Bangladesh authorities have ordered a leading <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fourth-rohingya-refugee-shot-dead-over-bangladesh-murder-247016">Rohingya</a> rights group to lock up its headquarters, said a spokesman for the group, which has emerged as a key voice for the Muslim minority stuck in refugee camps.

Officials told community leaders in the camps in south-east Bangladesh to keep the office of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-rohingya-killed-in-gun-battle-with-bangladesh-border-guards-252365">Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights</a> (ARSPH) padlocked until further notice.

The order comes amid rising impatience in Bangladesh more than two years into hosting around a million Rohingya refugees, who fled the Myanmar military in a mass exodus.

"The CIC (Camp-in-Charge) directed us to padlock the office and not to gather in it without his prior consent," Sayed Ullah, an ARSPH spokesman, told AFP on Friday.

He said all activities by the rights group have now ground to a halt.

The ARSPH has been led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-rohingya-camps-a-political-awakening-faces-a-backlash-213115">Mohib Ullah</a>, a teacher turned rights activist who has emerged as a key refugee leader and spokesperson in international meetings.

The bamboo and tarpaulin office at Kutupalong, the world's largest refugee settlement, has often housed meetings among Rohingya community leaders. &nbsp;

But Mohib Ullah came under fire in August this year when he led a massive rally of 200,000 refugees to mark the second anniversary of the Myanmar military crackdown.

The rally stoked fears among the Bangladeshi host communities, who have become a minority in the two hilly towns where the Rohingya live in three dozen squalid camps.

After the rally and a failed repatriation attempt the same month, Bangladesh authorities launched a clampdown on the refugees.

They shut down high speed internet in the region and ordered the army to erect barb-wire fences around major settlements.

Bangladesh refugee commissioner Mahbub Alam Talukder said they asked the community leaders to "hold meetings in allocated multipurpose community centres" built by the authorities.

"We did not shut down any office. But we will not allow anything that poses questions on the camps' overall law and order situation," he told AFP.

The ARPSH was formed in late 2017 to collect evidence of an alleged genocide by the Myanmar army during its offensive in Rakhine, the western Myanmar state where Rohingya have been living for generations.

A community leader, on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns over the lockdown.

"This office is a symbol of hope and aspirations of our community. Its shutdown would seriously impact the struggle for our rights."

Bangladesh authorities have ordered a leading Rohingya rights group to lock up its headquarters, said a spokesman for the group, which has emerged as a key voice for the Muslim minority stuck in refugee camps.

Bangladesh authorities have ordered a leading Rohingya rights group to lock up its headquarters, said a spokesman for the group, which has emerged as a key voice for the Muslim minority stuck in refugee camps. Officials told community leaders in the camps in south-east Bangladesh to keep the office of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH) padlocked until further notice. The order comes amid rising impatience in Bangladesh more than two years into hosting around a million Rohingya refugees, who fled the Myanmar military in a mass exodus. "The CIC (Camp-in-Charge) directed us to padlock the office and not to gather in it without his prior consent," Sayed Ullah, an ARSPH spokesman, told AFP on Friday. He said all activities by the rights group have now ground to a halt. The ARSPH has been led by Mohib Ullah, a teacher turned rights activist who has emerged as a key refugee leader and spokesperson in international meetings. The bamboo and tarpaulin office at Kutupalong, the world's largest refugee settlement, has often housed meetings among Rohingya community leaders. But Mohib Ullah came under fire in August this year when he led a massive rally of 200,000 refugees to mark the second anniversary of the Myanmar military crackdown. The rally stoked fears among the Bangladeshi host communities, who have become a minority in the two hilly towns where the Rohingya live in three dozen squalid camps. After the rally and a failed repatriation attempt the same month, Bangladesh authorities launched a clampdown on the refugees. They shut down high speed internet in the region and ordered the army to erect barb-wire fences around major settlements. Bangladesh refugee commissioner Mahbub Alam Talukder said they asked the community leaders to "hold meetings in allocated multipurpose community centres" built by the authorities. "We did not shut down any office. But we will not allow anything that poses questions on the camps' overall law and order situation," he told AFP. The ARPSH was formed in late 2017 to collect evidence of an alleged genocide by the Myanmar army during its offensive in Rakhine, the western Myanmar state where Rohingya have been living for generations. A community leader, on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns over the lockdown. "This office is a symbol of hope and aspirations of our community. Its shutdown would seriously impact the struggle for our rights."

Bangladesh orders Rohingya rights group office locked

The Philippines' north has been hit by some of its worst flooding in decades, with torrents of muddy runoff forcing 66,000 from their homes and prompting rescues of trapped locals, authorities said Friday.

Luzon island, the nation's largest, has been hit by a string of storms that have battered its northern tip while monsoon rains were intensified by the passage of Typhoon Kammuri this week.&nbsp;

Large swaths of lush green land were inundated after rivers burst their banks, leaving only treetops visible above the waterline.

Landslides have cut off roads to some isolated towns and some bridges are covered by the flooding. However, authorities said they have not confirmed any deaths caused by the high water.

"This is one of the biggest floods in decades," Rogelio Sending, information officer for Cagayan province in the northeast of Luzon, told AFP.

The flood waters have have forced about 66,000 people to flee their homes, some of whom had to be rescued by emergency crews in boats, local disaster authorities said.

The north of the country has had heavy rains for nearly a month as part of monsoon season, which was worsened by at least three typhoons that have passed the Philippines since November.

Typhoon Kammuri pounded the storm-prone nation this week, leaving at least 13 people dead.&nbsp;

The Philippines' north has been hit by some of its worst flooding in decades, with torrents of muddy runoff forcing 66,000 from their homes and prompting rescues of trapped locals, authorities said Friday.

The Philippines' north has been hit by some of its worst flooding in decades, with torrents of muddy runoff forcing 66,000 from their homes and prompting rescues of trapped locals, authorities said Friday. Luzon island, the nation's largest, has been hit by a string of storms that have battered its northern tip while monsoon rains were intensified by the passage of Typhoon Kammuri this week. Large swaths of lush green land were inundated after rivers burst their banks, leaving only treetops visible above the waterline. Landslides have cut off roads to some isolated towns and some bridges are covered by the flooding. However, authorities said they have not confirmed any deaths caused by the high water. "This is one of the biggest floods in decades," Rogelio Sending, information officer for Cagayan province in the northeast of Luzon, told AFP. The flood waters have have forced about 66,000 people to flee their homes, some of whom had to be rescued by emergency crews in boats, local disaster authorities said. The north of the country has had heavy rains for nearly a month as part of monsoon season, which was worsened by at least three typhoons that have passed the Philippines since November. Typhoon Kammuri pounded the storm-prone nation this week, leaving at least 13 people dead.

Philippines floods force 66,000 from homes

The remaining signatories to the faltering Iran nuclear deal began <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europeans-iran-to-cross-swords-at-nuclear-talks-266519">crunch talks in Vienna on Friday</a> with questions over the survival of the landmark agreement after Tehran vowed to continue to breach the deal's limits on its nuclear programme.

Envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and Iran are taking part in the meeting, which is the first time the six parties gather in this format since July.

Since May, Iran has taken a series of measures, including stepping up uranium enrichment, in breach of the 2015 deal, with another such move likely in early January.&nbsp;

Iran insists that under the agreement it has the right to take these measures in retaliation for the US's withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and reimposition of crippling sanctions.

Since last month, European members have in turn begun raising the possibility of triggering the so-called "dispute resolution mechanism" foreseen in the accord, which could lead to the resumption of UN sanctions on Iran.

On the eve of what was already likely to be a strained meeting, Britain, France and Germany accused Iran of developing nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, in a letter to the UN on Thursday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif dismissed the allegation as "desperate falsehood".

Despite the mounting tension observers say Britain, France and Germany are unlikely to trigger the dispute resolution mechanism on Friday.&nbsp;

Analysts say if UN sanctions are re-imposed and the deal falls apart, Iran could also withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

"It's not clear whether that's worth the benefit," Ali Vaez of International Crisis Group told AFP.

But he warned the risk of the deal collapsing was increasing as Iran was "running out of measures that are easy to reverse and non-controversial".

"Both sides are locked into an escalatory cycle that is just very hard to imagine that they would step away from," he said.

Francois Nicoullaud, former French ambassador to Iran, also said tensions were expected to continue to rise.

"Maybe it won't be this time, but (the deal falling apart) will certainly be in the background of the discussions," Nicoullaud told AFP.

The joint commission meeting was moved at short notice from a hotel in downtown Vienna to take place at the European Union delegation for logistics reasons, according to an EU official.

'No breathing space'

Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani warned Sunday that if European partners triggered the dispute mechanism, Tehran may "seriously reconsider" its commitments to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors the deal's implementation.

European efforts to shield Iran from the effects of US sanctions by creating a mechanism to carry on legitimate trade with the Islamic republic have borne little fruit, much to Tehran's frustration.

The EU is growing increasingly concerned by Tehran rowing back from its commitments.

The dispute resolution mechanism in the deal has numerous stages, but it can eventually culminate in the UN Security Council voting on whether Iran should still have relief from sanctions lifted under the deal.

In such a scenario, Vaez said, "we will have a major non-proliferation crisis on our hands in the sense that the Russians and the Chinese have already declared they would not recognise the return of (sanctions)".

Vaez said in the end the path to a diplomatic solution would depend on Washington's next moves and whether it would at least be willing to relax its attempts to prevent sales of Iranian oil, a vital source of income for the country.

"The remaining parties to the deal have proved incapable of providing Iran with any kind of breathing space," Vaez said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that Tehran is willing to return to the negotiating table if the United States first drops sanctions.

The remaining signatories to the faltering Iran nuclear deal began crunch talks in Vienna on Friday with questions over the survival of the landmark agreement after Tehran vowed to continue to breach the deal's limits on its nuclear programme.

The remaining signatories to the faltering Iran nuclear deal began crunch talks in Vienna on Friday with questions over the survival of the landmark agreement after Tehran vowed to continue to breach the deal's limits on its nuclear programme. Envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and Iran are taking part in the meeting, which is the first time the six parties gather in this format since July. Since May, Iran has taken a series of measures, including stepping up uranium enrichment, in breach of the 2015 deal, with another such move likely in early January. Iran insists that under the agreement it has the right to take these measures in retaliation for the US's withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and reimposition of crippling sanctions. Since last month, European members have in turn begun raising the possibility of triggering the so-called "dispute resolution mechanism" foreseen in the accord, which could lead to the resumption of UN sanctions on Iran. On the eve of what was already likely to be a strained meeting, Britain, France and Germany accused Iran of developing nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, in a letter to the UN on Thursday. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif dismissed the allegation as "desperate falsehood". Despite the mounting tension observers say Britain, France and Germany are unlikely to trigger the dispute resolution mechanism on Friday. Analysts say if UN sanctions are re-imposed and the deal falls apart, Iran could also withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). "It's not clear whether that's worth the benefit," Ali Vaez of International Crisis Group told AFP. But he warned the risk of the deal collapsing was increasing as Iran was "running out of measures that are easy to reverse and non-controversial". "Both sides are locked into an escalatory cycle that is just very hard to imagine that they would step away from," he said. Francois Nicoullaud, former French ambassador to Iran, also said tensions were expected to continue to rise. "Maybe it won't be this time, but (the deal falling apart) will certainly be in the background of the discussions," Nicoullaud told AFP. The joint commission meeting was moved at short notice from a hotel in downtown Vienna to take place at the European Union delegation for logistics reasons, according to an EU official. 'No breathing space' Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani warned Sunday that if European partners triggered the dispute mechanism, Tehran may "seriously reconsider" its commitments to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors the deal's implementation. European efforts to shield Iran from the effects of US sanctions by creating a mechanism to carry on legitimate trade with the Islamic republic have borne little fruit, much to Tehran's frustration. The EU is growing increasingly concerned by Tehran rowing back from its commitments. The dispute resolution mechanism in the deal has numerous stages, but it can eventually culminate in the UN Security Council voting on whether Iran should still have relief from sanctions lifted under the deal. In such a scenario, Vaez said, "we will have a major non-proliferation crisis on our hands in the sense that the Russians and the Chinese have already declared they would not recognise the return of (sanctions)". Vaez said in the end the path to a diplomatic solution would depend on Washington's next moves and whether it would at least be willing to relax its attempts to prevent sales of Iranian oil, a vital source of income for the country. "The remaining parties to the deal have proved incapable of providing Iran with any kind of breathing space," Vaez said. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday that Tehran is willing to return to the negotiating table if the United States first drops sanctions.

Iran nuclear deal parties meet as accord nears collapse

The United Nations said Friday that at least 7,000 people have "reportedly" been arrested in Iran since mass demonstrations erupted last month, and called for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.

In a statement, the UN human rights office also said it had obtained "verified video footage" showing security forces firing on protesters, apparently with intent to kill.&nbsp;

The rights office added that it had "information suggesting that at least 208 people were killed" during the unrest, supporting a toll previously given by Amnesty International.&nbsp;

"There are also reports, which the UN Human Rights Office has so far been unable to verify, suggesting more than twice that number killed," the statement added.&nbsp;

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said video obtained by her office shows "severe violence was used against protesters."

"We have also received footage which appears to show security forces shooting unarmed demonstrators from behind while they were running away, and shooting others directly in the face and vital organs – in other words shooting to kill," Bachelet said.&nbsp;

Additional video material shows "armed members of security forces shooting from the roof of a justice department building" in the city of Javanrud, west of Tehran in Kermanshah Province, as well as gunfire from helicopters in Sadra, in Fars Province.

The protests began on November 15 following a surprise hike in fuel prices.

Iran has yet to give overall figures for the number of people killed or arrested when security forces moved in to quell the unrest that saw buildings torched and shops looted.

Bachelet charged that "many of the arrested protesters have not had access to a lawyer," while raising alarm over "reports of severe overcrowding and harsh conditions in detention centres, which in some cities include military barracks, sports venues and schools."

"I urge the authorities to immediately release from detention all protesters who have been arbitrarily deprived of their liberty," she further said.&nbsp;

Iran has blamed the violence that broke out during the protests on "thugs" backed by its foes the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Tehran has also dismissed the high death tolls reported by foreign sources as "utter lies".

The United Nations said Friday that at least 7,000 people have "reportedly" been arrested in Iran since mass demonstrations erupted last month, and called for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.

The United Nations said Friday that at least 7,000 people have "reportedly" been arrested in Iran since mass demonstrations erupted last month, and called for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained. In a statement, the UN human rights office also said it had obtained "verified video footage" showing security forces firing on protesters, apparently with intent to kill. The rights office added that it had "information suggesting that at least 208 people were killed" during the unrest, supporting a toll previously given by Amnesty International. "There are also reports, which the UN Human Rights Office has so far been unable to verify, suggesting more than twice that number killed," the statement added. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said video obtained by her office shows "severe violence was used against protesters." "We have also received footage which appears to show security forces shooting unarmed demonstrators from behind while they were running away, and shooting others directly in the face and vital organs – in other words shooting to kill," Bachelet said. Additional video material shows "armed members of security forces shooting from the roof of a justice department building" in the city of Javanrud, west of Tehran in Kermanshah Province, as well as gunfire from helicopters in Sadra, in Fars Province. The protests began on November 15 following a surprise hike in fuel prices. Iran has yet to give overall figures for the number of people killed or arrested when security forces moved in to quell the unrest that saw buildings torched and shops looted. Bachelet charged that "many of the arrested protesters have not had access to a lawyer," while raising alarm over "reports of severe overcrowding and harsh conditions in detention centres, which in some cities include military barracks, sports venues and schools." "I urge the authorities to immediately release from detention all protesters who have been arbitrarily deprived of their liberty," she further said. Iran has blamed the violence that broke out during the protests on "thugs" backed by its foes the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Tehran has also dismissed the high death tolls reported by foreign sources as "utter lies".

At least 7,000 reportedly held in Iran protests: United Nations

These are no ordinary taxis. They're bright pink tuk tuks taxis driven by single mums in Sri Lanka's southern province and they only take fares from women and children.

They are part of a unique scheme in the country that is breaking cultural and gender barriers.

The #ThinkPink campaign is a charity project to beat gender-based poverty, run by the Rosie May Foundation, a British charity. The project provides a sustainable living for poverty-stricken women who have been left without a husband.

With no income and no job, some consider giving up their children and send them to orphanages. But #ThinkPink provides a way out of the poverty trap.

Mary Storrie, founder of the Nottingham-based charity, regularly meets with the women to discuss their progress and help them with business development.

The project also has a savings scheme to help the women pay their bills and plan for the future.

It is a scheme that has changed the life of Nirosha whose husband left her when her daughter was just a baby. Now she has a job she takes pride in.

Dilta is another single mum living in a shack in rural Ambalangoda. She has two children and her parents to support. The tuk-tuk taxis are vital income for them.

In a country where over 90 per cent&nbsp;of women have suffered sexual harassment on public transport, according to the United Nations Population Fund, Dilta, like many of the women, have cornered the market in providing local school runs&nbsp;the #ThinkPink drivers are popular because the mothers know their children will be delivered safely.

The project has been so successful in southern Sri Lanka that it is now expanding to the capital, Colombo, where it is currently recruiting 25 new drivers.

These are no ordinary taxis. They're bright pink tuk tuks taxis driven by single mums in Sri Lanka's southern province and they only take fares from women and children.

These are no ordinary taxis. They're bright pink tuk tuks taxis driven by single mums in Sri Lanka's southern province and they only take fares from women and children. They are part of a unique scheme in the country that is breaking cultural and gender barriers. The #ThinkPink campaign is a charity project to beat gender-based poverty, run by the Rosie May Foundation, a British charity. The project provides a sustainable living for poverty-stricken women who have been left without a husband. With no income and no job, some consider giving up their children and send them to orphanages. But #ThinkPink provides a way out of the poverty trap. Mary Storrie, founder of the Nottingham-based charity, regularly meets with the women to discuss their progress and help them with business development. The project also has a savings scheme to help the women pay their bills and plan for the future. It is a scheme that has changed the life of Nirosha whose husband left her when her daughter was just a baby. Now she has a job she takes pride in. Dilta is another single mum living in a shack in rural Ambalangoda. She has two children and her parents to support. The tuk-tuk taxis are vital income for them. In a country where over 90 per cent of women have suffered sexual harassment on public transport, according to the United Nations Population Fund, Dilta, like many of the women, have cornered the market in providing local school runs the #ThinkPink drivers are popular because the mothers know their children will be delivered safely. The project has been so successful in southern Sri Lanka that it is now expanding to the capital, Colombo, where it is currently recruiting 25 new drivers.

Sri Lankan single mums turn taxi drivers to escape poverty

Angered over President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms, French unions on Friday called for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-strike-against-macron-reforms-enters-day-two-266522">strikes and mass protests</a> next week on Tuesday. This comes after thousands took to the street on Thursday protesting Macron-proposed retirement overhaul.

"Everybody in the street on Tuesday, December 10, for a new day... of strikes, actions and protests," Catherine Perret, a senior member of the CGT union, France's biggest public-sector union, told reporters after a meeting of four unions.

Unions' strikes and protest spilled into the second day on Friday, derailing public transport and affecting hundreds on travelers.&nbsp;

The protesters are determined not to stay put unless Macron backs down on the controversial pension overhauls.

Unions argue that Macron's "universal" pension system would eliminate dozens of separate plans for public workers and will force millions of people, in both public and private sectors, to work well beyond the legal retirement age of 62, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

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In France, the minimum pension age is 62 which is also the lowest among developed countries across the globe. However, there exist over forty "special regimes" for railway workers, lawyers, opera employees and others that offer benefits like earlier retirements.

Macron-led government acknowledges that that a single pension system will have people work longer but will also be fairer to all, ensuring financial viability.

The recent strike by the unions was enough to throw the country into a state of chaos. As reported by AFP, rail operator SNCF said 90 per cent of high-speed TGV trains were again cancelled, and several airlines dropped flights including Air France, EasyJet and Ryanair.

Nine of the capital's 16 metro lines were shut and most others severely disrupted, sparking some 350 kilometres (220 miles) of traffic jams in the Paris region, well above the usual 200 km, the traffic website Sytadin reported.

A whopping 800,000 demonstrators took to the streets across the country on Thursday, the interior ministry estimated .

France, earlier this year, saw protests from teachers, hospital workers, police and firefighters as well as the "yellow vest" movement. The French have been demanding improved living standards.

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Angered over President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms, French unions on Friday called for strikes and mass protests next week on Tuesday. This comes after thousands took to the street on Thursday protesting Macron-proposed retirement overhaul.

Angered over President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms, French unions on Friday called for strikes and mass protests next week on Tuesday. This comes after thousands took to the street on Thursday protesting Macron-proposed retirement overhaul. "Everybody in the street on Tuesday, December 10, for a new day... of strikes, actions and protests," Catherine Perret, a senior member of the CGT union, France's biggest public-sector union, told reporters after a meeting of four unions. Unions' strikes and protest spilled into the second day on Friday, derailing public transport and affecting hundreds on travelers. The protesters are determined not to stay put unless Macron backs down on the controversial pension overhauls. Unions argue that Macron's "universal" pension system would eliminate dozens of separate plans for public workers and will force millions of people, in both public and private sectors, to work well beyond the legal retirement age of 62, news agency AFP reported. × In France, the minimum pension age is 62 which is also the lowest among developed countries across the globe. However, there exist over forty "special regimes" for railway workers, lawyers, opera employees and others that offer benefits like earlier retirements. Macron-led government acknowledges that that a single pension system will have people work longer but will also be fairer to all, ensuring financial viability. The recent strike by the unions was enough to throw the country into a state of chaos. As reported by AFP, rail operator SNCF said 90 per cent of high-speed TGV trains were again cancelled, and several airlines dropped flights including Air France, EasyJet and Ryanair. Nine of the capital's 16 metro lines were shut and most others severely disrupted, sparking some 350 kilometres (220 miles) of traffic jams in the Paris region, well above the usual 200 km, the traffic website Sytadin reported. A whopping 800,000 demonstrators took to the streets across the country on Thursday, the interior ministry estimated . France, earlier this year, saw protests from teachers, hospital workers, police and firefighters as well as the "yellow vest" movement. The French have been demanding improved living standards. (With inputs from AFP)

France: Unions call for new protests, strikes on Tuesday over pension reforms 

Germany's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-conservatives-gather-for-stormy-congress-263787">Angela&nbsp;Merkel</a>&nbsp;crossed the gates of the former Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland on Friday for the first time in her 14 years as chancellor, promising to battle a new wave of anti-Semitism.

Merkel&nbsp;is only the third chancellor ever to visit the Nazi German camp where a million Jews were killed between 1940 and 1945 and which has come to symbolise the Holocaust as a whole.

Her trip, which comes ahead of the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation by Soviet troops on January 27, is being seen as an important political message.

On the eve of her visit, 65-year-old&nbsp;Merkel&nbsp;said that "the fight against anti-Semitism and against all forms of hate" was a priority for her government.

She also hailed a new 60-million-euro ($66-million) donation for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation that was approved by Germany's federal states on Thursday.

Merkel&nbsp;began her visit by walking under the Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei" (Work will set you free) that still hangs over the gates of the camp.

She will also hold a minute's silence by the Death Wall where thousands of prisoners were shot dead and visit the site of a gas chamber and a crematorium.

The visit "is a particularly important signal of attention and solidarity at a time when Auschwitz survivors are victims of anti-Semitic insults and hate-filled emails," said Christoph Heubner, deputy chairman of the Auschwitz International Committee.

Merkel&nbsp;was accompanied during the visit by a survivor of the camp, 87-year-old Bogdan Stanislaw Bartnikowski, as well as Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, also took part in the visit.

In total, 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau, including non-Jewish Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Roma and anti-Nazi fighters.

Many were killed the same day they arrived at the camp.

"There is no other place of memory that demonstrates with such precision what happened during the Shoah," Schuster told AFP ahead of the visit.

Merkel&nbsp;follows in the footsteps of previous German chancellors Helmut Schmidt, who came in 1977, and Helmut Kohl, who visited in 1989 and 1995.

She has already visited several of the former camps in Germany over many years and has been to Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre five times.

In 2008, she became the first German leader to address the Israeli parliament. In that speech, she spoke of the "shame" that Germans still feel.

Merkel&nbsp;has called the Holocaust a "break with civilisation" and has voiced concern about the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany.

Her visit comes two months after an attack aimed at a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle in which two people were killed,&nbsp;part of a growing trend.

Police figures show that anti-Semitic offences rose by almost 10 percent in Germany last year from the previous year to 1,646-&nbsp;the highest level in a decade.

Germany's far-right AfD party, some of whose members have been accused of using anti-Semitic rhetoric, has called for a rethink of the way Germany remembers its Nazi past.

Senior AfD lawmaker Bjoern Hoecke has called for a "180-degree shift" in the culture of atonement.

The timing of the visit is also significant because of questions over&nbsp;Merkel's political future as tensions persist within the governing coalition.

German media reported that she wanted to make the trip ahead of any potential political crisis.

Merkel&nbsp;intends to step down at the end of her mandate in 2021 but there is a chance that the date could be brought forward if her junior coalition partners, the Social Democrats, pull out of the government.

Germany's Angela Merkel crossed the gates of the former Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland on Friday for the first time in her 14 years as chancellor, promising to battle a new wave of anti-Semitism.

Germany's Angela Merkel crossed the gates of the former Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland on Friday for the first time in her 14 years as chancellor, promising to battle a new wave of anti-Semitism. Merkel is only the third chancellor ever to visit the Nazi German camp where a million Jews were killed between 1940 and 1945 and which has come to symbolise the Holocaust as a whole. Her trip, which comes ahead of the 75th anniversary of the camp's liberation by Soviet troops on January 27, is being seen as an important political message. On the eve of her visit, 65-year-old Merkel said that "the fight against anti-Semitism and against all forms of hate" was a priority for her government. She also hailed a new 60-million-euro ($66-million) donation for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation that was approved by Germany's federal states on Thursday. Merkel began her visit by walking under the Nazi slogan "Arbeit macht frei" (Work will set you free) that still hangs over the gates of the camp. She will also hold a minute's silence by the Death Wall where thousands of prisoners were shot dead and visit the site of a gas chamber and a crematorium. The visit "is a particularly important signal of attention and solidarity at a time when Auschwitz survivors are victims of anti-Semitic insults and hate-filled emails," said Christoph Heubner, deputy chairman of the Auschwitz International Committee. Merkel was accompanied during the visit by a survivor of the camp, 87-year-old Bogdan Stanislaw Bartnikowski, as well as Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and Ronald Lauder, head of the World Jewish Congress, also took part in the visit. In total, 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau, including non-Jewish Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Roma and anti-Nazi fighters. Many were killed the same day they arrived at the camp. "There is no other place of memory that demonstrates with such precision what happened during the Shoah," Schuster told AFP ahead of the visit. Merkel follows in the footsteps of previous German chancellors Helmut Schmidt, who came in 1977, and Helmut Kohl, who visited in 1989 and 1995. She has already visited several of the former camps in Germany over many years and has been to Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre five times. In 2008, she became the first German leader to address the Israeli parliament. In that speech, she spoke of the "shame" that Germans still feel. Merkel has called the Holocaust a "break with civilisation" and has voiced concern about the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany. Her visit comes two months after an attack aimed at a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle in which two people were killed, part of a growing trend. Police figures show that anti-Semitic offences rose by almost 10 percent in Germany last year from the previous year to 1,646- the highest level in a decade. Germany's far-right AfD party, some of whose members have been accused of using anti-Semitic rhetoric, has called for a rethink of the way Germany remembers its Nazi past. Senior AfD lawmaker Bjoern Hoecke has called for a "180-degree shift" in the culture of atonement. The timing of the visit is also significant because of questions over Merkel's political future as tensions persist within the governing coalition. German media reported that she wanted to make the trip ahead of any potential political crisis. Merkel intends to step down at the end of her mandate in 2021 but there is a chance that the date could be brought forward if her junior coalition partners, the Social Democrats, pull out of the government.

Angela Merkel visits Auschwitz for first time

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether the diabetes drug metformin had unsafe levels of a cancer-causing chemical and will recommend recalls as appropriate, the agency said on Thursday.

The move is part of the agency's broader push to investigate a range of drugs for the presence of the carcinogen, known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), with popular heartburn medication Zantac being recalled this year for fear it contained NDMA.

The FDA later downplayed those fears, saying levels of contamination in the drug, also known as ranitidine, "are similar to the levels you would expect to be exposed to if you ate common foods like grilled or smoked meats."

Health Canada said in a separate statement that it was not aware of any metformin products in Canada containing NDMA above acceptable limits, but was working closely with international regulatory partners on its assessment of the issue.

The Canadian health regulator has asked companies to test their metformin products and is collecting samples from them to conduct its own testing, it added.

Metformin is a first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It helps control high blood sugar and is marketed under a number of brand names, including Fortamet and Glucophage.

The FDA's investigation follows other countries' findings of low levels of NDMA in metformin drugs there, the agency said.

Based on its information, the FDA added, NDMA in those drugs ranged within naturally occurring levels in food and water.

"The FDA is investigating whether metformin in the U.S. market contains NDMA, and whether it is above the acceptable daily intake limit of 96 nanograms," said Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The agency will "recommend recalls as appropriate if high levels of NDMA are found," she added in the statement.

Such action could put treatment out of reach for some sufferers, one expert said.

"If these reports are true, it could be a big blow to many millions of people on this drug," said Ranit Mishori, a professor of family medicine at Georgetown University.

"There are many other alternatives and other medication classes but many of them have side effects, are more expensive and some of the newest ones may not be covered by insurance."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether the diabetes drug metformin had unsafe levels of a cancer-causing chemical and will recommend recalls as appropriate, the agency said on Thursday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether the diabetes drug metformin had unsafe levels of a cancer-causing chemical and will recommend recalls as appropriate, the agency said on Thursday. The move is part of the agency's broader push to investigate a range of drugs for the presence of the carcinogen, known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), with popular heartburn medication Zantac being recalled this year for fear it contained NDMA. The FDA later downplayed those fears, saying levels of contamination in the drug, also known as ranitidine, "are similar to the levels you would expect to be exposed to if you ate common foods like grilled or smoked meats." Health Canada said in a separate statement that it was not aware of any metformin products in Canada containing NDMA above acceptable limits, but was working closely with international regulatory partners on its assessment of the issue. The Canadian health regulator has asked companies to test their metformin products and is collecting samples from them to conduct its own testing, it added. Metformin is a first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It helps control high blood sugar and is marketed under a number of brand names, including Fortamet and Glucophage. The FDA's investigation follows other countries' findings of low levels of NDMA in metformin drugs there, the agency said. Based on its information, the FDA added, NDMA in those drugs ranged within naturally occurring levels in food and water. "The FDA is investigating whether metformin in the U.S. market contains NDMA, and whether it is above the acceptable daily intake limit of 96 nanograms," said Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The agency will "recommend recalls as appropriate if high levels of NDMA are found," she added in the statement. Such action could put treatment out of reach for some sufferers, one expert said. "If these reports are true, it could be a big blow to many millions of people on this drug," said Ranit Mishori, a professor of family medicine at Georgetown University. "There are many other alternatives and other medication classes but many of them have side effects, are more expensive and some of the newest ones may not be covered by insurance."

FDA probes diabetes drug metformin for carcinogen NDMA

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-readies-web-tax-in-its-2020-budget-sources-255911">euro </a>was steady against the dollar on Friday, though the greenback was headed for its worst week since mid-October, dragged down by nervousness around US-China trade relations and hints of weakness in the US&nbsp;economy.

The resurgent kiwi enjoyed a hefty recovery thanks to some renewed risk appetite, as well as due to positive domestic factors.

Against a basket of six currencies, the greenback fell to a one-month low of 97.355. The euro was last flat at $ 1.1106.

Sterling was 0.2 per cent&nbsp;weaker at $1.3132 and 84.58 pence against the euro&nbsp;but parked close to a 2-1/2-year high as traders grow more confident the uncertainty over Brexit could soon be over.

Opinion polls suggest the Conservative Party of Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-rejects-calls-for-no-deal-brexit-in-election-pitch-259559">Boris Johnson</a> is on course for a majority on December 12 to push through the Brexit deal he struck with the EU after the bloc granted a third delay to a divorce that was originally supposed to have taken place at the end of March.

US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> remained upbeat overnight on trade and said talks are "moving right along" and that "we'll have to see" about the increase in tariffs that are scheduled to take place on December&nbsp;15.

But markets were unconvinced, with worries stemming from a lack of similar enthusiasm from China, keeping the dollar subdued.

Chinese officials reiterated their stance that some US&nbsp;tariffs must be rolled back for a deal to end the 17-month trade war between the two powers, something Washington has given no sign of doing.&nbsp;

Still, risk sentiment recovered somewhat, pushing the New Zealand dollar to a four-month high of 0.6568 against the US&nbsp;dollar.

"My guess and it’s just a guess is that the rally in NZD may have started with a recovery in risk sentiment" driven by Trump's comments, said Marshall Gittler, strategist at ACLS Global, noting the kiwi tracked the safe-haven Japanese yen's performance on Thursday.

The currency also got a boost from Reserve Bank of New Zealand Deputy Governor Geoff Bascand saying in a Bloomberg interview that the latest economic&nbsp;developments are "supportive of the story that we’re near or around that turning point" in the economic cycle, Gittler said.

US&nbsp;non-farm payrolls data due at 1330 GMT comes after dismal numbers showed weak private payrolls, soft services activity, and a shrinking manufacturing sector.

A Reuters poll shows a forecast of 180,000 jobs being added in November, and a miss might leave the Fed reconsidering its wait-and-see mode when the committee meets on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Markets are in a highly fragile condition at the moment," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney.

"So there is a greater potential for an exaggerated move if we see a big divergence from expectations," he said. "The risk is in both directions&nbsp;below 150,000 or above 210,000 we could see a significant market reaction."

The euro was steady against the dollar on Friday, though the greenback was headed for its worst week since mid-October, dragged down by nervousness around US-China trade relations and hints of weakness in the US economy.

The euro was steady against the dollar on Friday, though the greenback was headed for its worst week since mid-October, dragged down by nervousness around US-China trade relations and hints of weakness in the US economy. The resurgent kiwi enjoyed a hefty recovery thanks to some renewed risk appetite, as well as due to positive domestic factors. Against a basket of six currencies, the greenback fell to a one-month low of 97.355. The euro was last flat at $ 1.1106. Sterling was 0.2 per cent weaker at $1.3132 and 84.58 pence against the euro but parked close to a 2-1/2-year high as traders grow more confident the uncertainty over Brexit could soon be over. Opinion polls suggest the Conservative Party of Prime Minister Boris Johnson is on course for a majority on December 12 to push through the Brexit deal he struck with the EU after the bloc granted a third delay to a divorce that was originally supposed to have taken place at the end of March. US President Donald Trump remained upbeat overnight on trade and said talks are "moving right along" and that "we'll have to see" about the increase in tariffs that are scheduled to take place on December 15. But markets were unconvinced, with worries stemming from a lack of similar enthusiasm from China, keeping the dollar subdued. Chinese officials reiterated their stance that some US tariffs must be rolled back for a deal to end the 17-month trade war between the two powers, something Washington has given no sign of doing. Still, risk sentiment recovered somewhat, pushing the New Zealand dollar to a four-month high of 0.6568 against the US dollar. "My guess and it’s just a guess is that the rally in NZD may have started with a recovery in risk sentiment" driven by Trump's comments, said Marshall Gittler, strategist at ACLS Global, noting the kiwi tracked the safe-haven Japanese yen's performance on Thursday. The currency also got a boost from Reserve Bank of New Zealand Deputy Governor Geoff Bascand saying in a Bloomberg interview that the latest economic developments are "supportive of the story that we’re near or around that turning point" in the economic cycle, Gittler said. US non-farm payrolls data due at 1330 GMT comes after dismal numbers showed weak private payrolls, soft services activity, and a shrinking manufacturing sector. A Reuters poll shows a forecast of 180,000 jobs being added in November, and a miss might leave the Fed reconsidering its wait-and-see mode when the committee meets on Tuesday and Wednesday. "Markets are in a highly fragile condition at the moment," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney. "So there is a greater potential for an exaggerated move if we see a big divergence from expectations," he said. "The risk is in both directions below 150,000 or above 210,000 we could see a significant market reaction."

Euro steady as US dollar set for worst week since October

Weeks after his billion-dollar bailout of WeWork, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/softbanks-oyo-reveals-over-330-million-annual-loss-revenue-surges-valuation-report-264451">SoftBank</a> Group Corp's founder and CEO Masayoshi Son reiterated his belief in an instinct-led investing style, in a discussion with Alibaba Group Holding Inc's co-founder Jack Ma.

SoftBank owns 26 per cent&nbsp;of China's Alibaba, with its origin in a $20 million investment in 2000, and the stake is now worth more than the Japanese firm's market capitalization.

Son on Friday said the decision to invest in Alibaba was driven by a gut feeling.

Other entrepreneurs Son met at that time "did not have true belief in their heart. I can feel," Son said. "We are the same animal. We are both a little crazy," he said of long-time ally Ma.

Ma said Son initially tried to invest $50 million in the e-commerce firm, but that he declined saying it was too large a sum - part of a pattern of offering big cheques to company founders that continued with WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann.

Son's comments come weeks after he was forced to bail out office-sharing startup WeWork when Neumann's level of control over his firm and hard-partying ways chilled investor appetite and crashed plans for an initial public offering (IPO).

Son last month said he misjudged Neumann's character after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/wework-plans-to-lay-off-4000-staff-report-258004">WeWork </a>formally The We Company and other sputtering bets saw his $100 billion Vision Fund report an $8.9 billion second-quarter operating loss.

The conversation at Tokyo University between two of Asia's most prominent tech entrepreneurs comes at a point of divergence in their careers, with 55-year-old Ma retiring as Alibaba's executive chairman in September and Son pledging to spend his sixth decade at the helm of his investment juggernaut.

Domestically, SoftBank hopes to drive commercialization of the emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI), announcing on Friday it will spend 20 billion yen ($184 million) over 10 years funding an AI research institute with Tokyo University.

Son "probably has the biggest guts in the world on doing investment," Ma told attendees to the conference.

"Too much guts, sometimes I lose a lot of money," Son responded.

With the highly leveraged SoftBank trying to raise funds for a second megafund in which it is currently the only investor, its stake in Alibaba is one possible source of funds.

"In my view, I have not achieved anything yet," Son said. "I'm still a challenger and every day I'm still fighting."

That approach contrasts with Ma, who stepped back from running Alibaba to focus on philanthropy.

Weeks after his billion-dollar bailout of WeWork, SoftBank Group Corp's founder and CEO Masayoshi Son reiterated his belief in an instinct-led investing style, in a discussion with Alibaba Group Holding Inc's co-founder Jack Ma.

Weeks after his billion-dollar bailout of WeWork, SoftBank Group Corp's founder and CEO Masayoshi Son reiterated his belief in an instinct-led investing style, in a discussion with Alibaba Group Holding Inc's co-founder Jack Ma. SoftBank owns 26 per cent of China's Alibaba, with its origin in a $20 million investment in 2000, and the stake is now worth more than the Japanese firm's market capitalization. Son on Friday said the decision to invest in Alibaba was driven by a gut feeling. Other entrepreneurs Son met at that time "did not have true belief in their heart. I can feel," Son said. "We are the same animal. We are both a little crazy," he said of long-time ally Ma. Ma said Son initially tried to invest $50 million in the e-commerce firm, but that he declined saying it was too large a sum - part of a pattern of offering big cheques to company founders that continued with WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann. Son's comments come weeks after he was forced to bail out office-sharing startup WeWork when Neumann's level of control over his firm and hard-partying ways chilled investor appetite and crashed plans for an initial public offering (IPO). Son last month said he misjudged Neumann's character after WeWork formally The We Company and other sputtering bets saw his $100 billion Vision Fund report an $8.9 billion second-quarter operating loss. The conversation at Tokyo University between two of Asia's most prominent tech entrepreneurs comes at a point of divergence in their careers, with 55-year-old Ma retiring as Alibaba's executive chairman in September and Son pledging to spend his sixth decade at the helm of his investment juggernaut. Domestically, SoftBank hopes to drive commercialization of the emerging field of artificial intelligence (AI), announcing on Friday it will spend 20 billion yen ($184 million) over 10 years funding an AI research institute with Tokyo University. Son "probably has the biggest guts in the world on doing investment," Ma told attendees to the conference. "Too much guts, sometimes I lose a lot of money," Son responded. With the highly leveraged SoftBank trying to raise funds for a second megafund in which it is currently the only investor, its stake in Alibaba is one possible source of funds. "In my view, I have not achieved anything yet," Son said. "I'm still a challenger and every day I'm still fighting." That approach contrasts with Ma, who stepped back from running Alibaba to focus on philanthropy.

SoftBank's Son sticks with gut-led investing in chat with Alibaba's Ma

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-biting-bears-sink-world-shares-to-1-year-low-173030">World shares</a> ticked up on Friday, buoyed by comments from US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> that talks aimed at dialing down the damaging trade war with China were "moving right along".

Trump's relatively upbeat tone in comments on Thursday was enough to encourage riskier bets by investors, despite a lack of agreement over whether existing tariffs should be dropped as part of an initial deal to ease the long standoff.

European shares, including the broader Euro STOXX 600 gained 0.3&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in early trade, with indexes in Frankfurt and Paris up by similar amounts.

The cautiously buoyant mood mirrored an appetite for riskier bets in Asia, where MSCI's broadest index of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/flare-up-of-sino-us-tensions-over-hong-kong-knocks-world-shares-off-22-month-high-263395">Asia-Pacific shares</a> outside Japan was up 0.5 per cent.

The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, added 0.2&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;to 554.91 points, not far off a record high of 550.63 hit last January but still on track for a weekly fall.

Investors were hoping the two sides can reach a compromise to at least avoid their worst fear: that the United States goes ahead with its final batch of tariffs on about $156 billion of Chinese exports, due to take effect on December&nbsp;15.

Trump's remarks came after Chinese officials reiterated demands that some US&nbsp;tariffs be rolled back if the sides are to reach a so-called phase one deal.

Markets had expected the sides to seal the initial deal in November. Instead, investors are nervously watching the approaching deadline for the new US&nbsp;levies.

"The difficulty with this is it's very difficult to time and to trade," said Jeremy Gatto, a multi-asset investment manager at Unigestion. "We are relatively favorable towards riskier assets in general but with hedges."

Gatto said those hedges include currencies such as the US&nbsp;dollar, Japanese yen, and Australian dollar, as well as options.

Investors have already taken precautions against a possible slide in stocks by buying put options, with demand for "put" options to hedge exposure to the S&amp;P500 index climbing in recent days.

In one sign of detente, China said it would waive import tariffs imposed last year on some US&nbsp;soybean and pork shipments. Beijing is rushing to source more meat to fill a gap in protein supplies.

China stocks posted their biggest weekly advance in nearly two months, with the blue-chips up 0.6 per cent.

Investors were looking out for US&nbsp;jobs data, due out at 1330 GMT. The non-farm payrolls report is expected to show 180,000 new jobs were created in November, up from 128,000 a month earlier.

Signs of buoyancy in the labour market would soothe anxiety over the impact of the trade war.

"Markets are in consolidation phase," said Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier. "It's wait and watch for first, how does the non-farm payrolls look and, more importantly, the December&nbsp;15 tariff deadline."

In other economic data, German industrial output fell unexpectedly in October, pointing to persistent weakness in the backbone of the economy. Berlin said, however, that new orders and business expectations suggest output may stabilise.

While markets have largely priced in the view that the world economy has dodged the bullet of recession, there are still signs of fragility in many major economies.

Oil lost ground as investors awaited a meeting of OPEC and its allies later on Friday, which is expected to formally agree to more output curbs in early 2020.

Details of the agreement and how the cuts will be distributed among producers still need to be ratified at a meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC nations, otherwise known as OPEC+, in Vienna.

Brent crude futures were flat at $63.46 a barrel after earlier gaining ground.

The agreement coincided with the initial public offering of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, which was priced at the top of its range and raised $25.6 billion in the world's biggest IPO.

In currencies, the British pound stepped back some 0.2 per cent. Sterling spiked to a seven-month high of $1.3166 on Thursday on bets that next week's election will give the Conservative party the majority it needs to deliver Brexit, ending near-term uncertainty.

The pound last stood at $1.313. It hit 2-1/2-year highs versus the euro.

Against a basket of currencies the dollar has dropped every day this week, falling to a one-month low of 97.356 on Thursday. The index was last down a smidgeon at 97.370 and has lost nearly 1 per cent&nbsp;this week.

World shares ticked up on Friday, buoyed by comments from US President Donald Trump that talks aimed at dialing down the damaging trade war with China were "moving right along".

World shares ticked up on Friday, buoyed by comments from US President Donald Trump that talks aimed at dialing down the damaging trade war with China were "moving right along". Trump's relatively upbeat tone in comments on Thursday was enough to encourage riskier bets by investors, despite a lack of agreement over whether existing tariffs should be dropped as part of an initial deal to ease the long standoff. European shares, including the broader Euro STOXX 600 gained 0.3 per cent in early trade, with indexes in Frankfurt and Paris up by similar amounts. The cautiously buoyant mood mirrored an appetite for riskier bets in Asia, where MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.5 per cent. The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, added 0.2 per cent to 554.91 points, not far off a record high of 550.63 hit last January but still on track for a weekly fall. Investors were hoping the two sides can reach a compromise to at least avoid their worst fear: that the United States goes ahead with its final batch of tariffs on about $156 billion of Chinese exports, due to take effect on December 15. Trump's remarks came after Chinese officials reiterated demands that some US tariffs be rolled back if the sides are to reach a so-called phase one deal. Markets had expected the sides to seal the initial deal in November. Instead, investors are nervously watching the approaching deadline for the new US levies. "The difficulty with this is it's very difficult to time and to trade," said Jeremy Gatto, a multi-asset investment manager at Unigestion. "We are relatively favorable towards riskier assets in general but with hedges." Gatto said those hedges include currencies such as the US dollar, Japanese yen, and Australian dollar, as well as options. Investors have already taken precautions against a possible slide in stocks by buying put options, with demand for "put" options to hedge exposure to the S&P500 index climbing in recent days. In one sign of detente, China said it would waive import tariffs imposed last year on some US soybean and pork shipments. Beijing is rushing to source more meat to fill a gap in protein supplies. China stocks posted their biggest weekly advance in nearly two months, with the blue-chips up 0.6 per cent. Investors were looking out for US jobs data, due out at 1330 GMT. The non-farm payrolls report is expected to show 180,000 new jobs were created in November, up from 128,000 a month earlier. Signs of buoyancy in the labour market would soothe anxiety over the impact of the trade war. "Markets are in consolidation phase," said Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier. "It's wait and watch for first, how does the non-farm payrolls look and, more importantly, the December 15 tariff deadline." In other economic data, German industrial output fell unexpectedly in October, pointing to persistent weakness in the backbone of the economy. Berlin said, however, that new orders and business expectations suggest output may stabilise. While markets have largely priced in the view that the world economy has dodged the bullet of recession, there are still signs of fragility in many major economies. Oil lost ground as investors awaited a meeting of OPEC and its allies later on Friday, which is expected to formally agree to more output curbs in early 2020. Details of the agreement and how the cuts will be distributed among producers still need to be ratified at a meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC nations, otherwise known as OPEC+, in Vienna. Brent crude futures were flat at $63.46 a barrel after earlier gaining ground. The agreement coincided with the initial public offering of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, which was priced at the top of its range and raised $25.6 billion in the world's biggest IPO. In currencies, the British pound stepped back some 0.2 per cent. Sterling spiked to a seven-month high of $1.3166 on Thursday on bets that next week's election will give the Conservative party the majority it needs to deliver Brexit, ending near-term uncertainty. The pound last stood at $1.313. It hit 2-1/2-year highs versus the euro. Against a basket of currencies the dollar has dropped every day this week, falling to a one-month low of 97.356 on Thursday. The index was last down a smidgeon at 97.370 and has lost nearly 1 per cent this week.

'Moving right along'? Global shares nudge up after Trump trade talk

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