Amid China's recent feuds with multiple nations including the ongoing border standoff with India, a media report has claimed that&nbsp;a database compiled by a Chinese tech company&nbsp;has at least 1,400 entries covering the Indian economy.

Overseas Key Individual DataBase (OKIDB), built by Zhenhua Data, reportedly has&nbsp;links to the country’s military and intelligence networks.&nbsp;People's Liberation Army and the Chinese Communist Party are&nbsp;some of its main clients.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-snooping-on-top-indian-politicians-defence-chiefs-and-news-media-editors-reports-327391" hreflang="en">China snooping on top Indian politicians, defence chiefs and news media editors: Reports</a>

Chinese online spies are aiming at the venture capitalists, angel investors, founders and chief technology officers of India’s new online ventures including payment apps, technology startups and foreigner investors based in country.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-is-snooping-on-wion-327581/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The prominent personalities that are being tracked include:&nbsp;T K Kurien, the Chief Investment Officer at the Premji Invest, a venture capital company set up by Azim Premji,&nbsp;Anish Shah, Group CFO, Mahindra Group,&nbsp;PK X Thomas, CTO, Reliance Brands,&nbsp;Brian Bade, Chief Executive, Reliance Retail; and Vineet Sekhsaria, Country Head, Morgan Stanley, Real Estate Investing.

Flipkart co-founder&nbsp;Binny Bansal,&nbsp;Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal; Swiggy co-founder and CEO Nandan Reddy&nbsp;Nykaa co-founder and CEO Falguni Nayar; Uber India’s head of driver operations Pavan Vaish, and PayU business head Nameet Potnis are also part of&nbsp;the list.&nbsp;

The report&nbsp;comes when Chinese investment in Indian startups surged by over 10 times from $ 381 million in 2016 to $4.6 billion in 2019.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rattled-by-zee-groups-coverage-china-puts-spies-on-editor-in-chief-sudhir-chaudhary-report-327401" hreflang="en">Rattled by Zee group’s coverage, China puts spies on Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary: Report</a>

Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co. Limited, which is based in Shenzen, has been tasked with monitoring over 10,000 prominent citizens including top brass of the India’s Army, Judiciary, scientific establishments and news media, a report by The Indian Express has said.

According to the report the top brass of the India’s Army, Judiciary, scientific establishments and news media are on the target list.

OKIDB &nbsp;is monitoring a wide range of influential Indian individuals. OKIDB tracks targets without leaving any explicit footprint.

Overall, approximately 2.4 million people are included in the database, assembled mostly based on public open-source data such as social media profiles, analysts said.

The database report demonstrates that the depth and the breadth of Chinese surveillance could not be underestimated.

Amid China's recent feuds with multiple nations including the ongoing border standoff with India, a media report has claimed that a database compiled by a Chinese tech company has at least 1,400 entries covering the Indian economy.

Amid China's recent feuds with multiple nations including the ongoing border standoff with India, a media report has claimed that a database compiled by a Chinese tech company has at least 1,400 entries covering the Indian economy. Overseas Key Individual DataBase (OKIDB), built by Zhenhua Data, reportedly has links to the country’s military and intelligence networks. People's Liberation Army and the Chinese Communist Party are some of its main clients. Also read: China snooping on top Indian politicians, defence chiefs and news media editors: Reports Chinese online spies are aiming at the venture capitalists, angel investors, founders and chief technology officers of India’s new online ventures including payment apps, technology startups and foreigner investors based in country. The prominent personalities that are being tracked include: T K Kurien, the Chief Investment Officer at the Premji Invest, a venture capital company set up by Azim Premji, Anish Shah, Group CFO, Mahindra Group, PK X Thomas, CTO, Reliance Brands, Brian Bade, Chief Executive, Reliance Retail; and Vineet Sekhsaria, Country Head, Morgan Stanley, Real Estate Investing. Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal, Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal; Swiggy co-founder and CEO Nandan Reddy Nykaa co-founder and CEO Falguni Nayar; Uber India’s head of driver operations Pavan Vaish, and PayU business head Nameet Potnis are also part of the list. The report comes when Chinese investment in Indian startups surged by over 10 times from $ 381 million in 2016 to $4.6 billion in 2019. Also read: Rattled by Zee group’s coverage, China puts spies on Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary: Report Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co. Limited, which is based in Shenzen, has been tasked with monitoring over 10,000 prominent citizens including top brass of the India’s Army, Judiciary, scientific establishments and news media, a report by The Indian Express has said. According to the report the top brass of the India’s Army, Judiciary, scientific establishments and news media are on the target list. OKIDB is monitoring a wide range of influential Indian individuals. OKIDB tracks targets without leaving any explicit footprint. Overall, approximately 2.4 million people are included in the database, assembled mostly based on public open-source data such as social media profiles, analysts said. The database report demonstrates that the depth and the breadth of Chinese surveillance could not be underestimated.

China targets India's new economy: Snooping on online ventures and tech startups

Nepal will be resuming both domestic flights and inter-district vehicular movement from September 21, said Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

In a telephonic conversation with ANI, Bhattarai confirmed that the Council of Ministers held a meeting on Monday wherein they decided to resume domestic flights and inter-district vehicular movement from September 21.

On September 10, The Himalayan Times had reported that the government is likely to extend the suspension of domestic flights till October 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ignoring requests of the private sector and public demand.

Meanwhile, according to the Health Ministry, Nepal&nbsp;reported 1,170 new coronavirus cases till Monday, taking the national tally to 55,329.

Nepal will be resuming both domestic flights and inter-district vehicular movement from September 21, said Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Nepal will be resuming both domestic flights and inter-district vehicular movement from September 21, said Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. In a telephonic conversation with ANI, Bhattarai confirmed that the Council of Ministers held a meeting on Monday wherein they decided to resume domestic flights and inter-district vehicular movement from September 21. On September 10, The Himalayan Times had reported that the government is likely to extend the suspension of domestic flights till October 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ignoring requests of the private sector and public demand. Meanwhile, according to the Health Ministry, Nepal reported 1,170 new coronavirus cases till Monday, taking the national tally to 55,329.

Nepal to resume domestic flight operations from September 21

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that&nbsp;US&nbsp;import&nbsp;bans&nbsp;on some products from&nbsp;China's&nbsp;Xinjiang&nbsp;region were sabotaging global&nbsp;supply&nbsp;chains.

Earlier, the Trump administration on Monday&nbsp;blocked US&nbsp;imports&nbsp;of cotton, apparel and other products from five entities in western&nbsp;China's&nbsp;Xinjiang&nbsp;region.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-puts-block-on-chinese-products-from-uighur-forced-labour-327588">US puts block on Chinese products from Uighur ‘forced labour’</a>

"The Chinese government is engaged in systematic abuses against the Uighur people" and other minorities, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency.

The actions announced consisted of "withhold release orders" or WROs, which empower the CBP to seize products from the blacklisted companies and organizations.

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The US government is increasingly using such orders to pressure Beijing over its detention of more than one million members of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang for ostensible reeducation.

Calling attention to abuses

In July, the customs agency placed WRO blocks on hair products, used for wigs and extensions, from several companies operating in Xinjiang, and in August did the same for garments made and sold by the Hero Vast Group.

"The Chinese government needs to close its concentration camps," said Cuccinelli.

The move came as rights groups and members of US Congress press the administration of President Donald Trump to take more resolute action over alleged Chinese repression of Muslims in the country's vast west.

In July the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a major paramilitary group, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, accusing it of abuses against Uighurs and other mostly Muslim groups.

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that US import bans on some products from China's Xinjiang region were sabotaging global supply chains. Earlier, the Trump administration on Monday blocked US imports of cotton, apparel and other products from five entities in western China's Xinjiang region.

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that US import bans on some products from China's Xinjiang region were sabotaging global supply chains. Earlier, the Trump administration on Monday blocked US imports of cotton, apparel and other products from five entities in western China's Xinjiang region. Also read: US puts block on Chinese products from Uighur ‘forced labour’ "The Chinese government is engaged in systematic abuses against the Uighur people" and other minorities, said Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection agency. The actions announced consisted of "withhold release orders" or WROs, which empower the CBP to seize products from the blacklisted companies and organizations. The US government is increasingly using such orders to pressure Beijing over its detention of more than one million members of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority in Xinjiang for ostensible reeducation. Calling attention to abuses In July, the customs agency placed WRO blocks on hair products, used for wigs and extensions, from several companies operating in Xinjiang, and in August did the same for garments made and sold by the Hero Vast Group. "The Chinese government needs to close its concentration camps," said Cuccinelli. The move came as rights groups and members of US Congress press the administration of President Donald Trump to take more resolute action over alleged Chinese repression of Muslims in the country's vast west. In July the US Treasury imposed sanctions on a major paramilitary group, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, accusing it of abuses against Uighurs and other mostly Muslim groups.

US bans on Xinjiang imports to sabotage global supply chains, says China

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide&nbsp;Suga, who is set to become the country's next prime minister, is mulling to reshuffle his cabinet after winning&nbsp;a landslide victory in a ruling party leadership election due to which&nbsp;

Suga is planning to appoint&nbsp;Katsunobu Kato as the next&nbsp;chief cabinet secretary while retaining other&nbsp;key cabinet ministers and party officials in their posts,&nbsp;as he had promised.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-yoshihide-suga-wins-party-leadership-race-headed-for-premiership-327400">Japan: Yoshihide Suga wins party leadership race, headed for premiership</a>

The 71-year-old faces a vast array of challenges, including tackling COVID-19 while reviving a battered economy and dealing with a rapidly aging society in which nearly a third of the population is older than 65.

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Finance Minister Taro Aso and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi are likely to stay in their positions, according to multiple media reports. Yasutoshi Nishimura is likely to be reappointed as economy minister.

Defence Minister Taro Kono is seen becoming interior minister and Nobuo Kishi, an LDP lawmaker who is Abe's younger brother, will take up the defence portfolio, Kyodo news agency said.

Toshihiro Nikai, who was instrumental in helping&nbsp;Suga&nbsp;cement the support of LDP members and was re-appointed as the party's secretary-general, told a news conference that the top priority is dealing with the coronavirus, a view echoed by party policy chief Hakubun Shimomura.

"We will do everything we can to secure the vaccines and the medications to protect the people's lives and health, as well as support medical institutions," said Shimomura, a former education minister, adding that reviving the economy would be given nearly equal weight.

Suga&nbsp;may name Health Minister Katsunobu Kato, who has become well known to the public as the face of Japan's efforts to tackle the coronavirus, as chief cabinet secretary, Nippon TV said. Kato is close to&nbsp;Suga, under whom he served as deputy chief cabinet secretary.

"Many different elements are needed,"&nbsp;Suga&nbsp;said on Monday when asked about who should replace him. "One is their fit with the prime minister, but thinking about it overall, they also need to have broad strengths, that will be the most calming."

Suga&nbsp;is virtually certain to be elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Wednesday because of the LDP's lower-house majority. He will serve out Abe's term as party leader through September 2021.

Known more for his work behind the scenes,&nbsp;Suga&nbsp;emerged as favourite to replace Abe, Japan's longest-serving premier, after Abe said last month he would resign because of ill health.

There is widespread speculation that&nbsp;Suga&nbsp;could take advantage of strong support ratings to dissolve the lower house of parliament and call snap elections to earn a full three-year term as LDP head, but he appears wary.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga, who is set to become the country's next prime minister, is mulling to reshuffle his cabinet after winning a landslide victory in a ruling party leadership election due to which Suga is planning to appoint Katsunobu Kato as the next chief cabinet secretary while retaining other key cabinet ministers and party officials in their posts, as he had promised.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga, who is set to become the country's next prime minister, is mulling to reshuffle his cabinet after winning a landslide victory in a ruling party leadership election due to which Suga is planning to appoint Katsunobu Kato as the next chief cabinet secretary while retaining other key cabinet ministers and party officials in their posts, as he had promised. Also read| Japan: Yoshihide Suga wins party leadership race, headed for premiership The 71-year-old faces a vast array of challenges, including tackling COVID-19 while reviving a battered economy and dealing with a rapidly aging society in which nearly a third of the population is older than 65. Finance Minister Taro Aso and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi are likely to stay in their positions, according to multiple media reports. Yasutoshi Nishimura is likely to be reappointed as economy minister. Defence Minister Taro Kono is seen becoming interior minister and Nobuo Kishi, an LDP lawmaker who is Abe's younger brother, will take up the defence portfolio, Kyodo news agency said. Toshihiro Nikai, who was instrumental in helping Suga cement the support of LDP members and was re-appointed as the party's secretary-general, told a news conference that the top priority is dealing with the coronavirus, a view echoed by party policy chief Hakubun Shimomura. "We will do everything we can to secure the vaccines and the medications to protect the people's lives and health, as well as support medical institutions," said Shimomura, a former education minister, adding that reviving the economy would be given nearly equal weight. Suga may name Health Minister Katsunobu Kato, who has become well known to the public as the face of Japan's efforts to tackle the coronavirus, as chief cabinet secretary, Nippon TV said. Kato is close to Suga, under whom he served as deputy chief cabinet secretary. "Many different elements are needed," Suga said on Monday when asked about who should replace him. "One is their fit with the prime minister, but thinking about it overall, they also need to have broad strengths, that will be the most calming." Suga is virtually certain to be elected prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Wednesday because of the LDP's lower-house majority. He will serve out Abe's term as party leader through September 2021. Known more for his work behind the scenes, Suga emerged as favourite to replace Abe, Japan's longest-serving premier, after Abe said last month he would resign because of ill health. There is widespread speculation that Suga could take advantage of strong support ratings to dissolve the lower house of parliament and call snap elections to earn a full three-year term as LDP head, but he appears wary.

Japan: After sweeping party poll, Yoshihide Suga reshuffles LDP leadership

Britain&nbsp;has issued new a travel advisory for China, warning that its nationals may be at risk of arbitrary detention, after several foreigners were held on various charges including cases involving state secrets and national security.

"China's authorities have under certain circumstances detained foreigners citing 'endangering national security'," the British Foreign Office said in its latest advice posted on its website.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-warns-citizens-against-arbitrary-detention-risk-in-china-311511">Australia warns citizens against 'arbitrary detention' risk in China</a>

"There is also a risk of arbitrary detention, including of British Nationals," it said.

British advice previously contained no reference to the risk of arbitrary detention.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-citizens-of-heightened-risks-of-arbitrary-detention-in-china-312591">US warns citizens of 'heightened risks of arbitrary detention' in China</a>

A spokesman for the British embassy in Beijing said the advice had been updated to "clearly and factually reflect recent incidents".

"But the level of our advice has not changed," the spokesman said.

The British warning comes after several foreigners were detained in China on national security charges, including Canadians, Australians, Japanese and at least one American. Some of them remain in detention.

In one of the latest high-profile cases, Cheng Lei, an Australian citizen and anchor on Chinese state television, was detained in August for "carrying out criminal activities endangering China's national security," according to China's foreign ministry.

Her detention follows a period of strained relations between China and Australia.

Britain has issued new a travel advisory for China, warning that its nationals may be at risk of arbitrary detention, after several foreigners were held on various charges including cases involving state secrets and national security.

Britain has issued new a travel advisory for China, warning that its nationals may be at risk of arbitrary detention, after several foreigners were held on various charges including cases involving state secrets and national security. "China's authorities have under certain circumstances detained foreigners citing 'endangering national security'," the British Foreign Office said in its latest advice posted on its website. Also read: Australia warns citizens against 'arbitrary detention' risk in China "There is also a risk of arbitrary detention, including of British Nationals," it said. British advice previously contained no reference to the risk of arbitrary detention. Also read: US warns citizens of 'heightened risks of arbitrary detention' in China A spokesman for the British embassy in Beijing said the advice had been updated to "clearly and factually reflect recent incidents". "But the level of our advice has not changed," the spokesman said. The British warning comes after several foreigners were detained in China on national security charges, including Canadians, Australians, Japanese and at least one American. Some of them remain in detention. In one of the latest high-profile cases, Cheng Lei, an Australian citizen and anchor on Chinese state television, was detained in August for "carrying out criminal activities endangering China's national security," according to China's foreign ministry. Her detention follows a period of strained relations between China and Australia.

Britain warns citizens of risk of arbitrary detention in China

Amid tensions with India along the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/india-china-standoff">Line of Actual Control(LAC)</a>, China's foreign ministry on Tuesday denied reports that Chinese troops are laying fibre optic cables at a western Himalayan flashpoint.

In a&nbsp;news briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said ''China and India will remain in communication through diplomatic and military channels''.

Earlier, two Indian officials had said that&nbsp;China is laying a network of cables to bolster communications at the line of actual control (LAC).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-says-china-laying-cables-to-bolster-communications-at-border-flashpoint-327610">India says China laying cables to bolster communications at border flashpoint</a>

According to the officials, the PLA intends to stay on the border for a long time and hence it is trying to strengthen its communication system.

Such cables, which would provide forward troops with secure lines of communication to bases in the rear, have recently been spotted to the south of Pangong Tso lake in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, a senior government official said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-standoff-indian-army-gains-upper-hand-and-control-of-commanding-heights-in-ladakh-326703">India-China standoff: Indian Army gains upper hand and control of commanding heights in Ladakh</a>

Thousands of Indian and Chinese troops backed by tanks and aircraft are locked in an uneasy stalemate along a 70 km-long front to the south of the lake. Each country has accused the other of escalating the standoff.

Indian Army has gained the upper hand and control of commanding heights in Ladakh close to the Chinese positions.&nbsp;

Despite the LAC continues to escalate despite a&nbsp;meeting between India's external affairs minister S.Jaishankar&nbsp;and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Moscow.

Tensions have increased between the two neighbouring countries&nbsp;after the Galwan incident of June in which India lost 20 of its soldiers.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid tensions with India along the Line of Actual Control(LAC), China's foreign ministry on Tuesday denied reports that Chinese troops are laying fibre optic cables at a western Himalayan flashpoint.

Amid tensions with India along the Line of Actual Control(LAC), China's foreign ministry on Tuesday denied reports that Chinese troops are laying fibre optic cables at a western Himalayan flashpoint. In a news briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said ''China and India will remain in communication through diplomatic and military channels''. Earlier, two Indian officials had said that China is laying a network of cables to bolster communications at the line of actual control (LAC). Also read: India says China laying cables to bolster communications at border flashpoint According to the officials, the PLA intends to stay on the border for a long time and hence it is trying to strengthen its communication system. Such cables, which would provide forward troops with secure lines of communication to bases in the rear, have recently been spotted to the south of Pangong Tso lake in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, a senior government official said. Also read: India-China standoff: Indian Army gains upper hand and control of commanding heights in Ladakh Thousands of Indian and Chinese troops backed by tanks and aircraft are locked in an uneasy stalemate along a 70 km-long front to the south of the lake. Each country has accused the other of escalating the standoff. Indian Army has gained the upper hand and control of commanding heights in Ladakh close to the Chinese positions. Despite the LAC continues to escalate despite a meeting between India's external affairs minister S.Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Moscow. Tensions have increased between the two neighbouring countries after the Galwan incident of June in which India lost 20 of its soldiers. (With inputs from agencies)

India-China standoff: China denies reports of troops laying cables at LAC

A digital advertisement launched by the fundraising arm of the Trump campaign asking people to support US troops features Russian jets, according to Politico magazine.

The Trump Make America Great Again Committee,&nbsp;run by the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC), made the&nbsp;advertisement.

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b3debd8-29cc-4afb-9ca8-fc9764cc5fa7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/httpscdn.i-scmp.comsitesdefaultfilesstyles768x768publicd8imagesmethode20200915d4fac6ee-f6f6-11ea-a41c-8cbd1416100a_image_hires_102553.jpg" />

An ad, made by the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, featuring silhouettes of three soldiers walking as Russian-made fighter jets fly over them. | Twitter

Pierre Sprey, who helped design both the F-16 and A-10 planes for the US, said “That’s definitely a MiG-29.&nbsp;I’m glad to see it’s supporting our troops.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-for-resignation-of-reporter-for-fake-news-325457">Trump calls for resignation of reporter for 'fake news'</a>

Director of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies in Moscow&nbsp;Ruslan Pukhov confirmed in an interview that the advertisement features Russian&nbsp;fighter jets Russian MiG-29 and AK-74 assault rifle.

Trump's reputation has been marred by recent rumours that he called&nbsp;the fallen US soldiers as "losers" and "suckers". He has also been accused of not taking action against a report that Russia paid bounty to Afghanistan's Taliban to execute US soldiers.

It is&nbsp;not uncommon for advertisement campaigns&nbsp;to incorrectly source images from other countries in their messaging. In July,&nbsp;Trump campaign used an image from 2014 pro-democracy protest in Ukraine to&nbsp;to show a police officer under assault in the ''chaos and&nbsp;violence''&nbsp;of the summer’s demonstrations.

A digital advertisement launched by the fundraising arm of the Trump campaign asking people to support US troops features Russian jets, according to Politico magazine.

A digital advertisement launched by the fundraising arm of the Trump campaign asking people to support US troops features Russian jets, according to Politico magazine. The Trump Make America Great Again Committee, run by the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC), made the advertisement. An ad, made by the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, featuring silhouettes of three soldiers walking as Russian-made fighter jets fly over them. | Twitter Pierre Sprey, who helped design both the F-16 and A-10 planes for the US, said “That’s definitely a MiG-29. I’m glad to see it’s supporting our troops.” Also read: Trump calls for resignation of reporter for 'fake news' Director of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies in Moscow Ruslan Pukhov confirmed in an interview that the advertisement features Russian fighter jets Russian MiG-29 and AK-74 assault rifle. Trump's reputation has been marred by recent rumours that he called the fallen US soldiers as "losers" and "suckers". He has also been accused of not taking action against a report that Russia paid bounty to Afghanistan's Taliban to execute US soldiers. It is not uncommon for advertisement campaigns to incorrectly source images from other countries in their messaging. In July, Trump campaign used an image from 2014 pro-democracy protest in Ukraine to to show a police officer under assault in the ''chaos and violence'' of the summer’s demonstrations.

Russian jets identified in Trump campaign ad asking people to support US troops

The National Bank of Dubai, the largest banking group in the emirate, signed a memorandum of understanding Monday with Israel's Bank Hapoalim, on the eve of the UAE-Israel normalisation accord signing.

"It is a great honour to be the first bank to sign such an agreement that will contribute to the establishment of the relationship between the two countries," Bank Hapoalim’s CEO, Dov Kotler, said in a statement issued by NBD.

It said the MoU was "part of a broader engagement between the UAE and Israel to further peace, dialogue and stability and establish cooperation to promote sustainable development".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-scraps-israel-economic-boycott-after-us-brokered-deal-323997">UAE scraps Israel economic boycott after US-brokered deal</a>

The President of the United Arab Emirates&nbsp;Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had scrapped an economic boycott against Israel, allowing trade and financial agreements between the countries.

Israel and the UAE said on August&nbsp;13 they would normalise diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump that reshapes the order of Middle East politics from the Palestinian issue to the fight against Iran.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-other-arab-countries-follow-suit-to-normalise-ties-with-israel-327557" hreflang="en">Will other Arab countries follow suit to normalise ties with Israel?</a>

Both the UAE and fellow Gulf state Bahrain will&nbsp;sign normalisation accords with Israel on September 15 in Washington.&nbsp;

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said on Sunday the&nbsp;deal establishing relations between Israel and Bahrain will result in direct flights between the countries.

The Bahrain deal, announced on Friday, followed a similar accommodation between another Gulf power, United Arab Emirates, and Israel and resulting pledges of direct air connections.

The National Bank of Dubai, the largest banking group in the emirate, signed a memorandum of understanding Monday with Israel's Bank Hapoalim, on the eve of the UAE-Israel normalisation accord signing.

The National Bank of Dubai, the largest banking group in the emirate, signed a memorandum of understanding Monday with Israel's Bank Hapoalim, on the eve of the UAE-Israel normalisation accord signing. "It is a great honour to be the first bank to sign such an agreement that will contribute to the establishment of the relationship between the two countries," Bank Hapoalim’s CEO, Dov Kotler, said in a statement issued by NBD. It said the MoU was "part of a broader engagement between the UAE and Israel to further peace, dialogue and stability and establish cooperation to promote sustainable development". Also read: UAE scraps Israel economic boycott after US-brokered deal The President of the United Arab Emirates Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had scrapped an economic boycott against Israel, allowing trade and financial agreements between the countries. Israel and the UAE said on August 13 they would normalise diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by US President Donald Trump that reshapes the order of Middle East politics from the Palestinian issue to the fight against Iran. Also read: Will other Arab countries follow suit to normalise ties with Israel? Both the UAE and fellow Gulf state Bahrain will sign normalisation accords with Israel on September 15 in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said on Sunday the deal establishing relations between Israel and Bahrain will result in direct flights between the countries. The Bahrain deal, announced on Friday, followed a similar accommodation between another Gulf power, United Arab Emirates, and Israel and resulting pledges of direct air connections.

UAE's largest banking group signs first deal with Israel

Two Indian officials on Tuesday said soldiers from the&nbsp;People's Liberation Army were laying a network of optical fibre cables at a western Himalayan flashpoint in&nbsp;India.

According to the officials, the PLA intends to stay on the border for a long time and hence it is trying to strengthen its communication system.

Such cables, which would provide forward troops with secure lines of communication to bases in the rear, have recently been spotted to the south of Pangong Tso lake in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, a senior government official said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/days-after-india-china-foreign-ministry-level-talks-situation-remains-unchanged-at-lac-327417" hreflang="en">Days after India, China foreign ministry-level talks, situation remains unchanged at LAC</a>

China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions on the matter, while defence officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

However,&nbsp;a statement posted on the Chinese embassy's website on Monday, Ambassador Sun Weidong was quoted as saying: "... Indian ministries had claimed that Indian troops "pre-empted" Chinese military activity on the south bank of Pangong Tso Lake, which obviously revealed that they are illegally trespassing (along) the LAC and (trying to) change status quo in border areas."

Days after Indian and Chinese foreign ministers met in Moscow, situation remains unchanged at the line of actual control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

Thousands of Indian and Chinese troops backed by tanks and aircraft are locked in an uneasy stalemate along a 70 km-long front to the south of the lake. Each country has accused the other of escalating the standoff.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-defeats-china-becomes-member-of-united-nationss-ecosoc-327590" hreflang="en">India defeats China, becomes member of United Nations's ECOSOC</a>

A third Indian official said on Monday that there had been no significant withdrawals or reinforcements on either side since the foreign ministers of the two countries met last week.

"It is as tense as earlier," he said.

Above Leh, Ladakh's main city, Indian fighter planes flew throughout the morning, their engines booming and echoing across the valley surrounded by brown, barren mountains.

"Our biggest worry is that they have laid optical fibre cables for high-speed communications," the first official said, referring to the lake's southern bank, where Indian and Chinese troops are only a few hundred metres apart at some points.

"They have been laying optical fibre cables on the southern bank at breakneck speed," he said.

Indian intelligence agencies noted similar cables to the north of the Pangong Tso lake around a month ago, the second government official said.

The first Indian government official said the authorities were alerted to such activity after satellite imagery showed unusual lines in the sand of the high-altitude deserts to the south of Pangong Tso.

These lines were judged by Indian experts,&nbsp;and corroborated by foreign intelligence agencies - to be communication cables laid in trenches, he said, including near the Spanggur gap, among hilltops where soldiers fired in the air recently for the first time in decades.

Indian officials say a build-up in border infrastructure on their side is also likely to have played a part in the months-long confrontation.

The Chinese have complained about India building roads and air strips in and around their disputed border, and Beijing says this triggered tensions along the border.

A former Indian military intelligence official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said optical fibre cables offered communications security as well as the ability to send data such as pictures and documents.

"If you speak on radio, it can get caught. Communications on optical fibre cables is secure," he said.

Two Indian officials on Tuesday said soldiers from the People's Liberation Army were laying a network of optical fibre cables at a western Himalayan flashpoint in India.

Two Indian officials on Tuesday said soldiers from the People's Liberation Army were laying a network of optical fibre cables at a western Himalayan flashpoint in India. According to the officials, the PLA intends to stay on the border for a long time and hence it is trying to strengthen its communication system. Such cables, which would provide forward troops with secure lines of communication to bases in the rear, have recently been spotted to the south of Pangong Tso lake in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, a senior government official said. Also read: Days after India, China foreign ministry-level talks, situation remains unchanged at LAC China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to questions on the matter, while defence officials could not immediately be reached for comment. However, a statement posted on the Chinese embassy's website on Monday, Ambassador Sun Weidong was quoted as saying: "... Indian ministries had claimed that Indian troops "pre-empted" Chinese military activity on the south bank of Pangong Tso Lake, which obviously revealed that they are illegally trespassing (along) the LAC and (trying to) change status quo in border areas." Days after Indian and Chinese foreign ministers met in Moscow, situation remains unchanged at the line of actual control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Thousands of Indian and Chinese troops backed by tanks and aircraft are locked in an uneasy stalemate along a 70 km-long front to the south of the lake. Each country has accused the other of escalating the standoff. Also read: India defeats China, becomes member of United Nations's ECOSOC A third Indian official said on Monday that there had been no significant withdrawals or reinforcements on either side since the foreign ministers of the two countries met last week. "It is as tense as earlier," he said. Above Leh, Ladakh's main city, Indian fighter planes flew throughout the morning, their engines booming and echoing across the valley surrounded by brown, barren mountains. "Our biggest worry is that they have laid optical fibre cables for high-speed communications," the first official said, referring to the lake's southern bank, where Indian and Chinese troops are only a few hundred metres apart at some points. "They have been laying optical fibre cables on the southern bank at breakneck speed," he said. Indian intelligence agencies noted similar cables to the north of the Pangong Tso lake around a month ago, the second government official said. The first Indian government official said the authorities were alerted to such activity after satellite imagery showed unusual lines in the sand of the high-altitude deserts to the south of Pangong Tso. These lines were judged by Indian experts, and corroborated by foreign intelligence agencies - to be communication cables laid in trenches, he said, including near the Spanggur gap, among hilltops where soldiers fired in the air recently for the first time in decades. Indian officials say a build-up in border infrastructure on their side is also likely to have played a part in the months-long confrontation. The Chinese have complained about India building roads and air strips in and around their disputed border, and Beijing says this triggered tensions along the border. A former Indian military intelligence official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said optical fibre cables offered communications security as well as the ability to send data such as pictures and documents. "If you speak on radio, it can get caught. Communications on optical fibre cables is secure," he said.

India says China laying cables to bolster communications at border flashpoint

With crews battling wildfires that have killed at least 33 people, destroyed neighbourhoods and enveloped the West Coast in smoke, another fight has emerged: leaders in the Democratic-led states and President Donald Trump have clashed over the role of climate change ahead of his visit Monday to California.

California, Oregon and Washington state have seen historic wildfires that have burned faster and farther than ever before. Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger wildfires in the US to global warming from the burning of coal, oil and gas.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/oregon-wildfires-nearly-500000-evacuated-amid-climate-change-warning-326996" hreflang="en">Oregon wildfires: Nearly 500,000 evacuated amid climate change warning</a>

President Donald Trump will travel to California on Monday to be briefed about its devastating wildfires while Democratic rival Joe Biden plans a speech on the matter from Delaware, bringing climate change to the forefront of the presidential campaign.

Trump, a Republican who pulled the United States out of the Paris accord on global warming because he found it too costly, has expressed his view that poor forest management is partly to blame for the fires that are raging around the West Coast.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-donald-trump-claims-receiving-bay-of-pigs-award-which-doesnt-exist-327324" hreflang="en">Donald Trump claims receiving an award that doesn't exist</a>

On Sunday, he held his first fully indoor rally in months, outraging officials in the state of Nevada who warned the gathering violated coronavirus restrictions on crowd sizes.

Indoor rallies during the pandemic have proven problematic for Trump, who was heavily criticized after one in June that was later linked to a spike in virus cases.

Trump used Sunday's event, held in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, to applaud his own handling of the pandemic, which has killed nearly 195,000 Americans, the world's highest toll.

"We have done an incredible job, we get absolutely no credit for the job we have done," the Republican told the crowd at the Xtreme Manufacturing facility, adding that his leadership had "saved millions of lives."

Governor Steve Sisolak tweeted that "tonight, President Donald Trump is taking reckless and selfish actions that are putting countless lives in danger here in Nevada."

"The President appears to have forgotten that this country is still in the middle of a global pandemic," he said.

Trump called Sisolak, a Democrat, a "political hack" and urged the crowd to "tell your governor to open your state."

Plans for the rally drew a rebuke from local authorities, who noted events with more than 50 people are not allowed due to the coronavirus.

"The City of Henderson has issued a compliance letter and verbal warning to the event organizer that the event as planned would be in direct violation of the governor's COVID-19 emergency directives," city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said in a statement.

The pandemic has stripped the US presidential campaign of its usual flood of events, but with less than two months to voting Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden have been making more appearances.

The Trump campaign said temperature checks would be done at the door of the Nevada rally and attendees would be given face masks and encouraged to wear them.

"If you can join tens of thousands of people protesting in the streets, gamble in a casino, or burn down small businesses in riots, you can gather peacefully under the 1st Amendment to hear from the president of the United States," Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told reporters.

Trump's indoor rally in the Oklahoma city of Tulsa in June proved deeply controversial, with most attendees flouting Trump administration guidelines by refusing to wear masks or engage in social distancing despite being indoors.

Coronavirus cases jumped in Tulsa in the weeks after the June 20 rally, and local health officials said it was "more than likely" that major events were a contributing factor.&nbsp;

With crews battling wildfires that have killed at least 33 people, destroyed neighbourhoods and enveloped the West Coast in smoke, another fight has emerged: leaders in the Democratic-led states and President Donald Trump have clashed over the role of climate change ahead of his visit Monday to California.

With crews battling wildfires that have killed at least 33 people, destroyed neighbourhoods and enveloped the West Coast in smoke, another fight has emerged: leaders in the Democratic-led states and President Donald Trump have clashed over the role of climate change ahead of his visit Monday to California. California, Oregon and Washington state have seen historic wildfires that have burned faster and farther than ever before. Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger wildfires in the US to global warming from the burning of coal, oil and gas. Also see: Oregon wildfires: Nearly 500,000 evacuated amid climate change warning President Donald Trump will travel to California on Monday to be briefed about its devastating wildfires while Democratic rival Joe Biden plans a speech on the matter from Delaware, bringing climate change to the forefront of the presidential campaign. Trump, a Republican who pulled the United States out of the Paris accord on global warming because he found it too costly, has expressed his view that poor forest management is partly to blame for the fires that are raging around the West Coast. Also read: Donald Trump claims receiving an award that doesn't exist On Sunday, he held his first fully indoor rally in months, outraging officials in the state of Nevada who warned the gathering violated coronavirus restrictions on crowd sizes. Indoor rallies during the pandemic have proven problematic for Trump, who was heavily criticized after one in June that was later linked to a spike in virus cases. Trump used Sunday's event, held in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, to applaud his own handling of the pandemic, which has killed nearly 195,000 Americans, the world's highest toll. "We have done an incredible job, we get absolutely no credit for the job we have done," the Republican told the crowd at the Xtreme Manufacturing facility, adding that his leadership had "saved millions of lives." Governor Steve Sisolak tweeted that "tonight, President Donald Trump is taking reckless and selfish actions that are putting countless lives in danger here in Nevada." "The President appears to have forgotten that this country is still in the middle of a global pandemic," he said. Trump called Sisolak, a Democrat, a "political hack" and urged the crowd to "tell your governor to open your state." Plans for the rally drew a rebuke from local authorities, who noted events with more than 50 people are not allowed due to the coronavirus. "The City of Henderson has issued a compliance letter and verbal warning to the event organizer that the event as planned would be in direct violation of the governor's COVID-19 emergency directives," city spokeswoman Kathleen Richards said in a statement. The pandemic has stripped the US presidential campaign of its usual flood of events, but with less than two months to voting Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden have been making more appearances. The Trump campaign said temperature checks would be done at the door of the Nevada rally and attendees would be given face masks and encouraged to wear them. "If you can join tens of thousands of people protesting in the streets, gamble in a casino, or burn down small businesses in riots, you can gather peacefully under the 1st Amendment to hear from the president of the United States," Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told reporters. Trump's indoor rally in the Oklahoma city of Tulsa in June proved deeply controversial, with most attendees flouting Trump administration guidelines by refusing to wear masks or engage in social distancing despite being indoors. Coronavirus cases jumped in Tulsa in the weeks after the June 20 rally, and local health officials said it was "more than likely" that major events were a contributing factor.

US election 2020: Trump defies COVID-19 norms in first indoor rally since June, prompts warning

Scientists said on Monday they have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth's inhospitable neighbour, a tantalizing sign of potential life beyond Earth.

The researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that on Earth phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments. The international scientific team first spotted the phosphine using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii and confirmed it using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in Chile.

"I was very surprised - stunned, in fact," said astronomer Jane Greaves of Cardiff University in Wales, lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-seeking-explorers-for-mining-on-the-moon-all-nationalities-welcome-326795" hreflang="en">NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome</a>

The existence of extraterrestrial life long has been one of the paramount questions of science. Scientists have used probes and telescopes to seek "biosignatures" - indirect signs of life - on other planets and moons in our solar system and beyond.

"With what we currently know of Venus,&nbsp;the most plausible explanation for phosphine, as fantastical as it might sound, is life," said Massachusetts Institute of Technology molecular astrophysicist&nbsp;and study co-author Clara Sousa-Silva.

"I should emphasize that life, as an explanation for our discovery, should be, as always, the last resort," Sousa-Silva added. "This is important because, if it is phosphine, and if it is life, it means that we are not alone. It also means that life itself must be very common, and there must be many other inhabited planets throughout our galaxy."

Phosphine - a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached - is highly toxic to people.

Earth-based telescopes like those used in this research help scientists study the chemistry and other characteristics of celestial objects.

Phosphine was seen at 20 parts-per-billion in the Venusian atmosphere, a trace concentration. Greaves said the researchers examined potential non-biological sources such as volcanism, meteorites, lightning and various types of chemical reactions, but none appeared viable. The research continues to either confirm&nbsp;the presence of life or find an alternative explanation.

Venus is Earth's closest planetary neighbour. Similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth, it is the second planet from the sun. Earth is the third. Venus is wrapped in a thick, toxic atmosphere that traps in heat. Surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius), hot enough to melt lead.

"I can only speculate on what life might survive on Venus, if indeed it is there. No life would be able to survive on the surface of Venus, because it is completely inhospitable, even for biochemistries completely different from ours," Sousa-Silva said. "But a long time ago, Venus could have had life on its surface, before a runaway greenhouse effect left the majority of the planet completely uninhabitable."

THE ACID TEST

Some scientists have suspected that the Venusian high clouds, with mild temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), could harbor aerial microbes that could endure extreme acidity. These clouds are around 90% sulphuric acid. Earth microbes could not survive that acidity.

"If it's microorganisms, they would have access to some sunlight and water, and maybe live in liquid droplets to stop themselves dehydrating, but they would need some unknown mechanism to protect against corrosion by acid," Greaves said.

On Earth, microorganisms in "anaerobic" environments - ecosystems that do not rely on oxygen - produce phosphine. These include sewage plants, swamps, rice fields, marshlands, lake sediments and the excrements and intestinal tracts of many animals. Phosphine also arises non-biologically in certain industrial settings.

To produce phosphine, Earth bacteria take up phosphate from minerals or biological material and add hydrogen.

"We have done our very best to explain this discovery without the need for a biological process. With our current knowledge of phosphine, and Venus, and geochemistry, we cannot explain the presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus. That doesn't mean it is life. It just means that some exotic process is producing phosphine, and our understanding of Venus needs work," Clara Sousa-Silva said.

Venus should be hostile to phosphine. Its surface and atmosphere are rich in oxygen compounds that would rapidly react with and destroy phosphine.

"Something must be creating the phosphine on Venus as fast as it is being destroyed," said study co-author Anita Richards, an astrophysicist associated with the University of Manchester in England.

While previous robotic spacecraft have visited Venus, a new probe may be needed to confirm life.

"Fortunately, Venus is right next door," Sousa-Silva said. "So we can literally go and check."

Scientists said on Monday they have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth's inhospitable neighbour, a tantalizing sign of potential life beyond Earth.

Scientists said on Monday they have detected in the harshly acidic clouds of Venus a gas called phosphine that indicates microbes may inhabit Earth's inhospitable neighbour, a tantalizing sign of potential life beyond Earth. The researchers did not discover actual life forms, but noted that on Earth phosphine is produced by bacteria thriving in oxygen-starved environments. The international scientific team first spotted the phosphine using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in Hawaii and confirmed it using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in Chile. "I was very surprised - stunned, in fact," said astronomer Jane Greaves of Cardiff University in Wales, lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Astronomy. Also read: NASA seeking explorers for mining on the moon, all nationalities welcome The existence of extraterrestrial life long has been one of the paramount questions of science. Scientists have used probes and telescopes to seek "biosignatures" - indirect signs of life - on other planets and moons in our solar system and beyond. "With what we currently know of Venus, the most plausible explanation for phosphine, as fantastical as it might sound, is life," said Massachusetts Institute of Technology molecular astrophysicist and study co-author Clara Sousa-Silva. "I should emphasize that life, as an explanation for our discovery, should be, as always, the last resort," Sousa-Silva added. "This is important because, if it is phosphine, and if it is life, it means that we are not alone. It also means that life itself must be very common, and there must be many other inhabited planets throughout our galaxy." Phosphine - a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached - is highly toxic to people. Earth-based telescopes like those used in this research help scientists study the chemistry and other characteristics of celestial objects. Phosphine was seen at 20 parts-per-billion in the Venusian atmosphere, a trace concentration. Greaves said the researchers examined potential non-biological sources such as volcanism, meteorites, lightning and various types of chemical reactions, but none appeared viable. The research continues to either confirm the presence of life or find an alternative explanation. Venus is Earth's closest planetary neighbour. Similar in structure but slightly smaller than Earth, it is the second planet from the sun. Earth is the third. Venus is wrapped in a thick, toxic atmosphere that traps in heat. Surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit (471 degrees Celsius), hot enough to melt lead. "I can only speculate on what life might survive on Venus, if indeed it is there. No life would be able to survive on the surface of Venus, because it is completely inhospitable, even for biochemistries completely different from ours," Sousa-Silva said. "But a long time ago, Venus could have had life on its surface, before a runaway greenhouse effect left the majority of the planet completely uninhabitable." THE ACID TEST Some scientists have suspected that the Venusian high clouds, with mild temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), could harbor aerial microbes that could endure extreme acidity. These clouds are around 90% sulphuric acid. Earth microbes could not survive that acidity. "If it's microorganisms, they would have access to some sunlight and water, and maybe live in liquid droplets to stop themselves dehydrating, but they would need some unknown mechanism to protect against corrosion by acid," Greaves said. On Earth, microorganisms in "anaerobic" environments - ecosystems that do not rely on oxygen - produce phosphine. These include sewage plants, swamps, rice fields, marshlands, lake sediments and the excrements and intestinal tracts of many animals. Phosphine also arises non-biologically in certain industrial settings. To produce phosphine, Earth bacteria take up phosphate from minerals or biological material and add hydrogen. "We have done our very best to explain this discovery without the need for a biological process. With our current knowledge of phosphine, and Venus, and geochemistry, we cannot explain the presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus. That doesn't mean it is life. It just means that some exotic process is producing phosphine, and our understanding of Venus needs work," Clara Sousa-Silva said. Venus should be hostile to phosphine. Its surface and atmosphere are rich in oxygen compounds that would rapidly react with and destroy phosphine. "Something must be creating the phosphine on Venus as fast as it is being destroyed," said study co-author Anita Richards, an astrophysicist associated with the University of Manchester in England. While previous robotic spacecraft have visited Venus, a new probe may be needed to confirm life. "Fortunately, Venus is right next door," Sousa-Silva said. "So we can literally go and check."

Potential sign of alien life detected on inhospitable Venus

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday&nbsp;said that popular mobile phone app TikTok is being "encircled" and "coerced" as its parent company ByteDance picked Oracle as partner to try to save its business in the United States.

The ministry's spokesman Wang Wenbin declined to comment on the news, but urged the US&nbsp;government to provide an "open, fair and non-discriminatory international business environment for foreign enterprises".

Oracle beat Microsoft in the battle for the US&nbsp;arm of TikTok with a deal structured as a partnership rather than an outright sale to try to navigate geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/microsofts-offer-to-buy-tiktok-rejected-oracle-likely-to-partner-327307" hreflang="en">Microsoft's offer to buy TikTok rejected; Oracle likely to partner</a>

Microsoft on Sunday said its offer to buy TikTok has been rejected. The US tech giant issued a statment saying "ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok's US operations to Microsoft".

ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese owner, had been in talks to divest the US&nbsp;business of its hugely popular short-video app to Oracle&nbsp;or a consortium led by Microsoft Corp&nbsp;after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump ordered the sale last month and said he might otherwise shut it down.

While TikTok is best known for dancing videos that go viral among teenagers, US&nbsp;officials are concerned user information could be passed to China's communist government. TikTok, which has as many as 100 million US&nbsp;users, has said it would never share such data with Chinese authorities.

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said that popular mobile phone app TikTok is being "encircled" and "coerced" as its parent company ByteDance picked Oracle as partner to try to save its business in the United States.

China's Foreign Ministry on Monday said that popular mobile phone app TikTok is being "encircled" and "coerced" as its parent company ByteDance picked Oracle as partner to try to save its business in the United States. The ministry's spokesman Wang Wenbin declined to comment on the news, but urged the US government to provide an "open, fair and non-discriminatory international business environment for foreign enterprises". Oracle beat Microsoft in the battle for the US arm of TikTok with a deal structured as a partnership rather than an outright sale to try to navigate geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington. Also read: Microsoft's offer to buy TikTok rejected; Oracle likely to partner Microsoft on Sunday said its offer to buy TikTok has been rejected. The US tech giant issued a statment saying "ByteDance let us know today they would not be selling TikTok's US operations to Microsoft". ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese owner, had been in talks to divest the US business of its hugely popular short-video app to Oracle or a consortium led by Microsoft Corp after US President Donald Trump ordered the sale last month and said he might otherwise shut it down. While TikTok is best known for dancing videos that go viral among teenagers, US officials are concerned user information could be passed to China's communist government. TikTok, which has as many as 100 million US users, has said it would never share such data with Chinese authorities.

China says TikTok being 'encircled' and 'coerced' after ByteDance drops sale

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