Four protesters and at least two officers were killed as Myanmar soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the country's second city Tuesday, authorities and military sources said.

Fighting has flared across Myanmar since the February coup as people form "defence forces" to battle a brutal military crackdown on dissent, but clashes have largely been restricted to rural areas.

Acting on a tip-off, security forces raided a house in Mandalay's Chan Mya Tharsi township on Tuesday morning, the junta's information team said in a statement, and were met with small arms fire and grenades.

Two officers were killed during the raid, military sources told AFP, and at least ten were wounded.

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Four "terrorists" were killed and eight arrested in possession of homemade mines, hand grenades and small arms, a junta spokesman said in a statement.

"We could hear artillery shooting even though our house is far from that place," a Mandalay resident told AFP.

Another four members of the self-defence group were killed when the car they were attempting to flee in crashed, the spokesman said, without providing details.

The United States' embassy in Yangon said on Twitter it was "tracking reports of ongoing fighting in Mandalay... We are disturbed by the military escalation and urgently call for a cessation of violence."

The mass uprising against the military putsch that toppled the government of Aung San Suu Kyi has been met with a brutal crackdown that has killed more than 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group.

As well as the rise of local self-defence forces, analysts believe hundreds of anti-coup protesters from Myanmar's towns and cities have trekked into insurgent-held areas to receive military training.

But part-time fighters know the odds are stacked against them in any confrontation with Myanmar's military -- one of Southeast Asia's most battle-hardened and brutal.

Four protesters and at least two officers were killed as Myanmar soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the country's second city Tuesday, authorities and military sources said.

Four protesters and at least two officers were killed as Myanmar soldiers battled an anti-junta civilian militia with small arms and grenades in the country's second city Tuesday, authorities and military sources said. Fighting has flared across Myanmar since the February coup as people form "defence forces" to battle a brutal military crackdown on dissent, but clashes have largely been restricted to rural areas. Acting on a tip-off, security forces raided a house in Mandalay's Chan Mya Tharsi township on Tuesday morning, the junta's information team said in a statement, and were met with small arms fire and grenades. Two officers were killed during the raid, military sources told AFP, and at least ten were wounded. Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court on sedition charges Four "terrorists" were killed and eight arrested in possession of homemade mines, hand grenades and small arms, a junta spokesman said in a statement. "We could hear artillery shooting even though our house is far from that place," a Mandalay resident told AFP. Another four members of the self-defence group were killed when the car they were attempting to flee in crashed, the spokesman said, without providing details. The United States' embassy in Yangon said on Twitter it was "tracking reports of ongoing fighting in Mandalay... We are disturbed by the military escalation and urgently call for a cessation of violence." The mass uprising against the military putsch that toppled the government of Aung San Suu Kyi has been met with a brutal crackdown that has killed more than 870 civilians, according to a local monitoring group. As well as the rise of local self-defence forces, analysts believe hundreds of anti-coup protesters from Myanmar's towns and cities have trekked into insurgent-held areas to receive military training. But part-time fighters know the odds are stacked against them in any confrontation with Myanmar's military -- one of Southeast Asia's most battle-hardened and brutal.

Six killed in clashes between Myanmar Army and anti-junta militia

A group of protestors was rammed by a car that drove into the crowd, taking one woman's life and injuring another.

The crowd was protesting against a shooting that had taken place a few weeks ago and involved an officer. While the crowd was gathered for demonstrations, a person drove into the group in the early hours of Monday.

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A demonstration was being held to protest the killing of Winston Smith, a 32-year-old Back man, by was murdered by police officers while executing a warrant.

Authorities said a suspect is in custody after the deadly crash, after being caught on the surveillance camera. Investigators also revealed that the preliminary findings have found probable involvement of drugs or alcohol.

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The driver of the car was pulled out from the vehicle immediately after the crash and was being beaten up by the crowd.&nbsp;He was saved by the police who then took the driver into custody.

One woman has been killed in a deadly car crash and the other person is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A group of protestors was rammed by a car that drove into the crowd, taking one woman's life and injuring another. The crowd was protesting against a shooting that had taken place a few weeks ago and involved an officer.

A group of protestors was rammed by a car that drove into the crowd, taking one woman's life and injuring another. The crowd was protesting against a shooting that had taken place a few weeks ago and involved an officer. While the crowd was gathered for demonstrations, a person drove into the group in the early hours of Monday. Also read | US city of Minneapolis reopens intersection where George Floyd was killed A demonstration was being held to protest the killing of Winston Smith, a 32-year-old Back man, by was murdered by police officers while executing a warrant. Authorities said a suspect is in custody after the deadly crash, after being caught on the surveillance camera. Investigators also revealed that the preliminary findings have found probable involvement of drugs or alcohol. Also read | Prosecutors seek 30-year sentence in George Floyd murder case The driver of the car was pulled out from the vehicle immediately after the crash and was being beaten up by the crowd. He was saved by the police who then took the driver into custody. One woman has been killed in a deadly car crash and the other person is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Minneapolis: Driver rams car into protesters, killing one

In a rare protest in China, students of a university help a school principal hostage during a protest about the devaluation of degrees.

The Chinese students were protesting against a proposal to merge a Nanjing college in Jiangsu province with a vocational institute. In China, vocational institutes are assumed to be less prestigious institutions.

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In the protest, the undergraduate students of the Nanjing Normal University's Zhongbei College in Jiangsu province&nbsp;came together on Sunday and held the 55-year-old principal hostage on the campus for more than 30 hours.

These students allegedly "shouted verbal abuse and blocked law enforcement" efforts. They also refused to let him leave, even though the police officials gave in to the demands and announced the dismissal of the merger plans, the police stated.

While the police claimed it to be a massive hostage situation and accused the students of being violent, the Chinese students took to social media to show proof of the violence against them by the police.

In videos circulating online, police officers can be seen using batons and pepper spray on students, and they can also be seen dragging individuals from the crowd and beating them. Some photographs also showed a female student bleeding from the head after being beaten up by the police officers.

All the videos and pictures were immediately taken off the internet by authorities and all related hashtags were blocked.

In a rare protest in China, students of a university help a school principal hostage during a protest about the devaluation of degrees. The Chinese students were protesting against a proposal to merge a Nanjing college in Jiangsu province with a vocational institute.

In a rare protest in China, students of a university help a school principal hostage during a protest about the devaluation of degrees. The Chinese students were protesting against a proposal to merge a Nanjing college in Jiangsu province with a vocational institute. In China, vocational institutes are assumed to be less prestigious institutions. Also read | It shows paranoid delusion of egoism, says China on US innovation bill In the protest, the undergraduate students of the Nanjing Normal University's Zhongbei College in Jiangsu province came together on Sunday and held the 55-year-old principal hostage on the campus for more than 30 hours. These students allegedly "shouted verbal abuse and blocked law enforcement" efforts. They also refused to let him leave, even though the police officials gave in to the demands and announced the dismissal of the merger plans, the police stated. While the police claimed it to be a massive hostage situation and accused the students of being violent, the Chinese students took to social media to show proof of the violence against them by the police. In videos circulating online, police officers can be seen using batons and pepper spray on students, and they can also be seen dragging individuals from the crowd and beating them. Some photographs also showed a female student bleeding from the head after being beaten up by the police officers. All the videos and pictures were immediately taken off the internet by authorities and all related hashtags were blocked.

Chinese students hold principal hostage for 30 hours during protests

Hungary appeared to backtrack on plans to build a Chinese university in the capital Budapest after thousands took to the streets at the weekend accusing the government of cosying up to Beijing, provoking an angry Chinese response.

Opponents of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban fear the planned $2 billion campus could undercut the quality of higher education and help Beijing increase its influence in Hungary and the European Union.

A senior Orban aide said late on Sunday the university was not even at the planning phase, and once the plan took shape, in early 2023, it could be put to a referendum.

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"Once the project's conditions are known, we support a referendum in Budapest to decide whether locals want Fudan University here," Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, told the pro-government news web site Mandiner late on Sunday.

Orban, a self-styled illiberal, has built cordial ties with China, including massive joint business projects, and has several times this year blocked EU statements denouncing China's record on human rights, angering his allies.

According to media reports, the government was willing to pay for the construction of Shanghai-based Fudan University's first campus in Europe with a Chinese loan. The campus would displace a planned local student housing area.

Public support for the campus is low, according to an opinion survey conducted last month, and Orban's ruling Fidesz party has weak support in Budapest, so a referendum could turn out against the project.

Orban and Fidesz face their first competitive elections next year after three successive landslides since 2010. Opposition parties have united against Fidesz for the first time and caught up with them in polls.

Political observers say Orban could decide to bide his time on Fudan and return to the idea after the election.

"It is hallmark Fidesz to take two steps back to wait until the issue loses political steam, then attempt it again when it is more convenient politically," Political Capital analyst Peter Kreko said.

Orban has abandoned unpopular projects before, such as a tax on internet traffic, a separate administrative court system and plans to privatise marinas at Lake Balaton.

Opposition spars with China

Gergely Karacsony, the opposition mayor of Budapest and a top contender to challenge Orban in elections next year, said on Saturday the university protest was a symbol of Hungarians rejecting heavy-handed government decisions.

"Although we are worlds apart on human rights... we really just don't want a Chinese elite school built at the expense of Hungarian taxpayers," Karacsony told Saturday's rally.

A media spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, who did not give his name, criticised Karacsony's comments on the embassy's Facebook page.

"In broad daylight, it is unseemly to criticize the internal affairs of another country, especially when I heard some key words in his speech, such as 'Tiananmen Square protests', 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'values'," the official said.

The Chinese embassy said it would address Reuters questions on a planned Fudan referendum at a later stage.

Hungary blocked an EU statement in April criticising China's new security law in Hong Kong, undermining the bloc's efforts to confront Beijing's curbing of freedoms in the former British colony.

Hungary appeared to backtrack on plans to build a Chinese university in the capital Budapest after thousands took to the streets at the weekend accusing the government of cosying up to Beijing, provoking an angry Chinese response.

Hungary appeared to backtrack on plans to build a Chinese university in the capital Budapest after thousands took to the streets at the weekend accusing the government of cosying up to Beijing, provoking an angry Chinese response. Opponents of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban fear the planned $2 billion campus could undercut the quality of higher education and help Beijing increase its influence in Hungary and the European Union. A senior Orban aide said late on Sunday the university was not even at the planning phase, and once the plan took shape, in early 2023, it could be put to a referendum. Also read | Budapest renames streets near planned Chinese university to highlight human rights abuses "Once the project's conditions are known, we support a referendum in Budapest to decide whether locals want Fudan University here," Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, told the pro-government news web site Mandiner late on Sunday. Orban, a self-styled illiberal, has built cordial ties with China, including massive joint business projects, and has several times this year blocked EU statements denouncing China's record on human rights, angering his allies. According to media reports, the government was willing to pay for the construction of Shanghai-based Fudan University's first campus in Europe with a Chinese loan. The campus would displace a planned local student housing area. Public support for the campus is low, according to an opinion survey conducted last month, and Orban's ruling Fidesz party has weak support in Budapest, so a referendum could turn out against the project. Orban and Fidesz face their first competitive elections next year after three successive landslides since 2010. Opposition parties have united against Fidesz for the first time and caught up with them in polls. Political observers say Orban could decide to bide his time on Fudan and return to the idea after the election. "It is hallmark Fidesz to take two steps back to wait until the issue loses political steam, then attempt it again when it is more convenient politically," Political Capital analyst Peter Kreko said. Orban has abandoned unpopular projects before, such as a tax on internet traffic, a separate administrative court system and plans to privatise marinas at Lake Balaton. Opposition spars with China Gergely Karacsony, the opposition mayor of Budapest and a top contender to challenge Orban in elections next year, said on Saturday the university protest was a symbol of Hungarians rejecting heavy-handed government decisions. "Although we are worlds apart on human rights... we really just don't want a Chinese elite school built at the expense of Hungarian taxpayers," Karacsony told Saturday's rally. A media spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, who did not give his name, criticised Karacsony's comments on the embassy's Facebook page. "In broad daylight, it is unseemly to criticize the internal affairs of another country, especially when I heard some key words in his speech, such as 'Tiananmen Square protests', 'democracy', 'human rights' and 'values'," the official said. The Chinese embassy said it would address Reuters questions on a planned Fudan referendum at a later stage. Hungary blocked an EU statement in April criticising China's new security law in Hong Kong, undermining the bloc's efforts to confront Beijing's curbing of freedoms in the former British colony.

Hungary appears to back-pedal on Chinese university plans after protests

Colombia will begin "the maximum deployment" of military personnel in the western province of Valle del Cauca and its capital, Cali, President Ivan Duque said on Friday, after four people died in protests to mark a month of anti-government demonstrations. 
 
The four died in and around Cali on Friday as tens of thousands marched across the country in the latest in demonstrations that started on April 28 to oppose tax reform but have since expanded to include wide-ranging demands. 
 
Talks between the government and the protest leaders, including union leaders who have formed a national strike committee, have stalled. 
 
"From tonight begins the maximum deployment of military assistance to the national police in Cali and the province of Valle," Duque said in a televised message. 
 
He added that more than 7,000 personnel will be sent to lift road blockades, including members of the navy, but did not give any more specifics. 
 
Clara Luz Roldan, governor of Valle del Cauca, earlier declared a curfew would start in the province from 7:00 p.m. 
 
On Friday in Cali, an epicenter of the protests, Mayor Jorge Ospina confirmed three deaths. Local media reported the fourth death occurred on the road between Cali and the town of Candelaria. 
 
Two people in Cali were killed when an agent of the attorney general`s investigative unit opened fire on civilians, before also being killed, Attorney General Francisco Barbosa said in a televised message. The agent was not on duty at the time, Barbosa said. 
 
The demonstrations have been plagued by violence. 
 
As of Thursday 17 civilians have died in connection with protests, the government said. Human rights groups say dozens more have been killed by security forces. Two police officers were also earlier reported killed. 
 
Human Rights Watch`s executive director for the Americas, Jose Miguel Vivanco, said on Twitter the advocacy group had verified videos published on social media showing armed men in civilian clothes firing weapons while police look on. 
 
Vivanco called on Defense Minister Diego Molano to explain. Colombia`s defense ministry did not immediately respond to questions. 
 
DEMANDS 
 
The demonstrations have pressured the government and lawmakers into shelving the tax and health reforms and prompted the resignation of former finance minister Alberto Carrasquilla. 
 
Protester demands now also include a basic income, opportunities for young people and an end to police violence. 
 
Although demonstrations outside Valle del Cauca on Friday were mostly peaceful, clashes between police and protesters were reported in some areas, such as the municipality of Madrid, near Bogota, as were incidents of violence in the city of Popayan. 
 
Amid singing and music in the capital Bogota, protesters said they would keep marching. 
 
"Until the government listens to us, we have to stay in the streets," Alejandro Franco, 23, told Reuters. Close to graduating, he said he was marching for better education and health, among other reasons. 
 
"If the people don`t have peace then neither will the government," he added. 
 
Despite the government and protest leaders reaching a "pre-agreement" for ending demonstrations this week, strike organizers on Thursday said the government had not signed the deal and accused it of stalling. 
 
"We have already reached the agreement, the only thing missing is the president`s signature to start the negotiations," Francisco Maltes, president of the Central Union of Workers (CUT), said on Friday, accusing the government of delaying talks. 
 
The government said it had not signed the deal because some protest leaders would not condemn road blocks, calling the issue non-negotiable, and adding that talks will resume on Sunday. 
 
Colombia`s finance ministry estimates protests and roadblocks have cost the country $2.68 billion, with the roadblocks leading to shortages of food and other supplies, boosting prices, and disrupting operations in the country`s main seaport as well as for hundreds of companies. 
 
"I have to close my shop every time there are protests," Laudice Ramirez, 62, said in the south of the city. "I`m going bankrupt, but the youth don`t have any other options for opportunities." 
&nbsp;

Colombia will begin "the maximum deployment" of military personnel in the western province of Valle del Cauca and its capital, Cali, President Ivan Duque said on Friday, after four people died in protests to mark a month of anti-government demonstrations.

Colombia will begin "the maximum deployment" of military personnel in the western province of Valle del Cauca and its capital, Cali, President Ivan Duque said on Friday, after four people died in protests to mark a month of anti-government demonstrations. The four died in and around Cali on Friday as tens of thousands marched across the country in the latest in demonstrations that started on April 28 to oppose tax reform but have since expanded to include wide-ranging demands. Talks between the government and the protest leaders, including union leaders who have formed a national strike committee, have stalled. "From tonight begins the maximum deployment of military assistance to the national police in Cali and the province of Valle," Duque said in a televised message. He added that more than 7,000 personnel will be sent to lift road blockades, including members of the navy, but did not give any more specifics. Clara Luz Roldan, governor of Valle del Cauca, earlier declared a curfew would start in the province from 7:00 p.m. On Friday in Cali, an epicenter of the protests, Mayor Jorge Ospina confirmed three deaths. Local media reported the fourth death occurred on the road between Cali and the town of Candelaria. Two people in Cali were killed when an agent of the attorney general`s investigative unit opened fire on civilians, before also being killed, Attorney General Francisco Barbosa said in a televised message. The agent was not on duty at the time, Barbosa said. The demonstrations have been plagued by violence. As of Thursday 17 civilians have died in connection with protests, the government said. Human rights groups say dozens more have been killed by security forces. Two police officers were also earlier reported killed. Human Rights Watch`s executive director for the Americas, Jose Miguel Vivanco, said on Twitter the advocacy group had verified videos published on social media showing armed men in civilian clothes firing weapons while police look on. Vivanco called on Defense Minister Diego Molano to explain. Colombia`s defense ministry did not immediately respond to questions. DEMANDS The demonstrations have pressured the government and lawmakers into shelving the tax and health reforms and prompted the resignation of former finance minister Alberto Carrasquilla. Protester demands now also include a basic income, opportunities for young people and an end to police violence. Although demonstrations outside Valle del Cauca on Friday were mostly peaceful, clashes between police and protesters were reported in some areas, such as the municipality of Madrid, near Bogota, as were incidents of violence in the city of Popayan. Amid singing and music in the capital Bogota, protesters said they would keep marching. "Until the government listens to us, we have to stay in the streets," Alejandro Franco, 23, told Reuters. Close to graduating, he said he was marching for better education and health, among other reasons. "If the people don`t have peace then neither will the government," he added. Despite the government and protest leaders reaching a "pre-agreement" for ending demonstrations this week, strike organizers on Thursday said the government had not signed the deal and accused it of stalling. "We have already reached the agreement, the only thing missing is the president`s signature to start the negotiations," Francisco Maltes, president of the Central Union of Workers (CUT), said on Friday, accusing the government of delaying talks. The government said it had not signed the deal because some protest leaders would not condemn road blocks, calling the issue non-negotiable, and adding that talks will resume on Sunday. Colombia`s finance ministry estimates protests and roadblocks have cost the country $2.68 billion, with the roadblocks leading to shortages of food and other supplies, boosting prices, and disrupting operations in the country`s main seaport as well as for hundreds of companies. "I have to close my shop every time there are protests," Laudice Ramirez, 62, said in the south of the city. "I`m going bankrupt, but the youth don`t have any other options for opportunities."

Colombia sends military to western province after four die during protests

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Six killed in clashes between Myanmar Army and anti-junta militia

Minneapolis: Driver rams car into protesters, killing one

Chinese students hold principal hostage for 30 hours during protests

Hungary appears to back-pedal on Chinese university plans after protests

Colombia sends military to western province after four die during protests