Power of pink: Locals protest against Netanyahu in Israel

Thousands of Tunisians flocked to streets of Tunis on Friday and Saturday to protest against police brutality. The protests on Friday coincided with death anniversary of a prominent leftist leader &nbsp;Chokri Belaid who died in 2013. The protests were backed by Tunisia's powerful labour union. The protesters defied lockdown to decry police brutality and abuses. Demonstrators said that police brutality has imperilled freedoms won in 2011 revolution which triggered the 'Arab Spring'.

The day saw clashes between protesters and the police.

Police forces, wearing helmets and wielding batons, scuffled with protesters as tensions simmered at one point during the country's biggest demonstration in years.

Riot police deployed cordons around the city center, stopping both cars and many people from entering the streets around Avenue Habib Bourguiba as thousands of people gathered, a Reuters witness said.

"I lived 10 years in freedom ... I am not ready to lose it," said Haytem Ouslati, a 24-year old demonstrator. Protesters raised placards condemning police violence and chanted "No fear. The street belongs to the people."

Unlike previous marches in a wave of protests that have spread across Tunisia in recent weeks, Saturday's rally was backed by the UGTT union, the country's most powerful political organisation with a million members.

Samir Cheffi, a senior UGTT official, said the protest was needed to protect liberties. "Today is a cry of alarm to defend the revolution, to protect freedoms under threat," he said.

Protests which began last month over inequality have increasingly focused on the large number of arrests and reports - denied by the Interior Ministry - of abuse of detainees.

Mohammed Ammar, a member of parliament for the Attayar party, said he had phoned the prime minister to protest against the closure of central Tunis.

Protesters chanted against the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, a member of successive government coalitions, and reprised the Arab Spring slogan: "The people want the fall of the regime".

(With AFP inputs)

Thousands of Tunisians flocked to streets of Tunis on Friday and Saturday to protest against police brutality. The protests on Friday coincided with death anniversary of a prominent leftist leader Chokri Belaid who died in 2013.

Thousands of Tunisians flocked to streets of Tunis on Friday and Saturday to protest against police brutality. The protests on Friday coincided with death anniversary of a prominent leftist leader Chokri Belaid who died in 2013. The protests were backed by Tunisia's powerful labour union. The protesters defied lockdown to decry police brutality and abuses. Demonstrators said that police brutality has imperilled freedoms won in 2011 revolution which triggered the 'Arab Spring'. The day saw clashes between protesters and the police. Police forces, wearing helmets and wielding batons, scuffled with protesters as tensions simmered at one point during the country's biggest demonstration in years. Riot police deployed cordons around the city center, stopping both cars and many people from entering the streets around Avenue Habib Bourguiba as thousands of people gathered, a Reuters witness said. "I lived 10 years in freedom ... I am not ready to lose it," said Haytem Ouslati, a 24-year old demonstrator. Protesters raised placards condemning police violence and chanted "No fear. The street belongs to the people." Unlike previous marches in a wave of protests that have spread across Tunisia in recent weeks, Saturday's rally was backed by the UGTT union, the country's most powerful political organisation with a million members. Samir Cheffi, a senior UGTT official, said the protest was needed to protect liberties. "Today is a cry of alarm to defend the revolution, to protect freedoms under threat," he said. Protests which began last month over inequality have increasingly focused on the large number of arrests and reports - denied by the Interior Ministry - of abuse of detainees. Mohammed Ammar, a member of parliament for the Attayar party, said he had phoned the prime minister to protest against the closure of central Tunis. Protesters chanted against the moderate Islamist Ennahda party, a member of successive government coalitions, and reprised the Arab Spring slogan: "The people want the fall of the regime". (With AFP inputs)

Tunisia: Protesters clash with police on activist's death anniversary

Turkish police detained dozens of protesters on Thursday (February 4) demonstrating against Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's appointment of a new rector to Istanbul's Bogazici University.

Turkish police detains dozens protesting against Erdogan appointed rector

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has denounced student protesters as “terrorists” and vowed to crack down on demonstrations opposing the appointment of a government loyalist to head Istanbul’s most prestigious university.

Erdogan vows crack down on demonstrations in Istanbul

Demonstrators in Nepal's capital Kathmandu on Monday (February 01) clashed with the police during protests against the dissolution of the Himalayan nation's parliament.

Demonstrators clash with police during protests against Oli in Nepal

Nepal locals protest against #Oligarchy after PM Oli dissolves parliament

Tainted Christmas: Ohio locals stand against police brutality

Bangkok has been gripped by a rubber duck frenzy since pro-democracy protesters used giant inflatables to shield themselves from water cannon spray last month.

When police mounted a crackdown on a November rally, deploying tear gas and water cannon outside parliament, footage of demonstrators hiding behind giant ducks went viral.

Within days, duck-themed paraphernalia became a staple among street vendors at protests, the birds featuring on everything from hats to hair clips.

Protesters are calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha to resign, a rewrite of the army-drafted constitution and for reforms to the monarchy — a taboo-smashing demand in a country where the ultra-wealthy royal family has long been untouchable.

The toy's emergence as a protest symbol happened by accident. Protesters had intended to float on inflatable ducks down Bangkok's Chao Phraya River behind parliament as lawmakers inside debated proposals for constitutional change.

But since their redeployment as protection from tear gas and chemical-laced water fired from cannons, some demonstrators say the ducks have helped the pro-democracy movement win the PR war with authorities.

"To put it simply, they're the guards of the people who use peaceful ways in protesting. We have cute ducks to fight against fully armed police, and it shows that we’re better," said a 30-year-old protester named Sam.

Rattikarn Saehor, 39, sells duck bubble blowers from a stall and said her products help lighten the mood at rallies.

"We want the protest to be less stressful, full of creative ideas that show we truly like to protest with peace, and do not want any violence to happen -- so the ducks have helped make everything look lighter and softer," she told AFP.

She said proceeds from her sales had supported volunteer medical teams at protests.

It is not the first time the bath-time buddies have been used as symbols of defiance and protest.

In 2013, Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's 16-metre inflatable duck sculpture floated in Hong Kong's harbour but swiftly became mired in controversy.

A Weibo user edited a famous image from the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, replacing tanks with ducks prompting a Chinese government internet search ban on "big yellow duck".

Giant inflatable rubber ducks featured in protests in Brazil in 2016 during a push to impeach then president Dilma Rousseff and highlight the economic "quackery" of her government amid a downturn.

And they became a symbol of protest in Russia in 2017 when it emerged then prime minister Dmitry Medvedev had multiple luxury estates -- including one that featured a special house for ducks on a pond.

Bangkok has been gripped by a rubber duck frenzy since pro-democracy protesters used giant inflatables to shield themselves from water cannon spray last month. When police mounted a crackdown on a November rally, deploying tear gas and water cannon outside parliament, footage of demonstrators hiding behind giant ducks went viral.

Bangkok has been gripped by a rubber duck frenzy since pro-democracy protesters used giant inflatables to shield themselves from water cannon spray last month. When police mounted a crackdown on a November rally, deploying tear gas and water cannon outside parliament, footage of demonstrators hiding behind giant ducks went viral. Within days, duck-themed paraphernalia became a staple among street vendors at protests, the birds featuring on everything from hats to hair clips. Protesters are calling for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha to resign, a rewrite of the army-drafted constitution and for reforms to the monarchy — a taboo-smashing demand in a country where the ultra-wealthy royal family has long been untouchable. The toy's emergence as a protest symbol happened by accident. Protesters had intended to float on inflatable ducks down Bangkok's Chao Phraya River behind parliament as lawmakers inside debated proposals for constitutional change. But since their redeployment as protection from tear gas and chemical-laced water fired from cannons, some demonstrators say the ducks have helped the pro-democracy movement win the PR war with authorities. "To put it simply, they're the guards of the people who use peaceful ways in protesting. We have cute ducks to fight against fully armed police, and it shows that we’re better," said a 30-year-old protester named Sam. Rattikarn Saehor, 39, sells duck bubble blowers from a stall and said her products help lighten the mood at rallies. "We want the protest to be less stressful, full of creative ideas that show we truly like to protest with peace, and do not want any violence to happen -- so the ducks have helped make everything look lighter and softer," she told AFP. She said proceeds from her sales had supported volunteer medical teams at protests. It is not the first time the bath-time buddies have been used as symbols of defiance and protest. In 2013, Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman's 16-metre inflatable duck sculpture floated in Hong Kong's harbour but swiftly became mired in controversy. A Weibo user edited a famous image from the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, replacing tanks with ducks prompting a Chinese government internet search ban on "big yellow duck". Giant inflatable rubber ducks featured in protests in Brazil in 2016 during a push to impeach then president Dilma Rousseff and highlight the economic "quackery" of her government amid a downturn. And they became a symbol of protest in Russia in 2017 when it emerged then prime minister Dmitry Medvedev had multiple luxury estates -- including one that featured a special house for ducks on a pond.

'Rubber duck revolution' takes off in Thailand

About 200 Cuban artists demonstrated outside the country's culture ministry on Friday in a rare show of dissent over freedom of expression.

The demonstration followed the expulsion by authorities on Thursday night of protesting members of an artists' collective from their premises in the historic center of Havana.

Protesters demanded a dialogue over limits on freedom of expression and what they call state repression after the authorities cracked down on the San Isidro Movement of dissident artists and activists.

The Dutch and Czech governments and Amnesty International, as well as other rights groups, voiced concern on Friday about human rights in Cuba.

The movement has been protesting the imprisonment of a rapper on charges of contempt, casting a spotlight on the one-party state's treatment of human rights. Eight members and allies went on hunger strike 10 days ago.

Authorities broke up the strike on Thursday, evicting everyone from the movement`s headquarters, citing a violation of COVID-19 health protocols. The dissidents said this was a pretext to end their protest.

Fourteen dissidents, including five still on hunger strike, were briefly detained. They said their phones had been seized and reset, deleting images of the move against them.

The San Isidro Movement, named after the rundown neighborhood in Old Havana where the group has its headquarters, was founded in 2018 to oppose a decree they said increased censorship on the cultural sector.

The stakeout, starting with two dozen people in the morning, grew to more than 100 as the day went on, including internationally renowned Cuban artists like Tania Bruguera and filmmakers like Fernando Perez.

Late into the evening, the protesters said they were refusing to leave until they had met with a high-level official. They demanded "dialogue" and representatives were waiting to meet with vice minister Fernando Rojas after having gathered there for much of the day.

The demonstration was rare in Cuba, where permission for such protests is not often given.&nbsp;

Security personnel and uniformed police watched over the protest from a distance but without intervening.

The San Isidro&nbsp;Movement had been demanding the release of another member of the group, rapper Denis Solis, arrested on November 9 and sentenced to eight months in prison for contempt.

After the raid on their premises, the 14 members of the group were given Covid-19 tests and returned to their homes, with the collective's headquarters closed by the authorities, activists said on social media.

Two of them refused to go home and were arrested again: Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, 32, a plastics artist, and Anamely Ramos, 35.&nbsp;

Some activists said on social media that Ramos had been released.&nbsp;

The list of demands from Friday's protesters included information on the whereabouts of Otero and Ramos, the release of Solis and an end to the "harassment" of artists.

(with inputs from agencies)

About 200 Cuban artists demonstrated outside the country's culture ministry on Friday in a rare show of dissent over freedom of expression. The demonstration followed the expulsion by authorities on Thursday night of protesting members of an artists' collective from their premises in the historic center of Havana.

About 200 Cuban artists demonstrated outside the country's culture ministry on Friday in a rare show of dissent over freedom of expression. The demonstration followed the expulsion by authorities on Thursday night of protesting members of an artists' collective from their premises in the historic center of Havana. Protesters demanded a dialogue over limits on freedom of expression and what they call state repression after the authorities cracked down on the San Isidro Movement of dissident artists and activists. The Dutch and Czech governments and Amnesty International, as well as other rights groups, voiced concern on Friday about human rights in Cuba. The movement has been protesting the imprisonment of a rapper on charges of contempt, casting a spotlight on the one-party state's treatment of human rights. Eight members and allies went on hunger strike 10 days ago. Authorities broke up the strike on Thursday, evicting everyone from the movement`s headquarters, citing a violation of COVID-19 health protocols. The dissidents said this was a pretext to end their protest. Fourteen dissidents, including five still on hunger strike, were briefly detained. They said their phones had been seized and reset, deleting images of the move against them. The San Isidro Movement, named after the rundown neighborhood in Old Havana where the group has its headquarters, was founded in 2018 to oppose a decree they said increased censorship on the cultural sector. The stakeout, starting with two dozen people in the morning, grew to more than 100 as the day went on, including internationally renowned Cuban artists like Tania Bruguera and filmmakers like Fernando Perez. Late into the evening, the protesters said they were refusing to leave until they had met with a high-level official. They demanded "dialogue" and representatives were waiting to meet with vice minister Fernando Rojas after having gathered there for much of the day. The demonstration was rare in Cuba, where permission for such protests is not often given. Security personnel and uniformed police watched over the protest from a distance but without intervening. The San Isidro Movement had been demanding the release of another member of the group, rapper Denis Solis, arrested on November 9 and sentenced to eight months in prison for contempt. After the raid on their premises, the 14 members of the group were given Covid-19 tests and returned to their homes, with the collective's headquarters closed by the authorities, activists said on social media. Two of them refused to go home and were arrested again: Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara, 32, a plastics artist, and Anamely Ramos, 35. Some activists said on social media that Ramos had been released. The list of demands from Friday's protesters included information on the whereabouts of Otero and Ramos, the release of Solis and an end to the "harassment" of artists. (with inputs from agencies)

Cuba sees unusual display of dissent over freedom of expression

Anti-government protesters took to the streets of Mexico City, marching from the city's iconic Monument to the Revolution to the famous Angel of Independence statue in a demonstration against the administration of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Mexicans take to the streets to protest against the government

The Nigerian army has admitted to having in possession both live and blank bullets when they were deployed to protests at Lekki toll gate on October 20. The admission is being seen as a confirmation to a key finding of a CNN investigation into the shooting incident.

"The soldiers were given both live and blank bullets. In this particular case, we saw that these protests had been infiltrated by some hoodlums," Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo said in his testimony to the Lagos Judicial panel of inquiry into the incident.

This is the first time the Nigerian army has admitted having live rounds at the Lekki toll gate.

Nigeria’s security forces reportedly shot dead demonstrators protesting against police brutality in Lagos on October 20 this year, according to several witnesses, as authorities imposed a curfew and promised an investigation.

Nigerian authorities had earlier threatened to sanction CNN for the investigative report that showed soldiers shooting protesters last month at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos. On Thursday, Nigerian authorities responded, saying the CNN report lacked substantial proof, and threatened sanctions.&nbsp;

According to Reuters news agency, soldiers fired at the protesters who had gathered in the Lekki district of Nigeria’s largest city in defiance of an indefinite curfew imposed hours earlier by the authorities.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the army denied any involvement, describing reports of the incident as "fake news," before backtracking and saying that soldiers were present but fired their weapons in the air and used blanks, not live rounds.

The army statement, hence, contradicts previous statements about the incident that said the judicial panel previously that the soldiers were firing in the air and firing blank ammunition.

The CNN investigation included evidence that bullet casings from the scene matched those used by the Nigerian army when shooting live rounds, according to current and former Nigerian military officials.

CNN's report was based on testimony from dozens of witnesses, and photos and video obtained and geolocated by CNN.

The admission is also yet another in a series of constantly changing narratives as to what happened on October 20 at Lekki toll gate, where protesters had gathered to demonstrate against police brutality.

Lagos is one of five of Nigeria’s 36 states to have announced movement restrictions in the last two days. Protesters pledged to remain on Lagos’s streets regardless.

The protests, organised under the #EndSARS hashtag, began with calls to scrap a notorious police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has long been accused of extortion, torture and extrajudicial killings.

After days of widespread demonstrations, the authorities announced SARS would be disbanded, ordering all personnel to report to the police headquarters in Abuja for debriefing and psychological and medical examinations.

Officials said SARS would be replaced by a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

The announcements did not satisfy the protesters, who saw the changes as nothing but a renaming exercise.

It's not clear how authorities might proceed with sanctions against the broadcaster, but CNN says it is standing by its findings released in the report. &nbsp;

It also says the Nigerian military declined to answer questions before the report was released.

(with inputs)

The Nigerian army has admitted to having in possession both live and blank bullets when they were deployed to protests at Lekki toll gate on October 20. The admission is being seen as a confirmation to a key finding of a CNN investigation into the shooting incident.

The Nigerian army has admitted to having in possession both live and blank bullets when they were deployed to protests at Lekki toll gate on October 20. The admission is being seen as a confirmation to a key finding of a CNN investigation into the shooting incident. "The soldiers were given both live and blank bullets. In this particular case, we saw that these protests had been infiltrated by some hoodlums," Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo said in his testimony to the Lagos Judicial panel of inquiry into the incident. This is the first time the Nigerian army has admitted having live rounds at the Lekki toll gate. Nigeria’s security forces reportedly shot dead demonstrators protesting against police brutality in Lagos on October 20 this year, according to several witnesses, as authorities imposed a curfew and promised an investigation. Nigerian authorities had earlier threatened to sanction CNN for the investigative report that showed soldiers shooting protesters last month at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos. On Thursday, Nigerian authorities responded, saying the CNN report lacked substantial proof, and threatened sanctions. According to Reuters news agency, soldiers fired at the protesters who had gathered in the Lekki district of Nigeria’s largest city in defiance of an indefinite curfew imposed hours earlier by the authorities. In the aftermath of the shooting, the army denied any involvement, describing reports of the incident as "fake news," before backtracking and saying that soldiers were present but fired their weapons in the air and used blanks, not live rounds. The army statement, hence, contradicts previous statements about the incident that said the judicial panel previously that the soldiers were firing in the air and firing blank ammunition. The CNN investigation included evidence that bullet casings from the scene matched those used by the Nigerian army when shooting live rounds, according to current and former Nigerian military officials. CNN's report was based on testimony from dozens of witnesses, and photos and video obtained and geolocated by CNN. The admission is also yet another in a series of constantly changing narratives as to what happened on October 20 at Lekki toll gate, where protesters had gathered to demonstrate against police brutality. Lagos is one of five of Nigeria’s 36 states to have announced movement restrictions in the last two days. Protesters pledged to remain on Lagos’s streets regardless. The protests, organised under the #EndSARS hashtag, began with calls to scrap a notorious police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has long been accused of extortion, torture and extrajudicial killings. After days of widespread demonstrations, the authorities announced SARS would be disbanded, ordering all personnel to report to the police headquarters in Abuja for debriefing and psychological and medical examinations. Officials said SARS would be replaced by a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. The announcements did not satisfy the protesters, who saw the changes as nothing but a renaming exercise. It's not clear how authorities might proceed with sanctions against the broadcaster, but CNN says it is standing by its findings released in the report. It also says the Nigerian military declined to answer questions before the report was released. (with inputs)

Nigeria admits soldiers had live bullets at Lekki Toll Gate protest

Thousands of people protested in Paris on Saturday against a bill that would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer's face with the intention that they should be harmed.

The offence would carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a 45,000-euro ($53,000) fine.

Supporters say police officers and their families need protection from harassment, both online and in person when off duty. Opponents, however, say the law would infringe journalists' freedom to report, and make it harder to hold police accountable for abuses such as excessive use of force - a growing public concern.

To this end, rights activists, trade unionists and journalists chanted "Everybody wants to film the police!" and "Freedom!" on the Trocadero Square in western Paris.

The police, on their part, wearing riot gear stood by around the square.

Similar demonstrations were planned in Marseille, Lille, Montpellier, Rennes, Saint-Etienne and Nice.

In Paris, police clashed with demonstrators at the end of the protest. By 7:45 p.m., 23 people had been arrested and a police officer slightly injured, the police prefecture tweeted.

Last Tuesday, two journalists were detained in a protest that led to clashes with police as lawmakers in the National Assembly began debating the bill, which is backed by President Emmanuel Macron's party and its parliamentary allies.

The bill passed its first reading on Friday and there will be a second reading on Tuesday. It then goes to the Senate for further debate before it can become law.

An amendment drafted by the government and approved on Friday modified the article in question, 24, to add the phrase "without prejudice to the right to inform".

Prime Minister Jean Castex said this would "remove any ambiguity on the intention to guarantee respect for public freedoms while better protecting those, police and gendarmes, who ensure the protection of the population".

Thousands of people protested in Paris on Saturday against a bill that would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer's face with the intention that they should be harmed.

Thousands of people protested in Paris on Saturday against a bill that would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer's face with the intention that they should be harmed. The offence would carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a 45,000-euro ($53,000) fine. Supporters say police officers and their families need protection from harassment, both online and in person when off duty. Opponents, however, say the law would infringe journalists' freedom to report, and make it harder to hold police accountable for abuses such as excessive use of force - a growing public concern. To this end, rights activists, trade unionists and journalists chanted "Everybody wants to film the police!" and "Freedom!" on the Trocadero Square in western Paris. The police, on their part, wearing riot gear stood by around the square. Similar demonstrations were planned in Marseille, Lille, Montpellier, Rennes, Saint-Etienne and Nice. In Paris, police clashed with demonstrators at the end of the protest. By 7:45 p.m., 23 people had been arrested and a police officer slightly injured, the police prefecture tweeted. Last Tuesday, two journalists were detained in a protest that led to clashes with police as lawmakers in the National Assembly began debating the bill, which is backed by President Emmanuel Macron's party and its parliamentary allies. The bill passed its first reading on Friday and there will be a second reading on Tuesday. It then goes to the Senate for further debate before it can become law. An amendment drafted by the government and approved on Friday modified the article in question, 24, to add the phrase "without prejudice to the right to inform". Prime Minister Jean Castex said this would "remove any ambiguity on the intention to guarantee respect for public freedoms while better protecting those, police and gendarmes, who ensure the protection of the population".

Thousands protest against French bill to curb identification of police

Hundreds of Guatemalans partly burned the Congress building Saturday in a protest demanding the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei, following the passage of a budget that has sparked outrage in the impoverished Central American nation.

The flames in the legislative building could be seen from the street in Guatemala City, and a spokesman for the Red Cross told journalists the group had treated several people for smoke inhalation.

Police arrested more than 20 people and almost 50 were sent to hospital injured, one of them in a serious condition.

A separate, peaceful, protest took place in front of the old government palace in the historic center of the capital, not far from Congress, also urging Giammattei to resign.&nbsp;

Carrying the national flag and banners that said "No more corruption," "Giammattei out," and "They messed with the wrong generation," the protesters filled the central square in Guatemala City in front of the old palace.

In a tweet, Giammattei denounced the attack on the Congress, and vowed legal repercussions.

"I reiterate that you have the right to demonstrate according to the law. But we cannot allow vandalism of public or private property," he posted.

"Whoever is proven to have participated in these criminal acts will fall under the full weight of the law."

The widespread discontent and indignation in Guatemala against Giammattei's administration and Congress are caused by a lack of resources for battling the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the new budget.

Guatemala's Congress, dominated by conservative pro-government parties, this week approved an almost $13 billion budget, the largest in the country's history.

Most of the funds will go to infrastructure tied to big business, sparking outrage in a country where poverty is widespread and half of children under five years old are malnourished.

Analysts have also warned that a third of the budget will need to be financed by debt.

The country's Congress has also approved $3.8 billion to fight the coronavirus pandemic, but less than 15 percent of those funds&nbsp;have been invested.

Giammattei's vice president said Friday night he had asked the president to resign with him.

"For the good of the country, I asked him that we present our resignations together," Guillermo Castillo said in a message posted on social media.

He also reportedly told the president that "things are not right," and admitted to tensions between himself and the head of state.

Giammattei, a 64-year-old doctor, swept to power in January promising to clean up corruption and fight organized crime.

But his presidency has been dominated by controversy over his handling of the coronavirus, particularly deficiencies in the country's hospitals.

He has also publicly sparred with his vice president, who in May revealed the two had privately clashed over the best response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to official data, 118,417 people have been infected by the coronavirus, and 4,074 have died.

Hundreds of Guatemalans partly burned the Congress building Saturday in a protest demanding the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei, following the passage of a budget that has sparked outrage in the impoverished Central American nation.

Hundreds of Guatemalans partly burned the Congress building Saturday in a protest demanding the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei, following the passage of a budget that has sparked outrage in the impoverished Central American nation. The flames in the legislative building could be seen from the street in Guatemala City, and a spokesman for the Red Cross told journalists the group had treated several people for smoke inhalation. Police arrested more than 20 people and almost 50 were sent to hospital injured, one of them in a serious condition. A separate, peaceful, protest took place in front of the old government palace in the historic center of the capital, not far from Congress, also urging Giammattei to resign. Carrying the national flag and banners that said "No more corruption," "Giammattei out," and "They messed with the wrong generation," the protesters filled the central square in Guatemala City in front of the old palace. In a tweet, Giammattei denounced the attack on the Congress, and vowed legal repercussions. "I reiterate that you have the right to demonstrate according to the law. But we cannot allow vandalism of public or private property," he posted. "Whoever is proven to have participated in these criminal acts will fall under the full weight of the law." The widespread discontent and indignation in Guatemala against Giammattei's administration and Congress are caused by a lack of resources for battling the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the new budget. Guatemala's Congress, dominated by conservative pro-government parties, this week approved an almost $13 billion budget, the largest in the country's history. Most of the funds will go to infrastructure tied to big business, sparking outrage in a country where poverty is widespread and half of children under five years old are malnourished. Analysts have also warned that a third of the budget will need to be financed by debt. The country's Congress has also approved $3.8 billion to fight the coronavirus pandemic, but less than 15 percent of those funds have been invested. Giammattei's vice president said Friday night he had asked the president to resign with him. "For the good of the country, I asked him that we present our resignations together," Guillermo Castillo said in a message posted on social media. He also reportedly told the president that "things are not right," and admitted to tensions between himself and the head of state. Giammattei, a 64-year-old doctor, swept to power in January promising to clean up corruption and fight organized crime. But his presidency has been dominated by controversy over his handling of the coronavirus, particularly deficiencies in the country's hospitals. He has also publicly sparred with his vice president, who in May revealed the two had privately clashed over the best response to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to official data, 118,417 people have been infected by the coronavirus, and 4,074 have died.

Protesters burn Guatemalan Congress to demand president resign

Fight against leadership: Peru residents protest against President impeachment

Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Haiti's capital Thursday to demand answers after the kidnapping and killing of a young woman.

High school senior Evelyne Sincere was found in a trash heap Sunday after relatives said they were unable to pay the large ransom demanded by her captors. Human rights groups contend the incident highlights the nation's worsening security crisis.

Haiti has been rocked by street protests demanding President Jovenel Moise's ouster on allegations that he mismanaged the economy and failed to hold accountable those who siphoned billions in international aid into bank accounts overseas.&nbsp;

The nation is also grappling with growing concern over Moise's decision to delay legislative elections and instead insist first on a constitutional referendum. 
&nbsp;

Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Haiti's capital Thursday to demand answers after the kidnapping and killing of a young woman. High school senior Evelyne Sincere was found in a trash heap Sunday after relatives said they were unable to pay the large ransom demanded by her captors.

Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Haiti's capital Thursday to demand answers after the kidnapping and killing of a young woman. High school senior Evelyne Sincere was found in a trash heap Sunday after relatives said they were unable to pay the large ransom demanded by her captors. Human rights groups contend the incident highlights the nation's worsening security crisis. Haiti has been rocked by street protests demanding President Jovenel Moise's ouster on allegations that he mismanaged the economy and failed to hold accountable those who siphoned billions in international aid into bank accounts overseas. The nation is also grappling with growing concern over Moise's decision to delay legislative elections and instead insist first on a constitutional referendum.

Hundreds march in Haiti after outrage over student's slaying

Tens of thousands of Poles blocked city streets in cars, on bicycles and on foot on Monday (October 26) on the fifth day of protests against a Constitutional Court ruling that amounts to a near-total ban on abortion in the predominantly Catholic country.

Abortion rights protests block city streets across Poland

Bangkok is a city under siege. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters defied a ban on mass gatherings. They want the government to resign, but the Prime Minister remains defiant. Palki Sharma Upadhyay has the story.

Gravitas: Thailand Protests: Thousands take to the streets

Rana Sanaullah, the President of Pakistan's main opposition party PMLN has called the Imran Khan government which came to power in 2018&nbsp;says that COVID-18 has damaged Pakistan more than the virus from Wuhan.

Sanaullah's party, along with several other opposition parties, is on a nation-wide sanitisation drive to wipe out COVID-18 —&nbsp;the anti-government movement launched by the opposition in Pakistan.

After days of uncertainty and speculation, the Pakistan Democratic Movement — a coalition of 11 political parties —- held its first protest rally in the city of Gujranwala.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nation-wide-protests-in-pakistan-tell-the-story-of-fall-of-imran-khan-335583">Also read|&nbsp;Nation-wide protests in Pakistan tell the story of fall of Imran Khan</a>

Thousands of political workers and supporters from across Pakistan attended this rally which&nbsp;was perhaps one of the biggest shows of strength by the mostly fragmented Pakistani opposition in&nbsp;the recent years.

The main attendee of the protest&nbsp;was Maryam Nawaz Sharif who is the&nbsp;daughter of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and&nbsp;the Vice President of his party.

She was greeted by&nbsp;thousands as she stepped out of her residence. This was followed by a tumultous welcome at the protest site. Her supporters welcomed her with a shower of rose petals.

Being portrayed as&nbsp;the heir to her father's political legacy, she has established herself as a leading opposition voice in the physical absence of Nawaz Sharif. She has been promising that the Imran Khan government would go home before January next year and she reiterated this promise during the protest. "It's the beginning of the end of the Imran Khan government."

On thursday we reported about how Imran Khan is going the extra mile to muzzle opposition voices and prevent these protests from happening.&nbsp;His party cadre tried their best.

PTI workers are being accused of placing large containers on routes leading to Gujranwala. The containers are said to have been placed in more than 31 locations.

Reports say, the police stopped truck and trolley drivers and forced them to park the containers in the middle of the road.

The Pakistani media says that Imran Khan has managed to arrange 10 thousand euros to stage a counter-protest all the way in London. He has reportedly asked &nbsp;his advisor and PTI leader in the UK, Sahibzada Jahangir, to hold demonstrations outside Nawaz Sharif's london residence.

Imran Khan can't afford to a give a pay hike to health workers protesting in Islamabad for days now but he has enough money to organize a protest in London and even wage a proxy war in Afghanistan.

The Afghan media is carrying reports on how Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists are supporting a Taliban offensive. This is in Afghanistan's helmand province.

Pakistan's strategy of a proxy war is quite evident in the Taliban offensive. The governor of the province has revealed the presence of JeM and LeT terrorists. They are training Taliban fighters in bomb-making and military warfare.

The violence unleashed in helmand has forced tens of thousands of Afghan civilians to leave their homes and Pakistan, the so called land of the pure, is playing a huge role in this exodus.

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""You need a democratic government with a public mandate to then deal with this militancy. That's the only way we can get out of this. Otherwise if we don't have elections we're doomed," Imran Khan said.

Rana Sanaullah, the President of Pakistan's main opposition party PMLN has called the Imran Khan government which came to power in 2018 says that COVID-18 has damaged Pakistan more than the virus from Wuhan.

Rana Sanaullah, the President of Pakistan's main opposition party PMLN has called the Imran Khan government which came to power in 2018 says that COVID-18 has damaged Pakistan more than the virus from Wuhan. Sanaullah's party, along with several other opposition parties, is on a nation-wide sanitisation drive to wipe out COVID-18 — the anti-government movement launched by the opposition in Pakistan. After days of uncertainty and speculation, the Pakistan Democratic Movement — a coalition of 11 political parties —- held its first protest rally in the city of Gujranwala. Also read| Nation-wide protests in Pakistan tell the story of fall of Imran Khan Thousands of political workers and supporters from across Pakistan attended this rally which was perhaps one of the biggest shows of strength by the mostly fragmented Pakistani opposition in the recent years. The main attendee of the protest was Maryam Nawaz Sharif who is the daughter of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Vice President of his party. She was greeted by thousands as she stepped out of her residence. This was followed by a tumultous welcome at the protest site. Her supporters welcomed her with a shower of rose petals. Being portrayed as the heir to her father's political legacy, she has established herself as a leading opposition voice in the physical absence of Nawaz Sharif. She has been promising that the Imran Khan government would go home before January next year and she reiterated this promise during the protest. "It's the beginning of the end of the Imran Khan government." On thursday we reported about how Imran Khan is going the extra mile to muzzle opposition voices and prevent these protests from happening. His party cadre tried their best. PTI workers are being accused of placing large containers on routes leading to Gujranwala. The containers are said to have been placed in more than 31 locations. Reports say, the police stopped truck and trolley drivers and forced them to park the containers in the middle of the road. The Pakistani media says that Imran Khan has managed to arrange 10 thousand euros to stage a counter-protest all the way in London. He has reportedly asked his advisor and PTI leader in the UK, Sahibzada Jahangir, to hold demonstrations outside Nawaz Sharif's london residence. Imran Khan can't afford to a give a pay hike to health workers protesting in Islamabad for days now but he has enough money to organize a protest in London and even wage a proxy war in Afghanistan. The Afghan media is carrying reports on how Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists are supporting a Taliban offensive. This is in Afghanistan's helmand province. Pakistan's strategy of a proxy war is quite evident in the Taliban offensive. The governor of the province has revealed the presence of JeM and LeT terrorists. They are training Taliban fighters in bomb-making and military warfare. The violence unleashed in helmand has forced tens of thousands of Afghan civilians to leave their homes and Pakistan, the so called land of the pure, is playing a huge role in this exodus. × ""You need a democratic government with a public mandate to then deal with this militancy. That's the only way we can get out of this. Otherwise if we don't have elections we're doomed," Imran Khan said.

Pakistan: Thousands protest against PM Imran Khan in Gujranwala

Fight against crown: Thailand locals stages biggest pro-democracy protest in Bangkok

French healthcare workers across France protested against exhausting working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday (October 15) and demanded the government hire more personnel.

WION Dispatch: French healthcare workers protest in Paris

Belarus has put opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on its wanted list for allegedly making calls to overthrow the constitutional order, the interior ministry of close ally Russia said on Friday.

Belarus puts opposition leader Sviatlana on wanted list for making 'calls to overthrow constitutional order'

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered again in Thailand's capital Bangkok on Thursday in mass defiance of the government which had issued a decree banning demonstrations.

Thailand protest: 1000 protesters defy sweeping crackdown

Thousands of Thai protesters set up camp outside Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's office late on Wednesday, in an escalation of three months of demonstrations aimed at forcing the former junta leader to step down.

Fineprint: Thousands camp outside Thai PM's office as protests escalate

The Thai king returned to Bangkok amid raging anti-monarchy protests. Royalists and protesters organised rival rallies - as Thailand debates the future of its monarchy. Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you the story.

Gravitas: Thailand anti-monarchy protests

Thousands of Thai protesters demonstrated in Bangkok on Thursday, defying a ban imposed to end three months of anti-government action that has targeted King Maha Vajiralongkorn as well as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader.

Thailand imposes state of emergency, Over 20 activists arrested

Over 450 workers from Pakistan's Opposition parties have been booked in Lahore and other areas of Punjab province ahead of the first grand anti-government rally on Friday by an alliance formed to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Massive protest held in Pakistan due to inflation

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Nigeria - even after a controversial police unit accused of brutality was disbanded. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why Nigerians are protesting against the cops.

Gravitas: Protest against police brutality sweep Nigeria

Police and demonstrators clashed in the Indonesian capital on Thursday on the third day of protests and strikes against a polarising new jobs law passed in Southeast Asia’s largest economy earlier this week.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the presidential palace in central Jakarta, shouting and throwing stones. Police fired tear gas and water cannon in an attempt to disperse the crowd, Reuters witnesses said.

The “omnibus” jobs creation bill, passed into law on Monday, has seen thousands of people across the world’s fourth-most populous nation take to the streets in protest against legislation they say undermines labour rights and weakens environmental protections.

“This is our struggle for our children and grandchildren, and our future generations... If it’s like this our well-being will decrease, and we will lack job certainty,” Maulana Syarif, 45, who has worked at Astra Honda motors for 25 years, told Reuters in Jakarta.

Around 1,000 protesters have been detained in Jakarta and more than 100 others arrested in other cities, according to police spokespeople. At least two students have been hospitalised with head injuries, and six police officers hurt.

“I feel a responsibility to the Indonesian people,” said another demonstrator, IT student Arawinda Kartika, as she marched toward the palace. “I feel sorry for labourers working day and night without sufficient wages or power.”

Labour union leader Jumisi called for protests to continue until the law was repealed, extending unions’ initial plan for a three-day national strike ending Thursday.

Television channels showed demonstrations in multiple cities across the country, including in remote areas such as North Maluku, where people carried coffins and held mock funerals to mark the “death” of parliament.

Black smoke rose across the capital on Thursday afternoon as protesters burned public transport facilities and damaged police posts. The operator of Jakarta’s MRT rail network said underground stations had been closed.

Protesters blocked a toll road in West Java and set fire to a cafe in Yogyakarta province, media reported.

Two provincial governors urged the president to issue an emergency decree to cancel the law, they said in their social media accounts.

The government of President Joko Widodo has championed the legislation as key to boosting Indonesia’s ailing economy by cutting red tape and attracting more foreign direct investment.

Bahlil Lahadalia, the head of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board, appealed to young people to trust the government’s intent.

“Please be assured this law is to create jobs for the unemployed Indonesian people,” he said.

Police and demonstrators clashed in the Indonesian capital on Thursday on the third day of protests and strikes against a polarising new jobs law passed in Southeast Asia’s largest economy earlier this week.

Police and demonstrators clashed in the Indonesian capital on Thursday on the third day of protests and strikes against a polarising new jobs law passed in Southeast Asia’s largest economy earlier this week. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the presidential palace in central Jakarta, shouting and throwing stones. Police fired tear gas and water cannon in an attempt to disperse the crowd, Reuters witnesses said. The “omnibus” jobs creation bill, passed into law on Monday, has seen thousands of people across the world’s fourth-most populous nation take to the streets in protest against legislation they say undermines labour rights and weakens environmental protections. “This is our struggle for our children and grandchildren, and our future generations... If it’s like this our well-being will decrease, and we will lack job certainty,” Maulana Syarif, 45, who has worked at Astra Honda motors for 25 years, told Reuters in Jakarta. Around 1,000 protesters have been detained in Jakarta and more than 100 others arrested in other cities, according to police spokespeople. At least two students have been hospitalised with head injuries, and six police officers hurt. “I feel a responsibility to the Indonesian people,” said another demonstrator, IT student Arawinda Kartika, as she marched toward the palace. “I feel sorry for labourers working day and night without sufficient wages or power.” Labour union leader Jumisi called for protests to continue until the law was repealed, extending unions’ initial plan for a three-day national strike ending Thursday. Television channels showed demonstrations in multiple cities across the country, including in remote areas such as North Maluku, where people carried coffins and held mock funerals to mark the “death” of parliament. Black smoke rose across the capital on Thursday afternoon as protesters burned public transport facilities and damaged police posts. The operator of Jakarta’s MRT rail network said underground stations had been closed. Protesters blocked a toll road in West Java and set fire to a cafe in Yogyakarta province, media reported. Two provincial governors urged the president to issue an emergency decree to cancel the law, they said in their social media accounts. The government of President Joko Widodo has championed the legislation as key to boosting Indonesia’s ailing economy by cutting red tape and attracting more foreign direct investment. Bahlil Lahadalia, the head of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board, appealed to young people to trust the government’s intent. “Please be assured this law is to create jobs for the unemployed Indonesian people,” he said.

Clashes erupt in protests against new Indonesian jobs law

Mongolians took to streets just ahead of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the country. On Thursday, dozens of protesters demanded release of ethnic Mongolian arrested in China. The protests took place in Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Protests have also erupted in Chuinese province of Inner Mongolia after Chinese government took a decision to teach politics, history, and literature in Mandarin rather than the local language. Chinese province of Inner Mongolia shares borders with Mongolia.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Mongolia next week during his Asia tour. His Asia tour includes a visit to Japan and South Korea but not China.

Some of the protesters on Thursday wore facemasks as a precaution against the coronavirus -- were dressed in traditional Mongolian outfits and carried banners showing pictures of alleged Chinese atrocities against ethnic Mongolians. 
Pompeo has previously criticised China's coercive attempts to assimilate local minorities into the dominant Han population.

Ethnic Mongolians in China and elsewhere fear the move -- which limits the opportunity to use Mongolian in schools -- will lead to the language's extinction.

Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi's visit to Mongolia last month was also overshadowed by protests.

"During the Wang Yi's visit Mongolian leadership should have spoken up and stated that China must release the arrested Inner Mongolians," protester Elbegdorj told AFP.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/internet-explodes-with-memes-after-trump-who-called-covid-19-a-hoax-tests-positive-331985">Internet explodes with memes after Trump, who called COVID-19 a 'hoax', tests positive</a>

Rallies in Inner Mongolia last month were the largest seen for decades, but a crackdown was swift, with armoured vehicles surrounding schools in some areas.&nbsp;

Police also offered cash bounties for leads on ringleaders and publicised the arrests of dozens of suspects accused of gathering signatures and sharing dissenting messages on WeChat.

The clampdown echoes Beijing's moves in Xinjiang and Tibet, where similar policies to assimilate local minorities into the dominant Han population were implemented in line with Xi's vision of national and ideological unity through cultural identity.

"Obtaining an education in its native language is universally recognised human rights," protest organiser Zolzaya Nyamdorj said.

"China is violating those rights."

(With AFP inputs) 
&nbsp;

Mongolians took to streets just ahead of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the country. On Thursday, dozens of protesters demanded release of ethnic Mongolian arrested in China.

Mongolians took to streets just ahead of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the country. On Thursday, dozens of protesters demanded release of ethnic Mongolian arrested in China. The protests took place in Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar. Protests have also erupted in Chuinese province of Inner Mongolia after Chinese government took a decision to teach politics, history, and literature in Mandarin rather than the local language. Chinese province of Inner Mongolia shares borders with Mongolia. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Mongolia next week during his Asia tour. His Asia tour includes a visit to Japan and South Korea but not China. Some of the protesters on Thursday wore facemasks as a precaution against the coronavirus -- were dressed in traditional Mongolian outfits and carried banners showing pictures of alleged Chinese atrocities against ethnic Mongolians. Pompeo has previously criticised China's coercive attempts to assimilate local minorities into the dominant Han population. Ethnic Mongolians in China and elsewhere fear the move -- which limits the opportunity to use Mongolian in schools -- will lead to the language's extinction. Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi's visit to Mongolia last month was also overshadowed by protests. "During the Wang Yi's visit Mongolian leadership should have spoken up and stated that China must release the arrested Inner Mongolians," protester Elbegdorj told AFP. Also Read | Internet explodes with memes after Trump, who called COVID-19 a 'hoax', tests positive Rallies in Inner Mongolia last month were the largest seen for decades, but a crackdown was swift, with armoured vehicles surrounding schools in some areas. Police also offered cash bounties for leads on ringleaders and publicised the arrests of dozens of suspects accused of gathering signatures and sharing dissenting messages on WeChat. The clampdown echoes Beijing's moves in Xinjiang and Tibet, where similar policies to assimilate local minorities into the dominant Han population were implemented in line with Xi's vision of national and ideological unity through cultural identity. "Obtaining an education in its native language is universally recognised human rights," protest organiser Zolzaya Nyamdorj said. "China is violating those rights." (With AFP inputs)

Anti-China protests erupt in Mongolia ahead of Mike Pompeo's visit

Twitter has reacted to the recent media reports and cleared the air regarding the service that monitors tweets for police.

The service in question is Dataminr, which is a customer of Twitter's API that taps into the public tweets to alert the police about any possible danger to the lives of people.

Many accused Dataminr of defying the rules of the&nbsp;surveillance ban. However, Twitter has slammed back and rubbished all these accusations claiming the service is not used for surveillance.

"Twitter prohibits the use of our developer services for surveillance purposes. Period,"&nbsp;Twitter's spokesperson said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-launches-guide-on-fighting-misinformation-during-us-elections-331332">Also read:&nbsp;TikTok launches guide on fighting misinformation during US elections</a>

"We are committed to protecting the people who use Twitter from abuse, both on our service and through our APIs. We see a societal benefit in public Twitter data being used for news alerting, first responder support, and disaster relief," company added.

Twitter claimed that the monitoring service is used to observe the flow of the public tweets related to any threat being posed to civilians and civil movements. This is done through the use of artificial intelligence that looks out for specific assigned keywords.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-erupts-over-a-questionable-chai-latte-recipe-take-a-look-at-these-hilarious-takes-331121">Also read:&nbsp;Twitter erupts over a questionable 'Chai Latte' recipe. Take a look at these hilarious takes!</a>

As per the company, the service&nbsp;"notifies first responders about critical events as they're happening, minimizing response time and enabling them to act quickly and confidently."

The First Alert is based purely on the tweets collected from the public domain and has been coded to strictly follow the&nbsp;Twitter policy against surveillance.

This, as per the company, helps in curbing attacks near sensitive areas such as schools — which have often been a target of shooting.

The issue was raised by the American daily newspaper Wall Street Journal that issued a report citing an email&nbsp;in which Dataminr had supplied information related to upcoming protests, related to Black Lives Matter, from various Twitter handles of general public. The claim has not been proved.

Twitter, however, has claimed that they conduct regular audits related to the safety issue and "proactively enforce our policies to ensure customers are in compliance and will continue to do so," the Twitter spokesman said.

"We consistently hold ourselves accountable to rigorous standards, including third-party audits of key products and services like Dataminr."

Twitter has also clarified that the data being observed is strictly limited to tweets, and no personal information is extracted in any case. For the locked accounts, "nothing is viewable".

The spokesperson has also clarified that an extensive audit was conducted through independent auditors and no evidence that&nbsp;corroborates the claim made in the WSJ’s article were found.

Twitter has reacted to the recent media reports and cleared the air regarding the service that monitors tweets for police. The service in question is Dataminr, which is a customer of Twitter's API that taps into the public tweets to alert the police about any possible danger to the lives of people.

Twitter has reacted to the recent media reports and cleared the air regarding the service that monitors tweets for police. The service in question is Dataminr, which is a customer of Twitter's API that taps into the public tweets to alert the police about any possible danger to the lives of people. Many accused Dataminr of defying the rules of the surveillance ban. However, Twitter has slammed back and rubbished all these accusations claiming the service is not used for surveillance. "Twitter prohibits the use of our developer services for surveillance purposes. Period," Twitter's spokesperson said. Also read: TikTok launches guide on fighting misinformation during US elections "We are committed to protecting the people who use Twitter from abuse, both on our service and through our APIs. We see a societal benefit in public Twitter data being used for news alerting, first responder support, and disaster relief," company added. Twitter claimed that the monitoring service is used to observe the flow of the public tweets related to any threat being posed to civilians and civil movements. This is done through the use of artificial intelligence that looks out for specific assigned keywords. Also read: Twitter erupts over a questionable 'Chai Latte' recipe. Take a look at these hilarious takes! As per the company, the service "notifies first responders about critical events as they're happening, minimizing response time and enabling them to act quickly and confidently." The First Alert is based purely on the tweets collected from the public domain and has been coded to strictly follow the Twitter policy against surveillance. This, as per the company, helps in curbing attacks near sensitive areas such as schools — which have often been a target of shooting. The issue was raised by the American daily newspaper Wall Street Journal that issued a report citing an email in which Dataminr had supplied information related to upcoming protests, related to Black Lives Matter, from various Twitter handles of general public. The claim has not been proved. Twitter, however, has claimed that they conduct regular audits related to the safety issue and "proactively enforce our policies to ensure customers are in compliance and will continue to do so," the Twitter spokesman said. "We consistently hold ourselves accountable to rigorous standards, including third-party audits of key products and services like Dataminr." Twitter has also clarified that the data being observed is strictly limited to tweets, and no personal information is extracted in any case. For the locked accounts, "nothing is viewable". The spokesperson has also clarified that an extensive audit was conducted through independent auditors and no evidence that corroborates the claim made in the WSJ’s article were found.

Twitter claims monitoring service not for 'surveillance purposes'; no personal data collected

A Hong Kong appeals panel upheld a police ban on a mass protest planned for China National Day. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong bans mass protest on China National Day

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