Agence France-Presse

 The self-governing island's presidential office declared on Sunday that Taiwan will not give up its independence or compromise on freedom and democracy, and that its people categorically reject Beijing's proposal to control Taiwan as "one country, two systems." Taiwan issued a statement saying that meeting on the battlefield was "absolutely not an option" for the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. "Taiwan's position is firm: no backing down on national sovereignty, no compromise on democracy and freedom," it said. The declaration came shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that it is up to the Chinese people to settle the Taiwan issue and that China will never abandon the use of force in relation to Taiwan in a speech at the start of the Communist Party Congress in Beijing. The presidential office stated, "This is the consensus of Taiwan's people," and added that the national security team was closely monitoring develop...

 An Oslo-based rights organisation said that on Saturday night, as the protest movement prompted by Mahsa Amini's murder in captivity entered its sixth week, fire and bullets broke out at Tehran's notorious Evin prison. Mahsa Amini and the protracted demonstrations in Iran are explained In video footage posted on Twitter by Iran Human Rights, flames and a cloud of smoke could be seen rising into the night sky, and pops of what appeared to be gunshots could be heard. The 1500tasvir social media channel, which tracks demonstrations and police misconduct, posted on Twitter that "a fire is developing in Evin prison" and that a "explosion was heard" inside the institution. At Tehran's Evin prison, "troubles" broke out between convicts and guards, and a fire started, but the situation is "under control," Iranian official television claimed on Saturday. According to a senior security official quoted by the IRNA news agency, "clashes and...

President Xi Jinping opened China's five-yearly Communist Party Congress with a lengthy address in which he defended Beijing's zero-Covid policy, praised its anti-corruption initiatives, and reiterated Beijing's intention to annex Taiwan, by force if necessary. Around 2,300 delegates attended the conclave, and Mr. Xi used the speech as an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of his administration. At the end of the week, the delegates are anticipated to elect Mr. Xi to a historic third term in office. Important moment To roaring applause, Mr. Xi entered the Great Hall of the People in Beijing before launching into his address, praising the Communist Party's control and emphasising the importance of the occasion. The Communist Party of China's 20th National Congress is a very significant gathering that took place at a pivotal time, according to Xi. Prioritizing "lives first" Mr. Xi said that China had placed "the people and their lives first...