A Russia-led military contingent completed its withdrawal from Kazakhstan as the country lifted a state of emergency after unprecedented unrest.

Russia-led troops complete withdrawal as Kazakhstan ends state of emergency

In Pics: Kazakhstan unrest turns deadly, 'dozens' of protesters killed in unprecedented violence

As protests over a regional energy price hike engulfed other regions of the vast former Soviet country, Kazakhstan's president declared states of emergency in Almaty and an oil-rich western region Wednesday.

Kazakstan's financial capital Almaty has been in chaos since late Tuesday after police fired tear gas and stun grenades to quell protests that began in the west of the country over a spike in Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/check-out-cdcs-new-covid-guidelines-and-the-scientific-rationale-behind-them-442306">Check out CDC's new COVID guidelines and the scientific rationale behind them</a>

According to the presidential website, President Qasym-Jomart Tokayev declared states of emergency in Almaty and the hydrocarbon-rich western region of Mangystau from January 5 until January 19. &nbsp;

In both territories, a curfew will be in effect from 23:00 to 7:00.

Earlier, Tokayev had called for the return of the order in a video posted on Facebook by his press secretary Berik Uali.

"Don't submit to provocations from within and without. Do not heed calls to assault government buildings. This is a crime for which you will be punished. The government will not be felled, but we don't need conflict," Tokayev said in the address.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-launches-unidentified-projectile-into-the-sea-442293">North Korea launches unidentified projectile into the sea</a>

As protesters marched through Almaty's central streets shouting anti-government slogans and sometimes attacking vehicles, police fired stun grenades and tear gas at a crowd of over five thousand people.&nbsp;

"Old man out" was chanted in reference to Tokayev's still-powerful predecessor and mentor Nursultan Nazarbayev. "Government resign" was screamed before police moved in, sparking battles between protesters and police in the city square.&nbsp;

Two independent news websites that reported on the protests appeared to have been blocked, as well as the messaging apps Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp.&nbsp;

Across the country of 19 million, smaller protests have been taking place since Sunday, beginning in Zhanaozen in Mangystau. &nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;State of emergency declared in Kazakhstan after protests over rising fuel prices turned violent

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To begin with, an increase in LPG prices in hydrocarbon-rich Mangystau sparked the unrest, though a government move to lower the prices failed to calm the protesters.

President Qasym-Jomart Tokayev tweeted late on Tuesday that authorities had decided to lower LPG prices in Mangystau "to ensure stability."

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Правительство в рамках данных ему полномочий в целях обеспечения стабильности в стране приняло решение снизить в Мангистауской области цену за сжиженный газ до 50 тенге за литр.
— Qasym-Jomart Toqayev (@TokayevKZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TokayevKZ/status/1478363933903925250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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According to independent media reports, his announcement of a new price of 50 tenges per litre (11 US cents), down from 120 at the beginning of the year, barely dampened protests in Zhanaozen and Aktau, the capital of Mangystau.

Small spontaneous marches and arrests of activists were reported in Nur-Sultan, the national capital.

Mangystau relies on cheap LPG as the main fuel for its automobiles, and any jump in prices would have affected food prices, which have risen steeply since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As protests over a regional energy price hike engulfed other regions of the vast former Soviet country, Kazakhstan's president declared states of emergency in Almaty and an oil-rich western region Wednesday.

As protests over a regional energy price hike engulfed other regions of the vast former Soviet country, Kazakhstan's president declared states of emergency in Almaty and an oil-rich western region Wednesday. Kazakstan's financial capital Almaty has been in chaos since late Tuesday after police fired tear gas and stun grenades to quell protests that began in the west of the country over a spike in Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) prices. Also read | Check out CDC's new COVID guidelines and the scientific rationale behind them According to the presidential website, President Qasym-Jomart Tokayev declared states of emergency in Almaty and the hydrocarbon-rich western region of Mangystau from January 5 until January 19. In both territories, a curfew will be in effect from 23:00 to 7:00. Earlier, Tokayev had called for the return of the order in a video posted on Facebook by his press secretary Berik Uali. "Don't submit to provocations from within and without. Do not heed calls to assault government buildings. This is a crime for which you will be punished. The government will not be felled, but we don't need conflict," Tokayev said in the address. Also read | North Korea launches unidentified projectile into the sea As protesters marched through Almaty's central streets shouting anti-government slogans and sometimes attacking vehicles, police fired stun grenades and tear gas at a crowd of over five thousand people. "Old man out" was chanted in reference to Tokayev's still-powerful predecessor and mentor Nursultan Nazarbayev. "Government resign" was screamed before police moved in, sparking battles between protesters and police in the city square. Two independent news websites that reported on the protests appeared to have been blocked, as well as the messaging apps Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp. Across the country of 19 million, smaller protests have been taking place since Sunday, beginning in Zhanaozen in Mangystau. Watch | State of emergency declared in Kazakhstan after protests over rising fuel prices turned violent To begin with, an increase in LPG prices in hydrocarbon-rich Mangystau sparked the unrest, though a government move to lower the prices failed to calm the protesters. President Qasym-Jomart Tokayev tweeted late on Tuesday that authorities had decided to lower LPG prices in Mangystau "to ensure stability." Правительство в рамках данных ему полномочий в целях обеспечения стабильности в стране приняло решение снизить в Мангистауской области цену за сжиженный газ до 50 тенге за литр. — Qasym-Jomart Toqayev (@TokayevKZ) January 4, 2022 × According to independent media reports, his announcement of a new price of 50 tenges per litre (11 US cents), down from 120 at the beginning of the year, barely dampened protests in Zhanaozen and Aktau, the capital of Mangystau. Small spontaneous marches and arrests of activists were reported in Nur-Sultan, the national capital. Mangystau relies on cheap LPG as the main fuel for its automobiles, and any jump in prices would have affected food prices, which have risen steeply since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid protests over fuel price hike, Kazakhstan declares state of emergency in cities hit by unrest

UN officials are alarmed by a surge in arrests since Ethiopia introduced a state of emergency on November 2. Within just a matter of two weeks, more than 1000 people have been arrested.

The UN human rights office said Tuesday that most of those detained in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, Gondar, Bahir Dar, and other locations are Tigrayans.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-lies-ahead-for-ethiopia-as-war-enters-second-year-428831">In Pics - What lies ahead for Ethiopia as war enters second year</a>

"According to reports, at least 1,000 individuals are believed to have been detained... with some reports putting the figure much higher," spokeswoman Liz Throssell told reporters in Geneva.

The arrests have occurred since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government declared a state of emergency two weeks ago when Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters threatened to march on the capital.

In addition, lawyers say that thousands of Tigrayans have been arbitrarily detained since the government announced the measures, which allow officials to detain without a warrant anyone suspected of supporting "terrorist groups".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-authorities-round-up-high-profile-tigrayans-including-bank-ceos-and-un-staff-428435">Ethiopian authorities round up high-profile Tigrayans, including bank CEOs and UN staff</a>

A number of UN employees are among those arrested since the state of emergency was declared.

In a statement released by Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres again called for the immediate release of the employees.

"As far as the Secretary-General is aware, the staff members are being held without charge, and no specific information has been provided regarding the reasons for their arrest," Dujarric said.

Watch |&nbsp;Ethiopia: Ethiopian police detains ethnic Tigrayans on suspicion

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Throssell said 10 local UN staff, as well as 34 UN subcontracted drivers, are still in detention.

"We call for all those still in detention to be immediately released," she said, adding that if that does not happen, "a court or other independent and impartial tribunal should review the reasons for their detention, or they should be formally charged".
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According to her, it is "challenging" for the remaining UN rights agency staff to do their work, adding that "we have reports of at least 1,000 people detained" but are not able to provide a more definite number.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/absolutely-ridiculous-rebels-in-ethiopia-play-down-reports-of-causing-bloodbath-427500">'Absolutely ridiculous': Rebels in Ethiopia play down reports of causing 'bloodbath'</a>

In general, she said, detention conditions were poor, with many detainees being held in overcrowded police stations.

Many of those detained had reportedly not even been informed of the reason for their detention, let alone charged formally.

"We are also concerned at reports of ill-treatment in detention," she said, adding that even though they had no specific evidence of torture, the reports were still concerning.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: 70 women raped in Ethiopia's Amhara region

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-70-women-raped-in-ethiopias-amhara-region-428564/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

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The conflict between Ethiopian authorities and the TPLF has killed thousands, displaced over two million people, and left hundreds of thousands in famine-like conditions over the past year.

All sides involved in the conflict have committed serious human rights violations, according to the UN.
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UN officials are alarmed by a surge in arrests since Ethiopia introduced a state of emergency on November 2. Within just a matter of two weeks, more than 1000 people have been arrested.

UN officials are alarmed by a surge in arrests since Ethiopia introduced a state of emergency on November 2. Within just a matter of two weeks, more than 1000 people have been arrested. The UN human rights office said Tuesday that most of those detained in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, Gondar, Bahir Dar, and other locations are Tigrayans. Also read | In Pics - What lies ahead for Ethiopia as war enters second year "According to reports, at least 1,000 individuals are believed to have been detained... with some reports putting the figure much higher," spokeswoman Liz Throssell told reporters in Geneva. The arrests have occurred since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government declared a state of emergency two weeks ago when Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters threatened to march on the capital. In addition, lawyers say that thousands of Tigrayans have been arbitrarily detained since the government announced the measures, which allow officials to detain without a warrant anyone suspected of supporting "terrorist groups". Also read | Ethiopian authorities round up high-profile Tigrayans, including bank CEOs and UN staff A number of UN employees are among those arrested since the state of emergency was declared. In a statement released by Stephane Dujarric, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres again called for the immediate release of the employees. "As far as the Secretary-General is aware, the staff members are being held without charge, and no specific information has been provided regarding the reasons for their arrest," Dujarric said. Watch | Ethiopia: Ethiopian police detains ethnic Tigrayans on suspicion Throssell said 10 local UN staff, as well as 34 UN subcontracted drivers, are still in detention. "We call for all those still in detention to be immediately released," she said, adding that if that does not happen, "a court or other independent and impartial tribunal should review the reasons for their detention, or they should be formally charged". According to her, it is "challenging" for the remaining UN rights agency staff to do their work, adding that "we have reports of at least 1,000 people detained" but are not able to provide a more definite number. Also read | 'Absolutely ridiculous': Rebels in Ethiopia play down reports of causing 'bloodbath' In general, she said, detention conditions were poor, with many detainees being held in overcrowded police stations. Many of those detained had reportedly not even been informed of the reason for their detention, let alone charged formally. "We are also concerned at reports of ill-treatment in detention," she said, adding that even though they had no specific evidence of torture, the reports were still concerning. Watch | Gravitas: 70 women raped in Ethiopia's Amhara region The conflict between Ethiopian authorities and the TPLF has killed thousands, displaced over two million people, and left hundreds of thousands in famine-like conditions over the past year. All sides involved in the conflict have committed serious human rights violations, according to the UN.

Ethiopia state of emergency: With over 1000 arrested in just two weeks, UN raises alarm

Residents of Addis Ababa have been ordered to defend their neighbourhoods, this comes amid fears that rebels were heading for the capital, the measure comes after several days of reported advances of the rebel group.

Ethiopia: Addis Ababa residents asked to prepare to defend their rights

The Ethiopian federal government declared a nationwide state of emergency Tuesday, as fighters from the northern region of Tigray threatened to march towards the Capital.

Ethiopia declares state of emergency as TLPF rebels gain ground

Ethiopia’s government has declared a national state of emergency as rival Tigray forces threaten to move on the capital and the country’s year-long civil war escalates.

Ethiopia faces nationwide emergency as TLPF rebels make way toward capital

Malaysia's king Tuesday declared a nationwide state of emergency to fight a surge in coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm the country's healthcare system.

Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah "is of the opinion that the Covid-19 outbreak in the country is at a very critical stage and that there was a need for the emergency," said a statement from the national palace.

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Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had requested an emergency be declared in a meeting with the King on Monday, the statement said.&nbsp;

It will last until August 1 but could be lifted earlier if the rate of new infections slows, it added.&nbsp;

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An emergency declaration allows for the suspension of parliament and political activities at a time when Muhyiddin's 10-month old government looks increasingly unstable, and is likely to spark criticism he is undermining democracy.

It came a day after Muhyiddin announced strict new curbs across more than half the country, including ordering people to stay at home for all but essential purposes and the closure of most businesses.

He warned the healthcare system was "at breaking point".

Malaysia's king Tuesday declared a nationwide state of emergency to fight a surge in coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm the country's healthcare system.

Malaysia's king Tuesday declared a nationwide state of emergency to fight a surge in coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm the country's healthcare system. Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah "is of the opinion that the Covid-19 outbreak in the country is at a very critical stage and that there was a need for the emergency," said a statement from the national palace. Also read| Flooding in Malaysia worsens, 46,000 displaced Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had requested an emergency be declared in a meeting with the King on Monday, the statement said. It will last until August 1 but could be lifted earlier if the rate of new infections slows, it added. Also read| Singapore and Malaysia scrap high speed railway after delays An emergency declaration allows for the suspension of parliament and political activities at a time when Muhyiddin's 10-month old government looks increasingly unstable, and is likely to spark criticism he is undermining democracy. It came a day after Muhyiddin announced strict new curbs across more than half the country, including ordering people to stay at home for all but essential purposes and the closure of most businesses. He warned the healthcare system was "at breaking point".

Malaysian king declares state of emergency to fight virus

The outgoing&nbsp;US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has declared a state of emergency in Washington a few days after his supporters marched into the Capitol building to destroy government property and protest against the US election results.

The news broke out in the late hours of Monday through a&nbsp;White House press office. The release claims the decision has been taken to make sure no such incident takes place in future as the inauguration ceremony for Joe Biden is scheduled to take place next week.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-warns-armed-trump-supporters-could-hold-protests-in-all-50-states-ahead-of-bidens-inauguration-356130" hreflang="en">FBI warns armed Trump supporters could hold protests in all 50 states</a>

"Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that an emergency exists in the District of Columbia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement the District’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from the 59th Presidential Inauguration from January 11 to January 24, 2021," the release states.

Through this action, the President has given authority to the&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to "coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the District of Columbia."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/days-after-capitol-riots-donald-trump-and-mike-pence-meet-in-oval-office-sources-356142">Days after Capitol riots, Donald trump and Mike Pence meet in Oval Office</a>

Further, FEMA can identify, mobilise and use discretion to provide resources and equipment to prevent any impacts of violence or situations of emergency. "Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 100 percent Federal funding."

This decision has come hours after&nbsp;he acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, resigned from his post due to the violence at the Capitol a week. ago. Following his rsignation, the White House press release states&nbsp;Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. Fargione as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-donald-trump-be-impeached-356125">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-donald-trump-be-impeached-356125/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">The decision has also come a few hours after the FBI&nbsp;warned that armed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-introduce-trump-impeachment-article-in-us-house-356120">Trump</a>&nbsp;supporters could hold protests in all 50 states between the coming weekend and January 20 when the president-elect Joe Biden takes the oath.</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Following this warning, the Pentagon has also authorised&nbsp;15,000 National Guard troops to be deployed in the capital city to make sure no more riots take place, especially in the next one week.&nbsp;Chief of the defence department's National Guard Bureau Daniel Hokanson said that at least 6,200 have already been deployed in capital Washington with another 10,000 planned deployment over the weekend.</div>

The outgoing US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Washington a few days after his supporters marched into the Capitol building to destroy government property and protest against the US election results.

The outgoing US President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Washington a few days after his supporters marched into the Capitol building to destroy government property and protest against the US election results. The news broke out in the late hours of Monday through a White House press office. The release claims the decision has been taken to make sure no such incident takes place in future as the inauguration ceremony for Joe Biden is scheduled to take place next week. Also read| FBI warns armed Trump supporters could hold protests in all 50 states "Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that an emergency exists in the District of Columbia and ordered Federal assistance to supplement the District’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from the 59th Presidential Inauguration from January 11 to January 24, 2021," the release states. Through this action, the President has given authority to the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to "coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the District of Columbia." Also read| Days after Capitol riots, Donald trump and Mike Pence meet in Oval Office Further, FEMA can identify, mobilise and use discretion to provide resources and equipment to prevent any impacts of violence or situations of emergency. "Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 100 percent Federal funding." This decision has come hours after he acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, resigned from his post due to the violence at the Capitol a week. ago. Following his rsignation, the White House press release states Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. Fargione as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area. WATCH| The decision has also come a few hours after the FBI warned that armed Trump supporters could hold protests in all 50 states between the coming weekend and January 20 when the president-elect Joe Biden takes the oath. Following this warning, the Pentagon has also authorised 15,000 National Guard troops to be deployed in the capital city to make sure no more riots take place, especially in the next one week. Chief of the defence department's National Guard Bureau Daniel Hokanson said that at least 6,200 have already been deployed in capital Washington with another 10,000 planned deployment over the weekend.

Ahead of Biden's inauguration, Trump approves emergency declaration for Washington

The Brazilian city of Manaus in the heart of the Amazon has declared a 180-day state of emergency due to a surge of new cases of coronavirus, according to a statement.

The decree enables the municipal government to temporarily contract personnel, services and material without public tenders.

A separate decree suspends authorization for events and revokes those already granted, while a third establishes telecommuting for non-essential municipal employees through March.

"We are adopting all the necessary measures to contribute decisively to the fight against COVID-19, especially at this moment in which the city is registering an increase in cases and, unfortunately, deaths," Mayor David Almeida was quoted as saying in the statement.

Manaus was one of the first Brazilian cities slammed by the pandemic early last year, when hospitals turned away patients and the city cemetery was forced to bury people in mass graves.

This week, people again complained on social media of overcrowding in hospitals with patients awaiting treatment on stretchers in corridors.

Hospitals have reinstalled refrigerated containers outside their facilities to hold the corpses of COVID-19 victims.

The city of about 2.2 million has recorded about 3,400 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

The Brazilian city of Manaus in the heart of the Amazon has declared a 180-day state of emergency due to a surge of new cases of coronavirus, according to a statement.

The Brazilian city of Manaus in the heart of the Amazon has declared a 180-day state of emergency due to a surge of new cases of coronavirus, according to a statement. The decree enables the municipal government to temporarily contract personnel, services and material without public tenders. A separate decree suspends authorization for events and revokes those already granted, while a third establishes telecommuting for non-essential municipal employees through March. "We are adopting all the necessary measures to contribute decisively to the fight against COVID-19, especially at this moment in which the city is registering an increase in cases and, unfortunately, deaths," Mayor David Almeida was quoted as saying in the statement. Manaus was one of the first Brazilian cities slammed by the pandemic early last year, when hospitals turned away patients and the city cemetery was forced to bury people in mass graves. This week, people again complained on social media of overcrowding in hospitals with patients awaiting treatment on stretchers in corridors. Hospitals have reinstalled refrigerated containers outside their facilities to hold the corpses of COVID-19 victims. The city of about 2.2 million has recorded about 3,400 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Covid-19: Brazilian city in Amazon declares 180-day state of emergency

Violence escalates in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. PM said Illegal Activities are happening in regional state Tigray.

Ethiopia: Trigary placed under state of emergency | WION News | World News

Barcelona police deployed 160 officers overnight as a new curfew came into effect on Sunday (October 25) evening from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Public squares, parks and beaches were empty, except a few who were approached by police.

Barcelona police patrol streets to enforce nighttime curfew

Sudan is in a state of emergency after authorities declared the country a disaster zone last week because of heavy flooding that's killed around 100 people and inundated over 100,000 houses since late July.

Sudan declares state of emergency over deadly flood, more than 100 people killed

&nbsp;Australia's second most populous state Victoria on Sunday extended its state of emergency for four more weeks to July 19, as it battles a spike in coronavirus infections with a pick-up in community transmission.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-brazil-nears-50000-deaths-experts-fear-real-number-to-be-much-higher-307409" hreflang="en">Coronavirus: Brazil nears 50,000 deaths; experts fear real number to be much higher</a>

The move came a day after the state announced it would reimpose restrictions capping visitors to households to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10, starting Monday. The limits had been relaxed on June 1 to allow up to 20 people in households and public gatherings.

Victoria reported 19 new infections on Sunday, the fifth day of double digit-rises. The state has now had 1,836 total confirmed cases, or a quarter of the cases in Australia, since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-to-allow-british-tourists-to-visit-from-sunday-without-need-for-quarantine-spanish-foreign-minister-307363" hreflang="en">Spain to allow British tourists to visit from Sunday without need for quarantine: Spanish foreign minister</a>

Sunday's tally in Victoria included an Australia Rules football player, the first in the league to test positive, whose team and coaching staff have been told to isolate.

The surge in Victoria has alarmed other states, which have had only a few, if any, new cases for several weeks. Western Australia, which shut its borders in April, said it would weigh Victoria's situation in determining when to reopen its borders.

Australian health officials, however, still see no need to require use of face masks, as they would have limited value in a country where absolute numbers of community transmission remain "very low", deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said.

Avoiding hugging and kissing was "arguably far more important than, say, wearing masks", he said.

Victorian state health minister Jenny Mikakos said 210 of the state's cases are believed tied to community transmission, partly blaming families who have had parties, lunches and dinners attended by people with mild symptoms since restrictions were eased on June 1.

"We obviously have been concerned by the increasing numbers that we have seen in recent days. It is still a very serious situation," Mikakos said at a televised media conference in Melbourne.

State police said they planned to step up enforcement efforts, especially in suburbs where there have been breakouts and patrolling ski resorts and camper-van parks during the upcoming school holidays.

Individuals caught breaching restrictions face fines of up to A$1,652 ($1,129) for individuals and A$9,913 for businesses.

"This is not the time to be complacent," Victoria's police minister, Lisa Neville, told reporters.

The Australian Industry Group, which represents a wide range of employers, said Victoria's tightening of restrictions again, including extending working from home through to the end of July, would make it harder for businesses to reopen later.

"The economic impact unfortunately will be hard and harsh," Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox said.

Australia's second most populous state Victoria on Sunday extended its state of emergency for four more weeks to July 19, as it battles a spike in coronavirus infections with a pick-up in community transmission.

Australia's second most populous state Victoria on Sunday extended its state of emergency for four more weeks to July 19, as it battles a spike in coronavirus infections with a pick-up in community transmission. Also read: Coronavirus: Brazil nears 50,000 deaths; experts fear real number to be much higher The move came a day after the state announced it would reimpose restrictions capping visitors to households to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10, starting Monday. The limits had been relaxed on June 1 to allow up to 20 people in households and public gatherings. Victoria reported 19 new infections on Sunday, the fifth day of double digit-rises. The state has now had 1,836 total confirmed cases, or a quarter of the cases in Australia, since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. Also read: Spain to allow British tourists to visit from Sunday without need for quarantine: Spanish foreign minister Sunday's tally in Victoria included an Australia Rules football player, the first in the league to test positive, whose team and coaching staff have been told to isolate. The surge in Victoria has alarmed other states, which have had only a few, if any, new cases for several weeks. Western Australia, which shut its borders in April, said it would weigh Victoria's situation in determining when to reopen its borders. Australian health officials, however, still see no need to require use of face masks, as they would have limited value in a country where absolute numbers of community transmission remain "very low", deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said. Avoiding hugging and kissing was "arguably far more important than, say, wearing masks", he said. Victorian state health minister Jenny Mikakos said 210 of the state's cases are believed tied to community transmission, partly blaming families who have had parties, lunches and dinners attended by people with mild symptoms since restrictions were eased on June 1. "We obviously have been concerned by the increasing numbers that we have seen in recent days. It is still a very serious situation," Mikakos said at a televised media conference in Melbourne. State police said they planned to step up enforcement efforts, especially in suburbs where there have been breakouts and patrolling ski resorts and camper-van parks during the upcoming school holidays. Individuals caught breaching restrictions face fines of up to A$1,652 ($1,129) for individuals and A$9,913 for businesses. "This is not the time to be complacent," Victoria's police minister, Lisa Neville, told reporters. The Australian Industry Group, which represents a wide range of employers, said Victoria's tightening of restrictions again, including extending working from home through to the end of July, would make it harder for businesses to reopen later. "The economic impact unfortunately will be hard and harsh," Ai Group chief executive Innes Willox said.

Australian state extends state of emergency as coronavirus cases spike

23 inches of snow piled up in Albany city, New york declares state of emergency, a storm raging across the U.S.

Northeast U.S. faces record high snowfall

Clashes broke out between protesters and police in Ecuador after President Lenin Moreno <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-declares-state-of-emergency-as-fuel-protesters-battle-police-253617">declared a state of emergency</a> Thursday following demonstrations against rising fuel prices due to the government scrapping subsidies.

Police fired tear gas at protesters who threw stones and firebombs close to the seat of government in the historic centre of the capital Quito.

Moreno told reporters he had taken the measure "to safeguard the security of citizens and to avoid chaos."

The protests -- the largest in a decade -- were led by the transport sector but included students and other groups.

They paralyzed public transportation in some areas, while clashes between police and demonstrators blocked roads.

More than 21 police officers had been injured in the violence while 277 people had been arrested for "vandalism," said defence minister Oswaldo Jarrin.&nbsp;

No figures were available for the total number of people wounded but some press photographers were hurt during the clashes.

The demonstrations came in response to increases of up to 120 per cent in fuel prices, which came into force on Thursday after the government eliminated subsidies as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to obtain loans despite its high public debt.

The subsidies were costing the government $1.3 billion a year.

The IMF agreement, signed in March, allowed Ecuador to borrow $4.2 billion.

Moreno blames the deterioration in the country's finances on his predecessor, Rafael Correa, who has sought asylum in Belgium.

He is wanted back home on suspicion of kidnapping a political opponent in 2012 during his 10-year presidency.

The emergency measure allows the government to restrict movement, to employ the armed forces to maintain order and to censor the press.

It will be in place for 60 days, after which it can be extended for a further 30 days, the government said.

School suspensions were extended into Friday, while buses and taxis stopped operating in Quito and other large cities.

Unions and indigenous organizations are also planning protests.

Moreno said he would not allow protesters to "impose chaos," and also called for an end to "acts of vandalism and acts of violence."

Between 1996 and 2007, mass street protests forced the resignation of three presidents -- a turbulent period in which Ecuador had a total of seven holders of its highest office.

Clashes broke out between protesters and police in Ecuador after President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency Thursday following demonstrations against rising fuel prices due to the government scrapping subsidies.

Clashes broke out between protesters and police in Ecuador after President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency Thursday following demonstrations against rising fuel prices due to the government scrapping subsidies. Police fired tear gas at protesters who threw stones and firebombs close to the seat of government in the historic centre of the capital Quito. Moreno told reporters he had taken the measure "to safeguard the security of citizens and to avoid chaos." The protests -- the largest in a decade -- were led by the transport sector but included students and other groups. They paralyzed public transportation in some areas, while clashes between police and demonstrators blocked roads. More than 21 police officers had been injured in the violence while 277 people had been arrested for "vandalism," said defence minister Oswaldo Jarrin. No figures were available for the total number of people wounded but some press photographers were hurt during the clashes. The demonstrations came in response to increases of up to 120 per cent in fuel prices, which came into force on Thursday after the government eliminated subsidies as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to obtain loans despite its high public debt. The subsidies were costing the government $1.3 billion a year. The IMF agreement, signed in March, allowed Ecuador to borrow $4.2 billion. Moreno blames the deterioration in the country's finances on his predecessor, Rafael Correa, who has sought asylum in Belgium. He is wanted back home on suspicion of kidnapping a political opponent in 2012 during his 10-year presidency. The emergency measure allows the government to restrict movement, to employ the armed forces to maintain order and to censor the press. It will be in place for 60 days, after which it can be extended for a further 30 days, the government said. School suspensions were extended into Friday, while buses and taxis stopped operating in Quito and other large cities. Unions and indigenous organizations are also planning protests. Moreno said he would not allow protesters to "impose chaos," and also called for an end to "acts of vandalism and acts of violence." Between 1996 and 2007, mass street protests forced the resignation of three presidents -- a turbulent period in which Ecuador had a total of seven holders of its highest office.

Clashes as Ecuador president declares state of emergency

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency on Thursday as protesters hurled stones and erected burning barricades after the end of decades-old fuel subsidies as part of a $2 billion government fiscal reform package.

Police responded with tear gas in the worst unrest for years in the oil-producing Andean nation.

"Down with the package!" demonstrators shouted, referring to measures enacted this week as Moreno puts Ecuador on a centrist, market-friendly path after years of leftist rule.

With the fuel subsidy cut taking effect on Thursday, taxi, bus and truck drivers blocked streets from early morning in the highland capital Quito and in Guayaquil on the Pacific coast.

Indigenous groups, students and unions joined the action, barricading roads with rocks and burning tires.

In Quito, masked youths faced off with riot police who drove them back with tear gas and deployed armoured vehicles.

"It's an indefinite action until the government overturns the decree on subsidies. We're paralysing the nation," said bus transport leader Abel Gomez.

Officials say the elimination of fuel subsidies was necessary to lift a struggling economy and stop smuggling.

Moreno, who won election in 2017 to replace Rafael Correa, told reporters the "perverse" and highly costly subsidy, in place for 40 years, had distorted the economy and protests would not be allowed to paralyse Ecuador.

"To ensure citizens' security and avoid chaos, I have ordered a national state of emergency," the president said of the measure that suspends some rights and empowers the military to keep order.

"I have the courage to make the right decisions for the nation."

Diesel prices rose from $1.03 to $2.30 per gallon while gasoline rose from $1.85 to $2.39.

As darkness fell, several thousand marchers headed for the presidential palace in downtown Quito, which was ringed by police and soldiers. The protesters were eventually dispersed.

Looting and arrests

In Guayaquil, several shops were looted, authorities said. In Ecuador's third city, Cuenca, the local opposition mayor led a protest.

Early in the day, Interior Minister Maria Romo said 19 people were arrested, but that number was expected to rise.

Speaking mid-evening on a visit to Guayaquil, Moreno said that violent unrest was "almost totally" under control and praised security forces for restoring order.

With a population of more than 17 million people, Ecuador has a long history of political instability. Street protests toppled three presidents during economic turmoil in the decade before Correa took power in 2007.

Ecuador hopes to save about $1.5 billion a year from eliminating fuel subsidies. Along with tax reforms, the government would benefit by about $2.27 billion.

Earlier this week, Ecuador announced it was leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to pump more oil and raise revenues.

Ecuador pumps nearly 550,000 barrels per day.

State energy company Petroecuador said oil facilities were operating normally despite Thursday's unrest.

The government wants to reduce the fiscal deficit from an estimated $3.6 billion this year to under $1 billion in 2020.

Ecuador's debt grew under Correa, who endorsed Moreno in the 2017 election but has since become a critic of his successor's turn toward more market-friendly economic policies.

Moreno's government has improved relations with the United States and reached a $4.2 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in February, dependent on unspecified structural changes.

Scepticism of the IMF runs strong in Ecuador and throughout Latin America, where many blame austerity policies for economic hardship.

"We'll close all the main roads," said taxi driver Sergio Menoscal, 55, helping to block streets in Guayaquil.

"We're tired of false promises ... we can't be blind to a government that has done nothing for the people."

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency on Thursday as protesters hurled stones and erected burning barricades after the end of decades-old fuel subsidies as part of a $2 billion government fiscal reform package.

Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno declared a state of emergency on Thursday as protesters hurled stones and erected burning barricades after the end of decades-old fuel subsidies as part of a $2 billion government fiscal reform package. Police responded with tear gas in the worst unrest for years in the oil-producing Andean nation. "Down with the package!" demonstrators shouted, referring to measures enacted this week as Moreno puts Ecuador on a centrist, market-friendly path after years of leftist rule. With the fuel subsidy cut taking effect on Thursday, taxi, bus and truck drivers blocked streets from early morning in the highland capital Quito and in Guayaquil on the Pacific coast. Indigenous groups, students and unions joined the action, barricading roads with rocks and burning tires. In Quito, masked youths faced off with riot police who drove them back with tear gas and deployed armoured vehicles. "It's an indefinite action until the government overturns the decree on subsidies. We're paralysing the nation," said bus transport leader Abel Gomez. Officials say the elimination of fuel subsidies was necessary to lift a struggling economy and stop smuggling. Moreno, who won election in 2017 to replace Rafael Correa, told reporters the "perverse" and highly costly subsidy, in place for 40 years, had distorted the economy and protests would not be allowed to paralyse Ecuador. "To ensure citizens' security and avoid chaos, I have ordered a national state of emergency," the president said of the measure that suspends some rights and empowers the military to keep order. "I have the courage to make the right decisions for the nation." Diesel prices rose from $1.03 to $2.30 per gallon while gasoline rose from $1.85 to $2.39. As darkness fell, several thousand marchers headed for the presidential palace in downtown Quito, which was ringed by police and soldiers. The protesters were eventually dispersed. Looting and arrests In Guayaquil, several shops were looted, authorities said. In Ecuador's third city, Cuenca, the local opposition mayor led a protest. Early in the day, Interior Minister Maria Romo said 19 people were arrested, but that number was expected to rise. Speaking mid-evening on a visit to Guayaquil, Moreno said that violent unrest was "almost totally" under control and praised security forces for restoring order. With a population of more than 17 million people, Ecuador has a long history of political instability. Street protests toppled three presidents during economic turmoil in the decade before Correa took power in 2007. Ecuador hopes to save about $1.5 billion a year from eliminating fuel subsidies. Along with tax reforms, the government would benefit by about $2.27 billion. Earlier this week, Ecuador announced it was leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to pump more oil and raise revenues. Ecuador pumps nearly 550,000 barrels per day. State energy company Petroecuador said oil facilities were operating normally despite Thursday's unrest. The government wants to reduce the fiscal deficit from an estimated $3.6 billion this year to under $1 billion in 2020. Ecuador's debt grew under Correa, who endorsed Moreno in the 2017 election but has since become a critic of his successor's turn toward more market-friendly economic policies. Moreno's government has improved relations with the United States and reached a $4.2 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in February, dependent on unspecified structural changes. Scepticism of the IMF runs strong in Ecuador and throughout Latin America, where many blame austerity policies for economic hardship. "We'll close all the main roads," said taxi driver Sergio Menoscal, 55, helping to block streets in Guayaquil. "We're tired of false promises ... we can't be blind to a government that has done nothing for the people."

Ecuador declares state of emergency as fuel protesters battle police

Tunisia's interim President Mohamed Ennaceur extended on Saturday the nationwide state of emergency until the end of 2019 in view of the upcoming presidential election, the head of the state's office said in a statement Saturday.

Tunisia has been in a state of emergency since November 2015 following a terrorist attack on a beach hotel that killed 38 people. The government has been extending it ever since.

In July, two suicide bombers staged separate attacks on police in Tunisia, killing at least one police officer and injuring nine people.

In early August, the state of emergency was extended for another month.

Late Tunisian President Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi died on July 25 at the age of 92. The same day, Ennaceur, Tunisia's parliamentary speaker, was sworn in as acting president. The first round of the snap presidential election is scheduled for September 15. 
&nbsp;

Tunisia's interim President Mohamed Ennaceur extended on Saturday the nationwide state of emergency until the end of 2019 in view of the upcoming presidential election, the head of the state's office said in a statement Saturday.

Tunisia's interim President Mohamed Ennaceur extended on Saturday the nationwide state of emergency until the end of 2019 in view of the upcoming presidential election, the head of the state's office said in a statement Saturday. Tunisia has been in a state of emergency since November 2015 following a terrorist attack on a beach hotel that killed 38 people. The government has been extending it ever since. In July, two suicide bombers staged separate attacks on police in Tunisia, killing at least one police officer and injuring nine people. In early August, the state of emergency was extended for another month. Late Tunisian President Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi died on July 25 at the age of 92. The same day, Ennaceur, Tunisia's parliamentary speaker, was sworn in as acting president. The first round of the snap presidential election is scheduled for September 15.

Tunisia extends nationwide state of emergency until year end ahead of presidential vote

Lima has declared a state of emergency after new wave of heavy rains and floods hit the city over the past three days, killing at least a dozen people. Watch full video to know more.

State of emergency in Lima as dozens killed in floods

The French government will consider imposing a state of emergency to prevent a recurrence of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-clash-with-yellow-vest-protesters-in-paris-169-arrested-180785">France's worst riots</a> in years, but while it is open to dialogue it will not change course, its spokesman said on Sunday.

Masked, black-clad groups ran amok across central Paris on Saturday, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and fighting police in the worst unrest the capital has seen since 1968, posing the most formidable challenge Emmanuel Macron has faced in his 18-month-old presidency.

Disturbances also rocked several cities and towns and across France - from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south.

"We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents don't happen again," government spokeswoman Benjamin Griveaux told Europe 1 radio.

The popular rebellion erupted out of nowhere on Nov. 17 and has spread quickly via social media, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots.

The protests began as a backlash against Macron's fuel tax hikes, but have mined a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt towards the 40-year-old's liberal economic reforms, which many voters feel favour the wealthy and big business.

Authorities were caught off guard by Saturday's escalation in violence overshadowing the spontaneous protest movement, dubbed the "yellow vests" because many participants are wearing the fluorescent safety jackets kept in all cars in France.

In Paris, police said they had arrested more than 400 people while 133 were injured, including 23 members of the security forces. Police fired stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon at protesters at the top of the Champs-Elysees boulevard, at the Tuilleries Garden near the Louvre museum and other sites.

MACRON CHAIRS&nbsp;EMERGENCY MEET

Macron will hold an emergency meeting with the prime minister and interior minister later on Sunday to discuss the riots and how to begin dialogue with the "gilets jaunes" (yellow vests), who have no real structure or leadership.

When asked about imposing a state of emergency, Griveaux said it would be among the options considered on Sunday.

"It is out of the question that each weekend becomes a meeting or ritual for violence."

Griveaux urged the yellow vest movement to disassociate itself from the radical groups that had instigated the violence, organise itself and come to the negotiating table. However, he ruled out a change in government policy.

"We won't change course. It's the right direction. We are certain of that," he said.

Authorities said violent groups from the far right and far left as well as "thugs" from the suburbs had infiltrated the yellow vests movement in Paris on Saturday, though Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said most of those arrested were regular protesters who had been egged on by fringe groups.

Speaking on BFM TV late on Saturday, Castaner said the authorities had put all security measures in place to forestall disturbances, but that they had faced extremely violent, organised and determined groups.

He did however say the government had made a mistake in how it communicated its plans to move away from oil dependence, the policy which led to fuel tax hikes.

Paul Marra, a yellow vest activist in Marseille, told BFM TV that the government was to blame for the violence across the country. "We condemn what happened, but it was inevitable. The violence started from the top. The biggest thug is the state through its inaction."

The French government will consider imposing a state of emergency to prevent a recurrence of France's worst riots in years, but while it is open to dialogue it will not change course, its spokesman said on Sunday.

The French government will consider imposing a state of emergency to prevent a recurrence of France's worst riots in years, but while it is open to dialogue it will not change course, its spokesman said on Sunday. Masked, black-clad groups ran amok across central Paris on Saturday, torching cars and buildings, looting shops, smashing windows and fighting police in the worst unrest the capital has seen since 1968, posing the most formidable challenge Emmanuel Macron has faced in his 18-month-old presidency. Disturbances also rocked several cities and towns and across France - from Charleville Mezieres in the northeast to Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south. "We have to think about the measures that can be taken so that these incidents don't happen again," government spokeswoman Benjamin Griveaux told Europe 1 radio. The popular rebellion erupted out of nowhere on Nov. 17 and has spread quickly via social media, with protesters blocking roads across France and impeding access to shopping malls, factories and some fuel depots. The protests began as a backlash against Macron's fuel tax hikes, but have mined a vein of deep dissatisfaction felt towards the 40-year-old's liberal economic reforms, which many voters feel favour the wealthy and big business. Authorities were caught off guard by Saturday's escalation in violence overshadowing the spontaneous protest movement, dubbed the "yellow vests" because many participants are wearing the fluorescent safety jackets kept in all cars in France. In Paris, police said they had arrested more than 400 people while 133 were injured, including 23 members of the security forces. Police fired stun grenades, tear gas and water cannon at protesters at the top of the Champs-Elysees boulevard, at the Tuilleries Garden near the Louvre museum and other sites. MACRON CHAIRS EMERGENCY MEET Macron will hold an emergency meeting with the prime minister and interior minister later on Sunday to discuss the riots and how to begin dialogue with the "gilets jaunes" (yellow vests), who have no real structure or leadership. When asked about imposing a state of emergency, Griveaux said it would be among the options considered on Sunday. "It is out of the question that each weekend becomes a meeting or ritual for violence." Griveaux urged the yellow vest movement to disassociate itself from the radical groups that had instigated the violence, organise itself and come to the negotiating table. However, he ruled out a change in government policy. "We won't change course. It's the right direction. We are certain of that," he said. Authorities said violent groups from the far right and far left as well as "thugs" from the suburbs had infiltrated the yellow vests movement in Paris on Saturday, though Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said most of those arrested were regular protesters who had been egged on by fringe groups. Speaking on BFM TV late on Saturday, Castaner said the authorities had put all security measures in place to forestall disturbances, but that they had faced extremely violent, organised and determined groups. He did however say the government had made a mistake in how it communicated its plans to move away from oil dependence, the policy which led to fuel tax hikes. Paul Marra, a yellow vest activist in Marseille, told BFM TV that the government was to blame for the violence across the country. "We condemn what happened, but it was inevitable. The violence started from the top. The biggest thug is the state through its inaction."

France mulls state of emergency after Paris riots, won't change policy

More than 1,100 people have been arrested in Ethiopia since the nation declared a state of emergency following the prime minister's resignation last month, state media reported today.

Hailemariam Desalegn's surprise resignation came after more than two years of anti-government protests and increasing divisions in the ruling party.

The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has for the first time picked an ethnic Oromo, Abiy Ahmed, to be its new leader.

He is set to be sworn in as prime minister early next week.

The state-affiliated Fana Broadcast Corporate said 1,107 people have been detained for violating the emergency decree, which suspends the constitution and allows police to hold people without trial.

"They were detained for killing peaceful civilians and security forces, setting houses and financial institutions ablaze, illicit movement of firearms, destroying government and public institutions (and) blocking roads," Fana reported, citing Tadesse

Hordofa, chairman of a board overseeing the decree.

Ethiopia spiralled into crisis in late 2015 when the country's largest ethnicity the Oromo began protesting a plan to expand the borders of the capital Addis Ababa into the surrounding Oromia region.

A 10-month state of emergency declared in October 2016 quelled the unrest but only after hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests.

The arrests under the latest state of emergency were mainly in Oromia, but also in the Amhara region, where anti-government sentiment is also strong, the broadcaster reported.&nbsp

Hailemariam Desalegn's surprise resignation came after more than two years of anti-government protests and increasing divisions in the ruling party

More than 1,100 people have been arrested in Ethiopia since the nation declared a state of emergency following the prime minister's resignation last month, state media reported today. Hailemariam Desalegn's surprise resignation came after more than two years of anti-government protests and increasing divisions in the ruling party. The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has for the first time picked an ethnic Oromo, Abiy Ahmed, to be its new leader. He is set to be sworn in as prime minister early next week. The state-affiliated Fana Broadcast Corporate said 1,107 people have been detained for violating the emergency decree, which suspends the constitution and allows police to hold people without trial. "They were detained for killing peaceful civilians and security forces, setting houses and financial institutions ablaze, illicit movement of firearms, destroying government and public institutions (and) blocking roads," Fana reported, citing Tadesse Hordofa, chairman of a board overseeing the decree. Ethiopia spiralled into crisis in late 2015 when the country's largest ethnicity the Oromo began protesting a plan to expand the borders of the capital Addis Ababa into the surrounding Oromia region. A 10-month state of emergency declared in October 2016 quelled the unrest but only after hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of arrests. The arrests under the latest state of emergency were mainly in Oromia, but also in the Amhara region, where anti-government sentiment is also strong, the broadcaster reported.

Over 1,100 arrested under Ethiopia state of emergency

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday he had lifted a nationwide state of emergency imposed on March 6 after Buddhist-Muslim clashes.

&ldquo;Upon assessing the public safety situation, I instructed to revoke the State of Emergency from midnight yesterday,&rdquo; Mr Sirisena said on his Twitter feed.

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Returned from a very successful tour of Japan, that brings many short and long terms benefits to us. Upon assessing the public safety situation, I instructed to revoke the State of Emergency from midnight yesterday.
&mdash; Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaithripalaS/status/975178597345513472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He declared a state of emergency to rein in the spread of communal violence after Buddhists and Muslims clashed in the Indian Ocean island&#39;s central district of Kandy.

Two people were killed and hundreds of Muslim-owned properties and more than 20 mosques were damaged, media reported.

Tension has been growing between the two communities over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites.

Some Buddhist nationalists have also protested against the presence in Sri Lanka of Muslim Rohingya asylum-seekers from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has also been on the rise.

Maithripala Sirisena declared a state of emergency to rein in the spread of communal violence after Buddhists and Muslims clashed in Kandy

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday he had lifted a nationwide state of emergency imposed on March 6 after Buddhist-Muslim clashes. “Upon assessing the public safety situation, I instructed to revoke the State of Emergency from midnight yesterday,” Mr Sirisena said on his Twitter feed. Returned from a very successful tour of Japan, that brings many short and long terms benefits to us. Upon assessing the public safety situation, I instructed to revoke the State of Emergency from midnight yesterday. — Maithripala Sirisena (@MaithripalaS) March 18, 2018 × He declared a state of emergency to rein in the spread of communal violence after Buddhists and Muslims clashed in the Indian Ocean island's central district of Kandy. Two people were killed and hundreds of Muslim-owned properties and more than 20 mosques were damaged, media reported. Tension has been growing between the two communities over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. Some Buddhist nationalists have also protested against the presence in Sri Lanka of Muslim Rohingya asylum-seekers from mostly Buddhist Myanmar, where Buddhist nationalism has also been on the rise.

Sri Lanka lifts nationwide state of emergency

The Sri Lankan government is unlikely to extend the 10-day nationwide state of emergency imposed after communal riots erupted in Kandy district, as no fresh incidents of violence have been reported from anywhere in the country, the new Law and Order Minister has said.

Communal violence broke out in the country&#39;s scenic district following the death of a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority, resulting in the death of two persons and damage to several homes, businesses and mosques.

President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a three-member commission to probe the communal clashes in Kandy.

He had declared a nationwide state of emergency on March 6 and deployed the police and military to prevent escalation of violence after clashes between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims erupted in other areas of the central riot-hit district.

Ranjith Maddumabandara said he thinks it was not necessary to continue the state of emergency any further.

&quot;I had a discussion with the Inspector General of Police and senior police officers this morning to assess the current security situation in the country.

&quot;We are of the view that the country&#39;s security situation is normal right now and therefore, the extending of the &#39;state of emergency&#39; which will expire on Thursday (March 15) will not be necessary,&quot; Maddumabandara was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

He also said he discussed the possibility of lifting the temporary ban on social media, including Facebook, with the police.

The government had restricted the use of social media, including Facebook, and social messaging app, Whatsapp after police claimed that they were being used to spread hatred against the minority community.

&quot;A decision in this regard would be taken soon but the final decision, however, will be taken on both issues after President returns from his official visit to Japan,&quot; the Minister said.

Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando has also said that the restrictions on social media platforms including Facebook, Viber, WhatsApp and Imo will most probably be lifted within few days.

&quot;The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) was in discussion with the Facebook service provider about filtering social media,&quot; he was quoted as saying by the Daily News.

In response to the government&#39;s ban, Facebook has said it is in contact with the Sri Lankan government and non-governmental organisations to support efforts to identify and remove hate speech from its platform.

&quot;We have clear rules against hate speech and incitement to violence and work hard to keep it off our platform. We are responding to the situation in Sri Lanka and are in contact with the government and non-governmental organisations to support efforts to identify and remove such content,&quot; the Facebook has said in an email to the CNBC.

It said the ban in Sri Lanka came after several years in which critics have said Facebook and the government were not doing enough to prevent the spread of such harmful posts.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that the situation in Kandy was calm and quiet.

&quot;Though the situation was normal, the police would not relax its guard in Kandy in particular,&quot; he said, adding that 3,000 police and 750 STF personnel had been deployed in the riot-hit district.&nbsp;

He also said he discussed the possibility of lifting the temporary ban on social media, including Facebook, with the police

The Sri Lankan government is unlikely to extend the 10-day nationwide state of emergency imposed after communal riots erupted in Kandy district, as no fresh incidents of violence have been reported from anywhere in the country, the new Law and Order Minister has said. Communal violence broke out in the country's scenic district following the death of a man from the mainly Buddhist Sinhalese majority, resulting in the death of two persons and damage to several homes, businesses and mosques. President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a three-member commission to probe the communal clashes in Kandy. He had declared a nationwide state of emergency on March 6 and deployed the police and military to prevent escalation of violence after clashes between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims erupted in other areas of the central riot-hit district. Ranjith Maddumabandara said he thinks it was not necessary to continue the state of emergency any further. "I had a discussion with the Inspector General of Police and senior police officers this morning to assess the current security situation in the country. "We are of the view that the country's security situation is normal right now and therefore, the extending of the 'state of emergency' which will expire on Thursday (March 15) will not be necessary," Maddumabandara was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. He also said he discussed the possibility of lifting the temporary ban on social media, including Facebook, with the police. The government had restricted the use of social media, including Facebook, and social messaging app, Whatsapp after police claimed that they were being used to spread hatred against the minority community. "A decision in this regard would be taken soon but the final decision, however, will be taken on both issues after President returns from his official visit to Japan," the Minister said. Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando has also said that the restrictions on social media platforms including Facebook, Viber, WhatsApp and Imo will most probably be lifted within few days. "The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) was in discussion with the Facebook service provider about filtering social media," he was quoted as saying by the Daily News. In response to the government's ban, Facebook has said it is in contact with the Sri Lankan government and non-governmental organisations to support efforts to identify and remove hate speech from its platform. "We have clear rules against hate speech and incitement to violence and work hard to keep it off our platform. We are responding to the situation in Sri Lanka and are in contact with the government and non-governmental organisations to support efforts to identify and remove such content," the Facebook has said in an email to the CNBC. It said the ban in Sri Lanka came after several years in which critics have said Facebook and the government were not doing enough to prevent the spread of such harmful posts. Meanwhile, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that the situation in Kandy was calm and quiet. "Though the situation was normal, the police would not relax its guard in Kandy in particular," he said, adding that 3,000 police and 750 STF personnel had been deployed in the riot-hit district.

No need to extend 'State of Emergency' in Sri Lanka: Law and Order Minister

Curfew was re-imposed today in Sri Lanka&#39;s riot-hit Kandy district with immediate effect until further notice following reports of violence between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims in other areas of the multi-ethnic district.

The authorities yesterday imposed curfew till this morning after communal violence erupted in the Theldeniya area of the central hill district that left two persons dead and damaged several mosques and homes.

Government spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said that the curfew has been extended to prevent further violence.

Police fired teargas shells to disperse rioters in curfew-bound areas hours after a state of emergency was imposed in a bid to quell anti-Muslim violence, a senior police official said.

Following the incidents of violence, president Maithripala Sirisena yesterday declared a state of emergency and deployed the police and military to prevent further violence.

It was the first time since August 2011 that a state of emergency was in force in the Indian Ocean&#39;s island nation.

In the incidents of overnight violence in a Kandy suburb, Menikhinna, three policemen were injured while seven people were arrested for breaking the curfew and trying to cause unrest, police spokesman Superintendent of Police (SP) Ruwan Gunasekera said.

The government sent troops and elite police commandos to Kandy, home to famous tea plantations and Buddhist relics, to restore order and enforce the curfew.

The curfew was lifted last morning but was re-imposed soon after several mosques, shops and homes belonging to the minority community were badly damaged in the attacks by the Sinhalese Buddhists.

Sri Lanka has a long history of the state of emergency during the LTTE rebellion both in the south and the Tamil minority-dominated north and east of the island.

Schools in Kandy, which is about 115 kilometres from Colombo, remained closed today.

The Sri Lanka government also has restricted the access to the internet and blocked social media site Facebook in the Kandy district.

This has been done to prevent the spread of false information, the government spokesperson said.

The government ordered more troops to reinforce police and stop the unrest spreading.

Three special police teams, comprising three Deputy Inspector Generals of Police and three Superintendents of Police, have been deployed in Kandy on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, the police spokesman said.

Meanwhile, following the declaration of a state of emergency, foreign governments, including the US and the UK, have asked their nationals visiting the island nation to &quot;exercise caution, avoid protests and rallies, and comply with local security requirements&quot;.

UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, Jeffrey Feltman will be visiting Sri Lanka this week.

The UN spokesman said that Feltman will reach Colombo on Friday for a three-day tour and is also expected to visit Kandy.

This has been done to prevent the spread of false information, the government spokesperson said

Curfew was re-imposed today in Sri Lanka's riot-hit Kandy district with immediate effect until further notice following reports of violence between majority Sinhala Buddhists and minority Muslims in other areas of the multi-ethnic district. The authorities yesterday imposed curfew till this morning after communal violence erupted in the Theldeniya area of the central hill district that left two persons dead and damaged several mosques and homes. Government spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said that the curfew has been extended to prevent further violence. Police fired teargas shells to disperse rioters in curfew-bound areas hours after a state of emergency was imposed in a bid to quell anti-Muslim violence, a senior police official said. Following the incidents of violence, president Maithripala Sirisena yesterday declared a state of emergency and deployed the police and military to prevent further violence. It was the first time since August 2011 that a state of emergency was in force in the Indian Ocean's island nation. In the incidents of overnight violence in a Kandy suburb, Menikhinna, three policemen were injured while seven people were arrested for breaking the curfew and trying to cause unrest, police spokesman Superintendent of Police (SP) Ruwan Gunasekera said. The government sent troops and elite police commandos to Kandy, home to famous tea plantations and Buddhist relics, to restore order and enforce the curfew. The curfew was lifted last morning but was re-imposed soon after several mosques, shops and homes belonging to the minority community were badly damaged in the attacks by the Sinhalese Buddhists. Sri Lanka has a long history of the state of emergency during the LTTE rebellion both in the south and the Tamil minority-dominated north and east of the island. Schools in Kandy, which is about 115 kilometres from Colombo, remained closed today. The Sri Lanka government also has restricted the access to the internet and blocked social media site Facebook in the Kandy district. This has been done to prevent the spread of false information, the government spokesperson said. The government ordered more troops to reinforce police and stop the unrest spreading. Three special police teams, comprising three Deputy Inspector Generals of Police and three Superintendents of Police, have been deployed in Kandy on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara, the police spokesman said. Meanwhile, following the declaration of a state of emergency, foreign governments, including the US and the UK, have asked their nationals visiting the island nation to "exercise caution, avoid protests and rallies, and comply with local security requirements". UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, Jeffrey Feltman will be visiting Sri Lanka this week. The UN spokesman said that Feltman will reach Colombo on Friday for a three-day tour and is also expected to visit Kandy.

Sri Lanka: Curfew re-imposed in Kandy, government blocks internet

Sri Lanka declared a nationwide <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-10-day-emergency-in-kandy-due-to-communal-tension-34868">state of emergency</a> for 10 days on Tuesday to stop the spread of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-10-day-emergency-in-kandy-due-to-communal-tension-34868">communal violence</a>, a government spokesman said, after clashes erupted between majority Buddhists and members of the minority Muslim community.

As a result of growing tension between the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-10-day-emergency-in-kandy-due-to-communal-tension-34868">two communities</a> in Sri Lanka over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-sri-lanka-t20-preview-rohit-sharmas-young-guns-need-to-fire-34846">first match</a> of&nbsp;&quot;Nidahas Trophy&quot; which is a tri-nation series is scheduled today between<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-sri-lanka-t20-preview-rohit-sharmas-young-guns-need-to-fire-34846"> India and Sri Lanka</a> at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Amid political chaos, the officials of Sri Lankan government told&nbsp;a sports-related&nbsp;media venture that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-sri-lanka-t20-preview-rohit-sharmas-young-guns-need-to-fire-34846">the match</a> will happen at its scheduled time irrespective of the state of emergency in other Sri Lankan parts.

BCCI has tweeted that, &quot;There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI <a data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvSL?src=hash"><s>#</s>INDvSL</a>&quot;

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There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4rTXZ8C8Mb">pic.twitter.com/4rTXZ8C8Mb</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/970954015717683200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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BCCI&#39;s acting president C K Khanna told PTI: &quot;The Indian cricket board is in constant touch with the Sri Lankan government authorities. The security is foolproof and we have been assured that there is no threat to the tournament. So the Indian team, as of now, will be playing the tournament.&quot;

The first match of "Nidahas Trophy" which is a tri-nation series is scheduled today between India and Sri Lanka at Colombo

Sri Lanka declared a nationwide state of emergency for 10 days on Tuesday to stop the spread of communal violence, a government spokesman said, after clashes erupted between majority Buddhists and members of the minority Muslim community. As a result of growing tension between the two communities in Sri Lanka over the past year, with some hardline Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forcing people to convert to Islam and vandalising Buddhist archaeological sites. The first match of "Nidahas Trophy" which is a tri-nation series is scheduled today between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Amid political chaos, the officials of Sri Lankan government told a sports-related media venture that the match will happen at its scheduled time irrespective of the state of emergency in other Sri Lankan parts. BCCI has tweeted that, "There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI #INDvSL" There have been reports of curfew and an emergency being called in Sri Lanka. The situation is in Kandy, not Colombo. After talking to concerned security personnel, we have understood that situation is completely normal in Colombo: BCCI #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/4rTXZ8C8Mb — ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018 × BCCI's acting president C K Khanna told PTI: "The Indian cricket board is in constant touch with the Sri Lankan government authorities. The security is foolproof and we have been assured that there is no threat to the tournament. So the Indian team, as of now, will be playing the tournament."

Emergency won't affect India vs Sri Lanka opening match: BCCI

The Maldives&#39;&nbsp;parliament on Tuesday approved the extension of the state of emergency by 30 days, a day after President Abdulla Yameen sought it saying a threat to national security had not diminished and a constitutional crisis had not been resolved.

The opposition, which boycotted the sitting, said the approval was illegal as it was against the constitution.

Earlier today, the Indian foreign ministry hoped that the Maldivian government will not seek the extension of the state of emergency.&nbsp;

MEA&#39;s official release was tweeted by the ministry&#39;s official spokesperson Ravish Kumar.&nbsp;

The release noted that the &quot;democratic institutions&quot; of the Maldives, including the judiciary, &quot;should be allowed to function independently and in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the Constitution&quot;.

The SAARC parliamentary body has also appealed in the favour of the restoration of democracy in the island country.&nbsp;

The Maldives was put under a state of emergency by President Yameen after he quashed the Supreme Court&#39;s order to release&nbsp;nine prisoners noting that there were several obstacles to enforcing the apex court&#39;s ruling which the government was not able to communicate with the court.&nbsp;

Former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed and Judicial administrator Hassan Saeed were arrested on Yameen&#39;s directive. ordered security forces to seize control of the court and arrest the chief justice among others.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The opposition, which boycotted the sitting, said the approval was illegal as it was against the constitution

The Maldives' parliament on Tuesday approved the extension of the state of emergency by 30 days, a day after President Abdulla Yameen sought it saying a threat to national security had not diminished and a constitutional crisis had not been resolved. The opposition, which boycotted the sitting, said the approval was illegal as it was against the constitution. Earlier today, the Indian foreign ministry hoped that the Maldivian government will not seek the extension of the state of emergency. MEA's official release was tweeted by the ministry's official spokesperson Ravish Kumar. The release noted that the "democratic institutions" of the Maldives, including the judiciary, "should be allowed to function independently and in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the Constitution". The SAARC parliamentary body has also appealed in the favour of the restoration of democracy in the island country. The Maldives was put under a state of emergency by President Yameen after he quashed the Supreme Court's order to release nine prisoners noting that there were several obstacles to enforcing the apex court's ruling which the government was not able to communicate with the court. Former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed and Judicial administrator Hassan Saeed were arrested on Yameen's directive. ordered security forces to seize control of the court and arrest the chief justice among others.

Maldives Parliament approves extension of emergency by 30 days

&nbsp;A state of emergency imposed by Ethiopia after the prime minister resigned will last six months, the defence minister said on Saturday.&nbsp;

&quot;There are still pockets of areas where violence is prevalent. The (ruling EPRDF coalition`s) council were unanimous in their decision,&quot; Siraj Fegessa told journalists.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced his surprise resignation in a televised speech on Thursday, saying he wanted to smooth the way for further reforms.&nbsp;

Since January, Ethiopia has released more than 6,000 prisoners charged with taking part in mass protests and, in some cases, offences against the state. It has also closed down a jail where activists alleged torture took place.&nbsp;

Many of the prisoners took part in anti-government protests in 2015 and 2016 in Amhara and Oromiya, the country`s two most populous provinces. The demonstrations began against a government plan to expand the capital Addis Ababa but morphed into greater demands for civil rights.&nbsp;

The government previously imposed a state of emergency in October 2016, which was lifted in August 2017. During that time, curfews were in place, there were restrictions on movement and around 29,000 people were detained.&nbsp;

Ethiopia is East Africa`s biggest and fastest-growing economy and a Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy.&nbsp;

A state of emergency was imposed by Ethiopia after the prime minister resigned

A state of emergency imposed by Ethiopia after the prime minister resigned will last six months, the defence minister said on Saturday. "There are still pockets of areas where violence is prevalent. The (ruling EPRDF coalition`s) council were unanimous in their decision," Siraj Fegessa told journalists. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced his surprise resignation in a televised speech on Thursday, saying he wanted to smooth the way for further reforms. Since January, Ethiopia has released more than 6,000 prisoners charged with taking part in mass protests and, in some cases, offences against the state. It has also closed down a jail where activists alleged torture took place. Many of the prisoners took part in anti-government protests in 2015 and 2016 in Amhara and Oromiya, the country`s two most populous provinces. The demonstrations began against a government plan to expand the capital Addis Ababa but morphed into greater demands for civil rights. The government previously imposed a state of emergency in October 2016, which was lifted in August 2017. During that time, curfews were in place, there were restrictions on movement and around 29,000 people were detained. Ethiopia is East Africa`s biggest and fastest-growing economy and a Western ally in the fight against Islamist militancy.

Ethiopia says state of emergency will last six months

Ethiopia declared a state of emergency on Friday, a move capping a tumultuous week that saw the prime minister resign, a strike in the country`s largest region and a massive prisoner amnesty citing a decision by the council of ministers, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) said: &quot;A state of emergency has been declared as of now.&quot;

It gave no timeline for the emergency decree, the second since 2016, which was announced in a statement read by an anchor on the state broadcaster.

The communique eluded to &quot;ethnic-based clashes&quot; and &quot;chaos and unruliness&quot; as justification for the move.

&quot;In some parts of the country, the constitution and the constitutional system has been bypassed,&quot; it said.

&quot;Because of the dangers the constitution and the constitutional system is facing, we have reached the point where it is difficult to keep the law in the usual way,&quot; it added.

&quot;To be able to protect the constitutional system, declaring a state of emergency has become necessary.&quot;

Ethiopia last declared a state of emergency in October 2016 after months of protests in Oromia -- home to the country`s largest ethnicity, the Oromos -- and neighbouring Amhara region.

The 10-month decree succeeded in quelling the unrest, which killed hundreds and resulted in tens of thousands of arrests, despite criticism from rights groups.

But anti-government sentiment remained in the two regions and protests continued to erupt sporadically.

The government was further pressured when clashes erupted late last year between the Oromo and Somali ethnicities that would go on to kill hundreds and, per a United Nations estimate, displace one million people.Last month, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced Ethiopia would begin releasing some jailed &quot;politicians.&quot;&nbsp;

The move, he said, sought to &quot;improve the national consensus and widen the democratic platform&quot;.

Tensions boiled over earlier this week when businesses closed and young men armed with rocks and sticks blocked roads in Oromia in a two-day strike to push the government to keep its prisoner amnesty promise.

The strike was called off after detained Oromo politicians were freed along with hundreds of other prisoners including journalist Eskinder Nega and opposition leader Andualem Arage.

The next day, Hailemariam unexpectedly announced he was stepping down, becoming the first leader in modern Ethiopia to do so.

The prime minister said he was leaving to give the ruling Ethiopian People`s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) space as it pursued political reforms.

&quot;I myself want to become part of the solution,&quot; he said.

But analysts say his departure was likely caused in part by his inability to unite the four ethnically based parties that constitute the coalition, which has been in power since 1991.

A member of the Wolayta ethnic minority in the country`s south, Hailemariam was seen as lacking the charisma of his predecessor Meles Zenawi, who led the EPRDF to victory over the Derg communist Junta.

Hailemariam will remain in office until parliament and the EPRDF coalition confirm his resignation. It remains unclear who will then take over.

With the EPRDF and its allies controlling every seat in parliament, it is unclear what difference Hailemariam`s departure will make, Merera Gudina, chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), told AFP.

&quot;What the people are demanding is fundamental change,&quot; Merera said, describing Hailemariam`s exit as a matter of internal party politics. &quot;So the change of an individual is really the homework for the EPRDF, not the people of Ethiopia.&quot;

However, Merera said he was &quot;cautiously optimistic,&quot; that Hailemariam`s departure could offer an opening for them.&nbsp;

&quot;There are, after all, possibilities... to move forward,&quot; Merera said. &quot;The EPRDF as an organisation has a serious problem and really blocked the democratisation of the Ethiopian state and society -- and is really responsible for many of its crisis,&quot; he added.

It gave no timeline for the emergency decree

Ethiopia declared a state of emergency on Friday, a move capping a tumultuous week that saw the prime minister resign, a strike in the country`s largest region and a massive prisoner amnesty citing a decision by the council of ministers, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) said: "A state of emergency has been declared as of now." It gave no timeline for the emergency decree, the second since 2016, which was announced in a statement read by an anchor on the state broadcaster. The communique eluded to "ethnic-based clashes" and "chaos and unruliness" as justification for the move. "In some parts of the country, the constitution and the constitutional system has been bypassed," it said. "Because of the dangers the constitution and the constitutional system is facing, we have reached the point where it is difficult to keep the law in the usual way," it added. "To be able to protect the constitutional system, declaring a state of emergency has become necessary." Ethiopia last declared a state of emergency in October 2016 after months of protests in Oromia -- home to the country`s largest ethnicity, the Oromos -- and neighbouring Amhara region. The 10-month decree succeeded in quelling the unrest, which killed hundreds and resulted in tens of thousands of arrests, despite criticism from rights groups. But anti-government sentiment remained in the two regions and protests continued to erupt sporadically. The government was further pressured when clashes erupted late last year between the Oromo and Somali ethnicities that would go on to kill hundreds and, per a United Nations estimate, displace one million people.Last month, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced Ethiopia would begin releasing some jailed "politicians." The move, he said, sought to "improve the national consensus and widen the democratic platform". Tensions boiled over earlier this week when businesses closed and young men armed with rocks and sticks blocked roads in Oromia in a two-day strike to push the government to keep its prisoner amnesty promise. The strike was called off after detained Oromo politicians were freed along with hundreds of other prisoners including journalist Eskinder Nega and opposition leader Andualem Arage. The next day, Hailemariam unexpectedly announced he was stepping down, becoming the first leader in modern Ethiopia to do so. The prime minister said he was leaving to give the ruling Ethiopian People`s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) space as it pursued political reforms. "I myself want to become part of the solution," he said. But analysts say his departure was likely caused in part by his inability to unite the four ethnically based parties that constitute the coalition, which has been in power since 1991. A member of the Wolayta ethnic minority in the country`s south, Hailemariam was seen as lacking the charisma of his predecessor Meles Zenawi, who led the EPRDF to victory over the Derg communist Junta. Hailemariam will remain in office until parliament and the EPRDF coalition confirm his resignation. It remains unclear who will then take over. With the EPRDF and its allies controlling every seat in parliament, it is unclear what difference Hailemariam`s departure will make, Merera Gudina, chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), told AFP. "What the people are demanding is fundamental change," Merera said, describing Hailemariam`s exit as a matter of internal party politics. "So the change of an individual is really the homework for the EPRDF, not the people of Ethiopia." However, Merera said he was "cautiously optimistic," that Hailemariam`s departure could offer an opening for them. "There are, after all, possibilities... to move forward," Merera said. "The EPRDF as an organisation has a serious problem and really blocked the democratisation of the Ethiopian state and society -- and is really responsible for many of its crisis," he added.

Ethiopia declares state of emergency after PM resigns

The Maldives Supreme Court on Tuesday revoked its earlier order to release nine high-profile political prisoners.&nbsp;

The announcement came a day after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency and arrested two Supreme Court judges.&nbsp;

The court&#39;s three remaining judges said in a statement that they were rescinding the order to release the prisoners &quot;in light of the concerns raised by the President&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;The Supreme Court bench hereby rescinds number 5 of its order to release the individuals,&quot; the order said.

The court&#39;s original decision signed by all five judges of the apex court on February 1 had quashed a terrorism conviction against former president and opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed, among others.

The shock decision of the court in support of the political dissidents was seen as clearing the way for Nasheed to end his self-imposed exile and return to the country to contest elections later this year.

The move also included an order for the government to restore the seats of 12 legislators sacked for defecting from Yameen&#39;s party, giving the opposition a majority in the assembly and meaning they could potentially impeach the president.

Yameen however had refused to comply with the order.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/who-is-going-to-rescue-male-32042" target="_blank">Who is going to rescue the Maldives?</a>

He had on Monday instead imposed a 15-day emergency on the island nation.&nbsp;The state of emergency gave the country&#39;s security forces sweeping power to detain and arrest suspects.&nbsp;

Yameen, in an official statement, called the Supreme Court order unconstitutional. He said that were several obstacles to enforcing the apex court&#39;s ruling which the government was not able to communicate to the court.&nbsp;

He added that the justices were &quot;unaccountable&quot;, and that they were <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/supreme-courts-order-is-unconstitutional-maldives-president-yameen-31993" target="_blank">conspiring to overthrow him</a>.&nbsp;

Nasheed&#39;s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said the U-turn of the Supreme Court was due to pressure brought on the three judges.

&quot;Yameen has used coercion to get the original decision revoked,&quot; AFP reported MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor as saying.

Yameen has presided over an escalating crackdown on dissent since he came to power in 2013, battering the image of the upmarket holiday paradise.

India meanwhile has responded strongly to the crisis saying it is &quot;disturbed&quot; by the imposition of the emergency.&nbsp;

Government sources in India have also said that they are keeping their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-india-to-keep-troops-ready-32037" target="_blank">troops </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-india-to-keep-troops-ready-32037" target="_blank">on</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-india-to-keep-troops-ready-32037" target="_blank"> the ready</a>. The sources added that this was standard operating procedure.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

The announcement came a day after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency and arrested two Supreme Court judges

The Maldives Supreme Court on Tuesday revoked its earlier order to release nine high-profile political prisoners. The announcement came a day after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency and arrested two Supreme Court judges. The court's three remaining judges said in a statement that they were rescinding the order to release the prisoners "in light of the concerns raised by the President". "The Supreme Court bench hereby rescinds number 5 of its order to release the individuals," the order said. The court's original decision signed by all five judges of the apex court on February 1 had quashed a terrorism conviction against former president and opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed, among others. The shock decision of the court in support of the political dissidents was seen as clearing the way for Nasheed to end his self-imposed exile and return to the country to contest elections later this year. The move also included an order for the government to restore the seats of 12 legislators sacked for defecting from Yameen's party, giving the opposition a majority in the assembly and meaning they could potentially impeach the president. Yameen however had refused to comply with the order. Also read: Who is going to rescue the Maldives? He had on Monday instead imposed a 15-day emergency on the island nation. The state of emergency gave the country's security forces sweeping power to detain and arrest suspects. Yameen, in an official statement, called the Supreme Court order unconstitutional. He said that were several obstacles to enforcing the apex court's ruling which the government was not able to communicate to the court. He added that the justices were "unaccountable", and that they were conspiring to overthrow him. Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said the U-turn of the Supreme Court was due to pressure brought on the three judges. "Yameen has used coercion to get the original decision revoked," AFP reported MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor as saying. Yameen has presided over an escalating crackdown on dissent since he came to power in 2013, battering the image of the upmarket holiday paradise. India meanwhile has responded strongly to the crisis saying it is "disturbed" by the imposition of the emergency. Government sources in India have also said that they are keeping their troops on the ready. The sources added that this was standard operating procedure. (With inputs from AFP)

Maldives Supreme Court revokes order to free prisoners

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday advised citizens to defer all non-essential travels to the country and urged expatriates to remain on alert due to the recent developments.

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Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Male and other atolls untill further notice. Detailed travel advisory at <a href="https://t.co/DCdCkojESK">https://t.co/DCdCkojESK</a>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/960544516418621441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings.

&quot;The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the government. Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice,&quot; the advisory said.

The advisory by India came immediately after beleaguered Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency.

Yameen, who has been defying Supreme Court&#39;s orders on releasing former president Mohamed Nasheed, and free eight other political opponents from prison, has now given sweeping powers to security forces in the country, which is facing widespread domestic protests against the president.

On Monday morning, Maldives capital Male remained tense, with the opposition and general public unrelentingly asking President Yameen to step down and allow a new leadership to take charge.

(With inputs from PTI)

The advisory by India came immediately after beleaguered Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday advised citizens to defer all non-essential travels to the country and urged expatriates to remain on alert due to the recent developments. Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Male and other atolls untill further notice. Detailed travel advisory at https://t.co/DCdCkojESK — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 5, 2018 × In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Indian expatriates in Maldives are also alerted to the need for heightened security awareness and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings. "The prevailing political developments in Maldives and the resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the government. Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice," the advisory said. The advisory by India came immediately after beleaguered Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency. Yameen, who has been defying Supreme Court's orders on releasing former president Mohamed Nasheed, and free eight other political opponents from prison, has now given sweeping powers to security forces in the country, which is facing widespread domestic protests against the president. On Monday morning, Maldives capital Male remained tense, with the opposition and general public unrelentingly asking President Yameen to step down and allow a new leadership to take charge. (With inputs from PTI)

India asks its nationals to defer travel to Maldives

Beleaguered Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency for 15 days in the&nbsp;island nation Monday evening.&nbsp;The announcement was made on state television by his aide Azima Shukoor.

The announcement came after the country&#39;s Supreme Court ordered the government to release key political prisoners and reinstate 12 MPs, something Yameen has refused to do so far.&nbsp;

All basic rights have been suspended, MP Eva Abdulla said.

She added that the declaration of emergency gives the security forces sweeping powers to detain and arrest suspects.&nbsp;

Reports said security forces had stormed the Supreme Court:&nbsp;

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BREAKING NEWS: 
THE NATIONAL DEFENSE FORCES OF THE MALDIVES HAVE BROKEN INTO THE SUPREME COURT OF THE MALDIVES.
&mdash; Maldives Judiciary (@judiciarymv) <a href="https://twitter.com/judiciarymv/status/960565376693104640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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SO Police and the military are already inside the supreme court as per CJ
&mdash; Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) <a href="https://twitter.com/hsuood/status/960564331317379072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Husnu Al Suood is a former attorney general of the Maldives.&nbsp;

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Now security forces have started breaking the gates of the supreme court as per CJ.
&mdash; Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) <a href="https://twitter.com/hsuood/status/960554477613756416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Maldives CJ informed me that the security forces have blockaded and locked the Supreme Court building from outside and hence the justices are without any food now.
&mdash; Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) <a href="https://twitter.com/hsuood/status/960551470696312832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Maldives CJ called me a a little while ago and asked me to inform the public to to protect him and the institution. He is expecting the police and army to storm into the Supreme Court building at any moment.
&mdash; Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) <a href="https://twitter.com/hsuood/status/960542522408714241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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State of Emergency has been declared in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maldives</a> for 15 days; protests are being held in the country since President Abdulla Yameen refused to follow SC&#39;s ruling to release key political prisoners and reinstate 12 MPs (Earlier visuals from Male) <a href="https://t.co/p5HJ9dYg08">pic.twitter.com/p5HJ9dYg08</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960533430579683328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maldives-minister-resigns-to-protest-government-response-to-supreme-court-ruling-31857" target="_blank">Maldives minister resigns to protest government response to Supreme Court ruling</a> 
&nbsp;

And that security forces had arrested former President&nbsp;Maumoon Abdul Gayoom:&nbsp;

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I have just recieved the disturbing news that the MNDF Maldives has forcibly entered the residence of former prez MAG.
&mdash; Mohamed Nasheed (@Mohamed_Nasheed) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mohamed_Nasheed/status/960577893314183168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Mohamed Nasheed is a former president of the Maldives.&nbsp;

News of Gayoom&#39;s arrest was also tweeted by his daughter Yumna Maumoon:&nbsp;

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SO police broke down the door and are arresting my father President <a href="https://twitter.com/maumoonagayoom?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@maumoonagayoom</a> and husband <a href="https://twitter.com/MNadhym?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MNadhym</a> right now. <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbKeshap?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAmbKeshap</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDauris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesDauris</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EU_Maldives?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EU_Maldives</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CanHCSriLanka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CanHCSriLanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AusHCSriLanka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AusHCSriLanka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AkhileshIFS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AkhileshIFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/amnesty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@amnesty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHumanRights?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNHumanRights</a>
&mdash; Yumna Maumoon (@yumna_maumoon) <a href="https://twitter.com/yumna_maumoon/status/960580454570115072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A large number of <a href="https://twitter.com/PoliceMv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PoliceMv</a> around my residence. To protect me or to arrest me? No idea. <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbKeshap?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAmbKeshap</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AkhileshIFS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AkhileshIFS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MNDF_Official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MNDF_Official</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hrcmv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hrcmv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/amnesty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@amnesty</a>
&mdash; Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/maumoonagayoom/status/960575120094896128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Government spokesperson Ibrahim Shihab told WION that while a state of emergency had been imposed, there was no curfew.

He added that the government had not wanted to escalate the growing protests in the country -- which had broken out after the government had refused to comply with the Supreme Court&#39;s orders -- which is why the emergency had been imposed.&nbsp;

India&#39;s ministry of external affairs meanwhile said &quot;Indian expatriates in the&nbsp;Maldives are alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings.&quot;

It added that &quot;prevailing political developments in Maldives and resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the Government of India. Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice.&quot;&nbsp;

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Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Male and other atolls untill further notice. Detailed travel advisory at <a href="https://t.co/DCdCkojESK">https://t.co/DCdCkojESK</a>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/960544516418621441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/political-crisis-in-maldives-continues-demand-for-presidents-resignation-grows-31869" target="_blank">Political crisis in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/political-crisis-in-maldives-continues-demand-for-presidents-resignation-grows-31869" target="_blank">Maldives</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/political-crisis-in-maldives-continues-demand-for-presidents-resignation-grows-31869" target="_blank"> continues, demand for President&#39;s resignation grows</a>

The US said that it &quot;stands with the people of Maldives.&quot; And that the &quot;Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions.

&quot;The world is watching,&quot; it added.&nbsp;

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America stands with the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maldives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Maldives</a>. The Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions. The world is watching: US National Security Council <a href="https://t.co/aHOw22ROUP">pic.twitter.com/aHOw22ROUP</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960565001311408128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

President Abdulla Yameen had earlier on Monday declared a state of emergency in the island nation for 15 days

Beleaguered Maldives President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency for 15 days in the island nation Monday evening. The announcement was made on state television by his aide Azima Shukoor. The announcement came after the country's Supreme Court ordered the government to release key political prisoners and reinstate 12 MPs, something Yameen has refused to do so far. All basic rights have been suspended, MP Eva Abdulla said. She added that the declaration of emergency gives the security forces sweeping powers to detain and arrest suspects. Reports said security forces had stormed the Supreme Court: BREAKING NEWS: THE NATIONAL DEFENSE FORCES OF THE MALDIVES HAVE BROKEN INTO THE SUPREME COURT OF THE MALDIVES. — Maldives Judiciary (@judiciarymv) February 5, 2018 × SO Police and the military are already inside the supreme court as per CJ — Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) February 5, 2018 × Husnu Al Suood is a former attorney general of the Maldives. Now security forces have started breaking the gates of the supreme court as per CJ. — Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) February 5, 2018 × Maldives CJ informed me that the security forces have blockaded and locked the Supreme Court building from outside and hence the justices are without any food now. — Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) February 5, 2018 × Maldives CJ called me a a little while ago and asked me to inform the public to to protect him and the institution. He is expecting the police and army to storm into the Supreme Court building at any moment. — Husnu Al Suood (@hsuood) February 5, 2018 × State of Emergency has been declared in #Maldives for 15 days; protests are being held in the country since President Abdulla Yameen refused to follow SC's ruling to release key political prisoners and reinstate 12 MPs (Earlier visuals from Male) pic.twitter.com/p5HJ9dYg08 — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Also read: Maldives minister resigns to protest government response to Supreme Court ruling And that security forces had arrested former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom: I have just recieved the disturbing news that the MNDF Maldives has forcibly entered the residence of former prez MAG. — Mohamed Nasheed (@Mohamed_Nasheed) February 5, 2018 × Mohamed Nasheed is a former president of the Maldives. News of Gayoom's arrest was also tweeted by his daughter Yumna Maumoon: SO police broke down the door and are arresting my father President @maumoonagayoom and husband @MNadhym right now. @USAmbKeshap @JamesDauris @EU_Maldives @CanHCSriLanka @AusHCSriLanka @AkhileshIFS @amnesty @UNHumanRights — Yumna Maumoon (@yumna_maumoon) February 5, 2018 × A large number of @PoliceMv around my residence. To protect me or to arrest me? No idea. @USAmbKeshap @AkhileshIFS @MNDF_Official @hrcmv @amnesty — Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) February 5, 2018 × Government spokesperson Ibrahim Shihab told WION that while a state of emergency had been imposed, there was no curfew. He added that the government had not wanted to escalate the growing protests in the country -- which had broken out after the government had refused to comply with the Supreme Court's orders -- which is why the emergency had been imposed. India's ministry of external affairs meanwhile said "Indian expatriates in the Maldives are alerted to the need for heightened security awareness, and urged to exercise due caution in public and avoid public gatherings." It added that "prevailing political developments in Maldives and resultant law and order situation is a matter of concern for the Government of India. Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travels to Male and other atolls until further notice." Indian nationals are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Male and other atolls untill further notice. Detailed travel advisory at https://t.co/DCdCkojESK — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 5, 2018 × Also read: Political crisis in Maldives continues, demand for President's resignation grows The US said that it "stands with the people of Maldives." And that the "Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions. "The world is watching," it added. America stands with the people of #Maldives. The Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions. The world is watching: US National Security Council pic.twitter.com/aHOw22ROUP — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 ×

Security forces storm Maldives Supreme Court: Reports

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