Political talks to agree an urgently needed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fuel-shortage-price-hikes-squeeze-protest-hit-lebanon-261109">Lebanese government</a> are still deadlocked, three senior sources said on Sunday, as the powerful Shi'ite group Hezbollah indicated it would not be forced into concessions.

The latest failure to break Lebanon's political impasse will worsen pressures on an economy gripped by its deepest crisis since the 1975-90 civil war, amid protests against a political establishment widely regarded as corrupt and inept.

Since reopening a week ago, commercial banks have been seeking to stave off capital flight by blocking most transfers abroad and imposing curbs on hard-currency withdrawals, though the central bank has announced no formal capital controls.

A big part of Lebanon's economic crisis stems from a slowdown of capital inflows which has led to a scarcity of US&nbsp;dollars and spawned a black market where the Lebanese pound has weakened below its official pegged rate.

A meeting on Saturday evening between caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri and senior officials from Hezbollah and its Shi'ite ally Amal failed to yield any breakthrough towards forming the new cabinet, the sources said.

"The crisis is deepening," one source familiar with Hariri's position said. A senior source familiar with the view of Hezbollah and Amal said: "Nothing has changed. So far the road is completely blocked." A third senior source said the situation was still deadlocked.

Hariri quit on October&nbsp;29 in the face of unprecedented protests fuelled by poverty, joblessness and lack of basic services like electricity.

Hariri wants to lead a technocratic government devoid of other politicians, while Amal, Hezbollah and its Christian ally the Free Patriotic Movement want a government mixing technocrats and politicians.

"Nothing has changed"

The source familiar with Hariri's views has said he believes a cabinet composed of both technocrats and politicians would not be able to secure Western assistance and would also anger protesters who want to see a change of leadership.

Hariri reiterated his position in the meeting with caretaker Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil of Amal and top Hezbollah official Hussein Khalil, the senior source familiar with Hezbollah and Amal's view said.

Both Hezbollah and Amal communicated their view, that Hariri should return as premier of a new 'technopolitical' cabinet, at the meeting. Hariri said he would only agree to head a technocratic cabinet.

"Practically, what he wants is a government devoid of Hezbollah," the senior source said. "After 10 days have passed, matters must be decided."

The source familiar with Hariri's position said he believed Hezbollah, Amal and the FPM were seeking the inclusion in the cabinet of politicians rejected by the protesters.

These include FPM leader Gebran Bassil, foreign minister in the outgoing cabinet and a son-in-law of President Michel Aoun.

"If these faces return to government we will have pushed the street to return to protest in a greater way," the source familiar with Hariri's position said.

One dollar was buying 1,800 pounds or more on Friday compared to 1,740 on Thursday, two market sources said. The pegged rate is 1,507.5 pounds.

In a statement apparently referring to the deadlock and to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/petrol-pumps-shut-down-in-protest-hit-lebanon-over-dollar-shortage-261057">Hezbollah's loss of fighters</a> in various conflicts, Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammad Raad said: "Our arms will not be twisted nor can we be neutralised from achieving the goals of the martyrs."

Lebanon's highest Christian authority urged the president to hasten the appointment of a prime minister and the formation of a government that meets protesters' demands.

"The country's situation cannot withstand another day of delays," Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai said.

Political talks to agree an urgently needed Lebanese government are still deadlocked, three senior sources said on Sunday, as the powerful Shi'ite group Hezbollah indicated it would not be forced into concessions.

Political talks to agree an urgently needed Lebanese government are still deadlocked, three senior sources said on Sunday, as the powerful Shi'ite group Hezbollah indicated it would not be forced into concessions. The latest failure to break Lebanon's political impasse will worsen pressures on an economy gripped by its deepest crisis since the 1975-90 civil war, amid protests against a political establishment widely regarded as corrupt and inept. Since reopening a week ago, commercial banks have been seeking to stave off capital flight by blocking most transfers abroad and imposing curbs on hard-currency withdrawals, though the central bank has announced no formal capital controls. A big part of Lebanon's economic crisis stems from a slowdown of capital inflows which has led to a scarcity of US dollars and spawned a black market where the Lebanese pound has weakened below its official pegged rate. A meeting on Saturday evening between caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri and senior officials from Hezbollah and its Shi'ite ally Amal failed to yield any breakthrough towards forming the new cabinet, the sources said. "The crisis is deepening," one source familiar with Hariri's position said. A senior source familiar with the view of Hezbollah and Amal said: "Nothing has changed. So far the road is completely blocked." A third senior source said the situation was still deadlocked. Hariri quit on October 29 in the face of unprecedented protests fuelled by poverty, joblessness and lack of basic services like electricity. Hariri wants to lead a technocratic government devoid of other politicians, while Amal, Hezbollah and its Christian ally the Free Patriotic Movement want a government mixing technocrats and politicians. "Nothing has changed" The source familiar with Hariri's views has said he believes a cabinet composed of both technocrats and politicians would not be able to secure Western assistance and would also anger protesters who want to see a change of leadership. Hariri reiterated his position in the meeting with caretaker Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil of Amal and top Hezbollah official Hussein Khalil, the senior source familiar with Hezbollah and Amal's view said. Both Hezbollah and Amal communicated their view, that Hariri should return as premier of a new 'technopolitical' cabinet, at the meeting. Hariri said he would only agree to head a technocratic cabinet. "Practically, what he wants is a government devoid of Hezbollah," the senior source said. "After 10 days have passed, matters must be decided." The source familiar with Hariri's position said he believed Hezbollah, Amal and the FPM were seeking the inclusion in the cabinet of politicians rejected by the protesters. These include FPM leader Gebran Bassil, foreign minister in the outgoing cabinet and a son-in-law of President Michel Aoun. "If these faces return to government we will have pushed the street to return to protest in a greater way," the source familiar with Hariri's position said. One dollar was buying 1,800 pounds or more on Friday compared to 1,740 on Thursday, two market sources said. The pegged rate is 1,507.5 pounds. In a statement apparently referring to the deadlock and to Hezbollah's loss of fighters in various conflicts, Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammad Raad said: "Our arms will not be twisted nor can we be neutralised from achieving the goals of the martyrs." Lebanon's highest Christian authority urged the president to hasten the appointment of a prime minister and the formation of a government that meets protesters' demands. "The country's situation cannot withstand another day of delays," Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai said.

Hezbollah says its 'arms won't be twisted' as Lebanon crisis deepens

Popstar Selena Gomez finds the current immigration crisis in the United States utterly upsetting.

The singer-actor voiced her concerns in a write up published in Time magazine while discussing her own family's history, reported Fox News.

"In the 1970s, my aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the United States hidden in the back of a truck," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/selena-gomez-fangirl-over-taylor-swifts-new-album-lover-248448">Gomez</a>&nbsp;said.

"My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a US citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice."

The 27-year-old actor-singer said that her family struggled for around four decades to get their US citizenship. While she wonders about immigration "every day," she never happens to take the fortune of being born in her country for granted.

"But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations," she added.

"I feel afraid for my country."

She also explained that her concern isn't much of a political issue but instead of&nbsp;she is more bothered about real people's lives and how they're all affected.

"It is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives. How we deal with it speaks to our humanity, our empathy, our compassion. How we treat our fellow human beings defines who we are," she said.

Popstar Selena Gomez finds the current immigration crisis in the United States utterly upsetting. The singer-actor voiced her concerns in a write up published in Time magazine while discussing her own family's history, reported Fox News.

Popstar Selena Gomez finds the current immigration crisis in the United States utterly upsetting. The singer-actor voiced her concerns in a write up published in Time magazine while discussing her own family's history, reported Fox News. "In the 1970s, my aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the United States hidden in the back of a truck," Gomez said. "My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a US citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice." The 27-year-old actor-singer said that her family struggled for around four decades to get their US citizenship. While she wonders about immigration "every day," she never happens to take the fortune of being born in her country for granted. "But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations," she added. "I feel afraid for my country." She also explained that her concern isn't much of a political issue but instead of she is more bothered about real people's lives and how they're all affected. "It is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives. How we deal with it speaks to our humanity, our empathy, our compassion. How we treat our fellow human beings defines who we are," she said.

'I feel afraid for my country': Selena Gomez on immigration crisis in United States

Air strikes maim, scar Yemen's children

World of fake-branded bars: How forgery crisis is slipping dirty gold into global markets

The going is getting tough for India's auto sector. For 9 consecutive months, sales have fallen. This has forced

Gravitas: Auto Sector Faces worst Crisis in 20 years

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah met Congress leader and rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy, hours after he held a meeting with party MLAs at Taj Vivanta here on Sunday.&nbsp;

The Congress party has also called a meeting of the legislature party tomorrow. This meeting comes ahead of BJP's demand for a trust vote in the state Assembly on Monday.&nbsp;

Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told ANI on Sunday that the meeting will be held before the start of the Assembly session tomorrow.&nbsp;

The Congress-JD(S) government has plunged into crisis following the resignation by several MLAs from the House.&nbsp;

Ten dissident Congress and JD(S) MLAs have moved the Supreme Court which has directed the Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to maintain status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16.&nbsp;

State BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had asked Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove his government`s majority in the Assembly on Monday.&nbsp;

Kumaraswamy had on Friday told the Speaker that he was ready to seek a trust vote or face a no-confidence motion during the session which will go on till July 26.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah met Congress leader and rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy, hours after he held a meeting with party MLAs at Taj Vivanta here on Sunday.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah met Congress leader and rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy, hours after he held a meeting with party MLAs at Taj Vivanta here on Sunday. The Congress party has also called a meeting of the legislature party tomorrow. This meeting comes ahead of BJP's demand for a trust vote in the state Assembly on Monday. Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told ANI on Sunday that the meeting will be held before the start of the Assembly session tomorrow. The Congress-JD(S) government has plunged into crisis following the resignation by several MLAs from the House. Ten dissident Congress and JD(S) MLAs have moved the Supreme Court which has directed the Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to maintain status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16. State BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had asked Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove his government`s majority in the Assembly on Monday. Kumaraswamy had on Friday told the Speaker that he was ready to seek a trust vote or face a no-confidence motion during the session which will go on till July 26.

Siddaramaiah holds meeting with rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy

A Look At Some Diplomatic Spats That Snowballed Into Crises

Gravitas: When Spats take a toll on Diplomatic ties

In view of the rising incidents of deaths due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/ Japanese Encephalitis (AES/JE) in Muzaffarpur and adjoining areas in Bihar, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has issued instructions for deployment of eight advanced life-support (ALS) ambulances in the affected districts.

Accordingly, eight additional ALS ambulances were pressed into service for the transportation of critical patients under the National Health Mission (NHM), a statement issued by the health ministry said.

The central teams comprising 10 paediatricians and five paramedics each had started working on the ground, in coordination with the state government, it added.

The teams were sent to Bihar on Wednesday.

Vardhan further informed that 16 senior district officials and medical personnel were sent to the vulnerable blocks for monitoring and early identification of cases and ensuring daily reporting.

Their headquarters were also shifted to these blocks, he said, adding that the district collector was involved in the process now and was personally taking responsibility for the same.

The collector had deputed senior deputy collectors (SDCs) or district-level officers to lead various block teams, Vardhan was quoted in the statement as saying.

These teams would be assisted by a district-level medical officer and a medical officer in-charge (MOIC) to do the overall work at the block level, the statement said.

It added that the authorities in Bihar were given instructions to switch to daily surveillance and monitoring for detecting early warning signs of the disease.

"The state government has started a social audit, along with an active case-finding campaign through a house-to-house survey, and is moving the prospective patients to the nearest PHC for early intervention. Surprise checks are also being conducted at the PHCs by SDCs.

"Additionally, the early morning inspection of anganwadi centres is also being undertaken by SDCs and child development project officers (CDPOs). They are also giving ORS to each house in the affected villages," the statement said.

The auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and accredited social health activists (ASHAs) were directed to visit every house to raise awareness on Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/Japanese Encephalitis (AES/JE) by distributing pamphlets and brochures, it said, adding that awareness was also being created through other measures such as announcements through microphones and inter-personal communication.

Also, a team of experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was deployed at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur for making the virology laboratory operational at the earliest, Vardhan was quoted as saying in the statement.

He added that the multi-disciplinary team deployed earlier was reviewing all the case records of the AES patients admitted to the hospital in 2019.

"The team is reviewing the case records of discharged and deceased AES patients at SKMCH, using a standardised tool to know the reasons for mortality. We expect to complete the activity in the next two to three days.

A similar exercise will be undertaken at the Kejriwal Hospital," the Union health minister said.

The multi-disciplinary team will systematically collect clinical, nutritional and epidemiological information from the AES patients hospitalised since May 18. Blood, urine and CSF samples will be collected from these patients to rule out infectious aetiology.

It would also carry out a case-control study (by taking household/village controls) to reconfirm the role of missing meals and litchi consumption (including the quantity), the statement said.

Orientation training of all paediatricians of SKMCH will also be conducted in batches over the next few days on clinical case management and the treatment protocol of AES and the new teams will be briefed about case assessment, investigations and the treatment protocols already in place.&nbsp;

They would also be requested to continue with the same, the statement said.

In view of the rising incidents of deaths due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/ Japanese Encephalitis (AES/JE) in Muzaffarpur and adjoining areas in Bihar, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has issued instructions for deployment of eight advanced life-support (ALS) ambulances in the affected districts.

In view of the rising incidents of deaths due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/ Japanese Encephalitis (AES/JE) in Muzaffarpur and adjoining areas in Bihar, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has issued instructions for deployment of eight advanced life-support (ALS) ambulances in the affected districts. Accordingly, eight additional ALS ambulances were pressed into service for the transportation of critical patients under the National Health Mission (NHM), a statement issued by the health ministry said. The central teams comprising 10 paediatricians and five paramedics each had started working on the ground, in coordination with the state government, it added. The teams were sent to Bihar on Wednesday. Vardhan further informed that 16 senior district officials and medical personnel were sent to the vulnerable blocks for monitoring and early identification of cases and ensuring daily reporting. Their headquarters were also shifted to these blocks, he said, adding that the district collector was involved in the process now and was personally taking responsibility for the same. The collector had deputed senior deputy collectors (SDCs) or district-level officers to lead various block teams, Vardhan was quoted in the statement as saying. These teams would be assisted by a district-level medical officer and a medical officer in-charge (MOIC) to do the overall work at the block level, the statement said. It added that the authorities in Bihar were given instructions to switch to daily surveillance and monitoring for detecting early warning signs of the disease. "The state government has started a social audit, along with an active case-finding campaign through a house-to-house survey, and is moving the prospective patients to the nearest PHC for early intervention. Surprise checks are also being conducted at the PHCs by SDCs. "Additionally, the early morning inspection of anganwadi centres is also being undertaken by SDCs and child development project officers (CDPOs). They are also giving ORS to each house in the affected villages," the statement said. The auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and accredited social health activists (ASHAs) were directed to visit every house to raise awareness on Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/Japanese Encephalitis (AES/JE) by distributing pamphlets and brochures, it said, adding that awareness was also being created through other measures such as announcements through microphones and inter-personal communication. Also, a team of experts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was deployed at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur for making the virology laboratory operational at the earliest, Vardhan was quoted as saying in the statement. He added that the multi-disciplinary team deployed earlier was reviewing all the case records of the AES patients admitted to the hospital in 2019. "The team is reviewing the case records of discharged and deceased AES patients at SKMCH, using a standardised tool to know the reasons for mortality. We expect to complete the activity in the next two to three days. A similar exercise will be undertaken at the Kejriwal Hospital," the Union health minister said. The multi-disciplinary team will systematically collect clinical, nutritional and epidemiological information from the AES patients hospitalised since May 18. Blood, urine and CSF samples will be collected from these patients to rule out infectious aetiology. It would also carry out a case-control study (by taking household/village controls) to reconfirm the role of missing meals and litchi consumption (including the quantity), the statement said. Orientation training of all paediatricians of SKMCH will also be conducted in batches over the next few days on clinical case management and the treatment protocol of AES and the new teams will be briefed about case assessment, investigations and the treatment protocols already in place. They would also be requested to continue with the same, the statement said.

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome: Advanced life-support ambulances pressed into service in Bihar 

Thousands of employees have been stung by the rapid unravelling of Jet Airways, which, saddled with more than $1.2 billion in bank debt, grounded all its planes on Wednesday after lenders rejected a plea for emergency funds.

Despair over jobs as Jet Airways grounded

Yemen: A humanitarian crisis with thousands dead

The conflict in Yemen, described by the United Nations as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, originated with the&nbsp;political transition that occurred in the country following the uprising of the Arab Spring.

The transition from the longtime authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh to his deputy Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi in 2011 was expected to bring stability to Yemen.

The new government under Hadi, however, struggled to deal with several problems.

Besides corruption, unemployment and food security, Hadi also faced difficulty in handling the security personnel who continued to exhibit loyalty to Saleh.

Hadi's government also faced attacks from the jihadists.

Taking advantage of the weak Hadi government, Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority who had fought series of rebellions against Saleh during the previous decade, took control of their northern heartland of Saada province and neighbouring areas.&nbsp;

Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority's Houthi movement was also supported by many ordinary Yemenis - including Sunnis.

The Houthis and security forces loyal to Saleh then attempted to take control of the entire country, forcing Hadi to flee the country in March 2015.

The crisis in Yemen escalated in 2015 after the intervention of the Shia power Iran, Saudi Arabia and eight other mostly Sunni Arab states.

The rebels in the country, backed by Iran, fought against the Saudi-led military coalition which supported the government.

The war has since then left about 10,000 dead, the World Health Organisation states. The United Nations has also defined the conflict in Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Here is a broad overview:

Riyadh enters the war

Houthi fighters from the Zaidi Shiite minority, opposed to the central government for a decade, launch their offensive in mid-2014, seizing swathes of territory.

Their conquests include the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port of Hodeida, a crucial entry point for imports and humanitarian aid.

A coalition led by regional Sunni power Saudi Arabia comes to the embattled government's aid on March 26, 2015, launching air strikes on rebels.

Their intervention is requested by Hadi, who moved to the southern city of Aden after the fall of Sanaa.

Riyadh has since deployed 1,50,000 troops and 100 fighter planes to the conflict, according to Saudi television Al-Arabiya.

The United Arab Emirates contributes 30 fighter jets. The United States says it is providing logistical support and intelligence.

Coalition successes

On March 27 the coalition says it has full control of Yemen's airspace and destroyed aircraft seized by the Houthis.

In July the Yemen government announces it has retaken the entire province of Aden, its first success since the coalition stepped in.

The coalition supplements its air power with hundreds of ground troops.

By mid-August 2015 loyalist forces have retaken five southern provinces. Aden city becomes the de facto capital, with Sanaa still under rebel control.

In October the government reclaims the Bab al-Mandab Strait, an internationally vital shipping route.

Saudi vs Iran

Splits emerge in the rebel camp in 2017 after their ally, ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, makes overtures to the Saudi-led coalition.&nbsp;

Armed clashes rock Sanaa and in December he is assassinated by the Houthis.

In November 2017 Houthi rebels fire a missile in the direction of the international airport in Riyadh.&nbsp;

Intercepted and destroyed, it is the first to reach the Saudi capital. Saudi Arabia is enraged, accusing its arch-foe Iran of "blatant military aggression" through its support for the rebels.

Iran denies supplying them with weapons.

Rebels have since regularly fired missiles at Saudi Arabia.

Battle for aid port

In December 2017 government forces make a breakthrough in efforts to reconquer the aid hub of Hodeida when they drive Houthi fighters out of a town en route.

As they press their advance, the insurgents' second-in-command, Saleh al-Sammad, dies in a coalition air raid in April 2018.

In June government fighters, backed by Saudi and Emirati land forces, launch an offensive on Hodeida.

With international players stepping up diplomatic efforts to end the war, government forces say in November they have orders to halt operations against the rebels.

Rebel leaders and Yemeni officials meet for UN-brokered talks in Sweden in December.&nbsp;

After a week of meetings, a ceasefire in Hodeida is announced.

It comes into effect on December 18, 2018, but both sides accuse each other of violations.

A UN-led ceasefire monitoring team deploys to the city from December 22 but is unable to secure the pullback of armed forces, as agreed in the peace deal.

(With inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The conflict in Yemen, described by the United Nations as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, originated with the political transition that occurred in the country following the uprising of the Arab Spring.

The conflict in Yemen, described by the United Nations as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, originated with the political transition that occurred in the country following the uprising of the Arab Spring. The transition from the longtime authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh to his deputy Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi in 2011 was expected to bring stability to Yemen. The new government under Hadi, however, struggled to deal with several problems. Besides corruption, unemployment and food security, Hadi also faced difficulty in handling the security personnel who continued to exhibit loyalty to Saleh. Hadi's government also faced attacks from the jihadists. Taking advantage of the weak Hadi government, Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority who had fought series of rebellions against Saleh during the previous decade, took control of their northern heartland of Saada province and neighbouring areas. Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority's Houthi movement was also supported by many ordinary Yemenis - including Sunnis. The Houthis and security forces loyal to Saleh then attempted to take control of the entire country, forcing Hadi to flee the country in March 2015. The crisis in Yemen escalated in 2015 after the intervention of the Shia power Iran, Saudi Arabia and eight other mostly Sunni Arab states. The rebels in the country, backed by Iran, fought against the Saudi-led military coalition which supported the government. The war has since then left about 10,000 dead, the World Health Organisation states. The United Nations has also defined the conflict in Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Here is a broad overview: Riyadh enters the war Houthi fighters from the Zaidi Shiite minority, opposed to the central government for a decade, launch their offensive in mid-2014, seizing swathes of territory. Their conquests include the capital Sanaa and the Red Sea port of Hodeida, a crucial entry point for imports and humanitarian aid. A coalition led by regional Sunni power Saudi Arabia comes to the embattled government's aid on March 26, 2015, launching air strikes on rebels. Their intervention is requested by Hadi, who moved to the southern city of Aden after the fall of Sanaa. Riyadh has since deployed 1,50,000 troops and 100 fighter planes to the conflict, according to Saudi television Al-Arabiya. The United Arab Emirates contributes 30 fighter jets. The United States says it is providing logistical support and intelligence. Coalition successes On March 27 the coalition says it has full control of Yemen's airspace and destroyed aircraft seized by the Houthis. In July the Yemen government announces it has retaken the entire province of Aden, its first success since the coalition stepped in. The coalition supplements its air power with hundreds of ground troops. By mid-August 2015 loyalist forces have retaken five southern provinces. Aden city becomes the de facto capital, with Sanaa still under rebel control. In October the government reclaims the Bab al-Mandab Strait, an internationally vital shipping route. Saudi vs Iran Splits emerge in the rebel camp in 2017 after their ally, ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, makes overtures to the Saudi-led coalition. Armed clashes rock Sanaa and in December he is assassinated by the Houthis. In November 2017 Houthi rebels fire a missile in the direction of the international airport in Riyadh. Intercepted and destroyed, it is the first to reach the Saudi capital. Saudi Arabia is enraged, accusing its arch-foe Iran of "blatant military aggression" through its support for the rebels. Iran denies supplying them with weapons. Rebels have since regularly fired missiles at Saudi Arabia. Battle for aid port In December 2017 government forces make a breakthrough in efforts to reconquer the aid hub of Hodeida when they drive Houthi fighters out of a town en route. As they press their advance, the insurgents' second-in-command, Saleh al-Sammad, dies in a coalition air raid in April 2018. In June government fighters, backed by Saudi and Emirati land forces, launch an offensive on Hodeida. With international players stepping up diplomatic efforts to end the war, government forces say in November they have orders to halt operations against the rebels. Rebel leaders and Yemeni officials meet for UN-brokered talks in Sweden in December. After a week of meetings, a ceasefire in Hodeida is announced. It comes into effect on December 18, 2018, but both sides accuse each other of violations. A UN-led ceasefire monitoring team deploys to the city from December 22 but is unable to secure the pullback of armed forces, as agreed in the peace deal. (With inputs from AFP)

Boeing faces a major crisis

The political crisis gripping Haiti entered its seventh day on Wednesday amid violent protests by opposition groups demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise which have left at least nine people dead.

The demonstrators, mostly young men, returned to the streets of the capital Wednesday to call for the resignation of Moise, who remains silent and out of sight since his appeal for dialogue on February 9, as he faces increased pressure to step down from several sectors of the opposition.

At least one man was killed on Wednesday and several people, including a journalist from the daily Le Nouvelliste, were injured during violent clashes around the National Palace between protesters, who threw stones, and policemen, who responded with gunshots.

Firefighters and police were called when demonstrators in Delmas, just south of the capital, tried to set fire to the headquarters of the state radio channel.

Faced with the climate of uncertainty and insecurity across the nation, many embassies have suspended their consular services, while others were closed.

Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant convened a council of ministers for Wednesday, while foreign minister Edmond Bocchid was in Washington to discuss the situation with National Security Advisor John Bolton.

Assad Volcy, one of the opposition leaders, told EFE that "there is no turning back. We have to solve the problem of inequality and hunger".

Senator Youri Latortue, a former ally of Jovenel Moise, called on the president to resign "to avoid chaos and more blood."

Most schools have been closed since the protests began on February 7, while public transport and local commerce have almost ground to a halt.

Many businesses and fuel stations have been looted, and public and private vehicles burned, as the security situation in the impoverished Caribbean nation threatens to spiral out of control.

The streets of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince are filled with garbage and barricades, some of them burning, making it impossible for traffic to pass.

Leaders of opposition parties and civil society groups have asked the demonstrators to intensify their actions until Moise resigns.

So far, the only pronouncement of the international community came this weekend through the Core Group, made up of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the ambassadors of Germany, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the United States, France, the European Union and the special representative of the OAS, who called for dialogue to seek a solution to the political and economic crisis.

The protests are taking place in the midst of a severe economic downturn, which was aggravated this year by a sharp depreciation of the gourde, Haiti's official currency, and an electricity supply crisis resulting from the shortage of gasoline.

Haiti's economy, where more than half of its 10 million inhabitants survive on less than $2 a day, grew by just 1.4 per cent in 2018, one of the lowest growth rates in the region and well below the 2.2 per cent forecast at the beginning of last year, which was later reduced to 1.8 percent.

Demonstrators also demand justice for alleged irregularities in the Petrocaribe program, through which Venezuela supplies oil to Haiti at favourable prices.

An audit presented last week by the Court of Auditors revealed irregularities between 2008 and 2016 in this programme and pointed to 15 former ministers and current officials who are involved in this case, as well as a company run by Moise before he became president

The political crisis gripping Haiti entered its seventh day on Wednesday amid violent protests by opposition groups demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise which have left at least nine people dead.

The political crisis gripping Haiti entered its seventh day on Wednesday amid violent protests by opposition groups demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise which have left at least nine people dead. The demonstrators, mostly young men, returned to the streets of the capital Wednesday to call for the resignation of Moise, who remains silent and out of sight since his appeal for dialogue on February 9, as he faces increased pressure to step down from several sectors of the opposition. At least one man was killed on Wednesday and several people, including a journalist from the daily Le Nouvelliste, were injured during violent clashes around the National Palace between protesters, who threw stones, and policemen, who responded with gunshots. Firefighters and police were called when demonstrators in Delmas, just south of the capital, tried to set fire to the headquarters of the state radio channel. Faced with the climate of uncertainty and insecurity across the nation, many embassies have suspended their consular services, while others were closed. Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant convened a council of ministers for Wednesday, while foreign minister Edmond Bocchid was in Washington to discuss the situation with National Security Advisor John Bolton. Assad Volcy, one of the opposition leaders, told EFE that "there is no turning back. We have to solve the problem of inequality and hunger". Senator Youri Latortue, a former ally of Jovenel Moise, called on the president to resign "to avoid chaos and more blood." Most schools have been closed since the protests began on February 7, while public transport and local commerce have almost ground to a halt. Many businesses and fuel stations have been looted, and public and private vehicles burned, as the security situation in the impoverished Caribbean nation threatens to spiral out of control. The streets of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince are filled with garbage and barricades, some of them burning, making it impossible for traffic to pass. Leaders of opposition parties and civil society groups have asked the demonstrators to intensify their actions until Moise resigns. So far, the only pronouncement of the international community came this weekend through the Core Group, made up of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the ambassadors of Germany, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the United States, France, the European Union and the special representative of the OAS, who called for dialogue to seek a solution to the political and economic crisis. The protests are taking place in the midst of a severe economic downturn, which was aggravated this year by a sharp depreciation of the gourde, Haiti's official currency, and an electricity supply crisis resulting from the shortage of gasoline. Haiti's economy, where more than half of its 10 million inhabitants survive on less than $2 a day, grew by just 1.4 per cent in 2018, one of the lowest growth rates in the region and well below the 2.2 per cent forecast at the beginning of last year, which was later reduced to 1.8 percent. Demonstrators also demand justice for alleged irregularities in the Petrocaribe program, through which Venezuela supplies oil to Haiti at favourable prices. An audit presented last week by the Court of Auditors revealed irregularities between 2008 and 2016 in this programme and pointed to 15 former ministers and current officials who are involved in this case, as well as a company run by Moise before he became president

Violent protests continue in Haiti as crisis deepens

Bangladesh will seek India's support for an early resolution to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-crisis-bangladesh-seeks-international-support-180899">Rohingya crisis</a> during its Foreign Minister's maiden official visit to New Delhi.

AK Abdul Momen is all set to leave for his three-day visit to India on Wednesday night.

"Among other things, we want to consult with my counterpart about the early resolution of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-rohingya-crisis-what-to-watch-for-in-2019-187973">Rohingya crisis</a> as it may affect regional stability," Momen told Bangladesh`s state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

He was appointed as the Foreign Minister after Sheikh Hasina's Awami League came into power following a landslide victory after the 11th Parliamentary elections held on December 30 last year.

"I am visiting India in my maiden foreign tour to honour our great neighbour, the world’s greatest democracy," he said.

The Foreign Minister highlighted that as many as five memoranda of understanding (MoU) could be signed between the two sides during the visit.

Momen also highlighted that India and Bangladesh now share warm relations.

"We have some other issues as neighbours, everywhere in the world has issues. But by now, we have amicably resolved several of them -- like the major maritime boundary and the land boundary. We expect the others to be solved as well since we now enjoy the warmest-ever relations."

Officials told the national broadcaster that one of the three MoUs is about cooperation between New Delhi and Dhaka about graft investigations, while the other two are regarding TV broadcasting and medicinal plants.

Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will sign the first MoU. Bangladesh TV and India`s Prasar Bharti will sign the second one. The health ministries of both nations will sign the third MoU.

Momen will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. He will attend the fifth India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) on Friday. The last JCC meet held during October 2017 in Dhaka was attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The visiting dignitary is also scheduled to meet former President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday before returning home the next day.

Bangladesh will seek India's support for an early resolution to the Rohingya crisis during its Foreign Minister's maiden official visit to New Delhi. AK Abdul Momen is all set to leave for his three-day visit to India on Wednesday night.

Bangladesh will seek India's support for an early resolution to the Rohingya crisis during its Foreign Minister's maiden official visit to New Delhi. AK Abdul Momen is all set to leave for his three-day visit to India on Wednesday night. "Among other things, we want to consult with my counterpart about the early resolution of Rohingya crisis as it may affect regional stability," Momen told Bangladesh`s state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. He was appointed as the Foreign Minister after Sheikh Hasina's Awami League came into power following a landslide victory after the 11th Parliamentary elections held on December 30 last year. "I am visiting India in my maiden foreign tour to honour our great neighbour, the world’s greatest democracy," he said. The Foreign Minister highlighted that as many as five memoranda of understanding (MoU) could be signed between the two sides during the visit. Momen also highlighted that India and Bangladesh now share warm relations. "We have some other issues as neighbours, everywhere in the world has issues. But by now, we have amicably resolved several of them -- like the major maritime boundary and the land boundary. We expect the others to be solved as well since we now enjoy the warmest-ever relations." Officials told the national broadcaster that one of the three MoUs is about cooperation between New Delhi and Dhaka about graft investigations, while the other two are regarding TV broadcasting and medicinal plants. Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will sign the first MoU. Bangladesh TV and India`s Prasar Bharti will sign the second one. The health ministries of both nations will sign the third MoU. Momen will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. He will attend the fifth India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) on Friday. The last JCC meet held during October 2017 in Dhaka was attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The visiting dignitary is also scheduled to meet former President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday before returning home the next day.

Rohingya crisis: Bangladesh to seek India's support for early resolution

<a href="Voting down Brexit deal could lead to breakup of United Kingdom ...">Prime Minister Theresa May</a> faced the prospect of defeat in a historic vote on her Brexit deal in parliament on Tuesday, potentially leaving Britain in limbo about the biggest political and economic change for the country in decades.

A day after May urged lawmakers to take a second look at her plan, parliament looked set to reject it in a voting session due to start at 1900 GMT.

Two-and-a-half months before Britain is due to leave the EU, May's hopes of keeping her plan alive will hinge on the scale of her expected loss.

Avoiding a heavy defeat could give her the chance to ask Brussels for more concessions before attempting to get the plan through parliament in another vote.

But a humiliating outcome could pressure her to delay Britain's scheduled March 29 departure from the EU and potentially open up other options, ranging from a second referendum to leaving the EU with no deal.

One of May's senior ministers, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, called on lawmakers to respect the outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum decision, or risk undermining democracy.

"The British people have placed responsibility on us," Gove told BBC radio. "Are we going to live up to that responsibility and vote to leave the European Union or are we going to disappoint them and damage our democracy by not voting to leave the EU?"

But many Brexit-supporting lawmakers from May's Conservative Party reject the deal's "backstop" requirement that Northern Ireland stays closely aligned to EU rules to avoid the return of a hard border with EU member Ireland if a broader trade deal cannot be struck.

Dominic Raab, who resigned as for May's Brexit minister in November in protest at her plans, said the government should not lose its nerve over the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, something many employers fear would mean chaos for business.

"It's time for us, through this vote, to make clear not just that the current terms are unacceptable, but that we are not just throwing our hands up in the air," he said.

"We are going to leave on March 29."

But investors sense the possibility of a no-deal Brexit is receding, given the concerns of many lawmakers about the upheaval it could bring. Sterling hit a two-month high against the U.S. dollar on Monday and held near that level on Tuesday.

CRISIS

In Britain's deepest political crisis for at least half a century, May and EU leaders swapped assurances on the withdrawal deal on Monday, but there was little sign of a change of heart among rebel lawmakers.

The EU told May that it stood by commitments to find ways to avoid triggering the Irish "backstop".

That failed to reassure the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, which props up May's minority government and said it will still not back the deal.

May has warned lawmakers that if her plan is rejected, no Brexit at all would be more likely that Britain leaving the EU without a deal, a result she called "catastrophic" for democracy after parliament promised to honour the 2016 vote to leave.

She has also said that a break-up of the United Kingdom could be the result of parliament voting against the agreement and warned her Conservative Party against allowing the left-wing opposition Labour Party to seize the initiative.

Labour is formally committed to Brexit but opposes May's deal. Polls of party activists show that most of them want the party to back a new referendum, although it has not done so.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, hoping to force a national election, is expected to call for a parliamentary vote of no confidence in May if she loses Tuesday's vote.

May has refused to budge over her deal despite criticism from all quarters. The agreement, which envisages close economic ties with the EU, has united the opposing sides of the debate —pro-EU lawmakers who see it as the worst of all worlds and Brexit supporters who say it will make Britain a vassal state.

With a 'no deal' Brexit the default option if May's deal is defeated, some lawmakers are planning to try to pull control of Brexit from the government.

But through May is weakened, the executive has significant powers, especially during times of crisis, so it has not been clear how parliament would be able to take control of Brexit.

Prime Minister Theresa May faced the prospect of defeat in a historic vote on her Brexit deal in parliament on Tuesday, potentially leaving Britain in limbo about the biggest political and economic change for the country in decades.

Prime Minister Theresa May faced the prospect of defeat in a historic vote on her Brexit deal in parliament on Tuesday, potentially leaving Britain in limbo about the biggest political and economic change for the country in decades. A day after May urged lawmakers to take a second look at her plan, parliament looked set to reject it in a voting session due to start at 1900 GMT. Two-and-a-half months before Britain is due to leave the EU, May's hopes of keeping her plan alive will hinge on the scale of her expected loss. Avoiding a heavy defeat could give her the chance to ask Brussels for more concessions before attempting to get the plan through parliament in another vote. But a humiliating outcome could pressure her to delay Britain's scheduled March 29 departure from the EU and potentially open up other options, ranging from a second referendum to leaving the EU with no deal. One of May's senior ministers, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, called on lawmakers to respect the outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum decision, or risk undermining democracy. "The British people have placed responsibility on us," Gove told BBC radio. "Are we going to live up to that responsibility and vote to leave the European Union or are we going to disappoint them and damage our democracy by not voting to leave the EU?" But many Brexit-supporting lawmakers from May's Conservative Party reject the deal's "backstop" requirement that Northern Ireland stays closely aligned to EU rules to avoid the return of a hard border with EU member Ireland if a broader trade deal cannot be struck. Dominic Raab, who resigned as for May's Brexit minister in November in protest at her plans, said the government should not lose its nerve over the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, something many employers fear would mean chaos for business. "It's time for us, through this vote, to make clear not just that the current terms are unacceptable, but that we are not just throwing our hands up in the air," he said. "We are going to leave on March 29." But investors sense the possibility of a no-deal Brexit is receding, given the concerns of many lawmakers about the upheaval it could bring. Sterling hit a two-month high against the U.S. dollar on Monday and held near that level on Tuesday. CRISIS In Britain's deepest political crisis for at least half a century, May and EU leaders swapped assurances on the withdrawal deal on Monday, but there was little sign of a change of heart among rebel lawmakers. The EU told May that it stood by commitments to find ways to avoid triggering the Irish "backstop". That failed to reassure the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, which props up May's minority government and said it will still not back the deal. May has warned lawmakers that if her plan is rejected, no Brexit at all would be more likely that Britain leaving the EU without a deal, a result she called "catastrophic" for democracy after parliament promised to honour the 2016 vote to leave. She has also said that a break-up of the United Kingdom could be the result of parliament voting against the agreement and warned her Conservative Party against allowing the left-wing opposition Labour Party to seize the initiative. Labour is formally committed to Brexit but opposes May's deal. Polls of party activists show that most of them want the party to back a new referendum, although it has not done so. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, hoping to force a national election, is expected to call for a parliamentary vote of no confidence in May if she loses Tuesday's vote. May has refused to budge over her deal despite criticism from all quarters. The agreement, which envisages close economic ties with the EU, has united the opposing sides of the debate —pro-EU lawmakers who see it as the worst of all worlds and Brexit supporters who say it will make Britain a vassal state. With a 'no deal' Brexit the default option if May's deal is defeated, some lawmakers are planning to try to pull control of Brexit from the government. But through May is weakened, the executive has significant powers, especially during times of crisis, so it has not been clear how parliament would be able to take control of Brexit.

UK parliament looks set to reject PM May's Brexit deal

President Donald Trump will use his first prime-time Oval Office speech on Tuesday to tell Americans that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-will-visit-us-mexico-border-on-thursday-spokeswoman-188879">the US-Mexico border is in "crisis" and that a wall must be built</a>, despite the government shutdown triggered by his inability to get Democratic approval for the project.

After weeks of lashing out at Democrats, mostly via Twitter and occasional impromptu press conferences, Trump will pull out the presidency's biggest PR gun — the formal address to the nation at 9 pm (0200 GMT) from the White House's most storied room.

Vice President Mike Pence told ABC television that Trump will express his "deep desire to do his job to protect the American people" in the face of "a real humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border."

Trump wants $5.7 billion to construct high fencing along the border. Democrats have refused, saying he has hyped up immigration issues to appeal to his right-wing base.

In retaliation, Trump has refused to sign off on a broader spending bill, leaving some 800,000 federal employees and many more contractors without pay -- a partial government shutdown about to enter its 18th day.

Trump may use the Oval Office address to calm the waters and seek a compromise solution ending the shutdown and getting at least some funding for his cherished wall project.

Alternatively, he could double down, following through on his warning that he might bypass Congress by declaring emergency powers to fund the wall -- a move that would send political temperatures to boiling point.

Pence would not rule out an emergency declaration, telling CBS television it was something Trump was "considering."

Credibility question 
The Oval Office has witnessed historic announcements, ranging from George W. Bush's reaction to the 9/11 attacks to John F. Kennedy's televised appearance at the height of the Cuba missile crisis.

Trump's gambit is that the solemn setting will give him back the momentum on the Mexico wall issue which helped him get elected in 2016 and has become an obsessive goal for supporters. He will follow up with a rare trip to the Mexico border itself on Thursday.

But with many Americans far from sold on Trump's lurid claims about illegal immigrants, criminals and terrorists overwhelming the border, the speech faces its own high barrier: credibility.

Democrats, who ended the Trump presidency's dominance of domestic politics by seizing the House of Representatives from his Republicans in November, cried foul before a word was spoken.

"If his past statements are an indication (the speech) will be full of malice and misinformation," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the senior Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said.

And illustrating the controversy around Trump's signature domestic policy, several of the main US broadcast networks reportedly agonized over whether or not to accept the White House request for them to clear airtime for the speech.

In the end, the networks agreed, prompting Democrats to demand they be given airtime afterward to respond.

Compromise or attack? 
The big question was whether Trump would use the occasion to try and heal the nation or to drive the wedge between left and right even further.

Both sides are so far dug in on the issue that even agreement on whether there is a crisis is lacking.

Trump's government has been caught making a series of bald-faced exaggerations and lies, including the completely erroneous suggestion that around 4,000 terrorist suspects crossed into America via the border.

Democrats agree that the US immigration system is creaking under the strain of huge numbers of poor Latin Americans who want to get in for work or to escape violence. But most illegal immigrants in the country are people who overstayed visas, rather than crept across the harsh frontier.

Trump's surprise 2016 election win was in part based on his popular slogan "build the wall" and analysts say he feels he cannot afford to back down.

Democrats, emboldened by their partial control of Congress after spending the first two years of the Trump presidency on the sidelines, appear similarly fixated on denying him any semblance of victory.

Declaration of a national emergency, possibly giving Trump power to get military funding for his wall, would undoubtedly spark a political firestorm -- even if national emergency declarations on a variety of problems are in fact relatively common.

If Trump tries to "extend the executive power and try to get our military to build the border wall, declaring this a national security emergency, I think that he’ll face a significant and likely successful challenge in court," Democratic Senator Chris Coons said on CNN.

For now, the White House is hedging its bets, but seems to indicate it is ready to keep talking.

Americans "deserve Democrats to come back to the table, start negotiating and we believe we can resolve this through the legislative process," Pence said on CBS.

President Donald Trump will use his first prime-time Oval Office speech on Tuesday to tell Americans that the US-Mexico border is in "crisis" and that a wall must be built, despite the government shutdown triggered by his inability to get Democratic approval for the project.

President Donald Trump will use his first prime-time Oval Office speech on Tuesday to tell Americans that the US-Mexico border is in "crisis" and that a wall must be built, despite the government shutdown triggered by his inability to get Democratic approval for the project. After weeks of lashing out at Democrats, mostly via Twitter and occasional impromptu press conferences, Trump will pull out the presidency's biggest PR gun — the formal address to the nation at 9 pm (0200 GMT) from the White House's most storied room. Vice President Mike Pence told ABC television that Trump will express his "deep desire to do his job to protect the American people" in the face of "a real humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border." Trump wants $5.7 billion to construct high fencing along the border. Democrats have refused, saying he has hyped up immigration issues to appeal to his right-wing base. In retaliation, Trump has refused to sign off on a broader spending bill, leaving some 800,000 federal employees and many more contractors without pay -- a partial government shutdown about to enter its 18th day. Trump may use the Oval Office address to calm the waters and seek a compromise solution ending the shutdown and getting at least some funding for his cherished wall project. Alternatively, he could double down, following through on his warning that he might bypass Congress by declaring emergency powers to fund the wall -- a move that would send political temperatures to boiling point. Pence would not rule out an emergency declaration, telling CBS television it was something Trump was "considering." Credibility question The Oval Office has witnessed historic announcements, ranging from George W. Bush's reaction to the 9/11 attacks to John F. Kennedy's televised appearance at the height of the Cuba missile crisis. Trump's gambit is that the solemn setting will give him back the momentum on the Mexico wall issue which helped him get elected in 2016 and has become an obsessive goal for supporters. He will follow up with a rare trip to the Mexico border itself on Thursday. But with many Americans far from sold on Trump's lurid claims about illegal immigrants, criminals and terrorists overwhelming the border, the speech faces its own high barrier: credibility. Democrats, who ended the Trump presidency's dominance of domestic politics by seizing the House of Representatives from his Republicans in November, cried foul before a word was spoken. "If his past statements are an indication (the speech) will be full of malice and misinformation," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the senior Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said. And illustrating the controversy around Trump's signature domestic policy, several of the main US broadcast networks reportedly agonized over whether or not to accept the White House request for them to clear airtime for the speech. In the end, the networks agreed, prompting Democrats to demand they be given airtime afterward to respond. Compromise or attack? The big question was whether Trump would use the occasion to try and heal the nation or to drive the wedge between left and right even further. Both sides are so far dug in on the issue that even agreement on whether there is a crisis is lacking. Trump's government has been caught making a series of bald-faced exaggerations and lies, including the completely erroneous suggestion that around 4,000 terrorist suspects crossed into America via the border. Democrats agree that the US immigration system is creaking under the strain of huge numbers of poor Latin Americans who want to get in for work or to escape violence. But most illegal immigrants in the country are people who overstayed visas, rather than crept across the harsh frontier. Trump's surprise 2016 election win was in part based on his popular slogan "build the wall" and analysts say he feels he cannot afford to back down. Democrats, emboldened by their partial control of Congress after spending the first two years of the Trump presidency on the sidelines, appear similarly fixated on denying him any semblance of victory. Declaration of a national emergency, possibly giving Trump power to get military funding for his wall, would undoubtedly spark a political firestorm -- even if national emergency declarations on a variety of problems are in fact relatively common. If Trump tries to "extend the executive power and try to get our military to build the border wall, declaring this a national security emergency, I think that he’ll face a significant and likely successful challenge in court," Democratic Senator Chris Coons said on CNN. For now, the White House is hedging its bets, but seems to indicate it is ready to keep talking. Americans "deserve Democrats to come back to the table, start negotiating and we believe we can resolve this through the legislative process," Pence said on CBS.

In TV address to country, Trump to declare 'crisis' on US-Mexico border

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cuba-defends-controversial-arts-decree-but-seeks-consensus-on-norms-182401">Cuba</a>'s government admitted on Friday that it won't be able to pay all its debt commitments in 2019, blaming Hurricane Irma and the United States sanctions for its woes.

"In 2019, we'll have less credit than the amount of debt we're planning to pay," said finance minister Alejandro Gil during a parliamentary session.

"There will be a level of debt that we won't be able to pay next year and this will affect the performance of the economy."

"There is a high level of debt in the economy that creates daily tensions."

"We've been looking for specific solutions but it's affecting the harmonious performance of the economy."

Gil insisted that Cuba's new loans would be marginally lower than the existing debts it will pay off, meaning that "we won't be increasing our level of debt."

Cuba recently defaulted on a part of its debt with Brazil and is behind in reimbursing another portion related to the construction of a port and purchase of food.

Havana blames these delays on the effects of Hurricane Irma, which made landfall in early September 2017, and a hardening US embargo that hinders its international financial transactions.

Cuba's government has said the economy grew by 1.2 per cent in 2018.

Cuba's government admitted on Friday that it won't be able to pay all its debt commitments in 2019, blaming Hurricane Irma and the United States sanctions for its woes.

Cuba's government admitted on Friday that it won't be able to pay all its debt commitments in 2019, blaming Hurricane Irma and the United States sanctions for its woes. "In 2019, we'll have less credit than the amount of debt we're planning to pay," said finance minister Alejandro Gil during a parliamentary session. "There will be a level of debt that we won't be able to pay next year and this will affect the performance of the economy." "There is a high level of debt in the economy that creates daily tensions." "We've been looking for specific solutions but it's affecting the harmonious performance of the economy." Gil insisted that Cuba's new loans would be marginally lower than the existing debts it will pay off, meaning that "we won't be increasing our level of debt." Cuba recently defaulted on a part of its debt with Brazil and is behind in reimbursing another portion related to the construction of a port and purchase of food. Havana blames these delays on the effects of Hurricane Irma, which made landfall in early September 2017, and a hardening US embargo that hinders its international financial transactions. Cuba's government has said the economy grew by 1.2 per cent in 2018.

Cuba says unable to pay off debt commitments in 2019

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party on Sunday urged the president to reconvene parliament and end a worsening political crisis, as the minority ethnic community emerge as kingmakers in the power struggle.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) could tip the balance should parliament be recalled this week to decide between two rivals both claiming the lawful right to head Sri Lanka's government.

Sri Lanka has been gripped by constitutional turmoil since President Maithripala Sirisena sacked his former ally, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and his cabinet on October 26.

Wickremesinghe says his dismissal was illegal as he commands a greater majority in parliament than Mahinda Rajapakse, the former strongman president controversially installed in his place.

The TNA has already said it would vote against Rajapakse in a no-confidence motion when parliament reconvenes.

Both rivals have been marshalling numbers behind the scenes, worrying civil society groups who protested Sunday in the capital Colombo against the horse-trading.

TNA legislator Dharmalingam Sithadthan said the president had called the Tamil legislators to a meeting Wednesday -- the same day parliament was expected to reconvene.

"We have asked the president to immediately call parliament and end this crisis," TNA legislator Dharmalingam Sithadthan told AFP.

Wickremesinghe's party risks losing legislators to Rajapakse's camp as the days drag by. Some members of his party have already alleged they were offered portfolios and huge amounts of money to switch allegiances.

Six MPs have already switched sides and been granted portfolios under Rajapakse's new administration.

The Sunday Times of Colombo newspaper described the sacking of the prime minister as "sheer political expediency" and outside the law.

The state-run Sunday Observer, now controlled by Rajapakse-loyalists, defended the change of government but acknowledged the crisis should be resolved.

According to latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs from the 225- 
seat assembly while Rajapakse and Sirisena have 101.

Most of the remaining 21 MPs -- including the TNA -- are set to oppose Rajapakse, observers said.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) party, which has seven lawmakers, said its members had also rejected offers to join the Sirisena-Rajapakse camp.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party on Sunday urged the president to reconvene parliament and end a worsening political crisis, as the minority ethnic community emerge as kingmakers in the power struggle.

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party on Sunday urged the president to reconvene parliament and end a worsening political crisis, as the minority ethnic community emerge as kingmakers in the power struggle. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) could tip the balance should parliament be recalled this week to decide between two rivals both claiming the lawful right to head Sri Lanka's government. Sri Lanka has been gripped by constitutional turmoil since President Maithripala Sirisena sacked his former ally, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and his cabinet on October 26. Wickremesinghe says his dismissal was illegal as he commands a greater majority in parliament than Mahinda Rajapakse, the former strongman president controversially installed in his place. The TNA has already said it would vote against Rajapakse in a no-confidence motion when parliament reconvenes. Both rivals have been marshalling numbers behind the scenes, worrying civil society groups who protested Sunday in the capital Colombo against the horse-trading. TNA legislator Dharmalingam Sithadthan said the president had called the Tamil legislators to a meeting Wednesday -- the same day parliament was expected to reconvene. "We have asked the president to immediately call parliament and end this crisis," TNA legislator Dharmalingam Sithadthan told AFP. Wickremesinghe's party risks losing legislators to Rajapakse's camp as the days drag by. Some members of his party have already alleged they were offered portfolios and huge amounts of money to switch allegiances. Six MPs have already switched sides and been granted portfolios under Rajapakse's new administration. The Sunday Times of Colombo newspaper described the sacking of the prime minister as "sheer political expediency" and outside the law. The state-run Sunday Observer, now controlled by Rajapakse-loyalists, defended the change of government but acknowledged the crisis should be resolved. According to latest counts, Wickremesinghe has 103 MPs from the 225- seat assembly while Rajapakse and Sirisena have 101. Most of the remaining 21 MPs -- including the TNA -- are set to oppose Rajapakse, observers said. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) party, which has seven lawmakers, said its members had also rejected offers to join the Sirisena-Rajapakse camp.

Sri Lanka Tamils push parliament to end crisis

Sri Lankan parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya warned Monday that the country's political crisis could turn into a "bloodbath" unless lawmakers were allowed to resolve a power struggle between the president and his ousted premier.

"We should settle this through parliament, but if we take it out to the streets, there will be a huge bloodbath," Jayasuriya told reporters.

He said he had urged President Maithripala Sirisena, whose sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday unleashed the tensions, to let Wickremesinghe prove his majority on the floor of the House.

After sacking Wickremesinghe, the president appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse as the prime minister, leaving the country with two people claiming to run the government.

Sri Lankan parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya warned Monday that the country's political crisis could turn into a "bloodbath" unless lawmakers were allowed to resolve a power struggle between the president and his ousted premier.

Sri Lankan parliament speaker Karu Jayasuriya warned Monday that the country's political crisis could turn into a "bloodbath" unless lawmakers were allowed to resolve a power struggle between the president and his ousted premier. "We should settle this through parliament, but if we take it out to the streets, there will be a huge bloodbath," Jayasuriya told reporters. He said he had urged President Maithripala Sirisena, whose sacking of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday unleashed the tensions, to let Wickremesinghe prove his majority on the floor of the House. After sacking Wickremesinghe, the president appointed former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse as the prime minister, leaving the country with two people claiming to run the government.

Parliament speaker warns of 'bloodbath' in Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena is under increasing pressure to uphold the island nation's constitution and reconvene parliament after his decision to replace the prime minister triggered political turmoil.

Sri Lanka was plunged into the crisis on Friday when Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa to replace him, breaking up a fragile coalition governing the island.

Wickremesinghe said his sacking was illegal and he maintained that he was still prime minister, leading to a standoff between his party and labour unions loyal to Sirisena.

On Sunday, Arjuna Ranatunga, petroleum minister in the ousted cabinet, tried to re-enter his office, leading to clashes in which one person was killed and two were injured.

The crisis has important ramifications in a battle for influence in south Asia between Sri Lanka's traditional ally India and China, a country that is playing an increasing role in the region.

China, long seen as a supporter of Rajapaksa, has already congratulated him on becoming prime minister.

But India, the European Union and the United States have all urged Sirisena to abide by the constitution.

"We call on the president, in consultation with the speaker, to immediately reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfil their responsibilities to affirm who will lead their government," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Sources in diplomatic missions said most foreign envoys had yet to send congratulatory messages to Rajapaksa as it could be interpreted as legitimising the new government while there were still complaints his appointment was unconstitutional.

Rajapaksa was not immediately reachable for comment on Monday.

A 2015 constitutional amendment diluted the powers of the president, making Sirisena's action unconstitutional, said Kalana Senaratne, a senior lecturer at the University of Peradeniya.

CRITICAL TIME FOR ECONOMY

Despite Wickremesinghe's insistence he was still prime minister, his police security detail had been drastically reduced, media reported.

Early on Monday, guards were seen leaving his official residence in lorries with their bags, a Reuters witness said.

Sirisena also replaced the heads of three state media organisations on Sunday, to complaints from Wickremesinghe's party.

The political turmoil comes at a critical time for a Sri Lankan economy struggling with slow growth and a weakening currency.

If tensions continue, Sri Lanka could struggle to refinance government debt that comes due in early 2019 at an affordable rate, credit rating agency Moody's said.

The country's bonds sold off on Monday, while the Sri Lankan rupee fell 0.58 percent to an all-time low.

"The president’s sudden appointment of Mr Rajapaksa as prime minister significantly heightens policy uncertainty," said Matthew Circosta, an analyst at Moody's Sovereign Risk Group

"Additionally, the possible social tensions that may unfold in the next few weeks would have a negative impact on the economy, which is already growing slowly."

India and western countries have previously expressed concern about Rajapaksa's ties to China, after he ushered in billions of dollars of investment from Beijing to rebuild the country following the end of a 26-year war against ethnic Tamil separatists in 2009.

That investment has since put Sri Lanka deep in debt and forced it to hand over control of a strategic port to China.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena is under increasing pressure to uphold the island nation's constitution and reconvene parliament after his decision to replace the prime minister triggered political turmoil.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena is under increasing pressure to uphold the island nation's constitution and reconvene parliament after his decision to replace the prime minister triggered political turmoil. Sri Lanka was plunged into the crisis on Friday when Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and swore in ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa to replace him, breaking up a fragile coalition governing the island. Wickremesinghe said his sacking was illegal and he maintained that he was still prime minister, leading to a standoff between his party and labour unions loyal to Sirisena. On Sunday, Arjuna Ranatunga, petroleum minister in the ousted cabinet, tried to re-enter his office, leading to clashes in which one person was killed and two were injured. The crisis has important ramifications in a battle for influence in south Asia between Sri Lanka's traditional ally India and China, a country that is playing an increasing role in the region. China, long seen as a supporter of Rajapaksa, has already congratulated him on becoming prime minister. But India, the European Union and the United States have all urged Sirisena to abide by the constitution. "We call on the president, in consultation with the speaker, to immediately reconvene parliament and allow the democratically elected representatives of the Sri Lankan people to fulfil their responsibilities to affirm who will lead their government," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. Sources in diplomatic missions said most foreign envoys had yet to send congratulatory messages to Rajapaksa as it could be interpreted as legitimising the new government while there were still complaints his appointment was unconstitutional. Rajapaksa was not immediately reachable for comment on Monday. A 2015 constitutional amendment diluted the powers of the president, making Sirisena's action unconstitutional, said Kalana Senaratne, a senior lecturer at the University of Peradeniya. CRITICAL TIME FOR ECONOMY Despite Wickremesinghe's insistence he was still prime minister, his police security detail had been drastically reduced, media reported. Early on Monday, guards were seen leaving his official residence in lorries with their bags, a Reuters witness said. Sirisena also replaced the heads of three state media organisations on Sunday, to complaints from Wickremesinghe's party. The political turmoil comes at a critical time for a Sri Lankan economy struggling with slow growth and a weakening currency. If tensions continue, Sri Lanka could struggle to refinance government debt that comes due in early 2019 at an affordable rate, credit rating agency Moody's said. The country's bonds sold off on Monday, while the Sri Lankan rupee fell 0.58 percent to an all-time low. "The president’s sudden appointment of Mr Rajapaksa as prime minister significantly heightens policy uncertainty," said Matthew Circosta, an analyst at Moody's Sovereign Risk Group "Additionally, the possible social tensions that may unfold in the next few weeks would have a negative impact on the economy, which is already growing slowly." India and western countries have previously expressed concern about Rajapaksa's ties to China, after he ushered in billions of dollars of investment from Beijing to rebuild the country following the end of a 26-year war against ethnic Tamil separatists in 2009. That investment has since put Sri Lanka deep in debt and forced it to hand over control of a strategic port to China.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena under increasing global pressure to end political crisis

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh today launched a scathing attack on the Modi government for its "disastrous policies" and "economic mismanagement", and said the country was facing crises that were avoidable.

Singh attacked the government over a series of banking sector frauds, saying the money swindled almost quadrupled from Rs 28,416 crore in September 2013 to Rs 1.11 lakh crore in September 2017.

"Perpetrators of these frauds meanwhile escape with impunity. The economic mismanagement of the Modi government, and I say this with great care and responsibility, is slowly eroding the trust of the general public in the banking sector," he said.

"Our nation today is experiencing difficult times. Our farmers are facing an acute crisis, our aspirational youth are not finding opportunities, and the economy is growing below its potential," Singh told reporters here.

He said the "unfortunate truth" was that each of these crises was "entirely avoidable".

"It pains me to see how rather than standing up to all these challenges, the governments response has been to stifle dissent when deficiencies are pointed out," he said.

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Noting that economic policy has a significant impact on the lives of people, he said it was essential that those tasked with decision making pay careful attention to policies and programmes and not act on mere whims and fancies.

"India is a complex and diverse country and no one person can be the repository of all wisdom," he said in an apparent dig at Modi.

He said every time an answer was sought for any of the "disastrous policies" of the BJP government, "all we hear is that the intentions are virtuous".

Singh said the intentions of the Modi government which it claimed were good, had resulted in "massive" losses for the country.

"Its lack of reasoning and analysis is costing India and our collective future."

The former prime minister said under the UPA governments the growth rate averaged 7 per cent. It was 8 per cent at one point of time despite turbulent global conditions, he said.

The NDA government, he said, clocked inferior growth rate despite a favourable international climate and low oil prices. In fact, growth rate under the NDA is lower in spite of the change in the methodology to determine it "which paints a rosier picture than reality", Singh said. 
According to Singh, two "major avoidable blunders" of the Modi government had been demonetisation and hasty implementation of GST.

He said the losses the economy suffered due to these blunders had severely hurt the micro, small and medium enterprises and resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. 
Besides, exports as a share of the GDP plunged to a 14 year low at a time when the global economy was reviving and exports of other Asian nations like Vietnam were growing substantially, he said.

Singh said petrol and diesel prices were at a "historic high" despite a fall in international crude oil prices because the Modi government had chosen to levy "excessive" excise duty.

"Instead of passing on the benefits of low prices to the people, the Modi government has punished the people," he said.&nbsp;

'Our farmers are facing an acute crisis, our aspirational youth are not finding opportunities, and the economy is growing below its potential,' Singh said

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh today launched a scathing attack on the Modi government for its "disastrous policies" and "economic mismanagement", and said the country was facing crises that were avoidable. Singh attacked the government over a series of banking sector frauds, saying the money swindled almost quadrupled from Rs 28,416 crore in September 2013 to Rs 1.11 lakh crore in September 2017. "Perpetrators of these frauds meanwhile escape with impunity. The economic mismanagement of the Modi government, and I say this with great care and responsibility, is slowly eroding the trust of the general public in the banking sector," he said. "Our nation today is experiencing difficult times. Our farmers are facing an acute crisis, our aspirational youth are not finding opportunities, and the economy is growing below its potential," Singh told reporters here. He said the "unfortunate truth" was that each of these crises was "entirely avoidable". "It pains me to see how rather than standing up to all these challenges, the governments response has been to stifle dissent when deficiencies are pointed out," he said. It pains me to see how rather than standing up to all these challenges, the governments response has been to stifle dissent when deficiencies are pointed out' × Noting that economic policy has a significant impact on the lives of people, he said it was essential that those tasked with decision making pay careful attention to policies and programmes and not act on mere whims and fancies. "India is a complex and diverse country and no one person can be the repository of all wisdom," he said in an apparent dig at Modi. He said every time an answer was sought for any of the "disastrous policies" of the BJP government, "all we hear is that the intentions are virtuous". Singh said the intentions of the Modi government which it claimed were good, had resulted in "massive" losses for the country. "Its lack of reasoning and analysis is costing India and our collective future." The former prime minister said under the UPA governments the growth rate averaged 7 per cent. It was 8 per cent at one point of time despite turbulent global conditions, he said. The NDA government, he said, clocked inferior growth rate despite a favourable international climate and low oil prices. In fact, growth rate under the NDA is lower in spite of the change in the methodology to determine it "which paints a rosier picture than reality", Singh said. According to Singh, two "major avoidable blunders" of the Modi government had been demonetisation and hasty implementation of GST. He said the losses the economy suffered due to these blunders had severely hurt the micro, small and medium enterprises and resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs. Besides, exports as a share of the GDP plunged to a 14 year low at a time when the global economy was reviving and exports of other Asian nations like Vietnam were growing substantially, he said. Singh said petrol and diesel prices were at a "historic high" despite a fall in international crude oil prices because the Modi government had chosen to levy "excessive" excise duty. "Instead of passing on the benefits of low prices to the people, the Modi government has punished the people," he said.

Our nation today is experiencing difficult times: Manmohan Singh

The United Nations Security Council, after visiting the Rohingya camp here on Sunday, said that there was no magic solution.

UN Security Council envoys began a four-day visit to Bangladesh and Myanmar on Saturday to see firsthand the aftermath of a Myanmar military crackdown that Britain, the United States and others have denounced as ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims.

The UNSC team comprising of delegates from five permanent members China, France, Russia, UK and the US, and 10 other non-permanent members visited the Kutupalong refugee camp at Tombru border in Bandarban's Naikhyangchhari to assess the plight of the refugees there.

They are due to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and travel to Rakhine state, where the violence erupted eight months ago. Myanmar denies the accusations of ethnic cleansing.

The Rohingya refugees arrived at the location, holding several posters and demanding safe repatriation back to Myanmar.

As per the Daily Star, at least 700,000 Rohingya people have fled to Myanmar since violence escalated following a military crackdown in Rakhine state back in August 2017.

The visit puts a global spotlight back on the crisis amid warnings by the United Nations, aid groups and Myanmar’s panel of international advisers on Rohingya issues that the coming monsoon season would likely worsen the humanitarian situation.

“We have to push to see how we can speed up the process of the implementation of the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar,” said Kuwait’s U.N. Ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi.

Bangladesh has earlier assured assistance to the UN Security Council to help in the repatriation process.

Earlier on April 16, the Myanmar government said in a Facebook post that a family of five had returned to the country from the border area between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

This claim was rejected by a Europe-based website named Rohingya Blogger which called it to be a deception. 
&nbsp;

The UNSC team comprising of delegates from five permanent members China, France, Russia, UK and the US, and 10 other non-permanent members visited the Kutupalong refugee camp at Tombru border in Bandarban's Naikhyangchhari to assess the plight of the refugees there

The United Nations Security Council, after visiting the Rohingya camp here on Sunday, said that there was no magic solution. UN Security Council envoys began a four-day visit to Bangladesh and Myanmar on Saturday to see firsthand the aftermath of a Myanmar military crackdown that Britain, the United States and others have denounced as ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims. The UNSC team comprising of delegates from five permanent members China, France, Russia, UK and the US, and 10 other non-permanent members visited the Kutupalong refugee camp at Tombru border in Bandarban's Naikhyangchhari to assess the plight of the refugees there. They are due to meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and travel to Rakhine state, where the violence erupted eight months ago. Myanmar denies the accusations of ethnic cleansing. The Rohingya refugees arrived at the location, holding several posters and demanding safe repatriation back to Myanmar. As per the Daily Star, at least 700,000 Rohingya people have fled to Myanmar since violence escalated following a military crackdown in Rakhine state back in August 2017. The visit puts a global spotlight back on the crisis amid warnings by the United Nations, aid groups and Myanmar’s panel of international advisers on Rohingya issues that the coming monsoon season would likely worsen the humanitarian situation. “We have to push to see how we can speed up the process of the implementation of the bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar,” said Kuwait’s U.N. Ambassador Mansour Ayyad Al-Otaibi. Bangladesh has earlier assured assistance to the UN Security Council to help in the repatriation process. Earlier on April 16, the Myanmar government said in a Facebook post that a family of five had returned to the country from the border area between Bangladesh and Myanmar. This claim was rejected by a Europe-based website named Rohingya Blogger which called it to be a deception.

UN Security Council puts spotlight on Rohingya refugee crisis, says no magic solution

Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia snubbed its former regional ally Qatar at the annual summit Tuesday of regional monarchies as King Salman stayed away despite the presence of the Qatari emir.

The crisis-hit Gulf Cooperation Council summit was going ahead in Kuwait City but amid uncertainty over which leaders from among Riyadh and its allies would join their Qatari rival for the talks.

The future of the six-nation GCC -- formed 36 years ago to bring together energy-rich Sunni Arab Gulf states -- appeared to be hanging in the balance.

This year&#39;s meeting comes with Saudi Arabia and its allies engaged in a bitter dispute with fellow GCC member Qatar, in the worst crisis ever to hit the bloc.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani accepted an invitation to attend, but with only hours before talks were due to begin, Saudi King Salman sent his foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, in his stead.

Bahrain sent its deputy prime minister and Emirati media said the state minister for foreign affairs would represent Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;

Those three Gulf states, together with Egypt, cut all ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing the gas-rich emirate of supporting Islamist extremists and of being too close to Shiite Iran, Riyadh&#39;s arch-rival.&nbsp;

Qatar denies the allegations and has accused the Saudi-led bloc of aiming to incite a change of regime in Doha.

Kuwait has been leading mediation efforts within the GCC to resolve the crisis, but so far with little success.

Casting further doubt on the group&#39;s future, the UAE said Tuesday it was forming a new military and economic committee with Saudi Arabia separate from the GCC.&nbsp;

The committee &quot;will coordinate between the two countries in all military, political, economic, trade and cultural fields,&quot; according to a decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

Founded in 1981, the GCC is a political and economic union grouping Qatar with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as well as Oman and Kuwait.

Dominated by Riyadh, it has been a regional counterweight to Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia&#39;s Shiite rival across the Gulf.&nbsp;

On Monday, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Qatar attended round-table talks ahead of the gathering, in their first such encounter since the diplomatic crisis erupted in June.

Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yussef bin Alawi sat between them at the meeting which the foreign ministers of the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait also attended.

After cutting off all ties with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a land, sea and air blockade of the emirate and issued a list of 13 demands to have it lifted.

Bahrain in October called for Qatar&#39;s membership of the GCC to be suspended until it accepted the demands.

Experts warn that the crisis could lead to the demise of the once-powerful GCC.

&quot;The justifications for the existence of the GCC bloc amidst the continued crisis are no longer present like before,&quot; said Sami al-Faraj, head of the Kuwait Center for Strategic Studies. &quot;As long as our enemy has changed from Iran to Qatar, the GCC will not continue.&quot;

The failure of the GCC members to solidify long-delayed plans for economic unity may also threaten its future.

The Gulf states have approved a customs union, a common market, a single currency and a single central bank, but most of these have yet to be implemented.

Speaking at Monday`s meeting, Kuwait&#39;s Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah stressed the determination of member states to preserve the GCC.

&quot;The GCC is a continuous project in which the will of member states meets to build a unified Gulf body,&quot; he said.

The crisis-hit Gulf Cooperation Council summit which was going ahead in Kuwait City witnessed the absence of the Saudi King

Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia snubbed its former regional ally Qatar at the annual summit Tuesday of regional monarchies as King Salman stayed away despite the presence of the Qatari emir. The crisis-hit Gulf Cooperation Council summit was going ahead in Kuwait City but amid uncertainty over which leaders from among Riyadh and its allies would join their Qatari rival for the talks. The future of the six-nation GCC -- formed 36 years ago to bring together energy-rich Sunni Arab Gulf states -- appeared to be hanging in the balance. This year's meeting comes with Saudi Arabia and its allies engaged in a bitter dispute with fellow GCC member Qatar, in the worst crisis ever to hit the bloc. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani accepted an invitation to attend, but with only hours before talks were due to begin, Saudi King Salman sent his foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, in his stead. Bahrain sent its deputy prime minister and Emirati media said the state minister for foreign affairs would represent Abu Dhabi. Those three Gulf states, together with Egypt, cut all ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing the gas-rich emirate of supporting Islamist extremists and of being too close to Shiite Iran, Riyadh's arch-rival. Qatar denies the allegations and has accused the Saudi-led bloc of aiming to incite a change of regime in Doha. Kuwait has been leading mediation efforts within the GCC to resolve the crisis, but so far with little success. Casting further doubt on the group's future, the UAE said Tuesday it was forming a new military and economic committee with Saudi Arabia separate from the GCC. The committee "will coordinate between the two countries in all military, political, economic, trade and cultural fields," according to a decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Founded in 1981, the GCC is a political and economic union grouping Qatar with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as well as Oman and Kuwait. Dominated by Riyadh, it has been a regional counterweight to Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia's Shiite rival across the Gulf. On Monday, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Qatar attended round-table talks ahead of the gathering, in their first such encounter since the diplomatic crisis erupted in June. Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yussef bin Alawi sat between them at the meeting which the foreign ministers of the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait also attended. After cutting off all ties with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a land, sea and air blockade of the emirate and issued a list of 13 demands to have it lifted. Bahrain in October called for Qatar's membership of the GCC to be suspended until it accepted the demands. Experts warn that the crisis could lead to the demise of the once-powerful GCC. "The justifications for the existence of the GCC bloc amidst the continued crisis are no longer present like before," said Sami al-Faraj, head of the Kuwait Center for Strategic Studies. "As long as our enemy has changed from Iran to Qatar, the GCC will not continue." The failure of the GCC members to solidify long-delayed plans for economic unity may also threaten its future. The Gulf states have approved a customs union, a common market, a single currency and a single central bank, but most of these have yet to be implemented. Speaking at Monday`s meeting, Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Sabah stressed the determination of member states to preserve the GCC. "The GCC is a continuous project in which the will of member states meets to build a unified Gulf body," he said.

Saudi, allies snub Qatar at crisis-hit Gulf summit

The Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jagdish Mukhi, said on Friday that approximately 1,000 tourists are stranded on Havelock Island due to bad weather. He added that 320 of them are foreign nationals.

The Indian navy said six ships and two Indian Coast Guard ships had sailed out from Port Blair for rescue operations Friday. Three Indian air force choppers were also part of the&nbsp;operation.

Mukhi had on Thursday assured that the tourists stranded on Havelock Island are safe and that there has been no damage to property or loss of life. Mukhi said, &quot;In Andaman and Nicobar deep depression continues to prevail, but we are hoping the situation will be normal by the evening. In this week, there has been no damage to property or loss of life.&quot; He further said that only tourists have been asked to stay inside their hotels because of the bad weather and the rough sea.

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had assured that the government will launch the rescue operations immediately after the intensity of the cyclone reduces and evacuate the tourists stuck in Andaman&#39;s Havelock island. &quot;Spoke to Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dr. Jagdish Mukhi who apprised me of the situation in Havelock Islands. All the tourists who are stranded in Havelock Island are safe. The government has made all the preparations to evacuate them,&quot; Singh tweeted.

The Indian Navy on Wednesday informed about their ships reaching Havelock Island and the evacuation of tourists from there to Port Blair to start as soon as the weather gets normal. Tourists were stranded at Havelock Island after heavy rains lashed the region.

The Andaman and Nicobar Disaster Management, which speculated cyclonic storm to hit the area, contacted Indian Navy and requested for an evacuation process be initiated. Havelock Island is the largest chain of Islands and is a famous tourist destination.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

The Andaman LG said the stranded tourists were safe and that there had been no loss of life or damage to property

The Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jagdish Mukhi, said on Friday that approximately 1,000 tourists are stranded on Havelock Island due to bad weather. He added that 320 of them are foreign nationals. The Indian navy said six ships and two Indian Coast Guard ships had sailed out from Port Blair for rescue operations Friday. Three Indian air force choppers were also part of the operation. Mukhi had on Thursday assured that the tourists stranded on Havelock Island are safe and that there has been no damage to property or loss of life. Mukhi said, "In Andaman and Nicobar deep depression continues to prevail, but we are hoping the situation will be normal by the evening. In this week, there has been no damage to property or loss of life." He further said that only tourists have been asked to stay inside their hotels because of the bad weather and the rough sea. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had assured that the government will launch the rescue operations immediately after the intensity of the cyclone reduces and evacuate the tourists stuck in Andaman's Havelock island. "Spoke to Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dr. Jagdish Mukhi who apprised me of the situation in Havelock Islands. All the tourists who are stranded in Havelock Island are safe. The government has made all the preparations to evacuate them," Singh tweeted. The Indian Navy on Wednesday informed about their ships reaching Havelock Island and the evacuation of tourists from there to Port Blair to start as soon as the weather gets normal. Tourists were stranded at Havelock Island after heavy rains lashed the region. The Andaman and Nicobar Disaster Management, which speculated cyclonic storm to hit the area, contacted Indian Navy and requested for an evacuation process be initiated. Havelock Island is the largest chain of Islands and is a famous tourist destination. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Andaman crisis: Navy, IAF, Coast Guard deployed to rescue 1,000 tourists stranded on Havelock Island

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Aleppo, diplomats said.

The meeting will begin immediately following a Security Council session on the adoption of a resolution reinforcing sanctions against North Korea, which is scheduled to begin at 1400 GMT.

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The 15 ambassadors of the Security Council will get a videoconference briefing on the situation in Aleppo by a UN official in charge of humanitarian operations and the UN mediator in Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

In east Aleppo, thousands of civilians have fled the fighting and bombings as the Syrian government forces advanced against parts of the rebel-held areas.

The UN condemned on Tuesday the &quot;descent into hell&quot; being endured by civilians.

Up to 20,000 people have fled the regime offensive in the past 72 hours, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

&quot;France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War II,&quot; said France&#39;s UN ambassador Francois Delattre on Tuesday.

He and his British counterpart Matthew Rycroft earlier in the day were pushing for the emergency council meeting on providing humanitarian relief to the besieged Syrian city.

East Aleppo has been under government siege for more than four months, with international aid stocks exhausted and food supplies running low.

Rycroft said the council would discuss plans for the UN to deliver much-needed food and medicine into Aleppo and evacuate the sick and wounded.

&quot;Russia complained that the opposition had not agreed to this plan. Now they have, so I call on Russia to make sure the Syrian regime agrees,&quot; Rycroft said.

&quot;The future of Aleppo is in the hands of the regime and Russia, and we urge the regime and Russia to stop the bombing and let the aid go through.&quot;

(AFP)

The 15 ambassadors of the council will get a video briefing on the crisis in the beleaguered Syrian city

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Aleppo, diplomats said. The meeting will begin immediately following a Security Council session on the adoption of a resolution reinforcing sanctions against North Korea, which is scheduled to begin at 1400 GMT. The UN condemned on Tuesday the 'descent into hell' Aleppo's citizens are being made to live through × The 15 ambassadors of the Security Council will get a videoconference briefing on the situation in Aleppo by a UN official in charge of humanitarian operations and the UN mediator in Syria, Staffan de Mistura. In east Aleppo, thousands of civilians have fled the fighting and bombings as the Syrian government forces advanced against parts of the rebel-held areas. The UN condemned on Tuesday the "descent into hell" being endured by civilians. Up to 20,000 people have fled the regime offensive in the past 72 hours, the International Committee of the Red Cross said. "France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War II," said France's UN ambassador Francois Delattre on Tuesday. He and his British counterpart Matthew Rycroft earlier in the day were pushing for the emergency council meeting on providing humanitarian relief to the besieged Syrian city. East Aleppo has been under government siege for more than four months, with international aid stocks exhausted and food supplies running low. Rycroft said the council would discuss plans for the UN to deliver much-needed food and medicine into Aleppo and evacuate the sick and wounded. "Russia complained that the opposition had not agreed to this plan. Now they have, so I call on Russia to make sure the Syrian regime agrees," Rycroft said. "The future of Aleppo is in the hands of the regime and Russia, and we urge the regime and Russia to stop the bombing and let the aid go through." (AFP)

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Aleppo

Heidi Alexander, who resigned as health policy chief for Britain&#39;s opposition Labour Party today, said she expected several of her colleagues in party leader Jeremy Corbyn&#39;s top team to do the same. 
 
The party is in open conflict following Britain`s vote to leave the European Union on Thursday. Labour&#39;s widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in Corbyn. 
 
&quot;I think that there are a fair number,&quot; Alexander told ITV television in response to a question about how many of her colleagues she expected to resign. 
 
&quot;I know from the conversations that I&#39;ve had with colleagues that this is a very difficult time for all of us. It&#39;s not a decision that we want to take but some of the time you do have to take tough decisions in politics and so I know a lot of my colleagues will be asking themselves similar questions to the one I&#39;ve asked myself this morning.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Labour's widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in party leader Corbyn

Heidi Alexander, who resigned as health policy chief for Britain's opposition Labour Party today, said she expected several of her colleagues in party leader Jeremy Corbyn's top team to do the same. The party is in open conflict following Britain`s vote to leave the European Union on Thursday. Labour's widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in Corbyn. "I think that there are a fair number," Alexander told ITV television in response to a question about how many of her colleagues she expected to resign. "I know from the conversations that I've had with colleagues that this is a very difficult time for all of us. It's not a decision that we want to take but some of the time you do have to take tough decisions in politics and so I know a lot of my colleagues will be asking themselves similar questions to the one I've asked myself this morning." (Reuters)

'Fair number' of UK Labour policy chiefs to resign: Heidi Alexander

Britain&#39;s opposition Labour party plunged into turmoil today and the prospect of Scottish independence drew closer, ahead of a showdown with EU leaders over the country&#39;s seismic vote to leave the bloc. 
 
Two days after Prime Minister David Cameron resigned over his failure to keep Britain in the European Union, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a revolt by his lawmakers who called for him, too, to quit. 
 
US secretary of state John Kerry will also fly first to Brussels and then on to London on Monday, amid dismay in Washington over Britain&#39;s decision. 
 
European leaders have called for a swift divorce amid fears of a domino-effect of exit votes in eurosceptic member states that could imperil the integrity of the 28-country alliance. 
 
Britain&#39;s political world is in disarray, while two new polls today showed a surge in support for independence in Scotland, where voters defied the national mood and chose to stay in the EU. 
 
European leaders meet on Monday to discuss the result, which wiped $2.1 trillion from global equity markets Friday amid fears of a new threat to the global economy. 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and EU President Donald Tusk for talks in Berlin. 
 
Cameron is then due to attend a summit of EU leaders on Tuesday to explain Britain&#39;s decision. 
 
Britons cast aside warnings of isolation and economic disaster to vote 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU in Thursday&#39;s referendum. 
 
The historic vote, fought on the battlefronts of the economy and immigration, exposed deep divisions in the country that politicians are scrambling to respond to. 
 
Cameron has said he will stay on until a successor is found from within his governing Conservative party, which could take until October, at which point the new prime minister will launch the EU exit negotiations. 
 
But EU foreign ministers on Saturday urged Britain not to delay, with France&#39;s Jean-Marc Ayrault directly calling on Cameron to go quickly. 
 
&quot;A new prime minister must be designated, that will take a few days but there is a certain urgency,&quot; he told AFP. 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain&#39;s exit talks should not &quot;drag on forever&quot; but said that until they were completed, Britain would remain a fully-fledged EU member. 
 
&quot;There is no reason to be nasty in the negotiations. We have to follow the rules of the game,&quot; she said. 
 
Labour revolt 
 
Likely candidates to succeed Cameron, including Brexit campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson, began sounding out support over the weekend. 
 
The referendum decision has also lit a fuse under disgruntled members of the Labour party, many of whom have been unhappy with Corbyn&#39;s leadership since he took office last September. 
 
Support for leaving the European Union was strong across northern England, the Midlands and Wales, including many areas that traditional vote Labour. 
 
The party leadership had campaigned to stay in the EU, but critics accuse Corbyn of failing to reach out to working-class voters drawn in by the &quot;Leave&quot; camp&#39;s anti-establishment rhetoric. 
 
After a symbolic vote of no confidence on Friday against Corbyn, he sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn late Saturday for challenging his leadership. 
 
Hours later, health spokeswoman Heidi Alexander quit, and media reports suggested several other colleagues were poised to join her.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding,&quot; Alexander wrote in her resignation letter. 
 
But allies of the veteran socialist said he had no plans to step down. &quot;He&#39;s not going anywhere,&quot; finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC television. 
 
The motion of no confidence is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday. 
 
Any challenger would need the support of 20 percent of the party&#39;s 229 MPs and it would then be put to party members. 
 
Boost for Scottish independence&nbsp; 
 
As Westminster politicians bickered, Scotland appeared to be moving closer towards independence, just two years after they voted by 55 per cent to stay in the UK. 
 
&quot;The UK that Scotland voted to stay in in 2014 does not exist any more,&quot; First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC television Sunday. 
 
Scots had defied the national trend and voted to remain in the European Union, and the prospect of being taken out against their will has boosted the nationalist cause. 
 
Two polls today support for independence at 59 percent and 52 percent respectively. 
 
Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum was now &quot;highly likely&quot;, and a meeting of her cabinet on Saturday agreed to start drawing up the necessary legislation. 
 
&quot;This is not going to be a re-run of the 2014 referendum. The context and the circumstances have changed dramatically,&quot; she told the BBC. 
 
Across Britain, more than three million Britons signed up to a rapidly-growing petition on an official government website pleading for a new vote. 
 
The number of signatories far surpassed the 100,000 required for a proposal to be discussed in the House of Commons. A committee will consider the motion on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

Scots defied the national mood and voted to stay on in EU. The 'leave' sentiment was strong in northern England, Midlands and Wales

Britain's opposition Labour party plunged into turmoil today and the prospect of Scottish independence drew closer, ahead of a showdown with EU leaders over the country's seismic vote to leave the bloc. Two days after Prime Minister David Cameron resigned over his failure to keep Britain in the European Union, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a revolt by his lawmakers who called for him, too, to quit. US secretary of state John Kerry will also fly first to Brussels and then on to London on Monday, amid dismay in Washington over Britain's decision. European leaders have called for a swift divorce amid fears of a domino-effect of exit votes in eurosceptic member states that could imperil the integrity of the 28-country alliance. Britain's political world is in disarray, while two new polls today showed a surge in support for independence in Scotland, where voters defied the national mood and chose to stay in the EU. European leaders meet on Monday to discuss the result, which wiped $2.1 trillion from global equity markets Friday amid fears of a new threat to the global economy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and EU President Donald Tusk for talks in Berlin. Cameron is then due to attend a summit of EU leaders on Tuesday to explain Britain's decision. Britons cast aside warnings of isolation and economic disaster to vote 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU in Thursday's referendum. The historic vote, fought on the battlefronts of the economy and immigration, exposed deep divisions in the country that politicians are scrambling to respond to. Cameron has said he will stay on until a successor is found from within his governing Conservative party, which could take until October, at which point the new prime minister will launch the EU exit negotiations. But EU foreign ministers on Saturday urged Britain not to delay, with France's Jean-Marc Ayrault directly calling on Cameron to go quickly. "A new prime minister must be designated, that will take a few days but there is a certain urgency," he told AFP. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain's exit talks should not "drag on forever" but said that until they were completed, Britain would remain a fully-fledged EU member. "There is no reason to be nasty in the negotiations. We have to follow the rules of the game," she said. Labour revolt Likely candidates to succeed Cameron, including Brexit campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson, began sounding out support over the weekend. The referendum decision has also lit a fuse under disgruntled members of the Labour party, many of whom have been unhappy with Corbyn's leadership since he took office last September. Support for leaving the European Union was strong across northern England, the Midlands and Wales, including many areas that traditional vote Labour. The party leadership had campaigned to stay in the EU, but critics accuse Corbyn of failing to reach out to working-class voters drawn in by the "Leave" camp's anti-establishment rhetoric. After a symbolic vote of no confidence on Friday against Corbyn, he sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn late Saturday for challenging his leadership. Hours later, health spokeswoman Heidi Alexander quit, and media reports suggested several other colleagues were poised to join her. "I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding," Alexander wrote in her resignation letter. But allies of the veteran socialist said he had no plans to step down. "He's not going anywhere," finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC television. The motion of no confidence is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday. Any challenger would need the support of 20 percent of the party's 229 MPs and it would then be put to party members. Boost for Scottish independence As Westminster politicians bickered, Scotland appeared to be moving closer towards independence, just two years after they voted by 55 per cent to stay in the UK. "The UK that Scotland voted to stay in in 2014 does not exist any more," First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC television Sunday. Scots had defied the national trend and voted to remain in the European Union, and the prospect of being taken out against their will has boosted the nationalist cause. Two polls today support for independence at 59 percent and 52 percent respectively. Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum was now "highly likely", and a meeting of her cabinet on Saturday agreed to start drawing up the necessary legislation. "This is not going to be a re-run of the 2014 referendum. The context and the circumstances have changed dramatically," she told the BBC. Across Britain, more than three million Britons signed up to a rapidly-growing petition on an official government website pleading for a new vote. The number of signatories far surpassed the 100,000 required for a proposal to be discussed in the House of Commons. A committee will consider the motion on Tuesday. (AFP)

UK's split with EU boosts Scottish nationalists

Turmoil unleashed by Britain&#39;s vote to leave the EU engulfed the opposition Labour Party, while policymakers as far away as China, Japan and South Korea fretted today over the threat to global financial stability, hours before markets reopen. 
 
In the oldest parliamentary democracy, three million Britons have signed a petition calling for a re-run of Thursday&#39;s referendum that split the nation, and one opinion poll showed a strong majority of Scots now want to break with the United Kingdom rather than with the European Union. 
 
Labour&#39;s left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign policy chief as the party plunged into open conflict. 
 
His health chief responded by resigning, calling for a new leader and reflecting accusations among pro-EU lawmakers that Corbyn&#39;s failure to win over traditional Labour voters had played a major role in the referendum result. 
 
Sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn also called for Corbyn, who was elected last year largely by Left-wing party members and supporters, to go. &quot;He is a good and decent man but he is not a leader,&quot; Benn told BBC television. 
 
The 52-48 per cent referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project of forging greater unity across the continent. 
 
Sterling fell as much as 10 per cent against the Dollar on Friday to levels last seen in 1985, while world stocks saw more than $2 trillion wiped off their value. The weekend gave some respite from the turmoil, but with markets opening shortly in Asia, anxiety is growing. 
 
Prime Minister David Cameron resigned on Friday after Britons ignored his passionate appeals to stay in the EU, but left formally notifying Brussels of Britain&#39;s exit to his successor, who is unlikely to be in office for about three months. That signals a long period of limbo. 
 
Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said the vote &quot;will cast a shadow over the global economy&quot;. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s difficult to predict now,&quot; he said at the first annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing. &quot;The knee-jerk reaction from the market is probably a bit excessive and needs to calm down and take an objective view.&quot; 
 
Japan likewise fretted over the effect on the global currency market and contemplated official action. &quot;Speculative, violent moves have extremely negative effects,&quot; said Tomomi Inada, policy chief of the ruling LDP party. &quot;If necessary, the government should not hesitate to respond, including currency intervention,&quot; Nikkei daily quoted him as saying. 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to engineer a weaker Yen to encourage exports to help revive the Japanese economy. But after initial success, investors have sought safety in the Yen this year due to stock market turmoil and now the Brexit vote, pushing the currency back up. 
 
No respite 
 
South Korea&#39;s finance minister also said he feared international markets will remain volatile throughout negotiations on the British exit. 
 
The United States, which during campaigning made clear it wanted Britain to stay in the EU, also showed signs of unease. 
 
Secretary of state John Kerry will meet EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini in Brussels and British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in London on Monday. 
 
The visit is largely meant to offer symbolic reassurance at a critical juncture for Europe, but a senior US official said Kerry would also stress the importance of other members not following Britain&#39;s lead and further weakening the EU. 
 
Despite the international expressions of concern, respite from the uncertainty is unlikely for months, at the very least. 
 
Cameron has offered to stay on as a caretaker, but he has refused to invoke Article 50 of the EU&#39;s Lisbon Treaty, which allows for two years of exit negotiations. Instead he left that job to his successor, who is due to be elected by his Conservative Party sometime before its annual conference in October. 
 
Only after the new leader has invoked can work on thrashing out Britain&#39;s new relationship with the bloc begin. The man widely tipped as the next prime minister is former London mayor Boris Johnson, the most prominent member of the campaign to leave the EU. 
 
No lying down 
 
Signs are growing that not all the 16 million Britons who voted to stay in the EU are willing to take the result lying down. Many flocked to back an online petition demanding a second vote, with signatures exceeding three million today morning, more than double the figure the previous afternoon. 
 
The petition, posted on Parliament&#39;s website before the referendum, said there should be another vote if the outcome was close on a turnout of less than 75 per cent - three points above Thursday&#39;s figure. 
 
It will have to be considered for debate by lawmakers, but has no legal force and its backers compare with the 17.4 million who voted &quot;leave&quot;. 
 
The referendum has also re-energised support for Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, to break away from the United Kingdom instead. 
 
An opinion poll in The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents backed independence, rocketing from 45 per cent of votes cast in a referendum in 2014. 
 
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a fresh independence referendum is possible 
 
&quot;My challenge now as first minister is to work out how I best protect Scotland&#39;s interests, how I try to prevent us being taken out of the EU against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail,&quot; she told the BBC&#39;s Andrew Marr show.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

The 52-48% referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project forging unity across the continent

Turmoil unleashed by Britain's vote to leave the EU engulfed the opposition Labour Party, while policymakers as far away as China, Japan and South Korea fretted today over the threat to global financial stability, hours before markets reopen. In the oldest parliamentary democracy, three million Britons have signed a petition calling for a re-run of Thursday's referendum that split the nation, and one opinion poll showed a strong majority of Scots now want to break with the United Kingdom rather than with the European Union. Labour's left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign policy chief as the party plunged into open conflict. His health chief responded by resigning, calling for a new leader and reflecting accusations among pro-EU lawmakers that Corbyn's failure to win over traditional Labour voters had played a major role in the referendum result. Sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn also called for Corbyn, who was elected last year largely by Left-wing party members and supporters, to go. "He is a good and decent man but he is not a leader," Benn told BBC television. The 52-48 per cent referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project of forging greater unity across the continent. Sterling fell as much as 10 per cent against the Dollar on Friday to levels last seen in 1985, while world stocks saw more than $2 trillion wiped off their value. The weekend gave some respite from the turmoil, but with markets opening shortly in Asia, anxiety is growing. Prime Minister David Cameron resigned on Friday after Britons ignored his passionate appeals to stay in the EU, but left formally notifying Brussels of Britain's exit to his successor, who is unlikely to be in office for about three months. That signals a long period of limbo. Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said the vote "will cast a shadow over the global economy". "It's difficult to predict now," he said at the first annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing. "The knee-jerk reaction from the market is probably a bit excessive and needs to calm down and take an objective view." Japan likewise fretted over the effect on the global currency market and contemplated official action. "Speculative, violent moves have extremely negative effects," said Tomomi Inada, policy chief of the ruling LDP party. "If necessary, the government should not hesitate to respond, including currency intervention," Nikkei daily quoted him as saying. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to engineer a weaker Yen to encourage exports to help revive the Japanese economy. But after initial success, investors have sought safety in the Yen this year due to stock market turmoil and now the Brexit vote, pushing the currency back up. No respite South Korea's finance minister also said he feared international markets will remain volatile throughout negotiations on the British exit. The United States, which during campaigning made clear it wanted Britain to stay in the EU, also showed signs of unease. Secretary of state John Kerry will meet EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini in Brussels and British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in London on Monday. The visit is largely meant to offer symbolic reassurance at a critical juncture for Europe, but a senior US official said Kerry would also stress the importance of other members not following Britain's lead and further weakening the EU. Despite the international expressions of concern, respite from the uncertainty is unlikely for months, at the very least. Cameron has offered to stay on as a caretaker, but he has refused to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which allows for two years of exit negotiations. Instead he left that job to his successor, who is due to be elected by his Conservative Party sometime before its annual conference in October. Only after the new leader has invoked can work on thrashing out Britain's new relationship with the bloc begin. The man widely tipped as the next prime minister is former London mayor Boris Johnson, the most prominent member of the campaign to leave the EU. No lying down Signs are growing that not all the 16 million Britons who voted to stay in the EU are willing to take the result lying down. Many flocked to back an online petition demanding a second vote, with signatures exceeding three million today morning, more than double the figure the previous afternoon. The petition, posted on Parliament's website before the referendum, said there should be another vote if the outcome was close on a turnout of less than 75 per cent - three points above Thursday's figure. It will have to be considered for debate by lawmakers, but has no legal force and its backers compare with the 17.4 million who voted "leave". The referendum has also re-energised support for Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, to break away from the United Kingdom instead. An opinion poll in The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents backed independence, rocketing from 45 per cent of votes cast in a referendum in 2014. Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a fresh independence referendum is possible "My challenge now as first minister is to work out how I best protect Scotland's interests, how I try to prevent us being taken out of the EU against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail," she told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. (Reuters)

British EU exit turmoil alarms Asia, rocks Labour opposition

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