ON TREND

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra dissolved Congress on Monday to end a yearlong battle with rightwing lawmakers over his anti-graft campaign, but rebel legislators refused to leave the chamber as protests against them started across the country. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2mwIlFy

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China will stay on the path of peaceful development, but that the military will resolutely safeguard the country's sovereignty and security. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2oNYU0s

The Guatemalan government has destroyed around 1.5 million coca plants with an estimated street value of some $800 million, President Jimmy Morales said on Monday as his government targets organized crime and the cocaine industry. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2o6TDR3

A South Korean fighter jet conducted a patrol flight over an island whose ownership is disputed by Japan, a South Korean Air Force pilot said on Tuesday. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2o6kzjS

Hong Kong went into lockdown on Tuesday, with barricades in the city center, shuttered stores and a heavy riot police presence, as authorities scrambled to ensure anti-government protests do not overshadow China's anniversary festivities in Beijing. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2njvEy2

PM Scott Morrison agreed to assist with an investigation into the Mueller inquiry, Canberra confirms. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2n4XqP3

The rise comes despite jitters the move will slow spending in the world's third largest economy. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2nfoZFe

South Korea showcased newly acquired F-35 stealth fighter jets to mark Armed Forces Day on Tuesday as President Moon Jae-in tries to allay concerns that his policy of engagement with North Korea may be weakening the South's commitment to defense. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2oOOmON

Britain is proposing to set up "customs clearance centers" on both sides of the Irish border after Brexit, Irish national broadcaster RTE reported on Monday, an idea Ireland's foreign minister quickly dismissed as a "non-starter". from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2nY2swP

Cuba said on Monday the Trump administration denied its health minister a visa to attend a Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) meeting in Washington and accused the United States of repeatedly violating its obligations as the host of an international organization. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2oL7exT

Activists say the charges against Hajar Raissouni are part of a crackdown on critical reporters. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2o3vdrE

U.S. President Donald Trump has contacted other countries to introduce Attorney General William Barr and a Justice Department official who is conducting an inquiry into the origins of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe, a Justice Department spokeswoman said on Monday. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2mqM87c

Ireland's foreign minister said on Monday it was time the European Union received a serious proposal from the British government if a Brexit deal is to be agreed, dismissing a reported proposal for the Irish border as a "non-starter" from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2oKL2nz

By GINA KOLATA from NYT Health https://ift.tt/2nc2QHT

China will celebrate seven decades of communist rule on Tuesday with a display of power through central Beijing, showing off goose-stepping troops, new missiles and floats celebrating the country's technological prowess. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2o3vsmA

A journalist was wounded by gunfire in Haiti on Monday as police fired live ammunition to disperse protesters, his employer, Haitian broadcaster Radio Sans Fin (RSF) said, amid mounting anger over an escalating economic and political crisis. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2n2xeEF

Norman was one of the rare black singers to reach fame in the opera world. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2oLJ1HR

A pilot project at Rotterdam airport plans to capture CO2 from the air and turn it into jet fuel. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2nfOK8f

Hong Kong went into lockdown on Tuesday to ensure anti-government protests do not overshadow Chinese President Xi Jinping's commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. from Reuters: World News https://ift.tt/2o07SqW