A new report reveals that people who are forced to leave their homes as an impact of climate crisis are at risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in the coming times.

A new report reveals that people who are forced to leave their homes as an impact of climate crisis are at risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in the coming times. The climate crisis and the increasing frequency of extreme weather disasters including floods, droughts and mega fires are having a devastating effect on the livelihoods of people already living in poverty and this is making them more vulnerable to slavery, says the report. Researchers from the International Institute for Environment and Development and Anti-Slavery International have found that drought in northern Ghana had led young men and women to migrate to major cities. The report further reveals that many women begin working as porters and are at risk of trafficking, sexual exploitation and debt bondage. A woman who migrated to Accra from northern Ghana, used to farm until the land was ruined by flooding. She was then forced to move. Also read | Police, anti-vaccine protesters clash in Melbourne For a period of seven years she has worked as a porter (kayayie), carrying items on her head. She was quoted by The Guardian as saying, “Working as a kayayie has not been easy for me. When I came here, I did not know anything about the work. I was told that the woman providing our pans will also feed us and give us accommodation. However, all my earnings go to her and only sometimes will she give me a small part of the money I’ve earned.” Fran Witt, a climate change and modern slavery adviser at Anti-Slavery International said that the research shows the domino effect of climate change on millions of people’s lives. "Extreme weather events contribute to environmental destruction, forcing people to leave their homes and leaving them vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and slavery.” As per an estimate by The World Bank estimates that by the year 2050, the impact of the climate crisis will force more than 216 million people across six regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America, from their homes.

Climate crisis may increase trafficking and slavery, says report

Fears of contagion from the potential collapse of battered Chinese real estate giant Evergrande sent property shares plunging in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;on Monday, with the firm expected to default on upcoming interest payments this week.

The firm, one of the country's biggest developers, is on the brink of collapse as it wallows in debts of more than $300 billion.&nbsp;

With the property sector accounting for more than a quarter of Chinese GDP, there are concerns of a spillover into the domestic and global economy.

The crisis has triggered rare protests outside the company's offices in several Chinese cities by investors and suppliers demanding their money, some of whom claim they are owed as much as $1 million.

Adding to the anger, it emerged at the weekend that six top executives would face "severe punishment" for redeeming financial products before telling retail investors that the firm could not pay them on time.

The firm said they&nbsp;must return the cash they redeemed "within a time limit", adding that its investment arm must "strictly follow the announced repayment plan to ensure fairness and impartiality".

The crisis sent shares in the firm diving around 17 percent Monday, leaving it down around 90 percent from the start of the year.

Other property firms were also in the firing line, with Henderson Land losing 13.2 percent and New World Development more than 12 percent. Sun Hung Kai Properties shed 10.3 percent. Sinic Holdings called a trading halt after its shares crashed 87 percent,&nbsp;wiping out $1.3 billion from chairman Zhang Yuanlin's wealth, leaving him with $250 million, according to Forbes.

Meanwhile, insurance giant Ping An fell nearly six percent. China Minsheng Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China were all down around three to six percent.

The dash for the exit left the Hang Seng Index down more than four percent.&nbsp;

Analysts say a lack of comment from Beijing and a holiday in China is only adding to the uncertainty.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-companies-to-invest-15-bn-in-pakistans-petrochemical-sector-414254">Also read |&nbsp;Chinese companies to invest $15 bn in Pakistan's petrochemical sector</a>

Philip Tse, of BOCOM International Holdings, warned: "there will be further downside" unless leaders give a clear signal on Evergrande or ease up on their clampdown on the real estate sector.

Attention is now on the company's repayments, with interest due on bank loans Monday and two bonds on Thursday.&nbsp;

Debt mountain

However, one creditor quoted by Chinese financial outlet Caixin Global Monday estimated that there is a "99.99 percent" chance Evergrande will not be able to pay interest due in the third quarter.

As of the end of June, the property developer had total liabilities of almost 2 trillion yuan ($309 billion) -- roughly equivalent to two percent of China's GDP -- with an unknown amount of off-sheet debt.

The giant debt mountain helped drive Evergrande's voracious expansion, which started with a 1990s property boom and lasted until Beijing moved to trim leveraged growth in the sector by introducing curbs in 2020.

While predominantly a real estate firm, the group also embarked on an all-out diversification, buying football club Guangzhou FC, opening amusement parks, setting up Evergrande Spring mineral water, and also investing in tourism, digital operations, insurance, and health.

But it has come unstuck as Beijing cracked down on developers in a bid to force them to offload debt, introducing "three red lines" to curb leverage last year.&nbsp;

It introduced a ban on selling properties before they are completed -- a major part of Evergrande's business model.

'Tremendous pressure'

Experts say the firm has more than a million units pre-paid by customers yet to be built, adding to the sense of dread among Chinese investors, many of them first-time buyers.

The company last week admitted it is under "tremendous pressure" and may not be able to meet its liabilities. Its credit rating has been cut several times by rating agencies.

With access to lending markets now cut off and no money to complete developments and service its debts, the firm has been trying new ways to meet its responsibilities including offering parking spaces and unfinished properties.

At the weekend, financial products purveyor Evergrande Wealth announced that "payment via physical assets" had started with the offer of discounted properties.

Still, while Chinese leaders are looking to curb excessive risk-taking, there is a general belief they will work to prevent the issue from becoming unmanageable and driving a hole through the already stuttering economy.

"The central government's priority of social stability makes restructuring likely with haircuts for debt holders, but spillovers to other listed property developers mean there will likely be a real economic impact on the real estate sector," said National Australia Bank's Tapas Strickland.

"To what extent Evergrande slows the growth momentum remains unclear."

Fears of contagion from the potential collapse of battered Chinese real estate giant Evergrande sent property shares plunging in Hong Kong on Monday, with the firm expected to default on upcoming interest payments this week.

Fears of contagion from the potential collapse of battered Chinese real estate giant Evergrande sent property shares plunging in Hong Kong on Monday, with the firm expected to default on upcoming interest payments this week. The firm, one of the country's biggest developers, is on the brink of collapse as it wallows in debts of more than $300 billion. With the property sector accounting for more than a quarter of Chinese GDP, there are concerns of a spillover into the domestic and global economy. The crisis has triggered rare protests outside the company's offices in several Chinese cities by investors and suppliers demanding their money, some of whom claim they are owed as much as $1 million. Adding to the anger, it emerged at the weekend that six top executives would face "severe punishment" for redeeming financial products before telling retail investors that the firm could not pay them on time. The firm said they must return the cash they redeemed "within a time limit", adding that its investment arm must "strictly follow the announced repayment plan to ensure fairness and impartiality". The crisis sent shares in the firm diving around 17 percent Monday, leaving it down around 90 percent from the start of the year. Other property firms were also in the firing line, with Henderson Land losing 13.2 percent and New World Development more than 12 percent. Sun Hung Kai Properties shed 10.3 percent. Sinic Holdings called a trading halt after its shares crashed 87 percent, wiping out $1.3 billion from chairman Zhang Yuanlin's wealth, leaving him with $250 million, according to Forbes. Meanwhile, insurance giant Ping An fell nearly six percent. China Minsheng Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China were all down around three to six percent. The dash for the exit left the Hang Seng Index down more than four percent. Analysts say a lack of comment from Beijing and a holiday in China is only adding to the uncertainty. Also read | Chinese companies to invest $15 bn in Pakistan's petrochemical sector Philip Tse, of BOCOM International Holdings, warned: "there will be further downside" unless leaders give a clear signal on Evergrande or ease up on their clampdown on the real estate sector. Attention is now on the company's repayments, with interest due on bank loans Monday and two bonds on Thursday. Debt mountain However, one creditor quoted by Chinese financial outlet Caixin Global Monday estimated that there is a "99.99 percent" chance Evergrande will not be able to pay interest due in the third quarter. As of the end of June, the property developer had total liabilities of almost 2 trillion yuan ($309 billion) -- roughly equivalent to two percent of China's GDP -- with an unknown amount of off-sheet debt. The giant debt mountain helped drive Evergrande's voracious expansion, which started with a 1990s property boom and lasted until Beijing moved to trim leveraged growth in the sector by introducing curbs in 2020. While predominantly a real estate firm, the group also embarked on an all-out diversification, buying football club Guangzhou FC, opening amusement parks, setting up Evergrande Spring mineral water, and also investing in tourism, digital operations, insurance, and health. But it has come unstuck as Beijing cracked down on developers in a bid to force them to offload debt, introducing "three red lines" to curb leverage last year. It introduced a ban on selling properties before they are completed -- a major part of Evergrande's business model. 'Tremendous pressure' Experts say the firm has more than a million units pre-paid by customers yet to be built, adding to the sense of dread among Chinese investors, many of them first-time buyers. The company last week admitted it is under "tremendous pressure" and may not be able to meet its liabilities. Its credit rating has been cut several times by rating agencies. With access to lending markets now cut off and no money to complete developments and service its debts, the firm has been trying new ways to meet its responsibilities including offering parking spaces and unfinished properties. At the weekend, financial products purveyor Evergrande Wealth announced that "payment via physical assets" had started with the offer of discounted properties. Still, while Chinese leaders are looking to curb excessive risk-taking, there is a general belief they will work to prevent the issue from becoming unmanageable and driving a hole through the already stuttering economy. "The central government's priority of social stability makes restructuring likely with haircuts for debt holders, but spillovers to other listed property developers mean there will likely be a real economic impact on the real estate sector," said National Australia Bank's Tapas Strickland. "To what extent Evergrande slows the growth momentum remains unclear."

Evergrande contagion fears hit Hong Kong stocks, with default expected

Contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis, some 10,000 migrants have gathered under a US-Mexico border bridge over recent days. The bridge connects Del Rio in Texas to Mexico's Ciudad Acuña and the temporary camp there has grown rapidly in recent days.

Contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis, some 10,000 migrants have gathered under a US-Mexico border bridge over recent days. The bridge connects Del Rio in Texas to Mexico's Ciudad Acuña and the temporary camp there has grown rapidly in recent days. The Haitian migrants, who have crossed the Rio Grande, are sleeping under the bridge in squalid conditions. Earlier this year, it was reported that the number of migrants who were detained at the US-Mexico border in July exceeded 200,000 for the first time in 21 years. Also, just last month, the authorities arrested more than 195,000 migrants at the Mexican border, according to government data released. This summer's numbers represent a significant increase from the 51,000 arrested in August 2019. Also read | 'We apologize': US admits Kabul airstrike killed 10 civilians, not ISIS-K militants The migrants are said to be mostly Haitians, with some Cubans, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans also present. According to reports by the Washington Post, they appear to be part of a larger wave of Haitians heading north, many of whom arrived in Brazil and other South American nations after the 2010 earthquake. As per Del Rio Mayor Bruno Lozano, more than 10,500 migrants were under the Del Rio International Bridge as of Thursday evening. In a statement issued by the border patrol, they said that it was increasing staffing in Del Rio to facilitate a "safe, humane and orderly process". "To prevent injuries from heat-related illness, the shaded area underneath Del Rio International Bridge is serving as a temporary staging site while migrants wait to be taken into USBP (US Border Patrol) custody," it added.

Thousands gather under bridge at US-Mexico border amid growing migrant crisis

Dutch Foreign Minister&nbsp;Sigrid&nbsp;Kaag&nbsp;resigned on Thursday after parliament formally condemned her handling of the Afghanistan evacuation crisis.

Lawmakers approved a motion criticising the government for failing to evacuate some Afghans, and for missing signs of an imminent Taliban takeover.

Kaag's resignation comes a day after Britain's Dominic Raab was demoted from his position as foreign minister over the way he dealt with the situation in Afghanistan.

"The House considers that the government has acted irresponsibly,"&nbsp;Kaag&nbsp;said in a statement to parliament after parliament voted by 78 votes to 72 to condemn her.

"And although I stand by our commitment, I can only accept the consequences of this judgement as the minister with ultimate responsibility," she added.

"In my view on democracy and the culture of our administration, a minister should go if the policy is disapproved of.&nbsp;I will therefore submit my resignation as minister of foreign affairs to his majesty the king."

Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld however refused to resign despite also being hit with a so-called censure motion by parliament.

Kaag&nbsp;said she would stay on as leader of the centre-left D66 party, which is in coalition talks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte after winning the second-most seats in elections in March.

Rutte said her resignation was a "great loss" to the cabinet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/africa-covid-19-jab-shortfall-could-take-world-back-to-square-one-says-who-413652">Also read |&nbsp;Africa COVID-19 jab shortfall could take world 'back to square one', says WHO</a>

The Netherlands evacuated more than 1,500 people, both Dutch nationals and eligible Afghans, in the final chaotic days before the US pulled out of Afghanistan.

But many Afghans were left behind, including 22 interpreters, according to the government, despite calls from MPs to evacuate them months ago.

'Blind spot'

Kaag&nbsp;admitted during the debate that the government "had a whole blind spot in how quickly it would get that bad" in Afghanistan, but said other countries had been in a similar position.

Dutch lawmakers from across the political spectrum lined up to criticise the government during a parliamentary debate on Afghanistan on Tuesday.

"How is it possible that there are still dozens of defence interpreters in Kabul?" said Jeroen van Wijngaarden, an MP from Prime Minister Rutte's VVD party.

Ministers were accused of being "apathetic" and mired in "slowness and vagueness" during the evacuation crisis.

The sense of chaos was fuelled by reports in local media that the Dutch ambassador had been begging the government since March 2020 to make preparations, but that ministers only decided two days before the fall of Kabul.

The debacle has stirred bitter memories in the Netherlands of another foreign policy failure, when Dutch peacekeepers failed to prevent the 1995 Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian War.&nbsp;

Dutch broadcaster NOS said it would have been "very difficult" for&nbsp;Kaag&nbsp;to stay on, given that after elections she had made strong calls for political change.

Kaag&nbsp;had herself called on Rutte to resign in April after he too was condemned by parliament over claims he lied about coalition talks, but the premier clung on.

The Afghan row now threatens to further complicate coalition talks that have dragged on since the elections, with a caretaker government still in place six months on.

Dutch Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag resigned on Thursday after parliament formally condemned her handling of the Afghanistan evacuation crisis. Lawmakers approved a motion criticising the government for failing to evacuate some Afghans, and for missing signs of an imminent Taliban takeover.

Dutch Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag resigned on Thursday after parliament formally condemned her handling of the Afghanistan evacuation crisis. Lawmakers approved a motion criticising the government for failing to evacuate some Afghans, and for missing signs of an imminent Taliban takeover. Kaag's resignation comes a day after Britain's Dominic Raab was demoted from his position as foreign minister over the way he dealt with the situation in Afghanistan. "The House considers that the government has acted irresponsibly," Kaag said in a statement to parliament after parliament voted by 78 votes to 72 to condemn her. "And although I stand by our commitment, I can only accept the consequences of this judgement as the minister with ultimate responsibility," she added. "In my view on democracy and the culture of our administration, a minister should go if the policy is disapproved of. I will therefore submit my resignation as minister of foreign affairs to his majesty the king." Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld however refused to resign despite also being hit with a so-called censure motion by parliament. Kaag said she would stay on as leader of the centre-left D66 party, which is in coalition talks with Prime Minister Mark Rutte after winning the second-most seats in elections in March. Rutte said her resignation was a "great loss" to the cabinet. Also read | Africa COVID-19 jab shortfall could take world 'back to square one', says WHO The Netherlands evacuated more than 1,500 people, both Dutch nationals and eligible Afghans, in the final chaotic days before the US pulled out of Afghanistan. But many Afghans were left behind, including 22 interpreters, according to the government, despite calls from MPs to evacuate them months ago. 'Blind spot' Kaag admitted during the debate that the government "had a whole blind spot in how quickly it would get that bad" in Afghanistan, but said other countries had been in a similar position. Dutch lawmakers from across the political spectrum lined up to criticise the government during a parliamentary debate on Afghanistan on Tuesday. "How is it possible that there are still dozens of defence interpreters in Kabul?" said Jeroen van Wijngaarden, an MP from Prime Minister Rutte's VVD party. Ministers were accused of being "apathetic" and mired in "slowness and vagueness" during the evacuation crisis. The sense of chaos was fuelled by reports in local media that the Dutch ambassador had been begging the government since March 2020 to make preparations, but that ministers only decided two days before the fall of Kabul. The debacle has stirred bitter memories in the Netherlands of another foreign policy failure, when Dutch peacekeepers failed to prevent the 1995 Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian War. Dutch broadcaster NOS said it would have been "very difficult" for Kaag to stay on, given that after elections she had made strong calls for political change. Kaag had herself called on Rutte to resign in April after he too was condemned by parliament over claims he lied about coalition talks, but the premier clung on. The Afghan row now threatens to further complicate coalition talks that have dragged on since the elections, with a caretaker government still in place six months on.

Dutch foreign minister resigns over Afghan crisis

Hospitals in the southern United States are running dangerously low on space in intensive care units, as the delta variant has led to spikes in coronavirus cases not seen since last year’s deadly winter wave.

One in four hospitals now reports more than 95% of ICU beds occupied — up from 1 in 5 last month. Experts say it can become difficult to maintain standards of care for the sickest patients in hospitals where all or nearly all ICU beds are occupied.

In June, when COVID-19 cases were at their lowest level, less than 1 in 10 hospitals had dangerously high occupancy rates.

In Alabama, all ICU beds are currently occupied. In recent days, dozens of patients in the state have needed beds that were not available, according to data published by the Department of Health and Human Services.

“It means they’re in the waiting room, some are in the back of ambulances, things of that nature,” said Jeannie Gaines, a spokesperson for the Alabama Hospital Association.

In Texas, 169 hospitals have ICUs that are more than 95% full, up from 69 in June. There are only about 700 intensive care beds remaining across the entire state, according to recent data.

Hospitals in Houston constructed overflow tents last month to handle the influx of patients, and the rate of hospitalizations in the state is now 40% higher than when the tents were built.

Twenty-four hospitals in Florida reported having more ICU patients last week than available beds.

During past surges, hospitals have been forced to improvise by having staff care for more patients than usual or by setting up temporary intensive care beds in other wings of the hospital.

Patients with critical conditions besides COVID, like heart attacks or strokes, can also have worse health outcomes when most beds are full.

Unvaccinated Americans are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID than the vaccinated, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several of the states with the highest rates of ICU occupancy, including Alabama and Mississippi, are also among those with the lowest vaccination rates.

“Our biggest concerns are our low vaccination rates,” said Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s state health officer. “That’s the reason we’re in the situation that we’re in. Virtually all of our deaths are people who are unvaccinated.”

Hospitalizations among children under 18 are also higher than ever during this wave of the virus, driven largely by surges among children in the least vaccinated states.

Hospitals in the southern United States are running dangerously low on space in intensive care units, as the delta variant has led to spikes in coronavirus cases not seen since last year’s deadly winter wave.

Hospitals in the southern United States are running dangerously low on space in intensive care units, as the delta variant has led to spikes in coronavirus cases not seen since last year’s deadly winter wave. One in four hospitals now reports more than 95% of ICU beds occupied — up from 1 in 5 last month. Experts say it can become difficult to maintain standards of care for the sickest patients in hospitals where all or nearly all ICU beds are occupied. In June, when COVID-19 cases were at their lowest level, less than 1 in 10 hospitals had dangerously high occupancy rates. In Alabama, all ICU beds are currently occupied. In recent days, dozens of patients in the state have needed beds that were not available, according to data published by the Department of Health and Human Services. “It means they’re in the waiting room, some are in the back of ambulances, things of that nature,” said Jeannie Gaines, a spokesperson for the Alabama Hospital Association. In Texas, 169 hospitals have ICUs that are more than 95% full, up from 69 in June. There are only about 700 intensive care beds remaining across the entire state, according to recent data. Hospitals in Houston constructed overflow tents last month to handle the influx of patients, and the rate of hospitalizations in the state is now 40% higher than when the tents were built. Twenty-four hospitals in Florida reported having more ICU patients last week than available beds. During past surges, hospitals have been forced to improvise by having staff care for more patients than usual or by setting up temporary intensive care beds in other wings of the hospital. Patients with critical conditions besides COVID, like heart attacks or strokes, can also have worse health outcomes when most beds are full. Unvaccinated Americans are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID than the vaccinated, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Several of the states with the highest rates of ICU occupancy, including Alabama and Mississippi, are also among those with the lowest vaccination rates. “Our biggest concerns are our low vaccination rates,” said Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s state health officer. “That’s the reason we’re in the situation that we’re in. Virtually all of our deaths are people who are unvaccinated.” Hospitalizations among children under 18 are also higher than ever during this wave of the virus, driven largely by surges among children in the least vaccinated states.

Covid hospitalisation crisis reaches fever pitch in southern ICUs

The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia's war-torn&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;is&nbsp;set&nbsp;to "worsen&nbsp;dramatically" and to deadly effect, the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;warned Thursday, blaming an "aid blockade" for the escalating&nbsp;crisis.

Northern Ethiopia has been wracked by violence since November, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;to topple the&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;People's Liberation Front, the regional ruling party, saying the move came in response to attacks on army camps.

Although the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner promised a swift victory, the war has dragged on for months, triggering a humanitarian&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;in&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;that has left 400,000 people facing famine-like conditions, according to the United Nations.

"Stocks of relief aid, cash and fuel are running very low or are completely depleted. Food stocks already ran out on 20 August," the&nbsp;UN's acting humanitarian coordinator for Ethiopia, Grant Leaity, said in a statement.

"The region remains under a&nbsp;de facto&nbsp;humanitarian aid blockade,&nbsp;where&nbsp;access&nbsp;to bring life-saving humanitarian relief&nbsp;continues to be extremely restricted," Leaity said, adding that no trucks had been able to enter&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;since August 22.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-protest-in-afghanistans-herat-over-right-to-education-work-410216">Also read |&nbsp;Women protest in Afghanistan's Herat over right to education, work</a>

"With the inability to bring in sufficient and sustained levels of humanitarian supplies, cash and fuel, the humanitarian situation in the north of Ethiopia is&nbsp;set&nbsp;to&nbsp;worsen&nbsp;dramatically, particularly in&nbsp;Tigray&nbsp;region," he added, urging Abiy's government to ease restrictions.&nbsp;

Since the conflict erupted, the Ethiopian authorities and the Tigrayan rebels have traded blame over the issue, with each side accusing the other of obstructing aid convoys and driving a desperate population into famine.

As the rebels have pushed into the neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions, the situation&nbsp;there has also worsened, with 1.7 million people facing hunger, Leaity said.

"The lives of millions of civilians... depend on our capacity to reach them with food, nutrition supplies, medicine and other critical assistance. We need to reach them immediately and&nbsp;without obstruction to avert famine and significant levels of mortality."

'Stealing aid'

Ethiopian forces and Tigrayan rebels alike have also been accused of looting aid, with the US aid agency this week calling the alleged thefts a "great concern for humanitarians".

"Throughout nine months of conflict all of the warring parties have been stealing aid," Sean Jones,&nbsp;head of the USAID mission in Addis Ababa, told Ethiopian state broadcaster EBC on Tuesday, according to a transcript released by the American embassy.

TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda on Wednesday condemned the alleged looters for their "unacceptable behaviour", but said that while the rebels could not "vouch for...&nbsp;off-grid fighters in such matters, we have evidence that such looting is mainly orchestrated by local individuals and groups".

In a separate statement, the&nbsp;UN's Leaity condemned the killings of aid workers in&nbsp;Tigray, saying another 11 deaths had been reported between January and July this year, bringing the total number slain to 23 since war erupted.

"Once again we are shaken by this news. Violence against aid workers is intolerable," he said.

"We reiterate our call for humanitarians to be respected and protected and for the acts that led to the death of our colleagues to be fully investigated. Accountability must be pursued to deter attacks against humanitarian personnel," he added.

The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray is set to "worsen dramatically" and to deadly effect, the UN warned Thursday, blaming an "aid blockade" for the escalating crisis.

The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray is set to "worsen dramatically" and to deadly effect, the UN warned Thursday, blaming an "aid blockade" for the escalating crisis. Northern Ethiopia has been wracked by violence since November, when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray to topple the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the regional ruling party, saying the move came in response to attacks on army camps. Although the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner promised a swift victory, the war has dragged on for months, triggering a humanitarian crisis in Tigray that has left 400,000 people facing famine-like conditions, according to the United Nations. "Stocks of relief aid, cash and fuel are running very low or are completely depleted. Food stocks already ran out on 20 August," the UN's acting humanitarian coordinator for Ethiopia, Grant Leaity, said in a statement. "The region remains under a de facto humanitarian aid blockade, where access to bring life-saving humanitarian relief continues to be extremely restricted," Leaity said, adding that no trucks had been able to enter Tigray since August 22. Also read | Women protest in Afghanistan's Herat over right to education, work "With the inability to bring in sufficient and sustained levels of humanitarian supplies, cash and fuel, the humanitarian situation in the north of Ethiopia is set to worsen dramatically, particularly in Tigray region," he added, urging Abiy's government to ease restrictions. Since the conflict erupted, the Ethiopian authorities and the Tigrayan rebels have traded blame over the issue, with each side accusing the other of obstructing aid convoys and driving a desperate population into famine. As the rebels have pushed into the neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions, the situation there has also worsened, with 1.7 million people facing hunger, Leaity said. "The lives of millions of civilians... depend on our capacity to reach them with food, nutrition supplies, medicine and other critical assistance. We need to reach them immediately and without obstruction to avert famine and significant levels of mortality." 'Stealing aid' Ethiopian forces and Tigrayan rebels alike have also been accused of looting aid, with the US aid agency this week calling the alleged thefts a "great concern for humanitarians". "Throughout nine months of conflict all of the warring parties have been stealing aid," Sean Jones, head of the USAID mission in Addis Ababa, told Ethiopian state broadcaster EBC on Tuesday, according to a transcript released by the American embassy. TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda on Wednesday condemned the alleged looters for their "unacceptable behaviour", but said that while the rebels could not "vouch for... off-grid fighters in such matters, we have evidence that such looting is mainly orchestrated by local individuals and groups". In a separate statement, the UN's Leaity condemned the killings of aid workers in Tigray, saying another 11 deaths had been reported between January and July this year, bringing the total number slain to 23 since war erupted. "Once again we are shaken by this news. Violence against aid workers is intolerable," he said. "We reiterate our call for humanitarians to be respected and protected and for the acts that led to the death of our colleagues to be fully investigated. Accountability must be pursued to deter attacks against humanitarian personnel," he added.

Tigray crisis 'set to worsen dramatically', UN warns

The Afghan government faces an "existential crisis" after the Taliban doubled their attacks following the February 2020 US deal with the insurgents, a watchdog report said Thursday.

The report said Taliban attacks on Afghan targets surged from 6,700 in the three months up to the Doha agreement to 13,242 in the September-November 2020 period.

Attacks have stayed above 10,000 in each subsequent three-month period, according to the report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR).

While the rise in attacks had long been clear, data had not&nbsp;previously been available to demonstrate how intense the rebels' offensive had become.

The United States agreed to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan in expectation the Taliban would negotiate a peace deal with the Kabul government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/explainer-us-pays-4-billion-to-afghan-forces-who-is-watching-400926">Also read |&nbsp;Explainer: US pays $4 billion to Afghan forces; who is watching?</a>

Since then the Taliban-government talks have stalled but the US has steadily pulled out troops to a level of only several hundred now, with an August 31 deadline for full withdrawal.

The SIGAR report makes clear that the Doha agreement, instead of propelling Taliban-Kabul talks, unleashed an offensive that caught government forces unprepared and increased the number of civilian deaths.

Over January-March of 2020, there were only 510 civilian deaths and 709 casualties, the report said, quoting data from the US-Nato joint force in Afghanistan.

After that the numbers surged, hitting 1,058 deaths and 1,959 injured in the third quarter that year and continuing at high levels.

The latest data, for April and May this year, showed 705 civilian deaths and 1,330 casualties, the SIGAR report said.

"The overall trend is clearly unfavourable to the Afghan government, which could face an existential crisis if it isn't addressed and reversed," said the inspector general, John Sopko.

He said the report offered a sobering picture that contrasted with "the pervasiveness of overoptimism" that characterized US-led efforts to rebuild and strengthen Afghanistan and the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars to the US government.

"The news coming out of Afghanistan this quarter has been bleak," the report said.

Faced by a new Taliban offensive, it said, the Afghan government security force "appeared surprised and unready, and is now on its back foot."&nbsp;

"Particularly concerning was the speed and ease with which the Taliban seemingly wrested control of districts in Afghanistan’s northern provinces, once a bastion of anti-Taliban sentiment."

The Afghan government faces an "existential crisis" after the Taliban doubled their attacks following the February 2020 US deal with the insurgents, a watchdog report said Thursday.

The Afghan government faces an "existential crisis" after the Taliban doubled their attacks following the February 2020 US deal with the insurgents, a watchdog report said Thursday. The report said Taliban attacks on Afghan targets surged from 6,700 in the three months up to the Doha agreement to 13,242 in the September-November 2020 period. Attacks have stayed above 10,000 in each subsequent three-month period, according to the report by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). While the rise in attacks had long been clear, data had not previously been available to demonstrate how intense the rebels' offensive had become. The United States agreed to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan in expectation the Taliban would negotiate a peace deal with the Kabul government. Also read | Explainer: US pays $4 billion to Afghan forces; who is watching? Since then the Taliban-government talks have stalled but the US has steadily pulled out troops to a level of only several hundred now, with an August 31 deadline for full withdrawal. The SIGAR report makes clear that the Doha agreement, instead of propelling Taliban-Kabul talks, unleashed an offensive that caught government forces unprepared and increased the number of civilian deaths. Over January-March of 2020, there were only 510 civilian deaths and 709 casualties, the report said, quoting data from the US-Nato joint force in Afghanistan. After that the numbers surged, hitting 1,058 deaths and 1,959 injured in the third quarter that year and continuing at high levels. The latest data, for April and May this year, showed 705 civilian deaths and 1,330 casualties, the SIGAR report said. "The overall trend is clearly unfavourable to the Afghan government, which could face an existential crisis if it isn't addressed and reversed," said the inspector general, John Sopko. He said the report offered a sobering picture that contrasted with "the pervasiveness of overoptimism" that characterized US-led efforts to rebuild and strengthen Afghanistan and the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars to the US government. "The news coming out of Afghanistan this quarter has been bleak," the report said. Faced by a new Taliban offensive, it said, the Afghan government security force "appeared surprised and unready, and is now on its back foot." "Particularly concerning was the speed and ease with which the Taliban seemingly wrested control of districts in Afghanistan’s northern provinces, once a bastion of anti-Taliban sentiment."

Taliban surge poses 'existential crisis': US watchdog

In a video broadcast on a Communist Party of China-approved channel, the government threatened to deploy "continuous nuclear bombs" against Japan over its intervention in Taiwan, Fox News reported.

The five-minute video has received over two million views on China's YouTube-like platforms.

It was eventually removed, but copies of the film were uploaded to YouTube and Twitter by some individuals.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Chinese warplane enters Taiwan's air defence identification zone, 4th incursion this month

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-warplane-enters-taiwans-air-defence-identification-zone-4th-incursion-this-month-396858/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We will use nuclear bombs first," the video said. "We will use nuclear bombs continuously. We will do this until Japan declares unconditional surrender for the second time."&nbsp;

The CCP vows to "liberate Taiwan," and cautions Japan against sending "one soldier, one plane, or one ship" to the island.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Full Video: China &amp; Taiwan clash at WION Global summit

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/full-video-china-taiwan-clash-at-wion-global-summit-372899/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The threats come after Japanese officials made comments about Taiwan's sovereignty two weeks ago, with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso saying that Japan must "protect Taiwan," according to The Japan Times.&nbsp;

Even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than seven decades, Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy with almost 24 million inhabitants located off the southern coast of mainland China.&nbsp;

Taiwan, on the other hand, has retaliated against Chinese aggression by strengthening strategic connections with democracies such as the United States.

China has warned that "Taiwanese independence" will result in war.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a video broadcast on a Communist Party of China-approved channel, the government threatened to deploy "continuous nuclear bombs" against Japan over its intervention in Taiwan, Fox News reported.

In a video broadcast on a Communist Party of China-approved channel, the government threatened to deploy "continuous nuclear bombs" against Japan over its intervention in Taiwan, Fox News reported. The five-minute video has received over two million views on China's YouTube-like platforms. It was eventually removed, but copies of the film were uploaded to YouTube and Twitter by some individuals. Watch | Chinese warplane enters Taiwan's air defence identification zone, 4th incursion this month "We will use nuclear bombs first," the video said. "We will use nuclear bombs continuously. We will do this until Japan declares unconditional surrender for the second time." The CCP vows to "liberate Taiwan," and cautions Japan against sending "one soldier, one plane, or one ship" to the island. Watch | Full Video: China & Taiwan clash at WION Global summit The threats come after Japanese officials made comments about Taiwan's sovereignty two weeks ago, with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso saying that Japan must "protect Taiwan," according to The Japan Times. Even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than seven decades, Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy with almost 24 million inhabitants located off the southern coast of mainland China. Taiwan, on the other hand, has retaliated against Chinese aggression by strengthening strategic connections with democracies such as the United States. China has warned that "Taiwanese independence" will result in war. (With inputs from agencies)

We will use nuclear bombs continuously: China to Japan over interference in Taiwan 

Growing military tensions around Taiwan as well as economic and technological rivalry between China and the United States threaten peace and stability in East Asia as the regional power balance shifts in Beijing`s favour, Japan said in its annual defence white paper. 
 
"It is necessary that we pay close attention to the situation with a sense of crisis more than ever," the paper said in a new section on Taiwan. "In particular, competition in technological fields is likely to become even more intense," it said about the U.S.-China tussle. 
 
The defence review, which was approved by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga`s government on Tuesday, points to China as Japan`s main national security concern. Beijing`s recent uptick in military activity around Taiwan has Tokyo worried since the island lies close to the Okinawa chain at the western end of the Japanese archipelago. 
 
Chinese President Xi Jinping this month pledged to complete the "reunification" with Taiwan and in June criticised the United States as a "risk creator" after it sent a warship through the Taiwan Straits separating the island from the mainland. 
 
Japan`s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Taro Aso, this month in a speech reported by Japanese media said Japan should join forces with the United States to defend Taiwan from any invasion. Aso later said any contingency over Taiwan should be resolved through dialogue when asked about the remarks, which drew a rebuke from Beijing. 
 
As the military rivalry between the United States and China deepens, their economic competition is fuelling a race to take the lead in key technologies, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. 
 
The emergence of the rival technology camps poses a challenge for Japan because its economy relies as much on business ties with China as it does with the United States. Japan will also have spend heavily to keep up with government funding for technology development in the United States, China and Europe. 
 
US&nbsp;Senate lawmakers recently passed the Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, which authorises $190 billion spending on technology including $54 billion to increase chip production. House of Representative lawmakers are debating a separate proposal that also promises generous funding, the "Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement Act," or EAGLE Act. 
 
The Japanese annual security review for the first time also includes a section on threats posed by climate change, which it says will increase competition for land and resources, and may trigger mass movement of climate refugees. An increase in disasters linked to global warming could also stretch military capabilities, it adds, while Arctic Sea ice melting could lead to the militarisation of northern waters.

Growing military tensions around Taiwan as well as economic and technological rivalry between China and the United States threaten peace and stability in East Asia as the regional power balance shifts in Beijing`s favour, Japan said in its annual defence white paper.

Growing military tensions around Taiwan as well as economic and technological rivalry between China and the United States threaten peace and stability in East Asia as the regional power balance shifts in Beijing`s favour, Japan said in its annual defence white paper. "It is necessary that we pay close attention to the situation with a sense of crisis more than ever," the paper said in a new section on Taiwan. "In particular, competition in technological fields is likely to become even more intense," it said about the U.S.-China tussle. The defence review, which was approved by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga`s government on Tuesday, points to China as Japan`s main national security concern. Beijing`s recent uptick in military activity around Taiwan has Tokyo worried since the island lies close to the Okinawa chain at the western end of the Japanese archipelago. Chinese President Xi Jinping this month pledged to complete the "reunification" with Taiwan and in June criticised the United States as a "risk creator" after it sent a warship through the Taiwan Straits separating the island from the mainland. Japan`s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Taro Aso, this month in a speech reported by Japanese media said Japan should join forces with the United States to defend Taiwan from any invasion. Aso later said any contingency over Taiwan should be resolved through dialogue when asked about the remarks, which drew a rebuke from Beijing. As the military rivalry between the United States and China deepens, their economic competition is fuelling a race to take the lead in key technologies, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The emergence of the rival technology camps poses a challenge for Japan because its economy relies as much on business ties with China as it does with the United States. Japan will also have spend heavily to keep up with government funding for technology development in the United States, China and Europe. US Senate lawmakers recently passed the Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, which authorises $190 billion spending on technology including $54 billion to increase chip production. House of Representative lawmakers are debating a separate proposal that also promises generous funding, the "Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement Act," or EAGLE Act. The Japanese annual security review for the first time also includes a section on threats posed by climate change, which it says will increase competition for land and resources, and may trigger mass movement of climate refugees. An increase in disasters linked to global warming could also stretch military capabilities, it adds, while Arctic Sea ice melting could lead to the militarisation of northern waters.

Japan warns of crisis over Taiwan, growing risks from US-China rivalry

Steep bread and diesel price hikes went into force in government-held parts of war-torn Syria on Sunday, bringing more pain for civilians in a long-running economic crisis.&nbsp;

The price of diesel fuel nearly tripled and the price of bread doubled, according to the official SANA news agency, only days after Damascus announced an increase in the price of petrol.

The move coincided with a decree issued by President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday that increases by 50 per cent public sector salaries and sets the minimum wage at 71,515 Syrian pounds a month ($57 at the official rate), up from 47,000 pounds ($37).&nbsp;

In a second decree, Assad raised public sector and military pensions by 40 per cent, according to SANA.&nbsp;

According to a revised price list published by SANA on Saturday night, one litre of diesel fuel will now cost 500 pounds, up from the 180 pounds users in most sectors were paying previously.

Mustafa Haswiya, of the state-run Syrian Company for the Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Products, said 80 per cent of Syria's hydrocarbon needs are purchased from abroad using foreign currency.

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"It was necessary to raise prices in order to reduce the import bill," which would otherwise have risked making oil products unaffordable, SANA quoted him as saying.

The price of subsidised bread doubled to 200 Syrian pounds. The state-run Syrian Foundation for Bakeries said that the rising price of diesel fuel contributed to the increase, according to SANA.

The pro-government Al-Watan daily on Sunday said the diesel fuel hike will lead to "an increase in the price of transportation within and across provinces" by more than 26 per cent and will make other goods more expensive too.

It said the transport, agriculture and industrial sectors will see a rise in production costs, leading to further inflation.&nbsp;

The cost of heating homes will also climb by 178 per cent, Al-Watan said, making it all the more inaccessible.

Damascus has repeatedly raised fuel prices in recent years to tackle an accelerating economic crisis sparked by the country's decade-long civil war and compounded by sanctions.

The latest price hikes came nearly two weeks after the government in neighbouring crisis-hit Lebanon raised fuel prices by more than 35 per cent to combat shortages that authorities there blame in part on smuggling to Syria.&nbsp;

Steep bread and diesel price hikes went into force in government-held parts of war-torn Syria on Sunday, bringing more pain for civilians in a long-running economic crisis.

Steep bread and diesel price hikes went into force in government-held parts of war-torn Syria on Sunday, bringing more pain for civilians in a long-running economic crisis. The price of diesel fuel nearly tripled and the price of bread doubled, according to the official SANA news agency, only days after Damascus announced an increase in the price of petrol. The move coincided with a decree issued by President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday that increases by 50 per cent public sector salaries and sets the minimum wage at 71,515 Syrian pounds a month ($57 at the official rate), up from 47,000 pounds ($37). In a second decree, Assad raised public sector and military pensions by 40 per cent, according to SANA. According to a revised price list published by SANA on Saturday night, one litre of diesel fuel will now cost 500 pounds, up from the 180 pounds users in most sectors were paying previously. Mustafa Haswiya, of the state-run Syrian Company for the Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Products, said 80 per cent of Syria's hydrocarbon needs are purchased from abroad using foreign currency. Also read | 17 years after founding Virgin Galactic, Branson bound for space "It was necessary to raise prices in order to reduce the import bill," which would otherwise have risked making oil products unaffordable, SANA quoted him as saying. The price of subsidised bread doubled to 200 Syrian pounds. The state-run Syrian Foundation for Bakeries said that the rising price of diesel fuel contributed to the increase, according to SANA. The pro-government Al-Watan daily on Sunday said the diesel fuel hike will lead to "an increase in the price of transportation within and across provinces" by more than 26 per cent and will make other goods more expensive too. It said the transport, agriculture and industrial sectors will see a rise in production costs, leading to further inflation. The cost of heating homes will also climb by 178 per cent, Al-Watan said, making it all the more inaccessible. Damascus has repeatedly raised fuel prices in recent years to tackle an accelerating economic crisis sparked by the country's decade-long civil war and compounded by sanctions. The latest price hikes came nearly two weeks after the government in neighbouring crisis-hit Lebanon raised fuel prices by more than 35 per cent to combat shortages that authorities there blame in part on smuggling to Syria.

Syria govt raises bread, diesel prices as crisis deepens

Britain could face gaps on supermarket shelves this summer and an "unimaginable" collapse of supply chains after the pandemic and Brexit led to a shortage of more than 100,000 truck drivers, industry leaders have warned.

In a June 23 letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the industry called for his personal intervention to allow access to European labour by introducing temporary worker visas for HGV drivers and adding them to a "shortage occupation list".

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A government spokesman said however that with the country's new post-Brexit immigration system, the industry should look to hire local workers instead.

"Supermarkets are already reporting that they are not receiving their expected&nbsp;food&nbsp;stocks and, as a result, there is considerable wastage," said Richard Burnett, the chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, which co-ordinated the letter.

Britain's supermarket industry, led by Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, relies on an army of drivers and warehouse workers to bring fresh produce from the fields of Europe to its shelves.

Britain could face gaps on supermarket shelves this summer and an "unimaginable" collapse of supply chains after the pandemic and Brexit led to a shortage of more than 100,000 truck drivers, industry leaders have warned.

Britain could face gaps on supermarket shelves this summer and an "unimaginable" collapse of supply chains after the pandemic and Brexit led to a shortage of more than 100,000 truck drivers, industry leaders have warned. In a June 23 letter sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the industry called for his personal intervention to allow access to European labour by introducing temporary worker visas for HGV drivers and adding them to a "shortage occupation list". Also Read | Researchers unveil ancient skull nicknamed as 'Dragon Man' A government spokesman said however that with the country's new post-Brexit immigration system, the industry should look to hire local workers instead. "Supermarkets are already reporting that they are not receiving their expected food stocks and, as a result, there is considerable wastage," said Richard Burnett, the chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, which co-ordinated the letter. Britain's supermarket industry, led by Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, relies on an army of drivers and warehouse workers to bring fresh produce from the fields of Europe to its shelves.

Britain could face food shortages due to lorry driver crisis

Canada will admit more refugees and their families this year as part of its effort to tackle a global crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday. 
 
He said Canada will take nearly double the number of protected persons, defined as people, who have applied for and been granted refugee status after arriving in the country, as well as their immediate families abroad. The new target is 45,000, up from 23,500. 
 
Mendicino also said the government plans to spend an additional C$3 million ($2.4 million) over two years for refugee sponsorship and modestly expand a programme blending refugee resettlement with economic immigration. His announcement comes ahead of ahead of World Refugee Day on Sunday. 
 
"We hope to be able to facilitate their travel, obviously taking into consideration ongoing travel restrictions," Mendicino said, referring to refugees' family members. 
 
Canada aims to resettle 36,000 refugees this year - distinct from protected persons in that resettled refugees are referred directly to Canada by an agency like the UNHCR and have refugee status on arrival. Mendicino has said Canada may accept Central American migrants to help the United States, which is struggling to deal with an increase. 
 
The backlog of immigration applications for the family members of protected persons had been increasing before the pandemic and nearly doubled to 21,372 in January, 2021 from 11,177 in January, 2018, according to government data. 
 
Even as Canada prepares to accept more refugees, it has sought to prevent asylum-seekers from coming into the country via its land border - either through its Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States or through a COVID-19 policy being contested in court. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Canada will admit more refugees and their families this year as part of its effort to tackle a global crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday.

Canada will admit more refugees and their families this year as part of its effort to tackle a global crisis, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday. He said Canada will take nearly double the number of protected persons, defined as people, who have applied for and been granted refugee status after arriving in the country, as well as their immediate families abroad. The new target is 45,000, up from 23,500. Mendicino also said the government plans to spend an additional C$3 million ($2.4 million) over two years for refugee sponsorship and modestly expand a programme blending refugee resettlement with economic immigration. His announcement comes ahead of ahead of World Refugee Day on Sunday. "We hope to be able to facilitate their travel, obviously taking into consideration ongoing travel restrictions," Mendicino said, referring to refugees' family members. Canada aims to resettle 36,000 refugees this year - distinct from protected persons in that resettled refugees are referred directly to Canada by an agency like the UNHCR and have refugee status on arrival. Mendicino has said Canada may accept Central American migrants to help the United States, which is struggling to deal with an increase. The backlog of immigration applications for the family members of protected persons had been increasing before the pandemic and nearly doubled to 21,372 in January, 2021 from 11,177 in January, 2018, according to government data. Even as Canada prepares to accept more refugees, it has sought to prevent asylum-seekers from coming into the country via its land border - either through its Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States or through a COVID-19 policy being contested in court. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada vows to nearly double intake of 'protected persons' as refugee family backlog grows

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil. 
 
The junta has paid little heed to demands from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to respect a 'consensus' agreed in late April to end violence and hold political talks with its opponents. 
 
Southeast foreign ministers expressed disappointment at the meeting in China on Monday at the 'very slow' progress made by Myanmar on its proposal for ending the turmoil since the army overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February&nbsp;1. 
 
State media cited junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin as telling the ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting that the military had made progress on its own five-step roadmap for the country unveiled after its coup. 
 
"The minister apprised the meeting that the only way to ensure the democratic system that is disciplined and genuine was through the five-point future programme that was declared in February," the Global New Light of Myanmar reported. 
 
The minister had said that most of these points had been met including preventative COVID-19 measures and setting up a new election commission to into alleged fraud during a November election swept by Suu Kyi's party, the paper said. 
 
The military defended its seizure of power after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy saying the old election commission had ignored its complaints of fraud. 
 
The junta has failed to impose control since ousting Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. 
 
The security forces have killed at least 849 protesters, a rights group says, though the army disputes that figure, and insurgencies in several regions have flared.

Alarmed by the turmoil, several members of ASEAN have called for the release of political detainees, an end to the violence and for Myanmar's rivals to hold talks on ending the crisis - calls reflected in the ASEAN 'consensus'. 
 
But in the only reference to the ASEAN proposal, the Myanmar minister was cited as saying "discussions were made cordially" on it during a visit last week by two ASEAN envoys - who had also called for the release of political prisoners. 
 
Opponents of the junta have shown increasing frustration at ASEAN's inability to press the junta and its failure to include other political stakeholders, particularly the ousted government. The junta has branded its opponents 'terrorists'. 
 
China's state-run Global Times newspaper has quoted junta Min Aung Hlaing leader as telling the Chinese ambassador that Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. 
 
After Monday's meeting, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Chinese help would be 'highly appreciated as this will contribute to achieving a peaceful solution'. 
 
A shadow government formed by anti-coup opponents criticised China's embassy in Myanmar for calling the junta chief the 'leader' of Myanmar on a posting on its website.

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil.

The Myanmar junta's foreign minister had defended its plan for restoring democracy, state media reported on Tuesday, after a meeting at which Southeast Asian counterparts pressed the army to implement a regional agreement meant to end turmoil. The junta has paid little heed to demands from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to respect a 'consensus' agreed in late April to end violence and hold political talks with its opponents. Southeast foreign ministers expressed disappointment at the meeting in China on Monday at the 'very slow' progress made by Myanmar on its proposal for ending the turmoil since the army overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1. State media cited junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin as telling the ASEAN-China foreign ministers' meeting that the military had made progress on its own five-step roadmap for the country unveiled after its coup. "The minister apprised the meeting that the only way to ensure the democratic system that is disciplined and genuine was through the five-point future programme that was declared in February," the Global New Light of Myanmar reported. The minister had said that most of these points had been met including preventative COVID-19 measures and setting up a new election commission to into alleged fraud during a November election swept by Suu Kyi's party, the paper said. The military defended its seizure of power after a decade of tentative steps towards democracy saying the old election commission had ignored its complaints of fraud. The junta has failed to impose control since ousting Suu Kyi, who is among more than 4,500 people detained since the coup. The security forces have killed at least 849 protesters, a rights group says, though the army disputes that figure, and insurgencies in several regions have flared. Alarmed by the turmoil, several members of ASEAN have called for the release of political detainees, an end to the violence and for Myanmar's rivals to hold talks on ending the crisis - calls reflected in the ASEAN 'consensus'. But in the only reference to the ASEAN proposal, the Myanmar minister was cited as saying "discussions were made cordially" on it during a visit last week by two ASEAN envoys - who had also called for the release of political prisoners. Opponents of the junta have shown increasing frustration at ASEAN's inability to press the junta and its failure to include other political stakeholders, particularly the ousted government. The junta has branded its opponents 'terrorists'. China's state-run Global Times newspaper has quoted junta Min Aung Hlaing leader as telling the Chinese ambassador that Myanmar was willing to coordinate implementation of the consensus. After Monday's meeting, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Chinese help would be 'highly appreciated as this will contribute to achieving a peaceful solution'. A shadow government formed by anti-coup opponents criticised China's embassy in Myanmar for calling the junta chief the 'leader' of Myanmar on a posting on its website.

Myanmar junta defends response to crisis amid Southeast Asian criticism

Hundreds of people were evacuated overnight and many more face the risk of abandoning their homes in New Zealand's Canterbury region as heavy rains raised water levels and caused widespread flooding. 
 
At least 300 homes in Canterbury were evacuated overnight as water levels rose in rivers across the region in a 'one-in-100-year deluge', local media reports said on Monday. 
 
Several highways, schools and offices were closed and New Zealand's Defence Forces deployed helicopters to rescue some people stranded in floods in the Ashburton area. 
 
Ashburton's Mayor Neil Brown said 'half of Ashburton' would need to be evacuated if the river's levees broke but there was 'still quite a bit of capacity' in the river. 
 
"We need it to stop raining to let those rivers drop," said Brown, according to the New Zealand Herald. 
 
New Zealand's MetService had issued a red warning on Sunday for heavy rain for Canterbury and multiple warnings elsewhere. 
 
The government announced NZ$100,000 ($72,500) towards a Mayoral Relief Fund to support Canterbury communities impacted by the flooding, Kris Faafoi, the acting minister for emergency management said in a statement. 
 
"While it is still very early to know the full cost of the damage, we expect it to be significant and this initial contribution will help those communities to start to get back on their feet," said Faafoi.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hundreds of people were evacuated overnight and many more face the risk of abandoning their homes in New Zealand's Canterbury region as heavy rains raised water levels and caused widespread flooding.

Hundreds of people were evacuated overnight and many more face the risk of abandoning their homes in New Zealand's Canterbury region as heavy rains raised water levels and caused widespread flooding. At least 300 homes in Canterbury were evacuated overnight as water levels rose in rivers across the region in a 'one-in-100-year deluge', local media reports said on Monday. Several highways, schools and offices were closed and New Zealand's Defence Forces deployed helicopters to rescue some people stranded in floods in the Ashburton area. Ashburton's Mayor Neil Brown said 'half of Ashburton' would need to be evacuated if the river's levees broke but there was 'still quite a bit of capacity' in the river. "We need it to stop raining to let those rivers drop," said Brown, according to the New Zealand Herald. New Zealand's MetService had issued a red warning on Sunday for heavy rain for Canterbury and multiple warnings elsewhere. The government announced NZ$100,000 ($72,500) towards a Mayoral Relief Fund to support Canterbury communities impacted by the flooding, Kris Faafoi, the acting minister for emergency management said in a statement. "While it is still very early to know the full cost of the damage, we expect it to be significant and this initial contribution will help those communities to start to get back on their feet," said Faafoi. (With inputs from agencies)

Hundreds evacuated as floods ravage New Zealand's Canterbury region

Summer has not even begun and Lake Oroville, the second-largest reservoir in California that provides drinking water to more than 25 million people, is at less than half of its average capacity at this time of year.&nbsp;

It is a worrying indication of the worsening drought conditions in the northern part of the Golden State.&nbsp;

"When we go into a year like this with the reservoir low and with really dry conditions throughout the state, that is concerning," John Yarbrough, the assistant deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources, told AFP.&nbsp;

"The reservoir is much lower than we would like to see it, much lower than typical at this time of year. It's about 47 per cent of average," he said, pointing to the cracked earth forming the lake wall.&nbsp;

Since May 10, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency linked to drought in more than 40 counties. Conditions in Butte County, where Lake Oroville is located, are already seen as "extreme," the highest level.&nbsp;

And the situation, exacerbated by the effects of climate change across the western United States, is not expected to improve before the rains return in five or six months.&nbsp;

Yarbrough said that in 2019, which he called a 'good year’, the water level reached the trees on the edge of the dam, meaning it was about 50 meters (165 feet) higher than usual. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Residents of the area told AFP, they had never seen dry conditions like this before.&nbsp;

Many of them recalled how in 2017, they had to evacuate because torrential rains had prompted authorities to fear that the dam would break under the pressure. Not even five years later, the situation has shifted dramatically.&nbsp;

Summer has not even begun and Lake Oroville, the second-largest reservoir in California that provides drinking water to more than 25 million people, is at less than half of its average capacity at this time of year.

Summer has not even begun and Lake Oroville, the second-largest reservoir in California that provides drinking water to more than 25 million people, is at less than half of its average capacity at this time of year. It is a worrying indication of the worsening drought conditions in the northern part of the Golden State. "When we go into a year like this with the reservoir low and with really dry conditions throughout the state, that is concerning," John Yarbrough, the assistant deputy director of the California Department of Water Resources, told AFP. "The reservoir is much lower than we would like to see it, much lower than typical at this time of year. It's about 47 per cent of average," he said, pointing to the cracked earth forming the lake wall. Since May 10, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency linked to drought in more than 40 counties. Conditions in Butte County, where Lake Oroville is located, are already seen as "extreme," the highest level. And the situation, exacerbated by the effects of climate change across the western United States, is not expected to improve before the rains return in five or six months. Yarbrough said that in 2019, which he called a 'good year’, the water level reached the trees on the edge of the dam, meaning it was about 50 meters (165 feet) higher than usual. Residents of the area told AFP, they had never seen dry conditions like this before. Many of them recalled how in 2017, they had to evacuate because torrential rains had prompted authorities to fear that the dam would break under the pressure. Not even five years later, the situation has shifted dramatically.

California already in throes of drought as summer looms 

India made the 'incorrect assumption' that it was finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and opened up prematurely that has left the country in such 'dire straits', America's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has told senators.&nbsp;

India has been severely affected by the unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus and hospitals in several states are reeling under the shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen, drugs and beds.&nbsp;

"The reason that India is in such dire straits now is that they had an original surge and made the incorrect assumption that they were finished with it, and what happened, they opened up prematurely and wind up having a surge right now that we're all very well aware of is extremely devastating," Fauci told the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee during a hearing on Tuesday on the COVID-19 response.&nbsp;

Dr Fauci, who is the Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is also the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden.&nbsp;

Chairing the hearing, Senator Patty Murray said that the surge of COVID-19 that is devastating India is a painful reminder really that the US can't end the pandemic here until it ends it everywhere.&nbsp;

"I'm glad the Biden administration is leading that global fight by rejoining the World Health Organization and funding global vaccine efforts and committing to donate 60 million AstraZeneca vaccines to other countries by July 4," she said.&nbsp;

"India's outbreak underscores the need for a robust public health infrastructure in the US to respond appropriately to this pandemic and future outbreaks, as well," Senator Murray said as she asked Fauci what can the US learn from India's outbreak.&nbsp;

"One of the important things is don't ever underestimate the situation," Fauci said as he referred to India's incorrect assumption and premature opening up.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

India made the 'incorrect assumption' that it was finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and opened up prematurely that has left the country in such 'dire straits', America's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has told senators.

India made the 'incorrect assumption' that it was finished with the COVID-19 pandemic and opened up prematurely that has left the country in such 'dire straits', America's top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has told senators. India has been severely affected by the unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus and hospitals in several states are reeling under the shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen, drugs and beds. "The reason that India is in such dire straits now is that they had an original surge and made the incorrect assumption that they were finished with it, and what happened, they opened up prematurely and wind up having a surge right now that we're all very well aware of is extremely devastating," Fauci told the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee during a hearing on Tuesday on the COVID-19 response. Dr Fauci, who is the Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is also the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden. Chairing the hearing, Senator Patty Murray said that the surge of COVID-19 that is devastating India is a painful reminder really that the US can't end the pandemic here until it ends it everywhere. "I'm glad the Biden administration is leading that global fight by rejoining the World Health Organization and funding global vaccine efforts and committing to donate 60 million AstraZeneca vaccines to other countries by July 4," she said. "India's outbreak underscores the need for a robust public health infrastructure in the US to respond appropriately to this pandemic and future outbreaks, as well," Senator Murray said as she asked Fauci what can the US learn from India's outbreak. "One of the important things is don't ever underestimate the situation," Fauci said as he referred to India's incorrect assumption and premature opening up. (With inputs from agencies)

India opened up prematurely, Dr Fauci on COVID-19 crisis 

EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging covid cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

“We stand side by side with India" UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19", adding, “Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus."&nbsp;

In all, UK will send nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, that can extract Oxygen from the air, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators this week.&nbsp;

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, “We are supporting our Indian friends with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for them in this pandemic". &nbsp;

India has reported over three lakh Covid cases in the last few days, with cities like Delhi and Mumbai badly impacted. Several hospitals in the national capital have been sending SOS as oxygen supplies deplete putting the lives of patients in danger. &nbsp;

Earlier in the day, the European Union announced that it is activating its 'civil protection mechanism' to provide assistance to India like Oxygen and medicine. "Upon request for assistance by India", Janez Lenarčič European Commissioner for Crisis Management said," We have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (ERCC). The EU will do its utmost to mobilise assistance to support people of India". &nbsp;

President of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen seconded that tweeting, "The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people."&nbsp;

Other countries in Europe like Denmark, France, Germany are also extending support. Denmark's envoy to Delhi Freddy Svane tells WION, "We are working closely with MEA to assist India with whatever is required. That’s what friends are about”.&nbsp;

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday announced that her country is preparing urgent support for India to deal with the ongoing Covid pandemic. She said, "To the people of India, I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support."&nbsp;

Armed Forces Medical Services or AFMS will be importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany. These plants will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to Covid patients. From Germany, containers are also being imported. &nbsp;

After much criticism over not allowing the import of raw material for manufacturing of covid vaccines in India, top officials of the US Govt also extended support to India. US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet-statement said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's healthcare heroes." &nbsp;

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in a near-simultaneous tweet, said, "The US is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic. More very soon."&nbsp;

US is expected to announce its support to India soon, though a big focus remains on when it lifts a ban on the export of covid vaccine raw material. India is the largest producer of vaccines globally, but manufacturing is being hampered due to the lack of raw material. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, India's neighbours, Afghanistan and Iran, have also extended support to New Delhi. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, foreign minister Atmar and envoy to India Farid Mamundzay all tweeted and showed solidarity for India. Afghan President said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people and government as they fight the horrendous outbreak of Covid. On behalf of the Afghan people and government, we send our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those who are suffering from the virus."&nbsp;

Iran's health minister Dr Saeed Namaki in a letter to India's health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan extended support, saying, "The government and people of Iran are ready to spare no technical assistance, expertise and equipment in these difficult days and at the height of the plight of the dear citizens of India with the COVID-19 epidemic."&nbsp;

A whole host of countries have extended solidarity with India. These are China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Solvenia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore. So far, India has been able to get four tankers from Singapore and liquid Oxygen from Saudi Arabia. More medicines from Singapore will arrive tonight.&nbsp;

EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging covid cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early on Tuesday morning.

EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging covid cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early on Tuesday morning. “We stand side by side with India" UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19", adding, “Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus." In all, UK will send nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, that can extract Oxygen from the air, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators this week. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said, “We are supporting our Indian friends with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for them in this pandemic". India has reported over three lakh Covid cases in the last few days, with cities like Delhi and Mumbai badly impacted. Several hospitals in the national capital have been sending SOS as oxygen supplies deplete putting the lives of patients in danger. Earlier in the day, the European Union announced that it is activating its 'civil protection mechanism' to provide assistance to India like Oxygen and medicine. "Upon request for assistance by India", Janez Lenarčič European Commissioner for Crisis Management said," We have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (ERCC). The EU will do its utmost to mobilise assistance to support people of India". President of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen seconded that tweeting, "The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people." Other countries in Europe like Denmark, France, Germany are also extending support. Denmark's envoy to Delhi Freddy Svane tells WION, "We are working closely with MEA to assist India with whatever is required. That’s what friends are about”. Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday announced that her country is preparing urgent support for India to deal with the ongoing Covid pandemic. She said, "To the people of India, I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support." Armed Forces Medical Services or AFMS will be importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany. These plants will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to Covid patients. From Germany, containers are also being imported. After much criticism over not allowing the import of raw material for manufacturing of covid vaccines in India, top officials of the US Govt also extended support to India. US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet-statement said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's healthcare heroes." US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, in a near-simultaneous tweet, said, "The US is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic. More very soon." US is expected to announce its support to India soon, though a big focus remains on when it lifts a ban on the export of covid vaccine raw material. India is the largest producer of vaccines globally, but manufacturing is being hampered due to the lack of raw material. Meanwhile, India's neighbours, Afghanistan and Iran, have also extended support to New Delhi. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, foreign minister Atmar and envoy to India Farid Mamundzay all tweeted and showed solidarity for India. Afghan President said, "Our hearts go out to the Indian people and government as they fight the horrendous outbreak of Covid. On behalf of the Afghan people and government, we send our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those who are suffering from the virus." Iran's health minister Dr Saeed Namaki in a letter to India's health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan extended support, saying, "The government and people of Iran are ready to spare no technical assistance, expertise and equipment in these difficult days and at the height of the plight of the dear citizens of India with the COVID-19 epidemic." A whole host of countries have extended solidarity with India. These are China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Solvenia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore. So far, India has been able to get four tankers from Singapore and liquid Oxygen from Saudi Arabia. More medicines from Singapore will arrive tonight.

Covid Crisis: EU, UK, US, Denmark pitch in to assist India 

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, including halting the killing of civilian protesters and accepting humanitarian assistance.&nbsp;

"It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). &nbsp;

ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, who monitors say have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement emerged to challenge his February 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. They had also wanted the release of political prisoners.&nbsp;

"It's good that he did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said of the general, who was at the meeting with the other leaders.&nbsp;

According to a statement from Brunei, the chair of the group, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. &nbsp;

"He said he heard us, he would take the points in, which he considered helpful," said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the junta chief, according to Channel NewsAsia television. "He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance."&nbsp;

But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because there's one thing to say you'll cease violence and release political prisoners; it's another thing to get it done."&nbsp;

There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing.&nbsp;

The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand. Myanmar is part of the 10-nation ASEAN.&nbsp;

The bloc has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members.&nbsp;

It was unusual for the leader of a military government in Myanmar to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian.&nbsp;

The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, including halting the killing of civilian protesters and accepting humanitarian assistance.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, including halting the killing of civilian protesters and accepting humanitarian assistance. "It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, who monitors say have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement emerged to challenge his February 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. They had also wanted the release of political prisoners. "It's good that he did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said of the general, who was at the meeting with the other leaders. According to a statement from Brunei, the chair of the group, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. "He said he heard us, he would take the points in, which he considered helpful," said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the junta chief, according to Channel NewsAsia television. "He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance." But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because there's one thing to say you'll cease violence and release political prisoners; it's another thing to get it done." There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing. The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand. Myanmar is part of the 10-nation ASEAN. The bloc has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members. It was unusual for the leader of a military government in Myanmar to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian. The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines. (With inputs from agencies)

Nations say reach consensus on ending Myanmar crisis at ASEAN meet 

Myanmar's neighbours have to negotiate with a newly formed government of national unity if they want to help resolve the turmoil triggered a by a February 1 military coup and they should not recognise the junta, a unity government official said.&nbsp;

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been trying to find a way out of the bloody crisis that has racked member Myanmar since the military ousted an elected government led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi.&nbsp;

The military has shown little willingness to engage with its neighbours and no sign of wanting to talk with the government it ousted.&nbsp;

But in the first hint of progress for the grouping, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will attend an ASEAN summit in Indonesia on April 24, a Thai government official said on Saturday.&nbsp;

It will be the military chief`s first known foreign trip and meeting with foreign leaders since he seized power. The junta has not commented on the ASEAN meeting. &nbsp;

Moe Zaw Oo, a deputy minister of foreign affairs in a National Unity Government (NUG) set up last week, said ASEAN should not recognise the Myanmar junta.&nbsp;

"If ASEAN is considering action related to Myanmar affairs, I’d like to say it won’t succeed unless it negotiates with the NUG, which is supported by the people and has complete legitimacy," Moe Zaw Oo told Voice of America's Burmese-language service in an interview published on Sunday.&nbsp;

Pro-democracy politicians including ousted members of parliament from Suu Kyi's party announced the formation of the NUG on Friday. It includes Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the coup, as well as leaders of the pro-democracy protests and ethnic minorities.&nbsp;

The NUG has called for international recognition as the legitimate authority and had requested an invitation to the ASEAN meeting in Min Aung Hlaing's place.&nbsp;

"It’s very important that the junta council is not recognised," Moe Zaw Oo told VOA, adding the unity government had not been invited to the meeting in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.&nbsp;

Myanmar's security forces have killed 730 people in their efforts to end protests against the coup, activist group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says, drawing condemnation from Western countries and unprecedented criticism from several members of ASEAN despite a bloc principle of not interfering in each other's affairs.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Myanmar's neighbours have to negotiate with a newly formed government of national unity if they want to help resolve the turmoil triggered a by a February 1 military coup and they should not recognise the junta, a unity government official said.

Myanmar's neighbours have to negotiate with a newly formed government of national unity if they want to help resolve the turmoil triggered a by a February 1 military coup and they should not recognise the junta, a unity government official said. The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been trying to find a way out of the bloody crisis that has racked member Myanmar since the military ousted an elected government led by democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi. The military has shown little willingness to engage with its neighbours and no sign of wanting to talk with the government it ousted. But in the first hint of progress for the grouping, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will attend an ASEAN summit in Indonesia on April 24, a Thai government official said on Saturday. It will be the military chief`s first known foreign trip and meeting with foreign leaders since he seized power. The junta has not commented on the ASEAN meeting. Moe Zaw Oo, a deputy minister of foreign affairs in a National Unity Government (NUG) set up last week, said ASEAN should not recognise the Myanmar junta. "If ASEAN is considering action related to Myanmar affairs, I’d like to say it won’t succeed unless it negotiates with the NUG, which is supported by the people and has complete legitimacy," Moe Zaw Oo told Voice of America's Burmese-language service in an interview published on Sunday. Pro-democracy politicians including ousted members of parliament from Suu Kyi's party announced the formation of the NUG on Friday. It includes Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since the coup, as well as leaders of the pro-democracy protests and ethnic minorities. The NUG has called for international recognition as the legitimate authority and had requested an invitation to the ASEAN meeting in Min Aung Hlaing's place. "It’s very important that the junta council is not recognised," Moe Zaw Oo told VOA, adding the unity government had not been invited to the meeting in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Myanmar's security forces have killed 730 people in their efforts to end protests against the coup, activist group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says, drawing condemnation from Western countries and unprecedented criticism from several members of ASEAN despite a bloc principle of not interfering in each other's affairs. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar unity government says it must be part of any ASEAN bid to end crisis 

Global trade is breathing a sigh of relief with Suez Canal traffic finally coming to an end as the last of the stranded ships pass through the canal.

Suez Canal: US warship passes through Suez canal

The crackdown on the pro-democracy movement is turning ugly. Two teenagers have been shot dead. They are the youngest civilians to get killed since the coup unfolded but the protests continue unabated.&nbsp;

At the same time, the junta has aired new allegations of bribery against Aung San Suu Kyi and it is investigating an Australian citizen for breaching Myanmar's Official Secrets Act.&nbsp;

14-year-old Tun Tun Ang went out to fetch some water for his family but he was shot dead in indiscriminate firing by security forces. His mother weeped uncontrollably and collapsed as an open-casket funeral was held.&nbsp;

Mother of deceased 14-year-old civilian Tun Tun Aung, said, "I said to him 'my son, you are so young. If you want to follow (the protest), I will accompany you and cheer you on', but now, this breaks my heart."&nbsp;

In a nearby township, another funeral was held as another teenager had died, 15-year-old Zaw Myo Htet, who was shot in the head at a tea shop. His mother is heart-broken and helpless. Mother of 15-year-old civilian Zaw Myo Htet, said, "It was known that my son had died from a gunshot at about 12 o'clock midnight on March 21. He said he will give his salary to me. He was supposed to come back to our village in April but now, he left me. I feel heartbroken by this military, as they brutally murdered my son. I want to kill them, as they killed my son. I want them to lose their lives like my own son did."&nbsp;

These two teenagers have become the youngest civilians to get killed since the February 1 coup. Their deaths have only strengthened the resolve of the protesters. &nbsp;

Meanwhile in Yangon, protesters released dozens of red balloons in defiance of the brutal crackdown.&nbsp;

In the city of Dawei, thousands of university students marched on the streets with one slogan 'our fight must prevail' and in Mandalay, the protesters are using slingshots to deal with bullets.&nbsp;

The determination of these protesters is catching the world's attention. The European Union has decided to sanction 11 more people involved in the coup.&nbsp;

Josep Borrell, European Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, said, "On Myanmar, we took stock of the situation in the country which sadly continues to deteriorate dramatically following the military coup. There are more than 250 people killed by the army using arms of war against the demonstrators. We have imposed sanctions against 11 individuals responsible for the ongoing repression."&nbsp;

Germany has decided to sanction those involved in the crackdown. German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, said, "Today, we will discuss Myanmar. What we are witnessing there in terms of violent excesses is absolutely unacceptable. The amount of murders has reached an unbearable level and that's why we won't be getting around imposing sanctions, but aimed at those in charge of what is happening on the streets."&nbsp;

But the sanctions might do little to stop the crackdown from targeting the people of Myanmar. The junta is now going after foreign citizens. It is investigating Australian Economist Sean Turnell for breaching the country's Official Secrets Act.&nbsp;

Turnell was once an advisor to the Myanmar govt. He is now under detention. So is the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It's been seven weeks since anybody saw her. As concerns over Suu Kyi's health rise, the army has filed fresh charges of corruption against her.&nbsp;

At a press conference in Naypyitaw, the army aired a video testimony of Yangon's former chief minister, who claimed to have bribed Suu Kyi several times. Whether the video was shot under duress is anybody's guess.&nbsp;

Former Yangon chief minister, Phyo Min Thein, said, "I went into Aung San Suu Kyi's house carrying silk and food in shopping bags that also included 20 packs of 100 sheets of $100 notes per pack, which were $200,000 in total, and 25 gold bars, each of them 160 grams (0.35 lbs) of academy-branded gold bars totalling 4 kilograms (8.8 lbs) of gold by myself and I handed them to her own hands, telling her to use them for personal needs or for her party's victory or for the Daw Khin Kyi foundation or wherever needed."&nbsp;

51 days since the military coup, the turmoil in Myanmar is yet to end. The death toll has breached the 250 mark and the world needs to do more than just imposing sanctions.&nbsp;

The crackdown on the pro-democracy movement is turning ugly. Two teenagers have been shot dead. They are the youngest civilians to get killed since the coup unfolded but the protests continue unabated.

The crackdown on the pro-democracy movement is turning ugly. Two teenagers have been shot dead. They are the youngest civilians to get killed since the coup unfolded but the protests continue unabated. At the same time, the junta has aired new allegations of bribery against Aung San Suu Kyi and it is investigating an Australian citizen for breaching Myanmar's Official Secrets Act. 14-year-old Tun Tun Ang went out to fetch some water for his family but he was shot dead in indiscriminate firing by security forces. His mother weeped uncontrollably and collapsed as an open-casket funeral was held. Mother of deceased 14-year-old civilian Tun Tun Aung, said, "I said to him 'my son, you are so young. If you want to follow (the protest), I will accompany you and cheer you on', but now, this breaks my heart." In a nearby township, another funeral was held as another teenager had died, 15-year-old Zaw Myo Htet, who was shot in the head at a tea shop. His mother is heart-broken and helpless. Mother of 15-year-old civilian Zaw Myo Htet, said, "It was known that my son had died from a gunshot at about 12 o'clock midnight on March 21. He said he will give his salary to me. He was supposed to come back to our village in April but now, he left me. I feel heartbroken by this military, as they brutally murdered my son. I want to kill them, as they killed my son. I want them to lose their lives like my own son did." These two teenagers have become the youngest civilians to get killed since the February 1 coup. Their deaths have only strengthened the resolve of the protesters. Meanwhile in Yangon, protesters released dozens of red balloons in defiance of the brutal crackdown. In the city of Dawei, thousands of university students marched on the streets with one slogan 'our fight must prevail' and in Mandalay, the protesters are using slingshots to deal with bullets. The determination of these protesters is catching the world's attention. The European Union has decided to sanction 11 more people involved in the coup. Josep Borrell, European Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, said, "On Myanmar, we took stock of the situation in the country which sadly continues to deteriorate dramatically following the military coup. There are more than 250 people killed by the army using arms of war against the demonstrators. We have imposed sanctions against 11 individuals responsible for the ongoing repression." Germany has decided to sanction those involved in the crackdown. German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, said, "Today, we will discuss Myanmar. What we are witnessing there in terms of violent excesses is absolutely unacceptable. The amount of murders has reached an unbearable level and that's why we won't be getting around imposing sanctions, but aimed at those in charge of what is happening on the streets." But the sanctions might do little to stop the crackdown from targeting the people of Myanmar. The junta is now going after foreign citizens. It is investigating Australian Economist Sean Turnell for breaching the country's Official Secrets Act. Turnell was once an advisor to the Myanmar govt. He is now under detention. So is the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It's been seven weeks since anybody saw her. As concerns over Suu Kyi's health rise, the army has filed fresh charges of corruption against her. At a press conference in Naypyitaw, the army aired a video testimony of Yangon's former chief minister, who claimed to have bribed Suu Kyi several times. Whether the video was shot under duress is anybody's guess. Former Yangon chief minister, Phyo Min Thein, said, "I went into Aung San Suu Kyi's house carrying silk and food in shopping bags that also included 20 packs of 100 sheets of $100 notes per pack, which were $200,000 in total, and 25 gold bars, each of them 160 grams (0.35 lbs) of academy-branded gold bars totalling 4 kilograms (8.8 lbs) of gold by myself and I handed them to her own hands, telling her to use them for personal needs or for her party's victory or for the Daw Khin Kyi foundation or wherever needed." 51 days since the military coup, the turmoil in Myanmar is yet to end. The death toll has breached the 250 mark and the world needs to do more than just imposing sanctions.

Myanmar crisis deepens with latest developments 

Ethiopia has briefed India about the crisis in the Tigray Region, during the country's foreign minister's New Delhi visit last week. Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen visited India last week and held talks with his Indian counterpart EAM Jaishankar. &nbsp;

Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ethiopian envoy Tizita Mulugeta to India, said, "Ethiopian side took an opportunity to explain to Indian side" regarding the existing political situation in the country especially the conflict in Tigray and humanitarian assistance being delivered to the Tigrayan people at this moment".&nbsp;

The Tigray crisis has been making global headlines after worsening the situation in that part of Ethiopia. The development comes after clashes broken between the Ethiopian government forces and the local Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Tigray is a region in the northern part of Ethiopia and shares borders with Eritrea, Sudan.&nbsp;

The envoy also spoke on India's outreach amid the Covid pandemic. She said, "Always whenever there have been any kinds of difficulties, India has been there to support Africa and particularly Ethiopia." Adding, "We know India is the hub of pharma" and it has the "capacity to support many countries and we have seen them supporting neighbouring and African countries."&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India-Ethiopia ties?&nbsp;

Tizita Mulugeta: First of all, when we see the relationship between these two countries, we have to see that the relationship has been there for a long period of time and is historical. It started in the first century BC, and Indians went to Ethiopia to sell different kinds of items including silk, spices and they used to get ivory and gold from Ethiopia. So, this relationship is historic, and the trade relationship has grown very well, and we started our diplomatic ties in 1948, just immediately after India got its independence. So, from then onwards we have got a very profound kind of relationship, especially one that focuses on capacity building. When we have seen a capacity building with a lot of Indian professors and teachers going to Ethiopia to teach in Ethiopian high schools and universities. This means Indians were playing a very good role in producing generation in Ethiopia, which is the base for development and growth also. This relationship has grown into trade and investment relation, especially for last 15 years number of Indian investors have been growing in Ethiopia. Trade relations, I can say we have good trade ties, so generally social, political, diplomatic, we have profound relation. We are working to develop this relationship into strategic relationship.&nbsp;

WION: Key outcome of Ethiopian FM's India visit?&nbsp;

Tizita Mulugeta: Basically, we have been waiting for this visit for a long time, it means something for us. During the visit, bilateral issues were discussed especially the Ethiopian side took an opportunity to explain to the Indian side, the Indian government regarding the existing political situation in the country especially the conflict in Tigray, and humanitarian assistance being delivered to the Tigrayan people at this moment. Ethiopian government explained to its Indian counterpart, how much access is open to providing humanitarian assistance to the needy over there and how much the Ethiopian govt is ready to respect the human rights, of the Tigrayan people, and also the refugees, especially Eritrean refugees in the Tigrayan region. Beyond that, it was an opportunity to explain regarding border conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan. Ethiopian government explained that the position is to amicably solve this problem based on negotiation. We managed to sign different agreements, especially, visa wavier agreements for diplomats and also agreements on education between two different institutions. It will help us to go further to the next level and develop a relationship into a strategic relationship.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's role in Africa?&nbsp;

Tizita Mulugeta: When we talk about Indian Involvement in Africa, it is not recent history. It has been like a long period of time. We could find a lot of Indian Diaspora in any part of the Africa that has been there for a long period of time, in addition to that, Indians have been playing a very big role in the national movement of independence. So, I can say, relationship between India and Africa is very profound, and India and Africa have worked a lot for the development of capacity in African countries, and the trade and investment relationship has also grown very well. So, they share a lot of commonalities especially in UN reforms and the International agenda. So far, Indians playing a very good role in entering Africa and making their presence better than the previous ones. India and Africa share lot of development trajectories. There is a lot, Africa can learn and a lot Africa can get from India especially in terms of adaptable technologies, because we really share many things, for instance, both Indian and African societies based on agriculture. We can learn how India is trying to get to a high level in terms of the economy and many levels. We can learn from Indian democracy, governance. I can say so far role of India is really, it means a lot. We can refer to three India-Africa summits, that has been there for last 15 years. All these summits have seen different development issues as agenda. Current PM Modi has given priority to presence of India in Africa, taking this into consideration, I can say India could be one of the great partners of Africa and for African development.&nbsp;

WION: How has been covid cooperation between India and Ethiopia?&nbsp;

Tizita Mulugeta: Always whenever there has been any kind of difficulties India has been there, to support Africa and particularly Ethiopia. So, when covid pandemic came last year, India was one of the first country that sent different kinds of medical equipment to Ethiopia. We are really grateful to that. Our PM has spoken to PM Modi, they have talked a lot on how to cooperate in terms of covid and other related issues. We know India is the hub of pharma and it has capacity to support many countries and we have seen they are supporting neighboring and African countries. We are studying on how to get support from India and my government will consider on how to benefit from this relation.&nbsp;

Ethiopia has briefed India about the crisis in the Tigray Region, during the country's foreign minister's New Delhi visit last week. Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen visited India last week and held talks with his Indian counterpart EAM Jaishankar.

Ethiopia has briefed India about the crisis in the Tigray Region, during the country's foreign minister's New Delhi visit last week. Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen visited India last week and held talks with his Indian counterpart EAM Jaishankar. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ethiopian envoy Tizita Mulugeta to India, said, "Ethiopian side took an opportunity to explain to Indian side" regarding the existing political situation in the country especially the conflict in Tigray and humanitarian assistance being delivered to the Tigrayan people at this moment". The Tigray crisis has been making global headlines after worsening the situation in that part of Ethiopia. The development comes after clashes broken between the Ethiopian government forces and the local Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Tigray is a region in the northern part of Ethiopia and shares borders with Eritrea, Sudan. The envoy also spoke on India's outreach amid the Covid pandemic. She said, "Always whenever there have been any kinds of difficulties, India has been there to support Africa and particularly Ethiopia." Adding, "We know India is the hub of pharma" and it has the "capacity to support many countries and we have seen them supporting neighbouring and African countries." WION: How do you see India-Ethiopia ties? Tizita Mulugeta: First of all, when we see the relationship between these two countries, we have to see that the relationship has been there for a long period of time and is historical. It started in the first century BC, and Indians went to Ethiopia to sell different kinds of items including silk, spices and they used to get ivory and gold from Ethiopia. So, this relationship is historic, and the trade relationship has grown very well, and we started our diplomatic ties in 1948, just immediately after India got its independence. So, from then onwards we have got a very profound kind of relationship, especially one that focuses on capacity building. When we have seen a capacity building with a lot of Indian professors and teachers going to Ethiopia to teach in Ethiopian high schools and universities. This means Indians were playing a very good role in producing generation in Ethiopia, which is the base for development and growth also. This relationship has grown into trade and investment relation, especially for last 15 years number of Indian investors have been growing in Ethiopia. Trade relations, I can say we have good trade ties, so generally social, political, diplomatic, we have profound relation. We are working to develop this relationship into strategic relationship. WION: Key outcome of Ethiopian FM's India visit? Tizita Mulugeta: Basically, we have been waiting for this visit for a long time, it means something for us. During the visit, bilateral issues were discussed especially the Ethiopian side took an opportunity to explain to the Indian side, the Indian government regarding the existing political situation in the country especially the conflict in Tigray, and humanitarian assistance being delivered to the Tigrayan people at this moment. Ethiopian government explained to its Indian counterpart, how much access is open to providing humanitarian assistance to the needy over there and how much the Ethiopian govt is ready to respect the human rights, of the Tigrayan people, and also the refugees, especially Eritrean refugees in the Tigrayan region. Beyond that, it was an opportunity to explain regarding border conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan. Ethiopian government explained that the position is to amicably solve this problem based on negotiation. We managed to sign different agreements, especially, visa wavier agreements for diplomats and also agreements on education between two different institutions. It will help us to go further to the next level and develop a relationship into a strategic relationship. WION: How do you see India's role in Africa? Tizita Mulugeta: When we talk about Indian Involvement in Africa, it is not recent history. It has been like a long period of time. We could find a lot of Indian Diaspora in any part of the Africa that has been there for a long period of time, in addition to that, Indians have been playing a very big role in the national movement of independence. So, I can say, relationship between India and Africa is very profound, and India and Africa have worked a lot for the development of capacity in African countries, and the trade and investment relationship has also grown very well. So, they share a lot of commonalities especially in UN reforms and the International agenda. So far, Indians playing a very good role in entering Africa and making their presence better than the previous ones. India and Africa share lot of development trajectories. There is a lot, Africa can learn and a lot Africa can get from India especially in terms of adaptable technologies, because we really share many things, for instance, both Indian and African societies based on agriculture. We can learn how India is trying to get to a high level in terms of the economy and many levels. We can learn from Indian democracy, governance. I can say so far role of India is really, it means a lot. We can refer to three India-Africa summits, that has been there for last 15 years. All these summits have seen different development issues as agenda. Current PM Modi has given priority to presence of India in Africa, taking this into consideration, I can say India could be one of the great partners of Africa and for African development. WION: How has been covid cooperation between India and Ethiopia? Tizita Mulugeta: Always whenever there has been any kind of difficulties India has been there, to support Africa and particularly Ethiopia. So, when covid pandemic came last year, India was one of the first country that sent different kinds of medical equipment to Ethiopia. We are really grateful to that. Our PM has spoken to PM Modi, they have talked a lot on how to cooperate in terms of covid and other related issues. We know India is the hub of pharma and it has capacity to support many countries and we have seen they are supporting neighboring and African countries. We are studying on how to get support from India and my government will consider on how to benefit from this relation.

Ethiopia briefs India about Tigray, says humanitarian aid being delivered

Albania's chromium sector is entirely dependent on exports which took a hit because of the economic fall out of COVID-19. Also, China which happens to be a leading consumer of the Albania's chromium has halted its purchase. Minors in Albania now have no where to sell their goods.

Your Story: Albania faces a chromium crisis, unemployed miners struggle to stay afloat

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Lebanon is on the risk of civil war if not helped in the crisis. Macron has asked global community to help Lebanon. French Prez has pushed to establish a news government in the country.

Emmanuel Macron says Lebanon on the risk of Civil War if not helped in crisis

Edgar Alvarez, an artist and activist, is a Venezuelan living in Bogota, Colombia. The ‘craftivist’ works with plasticine figures, through which he explains and highlights the issues in the Andean region in recent years.

Colombian 'Craftivist' Edgar Alvarez models clay to educate the masses

Zakaria al-Omar was walking through Beirut when a stranger robbed him at knifepoint, a desperate crime of a kind that has become increasingly common in crisis-torn Lebanon.&nbsp; 
 
The small Mediterranean country is mired in an economic crisis marked by a steep currency fall and runaway inflation that have plunged nearly half of the population into poverty. 
 
Omar, a 37-year-old graphic designer, recalled the terrifying and tragic encounter that started when a man in his 40s crept up behind him as he walked alone at night through Beirut's Hamra commercial district.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/lebanon-protests-president-michel-aoun-urges-nation-to-unite-304030" hreflang="en">Lebanon protests: President Michel Aoun urges nation to unite</a> 
 
"He told me that he didn't want to hurt me. He asked me to give him money or take him to a grocery store to buy some food," Omar recounted. "He said his children back home were crying from hunger." 
 
The robber grabbed the money and darted toward his motorcycle, then stopped dead in his tracks and returned, explaining that he had lost his job and could no longer pay the rent.&nbsp; 
 
"He started crying and apologised to me," Omar told AFP. "He told me that he was not a thief but that he was hungry and so were his children." 
 
Omar said he refused to take back the cash. 
 
"I told him that I forgave him, and then he went away," Omar said. "I was scared but I also felt sad for that man breaking down in front of me." 
 
Lebanon's Internal Security Forces say crime rates have shot up this year amid Lebanon's worst economic turmoil since the 1975-1990 civil war. 
 
The ISF recorded 863 thefts and robberies in the first half of this year, up from 650 for all of 2019, according to a document seen by AFP.

Apologetic robbers 
A security official who asked not to be named told AFP that broader crime rates during the first half of 2020 reached a six-year peak, especially murders and robberies. 
 
The rise appeared to be driven by the deepening economic crisis, said the official, who was not authorised to speak on the issue.&nbsp; 
 
Police were noticing a "new kind of theft that involves mainly baby milk, food, and medicine", the source said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/lebanon-spells-out-painful-steps-required-in-financial-rescue-plan-278183" hreflang="en">Lebanon spells out 'painful steps' required in financial rescue plan</a> 
 
In another trend that evoked Omar's encounter, the source added, "more than one victim has said the perpetrators apologised while robbing them". 
 
Tens of thousands of Lebanese have lost their jobs or part of their salaries, while a crippling dollar shortage has sparked rapid inflation. 
 
The Lebanese pound, though officially pegged to the dollar at 1,507, reached a peak of more than 9,000 to the greenback on the black market in early July. 
 
With Lebanon heavily reliant on imports, the price of medicine, baby milk and food has reached record highs.&nbsp; 
 
The price of a relatively cheap brand of diapers has shot up from 15,000 Lebanese pounds ($10 at the official rate) to 34,000 pounds ($23) per pack. 
 
And the cost of a tin of baby milk has climbed from 23,000 ($15) to 35,000 pounds ($23) on average, with some brands selling for as much as 45,000 pounds ($30).

'Deteriorating conditions' 
In a video widely shared on social media this month, three men were filmed walking away from a Beirut restaurant carrying a large and heavy-looking safe. 
 
Walid Ataya, the restaurant owner, said: "They took money from the cash register, even the spare change. Then they scoured the place until they spotted the safe, which they couldn't open." 
 
He did not reveal exactly how much was lost but said the robbers stole the proceeds from "two years' worth of work". 
 
Ataya, who owns a chain of upscale restaurants in Beirut, said the safe contained cash he did not want to deposit in a bank, now a common concern. 
 
Since the autumn, Lebanese banks have gradually forbidden depositors from withdrawing their dollar savings or transferring them abroad, prompting many to stash cash in their offices or at home. 
 
Apart from money, increasingly more cars are being stolen. 
 
The ISF has recorded 303 vehicle thefts so far this year -- more than the 273 in the second half of last year. 
 
The increase, the security source said, was clearly linked to "deteriorating economic conditions and rising youth unemployment".&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Zakaria al-Omar was walking through Beirut when a stranger robbed him at knifepoint, a desperate crime of a kind that has become increasingly common in crisis-torn Lebanon.

Zakaria al-Omar was walking through Beirut when a stranger robbed him at knifepoint, a desperate crime of a kind that has become increasingly common in crisis-torn Lebanon. The small Mediterranean country is mired in an economic crisis marked by a steep currency fall and runaway inflation that have plunged nearly half of the population into poverty. Omar, a 37-year-old graphic designer, recalled the terrifying and tragic encounter that started when a man in his 40s crept up behind him as he walked alone at night through Beirut's Hamra commercial district. Also read: Lebanon protests: President Michel Aoun urges nation to unite "He told me that he didn't want to hurt me. He asked me to give him money or take him to a grocery store to buy some food," Omar recounted. "He said his children back home were crying from hunger." The robber grabbed the money and darted toward his motorcycle, then stopped dead in his tracks and returned, explaining that he had lost his job and could no longer pay the rent. "He started crying and apologised to me," Omar told AFP. "He told me that he was not a thief but that he was hungry and so were his children." Omar said he refused to take back the cash. "I told him that I forgave him, and then he went away," Omar said. "I was scared but I also felt sad for that man breaking down in front of me." Lebanon's Internal Security Forces say crime rates have shot up this year amid Lebanon's worst economic turmoil since the 1975-1990 civil war. The ISF recorded 863 thefts and robberies in the first half of this year, up from 650 for all of 2019, according to a document seen by AFP. Apologetic robbers A security official who asked not to be named told AFP that broader crime rates during the first half of 2020 reached a six-year peak, especially murders and robberies. The rise appeared to be driven by the deepening economic crisis, said the official, who was not authorised to speak on the issue. Police were noticing a "new kind of theft that involves mainly baby milk, food, and medicine", the source said. Also read: Lebanon spells out 'painful steps' required in financial rescue plan In another trend that evoked Omar's encounter, the source added, "more than one victim has said the perpetrators apologised while robbing them". Tens of thousands of Lebanese have lost their jobs or part of their salaries, while a crippling dollar shortage has sparked rapid inflation. The Lebanese pound, though officially pegged to the dollar at 1,507, reached a peak of more than 9,000 to the greenback on the black market in early July. With Lebanon heavily reliant on imports, the price of medicine, baby milk and food has reached record highs. The price of a relatively cheap brand of diapers has shot up from 15,000 Lebanese pounds ($10 at the official rate) to 34,000 pounds ($23) per pack. And the cost of a tin of baby milk has climbed from 23,000 ($15) to 35,000 pounds ($23) on average, with some brands selling for as much as 45,000 pounds ($30). 'Deteriorating conditions' In a video widely shared on social media this month, three men were filmed walking away from a Beirut restaurant carrying a large and heavy-looking safe. Walid Ataya, the restaurant owner, said: "They took money from the cash register, even the spare change. Then they scoured the place until they spotted the safe, which they couldn't open." He did not reveal exactly how much was lost but said the robbers stole the proceeds from "two years' worth of work". Ataya, who owns a chain of upscale restaurants in Beirut, said the safe contained cash he did not want to deposit in a bank, now a common concern. Since the autumn, Lebanese banks have gradually forbidden depositors from withdrawing their dollar savings or transferring them abroad, prompting many to stash cash in their offices or at home. Apart from money, increasingly more cars are being stolen. The ISF has recorded 303 vehicle thefts so far this year -- more than the 273 in the second half of last year. The increase, the security source said, was clearly linked to "deteriorating economic conditions and rising youth unemployment".

'Hunger crimes' on the rise in crisis-hit Lebanon

The United Kingdom is planning to initiate a global dialogue on acknowledging and dealing with the Hong Kong-China crisis.

Protests rocked the financial hub last year over China’s now-panned extradition bill. If it had passed, the bill would have allowed criminals to be sent to mainland China from Hong Kong. However, protests became violent and the bill was scrapped.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/chinas-nervous-xi-risks-new-cold-war-says-former-hong-kong-governor-302055" hreflang="en">China's 'nervous' Xi risks new Cold War, says former Hong Kong governor</a>

From that, the protest evolved into a larger call for democracy in Hong Kong and commitment to “One Country, Two Systems” model which guarantees&nbsp;democratic freedoms to the city.

Recently, China approved a new security law which criminalises “undermining the authority” of Beijing and introduces provisions of treason and sedition, in a bid to deal with “terrorism” in the city. The city again erupted into protests on the streets, while the country recovers from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Now, seven former UK foreign secretaries have requested Boris Johnson to formally take note of the issue.

As part of the 1997 agreement, Hong Kong was returned to China on specific terms and conditions. For instance, the city enjoys a mini-constitution of its own, called the Basic Law which guarantees privileges not available in mainland China.

<h6><img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dade21ed-ae79-4dbc-b66b-daee5e5e26d6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-4_5.jpg" /> 
Police fire tear gas on protesters during a planned protests against a proposal to enact a new security legislation in Hong Kong on May 24, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The new law is seen by the international community as a way subvert the democratic nature of Hong Kong’s functioning.

The British ministers recently wrote a letter to the UK government asking for it to lead the international response.

"Breach"

While talking about China’s actions and denouncing them as a “breach” of the agreement, the ministers - Jeremy Hunt, David Miliband, Jack Straw, William Hague, Malcolm Rifkind, David Owen and Margaret Beckett called for a coordinated international response.

A Downing Street spokesman told&nbsp;BBC that the new legislation “clearly violates” the freedom enshrined in Hong Kong’s constitution.&nbsp;He further said that the UK will further make it easy for people with an overseas British passport from Hong Kong to attain Uk citizenship.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/hong-kong-slams-trumps-move-to-end-citys-special-status-302036" hreflang="en">Hong Kong slams Trump's move to end city's special status</a>

Recently, a former governor of the city hit out at Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said that “Jinping is so nervous about the position of the Communist Party that he is risking a new Cold War and imperilling Hong Kong's position as Asia's pre-eminent financial hub”.

Chris Patten said Xi's 'thuggish' crackdown in Hong Kong risked triggering an outflow of capital and people from the city which funnels the bulk of foreign investment into mainland China.

The West, he said, should stop being naive about Xi, who has served as General Secretary of the Communist Party since 2012.

The United Kingdom is planning to initiate a global dialogue on acknowledging and dealing with the Hong Kong-China crisis. Protests rocked the financial hub last year over China’s now-panned extradition bill.

The United Kingdom is planning to initiate a global dialogue on acknowledging and dealing with the Hong Kong-China crisis. Protests rocked the financial hub last year over China’s now-panned extradition bill. If it had passed, the bill would have allowed criminals to be sent to mainland China from Hong Kong. However, protests became violent and the bill was scrapped. Also read: China's 'nervous' Xi risks new Cold War, says former Hong Kong governor From that, the protest evolved into a larger call for democracy in Hong Kong and commitment to “One Country, Two Systems” model which guarantees democratic freedoms to the city. Recently, China approved a new security law which criminalises “undermining the authority” of Beijing and introduces provisions of treason and sedition, in a bid to deal with “terrorism” in the city. The city again erupted into protests on the streets, while the country recovers from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Now, seven former UK foreign secretaries have requested Boris Johnson to formally take note of the issue. As part of the 1997 agreement, Hong Kong was returned to China on specific terms and conditions. For instance, the city enjoys a mini-constitution of its own, called the Basic Law which guarantees privileges not available in mainland China. Police fire tear gas on protesters during a planned protests against a proposal to enact a new security legislation in Hong Kong on May 24, 2020 | AFP The new law is seen by the international community as a way subvert the democratic nature of Hong Kong’s functioning. The British ministers recently wrote a letter to the UK government asking for it to lead the international response. "Breach" While talking about China’s actions and denouncing them as a “breach” of the agreement, the ministers - Jeremy Hunt, David Miliband, Jack Straw, William Hague, Malcolm Rifkind, David Owen and Margaret Beckett called for a coordinated international response. A Downing Street spokesman told BBC that the new legislation “clearly violates” the freedom enshrined in Hong Kong’s constitution. He further said that the UK will further make it easy for people with an overseas British passport from Hong Kong to attain Uk citizenship. Also read: Hong Kong slams Trump's move to end city's special status Recently, a former governor of the city hit out at Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said that “Jinping is so nervous about the position of the Communist Party that he is risking a new Cold War and imperilling Hong Kong's position as Asia's pre-eminent financial hub”. Chris Patten said Xi's 'thuggish' crackdown in Hong Kong risked triggering an outflow of capital and people from the city which funnels the bulk of foreign investment into mainland China. The West, he said, should stop being naive about Xi, who has served as General Secretary of the Communist Party since 2012.

Hong Kong-China crisis: United Kingdom to lead coordinated international response

Following the latest escalation in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-updates-on-iran-general-qasem-soleimanis-killing-funeral-procession-begins-in-kerman-272642">Iran-United States conflict</a>, India's 'basmati rice' trade to Iran has come to a halt.

Iran, the largest buyer of premium rice from India has witnessed setbacks. The insurers are unable to provide cover to shipments. Iran is the largest buyer of the premium rice from India, and the situation has arisen at the onset of the procurement period by the West Asian country.

In this volatile situation, payments for any shipments will also be delayed by several months.

The All India Rice Exporters Association President Nathi Ram Gupta said that the payments were delayed by five months last year and that exporters are no longer willing to take risks. About Rs 900 crore worth of payments is still pending from the rice that was exported until June 2019.

The basmati rice from India is part of the stape cereal food in Iran. Between 2018-2019, Iran had imported 1.48 million tonnes of basmati rice from India. But in the current year, exporters are circumspect over the delay in payments.

Some of the global basmati buyers other than Iran have increased their purchase this season, as they had anticipated volatility in prices in the coming months.

Watch:&nbsp;Oil prices top $70 a barrel amid West Asia conflict

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/oil-prices-top-70-a-barrel-amid-west-asia-conflict-272643/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The rising hostilities in the US-Iran relations have dampened the scope of a revival in basmati trade.

The fears of oil supply disruption also led to possibilities of&nbsp;pressures after US President Donald Trump threatened sanctions on Iraq, the second-largest producer among the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Irani parliament voted in favour of expelling the US and foreign troops.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-designates-all-us-forces-as-terrorists-for-killing-general-soleimani-272688">Iran designates all US forces as 'terrorists' for killing general Soleimani</a>

A day earlier, Iran said it no longer considers itself bound by the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated with the United States and other world powers in the fallout from the killing of General Qasim Soleimani.

(With inputs from ANI)

Following the latest escalation in the Iran-United States conflict, India's 'basmati rice' trade to Iran has come to a halt. Iran, the largest buyer of premium rice from India has witnessed setbacks.

Following the latest escalation in the Iran-United States conflict, India's 'basmati rice' trade to Iran has come to a halt. Iran, the largest buyer of premium rice from India has witnessed setbacks. The insurers are unable to provide cover to shipments. Iran is the largest buyer of the premium rice from India, and the situation has arisen at the onset of the procurement period by the West Asian country. In this volatile situation, payments for any shipments will also be delayed by several months. The All India Rice Exporters Association President Nathi Ram Gupta said that the payments were delayed by five months last year and that exporters are no longer willing to take risks. About Rs 900 crore worth of payments is still pending from the rice that was exported until June 2019. The basmati rice from India is part of the stape cereal food in Iran. Between 2018-2019, Iran had imported 1.48 million tonnes of basmati rice from India. But in the current year, exporters are circumspect over the delay in payments. Some of the global basmati buyers other than Iran have increased their purchase this season, as they had anticipated volatility in prices in the coming months. Watch: Oil prices top $70 a barrel amid West Asia conflict The rising hostilities in the US-Iran relations have dampened the scope of a revival in basmati trade. The fears of oil supply disruption also led to possibilities of pressures after US President Donald Trump threatened sanctions on Iraq, the second-largest producer among the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Irani parliament voted in favour of expelling the US and foreign troops. Also read: Iran designates all US forces as 'terrorists' for killing general Soleimani A day earlier, Iran said it no longer considers itself bound by the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated with the United States and other world powers in the fallout from the killing of General Qasim Soleimani. (With inputs from ANI)

Indian basmati rice export to Iran suffers amid crisis in West Asia

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Tightening control over efforts to manage the upheaval in Hong Kong, the Chinese leadership has set up a crisis command centre on the mainland side of the border and is considering replacing its official liaison to the restive semi-autonomous city, people familiar with the matter said.

As violent protests roil Hong Kong, top Chinese leaders in recent months have been managing their response from a villa on the outskirts of Shenzhen, bypassing the formal bureaucracy through which Beijing has supervised the financial hub for two decades.

Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and Hong Kong are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-state-media-say-hong-kong-elections-skewed-264514">Central People's Government in Hong Kong</a>. The Liaison Office is housed in a Hong Kong skyscraper stacked with surveillance cameras, ringed by steel barricades and topped by a reinforced glass globe.

In a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis, Beijing is considering potential replacements for the body's director, Wang Zhimin, two people familiar with the situation said. Wang is the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong.

The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city. "The Liaison Office has been mingling with the rich people and mainland elites in the city and isolated itself from the people," a Chinese official said. "This needs to be changed."

The Liaison Office may face increased pressure after city voters delivered a resounding defeat to pro-Beijing parties in local district elections on Sunday. Pro-democracy candidates won over 80 per cent of the seats, securing their first-ever majority after running a campaign against Beijing's perceived encroachments on Hong Kong's liberties.

The State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the Liaison Office in Hong Kong did not reply to faxed requests for comment.

The office of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam declined to comment for this story.

Bauhinia Villa

The crisis centre is located at the secluded Bauhinia Villa, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-summons-us-ambassador-over-hong-kong-rights-bill-264512">a property owned by the Hong Kong Liaison Office</a>, according to sources and official media, and named after the orchid that adorns the Hong Kong flag and currency. The villa, located just across Hong Kong's border with the mainland, has served as a crisis centre before: Senior Chinese officials stayed at the resort during the pro-democracy "Occupy Central" protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2014.

Top mainland officials have been gathering at the leafy compound to plot strategy and issue instructions aimed at defusing the crisis, according to six people familiar with the matter. Beijing authorities have been summoning key Hong Kong officials to meet at the villa during the five months of the increasingly violent anti-government protests, the sources said.

Among those who have attended, two of the people said, is embattled city leader Carrie Lam, who in September dramatically scrapped the controversial extradition bill that had ignited the protests, with approval by China's top leadership. Hong Kong police officials, business leaders and local pro-Beijing politicians have been summoned to the villa as well.

In an indication of the operation's importance, Chinese President Xi Jinping is receiving daily written briefings from Bauhinia Villa, said two officials and another person familiar with the operation.

The mainland Chinese and Hong Kong officials interviewed for this article spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

A Shenzhen businessman with close ties to Chinese officials described the villa complex as a "frontline command centre" that authorities are using as a base for coordinating and monitoring the Hong Kong situation in a secure environment. The complex is "packed with people," the businessman said.

The establishment of the Shenzhen villa as a crisis centre with a channel to top leader Xi points to the gravity and delicacy of the situation in Hong Kong, diplomats said.

Mass protests erupted in June over an extradition bill that would have allowed individuals to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the ruling Communist Party. Beijing wants to restore order in the city, but without being seen to be calling the shots.

Though the extradition bill has been killed, the protests have grown angrier, powered by a broad perception that Beijing is meddling improperly in city affairs and by complaints of police brutality. Hong Kong is governed under a charter which grants British-style rule of law until 2047, and its high degree of autonomy is widely seen as key to its prosperity as an international financial hub.

City and mainland officials say the police response has been measured and that any violence has been initiated by extreme protesters.

The lakeside setting of the villa, in a wooded neighbourhood, enables Beijing and Hong Kong officials to meet away from the glare of the Hong Kong media and the chaos of the city's protest-clogged streets.

Watch: Hong Kong holds district council elections amid political tensions

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-holds-district-council-elections-amid-political-tensions-264510/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'Parallel headquarters'

The use of Bauhinia Villa to manage the crisis sets up a supplementary channel to the system <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-carrie-lam-thanks-residents-for-orderly-voting-after-district-elections-264504">Beijing put in place to oversee Hong Kong</a> after China regained control of the city from Britain in 1997.

The Liaison Office, which reports to China’s State Council, has long served as the platform for Beijing to radiate its influence in the city. The office fosters relationships with the Hong Kong government as well as establishment figures and an array of pro-Beijing and youth groups, including business and clan associations from Chinese provinces and regions.

"The Hong Kong situation has increasingly made Beijing authorities uncomfortable," said Sonny Lo, a veteran Hong Kong political commentator. Their desire for security and discretion, he said, is "the reason they select Shenzhen rather than Hong Kong as a kind of parallel headquarters in dealing with the Hong Kong crisis."

Senior Chinese officials initially tried to find a middle ground between not capitulating to the demands of the protesters, while trying to avoid a bloody crackdown that could damage the city's stature as a business centre, according to three of the people familiar with the Bauhinia operation. Beijing sought to give the impression it wasn't intervening in Hong Kong even after a million people took to the streets on June 9, the people said.

Shortly after that show of mass defiance, however, the senior-most Chinese leader in charge of Hong Kong affairs took action. That official, Vice Premier Han Zheng, authorized Lam to communicate directly with his office, rather than going through the Liaison Office, according to a person briefed on the matter, effectively establishing a hotline.

Subsequently, vice minister-level officials with China's Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, the Cyberspace Administration of China and other departments all visited the villa, three of the sources said, an indication of just how seriously Beijing took the situation.

The two most senior Chinese leaders overseeing Hong Kong have been using Bauhinia Villa to deal more closely with the local leaders of the restive city while remaining behind the scenes.

One is Zhang Xiaoming, the head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, which sits under China's top policy-making body, the State Council. He has been a regular presence at the villa during the crisis, according to two sources who met with him there. A third person who met Zhang at Bauhinia Villa said Zhang spoke in detail about the now-shelved extradition bill and its importance, as well as subsequent attempts by Beijing to quell the unrest.

The other is Vice Premier Han himself. A day after Hong Kong protesters blocked access to the city's legislature on June 12, Han arrived at Bauhinia Villa and summoned Lam for a meeting, according to a person briefed on their discussions. Gathered at Bauhinia was a multi-departmental team of Chinese public security, cybersecurity and intelligence officers, as well as advisers on Hong Kong affairs, three sources said.

When Lam proposed a suspension of the bill at that meeting, Han agreed after talking with other leaders in Beijing, the person briefed on the meeting said. Lam then announced the suspension of the bill on June 15.

The Liaison Office and senior pro-Beijing politicians in the city "didn't know about the withdrawal until close to the decision," a senior Hong Kong official said. 
 
Banyan trees and barbed wire

The concession didn't placate the protesters, who demanded full and formal scrapping of the bill.

As the protests have persisted, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-matter-what-happens-hong-kong-is-part-of-china-chinese-foreign-minister-wang-yi-on-local-elections-264287">Beijing has taken a more visible role in Hong Kong</a>: Chinese aviation authorities called for Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways to suspend staff who supported or participated in the demonstrations, mainland paramilitary forces conducted exercises openly just across the border in Shenzhen, and China last week criticised a Hong Kong court ruling that overturned the city's ban on face masks used by protesters, rare interference in the territory's judiciary.

Bauhinia Villa has long been an outpost for mainland China's dealings with semi-autonomous Hong Kong.

In addition to serving as a crisis centre during the 2014 protests, the villa has been used as a low-key venue for Chinese officials to meet with city figures, with lodging facilities and ample space for conferences and events. Bauhinia Villa also has hosted delegations from the Hong Kong pro-establishment and pro-Beijing camps for training sessions and preparatory meetings before annual legislative sessions in Beijing. Another government-owned resort that hosts official functions, Kylin Villa, sits nearby.

Xi himself stayed in Bauhinia Villa before he took power in 2012 and planted a tree inside the lake-side resort.

Security is tight, with checkpoints, spiked fences topped with barbed wire and numerous surveillance cameras. At the back is a steep tree-covered hill ringed with fencing, while on another side lies a conference centre. A Reuters journalist was turned away recently when he approached the property.

Tightening control over efforts to manage the upheaval in Hong Kong, the Chinese leadership has set up a crisis command centre on the mainland side of the border and is considering replacing its official liaison to the restive semi-autonomous city, people familiar with the matter said.

Tightening control over efforts to manage the upheaval in Hong Kong, the Chinese leadership has set up a crisis command centre on the mainland side of the border and is considering replacing its official liaison to the restive semi-autonomous city, people familiar with the matter said. As violent protests roil Hong Kong, top Chinese leaders in recent months have been managing their response from a villa on the outskirts of Shenzhen, bypassing the formal bureaucracy through which Beijing has supervised the financial hub for two decades. Ordinarily, communications between Beijing and Hong Kong are conducted through a Chinese government body: the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong. The Liaison Office is housed in a Hong Kong skyscraper stacked with surveillance cameras, ringed by steel barricades and topped by a reinforced glass globe. In a sign of dissatisfaction with the Liaison Office's handling of the crisis, Beijing is considering potential replacements for the body's director, Wang Zhimin, two people familiar with the situation said. Wang is the most senior mainland political official stationed in Hong Kong. The office has come in for criticism in Hong Kong and China for misjudging the situation in the city. "The Liaison Office has been mingling with the rich people and mainland elites in the city and isolated itself from the people," a Chinese official said. "This needs to be changed." The Liaison Office may face increased pressure after city voters delivered a resounding defeat to pro-Beijing parties in local district elections on Sunday. Pro-democracy candidates won over 80 per cent of the seats, securing their first-ever majority after running a campaign against Beijing's perceived encroachments on Hong Kong's liberties. The State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the Liaison Office in Hong Kong did not reply to faxed requests for comment. The office of Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam declined to comment for this story. Bauhinia Villa The crisis centre is located at the secluded Bauhinia Villa, a property owned by the Hong Kong Liaison Office, according to sources and official media, and named after the orchid that adorns the Hong Kong flag and currency. The villa, located just across Hong Kong's border with the mainland, has served as a crisis centre before: Senior Chinese officials stayed at the resort during the pro-democracy "Occupy Central" protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2014. Top mainland officials have been gathering at the leafy compound to plot strategy and issue instructions aimed at defusing the crisis, according to six people familiar with the matter. Beijing authorities have been summoning key Hong Kong officials to meet at the villa during the five months of the increasingly violent anti-government protests, the sources said. Among those who have attended, two of the people said, is embattled city leader Carrie Lam, who in September dramatically scrapped the controversial extradition bill that had ignited the protests, with approval by China's top leadership. Hong Kong police officials, business leaders and local pro-Beijing politicians have been summoned to the villa as well. In an indication of the operation's importance, Chinese President Xi Jinping is receiving daily written briefings from Bauhinia Villa, said two officials and another person familiar with the operation. The mainland Chinese and Hong Kong officials interviewed for this article spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the matter. A Shenzhen businessman with close ties to Chinese officials described the villa complex as a "frontline command centre" that authorities are using as a base for coordinating and monitoring the Hong Kong situation in a secure environment. The complex is "packed with people," the businessman said. The establishment of the Shenzhen villa as a crisis centre with a channel to top leader Xi points to the gravity and delicacy of the situation in Hong Kong, diplomats said. Mass protests erupted in June over an extradition bill that would have allowed individuals to be sent for trial to the mainland, where justice is controlled by the ruling Communist Party. Beijing wants to restore order in the city, but without being seen to be calling the shots. Though the extradition bill has been killed, the protests have grown angrier, powered by a broad perception that Beijing is meddling improperly in city affairs and by complaints of police brutality. Hong Kong is governed under a charter which grants British-style rule of law until 2047, and its high degree of autonomy is widely seen as key to its prosperity as an international financial hub. City and mainland officials say the police response has been measured and that any violence has been initiated by extreme protesters. The lakeside setting of the villa, in a wooded neighbourhood, enables Beijing and Hong Kong officials to meet away from the glare of the Hong Kong media and the chaos of the city's protest-clogged streets. Watch: Hong Kong holds district council elections amid political tensions 'Parallel headquarters' The use of Bauhinia Villa to manage the crisis sets up a supplementary channel to the system Beijing put in place to oversee Hong Kong after China regained control of the city from Britain in 1997. The Liaison Office, which reports to China’s State Council, has long served as the platform for Beijing to radiate its influence in the city. The office fosters relationships with the Hong Kong government as well as establishment figures and an array of pro-Beijing and youth groups, including business and clan associations from Chinese provinces and regions. "The Hong Kong situation has increasingly made Beijing authorities uncomfortable," said Sonny Lo, a veteran Hong Kong political commentator. Their desire for security and discretion, he said, is "the reason they select Shenzhen rather than Hong Kong as a kind of parallel headquarters in dealing with the Hong Kong crisis." Senior Chinese officials initially tried to find a middle ground between not capitulating to the demands of the protesters, while trying to avoid a bloody crackdown that could damage the city's stature as a business centre, according to three of the people familiar with the Bauhinia operation. Beijing sought to give the impression it wasn't intervening in Hong Kong even after a million people took to the streets on June 9, the people said. Shortly after that show of mass defiance, however, the senior-most Chinese leader in charge of Hong Kong affairs took action. That official, Vice Premier Han Zheng, authorized Lam to communicate directly with his office, rather than going through the Liaison Office, according to a person briefed on the matter, effectively establishing a hotline. Subsequently, vice minister-level officials with China's Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of State Security, the Cyberspace Administration of China and other departments all visited the villa, three of the sources said, an indication of just how seriously Beijing took the situation. The two most senior Chinese leaders overseeing Hong Kong have been using Bauhinia Villa to deal more closely with the local leaders of the restive city while remaining behind the scenes. One is Zhang Xiaoming, the head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, which sits under China's top policy-making body, the State Council. He has been a regular presence at the villa during the crisis, according to two sources who met with him there. A third person who met Zhang at Bauhinia Villa said Zhang spoke in detail about the now-shelved extradition bill and its importance, as well as subsequent attempts by Beijing to quell the unrest. The other is Vice Premier Han himself. A day after Hong Kong protesters blocked access to the city's legislature on June 12, Han arrived at Bauhinia Villa and summoned Lam for a meeting, according to a person briefed on their discussions. Gathered at Bauhinia was a multi-departmental team of Chinese public security, cybersecurity and intelligence officers, as well as advisers on Hong Kong affairs, three sources said. When Lam proposed a suspension of the bill at that meeting, Han agreed after talking with other leaders in Beijing, the person briefed on the meeting said. Lam then announced the suspension of the bill on June 15. The Liaison Office and senior pro-Beijing politicians in the city "didn't know about the withdrawal until close to the decision," a senior Hong Kong official said. Banyan trees and barbed wire The concession didn't placate the protesters, who demanded full and formal scrapping of the bill. As the protests have persisted, Beijing has taken a more visible role in Hong Kong: Chinese aviation authorities called for Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways to suspend staff who supported or participated in the demonstrations, mainland paramilitary forces conducted exercises openly just across the border in Shenzhen, and China last week criticised a Hong Kong court ruling that overturned the city's ban on face masks used by protesters, rare interference in the territory's judiciary. Bauhinia Villa has long been an outpost for mainland China's dealings with semi-autonomous Hong Kong. In addition to serving as a crisis centre during the 2014 protests, the villa has been used as a low-key venue for Chinese officials to meet with city figures, with lodging facilities and ample space for conferences and events. Bauhinia Villa also has hosted delegations from the Hong Kong pro-establishment and pro-Beijing camps for training sessions and preparatory meetings before annual legislative sessions in Beijing. Another government-owned resort that hosts official functions, Kylin Villa, sits nearby. Xi himself stayed in Bauhinia Villa before he took power in 2012 and planted a tree inside the lake-side resort. Security is tight, with checkpoints, spiked fences topped with barbed wire and numerous surveillance cameras. At the back is a steep tree-covered hill ringed with fencing, while on another side lies a conference centre. A Reuters journalist was turned away recently when he approached the property.

China sets up Hong Kong crisis centre in mainland, open to replacing chief liaison

On the road where they say nine local people were shot by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-announce-transparent-elections-soon-bolivias-interim-president-jeanine-anez-262795">Bolivian security</a> forces last week, coca growers mourn the dead and vow to resist interim president Jeanine Anez.

The farmers are supporters of ex-president Evo Morales, who was forced to resign in what he said was a coup as Bolivia has been rocked by violent protests after a disputed election.

The farmers say the military and police opened fire when pro-Morales protesters tried to enter the central city of Cochabamba on Friday, in the deadliest incident of the month-long wave of demonstrations.

Shortly before, Anez had issued a presidential decree granting security forces immunity from prosecution.

"Before this, there were protests, but they did not use bullets... now anyone can come, fire bullets and not get punished," said Jaime Marcas, 26, wearing a woollen cap with earmuffs.

The road from Sacaba, the site of the killings, to Cochabamba,&nbsp;a Morales stronghold,&nbsp;has been blocked by security forces.

"They don't let us into the city. They check everything, as if it were a border," Leonor Gonzalez told AFP, her face full of fury.

She said the security forces on Friday deceived them by saying that they would let women go first into the city, but then they shot the men who were kept behind.

Watch: Bolivia - When chemistry sparked a political crisis

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bolivia-when-chemistry-sparked-a-political-crisis-262179/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Interior Minister Arturo Murillo has hinted that the farmers may have fired at each other, but they deny being armed.

Scattered stones, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivians-queue-for-chicken-and-fuel-as-protests-cripple-highways-262779">burnt tires and bundles of abandoned hats</a> and shoes mark the scene of the incident.

"These are from those people who managed to run," said one of the farmers standing guard amid the crowd.

Nearby, nine black metal crosses with floral tributes wilting in the heat have been erected to remember the dead.

The unrest in Bolivia first erupted after Morales,&nbsp;the country's first indigenous president,&nbsp;was accused of rigging the results of the October 20 polls to gain reelection to a fourth term.

He resigned and fled to Mexico after losing the support of the security forces.

Anez, the former deputy speaker of the Senate, declared herself the interim president and has pledged to call elections soon.

But in Sacaba, nobody wants to hear about new elections until Anez steps down.

"We do not want this government, we do not know it. We feel anger, all the people in general. Now people are not afraid,&nbsp;the government have reneged (on its promises), and we push through to the end," warned Marcelo Pacchi, 42.

When one person in the crowd mentioned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolivia-crisis-could-spin-out-of-control-as-death-toll-keeps-increasing-united-nations-262639">all-party talks as the way forward for Bolivia</a>, it sparked fury in the crowd.

"No dialogue!" shouted another, earning loud applause.

On the road where they say nine local people were shot by Bolivian security forces last week, coca growers mourn the dead and vow to resist interim president Jeanine Anez.

On the road where they say nine local people were shot by Bolivian security forces last week, coca growers mourn the dead and vow to resist interim president Jeanine Anez. The farmers are supporters of ex-president Evo Morales, who was forced to resign in what he said was a coup as Bolivia has been rocked by violent protests after a disputed election. The farmers say the military and police opened fire when pro-Morales protesters tried to enter the central city of Cochabamba on Friday, in the deadliest incident of the month-long wave of demonstrations. Shortly before, Anez had issued a presidential decree granting security forces immunity from prosecution. "Before this, there were protests, but they did not use bullets... now anyone can come, fire bullets and not get punished," said Jaime Marcas, 26, wearing a woollen cap with earmuffs. The road from Sacaba, the site of the killings, to Cochabamba, a Morales stronghold, has been blocked by security forces. "They don't let us into the city. They check everything, as if it were a border," Leonor Gonzalez told AFP, her face full of fury. She said the security forces on Friday deceived them by saying that they would let women go first into the city, but then they shot the men who were kept behind. Watch: Bolivia - When chemistry sparked a political crisis Interior Minister Arturo Murillo has hinted that the farmers may have fired at each other, but they deny being armed. Scattered stones, burnt tires and bundles of abandoned hats and shoes mark the scene of the incident. "These are from those people who managed to run," said one of the farmers standing guard amid the crowd. Nearby, nine black metal crosses with floral tributes wilting in the heat have been erected to remember the dead. The unrest in Bolivia first erupted after Morales, the country's first indigenous president, was accused of rigging the results of the October 20 polls to gain reelection to a fourth term. He resigned and fled to Mexico after losing the support of the security forces. Anez, the former deputy speaker of the Senate, declared herself the interim president and has pledged to call elections soon. But in Sacaba, nobody wants to hear about new elections until Anez steps down. "We do not want this government, we do not know it. We feel anger, all the people in general. Now people are not afraid, the government have reneged (on its promises), and we push through to the end," warned Marcelo Pacchi, 42. When one person in the crowd mentioned all-party talks as the way forward for Bolivia, it sparked fury in the crowd. "No dialogue!" shouted another, earning loud applause.

Bolivian farmers protest against interim president at site of killings

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