Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to a cease-fire Friday, raising hopes for an end to years of bloody turmoil that have drawn in military forces from Russia, Turkey, and other regional powers.

The two sides signed the agreement at the United Nations in Geneva at the end of a weeklong meeting of delegates from the internationally recognised Government of National Accord, which is based in the capital, Tripoli, and the self-styled Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter and based in the country’s east.

The two sides agreed on a complete, countrywide and permanent agreement with immediate effect, said Stephanie Williams, the U.N. acting special envoy who chaired the most recent talks. She said it called for front-line forces to return to their bases and for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries within three months, a process that would be monitored by the U.N.

“God willing, it will be the key to peace and security in all Libya,” Col. Ali Abushama, the head of the government delegation, said at the signing ceremony. “We have had enough suffering, enough division, enough bloodshed.”

Williams said the agreement will be sent immediately to the U.N. Security Council, stressing the critical importance of international backing.

The former U.N. envoy, Ghassan Salame, quit his job earlier this year, partly in exasperation at the failure of the international community to provide meaningful support for peace efforts in Libya.

Salame has been vocal about his disillusionment with the open meddling by some foreign countries in Libya, such as Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, combined with the failures of Western countries like the United States, France, and Britain to meaningfully counter that meddling.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the truce agreement as a “fundamental step” toward ending the conflict.

Williams said the accord set an exceptional example for Libyan politicians who now face the challenge of converting the cease-fire into a broader political settlement in talks due to open in Tunis in early November.

Friday’s agreement is intended to set in motion steps to unify security forces and disarm, demobilize and reintegrate the numerous armed factions that have operated unchecked by any central authority for years.

The two sides also agreed to measures that will reestablish national control over oil facilities and key institutions such as the central bank, Williams said.

Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to a cease-fire Friday, raising hopes for an end to years of bloody turmoil that have drawn in military forces from Russia, Turkey, and other regional powers.

Libya’s two main warring factions agreed to a cease-fire Friday, raising hopes for an end to years of bloody turmoil that have drawn in military forces from Russia, Turkey, and other regional powers. The two sides signed the agreement at the United Nations in Geneva at the end of a weeklong meeting of delegates from the internationally recognised Government of National Accord, which is based in the capital, Tripoli, and the self-styled Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter and based in the country’s east. The two sides agreed on a complete, countrywide and permanent agreement with immediate effect, said Stephanie Williams, the U.N. acting special envoy who chaired the most recent talks. She said it called for front-line forces to return to their bases and for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries within three months, a process that would be monitored by the U.N. “God willing, it will be the key to peace and security in all Libya,” Col. Ali Abushama, the head of the government delegation, said at the signing ceremony. “We have had enough suffering, enough division, enough bloodshed.” Williams said the agreement will be sent immediately to the U.N. Security Council, stressing the critical importance of international backing. The former U.N. envoy, Ghassan Salame, quit his job earlier this year, partly in exasperation at the failure of the international community to provide meaningful support for peace efforts in Libya. Salame has been vocal about his disillusionment with the open meddling by some foreign countries in Libya, such as Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, combined with the failures of Western countries like the United States, France, and Britain to meaningfully counter that meddling. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the truce agreement as a “fundamental step” toward ending the conflict. Williams said the accord set an exceptional example for Libyan politicians who now face the challenge of converting the cease-fire into a broader political settlement in talks due to open in Tunis in early November. Friday’s agreement is intended to set in motion steps to unify security forces and disarm, demobilize and reintegrate the numerous armed factions that have operated unchecked by any central authority for years. The two sides also agreed to measures that will reestablish national control over oil facilities and key institutions such as the central bank, Williams said.

Libya cease-fire raises hopes for full peace deal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with CEOs of leading global oil and gas companies on Monday at an annual event organised by the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that this is the fifth such event organised by the NITI Aayog and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and around 45 CEOs of major oil and gas companies will attend the roundtable this year.

The objective behind the meeting is to deliver a global platform to understand best-practices, discuss reforms, and inform strategies for accelerating investments into the Indian oil and gas value chain, the PMO said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-refinery-processing-limps-to-six-month-peak-337556" hreflang="en">India's refinery processing limps to six-month peak</a>

The annual interaction has gradually become one of the most important gatherings of not only intellectual debate but also of executive action, it said.

The event also grows in stature with the rise of India, the world's third-largest energy consumer, which is likely to see investment of over USD 300 billion by 2030 in the oil and gas sector to meet the rising demand, the PMO said.

The prime minister will interact with the CEOs at 5.30 pm IST on October 26 via video conference, the statement said.

India is an important player in the global oil and gas sector, being the third-largest consumer of crude oil and the fourth-largest LNG importer, the PMO said.

Realising the need for India to graduate from a passive consumer to an active and vocal stake-holder in the global oil and gas value chain, NITI Aayog initiated the first roundtable of global oil and gas CEOs with the prime minister in 2016.

The growth of the event was apparent as around 45-50 global CEOs and key stakeholders who shape the global oil and gas sector assembled every subsequent year to interact and discuss the issues and opportunities with the prime minister, the PMO said. 
The impact of the annual global CEOs interaction can be seen in the gravity of discussion, quality of suggestions and the seriousness with which they are acted upon, it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with CEOs of leading global oil and gas companies on Monday at an annual event organised by the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with CEOs of leading global oil and gas companies on Monday at an annual event organised by the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that this is the fifth such event organised by the NITI Aayog and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and around 45 CEOs of major oil and gas companies will attend the roundtable this year. The objective behind the meeting is to deliver a global platform to understand best-practices, discuss reforms, and inform strategies for accelerating investments into the Indian oil and gas value chain, the PMO said in a statement. Also read: India's refinery processing limps to six-month peak The annual interaction has gradually become one of the most important gatherings of not only intellectual debate but also of executive action, it said. The event also grows in stature with the rise of India, the world's third-largest energy consumer, which is likely to see investment of over USD 300 billion by 2030 in the oil and gas sector to meet the rising demand, the PMO said. The prime minister will interact with the CEOs at 5.30 pm IST on October 26 via video conference, the statement said. India is an important player in the global oil and gas sector, being the third-largest consumer of crude oil and the fourth-largest LNG importer, the PMO said. Realising the need for India to graduate from a passive consumer to an active and vocal stake-holder in the global oil and gas value chain, NITI Aayog initiated the first roundtable of global oil and gas CEOs with the prime minister in 2016. The growth of the event was apparent as around 45-50 global CEOs and key stakeholders who shape the global oil and gas sector assembled every subsequent year to interact and discuss the issues and opportunities with the prime minister, the PMO said. The impact of the annual global CEOs interaction can be seen in the gravity of discussion, quality of suggestions and the seriousness with which they are acted upon, it said.

PM Modi to interact with CEOs of leading global oil and gas firms on Monday

Crude oil processed by&nbsp;Indian refiners hit the highest in six months in September, in another sign that demand for fuel is recovering from the blow to economic activity and transportation from coronavirus restrictions.

Crude oil throughput in September rose 13.4 per cent&nbsp;from the previous month to 4.33 million barrels per day (17.71 million tonnes).

This was the highest since the onset of the country's coronavirus restrictions in March when refiners processed 5.01 million bpd of crude oil.

Fuel demand also rose for the first time since June last month, data showed earlier.

October gasoil sales rose for the first time since March, preliminary data showed, signalling a pick-up in industrial activity ahead of key festivals.

"There have been some promising signs of recovery in&nbsp;India, which in recent years has been the second demand engine after China," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

"Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, the removal of mobility restrictions has supported oil demand."

India&nbsp;has reported a downward trend in coronavirus infections since hitting a single-day high of 97,894 new cases on Sept. 17, although it still remains the world's second worst-affected country.

Having posted its biggest drop since at least 2003 in April, crude processing has recovered about 20 per cent in September, although it still remains 8.7 per cent lower compared to the same month a year ago, government data showed on Friday.

Indian refiners operated at about 86.22&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of their overall capacity in September compared to 76.10&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in August, data showed. This was the highest refinery utilization rate since March.

Indian refiners operated at about 86&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of their overall capacity in September, the most since March.

Top refiner&nbsp;Indian Oil Corp (IOC) operated its directly owned plants at 81% capacity, the data showed.

Reliance, owner of the world's biggest refining complex, operated its plants at 89.37&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;capacity.

Crude oil production fell by 6&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;from a year earlier to 2.49 million tonnes (608,000 bpd), the monthly report showed.

Crude oil processed by Indian refiners hit the highest in six months in September, in another sign that demand for fuel is recovering from the blow to economic activity and transportation from coronavirus restrictions.

Crude oil processed by Indian refiners hit the highest in six months in September, in another sign that demand for fuel is recovering from the blow to economic activity and transportation from coronavirus restrictions. Crude oil throughput in September rose 13.4 per cent from the previous month to 4.33 million barrels per day (17.71 million tonnes). This was the highest since the onset of the country's coronavirus restrictions in March when refiners processed 5.01 million bpd of crude oil. Fuel demand also rose for the first time since June last month, data showed earlier. October gasoil sales rose for the first time since March, preliminary data showed, signalling a pick-up in industrial activity ahead of key festivals. "There have been some promising signs of recovery in India, which in recent years has been the second demand engine after China," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. "Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, the removal of mobility restrictions has supported oil demand." India has reported a downward trend in coronavirus infections since hitting a single-day high of 97,894 new cases on Sept. 17, although it still remains the world's second worst-affected country. Having posted its biggest drop since at least 2003 in April, crude processing has recovered about 20 per cent in September, although it still remains 8.7 per cent lower compared to the same month a year ago, government data showed on Friday. Indian refiners operated at about 86.22 per cent of their overall capacity in September compared to 76.10 per cent in August, data showed. This was the highest refinery utilization rate since March. Indian refiners operated at about 86 per cent of their overall capacity in September, the most since March. Top refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC) operated its directly owned plants at 81% capacity, the data showed. Reliance, owner of the world's biggest refining complex, operated its plants at 89.37 per cent capacity. Crude oil production fell by 6 per cent from a year earlier to 2.49 million tonnes (608,000 bpd), the monthly report showed.

India's refinery processing limps to six-month peak

Muslims at a mosque in a Paris suburb held a minute of silence led by vocal Imam Hussen Chalghoumi after Friday (October 22) prayers to pay homage to a teacher beheaded for showing caricatures of Prophet Mohammad.

Samuel Paty was murdered on October&nbsp;16 in broad daylight outside his school in a middle-class Paris suburb by an 18-year-old of Chechen origin. Police shot the attacker dead.

Paty's murder last week has prompted outrage in a country where the separation of church and state is fiercely defended by many. It has also exposed divisions in a society where a vocal minority in the Muslim community feels its practice of the religion is being targeted.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/slain-teacher-martyr-for-freedom-of-expression-says-french-imam-336624">Slain teacher 'martyr for freedom of expression, says French imam</a>

Chalghoumi, who has shown his support for Paty's showing of the caricatures in class, and who has spoken out against Islamism, was wearing a bulletproof vest on Friday. He said he has been wearing protection during big events for the past 10 years, as he had received death threats.

"(The teacher) is a martyr for freedom of expression, and a wise man who has taught tolerance, civilisation, and respect for others," Chalghoumi said.

"We need to end the victimisation discourse. We all have rights in France, like everyone else. Parents should tell their children about the good that exists in the&nbsp;Republic," he added, asserting,"If parents don't do that well they need to be punished."

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/paris-attack-locals-gather-to-pray-for-the-decapitated-parisian-teacher-336062">Paris attack: Locals gather to pray for the decapitated Parisian teacher</a>

There was a heavy police presence at the mosque on Friday, as Muslims went in to pray.

Police were ordered to protect mosques in the cities of Bordeaux and Beziers in southwestern&nbsp;France, following threats or acts of violence.

The teenager who killed Paty had sought to avenge his victim's use of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression. Muslims believe that any depiction of the Prophet is blasphemous.

Muslims at a mosque in a Paris suburb held a minute of silence led by vocal Imam Hussen Chalghoumi after Friday (October 22) prayers to pay homage to a teacher beheaded for showing caricatures of Prophet Mohammad.

Muslims at a mosque in a Paris suburb held a minute of silence led by vocal Imam Hussen Chalghoumi after Friday (October 22) prayers to pay homage to a teacher beheaded for showing caricatures of Prophet Mohammad. Samuel Paty was murdered on October 16 in broad daylight outside his school in a middle-class Paris suburb by an 18-year-old of Chechen origin. Police shot the attacker dead. Paty's murder last week has prompted outrage in a country where the separation of church and state is fiercely defended by many. It has also exposed divisions in a society where a vocal minority in the Muslim community feels its practice of the religion is being targeted. Also read: Slain teacher 'martyr for freedom of expression, says French imam Chalghoumi, who has shown his support for Paty's showing of the caricatures in class, and who has spoken out against Islamism, was wearing a bulletproof vest on Friday. He said he has been wearing protection during big events for the past 10 years, as he had received death threats. "(The teacher) is a martyr for freedom of expression, and a wise man who has taught tolerance, civilisation, and respect for others," Chalghoumi said. "We need to end the victimisation discourse. We all have rights in France, like everyone else. Parents should tell their children about the good that exists in the Republic," he added, asserting,"If parents don't do that well they need to be punished." Also see: Paris attack: Locals gather to pray for the decapitated Parisian teacher There was a heavy police presence at the mosque on Friday, as Muslims went in to pray. Police were ordered to protect mosques in the cities of Bordeaux and Beziers in southwestern France, following threats or acts of violence. The teenager who killed Paty had sought to avenge his victim's use of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad in a class on freedom of expression. Muslims believe that any depiction of the Prophet is blasphemous.

French mosque holds prayer in tribute to Samuel Paty

Hopes of ending nearly a month of bloodshed in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh look slim&nbsp;as Azeri and ethnic Armenian forces fought new battles on the eve of talks in Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow believed that nearly 5,000 people had been killed in fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic&nbsp;Armenian forces over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"There are a lot of casualties on both sides, more than 2,000 on each side," Putin told a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

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Putin added that he speaks to leaders of&nbsp;Armenia&nbsp;and Azerbaijan several times a day by phone in order to reach a settlement. But those hopes have been dented by the continued heavy fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway territory that is inside Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians, and by angry rhetoric from both sides.

Nagorno-Karabakh said 874 of its military personnel had been killed since Sept. 27, in addition to 37 civilians. Azerbaijan says 61 Azeri civilians have been killed and 291 wounded but has not disclosed its military casualties.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo&nbsp;met separately with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in a new attempt to end nearly a month of bloodshed

The collapse of two Russia-brokered ceasefires has dimmed hopes of a quick end to fighting that broke out on September&nbsp;27 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway territory that is within Azerbaijan but is controlled by ethnic Armenians.

World powers want to prevent a wider war that draws in Turkey, which has voiced strong support for Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a defence pact with Armenia.

Shortly before the Washington talks were due to start, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul that he hoped Moscow and Ankara could work together on resolving the conflict.

Pompeo is expected to hold separate talks with Bayramov and Mnatsakanyan. It is not clear whether the two former Soviet republics' ministers will meet directly.

Pompeo said this week he hoped the "right path forward" could be found at the talks, but Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he saw no diplomatic resolution of the long-running conflict at this stage.

Azeri&nbsp;President Ilham Aliyev has described the prospects of reaching a peace settlement as "very remote", and demanded promises that Azerbaijan will be handed back control of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azeri forces, bolstered by weapons bought from Turkey, say they have made territorial gains in the latest fighting, including full control over the border with Iran, though Nagorno-Karabakh says its forces have repeatedly repulsed attacks.

About 30,000 people were killed in a 1991-94 war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenians regard the territory as part of their historic homeland and accuse Azerbaijan of making a land grab in the recent fighting.

Hopes of ending nearly a month of bloodshed in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh look slim as Azeri and ethnic Armenian forces fought new battles on the eve of talks in Washington.

Hopes of ending nearly a month of bloodshed in the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh look slim as Azeri and ethnic Armenian forces fought new battles on the eve of talks in Washington. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow believed that nearly 5,000 people had been killed in fighting between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. "There are a lot of casualties on both sides, more than 2,000 on each side," Putin told a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club. Putin added that he speaks to leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan several times a day by phone in order to reach a settlement. But those hopes have been dented by the continued heavy fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway territory that is inside Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenians, and by angry rhetoric from both sides. Nagorno-Karabakh said 874 of its military personnel had been killed since Sept. 27, in addition to 37 civilians. Azerbaijan says 61 Azeri civilians have been killed and 291 wounded but has not disclosed its military casualties. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met separately with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in a new attempt to end nearly a month of bloodshed The collapse of two Russia-brokered ceasefires has dimmed hopes of a quick end to fighting that broke out on September 27 over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway territory that is within Azerbaijan but is controlled by ethnic Armenians. World powers want to prevent a wider war that draws in Turkey, which has voiced strong support for Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a defence pact with Armenia. Shortly before the Washington talks were due to start, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul that he hoped Moscow and Ankara could work together on resolving the conflict. Pompeo is expected to hold separate talks with Bayramov and Mnatsakanyan. It is not clear whether the two former Soviet republics' ministers will meet directly. Pompeo said this week he hoped the "right path forward" could be found at the talks, but Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he saw no diplomatic resolution of the long-running conflict at this stage. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has described the prospects of reaching a peace settlement as "very remote", and demanded promises that Azerbaijan will be handed back control of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azeri forces, bolstered by weapons bought from Turkey, say they have made territorial gains in the latest fighting, including full control over the border with Iran, though Nagorno-Karabakh says its forces have repeatedly repulsed attacks. About 30,000 people were killed in a 1991-94 war over Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenians regard the territory as part of their historic homeland and accuse Azerbaijan of making a land grab in the recent fighting.

Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Continued fighting, shuttled diplomatic efforts before Washington talks

When is a burger not a burger? When it contains no meat. At least according to a divisive proposal that was in front of the European Parliament this week, part of a set of measures that would have banned the use of terms like “steak,” “sausage,” “escallop” or “burger” on labels for plant-based alternative products.

But after a decisive vote against the measure Friday, it seems veggie burgers will still be on the menu.

“Reason prevailed, and climate sinners lost,” Nikolaj Villumsen, a member of the European Parliament from Denmark posted on Twitter. “It’s worth celebrating with a veggie burger.”

A proposal to expand a ban on descriptions such as “yogurt-style” or “cream imitation” for non-dairy replacements did pass, extending previous limitations on the use of words like “milk” and “butter” on non-dairy alternatives.

The proposed changes — a small part of a package of agricultural measures — received more attention than perhaps desired either by their proponents among meat and livestock groups, who said they would prefer to focus on helping farmers work sustainably, or the environmentalists and food manufacturers opposing it, for whom it is a distraction from the climate-change policy.

Jasmijn de Boo, vice president of ProVeg International, a group aimed at reducing meat consumption, said that the proposal was not in the interest of consumers or manufacturers and that shoppers were not confused by the labels currently on store shelves.

“Why to change something to a ‘veggie disc’ or ‘tube’ instead of a sausage?” she said. “It’s ridiculous.”

Those in favor of the change said that labeling plant-based products with meat terms were misleading and could open the door for other confusing labels.

“We simply call for the work of millions of European farmers and livestock sector workers to be acknowledged and respected,” Jean-Pierre Fleury, chairman of Copa-Cogeca, Europe’s largest farming lobby group, said in a statement this month. He described the use of meatlike names for plant-based products as “cultural hijacking.”

“Consumers are in no way confused by a soy steak or chickpea-based sausage, so long as it is clearly labeled as vegetarian or vegan,” she said in a statement after the vote. “Terms such as ‘burger’ or ‘steak’ on plant-based items simply make it much easier for consumers to know how to integrate these products within a meal.”

When is a burger not a burger? When it contains no meat. At least according to a divisive proposal that was in front of the European Parliament this week, part of a set of measures that would have banned the use of terms like “steak,” “sausage,” “escallop” or “burger” on labels for plant-based alternative products.

When is a burger not a burger? When it contains no meat. At least according to a divisive proposal that was in front of the European Parliament this week, part of a set of measures that would have banned the use of terms like “steak,” “sausage,” “escallop” or “burger” on labels for plant-based alternative products. But after a decisive vote against the measure Friday, it seems veggie burgers will still be on the menu. “Reason prevailed, and climate sinners lost,” Nikolaj Villumsen, a member of the European Parliament from Denmark posted on Twitter. “It’s worth celebrating with a veggie burger.” A proposal to expand a ban on descriptions such as “yogurt-style” or “cream imitation” for non-dairy replacements did pass, extending previous limitations on the use of words like “milk” and “butter” on non-dairy alternatives. The proposed changes — a small part of a package of agricultural measures — received more attention than perhaps desired either by their proponents among meat and livestock groups, who said they would prefer to focus on helping farmers work sustainably, or the environmentalists and food manufacturers opposing it, for whom it is a distraction from the climate-change policy. Jasmijn de Boo, vice president of ProVeg International, a group aimed at reducing meat consumption, said that the proposal was not in the interest of consumers or manufacturers and that shoppers were not confused by the labels currently on store shelves. “Why to change something to a ‘veggie disc’ or ‘tube’ instead of a sausage?” she said. “It’s ridiculous.” Those in favor of the change said that labeling plant-based products with meat terms were misleading and could open the door for other confusing labels. “We simply call for the work of millions of European farmers and livestock sector workers to be acknowledged and respected,” Jean-Pierre Fleury, chairman of Copa-Cogeca, Europe’s largest farming lobby group, said in a statement this month. He described the use of meatlike names for plant-based products as “cultural hijacking.” “Consumers are in no way confused by a soy steak or chickpea-based sausage, so long as it is clearly labeled as vegetarian or vegan,” she said in a statement after the vote. “Terms such as ‘burger’ or ‘steak’ on plant-based items simply make it much easier for consumers to know how to integrate these products within a meal.”

EU says veggie burgers can keep their name

At least 20 members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were killed in a Taliban attack on their outpost in Khashrod district, Nimroz province, on Thursday said the district governor of Khashrod.

According to Tolo News, the district governor said that six others were taken hostage by the Taliban. However, the official did not provide any details on the attack.

There have been no comments made by the Defence Ministry, so far. The latest incident comes in wake of an increase in violence across the country despite the ongoing peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghanistan Government in Doha.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said that the Taliban terrorists have expanded their attacks to 24 provinces in the last 24 hours that include Takhar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Kunduz, Baghlan, Laghman, Paktia, Paktika, Ghazni, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Zabul, Herat, Farah, Badghis, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul and Badakhshan provinces.

The Defence Ministry said that on Wednesday night in Takhar province an Afghan Air Force strike killed "12 Taliban including several of their commanders," as reported by Tolo News.

It further reported that the airstrike was conducted in the "Hazara Qarluq" village of Baharak district, according to the statement adding that during a clash between "these Taliban" and the ANP on Monday, a "number of our police" were killed.

At least four civilians were killed and 10 others were injured in a mortar attack in northern Faryab province on Thursday morning, local officials said.

On Wednesday, the Taliban "destroyed" an electricity pylon that brings power to Herat province the office of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) in Herat said.

The incident took place in the Kalat-e-Ghazi village in Ghoryan district. The Takhar`s deputy police chief Raz Mohammad Doorandish and nearly 50 security force members were killed in clashes with the Taliban in the province on Tuesday night, the local officials said on Wednesday.

"47 people (security forces members) were killed, and three or four others were wounded," said Amir Mohammad Khaksar, an MP from Takhar, adding that "the casualties will increase."

At least 20 members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were killed in a Taliban attack on their outpost in Khashrod district, Nimroz province, on Thursday said the district governor of Khashrod.

At least 20 members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were killed in a Taliban attack on their outpost in Khashrod district, Nimroz province, on Thursday said the district governor of Khashrod. According to Tolo News, the district governor said that six others were taken hostage by the Taliban. However, the official did not provide any details on the attack. There have been no comments made by the Defence Ministry, so far. The latest incident comes in wake of an increase in violence across the country despite the ongoing peace negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghanistan Government in Doha. On Thursday, the Ministry of Defence said that the Taliban terrorists have expanded their attacks to 24 provinces in the last 24 hours that include Takhar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Kunduz, Baghlan, Laghman, Paktia, Paktika, Ghazni, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Zabul, Herat, Farah, Badghis, Faryab, Sar-e-Pul and Badakhshan provinces. The Defence Ministry said that on Wednesday night in Takhar province an Afghan Air Force strike killed "12 Taliban including several of their commanders," as reported by Tolo News. It further reported that the airstrike was conducted in the "Hazara Qarluq" village of Baharak district, according to the statement adding that during a clash between "these Taliban" and the ANP on Monday, a "number of our police" were killed. At least four civilians were killed and 10 others were injured in a mortar attack in northern Faryab province on Thursday morning, local officials said. On Wednesday, the Taliban "destroyed" an electricity pylon that brings power to Herat province the office of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) in Herat said. The incident took place in the Kalat-e-Ghazi village in Ghoryan district. The Takhar`s deputy police chief Raz Mohammad Doorandish and nearly 50 security force members were killed in clashes with the Taliban in the province on Tuesday night, the local officials said on Wednesday. "47 people (security forces members) were killed, and three or four others were wounded," said Amir Mohammad Khaksar, an MP from Takhar, adding that "the casualties will increase."

20 Afghan army personnel killed in Taliban attack in Nimroz

Eight members of the Opposition, who defied their party's whip and voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution to bolster the powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will face disciplinary action, party officials said on Friday.

The Parliament on Thursday passed the 20th Amendment to the Constitution with a two-thirds majority. The second reading of the 20th Amendment was passed in Parliament with 156 members voting in favour of the bill and 65 against it in the 223-member Parliament. Only 213 members were present at the time of voting.

The government on September 2 gazetted 20A to replace the 19th Amendment introduced in 2015 that curtailed the powers of the president and strengthened the role of Parliament.

Among the defectors was the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya's (SJB) woman parliamentarian Diana Gamage.

"We will be taking disciplinary action against her," SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

Gamage and seven other parliamentarians voted in favour of 20A.

Among them are six Muslim members from two Muslim constituent parties of SJB.

The sole Tamil defector was Aravind Kumar from Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPF). TPF leader and parliamentarian Mano Ganesan said the party Politburo will take action against Kumar.

Interestingly, all members of parliament from the ruling Sri Lankan People's Party, who had expressed opposition to some of the clauses in the amendment, voted en bloc in support.

Inspired by the opposition within the government quarters, the Opposition had called for a separate vote on the clause which permits dual citizens to hold public office.

The vote was defeated with one plus from the Opposition. None of those from the government supported the Opposition's call for a vote.

The 20A rolled back the pro-democracy, good governance 19A which curtailed presidential powers and made parliament more powerful.

It restores full legal immunity to the President, removing the provisions made in the 19A to take legal action against the President. 
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted full presidential powers to return as his SLPP had campaigned at two major elections to repeal 19A.

With their dominant majority in the assembly, the Rajapaksas have made it clear that they would amend the Constitution to bolster the powers of the president, reversing the work of the previous government to introduce more checks and balances and enhance the role of Parliament.

Rajapaksa wants a total constitutional overhaul and his position was reiterated in Parliament by Justice Minister Ali Sabry who said the work on a new Constitution was underway and it will be formulated and presented within a year.

Activists, already alarmed by the diminishing space for dissent in the island nation, fear that the latest amendment to the Constitution may lead to authoritarianism. During the last November's presidential elections and last month's parliamentary elections, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the 19A had made governance difficult as it created a rift between the executive president and the prime minister.

President Rajapaksa was elected in November last year with a mandate to abolish the 19A. 
Interestingly, the current prime minister is the president's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was earlier president of the country for two terms.&nbsp;

Eight members of the Opposition, who defied their party's whip and voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution to bolster the powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will face disciplinary action, party officials said on Friday.

Eight members of the Opposition, who defied their party's whip and voted in favour of the 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution to bolster the powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, will face disciplinary action, party officials said on Friday. The Parliament on Thursday passed the 20th Amendment to the Constitution with a two-thirds majority. The second reading of the 20th Amendment was passed in Parliament with 156 members voting in favour of the bill and 65 against it in the 223-member Parliament. Only 213 members were present at the time of voting. The government on September 2 gazetted 20A to replace the 19th Amendment introduced in 2015 that curtailed the powers of the president and strengthened the role of Parliament. Among the defectors was the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya's (SJB) woman parliamentarian Diana Gamage. "We will be taking disciplinary action against her," SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said. Gamage and seven other parliamentarians voted in favour of 20A. Among them are six Muslim members from two Muslim constituent parties of SJB. The sole Tamil defector was Aravind Kumar from Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPF). TPF leader and parliamentarian Mano Ganesan said the party Politburo will take action against Kumar. Interestingly, all members of parliament from the ruling Sri Lankan People's Party, who had expressed opposition to some of the clauses in the amendment, voted en bloc in support. Inspired by the opposition within the government quarters, the Opposition had called for a separate vote on the clause which permits dual citizens to hold public office. The vote was defeated with one plus from the Opposition. None of those from the government supported the Opposition's call for a vote. The 20A rolled back the pro-democracy, good governance 19A which curtailed presidential powers and made parliament more powerful. It restores full legal immunity to the President, removing the provisions made in the 19A to take legal action against the President. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted full presidential powers to return as his SLPP had campaigned at two major elections to repeal 19A. With their dominant majority in the assembly, the Rajapaksas have made it clear that they would amend the Constitution to bolster the powers of the president, reversing the work of the previous government to introduce more checks and balances and enhance the role of Parliament. Rajapaksa wants a total constitutional overhaul and his position was reiterated in Parliament by Justice Minister Ali Sabry who said the work on a new Constitution was underway and it will be formulated and presented within a year. Activists, already alarmed by the diminishing space for dissent in the island nation, fear that the latest amendment to the Constitution may lead to authoritarianism. During the last November's presidential elections and last month's parliamentary elections, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the 19A had made governance difficult as it created a rift between the executive president and the prime minister. President Rajapaksa was elected in November last year with a mandate to abolish the 19A. Interestingly, the current prime minister is the president's elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was earlier president of the country for two terms.

Lankan Opposition members who voted in favour of 20A to face party wrath

Pakistan's anti-corruption body has slapped a fresh corruption case on deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, compounding the legal woes of the embattled Opposition leader who has frequently attacked the powerful military as well as the government.

Sharif, the 70-year-old supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) who was ousted from power in 2017 by the Supreme Court on corruption charges, is currently in London for medical treatment.

The National Accountability Bureau also approved cases against Sharif's ex-personal secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal, former foreign secretary Aizaz Chaudhry and former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Aftab Sultan, Dawn newspaper reported.

On Thursday, a total of 11 cases were approved at NAB's Executive Board Meeting (EBM) presided over by its chairman, retired Justice Javed Iqbal.

According to the National Accountability Bureau, a fresh case was approved against Sharif along with Chaudhry, Sultan, and Fawad for ''illegally&nbsp;purchasing 73 high-security vehicles for the security of foreign dignitaries.''

They are accused of favouritism and illegal use of vehicles, causing a loss of over Rs 1,952 million to the national exchequer.

The EBM also approved a case against Ahsan Iqbal and Mohammad Ahmed, contractor/owner of private firm Ahmed and Sons, for increasing the scope of the Sports City project in Narowal from Rs 30 million to Rs 3 billion by ''abusing the authority.''

They are accused of illegally providing the funds of the federal government to provincial government projects after the 18th Amendment by using personal influence, which inflicted huge losses on the national exchequer.

The case against Iqbal was approved two days after he had said in a private TV talk show that the NAB had been investigating the Narowal Sports City case against him for the last two-and-a-half years but did not file a reference.

Sharif is already facing several cases of corruption and misuse of authority which he has declared as a result of political vendetta by the current government led by Prime Minister Khan.

The approval of fresh cases followed a recent speech by Prime Minister Khan that the Opposition would see a ''different Imran Khan'', which was interpreted as a threat to arrest more opposition leaders and court cases.

Apart from Sharif and his close aides, the NAB approved cases worth billions of rupees of alleged corruption against several officials and businessmen for causing losses to the country in different projects.

Sharif criticised the military establishment in recent speeches at gatherings of the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement.

Days before the July 2018 general elections, Sharif was convicted in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His daughter Maryam was sentenced to seven years in prison for abetment and his son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar to one year.

In December 2018, anti-corruption court judge Arshad Malik convicted Sharif in Al-Azizia Steel Mills case and sentenced him to seven years in prison. Judge Malik was later dismissed from service over misconduct.

Pakistan's anti-corruption body has slapped a fresh corruption case on deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, compounding the legal woes of the embattled Opposition leader who has frequently attacked the powerful military as well as the government.

Pakistan's anti-corruption body has slapped a fresh corruption case on deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, compounding the legal woes of the embattled Opposition leader who has frequently attacked the powerful military as well as the government. Sharif, the 70-year-old supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) who was ousted from power in 2017 by the Supreme Court on corruption charges, is currently in London for medical treatment. The National Accountability Bureau also approved cases against Sharif's ex-personal secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, former federal minister Ahsan Iqbal, former foreign secretary Aizaz Chaudhry and former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Aftab Sultan, Dawn newspaper reported. On Thursday, a total of 11 cases were approved at NAB's Executive Board Meeting (EBM) presided over by its chairman, retired Justice Javed Iqbal. According to the National Accountability Bureau, a fresh case was approved against Sharif along with Chaudhry, Sultan, and Fawad for ''illegally purchasing 73 high-security vehicles for the security of foreign dignitaries.'' They are accused of favouritism and illegal use of vehicles, causing a loss of over Rs 1,952 million to the national exchequer. The EBM also approved a case against Ahsan Iqbal and Mohammad Ahmed, contractor/owner of private firm Ahmed and Sons, for increasing the scope of the Sports City project in Narowal from Rs 30 million to Rs 3 billion by ''abusing the authority.'' They are accused of illegally providing the funds of the federal government to provincial government projects after the 18th Amendment by using personal influence, which inflicted huge losses on the national exchequer. The case against Iqbal was approved two days after he had said in a private TV talk show that the NAB had been investigating the Narowal Sports City case against him for the last two-and-a-half years but did not file a reference. Sharif is already facing several cases of corruption and misuse of authority which he has declared as a result of political vendetta by the current government led by Prime Minister Khan. The approval of fresh cases followed a recent speech by Prime Minister Khan that the Opposition would see a ''different Imran Khan'', which was interpreted as a threat to arrest more opposition leaders and court cases. Apart from Sharif and his close aides, the NAB approved cases worth billions of rupees of alleged corruption against several officials and businessmen for causing losses to the country in different projects. Sharif criticised the military establishment in recent speeches at gatherings of the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement. Days before the July 2018 general elections, Sharif was convicted in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His daughter Maryam was sentenced to seven years in prison for abetment and his son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar to one year. In December 2018, anti-corruption court judge Arshad Malik convicted Sharif in Al-Azizia Steel Mills case and sentenced him to seven years in prison. Judge Malik was later dismissed from service over misconduct.

Pak's anti-corruption body slaps fresh graft case on Nawaz Sharif

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Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will ask the king to declare a state of emergency on Friday, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim denounced as an attempt to cling to power.

The sources, who spoke on condition they not be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media, did not give the reason for the premier's request. The proposed emergency would include the suspension of parliament, which was scheduled to reconvene in November, one of the sources said.

Malaysia is seeing a resurgence in coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin is facing a leadership challenge from Anwar, who said last month he had majority support in parliament to form a new government.

Responding to reports of the state of emergency, Anwar said in a statement on Friday: "We have a government which lacks legitimacy and which knows it would fail to demonstrate majority support in parliament and is using the COVID-19 crisis as an excuse to justify its abuse of power."

Under the constitution, the king can declare a state of emergency if he is satisfied there is a threat to national security, the economy, or public order. Malaysia last declared a national emergency in 1969 after civil unrest and race riots.

The sources did not disclose the full range of measures that Muhyiddin would seek to implement. State news agency Bernama said Muhyiddin was in a meeting with King Al-Sultan Abdullah.

Muhyiddin's office and the palace did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Muhyiddin, who came to power in March with just a two-seat majority in parliament, has been under pressure since Anwar's declaration that he now has majority support in parliament to oust him.

The government is scheduled to propose the budget for 2021 on Nov. 6, and there have been questions over whether the premier would be able to muster a majority to push that through. The emergency rule could mean the budget is not put to a vote at that time.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will ask the king to declare a state of emergency on Friday, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim denounced as an attempt to cling to power.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will ask the king to declare a state of emergency on Friday, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, a move that opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim denounced as an attempt to cling to power. The sources, who spoke on condition they not be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media, did not give the reason for the premier's request. The proposed emergency would include the suspension of parliament, which was scheduled to reconvene in November, one of the sources said. Malaysia is seeing a resurgence in coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, Muhyiddin is facing a leadership challenge from Anwar, who said last month he had majority support in parliament to form a new government. Responding to reports of the state of emergency, Anwar said in a statement on Friday: "We have a government which lacks legitimacy and which knows it would fail to demonstrate majority support in parliament and is using the COVID-19 crisis as an excuse to justify its abuse of power." Under the constitution, the king can declare a state of emergency if he is satisfied there is a threat to national security, the economy, or public order. Malaysia last declared a national emergency in 1969 after civil unrest and race riots. The sources did not disclose the full range of measures that Muhyiddin would seek to implement. State news agency Bernama said Muhyiddin was in a meeting with King Al-Sultan Abdullah. Muhyiddin's office and the palace did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Muhyiddin, who came to power in March with just a two-seat majority in parliament, has been under pressure since Anwar's declaration that he now has majority support in parliament to oust him. The government is scheduled to propose the budget for 2021 on Nov. 6, and there have been questions over whether the premier would be able to muster a majority to push that through. The emergency rule could mean the budget is not put to a vote at that time.

Malaysian Prime Minister to ask king to declare state of emergency: Sources

The release of Fukushima's contaminated water can damage human DNA, according to the latest report by a non-governmental organisation&nbsp;Greenpeace.

According to the publication of the report 'Stemming the tide 2020: The reality of the Fukushima radioactive water crisis', contaminated water that will reportedly be released into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima&nbsp;Daiichi nuclear plant&nbsp;contains a radioactive substance that has the potential to damage human DNA, a Greenpeace investigation has said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-release-radioactive-water-from-fukushima-nuclear-plant-into-sea-report-335626">Japan to release radioactive water from Fukushima nuclear plant into sea: Report</a>

The environmental group claims the 1.23 million&nbsp;tonnes of water stored in more than 1,000 tanks at the plant contains “dangerous” levels of the radioactive isotope carbon-14, in addition to quantities of tritium that have already been widely reported.

The publication of the report stemming the tide 2020: the reality of the fukushima radioactive water crisis comes days after japanese media reported that the government was close to giving its approval to release the water into the pacific ocean, despite objections from local fishermen who say the move will destroy their livelihoods.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Wednesday that he is aiming to make a speedy decision on the disposal of contaminated water at the tsunami-crippled&nbsp;Fukushima&nbsp;nuclear plant.

"I think we can't hold off making a decision on the policy forever. We will take responsibility as the government to make a decision on how to dispose (the contaminated water) as soon as possible," said Suga.

Suga was speaking at a news conference in Jakarta at the end of his first foreign trip, during which he also visited Vietnam.

While most attention has been focused on tritium,&nbsp;which cannot be removed by the on-site filtration system used by the plant’s operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings [TEPCO] – Greenpeace Japan and Greenpeace east Asia said that radioactive carbon contained in the stored water would also be discharged.

Carbon-14 has a half life of 5,370 years and becomes “incorporated into all living matter”, the report said.

“It concentrates in fish at a level thousands of times higher than tritium. Carbon-14 is especially important as a major contributor to collective human radiation dose and has the potential to damage human DNA.”

The release of Fukushima's contaminated water can damage human DNA, according to the latest report by a non-governmental organisation Greenpeace. According to the publication of the report 'Stemming the tide 2020: The reality of the Fukushima radioactive water crisis', contaminated water that will reportedly be released into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant contains a radioactive substance that has the potential to damage human DNA, a Greenpeace investigation has said.

The release of Fukushima's contaminated water can damage human DNA, according to the latest report by a non-governmental organisation Greenpeace. According to the publication of the report 'Stemming the tide 2020: The reality of the Fukushima radioactive water crisis', contaminated water that will reportedly be released into the sea from the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant contains a radioactive substance that has the potential to damage human DNA, a Greenpeace investigation has said. Also read| Japan to release radioactive water from Fukushima nuclear plant into sea: Report The environmental group claims the 1.23 million tonnes of water stored in more than 1,000 tanks at the plant contains “dangerous” levels of the radioactive isotope carbon-14, in addition to quantities of tritium that have already been widely reported. The publication of the report stemming the tide 2020: the reality of the fukushima radioactive water crisis comes days after japanese media reported that the government was close to giving its approval to release the water into the pacific ocean, despite objections from local fishermen who say the move will destroy their livelihoods. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Wednesday that he is aiming to make a speedy decision on the disposal of contaminated water at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. "I think we can't hold off making a decision on the policy forever. We will take responsibility as the government to make a decision on how to dispose (the contaminated water) as soon as possible," said Suga. Suga was speaking at a news conference in Jakarta at the end of his first foreign trip, during which he also visited Vietnam. While most attention has been focused on tritium, which cannot be removed by the on-site filtration system used by the plant’s operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings [TEPCO] – Greenpeace Japan and Greenpeace east Asia said that radioactive carbon contained in the stored water would also be discharged. Carbon-14 has a half life of 5,370 years and becomes “incorporated into all living matter”, the report said. “It concentrates in fish at a level thousands of times higher than tritium. Carbon-14 is especially important as a major contributor to collective human radiation dose and has the potential to damage human DNA.”

Release of Fukushima's contaminated water can damage human DNA

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