World

There's an apocalyptic feeling in Hong Kong. Dialogue between the city-state's government and the protesters seems further off than ever. DW's Frank Sieren says officials don't seem to have the will to find a compromise.   

Pope Francis has arrived in Thailand and will later travel on to Japan, visiting countries with small Christian minorities. The head of the Catholic Church's visits to Nagasaki and Hiroshima will be closely watched.   

Dozens of anti-government protesters are still holed up inside a Hong Kong university after hundreds had fled deteriorating conditions. Authorities have warned that police may fire live rounds to clear the area.   

Hong Kong police are threatening to use live ammunition, but applying more force will not resolve the situation. The territory is facing a political crisis — and a political solution is needed, writes Philipp Bilsky.   

After a two-day standoff, police have stormed into a major university campus as protesters fought back with gasoline bombs and bows and arrows. Police have threatened to fire live bullets at "rioters."   

The German military plans to train 11 Chinese soldiers in 2020. In the light of protests in Hong Kong, Human rights group Amnesty International and activist Joshua Wong urged Berlin to take a stand against Beijing.   

Sri Lankans will elect a new president on Saturday, months after the April attacks jilted confidence in the government. Despite 35 contenders running, the vote will likely be dominated by two prominent candidates.   

Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and relative newcomer Sajith Premadasa are the prominent candidates in Sri Lanka's presidential vote. Minorities are concerned a Rajapaksa win could be a step backwards.   

The official restructuring of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir comes into effect on October 31. The region’s special status had been a thorn in the side of Hindu nationalists for a long time.   

Twenty-seven MEPs, many of them from far-right parties, are visiting Kashmir after holding talks with Indian PM Modi. It's the first foreign delegation to enter the region since New Delhi scrapped its special status.