Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges related to its marketing of the addictive painkiller and faces penalties of roughly $8.3 billion, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. The settlement could pave the way for a resolution of thousands of lawsuits brought against the company for its role in a public health crisis that has killed more than 450,000 Americans since 1999.

The company’s owners, members of the wealthy Sackler family, have agreed to pay $225 million in civil penalties. Prosecutors said the agreement did not preclude the filing of criminal charges against Purdue executives or individual Sacklers.

In a statement issued after the announcement of the deal, Steve Miller, chair of the company board, said, “Purdue deeply regrets and accepts responsibility for the misconduct detailed by the Department of Justice in the agreed statement of facts.”

OxyContin, which came on the market in the mid-90s, is seen as an early, ferocious driver of the opioid epidemic; and Purdue is regarded as the architect of muscular, misleading drug marketing.

But it is unlikely the company will pay anything close to the $8.3 billion negotiated in the settlement deal. That is because Purdue sought bankruptcy court protection amid the onslaught of lawsuits, so the federal government will now have to take its place in a long line of creditors. Typically, creditors end up collecting pennies on the dollar in bankruptcy proceedings.

Purdue has long demanded that the federal charges against it be resolved before it would agree to a larger settlement with cities, tribes, states and individuals, who claim that its relentless marketing of OxyContin directly contributed to a crisis of addiction and overdoses, resulting in towering costs in health care, law enforcement and unemployment.

In the federal settlement, the company agreed to plead guilty to felony charges of defrauding federal health agencies and violating anti-kickback laws.

The penalties include $3.54 billion in criminal fines and $2 billion in criminal forfeiture of profits, the largest penalties ever levied against a pharmaceutical manufacturer. The company pleaded guilty to marketing opioids to more than 100 doctors it suspected of writing illegal prescriptions and lying about this to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Purdue also pleaded guilty to paying illegal kickbacks to doctors and to an electronic health records company, Practice Fusion.

Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges related to its marketing of the addictive painkiller and faces penalties of roughly $8.

Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges related to its marketing of the addictive painkiller and faces penalties of roughly $8.3 billion, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. The settlement could pave the way for a resolution of thousands of lawsuits brought against the company for its role in a public health crisis that has killed more than 450,000 Americans since 1999. The company’s owners, members of the wealthy Sackler family, have agreed to pay $225 million in civil penalties. Prosecutors said the agreement did not preclude the filing of criminal charges against Purdue executives or individual Sacklers. In a statement issued after the announcement of the deal, Steve Miller, chair of the company board, said, “Purdue deeply regrets and accepts responsibility for the misconduct detailed by the Department of Justice in the agreed statement of facts.” OxyContin, which came on the market in the mid-90s, is seen as an early, ferocious driver of the opioid epidemic; and Purdue is regarded as the architect of muscular, misleading drug marketing. But it is unlikely the company will pay anything close to the $8.3 billion negotiated in the settlement deal. That is because Purdue sought bankruptcy court protection amid the onslaught of lawsuits, so the federal government will now have to take its place in a long line of creditors. Typically, creditors end up collecting pennies on the dollar in bankruptcy proceedings. Purdue has long demanded that the federal charges against it be resolved before it would agree to a larger settlement with cities, tribes, states and individuals, who claim that its relentless marketing of OxyContin directly contributed to a crisis of addiction and overdoses, resulting in towering costs in health care, law enforcement and unemployment. In the federal settlement, the company agreed to plead guilty to felony charges of defrauding federal health agencies and violating anti-kickback laws. The penalties include $3.54 billion in criminal fines and $2 billion in criminal forfeiture of profits, the largest penalties ever levied against a pharmaceutical manufacturer. The company pleaded guilty to marketing opioids to more than 100 doctors it suspected of writing illegal prescriptions and lying about this to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Purdue also pleaded guilty to paying illegal kickbacks to doctors and to an electronic health records company, Practice Fusion.

Purdue Pharma pleads guilty to criminal charges for opioid sales

Thailand's billionaire King Vajiralongkorn & his colourful life

Chinese foreign ministry said today that it has extended the deal on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the country with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-needs-to-open-itself-to-human-rights-scrutiny-and-allows-victims-to-access-justice-335586">Vatican</a>.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-backs-civil-union-laws-for-same-sex-couples-337010">Also Read:&nbsp;Pope Francis backs civil union laws for same-sex couples</a>

The Vatican had signed the agreement with China two years ago which expires today.

According to the accord, the Pope has the final say over the appointment of Chinese bishops and the Chinese government allows all of them.

"After friendly consultations, both sides agreed to the extension of the deal for two years," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, adding, "The two sides will maintain close communication and consultation, and continue to push forward the process of improving relations."

The issue was raised recently by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who had said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China as he denounced Xi regime's record on religious freedom.

Amid the row, Pope Francis declined an audience with Pompeo with the pope declaring that he avoids meeting politicians ahead of elections with the US polls set on November 3.

There are some roadblocks between the Vatican and China as well with the Vatican recognizing self-ruled Taiwan even as China flexes its muscle in the Taiwan Straits with military drills amid heightened tensions.

Chinese foreign ministry said today that it has extended the deal on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the country with the Vatican. Also Read: Pope Francis backs civil union laws for same-sex couples The Vatican had signed the agreement with China two years ago which expires today.

Chinese foreign ministry said today that it has extended the deal on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in the country with the Vatican. Also Read: Pope Francis backs civil union laws for same-sex couples The Vatican had signed the agreement with China two years ago which expires today. According to the accord, the Pope has the final say over the appointment of Chinese bishops and the Chinese government allows all of them. "After friendly consultations, both sides agreed to the extension of the deal for two years," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, adding, "The two sides will maintain close communication and consultation, and continue to push forward the process of improving relations." The issue was raised recently by US secretary of state Mike Pompeo who had said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China as he denounced Xi regime's record on religious freedom. Amid the row, Pope Francis declined an audience with Pompeo with the pope declaring that he avoids meeting politicians ahead of elections with the US polls set on November 3. There are some roadblocks between the Vatican and China as well with the Vatican recognizing self-ruled Taiwan even as China flexes its muscle in the Taiwan Straits with military drills amid heightened tensions.

Vatican, China renew bishop appointment deal for two years

India's ministry of home affairs today announced graded relaxation of travel restrictions on Thursday after it had curtailed inward and outward movement of international passengers since February amid the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-govt-announces-new-relaxations-in-line-with-unlock-40-to-resume-economic-activity-324142"> coronavirus</a> pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unlock-40-news-government-announces-reopening-schools-colleges-326397">Also Read - Unlock 4.0: Government announces reopening schools, colleges</a>

According to the new guidelines, the government will restore all existing visas except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa with immediate effect.

"Foreign nationals intending to visit <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unlock-50-news-after-uttar-pradesh-sikkim-gujarat-government-contemplates-reopening-schools-colleges-336844">India</a> for medical treatment can apply for a medical visa including for medical attendants," the MHA said. &nbsp;"If the validity of visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian missions," the MHA informed.&nbsp;

All OCI and PIO card-holders and other foreign nationals waiting to visit India except on a tourist visa will be permitted to enter the country through air and water routes from airports and seaport immigration check posts, the government announced.

It includes flights operated under the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nearly-900000-indians-have-returned-from-abroad-under-vande-bharat-mission-mea-317099">Vande Bharat</a>" mission, air transport bubble arrangements and commercial flights as allowed by the ministry of civil aviation.&nbsp;

"All travellers will however have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare regarding quarantine and other COVID-19 related issues," it said.

India's ministry of home affairs today announced graded relaxation of travel restrictions on Thursday after it had curtailed inward and outward movement of international passengers since February amid the coronavirus pandemic.

India's ministry of home affairs today announced graded relaxation of travel restrictions on Thursday after it had curtailed inward and outward movement of international passengers since February amid the coronavirus pandemic. Also Read - Unlock 4.0: Government announces reopening schools, colleges According to the new guidelines, the government will restore all existing visas except electronic visa, tourist visa and medical visa with immediate effect. "Foreign nationals intending to visit India for medical treatment can apply for a medical visa including for medical attendants," the MHA said. "If the validity of visas has expired, fresh visas of appropriate categories can be obtained from Indian missions," the MHA informed. All OCI and PIO card-holders and other foreign nationals waiting to visit India except on a tourist visa will be permitted to enter the country through air and water routes from airports and seaport immigration check posts, the government announced. It includes flights operated under the "Vande Bharat" mission, air transport bubble arrangements and commercial flights as allowed by the ministry of civil aviation. "All travellers will however have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare regarding quarantine and other COVID-19 related issues," it said.

Indian government announces graded relaxation on international travel

A Pakistani parliamentary panel has approved a government bill that seeks a review of the conviction of death-row prisoner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-failed-to-appoint-lawyer-to-represent-jadhav-pak-court-claims-332957">Kulbhushan Jadhav</a>, complying with the directives of the International Court of Justice, according to a media report on Thursday.

The draft bill titled "the International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance"&nbsp;was discussed and approved by the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Wednesday despite stiff resistance from the Opposition.

Taking part in the debate, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem said the bill has been introduced in compliance with directives of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-court-appoints-three-senior-lawyers-as-amici-curiae-in-jadhavs-case-318096"> International Court of Justice</a> (ICJ).

He warned that in case the bill was not adopted by Parliament, Pakistan could face sanctions for not complying with the ICJ's verdict.

Fifty-year-old retired Indian Navy officer Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017.

In 2017, India approached the ICJ against Pakistan for denial of consular access to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/raised-demand-on-unconditional-access-to-kulbhushan-jadhav-mea-326647">Jadhav</a> and challenging the death sentence handed to him by a military court.

The Hague-based ICJ ruled in July 2019 that Pakistan must undertake an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay.

However, the committee's members from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) requested its chairman Riaz Fatyana to reject the bill, the Dawn reported.

However, Fatyana, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), decided to settle the matter through voting. He also tried to stop two PTI members from leaving the hall before voting.

Eight members voted in favour of the bill, while five opposed it, the report said.

The Opposition members termed the bill as NRO for Jadhav.

The NRO is the National Reconciliation Ordinance which former president and military dictator Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf offered to the-then exiled political leadership and under which several corruption cases against different politicians were dropped.

Aliya Kamran of the JUI-F accused the government of misleading the country's establishment, saying that they were not here to legislate for Jadhav and the bill should be presented before the public and bar associations for a public debate.

"The legislation is unnecessary since the judgement of former chief justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk has already said the constitutional courts can review the judgements of the military courts," Kamran said.

Syed Naveed Qamar of the PPP said that through the legislation, the government was trying to give Jadhav relief of appeal against the sentence of a military court which is not even available to a Pakistani citizen.

"This is tantamount to giving an NRO to Jadhav and "we oppose this bill," he said.

The law minister said his ministry had sought to pre-empt a possible Indian move of filing a contempt petition against Pakistan in the ICJ by promulgating the said ordinance.

In such a scenario, the country could face sanctions if the matter was referred to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), he said.

The minister pointed out that neither India nor Jadhav had filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court to seek relief permissible under the ICJ verdict.

Subsequently, the law ministry had to file a petition for the appointment of a lawyer for Jadhav which is pending adjudication.

A Pakistani court was informed on October 6 that India failed to appoint a lawyer to represent Jadhav in the case of the review of his death sentence by a military court in this country.

Earlier, Pakistan had again rejected India's demand that an Indian lawyer or a Queen's counsel should be appointed for Jadhav to ensure a free and fair trial in the case.

On October 8, India said that Pakistan has failed to address the core issues in Jadhav's case and pressed for an "unimpeded, unconditional and unhindered" consular access to him as ordered by the ICJ.

"The core issues need to be addressed if we have to have effective review and reconsideration as ordered by the international court of justice. Pakistan must show its intention to deliver on the core issues," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said.

A Pakistani parliamentary panel has approved a government bill that seeks a review of the conviction of death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, complying with the directives of the International Court of Justice, according to a media report on Thursday.

A Pakistani parliamentary panel has approved a government bill that seeks a review of the conviction of death-row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav, complying with the directives of the International Court of Justice, according to a media report on Thursday. The draft bill titled "the International Court of Justice (Review and Reconsideration) Ordinance" was discussed and approved by the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Wednesday despite stiff resistance from the Opposition. Taking part in the debate, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farogh Naseem said the bill has been introduced in compliance with directives of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He warned that in case the bill was not adopted by Parliament, Pakistan could face sanctions for not complying with the ICJ's verdict. Fifty-year-old retired Indian Navy officer Jadhav was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. In 2017, India approached the ICJ against Pakistan for denial of consular access to Jadhav and challenging the death sentence handed to him by a military court. The Hague-based ICJ ruled in July 2019 that Pakistan must undertake an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav and also to grant consular access to India without further delay. However, the committee's members from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) requested its chairman Riaz Fatyana to reject the bill, the Dawn reported. However, Fatyana, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), decided to settle the matter through voting. He also tried to stop two PTI members from leaving the hall before voting. Eight members voted in favour of the bill, while five opposed it, the report said. The Opposition members termed the bill as NRO for Jadhav. The NRO is the National Reconciliation Ordinance which former president and military dictator Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf offered to the-then exiled political leadership and under which several corruption cases against different politicians were dropped. Aliya Kamran of the JUI-F accused the government of misleading the country's establishment, saying that they were not here to legislate for Jadhav and the bill should be presented before the public and bar associations for a public debate. "The legislation is unnecessary since the judgement of former chief justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk has already said the constitutional courts can review the judgements of the military courts," Kamran said. Syed Naveed Qamar of the PPP said that through the legislation, the government was trying to give Jadhav relief of appeal against the sentence of a military court which is not even available to a Pakistani citizen. "This is tantamount to giving an NRO to Jadhav and "we oppose this bill," he said. The law minister said his ministry had sought to pre-empt a possible Indian move of filing a contempt petition against Pakistan in the ICJ by promulgating the said ordinance. In such a scenario, the country could face sanctions if the matter was referred to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), he said. The minister pointed out that neither India nor Jadhav had filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court to seek relief permissible under the ICJ verdict. Subsequently, the law ministry had to file a petition for the appointment of a lawyer for Jadhav which is pending adjudication. A Pakistani court was informed on October 6 that India failed to appoint a lawyer to represent Jadhav in the case of the review of his death sentence by a military court in this country. Earlier, Pakistan had again rejected India's demand that an Indian lawyer or a Queen's counsel should be appointed for Jadhav to ensure a free and fair trial in the case. On October 8, India said that Pakistan has failed to address the core issues in Jadhav's case and pressed for an "unimpeded, unconditional and unhindered" consular access to him as ordered by the ICJ. "The core issues need to be addressed if we have to have effective review and reconsideration as ordered by the international court of justice. Pakistan must show its intention to deliver on the core issues," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had said.

Pak parliamentary panel approves government's bill to seek review of Jadhav's conviction

Officials have said at least 11 Afghan women were killed on Wednesday in a stampede at a stadium in Afghanistan where thousands had gathered to apply for visas near the Pakistan consulate.

The stampede occurred when the women tried to exit the stadium in Jalalabad.

At least 10 people were injured including eight women.&nbsp;&nbsp;Several senior citizens were also wounded, reports said.

Reports said at least 3,000 Afghans had congregated to collect tokens to apply for visas to travel to Pakistan.

Officials have said at least 11 Afghan women were killed on Wednesday in a stampede at a stadium in Afghanistan where thousands had gathered to apply for visas near the Pakistan consulate.

Officials have said at least 11 Afghan women were killed on Wednesday in a stampede at a stadium in Afghanistan where thousands had gathered to apply for visas near the Pakistan consulate. The stampede occurred when the women tried to exit the stadium in Jalalabad. At least 10 people were injured including eight women. Several senior citizens were also wounded, reports said. Reports said at least 3,000 Afghans had congregated to collect tokens to apply for visas to travel to Pakistan.

At least 11 Afghan women killed in stampede near Pakistan consulate in Jalalabad

According to a World Economic Forum (WEF) study, robots will destroy 85 million jobs as the coronavirus pandemic brings about changes in the workplace worldwide.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cineworld-shuts-uk-us-theatres-impacting-45000-jobs-332610">Also Read:&nbsp;Cineworld shuts UK, US theatres impacting 45,000 jobs</a>

The study said at least 300 global companies were planning to digitise work and deploy new technologies as the "COVID-19 accelerates the arrival of the future of work".

The study said workers need to learn new skills in the next five years to stay afloat. The report comes even as sectors across the world have been cutting millions of jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic even as employees work from home.&nbsp;

US Labour Department's data showed new applications for US jobless benefits rose to a seven-week high of 898,000 last week, an increase of 53,000 amid the pandemic. It was the sharpest rise in two months as the United States attempts to recover from mass layoffs amid the virus.

WEF said job creation is slowing and job destruction is accelerating as companies use technology rather than people for data entry.

However, the silver lining is that 97 million jobs will emerge across industries like artificial intelligence (AI), it said.

"The tasks where humans are set to retain their comparative advantage include managing, advising, decision-making, reasoning, communicating and interacting," it said. 
The study said that mid-sized employees were at most risk with at least 43 per cent businesses surveyed set to reduce their workforce due to technology integration

According to a World Economic Forum (WEF) study, robots will destroy 85 million jobs as the coronavirus pandemic brings about changes in the workplace worldwide.

According to a World Economic Forum (WEF) study, robots will destroy 85 million jobs as the coronavirus pandemic brings about changes in the workplace worldwide. Also Read: Cineworld shuts UK, US theatres impacting 45,000 jobs The study said at least 300 global companies were planning to digitise work and deploy new technologies as the "COVID-19 accelerates the arrival of the future of work". The study said workers need to learn new skills in the next five years to stay afloat. The report comes even as sectors across the world have been cutting millions of jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic even as employees work from home. US Labour Department's data showed new applications for US jobless benefits rose to a seven-week high of 898,000 last week, an increase of 53,000 amid the pandemic. It was the sharpest rise in two months as the United States attempts to recover from mass layoffs amid the virus. WEF said job creation is slowing and job destruction is accelerating as companies use technology rather than people for data entry. However, the silver lining is that 97 million jobs will emerge across industries like artificial intelligence (AI), it said. "The tasks where humans are set to retain their comparative advantage include managing, advising, decision-making, reasoning, communicating and interacting," it said. The study said that mid-sized employees were at most risk with at least 43 per cent businesses surveyed set to reduce their workforce due to technology integration

Robots will destroy 85 million jobs as pandemic shifts labour demand: Study

President Donald Trump and his allies have tried to paint the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, as soft on China, in part by pointing to his son’s business dealings there.

Senate Republicans produced a report asserting, among other things, that Biden’s son Hunter “opened a bank account” with a Chinese businessman, part of what it said were his numerous connections to “foreign nationals and foreign governments across the globe.”

But Trump’s own business history is filled with overseas financial deals, and some have involved the Chinese state. He spent a decade unsuccessfully pursuing projects in China, operating an office there during his first run for president and forging a partnership with a major government-controlled company.

And it turns out that China is one of only three foreign nations — the others are Britain and Ireland — where Trump maintains a bank account, according to an analysis of the president’s tax records, which were obtained by The New York Times. The foreign accounts do not show up on Trump’s public financial disclosures, where he must list personal assets, because they are held under corporate names. The identities of the financial institutions are not clear.

The Chinese account is controlled by Trump International Hotels Management LLC, which the tax records show paid $188,561 in taxes in China while pursuing licensing deals there from 2013 to 2015.

The tax records do not include details on how much money may have passed through the overseas accounts, though the Internal Revenue Service does require filers to report the portion of their income derived from other countries. The British and Irish accounts are held by companies that operate Trump’s golf courses in Scotland and Ireland, which regularly report millions of dollars in revenue from those countries. Trump International Hotels Management reported just a few thousand dollars from China.

In response to questions from The Times, Alan Garten, a lawyer for the Trump Organization, said the company had “opened an account with a Chinese bank having offices in the United States in order to pay the local taxes” associated with efforts to do business there. He said the company had opened the account after establishing an office in China “to explore the potential for hotel deals in Asia.”

“No deals, transactions or other business activities ever materialized and, since 2015, the office has remained inactive,” Garten said. “Though the bank account remains open, it has never been used for any other purpose.”

Garten would not identify the bank in China where the account is held. Until last year, China’s biggest state-controlled bank rented three floors in Trump Tower, a lucrative lease that drew accusations of a conflict of interest for the president.

China continues to be an issue in the 2020 presidential campaign, from the president’s trade war to his barbs over the origin of the coronavirus pandemic. His campaign has tried to portray Biden as a “puppet” of China who, as vice president, misread the dangers posed by its growing power. Trump has also sought to tar his opponent with overblown or unsubstantiated assertions about Hunter Biden’s business dealings there while his father was in office.

“He’s like a vacuum cleaner — he follows his father around collecting,” Trump said recently, referring to Biden’s son. “What a disgrace. It’s a crime family.”

In a misleading claim amplified by surrogates like his son Donald Trump Jr. and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, the president has said the younger Biden “walked out of China” with $1.5 billion after accompanying his father on an official trip in 2013. Numerous news articles and fact-checking sites have explained that the huge figure was actually a fundraising goal set by an investment firm in which Hunter Biden obtained a 10% stake after his father left office. The firm did receive financial backing from a large state-controlled bank, but it is not clear the fundraising target was ever met, and there is no evidence Hunter Biden received a large personal payout.

As for the former vice president, his public financial disclosures, along with the income tax returns he voluntarily released, show no income or business dealings of his own in China. However, there is ample evidence of Trump’s efforts to join the myriad American firms that have long done business there — and the tax records for him and his companies that were obtained by The Times offer new details about them.

As with Russia, where he explored hotel and tower projects in Moscow without success, Trump has long sought a licensing deal in China. His efforts go at least as far back as 2006, when he filed trademark applications in Hong Kong and the mainland. Many Chinese government approvals came after he became president. (The president’s daughter Ivanka Trump also won Chinese trademark approvals for her personal business after she joined the White House staff.)

In 2008, Trump pursued an office tower project in Guangzhou that never got off the ground. But his efforts accelerated in 2012 with the opening of a Shanghai office, and tax records show that one of Trump’s China-related companies, THC China Development LLC, claimed $84,000 in deductions that year for travel costs, legal fees and office expenses.

After effectively planting his flag there, Trump found a partner in the State Grid Corp., one of the nation’s largest government-controlled enterprises. Agence France-Presse reported in 2016 that the partnership would have involved licensing and managing a development in Beijing. Trump was reportedly still pursuing the deal months into his first presidential campaign, but it was abandoned after State Grid became ensnared in a corruption investigation by Chinese authorities.

It is difficult to determine from the tax records precisely how much money Trump has spent trying to land business in China. The records show that he has invested at least $192,000 in five small companies created specifically to pursue projects there over the years. Those companies claimed at least $97,400 in business expenses since 2010, including some minor payments for taxes and accounting fees as recently as 2018.

But Trump’s plans in China have been largely driven by a different company, Trump International Hotels Management — the one with a Chinese bank account.

The company has direct ownership of THC China Development, but is also involved in management of other Trump-branded properties around the world, and it is not possible to discern from its tax records how much of its financial activity is China-related. It normally reports a few million dollars in annual income and deductible expenses.

In 2017, the company reported an unusually large spike in revenue — some $17.5 million, more than the previous five years’ combined. It was accompanied by a $15.1 million withdrawal by Trump from the company’s capital account.

On the president’s public financial disclosures for that year, he reported the large revenue figure, and described it only as “management fees and other contract payments.” One significant event for the company that is known to have occurred in 2017 was the buyout of its management contract for the Soho Hotel in New York, which Bloomberg reported to have cost around $6 million.

Garten would not comment on the specific amount cited by Bloomberg, but said that the contract buyout represented a “significant portion” of the company’s revenue and that the remaining money was not related to China.

Outside of China, Trump has had more success attracting wealthy Chinese buyers for his properties in other countries. His hotels and towers in Las Vegas and Vancouver, British Columbia — locales known for drawing Chinese real estate investors — have found numerous Chinese purchasers, and in at least one instance drew the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

During the 2016 campaign, a shell company controlled by a Chinese couple from Vancouver bought 11 units, for $3.1 million, in the Las Vegas tower Trump co-owns with the casino magnate Phil Ruffin. The owner of a Las Vegas-based financial services firm told The Times he was later visited by two FBI agents asking about the company behind the purchases, which he said had used his office address in incorporation papers without his knowledge. It is not known what became of the inquiry.

Garten said the Trump Organization had “never been contacted by the FBI and has no knowledge of any investigation.”

In Vancouver, numerous Chinese buyers of units in Trump’s hotel and tower helped increase licensing fees from that project to $5.8 million in 2016, the year it was completed, according to tax records. The project was built by a Canadian-based firm controlled by the family of Malaysia’s richest man, Tony Tiah Thee Kian, who operates hotels in China and elsewhere. CNN reported in 2018 that the Vancouver operation was the subject of a counterintelligence review related to Ivanka Trump’s need for a security clearance.

And not long after winning the 2016 election, Trump reported selling a penthouse in one of his Manhattan buildings for $15.8 million to a Chinese-American businesswoman named Xiao Yan Chen, who bought the unit, previously occupied by Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, in an off-market transaction. Chen runs an international consulting firm and reportedly has high-level connections to government and political elites in China.

Trump’s tax records show that he reported a capital gain of at least $5.6 million from the penthouse sale in 2017, his first year as president.

President Donald Trump and his allies have tried to paint the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, as soft on China, in part by pointing to his son’s business dealings there.

President Donald Trump and his allies have tried to paint the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, as soft on China, in part by pointing to his son’s business dealings there. Senate Republicans produced a report asserting, among other things, that Biden’s son Hunter “opened a bank account” with a Chinese businessman, part of what it said were his numerous connections to “foreign nationals and foreign governments across the globe.” But Trump’s own business history is filled with overseas financial deals, and some have involved the Chinese state. He spent a decade unsuccessfully pursuing projects in China, operating an office there during his first run for president and forging a partnership with a major government-controlled company. And it turns out that China is one of only three foreign nations — the others are Britain and Ireland — where Trump maintains a bank account, according to an analysis of the president’s tax records, which were obtained by The New York Times. The foreign accounts do not show up on Trump’s public financial disclosures, where he must list personal assets, because they are held under corporate names. The identities of the financial institutions are not clear. The Chinese account is controlled by Trump International Hotels Management LLC, which the tax records show paid $188,561 in taxes in China while pursuing licensing deals there from 2013 to 2015. The tax records do not include details on how much money may have passed through the overseas accounts, though the Internal Revenue Service does require filers to report the portion of their income derived from other countries. The British and Irish accounts are held by companies that operate Trump’s golf courses in Scotland and Ireland, which regularly report millions of dollars in revenue from those countries. Trump International Hotels Management reported just a few thousand dollars from China. In response to questions from The Times, Alan Garten, a lawyer for the Trump Organization, said the company had “opened an account with a Chinese bank having offices in the United States in order to pay the local taxes” associated with efforts to do business there. He said the company had opened the account after establishing an office in China “to explore the potential for hotel deals in Asia.” “No deals, transactions or other business activities ever materialized and, since 2015, the office has remained inactive,” Garten said. “Though the bank account remains open, it has never been used for any other purpose.” Garten would not identify the bank in China where the account is held. Until last year, China’s biggest state-controlled bank rented three floors in Trump Tower, a lucrative lease that drew accusations of a conflict of interest for the president. China continues to be an issue in the 2020 presidential campaign, from the president’s trade war to his barbs over the origin of the coronavirus pandemic. His campaign has tried to portray Biden as a “puppet” of China who, as vice president, misread the dangers posed by its growing power. Trump has also sought to tar his opponent with overblown or unsubstantiated assertions about Hunter Biden’s business dealings there while his father was in office. “He’s like a vacuum cleaner — he follows his father around collecting,” Trump said recently, referring to Biden’s son. “What a disgrace. It’s a crime family.” In a misleading claim amplified by surrogates like his son Donald Trump Jr. and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, the president has said the younger Biden “walked out of China” with $1.5 billion after accompanying his father on an official trip in 2013. Numerous news articles and fact-checking sites have explained that the huge figure was actually a fundraising goal set by an investment firm in which Hunter Biden obtained a 10% stake after his father left office. The firm did receive financial backing from a large state-controlled bank, but it is not clear the fundraising target was ever met, and there is no evidence Hunter Biden received a large personal payout. As for the former vice president, his public financial disclosures, along with the income tax returns he voluntarily released, show no income or business dealings of his own in China. However, there is ample evidence of Trump’s efforts to join the myriad American firms that have long done business there — and the tax records for him and his companies that were obtained by The Times offer new details about them. As with Russia, where he explored hotel and tower projects in Moscow without success, Trump has long sought a licensing deal in China. His efforts go at least as far back as 2006, when he filed trademark applications in Hong Kong and the mainland. Many Chinese government approvals came after he became president. (The president’s daughter Ivanka Trump also won Chinese trademark approvals for her personal business after she joined the White House staff.) In 2008, Trump pursued an office tower project in Guangzhou that never got off the ground. But his efforts accelerated in 2012 with the opening of a Shanghai office, and tax records show that one of Trump’s China-related companies, THC China Development LLC, claimed $84,000 in deductions that year for travel costs, legal fees and office expenses. After effectively planting his flag there, Trump found a partner in the State Grid Corp., one of the nation’s largest government-controlled enterprises. Agence France-Presse reported in 2016 that the partnership would have involved licensing and managing a development in Beijing. Trump was reportedly still pursuing the deal months into his first presidential campaign, but it was abandoned after State Grid became ensnared in a corruption investigation by Chinese authorities. It is difficult to determine from the tax records precisely how much money Trump has spent trying to land business in China. The records show that he has invested at least $192,000 in five small companies created specifically to pursue projects there over the years. Those companies claimed at least $97,400 in business expenses since 2010, including some minor payments for taxes and accounting fees as recently as 2018. But Trump’s plans in China have been largely driven by a different company, Trump International Hotels Management — the one with a Chinese bank account. The company has direct ownership of THC China Development, but is also involved in management of other Trump-branded properties around the world, and it is not possible to discern from its tax records how much of its financial activity is China-related. It normally reports a few million dollars in annual income and deductible expenses. In 2017, the company reported an unusually large spike in revenue — some $17.5 million, more than the previous five years’ combined. It was accompanied by a $15.1 million withdrawal by Trump from the company’s capital account. On the president’s public financial disclosures for that year, he reported the large revenue figure, and described it only as “management fees and other contract payments.” One significant event for the company that is known to have occurred in 2017 was the buyout of its management contract for the Soho Hotel in New York, which Bloomberg reported to have cost around $6 million. Garten would not comment on the specific amount cited by Bloomberg, but said that the contract buyout represented a “significant portion” of the company’s revenue and that the remaining money was not related to China. Outside of China, Trump has had more success attracting wealthy Chinese buyers for his properties in other countries. His hotels and towers in Las Vegas and Vancouver, British Columbia — locales known for drawing Chinese real estate investors — have found numerous Chinese purchasers, and in at least one instance drew the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During the 2016 campaign, a shell company controlled by a Chinese couple from Vancouver bought 11 units, for $3.1 million, in the Las Vegas tower Trump co-owns with the casino magnate Phil Ruffin. The owner of a Las Vegas-based financial services firm told The Times he was later visited by two FBI agents asking about the company behind the purchases, which he said had used his office address in incorporation papers without his knowledge. It is not known what became of the inquiry. Garten said the Trump Organization had “never been contacted by the FBI and has no knowledge of any investigation.” In Vancouver, numerous Chinese buyers of units in Trump’s hotel and tower helped increase licensing fees from that project to $5.8 million in 2016, the year it was completed, according to tax records. The project was built by a Canadian-based firm controlled by the family of Malaysia’s richest man, Tony Tiah Thee Kian, who operates hotels in China and elsewhere. CNN reported in 2018 that the Vancouver operation was the subject of a counterintelligence review related to Ivanka Trump’s need for a security clearance. And not long after winning the 2016 election, Trump reported selling a penthouse in one of his Manhattan buildings for $15.8 million to a Chinese-American businesswoman named Xiao Yan Chen, who bought the unit, previously occupied by Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, in an off-market transaction. Chen runs an international consulting firm and reportedly has high-level connections to government and political elites in China. Trump’s tax records show that he reported a capital gain of at least $5.6 million from the penthouse sale in 2017, his first year as president.

Trump records shed new light on Chinese business pursuits

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-government-shuts-news-site-linked-to-ex-pm-amid-protests-336771">Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests</a>

<img alt="Thailand protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dea1f629-1f66-424e-8244-81325e1f0c43" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/THAK_0.jpg" />

At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-osiris-rex-grabs-a-piece-of-asteroid-bennu-in-historic-mission-336773">NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission</a>

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The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-offers-1-billion-deal-to-brazil-to-sway-it-away-from-chinas-huawei-5g-network-336778">US offers $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei 5G network</a>

<img alt="Huawei" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a334104-9b28-4f35-9f67-9ec76e1664b7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HUA1.jpg" />

China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-manchester-uniteds-rashford-stuns-paris-saint-germain-336795">Champions League: Manchester United's Rashford stuns Paris Saint-Germain</a>

<img alt="Marcus Rashford" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2e912da8-5be6-4d96-b774-9b05b8340ee0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Marcus11.jpg" />

&nbsp;

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Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week.

Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week. NASA's Osiris-Rex grabs a piece of asteroid Bennu in historic mission The historic mission was 12 years in the making and rested on a critical 16 second period where the spacecraft performed a delicate autonomous maneuver to grab its payload. US offers $1 billion deal to Brazil to sway it away from China's Huawei 5G network China is Brazil's top trading partner, and Huawei has emerged as the leading supplier of fast and cheap next-generation telecoms infrastructure. Champions League: Manchester United's Rashford stuns Paris Saint-Germain Watch: Gravitas: China - The only country profiting in the pandemic

Morning news brief: Thai government shuts news site amid protests, Manchester United's Rashford stuns PSG in Champions League & more

Thai authorities on Tuesday ordered the closure of a news outlet connected to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as anti-government protests continued in the country.

Watch:

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The news site named Voice TV which is partly owned by Thaksin's family was ordered to close as other media organizations have also become the focus of government clampdown.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hand-signals-only-how-thais-are-marshalling-mass-protests-336745">Also Read:&nbsp;Hand signals only: How Thais are marshalling mass protests</a>

A court ordered the suspension of the online TV station.

"Voice TV had also been found to have breached the Computer Crime Act by uploading false information," digital ministry spokesman Putchapong Nodthaisong said. At least three&nbsp;other media organization are under investigation.

Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown by Prayuth in a 2014 coup and had fled the country to escape corruption cases.

"Media freedom is important but in some cases there are some media outlets disseminating distorted information that is inciting unrest," Prayut said after the court order.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Protesters have called for the resignation of prime minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-pm-prayut-recalls-parliament-amid-nationwide-anti-government-protests-336539">Prayut Chan-O-Cha</a>, a former army chief. At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week.

The protesters have also been seeking curbs on the power of the monarchy, a demand which has been rejected by Prayut. The government imposed emergency measures last week as unrest spread in the nation's capital Bangkok.

Thai authorities on Tuesday ordered the closure of a news outlet connected to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as anti-government protests continued in the country.

Thai authorities on Tuesday ordered the closure of a news outlet connected to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as anti-government protests continued in the country. Watch: The news site named Voice TV which is partly owned by Thaksin's family was ordered to close as other media organizations have also become the focus of government clampdown. Also Read: Hand signals only: How Thais are marshalling mass protests A court ordered the suspension of the online TV station. "Voice TV had also been found to have breached the Computer Crime Act by uploading false information," digital ministry spokesman Putchapong Nodthaisong said. At least three other media organization are under investigation. Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown by Prayuth in a 2014 coup and had fled the country to escape corruption cases. "Media freedom is important but in some cases there are some media outlets disseminating distorted information that is inciting unrest," Prayut said after the court order. Protesters have called for the resignation of prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, a former army chief. At least two protest leaders were arrested on Tuesday as Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet agreed to an emergency session of parliament next week. The protesters have also been seeking curbs on the power of the monarchy, a demand which has been rejected by Prayut. The government imposed emergency measures last week as unrest spread in the nation's capital Bangkok.

Thai government shuts news site linked to ex-PM amid protests

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford struck the decisive goal as the Red Devil's sank Paris Saint-Germain in a major upset in the Champions League encounter in Paris on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/clash-of-goats-haalands-form-toughest-groups-champions-league-storylines-to-watch-336226">Also Read:&nbsp;Clash of GOATS, Haaland's form, toughest groups: Champions League storylines to watch</a>

The two sides playing in near-empty Parc des Princes stadium fought each other till the last minute as Rashford netted home the winner three minutes from the end to give Manchester United&nbsp;2-1 edge over rivals Paris Saint-Germain to win the Group H contest.

United took an early lead in the 23rd minute after Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot as Anthony Martial headed Neymar's corner into his own net 10 minutes after the break. The prima donna encounter stayed on the knife's edge until Rashford rose in the 87th-minute to put his team in front.

"Of course it's a nice feeling. More importantly, we win the game and we're in a strong position now in the group," Rashford said later.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uefa-champions-league-202021-fixtures-timings-and-live-streaming-336720">Check:&nbsp;UEFA Champions League 2020/21: Fixtures, timings, and live streaming</a>

United will play RB Leipzig next week at home who are top of the group after beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in Germany.

"The performance was good and we deserved to win it. It was a better performance than last time and it shows how we have developed," Solskjaer said after the match.

"We played against a fantastic team, and we have to defend well. The players have the keys. I don't think there is any secret, we need to play well and defend well to win against PSG," the Manchester United coach said after his team's victory even as Solskjaer joked Rashford "likes that side of the stadium."

"We know that to get through you probably need 10 points," Solskjaer said.

"We only have three so Leipzig is a big game but we have Chelsea next then Arsenal after (Leipzig) so there are so many games. I am happy to have so many good players to pick from."

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford struck the decisive goal as the Red Devil's sank Paris Saint-Germain in a major upset in the Champions League encounter in Paris on Wednesday.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford struck the decisive goal as the Red Devil's sank Paris Saint-Germain in a major upset in the Champions League encounter in Paris on Wednesday. Also Read: Clash of GOATS, Haaland's form, toughest groups: Champions League storylines to watch The two sides playing in near-empty Parc des Princes stadium fought each other till the last minute as Rashford netted home the winner three minutes from the end to give Manchester United 2-1 edge over rivals Paris Saint-Germain to win the Group H contest. United took an early lead in the 23rd minute after Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot as Anthony Martial headed Neymar's corner into his own net 10 minutes after the break. The prima donna encounter stayed on the knife's edge until Rashford rose in the 87th-minute to put his team in front. "Of course it's a nice feeling. More importantly, we win the game and we're in a strong position now in the group," Rashford said later. Check: UEFA Champions League 2020/21: Fixtures, timings, and live streaming United will play RB Leipzig next week at home who are top of the group after beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 in Germany. "The performance was good and we deserved to win it. It was a better performance than last time and it shows how we have developed," Solskjaer said after the match. "We played against a fantastic team, and we have to defend well. The players have the keys. I don't think there is any secret, we need to play well and defend well to win against PSG," the Manchester United coach said after his team's victory even as Solskjaer joked Rashford "likes that side of the stadium." "We know that to get through you probably need 10 points," Solskjaer said. "We only have three so Leipzig is a big game but we have Chelsea next then Arsenal after (Leipzig) so there are so many games. I am happy to have so many good players to pick from."

Champions League: Manchester United's Rashford stuns Paris Saint-Germain

Amid tension along the LAC with China, India on Wednesday handed over the Chinese soldier who had entered the Ladakh region.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-army-captures-chinese-soldier-in-ladakh-336383">Also Read:&nbsp;Indian Army captures Chinese soldier in Ladakh</a>

The PLA soldier was handed over at Chushul Moldo meeting point early on Wednesday. China's Global Times confirmed the&nbsp;development citing PLA News.

"The Indian army's decision to return the Chinese soldier is viewed as a positive sign ahead of the eighth round of China-India commander-level talks this week," the state-run Global Times said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-standoff-hope-india-will-live-up-to-its-promise-and-hand-over-missing-soldier-says-china-336570">Also Read:&nbsp;Hope India will live up to its promise and hand over missing soldier, says China</a>

India and China are expected to hold the eighth round of commander-level talks on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control(LAC)in the eastern Ladakh region.&nbsp;

Chinese foreign ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian had said earlier that China hopes India hands over the soldier as soon as possible and works with China to promote the implementation of the consensus reached at the seventh round of talks.

The Indian Army had apprehended the Chinese soldier in the Chumar-Demchok area of Ladakh.&nbsp;

The Indian Army had apprehended the Chinese soldier in the Chumar-Demchok area of Ladakh. China had claimed the solider had "who got lost in China-India border areas".

The Indian Army had said that PLA soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long was provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes.

"A request has also been received from the PLA about the whereabouts of the missing soldier. As per established protocols, he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities," the Indian Army had said.

Amid tension along the LAC with China, India on Wednesday handed over the Chinese soldier who had entered the Ladakh region. Also Read: Indian Army captures Chinese soldier in Ladakh The PLA soldier was handed over at Chushul Moldo meeting point early on Wednesday.

Amid tension along the LAC with China, India on Wednesday handed over the Chinese soldier who had entered the Ladakh region. Also Read: Indian Army captures Chinese soldier in Ladakh The PLA soldier was handed over at Chushul Moldo meeting point early on Wednesday. China's Global Times confirmed the development citing PLA News. "The Indian army's decision to return the Chinese soldier is viewed as a positive sign ahead of the eighth round of China-India commander-level talks this week," the state-run Global Times said. Also Read: Hope India will live up to its promise and hand over missing soldier, says China India and China are expected to hold the eighth round of commander-level talks on disengagement along the Line of Actual Control(LAC)in the eastern Ladakh region. Chinese foreign ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian had said earlier that China hopes India hands over the soldier as soon as possible and works with China to promote the implementation of the consensus reached at the seventh round of talks. The Indian Army had apprehended the Chinese soldier in the Chumar-Demchok area of Ladakh. The Indian Army had apprehended the Chinese soldier in the Chumar-Demchok area of Ladakh. China had claimed the solider had "who got lost in China-India border areas". The Indian Army had said that PLA soldier identified as Corporal Wang Ya Long was provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes. "A request has also been received from the PLA about the whereabouts of the missing soldier. As per established protocols, he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities," the Indian Army had said.

India-China standoff: India hands over PLA soldier to China across LAC

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