US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would impose an additional 10 per cent&nbsp;tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting September&nbsp;1, as talks aimed to ease <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-begun-purchasing-farm-goods-says-china-after-resuming-trade-talks-with-us-239902">tensions between the world's two largest economies</a> continue.

"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-next-in-us-china-trade-talks-240002">Trade talks</a> are continuing, and during the talks the US&nbsp;will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%," Trump tweeted.

In a string of tweets, Trump also faulted China for not following through on promises to buy more American agricultural products and personally criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping for failing to do more to stem sales of the synthetic opioid fentanyl.

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...during the talks the U.S. will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1156979446877962243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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US&nbsp;stock prices fell after Trump's announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling into negative territory.

US&nbsp;and Chinese negotiators ended two days of talks in Shanghai on Wednesday with little sign of progress, although both countries described the negotiations as constructive. Another round of meetings between the negotiators has been scheduled for September.

The United States and China have been locked in a trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs since last year. The tensions have disrupted global supply chains and roiled financial markets.

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting September 1, as talks aimed to ease tensions between the world's two largest economies continue.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting September 1, as talks aimed to ease tensions between the world's two largest economies continue. "Trade talks are continuing, and during the talks the US will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%," Trump tweeted. In a string of tweets, Trump also faulted China for not following through on promises to buy more American agricultural products and personally criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping for failing to do more to stem sales of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. ...during the talks the U.S. will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2019 × US stock prices fell after Trump's announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling into negative territory. US and Chinese negotiators ended two days of talks in Shanghai on Wednesday with little sign of progress, although both countries described the negotiations as constructive. Another round of meetings between the negotiators has been scheduled for September. The United States and China have been locked in a trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs since last year. The tensions have disrupted global supply chains and roiled financial markets.

US to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods with 10% tariff: Donald Trump

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to roll back the prices of traditional breads - naan and roti - across the country to appease disgruntled citizens facing the brunt of <a href="http://wionews.com/world/soaring-prices-rising-anger-in-imran-khans-pakistan-238092">escalating prices of essential commodities</a>.&nbsp;

According to Pak media, while prices of a piece of naan ranged between Pakistan Rupees 8-10, roti was earlier sold for Pak Rupees 7-8. Khan has decided to roll back the prices of these essential, traditional breads from Rs 12-15 and Rs 10-12 respectively, The Dawn reported. &nbsp;

Pakistan is grappling with a cash-strapped economy. Country's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pakistan-july-consumer-inflation-accelerates-to-103-239981">consumer inflation rate accelerated</a> to 10.3 per cent year-on-year in July, from 8.9 per cent a month earlier.

The country is facing higher food and fuel prices which is fuelling a growing squeeze on household budgets.

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which make up a third of the overall basket used to calculate inflation, rose 7.9 per cent with big jumps in the prices of staples including onions, pulses and sugar, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

There was also a 143 per cent rise in gas prices and a 23 per cent rise in petrol prices from the same month a year earlier.

PM Khan now faces growing anger over soaring prices.&nbsp;

"The price of tomatoes is touching the skies," 30-year-old Shama Parveen, who walked several kilometres through Karachi's sweltering heat to find cheaper produce, told news agency AFP. "Life has become hard."

"I need to earn at least 1,000 rupees ($6.30) daily to meet my expenses," said 60-year-old Mohammad Ashraf, who sells henna dye.

"Nowadays I can hardly save 500 or 600 rupees... I sometimes think if I fall ill, how could I afford the medicines and treatment? I would die, I think," he said.&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to roll back the prices of traditional breads - naan and roti - across the country to appease disgruntled citizens facing the brunt of escalating prices of essential commodities.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to roll back the prices of traditional breads - naan and roti - across the country to appease disgruntled citizens facing the brunt of escalating prices of essential commodities. According to Pak media, while prices of a piece of naan ranged between Pakistan Rupees 8-10, roti was earlier sold for Pak Rupees 7-8. Khan has decided to roll back the prices of these essential, traditional breads from Rs 12-15 and Rs 10-12 respectively, The Dawn reported. Pakistan is grappling with a cash-strapped economy. Country's consumer inflation rate accelerated to 10.3 per cent year-on-year in July, from 8.9 per cent a month earlier. The country is facing higher food and fuel prices which is fuelling a growing squeeze on household budgets. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which make up a third of the overall basket used to calculate inflation, rose 7.9 per cent with big jumps in the prices of staples including onions, pulses and sugar, news agency Reuters reported. There was also a 143 per cent rise in gas prices and a 23 per cent rise in petrol prices from the same month a year earlier. PM Khan now faces growing anger over soaring prices. "The price of tomatoes is touching the skies," 30-year-old Shama Parveen, who walked several kilometres through Karachi's sweltering heat to find cheaper produce, told news agency AFP. "Life has become hard." "I need to earn at least 1,000 rupees ($6.30) daily to meet my expenses," said 60-year-old Mohammad Ashraf, who sells henna dye. "Nowadays I can hardly save 500 or 600 rupees... I sometimes think if I fall ill, how could I afford the medicines and treatment? I would die, I think," he said.

In a bid to tackle disgruntled citizens, Pak PM Imran Khan cuts prices of 'naan' and 'roti'

Political activists have accused Pakistan of changing the demography of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in disregard to its own commitments.

Islamabad has gradually diluted its constitution in order to facilitate outsiders to grab the land and resources of illegally occupied areas.

Islamabad abolished the State Subject Rule in Gilgit Baltistan in 1984, which resulted in demographic changes in the territory.

People from different parts of Pakistan are free to purchase land there.

"Pakistan has never kept its end of the bargain when comes to Jammu and Kashmir. It has encroached on the land of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It has awarded the land of PoJK to China. It is changing the local demography that further violates the State Subject Rule," said Senge H. Sering from the Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies in Washington.

On August 29, 2009, the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009, was passed which granted limited autonomy, by creating, among other things, an elected Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly and Gilgit-Baltistan Council.

This was overridden by Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018 which entrusted Pakistan with indisputable authority over the region. The order is seen as Islamabad's efforts towards incorporating the disputed region as its fifth province.

Currently, Gilgit-Baltistan is neither a province nor a state. It has a semi-provincial status.

Senge added that Islamabad has designs to exploit the resources and cash-in the geo-strategic advantages of the region.

"It robs the locals off their resources. It denies them jobs and services. It has never paid royalty on local water resources. It never pays tolls on local transit routes. All these activities are illegal and not acceptable," he said.

Meanwhile, Jamil Maqsood, Central Secretary (Foreign Affairs) of the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) from Brussels, said, "The erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided because of expansionists'&nbsp;designs of Pakistan. And since then people are suffering an endless irony under the undemocratic rule of Pakistan".

"Our education, health, infrastructure and society have been destroyed. Our natural resources have been plundered since a long time. There is no employment for the educated youth," he added.

It is believed that the Pakistani military has been systematically carrying out operations to keep the people of Gilgit Baltistan and PoK underdeveloped and underprivileged.

"They recruit young men to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and other terrorist groups operating from the soil of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan," Maqsood said. "Most of the educated people have also been recruited by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) to propagate in favour of the Pakistani establishment and that is a very dangerous phenomenon," he added.&nbsp;

Political activists have accused Pakistan of changing the demography of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in disregard to its own commitments.

Political activists have accused Pakistan of changing the demography of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in disregard to its own commitments. Islamabad has gradually diluted its constitution in order to facilitate outsiders to grab the land and resources of illegally occupied areas. Islamabad abolished the State Subject Rule in Gilgit Baltistan in 1984, which resulted in demographic changes in the territory. People from different parts of Pakistan are free to purchase land there. "Pakistan has never kept its end of the bargain when comes to Jammu and Kashmir. It has encroached on the land of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It has awarded the land of PoJK to China. It is changing the local demography that further violates the State Subject Rule," said Senge H. Sering from the Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies in Washington. On August 29, 2009, the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009, was passed which granted limited autonomy, by creating, among other things, an elected Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly and Gilgit-Baltistan Council. This was overridden by Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018 which entrusted Pakistan with indisputable authority over the region. The order is seen as Islamabad's efforts towards incorporating the disputed region as its fifth province. Currently, Gilgit-Baltistan is neither a province nor a state. It has a semi-provincial status. Senge added that Islamabad has designs to exploit the resources and cash-in the geo-strategic advantages of the region. "It robs the locals off their resources. It denies them jobs and services. It has never paid royalty on local water resources. It never pays tolls on local transit routes. All these activities are illegal and not acceptable," he said. Meanwhile, Jamil Maqsood, Central Secretary (Foreign Affairs) of the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) from Brussels, said, "The erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided because of expansionists' designs of Pakistan. And since then people are suffering an endless irony under the undemocratic rule of Pakistan". "Our education, health, infrastructure and society have been destroyed. Our natural resources have been plundered since a long time. There is no employment for the educated youth," he added. It is believed that the Pakistani military has been systematically carrying out operations to keep the people of Gilgit Baltistan and PoK underdeveloped and underprivileged. "They recruit young men to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and other terrorist groups operating from the soil of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan," Maqsood said. "Most of the educated people have also been recruited by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) to propagate in favour of the Pakistani establishment and that is a very dangerous phenomenon," he added.

Pakistan has been changing demography of PoK, Gilgit Baltistan: Activists

Joint military exercises between the United States and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-detains-north-korean-man-crossing-the-dmz-239817">South Korea</a> will go ahead, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-north-korea-conducting-missile-tests-239757">missile tests</a> and calls for the drills' cancellation by North Korea.

The affirmation of the annual, joint exercises came amid a series of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-short-range-ballistic-missiles-south-korean-military-239597">missile launches by North Korea</a>, one of which it called a "solemn warning to the South Korean warmongers" over the planned military drills.

But despite Pyongyang's warning that the exercises could also derail further talks with Washington in the long-running diplomatic process over its nuclear and missile programs, the senior US official said there is "no adjustment or change in plans that we're aware of."

"We have to do two things -&nbsp;we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that's conducive to the talks when they resume - which we expect," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Watch:&nbsp;South Koreans remain unfazed by North Korea's missile test

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Washington stations nearly 30,000 troops in the South to defend it from its neighbour, which invaded in 1950.&nbsp;

The annual exercises between the US and South Korea have repeatedly raised the ire of the North, which sees them as a rehearsal for an invasion of its territory.

North Korea launched two missiles Thursday of last week, then followed it up with the firing of two more missiles from its eastern coast on Wednesday, according to the South's military.

The missiles fired last week travelled much farther - one of them going nearly 700 kilometres - than Wednesday's, and also reached a higher altitude, 50 kilometres (30 miles) compared to 30.

UN Security Council resolutions ban the North from ballistic missile launches.

&nbsp;

Joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea will go ahead, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after missile tests and calls for the drills' cancellation by North Korea.

Joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea will go ahead, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after missile tests and calls for the drills' cancellation by North Korea. The affirmation of the annual, joint exercises came amid a series of missile launches by North Korea, one of which it called a "solemn warning to the South Korean warmongers" over the planned military drills. But despite Pyongyang's warning that the exercises could also derail further talks with Washington in the long-running diplomatic process over its nuclear and missile programs, the senior US official said there is "no adjustment or change in plans that we're aware of." "We have to do two things - we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that's conducive to the talks when they resume - which we expect," the official said on condition of anonymity. Watch: South Koreans remain unfazed by North Korea's missile test Washington stations nearly 30,000 troops in the South to defend it from its neighbour, which invaded in 1950. The annual exercises between the US and South Korea have repeatedly raised the ire of the North, which sees them as a rehearsal for an invasion of its territory. North Korea launched two missiles Thursday of last week, then followed it up with the firing of two more missiles from its eastern coast on Wednesday, according to the South's military. The missiles fired last week travelled much farther - one of them going nearly 700 kilometres - than Wednesday's, and also reached a higher altitude, 50 kilometres (30 miles) compared to 30. UN Security Council resolutions ban the North from ballistic missile launches.

US-South Korea military exercises still on despite North's warnings: Pentagon official

Turkey on Thursday granted its radio and television watchdog sweeping oversight overall online content, including streaming platforms like Netflix and online news outlets, in a move that raised concerns over possible censorship.

The move was initially approved by Turkey's parliament in March last year, with support from President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party and its nationalist ally.

The regulation, published in Turkey's Official Gazette on Thursday, mandates all online content providers to obtain broadcasting licenses from RTUK, which will then supervise the content put out by the providers.

Aside from streaming giant Netflix, other platforms like local streaming websites PuhuTV and BluTV, which in recent years have produced popular shows, will be subject to supervision and potential fines or loss of their license.

In addition to subscription services like Netflix, free online news outlets which rely on advertising for their revenues will also be subject to the same measures.

"The aim of this regulation is to establish the methods and principles to regulate the presentation and provision of radio, television and on-demand broadcast services, the handing of broadcast licenses to media service providers, the granting of broadcasting authorities to platform administrators and the supervision of the broadcasts in question," the regulation said.

It said that the content providers that do not comply with the regulation and RTUK's guidelines would be given 30 days to adjust their content to the required standards or face having their licenses suspended for three months and later cancelled. Thursday's announcement did not specify what standards the watchdog would expect.

A spokeswoman for Netflix in Turkey said the platform was closely following developments and wanted to continue providing content for Turkey.

Tightening grip

Yaman Akdeniz, a law professor and cybersecurity expert at Istanbul Bilgi University, said that the move went against Turkey's recently announced package of judicial reforms which aimed to address EU concerns about deteriorating human rights.

"The regulation granting RTUK the authority to censor the internet came into effect today... Soon, access to the Netflix platform or to news outlets broadcasting from abroad... could be blocked," Akdeniz wrote on Twitter.

Critics have also voiced concerns that the move will allow the government to tighten its grip on media, which is largely under the influence of Erdogan and his AK Party.

Kerem Altiparmak, a human rights lawyer, said the move was the "biggest step in Turkish censorship history" and said all outlets producing opposition news would be affected.

"Everyone who produces alternative news and broadcasts will be impacted by this regulation," Altiparmak wrote on Twitter. "Every news report that can be against the government will be taken under control."

Turkey on Thursday granted its radio and television watchdog sweeping oversight overall online content, including streaming platforms like Netflix and online news outlets, in a move that raised concerns over possible censorship.

Turkey on Thursday granted its radio and television watchdog sweeping oversight overall online content, including streaming platforms like Netflix and online news outlets, in a move that raised concerns over possible censorship. The move was initially approved by Turkey's parliament in March last year, with support from President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party and its nationalist ally. The regulation, published in Turkey's Official Gazette on Thursday, mandates all online content providers to obtain broadcasting licenses from RTUK, which will then supervise the content put out by the providers. Aside from streaming giant Netflix, other platforms like local streaming websites PuhuTV and BluTV, which in recent years have produced popular shows, will be subject to supervision and potential fines or loss of their license. In addition to subscription services like Netflix, free online news outlets which rely on advertising for their revenues will also be subject to the same measures. "The aim of this regulation is to establish the methods and principles to regulate the presentation and provision of radio, television and on-demand broadcast services, the handing of broadcast licenses to media service providers, the granting of broadcasting authorities to platform administrators and the supervision of the broadcasts in question," the regulation said. It said that the content providers that do not comply with the regulation and RTUK's guidelines would be given 30 days to adjust their content to the required standards or face having their licenses suspended for three months and later cancelled. Thursday's announcement did not specify what standards the watchdog would expect. A spokeswoman for Netflix in Turkey said the platform was closely following developments and wanted to continue providing content for Turkey. Tightening grip Yaman Akdeniz, a law professor and cybersecurity expert at Istanbul Bilgi University, said that the move went against Turkey's recently announced package of judicial reforms which aimed to address EU concerns about deteriorating human rights. "The regulation granting RTUK the authority to censor the internet came into effect today... Soon, access to the Netflix platform or to news outlets broadcasting from abroad... could be blocked," Akdeniz wrote on Twitter. Critics have also voiced concerns that the move will allow the government to tighten its grip on media, which is largely under the influence of Erdogan and his AK Party. Kerem Altiparmak, a human rights lawyer, said the move was the "biggest step in Turkish censorship history" and said all outlets producing opposition news would be affected. "Everyone who produces alternative news and broadcasts will be impacted by this regulation," Altiparmak wrote on Twitter. "Every news report that can be against the government will be taken under control."

Turkey moves to oversee all online content, raises concerns over censorship

Thai police said they found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of a regional security meeting in Bangkok of world powers and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping.

The packages prompted a brief security scare but were quickly deemed harmless.

"There were two boxes that contain no material that could cause an explosion. There are ball bearings and wire circuits, which is likely to cause alarm," police deputy spokesman Krisana Pattanacharoen told Reuters.

He said security around the ASEAN forum had been tightened but it was unclear whether the meeting was the apparent hoax's target. China's top diplomat Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are attending the forum along with other regional and global officials.

Police Major General Tawatchai Mekprasertkul told Reuters the packages were placed across the street from the forum venue, near a police station where Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was due to visit on Friday.

Krisana said security cameras had shown a man wearing a yellow shirt placing the packages and police were trying to identify the suspect.

Thai police said they found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of a regional security meeting in Bangkok of world powers and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping.

Thai police said they found two fake bombs on Thursday near the venue of a regional security meeting in Bangkok of world powers and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping. The packages prompted a brief security scare but were quickly deemed harmless. "There were two boxes that contain no material that could cause an explosion. There are ball bearings and wire circuits, which is likely to cause alarm," police deputy spokesman Krisana Pattanacharoen told Reuters. He said security around the ASEAN forum had been tightened but it was unclear whether the meeting was the apparent hoax's target. China's top diplomat Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are attending the forum along with other regional and global officials. Police Major General Tawatchai Mekprasertkul told Reuters the packages were placed across the street from the forum venue, near a police station where Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was due to visit on Friday. Krisana said security cameras had shown a man wearing a yellow shirt placing the packages and police were trying to identify the suspect.

Two fake bombs found near Bangkok forum of world powers: Police

The Bank of England cut its growth forecasts on Thursday in the face of increased Brexit worries and a slowing global economy but gave no indication it was considering lowering interest rates like other central banks.

A day after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nasdaq-ends-at-record-high-dollar-falls-as-us-fed-signals-possible-rate-cut-234814">US Federal Reserve</a> reduced rates for the first time since the global financial crisis, the BoE said it still expected to raise borrowing costs gradually though this now hinged on a global pick-up as well as a "smooth" Brexit.&nbsp;

The BoE's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 9-0 to keep rates unchanged at 0.75 per cent, as expected in a Reuters poll of economists and said rates could move either way, whatever form Brexit takes.

With new Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to taking Britain out of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-plays-brexit-hardball-with-stubborn-european-union-pound-falls-to-a-two-year-low-239235">European Union</a> on Oct. 31 regardless of whether he can secure a transition deal markets see increased risks of a disorderly, no-deal Brexit.

The BoE said this had led to "a marked depreciation of the sterling exchange rate" which is near a three-year low against a basket of other major currencies and that as of mid-July, business uncertainty about Brexit had become "more entrenched".

"Underlying growth appears to have slowed since 2018 to a rate below potential, reflecting both the impact of intensifying Brexit-related uncertainties on business investment and weaker global growth on net trade," the BoE said.

There was a little immediate market reaction to the statement.

"All eyes will be on the MPC's September meeting. If a disorderly exit from the EU is on the cards, the Bank must not shy away from lowering interest rates in advance to support businesses and households through the turbulence," the Institute of Directors' chief economist, Tej Parikh, said.

The BoE's forecasts assume Britain avoids a Brexit shock, but still foresee a growth of 1.3 per cent for 2019 and 2020, down from 1.5 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively in its last forecasts in May.

This leaves British economic growth roughly in line with that of the eurozone, which Britain used to regularly outperform before June 2016's referendum decision to leave the EU.

The forecasts also showed a relatively high 30 per cent chance of negative year-on-year growth in the first three months of next year. A recession is typically defined in Europe as two consecutive quarters of negative quarter-on-quarter growth.

Rate cut bets

The weaker growth outlook comes despite the implicit stimulus from the expectations in markets of a rate cut that the BoE mechanically factors into the forecasts.

Before Thursday's announcement, markets were pricing in an almost 90 per cent chance that the BoE will cut rates by 25 basis points before Governor Mark Carney steps down at the end of January.

In large part, this reflects the possibility of a significant loosening of BoE policy if there is a no-deal Brexit, to which economists polled by Reuters on average gave a 30 per cent probability.

The European Central Bank is expected to cut rates in September.

Carney will say more about the BoE's thinking in a news conference at 1130 GMT.

The updated BoE forecasts show the central bank expects inflation currently on target at 2 per cent to exceed its target in two and three years, and by a greater margin than it predicted in May.

The BoE said growth and inflation would both probably be slower in the case of a smooth Brexit than its forecasts show, due to a likely snap-back in sterling and market interest rate expectations.

Taking this into account, inflation in three years would not necessarily exceed the BoE's target, but the BoE still foresaw the domestic economy overheating, requiring higher interest rates.

The Bank of England cut its growth forecasts on Thursday in the face of increased Brexit worries and a slowing global economy but gave no indication it was considering lowering interest rates like other central banks.

The Bank of England cut its growth forecasts on Thursday in the face of increased Brexit worries and a slowing global economy but gave no indication it was considering lowering interest rates like other central banks. A day after the US Federal Reserve reduced rates for the first time since the global financial crisis, the BoE said it still expected to raise borrowing costs gradually though this now hinged on a global pick-up as well as a "smooth" Brexit. The BoE's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 9-0 to keep rates unchanged at 0.75 per cent, as expected in a Reuters poll of economists and said rates could move either way, whatever form Brexit takes. With new Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to taking Britain out of the European Union on Oct. 31 regardless of whether he can secure a transition deal markets see increased risks of a disorderly, no-deal Brexit. The BoE said this had led to "a marked depreciation of the sterling exchange rate" which is near a three-year low against a basket of other major currencies and that as of mid-July, business uncertainty about Brexit had become "more entrenched". "Underlying growth appears to have slowed since 2018 to a rate below potential, reflecting both the impact of intensifying Brexit-related uncertainties on business investment and weaker global growth on net trade," the BoE said. There was a little immediate market reaction to the statement. "All eyes will be on the MPC's September meeting. If a disorderly exit from the EU is on the cards, the Bank must not shy away from lowering interest rates in advance to support businesses and households through the turbulence," the Institute of Directors' chief economist, Tej Parikh, said. The BoE's forecasts assume Britain avoids a Brexit shock, but still foresee a growth of 1.3 per cent for 2019 and 2020, down from 1.5 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively in its last forecasts in May. This leaves British economic growth roughly in line with that of the eurozone, which Britain used to regularly outperform before June 2016's referendum decision to leave the EU. The forecasts also showed a relatively high 30 per cent chance of negative year-on-year growth in the first three months of next year. A recession is typically defined in Europe as two consecutive quarters of negative quarter-on-quarter growth. Rate cut bets The weaker growth outlook comes despite the implicit stimulus from the expectations in markets of a rate cut that the BoE mechanically factors into the forecasts. Before Thursday's announcement, markets were pricing in an almost 90 per cent chance that the BoE will cut rates by 25 basis points before Governor Mark Carney steps down at the end of January. In large part, this reflects the possibility of a significant loosening of BoE policy if there is a no-deal Brexit, to which economists polled by Reuters on average gave a 30 per cent probability. The European Central Bank is expected to cut rates in September. Carney will say more about the BoE's thinking in a news conference at 1130 GMT. The updated BoE forecasts show the central bank expects inflation currently on target at 2 per cent to exceed its target in two and three years, and by a greater margin than it predicted in May. The BoE said growth and inflation would both probably be slower in the case of a smooth Brexit than its forecasts show, due to a likely snap-back in sterling and market interest rate expectations. Taking this into account, inflation in three years would not necessarily exceed the BoE's target, but the BoE still foresaw the domestic economy overheating, requiring higher interest rates.

Bank of England cuts growth forecasts as Brexit and global worries mount

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, a senior US&nbsp;official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/north-korea-test-fired-new-rocket-system-under-kims-supervision-state-media-239815">Kim oversaw the first test-firing</a> of a "new-type large-calibre multiple-launch guided rocket system" on Wednesday, North Korean state media reported.

North Korean state television showed rockets launching from a vehicle that had been blurred in photos to obscure its features.

The launch came six days after North Korea tested two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-north-korea-conducting-missile-tests-239757">short-range ballistic missiles</a>, its first tests since Kim and Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks.

The latest launches appeared intended to put pressure on South Korea and the United States to stop planned military exercises, analysts said and came as diplomats criss-cross the region this week in the hope of restarting the talks.

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolton-says-north-korea-tests-didnt-violate-pledge-to-trump-but-no-word-on-talks-239809">firing of these missiles don't violate the pledge</a> that Kim Jong Un made to the president about intercontinental-range ballistic missiles," US&nbsp;national security adviser John Bolton said in an interview with Fox Business News.

"But you have to ask when the real diplomacy is going to begin when the working-level discussions on denuclearisation will begin," he said.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-fires-two-short-range-ballistic-missiles-239727/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

North Korea's tests of short-range missiles over the past week happened despite the meeting between Kim and Trump on June 30 at demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas at which they agreed to revive their talks on North Korea's weapons.

South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers more North Korean missile tests were possible this month, said Lee Eun-jae, one of the lawmakers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Vipin Narang said the missile tests were part of the North Korean leader's approach to diplomacy,&nbsp;"He's saying it will take more than a photo-op to get things moving."

The tests were a stark reminder that every day the United States and its allies failed to secure an agreement is a day that North Korea continues to improve and expand its nuclear and missile arsenals, he said.

US&nbsp;officials have played down the tests.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped talks would start soon, though he "regretted" that a highly anticipated meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho would not take place in Thailand this week.

Ri has cancelled a trip to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Bangkok that Pompeo is attending.

"We stand ready to continue our diplomatic conversation with North Korea," Pompeo told a news conference with his Thai counterpart, adding he was optimistic Kim would deploy his team for working-level talks "before too long".

A summit between Trump and Kim in Vietnam in February collapsed after they failed to reconcile differences between US&nbsp;demands for North Korea's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief.

'Fat target'

The North Korean photographs of the missile test appeared to show a type of multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Such systems form a major part of North Korea's conventional arsenal, according to a 2018 assessment by the South's defence ministry.

The North Korean military has nearly 5,500 MLRS, along with 8,600 field guns, 4,300 tanks, and 2,500 armoured vehicles, the ministry said.

Wednesday's test verified the combat effectiveness of the overall rocket system and Kim predicted "it would be inescapable distress to the forces becoming a fat target of the weapon", KCNA said.

It said the rocket system would play a major role in ground military operations. Such operations would most likely be directed at South Korea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles).

The missiles launched last week were a different type of short-range ballistic missile, which experts said were designed to make interception difficult.

Ballistic missiles would violate UN&nbsp;resolutions designed to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Britain, Germany and France have asked the UN&nbsp;Security Council to meet on Thursday to discuss the missile launches, diplomats said.

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believed the launches were "just another reminder of the importance of restarting talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

The South Korean military also said a North Korean soldier had crossed the DMZ on Wednesday and asked to defect to the South.

South Korean nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon met US&nbsp;Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Bangkok.

South Korea's foreign ministry said they discussed the missile tests and vowed diplomatic efforts for an early restart of working-level talks.

China welcomed the US&nbsp;readiness to restart the working-level talks, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said in Bangkok, following talks with Pompeo.

The United States does not plan to make changes to this month's military drill with South Korea, a senior US&nbsp;defence official said, despite the missile tests.

"We have to do two things,&nbsp;we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that is conducive to the talks when they resume ... and we have to maintain readiness," the US&nbsp;official said.

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US President Donald Trump, a senior US official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt.

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US President Donald Trump, a senior US official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt. Kim oversaw the first test-firing of a "new-type large-calibre multiple-launch guided rocket system" on Wednesday, North Korean state media reported. North Korean state television showed rockets launching from a vehicle that had been blurred in photos to obscure its features. The launch came six days after North Korea tested two short-range ballistic missiles, its first tests since Kim and Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. The latest launches appeared intended to put pressure on South Korea and the United States to stop planned military exercises, analysts said and came as diplomats criss-cross the region this week in the hope of restarting the talks. "The firing of these missiles don't violate the pledge that Kim Jong Un made to the president about intercontinental-range ballistic missiles," US national security adviser John Bolton said in an interview with Fox Business News. "But you have to ask when the real diplomacy is going to begin when the working-level discussions on denuclearisation will begin," he said. Watch: North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles North Korea's tests of short-range missiles over the past week happened despite the meeting between Kim and Trump on June 30 at demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas at which they agreed to revive their talks on North Korea's weapons. South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers more North Korean missile tests were possible this month, said Lee Eun-jae, one of the lawmakers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Vipin Narang said the missile tests were part of the North Korean leader's approach to diplomacy, "He's saying it will take more than a photo-op to get things moving." The tests were a stark reminder that every day the United States and its allies failed to secure an agreement is a day that North Korea continues to improve and expand its nuclear and missile arsenals, he said. US officials have played down the tests. On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped talks would start soon, though he "regretted" that a highly anticipated meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho would not take place in Thailand this week. Ri has cancelled a trip to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Bangkok that Pompeo is attending. "We stand ready to continue our diplomatic conversation with North Korea," Pompeo told a news conference with his Thai counterpart, adding he was optimistic Kim would deploy his team for working-level talks "before too long". A summit between Trump and Kim in Vietnam in February collapsed after they failed to reconcile differences between US demands for North Korea's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief. 'Fat target' The North Korean photographs of the missile test appeared to show a type of multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Such systems form a major part of North Korea's conventional arsenal, according to a 2018 assessment by the South's defence ministry. The North Korean military has nearly 5,500 MLRS, along with 8,600 field guns, 4,300 tanks, and 2,500 armoured vehicles, the ministry said. Wednesday's test verified the combat effectiveness of the overall rocket system and Kim predicted "it would be inescapable distress to the forces becoming a fat target of the weapon", KCNA said. It said the rocket system would play a major role in ground military operations. Such operations would most likely be directed at South Korea. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles). The missiles launched last week were a different type of short-range ballistic missile, which experts said were designed to make interception difficult. Ballistic missiles would violate UN resolutions designed to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missile programmes. Britain, Germany and France have asked the UN Security Council to meet on Thursday to discuss the missile launches, diplomats said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believed the launches were "just another reminder of the importance of restarting talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. The South Korean military also said a North Korean soldier had crossed the DMZ on Wednesday and asked to defect to the South. South Korean nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon met US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Bangkok. South Korea's foreign ministry said they discussed the missile tests and vowed diplomatic efforts for an early restart of working-level talks. China welcomed the US readiness to restart the working-level talks, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said in Bangkok, following talks with Pompeo. The United States does not plan to make changes to this month's military drill with South Korea, a senior US defence official said, despite the missile tests. "We have to do two things, we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that is conducive to the talks when they resume ... and we have to maintain readiness," the US official said.

US still hopes for talks after latest North Korean missile tests

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-proposes-consular-access-to-kulbhushan-jadhav-with-riders-239957">Pakistan proposes consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav with riders</a> 
 
The 42-page verdict was ruled 15 votes to one. The only Judge who ruled against is Ad Hoc Judge Jillani.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uighurs-challenge-china-to-prove-missing-relatives-are-free-239974">Uighurs challenge China to prove missing relatives are free</a> 
 
Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up in internment camps in the tightly-controlled northwest region, home to China's Uighur population.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-chinas-army-garrison-in-hong-kong-releases-video-with-anti-riot-scenes-239968">Watch: China's army garrison in Hong Kong releases video with 'anti-riot' scenes</a> 
 
The three-minute video included footage of troops firing guns and rockets, and of light tanks, attack helicopters and missile launchers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-childish-of-us-to-sanction-iran-foreign-minister-zarif-239925">Rouhani says 'childish' of US to sanction Iran foreign minister Zarif</a> 
 
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, blocking any property or interests he has in the United States. But Zarif said he had none.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-asking-asean-allies-to-choose-between-us-and-china-mike-pompeo-239944">Not asking ASEAN allies to 'choose' between US and China: Mike Pompeo</a>

The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asia's economies.

Pakistan proposes consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav with riders The 42-page verdict was ruled 15 votes to one. The only Judge who ruled against is Ad Hoc Judge Jillani.

Pakistan proposes consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav with riders The 42-page verdict was ruled 15 votes to one. The only Judge who ruled against is Ad Hoc Judge Jillani. Uighurs challenge China to prove missing relatives are free Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up in internment camps in the tightly-controlled northwest region, home to China's Uighur population. Watch: China's army garrison in Hong Kong releases video with 'anti-riot' scenes The three-minute video included footage of troops firing guns and rockets, and of light tanks, attack helicopters and missile launchers. Rouhani says 'childish' of US to sanction Iran foreign minister Zarif The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, blocking any property or interests he has in the United States. But Zarif said he had none. Not asking ASEAN allies to 'choose' between US and China: Mike Pompeo The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asia's economies.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pakistan's consumer inflation rate accelerated to 10.3 per cent year-on-year in July, from 8.9 per cent a month earlier, driven by higher food and fuel prices, the Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, underlining the growing squeeze on household budgets.

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which make up a third of the overall basket used to calculate inflation, rose 7.9 per cent with big jumps in the prices of staples including onions, pulses and sugar.

There was also a 143 per cent rise in gas prices and a 23 per cent rise in petrol prices from the same month a year earlier.

Pakistan's consumer inflation rate accelerated to 10.3 per cent year-on-year in July, from 8.9 per cent a month earlier, driven by higher food and fuel prices, the Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, underlining the growing squeeze on household budgets.

Pakistan's consumer inflation rate accelerated to 10.3 per cent year-on-year in July, from 8.9 per cent a month earlier, driven by higher food and fuel prices, the Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday, underlining the growing squeeze on household budgets. Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which make up a third of the overall basket used to calculate inflation, rose 7.9 per cent with big jumps in the prices of staples including onions, pulses and sugar. There was also a 143 per cent rise in gas prices and a 23 per cent rise in petrol prices from the same month a year earlier.

Pakistan July consumer inflation accelerates to 10.3%

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/reliance-jio-overtakes-bharti-airtel-to-become-number-2-operator-237066">Telecom operator Bharti Airtel Ltd</a> reported a worse-than-expected quarterly loss on Thursday, as the company lost more customers and spent more to upgrade its 4G network during the quarter.

The company's net loss for the three months ended June 30 was 28.66 billion rupees ($415.00 million), compared to a profit of 973 million rupees a year ago. Revenue rose 4.7 per cent.

Analysts, on average, were expecting the company to report a loss of 10.17 billion rupees, according to Refinitiv data.

New Delhi-based Airtel said its monthly churn rate in mobile services business, a measure of the number of customers it lost, grew to 2.6 per cent for the quarter, compared with 2 per cent&nbsp;a year ago.

Government data showed last month Reliance Industries Ltd's telecom unit Jio pipped Airtel to become India's second-largest operator by subscribers as of May.

Telecom operator Bharti Airtel Ltd reported a worse-than-expected quarterly loss on Thursday, as the company lost more customers and spent more to upgrade its 4G network during the quarter.

Telecom operator Bharti Airtel Ltd reported a worse-than-expected quarterly loss on Thursday, as the company lost more customers and spent more to upgrade its 4G network during the quarter. The company's net loss for the three months ended June 30 was 28.66 billion rupees ($415.00 million), compared to a profit of 973 million rupees a year ago. Revenue rose 4.7 per cent. Analysts, on average, were expecting the company to report a loss of 10.17 billion rupees, according to Refinitiv data. New Delhi-based Airtel said its monthly churn rate in mobile services business, a measure of the number of customers it lost, grew to 2.6 per cent for the quarter, compared with 2 per cent a year ago. Government data showed last month Reliance Industries Ltd's telecom unit Jio pipped Airtel to become India's second-largest operator by subscribers as of May.

Bharti Airtel reports worse than expected June-quarter loss

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armed-man-dead-after-attacking-united-states-immigration-jail-235787">United States immigration</a> officials have added Venezuelan government minister Tareck El Aissami, a suspected drug smuggler, to their list of most wanted fugitives, they said Wednesday.

"Have you seen this #mostwanted #fugitive?," Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted on its Twitter account, alongside a picture of the industry minister and former deputy to President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;

"He's wanted for international narcotics trafficking."

US federal authorities in March charged El Aissami with drug trafficking and dodging sanctions imposed by Washington.&nbsp;

If he is arrested and extradited, El Aissami could face up to 30 years in prison.&nbsp;

The US designated El Aissami in February 2017 as having played "a significant role in international narcotics trafficking."

"In his previous positions, he oversaw or partially owned narcotics shipments of more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) from Venezuela on multiple occasions, including those with the final destinations of Mexico and the United States," ICE said on its website.

El Aissami denounced the move as "a dirty trick" and declared himself steadfast and loyal to Maduro's government.

"Accuse us of whatever you want... we will win," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/technicians-to-fly-out-of-venezuela-russian-embassy-230688">Venezuela</a> is struggling with a political and economic crisis that the United Nations says has left a quarter of its 30 million people in need of humanitarian aid.&nbsp;

In January, National Assembly Speaker Juan Guaido declared himself acting president, branding Maduro a "usurper" over his re-election last year in a poll widely believed to have been rigged.

But despite the support of some 50 countries including the US, Guaido has been unable to dislodge him from power. 
&nbsp;

United States immigration officials have added Venezuelan government minister Tareck El Aissami, a suspected drug smuggler, to their list of most wanted fugitives, they said Wednesday.

United States immigration officials have added Venezuelan government minister Tareck El Aissami, a suspected drug smuggler, to their list of most wanted fugitives, they said Wednesday. "Have you seen this #mostwanted #fugitive?," Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted on its Twitter account, alongside a picture of the industry minister and former deputy to President Nicolas Maduro. "He's wanted for international narcotics trafficking." US federal authorities in March charged El Aissami with drug trafficking and dodging sanctions imposed by Washington. If he is arrested and extradited, El Aissami could face up to 30 years in prison. The US designated El Aissami in February 2017 as having played "a significant role in international narcotics trafficking." "In his previous positions, he oversaw or partially owned narcotics shipments of more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) from Venezuela on multiple occasions, including those with the final destinations of Mexico and the United States," ICE said on its website. El Aissami denounced the move as "a dirty trick" and declared himself steadfast and loyal to Maduro's government. "Accuse us of whatever you want... we will win," he said. Venezuela is struggling with a political and economic crisis that the United Nations says has left a quarter of its 30 million people in need of humanitarian aid. In January, National Assembly Speaker Juan Guaido declared himself acting president, branding Maduro a "usurper" over his re-election last year in a poll widely believed to have been rigged. But despite the support of some 50 countries including the US, Guaido has been unable to dislodge him from power.

US immigration agency names Venezuelan minister Tareck El Aissami among 'most wanted'

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