<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morales-leads-bolivia-election-but-faces-run-off-257140">Bolivia's electoral board</a> released new data late on Monday that showed President Evo Morales had enough votes to win the hotly contested election, sparking allegations of fraud from the opposition and angry clashes in the streets.

The board had halted a preliminary vote count late on Sunday with results then showing the election going to a second-round run-off. The abrupt pause had fuelled concerns among election monitors and foreign governments over potential vote tampering.

After the 24-hour gap, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) updated its count to show Morales with a wider lead of 46.85 per cent&nbsp;of votes to rival Carlos Mesa's 36.73 per cent, just enough to give him the 10-point lead needed to win in the first round.

As protesters scuffled with police in the streets of the capital, La Paz, outside the counting venue, runner-up Mesa slammed the results as "shameful" and said he would not recognise them.

"We trust citizens won't accept this," Mesa told journalists in the lowland city of Santa Cruz. "This government has created an impossible situation. It's mocking the popular vote."

Just a day earlier, Mesa had celebrated making it to a second-round after an official count of nearly 84 per cent&nbsp;of ballots showed Morales short of the votes needed to avoid a run-off. Other polls also showed a tight race leading to a second round.

Morales, however, who has won his previous three terms with solid majorities, insisted late on Sunday that he would get enough votes from rural areas for an outright win.

The uncertainty sparked protests in the landlocked South American country and fears among international election observers and diplomats about potential manipulation of the vote, with some worried it could trigger the kind of violent unrest that has recently roiled Chile and Ecuador.

"The result is in question and we're seeing the start of a conflict, a climate could be unleashed that moves this from tension to convulsion," said Bolivian political analyst Franklin Pareja.

 
Tear gas

Before the electoral court resumed updating of preliminary results on Monday, thousands of Bolivians protested outside a hotel in La Paz where the TSE had gathered to process votes. Police fired tear gas at crowds, amid reports of clashes in protests elsewhere.

The TSE's earlier decision to halt the provisionary count with just 83.76 per cent&nbsp;of the ballot completed had prompted the official monitor, the Organisation of American States (OAS), to demand to know why.

"Those numbers clearly indicated a second round, a trend that coincided with the only authorized rapid count and statistics from the observation mission," Manuel Gonzalez, the head of the mission, said.

Gonzalez said the change in one day was "inexplicable" and a blow to voters' trust in the electoral process, but his comments fell short of calling the results illegitimate.

Argentina, Brazil and the White House also expressed concern over the interruption of the official reporting of results.

"Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility and transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected," Michael Kozak, the US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, said on Twitter.

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The U.S. is closely watching 1st round of elections in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bolivia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bolivia</a>, especially the sudden interruption of the electronic vote tabulation. 
 
Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility &amp; transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected. <a href="https://t.co/vDc1L4ffX3">https://t.co/vDc1L4ffX3</a>
— Michael G. Kozak (@WHAAsstSecty) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHAAsstSecty/status/1186264315780878337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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If Morales wins, Latin America's longest continuous-serving standing leader would extend his rule to 19 years.

Antonio Costas, one of the six-member TSE team coordinating the count, told Reuters on Monday that the decision had been made to suspend the preliminary count to focus on the slower official calculation.

That count, still underway, with about 60 per cent&nbsp;of ballots processed, has Mesa and Morales closely tied with a little over 42 per cent&nbsp;of votes each.

Costas added that he had not come under any political pressure to halt the preliminary count, which had been meant as a tool to help ensure greater transparency of the vote.

Morales, a former union leader of coca growers, has overseen a long stretch of political and economic stability for Bolivia, the continent's poorest country. His support has slipped amid slowing economic growth and concern about government corruption and anti-democratic practices.

Bolivia's electoral board released new data late on Monday that showed President Evo Morales had enough votes to win the hotly contested election, sparking allegations of fraud from the opposition and angry clashes in the streets.

Bolivia's electoral board released new data late on Monday that showed President Evo Morales had enough votes to win the hotly contested election, sparking allegations of fraud from the opposition and angry clashes in the streets. The board had halted a preliminary vote count late on Sunday with results then showing the election going to a second-round run-off. The abrupt pause had fuelled concerns among election monitors and foreign governments over potential vote tampering. After the 24-hour gap, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) updated its count to show Morales with a wider lead of 46.85 per cent of votes to rival Carlos Mesa's 36.73 per cent, just enough to give him the 10-point lead needed to win in the first round. As protesters scuffled with police in the streets of the capital, La Paz, outside the counting venue, runner-up Mesa slammed the results as "shameful" and said he would not recognise them. "We trust citizens won't accept this," Mesa told journalists in the lowland city of Santa Cruz. "This government has created an impossible situation. It's mocking the popular vote." Just a day earlier, Mesa had celebrated making it to a second-round after an official count of nearly 84 per cent of ballots showed Morales short of the votes needed to avoid a run-off. Other polls also showed a tight race leading to a second round. Morales, however, who has won his previous three terms with solid majorities, insisted late on Sunday that he would get enough votes from rural areas for an outright win. The uncertainty sparked protests in the landlocked South American country and fears among international election observers and diplomats about potential manipulation of the vote, with some worried it could trigger the kind of violent unrest that has recently roiled Chile and Ecuador. "The result is in question and we're seeing the start of a conflict, a climate could be unleashed that moves this from tension to convulsion," said Bolivian political analyst Franklin Pareja. Tear gas Before the electoral court resumed updating of preliminary results on Monday, thousands of Bolivians protested outside a hotel in La Paz where the TSE had gathered to process votes. Police fired tear gas at crowds, amid reports of clashes in protests elsewhere. The TSE's earlier decision to halt the provisionary count with just 83.76 per cent of the ballot completed had prompted the official monitor, the Organisation of American States (OAS), to demand to know why. "Those numbers clearly indicated a second round, a trend that coincided with the only authorized rapid count and statistics from the observation mission," Manuel Gonzalez, the head of the mission, said. Gonzalez said the change in one day was "inexplicable" and a blow to voters' trust in the electoral process, but his comments fell short of calling the results illegitimate. Argentina, Brazil and the White House also expressed concern over the interruption of the official reporting of results. "Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility and transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected," Michael Kozak, the US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, said on Twitter. The U.S. is closely watching 1st round of elections in #Bolivia, especially the sudden interruption of the electronic vote tabulation. Electoral authorities should immediately restore credibility & transparency to the process so that the will of the Bolivian people is respected. https://t.co/vDc1L4ffX3 — Michael G. Kozak (@WHAAsstSecty) October 21, 2019 × If Morales wins, Latin America's longest continuous-serving standing leader would extend his rule to 19 years. Antonio Costas, one of the six-member TSE team coordinating the count, told Reuters on Monday that the decision had been made to suspend the preliminary count to focus on the slower official calculation. That count, still underway, with about 60 per cent of ballots processed, has Mesa and Morales closely tied with a little over 42 per cent of votes each. Costas added that he had not come under any political pressure to halt the preliminary count, which had been meant as a tool to help ensure greater transparency of the vote. Morales, a former union leader of coca growers, has overseen a long stretch of political and economic stability for Bolivia, the continent's poorest country. His support has slipped amid slowing economic growth and concern about government corruption and anti-democratic practices.

Bolivia's election sparks protest as rivals clash over results

Pakistan is again in denial mode after retaliation by India in PoK's Neelum valley. Watch this video to know more.

Pakistan in denial mode after retaliation by India

Protests have erupted in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Various political parties under the All independent parties alliance (AIPA) in PoK had called for a pro-freedom rally in Muzaffarabad on the occasion of October 22, the day when Pakistani forces invaded Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.

Protests erupt in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Thousands hit the streets

Hong Kong's embattled leader, Carrie Lam, leaves for a visit to Japan on Monday as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tear-gas-and-water-cannon-as-crowds-defy-hong-kong-rally-ban-257060">Chinese-ruled city struggles</a> to recover from a night of violence in which tens of thousands took to the streets, with further protests planned later in the day.

Lam is to attend Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony in Tokyo's imperial palace on Tuesday and return home that evening.

Early on Monday, Hong Kong embarked on a massive clean-up after a largely peaceful protest degenerated into violence across districts on the Kowloon peninsula, where protesters torched stores and sprayed graffiti on roads, amid skirmishes with police.

After two weeks of relative calm in the five-month-long political crisis, Sunday's large turnout reflected strong support for the anti-government movement despite police branding the march illegal, because of concerns over public safety.

Families and the elderly took to the streets of the Asian financial hub in what began as a peaceful march, many wearing masks or carrying umbrellas to shield their faces, despite the threat of being arrested.

However, a more radical faction of mainly young protesters later clashed with riot police.

They targeted banks and other businesses perceived to be linked to China, damaging some storefronts and setting fires on the prime shopping and commercial street of Nathan Road in the heart of the Kowloon peninsula.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-unrest-democracy-crowds-defy-police-after-activists-attacked-257019">The events followed an annual policy speech last week by Beijing-backed Lam</a> in which she did not address protesters' demands, but sought to ease tension with measures aimed at resolving a chronic housing shortage.

Protesters say they will keep up pressure on the government to act on their demands for universal suffrage, an independent inquiry into police behaviour, amnesty for those charged, and an end to describing protesters as rioters.

Metro operator MTR Corp&nbsp;said it would shut the rural Yuen Long station by 2 pm, ahead of a protest planned there later on Monday.

Several subway entrances and exits would also be shut, and the entire network would close by 10 pm, or two hours early, to allow time for the repair of facilities, the operator said.

In Sunday's clashes, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-braces-for-weekend-of-fresh-anti-government-protests-256600">police used water cannon trucks to disperse protesters</a>, spraying jets of blue dye into the crowds and sending hundreds fleeing.

In one instance, a water cannon fired a jet towards the front gate of the Kowloon mosque, Hong Kong's most important Islamic place of worship.

Blue dye still smeared the road as worshippers gathered for prayers on Monday, with many saying they did not understand why police had targeted the mosque as there had been few people nearby.

The mosque entrance and front gate had been accidentally sprayed, police said in a statement.

"Police respect religious freedom and will strive to protect all places of worship," they added.

The mosque incident is the first time the protests have affected religious groups, but the unrest has hammered much of Hong Kong's business, retail and tourism sectors.

Visitor numbers have plummeted as tourists stay away, further hampering an economy facing its first recession in a decade.

The government was trying its best to support small and medium-sized enterprises as the economy has been hit hard, Hong Kong's financial secretary Paul Chan said on Sunday.

"We are studying the launch of the third round of relief measures," he wrote on his blog.

Businesses will probably have to foot the bill for the vandalism, as few had insurance for riot damage, industry insiders said.

Hong Kong's embattled leader, Carrie Lam, leaves for a visit to Japan on Monday as the Chinese-ruled city struggles to recover from a night of violence in which tens of thousands took to the streets, with further protests planned later in the day.

Hong Kong's embattled leader, Carrie Lam, leaves for a visit to Japan on Monday as the Chinese-ruled city struggles to recover from a night of violence in which tens of thousands took to the streets, with further protests planned later in the day. Lam is to attend Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony in Tokyo's imperial palace on Tuesday and return home that evening. Early on Monday, Hong Kong embarked on a massive clean-up after a largely peaceful protest degenerated into violence across districts on the Kowloon peninsula, where protesters torched stores and sprayed graffiti on roads, amid skirmishes with police. After two weeks of relative calm in the five-month-long political crisis, Sunday's large turnout reflected strong support for the anti-government movement despite police branding the march illegal, because of concerns over public safety. Families and the elderly took to the streets of the Asian financial hub in what began as a peaceful march, many wearing masks or carrying umbrellas to shield their faces, despite the threat of being arrested. However, a more radical faction of mainly young protesters later clashed with riot police. They targeted banks and other businesses perceived to be linked to China, damaging some storefronts and setting fires on the prime shopping and commercial street of Nathan Road in the heart of the Kowloon peninsula. The events followed an annual policy speech last week by Beijing-backed Lam in which she did not address protesters' demands, but sought to ease tension with measures aimed at resolving a chronic housing shortage. Protesters say they will keep up pressure on the government to act on their demands for universal suffrage, an independent inquiry into police behaviour, amnesty for those charged, and an end to describing protesters as rioters. Metro operator MTR Corp said it would shut the rural Yuen Long station by 2 pm, ahead of a protest planned there later on Monday. Several subway entrances and exits would also be shut, and the entire network would close by 10 pm, or two hours early, to allow time for the repair of facilities, the operator said. In Sunday's clashes, police used water cannon trucks to disperse protesters, spraying jets of blue dye into the crowds and sending hundreds fleeing. In one instance, a water cannon fired a jet towards the front gate of the Kowloon mosque, Hong Kong's most important Islamic place of worship. Blue dye still smeared the road as worshippers gathered for prayers on Monday, with many saying they did not understand why police had targeted the mosque as there had been few people nearby. The mosque entrance and front gate had been accidentally sprayed, police said in a statement. "Police respect religious freedom and will strive to protect all places of worship," they added. The mosque incident is the first time the protests have affected religious groups, but the unrest has hammered much of Hong Kong's business, retail and tourism sectors. Visitor numbers have plummeted as tourists stay away, further hampering an economy facing its first recession in a decade. The government was trying its best to support small and medium-sized enterprises as the economy has been hit hard, Hong Kong's financial secretary Paul Chan said on Sunday. "We are studying the launch of the third round of relief measures," he wrote on his blog. Businesses will probably have to foot the bill for the vandalism, as few had insurance for riot damage, industry insiders said.

Hong Kong leader to visit Japan after huge rally, night of violence

China's defence minister said on Monday that resolving the "Taiwan question" is his country's "greatest national interest," and that no force could prevent China's "reunification."

Separatist activities are doomed to failure, Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said at the opening in Beijing of the Xiangshan Forum, which China styles as its answer to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-condemns-chinas-dictatorship-on-70th-anniversary-of-communist-rule-252977">Tensions between China and Taiwan have ratcheted up</a> ahead of the self-ruled island's presidential election in January. Taiwan is China's most sensitive territorial issue.

"China is the only major country in the world that is yet to be completely reunified," Wei said.

"Resolving the Taiwan question so as to realise China's full reunification is the irresistible trend of the times, China's greatest national interest, the righteous path to follow and the longing of all Chinese people."

Proudly democratic Taiwan has lambasted China for its authoritarian rule and for being a threat to regional peace, while China has heaped pressure on Taiwan, whittling away at its few remaining diplomatic allies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-says-china-is-an-authoritarian-threat-in-the-pacific-254245">China regards Taiwan as its sacred territory</a>, to be brought under Beijing's rule, by force if needed, a message President Xi Jinping reiterated at the start of this year.

China translates the word "tong yi" as "reunification," but it can also be translated as "unification," a term in English preferred by supporters of Taiwan independence who point out that Beijing's Communist government has never ruled Taiwan and so it cannot be "reunified."

Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of a civil war with the Communists. The People's Republic of China has never governed Taiwan, whose people have shown little interest in being ruled by autocratic Beijing.

China has also been angered by US&nbsp;support for Taiwan, including arms sales. Washington has no formal ties with Taipei but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.

The US&nbsp;and China are also locked in a bitter trade war, though they have been holding talks to end it.

"No one and no force can ever stop China's full reunification. We are committed to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Taiwan strait relations and the peaceful reunification of the country," Wei said.

"However we will never allow separatists for Taiwan independence to have their way, nor allow interference by any external forces. Advancing china's reunification is a just cause, while separatist activities are doomed to failure."

The United States has also angered China by repeatedly conducting what it calls "freedom of navigation" operations by naval ships close to islands China occupies in the South China Sea.

China claims almost all the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, but neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

"The South China Sea islands and Diaoyu islands are inalienable parts of China's territory. We will not allow even an inch of territory that our ancestors have left to us to be taken away," Wei said.

China's defence minister said on Monday that resolving the "Taiwan question" is his country's "greatest national interest," and that no force could prevent China's "reunification.

China's defence minister said on Monday that resolving the "Taiwan question" is his country's "greatest national interest," and that no force could prevent China's "reunification." Separatist activities are doomed to failure, Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said at the opening in Beijing of the Xiangshan Forum, which China styles as its answer to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore. Tensions between China and Taiwan have ratcheted up ahead of the self-ruled island's presidential election in January. Taiwan is China's most sensitive territorial issue. "China is the only major country in the world that is yet to be completely reunified," Wei said. "Resolving the Taiwan question so as to realise China's full reunification is the irresistible trend of the times, China's greatest national interest, the righteous path to follow and the longing of all Chinese people." Proudly democratic Taiwan has lambasted China for its authoritarian rule and for being a threat to regional peace, while China has heaped pressure on Taiwan, whittling away at its few remaining diplomatic allies. China regards Taiwan as its sacred territory, to be brought under Beijing's rule, by force if needed, a message President Xi Jinping reiterated at the start of this year. China translates the word "tong yi" as "reunification," but it can also be translated as "unification," a term in English preferred by supporters of Taiwan independence who point out that Beijing's Communist government has never ruled Taiwan and so it cannot be "reunified." Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of a civil war with the Communists. The People's Republic of China has never governed Taiwan, whose people have shown little interest in being ruled by autocratic Beijing. China has also been angered by US support for Taiwan, including arms sales. Washington has no formal ties with Taipei but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. The US and China are also locked in a bitter trade war, though they have been holding talks to end it. "No one and no force can ever stop China's full reunification. We are committed to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Taiwan strait relations and the peaceful reunification of the country," Wei said. "However we will never allow separatists for Taiwan independence to have their way, nor allow interference by any external forces. Advancing china's reunification is a just cause, while separatist activities are doomed to failure." The United States has also angered China by repeatedly conducting what it calls "freedom of navigation" operations by naval ships close to islands China occupies in the South China Sea. China claims almost all the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, but neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. "The South China Sea islands and Diaoyu islands are inalienable parts of China's territory. We will not allow even an inch of territory that our ancestors have left to us to be taken away," Wei said.

China's defence minister says resolving 'Taiwan question' is national priority

Ecuador on Sunday said it had resumed crude oil exports curbed by violent protests that forced several wells in the Amazon to halt operations.

The country was hit by 12 days of demonstrations,&nbsp;led by indigenous groups, against fuel price hikes until President Lenin Moreno reached a deal with protest leaders on October 13.

"Oil production has recovered, so the operation of the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline System (SOTE) has been standardized," Petroecuador, the national oil company, said in a statement.

"All suspended exports will be rescheduled in the coming days."

The unrest in the capital Quito forced Moreno to relocate the government to the second city, Guayaquil.

More than two-thirds of crude distribution was frozen after protesters seized oil facilities in the Amazon&nbsp;nearly two weeks ago.

Moreno and indigenous leaders reached an agreement after the president pledged to withdraw subsidy cuts that had more than doubled fuel prices.

The cuts were part of an austerity package to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to shore up the oil exporter's brittle economy.

Ecuador on Sunday said it had resumed crude oil exports curbed by violent protests that forced several wells in the Amazon to halt operations. The country was hit by 12 days of demonstrations, led by indigenous groups, against fuel price hikes until President Lenin Moreno reached a deal with protest leaders on October 13.

Ecuador on Sunday said it had resumed crude oil exports curbed by violent protests that forced several wells in the Amazon to halt operations. The country was hit by 12 days of demonstrations, led by indigenous groups, against fuel price hikes until President Lenin Moreno reached a deal with protest leaders on October 13. "Oil production has recovered, so the operation of the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline System (SOTE) has been standardized," Petroecuador, the national oil company, said in a statement. "All suspended exports will be rescheduled in the coming days." The unrest in the capital Quito forced Moreno to relocate the government to the second city, Guayaquil. More than two-thirds of crude distribution was frozen after protesters seized oil facilities in the Amazon nearly two weeks ago. Moreno and indigenous leaders reached an agreement after the president pledged to withdraw subsidy cuts that had more than doubled fuel prices. The cuts were part of an austerity package to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to shore up the oil exporter's brittle economy.

Ecuador resumes oil exports curbed by protests

A group of Northern Irish lawmakers will return to their parliament on Monday in a last-minute protest at the liberalisation of abortion laws, set to come into force after being decided by London for the suspended Belfast executive.

The regional government in Belfast collapsed in January 2017 after a scandal over a renewable heating scheme split the power-sharing executive, amid a breakdown in trust.

Abortion is currently illegal in the province, except when the mother's life is in danger.

With the Northern Ireland Assembly not sitting, the British government in July passed legislation forcing the province's laws on abortion and same-sex marriage, which is also illegal, into line with those in the rest of the UK, unless the executive returns by Monday.

However, the return of around 30 of the 90 Northern Ireland Assembly members specifically to discuss abortion law is expected to be symbolic.

The majority of those appearing at Stormont will be members of the conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), led by Arlene Foster.

But without cross-party support, a first minister and deputy first minister cannot be elected, the assembly's first task, meaning the law cannot be blocked.

Michelle O'Neill, the left-wing Sinn Fein party's leader in Northern Ireland, described the event as "stunt politics".

"They're going to discuss issues which they can do nothing about.&nbsp; For me, that's all about being dishonest with the public," she said Friday.

"We want to be in the assembly but we need to get the issues resolved that brought the assembly down."

Trevor Lunn, an assembly member for the centrist cross-community Alliance party called the bid to recall the assembly "showboating".

"It appears those wanting to go back on Monday are only doing so to try and deny LGBTQ people and women the rights guaranteed to them in the rest of the UK," he said last week.

Celebrations are due in the province to herald the changes in the law.

Campaign group Love Equality said couples and supporters will gather in Belfast ahead of Monday's midnight deadline.

A mock-wedding event with "a buffet reception, speeches and photo opportunities featuring a wedding cake, flowers and balloons" will take place at lunchtime, the group said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Women's Resource and Development Agency campaign group is also organising a protest at Stormont against the bid to block the new legislation.

Pro-life group Both Lives Matter said 31 assembly members have signed the recall petition allowing parliament to sit on Monday.

Foster told the BBC the move will give deputies the opportunity to express opposition to the law changes.

"Hopefully we will be able to debate the issue on Monday," she said.

A group of Northern Irish lawmakers will return to their parliament on Monday in a last-minute protest at the liberalisation of abortion laws, set to come into force after being decided by London for the suspended Belfast executive.

A group of Northern Irish lawmakers will return to their parliament on Monday in a last-minute protest at the liberalisation of abortion laws, set to come into force after being decided by London for the suspended Belfast executive. The regional government in Belfast collapsed in January 2017 after a scandal over a renewable heating scheme split the power-sharing executive, amid a breakdown in trust. Abortion is currently illegal in the province, except when the mother's life is in danger. With the Northern Ireland Assembly not sitting, the British government in July passed legislation forcing the province's laws on abortion and same-sex marriage, which is also illegal, into line with those in the rest of the UK, unless the executive returns by Monday. However, the return of around 30 of the 90 Northern Ireland Assembly members specifically to discuss abortion law is expected to be symbolic. The majority of those appearing at Stormont will be members of the conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), led by Arlene Foster. But without cross-party support, a first minister and deputy first minister cannot be elected, the assembly's first task, meaning the law cannot be blocked. Michelle O'Neill, the left-wing Sinn Fein party's leader in Northern Ireland, described the event as "stunt politics". "They're going to discuss issues which they can do nothing about. For me, that's all about being dishonest with the public," she said Friday. "We want to be in the assembly but we need to get the issues resolved that brought the assembly down." Trevor Lunn, an assembly member for the centrist cross-community Alliance party called the bid to recall the assembly "showboating". "It appears those wanting to go back on Monday are only doing so to try and deny LGBTQ people and women the rights guaranteed to them in the rest of the UK," he said last week. Celebrations are due in the province to herald the changes in the law. Campaign group Love Equality said couples and supporters will gather in Belfast ahead of Monday's midnight deadline. A mock-wedding event with "a buffet reception, speeches and photo opportunities featuring a wedding cake, flowers and balloons" will take place at lunchtime, the group said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Women's Resource and Development Agency campaign group is also organising a protest at Stormont against the bid to block the new legislation. Pro-life group Both Lives Matter said 31 assembly members have signed the recall petition allowing parliament to sit on Monday. Foster told the BBC the move will give deputies the opportunity to express opposition to the law changes. "Hopefully we will be able to debate the issue on Monday," she said.

Northern Irish lawmakers sit to oppose abortion reform

Thousands of people demonstrated on Sunday in Port-au-Prince, demanding that Haiti's President Jovenel Moise step down.

"Jovenel is incapable and incompetent, he must pack his bags because Haiti must live," said one of the protesters, Jean Ronald.

"It is not normal to live in such an unequal country," Ronald added, standing in front of the float of "Prophet Mackenson," a popular and controversial Haitian religious leader.

Mackenson Dorilas, a self-proclaimed "prophet," was sanctioned by the Haitian Ministry of faiths at the end of 2018 after saying he could cure AIDS with a bed bug remedy.

The crowd of his faithful moved through streets of the capital, followed by large groups of demonstrators, praying and chanting slogans against the president.

After repeated demonstrations and barricades regularly mounted by opponents of the president across major roads, many schools have closed their doors for more than a month.

"I put on my uniform today, it is brand new, and the first chance I've had to put it on is in a demonstration," says Nelly Delamet, 19.

"Things have to change: Jovenel is not good."

Since coming to power in February 2017, Moise has had to face the anger of an opposition movement that refuses to recognize his victory in an election widely seen as dubious.

Anger mounted in late August due to a national fuel shortage, and protests turned violent.

Thousands of people demonstrated on Sunday in Port-au-Prince, demanding that Haiti's President Jovenel Moise step down. "Jovenel is incapable and incompetent, he must pack his bags because Haiti must live," said one of the protesters, Jean Ronald.

Thousands of people demonstrated on Sunday in Port-au-Prince, demanding that Haiti's President Jovenel Moise step down. "Jovenel is incapable and incompetent, he must pack his bags because Haiti must live," said one of the protesters, Jean Ronald. "It is not normal to live in such an unequal country," Ronald added, standing in front of the float of "Prophet Mackenson," a popular and controversial Haitian religious leader. Mackenson Dorilas, a self-proclaimed "prophet," was sanctioned by the Haitian Ministry of faiths at the end of 2018 after saying he could cure AIDS with a bed bug remedy. The crowd of his faithful moved through streets of the capital, followed by large groups of demonstrators, praying and chanting slogans against the president. After repeated demonstrations and barricades regularly mounted by opponents of the president across major roads, many schools have closed their doors for more than a month. "I put on my uniform today, it is brand new, and the first chance I've had to put it on is in a demonstration," says Nelly Delamet, 19. "Things have to change: Jovenel is not good." Since coming to power in February 2017, Moise has had to face the anger of an opposition movement that refuses to recognize his victory in an election widely seen as dubious. Anger mounted in late August due to a national fuel shortage, and protests turned violent.

Thousands protest against Haiti's president Moise

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-gather-in-lebanon-for-fresh-protests-256895">Tens of thousands of Lebanese took to the streets</a>&nbsp;for a fourth day Sunday to protest political stasis and corruption, as the government was rocked by the resignation of a coalition partner.

Demonstrations began spontaneously on Thursday in response to a proposed tax on calls via WhatsApp and other messaging services.

While the government quickly dropped the plans, the protests morphed into demands for a sweeping overhaul of Lebanon's political system, with grievances ranging from austerity measures to poor infrastructure.

More than a quarter of Lebanon's population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank, while the country's political class has remained relatively unchanged since the end of a devastating 15-year civil war in 1990.

Sunday saw street rallies swell again, with thousands streaming into central Beirut and other locations throughout the country, many chanting "revolution" or "the people demand the fall of the regime",&nbsp;a common refrain of demonstrations in other parts of the Arab world.

"I am demonstrating here to bring down the president's men and his corrupt government," Sanaa Mallah, 40, said in downtown Beirut. "I have a lot of hope in this movement."

Beleaguered Prime Minister Saad Hariri set a Monday night deadline for coalition partners to back reforms, but the four ministers of the Maronite Christian Lebanese Forces party resigned Saturday evening.

Lebanon ranked 138 out of 180 in Transparency International's 2018 corruption index, while citizens suffer chronic electricity and water shortages.

Deadline under fire

Lebanon's political system was set up to balance power between the country's religious sects, including Christians, Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims and Druze.

What some have dubbed the "WhatsApp revolution" has support from wide swathes of Lebanese society.

The protests have been mostly good-natured, with people singing or launching into traditional dabke dances, while others play cards and smoke shisha.

In Tripoli, Lebanon's traditionally conservative second city, the protests at points looked like a music festival Saturday evening, with a DJ pumping out dance music from loudspeakers.

But while the demonstrators are largely united on what they oppose -- with many condemning the entire political class as thieves and criminals -- they so far lack a clear set of demands.

Speaking on Friday, Hariri did not say what would happen if the government did not back key reforms by Monday night, with the 72-hour deadline widely mocked among protestors and on social media.&nbsp;

Scuppering Hariri's unity call, Lebanese Forces head Samir Geagea, announced late Saturday that the party's four ministers were quitting the government.

"We are now convinced that the government is unable to take the necessary steps to save the situation," Geagea said.

Other members of the government, including Shiite movement Hezbollah, oppose the government's resignation.

'Thieves'

Demonstrators hailed Geagea's announcement but <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-sweep-lebanon-as-fury-at-ruling-elite-grows-over-economic-corruption-256839">demanded more wholesale change</a>.&nbsp;

Zalfa Aboukais, 27, was hanging signs bearing the names of lawmakers and ministers on a barbed wire near parliament and the seat of government, saying they were all "thieves".

Originally from south Lebanon, she said she was protesting "against the hooligans who have been in power for 30 years".

Dani Mourtada said the country was waking up to reject entrenched sectarian divisions.

"We no longer want people to beg for legitimate rights and services that the state is supposed to provide," the 26-year-old protester said.

Lebanon is one of the world's most indebted countries, with a deficit of around $86 billion, more than 150 per cent of gross domestic product, according to the finance ministry.

Public anger surged after parliament passed an austerity budget in July as part of efforts to make reforms that are essential if Lebanon is to unlock over $11 billion in economic assistance pledged by international donors&nbsp;last year.

Growth has plummeted in recent years, with political deadlock compounded by the impact of eight years of war in neighbouring Syria.

Tens of thousands of Lebanese took to the streets for a fourth day Sunday to protest political stasis and corruption, as the government was rocked by the resignation of a coalition partner.

Tens of thousands of Lebanese took to the streets for a fourth day Sunday to protest political stasis and corruption, as the government was rocked by the resignation of a coalition partner. Demonstrations began spontaneously on Thursday in response to a proposed tax on calls via WhatsApp and other messaging services. While the government quickly dropped the plans, the protests morphed into demands for a sweeping overhaul of Lebanon's political system, with grievances ranging from austerity measures to poor infrastructure. More than a quarter of Lebanon's population lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank, while the country's political class has remained relatively unchanged since the end of a devastating 15-year civil war in 1990. Sunday saw street rallies swell again, with thousands streaming into central Beirut and other locations throughout the country, many chanting "revolution" or "the people demand the fall of the regime", a common refrain of demonstrations in other parts of the Arab world. "I am demonstrating here to bring down the president's men and his corrupt government," Sanaa Mallah, 40, said in downtown Beirut. "I have a lot of hope in this movement." Beleaguered Prime Minister Saad Hariri set a Monday night deadline for coalition partners to back reforms, but the four ministers of the Maronite Christian Lebanese Forces party resigned Saturday evening. Lebanon ranked 138 out of 180 in Transparency International's 2018 corruption index, while citizens suffer chronic electricity and water shortages. Deadline under fire Lebanon's political system was set up to balance power between the country's religious sects, including Christians, Sunni Muslims, Shiite Muslims and Druze. What some have dubbed the "WhatsApp revolution" has support from wide swathes of Lebanese society. The protests have been mostly good-natured, with people singing or launching into traditional dabke dances, while others play cards and smoke shisha. In Tripoli, Lebanon's traditionally conservative second city, the protests at points looked like a music festival Saturday evening, with a DJ pumping out dance music from loudspeakers. But while the demonstrators are largely united on what they oppose -- with many condemning the entire political class as thieves and criminals -- they so far lack a clear set of demands. Speaking on Friday, Hariri did not say what would happen if the government did not back key reforms by Monday night, with the 72-hour deadline widely mocked among protestors and on social media. Scuppering Hariri's unity call, Lebanese Forces head Samir Geagea, announced late Saturday that the party's four ministers were quitting the government. "We are now convinced that the government is unable to take the necessary steps to save the situation," Geagea said. Other members of the government, including Shiite movement Hezbollah, oppose the government's resignation. 'Thieves' Demonstrators hailed Geagea's announcement but demanded more wholesale change. Zalfa Aboukais, 27, was hanging signs bearing the names of lawmakers and ministers on a barbed wire near parliament and the seat of government, saying they were all "thieves". Originally from south Lebanon, she said she was protesting "against the hooligans who have been in power for 30 years". Dani Mourtada said the country was waking up to reject entrenched sectarian divisions. "We no longer want people to beg for legitimate rights and services that the state is supposed to provide," the 26-year-old protester said. Lebanon is one of the world's most indebted countries, with a deficit of around $86 billion, more than 150 per cent of gross domestic product, according to the finance ministry. Public anger surged after parliament passed an austerity budget in July as part of efforts to make reforms that are essential if Lebanon is to unlock over $11 billion in economic assistance pledged by international donors last year. Growth has plummeted in recent years, with political deadlock compounded by the impact of eight years of war in neighbouring Syria.

Tens of thousands demonstrate again as Lebanon's government frays

Lebanese demonstrators prepared for the fourth day of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-gather-in-lebanon-for-fresh-protests-256895">anti-government protests</a> on Sunday, directing rage at a political elite they blame for entrenched cronyism and economic difficulties.

In an attempt to appease demonstrators, Lebanon's finance minister announced following a meeting with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri that they had agreed on a final budget that did not include any additional taxes or fees.

Further pressure was put on Hariri late on Saturday&nbsp;when Maronite Christian leader Samir Geagea announced that his Lebanese Forces party would withdraw its four ministers from the government and called for the formation of a new one.

Government sources said the cabinet might hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss a way out of the crisis.

The budget could help it unlock billions of dollars pledged by international donors who have made their support conditional on long-delayed reforms to curb waste and corruption.

Lebanese demonstrators prepared for the fourth day of anti-government protests on Sunday, directing rage at a political elite they blame for entrenched cronyism and economic difficulties.

Lebanese demonstrators prepared for the fourth day of anti-government protests on Sunday, directing rage at a political elite they blame for entrenched cronyism and economic difficulties. In an attempt to appease demonstrators, Lebanon's finance minister announced following a meeting with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri that they had agreed on a final budget that did not include any additional taxes or fees. Further pressure was put on Hariri late on Saturday when Maronite Christian leader Samir Geagea announced that his Lebanese Forces party would withdraw its four ministers from the government and called for the formation of a new one. Government sources said the cabinet might hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss a way out of the crisis. The budget could help it unlock billions of dollars pledged by international donors who have made their support conditional on long-delayed reforms to curb waste and corruption.

Lebanese protesters gather early to keep pressure on government

At least four people were killed and nearly 50 injured Sunday after police fired on thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims protesting a Facebook post by a Hindu who allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed, officials said.

Mob attacks over Facebook posts perceived to be blasphemous have emerged as a major headache for security forces in Bangladesh, where Muslims make up some 90 per cent of the country's 168 million people.

Some 20,000 Muslims demonstrated at a prayer ground in Borhanuddin town on the country's largest island of Bhola to call for the execution of the young Hindu man, who was arrested Saturday over charges of inciting religious tension.

Police said they opened fire in self-defence after some of the crowd threw rocks at their officers.

"At least four people were killed and up to 50 people were injured," police inspector Salahuddin Mia told AFP.

He said extra police and border guards were being deployed in the town.

The death toll is expected to rise, with Bhola Sadar Hospital duty doctor Tayebur Rahman telling AFP at least seven of the 43 people taken to hospital were fighting for their lives.

"We have sent the critically injured people to the regional hospital in Barisal (city). Their conditions are not stable," he said.

In 2016, angry Muslims attacked Hindu temples in an eastern town over a Facebook post was put up allegedly mocking one of Islam's holiest sites.

In 2012, Muslim mobs torched Buddhist monasteries, houses and shops in the coastal Cox's Bazar district following a Buddhist youth's alleged defamatory photo post of the Koran.

Bangladesh has also experienced a number of attacks on people from religious minorities, secular bloggers, publishers, writers and foreigners, many claimed by Islamist militants.

At least four people were killed and nearly 50 injured Sunday after police fired on thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims protesting a Facebook post by a Hindu who allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed, officials said.

At least four people were killed and nearly 50 injured Sunday after police fired on thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims protesting a Facebook post by a Hindu who allegedly defamed the Prophet Mohammed, officials said. Mob attacks over Facebook posts perceived to be blasphemous have emerged as a major headache for security forces in Bangladesh, where Muslims make up some 90 per cent of the country's 168 million people. Some 20,000 Muslims demonstrated at a prayer ground in Borhanuddin town on the country's largest island of Bhola to call for the execution of the young Hindu man, who was arrested Saturday over charges of inciting religious tension. Police said they opened fire in self-defence after some of the crowd threw rocks at their officers. "At least four people were killed and up to 50 people were injured," police inspector Salahuddin Mia told AFP. He said extra police and border guards were being deployed in the town. The death toll is expected to rise, with Bhola Sadar Hospital duty doctor Tayebur Rahman telling AFP at least seven of the 43 people taken to hospital were fighting for their lives. "We have sent the critically injured people to the regional hospital in Barisal (city). Their conditions are not stable," he said. In 2016, angry Muslims attacked Hindu temples in an eastern town over a Facebook post was put up allegedly mocking one of Islam's holiest sites. In 2012, Muslim mobs torched Buddhist monasteries, houses and shops in the coastal Cox's Bazar district following a Buddhist youth's alleged defamatory photo post of the Koran. Bangladesh has also experienced a number of attacks on people from religious minorities, secular bloggers, publishers, writers and foreigners, many claimed by Islamist militants.

Four killed and 50 injured as police fire on Bangladesh protesters over Facebook post

Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters took to the streets in yet another anti-government march. The protests turned violent as police fired tear gas at demonstrators. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong: Protesters reassemble for illegal march

Thousands of Iraqis chanted anti-corruption slogans during the Shiite Arbaeen pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala on Saturday, responding to firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's call to keep up anti-government protests.&nbsp;

Amid the throngs of black-clad pilgrims mourning the seventh-century death of Imam Hussein, Sadr supporters dressed in white demanded "No, to corruption!" and "Yes, to reform!".

Waving Iraqi flags, they chanted "Baghdad free, corrupt ones out!"

Sadr, whose list emerged as the largest bloc in parliamentary elections last year, helped Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi to form his government. But on Tuesday he called on Twitter for his supporters to march in shrouds.

Iraq, the second-largest OPEC oil producer,&nbsp;is "a rich country where the people are poor," Khedheir Naim told AFP.&nbsp;

The grey-bearded man came from the southern oil city of Basra to join the world's largest Shiite pilgrimage, which culminated Saturday.&nbsp;

He denounced corrupt leaders, who according to official figures pocketed 410 billion euros over the past 16 years.

"Unfortunately, tyrants and criminals live handsomely at the expense of the people," Naim said.&nbsp;

Denouncing corruption has been a primary theme of the protest movement shaking Iraq, alongside demands for jobs and functional services.

In a single week of protests at the start of the month, 110 people were killed and 6,000 injured, according to official figures.

Calls have been made for fresh marches on October 25, to mark the anniversary of the government that is the focus of public anger.

The annual Arbaeen pilgrimage sees millions of worshippers, mostly Iraqis and Iranians, converge by foot on Karbala, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad.

Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD.

Placards with anti-United States and anti-Israel messages are often seen in the crowd, though anti-corruption slogans are rare.

Despite warnings from Iranian authorities for pilgrims to delay travelling, 3.5 million people -- mostly Iranians -- officially entered Iraq by land borders by Friday.&nbsp;

Shiite Muslims from the Gulf also attended, like Saudi Talib al-Ghadir.&nbsp;

"It's necessary to make the pilgrimage regardless of the situation in the country," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"We haven't seen anything out of the ordinary, even if people from the Gulf came at the last minute because of the protests."

Last year, more than 14 million worshippers visited the gold-domed mausoleum where Imam Hussein is buried.

Thousands of Iraqis chanted anti-corruption slogans during the Shiite Arbaeen pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala on Saturday, responding to firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's call to keep up anti-government protests.

Thousands of Iraqis chanted anti-corruption slogans during the Shiite Arbaeen pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala on Saturday, responding to firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's call to keep up anti-government protests. Amid the throngs of black-clad pilgrims mourning the seventh-century death of Imam Hussein, Sadr supporters dressed in white demanded "No, to corruption!" and "Yes, to reform!". Waving Iraqi flags, they chanted "Baghdad free, corrupt ones out!" Sadr, whose list emerged as the largest bloc in parliamentary elections last year, helped Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi to form his government. But on Tuesday he called on Twitter for his supporters to march in shrouds. Iraq, the second-largest OPEC oil producer, is "a rich country where the people are poor," Khedheir Naim told AFP. The grey-bearded man came from the southern oil city of Basra to join the world's largest Shiite pilgrimage, which culminated Saturday. He denounced corrupt leaders, who according to official figures pocketed 410 billion euros over the past 16 years. "Unfortunately, tyrants and criminals live handsomely at the expense of the people," Naim said. Denouncing corruption has been a primary theme of the protest movement shaking Iraq, alongside demands for jobs and functional services. In a single week of protests at the start of the month, 110 people were killed and 6,000 injured, according to official figures. Calls have been made for fresh marches on October 25, to mark the anniversary of the government that is the focus of public anger. The annual Arbaeen pilgrimage sees millions of worshippers, mostly Iraqis and Iranians, converge by foot on Karbala, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad. Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, by the forces of the caliph Yazid in 680 AD. Placards with anti-United States and anti-Israel messages are often seen in the crowd, though anti-corruption slogans are rare. Despite warnings from Iranian authorities for pilgrims to delay travelling, 3.5 million people -- mostly Iranians -- officially entered Iraq by land borders by Friday. Shiite Muslims from the Gulf also attended, like Saudi Talib al-Ghadir. "It's necessary to make the pilgrimage regardless of the situation in the country," he told AFP. "We haven't seen anything out of the ordinary, even if people from the Gulf came at the last minute because of the protests." Last year, more than 14 million worshippers visited the gold-domed mausoleum where Imam Hussein is buried.

Iraqi pilgrims protest corruption during Arbaeen march

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protests-sweep-lebanon-as-fury-at-ruling-elite-grows-over-economic-corruption-256839">Hundreds gathered in Lebanon Saturday for the third day of protests against tax increases</a> and alleged official corruption after the security forces made dozens of arrests.

Crowds began gathering in front of the seat of government in the capital Beirut around lunchtime, with many waving billowing Lebanese flags.

Earlier, troops reopened blocked highways after security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a huge crowd of protesters who had gathered in the heart of Beirut on Friday evening.

The Internal Security Forces said 70 arrests were made.

The protesters are demanding a sweeping overhaul of Lebanon's political system, citing grievances ranging from austerity measures to poor infrastructure.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri has given his deeply divided coalition partners until Monday evening to give their backing to a reform package aimed at shoring up the government's finances and securing the disbursement of desperately needed economic assistance from donors.

Hariri's political rival, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, gave his first response on Saturday.

"We don't want the resignation of the government if the resignation means there is no government," he said, calling for Lebanese to work together.

The current unity government has the backing of most Lebanese political parties, including Hezbollah.

Groups of young people gathered on the streets of the capital on Saturday morning collecting tyres and other material to make improvised roadblocks, AFP correspondents reported.

Parts of central Beirut looked like a war zone, littered with broken glass, overturned litter bins and the remains of burning tyres. Banks and many restaurants and shops remained closed.&nbsp;

A team of workers in grey jumpsuits was dispatched to clean up the debris near parliament, even as around a dozen protesters chanted "Revolution, revolution".&nbsp;

The demonstrations first erupted on Thursday, sparked by a proposed 20 cent tax on calls via messaging apps such as WhatsApp.

Such calls are the main method of communication for many Lebanese and, despite the government's swift abandonment of the tax, the demonstrations quickly swelled into the largest in years.

Thousands of people of all ages, sects and political affiliations brought the capital to a standstill on Friday, before security forces dispersed them.

Minor clashes continued after dark, pitting groups of young men against security forces, an AFP reporter said.

Watch: Lebanon up in arms: Tyres burnt, roads blocked

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One protester in the southern city of Nabatieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, vowed to continue protesting.

"They are trying to portray us as a mob, but we are demanding our rights," he told a local television channel.

"We are used to repression."

Lebanon has one of the highest public debt burdens in the world and the government is trying to reach agreement on a package of belt-tightening measures to cap the deficit in next year's budget.&nbsp;

The promised austerity moves are essential if Lebanon is to unlock $11 billion in economic assistance pledged by international donors&nbsp;last year.

Growth has plummeted in recent years, with political deadlock compounded by the impact of eight years of war in neighbouring Syria.

Lebanon's public debt stands at around $86 billion -- more than 150 percent of gross domestic product -- according to the finance ministry.

The International Monetary Fund projected on Thursday that growth would remain weak in the coming months.

Hundreds gathered in Lebanon Saturday for the third day of protests against tax increases and alleged official corruption after the security forces made dozens of arrests.

Hundreds gathered in Lebanon Saturday for the third day of protests against tax increases and alleged official corruption after the security forces made dozens of arrests. Crowds began gathering in front of the seat of government in the capital Beirut around lunchtime, with many waving billowing Lebanese flags. Earlier, troops reopened blocked highways after security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a huge crowd of protesters who had gathered in the heart of Beirut on Friday evening. The Internal Security Forces said 70 arrests were made. The protesters are demanding a sweeping overhaul of Lebanon's political system, citing grievances ranging from austerity measures to poor infrastructure. Prime Minister Saad Hariri has given his deeply divided coalition partners until Monday evening to give their backing to a reform package aimed at shoring up the government's finances and securing the disbursement of desperately needed economic assistance from donors. Hariri's political rival, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, gave his first response on Saturday. "We don't want the resignation of the government if the resignation means there is no government," he said, calling for Lebanese to work together. The current unity government has the backing of most Lebanese political parties, including Hezbollah. Groups of young people gathered on the streets of the capital on Saturday morning collecting tyres and other material to make improvised roadblocks, AFP correspondents reported. Parts of central Beirut looked like a war zone, littered with broken glass, overturned litter bins and the remains of burning tyres. Banks and many restaurants and shops remained closed. A team of workers in grey jumpsuits was dispatched to clean up the debris near parliament, even as around a dozen protesters chanted "Revolution, revolution". The demonstrations first erupted on Thursday, sparked by a proposed 20 cent tax on calls via messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Such calls are the main method of communication for many Lebanese and, despite the government's swift abandonment of the tax, the demonstrations quickly swelled into the largest in years. Thousands of people of all ages, sects and political affiliations brought the capital to a standstill on Friday, before security forces dispersed them. Minor clashes continued after dark, pitting groups of young men against security forces, an AFP reporter said. Watch: Lebanon up in arms: Tyres burnt, roads blocked One protester in the southern city of Nabatieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, vowed to continue protesting. "They are trying to portray us as a mob, but we are demanding our rights," he told a local television channel. "We are used to repression." Lebanon has one of the highest public debt burdens in the world and the government is trying to reach agreement on a package of belt-tightening measures to cap the deficit in next year's budget. The promised austerity moves are essential if Lebanon is to unlock $11 billion in economic assistance pledged by international donors last year. Growth has plummeted in recent years, with political deadlock compounded by the impact of eight years of war in neighbouring Syria. Lebanon's public debt stands at around $86 billion -- more than 150 percent of gross domestic product -- according to the finance ministry. The International Monetary Fund projected on Thursday that growth would remain weak in the coming months.

Hundreds gather in Lebanon for fresh protests

The pro-independence groups began marches in Catalonia on October 16 against the jailing of nine separatist leaders, despite a new warning by the Spanish government that it will step in if needed to guarantee security.

Catalonia protests take a violent turn

Egypt is clamping down on rare protests. The government has launched a crackdown, which human rights group say is one of the worsts during Alaa Abd El-Fattah's presidency.

Freedom under attack in Egypt

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held emergency talks with opposition leaders on Wednesday about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/around-30-arrested-during-catalan-protests-over-jailing-of-separatist-leaders-256215">violent protests by separatists in Catalonia</a>.

Scores of people have been hurt and dozens arrested in the past two nights of clashes between protesters and police in Barcelona and other Catalan cities.

Protesters are furious at the jailing of nine separatist leaders for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid that sparked a deep political crisis.

The convictions on Monday revived tensions in the wealthy northeastern region, split between Catalans loyal to Madrid and those who want it to break away from Spain.

In Barcelona on Tuesday night, police charged hundreds of masked demonstrators who threw projectiles at officers and set garbage bins and cardboard boxes on fire.

In a tweet, Sanchez said the government "firmly and resoundingly condemns the violence that seeks to break co-existence in Catalonia."

On Wednesday thousands of protesters departed on foot along highways from five Catalan towns towards Barcelona.

They planned to gather there on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region.

Sanchez received conservative opposition leader Pablo Casado of the Popular Party on Wednesday morning.

He was scheduled to meet later with the leaders of centre-right Ciudadanos and far-left Podemos.

He said he would "convey the government's determination to guarantee security, with firmness, proportionality and unity."

The separatist movement has said there will be no let-up in the protests.

They erupted after the Supreme Court on Monday convicted 12 Catalan separatist leaders of sedition over the 2017 referendum and short-lived declaration of independence.

The court handed prison sentences of between nine and 13 years to nine of them and fines to the other three.

The ruling 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.

'No return'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-protests-in-spain-over-catalan-sentence-256141">Police arrested 29 people in the province of Barcelona</a>, 14 in Tarragona province and eight in Lleida, Spain's interior ministry said.

Officials said 125 people were injured in the protests, including 72 police officers, some with broken bones.

Municipal cleaning crews used hoses to clear the streets of Barcelona of debris from the dozens of fires which were set overnight.

The violent protests marked a break with the mainly peaceful and festive pro-independence rallies which have been held in Catalonia since the separatist movement gained momentum nearly a decade ago.

The separatist camp is frustrated over Catalan regional president Quim Torra's failure to deliver on his government's promise to achieve independence.

On the wall of a luxury watch shop in an upscale Barcelona neighbourhood, someone had scrawled "Torra, traitor".

"We have embarked on a road of no return," the Committees for the Defence of the Republic (CDR), a radical separatist movement, tweeted.

It called on the separatist regional government to "take a step forward by breaking with the Spanish state."

'Raising tensions'

Catalonia's vice president Pere Aragones urged demonstrators to avoid violence.

He said that would give Spain's central government a pretext to intervene in the region, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jailed-catalan-separatist-leader-says-new-referendum-inevitable-256099">as it did when it suspended Catalonia's autonomy</a> after the 2017 independence bid.

"Do not give them what they want," he said.

Spain's conservative parties have branded Sanchez a traitor for accepting the backing of Catalan separatist parties to help him secure power in 2018, and for his willingness to negotiate with them.

The conservative parties have urged him to take a harder line against the protesters.

"In the face of the violent unrest which is raising tensions in Catalonia, Sanchez must activate the national security law," Casado said.

"It is urgent to guarantee security and public order."

On Monday, some 10,000 people blocked access to Barcelona airport, Spain's second busiest, for several hours on Monday.

Demonstrators issued calls on social media to "Turn Catalonia into the new Hong Kong", a reference to recent demonstrations against Chinese influence in that territory.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held emergency talks with opposition leaders on Wednesday about violent protests by separatists in Catalonia. Scores of people have been hurt and dozens arrested in the past two nights of clashes between protesters and police in Barcelona and other Catalan cities.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held emergency talks with opposition leaders on Wednesday about violent protests by separatists in Catalonia. Scores of people have been hurt and dozens arrested in the past two nights of clashes between protesters and police in Barcelona and other Catalan cities. Protesters are furious at the jailing of nine separatist leaders for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid that sparked a deep political crisis. The convictions on Monday revived tensions in the wealthy northeastern region, split between Catalans loyal to Madrid and those who want it to break away from Spain. In Barcelona on Tuesday night, police charged hundreds of masked demonstrators who threw projectiles at officers and set garbage bins and cardboard boxes on fire. In a tweet, Sanchez said the government "firmly and resoundingly condemns the violence that seeks to break co-existence in Catalonia." On Wednesday thousands of protesters departed on foot along highways from five Catalan towns towards Barcelona. They planned to gather there on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region. Sanchez received conservative opposition leader Pablo Casado of the Popular Party on Wednesday morning. He was scheduled to meet later with the leaders of centre-right Ciudadanos and far-left Podemos. He said he would "convey the government's determination to guarantee security, with firmness, proportionality and unity." The separatist movement has said there will be no let-up in the protests. They erupted after the Supreme Court on Monday convicted 12 Catalan separatist leaders of sedition over the 2017 referendum and short-lived declaration of independence. The court handed prison sentences of between nine and 13 years to nine of them and fines to the other three. The ruling 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. 'No return' Police arrested 29 people in the province of Barcelona, 14 in Tarragona province and eight in Lleida, Spain's interior ministry said. Officials said 125 people were injured in the protests, including 72 police officers, some with broken bones. Municipal cleaning crews used hoses to clear the streets of Barcelona of debris from the dozens of fires which were set overnight. The violent protests marked a break with the mainly peaceful and festive pro-independence rallies which have been held in Catalonia since the separatist movement gained momentum nearly a decade ago. The separatist camp is frustrated over Catalan regional president Quim Torra's failure to deliver on his government's promise to achieve independence. On the wall of a luxury watch shop in an upscale Barcelona neighbourhood, someone had scrawled "Torra, traitor". "We have embarked on a road of no return," the Committees for the Defence of the Republic (CDR), a radical separatist movement, tweeted. It called on the separatist regional government to "take a step forward by breaking with the Spanish state." 'Raising tensions' Catalonia's vice president Pere Aragones urged demonstrators to avoid violence. He said that would give Spain's central government a pretext to intervene in the region, as it did when it suspended Catalonia's autonomy after the 2017 independence bid. "Do not give them what they want," he said. Spain's conservative parties have branded Sanchez a traitor for accepting the backing of Catalan separatist parties to help him secure power in 2018, and for his willingness to negotiate with them. The conservative parties have urged him to take a harder line against the protesters. "In the face of the violent unrest which is raising tensions in Catalonia, Sanchez must activate the national security law," Casado said. "It is urgent to guarantee security and public order." On Monday, some 10,000 people blocked access to Barcelona airport, Spain's second busiest, for several hours on Monday. Demonstrators issued calls on social media to "Turn Catalonia into the new Hong Kong", a reference to recent demonstrations against Chinese influence in that territory.

Spain Prime Minister holds emergency talks over violent Catalan protests

Police in Spain said Wednesday they arrested 51 people across Catalonia overnight after violent protests over the jailing of nine separatist leaders for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid.

Pro-independence groups staged sit-ins outside Spanish government offices in a number of Catalan cities late Tuesday, with around 40,000 people taking part in Barcelona and 9,000 in the separatist stronghold of Girona, according to police.&nbsp;

The protests descended into clashes with police in many cities.

In Barcelona, police charged hundreds of masked demonstrators who threw projectiles at officers and set garbage bins and cardboard boxes on fire.

When one man tried to put out the flames of a burning rubbish container with a fire extinguisher, masked protesters pushed him away, images broadcast on Spanish television showed.

National and regional police arrested 29 people in the province of Barcelona, 14 in Tarragona province and eight in Lleida, according to Spain's interior ministry.

The ministry said 72 police officers were injured in the clashes, including several who suffered broken bones.

A high-speed train between Barcelona and Figueres, a town not far from the French border, was blocked due to sabotage, the central government said in a statement.

Several streets in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, were cut off because crews were cleaning up debris from 157 fires set overnight, it added.

The protests erupted after the Supreme Court on Monday issued heavy prison sentences of between nine and 13 years to Catalan separatist leaders convicted of sedition over the 2017 referendum and short-lived declaration of independence.

Police in Spain said Wednesday they arrested 51 people across Catalonia overnight after violent protests over the jailing of nine separatist leaders for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid.

Police in Spain said Wednesday they arrested 51 people across Catalonia overnight after violent protests over the jailing of nine separatist leaders for their role in a failed 2017 independence bid. Pro-independence groups staged sit-ins outside Spanish government offices in a number of Catalan cities late Tuesday, with around 40,000 people taking part in Barcelona and 9,000 in the separatist stronghold of Girona, according to police. The protests descended into clashes with police in many cities. In Barcelona, police charged hundreds of masked demonstrators who threw projectiles at officers and set garbage bins and cardboard boxes on fire. When one man tried to put out the flames of a burning rubbish container with a fire extinguisher, masked protesters pushed him away, images broadcast on Spanish television showed. National and regional police arrested 29 people in the province of Barcelona, 14 in Tarragona province and eight in Lleida, according to Spain's interior ministry. The ministry said 72 police officers were injured in the clashes, including several who suffered broken bones. A high-speed train between Barcelona and Figueres, a town not far from the French border, was blocked due to sabotage, the central government said in a statement. Several streets in Barcelona, the Catalan capital, were cut off because crews were cleaning up debris from 157 fires set overnight, it added. The protests erupted after the Supreme Court on Monday issued heavy prison sentences of between nine and 13 years to Catalan separatist leaders convicted of sedition over the 2017 referendum and short-lived declaration of independence.

Several arrested during Catalan protests over jailing of separatist leaders

Catalan separatists on Tuesday blocked streets and train tracks in protest against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angry-protesters-take-to-streets-as-spain-jails-catalan-leaders-255918">Spain's jailing of nine of their leaders</a>, a day after activists stormed Barcelona airport in an angry response to the verdict.&nbsp;

Pro-independence groups called for demonstrators to hold sit-ins from 1700 GMT&nbsp;outside of Spanish government offices in Barcelona and other Catalan cities as part of Tuesday's protests.

Several roads were cut across the northeastern region, including the AP-7 which links Barcelona to France&nbsp;near the separatist stronghold of Girona, local officials said.

Demonstrators also blocked train tracks with burning tyres and other debris as they awaited new instructions from Democratic Tsunami, the group which coordinated Monday's mass bid to swarm the city's El Prat airport, where they choked-off road and rail access.

Activists engaged in running battles with riot police as they sought to enter the terminal but were repeatedly rebuffed, with police staging multiple charges and firing foam rounds into the crowds in a standoff which forced the cancellation of 110 flights, airport officials said.&nbsp;

Although life was slowly returning to normal at the airport after a night in which hundreds of people were stranded at the terminal, another 45 flights were cancelled on Tuesday morning, Spanish airport authority AENA said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-jails-nine-catalan-leaders-up-to-13-years-for-sedition-255792">Monday's ruling unleashed a day of chaos</a>, with Catalan separatists enraged by the Supreme Court's decision to hand heavy prison sentences of between nine and 13 years to leaders convicted of sedition over the 2017 referendum and short-lived declaration of independence.

The emergency services said 131 people were injured in the protests, 115 of them at the airport, with the rest in Barcelona and elsewhere. One protester sustained a serious eye injury, hospital officials said. &nbsp;

The separatist movement has made clear there will be no let-up in their protests over the verdict which came as Spain counts down to a November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years, putting the Catalan question at the heart of the political debate.&nbsp;

'Route of civil disobedience'

Around 10,000 people took part in the demonstration at the airport, according to the interior ministry.

Many people took the day off to join the protests, heeding widespread calls on social media to "Turn Catalonia into the new Hong Kong" and raise international awareness of the crisis in this wealthy northeastern region of Spain.&nbsp;Hong Kong has been rattled by weeks of pro-democracy street protests.

"For me, the worst thing is Europe, which hasn't said anything. That's why we're doing this, to cause the worst possible disturbance, so it affects everyone, to see if they realise and do something," IT consultant Carles Navarro told AFP.&nbsp;

"We have always chosen peaceful ways (of fighting for what we believe in) but nobody listens. Now we're forced to go down the route of civil disobedience."

In a message to its 150,000 followers on the Telegram messaging app, Democratic Tsunami directed activists to head for the airport. &nbsp;

"The time has come to make our voice felt around the world. The goal: stop the activity of Barcelona's airport," it said in a call heeded by thousands.&nbsp;

So far, those <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-separatist-leaders-trial-spains-supreme-court-expected-to-announce-verdict-255749">behind the movement remain unknown</a> but Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said investigators were trying to identify them.&nbsp;

"I have no doubt we will end up finding out who's behind Democratic Tsunami," he told Spain's RNE public radio.&nbsp;

'Contradiction'

Spain's government has expressed hope the trial's end would allow it to move on from the crisis in Catalonia, where support for independence has gained momentum over the past decade.&nbsp;

But the Catalan separatists, who control the regional government and last month passed a motion in their parliament granting legitimacy to civil disobedience, have shown little willingness to talk.&nbsp;

While Catalan president Quim Torra has encouraged Catalans to exercise civil disobedience, his government is also responsible for the regional police who are charged with controlling demonstrations, putting him in an uncomfortable position.

This "contradiction" is "one of the difficulties of this process," Torra said Tuesday.

In the coming days, protesters are planning to stage marches from five Catalan towns towards Barcelona where they will gather on Friday when unions have called a general strike.&nbsp;Students are also planning to rally in Madrid on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Catalan separatists on Tuesday blocked streets and train tracks in protest against Spain's jailing of nine of their leaders, a day after activists stormed Barcelona airport in an angry response to the verdict.

Catalan separatists on Tuesday blocked streets and train tracks in protest against Spain's jailing of nine of their leaders, a day after activists stormed Barcelona airport in an angry response to the verdict. Pro-independence groups called for demonstrators to hold sit-ins from 1700 GMT outside of Spanish government offices in Barcelona and other Catalan cities as part of Tuesday's protests. Several roads were cut across the northeastern region, including the AP-7 which links Barcelona to France near the separatist stronghold of Girona, local officials said. Demonstrators also blocked train tracks with burning tyres and other debris as they awaited new instructions from Democratic Tsunami, the group which coordinated Monday's mass bid to swarm the city's El Prat airport, where they choked-off road and rail access. Activists engaged in running battles with riot police as they sought to enter the terminal but were repeatedly rebuffed, with police staging multiple charges and firing foam rounds into the crowds in a standoff which forced the cancellation of 110 flights, airport officials said. Although life was slowly returning to normal at the airport after a night in which hundreds of people were stranded at the terminal, another 45 flights were cancelled on Tuesday morning, Spanish airport authority AENA said. Monday's ruling unleashed a day of chaos, with Catalan separatists enraged by the Supreme Court's decision to hand heavy prison sentences of between nine and 13 years to leaders convicted of sedition over the 2017 referendum and short-lived declaration of independence. The emergency services said 131 people were injured in the protests, 115 of them at the airport, with the rest in Barcelona and elsewhere. One protester sustained a serious eye injury, hospital officials said. The separatist movement has made clear there will be no let-up in their protests over the verdict which came as Spain counts down to a November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years, putting the Catalan question at the heart of the political debate. 'Route of civil disobedience' Around 10,000 people took part in the demonstration at the airport, according to the interior ministry. Many people took the day off to join the protests, heeding widespread calls on social media to "Turn Catalonia into the new Hong Kong" and raise international awareness of the crisis in this wealthy northeastern region of Spain. Hong Kong has been rattled by weeks of pro-democracy street protests. "For me, the worst thing is Europe, which hasn't said anything. That's why we're doing this, to cause the worst possible disturbance, so it affects everyone, to see if they realise and do something," IT consultant Carles Navarro told AFP. "We have always chosen peaceful ways (of fighting for what we believe in) but nobody listens. Now we're forced to go down the route of civil disobedience." In a message to its 150,000 followers on the Telegram messaging app, Democratic Tsunami directed activists to head for the airport. "The time has come to make our voice felt around the world. The goal: stop the activity of Barcelona's airport," it said in a call heeded by thousands. So far, those behind the movement remain unknown but Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said investigators were trying to identify them. "I have no doubt we will end up finding out who's behind Democratic Tsunami," he told Spain's RNE public radio. 'Contradiction' Spain's government has expressed hope the trial's end would allow it to move on from the crisis in Catalonia, where support for independence has gained momentum over the past decade. But the Catalan separatists, who control the regional government and last month passed a motion in their parliament granting legitimacy to civil disobedience, have shown little willingness to talk. While Catalan president Quim Torra has encouraged Catalans to exercise civil disobedience, his government is also responsible for the regional police who are charged with controlling demonstrations, putting him in an uncomfortable position. This "contradiction" is "one of the difficulties of this process," Torra said Tuesday. In the coming days, protesters are planning to stage marches from five Catalan towns towards Barcelona where they will gather on Friday when unions have called a general strike. Students are also planning to rally in Madrid on Wednesday.

Fresh protests in Spain over Catalan sentence

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno on Saturday ordered the capital Quito and surrounding areas placed under curfew and military control, as the 11th day of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-indigenous-group-rejects-talks-to-end-fuel-protests-255404">deadly protests against government</a> austerity measures roiled the city.

The order would "facilitate the work of public forces against intolerable outbreaks of violence," he announced on Twitter, as clouds of smoke hung over the city.

"I have arranged for the Joint Command of the Armed Forces to immediately carry out necessary measures and operations," Moreno said in a brief national address, flanked by Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner and Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin.&nbsp;

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.

Violence continued in Quito on Saturday even as the indigenous movement leading the protests over fuel price hikes reversed course and said it had accepted a proposal for direct talks with Moreno.

In his address, Moreno thanked indigenous groups for agreeing to negotiations but did not say when or where the talks would take place.

The president stressed that he would restore "order throughout Ecuador" as thousands of protesters thronged the streets of Quito.

Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the comptroller general's office. The building was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with firebombs.

According to the prosecutor's office, 34 people were arrested.

Media attacked

Nearby, protesters erected barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them, according to AFP journalists at the scene.

A television station and a newspaper also came under attack, the outlets said.

The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene.&nbsp;

"For about half an hour we were under attack. They threw stones at us, forced open the doors and threw Molotov cocktails," presenter Milton Perez said.

The station evacuated 25 employees, none of whom were hurt.

El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details.

Protest leaders denied being involved in the attacks on the TV station or the comptroller general's office.

"We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE, the indigenous umbrella group which has been leading the protests.

Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew which went into effect at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT), with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell.

People who emptied the streets little by little left demanding the end of repression.

"Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman.

Six dead

The demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to the ombudsman's office.

Earlier Saturday CONAIE said it had agreed to hold talks with Moreno after consulting with its members. On Friday the group had rejected the president's proposal to negotiate.

Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people.

Indigenous groups from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have spearheaded demands that Moreno reinstate fuel subsidies that were cut last week -- part of a deal his government struck to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the IMF.

Fuel prices have more than doubled from October 3.

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 the administration of his predecessor Rafael Correa.

Moreno has accused Correa and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of an "attempted coup d'etat" using indigenous groups.

Maduro, a leftist firebrand whom Washington is seeking to oust, has denounced allegations of involvement as absurd, but praised the "popular insurrection" against the IMF.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno on Saturday ordered the capital Quito and surrounding areas placed under curfew and military control, as the 11th day of deadly protests against government austerity measures roiled the city.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno on Saturday ordered the capital Quito and surrounding areas placed under curfew and military control, as the 11th day of deadly protests against government austerity measures roiled the city. The order would "facilitate the work of public forces against intolerable outbreaks of violence," he announced on Twitter, as clouds of smoke hung over the city. "I have arranged for the Joint Command of the Armed Forces to immediately carry out necessary measures and operations," Moreno said in a brief national address, flanked by Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner and Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin. 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. Violence continued in Quito on Saturday even as the indigenous movement leading the protests over fuel price hikes reversed course and said it had accepted a proposal for direct talks with Moreno. In his address, Moreno thanked indigenous groups for agreeing to negotiations but did not say when or where the talks would take place. The president stressed that he would restore "order throughout Ecuador" as thousands of protesters thronged the streets of Quito. Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the comptroller general's office. The building was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with firebombs. According to the prosecutor's office, 34 people were arrested. Media attacked Nearby, protesters erected barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them, according to AFP journalists at the scene. A television station and a newspaper also came under attack, the outlets said. The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene. "For about half an hour we were under attack. They threw stones at us, forced open the doors and threw Molotov cocktails," presenter Milton Perez said. The station evacuated 25 employees, none of whom were hurt. El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details. Protest leaders denied being involved in the attacks on the TV station or the comptroller general's office. "We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE, the indigenous umbrella group which has been leading the protests. Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew which went into effect at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT), with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell. People who emptied the streets little by little left demanding the end of repression. "Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman. Six dead The demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to the ombudsman's office. Earlier Saturday CONAIE said it had agreed to hold talks with Moreno after consulting with its members. On Friday the group had rejected the president's proposal to negotiate. Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people. Indigenous groups from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have spearheaded demands that Moreno reinstate fuel subsidies that were cut last week -- part of a deal his government struck to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the IMF. Fuel prices have more than doubled from October 3. 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 the administration of his predecessor Rafael Correa. Moreno has accused Correa and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of an "attempted coup d'etat" using indigenous groups. Maduro, a leftist firebrand whom Washington is seeking to oust, has denounced allegations of involvement as absurd, but praised the "popular insurrection" against the IMF.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno orders curfew, military control in Quito

Hundreds of black-clad pro-democracy demonstrators chanted "Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times" outside the High Court on Wednesday as a leading activist appeared to appeal a six-year jail sentence for rioting in 2016.

The court's walls were scrawled with graffiti reading: "History will absolve us", "If we burn you burn with us" and "No turn back 4HK".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-pro-democracy-activist-appeals-against-sentence-as-more-protests-loom-254677">The Chinese-ruled financial hub is struggling to recover from a weekend of violent clashes between police and tens of thousands of protesters</a>, with parts virtually cut off due to a paralysed metro that was a target of vandalism amid four months of often violent unrest.

Scores of shops were boarded up after also being trashed or torched, and more protests are expected in the coming days. Some streets were littered with broken glass and twisted metal debris.

On Wednesday night, some 200 protesters staged a shopping mall demonstration in the New Territories district of Ma On Shan. The peaceful rally saw protesters sitting or standing and chanting "Stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom".

The protests began in opposition to a now withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent to China, but have broadened into a pro-democracy movement amid fear that Beijing is undermining Hong Kong's freedoms.

Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, which gives it wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland.

The unrest is the worst political crisis in 1997 and the biggest challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came into power in 2012.

Edward Leung, 27, one of the leaders of a movement advocating independence from China, and two other activists in 2016 received the harshest sentences handed down to pro-democracy leaders since 1997.

In his appeal, Leung's lawyer argued his sentence was disproportionate to his offence, citing other more violent protesters receiving lighter sentences. His case was adjourned on Wednesday ahead of the judgment.

Outside the court, hundreds of protesters wore black masks in defiance of colonial-era emergency laws banning face coverings, which were brought in on Friday to quell the unrest but which have incited more violence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-wont-rule-out-chinese-help-over-protests-leader-carrie-lam-254393">Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday did not rule out asking China</a>, which has troops in barracks in Hong Kong, for help to end the unrest, with Hong Kong's economy hit hard and facing its first recession in a decade. 
 
Shopping mall protest

Many malls closed early to prevent protesters from gaining entry.

Inside the mall in Ma On Shan seven protesters, one in a wheelchair held up signs reading: "Support security guards who are dedicated to their job, strongly condemn police abusing power and arresting people randomly."

A night earlier, security guards in the same mall tried to stop police entering to chase a protester. Media said the guards were arrested.

A slew of international events and conferences due to be held in the city have been cancelled, with the organisers of the Hong Kong Squash Open the latest, stating they were postponing the event "in view of the current situation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-metro-still-partially-functioning-hong-kong-opens-for-business-after-violent-clashes-254366">More than 200 shops and public utilities had been damaged in the weekend's violent clashes</a>. More than 100 restaurants have closed in the past month, putting around 2,000 people out of work, a representative from an association of catering professionals told public broadcaster RTHK.

Authorities have described protesters as "militant activists", but many Hong Kong residents are also angry at the emergency powers, fearing their civil rights could be eroded.

More than 2,300 people have been arrested since June, while two teenagers have been shot and wounded in skirmishes with police. Scores of people, including police, have been injured.

Hong Kong's unrest has started to affect global companies and sport, with luxury jeweller Tiffany &amp; Co and US&nbsp;sports brand Vans withdrawing an advertisement and shoe design seen as favouring protesters.

China has cancelled broadcasting NBA basketball games after an executive of the US&nbsp;National Basketball Association team the Houston Rockets backed protesters in a tweet. Chinese sponsors and partners have cut ties with the NBA.

The NBA's business in China is worth more than $4 billion, according to Forbes.

"Every American has the right to voice their support for democracy and human rights for Hong Kong. Full stop," said one-time US&nbsp;presidential candidate and former First Lady Hillary Clinton on her official Twitter account on Wednesday.

In a separate case, a top online gamer from Hong Kong who showed support for the protests was removed from an international tournament he won, forcing him to forgo prize money that media reports put at $10,000.

Blizzard Entertainment, via their brand Hearthstone, said the gamer, identified as "Blitzchung", had violated rules and would not be allowed to play in any Hearthstone e-sports games for the next 12 months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-cabinet-member-floats-internet-curbs-to-contain-unrest-254254">China has warned foreign governments to stay out of the protests which they deem as an "internal affair"</a> and have accused some, including Britain and the United States, of fanning anti-China sentiment.

Pakistan on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to Hong's Kong's "one country, two systems", said China's foreign ministry after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.

"The Pakistan side reiterated that affairs of Hong Kong were China's internal matter and all countries should uphold international law and basic norms of non-interference in internal affairs of other countries," the ministry said in a statement.

Hundreds of black-clad pro-democracy demonstrators chanted "Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times" outside the High Court on Wednesday as a leading activist appeared to appeal a six-year jail sentence for rioting in 2016.

Hundreds of black-clad pro-democracy demonstrators chanted "Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times" outside the High Court on Wednesday as a leading activist appeared to appeal a six-year jail sentence for rioting in 2016. The court's walls were scrawled with graffiti reading: "History will absolve us", "If we burn you burn with us" and "No turn back 4HK". The Chinese-ruled financial hub is struggling to recover from a weekend of violent clashes between police and tens of thousands of protesters, with parts virtually cut off due to a paralysed metro that was a target of vandalism amid four months of often violent unrest. Scores of shops were boarded up after also being trashed or torched, and more protests are expected in the coming days. Some streets were littered with broken glass and twisted metal debris. On Wednesday night, some 200 protesters staged a shopping mall demonstration in the New Territories district of Ma On Shan. The peaceful rally saw protesters sitting or standing and chanting "Stand with Hong Kong, fight for freedom". The protests began in opposition to a now withdrawn extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent to China, but have broadened into a pro-democracy movement amid fear that Beijing is undermining Hong Kong's freedoms. Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, which gives it wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland. The unrest is the worst political crisis in 1997 and the biggest challenge to Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came into power in 2012. Edward Leung, 27, one of the leaders of a movement advocating independence from China, and two other activists in 2016 received the harshest sentences handed down to pro-democracy leaders since 1997. In his appeal, Leung's lawyer argued his sentence was disproportionate to his offence, citing other more violent protesters receiving lighter sentences. His case was adjourned on Wednesday ahead of the judgment. Outside the court, hundreds of protesters wore black masks in defiance of colonial-era emergency laws banning face coverings, which were brought in on Friday to quell the unrest but which have incited more violence. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday did not rule out asking China, which has troops in barracks in Hong Kong, for help to end the unrest, with Hong Kong's economy hit hard and facing its first recession in a decade. Shopping mall protest Many malls closed early to prevent protesters from gaining entry. Inside the mall in Ma On Shan seven protesters, one in a wheelchair held up signs reading: "Support security guards who are dedicated to their job, strongly condemn police abusing power and arresting people randomly." A night earlier, security guards in the same mall tried to stop police entering to chase a protester. Media said the guards were arrested. A slew of international events and conferences due to be held in the city have been cancelled, with the organisers of the Hong Kong Squash Open the latest, stating they were postponing the event "in view of the current situation". More than 200 shops and public utilities had been damaged in the weekend's violent clashes. More than 100 restaurants have closed in the past month, putting around 2,000 people out of work, a representative from an association of catering professionals told public broadcaster RTHK. Authorities have described protesters as "militant activists", but many Hong Kong residents are also angry at the emergency powers, fearing their civil rights could be eroded. More than 2,300 people have been arrested since June, while two teenagers have been shot and wounded in skirmishes with police. Scores of people, including police, have been injured. Hong Kong's unrest has started to affect global companies and sport, with luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co and US sports brand Vans withdrawing an advertisement and shoe design seen as favouring protesters. China has cancelled broadcasting NBA basketball games after an executive of the US National Basketball Association team the Houston Rockets backed protesters in a tweet. Chinese sponsors and partners have cut ties with the NBA. The NBA's business in China is worth more than $4 billion, according to Forbes. "Every American has the right to voice their support for democracy and human rights for Hong Kong. Full stop," said one-time US presidential candidate and former First Lady Hillary Clinton on her official Twitter account on Wednesday. In a separate case, a top online gamer from Hong Kong who showed support for the protests was removed from an international tournament he won, forcing him to forgo prize money that media reports put at $10,000. Blizzard Entertainment, via their brand Hearthstone, said the gamer, identified as "Blitzchung", had violated rules and would not be allowed to play in any Hearthstone e-sports games for the next 12 months. China has warned foreign governments to stay out of the protests which they deem as an "internal affair" and have accused some, including Britain and the United States, of fanning anti-China sentiment. Pakistan on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to Hong's Kong's "one country, two systems", said China's foreign ministry after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. "The Pakistan side reiterated that affairs of Hong Kong were China's internal matter and all countries should uphold international law and basic norms of non-interference in internal affairs of other countries," the ministry said in a statement.

Hong Kong protesters stage peaceful rallies calling for 'liberation'

Ecuadorian authorities began arresting shopkeepers for raising food prices as indigenous groups clashed with security forces on Sunday (October 6) in the fourth day of protests against President Lenin Moreno's austerity measures.

A man dies as protests in Ecuador rage, shopkeepers arrested

As 30,000 Indians visit Iraq annually on pilgrimage, 6,000 Indian employees in Karbala refinery project. So, Should India worry of protests which are going on in Iraq these days? We discuss with Sanjay Kapoor & Kadira Pethiyagoda from New Delhi and London respectively.

Iraq Protests: Should India Worry?

Ecuadorean protesters halted transport, barricaded streets and clashed with police as almost 370 people were jailed over unrest triggered by President Lenin Moreno's scrapping of fuel subsidies.

Ecuador Protests: Protests as government scraps fuel subsidies

At least 18 people were killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and police in Baghdad overnight, according to police and medical sources, as the cabinet tried to appease public anger over corruption and unemployment with a new reform plan.

The scale of the protests, in which<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/anti-govt-protests-in-iraq-death-toll-rises-to-100-254028"> nearly 100 people have died</a> since Tuesday, has taken the authorities by surprise. Two years after the defeat of the Islamic State, security is better than it has been in years, but corruption is rampant, wrecked infrastructure has not been rebuilt and jobs remain scarce.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's 17-point plan was the result of an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday night and comes after days of offering only vague reform promises.

It includes increased subsidized housing for the poor, stipends for the unemployed as well as training programs and small loans initiatives for unemployed youth.

The families of those killed during demonstrations this week will also get payouts and care usually granted to members of the security forces killed during the war.

"Amid all of this, I swear to God that my only concern is for the casualties," Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said during the cabinet meeting, according to state TV.

The streets of the capital were quiet so far on Sunday. Protests have tended to gather steam later in the day.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-prime-minister-pledges-reforms-to-calm-angry-protests-254067">The clashes shattered a day of relative calm</a> on Saturday after authorities lifted a curfew and traffic moved normally in the centre of Baghdad. Hundreds of security personnel were deployed in the streets.

The demonstrations began in Baghdad on Tuesday but have spread quickly spread to other cities mainly in the south.

In the city of Nasiriya, where at least 18 people were killed during the week, police fired live rounds at demonstrators on Saturday. Twenty-four people were wounded in the clashes overnight, including seven policemen, according to security, hospital and morgue sources.

Protesters also torched the headquarters of several political parties in Nasiriya, police said. These included the headquarters of the powerful Dawa party that dominated Iraq's government from 2003 until 2018 elections.

Violence also broke out again in Diwaniya, another city south of Baghdad killing at least one person, police said.

Fears ahead of pilgrimage

The cabinet's new plan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/innovative-iraqis-dodge-net-blackout-to-illuminate-protest-violence-253984">may not be enough to placate protesters</a> and the politicians who've sided with them.

Opposition to the government among parliamentary blocs who have begun boycotting legislative meetings is already brewing, adding pressure on Abdul Mahdi and his cabinet to step down.

Influential Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has a mass popular following and controls a large chunk of parliament, demanded on Friday that the government resign and snap elections be held. At least one other major parliamentary grouping allied itself with Sadr against the government.

But powerful political parties which have dominated Iraqi politics since the 2003 US-led invasion and toppling of dictator Saddam Hussein have not indicated they are willing to relinquish the institutions they control.

In eastern Baghdad on Friday and Saturday, police snipers shot at demonstrators and several people were wounded, Reuters reporters said.

Security services said the violence killed eight members of the security forces and wounded more than 1,000, state television reported.

At least 95 demonstrators have died across Iraq, according to a Reuters tally based on police and medical sources. Iraq's semi-official High Commission for Human Rights had put the toll at 99 dead since protests broke out on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-shiite-cleric-urges-iraq-govt-to-heed-protesters-253747">The unrest is the deadliest Iraq has seen since the declared defeat of Islamic State in 2017</a> and has shaken Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's year-old government. Iraqis fear the violence will continue to escalate.

The violence continued as people began journeying across southern Iraq for the Shi'ite pilgrimage of Arbaeen, which is expected to attract 20 million worshippers.

At least 18 people were killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and police in Baghdad overnight, according to police and medical sources, as the cabinet tried to appease public anger over corruption and unemployment with a new reform plan.

At least 18 people were killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and police in Baghdad overnight, according to police and medical sources, as the cabinet tried to appease public anger over corruption and unemployment with a new reform plan. The scale of the protests, in which nearly 100 people have died since Tuesday, has taken the authorities by surprise. Two years after the defeat of the Islamic State, security is better than it has been in years, but corruption is rampant, wrecked infrastructure has not been rebuilt and jobs remain scarce. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's 17-point plan was the result of an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday night and comes after days of offering only vague reform promises. It includes increased subsidized housing for the poor, stipends for the unemployed as well as training programs and small loans initiatives for unemployed youth. The families of those killed during demonstrations this week will also get payouts and care usually granted to members of the security forces killed during the war. "Amid all of this, I swear to God that my only concern is for the casualties," Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said during the cabinet meeting, according to state TV. The streets of the capital were quiet so far on Sunday. Protests have tended to gather steam later in the day. The clashes shattered a day of relative calm on Saturday after authorities lifted a curfew and traffic moved normally in the centre of Baghdad. Hundreds of security personnel were deployed in the streets. The demonstrations began in Baghdad on Tuesday but have spread quickly spread to other cities mainly in the south. In the city of Nasiriya, where at least 18 people were killed during the week, police fired live rounds at demonstrators on Saturday. Twenty-four people were wounded in the clashes overnight, including seven policemen, according to security, hospital and morgue sources. Protesters also torched the headquarters of several political parties in Nasiriya, police said. These included the headquarters of the powerful Dawa party that dominated Iraq's government from 2003 until 2018 elections. Violence also broke out again in Diwaniya, another city south of Baghdad killing at least one person, police said. Fears ahead of pilgrimage The cabinet's new plan may not be enough to placate protesters and the politicians who've sided with them. Opposition to the government among parliamentary blocs who have begun boycotting legislative meetings is already brewing, adding pressure on Abdul Mahdi and his cabinet to step down. Influential Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has a mass popular following and controls a large chunk of parliament, demanded on Friday that the government resign and snap elections be held. At least one other major parliamentary grouping allied itself with Sadr against the government. But powerful political parties which have dominated Iraqi politics since the 2003 US-led invasion and toppling of dictator Saddam Hussein have not indicated they are willing to relinquish the institutions they control. In eastern Baghdad on Friday and Saturday, police snipers shot at demonstrators and several people were wounded, Reuters reporters said. Security services said the violence killed eight members of the security forces and wounded more than 1,000, state television reported. At least 95 demonstrators have died across Iraq, according to a Reuters tally based on police and medical sources. Iraq's semi-official High Commission for Human Rights had put the toll at 99 dead since protests broke out on Tuesday. The unrest is the deadliest Iraq has seen since the declared defeat of Islamic State in 2017 and has shaken Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's year-old government. Iraqis fear the violence will continue to escalate. The violence continued as people began journeying across southern Iraq for the Shi'ite pilgrimage of Arbaeen, which is expected to attract 20 million worshippers.

At least 18 killed in Iraq protests overnight, government issues new promises

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

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's cabinet issued a series of reforms early Sunday after an "extraordinary" session overnight in response to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-says-this-must-stop-after-iraqi-protest-violence-kills-nearly-100-253995">sweeping anti-government rallies</a> that have left nearly 100 dead.

Iraqis have gathered in Baghdad and across the south since Tuesday to demand widespread government reforms, which Abdel Mahdi had promised to tackle when he came into power just under a year ago.

Early Sunday, his cabinet <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/innovative-iraqis-dodge-net-blackout-to-illuminate-protest-violence-253984">issued a decree</a> including more than a dozen planned reforms, including land distributions, military enlistment and increased welfare stipends for needy families.

In response to staggering youth unemployment, which has reached around 25 per cent according to the World Bank, the government said it would create large market complexes and boost benefits for those without work.

In the southern city of Kut last month, a young Iraqi man died after he set himself alight in despair after authorities seized his mobile kiosk.

The public sector remains the largest employer in Iraq, a country of 40 million people, but it has struggled to absorb new university graduates in recent years.

Local authorities also recently cleared housing units built without proper permits, which a total of three million Iraqis live in across the country.

Starting Tuesday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-authorities-lift-baghdad-curfew-253920">protesters gathered in Baghdad</a> and spread to the country's Shiite-majority south, defying an internet blackout, tear gas and even live rounds.

The mainly male, young crowds say they are not backed by any political or religious establishment and have attacked a broad range of political party offices.

The Iraqi Human Rights Commission said Saturday that 99 people have died and nearly 4,000 have been wounded since protests kicked off.

The government has officially designated those killed as "martyrs," granting their families a special set of benefits.

Parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-death-toll-nears-100-rights-panel-253906">pledged a range of reforms</a> in a meeting with lawmakers on Saturday, but did not hold his planned legislative session as the body failed to reach quorum.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's cabinet issued a series of reforms early Sunday after an "extraordinary" session overnight in response to sweeping anti-government rallies that have left nearly 100 dead.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's cabinet issued a series of reforms early Sunday after an "extraordinary" session overnight in response to sweeping anti-government rallies that have left nearly 100 dead. Iraqis have gathered in Baghdad and across the south since Tuesday to demand widespread government reforms, which Abdel Mahdi had promised to tackle when he came into power just under a year ago. Early Sunday, his cabinet issued a decree including more than a dozen planned reforms, including land distributions, military enlistment and increased welfare stipends for needy families. In response to staggering youth unemployment, which has reached around 25 per cent according to the World Bank, the government said it would create large market complexes and boost benefits for those without work. In the southern city of Kut last month, a young Iraqi man died after he set himself alight in despair after authorities seized his mobile kiosk. The public sector remains the largest employer in Iraq, a country of 40 million people, but it has struggled to absorb new university graduates in recent years. Local authorities also recently cleared housing units built without proper permits, which a total of three million Iraqis live in across the country. Starting Tuesday, protesters gathered in Baghdad and spread to the country's Shiite-majority south, defying an internet blackout, tear gas and even live rounds. The mainly male, young crowds say they are not backed by any political or religious establishment and have attacked a broad range of political party offices. The Iraqi Human Rights Commission said Saturday that 99 people have died and nearly 4,000 have been wounded since protests kicked off. The government has officially designated those killed as "martyrs," granting their families a special set of benefits. Parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi also pledged a range of reforms in a meeting with lawmakers on Saturday, but did not hold his planned legislative session as the body failed to reach quorum.

Iraqi prime minister pledges reforms to calm angry protests

Protesters on Saturday&nbsp;burned the United States&nbsp;and NATO flags in Athens as the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-and-united-states-update-mutual-defence-cooperation-pact-253940"> US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held meetings with Greek government officials</a>.

Thousands marched outside the US&nbsp;Embassy in the Greek capital, holding up signs that read "Pompeo go home," and threw red paint on a statue of former US&nbsp;President Harry Truman in the city centre.

Greece and the United States have traditionally close relations even though many blame Washington for its tacit support for a military junta that ruled Greece between 1967 and 1974. Protest marches to the US&nbsp;Embassy are an annual event.

Demonstrators, which included supporters of the Greek Communist Party, held banners against<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-can-be-pillar-for-regional-stability-pompeo-253933"> Greek - US military cooperation</a>. The United States uses a base on the island of Crete for naval and sea operations in the region.

Protesters on Saturday burned the United States and NATO flags in Athens as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held meetings with Greek government officials. Thousands marched outside the US Embassy in the Greek capital, holding up signs that read "Pompeo go home," and threw red paint on a statue of former US President Harry Truman in the city centre.

Protesters on Saturday burned the United States and NATO flags in Athens as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held meetings with Greek government officials. Thousands marched outside the US Embassy in the Greek capital, holding up signs that read "Pompeo go home," and threw red paint on a statue of former US President Harry Truman in the city centre. Greece and the United States have traditionally close relations even though many blame Washington for its tacit support for a military junta that ruled Greece between 1967 and 1974. Protest marches to the US Embassy are an annual event. Demonstrators, which included supporters of the Greek Communist Party, held banners against Greek - US military cooperation. The United States uses a base on the island of Crete for naval and sea operations in the region.

Protesters burn US and NATO flags during Pompeo visit in Athens

The death toll from mass protests in Baghdad and cities across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protests-death-toll-rises-to-73-over-3000-injured-rights-commssion-253886">southern Iraq rose to 93</a> on Saturday as the unrest entered its fifth day, Parliament's Human Rights Commission said.

Nearly 4,000 people have also been injured since the protests against chronic unemployment, poor public services and widespread corruption erupted in the capital on Tuesday, the commission said.

It was not immediately clear whether the latest deaths were from Friday's huge protests or fresh demonstrations on Saturday.

The authorities have imposed a virtual blackout of the internet and confirmation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protest-at-least-60-people-dead-cleric-sadr-demands-government-resign-253833">protest casualties</a> in the provinces&nbsp;has trickled in slowly.

Sadr's statement piled new pressure on Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi as he battles to quell the unrest.

It came after Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani urged authorities in a midday sermon to heed the demands of demonstrators, warning the protests could escalate unless immediate and clear steps are taken.

The death toll from mass protests in Baghdad and cities across southern Iraq rose to 93 on Saturday as the unrest entered its fifth day, Parliament's Human Rights Commission said.

The death toll from mass protests in Baghdad and cities across southern Iraq rose to 93 on Saturday as the unrest entered its fifth day, Parliament's Human Rights Commission said. Nearly 4,000 people have also been injured since the protests against chronic unemployment, poor public services and widespread corruption erupted in the capital on Tuesday, the commission said. It was not immediately clear whether the latest deaths were from Friday's huge protests or fresh demonstrations on Saturday. The authorities have imposed a virtual blackout of the internet and confirmation of protest casualties in the provinces has trickled in slowly. Sadr's statement piled new pressure on Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi as he battles to quell the unrest. It came after Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani urged authorities in a midday sermon to heed the demands of demonstrators, warning the protests could escalate unless immediate and clear steps are taken.

Death toll nears 100 due to mass protests in Iraq: Rights panel

Indonesian police fired tear gas to break up a rally near Parliament on Monday as several thousand protesters gathered to oppose a new law that critics say undermines the anti-graft agency, and a criminal code that would ban sex outside marriage.

Indonesian police fire tear gas to break up anti-graft, sex-ban law protests

Hundreds of people protested in Lebanon's capital Sunday over increasingly difficult living conditions, amid fears of a dollar shortage and possible price hikes.

A skirmish broke out as protesters tried to break through security barriers in front of the cabinet office and anti-riot forces pushed them back with shields and batons, an AFP photographer said.

Demonstrators briefly cut off several&nbsp;Beirut&nbsp;thoroughfares, some with burning tyres emitting billowing black smoke.&nbsp;

Around 500 people, some carrying Lebanese flags, had gathered earlier in the capital's central Martyrs' Square to march to the seats of government and parliament, the photographer said.

"Revolution, revolution," cried some of the protesters.

Outside parliament, dozens of men and women streamed in from a side street under the watchful eye of security forces, another AFP reporter said.&nbsp;

"Government, parliament... Thieves, thieves!" they chanted.

Others chanted a popular refrain of the 2011 Arab Spring protests across the region: "The people want the fall of the regime".

"We toil day and night just to be able to live," said a 52-year-old Lebanese woman, asking to remain anonymous.

"They've starved us, stolen from us. Enough is enough," she told AFP, visibly enraged.

Parliament in July passed an austerity budget aimed at rescuing an economy crumbling under massive debt and unlocking billions of dollars in international aid.

This week, fears of a dollar shortage have sparked anxiety over a possible devaluation of the Lebanese pound and price hikes.

Local press reported that banks and money exchange houses were rationing their sales of dollars, which are used alongside the pound in daily transactions.

'High cost of living'

The head of the central bank has denied that the country is facing a currency reserve crisis, but it has become very difficult to withdraw dollars from ATMs in&nbsp;Beirut.

"There's a real problem with the high cost of living," said a 33-year-old protester who gave his name as Ali Hashem.

"The pound is getting weaker and the central bank won't admit it," said the bearded young man, a black and white keffiyeh scarf draped over his head to keep off the beating sun.

If that is the case, "increase the minimum wage" of $450, he said.

In the northern seaside city of Tripoli, dozens of protesters also gathered, some setting fire to tyres, the National News Agency said.

Petrol station owners on Thursday declared a strike over banks refusing to supply them in dollars needed to pay importers.

But they suspended it the following day after reaching a deal with the government to pay suppliers in Lebanese pounds.

Economic growth in Lebanon has plummeted in the wake of repeated political deadlocks in recent years, compounded by eight years of war in neighbouring Syria.

Lebanon's public debt stands at around $86 billion -- more than 150 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) -- according to the finance ministry.

Eighty per cent of that figure is owed to Lebanon's central bank and local banks.

The small Mediterranean country has promised donors to slash public spending as part of reforms to unlock $11 billion in aid pledged at a conference in Paris last year.

Hundreds of people protested in Lebanon's capital Sunday over increasingly difficult living conditions, amid fears of a dollar shortage and possible price hikes.

Hundreds of people protested in Lebanon's capital Sunday over increasingly difficult living conditions, amid fears of a dollar shortage and possible price hikes. A skirmish broke out as protesters tried to break through security barriers in front of the cabinet office and anti-riot forces pushed them back with shields and batons, an AFP photographer said. Demonstrators briefly cut off several Beirut thoroughfares, some with burning tyres emitting billowing black smoke. Around 500 people, some carrying Lebanese flags, had gathered earlier in the capital's central Martyrs' Square to march to the seats of government and parliament, the photographer said. "Revolution, revolution," cried some of the protesters. Outside parliament, dozens of men and women streamed in from a side street under the watchful eye of security forces, another AFP reporter said. "Government, parliament... Thieves, thieves!" they chanted. Others chanted a popular refrain of the 2011 Arab Spring protests across the region: "The people want the fall of the regime". "We toil day and night just to be able to live," said a 52-year-old Lebanese woman, asking to remain anonymous. "They've starved us, stolen from us. Enough is enough," she told AFP, visibly enraged. Parliament in July passed an austerity budget aimed at rescuing an economy crumbling under massive debt and unlocking billions of dollars in international aid. This week, fears of a dollar shortage have sparked anxiety over a possible devaluation of the Lebanese pound and price hikes. Local press reported that banks and money exchange houses were rationing their sales of dollars, which are used alongside the pound in daily transactions. 'High cost of living' The head of the central bank has denied that the country is facing a currency reserve crisis, but it has become very difficult to withdraw dollars from ATMs in Beirut. "There's a real problem with the high cost of living," said a 33-year-old protester who gave his name as Ali Hashem. "The pound is getting weaker and the central bank won't admit it," said the bearded young man, a black and white keffiyeh scarf draped over his head to keep off the beating sun. If that is the case, "increase the minimum wage" of $450, he said. In the northern seaside city of Tripoli, dozens of protesters also gathered, some setting fire to tyres, the National News Agency said. Petrol station owners on Thursday declared a strike over banks refusing to supply them in dollars needed to pay importers. But they suspended it the following day after reaching a deal with the government to pay suppliers in Lebanese pounds. Economic growth in Lebanon has plummeted in the wake of repeated political deadlocks in recent years, compounded by eight years of war in neighbouring Syria. Lebanon's public debt stands at around $86 billion -- more than 150 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) -- according to the finance ministry. Eighty per cent of that figure is owed to Lebanon's central bank and local banks. The small Mediterranean country has promised donors to slash public spending as part of reforms to unlock $11 billion in aid pledged at a conference in Paris last year.

Protests in Lebanese capital over deteriorating economy

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