyongyang in two weeks.

"The US&nbsp;brought creative ideas and had good discussions with its DPRK counterparts," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. North Korea is also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

She said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-united-states-officials-to-resume-nuclear-talks-after-latest-missile-test-253916">US&nbsp;delegation had previewed a number of new initiatives</a> that would pave the way for progress in the talks, and underscored the importance of more intensive engagement.

"The United States and the DPRK will not overcome a legacy of 70 years of war and hostility on the Korean peninsula through the course of a single Saturday," she added.

"These are weighty issues, and they require a strong commitment by both countries. The United States has that commitment."

North Korea's Kim downplayed US&nbsp;gestures.

"The US&nbsp;raised expectations by offering suggestions like a flexible approach, new method and creative solutions, but they have disappointed us greatly and dampened our enthusiasm for negotiation by bringing nothing to the negotiation table," he said.

Swedish broadcaster TV4 said the US&nbsp;Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, who led the team, had arrived back at the US&nbsp;embassy in central Stockholm.

The Swedish foreign office declined to give details on the invitation for new talks, or whether Pyongyang had accepted.

Since June, US&nbsp;officials had struggled to persuade North Korea, which is under sanctions banning much of its trade, due to its nuclear programme, to return to the table, but that appeared to change this week when the North abruptly announced it had agreed to talks.

On Saturday, negotiator Kim accused the United States of having no intention of solving difficulties through dialogue but said a complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula was still possible.

It would only happen "when all the obstacles that threaten our safety and check our development are removed completely without a shadow of a doubt," he said, in an apparent reference to North Korea's desire for Washington to ease economic pressure.

On Sunday, China's President Xi Jinping and the North's leader exchanged messages to reaffirm the neighbours' relationship on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. China is the North's only major ally.

Xi, who has met Kim five times in the past year, said they had "reached a series of important consensuses, leading China-North Korea relations into a new historical era", the official Xinhua news agency said.

Kim replied the two leaders would "resolutely safeguard the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the world," Xinhua reported.

Tensions

The delegation from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-north-korea-talks-going-ahead-despite-missile-test-253573">North Korea arrived in Sweden on Thursday</a>. Analysts have said both countries' leaders had growing incentives to reach a deal, but it was unclear if common ground could be found after months of tension and deadlock.

The readout from the talks did not sound very promising, said Jenny Town, a managing editor at 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea project.

"I think (North Korea's) expectations were too high that the removal of Bolton would provide more flexibility on what the US&nbsp;wants as initial steps," she said, referring to Trump's hardline former aide John Bolton, abruptly fired last month amid disagreements on how to tackle foreign policy challenges.

"While certainly&nbsp;it removes some pressure for an all or nothing deal, it seems the gap between what the two sides want as a baseline and are willing to reciprocate still has not narrowed," Town added.

An official at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-missiles-ahead-of-nuclear-talks-253157">South Korea's presidential office said the talks in Sweden were nevertheless the beginning of negotiations</a>, and that South Korea hoped the United States and North Korea would keep the momentum of the dialogue.

Only a day after announcing the new talks, North Korea said it had test-fired a new ballistic missile designed for submarine launch, underscoring the need for Washington to move quickly to negotiate limits on Pyongyang's growing arsenal.

Speaking in Athens on a tour of southern Europe while the talks were still underway, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said he was hopeful of progress.

"We are mindful this will be the first time that we've had a chance to have a discussion in quite some time and that there remains to be a lot of work that will have to be done by the two teams," he told a news conference.

Working-level nuclear talks in Sweden between officials from Pyongyang and Washington have broken off, North Korea's top negotiator said late on Saturday, dashing prospects for an end to months of stalemate.

Working-level nuclear talks in Sweden between officials from Pyongyang and Washington have broken off, North Korea's top negotiator said late on Saturday, dashing prospects for an end to months of stalemate. The talks, at an isolated conference centre on the outskirts of Stockholm, were the first such formal discussion since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June and agreed to restart negotiations that stalled after a failed summit in Vietnam in February. The North's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Myong Gil, who spent much of the day in talks with an American delegation, cast the blame on what he portrayed as US inflexibility, saying the other side's negotiators would not "give up their old viewpoint and attitude." "The negotiations have not fulfilled our expectation and finally broke off," Kim told reporters outside the North Korean embassy, speaking through an interpreter. The US State Department said Kim's comments did not reflect "the content or spirit" of more than 8-1/2 hours of talks, and Washington had accepted Sweden's invitation to return for more discussions with Pyongyang in two weeks. "The US brought creative ideas and had good discussions with its DPRK counterparts," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. North Korea is also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). She said the US delegation had previewed a number of new initiatives that would pave the way for progress in the talks, and underscored the importance of more intensive engagement. "The United States and the DPRK will not overcome a legacy of 70 years of war and hostility on the Korean peninsula through the course of a single Saturday," she added. "These are weighty issues, and they require a strong commitment by both countries. The United States has that commitment." North Korea's Kim downplayed US gestures. "The US raised expectations by offering suggestions like a flexible approach, new method and creative solutions, but they have disappointed us greatly and dampened our enthusiasm for negotiation by bringing nothing to the negotiation table," he said. Swedish broadcaster TV4 said the US Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, who led the team, had arrived back at the US embassy in central Stockholm. The Swedish foreign office declined to give details on the invitation for new talks, or whether Pyongyang had accepted. Since June, US officials had struggled to persuade North Korea, which is under sanctions banning much of its trade, due to its nuclear programme, to return to the table, but that appeared to change this week when the North abruptly announced it had agreed to talks. On Saturday, negotiator Kim accused the United States of having no intention of solving difficulties through dialogue but said a complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula was still possible. It would only happen "when all the obstacles that threaten our safety and check our development are removed completely without a shadow of a doubt," he said, in an apparent reference to North Korea's desire for Washington to ease economic pressure. On Sunday, China's President Xi Jinping and the North's leader exchanged messages to reaffirm the neighbours' relationship on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. China is the North's only major ally. Xi, who has met Kim five times in the past year, said they had "reached a series of important consensuses, leading China-North Korea relations into a new historical era", the official Xinhua news agency said. Kim replied the two leaders would "resolutely safeguard the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the world," Xinhua reported. Tensions The delegation from North Korea arrived in Sweden on Thursday. Analysts have said both countries' leaders had growing incentives to reach a deal, but it was unclear if common ground could be found after months of tension and deadlock. The readout from the talks did not sound very promising, said Jenny Town, a managing editor at 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea project. "I think (North Korea's) expectations were too high that the removal of Bolton would provide more flexibility on what the US wants as initial steps," she said, referring to Trump's hardline former aide John Bolton, abruptly fired last month amid disagreements on how to tackle foreign policy challenges. "While certainly it removes some pressure for an all or nothing deal, it seems the gap between what the two sides want as a baseline and are willing to reciprocate still has not narrowed," Town added. An official at South Korea's presidential office said the talks in Sweden were nevertheless the beginning of negotiations, and that South Korea hoped the United States and North Korea would keep the momentum of the dialogue. Only a day after announcing the new talks, North Korea said it had test-fired a new ballistic missile designed for submarine launch, underscoring the need for Washington to move quickly to negotiate limits on Pyongyang's growing arsenal. Speaking in Athens on a tour of southern Europe while the talks were still underway, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said he was hopeful of progress. "We are mindful this will be the first time that we've had a chance to have a discussion in quite some time and that there remains to be a lot of work that will have to be done by the two teams," he told a news conference.

North Korea breaks off nuclear talks with United States in Sweden

At least one person lost his life and two others suffered injuries after a house collapsed in Mirpur following an earthquake measuring 3.8 on Richter scale that struck off the city and its adjoining areas in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday morning. 
 
Quoting Pakistan Meteorological Department, ARY News, the epicentre of the quake, with a depth of 15 kilometres, was 12 km north-west of Jehlum's course in the Valley. 
 
Mirpur and adjoining areas were shaken by tremors at 10:28 a.m. (local time) for two to three seconds. 
 
Rescue sources were quoted as saying that tremors in the area resulted in a house to collapse, burying three under the debris, with two shifted to a hospital for treatment. 
 
Last month, at least 40 people were killed and 800 were injured when a 5.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the Kashmiri city of Mirpur, roughly 20 kilometres north of Jhelum in agricultural Punjab province. 
 
Tremors were also felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Charsadda, Swat, Khyber, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Nowshera, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.

At least one person lost his life and two others suffered injuries after a house collapsed in Mirpur following an earthquake measuring 3.8 on Richter scale that struck off the city and its adjoining areas in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday morning.

At least one person lost his life and two others suffered injuries after a house collapsed in Mirpur following an earthquake measuring 3.8 on Richter scale that struck off the city and its adjoining areas in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday morning. Quoting Pakistan Meteorological Department, ARY News, the epicentre of the quake, with a depth of 15 kilometres, was 12 km north-west of Jehlum's course in the Valley. Mirpur and adjoining areas were shaken by tremors at 10:28 a.m. (local time) for two to three seconds. Rescue sources were quoted as saying that tremors in the area resulted in a house to collapse, burying three under the debris, with two shifted to a hospital for treatment. Last month, at least 40 people were killed and 800 were injured when a 5.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the Kashmiri city of Mirpur, roughly 20 kilometres north of Jhelum in agricultural Punjab province. Tremors were also felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Charsadda, Swat, Khyber, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Nowshera, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.

One dead as earthquake of 3.8 magnitude strikes Pakistan occupied Kashmir

The number of polio cases in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-asks-iraq-pakistan-to-speak-to-iran-about-defusing-tensions-254051">Pakistan</a> climbed to 72 this year with three new cases registered in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Saturday. 
 
In Sindh, a 17-month-old girl from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/whosoever-comes-to-kartarpur-is-our-guest-says-pakistan-prime-ministers-special-adviser-253969">Karachi's</a> Orangi Town became the latest victim of polio, bringing the total number of cases in the city to four and eighth such case across the province, The Express Tribune reported. 
 
The Emergency Operation Centre for Polio in Sindh said that the child developed a fever and slight weakness in the right leg after which she was taken to the doctors. 
 
The case was classified as acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) following which she was tested positive for the poliovirus, it added. 
 
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Health Department said that the total number of polio cases in the province had reached six this year after a 15-month-old boy was diagnosed with the disease. 
 
According to the victim's parents, the infant from Jaffarabad felt weakness in his legs and became paralysed after suffering from high fever. 
 
The Emergency Polio Centre has also kicked off a special polio vaccination campaign after a recent spike in the cases and officials are optimistic to control the epidemic. 
 
A 21-month-old boy was diagnosed with the deadly disease in Hazara division's Torghar district, raising the total number of such cases to 53 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. 
 
As per the country-wide figures, 72 polio cases have been reported during the current year including 53 cases from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, eight from Sindh, six from Balochistan and five from Punjab. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-approves-tax-relief-for-gwadar-port-254040">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a>, last month, expressed serious concern over the recent spike in polio cases in the country and directed federal and provincial government officials to undertake effective awareness and immunisation campaigns to eliminate the disease.

The number of polio cases in Pakistan climbed to 72 this year with three new cases registered in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Saturday.

The number of polio cases in Pakistan climbed to 72 this year with three new cases registered in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said on Saturday. In Sindh, a 17-month-old girl from Karachi's Orangi Town became the latest victim of polio, bringing the total number of cases in the city to four and eighth such case across the province, The Express Tribune reported. The Emergency Operation Centre for Polio in Sindh said that the child developed a fever and slight weakness in the right leg after which she was taken to the doctors. The case was classified as acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) following which she was tested positive for the poliovirus, it added. Meanwhile, the Balochistan Health Department said that the total number of polio cases in the province had reached six this year after a 15-month-old boy was diagnosed with the disease. According to the victim's parents, the infant from Jaffarabad felt weakness in his legs and became paralysed after suffering from high fever. The Emergency Polio Centre has also kicked off a special polio vaccination campaign after a recent spike in the cases and officials are optimistic to control the epidemic. A 21-month-old boy was diagnosed with the deadly disease in Hazara division's Torghar district, raising the total number of such cases to 53 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. As per the country-wide figures, 72 polio cases have been reported during the current year including 53 cases from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, eight from Sindh, six from Balochistan and five from Punjab. Prime Minister Imran Khan, last month, expressed serious concern over the recent spike in polio cases in the country and directed federal and provincial government officials to undertake effective awareness and immunisation campaigns to eliminate the disease.

Pakistan: 72 cases of polio registered

At least 89 Taliban terrorists were killed and over 60 were injured during an operation in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/united-nations-violence-against-children-in-afghanistan-up-sharply-253900">Afghan province</a> of Tahar in the past 24 hours, the country's defence ministry said on Saturday. 
 
"Operation against the Taliban is going on throughout Afghanistan. In many areas, the Taliban have been forced to retreat. In the past 24 hours, 89 Taliban have been killed and 67 others were wounded in Tahar Province alone," the ministry's spokesman Rohullah Ahmadzai said at a news conference. 
 
The government forces took control of the province's Bahark district of Tahar, he added. 
 
Afghanistan has long been suffering from an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/blood-and-hope-women-in-afghanistans-elections-253513">unstable security situation</a>. The government continues to fight Taliban, which has been waging a war against Kabul for almost two decades, and the Islamic State terrorist group, which has been operating in Afghanistan since 2015.

At least 89 Taliban terrorists were killed and over 60 were injured during an operation in the Afghan province of Tahar in the past 24 hours, the country's defence ministry said on Saturday.

At least 89 Taliban terrorists were killed and over 60 were injured during an operation in the Afghan province of Tahar in the past 24 hours, the country's defence ministry said on Saturday. "Operation against the Taliban is going on throughout Afghanistan. In many areas, the Taliban have been forced to retreat. In the past 24 hours, 89 Taliban have been killed and 67 others were wounded in Tahar Province alone," the ministry's spokesman Rohullah Ahmadzai said at a news conference. The government forces took control of the province's Bahark district of Tahar, he added. Afghanistan has long been suffering from an unstable security situation. The government continues to fight Taliban, which has been waging a war against Kabul for almost two decades, and the Islamic State terrorist group, which has been operating in Afghanistan since 2015.

At least 89 taliban terrorists killed by Afghan forces

In a strong message to China, Tibetan government-in-exile has passed a resolution reaffirming that the successor of Dalai Lama will be chosen by the spiritual leader himself and no nation has locus standi on the issue. 
 
"No nation, government, entity or any individual can claim to recognise the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The final authority on decisions regarding the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama rests indisputably and completely with His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself and the concerned authorities of the Gaden Phodrang Trust," Speaker Pema Jungney, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, told ANI on Saturday. 
 
The resolution comes days ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to India. 
 
Jungney made these remarks after a special meeting by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-hackers-who-pursued-uighurs-also-targeted-tibetans-researchers-251985">Tibetan</a> Parliament-in-Exile-at the Tibetan headquarters. 
 
During the meeting, the two-page resolution was adopted which outrightly rejected China's preposterous interference in the institution of Tibetan reincarnation and affirms the supreme authority of the Dalai Lama over Tibetan Buddhism. 
 
The official document further challenged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tibetan-women-march-with-eye-patch-in-support-of-hong-kong-protestors-246964">China's advancing measures</a> of control over Tibetan Buddhism and expressed outright rejection and contempt of the Order Number&nbsp;5, a regulation issued in 2007 by China's State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) for the so-called "management of the reincarnation of living Buddhas". 
 
The meeting was attended by 340 Tibetan authorities representing the three pillars of Tibetan democracy: The Kashag (cabinet); Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission.

In a strong message to China, Tibetan government-in-exile has passed a resolution reaffirming that the successor of Dalai Lama will be chosen by the spiritual leader himself and no nation has locus standi on the issue.

In a strong message to China, Tibetan government-in-exile has passed a resolution reaffirming that the successor of Dalai Lama will be chosen by the spiritual leader himself and no nation has locus standi on the issue. "No nation, government, entity or any individual can claim to recognise the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The final authority on decisions regarding the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama rests indisputably and completely with His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself and the concerned authorities of the Gaden Phodrang Trust," Speaker Pema Jungney, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, told ANI on Saturday. The resolution comes days ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to India. Jungney made these remarks after a special meeting by Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile-at the Tibetan headquarters. During the meeting, the two-page resolution was adopted which outrightly rejected China's preposterous interference in the institution of Tibetan reincarnation and affirms the supreme authority of the Dalai Lama over Tibetan Buddhism. The official document further challenged China's advancing measures of control over Tibetan Buddhism and expressed outright rejection and contempt of the Order Number 5, a regulation issued in 2007 by China's State Administration of Religious Affairs (SARA) for the so-called "management of the reincarnation of living Buddhas". The meeting was attended by 340 Tibetan authorities representing the three pillars of Tibetan democracy: The Kashag (cabinet); Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission.

Tibetan government passes resolution on 'reincarnation of Dalai Lama'

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals.

Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-parliament-sworn-in-without-new-government-253564">Israel's</a> push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations.

Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing peace deals with Arab countries, but common concerns over Iran are widely seen as having brought them closer in recent years.

"Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign 'non-aggression agreements' with the Arab Gulf states," Katz wrote on Twitter.

"The historic move will put an end to the conflict and allow civilian cooperation until peace agreements are signed."

Katz said he discussed the initiative with unnamed Arab foreign ministers and US President Donald Trump's outgoing envoy Jason Greenblatt while attending the UN General Assembly in late September.

A spokesman for Katz declined to provide further details for now, and it was not clear how much progress he has made in the endeavour.

Only two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- have peace treaties with Israel, but there have been overt signs in recent months of improved relations with Gulf nations.

A year ago, <a href="Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival Benny Gantz calls off Israel unity government talks: Reports">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> held surprise talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.

Katz in July said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington.

In late June, a group of Israeli journalists attended the US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Bahrain.

All did not go well, however, when a group of invitees from Arab states visited Israel in July.

Palestinians hurled abuse and chairs at a member of the delegation -- a Saudi blogger -- as he visited east Jerusalem's Old City.

East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals. Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of Israel's push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations. Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing peace deals with Arab countries, but common concerns over Iran are widely seen as having brought them closer in recent years. "Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign 'non-aggression agreements' with the Arab Gulf states," Katz wrote on Twitter. "The historic move will put an end to the conflict and allow civilian cooperation until peace agreements are signed." Katz said he discussed the initiative with unnamed Arab foreign ministers and US President Donald Trump's outgoing envoy Jason Greenblatt while attending the UN General Assembly in late September. A spokesman for Katz declined to provide further details for now, and it was not clear how much progress he has made in the endeavour. Only two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- have peace treaties with Israel, but there have been overt signs in recent months of improved relations with Gulf nations. A year ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held surprise talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat. Katz in July said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington. In late June, a group of Israeli journalists attended the US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Bahrain. All did not go well, however, when a group of invitees from Arab states visited Israel in July. Palestinians hurled abuse and chairs at a member of the delegation -- a Saudi blogger -- as he visited east Jerusalem's Old City. East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Israeli minister seeks 'non-aggression' pacts with Arab nations

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's cabinet issued a series of reforms early Sunday after an "extraordinary" session overnight in response to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-says-this-must-stop-after-iraqi-protest-violence-kills-nearly-100-253995">sweeping anti-government rallies</a> that have left nearly 100 dead.

Iraqis have gathered in Baghdad and across the south since Tuesday to demand widespread government reforms, which Abdel Mahdi had promised to tackle when he came into power just under a year ago.

Early Sunday, his cabinet <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/innovative-iraqis-dodge-net-blackout-to-illuminate-protest-violence-253984">issued a decree</a> including more than a dozen planned reforms, including land distributions, military enlistment and increased welfare stipends for needy families.

In response to staggering youth unemployment, which has reached around 25 per cent according to the World Bank, the government said it would create large market complexes and boost benefits for those without work.

In the southern city of Kut last month, a young Iraqi man died after he set himself alight in despair after authorities seized his mobile kiosk.

The public sector remains the largest employer in Iraq, a country of 40 million people, but it has struggled to absorb new university graduates in recent years.

Local authorities also recently cleared housing units built without proper permits, which a total of three million Iraqis live in across the country.

Starting Tuesday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-authorities-lift-baghdad-curfew-253920">protesters gathered in Baghdad</a> and spread to the country's Shiite-majority south, defying an internet blackout, tear gas and even live rounds.

The mainly male, young crowds say they are not backed by any political or religious establishment and have attacked a broad range of political party offices.

The Iraqi Human Rights Commission said Saturday that 99 people have died and nearly 4,000 have been wounded since protests kicked off.

The government has officially designated those killed as "martyrs," granting their families a special set of benefits.

Parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-death-toll-nears-100-rights-panel-253906">pledged a range of reforms</a> in a meeting with lawmakers on Saturday, but did not hold his planned legislative session as the body failed to reach quorum.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's cabinet issued a series of reforms early Sunday after an "extraordinary" session overnight in response to sweeping anti-government rallies that have left nearly 100 dead.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's cabinet issued a series of reforms early Sunday after an "extraordinary" session overnight in response to sweeping anti-government rallies that have left nearly 100 dead. Iraqis have gathered in Baghdad and across the south since Tuesday to demand widespread government reforms, which Abdel Mahdi had promised to tackle when he came into power just under a year ago. Early Sunday, his cabinet issued a decree including more than a dozen planned reforms, including land distributions, military enlistment and increased welfare stipends for needy families. In response to staggering youth unemployment, which has reached around 25 per cent according to the World Bank, the government said it would create large market complexes and boost benefits for those without work. In the southern city of Kut last month, a young Iraqi man died after he set himself alight in despair after authorities seized his mobile kiosk. The public sector remains the largest employer in Iraq, a country of 40 million people, but it has struggled to absorb new university graduates in recent years. Local authorities also recently cleared housing units built without proper permits, which a total of three million Iraqis live in across the country. Starting Tuesday, protesters gathered in Baghdad and spread to the country's Shiite-majority south, defying an internet blackout, tear gas and even live rounds. The mainly male, young crowds say they are not backed by any political or religious establishment and have attacked a broad range of political party offices. The Iraqi Human Rights Commission said Saturday that 99 people have died and nearly 4,000 have been wounded since protests kicked off. The government has officially designated those killed as "martyrs," granting their families a special set of benefits. Parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi also pledged a range of reforms in a meeting with lawmakers on Saturday, but did not hold his planned legislative session as the body failed to reach quorum.

Iraqi prime minister pledges reforms to calm angry protests

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay suggested Sunday that Britain is open to compromise with the European Union over new United Kingdom proposals for Northern Ireland, but urged Brussels to show "creativity and flexibility".

Barclay reiterated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-presses-uk-to-resubmit-brexit-plan-as-end-game-looms-254002">Prime Minister Boris Johnson's latest plans for a managed withdrawal from the bloc on October 31</a> were "a broad landing zone" ahead of "intense negotiations in the coming days".&nbsp;

"We need to get into the intensive negotiations... to clarify what the deal is," Barclay told the BBC.&nbsp;

"We've set out very serious proposals including a compromise on our side... We now need to see creativity and flexibility on the EU side in order to reach that deal", he added.

However, the European Union have reacted tepidly to the plans and urged London to offer a revised, viable way forward.

The two sides will resume crunch talks Monday, with time running out ahead of a crucial EU summit on October 17-18.

"If the offer from the UK turns out to be a take-it-or-leave-it, it's going to be very difficult I see in agreeing," Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins told the BBC on Sunday.

"It's fully dependent on the will of Mr Johnson because from the European side, we're always open and looking towards a deal."

'No more dither'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-and-ireland-sceptical-of-a-brexit-breakthrough-after-pm-johnsons-offer-253849">The British proposals submitted to Brussels on Wednesday</a> centre on how to manage the post-Brexit border between British province Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.

Johnson wants Northern Ireland's devolved assembly - which has been suspended for almost three years - to vote every four years on whether to maintain EU rather than British regulations there.

He has also proposed the province leaves the EU's customs union along with the rest of Britain, with required checks to rely on untried technology and carried out away from the sensitive border.

Brussels has said the plans "do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement".

It sees the potential for rampant smuggling while Ireland is concerned hardline Northern Irish unionists would have an effective veto.&nbsp;

Barclay hinted that Britain could be willing to consider alternatives to the role of Northern Irish assembly to break the deadlock.

"We can obviously... discuss that mechanism, but the key issue is the principle of consent to any regulatory zone," he said.

Similarly, on the thorny issue of customs, the Brexit Secretary struck a conciliatory note.

"In the detail of the negotiations, of course, we can get into the detail as to how operationally they work, what legal certainty is required," he said.

Barclay will travel to Amsterdam later Sunday for Brexit talks while Johnson has been phoning European leaders this weekend to sell his plans.

In identical articles for two Brexit-backing British tabloids, Johnson called for EU flexibility and reiterated that the country will leave the bloc later this month with or without a deal.

"They should be under no illusions or misapprehensions," he wrote in the Sunday Express.

"There will be no more dither or delay. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-tells-court-he-may-seek-brexit-delay-documents-253806">On October 31 we are going to get Brexit done</a>", he added.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay suggested Sunday that Britain is open to compromise with the European Union over new United Kingdom proposals for Northern Ireland, but urged Brussels to show "creativity and flexibility".

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay suggested Sunday that Britain is open to compromise with the European Union over new United Kingdom proposals for Northern Ireland, but urged Brussels to show "creativity and flexibility". Barclay reiterated Prime Minister Boris Johnson's latest plans for a managed withdrawal from the bloc on October 31 were "a broad landing zone" ahead of "intense negotiations in the coming days". "We need to get into the intensive negotiations... to clarify what the deal is," Barclay told the BBC. "We've set out very serious proposals including a compromise on our side... We now need to see creativity and flexibility on the EU side in order to reach that deal", he added. However, the European Union have reacted tepidly to the plans and urged London to offer a revised, viable way forward. The two sides will resume crunch talks Monday, with time running out ahead of a crucial EU summit on October 17-18. "If the offer from the UK turns out to be a take-it-or-leave-it, it's going to be very difficult I see in agreeing," Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins told the BBC on Sunday. "It's fully dependent on the will of Mr Johnson because from the European side, we're always open and looking towards a deal." 'No more dither' The British proposals submitted to Brussels on Wednesday centre on how to manage the post-Brexit border between British province Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. Johnson wants Northern Ireland's devolved assembly - which has been suspended for almost three years - to vote every four years on whether to maintain EU rather than British regulations there. He has also proposed the province leaves the EU's customs union along with the rest of Britain, with required checks to rely on untried technology and carried out away from the sensitive border. Brussels has said the plans "do not provide a basis for concluding an agreement". It sees the potential for rampant smuggling while Ireland is concerned hardline Northern Irish unionists would have an effective veto. Barclay hinted that Britain could be willing to consider alternatives to the role of Northern Irish assembly to break the deadlock. "We can obviously... discuss that mechanism, but the key issue is the principle of consent to any regulatory zone," he said. Similarly, on the thorny issue of customs, the Brexit Secretary struck a conciliatory note. "In the detail of the negotiations, of course, we can get into the detail as to how operationally they work, what legal certainty is required," he said. Barclay will travel to Amsterdam later Sunday for Brexit talks while Johnson has been phoning European leaders this weekend to sell his plans. In identical articles for two Brexit-backing British tabloids, Johnson called for EU flexibility and reiterated that the country will leave the bloc later this month with or without a deal. "They should be under no illusions or misapprehensions," he wrote in the Sunday Express. "There will be no more dither or delay. On October 31 we are going to get Brexit done", he added.

Brexit minister hints United Kingdom could soften stances in European Union talks

Outsider candidates challenged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisia-in-sprint-to-arrange-poll-after-president-dies-247587">Tunisia's political elite</a> on Sunday as voters returned to the polls weeks after a presidential election that reshaped the country's post-Arab Spring political landscape.

The ink-stained fingers once proudly displayed after the&nbsp;2011 revolution were briskly wiped clean as Tunisians fed up with the status quo cast ballots for MPs for the third time since the uprising.

The vote comes after traditional political parties were eclipsed in favour of independent candidates during the first round of presidential polls last month in a trend that looked likely to continue.

Sixty-year-old voter Mohamed Daadaa said he had "no hope for a positive change" in Tunisia.

"I don't trust anyone or any political party. Life just gets worse in this country," he said.

More than 15,000 candidates on 1,500 lists are contesting 217 seats in a parliament dominated by the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha in alliance with centrist party Nidaa Tounes, which has been decimated by infighting.

Polling stations for the seven-million electorate are to remain open until 1700 GMT, with preliminary official results scheduled for Wednesday although exit polls will be released from late Sunday.

Surveys circulated informally due to a ban on their publication predict Ennahdha will lose ground to the new Qalb Tounes (Heart of Tunisia) party of jailed business tycoon Nabil Karoui, who has won a place in a two-way presidential runoff on October 13.

The sidelining of the ruling political class in the first round on September 15 was rooted in frustration over a stagnant economy, high unemployment, failing public services and rising prices.

But monitors worried voters on Sunday found little inspiration at the ballot box.

"People no longer trust the old parties, and they <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisia-parliamentary-speaker-to-be-interim-president-238447">don't know the new ones</a>, so they're not motivated in this election," said Ali Rekiki, who works with Tunisian electoral monitor Mourakiboun.

New movements vie for vote

Karoui, a media mogul held since August on money-laundering charges, came second behind Kais Saied, an independent law professor, in the first round of presidential voting.

Courts have rejected several appeals for his release during campaigning.

Interim president Mohammed Ennaceur - filling in since the death of Beji Caid Essebsi in July brought forward the vote for head of state -&nbsp;warned Friday that Karoui's detention could have "serious and dangerous repercussions on the electoral process".

The presidential race may have overshadowed the legislative contest, but parliament is responsible for tackling the main challenges facing Tunisian society.

A strong showing for Qalb Tounes could bolster Karoui's campaign and supporters say it might make a case for him to take over as prime minister if he loses to Saied.

The socially conservative professor has not come out in support of any party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisia-extends-nationwide-state-of-emergency-until-year-end-ahead-of-presidential-vote-246910">With the electorate tired of political manoeuvring</a> and the failure to improve living conditions since the ouster of late longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, new movements have been vying for votes.

Aich Tounsi, which calls itself an "anti-party", has emerged from the civil society movement, while Islamist populist lawyer Seifeddine Makhlouf's Karama aims to take seats from Ennahdha, which has been weakened by past alliances with political elites.

With the plethora of parties and movements in contention, the stage is set for complex and rowdy negotiations before any side emerges with the minimum 109 seats needed to head Tunisia's next government.

In the runup to the vote, Qalb Tounes and Ennahdha have officially ruled out forming an alliance.

Parliament will have two months to agree on the formation of a new government in a country hailed as the Arab Spring's sole democratic success story but straining to meet the revolution's other demands of "work and dignity".

While it has succeeded in curbing terrorist attacks that rocked the key tourist sector in 2015, Tunisia's economy remains hampered by austere International Monetary Fund-backed reforms.

Outsider candidates challenged Tunisia's political elite on Sunday as voters returned to the polls weeks after a presidential election that reshaped the country's post-Arab Spring political landscape.

Outsider candidates challenged Tunisia's political elite on Sunday as voters returned to the polls weeks after a presidential election that reshaped the country's post-Arab Spring political landscape. The ink-stained fingers once proudly displayed after the 2011 revolution were briskly wiped clean as Tunisians fed up with the status quo cast ballots for MPs for the third time since the uprising. The vote comes after traditional political parties were eclipsed in favour of independent candidates during the first round of presidential polls last month in a trend that looked likely to continue. Sixty-year-old voter Mohamed Daadaa said he had "no hope for a positive change" in Tunisia. "I don't trust anyone or any political party. Life just gets worse in this country," he said. More than 15,000 candidates on 1,500 lists are contesting 217 seats in a parliament dominated by the Islamist-inspired Ennahdha in alliance with centrist party Nidaa Tounes, which has been decimated by infighting. Polling stations for the seven-million electorate are to remain open until 1700 GMT, with preliminary official results scheduled for Wednesday although exit polls will be released from late Sunday. Surveys circulated informally due to a ban on their publication predict Ennahdha will lose ground to the new Qalb Tounes (Heart of Tunisia) party of jailed business tycoon Nabil Karoui, who has won a place in a two-way presidential runoff on October 13. The sidelining of the ruling political class in the first round on September 15 was rooted in frustration over a stagnant economy, high unemployment, failing public services and rising prices. But monitors worried voters on Sunday found little inspiration at the ballot box. "People no longer trust the old parties, and they don't know the new ones, so they're not motivated in this election," said Ali Rekiki, who works with Tunisian electoral monitor Mourakiboun. New movements vie for vote Karoui, a media mogul held since August on money-laundering charges, came second behind Kais Saied, an independent law professor, in the first round of presidential voting. Courts have rejected several appeals for his release during campaigning. Interim president Mohammed Ennaceur - filling in since the death of Beji Caid Essebsi in July brought forward the vote for head of state - warned Friday that Karoui's detention could have "serious and dangerous repercussions on the electoral process". The presidential race may have overshadowed the legislative contest, but parliament is responsible for tackling the main challenges facing Tunisian society. A strong showing for Qalb Tounes could bolster Karoui's campaign and supporters say it might make a case for him to take over as prime minister if he loses to Saied. The socially conservative professor has not come out in support of any party. With the electorate tired of political manoeuvring and the failure to improve living conditions since the ouster of late longtime autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, new movements have been vying for votes. Aich Tounsi, which calls itself an "anti-party", has emerged from the civil society movement, while Islamist populist lawyer Seifeddine Makhlouf's Karama aims to take seats from Ennahdha, which has been weakened by past alliances with political elites. With the plethora of parties and movements in contention, the stage is set for complex and rowdy negotiations before any side emerges with the minimum 109 seats needed to head Tunisia's next government. In the runup to the vote, Qalb Tounes and Ennahdha have officially ruled out forming an alliance. Parliament will have two months to agree on the formation of a new government in a country hailed as the Arab Spring's sole democratic success story but straining to meet the revolution's other demands of "work and dignity". While it has succeeded in curbing terrorist attacks that rocked the key tourist sector in 2015, Tunisia's economy remains hampered by austere International Monetary Fund-backed reforms.

Outsiders battle political elite as Tunisia votes

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-installs-new-cardinals-puts-another-stamp-on-church-future-253982">Pope Francis opened a synod Sunday</a> to champion the Amazon's poverty-stricken and isolated indigenous communities by condemning the destructive "interests" he blamed for the fires that devastated the region.

"The fire set by interests that destroy, like the fire that recently devastated Amazonia, is not the fire of the Gospel," he said before the bishops from the nine countries of the pan-Amazonian region and representatives of indigenous peoples.

"The fire of God is the warmth that attracts and gathers into unity. It is fed by sharing, not by profits... The fire that destroys, on the other hand, blazes up when people want to promote only their own ideas, form their own group, wipe out differences in the attempt to make everyone and everything uniform", he added.

The global spotlight has recently been on the world's largest rainforest, which is vital for the planet but is suffering from its worst outbreak of fires in years, due in part to an acceleration in deforestation.

The working document for the synod denounced in scathing terms social injustices and crimes, including murders, and suggested a Church action plan.

"Listen to the cry of 'Mother Earth', assaulted and seriously wounded by the economic model of predatory and ecocidal development... which kills and plunders, destroys and devastates, expels and discards," the 80-page document said.

The run-up to the three-week synod, or assembly, saw some 260 events held in the Amazon region involving 80,000 people, in a bid to give the local populations a voice in the document.

Among those attending the synod as an observer was Sister Laura Vincuna, a missionary trying to protect the territories of the Caripuna indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon.

"Help us defend our motherland, we have no other home!" she said on Saturday.

"Earth, water, forest: without these three elements nobody can do anything," she said on the eve of the synod.

'New forms of colonialism'

Sunday's gathering comes as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate-change sceptic, told the United Nations that the world's media were lying about the Amazon, and attacked indigenous leaders as tools of foreign governments.

In his 2015 encyclical on ecology and climate change "Laudato Si", Francis denounced the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest in the name of "enormous international economic interests".

Last year, the world's first Latin American pope visited Puerto Maldonado, a village in southeastern Peru surrounded by the Amazon jungle, to meet thousands of indigenous Peruvians, Brazilians and Bolivians.

That trip was the first step towards the synod which opened Sunday.

"So many of our brothers and sisters in Amazonia are bearing heavy crosses and awaiting the liberating consolation of the Gospel, the Church's caress of love," the pope said in his homily. "For them, and with them, let us journey together."

He also warned against "the greed of new forms of colonialism".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-to-visit-thailand-japan-in-november-249418">Francis' hopes of bringing the Catholic faith to far-flung populations</a> will also see the bishops gathered in Rome debate a highly controversial proposal -&nbsp;allowing married men to become priests.

The issue deeply upsets some traditionalists, who argue that making an exception for the Amazon would open the door to the end of celibacy for priests, which is not a Church law and only dates back to the 11th century.

The German Catholic Church in particular, which has an influential progressive wing, has been hotly debating the subject.

The synod, which runs until October 27, will also reflect on making official roles for women, who already play a central part in the Amazonian Church.

Of the 184 prelates at the synod, 113 hail from the Amazonian region, including 57 from Brazil.

Others taking part include 17 representatives of Amazonian indigenous peoples and ethnic groups, and 35 women - who will not have the right to vote on the final document.

Pope Francis opened a synod Sunday to champion the Amazon's poverty-stricken and isolated indigenous communities by condemning the destructive "interests" he blamed for the fires that devastated the region.

Pope Francis opened a synod Sunday to champion the Amazon's poverty-stricken and isolated indigenous communities by condemning the destructive "interests" he blamed for the fires that devastated the region. "The fire set by interests that destroy, like the fire that recently devastated Amazonia, is not the fire of the Gospel," he said before the bishops from the nine countries of the pan-Amazonian region and representatives of indigenous peoples. "The fire of God is the warmth that attracts and gathers into unity. It is fed by sharing, not by profits... The fire that destroys, on the other hand, blazes up when people want to promote only their own ideas, form their own group, wipe out differences in the attempt to make everyone and everything uniform", he added. The global spotlight has recently been on the world's largest rainforest, which is vital for the planet but is suffering from its worst outbreak of fires in years, due in part to an acceleration in deforestation. The working document for the synod denounced in scathing terms social injustices and crimes, including murders, and suggested a Church action plan. "Listen to the cry of 'Mother Earth', assaulted and seriously wounded by the economic model of predatory and ecocidal development... which kills and plunders, destroys and devastates, expels and discards," the 80-page document said. The run-up to the three-week synod, or assembly, saw some 260 events held in the Amazon region involving 80,000 people, in a bid to give the local populations a voice in the document. Among those attending the synod as an observer was Sister Laura Vincuna, a missionary trying to protect the territories of the Caripuna indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon. "Help us defend our motherland, we have no other home!" she said on Saturday. "Earth, water, forest: without these three elements nobody can do anything," she said on the eve of the synod. 'New forms of colonialism' Sunday's gathering comes as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a climate-change sceptic, told the United Nations that the world's media were lying about the Amazon, and attacked indigenous leaders as tools of foreign governments. In his 2015 encyclical on ecology and climate change "Laudato Si", Francis denounced the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest in the name of "enormous international economic interests". Last year, the world's first Latin American pope visited Puerto Maldonado, a village in southeastern Peru surrounded by the Amazon jungle, to meet thousands of indigenous Peruvians, Brazilians and Bolivians. That trip was the first step towards the synod which opened Sunday. "So many of our brothers and sisters in Amazonia are bearing heavy crosses and awaiting the liberating consolation of the Gospel, the Church's caress of love," the pope said in his homily. "For them, and with them, let us journey together." He also warned against "the greed of new forms of colonialism". Francis' hopes of bringing the Catholic faith to far-flung populations will also see the bishops gathered in Rome debate a highly controversial proposal - allowing married men to become priests. The issue deeply upsets some traditionalists, who argue that making an exception for the Amazon would open the door to the end of celibacy for priests, which is not a Church law and only dates back to the 11th century. The German Catholic Church in particular, which has an influential progressive wing, has been hotly debating the subject. The synod, which runs until October 27, will also reflect on making official roles for women, who already play a central part in the Amazonian Church. Of the 184 prelates at the synod, 113 hail from the Amazonian region, including 57 from Brazil. Others taking part include 17 representatives of Amazonian indigenous peoples and ethnic groups, and 35 women - who will not have the right to vote on the final document.

Pope blames Amazon fires on destructive 'interests'

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has decided not to stand for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sri-lanka-sets-november-date-for-presidential-elections-250650">re-election in November polls</a> as the politically influential Rajapakse family nominated two candidates by final registration Sunday.&nbsp;

Sirisena's name was not on a list of 41 candidates who paid deposits by Sunday's noon deadline to contest the November 16 presidential poll, according to Election Commission records.

It means Sirisena will leave office the day after the election, cutting short his five-year term by 52 days.

A spokesman for Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) confirmed he was not seeking re-election.

Sirisena caused a constitutional crisis last year when he sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinder Rajapakse.

The Supreme Court later ruled against Sirisena's action and reinstated Wickremesinghe.

Two of Rajapakse's brothers - younger sibling Gotabhaya and elder Chamal - have paid deposits to be candidates and challenge Sajith Premadasa, the deputy leader of Wickremesinghe's United National Party.

Gotabhaya -&nbsp;a former secretary to the ministry of defence during his brother's decade in power - is the front-runner but faces several court cases over corruption allegations and the validity of his Sri Lankan citizenship.

He says he has renounced the United States citizenship he obtained in 2003.

However, with doubts over his eligibility, the family is also fielding elder brother Chamal, a former speaker of parliament, as a backup.

Some 15.99 million men and women over the age of 18 years are eligible to vote in the election.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has decided not to stand for re-election in November polls as the politically influential Rajapakse family nominated two candidates by final registration Sunday.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has decided not to stand for re-election in November polls as the politically influential Rajapakse family nominated two candidates by final registration Sunday. Sirisena's name was not on a list of 41 candidates who paid deposits by Sunday's noon deadline to contest the November 16 presidential poll, according to Election Commission records. It means Sirisena will leave office the day after the election, cutting short his five-year term by 52 days. A spokesman for Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) confirmed he was not seeking re-election. Sirisena caused a constitutional crisis last year when he sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former president Mahinder Rajapakse. The Supreme Court later ruled against Sirisena's action and reinstated Wickremesinghe. Two of Rajapakse's brothers - younger sibling Gotabhaya and elder Chamal - have paid deposits to be candidates and challenge Sajith Premadasa, the deputy leader of Wickremesinghe's United National Party. Gotabhaya - a former secretary to the ministry of defence during his brother's decade in power - is the front-runner but faces several court cases over corruption allegations and the validity of his Sri Lankan citizenship. He says he has renounced the United States citizenship he obtained in 2003. However, with doubts over his eligibility, the family is also fielding elder brother Chamal, a former speaker of parliament, as a backup. Some 15.99 million men and women over the age of 18 years are eligible to vote in the election.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena abandons re-election bid

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