World News Briefs -- October 3, 2019

A riot police officer fires pepper-spray projectile toward anti-government protesters demonstrating near the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong, China, September 29, 2019. Picture taken Spetember 29, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Reuters: Hong Kong set to enact emergency laws as it struggles to contain violence

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong’s government is expected to discuss sweeping emergency laws on Friday that would include banning face masks at protests, two sources told Reuters, as the Chinese-ruled territory grapples with an escalating cycle of violence.

Authorities have already loosened guidelines on the use of force by police, according to documents seen by Reuters on Thursday, as they struggle to stamp out anti-government protests that have rocked Hong Kong for nearly four months.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq protests: Death toll rises to 20 as unrest spreads.

Iraq issues curfews, cuts Internet amid anti-government protests.

Ahead of pilgrimage, Iran border crossing closed due to Iraq unrest.

Iran supports European plan to bolster nuclear deal.

Iran says it foiled ‘Israel-Arab’ plot to assassinate top military commander.

Arab Israelis strike to press police to act against violence.

Jordan youth unemployment rises to almost 40 percent.

ASIA

Taliban send high-level delegation to Islamabad in push to resurrect peace deal.

Pakistan, Afghan Taliban call for resumption of peace talks.

Philippine minister takes to Twitter to order diplomatic protest over Chinese ships.

Hong Kong teen shot by police charged with rioting.

North Korea negotiator Kim Myong Gil en route to Sweden.

Kim Jong Un visit to South Korea in November feasible, Seoul says.

North Korea confirms underwater-launched missile, calls it ‘new phase’ for limiting outside threats.

AFRICA

Mali declares three days of national mourning after deadly jihadist raids on military.

Satellite images, amateur footage document Congo’s hidden massacres.

US reopens embassy in Somalia nearly 3 decades after fleeing.

Somalia security meeting: Delegates discuss AU troop withdrawal.

Nigeria's President Buhari visits South Africa amid tensions over xenophobia.

Nigeria, S.Africa pledge 'early warning systems' to stop xenophobic attacks.

Hundreds of Burundian refugees return home from Tanzania.

Lobby firm paid $1 mn to push for jailed Tunisia presidential hopeful.

EUROPE

Knife attack kills 4 officers at police headquarters in Paris. Knife attack at Paris police headquarters, 5 dead.

Greece energy summit: Turkey, Cyprus lay claim to natural gas.

Putin condemns Saudi oil attacks but defends Iran.

Vladimir Putin dismisses Greta Thunberg as a 'poorly informed teenager' and says: 'Go tell developing countries why they should continue to live in poverty and not be like Sweden'.

Labour's Corbyn: Johnson's Brexit plan won't pass Brussels, or Parliament.

German Unity Day: Reunification is 'ongoing process' says Merkel.

Facebook must remove illegal posts if ordered, top EU court rules.

AMERICAS

Trump urges Ukraine, China to investigate Bidens. Trump calls on China and Ukraine to investigate Biden.

Lawmakers question diplomat at center of Trump inquiry.

Russian plan would kickstart Cuba's nuclear ambitions, oil and gas drilling.

Honduras' Hernandez accused of taking drug money from 'El Chapo'. Honduras president rejects US accusation of El Chapo connection.

Trudeau defends the number of planes used by his campaign.

Las Vegas shooting victims reach $735m settlement from MGM Resorts.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Deaf Islamic convert is named as Paris police HQ attacker: IT worker who fell out with supervisor 'after he refused to deal with women' slaughters four colleagues, including female officer, with a knife - as police arrest Muslim wife.

Iraq refusing ID cards to relatives of IS group members.

Afghanistan security adviser says hard-line Taliban members defecting to ISIS, merging with Al Qaeda.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion in EU goods over illegal Airbus subsidies.

Saudi oil prices for Asia expected to jump in November after attack.

Facebook must delete defamatory content worldwide if asked.