taiwanese president tsai ing wuhn has vowed to uphold democracy and freedom at home amid growing tensions with beijing. responding to a speech from president xi jinping saying that reunification with china is inevitable, taiwan's leader was defiant on the occasion of national day. talks have been under way in the qatari capital doha between senior us and taliban officials. it's their first face to face meeting since the militants seized control of afghanistan. chancellor sebastian kurz has announced that he will step down, after he was placed under investigation on suspicion of corruption offences. mr kurz, who denies the accusations, said he would remain leader of his party. the czech election has been won by a coalition of three opposition parties, narrowly edging out the party of the billionaire turned prime minister andrej babis. his campaign was hit with