<p>British police have yet to confirm that the 39 people found dead in a truck near London were Chinese nationals, the Chinese embassy in London said Friday.</p>

<p>A Chinese consular official travelled to Essex on Thursday, a day after emergency workers discovered the bodies inside the refrigerated container of a vehicle parked in an industrial area.</p>

<p>Police in the UK has said, "all are believed to be Chinese nationals". The truck had arrived on a ferry from Belgium.</p>

<p>"British police said they were verifying the identity of the victims and could not confirm whether they were Chinese," a Chinese embassy spokesperson said on its website.</p>

<p>The Chinese consular official, Tong Xuejun, told state broadcaster CCTV on Thursday that he had met with British police.</p>

<p>"We will urge the British police to further find out the truth. We will keep the media informed... of the latest progress of the incident," Tong said.</p>

<p>The local police force, who have arrested the truck's driver on suspicion of murder, said eight of the dead were women and 31 were men.</p>

<p>It is Britain's largest murder probe in more than a decade.</p>

<p>The deaths echoed the discovery of 58 Chinese immigrants hidden in a Dutch truck in the English port of Dover in 2000. Only two survived.</p>


British police have yet to confirm that the 39 people found dead in a truck near London were Chinese nationals, the Chinese embassy in London said Friday. A Chinese consular official travelled to Essex on Thursday, a day after emergency workers discovered the bodies inside the refrigerated container of a vehicle parked in an industrial area.

British police have yet to confirm that the 39 people found dead in a truck near London were Chinese nationals, the Chinese embassy in London said Friday. A Chinese consular official travelled to Essex on Thursday, a day after emergency workers discovered the bodies inside the refrigerated container of a vehicle parked in an industrial area. Police in the UK has said, "all are believed to be Chinese nationals". The truck had arrived on a ferry from Belgium. "British police said they were verifying the identity of the victims and could not confirm whether they were Chinese," a Chinese embassy spokesperson said on its website. The Chinese consular official, Tong Xuejun, told state broadcaster CCTV on Thursday that he had met with British police. "We will urge the British police to further find out the truth. We will keep the media informed... of the latest progress of the incident," Tong said. The local police force, who have arrested the truck's driver on suspicion of murder, said eight of the dead were women and 31 were men. It is Britain's largest murder probe in more than a decade. The deaths echoed the discovery of 58 Chinese immigrants hidden in a Dutch truck in the English port of Dover in 2000. Only two survived.

China says no confirmation yet on UK truck victims' nationality

<p>North Korea has notified Seoul that it wants to discuss the rebuilding of facilities constructed by South Korea at the North's Mount Kumgang resort, an important symbol of cooperation between the Koreas, the government said on Friday.</p>

<p>North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said South Korea's "backward" and "shabby" facilities at the North's infrequently used resort must be removed and rebuilt in a modern way, state media reported on Wednesday, in the latest sign of cooling relations between the neighbours.</p>

<p>North Korea sent a notice to the Unification Ministry on Friday morning seeking to discuss the issue through the exchange of documents, the ministry said.</p>

<p>The government would consult with the relevant agencies and would respond in a way consistent with "protecting the property rights of our people", the ministry said in a statement.</p>

<p>Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, who oversees inter-Korean affairs, told lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun that the ministry did not see the notice as an exclusion of South Korea because Kim Jong Un had said he would welcome South Koreans if it was rebuilt properly, Yonhap news agency reported on Friday.</p>

<p>Yoon told a briefing Kim Yeon-chul had said the South Korean government was in talks with firms such as Hyundai Asan before deciding on its response.</p>

<p>Mt Kumgang was one of two major inter-Korean economic projects, along with the Kaesong industrial zone, and an important token of cooperation between the two Koreas during decades of hostilities following the 1950-53 Korean War.</p>

<p>There have been no South Korean tours to Mt Kumgang since 2008, although there have been infrequent inter-Korean events such as the reunions of families estranged by the war.</p>


North Korea has notified Seoul that it wants to discuss the rebuilding of facilities constructed by South Korea at the North's Mount Kumgang resort, an important symbol of cooperation between the Koreas, the government said on Friday.

North Korea has notified Seoul that it wants to discuss the rebuilding of facilities constructed by South Korea at the North's Mount Kumgang resort, an important symbol of cooperation between the Koreas, the government said on Friday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said South Korea's "backward" and "shabby" facilities at the North's infrequently used resort must be removed and rebuilt in a modern way, state media reported on Wednesday, in the latest sign of cooling relations between the neighbours. North Korea sent a notice to the Unification Ministry on Friday morning seeking to discuss the issue through the exchange of documents, the ministry said. The government would consult with the relevant agencies and would respond in a way consistent with "protecting the property rights of our people", the ministry said in a statement. Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, who oversees inter-Korean affairs, told lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun that the ministry did not see the notice as an exclusion of South Korea because Kim Jong Un had said he would welcome South Koreans if it was rebuilt properly, Yonhap news agency reported on Friday. Yoon told a briefing Kim Yeon-chul had said the South Korean government was in talks with firms such as Hyundai Asan before deciding on its response. Mt Kumgang was one of two major inter-Korean economic projects, along with the Kaesong industrial zone, and an important token of cooperation between the two Koreas during decades of hostilities following the 1950-53 Korean War. There have been no South Korean tours to Mt Kumgang since 2008, although there have been infrequent inter-Korean events such as the reunions of families estranged by the war.

North Korea tells South Korea it wants 'shabby' Mt Kumgang resort rebuilt

<p>Japan's new trade minister has submitted his resignation after being accused of violating election law by offering voters money and gifts, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Friday.</p>

<p>Isshu Sugawara had been in the hot seat after a magazine reported he was suspected of paying 20,000 yen ($185) to a bereaved family in his constituency.</p>

<p>He was also reported to have given gifts to other voters, including pricey melons and even crabs, Kyodo news agency said.</p>

<p>The sums involved, while small, would constitute a violation of Japan's public office election law.</p>

<p>Abe said Sugawara submitted his resignation after a cabinet meeting and that he had accepted it.</p>

<p>"I bear responsibility in having appointed him. I deeply apologise to the Japanese people," Abe said.</p>

<p>Sugawara will be replaced by Hiroshi Kajimaya, formerly a minister in charge of revitalising communities in the countryside, Abe said.</p>

<p>Sugawara told Abe and later told reporters "it is not my intention that parliamentary debate stall (because of the scandal)."</p>

<p>He was appointed in a recent cabinet reshuffle but did not take over the key portfolio of handling trade negotiations with the United States.</p>

<p>That task remains the purview of former trade minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who now serves as foreign minister.</p>

<p>Abe's cabinet has maintained public approval ratings of around 40-50 per cent in recent years, despite several political scandals, with experts pointing to the continued weakness of the opposition as a key factor.</p>


Japan's new trade minister has submitted his resignation after being accused of violating election law by offering voters money and gifts, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Friday.

Japan's new trade minister has submitted his resignation after being accused of violating election law by offering voters money and gifts, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Friday. Isshu Sugawara had been in the hot seat after a magazine reported he was suspected of paying 20,000 yen ($185) to a bereaved family in his constituency. He was also reported to have given gifts to other voters, including pricey melons and even crabs, Kyodo news agency said. The sums involved, while small, would constitute a violation of Japan's public office election law. Abe said Sugawara submitted his resignation after a cabinet meeting and that he had accepted it. "I bear responsibility in having appointed him. I deeply apologise to the Japanese people," Abe said. Sugawara will be replaced by Hiroshi Kajimaya, formerly a minister in charge of revitalising communities in the countryside, Abe said. Sugawara told Abe and later told reporters "it is not my intention that parliamentary debate stall (because of the scandal)." He was appointed in a recent cabinet reshuffle but did not take over the key portfolio of handling trade negotiations with the United States. That task remains the purview of former trade minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who now serves as foreign minister. Abe's cabinet has maintained public approval ratings of around 40-50 per cent in recent years, despite several political scandals, with experts pointing to the continued weakness of the opposition as a key factor.

Japan trade minister resigns over donation scandal

<p>Britain and other European countries must accept some responsibility for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/essex-lorry-deaths-chinas-embassy-urges-uk-police-to-find-out-the-truth-about-39-bodies-discovered-in-truck-258039">deaths of 39 people</a>, believed to be Chinese nationals, found dead in a refrigerated truck near London, the state-backed Global Times said on Friday.</p>

<p>Paramedics and police found the bodies of 31 men and eight women on Wednesday on an industrial estate at Grays in Essex, about 20 miles (30 km) east of the British capital.</p>

<p>For years, illegal immigrants have stowed away in trucks while attempting to reach Britain, often from the European mainland. In 2000, 58 Chinese were found dead in a tomato truck at the port of Dover.</p>

<p>At the moment it was impossible to say how much responsibility the dead should bear for the tragedy, the widely-read Chinese newspaper said in an editorial.</p>

<p>"But such a serious humanitarian disaster has occurred under the eyes of the British and Europeans," it said. "It is clear that Britain and relevant European countries have not fulfilled their responsibility to protect these people from such a death."</p>

<p>Even if found to have been smuggled into the country, the victims' death was not their fault, added the paper, which is published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily.</p>

<p>"We hope that Britain and European countries will put into effect their various commitments to human rights and make due efforts for Chinese people to be free from abuse and sudden death."</p>

<p>Britain appears not to have learned its lesson from the Dover incident two decades ago, it added.</p>

<p>"Imagine how thoroughly European countries would take measures if dozens of Europeans were collectively tragically killed in some way," the paper said.</p>

<p>"Could the British and European people ask themselves why they have not been able to avoid a similar tragedy...Did they take all the serious remedial action that they could have?"</p>

<p>China has not formally confirmed the victims are citizens.</p>

<p>On Friday, the Chinese embassy in London said it had sent a team to Essex that met police.</p>

<p>"The British police said they are verifying the identity of the deceased, and at present are unable to be certain that they are Chinese nationals," the embassy said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Britain and other European countries must accept some responsibility for the deaths of 39 people, believed to be Chinese nationals, found dead in a refrigerated truck near London, the state-backed Global Times said on Friday.

Britain and other European countries must accept some responsibility for the deaths of 39 people, believed to be Chinese nationals, found dead in a refrigerated truck near London, the state-backed Global Times said on Friday. Paramedics and police found the bodies of 31 men and eight women on Wednesday on an industrial estate at Grays in Essex, about 20 miles (30 km) east of the British capital. For years, illegal immigrants have stowed away in trucks while attempting to reach Britain, often from the European mainland. In 2000, 58 Chinese were found dead in a tomato truck at the port of Dover. At the moment it was impossible to say how much responsibility the dead should bear for the tragedy, the widely-read Chinese newspaper said in an editorial. "But such a serious humanitarian disaster has occurred under the eyes of the British and Europeans," it said. "It is clear that Britain and relevant European countries have not fulfilled their responsibility to protect these people from such a death." Even if found to have been smuggled into the country, the victims' death was not their fault, added the paper, which is published by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily. "We hope that Britain and European countries will put into effect their various commitments to human rights and make due efforts for Chinese people to be free from abuse and sudden death." Britain appears not to have learned its lesson from the Dover incident two decades ago, it added. "Imagine how thoroughly European countries would take measures if dozens of Europeans were collectively tragically killed in some way," the paper said. "Could the British and European people ask themselves why they have not been able to avoid a similar tragedy...Did they take all the serious remedial action that they could have?" China has not formally confirmed the victims are citizens. On Friday, the Chinese embassy in London said it had sent a team to Essex that met police. "The British police said they are verifying the identity of the deceased, and at present are unable to be certain that they are Chinese nationals," the embassy said.

Britain must accept responsibility for truck deaths: Chinese media

<p>Some 50,000 people were ordered to flee their homes north of Los Angeles on Thursday as a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-battle-southern-california-wildfires-100000-evacuated-255548">fast-moving wildfire</a> driven by high winds erupted and raged out of control.</p>

<p>The so-called Tick Fire near Santa Clarita, about 40 miles (65 kilometres) north of Los Angeles, broke out in the early afternoon and quickly consumed 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares), fire officials said.</p>

<p>The blaze burned several homes and structures and forced the closure of a major highway and a number of roads, as some 500 firefighters backed by air tankers and helicopters battled the flames.</p>

<p>There were no immediate reports of injury.</p>

<p>"We are urging everybody to evacuate at this time," a spokesman for the fire department said.</p>

<p>The fire erupted as much of the state was under a red flag warning because of gusty winds, high temperatures and low humidity which make for perfect conditions for wildfires.</p>

<p>In northern California wine country, some 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate after a brush fire erupted late Wednesday, quickly growing from a blaze of a few hundred acres into a 16,000-acre inferno, California fire officials said.</p>

<p>About 500 responders battled the fire fed by wind gusts topping 70 miles per hour (113 kilometres per hour).</p>

<p>Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the community of Geyserville and nearby vineyards after the fire started in a mountainous area and quickly spread, crossing a highway and moving toward homes, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said.</p>

<p>"If you're in Geyserville, leave now," the sheriff's office advised, citing an extraordinary threat to life and property.</p>

<p>Winds out of the north were driving the fire as firefighters struggled to save homes.</p>

<p>By early evening, the fire was five per cent contained and several structures had burned, fire officials said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The blaze -- 75 miles (120 kilometres) north of San Francisco -- came amid official warnings that much of northern California and parts of the south were under imminent threat of fires into Friday because of blustery, dry weather and high temperatures.</p>

<p>Another brush fire in San Bernardino County, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles, also prompted evacuation orders as it quickly burned 75 acres.</p>

<p><strong>Hurried departures</strong></p>

<p>Power was cut to some 180,000 customers in the northern part of the state Thursday and similar preemptive shutoffs affected thousands of customers further south due to conditions that are ripe for wildfires.</p>

<p>Power companies warned that additional power cuts could be ordered to reduce the risk of accidental fires.</p>

<p>The strong winds in the north were expected to subside Friday but are forecast to pick up again on Sunday, the National Weather Service warned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many residents of Geyserville said they barely had time to gather their belongings as the monster fire quickly approached the town, with embers igniting fires throughout the region.</p>

<p>"We thought we were a couple of miles from the fire," Dwight Monson, 68, told the Los Angeles Times. "But guess what -- the winds."</p>

<p>He said by the time his family got in their cars and escaped to the valley below, the flames were on the edge of their ranch.</p>

<p>PG&amp;E, the state's biggest utility, said in a statement that it had informed regulators that a jumper on a transmission tower near where officials said the fire had started was broken.</p>

<p>The company -- which has been held responsible for numerous wildfires in the state -- said that even though the power to nearly 28,000 customers in Sonoma County, including Geyserville, had been shut down on Wednesday, some of the high-voltage transmission lines were still operating when the fire broke out.</p>

<p>"We relied on the protocol and we still, at this point, do not know what exactly happened," PG&amp;E CEO and president Bill Johnson told a news conference.</p>

<p>This week's fires have erupted as the state is still recovering from deadly wildfires in 2017 and 2018 that killed more than 100 people.</p>

<p>The fires have been fueled by years of drought and dry vegetation.</p>

<p>"This is an emotional time for many people," Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick told a news conference Thursday. "It's only been two years since the fires that devastated our community. For many, this will be a very stressful and anxious time."</p>


Some 50,000 people were ordered to flee their homes north of Los Angeles on Thursday as a fast-moving wildfire driven by high winds erupted and raged out of control.

Some 50,000 people were ordered to flee their homes north of Los Angeles on Thursday as a fast-moving wildfire driven by high winds erupted and raged out of control. The so-called Tick Fire near Santa Clarita, about 40 miles (65 kilometres) north of Los Angeles, broke out in the early afternoon and quickly consumed 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares), fire officials said. The blaze burned several homes and structures and forced the closure of a major highway and a number of roads, as some 500 firefighters backed by air tankers and helicopters battled the flames. There were no immediate reports of injury. "We are urging everybody to evacuate at this time," a spokesman for the fire department said. The fire erupted as much of the state was under a red flag warning because of gusty winds, high temperatures and low humidity which make for perfect conditions for wildfires. In northern California wine country, some 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate after a brush fire erupted late Wednesday, quickly growing from a blaze of a few hundred acres into a 16,000-acre inferno, California fire officials said. About 500 responders battled the fire fed by wind gusts topping 70 miles per hour (113 kilometres per hour). Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the community of Geyserville and nearby vineyards after the fire started in a mountainous area and quickly spread, crossing a highway and moving toward homes, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said. "If you're in Geyserville, leave now," the sheriff's office advised, citing an extraordinary threat to life and property. Winds out of the north were driving the fire as firefighters struggled to save homes. By early evening, the fire was five per cent contained and several structures had burned, fire officials said. The blaze -- 75 miles (120 kilometres) north of San Francisco -- came amid official warnings that much of northern California and parts of the south were under imminent threat of fires into Friday because of blustery, dry weather and high temperatures. Another brush fire in San Bernardino County, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles, also prompted evacuation orders as it quickly burned 75 acres. Hurried departures Power was cut to some 180,000 customers in the northern part of the state Thursday and similar preemptive shutoffs affected thousands of customers further south due to conditions that are ripe for wildfires. Power companies warned that additional power cuts could be ordered to reduce the risk of accidental fires. The strong winds in the north were expected to subside Friday but are forecast to pick up again on Sunday, the National Weather Service warned. Many residents of Geyserville said they barely had time to gather their belongings as the monster fire quickly approached the town, with embers igniting fires throughout the region. "We thought we were a couple of miles from the fire," Dwight Monson, 68, told the Los Angeles Times. "But guess what -- the winds." He said by the time his family got in their cars and escaped to the valley below, the flames were on the edge of their ranch. PG&E, the state's biggest utility, said in a statement that it had informed regulators that a jumper on a transmission tower near where officials said the fire had started was broken. The company -- which has been held responsible for numerous wildfires in the state -- said that even though the power to nearly 28,000 customers in Sonoma County, including Geyserville, had been shut down on Wednesday, some of the high-voltage transmission lines were still operating when the fire broke out. "We relied on the protocol and we still, at this point, do not know what exactly happened," PG&E CEO and president Bill Johnson told a news conference. This week's fires have erupted as the state is still recovering from deadly wildfires in 2017 and 2018 that killed more than 100 people. The fires have been fueled by years of drought and dry vegetation. "This is an emotional time for many people," Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick told a news conference Thursday. "It's only been two years since the fires that devastated our community. For many, this will be a very stressful and anxious time."

As wildfires rage in California, about 50,000 get evacuated

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-terror-hong-kongs-china-critics-beaten-in-targeted-attacks-257848">Hong Kong</a> is gearing up for what is expected to be a relatively quiet weekend of protests, although there is no sign that anti-government activists are backing down on their calls for greater democracy and other demands.</p>

<p>Hundreds of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-to-rally-in-support-of-catalan-activists-257825">Hong Kong protesters</a>, some waving Catalan flags and banners urging "a fight for freedom together", rallied in support of a separate Catalonia on Thursday, broaching an issue that is anathema to the city's rulers in Beijing.</p>

<p>Hong Kong is now in its fifth month of protests, which have plunged it into its biggest political crisis in decades and taken a heavy toll on the economy.</p>

<p>A rally dubbed "Medical Workers Resisting Tyranny" is planned at Chater Garden in the heart of the financial centre on Saturday evening, with another protest, "Fight Against Police Brutality, Stand with Muslims, Citizens and Journalists", due to take place on Sunday across the harbour in Kowloon district.</p>

<p>A police water cannon truck shot bursts of blue-dyed water at a small clutch of people on the footpath outside a mosque during protests in Kowloon on Sunday, hitting its gate and steps, drawing criticism from some in the Muslim community.</p>

<p>Police, already facing criticism for heavy-handed tactics, issued a statement saying the incident was "most unfortunate" and unintended, while senior officers went to meet Muslim leaders late at night to offer apologies.</p>

<p>Hong Kong was returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that allowed it to retain extensive freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest.</p>

<p>However, many Hong Kong residents are angry at what they see as a relentless march towards mainland control.</p>

<p>U.S. Vice President Mike Pence accused China on Thursday of curtailing "rights and liberties" in Hong Kong and blasted U.S. company Nike and the National Basketball Association for falling in line with Beijing in a disagreement over free speech.</p>

<p>The Chinese central government has condemned the protests and accused foreign powers of fuelling unrest. The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly warned other nations against interfering in Hong Kong, reiterating that it was an "internal affair".</p>


Hong Kong is gearing up for what is expected to be a relatively quiet weekend of protests, although there is no sign that anti-government activists are backing down on their calls for greater democracy and other demands.

Hong Kong is gearing up for what is expected to be a relatively quiet weekend of protests, although there is no sign that anti-government activists are backing down on their calls for greater democracy and other demands. Hundreds of Hong Kong protesters, some waving Catalan flags and banners urging "a fight for freedom together", rallied in support of a separate Catalonia on Thursday, broaching an issue that is anathema to the city's rulers in Beijing. Hong Kong is now in its fifth month of protests, which have plunged it into its biggest political crisis in decades and taken a heavy toll on the economy. A rally dubbed "Medical Workers Resisting Tyranny" is planned at Chater Garden in the heart of the financial centre on Saturday evening, with another protest, "Fight Against Police Brutality, Stand with Muslims, Citizens and Journalists", due to take place on Sunday across the harbour in Kowloon district. A police water cannon truck shot bursts of blue-dyed water at a small clutch of people on the footpath outside a mosque during protests in Kowloon on Sunday, hitting its gate and steps, drawing criticism from some in the Muslim community. Police, already facing criticism for heavy-handed tactics, issued a statement saying the incident was "most unfortunate" and unintended, while senior officers went to meet Muslim leaders late at night to offer apologies. Hong Kong was returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula that allowed it to retain extensive freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including an independent judiciary and the right to protest. However, many Hong Kong residents are angry at what they see as a relentless march towards mainland control. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence accused China on Thursday of curtailing "rights and liberties" in Hong Kong and blasted U.S. company Nike and the National Basketball Association for falling in line with Beijing in a disagreement over free speech. The Chinese central government has condemned the protests and accused foreign powers of fuelling unrest. The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly warned other nations against interfering in Hong Kong, reiterating that it was an "internal affair".

Hong Kong set for more subdued, quiet weekend of protests

<p>A wide swath of eastern Japan hit by flooding and landslides from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-new-typhoons-to-hit-japan-in-the-aftermath-of-hagibis-meteorological-agency-257154">Typhoon Hagibis</a> two weeks ago braced for more heavy rains on Friday, with evacuation advisories issued for tens of thousands of people in areas surrounding Tokyo.</p>

<p>At least 82 people were killed when Hagibis lashed central and eastern Japan with heavy rains and high winds. Nearly a dozen are still missing and more than 300 were injured.</p>

<p>Authorities warned of the chance of further landslides and flooding, especially in areas hit by levee breaks that have yet to be repaired even provisionally.</p>

<p>An evacuation advisory was issued for 50,000 people in Sagamihara, a city southwest of Tokyo that was hit hard by flooding after the typhoon. Six Sagamihara residents were killed in that storm, including a family swept away in their car, and two remain missing.</p>

<p>Evacuation advisories were also issued for some 10,000 in Chiba prefecture, just east of Tokyo, which was battered by heavy winds from Typhoon Faxai in September that left some areas without power for weeks before being hit by rains from Hagibis.</p>

<p>The rain was expected to pound the Tokyo area until evening and then move north. Total rainfall in the area around Tokyo was likely to range from 200 to 300 mm (8-12 inches) by evening, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.</p>

<p>Tropical storm Bualoi, which battered the Ogasawara islands south of the main Japanese archipelago on Thursday while still at typhoon strength, was headed out into the Pacific and expected to weaken to a tropical depression later on Friday.</p>


A wide swath of eastern Japan hit by flooding and landslides from Typhoon Hagibis two weeks ago braced for more heavy rains on Friday, with evacuation advisories issued for tens of thousands of people in areas surrounding Tokyo.

A wide swath of eastern Japan hit by flooding and landslides from Typhoon Hagibis two weeks ago braced for more heavy rains on Friday, with evacuation advisories issued for tens of thousands of people in areas surrounding Tokyo. At least 82 people were killed when Hagibis lashed central and eastern Japan with heavy rains and high winds. Nearly a dozen are still missing and more than 300 were injured. Authorities warned of the chance of further landslides and flooding, especially in areas hit by levee breaks that have yet to be repaired even provisionally. An evacuation advisory was issued for 50,000 people in Sagamihara, a city southwest of Tokyo that was hit hard by flooding after the typhoon. Six Sagamihara residents were killed in that storm, including a family swept away in their car, and two remain missing. Evacuation advisories were also issued for some 10,000 in Chiba prefecture, just east of Tokyo, which was battered by heavy winds from Typhoon Faxai in September that left some areas without power for weeks before being hit by rains from Hagibis. The rain was expected to pound the Tokyo area until evening and then move north. Total rainfall in the area around Tokyo was likely to range from 200 to 300 mm (8-12 inches) by evening, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Tropical storm Bualoi, which battered the Ogasawara islands south of the main Japanese archipelago on Thursday while still at typhoon strength, was headed out into the Pacific and expected to weaken to a tropical depression later on Friday.

Storm-hit areas in Japan brace for heavy rains, 60,000 advised to evacuate

<p>Anti-government rallies have renewed across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqis-stockpile-food-as-they-gear-up-for-new-demonstrations-258006">Iraq</a>, the second phase of protests that turned deadly earlier this month and which could balloon after the endorsement of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-chief-visits-iraq-as-us-quits-northern-syria-257692">Iraq</a> was rocked by demonstrations in early October, first denouncing corruption and unemployment before evolving into calls for an overhaul of the political system.</p>

<p>They quieted after a crushing response by security forces and were set to resume Friday, which marks a year since embattled Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi came to power.</p>

<p>But hundreds descended into the streets of the Iraqi capital earlier than anticipated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They gathered in Baghdad's iconic Tahrir (Liberation) Square late Thursday, carrying Iraq's tricolour flag and calling for the country's entrenched political class to be "uprooted".</p>

<p>A few dozen headed towards the high-security Green Zone, which hosts government offices and foreign embassies, but were pushed back by security forces using water cannons.</p>

<p>Other rallies erupted in the southern cities of Diwaniyah and Nasiriyah, where demonstrators said they would remain in the streets "until the regime falls".</p>

<p>Just after midnight, Abdel Mahdi made a scheduled televised appearance ahead of the larger protests expected the following day.</p>

<p>He defended his reform agenda including a cabinet reshuffle and told the protesters it was their "right" to demonstrate as long as they did not "disturb public life".</p>

<p>But in an unusually critical tone, the premier complained that previous governments had not faced the same kind of level of scrutiny and said political figures demanding "reform" had themselves failed to enact it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abdel Mahdi's comments appeared to be a reference to Sadr, the influential ex-militiaman who controls the largest parliamentary bloc, itself called the "Alliance towards Reform."</p>

<p>Many expect Sadr's supporters to hit the streets in large numbers on Friday afternoon, after the weekly sermon of Iraq's highest Shiite authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.</p>

<p>Sistani had set Friday as the deadline for Abdel Mahdi to enact reforms and his noon statement will be the first signal of how the rest of the highly-anticipated day could develop.</p>

<p><strong>Short-lived calm</strong></p>

<p>The mass rallies that erupted on October 1 were unprecedented in recent Iraqi history both because of their spontaneity and independence and because of the brutal violence with which they were met.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At least 157 people were killed, according to a government probe published on Tuesday, which acknowledged that "excessive force" was used.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A vast majority of them were protesters in Baghdad, with 70 per cent shot in the head or chest.</p>

<p>In response, Abdel Mahdi issued a laundry list of measures meant to ease public anger, including hiring drives and higher pensions for the families of protesters who died.</p>

<p>One in five people lives under the poverty line in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/157-dead-in-anti-government-protests-in-iraq-257534">Iraq</a> and youth unemployment sits around 25 per cent, according to the World Bank.</p>

<p>The rates are staggering for OPEC's second-biggest oil producer, which ranks the 12th most corrupt state in the world according to Transparency International.</p>

<p>The country has been ravaged by decades of conflict that finally calmed in 2017 with a declared victory over the Islamic State group.</p>

<p>Thus began a period of relative calm, with security forces lifting checkpoints and concrete blast walls and traffic choking city streets at hours once thought too dangerous.</p>

<p>'<strong>Lessons learned'</strong></p>

<p>Restrictions had even softened around the Green Zone but were reinstated as the October demonstrations picked up in Tahrir, which lies just across the Tigris River.</p>

<p>Authorities also imposed an internet blackout, which has been mostly lifted although social media remains blocked.</p>

<p>Activists have circumvented these restrictions to call for Friday's demonstrations.</p>

<p>The protest movement has brought many of Iraq's deepest divisions to the surface, gripping the country's Shiite-majority areas while the mostly-Kurdish north and Sunni west have remained quiet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force, whose political branch is the second-largest parliamentary bloc, has also announced its support to the government.</p>

<p>It claimed the demonstrations were a "conspiracy" by the US and Israel and said it was "ready" to back authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But others have extended a hand to the protesters, none more clearly than Sadr.</p>

<p>He called on the government to resign in early October but this week much more emphatically backed the protests, giving his supporters the green light to join them</p>


Anti-government rallies have renewed across Iraq, the second phase of protests that turned deadly earlier this month and which could balloon after the endorsement of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Anti-government rallies have renewed across Iraq, the second phase of protests that turned deadly earlier this month and which could balloon after the endorsement of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Iraq was rocked by demonstrations in early October, first denouncing corruption and unemployment before evolving into calls for an overhaul of the political system. They quieted after a crushing response by security forces and were set to resume Friday, which marks a year since embattled Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi came to power. But hundreds descended into the streets of the Iraqi capital earlier than anticipated. They gathered in Baghdad's iconic Tahrir (Liberation) Square late Thursday, carrying Iraq's tricolour flag and calling for the country's entrenched political class to be "uprooted". A few dozen headed towards the high-security Green Zone, which hosts government offices and foreign embassies, but were pushed back by security forces using water cannons. Other rallies erupted in the southern cities of Diwaniyah and Nasiriyah, where demonstrators said they would remain in the streets "until the regime falls". Just after midnight, Abdel Mahdi made a scheduled televised appearance ahead of the larger protests expected the following day. He defended his reform agenda including a cabinet reshuffle and told the protesters it was their "right" to demonstrate as long as they did not "disturb public life". But in an unusually critical tone, the premier complained that previous governments had not faced the same kind of level of scrutiny and said political figures demanding "reform" had themselves failed to enact it. Abdel Mahdi's comments appeared to be a reference to Sadr, the influential ex-militiaman who controls the largest parliamentary bloc, itself called the "Alliance towards Reform." Many expect Sadr's supporters to hit the streets in large numbers on Friday afternoon, after the weekly sermon of Iraq's highest Shiite authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Sistani had set Friday as the deadline for Abdel Mahdi to enact reforms and his noon statement will be the first signal of how the rest of the highly-anticipated day could develop. Short-lived calm The mass rallies that erupted on October 1 were unprecedented in recent Iraqi history both because of their spontaneity and independence and because of the brutal violence with which they were met. At least 157 people were killed, according to a government probe published on Tuesday, which acknowledged that "excessive force" was used. A vast majority of them were protesters in Baghdad, with 70 per cent shot in the head or chest. In response, Abdel Mahdi issued a laundry list of measures meant to ease public anger, including hiring drives and higher pensions for the families of protesters who died. One in five people lives under the poverty line in Iraq and youth unemployment sits around 25 per cent, according to the World Bank. The rates are staggering for OPEC's second-biggest oil producer, which ranks the 12th most corrupt state in the world according to Transparency International. The country has been ravaged by decades of conflict that finally calmed in 2017 with a declared victory over the Islamic State group. Thus began a period of relative calm, with security forces lifting checkpoints and concrete blast walls and traffic choking city streets at hours once thought too dangerous. 'Lessons learned' Restrictions had even softened around the Green Zone but were reinstated as the October demonstrations picked up in Tahrir, which lies just across the Tigris River. Authorities also imposed an internet blackout, which has been mostly lifted although social media remains blocked. Activists have circumvented these restrictions to call for Friday's demonstrations. The protest movement has brought many of Iraq's deepest divisions to the surface, gripping the country's Shiite-majority areas while the mostly-Kurdish north and Sunni west have remained quiet. The powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force, whose political branch is the second-largest parliamentary bloc, has also announced its support to the government. It claimed the demonstrations were a "conspiracy" by the US and Israel and said it was "ready" to back authorities. But others have extended a hand to the protesters, none more clearly than Sadr. He called on the government to resign in early October but this week much more emphatically backed the protests, giving his supporters the green light to join them

Anti-government protests resume in Iraq after bloodshed

<p>Mothers are truly irreplaceable, there is really nothing on the planet that can surpass a mother's love for her child. The same was exhibited in a video that recently went viral wherein a mother helped her child with cerebral palsy skateboard for the very first time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Brazil's 7-year-old Joao suffers from cerebral palsy but her mother didn't let her child's suffering come in the way of realising what he has been yearning to do for long - skateboard.</p>

<p>In the video, the mother can be seen pushing the structure around a skateboarding site. The structure is attached to a skateboard with ample support for Joao to hold on to.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He has Cerebral Palsy and wanted to skate board so his mom created this for him so that he could.<br />
<br />
MY HEART 😭❤<br />
<br />
Mother Of The Year <a href="https://t.co/S97bk8jBAS">pic.twitter.com/S97bk8jBAS</a></p>
— StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_SJPeace_/status/1186654340087533569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>As Joao's mother went from mound to mound, pushing her son to get his first skateboarding experience, the internet swelled with joy and exhilaration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One Twitter user even called her the 'mother of the year'.</p>

<p>Joao's mother could make her son's dream come true by getting a specially-designed board created by a project called Skate Anima. She went on to thank Skate Anima on her Instagram handle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"My son is 7 years old. A boy full of wills, desires, dreams and one of them was, for a long time, skateboarding... You deserve the world," her heartwarming post read.</p>

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<p>"It turns out that he has cerebral palsy since suffering a stroke at 1 year and 8 months and for children who have cerebral palsy, or any other kind of disability, having desires and dreams is not allowed," she said in her post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cerebral palsy is a permanent movement disorder that impairs a person's motor skills. It strikes early in childhood. A person with cerebral palsy may exhibit poor coordination, weakened muscles with stiffness and tremors. Troubles with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking may also surface.</p>


Mothers are truly irreplaceable, there is really nothing on the planet that can surpass a mother's love for her child. The same was exhibited in a video that recently went viral wherein a mother helped her child with cerebral palsy skateboard for the very first time.

Mothers are truly irreplaceable, there is really nothing on the planet that can surpass a mother's love for her child. The same was exhibited in a video that recently went viral wherein a mother helped her child with cerebral palsy skateboard for the very first time. Brazil's 7-year-old Joao suffers from cerebral palsy but her mother didn't let her child's suffering come in the way of realising what he has been yearning to do for long - skateboard. In the video, the mother can be seen pushing the structure around a skateboarding site. The structure is attached to a skateboard with ample support for Joao to hold on to. He has Cerebral Palsy and wanted to skate board so his mom created this for him so that he could. MY HEART 😭❤ Mother Of The Year pic.twitter.com/S97bk8jBAS — StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) October 22, 2019 × As Joao's mother went from mound to mound, pushing her son to get his first skateboarding experience, the internet swelled with joy and exhilaration. One Twitter user even called her the 'mother of the year'. Joao's mother could make her son's dream come true by getting a specially-designed board created by a project called Skate Anima. She went on to thank Skate Anima on her Instagram handle. "My son is 7 years old. A boy full of wills, desires, dreams and one of them was, for a long time, skateboarding... You deserve the world," her heartwarming post read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by avante ⚡️ (@avanteleaozinho) on Sep 20, 2019 at 9:51am PDT × "It turns out that he has cerebral palsy since suffering a stroke at 1 year and 8 months and for children who have cerebral palsy, or any other kind of disability, having desires and dreams is not allowed," she said in her post. Cerebral palsy is a permanent movement disorder that impairs a person's motor skills. It strikes early in childhood. A person with cerebral palsy may exhibit poor coordination, weakened muscles with stiffness and tremors. Troubles with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking may also surface.

Brazilian mum wins hearts by helping son with cerebral palsy skate for the very first time

<p>President Donald Trump doesn't like what he reads in two of America's biggest newspapers, The New York Times and Washington Post, so he won't be getting them any longer.</p>

<p>"We did not renew our subscription, that is correct. This will be a significant cost savings to taxpayers," White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham told AFP.</p>

<p>Trump on Monday had told Fox News, the television network that he watches daily and relies on for largely friendly coverage,&nbsp;that he didn't want to get the papers because they are "fake."</p>

<p>Grisham also told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that the White House plans to require all federal agencies to cancel their subscriptions to the two newspapers.</p>

<p>"I have no doubt the hardworking reporters of The New York Times and Washington Post will continue to do quality journalism regardless of whether the president acknowledges he reads them," White House Correspondents' Association president Jonathan Karl told the WSJ.</p>

<p>"Pretending to ignore the work of a free press won't make the news go away, or stop reporters from informing the public and holding those in power accountable," he added.</p>

<p>The Times and particularly the Post are not the biggest newspapers by circulation, but they have an outsized influence in national politics and especially in coverage of the White House.</p>


President Donald Trump doesn't like what he reads in two of America's biggest newspapers, The New York Times and Washington Post, so he won't be getting them any longer.

President Donald Trump doesn't like what he reads in two of America's biggest newspapers, The New York Times and Washington Post, so he won't be getting them any longer. "We did not renew our subscription, that is correct. This will be a significant cost savings to taxpayers," White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham told AFP. Trump on Monday had told Fox News, the television network that he watches daily and relies on for largely friendly coverage, that he didn't want to get the papers because they are "fake." Grisham also told The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that the White House plans to require all federal agencies to cancel their subscriptions to the two newspapers. "I have no doubt the hardworking reporters of The New York Times and Washington Post will continue to do quality journalism regardless of whether the president acknowledges he reads them," White House Correspondents' Association president Jonathan Karl told the WSJ. "Pretending to ignore the work of a free press won't make the news go away, or stop reporters from informing the public and holding those in power accountable," he added. The Times and particularly the Post are not the biggest newspapers by circulation, but they have an outsized influence in national politics and especially in coverage of the White House.

Didn't renew our subscription! Trump cancels America's biggest newspapers

<p>Pollution levels in New Delhi have hit their worst for the second time in October, earning a "very poor" rating and indicating air quality could deteriorate further after the festival of Diwali.</p>

<p>The air quality index, which measures the concentration of poisonous particulate matter, touched 388 in New Delhi on Friday, according to US&nbsp;embassy data, way above the "safe" limit of 60.</p>

<p>The index measures the concentration of tiny poisonous particulate matter,&nbsp;PM2.5, particles that are less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can be carried deep into the lungs, causing deadly diseases including cancer and cardiac problems.</p>

<p>Senior government officials, who did not wish to be identified because they are not authorised to talk to media, said the main reason behind the sharp deterioration in air quality was a lack of wind speed.</p>

<p>A thick, toxic haze could envelop New Delhi and neighbouring cities if the authorities fail to clamp down on fireworks to celebrate Diwali, the festival of light that falls on Sunday.</p>

<p>Air quality usually starts worsening in New Delhi ahead of Diwali.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court last year allowed the use of only "safe and green firecrackers", for a maximum two hours, and only in designated areas such as parks, aiming to lessen the risk to health.</p>

<p>But authorities failed to enforce the decree and crackers continued to crackle late into the night. As a result, PM 2.5 levels in some parts of the city soared to 689 the next day, indicating emergency conditions.</p>

<p>To avoid a repeat of last year and wean residents away from bursting tens of thousands of firecrackers, New Delhi authorities are offering residents laser light shows to mark Diwali this weekend.</p>

<p>Other than the smog triggered by firecrackers, smoke from the surrounding countryside, where farmers at this time of the year burn the crop residue in their fields to prepare for winter sowing, causes pollution in New Delhi and surrounding cities.</p>

<p>Among a host of measures to curb pollution, the city government of New Delhi has decided to restrict the use of private cars between November 4-15.</p>

<p>Some of the other steps include banning diesel-run generators and the burning of garbage.</p>


Pollution levels in New Delhi have hit their worst for the second time in October, earning a "very poor" rating and indicating air quality could deteriorate further after the festival of Diwali.

Pollution levels in New Delhi have hit their worst for the second time in October, earning a "very poor" rating and indicating air quality could deteriorate further after the festival of Diwali. The air quality index, which measures the concentration of poisonous particulate matter, touched 388 in New Delhi on Friday, according to US embassy data, way above the "safe" limit of 60. The index measures the concentration of tiny poisonous particulate matter, PM2.5, particles that are less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can be carried deep into the lungs, causing deadly diseases including cancer and cardiac problems. Senior government officials, who did not wish to be identified because they are not authorised to talk to media, said the main reason behind the sharp deterioration in air quality was a lack of wind speed. A thick, toxic haze could envelop New Delhi and neighbouring cities if the authorities fail to clamp down on fireworks to celebrate Diwali, the festival of light that falls on Sunday. Air quality usually starts worsening in New Delhi ahead of Diwali. The Supreme Court last year allowed the use of only "safe and green firecrackers", for a maximum two hours, and only in designated areas such as parks, aiming to lessen the risk to health. But authorities failed to enforce the decree and crackers continued to crackle late into the night. As a result, PM 2.5 levels in some parts of the city soared to 689 the next day, indicating emergency conditions. To avoid a repeat of last year and wean residents away from bursting tens of thousands of firecrackers, New Delhi authorities are offering residents laser light shows to mark Diwali this weekend. Other than the smog triggered by firecrackers, smoke from the surrounding countryside, where farmers at this time of the year burn the crop residue in their fields to prepare for winter sowing, causes pollution in New Delhi and surrounding cities. Among a host of measures to curb pollution, the city government of New Delhi has decided to restrict the use of private cars between November 4-15. Some of the other steps include banning diesel-run generators and the burning of garbage.

Pollution levels in New Delhi hit the worst this year

<p>Alice Wells, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia on Friday welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-and-pakistan-sign-kartarpur-corridor-agreement-at-zero-point-257914">Kartarpur Corridor</a>.</p>

<p>"Welcome news of a finalized agreement that paves the way for a corridor between India and Pakistan, allowing Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. We look forward to the formal opening in November. Building people-to-people ties between neighbours is&nbsp;good news," Alice Wells wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p>On Thursday, India signed an agreement with Pakistan on the modalities for operationalising Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, paving the way for its inauguration next month ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.</p>

<p>The agreement was signed at Zero Line on International Border at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab`s Gurdaspur district.</p>

<p>Although the agreement has been signed, New Delhi has expressed disappointment that Islamabad has refused to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-will-eventually-waive-off-20-fee-on-pilgrims-visiting-kartarpur-sahib-captain-amarinder-257995">waive $20</a> service charge on Indians visiting Kartarpur Sahib.</p>

<p>It has urged Pakistan to reconsider its decision given the "religious and spiritual sentiments" of the pilgrims.</p>

<p>The corridor connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur in India to Darbar Sahib Gurudwara in Kartarpur, Pakistan.</p>

<p>The first group of pilgrims from India is expected to depart on November 9.</p>


Alice Wells, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia on Friday welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan on the Kartarpur Corridor.

Alice Wells, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia on Friday welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan on the Kartarpur Corridor. "Welcome news of a finalized agreement that paves the way for a corridor between India and Pakistan, allowing Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. We look forward to the formal opening in November. Building people-to-people ties between neighbours is good news," Alice Wells wrote on Twitter. On Thursday, India signed an agreement with Pakistan on the modalities for operationalising Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, paving the way for its inauguration next month ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. The agreement was signed at Zero Line on International Border at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab`s Gurdaspur district. Although the agreement has been signed, New Delhi has expressed disappointment that Islamabad has refused to waive $20 service charge on Indians visiting Kartarpur Sahib. It has urged Pakistan to reconsider its decision given the "religious and spiritual sentiments" of the pilgrims. The corridor connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur in India to Darbar Sahib Gurudwara in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The first group of pilgrims from India is expected to depart on November 9.

US Acting Assistant Secretary welcomes Kartarpur agreement between India, Pakistan

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