The Chinese authorities consider it necessary to strengthen strategic military contacts and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-talks-up-technology-prowess-in-face-of-united-states-rivalry-257035">mutual trust with the United States</a> amid various challenges and issues, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said during the opening of the ninth&nbsp;Xiangshan security forum on Monday. 
 
"The military relations with the US are, on the whole, stable, but they face multiple challenges and complications. The armed forces of the two countries should enhance strategic communications, strengthen mutual trust, cultivate cooperation in the area of risk control and management, and strive to make coordination and cooperation a solid bedrock of the US-China relations," Wei said. 
 
He added that Beijing was determined to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours, steadily develop military relations with the adjacent countries, and was constantly promoting raising the level of military cooperation. 
 
The 9th Xiangshan Forum on security is being held in Beijing from October 20-22. The event is organized by the China Association of Military Science and the China Institute of International Strategic Studies, with participating defence ministers, experts, and former military officials. The first Xiangshan forum was held in 2006. Starting from 2015, it is held annually.

The Chinese authorities consider it necessary to strengthen strategic military contacts and mutual trust with the United States amid various challenges and issues, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said during the opening of the ninth Xiangshan security forum on Monday.

The Chinese authorities consider it necessary to strengthen strategic military contacts and mutual trust with the United States amid various challenges and issues, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said during the opening of the ninth Xiangshan security forum on Monday. "The military relations with the US are, on the whole, stable, but they face multiple challenges and complications. The armed forces of the two countries should enhance strategic communications, strengthen mutual trust, cultivate cooperation in the area of risk control and management, and strive to make coordination and cooperation a solid bedrock of the US-China relations," Wei said. He added that Beijing was determined to maintain friendly relations with its neighbours, steadily develop military relations with the adjacent countries, and was constantly promoting raising the level of military cooperation. The 9th Xiangshan Forum on security is being held in Beijing from October 20-22. The event is organized by the China Association of Military Science and the China Institute of International Strategic Studies, with participating defence ministers, experts, and former military officials. The first Xiangshan forum was held in 2006. Starting from 2015, it is held annually.

China wants closer military coordination with United States despite disagreements: Defence minister

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Conservative rival Andrew Scheer slugged it out Sunday on the last day of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-election-brings-call-to-arms-against-gun-violence-256821">rancorous election campaign</a>.

With Canadians going to the polls on Monday, the Liberals and Tories went into the home stretch in a dead heat, each with about 31-32 per cent support after 40 days of mudslinging.

Pollsters are predicting a minority government will result,&nbsp;led either by the Liberals or the Conservatives, as the smaller New Democratic Party (NDP), Green Party and Bloc Quebecois have continued to chip away at the frontrunners' leads.

Their voices hoarse, Trudeau and Scheer made last, desperate pitches to undecided voters over the weekend in key battlegrounds in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec provinces.

"We need a strong, progressive government that will unite Canadians and fight climate change, not a progressive opposition," Trudeau told a rally in a suburb of Vancouver after whistle-stops in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta.

"We need to unite as citizens. We need to unite as a planet," he said.

Policy desert

Scheer, also crisscrossing the country over the weekend, accused the Liberals of being spendthrift, saying on Sunday in Vancouver: "The choice tomorrow is between a Liberal-NDP coalition that will run massive deficits and leave less money in your pocket or a Conservative government that will get back to balanced budgets and make life more affordable.

"Trudeau would pay any price to stay in power and he'd use your money to do it," he said. "We want Canadians to send Conservative MPs to Ottawa to undo the damage that Justin Trudeau has caused."

The campaign, which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-trudeau-slams-rivals-for-dirty-campaign-gets-obama-endorsement-256396">Trudeau has described as the nastiest</a> in Canadian history, has been "a desert from a public-policy point of view," said pollster Nik Nanos of Nanos Research.

Trudeau has faced an unexpected surge from the NDP and Greens on the left, and from the separatist Bloc Quebecois, back from the dead and riding a new Quebec nationalist wave, as he battles disenchantment with his leadership after four years in power.

For his part, Scheer has struggled to convince voters to look past his bland, minivan-driving dad persona and the party's minimalist platform to give the rookie leader a chance to govern.

Attack ads, sometimes skirting the truth, have accused the Liberals of planning to raise taxes and legalize hard drugs, and the Tories of allowing assault rifles on the streets and restricting abortion services.

Both Trudeau and Scheer also took swipes at the Bloc, accusing its leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, after he raised Quebec sovereignty in the dying hours of the campaign, of seeking to "again divide the country," after two failed referendums in 1980 and 1995 on Quebec independence.

Liberals have urged their supporters to vote strategically to prevent a rollback of Trudeau's progressive policies by the Tories.

Former US President Barack Obama chimed in with an endorsement of Trudeau, calling him an "effective leader who takes on big issues like climate change."

"The world needs his progressive leadership now," Obama said in a recent tweet.

'Sing louder'

Plagued by a blackface scandal and accused of ethical lapses in the handling of the bribery prosecution of an engineering giant, Trudeau has seen his star dim and his personal popularity slip over the past year.

At a stop Friday night in Vaughan, Ontario, he invoked the memory of his father, the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau, who was a driving force behind the establishment of modern Canada.

"My father always used to tell me that when you're paddling across a big lake and the clouds get darker and the wind comes up and the waves start to show white caps and break a little more, there really is only one thing to do: sing louder and paddle harder," he said.

"And that's what we do as Liberals."

At another recent rally, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-opposition-chief-pressed-on-us-citizenship-drops-candidate-for-anti-gay-comments-253862">Trudeau</a> was forced to take the unprecedented step of wearing a bulletproof vest on stage amid heavy security due to an unspecified threat.

Trump-inspired chants

Scheer, meanwhile, stepped up efforts to instil fears that the Liberals and New Democrats would form an alliance that he said would be the "worst possible outcome" for Canada.

The only formal coalition in Canada's parliament was in 1917 during World War I.

Throughout the campaign, Scheer faced criticism for padding his resume and over his personal opposition to abortion and gay marriage.

Repeatedly he has had to calm supporters chanting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-trudeau-goes-on-attack-in-debate-as-he-seeks-to-revive-campaign-253420">"Lock him up!" against Trudeau</a>, inspired by the line US President Donald Trump's supporters used against Hillary Clinton in 2016.

On Saturday, Scheer sidestepped accusations that the Tories had worked to smear and "destroy" his former rival for the party's leadership, Maxime Bernier, who went on to start his own People's Party.&nbsp;

The People's Party has situated itself to the right of the Conservatives and could draw votes away from the Tories.&nbsp;

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Conservative rival Andrew Scheer slugged it out Sunday on the last day of a rancorous election campaign. With Canadians going to the polls on Monday, the Liberals and Tories went into the home stretch in a dead heat, each with about 31-32 per cent support after 40 days of mudslinging.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Conservative rival Andrew Scheer slugged it out Sunday on the last day of a rancorous election campaign. With Canadians going to the polls on Monday, the Liberals and Tories went into the home stretch in a dead heat, each with about 31-32 per cent support after 40 days of mudslinging. Pollsters are predicting a minority government will result, led either by the Liberals or the Conservatives, as the smaller New Democratic Party (NDP), Green Party and Bloc Quebecois have continued to chip away at the frontrunners' leads. Their voices hoarse, Trudeau and Scheer made last, desperate pitches to undecided voters over the weekend in key battlegrounds in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec provinces. "We need a strong, progressive government that will unite Canadians and fight climate change, not a progressive opposition," Trudeau told a rally in a suburb of Vancouver after whistle-stops in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. "We need to unite as citizens. We need to unite as a planet," he said. Policy desert Scheer, also crisscrossing the country over the weekend, accused the Liberals of being spendthrift, saying on Sunday in Vancouver: "The choice tomorrow is between a Liberal-NDP coalition that will run massive deficits and leave less money in your pocket or a Conservative government that will get back to balanced budgets and make life more affordable. "Trudeau would pay any price to stay in power and he'd use your money to do it," he said. "We want Canadians to send Conservative MPs to Ottawa to undo the damage that Justin Trudeau has caused." The campaign, which Trudeau has described as the nastiest in Canadian history, has been "a desert from a public-policy point of view," said pollster Nik Nanos of Nanos Research. Trudeau has faced an unexpected surge from the NDP and Greens on the left, and from the separatist Bloc Quebecois, back from the dead and riding a new Quebec nationalist wave, as he battles disenchantment with his leadership after four years in power. For his part, Scheer has struggled to convince voters to look past his bland, minivan-driving dad persona and the party's minimalist platform to give the rookie leader a chance to govern. Attack ads, sometimes skirting the truth, have accused the Liberals of planning to raise taxes and legalize hard drugs, and the Tories of allowing assault rifles on the streets and restricting abortion services. Both Trudeau and Scheer also took swipes at the Bloc, accusing its leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, after he raised Quebec sovereignty in the dying hours of the campaign, of seeking to "again divide the country," after two failed referendums in 1980 and 1995 on Quebec independence. Liberals have urged their supporters to vote strategically to prevent a rollback of Trudeau's progressive policies by the Tories. Former US President Barack Obama chimed in with an endorsement of Trudeau, calling him an "effective leader who takes on big issues like climate change." "The world needs his progressive leadership now," Obama said in a recent tweet. 'Sing louder' Plagued by a blackface scandal and accused of ethical lapses in the handling of the bribery prosecution of an engineering giant, Trudeau has seen his star dim and his personal popularity slip over the past year. At a stop Friday night in Vaughan, Ontario, he invoked the memory of his father, the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau, who was a driving force behind the establishment of modern Canada. "My father always used to tell me that when you're paddling across a big lake and the clouds get darker and the wind comes up and the waves start to show white caps and break a little more, there really is only one thing to do: sing louder and paddle harder," he said. "And that's what we do as Liberals." At another recent rally, Trudeau was forced to take the unprecedented step of wearing a bulletproof vest on stage amid heavy security due to an unspecified threat. Trump-inspired chants Scheer, meanwhile, stepped up efforts to instil fears that the Liberals and New Democrats would form an alliance that he said would be the "worst possible outcome" for Canada. The only formal coalition in Canada's parliament was in 1917 during World War I. Throughout the campaign, Scheer faced criticism for padding his resume and over his personal opposition to abortion and gay marriage. Repeatedly he has had to calm supporters chanting "Lock him up!" against Trudeau, inspired by the line US President Donald Trump's supporters used against Hillary Clinton in 2016. On Saturday, Scheer sidestepped accusations that the Tories had worked to smear and "destroy" his former rival for the party's leadership, Maxime Bernier, who went on to start his own People's Party. The People's Party has situated itself to the right of the Conservatives and could draw votes away from the Tories.

Liberals, Tories slug it out on last day of Canada election

Evo Morales led Bolivia's presidential election race Sunday but faces a historic second-round run-off against opposition rival Carlos Mesa, partial results announced by election authorities showed.

Seeking a fourth term, Morales had 45 per cent of the vote to Mesa's 38 per cent, with 84 per cent of the vote counted, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said.

Elected Bolivia's first indigenous president in 2005, he has won all his previous elections in the first round, never having to contest a run-off.

South Korean-born evangelical pastor, Chi Hyun Chung, was in third place with 8.7 per cent of the vote.

Morales, who will turn 60 next week, has been at the helm in the poor but resource-rich Latin American country for 13 years, and a new mandate would keep him in power until 2025.

The former coca farmer and leftist union leader obtained Constitutional Court permission in 2017 to run again for president even though the constitution allows only two consecutive terms.

Evo Morales led Bolivia's presidential election race Sunday but faces a historic second-round run-off against opposition rival Carlos Mesa, partial results announced by election authorities showed.

Evo Morales led Bolivia's presidential election race Sunday but faces a historic second-round run-off against opposition rival Carlos Mesa, partial results announced by election authorities showed. Seeking a fourth term, Morales had 45 per cent of the vote to Mesa's 38 per cent, with 84 per cent of the vote counted, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said. Elected Bolivia's first indigenous president in 2005, he has won all his previous elections in the first round, never having to contest a run-off. South Korean-born evangelical pastor, Chi Hyun Chung, was in third place with 8.7 per cent of the vote. Morales, who will turn 60 next week, has been at the helm in the poor but resource-rich Latin American country for 13 years, and a new mandate would keep him in power until 2025. The former coca farmer and leftist union leader obtained Constitutional Court permission in 2017 to run again for president even though the constitution allows only two consecutive terms.

Morales leads Bolivia election but faces run-off

Hong Kong residents said on Monday (October 21) that anti-government protesters and police both "overreacted" after a largely peaceful protest degenerated into violence on the Kowloon peninsula, with shops destroyed and ATM torched.

Hong Kong residents blame police and protesters for overreacting after violent protests

Ahead of next month's general election, Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced sharp criticism Sunday for his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-leaders-demand-talks-with-madrid-after-violent-clashes-256960">handling of violent Catalan separatist protests</a> even as calm returned to Barcelona and other cities overnight.

The centre-right Ciudadanos party, which was born out of opposition to Catalan separatism, held a rally in front of Catalonia's regional government headquarters in Barcelona under the slogan: "That's enough! Justice and coexistence".

"We have had enough of seeing how radicals roam freely and scare millions of Spaniards on their land. The streets belong to everyone," Ciudadanos leader Alberto Rivera tweeted before the rally began.

He has called on Sanchez to suspend Catalonia's autonomy just as the central government did in 2017 after the Catalan parliament declared independence following a banned secession referendum.

The streets of Barcelona and other Catalan cities have been rocked by protests since Spain's Supreme Court sentenced nine separatist leaders, many of them former regional government ministers, last Monday to jail terms of up to 13 years for sedition over the failed 2017 independence bid.

Nearly 600 people have been injured in clashes with police since the protests started. A police officer was in "very serious condition" and a demonstrator was in "critical condition" according to Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.

'No dialogue'

In an interview published in top-selling daily newspaper El Pais, the leader of the main conservative opposition Popular Party (PP), Pablo Casado, accused the government of "pretending nothing has happened" and promising that everything will return to normal "with moderation".

"There can be no dialogue with those who make Catalonia burn," he said in reference to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-must-stop-now-says-catalan-president-as-barcelona-burns-256362">Catalonia's separatist president Quim Torra</a> who on Saturday called for "unconditional" negotiations with Sanchez.

That appeared to be aimed at ensuring that a legal referendum on independence, currently a non-starter for Madrid, was up for discussion.

Sanchez, who came to power in June 2018 with the support of Catalan separatist parties, refused to meet with Torra until he "clearly" condemns this week's violence and recognises that half of Catalonia's roughly 7.5 million residents do not want independence.

A poll published in July by a public Catalan institute showed support for an independent Catalonia at its lowest level in two years, with 48.3 per cent of people against and 44 per cent in favour.

'Increase polarisation'

The court's decision has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-separatists-police-clash-in-fresh-violence-256595">thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate</a> ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years.

According to the first poll since Monday's verdict, the ruling Socialists are likely to secure the most votes but again fall short of a majority. The PP was tipped to make significant gains.

Published by the daily El Mundo, the survey predicted Sanchez's Socialists would capture&nbsp;122 seats in the 350-seat parliament, slightly down from 123 it took in the last election in April, while the PP would win 98 seats, up from 66.

"Order and territory has never been a winning bet for the Socialists," Pablo Simon, a political science professor at Madrid's Carlos III university, wrote in a blog post on Saturday, adding the Catalan crisis will "increase polarisation" which would benefit parties with more extreme positions like the far-right Vox and radical separatists CUP.

Barcelona returned to relative calm Saturday night after six days of demonstrations against the jailing of separatist leaders.

But on iconic Las Ramblas street, protesters set up barricades and lit fires before they were dispersed by police firing foam projectiles.&nbsp;

Overnight Friday, radical separatists had hurled rocks and fireworks at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Ahead of next month's general election, Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced sharp criticism Sunday for his handling of violent Catalan separatist protests even as calm returned to Barcelona and other cities overnight.

Ahead of next month's general election, Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced sharp criticism Sunday for his handling of violent Catalan separatist protests even as calm returned to Barcelona and other cities overnight. The centre-right Ciudadanos party, which was born out of opposition to Catalan separatism, held a rally in front of Catalonia's regional government headquarters in Barcelona under the slogan: "That's enough! Justice and coexistence". "We have had enough of seeing how radicals roam freely and scare millions of Spaniards on their land. The streets belong to everyone," Ciudadanos leader Alberto Rivera tweeted before the rally began. He has called on Sanchez to suspend Catalonia's autonomy just as the central government did in 2017 after the Catalan parliament declared independence following a banned secession referendum. The streets of Barcelona and other Catalan cities have been rocked by protests since Spain's Supreme Court sentenced nine separatist leaders, many of them former regional government ministers, last Monday to jail terms of up to 13 years for sedition over the failed 2017 independence bid. Nearly 600 people have been injured in clashes with police since the protests started. A police officer was in "very serious condition" and a demonstrator was in "critical condition" according to Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. 'No dialogue' In an interview published in top-selling daily newspaper El Pais, the leader of the main conservative opposition Popular Party (PP), Pablo Casado, accused the government of "pretending nothing has happened" and promising that everything will return to normal "with moderation". "There can be no dialogue with those who make Catalonia burn," he said in reference to Catalonia's separatist president Quim Torra who on Saturday called for "unconditional" negotiations with Sanchez. That appeared to be aimed at ensuring that a legal referendum on independence, currently a non-starter for Madrid, was up for discussion. Sanchez, who came to power in June 2018 with the support of Catalan separatist parties, refused to meet with Torra until he "clearly" condemns this week's violence and recognises that half of Catalonia's roughly 7.5 million residents do not want independence. A poll published in July by a public Catalan institute showed support for an independent Catalonia at its lowest level in two years, with 48.3 per cent of people against and 44 per cent in favour. 'Increase polarisation' The court's decision has thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years. According to the first poll since Monday's verdict, the ruling Socialists are likely to secure the most votes but again fall short of a majority. The PP was tipped to make significant gains. Published by the daily El Mundo, the survey predicted Sanchez's Socialists would capture 122 seats in the 350-seat parliament, slightly down from 123 it took in the last election in April, while the PP would win 98 seats, up from 66. "Order and territory has never been a winning bet for the Socialists," Pablo Simon, a political science professor at Madrid's Carlos III university, wrote in a blog post on Saturday, adding the Catalan crisis will "increase polarisation" which would benefit parties with more extreme positions like the far-right Vox and radical separatists CUP. Barcelona returned to relative calm Saturday night after six days of demonstrations against the jailing of separatist leaders. But on iconic Las Ramblas street, protesters set up barricades and lit fires before they were dispersed by police firing foam projectiles. Overnight Friday, radical separatists had hurled rocks and fireworks at police who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Spanish Prime Minister under pressure over Catalan protests

Prime Minister Imran Khan will not put down his resignation papers 'under any circumstances', the federal government said on Saturday after the opposition parties called off negotiations and vouched to go ahead with their 'Azadi march' to hold anti-government protests countrywide over the incumbent government's failure to fulfil any of its promises so far. 
 
The opposition parties called to "restore 'real' democracy in the country" and urged the Prime Minister to resign. 
 
Express Tribune quoted Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, the head of the government committee formed to hold talks with the opposition parties, as saying at a news conference, "The prime minister [Imran Khan] will not resign under any circumstances." 
 
"It is impossible to accept the opposition parties' demand [for the prime minister's resignation] and they only want to intimidate the government, but we will take action they stick to their stance," the minister added. 
 
Khattak was accompanied by Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood, who is also a member of the committee formed by the prime minister particularly with the aim to hold talks with the opposition parties. 
 
The development comes after Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl's (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had refused to call off his October 31 anti-government march, backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) until the prime minister's resignation. 
 
Reiterating the government's offer to negotiate, Khattak said, "We have included the National Assembly speaker [Asad Qaiser] and the Punjab Assembly speaker [Pervaiz Elahi] in the negotiating committee. The opposition parties should sit down with us and speak to us about their demands, which will be examined." 
 
The minister said the government was serious about addressing the opposition's issues. 
 
"If they have any evidence of rigging [in the 2018 general elections], they can present it to the parliamentary committee formed for this purpose," he proposed. 
 
On October 18, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had also called for the anti-government demonstrations and expressed support to JUI-F's 'Azadi March'. 
 
"We don't accept this artificial democracy... the democratic and socio-economic rights of the masses shall be restored... and for that Imran Khan has to resign," Bhutto had said in his address at a party rally in Karachi. 
 
He said all opposition parties had decided that the government must step down. 
 
"Our anti-government movement has started from Karachi," he said, as he announced his plan for further protests across the country. 
 
He said the PPP will protest in Thar on October 23, demonstrate in Kashmir on 26th whereas rallies in Punjab will begin from November 1. 
 
"We will tour the entire country and when we return from Kashmir, you [Imran Khan] will have to go...We will expose your incompetence in every nook and corner of the country." 
 
Meanwhile, the government warned that the opposition parties' refusal to come to the negotiating table on the JUI-F 'Azadi march' meant that they were working on an anti-Kashmir agenda and the state will enforce its writ allowing the "law to take its course" if they went ahead with the rally. 
 
Khattak warned that there could be chaos in the country if the opposition remained stubborn and refused to opt for dialogue. 
 
A few weeks ago, the JUI-F chief had termed the current government a result of the fake election and fake results.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will not put down his resignation papers 'under any circumstances', the federal government said on Saturday after the opposition parties called off negotiations and vouched to go ahead with their 'Azadi march' to hold anti-government protests countrywide over the incumbent government's failure to fulfil any of its promises so far.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will not put down his resignation papers 'under any circumstances', the federal government said on Saturday after the opposition parties called off negotiations and vouched to go ahead with their 'Azadi march' to hold anti-government protests countrywide over the incumbent government's failure to fulfil any of its promises so far. The opposition parties called to "restore 'real' democracy in the country" and urged the Prime Minister to resign. Express Tribune quoted Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, the head of the government committee formed to hold talks with the opposition parties, as saying at a news conference, "The prime minister [Imran Khan] will not resign under any circumstances." "It is impossible to accept the opposition parties' demand [for the prime minister's resignation] and they only want to intimidate the government, but we will take action they stick to their stance," the minister added. Khattak was accompanied by Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood, who is also a member of the committee formed by the prime minister particularly with the aim to hold talks with the opposition parties. The development comes after Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl's (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had refused to call off his October 31 anti-government march, backed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) until the prime minister's resignation. Reiterating the government's offer to negotiate, Khattak said, "We have included the National Assembly speaker [Asad Qaiser] and the Punjab Assembly speaker [Pervaiz Elahi] in the negotiating committee. The opposition parties should sit down with us and speak to us about their demands, which will be examined." The minister said the government was serious about addressing the opposition's issues. "If they have any evidence of rigging [in the 2018 general elections], they can present it to the parliamentary committee formed for this purpose," he proposed. On October 18, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had also called for the anti-government demonstrations and expressed support to JUI-F's 'Azadi March'. "We don't accept this artificial democracy... the democratic and socio-economic rights of the masses shall be restored... and for that Imran Khan has to resign," Bhutto had said in his address at a party rally in Karachi. He said all opposition parties had decided that the government must step down. "Our anti-government movement has started from Karachi," he said, as he announced his plan for further protests across the country. He said the PPP will protest in Thar on October 23, demonstrate in Kashmir on 26th whereas rallies in Punjab will begin from November 1. "We will tour the entire country and when we return from Kashmir, you [Imran Khan] will have to go...We will expose your incompetence in every nook and corner of the country." Meanwhile, the government warned that the opposition parties' refusal to come to the negotiating table on the JUI-F 'Azadi march' meant that they were working on an anti-Kashmir agenda and the state will enforce its writ allowing the "law to take its course" if they went ahead with the rally. Khattak warned that there could be chaos in the country if the opposition remained stubborn and refused to opt for dialogue. A few weeks ago, the JUI-F chief had termed the current government a result of the fake election and fake results.

Pakistan PM won't resign 'under any circumstances': Government on opposition's 'Azadi March'

British Members&nbsp;of Parliament&nbsp;gathered on Saturday for a knife-edge vote on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-deal-new-way-forward-for-britain-and-eu-pm-boris-johnson-256870">Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal </a>for a decision that could see the United Kingdom leave the European Union this month or plunge the country into fresh uncertainty.

Parliament was holding its first Saturday sitting since the 1982 Falklands War to debate the terms of a last-ditch divorce agreement Johnson struck with European Union leaders Thursday.

Opposition parties and Johnson's own Northern Irish allies have rejected the text but the prime minister and his team have spent the past 48 hours frantically trying to win the support of wavering MPs.

The vote is widely seen as too close to call but Johnson warned his deal was still the best way out of the tortuous Brexit process that has left Britain in political turmoil since a 2016 referendum.

The Conservative premier told lawmakers his deal would be a "new way forward and a new and better deal both for Britain and our friends in the EU".

He wants Britain to end its 46-year membership of the EU as planned on October 31 and is seeking a clear-cut vote that either approves or rejects the divorce treaty.

But MPs are proposing an amendment for approval of the deal to be withheld unless and until all necessary implementing legislation has passed.

They fear is that even if MPs approve the deal, they will not have enough time to debate the formal withdrawal agreement bill before the October 31 deadline, which could see no-deal Brexit by accident.

If the amendment, which has the support of the main opposition Labour party, is passed then it would trigger a law requiring Johnson asking EU leaders to delay Brexit again.

But Downing Street officials say even if that happens, they would introduce the bill on Monday, in the hope it would still be debated and passed in time for Britain to leave at the end of the month.

Johnson said that further delay would be "pointless, expensive and deeply corrosive to public trust".

Heated debate

Securing a deal was a personal victory for Johnson, a figurehead in the Leave campaign who has vowed to deliver Brexit on October 31 come what may.

But parliament, like the frustrated public,&nbsp;is still bittered divided over how and even if Britain should end almost half a century of integration with its closest neighbours.

The debate coincides with a mass demonstration to parliament demanding a second referendum, with an option to reverse Brexit.

A defeat for Johnson would trigger a law requiring him to ask EU leaders to delay Brexit for what would be the third time. He has said he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than do so.

Any extension would depend on all 27 EU leaders saying yes.&nbsp;

'Sell-out deal'

Johnson took office in July after his predecessor Theresa May failed three times to get her own divorce deal through parliament.

He insists that Brexit must happen this month to end the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-brexit-vote-amendment-could-cause-another-delay-256888"> uncertainty that has weighed on the economy </a>and dominated political and public debate.

However, the vote rests on a knife-edge.

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which supports Johnson's minority government, will vote against the agreement because of its arrangements for the British province.

Labour, led by veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn, is set against the deal.

"Boris Johnson's sell-out deal risks triggering a race to the bottom on rights and protections: putting food safety at risk, cutting environmental standards and workers' rights, and opening up our NHS (National Health Service) to a takeover by US corporations," said Corbyn.

'Sick and tired'

Eurosceptic newspapers urged MPs to back the deal.

The Daily Express front page said: "Respect the will of the people and let's move on."

The Daily Telegraph said it was Britain's best chance for an orderly departure.

"People are sick and tired of the delay and fed up with procedural trickery," it said of the proposed amendment.

An online Survation poll of 1,025 adults on Thursday and Friday for the Daily Mail found that 50 per cent said MPs should vote for the deal, while 38 per cent said not.

Meanwhile, The Times said: "On behalf of a bored and disillusioned country, increasingly angry with Westminster, MPs should back the deal."

EU leaders in Brussels this week urged lawmakers to back the deal, to allow both sides to move on to discussing their future relationship.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-day-of-reckoning-parliament-to-vote-on-boris-johnsons-deal-256805">The deal covers Britain's financial settlement</a>, protects the rights of EU citizens and sets out a post-Brexit transition period potentially until 2022 to allow both sides to agree to new trade terms.

British Members of Parliament gathered on Saturday for a knife-edge vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal for a decision that could see the United Kingdom leave the European Union this month or plunge the country into fresh uncertainty.

British Members of Parliament gathered on Saturday for a knife-edge vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal for a decision that could see the United Kingdom leave the European Union this month or plunge the country into fresh uncertainty. Parliament was holding its first Saturday sitting since the 1982 Falklands War to debate the terms of a last-ditch divorce agreement Johnson struck with European Union leaders Thursday. Opposition parties and Johnson's own Northern Irish allies have rejected the text but the prime minister and his team have spent the past 48 hours frantically trying to win the support of wavering MPs. The vote is widely seen as too close to call but Johnson warned his deal was still the best way out of the tortuous Brexit process that has left Britain in political turmoil since a 2016 referendum. The Conservative premier told lawmakers his deal would be a "new way forward and a new and better deal both for Britain and our friends in the EU". He wants Britain to end its 46-year membership of the EU as planned on October 31 and is seeking a clear-cut vote that either approves or rejects the divorce treaty. But MPs are proposing an amendment for approval of the deal to be withheld unless and until all necessary implementing legislation has passed. They fear is that even if MPs approve the deal, they will not have enough time to debate the formal withdrawal agreement bill before the October 31 deadline, which could see no-deal Brexit by accident. If the amendment, which has the support of the main opposition Labour party, is passed then it would trigger a law requiring Johnson asking EU leaders to delay Brexit again. But Downing Street officials say even if that happens, they would introduce the bill on Monday, in the hope it would still be debated and passed in time for Britain to leave at the end of the month. Johnson said that further delay would be "pointless, expensive and deeply corrosive to public trust". Heated debate Securing a deal was a personal victory for Johnson, a figurehead in the Leave campaign who has vowed to deliver Brexit on October 31 come what may. But parliament, like the frustrated public, is still bittered divided over how and even if Britain should end almost half a century of integration with its closest neighbours. The debate coincides with a mass demonstration to parliament demanding a second referendum, with an option to reverse Brexit. A defeat for Johnson would trigger a law requiring him to ask EU leaders to delay Brexit for what would be the third time. He has said he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than do so. Any extension would depend on all 27 EU leaders saying yes. 'Sell-out deal' Johnson took office in July after his predecessor Theresa May failed three times to get her own divorce deal through parliament. He insists that Brexit must happen this month to end the uncertainty that has weighed on the economy and dominated political and public debate. However, the vote rests on a knife-edge. Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which supports Johnson's minority government, will vote against the agreement because of its arrangements for the British province. Labour, led by veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn, is set against the deal. "Boris Johnson's sell-out deal risks triggering a race to the bottom on rights and protections: putting food safety at risk, cutting environmental standards and workers' rights, and opening up our NHS (National Health Service) to a takeover by US corporations," said Corbyn. 'Sick and tired' Eurosceptic newspapers urged MPs to back the deal. The Daily Express front page said: "Respect the will of the people and let's move on." The Daily Telegraph said it was Britain's best chance for an orderly departure. "People are sick and tired of the delay and fed up with procedural trickery," it said of the proposed amendment. An online Survation poll of 1,025 adults on Thursday and Friday for the Daily Mail found that 50 per cent said MPs should vote for the deal, while 38 per cent said not. Meanwhile, The Times said: "On behalf of a bored and disillusioned country, increasingly angry with Westminster, MPs should back the deal." EU leaders in Brussels this week urged lawmakers to back the deal, to allow both sides to move on to discussing their future relationship. The deal covers Britain's financial settlement, protects the rights of EU citizens and sets out a post-Brexit transition period potentially until 2022 to allow both sides to agree to new trade terms.

Brexit in balance as British Members of Parliament hold knife-edge vote

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday defended the huge social network's policy of refraining from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-exempts-political-speech-from-fact-checking-251925">fact-checking </a>politicians, saying it's not the job of tech firms to "censor."

Speaking to students at Georgetown University in Washington, Zuckerberg responded to critics who argued that Facebook is enabling political leaders including President Donald Trump to propagate misinformation.

Zuckerberg said the policy,&nbsp;which does not include the fact-checking of political speech or ads,&nbsp;is based on a long tradition of allowing free expression.

"I don't think most people want to live in a world where you can only post things that tech companies judge to be 100 per cent true," he said.

"I don't think it's right for private companies to censor politicians or the news in a democracy."

Zuckerberg said Facebook still may remove content from political leaders or others when it may lead to "harm."

But he added: "When it's not absolutely clear what to do, I believe we should err on the side of greater expression."

The comments come with Facebook under heightened pressure to root out misinformation, and at the same time avoid charges from Trump and others of political bias.

Zuckerberg, whose speech was described as a "Conversation on Free Expression," said he still sees Facebook and other social platforms as a positive force because they give more people "a voice."

"The ability to speak freely has been central in the fight for democracy worldwide," he said.

Zuckerberg said he welcomes new regulations on tech platforms but warned against any effort that would strengthen the role in the online ecosystem of Chinese firms or others without the same values of free expression.

"Until recently the internet in almost every country outside of China has been defined by American platforms with strong free expression values," he said.

"But there's no guarantee these values will win out," he said.

He noted that Facebook-owned WhatsApp is used by activists and protesters, while Chinese-based app TikTok has been censoring information on protests.

"Is that the internet that we want?" he asked.

Zuckerberg said any regulation must take into account the value of open expression at a time when China is seeking to "export" its version of the internet.

"While we may disagree on exactly where to draw the line on specific issues, we at least can disagree," he said.

"If another nation's platforms set the rules, our discourse will be defined by a completely different set of values."

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday defended the huge social network's policy of refraining from fact-checking politicians, saying it's not the job of tech firms to "censor.

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday defended the huge social network's policy of refraining from fact-checking politicians, saying it's not the job of tech firms to "censor." Speaking to students at Georgetown University in Washington, Zuckerberg responded to critics who argued that Facebook is enabling political leaders including President Donald Trump to propagate misinformation. Zuckerberg said the policy, which does not include the fact-checking of political speech or ads, is based on a long tradition of allowing free expression. "I don't think most people want to live in a world where you can only post things that tech companies judge to be 100 per cent true," he said. "I don't think it's right for private companies to censor politicians or the news in a democracy." Zuckerberg said Facebook still may remove content from political leaders or others when it may lead to "harm." But he added: "When it's not absolutely clear what to do, I believe we should err on the side of greater expression." The comments come with Facebook under heightened pressure to root out misinformation, and at the same time avoid charges from Trump and others of political bias. Zuckerberg, whose speech was described as a "Conversation on Free Expression," said he still sees Facebook and other social platforms as a positive force because they give more people "a voice." "The ability to speak freely has been central in the fight for democracy worldwide," he said. Zuckerberg said he welcomes new regulations on tech platforms but warned against any effort that would strengthen the role in the online ecosystem of Chinese firms or others without the same values of free expression. "Until recently the internet in almost every country outside of China has been defined by American platforms with strong free expression values," he said. "But there's no guarantee these values will win out," he said. He noted that Facebook-owned WhatsApp is used by activists and protesters, while Chinese-based app TikTok has been censoring information on protests. "Is that the internet that we want?" he asked. Zuckerberg said any regulation must take into account the value of open expression at a time when China is seeking to "export" its version of the internet. "While we may disagree on exactly where to draw the line on specific issues, we at least can disagree," he said. "If another nation's platforms set the rules, our discourse will be defined by a completely different set of values."

Mark Zuckerberg defends Facebook's hands-off policy for politicians

Indigenous leaders and Ecuador's president prepared Sunday for face-to-face talks after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-president-lenin-moreno-orders-curfew-military-control-in-quito-255562">nearly two weeks of violent street protests</a> over austerity measures instituted to obtain a multibillion-dollar loan from the IMF.

As both sides geared up for negotiations in the afternoon, one indigenous leader said protesters who have converged from far away will stay in the capital Quito until some kind of agreement is reached on painful reforms such as a doubling of some fuel prices.

"Not just the leaders but the rank and file -- and we will stay until there is a solution," said Salvador Quishpe of an indigenous umbrella grouping called CONAIE.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-indigenous-group-rejects-talks-to-end-fuel-protests-255404">The 12 days of rolling demonstrations have left six people dead</a> and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to authorities. Protesters on Saturday targeted a television station and a newspaper and set fire to the controller general's office.

President Lenin Moreno declared a curfew and placed the city under military control to stop the unrest. On Sunday, police dispersed a group of protesters who tried to erect a barricade with debris from Saturday's violence.&nbsp;

The crisis broke out in early October after Moreno ordered fuel subsidies cut as part of a deal struck by his government to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.

CONAIE had previously rejected an offer of dialogue but reversed course Saturday and said the talks would focus on "the repeal or revision of the decree" that has left consumers paying more than double for fuel.

"Our hope is that, God willing, today we can sit down and talk and end all this," said Quishpe, a former governor of an Amazon province.

Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people. Thousands from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have travelled to Quito where they are spearheading demands that the subsidies continue.

Media attacked

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-at-protests-in-ecuador-over-fuel-price-hike-oil-facilities-seized-254404">Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the controller general's office</a>, which was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with fire bombs.

The prosecutor's office said 34 people were arrested.

Nearby, protesters built barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them.

The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene.

The station evacuated 25 employees, none of them hurt.

El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details.

"We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE.

Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew that went into effect at 2000 GMT, with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell.

"Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman.

The restrictions in Quito, a city of 2.7 million, came on top of a state of emergency Moreno had declared on October 3, deploying some 75,000 military and police and imposing a nighttime curfew in the vicinity of government buildings.

The violence has forced Moreno to relocate his government to Ecuador's second city, Guayaquil, and has hit the oil industry hard with the energy ministry suspending more than two-thirds of its distribution of crude.

Protesters seized three oil facilities in the Amazon earlier this week.

Moreno is struggling with an economic crisis that he blames on waste and corruption by Correa's administration.

Indigenous leaders and Ecuador's president prepared Sunday for face-to-face talks after nearly two weeks of violent street protests over austerity measures instituted to obtain a multibillion-dollar loan from the IMF.

Indigenous leaders and Ecuador's president prepared Sunday for face-to-face talks after nearly two weeks of violent street protests over austerity measures instituted to obtain a multibillion-dollar loan from the IMF. As both sides geared up for negotiations in the afternoon, one indigenous leader said protesters who have converged from far away will stay in the capital Quito until some kind of agreement is reached on painful reforms such as a doubling of some fuel prices. "Not just the leaders but the rank and file -- and we will stay until there is a solution," said Salvador Quishpe of an indigenous umbrella grouping called CONAIE. The 12 days of rolling demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to authorities. Protesters on Saturday targeted a television station and a newspaper and set fire to the controller general's office. President Lenin Moreno declared a curfew and placed the city under military control to stop the unrest. On Sunday, police dispersed a group of protesters who tried to erect a barricade with debris from Saturday's violence. The crisis broke out in early October after Moreno ordered fuel subsidies cut as part of a deal struck by his government to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. CONAIE had previously rejected an offer of dialogue but reversed course Saturday and said the talks would focus on "the repeal or revision of the decree" that has left consumers paying more than double for fuel. "Our hope is that, God willing, today we can sit down and talk and end all this," said Quishpe, a former governor of an Amazon province. Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people. Thousands from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have travelled to Quito where they are spearheading demands that the subsidies continue. Media attacked Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the controller general's office, which was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with fire bombs. The prosecutor's office said 34 people were arrested. Nearby, protesters built barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them. The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene. The station evacuated 25 employees, none of them hurt. El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details. "We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE. Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew that went into effect at 2000 GMT, with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell. "Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman. The restrictions in Quito, a city of 2.7 million, came on top of a state of emergency Moreno had declared on October 3, deploying some 75,000 military and police and imposing a nighttime curfew in the vicinity of government buildings. The violence has forced Moreno to relocate his government to Ecuador's second city, Guayaquil, and has hit the oil industry hard with the energy ministry suspending more than two-thirds of its distribution of crude. Protesters seized three oil facilities in the Amazon earlier this week. Moreno is struggling with an economic crisis that he blames on waste and corruption by Correa's administration.

Ecuador's president, protest leaders in talks to end deadly violence

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-and-uk-bid-to-save-brexit-talks-before-key-summit-255299">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down hopes of a breakthrough in his last-ditch bid to strike an amicable divorce deal with the European Union</a>.

Negotiators went behind closed doors for intensive talks in Brussels after Johnson outlined a new set of proposals to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday.

They have very little time left to succeed.

EU leaders will meet on Thursday and Friday for a summit held under the pressures of the October 31 Brexit deadline just two weeks away.

The 27 would ideally like to have a full proposal to vote on by then.

But the sides are trying to achieve in a few days what they had failed to in the more than three years since Britons first voted to leave the European Union after nearly 50 years.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the available options with French President Emmanuel Macron late Sunday.

European officials said the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will also brief EU ambassadors on the state of play on Sunday evening.

Downing Street said Johnson told his cabinet to brace for a cliff-hanger finish in the coming days.

Johnson reiterated "that a pathway to a deal could be seen but that there is still a significant amount of work to get there and we must remain prepared to leave on October 31," a Downing Street spokesman said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/make-significant-concessions-if-you-want-brexit-deal-eu-to-british-pm-johnson-254948">Outgoing EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker said British politics were getting more difficult to decipher</a> than the riddle of an "Egyptian sphinx".

"If the British ask for more time, which they would probably will not, it would in my view be historic&nbsp;nonsense to refuse them," Juncker told Austria's Kurier newspaper.

Johnson rose to power in July on a promise not to extend Brexit for the third time -&nbsp;even for a few weeks.

Breaking that pledge could come back to haunt him in an early general election that most predict for the coming months.

Johnson is under parliamentary orders to seek an extension until January 31 of next year if no deal emerges by Saturday.

He has promised to both follow the law and get Britain out by October 31 -&nbsp;a contradiction that might end up being settled in court.

Watch: Typhoon Hagibis: 19 killed, at least 70 injured

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/typhoon-hagibis-19-killed-at-least-70-injured-255666/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Parliamentary pressure

Ireland's Varadkar hinted on Thursday that he could support the talks running on up to the October 31 deadline if a deal seemed within reach.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-ready-to-make-major-concession-on-brexit-deal-the-times-newspaper-254717">The few details that have leaked out suggest a compromise around the contentious Irish border issue</a>&nbsp;with Britain's Northern Ireland partially aligned with EU customs rules.

Whether such a fudge suits both Brussels and the more ardent Brexit backers in parliament who must still approve a deal should become clearer by the end of the week.

Britain will only avoid a chaotic breakup with its closest trading partners if the agreement is also passed by the UK parliament -&nbsp;something it has failed to do three times.

Johnson heads a minority government and must rely on the full backing of not only his own fractured Conservatives but also Northern Ireland's small Democratic Unionist Party.

DUP's parliamentary leader&nbsp;Nigel Dodds warned Johnson that "Northern Ireland must remain entirely in the customs union of the United Kingdom" and not the EU.

"And Boris Johnson knows it very well," Dodds told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.

The comments do not necessarily rule out DUP support.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-brexit-minister-to-meet-eu-negotiator-thursday-london-254756">UK media are presenting Johnson's mooted compromise as a "double customs"</a> plan that could be interpreted to mean that Northern Ireland is leaving EU rules.

Yet details are still under discussion and the prime minister's allies are urging lawmakers to give the British leader a chance.

Main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn signalled Sunday that he would wait for the outcome of the EU summit before trying to force an early election.

But he added that there there was "a strong possibility" that those polls would come before the Christmas break.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down hopes of a breakthrough in his last-ditch bid to strike an amicable divorce deal with the European Union. Negotiators went behind closed doors for intensive talks in Brussels after Johnson outlined a new set of proposals to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down hopes of a breakthrough in his last-ditch bid to strike an amicable divorce deal with the European Union. Negotiators went behind closed doors for intensive talks in Brussels after Johnson outlined a new set of proposals to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday. They have very little time left to succeed. EU leaders will meet on Thursday and Friday for a summit held under the pressures of the October 31 Brexit deadline just two weeks away. The 27 would ideally like to have a full proposal to vote on by then. But the sides are trying to achieve in a few days what they had failed to in the more than three years since Britons first voted to leave the European Union after nearly 50 years. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the available options with French President Emmanuel Macron late Sunday. European officials said the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will also brief EU ambassadors on the state of play on Sunday evening. Downing Street said Johnson told his cabinet to brace for a cliff-hanger finish in the coming days. Johnson reiterated "that a pathway to a deal could be seen but that there is still a significant amount of work to get there and we must remain prepared to leave on October 31," a Downing Street spokesman said. Outgoing EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker said British politics were getting more difficult to decipher than the riddle of an "Egyptian sphinx". "If the British ask for more time, which they would probably will not, it would in my view be historic nonsense to refuse them," Juncker told Austria's Kurier newspaper. Johnson rose to power in July on a promise not to extend Brexit for the third time - even for a few weeks. Breaking that pledge could come back to haunt him in an early general election that most predict for the coming months. Johnson is under parliamentary orders to seek an extension until January 31 of next year if no deal emerges by Saturday. He has promised to both follow the law and get Britain out by October 31 - a contradiction that might end up being settled in court. Watch: Typhoon Hagibis: 19 killed, at least 70 injured Parliamentary pressure Ireland's Varadkar hinted on Thursday that he could support the talks running on up to the October 31 deadline if a deal seemed within reach. The few details that have leaked out suggest a compromise around the contentious Irish border issue with Britain's Northern Ireland partially aligned with EU customs rules. Whether such a fudge suits both Brussels and the more ardent Brexit backers in parliament who must still approve a deal should become clearer by the end of the week. Britain will only avoid a chaotic breakup with its closest trading partners if the agreement is also passed by the UK parliament - something it has failed to do three times. Johnson heads a minority government and must rely on the full backing of not only his own fractured Conservatives but also Northern Ireland's small Democratic Unionist Party. DUP's parliamentary leader Nigel Dodds warned Johnson that "Northern Ireland must remain entirely in the customs union of the United Kingdom" and not the EU. "And Boris Johnson knows it very well," Dodds told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper. The comments do not necessarily rule out DUP support. UK media are presenting Johnson's mooted compromise as a "double customs" plan that could be interpreted to mean that Northern Ireland is leaving EU rules. Yet details are still under discussion and the prime minister's allies are urging lawmakers to give the British leader a chance. Main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn signalled Sunday that he would wait for the outcome of the EU summit before trying to force an early election. But he added that there there was "a strong possibility" that those polls would come before the Christmas break.

Britain's Johnson plays down Brexit breakthrough hopes

While months of anti-government protests have taken a toll on businesses across Hong Kong, from luxury retailers and hotels to shops and restaurants, Keita Lee's pop-up stall is thriving

Gas masks and hard hats: Hong Kong hardware store capitalises on protests

U.S. asylum seekers camped out in a dangerous Mexican border town occupied a bridge to Brownsville, Texas on Thursday (October 10), leading to the closure of the crossing.

Migrant families block U.S.-mexico border bridge

Indigenous leaders in Ecuador captured and publicly paraded eight police officers before a crowd on Thursday (October 10), pushing back against a tough government crackdown on anti-austerity protests that have shaken President Lenin Moreno's administration.

Police held by Ecuador protesters say they are not captives

Bolivian opposition candidates are closing in on President Evo Morales in polls ahead of a general election later this month, with Latin America's longest continuous standing leader possibly being edged out in a second round run-off.

Bolivian poll shows opposition closing in on Morales

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-may-run-out-of-money-by-end-of-the-month-secretary-general-antonio-guterres-254359">The United Nations</a> Security Council's president, South African ambassador Jerry Matthews Matjila, appealed to Turkey Wednesday to "protect civilians" and exercise "maximum restraint" in its military operations in Syria.

Matjila expressed hope the council could meet quickly on the situation but stressed it was up to drafters of resolutions on Syria to convene such a session.

Belgium, Germany and Kuwait are the council members designated to follow the humanitarian situation in Syria, so it would fall to them to convene a council session.

The South African diplomat, who holds the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-says-this-must-stop-after-iraqi-protest-violence-kills-nearly-100-253995">council presidency</a> for the month of October, spoke before the start of a meeting devoted to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier announced the start of a military operation against a western-backed Kurdish militia in Syria that Ankara has long regarded as a foe.

The United Nations Security Council's president, South African ambassador Jerry Matthews Matjila, appealed to Turkey Wednesday to "protect civilians" and exercise "maximum restraint" in its military operations in Syria.

The United Nations Security Council's president, South African ambassador Jerry Matthews Matjila, appealed to Turkey Wednesday to "protect civilians" and exercise "maximum restraint" in its military operations in Syria. Matjila expressed hope the council could meet quickly on the situation but stressed it was up to drafters of resolutions on Syria to convene such a session. Belgium, Germany and Kuwait are the council members designated to follow the humanitarian situation in Syria, so it would fall to them to convene a council session. The South African diplomat, who holds the council presidency for the month of October, spoke before the start of a meeting devoted to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier announced the start of a military operation against a western-backed Kurdish militia in Syria that Ankara has long regarded as a foe.

United Nations Security Council head appeals to Turkey for restraint in Syria

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-united-states-going-into-middle-east-was-worst-decision-ever-254802">Donald Trump on Wednesday</a> called for outing the whistleblower behind the impeachment enquiry threatening his presidency and sought to transform the entire scandal into a boost for his 2020 reelection campaign.

Trump began his attempt to crush impeachment on Tuesday with a breathtaking show of defiance to Congress.

In an eight-page letter signed by the White House counsel, the administration bluntly announced it would not cooperate with the Democratic-led House of Representatives, calling its impeachment push illegitimate.

Democrats responded by accusing Trump of stonewalling and obstruction.

"No one is above the law, not even President Trump," the Democratic majority leader in the House, Steny Hoyer, said Wednesday.

Now Trump is demanding that the whistleblower, who reported the president's alleged pressure on Ukraine to dig up dirt on Democratic election rival Joe Biden, be exposed. The identity of whistleblowers is protected by law.

On Twitter, which Trump is using to bombard the public with conspiracy theories about a secret "deep state" trying to remove him from power, the president argued that the whistleblower had been shown to be partisan and inaccurate.

"The Whistleblower's facts have been so incorrect about my 'no pressure' conversation with the Ukrainian President, and now the conflict of interest and involvement with a Democrat Candidate, that he or she should be exposed and questioned," Trump tweeted.

In another tweet he dismissed the impeachment process as a Democratic bid to influence the election, saying "their total focus is 2020, nothing more."

Trump, who broke with precedent by campaigning for reelection almost from the moment he took office in 2017, is himself pouncing on the impeachment as the new cornerstone of his 2020 effort.

He and the Republican Party have pushed hard to raise funds off the back of their accusation of unfair treatment from the Democratic lower house in Congress.

And on Thursday and Friday, Trump will take that message to his core supporters when he holds campaign rallies in Minneapolis and in Louisiana.

Constitution under strain

Even if the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-inquiry-lacks-legitimate-constitutional-foundation-white-house-254610">House impeaches Trump, it remains unlikely that the Republican-led Senate would convict him in the subsequent trial</a>.

However, Trump's already turbulent presidency would be forever associated with the impeachment.

The former real estate salesman's furious response is in keeping with his established style of never admitting to being wrong and doing whatever it takes to fight back.

"The good news is that WE WILL WIN!!!!" he exclaimed in one of his tweets early Wednesday.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Do Nothing Democrats are Con Artists, only looking to hurt the Republican Party and President. Their total focus is 2020, nothing more, and nothing less. The good news is that WE WILL WIN!!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1181907681512169472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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But the point-blank refusal to accept the House's authority to investigate his alleged abuse of office puts the legislature and executive branches on a collision course that will strain the constitution, if not lead to a full-blown constitutional crisis.

"This is a historic showdown and, I would say, a struggle for the soul of American democracy," Chris Edelson, who teaches government at American University, said.

Edelson predicted that even if the White House stalls, refusing to answer requests for documents and witnesses, the House will go ahead with an impeachment vote in the coming months.

Ukrainian phone call

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-orders-trump-to-produce-tax-returns-president-appeals-254340">Pelosi formally launched the impeachment enquiry last month</a> after revelations Trump pressured Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call.

In the call, Trump asked Zelensky to look into what the US leader said were corrupt business deals involving Biden.

Democrats say that Trump tried to coerce Zelensky by holding back US military aid to Ukraine. Trump says there was no quid pro quo and that his only desire is to combat corruption.

He subsequently said publicly that he would also like China to investigate Biden, something critics say bolsters the allegation that Trump is seeking foreign help to discredit opponents.

Witness blocked

On Tuesday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-diplomats-to-testify-about-trump-ukraine-efforts-as-democrats-build-impeachment-case-254216">Trump administration blocked a potentially major witness</a>, ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, from testifying before Congress. Democrats then slapped Sondland with a subpoena to appear on October 16.

"The failure to produce this witness, the failure to produce these documents" was "additional strong evidence of obstruction," House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff said.

Lawmakers want to hear on Friday from another key witness: former US ambassador to Kiev Marie Yovanovitch, who is scheduled to appear before the House Intelligence Committee.

US media has reported that Trump removed her from her post because she opposed his efforts to get Ukraine to investigate Biden.

Donald Trump on Wednesday called for outing the whistleblower behind the impeachment enquiry threatening his presidency and sought to transform the entire scandal into a boost for his 2020 reelection campaign.

Donald Trump on Wednesday called for outing the whistleblower behind the impeachment enquiry threatening his presidency and sought to transform the entire scandal into a boost for his 2020 reelection campaign. Trump began his attempt to crush impeachment on Tuesday with a breathtaking show of defiance to Congress. In an eight-page letter signed by the White House counsel, the administration bluntly announced it would not cooperate with the Democratic-led House of Representatives, calling its impeachment push illegitimate. Democrats responded by accusing Trump of stonewalling and obstruction. "No one is above the law, not even President Trump," the Democratic majority leader in the House, Steny Hoyer, said Wednesday. Now Trump is demanding that the whistleblower, who reported the president's alleged pressure on Ukraine to dig up dirt on Democratic election rival Joe Biden, be exposed. The identity of whistleblowers is protected by law. On Twitter, which Trump is using to bombard the public with conspiracy theories about a secret "deep state" trying to remove him from power, the president argued that the whistleblower had been shown to be partisan and inaccurate. "The Whistleblower's facts have been so incorrect about my 'no pressure' conversation with the Ukrainian President, and now the conflict of interest and involvement with a Democrat Candidate, that he or she should be exposed and questioned," Trump tweeted. In another tweet he dismissed the impeachment process as a Democratic bid to influence the election, saying "their total focus is 2020, nothing more." Trump, who broke with precedent by campaigning for reelection almost from the moment he took office in 2017, is himself pouncing on the impeachment as the new cornerstone of his 2020 effort. He and the Republican Party have pushed hard to raise funds off the back of their accusation of unfair treatment from the Democratic lower house in Congress. And on Thursday and Friday, Trump will take that message to his core supporters when he holds campaign rallies in Minneapolis and in Louisiana. Constitution under strain Even if the House impeaches Trump, it remains unlikely that the Republican-led Senate would convict him in the subsequent trial. However, Trump's already turbulent presidency would be forever associated with the impeachment. The former real estate salesman's furious response is in keeping with his established style of never admitting to being wrong and doing whatever it takes to fight back. "The good news is that WE WILL WIN!!!!" he exclaimed in one of his tweets early Wednesday. The Do Nothing Democrats are Con Artists, only looking to hurt the Republican Party and President. Their total focus is 2020, nothing more, and nothing less. The good news is that WE WILL WIN!!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2019 × But the point-blank refusal to accept the House's authority to investigate his alleged abuse of office puts the legislature and executive branches on a collision course that will strain the constitution, if not lead to a full-blown constitutional crisis. "This is a historic showdown and, I would say, a struggle for the soul of American democracy," Chris Edelson, who teaches government at American University, said. Edelson predicted that even if the White House stalls, refusing to answer requests for documents and witnesses, the House will go ahead with an impeachment vote in the coming months. Ukrainian phone call Pelosi formally launched the impeachment enquiry last month after revelations Trump pressured Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call. In the call, Trump asked Zelensky to look into what the US leader said were corrupt business deals involving Biden. Democrats say that Trump tried to coerce Zelensky by holding back US military aid to Ukraine. Trump says there was no quid pro quo and that his only desire is to combat corruption. He subsequently said publicly that he would also like China to investigate Biden, something critics say bolsters the allegation that Trump is seeking foreign help to discredit opponents. Witness blocked On Tuesday, the Trump administration blocked a potentially major witness, ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, from testifying before Congress. Democrats then slapped Sondland with a subpoena to appear on October 16. "The failure to produce this witness, the failure to produce these documents" was "additional strong evidence of obstruction," House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff said. Lawmakers want to hear on Friday from another key witness: former US ambassador to Kiev Marie Yovanovitch, who is scheduled to appear before the House Intelligence Committee. US media has reported that Trump removed her from her post because she opposed his efforts to get Ukraine to investigate Biden.

Donald Trump seeks to discredit entire impeachment enquiry against him

Several dozen protesters gathered in Lafayette Square across from the White House in Washington on Tuesday (October 8) to demand President Donald Trump reverse his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from northeastern Syria, opening the door to a Turkish offensive against U.S.-allied Kurdish fighters.

Kurds rally outside White House - 'Don't let your allies perish'

Climate change activists placed hundreds of trees outside the British parliament on Tuesday (October 8) to call on the government and members of parliament to plant billions of trees across the UK and support the planting of trillions all over the world.

Climate change activists plant trees outside UK parliament

If the British government's approach is that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-deal-is-essentially-impossible-ever-downing-street-source-254498">fresh Brexit proposals</a> it made last week were presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, it must know that will not result in a deal, Ireland's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"What you saw today from Donald Tusk was a frustration that the proposals seem to be, from a British perspective, on a take-it-or-leave-it basis," Coveney told a news conference, referring to the European Council President's accusation that Britain was playing a "stupid blame game" over Brexit.

"I agree that if the approach from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uk-economy-starts-to-shows-cracks-under-brexit-and-global-strains-254409">the British government</a> is take-it-or-leave-it on the basis of the proposal coming from the British prime minister last week, then the British government must know that there is not going to be a deal."

If the British government's approach is that the fresh Brexit proposals it made last week were presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, it must know that will not result in a deal, Ireland's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

If the British government's approach is that the fresh Brexit proposals it made last week were presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, it must know that will not result in a deal, Ireland's foreign minister said on Tuesday. "What you saw today from Donald Tusk was a frustration that the proposals seem to be, from a British perspective, on a take-it-or-leave-it basis," Coveney told a news conference, referring to the European Council President's accusation that Britain was playing a "stupid blame game" over Brexit. "I agree that if the approach from the British government is take-it-or-leave-it on the basis of the proposal coming from the British prime minister last week, then the British government must know that there is not going to be a deal."

Ireland: British 'take it or leave it' approach amounts to no deal

Around 570 migrants from an overcrowded camp on the island of Lesbos arrived in the port of Piraeus on Monday where buses waited to take them to a camp on the mainland.

Migrants moved from Lesbos camp reach manland

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, and said the effort will come to fruition when justice denied under its influence is restored and Kashmiri Pandits are brought back and rehabilitated. 
 
In his address at the Vijayadashami function of RSS, Bhagwat said the move of the BJP-led regime to nullify Article 370 has once again proved that it has the courage to fulfil&nbsp;expectations and respect people's sentiments and wishes in the interest of the country. 
 
He said the repeal of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, has been on the agenda of the ruling party. The Article was repealed in August this year almost two months after the BJP-led coalition returned to power at the Centre with a greater majority. 
 
"But this time by skilfully garnering the support of other parties in both Houses, with strong logic and plea in consonance with public sentiment, the work was accomplished, for which the members of the ruling party, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister, and other political parties who upheld the public sentiments in Parliament deserve congratulations," he said. 
 
"This effort will come to fruition only when justice denied under the influence of Article 370 is restored, injustices occurred are brought to an end. It will happen when our Kashmiri Pandits who were unjustly driven away are brought back and rehabilitated and allowed to remain secure, fearless, patriotic and Hindu," he added. 
 
Bhagwat said there is also a need to restore the rights of residents which were denied to them. 
 
"Many a right of residents of Kashmir which were denied to them so far will be restored, and false fears instilled in the minds of brothers of the Valley that there is a threat to their property and jobs due to the nullification of Article 370, will be removed and having done away with those fears, they will be able to perform their duties towards the country's development with brotherly affinity and concord with the people of rest of Bharat," he said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, and said the effort will come to fruition when justice denied under its influence is restored and Kashmiri Pandits are brought back and rehabilitated.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, and said the effort will come to fruition when justice denied under its influence is restored and Kashmiri Pandits are brought back and rehabilitated. In his address at the Vijayadashami function of RSS, Bhagwat said the move of the BJP-led regime to nullify Article 370 has once again proved that it has the courage to fulfil expectations and respect people's sentiments and wishes in the interest of the country. He said the repeal of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, has been on the agenda of the ruling party. The Article was repealed in August this year almost two months after the BJP-led coalition returned to power at the Centre with a greater majority. "But this time by skilfully garnering the support of other parties in both Houses, with strong logic and plea in consonance with public sentiment, the work was accomplished, for which the members of the ruling party, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister, and other political parties who upheld the public sentiments in Parliament deserve congratulations," he said. "This effort will come to fruition only when justice denied under the influence of Article 370 is restored, injustices occurred are brought to an end. It will happen when our Kashmiri Pandits who were unjustly driven away are brought back and rehabilitated and allowed to remain secure, fearless, patriotic and Hindu," he added. Bhagwat said there is also a need to restore the rights of residents which were denied to them. "Many a right of residents of Kashmir which were denied to them so far will be restored, and false fears instilled in the minds of brothers of the Valley that there is a threat to their property and jobs due to the nullification of Article 370, will be removed and having done away with those fears, they will be able to perform their duties towards the country's development with brotherly affinity and concord with the people of rest of Bharat," he said.

Article 370 repeal will come to fruition when Kashmiri pundits return, says RSS chief Bhagwat

A Brexit deal is essentially impossible as German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson that to do one Northern Ireland must stay in the European Union's customs union, a Downing Street source said on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-prime-minister-johnson-tells-eu-brexit-ball-is-in-your-court-now-254283">With just 23 days to go before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU</a>, the future of Brexit remains deeply uncertain and both London and Brussels are positioning themselves to avoid blame for a delay or a disorderly no-deal Brexit.

EU leaders reacted coolly to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's last-ditch proposals to bridge the impasse, and while negotiations are ongoing, many diplomats say the chances of a swift deal before October 31 are low.

A source from Johnson's Downing Street office said Merkel spoke to the British leader on Tuesday morning and she made clear that a deal was "overwhelmingly unlikely".

Merkel said that for a deal, Northern Ireland would have to stay in the EU's customs union and full alignment with the EU forever, the source said.

"If this represents a newly established position then it means a deal is essentially impossible not just now but ever," the Downing Street source said. "It also made clear that they are willing to torpedo the Good Friday Agreement."

A Brexit deal is essentially impossible as German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson that to do one Northern Ireland must stay in the European Union's customs union, a Downing Street source said on Tuesday.

A Brexit deal is essentially impossible as German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson that to do one Northern Ireland must stay in the European Union's customs union, a Downing Street source said on Tuesday. With just 23 days to go before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, the future of Brexit remains deeply uncertain and both London and Brussels are positioning themselves to avoid blame for a delay or a disorderly no-deal Brexit. EU leaders reacted coolly to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's last-ditch proposals to bridge the impasse, and while negotiations are ongoing, many diplomats say the chances of a swift deal before October 31 are low. A source from Johnson's Downing Street office said Merkel spoke to the British leader on Tuesday morning and she made clear that a deal was "overwhelmingly unlikely". Merkel said that for a deal, Northern Ireland would have to stay in the EU's customs union and full alignment with the EU forever, the source said. "If this represents a newly established position then it means a deal is essentially impossible not just now but ever," the Downing Street source said. "It also made clear that they are willing to torpedo the Good Friday Agreement."

Brexit deal is essentially impossible ever: Downing Street source

Italy's parliament votes Tuesday on cutting the number of the country's lawmakers, a move linked to an electoral law reform that the left-leaning government hopes will help keep the far-right from power.

Slashing the number of MPs and senators in Italy by 345 was a flagship manifesto promise of the anti-establishment <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/italys-5-star-makes-deal-with-pd-to-avoid-elections-246334">Five Star Movement</a>, which rules in coalition with the country's center-left, and has promised voters it would tackle political elitism and wasteful spending.

Italy currently has the second-highest number of lawmakers in the EU after Britain -- some 630 elected representatives in the lower house and 315 in the Senate.

The constitutional reform, which will likely be subjected to a popular referendum in the coming months, would cut the number of MPs to 400 and senators to 200 from the next legislature, with an expected saving of some 100 million euros ($110 million) a year.

"It's a well-balanced reform with an excellent profile," legal expert Guido Neppi Modona told Il Fatto Quotidiano on Monday.

A reduced number of lawmakers will "lead parties to take particular care in choosing candidates," he said.

Critics have warned the cut could affect popular representation, and increase the influence of lobbyists over governing institutions -- all for a minimal saving that will have little effect on debt-laden Italy's book balance.

This is the country's eighth attempt to cut its number lawmakers since 1983, according to the Open news website.

This time it is broadly expected to be successful, with most opposition parties on board -- though the head of Italy's far-right League Matteo Salvini on Friday warned his party would wait to see if the law was "mere horse-trading".

Five Star (M5S) made the cut a condition of its alliance with the center-left Democratic Party (PD), following the collapse of the previous, far-right coalition in August.

The PD had previously voted against the reduction, but agreed to support it if it meant clinching a deal with the M5S which would prevent a return to the polls and keep popular hardliner Salvini out of power.

The party has insisted the cut be followed by a new electoral law and is pushing for the reintroduction of a proportional representation system.

Under the current mix of proportional representation and first-past-the-post, a winning coalition needs more than 40 percent of the vote to have the necessary parliamentary majority.

With full proportional representation, parties or coalitions would need a much bigger majority to form a government.

That would force Salvini to ditch any plans to run alone or with a small fellow far-right party at the next election, and force him instead to turn to former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's center-right Forza Italy party for help, the weekly L'Espresso said.

"Why the haste to cut the seats?" Massimo Luciani said in the Corriere Della Sera newspaper, pointing out that the coalition government -- an unlikely alliance of former foes -- could fall before changes to the electoral law can be made.

"To avoid 'surprises', the package of reforms should be launched at the same time," he said.

Lorenzo Codogno, former chief economist at the Italian Treasury Department, told AFP the pressing need to change the electoral law could serve as glue to hold the coalition together.

He warned however that "I have a feeling that (the electoral law) won't happen very soon".

International markets and European investors watching the stability of the new coalition was right "to worry about everything," he said.

Italy's parliament votes Tuesday on cutting the number of the country's lawmakers, a move linked to an electoral law reform that the left-leaning government hopes will help keep the far-right from power.

Italy's parliament votes Tuesday on cutting the number of the country's lawmakers, a move linked to an electoral law reform that the left-leaning government hopes will help keep the far-right from power. Slashing the number of MPs and senators in Italy by 345 was a flagship manifesto promise of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which rules in coalition with the country's center-left, and has promised voters it would tackle political elitism and wasteful spending. Italy currently has the second-highest number of lawmakers in the EU after Britain -- some 630 elected representatives in the lower house and 315 in the Senate. The constitutional reform, which will likely be subjected to a popular referendum in the coming months, would cut the number of MPs to 400 and senators to 200 from the next legislature, with an expected saving of some 100 million euros ($110 million) a year. "It's a well-balanced reform with an excellent profile," legal expert Guido Neppi Modona told Il Fatto Quotidiano on Monday. A reduced number of lawmakers will "lead parties to take particular care in choosing candidates," he said. Critics have warned the cut could affect popular representation, and increase the influence of lobbyists over governing institutions -- all for a minimal saving that will have little effect on debt-laden Italy's book balance. This is the country's eighth attempt to cut its number lawmakers since 1983, according to the Open news website. This time it is broadly expected to be successful, with most opposition parties on board -- though the head of Italy's far-right League Matteo Salvini on Friday warned his party would wait to see if the law was "mere horse-trading". Five Star (M5S) made the cut a condition of its alliance with the center-left Democratic Party (PD), following the collapse of the previous, far-right coalition in August. The PD had previously voted against the reduction, but agreed to support it if it meant clinching a deal with the M5S which would prevent a return to the polls and keep popular hardliner Salvini out of power. The party has insisted the cut be followed by a new electoral law and is pushing for the reintroduction of a proportional representation system. Under the current mix of proportional representation and first-past-the-post, a winning coalition needs more than 40 percent of the vote to have the necessary parliamentary majority. With full proportional representation, parties or coalitions would need a much bigger majority to form a government. That would force Salvini to ditch any plans to run alone or with a small fellow far-right party at the next election, and force him instead to turn to former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's center-right Forza Italy party for help, the weekly L'Espresso said. "Why the haste to cut the seats?" Massimo Luciani said in the Corriere Della Sera newspaper, pointing out that the coalition government -- an unlikely alliance of former foes -- could fall before changes to the electoral law can be made. "To avoid 'surprises', the package of reforms should be launched at the same time," he said. Lorenzo Codogno, former chief economist at the Italian Treasury Department, told AFP the pressing need to change the electoral law could serve as glue to hold the coalition together. He warned however that "I have a feeling that (the electoral law) won't happen very soon". International markets and European investors watching the stability of the new coalition was right "to worry about everything," he said.

Italy to vote on streamlining parliament

Since they erupted a week ago, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-violent-protests-in-iraq-at-least-100-dead-over-6000-hurt-254349">deadly protests in Iraq </a>have been tracked closely in Iran where they are seen as a plot to undermine ties between the neighbours.

Tehran has close but complicated relations with Baghdad, holding significant clout among its Shiite political groups.

The two countries fought a devastating war from 1980 to 1988 and Iran's influence in Iraq grew after the US-led invasion toppled longtime dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Clashes that broke out in Iraq last week between protesters and security forces have claimed more than 100 lives, and wounded over 6,000,&nbsp;most of them demonstrators struck by bullets.

The rallies began on Tuesday with calls to reduce corruption and unemployment but have spiralled into demands for the fall of the government and overhaul of the political system.

A string of Iranian officials have&nbsp;since come out with statements accusing their country's arch-foes of being behind the unrest.

"Enemies seek to sow discord but they've failed &amp; their conspiracy won't be effective," supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, quoted on his office's Twitter account.

"Iran and #Iraq are two nations whose hearts &amp; souls are tied together... This bond will grow stronger day by day," he added.

State news agency IRNA said the supreme leader was reacting to the violence in Iraq.

The official news agency weighed in with its own commentary, accusing the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel of stirring the Iraqi protests in order to spoil Iran's ties with Iraq and Syria.

"Unprecedented protests in Iraqi cities... show that some forces inside and outside of the region are seriously concerned about the closeness and cooperation" of Baghdad, Tehran, and Damascus, it added.

Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei opened his weekly news conference on Monday with a statement on the Iraqi crisis.

He said there "are ill-wishers who seek to sabotage any opening between us and those neighbours who've had differences of opinions in recent years".

The spokesman called on "the great people of Iraq to show more self-restraint and seek democratic and legal means to reach their demands.

"As always, the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its readiness to stand beside Iraqi brothers and sisters and help them.

"No form of propaganda can sever the people of Iran and Iraq."

Iran has accused its foes of deliberately stirring trouble in Iraq at a time when vast numbers of pilgrims are heading there for one of the world's largest religious events.

A top military adviser to Khamenei said those behind the unrest would be unable to deter the faithful, however.

"They want to scare people into not going to Arbaeen, but even if it rains arrows and stones, Hussein's lovers will not be afraid," Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein by the forces of the Caliph Yazid.

Last week, Iran urged citizens who were planning to head to Iraq to delay their travel for the pilgrimage that culminates on October 17 with the Arbaeen commemoration.

On Monday, Iran reopened the Khosravi border crossing with Iraq following its closure last week as the protests raged.

IRNA said the fact that the "provocations" came ahead of Arbaeen showed Iran's enemies were "scared".

Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said those responsible for the unrest in Iraq aimed to undermine Arbaeen.

"The seditionists intend to undermine and sap enthusiasm for this great event," he said, quoted by state television's website.

"The vigilant people of Iraq exposed this sedition. But everyone must be careful. The seditionists are seeking new tricks at any moment to overshadow the Arbaeen ceremony and to undermine it."

The hardline Keyhan newspaper said "evidence" pointed to the Americans, Saudis and Israelis being involved.

A columnist in the reformist Shargh daily also suggested the Americans, Israelis and Saudis might be the "hidden hands" behind the Iraqi protests.

"Even if that is not the case, the chaotic and tense situation in Iraq today can prepare the grounds for these actors to ride the wave to fulfill their objectives and demands," wrote Abdelrahman Fathollahi.

Since they erupted a week ago, deadly protests in Iraq have been tracked closely in Iran where they are seen as a plot to undermine ties between the neighbours. Tehran has close but complicated relations with Baghdad, holding significant clout among its Shiite political groups.

Since they erupted a week ago, deadly protests in Iraq have been tracked closely in Iran where they are seen as a plot to undermine ties between the neighbours. Tehran has close but complicated relations with Baghdad, holding significant clout among its Shiite political groups. The two countries fought a devastating war from 1980 to 1988 and Iran's influence in Iraq grew after the US-led invasion toppled longtime dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. Clashes that broke out in Iraq last week between protesters and security forces have claimed more than 100 lives, and wounded over 6,000, most of them demonstrators struck by bullets. The rallies began on Tuesday with calls to reduce corruption and unemployment but have spiralled into demands for the fall of the government and overhaul of the political system. A string of Iranian officials have since come out with statements accusing their country's arch-foes of being behind the unrest. "Enemies seek to sow discord but they've failed & their conspiracy won't be effective," supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, quoted on his office's Twitter account. "Iran and #Iraq are two nations whose hearts & souls are tied together... This bond will grow stronger day by day," he added. State news agency IRNA said the supreme leader was reacting to the violence in Iraq. The official news agency weighed in with its own commentary, accusing the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel of stirring the Iraqi protests in order to spoil Iran's ties with Iraq and Syria. "Unprecedented protests in Iraqi cities... show that some forces inside and outside of the region are seriously concerned about the closeness and cooperation" of Baghdad, Tehran, and Damascus, it added. Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei opened his weekly news conference on Monday with a statement on the Iraqi crisis. He said there "are ill-wishers who seek to sabotage any opening between us and those neighbours who've had differences of opinions in recent years". The spokesman called on "the great people of Iraq to show more self-restraint and seek democratic and legal means to reach their demands. "As always, the Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its readiness to stand beside Iraqi brothers and sisters and help them. "No form of propaganda can sever the people of Iran and Iraq." Iran has accused its foes of deliberately stirring trouble in Iraq at a time when vast numbers of pilgrims are heading there for one of the world's largest religious events. A top military adviser to Khamenei said those behind the unrest would be unable to deter the faithful, however. "They want to scare people into not going to Arbaeen, but even if it rains arrows and stones, Hussein's lovers will not be afraid," Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh-century killing of Imam Hussein by the forces of the Caliph Yazid. Last week, Iran urged citizens who were planning to head to Iraq to delay their travel for the pilgrimage that culminates on October 17 with the Arbaeen commemoration. On Monday, Iran reopened the Khosravi border crossing with Iraq following its closure last week as the protests raged. IRNA said the fact that the "provocations" came ahead of Arbaeen showed Iran's enemies were "scared". Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi said those responsible for the unrest in Iraq aimed to undermine Arbaeen. "The seditionists intend to undermine and sap enthusiasm for this great event," he said, quoted by state television's website. "The vigilant people of Iraq exposed this sedition. But everyone must be careful. The seditionists are seeking new tricks at any moment to overshadow the Arbaeen ceremony and to undermine it." The hardline Keyhan newspaper said "evidence" pointed to the Americans, Saudis and Israelis being involved. A columnist in the reformist Shargh daily also suggested the Americans, Israelis and Saudis might be the "hidden hands" behind the Iraqi protests. "Even if that is not the case, the chaotic and tense situation in Iraq today can prepare the grounds for these actors to ride the wave to fulfill their objectives and demands," wrote Abdelrahman Fathollahi.

For Iran, Iraq's unrest is plot to undo bilateral ties

Explainer: Impeaching US President - how it works

Candidates registered for the upcoming <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/president-maithripala-sirisena-to-not-contest-sri-lanka-polls-next-month-report-254239">Sri Lankan presidential election</a> on Monday&nbsp;in Colombo.

According to the election commission, a record number of 35 candidates have registered.

Notable candidates include former defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa of the main opposition party, the Sri Lanka People's Front, and Sajith Premadasa of the ruling United National Front.

Rajapaksa, brother of pro-China former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said he is ready to repair ties with China, should he win the November election, one of his advisers has said.

Premadasa, 52, son of former president Ranasinghe Premadasa who was assassinated by a Tamil Tiger rebel suicide bomber in 1993, is popular among the rural poor.

The election is likely to be dominated by national security issues, after a wave o suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State killed more than 250 people in April, denting the island's critical tourism industry.

Candidates registered for the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential election on Monday in Colombo. According to the election commission, a record number of 35 candidates have registered.

Candidates registered for the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential election on Monday in Colombo. According to the election commission, a record number of 35 candidates have registered. Notable candidates include former defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa of the main opposition party, the Sri Lanka People's Front, and Sajith Premadasa of the ruling United National Front. Rajapaksa, brother of pro-China former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said he is ready to repair ties with China, should he win the November election, one of his advisers has said. Premadasa, 52, son of former president Ranasinghe Premadasa who was assassinated by a Tamil Tiger rebel suicide bomber in 1993, is popular among the rural poor. The election is likely to be dominated by national security issues, after a wave o suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State killed more than 250 people in April, denting the island's critical tourism industry.

Candidates register for Sri Lanka's upcoming presidential election

Taiwan said on Monday China was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-condemns-chinas-dictatorship-on-70th-anniversary-of-communist-rule-252977">practicing "authoritarian expansionism"</a> in the Pacific, pointing to reports of plans for Chinese military presence in two Pacific countries that have recently switched diplomatic allegiance to Beijing from Taipei.

"We have seen reports that China is interested in reopening this radar station in Kiribati, and building a naval base in Western Province of Solomon Islands," Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told a forum on cooperation among countries in the Pacific.

"From the long-term strategic perspective, like-minded friends and partners should really be worried whether the Pacific will remain free and open, and whether the key actors follow the rules-based international order."

The Solomon Islands and Kiribati decided to recognise China last month, dropping self-ruled and democratic Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own province with no rights to state-to-state relations.

That reduced the number of its diplomatic allies in the Pacific to just four - Palau, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Nauru. It now has formal diplomatic ties with just 15 nations in all.

Wu urged countries including the United States to "push back strongly" against China's moves to diminish Taiwan's presence in the Pacific.

"I certainly don't want to see the Pacific turned into another South China Sea, with us one day all sighing that it is too late for us to do anything," Wu said, referring to Chinese moves to build military installations on artificial islands and reefs in the disputed water.

China's Foreign Ministry was not immediately available for comment.

Diplomats attending the forum in Taipei include Sandra Oudkirk, US&nbsp;State Department deputy assistant secretary for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Oudkirk's visit has been seen by some analysts and diplomats in Taiwan as an effort to shore up support for Taipei.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/taiwan-conducts-military-exercise-amid-tensions-with-china-142795">Taiwan has come under pressure from Beijing</a>, which includes regular Chinese bomber patrols around the island, since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016. China suspects Tsai of pushing for Taiwan's formal independence, a red line for Beijing.

Taiwan has accused China of trying to meddle in its upcoming presidential votes in January as Tsai is seeking re-election - an accusation which China denies.

The United States, which has a fraught relationship with China over trade, defence and technology issues, upholds what is known as the "one-China" policy - officially recognising Beijing and not Taipei - while assisting Taiwan.

Taiwan said on Monday China was practicing "authoritarian expansionism" in the Pacific, pointing to reports of plans for Chinese military presence in two Pacific countries that have recently switched diplomatic allegiance to Beijing from Taipei.

Taiwan said on Monday China was practicing "authoritarian expansionism" in the Pacific, pointing to reports of plans for Chinese military presence in two Pacific countries that have recently switched diplomatic allegiance to Beijing from Taipei. "We have seen reports that China is interested in reopening this radar station in Kiribati, and building a naval base in Western Province of Solomon Islands," Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told a forum on cooperation among countries in the Pacific. "From the long-term strategic perspective, like-minded friends and partners should really be worried whether the Pacific will remain free and open, and whether the key actors follow the rules-based international order." The Solomon Islands and Kiribati decided to recognise China last month, dropping self-ruled and democratic Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own province with no rights to state-to-state relations. That reduced the number of its diplomatic allies in the Pacific to just four - Palau, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Nauru. It now has formal diplomatic ties with just 15 nations in all. Wu urged countries including the United States to "push back strongly" against China's moves to diminish Taiwan's presence in the Pacific. "I certainly don't want to see the Pacific turned into another South China Sea, with us one day all sighing that it is too late for us to do anything," Wu said, referring to Chinese moves to build military installations on artificial islands and reefs in the disputed water. China's Foreign Ministry was not immediately available for comment. Diplomats attending the forum in Taipei include Sandra Oudkirk, US State Department deputy assistant secretary for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Oudkirk's visit has been seen by some analysts and diplomats in Taiwan as an effort to shore up support for Taipei. Taiwan has come under pressure from Beijing, which includes regular Chinese bomber patrols around the island, since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016. China suspects Tsai of pushing for Taiwan's formal independence, a red line for Beijing. Taiwan has accused China of trying to meddle in its upcoming presidential votes in January as Tsai is seeking re-election - an accusation which China denies. The United States, which has a fraught relationship with China over trade, defence and technology issues, upholds what is known as the "one-China" policy - officially recognising Beijing and not Taipei - while assisting Taiwan.

Taiwan says China is an 'authoritarian' threat in the Pacific

Chinese soldiers issued a warning to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/petrol-bombs-and-tear-gas-rock-hong-kong-as-thousands-defy-mask-ban-254076">Hong Kong protesters</a> on Sunday who shone lasers at their barracks in the city, in the first direct interaction with mainland military forces in four months of anti-government demonstrations.

The stand-off with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) came after rallies attended by tens of thousands of protesters earlier on Sunday ended in violent clashes in several locations. Police fired tear gas and baton-charged the crowds, while some demonstrators threw bricks and petrol bombs at police as night fell.

Protesters concealed their faces in defiance of colonial-era emergency laws invoked by the authorities on Friday, which banned face masks. Protesters face a maximum of one year in jail for breaking the mask ban.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/outrage-in-china-as-hong-kong-democracy-supporter-assaults-mainlander-crowd-chants-go-home-254032">Police made their first arrests under the new rules</a>, detaining scores of people. Officers tied their wrists with cable and unmasked their faces before placing them on buses. Some protesters lay in foetal positions on the ground, their wrists tied behind their backs, after being subdued with pepper spray and batons.

"The anti-mask law just fuels our anger and more will people come on to the street," Lee, a university student wearing a blue mask, said on Sunday, as he marched on Hong Kong island.

"We are not afraid of the new law, we will continue fighting. We will fight for righteousness. I put on the mask to tell the government that I'm not afraid of tyranny."

China's Hong Kong military garrison warned a crowd of a few hundred protesters they could be arrested for targeting its barracks walls in the city with laser lights. It was the first direct interaction between the PLA and protesters.

Chinese military personnel standing on the roof of the building held up a sign in English and Chinese which read: "Warning. You are in breach of the law. You may be prosecuted."

The troops in fatigues also shone spotlights on the crowd and used binoculars and cameras to monitor protesters. The protesters eventually dispersed.

In August, Beijing moved thousands of troops across the border into Hong Kong in an operation state news agency Xinhua described at the time as a routine “rotation”.

But the PLA has remained in barracks since protests started, leaving Hong Kong’s police force to deal with the massive and often violent protests in the Asian financial hub.

The PLA's top brass has warned violence is "absolutely impermissible".

More violence

Authorities had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-court-rejects-mask-ban-challenge-as-fresh-protests-break-out-254031">braced for two major protests on Sunday</a>, fearing a recurrence of Friday night's violent protests which saw the Asian financial centre virtually shut down the next day.

Only hours after Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked emergency powers last used more than 50 years ago, mask-wearing protesters took to the streets on Friday, setting subway stations on fire, smashing mainland China banks and clashing with police.

The rallies on Sunday on Hong Kong island and across the harbour in Kowloon had been largely peaceful until police began to try and disperse the crowds, saying they were participating in unlawful assemblies, blocking major roads, and ordered protesters to leave immediately.

Hong Kong's four months of protests have plunged the Chinese-ruled city into its worst political crisis in decades and pose the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power six years ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-goes-quiet-as-subway-shops-close-after-night-of-violence-253957">What started as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has swelled into a pro-democracy movement</a> against what is seen as Beijing's increasing grip on the city, undermining its "one country, two systems" status promised when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997.

China dismisses the accusation, saying foreign governments, including Britain and the United States, have fanned anti-China sentiment.

Protesters on Sunday chanted "Hong Kongers, revolt" and "Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong", as riot police monitored them from overhead walkways and footbridges, some taking photographs and filming the marchers.

Protesters handed out face masks to encourage people to defy the ban. As the day wore on protesters started to target subway stations and China banks, just as they did on Friday, which forced the unprecedented closure of the city's metro railway.

A branch of China Construction Bank (Asia) near Prince Edward station was vandalised on Sunday with "No China" sprayed on its wall. Wan Chai station, closed with a neon sign saying serious vandalism, had a protester sheet draped over it which read: "this way to HELL".

Protesters set alight a blaze at the Mong Kok MTR station, with a placard nearby reading: "If we burn, you burn with us".

The current <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-gather-in-mall-to-read-out-declaration-forming-provisional-city-government-253912">"precarious situation"</a>, which endangered public safety, left no timely solution but the anti-mask law, Matthew Cheung, Hong Kong's chief secretary, wrote on his blog on Sunday. He urged people to oppose violence ahead of grassroots district council elections set for Nov. 24.

Four months of protests have pushed the Asian financial hub to the brink of its first recession in a decade. Financial Secretary Paul Chan in a blog on Sunday said despite recent obstacles, the banking system remained sound and the financial market was functioning well.

"Hong Kong will not implement foreign exchange controls. The Hong Kong dollar can be exchanged freely and capital can come in and out freely. This is the solemn guarantee of the Basic Law," said Chan.

Chinese soldiers issued a warning to Hong Kong protesters on Sunday who shone lasers at their barracks in the city, in the first direct interaction with mainland military forces in four months of anti-government demonstrations.

Chinese soldiers issued a warning to Hong Kong protesters on Sunday who shone lasers at their barracks in the city, in the first direct interaction with mainland military forces in four months of anti-government demonstrations. The stand-off with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) came after rallies attended by tens of thousands of protesters earlier on Sunday ended in violent clashes in several locations. Police fired tear gas and baton-charged the crowds, while some demonstrators threw bricks and petrol bombs at police as night fell. Protesters concealed their faces in defiance of colonial-era emergency laws invoked by the authorities on Friday, which banned face masks. Protesters face a maximum of one year in jail for breaking the mask ban. Police made their first arrests under the new rules, detaining scores of people. Officers tied their wrists with cable and unmasked their faces before placing them on buses. Some protesters lay in foetal positions on the ground, their wrists tied behind their backs, after being subdued with pepper spray and batons. "The anti-mask law just fuels our anger and more will people come on to the street," Lee, a university student wearing a blue mask, said on Sunday, as he marched on Hong Kong island. "We are not afraid of the new law, we will continue fighting. We will fight for righteousness. I put on the mask to tell the government that I'm not afraid of tyranny." China's Hong Kong military garrison warned a crowd of a few hundred protesters they could be arrested for targeting its barracks walls in the city with laser lights. It was the first direct interaction between the PLA and protesters. Chinese military personnel standing on the roof of the building held up a sign in English and Chinese which read: "Warning. You are in breach of the law. You may be prosecuted." The troops in fatigues also shone spotlights on the crowd and used binoculars and cameras to monitor protesters. The protesters eventually dispersed. In August, Beijing moved thousands of troops across the border into Hong Kong in an operation state news agency Xinhua described at the time as a routine “rotation”. But the PLA has remained in barracks since protests started, leaving Hong Kong’s police force to deal with the massive and often violent protests in the Asian financial hub. The PLA's top brass has warned violence is "absolutely impermissible". More violence Authorities had braced for two major protests on Sunday, fearing a recurrence of Friday night's violent protests which saw the Asian financial centre virtually shut down the next day. Only hours after Hong Kong's embattled leader Carrie Lam invoked emergency powers last used more than 50 years ago, mask-wearing protesters took to the streets on Friday, setting subway stations on fire, smashing mainland China banks and clashing with police. The rallies on Sunday on Hong Kong island and across the harbour in Kowloon had been largely peaceful until police began to try and disperse the crowds, saying they were participating in unlawful assemblies, blocking major roads, and ordered protesters to leave immediately. Hong Kong's four months of protests have plunged the Chinese-ruled city into its worst political crisis in decades and pose the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power six years ago. What started as opposition to a now-withdrawn extradition bill has swelled into a pro-democracy movement against what is seen as Beijing's increasing grip on the city, undermining its "one country, two systems" status promised when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997. China dismisses the accusation, saying foreign governments, including Britain and the United States, have fanned anti-China sentiment. Protesters on Sunday chanted "Hong Kongers, revolt" and "Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong", as riot police monitored them from overhead walkways and footbridges, some taking photographs and filming the marchers. Protesters handed out face masks to encourage people to defy the ban. As the day wore on protesters started to target subway stations and China banks, just as they did on Friday, which forced the unprecedented closure of the city's metro railway. A branch of China Construction Bank (Asia) near Prince Edward station was vandalised on Sunday with "No China" sprayed on its wall. Wan Chai station, closed with a neon sign saying serious vandalism, had a protester sheet draped over it which read: "this way to HELL". Protesters set alight a blaze at the Mong Kok MTR station, with a placard nearby reading: "If we burn, you burn with us". The current "precarious situation", which endangered public safety, left no timely solution but the anti-mask law, Matthew Cheung, Hong Kong's chief secretary, wrote on his blog on Sunday. He urged people to oppose violence ahead of grassroots district council elections set for Nov. 24. Four months of protests have pushed the Asian financial hub to the brink of its first recession in a decade. Financial Secretary Paul Chan in a blog on Sunday said despite recent obstacles, the banking system remained sound and the financial market was functioning well. "Hong Kong will not implement foreign exchange controls. The Hong Kong dollar can be exchanged freely and capital can come in and out freely. This is the solemn guarantee of the Basic Law," said Chan.

Chinese soldiers in Hong Kong warn protesters as emergency rules fail to quell unrest

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Kiev on Sunday to protest broader autonomy for separatist territories, part of a plan to end a war with Russian-backed fighters.

Protesters chanted "No to surrender!", with some holding placards critical of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the crowd, which police said had swelled to around 10,000 people.

The country's 41-year-old president is gearing up to hold his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-plans-second-major-prisoner-swap-with-russia-kiev-253705">first summit with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin</a> in an effort to revive a stalled peace process to end the five-year separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine.

This week Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators agreed on a roadmap that envisages special status for separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution.

Zelensky's critics fear that Putin will push the comedian-turned-politician to make damaging concessions in order to retain Moscow's de-facto control of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

Protesters in Kiev's Independence Square said that agreeing to give broader autonomy to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic would mean surrendering Ukraine's interests.

"We are against a betrayal," protester Sergiy Lezvinsky, 58, told AFP.

"We want to put an end to the occupation, to the decisions that are being fast-tracked".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-leader-says-russia-sanctions-must-remain-in-place-249448">The provisional agreement of a roadmap&nbsp;was a key condition set by Moscow</a> for a meeting that will be hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and also involve German Chancellor Angela Merkel.&nbsp;

The plan has been dubbed "the Steinmeier formula", after the former German foreign minister, Frank-Walter&nbsp;Steinmeier, who proposed it.

But many critics say the proposal favours Russia.

Zelensky's predecessor Petro Poroshenko has called it "Putin's formula," claiming it will endorse the Russian annexation of Crimea and Moscow's de-facto control of eastern Ukraine.

"The Steinmeier formula is a Putin project," said protester Mykola Chepiga.&nbsp;

He said elections could take place in eastern Ukraine only if Kiev restores control of the country's borders in the east.

In an address to the nation earlier this week Zelensky said he respected the right of Ukrainians to protest but called on people not to "give in to provocations".&nbsp;

He pledged not to betray the country's interests.

The ex-Soviet country of 45 million people has gone through two popular uprisings in two decades and has been mired in a conflict with separatists since 2014.

The conflict - the worst East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-and-ukraine-carry-out-prisoner-swap-trump-calls-it-first-giant-step-to-peace-248311">broke out after Russia annexed Crimea in March</a>, 2014 and has claimed&nbsp;13,000 lives.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Kiev on Sunday to protest broader autonomy for separatist territories, part of a plan to end a war with Russian-backed fighters.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Kiev on Sunday to protest broader autonomy for separatist territories, part of a plan to end a war with Russian-backed fighters. Protesters chanted "No to surrender!", with some holding placards critical of President Volodymyr Zelensky in the crowd, which police said had swelled to around 10,000 people. The country's 41-year-old president is gearing up to hold his first summit with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin in an effort to revive a stalled peace process to end the five-year separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine. This week Ukrainian, Russian and separatist negotiators agreed on a roadmap that envisages special status for separatist territories if they conduct free and fair elections under the Ukrainian constitution. Zelensky's critics fear that Putin will push the comedian-turned-politician to make damaging concessions in order to retain Moscow's de-facto control of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Protesters in Kiev's Independence Square said that agreeing to give broader autonomy to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic would mean surrendering Ukraine's interests. "We are against a betrayal," protester Sergiy Lezvinsky, 58, told AFP. "We want to put an end to the occupation, to the decisions that are being fast-tracked". The provisional agreement of a roadmap was a key condition set by Moscow for a meeting that will be hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and also involve German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The plan has been dubbed "the Steinmeier formula", after the former German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who proposed it. But many critics say the proposal favours Russia. Zelensky's predecessor Petro Poroshenko has called it "Putin's formula," claiming it will endorse the Russian annexation of Crimea and Moscow's de-facto control of eastern Ukraine. "The Steinmeier formula is a Putin project," said protester Mykola Chepiga. He said elections could take place in eastern Ukraine only if Kiev restores control of the country's borders in the east. In an address to the nation earlier this week Zelensky said he respected the right of Ukrainians to protest but called on people not to "give in to provocations". He pledged not to betray the country's interests. The ex-Soviet country of 45 million people has gone through two popular uprisings in two decades and has been mired in a conflict with separatists since 2014. The conflict - the worst East-West crisis since the end of the Cold War - broke out after Russia annexed Crimea in March, 2014 and has claimed 13,000 lives.

Thousands protest Ukraine leader's peace plan

Working-level nuclear talks in Sweden <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-would-not-give-up-old-attitude-says-north-korea-as-nuclear-talks-end-in-contrasting-assessments-253998">between officials from Pyongyang and Washington</a> have broken off, North Korea's top negotiator said late on Saturday, dashing prospects for an end to months of stalemate.

The talks, at an isolated conference centre on the outskirts of Stockholm, were the first such formal discussion since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June and agreed to restart negotiations that stalled after a failed summit in Vietnam in February.

The North's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Myong Gil, who spent much of the day in talks with an American delegation, cast the blame on what he portrayed as US&nbsp;inflexibility, saying the other side's negotiators would not "give up their old viewpoint and attitude."

"The negotiations have not fulfilled our expectation and finally broke off," Kim told reporters outside the North Korean embassy, speaking through an interpreter.

The US&nbsp;State Department said Kim's comments did not reflect "the content or spirit" of more than 8-1/2 hours of talks, and Washington had accepted Sweden's invitation to return for more discussions with Pyongyang in two weeks.

"The US&nbsp;brought creative ideas and had good discussions with its DPRK counterparts," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. North Korea is also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

She said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-united-states-officials-to-resume-nuclear-talks-after-latest-missile-test-253916">US&nbsp;delegation had previewed a number of new initiatives</a> that would pave the way for progress in the talks, and underscored the importance of more intensive engagement.

"The United States and the DPRK will not overcome a legacy of 70 years of war and hostility on the Korean peninsula through the course of a single Saturday," she added.

"These are weighty issues, and they require a strong commitment by both countries. The United States has that commitment."

North Korea's Kim downplayed US&nbsp;gestures.

"The US&nbsp;raised expectations by offering suggestions like a flexible approach, new method and creative solutions, but they have disappointed us greatly and dampened our enthusiasm for negotiation by bringing nothing to the negotiation table," he said.

Swedish broadcaster TV4 said the US&nbsp;Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, who led the team, had arrived back at the US&nbsp;embassy in central Stockholm.

The Swedish foreign office declined to give details on the invitation for new talks, or whether Pyongyang had accepted.

Since June, US&nbsp;officials had struggled to persuade North Korea, which is under sanctions banning much of its trade, due to its nuclear programme, to return to the table, but that appeared to change this week when the North abruptly announced it had agreed to talks.

On Saturday, negotiator Kim accused the United States of having no intention of solving difficulties through dialogue but said a complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula was still possible.

It would only happen "when all the obstacles that threaten our safety and check our development are removed completely without a shadow of a doubt," he said, in an apparent reference to North Korea's desire for Washington to ease economic pressure.

On Sunday, China's President Xi Jinping and the North's leader exchanged messages to reaffirm the neighbours' relationship on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. China is the North's only major ally.

Xi, who has met Kim five times in the past year, said they had "reached a series of important consensuses, leading China-North Korea relations into a new historical era", the official Xinhua news agency said.

Kim replied the two leaders would "resolutely safeguard the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the world," Xinhua reported.

Tensions

The delegation from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-north-korea-talks-going-ahead-despite-missile-test-253573">North Korea arrived in Sweden on Thursday</a>. Analysts have said both countries' leaders had growing incentives to reach a deal, but it was unclear if common ground could be found after months of tension and deadlock.

The readout from the talks did not sound very promising, said Jenny Town, a managing editor at 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea project.

"I think (North Korea's) expectations were too high that the removal of Bolton would provide more flexibility on what the US&nbsp;wants as initial steps," she said, referring to Trump's hardline former aide John Bolton, abruptly fired last month amid disagreements on how to tackle foreign policy challenges.

"While certainly&nbsp;it removes some pressure for an all or nothing deal, it seems the gap between what the two sides want as a baseline and are willing to reciprocate still has not narrowed," Town added.

An official at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-missiles-ahead-of-nuclear-talks-253157">South Korea's presidential office said the talks in Sweden were nevertheless the beginning of negotiations</a>, and that South Korea hoped the United States and North Korea would keep the momentum of the dialogue.

Only a day after announcing the new talks, North Korea said it had test-fired a new ballistic missile designed for submarine launch, underscoring the need for Washington to move quickly to negotiate limits on Pyongyang's growing arsenal.

Speaking in Athens on a tour of southern Europe while the talks were still underway, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said he was hopeful of progress.

"We are mindful this will be the first time that we've had a chance to have a discussion in quite some time and that there remains to be a lot of work that will have to be done by the two teams," he told a news conference.

Working-level nuclear talks in Sweden between officials from Pyongyang and Washington have broken off, North Korea's top negotiator said late on Saturday, dashing prospects for an end to months of stalemate.

Working-level nuclear talks in Sweden between officials from Pyongyang and Washington have broken off, North Korea's top negotiator said late on Saturday, dashing prospects for an end to months of stalemate. The talks, at an isolated conference centre on the outskirts of Stockholm, were the first such formal discussion since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in June and agreed to restart negotiations that stalled after a failed summit in Vietnam in February. The North's chief nuclear negotiator, Kim Myong Gil, who spent much of the day in talks with an American delegation, cast the blame on what he portrayed as US inflexibility, saying the other side's negotiators would not "give up their old viewpoint and attitude." "The negotiations have not fulfilled our expectation and finally broke off," Kim told reporters outside the North Korean embassy, speaking through an interpreter. The US State Department said Kim's comments did not reflect "the content or spirit" of more than 8-1/2 hours of talks, and Washington had accepted Sweden's invitation to return for more discussions with Pyongyang in two weeks. "The US brought creative ideas and had good discussions with its DPRK counterparts," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. North Korea is also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). She said the US delegation had previewed a number of new initiatives that would pave the way for progress in the talks, and underscored the importance of more intensive engagement. "The United States and the DPRK will not overcome a legacy of 70 years of war and hostility on the Korean peninsula through the course of a single Saturday," she added. "These are weighty issues, and they require a strong commitment by both countries. The United States has that commitment." North Korea's Kim downplayed US gestures. "The US raised expectations by offering suggestions like a flexible approach, new method and creative solutions, but they have disappointed us greatly and dampened our enthusiasm for negotiation by bringing nothing to the negotiation table," he said. Swedish broadcaster TV4 said the US Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, who led the team, had arrived back at the US embassy in central Stockholm. The Swedish foreign office declined to give details on the invitation for new talks, or whether Pyongyang had accepted. Since June, US officials had struggled to persuade North Korea, which is under sanctions banning much of its trade, due to its nuclear programme, to return to the table, but that appeared to change this week when the North abruptly announced it had agreed to talks. On Saturday, negotiator Kim accused the United States of having no intention of solving difficulties through dialogue but said a complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula was still possible. It would only happen "when all the obstacles that threaten our safety and check our development are removed completely without a shadow of a doubt," he said, in an apparent reference to North Korea's desire for Washington to ease economic pressure. On Sunday, China's President Xi Jinping and the North's leader exchanged messages to reaffirm the neighbours' relationship on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. China is the North's only major ally. Xi, who has met Kim five times in the past year, said they had "reached a series of important consensuses, leading China-North Korea relations into a new historical era", the official Xinhua news agency said. Kim replied the two leaders would "resolutely safeguard the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the world," Xinhua reported. Tensions The delegation from North Korea arrived in Sweden on Thursday. Analysts have said both countries' leaders had growing incentives to reach a deal, but it was unclear if common ground could be found after months of tension and deadlock. The readout from the talks did not sound very promising, said Jenny Town, a managing editor at 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea project. "I think (North Korea's) expectations were too high that the removal of Bolton would provide more flexibility on what the US wants as initial steps," she said, referring to Trump's hardline former aide John Bolton, abruptly fired last month amid disagreements on how to tackle foreign policy challenges. "While certainly it removes some pressure for an all or nothing deal, it seems the gap between what the two sides want as a baseline and are willing to reciprocate still has not narrowed," Town added. An official at South Korea's presidential office said the talks in Sweden were nevertheless the beginning of negotiations, and that South Korea hoped the United States and North Korea would keep the momentum of the dialogue. Only a day after announcing the new talks, North Korea said it had test-fired a new ballistic missile designed for submarine launch, underscoring the need for Washington to move quickly to negotiate limits on Pyongyang's growing arsenal. Speaking in Athens on a tour of southern Europe while the talks were still underway, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said he was hopeful of progress. "We are mindful this will be the first time that we've had a chance to have a discussion in quite some time and that there remains to be a lot of work that will have to be done by the two teams," he told a news conference.

North Korea breaks off nuclear talks with United States in Sweden

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals.

Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-parliament-sworn-in-without-new-government-253564">Israel's</a> push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations.

Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing peace deals with Arab countries, but common concerns over Iran are widely seen as having brought them closer in recent years.

"Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign 'non-aggression agreements' with the Arab Gulf states," Katz wrote on Twitter.

"The historic move will put an end to the conflict and allow civilian cooperation until peace agreements are signed."

Katz said he discussed the initiative with unnamed Arab foreign ministers and US President Donald Trump's outgoing envoy Jason Greenblatt while attending the UN General Assembly in late September.

A spokesman for Katz declined to provide further details for now, and it was not clear how much progress he has made in the endeavour.

Only two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- have peace treaties with Israel, but there have been overt signs in recent months of improved relations with Gulf nations.

A year ago, <a href="Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival Benny Gantz calls off Israel unity government talks: Reports">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> held surprise talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.

Katz in July said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington.

In late June, a group of Israeli journalists attended the US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Bahrain.

All did not go well, however, when a group of invitees from Arab states visited Israel in July.

Palestinians hurled abuse and chairs at a member of the delegation -- a Saudi blogger -- as he visited east Jerusalem's Old City.

East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community.

Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Sunday he was seeking "non-aggression" agreements with Gulf Arab nations that do not formally recognise the country as a prelude to possible future peace deals. Details of the proposal were not made public, but it was the latest sign of Israel's push to improve ties with Gulf Arab nations with whom it has no formal diplomatic relations. Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing peace deals with Arab countries, but common concerns over Iran are widely seen as having brought them closer in recent years. "Recently, I have been promoting, under the backing of the United States, a political initiative to sign 'non-aggression agreements' with the Arab Gulf states," Katz wrote on Twitter. "The historic move will put an end to the conflict and allow civilian cooperation until peace agreements are signed." Katz said he discussed the initiative with unnamed Arab foreign ministers and US President Donald Trump's outgoing envoy Jason Greenblatt while attending the UN General Assembly in late September. A spokesman for Katz declined to provide further details for now, and it was not clear how much progress he has made in the endeavour. Only two Arab countries -- Jordan and Egypt -- have peace treaties with Israel, but there have been overt signs in recent months of improved relations with Gulf nations. A year ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held surprise talks with Oman's Sultan Qaboos in Muscat. Katz in July said he had met his Bahraini counterpart publicly for the first time during a visit to Washington. In late June, a group of Israeli journalists attended the US-led economic conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Bahrain. All did not go well, however, when a group of invitees from Arab states visited Israel in July. Palestinians hurled abuse and chairs at a member of the delegation -- a Saudi blogger -- as he visited east Jerusalem's Old City. East Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians see the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Israeli minister seeks 'non-aggression' pacts with Arab nations

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