Iraqi security forces opened fire on thousands of demonstrators who defied a curfew in Baghdad on Thursday (October 3) and exchanged fire with gunmen in a southern city, killing two people on the third day of nationwide anti-government protests. Watch this video to know more.

Death toll climbs to at least 34 in Iraq on third day of protests

Anti-government protests were organised in Nicaragua by pensioners in Central America in which at least 10 people have died in a clash between demonstrators and security forces.

A journalist and a police were among the people who died during the protest.

Demonstrators have alleged that national police is using live rounds to kill protestors. More than 100 people have been injured in the clash, Reuters reported.

According to media reports, 67 people have also been shot with bullets by pro-government groups.

In further reports, 43 people have been disappeared.

Nicaraguans are holding protests from Wednesday&nbspagainst the new social security reforms which were approved on Wednesday. Under the new&nbspsocial security&nbspreforms, the tax has been increased and five per cent of deduction from pensions has been made.

Army troops were also deployed on Saturday morning to mayor's office in Managua for protection of the offices.

Demonstrators burned tires and pelted stones at security forces. Government offices were also vandalised.

Nicaragua's president Daniel Ortega has urged the demonstrators to maintain peace and assured that the government is willing to review the pension reforms.

Anti-government protests were organised in Nicaragua by pensioners in Central America in which at least 10 people have died in a clash between demonstrators and security forces

Anti-government protests were organised in Nicaragua by pensioners in Central America in which at least 10 people have died in a clash between demonstrators and security forces. A journalist and a police were among the people who died during the protest. Demonstrators have alleged that national police is using live rounds to kill protestors. More than 100 people have been injured in the clash, Reuters reported. According to media reports, 67 people have also been shot with bullets by pro-government groups. In further reports, 43 people have been disappeared. Nicaraguans are holding protests from Wednesday&nbspagainst the new social security reforms which were approved on Wednesday. Under the new&nbspsocial security&nbspreforms, the tax has been increased and five per cent of deduction from pensions has been made. Army troops were also deployed on Saturday morning to mayor's office in Managua for protection of the offices. Demonstrators burned tires and pelted stones at security forces. Government offices were also vandalised. Nicaragua's president Daniel Ortega has urged the demonstrators to maintain peace and assured that the government is willing to review the pension reforms.

Nicaragua: at least 10 dead: authorities call for peace

The US House of Representatives has condemned Iran&#39;s crackdown on the recent anti-government protests.

US lawmakers adopted a resolution and voted in support of anti-government Iranian protesters by a vote of 415 to two.&nbsp;

The House &quot;stands with the people of Iran that are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, corrupt regime,&quot; and condemns the government&#39;s &quot;serious human rights abuses against the Iranian people,&quot; the resolution stated.

Iran&#39;s capital Tehran and other areas witnessed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/protests-hit-tehran-as-government-warns-against-illegal-gatherings-28138">violent protests against the government</a> over alleged corruption and economic crisis.&nbsp;

Close to 21 people were reported dead with multiple people injured in clashes that prompted the Iranian regime to temporarily block access to social media.

The government had warned the protestors stating that those who go against the law <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-said-protesters-should-pay-a-high-price-if-they-break-the-law-28170">will pay the price</a>.

&nbsp;The Trump administration may also issue new sanctions on Iran&#39;s human rights violators.&nbsp;

The White House has already imposed sanctions on five Iranian firms who were alleged to have been involved in an illegal ballistic missile program.

The US lawmakers also clarified that they stand firm in support of Iranian people and target the &quot;oppressive, destabilizing regime, not the people of Iran.&quot;

&quot;In standing with the Iranian people, we must explain that they are not the target of our sanctions,&quot; House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Royce said.

Close to 21 people were reported dead with multiple injured in clashes that prompted the Iranian regime to temporarily block access to social media

The US House of Representatives has condemned Iran's crackdown on the recent anti-government protests. US lawmakers adopted a resolution and voted in support of anti-government Iranian protesters by a vote of 415 to two. The House "stands with the people of Iran that are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, corrupt regime," and condemns the government's "serious human rights abuses against the Iranian people," the resolution stated. Iran's capital Tehran and other areas witnessed violent protests against the government over alleged corruption and economic crisis. Close to 21 people were reported dead with multiple people injured in clashes that prompted the Iranian regime to temporarily block access to social media. The government had warned the protestors stating that those who go against the law will pay the price. The Trump administration may also issue new sanctions on Iran's human rights violators. The White House has already imposed sanctions on five Iranian firms who were alleged to have been involved in an illegal ballistic missile program. The US lawmakers also clarified that they stand firm in support of Iranian people and target the "oppressive, destabilizing regime, not the people of Iran." "In standing with the Iranian people, we must explain that they are not the target of our sanctions," House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Royce said.

US lawmakers condemn Iran's crackdown on protesters

Hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets across Romania on Wednesday to protest against the government&#39;s decriminalising of a string of corruption offences, the largest demonstrations since the fall of communism in 1989.

Between 200,000 and 300,000 protesters, according to media estimates, braved sub-zero temperatures to demonstrate, with some shouting &quot;Thieves!&quot; and &quot;Resign!&quot; a day after the government passed an emergency decree.

In the capital Bucharest some demonstrators hurled bottles, firecrackers and stones at security forces, who responded by firing tear gas. A few police and protesters were lightly injured.

For the second straight night crowds also hit the streets in other cities across the country including in Timisoara, cradle of the 1989 revolution.

Over a matter of days that uprising nearly 30 years ago forced dictator Nicolae Ceausescu from power, ending with he and his wife being summarily executed on December 25, 1989.

In the emergency decree issued late Tuesday, the government decriminalised certain corruption offences and made abuse of power punishable by jail only if it results in a monetary loss of more than 44,000 euros ($47,500).

Romania&#39;s left-wing government under the Social Democrats (PSD) has only been in office a few weeks after bouncing back in elections on December 11, barely a year since mass protests forced them from office.

The government had remained silent since Tuesday evening, but on Wednesday Justice Minister Florin Iordache wrote on his Facebook page that there was &quot;nothing secret, illegal or immoral&quot; about the emergency decree.

Bucharest said it is putting legislation in line with the constitution.&nbsp;

But critics say the main beneficiary will be PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, currently on trial for alleged abuse of power, as well as other left-wing politicians.

Dragnea, 54, is already barred from office because of a two-year suspended jail sentence for voter fraud handed down last year. His abuse-of-power trial, which began on Tuesday, concerns 24,000 euros.

Another initiative, which Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu will submit to parliament, will see around 2,500 people serving sentences of less than five years for non-violent crimes released from prison.&nbsp;

The government said that this will reduce overcrowding in jails but critics say that, again, the main beneficiaries will be the many officials and politicians ensnared in a major anti-corruption drive of recent years.The anti-corruption push saw

Romania make history in 2015 when then-prime minister Victor Ponta went on trial over alleged tax evasion and money laundering, charges he denies.

Only last week the European Commission commended the efforts of ex-communist Romania, which joined the European Union together with neighbouring Bulgaria in 2007 as the bloc&#39;s two poorest members.

But this week&#39;s latest move set off alarm bells in Brussels, with European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker and his deputy Frans Timmermans issuing a joint statement expressing &quot;deep concern&quot; on Wednesday.

&quot;The fight against corruption needs to be advanced, not undone,&quot; they said. &quot;The Commission warns against backtracking and will look thoroughly at the emergency ordinance... in this light.&quot;

Centre-right President Klaus Iohannis, elected in 2014 on an anti-graft platform and a sharp critic of Dragnea, on Wednesday called the decree &quot;scandalous&quot; and moved to invoke the constitutional court.

Both decrees were published earlier this month, sparking protests last Sunday that drew 40,000 people including 20,000 in the capital, and more than 15,000 a week earlier.

The laws have been heavily criticised by several Romanian officials and institutions, including the attorney general, the anti-corruption chief prosecutor and the president of the high court.

&quot;I am outraged. The PSD won the elections but that doesn&#39;t mean they can sneakily change the penal code in the middle of the night,&quot; said protester Gabriela State, 46.

On Wednesday some 20,000 demonstrators gathered in the western city of Cluj, an AFP correspondent said, while there were 15,000 in Timisoara and 10,000 in Sibiu in central Romania.

&nbsp;

(AFP)

Thousands are protesting the government's decriminalising of a string of corruption offences

Hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets across Romania on Wednesday to protest against the government's decriminalising of a string of corruption offences, the largest demonstrations since the fall of communism in 1989. Between 200,000 and 300,000 protesters, according to media estimates, braved sub-zero temperatures to demonstrate, with some shouting "Thieves!" and "Resign!" a day after the government passed an emergency decree. In the capital Bucharest some demonstrators hurled bottles, firecrackers and stones at security forces, who responded by firing tear gas. A few police and protesters were lightly injured. For the second straight night crowds also hit the streets in other cities across the country including in Timisoara, cradle of the 1989 revolution. Over a matter of days that uprising nearly 30 years ago forced dictator Nicolae Ceausescu from power, ending with he and his wife being summarily executed on December 25, 1989. In the emergency decree issued late Tuesday, the government decriminalised certain corruption offences and made abuse of power punishable by jail only if it results in a monetary loss of more than 44,000 euros ($47,500). Romania's left-wing government under the Social Democrats (PSD) has only been in office a few weeks after bouncing back in elections on December 11, barely a year since mass protests forced them from office. The government had remained silent since Tuesday evening, but on Wednesday Justice Minister Florin Iordache wrote on his Facebook page that there was "nothing secret, illegal or immoral" about the emergency decree. Bucharest said it is putting legislation in line with the constitution. But critics say the main beneficiary will be PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, currently on trial for alleged abuse of power, as well as other left-wing politicians. Dragnea, 54, is already barred from office because of a two-year suspended jail sentence for voter fraud handed down last year. His abuse-of-power trial, which began on Tuesday, concerns 24,000 euros. Another initiative, which Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu will submit to parliament, will see around 2,500 people serving sentences of less than five years for non-violent crimes released from prison. The government said that this will reduce overcrowding in jails but critics say that, again, the main beneficiaries will be the many officials and politicians ensnared in a major anti-corruption drive of recent years.The anti-corruption push saw Romania make history in 2015 when then-prime minister Victor Ponta went on trial over alleged tax evasion and money laundering, charges he denies. Only last week the European Commission commended the efforts of ex-communist Romania, which joined the European Union together with neighbouring Bulgaria in 2007 as the bloc's two poorest members. But this week's latest move set off alarm bells in Brussels, with European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker and his deputy Frans Timmermans issuing a joint statement expressing "deep concern" on Wednesday. "The fight against corruption needs to be advanced, not undone," they said. "The Commission warns against backtracking and will look thoroughly at the emergency ordinance... in this light." Centre-right President Klaus Iohannis, elected in 2014 on an anti-graft platform and a sharp critic of Dragnea, on Wednesday called the decree "scandalous" and moved to invoke the constitutional court. Both decrees were published earlier this month, sparking protests last Sunday that drew 40,000 people including 20,000 in the capital, and more than 15,000 a week earlier. The laws have been heavily criticised by several Romanian officials and institutions, including the attorney general, the anti-corruption chief prosecutor and the president of the high court. "I am outraged. The PSD won the elections but that doesn't mean they can sneakily change the penal code in the middle of the night," said protester Gabriela State, 46. On Wednesday some 20,000 demonstrators gathered in the western city of Cluj, an AFP correspondent said, while there were 15,000 in Timisoara and 10,000 in Sibiu in central Romania. (AFP)

Romania witnesses largest anti-government protests since fall of communism

At least 50 people were killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and Congolese police on Monday.&nbsp; 
 
The opposition is protesting in the capital Kinshasa against President Joseph Kabila&#39;s bid to extend his mandate unconstitutionally.&nbsp; 
 
Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Kabila, who has ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2001. They have also called for further demonstrations. 
 
Angry crowds torched the offices of politicians loyal to Kabila and tore down giant posters of the president. 
 
Rights groups reported dozens of arrests of protesters and journalists in the capital as well as in Goma and Kisangani, where anti-government marches also took place. 
 
&quot;Today&#39;s march shows that the security forces have not switched their tactics and are still clamping down on anyone opposed to Kabila,&quot; said Ida Sawyer, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. 
 
The opposition has accused Kabila of plotting to extend his tenure by delaying elections that were supposed to be held in November until at least next year. His supporters have denied the charge.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The sad and painful death toll from these barbaric and extremely savage acts is as follows: 17 dead of which three were policemen,&quot; said Interior Minister Evariste Boshab, condemning &quot;the use of violence to incite disorder and chaos&quot;. 
 
There has been growing international pressure on Kabila to step down when his term ends in December.&nbsp; 
 
The latest violence has prompted a threat of further sanctions from the United States on those responsible for violence and repression. 
 
It had imposed targeted sanctions on a Kinshasa police chief in June. 
 
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon too urged Congolese national security forces to exercise restraint. 
 
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault added that European nations will discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

Opposition demanded President Joseph Kabila's resignation, accusing him of plotting to extend his tenure by delaying elections

At least 50 people were killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and Congolese police on Monday. The opposition is protesting in the capital Kinshasa against President Joseph Kabila's bid to extend his mandate unconstitutionally. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Kabila, who has ruled the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2001. They have also called for further demonstrations. Angry crowds torched the offices of politicians loyal to Kabila and tore down giant posters of the president. Rights groups reported dozens of arrests of protesters and journalists in the capital as well as in Goma and Kisangani, where anti-government marches also took place. "Today's march shows that the security forces have not switched their tactics and are still clamping down on anyone opposed to Kabila," said Ida Sawyer, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. The opposition has accused Kabila of plotting to extend his tenure by delaying elections that were supposed to be held in November until at least next year. His supporters have denied the charge. "The sad and painful death toll from these barbaric and extremely savage acts is as follows: 17 dead of which three were policemen," said Interior Minister Evariste Boshab, condemning "the use of violence to incite disorder and chaos". There has been growing international pressure on Kabila to step down when his term ends in December. The latest violence has prompted a threat of further sanctions from the United States on those responsible for violence and repression. It had imposed targeted sanctions on a Kinshasa police chief in June. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon too urged Congolese national security forces to exercise restraint. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault added that European nations will discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Congo anti-government march turns violent, at least 50 dead

At least seven people were killed during fresh clashes between police and anti-government protesters in western Ethiopia on Saturday, local sources said, while the ethnic unrest also reached the capital Addis Ababa for the first time. 
 
Saturday&#39;s rally in the capital was called by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopia&#39;s main ethnic group. 
 
Some 500 people gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capital&#39;s main Meskel Square shouting slogans such as &quot;we want our freedom&quot; and &quot;free our political prisoners.&quot; 
 
Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest. 
 
The other main ethnic group, the Amhara, has also held rallies in recent weeks. 
 
Both groups, which between them make up some 80 per cent of the population, complain that they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces. 
 
Sources in western Ethiopia said that at least seven people were killed during the clashes in Nemekte, in the Oromo region Saturday, though no details emerged. 
 
In Addis Ababa, police made dozens of arrests during the anti-government demonstration which came less than a week after thousands of people from the Amhara group joined a demonstration in the northern city of Gondar. 
 
&quot;This is a mass movement of civil disobedience which is not organised by political parties,&quot; Merera Gudina, chairman of the Oromo People&#39;s Congress group told AFP. 
 
&quot;People are totally fed up with this regime and expressing their anger everywhere&quot;. 
 
Although small, Saturday&#39;s Addis rally was significant in that it was the first of its kind in the capital. 
 
&nbsp;Local people said there had been further rallies and clashes with police in the Oromo city of Ambo. There was also a call for a rally on Sunday in Baher Dar in the Amhara region. 
 
Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn had on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which &quot;threaten national unity&quot; and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them. 
 
Authorities have blocked access to social media, the activists&#39; key channel for such rallying calls, since Friday. 
 
Internet access was nearly impossible on Saturday in Addis Ababa itself, an AFP journalist said. 
 
Before news of Saturday&#39;s fatalities came in, Ethiopian authorities said at least a dozen people had been killed in clashes with police over territorial disputes in recent weeks. 
 
(AFP)

Opposition groups from the Oromo, the main ethnic group in Ethiopia were protesting against the government and demanding freedom

At least seven people were killed during fresh clashes between police and anti-government protesters in western Ethiopia on Saturday, local sources said, while the ethnic unrest also reached the capital Addis Ababa for the first time. Saturday's rally in the capital was called by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopia's main ethnic group. Some 500 people gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capital's main Meskel Square shouting slogans such as "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners." Police swiftly moved in to break up the protest. The other main ethnic group, the Amhara, has also held rallies in recent weeks. Both groups, which between them make up some 80 per cent of the population, complain that they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces. Sources in western Ethiopia said that at least seven people were killed during the clashes in Nemekte, in the Oromo region Saturday, though no details emerged. In Addis Ababa, police made dozens of arrests during the anti-government demonstration which came less than a week after thousands of people from the Amhara group joined a demonstration in the northern city of Gondar. "This is a mass movement of civil disobedience which is not organised by political parties," Merera Gudina, chairman of the Oromo People's Congress group told AFP. "People are totally fed up with this regime and expressing their anger everywhere". Although small, Saturday's Addis rally was significant in that it was the first of its kind in the capital. Local people said there had been further rallies and clashes with police in the Oromo city of Ambo. There was also a call for a rally on Sunday in Baher Dar in the Amhara region. Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn had on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations which "threaten national unity" and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them. Authorities have blocked access to social media, the activists' key channel for such rallying calls, since Friday. Internet access was nearly impossible on Saturday in Addis Ababa itself, an AFP journalist said. Before news of Saturday's fatalities came in, Ethiopian authorities said at least a dozen people had been killed in clashes with police over territorial disputes in recent weeks. (AFP)

7 dead as Ethiopian police and protesters clash