Eurozone inflation slowed in September by more than previously estimated to its slowest pace in nearly three years, the European Union statistics agency said on Wednesday, in a new warning on the state of the bloc's economy.

Eurostat said prices in the 19-country currency area grew by 0.8 per cent&nbsp;on the year, revising down its earlier estimate of a 0.9 per cent&nbsp;rate. That also defied the market consensus of a 0.9 per cent&nbsp;growth.

In a separate release, Eurostat said on Wednesday that the bloc's trade surplus with the rest of the world rose to $16.2 billion&nbsp;in August, from 11.9 billion the previous year, as euro zone's imports dropped more than its declining exports.

The revised inflation reading marked a more pronounced slowdown from the 1.0 per cent&nbsp;growth in August and was the lowest rate since November 2016 when prices grew by 0.6 per cent&nbsp;in the bloc.

The new drop is likely to raise new concerns on the state of the eurozone economy and could reignite the debate within the European Central Bank on how to pursue its goal of keeping inflation below, but close to 2 per cent&nbsp;over the medium term.

The revision was due to lower-than-expected inflation for industrial products, in a fresh worrying sign for the bloc's manufacturing sector which faces drops in output and a fall in confidence.

Prices for industrial goods, excluding energy, went up by a mere 0.2 per cent&nbsp;on the year in September, Eurostat said, revising its earlier estimate of a 0.3 per cent&nbsp;increase.

Energy prices were confirmed falling by 1.8 per cent, while inflation in the service sector, the largest in the bloc, rose by 1.5 per cent&nbsp;in line with previous estimates.

A narrower inflation indicator which strips out volatile energy and unprocessed food prices, and is monitored closely by the ECB for its policy decisions, rose to 1.2 per cent&nbsp;in September from 1.1 per cent&nbsp;in August, in line with Eurostat's earlier estimates released on October&nbsp;1.

Excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, inflation grew 1.0 per cent&nbsp;in September, Eurostat said, confirming its previous figures.

On the month, headline inflation grew 0.2 per cent&nbsp;in the bloc, also in line with earlier estimates.

Eurozone inflation slowed in September by more than previously estimated to its slowest pace in nearly three years, the European Union statistics agency said on Wednesday, in a new warning on the state of the bloc's economy.

Eurozone inflation slowed in September by more than previously estimated to its slowest pace in nearly three years, the European Union statistics agency said on Wednesday, in a new warning on the state of the bloc's economy. Eurostat said prices in the 19-country currency area grew by 0.8 per cent on the year, revising down its earlier estimate of a 0.9 per cent rate. That also defied the market consensus of a 0.9 per cent growth. In a separate release, Eurostat said on Wednesday that the bloc's trade surplus with the rest of the world rose to $16.2 billion in August, from 11.9 billion the previous year, as euro zone's imports dropped more than its declining exports. The revised inflation reading marked a more pronounced slowdown from the 1.0 per cent growth in August and was the lowest rate since November 2016 when prices grew by 0.6 per cent in the bloc. The new drop is likely to raise new concerns on the state of the eurozone economy and could reignite the debate within the European Central Bank on how to pursue its goal of keeping inflation below, but close to 2 per cent over the medium term. The revision was due to lower-than-expected inflation for industrial products, in a fresh worrying sign for the bloc's manufacturing sector which faces drops in output and a fall in confidence. Prices for industrial goods, excluding energy, went up by a mere 0.2 per cent on the year in September, Eurostat said, revising its earlier estimate of a 0.3 per cent increase. Energy prices were confirmed falling by 1.8 per cent, while inflation in the service sector, the largest in the bloc, rose by 1.5 per cent in line with previous estimates. A narrower inflation indicator which strips out volatile energy and unprocessed food prices, and is monitored closely by the ECB for its policy decisions, rose to 1.2 per cent in September from 1.1 per cent in August, in line with Eurostat's earlier estimates released on October 1. Excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, inflation grew 1.0 per cent in September, Eurostat said, confirming its previous figures. On the month, headline inflation grew 0.2 per cent in the bloc, also in line with earlier estimates.

Eurozone September inflation unexpectedly revised down to 0.8%

Credit growth at Indian banks has dropped to its lowest level in nearly two years, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/reserve-bank-of-india-increases-withdrawal-limit-for-punjab-and-maharashtra-cooperative-bank-to-rs-40000-255916">the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</a> data shows, as slowing domestic consumption weighs on demand.

This adds to the challenges facing Narendra Modi as he begins his second term as prime minister with India's economy at its weakest levels in six years.

"The slowdown in credit growth this time is a result of both reduced demand and supply," Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at CARE ratings, said.

Lending growth by banks had nearly halved to 8.8 per cent&nbsp;at the end-September from the start of the year.

The RBI data includes all banks in India, which is dominated by state-run lenders Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank&nbsp;and Union Bank of India as well as private ones such as HDFC Bank&nbsp;and ICICI Bank.

While retail lending has driven growth, banks are taking a more cautious approach on some consumer loans.

"In certain retail loans we're seeing customers delaying the payments by a few days over the due date," said the head of consumer banking segment of a private bank, adding that this does not bode well when corporate lending has plunged.

A report last month by India Ratings predicts "further moderation" retail lending in 2020 "given the consumption slowdown across segments including housing and auto".

"Even the unsecured loans, which include credit cards, education loans and other personal loans have seen a moderation in growth," the report said.

India's lending problems have been compounded by a drying up of liquidity in the shadow banking sector last year after the collapse of infrastructure lending group IL&amp;FS.

While some major non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have been going slow on lending, others stopped completely.

However, banks have not used this opportunity to win market share from NBFCs, which accounted for 30 per cent&nbsp;of auto loans and more than 40 per cent&nbsp;of home loans until the end of last year.

The weak growth in lending comes at a time when banks have been cutting interest rates and making it cheaper to borrow.

So far in 2019, the RBI has reduced the repo rate by 135 basis points. Even though banks have not matched this, the pace of cuts has picked up in the last few months.

A high credit-deposit ratio has been one of the key reasons why banks have struggled to cut interest rates. But with credit growth falling faster than deposit growth, banks may have a bit more room to transmit rate cuts.

A credit-deposit ratio above 75 per cent&nbsp;indicates pressure on banks' resources as they have to set aside funds to maintain a cash reserve ratio of 4% and a statutory liquidity ratio of 18.5 per cent.

In an attempt to push banks to pass rate cuts on to their customers, the RBI has required them to link all loans to an external benchmark such as the repo rate since the start of this month. While this is expected to push rates down, economists are not sure this will help spur credit demand.

"Credit growth is expected to remain sub 10 per cent," Sabnavis said.

Credit growth at Indian banks has dropped to its lowest level in nearly two years, the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows, as slowing domestic consumption weighs on demand.

Credit growth at Indian banks has dropped to its lowest level in nearly two years, the latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows, as slowing domestic consumption weighs on demand. This adds to the challenges facing Narendra Modi as he begins his second term as prime minister with India's economy at its weakest levels in six years. "The slowdown in credit growth this time is a result of both reduced demand and supply," Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at CARE ratings, said. Lending growth by banks had nearly halved to 8.8 per cent at the end-September from the start of the year. The RBI data includes all banks in India, which is dominated by state-run lenders Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India as well as private ones such as HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. While retail lending has driven growth, banks are taking a more cautious approach on some consumer loans. "In certain retail loans we're seeing customers delaying the payments by a few days over the due date," said the head of consumer banking segment of a private bank, adding that this does not bode well when corporate lending has plunged. A report last month by India Ratings predicts "further moderation" retail lending in 2020 "given the consumption slowdown across segments including housing and auto". "Even the unsecured loans, which include credit cards, education loans and other personal loans have seen a moderation in growth," the report said. India's lending problems have been compounded by a drying up of liquidity in the shadow banking sector last year after the collapse of infrastructure lending group IL&FS. While some major non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have been going slow on lending, others stopped completely. However, banks have not used this opportunity to win market share from NBFCs, which accounted for 30 per cent of auto loans and more than 40 per cent of home loans until the end of last year. The weak growth in lending comes at a time when banks have been cutting interest rates and making it cheaper to borrow. So far in 2019, the RBI has reduced the repo rate by 135 basis points. Even though banks have not matched this, the pace of cuts has picked up in the last few months. A high credit-deposit ratio has been one of the key reasons why banks have struggled to cut interest rates. But with credit growth falling faster than deposit growth, banks may have a bit more room to transmit rate cuts. A credit-deposit ratio above 75 per cent indicates pressure on banks' resources as they have to set aside funds to maintain a cash reserve ratio of 4% and a statutory liquidity ratio of 18.5 per cent. In an attempt to push banks to pass rate cuts on to their customers, the RBI has required them to link all loans to an external benchmark such as the repo rate since the start of this month. While this is expected to push rates down, economists are not sure this will help spur credit demand. "Credit growth is expected to remain sub 10 per cent," Sabnavis said.

Slowing Indian bank lending overshadows economic rebound hopes

The United States is not aware of any "major" escape of Islamic State extremists since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-forces-patrolling-between-syrian-turkish-forces-256159">Turkey launched its assault on Syrian Kurdish fighters</a> holding the prisoners, an official said Tuesday.

"We haven't seen any major successful breakout so far of the detainees," the senior administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

His remarks appeared at odds with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper who, criticising Turkey on Monday, said the incursion "resulted in the release of many dangerous ISIS detainees."

Vice President Mike Pence will leave within 24 hours to Ankara to press <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-security-council-to-meet-on-turkish-syria-assault-256140">Turkey for a ceasefire in its offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters</a>, a US official said Tuesday.

"We will launching off to Ankara in the next 24 hours," the official said, a day after Pence announced his trip to Turkey without specifying the timing.

Turkey on Tuesday vowed to pursue its Syria offensive and slammed a "dirty deal" between President Bashar al-Assad's regime and Kurdish forces after the withdrawal of US forces from northern Syria.&nbsp;

"We will continue to combat all terrorist groups, including Daesh, whether or not the world agrees to support our efforts," Fahrettin Altun, communications director at the Turkish presidency, told AFP, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State group.

Turkish presidency slams 'dirty deal' between Syria's Assad and Kurdish forces.

&nbsp;

The United States is not aware of any "major" escape of Islamic State extremists since Turkey launched its assault on Syrian Kurdish fighters holding the prisoners, an official said Tuesday.

The United States is not aware of any "major" escape of Islamic State extremists since Turkey launched its assault on Syrian Kurdish fighters holding the prisoners, an official said Tuesday. "We haven't seen any major successful breakout so far of the detainees," the senior administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity. His remarks appeared at odds with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper who, criticising Turkey on Monday, said the incursion "resulted in the release of many dangerous ISIS detainees." Vice President Mike Pence will leave within 24 hours to Ankara to press Turkey for a ceasefire in its offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters, a US official said Tuesday. "We will launching off to Ankara in the next 24 hours," the official said, a day after Pence announced his trip to Turkey without specifying the timing. Turkey on Tuesday vowed to pursue its Syria offensive and slammed a "dirty deal" between President Bashar al-Assad's regime and Kurdish forces after the withdrawal of US forces from northern Syria. "We will continue to combat all terrorist groups, including Daesh, whether or not the world agrees to support our efforts," Fahrettin Altun, communications director at the Turkish presidency, told AFP, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State group. Turkish presidency slams 'dirty deal' between Syria's Assad and Kurdish forces.

United States officials not aware of escape of Islamic State extremists, Mike Pence leaving for Turkey in 24 hours

The Scottish National Party will call for a new referendum on independence next year, its leader said on Tuesday, after polls indicated growing support of a breakaway from the rest of Britain.

Nicola Sturgeon told delegates at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen it was "beyond doubt" that it was time to offer a choice on the issue.

"My call is that the referendum must happen next year," she said, adding that legal preparations were underway for the vote and would be completed in the new year.

"Before the end of this year, I will demand the transfer of power that puts the legality of a referendum beyond any doubt."

The devolved government in Edinburgh, which Sturgeon leads as the first minister, has to seek permission from the British parliament in London to hold a second referendum.

Members of the Scottish parliament in 2017 gave their backing for a request but the then-prime minister Theresa May said it was "not the time" to be talking about a new independence vote.

Scottish voters said "no" to independence in 2014 after a closely fought referendum campaign. But Brexit has put the issue back on the table.

Sturgeon said after the landmark 2016 vote on Britain's membership of the European Union that there had been a "significant and material change in circumstances" to allow another vote.

Unlike England and Wales, Scotland voted by nearly two-thirds to stay in the EU.

A Sunday Times Scotland survey published this week suggested 50 per cent of voters now backed independence, up by one point over the last poll in June and five points from the 2014 vote.

Tens of thousands of pro-independence supporters marched in Edinburgh last Saturday to call for a fresh vote.

Sturgeon said Brexit had been a "disaster" and, deal or no deal by the end-of-the-month deadline, "neither of these outcomes is in Scotland's interest".

She welcomed the prospect of a snap election, saying it would be an opportunity to send a message demanding independence and Scotland's right to choose its own future.

In London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman told reporters: "The referendum which took place in Scotland was a once in a generation event.&nbsp;

"They were the words of the Scottish National Party at the time."

The Scottish National Party will call for a new referendum on independence next year, its leader said on Tuesday, after polls indicated growing support of a breakaway from the rest of Britain.

The Scottish National Party will call for a new referendum on independence next year, its leader said on Tuesday, after polls indicated growing support of a breakaway from the rest of Britain. Nicola Sturgeon told delegates at the party's annual conference in Aberdeen it was "beyond doubt" that it was time to offer a choice on the issue. "My call is that the referendum must happen next year," she said, adding that legal preparations were underway for the vote and would be completed in the new year. "Before the end of this year, I will demand the transfer of power that puts the legality of a referendum beyond any doubt." The devolved government in Edinburgh, which Sturgeon leads as the first minister, has to seek permission from the British parliament in London to hold a second referendum. Members of the Scottish parliament in 2017 gave their backing for a request but the then-prime minister Theresa May said it was "not the time" to be talking about a new independence vote. Scottish voters said "no" to independence in 2014 after a closely fought referendum campaign. But Brexit has put the issue back on the table. Sturgeon said after the landmark 2016 vote on Britain's membership of the European Union that there had been a "significant and material change in circumstances" to allow another vote. Unlike England and Wales, Scotland voted by nearly two-thirds to stay in the EU. A Sunday Times Scotland survey published this week suggested 50 per cent of voters now backed independence, up by one point over the last poll in June and five points from the 2014 vote. Tens of thousands of pro-independence supporters marched in Edinburgh last Saturday to call for a fresh vote. Sturgeon said Brexit had been a "disaster" and, deal or no deal by the end-of-the-month deadline, "neither of these outcomes is in Scotland's interest". She welcomed the prospect of a snap election, saying it would be an opportunity to send a message demanding independence and Scotland's right to choose its own future. In London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman told reporters: "The referendum which took place in Scotland was a once in a generation event. "They were the words of the Scottish National Party at the time."

Scottish nationalists want new independence referendum in 2020

Russia said Thursday it was patrolling in areas along the "line of contact" between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-security-council-to-meet-on-turkish-syria-assault-256140">Syrian and Turkish forces</a>, as the United States-led coalition in Syria confirmed it had pulled its troops from the area.

Russia's defence ministry said the patrols were taking place after Syrian government troops took control of the city of Manbij.

"The Syrian government army has full control over the city of Manbij and nearby settlements," the ministry said in a statement.

"Russian military police continue to patrol the northwestern border area of Manbij district along the line of contact between the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkish armed forces," it said.

"Cooperation is organised with the Turkish side."

A spokesman for the US-led coalition confirmed its forces had pulled out of the area.

"Coalition forces are executing a deliberate withdrawal from northeast Syria. We are out of Manbij," the spokesman said.

Syrian forces moved into the area as part of a deal that has seen regime troops deploy in several Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria's north to protect the region from an assault by Turkish forces.

Russia is a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad and launched a military intervention in 2015 in support of his forces.

Moscow's special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, said Tuesday that it would not allow clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces.

"This would simply be unacceptable...&nbsp;And therefore we will not allow it, of course," Lavrentyev, who was on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.&nbsp;

He said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/while-burying-their-dead-syrias-kurds-blast-united-states-for-betrayal-256124">Turkish and Syrian officials</a> were in contact to avoid any conflict.&nbsp;

"Negotiations are taking place in real-time," he said.

Russia said Thursday it was patrolling in areas along the "line of contact" between Syrian and Turkish forces, as the United States-led coalition in Syria confirmed it had pulled its troops from the area.

Russia said Thursday it was patrolling in areas along the "line of contact" between Syrian and Turkish forces, as the United States-led coalition in Syria confirmed it had pulled its troops from the area. Russia's defence ministry said the patrols were taking place after Syrian government troops took control of the city of Manbij. "The Syrian government army has full control over the city of Manbij and nearby settlements," the ministry said in a statement. "Russian military police continue to patrol the northwestern border area of Manbij district along the line of contact between the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkish armed forces," it said. "Cooperation is organised with the Turkish side." A spokesman for the US-led coalition confirmed its forces had pulled out of the area. "Coalition forces are executing a deliberate withdrawal from northeast Syria. We are out of Manbij," the spokesman said. Syrian forces moved into the area as part of a deal that has seen regime troops deploy in several Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria's north to protect the region from an assault by Turkish forces. Russia is a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad and launched a military intervention in 2015 in support of his forces. Moscow's special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, said Tuesday that it would not allow clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces. "This would simply be unacceptable... And therefore we will not allow it, of course," Lavrentyev, who was on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. He said Turkish and Syrian officials were in contact to avoid any conflict. "Negotiations are taking place in real-time," he said.

Russian forces patrolling between Syrian, Turkish groups

An accountability court on Tuesday rejected a plea seeking the transfer of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fake-accounts-case-asif-ali-zardaris-remand-extended-till-august-8-239293">Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari</a> from jail to a hospital. 
 
The former president is currently on judicial remand till October 22 in the fake accounts case. Zardari had moved the court on October 4 seeking it to declare a hospital a sub-jail for him, Dawn News reported. 
 
However, on Tuesday, the court rejected the plea maintaining that the matter "does not fall in the court's jurisdiction". 
 
Judge Mohammad Bashir, while pronouncing the previously reserved decision, directed Zardari to approach the "relevant forum" for the matter. 
 
The judge in its three-page verdict declared that the court cannot declare a hospital a sub-jail, as sought in the plea. According to the verdict, jail authorities can declare a hospital a sub-jail through an executive order.

The court advised the petitioner to, therefore, approach the jail authorities with his request. 
 
The court also ordered the jail superintendent to act upon the recommendations of the medical officers or the medical board. 
 
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested Zardari on June 10 after the cancellation of his pre-arrest bail by the Islamabad High Court in the fake bank accounts case. 
 
On August 16, the court had sent the former president to Adiala jail on judicial remand. 
 
The case pertains to a massive money laundering scam that was being probed by the Federal Investigation Agency. 
 
The suspects include Zardari, Talpur, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai, Omni Group CEO Anwar Majeed and his sons and several other high profile persons. 
 
The case was later taken over by NAB on the Supreme Court's orders.

An accountability court on Tuesday rejected a plea seeking the transfer of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari from jail to a hospital.

An accountability court on Tuesday rejected a plea seeking the transfer of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari from jail to a hospital. The former president is currently on judicial remand till October 22 in the fake accounts case. Zardari had moved the court on October 4 seeking it to declare a hospital a sub-jail for him, Dawn News reported. However, on Tuesday, the court rejected the plea maintaining that the matter "does not fall in the court's jurisdiction". Judge Mohammad Bashir, while pronouncing the previously reserved decision, directed Zardari to approach the "relevant forum" for the matter. The judge in its three-page verdict declared that the court cannot declare a hospital a sub-jail, as sought in the plea. According to the verdict, jail authorities can declare a hospital a sub-jail through an executive order. The court advised the petitioner to, therefore, approach the jail authorities with his request. The court also ordered the jail superintendent to act upon the recommendations of the medical officers or the medical board. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested Zardari on June 10 after the cancellation of his pre-arrest bail by the Islamabad High Court in the fake bank accounts case. On August 16, the court had sent the former president to Adiala jail on judicial remand. The case pertains to a massive money laundering scam that was being probed by the Federal Investigation Agency. The suspects include Zardari, Talpur, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai, Omni Group CEO Anwar Majeed and his sons and several other high profile persons. The case was later taken over by NAB on the Supreme Court's orders.

Court rejects plea seeking former Pakistan president Asaf Ali Zardari's transfer from jail to hospital

The Democratic-led United States&nbsp;House of Representatives' impeachment enquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday questioned George Kent, a US&nbsp;career diplomat who has spent much of his career fighting corruption in Ukraine and elsewhere.

The probe is focused on a July 25 phone call in which Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate unsubstantiated allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden, a top contender for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump in the 2020 presidential election, and Biden's son, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hunter-biden-admits-error-in-judgment-but-insists-no-wrongdoing-256123">Hunter Biden</a>.

The younger Biden, 49, denied doing anything improper in past work for a Ukrainian energy company, in an interview with ABC News that aired on Tuesday.

But he expressed regret that his association with the Burisma Group gave "some very unethical people" an opening to "to act in illegal ways to try to do some harm to my father. That's where I made the mistake."

Kent, a deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for US&nbsp;policy toward six former Soviet republics including Ukraine, arrived on Capitol Hill wearing a red bow tie and ignored shouted questions from reporters.

Kent appeared after receiving a congressional subpoena after the State Department directed him not to testify, an official involved in the impeachment inquiry said.

His appearance comes one day after Trump's former Russia adviser, Fiona Hill, gave three House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry details of a high-level meeting between US&nbsp;and Ukrainian officials that included her then-boss, former national security adviser John Bolton, and Gordon Sondland, the US&nbsp;ambassador to the European Union, according to a person familiar with the testimony.

Hill recounted that Sondland raised the issue of investigations and that she and Bolton became alarmed that he was referring to the investigation into the Bidens, the person said. The pair left the meeting and Bolton advised her to consult with John Eisenberg, the top NSC lawyer.

The New York Times reported that Bolton was similarly troubled by activities toward Ukraine being coordinated by the president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, along with other administration officials.

"Giuliani's a hand grenade who's going to blow everybody up," Hill quoted Bolton as saying, according to the newspaper.

A Bolton spokeswoman said he would have no comment on the testimony.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-lawyer-giuliani-was-paid-500000-to-work-for-company-run-by-arrested-ukrainian-american-businessman-256142">Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US</a>&nbsp;ally to dig up dirt on Biden after withholding $391 million in US&nbsp;security aid intended to help combat Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of Ukraine. Zelenskiy agreed to investigate. Trump eventually allowed aid.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and defended his request to Zelenskiy. The elder Biden also denied wrongdoing.

Gordon Sondland, the US&nbsp;ambassador to the European Union, is due to testify later in the week, in response to a congressional subpoena.

Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, faces a Tuesday deadline to produce documents related to the Ukraine matter subpoenaed by the House Intelligence Committee. He has not said whether he will comply.

'Disinformation campaign'

On Friday, Marie Yovanovitch, the former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-a-victory-in-china-trade-war-but-us-farmers-want-details-256006">US&nbsp;ambassador to Ukraine</a>, defied a State Department order to refuse to cooperate with the House probe, giving scathing testimony in which she accused the Trump administration of recalling her from Kiev-based on false claims.

According to State Department emails contained in a package of material shared with congressional staff last month and later seen by Reuters, Kent told colleagues that Yovanovitch had become the target of a "classic disinformation operation."

Yovanovitch in her Friday appearance denied Giuliani's allegations that she provided a "do not prosecute list" to Ukrainian officials to protect Biden and others.

"One key sign of it being fake is that most of the names are misspelt in English, we would never spell most that way," Kent said in the email to colleagues.

Kent suggested the department push back by "circling in red all the misspellings and grammar mistakes and reposting it," as the US&nbsp;Embassy in Moscow has done to counter propaganda.

Kent, who majored in Russian language and literature at Harvard, has held several jobs requiring him to grapple with corruption in Ukraine, which ranks 120th of 180 nations in a Transparency International corruption perceptions index.

Before taking up his current job, Kent served as the deputy chief of mission at the US&nbsp;Embassy in Kiev from 2015 to 2018 and as the senior anti-corruption coordinator in the State Department's European Bureau from 2014 to 2015.

One former US&nbsp;official said Kent had been among the most vigilant officials within the State Department in reporting on corruption in Ukraine and in seeking to combat it.

The Democratic-led United States House of Representatives' impeachment enquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday questioned George Kent, a US career diplomat who has spent much of his career fighting corruption in Ukraine and elsewhere.

The Democratic-led United States House of Representatives' impeachment enquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday questioned George Kent, a US career diplomat who has spent much of his career fighting corruption in Ukraine and elsewhere. The probe is focused on a July 25 phone call in which Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate unsubstantiated allegations against former Vice President Joe Biden, a top contender for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump in the 2020 presidential election, and Biden's son, Hunter Biden. The younger Biden, 49, denied doing anything improper in past work for a Ukrainian energy company, in an interview with ABC News that aired on Tuesday. But he expressed regret that his association with the Burisma Group gave "some very unethical people" an opening to "to act in illegal ways to try to do some harm to my father. That's where I made the mistake." Kent, a deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for US policy toward six former Soviet republics including Ukraine, arrived on Capitol Hill wearing a red bow tie and ignored shouted questions from reporters. Kent appeared after receiving a congressional subpoena after the State Department directed him not to testify, an official involved in the impeachment inquiry said. His appearance comes one day after Trump's former Russia adviser, Fiona Hill, gave three House committees conducting the impeachment inquiry details of a high-level meeting between US and Ukrainian officials that included her then-boss, former national security adviser John Bolton, and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, according to a person familiar with the testimony. Hill recounted that Sondland raised the issue of investigations and that she and Bolton became alarmed that he was referring to the investigation into the Bidens, the person said. The pair left the meeting and Bolton advised her to consult with John Eisenberg, the top NSC lawyer. The New York Times reported that Bolton was similarly troubled by activities toward Ukraine being coordinated by the president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, along with other administration officials. "Giuliani's a hand grenade who's going to blow everybody up," Hill quoted Bolton as saying, according to the newspaper. A Bolton spokeswoman said he would have no comment on the testimony. Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US ally to dig up dirt on Biden after withholding $391 million in US security aid intended to help combat Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of Ukraine. Zelenskiy agreed to investigate. Trump eventually allowed aid. Trump has denied wrongdoing and defended his request to Zelenskiy. The elder Biden also denied wrongdoing. Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, is due to testify later in the week, in response to a congressional subpoena. Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, faces a Tuesday deadline to produce documents related to the Ukraine matter subpoenaed by the House Intelligence Committee. He has not said whether he will comply. 'Disinformation campaign' On Friday, Marie Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine, defied a State Department order to refuse to cooperate with the House probe, giving scathing testimony in which she accused the Trump administration of recalling her from Kiev-based on false claims. According to State Department emails contained in a package of material shared with congressional staff last month and later seen by Reuters, Kent told colleagues that Yovanovitch had become the target of a "classic disinformation operation." Yovanovitch in her Friday appearance denied Giuliani's allegations that she provided a "do not prosecute list" to Ukrainian officials to protect Biden and others. "One key sign of it being fake is that most of the names are misspelt in English, we would never spell most that way," Kent said in the email to colleagues. Kent suggested the department push back by "circling in red all the misspellings and grammar mistakes and reposting it," as the US Embassy in Moscow has done to counter propaganda. Kent, who majored in Russian language and literature at Harvard, has held several jobs requiring him to grapple with corruption in Ukraine, which ranks 120th of 180 nations in a Transparency International corruption perceptions index. Before taking up his current job, Kent served as the deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Kiev from 2015 to 2018 and as the senior anti-corruption coordinator in the State Department's European Bureau from 2014 to 2015. One former US official said Kent had been among the most vigilant officials within the State Department in reporting on corruption in Ukraine and in seeking to combat it.

United States diplomat testifies at House impeachment enquiry on Trump's Ukraine dealings

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-security-vulnerabilities-are-going-to-be-much-more-greater-in-times-to-come-nsa-ajit-doval-256017">National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval</a> on Tuesday said that India should assess technologies available within the county to improve national security. 
 
"India should assess core technologies available with all centres of excellence in the country like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and private sector and see how these can be collectively used to develop core technologies for national security," said Doval. 
 
Addressing the 41st conclave of Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) directors, he said that India's security vulnerability is "much greater" today and is going to be "much more (sic) greater" in times to come. 
 
He said that historically, India has always remained a runner-up in terms of defence technology and in this field "there are no trophies for the runner-ups." 
 
"The armies that were better equipped always called the shots and decided the destiny of mankind. They were always the one which had higher technologies. India's own historical experience on this has been sad. We were the runner-up. There is no trophy for the runner up," said Doval.

''Either you are better than your adversaries or you are not there at all", he added. 
 
He said that "technology" and "money" are two things that influence geopolitics. "In the modern world, technology and money are two things, which will influence geopolitics. Who will win, will depend upon who has preponderance over their adversaries on these two. Of the two, technology is more important," he said. 
 
"Niche technologies are something that give India more security. It has to be need-based. We along with our defence services and intelligence agencies have to make a hard assessment that what are our needs, which will give us an edge over our adversaries," he added. 
 
"We are in the regime of distributed production. Probably nobody is making all the components of a system. We have to identify which are those critical technologies that we have to have control over and improve upon," he said. 
 
Doval said that "we should also know how to integrate a system as the capability of integration of a system is more important than probably mastering the whole system." 
 
"For the integration of systems in India, except DRDO, no other organisation is capable. We also require to enhance our capacity for technology absorption. Constant adaptation and change is progress. Therefore, we should not be shy to revisit basics and realign our structures in line with emerging realities," he said. 
 
To bring home his point,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/to-support-terrorism-is-pakistans-state-policy-fatf-has-created-pressure-on-it-ajit-doval-255788">the NSA</a> also gave the example of young scientist Alan Turing and several other young scientists like him who were code breakers and made the difference between victory and defeat in World War II.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday said that India should assess technologies available within the county to improve national security. "India should assess core technologies available with all centres of excellence in the country like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and private sector and see how these can be collectively used to develop core technologies for national security," said Doval.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval on Tuesday said that India should assess technologies available within the county to improve national security. "India should assess core technologies available with all centres of excellence in the country like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and private sector and see how these can be collectively used to develop core technologies for national security," said Doval. Addressing the 41st conclave of Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) directors, he said that India's security vulnerability is "much greater" today and is going to be "much more (sic) greater" in times to come. He said that historically, India has always remained a runner-up in terms of defence technology and in this field "there are no trophies for the runner-ups." "The armies that were better equipped always called the shots and decided the destiny of mankind. They were always the one which had higher technologies. India's own historical experience on this has been sad. We were the runner-up. There is no trophy for the runner up," said Doval. ''Either you are better than your adversaries or you are not there at all", he added. He said that "technology" and "money" are two things that influence geopolitics. "In the modern world, technology and money are two things, which will influence geopolitics. Who will win, will depend upon who has preponderance over their adversaries on these two. Of the two, technology is more important," he said. "Niche technologies are something that give India more security. It has to be need-based. We along with our defence services and intelligence agencies have to make a hard assessment that what are our needs, which will give us an edge over our adversaries," he added. "We are in the regime of distributed production. Probably nobody is making all the components of a system. We have to identify which are those critical technologies that we have to have control over and improve upon," he said. Doval said that "we should also know how to integrate a system as the capability of integration of a system is more important than probably mastering the whole system." "For the integration of systems in India, except DRDO, no other organisation is capable. We also require to enhance our capacity for technology absorption. Constant adaptation and change is progress. Therefore, we should not be shy to revisit basics and realign our structures in line with emerging realities," he said. To bring home his point, the NSA also gave the example of young scientist Alan Turing and several other young scientists like him who were code breakers and made the difference between victory and defeat in World War II.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval calls for technology assessment and development to improve national security

A team of three ED (Enforcement Directorate) officers will question <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/enforcement-directorate-seeks-permission-to-arrest-p-chidambaram-in-inx-media-case-255835">former Union Minister P Chidambaram</a> in Tihar Jail on Wednesday morning in connection with INX media money laundering case. 
 
This came after a special court here allowed the law enforcement agency to interrogate Chidambaram for 30 minutes in connection with the matter. 
 
Special CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar allowed the ED to interrogate the Congress leader and arrest him if deemed necessary. 
 
The ED officers who will interrogate Chidambaram are Mahesh Gupta, Sandeep Thapliyal and Dainik Jain. 
 
It also directed Tihar Jail authorities to make necessary arrangements and provide a secure place to interrogate Chidambaram in the prison. 
 
The special judge gave the directions based on a plea filed by the ED seeking permission to arrest the senior Congress leader in the case. 
 
Meanwhile, the court also dismissed the application moved by the lawyer of Chidambaram challenging the court's earlier order of the production of the senior Congress leader. 
 
In his application, Chidambaram had stated that a warrant issued on Friday seeking his production for arrest and remand for investigation was illegal and contrary to the rules. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/inx-media-case-chidambaram-to-be-produced-before-delhi-court-today-enforcement-directorate-to-seek-custody-255736">Chidambaram is currently in judicial custody in Tihar Jail</a> in a corruption case related to the alleged scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His remand is slated to end on October 17. 
 
The case pertains to an FIR registered by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 by Chidambaram when he was the Finance Minister.

A team of three ED (Enforcement Directorate) officers will question former Union Minister P Chidambaram in Tihar Jail on Wednesday morning in connection with INX media money laundering case.

A team of three ED (Enforcement Directorate) officers will question former Union Minister P Chidambaram in Tihar Jail on Wednesday morning in connection with INX media money laundering case. This came after a special court here allowed the law enforcement agency to interrogate Chidambaram for 30 minutes in connection with the matter. Special CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar allowed the ED to interrogate the Congress leader and arrest him if deemed necessary. The ED officers who will interrogate Chidambaram are Mahesh Gupta, Sandeep Thapliyal and Dainik Jain. It also directed Tihar Jail authorities to make necessary arrangements and provide a secure place to interrogate Chidambaram in the prison. The special judge gave the directions based on a plea filed by the ED seeking permission to arrest the senior Congress leader in the case. Meanwhile, the court also dismissed the application moved by the lawyer of Chidambaram challenging the court's earlier order of the production of the senior Congress leader. In his application, Chidambaram had stated that a warrant issued on Friday seeking his production for arrest and remand for investigation was illegal and contrary to the rules. Chidambaram is currently in judicial custody in Tihar Jail in a corruption case related to the alleged scam being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His remand is slated to end on October 17. The case pertains to an FIR registered by the CBI for alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 by Chidambaram when he was the Finance Minister.

INX media case: Three Enforcement Directorate officers to question P Chidambaram at Tihar Jail

Kerala's capital city, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-first-visually-impaired-woman-ias-officer-takes-charge-as-thiruvananthapurams-sub-collector-255843">Thiruvananthapuram</a> corporation has been placed in a zero-waste cities list and received an award for its green city projects at International Zero Waste Cities Conference (IZWCC ) held in Malaysia on October 14. 
 
Thiruvananthapuram corporation health standing committee chairman, K Sreekumar attended the conference and received the award. 
 
V K Prasanth Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram said, "All that campaigns have been admitted and Thiruvananthapuram corporation bagged the award. The corporation takes it as a great recognition and is a model for the world for how to reduce waste. This is a proud and joyful moment and I express my gratitude to the people as a Mayor of the corporation." 
 
The corporation has initiated many such projects such as Green city, and green protocol at the time of cricket matches and famous Attukal Pongala. 
 
Over 800 organisations from more than 90 countries are members of international zero waste group. International zero-waste cities is a group of cities across Pacific Asian countries. 
 
These cities implement zero waste disposal projects, plastic waste reduction projects and sort and collect waste at the sources, decentralized treatments and recycling of waste.

Kerala's capital city, Thiruvananthapuram corporation has been placed in a zero-waste cities list and received an award for its green city projects at International Zero Waste Cities Conference (IZWCC ) held in Malaysia on October 14.

Kerala's capital city, Thiruvananthapuram corporation has been placed in a zero-waste cities list and received an award for its green city projects at International Zero Waste Cities Conference (IZWCC ) held in Malaysia on October 14. Thiruvananthapuram corporation health standing committee chairman, K Sreekumar attended the conference and received the award. V K Prasanth Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram said, "All that campaigns have been admitted and Thiruvananthapuram corporation bagged the award. The corporation takes it as a great recognition and is a model for the world for how to reduce waste. This is a proud and joyful moment and I express my gratitude to the people as a Mayor of the corporation." The corporation has initiated many such projects such as Green city, and green protocol at the time of cricket matches and famous Attukal Pongala. Over 800 organisations from more than 90 countries are members of international zero waste group. International zero-waste cities is a group of cities across Pacific Asian countries. These cities implement zero waste disposal projects, plastic waste reduction projects and sort and collect waste at the sources, decentralized treatments and recycling of waste.

Thiruvananthapuram corporation receives zero-waste city award in Malaysia

While complimenting his men for having foiled more than 30 Border Action Team (BAT) actions in the recent past, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/next-war-will-be-won-through-indigenised-weapons-systems-army-chief-bipin-rawat-256020">Army Chief General Bipin Rawat</a> on Tuesday appreciated the National investigation Agency for making a large number of convictions in terror-related cases. 
 
While addressing top Army Commanders at the biannual Conference in New Delhi, General Rawat said, "There has been an effective and large number of convictions and this could happen due to synergy among the security forces and the agencies. Such synergy with the law enforcing agencies will be reinforced." 
 
Notably, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is responsible for looking after investigations of terrorist-related incidents, the agency has been successful in probing several cases into hawala rackets, terror funding and stone-pelting cases. A number of these accused have been convicted now. 
 
During the conference, operational readiness, effective conduct, and well-synergised operational readiness of the Indian Army were on top of the agenda. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-very-recently-reactivated-balakot-terror-camp-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat-251429">The Army Chief</a> also appreciated the officers and troops for carrying out their operational responsibility which has resulted in foiling many Border Action Team (BAT) actions along the Line of Control (LoC) and terrorists' actions in the hinterland. 
 
Army sources said in the last ten months, the troops have foiled 33 suspicious BAT actions by Pakistan army and terrorist groups backed by them around the LoC. 
 
A number of attacks by terrorists have also been foiled as the security forces have successfully eliminated around 150 local and foreign terrorists in the recent past. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/was-ready-for-ground-escalation-by-pakistan-after-balakot-airstrikes-army-chief-bipin-rawat-244240">Rawat highlighted the innovativeness and ingenuity of soldiers</a> and junior leaders in operational areas. 
 
'It is indeed heartening to see soldiers and junior leaders respond to difficult operational situations in the most innovative manner and such ingenious approach is a great enabler in successful operations along LC and in the hinterland," he said.

While complimenting his men for having foiled more than 30 Border Action Team (BAT) actions in the recent past, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday appreciated the National investigation Agency for making a large number of convictions in terror-related cases.

While complimenting his men for having foiled more than 30 Border Action Team (BAT) actions in the recent past, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday appreciated the National investigation Agency for making a large number of convictions in terror-related cases. While addressing top Army Commanders at the biannual Conference in New Delhi, General Rawat said, "There has been an effective and large number of convictions and this could happen due to synergy among the security forces and the agencies. Such synergy with the law enforcing agencies will be reinforced." Notably, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is responsible for looking after investigations of terrorist-related incidents, the agency has been successful in probing several cases into hawala rackets, terror funding and stone-pelting cases. A number of these accused have been convicted now. During the conference, operational readiness, effective conduct, and well-synergised operational readiness of the Indian Army were on top of the agenda. The Army Chief also appreciated the officers and troops for carrying out their operational responsibility which has resulted in foiling many Border Action Team (BAT) actions along the Line of Control (LoC) and terrorists' actions in the hinterland. Army sources said in the last ten months, the troops have foiled 33 suspicious BAT actions by Pakistan army and terrorist groups backed by them around the LoC. A number of attacks by terrorists have also been foiled as the security forces have successfully eliminated around 150 local and foreign terrorists in the recent past. Rawat highlighted the innovativeness and ingenuity of soldiers and junior leaders in operational areas. 'It is indeed heartening to see soldiers and junior leaders respond to difficult operational situations in the most innovative manner and such ingenious approach is a great enabler in successful operations along LC and in the hinterland," he said.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat lauds National Investigation Agency for convictions in terror-related cases

''It is too soon to say whether <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/united-kingdom-hiring-falls-by-most-in-over-four-years-as-brexit-nears-256066">Britain's parliament</a> will need to sit on Saturday'', Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the lower house of parliament, said on Tuesday, in a reference to ongoing talks in Brussels over a Brexit deal.

Last week, a source said the government planned to hold a special sitting of parliament on October&nbsp;19, following an EU summit on October&nbsp;17-18 when Prime Minister Boris Johnson hopes to secure a deal to leave the European Union.

Saturday could become one of the most critical days in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-unions-brexit-minister-says-united-kingdoms-proposals-fall-short-need-agreement-by-end-of-day-256061">Britain's Brexit</a> crisis after parliament passed a law which would force Johnson to seek a delay to his deadline of October 31 if he has not agreed to an exit deal by October&nbsp;19.

"A Saturday sitting is an extremely unusual process dependent upon events but the events that may require a Saturday sitting have not yet reached their fruition and it is only after that point has been reached that it would be sensible to confirm what exactly will be happening on Saturday," Rees-Mogg told parliament when asked if the sitting would go ahead.

''It is too soon to say whether Britain's parliament will need to sit on Saturday'', Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the lower house of parliament, said on Tuesday, in a reference to ongoing talks in Brussels over a Brexit deal.

''It is too soon to say whether Britain's parliament will need to sit on Saturday'', Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the lower house of parliament, said on Tuesday, in a reference to ongoing talks in Brussels over a Brexit deal. Last week, a source said the government planned to hold a special sitting of parliament on October 19, following an EU summit on October 17-18 when Prime Minister Boris Johnson hopes to secure a deal to leave the European Union. Saturday could become one of the most critical days in Britain's Brexit crisis after parliament passed a law which would force Johnson to seek a delay to his deadline of October 31 if he has not agreed to an exit deal by October 19. "A Saturday sitting is an extremely unusual process dependent upon events but the events that may require a Saturday sitting have not yet reached their fruition and it is only after that point has been reached that it would be sensible to confirm what exactly will be happening on Saturday," Rees-Mogg told parliament when asked if the sitting would go ahead.

Too soon to say if Britain's parliament will sit on Saturday: United Kingdom parliament leader

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