Lebanon's President Michel Aoun&nbsp;on Thursday designated Sunni Muslim politician Saad al-Hariri as prime minister to form a new government.

Hariri won the backing of a majority of parliamentarians in consultations with Aoun. He faces major challenges to navigate Lebanon's power-sharing politics and agrees on a cabinet, which must then address a mounting list of woes: a banking crisis, currency crash, rising poverty, and crippling state debts.

A new government will also have to contend with a COVID-19 surge and the fallout of the huge August explosion at Beirut port that killed nearly 200 people and caused billions of dollars of damage.

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Hariri, who has previously led three governments in Lebanon, stepped down almost a year ago under pressure from unprecedented protests against the political class.

He returns to the post almost a year after stepping down in October 2019, just days into unprecedented cross-sectarian protests demanding an overhaul of Lebanon's entire political system.

Hariri was backed by his own Future lawmakers, the Shi'ite Amal party, Druze politician Walid Jumblatt's party, and other small blocs.

The Shi'ite group Hezbollah said it was not nominating anyone, but added it would seek to facilitate the process.

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"We will contribute to maintain the positive climate," Mohammed Raad, head of its parliamentary bloc, told reporters at the presidential palace.

The FPM led by Aoun's son-in-law, which has the largest Christian bloc, said it would not nominate Hariri.

The second main Christian party and a staunch Hezbollah opponent, the Lebanese Forces, also declined to name Hariri, saying a veteran politician should not lead a planned cabinet of specialists.

"Has this political class that took people hostage learned that they cannot continue in this way?" MP Georges Adwan said. "It is now facing a test."

Former colonial power France has tried rallying Lebanon's sectarian leaders to pull the nation from the crisis but has been frustrated by the apparent lack of urgency or progress.

Hariri has presented himself as the "natural candidate" to build a cabinet that can revive the French roadmap, which set out reforms needed to trigger foreign aid. He has also said that Lebanon must agree to an IMF reform program to escape the crisis.

Thursday's consultations were postponed from last week amid political rifts. Aoun is required to choose the candidate with the most support from lawmakers. Iran-backed Hezbollah and its political allies - including the party founded by Aoun and Shi'ite Amal - have a majority in parliament.

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun on Thursday designated Sunni Muslim politician Saad al-Hariri as prime minister to form a new government. Hariri won the backing of a majority of parliamentarians in consultations with Aoun.

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun on Thursday designated Sunni Muslim politician Saad al-Hariri as prime minister to form a new government. Hariri won the backing of a majority of parliamentarians in consultations with Aoun. He faces major challenges to navigate Lebanon's power-sharing politics and agrees on a cabinet, which must then address a mounting list of woes: a banking crisis, currency crash, rising poverty, and crippling state debts. A new government will also have to contend with a COVID-19 surge and the fallout of the huge August explosion at Beirut port that killed nearly 200 people and caused billions of dollars of damage. Hariri, who has previously led three governments in Lebanon, stepped down almost a year ago under pressure from unprecedented protests against the political class. He returns to the post almost a year after stepping down in October 2019, just days into unprecedented cross-sectarian protests demanding an overhaul of Lebanon's entire political system. Hariri was backed by his own Future lawmakers, the Shi'ite Amal party, Druze politician Walid Jumblatt's party, and other small blocs. The Shi'ite group Hezbollah said it was not nominating anyone, but added it would seek to facilitate the process. "We will contribute to maintain the positive climate," Mohammed Raad, head of its parliamentary bloc, told reporters at the presidential palace. The FPM led by Aoun's son-in-law, which has the largest Christian bloc, said it would not nominate Hariri. The second main Christian party and a staunch Hezbollah opponent, the Lebanese Forces, also declined to name Hariri, saying a veteran politician should not lead a planned cabinet of specialists. "Has this political class that took people hostage learned that they cannot continue in this way?" MP Georges Adwan said. "It is now facing a test." Former colonial power France has tried rallying Lebanon's sectarian leaders to pull the nation from the crisis but has been frustrated by the apparent lack of urgency or progress. Hariri has presented himself as the "natural candidate" to build a cabinet that can revive the French roadmap, which set out reforms needed to trigger foreign aid. He has also said that Lebanon must agree to an IMF reform program to escape the crisis. Thursday's consultations were postponed from last week amid political rifts. Aoun is required to choose the candidate with the most support from lawmakers. Iran-backed Hezbollah and its political allies - including the party founded by Aoun and Shi'ite Amal - have a majority in parliament.

Sunni Muslim politician Saad al-Hariri named as Lebanon's new prime minister

The Chinese military is stepping up the militarisation of its southeast coast as it prepares for a possible invasion of Taiwan.

According to an article published in the&nbsp;Hong Kong-based newspaper,&nbsp;The South China Morning Post, the People’s Liberation Army has been upgrading its missile bases, and one Beijing-based military source said it has deployed its most advanced hypersonic missile the DF-17 to the area.

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“The DF-17 hypersonic missile will gradually replace the old DF-11s and DF-15s that were deployed in the southeast region for decades,” the source, who requested anonymity, because of the sensitivity of the topic. “the new missile has a longer range and is able to hit targets more accurately.”

The DF-17, which has a maximum range of 2,500km (1,550 miles), made its first public appearance on last year’s October 1 national day parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-puts-pressure-on-nations-to-not-recognise-taiwan-as-a-country-foreign-minister-joseph-wu-tells-wion-336966" hreflang="en">China puts pressure on nations to not recognise Taiwan as a country: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tells WION</a>

Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province which it has vowed to take back, by force if necessary. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since Tsai ing-wen from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was elected as president in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle.

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The deployment of missiles on the coasts of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces previously peaked during the presidency of Tsai's DPP predecessor Chen Shui-ban.

Ties have come under further strain this year as Taipei moved closer to the united states and signed a series of arms deals, including for patriot missiles and an upgrade to its f-16 viper jets.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-protecting-freedom-and-democracy-from-authoritarianism-taiwans-foreign-minister-to-wion-336978" hreflang="en">We are protecting freedom and democracy from authoritarianism: Taiwan's foreign minister to WION</a>

Satellite images show that both the marine corps and rocket force bases in Fujian and Guangdong provinces have expanded in recent years, according to Andrei chang, editor-in-chief of the Canada-based Kanwa defense review.

“Every rocket force brigade in Fujian and Guangdong is now fully equipped,” he said.

“The size of some of the missile bases in the eastern and southern theatre commands have even doubled in recent years, showing the PLA is stepping up preparations for a war targeting Taiwan.”

The Chinese military is stepping up the militarisation of its southeast coast as it prepares for a possible invasion of Taiwan. According to an article published in the Hong Kong-based newspaper, The South China Morning Post, the People’s Liberation Army has been upgrading its missile bases, and one Beijing-based military source said it has deployed its most advanced hypersonic missile the DF-17 to the area.

The Chinese military is stepping up the militarisation of its southeast coast as it prepares for a possible invasion of Taiwan. According to an article published in the Hong Kong-based newspaper, The South China Morning Post, the People’s Liberation Army has been upgrading its missile bases, and one Beijing-based military source said it has deployed its most advanced hypersonic missile the DF-17 to the area. “The DF-17 hypersonic missile will gradually replace the old DF-11s and DF-15s that were deployed in the southeast region for decades,” the source, who requested anonymity, because of the sensitivity of the topic. “the new missile has a longer range and is able to hit targets more accurately.” The DF-17, which has a maximum range of 2,500km (1,550 miles), made its first public appearance on last year’s October 1 national day parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Also read: China puts pressure on nations to not recognise Taiwan as a country: Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tells WION Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province which it has vowed to take back, by force if necessary. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since Tsai ing-wen from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was elected as president in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle. The deployment of missiles on the coasts of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces previously peaked during the presidency of Tsai's DPP predecessor Chen Shui-ban. Ties have come under further strain this year as Taipei moved closer to the united states and signed a series of arms deals, including for patriot missiles and an upgrade to its f-16 viper jets. Also read: We are protecting freedom and democracy from authoritarianism: Taiwan's foreign minister to WION Satellite images show that both the marine corps and rocket force bases in Fujian and Guangdong provinces have expanded in recent years, according to Andrei chang, editor-in-chief of the Canada-based Kanwa defense review. “Every rocket force brigade in Fujian and Guangdong is now fully equipped,” he said. “The size of some of the missile bases in the eastern and southern theatre commands have even doubled in recent years, showing the PLA is stepping up preparations for a war targeting Taiwan.”

China hints imminent military invasion of Taiwan as it steps up coastal forces

From pickled vine leaves to coffee and cheese,&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;supermarkets are taking Turkish products off the shelves after calls for a boycott, as the rivalry between Riyadh and Ankara heats up.

The two countries have long competed for supremacy in the Muslim world, but their geopolitical rivalry intensified after&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;agents murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's Istanbul consulate in 2018.

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The wealthy Gulf petro-state has sought to pressure Turkey's already struggling economy, with high-rolling&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;tourists facing calls from nationalists last year to boycott the tourism magnet and stop purchasing property there.

Now, Turkish exporters of textiles and other goods are complaining of inordinate delays at&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;customs and warning that Riyadh's attempts to block the imports could disrupt global supply chains.

This week, after an earlier call from the head of the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;chamber of commerce to "boycott everything Turkish", multiple supermarket chains announced they were stopping the import and sale of Turkish products.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-business-leader-urges-boycott-of-goods-from-turkey-332772">Saudi business leader urges boycott of goods from Turkey</a>

"This decision has come in solidarity with the popular boycott campaign," one of them, Abdullah AlOthaim Markets, said on Twitter.

'Negative perception'

While the exact trigger for the new boycott remains unclear, the campaign targets Turkey's coronavirus-hit economy as it grapples with a currency in free fall.

The two countries are at loggerheads over a range of regional issues, from Libya and Syria to Qatar, a key Turkish ally that faces a three-year&nbsp;Saudi-led economic blockade.

Wary of rattling foreign investors and amid suspicion that Turkey could lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization, the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;government has sought to distance itself from the boycott.

Authorities have denied placing restrictions on Turkish products and maintain that citizens have led the campaign.

But a joint statement from eight leading Turkish business groups this month claimed that many&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;companies had been "forced to sign a letter of commitment not to import goods from Turkey".

The Ankara-based Turkish Contractors Association meanwhile cited "various obstacles" at ongoing&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;projects, such as not being invited to tenders, difficulty in obtaining visas for Turkish personnel, and payment delays.

"It is estimated that the negative perception of Turkey resulted in business (losses) worth $3 billion in the Middle East for our contractors last year," the association said.

"Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, which was in second place in a list of countries with the most business in 2016-2018, has fallen to the lower tiers."

Meanwhile, on social media, accounts belonging to&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;nationalists have been whipping up a frenzy.

In one cartoon that circulated widely on Twitter, a hand wrapped in the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;flag is pictured twisting the ears of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a gesture seen culturally as a punishment for children.

"Stop buying Turkish products. (Erdogan) is fighting our country with our money," read one demand in Arabic on a popular messaging app. &nbsp;

'Political showmanship'&nbsp;

"It's a kind of political showmanship," said Karen Young, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, referring to the campaign.

"It's a tactic for&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;domestic consumption, a signal by the state to citizens on how to perceive and construct an external adversary."

Observers say Ankara is unlikely to cave into the pressure.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia is only Turkey's 15th biggest export market, with textiles, chemicals, furniture, and steel among the main items purchased.

But&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;nationalists have warned the boycott could spread to the kingdom's regional allies.

Observers have drawn parallels with how&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia has flexed its financial muscle in diplomatic disputes with Canada, Germany, and in particular Qatar, which hosts a Turkish military base, much to Riyadh's annoyance.

In June, the WTO rapped Riyadh for failing to protect the intellectual property rights of a Qatari-owned broadcaster by not cracking down on a bootlegging network.

"Saudi-Turkish bilateral trade flows are not significant enough to make or break the economies of either country," said Robert Mogielnicki, a resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

"Turkey stands to lose more in the short term from disruptions to bilateral trade relations," he added.

"However,&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia must tread carefully to minimise any reputation-related costs associated with global perceptions of its trade policy."

From pickled vine leaves to coffee and cheese, Saudi supermarkets are taking Turkish products off the shelves after calls for a boycott, as the rivalry between Riyadh and Ankara heats up.

From pickled vine leaves to coffee and cheese, Saudi supermarkets are taking Turkish products off the shelves after calls for a boycott, as the rivalry between Riyadh and Ankara heats up. The two countries have long competed for supremacy in the Muslim world, but their geopolitical rivalry intensified after Saudi agents murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's Istanbul consulate in 2018. The wealthy Gulf petro-state has sought to pressure Turkey's already struggling economy, with high-rolling Saudi tourists facing calls from nationalists last year to boycott the tourism magnet and stop purchasing property there. Now, Turkish exporters of textiles and other goods are complaining of inordinate delays at Saudi customs and warning that Riyadh's attempts to block the imports could disrupt global supply chains. This week, after an earlier call from the head of the Saudi chamber of commerce to "boycott everything Turkish", multiple supermarket chains announced they were stopping the import and sale of Turkish products. Also read: Saudi business leader urges boycott of goods from Turkey "This decision has come in solidarity with the popular boycott campaign," one of them, Abdullah AlOthaim Markets, said on Twitter. 'Negative perception' While the exact trigger for the new boycott remains unclear, the campaign targets Turkey's coronavirus-hit economy as it grapples with a currency in free fall. The two countries are at loggerheads over a range of regional issues, from Libya and Syria to Qatar, a key Turkish ally that faces a three-year Saudi-led economic blockade. Wary of rattling foreign investors and amid suspicion that Turkey could lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization, the Saudi government has sought to distance itself from the boycott. Authorities have denied placing restrictions on Turkish products and maintain that citizens have led the campaign. But a joint statement from eight leading Turkish business groups this month claimed that many Saudi companies had been "forced to sign a letter of commitment not to import goods from Turkey". The Ankara-based Turkish Contractors Association meanwhile cited "various obstacles" at ongoing Saudi projects, such as not being invited to tenders, difficulty in obtaining visas for Turkish personnel, and payment delays. "It is estimated that the negative perception of Turkey resulted in business (losses) worth $3 billion in the Middle East for our contractors last year," the association said. "Saudi Arabia, which was in second place in a list of countries with the most business in 2016-2018, has fallen to the lower tiers." Meanwhile, on social media, accounts belonging to Saudi nationalists have been whipping up a frenzy. In one cartoon that circulated widely on Twitter, a hand wrapped in the Saudi flag is pictured twisting the ears of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a gesture seen culturally as a punishment for children. "Stop buying Turkish products. (Erdogan) is fighting our country with our money," read one demand in Arabic on a popular messaging app. 'Political showmanship' "It's a kind of political showmanship," said Karen Young, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, referring to the campaign. "It's a tactic for Saudi domestic consumption, a signal by the state to citizens on how to perceive and construct an external adversary." Observers say Ankara is unlikely to cave into the pressure. Saudi Arabia is only Turkey's 15th biggest export market, with textiles, chemicals, furniture, and steel among the main items purchased. But Saudi nationalists have warned the boycott could spread to the kingdom's regional allies. Observers have drawn parallels with how Saudi Arabia has flexed its financial muscle in diplomatic disputes with Canada, Germany, and in particular Qatar, which hosts a Turkish military base, much to Riyadh's annoyance. In June, the WTO rapped Riyadh for failing to protect the intellectual property rights of a Qatari-owned broadcaster by not cracking down on a bootlegging network. "Saudi-Turkish bilateral trade flows are not significant enough to make or break the economies of either country," said Robert Mogielnicki, a resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "Turkey stands to lose more in the short term from disruptions to bilateral trade relations," he added. "However, Saudi Arabia must tread carefully to minimise any reputation-related costs associated with global perceptions of its trade policy."

As rivalry for Muslim supremacy heats up, Saudi boycotts 'made in Turkey'

How social media companies will handle post-US election scenarios

Iceland's&nbsp;Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir on Tuesday casually shrugged-off an&nbsp;earthquake during a live television interview.

Jakobsdottir was discussing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on tourism and how the nation is approaching testing with Washington Post&nbsp;foreign affairs columnist David Ignatius when a&nbsp;5.5&nbsp;magnitude briefly disrupted her interview.

But instead of freaking out, Jakobsdottir appeared calm and composed. Her poised demeanor was appreciated by Iceland's&nbsp;Justice Minister&nbsp;Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Our Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/katrinjak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@katrinjak</a> response to an earthquake M5.6 live on <a href="https://twitter.com/washingtonpost?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@washingtonpost</a> was fantastic. Calm, surprised but casual. "This is Iceland" 🇮🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/earthquake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#earthquake</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iceland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iceland</a> <a href="https://t.co/DPea2NMlEr">pic.twitter.com/DPea2NMlEr</a>
— Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir (@aslaugarna) <a href="https://twitter.com/aslaugarna/status/1318565039612243970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"I'm perfectly fine, the house is still strong," the&nbsp;Icelandic Prime Minister said after feeling the shake.

The large earthquake shook south-western&nbsp;Iceland&nbsp;on Tuesday according to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Icelandic Meteorological Office.

The earthquake occurred at 1:43 p.m. local time with first measurements putting it at magnitude 5.5, the office said, adding that several aftershocks had been detected.

Earthquakes are common in Iceland, which boats a sweeping landscape dotted with dozens of volcanoes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-remains-cool-as-earthquake-strikes-during-live-interview-300831">Watch: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern remains cool as earthquake strikes during live interview</a>

Previously, a similar incident occurred with&nbsp;New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has a reputation for keeping her cool in the face of a crisis, was undaunted by an earthquake that struck the capital Wellington&nbsp;while she was doing a live TV interview, and calmly continued with the program.

Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir on Tuesday casually shrugged-off an earthquake during a live television interview. Jakobsdottir was discussing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on tourism and how the nation is approaching testing with Washington Post foreign affairs columnist David Ignatius when a 5.

Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir on Tuesday casually shrugged-off an earthquake during a live television interview. Jakobsdottir was discussing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on tourism and how the nation is approaching testing with Washington Post foreign affairs columnist David Ignatius when a 5.5 magnitude briefly disrupted her interview. But instead of freaking out, Jakobsdottir appeared calm and composed. Her poised demeanor was appreciated by Iceland's Justice Minister Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir. Our Prime Minister @katrinjak response to an earthquake M5.6 live on @washingtonpost was fantastic. Calm, surprised but casual. "This is Iceland" 🇮🇸#earthquake #Iceland pic.twitter.com/DPea2NMlEr — Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir (@aslaugarna) October 20, 2020 × "I'm perfectly fine, the house is still strong," the Icelandic Prime Minister said after feeling the shake. The large earthquake shook south-western Iceland on Tuesday according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office. The earthquake occurred at 1:43 p.m. local time with first measurements putting it at magnitude 5.5, the office said, adding that several aftershocks had been detected. Earthquakes are common in Iceland, which boats a sweeping landscape dotted with dozens of volcanoes. Watch: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern remains cool as earthquake strikes during live interview Previously, a similar incident occurred with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has a reputation for keeping her cool in the face of a crisis, was undaunted by an earthquake that struck the capital Wellington while she was doing a live TV interview, and calmly continued with the program.

'Well, this is Iceland': Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir shrugs off earthquake during live TV interview

After a four-year journey,&nbsp;&nbsp;NASA's&nbsp;robotic spacecraft&nbsp;Osiris-Rex&nbsp;successfully snatched on Tuesday&nbsp;a sample from asteroid Bennu's boulder-strewn surface&nbsp;to bring home the space agency's largest sample&nbsp;since the Apollo&nbsp;era.

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The back-away burn is complete 🛑✅ I'm now moving to a safe distance away from Bennu. <a href="https://t.co/bXk2ufSneS">pic.twitter.com/bXk2ufSneS</a>
— NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) <a href="https://twitter.com/OSIRISREx/status/1318676604193832966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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At 6:12 p.m. EDT (22:12 GMT), the spacecraft performed a meticulous five-second 'touch-and-go' technique or TAG maneuver by autonomously extending its 11-foot (3.35 m) robotic arm toward a flat patch of gravel roughly the size of a basketball court near Bennu's north pole.

It was managed by Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, Colorado&nbsp;where&nbsp;an announcer said: "Touchdown declared. Sampling is in progress," and scientists erupted in celebration.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gd9cmMysX0A" width="560"></iframe>

The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload: at least 60 grams (two ounces), or a candy-bar sized amount of surface material that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system.

The spacecraft launched in 2016 from Kennedy Space Center for the journey to Bennu. It has been in orbit around the asteroid for nearly two years preparing for the "touch and go" maneuver.

A collection device attached to the arm and shaped like an oversized showerhead 'touched' Bennu's surface for five seconds and shot out a burst of nitrogen gas, kicking up debris and entrapping rocky material inside the device's sampling head.

The ground controllers are expected to confirm the capture of Bennu remnants a few hours after the attempt. That will allow the spacecraft to start its journey back toward Earth arriving in 2023 to return the first US&nbsp;cache of pristine asteroid rocks. Japan is the only other country to accomplish this before.

Asteroids are among the leftover debris from the solar system's formation some 4.5 billion years ago.

Scientists believe asteroids and comets crashing into early Earth may have delivered organic compounds and water that seeded the planet for life. Atomic-level analysis of samples from Bennu could provide key evidence to support that hypothesis

After a four-year journey, NASA's robotic spacecraft Osiris-Rex successfully snatched on Tuesday a sample from asteroid Bennu's boulder-strewn surface to bring home the space agency's largest sample since the Apollo era.

After a four-year journey, NASA's robotic spacecraft Osiris-Rex successfully snatched on Tuesday a sample from asteroid Bennu's boulder-strewn surface to bring home the space agency's largest sample since the Apollo era. The back-away burn is complete 🛑✅ I'm now moving to a safe distance away from Bennu. pic.twitter.com/bXk2ufSneS — NASA's OSIRIS-REx (@OSIRISREx) October 20, 2020 × At 6:12 p.m. EDT (22:12 GMT), the spacecraft performed a meticulous five-second 'touch-and-go' technique or TAG maneuver by autonomously extending its 11-foot (3.35 m) robotic arm toward a flat patch of gravel roughly the size of a basketball court near Bennu's north pole. It was managed by Lockheed Martin Space in Denver, Colorado where an announcer said: "Touchdown declared. Sampling is in progress," and scientists erupted in celebration. The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload: at least 60 grams (two ounces), or a candy-bar sized amount of surface material that scientists hope will help unravel the origins of our solar system. The spacecraft launched in 2016 from Kennedy Space Center for the journey to Bennu. It has been in orbit around the asteroid for nearly two years preparing for the "touch and go" maneuver. A collection device attached to the arm and shaped like an oversized showerhead 'touched' Bennu's surface for five seconds and shot out a burst of nitrogen gas, kicking up debris and entrapping rocky material inside the device's sampling head. The ground controllers are expected to confirm the capture of Bennu remnants a few hours after the attempt. That will allow the spacecraft to start its journey back toward Earth arriving in 2023 to return the first US cache of pristine asteroid rocks. Japan is the only other country to accomplish this before. Asteroids are among the leftover debris from the solar system's formation some 4.5 billion years ago. Scientists believe asteroids and comets crashing into early Earth may have delivered organic compounds and water that seeded the planet for life. Atomic-level analysis of samples from Bennu could provide key evidence to support that hypothesis

NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission

The number of new coronavirus infections reported in India in a span of 24 hours remained below 60,000 for the third consecutive day, taking India's COVID-19 caseload to 76,51,107, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

A total of 54,044 fresh infections were reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,15,914?with 717 fatalities being registered in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.

A total of 67,95,103 people have recuperated from the disease so far pushing the national recovery rate to 88.81 per cent while the case fatality rate due COVID-19 has dropped to 1.51 per cent.

The active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the fifth consecutive day.

There are 7,40,090 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 9.67 per cent of the total caseload,?the data stated.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,?30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past&nbsp;&nbsp;50 lakh on&nbsp;September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, and crossed 70 lakh on October 11.

According to the ICMR, a?cumulative total of 9,72,00,379 samples has been tested up to October 20 with 10,83,608 samples being tested on Tuesday.

The number of new coronavirus infections reported in India in a span of 24 hours remained below 60,000 for the third consecutive day, taking India's COVID-19 caseload to 76,51,107, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

The number of new coronavirus infections reported in India in a span of 24 hours remained below 60,000 for the third consecutive day, taking India's COVID-19 caseload to 76,51,107, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. A total of 54,044 fresh infections were reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 1,15,914?with 717 fatalities being registered in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed. A total of 67,95,103 people have recuperated from the disease so far pushing the national recovery rate to 88.81 per cent while the case fatality rate due COVID-19 has dropped to 1.51 per cent. The active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the fifth consecutive day. There are 7,40,090 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 9.67 per cent of the total caseload,?the data stated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7,?30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5. It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, and crossed 70 lakh on October 11. According to the ICMR, a?cumulative total of 9,72,00,379 samples has been tested up to October 20 with 10,83,608 samples being tested on Tuesday.

India reports 54,044  new COVID-19 cases; tally climbs to 7.65 million

The fiancee of journalist Jamal&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago.

Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz and the human rights group&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;formed before his death, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), is pursuing Mohammed bin Salman and 28 others for damages over the October 2, 2018 killing of the US-based writer.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jamal-khashoggis-fiancee-pleads-premier-league-to-block-saudi-takeover-295194">Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover</a>

The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants. It coincides with complications in the US-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of&nbsp;Khashoggi, Riyadh’s human rights record, its role in Yemen’s civil war, and other issues.

The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The crown prince, known by his initials 'MbS'&nbsp;has denied ordering&nbsp;Khashoggi's murder.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-west-asia-post-two-years-on-khashoggi-murder-unresolved-332335/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Khashoggi, who criticised the policies of the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, in his columns, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen.

Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a US-based human rights group founded by&nbsp;Khashoggi, a legal resident of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in US&nbsp;District Court for the District of Columbia. It names several of the crown prince's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder. The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed.

The lawsuit charged that MbS, his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to "permanently silence Mr.&nbsp;Khashoggi" no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his "plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights."

A lawsuit was filed in August in a US&nbsp;court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada, where he lives in exile.

Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings.

The fiancee of journalist Jamal Khashoggi sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago.

The fiancee of journalist Jamal Khashoggi sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago. Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz and the human rights group Khashoggi formed before his death, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), is pursuing Mohammed bin Salman and 28 others for damages over the October 2, 2018 killing of the US-based writer. Also read: Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants. It coincides with complications in the US-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of Khashoggi, Riyadh’s human rights record, its role in Yemen’s civil war, and other issues. The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The crown prince, known by his initials 'MbS' has denied ordering Khashoggi's murder. Khashoggi, who criticised the policies of the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, in his columns, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen. Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a US-based human rights group founded by Khashoggi, a legal resident of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in US District Court for the District of Columbia. It names several of the crown prince's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder. The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed. The lawsuit charged that MbS, his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to "permanently silence Mr. Khashoggi" no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his "plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights." A lawsuit was filed in August in a US court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada, where he lives in exile. Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings.

Jamal Khashoggi: Journalist's fiancee sues Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman

Lionel&nbsp;Messi&nbsp;became the first player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons as he guided 10-man Barcelona to a 5-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Group G opener at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Messi&nbsp;netted from the penalty spot in the first half for his 116th career goal in the competition before the lively Ansu Fati added a second.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/clash-of-goats-haalands-form-toughest-groups-champions-league-storylines-to-watch-336226">Clash of GOATS, Haaland's form, toughest groups: Champions League storylines to watch</a>

Philippe Coutinho grabbed another goal early in the second half but Barca defender Gerard Pique was dismissed for impeding Tokmac Nguen, leading to a penalty for the visitors that was converted by Igor Kharatin.

Any thoughts of a dramatic comeback were quashed though as 17-year-old Pedri netted his first Barca goal after arriving from second-tier Las Palmas at the start of the season, and Ousmane Dembele added the fifth late on.

The Catalan side move above Juventus on goal difference at the top of the table after the Italian champions won 2-0 away at Dynamo Kyiv earlier on Tuesday. The pair meet in Turin on Oct. 28.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/lionel-messi-from-a-napkin-deal-to-the-release-clause-327526">Lionel Messi: From a napkin deal to the 'release clause'!</a>

Barca coach Ronald Koeman left stalwart midfielder Sergio Busquets and striker Antoine Griezmann on the bench, perhaps with one eye on Saturday’s 'El Clasico' against bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Ferencvaros are in the group stages for the first time in 25 years and had their moments. Pacey striker Nguen produced a mazy run and fine finish, but his effort was correctly ruled offside, while Brazilian midfielder Isael struck the angle of post and crossbar with a fierce drive.

Messi&nbsp;handed his side the lead after he both won and converted a penalty, bringing up another milestone in his career.

Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is the only other player to net in 16 Champions League seasons, though the run was not consecutive.

Fati then beat the offside trap from Frenkie de Jong's lobbed pass and steered the ball into the net on the volley, before Coutinho profited from intricate build-up play by&nbsp;Messi&nbsp;and Fati to score.

Ferencvaros, however, created what looked like being a nervous final 20 minutes as Pique could not handle the pace of Nguen and hauled the striker back in the box, seeing red for his indiscretion as Kharatin easily converted the spot-kick.

But late goals from substitutes Pedri and Dembele against the tiring visitors sealed a satisfactory night for Koeman.

Lionel Messi became the first player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons as he guided 10-man Barcelona to a 5-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Group G opener at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi became the first player to score in 16 consecutive Champions League seasons as he guided 10-man Barcelona to a 5-1 victory over Hungarian side Ferencvaros in their Group G opener at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. Messi netted from the penalty spot in the first half for his 116th career goal in the competition before the lively Ansu Fati added a second. Also see: Clash of GOATS, Haaland's form, toughest groups: Champions League storylines to watch Philippe Coutinho grabbed another goal early in the second half but Barca defender Gerard Pique was dismissed for impeding Tokmac Nguen, leading to a penalty for the visitors that was converted by Igor Kharatin. Any thoughts of a dramatic comeback were quashed though as 17-year-old Pedri netted his first Barca goal after arriving from second-tier Las Palmas at the start of the season, and Ousmane Dembele added the fifth late on. The Catalan side move above Juventus on goal difference at the top of the table after the Italian champions won 2-0 away at Dynamo Kyiv earlier on Tuesday. The pair meet in Turin on Oct. 28. Also read: Lionel Messi: From a napkin deal to the 'release clause'! Barca coach Ronald Koeman left stalwart midfielder Sergio Busquets and striker Antoine Griezmann on the bench, perhaps with one eye on Saturday’s 'El Clasico' against bitter rivals Real Madrid. Ferencvaros are in the group stages for the first time in 25 years and had their moments. Pacey striker Nguen produced a mazy run and fine finish, but his effort was correctly ruled offside, while Brazilian midfielder Isael struck the angle of post and crossbar with a fierce drive. Messi handed his side the lead after he both won and converted a penalty, bringing up another milestone in his career. Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is the only other player to net in 16 Champions League seasons, though the run was not consecutive. Fati then beat the offside trap from Frenkie de Jong's lobbed pass and steered the ball into the net on the volley, before Coutinho profited from intricate build-up play by Messi and Fati to score. Ferencvaros, however, created what looked like being a nervous final 20 minutes as Pique could not handle the pace of Nguen and hauled the striker back in the box, seeing red for his indiscretion as Kharatin easily converted the spot-kick. But late goals from substitutes Pedri and Dembele against the tiring visitors sealed a satisfactory night for Koeman.

Lionel Messi sets record by scoring in 16th straight Champions League season

With less than two weeks to go for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election</a> 2020, both presidential candidates <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> and Joe Biden have been&nbsp;a source of intrigue and intrigue for the rulers of China's Communist Party.

The US presidential election, arguably the most consequential exercises in democracy on the planet, is closely observed by Beijing's government officials.

But with a spiralling pandemic, a shattered economic landscape and a deep political polarisation, America is heavily divided at the moment.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/is-the-trump-campaign-colluding-with-russia-again-336750" hreflang="en">Is the Trump campaign colluding with Russia again?</a>

Although relations are as icy as at any time since formal ties were established four decades ago, this appears as the ''perfect opportunity'' to China as Western democracy seems to be&nbsp;facing a legitimacy crisis.

Under his 'America First' banner, Trump has portrayed&nbsp;China&nbsp;as the greatest threat to the United States and global democracy.

He has launched a massive trade war that has cost&nbsp;China&nbsp;billions of dollars, harangued Chinese tech firms and lay all the blame for the pandemic with Beijing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-big-role-that-big-donors-still-play-quietly-for-biden-336707" hreflang="en">The big role that big donors still play, quietly, for Biden</a>

But another Trump triumph in November may have its advantages for&nbsp;China&nbsp;as President Xi Jinping seeks to cement his nation's rise as a global superpower.

According to&nbsp;Professor Yan Xuetong, dean of the Institute of International Relations at Beijing's Tsinghua University,&nbsp;"If you ask me about where China's interests lie," he says, "the preference would be for Trump rather than Biden".

"Not because Trump will do less damage to China's interests than Biden, but because he definitely will damage the US more than Biden," he added.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-a-mute-button-for-the-last-us-presidential-debate-336763/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

China's leadership could be handed "the opportunity to boost its global standing as a champion for globalisation, multilateralism, and international cooperation," said Zhiqun Zhu, professor of political science and international relations, Bucknell University.

Trump has pulled America from a sprawling Asia-Pacific commercial deal and climate agreements imposed billions of dollars of tariffs on Chinese goods and withdrawn the US from the World Health Organization at the height of a global pandemic.

Where the US has retreated, Xi has stepped forward.

He has presented his country as the champion of free trade and a leader in the fight against climate change, as well as vowed to share any potential Covid-19 vaccine with poorer nations.

"A second Trump term could give&nbsp;China&nbsp;more time to rise as a great power on the world stage," Zhu said.&nbsp;

Philippe Le Corre, a&nbsp;China&nbsp;expert at the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States, agreed an extension of Trump's 'America First' policies would be of long-term benefit for Beijing.

"(It) partially cuts Washington off from its traditional allies," he added, and that gave&nbsp;China&nbsp;room to manoeuvre. &nbsp;

China's nationalists have openly cheered, or jeered, for Trump.

"You can make America eccentric and thus hateful for the world," Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, a chest-beating nationalist paper, warned in a Tweet directed at the US president.&nbsp;

"You help promote unity in&nbsp;China."&nbsp;

Trump is also lampooned on&nbsp;China's heavily censored social media as 'Jianguo', meaning "help to build&nbsp;China".&nbsp;

Biden trouble

Trump has undoubtedly inflicted economic and political pain on&nbsp;China.

"China&nbsp;has lost out enormously in its plan for trade and technology," said Beijing-based political analyst Hua Po.

In January the US and&nbsp;China&nbsp;signed a deal bringing a partial truce in their trade war that obliged Beijing to import an additional $200 billion in American products over two years, ranging from cars to machinery and oil to farm products.

Washington has also turned its guns on Chinese tech firms it says poses security threats, throwing the future US operations of video-sharing app TikTok -- owned by Chinese parent company Bytedance -- into uncertainty.

Mobile giant Huawei is also on Trump's hitlist.

The enmity also extends into defence and human rights, with Taiwan, Hong Kong and the treatment of&nbsp;China's Muslim Uighur minority all making waves in the US.&nbsp;

But&nbsp;China&nbsp;may not win much relief in any of these areas if Trump loses to Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

Beijing worries that Biden is likely to renew American leadership on human rights, pressing&nbsp;China&nbsp;on issues of the Uighurs, Tibet and freedom in Hong Kong.

"Biden is likely to be tougher than Trump on human rights issues in Xinjiang and Tibet," said Zhu, of Bucknell University.

And on tech and trade -- crucial flashpoints in the US-China&nbsp;rivalry -- it is unclear just how much room a Biden White House would have to manoeuvre.&nbsp;

"Biden will inherit the tariffs, and I'm doubtful he would lift them unilaterally," said Bonnie Glaser, Director of the&nbsp;China&nbsp;Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Beijing will probably have to concede to other US demands if it wants the tariffs lifted."

China&nbsp;will also have to come up with convincing arguments on data security if it is to avoid more damaging bans on its tech firms.

Washington sees Huawei, the global leader on 5G internet, as a serious security threat.

According to Theresa Fallon, director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies in Brussels,&nbsp;"Politically, it will be almost impossible for Biden to reverse these policies."&nbsp;

"Huawei has been on the US radar as a security threat even before the Trump presidency," she added.

With less than two weeks to go for the US election 2020, both presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden have been a source of intrigue and intrigue for the rulers of China's Communist Party.

With less than two weeks to go for the US election 2020, both presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden have been a source of intrigue and intrigue for the rulers of China's Communist Party. The US presidential election, arguably the most consequential exercises in democracy on the planet, is closely observed by Beijing's government officials. But with a spiralling pandemic, a shattered economic landscape and a deep political polarisation, America is heavily divided at the moment. Also read: Is the Trump campaign colluding with Russia again? Although relations are as icy as at any time since formal ties were established four decades ago, this appears as the ''perfect opportunity'' to China as Western democracy seems to be facing a legitimacy crisis. Under his 'America First' banner, Trump has portrayed China as the greatest threat to the United States and global democracy. He has launched a massive trade war that has cost China billions of dollars, harangued Chinese tech firms and lay all the blame for the pandemic with Beijing. Also read: The big role that big donors still play, quietly, for Biden But another Trump triumph in November may have its advantages for China as President Xi Jinping seeks to cement his nation's rise as a global superpower. According to Professor Yan Xuetong, dean of the Institute of International Relations at Beijing's Tsinghua University, "If you ask me about where China's interests lie," he says, "the preference would be for Trump rather than Biden". "Not because Trump will do less damage to China's interests than Biden, but because he definitely will damage the US more than Biden," he added. China's leadership could be handed "the opportunity to boost its global standing as a champion for globalisation, multilateralism, and international cooperation," said Zhiqun Zhu, professor of political science and international relations, Bucknell University. Trump has pulled America from a sprawling Asia-Pacific commercial deal and climate agreements imposed billions of dollars of tariffs on Chinese goods and withdrawn the US from the World Health Organization at the height of a global pandemic. Where the US has retreated, Xi has stepped forward. He has presented his country as the champion of free trade and a leader in the fight against climate change, as well as vowed to share any potential Covid-19 vaccine with poorer nations. "A second Trump term could give China more time to rise as a great power on the world stage," Zhu said. Philippe Le Corre, a China expert at the Harvard Kennedy School in the United States, agreed an extension of Trump's 'America First' policies would be of long-term benefit for Beijing. "(It) partially cuts Washington off from its traditional allies," he added, and that gave China room to manoeuvre. China's nationalists have openly cheered, or jeered, for Trump. "You can make America eccentric and thus hateful for the world," Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Global Times, a chest-beating nationalist paper, warned in a Tweet directed at the US president. "You help promote unity in China." Trump is also lampooned on China's heavily censored social media as 'Jianguo', meaning "help to build China". Biden trouble Trump has undoubtedly inflicted economic and political pain on China. "China has lost out enormously in its plan for trade and technology," said Beijing-based political analyst Hua Po. In January the US and China signed a deal bringing a partial truce in their trade war that obliged Beijing to import an additional $200 billion in American products over two years, ranging from cars to machinery and oil to farm products. Washington has also turned its guns on Chinese tech firms it says poses security threats, throwing the future US operations of video-sharing app TikTok -- owned by Chinese parent company Bytedance -- into uncertainty. Mobile giant Huawei is also on Trump's hitlist. The enmity also extends into defence and human rights, with Taiwan, Hong Kong and the treatment of China's Muslim Uighur minority all making waves in the US. But China may not win much relief in any of these areas if Trump loses to Democratic challenger Joe Biden. Beijing worries that Biden is likely to renew American leadership on human rights, pressing China on issues of the Uighurs, Tibet and freedom in Hong Kong. "Biden is likely to be tougher than Trump on human rights issues in Xinjiang and Tibet," said Zhu, of Bucknell University. And on tech and trade -- crucial flashpoints in the US-China rivalry -- it is unclear just how much room a Biden White House would have to manoeuvre. "Biden will inherit the tariffs, and I'm doubtful he would lift them unilaterally," said Bonnie Glaser, Director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Beijing will probably have to concede to other US demands if it wants the tariffs lifted." China will also have to come up with convincing arguments on data security if it is to avoid more damaging bans on its tech firms. Washington sees Huawei, the global leader on 5G internet, as a serious security threat. According to Theresa Fallon, director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies in Brussels, "Politically, it will be almost impossible for Biden to reverse these policies." "Huawei has been on the US radar as a security threat even before the Trump presidency," she added.

US election 2020: Who does China really want to win the presidential race?

The upper chamber of Britain's parliament on Tuesday rejected the&nbsp;‘law-breaking’ Internal Market Bill and&nbsp;inflicted a symbolic defeat on the government over&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;legislation.

It comes after UK altered provisions in the bill after it had become a point of contention with the European Union and had thus, soured relations between the two.

The government's internal market bill is designed to regulate trade among the country's four constituent nations:&nbsp;England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland,&nbsp;after&nbsp;Brexit.&nbsp;

But it unilaterally rewrites the divorce treaty Britain struck with the European Union last year, sparking legal action from the 27-nation bloc.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-change-provisions-in-internal-market-bill-to-bind-brexit-treaty-336313">UK to change provisions in Internal Market Bill to bind Brexit treaty</a>

The bill has already passed the more powerful House of Commons but in the House of Lords, peers including Anglican archbishops voted by a majority of 226 to express their "regret" over its treaty-breaching provisions.

While the vote did not alter the bill's language, it sets the stage for detailed scrutiny by the lords in the coming weeks. Many want to strip out those elements, triggering a legislative tussle with the Commons before the bill can become law.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/after-boris-johnson-whines-about-his-low-salary-here-is-how-much-world-leaders-earn-336618">After Boris Johnson whines about his low salary, here is how much world leaders earn</a>

Michael Howard, a former leader of the ruling Conservatives and prominent Brexiteer, was among the dissident peers who voted for the motion against the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"I want the United Kingdom to be an independent and sovereign state," Howard said during the debate.

"But I want it to be an independent sovereign state that holds its head up high in the world, that keeps its word, that upholds the rule of law, that honours its treaty obligations."

'Safety net'

While Boris Johnson believed that the previous provisions in the bill&nbsp;a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, the proposed law had&nbsp;infuriated the Europeans who had&nbsp;launched a legal case against the country.

'Terrible call'

The government argues the law is needed to prevent the UK's internal market fragmenting once the country is free of EU rules in 2021, in particular regarding Northern Ireland.&nbsp;

But the territory, which has a troubled history, is meant to enjoy a special post-Brexit&nbsp;status in consultation with Brussels because it shares a border with EU member Ireland, and the bloc has initiated legal action over the bill.

Tuesday's vote came with Britain and the EU also locked in a standoff over protracted talks about their future trading relationship from next year, and the threat of a "no deal" separation is looming larger.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier again urged Britain to use the little time that remains to clinch a trade deal, but London is still refusing to restart talks until Brussels promises to make concessions.

Meanwhile British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a call with around 250 business leaders urging them to prepare adequately for the transition period's end on December 31.

"It is vital that everybody on this call takes seriously the need to get ready, because whatever happens... change is going to happen," he told them, according to his office.

Johnson reportedly told the leaders the coronavirus crisis had created "too much apathy in business" to get ready for life outside the EU in what was described as a lecture by one participant.

The upper chamber of Britain's parliament on Tuesday rejected the ‘law-breaking’ Internal Market Bill and inflicted a symbolic defeat on the government over Brexit legislation.

The upper chamber of Britain's parliament on Tuesday rejected the ‘law-breaking’ Internal Market Bill and inflicted a symbolic defeat on the government over Brexit legislation. It comes after UK altered provisions in the bill after it had become a point of contention with the European Union and had thus, soured relations between the two. The government's internal market bill is designed to regulate trade among the country's four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, after Brexit. But it unilaterally rewrites the divorce treaty Britain struck with the European Union last year, sparking legal action from the 27-nation bloc. Also read: UK to change provisions in Internal Market Bill to bind Brexit treaty The bill has already passed the more powerful House of Commons but in the House of Lords, peers including Anglican archbishops voted by a majority of 226 to express their "regret" over its treaty-breaching provisions. While the vote did not alter the bill's language, it sets the stage for detailed scrutiny by the lords in the coming weeks. Many want to strip out those elements, triggering a legislative tussle with the Commons before the bill can become law. Also see: After Boris Johnson whines about his low salary, here is how much world leaders earn Michael Howard, a former leader of the ruling Conservatives and prominent Brexiteer, was among the dissident peers who voted for the motion against the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "I want the United Kingdom to be an independent and sovereign state," Howard said during the debate. "But I want it to be an independent sovereign state that holds its head up high in the world, that keeps its word, that upholds the rule of law, that honours its treaty obligations." 'Safety net' While Boris Johnson believed that the previous provisions in the bill a "safety net" against what he claimed are EU threats to impose tariffs on UK internal trade and even stop food going from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland, the proposed law had infuriated the Europeans who had launched a legal case against the country. 'Terrible call' The government argues the law is needed to prevent the UK's internal market fragmenting once the country is free of EU rules in 2021, in particular regarding Northern Ireland. But the territory, which has a troubled history, is meant to enjoy a special post-Brexit status in consultation with Brussels because it shares a border with EU member Ireland, and the bloc has initiated legal action over the bill. Tuesday's vote came with Britain and the EU also locked in a standoff over protracted talks about their future trading relationship from next year, and the threat of a "no deal" separation is looming larger. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier again urged Britain to use the little time that remains to clinch a trade deal, but London is still refusing to restart talks until Brussels promises to make concessions. Meanwhile British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a call with around 250 business leaders urging them to prepare adequately for the transition period's end on December 31. "It is vital that everybody on this call takes seriously the need to get ready, because whatever happens... change is going to happen," he told them, according to his office. Johnson reportedly told the leaders the coronavirus crisis had created "too much apathy in business" to get ready for life outside the EU in what was described as a lecture by one participant.

UK House of Lords rejects Brexit bill; big blow to Boris Johnson’s government

October 21 in history: China invades Tibet, US-North Korea terminate nuclear programme and more

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