<p>Equity indices on Thursday soared in opening trade with BSE Sensex surging 200 points, touching a record high at 40,670.46. Nifty, on the other hand, crossed the 12,000 mark, rising over 50 points.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cheer in the domestic stock market comes after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced that the Union Cabinet had approved a Rs 25,000-crore <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-to-clear-rs-25000-crore-fund-to-revive-stalled-housing-projects-nirmala-sitharaman-260384">fund for stalled middle and low-income housing projects</a>.</p>

<p>The government plans to give a boost to the housing market to revive over 1600 stalled housing projects covering 4.58 lakh units.</p>

<p>"A special window will be made, that will be an alternative investment fund (AIF). The government will first fund Rs 10,000 crore. There will be participation from SBI and LIC to place funds. The total funding from the government and SBI and LIC put together is expected to have a starting value at around Rs 25,000 crore," said Finance Minister.<br />
Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the fund will provide relief to developers with unfinished projects and ensure delivery of homes to buyers.<br />
The minister said over 1,600 housing projects are stalled and about 4.58 lakh housing units are stuck in it. She said the fund will be set up as a Category-11 AIF (Alternate Investment Fund) debt fund registered with SEBI and would be professionally run.</p>

<p>"For these incomplete projects, we will put money into an escrow account. Those incomplete projects registered with RERA will get funded for the last finishing projects after assessing their net worth if it is positive. The money will be given in stages. So, people will not have to worry about projects getting completed or not," she said.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Equity indices on Thursday soared in opening trade with BSE Sensex surging 200 points, touching a record high at 40,670.46. Nifty, on the other hand, crossed the 12,000 mark, rising over 50 points.

Equity indices on Thursday soared in opening trade with BSE Sensex surging 200 points, touching a record high at 40,670.46. Nifty, on the other hand, crossed the 12,000 mark, rising over 50 points. The cheer in the domestic stock market comes after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced that the Union Cabinet had approved a Rs 25,000-crore fund for stalled middle and low-income housing projects. The government plans to give a boost to the housing market to revive over 1600 stalled housing projects covering 4.58 lakh units. "A special window will be made, that will be an alternative investment fund (AIF). The government will first fund Rs 10,000 crore. There will be participation from SBI and LIC to place funds. The total funding from the government and SBI and LIC put together is expected to have a starting value at around Rs 25,000 crore," said Finance Minister. Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the fund will provide relief to developers with unfinished projects and ensure delivery of homes to buyers. The minister said over 1,600 housing projects are stalled and about 4.58 lakh housing units are stuck in it. She said the fund will be set up as a Category-11 AIF (Alternate Investment Fund) debt fund registered with SEBI and would be professionally run. "For these incomplete projects, we will put money into an escrow account. Those incomplete projects registered with RERA will get funded for the last finishing projects after assessing their net worth if it is positive. The money will be given in stages. So, people will not have to worry about projects getting completed or not," she said.

Markets open in green; Sensex soars 200 points, touches record high 

<p>A meeting between US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign a long-awaited interim trade deal could be delayed until December as discussions continue over terms and venue, a senior official of the Trump administration told Reuters on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was still possible the "phase one" agreement aimed at ending a damaging trade war would not be reached, but a deal was more likely than not.</p>

<p>Dozens of venues have been suggested for the meeting, which had originally been scheduled to take place on the sidelines of a now-canceled mid-November summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Chile, the official said.</p>

<p>One possible location is London, where the two leaders could meet after a NATO summit that Trump is due to attend from December 3-4, the official said. "It's under consideration but nothing decided," the official said.</p>

<p>Other sites are possible in Europe and Asia, but the former is more likely, with Sweden and Switzerland among the possibilities. Iowa, which Trump has suggested, appeared to have been ruled out, the official said.</p>

<p>China's latest push for more tariff rollbacks would be discussed, but was not expected to derail progress toward an interim deal.</p>

<p>The official said China was believed to see a quick deal as its best chance for favorable terms, given pressure Trump is facing from a congressional impeachment inquiry as he seeks re-election in 2020.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;Treasury prices gained on Wednesday on word that the talks could be delayed, while some investors also repositioned after a three-day sell-off. The dollar slid and the three-day global stock market rally paused as US&nbsp;productivity data disappointed and investors turned a bit cautious about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-xi-meeting-in-iowa-would-be-poignant-reminder-of-better-us-china-ties-260213">US-China trade talks</a>.</p>

<p>"Negotiations are continuing and progress is being made on the text of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-presses-trump-for-more-tariff-roll-backs-in-phase-one-trade-deal-260005">phase one agreement</a>," White House spokesman Judd Deere said. "We will let you know when we have an announcement on a signing location.”</p>

<p>China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>

<p>An interim US-China deal is widely expected to include a US&nbsp;pledge to scrap tariffs scheduled for December&nbsp;15 on about $156 billion worth of Chinese imports, including cell phones, laptop computers and toys.</p>

<p>People familiar with the negotiations said on Monday that China has been pushing Trump to remove more tariffs imposed in September as part of the first phase of the deal. A US&nbsp;official said the fate of the December&nbsp;15 tariffs is being considered as part of negotiations.</p>

<p>A source briefed on the talks told Reuters on Tuesday that Chinese negotiators want Washington to drop 15% tariffs on about $125 billion worth of Chinese goods that went into effect on September 1. They are also seeking relief from earlier 25% tariffs on about $250 billion of imports from machinery and semiconductors to furniture.</p>

<p>A person familiar with China's negotiating position said it is continuing to press Washington to "remove all tariffs as soon as possible."</p>

<p>Since Trump took office in 2017, his administration has been pressing China to curb massive subsidies to state-owned firms and end the forced transfer of American technology to Chinese firms as a price of doing business in China.</p>

<p>Analysts say the phase one deal will fail to adequately address these issues, focusing largely on Chinese purchases of US&nbsp;farm goods and intellectual property protections related to copyright and trademark issues. It will not address industrial subsidies at all.</p>

<p>Venues that have been talked about for the Trump-Xi meeting have ranged from Alaska to Greece.</p>

<p>One Chinese official said Beijing was floating the possibility of a meeting in Greece, where Xi is due to arrive this Sunday, after which he will head to Brazil for a summit of major emerging market countries which starts on November 13.</p>

<p>Multiple US&nbsp;sources have said a signing in Greece was unlikely.</p>


A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign a long-awaited interim trade deal could be delayed until December as discussions continue over terms and venue, a senior official of the Trump administration told Reuters on Wednesday.

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign a long-awaited interim trade deal could be delayed until December as discussions continue over terms and venue, a senior official of the Trump administration told Reuters on Wednesday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was still possible the "phase one" agreement aimed at ending a damaging trade war would not be reached, but a deal was more likely than not. Dozens of venues have been suggested for the meeting, which had originally been scheduled to take place on the sidelines of a now-canceled mid-November summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Chile, the official said. One possible location is London, where the two leaders could meet after a NATO summit that Trump is due to attend from December 3-4, the official said. "It's under consideration but nothing decided," the official said. Other sites are possible in Europe and Asia, but the former is more likely, with Sweden and Switzerland among the possibilities. Iowa, which Trump has suggested, appeared to have been ruled out, the official said. China's latest push for more tariff rollbacks would be discussed, but was not expected to derail progress toward an interim deal. The official said China was believed to see a quick deal as its best chance for favorable terms, given pressure Trump is facing from a congressional impeachment inquiry as he seeks re-election in 2020. US Treasury prices gained on Wednesday on word that the talks could be delayed, while some investors also repositioned after a three-day sell-off. The dollar slid and the three-day global stock market rally paused as US productivity data disappointed and investors turned a bit cautious about US-China trade talks. "Negotiations are continuing and progress is being made on the text of the phase one agreement," White House spokesman Judd Deere said. "We will let you know when we have an announcement on a signing location.” China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. An interim US-China deal is widely expected to include a US pledge to scrap tariffs scheduled for December 15 on about $156 billion worth of Chinese imports, including cell phones, laptop computers and toys. People familiar with the negotiations said on Monday that China has been pushing Trump to remove more tariffs imposed in September as part of the first phase of the deal. A US official said the fate of the December 15 tariffs is being considered as part of negotiations. A source briefed on the talks told Reuters on Tuesday that Chinese negotiators want Washington to drop 15% tariffs on about $125 billion worth of Chinese goods that went into effect on September 1. They are also seeking relief from earlier 25% tariffs on about $250 billion of imports from machinery and semiconductors to furniture. A person familiar with China's negotiating position said it is continuing to press Washington to "remove all tariffs as soon as possible." Since Trump took office in 2017, his administration has been pressing China to curb massive subsidies to state-owned firms and end the forced transfer of American technology to Chinese firms as a price of doing business in China. Analysts say the phase one deal will fail to adequately address these issues, focusing largely on Chinese purchases of US farm goods and intellectual property protections related to copyright and trademark issues. It will not address industrial subsidies at all. Venues that have been talked about for the Trump-Xi meeting have ranged from Alaska to Greece. One Chinese official said Beijing was floating the possibility of a meeting in Greece, where Xi is due to arrive this Sunday, after which he will head to Brazil for a summit of major emerging market countries which starts on November 13. Multiple US sources have said a signing in Greece was unlikely.

US-China trade deal signing could be delayed to December; London a possible venue: Report

<p>Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday addressed the media two days ahead of the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor.</p>

<p>Kumar said that right before the inauguration, Pakistan is creating confusion. "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-chief-says-passport-must-for-indian-pilgrims-in-major-u-turn-on-kartarpur-corridor-260491">Conflicting reports</a> are coming in from Pakistan," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Some times they say passport is needed and other times that it isn't. We think there are differences between their foreign office and other agencies. We have an MoU, it hasn't been changed and as per it, a passport is needed," Kumar stated. &nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that the bilateral agreement that was signed between India and Pakistan needs to be followed. "The MoU needs to be followed and no changes can be implemented unilaterally," he said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Raveesh Kumar, MEA: We are aware that there is bilateral document which has been signed between India&amp;Pakistan which clearly specifies the document to be carried by the pilgrims. Any amendment to existing MoU cannot be done unilaterally, it requires consent of both the parties. <a href="https://t.co/5eosKIhwJu">https://t.co/5eosKIhwJu</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1192386088196661248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We are aware that there is a bilateral document which has been signed between India and Pakistan which specifies the document to be carried by the pilgrims. Any amendment to existing MoU cannot be done unilaterally, it requires the consent of both the parties," Kumar told media today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kumar said that passports will be required to visit the Corridor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 1 announced that his government had waived off two requirements for Indian pilgrims visiting Kartarpur - they won't need a passport just a valid ID and no advance booking was required.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Raveesh Kumar, MEA: We are aware that there is bilateral document which has been signed between India&amp;Pakistan which clearly specifies the document to be carried by the pilgrims. Any amendment to existing MoU cannot be done unilaterally, it requires consent of both the parties. <a href="https://t.co/5eosKIhwJu">https://t.co/5eosKIhwJu</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1192386088196661248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"For Sikhs coming for a pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived 2 requirements: i) they won't need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on the day of inauguration &amp; on Guruji's 550th birthday," Khan had said in a tweet.</p>

<p>Pakistan then back-tracked from its promise when Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor in a major U-turn announced that Indian Sikh pilgrims would require a passport.</p>

<p>"As we have a security link, the entry would be a legal one under a permit on a passport-based identity. There will be no compromise on security or sovereignty," Gen Ghafoor said while talking on a private TV channel.</p>


Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday addressed the media two days ahead of the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor. Kumar said that right before the inauguration, Pakistan is creating confusion.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday addressed the media two days ahead of the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor. Kumar said that right before the inauguration, Pakistan is creating confusion. "Conflicting reports are coming in from Pakistan," he said. "Some times they say passport is needed and other times that it isn't. We think there are differences between their foreign office and other agencies. We have an MoU, it hasn't been changed and as per it, a passport is needed," Kumar stated. He added that the bilateral agreement that was signed between India and Pakistan needs to be followed. "The MoU needs to be followed and no changes can be implemented unilaterally," he said. Raveesh Kumar, MEA: We are aware that there is bilateral document which has been signed between India&Pakistan which clearly specifies the document to be carried by the pilgrims. Any amendment to existing MoU cannot be done unilaterally, it requires consent of both the parties. https://t.co/5eosKIhwJu — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2019 × "We are aware that there is a bilateral document which has been signed between India and Pakistan which specifies the document to be carried by the pilgrims. Any amendment to existing MoU cannot be done unilaterally, it requires the consent of both the parties," Kumar told media today. Kumar said that passports will be required to visit the Corridor. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 1 announced that his government had waived off two requirements for Indian pilgrims visiting Kartarpur - they won't need a passport just a valid ID and no advance booking was required. Raveesh Kumar, MEA: We are aware that there is bilateral document which has been signed between India&Pakistan which clearly specifies the document to be carried by the pilgrims. Any amendment to existing MoU cannot be done unilaterally, it requires consent of both the parties. https://t.co/5eosKIhwJu — ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2019 × "For Sikhs coming for a pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived 2 requirements: i) they won't need a passport - just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on the day of inauguration & on Guruji's 550th birthday," Khan had said in a tweet. Pakistan then back-tracked from its promise when Pakistan Army spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor in a major U-turn announced that Indian Sikh pilgrims would require a passport. "As we have a security link, the entry would be a legal one under a permit on a passport-based identity. There will be no compromise on security or sovereignty," Gen Ghafoor said while talking on a private TV channel.

Conflicting reports coming from Pakistan: MEA ahead of Kartarpur Corridor opening 

Constitutional conundrum: Why Chileans are demanding to change their constitution?

<p>If you think getting a job doesn't come easy then this report would certainly change the way you think. How about we tell you that a ten-year-old British kid got invited by an English restaurant to decorate their wall with his artwork!&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to reports, ten-year-old Joe got in to trouble for doodling during a class. But his drawing skills went so popular that he landed an offer from a restaurant in Shrewsbury, England to decorate the dining hall with his artwork.</p>

<p>It took a whopping twelve hours for Joe to accomplish the feat. Ever since the restaurant artwork, Joe's popularity seems to have known no bounds.&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Qbd1iJqgH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by The Doodle Boy (@thedoodleboy.co.uk)</a> on <time datetime="2019-10-30T21:02:10+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 30, 2019 at 2:02pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>'Doodle Boy' Joe now has his own website and social media pages wherein he exhibits his doodling and artwork.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Hi I am Joe - Also known as ‘The doodle boy’, I am 10 years old and live in Shrewsbury and absolutely love to doodle!" reads Joe's profile description on photo-sharing platform Instagram wherein he has over 13,000 followers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview, his father exuded pride for his son and encouraged other parents to support the interests and talent of their children.&nbsp;</p>


If you think getting a job doesn't come easy then this report would certainly change the way you think. How about we tell you that a ten-year-old British kid got invited by an English restaurant to decorate their wall with his artwork!

If you think getting a job doesn't come easy then this report would certainly change the way you think. How about we tell you that a ten-year-old British kid got invited by an English restaurant to decorate their wall with his artwork! According to reports, ten-year-old Joe got in to trouble for doodling during a class. But his drawing skills went so popular that he landed an offer from a restaurant in Shrewsbury, England to decorate the dining hall with his artwork. It took a whopping twelve hours for Joe to accomplish the feat. Ever since the restaurant artwork, Joe's popularity seems to have known no bounds. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Doodle Boy (@thedoodleboy.co.uk) on Oct 30, 2019 at 2:02pm PDT × 'Doodle Boy' Joe now has his own website and social media pages wherein he exhibits his doodling and artwork. "Hi I am Joe - Also known as ‘The doodle boy’, I am 10 years old and live in Shrewsbury and absolutely love to doodle!" reads Joe's profile description on photo-sharing platform Instagram wherein he has over 13,000 followers. In an interview, his father exuded pride for his son and encouraged other parents to support the interests and talent of their children.

Meet little Joe: 10-year-old gets invited to doodle on restaurant's wall 

<p>World food prices rose for the first time in five months in October, boosted by jumps in quotations for sugar and cereals, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.</p>

<p>The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) food price index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 172.7 points in October, up 1.7 per cent&nbsp;on the previous month and 6.0 per cent&nbsp;year-on-year.</p>

<p>FAO also predicted that cereal production would be 2.704 billion tonnes in 2019, slightly lower than its last forecast.</p>

<p>The FAO sugar price index jumped 5.8 per cent&nbsp;from September levels, largely because of expectations of lower supplies in the year ahead following forecasts of large reductions in sugar output in India and Thailand.</p>

<p>The cereal price index rose 4.2 per cent, with wheat and maize export prices climbing on the back of reduced crop prospects in several major producing countries and "robust trade activity". By contrast, rice prices fell, hit by subdued demand and expectations of an abundant basmati harvest.</p>

<p>The vegetable oil price index increased 0.5 per cent&nbsp;to reach its highest level in more than a year, while the meat price index rose 0.9 per cent, driven by higher import demand, especially from China.</p>

<p>By contrast, the dairy price index dropped 0.7per cent&nbsp;in October, as lower quotations for cheese offset increases in those for skimmed and whole milk powders, FAO said.</p>

<p>FAO lowered its forecast for global cereal production in 2019 by some 2 million tonnes, pegging world cereal output at 2.704 billion tonnes, but still up 1.8 per cent&nbsp;from 2018 levels.</p>

<p>The U.N. agency said worldwide coarse grain production in 2019 was seen at 1.425 billion tonnes, down 1.3 million on the previous forecast.</p>

<p>Wheat output was seen at 765 million tonnes, down nearly 1 million tonnes on the last outlook, but still on course to set a new record and up 4.5 per cent&nbsp;on 2018 levels.</p>

<p>The forecast for global rice production was put at 513.4 million tonnes, little changed on the previous forecast and slightly below 2018 levels.</p>


World food prices rose for the first time in five months in October, boosted by jumps in quotations for sugar and cereals, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.

World food prices rose for the first time in five months in October, boosted by jumps in quotations for sugar and cereals, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) food price index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 172.7 points in October, up 1.7 per cent on the previous month and 6.0 per cent year-on-year. FAO also predicted that cereal production would be 2.704 billion tonnes in 2019, slightly lower than its last forecast. The FAO sugar price index jumped 5.8 per cent from September levels, largely because of expectations of lower supplies in the year ahead following forecasts of large reductions in sugar output in India and Thailand. The cereal price index rose 4.2 per cent, with wheat and maize export prices climbing on the back of reduced crop prospects in several major producing countries and "robust trade activity". By contrast, rice prices fell, hit by subdued demand and expectations of an abundant basmati harvest. The vegetable oil price index increased 0.5 per cent to reach its highest level in more than a year, while the meat price index rose 0.9 per cent, driven by higher import demand, especially from China. By contrast, the dairy price index dropped 0.7per cent in October, as lower quotations for cheese offset increases in those for skimmed and whole milk powders, FAO said. FAO lowered its forecast for global cereal production in 2019 by some 2 million tonnes, pegging world cereal output at 2.704 billion tonnes, but still up 1.8 per cent from 2018 levels. The U.N. agency said worldwide coarse grain production in 2019 was seen at 1.425 billion tonnes, down 1.3 million on the previous forecast. Wheat output was seen at 765 million tonnes, down nearly 1 million tonnes on the last outlook, but still on course to set a new record and up 4.5 per cent on 2018 levels. The forecast for global rice production was put at 513.4 million tonnes, little changed on the previous forecast and slightly below 2018 levels.

World food prices rise for first time in five months: United Nations Food Agency

<p>China and the United States have agreed to cancel in phases the tariffs imposed during their months-long trade war, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, without specifying a timetable.</p>

<p>An interim US-China trade deal is widely expected to include a US&nbsp;pledge to scrap <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-presses-trump-for-more-tariff-roll-backs-in-phase-one-trade-deal-260005">tariffs</a> scheduled for December&nbsp;15 on about $156 billion worth of Chinese imports, including cell phones, laptop computers and toys.</p>

<p>Tariff cancellation was an important condition for any agreement, ministry spokesman Gao Feng said, adding that both must simultaneously cancel some tariffs on each other's goods to reach a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-china-close-to-finalising-part-of-a-phase-one-trade-deal-report-258209">phase one</a>" trade deal.</p>

<p>"The trade war started with tariffs, and should end with the cancellation of tariffs," Gao told a regular news briefing.</p>

<p>The proportion of tariffs cancelled for both sides to reach a "phase one" deal must be the same, but the number to be cancelled can be negotiated, he added, without elaborating.</p>

<p>"In the past two weeks, the lead negotiators from both sides have had serious and constructive discussions on resolving various core concerns appropriately," Gao said.</p>

<p>"Both sides have agreed to cancel additional tariffs in different phases, as both sides make progress in their negotiations."</p>

<p>He did not give a timeline.</p>

<p>A source previously told Reuters that Chinese negotiators wanted the United States to drop 15 percent&nbsp;tariffs on about $125 billion worth of Chinese goods that took effect on September&nbsp;1.</p>

<p>They also sought relief from earlier 25 percent&nbsp;tariffs on about $250 billion of imports, ranging from machinery and semiconductors to furniture.</p>

<p>A person familiar with China's negotiating position said it was pressing Washington to "remove all tariffs as soon as possible".</p>

<p>A deal may be signed this month by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a yet-to-be-determined location.</p>

<p>Dozens of venues have been suggested for a meeting, which had originally been set to take place on the sidelines of a now-cancelled mid-November summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Chile, a senior Trump administration official told Reuters on Wednesday.</p>

<p>One possible location was London, where the leaders could meet after a NATO summit that Trump is due to attend from December&nbsp;3-4, the official said.</p>

<p>Gao declined to say when and where such a meeting could be.</p>

<p>Since Trump took office in 2017, his administration has been pressing China to curb massive subsidies to state-owned firms and end the forced transfer of American technology to Chinese firms as a price of doing business in China.</p>


China and the United States have agreed to cancel in phases the tariffs imposed during their months-long trade war, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, without specifying a timetable.

China and the United States have agreed to cancel in phases the tariffs imposed during their months-long trade war, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, without specifying a timetable. An interim US-China trade deal is widely expected to include a US pledge to scrap tariffs scheduled for December 15 on about $156 billion worth of Chinese imports, including cell phones, laptop computers and toys. Tariff cancellation was an important condition for any agreement, ministry spokesman Gao Feng said, adding that both must simultaneously cancel some tariffs on each other's goods to reach a "phase one" trade deal. "The trade war started with tariffs, and should end with the cancellation of tariffs," Gao told a regular news briefing. The proportion of tariffs cancelled for both sides to reach a "phase one" deal must be the same, but the number to be cancelled can be negotiated, he added, without elaborating. "In the past two weeks, the lead negotiators from both sides have had serious and constructive discussions on resolving various core concerns appropriately," Gao said. "Both sides have agreed to cancel additional tariffs in different phases, as both sides make progress in their negotiations." He did not give a timeline. A source previously told Reuters that Chinese negotiators wanted the United States to drop 15 percent tariffs on about $125 billion worth of Chinese goods that took effect on September 1. They also sought relief from earlier 25 percent tariffs on about $250 billion of imports, ranging from machinery and semiconductors to furniture. A person familiar with China's negotiating position said it was pressing Washington to "remove all tariffs as soon as possible". A deal may be signed this month by US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a yet-to-be-determined location. Dozens of venues have been suggested for a meeting, which had originally been set to take place on the sidelines of a now-cancelled mid-November summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in Chile, a senior Trump administration official told Reuters on Wednesday. One possible location was London, where the leaders could meet after a NATO summit that Trump is due to attend from December 3-4, the official said. Gao declined to say when and where such a meeting could be. Since Trump took office in 2017, his administration has been pressing China to curb massive subsidies to state-owned firms and end the forced transfer of American technology to Chinese firms as a price of doing business in China.

China says it has agreed with United States to cancel tariffs in phases

<p>New Zealand has placed itself on the right side of history in the battle against climate change, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday (November 7), after lawmakers adopted a measure to cut carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050.</p>

<p>"Our world is warming, and so, therefore, the question for all of us is, 'what side of history will we choose to sit on in that moment in time?' I absolutely believe and continue to stand by this statement that Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. And for us in Aotearoa, New Zealand, that means for this generation this is our nuclear moment.&nbsp;We have made a choice that I am proud of, that will leave a legacy and that I hope means the next generation will see that we, in New Zealand, were on the right side of history," she said on the floor of the parliament.</p>

<p>Thursday's framework enshrines in law the new 2050 greenhouse gas reduction target and makes it a legally binding objective to keep global warming below a rise of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/limiting-global-warming-to-15-will-require-a-social-transformation-170375">1.5 degrees</a> Celsius forecast by the United Nations.</p>

<p>The bill, spearheaded by her centre-left Labour-led coalition government, was passed with cross-party support from the main opposition National Party, despite changes promised by the latter if it wins the next election in 2020.</p>

<p>The bill accords different treatment to methane emissions from animals versus other greenhouse gases, but still targets a cut of 10 percent&nbsp;in biological methane by 2030 and up to 47 percent&nbsp;by 2050.</p>


New Zealand has placed itself on the right side of history in the battle against climate change, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday (November 7), after lawmakers adopted a measure to cut carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050.

New Zealand has placed itself on the right side of history in the battle against climate change, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday (November 7), after lawmakers adopted a measure to cut carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050. "Our world is warming, and so, therefore, the question for all of us is, 'what side of history will we choose to sit on in that moment in time?' I absolutely believe and continue to stand by this statement that Climate change is the biggest challenge of our time. And for us in Aotearoa, New Zealand, that means for this generation this is our nuclear moment. We have made a choice that I am proud of, that will leave a legacy and that I hope means the next generation will see that we, in New Zealand, were on the right side of history," she said on the floor of the parliament. Thursday's framework enshrines in law the new 2050 greenhouse gas reduction target and makes it a legally binding objective to keep global warming below a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius forecast by the United Nations. The bill, spearheaded by her centre-left Labour-led coalition government, was passed with cross-party support from the main opposition National Party, despite changes promised by the latter if it wins the next election in 2020. The bill accords different treatment to methane emissions from animals versus other greenhouse gases, but still targets a cut of 10 percent in biological methane by 2030 and up to 47 percent by 2050.

New Zealand passes law aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2050

<p>North Korea on Thursday called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a moron who should not even dream of setting foot in Pyongyang in a state media commentary laden with insults in response to his criticism of the North's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-short-range-projectiles-souths-military-259136">latest weapons test</a>.</p>

<p>North Korea conducted a test of what it called "super-large multiple rocket launchers" on October&nbsp;31, but Japan said they were likely ballistic missiles that violated U.N. sanctions.</p>

<p>Abe condemned the test at an Asian summit this week, while saying he was eager to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "without conditions" to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the isolated state, Kyodo news agency reported citing the Japanese government.</p>

<p>"Japanese <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-shinzo-abe-renews-call-on-south-korea-to-keep-promises-to-mend-ties-257928">Prime Minister Abe</a>, who is now making such a fuss over our super-large multiple rocket launcher test-fire as if a nuclear warhead had fallen on Japanese soil, is a moron," the North's KCNA news agency said, citing a statement by Song Il Ho, its ambassador for ties with Japan.</p>

<p>"Abe, who has been making ill-advised remarks about our legitimate self-defence measures by recklessly wagging his tongue ... should not even dream of crossing the Pyongyang threshold ever."</p>

<p>In 2002, North Korea admitted that its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese from the 1960s to the 1980s. Japan says 17 of its citizens were abducted, five of whom were repatriated.</p>

<p>North Korea has said eight of them were dead and another four never entered the country.</p>

<p>Abe has vowed to pursue the issue until all of the abductees come home and said previously that he was willing to meet Kim without conditions.</p>

<p>Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang in 2002 and met the father of the current North Korean leader but Abe has never met Kim.</p>


North Korea on Thursday called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a moron who should not even dream of setting foot in Pyongyang in a state media commentary laden with insults in response to his criticism of the North's latest weapons test.

North Korea on Thursday called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a moron who should not even dream of setting foot in Pyongyang in a state media commentary laden with insults in response to his criticism of the North's latest weapons test. North Korea conducted a test of what it called "super-large multiple rocket launchers" on October 31, but Japan said they were likely ballistic missiles that violated U.N. sanctions. Abe condemned the test at an Asian summit this week, while saying he was eager to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "without conditions" to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the isolated state, Kyodo news agency reported citing the Japanese government. "Japanese Prime Minister Abe, who is now making such a fuss over our super-large multiple rocket launcher test-fire as if a nuclear warhead had fallen on Japanese soil, is a moron," the North's KCNA news agency said, citing a statement by Song Il Ho, its ambassador for ties with Japan. "Abe, who has been making ill-advised remarks about our legitimate self-defence measures by recklessly wagging his tongue ... should not even dream of crossing the Pyongyang threshold ever." In 2002, North Korea admitted that its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese from the 1960s to the 1980s. Japan says 17 of its citizens were abducted, five of whom were repatriated. North Korea has said eight of them were dead and another four never entered the country. Abe has vowed to pursue the issue until all of the abductees come home and said previously that he was willing to meet Kim without conditions. Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang in 2002 and met the father of the current North Korean leader but Abe has never met Kim.

North Korea slams door on Japan PM Abe visit, calls him a 'moron'

<p>US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-impeachment-hearings-trump-may-expand-communications-team-to-bolster-defense-260440">Donald Trump</a> struck a defiant note on Wednesday at a rally in Louisiana a day after Democrats clinched victories in a raft of local elections that cast a shadow over his 2020 re-election hopes.</p>

<p>Speaking at a packed arena in the city of Monroe, Trump doubled down on his assertion that a House-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/public-hearings-in-trump-impeachment-probe-start-next-week-us-lawmaker-260398">impeachment inquiry</a> into his presidency was a hoax and sought to buoy support for Republican businessman Eddie Rispone's bid for the governorship.</p>

<p>"Eddie will defend your values from the all-out assault by the extreme left," he said, describing incumbent Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards as "dangerously soft on crime."</p>

<p>The remarks came after Democrats claimed an upset win on Tuesday in Kentucky over Republican Governor Matt Bevin after Trump campaigned for him, telling voters that pundits would say the president "suffered the greatest defeat in the history of the world" if he lost.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Democrats also seized control of the state legislature in Virginia and gained ground in the key state of Pennsylvania, though Republicans held on to the governorship in Mississippi, where Trump also campaigned.</p>

<p>The loss in Kentucky may have raised questions about the success of Republican candidates who align themselves closely with the president. But Rispone, who also spoke at the rally, put himself squarely in the president's camp.</p>

<p>"Louisiana is Trump country," said Rispone, a little-known construction entrepreneur who will face off on Nov. 16 in a runoff election against Louisiana's popular conservative Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards.</p>

<p>Trump said he would return to the state next week for more campaigning.</p>

<p>Edwards, the only Democratic governor of a Deep South state, comfortably bested rival Rispone in a six-candidate primary last month, but he failed to secure the 50 percent needed to win a second term outright in Louisiana's unusual primary system.</p>

<p>An observant Roman Catholic, Edwards opposes abortion, and this year signed a law banning the procedure after 15 weeks, which could have contributed to dimmed enthusiasm among Democrats.</p>

<p>"John Bel Edwards broke his solemn promise to the people of Louisiana when he rammed - that's the only word I can say - rammed through the largest tax hike in Louisiana history," Trump said on Wednesday. "How did you ever get a liberal Democrat to be your governor?" Trump asked thousands of fans waving Trump 2020 signs.</p>

<p>Edwards, for his part, has criticized what he called efforts to nationalize the state race but also promised to work closely with Trump, who carried the conservative-leaning state in 2016 by 20 percentage points, should the Republican win a second term.</p>

<p>Trump faces headwinds of his own, as Democrats in the House of Representative mount an impeachment inquiry into whether he abused his office by pressuring Ukrainian authorities to investigate political rival Joe Biden by withholding millions in aid.</p>

<p>Trump visited Louisiana last month ahead of the primary vote, later taking credit for forcing a run-off.</p>

<p>"The Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, has done a poor job. NOW HE IS IN A RUNOFF WITH A GREAT REPUBLICAN ... 66 per cent&nbsp;DOWN TO 47 per cent&nbsp;after I explained what a bad job the Governor was doing,” Trump wrote on Twitter.</p>


US President Donald Trump struck a defiant note on Wednesday at a rally in Louisiana a day after Democrats clinched victories in a raft of local elections that cast a shadow over his 2020 re-election hopes.

US President Donald Trump struck a defiant note on Wednesday at a rally in Louisiana a day after Democrats clinched victories in a raft of local elections that cast a shadow over his 2020 re-election hopes. Speaking at a packed arena in the city of Monroe, Trump doubled down on his assertion that a House-led impeachment inquiry into his presidency was a hoax and sought to buoy support for Republican businessman Eddie Rispone's bid for the governorship. "Eddie will defend your values from the all-out assault by the extreme left," he said, describing incumbent Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards as "dangerously soft on crime." The remarks came after Democrats claimed an upset win on Tuesday in Kentucky over Republican Governor Matt Bevin after Trump campaigned for him, telling voters that pundits would say the president "suffered the greatest defeat in the history of the world" if he lost. On Tuesday, Democrats also seized control of the state legislature in Virginia and gained ground in the key state of Pennsylvania, though Republicans held on to the governorship in Mississippi, where Trump also campaigned. The loss in Kentucky may have raised questions about the success of Republican candidates who align themselves closely with the president. But Rispone, who also spoke at the rally, put himself squarely in the president's camp. "Louisiana is Trump country," said Rispone, a little-known construction entrepreneur who will face off on Nov. 16 in a runoff election against Louisiana's popular conservative Democratic governor, John Bel Edwards. Trump said he would return to the state next week for more campaigning. Edwards, the only Democratic governor of a Deep South state, comfortably bested rival Rispone in a six-candidate primary last month, but he failed to secure the 50 percent needed to win a second term outright in Louisiana's unusual primary system. An observant Roman Catholic, Edwards opposes abortion, and this year signed a law banning the procedure after 15 weeks, which could have contributed to dimmed enthusiasm among Democrats. "John Bel Edwards broke his solemn promise to the people of Louisiana when he rammed - that's the only word I can say - rammed through the largest tax hike in Louisiana history," Trump said on Wednesday. "How did you ever get a liberal Democrat to be your governor?" Trump asked thousands of fans waving Trump 2020 signs. Edwards, for his part, has criticized what he called efforts to nationalize the state race but also promised to work closely with Trump, who carried the conservative-leaning state in 2016 by 20 percentage points, should the Republican win a second term. Trump faces headwinds of his own, as Democrats in the House of Representative mount an impeachment inquiry into whether he abused his office by pressuring Ukrainian authorities to investigate political rival Joe Biden by withholding millions in aid. Trump visited Louisiana last month ahead of the primary vote, later taking credit for forcing a run-off. "The Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, has done a poor job. NOW HE IS IN A RUNOFF WITH A GREAT REPUBLICAN ... 66 per cent DOWN TO 47 per cent after I explained what a bad job the Governor was doing,” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Trump defiant at Louisiana rally after Democrat wins

<p>Hong Kong students, many wearing banned black masks, chanted slogans at their graduation at the Chinese University on Thursday, with some holding up banners urging "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now".</p>

<p>The students defied a ban on masks that the government imposed last month in a bid to curb sometimes <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-gatecrashing-halloween-hong-kong-protesters-plot-guy-fawkes-protests-260085">violent unrest</a> that has rocked the Chinese-ruled city for more than five months.</p>

<p>Dressed in formal graduation gowns, many of about 1,000 students chanted as they walked to the ceremony venue, near the New Territories town of Sha Tin, calling for the government to respond to protesters' demands that include universal suffrage.</p>

<p>The protests started over a now-scrapped extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial but have evolved into calls for democracy, an end to Chinese meddling in the city's promised freedoms and an independent inquiry into complaints of excessive force by police, among other things.</p>

<p>"Even though we are all exhausted, we should not give up," said Kelvin, a 22-year-old information engineering graduate.</p>

<p>The university said it suspended the ceremony after the degrees were handed out.</p>

<p>"Due to the special circumstances, different people argued as they expressed their opinions, (with) graffiti around the campus, and interruption during the ceremony," it said in a statement.</p>

<p>The months of protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest crisis in decades, with no sign the demonstrators plan to give up.</p>

<p>Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and right to protest.</p>

<p>China denies interfering in Hong Kong has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble.</p>

<p>China has also offered the same formula for fiercely democratic, self-ruled Taiwan, an island Beijing considers a breakaway province.</p>

<p>The unrest in Hong Kong had provided a lesson for Taiwan, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told Reuters in Taipei.</p>

<p>"People here understand that there's something wrong (with)the way the 'one country, two systems' model is run in Hong Kong...Taiwan people don't like to be in the same situation," Wu said.</p>

<p>Wu vowed to help Hong Kong people strive for "freedom and democracy", promising that, if needed, Taiwan would "provide some assistance to them on an individual basis".</p>

<p>He did not elaborate, except for saying Taiwan would not intervene in the protests.</p>

<p>The unrest has helped push Hong Kong's economy into recession for the first time in a decade. Retail and tourism sectors have been hit particularly hard as tourists stay away.</p>

<p>Beijing supports bolder action to tackle the roots of unrest, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, citing social problems including unaffordable housing.</p>

<p>More protests are planned on Thursday and through the weekend, when bigger crowds usually gather.</p>

<p>UNICEF Hong Kong called off its annual Run for Every Child charity road run on November&nbsp;24 "due to a range of ongoing and uncertain factors".</p>


Hong Kong students, many wearing banned black masks, chanted slogans at their graduation at the Chinese University on Thursday, with some holding up banners urging "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now".

Hong Kong students, many wearing banned black masks, chanted slogans at their graduation at the Chinese University on Thursday, with some holding up banners urging "Free Hong Kong, Revolution Now". The students defied a ban on masks that the government imposed last month in a bid to curb sometimes violent unrest that has rocked the Chinese-ruled city for more than five months. Dressed in formal graduation gowns, many of about 1,000 students chanted as they walked to the ceremony venue, near the New Territories town of Sha Tin, calling for the government to respond to protesters' demands that include universal suffrage. The protests started over a now-scrapped extradition bill that would have allowed people to be sent to mainland China for trial but have evolved into calls for democracy, an end to Chinese meddling in the city's promised freedoms and an independent inquiry into complaints of excessive force by police, among other things. "Even though we are all exhausted, we should not give up," said Kelvin, a 22-year-old information engineering graduate. The university said it suspended the ceremony after the degrees were handed out. "Due to the special circumstances, different people argued as they expressed their opinions, (with) graffiti around the campus, and interruption during the ceremony," it said in a statement. The months of protests have plunged the former British colony into its biggest crisis in decades, with no sign the demonstrators plan to give up. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a "one country, two systems" formula, allowing it colonial freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and right to protest. China denies interfering in Hong Kong has blamed Western countries for stirring up trouble. China has also offered the same formula for fiercely democratic, self-ruled Taiwan, an island Beijing considers a breakaway province. The unrest in Hong Kong had provided a lesson for Taiwan, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told Reuters in Taipei. "People here understand that there's something wrong (with)the way the 'one country, two systems' model is run in Hong Kong...Taiwan people don't like to be in the same situation," Wu said. Wu vowed to help Hong Kong people strive for "freedom and democracy", promising that, if needed, Taiwan would "provide some assistance to them on an individual basis". He did not elaborate, except for saying Taiwan would not intervene in the protests. The unrest has helped push Hong Kong's economy into recession for the first time in a decade. Retail and tourism sectors have been hit particularly hard as tourists stay away. Beijing supports bolder action to tackle the roots of unrest, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday, citing social problems including unaffordable housing. More protests are planned on Thursday and through the weekend, when bigger crowds usually gather. UNICEF Hong Kong called off its annual Run for Every Child charity road run on November 24 "due to a range of ongoing and uncertain factors".

Masked Hong Kong students chant protest slogans at graduation

<p>Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday the United States was not fulfilling its pledge to remove a Kurdish militia from a Syrian border region and he will raise the issue <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-speaks-with-trump-to-visit-washington-next-week-260443">when he meets President Donald Trump next week</a>.</p>

<p>A month ago, Turkey launched a cross-border offensive with Syrian rebels against Kurdish YPG fighters and after seizing control of a 120 km swathe of territory reached a deal with the United States to keep them out of that area.</p>

<p>Erdogan is set to discuss the implementation of the agreement with Trump in Washington on November&nbsp;13 after confirming that the visit would go ahead following a phone call between the leaders overnight.</p>

<p>"While we hold these talks, those who promised us that the YPG...would withdraw from here within 120 hours have not achieved this," he told a news conference, referring to a deadline set in last month's agreement.</p>

<p>Turkish officials had previously said Erdogan might call off the US&nbsp;visit in protest at US.House of Representatives' votes to recognise mass killings of Armenians a century ago as genocide and to seek sanctions on Turkey.</p>

<p>After the deal with Washington, Ankara also reached an agreement with Moscow under which the YPG was to withdraw to a depth of 30 km along the entirety of the northeastern Syrian border with Turkey.</p>

<p>But Erdogan said this deal had also not been fulfilled, with YPG fighters still in the border strip, adding that he would hold talks with Putin soon on the issue.</p>

<p><strong>Clashes&nbsp;in&nbsp;Syria</strong></p>

<p>Speaking to reporters before leaving on a visit to Hungary, Erdogan said clashes in Syria were continuing, with 11 fighters from the Turkey-backed rebel Syrian National Army (SNA) killed on Thursday.</p>

<p>"These terrorists are attacking the SNA, and the SNA is retaliating in kind. There are 11 martyrs from the SNA this morning. Many more were killed on the other side," he said.</p>

<p>Under the two bilateral deals, Ankara stopped its offensive in return for the withdrawal of the YPG fighters. Turkish and Russian soldiers have so far held two joint patrols near the border to monitor implementation of their agreement.</p>

<p>Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group because of its ties to militants who have fought an insurgency in southeast Turkey since 1984. US&nbsp;support for the YPG, which was a main ally in the fight against Islamic State, has infuriated Turkey.</p>

<p>Ankara began its offensive against the YPG after Trump announced an abrupt withdrawal of 1,000 US&nbsp;troops from northern Syria in early October. The US&nbsp;president has since said that some troops will continue to operate there.</p>

<p>Late on Wednesday, the commander of the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces said the group was resuming work with the US-led coalition against Islamic State in Syria.</p>

<p>"As a result of series of meetings with Coalition leaders, #SDF is resuming its joint programme of work with the Coalition to combat #ISIS and securing the infrastructure of NE #Syria," Mazloum Kobani wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p>Turkish sources say Trump and Erdogan have a strong bond despite anger in Congress over Turkey's Syria offensive and its purchase of Russian air defences, and despite what Ankara sees as the US&nbsp;president's own erratic pronouncements.</p>

<p>Those personal ties could prove crucial, given NATO member Turkey's purchase of Moscow's S-400 missile defence system, which under US&nbsp;law should trigger sanctions.</p>

<p>Turkey has already been suspended from the F-35 fighter jet programme in which it was both joint producer and customer, and the offensive it launched against Kurdish forces in northeast Syria on October&nbsp;9 set the stage for further US&nbsp;retaliation.</p>


Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday the United States was not fulfilling its pledge to remove a Kurdish militia from a Syrian border region and he will raise the issue when he meets President Donald Trump next week.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday the United States was not fulfilling its pledge to remove a Kurdish militia from a Syrian border region and he will raise the issue when he meets President Donald Trump next week. A month ago, Turkey launched a cross-border offensive with Syrian rebels against Kurdish YPG fighters and after seizing control of a 120 km swathe of territory reached a deal with the United States to keep them out of that area. Erdogan is set to discuss the implementation of the agreement with Trump in Washington on November 13 after confirming that the visit would go ahead following a phone call between the leaders overnight. "While we hold these talks, those who promised us that the YPG...would withdraw from here within 120 hours have not achieved this," he told a news conference, referring to a deadline set in last month's agreement. Turkish officials had previously said Erdogan might call off the US visit in protest at US.House of Representatives' votes to recognise mass killings of Armenians a century ago as genocide and to seek sanctions on Turkey. After the deal with Washington, Ankara also reached an agreement with Moscow under which the YPG was to withdraw to a depth of 30 km along the entirety of the northeastern Syrian border with Turkey. But Erdogan said this deal had also not been fulfilled, with YPG fighters still in the border strip, adding that he would hold talks with Putin soon on the issue. Clashes in Syria Speaking to reporters before leaving on a visit to Hungary, Erdogan said clashes in Syria were continuing, with 11 fighters from the Turkey-backed rebel Syrian National Army (SNA) killed on Thursday. "These terrorists are attacking the SNA, and the SNA is retaliating in kind. There are 11 martyrs from the SNA this morning. Many more were killed on the other side," he said. Under the two bilateral deals, Ankara stopped its offensive in return for the withdrawal of the YPG fighters. Turkish and Russian soldiers have so far held two joint patrols near the border to monitor implementation of their agreement. Ankara considers the YPG a terrorist group because of its ties to militants who have fought an insurgency in southeast Turkey since 1984. US support for the YPG, which was a main ally in the fight against Islamic State, has infuriated Turkey. Ankara began its offensive against the YPG after Trump announced an abrupt withdrawal of 1,000 US troops from northern Syria in early October. The US president has since said that some troops will continue to operate there. Late on Wednesday, the commander of the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces said the group was resuming work with the US-led coalition against Islamic State in Syria. "As a result of series of meetings with Coalition leaders, #SDF is resuming its joint programme of work with the Coalition to combat #ISIS and securing the infrastructure of NE #Syria," Mazloum Kobani wrote on Twitter. Turkish sources say Trump and Erdogan have a strong bond despite anger in Congress over Turkey's Syria offensive and its purchase of Russian air defences, and despite what Ankara sees as the US president's own erratic pronouncements. Those personal ties could prove crucial, given NATO member Turkey's purchase of Moscow's S-400 missile defence system, which under US law should trigger sanctions. Turkey has already been suspended from the F-35 fighter jet programme in which it was both joint producer and customer, and the offensive it launched against Kurdish forces in northeast Syria on October 9 set the stage for further US retaliation.

Ahead of talks with Trump, Erdogan says United States not fulfilling Syria deal

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