The body of a 21-year-old British tourist was found floating in the sea more than a week after she went missing from a Cambodian island, police told AFP on Thursday.

Amelia Bambridge was discovered in waters near the Thai border, said Chuon Narin, police chief of Preah Sihanouk province.

"We found the body of the missing British woman," Narin said, adding it would be taken to nearby Sihanoukville.

He did not speculate on what happened to her after she disappeared from a beach party on the island of Koh Rong on October 24, but earlier this week he said she may have drowned.

The discovery brings to a tragic end a desperate search involving more than 100 members of the police, army, navy and Bambridge's relatives.

Bambridge had befriended other travellers and the alarm was raised after she did not check out of her hostel following a party that went into the early hours on the beach.

Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rong is popular with backpackers.

Police later found her bag and phone in the area where she was last seen around 3:30 am.

Her family members scrambled to the island to help with the investigation and have also been active on social media asking travellers for possible clues.

Divers searched the waters and others combed the jungle, but for days nothing substantive was found.

The mystery deepened after police held six men for questioning but they were found not to be involved and released.

Koh Rong is a two-hour boat ride from the coast and draws budget travellers with its cheap accommodation, laid-back beach bars and idyllic sunsets.

But it has also undergone development in recent years in keeping with a construction and casino boom in nearby Sihanoukville.

Cambodia has long been a stop for tourists travelling around Southeast Asia.

Though generally safe, crimes involving foreigners have grabbed headlines in the past.

This month a Cambodian court charged three men with gang-raping a French tourist in the coastal province of Kampot after offering her a ride in their car.

In 2013, Kampot town was rocked by the discovery of the mutilated body of a 25-year-old Frenchwoman floating in a river.&nbsp;

A Belgian was charged with the alleged rape and murder of the woman, but released on bail due to a lack of evidence.

The body of a 21-year-old British tourist was found floating in the sea more than a week after she went missing from a Cambodian island, police told AFP on Thursday.

The body of a 21-year-old British tourist was found floating in the sea more than a week after she went missing from a Cambodian island, police told AFP on Thursday. Amelia Bambridge was discovered in waters near the Thai border, said Chuon Narin, police chief of Preah Sihanouk province. "We found the body of the missing British woman," Narin said, adding it would be taken to nearby Sihanoukville. He did not speculate on what happened to her after she disappeared from a beach party on the island of Koh Rong on October 24, but earlier this week he said she may have drowned. The discovery brings to a tragic end a desperate search involving more than 100 members of the police, army, navy and Bambridge's relatives. Bambridge had befriended other travellers and the alarm was raised after she did not check out of her hostel following a party that went into the early hours on the beach. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Rong is popular with backpackers. Police later found her bag and phone in the area where she was last seen around 3:30 am. Her family members scrambled to the island to help with the investigation and have also been active on social media asking travellers for possible clues. Divers searched the waters and others combed the jungle, but for days nothing substantive was found. The mystery deepened after police held six men for questioning but they were found not to be involved and released. Koh Rong is a two-hour boat ride from the coast and draws budget travellers with its cheap accommodation, laid-back beach bars and idyllic sunsets. But it has also undergone development in recent years in keeping with a construction and casino boom in nearby Sihanoukville. Cambodia has long been a stop for tourists travelling around Southeast Asia. Though generally safe, crimes involving foreigners have grabbed headlines in the past. This month a Cambodian court charged three men with gang-raping a French tourist in the coastal province of Kampot after offering her a ride in their car. In 2013, Kampot town was rocked by the discovery of the mutilated body of a 25-year-old Frenchwoman floating in a river. A Belgian was charged with the alleged rape and murder of the woman, but released on bail due to a lack of evidence.

Body of missing British tourist found off Cambodia coast: Police

At least&nbsp;eight&nbsp;people were killed on Thursday when a&nbsp;car&nbsp;bomb exploded in a busy market in the northwest Syrian city of&nbsp;Afrin, under control of Turkey-backed rebel groups, witnesses and a rescuer said.

They said the&nbsp;blast&nbsp;also wounded at least 30.

The&nbsp;Turkish&nbsp;military helped by its Syrian rebel allies seized&nbsp;Afrin, a mainly Kurdish city, from the Kurdish YPG militia in March 2018 in a major offensive.

Turkish&nbsp;forces have since&nbsp;carved out a buffer zone inside northern Syria that extends along most of the countries'&nbsp;border.

Videos posted on social media showed extensive damage to the market area with fires burning. Reuters could not immediately vouch for their authenticity.

Similar&nbsp;car&nbsp;blasts frequently hit crowded civilian areas in the mainly Arab populated towns&nbsp;near&nbsp;the&nbsp;border&nbsp;with Turkey under the control of&nbsp;Turkish-backed forces.

Residents and rebels in the rebel-held northwest blame the YPG for the attacks.

The Kurdish-led forces say they are engaged in a guerrilla campaign against&nbsp;Turkish&nbsp;forces but deny they target civilians.

Turkish&nbsp;forces launched their offensive inside Syria this month with a view to setting up a safe zone in mainly Arab populated&nbsp;border&nbsp;areas east of the Euphrates that the Kurdish-led forces control. It has pushed Kurdish fighters out of parts of the strip.

At least eight people were killed on Thursday when a car bomb exploded in a busy market in the northwest Syrian city of Afrin, under control of Turkey-backed rebel groups, witnesses and a rescuer said.

At least eight people were killed on Thursday when a car bomb exploded in a busy market in the northwest Syrian city of Afrin, under control of Turkey-backed rebel groups, witnesses and a rescuer said. They said the blast also wounded at least 30. The Turkish military helped by its Syrian rebel allies seized Afrin, a mainly Kurdish city, from the Kurdish YPG militia in March 2018 in a major offensive. Turkish forces have since carved out a buffer zone inside northern Syria that extends along most of the countries' border. Videos posted on social media showed extensive damage to the market area with fires burning. Reuters could not immediately vouch for their authenticity. Similar car blasts frequently hit crowded civilian areas in the mainly Arab populated towns near the border with Turkey under the control of Turkish-backed forces. Residents and rebels in the rebel-held northwest blame the YPG for the attacks. The Kurdish-led forces say they are engaged in a guerrilla campaign against Turkish forces but deny they target civilians. Turkish forces launched their offensive inside Syria this month with a view to setting up a safe zone in mainly Arab populated border areas east of the Euphrates that the Kurdish-led forces control. It has pushed Kurdish fighters out of parts of the strip.

Car blast kills eight in Syria's Afrin, near Turkish border

&nbsp;Yes Bank Ltd said&nbsp;on Thursday it has received a binding offer of $1.2 billion from a global investor as the private-sector lender looks to raise capital through a fresh issue of shares, sending its stock 39 percent higher.

The bank said it was in advanced talks with other investors as well.

The lender's Chief Executive Officer Ravneet Gill had said in September that the bank was close to securing a deal to sell a minority stake to a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/yes-bank-in-talks-with-microsoft-other-tech-firms-to-sell-up-to-15-stake-report-254145">global technology company</a>.

News channel CNBC TV18 said citing sources that Hong Kong-based SPGP Holdings was the investor and that the bank's board was likely to consider all proposals on Nov. 1, when it is due to report quarterly results.

Yes Bank did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for details on the offer.

In August, Yes Bank raised nearly $275 million via a qualified institutional placement, a capital-raising tool commonly used in India, to improve its capital adequacy ratio.

The Bank's shares have lost 68.8 percent&nbsp;of their value so far this year, weighed down by its exposure to Jet Airways, infrastructure conglomerate IL&amp;FS, a multi-fold rise in provisions for loan losses and as its asset quality deteriorated sharply.

Yes Bank Ltd said on Thursday it has received a binding offer of $1.2 billion from a global investor as the private-sector lender looks to raise capital through a fresh issue of shares, sending its stock 39 percent higher.

Yes Bank Ltd said on Thursday it has received a binding offer of $1.2 billion from a global investor as the private-sector lender looks to raise capital through a fresh issue of shares, sending its stock 39 percent higher. The bank said it was in advanced talks with other investors as well. The lender's Chief Executive Officer Ravneet Gill had said in September that the bank was close to securing a deal to sell a minority stake to a global technology company. News channel CNBC TV18 said citing sources that Hong Kong-based SPGP Holdings was the investor and that the bank's board was likely to consider all proposals on Nov. 1, when it is due to report quarterly results. Yes Bank did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for details on the offer. In August, Yes Bank raised nearly $275 million via a qualified institutional placement, a capital-raising tool commonly used in India, to improve its capital adequacy ratio. The Bank's shares have lost 68.8 percent of their value so far this year, weighed down by its exposure to Jet Airways, infrastructure conglomerate IL&FS, a multi-fold rise in provisions for loan losses and as its asset quality deteriorated sharply.

Yes Bank gets $1.2 billion offer from global investor

A fire tore through Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle on Thursday, reducing the main hall of the more than 500-year-old landmark to a skeleton.

Emergency responders on the southern island of Okinawa received the first call around 2:47 am&nbsp;(1747 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said, and firefighters were still battling the flames into the daylight hours.

"The main hall has burned down and the castle's dragon monuments have been blackened," Japanese media quoted Mikiko Shiroma, mayor of Naha city where the castle is located, as saying.

"This is truly regrettable."

The wooden castle is painted bright red and enclosed by curved stone walls. It sits on a hill overlooking Naha.

The fire engulfed the popular tourist attraction in the middle of its annual mid-autumn festival. The castle was also a scheduled stop on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay route.

The city's fire department said that while the castle had exterior sprinkler systems, its halls were not so equipped as this was not required under local fire codes.

Shuri Castle has been destroyed by fire several times, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

After World War 2, it served as a university campus until the mid-1970s. Following a reconstruction, it re-opened as a national park in 1992 and was designated a World Heritage site in 2000.

In addition to the main hall, the north and south halls have been destroyed, NHK said.

A fire tore through Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle on Thursday, reducing the main hall of the more than 500-year-old landmark to a skeleton. Emergency responders on the southern island of Okinawa received the first call around 2:47 am (1747 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said, and firefighters were still battling the flames into the daylight hours.

A fire tore through Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle on Thursday, reducing the main hall of the more than 500-year-old landmark to a skeleton. Emergency responders on the southern island of Okinawa received the first call around 2:47 am (1747 GMT), public broadcaster NHK said, and firefighters were still battling the flames into the daylight hours. "The main hall has burned down and the castle's dragon monuments have been blackened," Japanese media quoted Mikiko Shiroma, mayor of Naha city where the castle is located, as saying. "This is truly regrettable." The wooden castle is painted bright red and enclosed by curved stone walls. It sits on a hill overlooking Naha. The fire engulfed the popular tourist attraction in the middle of its annual mid-autumn festival. The castle was also a scheduled stop on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay route. The city's fire department said that while the castle had exterior sprinkler systems, its halls were not so equipped as this was not required under local fire codes. Shuri Castle has been destroyed by fire several times, most recently in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After World War 2, it served as a university campus until the mid-1970s. Following a reconstruction, it re-opened as a national park in 1992 and was designated a World Heritage site in 2000. In addition to the main hall, the north and south halls have been destroyed, NHK said.

Fire engulfs Japan's World Heritage-listed Shuri Castle

Britain's opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, kicks off his election campaign on Thursday with a vow to take on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-spins-towards-christmas-election-in-bid-to-break-brexit-deadlock-258700">Britain's "rigged system"</a>, which he said was run by a privileged elite of tax dodgers, billionaire owners and bad bosses.

On the day Britain was supposed to leave the European Union, both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his main opponent, Corbyn, are on Thursday pitching their starkly different visions for world's fifth-largest economy ahead of a December&nbsp;12 election.

In a sweeping challenge to the Western capitalist consensus, Corbyn said the election was a once-in-a-generation chance to overthrow what he cast as a corrupt elite which profited by exploiting workers, lying to the public and polluting the environment.

"This election is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country, take on the vested interests holding people back and ensure that no community is left behind," Corbyn, a 70-year-old veteran socialist campaigner, said in remarks released by his party.

Corbyn named prominent billionaires such as landowner Hugh Grosvenor, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley, Ineos CEO Jim Ratcliffe, hedge fund manager Crispin Odey and U.S. media tycoon Rupert Murdoch as representatives of Britain's "rigged system".

He proposes nationalisation of rail, mail and water services and much higher taxes on the bankers who have made London the pre-eminent international financial capital.

The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to call in years. Brexit has variously fatigued, enthused and enraged swathes of voters while eroding loyalties to the two major parties.

A five-year flurry of two historic referendums rises.

UK under threat

Johnson, who has failed to deliver on his "do or die" promise that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">Britain would leave the EU on October 31</a>, is pitching the election as a chance to get Brexit done, and he will accuse Corbyn of threatening the United Kingdom's future.

Johnson says Labour's plan to hold another referendum on Britain's membership of the bloc, and the possibility of Labour agreeing to another referendum on Scottish independence, risk ripping the United Kingdom apart.

"Today should have been the day that Brexit was delivered and we finally left the EU," Johnson said in pre-prepared remarks provided by his office.&nbsp;

"But, despite the great new deal I agreed with the EU, Jeremy Corbyn refused to allow that to happen – insisting upon more dither, more delay and more uncertainty for families and business."

Johnson, who was hailed by the US&nbsp;president as Britain's Donald Trump, will visit a school, hospital and police unit to argue that Britain needs to deliver Brexit so it can move on and focus on investing in public services.

The Conservatives are ahead of Labour by an average of about 10 percentage points in polls this month, indicating a majority in the 650-seat parliament for Johnson, though pollsters admit their models are imperfect with turnout a key variable.

Britain's opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, kicks off his election campaign on Thursday with a vow to take on Britain's "rigged system", which he said was run by a privileged elite of tax dodgers, billionaire owners and bad bosses.

Britain's opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, kicks off his election campaign on Thursday with a vow to take on Britain's "rigged system", which he said was run by a privileged elite of tax dodgers, billionaire owners and bad bosses. On the day Britain was supposed to leave the European Union, both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his main opponent, Corbyn, are on Thursday pitching their starkly different visions for world's fifth-largest economy ahead of a December 12 election. In a sweeping challenge to the Western capitalist consensus, Corbyn said the election was a once-in-a-generation chance to overthrow what he cast as a corrupt elite which profited by exploiting workers, lying to the public and polluting the environment. "This election is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country, take on the vested interests holding people back and ensure that no community is left behind," Corbyn, a 70-year-old veteran socialist campaigner, said in remarks released by his party. Corbyn named prominent billionaires such as landowner Hugh Grosvenor, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley, Ineos CEO Jim Ratcliffe, hedge fund manager Crispin Odey and U.S. media tycoon Rupert Murdoch as representatives of Britain's "rigged system". He proposes nationalisation of rail, mail and water services and much higher taxes on the bankers who have made London the pre-eminent international financial capital. The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to call in years. Brexit has variously fatigued, enthused and enraged swathes of voters while eroding loyalties to the two major parties. A five-year flurry of two historic referendums rises. UK under threat Johnson, who has failed to deliver on his "do or die" promise that Britain would leave the EU on October 31, is pitching the election as a chance to get Brexit done, and he will accuse Corbyn of threatening the United Kingdom's future. Johnson says Labour's plan to hold another referendum on Britain's membership of the bloc, and the possibility of Labour agreeing to another referendum on Scottish independence, risk ripping the United Kingdom apart. "Today should have been the day that Brexit was delivered and we finally left the EU," Johnson said in pre-prepared remarks provided by his office. "But, despite the great new deal I agreed with the EU, Jeremy Corbyn refused to allow that to happen – insisting upon more dither, more delay and more uncertainty for families and business." Johnson, who was hailed by the US president as Britain's Donald Trump, will visit a school, hospital and police unit to argue that Britain needs to deliver Brexit so it can move on and focus on investing in public services. The Conservatives are ahead of Labour by an average of about 10 percentage points in polls this month, indicating a majority in the 650-seat parliament for Johnson, though pollsters admit their models are imperfect with turnout a key variable.

United Kingdom election campaign begins with Corbyn's attack on 'rigged system'

United States Secretary of State Mike&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;on Wednesday stepped up recent&nbsp;US&nbsp;rhetoric targeting&nbsp;China's&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;Party, saying Beijing was focused on international domination and needed to be&nbsp;confronted.

Pompeo&nbsp;made the remarks even as the Trump administration said it still expected to sign the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/more-twists-and-turns-in-us-china-trade-war-170668">first phase of a deal</a> to end a damaging trade war with China next month, despite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crisis-wracked-chile-pulls-out-as-apec-climate-meet-host-259009">Chile's withdrawal</a> on Wednesday as the host of an APEC summit where&nbsp;US&nbsp;officials had hoped this would happen.

Pompeo&nbsp;said the United States had long cherished its friendship with the Chinese people, adding the&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;government was not the same thing as the people of China.

"They are reaching for and using methods that have created challenges for the United States and for the world and we collectively, all of us, need to&nbsp;confront&nbsp;these challenges ... head on,"&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;said in an address to a gala dinner in New York of the conservative Hudson Institute think tank.

"It is no longer realistic to ignore the fundamental differences between our two systems, and the impact that … the differences in those systems have on American national security."

Last week in a major policy speech,&nbsp;US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence attacked&nbsp;China's&nbsp;record on human rights, trade and methods used to expand its global influence.&nbsp;

Pompeo&nbsp;said President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election next year, had sounded the alarm about China from his very first day in office.

"Today, we're finally realising the degree to which the&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;Party&nbsp;is truly hostile to the United States and our values&nbsp;... and we are able to do this because of the leadership of President Trump."

China has been consistently irritated by&nbsp;Pompeo, whether over his remarks on&nbsp;China's&nbsp;Belt and Road project or allegations of Chinese rights abuses in the far western region of Xinjiang, and in many other areas.

In a speech in Houston on Monday,&nbsp;China's&nbsp;ambassador in Washington signalled his country would not take any criticism of the&nbsp;party, which he said was "deeply trusted and widely supported by the Chinese people".

"To draw a line between the&nbsp;Party&nbsp;and the people is to challenge the entire Chinese nation," Cui Tiankai said, according to a copy of his remarks on the Chinese embassy's website.

"Claiming to welcome a successful China on one hand, and defaming and working to overthrow the very force that leads the Chinese people towards success on the other, have you ever seen anything more hypocritical and outrageous than this?"

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Thursday that&nbsp;Pompeo's comments expose the "political bias and dark anti-Communist&nbsp;mindset of some&nbsp;US&nbsp;politicians."

"Pompeo's remarks were a vicious attack on the Chinese&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;Party&nbsp;and the Chinese government. It drives a wedge between the&nbsp;Party&nbsp;and our people and it smears our domestic and foreign policy," said Geng.

Pompeo&nbsp;said he would deliver a series of speeches in coming months on the competing ideologies and values, including on global influence campaigns by the Chinese&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;Party's intelligence agencies and "unfair and predatory" economic practices by Beijing.

"The Chinese&nbsp;Communist&nbsp;Party&nbsp;is a Marxist-Leninist&nbsp;Party&nbsp;focused on a 'struggle' and international domination - we need only listen to the words of their leaders," he said.

Pompeo&nbsp;said he would also address the build-up of&nbsp;China's&nbsp;military capabilities "that far exceed what they would need for self-defence."

Pompeo&nbsp;said the United States was not seeking&nbsp;confrontation with China and wanted to see a transparent, competitive market-driven system there that was mutually beneficial. He said the first steps towards that could be seen in phase one of the trade deal, which was close to being signed.

"I am optimistic that we will get there. It's a good thing, a place that we can work together," he said. "I think this will show that there is common ground to be had."

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday stepped up recent US rhetoric targeting China's ruling Communist Party, saying Beijing was focused on international domination and needed to be confronted.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday stepped up recent US rhetoric targeting China's ruling Communist Party, saying Beijing was focused on international domination and needed to be confronted. Pompeo made the remarks even as the Trump administration said it still expected to sign the first phase of a deal to end a damaging trade war with China next month, despite Chile's withdrawal on Wednesday as the host of an APEC summit where US officials had hoped this would happen. Pompeo said the United States had long cherished its friendship with the Chinese people, adding the Communist government was not the same thing as the people of China. "They are reaching for and using methods that have created challenges for the United States and for the world and we collectively, all of us, need to confront these challenges ... head on," Pompeo said in an address to a gala dinner in New York of the conservative Hudson Institute think tank. "It is no longer realistic to ignore the fundamental differences between our two systems, and the impact that … the differences in those systems have on American national security." Last week in a major policy speech, US Vice President Mike Pence attacked China's record on human rights, trade and methods used to expand its global influence. Pompeo said President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election next year, had sounded the alarm about China from his very first day in office. "Today, we're finally realising the degree to which the Communist Party is truly hostile to the United States and our values ... and we are able to do this because of the leadership of President Trump." China has been consistently irritated by Pompeo, whether over his remarks on China's Belt and Road project or allegations of Chinese rights abuses in the far western region of Xinjiang, and in many other areas. In a speech in Houston on Monday, China's ambassador in Washington signalled his country would not take any criticism of the party, which he said was "deeply trusted and widely supported by the Chinese people". "To draw a line between the Party and the people is to challenge the entire Chinese nation," Cui Tiankai said, according to a copy of his remarks on the Chinese embassy's website. "Claiming to welcome a successful China on one hand, and defaming and working to overthrow the very force that leads the Chinese people towards success on the other, have you ever seen anything more hypocritical and outrageous than this?" Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Thursday that Pompeo's comments expose the "political bias and dark anti-Communist mindset of some US politicians." "Pompeo's remarks were a vicious attack on the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government. It drives a wedge between the Party and our people and it smears our domestic and foreign policy," said Geng. Pompeo said he would deliver a series of speeches in coming months on the competing ideologies and values, including on global influence campaigns by the Chinese Communist Party's intelligence agencies and "unfair and predatory" economic practices by Beijing. "The Chinese Communist Party is a Marxist-Leninist Party focused on a 'struggle' and international domination - we need only listen to the words of their leaders," he said. Pompeo said he would also address the build-up of China's military capabilities "that far exceed what they would need for self-defence." Pompeo said the United States was not seeking confrontation with China and wanted to see a transparent, competitive market-driven system there that was mutually beneficial. He said the first steps towards that could be seen in phase one of the trade deal, which was close to being signed. "I am optimistic that we will get there. It's a good thing, a place that we can work together," he said. "I think this will show that there is common ground to be had."

Pompeo says US must confront China's Communist Party

Chinese officials have doubts about whether it is possible to reach a comprehensive long-term trade deal with Washington and United States&nbsp;President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources.

Chinese officials have told visitors to Beijing and others in private conversations that China will not budge on the thorniest issues, the report said.

Chinese officials are also concerned about Trump's impulsive nature and the risk that he could back out of even the interim deal both sides are seeking to sign in the coming weeks, Bloomberg said.

The United States&nbsp;and Chinese officials were&nbsp;"close to finalising" some parts of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-united-states-made-progress-in-trade-talks-chinese-vice-foreign-minister-257388">a trade agreement</a>&nbsp;after high-level telephone discussions on Friday, the US&nbsp;Trade Representative's office said, adding that deputy-level talks would proceed "continuously."

"They made headway on specific issues and the two sides are close to finalizing some sections of the agreement. Discussions will go on continuously at the deputy level, and the principals will have another call in the near future," a statement said.

Washington and Beijing are working to agree on the text for a "Phase 1" trade agreement announced by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on October&nbsp;11. Trump has said he hopes to sign the deal with China's President Xi Jinping next month at a summit in Chile.

Chinese officials have doubts about whether it is possible to reach a comprehensive long-term trade deal with Washington and United States President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources.

Chinese officials have doubts about whether it is possible to reach a comprehensive long-term trade deal with Washington and United States President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources. Chinese officials have told visitors to Beijing and others in private conversations that China will not budge on the thorniest issues, the report said. Chinese officials are also concerned about Trump's impulsive nature and the risk that he could back out of even the interim deal both sides are seeking to sign in the coming weeks, Bloomberg said. The United States and Chinese officials were "close to finalising" some parts of a trade agreement after high-level telephone discussions on Friday, the US Trade Representative's office said, adding that deputy-level talks would proceed "continuously." "They made headway on specific issues and the two sides are close to finalizing some sections of the agreement. Discussions will go on continuously at the deputy level, and the principals will have another call in the near future," a statement said. Washington and Beijing are working to agree on the text for a "Phase 1" trade agreement announced by US President Donald Trump on October 11. Trump has said he hopes to sign the deal with China's President Xi Jinping next month at a summit in Chile.

Chinese officials say they have doubts if trade deal possible with Trump: Report

Panasonic Corp on Thursday reported a 12 percent drop in its second-quarter operating profit as the Japanese firm was hurt by the Sino-US&nbsp;trade war and higher development costs related to its automotive business in Europe.

Still, its September-quarter earnings of 83.9 billion yen beat analysts' average estimate of 62.74 billion yen, according to Refinitiv data, as the battery business with Tesla Inc narrowed its losses.

A year earlier, Panasonic, the exclusive battery cell supplier for new electric vehicles (EVs) made by Tesla Inc, had earned 95.2 billion yen.

The company maintained its profit forecast for the year through March at 300 billion yen, compared with an average estimate of 293.94 billion yen from 19 analysts.

Panasonic has turned its focus away from low-margin consumer electronics and bet on businesses that sell to automakers as well as to corporations such as factory-owners and firms that automate processes.

But the shift has failed to lift profits at a time when the US-China trade war has hit industrial purchases and output, and the global car market is contracting.

Tesla is also yet to show sustained profits. The Japanese company's chief executive, Kazuhiro Tsuga, has admitted he underestimated development costs for car components and risks associated with Tesla.

The electric carmaker surprised investors last week with a quarterly profit that sent its shares soaring.

Panasonic said on Thursday its automotive business, which includes car batteries, recorded an operating loss of 12.7 billion yen compared with a 7.1 billion yen loss in the year-ago quarter.

While Tsuga has promised to expand into "solutions services" for business customers by leveraging the company's expertise in various industries, he is yet to detail what that growth strategy would look like.

Tsuga is expected to hold a strategy briefing on November 22. He was scheduled to attend an earnings briefing on Thursday, but cancelled earlier this week.

Panasonic Corp on Thursday reported a 12 percent drop in its second-quarter operating profit as the Japanese firm was hurt by the Sino-US trade war and higher development costs related to its automotive business in Europe.

Panasonic Corp on Thursday reported a 12 percent drop in its second-quarter operating profit as the Japanese firm was hurt by the Sino-US trade war and higher development costs related to its automotive business in Europe. Still, its September-quarter earnings of 83.9 billion yen beat analysts' average estimate of 62.74 billion yen, according to Refinitiv data, as the battery business with Tesla Inc narrowed its losses. A year earlier, Panasonic, the exclusive battery cell supplier for new electric vehicles (EVs) made by Tesla Inc, had earned 95.2 billion yen. The company maintained its profit forecast for the year through March at 300 billion yen, compared with an average estimate of 293.94 billion yen from 19 analysts. Panasonic has turned its focus away from low-margin consumer electronics and bet on businesses that sell to automakers as well as to corporations such as factory-owners and firms that automate processes. But the shift has failed to lift profits at a time when the US-China trade war has hit industrial purchases and output, and the global car market is contracting. Tesla is also yet to show sustained profits. The Japanese company's chief executive, Kazuhiro Tsuga, has admitted he underestimated development costs for car components and risks associated with Tesla. The electric carmaker surprised investors last week with a quarterly profit that sent its shares soaring. Panasonic said on Thursday its automotive business, which includes car batteries, recorded an operating loss of 12.7 billion yen compared with a 7.1 billion yen loss in the year-ago quarter. While Tsuga has promised to expand into "solutions services" for business customers by leveraging the company's expertise in various industries, he is yet to detail what that growth strategy would look like. Tsuga is expected to hold a strategy briefing on November 22. He was scheduled to attend an earnings briefing on Thursday, but cancelled earlier this week.

Japan's Panasonic profit drops 12% on trade war, higher costs

China&nbsp;officially started the commercialisation of&nbsp;5G&nbsp;services on Thursday, with the country's three major telecom operators rolling out their&nbsp;5G&nbsp;data plans, according to information released at PT Expo&nbsp;China&nbsp;2019.

Consumers can pay to access the superfast speed of&nbsp;5G&nbsp;starting from Friday.

The three telecom operators,&nbsp;China&nbsp;Mobile,&nbsp;China&nbsp;Unicom and&nbsp;China&nbsp;Telecom, have already pushed&nbsp;5G&nbsp;preregistration with plentiful discounts and free&nbsp;5G&nbsp;data allowance and managed to attract interest from more than 10 million subscribers after they were granted commercial-use licenses for the superfast wireless technology in early June.

Asia's leading information and communications technology (ICT) event, PT Expo&nbsp;China&nbsp;2019, scheduled from Thursday to Sunday, is expected to highlight&nbsp;5G&nbsp;applications in various industries.

China officially started the commercialisation of 5G services on Thursday, with the country's three major telecom operators rolling out their 5G data plans, according to information released at PT Expo China 2019.

China officially started the commercialisation of 5G services on Thursday, with the country's three major telecom operators rolling out their 5G data plans, according to information released at PT Expo China 2019. Consumers can pay to access the superfast speed of 5G starting from Friday. The three telecom operators, China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, have already pushed 5G preregistration with plentiful discounts and free 5G data allowance and managed to attract interest from more than 10 million subscribers after they were granted commercial-use licenses for the superfast wireless technology in early June. Asia's leading information and communications technology (ICT) event, PT Expo China 2019, scheduled from Thursday to Sunday, is expected to highlight 5G applications in various industries.

China's three major telecom operators kick off 5G commercialisation

Nintendo Co Ltd's&nbsp;second-quarter operating profit more than doubled, blowing past analyst estimates, on strong demand for its Switch console.

Nintendo sold 4.98 million units of its hybrid home-portable Switch device in the six months to September and 1.95 million handheld-only Switch Lite units that went on sale in September.

It would be "premature" to raise Nintendo's full-year hardware sales forecast for Switch from 18 million units, CEO Shuntaro Furukawa told reporters in Osaka.

The Switch Lite launch is part of the Kyoto-based firm's drive to expand the device's appeal beyond hardcore gamers, with the arrival of two Pokemon titles next month expected to drive demand for the low-cost version of the device.

Nintendo, which drew in millions of casual players with its Wii Fit game and balance board gadget 12 years ago, faces ever more competition from smartphone apps to video streaming.

This month, Nintendo launched Ring Fit Adventure, a title which, using the Switch's sensor-packed controllers and the bundled springy plastic Ring-Con, allows players to explore a fantasy world through actions like jogging and jumping.

Nintendo brought one of its marquee franchises, Mario Kart, to mobile in September, with the title downloaded over 120 million times in its first month, outstripping other mobile releases from the gaming company over a comparable period.

With revenue at $0.26 per player for the Mario Kart title, according to data from Sensor Tower, far behind Dragalia Lost's $16.50 per player, Nintendo is yet to demonstrate the saturated mobile market can become a substantial revenue driver.

Furukawa declined to say when the game's multiplayer option, which is currently greyed-out in-game and has been a focus for player complaints, would be activated.

Nintendo's operating profit for the July-September quarter was 66.8 billion yen ($615 million) versus 30.9 billion yen a year earlier. That was well above an average forecast of 50 billion yen from 10 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv.

The company's shares closed up 0.3 per cent&nbsp;on Thursday ahead of earnings. The stock has risen 32 per cent&nbsp;this year although that upwards trajectory has stalled in recent months.

Nintendo has struggled to replicate the runaway success of mobile title Pokemon Go, developed by San Francisco-based Niantic, which has, three years after it launched, generated more than $3 billion in revenues, according to Sensor Tower.

The commercialization of Pokemon, which spans games, toys, and TV, contrasts with Nintendo's often conservative use of characters like Mario.

However, the gaming company is taking inspiration from the string of Pokemon Center retail stores with the launch of a Nintendo-themed store in Tokyo's Shibuya district next month.

Nintendo Co Ltd's second-quarter operating profit more than doubled, blowing past analyst estimates, on strong demand for its Switch console. Nintendo sold 4.98 million units of its hybrid home-portable Switch device in the six months to September and 1.

Nintendo Co Ltd's second-quarter operating profit more than doubled, blowing past analyst estimates, on strong demand for its Switch console. Nintendo sold 4.98 million units of its hybrid home-portable Switch device in the six months to September and 1.95 million handheld-only Switch Lite units that went on sale in September. It would be "premature" to raise Nintendo's full-year hardware sales forecast for Switch from 18 million units, CEO Shuntaro Furukawa told reporters in Osaka. The Switch Lite launch is part of the Kyoto-based firm's drive to expand the device's appeal beyond hardcore gamers, with the arrival of two Pokemon titles next month expected to drive demand for the low-cost version of the device. Nintendo, which drew in millions of casual players with its Wii Fit game and balance board gadget 12 years ago, faces ever more competition from smartphone apps to video streaming. This month, Nintendo launched Ring Fit Adventure, a title which, using the Switch's sensor-packed controllers and the bundled springy plastic Ring-Con, allows players to explore a fantasy world through actions like jogging and jumping. Nintendo brought one of its marquee franchises, Mario Kart, to mobile in September, with the title downloaded over 120 million times in its first month, outstripping other mobile releases from the gaming company over a comparable period. With revenue at $0.26 per player for the Mario Kart title, according to data from Sensor Tower, far behind Dragalia Lost's $16.50 per player, Nintendo is yet to demonstrate the saturated mobile market can become a substantial revenue driver. Furukawa declined to say when the game's multiplayer option, which is currently greyed-out in-game and has been a focus for player complaints, would be activated. Nintendo's operating profit for the July-September quarter was 66.8 billion yen ($615 million) versus 30.9 billion yen a year earlier. That was well above an average forecast of 50 billion yen from 10 analyst estimates compiled by Refinitiv. The company's shares closed up 0.3 per cent on Thursday ahead of earnings. The stock has risen 32 per cent this year although that upwards trajectory has stalled in recent months. Nintendo has struggled to replicate the runaway success of mobile title Pokemon Go, developed by San Francisco-based Niantic, which has, three years after it launched, generated more than $3 billion in revenues, according to Sensor Tower. The commercialization of Pokemon, which spans games, toys, and TV, contrasts with Nintendo's often conservative use of characters like Mario. However, the gaming company is taking inspiration from the string of Pokemon Center retail stores with the launch of a Nintendo-themed store in Tokyo's Shibuya district next month.

Nintendo's second-quarter profit doubles as Switch Lite delivers boost

India's Reliance Industries-controlled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/reliance-mobile-operator-jio-to-focus-on-subscriber-numbers-not-tariffs-report-237503">Jio Infocomm</a> wrote to the telecoms minister on Thursday, opposing government intervention for rival carriers Bharti Airtel&nbsp;and Vodafone Idea&nbsp;facing overdue of $13 billion.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had earlier written to Telecommunications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, warning of an "unprecedented crisis" if the government refuses to relax its demand for outstanding dues.

Jio, the telecoms unit of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance, said in its letter that fears of a crisis in the industry and job losses were overblown.

Rival carriers can monetise their assets, investments or issue fresh equity to pay the dues, it added.

India's Reliance Industries-controlled Jio Infocomm wrote to the telecoms minister on Thursday, opposing government intervention for rival carriers Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea facing overdue of $13 billion.

India's Reliance Industries-controlled Jio Infocomm wrote to the telecoms minister on Thursday, opposing government intervention for rival carriers Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea facing overdue of $13 billion. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had earlier written to Telecommunications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, warning of an "unprecedented crisis" if the government refuses to relax its demand for outstanding dues. Jio, the telecoms unit of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance, said in its letter that fears of a crisis in the industry and job losses were overblown. Rival carriers can monetise their assets, investments or issue fresh equity to pay the dues, it added.

Reliance's Jio opposes telecom lobby's plea for government help to rivals

President Donald Trump still hopes to sign a trade deal with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in coming weeks, despite Chile's cancellation of the APEC summit where they had been scheduled to meet, the White House said Wednesday.

"We look forward to finalizing Phase One of the historic trade deal with China within the same time frame, and when we have an announcement, we'll let you know," spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

President Sebastian Pinera announced earlier that Chile could no longer hold the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and later Cop 25 climate change conference in Santiago, due to violent unrest in the city.

Gidley said as of now there was no replacement location.

"It's our understanding the organisation does not currently have a secondary site prepared. We’re awaiting potential information regarding another location," he said.

Trump and Xi had been targeting an encounter on the sidelines of the APEC event to sign an initial agreement aimed at resolving an 18-month trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

President Donald Trump still hopes to sign a trade deal with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in coming weeks, despite Chile's cancellation of the APEC summit where they had been scheduled to meet, the White House said Wednesday.

President Donald Trump still hopes to sign a trade deal with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in coming weeks, despite Chile's cancellation of the APEC summit where they had been scheduled to meet, the White House said Wednesday. "We look forward to finalizing Phase One of the historic trade deal with China within the same time frame, and when we have an announcement, we'll let you know," spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement. President Sebastian Pinera announced earlier that Chile could no longer hold the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and later Cop 25 climate change conference in Santiago, due to violent unrest in the city. Gidley said as of now there was no replacement location. "It's our understanding the organisation does not currently have a secondary site prepared. We’re awaiting potential information regarding another location," he said. Trump and Xi had been targeting an encounter on the sidelines of the APEC event to sign an initial agreement aimed at resolving an 18-month trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

United States wants China trade deal in 'same time frame' despite APEC summit cancellation

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Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Bharat Sharma

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