International human rights groups demanded justice on Wednesday for slain Saudi journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-prince-says-khashoggi-murder-happened-under-my-watch-us-tv-252208">Jamal Khashoggi</a>, saying that a year after his brutal murder, Saudi authorities had yet to provide any "meaningful accountability".

The rights watchdogs also called on Riyadh to release the numerous government critics who remain in custody.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in an operation that reportedly involved 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body was never found.

Eleven suspects have been on trial in Riyadh, with five of them facing the death penalty, but hearings are held behind closed doors and the names of the defendants have not been released.

"Saudi authorities have obstructed meaningful accountability for Khashoggi’s murder," Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-at-least-one-dead-11-injured-in-brooklyn-shooting-238959">New York </a>based watchdog criticised recent comments by the kingdom's de facto ruler, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/absolutely-not-saudi-crown-prince-salman-denies-involvement-in-khashoggi-murder-252899/amp">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>, in which he accepted collective responsibility for Khashoggi's murder, but denied he was personally to blame.

"If he’s serious, the crown prince and his government should provide transparency into the ongoing trial and reveal everything they know about the planning, execution, and aftermath of Khashoggi’s murder," HRW's Middle East director, Sarah Leah Whitson, said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amnesty-accuses-hong-kong-police-of-abuses-torture-of-protestors-250814">Amnesty International</a> said Prince Mohammed's admission of "full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia" would remain a public relation stunt if not met with immediate action.

This must include "prompt and unrestricted access to independent human rights monitors into the country, including to observe and publicly report on the ongoing trial," said Amnesty's Middle East research director, Lynn Maalouf.

In a letter to King Salman, the Vienna-based International Press Institute demanded a transparent trial for those implicated in Khashoggi's murder.

"As recommended by the UN&nbsp;special rapporteur, the government should support a UN-led additional criminal investigation and conduct a transparent retrial with international input, support and oversight," the institute said.

The grisly details of Khashoggi's murder, which emerged largely from Turkish sources, sparked a global outcry and turned Prince Mohammad into a virtual pariah.

Dozens of top global executives boycotted his showcase business conference, the Future Investment Initiative, last year.

International human rights groups demanded justice on Wednesday for slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying that a year after his brutal murder, Saudi authorities had yet to provide any "meaningful accountability".

International human rights groups demanded justice on Wednesday for slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying that a year after his brutal murder, Saudi authorities had yet to provide any "meaningful accountability". The rights watchdogs also called on Riyadh to release the numerous government critics who remain in custody. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in an operation that reportedly involved 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body was never found. Eleven suspects have been on trial in Riyadh, with five of them facing the death penalty, but hearings are held behind closed doors and the names of the defendants have not been released. "Saudi authorities have obstructed meaningful accountability for Khashoggi’s murder," Human Rights Watch said in a statement. The New York based watchdog criticised recent comments by the kingdom's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in which he accepted collective responsibility for Khashoggi's murder, but denied he was personally to blame. "If he’s serious, the crown prince and his government should provide transparency into the ongoing trial and reveal everything they know about the planning, execution, and aftermath of Khashoggi’s murder," HRW's Middle East director, Sarah Leah Whitson, said. Amnesty International said Prince Mohammed's admission of "full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia" would remain a public relation stunt if not met with immediate action. This must include "prompt and unrestricted access to independent human rights monitors into the country, including to observe and publicly report on the ongoing trial," said Amnesty's Middle East research director, Lynn Maalouf. In a letter to King Salman, the Vienna-based International Press Institute demanded a transparent trial for those implicated in Khashoggi's murder. "As recommended by the UN special rapporteur, the government should support a UN-led additional criminal investigation and conduct a transparent retrial with international input, support and oversight," the institute said. The grisly details of Khashoggi's murder, which emerged largely from Turkish sources, sparked a global outcry and turned Prince Mohammad into a virtual pariah. Dozens of top global executives boycotted his showcase business conference, the Future Investment Initiative, last year.

Rights groups demand justice on Jamal Khashoggi murder anniversary

30 years in: Tracing the history of gay marriage

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-marks-70-years-of-communism-with-massive-show-of-force-252955">China</a> celebrated its growing power and confidence with a massive display of military hardware and goose-stepping troops in Beijing on Tuesday, overseen by President&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;Jinping who pledged&nbsp;peaceful&nbsp;development&nbsp;on the 70th birthday of Communist China.

The event is the&nbsp;country's most important of the year as China looks to project its assurance in the face of mounting challenges, including nearly four months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong and an economy-sapping trade war with the United States.

Xi, dressed in a slate grey "Mao" suit and accompanied by his predecessors Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, said China will pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up.

The&nbsp;country's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-70th-anniversary-national-day-parade-china-unveils-dongfeng-41-nuke-missile-that-can-strike-us-in-30-minutes-252957">military</a> should resolutely safeguard&nbsp;China's&nbsp;sovereignty, security, and&nbsp;development&nbsp;interests, and firmly uphold world peace,&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;told a handpicked crowd at Tiananmen Square, in comments carried live on state television.

"We must adhere to the&nbsp;path&nbsp;of&nbsp;peaceful&nbsp;development, pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, and continue to push forward to create a community of shared future for mankind together with people of all the other countries,"&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;said from the Gate of Heavenly Peace, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on this day in 1949.

China must maintain lasting prosperity and stability in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/street-fires-burn-in-hong-kong-amid-running-battles-between-protesters-and-police-252690">Hong Kong</a> and Macao, promote the&nbsp;peaceful&nbsp;development&nbsp;of relations with self-ruled Taiwan and "continue to strive for the motherland's complete reunification", he added.

Xi, whose military modernisation programme has rattled nerves around the region, then descended to the street and inspected row upon row of military hardware and immaculately presented troops.

Riding past in a black limousine,&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;bellowed; "Hello comrades, hard-working comrades!"

The massed ranks of soldiers shouted back: "Follow the Party! Fight to win! Forge exemplary conduct!"

Xi&nbsp;remains broadly popular in China for his aggressive campaign against corruption and for propelling what is now the world's second-biggest economy to the forefront of global politics.

But the Communist Party remains nervous about its grip on power and international standing.

The capital has been locked down for the parade.

China celebrated its growing power and confidence with a massive display of military hardware and goose-stepping troops in Beijing on Tuesday, overseen by President Xi Jinping who pledged peaceful development on the 70th birthday of Communist China.

China celebrated its growing power and confidence with a massive display of military hardware and goose-stepping troops in Beijing on Tuesday, overseen by President Xi Jinping who pledged peaceful development on the 70th birthday of Communist China. The event is the country's most important of the year as China looks to project its assurance in the face of mounting challenges, including nearly four months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong and an economy-sapping trade war with the United States. Xi, dressed in a slate grey "Mao" suit and accompanied by his predecessors Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, said China will pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. The country's military should resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, and firmly uphold world peace, Xi told a handpicked crowd at Tiananmen Square, in comments carried live on state television. "We must adhere to the path of peaceful development, pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, and continue to push forward to create a community of shared future for mankind together with people of all the other countries," Xi said from the Gate of Heavenly Peace, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China on this day in 1949. China must maintain lasting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, promote the peaceful development of relations with self-ruled Taiwan and "continue to strive for the motherland's complete reunification", he added. Xi, whose military modernisation programme has rattled nerves around the region, then descended to the street and inspected row upon row of military hardware and immaculately presented troops. Riding past in a black limousine, Xi bellowed; "Hello comrades, hard-working comrades!" The massed ranks of soldiers shouted back: "Follow the Party! Fight to win! Forge exemplary conduct!" Xi remains broadly popular in China for his aggressive campaign against corruption and for propelling what is now the world's second-biggest economy to the forefront of global politics. But the Communist Party remains nervous about its grip on power and international standing. The capital has been locked down for the parade.

Chinese President Xi Jinping says country will stay on path of peaceful development

With two fingers missing from his right hand, Afghan writer Reza Khorami struggles to tap out stories on his keyboard.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-11-afghan-police-killed-in-taliban-attack-253019">Taliban</a> lopped off his forefinger in 2014 because it was covered in indelible ink showing Khorami had voted. The tip of the middle finger was also splashed with the purple dye, so was also amputated.

The crude punishment, part of the Taliban's war on Afghan democracy, did not deter a defiant Khorami from voting in Saturday's first round of the presidential election, which pitted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani against his top rival, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

"I voted again in 2019 just to show that I have not surrendered to terrorism," Khorami told AFP this week in Kabul, where he writes fiction.

"They can cut our fingers, but they cannot kill our morale."

Khorami said he wanted the world to know what the radical Islamists did to him and possibly thousands of others like him.

Since Saturday's vote, several images have circulated online of voters proudly holding up a purple-stained finger on one hand alongside a scarred digit on the other, showing they braved the polls despite previous Taliban punishment.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/join-us-in-peace-or-we-will-continue-to-fight-afghanistan-government-to-taliban-at-un-252920">Afghan</a> voters must dip a finger in ink -- which can take a week to wash off -- as a measure to stop people voting more than once.

But the obvious mark makes people vulnerable to reprisals from the Taliban, who repeatedly warned voters to stay away from the polls, and turnout appears headed to record lows this year as millions of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attacks-fraud-fears-dampen-turnout-in-afghan-election-252680">Afghans abstained</a>.

Khorami, 25, said he had voted for Ghani in 2014 in Ghazni province and was headed to take a university exam in Kabul when the Taliban stopped him.

"They took me to an undisclosed location, I spent the night there with two other people I did not know," he recalled.

"The next day, they took us to a mosque. An old man was sat there and he had a knife and some basic medications. They said: 'We won't kill you, but will cut off your finger as a lesson for other people who participated in the election'."

An emotional Khorami, recounting the horrors of what came next, said his fingers were then amputated without any anaesthesia.

"I fainted. When I woke up, I found myself in a desert," he said, describing how the trauma of the assault still haunts him daily.

Five years on, Taliban operatives called Khorami ahead of the polls, threatening to kill him if he voted again.

"I shared this issue with the media so the world should understand our challenges and know how people are fighting for freedom and becoming victims in such a difficult situation," he said.

While Saturday's election was marred by hundreds of small-scale <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-rocked-by-blasts-during-presidential-election-252567">Taliban attacks </a>at polling stations, the insurgents were unable to steal the headlines with any significant bloody assault.

Preliminary results are due October 19. If no candidate wins a majority, voting will go to a second round.

With two fingers missing from his right hand, Afghan writer Reza Khorami struggles to tap out stories on his keyboard. The Taliban lopped off his forefinger in 2014 because it was covered in indelible ink showing Khorami had voted.

With two fingers missing from his right hand, Afghan writer Reza Khorami struggles to tap out stories on his keyboard. The Taliban lopped off his forefinger in 2014 because it was covered in indelible ink showing Khorami had voted. The tip of the middle finger was also splashed with the purple dye, so was also amputated. The crude punishment, part of the Taliban's war on Afghan democracy, did not deter a defiant Khorami from voting in Saturday's first round of the presidential election, which pitted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani against his top rival, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. "I voted again in 2019 just to show that I have not surrendered to terrorism," Khorami told AFP this week in Kabul, where he writes fiction. "They can cut our fingers, but they cannot kill our morale." Khorami said he wanted the world to know what the radical Islamists did to him and possibly thousands of others like him. Since Saturday's vote, several images have circulated online of voters proudly holding up a purple-stained finger on one hand alongside a scarred digit on the other, showing they braved the polls despite previous Taliban punishment. Afghan voters must dip a finger in ink -- which can take a week to wash off -- as a measure to stop people voting more than once. But the obvious mark makes people vulnerable to reprisals from the Taliban, who repeatedly warned voters to stay away from the polls, and turnout appears headed to record lows this year as millions of Afghans abstained. Khorami, 25, said he had voted for Ghani in 2014 in Ghazni province and was headed to take a university exam in Kabul when the Taliban stopped him. "They took me to an undisclosed location, I spent the night there with two other people I did not know," he recalled. "The next day, they took us to a mosque. An old man was sat there and he had a knife and some basic medications. They said: 'We won't kill you, but will cut off your finger as a lesson for other people who participated in the election'." An emotional Khorami, recounting the horrors of what came next, said his fingers were then amputated without any anaesthesia. "I fainted. When I woke up, I found myself in a desert," he said, describing how the trauma of the assault still haunts him daily. Five years on, Taliban operatives called Khorami ahead of the polls, threatening to kill him if he voted again. "I shared this issue with the media so the world should understand our challenges and know how people are fighting for freedom and becoming victims in such a difficult situation," he said. While Saturday's election was marred by hundreds of small-scale Taliban attacks at polling stations, the insurgents were unable to steal the headlines with any significant bloody assault. Preliminary results are due October 19. If no candidate wins a majority, voting will go to a second round.

Meet Afghan writer who voted even after Taliban cut off his fingers

The speaker of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nepal-seeks-indias-help-to-strengthen-its-hydropower-sector-250266">Nepal's parliament </a>stepped down on Tuesday after a female employee of the parliament secretariat accused him of rape.

Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party said he was stepping down to allow an "impartial and independent investigation into the allegations that have come forward in media reports... until the probe is complete."

A former rebel leader during Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency, Mahara has previously served as deputy prime minister and has held several ministerial positions.

In a video interview published by local online news portal&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://hamrakura.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1570016429781000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE36Bx4Sw7PvaM3yxlS2Brzpzx5BA" href="http://hamrakura.com/" target="_blank">hamrakura.com</a>, the woman said that an intoxicated Mahara arrived at her rented home on Sunday night and persuaded her to drink alcohol before assaulting her.

"I had not thought it would come to this. He forced himself (on me)... he left after I said I will call the police," she said in the interview. &nbsp;

The woman also showed apparent bruises on her arms, hands and feet.

Police confirmed receiving a call from the alleged victim on Sunday night.

"We are taking forward our investigation and have collected evidence from her house. But she has not filed a case yet," said Shyam Lal Gyawali, spokesman for the Metropolitan police unit.

The evidence includes a bottle of whiskey and a pair of broken spectacles, allegedly belonging to Mahara. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The speaker's name started trending on social media in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-central-bank-issues-three-coins-to-commemorate-guru-nanak-devs-birth-anniversary-252579">Nepal</a> on Tuesday, with many demanding an investigation.

"We will stay watchful. The impartial investigation is must. Position, reach, victim shaming will not be valued," tweeted woman's rights activist Hima Bista.

Activists say more women are speaking up about cases of sexual violence, but also that many still go unreported in deeply patriarchal Nepal.

The speaker of Nepal's parliament stepped down on Tuesday after a female employee of the parliament secretariat accused him of rape. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party said he was stepping down to allow an "impartial and independent investigation into the allegations that have come forward in media reports.

The speaker of Nepal's parliament stepped down on Tuesday after a female employee of the parliament secretariat accused him of rape. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party said he was stepping down to allow an "impartial and independent investigation into the allegations that have come forward in media reports... until the probe is complete." A former rebel leader during Nepal's decade-long Maoist insurgency, Mahara has previously served as deputy prime minister and has held several ministerial positions. In a video interview published by local online news portal hamrakura.com, the woman said that an intoxicated Mahara arrived at her rented home on Sunday night and persuaded her to drink alcohol before assaulting her. "I had not thought it would come to this. He forced himself (on me)... he left after I said I will call the police," she said in the interview. The woman also showed apparent bruises on her arms, hands and feet. Police confirmed receiving a call from the alleged victim on Sunday night. "We are taking forward our investigation and have collected evidence from her house. But she has not filed a case yet," said Shyam Lal Gyawali, spokesman for the Metropolitan police unit. The evidence includes a bottle of whiskey and a pair of broken spectacles, allegedly belonging to Mahara. The speaker's name started trending on social media in Nepal on Tuesday, with many demanding an investigation. "We will stay watchful. The impartial investigation is must. Position, reach, victim shaming will not be valued," tweeted woman's rights activist Hima Bista. Activists say more women are speaking up about cases of sexual violence, but also that many still go unreported in deeply patriarchal Nepal.

Nepal's parliament speaker steps down after rape claim

The son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-prince-says-khashoggi-murder-happened-under-my-watch-us-tv-252208">Khashogg</a>i, who has denied a financial settlement with the government, spoke out in defence of the kingdom Tuesday ahead of the first anniversary of the killing.

Khashoggi, a royal family insider turned critic&nbsp;was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in an operation that reportedly involved 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body was never found.

Eleven unidentified suspects have been on&nbsp;trial in Riyadh, with five of them facing the death penalty.

Salah Khashoggi said he had "full confidence" in the judicial system, and hit out at opponents he said were seeking to exploit the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-year-on-saudi-struggles-to-turn-page-on-khashoggi-murder-252688"> case.</a>

“A year has gone by since the passing of my beloved father. During this time, opponents and enemies in the East and West sought to exploit his case to undermine my country and leadership," he said in a tweet.

"I will not accept that his memory and case be taken advantage of to achieve that after his passing," said Salah, who resides in the kingdom.&nbsp;

"I have full confidence in the kingdom's judicial system and in its ability to serve justice to those behind this heinous crime," he said.

The Washington Post reported&nbsp;on April 1 that Khashoggi's children, including Salah, had received multimillion-dollar homes and were being paid thousands of dollars per month by authorities.&nbsp;

Both the CIA and a UN special envoy have directly linked de facto ruler Crown <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-crown-prince-warns-of-escalation-with-iran-says-he-prefers-political-solution-252782">Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a> to the murder, a charge the kingdom denies.&nbsp;

The son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has denied a financial settlement with the government, spoke out in defence of the kingdom Tuesday ahead of the first anniversary of the killing.

The son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has denied a financial settlement with the government, spoke out in defence of the kingdom Tuesday ahead of the first anniversary of the killing. Khashoggi, a royal family insider turned critic was killed and dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in an operation that reportedly involved 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body was never found. Eleven unidentified suspects have been on trial in Riyadh, with five of them facing the death penalty. Salah Khashoggi said he had "full confidence" in the judicial system, and hit out at opponents he said were seeking to exploit the case. “A year has gone by since the passing of my beloved father. During this time, opponents and enemies in the East and West sought to exploit his case to undermine my country and leadership," he said in a tweet. "I will not accept that his memory and case be taken advantage of to achieve that after his passing," said Salah, who resides in the kingdom. "I have full confidence in the kingdom's judicial system and in its ability to serve justice to those behind this heinous crime," he said. The Washington Post reported on April 1 that Khashoggi's children, including Salah, had received multimillion-dollar homes and were being paid thousands of dollars per month by authorities. Both the CIA and a UN special envoy have directly linked de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder, a charge the kingdom denies.

Khashoggi's son defends Saudi against critics 'exploiting' murder

Asian markets fell Friday following declines on Wall Street as the impeachment inquiry into United States&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-markets-fall-as-impeachment-process-against-donald-trump-begins-251880">President Donald Trump</a> weighed on sentiment.

Political turmoil in Washington following the release of a whistleblower's complaint overshadowed positive comments from Trump on US-China trade talks and steps towards a new agreement with Japan.

The incendiary complaint alleges Trump sought to enlist Ukraine to help his 2020 campaign and then conspired with staff to cover it up.

All three US markets ended lower, with the Dow down by 0.3 per cent, the S&amp;P off 0.2 per cent and the Nasdaq gave up 0.6 per cent.

"The market isn't clear on what to make of the latest impeachment developments in the US, and this continues to increase uncertainly and could be weighing on investor sentiment," Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader, said in a note.

"Compounding this uncertainty is the stark reality that most of the global economy is moving in reverse while omnipresent geopolitical unease ensures the market remains in a constant wobble on a forever shifting trade war axis", Innes added.

In Asia, Tokyo was down 1.2 per cent as many shares went ex-dividend and Seoul was 1.1 per cent lower.

Hong Kong was down 0.3 per cent while Shanghai was up 0.1 per cent with trade cautious ahead of a weeklong holiday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan also retreated while Sydney was up 0.4 per cent, one of the few markets seeing gains.

Elsewhere, crude prices slipped following the swift recovery in Saudi production following the attacks on its oil infrastructure two weeks ago.

Both main contracts were lower, with WTI down 0.5 per cent and Brent off 0.8 per cent.

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-markets-slip-amidst-us-china-trade-war-251380">market has been trading lower</a> as oil bulls have been discouraged by quicker than expected return of Saudi oil output," said AxiTrader's Innes.

Investors were also awaiting US inflation, durable goods and personal income data due later Friday for a take on the world's biggest economy.

"With the US consumer, the last man standing still to take cover from the global slowdown, a poor read from these numbers has the potential to floor equities and end the week on a sour note," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA.

&nbsp;

Asian markets fell Friday following declines on Wall Street as the impeachment inquiry into United States President Donald Trump weighed on sentiment. Political turmoil in Washington following the release of a whistleblower's complaint overshadowed positive comments from Trump on US-China trade talks and steps towards a new agreement with Japan.

Asian markets fell Friday following declines on Wall Street as the impeachment inquiry into United States President Donald Trump weighed on sentiment. Political turmoil in Washington following the release of a whistleblower's complaint overshadowed positive comments from Trump on US-China trade talks and steps towards a new agreement with Japan. The incendiary complaint alleges Trump sought to enlist Ukraine to help his 2020 campaign and then conspired with staff to cover it up. All three US markets ended lower, with the Dow down by 0.3 per cent, the S&P off 0.2 per cent and the Nasdaq gave up 0.6 per cent. "The market isn't clear on what to make of the latest impeachment developments in the US, and this continues to increase uncertainly and could be weighing on investor sentiment," Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader, said in a note. "Compounding this uncertainty is the stark reality that most of the global economy is moving in reverse while omnipresent geopolitical unease ensures the market remains in a constant wobble on a forever shifting trade war axis", Innes added. In Asia, Tokyo was down 1.2 per cent as many shares went ex-dividend and Seoul was 1.1 per cent lower. Hong Kong was down 0.3 per cent while Shanghai was up 0.1 per cent with trade cautious ahead of a weeklong holiday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan also retreated while Sydney was up 0.4 per cent, one of the few markets seeing gains. Elsewhere, crude prices slipped following the swift recovery in Saudi production following the attacks on its oil infrastructure two weeks ago. Both main contracts were lower, with WTI down 0.5 per cent and Brent off 0.8 per cent. "The market has been trading lower as oil bulls have been discouraged by quicker than expected return of Saudi oil output," said AxiTrader's Innes. Investors were also awaiting US inflation, durable goods and personal income data due later Friday for a take on the world's biggest economy. "With the US consumer, the last man standing still to take cover from the global slowdown, a poor read from these numbers has the potential to floor equities and end the week on a sour note," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA.

Asian markets fall as Trump impeachment saga continues

Why Asia's biggest economies are backing hydrogen fuel cell cars

Indian shares fell on Wednesday, tracking broader Asia as investors braced for prospects of prolonged political uncertainty in the United States after the launch of a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

Democrats in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives on Tuesday launched a formal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-markets-fall-as-impeachment-process-against-donald-trump-begins-251880">impeachment inquiry</a> into President Trump, accusing him of seeking foreign help to smear Democratic rival Joe Biden ahead of next year's election.

"After the news from the US, we might be on tenterhooks, but we as an economy do not have much to worry," said Gaurang Shah, senior vice president at Geojit Financial Services.

"The outcome remains to be seen."

Compounding investors' fears, Trump's remarks at the United Nations Assembly on Tuesday accused China of currency manipulation and intellectual property theft risked riling a tariff dispute that has embroiled global equities over the past year.

The broader NSE Nifty was down 0.64 per cent&nbsp;at 11,511.45, as of 0406 GMT, while the benchmark BSE Sensex fell 0.69 per cent to 38,818.06.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.82 per cent.

Public sector banks and autos led the losses in India, with the Nifty PSU Bank Index shedding 2.16 per cent, while the Nifty Auto Index declined 1.45 per cent.

State Bank of India, the country's biggest lender by assets, dropped 2.78 per cent and was among the top decliners on the blue-chip NSE Nifty, while Tata Motors fell 3.13 per cent.&nbsp;

Among gainers, Power Grid Corp rose 2.15 per cent, while Reliance Industries and Tata Consultancy Services, the country's top two most valuable companies, gained about 1 per cent&nbsp;each.

Indian shares fell on Wednesday, tracking broader Asia as investors braced for prospects of prolonged political uncertainty in the United States after the launch of a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

Indian shares fell on Wednesday, tracking broader Asia as investors braced for prospects of prolonged political uncertainty in the United States after the launch of a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. Democrats in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday launched a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump, accusing him of seeking foreign help to smear Democratic rival Joe Biden ahead of next year's election. "After the news from the US, we might be on tenterhooks, but we as an economy do not have much to worry," said Gaurang Shah, senior vice president at Geojit Financial Services. "The outcome remains to be seen." Compounding investors' fears, Trump's remarks at the United Nations Assembly on Tuesday accused China of currency manipulation and intellectual property theft risked riling a tariff dispute that has embroiled global equities over the past year. The broader NSE Nifty was down 0.64 per cent at 11,511.45, as of 0406 GMT, while the benchmark BSE Sensex fell 0.69 per cent to 38,818.06. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.82 per cent. Public sector banks and autos led the losses in India, with the Nifty PSU Bank Index shedding 2.16 per cent, while the Nifty Auto Index declined 1.45 per cent. State Bank of India, the country's biggest lender by assets, dropped 2.78 per cent and was among the top decliners on the blue-chip NSE Nifty, while Tata Motors fell 3.13 per cent. Among gainers, Power Grid Corp rose 2.15 per cent, while Reliance Industries and Tata Consultancy Services, the country's top two most valuable companies, gained about 1 per cent each.

Nifty, Sensex track broader Asia lower on US political worries

Asian shares turned lower on Thursday after the US&nbsp;Federal Reserve cut interest rates as expected but signalled a higher bar to further policy easings.

Treasury yields rose broadly and the curve flattened as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell took a cautious approach to any further reductions in borrowing costs, while division among central bankers has increased uncertainty over how much further rates might fall.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.36 per cent.

Hong Kong shares shed 0.96 per cent, but Japan's Nikkei rose 1.01 per cent.

The yen rose from a seven-week low versus the dollar and held onto those gains after the Bank of Japan kept policy on hold, as expected, but signalled it could ease next month.

Central banks around the world have been loosening policy to counter the risks of low inflation and recession. Easier monetary policy has generally supported equities.

However, some analysts argue that a bond market rally has gone too far, saying yields have fallen too fast and curves flattened too much.

Others are worried about the growing amount of sovereign debt with negative yields.

"This is a small positive for share prices as long as there is no recession," said Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital Investors in Sydney.

"The only problem is a 25 basis-point cut was already expected, and the comments and dot-plot forecasts were not as dovish as the market hoped. I think the Fed will have to cut again. There are still some risks from the yield curve."

US&nbsp;stock futures fell 0.23 per cent in Asia on Thursday. The S&amp;P 500 reversed losses to end 0.03 per cent higher after Powell said he did not see an imminent recession or think the Fed will adopt negative rates.

The Fed cut interest rates for a second time this year to 1.75 per cent - 2.00 per cent in a 7-3 vote but signalled further cuts are unlikely as the labour market remains strong.

The rate cut was widely expected, but the split vote has raised some concern about predicting the future path of monetary policy.

So-called dot-plot forecasts from all 17 policymakers showed even broader disagreement, with seven expecting a third rate cut this year, five seeing the current rate cut as the last for 2019, and five who appeared to have been against even Wednesday's move.

The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes rose to 1.8013 per cent, while the two-year yield rose to 1.7703 per cent.

The spread between two- and 10-year Treasury yields, the most commonly used measure of the yield curve, was near the lowest since September&nbsp;9.

The curve inverted on August&nbsp;14 for the first time since 2007 when long-term yields traded below short-term yields, a widely accepted indicator of a coming recession.

The Australian dollar fell 0.5 per cent to $0.6793 after data showed the nation's jobless rate rose slightly to 5.3 per cent in August, bolstering expectations for the central bank to cut rates.

The yen rose around 0.3 per cent to 108.14 per dollar.

The BOJ maintained its pledge to guide short-term interest rates at minus 0.1 per cent and the 10-year government bond yield around 0 per cent.

Investors will closely watch BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda's post-decision press conference later on Thursday to gauge how he assesses risks to Japan's economic outlook.

The US&nbsp;crude futures rose 0.24 per cent to $58.25 per barrel.

Oil markets have stabilised after attacks on Saudi Arabia over the weekend triggered a supply shock and sent prices soaring, but the volatility is still a risk as Middle East tensions remain high.

Washington has blamed Iran for the attacks, a charge which Tehran denies.

The US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the strike was "an act of war."

Sterling traded at 88.50 pence per euro, near its strongest level since May 30. The pound was little changed at $1.2467.

Investors are awaiting a Bank of England policy meeting later Thursday. The BOE is expected to keep rates unchanged, but uncertainty about how the UK will exit from the European Union has complicated the outlook for monetary policy.

Asian shares turned lower on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates as expected but signalled a higher bar to further policy easings. Treasury yields rose broadly and the curve flattened as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell took a cautious approach to any further reductions in borrowing costs, while division among central bankers has increased uncertainty over how much further rates might fall.

Asian shares turned lower on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut interest rates as expected but signalled a higher bar to further policy easings. Treasury yields rose broadly and the curve flattened as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell took a cautious approach to any further reductions in borrowing costs, while division among central bankers has increased uncertainty over how much further rates might fall. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.36 per cent. Hong Kong shares shed 0.96 per cent, but Japan's Nikkei rose 1.01 per cent. The yen rose from a seven-week low versus the dollar and held onto those gains after the Bank of Japan kept policy on hold, as expected, but signalled it could ease next month. Central banks around the world have been loosening policy to counter the risks of low inflation and recession. Easier monetary policy has generally supported equities. However, some analysts argue that a bond market rally has gone too far, saying yields have fallen too fast and curves flattened too much. Others are worried about the growing amount of sovereign debt with negative yields. "This is a small positive for share prices as long as there is no recession," said Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital Investors in Sydney. "The only problem is a 25 basis-point cut was already expected, and the comments and dot-plot forecasts were not as dovish as the market hoped. I think the Fed will have to cut again. There are still some risks from the yield curve." US stock futures fell 0.23 per cent in Asia on Thursday. The S&P 500 reversed losses to end 0.03 per cent higher after Powell said he did not see an imminent recession or think the Fed will adopt negative rates. The Fed cut interest rates for a second time this year to 1.75 per cent - 2.00 per cent in a 7-3 vote but signalled further cuts are unlikely as the labour market remains strong. The rate cut was widely expected, but the split vote has raised some concern about predicting the future path of monetary policy. So-called dot-plot forecasts from all 17 policymakers showed even broader disagreement, with seven expecting a third rate cut this year, five seeing the current rate cut as the last for 2019, and five who appeared to have been against even Wednesday's move. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes rose to 1.8013 per cent, while the two-year yield rose to 1.7703 per cent. The spread between two- and 10-year Treasury yields, the most commonly used measure of the yield curve, was near the lowest since September 9. The curve inverted on August 14 for the first time since 2007 when long-term yields traded below short-term yields, a widely accepted indicator of a coming recession. The Australian dollar fell 0.5 per cent to $0.6793 after data showed the nation's jobless rate rose slightly to 5.3 per cent in August, bolstering expectations for the central bank to cut rates. The yen rose around 0.3 per cent to 108.14 per dollar. The BOJ maintained its pledge to guide short-term interest rates at minus 0.1 per cent and the 10-year government bond yield around 0 per cent. Investors will closely watch BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda's post-decision press conference later on Thursday to gauge how he assesses risks to Japan's economic outlook. The US crude futures rose 0.24 per cent to $58.25 per barrel. Oil markets have stabilised after attacks on Saudi Arabia over the weekend triggered a supply shock and sent prices soaring, but the volatility is still a risk as Middle East tensions remain high. Washington has blamed Iran for the attacks, a charge which Tehran denies. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the strike was "an act of war." Sterling traded at 88.50 pence per euro, near its strongest level since May 30. The pound was little changed at $1.2467. Investors are awaiting a Bank of England policy meeting later Thursday. The BOE is expected to keep rates unchanged, but uncertainty about how the UK will exit from the European Union has complicated the outlook for monetary policy.

Asian shares turn lower on guarded Fed, yen rises after BOJ

Oil shed some of its massive gains on Tuesday (September 17) as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-need-middle-east-oil-gas-but-will-help-our-allies-says-trump-after-attacks-on-saudi-arabias-aramco-250005">United States</a> flagged the possible release of crude reserves, but the threat of military action over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/international-oil-prices-surge-nearly-20-after-attack-on-saudi-oil-facilities-249978">attacks on Saudi oil</a> facilities kept prices elevated and stocks under pressure.

While equity market losses have not been large, shaky investor confidence continued to support safe-haven assets, with gold edging higher on Tuesday and Treasury prices rising.

Investors otherwise broadly remained on the sidelines ahead of an expected interest rate cut from the US&nbsp;Federal Reserve on Wednesday (September 18) and the next round of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-dismisses-us-claim-it-was-behind-saudi-oil-attacks-says-ready-for-war-249810">US</a>-China trade talks on Thursday.

The benchmark Nikkei average added 0.2 per cent&nbsp;to 22,021.86 in mid-morning trade to mark its highest level since May 7, as soaring oil prices triggered by attacks on Saudi oil facilities boosted oil and gas-related companies.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.6 per&nbsp;cent.

Chinese shares fell 0.85 per cent, while Australian shares were down 0.27 per cent.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 1.78 per cent to&nbsp;$67.79 per barrel in Asia on Tuesday.

On Monday Brent surged by 14.6 per cent for&nbsp;its biggest one-day percentage gain since at least 1988.

Saturday's attack on Saudi oil facilities has halved the kingdom's oil output, creating the biggest disruption to global oil supplies in absolute terms since the overthrow of the Iranian Shah in 1979, International Energy Agency data show.

In South Korea, stocks opened slightly lower with the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) down 3.14 points or 0.15 per cent to 2,059.08 points as of 0200 GMT.

China stocks fell on Tuesday as Beijing kept a key money rate unchanged even as recent readings pointed to further downward pressure on the world's second-largest economy.

In Hong Kong, stocks extended falls after credit rating agency Moody's downgraded the island city's outlook.

The Hang Seng index dropped 1.0 per cent, to 26,849.72, while the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index lost 1.0 per cent, to 10,520.42.

Oil shed some of its massive gains on Tuesday (September 17) as the United States flagged the possible release of crude reserves, but the threat of military action over the attacks on Saudi oil facilities kept prices elevated and stocks under pressure.

Oil shed some of its massive gains on Tuesday (September 17) as the United States flagged the possible release of crude reserves, but the threat of military action over the attacks on Saudi oil facilities kept prices elevated and stocks under pressure. While equity market losses have not been large, shaky investor confidence continued to support safe-haven assets, with gold edging higher on Tuesday and Treasury prices rising. Investors otherwise broadly remained on the sidelines ahead of an expected interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday (September 18) and the next round of US-China trade talks on Thursday. The benchmark Nikkei average added 0.2 per cent to 22,021.86 in mid-morning trade to mark its highest level since May 7, as soaring oil prices triggered by attacks on Saudi oil facilities boosted oil and gas-related companies. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.6 per cent. Chinese shares fell 0.85 per cent, while Australian shares were down 0.27 per cent. Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 1.78 per cent to $67.79 per barrel in Asia on Tuesday. On Monday Brent surged by 14.6 per cent for its biggest one-day percentage gain since at least 1988. Saturday's attack on Saudi oil facilities has halved the kingdom's oil output, creating the biggest disruption to global oil supplies in absolute terms since the overthrow of the Iranian Shah in 1979, International Energy Agency data show. In South Korea, stocks opened slightly lower with the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) down 3.14 points or 0.15 per cent to 2,059.08 points as of 0200 GMT. China stocks fell on Tuesday as Beijing kept a key money rate unchanged even as recent readings pointed to further downward pressure on the world's second-largest economy. In Hong Kong, stocks extended falls after credit rating agency Moody's downgraded the island city's outlook. The Hang Seng index dropped 1.0 per cent, to 26,849.72, while the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index lost 1.0 per cent, to 10,520.42.

Oil falls more than 1 per cent as market awaits response to Saudi oil attacks

Thailand rolled out plain cigarette packaging on Tuesday, the first country in Asia to introduce what activists say is an effective way to reduce the appeal of smoking.

In 2012 Australia became the first country to require tobacco products to be sold without colourful brand logos. Since then a host of mostly European countries have followed suit, including France, Hungary, and the UK.

Thailand agreed last year to comply with the World Health Organisation guidelines, and packs officially showed up in stores Tuesday.

Businesses have until December 8 to phase out stocks before facing fines of up to 40,000 baht ($1,300).

The standardised packaging includes a graphic picture of tobacco's effects on the body and the logo-free brand name written in plain font.

Keeping a uniform typeface below graphic depictions of smoking-related illnesses will make the products less attractive to buyers, said Prakit Vathesatogkit, vice-chair of the NGO Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.

"For non-smokers, for kids, they are less likely to start," Prakit, who was involved in advocacy efforts, told AFP.

There are more than 246 million cigarette smokers in Southeast Asia, where campaigners say low prices help make it one of the largest tobacco-consuming regions in the world.

In Thailand, the health impact is huge and smoking-related illnesses are a leading cause of death.

Singapore is set to implement similar restrictions on packaging next year.

Thailand rolled out plain cigarette packaging on Tuesday, the first country in Asia to introduce what activists say is an effective way to reduce the appeal of smoking.

Thailand rolled out plain cigarette packaging on Tuesday, the first country in Asia to introduce what activists say is an effective way to reduce the appeal of smoking. In 2012 Australia became the first country to require tobacco products to be sold without colourful brand logos. Since then a host of mostly European countries have followed suit, including France, Hungary, and the UK. Thailand agreed last year to comply with the World Health Organisation guidelines, and packs officially showed up in stores Tuesday. Businesses have until December 8 to phase out stocks before facing fines of up to 40,000 baht ($1,300). The standardised packaging includes a graphic picture of tobacco's effects on the body and the logo-free brand name written in plain font. Keeping a uniform typeface below graphic depictions of smoking-related illnesses will make the products less attractive to buyers, said Prakit Vathesatogkit, vice-chair of the NGO Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance. "For non-smokers, for kids, they are less likely to start," Prakit, who was involved in advocacy efforts, told AFP. There are more than 246 million cigarette smokers in Southeast Asia, where campaigners say low prices help make it one of the largest tobacco-consuming regions in the world. In Thailand, the health impact is huge and smoking-related illnesses are a leading cause of death. Singapore is set to implement similar restrictions on packaging next year.

Thailand first in Asia to roll out plain cigarette packaging

What is dengue, and why is it so widespread this year?

A rescue worker was killed and 10 others were injured after twin IED blasts rocked Quetta`s Khezai Chowk area on Thursday evening, police said.

The first explosion occurred at a transport company office in the area. Later, the second blast took place when rescue workers and journalists gathered at the site, The Dawn reported.

The number of casualties was confirmed by Liaqat Shahwani, the spokesperson for the Balochistan provincial government.

Six policemen, a TV reporter, and a cameraman were among the wounded, said Shahwani.

The injured were rushed to various hospitals in Quetta for treatment. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.&nbsp;

A rescue worker was killed and 10 others were injured after twin IED blasts rocked Quetta`s Khezai Chowk area on Thursday evening, police said. The first explosion occurred at a transport company office in the area.

A rescue worker was killed and 10 others were injured after twin IED blasts rocked Quetta`s Khezai Chowk area on Thursday evening, police said. The first explosion occurred at a transport company office in the area. Later, the second blast took place when rescue workers and journalists gathered at the site, The Dawn reported. The number of casualties was confirmed by Liaqat Shahwani, the spokesperson for the Balochistan provincial government. Six policemen, a TV reporter, and a cameraman were among the wounded, said Shahwani. The injured were rushed to various hospitals in Quetta for treatment. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Pakistan: Rescue worker killed, 10 injured in Quetta blasts

The Myanmar government is planning to extend the visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian and Chinese tourists for one more year, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has said.

On late Monday, the Ministry also divulged that it will extend visa exemption schemes for visitors from Japan and South Korea for another year, to September 30, 2020, to attract more tourists to the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

The visa exemption was initially allowed for visitors from Japan and South Korea and visa-on-arrival for those from China from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019. But now visa-on-arrival granted for Indian tourists for one year from December 1, 2018, will also be extended to November 30, 2020, the Ministry said.

The Ministry, in an earlier release in July, had noted that Myanmar authorities planned to grant visa-on-arrival to visitors from six more countries starting from October 1 as further relaxation of visa restriction on foreign visitors in addition to those belonging to the Asian countries in a bid to boost tourism.

The prior relaxation of visa restriction on Asian travelers have significantly prompted the increase of tourist arrivals in Myanmar in the first six months of 2019 to 2.14 million, up by almost 420,000 people as compared with the same period of 2018 when 1.72 million entered the country, according to the figures from the ministry. The country targets to attract over seven million visitors by 2020.&nbsp;

The Myanmar government is planning to extend the visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian and Chinese tourists for one more year, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has said.

The Myanmar government is planning to extend the visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian and Chinese tourists for one more year, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has said. On late Monday, the Ministry also divulged that it will extend visa exemption schemes for visitors from Japan and South Korea for another year, to September 30, 2020, to attract more tourists to the country, Xinhua news agency reported. The visa exemption was initially allowed for visitors from Japan and South Korea and visa-on-arrival for those from China from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019. But now visa-on-arrival granted for Indian tourists for one year from December 1, 2018, will also be extended to November 30, 2020, the Ministry said. The Ministry, in an earlier release in July, had noted that Myanmar authorities planned to grant visa-on-arrival to visitors from six more countries starting from October 1 as further relaxation of visa restriction on foreign visitors in addition to those belonging to the Asian countries in a bid to boost tourism. The prior relaxation of visa restriction on Asian travelers have significantly prompted the increase of tourist arrivals in Myanmar in the first six months of 2019 to 2.14 million, up by almost 420,000 people as compared with the same period of 2018 when 1.72 million entered the country, according to the figures from the ministry. The country targets to attract over seven million visitors by 2020.

Myanmar plans to extend visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian, Chinese tourists for one more year

The Myanmar government is planning to extend the visa-on-arrival scheme for Indian and Chinese tourists for one more year, the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has said.

On late Monday, the Ministry also divulged that it will extend visa exemption schemes for visitors from Japan and South Korea for another year, to September 30, 2020, to attract more tourists to the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

The visa exemption was initially allowed for visitors from Japan and South Korea and visa-on-arrival for those from China from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019. But now visa-on-arrival granted for Indian tourists for one year from December 1, 2018, will also be extended to November 30, 2020, the Ministry said.

The Ministry, in an earlier release in July, had noted that Myanmar authorities planned to grant visa-on-arrival to visitors from six more countries starting from October 1 as further relaxation of visa restriction on foreign visitors in addition to those belonging to the Asian countries in a bid to boost tourism.

The prior relaxation of visa restriction on Asian travelers have significantly prompted the increase of tourist arrivals in Myanmar in the first six months of 2019 to 2.14 million, up by almost 420,000 people as compared with the same period of 2018 when 1.72 million entered the country, according to the figures from the ministry.

The country targets to attract over seven million visitors by 2020.&nbsp;

World stocks rose to a one-week high on cautious hopes for a rapprochement on trade between Beijing and Washington on Friday, though a perky dollar capped gains with China's yuan softening again, on track for its weakest month in 2-1/2 decades.

World stocks rose to a one-week high on cautious hopes for a rapprochement on trade between Beijing and Washington on Friday, though a perky dollar capped gains with China's yuan softening again, on track for its weakest month in 2-1/2 decades. For most of August global stocks have reeled and fixed income shone as deepening concerns over global trade and clear signs of a slowdown, possibly even a recession, in the global economy loomed large over financial markets. But the mood lifted after US President Donald Trump said some trade discussions were taking place with China on Thursday, with more talks scheduled. China's commerce ministry also said a September round of meetings was being discussed by the two sides, but added it was important for Washington to cancel a tariff increase. The MSCI All-Country World Index climbed 0.3 per cent but is on track for a near 3 per cent decline in August - only the second month the benchmark has spent in the red this year. It is the weakest of August for the index since 2015. European stocks on Friday extended the previous session's gains, with the pan-European STOXX 600 index up 0.3 per cent to trade at a fresh one-month high. "The trade war seesaw has certainly moved back in favour of riskier assets for now, with Trump and China supposedly holding a call yesterday," said Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid. Gains were helped by a surge in German real estate firms which saw the country's DAX index add 0.7 per cent. The picture was more mixed in Asia, where Chinese and Hong Kong stock markets dipped in and out of the red. Arrests or detentions of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong added to investor jitters, with the Chinese-ruled territory facing its first recession in a decade. Japan's Nikkei added 1.2 per cent, while South Korea's KOSPI jumped 1.8 per cent. US futures pointed to a firmer start to the day's trade, with E-Minis for the S&P500 up 0.3 per cent after more than 1 per cent gain on Wall Street overnight. Fixed income markets took a breather on Friday, at the end of a stellar month that has seen prices rally and borrowing costs push deeper and deeper into negative territory. US Treasury yields nudged higher overnight, with the benchmark 10-year Treasury climbing to 1.5349 per cent from a three-year low of 1.443 per cent touched earlier this week. It was still below two-year yields at 1.5419 per cent. Such an inversion was last seen in 2007 and correctly foretold the great recession that followed a year later. Eurozone government bond yields were steady near record lows as data showed the bloc's inflation remained low at 1.0 per cent in August, well below the European Central Bank's target and bolstering expectations for European Central Bank stimulus in September. Germany is considering lowering its corporate tax rate, while the US government is thinking about issuing 50- and 100-year bonds in a bid to steepen the yield curve. Recent economic data has also pointed to a global growth slowdown with business investment, manufacturing activity, and exports all going south across major economies. Investors were focused on a string of economic releases due over the weekend including China's official manufacturing survey, which would provide a good gauge of the real impact from the Sino-US trade war. Glum yuan In currency markets, the dollar nudged to a one month high of 98.609 against a basket of six major currencies. Yet the trade optimism failed to inspire China's yuan, which resumed its decline with spot yuan at 7.1462 against the dollar. The currency is on track for its weakest month since Beijing's currency reform in 1994 after it broke through the key 7 to the dollar level earlier in August. "The yuan move back to 7 and beyond has been a distinct possibility for months. It is clearly down due to the tariffs," said Neil Mellor, senior FX strategist at BNY Mellon in London. "It does help them to some extent to absorb the tariff costs - it is one of the few options they have. The fiscal option is limited after years of excess, and the monetary stimulus has already been unprecedented this year." The Australian dollar, often seen as a proxy bet on the Chinese economy, slipped towards a 10-year trough. Elsewhere, the euro plunged to a one-month low against the dollar, as investors looked for aggressive easing by the European Central Bank and ignored doubts by some policymakers about the need for more stimulus. The Japanese yen stood at 106.40 to the dollar, while the euro was 0.2 per cent down at $1.10395. Sterling was steady at $1.2182 against the dollar ahead of a crucial few days for parliament next week which could even result in a no-confidence motion and a new election. In commodities, spot gold came off recent highs to trade at $1,526 an ounce. Silver was at $18.37 an ounce after hitting its highest level in more than two years. US crude slipped 57 cents to $56.14 a barrel while Brent fell 30 cents to $60.78 a barrel.

Global stocks scale one-week high on trade hopes, yuan softens

US could be thwarted from Asia in a couple of hours as China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) leaves the US army way behind. Watch this video to know more.

Bad news!! US not the dominant power in Asia anymore

Share markets fell for a third straight day on Tuesday as fears about a drawn-out global trade war, protests in Hong Kong and a crash in Argentina's peso currency kept investors huddled in bonds, gold, and the Japanese yen for safety.

Share markets fell for a third straight day on Tuesday as fears about a drawn-out global trade war, protests in Hong Kong and a crash in Argentina's peso currency kept investors huddled in bonds, gold, and the Japanese yen for safety. Early 0.3 per cent - 0.6 per cent drops from Europe's main indexes after some heavy falls in China, Hong Kong, Japan and other parts of Asia left MSCI's main 47-country world index down nearly 4 per cent for August so far. Hong Kong's airport, the world's busiest cargo hub, had reopened after protests closed it the previous day, but the mood remained febrile after weeks of increasingly violent demonstrations in the Chinese-ruled territory. Investors were also still assessing the wider damage caused by Monday's crash in Argentina after its President Mauricio Macri became the latest pro-free market, pro-reform leader to be given a beating at the polls by a populist rival. The response was brutal. The peso collapsed 15 per cent, equities crumbled 48 per cent in dollar terms the second-biggest one-day slump anywhere since 1950 and the bond market crashed, with a 100-year bond that investors had recently gobbled up tumbling 20 per cent as fears of yet another government default spiked. "Yes, Argentina is a small economy. However, the last thing global markets want to see is another market-friendly government fall to populism and/or geopolitics," said Rabobank strategist Michael Every. He added the 'wall of worry' also now includes the trade war, Brexit, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Kashmir, North Korea, South China Sea, Turkey, and Venezuela. "Did I miss anything with tired eyes?" With so much uncertainty around, Europe's traditional safety play, the 10-year German government bond, saw yields hit a new record low. Equivalent US Treasury yields were straining for their lowest in almost three years, gold was pinned close to six-year highs and the yen was within a whisker of a seven-month peak versus the dollar. ING analysts said the yen was benefiting 'from the best of both worlds', pointing to general risk aversion and a rush to the price in more interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. They think the yen, at 105.32 in Europe, will rally to 102 or 103 per dollar later this year. There was also the danger that moves could be amplified as many traders and investors are off for European and US summer holidays. Yet, there was no shortage of gloomy news for investors looking to catch their breath from several months of market ructions. Panic and chaos The weeks-long protests in Hong Kong began in opposition to a bill allowing extraditions to mainland China but have quickly morphed into the biggest challenge to China's authority over the city since it took Hong Kong back from Britain in 1997. A state of 'panic and chaos' now exists, the city's embattled leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday, defying fresh calls to quit. As she spoke, the benchmark Hang Seng index hit a seven-month low. By the close, it had dropped 2.1 per cent, dragging down markets across Asia and taking its losses past 6 per cent since the protests began in June. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares skidded 1.2 per cent as Chinese stocks and the Nikkei in Tokyo both fell around 1 per cent too. The dive for safety pushed gold up another 0.5 per cent to $1.523 per ounce and its latest six-year high. Oil prices meanwhile held their ground as expectations that major producers will continue to reduce supplies balanced out worries about sluggish economic growth. Brent crude inched up to $58.74 while US West Texas Intermediate futures were flat at $54.81 a barrel. It comes too with Saudi Arabia pushing plans to float its national oil company Saudi Aramco in what could be the world's largest initial public offering (IPO). "With Saudi Aramco reportedly eyeing an IPO once again, there is some support to the idea that Saudi Arabia has a heightened interest in strong crude prices and will cut its output accordingly," Vienna-based consultancy JBC Energy said.

Shares shunted after Argentina crash, safe-havens shine

Exclusively speaking to WION, Tania Joya briefs her story from a core jihadist to a deradicalisation activist.

Born in 1984 near London to a Muslim-Bangladeshi family, Joya grew up confronted by racism and the struggles of integration.&nbsp;

She was radicalised at age 17, after the September 11 terror attacks in New York.

"We are working towards ending Islamic terrorism with an organisation through workshops for parents, teachers and police officers or anyone who wants to take this course", Tania said.

Edited excerpts of the interview:

WION - Do you think that ISIS will get dismantled ever as there are reports of their regrouping in Syria again? There are reports also of them expanding to other regions in Asia.

Tania Joya - They have been dismantled but they can regroup and they have a plan for that. They are not going to stop their agenda and are waiting to regroup. I know that they are growing in the Philippines and also in Afghanistan. I don't know much about their growth in Asia or India.

WION - Can you tell us something about your background and where are you living now? Also, about your story of transition from a ranking ISIS member to now a deradicalisation activist?

Tania Joya - I was a British Bengali, grew up in England and when I was 17-18, I was radicalised and became a Muslim fundamentalist and after September 11, I got married at 19 to my ex-husband John Georgelas (Yahya al-Bahrumi). We travelled together. We were married for about 10 years, but the marriage was dysfunctional and wasn't perfect. I have four children with him. I wanted to leave the marriage as it was very difficult.

I did not have the right to divorce, I did not have the permission to leave the house without his permission. Before I was married, I did not realise how tough my life would be. Once I got married, I was pretty much stuck. 10 years later in 2013, we were in Turkey, my ex-husband took us across the border where I informed US authorities that I need to get away from my ex-husband as I was afraid for the life of my children. I crossed the border back to Turkey and I returned to US and currently living in Dallas.

WION - How do you think your story evolution as a woman and independent thinker should now be heard?

Tania Joya - I think that I can be a good role model for lost kids,&nbsp;lot of teenagers growing in the west, having an identity crisis and mental breakdown. They turn to a coping mechanism through drugs or religion or something else.

They aren't given counselling as well.&nbsp;I would like to show young people to not give up on life as I did. When I decided to be a Muslim fundamentalist, I gave up my will power and my rights as a human being. I did it subconsciously and did not realise what I was doing. So I would like to speak up and help other young girls to encourage that you can have spiritual power. You have to work at this life as we do not have any other evidence that the other life that we are going to have would be real or not. So, we would focus on this life and should not give up easily. Because if you work on it, you can get better. I was labelled as former extremist, I was not extremist as I did not use violence. But I was definitely fundamentalist. So my story alone can show a lot of girls, and I know other women who are stuck in marriage can't get out. But when they see how I managed, it gives them some hope. I want to help others who were like me feeling helpless. I want to get them out of domestic abuses and get them rebuild themselves and find them who they were.

WION - From a hardcore jihadist to de-radicalisation activist, how have people around you accepted you? If you come across women leading on the same path as you did, what are you going to say to them?

Tania Joya - Well, I am in America and in America, people are very different from England. Since I am in America, it was the American values that changed my ideology. Like I did not know about the constitutional bill of rights when I was growing in the UK. I learned about the value system in the US. I understood that it is better than Islam, being in America, I was not afraid of questioning of religion. I had the freedom to do that. I did not have the Muslim community that would tell me that I was weak or I was not a good Muslim. It really changed my life. A lot of extremism has to do with the environment. If a person is in that environment, they also think the same way. So once you put that individual out and put them into a different space, they can adjust and start learning and becoming something new.

I hope to break these toxic environments and want to dismantle them. We are working towards ending Islamic terrorism that way. At least in the West, we are going to start it with America first and then the West. I also work for an organisation, which prevents violent extremism programming and conduct workshops which is for parents, teachers and police officers or anyone who wants to take this course which breaks up all the stages when people radicalised.&nbsp;The workshop is free and we are going to the therapist and will help individuals from extremism the prisons are more terrible. We want to break that delusion and we want to bring them back into reality. It is hard as it has been for myself because I had to go through the other mental breakdown and had to realise how wrong I was.

WION - You are often referred to as "First lady of ISIS", how do you come up with such taglines and how did you felt on knowing this after you were completely out of such things?

Tania Joya - Yes, well that's a terrible name. But all those names like "ISIS bride", and all these labels are terrible. I was married to the highest-ranking American in ISIS and he was the commander. He enjoyed ISIS but I separated from him and came to America. But those names are in self a headline I guess. But I am not an ISIS bride. I was a fundamentalist and married to extremist and finally got out with my children.&nbsp;

You have to accept and do not need to question. Because if you are questioning, you are sinning. Part of my de-radicalisation was educating myself. I was always interested in psychology, philosophy and different religion of the middle east before Islam. Every woman deserves better as they are not property. No one is property. Women and children have equal rights as men do.

WION - What events manipulated you and made you close to radicalisation?

Tania Joya - Well, first my children, when I came to America I already came to the acceptance that Islam is not perfect. I got to stop pretending, after having children, I really did not want my children to be like their dad or their dad's friends for the way they use to treat their women. I wanted to see my children live life and help people rather than destroying it. Because extremists do not want to save the world or environment and are not concerned. They are irresponsible&nbsp;and I do not want to see the end of my children. I do not want to be parents like you see the Kurdish camps separating children every day was fear, natural materialist fear and I could not switch off that voice that I want to make my children feel safe. I see woman brainwashed to a different level.

WION - What is the one message that you want to give out to all the women out there?

Tania Joya - My message to women is to aim high and don't settle for less. Educate yourself and do not depend upon anyone. You should know that you are worthy.

Exclusively speaking to WION, Tania Joya briefs her story from a core jihadist to a deradicalisation activist. Born in 1984 near London to a Muslim-Bangladeshi family, Joya grew up confronted by racism and the struggles of integration.

Exclusively speaking to WION, Tania Joya briefs her story from a core jihadist to a deradicalisation activist. Born in 1984 near London to a Muslim-Bangladeshi family, Joya grew up confronted by racism and the struggles of integration. She was radicalised at age 17, after the September 11 terror attacks in New York. "We are working towards ending Islamic terrorism with an organisation through workshops for parents, teachers and police officers or anyone who wants to take this course", Tania said. Edited excerpts of the interview: WION - Do you think that ISIS will get dismantled ever as there are reports of their regrouping in Syria again? There are reports also of them expanding to other regions in Asia. Tania Joya - They have been dismantled but they can regroup and they have a plan for that. They are not going to stop their agenda and are waiting to regroup. I know that they are growing in the Philippines and also in Afghanistan. I don't know much about their growth in Asia or India. WION - Can you tell us something about your background and where are you living now? Also, about your story of transition from a ranking ISIS member to now a deradicalisation activist? Tania Joya - I was a British Bengali, grew up in England and when I was 17-18, I was radicalised and became a Muslim fundamentalist and after September 11, I got married at 19 to my ex-husband John Georgelas (Yahya al-Bahrumi). We travelled together. We were married for about 10 years, but the marriage was dysfunctional and wasn't perfect. I have four children with him. I wanted to leave the marriage as it was very difficult. I did not have the right to divorce, I did not have the permission to leave the house without his permission. Before I was married, I did not realise how tough my life would be. Once I got married, I was pretty much stuck. 10 years later in 2013, we were in Turkey, my ex-husband took us across the border where I informed US authorities that I need to get away from my ex-husband as I was afraid for the life of my children. I crossed the border back to Turkey and I returned to US and currently living in Dallas. WION - How do you think your story evolution as a woman and independent thinker should now be heard? Tania Joya - I think that I can be a good role model for lost kids, lot of teenagers growing in the west, having an identity crisis and mental breakdown. They turn to a coping mechanism through drugs or religion or something else. They aren't given counselling as well. I would like to show young people to not give up on life as I did. When I decided to be a Muslim fundamentalist, I gave up my will power and my rights as a human being. I did it subconsciously and did not realise what I was doing. So I would like to speak up and help other young girls to encourage that you can have spiritual power. You have to work at this life as we do not have any other evidence that the other life that we are going to have would be real or not. So, we would focus on this life and should not give up easily. Because if you work on it, you can get better. I was labelled as former extremist, I was not extremist as I did not use violence. But I was definitely fundamentalist. So my story alone can show a lot of girls, and I know other women who are stuck in marriage can't get out. But when they see how I managed, it gives them some hope. I want to help others who were like me feeling helpless. I want to get them out of domestic abuses and get them rebuild themselves and find them who they were. WION - From a hardcore jihadist to de-radicalisation activist, how have people around you accepted you? If you come across women leading on the same path as you did, what are you going to say to them? Tania Joya - Well, I am in America and in America, people are very different from England. Since I am in America, it was the American values that changed my ideology. Like I did not know about the constitutional bill of rights when I was growing in the UK. I learned about the value system in the US. I understood that it is better than Islam, being in America, I was not afraid of questioning of religion. I had the freedom to do that. I did not have the Muslim community that would tell me that I was weak or I was not a good Muslim. It really changed my life. A lot of extremism has to do with the environment. If a person is in that environment, they also think the same way. So once you put that individual out and put them into a different space, they can adjust and start learning and becoming something new. I hope to break these toxic environments and want to dismantle them. We are working towards ending Islamic terrorism that way. At least in the West, we are going to start it with America first and then the West. I also work for an organisation, which prevents violent extremism programming and conduct workshops which is for parents, teachers and police officers or anyone who wants to take this course which breaks up all the stages when people radicalised. The workshop is free and we are going to the therapist and will help individuals from extremism the prisons are more terrible. We want to break that delusion and we want to bring them back into reality. It is hard as it has been for myself because I had to go through the other mental breakdown and had to realise how wrong I was. WION - You are often referred to as "First lady of ISIS", how do you come up with such taglines and how did you felt on knowing this after you were completely out of such things? Tania Joya - Yes, well that's a terrible name. But all those names like "ISIS bride", and all these labels are terrible. I was married to the highest-ranking American in ISIS and he was the commander. He enjoyed ISIS but I separated from him and came to America. But those names are in self a headline I guess. But I am not an ISIS bride. I was a fundamentalist and married to extremist and finally got out with my children. You have to accept and do not need to question. Because if you are questioning, you are sinning. Part of my de-radicalisation was educating myself. I was always interested in psychology, philosophy and different religion of the middle east before Islam. Every woman deserves better as they are not property. No one is property. Women and children have equal rights as men do. WION - What events manipulated you and made you close to radicalisation? Tania Joya - Well, first my children, when I came to America I already came to the acceptance that Islam is not perfect. I got to stop pretending, after having children, I really did not want my children to be like their dad or their dad's friends for the way they use to treat their women. I wanted to see my children live life and help people rather than destroying it. Because extremists do not want to save the world or environment and are not concerned. They are irresponsible and I do not want to see the end of my children. I do not want to be parents like you see the Kurdish camps separating children every day was fear, natural materialist fear and I could not switch off that voice that I want to make my children feel safe. I see woman brainwashed to a different level. WION - What is the one message that you want to give out to all the women out there? Tania Joya - My message to women is to aim high and don't settle for less. Educate yourself and do not depend upon anyone. You should know that you are worthy.

'I can be good role model for those having identity crisis and mental breakdown', says ISIS first lady to WION

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hungarian-doctors-separate-bangladeshi-twins-joined-at-head-240319">Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated last week </a>are in a stable condition, the team of Hungarian and Bangladeshi doctors who carried out the marathon operation said Saturday.

Three-year-old Rabeya and Rukaya who were joined at the head suffered from a rare embryological disorder affecting an estimated one in every five to six million births.

The girls were recovering after the 30-hour operation to separate their skulls and brains at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.

A surgical team of 35 Hungarians and more than 100 Bangladeshi doctors took part in the delicate procedure which they dubbed 'Operation Freedom'.

The girls were in stable condition after the final separation, the last phase in a lengthy series of surgeries since last year, said Gergely Pataki, founder of Action for Defenceless People Foundation (ADPF) which led the huge team of doctors.

'But keeping in mind that such rare complicated surgical procedures have its risks, complications might still occur,' he told reporters at a press conference in CMH.

The girls have undergone two neurosurgical operations and 44 plastic surgeries so far.

Before the surgery doctors had said there was only a 50 per cent chance of the twins surviving.

According to ADPF, only a handful of operations to separate twins joined at the head have been successful.

The Hungarian charity was set up in 2002 by neurosurgeon Andras Csokay and plastic surgeon Pataki to provide free surgery to poor people in Hungary and abroad.

In the first phase of surgery in Bangladesh last year, the shared blood vessels of the twins' brains were separated in a 14-hour operation.

ADPF neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons supported by anesthesiologists, radiologists and paediatricians also used innovative 3D animation software to map the two brains.

The twins' overwhelmed mother Taslima Khatun said she cried tears of joy when one of her daughters spoke to her on Saturday.

'One of my babies this morning told me, 'Mother take me on your lap.' This gave me huge peace of mind. I'm so very happy,' she said.

She was however concerned about whether the twins would make a complete recovery.

Anaesthesiologist Marcell Csapody said they were 'hopeful and optimistic' the twins would make a full recovery but had to be realistic as the youngsters were not yet completely out of danger.

'We have to be optimistic and (simultaneously) realistic,' he said.

ADPF has performed around 500 reconstructive surgery operations in Asia and Africa, including for Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh.

Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated last week are in a stable condition, the team of Hungarian and Bangladeshi doctors who carried out the marathon operation said Saturday.

Conjoined Bangladeshi twins who were separated last week are in a stable condition, the team of Hungarian and Bangladeshi doctors who carried out the marathon operation said Saturday. Three-year-old Rabeya and Rukaya who were joined at the head suffered from a rare embryological disorder affecting an estimated one in every five to six million births. The girls were recovering after the 30-hour operation to separate their skulls and brains at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. A surgical team of 35 Hungarians and more than 100 Bangladeshi doctors took part in the delicate procedure which they dubbed 'Operation Freedom'. The girls were in stable condition after the final separation, the last phase in a lengthy series of surgeries since last year, said Gergely Pataki, founder of Action for Defenceless People Foundation (ADPF) which led the huge team of doctors. 'But keeping in mind that such rare complicated surgical procedures have its risks, complications might still occur,' he told reporters at a press conference in CMH. The girls have undergone two neurosurgical operations and 44 plastic surgeries so far. Before the surgery doctors had said there was only a 50 per cent chance of the twins surviving. According to ADPF, only a handful of operations to separate twins joined at the head have been successful. The Hungarian charity was set up in 2002 by neurosurgeon Andras Csokay and plastic surgeon Pataki to provide free surgery to poor people in Hungary and abroad. In the first phase of surgery in Bangladesh last year, the shared blood vessels of the twins' brains were separated in a 14-hour operation. ADPF neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons supported by anesthesiologists, radiologists and paediatricians also used innovative 3D animation software to map the two brains. The twins' overwhelmed mother Taslima Khatun said she cried tears of joy when one of her daughters spoke to her on Saturday. 'One of my babies this morning told me, 'Mother take me on your lap.' This gave me huge peace of mind. I'm so very happy,' she said. She was however concerned about whether the twins would make a complete recovery. Anaesthesiologist Marcell Csapody said they were 'hopeful and optimistic' the twins would make a full recovery but had to be realistic as the youngsters were not yet completely out of danger. 'We have to be optimistic and (simultaneously) realistic,' he said. ADPF has performed around 500 reconstructive surgery operations in Asia and Africa, including for Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh.

Separated Bangladeshi twins stable: Doctors

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-missile-tests-defensive-needs-no-ones-permission-238915">Iran unveiled three precision-guided missiles</a> on Tuesday, with the defence minister saying they show the country is ready to defend itself in the face of US 'viciousness and conspiracies'.

The new line-up of air-to-air missiles dubbed the 'Yasin', 'Balaban' and a new series of the 'Ghaem' were developed jointly by the ministry and Sa Iran, also known as Iran Electronics Industries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-normal-for-iran-to-test-missiles-iranian-defence-minister-amir-hatami-239724">Defence Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami</a> hailed their launch as 'another significant achievement of power and dignity for the Islamic Republic of Iran'.

'It shows that despite the viciousness and conspiracies of the Great Satan America and its mercenaries, the defence ministry will not hesitate for a moment to defend the Islamic republic and to expand security,' he said, quoted by Fars news agency.

The Yasin was a smart, guided-missile with folding wings that can be fired from a range of 50 kilometres (30 miles) of its target from manned or unmanned aircraft, Fars reported.

The Balaban was guided by GPS and sensors, equipped with folding wings and could be mounted under aircraft, while the Ghaem was a heat-seeking missile that could hit within 50 centimetres of a target.

They were unveiled amid tensions between Iran and the US and its allies in the Strait of Hormuz a vital corridor linking oil-producing countries in the Middle East to markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.

The tensions arose after the US withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers last year and began stepping up a campaign of 'maximum pressure' on the Islamic republic.

Since May this year, ships have been targeted in mysterious attacks, drones have been downed and oil tankers seized in the strategic waters.

 
&nbsp;

Iran unveiled three precision-guided missiles on Tuesday, with the defence minister saying they show the country is ready to defend itself in the face of US 'viciousness and conspiracies'.

Iran unveiled three precision-guided missiles on Tuesday, with the defence minister saying they show the country is ready to defend itself in the face of US 'viciousness and conspiracies'. The new line-up of air-to-air missiles dubbed the 'Yasin', 'Balaban' and a new series of the 'Ghaem' were developed jointly by the ministry and Sa Iran, also known as Iran Electronics Industries. Defence Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami hailed their launch as 'another significant achievement of power and dignity for the Islamic Republic of Iran'. 'It shows that despite the viciousness and conspiracies of the Great Satan America and its mercenaries, the defence ministry will not hesitate for a moment to defend the Islamic republic and to expand security,' he said, quoted by Fars news agency. The Yasin was a smart, guided-missile with folding wings that can be fired from a range of 50 kilometres (30 miles) of its target from manned or unmanned aircraft, Fars reported. The Balaban was guided by GPS and sensors, equipped with folding wings and could be mounted under aircraft, while the Ghaem was a heat-seeking missile that could hit within 50 centimetres of a target. They were unveiled amid tensions between Iran and the US and its allies in the Strait of Hormuz a vital corridor linking oil-producing countries in the Middle East to markets in Asia, Europe, and North America. The tensions arose after the US withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers last year and began stepping up a campaign of 'maximum pressure' on the Islamic republic. Since May this year, ships have been targeted in mysterious attacks, drones have been downed and oil tankers seized in the strategic waters.

Iran unveils three new precision-guided missiles

Top oil exporter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-to-allow-women-to-travel-abroad-without-male-guardian-approval-240033">Saudi Arabia</a> may cut prices for most of the crude grades it sells to Asia for a second straight month in September after Middle East benchmark prices weakened.

The official selling price (OSP) for flagship Arab Light crude could drop by at least 50 cents a barrel, falling below a premium of $2 a barrel for the first time in four months, a Reuters survey of five buyers in Asia showed.

The cuts would track a backwardation between prompt and third month <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dubai-ruler-s-wife-seeks-forced-marriage-protection-order-in-english-court-239545">Dubai</a> prices that narrowed by 70 cents a barrel in July versus June. Spot prices are higher than those in future months in a backwardated market.

Asia's incremental demand for September-loading Middle East crude weakened last month with several North Asian refineries scheduled to shut for maintenance during their autumn season.

Strong fuel oil margins, however, are likely to support prices for heavier grades that produce more of the residual fuel, survey respondents said.

"Fuel oil cracks rallied the most," one of the respondents said, adding that this could lead to smaller price adjustments for Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude versus light grades.

Two of the five respondents expect Arab Heavy crude's OSP to stay unchanged in September, while most of the respondents said Arab Medium's September OSP could fall by 20-40 cents a barrel.

Saudi Arabia's crude OSPs are usually released around the fifth of each month, and set the trend for Iranian, Kuwaiti and Iraqi prices, affecting more than 12 million barrels per day (BPD) of crude bound for Asia.

State oil giant Saudi Aramco sets its crude prices based on recommendations from customers and after calculating the change in the value of its oil over the past month, based on yields and product prices.

Saudi Aramco officials as a matter of policy do not comment on the kingdom's monthly OSPs.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia may cut prices for most of the crude grades it sells to Asia for a second straight month in September after Middle East benchmark prices weakened.

Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia may cut prices for most of the crude grades it sells to Asia for a second straight month in September after Middle East benchmark prices weakened. The official selling price (OSP) for flagship Arab Light crude could drop by at least 50 cents a barrel, falling below a premium of $2 a barrel for the first time in four months, a Reuters survey of five buyers in Asia showed. The cuts would track a backwardation between prompt and third month Dubai prices that narrowed by 70 cents a barrel in July versus June. Spot prices are higher than those in future months in a backwardated market. Asia's incremental demand for September-loading Middle East crude weakened last month with several North Asian refineries scheduled to shut for maintenance during their autumn season. Strong fuel oil margins, however, are likely to support prices for heavier grades that produce more of the residual fuel, survey respondents said. "Fuel oil cracks rallied the most," one of the respondents said, adding that this could lead to smaller price adjustments for Arab Medium and Arab Heavy crude versus light grades. Two of the five respondents expect Arab Heavy crude's OSP to stay unchanged in September, while most of the respondents said Arab Medium's September OSP could fall by 20-40 cents a barrel. Saudi Arabia's crude OSPs are usually released around the fifth of each month, and set the trend for Iranian, Kuwaiti and Iraqi prices, affecting more than 12 million barrels per day (BPD) of crude bound for Asia. State oil giant Saudi Aramco sets its crude prices based on recommendations from customers and after calculating the change in the value of its oil over the past month, based on yields and product prices. Saudi Aramco officials as a matter of policy do not comment on the kingdom's monthly OSPs.

Saudi Arabia may cut crude oil prices to Asia in September

Asian countries turning back wealthy world's waste

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-&amp;-economy/gold-prices-rise-to-one-week-high-as-softer-us-dollar-supports-buying-148880">Gold prices</a> held steady on Wednesday as investors waited on the outcome of the Federal Reserve`s meeting later in the day when policymakers are expected to cut interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis.

Spot gold was flat at $1,430.69 per ounce as of 0723 GMT.

US gold futures edged 0.1 per cent higher to $1,443.60 an ounce. "Most of the people are staying on the sidelines due to the Fed meeting. If the Fed does reduce rates, gold may come down a little as a 25 basis point cut is already priced-in," said Brian Lan, managing director at dealer GoldSilver Central in Singapore.

"We are also looking at whether there will be further rate cuts. Over the longer term, we are still bullish on gold but in the short-term, we might see a bit of correction before it continues to move higher," Lan added.

Fed funds rate futures are now fully pricing in a 25 basis point rate cut on Wednesday and another 25 basis point reduction by September.

Markets will be watching out for guidance on whether the Federal Open Market Committee`s expected move is a one-time cut or the beginning of a rate-cutting cycle.

Cementing expectations of Fed rate cuts, US consumer spending and prices rose moderately in June, pointing to slower economic growth and benign inflation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tears-into-china-on-twitter-as-trade-talks-resume-239492">US President Donald Trump</a>, meanwhile, reiterated his call for the Fed to make a large interest rate cut, saying he was disappointed in the US&nbsp;

The central bank and that it had put him at a disadvantage by not acting sooner.

"Gold will look for direction in the tone of the Fed Chief`s rhetoric. More dovish could lead to a weaker dollar and a higher price for gold," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/crude-oil-prices-fall-1-on-fears-for-global-economy-233148">Alfonso Esparza</a>, a senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note.

The dollar index was relatively unchanged against a basket of major currencies on Wednesday after hitting a two-month high in the previous session.

In financial markets, fresh trade concerns following threats by Trump to Beijing sent Asian shares to a six-week trough on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Trump warned China against waiting out his presidency before finalising a trade deal, saying if he wins re-election in November 2020, the outcome could be no agreement or a harsher one.

On the technical front, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said a bullish target at $1,452 per ounce has been established for spot gold, as it has pierced above resistance at $1,427.

Among other precious metals, silver slipped 0.7 per cent to $16.46 per ounce.

Platinum jumped 1.2 per cent to $876.11 an ounce and palladium rose 1 per cent to $1,529.20.

Gold prices held steady on Wednesday as investors waited on the outcome of the Federal Reserve`s meeting later in the day when policymakers are expected to cut interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis.

Gold prices held steady on Wednesday as investors waited on the outcome of the Federal Reserve`s meeting later in the day when policymakers are expected to cut interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis. Spot gold was flat at $1,430.69 per ounce as of 0723 GMT. US gold futures edged 0.1 per cent higher to $1,443.60 an ounce. "Most of the people are staying on the sidelines due to the Fed meeting. If the Fed does reduce rates, gold may come down a little as a 25 basis point cut is already priced-in," said Brian Lan, managing director at dealer GoldSilver Central in Singapore. "We are also looking at whether there will be further rate cuts. Over the longer term, we are still bullish on gold but in the short-term, we might see a bit of correction before it continues to move higher," Lan added. Fed funds rate futures are now fully pricing in a 25 basis point rate cut on Wednesday and another 25 basis point reduction by September. Markets will be watching out for guidance on whether the Federal Open Market Committee`s expected move is a one-time cut or the beginning of a rate-cutting cycle. Cementing expectations of Fed rate cuts, US consumer spending and prices rose moderately in June, pointing to slower economic growth and benign inflation. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, reiterated his call for the Fed to make a large interest rate cut, saying he was disappointed in the US The central bank and that it had put him at a disadvantage by not acting sooner. "Gold will look for direction in the tone of the Fed Chief`s rhetoric. More dovish could lead to a weaker dollar and a higher price for gold," Alfonso Esparza, a senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note. The dollar index was relatively unchanged against a basket of major currencies on Wednesday after hitting a two-month high in the previous session. In financial markets, fresh trade concerns following threats by Trump to Beijing sent Asian shares to a six-week trough on Wednesday. Trump warned China against waiting out his presidency before finalising a trade deal, saying if he wins re-election in November 2020, the outcome could be no agreement or a harsher one. On the technical front, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said a bullish target at $1,452 per ounce has been established for spot gold, as it has pierced above resistance at $1,427. Among other precious metals, silver slipped 0.7 per cent to $16.46 per ounce. Platinum jumped 1.2 per cent to $876.11 an ounce and palladium rose 1 per cent to $1,529.20.

Gold prices hold steady ahead of Fed verdict

Indian shares edged higher on Tuesday, tracking broader Asia ahead of a widely expected rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

The Fed begins its two-day policy meeting later in the day, at which it is widely expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points. If implemented, it would be the central bank's first rate cut in a decade.

The broader NSE Nifty was up 0.32 per cent at 11,224.85 as of 0455 GMT, while the benchmark BSE Sensex rose 0.31per cent to 37,803.38.

"The positive open follows mildly positive US markets on Monday and largely positive Asian markets this morning," said Deepak Jasani, senior vice president at HDFC Securities.

"Some beaten-down stocks of Monday are seeing some bounce."

Banks and financials led the gains, with the Nifty Bank index and the Nifty Finance index rising 0.5 per cent each. ICICI Bank was among the top gainers with a rise of 1.2 per cent.

State Bank of India, the country's biggest lender, tightened lending terms for auto dealers as it sought to reduce its exposure to the crisis-ridden sector, Reuters reported on Monday.

The move, however, did not dampen investor sentiment on the sector. The Nifty Auto index was up 0.4 per cent, after it touched an over three-year low on Monday.

Sector heavyweights Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors were up 0.5 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories, which reported better-than-expected earnings on Monday, saw its stock rise slightly over 1 per cent. Cipla Ltd was up nearly 2 per cent.

Among losers, Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd extended its fall from Monday after a lawmaker alleged embezzlement by the company to the tune of 1 trillion rupees.

Meanwhile, shares of Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd plunged 20 per cent, after the founder and largest shareholder in the company went missing under mysterious circumstances on Monday.

Indian shares edged higher on Tuesday, tracking broader Asia ahead of a widely expected rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. The Fed begins its two-day policy meeting later in the day, at which it is widely expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points.

Indian shares edged higher on Tuesday, tracking broader Asia ahead of a widely expected rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. The Fed begins its two-day policy meeting later in the day, at which it is widely expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points. If implemented, it would be the central bank's first rate cut in a decade. The broader NSE Nifty was up 0.32 per cent at 11,224.85 as of 0455 GMT, while the benchmark BSE Sensex rose 0.31per cent to 37,803.38. "The positive open follows mildly positive US markets on Monday and largely positive Asian markets this morning," said Deepak Jasani, senior vice president at HDFC Securities. "Some beaten-down stocks of Monday are seeing some bounce." Banks and financials led the gains, with the Nifty Bank index and the Nifty Finance index rising 0.5 per cent each. ICICI Bank was among the top gainers with a rise of 1.2 per cent. State Bank of India, the country's biggest lender, tightened lending terms for auto dealers as it sought to reduce its exposure to the crisis-ridden sector, Reuters reported on Monday. The move, however, did not dampen investor sentiment on the sector. The Nifty Auto index was up 0.4 per cent, after it touched an over three-year low on Monday. Sector heavyweights Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors were up 0.5 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively. Dr Reddy's Laboratories, which reported better-than-expected earnings on Monday, saw its stock rise slightly over 1 per cent. Cipla Ltd was up nearly 2 per cent. Among losers, Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd extended its fall from Monday after a lawmaker alleged embezzlement by the company to the tune of 1 trillion rupees. Meanwhile, shares of Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd plunged 20 per cent, after the founder and largest shareholder in the company went missing under mysterious circumstances on Monday.

Nifty, Sensex edge higher tracking broader Asia

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-war-is-making-china-stronger-234526">US trade negotiators return to China</a> this week for a fresh round of talks in a new city, but experts warn a change of air is unlikely to quickly solve an impasse between the world's two biggest economies.

The meetings in Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday will be the first face-to-face discussions since negotiations collapsed in May after President Donald Trump accused China of reneging on its commitments.

Washington and Beijing have so far hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade in the tense stand-off.

Despite an agreement by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-xi-jinping-and-trade-a-high-stakes-game-of-chicken-216697">Trump and President Xi Jinping at the G20</a> in Japan to cease hostilities, there has been little progress since and the US leader has irritated the Chinese side by claiming the slowing economy is forcing them to make a trade deal.

The dispute has centred on US demands for China to curb the alleged theft of American technology and provide a level-playing field to US companies in the Asian country.

Trump has also angered China by blacklisting telecom giant Huawei over national security concerns.

"China tried to take this as a purely economic affair and just wants to make a deal, but on the US side, it seems ... (they) try to connect the trade affairs with a strategic rivalry," Wang Chuanxing, professor at Tongji University, told AFP.

"The common ground is that both of the sides want to strike a deal, so this is very important."

Symbolic venue&nbsp;

The re-starting of talks is seen as a positive step, and the change of location to the country's leading city of commerce Shanghai is also suggestive.

"It could be an attempt to distance the consequences of the negotiations from Xi Jinping and the people immediately around him," said Michael Pettis, a finance professor at the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University.

Holding talks in Shanghai is also a nod to a time of better relations, as the home of the 1972 Shanghai Communique an important step in building diplomatic relations between the US and China.

"There's a significance to (China) of the Shanghai Communique and the symbolism obviously of that important agreement," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC, adding that he would take the invite to Shanghai as "good news that we will be making progress next week".

However, Mnuchin, who will be joined by US trade representative Robert Lighthizer in Shanghai, warned there were "a lot of issues" and he expected follow-up talks in the US.

"It's not likely (they will sign a deal) this week," said Shanghai-based professor Shen Dingli.

The Global Times, a state-run nationalist daily, said in an editorial on Friday that it is "widely believed that trade talks will take a long time" and the chance of getting a deal could be missed if Washington continues to put pressure on Beijing.

Further lowering expectations was Larry Kudlow, director of the US National Economic Council, who told CNBC on Friday that he "wouldn't expect any grand deal."

"Talking to our negotiators, I think they're going to reset the stage and hopefully go back to where the talks left off last May," he said, adding that the two sides still need to address key structural issues such as intellectual property theft and forced transfers of technology.

New places, new faces

As well as a fresh location, the new round of trade talks seem set to give a more prominent role to the Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan.

While Vice Premier Liu He will likely lead the talks for China again, the addition of Zhong could change the tone of the discussions as he is seen as a hardliner.

"On the one hand maybe in his speeches he might express something tough," Wang said.

"But on the other hand, we can also think that China is making more efforts to strike a deal because Zhong Shan is a man with much expertise in this area."

There is also a suggestion that Beijing is deliberately delaying the process until the next US election, in the hope of finding a more conciliatory leader to deal with.

It will be tougher for Xi to push reforms following US criticism of Beijing's human rights record and an open letter signed by retired US military officials urging Trump to maintain a hard line against Communist China, said Larry Ong, senior analyst with political risk consultancy SinoInsider.

"Xi's rivals and other (Communist) Party hardliners will seize on the aforementioned developments as proof that the US wants to defeat the CCP in a Cold War-style conflict, not reach a 'win-win' trade agreement and revert the Sino-US relationship to the engagement era," Ong said.

US trade negotiators return to China this week for a fresh round of talks in a new city, but experts warn a change of air is unlikely to quickly solve an impasse between the world's two biggest economies.

US trade negotiators return to China this week for a fresh round of talks in a new city, but experts warn a change of air is unlikely to quickly solve an impasse between the world's two biggest economies. The meetings in Shanghai on Tuesday and Wednesday will be the first face-to-face discussions since negotiations collapsed in May after President Donald Trump accused China of reneging on its commitments. Washington and Beijing have so far hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade in the tense stand-off. Despite an agreement by Trump and President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Japan to cease hostilities, there has been little progress since and the US leader has irritated the Chinese side by claiming the slowing economy is forcing them to make a trade deal. The dispute has centred on US demands for China to curb the alleged theft of American technology and provide a level-playing field to US companies in the Asian country. Trump has also angered China by blacklisting telecom giant Huawei over national security concerns. "China tried to take this as a purely economic affair and just wants to make a deal, but on the US side, it seems ... (they) try to connect the trade affairs with a strategic rivalry," Wang Chuanxing, professor at Tongji University, told AFP. "The common ground is that both of the sides want to strike a deal, so this is very important." Symbolic venue The re-starting of talks is seen as a positive step, and the change of location to the country's leading city of commerce Shanghai is also suggestive. "It could be an attempt to distance the consequences of the negotiations from Xi Jinping and the people immediately around him," said Michael Pettis, a finance professor at the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University. Holding talks in Shanghai is also a nod to a time of better relations, as the home of the 1972 Shanghai Communique an important step in building diplomatic relations between the US and China. "There's a significance to (China) of the Shanghai Communique and the symbolism obviously of that important agreement," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC, adding that he would take the invite to Shanghai as "good news that we will be making progress next week". However, Mnuchin, who will be joined by US trade representative Robert Lighthizer in Shanghai, warned there were "a lot of issues" and he expected follow-up talks in the US. "It's not likely (they will sign a deal) this week," said Shanghai-based professor Shen Dingli. The Global Times, a state-run nationalist daily, said in an editorial on Friday that it is "widely believed that trade talks will take a long time" and the chance of getting a deal could be missed if Washington continues to put pressure on Beijing. Further lowering expectations was Larry Kudlow, director of the US National Economic Council, who told CNBC on Friday that he "wouldn't expect any grand deal." "Talking to our negotiators, I think they're going to reset the stage and hopefully go back to where the talks left off last May," he said, adding that the two sides still need to address key structural issues such as intellectual property theft and forced transfers of technology. New places, new faces As well as a fresh location, the new round of trade talks seem set to give a more prominent role to the Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan. While Vice Premier Liu He will likely lead the talks for China again, the addition of Zhong could change the tone of the discussions as he is seen as a hardliner. "On the one hand maybe in his speeches he might express something tough," Wang said. "But on the other hand, we can also think that China is making more efforts to strike a deal because Zhong Shan is a man with much expertise in this area." There is also a suggestion that Beijing is deliberately delaying the process until the next US election, in the hope of finding a more conciliatory leader to deal with. It will be tougher for Xi to push reforms following US criticism of Beijing's human rights record and an open letter signed by retired US military officials urging Trump to maintain a hard line against Communist China, said Larry Ong, senior analyst with political risk consultancy SinoInsider. "Xi's rivals and other (Communist) Party hardliners will seize on the aforementioned developments as proof that the US wants to defeat the CCP in a Cold War-style conflict, not reach a 'win-win' trade agreement and revert the Sino-US relationship to the engagement era," Ong said.

Cautious hopes before new round of US-China trade talks

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/governments-outstanding-loans-from-rbi-at-78943-billion-rupees-in-july-12-week-237181">Reserve Bank of India</a> is set to cut interest rates in August for the fourth meeting in a row, according to a Reuters poll of economists, a majority of whom said risks to their already-modest growth forecasts were skewed more to the downside.

If the RBI does cut rates next month, it will be the most aggressive amongst dovish central banks in Asia. The last time the RBI delivered so many back-to-back cuts was after the global financial crisis over a decade ago when most major central banks went on a cutting spree to revive economic growth.

Almost 80 per cent of 66 economists in the July 17-24 poll expected the RBI to cut its benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent at the Aug. 7 meeting. Three respondents predicted 50 basis points cut and the remaining 10 forecast policy on hold.

"It is baked in the cake. They are going to cut rates in August and again later, mainly due to low growth and weak inflation," said Gareth Leather, senior Asia economist at Capital Economics.

India's inflation has remained below the central bank's medium-term target of 4 per cent for almost a year and is not expected to rise significantly above that until at least 2021.&nbsp;

The poll's findings support <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/economic-activity-clearly-losing-traction-rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das-at-mpc-meet-229011">RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das</a>' recent comments about the central bank's accommodative stance and suggest further easing.

Indeed, following next month's expected move, the next rate cut is seen in early 2020, after which the RBI is forecast to keep rates on hold at 5.25 per cent through to end-2020.

Yet despite three interest rate cuts, this year and expectations for more, India's growth outlook was downgraded in the latest poll compared to the previous quarterly economic survey in April.

Asia's third-largest economy expanded at 5.8 per cent year-on-year in the January-March quarter, its slowest pace in five years and losing its title to China as the fastest-growing economy. India is now forecast to grow in the range of 6.3 per cent to 7.2 per cent each quarter through to end-March 2021.

The risks to the more modest growth forecasts for this fiscal year were skewed more to the downside, said a majority of economists who answered an additional question.

Annual growth forecasts were lowered to 6.8 per cent for this fiscal year from 7.2 per cent in the previous poll. That is a tad slower than the International Monetary Fund's latest growth projection of 7.0 per cent for this year.

"India's economy continues to show weak growth momentum. We believe that while recovery is nascent, maturity is still a far way off," said Rini Sen, India economist at ANZ.

"The impact of easy liquidity and dovish monetary policy is gradually flowing through. In the absence of a substantial fiscal push, however, more is needed on the monetary side."

When asked whether the RBI should consider core inflation instead of retail inflation as the main measure for its monetary policy framework, a majority of economists said no, although nearly 30 per cent of respondents said it should be.

"Core inflation is a better measure for underlying price pressures than the headline rate is. So, it should give a better indication of where the economy is in terms of the economic cycle," said Shilan Shah, senior India economist at Capital Economics.

"Food and fuel prices are very volatile and they don't say much about the demand on the ground."

The Reserve Bank of India is set to cut interest rates in August for the fourth meeting in a row, according to a Reuters poll of economists, a majority of whom said risks to their already-modest growth forecasts were skewed more to the downside.

The Reserve Bank of India is set to cut interest rates in August for the fourth meeting in a row, according to a Reuters poll of economists, a majority of whom said risks to their already-modest growth forecasts were skewed more to the downside. If the RBI does cut rates next month, it will be the most aggressive amongst dovish central banks in Asia. The last time the RBI delivered so many back-to-back cuts was after the global financial crisis over a decade ago when most major central banks went on a cutting spree to revive economic growth. Almost 80 per cent of 66 economists in the July 17-24 poll expected the RBI to cut its benchmark repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent at the Aug. 7 meeting. Three respondents predicted 50 basis points cut and the remaining 10 forecast policy on hold. "It is baked in the cake. They are going to cut rates in August and again later, mainly due to low growth and weak inflation," said Gareth Leather, senior Asia economist at Capital Economics. India's inflation has remained below the central bank's medium-term target of 4 per cent for almost a year and is not expected to rise significantly above that until at least 2021. The poll's findings support RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das' recent comments about the central bank's accommodative stance and suggest further easing. Indeed, following next month's expected move, the next rate cut is seen in early 2020, after which the RBI is forecast to keep rates on hold at 5.25 per cent through to end-2020. Yet despite three interest rate cuts, this year and expectations for more, India's growth outlook was downgraded in the latest poll compared to the previous quarterly economic survey in April. Asia's third-largest economy expanded at 5.8 per cent year-on-year in the January-March quarter, its slowest pace in five years and losing its title to China as the fastest-growing economy. India is now forecast to grow in the range of 6.3 per cent to 7.2 per cent each quarter through to end-March 2021. The risks to the more modest growth forecasts for this fiscal year were skewed more to the downside, said a majority of economists who answered an additional question. Annual growth forecasts were lowered to 6.8 per cent for this fiscal year from 7.2 per cent in the previous poll. That is a tad slower than the International Monetary Fund's latest growth projection of 7.0 per cent for this year. "India's economy continues to show weak growth momentum. We believe that while recovery is nascent, maturity is still a far way off," said Rini Sen, India economist at ANZ. "The impact of easy liquidity and dovish monetary policy is gradually flowing through. In the absence of a substantial fiscal push, however, more is needed on the monetary side." When asked whether the RBI should consider core inflation instead of retail inflation as the main measure for its monetary policy framework, a majority of economists said no, although nearly 30 per cent of respondents said it should be. "Core inflation is a better measure for underlying price pressures than the headline rate is. So, it should give a better indication of where the economy is in terms of the economic cycle," said Shilan Shah, senior India economist at Capital Economics. "Food and fuel prices are very volatile and they don't say much about the demand on the ground."

Reserve Bank of India to cut rates again in August as doves prevail: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-gets-24-below-average-rainfall-this-week-india-meteorological-department-230768">India's monsoon rains</a> were 20 per cent below average in the week ending on Wednesday, as rainfall was scanty over the central, western and southern parts of the country, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/assam-meghalaya-likely-to-receive-heavy-rainfall-india-meteorological-department-235428">India Meteorological Department</a> (IMD) said, raising concerns over the output of summer-sown crops.

Monsoon rains are crucial for farm output and economic growth, as about 55 per cent of India's arable land is rain-fed, and agriculture forms about 15 per cent of a $2.5 trillion economy that is the third biggest in Asia.

Soybean- and cotton-growing central regions received 68 per cent less rainfall in the week, while the rubber- and tea-growing southern state of Kerala received 71 per cent lower rainfall, data from the weather office showed.

Overall, India has received rains that were 16 per cent less than average since the monsoon season began on June 1.&nbsp;

India's monsoon rains were 20 per cent below average in the week ending on Wednesday, as rainfall was scanty over the central, western and southern parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, raising concerns over the output of summer-sown crops.

India's monsoon rains were 20 per cent below average in the week ending on Wednesday, as rainfall was scanty over the central, western and southern parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, raising concerns over the output of summer-sown crops. Monsoon rains are crucial for farm output and economic growth, as about 55 per cent of India's arable land is rain-fed, and agriculture forms about 15 per cent of a $2.5 trillion economy that is the third biggest in Asia. Soybean- and cotton-growing central regions received 68 per cent less rainfall in the week, while the rubber- and tea-growing southern state of Kerala received 71 per cent lower rainfall, data from the weather office showed. Overall, India has received rains that were 16 per cent less than average since the monsoon season began on June 1.

India gets rainfall 20 per cent below average in latest week: IMD

At least ten people lost their lives after being struck by lightning across three districts in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-hasina-accuses-myanmar-of-defying-promise-over-repatriation-of-rohingyas-225839">Bangladesh</a> on Saturday.

Most of the people who died were farmworkers in the districts of Pabna, Mymensingh, and Chuadanga, according to Xinhua.

The Asian nation experiences lightning during this time of the year. Around 126 people have similarly lost their lives in the last two months, as per data compiled by a non-governmental organisation called 'Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum'.

&nbsp;

At least ten people lost their lives after being struck by lightning across three districts in Bangladesh on Saturday. Most of the people who died were farmworkers in the districts of Pabna, Mymensingh, and Chuadanga, according to Xinhua.

At least ten people lost their lives after being struck by lightning across three districts in Bangladesh on Saturday. Most of the people who died were farmworkers in the districts of Pabna, Mymensingh, and Chuadanga, according to Xinhua. The Asian nation experiences lightning during this time of the year. Around 126 people have similarly lost their lives in the last two months, as per data compiled by a non-governmental organisation called 'Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum'.

Ten dead after being struck by lightning in Bangladesh

Rebalancing is the new mantra of statecraft and reset is the new form of global rapprochement. 
 
Therefore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for as many as 20 meetings, including nine bilaterals and eight pull-aside engagements, with his global counterparts. On the sidelines of the G20 summit at Osaka, Japan, were varied groupings: Russia-India-China, Japan-US-India and Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa. It offered, once again, good optics for the creation of a multilateral system of partnerships with various countries and international organisations.

All great powers realise that the era of super-power domination is over, and with the emergence of new power centres like China, India and Japan, new rules of the game and new terms of engagement need to be chalked out. Forums like G20 are critical for constructing a multi-polar and democratic order, which would guarantee each country — large or small — peace, security, justice and development in order to address challenges like climate change, corruption, pollution, terrorism, technology sharing and data flow management, among others.

In the wake of the financial woes of the West and its increasingly protectionist tendencies of late — Brexit in the UK and the triumphalism of Donald Trump — one can notice a common trend that arises out of part distrust and part national interest. No more prominent example of global rebalancing may be cited than China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) against the backdrop of the US’s ‘Pivot to Asia’ that Beijing intuitively believes to be especially devised to contain its rise.

How is the rebalancing working out? US allies in Asia, connected to and militarily aligned with the pivot, are absolutely okay with engaging economically with China, a phenomenon that seeks to strike a balance between the regional and global geo-economic and geostrategic priorities. The hegemonic struggle between the US and China to stake control over Asia and the world notwithstanding, nations are trying hard to hold on to their values and diplomats are honing their skills on economic statecraft.

Is rebalancing, then, the other name of strategic promiscuity? In a way, it is. Because being close to another country does not necessarily mean hostilities against a third country. Rebalancing, therefore, is more akin to focusing on areas of respective and mutual convergence. That’s where it syncs with national interest. While the reasons for US foreign policy to focus on Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey is ascribed to their fluid and open approach to the international order than those of China or Russia, the real factor could be to reduce China’s global clout by fostering partnerships with existing and rising great powers.

Russia, in turn, has been trying to counterbalance the USA’s global leadership by cooperating with China on issues relating to state sovereignty, strengthening the UN Security Council, and pitching for a multi-polar world order wherein no single state assumes a paramount position vis-à-vis the others in world affairs. Despite paeans sung on the merits of multilateralism, it is natural that a leader in power would pursue policy based on his/her perception of national interest. 
 
Napoleon justified his campaign against Russia, and later his act to launch the desperate battle at Waterloo, on the plea that he was acting in the interest of France; Hitler was said to be acting in Germany’s national interest on grounds of which he justified his expansionist policies, including annexation of Austria and the breakup of Czechoslovakia (1938). British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain justified his act of currying favour with Hitler and Mussolini on the pretext that such appeasement was in Britain’s national interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently justified demonetisation as a move taken in “national interest” and not for “political gains”, arguing that it was a step to fight black money.

It is par for the course, then, that during a recent extensive bilateral meeting in New Delhi, India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar reconfirmed to his American counterpart, Mike Pompeo, about the Indian imperative to act in its national interest and nurture the time-tested, history-honoured relationships with many countries, including Russia and Iran. India is also engaging more actively with Japan, while taking care not to antagonise China, which is another deft exercise of rebalancing. 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-rebalancing-is-trademark-in-a-multi-polar-diplomatic-world-2770634">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Rebalancing is the new mantra of statecraft and reset is the new form of global rapprochement. Therefore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for as many as 20 meetings, including nine bilaterals and eight pull-aside engagements, with his global counterparts.

Rebalancing is the new mantra of statecraft and reset is the new form of global rapprochement. Therefore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for as many as 20 meetings, including nine bilaterals and eight pull-aside engagements, with his global counterparts. On the sidelines of the G20 summit at Osaka, Japan, were varied groupings: Russia-India-China, Japan-US-India and Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa. It offered, once again, good optics for the creation of a multilateral system of partnerships with various countries and international organisations. All great powers realise that the era of super-power domination is over, and with the emergence of new power centres like China, India and Japan, new rules of the game and new terms of engagement need to be chalked out. Forums like G20 are critical for constructing a multi-polar and democratic order, which would guarantee each country — large or small — peace, security, justice and development in order to address challenges like climate change, corruption, pollution, terrorism, technology sharing and data flow management, among others. In the wake of the financial woes of the West and its increasingly protectionist tendencies of late — Brexit in the UK and the triumphalism of Donald Trump — one can notice a common trend that arises out of part distrust and part national interest. No more prominent example of global rebalancing may be cited than China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) against the backdrop of the US’s ‘Pivot to Asia’ that Beijing intuitively believes to be especially devised to contain its rise. How is the rebalancing working out? US allies in Asia, connected to and militarily aligned with the pivot, are absolutely okay with engaging economically with China, a phenomenon that seeks to strike a balance between the regional and global geo-economic and geostrategic priorities. The hegemonic struggle between the US and China to stake control over Asia and the world notwithstanding, nations are trying hard to hold on to their values and diplomats are honing their skills on economic statecraft. Is rebalancing, then, the other name of strategic promiscuity? In a way, it is. Because being close to another country does not necessarily mean hostilities against a third country. Rebalancing, therefore, is more akin to focusing on areas of respective and mutual convergence. That’s where it syncs with national interest. While the reasons for US foreign policy to focus on Brazil, India, Indonesia and Turkey is ascribed to their fluid and open approach to the international order than those of China or Russia, the real factor could be to reduce China’s global clout by fostering partnerships with existing and rising great powers. Russia, in turn, has been trying to counterbalance the USA’s global leadership by cooperating with China on issues relating to state sovereignty, strengthening the UN Security Council, and pitching for a multi-polar world order wherein no single state assumes a paramount position vis-à-vis the others in world affairs. Despite paeans sung on the merits of multilateralism, it is natural that a leader in power would pursue policy based on his/her perception of national interest. Napoleon justified his campaign against Russia, and later his act to launch the desperate battle at Waterloo, on the plea that he was acting in the interest of France; Hitler was said to be acting in Germany’s national interest on grounds of which he justified his expansionist policies, including annexation of Austria and the breakup of Czechoslovakia (1938). British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain justified his act of currying favour with Hitler and Mussolini on the pretext that such appeasement was in Britain’s national interest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently justified demonetisation as a move taken in “national interest” and not for “political gains”, arguing that it was a step to fight black money. It is par for the course, then, that during a recent extensive bilateral meeting in New Delhi, India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar reconfirmed to his American counterpart, Mike Pompeo, about the Indian imperative to act in its national interest and nurture the time-tested, history-honoured relationships with many countries, including Russia and Iran. India is also engaging more actively with Japan, while taking care not to antagonise China, which is another deft exercise of rebalancing. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Rebalancing is trademark in a multi-polar diplomatic world

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