Thousands of women demonstrated in several Latin American cities on Tuesday to commemorate the global day of action for access to safe and legal abortion, in a region where the procedure is fully permitted only in a handful of countries.

In Mexico City, women marched to the historic center under the gaze of police with shields and riot helmets.

Authorities put up protective fences on some major buildings and monuments that in the past have been spray-painted during demonstrations.

"I still don't know if I want to be a mom, but I want to have the right to decide," read a sign held by a young woman with a green scarf around her neck.

<img alt="Women's rights" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efbdc06e-7ea9-4078-bdf6-6db932eacb4e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2021-09-29T005723Z_3_LYNXMPEH8S007_RTROPTP_4_EL-SALVADOR-ABORTION-PROTEST.JPG" />

Earlier this month Mexico's Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional to criminalize abortion and, shortly after, the government said that those jailed on accusations of having terminated their pregnancy would be released.

Hundreds of other women marched in other parts of Mexico, including in the cities of Cuernavaca and Veracruz.

Every year, thousands of women in Latin America die from unsafe abortions at a time when teenage pregnancies and sexual violence continue to increase in the region.

<img alt="Women's rights" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="47faa06a-3f7e-49c4-8864-fc26bab8d40a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2021-09-29T005723Z_3_LYNXMPEH8S006_RTROPTP_4_EL-SALVADOR-ABORTION-PROTEST.JPG" />

In Colombia, where abortion is allowed only in cases of rape, risks to the life of the mother, or birth defects, some 800 women marched towards the center of Bogota.

"Women are reminding states and societies that we're full citizens, not second-class, and that we have the right to abort, to voluntarily interrupt pregnancy, to decide about our bodies, about our lives, and about our maternity wards," said Ita Maria Diez, a leader of the Bogota demonstration.

A march was also held in Chile, where the lower house of Congress agreed to debate a bill to decriminalize abortion for up to 14 weeks after pregnancy.

STRICT LAWS

Scores of people in El Salvador waved green flags and marched through San Salvador en route to Congress to demand a loosening of the country's "strict" abortion laws.

Holding up banners saying "it's our right to decide" and "legal abortion, safe and free," the Salvadoran protesters sought to pressure legislators to ease one of the world's strictest abortion laws, which prohibit termination of pregnancy in cases of rape and even if the mother's life is at risk.

The proposals taken to the Salvadoran Congress have been named "Beatriz Reform," in honor of a young woman who in 2013 openly called for an abortion to save her life as she suffered from a chronic disease, which took her life four years later.

"We are asking for minimum measures to add to the Penal Code to guarantee the life and integrity of women," Morena Herrera, a prominent Salvadoran feminist, told journalists.

"It does not require constitutional reform. It can be done now and if it is true that there is independence of powers, the Legislative Assembly must respond," she added.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele earlier this month ruled out any amendments to the abortion laws as part of controversial constitutional changes his government is planning.

But several out of more than 20 Latin American nations still ban abortion outright, including El Salvador, which has sentenced some women to up to 40 years in prison.

Thousands of women demonstrated in several Latin American cities on Tuesday to commemorate the global day of action for access to safe and legal abortion, in a region where the procedure is fully permitted only in a handful of countries.

Thousands of women demonstrated in several Latin American cities on Tuesday to commemorate the global day of action for access to safe and legal abortion, in a region where the procedure is fully permitted only in a handful of countries. In Mexico City, women marched to the historic center under the gaze of police with shields and riot helmets. Authorities put up protective fences on some major buildings and monuments that in the past have been spray-painted during demonstrations. "I still don't know if I want to be a mom, but I want to have the right to decide," read a sign held by a young woman with a green scarf around her neck. Earlier this month Mexico's Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional to criminalize abortion and, shortly after, the government said that those jailed on accusations of having terminated their pregnancy would be released. Hundreds of other women marched in other parts of Mexico, including in the cities of Cuernavaca and Veracruz. Every year, thousands of women in Latin America die from unsafe abortions at a time when teenage pregnancies and sexual violence continue to increase in the region. In Colombia, where abortion is allowed only in cases of rape, risks to the life of the mother, or birth defects, some 800 women marched towards the center of Bogota. "Women are reminding states and societies that we're full citizens, not second-class, and that we have the right to abort, to voluntarily interrupt pregnancy, to decide about our bodies, about our lives, and about our maternity wards," said Ita Maria Diez, a leader of the Bogota demonstration. A march was also held in Chile, where the lower house of Congress agreed to debate a bill to decriminalize abortion for up to 14 weeks after pregnancy. STRICT LAWS Scores of people in El Salvador waved green flags and marched through San Salvador en route to Congress to demand a loosening of the country's "strict" abortion laws. Holding up banners saying "it's our right to decide" and "legal abortion, safe and free," the Salvadoran protesters sought to pressure legislators to ease one of the world's strictest abortion laws, which prohibit termination of pregnancy in cases of rape and even if the mother's life is at risk. The proposals taken to the Salvadoran Congress have been named "Beatriz Reform," in honor of a young woman who in 2013 openly called for an abortion to save her life as she suffered from a chronic disease, which took her life four years later. "We are asking for minimum measures to add to the Penal Code to guarantee the life and integrity of women," Morena Herrera, a prominent Salvadoran feminist, told journalists. "It does not require constitutional reform. It can be done now and if it is true that there is independence of powers, the Legislative Assembly must respond," she added. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele earlier this month ruled out any amendments to the abortion laws as part of controversial constitutional changes his government is planning. But several out of more than 20 Latin American nations still ban abortion outright, including El Salvador, which has sentenced some women to up to 40 years in prison.

Women across Latin America march in favour of abortion rights

China's regulators are tightening control over the inner workings of its currency market, pressuring banks to trade less and in smaller ranges, two banking sources told Reuters, as part of a sweeping push to curb speculation.

The moves follow recent efforts at curtailing financial risks that include dampening commodity price rises, banning cryptocurrency transactions and restricting property speculation. And they bring the campaign deeper into day-to-day operations on the dealing desks of a $30 trillion market.

It is also the latest example of scrutiny focused on foreign exchange, which analysts said might be aimed at tightening the leash on the yuan at a sensitive time when U.S. policymakers prepare to withdraw monetary stimulus and China seems poised to add more.

Reuters reported earlier in September that brokers have dropped currency forecasts following regulatory pressure and reports the scrutiny of the interbank market for the first time. Authorities have also been hinting that banks and companies should prepare for volatility.

In recent months many banks have also withdrawn individual FX trading products, closing another avenue for speculation.

Recently, representatives of China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) have embedded themselves on currency trading floors from commercial banks to major state-owned lenders, said the two sources at separate market-making banks.

They said the officials stayed for months, far longer than supervisory visits previously, and urged them to price customer deals faster and in tighter ranges, or spreads.

The bid-ask spread is the difference between the price the bank charges clients and price in the market, so narrowing it reduces trading banks' profit. It could also help hem the yuan in a tighter trading range, but at the same time moves risk from customers to the bank while a deal is being executed.

One source said the regulator reminded them their role is to keep things steady or "smoothen fluctuations without pushing the yuan to either side". They added that regulators had not visited foreign banks this year. Banks in Hong Kong do not participate in China's onshore interbank market.

The other source said they were told to cut volumes to reduce the turnover of interbank trades - once a badge of honour for so-called market makers who provide liquidity to each other and the wider trading pool.

"(Now) you get calls from regulators if you trade too much," he said. Both requested anonymity as they are not authorised to talk to the media about the matter.

SAFE told Reuters by fax it has "always supported" market participants in trading "reasonably", and to promote the integrity, fairness, order and efficiency of the foreign exchange market.

The scrutiny comes at a delicate time for China's currency, which sits near multi-year highs but faces headwinds as markets prepare for the United States to begin tapering pandemic-era policy support just as China seems ready to step in and ease as its economy slows.

The People's Bank of China has pumped a net 750 billion yuan ($116 billion) into the banking system since mid-September as markets have been rattled by fears of contagion from a debt crisis at China Evergrande and economic damage from power cuts.

"Policymakers would rather maintain a loosening bias in the cash conditions, but one side-effect is that too much cash could prompt speculation," said Ken Cheung, chief Asian FX strategist at Mizuho Bank in Hong Kong, noting that is something the latest crackdown might curb.

"The central bank has said multiple times not to bet on currency appreciation or depreciation," he said.

MORE INTENSE

As President Xi Jinping makes his case for a third term, the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong is driving what some observers describe as a mini revolution, curbing the excesses of capitalism and returning China to its socialist roots.

Crackdowns on tutoring and on tech firms have unnerved investors and hammered share prices in those sectors. But regulators have also been changing the way markets operate.

"(It's) certainly becoming more intense this year," said one currency trader at a mid-sized bank, noting extra training sessions, stricter scrutiny from compliance and even chatter among peers that was becoming more guarded.

Since SAFE head Pan Gongsheng warned in June against laying bets on the yuan's direction, brokers in China have shied away from publishing once-routine currency forecasts.

Around the same time a handful of banks also began quietly closing foreign exchange trading businesses that had let individual clients bet on non-yuan currency pairs.

Turnover in such accounts was small and has now all but vanished, with the Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and China Merchants Bank among those to post public statements about restricting access to trade.

SAFE said it had not offered any guidance to commercial banks regarding personal foreign exchange businesses, and nor did the banks provide clear reasons for their decisions.

Yet all used similar language in their explanations.

Huaxia Bank, which said it will suspend its personal FX business in December cited market changes, while ICBC and China Merchants bank both said the move was necessary "to respond to changes in market conditions."

China's regulators are tightening control over the inner workings of its currency market, pressuring banks to trade less and in smaller ranges, two banking sources told Reuters, as part of a sweeping push to curb speculation.

China's regulators are tightening control over the inner workings of its currency market, pressuring banks to trade less and in smaller ranges, two banking sources told Reuters, as part of a sweeping push to curb speculation. The moves follow recent efforts at curtailing financial risks that include dampening commodity price rises, banning cryptocurrency transactions and restricting property speculation. And they bring the campaign deeper into day-to-day operations on the dealing desks of a $30 trillion market. It is also the latest example of scrutiny focused on foreign exchange, which analysts said might be aimed at tightening the leash on the yuan at a sensitive time when U.S. policymakers prepare to withdraw monetary stimulus and China seems poised to add more. Reuters reported earlier in September that brokers have dropped currency forecasts following regulatory pressure and reports the scrutiny of the interbank market for the first time. Authorities have also been hinting that banks and companies should prepare for volatility. In recent months many banks have also withdrawn individual FX trading products, closing another avenue for speculation. Recently, representatives of China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) have embedded themselves on currency trading floors from commercial banks to major state-owned lenders, said the two sources at separate market-making banks. They said the officials stayed for months, far longer than supervisory visits previously, and urged them to price customer deals faster and in tighter ranges, or spreads. The bid-ask spread is the difference between the price the bank charges clients and price in the market, so narrowing it reduces trading banks' profit. It could also help hem the yuan in a tighter trading range, but at the same time moves risk from customers to the bank while a deal is being executed. One source said the regulator reminded them their role is to keep things steady or "smoothen fluctuations without pushing the yuan to either side". They added that regulators had not visited foreign banks this year. Banks in Hong Kong do not participate in China's onshore interbank market. The other source said they were told to cut volumes to reduce the turnover of interbank trades - once a badge of honour for so-called market makers who provide liquidity to each other and the wider trading pool. "(Now) you get calls from regulators if you trade too much," he said. Both requested anonymity as they are not authorised to talk to the media about the matter. SAFE told Reuters by fax it has "always supported" market participants in trading "reasonably", and to promote the integrity, fairness, order and efficiency of the foreign exchange market. The scrutiny comes at a delicate time for China's currency, which sits near multi-year highs but faces headwinds as markets prepare for the United States to begin tapering pandemic-era policy support just as China seems ready to step in and ease as its economy slows. The People's Bank of China has pumped a net 750 billion yuan ($116 billion) into the banking system since mid-September as markets have been rattled by fears of contagion from a debt crisis at China Evergrande and economic damage from power cuts. "Policymakers would rather maintain a loosening bias in the cash conditions, but one side-effect is that too much cash could prompt speculation," said Ken Cheung, chief Asian FX strategist at Mizuho Bank in Hong Kong, noting that is something the latest crackdown might curb. "The central bank has said multiple times not to bet on currency appreciation or depreciation," he said. MORE INTENSE As President Xi Jinping makes his case for a third term, the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong is driving what some observers describe as a mini revolution, curbing the excesses of capitalism and returning China to its socialist roots. Crackdowns on tutoring and on tech firms have unnerved investors and hammered share prices in those sectors. But regulators have also been changing the way markets operate. "(It's) certainly becoming more intense this year," said one currency trader at a mid-sized bank, noting extra training sessions, stricter scrutiny from compliance and even chatter among peers that was becoming more guarded. Since SAFE head Pan Gongsheng warned in June against laying bets on the yuan's direction, brokers in China have shied away from publishing once-routine currency forecasts. Around the same time a handful of banks also began quietly closing foreign exchange trading businesses that had let individual clients bet on non-yuan currency pairs. Turnover in such accounts was small and has now all but vanished, with the Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and China Merchants Bank among those to post public statements about restricting access to trade. SAFE said it had not offered any guidance to commercial banks regarding personal foreign exchange businesses, and nor did the banks provide clear reasons for their decisions. Yet all used similar language in their explanations. Huaxia Bank, which said it will suspend its personal FX business in December cited market changes, while ICBC and China Merchants bank both said the move was necessary "to respond to changes in market conditions."

China's regulators tighten scrutiny of FX dealers

Climate activist Greta Thunberg had some strong but sceptical words as she denounced long unending climate negotiations over decades 'blah, blah, blah'. She was speaking at climate talks in Italy.

"Thirty years of blah, blah, blah," Thunberg told the opening session of a Youth4Climate event on Tuesday.

Thousands of young activists have gathered in Milan this week from about 190 countries. They are due to engage with policymakers to hammer out prosposals for solutions to climate issues.

"So-called leaders have cherry picked young people to meetings like this to pretend they are listening to us, but they are not listening," Thunberg said.

"There is no planet B ... Change is not only possible but necessary, but not if we go on like we have until today."

In August, United Nations released a report that has exacerbated fears that climate change is worsening. The report has said that the situation was dangerously close to spiralling out of control.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-climate-strike-thousands-rally-across-the-world-demanding-urgent-action-415842">Global climate strike: Thousands rally across the world demanding urgent action</a>

The youth activists, who fought to get climate change to the top of the global agenda years after leaders at the 1992 Rio Summit in Brazil pledged to tackle environmental problems, are being challenged to help come up with the solutions ahead of the COP26 United Nations summit in November.

Their proposals will be vetted by climate and energy ministers gathering at the same venue for their pre-COP26 meeting, and some will find their way to the Glasgow summit.

The meetings come as soaring energy prices on world markets stoke fears of a popular backlash against climate reform.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-run-up-to-cop26-summit-glasgow-records-hottest-summer-410318">In run up to Cop26 summit, Glasgow records hottest summer</a>

The UN COP26 conference aims to secure more ambitious climate action from the nearly 200 countries who signed the 2015 Paris Agreement and agreed to try to limit human-caused global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

"Young people need to start getting involved in the actual negotiations," said Rose Kobusinge, a youth delegate from Uganda. "We want 1.5 (degrees) and we won’t go beyond that."

(With inputs from agencies)

Climate activist Greta Thunberg had some strong but sceptical words as she denounced long unending climate negotiations over decades 'blah, blah, blah'. She was speaking at climate talks in Italy.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg had some strong but sceptical words as she denounced long unending climate negotiations over decades 'blah, blah, blah'. She was speaking at climate talks in Italy. "Thirty years of blah, blah, blah," Thunberg told the opening session of a Youth4Climate event on Tuesday. Thousands of young activists have gathered in Milan this week from about 190 countries. They are due to engage with policymakers to hammer out prosposals for solutions to climate issues. "So-called leaders have cherry picked young people to meetings like this to pretend they are listening to us, but they are not listening," Thunberg said. "There is no planet B ... Change is not only possible but necessary, but not if we go on like we have until today." In August, United Nations released a report that has exacerbated fears that climate change is worsening. The report has said that the situation was dangerously close to spiralling out of control. Also Read | Global climate strike: Thousands rally across the world demanding urgent action The youth activists, who fought to get climate change to the top of the global agenda years after leaders at the 1992 Rio Summit in Brazil pledged to tackle environmental problems, are being challenged to help come up with the solutions ahead of the COP26 United Nations summit in November. Their proposals will be vetted by climate and energy ministers gathering at the same venue for their pre-COP26 meeting, and some will find their way to the Glasgow summit. The meetings come as soaring energy prices on world markets stoke fears of a popular backlash against climate reform. Also Read | In run up to Cop26 summit, Glasgow records hottest summer The UN COP26 conference aims to secure more ambitious climate action from the nearly 200 countries who signed the 2015 Paris Agreement and agreed to try to limit human-caused global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. "Young people need to start getting involved in the actual negotiations," said Rose Kobusinge, a youth delegate from Uganda. "We want 1.5 (degrees) and we won’t go beyond that." (With inputs from agencies)

Thirty years of 'blah blah blah': Greta Thunberg slams climate talks bureaucracy

All astronomers, professional and amateur, know that planet Jupiter is a prominent presence in the night sky. Thousands across the world point their telescopes at the biggest planet in the solar system and its moons. The planet has been of such fascination to humankind that it has been continuously observed since the year 1878.

The defining feature of the gas giant is the Great Red Spot. It is a storm raging in the gaseous clouds of the planet. The storm is greater in size than that of Earth. It is the largest storm of its kind in the solar system.

Now, a new study has revealed that winds in the Giant Red Spot are speeding up. And no one knows why.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-image-of-hand-of-god-netizens-are-awestruck-416265">NASA posts image of 'Hand of God', netizens are awestruck</a>

Researchers took a look at data from Hubble Space Telescope collected between 2009 to 2020. They found that wind speeds in the storm had increased by 8 per cent over the period. It may appear to be a small increase but it is significant.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-launches-landsat-9-satellite-to-monitor-earths-surface-416604">NASA launches Landsat 9 satellite to monitor Earth's surface</a>

The coloured clouds at the edge of the storm are now reaching speeds of up to 640 kilometres per hour in counter-clockwise direction. But a definitive answer to why the wind speed is increasing has not been found.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronaut-posts-breathtaking-photo-of-aurora-taken-from-above-earth-416595">Astronaut posts breathtaking photo of aurora taken from above Earth</a>

Another mystery is the shrinking of the Great Red Spot. It has been observed that since 1878, it has become smaller. The shape has undergone a change as well. The storm has become more circular as compared to before.

Wonder storm chasers on Earth would like to do the same on Jupiter. Till they are ready to do such a thing, Hubble will have its lenses on the great planet.

All astronomers, professional and amateur, know that planet Jupiter is a prominent presence in the night sky. Thousands across the world point their telescopes at the biggest planet in the solar system and its moons.

All astronomers, professional and amateur, know that planet Jupiter is a prominent presence in the night sky. Thousands across the world point their telescopes at the biggest planet in the solar system and its moons. The planet has been of such fascination to humankind that it has been continuously observed since the year 1878. The defining feature of the gas giant is the Great Red Spot. It is a storm raging in the gaseous clouds of the planet. The storm is greater in size than that of Earth. It is the largest storm of its kind in the solar system. Now, a new study has revealed that winds in the Giant Red Spot are speeding up. And no one knows why. Also Read | NASA posts image of 'Hand of God', netizens are awestruck Researchers took a look at data from Hubble Space Telescope collected between 2009 to 2020. They found that wind speeds in the storm had increased by 8 per cent over the period. It may appear to be a small increase but it is significant. Also Read | NASA launches Landsat 9 satellite to monitor Earth's surface The coloured clouds at the edge of the storm are now reaching speeds of up to 640 kilometres per hour in counter-clockwise direction. But a definitive answer to why the wind speed is increasing has not been found. Also Read | Astronaut posts breathtaking photo of aurora taken from above Earth Another mystery is the shrinking of the Great Red Spot. It has been observed that since 1878, it has become smaller. The shape has undergone a change as well. The storm has become more circular as compared to before. Wonder storm chasers on Earth would like to do the same on Jupiter. Till they are ready to do such a thing, Hubble will have its lenses on the great planet.

Winds on Jupiter are speeding up and no one knows why

Top generals of US military said on Tuesday that they had advised US President Joe Biden to keep some troop presence&nbsp;in Afghanistan. The statements, made to US Congress appear to go against Biden's&nbsp;claim that he did not recall receiving such an advice. General Mark Milley and General Frank McKenzie testified before US Congress. The generals, along with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, were questioned by Senate armed services committee.

McKenzie and Milley both testified that they had believed it would have been best to keep a minimum of 2,500 troops in the country. In an August interview, Biden denied his commanders had recommended keeping 2,500 troops in Afghanistan.

Taliban took power in a lightning offensive in August after all US troops withdrew from the country. This caused fall of former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's government. This led to a frenzied evacuation effort of foreign diplomats and Afghan civilians.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/35-terror-attacks-52-deaths-in-august-taliban-victory-in-afghanistan-fuels-terrorism-in-pakistan-416639">35 terror attacks, 52 deaths in August: Taliban victory in Afghanistan fuels terrorism in Pakistan</a>

Milley, Austin, and General Frank McKenzie of U.S. Central Command all acknowledged being caught off-guard by the speed of the Taliban takeover following the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul.

Republican lawmakers accused President Joe Biden of lying about recommendations from his military that some troops should be kept in the country. And even Biden's Democrats expressed frustration with the withdrawal that left U.S. troops dead and American citizens behind.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-brutally-kill-child-after-suspecting-father-belonged-to-afghan-resistance-forces-416664">Taliban brutally kill child after suspecting father belonged to Afghan resistance forces</a>

Milley refused to be drawn on whether Biden had lied when pressed by Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.

"I'm not going to categorise a statement of the President of the United States," Milley said.

Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that the US would have been at war with the Taliban had it maintained 2500 troops in Afghanistan.

He comments came as she tried to clarify apparent difference between the stance taken by US President Joe Biden and his military advisers.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ban-on-saloon-girls-education-return-of-public-executions-is-afghanistan-going-back-in-time-416682">Ban on saloon, girls’ education &amp; return of public executions: Is Afghanistan going back in time?</a>

US Secretary pf Defence Lloyd Austin praised US personnel who helped airlift 124,000 Afghans out of the country.

But Milley acknowledged that while the evacuation effort was a logistical accomplishment, the U.S. withdrawal was a "strategic defeat" that left the Taliban back in power.

(With inputs from agencies)

Top generals of US military said on Tuesday that they had advised US President Joe Biden to keep some troop presence in Afghanistan. The statements, made to US Congress appear to go against Biden's claim that he did not recall receiving such an advice.

Top generals of US military said on Tuesday that they had advised US President Joe Biden to keep some troop presence in Afghanistan. The statements, made to US Congress appear to go against Biden's claim that he did not recall receiving such an advice. General Mark Milley and General Frank McKenzie testified before US Congress. The generals, along with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, were questioned by Senate armed services committee. McKenzie and Milley both testified that they had believed it would have been best to keep a minimum of 2,500 troops in the country. In an August interview, Biden denied his commanders had recommended keeping 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. Taliban took power in a lightning offensive in August after all US troops withdrew from the country. This caused fall of former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's government. This led to a frenzied evacuation effort of foreign diplomats and Afghan civilians. Also Read | 35 terror attacks, 52 deaths in August: Taliban victory in Afghanistan fuels terrorism in Pakistan Milley, Austin, and General Frank McKenzie of U.S. Central Command all acknowledged being caught off-guard by the speed of the Taliban takeover following the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul. Republican lawmakers accused President Joe Biden of lying about recommendations from his military that some troops should be kept in the country. And even Biden's Democrats expressed frustration with the withdrawal that left U.S. troops dead and American citizens behind. Also Read | Taliban brutally kill child after suspecting father belonged to Afghan resistance forces Milley refused to be drawn on whether Biden had lied when pressed by Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. "I'm not going to categorise a statement of the President of the United States," Milley said. Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that the US would have been at war with the Taliban had it maintained 2500 troops in Afghanistan. He comments came as she tried to clarify apparent difference between the stance taken by US President Joe Biden and his military advisers. Also Read | Ban on saloon, girls’ education & return of public executions: Is Afghanistan going back in time? US Secretary pf Defence Lloyd Austin praised US personnel who helped airlift 124,000 Afghans out of the country. But Milley acknowledged that while the evacuation effort was a logistical accomplishment, the U.S. withdrawal was a "strategic defeat" that left the Taliban back in power. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden was advised to keep 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, say top US generals

Liberal Democrats dug in on Tuesday against voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill this week, angrily rejecting a decision by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to push the bill forward before the party could resolve bitter disagreements over a sprawling social policy and climate package.

The day after Pelosi signaled she would follow through with a Thursday vote on the infrastructure plan, the backlash reflected deep mistrust in the Democratic ranks that is threatening to derail President Joe Biden’s domestic policy agenda.

At the heart of the impasse was a lack of clarity from moderate and conservative Democrats about what they would accept in the broader social safety net package, which has hamstrung negotiations led by Biden and Democratic congressional leaders to unify the party around a plan that can pass both chambers. Without a compromise, progressives say they cannot support the smaller, Senate-passed infrastructure plan, which omits many of their top priorities.

“Let me be clear: bringing the so-called bipartisan infrastructure plan to a vote without the #BuildBackBetter Act at the same time is a betrayal,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., said on Twitter on Tuesday. “We will hold the line and vote it down.”

Pelosi initially said the House would not take up the infrastructure plan until after the broader bill had passed. But in recent days, she has effectively decoupled the two bills, saying the party needed more time to resolve its differences over the proposed $3.5 trillion social policy plan, which conservative-leaning Democrats have called too costly.

“There was an intervention, as you know, in the past week or 10 days, of saying, ‘Well, we can’t go there,’” Pelosi said after a morning meeting with her caucus. “We’ll see what that is, and hopefully it will measure, it will reach the level that we need in order to pass both bills.”

“We will pass both bills,” she concluded.

Biden has been negotiating privately with some of the prime holdouts and met at the White House on Tuesday with two of them, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin III of West Virginia. In the evening, the president canceled a Wednesday trip to Chicago, which was intended to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, so he could remain focused on brokering an agreement on his economic agenda.

Democrats are pushing through the social safety net package using the fast-track reconciliation process to shield it from a filibuster. But with slim margins of control in both chambers and Republicans unified in opposition, Democratic leaders must keep all their senators united in favor, and they can afford to lose as few as three votes in the House.

Senior White House officials worked feverishly on Tuesday to unite Democrats around both the infrastructure bill and the reconciliation plan, meeting with key lawmakers and staff members in an attempt to forge a compromise between moderates and progressives. Biden held a series of meetings at the White House, as well as calls with progressives, an administration official said.

A White House adviser said Biden and his team were working through the often competing positions that Democrats in various factions have staked out. On Capitol Hill, moderate Democrats remained confident that enough Republicans would support the infrastructure bill to allow it to clear the House, sending the legislation to Biden’s desk.

But liberals held firm, and received some high-profile encouragement from across the Capitol. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who leads the Senate Budget Committee, issued a fiery statement encouraging liberals to remain united in their stance.

“If there was a framework that addressed the major issues that we are fighting for in reconciliation, if there was a serious top line — I believe of $3.5 trillion — and Manchin and Sinema were 100% in agreement they would support that as we work out the fine details, that’s one thing,” Sanders said in an interview. “We’re not there yet, and it is upsetting to me that, as I understand it, they go to the White House and still nothing is happening. So I think it’s premature at this point to be passing the infrastructure bill.”

Lawmakers in both chambers have said they hope to quickly iron out the remaining differences between the moderate and liberal factions of their party, although many of the specific demands from the holdouts remain unclear. Pelosi has privately reiterated that she would not take up a reconciliation bill that could not pass the Senate.

But she told Democrats that she wanted to leave time for continued negotiations on it and as of Tuesday afternoon, it did not appear that a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure legislation would be delayed. That bill includes $550 billion in new funds over 10 years and maintains a series of key transportation programs set to lapse with the end of the fiscal year on Thursday.

“Man, holding one hostage over the other is not fair — it’s not right, it’s not good for the country,” Manchin said after his afternoon meeting at the White House, when pressed on his position and the vote conundrum in the House.

“You have to have trust a little bit, you know. Everybody’s not going to get what they want,” he added. “But let’s find out what the country needs.”

Both Manchin and Sinema have become a main target of liberal ire, having refused to publicly commit to an overall price tag after openly opposing a final $3.5 trillion package. Moderates in the House have also raised a wide variety of reservations about the scope of the legislation, leaving Democratic leaders with a complex web of issues that have frustrated efforts to reach a deal.

Sinema, for example, has privately expressed concern about current proposals for tax increases on wealthy people and corporations, while Manchin and others have floated the possibility of trimming back some of the spending.

“I think we just need them to say what’s the top line over there, which there’s always been a bit of reticence about saying,” said Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Without assurances from Senate moderates that they would embrace key components of the reconciliation legislation, progressives said they would not be comfortable backing the infrastructure measure.

“I think we’re in a situation where there’s a lot of needless hostage-taking — we can support everyone’s agenda here,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. “The idea that we must split them apart or have them on different dates is an artificial construct in order to take people’s child care away.”

“Realigning these two votes will bring our party together,” she told reporters.

Even as they worked to keep both pieces of Biden’s agenda on track, Democratic leaders were confronting two more urgent fiscal deadlines: the lapse of government funding at midnight on Thursday and the breach of the federal debt ceiling, which would cause a default. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the deadline to avoid a default could come as early as Oct. 18, narrowing the window of time for Congress to act.

Senate Republicans on Monday blocked an emergency spending bill that would have lifted the statutory limit on federal borrowing, forcing Democratic leaders to consider a new strategy for averting a fiscal crisis. On Tuesday, they blocked another procedural attempt by Senate Democrats to avoid a filibuster and raise the debt ceiling.

Republicans have demanded that Democrats use the reconciliation process to raise the debt ceiling. But the maneuver would be complex and time-consuming, and House Democrats were considering taking up a separate bill raising the debt limit as early as Wednesday to continue pressuring the GOP on the issue.

Liberal Democrats dug in on Tuesday against voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill this week, angrily rejecting a decision by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to push the bill forward before the party could resolve bitter disagreements over a sprawling social policy and climate package.

Liberal Democrats dug in on Tuesday against voting for a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill this week, angrily rejecting a decision by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to push the bill forward before the party could resolve bitter disagreements over a sprawling social policy and climate package. The day after Pelosi signaled she would follow through with a Thursday vote on the infrastructure plan, the backlash reflected deep mistrust in the Democratic ranks that is threatening to derail President Joe Biden’s domestic policy agenda. At the heart of the impasse was a lack of clarity from moderate and conservative Democrats about what they would accept in the broader social safety net package, which has hamstrung negotiations led by Biden and Democratic congressional leaders to unify the party around a plan that can pass both chambers. Without a compromise, progressives say they cannot support the smaller, Senate-passed infrastructure plan, which omits many of their top priorities. “Let me be clear: bringing the so-called bipartisan infrastructure plan to a vote without the #BuildBackBetter Act at the same time is a betrayal,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., said on Twitter on Tuesday. “We will hold the line and vote it down.” Pelosi initially said the House would not take up the infrastructure plan until after the broader bill had passed. But in recent days, she has effectively decoupled the two bills, saying the party needed more time to resolve its differences over the proposed $3.5 trillion social policy plan, which conservative-leaning Democrats have called too costly. “There was an intervention, as you know, in the past week or 10 days, of saying, ‘Well, we can’t go there,’” Pelosi said after a morning meeting with her caucus. “We’ll see what that is, and hopefully it will measure, it will reach the level that we need in order to pass both bills.” “We will pass both bills,” she concluded. Biden has been negotiating privately with some of the prime holdouts and met at the White House on Tuesday with two of them, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin III of West Virginia. In the evening, the president canceled a Wednesday trip to Chicago, which was intended to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, so he could remain focused on brokering an agreement on his economic agenda. Democrats are pushing through the social safety net package using the fast-track reconciliation process to shield it from a filibuster. But with slim margins of control in both chambers and Republicans unified in opposition, Democratic leaders must keep all their senators united in favor, and they can afford to lose as few as three votes in the House. Senior White House officials worked feverishly on Tuesday to unite Democrats around both the infrastructure bill and the reconciliation plan, meeting with key lawmakers and staff members in an attempt to forge a compromise between moderates and progressives. Biden held a series of meetings at the White House, as well as calls with progressives, an administration official said. A White House adviser said Biden and his team were working through the often competing positions that Democrats in various factions have staked out. On Capitol Hill, moderate Democrats remained confident that enough Republicans would support the infrastructure bill to allow it to clear the House, sending the legislation to Biden’s desk. But liberals held firm, and received some high-profile encouragement from across the Capitol. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who leads the Senate Budget Committee, issued a fiery statement encouraging liberals to remain united in their stance. “If there was a framework that addressed the major issues that we are fighting for in reconciliation, if there was a serious top line — I believe of $3.5 trillion — and Manchin and Sinema were 100% in agreement they would support that as we work out the fine details, that’s one thing,” Sanders said in an interview. “We’re not there yet, and it is upsetting to me that, as I understand it, they go to the White House and still nothing is happening. So I think it’s premature at this point to be passing the infrastructure bill.” Lawmakers in both chambers have said they hope to quickly iron out the remaining differences between the moderate and liberal factions of their party, although many of the specific demands from the holdouts remain unclear. Pelosi has privately reiterated that she would not take up a reconciliation bill that could not pass the Senate. But she told Democrats that she wanted to leave time for continued negotiations on it and as of Tuesday afternoon, it did not appear that a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure legislation would be delayed. That bill includes $550 billion in new funds over 10 years and maintains a series of key transportation programs set to lapse with the end of the fiscal year on Thursday. “Man, holding one hostage over the other is not fair — it’s not right, it’s not good for the country,” Manchin said after his afternoon meeting at the White House, when pressed on his position and the vote conundrum in the House. “You have to have trust a little bit, you know. Everybody’s not going to get what they want,” he added. “But let’s find out what the country needs.” Both Manchin and Sinema have become a main target of liberal ire, having refused to publicly commit to an overall price tag after openly opposing a final $3.5 trillion package. Moderates in the House have also raised a wide variety of reservations about the scope of the legislation, leaving Democratic leaders with a complex web of issues that have frustrated efforts to reach a deal. Sinema, for example, has privately expressed concern about current proposals for tax increases on wealthy people and corporations, while Manchin and others have floated the possibility of trimming back some of the spending. “I think we just need them to say what’s the top line over there, which there’s always been a bit of reticence about saying,” said Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Without assurances from Senate moderates that they would embrace key components of the reconciliation legislation, progressives said they would not be comfortable backing the infrastructure measure. “I think we’re in a situation where there’s a lot of needless hostage-taking — we can support everyone’s agenda here,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. “The idea that we must split them apart or have them on different dates is an artificial construct in order to take people’s child care away.” “Realigning these two votes will bring our party together,” she told reporters. Even as they worked to keep both pieces of Biden’s agenda on track, Democratic leaders were confronting two more urgent fiscal deadlines: the lapse of government funding at midnight on Thursday and the breach of the federal debt ceiling, which would cause a default. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the deadline to avoid a default could come as early as Oct. 18, narrowing the window of time for Congress to act. Senate Republicans on Monday blocked an emergency spending bill that would have lifted the statutory limit on federal borrowing, forcing Democratic leaders to consider a new strategy for averting a fiscal crisis. On Tuesday, they blocked another procedural attempt by Senate Democrats to avoid a filibuster and raise the debt ceiling. Republicans have demanded that Democrats use the reconciliation process to raise the debt ceiling. But the maneuver would be complex and time-consuming, and House Democrats were considering taking up a separate bill raising the debt limit as early as Wednesday to continue pressuring the GOP on the issue.

Liberals dig in against infrastructure bill as party divisions persist

Lava from an erupting volcano in the Canary Islands has reached the ocean, volcanologists said, raising fear of toxic gases being released as the lava hits the sea water.

The regional government of the Spanish archipelago had already declared an exclusion zone of two nautical miles around where the lava was expected to enter the Atlantic and asked nearby residents to stay at home.

"The lava flow has reached the sea at Playa Nueva," the Canary Islands Volcanic Institute (Involcan) said on Twitter Tuesday night.

La Cumbre Vieja volcano, which straddles a southern ridge in La Palma, an island with 85,000 inhabitants, erupted on September 19, spewing out rivers of lava that have slowly crept towards the sea.

Residents of several areas of Tazacorte, a village near the coast, were told Monday to stay at home to avoid harm from the release of toxic gases that can take place due to a reaction between molten lava and water.&nbsp;

On Tuesday afternoon, the slow-moving lava flow, which has varied in speed over the past few days, even halting at one point, was still around 800 metres (half a mile) from the coast, making it impossible to predict when it would reach the ocean.

Residents were warned to stay home due to "the possibility that there will be a small shock when the magma enters the sea water, and that this small shock causes vapours which can be toxic," stressed Miguel Angel Morcuende, technical director of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca).

Experts say the entry of lava into the seawater will send clouds of toxic gas into the air, causing explosions and a fragmentation of the molten rock like gunshots.&nbsp;

"Inhalation or contact with acid gases and liquids can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and may cause breathing difficulties, especially in people with pre-existing respiratory diseases," Involcan warned.

A state of natural disaster has been declared on the island, where the molten rock has so far scorched its way across more than 258 hectares (640 acres) of land and destroyed 589 properties -- not all of them homes, according to the European Union's Copernicus Earth Observation Programme.

The government earlier Tuesday released 10.5 million euros ($12.3 million) in aid for victims of the eruption, in particular to buy housing for those whose homes were engulfed in lava.

The eruption has forced the evacuation of more than 6,000 people from their homes but has not killed or injured anyone so far.

The island of La Palma lives mainly from the cultivation of bananas and tourism.

Lava from an erupting volcano in the Canary Islands has reached the ocean, volcanologists said, raising fear of toxic gases being released as the lava hits the sea water.

Lava from an erupting volcano in the Canary Islands has reached the ocean, volcanologists said, raising fear of toxic gases being released as the lava hits the sea water. The regional government of the Spanish archipelago had already declared an exclusion zone of two nautical miles around where the lava was expected to enter the Atlantic and asked nearby residents to stay at home. "The lava flow has reached the sea at Playa Nueva," the Canary Islands Volcanic Institute (Involcan) said on Twitter Tuesday night. La Cumbre Vieja volcano, which straddles a southern ridge in La Palma, an island with 85,000 inhabitants, erupted on September 19, spewing out rivers of lava that have slowly crept towards the sea. Residents of several areas of Tazacorte, a village near the coast, were told Monday to stay at home to avoid harm from the release of toxic gases that can take place due to a reaction between molten lava and water. On Tuesday afternoon, the slow-moving lava flow, which has varied in speed over the past few days, even halting at one point, was still around 800 metres (half a mile) from the coast, making it impossible to predict when it would reach the ocean. Residents were warned to stay home due to "the possibility that there will be a small shock when the magma enters the sea water, and that this small shock causes vapours which can be toxic," stressed Miguel Angel Morcuende, technical director of the Canary Islands Volcanic Emergency Plan (Pevolca). Experts say the entry of lava into the seawater will send clouds of toxic gas into the air, causing explosions and a fragmentation of the molten rock like gunshots. "Inhalation or contact with acid gases and liquids can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and may cause breathing difficulties, especially in people with pre-existing respiratory diseases," Involcan warned. A state of natural disaster has been declared on the island, where the molten rock has so far scorched its way across more than 258 hectares (640 acres) of land and destroyed 589 properties -- not all of them homes, according to the European Union's Copernicus Earth Observation Programme. The government earlier Tuesday released 10.5 million euros ($12.3 million) in aid for victims of the eruption, in particular to buy housing for those whose homes were engulfed in lava. The eruption has forced the evacuation of more than 6,000 people from their homes but has not killed or injured anyone so far. The island of La Palma lives mainly from the cultivation of bananas and tourism.

Canaries volcano lava reaches sea, raising toxic gas fears

US&nbsp;startup Lucid Group Inc said on Tuesday it will start delivering luxury electric sedans with a Tesla-beating driving range in late October, posing a major challenge to the market leader whose sales of premium models have stagnated.

The California-based Lucid began production of its long-delayed Lucid Air cars at its Arizona factory on Tuesday, and said it aims to ramp plant's capacity up to 90,000 vehicles per annum in the next two years.

The top-end Lucid Air Dream Edition will be available in late October, followed by less expensive models: Grand Touring, Touring and Air Pure. The company said it has received more than 13,000 reservations for Lucid Air models, and it has increased the planned total production of the Lucid Air Dream Edition to 520 vehicles.

A version of the Lucid Air Dream Edition, priced at $169,000, received an official U.S. government rating of a 520-mile (837 km) driving range, over 100 miles more than its closest rival, Tesla's Model S, which is priced at $89,990. The higher range helped lead to a 23% jump in Lucid's shares this month.

Speaking at the production site, Lucid Chief Executive Officer Peter Rawlinson, a former chief engineer on the Tesla Model S, said his company's cars have an advantage in battery technology and costs over the Model S.

"We've ridden customers of the fear of range anxiety," he said. "The next big obstacle is cost effectiveness of electric cars. We've got to get the cost down."

He said the Air Pure, the least expensive version with a price tag of $77,400, will go into production late next year.

EXECUTION CHALLENGE

The company, founded in 2007, received funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in 2018 before going public via a shell company https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lucidmotors-m-a-churchill-cap-iv-excl/exclusive-lucid-motors-nears-spac-deal-as-klein-launches-financing-sources-idUSKBN2AG2D6 in July.

"(20)17 and (20)18 were brutal. The company was in a parlous state. And then I've got to say, we met a perfect partner," he said.

Rawlinson, who left Tesla in 2012, faces tasks similar to those of Tesla in its early days, including how to address manufacturing challenges and scale up production.

"I think the big challenge for Lucid will be execution," said Sam Abuelsamid, a principal analyst at Guidehouse Insights. "I think that they have a very good car. It's very attractive."

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in June that Tesla has canceled its plan to launch a Model S Plaid+, with a target driving range of 520 miles, saying the Model S Plaid itself is "just so good"&nbsp;

Musk reiterated this month that "production is hard".

"Production with positive cash flow is extremely hard," he said, citing carmakers' razor-thin margins.

Tesla's combined sales of Model S and Model X luxury models stood at only 1,890 in the second quarter of this year, down from 22,300 during the same period three years ago. Tesla does not break out figures for the two high-end models.

"The Model S doesn't look fundamentally different from a Model S nine years ago," Abuelsamid said. "In the premium market, customers are looking for the latest and greatest."

Musk in October 2020 cut the price of its Model S, shortly after Lucid announced the pricing of its base model. "The gauntlet has been thrown down! The prophecy will be fulfilled," he tweeted at that time.

Electric vehicle maker Rivian, backed by Amazon.com Inc and now preparing for a public stock listing, earlier this month started production of electric pickup trucks. That move came ahead of similar expected moves by Tesla, General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co. 
&nbsp;

US startup Lucid Group Inc said on Tuesday it will start delivering luxury electric sedans with a Tesla-beating driving range in late October, posing a major challenge to the market leader whose sales of premium models have stagnated.

US startup Lucid Group Inc said on Tuesday it will start delivering luxury electric sedans with a Tesla-beating driving range in late October, posing a major challenge to the market leader whose sales of premium models have stagnated. The California-based Lucid began production of its long-delayed Lucid Air cars at its Arizona factory on Tuesday, and said it aims to ramp plant's capacity up to 90,000 vehicles per annum in the next two years. The top-end Lucid Air Dream Edition will be available in late October, followed by less expensive models: Grand Touring, Touring and Air Pure. The company said it has received more than 13,000 reservations for Lucid Air models, and it has increased the planned total production of the Lucid Air Dream Edition to 520 vehicles. A version of the Lucid Air Dream Edition, priced at $169,000, received an official U.S. government rating of a 520-mile (837 km) driving range, over 100 miles more than its closest rival, Tesla's Model S, which is priced at $89,990. The higher range helped lead to a 23% jump in Lucid's shares this month. Speaking at the production site, Lucid Chief Executive Officer Peter Rawlinson, a former chief engineer on the Tesla Model S, said his company's cars have an advantage in battery technology and costs over the Model S. "We've ridden customers of the fear of range anxiety," he said. "The next big obstacle is cost effectiveness of electric cars. We've got to get the cost down." He said the Air Pure, the least expensive version with a price tag of $77,400, will go into production late next year. EXECUTION CHALLENGE The company, founded in 2007, received funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in 2018 before going public via a shell company https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lucidmotors-m-a-churchill-cap-iv-excl/exclusive-lucid-motors-nears-spac-deal-as-klein-launches-financing-sources-idUSKBN2AG2D6 in July. "(20)17 and (20)18 were brutal. The company was in a parlous state. And then I've got to say, we met a perfect partner," he said. Rawlinson, who left Tesla in 2012, faces tasks similar to those of Tesla in its early days, including how to address manufacturing challenges and scale up production. "I think the big challenge for Lucid will be execution," said Sam Abuelsamid, a principal analyst at Guidehouse Insights. "I think that they have a very good car. It's very attractive." Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in June that Tesla has canceled its plan to launch a Model S Plaid+, with a target driving range of 520 miles, saying the Model S Plaid itself is "just so good" Musk reiterated this month that "production is hard". "Production with positive cash flow is extremely hard," he said, citing carmakers' razor-thin margins. Tesla's combined sales of Model S and Model X luxury models stood at only 1,890 in the second quarter of this year, down from 22,300 during the same period three years ago. Tesla does not break out figures for the two high-end models. "The Model S doesn't look fundamentally different from a Model S nine years ago," Abuelsamid said. "In the premium market, customers are looking for the latest and greatest." Musk in October 2020 cut the price of its Model S, shortly after Lucid announced the pricing of its base model. "The gauntlet has been thrown down! The prophecy will be fulfilled," he tweeted at that time. Electric vehicle maker Rivian, backed by Amazon.com Inc and now preparing for a public stock listing, earlier this month started production of electric pickup trucks. That move came ahead of similar expected moves by Tesla, General Motors Co and Ford Motor Co.

Lucid to start deliveries of electric cars with range exceeding Tesla's in October

Nearly 30 prisoners were killed in a battle between inmates equipped with firearms and grenades at a prison in Ecuador's largest city Tuesday, officials said.

It was the latest in a series of deadly prison clashes between rival drug gangs that have killed over 100 inmates this year.

Ecuador's attorney general's office said on Twitter it was investigating the deaths of 29 convicts at the Litoral Penitentiary in the city of Guayaquil, including six who were beheaded.

Officials gave conflicting statements on how many inmates were wounded, with the attorney general's office saying 42 while the national prison bureau earlier put that number at 48.

President Guillermo Lasso retweeted an announcement from the prison bureau saying order "has been restored at the Littoral Penitentiary after the Tuesday incidents."

Ecuador's prison system has become a battleground between prisoners linked to Mexican drug gangs -- mainly the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.

Guayaquil, Ecuador's main port city, is a major hub for shipping South American cocaine north, especially to the United States.

Last week police confiscated two pistols, a revolver, some 500 rounds of ammunition, a hand grenade, several knives, two sticks of dynamite and homemade explosives at one of the city's prisons.

Two weeks ago, Guayaquil's Prison Number 4 was attacked by drones, part of "a war between international cartels," prison authorities said. There were no casualties in the attack.

Ecuador's prison system has about 60 facilities designed for 29,000 inmates, but is burdened by overcrowding and staffing shortages.

The country's human rights ombudsman said there were 103 killings in prisons in 2020.

27 inmates died in prison riots in two jails in July, in an incident that forced the government to declare a state of emergency.

Nearly 30 prisoners were killed in a battle between inmates equipped with firearms and grenades at a prison in Ecuador's largest city Tuesday, officials said. It was the latest in a series of deadly prison clashes between rival drug gangs that have killed over 100 inmates this year.

Nearly 30 prisoners were killed in a battle between inmates equipped with firearms and grenades at a prison in Ecuador's largest city Tuesday, officials said. It was the latest in a series of deadly prison clashes between rival drug gangs that have killed over 100 inmates this year. Ecuador's attorney general's office said on Twitter it was investigating the deaths of 29 convicts at the Litoral Penitentiary in the city of Guayaquil, including six who were beheaded. Officials gave conflicting statements on how many inmates were wounded, with the attorney general's office saying 42 while the national prison bureau earlier put that number at 48. President Guillermo Lasso retweeted an announcement from the prison bureau saying order "has been restored at the Littoral Penitentiary after the Tuesday incidents." Ecuador's prison system has become a battleground between prisoners linked to Mexican drug gangs -- mainly the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. Guayaquil, Ecuador's main port city, is a major hub for shipping South American cocaine north, especially to the United States. Last week police confiscated two pistols, a revolver, some 500 rounds of ammunition, a hand grenade, several knives, two sticks of dynamite and homemade explosives at one of the city's prisons. Two weeks ago, Guayaquil's Prison Number 4 was attacked by drones, part of "a war between international cartels," prison authorities said. There were no casualties in the attack. Ecuador's prison system has about 60 facilities designed for 29,000 inmates, but is burdened by overcrowding and staffing shortages. The country's human rights ombudsman said there were 103 killings in prisons in 2020. 27 inmates died in prison riots in two jails in July, in an incident that forced the government to declare a state of emergency.

29 dead in Ecuador's latest prison violence: officials

Amazon announced a dog-like household robot called Astro and also a deal with Disney to imbue its voice-controlled tech in resorts. The company is taking steps to make its virtual assistant Alexa bigger part of consumers' lives.&nbsp;

The robot is designed to monitor home, set up routines and reminders. It can also play music and TV shows as it moved around the house.

The device has digital eyes on a rotating screen mounted on wheels.

<img alt="Amazon Astro" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0c93d9ca-866d-49ea-9ffc-faa1a278f97c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2021-09-28T205953Z_1_LYNXMPEH8R16X_RTROPTP_4_AMAZON-COM-DEVICES.JPG" />

Among other launches from Amazon were smart thermostat, smart display Echo Show 15 and a new health-tracking band called Halo View.

The Echo Show 15 can be mounted on a wall and is powered with AZ2 Neural Edge, a processor that helps users personalize the screen.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/winged-microchip-us-scientists-create-smallest-ever-human-made-flying-structure-416477">Winged microchip: US scientists create smallest-ever human-made flying structure</a> 
 
In its push to appeal to the next generation of customers - kids - the company introduced Amazon Glow, a gadget for playing games, reading or drawing while on a video call.

In its partnership with Disney, it will launch an Alexa-powered voice assistant at Disney's theme park hotels, along with a paid feature that lets customers interact with Disney characters at home.

The feature is expected to launch next year and will let users interact with Disney characters with the 'Hey, Disney!' voice command.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amazon announced a dog-like household robot called Astro and also a deal with Disney to imbue its voice-controlled tech in resorts. The company is taking steps to make its virtual assistant Alexa bigger part of consumers' lives.

Amazon announced a dog-like household robot called Astro and also a deal with Disney to imbue its voice-controlled tech in resorts. The company is taking steps to make its virtual assistant Alexa bigger part of consumers' lives. The robot is designed to monitor home, set up routines and reminders. It can also play music and TV shows as it moved around the house. The device has digital eyes on a rotating screen mounted on wheels. Among other launches from Amazon were smart thermostat, smart display Echo Show 15 and a new health-tracking band called Halo View. The Echo Show 15 can be mounted on a wall and is powered with AZ2 Neural Edge, a processor that helps users personalize the screen. Also Read | Winged microchip: US scientists create smallest-ever human-made flying structure In its push to appeal to the next generation of customers - kids - the company introduced Amazon Glow, a gadget for playing games, reading or drawing while on a video call. In its partnership with Disney, it will launch an Alexa-powered voice assistant at Disney's theme park hotels, along with a paid feature that lets customers interact with Disney characters at home. The feature is expected to launch next year and will let users interact with Disney characters with the 'Hey, Disney!' voice command. (With inputs from agencies)

Amazon launches dog-like robot that can monitor your home

Myanmar's currency has lost more than 60% of its value since the beginning of September in a collapse that has driven up food and fuel prices in an economy that has tanked since a military coup eight months ago.

"This will rattle the generals as they are quite obsessed with the kyat rate as a broader barometer of the economy, and therefore a reflection on them," Richard Horsey, a Myanmar expert at the International Crisis Group, said.

In August, the Central Bank of Myanmar tried tethering the kyat 0.8% either side of its reference rate against the dollar, but gave up on Sept. 10 as pressure on the exchange rate mounted.

The shortage of dollars has become so bad that some money changers have pulled down their shutters.

"Due to the currency price instability at the moment...all Northern Breeze Exchange Service branches are temporarily closed," the money changer said on Facebook.

Those still operating were quoting a rate of 2,700 kyat per dollar on Tuesday, compared to 1,695 on Sept. 1 and 1,395 back on Feb.1 when the military overthrew a democratically elected government led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a report published on Monday, the World Bank predicted the economy would slump by 18% this year, partly due to the pandemic, and said Myanmar would see the biggest contraction in employment in the region and the number of poor in the country would rise.

The increasing economic pressures come amid signs of an upsurge in bloodshed, as armed militias have become bolder in clashes with the army after months of protests and strikes by opponents of the junta.

"The worse the political situation is, the worse the currency rate will be," said a senior executive at a Myanmar bank, who declined to be named.

Myanmar is also struggling to deal with a second wave of coronavirus cases that started in June with the response by authorities crippled after many health workers joined protests. Reported cases have comes off their highs though the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear.

Stay at home orders in some townships have been withdrawn, but are still in effect in some areas.

In the immediate months after the Feb. 1 coup, many people queued up to withdraw savings from banks and some bought gold, but a jewellery merchant in Yangon said many desperate people were now trying to sell their gold back.

The central bank gave no reason to why it abandoned its managed float strategy earlier this month, but analysts believe its foreign currency reserves must be seriously depleted.

Central bank officials did not answer calls seeking comment on how much foreign currency was left, but World Bank data shows it had just $7.67 billion in reserves at the end of 2020.

After coming off its managed float, the central bank still spent $65 million, buying kyat at a rate of 1,750 to 1,755 per dollar between Sept. 13-27.

The bank executive said the central bank's efforts had limited impact in a currency market shorn of confidence.

The economic crisis has driven up the price of staples, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said this week that around three million people now require humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, up from one million before the coup.

A 48-kilogram bag of rice costs 48,000 kyat, up nearly 40% since the coup, while gasoline prices have nearly doubled to 1,445 kyat per litre.

The crisis is also hurting businesses, particularly those needing to import raw materials. A plastic bag manufacturer in Yangon said he had been forced to increase prices and sales had dropped about 30%.

Per capita gross domestic product was just $1,400 last year, and Zaw, a resident in Yangon who asked to use only part of his name, was under no illusion about where Myanmar was heading.

"People will become poorer."

Myanmar's currency has lost more than 60% of its value since the beginning of September in a collapse that has driven up food and fuel prices in an economy that has tanked since a military coup eight months ago.

Myanmar's currency has lost more than 60% of its value since the beginning of September in a collapse that has driven up food and fuel prices in an economy that has tanked since a military coup eight months ago. "This will rattle the generals as they are quite obsessed with the kyat rate as a broader barometer of the economy, and therefore a reflection on them," Richard Horsey, a Myanmar expert at the International Crisis Group, said. In August, the Central Bank of Myanmar tried tethering the kyat 0.8% either side of its reference rate against the dollar, but gave up on Sept. 10 as pressure on the exchange rate mounted. The shortage of dollars has become so bad that some money changers have pulled down their shutters. "Due to the currency price instability at the moment...all Northern Breeze Exchange Service branches are temporarily closed," the money changer said on Facebook. Those still operating were quoting a rate of 2,700 kyat per dollar on Tuesday, compared to 1,695 on Sept. 1 and 1,395 back on Feb.1 when the military overthrew a democratically elected government led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. In a report published on Monday, the World Bank predicted the economy would slump by 18% this year, partly due to the pandemic, and said Myanmar would see the biggest contraction in employment in the region and the number of poor in the country would rise. The increasing economic pressures come amid signs of an upsurge in bloodshed, as armed militias have become bolder in clashes with the army after months of protests and strikes by opponents of the junta. "The worse the political situation is, the worse the currency rate will be," said a senior executive at a Myanmar bank, who declined to be named. Myanmar is also struggling to deal with a second wave of coronavirus cases that started in June with the response by authorities crippled after many health workers joined protests. Reported cases have comes off their highs though the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear. Stay at home orders in some townships have been withdrawn, but are still in effect in some areas. In the immediate months after the Feb. 1 coup, many people queued up to withdraw savings from banks and some bought gold, but a jewellery merchant in Yangon said many desperate people were now trying to sell their gold back. The central bank gave no reason to why it abandoned its managed float strategy earlier this month, but analysts believe its foreign currency reserves must be seriously depleted. Central bank officials did not answer calls seeking comment on how much foreign currency was left, but World Bank data shows it had just $7.67 billion in reserves at the end of 2020. After coming off its managed float, the central bank still spent $65 million, buying kyat at a rate of 1,750 to 1,755 per dollar between Sept. 13-27. The bank executive said the central bank's efforts had limited impact in a currency market shorn of confidence. The economic crisis has driven up the price of staples, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said this week that around three million people now require humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, up from one million before the coup. A 48-kilogram bag of rice costs 48,000 kyat, up nearly 40% since the coup, while gasoline prices have nearly doubled to 1,445 kyat per litre. The crisis is also hurting businesses, particularly those needing to import raw materials. A plastic bag manufacturer in Yangon said he had been forced to increase prices and sales had dropped about 30%. Per capita gross domestic product was just $1,400 last year, and Zaw, a resident in Yangon who asked to use only part of his name, was under no illusion about where Myanmar was heading. "People will become poorer."

Myanmar's junta powerless as currency drops 60% in four weeks, economy tanks

Fuel Crisis in the United Kingdom has hit headlines everywhere in the world. And the country is being trolled, maybe on social media but definitely on Russian media. The presenters and reporters have, sometimes smiling, have likened it to Soviet Russia where scarcity of everyday items or even foodstuffs was almost a norm

“The queues for petrol pumps are like those for sausage that was in short supply in the Soviet Union,” said a presenter on NTV. The new channel is known to be pro-Kremlin and is owned by Gazprom, the Russian gas giant.

An NTV correspondent from London smiled as she held up The Times newspaper and showed headlines on fuel crisis

“There is no petrol, there are only newspapers, which say that the petrol is all gone. Last week they wrote that the food had run out,” she said. “I wonder what will run out next here?”

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/truckers-shortage-forces-uk-to-mull-army-deployment-to-ease-gas-crunch-at-pumps-416462">Truckers' shortage forces UK to mull army deployment to ease gas crunch at pumps &nbsp;</a>

On Wednesday (September 29), long queues were seen again at gas stations all over London. Strain on fuel supply continues in spite of UK PM Boris Johnson saying that the situation was improving. Many petrol stations had run out of fuel.

<img alt="UK fuel crisis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7c122324-8aaf-4e42-872f-88354e5a802b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2021-09-28T124146Z_1_LYNXMPEH8R0NY_RTROPTP_4_BRITAIN-TRUCKERS.JPG" />

Panic buying has left petrol stations across major cities in Britain dry. Oil companies have said that they did not have enough truck drivers to move fuel from refineries to filling stations.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-royal-mint-launches-gold-bar-featuring-lakshmi-hindu-goddess-of-wealth-416553">UK Royal Mint launches gold bar featuring Lakshmi, Hindu Goddess of wealth</a>

The government has put 150 British army tanker drivers on standby, and media reports suggested they could be deployed in the next few days.

Industry groups said the worst of the fuel shortages seemed to be in London, the southeast and other English cities.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fuel Crisis in the United Kingdom has hit headlines everywhere in the world. And the country is being trolled, maybe on social media but definitely on Russian media.

Fuel Crisis in the United Kingdom has hit headlines everywhere in the world. And the country is being trolled, maybe on social media but definitely on Russian media. The presenters and reporters have, sometimes smiling, have likened it to Soviet Russia where scarcity of everyday items or even foodstuffs was almost a norm “The queues for petrol pumps are like those for sausage that was in short supply in the Soviet Union,” said a presenter on NTV. The new channel is known to be pro-Kremlin and is owned by Gazprom, the Russian gas giant. An NTV correspondent from London smiled as she held up The Times newspaper and showed headlines on fuel crisis “There is no petrol, there are only newspapers, which say that the petrol is all gone. Last week they wrote that the food had run out,” she said. “I wonder what will run out next here?” Also Read | Truckers' shortage forces UK to mull army deployment to ease gas crunch at pumps On Wednesday (September 29), long queues were seen again at gas stations all over London. Strain on fuel supply continues in spite of UK PM Boris Johnson saying that the situation was improving. Many petrol stations had run out of fuel. Panic buying has left petrol stations across major cities in Britain dry. Oil companies have said that they did not have enough truck drivers to move fuel from refineries to filling stations. Also Read | UK Royal Mint launches gold bar featuring Lakshmi, Hindu Goddess of wealth The government has put 150 British army tanker drivers on standby, and media reports suggested they could be deployed in the next few days. Industry groups said the worst of the fuel shortages seemed to be in London, the southeast and other English cities. (With inputs from agencies)

Fuel crisis: Russian media mocks UK, compares it to Soviet Russia

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