Japan plans to ban government purchases of equipment from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp, news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing&nbsp;a person with direct knowledge on the matter.

Accordign to a report by a local newspaper, the government was expected to revise its internal rules on procurement as early as Monday in a bid to prevent intelligence leaks and cyber attacks.

The ban comes a day after the reports of&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-arrested-in-canada-faces-extradition-to-us-181757">arrest of China's tech giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzou</a> on US extradition request. She was arrested in Vancouver airport for violating US sanction against Iran.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-tech-giant-huawei-181879">&nbsp;What you need to know about Chinese tech giant Huawei</a>

With <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-immediate-release-of-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-181949">China demanding the release of Meng</a>, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau distanced Canada from the arrest saying that the officers who arrested Meng on Saturday as she was changing planes&nbsp;had acted on their own.

"I can assure everyone that we are a country (with) an independent judiciary," Trudeau told a tech conference in Montreal. "And they took this decision without any political involvement or interference."

Meanwhile, China has said that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-huawei-cfo-throws-rare-spotlight-on-family-181953">Meng,&nbsp;the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei</a>, a former engineer in China's People's Liberation Army, had violated no laws in either Canada or the United States.

Huawei has also&nbsp;denied any wrongdoing saying&nbsp;that it was compliant with "all applicable laws and regulations where it operates."

Huawei's affordable smartphones have made strong inroads in the developing world, but the company has faced repeated setbacks in major Western economies over security concerns.

Japan plans to ban government purchases of equipment from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp, news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing a person with direct knowledge on the matter.

Japan plans to ban government purchases of equipment from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and ZTE Corp, news agency Reuters reported on Friday citing a person with direct knowledge on the matter. Accordign to a report by a local newspaper, the government was expected to revise its internal rules on procurement as early as Monday in a bid to prevent intelligence leaks and cyber attacks. The ban comes a day after the reports of the arrest of China's tech giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzou on US extradition request. She was arrested in Vancouver airport for violating US sanction against Iran. Also read: What you need to know about Chinese tech giant Huawei With China demanding the release of Meng, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau distanced Canada from the arrest saying that the officers who arrested Meng on Saturday as she was changing planes had acted on their own. "I can assure everyone that we are a country (with) an independent judiciary," Trudeau told a tech conference in Montreal. "And they took this decision without any political involvement or interference." Meanwhile, China has said that Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, a former engineer in China's People's Liberation Army, had violated no laws in either Canada or the United States. Huawei has also denied any wrongdoing saying that it was compliant with "all applicable laws and regulations where it operates." Huawei's affordable smartphones have made strong inroads in the developing world, but the company has faced repeated setbacks in major Western economies over security concerns.

Japan to bar Huawei, ZTE from government procurement contracts: Report

Canada on Thursday defended its<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-arrested-in-canada-faces-extradition-to-us-181757"> arrest of an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei</a> on a US extradition request as markets wobbled on fears of fresh friction between Washington and Beijing.

With <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-immediate-release-of-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-181949">China demanding the release</a> of Huawei chief financial officer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-huawei-cfo-throws-rare-spotlight-on-family-181953">Meng Wanzhou</a>, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said officers who arrested her Saturday as she was changing planes in Vancouver had acted on their own.

"I can assure everyone that we are a country (with) an independent judiciary," Trudeau told a tech conference in Montreal. "And they took this decision without any political involvement or interference."

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-tech-giant-huawei-181879"> What you need to know about Chinese tech giant Huawei</a>

Citing a court-ordered publication ban sought by Meng, Trudeau declined to comment further on the case, which according to a US senator was brought over Huawei's activities in Iran.

The arrest took place on the same day that the US and Chinese presidents, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, had met for a long-awaited summit in Buenos Aires and spoken of easing an intensifying trade row.

Markets were chaotic over news of the arrest. On Wall Street, the broad-based S&amp;P Index closed down 0.31 per cent after making up steep early losses.

"The concept of getting a quick resolution is fading," Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley FBR, said of the trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

China said that Meng -- the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, a former engineer in China's People's Liberation Army -- had violated no laws in either Canada or the United States.

"We have made solemn representations to Canada and the US, demanding that both parties immediately clarify the reasons for the detention, and immediately release the detainee to protect the person's legal rights," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in Beijing.

Huawei also said in a statement that it was compliant with "all applicable laws and regulations where it operates."

Huawei's affordable smartphones have made strong inroads in the developing world, but the company has faced repeated setbacks in major Western economies over security concerns.

White House knew in advance

Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, acknowledged that he knew that Canada was planning to arrest Meng on Saturday just as all eyes were on the summit in Buenos Aires.

"I knew in advance. This is something that we get from the Justice Department," Bolton told National Public Radio.

He said he was not sure whether Trump -- who had trumpeted his summit with Xi as "amazing and productive" as he flew back to Washington -- &nbsp;was also aware.

"These kinds of things happen with some frequency. We certainly don't inform the president on every one of them," he said of the arrest.

Bolton also declined to discuss specifics over Meng's arrest, saying it was a matter for law enforcement.

"But we've had enormous concerns for years," Bolton said, "about the practice of Chinese firms to use stolen American intellectual property, to engage in forced technology transfers, and to be used as arms of the Chinese government's objectives in terms of information technology in particular."

"So not respecting this particular arrest, but Huawei is one company we've been concerned about," he said.

Senator Ben Sasse earlier linked Meng's arrest to US sanctions on Iran, which Trump is trying to squeeze economically after withdrawing from a denuclearization deal.

Sasse said in a statement that China was "working creatively to undermine our national security interests, and the United States and our allies can't sit on the sidelines."

CNN, quoting an unnamed official, said that the United States saw the arrest as providing leverage in trade talks.&nbsp;

Canada fears retaliation

Canada was bracing for a fallout in relations with China, which has been increasingly willing to punish countries it sees as countering its interests.

Canada's cyber security chief said the country could face retaliatory cyber attacks.

"I think one of the key things is that we always have to be resilient no matter what the possible trigger could be," Scott Jones, director of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, told a press conference.

Jones happened to be presenting his office's first report assessing cyber security threats.&nbsp;

Meng is scheduled to appear in court on Friday for a bail hearing.

Trump and Xi, who were in Argentina for a summit of the Group of 20 major economies, had agreed to set up negotiations to discuss US concerns over China's trade barriers.

In turn, Trump agreed to hold off on raising tariffs from 10 to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods starting in the new year.

Canada on Thursday defended its arrest of an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei on a US extradition request as markets wobbled on fears of fresh friction between Washington and Beijing.

Canada on Thursday defended its arrest of an executive of Chinese tech giant Huawei on a US extradition request as markets wobbled on fears of fresh friction between Washington and Beijing. With China demanding the release of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said officers who arrested her Saturday as she was changing planes in Vancouver had acted on their own. "I can assure everyone that we are a country (with) an independent judiciary," Trudeau told a tech conference in Montreal. "And they took this decision without any political involvement or interference." Also read: What you need to know about Chinese tech giant Huawei Citing a court-ordered publication ban sought by Meng, Trudeau declined to comment further on the case, which according to a US senator was brought over Huawei's activities in Iran. The arrest took place on the same day that the US and Chinese presidents, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, had met for a long-awaited summit in Buenos Aires and spoken of easing an intensifying trade row. Markets were chaotic over news of the arrest. On Wall Street, the broad-based S&P Index closed down 0.31 per cent after making up steep early losses. "The concept of getting a quick resolution is fading," Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley FBR, said of the trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. China said that Meng -- the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, a former engineer in China's People's Liberation Army -- had violated no laws in either Canada or the United States. "We have made solemn representations to Canada and the US, demanding that both parties immediately clarify the reasons for the detention, and immediately release the detainee to protect the person's legal rights," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in Beijing. Huawei also said in a statement that it was compliant with "all applicable laws and regulations where it operates." Huawei's affordable smartphones have made strong inroads in the developing world, but the company has faced repeated setbacks in major Western economies over security concerns. White House knew in advance Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, acknowledged that he knew that Canada was planning to arrest Meng on Saturday just as all eyes were on the summit in Buenos Aires. "I knew in advance. This is something that we get from the Justice Department," Bolton told National Public Radio. He said he was not sure whether Trump -- who had trumpeted his summit with Xi as "amazing and productive" as he flew back to Washington -- was also aware. "These kinds of things happen with some frequency. We certainly don't inform the president on every one of them," he said of the arrest. Bolton also declined to discuss specifics over Meng's arrest, saying it was a matter for law enforcement. "But we've had enormous concerns for years," Bolton said, "about the practice of Chinese firms to use stolen American intellectual property, to engage in forced technology transfers, and to be used as arms of the Chinese government's objectives in terms of information technology in particular." "So not respecting this particular arrest, but Huawei is one company we've been concerned about," he said. Senator Ben Sasse earlier linked Meng's arrest to US sanctions on Iran, which Trump is trying to squeeze economically after withdrawing from a denuclearization deal. Sasse said in a statement that China was "working creatively to undermine our national security interests, and the United States and our allies can't sit on the sidelines." CNN, quoting an unnamed official, said that the United States saw the arrest as providing leverage in trade talks. Canada fears retaliation Canada was bracing for a fallout in relations with China, which has been increasingly willing to punish countries it sees as countering its interests. Canada's cyber security chief said the country could face retaliatory cyber attacks. "I think one of the key things is that we always have to be resilient no matter what the possible trigger could be," Scott Jones, director of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, told a press conference. Jones happened to be presenting his office's first report assessing cyber security threats. Meng is scheduled to appear in court on Friday for a bail hearing. Trump and Xi, who were in Argentina for a summit of the Group of 20 major economies, had agreed to set up negotiations to discuss US concerns over China's trade barriers. In turn, Trump agreed to hold off on raising tariffs from 10 to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods starting in the new year.

Huawei arrest: Canada PM Justin Trudeau defends detaining Meng Wanzhou

US&nbsp;Special Counsel Robert Mueller will provide new details on Friday on how two of President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-manafort-pardon-not-off-the-table-interview-180174">Donald Trump</a>'s closest former aides have helped or hindered his investigation into possible collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign.

Mueller last month accused Trump's former campaign chairman <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-trump-aide-manafort-violated-plea-agreement-by-lying-prosecutors-say-179643">Paul Manafort of breaching a plea bargain deal</a> by lying to prosecutors, and he will submit information on those alleged lies in a filing to a federal court in Washington.

That could include shedding new light on Manafort's business dealings or his consulting for pro-Kremlin interests in Ukraine.

Manafort, who maintains he has been truthful with Mueller, managed Trump's campaign for three months in 2016.

Also on Friday, Mueller's office and the Southern District of New York are to file sentencing memos on Michael Cohen, Trump's former private lawyer.

Cohen pleaded guilty to financial crimes in a New York court in August, and last week to lying to Congress in a Mueller case. Sentencing for both of those cases will be handled by one judge.

Attention will focus on whether Mueller discloses new information to supplement Cohen's admission last week that he sought help from the Kremlin for a Trump skyscraper in Moscow late into the 2016 campaign.

Mueller's probe has infuriated Trump. He denies any collusion between his team and Russia, and accuses Mueller's prosecutors of pressuring his former aides to lie about him, his election campaign and his business dealings.

The president has called Cohen a liar and "weak person."

Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, said he was eager to see if Mueller's prosecutors directly or tacitly support Cohen's assertions that Trump directed him to make hush payments to women in violation of campaign finance law and that he let the White House know what he planned to tell Congress about the Moscow skyscraper project. Cohen now says he lied in that testimony.

"If the government does not contest that, it indicates that it is consistent with the evidence that they do have," Mariotti said, referring to Cohen's assertions. "It could be a big day."

Sending a message?

The filings on Cohen and Manafort follow a sentencing memo earlier this week on Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

In that memo, Mueller praised Flynn for providing "substantial" cooperation and argued that Flynn should receive no prison time, a move widely seen by legal experts as a message to other would-be cooperators that assistance would be rewarded.

Cohen is hoping he will get similar credit, emphasizing in a court filing last week that his decision to cooperate came in the face of fierce criticism by Trump of Mueller's probe.

Cohen's lawyers also argued that celebrities engaged in similar tax evasion cases - one of the core charges against him - faced only civil penalties. They said his financial crimes were unsophisticated, noting no overseas accounts were used.

Manafort, in addition to allegedly lying to Mueller, was convicted in a separate case in Virginia for a sophisticated bank and tax fraud scheme that included tens of millions of dollars in payments for his work in Ukraine.

Mariotti said he expected Mueller's office to be unsparing in its submission on Friday.

"They want the judge to throw the book at Manafort, sending a message to him and everyone else," he said.

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller will provide new details on Friday on how two of President Donald Trump's closest former aides have helped or hindered his investigation into possible collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign.

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller will provide new details on Friday on how two of President Donald Trump's closest former aides have helped or hindered his investigation into possible collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign. Mueller last month accused Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort of breaching a plea bargain deal by lying to prosecutors, and he will submit information on those alleged lies in a filing to a federal court in Washington. That could include shedding new light on Manafort's business dealings or his consulting for pro-Kremlin interests in Ukraine. Manafort, who maintains he has been truthful with Mueller, managed Trump's campaign for three months in 2016. Also on Friday, Mueller's office and the Southern District of New York are to file sentencing memos on Michael Cohen, Trump's former private lawyer. Cohen pleaded guilty to financial crimes in a New York court in August, and last week to lying to Congress in a Mueller case. Sentencing for both of those cases will be handled by one judge. Attention will focus on whether Mueller discloses new information to supplement Cohen's admission last week that he sought help from the Kremlin for a Trump skyscraper in Moscow late into the 2016 campaign. Mueller's probe has infuriated Trump. He denies any collusion between his team and Russia, and accuses Mueller's prosecutors of pressuring his former aides to lie about him, his election campaign and his business dealings. The president has called Cohen a liar and "weak person." Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, said he was eager to see if Mueller's prosecutors directly or tacitly support Cohen's assertions that Trump directed him to make hush payments to women in violation of campaign finance law and that he let the White House know what he planned to tell Congress about the Moscow skyscraper project. Cohen now says he lied in that testimony. "If the government does not contest that, it indicates that it is consistent with the evidence that they do have," Mariotti said, referring to Cohen's assertions. "It could be a big day." Sending a message? The filings on Cohen and Manafort follow a sentencing memo earlier this week on Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn. In that memo, Mueller praised Flynn for providing "substantial" cooperation and argued that Flynn should receive no prison time, a move widely seen by legal experts as a message to other would-be cooperators that assistance would be rewarded. Cohen is hoping he will get similar credit, emphasizing in a court filing last week that his decision to cooperate came in the face of fierce criticism by Trump of Mueller's probe. Cohen's lawyers also argued that celebrities engaged in similar tax evasion cases - one of the core charges against him - faced only civil penalties. They said his financial crimes were unsophisticated, noting no overseas accounts were used. Manafort, in addition to allegedly lying to Mueller, was convicted in a separate case in Virginia for a sophisticated bank and tax fraud scheme that included tens of millions of dollars in payments for his work in Ukraine. Mariotti said he expected Mueller's office to be unsparing in its submission on Friday. "They want the judge to throw the book at Manafort, sending a message to him and everyone else," he said.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller to give details on Russia probe with filings on former Trump aides

China's technology giant Huawei Technologies on Friday appointed Chairman Liang Hua as acting chief financial officer (CFO) following the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-arrested-in-canada-faces-extradition-to-us-181757">arrest of their present CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada</a>, news agency Reuters reported.

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, 46, who is also the daughter of the company founder, was arrested on December 1 -- same day when US Presidents Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping made a truce on trade war during G20 summit in Argentina.

She was arrested at the request of the United States and was revealed by Canadian authorities late on Wednesday. The arrest was part of a US investigation into an alleged scheme to use the global banking system to evade US sanctions against Iran

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-tech-giant-huawei-181879">&nbsp;What you need to know about Chinese tech giant Huawei</a>

She will appear in Vancouver court on Friday for a bail hearing as she awaits possible extradition to the United States.

With <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-immediate-release-of-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-181949">China demanding the release of Meng,</a> Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau distanced Canada from the arrest saying that the officers who arrested Meng while she was changing planes in Vancouver had acted on their own.

"I can assure everyone that we are a country (with) an independent judiciary," Trudeau told a tech conference in Montreal. "And they took this decision without any political involvement or interference."

Meanwhile, China has said that Meng, the daughter of Huawei<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/arrest-of-huawei-cfo-throws-rare-spotlight-on-family-181953"> founder Ren Zhengfei</a>, a former engineer in China's People's Liberation Army, had violated no laws in either Canada or the United States.

Huawei has also denied any wrongdoing saying that it was compliant with "all applicable laws and regulations where it operates."

Huawei's affordable smartphones have made strong inroads in the developing world, but the company has faced repeated setbacks in major Western economies over security concerns.

(With inputs from news agencies)

China's technology giant Huawei Technologies on Friday appointed Chairman Liang Hua as acting chief financial officer (CFO) following the arrest of their present CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada, news agency Reuters reported.

China's technology giant Huawei Technologies on Friday appointed Chairman Liang Hua as acting chief financial officer (CFO) following the arrest of their present CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada, news agency Reuters reported. Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, 46, who is also the daughter of the company founder, was arrested on December 1 -- same day when US Presidents Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping made a truce on trade war during G20 summit in Argentina. She was arrested at the request of the United States and was revealed by Canadian authorities late on Wednesday. The arrest was part of a US investigation into an alleged scheme to use the global banking system to evade US sanctions against Iran Also read: What you need to know about Chinese tech giant Huawei She will appear in Vancouver court on Friday for a bail hearing as she awaits possible extradition to the United States. With China demanding the release of Meng, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau distanced Canada from the arrest saying that the officers who arrested Meng while she was changing planes in Vancouver had acted on their own. "I can assure everyone that we are a country (with) an independent judiciary," Trudeau told a tech conference in Montreal. "And they took this decision without any political involvement or interference." Meanwhile, China has said that Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, a former engineer in China's People's Liberation Army, had violated no laws in either Canada or the United States. Huawei has also denied any wrongdoing saying that it was compliant with "all applicable laws and regulations where it operates." Huawei's affordable smartphones have made strong inroads in the developing world, but the company has faced repeated setbacks in major Western economies over security concerns. (With inputs from news agencies)

China's Huawei appoints chairman as acting CFO after Meng Wanzhou's arrest

OPEC members and other oil-producing countries gather in Vienna on Thursday to discuss cutting output to prop up prices, as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hopefully-opec-will-be-keeping-oil-flows-as-is-world-does-not-need-higher-oil-prices-trump-181746">US President Donald Trump urged them to keep the faucets open</a>.&nbsp;

Oil ministers from 20 or so countries busily criss-crossed the Austrian capital on Wednesday for preparatory negotiations ahead of the two-day meet at the headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.&nbsp;

Delegates remained relatively tight-lipped about what had been agreed in a flurry of closed-door meetings in some of Vienna's most exclusive hotels, even as Trump took to Twitter to urge producers to keep pumping to ensure that the commodity remains affordable.

"Hopefully <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/opec-works-on-deal-to-cut-output-as-russia-plays-tough-181408">OPEC </a>will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The World does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!" said Trump, who has in the past repeatedly accused the cartel of keeping prices artificially high.&nbsp;

At the end of 2016, OPEC's regular members joined forces with other countries outside the cartel to jointly scale back output in a bid to reduce a glut supply that was weighing on prices at the time.

The coordinated move -- which has since been extended -- stimulated a long rally in oil prices right up until October 2018.&nbsp;

Over the past two months, however, prices have plunged again and a barrel of Brent crude, the European benchmark, currently stands at around $60.

Cuts on the cards?

In the light of this, the so-called OPEC+ -- which accounts for more than half of the world's oil -- has come to Vienna to discuss renewing the pact or perhaps even throttling output still further.

All the signals suggested that more reductions in output are on the cards, despite the pressure from Trump, who argues that closing off the taps could choke off the economy, which needs affordable oil to keep running.

"Yes, we will have a cut," said Oman's oil minister Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi. "We will have time to sort out the details by tomorrow (Thursday)."&nbsp;

His Nigerian counterpart also suggested that a reduction in output was possible.

However, OPEC's third-biggest producer Iran called to be exempted from any such measures.&nbsp;

Oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Wednesday evening as he arrived in Vienna: "We must be excluded from any decision to cut production as long as illegal US sanctions are not lifted."

Stephen Brennock of the London-based brokerage PVM Oil, said that additional cuts were "a virtual shoo-in."

OPEC inaction "would trigger a sell-off frenzy of biblical proportions and safeguard the return of a global oil glut. The only unknown at this stage is the volume of production cuts," he said.

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, in particular, finds itself in a delicate position in the wake of the murder of opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump has continued to support the kingdom, despite worldwide outrage over the murder.

Riyadh, which is itself in favour of higher prices, will therefore be keen not to incur the US leader's wrath.&nbsp;

"The big unknown is how President Trump will react to any production cuts," said analysts at ING.

Delicate situation

"The concern for the market is that the US administration will use the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as leverage," they argued.

"While we believe that President Trump will be reluctant to escalate the situation, the Saudis are likely to choose the wording of any statement with regards to cuts very carefully."&nbsp;

UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo pointed out that US shale producers also need oil prices to be high to ensure the profitability of their operations.&nbsp;

Negotiations between the OPEC members could be fraught, however, as some members feel that Saudi Arabia wields too much clout in setting policy.

Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of being in thrall to the US.&nbsp;

In a surprise move on Monday, Qatar -- which has been an OPEC member since 1961 -- said it would quit the cartel next month in order to focus on gas production.&nbsp;

Doha accounts for only around two per cent of OPEC output.

Qatar minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said he had met with a number of other OPEC ministers, but not his Saudi Arabian colleague.&nbsp;

"I don't think they want to meet me. They are blockading our country," he told journalists.

Qatar has been isolated by a group of countries led by Saudi Arabia since June 2017, in the worst political fallout between the energy-rich Gulf powers. &nbsp;

OPEC members and other oil-producing countries gather in Vienna on Thursday to discuss cutting output to prop up prices, as US President Donald Trump urged them to keep the faucets open.

OPEC members and other oil-producing countries gather in Vienna on Thursday to discuss cutting output to prop up prices, as US President Donald Trump urged them to keep the faucets open. Oil ministers from 20 or so countries busily criss-crossed the Austrian capital on Wednesday for preparatory negotiations ahead of the two-day meet at the headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Delegates remained relatively tight-lipped about what had been agreed in a flurry of closed-door meetings in some of Vienna's most exclusive hotels, even as Trump took to Twitter to urge producers to keep pumping to ensure that the commodity remains affordable. "Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The World does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!" said Trump, who has in the past repeatedly accused the cartel of keeping prices artificially high. At the end of 2016, OPEC's regular members joined forces with other countries outside the cartel to jointly scale back output in a bid to reduce a glut supply that was weighing on prices at the time. The coordinated move -- which has since been extended -- stimulated a long rally in oil prices right up until October 2018. Over the past two months, however, prices have plunged again and a barrel of Brent crude, the European benchmark, currently stands at around $60. Cuts on the cards? In the light of this, the so-called OPEC+ -- which accounts for more than half of the world's oil -- has come to Vienna to discuss renewing the pact or perhaps even throttling output still further. All the signals suggested that more reductions in output are on the cards, despite the pressure from Trump, who argues that closing off the taps could choke off the economy, which needs affordable oil to keep running. "Yes, we will have a cut," said Oman's oil minister Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi. "We will have time to sort out the details by tomorrow (Thursday)." His Nigerian counterpart also suggested that a reduction in output was possible. However, OPEC's third-biggest producer Iran called to be exempted from any such measures. Oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on Wednesday evening as he arrived in Vienna: "We must be excluded from any decision to cut production as long as illegal US sanctions are not lifted." Stephen Brennock of the London-based brokerage PVM Oil, said that additional cuts were "a virtual shoo-in." OPEC inaction "would trigger a sell-off frenzy of biblical proportions and safeguard the return of a global oil glut. The only unknown at this stage is the volume of production cuts," he said. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, in particular, finds itself in a delicate position in the wake of the murder of opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump has continued to support the kingdom, despite worldwide outrage over the murder. Riyadh, which is itself in favour of higher prices, will therefore be keen not to incur the US leader's wrath. "The big unknown is how President Trump will react to any production cuts," said analysts at ING. Delicate situation "The concern for the market is that the US administration will use the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as leverage," they argued. "While we believe that President Trump will be reluctant to escalate the situation, the Saudis are likely to choose the wording of any statement with regards to cuts very carefully." UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo pointed out that US shale producers also need oil prices to be high to ensure the profitability of their operations. Negotiations between the OPEC members could be fraught, however, as some members feel that Saudi Arabia wields too much clout in setting policy. Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of being in thrall to the US. In a surprise move on Monday, Qatar -- which has been an OPEC member since 1961 -- said it would quit the cartel next month in order to focus on gas production. Doha accounts for only around two per cent of OPEC output. Qatar minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said he had met with a number of other OPEC ministers, but not his Saudi Arabian colleague. "I don't think they want to meet me. They are blockading our country," he told journalists. Qatar has been isolated by a group of countries led by Saudi Arabia since June 2017, in the worst political fallout between the energy-rich Gulf powers.

OPEC meets as Trump calls for oil taps to be kept on

The chief financial officer of China's global telecommunications giant Huawei has been arrested in Canada and faces extradition to the United States, officials said Friday, triggering a strong protest by Beijing, which called for her immediate release.

Meng Wanzhou's detention comes after American authorities reportedly launched an investigation into suspected Iran sanctions by Huawei, which was already under scrutiny by US intelligence officials, who deemed the company a national security threat.

Meng "was arrested in Vancouver on December 1," a statement by Canada's ministry of justice said.&nbsp;

"She is sought for extradition by the United States, and a bail hearing has been set for Friday."

The ministry added it could not provide further details due to a publication ban that was sought by Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, a former Chinese People's Liberation Army engineer.

The Wall Street Journal reported in April that US Department of Justice had opened an investigation into suspected violations of Iran sanctions by Huawei.

The New York Times meanwhile said that the company had been subpoenaed by the Commerce and Treasury Departments over alleged violations of Iran and North Korea sanctions.&nbsp;

China's embassy in Ottawa issued a swift reaction to the news, calling for Meng's release.

"The Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly protests over such kind of actions which seriously harmed the human rights of the victim," the diplomatic mission said in a statement.

"The Chinese side has lodged stern representations with the US and Canadian side, and urged them to immediately correct the wrongdoing and restore the personal freedom of Ms Meng Wanzhou."

Huawei added it was unaware of any wrongdoing and was in compliance with all applicable laws.

"The company has been provided very little information regarding the charges and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms Meng (Wanzhou)," it said.

Espionage worries

Huawei is one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment and services providers.

But despite global success, its US business has been tightly constrained by worries it could undermine American competitors and that its cellphones and networking equipment, used widely in other countries, could provide Beijing with avenues for espionage.

Over the summer, Australia also barred Huawei from providing 5G technology for wireless networks in the country over espionage fears. New Zealand followed suit in November, but said the issue was a technological one.

In June, Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reported that US lawmakers warned the Canadian government that Huawei posed a major cybersecurity risk.

Despite being essentially barred from the critical US market, Huawei surpassed Apple to become the world's number two smartphone maker in the second quarter of this year and has market leader Samsung in its sights.

Meng's arrest comes as Ottawa and Beijing have been engaged in exploratory talks on a free trade agreement for the past two years, which would be the first deal of its kind between China and a western country.

The chief financial officer of China's global telecommunications giant Huawei has been arrested in Canada and faces extradition to the United States, officials said Friday, triggering a strong protest by Beijing, which called for her immediate release.

The chief financial officer of China's global telecommunications giant Huawei has been arrested in Canada and faces extradition to the United States, officials said Friday, triggering a strong protest by Beijing, which called for her immediate release. Meng Wanzhou's detention comes after American authorities reportedly launched an investigation into suspected Iran sanctions by Huawei, which was already under scrutiny by US intelligence officials, who deemed the company a national security threat. Meng "was arrested in Vancouver on December 1," a statement by Canada's ministry of justice said. "She is sought for extradition by the United States, and a bail hearing has been set for Friday." The ministry added it could not provide further details due to a publication ban that was sought by Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, a former Chinese People's Liberation Army engineer. The Wall Street Journal reported in April that US Department of Justice had opened an investigation into suspected violations of Iran sanctions by Huawei. The New York Times meanwhile said that the company had been subpoenaed by the Commerce and Treasury Departments over alleged violations of Iran and North Korea sanctions. China's embassy in Ottawa issued a swift reaction to the news, calling for Meng's release. "The Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly protests over such kind of actions which seriously harmed the human rights of the victim," the diplomatic mission said in a statement. "The Chinese side has lodged stern representations with the US and Canadian side, and urged them to immediately correct the wrongdoing and restore the personal freedom of Ms Meng Wanzhou." Huawei added it was unaware of any wrongdoing and was in compliance with all applicable laws. "The company has been provided very little information regarding the charges and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms Meng (Wanzhou)," it said. Espionage worries Huawei is one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment and services providers. But despite global success, its US business has been tightly constrained by worries it could undermine American competitors and that its cellphones and networking equipment, used widely in other countries, could provide Beijing with avenues for espionage. Over the summer, Australia also barred Huawei from providing 5G technology for wireless networks in the country over espionage fears. New Zealand followed suit in November, but said the issue was a technological one. In June, Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reported that US lawmakers warned the Canadian government that Huawei posed a major cybersecurity risk. Despite being essentially barred from the critical US market, Huawei surpassed Apple to become the world's number two smartphone maker in the second quarter of this year and has market leader Samsung in its sights. Meng's arrest comes as Ottawa and Beijing have been engaged in exploratory talks on a free trade agreement for the past two years, which would be the first deal of its kind between China and a western country.

Huawei founder's daughter arrested in Canada on suspicion of violating US sanctions

The US trade deficit jumped to a 10-year high in October as soybean exports dropped further and imports of consumer goods rose to a record high, suggesting the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-immediately-implement-measures-on-agricultural-products-energy-autos-china-181910">Trump administration</a>'s tariff-related measures to shrink the trade gap likely have been ineffective.

Other data on Thursday showed private employers hired fewer workers than expected in November, pointing to a moderation in the pace of job growth. That was reinforced by another report showing a small decline in the number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits last week.

The reports added to weak housing and business spending on equipment data in signalling a slowdown in economic growth. Concerns over the health of the economy have roiled financial markets in recent days.

The Commerce Department said the trade deficit increased 1.7 per cent to $55.5 billion, the highest level since October 2008. The trade gap has now widened for five straight months. Data for September was revised to show the deficit rising to $54.6 billion instead of the previously reported $54.0 billion.

The politically sensitive goods trade deficit with China surged 7.1 per cent to a record $43.1 billion in October.

The United States is locked in a bitter trade war with China. Washington has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports to force concessions on a list of demands that would change the terms of trade between the two countries.

China has responded with import tariffs on US goods, including soybeans. President Donald Trump has long railed against China's trade surplus with the United States and accuses Beijing of not playing fairly on trade.

In addition to the duties on Chinese goods, Washington has slapped tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the United States this year. On Saturday, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to hold off on imposing more tariffs for 90 days while they negotiate a deal to end the trade dispute.

The truce appeared to be in doubt on Thursday following the arrest in Canada for extradition to the United States of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese technology giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and the daughter of its founder.

"We remain sceptical of a substantial trade deal," said Jake McRobie, a US economist at Oxford Economics in New York.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the overall trade deficit rising to $55.0 billion in October. When adjusted for inflation, the goods trade deficit increased to $87.9 billion in October from $87.2 billion in September. The so-called real trade deficit is above the average for the third quarter.

Trade subtracted 1.91 percentage points from GDP growth in the July-September quarter. Growth estimates for the fourth quarter are around a 2.8 per cent annualized rate. The economy grew at a 3.5 per cent pace in the third quarter.

US stocks were trading sharply lower as Wanzhou's arrest sparked fears of a flare-up in Sino-US tensions. Prices of US Treasuries were trading higher while the dollar was weaker against a basket of currencies. In October, exports of goods and services slipped 0.1 per cent to $211.0 billion. Soybean exports, which have been targeted by China in the trade dispute and have been dropping for the last several months, fell $0.8 billion. Exports of civilian aircraft and engines also fell.

But exports of petroleum and consumer goods were the highest on record. A strong dollar is probably restraining overall export growth.

IMPORTS HIT RECORD HIGH

Imports of goods and services rose 0.2 per cent to $266.5 billion, an all-time high. Consumer goods imports increased by $2.0 billion to a record high of $57.4 billion, boosted by a $1.5 billion jump in imports of pharmaceutical preparations.

Motor vehicle imports were the highest on record in October, as were imports of other goods.

Imports are being driven by strong domestic demand as well as the strong dollar, which is making the prices of imported goods cheaper, likely offsetting the impact of tariffs.

Separately on Thursday, the ADP National Employment Report showed private payrolls rose by 179,000 jobs in November after a downwardly revised increase of 225,000 in October.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private payrolls advancing 195,000 last month following a previously reported 227,000 increase in October.

The ADP report, which is jointly developed with Moody's Analytics, was published ahead of the government's more comprehensive employment report for November, which is scheduled for release on Friday.

According to a Reuters survey of economists, nonfarm payrolls likely increased by 200,000 in November after surging by 250,000 in October. The unemployment rate is forecast holding steady at near a 49-year low of 3.7 per cent.

Though the ADP report has a spotty record predicting the private payrolls component of the government's employment report, job growth could be slowing. Part of the cooling is likely because of a shortage of qualified workers.

In the third report on Thursday, the Labor Department said initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended December 1.

Economists had forecast claims falling to 225,000 in the latest week. Claims had risen for three straight weeks, touching an eight-month high of 235,000 during the week ended November 24.

"There are distinct signs that the labour market has reached its peak," said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at MUFG in New York. "Job layoffs are increasing, which fits hand and glove with the uncertainty businesses are facing over tariffs, and the stock market turbulence may have also dented confidence as well for companies who may be trimming their staff just a little just in case."

A fourth report showed the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its non-manufacturing activity index rose 0.4 points to a reading of 60.7 last month. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity.

But the ISM's employment measure fell 1.3 points last month, with employers in the construction industry reporting difficulties finding workers "due to lack of qualified talent."

The US trade deficit jumped to a 10-year high in October as soybean exports dropped further and imports of consumer goods rose to a record high, suggesting the Trump administration's tariff-related measures to shrink the trade gap likely have been ineffective.

The US trade deficit jumped to a 10-year high in October as soybean exports dropped further and imports of consumer goods rose to a record high, suggesting the Trump administration's tariff-related measures to shrink the trade gap likely have been ineffective. Other data on Thursday showed private employers hired fewer workers than expected in November, pointing to a moderation in the pace of job growth. That was reinforced by another report showing a small decline in the number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits last week. The reports added to weak housing and business spending on equipment data in signalling a slowdown in economic growth. Concerns over the health of the economy have roiled financial markets in recent days. The Commerce Department said the trade deficit increased 1.7 per cent to $55.5 billion, the highest level since October 2008. The trade gap has now widened for five straight months. Data for September was revised to show the deficit rising to $54.6 billion instead of the previously reported $54.0 billion. The politically sensitive goods trade deficit with China surged 7.1 per cent to a record $43.1 billion in October. The United States is locked in a bitter trade war with China. Washington has imposed tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports to force concessions on a list of demands that would change the terms of trade between the two countries. China has responded with import tariffs on US goods, including soybeans. President Donald Trump has long railed against China's trade surplus with the United States and accuses Beijing of not playing fairly on trade. In addition to the duties on Chinese goods, Washington has slapped tariffs on steel and aluminium imports into the United States this year. On Saturday, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to hold off on imposing more tariffs for 90 days while they negotiate a deal to end the trade dispute. The truce appeared to be in doubt on Thursday following the arrest in Canada for extradition to the United States of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese technology giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and the daughter of its founder. "We remain sceptical of a substantial trade deal," said Jake McRobie, a US economist at Oxford Economics in New York. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the overall trade deficit rising to $55.0 billion in October. When adjusted for inflation, the goods trade deficit increased to $87.9 billion in October from $87.2 billion in September. The so-called real trade deficit is above the average for the third quarter. Trade subtracted 1.91 percentage points from GDP growth in the July-September quarter. Growth estimates for the fourth quarter are around a 2.8 per cent annualized rate. The economy grew at a 3.5 per cent pace in the third quarter. US stocks were trading sharply lower as Wanzhou's arrest sparked fears of a flare-up in Sino-US tensions. Prices of US Treasuries were trading higher while the dollar was weaker against a basket of currencies. In October, exports of goods and services slipped 0.1 per cent to $211.0 billion. Soybean exports, which have been targeted by China in the trade dispute and have been dropping for the last several months, fell $0.8 billion. Exports of civilian aircraft and engines also fell. But exports of petroleum and consumer goods were the highest on record. A strong dollar is probably restraining overall export growth. IMPORTS HIT RECORD HIGH Imports of goods and services rose 0.2 per cent to $266.5 billion, an all-time high. Consumer goods imports increased by $2.0 billion to a record high of $57.4 billion, boosted by a $1.5 billion jump in imports of pharmaceutical preparations. Motor vehicle imports were the highest on record in October, as were imports of other goods. Imports are being driven by strong domestic demand as well as the strong dollar, which is making the prices of imported goods cheaper, likely offsetting the impact of tariffs. Separately on Thursday, the ADP National Employment Report showed private payrolls rose by 179,000 jobs in November after a downwardly revised increase of 225,000 in October. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private payrolls advancing 195,000 last month following a previously reported 227,000 increase in October. The ADP report, which is jointly developed with Moody's Analytics, was published ahead of the government's more comprehensive employment report for November, which is scheduled for release on Friday. According to a Reuters survey of economists, nonfarm payrolls likely increased by 200,000 in November after surging by 250,000 in October. The unemployment rate is forecast holding steady at near a 49-year low of 3.7 per cent. Though the ADP report has a spotty record predicting the private payrolls component of the government's employment report, job growth could be slowing. Part of the cooling is likely because of a shortage of qualified workers. In the third report on Thursday, the Labor Department said initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended December 1. Economists had forecast claims falling to 225,000 in the latest week. Claims had risen for three straight weeks, touching an eight-month high of 235,000 during the week ended November 24. "There are distinct signs that the labour market has reached its peak," said Chris Rupkey, chief economist at MUFG in New York. "Job layoffs are increasing, which fits hand and glove with the uncertainty businesses are facing over tariffs, and the stock market turbulence may have also dented confidence as well for companies who may be trimming their staff just a little just in case." A fourth report showed the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its non-manufacturing activity index rose 0.4 points to a reading of 60.7 last month. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity. But the ISM's employment measure fell 1.3 points last month, with employers in the construction industry reporting difficulties finding workers "due to lack of qualified talent."

US trade deficit hits 10-year high; job and economic growth slows down

North Korea has expanded a key long-range missile base in the months since a summit between the country's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump, according to satellite images published by CNN on Wednesday.

The two men met in Singapore in June and signed a vaguely worded document that pledged to "work toward" the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, though it did not detail specifics on how this would come about.

According to CNN, Pyongyang has upgraded the Yeongjeo-dong missile base in North Korea's mountainous interior and has built up another facility that had not previously been publicly identified.&nbsp;

Experts told the US news network that the site's location made it suitable to host North Korea's newest long-range missiles, including ones that could carry nuclear warheads.

In a statement the Pentagon said: "We watch North Korea very closely but we cannot discuss intelligence."

Trump said on Saturday that he hoped to organize a second summit with Kim in early 2019.

National Security Advisor John Bolton said Tuesday that Trump thinks the North Korean strongman hasn't met the commitments he made at the Singapore summit.

US officials insist on the complete, verified and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula before tough sanctions are lifted.

But the North has rejected demands for what it calls "unilateral" disarmament, and has instead sought unspecified reciprocal US measures in a gradual process.

North Korea has expanded a key long-range missile base in the months since a summit between the country's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump, according to satellite images published by CNN on Wednesday.

North Korea has expanded a key long-range missile base in the months since a summit between the country's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump, according to satellite images published by CNN on Wednesday. The two men met in Singapore in June and signed a vaguely worded document that pledged to "work toward" the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, though it did not detail specifics on how this would come about. According to CNN, Pyongyang has upgraded the Yeongjeo-dong missile base in North Korea's mountainous interior and has built up another facility that had not previously been publicly identified. Experts told the US news network that the site's location made it suitable to host North Korea's newest long-range missiles, including ones that could carry nuclear warheads. In a statement the Pentagon said: "We watch North Korea very closely but we cannot discuss intelligence." Trump said on Saturday that he hoped to organize a second summit with Kim in early 2019. National Security Advisor John Bolton said Tuesday that Trump thinks the North Korean strongman hasn't met the commitments he made at the Singapore summit. US officials insist on the complete, verified and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula before tough sanctions are lifted. But the North has rejected demands for what it calls "unilateral" disarmament, and has instead sought unspecified reciprocal US measures in a gradual process.

Satellite images show activity at North Korean missile base: Report

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opec-meets-as-trump-calls-for-oil-taps-to-be-kept-on-181837">OPEC and its allies </a>are working towards cutting oil output by up to 1.5 million barrels per day but could fail to reach a deal if no compromise is found with non-OPEC Russia, the Saudi energy minister said on Thursday.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meets on Thursday but is waiting for news from Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, who flew back from Vienna earlier for possible talks with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/video-russia-will-make-banned-missiles-if-us-exits-arms-treaty-says-putin-181706">President Vladimir Putin</a>.

Novak returns to Vienna on Friday for talks between Saudi-led OPEC and its allies.

OPEC hopes to prop up the price of crude, which has fallen by almost a third since October, but US President Donald Trump has demanded it make oil cheaper by refraining from output cuts.

"We hope to conclude something by the end of the day tomorrow ... We have to get the non-OPEC countries on board," the Saudi minister, Khalid al-Falih, told reporters.

"If everybody is not willing to join and contribute equally, we will wait until they are."

Asked whether OPEC could fail to reach a deal, he said all options were on the table. Possible output cuts by OPEC and its allies ranged from 0.5-1.5 million bpd, and 1 million bpd was acceptable, he said.

Brent oil futures fell 3 per cent to below $60 per barrel on fears that there could be no deal and as traders and OPEC watchers said a cut of 1 million bpd was below expectations.

"We think OPEC will spend some time to choose the words being used. Being too cautious on the words, to please President Trump, runs, however, the risk of diluting the message," said Olivier Jakob from Petromatrix consultancy.

OPEC delegates have said OPEC and its allies could cut output by 1 million barrels per day if Russia contributed 150,000 bpd of that reduction. If Russia contributed around 250,000 bpd, the overall cut could exceed 1.3 million bpd.

Novak said on Thursday that Russia would find it harder to cut oil output in winter than other producers because of the cold weather.

Oil prices have crashed as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE have raised output since June after Trump called for higher production to compensate for lower exports from Iran, OPEC's third-largest producer.

Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been vying for the position of top crude producer in recent years. The United States is not part of any output-limiting initiative due to its anti-trust legislation and fragmented oil industry.

TRUMP RAISES PRESSURE

Iranian exports have plummeted after the United States imposed fresh sanctions on Tehran in November. But Washington gave sanctions waivers to some buyers of Iranian crude, further raising fears of an oil glut next year.

"Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The world does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!" Trump wrote in a tweet on Wednesday.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Thursday he would support a cut as long as Iran didn't need to reduce its own output. Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban said Iraq as OPEC's second-largest producer would support and join a cut.

Possibly complicating any OPEC decision is the crisis around the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Trump has backed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite calls from many US politicians to impose stiff sanctions on Riyadh.

OPEC and its allies are working towards cutting oil output by up to 1.5 million barrels per day but could fail to reach a deal if no compromise is found with non-OPEC Russia, the Saudi energy minister said on Thursday.

OPEC and its allies are working towards cutting oil output by up to 1.5 million barrels per day but could fail to reach a deal if no compromise is found with non-OPEC Russia, the Saudi energy minister said on Thursday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meets on Thursday but is waiting for news from Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, who flew back from Vienna earlier for possible talks with President Vladimir Putin. Novak returns to Vienna on Friday for talks between Saudi-led OPEC and its allies. OPEC hopes to prop up the price of crude, which has fallen by almost a third since October, but US President Donald Trump has demanded it make oil cheaper by refraining from output cuts. "We hope to conclude something by the end of the day tomorrow ... We have to get the non-OPEC countries on board," the Saudi minister, Khalid al-Falih, told reporters. "If everybody is not willing to join and contribute equally, we will wait until they are." Asked whether OPEC could fail to reach a deal, he said all options were on the table. Possible output cuts by OPEC and its allies ranged from 0.5-1.5 million bpd, and 1 million bpd was acceptable, he said. Brent oil futures fell 3 per cent to below $60 per barrel on fears that there could be no deal and as traders and OPEC watchers said a cut of 1 million bpd was below expectations. "We think OPEC will spend some time to choose the words being used. Being too cautious on the words, to please President Trump, runs, however, the risk of diluting the message," said Olivier Jakob from Petromatrix consultancy. OPEC delegates have said OPEC and its allies could cut output by 1 million barrels per day if Russia contributed 150,000 bpd of that reduction. If Russia contributed around 250,000 bpd, the overall cut could exceed 1.3 million bpd. Novak said on Thursday that Russia would find it harder to cut oil output in winter than other producers because of the cold weather. Oil prices have crashed as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the UAE have raised output since June after Trump called for higher production to compensate for lower exports from Iran, OPEC's third-largest producer. Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been vying for the position of top crude producer in recent years. The United States is not part of any output-limiting initiative due to its anti-trust legislation and fragmented oil industry. TRUMP RAISES PRESSURE Iranian exports have plummeted after the United States imposed fresh sanctions on Tehran in November. But Washington gave sanctions waivers to some buyers of Iranian crude, further raising fears of an oil glut next year. "Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The world does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!" Trump wrote in a tweet on Wednesday. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said on Thursday he would support a cut as long as Iran didn't need to reduce its own output. Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban said Iraq as OPEC's second-largest producer would support and join a cut. Possibly complicating any OPEC decision is the crisis around the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Trump has backed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman despite calls from many US politicians to impose stiff sanctions on Riyadh.

OPEC oil cuts at risk as Russia yet to commit

Awkward handshakes, folded arms and a forward stare.

President Donald Trump joined the group of living ex-US presidents on Wednesday to commemorate the life of former President George H W Bush, but in a service characterised by emotion and good feeling, warmth between the current and former occupants of the White House was decidedly absent.

Trump shook hands awkwardly with his predecessor, Barack Obama, and former first lady Michelle Obama as he took his place in the front row of the service at the Washington National Cathedral.

He did not reach out to former President Bill Clinton or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who were seated next to the Obamas. Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential election, nodded but did not smile as the one-time New York businessman and his wife, Melania, joined the group that included former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn.

Trump then proceeded to sit through the service, often with his arms folded over his chest and his eyes fixed in an intense stare ahead.

The fact that he came, however, and was welcomed by the Bush family, with whom he also has sparred, provided a glimpse of bipartisanship and political civility that many feel are lacking since Trump took office in January 2017.

The president did not attend a service that was similar in scale at the cathedral for Republican Senator John McCain, who died earlier this year, and had to be talked into keeping the American flag at half-staff over the White House.

Trump and McCain had feuded repeatedly and at his service, the senator's daughter Meghan McCain rebuked Trump in an emotional speech.

<img alt="Bush funeral reuters" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="acfec03c-ecf8-49d9-9ad4-321d3e15e260" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/bush-funeral-presidents-reuters.jpg" />

President Trump at funeral service for the former US President George H W Bush in Washington. (Reuters)

For Bush, Trump declared a day of mourning. He visited the 41st president's casket as it lay in state in the US Capitol and later called on former President George W Bush and his wife, Laura, while they were in Washington.

Still, the bad feeling between Trump and his predecessors appeared hard to set aside.

Trump has sharply criticised Obama and worked to roll back signature achievements of the Democrat's White House tenure on healthcare, climate change and foreign policy.

Michelle Obama, who recently published a memoir, wrote about not being able to forgive Trump for his leading role in the "birther" movement that questioned whether her husband was born in the United States. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii.

Trump's behaviour contrasted with that of his presidential counterparts. The Clintons chatted amiably with the Obamas before the current president arrived. The two former first ladies exchanged a long hug on seeing each other and clasped hands at the end of the service when they parted.

George W Bush shook hands with the full front row of presidents and their spouses, and in a replay of a scene that went viral during McCain's funeral, handed something to Michelle Obama, presumably candy.

The 43rd president, in his eulogy, also hailed his father's friendship with Bill Clinton, who vanquished the elder Bush in the 1992 election. That kind of friendship is unlikely, at least for now, to materialise with the 45th president.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, a longtime friend of the late Bush, spoke at the ceremony and said when he was president, "every single head of government in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one who was distinguished, resolute and brave."

Awkward handshakes, folded arms and a forward stare. President Donald Trump joined the group of living ex-US presidents on Wednesday to commemorate the life of former President George H W Bush, but in a service characterised by emotion and good feeling, warmth between the current and former occupants of the White House was decidedly absent.

Awkward handshakes, folded arms and a forward stare. President Donald Trump joined the group of living ex-US presidents on Wednesday to commemorate the life of former President George H W Bush, but in a service characterised by emotion and good feeling, warmth between the current and former occupants of the White House was decidedly absent. Trump shook hands awkwardly with his predecessor, Barack Obama, and former first lady Michelle Obama as he took his place in the front row of the service at the Washington National Cathedral. He did not reach out to former President Bill Clinton or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who were seated next to the Obamas. Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential election, nodded but did not smile as the one-time New York businessman and his wife, Melania, joined the group that included former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. Trump then proceeded to sit through the service, often with his arms folded over his chest and his eyes fixed in an intense stare ahead. The fact that he came, however, and was welcomed by the Bush family, with whom he also has sparred, provided a glimpse of bipartisanship and political civility that many feel are lacking since Trump took office in January 2017. The president did not attend a service that was similar in scale at the cathedral for Republican Senator John McCain, who died earlier this year, and had to be talked into keeping the American flag at half-staff over the White House. Trump and McCain had feuded repeatedly and at his service, the senator's daughter Meghan McCain rebuked Trump in an emotional speech. President Trump at funeral service for the former US President George H W Bush in Washington. (Reuters) For Bush, Trump declared a day of mourning. He visited the 41st president's casket as it lay in state in the US Capitol and later called on former President George W Bush and his wife, Laura, while they were in Washington. Still, the bad feeling between Trump and his predecessors appeared hard to set aside. Trump has sharply criticised Obama and worked to roll back signature achievements of the Democrat's White House tenure on healthcare, climate change and foreign policy. Michelle Obama, who recently published a memoir, wrote about not being able to forgive Trump for his leading role in the "birther" movement that questioned whether her husband was born in the United States. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii. Trump's behaviour contrasted with that of his presidential counterparts. The Clintons chatted amiably with the Obamas before the current president arrived. The two former first ladies exchanged a long hug on seeing each other and clasped hands at the end of the service when they parted. George W Bush shook hands with the full front row of presidents and their spouses, and in a replay of a scene that went viral during McCain's funeral, handed something to Michelle Obama, presumably candy. The 43rd president, in his eulogy, also hailed his father's friendship with Bill Clinton, who vanquished the elder Bush in the 1992 election. That kind of friendship is unlikely, at least for now, to materialise with the 45th president. Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, a longtime friend of the late Bush, spoke at the ceremony and said when he was president, "every single head of government in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one who was distinguished, resolute and brave."

Trump, Hillary give each other cold shoulder at Bush funeral

Days after US and China trade war truce, top executive and daughter of Chinese tech giant Huawei's founder was arrested in Canada on Thursday. She was<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-arrested-in-canada-faces-extradition-to-us-181757"> arrested on the suspicion of violating US sanctions </a>against Iran.

Who is Meng Wanzhou?

Meng Wanzhou is a Chief Financial Officer at Huawei. She is also a daughter of company's founder Ren Zhengfei who is a former Chinese People's Liberation Army engineer.&nbsp;

She was arrested in the western city of Vancouver on December 1 while transferring flights in Canada. Reports say she was arrested at the request of US authorities. The court will hear the case on Friday.

Why she was arrested?

She was arrested on a suspicion that she violated US sanctions.

The detention comes after American authorities reportedly launched an investigation into suspected Iran sanctions violations by Huawei, which was already under scrutiny by US intelligence officials who deemed the company a national security threat.

US authorities have been probing Huawei since 2016 for allegedly shipping US-origin products to Iran and other countries in violation of US export and sanctions laws.

China calls for immediate release

China's embassy in Canada said it resolutely opposed the arrest and called for Meng's immediate release.

"The Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly protests over such kind of actions which seriously harmed the human rights of the victim," the embassy said in a statement.

"The Chinese side has lodged stern representations with the US and Canadian side, and urged them to immediately correct the wrongdoing and restore the personal freedom of Ms Meng Wanzhou."

Huawei denies any wrongdoing

Huawei said it was unaware of any wrongdoing by Meng and was provided "very little information" about the charges.

"Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations where it operates, including applicable export control and sanction laws and regulations of the UN, US and EU," the company said in a statement.

US Senator Ben Sasse praised the move and said that it was "for breaking US sanctions against Iran." He added: "Sometimes Chinese aggression is explicitly state-sponsored and sometimes it's laundered through many of Beijing's so-called 'private' sector entities."

Impact on trade war truce

The shock arrest of Men Wanzhou raised fresh doubts over<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-and-china-called-a-truce-in-the-trade-war-now-what-181070"> 90-day truce on trade </a>struck between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Reuters quoted Jia Wenshan, a professor at Chapman University in California, saying that the arrest was part of a broader geopolitical strategy from the Trump administration to counter China and it "runs a huge risk of derailing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-agree-to-trade-war-ceasefire-more-talks-180930">US-China trade talks</a>".

The arrest is also being closely watched as it occurred on the same day when both presidents struck the trade war truce at a summit in Argentina.

The arrest and any potential sanctions could have major repercussions on the global technology supply chain. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-markets-tumble-china-tech-hit-after-huawei-arrest-181796">Shares in Asian suppliers to Huawei</a>, which also counts Qualcomm Inc and Intel among its major suppliers, tumbled on Thursday.

Huawei is one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment and services providers.

But despite global success, its US business has been tightly constrained by worries it could undermine American competitors and that its cellphones and networking equipment, used widely in other countries, could provide Beijing with avenues for espionage.

In May, the Pentagon said that devices from Huawei and ZTE posed an "unacceptable" security risk. Personnel on US military bases are banned from buying equipment manufactured by the Chinese tech firms.

Over the summer, Australia barred Huawei from providing 5G technology for wireless networks in the country over espionage fears.&nbsp;

New Zealand followed suit in November but said the issue was a technological one.

Britain's largest mobile provider too has joined the global ban on Huawei.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, BT announced it was removing Huawei's telecommunications equipment from its 4G cellular network, following a warning from the head of MI6 foreign intelligence service that singled out the Chinese company as a potential security risk.

Despite being essentially barred from the critical US market, Huawei surpassed Apple to become the world's number two smartphone maker in the second quarter of this year.

Days after US and China trade war truce, top executive and daughter of Chinese tech giant Huawei's founder was arrested in Canada on Thursday. She was arrested on the suspicion of violating US sanctions against Iran.

Days after US and China trade war truce, top executive and daughter of Chinese tech giant Huawei's founder was arrested in Canada on Thursday. She was arrested on the suspicion of violating US sanctions against Iran. Who is Meng Wanzhou? Meng Wanzhou is a Chief Financial Officer at Huawei. She is also a daughter of company's founder Ren Zhengfei who is a former Chinese People's Liberation Army engineer. She was arrested in the western city of Vancouver on December 1 while transferring flights in Canada. Reports say she was arrested at the request of US authorities. The court will hear the case on Friday. Why she was arrested? She was arrested on a suspicion that she violated US sanctions. The detention comes after American authorities reportedly launched an investigation into suspected Iran sanctions violations by Huawei, which was already under scrutiny by US intelligence officials who deemed the company a national security threat. US authorities have been probing Huawei since 2016 for allegedly shipping US-origin products to Iran and other countries in violation of US export and sanctions laws. China calls for immediate release China's embassy in Canada said it resolutely opposed the arrest and called for Meng's immediate release. "The Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly protests over such kind of actions which seriously harmed the human rights of the victim," the embassy said in a statement. "The Chinese side has lodged stern representations with the US and Canadian side, and urged them to immediately correct the wrongdoing and restore the personal freedom of Ms Meng Wanzhou." Huawei denies any wrongdoing Huawei said it was unaware of any wrongdoing by Meng and was provided "very little information" about the charges. "Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations where it operates, including applicable export control and sanction laws and regulations of the UN, US and EU," the company said in a statement. US Senator Ben Sasse praised the move and said that it was "for breaking US sanctions against Iran." He added: "Sometimes Chinese aggression is explicitly state-sponsored and sometimes it's laundered through many of Beijing's so-called 'private' sector entities." Impact on trade war truce The shock arrest of Men Wanzhou raised fresh doubts over 90-day truce on trade struck between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters quoted Jia Wenshan, a professor at Chapman University in California, saying that the arrest was part of a broader geopolitical strategy from the Trump administration to counter China and it "runs a huge risk of derailing the US-China trade talks". The arrest is also being closely watched as it occurred on the same day when both presidents struck the trade war truce at a summit in Argentina. The arrest and any potential sanctions could have major repercussions on the global technology supply chain. Shares in Asian suppliers to Huawei, which also counts Qualcomm Inc and Intel among its major suppliers, tumbled on Thursday. Huawei is one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment and services providers. But despite global success, its US business has been tightly constrained by worries it could undermine American competitors and that its cellphones and networking equipment, used widely in other countries, could provide Beijing with avenues for espionage. In May, the Pentagon said that devices from Huawei and ZTE posed an "unacceptable" security risk. Personnel on US military bases are banned from buying equipment manufactured by the Chinese tech firms. Over the summer, Australia barred Huawei from providing 5G technology for wireless networks in the country over espionage fears. New Zealand followed suit in November but said the issue was a technological one. Britain's largest mobile provider too has joined the global ban on Huawei. On Wednesday, BT announced it was removing Huawei's telecommunications equipment from its 4G cellular network, following a warning from the head of MI6 foreign intelligence service that singled out the Chinese company as a potential security risk. Despite being essentially barred from the critical US market, Huawei surpassed Apple to become the world's number two smartphone maker in the second quarter of this year.

What you need to know about Chinese tech giant Huawei

U.S. stock markets slide after Trump warns China

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Monday the Trump administration wants to end subsidies for electric cars and other items, including renewable energy sources.

Asked about plans after General Motors Co announced US plant closings and layoffs last week, Kudlow pointed to the $2,500-to-$7,500 tax credit for consumers who buy plug-in electric vehicles, including those made by GM, under federal law.

"As a matter of our policy, we want to end all of those subsidies," Kudlow said. "And by the way, other subsidies that were imposed during the Obama administration, we are ending, whether it’s for renewables and so forth."

Asked about a timeline, he said: "It’s just all going to end in the near future. I don’t know whether it will end in 2020 or 2021."

The tax credits are capped by Congress at 200,000 vehicles per manufacturer, after which the subsidy phases out. GM has said it expects to hit the threshold by the end of 2018, which means under the current law, its tax credit scheme would end in 2020. Tesla Inc said in July it had hit the threshold. Other automakers may not hit the cap for several years.

Experts say the White House cannot change the cap unilaterally US President Donald Trump last week threatened to eliminate subsidies for GM in retaliation for the company's decision.

Kudlow made clear any changes in subsidies would not just affect GM. "I think legally you just can’t," he said.

Democrats will take control of the US House in January and are unlikely to agree to end subsidies for electric cars and many have been pushing for additional incentives.

Tesla and GM have lobbied Congress for months to lift the cap on electric vehicles or make other changes, but face an uphill battle make changes before the current Congress expires.

In October, Senator Dean Heller proposed lifting the current cap on electric vehicles eligible for tax credits but phase out the credit for the entire industry in 2022. Two other senators in September proposed lifting the per manufacturer credit and extending the benefit for 10 years.

Also in October, Senator John Barrasso a Republican who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, proposed legislation to end the EV tax credit entirely.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Monday the Trump administration wants to end subsidies for electric cars and other items, including renewable energy sources.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Monday the Trump administration wants to end subsidies for electric cars and other items, including renewable energy sources. Asked about plans after General Motors Co announced US plant closings and layoffs last week, Kudlow pointed to the $2,500-to-$7,500 tax credit for consumers who buy plug-in electric vehicles, including those made by GM, under federal law. "As a matter of our policy, we want to end all of those subsidies," Kudlow said. "And by the way, other subsidies that were imposed during the Obama administration, we are ending, whether it’s for renewables and so forth." Asked about a timeline, he said: "It’s just all going to end in the near future. I don’t know whether it will end in 2020 or 2021." The tax credits are capped by Congress at 200,000 vehicles per manufacturer, after which the subsidy phases out. GM has said it expects to hit the threshold by the end of 2018, which means under the current law, its tax credit scheme would end in 2020. Tesla Inc said in July it had hit the threshold. Other automakers may not hit the cap for several years. Experts say the White House cannot change the cap unilaterally US President Donald Trump last week threatened to eliminate subsidies for GM in retaliation for the company's decision. Kudlow made clear any changes in subsidies would not just affect GM. "I think legally you just can’t," he said. Democrats will take control of the US House in January and are unlikely to agree to end subsidies for electric cars and many have been pushing for additional incentives. Tesla and GM have lobbied Congress for months to lift the cap on electric vehicles or make other changes, but face an uphill battle make changes before the current Congress expires. In October, Senator Dean Heller proposed lifting the current cap on electric vehicles eligible for tax credits but phase out the credit for the entire industry in 2022. Two other senators in September proposed lifting the per manufacturer credit and extending the benefit for 10 years. Also in October, Senator John Barrasso a Republican who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, proposed legislation to end the EV tax credit entirely.

White House seeks to end subsidies for electric cars, renewables

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-happens-if-the-us-terminates-nafta-181728">US President Donald Trump </a>on Wednesday urged OPEC members not to slash production at their upcoming meeting, saying global oil prices should remain low.

Trump's comment came as members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil-producing nations prepared to meet Thursday and Friday in Vienna to discuss lowering their output.

"Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The World does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!" Trump said on Twitter.

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Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The World does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1070328136150200320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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If the 20 or so OPEC members and other nations at the Vienna talks -- which account for more than half of the world's oil -- continue to pump at current record levels, they risk seeing prices continue to tumble.&nbsp;

Prices have already plunged more than 30 per cent over the past two months and a barrel of Brent crude, the European benchmark, currently stands at around $60.

But if oil producers close the taps, they risk choking off the global economy, which needs affordable oil to keep running.&nbsp;

Trump has repeatedly accused the oil cartel of keeping prices artificially high.

That has put OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia in a delicate position -- Riyadh is keen not to incur Trump's wrath as relations between the two countries become increasingly complicated in the wake of the murder of opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged OPEC members not to slash production at their upcoming meeting, saying global oil prices should remain low. Trump's comment came as members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil-producing nations prepared to meet Thursday and Friday in Vienna to discuss lowering their output.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged OPEC members not to slash production at their upcoming meeting, saying global oil prices should remain low. Trump's comment came as members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil-producing nations prepared to meet Thursday and Friday in Vienna to discuss lowering their output. "Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The World does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices!" Trump said on Twitter. Hopefully OPEC will be keeping oil flows as is, not restricted. The World does not want to see, or need, higher oil prices! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2018 × If the 20 or so OPEC members and other nations at the Vienna talks -- which account for more than half of the world's oil -- continue to pump at current record levels, they risk seeing prices continue to tumble. Prices have already plunged more than 30 per cent over the past two months and a barrel of Brent crude, the European benchmark, currently stands at around $60. But if oil producers close the taps, they risk choking off the global economy, which needs affordable oil to keep running. Trump has repeatedly accused the oil cartel of keeping prices artificially high. That has put OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia in a delicate position -- Riyadh is keen not to incur Trump's wrath as relations between the two countries become increasingly complicated in the wake of the murder of opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

World does not need higher oil prices: Trump to OPEC

Prosecutors in Maryland and Washington announced Tuesday subpoenas for the records of 13 private businesses owned by Donald Trump as part of an investigation into whether the US president is illegally benefitting from his Washington hotel.

The investigation focuses on the Trump International Hotel just four blocks away from the White House, which has become popular with foreign dignitaries and businessmen seeking to gain favour with the Trump administration.

The Maryland and Washington attorneys general also issued subpoenas to five federal agencies for records related to the Trump hotel, which occupies the stately Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue and is owned by the federal government.

Trump's victory in the presidential election in November 2016 immediately made the five-star hotel a hub for Washington politics, with various governments and embassies hosting receptions there.

According to the Washington Post, the Saudi government spent more than $270,000 on rooms and other facilities in the hotel.

In June 2017 Washington and Maryland filed suit, saying Trump was violating the emoluments clause of the US constitution, which prohibits US government officials from receiving gifts, payments or other valuable benefits from foreign governments and foreign officials.

The lawsuit seeks "to make certain that (Trump) faithfully serves the American people, free from compromising financial entanglements with foreign and domestic governments and officials," the suit said.

Behind the suit were complaints that the hotel and its restaurants have -- because of the link with the US president -- unfairly siphoned off business from local Washington and Maryland businesses, including convention centers in Washington and nearby Baltimore.

The first complaints were made shortly after Trump became president. On Monday, a judge turned away objections by the US Justice Department, which argued that there was no basis for the case.

Trump stepped away from involvement in his real estate business, The Trump Organization, when he became president, leaving management in the hands of his two sons.

To skirt controversy over the hotel, Trump announced early on that profits from the Washington hotel and others derived from foreign customers would be donated to the US Treasury.

In March they announced a donation of $151,470 for 2017, but without detailing how that figure was determined.

Prosecutors in Maryland and Washington announced Tuesday subpoenas for the records of 13 private businesses owned by Donald Trump as part of an investigation into whether the US president is illegally benefitting from his Washington hotel.

Prosecutors in Maryland and Washington announced Tuesday subpoenas for the records of 13 private businesses owned by Donald Trump as part of an investigation into whether the US president is illegally benefitting from his Washington hotel. The investigation focuses on the Trump International Hotel just four blocks away from the White House, which has become popular with foreign dignitaries and businessmen seeking to gain favour with the Trump administration. The Maryland and Washington attorneys general also issued subpoenas to five federal agencies for records related to the Trump hotel, which occupies the stately Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue and is owned by the federal government. Trump's victory in the presidential election in November 2016 immediately made the five-star hotel a hub for Washington politics, with various governments and embassies hosting receptions there. According to the Washington Post, the Saudi government spent more than $270,000 on rooms and other facilities in the hotel. In June 2017 Washington and Maryland filed suit, saying Trump was violating the emoluments clause of the US constitution, which prohibits US government officials from receiving gifts, payments or other valuable benefits from foreign governments and foreign officials. The lawsuit seeks "to make certain that (Trump) faithfully serves the American people, free from compromising financial entanglements with foreign and domestic governments and officials," the suit said. Behind the suit were complaints that the hotel and its restaurants have -- because of the link with the US president -- unfairly siphoned off business from local Washington and Maryland businesses, including convention centers in Washington and nearby Baltimore. The first complaints were made shortly after Trump became president. On Monday, a judge turned away objections by the US Justice Department, which argued that there was no basis for the case. Trump stepped away from involvement in his real estate business, The Trump Organization, when he became president, leaving management in the hands of his two sons. To skirt controversy over the hotel, Trump announced early on that profits from the Washington hotel and others derived from foreign customers would be donated to the US Treasury. In March they announced a donation of $151,470 for 2017, but without detailing how that figure was determined.

Prosecutors to subpoena Trump hotel business records

China vowed Wednesday to move swiftly to strike a trade consensus with the United States, even as mixed signals on the detente from self-described "Tariff Man" Donald Trump's administration upset global markets.

Trump sowed more confusion as he opened the door to lengthier negotiations with China, suggesting that they could extend beyond a 90-day deadline to reach a deal to avoid a massive tariff increase.

But the Chinese commerce ministry said negotiators will "actively push forward negotiations within 90 days in accordance with a clear timetable and roadmap" — marking Beijing's first public acknowledgement of the deadline announced by the US at the weekend.

The ministry lauded Trump's talks with President Xi Jinping at the weekend as "successful" and said it was "confident" that their agreement will be implemented.

The ministry vowed to start implementing "specific matters" that were agreed -- saying "the sooner the better" -- but it did not provide any details.

Trump and Xi agreed on a trade war truce on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina on Saturday, holding off on new tariffs and giving negotiators three months to reach an agreement.

China pledged to buy more from the United States and the White House said the two sides would negotiate "structural changes" to intellectual property protection, but few details and no dollar amounts were disclosed.

Adding to the confusion, the US leader indicated on Tuesday that the talks could go beyond the March 1 deadline.

"The negotiations with China have already started. Unless extended, they will end 90 days from the date of our wonderful and very warm dinner with President Xi in Argentina," Trump tweeted.

But the US leader kept up the threats as he warned that he was ready to make China "pay for the privilege" of selling in the US market if the negotiations fail.

While he said he would "happily sign" a fair deal that addresses US concerns, he warned: "remember, I am a Tariff Man."

'REAL deal' 
The change in tone and the increased confusion over what was achieved at the meeting contributed to a sharp decline in the US stock market, which plunged on Tuesday, driven lower by trade worries and fears for future US economic growth. Chinese shares also opened lower on Wednesday.

As part of the truce, Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise the tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25 percent beginning January 1, leaving them at the current 10 percent rate.

The tone of Trump's latest tweets show an apparent shift from 24 hours earlier, when he was unreservedly triumphant, saying relations with China had taken a "BIG leap forward."

On Tuesday, he said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer would lead the talks to see "whether or not a REAL deal with China is actually possible."

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said markets were in a "wait-and-see" mode.

"The market is trying to figure out, is there going to be a real deal at the end of 90 days or not," Mnuchin said at a Wall Street Journal event on Tuesday.

IP theft 
Beijing pledged to import more US products to narrow its massive trade surplus with the United States following the Argentina talks, but it has given few details about what was agreed.

The White House has said China agreed to purchase a "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products from the US to reduce a yawning trade gap. It also will begin buying products from US farmers "immediately".

The two sides will also negotiate "structural changes" on the forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection, cyber intrusions and cyber theft, services and agriculture, according to the White House.

IP theft is a core battleground in the trade war. China's state planner announced Tuesday stiffer punishments for serious violators of IP rights, a move that may help ease Washington's discontent.

Trump also said China would roll back tariffs of 40 percent on cars, though Beijing has yet to confirm the move.

Analysts at Schwab said in a commentary the market was concerned that "uncertainty appears to be resurfacing on whether a permanent deal can be reached."

China vowed Wednesday to move swiftly to strike a trade consensus with the United States, even as mixed signals on the detente from self-described "Tariff Man" Donald Trump's administration upset global markets.

China vowed Wednesday to move swiftly to strike a trade consensus with the United States, even as mixed signals on the detente from self-described "Tariff Man" Donald Trump's administration upset global markets. Trump sowed more confusion as he opened the door to lengthier negotiations with China, suggesting that they could extend beyond a 90-day deadline to reach a deal to avoid a massive tariff increase. But the Chinese commerce ministry said negotiators will "actively push forward negotiations within 90 days in accordance with a clear timetable and roadmap" — marking Beijing's first public acknowledgement of the deadline announced by the US at the weekend. The ministry lauded Trump's talks with President Xi Jinping at the weekend as "successful" and said it was "confident" that their agreement will be implemented. The ministry vowed to start implementing "specific matters" that were agreed -- saying "the sooner the better" -- but it did not provide any details. Trump and Xi agreed on a trade war truce on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina on Saturday, holding off on new tariffs and giving negotiators three months to reach an agreement. China pledged to buy more from the United States and the White House said the two sides would negotiate "structural changes" to intellectual property protection, but few details and no dollar amounts were disclosed. Adding to the confusion, the US leader indicated on Tuesday that the talks could go beyond the March 1 deadline. "The negotiations with China have already started. Unless extended, they will end 90 days from the date of our wonderful and very warm dinner with President Xi in Argentina," Trump tweeted. But the US leader kept up the threats as he warned that he was ready to make China "pay for the privilege" of selling in the US market if the negotiations fail. While he said he would "happily sign" a fair deal that addresses US concerns, he warned: "remember, I am a Tariff Man." 'REAL deal' The change in tone and the increased confusion over what was achieved at the meeting contributed to a sharp decline in the US stock market, which plunged on Tuesday, driven lower by trade worries and fears for future US economic growth. Chinese shares also opened lower on Wednesday. As part of the truce, Trump agreed to hold off on plans to raise the tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25 percent beginning January 1, leaving them at the current 10 percent rate. The tone of Trump's latest tweets show an apparent shift from 24 hours earlier, when he was unreservedly triumphant, saying relations with China had taken a "BIG leap forward." On Tuesday, he said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer would lead the talks to see "whether or not a REAL deal with China is actually possible." US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said markets were in a "wait-and-see" mode. "The market is trying to figure out, is there going to be a real deal at the end of 90 days or not," Mnuchin said at a Wall Street Journal event on Tuesday. IP theft Beijing pledged to import more US products to narrow its massive trade surplus with the United States following the Argentina talks, but it has given few details about what was agreed. The White House has said China agreed to purchase a "very substantial" amount of agricultural, energy, industrial and other products from the US to reduce a yawning trade gap. It also will begin buying products from US farmers "immediately". The two sides will also negotiate "structural changes" on the forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection, cyber intrusions and cyber theft, services and agriculture, according to the White House. IP theft is a core battleground in the trade war. China's state planner announced Tuesday stiffer punishments for serious violators of IP rights, a move that may help ease Washington's discontent. Trump also said China would roll back tariffs of 40 percent on cars, though Beijing has yet to confirm the move. Analysts at Schwab said in a commentary the market was concerned that "uncertainty appears to be resurfacing on whether a permanent deal can be reached."

China vows quick trade moves as US sends mixed signals

Countries that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/g20-opens-under-assault-from-trump-on-collective-action-180345">go it alone</a> and fail to adapt to new economic realities could face a "dystopian" future where an angry majority is left behind, IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned Tuesday.

She urged world leaders to remember the lesson of the global recession that followed the 2008 financial crisis: "International cooperation is essential, not optional."

The managing director of the Washington-based global crisis lender issued yet another plea to governments, notably the United States, to back away from protectionism and confrontation.

At a time when US President Donald Trump is engaged in global trade conflict that the IMF says puts world economic growth at risk, Lagarde said she is pleased by the "significant progress" over the weekend to defuse the US-China trade dispute.

But asked about the sharp decline in US stock markets -- which fell more than three percent due to concerns over the trade war and the impact on the economy -- Lagarde urged patience.

"Compared to what we've gone through it's progress," she said.

Lagarde delivered her message about the need for global economic cooperation wrapped in praise for the key leadership role the US plays in the world.

In the economic prosperity that followed World War II, "We learned from the past, got creative, and changed for the better," she said in a lecture at the US Library of Congress.

"None of this would have been possible without the United States. This country challenged the international economic order when it needed challenging. It forged compromise when compromise was necessary."

And it was in the US interest to take a leading role because "a stronger and more stable world paid dividends for the US," she said.

"This success did not come at the expense of other nations," Lagarde said. "On the contrary. This country's collaborative leadership paved the way not only for decades of opportunity here in America, but also for growth that spread across the world."

That contrasts sharply with Trump's "America First" rhetoric and his view of trade as a zero-sum game in which imports equate to countries taking money out of the country.

Anger and anxiety 
Policies like that could lead to an "age of anger," where inequality soars and millions are left behind, Lagarde cautioned.

Much of the anger erupting worldwide and the economic anxiety "is a legacy of the crisis," she said in response to a question.

In Britain, it was channeled into fear of foreigners and led to Brexit, but she said there is "more regret in the UK than there was only six months ago," as the consequences of leaving the European Union become apparent.

To avoid the "dystopian scenario," countries must adapt, improving cooperation among governments, to strengthen oversight, reduce corruption and reform tax collection. That will free up resources to improve infrastructure and education.

That also means fixing the trading system to reduce tensions, including getting rid of subsidies and protecting technology -- issues Trump has complained about.

The rapidly changing global economy offers "a fundamental choice: stand still and watch discord and discontent bubble over into conflict, or move forward," Lagarde said.

"Because more than ever before, what happens in one nation can impact all nations."

Countries that go it alone and fail to adapt to new economic realities could face a "dystopian" future where an angry majority is left behind, IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned Tuesday.

Countries that go it alone and fail to adapt to new economic realities could face a "dystopian" future where an angry majority is left behind, IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned Tuesday. She urged world leaders to remember the lesson of the global recession that followed the 2008 financial crisis: "International cooperation is essential, not optional." The managing director of the Washington-based global crisis lender issued yet another plea to governments, notably the United States, to back away from protectionism and confrontation. At a time when US President Donald Trump is engaged in global trade conflict that the IMF says puts world economic growth at risk, Lagarde said she is pleased by the "significant progress" over the weekend to defuse the US-China trade dispute. But asked about the sharp decline in US stock markets -- which fell more than three percent due to concerns over the trade war and the impact on the economy -- Lagarde urged patience. "Compared to what we've gone through it's progress," she said. Lagarde delivered her message about the need for global economic cooperation wrapped in praise for the key leadership role the US plays in the world. In the economic prosperity that followed World War II, "We learned from the past, got creative, and changed for the better," she said in a lecture at the US Library of Congress. "None of this would have been possible without the United States. This country challenged the international economic order when it needed challenging. It forged compromise when compromise was necessary." And it was in the US interest to take a leading role because "a stronger and more stable world paid dividends for the US," she said. "This success did not come at the expense of other nations," Lagarde said. "On the contrary. This country's collaborative leadership paved the way not only for decades of opportunity here in America, but also for growth that spread across the world." That contrasts sharply with Trump's "America First" rhetoric and his view of trade as a zero-sum game in which imports equate to countries taking money out of the country. Anger and anxiety Policies like that could lead to an "age of anger," where inequality soars and millions are left behind, Lagarde cautioned. Much of the anger erupting worldwide and the economic anxiety "is a legacy of the crisis," she said in response to a question. In Britain, it was channeled into fear of foreigners and led to Brexit, but she said there is "more regret in the UK than there was only six months ago," as the consequences of leaving the European Union become apparent. To avoid the "dystopian scenario," countries must adapt, improving cooperation among governments, to strengthen oversight, reduce corruption and reform tax collection. That will free up resources to improve infrastructure and education. That also means fixing the trading system to reduce tensions, including getting rid of subsidies and protecting technology -- issues Trump has complained about. The rapidly changing global economy offers "a fundamental choice: stand still and watch discord and discontent bubble over into conflict, or move forward," Lagarde said. "Because more than ever before, what happens in one nation can impact all nations."

America First: IMF's Lagarde urges US, others to reject 'dystopian' path

President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pays-respects-as-president-bush-lies-in-state-in-us-capitol-181385">Trump went in person Tuesday to pay his respects to the grieving Bush family</a> in his latest show of peacemaking with the political clan he once fought bitterly.

Trump, whose ascendancy to the head of the Republican Party saw him exchange vitriolic attacks with the establishment Bushes, has taken pains to demonstrate unity since the death of former president George HW&nbsp;Bush, aged 94, on Friday.

Ahead of Wednesday's state funeral -- where Trump will reportedly sit in the front row, but not deliver a eulogy -- the president tweeted he would visit the "wonderful Bush family" at the presidential guest residence Blair House across from the White House.

On a chilly afternoon, former president George W&nbsp;Bush, son of the deceased elder Bush, greeted Trump and the first lady, Melania, outside Blair House and took them inside for a private visit.

Earlier, Laura Bush went over to get a tour with Melania of the White House Christmas decorations.

Trump's relations with the Republican establishment have been rocky since his insurgent campaign took him to the party's nomination and then a stunning election win in 2016.

He did not attend the funeral this year of the elder Bush's wife Barbara, even though former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were there.

Melania represented the current White House.

Trump also did not attend the funeral in August of another Republican giant, former senator John McCain.

The Bush family has assured Trump that eulogies at Wednesday's funeral will avoid any criticism of him, The Washington Post reported.

George H.W. Bush's body continued to lie in state Tuesday at the US Capitol, where officials said more than 26,000 people so far had come to pay their respects.

After meeting with the Trumps, and one day after Monday's sombre ceremony in which much of official Washington paid their respects, George and Laura Bush made a low-key return to the Capitol rotunda, accompanied by daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, to stand once more before the flag-draped coffin.

The former president smiled warmly, shook hands and hugged visitors and well-wishers.

Several other dignitaries made appearances throughout the day including Cindy McCain, the late senator's widow, former senator Bob Dole, and former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.

President Donald Trump went in person Tuesday to pay his respects to the grieving Bush family in his latest show of peacemaking with the political clan he once fought bitterly.

President Donald Trump went in person Tuesday to pay his respects to the grieving Bush family in his latest show of peacemaking with the political clan he once fought bitterly. Trump, whose ascendancy to the head of the Republican Party saw him exchange vitriolic attacks with the establishment Bushes, has taken pains to demonstrate unity since the death of former president George HW Bush, aged 94, on Friday. Ahead of Wednesday's state funeral -- where Trump will reportedly sit in the front row, but not deliver a eulogy -- the president tweeted he would visit the "wonderful Bush family" at the presidential guest residence Blair House across from the White House. On a chilly afternoon, former president George W Bush, son of the deceased elder Bush, greeted Trump and the first lady, Melania, outside Blair House and took them inside for a private visit. Earlier, Laura Bush went over to get a tour with Melania of the White House Christmas decorations. Trump's relations with the Republican establishment have been rocky since his insurgent campaign took him to the party's nomination and then a stunning election win in 2016. He did not attend the funeral this year of the elder Bush's wife Barbara, even though former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were there. Melania represented the current White House. Trump also did not attend the funeral in August of another Republican giant, former senator John McCain. The Bush family has assured Trump that eulogies at Wednesday's funeral will avoid any criticism of him, The Washington Post reported. George H.W. Bush's body continued to lie in state Tuesday at the US Capitol, where officials said more than 26,000 people so far had come to pay their respects. After meeting with the Trumps, and one day after Monday's sombre ceremony in which much of official Washington paid their respects, George and Laura Bush made a low-key return to the Capitol rotunda, accompanied by daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, to stand once more before the flag-draped coffin. The former president smiled warmly, shook hands and hugged visitors and well-wishers. Several other dignitaries made appearances throughout the day including Cindy McCain, the late senator's widow, former senator Bob Dole, and former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.

Trump meets Bush family ahead of funeral

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-us-gives-russia-60-days-to-comply-with-nuclear-treaty-181666">US President Donald Trump</a> said on Saturday he would soon give formal notice to the US Congress to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), giving lawmakers six months to approve a new trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada to replace it.

Trump said that if US lawmakers don't approve the new agreement, then the three countries would revert to the rules of trade that existed before NAFTA came into effect in 1994.

It is unclear if Trump has the legal power to terminate NAFTA in the way he has threatened. The opposition Democratic party will soon have a majority in the lower house of Congress and has said it wants changes to the new trade deal, known as the USMCA.

Trump's threat raised fears that trade flows across North America could be disrupted if Congress fails to agree on the new deal before NAFTA expires.

WITH CANADA, TARIFF UNCERTAINTY

Under the 1987 Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement, the two countries agreed to phase out most tariffs, a process that accelerated under NAFTA. The deal excluded dairy, poultry, eggs and sugar, but virtually all other tariffs were phased out by 2008. That means terminating NAFTA could have a limited impact on the movement of goods between the two countries.

But some trade experts have argued that because the agreement was formally suspended when NAFTA went into effect, both governments would have to take steps to put it back into force. If the old deal is not reinstated, a vast array of goods made in the United States and Canada would be subject to tariffs and cost more.

HIGHER DUTIES IN US-MEXICO TRADE

If NAFTA is terminated, goods traded between Mexico and the United States would attract "most-favoured-nation" or MFN tariffs, levied under World Trade Organization rules. That would raise prices of goods traded across the two countries.

While average MFN tariffs are relatively low, there is great variation between sectors. In the United States, duties are highest for clothing, according to the Pew Research Center, averaging 18.7 per cent or 15.8 per cent depending on whether the garment is knitted or crocheted. Vegetables face an 8.4 per cent duty.

Mexico's highest average MFN tariffs are on agricultural products - 21.4 per cent on dairy products, and 16.7 per cent on animal products, WTO data show. That could hurt US farmers who export to Mexico. The US poultry sector, which exports products worth more than $1 billion a year to Mexico, has warned that it could be hit hard.

WORK PERMIT CHANGES

NAFTA created special visas that give skilled workers such as software developers the ability to move between Canada, the United States and Mexico with relative ease. Ending the deal would be a blow to those workers and could create new costs and red tape for the businesses that want to hire them.

DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

The United States and other countries often protect local industries from cheap imports with anti-dumping duties, special tariffs that are allowed under international law when foreign companies are selling goods below their true market value. But market value is often a subject of debate.

That's why Canada insisted that NAFTA include a dispute settlement mechanism that makes it possible to challenge anti-dumping duties in front of a bi-national panel, not just in local courts. Terminating NAFTA would end this system, potentially exposing companies in all three countries to more anti-dumping duties.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

NAFTA reduced investment restrictions in a number of sectors, creating opportunities for businesses to move outside their home countries.

Canada's Bank of Nova Scotia, for example, now has substantial operations in Mexico and lobbied hard to for a NAFTA deal, meeting with governments and businesses in both countries.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would soon give formal notice to the US Congress to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), giving lawmakers six months to approve a new trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada to replace it.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would soon give formal notice to the US Congress to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), giving lawmakers six months to approve a new trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada to replace it. Trump said that if US lawmakers don't approve the new agreement, then the three countries would revert to the rules of trade that existed before NAFTA came into effect in 1994. It is unclear if Trump has the legal power to terminate NAFTA in the way he has threatened. The opposition Democratic party will soon have a majority in the lower house of Congress and has said it wants changes to the new trade deal, known as the USMCA. Trump's threat raised fears that trade flows across North America could be disrupted if Congress fails to agree on the new deal before NAFTA expires. WITH CANADA, TARIFF UNCERTAINTY Under the 1987 Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement, the two countries agreed to phase out most tariffs, a process that accelerated under NAFTA. The deal excluded dairy, poultry, eggs and sugar, but virtually all other tariffs were phased out by 2008. That means terminating NAFTA could have a limited impact on the movement of goods between the two countries. But some trade experts have argued that because the agreement was formally suspended when NAFTA went into effect, both governments would have to take steps to put it back into force. If the old deal is not reinstated, a vast array of goods made in the United States and Canada would be subject to tariffs and cost more. HIGHER DUTIES IN US-MEXICO TRADE If NAFTA is terminated, goods traded between Mexico and the United States would attract "most-favoured-nation" or MFN tariffs, levied under World Trade Organization rules. That would raise prices of goods traded across the two countries. While average MFN tariffs are relatively low, there is great variation between sectors. In the United States, duties are highest for clothing, according to the Pew Research Center, averaging 18.7 per cent or 15.8 per cent depending on whether the garment is knitted or crocheted. Vegetables face an 8.4 per cent duty. Mexico's highest average MFN tariffs are on agricultural products - 21.4 per cent on dairy products, and 16.7 per cent on animal products, WTO data show. That could hurt US farmers who export to Mexico. The US poultry sector, which exports products worth more than $1 billion a year to Mexico, has warned that it could be hit hard. WORK PERMIT CHANGES NAFTA created special visas that give skilled workers such as software developers the ability to move between Canada, the United States and Mexico with relative ease. Ending the deal would be a blow to those workers and could create new costs and red tape for the businesses that want to hire them. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT The United States and other countries often protect local industries from cheap imports with anti-dumping duties, special tariffs that are allowed under international law when foreign companies are selling goods below their true market value. But market value is often a subject of debate. That's why Canada insisted that NAFTA include a dispute settlement mechanism that makes it possible to challenge anti-dumping duties in front of a bi-national panel, not just in local courts. Terminating NAFTA would end this system, potentially exposing companies in all three countries to more anti-dumping duties. INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS NAFTA reduced investment restrictions in a number of sectors, creating opportunities for businesses to move outside their home countries. Canada's Bank of Nova Scotia, for example, now has substantial operations in Mexico and lobbied hard to for a NAFTA deal, meeting with governments and businesses in both countries.

What happens if the US terminates NAFTA

Senior US senators said on Tuesday they were more certain than ever that<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-was-in-constant-touch-with-khashoggi-kill-team-wsj-181054"> Saudi Arabia`s crown prince</a>, Mohammed bin Salman, was responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after receiving a CIA briefing on the matter.

"You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organised by people under the command of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-sidelined-in-g20-family-photo-180611">MbS</a>," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters after the meeting with Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel, referring to the crown prince by his initials.&nbsp;

In his bid to pressure the Trump administration to condemn the crown prince, Graham, who has become one of the president`s most vocal allies, said there may not be a "smoking gun," but that there was a "smoking saw," a reference to a bone saw that investigators said was used to cut up Khashoggi`s body.&nbsp;

Making some of their strongest accusations so far, both Republicans and Democrats said they still want to pass legislation to send a message to Saudi Arabia that the United States condemns the death of Khashoggi. But they remain sharply divided over how to do so.

Many Democrats want a "straight up or down vote" on a war powers resolution to end all US support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen, without amendments.

But President Donald Trump and some of his fellow Republicans have argued that Washington should not take action that would risk its relationship with Riyadh, which is viewed as an important counterweight to Iran in the Middle East.

"Somebody should be punished," Republican Senator Richard Shelby said. "Now the question is how do you separate the Saudi crown prince and his group from the nation itself?"

Last week, 14 of Trump`s fellow Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the Senate and rarely break from the president, defied his wishes and voted with Democrats to advance the measure that would end US support for the Saudi-led war effort in Yemen.

The unusual vote last week came shortly after a briefing by Trump`s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, who urged lawmakers not to do anything to undermine the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/khashoggi-crisis-reshaping-us-politics-and-relations-with-saudi-arabia-178498"> US-Saudi relationship</a>.

Haspel`s absence from that briefing angered senators.

Graham said he would not vote for the Yemen resolution. He said he would prefer to pass a separate bill to cut off arms sales to Saudi Arabia, military aid for the war in Yemen and impose sanctions on those responsible for individuals responsible for human rights abuses.

Graham introduced a bill setting out those goals last month. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, another lead sponsor of the legislation, told reporters after the Haspel briefing that he might try to get it passed as an amendment to a must-pass spending bill if the Senate does not pass the war powers resolution.

Both Republicans and Democrats urged Trump himself to strongly condemn the killing after he stood by the crown prince.

"If the crown prince went in front of a jury, he`d be convicted in 30 minutes," said Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Asked if he would be convicted of murder, Corker replied "Yes."

The senators spoke to reporters as they left the closed-door briefing for some Senate committee leaders and Senate leaders by CIA Director Haspel.&nbsp;

"Before this briefing, I was convinced that we had to take steps on the war in Yemen and I believe that we had to take steps on the Saudis,” Menendez said. "I am only solidified in that view after this briefing. It is my hope that the Senate will act and send a strong, unequivocal message that such actions cannot stand and I believe that my legislation with Senator Graham is the appropriate response."

Corker shook his head no, when asked if he thought Haspel`s Senate briefing on Tuesday had changed any minds.

Khashoggi, a US resident who was a columnist for the Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.

Senators acknowledged there are still deep divides between the two parties on how to proceed.

Corker said it would be "difficult" to come up with legislation that could pass the Senate. He said he was working with colleagues on how to amend the resolution, and he had not had suggestions from the Trump administration on how it might prefer to proceed.

Senior US senators said on Tuesday they were more certain than ever that Saudi Arabia`s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after receiving a CIA briefing on the matter.

Senior US senators said on Tuesday they were more certain than ever that Saudi Arabia`s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after receiving a CIA briefing on the matter. "You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organised by people under the command of MbS," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters after the meeting with Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel, referring to the crown prince by his initials. In his bid to pressure the Trump administration to condemn the crown prince, Graham, who has become one of the president`s most vocal allies, said there may not be a "smoking gun," but that there was a "smoking saw," a reference to a bone saw that investigators said was used to cut up Khashoggi`s body. Making some of their strongest accusations so far, both Republicans and Democrats said they still want to pass legislation to send a message to Saudi Arabia that the United States condemns the death of Khashoggi. But they remain sharply divided over how to do so. Many Democrats want a "straight up or down vote" on a war powers resolution to end all US support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen, without amendments. But President Donald Trump and some of his fellow Republicans have argued that Washington should not take action that would risk its relationship with Riyadh, which is viewed as an important counterweight to Iran in the Middle East. "Somebody should be punished," Republican Senator Richard Shelby said. "Now the question is how do you separate the Saudi crown prince and his group from the nation itself?" Last week, 14 of Trump`s fellow Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the Senate and rarely break from the president, defied his wishes and voted with Democrats to advance the measure that would end US support for the Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. The unusual vote last week came shortly after a briefing by Trump`s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, who urged lawmakers not to do anything to undermine the US-Saudi relationship. Haspel`s absence from that briefing angered senators. Graham said he would not vote for the Yemen resolution. He said he would prefer to pass a separate bill to cut off arms sales to Saudi Arabia, military aid for the war in Yemen and impose sanctions on those responsible for individuals responsible for human rights abuses. Graham introduced a bill setting out those goals last month. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, another lead sponsor of the legislation, told reporters after the Haspel briefing that he might try to get it passed as an amendment to a must-pass spending bill if the Senate does not pass the war powers resolution. Both Republicans and Democrats urged Trump himself to strongly condemn the killing after he stood by the crown prince. "If the crown prince went in front of a jury, he`d be convicted in 30 minutes," said Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Asked if he would be convicted of murder, Corker replied "Yes." The senators spoke to reporters as they left the closed-door briefing for some Senate committee leaders and Senate leaders by CIA Director Haspel. "Before this briefing, I was convinced that we had to take steps on the war in Yemen and I believe that we had to take steps on the Saudis,” Menendez said. "I am only solidified in that view after this briefing. It is my hope that the Senate will act and send a strong, unequivocal message that such actions cannot stand and I believe that my legislation with Senator Graham is the appropriate response." Corker shook his head no, when asked if he thought Haspel`s Senate briefing on Tuesday had changed any minds. Khashoggi, a US resident who was a columnist for the Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Senators acknowledged there are still deep divides between the two parties on how to proceed. Corker said it would be "difficult" to come up with legislation that could pass the Senate. He said he was working with colleagues on how to amend the resolution, and he had not had suggestions from the Trump administration on how it might prefer to proceed.

Saudi Crown Prince Salman ordered Khashoggi killing: US senators

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told America's special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan are in Islamabad's abiding interest and he will continue to support peace efforts in the war-torn neighbouring country.

Khan held talks with Khalilzad, who arrived here on Tuesday to coordinate closely with the Pakistani leadership on the US efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan.

The prime minister "reiterated Pakistan's abiding interest in achieving peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through a political settlement," according to a statement by the PM Office.

"Pakistan wants a political solution to Afghan peace and reconciliation," he told Khalilzad.

During the meeting, the US special envoy conveyed President Donald Trump's best wishes.

"The US leadership is looking for a peaceful solution to the Afghan peace process and mutual cooperation between the two sides," Khalilzad told the premier.

Khalilzad also met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and reiterated President Trump's desire to seek Pakistan's cooperation for peace and stability in Afghanistan, according to a Foreign Office spokesman.

"The FM assured the US side of Pakistan's steadfast support for a negotiated settlement," said the spokesman.

"Pakistan will continue to cooperate with sincerity for a political settlement in Afghanistan. Long-lasting peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan's best interest," Qureshi tweeted.

Khalilzad also held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, where officials from diplomatic, security and defence from both sides present at the meeting.

"Peace and political settlement in Afghanistan was discussed," according to the spokesman.

Pakistan is accused by both US and Afghanistan of supporting the Taliban&nbsp;who have waged a more than a 17-year old insurgency.

Pakistan maintains that the Taliban have long shifted to Afghanistan where they control a sizeable area and that it has little control over them.

Khalilzad arrived here a day after Pakistan announced that President&nbsp;Trump has written a letter to Prime Minister Khan, seeking Islamabad's&nbsp;"assistance and facilitation in achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war."

Khan told the media on Monday that resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan was also in the best interest of Pakistan, which always made serious efforts to bring peace in the neighbouring country.

Khalilzad will also travel to other regional countries including Afghanistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to seek support for his mission.

Afghan-origin Khalilzad served as a special envoy of President George W Bush following the fall of the Taliban government in 2001. He also served as US ambassador to Afghanistan.

He is seen in Pakistan as a hawk who has often accused Islamabad of supporting Taliban militants.

It's his second visit to Pakistan following his appointment as special representative and reflects the Trump administration's intent to support, facilitate, and participate in a peace process in Afghanistan.

After his first trip in October, Pakistan announced that it released senior Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar to help in the efforts of peace in Afghanistan.

Baradar, the former right-hand man of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, was among several senior Taliban leaders freed in recent months, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Khalilzad on October 12.

It is believed that Mulla Baradar's release would help persuade Afghan Taliban to lay down arms and negotiate in new peace talks.&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told America's special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan are in Islamabad's abiding interest and he will continue to support peace efforts in the war-torn neighbouring country.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told America's special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan are in Islamabad's abiding interest and he will continue to support peace efforts in the war-torn neighbouring country. Khan held talks with Khalilzad, who arrived here on Tuesday to coordinate closely with the Pakistani leadership on the US efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan. The prime minister "reiterated Pakistan's abiding interest in achieving peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through a political settlement," according to a statement by the PM Office. "Pakistan wants a political solution to Afghan peace and reconciliation," he told Khalilzad. During the meeting, the US special envoy conveyed President Donald Trump's best wishes. "The US leadership is looking for a peaceful solution to the Afghan peace process and mutual cooperation between the two sides," Khalilzad told the premier. Khalilzad also met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and reiterated President Trump's desire to seek Pakistan's cooperation for peace and stability in Afghanistan, according to a Foreign Office spokesman. "The FM assured the US side of Pakistan's steadfast support for a negotiated settlement," said the spokesman. "Pakistan will continue to cooperate with sincerity for a political settlement in Afghanistan. Long-lasting peace in Afghanistan is in Pakistan's best interest," Qureshi tweeted. Khalilzad also held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, where officials from diplomatic, security and defence from both sides present at the meeting. "Peace and political settlement in Afghanistan was discussed," according to the spokesman. Pakistan is accused by both US and Afghanistan of supporting the Taliban who have waged a more than a 17-year old insurgency. Pakistan maintains that the Taliban have long shifted to Afghanistan where they control a sizeable area and that it has little control over them. Khalilzad arrived here a day after Pakistan announced that President Trump has written a letter to Prime Minister Khan, seeking Islamabad's "assistance and facilitation in achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war." Khan told the media on Monday that resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan was also in the best interest of Pakistan, which always made serious efforts to bring peace in the neighbouring country. Khalilzad will also travel to other regional countries including Afghanistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to seek support for his mission. Afghan-origin Khalilzad served as a special envoy of President George W Bush following the fall of the Taliban government in 2001. He also served as US ambassador to Afghanistan. He is seen in Pakistan as a hawk who has often accused Islamabad of supporting Taliban militants. It's his second visit to Pakistan following his appointment as special representative and reflects the Trump administration's intent to support, facilitate, and participate in a peace process in Afghanistan. After his first trip in October, Pakistan announced that it released senior Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar to help in the efforts of peace in Afghanistan. Baradar, the former right-hand man of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, was among several senior Taliban leaders freed in recent months, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Khalilzad on October 12. It is believed that Mulla Baradar's release would help persuade Afghan Taliban to lay down arms and negotiate in new peace talks.

Pak supports peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan: Imran Khan tells US special envoy

US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad.

Pakistan assured visiting US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday that it would back a negotiated settlement with the Taliban to end the long war in Afghanistan after President Donald Trump personally asked for Islamabad's help.

Khalilzad, an Afghan-born veteran US diplomat who served as George W. Bush's ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations, was named by the Trump administration three months ago as a special envoy to negotiate peace in Afghanistan.

His visit to Pakistan came a day after Pakistani officials confirmed that Trump had written to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking assistance in moving peace talks forward. Khan said Pakistan would do whatever possible to help Washington negotiate with the Taliban.

Khalilzad arrived on Tuesday in Islamabad and called on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a foreign office statement said.&nbsp;

It said the envoy reiterated Trump's desire to seek Pakistan's cooperation for peace in Afghanistan. Khalilzad on Sunday began an eight-country tour, including Pakistan, Russia and Qatar, to promote peace and convince the Taliban to join negotiations.

US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. Pakistan assured visiting US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday that it would back a negotiated settlement with the Taliban to end the long war in Afghanistan after President Donald Trump personally asked for Islamabad's help.

US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. Pakistan assured visiting US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday that it would back a negotiated settlement with the Taliban to end the long war in Afghanistan after President Donald Trump personally asked for Islamabad's help. Khalilzad, an Afghan-born veteran US diplomat who served as George W. Bush's ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations, was named by the Trump administration three months ago as a special envoy to negotiate peace in Afghanistan. His visit to Pakistan came a day after Pakistani officials confirmed that Trump had written to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking assistance in moving peace talks forward. Khan said Pakistan would do whatever possible to help Washington negotiate with the Taliban. Khalilzad arrived on Tuesday in Islamabad and called on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a foreign office statement said. It said the envoy reiterated Trump's desire to seek Pakistan's cooperation for peace in Afghanistan. Khalilzad on Sunday began an eight-country tour, including Pakistan, Russia and Qatar, to promote peace and convince the Taliban to join negotiations.

Watch: US envoy meets Pakistan PM Imran Khan in Islamabad

There is a rumour going around (on social media of course) that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-clash-with-yellow-vest-protesters-in-paris-169-arrested-180785">the Yellow Vest protesters in France</a> have been clamouring for Trump as their leader — a rumour that Trump himself might have begun to believe.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Trump retweeted conservative commentator Charlie Kick who said the protesters in France had been chanting "We want Trump".&nbsp;

The theory — that the protesters had been asking for Trump — was quickly debunked, with news organisations saying they had heard nothing of the sort on the ground.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
There are riots in socialist France because of radical leftist fuel taxes 
 
Media barely mentioning this 
 
America is booming, Europe is burning 
 
They want to cover up the middle class rebellion against cultural Marxism 
 
“We want Trump” being chanted through the streets of Paris
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11/status/1069811169010089984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

CNN added that the video doing the rounds along with the rumour appears to have been shot in London. "The police in the video are English, an English flag is visible during the start of the video, and the blue, double-decker bus in the shot appears to be operated by a company that does sightseeing tours of London," CNN said. &nbsp;

Charlie Kick had tweeted: "There are riots in socialist France because of radical leftist fuel taxes Media barely mentioning this America is booming, Europe is burning They want to cover up the middle class rebellion against cultural Marxism 'We want Trump' being chanted through the streets of Paris"&nbsp;

Kick's tweet was then retweeted by Trump.&nbsp;

France's "Yellow Vest" protests broke out two weeks ago over a fuel tax hike. At least two people have died in the protests and over 600 have been injured.&nbsp;

The French government finally announced on Tuesday that it was rolling back the hike.&nbsp;

There is a rumour going around (on social media of course) that the Yellow Vest protesters in France have been clamouring for Trump as their leader — a rumour that Trump himself might have begun to believe.

There is a rumour going around (on social media of course) that the Yellow Vest protesters in France have been clamouring for Trump as their leader — a rumour that Trump himself might have begun to believe. On Wednesday, Trump retweeted conservative commentator Charlie Kick who said the protesters in France had been chanting "We want Trump". The theory — that the protesters had been asking for Trump — was quickly debunked, with news organisations saying they had heard nothing of the sort on the ground. There are riots in socialist France because of radical leftist fuel taxes Media barely mentioning this America is booming, Europe is burning They want to cover up the middle class rebellion against cultural Marxism “We want Trump” being chanted through the streets of Paris — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 4, 2018 × CNN added that the video doing the rounds along with the rumour appears to have been shot in London. "The police in the video are English, an English flag is visible during the start of the video, and the blue, double-decker bus in the shot appears to be operated by a company that does sightseeing tours of London," CNN said. Charlie Kick had tweeted: "There are riots in socialist France because of radical leftist fuel taxes Media barely mentioning this America is booming, Europe is burning They want to cover up the middle class rebellion against cultural Marxism 'We want Trump' being chanted through the streets of Paris" Kick's tweet was then retweeted by Trump. France's "Yellow Vest" protests broke out two weeks ago over a fuel tax hike. At least two people have died in the protests and over 600 have been injured. The French government finally announced on Tuesday that it was rolling back the hike.

Paris protesters chanting 'We want Trump' is fake news but he retweets it

The actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the United States is committed to the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/world-way-off-course-un-warns-at-crunch-climate-summit-181200"> Paris Climate Agreement </a>to curb global warming despite US president Donald Trump's decision to walk away from the agreement.

Addressing delegates gathered for United Nations climate talks in Poland, Schwarzenegger urged global leaders to involve local governors who are still committed to tackling climate change and its impact in future talks. He also called Trump "meshugge" in his address.&nbsp;

"I have to say that you have a little bit of a blind spot. And that is, every time you talk about America you're right when you say that our leadership in Washington is a little bit backwards, but you're wrong when you say that America dropped out of the Paris Agreement,"&nbsp; Schwarzenegger said.

"Because if you look a little bit beyond Washington you will see that it is the states and the cities, its local governments that control seventy per cent of our emissions. And you will see all the extraordinary work that is going on at a state and city level in America. So, the states and the cities are still in. In the Paris Agreement, our financial institutions are in, our academic institutions are still in, the governors and the mayors are still in. The United States is still in. And we're doing an extraordinary job there at staying in. Yes we have a meshugge leader in Washington, that is not in, that is out. But remember, America is more than just Washington and one leader," he added.

President Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris deal in 2017, saying the accord would have cost America trillions of dollars, killed jobs, and hindered the oil, gas, coal and manufacturing industries.

But he also, at the time, said he would be open to renegotiating the deal, which was agreed by nearly 200 nations over the course of years - drawing ridicule from world and business leaders who said that would be impossible.

The earliest date for the United States to completely withdraw from the agreement is November 4, 2020, around the time of the next U.S. presidential election.

The actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the United States is committed to the Paris Climate Agreement to curb global warming despite US president Donald Trump's decision to walk away from the agreement.

The actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said the United States is committed to the Paris Climate Agreement to curb global warming despite US president Donald Trump's decision to walk away from the agreement. Addressing delegates gathered for United Nations climate talks in Poland, Schwarzenegger urged global leaders to involve local governors who are still committed to tackling climate change and its impact in future talks. He also called Trump "meshugge" in his address. "I have to say that you have a little bit of a blind spot. And that is, every time you talk about America you're right when you say that our leadership in Washington is a little bit backwards, but you're wrong when you say that America dropped out of the Paris Agreement," Schwarzenegger said. "Because if you look a little bit beyond Washington you will see that it is the states and the cities, its local governments that control seventy per cent of our emissions. And you will see all the extraordinary work that is going on at a state and city level in America. So, the states and the cities are still in. In the Paris Agreement, our financial institutions are in, our academic institutions are still in, the governors and the mayors are still in. The United States is still in. And we're doing an extraordinary job there at staying in. Yes we have a meshugge leader in Washington, that is not in, that is out. But remember, America is more than just Washington and one leader," he added. President Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Paris deal in 2017, saying the accord would have cost America trillions of dollars, killed jobs, and hindered the oil, gas, coal and manufacturing industries. But he also, at the time, said he would be open to renegotiating the deal, which was agreed by nearly 200 nations over the course of years - drawing ridicule from world and business leaders who said that would be impossible. The earliest date for the United States to completely withdraw from the agreement is November 4, 2020, around the time of the next U.S. presidential election.

US committed to Paris agreement despite 'meshugge' Trump walking away: Arnold

The United States will not be able to stop Iran exporting its oil and any move to prevent Iranian crude shipments passing through the Gulf would lead to all oil exports through the waterway being blocked, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-will-continue-missile-tests-after-us-allegation-181026">Iran’s president</a> said on Tuesday.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran and US officials say they aim to reduce Iran`s oil exports to zero in a bid to curb the Islamic Republic`s missile programme and regional influence.

"America should know that we are selling our oil and will continue to sell our oil and they are not able to stop our oil exports," President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech during a trip to the northern Iranian city of Shahroud.

"If one day they want to prevent the export of Iran’s oil, then no oil will be exported from the Persian Gulf," he said.

Tensions have risen between Iran and the United States after US President Donald Trump withdrew from a multilateral nuclear deal in May and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Rouhani said the United States would not succeed in cutting Iran's economic ties with the region and the world.

Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri also said on Tuesday that US sanctions were hitting vulnerable people in Iran.

"When (Americans) say their target is the Iranian government and there won`t be pressure on the sick, the elderly and the weak in society, it`s a lie," Jahangiri said, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

The United States will not be able to stop Iran exporting its oil and any move to prevent Iranian crude shipments passing through the Gulf would lead to all oil exports through the waterway being blocked, Iran’s president said on Tuesday.

The United States will not be able to stop Iran exporting its oil and any move to prevent Iranian crude shipments passing through the Gulf would lead to all oil exports through the waterway being blocked, Iran’s president said on Tuesday. The United States has imposed sanctions on Iran and US officials say they aim to reduce Iran`s oil exports to zero in a bid to curb the Islamic Republic`s missile programme and regional influence. "America should know that we are selling our oil and will continue to sell our oil and they are not able to stop our oil exports," President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech during a trip to the northern Iranian city of Shahroud. "If one day they want to prevent the export of Iran’s oil, then no oil will be exported from the Persian Gulf," he said. Tensions have risen between Iran and the United States after US President Donald Trump withdrew from a multilateral nuclear deal in May and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Rouhani said the United States would not succeed in cutting Iran's economic ties with the region and the world. Iranian Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri also said on Tuesday that US sanctions were hitting vulnerable people in Iran. "When (Americans) say their target is the Iranian government and there won`t be pressure on the sick, the elderly and the weak in society, it`s a lie," Jahangiri said, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

If Iran cannot export oil then no country will export oil from the Gulf: Rouhani

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania paid their respects Monday to late president George HW&nbsp;Bush, whose <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mission-complete-george-hw-bushs-service-dog-sully-pictured-near-his-flag-draped-casket-181259">remains lay in state in the US Capitol</a>.

The Trumps made a brief visit to the Capitol rotunda, where Bush's flag-draped coffin was resting as part of tributes to honour the 41st US president and remember his extraordinary life.

Bush died peacefully Friday at age 94, at his home in Houston, a passing that led Americans to reflect on his life of duty and service to country as a leader of the so-called "Greatest Generation."

Only the second president to see his son follow him to the Oval Office, the Republican stalwart is being honoured with four days of commemorations and services in Washington and in Texas, where he will be buried Thursday.

Trump is scheduled to attend a state funeral Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral — the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006.

But late Monday, after Bush relatives and dignitaries had gone, the president was driven from the White House up to Capitol Hill.

With the first lady at his side, Trump saluted, and they stood at Bush's casket for about a minute. They exited the rotunda with little fanfare.

Bush never warmed to Trump, and he had let it be known that he did not vote for him in 2016. Trump himself has criticized the elder Bush on the campaign trail.

But on Monday, Trump wrote members of Congress to hail Bush as a man who "led a life that exemplified what is truly great about America."

"President Bush worked selflessly throughout his long life to bring about a world of justice and lasting peace," he wrote.

The White House also extended an invitation to Bush's family to stay at Blair House -- the President's guest house-- while they are in Washington for events surrounding to his funeral.&nbsp;

Bush was a decorated World War II fighter pilot, onetime ambassador to China, former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and vice president to Ronald Reagan before winning the White House.

Military pallbearers carried the flag-draped casket into the rotunda as a fiery sunset bathed Washington in a glow.

The somber ceremony was attended by his son George W. Bush -- the nation's 43rd president -- and other relatives, dignitaries and more than 100 members of the House and Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lauded Bush -- who occupied the White House from 1989 to 1993 -- as a patriot who steered the country as straight as he had piloted his World War II airplane.

"He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still. And he did it with modesty and kindness that would have been surprising in someone one tenth as tough and accomplished as he was," he said.

- Hands on hearts - 
Bush was transported aboard the presidential Boeing 747 -- made available at Trump's direction -- from Houston to Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland.

In Houston, relatives including his presidential son stood with hands on their hearts as the casket was carried to the aircraft.

Bush is the 12th US president to lie in state in the rotunda. Just three months earlier, the honor was accorded to senator John McCain, a former Republican presidential nominee who died of brain cancer.

Hundreds of members of the public began quietly filing in to the Capitol late Monday to pay their final respects.&nbsp;

Among them was Kim Frinzell, a government employee who did not vote for Bush but grew to respect his accomplishments, including signing the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.

"The fact that he could cross party lines, and did that so gracefully, especially after his presidency, to me is really inspiring and a lesson that our current administration can learn from," Frinzell, 56, told AFP.

Bush will be honored at a state funeral service at the cathedral on Wednesday, which Trump has declared a national day of mourning.

Bill Clinton will be among the living US presidents to attend, along with dozens of foreign leaders including Germany's Angela Merkel.

Former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney said he would deliver one of several eulogies, at Bush's request.

On Thursday, Bush will be interred at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station, Texas, next to his wife Barbara, who died in April, and their daughter Robin who died of leukemia at age three.

- One-term president - 
Bush's political locus was foreign policy and America's place in the world, and he claimed successes including navigating the end of the Cold War and marshalling a global coalition to eject Iraqi troops from Kuwait in the first Gulf War.

But despite Bush's record approval ratings after "Desert Storm," he disappointed Americans on the domestic front. The US economy slid into recession in 1990, and recovery was sluggish, conditions which contributed to his 1992 election defeat by Clinton.

House Speaker Paul Ryan alluded to that political setback in his Capitol remarks and said Bush handled defeat with grace.

"He was the first president to teach me that in a democracy sometimes you fall short -- and that how you handle that is just as important as how you win," Ryan said.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania paid their respects Monday to late president George HW Bush, whose remains lay in state in the US Capitol. The Trumps made a brief visit to the Capitol rotunda, where Bush's flag-draped coffin was resting as part of tributes to honour the 41st US president and remember his extraordinary life.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania paid their respects Monday to late president George HW Bush, whose remains lay in state in the US Capitol. The Trumps made a brief visit to the Capitol rotunda, where Bush's flag-draped coffin was resting as part of tributes to honour the 41st US president and remember his extraordinary life. Bush died peacefully Friday at age 94, at his home in Houston, a passing that led Americans to reflect on his life of duty and service to country as a leader of the so-called "Greatest Generation." Only the second president to see his son follow him to the Oval Office, the Republican stalwart is being honoured with four days of commemorations and services in Washington and in Texas, where he will be buried Thursday. Trump is scheduled to attend a state funeral Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral — the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006. But late Monday, after Bush relatives and dignitaries had gone, the president was driven from the White House up to Capitol Hill. With the first lady at his side, Trump saluted, and they stood at Bush's casket for about a minute. They exited the rotunda with little fanfare. Bush never warmed to Trump, and he had let it be known that he did not vote for him in 2016. Trump himself has criticized the elder Bush on the campaign trail. But on Monday, Trump wrote members of Congress to hail Bush as a man who "led a life that exemplified what is truly great about America." "President Bush worked selflessly throughout his long life to bring about a world of justice and lasting peace," he wrote. The White House also extended an invitation to Bush's family to stay at Blair House -- the President's guest house-- while they are in Washington for events surrounding to his funeral. Bush was a decorated World War II fighter pilot, onetime ambassador to China, former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and vice president to Ronald Reagan before winning the White House. Military pallbearers carried the flag-draped casket into the rotunda as a fiery sunset bathed Washington in a glow. The somber ceremony was attended by his son George W. Bush -- the nation's 43rd president -- and other relatives, dignitaries and more than 100 members of the House and Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lauded Bush -- who occupied the White House from 1989 to 1993 -- as a patriot who steered the country as straight as he had piloted his World War II airplane. "He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still. And he did it with modesty and kindness that would have been surprising in someone one tenth as tough and accomplished as he was," he said. - Hands on hearts - Bush was transported aboard the presidential Boeing 747 -- made available at Trump's direction -- from Houston to Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland. In Houston, relatives including his presidential son stood with hands on their hearts as the casket was carried to the aircraft. Bush is the 12th US president to lie in state in the rotunda. Just three months earlier, the honor was accorded to senator John McCain, a former Republican presidential nominee who died of brain cancer. Hundreds of members of the public began quietly filing in to the Capitol late Monday to pay their final respects. Among them was Kim Frinzell, a government employee who did not vote for Bush but grew to respect his accomplishments, including signing the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. "The fact that he could cross party lines, and did that so gracefully, especially after his presidency, to me is really inspiring and a lesson that our current administration can learn from," Frinzell, 56, told AFP. Bush will be honored at a state funeral service at the cathedral on Wednesday, which Trump has declared a national day of mourning. Bill Clinton will be among the living US presidents to attend, along with dozens of foreign leaders including Germany's Angela Merkel. Former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney said he would deliver one of several eulogies, at Bush's request. On Thursday, Bush will be interred at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Center in College Station, Texas, next to his wife Barbara, who died in April, and their daughter Robin who died of leukemia at age three. - One-term president - Bush's political locus was foreign policy and America's place in the world, and he claimed successes including navigating the end of the Cold War and marshalling a global coalition to eject Iraqi troops from Kuwait in the first Gulf War. But despite Bush's record approval ratings after "Desert Storm," he disappointed Americans on the domestic front. The US economy slid into recession in 1990, and recovery was sluggish, conditions which contributed to his 1992 election defeat by Clinton. House Speaker Paul Ryan alluded to that political setback in his Capitol remarks and said Bush handled defeat with grace. "He was the first president to teach me that in a democracy sometimes you fall short -- and that how you handle that is just as important as how you win," Ryan said.

Trump pays respects as president Bush lies in state in US Capitol

In the past, when the United States imported most of its energy needs, declining oil prices were a bounty to households and businesses, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report.

A rule of thumb was simple: Oil-price drops boosted US economic output.

That's become more complicated. As the US has risen to become the world's largest oil producer this year, a growing chunk of domestic investment, manufacturing output and employment has become tied to oil.

Now, when oil prices fall, it risks hurting investment and hiring in important parts of the economy.

At the same time, a decades-long transition toward more energy-efficient living has left businesses and consumers less sensitive to prices at the pump, meaning they don't benefit as much when prices fall.

Some economists still believe lower oil prices are a net economic positive, but the resurgence of the US oil industry has upended the conventional wisdom held by many, including President Donald Trump, who has recently issued a flurry of tweets calling for even cheaper crude.

"Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let's go lower!" Trump tweeted on November 21.

Oil companies, setting capital-expenditure plans for the next year, could be spooked into cutting budgets if prices keep sliding. Crude oil futures have lost a third of their value in less than two months.

"He's living in the old world," Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said of Trump's comments in recent weeks cheering the price declines. "That's the very last thing he should be wishing for."

In the past, the US oil industry focused on the Gulf of Mexico, where massive deep-water wells required large up-front investments that pumped vast quantities of oil for a decade or more at relatively low operating costs.

Output was dominated by big companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, which carried little debt.

As a result, energy investment was relatively unresponsive to short-term price fluctuations, while a drop in gasoline prices immediately left consumers with more cash to save or spend on other goods and services.

Then the equation changed.

Fuel-efficient vehicles and a long transition away from heavy industry mean the US economy now consumes just 0.4 barrels of oil to produce $1,000 of gross domestic product, down from 1.1 barrels in 1972, said Martin Stuermer, a senior research economist at the Dallas Fed.

In contrast to the Gulf of Mexico's heyday, most US oil nowadays is extracted from a vast number of comparatively tiny deposits trapped in shale rock.

Since wells are exhausted quickly, the process requires near-constant drilling by a constellation of smaller companies that, compared to the traditional oil majors, use a lot of debt.

This makes both production and investment sensitive to lower prices, which can lead to sudden bankruptcies or declines in cash flow that squeeze investment plans.

Large shale-oil companies, such as EOG Resources Inc. and Whiting Petroleum Corp., have characterized the current price around $50 a barrel as an inflection point, below which they would reduce drilling.

"If oil went down to $40 and stayed there, yes, you would see a reduction in [spending] and a reduction in US production growth," said Chris Wright, the chief executive of Liberty Oilfield Services Inc., a hydraulic fracturing company that works for oil producers.

Economic data from the last big downturn in oil prices reflect the new dynamic. Months after oil prices began falling from their mid-2014 peak of $105 a barrel, drilling slowed.

By late 2016, private investment in oil and natural gas exploration and wells had fallen by two-thirds, and the oil-and-gas industry had shed nearly 190,000 jobs.

The negative effects of the price downturn were most acute in oil-producing regions like Texas and North Dakota, but national measures of business investment slowed, too, and overall expansion of GDP sputtered.

It's still difficult to map the complete footprint of oil in the US economy.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates business investment in petroleum and natural gas structures at $137.48 billion annually.

While that's less than half of what consumers spend on gasoline and motor fuel - $324.51 billion - it includes none of the homes, hospitals and strip malls that pop up in regions that pump oil.

"A decline in oil prices now has negative spillovers to US aggregate investment," said Nida Cakir Melek, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Joseph Jaquez, who runs his family's store, Airlawn Furniture in Pecos, Texas, said the oil boom created a windfall for his business in the heart of the Permian basin when thousands of workers flocked to the area.

His sales of mattresses boomed to the temporary housing facilities that popped up in town.

"Our situation here in town is not one that many people can comprehend," Jaquez said.

Shepherdson, the economist, said it's not a coincidence that the 2014-16 period of falling oil prices was followed by a marked slowdown in broader economic growth. 
The recent price downturn, he estimates, will subtract 0.3 percentage points from US GDP growth over the next year or so.

In the past, when the United States imported most of its energy needs, declining oil prices were a bounty to households and businesses, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report.

In the past, when the United States imported most of its energy needs, declining oil prices were a bounty to households and businesses, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report. A rule of thumb was simple: Oil-price drops boosted US economic output. That's become more complicated. As the US has risen to become the world's largest oil producer this year, a growing chunk of domestic investment, manufacturing output and employment has become tied to oil. Now, when oil prices fall, it risks hurting investment and hiring in important parts of the economy. At the same time, a decades-long transition toward more energy-efficient living has left businesses and consumers less sensitive to prices at the pump, meaning they don't benefit as much when prices fall. Some economists still believe lower oil prices are a net economic positive, but the resurgence of the US oil industry has upended the conventional wisdom held by many, including President Donald Trump, who has recently issued a flurry of tweets calling for even cheaper crude. "Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let's go lower!" Trump tweeted on November 21. Oil companies, setting capital-expenditure plans for the next year, could be spooked into cutting budgets if prices keep sliding. Crude oil futures have lost a third of their value in less than two months. "He's living in the old world," Ian Shepherdson, chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said of Trump's comments in recent weeks cheering the price declines. "That's the very last thing he should be wishing for." In the past, the US oil industry focused on the Gulf of Mexico, where massive deep-water wells required large up-front investments that pumped vast quantities of oil for a decade or more at relatively low operating costs. Output was dominated by big companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, which carried little debt. As a result, energy investment was relatively unresponsive to short-term price fluctuations, while a drop in gasoline prices immediately left consumers with more cash to save or spend on other goods and services. Then the equation changed. Fuel-efficient vehicles and a long transition away from heavy industry mean the US economy now consumes just 0.4 barrels of oil to produce $1,000 of gross domestic product, down from 1.1 barrels in 1972, said Martin Stuermer, a senior research economist at the Dallas Fed. In contrast to the Gulf of Mexico's heyday, most US oil nowadays is extracted from a vast number of comparatively tiny deposits trapped in shale rock. Since wells are exhausted quickly, the process requires near-constant drilling by a constellation of smaller companies that, compared to the traditional oil majors, use a lot of debt. This makes both production and investment sensitive to lower prices, which can lead to sudden bankruptcies or declines in cash flow that squeeze investment plans. Large shale-oil companies, such as EOG Resources Inc. and Whiting Petroleum Corp., have characterized the current price around $50 a barrel as an inflection point, below which they would reduce drilling. "If oil went down to $40 and stayed there, yes, you would see a reduction in [spending] and a reduction in US production growth," said Chris Wright, the chief executive of Liberty Oilfield Services Inc., a hydraulic fracturing company that works for oil producers. Economic data from the last big downturn in oil prices reflect the new dynamic. Months after oil prices began falling from their mid-2014 peak of $105 a barrel, drilling slowed. By late 2016, private investment in oil and natural gas exploration and wells had fallen by two-thirds, and the oil-and-gas industry had shed nearly 190,000 jobs. The negative effects of the price downturn were most acute in oil-producing regions like Texas and North Dakota, but national measures of business investment slowed, too, and overall expansion of GDP sputtered. It's still difficult to map the complete footprint of oil in the US economy. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates business investment in petroleum and natural gas structures at $137.48 billion annually. While that's less than half of what consumers spend on gasoline and motor fuel - $324.51 billion - it includes none of the homes, hospitals and strip malls that pop up in regions that pump oil. "A decline in oil prices now has negative spillovers to US aggregate investment," said Nida Cakir Melek, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Joseph Jaquez, who runs his family's store, Airlawn Furniture in Pecos, Texas, said the oil boom created a windfall for his business in the heart of the Permian basin when thousands of workers flocked to the area. His sales of mattresses boomed to the temporary housing facilities that popped up in town. "Our situation here in town is not one that many people can comprehend," Jaquez said. Shepherdson, the economist, said it's not a coincidence that the 2014-16 period of falling oil prices was followed by a marked slowdown in broader economic growth. The recent price downturn, he estimates, will subtract 0.3 percentage points from US GDP growth over the next year or so.

Falling oil prices hurt US economy. Here's why

Roger Stone, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump, denied Sunday that the two had discussed a possible presidential pardon at a time when Stone is said to be under mounting scrutiny from prosecutors investigating Russian interference.

Stone also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ally-says-he-worked-with-assange-pre-election-to-spread-clinton-emails-in-abusive-twitter-tirade-13089">denied having had any contact during the 2016 presidential campaign with Julian Assange</a>, the creator of WikiLeaks, the site that published hacked messages from Trump's Democratic opponents in an apparent bid to influence the election.

"I had no contact with Assange," Stone told ABC's "This Week" program. "We have had no communication with (Assange) whatsoever."

He said he had not been contacted by Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor investigating possible collusion or coordination between Trump's campaign team and Russia.&nbsp;

Asked whether he would expect a pardon from the president if indicted by Mueller, Stone replied, "I've had no discussion regarding a pardon."

But Stone insisted that he would never testify against his longtime friend.

"There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the president, because I'd have to bear false witness against him," he said. "I'd have to make things up, and I'm not going to do that."

Mueller has negotiated cooperation deals with several key witnesses, notably Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, in exchange for reduced prison sentences for various charges.&nbsp;

Stone and one of his contacts, Jerome Corsi, are suspected of having had advance knowledge that WikiLeaks would, in the summer of 2016, publish a trove of hacked Democratic emails that would prove damaging to Trump's presidential rival, Hillary Clinton.

The ABC interviewer, George Stephanopoulos, asked Stone about emails in which he reportedly instructed Corsi in mid-2016 to "get to Assange at the Ecuadoran embassy in London and get the pending WikiLeaks email."&nbsp;

But Stone insisted he had broken no law.

"I'm certainly guilty of bluffing and posturing and punking the Democrats," he said, before adding, "Where is the crime?

"I engaged in politics."

Roger Stone, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump, denied Sunday that the two had discussed a possible presidential pardon at a time when Stone is said to be under mounting scrutiny from prosecutors investigating Russian interference.

Roger Stone, an informal adviser to US President Donald Trump, denied Sunday that the two had discussed a possible presidential pardon at a time when Stone is said to be under mounting scrutiny from prosecutors investigating Russian interference. Stone also denied having had any contact during the 2016 presidential campaign with Julian Assange, the creator of WikiLeaks, the site that published hacked messages from Trump's Democratic opponents in an apparent bid to influence the election. "I had no contact with Assange," Stone told ABC's "This Week" program. "We have had no communication with (Assange) whatsoever." He said he had not been contacted by Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor investigating possible collusion or coordination between Trump's campaign team and Russia. Asked whether he would expect a pardon from the president if indicted by Mueller, Stone replied, "I've had no discussion regarding a pardon." But Stone insisted that he would never testify against his longtime friend. "There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the president, because I'd have to bear false witness against him," he said. "I'd have to make things up, and I'm not going to do that." Mueller has negotiated cooperation deals with several key witnesses, notably Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, in exchange for reduced prison sentences for various charges. Stone and one of his contacts, Jerome Corsi, are suspected of having had advance knowledge that WikiLeaks would, in the summer of 2016, publish a trove of hacked Democratic emails that would prove damaging to Trump's presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. The ABC interviewer, George Stephanopoulos, asked Stone about emails in which he reportedly instructed Corsi in mid-2016 to "get to Assange at the Ecuadoran embassy in London and get the pending WikiLeaks email." But Stone insisted he had broken no law. "I'm certainly guilty of bluffing and posturing and punking the Democrats," he said, before adding, "Where is the crime? "I engaged in politics."

Trump friend Roger Stone says they did not discuss a pardon

The G-20 meeting is over, and there's good news and bad news for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other stock market indexes, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report on Sunday.

Here's the good news following a Saturday night dinner between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires: The United States said it won't impose 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods in January, as it had planned, and China agreed to buy more US agricultural goods.

It's essentially a cease-fire, for now, in the trade war between the world's two largest economies.

The bad news is that this deal opened a 90-day window to negotiate a deal not just on trade but also on protecting intellectual property, ending the forced transfer of technology, and more.

If those negotiations aren't successful, then it's tariff time.

It's unclear how the market will react to the news, given last week's massive rally.

The S&amp;P 500's 4.8 per cent rise - its biggest in about seven years - was, in part, a response to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's dovish tone.

But it was also a bet on a deal being reached.

The market, however, is forward-looking, and so the question will become whether the typical sell-the-news reaction kicks in.

But one thing is clear - the stakes in the negotiations between the US and China are huge.

Paul Ashworth, chief US economist at Capital Economics, notes that if talks fail, tariffs would rise on the $200 billion of goods already on the receiving end, and would be imposed on the remaining $250 billion that are, so far, penalty-free.

"This is very much a temporary pause," he writes.

And a high-stakes one at that.

The G-20 meeting is over, and there's good news and bad news for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other stock market indexes, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report on Sunday.

The G-20 meeting is over, and there's good news and bad news for the Dow Jones Industrial Average and other stock market indexes, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report on Sunday. Here's the good news following a Saturday night dinner between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires: The United States said it won't impose 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods in January, as it had planned, and China agreed to buy more US agricultural goods. It's essentially a cease-fire, for now, in the trade war between the world's two largest economies. The bad news is that this deal opened a 90-day window to negotiate a deal not just on trade but also on protecting intellectual property, ending the forced transfer of technology, and more. If those negotiations aren't successful, then it's tariff time. It's unclear how the market will react to the news, given last week's massive rally. The S&P 500's 4.8 per cent rise - its biggest in about seven years - was, in part, a response to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's dovish tone. But it was also a bet on a deal being reached. The market, however, is forward-looking, and so the question will become whether the typical sell-the-news reaction kicks in. But one thing is clear - the stakes in the negotiations between the US and China are huge. Paul Ashworth, chief US economist at Capital Economics, notes that if talks fail, tariffs would rise on the $200 billion of goods already on the receiving end, and would be imposed on the remaining $250 billion that are, so far, penalty-free. "This is very much a temporary pause," he writes. And a high-stakes one at that.

Trump and China called a truce in the trade war. Now what?

US President Donald Trump called Monday for "a long prison term" after his ex-lawyer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ex-lawyer-michael-cohen-says-he-told-trump-about-conversation-with-kremlin-court-filing-180788">Michael Cohen</a> admitted lying to Congress about pursuing a real estate deal with Russia on Trump's behalf during the 2016 election campaign.

He also repeated his accusation that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sends-written-responses-to-robert-mueller-in-russia-probe-178500">Special Counsel Robert Mueller</a> -- who is investigating possible collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign -- is forcing witnesses to make up lies damaging to the president.

"You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc., and not serve a long prison term?" the president said on Twitter.

"He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence," Trump added.

Cohen, once one of the president's closest allies and a top executive at The Trump Organization, last week admitted lying in testimony about contacts with powerful Moscow figures over building a Trump Tower in Moscow.

Those contacts, including with a top aide to President Vladimir Putin, continued throughout the first half of 2016 even after Trump secured the Republican nomination for president, Cohen admitted.

Trump and his campaign have repeatedly denied talks on a deal after 2015, but Cohen told a court that Trump and members of his family were informed of the discussions which continued through the middle of 2016, just months before the presidential election.

On Friday Cohen, who had already admitted multiple counts of tax evasion, financial fraud and campaign finance violations, asked the New York federal court for a "time served" sentence.

He hasn't spent any time incarcerated beyond the routine custody before each of his guilty pleas.

Cohen's lawyers said he had fully cooperated with Mueller's investigation and would continue to do so, and deserved to avoid imprisonment.

"Michael's decision to cooperate and take full responsibility for his own conduct well reflects his personal resolve, notwithstanding past errors, to re-point his internal compass true north toward a productive, ethical and thoroughly law-abiding life," the lawyers said in a court filing.

Trump meanwhile lashed out at Mueller, whom he again accused of forcing witnesses to make up lies damaging to him.

"Robert Mueller... and his out of control band of Angry Democrats, don't want the truth, they only want lies. The truth is very bad for their mission!" Trump tweeted.

The president praised former political advisor Roger Stone, who has rejected allegations that he abetted Russian interference to help Trump in the 2016 election through contacts with WikiLeaks, which published stolen emails that embarrassed Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Trump cited Stone's pledge to never testify against him.

"Nice to know that some people still have 'guts!'" Trump wrote.

US President Donald Trump called Monday for "a long prison term" after his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen admitted lying to Congress about pursuing a real estate deal with Russia on Trump's behalf during the 2016 election campaign.

US President Donald Trump called Monday for "a long prison term" after his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen admitted lying to Congress about pursuing a real estate deal with Russia on Trump's behalf during the 2016 election campaign. He also repeated his accusation that Special Counsel Robert Mueller -- who is investigating possible collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign -- is forcing witnesses to make up lies damaging to the president. "You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc., and not serve a long prison term?" the president said on Twitter. "He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence," Trump added. Cohen, once one of the president's closest allies and a top executive at The Trump Organization, last week admitted lying in testimony about contacts with powerful Moscow figures over building a Trump Tower in Moscow. Those contacts, including with a top aide to President Vladimir Putin, continued throughout the first half of 2016 even after Trump secured the Republican nomination for president, Cohen admitted. Trump and his campaign have repeatedly denied talks on a deal after 2015, but Cohen told a court that Trump and members of his family were informed of the discussions which continued through the middle of 2016, just months before the presidential election. On Friday Cohen, who had already admitted multiple counts of tax evasion, financial fraud and campaign finance violations, asked the New York federal court for a "time served" sentence. He hasn't spent any time incarcerated beyond the routine custody before each of his guilty pleas. Cohen's lawyers said he had fully cooperated with Mueller's investigation and would continue to do so, and deserved to avoid imprisonment. "Michael's decision to cooperate and take full responsibility for his own conduct well reflects his personal resolve, notwithstanding past errors, to re-point his internal compass true north toward a productive, ethical and thoroughly law-abiding life," the lawyers said in a court filing. Trump meanwhile lashed out at Mueller, whom he again accused of forcing witnesses to make up lies damaging to him. "Robert Mueller... and his out of control band of Angry Democrats, don't want the truth, they only want lies. The truth is very bad for their mission!" Trump tweeted. The president praised former political advisor Roger Stone, who has rejected allegations that he abetted Russian interference to help Trump in the 2016 election through contacts with WikiLeaks, which published stolen emails that embarrassed Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Trump cited Stone's pledge to never testify against him. "Nice to know that some people still have 'guts!'" Trump wrote.

Trump calls for his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen to be jailed

US President Donald Trump will grant North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un his wishes if he delivers on denuclearisation, the South Korean president said Sunday, following talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

As officials work to arrange <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-is-likely-to-meet-north-koreas-kim-in-jan-or-feb-180818">a second meeting between Trump and Kim</a>, South Korea's Moon Jae-in relayed a message to reporters given to him by the US president to pass on to the North's leader.&nbsp;

"And the message was that President Trump has a very friendly view of Chairman Kim and that he likes him, and so he wishes Chairman Kim would implement the rest of their agreement and that he would make what Chairman Kim wants come true," Moon told the Yonhap news agency while en route to New Zealand.

Speaking in Buenos Aires, where he discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula with Moon, Trump said he hoped to organize a follow-up meeting with Kim for early 2019.

"We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship," he said.

When asked Saturday if he would ever host the North Korean leader in the United States, Trump replied: "At some point, yeah."

Trump and Kim held a historic summit in Singapore earlier this year, signing a vaguely worded deal on denuclearisation.

But progress has generally been slow, with the two countries sparring over the exact meaning of the agreement.

US officials insist on the complete, verified and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula before sanctions are lifted.

The North has rejected demands for what it calls "unilateral" disarmament, and has instead sought unspecified reciprocal US measures in a gradual process.

Differences also remain between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon favors more robust engagement with the North.

North and South Korea have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of their common border as part of efforts to improve long-strained relations.

US President Donald Trump will grant North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un his wishes if he delivers on denuclearisation, the South Korean president said Sunday, following talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

US President Donald Trump will grant North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un his wishes if he delivers on denuclearisation, the South Korean president said Sunday, following talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit. As officials work to arrange a second meeting between Trump and Kim, South Korea's Moon Jae-in relayed a message to reporters given to him by the US president to pass on to the North's leader. "And the message was that President Trump has a very friendly view of Chairman Kim and that he likes him, and so he wishes Chairman Kim would implement the rest of their agreement and that he would make what Chairman Kim wants come true," Moon told the Yonhap news agency while en route to New Zealand. Speaking in Buenos Aires, where he discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula with Moon, Trump said he hoped to organize a follow-up meeting with Kim for early 2019. "We're getting along very well. We have a good relationship," he said. When asked Saturday if he would ever host the North Korean leader in the United States, Trump replied: "At some point, yeah." Trump and Kim held a historic summit in Singapore earlier this year, signing a vaguely worded deal on denuclearisation. But progress has generally been slow, with the two countries sparring over the exact meaning of the agreement. US officials insist on the complete, verified and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula before sanctions are lifted. The North has rejected demands for what it calls "unilateral" disarmament, and has instead sought unspecified reciprocal US measures in a gradual process. Differences also remain between Washington and Seoul on how to proceed with Kim, as the dovish Moon favors more robust engagement with the North. North and South Korea have begun to remove landmines and destroy military bunkers at parts of their common border as part of efforts to improve long-strained relations.

Trump will grant Kim Jong Un's wishes after denuclearisation: South Korea president

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