British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office has defended his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-wades-into-uk-election-with-attack-on-opposition-leader-and-brexit-warning-259176">Brexit deal with the European Union</a>, after US President Donald Trump warned it would make it impossible for the two nations to strike a future trade agreement.

The president, whose impeachment in the US has moved a stage closer following a key vote in Congress, waded into the British election campaign on Thursday to criticise Johnson's divorce terms with the European bloc.

"This deal... you can't do it, you can't trade. We can't make a trade deal with the UK," he said.

But a Downing Street spokesman later said the deal would allow the UK to strike "our own free trade deals around the world from which every part of the UK will benefit".

Trump's comments appear at odds with his previous pledge in September that he was working closely with Johnson to strike a "magnificent trade deal" once Britain left the EU.

The US president also launched a stinging attack on the country's main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and urged Johnson to unite with eurosceptic hardliner Nigel Farage, a key figure in the 2016 referendum on European Union membership.

"Corbyn would be so bad for your country," Trump told Farage during a phone interview broadcast on his talk show on British radio station LBC.

"He'd take you in such a bad way. He'd take you into such bad places."

"I'd like to see you and Boris get together... I think it'd be a great thing," Trump added.

Farage, whose new Brexit Party is campaigning for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-spins-towards-christmas-election-in-bid-to-break-brexit-deadlock-258700">Britain to leave the EU</a> without any deal in place, has urged Johnson to form an electoral alliance but has so far been rebuffed.&nbsp;

He is due to launch his party's election campaign on Friday.

'Trump trying to interfere'

Within minutes of the interview airing, Corbyn shot back on Twitter that "Trump is trying to interfere in Britain's election to get his friend Boris Johnson elected".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-election-campaign-kicks-off-on-no-brexit-day-259143">Johnson agreed new divorce terms</a> with the bloc's leaders earlier this month, ahead of the country's scheduled departure on Thursday. &nbsp;

But he was unable to push the plan through parliament and instead opted to hold a snap pre-Christmas election, blaming his Labour rivals for the latest Brexit delay and promising to now take the country out by a new January 31 deadline.

"If you vote for us and we get our programme through, which we will...&nbsp;we can be out, at the absolute latest, by January next year," Johnson said during a campaign stop Thursday at a hospital.

The Conservative leader is riding high in opinion polls going into the December 12 vote that will be Britain's third in four years.&nbsp;

But he risks a backlash over his unkept "do or die" promise to deliver Brexit on October 31 -- and has again set himself up for another potential fall by promising to meet the next deadline.

Pro-EU campaigners and business executives have breathed a sigh of relief that Britain avoided a Halloween Brexit nightmare that could have seen it crash out of the EU after 46 years without a plan.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office has defended his Brexit deal with the European Union, after US President Donald Trump warned it would make it impossible for the two nations to strike a future trade agreement.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office has defended his Brexit deal with the European Union, after US President Donald Trump warned it would make it impossible for the two nations to strike a future trade agreement. The president, whose impeachment in the US has moved a stage closer following a key vote in Congress, waded into the British election campaign on Thursday to criticise Johnson's divorce terms with the European bloc. "This deal... you can't do it, you can't trade. We can't make a trade deal with the UK," he said. But a Downing Street spokesman later said the deal would allow the UK to strike "our own free trade deals around the world from which every part of the UK will benefit". Trump's comments appear at odds with his previous pledge in September that he was working closely with Johnson to strike a "magnificent trade deal" once Britain left the EU. The US president also launched a stinging attack on the country's main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn and urged Johnson to unite with eurosceptic hardliner Nigel Farage, a key figure in the 2016 referendum on European Union membership. "Corbyn would be so bad for your country," Trump told Farage during a phone interview broadcast on his talk show on British radio station LBC. "He'd take you in such a bad way. He'd take you into such bad places." "I'd like to see you and Boris get together... I think it'd be a great thing," Trump added. Farage, whose new Brexit Party is campaigning for Britain to leave the EU without any deal in place, has urged Johnson to form an electoral alliance but has so far been rebuffed. He is due to launch his party's election campaign on Friday. 'Trump trying to interfere' Within minutes of the interview airing, Corbyn shot back on Twitter that "Trump is trying to interfere in Britain's election to get his friend Boris Johnson elected". Johnson agreed new divorce terms with the bloc's leaders earlier this month, ahead of the country's scheduled departure on Thursday. But he was unable to push the plan through parliament and instead opted to hold a snap pre-Christmas election, blaming his Labour rivals for the latest Brexit delay and promising to now take the country out by a new January 31 deadline. "If you vote for us and we get our programme through, which we will... we can be out, at the absolute latest, by January next year," Johnson said during a campaign stop Thursday at a hospital. The Conservative leader is riding high in opinion polls going into the December 12 vote that will be Britain's third in four years. But he risks a backlash over his unkept "do or die" promise to deliver Brexit on October 31 -- and has again set himself up for another potential fall by promising to meet the next deadline. Pro-EU campaigners and business executives have breathed a sigh of relief that Britain avoided a Halloween Brexit nightmare that could have seen it crash out of the EU after 46 years without a plan.

United Kingdom defends Brexit deal after Trump's trade warning

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrias-assad-says-he-does-not-want-turkey-as-an-enemy-259172">Turkish</a> and Russian troops began conducting their first joint ground patrols in northeast Syria on Friday, a Turkish military source told Reuters.

Ankara and Moscow had agreed to conduct joint patrols in the region under a deal struck by President Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Erdogan said on Wednesday the patrols would be at a depth of 7 km in Syrian territory.

In September, the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran meeting in Ankara&nbsp;agreed to try to ease tensions in northwest Syria's Idlib region, but disagreements between the countries appeared to linger, especially over the threat from Islamic State.

The summit of the three countries,&nbsp;all of whom have allies fighting in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war,&nbsp;aimed to find a lasting truce in Syria.&nbsp;

Recent attacks by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-releases-18-syrian-troops-after-talks-with-russia-259170">Syrian government</a> forces risk deepening regional turmoil and pushing a new wave of migrants towards Turkey.

"We are in a period when we need to take more responsibility for peace in Syria, when we (three countries) need to carry more weight," Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan said, adding that all three leaders were in agreement that a political solution was necessary to end the crisis in Syria.

Turkish and Russian troops began conducting their first joint ground patrols in northeast Syria on Friday, a Turkish military source told Reuters. Ankara and Moscow had agreed to conduct joint patrols in the region under a deal struck by President Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Turkish and Russian troops began conducting their first joint ground patrols in northeast Syria on Friday, a Turkish military source told Reuters. Ankara and Moscow had agreed to conduct joint patrols in the region under a deal struck by President Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Erdogan said on Wednesday the patrols would be at a depth of 7 km in Syrian territory. In September, the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran meeting in Ankara agreed to try to ease tensions in northwest Syria's Idlib region, but disagreements between the countries appeared to linger, especially over the threat from Islamic State. The summit of the three countries, all of whom have allies fighting in Syria's ruinous eight-year-old war, aimed to find a lasting truce in Syria. Recent attacks by Syrian government forces risk deepening regional turmoil and pushing a new wave of migrants towards Turkey. "We are in a period when we need to take more responsibility for peace in Syria, when we (three countries) need to carry more weight," Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan said, adding that all three leaders were in agreement that a political solution was necessary to end the crisis in Syria.

Turkey, Russia begin joint patrols in northern Syria: Report

Islamic State confirmed on Thursday that its leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-names-al-quraishi-as-baghdadi-successor-threatens-united-states-report-259118">Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi</a> was killed in a weekend raid by US&nbsp;special forces in northwestern Syria, and vowed revenge against the United States.

The Iraqi rose from obscurity to lead the ultra-hardline group and declare himself "caliph" of all Muslims, holding sway over huge areas of Iraq and Syria from 2014-2017 before Islamic State's control disintegrated under US-led attacks.

The group confirmed his death in an audiotape posted online and said a successor, identified as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Quraishi, had been appointed.

Aymenn al-Tamimi, a researcher at Swansea University focusing on Islamic State, said the name was unknown but could refer to a leading figure in Islamic State called Hajj Abdullah, whom the US&nbsp;State Department had identified as a possible successor.

A former senior figure in the rival Islamist group al Qaeda in Iraq, he is also known as Mohamed Said Abdelrahman al-Mawla.

Analysts have also named the Saudi Abu Abdullah al-Jizrawi and Abdullah Qaradash, an Iraqi and one of Baghdadi’s right-hand men, as potential successors along with the Tunisian Abu Othman al-Tunisi.

An Islamic State spokesman warned the United States in the tape to "beware vengeance (against) their nation and their brethren of infidels and apostates".

Baghdadi's death is likely to cause Islamic State to splinter, leaving whoever emerges as its new leader with the task of pulling the group back together as a fighting force, according to analysts.

Whether the loss of its leader will in itself affect the group's capabilities is open to debate. Even if it does face difficulties in the transition, the underlying ideology and the sectarian hatred it promoted remain attractive to many, analysts say. 
&nbsp;

Watch: US releases Baghdadi raid video

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-releases-baghdadi-raid-video-258910/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Guerrilla Attacks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-releases-baghdadi-raid-video-warns-of-likely-retribution-attack-258906">Islamic State</a> also confirmed the death of its spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir.

"I think they're trying to send the message, 'Don't think you've destroyed the project just because you've killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the official spokesman'," Tamimi said.

Islamic State has resorted to guerrilla attacks since losing its last significant piece of territory in Syria in March.

Since Baghdadi's death, it has posted dozens of claims of responsibility for attacks in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

HA&nbsp;Hellyer, senior associate fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the group, also known as ISIS or Daesh, would have picked the name Quraishi for Baghdadi's successor to suggest descent from the Prophet Mohammad's tribe.

Baghdadi's "caliph" name also ended in Quraishi.

"ISIS is trying to show its followers it respects that tradition, but Muslims more widely aren't likely to care very much, considering the wide violations of the Islamic law that ISIS has clearly engaged with," Hellyer added.

In his last purported audio message, released in September, Baghdadi said operations were taking place daily and urged freedom for women jailed in Iraq and Syria on suspicion of links to the group.

He also said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-releases-baghdadi-raid-video-warns-of-likely-retribution-attack-258906">United States and its proxies</a> had been defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that the United States had been "dragged" into Mali and Niger.

Islamic State confirmed on Thursday that its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a weekend raid by US special forces in northwestern Syria, and vowed revenge against the United States.

Islamic State confirmed on Thursday that its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a weekend raid by US special forces in northwestern Syria, and vowed revenge against the United States. The Iraqi rose from obscurity to lead the ultra-hardline group and declare himself "caliph" of all Muslims, holding sway over huge areas of Iraq and Syria from 2014-2017 before Islamic State's control disintegrated under US-led attacks. The group confirmed his death in an audiotape posted online and said a successor, identified as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Quraishi, had been appointed. Aymenn al-Tamimi, a researcher at Swansea University focusing on Islamic State, said the name was unknown but could refer to a leading figure in Islamic State called Hajj Abdullah, whom the US State Department had identified as a possible successor. A former senior figure in the rival Islamist group al Qaeda in Iraq, he is also known as Mohamed Said Abdelrahman al-Mawla. Analysts have also named the Saudi Abu Abdullah al-Jizrawi and Abdullah Qaradash, an Iraqi and one of Baghdadi’s right-hand men, as potential successors along with the Tunisian Abu Othman al-Tunisi. An Islamic State spokesman warned the United States in the tape to "beware vengeance (against) their nation and their brethren of infidels and apostates". Baghdadi's death is likely to cause Islamic State to splinter, leaving whoever emerges as its new leader with the task of pulling the group back together as a fighting force, according to analysts. Whether the loss of its leader will in itself affect the group's capabilities is open to debate. Even if it does face difficulties in the transition, the underlying ideology and the sectarian hatred it promoted remain attractive to many, analysts say. Watch: US releases Baghdadi raid video Guerrilla Attacks Islamic State also confirmed the death of its spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir. "I think they're trying to send the message, 'Don't think you've destroyed the project just because you've killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the official spokesman'," Tamimi said. Islamic State has resorted to guerrilla attacks since losing its last significant piece of territory in Syria in March. Since Baghdadi's death, it has posted dozens of claims of responsibility for attacks in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere. HA Hellyer, senior associate fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said the group, also known as ISIS or Daesh, would have picked the name Quraishi for Baghdadi's successor to suggest descent from the Prophet Mohammad's tribe. Baghdadi's "caliph" name also ended in Quraishi. "ISIS is trying to show its followers it respects that tradition, but Muslims more widely aren't likely to care very much, considering the wide violations of the Islamic law that ISIS has clearly engaged with," Hellyer added. In his last purported audio message, released in September, Baghdadi said operations were taking place daily and urged freedom for women jailed in Iraq and Syria on suspicion of links to the group. He also said the United States and its proxies had been defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that the United States had been "dragged" into Mali and Niger.

Islamic State vows revenge against United States for killing Baghdadi

Japan's Sharp Corp, an Apple supplier, posted a profit that beat expectations and was its first rise in five quarters, driven by the strength in the laptop business it bought from Toshiba.

Sharp, which makes sensors, camera modules and screens for Apple's iPhones, posted an operating profit of 22.3 billion yen ($206.54 million) for the second quarter ended September, up from 22.2 billion yen a year prior.

That compared with a 19.65 billion yen average of 4 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv.

Sharp, a unit of Taiwan's Foxconn, maintained its profit forecast for the year ending March at 100 billion yen, versus a consensus estimate of 82.23 billion yen from 10 analysts.

Sharp took over Toshiba's loss-making laptop unit last year and turned it around, making it a major profit contributor, in a push to regain global presence.

The outlook for Sharp's electronic devices business is also improving as sales at its key customer Apple appear to be stabilising.

While iPhone sales fell 9 per cent&nbsp;in the three months ended September, it was smaller than the drop in recent quarters and better than analyst expectations.

Sharp, which Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, acquired control of in 2016, is aiming to expand globally by launching high-definition 8K television sets and return to the US&nbsp;TV market.

The Osaka-based firm cut back its overseas TV business and licensed China's Hisense to use its brand in the Americas in 2015 when massive losses at its core display panel unit put its survival at risk. But earlier this year, Sharp said it had effectively regained the license sold to Hisense.

Japan's Sharp Corp, an Apple supplier, posted a profit that beat expectations and was its first rise in five quarters, driven by the strength in the laptop business it bought from Toshiba.

Japan's Sharp Corp, an Apple supplier, posted a profit that beat expectations and was its first rise in five quarters, driven by the strength in the laptop business it bought from Toshiba. Sharp, which makes sensors, camera modules and screens for Apple's iPhones, posted an operating profit of 22.3 billion yen ($206.54 million) for the second quarter ended September, up from 22.2 billion yen a year prior. That compared with a 19.65 billion yen average of 4 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv. Sharp, a unit of Taiwan's Foxconn, maintained its profit forecast for the year ending March at 100 billion yen, versus a consensus estimate of 82.23 billion yen from 10 analysts. Sharp took over Toshiba's loss-making laptop unit last year and turned it around, making it a major profit contributor, in a push to regain global presence. The outlook for Sharp's electronic devices business is also improving as sales at its key customer Apple appear to be stabilising. While iPhone sales fell 9 per cent in the three months ended September, it was smaller than the drop in recent quarters and better than analyst expectations. Sharp, which Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, acquired control of in 2016, is aiming to expand globally by launching high-definition 8K television sets and return to the US TV market. The Osaka-based firm cut back its overseas TV business and licensed China's Hisense to use its brand in the Americas in 2015 when massive losses at its core display panel unit put its survival at risk. But earlier this year, Sharp said it had effectively regained the license sold to Hisense.

Japan's Sharp beats second-quarter profit expectations on laptop business

Nissan Motor Co&nbsp;on Friday appointed American Stephen Ma as its next chief financial officer and said Hitoshi Kawaguchi and other veteran executives were stepping down, a shake-up that one source said marked a "generational change" at the automaker.

The announcement comes just weeks after the Japanese company named the head of its China business, Makoto Uchida, as its next chief executive.

Following the dramatic ouster of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn almost exactly a year ago, Nissan has been battered by scandals, plunging profits, and tensions with top shareholder Renault SA.

The company said Ma, its global controller who is turning 49 this month, would become its next chief financial officer, making him one of the highest-ranking non-Japanese at the company.

He will replace Hiroshi Karube, whose departure was also announced.

"We are trying to achieve a generational change in Nissan management," said a source at the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The departure of Kawaguchi, which was earlier reported by Reuters, is also significant. The executive, who had been in charge of external affairs, had been seen as backing acting chief executive Yasuhiro Yamauchi for the top job that later went to Uchida, Reuters has reported.

Nissan Motor Co on Friday appointed American Stephen Ma as its next chief financial officer and said Hitoshi Kawaguchi and other veteran executives were stepping down, a shake-up that one source said marked a "generational change" at the automaker.

Nissan Motor Co on Friday appointed American Stephen Ma as its next chief financial officer and said Hitoshi Kawaguchi and other veteran executives were stepping down, a shake-up that one source said marked a "generational change" at the automaker. The announcement comes just weeks after the Japanese company named the head of its China business, Makoto Uchida, as its next chief executive. Following the dramatic ouster of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn almost exactly a year ago, Nissan has been battered by scandals, plunging profits, and tensions with top shareholder Renault SA. The company said Ma, its global controller who is turning 49 this month, would become its next chief financial officer, making him one of the highest-ranking non-Japanese at the company. He will replace Hiroshi Karube, whose departure was also announced. "We are trying to achieve a generational change in Nissan management," said a source at the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The departure of Kawaguchi, which was earlier reported by Reuters, is also significant. The executive, who had been in charge of external affairs, had been seen as backing acting chief executive Yasuhiro Yamauchi for the top job that later went to Uchida, Reuters has reported.

Nissan names new finance chief, some managers to leave in latest shake-up

The Islamic State jihadist group confirmed the death of its leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-releases-baghdadi-raid-video-warns-of-likely-retribution-attack-258906">Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi</a> and named his replacement as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, said a statement released Thursday.

"We mourn you... commander of the faithful," an audio statement read by Abu Hamza al-Quraishi, presented as the jihadist group's spokesman, said.

Baghdadi, who led IS since 2014 and was the world's most wanted man, was killed in a US special forces raid in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Sunday.

The group also confirmed the killing in another raid the following day of the group's previous spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir.

The statement said the jihadist group's legislative and consultative body convened after the 48-year-old Iraqi-born jihadist chief's death.

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remains-of-islamic-state-chief-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-buried-at-sea-us-official-258568">Islamic State</a> Shura council convened immediately after confirming the martyrdom of Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the elders of the holy warriors agreed" on a replacement, said the seven-minute message.

The IS spokesman also issued a stark warning to the United States, whose President Donald Trump announced Baghdadi's death in a televised address from the White House.

"He died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way," Trump said on Sunday, adding that Baghdad "died like a dog".

In the new audio message, the IS spokesman described Trump as "a crazy old man" and warned the US its supporters would avenge Baghdadi's death.

"Do not rejoice America," he warned, "the new chosen one will make you forget the horror you have beholden... and make the achievements of the Baghdadi days taste sweet".

The Islamic State jihadist group confirmed the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and named his replacement as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, said a statement released Thursday.

The Islamic State jihadist group confirmed the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and named his replacement as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, said a statement released Thursday. "We mourn you... commander of the faithful," an audio statement read by Abu Hamza al-Quraishi, presented as the jihadist group's spokesman, said. Baghdadi, who led IS since 2014 and was the world's most wanted man, was killed in a US special forces raid in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Sunday. The group also confirmed the killing in another raid the following day of the group's previous spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir. The statement said the jihadist group's legislative and consultative body convened after the 48-year-old Iraqi-born jihadist chief's death. "The Islamic State Shura council convened immediately after confirming the martyrdom of Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the elders of the holy warriors agreed" on a replacement, said the seven-minute message. The IS spokesman also issued a stark warning to the United States, whose President Donald Trump announced Baghdadi's death in a televised address from the White House. "He died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way," Trump said on Sunday, adding that Baghdad "died like a dog". In the new audio message, the IS spokesman described Trump as "a crazy old man" and warned the US its supporters would avenge Baghdadi's death. "Do not rejoice America," he warned, "the new chosen one will make you forget the horror you have beholden... and make the achievements of the Baghdadi days taste sweet".

Islamic State names Al-Quraishi as Baghdadi successor, threatens United States: Report

Congress formally opened a new, public phase of its corruption <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/house-to-formalise-donald-trump-impeachment-investigation-259008">investigation into Donald Trump</a> on Thursday as US lawmakers voted for the first time to advance the impeachment process targeting the US president.

"Today the House takes the next step forward as we establish the procedures for open hearings... so that the public can see the facts for themselves," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

"What is at stake in all of this is nothing less than our democracy."

The top Democrat and Trump's chief nemesis in Congress addressed fellow lawmakers shortly before her chamber took a Halloween morning vote along party lines,&nbsp;232 to 196,&nbsp;to pass a resolution that lays out rules for the next stages of the impeachment process.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-adviser-tells-lawmakers-trump-ukraine-call-raised-national-security-concerns-258751">Trump has repeatedly branded the process as illegitimate</a> and politically motivated and, true to form, his reaction was swift.

"The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!" he boomed on Twitter.

He called on Republicans to rally behind him even as he faced the embarrassing likelihood of becoming the third president in history to be impeached and placed on trial for removal in the Senate, over an alleged extortion scheme to obtain Ukraine's help to get him reelected in 2020.

The embattled president retweeted a rallying cry from Fox News host Laura Ingraham that called on Republicans to "stand together and defend the leader of their party against these smears."

"This farce should never be allowed to roll into a winter show trial," read the tweet -- suggesting Trump would want the Republican leadership in the Senate to shut the process down.

Watch: Trump donors charged in campaign impeachment probe

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-impeachment-probe-trump-donors-charged-in-campaign-impeachment-probe-255094/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Holding Trump 'accountable'

Trump is accused of withholding military aid to compel Ukraine to mount an embarrassing corruption probe against his Democratic election rival Joe Biden, effectively using <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-to-vote-on-thursday-on-how-to-make-trump-impeachment-probe-public-258587">US foreign policy</a> in an illegal shakedown for his personal political benefit.

Trump and loyal Republicans dismiss the case as a "sham," but congressional investigators have heard a steady flow of corroborating evidence from government officials testifying behind closed doors on Capitol Hill.

The landmark resolution did not have unanimous Democratic approval. Two Democrats joined all Republicans in opposing the measure, although former Republican Justin Amash, now an independent, supported it.

The inquiry now moves into the public eye -- giving Americans the chance to hear on live television the evidence against Trump.

The House Intelligence Committee, which has led the inquiry so far, will host open hearings, presenting witnesses and documentary evidence and allowing Republicans to challenge the case against Trump.

The minority can also suggest subpoenas but majority Democrats have final say, a rule that has angered Republicans.

"Trying to put a ribbon on a sham process doesn't make it any less of a sham," House Republican Jim Jordan fumed.

Democrats argue that the vote neutralizes a key Republican talking point that the inquiry has no validity because the full House did not sign on.&nbsp;

Neither the House rules nor the US Constitution require such a vote to start an impeachment inquiry.

If the case against Trump is deemed strong enough, the House Judiciary Committee will draw up formal charges against the president -- articles of impeachment -- to be voted on by the full House.

That process could be completed by year end. The Democrat-controlled House is expected to approve impeachment, which would then see Trump go on trial for removal in the Senate, where Republicans have a majority.

Democrats dismissed the charges that the process is partisan.

"There is serious evidence that President Trump may have violated the Constitution," said Jim McGovern, Chairman of the House Rules Committee which drew up the resolution.

"If we don't hold this president accountable, we could be ceding our ability to hold any president accountable."

Witnesses back allegations

Nearly a dozen witnesses so far have confirmed in House depositions the accusations that, in a concerted effort with top aides and his personal lawyer, Trump pressured Ukraine to help his reelection effort in 2020 by producing dirt on Biden, the former vice president.

The allegations focus on a July 25 phone call in which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-lawmakers-hear-from-corroborating-witness-in-trump-impeachment-probe-258323">Trump pressed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky</a> to open investigations into Biden and Biden's son, who worked with a Ukraine energy firm.

Tim Morrison, the White House National Security Council's top Russia expert, arrived on Capitol Hill Thursday to be deposed.

According to other witnesses, Morrison, who resigned late Wednesday, has personal knowledge of the White House effort to freeze military aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelensky to launch the political investigations.

Investigators also have called on Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton to testify, along with two White House national security lawyers.

Bolton, other witnesses have said, disagreed strongly with Trump's tactics toward Ukraine and the involvement of his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine policy.

Congress formally opened a new, public phase of its corruption investigation into Donald Trump on Thursday as US lawmakers voted for the first time to advance the impeachment process targeting the US president.

Congress formally opened a new, public phase of its corruption investigation into Donald Trump on Thursday as US lawmakers voted for the first time to advance the impeachment process targeting the US president. "Today the House takes the next step forward as we establish the procedures for open hearings... so that the public can see the facts for themselves," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "What is at stake in all of this is nothing less than our democracy." The top Democrat and Trump's chief nemesis in Congress addressed fellow lawmakers shortly before her chamber took a Halloween morning vote along party lines, 232 to 196, to pass a resolution that lays out rules for the next stages of the impeachment process. Trump has repeatedly branded the process as illegitimate and politically motivated and, true to form, his reaction was swift. "The Greatest Witch Hunt In American History!" he boomed on Twitter. He called on Republicans to rally behind him even as he faced the embarrassing likelihood of becoming the third president in history to be impeached and placed on trial for removal in the Senate, over an alleged extortion scheme to obtain Ukraine's help to get him reelected in 2020. The embattled president retweeted a rallying cry from Fox News host Laura Ingraham that called on Republicans to "stand together and defend the leader of their party against these smears." "This farce should never be allowed to roll into a winter show trial," read the tweet -- suggesting Trump would want the Republican leadership in the Senate to shut the process down. Watch: Trump donors charged in campaign impeachment probe Holding Trump 'accountable' Trump is accused of withholding military aid to compel Ukraine to mount an embarrassing corruption probe against his Democratic election rival Joe Biden, effectively using US foreign policy in an illegal shakedown for his personal political benefit. Trump and loyal Republicans dismiss the case as a "sham," but congressional investigators have heard a steady flow of corroborating evidence from government officials testifying behind closed doors on Capitol Hill. The landmark resolution did not have unanimous Democratic approval. Two Democrats joined all Republicans in opposing the measure, although former Republican Justin Amash, now an independent, supported it. The inquiry now moves into the public eye -- giving Americans the chance to hear on live television the evidence against Trump. The House Intelligence Committee, which has led the inquiry so far, will host open hearings, presenting witnesses and documentary evidence and allowing Republicans to challenge the case against Trump. The minority can also suggest subpoenas but majority Democrats have final say, a rule that has angered Republicans. "Trying to put a ribbon on a sham process doesn't make it any less of a sham," House Republican Jim Jordan fumed. Democrats argue that the vote neutralizes a key Republican talking point that the inquiry has no validity because the full House did not sign on. Neither the House rules nor the US Constitution require such a vote to start an impeachment inquiry. If the case against Trump is deemed strong enough, the House Judiciary Committee will draw up formal charges against the president -- articles of impeachment -- to be voted on by the full House. That process could be completed by year end. The Democrat-controlled House is expected to approve impeachment, which would then see Trump go on trial for removal in the Senate, where Republicans have a majority. Democrats dismissed the charges that the process is partisan. "There is serious evidence that President Trump may have violated the Constitution," said Jim McGovern, Chairman of the House Rules Committee which drew up the resolution. "If we don't hold this president accountable, we could be ceding our ability to hold any president accountable." Witnesses back allegations Nearly a dozen witnesses so far have confirmed in House depositions the accusations that, in a concerted effort with top aides and his personal lawyer, Trump pressured Ukraine to help his reelection effort in 2020 by producing dirt on Biden, the former vice president. The allegations focus on a July 25 phone call in which Trump pressed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to open investigations into Biden and Biden's son, who worked with a Ukraine energy firm. Tim Morrison, the White House National Security Council's top Russia expert, arrived on Capitol Hill Thursday to be deposed. According to other witnesses, Morrison, who resigned late Wednesday, has personal knowledge of the White House effort to freeze military aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelensky to launch the political investigations. Investigators also have called on Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton to testify, along with two White House national security lawyers. Bolton, other witnesses have said, disagreed strongly with Trump's tactics toward Ukraine and the involvement of his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine policy.

United States House formalises Trump impeachment process in landmark vote

Indian Oil Corp Ltd,&nbsp;the country's top refiner, posted an 82.7 per cent slump in second-quarter profit on Thursday, missing estimates widely, due to higher inventory losses and lower refining margins.

Net profit was at 5.63 billion rupees&nbsp;in the quarter ended September&nbsp;30, compared with 32.47 billion rupees a year earlier, state-owned IOC said in a filing.

Quarterly results were impacted due to inventory losses in the three months ended September&nbsp;30 against inventory gains year ago, company chairman Sanjiv Singh said.

September quarter inventory losses stood at 18.07 billion rupees, against a gain of 28.95 billion rupees year ago.

International crude prices&nbsp;fell 8.7 per cent during the quarter ended September&nbsp;30, while the refiner bought the commodity at a much higher price.

Average gross refining margin - the difference between the cost of crude oil processed and the prices of refined products - shrank to $1.28 per barrel for the July-Sept period from $6.79 per barrel a year earlier.

Singh said GRMs were impacted due to lower product margins.

Indian retail prices for gasoline and gas oil are linked to their respective benchmarks in Singapore and the Arab Gulf.

Analysts on average had expected a profit of 39.71 billion rupees, according to Refinitiv data.

Revenue from operations fell 13.2 per cent&nbsp;to 1.32 trillion rupees.

IOC, along with its subsidiary Chennai Petroleum controls about a third of India's 5 million barrels per day refining capacity.

Fuel demand in the world's third-largest consumer fell to its lowest in more than two years in September, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) showed.

Recently, Indian government relaxed rules for setting up fuel stations in the country after a gap of 17 years, opening the sector to non-energy companies, which has been dominated by state refiners - Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp&nbsp;and Hindustan Petroleum Corp.

Singh said new rules will enhance competition in the market and benefit consumers.

Indian Oil Corp Ltd, the country's top refiner, posted an 82.7 per cent slump in second-quarter profit on Thursday, missing estimates widely, due to higher inventory losses and lower refining margins.

Indian Oil Corp Ltd, the country's top refiner, posted an 82.7 per cent slump in second-quarter profit on Thursday, missing estimates widely, due to higher inventory losses and lower refining margins. Net profit was at 5.63 billion rupees in the quarter ended September 30, compared with 32.47 billion rupees a year earlier, state-owned IOC said in a filing. Quarterly results were impacted due to inventory losses in the three months ended September 30 against inventory gains year ago, company chairman Sanjiv Singh said. September quarter inventory losses stood at 18.07 billion rupees, against a gain of 28.95 billion rupees year ago. International crude prices fell 8.7 per cent during the quarter ended September 30, while the refiner bought the commodity at a much higher price. Average gross refining margin - the difference between the cost of crude oil processed and the prices of refined products - shrank to $1.28 per barrel for the July-Sept period from $6.79 per barrel a year earlier. Singh said GRMs were impacted due to lower product margins. Indian retail prices for gasoline and gas oil are linked to their respective benchmarks in Singapore and the Arab Gulf. Analysts on average had expected a profit of 39.71 billion rupees, according to Refinitiv data. Revenue from operations fell 13.2 per cent to 1.32 trillion rupees. IOC, along with its subsidiary Chennai Petroleum controls about a third of India's 5 million barrels per day refining capacity. Fuel demand in the world's third-largest consumer fell to its lowest in more than two years in September, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) showed. Recently, Indian government relaxed rules for setting up fuel stations in the country after a gap of 17 years, opening the sector to non-energy companies, which has been dominated by state refiners - Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Singh said new rules will enhance competition in the market and benefit consumers.

Indian Oil profit tanks 83% as refining margins shrink

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-diplomats-strike-over-working-conditions-258830">Israel</a> has approved the construction of 2,342 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday.

It said the decision was taken on October 10 and that 59 per cent of the new homes will be erected in "settlements that Israel likely may evacuate under a peace agreement" with the Palestinians.

According to Peace Now, which closely monitors Israeli settlement building, plans for 8,337 housing units in the settlements have been approved since the beginning of the year.

It said this represented an increase of close to 50 per cent compared with 2018 when plans for 5,618 housing units were approved.

"This brings the average number of housing units approved in the three years since President Trump was elected, to 6,899 housing units, almost twice the average in the three years preceding them," said the NGO.

All settlements are considered illegal under international law and are built on land that the Palestinians see as part of their future state, but Israel distinguishes between those it has approved and those it has not.

Peace Now said that settlement construction has increased under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is fighting for his political survival after failing to form a coalition government following September elections.

"Netanyahu continues to sabotage the possibility of a political agreement with the Palestinians by promoting more settlement construction in the West Bank, including in places where Israel may have to evacuate as part of a future agreement," Peace Now said.

Included in the 2,342 new housing units are 182 that are due to be built in Mevoot Yericho, a former outpost near Jericho which the Netanyahu government legalised before the September polls, Peace Now said.

Ramping up the construction of settlement homes is yet another dangerous step for both Israel and the Palestinians, led by a transitional prime minister whom the public did not trust in his policies.

"The next government must put a freeze on the development of settlements and to strive for immediate resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions and to end the bloody conflict based on the principle of two states for two peoples," Peace Now added.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has tasked ex-military chief Benny Gantz to form a government after Netanyahu failed to set up a coalition for the second time this year.

Some 600,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem among around 2.9 million Palestinians.

Israel has approved the construction of 2,342 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday. It said the decision was taken on October 10 and that 59 per cent of the new homes will be erected in "settlements that Israel likely may evacuate under a peace agreement" with the Palestinians.

Israel has approved the construction of 2,342 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday. It said the decision was taken on October 10 and that 59 per cent of the new homes will be erected in "settlements that Israel likely may evacuate under a peace agreement" with the Palestinians. According to Peace Now, which closely monitors Israeli settlement building, plans for 8,337 housing units in the settlements have been approved since the beginning of the year. It said this represented an increase of close to 50 per cent compared with 2018 when plans for 5,618 housing units were approved. "This brings the average number of housing units approved in the three years since President Trump was elected, to 6,899 housing units, almost twice the average in the three years preceding them," said the NGO. All settlements are considered illegal under international law and are built on land that the Palestinians see as part of their future state, but Israel distinguishes between those it has approved and those it has not. Peace Now said that settlement construction has increased under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is fighting for his political survival after failing to form a coalition government following September elections. "Netanyahu continues to sabotage the possibility of a political agreement with the Palestinians by promoting more settlement construction in the West Bank, including in places where Israel may have to evacuate as part of a future agreement," Peace Now said. Included in the 2,342 new housing units are 182 that are due to be built in Mevoot Yericho, a former outpost near Jericho which the Netanyahu government legalised before the September polls, Peace Now said. Ramping up the construction of settlement homes is yet another dangerous step for both Israel and the Palestinians, led by a transitional prime minister whom the public did not trust in his policies. "The next government must put a freeze on the development of settlements and to strive for immediate resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians without preconditions and to end the bloody conflict based on the principle of two states for two peoples," Peace Now added. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has tasked ex-military chief Benny Gantz to form a government after Netanyahu failed to set up a coalition for the second time this year. Some 600,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem among around 2.9 million Palestinians.

Israel approves more than 2,300 settler homes in West Bank: Report

Russia's Bulava: Most dangerous nuclear powered submarine-launched ICBM

President Donald Trump said Thursday that an alternative location for his signing of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-officials-say-they-have-doubts-if-trade-deal-possible-with-trump-report-259031">United States-China trade deal</a> with President Xi Jinping will be "announced soon," following cancellation of an APEC summit in Chile.

The partial trade deal, known as phase one, had been due for signing on the sidelines of the regional APEC summit which Chile cancelled on Wednesday due to violent unrest in the capital Santiago.

"China and the USA are working on selecting a new site for signing," Trump tweeted. "The new location will be announced soon. President Xi and President Trump will do signing!"

Beijing also remains positive about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-top-trade-negotiators-to-talk-again-on-friday-258968">phase one deal</a>, which would signal a big de-escalation in the two economic giants' so far 18-month trade war.

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China and the USA are working on selecting a new site for signing of Phase One of Trade Agreement, about 60% of total deal, after APEC in Chile was canceled do to unrelated circumstances. The new location will be announced soon. President Xi and President Trump will do signing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1189895935721197570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Negotiating teams on the Chinese and US sides have continued to maintain close communication, and negotiations are currently making smooth progress," the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement Thursday.

"The two sides will continue to push forward negotiations and other work according to the original plan," the ministry said, adding that leaders from both sides will hold another call Friday, a week after senior officials last spoke over the phone.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that an alternative location for his signing of a United States-China trade deal with President Xi Jinping will be "announced soon," following cancellation of an APEC summit in Chile.

President Donald Trump said Thursday that an alternative location for his signing of a United States-China trade deal with President Xi Jinping will be "announced soon," following cancellation of an APEC summit in Chile. The partial trade deal, known as phase one, had been due for signing on the sidelines of the regional APEC summit which Chile cancelled on Wednesday due to violent unrest in the capital Santiago. "China and the USA are working on selecting a new site for signing," Trump tweeted. "The new location will be announced soon. President Xi and President Trump will do signing!" Beijing also remains positive about phase one deal, which would signal a big de-escalation in the two economic giants' so far 18-month trade war. China and the USA are working on selecting a new site for signing of Phase One of Trade Agreement, about 60% of total deal, after APEC in Chile was canceled do to unrelated circumstances. The new location will be announced soon. President Xi and President Trump will do signing! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2019 × "Negotiating teams on the Chinese and US sides have continued to maintain close communication, and negotiations are currently making smooth progress," the Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement Thursday. "The two sides will continue to push forward negotiations and other work according to the original plan," the ministry said, adding that leaders from both sides will hold another call Friday, a week after senior officials last spoke over the phone.

Trump: New location for United States-China trade deal signing to be 'announced soon'

Political clearance would have to be sought by those invited by Pakistan to the inaugural ceremony of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/kartarpur-corridor-construction-in-full-swing-will-open-in-november-201710">Kartarpur corridor</a>, Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday, a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan invited Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu to the inauguration. 
 
"I think the political personalities or invitees who think they need to get a political clearance, and those not included in the list will know about it. There won't be surprises," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. 
 
"My understanding is that the normal rules for seeking political clearance for such visits will apply," he added. 
 
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday said that Islamabad has decided to send an invitation to Sidhu for the inaugural ceremony of the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor slated to be held on November 9. 
 
A statement released by the Pakistani party has said that Senator Faisal Javed Khan held a telephonic conversation with Sidhu in this regard on the directions of Khan and invited him to the country on November 9. 
 
Sidhu, who had attended the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor, has not been included in the Congress delegation, which will be visiting the gurdwara on November 9. 
 
The delegation includes former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Jyoraditya Scindia, RPN Singh, Asha Kumari, party's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Singh Hooda, and Jitin Prasad.

Political clearance would have to be sought by those invited by Pakistan to the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor, Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday, a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan invited Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu to the inauguration.

Political clearance would have to be sought by those invited by Pakistan to the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor, Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday, a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan invited Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu to the inauguration. "I think the political personalities or invitees who think they need to get a political clearance, and those not included in the list will know about it. There won't be surprises," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. "My understanding is that the normal rules for seeking political clearance for such visits will apply," he added. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday said that Islamabad has decided to send an invitation to Sidhu for the inaugural ceremony of the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor slated to be held on November 9. A statement released by the Pakistani party has said that Senator Faisal Javed Khan held a telephonic conversation with Sidhu in this regard on the directions of Khan and invited him to the country on November 9. Sidhu, who had attended the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor, has not been included in the Congress delegation, which will be visiting the gurdwara on November 9. The delegation includes former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Jyoraditya Scindia, RPN Singh, Asha Kumari, party's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Singh Hooda, and Jitin Prasad.

Pakistan invitees to Kartarpur corridor inaugural ceremony will have to seek political clearance: Ministry of External Affairs

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