A one-day state mourning will be observed throughout Union Territory of Chandigarh on Monday as a mark of respect to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all official buildings across the city, an official statement said.

Jaitley passed away in New Delhi at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness.

A four-time member of the Rajya Sabha, he first became a Cabinet Minister in the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000. He was the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from June 2009 to 2014.

Jaitley was Finance and Corporate Affairs minister in the first term of the Narendra Modi government and also held portfolios of Defence and Information and Broadcasting.

A one-day state mourning will be observed throughout Union Territory of Chandigarh on Monday as a mark of respect to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday.

A one-day state mourning will be observed throughout Union Territory of Chandigarh on Monday as a mark of respect to former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday. The national flag will be flown at half-mast at all official buildings across the city, an official statement said. Jaitley passed away in New Delhi at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital on August 9 after he complained of breathlessness and restlessness. A four-time member of the Rajya Sabha, he first became a Cabinet Minister in the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000. He was the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from June 2009 to 2014. Jaitley was Finance and Corporate Affairs minister in the first term of the Narendra Modi government and also held portfolios of Defence and Information and Broadcasting.

Union Territory of Chandigarh to observe one-day state mourning for Arun Jaitley on Monday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects.

"PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects," the Prime Minister's Office announced in a tweet.

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> met <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> Secretary General Mr. <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@antonioguterres</a> on the sidelines of the <a href="https://twitter.com/G7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@G7</a> Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. <a href="https://t.co/JuGsftQKRT">pic.twitter.com/JuGsftQKRT</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1165670577685876740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At the G7 summit, Modi is expected to speak during sessions on the environment, climate, oceans, and digital transformation, besides also holding bilaterals with leaders of other countries participating in the two-day summit being held here.

The summit holds significance from India's perspective particularly for the fact that the Kashmir issue is expected to come up during Modi's interaction with the leaders of the member countries, particularly US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The same was also conveyed recently by a senior official from the Trump administration.

India is not a member country of the G-7, and the invitation to participate in the summit was extended by France.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. "PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects," the Prime Minister's Office announced in a tweet. PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. pic.twitter.com/JuGsftQKRT — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2019 × At the G7 summit, Modi is expected to speak during sessions on the environment, climate, oceans, and digital transformation, besides also holding bilaterals with leaders of other countries participating in the two-day summit being held here. The summit holds significance from India's perspective particularly for the fact that the Kashmir issue is expected to come up during Modi's interaction with the leaders of the member countries, particularly US President Donald Trump. The same was also conveyed recently by a senior official from the Trump administration. India is not a member country of the G-7, and the invitation to participate in the summit was extended by France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on sidelines of G7 in France

China's currency on Monday slid to its lowest point in more than 11 years as concerns over the US trade war and the potential for global recession weighed on markets.

The onshore yuan fell to 7.1487 to the US dollar, its weakest point since early 2008, in Asian trading.

Global economic tensions have intensified in recent days with the US and China raising tariffs on each other's imports, and President Donald Trump calling on US businesses to pull out of China.

The yuan is not freely convertible and the Chinese government limits its movement against the dollar to a two per cent range on either side of a figure that the central bank sets each day to reflect market trends and control volatility.

The People's Bank of China has set that rate steadily weaker in recent weeks and set it on Monday at 7.057 to the dollar.

Allowing the yuan to depreciate makes Chinese exports cheaper and offsets some of the burden of punitive US tariffs.

The yuan breached the key 7.0 threshold against the dollar earlier in August, days after the US announced plans to impose fresh tariffs on Chinese imports from September 1.

The plunge past 7.0 prompted Washington to officially brand Beijing a "currency manipulator".

China's central bank has "resolutely opposed" the label.

China's currency on Monday slid to its lowest point in more than 11 years as concerns over the US trade war and the potential for global recession weighed on markets.

China's currency on Monday slid to its lowest point in more than 11 years as concerns over the US trade war and the potential for global recession weighed on markets. The onshore yuan fell to 7.1487 to the US dollar, its weakest point since early 2008, in Asian trading. Global economic tensions have intensified in recent days with the US and China raising tariffs on each other's imports, and President Donald Trump calling on US businesses to pull out of China. The yuan is not freely convertible and the Chinese government limits its movement against the dollar to a two per cent range on either side of a figure that the central bank sets each day to reflect market trends and control volatility. The People's Bank of China has set that rate steadily weaker in recent weeks and set it on Monday at 7.057 to the dollar. Allowing the yuan to depreciate makes Chinese exports cheaper and offsets some of the burden of punitive US tariffs. The yuan breached the key 7.0 threshold against the dollar earlier in August, days after the US announced plans to impose fresh tariffs on Chinese imports from September 1. The plunge past 7.0 prompted Washington to officially brand Beijing a "currency manipulator". China's central bank has "resolutely opposed" the label.

China's yuan sinks to lowest in 11 years amid trade tension with US

As one of the world’s most important trade and business hubs, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-fire-first-gunshot-water-cannon-in-protest-clashes-245583">Hong Kong was always going to struggle this year</a> because of the escalating US-China tariff war.

But after three months of anti-government protests, the semi-autonomous Chinese city, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-arrest-29-after-overnight-clashes-more-protests-planned-245416">shopper’s paradise and gourmet destination</a> for millions of tourists each year, is facing an existential as well as an economic crisis.

The world’s biggest equity deal this year was to unfold in Hong Kong later this month but has been put on hold. Banks are issuing unprecedented profit warnings, while hotels and restaurants are half-empty. Several global events have been postponed and economists say retail sales could drop by 20%-30% this year.

Hong Kong is facing its first recession in a decade, with all its growth pillars under significant stress.

While protesters are disrupting day-to-day activities, Beijing has displayed its paramilitary might near the border, raising questions over the city’s political, financial and economic future.

“Hong Kong is facing a crisis almost unprecedented in its history,” said Edison Lee, equities analyst at Jefferies.

In the April-June quarter, when the impact of the protests was mild, the economy shrank 0.4 per cent from the previous quarter. Since then, demonstrations have spread across the territory, disrupting traffic, paralyzing shopping and tourist areas and closing down the city’s sprawling airport at times.

The third quarter is bound to confirm the recession by its technical definition of two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.

For the whole year, the government expects growth at 0-1%, but some analysts expect it to shrink. Forecasting at this juncture, given the myriad of pathways the social crisis might take, is of little value, but the contraction could be severe.

Hong Kong protests: Relatives of police officials join rally

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“When you have a boom for so many years, and now you get a bust, the bust is going to be quite massive also,” said Kevin Lai, chief economist for Asia ex-Japan at Daiwa Capital Markets.

Corporate warnings

Citing political unrest, China’s biggest e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has delayed its up to $15 billion listing in Hong Kong, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters earlier this week.

Bank of East Asia, after reporting a 75% plunge in first-half net profit due to writedowns in China, warned on Wednesday about the impact further protests could have on small and medium enterprises.

More than 20 other companies, including developer Henderson Land, hotel group Shangri-La Asia, Emperor Watch &amp; Jewellery, department store operator Lifestyle International and rail operator MTR Corp, said in recent earnings reports the protests have been damaging.

The Catering and Hotel Industries Employees General Union told Reuters employers had asked some of its members to take non-paid leave this month because of the downturn in business.

Yiu Si-wing, Chairman of China Travel Service (HK) Ltd, a major mainland tour operator, said revenue from room sales was set to plunge 50 per cent in August.

“Visits from mainland China that usually account for 80% of arrivals are down most as people fear for their safety,” Yiu told Reuters.

Organizers of several conferences and exhibitions are scrambling to postpone events.

Trade representatives of the world’s largest diamond trading centres have asked the organizer of the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair to postpone the high-profile event, which typically welcomes more than 54,000 visitors. The fair is due to be held in September.

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has postponed a two-day September conference at the Four Seasons Hotel until February “so that as many partners as possible from across Asia are able to join.”

On Thursday, the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, which represents more than 8,000 businesses, urged all landlords to halve rents for six months and warned if the situation continued “many retailers may have to sack staff”.

Hands tied

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has repeatedly warned that protests are hurting the economy. She has consistently declined to meet any of the protesters’ core demands.

Instead, this month, she announced stimulus measures worth $2.4 billion, from subsidies for education and utilities to loan relief for small businesses.

But analysts warn that in the current climate, handouts are ineffective as firms and consumers are in no mood to spend.

With no obvious infrastructure upgrades needed, and with the government having a long track record of failing to adequately boost housing supply, analysts only expect announcements of more handouts and tax breaks at Lam’s annual policy address in October.

Since the turn of the century, every time Hong Kong’s economy got in trouble, the mainland’s economic boom or its stimulus measures came to the rescue. Now Beijing is facing its sharpest slowdown in nearly three decades and record debt.

“Hong Kong is on its own this time,” said Tommy Wu, senior economist at Oxford Economics.

Grim future

Rating agencies have raised long-term questions over the quality of Hong Kong’s governance.

But an increasingly assertive Beijing is fuelling larger concerns. Mainland regulatory scrutiny on airline Cathay Pacific over the involvement of some of its employees in the protests will affect Hong Kong’s image as a safe place for business.

A 1992 US-Hong Kong Policy Act allowing Washington to have a different customs regime with Hong Kong than with mainland China is also crucial for economic stability. For it to stand, US authorities need to see Hong Kong as sufficiently independent from Beijing, therefore movements of mainland troops at the border in Shenzhen are worrying.

But for now, the uncertainty is disruptive enough.

“The social situation tugs at all our heartstrings,” Kaisun Holdings, an investment holding company, said in a statement.

“Many investors have chosen to leave Hong Kong, and some banks and (multinationals) have started planning on moving their base to other nearby Asian cities. Kaisun Holdings may also begin to look for alternate markets for some of our service-based businesses.”

As one of the world’s most important trade and business hubs, Hong Kong was always going to struggle this year because of the escalating US-China tariff war. But after three months of anti-government protests, the semi-autonomous Chinese city, a shopper’s paradise and gourmet destination for millions of tourists each year, is facing an existential as well as an economic crisis.

As one of the world’s most important trade and business hubs, Hong Kong was always going to struggle this year because of the escalating US-China tariff war. But after three months of anti-government protests, the semi-autonomous Chinese city, a shopper’s paradise and gourmet destination for millions of tourists each year, is facing an existential as well as an economic crisis. The world’s biggest equity deal this year was to unfold in Hong Kong later this month but has been put on hold. Banks are issuing unprecedented profit warnings, while hotels and restaurants are half-empty. Several global events have been postponed and economists say retail sales could drop by 20%-30% this year. Hong Kong is facing its first recession in a decade, with all its growth pillars under significant stress. While protesters are disrupting day-to-day activities, Beijing has displayed its paramilitary might near the border, raising questions over the city’s political, financial and economic future. “Hong Kong is facing a crisis almost unprecedented in its history,” said Edison Lee, equities analyst at Jefferies. In the April-June quarter, when the impact of the protests was mild, the economy shrank 0.4 per cent from the previous quarter. Since then, demonstrations have spread across the territory, disrupting traffic, paralyzing shopping and tourist areas and closing down the city’s sprawling airport at times. The third quarter is bound to confirm the recession by its technical definition of two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. For the whole year, the government expects growth at 0-1%, but some analysts expect it to shrink. Forecasting at this juncture, given the myriad of pathways the social crisis might take, is of little value, but the contraction could be severe. Hong Kong protests: Relatives of police officials join rally “When you have a boom for so many years, and now you get a bust, the bust is going to be quite massive also,” said Kevin Lai, chief economist for Asia ex-Japan at Daiwa Capital Markets. Corporate warnings Citing political unrest, China’s biggest e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has delayed its up to $15 billion listing in Hong Kong, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters earlier this week. Bank of East Asia, after reporting a 75% plunge in first-half net profit due to writedowns in China, warned on Wednesday about the impact further protests could have on small and medium enterprises. More than 20 other companies, including developer Henderson Land, hotel group Shangri-La Asia, Emperor Watch & Jewellery, department store operator Lifestyle International and rail operator MTR Corp, said in recent earnings reports the protests have been damaging. The Catering and Hotel Industries Employees General Union told Reuters employers had asked some of its members to take non-paid leave this month because of the downturn in business. Yiu Si-wing, Chairman of China Travel Service (HK) Ltd, a major mainland tour operator, said revenue from room sales was set to plunge 50 per cent in August. “Visits from mainland China that usually account for 80% of arrivals are down most as people fear for their safety,” Yiu told Reuters. Organizers of several conferences and exhibitions are scrambling to postpone events. Trade representatives of the world’s largest diamond trading centres have asked the organizer of the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair to postpone the high-profile event, which typically welcomes more than 54,000 visitors. The fair is due to be held in September. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has postponed a two-day September conference at the Four Seasons Hotel until February “so that as many partners as possible from across Asia are able to join.” On Thursday, the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, which represents more than 8,000 businesses, urged all landlords to halve rents for six months and warned if the situation continued “many retailers may have to sack staff”. Hands tied Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has repeatedly warned that protests are hurting the economy. She has consistently declined to meet any of the protesters’ core demands. Instead, this month, she announced stimulus measures worth $2.4 billion, from subsidies for education and utilities to loan relief for small businesses. But analysts warn that in the current climate, handouts are ineffective as firms and consumers are in no mood to spend. With no obvious infrastructure upgrades needed, and with the government having a long track record of failing to adequately boost housing supply, analysts only expect announcements of more handouts and tax breaks at Lam’s annual policy address in October. Since the turn of the century, every time Hong Kong’s economy got in trouble, the mainland’s economic boom or its stimulus measures came to the rescue. Now Beijing is facing its sharpest slowdown in nearly three decades and record debt. “Hong Kong is on its own this time,” said Tommy Wu, senior economist at Oxford Economics. Grim future Rating agencies have raised long-term questions over the quality of Hong Kong’s governance. But an increasingly assertive Beijing is fuelling larger concerns. Mainland regulatory scrutiny on airline Cathay Pacific over the involvement of some of its employees in the protests will affect Hong Kong’s image as a safe place for business. A 1992 US-Hong Kong Policy Act allowing Washington to have a different customs regime with Hong Kong than with mainland China is also crucial for economic stability. For it to stand, US authorities need to see Hong Kong as sufficiently independent from Beijing, therefore movements of mainland troops at the border in Shenzhen are worrying. But for now, the uncertainty is disruptive enough. “The social situation tugs at all our heartstrings,” Kaisun Holdings, an investment holding company, said in a statement. “Many investors have chosen to leave Hong Kong, and some banks and (multinationals) have started planning on moving their base to other nearby Asian cities. Kaisun Holdings may also begin to look for alternate markets for some of our service-based businesses.”

Battered Hong Kong faces economic recession, existential crisis amid escalating US-China tariff war

Jasprit Bumrah led a devastating fast bowling assault in routing the West Indies for 100 to earn India a crushing 318-run victory in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.

Set an improbable target of 419 after Virat Kohli declared the tourists' second innings at 343 for seven in mid-afternoon, the hosts were demolished in 26.5 overs for their lowest Test innings total ever against India with Bumrah returning the outstanding figures of five for seven off eight overs.

Four of his victims were comprehensively bowled in an irresistible spell in which he displayed a previously unseen ability by him to swing the ball both ways.

"I've been working a lot on this aspect of my game and I am really happy to see how it worked out today," he said.&nbsp;

"I was a bit stiff in the first innings but it all came out well today. I just have to keep on learning my craft."

Ishant Sharma supported Bumrah brilliantly in sharing the new ball, taking three for 31 to finish with eight wickets in the match.&nbsp;

Mohammed Shami chipped in with two wickets which reduced the West Indies to 50 for nine and it took some big hitting from Kemar Roach, who top-scored with 38, to double his side's total.

It was Sharma who ended Roach's resistance and sealed victory via a top-edged hook to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

After Ajinkya Rahane completed his tenth Test hundred and Hanuma Vihari fell seven runs short of his maiden Test century, prompting the declaration, Bumrah and Sharma were utterly devastating.

Bumrah was first to strike in extending Kraigg Brathwaite's already protracted run of low scores before scattering the stumps of opening partner John Campbell and senior batsman Darren Bravo.

He could have also had the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer but Kohli grassed a straightforward catch at third slip.

Sharma trapped debutant Shamarh Brooks leg-before and then made Hetmyer pay for his continuing loose play outside the off-stump, Rahane atoning for his captain's earlier error in the slip cordon.

Languishing at 15 for five at tea, Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul by targeting the stumps of Shai Hope and beleaguered West Indies captain Jason Holder with heat-seeking accuracy.&nbsp;

'Stop making excuses'

"We really have to stop making excuses and sort this issue out. It just keeps on happening," said a frustrated Holder on his team's latest batting collapse.&nbsp;

"We failed to capitalise on a good position in the first innings and just weren't up for it in the second. We can't go on like this."

Ironically the day started brightly for the hosts when Roston Chase removed Kohli before he had added to his overnight score of 51.&nbsp;

However, Vihari started positively with the entrenched Rahane and not even the introduction of the second new ball could stem the flow of runs as 102 were scored off 29 overs in the morning session.

Rahane's 17-match and near two-year wait for a Test hundred ended shortly after the resumption of play in the afternoon.

But he fell shortly after reaching the landmark, Holder taking the catch at mid-off to dismiss him off Shannon Gabriel.&nbsp;

Rahane's knock of 102, which followed his first innings top score of 81, spanned five hours, 242 deliveries and included five fours.

Kohli delayed the declaration in anticipation of Vihari's hundred but the right-hander, on 93, gloved an attempted hook off Holder to wicketkeeper Shai Hope, leaving the West Indies with a task they never looked capable of challenging.

With 60 World Test Championship points in the bag, India will be seeking to double that tally and sweep the brief series when the second Test begins in Jamaica on Friday.

Jasprit Bumrah led a devastating fast bowling assault in routing the West Indies for 100 to earn India a crushing 318-run victory in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.

Jasprit Bumrah led a devastating fast bowling assault in routing the West Indies for 100 to earn India a crushing 318-run victory in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday. Set an improbable target of 419 after Virat Kohli declared the tourists' second innings at 343 for seven in mid-afternoon, the hosts were demolished in 26.5 overs for their lowest Test innings total ever against India with Bumrah returning the outstanding figures of five for seven off eight overs. Four of his victims were comprehensively bowled in an irresistible spell in which he displayed a previously unseen ability by him to swing the ball both ways. "I've been working a lot on this aspect of my game and I am really happy to see how it worked out today," he said. "I was a bit stiff in the first innings but it all came out well today. I just have to keep on learning my craft." Ishant Sharma supported Bumrah brilliantly in sharing the new ball, taking three for 31 to finish with eight wickets in the match. Mohammed Shami chipped in with two wickets which reduced the West Indies to 50 for nine and it took some big hitting from Kemar Roach, who top-scored with 38, to double his side's total. It was Sharma who ended Roach's resistance and sealed victory via a top-edged hook to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. After Ajinkya Rahane completed his tenth Test hundred and Hanuma Vihari fell seven runs short of his maiden Test century, prompting the declaration, Bumrah and Sharma were utterly devastating. Bumrah was first to strike in extending Kraigg Brathwaite's already protracted run of low scores before scattering the stumps of opening partner John Campbell and senior batsman Darren Bravo. He could have also had the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer but Kohli grassed a straightforward catch at third slip. Sharma trapped debutant Shamarh Brooks leg-before and then made Hetmyer pay for his continuing loose play outside the off-stump, Rahane atoning for his captain's earlier error in the slip cordon. Languishing at 15 for five at tea, Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul by targeting the stumps of Shai Hope and beleaguered West Indies captain Jason Holder with heat-seeking accuracy. 'Stop making excuses' "We really have to stop making excuses and sort this issue out. It just keeps on happening," said a frustrated Holder on his team's latest batting collapse. "We failed to capitalise on a good position in the first innings and just weren't up for it in the second. We can't go on like this." Ironically the day started brightly for the hosts when Roston Chase removed Kohli before he had added to his overnight score of 51. However, Vihari started positively with the entrenched Rahane and not even the introduction of the second new ball could stem the flow of runs as 102 were scored off 29 overs in the morning session. Rahane's 17-match and near two-year wait for a Test hundred ended shortly after the resumption of play in the afternoon. But he fell shortly after reaching the landmark, Holder taking the catch at mid-off to dismiss him off Shannon Gabriel. Rahane's knock of 102, which followed his first innings top score of 81, spanned five hours, 242 deliveries and included five fours. Kohli delayed the declaration in anticipation of Vihari's hundred but the right-hander, on 93, gloved an attempted hook off Holder to wicketkeeper Shai Hope, leaving the West Indies with a task they never looked capable of challenging. With 60 World Test Championship points in the bag, India will be seeking to double that tally and sweep the brief series when the second Test begins in Jamaica on Friday.

Jasprit Bumrah leads India to 318-run victory against West Indies in first Test

US and Taliban representatives held negotiations in Doha on Sunday, an American source close to the process said, as potentially decisive talks to enable Washington to drawdown its military in Afghanistan stretched into the evening.&nbsp;

"Talks resumed late morning today," the US source said.

The third day of the two sides' ninth round of dialogue, which continued until after 1900 GMT an AFP correspondent said, was described as promising by a Taliban source.

The insurgent group had earlier said that it was finalising technical points of an agreement with Washington at the talks being held in a luxury members’ club in the Qatari capital Doha.

"The agreement will be completed after we agree on these points," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP on Saturday.

Any deal would be announced before the media as well as representatives from neighbouring countries and China, Russia, and the United Nations, he added.

The United States, which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban from power in 2001 after the September 11 attacks, wants to withdraw thousands of troops but only in return for the group renouncing Al-Qaeda and curbing attacks.

Washington is hoping to strike an agreement with the Taliban by September 1 -- ahead of Afghan polls due the same month, and US presidential polls next year.

The Doha talks are being held against a backdrop of persistent violence in Afghanistan.

The Taliban claimed on Saturday to have killed seven members of the US military in an attack on a convoy near Bagram airfield north of Kabul. American officials dismissed the claims as “lies”.

On Wednesday, two US soldiers were killed by small arms fire in Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman, had said the deaths should have a "positive" impact on the talks in Doha.

US and Taliban representatives held negotiations in Doha on Sunday, an American source close to the process said, as potentially decisive talks to enable Washington to drawdown its military in Afghanistan stretched into the evening.

US and Taliban representatives held negotiations in Doha on Sunday, an American source close to the process said, as potentially decisive talks to enable Washington to drawdown its military in Afghanistan stretched into the evening. "Talks resumed late morning today," the US source said. The third day of the two sides' ninth round of dialogue, which continued until after 1900 GMT an AFP correspondent said, was described as promising by a Taliban source. The insurgent group had earlier said that it was finalising technical points of an agreement with Washington at the talks being held in a luxury members’ club in the Qatari capital Doha. "The agreement will be completed after we agree on these points," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told AFP on Saturday. Any deal would be announced before the media as well as representatives from neighbouring countries and China, Russia, and the United Nations, he added. The United States, which invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban from power in 2001 after the September 11 attacks, wants to withdraw thousands of troops but only in return for the group renouncing Al-Qaeda and curbing attacks. Washington is hoping to strike an agreement with the Taliban by September 1 -- ahead of Afghan polls due the same month, and US presidential polls next year. The Doha talks are being held against a backdrop of persistent violence in Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed on Saturday to have killed seven members of the US military in an attack on a convoy near Bagram airfield north of Kabul. American officials dismissed the claims as “lies”. On Wednesday, two US soldiers were killed by small arms fire in Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman, had said the deaths should have a "positive" impact on the talks in Doha.

US, Taliban push for peace at Doha talks

An army helicopter buzzes overhead and ambulances travel up wet empty roads in Myanmar's northeast, ferrying aid to thousands of residents displaced by fresh clashes between rebels and the military.

Burnt-out cars and bullet casings lie along the road to Shan state's Kutkai -- a town ringed by mountains, poppy fields, and a patchwork of ethnic armed groups fighting for more autonomy and control over land and resources.

"We are still afraid to go back home," Ba Yi, a 63-year-old former teacher, told AFP while sheltering in a monastery.

"Every time I hear explosions, I want to go away."

The area near the Chinese border has been riven by armed conflict for decades, and Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi pledged to secure peace when she took office in 2016.

It is also home to what experts believe to be the world's largest methamphetamine-making region, fuelling a complex web of conflict.

Fighting in the region escalated after rebel attacks on an army academy and police outposts killed at least 15 this month, operations the military said were in retaliation for a drug crackdown.

Local civil society organisations say more than 2,000 people have been displaced.

"Even if I wanted to go back to my home, I can't go... the situation is not peaceful in my village," said Lyaw Aye Pwint, an 18-year-old student.

The US embassy issued a travel warning this month for more than a dozen towns in Shan state due to "civil unrest and armed conflict".

Dozens of NGO workers were evacuated last week days after an ambulance driver was killed in an attack blamed on rebels.

But rescue workers are still braving the danger to bring aid to the displaced.

"The main missions are to send provisions to the villagers from restricted areas and try to rescue people from conflict areas and send them to shelters," said Tin Win, part of a volunteer aid convoy.

Myanmar's army has long battled different insurgent groups fighting for more autonomy in a country dominated by the Bamar ethnic majority.

Amid the recent fighting, the army is still making large drug seizures.

On Sunday the military said it had found 762 kilograms (0.8 tonnes) of crystal meth in backpacks in eastern Shan state, a haul worth an estimated $12.6 million.

On August 22 it confiscated dozens of bags of meth tablets worth $7 million.

"We are still clearing off the area in northern Shan State. We still have fighting in that area," Zaw Min Tun, an army spokesperson, told AFP.

An army helicopter buzzes overhead and ambulances travel up wet empty roads in Myanmar's northeast, ferrying aid to thousands of residents displaced by fresh clashes between rebels and the military.

An army helicopter buzzes overhead and ambulances travel up wet empty roads in Myanmar's northeast, ferrying aid to thousands of residents displaced by fresh clashes between rebels and the military. Burnt-out cars and bullet casings lie along the road to Shan state's Kutkai -- a town ringed by mountains, poppy fields, and a patchwork of ethnic armed groups fighting for more autonomy and control over land and resources. "We are still afraid to go back home," Ba Yi, a 63-year-old former teacher, told AFP while sheltering in a monastery. "Every time I hear explosions, I want to go away." The area near the Chinese border has been riven by armed conflict for decades, and Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi pledged to secure peace when she took office in 2016. It is also home to what experts believe to be the world's largest methamphetamine-making region, fuelling a complex web of conflict. Fighting in the region escalated after rebel attacks on an army academy and police outposts killed at least 15 this month, operations the military said were in retaliation for a drug crackdown. Local civil society organisations say more than 2,000 people have been displaced. "Even if I wanted to go back to my home, I can't go... the situation is not peaceful in my village," said Lyaw Aye Pwint, an 18-year-old student. The US embassy issued a travel warning this month for more than a dozen towns in Shan state due to "civil unrest and armed conflict". Dozens of NGO workers were evacuated last week days after an ambulance driver was killed in an attack blamed on rebels. But rescue workers are still braving the danger to bring aid to the displaced. "The main missions are to send provisions to the villagers from restricted areas and try to rescue people from conflict areas and send them to shelters," said Tin Win, part of a volunteer aid convoy. Myanmar's army has long battled different insurgent groups fighting for more autonomy in a country dominated by the Bamar ethnic majority. Amid the recent fighting, the army is still making large drug seizures. On Sunday the military said it had found 762 kilograms (0.8 tonnes) of crystal meth in backpacks in eastern Shan state, a haul worth an estimated $12.6 million. On August 22 it confiscated dozens of bags of meth tablets worth $7 million. "We are still clearing off the area in northern Shan State. We still have fighting in that area," Zaw Min Tun, an army spokesperson, told AFP.

Myanmar clashes between army and rebels force thousands from home

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-from-gaza-draws-israeli-air-strikes-one-person-wounded-12126/amp">Israeli airstrikes</a> targeted a Palestinian faction loyal to the Syrian government in eastern Lebanon before dawn on Monday, Lebanese state media and the group said.

The strikes came just hours after the head of Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah threatened Israel after two drones fell on its Beirut stronghold in what he described as a targeted "drone attack".

The National News Agency said "three hostile strikes" after midnight hit Lebanon's eastern mountains near Qusaya town "where the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command has military posts".

"They responded well a barrage of anti-aircraft fire," it said.

PFLP-GC spokesman Anwar Raja told the Al-Mayadeen television channel that it was an Israeli strike.

The PFLP-GC has close ties to Hezbollah and Syria's government.&nbsp;

It has positions in the eastern region of Bekaa, as well as in Al-Naaemeh just south of Beirut.

Qusaya is only about five kilometres (three miles) from the Syrian border.

In July 2015, a security official said a blast at a PFLP-GC base there wounded seven people, while the Palestinian group blamed it on an Israeli strike.

On Sunday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened Israel after what he described as a targeted "drone attack" in a stronghold of his group in the south of Beirut.

"The time when Israeli aircraft come and bombard parts of Lebanon is over," he said.

"I say to the Israeli army along the border, from tonight be ready and wait for us," he said. "What happened yesterday will not pass."

Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States, is a major political actor in Lebanon and also a key government backer in war-torn Syria.

The latest incident also came after Israel on Saturday launched strikes in neighbouring Syria to prevent what it said was an Iranian attack on the Jewish state.

Israeli airstrikes targeted a Palestinian faction loyal to the Syrian government in eastern Lebanon before dawn on Monday, Lebanese state media and the group said.

Israeli airstrikes targeted a Palestinian faction loyal to the Syrian government in eastern Lebanon before dawn on Monday, Lebanese state media and the group said. The strikes came just hours after the head of Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah threatened Israel after two drones fell on its Beirut stronghold in what he described as a targeted "drone attack". The National News Agency said "three hostile strikes" after midnight hit Lebanon's eastern mountains near Qusaya town "where the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command has military posts". "They responded well a barrage of anti-aircraft fire," it said. PFLP-GC spokesman Anwar Raja told the Al-Mayadeen television channel that it was an Israeli strike. The PFLP-GC has close ties to Hezbollah and Syria's government. It has positions in the eastern region of Bekaa, as well as in Al-Naaemeh just south of Beirut. Qusaya is only about five kilometres (three miles) from the Syrian border. In July 2015, a security official said a blast at a PFLP-GC base there wounded seven people, while the Palestinian group blamed it on an Israeli strike. On Sunday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah threatened Israel after what he described as a targeted "drone attack" in a stronghold of his group in the south of Beirut. "The time when Israeli aircraft come and bombard parts of Lebanon is over," he said. "I say to the Israeli army along the border, from tonight be ready and wait for us," he said. "What happened yesterday will not pass." Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and the United States, is a major political actor in Lebanon and also a key government backer in war-torn Syria. The latest incident also came after Israel on Saturday launched strikes in neighbouring Syria to prevent what it said was an Iranian attack on the Jewish state.

Israeli strikes hit pro-Syria Palestinian group in Lebanon

Brazilian&nbsp;warplanes&nbsp;are&nbsp;dumping&nbsp;water&nbsp;on the burning forest in the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;state of Rondonia, responding to a global outcry over the destruction of the world's largest tropical rain forest.

As of Sunday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-amazon-burns-brazils-jair-bolsonaro-tells-rest-of-world-not-to-interfere-244909">President Jair Bolsonaro</a> had authorized&nbsp;military&nbsp;operations in seven states to combat raging&nbsp;fires&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Amazon, responding to requests for assistance from their local governments, a spokeswoman for his office said.

Reuters accompanied a firefighting&nbsp;brigade near the state capital of Porto Velho, where there were areas larger than football fields that had been charred, but active&nbsp;fires&nbsp;were contained to small areas of individual trees.

The dozen or so yellow-clad firefighters from environmental enforcement agency Ibama easily cleared brush from around a burning stump with a leaf blower, doused it with jets connected to&nbsp;water&nbsp;packs mounted on their backs and covered it in the earth.

A video posted by the Defense Ministry on Saturday evening showed a&nbsp;military&nbsp;plane pumping thousands of litres (thousands of gallons) of&nbsp;water&nbsp;out of two giant jets as it passed through clouds of smoke close to the forest canopy.

The response comes as leaders of countries in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-march-near-biarritz-demanding-action-from-g7-leaders-245340">Group of Seven (G7)</a> nations currently meeting in France expressed grave concerns over the&nbsp;fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said the G7 was nearing a deal to provide "technical and financial help" to countries affected by the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;fires.

Nearly 80,000&nbsp;fires&nbsp;have been registered across&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;through August 24, the highest since at least 2013, according to space research agency INPE.

Bolsonaro announced the&nbsp;military&nbsp;would be sent in on Friday after several days of criticism from the public and world leaders that&nbsp;Brazil's government was not doing anything to fight the&nbsp;fires.

He also said on Twitter he had accepted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer of a plane and specialized support for the firefighting&nbsp;operations, following a call between the two leaders.

But outside of Rondonia, the government had yet to provide any operational details for other states.

The Defense Ministry said in a briefing on Saturday that 44,000 troops were available in&nbsp;Brazil's northern&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;region but did not say how many would be used where and what they would do.

Military&nbsp;personnel around Porto Velho appeared to be largely coordinating firefighting&nbsp;efforts, according to a Reuters witness.

Asked for additional details, the Defense Ministry told Reuters in a statement that in all seven states that have asked for help, the&nbsp;military&nbsp;is planning operations to support firefighting initiatives already underway.

Justice Minister Sergio Moro had also authorized a force of&nbsp;military&nbsp;police to assist in&nbsp;fighting&nbsp;the&nbsp;fires, with 30 sets to be sent from Brasilia to Porto Velho.

The president's office posted to Twitter a photo of police officers on a plane bound for Rondonia set to arrive at noon.

Environment Minister Ricardo Salles posted a video showing a caravan of yellow fire prevention trucks and other government vehicles, saying they were on the ground responding in Rondonia.

Colombian President Ivan Duque said on Sunday he would seek a conservation pact with other&nbsp;Amazonian countries - first in bi-lateral meetings in Peru this week and then at the United Nations General Assembly.

"Colombia wants to lead a pact, a conservation pact, between the countries that have&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;territory," Duque said after meeting with an indigenous community in the&nbsp;Amazonian city of Leticia in southern Colombia.

"We must understand the protection of our Mother Earth and our&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;is a duty, a moral duty."

The&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;is the world's largest tropical rain forest and is seen as vital to the fight against climate change because of the vast amounts of carbon dioxide than it absorbs.

The&nbsp;Amazon, which provides 20 per cent of the planet's oxygen, is home to an estimated one million indigenous people from up to 500 tribes as well some three million species of plants and animals, including jaguars, sloths, giant otters, river dolphins, howler monkeys, toucans, reptiles, frogs and insects.

Brazilian climate scientist Carlos Nobre said he worries if 20-25 per cent of the ecosystem is destroyed that the&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;could reach a tipping point, after which it would enter a self-sustaining period of dieback as the forest converts to savannah.&nbsp;

Nobre warned that it is not far off with already 15-17 per cent of the rain forest having been destroyed.

Brazilian warplanes are dumping water on the burning forest in the Amazon state of Rondonia, responding to a global outcry over the destruction of the world's largest tropical rain forest.

Brazilian warplanes are dumping water on the burning forest in the Amazon state of Rondonia, responding to a global outcry over the destruction of the world's largest tropical rain forest. As of Sunday, President Jair Bolsonaro had authorized military operations in seven states to combat raging fires in the Amazon, responding to requests for assistance from their local governments, a spokeswoman for his office said. Reuters accompanied a firefighting brigade near the state capital of Porto Velho, where there were areas larger than football fields that had been charred, but active fires were contained to small areas of individual trees. The dozen or so yellow-clad firefighters from environmental enforcement agency Ibama easily cleared brush from around a burning stump with a leaf blower, doused it with jets connected to water packs mounted on their backs and covered it in the earth. A video posted by the Defense Ministry on Saturday evening showed a military plane pumping thousands of litres (thousands of gallons) of water out of two giant jets as it passed through clouds of smoke close to the forest canopy. The response comes as leaders of countries in the Group of Seven (G7) nations currently meeting in France expressed grave concerns over the fires. French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said the G7 was nearing a deal to provide "technical and financial help" to countries affected by the Amazon fires. Nearly 80,000 fires have been registered across Brazil through August 24, the highest since at least 2013, according to space research agency INPE. Bolsonaro announced the military would be sent in on Friday after several days of criticism from the public and world leaders that Brazil's government was not doing anything to fight the fires. He also said on Twitter he had accepted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's offer of a plane and specialized support for the firefighting operations, following a call between the two leaders. But outside of Rondonia, the government had yet to provide any operational details for other states. The Defense Ministry said in a briefing on Saturday that 44,000 troops were available in Brazil's northern Amazon region but did not say how many would be used where and what they would do. Military personnel around Porto Velho appeared to be largely coordinating firefighting efforts, according to a Reuters witness. Asked for additional details, the Defense Ministry told Reuters in a statement that in all seven states that have asked for help, the military is planning operations to support firefighting initiatives already underway. Justice Minister Sergio Moro had also authorized a force of military police to assist in fighting the fires, with 30 sets to be sent from Brasilia to Porto Velho. The president's office posted to Twitter a photo of police officers on a plane bound for Rondonia set to arrive at noon. Environment Minister Ricardo Salles posted a video showing a caravan of yellow fire prevention trucks and other government vehicles, saying they were on the ground responding in Rondonia. Colombian President Ivan Duque said on Sunday he would seek a conservation pact with other Amazonian countries - first in bi-lateral meetings in Peru this week and then at the United Nations General Assembly. "Colombia wants to lead a pact, a conservation pact, between the countries that have Amazon territory," Duque said after meeting with an indigenous community in the Amazonian city of Leticia in southern Colombia. "We must understand the protection of our Mother Earth and our Amazon is a duty, a moral duty." The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rain forest and is seen as vital to the fight against climate change because of the vast amounts of carbon dioxide than it absorbs. The Amazon, which provides 20 per cent of the planet's oxygen, is home to an estimated one million indigenous people from up to 500 tribes as well some three million species of plants and animals, including jaguars, sloths, giant otters, river dolphins, howler monkeys, toucans, reptiles, frogs and insects. Brazilian climate scientist Carlos Nobre said he worries if 20-25 per cent of the ecosystem is destroyed that the Amazon could reach a tipping point, after which it would enter a self-sustaining period of dieback as the forest converts to savannah. Nobre warned that it is not far off with already 15-17 per cent of the rain forest having been destroyed.

Warplanes dump water on Amazon as Brazil military begins fighting fires

Opponents of a&nbsp;new&nbsp;law&nbsp;in&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missouris-sole-abortion-clinic-awaits-ruling-on-whether-it-can-stay-open-231189">restricting most&nbsp;abortions</a> after eight weeks of pregnancy will ask a federal judge on Monday to stop the&nbsp;law&nbsp;from taking effect this week.

Abortion&nbsp;rights&nbsp;groups&nbsp;Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal&nbsp;lawsuit in July and want a judge to put the&nbsp;law&nbsp;on hold until their legal challenge is heard in&nbsp;court.

The&nbsp;new&nbsp;law, signed by Republican Governor Mike Parson in May and set to take effect on Wednesday, allows for an&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;after the eighth week only in the case of medical emergencies and does not exempt victims of rape or incest.

The&nbsp;law&nbsp;is one of the most restrictive in the United States and activists say it effectively forbids most&nbsp;abortions since many women do not know they are pregnant yet at eight weeks.

The 31-page complaint filed in the&nbsp;US District&nbsp;Court&nbsp;for the Western District of&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;contends that the legislation is unconstitutional.

"Without this relief, the bans will have a devastating effect on patients seeking access to&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;in the state,"&nbsp;lawyers wrote in the complaint. 
In a perennially divisive moral and political&nbsp;fight, similar&nbsp;laws have been proposed in more than a dozen other&nbsp;US states as Republican-controlled legislatures flex their muscles.

Efforts to roll back Roe v. Wade, the&nbsp;US Supreme&nbsp;Court&nbsp;decision legalizing&nbsp;abortion&nbsp;in 1973, have been emboldened by two appointments by President Donald Trump giving conservatives a solid majority on the&nbsp;court.

Parson said in May the&nbsp;new&nbsp;law&nbsp;would make&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;"one of the strongest pro-life states in the country."

The plaintiffs in the&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;complaint said the&nbsp;law&nbsp;conflicts with more than four decades of binding precedent, would prohibit "the vast majority of pre-viability&nbsp;abortions", and denied patients healthcare they were entitled to.

Currently, the state&nbsp;law&nbsp;allows&nbsp;abortions up until 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Attorneys for the governor's office, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood were not available for comment early on Monday.

Opponents of a new law in Missouri restricting most abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy will ask a federal judge on Monday to stop the law from taking effect this week.

Opponents of a new law in Missouri restricting most abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy will ask a federal judge on Monday to stop the law from taking effect this week. Abortion rights groups Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit in July and want a judge to put the law on hold until their legal challenge is heard in court. The new law, signed by Republican Governor Mike Parson in May and set to take effect on Wednesday, allows for an abortion after the eighth week only in the case of medical emergencies and does not exempt victims of rape or incest. The law is one of the most restrictive in the United States and activists say it effectively forbids most abortions since many women do not know they are pregnant yet at eight weeks. The 31-page complaint filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri contends that the legislation is unconstitutional. "Without this relief, the bans will have a devastating effect on patients seeking access to abortion in the state," lawyers wrote in the complaint. In a perennially divisive moral and political fight, similar laws have been proposed in more than a dozen other US states as Republican-controlled legislatures flex their muscles. Efforts to roll back Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in 1973, have been emboldened by two appointments by President Donald Trump giving conservatives a solid majority on the court. Parson said in May the new law would make Missouri "one of the strongest pro-life states in the country." The plaintiffs in the Missouri complaint said the law conflicts with more than four decades of binding precedent, would prohibit "the vast majority of pre-viability abortions", and denied patients healthcare they were entitled to. Currently, the state law allows abortions up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. Attorneys for the governor's office, the ACLU and Planned Parenthood were not available for comment early on Monday.

US abortion rights groups fight new Missouri law in court

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen moved on Monday to work out a ceasefire as nominal allies in the south of the country turned on each other in a power struggle that has fractured the military alliance.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen moved on Monday to work out a ceasefire as nominal allies in the south of the country turned on each other in a power struggle that has fractured the military alliance. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the main powers in Yemen's Sunni Muslim coalition, formed a joint committee to oversee a ceasefire between UAE-backed southern separatists and Saudi-backed government forces in the provinces of Abyan and Shabwa, said a joint statement carried on state media. "Internal dialogue, and not fighting, is the only way to resolve internal Yemeni differences," Saudi vice minister of defence, Khalid bin Salman, tweeted on Monday. "We are working with the UAE for security and stability in Aden, Shabwa, and Abyan and ... to unify ranks and voices to combat terrorist threats, whether from the Iran-backed Houthis or from al Qaeda and Daesh (Islamic State)," Khalid, a son of the Saudi king, said. Separatists forces early this month took over the southern port of Aden, the interim seat of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi's government, and last week extended their reach to the capital of nearby Abyan. Southern fighters and government forces have also clashed in the oil-producing Shabwa province. Both sides are part of the Saudi-led, Western-backed coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 against the Houthis, who ousted Hadi's government from power in the capital Sanaa in late 2014. But the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), which seeks self-rule in the south, seized control of Aden after accusing a party allied to Hadi of being complicit in a Houthi attack on southern forces. The standoff has exposed a rift between regional allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which in June scaled down its presence in Yemen under Western pressure to end the devastating war but continues to support thousands of southern separatist forces. The violence in the south complicated UN efforts to implement peace deals elsewhere in the Arabian Peninsula state and pave the way for negotiations to end a war that has killed tens of thousands and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. The Saudi-UAE statement urged all parties to cooperate with the joint committee to disengage and redeploy troops and reiterated a Saudi call for a summit in the kingdom to resolve the standoff. It also stressed the need to preserve "the interests, security, stability, independence and territorial integrity of the Yemeni people under the leadership of the legitimate president of Yemen". Hadi’s government has said it would not participate until separatists ceded control of sites they had seized. The separatist STC has said it would not hand over control of government military camps in Aden and other areas until the Islamist Islah party, a backbone of Hadi's government, and northerners are removed from positions of power in the south. The Houthis, who have recently stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities, point to Aden as proof that Hadi, who resides in Riyadh, is unfit to rule. The movement denies being a puppet of Iran and says it is fighting a corrupt system.

Saudi-led coalition moves to stabilise south Yemen as allies face-off

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to address the nation on the Kashmir issue on Monday.

This was announced by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan. However, the time of the address was not disclosed.

"PM&nbsp;will address the nation today on the issue of Kashmir," she tweeted.

The address assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of tensions between India and Pakistan after New Delhi earlier this month abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and divided the former state into two Union Territories.

Pakistan has been rattled by the Indian government's move to strip the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and has found itself completely isolated. The country has tried to internationalise the matter but has been snubbed on all fronts.

The international community has made it clear that the Kashmir issue is strictly New Delhi's internal matter.

The Pakistan government has downgraded bilateral ties with India in the wake of the decision and said it will consider all steps to counter what it described "illegal steps" taken by New Delhi.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to address the nation on the Kashmir issue on Monday. This was announced by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to address the nation on the Kashmir issue on Monday. This was announced by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan. However, the time of the address was not disclosed. "PM will address the nation today on the issue of Kashmir," she tweeted. The address assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of tensions between India and Pakistan after New Delhi earlier this month abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir and divided the former state into two Union Territories. Pakistan has been rattled by the Indian government's move to strip the special status to Jammu and Kashmir and has found itself completely isolated. The country has tried to internationalise the matter but has been snubbed on all fronts. The international community has made it clear that the Kashmir issue is strictly New Delhi's internal matter. The Pakistan government has downgraded bilateral ties with India in the wake of the decision and said it will consider all steps to counter what it described "illegal steps" taken by New Delhi.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to address nation on Kashmir issue today

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