Prisoners free. Hoping to shake up the Political Landscape in batteries and unexpected candy that is vying to push out europes longest serving challenger. Moving this enflaming tension between washington and beijing a top trump official is in taiwan the highest level give us visit in 40 years. But leaders are trying to work out ways to help rebuild lebanons capital but in beirut theres a growing clamor to reshape the political system as well the information minister became the 1st Senior Member of government to resign since tuesdays port blast minal abdullah some mad says theres little hope for change 5 m. P. s have quit and there are reports that more may soon follow at least a 158 people were killed when a monium nitrate exploded. Causing billions of dollars worth of damage around 300000. 00 people homeless Video Conference events actual day as is underway with french president calling for efficient action to get aid to the lebanese people as quickly as possible well this off to a mass demonstrations on saturday denouncing government corruption and demanding regime change but the information minister has apologised for the pot the government has played in lebanons economic and stability in the hammock that allow this is the point of no return people are starving the economy has deteriorated the economic crisis is heightening our families children friends have just been left behind fear and disappointments lives within them in this fateful moments we cannot just sit behind we have to stand in dignity together as a nation i feel that i need to send an apology to the libyan people because we failed to achieve their ambitions due to the difficulties i have worked with my colleagues in the cabinet according to the directions of the Prime Minister who is following all the details with a lot of wisdom in order to respond to the demands of the people but no way does the reality go parallel with the ambitions after the barrier earthquake that has shaken the nation and due to the displaced the martyrs those who are still hungry i respect all of this and i submit my resignation to the government and i wish all the best to lebanon and stability and unity long live lebanon. Has more now from. Beirut. This is a blow to the Prime Minister has son who has been struggling for his government to have credibility and legitimacy not just at home but abroad but what we understand is that the Prime Minister as we speak is holding a meeting with his ministers and the possibility of a resignation is on the table so you mentioned the information minister resigning earlier this morning there were unconfirmed reports that other ministers are going to tender their resignation the government has not been able to cope with this disaster just look behind me the desperation among people theyve come to Martyrs Square just to get any help that they can receive from volunteers from n. G. O. S from Civil Society groups the government is absent the government is cash strapped so you can see water sandwiches people have lost so much 300000 people were made homeless by this blast and calls for a government resignation are growing louder now the optics may look good if the government indeed does resign i mean this is the demand of the people who have been demanding this for some time now even before the blast but many believe that behind the scenes a political deal is in the making especially after the visit of the french president to beirut he did talk about a Political Initiative and the french president was not just speaking on behalf of france he came here on behalf of the International Community so it seems behind the scenes there are negotiations possibly to form of what is known in lebanon as a National Unity government what that means Political Parties from across the political spectrum come together but thats exactly what protesters dont want and for him holloway is a member of the Opposition Group and f t hes also Teaching Fellow well Holloway University of london he says its time for an overhaul of lebanons political system. We do believe that early elections is not really the answer because the regime the power sharing arrangement which kept the sectarian parties in power for decades they are the ones that authority in the taking the rules of the elections and therefore they have it realty to devise they look for a law that would ensure their reproduction of the same regime so elections itself is not an answer when i would assessment is the state itself has collapsed and therefore what we believe is the answer is to continue to decide together with the ruling parties on a transitional process that can save society when we are in the midst of overlapping and emerging and urgent. Crisis be it fiscal or economic or now as we can see also humanitarian and one hand we do need help psyche at large needs help and it is very much commendable that states that would be providing this help are suggesting that this can be done directly to society rather than going through the channels the vertical up channels of the states this is something that at least on the short term is much needed however we cannot really rely on it on states be it regional to national to give us that sort of sustainable solution which is the formation of a civil state which every society really needs at the under and under the way. Thats why we think that the solution has to come from the people unfortunately the site at largest still very much divided and sectarian parties are a large stake in how communities perceive the crisis and where the blame game basically. How is it strange how the blame game is right. Afghanistans president has backing the release of 400. 00 taliban prisoners ashraf ghani made his decision after the loya jirga and cellcept body approved fraying the socalled hardcore prisoners their release has been a precondition for the armed group to hold peace talks with the government that has more. For centuries of understands traditional grand assemblies known as jurors solve problems by consultation within 3000. 00 elders and Community Leaders joint politicians to decide on the final stumbling block for the negotiations with the taliban with some reluctance president danny has honored the agreement between the Us Government and the armed group decided 5000 prisoners must be released before incra of one dialogue can begin most inmates have been released the ago was called to decide about the final 400 prisoners have been government says these 400 are wanted for major crimes and some even face the Death Penalty they want to ensure that these men do not return to the battlefield the ban. Today i will sign the decree that i did not have the authority to sign before now i will sign the decree to authorize the release of the 400 taliban prisoners based on the request of the loya jirga and they will be released. In a complex power sharing structure is the chairman of the loya jirga as he leads the high council for national reconciliation. After the declaration of the loya jirgah has removed all of europes tickles to start the entrance afghan talks we are on the cusp of starting the negotiation we do have respect for all your decisions and the Afghan Government will be committed to implementing all of them. Despite temporary cease fires 3 and a half 1000 Afghan Security personnel have been killed since february when the landmark deal was signed between leaders and the Us Government us troops are supposed to leave of want to stand by april 2021 and if one. I mean divided over the u. S. Could draw or. It would be better that the us does stay here that will also help our security and reconstruction of our country. The withdrawal of foreign troops is good for us as they were against our culture. It will definitely have a positive impact. For almost all of the security remains there for most concern but. Regarding the release of prisoners we need peace in afghanistan and we will need to pay a price for that therefore we are obliged to release the taliban prisoners of them and say their rights and safety is nonnegotiable regardless of who wields power on it it has been disenchanted i continued my University Studies despite losing many of my classmates to suicide attacks we still have faith stands government will need to bring security in all the places where we do not have security at the moment. The u. S. Government has acknowledged the release of prisoners isnt popular but leaning president danis government to hold direct talks to facilitate a Peace Agreement the release of prisoners is a 1st step for all of them factions to sit across the table but they remain multiple challenges and wide ranging differences to overcome for peace can be achieved. There. People are voting in the president ial election with Alexander Lukashenko facing a tough test to win a 6 consecutive term hes almost certain to win despite a wave of protests against him his main challenger. Has also voted after reports she went into hiding. Several activists were detained during a recent government crackdown has been at one of the polling stations in the capsule minsk. The main opposition candidates. Came out of hiding to cast a vote amidst a cheering and clapping of her supporters who had gathered at a polling station never before election in distance and never before has the rule of president alexander. Been under such pressure and been faced with such large opposition his popularity went down because he was accused of mishandling the crisis saying that wasnt a real problem and people should just simply drink also his mishandling of the economy has basically turned people away to the opposition camp but the opposition as worried that the similar to previous elections a huge fraud will happen during this election and president will claim victory in large margins after the polls will be closed. As president of the misses Scientific Research center thats a think tank he says regardless of who wins or loses the country has changed forever. 7080 percent of the receivers want change we have people of culture Business People people from different areas supporting quote change but the authorities that really are quite in bad and we have this number of about 22 percent of earlier poems sounds different it will be falsified in favor of look a sham the tension is very very high end im sure that people will come out and try to do their best to support their vote i dont know whether it will be tonight told the day after tomorrow d. Well it was will never be the same again as before this parliament or the actual action and thank the previous elections the. Old observer was no democratic and did not prevent the west from dealing with the question and direct way so that would be like moral psychological support but its not likely to influence deliberations between the rebel the russian regime and the world. Still has had on aljazeera. Im wayne hay in bangkok where the government is facing the double threats of a collapsing economy and a protest group much of its value into intensified. The yet in. The sentencing for a company thats found a way to keep performing joint cave at 19. Commissions still remain very unpleasant across much of the Korean Peninsula in particular tools the south more cloud is these jamie and and there is a very heavy rain in the full cost but this is the conditions in the southwest this huge and deadly landslide a mudslide occurred of course because as a result of these continuing heavy rains there is more this in the forecast on monday in fact some very heavy amounts of rain to the east of there across into japan want to scout a chance and then really through much of central and western china again we have these areas of scottish some thunderstorms say that rain will continue across the Korean Peninsula eventually late in the day it should begin to ease but all the while back into china those rains again fairly heavy but also some heavy rain across into the south as well and the rains very widespread across much of south asia the next couple of days are going to see much more on the way of rain across much of these coastal areas you can see the waynes just really pushing across the bay of bengal so really pushing those rain showers in but also very heavy downpours across much of pradesh and eventually extend you cross into iraq just as well similar story radio and she is dead all the while the rains very heavy across the north extensive through much of the pole boutin to the much of the northeast but again the western gas really picking up some heavier downpours as we head into tuesday. Image can change the way we see the womb if we had not seen this we would be talking about it it can spark mass action or serve the interests of the powerful he created this moment for a photo opportunity that can obscure the truth this is a legitimate news story but this clips and the turkey coins are pretty i dont see how it can forge narratives right through the listening post gives you the full picture. Well again you want to get into their heads reminder of our top stories this hour World Leaders are holding a Donor Conference to discuss how to help rebuild lebanons capital beirut theres a growing demand to rebuild the political system as well information minister has quit after 5 other m. P. s resigned. Afghanistans president is backing the release of 400. 00 taliban prisoners ashraf ghani says he respects the decision of the loya jirgah consultative body to approve bring socalled hardcore taliban fighters. And voting is underway in the bell a recent president ial election with Alexander Lukashenko facing a tough challenge to clinch a 6 consecutive term his main challenger to kind of a skier as voted after reports that she went into hiding over night and her top aides were detained. And maimed or rajapaksa has been sworn in as Prime Minister for the 4th time as ruling party won wednesdays parliamentary election by a landslide the 2 thirds majority means he now has the power to make promised. The constitution critics fear that will lead to an autocracy a Prime Minister was appointed by his brother and president by japan are Puerto MiguelFernandez Warsi inauguration ceremony in the capital colombo. And Mahinda Rajapaksa is Prime Minister of sri lanka once again his 4th time around in the job obviously he swept the general elections concluded on the 5th of august with one of the highest number of preferential votes for a candidate ever over 5000000 votes now this paves the way for the s. L. P. Be led by the rajapaksa to carry on with the Work Programme set out by president gautami rajapaksa in his election bid in 2019 its called the stars for prosperity and aims to take sri lanka forward dealing with some of the pressing issues that this country faces now obviously the consolidation of the rajapaksa hold on power has been confirmed with the swearing in of my in the rajapaksa as we saw here at the calorie temple a little while ago but it also shows the kind of dynamic the family is now in charge and even when we saw the swearing in of the Prime Minister you had the president go to a beer or park say his younger brother who went around the table and actually worshiped his brother once he saw him in as Prime Minister these are some of the kind of ways the family operates obviously a number of siblings all of them involved in sri lankan politics now there have been some concerns about a potential reversal of some of the Democratic Institutions the achievement of the last constitution because the right boxes have said that with control of parliament in a 2 thirds majority one of their targets is going to be the constitution that theyre going to bring changes that allows them to get on with the business of government as they map it out so its going to be Interesting Times for sri lanka as the new government takes power. A trip to taiwan by the u. S. Health sex trade is angering china. On a 3 day visit to discuss coronavirus but its the highest level guest allegation in more than 40 years and china says it threatens peace and stability in the region so a clock reports. Its a much anticipated visit Us Health Secretary alex as i was leading a delegation to taiwan to learn from the island success in fighting the coronavirus the United States has recorded 5000000 cases taiwan has fewer than 500 but analysts say the trip is not just about the pandemic its definitely more the the optics and the message being sent to the taiwan government and the people of taiwan as well as to the government in china as far as what what level the u. S. Wants the relationship with taiwan to be obviously the health secretarys doctor learned much during a 3 day visit china claims sovereignty over taiwan and the island is a main irritant in the troubled relationship between the worlds 2 largest economies is due to made taiwanese president clinton during his 3 day visit thats angut chinas leaders who object to all official contact between taiwan and the u. S. Chinese government misses a warning the United States delegation to stick to the one china principle. I want to stress that the one trying to principle is universally recognized by the International Community any attempt to ignore deny or challenge the one trying to principle end up in failure the trip is expected to further fry ties between beijing and washington both are at loggerheads over trade Technology Human rights and territorial disputes especially in the South China Sea its possible that the mainland would look at the economic consequences reminding taiwan that if they dont want to play with the mainland that there are you know theres going to be a very very cold. Are there chinas government says taiwan is the most important and sensitive issue inside the u. S. Relations this rare high level visit comes as those relations have already sunk to the lowest point in decades. Aljazeera. In Canada Police and private security guards are reported to be giving increased protection to a former saudi intelligence agent. Filed a u. S. Lawsuit accusing Saudi Crown Prince ahmed been solman of sending a hit squad to kill him 2 years ago to a media say Security Services learned of a new saudi threat on his life japanese reported to be in hiding in toronto while biggest oil exporter saudi aramco has reported plummeting profits in its 2nd quarter with a fall of 73. 4 percent a Saudi State Oil group says despite a partial recovery demand is still significantly down due to the coronavirus pandemic b. P. Cut its dividend for the 1st time in decades earlier this month and world dutch shell slashed its dividend in april for the 1st time since world war 2. Protesters in thailand say the arrests of 2 of their leaders will not stop the campaign to force out the government the pair were charged with sedition and breaking current virus rules before being released on bail and a government demonstrations have grown as millions of times struggle to make ends meet because of the pandemic when he has more from bangkok. A prize bird is being groomed in the hope it can soon get back to work cockfighting is a tradition in thailand that dates back centuries and has grown into an Industry Worth hundreds of millions of dollars but its a business in most provinces its been closed for 4 months because of coronavirus leaving many fighting for survival. I wanted to sell my birds gradually but i cannot have to try to survive by finding other jobs but its so hard because a lot of people are out of work. In fact as many as 8000000. 00 times could be unemployed by the end of the year meaning lengthening lines for food handouts as government assistance dries up the dire situation comes at a time when the government is coming under increasing scrutiny from opponents who say it came to power through a rigged election last year the 1st since a coup in 2014 thailand has a long history of Political Violence and turbulence which is why there is particular concern about this period the economy is collapsing street protests are underway and at times there is open discussion about the most taboo subject in this country featuring diet lords and spells protesters have been making thinly veiled references to the role of the monarchy in thailand its a sensitive and dangerous tactic in a country where criticism of the royal family can lead to a long jail sentence the protesters want broad political reform and experts believe the Economic Situation brought on by the pen demick is highlighting and intensifying inequality more than 50 percent of the well held by the top one percent and so i think a lot of young people when they. Look to the future for their opportunities dont see dont see any opportunities and so are are more willing to take risks right now to see some political change given the potential that Economic Hardship could see the protest movement expand way. Beyond students the government appears particularly attentive this time the Prime Minister says hell listen to and engage with the protestors but warn them to be careful what they say. Many people see too much and may not be genuine so this is a Police Matter to proceed with. For now many in thailand are too busy trying to earn a living to worry about political change but as the economy worsens fighting to force the government out might become more of a priority when hey aljazeera bangkok. Survivors and dignitaries have mark 75 years since the bomb was dropped on the japanese city of leg asahi the ceremony was scaled back because of covert 19 and 74000 people were killed after u. S. Forces dropped the bomb in the final stages of world war 2 attack came 3 days after an atomic bomb expose it over the city of herat. U. S. President donald trump has signed for executive orders which he says that will provide Economic Relief to millions of americans the move Bypasses Congress and includes a vixen protection Student Loan Relief and an extension of Unemployment Benefits democrats say it provides little help to families and will reduce desperately needed support for the unemployed mike hanna reports from washington. Fresh from around on his course the president held a News Conference at his new Jersey Golf Club merger a number of the clubs Members Forming an admiring crowd heaped blame on the democrats for the lack of agreement in congress ignoring the fact that the house had passed a new stimulus bill back in may that the Republican Controlled Senate declined to vote on. The 1st stimulus bill was passed in march in a bipartisan vote but a number of its provisions expired at the end of july. Among them the 600. 00 unemployment benefit which the president has reduced to poor 100. 00 in his executive order why did you decide on 400. 00 when previously families were receiving 600. 00 that will be a hardship for many what do you say that there were no service hardship this is the money that they need this is the money they want and this gives them a great incentive to go back to work and controversially hes demanded that the states many of which have been economically devastated by the pandemic pay a quarter of the new benefit one of the points of disagreement in congress was the democrats proposal to offer Financial Assistance to the country states that had largely been forced to come to the kind demick with limited federal Assistance Legal experts argue the president does not have the constitutional power to cut payroll taxes as he has done in addition these taxes go to Social Security and medicare and its not clear now how these programs will be funded. The House Speaker nancy pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer issued a scathing joint statement President Trump still does not comprehend the seriousness or the urgency of the health and Economic Crises facing working families they say theyre disappointed that instead of putting in the work to solve americans problems the president instead chose to stay on his luxury golf course to announce unworkable weak and narrow policy announcements to slash the Unemployment Benefits that millions desperately need the president s executive orders will face a series of legal challenges and its uncertain when or if they will come into effect mike hanna aljazeera washington. The number of brazilians who died after contracting cave in 1000 has surpassed 100000 only the United States has also reached that total a 1000 red balloons one for every 100 deaths were released from copacabana beach in Rio De Janeiro back crosses also warn the dead a 1000 deaths a day from the pandemic have been reported for the past 3 months. A fire has killed at least 11 coronavirus patients in a makeshift hospital in Southern India the blaze was at a converted hotel used to treat and quarantine those with codeine team in the city of b j r g b j i wonder where secure is were able to help others to safety 8 patients died and a similar fire and good cheer at state on thursday. New zealands marking 100. 00 days since it stamped out the spread of the corona virus the only new cases of been a few returning travelers whove been quarantined at the border crime as it is into a dense been praise for leading the effort but she warns that people must stay vigilant to avoid a 2nd wave. Well a court of ours pandemic has silenced many performers around the world but not one opera company. Has launched open many ultras after being forced to cancel its usual performances and in keeping with the times both the audience and the cost a socially distancing. And having to figure out how to socially distance on stage and how to interact with each other. With all of that in mind but instead of it being a burden its turned out to be. Just really fun because were all thinking of creative ways to make it through a scene where were supposed to pass a prop to each other and we cat or someone supposed to have a fight but they cant touch each other. This is al jazeera these are top stories holding a Donor Conference to discuss how to help rebuild lebanons compas all in beirut theres a growing demand to rebuild the political system as well information has quit after 5 other m. P. s resigned. In beirut we understand is that the Prime Minister as we speak is holding a meeting with his ministers and the possibility of a resignation is on the table so you mentioned the information minister resigning earlier this morning there were unconfirmed reports that other ministers are going to tender their resignation the government has not been able to cope with this disaster just look behind me the desperation among people theyve come to Market Square just to get any help that they can receive from volunteers from n. G. O. S from Civil Society groups the government is absent the government is cash strapped so you can see water sandwiches people have lost so much. Afghanistans president is backing the release of 400. 00 taliban prisoners ashraf ghani says he respects the decision of the loya jirgah consultative body to approve freeing socalled hardcore taliban fighters voting is underway in the bella reese president ial election with us on the facing a tough challenge to close at 6 consecutive term his main challengers felt liner to kind of skier has voted after reports that she went into hiding overnight when her top aides were detained. Rajapaksa has been sworn in as sri lankas Prime Minister for a 4th time his ruling party won the parliamentary election by a landslide it been serving as interim Prime Minister years also actually alex as ours arrived in taiwan for the 1st high level visit by a top american official in 4 decades hes expected to meet taiwans president china claim sufferance over taiwan and says the trip threatens to business he in the region. And a fire has killed at least 11 coronavirus patients in a makeshift hospital in Southern India the blazers at a converted hotel used to treat and quarantine those with covert 19 in the city of b. J. A water rescue has helped 30 others to safety those are your headlines more news here on aljazeera after the listening post. Told to own their own. Is the government not to take the necessary action to really address some of the structural issues we listen i still think that at travel is the safest mode of travel and to spend that we meet with global news makers and talk about the stories that matter on the phone to 0. Murdoch was allowed to get this all out that may have struck a pompous you know how cruel sorry but i think the may talk. The whole. Time why do you. Refer to. Hello im richard disparate and youre watching a special edition of the listening post this week we examine Rupert Murdoch one of the worlds biggest media empires and its coverage of coke at 90 were focusing on the 2 countries where murdochs companys news corp and fox corporation