<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-loses-parliamentary-majority-ahead-of-brexit-vote-247433">British lawmakers defeated Boris Johnson in parliament</a> on Tuesday in a bid to prevent him taking Britain out of the EU without a divorce agreement, prompting the prime minister to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election.

The government was defeated by 328 to 301 on a motion put forward by opposition parties and rebel lawmakers in Johnson`s party - who had been warned they would be kicked out of the Conservative Party if they defied the government.

More than three years after the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the European Union, the defeat leaves the course of Brexit unresolved, with possible outcomes still ranging from a turbulent `no-deal` exit to abandoning the whole endeavour.

Watch-- Brexit: Johnson government loses working majority ahead of crucial vote

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-gravitas-brexit-johnson-government-loses-working-majority-ahead-of-crucial-vote-247463/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Tuesday`s victory is only the first hurdle for lawmakers, enabling them to take control of parliamentary business.

On Wednesday they will seek to pass a law forcing Johnson to ask the EU to delay Brexit - for a third time - until January&nbsp;31 unless he has a deal approved by parliament beforehand on the terms and manner of the exit.

It puts Johnson in a similar bind to that faced by his predecessor Theresa May, who failed three times to get the backing of lawmakers for the Withdrawal Agreement that she had negotiated with the EU. Johnson took over from her six weeks ago with a promise that his more robust approach would force a better deal out of the EU that would satisfy parliament.&nbsp;

The 21 Conservative rebels who now face expulsion from the party include Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Britain`s World War Two leader Winston Churchill, and two former finance ministers - Philip Hammond and Kenneth Clarke.&nbsp;

"I don`t want an election, but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop negotiations and compel another pointless delay to Brexit, potentially for years, then that would be the only way to resolve this," Johnson told parliament after the vote.

"I can confirm that we are tonight tabling a motion under the Fixed Term Parliament Act."

Economic Disruption

In an historic showdown between prime minister and parliament, Johnson`s opponents said they wanted to prevent him playing Russian roulette with a country once touted as a confident pillar of Western economic and political stability.

They argue that nothing can justify the risk of a `no-deal` Brexit that would cut economic ties overnight with Britain`s biggest export market and inevitably bring huge economic dislocation.

Johnson cast the challenge as an attempt to force Britain to surrender to the EU just as he hopes to secure concessions on the terms of the divorce, helped by the threat to walk out without one. Ahead of the vote, he said would never accept another delay to Brexit beyond October&nbsp;31.&nbsp;

"Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels," Johnson said. "Because tomorrow’s bill would hand control of the negotiations to the EU."

Johnson`s government will now seek to hold a vote on Wednesday to approve an early election, most likely on October 14. This would pit the avowed Brexiteer against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist.&nbsp;

In the Brexit maelstrom, though, it was unclear whether opposition parties would support such a move - which requires the support of two-thirds of the 650-seat House of Commons.

Corbyn has long demanded an election as the best way out of the crisis, but many of those seeking to prevent a `no-deal` Brexit say Johnson could time the poll to ensure that parliament cannot prevent an October 31 departure - with or without a deal.

After the vote, Corbyn told Johnson that he must get the Brexit delay bill that will be discussed on Wednesday passed before trying to call an election. 
Divided Kingdom.

The 2016 Brexit referendum showed a United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fuelled soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism, empire and modern Britishness.

It has also triggered civil war inside both of Britain`s main political parties as dozens of lawmakers put what they see as the United Kingdom`s fate above that of party loyalty.

Just as Johnson began speaking, he lost his working majority in parliament when one of his own Conservative lawmakers, Phillip Lee, crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the pro-EU Liberal Democrats.

The pound, which has gyrated to the twists and turns of Brexit since the 2016 referendum and is highly sensitive to the prospect of a `no-deal` exit, had briefly dipped as low as $1.1959 before the vote in parliament. Barring a minutes-long "flash crash" in October 2016, sterling has not regularly traded at such low levels since 1985.&nbsp;

Fears of a `no-deal` Brexit were rising elsewhere.

The European Commission said such a scenario was a "very distinct possibility" and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was the most likely scenario.

In a document seen by Reuters, the European Commission set out proposals to be published on Wednesday to provide financial help for EU businesses, workers and farmers if Britain crashes out of the bloc without any agreement.

It restated its view that a `no-deal` divorce would hit the British economy much harder than that of the EU.

The UN trade agency UNCTAD said it would cost Britain at least $16 billion in lost exports to the EU, plus a further substantial sum in indirect costs.

The US investment bank JPMorgan said an election would make a no-deal Brexit more likely.

British lawmakers defeated Boris Johnson in parliament on Tuesday in a bid to prevent him taking Britain out of the EU without a divorce agreement, prompting the prime minister to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election.

British lawmakers defeated Boris Johnson in parliament on Tuesday in a bid to prevent him taking Britain out of the EU without a divorce agreement, prompting the prime minister to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election. The government was defeated by 328 to 301 on a motion put forward by opposition parties and rebel lawmakers in Johnson`s party - who had been warned they would be kicked out of the Conservative Party if they defied the government. More than three years after the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the European Union, the defeat leaves the course of Brexit unresolved, with possible outcomes still ranging from a turbulent `no-deal` exit to abandoning the whole endeavour. Watch-- Brexit: Johnson government loses working majority ahead of crucial vote × Tuesday`s victory is only the first hurdle for lawmakers, enabling them to take control of parliamentary business. On Wednesday they will seek to pass a law forcing Johnson to ask the EU to delay Brexit - for a third time - until January 31 unless he has a deal approved by parliament beforehand on the terms and manner of the exit. It puts Johnson in a similar bind to that faced by his predecessor Theresa May, who failed three times to get the backing of lawmakers for the Withdrawal Agreement that she had negotiated with the EU. Johnson took over from her six weeks ago with a promise that his more robust approach would force a better deal out of the EU that would satisfy parliament. The 21 Conservative rebels who now face expulsion from the party include Nicholas Soames, the grandson of Britain`s World War Two leader Winston Churchill, and two former finance ministers - Philip Hammond and Kenneth Clarke. "I don`t want an election, but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop negotiations and compel another pointless delay to Brexit, potentially for years, then that would be the only way to resolve this," Johnson told parliament after the vote. "I can confirm that we are tonight tabling a motion under the Fixed Term Parliament Act." Economic Disruption In an historic showdown between prime minister and parliament, Johnson`s opponents said they wanted to prevent him playing Russian roulette with a country once touted as a confident pillar of Western economic and political stability. They argue that nothing can justify the risk of a `no-deal` Brexit that would cut economic ties overnight with Britain`s biggest export market and inevitably bring huge economic dislocation. Johnson cast the challenge as an attempt to force Britain to surrender to the EU just as he hopes to secure concessions on the terms of the divorce, helped by the threat to walk out without one. Ahead of the vote, he said would never accept another delay to Brexit beyond October 31. "Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels," Johnson said. "Because tomorrow’s bill would hand control of the negotiations to the EU." Johnson`s government will now seek to hold a vote on Wednesday to approve an early election, most likely on October 14. This would pit the avowed Brexiteer against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist. In the Brexit maelstrom, though, it was unclear whether opposition parties would support such a move - which requires the support of two-thirds of the 650-seat House of Commons. Corbyn has long demanded an election as the best way out of the crisis, but many of those seeking to prevent a `no-deal` Brexit say Johnson could time the poll to ensure that parliament cannot prevent an October 31 departure - with or without a deal. After the vote, Corbyn told Johnson that he must get the Brexit delay bill that will be discussed on Wednesday passed before trying to call an election. Divided Kingdom. The 2016 Brexit referendum showed a United Kingdom divided about much more than the European Union, and has fuelled soul-searching about everything from secession and immigration to capitalism, empire and modern Britishness. It has also triggered civil war inside both of Britain`s main political parties as dozens of lawmakers put what they see as the United Kingdom`s fate above that of party loyalty. Just as Johnson began speaking, he lost his working majority in parliament when one of his own Conservative lawmakers, Phillip Lee, crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the pro-EU Liberal Democrats. The pound, which has gyrated to the twists and turns of Brexit since the 2016 referendum and is highly sensitive to the prospect of a `no-deal` exit, had briefly dipped as low as $1.1959 before the vote in parliament. Barring a minutes-long "flash crash" in October 2016, sterling has not regularly traded at such low levels since 1985. Fears of a `no-deal` Brexit were rising elsewhere. The European Commission said such a scenario was a "very distinct possibility" and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was the most likely scenario. In a document seen by Reuters, the European Commission set out proposals to be published on Wednesday to provide financial help for EU businesses, workers and farmers if Britain crashes out of the bloc without any agreement. It restated its view that a `no-deal` divorce would hit the British economy much harder than that of the EU. The UN trade agency UNCTAD said it would cost Britain at least $16 billion in lost exports to the EU, plus a further substantial sum in indirect costs. The US investment bank JPMorgan said an election would make a no-deal Brexit more likely.

Opponents of 'no-deal' Brexit defeat PM Johnson, who promises an election

Japanese government officials on Wednesday told diplomats they were still considering options for handling contaminated water at Tokyo Electric Power's wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant amid worries the water may be dumped into the ocean.

A massive body of tainted water - more than a million tons as of August - is building up at the plant, crippled by a 2011 earthquake and tsunami, as operator Tokyo Electric (Tepco) tries to cool the melted fuel cores by pouring water over them. Tepco has said it will run out of tank space by mid-2022.

The briefing for embassy officials in Tokyo follows a meeting in August of a government panel of experts looking into ways to solve the water problem. The final government decision will be made based on a report by the panel.

Asked by one of the participating embassy officials about the timing of the panel decision, Japanese officials said such timing has not been fixed, according to a media briefing held later on the day.

The briefing for diplomats was attended by 27 embassy officials from 22 countries and regions, including South Korea and the United States. No protests or demands have been made by the participating diplomats, according to the media briefing.

"With transparency in mind, Japan will continue providing the international community with information (on the Fukushima situation)," Koichiro Matsumoto, the Japanese Foreign Ministry's director of international cooperation, told diplomats at the start of the meeting, the outset of which was open to media.

The meeting comes after South Korea, locked in a trade and territorial rows with Japan, last month summoned a senior official from the Japanese embassy in Seoul, to ask about Japan's stance on dealing with the Fukushima water.

But a Japanese Foreign Ministry official told reporters that briefings for diplomats on the matter have been held more than 100 times since the March 2011 disaster, and the one on Wednesday was held to pass information discussed at the latest government panel meeting in August.

Japanese government officials on Wednesday told diplomats they were still considering options for handling contaminated water at Tokyo Electric Power's wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant amid worries the water may be dumped into the ocean.

Japanese government officials on Wednesday told diplomats they were still considering options for handling contaminated water at Tokyo Electric Power's wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant amid worries the water may be dumped into the ocean. A massive body of tainted water - more than a million tons as of August - is building up at the plant, crippled by a 2011 earthquake and tsunami, as operator Tokyo Electric (Tepco) tries to cool the melted fuel cores by pouring water over them. Tepco has said it will run out of tank space by mid-2022. The briefing for embassy officials in Tokyo follows a meeting in August of a government panel of experts looking into ways to solve the water problem. The final government decision will be made based on a report by the panel. Asked by one of the participating embassy officials about the timing of the panel decision, Japanese officials said such timing has not been fixed, according to a media briefing held later on the day. The briefing for diplomats was attended by 27 embassy officials from 22 countries and regions, including South Korea and the United States. No protests or demands have been made by the participating diplomats, according to the media briefing. "With transparency in mind, Japan will continue providing the international community with information (on the Fukushima situation)," Koichiro Matsumoto, the Japanese Foreign Ministry's director of international cooperation, told diplomats at the start of the meeting, the outset of which was open to media. The meeting comes after South Korea, locked in a trade and territorial rows with Japan, last month summoned a senior official from the Japanese embassy in Seoul, to ask about Japan's stance on dealing with the Fukushima water. But a Japanese Foreign Ministry official told reporters that briefings for diplomats on the matter have been held more than 100 times since the March 2011 disaster, and the one on Wednesday was held to pass information discussed at the latest government panel meeting in August.

Japan tells diplomats no decision yet on contaminated Fukushima water

Italy's head of state is set to sign off on a new government on Wednesday after two rival political parties agreed an unlikely coalition that is expected to improve ties with the European Union and adopt a softer stance on immigration.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who led the outgoing administration, is expected to unveil his new cabinet lineup and seek a new mandate from President Sergio Mattarella as early as Wednesday morning.

The alliance between the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), formerly sworn enemies, followed a month of political upheaval triggered by the sudden collapse of the previous ruling alliance.

The far-right League party of outgoing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini pulled out of its coalition with the 5-Star party, declaring it unworkable and calling for early elections in the hope that Salvini could return to power a prime minister.

Salvini's gambit backfired badly, ushering in a new alliance that is expected to soften his confrontational stance on EU budget rules, which he blamed for Italy's weak economy, and his crackdown on migrants arriving by boat from Africa.

Once Mattarella agrees to Conte's cabinet, the prime minister will then have to win confidence votes in both houses of parliament before the government can officially start work.

5-Star and PD unveiled on Tuesday a shared, 26-point policy programme for their mooted coalition, putting an expansionary 2020 budget at the top of their agenda but pleasing markets with a pledge draft a budget that would not endanger public finances.

The coalition cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday night when members of 5-Star approved the marriage in an online vote.

The key post of economy minister may go to the PD's Roberto Gualtieri, now head of the European Parliament's economic affairs commission, or to Dario Scannapieco, a former Treasury official who is vice president of the European Investment Bank, 5-Star and PD sources said.

Another name being considered for the job is former Bank of Italy Deputy Governor Salvatore Rossi, the sources said.

5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio, who served as deputy prime minister, industry minister and labour minister in the previous administration, may become foreign minister in the new government, the sources added.

PD's president and former prime minister Paolo Gentiloni could be named as EU commissioner.

Italy's head of state is set to sign off on a new government on Wednesday after two rival political parties agreed an unlikely coalition that is expected to improve ties with the European Union and adopt a softer stance on immigration.

Italy's head of state is set to sign off on a new government on Wednesday after two rival political parties agreed an unlikely coalition that is expected to improve ties with the European Union and adopt a softer stance on immigration. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who led the outgoing administration, is expected to unveil his new cabinet lineup and seek a new mandate from President Sergio Mattarella as early as Wednesday morning. The alliance between the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), formerly sworn enemies, followed a month of political upheaval triggered by the sudden collapse of the previous ruling alliance. The far-right League party of outgoing Interior Minister Matteo Salvini pulled out of its coalition with the 5-Star party, declaring it unworkable and calling for early elections in the hope that Salvini could return to power a prime minister. Salvini's gambit backfired badly, ushering in a new alliance that is expected to soften his confrontational stance on EU budget rules, which he blamed for Italy's weak economy, and his crackdown on migrants arriving by boat from Africa. Once Mattarella agrees to Conte's cabinet, the prime minister will then have to win confidence votes in both houses of parliament before the government can officially start work. 5-Star and PD unveiled on Tuesday a shared, 26-point policy programme for their mooted coalition, putting an expansionary 2020 budget at the top of their agenda but pleasing markets with a pledge draft a budget that would not endanger public finances. The coalition cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday night when members of 5-Star approved the marriage in an online vote. The key post of economy minister may go to the PD's Roberto Gualtieri, now head of the European Parliament's economic affairs commission, or to Dario Scannapieco, a former Treasury official who is vice president of the European Investment Bank, 5-Star and PD sources said. Another name being considered for the job is former Bank of Italy Deputy Governor Salvatore Rossi, the sources said. 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio, who served as deputy prime minister, industry minister and labour minister in the previous administration, may become foreign minister in the new government, the sources added. PD's president and former prime minister Paolo Gentiloni could be named as EU commissioner.

Italian PM to set seal on new government, unveil new cabinet

Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has washed her hands of the Rohingya crisis, a UN rights investigator said Tuesday ahead of a meeting between South Korea's President Moon Jae-in and the tarnished democracy icon.

Yanghee Lee, a university professor in Seoul who is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights to Myanmar, said Suu Kyi was "terribly misguided and misinformed" about the abuses against the stateless Muslim minority in her country.

The Nobel laureate was under house arrest for years when Myanmar was a military dictatorship before her party won elections in 2015 by a landslide, in the first fully free vote for generations.

Hopes were high that she would usher in a new era of freedom, but more than 740,000 Rohingya have since been driven out of the Buddhist-majority country and into Bangladesh in a 2017 army crackdown.

The US in July banned Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing and other officers for their role in the campaign of "ethnic cleansing".

Suu Kyi was spared from the sanctions but no longer deserved to be called a democracy activist, Lee told AFP.

"She should step up and really speak out for the treatment that the Rohingya had suffered for decades," she told AFP.

"It's time for her to speak out and use the word, call them the way they identify themselves as the Rohingya."&nbsp;

Myanmar calls the persecuted minority "Bengali", treating them as illegal interlopers from Bangladesh and refusing to grant them citizenship or basic rights.

Lee -- who has been banned from entering Myanmar over her criticism of its government -- was speaking as South Korea's Moon, a former democracy activist himself was due to meet Suu Kyi later Tuesday as part of a tour of Southeast Asia.

South Korea is the sixth-largest foreign investor in Myanmar, but Lee said that meant Seoul was "inadvertently contributing" to rights violations against Rohingya and urged Moon to be "principled" during the encounter.

"Our president enjoys a great history of being a human rights lawyer," said Lee. "But I'm afraid he hasn't been really speaking out for human rights for people.

"I think it's a shame that we are joining the bandwagon of other countries that looks out for... their countries' economic interest before the suffering of the people," she said, describing the Rohingya crisis as the "worst case of ethnic genocide in the 21st century".

Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has washed her hands of the Rohingya crisis, a UN rights investigator said Tuesday ahead of a meeting between South Korea's President Moon Jae-in and the tarnished democracy icon.

Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi has washed her hands of the Rohingya crisis, a UN rights investigator said Tuesday ahead of a meeting between South Korea's President Moon Jae-in and the tarnished democracy icon. Yanghee Lee, a university professor in Seoul who is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights to Myanmar, said Suu Kyi was "terribly misguided and misinformed" about the abuses against the stateless Muslim minority in her country. The Nobel laureate was under house arrest for years when Myanmar was a military dictatorship before her party won elections in 2015 by a landslide, in the first fully free vote for generations. Hopes were high that she would usher in a new era of freedom, but more than 740,000 Rohingya have since been driven out of the Buddhist-majority country and into Bangladesh in a 2017 army crackdown. The US in July banned Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing and other officers for their role in the campaign of "ethnic cleansing". Suu Kyi was spared from the sanctions but no longer deserved to be called a democracy activist, Lee told AFP. "She should step up and really speak out for the treatment that the Rohingya had suffered for decades," she told AFP. "It's time for her to speak out and use the word, call them the way they identify themselves as the Rohingya." Myanmar calls the persecuted minority "Bengali", treating them as illegal interlopers from Bangladesh and refusing to grant them citizenship or basic rights. Lee -- who has been banned from entering Myanmar over her criticism of its government -- was speaking as South Korea's Moon, a former democracy activist himself was due to meet Suu Kyi later Tuesday as part of a tour of Southeast Asia. South Korea is the sixth-largest foreign investor in Myanmar, but Lee said that meant Seoul was "inadvertently contributing" to rights violations against Rohingya and urged Moon to be "principled" during the encounter. "Our president enjoys a great history of being a human rights lawyer," said Lee. "But I'm afraid he hasn't been really speaking out for human rights for people. "I think it's a shame that we are joining the bandwagon of other countries that looks out for... their countries' economic interest before the suffering of the people," she said, describing the Rohingya crisis as the "worst case of ethnic genocide in the 21st century".

UN rights investigator on Myanmar lambasts Suu Kyi

UN rights experts voiced alarm Tuesday at the Myanmar military's incommunicado detention of Rakhine men and boys, as well as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/two-years-on-rohingyas-still-without-rights-status-or-justice-244567">allegations of torture and deaths</a> in custody.

They voiced grave concern at reports that numerous ethnic Rakhine men and boys had recently been taken into custody and held incommunicado for weeks at a time over terrorism allegations, with many reporting they were tortured while detained.

"The practice of incommunicado detention must be immediately brought to an end," the three experts, who are independent and do not speak for the world body, said in a statement.&nbsp;

"There must be a credible independent investigation into the allegations of torture and inhuman treatment, deaths in custody, and reliance on forced confessions in cases involving Arakan army-related allegations," they said.

"All perpetrators of such violations must be held accountable."

The conflict-scarred Rakhine state, the site of a deadly crackdown that in 2017 drove some 740,000 minority Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh, has in recent months seen fierce battles between the military and the Arakan Army, a rebel group claiming to fight for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.&nbsp;

The UN experts pointed to the case of Naing Aung Htun, who was rounded up with others in Kyaukyan village in Buthidaung on August 8, and who was held incommunicado until August 21.

He was allegedly given electric shocks by soldiers until he confessed to having ties to the Arakan army.

His father, who was finally permitted to visit him on August 22, reported he had sustained injuries to his face and complained of pain in his back, chest and head.

"We are distressed by the use of incommunicado detention where individuals are suspected of being associates of the Arakan army," said the experts including Yanghee Lee, a specialist on human rights in Myanmar.

"It is essential for detained people to be able to communicate with the outside world, especially with family members and their lawyer," they said, stressing that the practice "may facilitate torture".

They said they were particularly concerned about cases of incommunicado detention in light of reports "regarding at least 15 deaths in custody of men alleged to be associates of the Arakan army."

The signatories also included Agnes Callamard, an expert on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions, and Nils Melzer, experts on torture and other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

They called on the military to make the results of its ongoing investigation into those deaths public and to hold the perpetrators accountable.&nbsp;

They also urged a probe into an allegation that Naing Aung Htun was tortured, and said he should receive a fair trial, stressing that any confession made as a result of torture should be excluded from evidence against him.

 
&nbsp;

UN rights experts voiced alarm Tuesday at the Myanmar military's incommunicado detention of Rakhine men and boys, as well as allegations of torture and deaths in custody.

UN rights experts voiced alarm Tuesday at the Myanmar military's incommunicado detention of Rakhine men and boys, as well as allegations of torture and deaths in custody. They voiced grave concern at reports that numerous ethnic Rakhine men and boys had recently been taken into custody and held incommunicado for weeks at a time over terrorism allegations, with many reporting they were tortured while detained. "The practice of incommunicado detention must be immediately brought to an end," the three experts, who are independent and do not speak for the world body, said in a statement. "There must be a credible independent investigation into the allegations of torture and inhuman treatment, deaths in custody, and reliance on forced confessions in cases involving Arakan army-related allegations," they said. "All perpetrators of such violations must be held accountable." The conflict-scarred Rakhine state, the site of a deadly crackdown that in 2017 drove some 740,000 minority Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh, has in recent months seen fierce battles between the military and the Arakan Army, a rebel group claiming to fight for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. The UN experts pointed to the case of Naing Aung Htun, who was rounded up with others in Kyaukyan village in Buthidaung on August 8, and who was held incommunicado until August 21. He was allegedly given electric shocks by soldiers until he confessed to having ties to the Arakan army. His father, who was finally permitted to visit him on August 22, reported he had sustained injuries to his face and complained of pain in his back, chest and head. "We are distressed by the use of incommunicado detention where individuals are suspected of being associates of the Arakan army," said the experts including Yanghee Lee, a specialist on human rights in Myanmar. "It is essential for detained people to be able to communicate with the outside world, especially with family members and their lawyer," they said, stressing that the practice "may facilitate torture". They said they were particularly concerned about cases of incommunicado detention in light of reports "regarding at least 15 deaths in custody of men alleged to be associates of the Arakan army." The signatories also included Agnes Callamard, an expert on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions, and Nils Melzer, experts on torture and other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. They called on the military to make the results of its ongoing investigation into those deaths public and to hold the perpetrators accountable. They also urged a probe into an allegation that Naing Aung Htun was tortured, and said he should receive a fair trial, stressing that any confession made as a result of torture should be excluded from evidence against him.

UN experts decry incommunicado detentions, alleged torture in Myanmar

Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-foreign-minister-to-visit-pakistan-today-247502">Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir</a>, respectively, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the Kashmir issue that has been persistently internalised by Pakistan since India changed the constitutional status of the region.&nbsp;

Giving an update on the arrival of the foreign delegates, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi took to Twitter saying that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will be discussed as the EU Parliament, along with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation`s (OIC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), "calls for an end to the curfew" in the region.

During the one-day visit, Al Nahyan and Al-Jubeir will hold meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, reported The Express Tribune.

The Saudi Foreign Minister had earlier visited Pakistan in March as part of Riyadh`s efforts to de-escalate tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad that had emerged in the aftermath of the airstrike conducted by Indian Air Force at Balakot.

Showing the so-called solidarity with the Kashmiris on its part, Pakistan has reached out to numerous countries, including the Middle East, and China, ever since the Indian Parliament last month revoked Article 370 and Article 35 (A) of the Indian Constitution that accorded special status to the region.

However, the cash-strapped country has been repeatedly snubbed by the international community over its efforts after New Delhi time and again denied any third party interference in the issue, calling it to be a "strictly internal" matter of the country.

Instead of addressing pressing issues like struggling economy, rising inflation, and poverty, Pakistanis have been concentrating more on Kashmir, with the Foreign Minister himself apprising the United Nations over the matter more than thrice in a month.

Qureshi wrote, "Have been reaching out to 2-4 FMs every day to keep the world updated about the daily atrocities and worsening conditions" in Jammu and Kashmir, adding, "The humanitarian crisis unfolding has caught the world`s attention."

The news of the Foreign Minister`s visit came after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan dialled Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of Islamabad`s nefarious designs to deflect the regional developments amid the ongoing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan is also looking forward to raising the Kashmir issue during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next month.&nbsp;

Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, respectively, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the Kashmir issue that has been persistently internalised by Pakistan since India changed the constitutional status of the region.

Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, respectively, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the Kashmir issue that has been persistently internalised by Pakistan since India changed the constitutional status of the region. Giving an update on the arrival of the foreign delegates, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi took to Twitter saying that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir will be discussed as the EU Parliament, along with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation`s (OIC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), "calls for an end to the curfew" in the region. During the one-day visit, Al Nahyan and Al-Jubeir will hold meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, reported The Express Tribune. The Saudi Foreign Minister had earlier visited Pakistan in March as part of Riyadh`s efforts to de-escalate tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad that had emerged in the aftermath of the airstrike conducted by Indian Air Force at Balakot. Showing the so-called solidarity with the Kashmiris on its part, Pakistan has reached out to numerous countries, including the Middle East, and China, ever since the Indian Parliament last month revoked Article 370 and Article 35 (A) of the Indian Constitution that accorded special status to the region. However, the cash-strapped country has been repeatedly snubbed by the international community over its efforts after New Delhi time and again denied any third party interference in the issue, calling it to be a "strictly internal" matter of the country. Instead of addressing pressing issues like struggling economy, rising inflation, and poverty, Pakistanis have been concentrating more on Kashmir, with the Foreign Minister himself apprising the United Nations over the matter more than thrice in a month. Qureshi wrote, "Have been reaching out to 2-4 FMs every day to keep the world updated about the daily atrocities and worsening conditions" in Jammu and Kashmir, adding, "The humanitarian crisis unfolding has caught the world`s attention." The news of the Foreign Minister`s visit came after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan dialled Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of Islamabad`s nefarious designs to deflect the regional developments amid the ongoing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kashmir issue. Pakistan is also looking forward to raising the Kashmir issue during the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next month.

UAE, Saudi Foreign Ministers arrive in Pakistan to discuss Kashmir issue

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday he will stop using disposable pens made by France's Bic to sign official documents, while a diplomatic spat continues over fires in the Amazon basin.&nbsp;

"A pen (of the Brazilian brand) Compactor and no more Bic, will work," Bolsonaro said, confirming remarks he made during a live broadcast on Facebook a day earlier.

Bolsonaro said Thursday he would stop using Bic "because it is French."

When asked by AFP if Bolsonaro was serious or joking, Brazil's presidential office declined to comment.

Most of the Bic ballpoint pens sold in Brazil are made in the French company's factory in the Brazilian city of Manaus in the Amazon, a Bic spokesperson told AFP. &nbsp;

Bolsonaro has previously cited Bic pens, which are cheap and commonly used in Brazil, as a sign of austerity after the expenses of his predecessors.&nbsp;

Bic said it felt "flattered" to be recognised as a "democratic brand," but would not comment on the president's decision.

Bolsonaro has repeatedly clashed with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in recent days.&nbsp;

On the eve of the G7 summit last week, Macron declared the forest fires, which are also affecting Bolivia, an "international crisis" and put them on the agenda of the gathering of the rich democracies.

Macron also accused Bolsonaro of lying to him about Brazil's climate change stance.

Bolsonaro in turn said Macron had a "colonialist mentality" and now refuses to speak to him unless the French president retracts remarks relating to Brazil's sovereignty over the Amazon.&nbsp;

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday he will stop using disposable pens made by France's Bic to sign official documents, while a diplomatic spat continues over fires in the Amazon basin.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday he will stop using disposable pens made by France's Bic to sign official documents, while a diplomatic spat continues over fires in the Amazon basin. "A pen (of the Brazilian brand) Compactor and no more Bic, will work," Bolsonaro said, confirming remarks he made during a live broadcast on Facebook a day earlier. Bolsonaro said Thursday he would stop using Bic "because it is French." When asked by AFP if Bolsonaro was serious or joking, Brazil's presidential office declined to comment. Most of the Bic ballpoint pens sold in Brazil are made in the French company's factory in the Brazilian city of Manaus in the Amazon, a Bic spokesperson told AFP. Bolsonaro has previously cited Bic pens, which are cheap and commonly used in Brazil, as a sign of austerity after the expenses of his predecessors. Bic said it felt "flattered" to be recognised as a "democratic brand," but would not comment on the president's decision. Bolsonaro has repeatedly clashed with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in recent days. On the eve of the G7 summit last week, Macron declared the forest fires, which are also affecting Bolivia, an "international crisis" and put them on the agenda of the gathering of the rich democracies. Macron also accused Bolsonaro of lying to him about Brazil's climate change stance. Bolsonaro in turn said Macron had a "colonialist mentality" and now refuses to speak to him unless the French president retracts remarks relating to Brazil's sovereignty over the Amazon.

Brazil's Bolsonaro to stop using France's Bic pens amid spat

More than 100 people are believed to have been killed in an airstrike by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-led-coalition-says-it-bombed-houthi-arms-site-in-yemen-group-says-prison-hit-246991">Saudi-led military coalition</a> on a detention centre in Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Sunday.

The coalition said it targeted a facility run by the Huthi rebels that "stores drones and missiles", but the rebels said the attack had levelled a building they used as a prison.

The United Nations said 52 detainees were among the dead, with a further 68 still missing.

"Casualties are most likely to increase as rescue efforts are still ongoing," it said.

The ICRC rushed to the scene in the city of Dhamar with medical teams and hundreds of body bags.

"The location that was hit has been visited by ICRC before," Franz Rauchenstein, its head of delegation for Yemen, told AFP from Dhamar. "It's a college building that has been empty and has been used as a detention facility for a while."

"What is most disturbing is that (the attack was) on a prison. To hit such a building is shocking and saddening – prisoners are protected by international law."

Rauchenstein said that over 100 people were estimated to be dead, and that at least 40 survivors were being treated for their injuries in hospitals in the city, south of the capital Sanaa.

ICRC teams collecting bodies were also "working relentlessly to find survivors under the rubble", he said, but cautioned that the chances of finding any were very slim.

Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy damage to the building and several bodies lying in the rubble, as bulldozers worked to clear away huge piles of debris.

The coalition intervened in 2015 to support the government after the Iran-aligned Huthis swept out of their northern stronghold to seize Sanaa and much of Yemen -- the Arab world's poorest nation.

Fighting since then has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and sparked what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

'Staggering' casualties

The UN's humanitarian coordinator in Yemen called Sunday's airstrike "horrific" and said aid groups had been forced to divert critical medical supplies, intended for treating cholera outbreak, to Dhamar hospitals.

"We have no choice," Lise Grande said. "The scale of the casualties is staggering."

Both sides stand accused of actions that could amount to war crimes.

The coalition has been blacklisted by the UN for the killing of children, while Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse the Huthis of using civilians as human shields in densely populated areas.&nbsp;

Before the ICRC's comments, the coalition had insisted the strike was conducted against "a military compound which was a legitimate military target".

It said secondary explosions indicated the building was used to store weapons and that the Huthis were masking its identity by "claiming it was a secret prison".

"This is a traditional Huthi tactic and a violation of the laws of armed conflict. This site was not registered with the United Nations" and was not on the coalition's "no-strike list" of sites provided by the UN and other agencies, coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki said in a statement.

The coalition said it "took all precautionary measures to protect civilians".

But Huthi television channel Al-Masirah said dozens had been killed and wounded in seven airstrikes that hit the building.

"The enemy targeted prisoners on purpose in Dhamar, many of whom were preparing to be released under a prison swap deal," Huthi rebel chief Abdelmalek al-Huthi said in a televised speech on Sunday.

The UN's Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths said Sunday's deaths were a "tragedy".

"The human cost of this war is unbearable," he said. "We need it to stop. Yemenis deserve a peaceful future."

The attack in Dhamar comes weeks after a new front opened in Yemen's complex war, pitting two of Riyadh's allies against each other in a struggle for control of the south.

The United Arab Emirates, a key member of the coalition backing the Yemeni government, has also trained and supported secessionists who seek an independent southern Yemen.&nbsp;

The southern forces last month seized control of the interim capital Aden in the south, in a see-sawing battle with government troops that has drawn warnings that the country could break apart entirely.

The government has accused the UAE of backing a "coup".

Analysts say the fight for the south is a key test for Saudi Arabia, which hopes to mediate a ceasefire so it can focus on its main mission of battling the Huthis who are aligned with its arch-foe Iran.

More than 100 people are believed to have been killed in an airstrike by the Saudi-led military coalition on a detention centre in Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Sunday.

More than 100 people are believed to have been killed in an airstrike by the Saudi-led military coalition on a detention centre in Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Sunday. The coalition said it targeted a facility run by the Huthi rebels that "stores drones and missiles", but the rebels said the attack had levelled a building they used as a prison. The United Nations said 52 detainees were among the dead, with a further 68 still missing. "Casualties are most likely to increase as rescue efforts are still ongoing," it said. The ICRC rushed to the scene in the city of Dhamar with medical teams and hundreds of body bags. "The location that was hit has been visited by ICRC before," Franz Rauchenstein, its head of delegation for Yemen, told AFP from Dhamar. "It's a college building that has been empty and has been used as a detention facility for a while." "What is most disturbing is that (the attack was) on a prison. To hit such a building is shocking and saddening – prisoners are protected by international law." Rauchenstein said that over 100 people were estimated to be dead, and that at least 40 survivors were being treated for their injuries in hospitals in the city, south of the capital Sanaa. ICRC teams collecting bodies were also "working relentlessly to find survivors under the rubble", he said, but cautioned that the chances of finding any were very slim. Footage obtained by AFP showed heavy damage to the building and several bodies lying in the rubble, as bulldozers worked to clear away huge piles of debris. The coalition intervened in 2015 to support the government after the Iran-aligned Huthis swept out of their northern stronghold to seize Sanaa and much of Yemen -- the Arab world's poorest nation. Fighting since then has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and sparked what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. 'Staggering' casualties The UN's humanitarian coordinator in Yemen called Sunday's airstrike "horrific" and said aid groups had been forced to divert critical medical supplies, intended for treating cholera outbreak, to Dhamar hospitals. "We have no choice," Lise Grande said. "The scale of the casualties is staggering." Both sides stand accused of actions that could amount to war crimes. The coalition has been blacklisted by the UN for the killing of children, while Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse the Huthis of using civilians as human shields in densely populated areas. Before the ICRC's comments, the coalition had insisted the strike was conducted against "a military compound which was a legitimate military target". It said secondary explosions indicated the building was used to store weapons and that the Huthis were masking its identity by "claiming it was a secret prison". "This is a traditional Huthi tactic and a violation of the laws of armed conflict. This site was not registered with the United Nations" and was not on the coalition's "no-strike list" of sites provided by the UN and other agencies, coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki said in a statement. The coalition said it "took all precautionary measures to protect civilians". But Huthi television channel Al-Masirah said dozens had been killed and wounded in seven airstrikes that hit the building. "The enemy targeted prisoners on purpose in Dhamar, many of whom were preparing to be released under a prison swap deal," Huthi rebel chief Abdelmalek al-Huthi said in a televised speech on Sunday. The UN's Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths said Sunday's deaths were a "tragedy". "The human cost of this war is unbearable," he said. "We need it to stop. Yemenis deserve a peaceful future." The attack in Dhamar comes weeks after a new front opened in Yemen's complex war, pitting two of Riyadh's allies against each other in a struggle for control of the south. The United Arab Emirates, a key member of the coalition backing the Yemeni government, has also trained and supported secessionists who seek an independent southern Yemen. The southern forces last month seized control of the interim capital Aden in the south, in a see-sawing battle with government troops that has drawn warnings that the country could break apart entirely. The government has accused the UAE of backing a "coup". Analysts say the fight for the south is a key test for Saudi Arabia, which hopes to mediate a ceasefire so it can focus on its main mission of battling the Huthis who are aligned with its arch-foe Iran.

More than 100 killed in air strike on Yemen prison: International Committee of Red Cross

British lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will attempt to pass a law this week to stop Prime Minister Boris Johnson from letting Britain crash out of the European Union on October&nbsp;31, the opposition Labour Party's Brexit spokesman said.

Senior minister Michael Gove refused, however, to guarantee the government would abide by any such legislation.

Johnson has pledged to deliver Brexit with or without a deal, but opposition lawmakers - and several from his own Conservatives - want to push through legislation to rule out no-deal before parliament is suspended in just over a week's time.

Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said the plan, which will be published on Tuesday, had one "very simple" aim - to stop Johnson taking Britain out of the EU without a deal.

"Obviously, if we are at the 31st of October, that will require an extension," Starmer told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday.

"But I think this should be a very short, simple exercise designed to ensure we don't crash out without a deal."

Gove, one of Johnson's key ministers who is coordinating no-deal contingency plans, said he believed a majority of lawmakers would back the prime minister and defeat the attempt.

"We know the prime minister is making progress with our European friends and allies in attempting to secure a deal, and I don't believe that people will want to erect a roadblock in his way," he said.

Asked whether the government would abide by any legislation passed to prevent a no-deal Brexit on October&nbsp;31, Gove said: "Let's see what the legislation is that (Starmer) puts forward."

Starmer said later it was "breathtaking" for ministers not to confirm the government would comply with legislation passed lawfully. "No government is above the law," he said on Twitter.

National interest

David Gauke, a former British justice secretary and a Johnson critic, said he would meet the prime minister on Monday to hear his plan to deliver a Brexit deal he could support.

But Gauke said he was prepared to disobey Conservative discipline and be expelled by the party if he was not persuaded.

"Sometimes there is a point where you have to judge between your own personal interests and the national interest, and the national interest has to come first," he told Sky News. "But I hope it doesn't come to that."

Sky News reported later on Sunday, however, that Johnson cancelled the meeting with Gauke because of a 'diary clash".

Johnson told the Sunday Times that those backing the opposition to no-deal risked there being no Brexit at all.

"Are you going to side with those who want to scrub the democratic verdict of the people — and plunge this country into chaos?" he said.

"Or are you going to side with those of us who want to get on, deliver on the mandate of the people and focus with absolute, laser-like precision on the domestic agenda? That's the choice."

Johnson has demanded the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU be changed to remove the Irish "backstop" - an insurance policy designed to maintain an open border between EU member Ireland and the UK's Northern Ireland.

Gove said German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron had indicated after talks with Johnson that the agreement - "which they had said was a block of marble that could not be altered" - was now capable of being changed.

But the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said the backstop had to stay to protect the integrity of the EU single market.

"The backstop is the maximum amount of flexibility that the EU can offer to a non-member state," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

Gove said preparations for no-deal were progressing and that there would be no shortages of fresh food, although there could be price rises. "Some prices (of food) may go up, other prices will come down," he said.

The British Retail Consortium, a group representing the sector, said Gove's assertion was "categorically untrue".

"The availability of fresh foods will be impacted as a result of checks and delays at the border," the BRC said.

British lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will attempt to pass a law this week to stop Prime Minister Boris Johnson from letting Britain crash out of the European Union on October 31, the opposition Labour Party's Brexit spokesman said.

British lawmakers opposed to a no-deal Brexit will attempt to pass a law this week to stop Prime Minister Boris Johnson from letting Britain crash out of the European Union on October 31, the opposition Labour Party's Brexit spokesman said. Senior minister Michael Gove refused, however, to guarantee the government would abide by any such legislation. Johnson has pledged to deliver Brexit with or without a deal, but opposition lawmakers - and several from his own Conservatives - want to push through legislation to rule out no-deal before parliament is suspended in just over a week's time. Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said the plan, which will be published on Tuesday, had one "very simple" aim - to stop Johnson taking Britain out of the EU without a deal. "Obviously, if we are at the 31st of October, that will require an extension," Starmer told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday. "But I think this should be a very short, simple exercise designed to ensure we don't crash out without a deal." Gove, one of Johnson's key ministers who is coordinating no-deal contingency plans, said he believed a majority of lawmakers would back the prime minister and defeat the attempt. "We know the prime minister is making progress with our European friends and allies in attempting to secure a deal, and I don't believe that people will want to erect a roadblock in his way," he said. Asked whether the government would abide by any legislation passed to prevent a no-deal Brexit on October 31, Gove said: "Let's see what the legislation is that (Starmer) puts forward." Starmer said later it was "breathtaking" for ministers not to confirm the government would comply with legislation passed lawfully. "No government is above the law," he said on Twitter. National interest David Gauke, a former British justice secretary and a Johnson critic, said he would meet the prime minister on Monday to hear his plan to deliver a Brexit deal he could support. But Gauke said he was prepared to disobey Conservative discipline and be expelled by the party if he was not persuaded. "Sometimes there is a point where you have to judge between your own personal interests and the national interest, and the national interest has to come first," he told Sky News. "But I hope it doesn't come to that." Sky News reported later on Sunday, however, that Johnson cancelled the meeting with Gauke because of a 'diary clash". Johnson told the Sunday Times that those backing the opposition to no-deal risked there being no Brexit at all. "Are you going to side with those who want to scrub the democratic verdict of the people — and plunge this country into chaos?" he said. "Or are you going to side with those of us who want to get on, deliver on the mandate of the people and focus with absolute, laser-like precision on the domestic agenda? That's the choice." Johnson has demanded the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU be changed to remove the Irish "backstop" - an insurance policy designed to maintain an open border between EU member Ireland and the UK's Northern Ireland. Gove said German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron had indicated after talks with Johnson that the agreement - "which they had said was a block of marble that could not be altered" - was now capable of being changed. But the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said the backstop had to stay to protect the integrity of the EU single market. "The backstop is the maximum amount of flexibility that the EU can offer to a non-member state," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. Gove said preparations for no-deal were progressing and that there would be no shortages of fresh food, although there could be price rises. "Some prices (of food) may go up, other prices will come down," he said. The British Retail Consortium, a group representing the sector, said Gove's assertion was "categorically untrue". "The availability of fresh foods will be impacted as a result of checks and delays at the border," the BRC said.

UK lawmakers against no-deal Brexit to bring forward legislation

The United States is not seeking a military intervention as a solution to the economic and political crisis in Venezuela, the US&nbsp;envoy to the troubled South American nation said in an interview published by a Venezuelan online news site on Sunday.

Washington this year disavowed Maduro, whose 2018 re-election was widely dismissed as a farce, and recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president.&nbsp;

The United States on Wednesday opened a representative office called the Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU), based in Colombia, to provide US&nbsp;diplomatic representation to Guaido`s interim government and to continue pressuring for a transition.

&nbsp;"What we want is not a military intervention by the international community, but rather a peaceful, political and democratic resolution (of the crisis) based on Venezuela`s constitution," said VAU Charge d`Affaires James Story, in an interview published on the website of Venezuelan newspaper 2001.

"How can you have a democracy when you can`t even choose through votes?"

Venezuela`s information ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse that has fueled a humanitarian crisis, frequently accuses the United States of preparing to invade Venezuela to control its vast oil resources and remove the country`s socialist leadership.

Guaido, president of the opposition-run congress, in January invoked the constitution to assume a rival interim presidency and was quickly recognised by more than 50 countries.&nbsp;

The United States has thrown its support behind Guaido and levied broad sanctions against Maduro`s government to pressure for his exit.

Asked how he would respond to Venezuelans seeking a military intervention - a sentiment often expressed on the country`s virulent social media - Story said there had already been a military intervention by Maduro`s foreign allies.

"There are Russian military officers in the country ... and we know that there are a lot of Cuban military officers," he said. "Why? Because they want Maduro to stay."

Guaido allies and government representatives in May began a dialogue process mediated by Norway to seek a negotiated solution to the political standoff. Maduro`s delegation last month suspended its participation to protest new US sanctions.

Maduro said in an interview broadcast on Saturday that his government had resumed contact with both the opposition and the Norwegian government.&nbsp;

He promised "good news about the dialogue process" in the coming days, but did not say when it would start up again.

The United States is not seeking a military intervention as a solution to the economic and political crisis in Venezuela, the US envoy to the troubled South American nation said in an interview published by a Venezuelan online news site on Sunday.

The United States is not seeking a military intervention as a solution to the economic and political crisis in Venezuela, the US envoy to the troubled South American nation said in an interview published by a Venezuelan online news site on Sunday. Washington this year disavowed Maduro, whose 2018 re-election was widely dismissed as a farce, and recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president. The United States on Wednesday opened a representative office called the Venezuela Affairs Unit (VAU), based in Colombia, to provide US diplomatic representation to Guaido`s interim government and to continue pressuring for a transition. "What we want is not a military intervention by the international community, but rather a peaceful, political and democratic resolution (of the crisis) based on Venezuela`s constitution," said VAU Charge d`Affaires James Story, in an interview published on the website of Venezuelan newspaper 2001. "How can you have a democracy when you can`t even choose through votes?" Venezuela`s information ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse that has fueled a humanitarian crisis, frequently accuses the United States of preparing to invade Venezuela to control its vast oil resources and remove the country`s socialist leadership. Guaido, president of the opposition-run congress, in January invoked the constitution to assume a rival interim presidency and was quickly recognised by more than 50 countries. The United States has thrown its support behind Guaido and levied broad sanctions against Maduro`s government to pressure for his exit. Asked how he would respond to Venezuelans seeking a military intervention - a sentiment often expressed on the country`s virulent social media - Story said there had already been a military intervention by Maduro`s foreign allies. "There are Russian military officers in the country ... and we know that there are a lot of Cuban military officers," he said. "Why? Because they want Maduro to stay." Guaido allies and government representatives in May began a dialogue process mediated by Norway to seek a negotiated solution to the political standoff. Maduro`s delegation last month suspended its participation to protest new US sanctions. Maduro said in an interview broadcast on Saturday that his government had resumed contact with both the opposition and the Norwegian government. He promised "good news about the dialogue process" in the coming days, but did not say when it would start up again.

Diplomat says US does not want military intervention in Venezuela: Report

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in his first state of the union address on Sunday, doubled down on his approach to managing Latin America`s second-largest economy, saying the interests of private firms would be subordinated to those of the nation.

After taking office in December vowing to revive a sluggish economy and reduce violence, the veteran leftist has so far fallen short of the goals he set himself.

Lopez Obrador said last Tuesday that after a months-long dispute, he had saved taxpayers $4.5 billion by making companies renegotiate several natural gas pipeline contracts agreed to by the last government.

"The companies accepted the principle that the national interest must be above the private interest, however legitimate (those interests) may be," Lopez Obrador said in his Sunday speech.

Supporters of Lopez Obrador hailed the accord as a political victory for the president, who has spent years accusing business leaders of colluding with corrupt politicians to get rich.

Lopez Obrador underscored on Sunday that his economic plan would look to promote private enterprise, boost foreign trade and promote the attraction of foreign investment.

It is unclear if companies will feel encouraged to bet on Mexico as a result of the agreement and his comments.

Some of the decisions made by Lopez Obrador, an exponent of economic nationalism, have shaken investor confidence in Mexico. Among them, his cancellation of a partly built $13 billion Mexico City airport rattled markets.

The central bank said on Thursday the economy was facing headwinds, including stagnating private investment, which was affected by a persistent environment of uncertainty stemming from the public policy decisions made by the government and concerns over insecurity and corruption.

In his state of the union address, Lopez Obrador also said that income distribution would remain a priority over economic growth.

The administration will "gradually push aside the technocratic obsession of measuring everything based simply on economic growth," he said. "The equitable distribution of income and wealth" will be his government`s guiding principles.

He has argued that by redistributing wealth better, his government is able to help economic development among the poor even with lower headline growth numbers.

Mexico narrowly avoided entering a recession in the second quarter, prompting the central bank to cut its economic outlook for the year to forecast virtually no growth, citing slack conditions that will persist longer than expected.

In his first nine months in office, Lopez Obrador has repeated the message that the chronic inequality, gang violence and tepid growth afflicting Mexico are the product of decades of government by a corrupt political and economic elite still trying to resist his promise of change.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in his first state of the union address on Sunday, doubled down on his approach to managing Latin America`s second-largest economy, saying the interests of private firms would be subordinated to those of the nation.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, in his first state of the union address on Sunday, doubled down on his approach to managing Latin America`s second-largest economy, saying the interests of private firms would be subordinated to those of the nation. After taking office in December vowing to revive a sluggish economy and reduce violence, the veteran leftist has so far fallen short of the goals he set himself. Lopez Obrador said last Tuesday that after a months-long dispute, he had saved taxpayers $4.5 billion by making companies renegotiate several natural gas pipeline contracts agreed to by the last government. "The companies accepted the principle that the national interest must be above the private interest, however legitimate (those interests) may be," Lopez Obrador said in his Sunday speech. Supporters of Lopez Obrador hailed the accord as a political victory for the president, who has spent years accusing business leaders of colluding with corrupt politicians to get rich. Lopez Obrador underscored on Sunday that his economic plan would look to promote private enterprise, boost foreign trade and promote the attraction of foreign investment. It is unclear if companies will feel encouraged to bet on Mexico as a result of the agreement and his comments. Some of the decisions made by Lopez Obrador, an exponent of economic nationalism, have shaken investor confidence in Mexico. Among them, his cancellation of a partly built $13 billion Mexico City airport rattled markets. The central bank said on Thursday the economy was facing headwinds, including stagnating private investment, which was affected by a persistent environment of uncertainty stemming from the public policy decisions made by the government and concerns over insecurity and corruption. In his state of the union address, Lopez Obrador also said that income distribution would remain a priority over economic growth. The administration will "gradually push aside the technocratic obsession of measuring everything based simply on economic growth," he said. "The equitable distribution of income and wealth" will be his government`s guiding principles. He has argued that by redistributing wealth better, his government is able to help economic development among the poor even with lower headline growth numbers. Mexico narrowly avoided entering a recession in the second quarter, prompting the central bank to cut its economic outlook for the year to forecast virtually no growth, citing slack conditions that will persist longer than expected. In his first nine months in office, Lopez Obrador has repeated the message that the chronic inequality, gang violence and tepid growth afflicting Mexico are the product of decades of government by a corrupt political and economic elite still trying to resist his promise of change.

Nearly a year in, Mexico's president doubles down on management of economy

The death toll in Saturday`s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-mass-shooting-active-shooter-dead-after-killing-5-in-west-texas-246921">gun rampage in West Texas</a> rose to seven on Sunday with 22 people wounded, police said after the second mass shooting to rock the state in less than a month.

Police had earlier said five people, including the gunman, were killed in the shooting that began with a traffic stop and ended when the suspect was cornered by officers in the parking lot of a cinema complex in Odessa, Texas.

Authorities have not identified the victims or the gunman, but said on Saturday that he was a white male in his 30s who was known to police.&nbsp;

Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said seven victims were killed and 22 people wounded, and he offered his condolences to their families.

"My heart aches for them all," he said at a news conference. Gerke said he those killed were aged 15 to 57, and that he would not be naming the gunman yet.

"There are no definitive answers as to motive or reasons at this point, but we are fairly certain that the subject did act alone," Gerke said.

Among the wounded was a 17-month-old girl, Anderson Davis, who was shot in the face, according to officials and an online fundraising campaign set up by her family.

Three police officers were shot and wounded - one from Midland, one from Odessa and a Department of Public Safety state trooper - and were listed in stable condition.

The rampage came after a gunman killed 22 people in another Saturday shooting on Aug. 3 at a Walmart store about 255 miles (410 km) west of Midland in the city of El Paso, Texas.

President Donald Trump called the Odessa-Midland shooter "a very sick person," but said background checks on gun buyers would not have prevented recent US gun violence.

In remarks to reporters on Sunday, Trump said he would be working with Democrats and Republicans on gun legislation when Congress returns this month. "I think you`re going to see some interesting things coming along," Trump said.&nbsp;

This weekend`s bloodshed between the cities of Midland and Odessa began on Saturday afternoon when two state troopers pulled over a car on Interstate 20 and the lone occupant fired at their patrol vehicle with a rifle, wounding one of them.

After fleeing, the suspect hijacked a postal van and opened fire on police officers, motorists and shoppers on a busy Labor Day holiday weekend before being shot dead outside the Cinergy cinema complex in Odessa, police said.&nbsp;

Gerke said at a news conference on Saturday that the suspect was known to him, but he declined to comment on a motive for the shootings.&nbsp;

The death toll in Saturday`s gun rampage in West Texas rose to seven on Sunday with 22 people wounded, police said after the second mass shooting to rock the state in less than a month.

The death toll in Saturday`s gun rampage in West Texas rose to seven on Sunday with 22 people wounded, police said after the second mass shooting to rock the state in less than a month. Police had earlier said five people, including the gunman, were killed in the shooting that began with a traffic stop and ended when the suspect was cornered by officers in the parking lot of a cinema complex in Odessa, Texas. Authorities have not identified the victims or the gunman, but said on Saturday that he was a white male in his 30s who was known to police. Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke said seven victims were killed and 22 people wounded, and he offered his condolences to their families. "My heart aches for them all," he said at a news conference. Gerke said he those killed were aged 15 to 57, and that he would not be naming the gunman yet. "There are no definitive answers as to motive or reasons at this point, but we are fairly certain that the subject did act alone," Gerke said. Among the wounded was a 17-month-old girl, Anderson Davis, who was shot in the face, according to officials and an online fundraising campaign set up by her family. Three police officers were shot and wounded - one from Midland, one from Odessa and a Department of Public Safety state trooper - and were listed in stable condition. The rampage came after a gunman killed 22 people in another Saturday shooting on Aug. 3 at a Walmart store about 255 miles (410 km) west of Midland in the city of El Paso, Texas. President Donald Trump called the Odessa-Midland shooter "a very sick person," but said background checks on gun buyers would not have prevented recent US gun violence. In remarks to reporters on Sunday, Trump said he would be working with Democrats and Republicans on gun legislation when Congress returns this month. "I think you`re going to see some interesting things coming along," Trump said. This weekend`s bloodshed between the cities of Midland and Odessa began on Saturday afternoon when two state troopers pulled over a car on Interstate 20 and the lone occupant fired at their patrol vehicle with a rifle, wounding one of them. After fleeing, the suspect hijacked a postal van and opened fire on police officers, motorists and shoppers on a busy Labor Day holiday weekend before being shot dead outside the Cinergy cinema complex in Odessa, police said. Gerke said at a news conference on Saturday that the suspect was known to him, but he declined to comment on a motive for the shootings.

Death toll from West Texas shooting rises to seven, 22 wounded

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Punitipandey

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.