<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-imran-are-fantastic-people-if-they-want-i-can-intervene-in-kashmir-issue-trump-240059">PM Modi, Imran are fantastic people, if they want I can intervene in Kashmir issue: Trump</a>

After US president offered to mediate on Kashmir during his meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan last month, Trump once again reiterated his stand asserting that it was "really up to Prime Minister Modi to accept the offer of mediation."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-more-missiles-third-round-of-tests-in-a-week-240037">North Korea fires more missiles; third round of tests in over a week</a>

North Korea has fired unidentified short-range projectiles, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Friday, citing the country's military as a source.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescuers-retrieve-55-migrant-bodies-from-capsized-boat-off-libyan-coast-240042">Rescuers retrieve 55 migrant bodies from capsized boat off Libyan coast</a>

Fifty-five bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-to-allow-women-to-travel-abroad-without-male-guardian-approval-240033">Saudi Arabia to allow women to travel abroad without male 'guardian' approval</a>

Saudi Arabia will allow women to travel abroad without approval from a male "guardian", the government said Thursday, ending a restriction that drew international censure and prompted extreme attempts to flee the kingdom.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-lost-bit-of-love-for-cricket-at-one-point-says-steve-smith-after-ashes-comeback-century-240047">I lost bit of love for cricket at one point, says Steve Smith after Ashes comeback century</a>

Australia's Steve Smith said he had contemplated the end of his career after marking his first Test since a year-long ball-tampering ban with a superb century on the opening day of the 2019 Ashes.

PM Modi, Imran are fantastic people, if they want I can intervene in Kashmir issue: Trump After US president offered to mediate on Kashmir during his meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan last month, Trump once again reiterated his stand asserting that it was "really up to Prime Minister Modi to accept the offer of mediation.

PM Modi, Imran are fantastic people, if they want I can intervene in Kashmir issue: Trump After US president offered to mediate on Kashmir during his meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan last month, Trump once again reiterated his stand asserting that it was "really up to Prime Minister Modi to accept the offer of mediation." North Korea fires more missiles; third round of tests in over a week North Korea has fired unidentified short-range projectiles, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported Friday, citing the country's military as a source. Rescuers retrieve 55 migrant bodies from capsized boat off Libyan coast Fifty-five bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday. Saudi Arabia to allow women to travel abroad without male 'guardian' approval Saudi Arabia will allow women to travel abroad without approval from a male "guardian", the government said Thursday, ending a restriction that drew international censure and prompted extreme attempts to flee the kingdom. I lost bit of love for cricket at one point, says Steve Smith after Ashes comeback century Australia's Steve Smith said he had contemplated the end of his career after marking his first Test since a year-long ball-tampering ban with a superb century on the opening day of the 2019 Ashes.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Oil prices rose around 1 per cent on Friday, steadying after an overnight plunge following US President Donald Trump's move to impose more tariffs on Chinese imports, intensifying a trade war that has hit global growth.

Brent crude slumped more than 7 per cent on Thursday, its steepest drop in more than three years. US crude fell nearly 8%, posting its worst day in more than four years,

The collapse ended a fragile rally built on steady drawdowns in US inventories, even as global demand looked shaky due to the trade dispute between the world's two biggest economies.

Brent was up 67 cents, or 1.1%, at $61.17 a barrel by 0049 GMT, while US crude was up 50 cents, or 0.9%, at $54.45 a barrel.

Trump said on Thursday he would impose a 10 per cent tariff on $300 billion of Chinese imports from September 1 and could raise tariffs further if China's President Xi Jinping fails to move more quickly to strike a trade deal.

The announcement extends Trump's tariffs to nearly all China's imports into the United States and marks an abrupt end to a temporary truce in a trade war that has disrupted global supply chains and roiled financial markets.

Prices "had already been under pressure before the tariff announcement, with weak US manufacturing data raising concerns about weak demand for oil," ANZ Research said in a morning note.

US manufacturing activity slowed to a near three-year low in July and construction spending fell in June as investment in private construction projects tumbled to its lowest level in 1-1/2 years.

Total US oil demand in May fell 98,000 bpd to 20.26 million bpd, data showed earlier this week.&nbsp;

OPEC and partners including Russia, an alliance known as OPEC+, have been curbing output this year to support the market.&nbsp;

In July, OPEC production revisited a 2011 low, helped by a further cut by Saudi Arabia, a Reuters survey showed.

Oil prices rose around 1 per cent on Friday, steadying after an overnight plunge following US President Donald Trump's move to impose more tariffs on Chinese imports, intensifying a trade war that has hit global growth.

Oil prices rose around 1 per cent on Friday, steadying after an overnight plunge following US President Donald Trump's move to impose more tariffs on Chinese imports, intensifying a trade war that has hit global growth. Brent crude slumped more than 7 per cent on Thursday, its steepest drop in more than three years. US crude fell nearly 8%, posting its worst day in more than four years, The collapse ended a fragile rally built on steady drawdowns in US inventories, even as global demand looked shaky due to the trade dispute between the world's two biggest economies. Brent was up 67 cents, or 1.1%, at $61.17 a barrel by 0049 GMT, while US crude was up 50 cents, or 0.9%, at $54.45 a barrel. Trump said on Thursday he would impose a 10 per cent tariff on $300 billion of Chinese imports from September 1 and could raise tariffs further if China's President Xi Jinping fails to move more quickly to strike a trade deal. The announcement extends Trump's tariffs to nearly all China's imports into the United States and marks an abrupt end to a temporary truce in a trade war that has disrupted global supply chains and roiled financial markets. Prices "had already been under pressure before the tariff announcement, with weak US manufacturing data raising concerns about weak demand for oil," ANZ Research said in a morning note. US manufacturing activity slowed to a near three-year low in July and construction spending fell in June as investment in private construction projects tumbled to its lowest level in 1-1/2 years. Total US oil demand in May fell 98,000 bpd to 20.26 million bpd, data showed earlier this week. OPEC and partners including Russia, an alliance known as OPEC+, have been curbing output this year to support the market. In July, OPEC production revisited a 2011 low, helped by a further cut by Saudi Arabia, a Reuters survey showed.

Oil prices steady after Trump trade tariffs spark plunge

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/heres-how-boris-johnson-can-unite-a-country-mired-in-a-brexit-identity-crisis-239628">Britain's Boris Johnson lost his first major test</a> as prime minister on Friday when his candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that could narrow his parliamentary majority to one.

Thursday's vote in the Welsh sheep farming community of Brecon and Radnorshire offered a stark choice between a Brexit-backing candidate from Johnson's Conservative party and a Liberal Democrat who wants to preserve Britain's four-decade stay in the EU.

Johnson dropped by the region on Tuesday to help out Chris Davies -- a Conservative MP who was forced to step down after becoming embroiled in an expanses scandal.

Davies protested his innocense and contested the seat again but the Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds received 13,826 votes to Davies' 12,401 after having two smaller pro-EU parties back her bid.

The result extends a recent revival for the Liberal Democrats at the major parties' expense.

Its firm stand against Britain's split from the European Union saw it come a surprise second behind populist eurosceptic Nigel Farage's Brexit Party in the European Parliament elections in May.

Farage's candidate ate into the Conservative's support by picking up 3,331 votes. The main opposition Labour Party -- once a dominant force in Wales -- came in a distant fourth with just 1,680.

"My very first act as MP when I arrive in Westminster will be to find Boris Johnson wherever he is hiding and tell him loud and clear -- stop playing with the futures of our communities and rule out no-deal Brexit," a visibly relieved Dodds said.

Test of strength

The election was viewed as a test of strength for the "Boris bounce" that has helped the Conservatives regain a slim lead in some national opinion polls.

Control of Brecon and Radnorshire has swung between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives since the 1990s. It voted 52 per cent to leave the European Union in the 2016 vote -- mirroring the UK-wide result.

But the controversies surrounding Davies turned this into an unusual contest whose outcome might not reflect either Johnson's or Brexit's true level of wider support.

The defeat still leaves Johnson in danger of being unable to control parliament in the crucial runup to Britain's scheduled departure from the EU on October 31.

MPs are already plotting ways to thwart his threat to take Britain out by the twice-delayed deadline without a divorce deal.

Johnson also needs to be able to pass legislation to make the potentially chaotic "no-deal" outcome as smooth as possible -- and to pass any compromise he might suddenly strike with Brussels.

The 650-seat chamber is fractured and includes MPs who at times switch sides or abstain at pivotal moments.

This leaves Johnson dependent on the whims of just a few legislators at one of the most crucial points in British history since World War II.

Fears of a no-deal divorce have already pushed the pound to its lowest levels since Britons first voted to leave in June 2016.

The Bank of England warned Thursday that a messy split would drop the pound even further and slow growth this year and next to 1.3 per cent from around 1.5 per cent.

Brexit PR blitz

The pound's slump reflects broader business jitters both in Britain and its main trading partners in Europe.

Johnson's government is trying to boost its negotiating hand with Brussels by showing that the country is ready for any outcome.

Finance minister Sajid Javid announced Wednesday an extra £2.1 billion&nbsp;to prepare for leaving without an agreement.

Politico reported that part of the money would be spent on a Europe-wide media blitz that included adverts in major continental newspapers aimed at convincing EU governments about the strength of Britain's no-deal resolve.

Some analysts questioned how much of the funding was new and whether it would actually be used in the 90 days remaining before Brexit.

"We have to be prepared because we will be leaving on October 31," Javid said on Thursday.

The main opposition Labour Party's finance spokesman John McDonnell branded the funding an "appalling waste of taxpayers' cash".

The Labour MP who heads parliament's spending watchdog also pledged to investigate how the money was being spent.

Britain's Boris Johnson lost his first major test as prime minister on Friday when his candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that could narrow his parliamentary majority to one.

Britain's Boris Johnson lost his first major test as prime minister on Friday when his candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that could narrow his parliamentary majority to one. Thursday's vote in the Welsh sheep farming community of Brecon and Radnorshire offered a stark choice between a Brexit-backing candidate from Johnson's Conservative party and a Liberal Democrat who wants to preserve Britain's four-decade stay in the EU. Johnson dropped by the region on Tuesday to help out Chris Davies -- a Conservative MP who was forced to step down after becoming embroiled in an expanses scandal. Davies protested his innocense and contested the seat again but the Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds received 13,826 votes to Davies' 12,401 after having two smaller pro-EU parties back her bid. The result extends a recent revival for the Liberal Democrats at the major parties' expense. Its firm stand against Britain's split from the European Union saw it come a surprise second behind populist eurosceptic Nigel Farage's Brexit Party in the European Parliament elections in May. Farage's candidate ate into the Conservative's support by picking up 3,331 votes. The main opposition Labour Party -- once a dominant force in Wales -- came in a distant fourth with just 1,680. "My very first act as MP when I arrive in Westminster will be to find Boris Johnson wherever he is hiding and tell him loud and clear -- stop playing with the futures of our communities and rule out no-deal Brexit," a visibly relieved Dodds said. Test of strength The election was viewed as a test of strength for the "Boris bounce" that has helped the Conservatives regain a slim lead in some national opinion polls. Control of Brecon and Radnorshire has swung between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives since the 1990s. It voted 52 per cent to leave the European Union in the 2016 vote -- mirroring the UK-wide result. But the controversies surrounding Davies turned this into an unusual contest whose outcome might not reflect either Johnson's or Brexit's true level of wider support. The defeat still leaves Johnson in danger of being unable to control parliament in the crucial runup to Britain's scheduled departure from the EU on October 31. MPs are already plotting ways to thwart his threat to take Britain out by the twice-delayed deadline without a divorce deal. Johnson also needs to be able to pass legislation to make the potentially chaotic "no-deal" outcome as smooth as possible -- and to pass any compromise he might suddenly strike with Brussels. The 650-seat chamber is fractured and includes MPs who at times switch sides or abstain at pivotal moments. This leaves Johnson dependent on the whims of just a few legislators at one of the most crucial points in British history since World War II. Fears of a no-deal divorce have already pushed the pound to its lowest levels since Britons first voted to leave in June 2016. The Bank of England warned Thursday that a messy split would drop the pound even further and slow growth this year and next to 1.3 per cent from around 1.5 per cent. Brexit PR blitz The pound's slump reflects broader business jitters both in Britain and its main trading partners in Europe. Johnson's government is trying to boost its negotiating hand with Brussels by showing that the country is ready for any outcome. Finance minister Sajid Javid announced Wednesday an extra £2.1 billion to prepare for leaving without an agreement. Politico reported that part of the money would be spent on a Europe-wide media blitz that included adverts in major continental newspapers aimed at convincing EU governments about the strength of Britain's no-deal resolve. Some analysts questioned how much of the funding was new and whether it would actually be used in the 90 days remaining before Brexit. "We have to be prepared because we will be leaving on October 31," Javid said on Thursday. The main opposition Labour Party's finance spokesman John McDonnell branded the funding an "appalling waste of taxpayers' cash". The Labour MP who heads parliament's spending watchdog also pledged to investigate how the money was being spent.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffers first leadership blow in by-election

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia -&nbsp;and throwing China into the mix.

The treaty -&nbsp;concluded in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -&nbsp;limited the Cold War powers' medium-range missiles, both conventional and nuclear.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the demise of the treaty a dangerous step that "will likely heighten, not reduce, the threat posed by ballistic missiles."

"When it expires tomorrow, the world will lose an invaluable brake on nuclear war," he said on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-hit-300-billion-worth-of-chinese-goods-with-10-tariff-donald-trump-240021">US President Donald Trump's administration</a> says the treaty is effectively dead already because of Russian violations -- a charge Russia denies. The White House launched the six-month procedure for leaving the treaty on February 1.

"I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently.

"The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd -&nbsp;and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers.

In response, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gives-russian-citizenship-to-novateks-finance-chief-a-us-national-237779">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> signed off on Moscow's participation in the INF on July 3.&nbsp;

Under the deal, missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometres were eliminated.&nbsp;

That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe.

Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO has endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement.

Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometres -- within INF parameters.

But the death of the INF treaty may suit Washington, former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July.

"From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike."

On Thursday, Trump told reporters that the INF did not even come up when he talked by telephone with Putin about Russian wildfires on Wednesday.

However, he did suggest vaguely that a new treaty may be in the mix.

"Russia would like to do something on a nuclear treaty and that's ok with me. They'd like to do something and so would I," he said.

Next-generation technology

The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernize its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia.

"Most of China's inventory is of intermediate-range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said.

The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe. But it has made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons.

Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation.

"The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert.

For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the United States must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies.

Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands.

"It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks.

"Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression."

Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley.

When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Do you think those would be helpful?" one senator asked.

"I do," Milley replied.

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix.

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix. The treaty - concluded in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev - limited the Cold War powers' medium-range missiles, both conventional and nuclear. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the demise of the treaty a dangerous step that "will likely heighten, not reduce, the threat posed by ballistic missiles." "When it expires tomorrow, the world will lose an invaluable brake on nuclear war," he said on Thursday. US President Donald Trump's administration says the treaty is effectively dead already because of Russian violations -- a charge Russia denies. The White House launched the six-month procedure for leaving the treaty on February 1. "I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently. "The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd - and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on Moscow's participation in the INF on July 3. Under the deal, missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometres were eliminated. That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe. Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO has endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement. Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometres -- within INF parameters. But the death of the INF treaty may suit Washington, former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July. "From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations. "We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike." On Thursday, Trump told reporters that the INF did not even come up when he talked by telephone with Putin about Russian wildfires on Wednesday. However, he did suggest vaguely that a new treaty may be in the mix. "Russia would like to do something on a nuclear treaty and that's ok with me. They'd like to do something and so would I," he said. Next-generation technology The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernize its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia. "Most of China's inventory is of intermediate-range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said. The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe. But it has made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons. Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation. "The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert. For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the United States must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies. Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands. "It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks. "Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression." Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley. When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region. "Do you think those would be helpful?" one senator asked. "I do," Milley replied.

US pullout from INF treaty will likely heighten, not reduce threat: UN chief Guterres

Australia's Steve Smith said he had contemplated the end of his career after marking his first Test since a year-long ball-tampering ban with a superb <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2019-eng-v-aus-first-test-day-one-smith-ton-takes-australia-to-284-all-out-in-first-ashes-test-240025">century on the opening day of the 2019 Ashes</a>.

The tourists were struggling at 17-2 at Edgbaston on Thursday when former Australia captain Smith walked out to bat and they later collapsed to 122-8.

But Smith, ignoring the repeated boos of the crowd, made 144 in a total of 284 after current Australia skipper Tim Paine won the toss before England closed on 10-0.

Smith's 24th Test century was the star batsman's first international hundred since he returned to Australia duty during a World Cup where he made 85 in last month's Edgbaston semi-final defeat by eventual champions England.

"There were times throughout the last 15 months where I didn't know if I was ever going to play cricket again," Smith, renowned for his obsessive devotion to the sport, told reporters after stumps.

"I lost a bit of love for it at one point, particularly when I had my elbow operation.&nbsp;

"It was really bizarre that it was the day I got the brace off my elbow, I found a love for it again.&nbsp;

"I don't know what it was, it was like a trigger that just said 'right I'm ready to go again, I want to play and I want to go out and play for Australia and make people proud and just do what I love doing'.

There were many familiar Smith traits on show in Birmingham, including the repeated fidgeting in his stance, while the crowd could scarcely have been tougher on the 30-year-old than he was when berating himself for the occasional loose shot.

Also on display was Smith's ability to bat well alongside tailenders, with Australia's last two wickets more than doubling their score.

Smith's near six-hour innings was a chanceless affair until he was last man out, with his biggest scare coming when given out lbw for 34 to Stuart Broad not playing a shot only to overturn the decision on review.

'Shivers down my spine'

Then skipper Smith and Warner, his deputy, were both given 12-month bans for their roles in the scandal in South Africa, while Cameron Bancroft -- the man who brazenly applied sandpaper to the ball during a Test in Cape Town -- was suspended from international duty for nine months by Cricket Australia.

All three batsmen were dismissed by Broad on Thursday, with openers Bancroft and Warner managing just 10 between them for the Ashes-holders.&nbsp;

The trio were booed on their way out to the middle and when they were dismissed, with even Smith's century a cue for yet more jeering.

"I know I've got the support of the boys in the room and, for me, that's all that really matters," insisted Smith following what he labelled one of his "best" centuries.&nbsp;

"They went berserk on the balcony when I got to my hundred and just looking up at them, it sent shivers down my spine."

When Broad eventually bowled Smith, the paceman had his 100th Test wicket against Australia after completing an innings haul of 5-86.

Australia's task was made easier by James Anderson, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker, only bowling four overs before going off with a calf injury.&nbsp;

"He actually came and said sorry to all the bowlers, not that he's got anything to be sorry for," Broad said of Anderson, his longstanding new-ball colleague.&nbsp;

"He feels like he's let the bowling group down but he hasn't. Niggles are a part of fast bowling."

Broad paid tribute to Smith but, having been on the receiving end of a "bit of stick" by Australian crowds, refused to condemn spectators for their taunts.

"It's part of being a professional sportsman," he said. "Footballers get it all the time but it's a bit unexpected sometimes in cricket.&nbsp;

"Smith seemed to deal with it OK."

Australia's Steve Smith said he had contemplated the end of his career after marking his first Test since a year-long ball-tampering ban with a superb century on the opening day of the 2019 Ashes.

Australia's Steve Smith said he had contemplated the end of his career after marking his first Test since a year-long ball-tampering ban with a superb century on the opening day of the 2019 Ashes. The tourists were struggling at 17-2 at Edgbaston on Thursday when former Australia captain Smith walked out to bat and they later collapsed to 122-8. But Smith, ignoring the repeated boos of the crowd, made 144 in a total of 284 after current Australia skipper Tim Paine won the toss before England closed on 10-0. Smith's 24th Test century was the star batsman's first international hundred since he returned to Australia duty during a World Cup where he made 85 in last month's Edgbaston semi-final defeat by eventual champions England. "There were times throughout the last 15 months where I didn't know if I was ever going to play cricket again," Smith, renowned for his obsessive devotion to the sport, told reporters after stumps. "I lost a bit of love for it at one point, particularly when I had my elbow operation. "It was really bizarre that it was the day I got the brace off my elbow, I found a love for it again. "I don't know what it was, it was like a trigger that just said 'right I'm ready to go again, I want to play and I want to go out and play for Australia and make people proud and just do what I love doing'. There were many familiar Smith traits on show in Birmingham, including the repeated fidgeting in his stance, while the crowd could scarcely have been tougher on the 30-year-old than he was when berating himself for the occasional loose shot. Also on display was Smith's ability to bat well alongside tailenders, with Australia's last two wickets more than doubling their score. Smith's near six-hour innings was a chanceless affair until he was last man out, with his biggest scare coming when given out lbw for 34 to Stuart Broad not playing a shot only to overturn the decision on review. 'Shivers down my spine' Then skipper Smith and Warner, his deputy, were both given 12-month bans for their roles in the scandal in South Africa, while Cameron Bancroft -- the man who brazenly applied sandpaper to the ball during a Test in Cape Town -- was suspended from international duty for nine months by Cricket Australia. All three batsmen were dismissed by Broad on Thursday, with openers Bancroft and Warner managing just 10 between them for the Ashes-holders. The trio were booed on their way out to the middle and when they were dismissed, with even Smith's century a cue for yet more jeering. "I know I've got the support of the boys in the room and, for me, that's all that really matters," insisted Smith following what he labelled one of his "best" centuries. "They went berserk on the balcony when I got to my hundred and just looking up at them, it sent shivers down my spine." When Broad eventually bowled Smith, the paceman had his 100th Test wicket against Australia after completing an innings haul of 5-86. Australia's task was made easier by James Anderson, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker, only bowling four overs before going off with a calf injury. "He actually came and said sorry to all the bowlers, not that he's got anything to be sorry for," Broad said of Anderson, his longstanding new-ball colleague. "He feels like he's let the bowling group down but he hasn't. Niggles are a part of fast bowling." Broad paid tribute to Smith but, having been on the receiving end of a "bit of stick" by Australian crowds, refused to condemn spectators for their taunts. "It's part of being a professional sportsman," he said. "Footballers get it all the time but it's a bit unexpected sometimes in cricket. "Smith seemed to deal with it OK."

I lost bit of love for cricket at one point, says Steve Smith after Ashes comeback century

Japan on Friday said it will remove South Korea from a "white list" of favoured export partners, a move that Seoul has warned will have "grave consequences" for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-south-korea-military-exercises-still-on-despite-norths-warnings-pentagon-official-240011">security ties between the US allies</a>.

"The government at a cabinet meeting today approved a revision to the export control law... South Korea, the only Asian nation on the list, will be removed," Japan's Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters.

The measure, which is expected to take effect later this month, comes after Tokyo last month tightened the rules on exports of three products key to South Korea's chip and smartphone industries, raising fears for global supply in the sectors.

Tokyo's decision comes despite calls from Washington for the two US allies to set aside their differences, and after South Korea warned it would review security cooperation with Japan if the de-listing went ahead.

South Korea is now the first country ever to be dropped from Japan's so-called "white" list of nations granted minimal constraints on exports of products that could be diverted to military use.

It means hundreds of products listed as sensitive will be subject to tighter export controls, though experts said the effect would be more symbolic than economic.

It "will only have a limited impact on the South Korean economy," said Hajime Yoshimoto, senior economist at Nomura Securities, in part because Japanese exporters can obtain special permission to ship to non-white-list countries with simplified procedures. &nbsp;

Many major Japanese exporters already have that special permission, according to the trade ministry.

"I'd like to make it clear that this is not an export embargo," Seko said Friday.

"We believe stripping South Korea of preferential treatment does not affect the global supply chain or have a negative impact on Japanese companies."

The measure is the latest blow to ties between South Korea and Japan, which have plunged to new lows over a long-running dispute on forced labour during World War II.

A string of recent South Korean court rulings ordering Japanese companies to compensate victims of wartime forced labour have infuriated Ja

Japan on Friday said it will remove South Korea from a "white list" of favoured export partners, a move that Seoul has warned will have "grave consequences" for security ties between the US allies.

Japan on Friday said it will remove South Korea from a "white list" of favoured export partners, a move that Seoul has warned will have "grave consequences" for security ties between the US allies. "The government at a cabinet meeting today approved a revision to the export control law... South Korea, the only Asian nation on the list, will be removed," Japan's Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters. The measure, which is expected to take effect later this month, comes after Tokyo last month tightened the rules on exports of three products key to South Korea's chip and smartphone industries, raising fears for global supply in the sectors. Tokyo's decision comes despite calls from Washington for the two US allies to set aside their differences, and after South Korea warned it would review security cooperation with Japan if the de-listing went ahead. South Korea is now the first country ever to be dropped from Japan's so-called "white" list of nations granted minimal constraints on exports of products that could be diverted to military use. It means hundreds of products listed as sensitive will be subject to tighter export controls, though experts said the effect would be more symbolic than economic. It "will only have a limited impact on the South Korean economy," said Hajime Yoshimoto, senior economist at Nomura Securities, in part because Japanese exporters can obtain special permission to ship to non-white-list countries with simplified procedures. Many major Japanese exporters already have that special permission, according to the trade ministry. "I'd like to make it clear that this is not an export embargo," Seko said Friday. "We believe stripping South Korea of preferential treatment does not affect the global supply chain or have a negative impact on Japanese companies." The measure is the latest blow to ties between South Korea and Japan, which have plunged to new lows over a long-running dispute on forced labour during World War II. A string of recent South Korean court rulings ordering Japanese companies to compensate victims of wartime forced labour have infuriated Ja

Japan to remove South Korea from favoured export partner 'white list'

Saudi Arabia will allow women to travel abroad without approval from a male "guardian", the government said Thursday, ending a restriction that drew international censure and prompted extreme attempts to flee the kingdom.

The landmark reform erodes the longstanding guardianship system that renders adult women as legal minors and allows their "guardians" -- husband, father and other male relatives -- to exercise arbitrary authority over them.

The decision, following years of campaigning by activists, comes after high-profile attempts by women to escape their guardians despite a string of reforms including a historic decree last year that overturned the world's only ban on female motorists.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-led-forces-israel-among-states-rapped-by-un-for-killing-children-239735">Also read:&nbsp;Saudi-led forces, Israel among states rapped by United Nations for killing children</a>

"A passport will be granted to any Saudi national who submits an application," said a government ruling published in the official gazette Umm al-Qura.

The regulation effectively allows women over the age of 21 to obtain passports and leave the country without their guardian's permission, the pro-government Okaz newspaper and other local media reported, citing senior authorities.

Women in the kingdom have long required permission from their male "guardians" to marry, renew their passports or exit the country.

The reform grants women greater autonomy and mobility, the pro-government Saudi Gazette newspaper said, hailing the decision as "one giant leap for Saudi women".&nbsp;

The decision was met with jubilation on social media, with the hashtag "No guardianship over women travel" gaining traction and many posting humorous memes of women fleeing with suitcases and being chased by men.

"Some women's dreams were aborted due to inability to leave the country for whatever reason... to study abroad, a work opportunity, or even flee if so desired," Saudi businesswoman Muna AbuSulayman said on Twitter.

"This change means women are in a way in full control of their legal destiny."

The changes announced Thursday also grant Saudi women what has long been a male entitlement -- the right to officially register childbirth, marriage or divorce and to be recognised as a guardian to children who are minors.

Crackdown and reform

The reform comes as Saudi Arabia faces heightened international scrutiny over its human rights record, including an ongoing trial of women activists who have long demanded that the guardianship system be dismantled.

That includes Loujain al-Hathloul, a prominent rights activist who marked her 30th birthday this week in a Saudi prison, campaigners said.

Alongside a sweeping crackdown on dissent, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- the kingdom's de facto ruler -- spearheads a wide-ranging liberalisation drive that is aimed at transforming the conservative petro-state, long criticised for its treatment of women.&nbsp;

His reforms include the much-celebrated decision allowing women to drive in June last year, allowing women to attend soccer games alongside men and take on jobs that once fell outside the narrow confines of traditional gender roles.&nbsp;

But while transforming the lives of many women, critics said the reforms will be cosmetic for many others until the kingdom abolishes the "guardianship" system.

Some have undertaken perilous attempts to escape overseas despite the reforms.

They include 18-year-old Rahaf al-Qunun, whose live-tweeted asylum plea from a Bangkok hotel in January after she fled her Saudi family drew global attention.

Later, two Saudi sisters who sought sanctuary in Hong Kong from what they called family abuse were allowed passage to a third country that was not named for their safety.

And subsequently, two other Saudi sisters fled to Georgia.

The latest reform, which weakens but does not completely dismantle the guardianship system, could lead to family clashes in the deeply patriarchal society, observers warn.

Saudi officials have expressed commitment to fighting guardianship abuse, but have warned the system can only be dismantled piecemeal to prevent a backlash from arch-conservatives.

In a one-off case last year, a Saudi court ruled in favour of a 24-year-old woman who challenged her father's decision to not let her have a passport. But until Thursday's ruling, she would have still required his permission to travel.

Saudi Arabia will allow women to travel abroad without approval from a male "guardian", the government said Thursday, ending a restriction that drew international censure and prompted extreme attempts to flee the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia will allow women to travel abroad without approval from a male "guardian", the government said Thursday, ending a restriction that drew international censure and prompted extreme attempts to flee the kingdom. The landmark reform erodes the longstanding guardianship system that renders adult women as legal minors and allows their "guardians" -- husband, father and other male relatives -- to exercise arbitrary authority over them. The decision, following years of campaigning by activists, comes after high-profile attempts by women to escape their guardians despite a string of reforms including a historic decree last year that overturned the world's only ban on female motorists. Also read: Saudi-led forces, Israel among states rapped by United Nations for killing children "A passport will be granted to any Saudi national who submits an application," said a government ruling published in the official gazette Umm al-Qura. The regulation effectively allows women over the age of 21 to obtain passports and leave the country without their guardian's permission, the pro-government Okaz newspaper and other local media reported, citing senior authorities. Women in the kingdom have long required permission from their male "guardians" to marry, renew their passports or exit the country. The reform grants women greater autonomy and mobility, the pro-government Saudi Gazette newspaper said, hailing the decision as "one giant leap for Saudi women". The decision was met with jubilation on social media, with the hashtag "No guardianship over women travel" gaining traction and many posting humorous memes of women fleeing with suitcases and being chased by men. "Some women's dreams were aborted due to inability to leave the country for whatever reason... to study abroad, a work opportunity, or even flee if so desired," Saudi businesswoman Muna AbuSulayman said on Twitter. "This change means women are in a way in full control of their legal destiny." The changes announced Thursday also grant Saudi women what has long been a male entitlement -- the right to officially register childbirth, marriage or divorce and to be recognised as a guardian to children who are minors. Crackdown and reform The reform comes as Saudi Arabia faces heightened international scrutiny over its human rights record, including an ongoing trial of women activists who have long demanded that the guardianship system be dismantled. That includes Loujain al-Hathloul, a prominent rights activist who marked her 30th birthday this week in a Saudi prison, campaigners said. Alongside a sweeping crackdown on dissent, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- the kingdom's de facto ruler -- spearheads a wide-ranging liberalisation drive that is aimed at transforming the conservative petro-state, long criticised for its treatment of women. His reforms include the much-celebrated decision allowing women to drive in June last year, allowing women to attend soccer games alongside men and take on jobs that once fell outside the narrow confines of traditional gender roles. But while transforming the lives of many women, critics said the reforms will be cosmetic for many others until the kingdom abolishes the "guardianship" system. Some have undertaken perilous attempts to escape overseas despite the reforms. They include 18-year-old Rahaf al-Qunun, whose live-tweeted asylum plea from a Bangkok hotel in January after she fled her Saudi family drew global attention. Later, two Saudi sisters who sought sanctuary in Hong Kong from what they called family abuse were allowed passage to a third country that was not named for their safety. And subsequently, two other Saudi sisters fled to Georgia. The latest reform, which weakens but does not completely dismantle the guardianship system, could lead to family clashes in the deeply patriarchal society, observers warn. Saudi officials have expressed commitment to fighting guardianship abuse, but have warned the system can only be dismantled piecemeal to prevent a backlash from arch-conservatives. In a one-off case last year, a Saudi court ruled in favour of a 24-year-old woman who challenged her father's decision to not let her have a passport. But until Thursday's ruling, she would have still required his permission to travel.

Saudi Arabia to allow women to travel abroad without male 'guardian' approval

Global stocks took another beating on Friday while investors piled on to safe-haven assets after US President Donald Trump said he would slap a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-hit-300-billion-worth-of-chinese-goods-with-10-tariff-donald-trump-240021">10% tariff on the remaining $300 billion</a> of Chinese imports from next month.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.51% to its lowest level since mid-June while Japan's Nikkei tumbled 1.91%.

US stock futures lost 0.20% in early Asian trade after the S&amp;P 500 skidded 0.90% to hit one-month lows overnight, while Pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 1.5%.

Trump's move breaks a truce in the trade war struck in June and could further disrupt global supply chains.

"After US-China summit meeting, people had expected there would be a lull for quite some time," said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.

"And the market was also relieved by signs of recovery in the semiconductor sector. But now investors and companies will have to revise their such scenarios."

China's state media quickly denounced the move, with the editor in chief of the Global Times saying on Friday that a trade deal between the United States and China was now "further away."

The proposed levies triggered a stampede for safe-haven assets, including US bonds, the yen and gold while the yuan and the Australian dollar hit multi-month lows.

Gold held firm at $1,438.9 per ounce, down 0.4% in Asia after having risen 2.4% on Thursday, staying near a six-year high of $1,453 touched two weeks ago.

The yen edged up to 107.25 on the dollar after rising 1.3% overnight, its biggest daily gain in more than two years.

The euro also recovered to $1.1090, from a two-year low of $1.1027 hit in US trade.

In contrast, the risk sensitive Australian dollar dropped to a seven-month low of $0.6795 while the offshore yuan hit a nine-month low of 6.9731 to the dollar.

The 10-year US bond yield fell almost 12 basis points on Thursday to 1.902 per cent, hitting the lowest level since November 8, 2016, when Trump won a surprise victory in the presidential election.

Trump's decision has thrown the Federal Reserve another curve ball that may force it to again cut interest rates to protect the US economy from trade-policy risks after its first rate cut in more than a decade on Wednesday.

Although Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the rate cut was a "mid-cycle adjustment" and not a start to a full-blown rate-cutting cycle, markets aren't fully convinced.

The October Fed funds rate futures have jumped to now fully price in a rate cut in September, compared with only around 60% before the tariff announcement. Another 25 basis point move is priced in by December.

"In the grand scheme of things, it will become clearer and clearer that the Federal Reserve has started an easing cycle and will have no choice but to cut rates further," said Akira Takei, fund manager at Asset Management One.

The new tariffs would hit a wide swathe of consumer goods from cell phones and laptop computers to toys and footwear, at a time when the manufacturing sector is already reeling from the accumulative impact of the trade war.

The US Institute for Supply Management said on Thursday its index of national factory activity fell to 51.2 last month, the lowest reading since August 2016. That came on the heels of surveys in Europe and Asia showing factories under the pump, with manufacturing activity in many countries shrinking in the face of intensifying trade frictions.

Oil prices bounced back a tad after suffering sharp falls the previous day.

Brent crude rose 1.2% to $61.24 per barrel, after having fallen 7.0% on Thursday, its biggest daily percentage drop since February 2016.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 1.1% to $54.52, having shed 7.9% on Thursday.

Global stocks took another beating on Friday while investors piled on to safe-haven assets after US President Donald Trump said he would slap a 10% tariff on the remaining $300 billion of Chinese imports from next month.

Global stocks took another beating on Friday while investors piled on to safe-haven assets after US President Donald Trump said he would slap a 10% tariff on the remaining $300 billion of Chinese imports from next month. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.51% to its lowest level since mid-June while Japan's Nikkei tumbled 1.91%. US stock futures lost 0.20% in early Asian trade after the S&P 500 skidded 0.90% to hit one-month lows overnight, while Pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 futures fell 1.5%. Trump's move breaks a truce in the trade war struck in June and could further disrupt global supply chains. "After US-China summit meeting, people had expected there would be a lull for quite some time," said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management. "And the market was also relieved by signs of recovery in the semiconductor sector. But now investors and companies will have to revise their such scenarios." China's state media quickly denounced the move, with the editor in chief of the Global Times saying on Friday that a trade deal between the United States and China was now "further away." The proposed levies triggered a stampede for safe-haven assets, including US bonds, the yen and gold while the yuan and the Australian dollar hit multi-month lows. Gold held firm at $1,438.9 per ounce, down 0.4% in Asia after having risen 2.4% on Thursday, staying near a six-year high of $1,453 touched two weeks ago. The yen edged up to 107.25 on the dollar after rising 1.3% overnight, its biggest daily gain in more than two years. The euro also recovered to $1.1090, from a two-year low of $1.1027 hit in US trade. In contrast, the risk sensitive Australian dollar dropped to a seven-month low of $0.6795 while the offshore yuan hit a nine-month low of 6.9731 to the dollar. The 10-year US bond yield fell almost 12 basis points on Thursday to 1.902 per cent, hitting the lowest level since November 8, 2016, when Trump won a surprise victory in the presidential election. Trump's decision has thrown the Federal Reserve another curve ball that may force it to again cut interest rates to protect the US economy from trade-policy risks after its first rate cut in more than a decade on Wednesday. Although Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the rate cut was a "mid-cycle adjustment" and not a start to a full-blown rate-cutting cycle, markets aren't fully convinced. The October Fed funds rate futures have jumped to now fully price in a rate cut in September, compared with only around 60% before the tariff announcement. Another 25 basis point move is priced in by December. "In the grand scheme of things, it will become clearer and clearer that the Federal Reserve has started an easing cycle and will have no choice but to cut rates further," said Akira Takei, fund manager at Asset Management One. The new tariffs would hit a wide swathe of consumer goods from cell phones and laptop computers to toys and footwear, at a time when the manufacturing sector is already reeling from the accumulative impact of the trade war. The US Institute for Supply Management said on Thursday its index of national factory activity fell to 51.2 last month, the lowest reading since August 2016. That came on the heels of surveys in Europe and Asia showing factories under the pump, with manufacturing activity in many countries shrinking in the face of intensifying trade frictions. Oil prices bounced back a tad after suffering sharp falls the previous day. Brent crude rose 1.2% to $61.24 per barrel, after having fallen 7.0% on Thursday, its biggest daily percentage drop since February 2016. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 1.1% to $54.52, having shed 7.9% on Thursday.

Trump's tariffs jolt global stocks, lift safe-haven assets

Fifty-five <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescuers-retrieve-62-migrant-bodies-from-capsized-boat-off-libya-238736">bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast</a>, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday.

Search operations are continuing to find other missing migrants, a member of Libyan Red Crescent told Reuters by phone.

It was unclear how many people were on board and how many are still missing and feared to have been drowned after what the UN refugee agency UNHCR described as “the worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year.”

Red Crescent member Abdulmenam Abu Sabay said the boat, which capsized near Komas, some 120 kilometres east of Tripoli, was carrying 350 people, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Libyan navy on Thursday put the number of migrants on board at 250 and the UNHCR said up to 150 were feared dead.

Libyan coast guards and local fishermen rescued 134 migrants on Thursday.

"We do not have enough capability to carry out our operations. Citizens help us with their own vehicles,” Abu Sabay said.

"The bodies are still in bags in a hangar and we are waiting for security authorities' permission to bury them,” he added. The hangar belongs to a department set up to fight illegal migration.

Libya is a hub for migrants and refugees, many of whom try to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats.

Fifty-five bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday.

Fifty-five bodies have been recovered so far off the Libyan coast, an aid worker said on Saturday, after a wooden boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized on Thursday. Search operations are continuing to find other missing migrants, a member of Libyan Red Crescent told Reuters by phone. It was unclear how many people were on board and how many are still missing and feared to have been drowned after what the UN refugee agency UNHCR described as “the worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year.” Red Crescent member Abdulmenam Abu Sabay said the boat, which capsized near Komas, some 120 kilometres east of Tripoli, was carrying 350 people, mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Libyan navy on Thursday put the number of migrants on board at 250 and the UNHCR said up to 150 were feared dead. Libyan coast guards and local fishermen rescued 134 migrants on Thursday. "We do not have enough capability to carry out our operations. Citizens help us with their own vehicles,” Abu Sabay said. "The bodies are still in bags in a hangar and we are waiting for security authorities' permission to bury them,” he added. The hangar belongs to a department set up to fight illegal migration. Libya is a hub for migrants and refugees, many of whom try to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats.

Rescuers retrieve 55 migrant bodies from capsized boat off Libyan coast

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-founder-jeff-bezos-divorce-final-with-38-billion-settlement-report-233449">Amazon founder Jeff Bezos</a> sold shares worth $1.8 billion in the last three days of July, reducing the value of his stake in the world's third most valuable company to about $110 billion.

The move by Bezos was part of a previously adopted trading plan and was revealed in regulatory filings that also showed that his former wife Mackenzie Bezos is now the online retailer's second largest individual shareholder.

Her stake, stemming from a divorce settlement of the pair's previous joint holdings, is currently worth more than $37 billion.

The numbers mean Bezos retains his pole position among the world's billionaires, while his former wife now ranks 23rd, according to Forbes data.

The couple announced their plan to divorce in a joint Twitter statement in January, and Amazon disclosed in April that 4% of its outstanding stock or 19.7 million shares would be registered in MacKenzie Bezos' name after court approval of the divorce.

The billionaire chief executive has said previously that he would sell stock worth about $1 billion each year to fund his r<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazons-jeff-bezos-unveils-lunar-lander-project-blue-moon-217363">ocket company, Blue Origin</a>.

Blue Origin aims eventually to cut the cost of space flight to levels that would allow millions of people to live and work off Earth, Bezos has said.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos sold shares worth $1.8 billion in the last three days of July, reducing the value of his stake in the world's third most valuable company to about $110 billion.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos sold shares worth $1.8 billion in the last three days of July, reducing the value of his stake in the world's third most valuable company to about $110 billion. The move by Bezos was part of a previously adopted trading plan and was revealed in regulatory filings that also showed that his former wife Mackenzie Bezos is now the online retailer's second largest individual shareholder. Her stake, stemming from a divorce settlement of the pair's previous joint holdings, is currently worth more than $37 billion. The numbers mean Bezos retains his pole position among the world's billionaires, while his former wife now ranks 23rd, according to Forbes data. The couple announced their plan to divorce in a joint Twitter statement in January, and Amazon disclosed in April that 4% of its outstanding stock or 19.7 million shares would be registered in MacKenzie Bezos' name after court approval of the divorce. The billionaire chief executive has said previously that he would sell stock worth about $1 billion each year to fund his rocket company, Blue Origin. Blue Origin aims eventually to cut the cost of space flight to levels that would allow millions of people to live and work off Earth, Bezos has said.

Jeff Bezos sells shares worth $1.8 billion in Amazon, still world's top billionaire

Al-Qaeda gunmen killed 19 soldiers in an attack on an army base in southern Yemen Friday, security officials said, a day after deadly assaults by rebels and a jihadist bomber.

The gunmen stormed Al-Mahfad base in Abyan province and remained inside for several hours before military reinforcements came, three security officials told AFP, adding that the soldiers were killed in clashes with the jihadists.

"The Qaeda gunmen took advantage of what happened (Thursday) in Aden and launched an assault on Al-Mahfad base and clashed with soldiers," a government security official said.

"Military reinforcements were sent... and the gunmen were killed while others were driven out with air support from the (Saudi-led) coalition, in an operation that lasted hours," the official said.

"At least 19 soldiers were killed and others wounded."

The other two officials confirmed both the details and the death toll.

On Thursday, separate attacks by Shiite rebels and jihadists hit security forces in Yemen's second city Aden, killing at least 49 people, many of them newly trained police cadets, officials said.

The first attack was a suicide car bombing carried out by jihadists on a police station that killed 13 police officers and wounded several others, a security source said.

The second attack was carried out by the Huthi rebels, who said they launched a drone and a ballistic missile at a training camp west of Aden.

The aerial attack hit as senior commanders were overseeing a passing out parade for newly graduated cadets at Al-Jala Camp, 20 kilometres from the centre of Aden.

Aden is controlled by the Yemeni government and its supporters in a Saudi-led military coalition, which has been fighting the rebels since 2015.

The Huthis claimed responsibility for the drone and missile attack on Al-Jala training camp but there was no claim of responsibility for the suicide bombing on the police station.

The Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Islamic State group and other jihadists have flourished in the chaos of the civil war between the government and the Huthis.

The United States considers AQAP the global jihadist network's most dangerous branch and has waged a long-running drone war against its leaders.

Al-Qaeda gunmen killed 19 soldiers in an attack on an army base in southern Yemen Friday, security officials said, a day after deadly assaults by rebels and a jihadist bomber.

Al-Qaeda gunmen killed 19 soldiers in an attack on an army base in southern Yemen Friday, security officials said, a day after deadly assaults by rebels and a jihadist bomber. The gunmen stormed Al-Mahfad base in Abyan province and remained inside for several hours before military reinforcements came, three security officials told AFP, adding that the soldiers were killed in clashes with the jihadists. "The Qaeda gunmen took advantage of what happened (Thursday) in Aden and launched an assault on Al-Mahfad base and clashed with soldiers," a government security official said. "Military reinforcements were sent... and the gunmen were killed while others were driven out with air support from the (Saudi-led) coalition, in an operation that lasted hours," the official said. "At least 19 soldiers were killed and others wounded." The other two officials confirmed both the details and the death toll. On Thursday, separate attacks by Shiite rebels and jihadists hit security forces in Yemen's second city Aden, killing at least 49 people, many of them newly trained police cadets, officials said. The first attack was a suicide car bombing carried out by jihadists on a police station that killed 13 police officers and wounded several others, a security source said. The second attack was carried out by the Huthi rebels, who said they launched a drone and a ballistic missile at a training camp west of Aden. The aerial attack hit as senior commanders were overseeing a passing out parade for newly graduated cadets at Al-Jala Camp, 20 kilometres from the centre of Aden. Aden is controlled by the Yemeni government and its supporters in a Saudi-led military coalition, which has been fighting the rebels since 2015. The Huthis claimed responsibility for the drone and missile attack on Al-Jala training camp but there was no claim of responsibility for the suicide bombing on the police station. The Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Islamic State group and other jihadists have flourished in the chaos of the civil war between the government and the Huthis. The United States considers AQAP the global jihadist network's most dangerous branch and has waged a long-running drone war against its leaders.

Al-Qaeda attack kills 19 soldiers in south Yemen

Russia on Friday called on the US to implement a moratorium on deploying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-international-treaty-replacing-inf-should-include-china-germany-240122">intermediate-range nuclear missiles</a>, as Washington was officially dropping a major Cold War-era arms treaty.

"We have suggested to the US and other NATO members to consider announcing a moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range missiles," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told the TASS news agency.

"This moratorium would be comparable to one already announced by Vladimir Putin, saying that if the United States does not deploy this equipment in certain regions, then Russia will also refrain from doing so," he added.

Washington has long accused Moscow of violating the 1987 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-withdraws-from-inf-missile-treaty-clears-way-for-new-arms-race-with-russia-240039">Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) deal</a>, a charge Russia denies.

On Friday the United States was scheduled to formally exit the deal after launching the withdrawal process this year.

Ryabkov also questioned NATO promises not to deploy nuclear missiles in Europe.

"So far, NATO members have assured us that there are no plans regarding the possible deployment of such nuclear equipment," he said.&nbsp;

"But such assurances cannot be taken for granted... the Alliance has repeatedly violated its own promises in the past and changed its own plans."

Russia on Friday called on the US to implement a moratorium on deploying intermediate-range nuclear missiles, as Washington was officially dropping a major Cold War-era arms treaty.

Russia on Friday called on the US to implement a moratorium on deploying intermediate-range nuclear missiles, as Washington was officially dropping a major Cold War-era arms treaty. "We have suggested to the US and other NATO members to consider announcing a moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range missiles," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told the TASS news agency. "This moratorium would be comparable to one already announced by Vladimir Putin, saying that if the United States does not deploy this equipment in certain regions, then Russia will also refrain from doing so," he added. Washington has long accused Moscow of violating the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) deal, a charge Russia denies. On Friday the United States was scheduled to formally exit the deal after launching the withdrawal process this year. Ryabkov also questioned NATO promises not to deploy nuclear missiles in Europe. "So far, NATO members have assured us that there are no plans regarding the possible deployment of such nuclear equipment," he said. "But such assurances cannot be taken for granted... the Alliance has repeatedly violated its own promises in the past and changed its own plans."

INF row: Urged US, NATO for moratorium on deployment of intermediate-range missiles, says Russia

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