Oil prices fell on Thursday on concerns of lower fuel demand as talks this week between the United States and China, the world's two largest oil users, are not expected to help end the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-expands-blacklist-to-include-chinas-top-ai-startups-ahead-of-trade-talks-254672"> trade war between them</a>, adding to anxieties about the global economy.

China, the world's biggest oil importer, has lowered its expectations for talks on Thursday and Friday to end the 15-month-old trade dispute with the United States. US&nbsp;President Donald Trump is set to raise the tariff rate on about $250 billion of Chinese goods to 30 per cent&nbsp;from 25 per cent&nbsp;on October&nbsp;15 if some signs of progress are not seen.

The trade dispute between the world's two largest economies has disrupted global supply chains and slowed the growth of both countries, limiting the growth of their fuel consumption.

Global benchmark Brent crude futures fell 11 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to $58.21 a barrel by 0354 GMT, while US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down 11 cents, or 0.2 per cent, at $52.48 per barrel.

"Should US-China trade negotiations take a turn for the worst, market pessimism will impose sharp negative pressures on oil prices, said Benjamin Lu, commodities analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore.

Prices were also weighed down by a report of rising stockpiles in the United States, which is also currently the world's biggest oil producer.

US&nbsp;crude stocks rose 2.9 million barrels in the week to October&nbsp;4, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday, more than double analysts' expectations of an increase of 1.4 million barrels.

Additionally, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quietly adjusted its production pact to allow Nigeria to raise its output, adding more supply.

OPEC granted Nigeria raised the quota to 1.774 million barrels per day (bpd) from 1.685 million bpd, three OPEC delegates with knowledge of the matter said.

OPEC member Venezuela will also increase its exports despite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-ready-to-target-other-countries-for-supporting-venezuelas-maduro-241275">US&nbsp;economic sanctions </a>that have curtailed shipments from the country.

Indian refiner Reliance Industries Ltd plans to start loading Venezuelan crude after a four-month pause, in a further sign of expanding crude supply to the market.

Oil prices fell on Thursday on concerns of lower fuel demand as talks this week between the United States and China, the world's two largest oil users, are not expected to help end the trade war between them, adding to anxieties about the global economy.

Oil prices fell on Thursday on concerns of lower fuel demand as talks this week between the United States and China, the world's two largest oil users, are not expected to help end the trade war between them, adding to anxieties about the global economy. China, the world's biggest oil importer, has lowered its expectations for talks on Thursday and Friday to end the 15-month-old trade dispute with the United States. US President Donald Trump is set to raise the tariff rate on about $250 billion of Chinese goods to 30 per cent from 25 per cent on October 15 if some signs of progress are not seen. The trade dispute between the world's two largest economies has disrupted global supply chains and slowed the growth of both countries, limiting the growth of their fuel consumption. Global benchmark Brent crude futures fell 11 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to $58.21 a barrel by 0354 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down 11 cents, or 0.2 per cent, at $52.48 per barrel. "Should US-China trade negotiations take a turn for the worst, market pessimism will impose sharp negative pressures on oil prices, said Benjamin Lu, commodities analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore. Prices were also weighed down by a report of rising stockpiles in the United States, which is also currently the world's biggest oil producer. US crude stocks rose 2.9 million barrels in the week to October 4, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday, more than double analysts' expectations of an increase of 1.4 million barrels. Additionally, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quietly adjusted its production pact to allow Nigeria to raise its output, adding more supply. OPEC granted Nigeria raised the quota to 1.774 million barrels per day (bpd) from 1.685 million bpd, three OPEC delegates with knowledge of the matter said. OPEC member Venezuela will also increase its exports despite US economic sanctions that have curtailed shipments from the country. Indian refiner Reliance Industries Ltd plans to start loading Venezuelan crude after a four-month pause, in a further sign of expanding crude supply to the market.

Oil prices fall as hopes for US-China trade progress wilt

One day after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/massive-fire-at-notre-dame-cathedral-210794">blaze that scarred Notre-Dame,</a> President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells.

"We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautiful and I want it to be finished within five years," Macron said on national television on the evening of April 16, 2019.

"And we can do it," he added.

But six months after the April 15 fire that tore through the roof of the 13th-century Paris cathedral and toppled its spire, the reconstruction process is shaping up to be much more complex than many anticipated.

Workers have had to clean up significant quantities of lead that melted from the roof and contaminated areas around the cathedral, with critics saying the authorities were slow to warn the public of the risks.

There remains no consensus on how the cathedral should look after reconstruction, with many experts wanting the spire to be rebuilt exactly like the original, and Macron arguing for an innovative solution.

Above all, the process of securing an edifice still at risk of collapse after the fire damage has taken precedence over any reconstruction.

It is only at the end of 2020 that a complete check will allow architects to work out how to restore the cathedral. No reconstruction is expected to start before 2021.

It is impossible at this stage to say "how much this is going to cost, how long this is going to last," said Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris.

Macron's five-year goal would see the cathedral's reconstruction completed in the spring of 2024 before Paris hosts the Olympic Games that year.

The top priority is to eliminate any risk to the vaulted ceiling, with the main danger coming from 500 tonnes of scaffolding that was erected around the fire for renovation work before the blaze.

The damage caused by just a single bar of scaffolding falling could prove irreparable, and the work to remove the structure will take several months.

"This is not scare-mongering. It is a physical reality," said Christophe-Charles Rousselot, director-general of the Fondation Notre-Dame, the charity that is overseeing the gathering of donations to the cathedral.

With regards to the spire, a late addition to the medieval cathedral designed by the 19th-century French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, many see it as an integral part of the building.

"It needs to be rebuilt as it was before," said Philippe Villeneuve, the architect in charge of restoring the cathedral, arguing that the sheer power of the spire integrated it with the medieval church.

He is backed by Viollet-le-Duc's descendants and, according to opinion polls, the French public.

But the government has left open the possibility of an international competition for architects to design something new.

Experts are also intensively researching the precise original architecture of the cathedral so that when reconstruction begins it is as accurate as possible.

"Before 2010, we only have old-style surveys, plans that have been redrawn on numerous occasions which are very partial and very imprecise," said Remi Fromont, one of the architects responsible for the site who is working on drawing up accurate plans.

Andrew Tallon, a Belgium-born scholar who died aged 49 in November 2018, carried out hugely valuable laser scans of the interior in 2010 that have proved an even more valuable legacy than he could have imagined.

"We know that we will have shortcomings. Not all the chapels were systematically scanned. There are still areas of doubt," Fromont said.

In the aftermath of the fire, private individuals and above all rich French cooperations rushed to pledge hundreds of millions for the rebuilding of the cathedral.

There were concerns about whether this funding would ever be realised.

But France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord over his pledge of $220 million, as did the Pinault family for their promised 100 million euros.

A signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October.

The consortium of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaires-and-private-donors-mobilise-to-rebuild-notre-dame-210887">fundraising groups behind the drive</a> believes that $890,000&nbsp;can be raised in total, with over 616 million euros now either transferred or pledged.

But lovers of the historic masterpiece, be they tourists, architecture buffs or worshippers, may have to wait some time before Notre-Dame becomes theirs again.

"I have felt orphaned, it is like being in mourning," said Michele Chevalier, 70, a regular at Notre-Dame who was at the service when the first evacuation took place.

"I still manage to pray, but it's not the same."

One day after the blaze that scarred Notre-Dame, President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells.

One day after the blaze that scarred Notre-Dame, President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells. "We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautiful and I want it to be finished within five years," Macron said on national television on the evening of April 16, 2019. "And we can do it," he added. But six months after the April 15 fire that tore through the roof of the 13th-century Paris cathedral and toppled its spire, the reconstruction process is shaping up to be much more complex than many anticipated. Workers have had to clean up significant quantities of lead that melted from the roof and contaminated areas around the cathedral, with critics saying the authorities were slow to warn the public of the risks. There remains no consensus on how the cathedral should look after reconstruction, with many experts wanting the spire to be rebuilt exactly like the original, and Macron arguing for an innovative solution. Above all, the process of securing an edifice still at risk of collapse after the fire damage has taken precedence over any reconstruction. It is only at the end of 2020 that a complete check will allow architects to work out how to restore the cathedral. No reconstruction is expected to start before 2021. It is impossible at this stage to say "how much this is going to cost, how long this is going to last," said Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris. Macron's five-year goal would see the cathedral's reconstruction completed in the spring of 2024 before Paris hosts the Olympic Games that year. The top priority is to eliminate any risk to the vaulted ceiling, with the main danger coming from 500 tonnes of scaffolding that was erected around the fire for renovation work before the blaze. The damage caused by just a single bar of scaffolding falling could prove irreparable, and the work to remove the structure will take several months. "This is not scare-mongering. It is a physical reality," said Christophe-Charles Rousselot, director-general of the Fondation Notre-Dame, the charity that is overseeing the gathering of donations to the cathedral. With regards to the spire, a late addition to the medieval cathedral designed by the 19th-century French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, many see it as an integral part of the building. "It needs to be rebuilt as it was before," said Philippe Villeneuve, the architect in charge of restoring the cathedral, arguing that the sheer power of the spire integrated it with the medieval church. He is backed by Viollet-le-Duc's descendants and, according to opinion polls, the French public. But the government has left open the possibility of an international competition for architects to design something new. Experts are also intensively researching the precise original architecture of the cathedral so that when reconstruction begins it is as accurate as possible. "Before 2010, we only have old-style surveys, plans that have been redrawn on numerous occasions which are very partial and very imprecise," said Remi Fromont, one of the architects responsible for the site who is working on drawing up accurate plans. Andrew Tallon, a Belgium-born scholar who died aged 49 in November 2018, carried out hugely valuable laser scans of the interior in 2010 that have proved an even more valuable legacy than he could have imagined. "We know that we will have shortcomings. Not all the chapels were systematically scanned. There are still areas of doubt," Fromont said. In the aftermath of the fire, private individuals and above all rich French cooperations rushed to pledge hundreds of millions for the rebuilding of the cathedral. There were concerns about whether this funding would ever be realised. But France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord over his pledge of $220 million, as did the Pinault family for their promised 100 million euros. A signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October. The consortium of fundraising groups behind the drive believes that $890,000 can be raised in total, with over 616 million euros now either transferred or pledged. But lovers of the historic masterpiece, be they tourists, architecture buffs or worshippers, may have to wait some time before Notre-Dame becomes theirs again. "I have felt orphaned, it is like being in mourning," said Michele Chevalier, 70, a regular at Notre-Dame who was at the service when the first evacuation took place. "I still manage to pray, but it's not the same."

Six months on, Notre-Dame's rebirth still years away

Apple on Wednesday removed an app that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-stage-peaceful-rallies-calling-for-liberation-254834">protestors in Hong Kong</a> have used to track police movements, saying the app violated its rules because it was used to ambush police and by criminals who used it to victimise residents in areas with no law enforcement.

Apple rejected the crowdsourcing app, HKmap.live, earlier this month but then reversed course last week, allowing the app to appear on its App Store.

The approval drew a sharply worded commentary from the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, on Tuesday with Apple criticised for allowing a "poisonous" app.

Apple said in a statement that "many concerned customers in Hong Kong" contacted the company about the mapping app. Apple said it immediately began investigating the app's use and found it "has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong."

"The app displays police locations and we have verified with the Hong Kong Cybersecurity and Technology Crime Bureau that the app has been used to target and ambush police, threaten public safety, and criminals have used it to victimize residents in areas where they know there is no law enforcement," the statement said.

Gravitas: Hong Kong Protests: Biggest Political Crisis In Xi Jinping's Career

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hong-kong-protests-biggest-political-crisis-in-xi-jinpings-career-254353/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Apple did not comment beyond its statement, and the app's developer did not immediately have a comment on the removal.

Under Apple's rules and policies, apps that meet its standards to appear in the App Store have sometimes been removed after their release if they were found to facilitate illegal activity or threaten public safety.

In 2011, Apple modified its app store to remove apps that listed locations for drunken driving checkpoints not previously published by law enforcement officials.

Asked for comment after the People's Daily piece was published, HKmap.live's developer, who has not revealed his or her identity, said the app merely consolidated information that was available in the public domain, such as groups on Telegram, another service protestors were using to communicate.

"Protest is part of our freedom of speech (sic) and I don't think the application is illegal in HK," the developer told Reuters in a direct message on Tuesday.

Apple on Wednesday removed an app that protestors in Hong Kong have used to track police movements, saying the app violated its rules because it was used to ambush police and by criminals who used it to victimise residents in areas with no law enforcement.

Apple on Wednesday removed an app that protestors in Hong Kong have used to track police movements, saying the app violated its rules because it was used to ambush police and by criminals who used it to victimise residents in areas with no law enforcement. Apple rejected the crowdsourcing app, HKmap.live, earlier this month but then reversed course last week, allowing the app to appear on its App Store. The approval drew a sharply worded commentary from the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, the People's Daily, on Tuesday with Apple criticised for allowing a "poisonous" app. Apple said in a statement that "many concerned customers in Hong Kong" contacted the company about the mapping app. Apple said it immediately began investigating the app's use and found it "has been used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents in Hong Kong." "The app displays police locations and we have verified with the Hong Kong Cybersecurity and Technology Crime Bureau that the app has been used to target and ambush police, threaten public safety, and criminals have used it to victimize residents in areas where they know there is no law enforcement," the statement said. Gravitas: Hong Kong Protests: Biggest Political Crisis In Xi Jinping's Career Apple did not comment beyond its statement, and the app's developer did not immediately have a comment on the removal. Under Apple's rules and policies, apps that meet its standards to appear in the App Store have sometimes been removed after their release if they were found to facilitate illegal activity or threaten public safety. In 2011, Apple modified its app store to remove apps that listed locations for drunken driving checkpoints not previously published by law enforcement officials. Asked for comment after the People's Daily piece was published, HKmap.live's developer, who has not revealed his or her identity, said the app merely consolidated information that was available in the public domain, such as groups on Telegram, another service protestors were using to communicate. "Protest is part of our freedom of speech (sic) and I don't think the application is illegal in HK," the developer told Reuters in a direct message on Tuesday.

Apple removes police-tracking app used in Hong Kong protests from its app store

Asian markets rose Thursday but investors moved cautiously as they sifted through conflicting reports about the outlook for upcoming China-US trade talks.

Global investors have been broadly upbeat in recent weeks that the meeting in Washington between top-level representatives would see at least some progress.

But with the much-anticipated gathering due to start within hours, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported pre-meeting discussions had not made any progress on key areas such as forced technology transfers and would be cut in half to just one day.

That came after Wall Street's three main indexes had ended with healthy gains on reports that a pared-down deal was still possible, with Beijing boosting agricultural purchases and the US delaying the imposition of new tariffs next week.

Tensions were already showing this week after the US unveiled restrictions on 28 Chinese entities over human rights violations in Xinjiang province and imposed visa restrictions on some officials, while a report said the White House was considering curtailing US investment in the country.

For its part, sources were reported to have said China had narrowed the issues it was willing to discuss as it felt in a stronger position owing to Donald Trump facing an impeachment inquiry at home and a weakening economy.

The SCMP report "reverses the trade optimism that was dominating overnight flow as investors were hoping that at minimum, some type of a deal could be forged", said Stephen Innes, Asia-Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader.

'Petals from a flower'

"So instead of debating how encompassing the deal might be, investors are now back to plucking petals from a flower guessing if there will be a deal at all."

On regional markets Shanghai and Hong Kong each rose 0.4 per cent while Tokyo went into the break 0.5 per cent higher. Sydney and Singapore each added 0.1 per cent, with Manila and Jakarta also higher.

Wellington was flat and Seoul sank 0.8 per cent.

In foreign exchanges, the dollar was lower against most other currencies after minutes from the Federal Reserve's September policy meeting showed it was growing concerned about the impact of Trump's trade war.

The central bank is expected to cut interest rates for the third time when the board meets again later this month.

The minutes "revealed greater concerns over downside risk from slowing global growth and trade tensions with subdued inflation also seen as a reason to cut", said Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank.

But he pointed out that "a few officials saw the need to push back against market Fed rate cut expectations".

Oil prices extended Wednesday's losses following data showing a bigger-than-forecast pick-up in US inventories that reinforced worries about the impact on demand from a global slowdown and trade frictions.

The data reversed a rally of more than one per cent in the commodity that came after Turkey launched an offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Syria.

Asian markets rose Thursday but investors moved cautiously as they sifted through conflicting reports about the outlook for upcoming China-US trade talks. Global investors have been broadly upbeat in recent weeks that the meeting in Washington between top-level representatives would see at least some progress.

Asian markets rose Thursday but investors moved cautiously as they sifted through conflicting reports about the outlook for upcoming China-US trade talks. Global investors have been broadly upbeat in recent weeks that the meeting in Washington between top-level representatives would see at least some progress. But with the much-anticipated gathering due to start within hours, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported pre-meeting discussions had not made any progress on key areas such as forced technology transfers and would be cut in half to just one day. That came after Wall Street's three main indexes had ended with healthy gains on reports that a pared-down deal was still possible, with Beijing boosting agricultural purchases and the US delaying the imposition of new tariffs next week. Tensions were already showing this week after the US unveiled restrictions on 28 Chinese entities over human rights violations in Xinjiang province and imposed visa restrictions on some officials, while a report said the White House was considering curtailing US investment in the country. For its part, sources were reported to have said China had narrowed the issues it was willing to discuss as it felt in a stronger position owing to Donald Trump facing an impeachment inquiry at home and a weakening economy. The SCMP report "reverses the trade optimism that was dominating overnight flow as investors were hoping that at minimum, some type of a deal could be forged", said Stephen Innes, Asia-Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader. 'Petals from a flower' "So instead of debating how encompassing the deal might be, investors are now back to plucking petals from a flower guessing if there will be a deal at all." On regional markets Shanghai and Hong Kong each rose 0.4 per cent while Tokyo went into the break 0.5 per cent higher. Sydney and Singapore each added 0.1 per cent, with Manila and Jakarta also higher. Wellington was flat and Seoul sank 0.8 per cent. In foreign exchanges, the dollar was lower against most other currencies after minutes from the Federal Reserve's September policy meeting showed it was growing concerned about the impact of Trump's trade war. The central bank is expected to cut interest rates for the third time when the board meets again later this month. The minutes "revealed greater concerns over downside risk from slowing global growth and trade tensions with subdued inflation also seen as a reason to cut", said Rodrigo Catril at National Australia Bank. But he pointed out that "a few officials saw the need to push back against market Fed rate cut expectations". Oil prices extended Wednesday's losses following data showing a bigger-than-forecast pick-up in US inventories that reinforced worries about the impact on demand from a global slowdown and trade frictions. The data reversed a rally of more than one per cent in the commodity that came after Turkey launched an offensive against Kurdish militants in northern Syria.

Asia markets rise as dealers nervously await start of trade talks

Sporting a black quiff and sideburns, Ahmad Zahir sang of love and heartbreak in liberal 1970s Kabul -- a city now plagued by war and suffering, but where the popularity of Afghanistan's "Elvis" remains undimmed 40 years after his death.

Zahir -- the son of a former prime minister with a penchant for brandy and his red Mercedes -- rose to fame in an era when the capital hummed with Western tourists and women strolled through the streets in high heels.

"Everybody loved him," 73-year-old Safiullah Sobat, a long-time friend of Zahir, told AFP.

"At nighttime girls would come outside his house and honk the horn of their cars."

But on the day of his 33rd birthday in 1979, Zahir was found dead in his car in mysterious circumstances. His death -- much like his life -- has become part of folklore.

In Afghanistan today, where space for music and dance has shrunk under the shadow of war, music channels still play his songs daily and fans -- even those born decades after his death -- continue to snap up his albums and join Facebook groups created in his honour.

"His songs will touch your heart no matter what mood you are in, happy or sad," says Hashmat, who goes by one name and is the manager of "Ahmad Zahir's Cottage", a colourful restaurant in downtown Kabul.

The 26-year-old welcomes his customers -- mostly young couples -- with tea, a hookah pipe and most importantly, their hero's songs.

Zahir -- an ethnic Pashtun -- played concerts in various locations across the country and had fans among all ethnic groups in Afghanistan, which is far more polarised now than at the height of his fame.

"Today we see ethnic rivalries have sadly increased but Ahmad Zahir's music is still connecting people," explains Basir Burhan, a 30-year-old amateur musician.

Wherever you go in Afghanistan, he said, "if there is music, there'll definitely be one Ahmad Zahir song playing".

Former DJ Zubair Rezaee, 27, described Zahir as "evergreen".

He endures because when "you listen to his songs ... you think they are for you, at any time, at any place.

"The wars, the changes in society and a different generation, nothing has affected the quality of his songs," he said.

Rumours and secrets

The 1960s and 70s are remembered as a golden age of music for Afghanistan, when young musicians were mostly influenced by Indian classics and would flock to "Radio Kabul" -- the only radio broadcaster at the time -- to record hits at their studio.

Zahir's best-known works were inspired by Persian poets like Rumi and Hafiz, and he sang mostly in Dari or Afghan Persian.

But he did not shy away from covering Western greats such as France's Enrico Macias and, of course, Elvis Presley.&nbsp;

"At a time when singers shaking their bodies or dancing on stage was seen as awkward, he appeared on stage and screen doing exactly that," said Zahir's friend Sobat, who also runs "Ahmad Zahir's Art and Culture Centre" in Kabul.

"He was talking about Elvis a lot and when you look at his hairstyle, his clothes, the way he moved his body in concerts, you realise he was inspired by Elvis."

Over the decades since his death, conflicting accounts have surfaced about whether Zahir -- who recorded more than 20 albums in his short life -- was killed or died in a car accident.

The official line was that he was killed in a crash near the Salang Pass, north of Kabul.

But many maintain the communist regime assassinated him after his songs became increasingly critical, or because of rumours he had a secret affair with the daughter of the then prime minister.

Sobat believes he was murdered.

"When I saw his body in the coffin, there was hole in his forehead with signs of burns. He was shot at close range," he said.

Years of war have followed and under the Taliban, who banned music, his grave in Kabul was desecrated.

But it has been rebuilt and since then, every June 14, his birthday, pilgrims have flocked to Shohada-E-Salehin Cemetery on the southern edge of Kabul to lay flowers on his grave and play one of his last memorable songs.

"My death shall arrive one day/ In a spring bright with waves of light/ Oh, perhaps my lovers at midnight /lay wreaths on my sorrow(ful) grave," the lyrics read.

Sporting a black quiff and sideburns, Ahmad Zahir sang of love and heartbreak in liberal 1970s Kabul -- a city now plagued by war and suffering, but where the popularity of Afghanistan's "Elvis" remains undimmed 40 years after his death.

Sporting a black quiff and sideburns, Ahmad Zahir sang of love and heartbreak in liberal 1970s Kabul -- a city now plagued by war and suffering, but where the popularity of Afghanistan's "Elvis" remains undimmed 40 years after his death. Zahir -- the son of a former prime minister with a penchant for brandy and his red Mercedes -- rose to fame in an era when the capital hummed with Western tourists and women strolled through the streets in high heels. "Everybody loved him," 73-year-old Safiullah Sobat, a long-time friend of Zahir, told AFP. "At nighttime girls would come outside his house and honk the horn of their cars." But on the day of his 33rd birthday in 1979, Zahir was found dead in his car in mysterious circumstances. His death -- much like his life -- has become part of folklore. In Afghanistan today, where space for music and dance has shrunk under the shadow of war, music channels still play his songs daily and fans -- even those born decades after his death -- continue to snap up his albums and join Facebook groups created in his honour. "His songs will touch your heart no matter what mood you are in, happy or sad," says Hashmat, who goes by one name and is the manager of "Ahmad Zahir's Cottage", a colourful restaurant in downtown Kabul. The 26-year-old welcomes his customers -- mostly young couples -- with tea, a hookah pipe and most importantly, their hero's songs. Zahir -- an ethnic Pashtun -- played concerts in various locations across the country and had fans among all ethnic groups in Afghanistan, which is far more polarised now than at the height of his fame. "Today we see ethnic rivalries have sadly increased but Ahmad Zahir's music is still connecting people," explains Basir Burhan, a 30-year-old amateur musician. Wherever you go in Afghanistan, he said, "if there is music, there'll definitely be one Ahmad Zahir song playing". Former DJ Zubair Rezaee, 27, described Zahir as "evergreen". He endures because when "you listen to his songs ... you think they are for you, at any time, at any place. "The wars, the changes in society and a different generation, nothing has affected the quality of his songs," he said. Rumours and secrets The 1960s and 70s are remembered as a golden age of music for Afghanistan, when young musicians were mostly influenced by Indian classics and would flock to "Radio Kabul" -- the only radio broadcaster at the time -- to record hits at their studio. Zahir's best-known works were inspired by Persian poets like Rumi and Hafiz, and he sang mostly in Dari or Afghan Persian. But he did not shy away from covering Western greats such as France's Enrico Macias and, of course, Elvis Presley. "At a time when singers shaking their bodies or dancing on stage was seen as awkward, he appeared on stage and screen doing exactly that," said Zahir's friend Sobat, who also runs "Ahmad Zahir's Art and Culture Centre" in Kabul. "He was talking about Elvis a lot and when you look at his hairstyle, his clothes, the way he moved his body in concerts, you realise he was inspired by Elvis." Over the decades since his death, conflicting accounts have surfaced about whether Zahir -- who recorded more than 20 albums in his short life -- was killed or died in a car accident. The official line was that he was killed in a crash near the Salang Pass, north of Kabul. But many maintain the communist regime assassinated him after his songs became increasingly critical, or because of rumours he had a secret affair with the daughter of the then prime minister. Sobat believes he was murdered. "When I saw his body in the coffin, there was hole in his forehead with signs of burns. He was shot at close range," he said. Years of war have followed and under the Taliban, who banned music, his grave in Kabul was desecrated. But it has been rebuilt and since then, every June 14, his birthday, pilgrims have flocked to Shohada-E-Salehin Cemetery on the southern edge of Kabul to lay flowers on his grave and play one of his last memorable songs. "My death shall arrive one day/ In a spring bright with waves of light/ Oh, perhaps my lovers at midnight /lay wreaths on my sorrow(ful) grave," the lyrics read.

Burning love: Afghanistan Elvis's legacy endures, decades after death

The Swedish Academy will crown two Nobel literature laureates on Thursday, after postponing last year's prize over a sexual harassment scandal.

Experts say the academy will seek to avoid ruffling any feathers with this year's choices as it bids to move on from the scandal that saw the husband of one of its members jailed for rape.

Ahead of the announcement at 1:00 pm, when it will reveal one winner for 2018 and one for 2019, some names creating a buzz are poet Anne Carson and novelist Margaret Atwood, both of Canada, as well as Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, Polish writer and activist Olga Tokarczuk, and French Guadeloupean Maryse Conde, according to betting site Unibet.

Stockholm's literary circles have also speculated about Romanian poet and novelist Mircea Cartarescu, Polish writer Hanna Krall, Antiguan-American author Jamaica Kincaid, South Korean writer Han Kang and Joyce Carol Oates of the United States.

Dating back to 1786, the Swedish Academy is at pains to repair its reputation after the scandal exposed scheming, conflicts of interest, harassment and a culture of silence among its 18 members, long esteemed as the country's guardians of culture.

The revelations shook Sweden, a Lutheran nation that prides itself on transparency and consensual democracy and is intolerant of inequality.

Left in tatters by the debacle, the Academy, tasked with selecting the Nobel Literature laureate, postponed the 2018 prize until this year -- the first delay in 70 years.

Nobel sex scandal

Now revamped with new members and statutes, it is widely expected to pick writers who will not spark further controversy, and at least one is almost certain to be a woman, literary critics interviewed by AFP predicted.

Only 14 of the 114 literature laureates since 1901 have been women.&nbsp;

The Academy does not release a shortlist. While possible winners are always anyone's guess, the speculation is even more rampant this year given the many changes within the institution.

Among many other names cited as possible winners are Chinese fiction writer Can Xue, Japanese author Haruki Murakami and Russian novelist Lyudmila Ulitskaya.

The Academy's woes began in November 2017 when it disagreed about how to manage its close ties to Frenchman Jean-Claude Arnault, accused and later convicted of rape.

Arnault is married to Katarina Frostenson, a member of the Academy who later resigned over the scandal at the height of the #MeToo movement against harassment of women.

The pair also ran a cultural club in Stockholm that received funding from the body.

Ultimately, seven members quit the Academy, including then permanent secretary Sara Danius.

"From having been associated with literature of the highest order, the Nobel Prize is for many now associated with #MeToo... and a dysfunctional organisation," Swedish literary critic Madelaine Levy told AFP.

Reputational damage

The empty seats have since been filled, and literature professor Mats Malm took over as permanent secretary in June.

"The changes have been very productive and we are hopeful for the future," Malm told AFP in an interview just days before the prize announcement.

He acknowledged the affair had tainted the institution and said improvements were still needed.

"A lot of hard work remains, of that we are certain."

Retired publisher Svante Weyler said he thought the Academy's -- and prize's -- reputation could be repaired, "but only through wise choices of laureates."

Giving the nod to US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in 2016 also led some to question the Academy's judgement.

Weyler expected the Academy would try hard to steer clear of controversy, and probably go for one author highly regarded in literary circles and one with broader appeal -- but "absolutely no one that can cause a controversial political discussion," he said.

New procedure

The Academy used to be the sole arbiter of who gets the Nobel Literature Prize.

But following demands of external oversight from the Nobel Foundation which manages the prize money, the selection committee has been altered to include five members from outside the body.

Given the stain on the Academy's reputation, Levy raised the possibility "that those given the award won't accept it" -- as French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre did in 1964.

This year's laureates -- especially if either is male -- can expect their work and personal life to come under great scrutiny, in particular for expressions of misogyny, Levy added.

The Swedish Academy will crown two Nobel literature laureates on Thursday, after postponing last year's prize over a sexual harassment scandal. Experts say the academy will seek to avoid ruffling any feathers with this year's choices as it bids to move on from the scandal that saw the husband of one of its members jailed for rape.

The Swedish Academy will crown two Nobel literature laureates on Thursday, after postponing last year's prize over a sexual harassment scandal. Experts say the academy will seek to avoid ruffling any feathers with this year's choices as it bids to move on from the scandal that saw the husband of one of its members jailed for rape. Ahead of the announcement at 1:00 pm, when it will reveal one winner for 2018 and one for 2019, some names creating a buzz are poet Anne Carson and novelist Margaret Atwood, both of Canada, as well as Kenyan writer Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, Polish writer and activist Olga Tokarczuk, and French Guadeloupean Maryse Conde, according to betting site Unibet. Stockholm's literary circles have also speculated about Romanian poet and novelist Mircea Cartarescu, Polish writer Hanna Krall, Antiguan-American author Jamaica Kincaid, South Korean writer Han Kang and Joyce Carol Oates of the United States. Dating back to 1786, the Swedish Academy is at pains to repair its reputation after the scandal exposed scheming, conflicts of interest, harassment and a culture of silence among its 18 members, long esteemed as the country's guardians of culture. The revelations shook Sweden, a Lutheran nation that prides itself on transparency and consensual democracy and is intolerant of inequality. Left in tatters by the debacle, the Academy, tasked with selecting the Nobel Literature laureate, postponed the 2018 prize until this year -- the first delay in 70 years. Nobel sex scandal Now revamped with new members and statutes, it is widely expected to pick writers who will not spark further controversy, and at least one is almost certain to be a woman, literary critics interviewed by AFP predicted. Only 14 of the 114 literature laureates since 1901 have been women. The Academy does not release a shortlist. While possible winners are always anyone's guess, the speculation is even more rampant this year given the many changes within the institution. Among many other names cited as possible winners are Chinese fiction writer Can Xue, Japanese author Haruki Murakami and Russian novelist Lyudmila Ulitskaya. The Academy's woes began in November 2017 when it disagreed about how to manage its close ties to Frenchman Jean-Claude Arnault, accused and later convicted of rape. Arnault is married to Katarina Frostenson, a member of the Academy who later resigned over the scandal at the height of the #MeToo movement against harassment of women. The pair also ran a cultural club in Stockholm that received funding from the body. Ultimately, seven members quit the Academy, including then permanent secretary Sara Danius. "From having been associated with literature of the highest order, the Nobel Prize is for many now associated with #MeToo... and a dysfunctional organisation," Swedish literary critic Madelaine Levy told AFP. Reputational damage The empty seats have since been filled, and literature professor Mats Malm took over as permanent secretary in June. "The changes have been very productive and we are hopeful for the future," Malm told AFP in an interview just days before the prize announcement. He acknowledged the affair had tainted the institution and said improvements were still needed. "A lot of hard work remains, of that we are certain." Retired publisher Svante Weyler said he thought the Academy's -- and prize's -- reputation could be repaired, "but only through wise choices of laureates." Giving the nod to US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in 2016 also led some to question the Academy's judgement. Weyler expected the Academy would try hard to steer clear of controversy, and probably go for one author highly regarded in literary circles and one with broader appeal -- but "absolutely no one that can cause a controversial political discussion," he said. New procedure The Academy used to be the sole arbiter of who gets the Nobel Literature Prize. But following demands of external oversight from the Nobel Foundation which manages the prize money, the selection committee has been altered to include five members from outside the body. Given the stain on the Academy's reputation, Levy raised the possibility "that those given the award won't accept it" -- as French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre did in 1964. This year's laureates -- especially if either is male -- can expect their work and personal life to come under great scrutiny, in particular for expressions of misogyny, Levy added.

Post-scandal Academy to award two Nobel Literature prizes

Romania's beleaguered left-wing government risks collapse in a no-confidence vote Thursday, just weeks before a presidential election and amid controversy over the country's nominee for EU commissioner.

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila lost her parliamentary majority in August when the junior coalition partner of her Social Democrats (PSD), Romania's biggest party, withdrew support, citing major disagreements.&nbsp;

That followed hard on the heels of the PSD's shock losses in May's European Parliament elections and the jailing of its once all-powerful leader, Liviu Dragnea, on corruption charges.

The opposition says the no-confidence motion has the support of at least 233 MPs in the 465-seat parliament, just enough to pass it, though some might yet side with the PSD, leaving the outcome in the balance.

"This motion won't pass. I trust the good sense of MPs who value the country's stability," Dancila told PSD lawmakers Tuesday.

The motion demanding the government's sacking had received 237 signatures.

Lobbying lawmakers

Dancila has since instructed her own party lawmakers to abstain from voting to prevent possible "betrayals" and has tried to woo support, promising to pay local communities 300 million euros this Friday to make sure their MPs back her.

Lawmakers likely to change sides have also been offered public service posts and spots on party lists for next year's legislative elections.

The result of the vote is eagerly awaited in Brussels after Dancila's candidate for EU commissioner was rejected. Newly-elected European Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen, has requested a replacement.

Dancila -- whose PSD has been in power since late 2016 but has seen massive protests over controversial judicial reforms -- is also due to run in presidential elections with the first round scheduled for November 10.

Incumbent centre-right President Klaus Iohannis already looks set to be re-elected for a second term, and an overthrow of Dancila's government would weaken her chances even further.

If the motion succeeds, Iohannis will consult parties before appointing a new prime minister to run the poor, corruption-plagued EU member until legislative elections scheduled for the end of next year.

Undermined by internal dissent, the opposition has so far failed to agree on an alternative candidate to Dancila.

One option is former transport minister Ludovic Orban, leader of the Liberals, which Iohannis used to head, but he enjoys far from unanimous backing.

Whatever the outcome of the vote, the government -- current or new -- will have the delicate task of writing the budget for 2020, complicated by an explosion of public spending in recent months as the PSD struggles to stay in power.

The International Monetary Fund has already warned that Romania risks surpassing the three percent public deficit ceiling imposed by the EU, urging Bucharest to give up on a PSD promise of doubling pensions by 2022.

Romania's beleaguered left-wing government risks collapse in a no-confidence vote Thursday, just weeks before a presidential election and amid controversy over the country's nominee for EU commissioner.

Romania's beleaguered left-wing government risks collapse in a no-confidence vote Thursday, just weeks before a presidential election and amid controversy over the country's nominee for EU commissioner. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila lost her parliamentary majority in August when the junior coalition partner of her Social Democrats (PSD), Romania's biggest party, withdrew support, citing major disagreements. That followed hard on the heels of the PSD's shock losses in May's European Parliament elections and the jailing of its once all-powerful leader, Liviu Dragnea, on corruption charges. The opposition says the no-confidence motion has the support of at least 233 MPs in the 465-seat parliament, just enough to pass it, though some might yet side with the PSD, leaving the outcome in the balance. "This motion won't pass. I trust the good sense of MPs who value the country's stability," Dancila told PSD lawmakers Tuesday. The motion demanding the government's sacking had received 237 signatures. Lobbying lawmakers Dancila has since instructed her own party lawmakers to abstain from voting to prevent possible "betrayals" and has tried to woo support, promising to pay local communities 300 million euros this Friday to make sure their MPs back her. Lawmakers likely to change sides have also been offered public service posts and spots on party lists for next year's legislative elections. The result of the vote is eagerly awaited in Brussels after Dancila's candidate for EU commissioner was rejected. Newly-elected European Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen, has requested a replacement. Dancila -- whose PSD has been in power since late 2016 but has seen massive protests over controversial judicial reforms -- is also due to run in presidential elections with the first round scheduled for November 10. Incumbent centre-right President Klaus Iohannis already looks set to be re-elected for a second term, and an overthrow of Dancila's government would weaken her chances even further. If the motion succeeds, Iohannis will consult parties before appointing a new prime minister to run the poor, corruption-plagued EU member until legislative elections scheduled for the end of next year. Undermined by internal dissent, the opposition has so far failed to agree on an alternative candidate to Dancila. One option is former transport minister Ludovic Orban, leader of the Liberals, which Iohannis used to head, but he enjoys far from unanimous backing. Whatever the outcome of the vote, the government -- current or new -- will have the delicate task of writing the budget for 2020, complicated by an explosion of public spending in recent months as the PSD struggles to stay in power. The International Monetary Fund has already warned that Romania risks surpassing the three percent public deficit ceiling imposed by the EU, urging Bucharest to give up on a PSD promise of doubling pensions by 2022.

Romania government faces collapse in no-confidence vote

Poland's governing right-wing party is poised to win a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lgbt-community-under-fire-ahead-of-elections-in-poland-254446">general election on Sunday</a>, buoyed by generous social spending and fiery nationalist rhetoric, but its majority is at risk, giving opposition parties a narrow chance to snatch power.

In office since 2015 and led by ex-premier Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the Law and Justice (PiS) party has sought to mobilise mainly poorer rural voters by coupling family values with populist promises to extend benefits and hike the minimum wage.

Kaczynski, widely regarded as Poland's de facto leader, has led a highly polarising campaign, attacking sexual minorities and rejecting Western liberal values, all with the tacit blessing of Poland's influential Catholic church which holds sway over rural voters. &nbsp;

The Civic Coalition (KO), supported by outgoing EU Council President Donald Tusk -- Kaczynski's arch-rival -- has rallied mainly urban voters upset by the PiS's divisive politics, judicial reforms threatening the rule of law and high-profile graft scandals.&nbsp;

Railing against the PiS's anti-LGBT views and its close ties to the church, but sharing its welfare goals, left-wing parties are poised to return to parliament after a four-year hiatus.&nbsp;

Surveys also suggest two smaller groups could win seats, including the far-right.&nbsp;

"The electorate is split down the middle, with around 45 per cent each for the PiS and the centrist and leftist opposition," Anna Materska-Sosnowska, a Warsaw University political scientist, told AFP.

"Turnout will decide whether the PiS will govern alone, whether it will have to build a coalition, or even if it might lose its majority," she added.

'Promises kept'

The PiS has capitalised on a growing populist backlash against liberal urban elites, similar to trends in Western Europe and the US.&nbsp;

Its generous social programmes have sought to appeal to Poles who felt they reaped little gain from Poland's explosive growth after it shed communism in 1989.&nbsp;

"Our great social program has led to the fact that the sphere of poverty, often extreme misery... has been abolished," Kaczynski, 70, told supporters at a Warsaw rally this week, calling it "our moral achievement."

"PiS has done a great deal of good for families, pensioners, for children... they've kept their promises," Malgorzata Kowalska, 66, a retired orphanage employee told AFP as she left a Warsaw church.

But a recent study shows that while extreme poverty dropped slightly in 2016-17 to just over four per cent it rebounded to 5.4 per cent in 2018 as inflation rose. &nbsp;

Joanna, a 40-year-old stay-at-home mother raising three girls receives 1,500 zloty (350 euro, $380) per month in child benefits, She says the cash-in-hand won't sway her.

"Regardless of how much they'll give, I'll never vote for the PiS," said the formerly self-employed psychology graduate, slamming the party's "contempt for Poles who don't fit the stereotype of traditional Catholics."

'Clean up politics'

Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, the even-tempered 62-year-old deputy speaker of parliament chosen by the KO as its candidate for prime minister, has sought to provide a clear alternative to Kaczynski's polarising campaign.

"Let's clean up politics, free Poles from hatred, hypocrisy and political toxins," she told supporters in Warsaw this week.

The KO opposition has vowed to reverse controversial PiS judicial reforms which the EU says threaten judicial independence and the rule of law but has otherwise offered voters little.

According to Laurent Pech, a professor of European law at Middlesex University in the UK, threats to the rule of law in Poland are bound to "significantly worsen" should PiS return to power.

Kaczynski's plans for a "future 'reorganisation' of the courts are likely to mean a purge of the Polish judiciary under false pretences which will lead in turn to a renewed open conflict with the EU," he told AFP via email.

Most migrants

On the economic front, Poland has fared well with strong growth under the PiS, something critics attribute to favourable external factors.

Joblessness hit a 30-year record low of 5.1 per cent in September as employers struggled to find workers.&nbsp;

Despite the PiS's strident anti-migrant rhetoric in the campaign ahead of its stunning 2015 victory, Poland became the world's top temporary labour destination in 2017, surpassing even the US, according to the OECD.

Some 1.2 million temporary migrants arrived, mostly from Ukraine, to plug a massive labour gap created when Poles left for more lucrative work in the West after joining the EU in 2004.

Voting runs from 0500 to 1900 GMT on Sunday, with exit polls expected after the polls close and preliminary results due on Monday.

Poland's governing right-wing party is poised to win a general election on Sunday, buoyed by generous social spending and fiery nationalist rhetoric, but its majority is at risk, giving opposition parties a narrow chance to snatch power.

Poland's governing right-wing party is poised to win a general election on Sunday, buoyed by generous social spending and fiery nationalist rhetoric, but its majority is at risk, giving opposition parties a narrow chance to snatch power. In office since 2015 and led by ex-premier Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the Law and Justice (PiS) party has sought to mobilise mainly poorer rural voters by coupling family values with populist promises to extend benefits and hike the minimum wage. Kaczynski, widely regarded as Poland's de facto leader, has led a highly polarising campaign, attacking sexual minorities and rejecting Western liberal values, all with the tacit blessing of Poland's influential Catholic church which holds sway over rural voters. The Civic Coalition (KO), supported by outgoing EU Council President Donald Tusk -- Kaczynski's arch-rival -- has rallied mainly urban voters upset by the PiS's divisive politics, judicial reforms threatening the rule of law and high-profile graft scandals. Railing against the PiS's anti-LGBT views and its close ties to the church, but sharing its welfare goals, left-wing parties are poised to return to parliament after a four-year hiatus. Surveys also suggest two smaller groups could win seats, including the far-right. "The electorate is split down the middle, with around 45 per cent each for the PiS and the centrist and leftist opposition," Anna Materska-Sosnowska, a Warsaw University political scientist, told AFP. "Turnout will decide whether the PiS will govern alone, whether it will have to build a coalition, or even if it might lose its majority," she added. 'Promises kept' The PiS has capitalised on a growing populist backlash against liberal urban elites, similar to trends in Western Europe and the US. Its generous social programmes have sought to appeal to Poles who felt they reaped little gain from Poland's explosive growth after it shed communism in 1989. "Our great social program has led to the fact that the sphere of poverty, often extreme misery... has been abolished," Kaczynski, 70, told supporters at a Warsaw rally this week, calling it "our moral achievement." "PiS has done a great deal of good for families, pensioners, for children... they've kept their promises," Malgorzata Kowalska, 66, a retired orphanage employee told AFP as she left a Warsaw church. But a recent study shows that while extreme poverty dropped slightly in 2016-17 to just over four per cent it rebounded to 5.4 per cent in 2018 as inflation rose. Joanna, a 40-year-old stay-at-home mother raising three girls receives 1,500 zloty (350 euro, $380) per month in child benefits, She says the cash-in-hand won't sway her. "Regardless of how much they'll give, I'll never vote for the PiS," said the formerly self-employed psychology graduate, slamming the party's "contempt for Poles who don't fit the stereotype of traditional Catholics." 'Clean up politics' Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, the even-tempered 62-year-old deputy speaker of parliament chosen by the KO as its candidate for prime minister, has sought to provide a clear alternative to Kaczynski's polarising campaign. "Let's clean up politics, free Poles from hatred, hypocrisy and political toxins," she told supporters in Warsaw this week. The KO opposition has vowed to reverse controversial PiS judicial reforms which the EU says threaten judicial independence and the rule of law but has otherwise offered voters little. According to Laurent Pech, a professor of European law at Middlesex University in the UK, threats to the rule of law in Poland are bound to "significantly worsen" should PiS return to power. Kaczynski's plans for a "future 'reorganisation' of the courts are likely to mean a purge of the Polish judiciary under false pretences which will lead in turn to a renewed open conflict with the EU," he told AFP via email. Most migrants On the economic front, Poland has fared well with strong growth under the PiS, something critics attribute to favourable external factors. Joblessness hit a 30-year record low of 5.1 per cent in September as employers struggled to find workers. Despite the PiS's strident anti-migrant rhetoric in the campaign ahead of its stunning 2015 victory, Poland became the world's top temporary labour destination in 2017, surpassing even the US, according to the OECD. Some 1.2 million temporary migrants arrived, mostly from Ukraine, to plug a massive labour gap created when Poles left for more lucrative work in the West after joining the EU in 2004. Voting runs from 0500 to 1900 GMT on Sunday, with exit polls expected after the polls close and preliminary results due on Monday.

Poland's populists set for victory but majority at risk

Electricity was shut off to more than 500,000 California homes and workplaces on Wednesday as Pacific Gas and Electric Co (PG&amp;E) imposed a planned power outage of unprecedented scale to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-lawmakers-approve-legislation-for-21-billion-wildfire-fund-235193">reduce wildfire risks</a> posed by extremely windy, dry weather.

The power cut knocked out traffic signals, forced school closures and shut businesses and government offices across northern and central California, according to Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Services.

One of the more noteworthy disruptions occurred at the University of California at Berkeley, which cancelled classes on Wednesday.

A second phase of the "public safety power shutoff," delayed until the evening, was due to extend power cuts to another 234,000 customers, the utility said, and it was considering a third phase for 42,000 more dwellings and businesses.

The action ultimately could leave nearly 800,000 homes and businesses, comprising millions of people, without electricity - the largest precautionary electricity shutoff undertaken by PG&amp;E, California's biggest investor-owned utility.

"It's too bad that it is such a large area to be turned off," said Matthew Gallagher, a resident of Vacaville, a rural town 60 miles northeast of San Francisco where everything from the local Walmart retail outlet to gasoline service stations were closed for lack of power.

A similar cutoff was under consideration by neighbouring utility Southern California Edison for nearly 174,000 of its customers, about 50,000 of them in Los Angeles County, should severe winds hit Southern California on Thursday as forecast, SoCal Edison spokeswoman Taelor Bakewell said.

Some of California's most devastating wildfires were sparked in recent years by damage to electrical transmission lines from recurring bouts of high winds that then spread the flames through tinder-dry vegetation into populated areas.

"We are entering into a two-, three- or four-day period of extreme fire danger in California," Governor Gavin Newsom said at an event in San Diego on Wednesday.

'Red flag'

Gale-force wind gusts, mostly in higher elevations, were expected to intensify late on Wednesday across northern and central California before gradually migrating into Southern California overnight and Thursday, National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Anderson said. He said extremely low humidity levels added to the fire threat.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said "red-flag" warnings were posted across the state for what was shaping up to be the strongest wind event so far this season.

PG&amp;E warned residents to prepare for outages that could last several days. But spokeswoman Kristi Jourdan said the utility expected to restore electricity to most customers within 24 to 48 hours after high winds abate, once power lines were inspected and any damage repaired.

Many customers live in areas where breezes were light on Wednesday, but some are served by transmission lines hit by high winds elsewhere and thus were part of a larger portion of the grid that was turned off, PG&amp;E spokesman Jeff Smith said.

Customers were urged to stock up on flashlights, fresh batteries, first-aid supplies and cash, and to plan for healthcare needs requiring refrigerated medications or electrical devices.

The utility said it opened 28 community centres across the planned outage zone to furnish restrooms, bottled water, battery charging and air-conditioned seating during daytime hours.

PG&amp;E has come under increased scrutiny in recent years over maintenance of transmission wires and other equipment implicated in major wildfires.

In May, state fire investigators determined that PG&amp;E transmission lines caused the deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record in California, last year's wind-driven Camp Fire that killed 85 people in and around the town of Paradise.

Cal Fire likewise concluded that PG&amp;E power lines had sparked a separate flurry of wildfires that swept California's wine country north of San Francisco Bay in 2017.

PG&amp;E filed for bankruptcy in January 2019, citing potential civil liabilities in excess of $30 billion from the fires.

Electricity was shut off to more than 500,000 California homes and workplaces on Wednesday as Pacific Gas and Electric Co (PG&E) imposed a planned power outage of unprecedented scale to reduce wildfire risks posed by extremely windy, dry weather.

Electricity was shut off to more than 500,000 California homes and workplaces on Wednesday as Pacific Gas and Electric Co (PG&E) imposed a planned power outage of unprecedented scale to reduce wildfire risks posed by extremely windy, dry weather. The power cut knocked out traffic signals, forced school closures and shut businesses and government offices across northern and central California, according to Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Services. One of the more noteworthy disruptions occurred at the University of California at Berkeley, which cancelled classes on Wednesday. A second phase of the "public safety power shutoff," delayed until the evening, was due to extend power cuts to another 234,000 customers, the utility said, and it was considering a third phase for 42,000 more dwellings and businesses. The action ultimately could leave nearly 800,000 homes and businesses, comprising millions of people, without electricity - the largest precautionary electricity shutoff undertaken by PG&E, California's biggest investor-owned utility. "It's too bad that it is such a large area to be turned off," said Matthew Gallagher, a resident of Vacaville, a rural town 60 miles northeast of San Francisco where everything from the local Walmart retail outlet to gasoline service stations were closed for lack of power. A similar cutoff was under consideration by neighbouring utility Southern California Edison for nearly 174,000 of its customers, about 50,000 of them in Los Angeles County, should severe winds hit Southern California on Thursday as forecast, SoCal Edison spokeswoman Taelor Bakewell said. Some of California's most devastating wildfires were sparked in recent years by damage to electrical transmission lines from recurring bouts of high winds that then spread the flames through tinder-dry vegetation into populated areas. "We are entering into a two-, three- or four-day period of extreme fire danger in California," Governor Gavin Newsom said at an event in San Diego on Wednesday. 'Red flag' Gale-force wind gusts, mostly in higher elevations, were expected to intensify late on Wednesday across northern and central California before gradually migrating into Southern California overnight and Thursday, National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Anderson said. He said extremely low humidity levels added to the fire threat. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said "red-flag" warnings were posted across the state for what was shaping up to be the strongest wind event so far this season. PG&E warned residents to prepare for outages that could last several days. But spokeswoman Kristi Jourdan said the utility expected to restore electricity to most customers within 24 to 48 hours after high winds abate, once power lines were inspected and any damage repaired. Many customers live in areas where breezes were light on Wednesday, but some are served by transmission lines hit by high winds elsewhere and thus were part of a larger portion of the grid that was turned off, PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith said. Customers were urged to stock up on flashlights, fresh batteries, first-aid supplies and cash, and to plan for healthcare needs requiring refrigerated medications or electrical devices. The utility said it opened 28 community centres across the planned outage zone to furnish restrooms, bottled water, battery charging and air-conditioned seating during daytime hours. PG&E has come under increased scrutiny in recent years over maintenance of transmission wires and other equipment implicated in major wildfires. In May, state fire investigators determined that PG&E transmission lines caused the deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record in California, last year's wind-driven Camp Fire that killed 85 people in and around the town of Paradise. Cal Fire likewise concluded that PG&E power lines had sparked a separate flurry of wildfires that swept California's wine country north of San Francisco Bay in 2017. PG&E filed for bankruptcy in January 2019, citing potential civil liabilities in excess of $30 billion from the fires.

Power cut to millions as California faces heightened wildfire risks

Chinese organisers on Wednesday cancelled a fan event on the eve of a National Basketball Association (NBA) exhibition game in Shanghai, the latest fallout in a growing dispute over a tweet by a team official supporting protests in Hong Kong.

Chinese sponsors and partners have been cutting ties with the NBA after the Twitter post by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey last week supporting anti-government protests in the Chinese-ruled city.

The Shanghai Sports Federation said the cancellation ahead of Thursday's game between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers was due to the "inappropriate attitude" of Morey and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

A Wednesday news conference with both teams was indefinitely delayed, organisers said. Outside the team hotel, workers tore down massive banners advertising the game, a Reuters witness said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-stage-peaceful-rallies-calling-for-liberation-254834">Hong Kong protests</a> were sparked by opposition to a bill allowing extradition to mainland China, but have evolved into broader calls for democracy. China has accused the West of stirring up anti-Beijing sentiment in Hong Kong.

The NBA controversy also comes against the backdrop of a US-China trade war that escalated after Washington imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials on Tuesday.

Silver said on Tuesday the league supported Morey's right to exercise his freedom of expression, further angering authorities and some fans in China and threatening the NBA's business there, said to be worth more than $4 billion.

Morey deleted the tweet and apologised on Monday, but Chinese broadcasters, sportswear companies and sponsors have said they are reviewing their ties with the NBA, which has had a presence in China since 1992.

The NBA initially described the anger over Morey's post as "regrettable," drawing criticism from US politicians, who accused the league of putting its China business ahead of free speech.

Silver, speaking in Japan before a preseason game between the Rockets and Toronto Raptors, said it was not up to the league to regulate what players, employees and team owners said.

On Tuesday night, during a preseason game between the NBA's 76ers and the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association, security at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia confiscated signs from a couple that read "Free Hong Kong" and "Free HK." Security later removed the couple from the game after they yelled, "Free Hong Kong," a local NBC affiliate said.

Security officials warned the couple following multiple complaints from guests and verbal confrontations with others in attendance, the team said in a statement.

"Ultimately, the decision was made by Wells Fargo Center personnel to remove the guests from the premises, which was accomplished without incident," the team said.

Signs that read "Google Uyghurs," referring to a Muslim minority group in China, and "Free Hong Kong," were also confiscated by security staff on Wednesday during a game between the Lions and the Washington Wizards in the US capital.

A Wizards representative said staff were following a standing policy prohibiting signs that are political in nature, adding that the fans had not been asked to leave the game.

On Wednesday, an editorial in the official English-language China Daily accused Silver of "brazenly endorsing Morey's secessionist-supporting tweet" and giving "a shot to the arms of the rioters of Hong Kong".

"If Silver thinks endorsing the indiscriminate violence the radical Hong Kong protesters are resorting to ... is supporting freedom of expression, then he should think again," it said.

Asked about the NBA controversy in an interview with PBS, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said American businesses were waking up to the risks of operating in China.

"The reputational cost to these companies I think will prove to be higher and higher as Beijing's long arm reaches out to them and destroys their capacity for them, their employees - in the NBA's case teams members and general managers - to speak freely about their political opinions," Pompeo said.

'I just don't understand'

Some Chinese fans expressed dismay at how the controversy had spread, while voicing support for Beijing's view.

"I'm patriotic of course. I support that Hong Kong is part of China, but I just don't understand this," said Yu Jie, a fan waiting to see the players in Shanghai.

The Global Times tabloid, published by the People's Daily newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, said the NBA was treating the Chinese market with disregard.

"Tweeting something offensive to the Chinese people before a series of NBA promotional activities in China only shows a lack of intellect, respect, and responsibility," it said.

Basketball is the most popular sport in China, with about 500 million people consuming NBA content. The league has deals with TV and digital media outlets across the country, and teams have played exhibition games annually since 2014.

NBA China, launched in 2008 to run the league's business, is now worth more than $4 billion, according to Forbes.

The NBA had planned media events in Shanghai ahead of the Nets-Lakers game, but Chinese organisers cancelled an event at a Shanghai school on Tuesday and an open training session with the Nets on Wednesday.

State television dropped plans to air the NBA exhibition games this week, saying a country's sovereignty and social stability were "not within the scope of freedom of speech."

Some Chinese fans have asked for streaming subscription refunds from exclusive service provider Tencent, which halted broadcast of Rockets games after the Morey tweet.

Online travel agency Ctrip said it had stopped selling tickets to NBA games and NBA-related tour packages. Smartphone maker Vivo and sportswear maker ANTA Sports Products Ltd have also stopped working with the NBA.

Chinese e-commerce platforms Alibaba&nbsp;and JD.com appeared to have taken Houston Rockets merchandise, including sneakers, off their sales platforms, including mobile apps.

The growing controversy did not seem to bother some waiting outside Shanghai's Ritz Carlton hotel for a glimpse of the NBA players.

"Personal opinions belong to them. It doesn't affect us chasing the stars," Xu Ziyang, a university student from the eastern province of Jiangsu, told Reuters.

Chinese organisers on Wednesday cancelled a fan event on the eve of a National Basketball Association (NBA) exhibition game in Shanghai, the latest fallout in a growing dispute over a tweet by a team official supporting protests in Hong Kong.

Chinese organisers on Wednesday cancelled a fan event on the eve of a National Basketball Association (NBA) exhibition game in Shanghai, the latest fallout in a growing dispute over a tweet by a team official supporting protests in Hong Kong. Chinese sponsors and partners have been cutting ties with the NBA after the Twitter post by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey last week supporting anti-government protests in the Chinese-ruled city. The Shanghai Sports Federation said the cancellation ahead of Thursday's game between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers was due to the "inappropriate attitude" of Morey and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. A Wednesday news conference with both teams was indefinitely delayed, organisers said. Outside the team hotel, workers tore down massive banners advertising the game, a Reuters witness said. The Hong Kong protests were sparked by opposition to a bill allowing extradition to mainland China, but have evolved into broader calls for democracy. China has accused the West of stirring up anti-Beijing sentiment in Hong Kong. The NBA controversy also comes against the backdrop of a US-China trade war that escalated after Washington imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials on Tuesday. Silver said on Tuesday the league supported Morey's right to exercise his freedom of expression, further angering authorities and some fans in China and threatening the NBA's business there, said to be worth more than $4 billion. Morey deleted the tweet and apologised on Monday, but Chinese broadcasters, sportswear companies and sponsors have said they are reviewing their ties with the NBA, which has had a presence in China since 1992. The NBA initially described the anger over Morey's post as "regrettable," drawing criticism from US politicians, who accused the league of putting its China business ahead of free speech. Silver, speaking in Japan before a preseason game between the Rockets and Toronto Raptors, said it was not up to the league to regulate what players, employees and team owners said. On Tuesday night, during a preseason game between the NBA's 76ers and the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association, security at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia confiscated signs from a couple that read "Free Hong Kong" and "Free HK." Security later removed the couple from the game after they yelled, "Free Hong Kong," a local NBC affiliate said. Security officials warned the couple following multiple complaints from guests and verbal confrontations with others in attendance, the team said in a statement. "Ultimately, the decision was made by Wells Fargo Center personnel to remove the guests from the premises, which was accomplished without incident," the team said. Signs that read "Google Uyghurs," referring to a Muslim minority group in China, and "Free Hong Kong," were also confiscated by security staff on Wednesday during a game between the Lions and the Washington Wizards in the US capital. A Wizards representative said staff were following a standing policy prohibiting signs that are political in nature, adding that the fans had not been asked to leave the game. On Wednesday, an editorial in the official English-language China Daily accused Silver of "brazenly endorsing Morey's secessionist-supporting tweet" and giving "a shot to the arms of the rioters of Hong Kong". "If Silver thinks endorsing the indiscriminate violence the radical Hong Kong protesters are resorting to ... is supporting freedom of expression, then he should think again," it said. Asked about the NBA controversy in an interview with PBS, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said American businesses were waking up to the risks of operating in China. "The reputational cost to these companies I think will prove to be higher and higher as Beijing's long arm reaches out to them and destroys their capacity for them, their employees - in the NBA's case teams members and general managers - to speak freely about their political opinions," Pompeo said. 'I just don't understand' Some Chinese fans expressed dismay at how the controversy had spread, while voicing support for Beijing's view. "I'm patriotic of course. I support that Hong Kong is part of China, but I just don't understand this," said Yu Jie, a fan waiting to see the players in Shanghai. The Global Times tabloid, published by the People's Daily newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, said the NBA was treating the Chinese market with disregard. "Tweeting something offensive to the Chinese people before a series of NBA promotional activities in China only shows a lack of intellect, respect, and responsibility," it said. Basketball is the most popular sport in China, with about 500 million people consuming NBA content. The league has deals with TV and digital media outlets across the country, and teams have played exhibition games annually since 2014. NBA China, launched in 2008 to run the league's business, is now worth more than $4 billion, according to Forbes. The NBA had planned media events in Shanghai ahead of the Nets-Lakers game, but Chinese organisers cancelled an event at a Shanghai school on Tuesday and an open training session with the Nets on Wednesday. State television dropped plans to air the NBA exhibition games this week, saying a country's sovereignty and social stability were "not within the scope of freedom of speech." Some Chinese fans have asked for streaming subscription refunds from exclusive service provider Tencent, which halted broadcast of Rockets games after the Morey tweet. Online travel agency Ctrip said it had stopped selling tickets to NBA games and NBA-related tour packages. Smartphone maker Vivo and sportswear maker ANTA Sports Products Ltd have also stopped working with the NBA. Chinese e-commerce platforms Alibaba and JD.com appeared to have taken Houston Rockets merchandise, including sneakers, off their sales platforms, including mobile apps. The growing controversy did not seem to bother some waiting outside Shanghai's Ritz Carlton hotel for a glimpse of the NBA players. "Personal opinions belong to them. It doesn't affect us chasing the stars," Xu Ziyang, a university student from the eastern province of Jiangsu, told Reuters.

Chinese organisers cancel NBA fan event amid free speech row

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied Thursday that Donald Trump tried to blackmail him by withholding military aid to Kiev in a phone call between the two leaders.

"There was no blackmail," the comedian-turned-politician told a news conference. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-asked-ukraine-leader-to-investigate-biden-cal-transcript-confirms-252046">A transcript of the phone</a> conversation showed Trump asked Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.

The US president's request that Zelensky probe the activities of Joe Biden's son Hunter has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-begins-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-call-to-ukraine-leader-251866">sparked an impeachment probe in the US</a>, with the Democrats looking into whether Trump used a delayed aid package as leverage. &nbsp;

Trump wanted Kiev to investigate Hunter Biden's activities in Ukrainian gas firm Burisma.

"The story with Burisma has nothing to do with weapons," Zelensky told the press conference, held in a Kiev food court.

The sole aim of the phone call, he said, was to plan a meeting with Trump.

He added that there were no "conditions" from the US side to set up the meeting.

"We just wanted to establish relations," he said.

Text messages released by Democrats show Kurt Volker, Trump's former US special envoy to Ukraine, telling a top Zelensky aide that he should open an investigation in return for a visit to Washington.

Opponents of Trump say the president used promised financial aid as leverage over the Ukrainian leader in a bid to pressure him into launching an investigation into Biden.

Following the phone call, Zelensky said his defence minister told him "there is a problem, the money has been blocked."

But he said the issue was not discussed in the phone call with Trump.

Zelensky said the phone call will not affect relations between Washington and Kiev.

Trump alleges that Joe Biden tried to block a Ukraine corruption probe into his son's business partner, a Ukraine gas tycoon.

Burisma says it is the largest private producer of natural gas and one of Ukraine's leading gas groups.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied Thursday that Donald Trump tried to blackmail him by withholding military aid to Kiev in a phone call between the two leaders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied Thursday that Donald Trump tried to blackmail him by withholding military aid to Kiev in a phone call between the two leaders. "There was no blackmail," the comedian-turned-politician told a news conference. A transcript of the phone conversation showed Trump asked Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden. The US president's request that Zelensky probe the activities of Joe Biden's son Hunter has sparked an impeachment probe in the US, with the Democrats looking into whether Trump used a delayed aid package as leverage. Trump wanted Kiev to investigate Hunter Biden's activities in Ukrainian gas firm Burisma. "The story with Burisma has nothing to do with weapons," Zelensky told the press conference, held in a Kiev food court. The sole aim of the phone call, he said, was to plan a meeting with Trump. He added that there were no "conditions" from the US side to set up the meeting. "We just wanted to establish relations," he said. Text messages released by Democrats show Kurt Volker, Trump's former US special envoy to Ukraine, telling a top Zelensky aide that he should open an investigation in return for a visit to Washington. Opponents of Trump say the president used promised financial aid as leverage over the Ukrainian leader in a bid to pressure him into launching an investigation into Biden. Following the phone call, Zelensky said his defence minister told him "there is a problem, the money has been blocked." But he said the issue was not discussed in the phone call with Trump. Zelensky said the phone call will not affect relations between Washington and Kiev. Trump alleges that Joe Biden tried to block a Ukraine corruption probe into his son's business partner, a Ukraine gas tycoon. Burisma says it is the largest private producer of natural gas and one of Ukraine's leading gas groups.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denies Trump tried to 'blackmail' him

The head of a Turkish opposition news site was arrested Thursday, his employer said, as part of a crackdown on critics of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/syria-turkey-conflict-ground-report-from-turkey-syria-border-254878">military operation launched in Syria </a>a day earlier.

The Anadolu state news agency said Hakan Demir, head of the leftist Birgun website, was detained for "inciting the people to hatred and enmity" over a message on Twitter.

Birgun was heavily criticised online after reporting that civilians were killed in Turkish strikes against Kurdish positions in Syria on Wednesday, which was denied by the government.

Police said they had opened a total of 78 cases against individuals for "propaganda" online against the operation.

Turkey launched<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-launches-land-operation-in-northeast-syria-arab-league-to-hold-emergency-meeting-254862"> "Operation Peace Spring" </a>on Wednesday against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which it considers a "terrorist" offshoot of Kurdish insurgents in its own territory.

It has arrested online critics during previous offensives against Kurdish forces in Syria, accusing them of "terrorist propaganda".

Rights groups criticise the erosion of free speech under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, particularly in the wake of a failed coup in 2016 which was followed by tens of thousands of arrests of political opponents.

The head of a Turkish opposition news site was arrested Thursday, his employer said, as part of a crackdown on critics of the military operation launched in Syria a day earlier.

The head of a Turkish opposition news site was arrested Thursday, his employer said, as part of a crackdown on critics of the military operation launched in Syria a day earlier. The Anadolu state news agency said Hakan Demir, head of the leftist Birgun website, was detained for "inciting the people to hatred and enmity" over a message on Twitter. Birgun was heavily criticised online after reporting that civilians were killed in Turkish strikes against Kurdish positions in Syria on Wednesday, which was denied by the government. Police said they had opened a total of 78 cases against individuals for "propaganda" online against the operation. Turkey launched "Operation Peace Spring" on Wednesday against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which it considers a "terrorist" offshoot of Kurdish insurgents in its own territory. It has arrested online critics during previous offensives against Kurdish forces in Syria, accusing them of "terrorist propaganda". Rights groups criticise the erosion of free speech under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, particularly in the wake of a failed coup in 2016 which was followed by tens of thousands of arrests of political opponents.

Turkey detains journalist over Syria operation coverage

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