Shrugging off anti-United States&nbsp;demonstrations on a visit Saturday to Athens, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Greece can be a pillar of stability in a troubled region.

Pompeo is in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=%09Greece+steps+up+migrant+transfers+after+Lesbos+clashes">Greece</a> to underline support for a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally and reinforce cooperation, signing an amendment to a mutual defence cooperation agreement, sources for both governments said.

"This is a dynamic region, with lots going on, lots of change taking place and we are very confident that together, we can work to ensure that Greece can be a pillar for stability in this region," said Pompeo, hailing a relationship that "has truly never been stronger."

Thousands of demonstrators outside the Greek parliament begged to differ, some brandishing a huge banner reading "Pompeo go home."

His visit comes amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-seeks-early-imf-debt-repayment-to-build-trust-249500">Greek concerns</a> to which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis alluded -- Turkish drilling off EU member Cyprus.

The discovery of huge gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has triggered a race to tap the region's resources and sparked a dispute between Turkey and Cyprus.

"The United States has a special interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Cyprus only asks for the obvious, the implementation of international law... I expect the positive contribution of the United States, which will eventually lead to the creation of a more constructive and productive environment in the region," Mitsotakis added.

Turkey has had troops stationed in Cyprus since 1974 when it invaded and occupied its northern third after a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece.

As well as holding talks with Mitsotakis, who took office in July, Pompeo was also meeting Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias and Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

Pompeo refused to address questions from reporters on allegations that President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine for political favours, a claim which has launched an impeachment investigation.

Shrugging off anti-United States demonstrations on a visit Saturday to Athens, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Greece can be a pillar of stability in a troubled region.

Shrugging off anti-United States demonstrations on a visit Saturday to Athens, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Greece can be a pillar of stability in a troubled region. Pompeo is in Greece to underline support for a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally and reinforce cooperation, signing an amendment to a mutual defence cooperation agreement, sources for both governments said. "This is a dynamic region, with lots going on, lots of change taking place and we are very confident that together, we can work to ensure that Greece can be a pillar for stability in this region," said Pompeo, hailing a relationship that "has truly never been stronger." Thousands of demonstrators outside the Greek parliament begged to differ, some brandishing a huge banner reading "Pompeo go home." His visit comes amid Greek concerns to which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis alluded -- Turkish drilling off EU member Cyprus. The discovery of huge gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has triggered a race to tap the region's resources and sparked a dispute between Turkey and Cyprus. "The United States has a special interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Cyprus only asks for the obvious, the implementation of international law... I expect the positive contribution of the United States, which will eventually lead to the creation of a more constructive and productive environment in the region," Mitsotakis added. Turkey has had troops stationed in Cyprus since 1974 when it invaded and occupied its northern third after a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece. As well as holding talks with Mitsotakis, who took office in July, Pompeo was also meeting Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias and Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Pompeo refused to address questions from reporters on allegations that President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine for political favours, a claim which has launched an impeachment investigation.

Greece can be 'pillar' for regional stability: Pompeo

US lawmakers have requested information from Apple critic Spotify as part of an antitrust probe, according to two sources briefed on the investigation into allegations the iPhone maker engages in anti-competitive behavior to support its own apps.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-case-on-restrictive-abortion-law-253858">US</a> House of Representatives Judiciary Committee reached out to the music streaming service with broad requests for information, according to one source, who added the request to the company was narrowed in follow up telephone calls.

Spotify Technology SA filed an antitrust complaint against Apple in the European Union in March, but the contact with the committee marks its first known participation in congressional inquiries into the iPhone maker, whose Apple Music streaming service is Spotify's biggest rival.

Spotify and other developers have alleged that Apple engages in anticompetitive behavior by imposing rules that hamper distribution via its App Store, the only way for third-party developers to reach more than 900 million iPhone users.

At the same time, Apple sometimes copies the features of their apps for its own offerings, developers have said. Multiple apps in the App Store offered female cycle tracking before Apple added the same feature to its own health tracking app this fall, for example.

Spotify has been pressing for antitrust action against Apple for several years.

Its representatives have met with Justice Department officials, as well as members of the FTC's Technology Task Force, a group of some 17 attorneys that was set up in February to focus on online platforms and other Internet competition issues, according to one source.

App developers also complain that Apple's Siri, which response to verbal commands and can control Apple's own apps, has long had limited functionality with the vast majority of non-Apple apps, including Spotify.

Apple announced an update to its software in June that would allow Siri to access Spotify and other music services.

Beyond Spotify, the congressional probe has tapped many companies for details on the four big tech firms.

In addition to the Judiciary Committee probe, the big tech companies face a plethora of other antitrust investigations.

The Justice Department is probing Alphabet's Google, Facebook, and Apple while the Federal Trade Commission is investigating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paypal-abandons-facebook-backed-libra-cryptocurrency-group-253843">Facebook</a> and Amazon.com. Groups of state attorneys general have also been formed to probe <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-cant-escape-copyright-laws-frances-emmanuel-macron-253863">Google</a> and Facebook.

Spotify has complained also about the 30 per cent fee that Apple charges outside app developers who sell so-called digital goods such as music or e-books on the App Store, using Apple's in-app billing system. Apple bars app makers for collecting payment any other way on the App Store or showing users links or buttons to other ways to pay.

At one point, Apple told Spotify to stop sending emails to users who had just signed up for a free version of its streaming music prompting them to upgrade to the paid service, Spotify has said. Spotify has said the shifting rules, and Apple's threats to block routine app updates, have made it difficult to compete with Apple's own music service on a level playing field.

Asked for comment, Apple referred to its previous responses, published in March, to Spotify's claims. The company says it enforces its App Store rules evenly among all developers and that more than eight out of every 10 apps are free and pay nothing to Apple. Apple has said Spotify pays nothing for users of its free service or for paid Spotify members who signed up outside the App Store.

Apple has said Spotify pays a revenue share on about half a per cent of its 108 million premium users, paying 15 per cent&nbsp;fees on roughly 680,000 customers that Spotify acquired between 2014 and 2016 when it used Apple's payment systems.

US lawmakers have requested information from Apple critic Spotify as part of an antitrust probe, according to two sources briefed on the investigation into allegations the iPhone maker engages in anti-competitive behavior to support its own apps.

US lawmakers have requested information from Apple critic Spotify as part of an antitrust probe, according to two sources briefed on the investigation into allegations the iPhone maker engages in anti-competitive behavior to support its own apps. The US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee reached out to the music streaming service with broad requests for information, according to one source, who added the request to the company was narrowed in follow up telephone calls. Spotify Technology SA filed an antitrust complaint against Apple in the European Union in March, but the contact with the committee marks its first known participation in congressional inquiries into the iPhone maker, whose Apple Music streaming service is Spotify's biggest rival. Spotify and other developers have alleged that Apple engages in anticompetitive behavior by imposing rules that hamper distribution via its App Store, the only way for third-party developers to reach more than 900 million iPhone users. At the same time, Apple sometimes copies the features of their apps for its own offerings, developers have said. Multiple apps in the App Store offered female cycle tracking before Apple added the same feature to its own health tracking app this fall, for example. Spotify has been pressing for antitrust action against Apple for several years. Its representatives have met with Justice Department officials, as well as members of the FTC's Technology Task Force, a group of some 17 attorneys that was set up in February to focus on online platforms and other Internet competition issues, according to one source. App developers also complain that Apple's Siri, which response to verbal commands and can control Apple's own apps, has long had limited functionality with the vast majority of non-Apple apps, including Spotify. Apple announced an update to its software in June that would allow Siri to access Spotify and other music services. Beyond Spotify, the congressional probe has tapped many companies for details on the four big tech firms. In addition to the Judiciary Committee probe, the big tech companies face a plethora of other antitrust investigations. The Justice Department is probing Alphabet's Google, Facebook, and Apple while the Federal Trade Commission is investigating Facebook and Amazon.com. Groups of state attorneys general have also been formed to probe Google and Facebook. Spotify has complained also about the 30 per cent fee that Apple charges outside app developers who sell so-called digital goods such as music or e-books on the App Store, using Apple's in-app billing system. Apple bars app makers for collecting payment any other way on the App Store or showing users links or buttons to other ways to pay. At one point, Apple told Spotify to stop sending emails to users who had just signed up for a free version of its streaming music prompting them to upgrade to the paid service, Spotify has said. Spotify has said the shifting rules, and Apple's threats to block routine app updates, have made it difficult to compete with Apple's own music service on a level playing field. Asked for comment, Apple referred to its previous responses, published in March, to Spotify's claims. The company says it enforces its App Store rules evenly among all developers and that more than eight out of every 10 apps are free and pay nothing to Apple. Apple has said Spotify pays nothing for users of its free service or for paid Spotify members who signed up outside the App Store. Apple has said Spotify pays a revenue share on about half a per cent of its 108 million premium users, paying 15 per cent fees on roughly 680,000 customers that Spotify acquired between 2014 and 2016 when it used Apple's payment systems.

Antitrust probers in Congress ask Spotify to detail alleged Apple abuses: Sources

Iraqi authorities <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-death-toll-nears-100-rights-panel-253906">lifted a&nbsp;curfew in Baghdad</a> on Saturday&nbsp;that anti-government protesters had defied, as the toll from four days of violent unrest rose to 72 killed and hundreds injured.

Traffic ran as normal through the Iraqi capital and streets and main squares were otherwise quiet. Concrete barriers blocked off areas where protesters in their thousands clashed with police during the week.

Iraq's semi-official High Commission for Human Rights said security forces had detained hundreds of people for demonstrating but then let most of them go.

Police snipers <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protests-death-toll-rises-to-73-over-3000-injured-rights-commssion-253886">shot at protesters</a> on Friday, Reuters reporters said, escalating violent tactics used by the security forces that have included live fire, tear gas and water cannons.

The security forces have accused gunmen of hiding among demonstrators to shoot at police. Several policemen have died.

The protests over the unfair distribution of jobs, lack of services and government corruption erupted on Tuesday in Baghdad and quickly spread to other Iraqi cities, mainly in the south.

It is the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-at-least-60-people-dead-cleric-sadr-demands-government-resign-253833">deadliest unrest Iraq has seen since the declared defeat of Islamic State</a> in 2017 and has shaken the year-old government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

Iraqi authorities lifted a curfew in Baghdad on Saturday that anti-government protesters had defied, as the toll from four days of violent unrest rose to 72 killed and hundreds injured.

Iraqi authorities lifted a curfew in Baghdad on Saturday that anti-government protesters had defied, as the toll from four days of violent unrest rose to 72 killed and hundreds injured. Traffic ran as normal through the Iraqi capital and streets and main squares were otherwise quiet. Concrete barriers blocked off areas where protesters in their thousands clashed with police during the week. Iraq's semi-official High Commission for Human Rights said security forces had detained hundreds of people for demonstrating but then let most of them go. Police snipers shot at protesters on Friday, Reuters reporters said, escalating violent tactics used by the security forces that have included live fire, tear gas and water cannons. The security forces have accused gunmen of hiding among demonstrators to shoot at police. Several policemen have died. The protests over the unfair distribution of jobs, lack of services and government corruption erupted on Tuesday in Baghdad and quickly spread to other Iraqi cities, mainly in the south. It is the deadliest unrest Iraq has seen since the declared defeat of Islamic State in 2017 and has shaken the year-old government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

Iraqi authorities lift Baghdad curfew amid protests

The death toll from mass protests in Baghdad and cities across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protests-death-toll-rises-to-73-over-3000-injured-rights-commssion-253886">southern Iraq rose to 93</a> on Saturday as the unrest entered its fifth day, Parliament's Human Rights Commission said.

Nearly 4,000 people have also been injured since the protests against chronic unemployment, poor public services and widespread corruption erupted in the capital on Tuesday, the commission said.

It was not immediately clear whether the latest deaths were from Friday's huge protests or fresh demonstrations on Saturday.

The authorities have imposed a virtual blackout of the internet and confirmation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-at-least-60-people-dead-cleric-sadr-demands-government-resign-253833">protest casualties</a> in the provinces&nbsp;has trickled in slowly.

Sadr's statement piled new pressure on Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi as he battles to quell the unrest.

It came after Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani urged authorities in a midday sermon to heed the demands of demonstrators, warning the protests could escalate unless immediate and clear steps are taken.

The death toll from mass protests in Baghdad and cities across southern Iraq rose to 93 on Saturday as the unrest entered its fifth day, Parliament's Human Rights Commission said.

The death toll from mass protests in Baghdad and cities across southern Iraq rose to 93 on Saturday as the unrest entered its fifth day, Parliament's Human Rights Commission said. Nearly 4,000 people have also been injured since the protests against chronic unemployment, poor public services and widespread corruption erupted in the capital on Tuesday, the commission said. It was not immediately clear whether the latest deaths were from Friday's huge protests or fresh demonstrations on Saturday. The authorities have imposed a virtual blackout of the internet and confirmation of protest casualties in the provinces has trickled in slowly. Sadr's statement piled new pressure on Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi as he battles to quell the unrest. It came after Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani urged authorities in a midday sermon to heed the demands of demonstrators, warning the protests could escalate unless immediate and clear steps are taken.

Death toll nears 100 due to mass protests in Iraq: Rights panel

Ten people were killed and seven injured on Saturday when a lorry collided with a minibus in eastern Romania, the country with the highest level of road deaths in the European Union, police said.

Nine of the 16 people on the minibus and the driver of the truck died in the accident, one of the most serious in the country where the poor state of the roads is a concern for motorists.

Of the seven injured, four are in serious condition, secretary of state for the interior Raed Arafat said.

Some 40 firefighters were at the scene of the accident, which forced the closure of the road linking the towns of Slobozia and Urziceni, according to the department for emergency services.

Romania holds the record in the European Union for the highest level of deaths from road accidents, with 96 fatalities per one million inhabitants in 2018 compared to an average of 49 among all 28 EU nations.

Ten people were killed and seven injured on Saturday when a lorry collided with a minibus in eastern Romania, the country with the highest level of road deaths in the European Union, police said.

Ten people were killed and seven injured on Saturday when a lorry collided with a minibus in eastern Romania, the country with the highest level of road deaths in the European Union, police said. Nine of the 16 people on the minibus and the driver of the truck died in the accident, one of the most serious in the country where the poor state of the roads is a concern for motorists. Of the seven injured, four are in serious condition, secretary of state for the interior Raed Arafat said. Some 40 firefighters were at the scene of the accident, which forced the closure of the road linking the towns of Slobozia and Urziceni, according to the department for emergency services. Romania holds the record in the European Union for the highest level of deaths from road accidents, with 96 fatalities per one million inhabitants in 2018 compared to an average of 49 among all 28 EU nations.

Ten killed in minibus-lorry collision in Romania

Nine jihadists were killed Saturday in Russian airstrikes on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-syria-camp-uncertain-future-for-foreign-islamic-state-orphans-253184">Syria's war-torn province of Idlib</a>, a monitoring group said.

"Russian strikes this morning targeted the Hurras al-Deen group and Ansar al-Tahwid in eastern Idlib... killing nine jihadists," said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding eight others were wounded.

Six of the dead were members of the Al-Qaeda linked Hurras al-Deen, a group which is also targeted by the US-led coalition.

Moscow is a key ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the country's civil war, and despite an Idlib ceasefire deal reached on August 31, the province has continued to be targeted by Russian air attacks.

Russia-backed regime fighters have for weeks been chipping away at the edges of the province bordering Turkey that is the last jihadist stronghold outside of Assad's control.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - a group led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate -&nbsp;extended its administrative control over the whole of Idlib in January, but other rebel factions remain present.

In late August, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-syrias-aleppo-reconstruction-makes-slow-start-252744">clashes between anti-government fighters and regime forces</a> left more than 50 dead on both sides, when the jihadists attacked loyalist positions in the south.

Last month, Russia and China vetoed a United Nations&nbsp;Security Council resolution backed by 12 of the 15 member states that called for a ceasefire in Idlib province.

It was Russia's 13th veto of a UN resolution since the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, highlighting the Security Council's impasse over the issue.

The Syrian war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Nine jihadists were killed Saturday in Russian airstrikes on Syria's war-torn province of Idlib, a monitoring group said. "Russian strikes this morning targeted the Hurras al-Deen group and Ansar al-Tahwid in eastern Idlib.

Nine jihadists were killed Saturday in Russian airstrikes on Syria's war-torn province of Idlib, a monitoring group said. "Russian strikes this morning targeted the Hurras al-Deen group and Ansar al-Tahwid in eastern Idlib... killing nine jihadists," said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, adding eight others were wounded. Six of the dead were members of the Al-Qaeda linked Hurras al-Deen, a group which is also targeted by the US-led coalition. Moscow is a key ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the country's civil war, and despite an Idlib ceasefire deal reached on August 31, the province has continued to be targeted by Russian air attacks. Russia-backed regime fighters have for weeks been chipping away at the edges of the province bordering Turkey that is the last jihadist stronghold outside of Assad's control. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - a group led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate - extended its administrative control over the whole of Idlib in January, but other rebel factions remain present. In late August, clashes between anti-government fighters and regime forces left more than 50 dead on both sides, when the jihadists attacked loyalist positions in the south. Last month, Russia and China vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution backed by 12 of the 15 member states that called for a ceasefire in Idlib province. It was Russia's 13th veto of a UN resolution since the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, highlighting the Security Council's impasse over the issue. The Syrian war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Nine jihadists killed in Russia strikes on Idlib: Monitor

United Nations Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet said Saturday she was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-gather-in-mall-to-read-out-declaration-forming-provisional-city-government-253912">"troubled" by Hong Kong's increasingly violent pro-democracy protests</a> and stressed that any measures to quell the unrest must be grounded in law.

The city endured another night of chaos Friday, after leader Carrie Lam banned face masks at demonstrations, invoking colonial-era emergency powers not used for half a century.

Hardcore protesters trashed dozens of subway stations, vandalised shops with mainland China ties, built fires and blocked fires.&nbsp;

"We are troubled by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-return-to-hong-kong-streets-as-metro-shops-shut-after-violence-253910">high levels of violence</a> associated with some demonstrations that have been taking place in the past days," Bachelet said during a visit to Malaysia.

She said she was "alarmed" by injuries to police, protesters and journalists covering the demonstrations.

"I strongly condemn all acts of violence from all sides," she added.

Asked about the ban on face coverings, she said: "We believe that any restriction must have a legitimate and formal basis in law, has to be proportionate."

"Freedom of peaceful assembly... should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible. But on the other hand, we cannot accept people who use masks to provoke violence", she said.

Much of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-defy-mask-ban-as-city-grinds-to-halt-253888">Hong Kong ground to a halt</a> Saturday following the previous night's violence, with the subway suspended and shops shuttered, while hundreds of masked protesters took to the streets again in defiance of the face mask ban.

The financial hub has been rocked by unprecedented protests for four months, with demonstrators angered by what they see as Beijing's tightening grip on the semi-autonomous city.

They were sparked by opposition to a now-scrapped proposal that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China but have morphed into a wider movement calling for democratic freedoms and police accountability.

United Nations Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet said Saturday she was "troubled" by Hong Kong's increasingly violent pro-democracy protests and stressed that any measures to quell the unrest must be grounded in law.

United Nations Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet said Saturday she was "troubled" by Hong Kong's increasingly violent pro-democracy protests and stressed that any measures to quell the unrest must be grounded in law. The city endured another night of chaos Friday, after leader Carrie Lam banned face masks at demonstrations, invoking colonial-era emergency powers not used for half a century. Hardcore protesters trashed dozens of subway stations, vandalised shops with mainland China ties, built fires and blocked fires. "We are troubled by the high levels of violence associated with some demonstrations that have been taking place in the past days," Bachelet said during a visit to Malaysia. She said she was "alarmed" by injuries to police, protesters and journalists covering the demonstrations. "I strongly condemn all acts of violence from all sides," she added. Asked about the ban on face coverings, she said: "We believe that any restriction must have a legitimate and formal basis in law, has to be proportionate." "Freedom of peaceful assembly... should be enjoyed without restriction to the greatest extent possible. But on the other hand, we cannot accept people who use masks to provoke violence", she said. Much of Hong Kong ground to a halt Saturday following the previous night's violence, with the subway suspended and shops shuttered, while hundreds of masked protesters took to the streets again in defiance of the face mask ban. The financial hub has been rocked by unprecedented protests for four months, with demonstrators angered by what they see as Beijing's tightening grip on the semi-autonomous city. They were sparked by opposition to a now-scrapped proposal that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China but have morphed into a wider movement calling for democratic freedoms and police accountability.

United Nations Rights chief says troubled by Hong Kong violence

North Korean and US officials on Saturday were set to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-seeks-meeting-with-north-koreas-kim-despite-missile-launch-253658">resume nuclear talks</a> in Stockholm after months of deadlock and Pyongyang's defiant test of a sea-launched ballistic missile this week.

North Korea's Kim Myong Gil and Stephen Biegun, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump, are part of the teams at an island off Stockholm.

The first cars with tinted windows started arriving just after 0700 GMT.

North Korea frequently couples diplomatic overtures with military moves as a way of maintaining pressure on negotiating partners, analysts say, and many believe this weapons system gives it added leverage.

Pyongyang tested what it called a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-north-korea-talks-going-ahead-despite-missile-test-253573">"super-large" rocket</a> on Wednesday just hours after it said it was willing to resume working-level talks with Washington.

Similar-level talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament were held in Stockholm in March 2018 and then in January this year.

Kim Myong Gil said he was "optimistic" about the talks, speaking in Beijing on his way to the Swedish capital.

Washington has been eagerly awaiting a resumption of the dialogue, which has virtually stalled after a Hanoi meeting in late February between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

North Korea claimed to have entered a new phase in its defence capability with Wednesday's test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile -&nbsp;the most provocative since Pyongyang began a dialogue with Washington in 2018.

The Pentagon said Thursday the missile seems to have been launched from a "sea-based platform" and not a submarine.

Trump has said he sees no problem with a string of short-range rocket tests conducted previously by North Korea while insisting his personal ties with the North's leader remain good.

'Vertical mode'

Photos carried by Pyongyang's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-missiles-ahead-of-nuclear-talks-253157">a black and white missile</a> emerging from the water and appearing to shoot into the sky.

The images also showed a small towing vessel next to the missile, which analysts said indicates the test was conducted from a submersible barge rather than an actual submarine, and that the system was in its early stages.

"The new-type ballistic missile was fired in vertical mode" in the waters off Wonsan Bay, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, identifying the weapon as a Pukguksong-3 and saying it "ushered in a new phase in containing the outside forces' threat."

The United Nations Security Council meanwhile is expected to hold closed-door talks early next week on the latest test, diplomats said.

The talks were requested by Britain, France and Germany, as the European powers push for the world body to keep up pressure on Pyongyang which is under heavy US and U.N. sanctions over its weapons program.

North Korea is banned from ballistic missile launches by Security Council resolutions.

North Korean and US officials on Saturday were set to resume nuclear talks in Stockholm after months of deadlock and Pyongyang's defiant test of a sea-launched ballistic missile this week.

North Korean and US officials on Saturday were set to resume nuclear talks in Stockholm after months of deadlock and Pyongyang's defiant test of a sea-launched ballistic missile this week. North Korea's Kim Myong Gil and Stephen Biegun, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump, are part of the teams at an island off Stockholm. The first cars with tinted windows started arriving just after 0700 GMT. North Korea frequently couples diplomatic overtures with military moves as a way of maintaining pressure on negotiating partners, analysts say, and many believe this weapons system gives it added leverage. Pyongyang tested what it called a "super-large" rocket on Wednesday just hours after it said it was willing to resume working-level talks with Washington. Similar-level talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament were held in Stockholm in March 2018 and then in January this year. Kim Myong Gil said he was "optimistic" about the talks, speaking in Beijing on his way to the Swedish capital. Washington has been eagerly awaiting a resumption of the dialogue, which has virtually stalled after a Hanoi meeting in late February between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea claimed to have entered a new phase in its defence capability with Wednesday's test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile - the most provocative since Pyongyang began a dialogue with Washington in 2018. The Pentagon said Thursday the missile seems to have been launched from a "sea-based platform" and not a submarine. Trump has said he sees no problem with a string of short-range rocket tests conducted previously by North Korea while insisting his personal ties with the North's leader remain good. 'Vertical mode' Photos carried by Pyongyang's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed a black and white missile emerging from the water and appearing to shoot into the sky. The images also showed a small towing vessel next to the missile, which analysts said indicates the test was conducted from a submersible barge rather than an actual submarine, and that the system was in its early stages. "The new-type ballistic missile was fired in vertical mode" in the waters off Wonsan Bay, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, identifying the weapon as a Pukguksong-3 and saying it "ushered in a new phase in containing the outside forces' threat." The United Nations Security Council meanwhile is expected to hold closed-door talks early next week on the latest test, diplomats said. The talks were requested by Britain, France and Germany, as the European powers push for the world body to keep up pressure on Pyongyang which is under heavy US and U.N. sanctions over its weapons program. North Korea is banned from ballistic missile launches by Security Council resolutions.

North Korean, United States officials to resume nuclear talks after latest missile test

Protesters read out a declaration in a Hong Kong shopping mall for a provisional government Friday&nbsp;in response to an anti-mask law announced by Carrie Lam, the city's embattled leader.

Video obtained by Reuters showed protesters - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-reaches-a-once-peaceful-hong-kong-suburb-253867">many in masks</a> - reading out the statement establishing a provisional government, which was initially published on Reddit-like web portal LIHKG.

The statement called for the suspension of the Chief Executive and the cabinet, as well as the creation of a government,&nbsp; elected through universal suffrage, a key demand <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-return-to-hong-kong-streets-as-metro-shops-shut-after-violence-253910">underpinning the protests in Hong Kong</a>.

"The declaration helps protesters think: where does this government's legitimacy come from?" the protester who filmed the declaration, and wants to be known by the pseudonym of "Ma", told Reuters.

"The government uses its own position, its status, to take away the freedom for the people to speak," Ma added. "This is merely the initial spark of resistance. To establish a shadow government is merely an idea."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-invokes-emergency-powers-to-quell-escalating-violence-253684">Protests are expected to continue</a> on Saturday&nbsp;after the anti-mask ban was announced, with the city's metro lines shut down, supermarkets and shopping malls shuttered.

Protesters read out a declaration in a Hong Kong shopping mall for a provisional government Friday in response to an anti-mask law announced by Carrie Lam, the city's embattled leader.

Protesters read out a declaration in a Hong Kong shopping mall for a provisional government Friday in response to an anti-mask law announced by Carrie Lam, the city's embattled leader. Video obtained by Reuters showed protesters - many in masks - reading out the statement establishing a provisional government, which was initially published on Reddit-like web portal LIHKG. The statement called for the suspension of the Chief Executive and the cabinet, as well as the creation of a government, elected through universal suffrage, a key demand underpinning the protests in Hong Kong. "The declaration helps protesters think: where does this government's legitimacy come from?" the protester who filmed the declaration, and wants to be known by the pseudonym of "Ma", told Reuters. "The government uses its own position, its status, to take away the freedom for the people to speak," Ma added. "This is merely the initial spark of resistance. To establish a shadow government is merely an idea." Protests are expected to continue on Saturday after the anti-mask ban was announced, with the city's metro lines shut down, supermarkets and shopping malls shuttered.

Hong Kong: Protesters gather in mall to read out declaration forming provisional city government

Hong Kong’s metro system stayed shut on Saturday, paralysing transport in the Asian financial hub after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-defy-mask-ban-as-city-grinds-to-halt-253888">a night of chaos</a> in which police shot a teenage boy and pro-democracy protesters torched businesses and metro stations.

Friday's protests across the Chinese-ruled city erupted hours after its embattled leader, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-leader-invokes-emergency-powers-to-quell-escalating-violence-253684">Carrie Lam, invoked colonial-era emergency powers</a> for the first time in more than 50 years to ban the face masks demonstrators use to hide their identities. The night's "extreme violence" justified the use of the emergency law, Beijing-backed Lam said in a television address on Saturday.

"The radical behaviour of rioters took Hong Kong through a very dark night, leaving society today half-paralysed," she said in pre-recorded remarks.

"The extreme violence clearly illustrated that Hong Kong's public safety is widely endangered. That's the concrete reason that we had to invoke emergency law yesterday to introduce the anti-mask law", she added.

But undeterred by the ban and transport shutdown, several hundred protesters, many wearing masks, took to the streets on Saturday, marching through the bustling central district of Causeway Bay, with more protests planned through the weekend.

"We’re not sure what is going to happen later, but we felt we had to get out and show our basic right to wear a mask," said one protester, Sue, 22, who wore a black mask and dark glasses.

"The government needs to learn it can’t squeeze Hong Kong people like this", she added.

The increasingly violent demonstrations that have roiled the city for four months began in opposition to a bill introduced in April that would have allowed extradition to mainland China, but they have since spiralled into a broader pro-democracy movement.

The unrest has plunged Hong Kong into its biggest political crisis since its handover from Britain to China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that granted it autonomy and broad freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland.

China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said on Friday the protests were evolving into a revolution backed by foreign forces and could not continue indefinitely.

Transport shutdown

MTR Corp&nbsp;said its network, which carries about 5 million passengers each day, would remain suspended, while shopping malls and supermarkets also closed, in a new blow for retailers and restaurants in a city on the edge of recession.

"As we are no longer in a position to provide safe and reliable service to passengers in the circumstances, the corporation had no choice but to make the decision to suspend the service of its entire network," it said in a statement.

Protesters <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-reaches-a-once-peaceful-hong-kong-suburb-253867">had set fires at stations</a>, as well as to an empty train, and injured two staff, added MTR, which is known for operating one of the world's most efficient rail networks.

All stations closed late on Friday, stranding passengers and forcing many to walk home, a situation set to worsen during a holiday weekend in the city.

The airport express, one of the most popular routes to the airport, re-opened with restricted service on Saturday, MTR said.

More than a dozen shopping malls, supermarkets, and branches of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Bank of East Asia, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which have been targeted by protesters, said they would not open on Saturday.

The 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores said outlets would close at 5 pm.

The ban on face masks, which took effect on Saturday, was ordered under emergency laws allowing authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in what they deem to be the public interest.

But the move enraged protesters, who took to the streets to vent their anger, many wearing masks in defiance of the ban.

There were no immediate reports of arrests over the masks.

Demonstrators set fires, hurled petrol bombs at police and burned the Chinese national flag, in a direct challenge to authorities in Beijing.

Police said an officer in Yuen Long, a district in the outlying New Territories that saw fierce clashes in July, had fired a shot in self-defence after a protester threw a petrol bomb at him, setting him on fire.

Media said a 14-year-old boy was shot and the city’s Hospital Authority said his condition was now stable but gave no details.

About 100 demonstrators besieged a branch of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) in the high-end shopping district of Causeway Bay, while across the harbour in the district of Kowloon, protesters smashed the glass storefront of a China Life branch. Police fired volleys of tear gas to disperse protesters in flashpoint districts such as Causeway Bay, Sha Tin and Wong Tai Sin, underscoring the challenges they face as protests show no sign of letting up.

Hospital authorities said 31 people were hurt in Friday's protests, two of them seriously.

Hong Kong’s metro system stayed shut on Saturday, paralysing transport in the Asian financial hub after a night of chaos in which police shot a teenage boy and pro-democracy protesters torched businesses and metro stations.

Hong Kong’s metro system stayed shut on Saturday, paralysing transport in the Asian financial hub after a night of chaos in which police shot a teenage boy and pro-democracy protesters torched businesses and metro stations. Friday's protests across the Chinese-ruled city erupted hours after its embattled leader, Carrie Lam, invoked colonial-era emergency powers for the first time in more than 50 years to ban the face masks demonstrators use to hide their identities. The night's "extreme violence" justified the use of the emergency law, Beijing-backed Lam said in a television address on Saturday. "The radical behaviour of rioters took Hong Kong through a very dark night, leaving society today half-paralysed," she said in pre-recorded remarks. "The extreme violence clearly illustrated that Hong Kong's public safety is widely endangered. That's the concrete reason that we had to invoke emergency law yesterday to introduce the anti-mask law", she added. But undeterred by the ban and transport shutdown, several hundred protesters, many wearing masks, took to the streets on Saturday, marching through the bustling central district of Causeway Bay, with more protests planned through the weekend. "We’re not sure what is going to happen later, but we felt we had to get out and show our basic right to wear a mask," said one protester, Sue, 22, who wore a black mask and dark glasses. "The government needs to learn it can’t squeeze Hong Kong people like this", she added. The increasingly violent demonstrations that have roiled the city for four months began in opposition to a bill introduced in April that would have allowed extradition to mainland China, but they have since spiralled into a broader pro-democracy movement. The unrest has plunged Hong Kong into its biggest political crisis since its handover from Britain to China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that granted it autonomy and broad freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland. China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said on Friday the protests were evolving into a revolution backed by foreign forces and could not continue indefinitely. Transport shutdown MTR Corp said its network, which carries about 5 million passengers each day, would remain suspended, while shopping malls and supermarkets also closed, in a new blow for retailers and restaurants in a city on the edge of recession. "As we are no longer in a position to provide safe and reliable service to passengers in the circumstances, the corporation had no choice but to make the decision to suspend the service of its entire network," it said in a statement. Protesters had set fires at stations, as well as to an empty train, and injured two staff, added MTR, which is known for operating one of the world's most efficient rail networks. All stations closed late on Friday, stranding passengers and forcing many to walk home, a situation set to worsen during a holiday weekend in the city. The airport express, one of the most popular routes to the airport, re-opened with restricted service on Saturday, MTR said. More than a dozen shopping malls, supermarkets, and branches of Bank of China (Hong Kong), Bank of East Asia, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which have been targeted by protesters, said they would not open on Saturday. The 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores said outlets would close at 5 pm. The ban on face masks, which took effect on Saturday, was ordered under emergency laws allowing authorities to "make any regulations whatsoever" in what they deem to be the public interest. But the move enraged protesters, who took to the streets to vent their anger, many wearing masks in defiance of the ban. There were no immediate reports of arrests over the masks. Demonstrators set fires, hurled petrol bombs at police and burned the Chinese national flag, in a direct challenge to authorities in Beijing. Police said an officer in Yuen Long, a district in the outlying New Territories that saw fierce clashes in July, had fired a shot in self-defence after a protester threw a petrol bomb at him, setting him on fire. Media said a 14-year-old boy was shot and the city’s Hospital Authority said his condition was now stable but gave no details. About 100 demonstrators besieged a branch of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) in the high-end shopping district of Causeway Bay, while across the harbour in the district of Kowloon, protesters smashed the glass storefront of a China Life branch. Police fired volleys of tear gas to disperse protesters in flashpoint districts such as Causeway Bay, Sha Tin and Wong Tai Sin, underscoring the challenges they face as protests show no sign of letting up. Hospital authorities said 31 people were hurt in Friday's protests, two of them seriously.

Hundreds return to Hong Kong streets as metro, shops shut after violence

French carrier&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wallet-xl-airways-seeks-rescue-deal-with-air-france-251933">Air&nbsp;France</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;offset&nbsp;the carbon dioxide&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;of its 500-odd&nbsp;daily&nbsp;internal flights by 2020 at a cost of millions of euros, the company's CEO has announced.

In a bid to counteract its climate impact, the company will finance projects that support tree planting, forest protection and the global shift to less-polluting energy, Anne Rigail told Le Parisien newspaper.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It is an investment of several million euros, she said in an interview published late Monday, adding the company was acting "voluntarily".&nbsp;

Other projects would include banning single-use plastics such as cutlery from local flights as from January, and "to start separating and recycling waste" from October.&nbsp;

The airline industry has been under fire over its carbon&nbsp;emissions, which at 285 grammes of&nbsp;CO2&nbsp;emitted per kilometre travelled by each passenger, far exceed all other modes of transport, according to the European Environment Agency.&nbsp;

Heavy-duty transportation, freight trucking, shipping and aviation, represent over a tenth of global greenhouse gas&nbsp;emissions, says the World Resources Institute, a research body.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;emissions&nbsp;contribute to global warming and climate change, which scientists say will unleash ever harsher droughts, superstorms, and sea-level rise.

In July,&nbsp;France&nbsp;announced it would impose new taxes on plane tickets of between 1.50 and 18 euros per flight, a move criticised by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/air-france-emirates-maintain-cairo-flights-after-british-air-suspension-237472">Air&nbsp;France</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It is meant to raise about 180 million euros a&nbsp;year&nbsp;to be invested in greener transport infrastructure.&nbsp;

Rigail said she did not know if there had been a drop in passenger numbers due to a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-nobel-for-swedens-greta-thunberg-a-tough-decision-for-prize-committee-252010">campaign of "flight shaming"</a>&nbsp;spearheaded by 16-year-old schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, who has become a symbol of the fight against climate change.&nbsp;

French carrier Air France will offset the carbon dioxide emissions of its 500-odd daily internal flights by 2020 at a cost of millions of euros, the company's CEO has announced.

French carrier Air France will offset the carbon dioxide emissions of its 500-odd daily internal flights by 2020 at a cost of millions of euros, the company's CEO has announced. In a bid to counteract its climate impact, the company will finance projects that support tree planting, forest protection and the global shift to less-polluting energy, Anne Rigail told Le Parisien newspaper. "It is an investment of several million euros, she said in an interview published late Monday, adding the company was acting "voluntarily". Other projects would include banning single-use plastics such as cutlery from local flights as from January, and "to start separating and recycling waste" from October. The airline industry has been under fire over its carbon emissions, which at 285 grammes of CO2 emitted per kilometre travelled by each passenger, far exceed all other modes of transport, according to the European Environment Agency. Heavy-duty transportation, freight trucking, shipping and aviation, represent over a tenth of global greenhouse gas emissions, says the World Resources Institute, a research body. The emissions contribute to global warming and climate change, which scientists say will unleash ever harsher droughts, superstorms, and sea-level rise. In July, France announced it would impose new taxes on plane tickets of between 1.50 and 18 euros per flight, a move criticised by Air France. It is meant to raise about 180 million euros a year to be invested in greener transport infrastructure. Rigail said she did not know if there had been a drop in passenger numbers due to a campaign of "flight shaming" spearheaded by 16-year-old schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, who has become a symbol of the fight against climate change.

Air France to offset daily CO2 emissions by next year

The United Nations has called on Australia's government to release a Tamil asylum seeker family from offshore detention, weighing in on a case that has galvanized huge public support.

The family of four has been held at the Christmas Island detention facility for the past month while their fight to stay in the country is before the courts.

Kokilapathmapriya Nadesalingam and Nadesalingam Murugappan, from Sri Lanka, arrived in Australia by boat separately in 2012 and 2013 seeking asylum and have not been accepted as refugees.

Their two children, Kopika and Tharunicaa, were both born in Australia and the family's legal battle hinges on the youngest daughter as her lawyer argues her claim has never been assessed.

Lawyer Carina Ford made a submission to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-kills-seven-islamic-state-terrorists-in-libya-air-strike-252922">U.N</a>.'s Human Rights Committee last month on the toddler's behalf.

In an October 1 letter, seen by AFP, the committee says in response that it "has requested the State party to transfer (the family) within 30 days into a community setting arrangement or to find another way to end their existing situation of detention".

The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Family friend Angela Fredericks described the U.N.'s position as "a positive step forward", saying she hoped the government "would comply and take this on board".

"We do see this as confirmation of what we've always known: that detention isn't any place for children or for families," she said.

"We've seen that over the last 19 months with the emotional and physical damage that has occurred to these girls."

Australia's hardline immigration policies include turning away refugees arriving by boat and de facto offshore detention, both measures condemned by the United Nations.

The Tamil family settled in a small rural Queensland town of Biloela, where their neighbours have banded together to push for them to be allowed to remain, a campaign that has received support even from some right-wing commentators and politicians.

A Federal Court judge ruled last month there was enough evidence for the toddler's case to go to trial, though a date has not yet been set.

Both children were born in Australia but do not have citizenship. They have never been to Sri Lanka.

The United Nations has called on Australia's government to release a Tamil asylum seeker family from offshore detention, weighing in on a case that has galvanized huge public support.

The United Nations has called on Australia's government to release a Tamil asylum seeker family from offshore detention, weighing in on a case that has galvanized huge public support. The family of four has been held at the Christmas Island detention facility for the past month while their fight to stay in the country is before the courts. Kokilapathmapriya Nadesalingam and Nadesalingam Murugappan, from Sri Lanka, arrived in Australia by boat separately in 2012 and 2013 seeking asylum and have not been accepted as refugees. Their two children, Kopika and Tharunicaa, were both born in Australia and the family's legal battle hinges on the youngest daughter as her lawyer argues her claim has never been assessed. Lawyer Carina Ford made a submission to the U.N.'s Human Rights Committee last month on the toddler's behalf. In an October 1 letter, seen by AFP, the committee says in response that it "has requested the State party to transfer (the family) within 30 days into a community setting arrangement or to find another way to end their existing situation of detention". The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Family friend Angela Fredericks described the U.N.'s position as "a positive step forward", saying she hoped the government "would comply and take this on board". "We do see this as confirmation of what we've always known: that detention isn't any place for children or for families," she said. "We've seen that over the last 19 months with the emotional and physical damage that has occurred to these girls." Australia's hardline immigration policies include turning away refugees arriving by boat and de facto offshore detention, both measures condemned by the United Nations. The Tamil family settled in a small rural Queensland town of Biloela, where their neighbours have banded together to push for them to be allowed to remain, a campaign that has received support even from some right-wing commentators and politicians. A Federal Court judge ruled last month there was enough evidence for the toddler's case to go to trial, though a date has not yet been set. Both children were born in Australia but do not have citizenship. They have never been to Sri Lanka.

United Nations urges Australia to release Tamil family

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Bharat Sharma

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

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