Anti-government protests have continued in Iraq this weekend, with tens of thousands of demonstrators shutting down the capital of Baghdad and a reported attack on the Iranian embassy in Karbala.

Political rallies staged in the capital and across the south of the country have charged the government with corruption and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. At least 250 protestors have been killed so far in clashes with security forces.

With an upcoming general election in the UK, Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon, told thousands gathered in Glasgow that she would demand a second independence referendum in the next year.

During the rally, Ms Sturgeon insisted on the importance of a large turnout at the upcoming general election. In her speech she stated;

<p>China has spoken out against India following the decision to revoke Kashmir’s special status and split the land into two federal territories, both of which will be governed by New Delhi.</p> <p>The land has been split into two; one section for Jammu and Kashmir, and another for Ladakh.</p> <p>Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Minister, responded to India’s decision with the following statement:</p> <blockquote><p> “The Indian government officially announced the establishment of so called Jammu Kashmir territory and Ladakh Union territory which included some of China’s territory into its administrative jurisdiction,”</p>

<p>The US House of Representatives have acknowledged the Armenian genocide and has imposed sanctions on Turkey in response to its assault on Kurdish controlled territories in north-eastern Syria.</p> <p>The Armenian genocide was carried out from 1914-1923 where an approximate 1.5 million Armenians were systematically killed by the Ottoman Empire and subject to expulsion.</p>

<p>Pakistan has denied India use of its airspace for the third time due to “ongoing grave human rights violations” in Indian-administrated Kashmir.</p> <p>Pakistan’s denial of its airspace follows the decision by India to strip the Muslim majority Kashmir of its limited autonomy and impose order through the deployment of the security forces. This continues to be the situation in Kashmir and has lasted over 80 days.</p>

<p>At least five people have died in Iraq as anti-government protests have entered into a second day. The death toll this month has been over 190.</p> <p>Protests began on 1 October and during these earlier protests close to 150 people died due to clashes with the security forces. The government has released a report acknowledging that authorities had used excessive force in responding to these demonstrations.</p> <p>The BBC has stated that the protests continued in Iraq despite the leaders of the protests insisting that demonstrators give the government time to respond to their demands.</p>

The US House of Representatives is set to vote next week on a resolution to commemorate the Armenian genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.

Turkey has opposed the move, with its embassy saying in a statement “Turkey opposes all legislative steps and other official acts that try to render judgment on its history,” adding that the resolution would undermine reconciliation efforts between Turks and Armenians.

The issue of whether the US should recognise the Armenian genocide has been the subject of a diplomatic battle for years.

<p>US President Donald Trump has lifted sanctions on Turkey in response to a ceasefire in Kurdish controlled northern Syria; he claims the ceasefire is permanent.</p> <p>This decision withdrawal of troops from Northern Syria and a subsequent attack from Turkey on Kurdish controlled region. President Trump faced widespread opposition, including from senior officials from his own party.</p> <p>During a White House speech, the President described the cease fire negotiated by Vice President Mike Pence as a “major breakthrough”.</p> <p>He further stated</p> <blockquote><p>

<p>In a landmark decision, the Wiyot Tribe will regain the majority of an island off Northern California which they had lost to colonial settlers in a massacre in 1860.</p> <p>In 1860 the Wiyot tribe was massacred as women, children and elders were slaughtered as the tribesmen were gathering supplies. The remaining 600 members of the tribe have since then continued to fight for their land.</p>

<p>HRW has released a statement yesterday calling for the Japanese government to hold Myanmar accountable for the atrocities committed against Rohingya and other ethnic minorities, as well as to discourage investment that will benefit Myanmar’s military, the Tatmadaw. &nbsp;</p> <p>In 2018, the UN accused Myanmar of genocide in response to a brutal ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya people in 2017. This forced over 740,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Over a million reside in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh whilst another 600,000 remain in Myanmar, confined to camps and villages.</p>