A US judge closely questioned the government on Monday as he weighed whether to temporarily halt an order from President Donald Trump that bars asylum for migrants who illegally cross the border with Mexico.

Trump cited an overwhelmed immigration system for his recent proclamation that officials will only process asylum claims for migrants who present themselves at an official entry point. Civil rights groups argue that Trump's November 9 order violated administrative and immigration law.

At hearing in San Francisco federal court, US District Judge Jon Tigar repeatedly asked a Justice Department attorney whether Trump's order was justified and supported by actual evidence.

"To say something is true does not make it true," Tigar said.

The judge did not issue a ruling during the hearing. Any decision would likely be procedural and would restore prior asylum rules while the rights groups made their case for a preliminary injunction at a future hearing.

Tigar was nominated to the court by President Barack Obama.

The hearing came as thousands of Central Americans, including a large number of children, are travelling in caravans towards the US border to escape violence and poverty at home. Some have already arrived at Tijuana, a Mexican city on the border with California.

Rights groups have said immigrants are being forced to wait days or weeks at the border before they can present themselves for asylum, and the administration has been sued for deliberately slowing processing times at official ports.

At the hearing, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt said the order clearly conflicted with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows any person present in the United States to seek asylum, regardless of how they entered the country.

Gelernt said the ACLU has recently learned Mexican authorities have begun barring unaccompanied minors from applying at US ports of entry.

"These kids are in desperate danger," he said.

Caravan participants began to arrive last week in Tijuana on the Mexican side of the US border, which has put a strain on humanitarian shelters where many will wait to seek asylum. Their presence has also strained Tijuana's reputation as a welcoming city, with some residents screaming at the migrants, "Get out!"

Trump sent more than 5,000 soldiers to the 2,000-mile (3,100 km) frontier with Mexico to harden the border, although critics dismissed the move as a political stunt ahead of congressional elections on November 6.

A US judge closely questioned the government on Monday as he weighed whether to temporarily halt an order from President Donald Trump that bars asylum for migrants who illegally cross the border with Mexico.

A US judge closely questioned the government on Monday as he weighed whether to temporarily halt an order from President Donald Trump that bars asylum for migrants who illegally cross the border with Mexico. Trump cited an overwhelmed immigration system for his recent proclamation that officials will only process asylum claims for migrants who present themselves at an official entry point. Civil rights groups argue that Trump's November 9 order violated administrative and immigration law. At hearing in San Francisco federal court, US District Judge Jon Tigar repeatedly asked a Justice Department attorney whether Trump's order was justified and supported by actual evidence. "To say something is true does not make it true," Tigar said. The judge did not issue a ruling during the hearing. Any decision would likely be procedural and would restore prior asylum rules while the rights groups made their case for a preliminary injunction at a future hearing. Tigar was nominated to the court by President Barack Obama. The hearing came as thousands of Central Americans, including a large number of children, are travelling in caravans towards the US border to escape violence and poverty at home. Some have already arrived at Tijuana, a Mexican city on the border with California. Rights groups have said immigrants are being forced to wait days or weeks at the border before they can present themselves for asylum, and the administration has been sued for deliberately slowing processing times at official ports. At the hearing, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Lee Gelernt said the order clearly conflicted with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows any person present in the United States to seek asylum, regardless of how they entered the country. Gelernt said the ACLU has recently learned Mexican authorities have begun barring unaccompanied minors from applying at US ports of entry. "These kids are in desperate danger," he said. Caravan participants began to arrive last week in Tijuana on the Mexican side of the US border, which has put a strain on humanitarian shelters where many will wait to seek asylum. Their presence has also strained Tijuana's reputation as a welcoming city, with some residents screaming at the migrants, "Get out!" Trump sent more than 5,000 soldiers to the 2,000-mile (3,100 km) frontier with Mexico to harden the border, although critics dismissed the move as a political stunt ahead of congressional elections on November 6.

US judge questions Trump administration on asylum policy

Asia-Pacific leaders failed to agree on a communique at a summit in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the first time in their history as deep divisions between the United States and China over trade and investment stymied cooperation.

Competition between the United States and China over the Pacific was also thrown into focus with the United States and its Western allies launching a coordinated response to China's Belt and Road programme.

"You know the two big giants in the room," Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O`Neill said at a closing news conference, when asked which of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group could not agree.

O'Neill, who was chairman of the meeting, said the sticking point was over whether mention of the World Trade Organization and its possible reform should be in the Leaders'&nbsp;Declaration.

"APEC has got no charter over World Trade Organization, that is a fact. Those matters can be raised at the World Trade Organization."

The multilateral trade order that APEC was established in 1989 to protect is crumbling as Chinese assertiveness in the Pacific and US tariffs strain relations in the region and divide loyalties.

A Leaders'&nbsp;Declaration has been issued after every annual APEC leaders` meeting since the first in 1993, the group`s website shows.&nbsp;

O'Neill said that as APEC host, he would release a Chairman`s Statement, though it was not clear when.

US President Donald Trump did not attend the meeting and nor did his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

US Vice President Mike Pence attended instead of Trump.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived to great fanfare on Thursday and was feted by PNG officials. He stoked Western concern on Friday when he met Pacific island leaders to pitch his Belt and Road initiative.

The United States and its allies, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, countered on Sunday with a $1.7 billion plan to deliver reliable electricity and the internet to PNG.

Pacific theatre

Wang Xiaolong, a senior economic official with China`s APEC delegation, said of the failure to agree on a joint statement that it was "not exactly a sticking point between any particular two countries".

Most members affirmed their commitment to preserving the multilateral trading system and supported a robust and well-functioning WTO, he said.

"Frankly speaking, we are in a very early stage of those discussions and different countries have different ideas as to how to take that process forward," Wang said.

One diplomat involved in the negotiations said tension between the US&nbsp;and China, bubbling all week, erupted when the Chinese government`s top diplomat, Wang Yi, objected during a leaders` retreat to two paragraphs in a draft document seen by Reuters.

One mentioned opposing "unfair trade practices" and reforming the WTO, while another concerned sustainable development.

"These two countries were pushing each other so much that the chair couldn`t see an option to bridge them," said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

"China was angered that the reference to WTO blamed a country for unfair trade practices."

Pence said in a blunt speech on Saturday there would be no end to US&nbsp;tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods until China changed its ways. On Sunday, as he left the PNG capital of Port Moresby, he listed US&nbsp;differences with China.

"They begin with trade practices, with tariffs and quotas, forced technology transfers, the theft of intellectual property. It goes beyond that to freedom of navigation in the seas, concerns about human rights," Pence told reporters.

Pence also took direct aim at Xi`s signature Belt and Road initiative, saying in his speech countries should not accept debt that compromised their sovereignty.&nbsp;

"We do not offer a constricting belt or a one-way road," he said.&nbsp;

Centre of attention

The Belt and Road plan was first proposed in 2013 to expand land and sea links between Asia, Africa and Europe, with billions of dollars in infrastructure investment from China.

APEC host PNG is home to 8 million people, four-fifths of whom live outside urban areas and with poor infrastructure, and found itself feted by superpowers.

Xi opened a Beijing-funded boulevard, while Pence talked of a 400-year old King James Bible in the PNG parliament that he had played a role in bringing to the country.

Australia, a staunch US&nbsp;ally, has for decades enjoyed largely unrivalled influence among Pacific island nations. China has recently turned its attention to the region with a raft of bilateral financing agreements to often distressed economies.&nbsp;

PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato said his country did not need to pick sides.

"For us, we welcome Chinese investment, we welcome US&nbsp;investment. Our foreign policy is to be friends of all, enemies of none." 
&nbsp;

Asia-Pacific leaders failed to agree on a communique at a summit in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the first time in their history as deep divisions between the United States and China over trade and investment stymied cooperation.

Asia-Pacific leaders failed to agree on a communique at a summit in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the first time in their history as deep divisions between the United States and China over trade and investment stymied cooperation. Competition between the United States and China over the Pacific was also thrown into focus with the United States and its Western allies launching a coordinated response to China's Belt and Road programme. "You know the two big giants in the room," Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O`Neill said at a closing news conference, when asked which of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group could not agree. O'Neill, who was chairman of the meeting, said the sticking point was over whether mention of the World Trade Organization and its possible reform should be in the Leaders' Declaration. "APEC has got no charter over World Trade Organization, that is a fact. Those matters can be raised at the World Trade Organization." The multilateral trade order that APEC was established in 1989 to protect is crumbling as Chinese assertiveness in the Pacific and US tariffs strain relations in the region and divide loyalties. A Leaders' Declaration has been issued after every annual APEC leaders` meeting since the first in 1993, the group`s website shows. O'Neill said that as APEC host, he would release a Chairman`s Statement, though it was not clear when. US President Donald Trump did not attend the meeting and nor did his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. US Vice President Mike Pence attended instead of Trump. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived to great fanfare on Thursday and was feted by PNG officials. He stoked Western concern on Friday when he met Pacific island leaders to pitch his Belt and Road initiative. The United States and its allies, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, countered on Sunday with a $1.7 billion plan to deliver reliable electricity and the internet to PNG. Pacific theatre Wang Xiaolong, a senior economic official with China`s APEC delegation, said of the failure to agree on a joint statement that it was "not exactly a sticking point between any particular two countries". Most members affirmed their commitment to preserving the multilateral trading system and supported a robust and well-functioning WTO, he said. "Frankly speaking, we are in a very early stage of those discussions and different countries have different ideas as to how to take that process forward," Wang said. One diplomat involved in the negotiations said tension between the US and China, bubbling all week, erupted when the Chinese government`s top diplomat, Wang Yi, objected during a leaders` retreat to two paragraphs in a draft document seen by Reuters. One mentioned opposing "unfair trade practices" and reforming the WTO, while another concerned sustainable development. "These two countries were pushing each other so much that the chair couldn`t see an option to bridge them," said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "China was angered that the reference to WTO blamed a country for unfair trade practices." Pence said in a blunt speech on Saturday there would be no end to US tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods until China changed its ways. On Sunday, as he left the PNG capital of Port Moresby, he listed US differences with China. "They begin with trade practices, with tariffs and quotas, forced technology transfers, the theft of intellectual property. It goes beyond that to freedom of navigation in the seas, concerns about human rights," Pence told reporters. Pence also took direct aim at Xi`s signature Belt and Road initiative, saying in his speech countries should not accept debt that compromised their sovereignty. "We do not offer a constricting belt or a one-way road," he said. Centre of attention The Belt and Road plan was first proposed in 2013 to expand land and sea links between Asia, Africa and Europe, with billions of dollars in infrastructure investment from China. APEC host PNG is home to 8 million people, four-fifths of whom live outside urban areas and with poor infrastructure, and found itself feted by superpowers. Xi opened a Beijing-funded boulevard, while Pence talked of a 400-year old King James Bible in the PNG parliament that he had played a role in bringing to the country. Australia, a staunch US ally, has for decades enjoyed largely unrivalled influence among Pacific island nations. China has recently turned its attention to the region with a raft of bilateral financing agreements to often distressed economies. PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato said his country did not need to pick sides. "For us, we welcome Chinese investment, we welcome US investment. Our foreign policy is to be friends of all, enemies of none."

APEC fails to reach consensus as US-China divide deepens

Hundreds of Tijuana, Mexico's border city, residents took to the streets on Sunday to stage a protest against the thousand of Central Americans who arrived in the city hoping to take asylum in the United States.

Protestors raised Mexican flags and banners&nbsp;as they also sang the country's national anthem. Protestors also raised slogans like "Out! Out!" in front of the statue of the Aztec ruler Cuauhtemoc, 1 mile from the US border.

Protestors demanded caravan members to return to their&nbsp;countries while accusing the of generating insecurity and violating Mexican laws. They also called the migrants arriving in the city an "invasion" and danger to Tijuana.

"They are invaders! They are armed! Get out of the country," protestors shouted as they crowded into an emblematic city roundabout. The protest also involved some residents of the nearby US city of San Diego, California.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a Honduran migrant saying that they had a right to protest.

"They have the right to protest because they don't like that we're here but in spite of everything, they (Mexicans) are good people. They are the same as us. But we're only passing through. We won't stay here," said Honduran migrant, Karina Rosales, while staying at a shelter set-up at Benito Juarez Sports Centre in Tijuana.

Tijuana, in the Mexican state of Baja California, is at the westerly end of the border, around 17 miles (38km) from San Diego, California.

Thousands of migrants arrived in Tijuana recently. Local authorities in Mexico has&nbsp;estimated that since November 12, about 6,000 Central American migrants have arrived in both Tijuana and another neighbouring border city, Mexicali, many of them accompanied by their children.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;authorities of Mexico and the United States increased the measures of security at the border. Since Saturday, large iron barricades were seen on the side of Tijuana in some of the vehicular lanes of the port of entry to San Ysidro, considered the busiest crossing in the world.

On the San Ysidro side, large portions of barbed wire were also placed on top of the steel wall that separates the two countries. At the Mexican border, it is unusual to close ports of entry to the United States.

In another area of the city, a smaller group of people demonstrated against the discrimination against migrants and asked for the assistance to continue.

(With inputs from news agencies)

Hundreds of Tijuana, Mexico's border city, residents took to the streets on Sunday to stage a protest against the thousand of Central Americans who arrived in the city hoping to take asylum in the United States.

Hundreds of Tijuana, Mexico's border city, residents took to the streets on Sunday to stage a protest against the thousand of Central Americans who arrived in the city hoping to take asylum in the United States. Protestors raised Mexican flags and banners as they also sang the country's national anthem. Protestors also raised slogans like "Out! Out!" in front of the statue of the Aztec ruler Cuauhtemoc, 1 mile from the US border. Protestors demanded caravan members to return to their countries while accusing the of generating insecurity and violating Mexican laws. They also called the migrants arriving in the city an "invasion" and danger to Tijuana. "They are invaders! They are armed! Get out of the country," protestors shouted as they crowded into an emblematic city roundabout. The protest also involved some residents of the nearby US city of San Diego, California. Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a Honduran migrant saying that they had a right to protest. "They have the right to protest because they don't like that we're here but in spite of everything, they (Mexicans) are good people. They are the same as us. But we're only passing through. We won't stay here," said Honduran migrant, Karina Rosales, while staying at a shelter set-up at Benito Juarez Sports Centre in Tijuana. Tijuana, in the Mexican state of Baja California, is at the westerly end of the border, around 17 miles (38km) from San Diego, California. Thousands of migrants arrived in Tijuana recently. Local authorities in Mexico has estimated that since November 12, about 6,000 Central American migrants have arrived in both Tijuana and another neighbouring border city, Mexicali, many of them accompanied by their children. Meanwhile, authorities of Mexico and the United States increased the measures of security at the border. Since Saturday, large iron barricades were seen on the side of Tijuana in some of the vehicular lanes of the port of entry to San Ysidro, considered the busiest crossing in the world. On the San Ysidro side, large portions of barbed wire were also placed on top of the steel wall that separates the two countries. At the Mexican border, it is unusual to close ports of entry to the United States. In another area of the city, a smaller group of people demonstrated against the discrimination against migrants and asked for the assistance to continue. (With inputs from news agencies)

Watch: Mexicans protest against Central American migrants arrival at US-Mexico border

Watch: WION Gravitas, 19th November, 2018

WION Gravitas: Trump downplays CIA report on Khashoggi's murder; stands by Crown Prince

WION Gravitas: White House plans to pull Jim Acosta's press pass again

Donald Trump not ready to hear Khashoggi's 'suffering' audio tape

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-doesnt-want-to-hear-suffering-khashoggi-tape-178092">Don't want to hear 'suffering' Khashoggi tape: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump says he has been fully briefed on an audio recording of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder but does not want to listen to it himself.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/fuel-prices-continue-to-slide-as-global-crude-rates-ease-178105">Fuel prices continue to slide as global crude rates ease&nbsp;</a>

State-run oil-marketing companies continued to cut the prices of key transport fuels — petrol and diesel — well into the fifth week on Monday on lower global crude oil prices.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/everybody-in-pakistan-knew-bin-laden-was-there-and-we-gave-them-13-billion-a-year-trump-178099">Everybody in Pakistan knew Bin Laden was there, and we gave them $1.3 billion a year: Trump</a>

President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan, saying the country does not do "a damn thing" for the US and its government had helped al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterm-elections-republican-rick-scott-wins-florida-senate-race-178098">US midterm elections: Republican Rick Scott wins Florida Senate race</a>

After Democrat Andrew Gillum conceded race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, Republican Rick Scott narrowly won the US Senate seat from Florida beating Democrat Bill Nelson.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-gaja-toll-rises-to-45-protests-surface-over-relief-efforts-178100">Cyclone Gaja toll rises to 45, protests surface over relief efforts</a>

The toll in cyclone Gaja has touched 45, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said Sunday and appealed to all political parties to join in the relief efforts while protests erupted in some districts over alleged failure to provide assistance to the affected people.

&nbsp;

Don't want to hear 'suffering' Khashoggi tape: Trump US President Donald Trump says he has been fully briefed on an audio recording of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder but does not want to listen to it himself.

Don't want to hear 'suffering' Khashoggi tape: Trump US President Donald Trump says he has been fully briefed on an audio recording of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder but does not want to listen to it himself. Fuel prices continue to slide as global crude rates ease State-run oil-marketing companies continued to cut the prices of key transport fuels — petrol and diesel — well into the fifth week on Monday on lower global crude oil prices. Everybody in Pakistan knew Bin Laden was there, and we gave them $1.3 billion a year: Trump President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan, saying the country does not do "a damn thing" for the US and its government had helped al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city. US midterm elections: Republican Rick Scott wins Florida Senate race After Democrat Andrew Gillum conceded race for Florida governor to his Republican rival, Ron DeSantis, Republican Rick Scott narrowly won the US Senate seat from Florida beating Democrat Bill Nelson. Cyclone Gaja toll rises to 45, protests surface over relief efforts The toll in cyclone Gaja has touched 45, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said Sunday and appealed to all political parties to join in the relief efforts while protests erupted in some districts over alleged failure to provide assistance to the affected people.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Asian shares crept cautiously higher on Monday amid conflicting signals on the chance of a truce in the Sino-US&nbsp;trade dispute, while the Federal Reserve's new-found concern on the global economy undermined the dollar.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan tacked on 0.1 per cent and Chinese blue chips 0.5 per cent.

Japan's Nikkei gained 0.4 per cent, but E-Mini futures for the S&amp;P 500 slipped 0.3 per cent.

Wall Street had firmed on Friday after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said that he may not impose more tariffs on Chinese goods after Beijing sent a list of measures it was willing to take to resolve trade tensions.

The comment stoked speculation of a deal when Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina later this month.

However, Sino-US&nbsp;tensions were clearly on display at an APEC meeting in Papua New Guinea over the weekend, where leaders failed to agree on a communique for the first time ever.

US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence said in a blunt speech that there would be no end to US&nbsp;tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods until China changed its ways.

"The comments from Trump were seen as offering a glimmer of hope that further tariff action could be held in abeyance," said NAB's head of FX strategy, Ray Attrill.

"The exchange of barbs between Pence and Chinese President Xi Jinping in PNG on the weekend continues to suggest this is unlikely."

Sensing a fed shift

Also uncertain was the outlook for US&nbsp;interest rates.

Federal Reserve policymakers are still signalling rate increases ahead but also sounded more concerned about a potential global slowdown, leading markets to suspect the tightening cycle may not have much further to run.

"Fed officials are having an easier time showing a slightly less hawkish leaning by noting the emerging global slowdown," said Deutsche Bank's macro strategist Alan Ruskin.

"It's undercutting expectations of rate hikes moving above 'neutral'," which the Fed has nominated as between 2.5 and 3 per cent. "This shift in tone is subtle, but fits with the more bullish bond market tone of late, and is starting to have a material impact on the dollar."

That will focus attention on an appearance by New York Fed President John Williams later on Monday to see if he echoes the same theme.

Investors have already lengthened the odds on further hikes, with a December move now priced at 73 per cent, down from over 90 per cent. Futures imply rates around 2.74 per cent for the end of next year, compared to 2.93 per cent early this month.

Yields on US&nbsp;10-year paper have duly declined to 3.06 per cent, from a recent top of 3.25 per cent.

The dollar followed to reach 96.441 against a basket of currencies, down from a peak of 97.693. The euro was up at $1.1414, while the dollar backed off to 112.66 yen.

Sterling remained vulnerable at $1.2833 after political turmoil over Brexit caused steep losses last week.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit as she faces the possibility of a leadership challenge from within her own party.

With both pro-EU and pro-Brexit lawmakers unhappy with the draft agreement, it is not clear she will be able to win the backing of parliament, raising the risk Britain leaves the EU without a deal.

In commodity markets, gold found support from the drop in the dollar and held firm at $1,1221.92.

Oil prices suffered their sixth straight week of losses last week, but have found some aid from expectations the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would cut output. [O/R]

Brent crude was up 72 cents at $67.48 a barrel, while US&nbsp;crude gained 76 cents to $57.22.

Asian shares crept cautiously higher on Monday amid conflicting signals on the chance of a truce in the Sino-US trade dispute, while the Federal Reserve's new-found concern on the global economy undermined the dollar.

Asian shares crept cautiously higher on Monday amid conflicting signals on the chance of a truce in the Sino-US trade dispute, while the Federal Reserve's new-found concern on the global economy undermined the dollar. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan tacked on 0.1 per cent and Chinese blue chips 0.5 per cent. Japan's Nikkei gained 0.4 per cent, but E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 slipped 0.3 per cent. Wall Street had firmed on Friday after US President Donald Trump said that he may not impose more tariffs on Chinese goods after Beijing sent a list of measures it was willing to take to resolve trade tensions. The comment stoked speculation of a deal when Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina later this month. However, Sino-US tensions were clearly on display at an APEC meeting in Papua New Guinea over the weekend, where leaders failed to agree on a communique for the first time ever. US Vice President Mike Pence said in a blunt speech that there would be no end to US tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods until China changed its ways. "The comments from Trump were seen as offering a glimmer of hope that further tariff action could be held in abeyance," said NAB's head of FX strategy, Ray Attrill. "The exchange of barbs between Pence and Chinese President Xi Jinping in PNG on the weekend continues to suggest this is unlikely." Sensing a fed shift Also uncertain was the outlook for US interest rates. Federal Reserve policymakers are still signalling rate increases ahead but also sounded more concerned about a potential global slowdown, leading markets to suspect the tightening cycle may not have much further to run. "Fed officials are having an easier time showing a slightly less hawkish leaning by noting the emerging global slowdown," said Deutsche Bank's macro strategist Alan Ruskin. "It's undercutting expectations of rate hikes moving above 'neutral'," which the Fed has nominated as between 2.5 and 3 per cent. "This shift in tone is subtle, but fits with the more bullish bond market tone of late, and is starting to have a material impact on the dollar." That will focus attention on an appearance by New York Fed President John Williams later on Monday to see if he echoes the same theme. Investors have already lengthened the odds on further hikes, with a December move now priced at 73 per cent, down from over 90 per cent. Futures imply rates around 2.74 per cent for the end of next year, compared to 2.93 per cent early this month. Yields on US 10-year paper have duly declined to 3.06 per cent, from a recent top of 3.25 per cent. The dollar followed to reach 96.441 against a basket of currencies, down from a peak of 97.693. The euro was up at $1.1414, while the dollar backed off to 112.66 yen. Sterling remained vulnerable at $1.2833 after political turmoil over Brexit caused steep losses last week. British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday toppling her would risk delaying Brexit as she faces the possibility of a leadership challenge from within her own party. With both pro-EU and pro-Brexit lawmakers unhappy with the draft agreement, it is not clear she will be able to win the backing of parliament, raising the risk Britain leaves the EU without a deal. In commodity markets, gold found support from the drop in the dollar and held firm at $1,1221.92. Oil prices suffered their sixth straight week of losses last week, but have found some aid from expectations the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would cut output. [O/R] Brent crude was up 72 cents at $67.48 a barrel, while US crude gained 76 cents to $57.22.

Global Markets: Asia shares inch up, Federal Reserves caution curbs dollar

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020.

Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should.

"I have said all along that somebody needs to run on the Republican side, if nothing else, to remind Republicans what it means to be conservative, what being a conservative really means, and what it means to be decent as well," he said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union."

Flake, who is leaving the Senate in January, warned that in his state of Arizona, a Republican bastion in the past, voters are rejecting candidates "tied at the hip with the president."

"And I think that we're seeing that elsewhere in the country as well. We're losing the suburbs," he said. "If we had a mass movement from the suburbs for people to move back to rural areas, then perhaps our Republican Party would have more of a future -- but not the way that we're going now."

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema was elected in this month's midterms to the Senate seat Flake is vacating, defeating Martha McSally, a former air force pilot who embraced Trump. &nbsp;

Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain he will run for a second four-year term in 2020.

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020. Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should.

A Republican senator said Sunday that a conservative should run against US President Donald Trump for the party's presidential nomination in 2020. Jeff Flake, a vocal critic of the president, said he did not think he would run but that someone else should. "I have said all along that somebody needs to run on the Republican side, if nothing else, to remind Republicans what it means to be conservative, what being a conservative really means, and what it means to be decent as well," he said in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union." Flake, who is leaving the Senate in January, warned that in his state of Arizona, a Republican bastion in the past, voters are rejecting candidates "tied at the hip with the president." "And I think that we're seeing that elsewhere in the country as well. We're losing the suburbs," he said. "If we had a mass movement from the suburbs for people to move back to rural areas, then perhaps our Republican Party would have more of a future -- but not the way that we're going now." Democrat Kyrsten Sinema was elected in this month's midterms to the Senate seat Flake is vacating, defeating Martha McSally, a former air force pilot who embraced Trump. Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain he will run for a second four-year term in 2020.

Republican urges conservatives to run against Donald Trump in 2020

President Donald Trump is planning to make several key staffing changes as he prepares to deal with newly empowered Democrats and with the looming outcome of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

"I have three or four or five positions that I'm thinking about," Trump said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday."&nbsp;

"I need flexibility," he said.&nbsp;

Also read: P<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-fires-senior-advisor-criticized-by-first-lady-melania-177395">resident Trump fires senior advisor criticised by first lady Melania</a>

Trump did not rule out the possibility that his chief of staff John Kelly might be leaving. "At some point he's going to want to move on."

Democrats picked up at least 36 seats in the House of Representatives in the recent midterm elections, giving them control of the lower chamber.

Trump insisted that it was "historic" that Republicans were able to hold the Senate. But control of the House will allow Democrats to block much Trump-backed legislation, to issue subpoenas and to launch congressional inquiries into Russian involvement, Trump's taxes and finances, and other highly sensitive issues.

Democratic oversight

Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, Nick Ayers, has been widely reported to be a leading contender to replace Kelly -- should Trump decide to do so.&nbsp;

The 36-year-old Ayers has been described as a sharp-elbowed strategist with keen political instincts that might make him a better pick than Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, to navigate the perils of heightened Democratic oversight and the challenges of a Trump re-election campaign in 2020.

Trump also told Fox that "there's a chance" his homeland security secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, might be replaced, saying "I like her very much... (but) I would like her to be much tougher on the border."

The president has made the security of the border with Mexico an overarching issue -- one seen to play well with his conservative base.

Another recent Trump staff change -- replacing Attorney General Jeff Sessions with his chief of staff, Matt Whitaker -- is seen by analysts as a bid to gird the administration for the long-awaited Mueller report on Russian interference.

Democrats bitterly criticized the appointment, noting that Whitaker has spoken in the past about how an attorney general could starve the Mueller team by cutting its budget.

'It's up to him'

But Trump told Fox he would not intervene if Whitaker tried to curtail the investigation.

"It's going to be up to him," he said. "I really believe he's going to do what's right. I would not get involved."

While Trump has attempted to put the best face on Republican losses in the House -- which were worse than the 2006 losses that then-President George W. Bush called a "thumping" -- the Democrats' gains underline the challenges Trump and party will face in 2020.

Republicans lost in big Southern cities like Houston and in three states -- Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- that were key to Trump's 2016 victory. They also lost by a wide margin among suburban women and independents.

Some otherwise supportive Trump voters have said he might be wise, given the recent losses, to moderate his tone, to be more inclusive and less divisive. But he indicated to Fox that he had no plan to do so.

"I think if I was a more modified, more moderate in that sense, I don't think I would have done half of the things that I was able to get completed," he said.&nbsp;

"You have people coming at you so hard that if you don't fight back in a somewhat vigorous way, you're not going to win, and we have to win. This country has to win."

The president added that 2020 will be different in a crucial way from this month's elections -- his name will be on the ballot.

President Donald Trump is planning to make several key staffing changes as he prepares to deal with newly empowered Democrats and with the looming outcome of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

President Donald Trump is planning to make several key staffing changes as he prepares to deal with newly empowered Democrats and with the looming outcome of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. "I have three or four or five positions that I'm thinking about," Trump said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday." "I need flexibility," he said. Also read: President Trump fires senior advisor criticised by first lady Melania Trump did not rule out the possibility that his chief of staff John Kelly might be leaving. "At some point he's going to want to move on." Democrats picked up at least 36 seats in the House of Representatives in the recent midterm elections, giving them control of the lower chamber. Trump insisted that it was "historic" that Republicans were able to hold the Senate. But control of the House will allow Democrats to block much Trump-backed legislation, to issue subpoenas and to launch congressional inquiries into Russian involvement, Trump's taxes and finances, and other highly sensitive issues. Democratic oversight Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff, Nick Ayers, has been widely reported to be a leading contender to replace Kelly -- should Trump decide to do so. The 36-year-old Ayers has been described as a sharp-elbowed strategist with keen political instincts that might make him a better pick than Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, to navigate the perils of heightened Democratic oversight and the challenges of a Trump re-election campaign in 2020. Trump also told Fox that "there's a chance" his homeland security secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, might be replaced, saying "I like her very much... (but) I would like her to be much tougher on the border." The president has made the security of the border with Mexico an overarching issue -- one seen to play well with his conservative base. Another recent Trump staff change -- replacing Attorney General Jeff Sessions with his chief of staff, Matt Whitaker -- is seen by analysts as a bid to gird the administration for the long-awaited Mueller report on Russian interference. Democrats bitterly criticized the appointment, noting that Whitaker has spoken in the past about how an attorney general could starve the Mueller team by cutting its budget. 'It's up to him' But Trump told Fox he would not intervene if Whitaker tried to curtail the investigation. "It's going to be up to him," he said. "I really believe he's going to do what's right. I would not get involved." While Trump has attempted to put the best face on Republican losses in the House -- which were worse than the 2006 losses that then-President George W. Bush called a "thumping" -- the Democrats' gains underline the challenges Trump and party will face in 2020. Republicans lost in big Southern cities like Houston and in three states -- Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- that were key to Trump's 2016 victory. They also lost by a wide margin among suburban women and independents. Some otherwise supportive Trump voters have said he might be wise, given the recent losses, to moderate his tone, to be more inclusive and less divisive. But he indicated to Fox that he had no plan to do so. "I think if I was a more modified, more moderate in that sense, I don't think I would have done half of the things that I was able to get completed," he said. "You have people coming at you so hard that if you don't fight back in a somewhat vigorous way, you're not going to win, and we have to win. This country has to win." The president added that 2020 will be different in a crucial way from this month's elections -- his name will be on the ballot.

Trump plans key staff changes at crucial point in presidency

US President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-us-to-report-who-killed-jamal-khashoggi-in-next-two-days-177935">Donald Trump</a> says he has been fully briefed on an audio recording of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder but does not want to listen to it himself.

"Because it's a suffering tape. It's a terrible tape," he said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday."

"It was very violent, very vicious and terrible."

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-khashoggi-killers-may-have-taken-body-parts-out-of-country-reports-178051">Turkey says Khashoggi killers may have taken body parts out of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-khashoggi-killers-may-have-taken-body-parts-out-of-country-reports-178051">country</a>

Trump refrained from blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, even though the CIA reportedly concluded that he ordered the October 2 assassination in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Trump on Saturday told reporters that the US would release "a very full report" on the matter as early as Monday. He was interviewed by Fox on Friday.

Asked whether the crown prince had lied to him in denying any role in the killing, Trump said: "I don't know. Who can really know? But I can say this, he's got many people... that say he had no knowledge."

"He told me that he had nothing to do with it. He told me that, I would say, maybe five times at different points, as recently as a few days ago," Trump added.

The president acknowledged that people close to the prince "were probably involved" but added, "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-wants-saudi-arabia-as-an-ally-despite-vicious-khashoggi-murder-178075">I want to stick with an ally</a> that in many ways has been very good."

Asked whether he would go along with moves in the US Congress to cut off US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen or halt arms sales to the kingdom, Trump equivocated.

"I want to see Yemen end. It takes two to tango and Iran has to end also," he said. "I want Saudi to stop but I want Iran to stop also."

The United States has called for a ceasefire and peace talks to end the three-year-old conflict amid a mounting international outcry over the massive civilian toll of air strikes.

US air refuelling flights in support of Saudi-led air operations in Yemen ended last week. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis portrayed that as a Saudi decision.

Saudi Arabia and its ally the United Arab Emirates intervened in the conflict against Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in 2015 in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Shifting accounts

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who was critical of the crown prince, was killed after going to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee.

According to Turkish officials, the audio shows that Khashoggi was strangled to death and dismembered soon after entering the consulate.

Saudi Arabia has offered shifting accounts of what happened, initially saying Khashoggi left the embassy after receiving his documents and later that he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight.

In the latest version, the Saudi prosecutor said a 15-member team went to Istanbul to bring Khashoggi back to the kingdom but killed him instead in a rogue operation.

The prosecutor exonerated the crown prince, after indicting 11 Saudis and sacking five officials, including two members of Prince Mohammed's inner circle.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-against-saudi-officials-implicated-in-khashoggis-murder-177611">United States has sanctioned 17 Saudis</a> for the crime.

US President Donald Trump says he has been fully briefed on an audio recording of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder but does not want to listen to it himself. "Because it's a suffering tape.

US President Donald Trump says he has been fully briefed on an audio recording of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder but does not want to listen to it himself. "Because it's a suffering tape. It's a terrible tape," he said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday." "It was very violent, very vicious and terrible." Also read: Turkey says Khashoggi killers may have taken body parts out of country Trump refrained from blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, even though the CIA reportedly concluded that he ordered the October 2 assassination in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Trump on Saturday told reporters that the US would release "a very full report" on the matter as early as Monday. He was interviewed by Fox on Friday. Asked whether the crown prince had lied to him in denying any role in the killing, Trump said: "I don't know. Who can really know? But I can say this, he's got many people... that say he had no knowledge." "He told me that he had nothing to do with it. He told me that, I would say, maybe five times at different points, as recently as a few days ago," Trump added. The president acknowledged that people close to the prince "were probably involved" but added, "I want to stick with an ally that in many ways has been very good." Asked whether he would go along with moves in the US Congress to cut off US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen or halt arms sales to the kingdom, Trump equivocated. "I want to see Yemen end. It takes two to tango and Iran has to end also," he said. "I want Saudi to stop but I want Iran to stop also." The United States has called for a ceasefire and peace talks to end the three-year-old conflict amid a mounting international outcry over the massive civilian toll of air strikes. US air refuelling flights in support of Saudi-led air operations in Yemen ended last week. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis portrayed that as a Saudi decision. Saudi Arabia and its ally the United Arab Emirates intervened in the conflict against Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in 2015 in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Shifting accounts Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who was critical of the crown prince, was killed after going to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee. According to Turkish officials, the audio shows that Khashoggi was strangled to death and dismembered soon after entering the consulate. Saudi Arabia has offered shifting accounts of what happened, initially saying Khashoggi left the embassy after receiving his documents and later that he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight. In the latest version, the Saudi prosecutor said a 15-member team went to Istanbul to bring Khashoggi back to the kingdom but killed him instead in a rogue operation. The prosecutor exonerated the crown prince, after indicting 11 Saudis and sacking five officials, including two members of Prince Mohammed's inner circle. The United States has sanctioned 17 Saudis for the crime.

Don't want to hear 'suffering' Khashoggi tape: Trump

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reacted to Donald Trump's latest tirade on Islamabad. In a series of tweets, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf chief stated that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror."

Khan's comments came after US President tweeted out slamming Pakistan for not doing "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/pakistan-knew-bin-laden-was-there-but-didnt-do-a-damn-thing-says-donald-trump-178108">a damn thing</a>" for America in curbing terrorism. &nbsp;

Trump's remark angered Pak leaders, including the Prime Minister who launched a scathing attack on the US President stating that "record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war &amp; over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1064482777054220289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan's Prime Minister said "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion," Khan tweeted out.&nbsp;

"Our tribal areas were devastated and millions of people were uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground and air communications (GLOCs/ALOCs). Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices?" Khan's tweet read.&nbsp;

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3. Our tribal areas were devastated &amp; millions of ppl uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. 4. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground &amp; air communications(GLOCs/ALOCs).Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices?
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1064483393335898113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Pak Prime Minister added that the United States is making Pakistan "a scapegoat of their failures." He asked Washington to "do a serious assessment" on why Taliban is stronger than &nbsp;ever "despite 140,000 NATO troops plus 250,000 Afghan troops and reportedly $1 trillion spent on war in Afghanistan."

Khan's remarks came shortly after his Human Rights Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/president-trumps-tirade-against-pakistan-shows-he-suffers-from-perpetual-historic-amnesia-minister-178210">Shireen Mazari slammed US President</a> Donald Trump saying he "suffers conveniently from perpetual historic amnesia!"

"Trump's tirade against Pak and his claim that that Pak does not do 'a damn thing' for the US shd be a lesson for those Pak ldrs who kept appeasing the US esp after 9/11! The renditions; the loss of Pak lives in US WoT (war on terrorism); the free space for Raymond Davis &amp; other operatives; etc etc," Mazari tweeted.

The developments come after a high-level meeting at Pakistan's foreign office after comments of US President.

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The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/947802588174577664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump, on Sunday, defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan for not doing enough to curb terrorism and criticised Islamabad for offering a hideout to Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad.&nbsp;

The US president in an interview to FOX had slammed Pakistan due terror inaction and justified aid cut. He had said,"And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year . ... [bin Laden] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year -- which we don’t give them anymore, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us."

The relationship between the 2 former allies have deteriorated and it believed it beyond the point of return. US President Donald Trump didn't also call Imran Khan after being elected a PM of Pakistan. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited for few hours after Imran Khan took oath and has been asking Pakistan to do more on the issue terror.

The development comes even has ties been US and Pakistan's arch-rival India has increased. Indian PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of 13th east Asia summit and discussed terror. PM Modi is likely to meet US President Trump on the sidelines of G20 in Argentina later this month.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reacted to Donald Trump's latest tirade on Islamabad. In a series of tweets, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf chief stated that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reacted to Donald Trump's latest tirade on Islamabad. In a series of tweets, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf chief stated that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror." Khan's comments came after US President tweeted out slamming Pakistan for not doing "a damn thing" for America in curbing terrorism. Trump's remark angered Pak leaders, including the Prime Minister who launched a scathing attack on the US President stating that "record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan." Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war & over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018 × Pakistan's Prime Minister said "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion," Khan tweeted out. "Our tribal areas were devastated and millions of people were uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground and air communications (GLOCs/ALOCs). Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices?" Khan's tweet read. 3. Our tribal areas were devastated & millions of ppl uprooted from their homes. The war drastically impacted lives of ordinary Pakistanis. 4. Pak continues to provide free lines of ground & air communications(GLOCs/ALOCs).Can Mr Trump name another ally that gave such sacrifices? — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018 × Pak Prime Minister added that the United States is making Pakistan "a scapegoat of their failures." He asked Washington to "do a serious assessment" on why Taliban is stronger than ever "despite 140,000 NATO troops plus 250,000 Afghan troops and reportedly $1 trillion spent on war in Afghanistan." Khan's remarks came shortly after his Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari slammed US President Donald Trump saying he "suffers conveniently from perpetual historic amnesia!" "Trump's tirade against Pak and his claim that that Pak does not do 'a damn thing' for the US shd be a lesson for those Pak ldrs who kept appeasing the US esp after 9/11! The renditions; the loss of Pak lives in US WoT (war on terrorism); the free space for Raymond Davis & other operatives; etc etc," Mazari tweeted. The developments come after a high-level meeting at Pakistan's foreign office after comments of US President. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 × Trump, on Sunday, defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan for not doing enough to curb terrorism and criticised Islamabad for offering a hideout to Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the garrison city of Abbottabad. The US president in an interview to FOX had slammed Pakistan due terror inaction and justified aid cut. He had said,"And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year . ... [bin Laden] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year -- which we don’t give them anymore, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us." The relationship between the 2 former allies have deteriorated and it believed it beyond the point of return. US President Donald Trump didn't also call Imran Khan after being elected a PM of Pakistan. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited for few hours after Imran Khan took oath and has been asking Pakistan to do more on the issue terror. The development comes even has ties been US and Pakistan's arch-rival India has increased. Indian PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of 13th east Asia summit and discussed terror. PM Modi is likely to meet US President Trump on the sidelines of G20 in Argentina later this month.

Pak lost over $123 bn by joining US war on terror; aid received was minuscule: Imran Khan on Trump's tirade

By Faith Kearns and Max Moritz

It doesn’t take long in California to develop a feel for “fire weather.” When it’s hot and dry and the winds blow a certain way, there can be no doubt that, as in the past, landscapes will continue to be forged in fire.

And so, we residents of the state find ourselves again facing late fall wildfires that have scorched drought-parched vegetation while the rainy season evades its highly anticipated start. As the death toll and structure loss from fires burning in the northern and southern parts of the state continue to surpass records set not even a year ago, it is crucial to understand the role winds play in California fires.

Predictable but future unclear

Across California, late fall winds – called by various names including Santa Anas, Diablos and sundowners – blow hot, dry air from the interior of the state out toward the coasts. The winds often intensify as they are channelled through mountain passes and then blasted across dry vegetation and steep surfaces to create the perfect conditions for fire. Given an ignition, those same winds then help to spread fire very quickly.

While these winds are in many ways predictable, they are also altering fire hazard in ways that researchers don’t fully understand. As the climate changes, bringing warmer temperatures and increasingly erratic precipitation patterns, more of these extreme wind events may occur during times that are highly conducive to fire.

It is also conceivable that climate change will cause shifts in the pressure patterns that spawn extreme wind events, to begin with. Therefore, it is possible that in the future we may see extreme winds in new regions or during unexpected times of the year. A deeper understanding of the controls on these events is emerging, but relatively little is known about what the future will hold.

Wind and fire risk

Fire hazard is determined by a variety of factors that include vegetation, topography and weather. Add people and homes, and you get fire risk. While wind is one of the biggest factors in fire spread, it also generates flying embers far ahead of the fire itself.

It is this storm of burning embers that often shower neighbourhoods and ignite homes after finding vulnerable parts of landscaping and structures. Under the worst circumstances, wind-driven home-to-home fire spread then occurs, causing risky, fast-moving “urban conflagrations” that can be almost impossible to stop and extremely dangerous to evacuate.

Managing the type and amount of vegetation, or “fuel,” in an area provides a set of tools for altering fire behaviour in wildland fires. But during wind-driven urban conflagrations, homes are usually a major – if not the main – source of fuel.

Although defensible space immediately around homes is certainly important, vegetation management cannot be the sole solution. Fire-prone communities must also intensify urban and evacuation planning efforts that make the built environment and those living there less vulnerable to fires and the extreme winds that drive them.

Looking ahead 
 
The most recent fires in California are sounding alarm bells that simply cannot be ignored, lest we fall into the trap of normalising the incredible loss of lives and devastated communities year after year. Indeed, fire has become a critical public health and safety issue in this state.

As residents and researchers who have worked extensively on fire in California, we believe the state and its newly elected leadership face a formidable challenge and an opportunity to reinvest in a robust, interdisciplinary approach to wildfire risk reduction that combines the best of both research and practice. It must integrate both new (and potentially controversial) urban planning reforms as well as novel thinking about evacuation alternatives.

As it stands, California is failing to keep up with what we know about fire hazard and risk, and losing time as we struggle against rapidly changing climate conditions. Simply put: There is no time to waste. 
 
(Faith Kearns is Academic Coordinator, California Institute for Water Resources, University of California; Max Moritz is&nbsp;Cooperative Extension Wildfire Specialist at the University of California Forest Research and Outreach)

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-fierce-fall-and-winter-winds-help-fuel-california-fires-106985">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Faith Kearns and Max Moritz It doesn’t take long in California to develop a feel for “fire weather.” When it’s hot and dry and the winds blow a certain way, there can be no doubt that, as in the past, landscapes will continue to be forged in fire.

By Faith Kearns and Max Moritz It doesn’t take long in California to develop a feel for “fire weather.” When it’s hot and dry and the winds blow a certain way, there can be no doubt that, as in the past, landscapes will continue to be forged in fire. And so, we residents of the state find ourselves again facing late fall wildfires that have scorched drought-parched vegetation while the rainy season evades its highly anticipated start. As the death toll and structure loss from fires burning in the northern and southern parts of the state continue to surpass records set not even a year ago, it is crucial to understand the role winds play in California fires. Predictable but future unclear Across California, late fall winds – called by various names including Santa Anas, Diablos and sundowners – blow hot, dry air from the interior of the state out toward the coasts. The winds often intensify as they are channelled through mountain passes and then blasted across dry vegetation and steep surfaces to create the perfect conditions for fire. Given an ignition, those same winds then help to spread fire very quickly. While these winds are in many ways predictable, they are also altering fire hazard in ways that researchers don’t fully understand. As the climate changes, bringing warmer temperatures and increasingly erratic precipitation patterns, more of these extreme wind events may occur during times that are highly conducive to fire. It is also conceivable that climate change will cause shifts in the pressure patterns that spawn extreme wind events, to begin with. Therefore, it is possible that in the future we may see extreme winds in new regions or during unexpected times of the year. A deeper understanding of the controls on these events is emerging, but relatively little is known about what the future will hold. Wind and fire risk Fire hazard is determined by a variety of factors that include vegetation, topography and weather. Add people and homes, and you get fire risk. While wind is one of the biggest factors in fire spread, it also generates flying embers far ahead of the fire itself. It is this storm of burning embers that often shower neighbourhoods and ignite homes after finding vulnerable parts of landscaping and structures. Under the worst circumstances, wind-driven home-to-home fire spread then occurs, causing risky, fast-moving “urban conflagrations” that can be almost impossible to stop and extremely dangerous to evacuate. Managing the type and amount of vegetation, or “fuel,” in an area provides a set of tools for altering fire behaviour in wildland fires. But during wind-driven urban conflagrations, homes are usually a major – if not the main – source of fuel. Although defensible space immediately around homes is certainly important, vegetation management cannot be the sole solution. Fire-prone communities must also intensify urban and evacuation planning efforts that make the built environment and those living there less vulnerable to fires and the extreme winds that drive them. Looking ahead The most recent fires in California are sounding alarm bells that simply cannot be ignored, lest we fall into the trap of normalising the incredible loss of lives and devastated communities year after year. Indeed, fire has become a critical public health and safety issue in this state. As residents and researchers who have worked extensively on fire in California, we believe the state and its newly elected leadership face a formidable challenge and an opportunity to reinvest in a robust, interdisciplinary approach to wildfire risk reduction that combines the best of both research and practice. It must integrate both new (and potentially controversial) urban planning reforms as well as novel thinking about evacuation alternatives. As it stands, California is failing to keep up with what we know about fire hazard and risk, and losing time as we struggle against rapidly changing climate conditions. Simply put: There is no time to waste. (Faith Kearns is Academic Coordinator, California Institute for Water Resources, University of California; Max Moritz is Cooperative Extension Wildfire Specialist at the University of California Forest Research and Outreach) (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How fierce fall and winter winds help fuel California fires

Lauding the United States President Donald Trump's statement on Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism, the Voice of Karachi (VOK) chairman and Mohajir leader, Nadeem Nusrat said that Trump deserves an applaud for taking a strong stand and publicly discussing Islamabad's role in terrorism.

In his latest interview to Fox News, Trump said, "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/pakistan-knew-bin-laden-was-there-but-didnt-do-a-damn-thing-says-donald-trump-178108">Pakistan doesn't do a damn thing for us</a>," while defending his administration's decision to pull hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to the Asian country.

Trump further charged that the Pakistan government helped wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden to hide in their country.

Nusrat, in a statement released by the Voice of Karachi, said that Trump's candid comments on Pakistan's dubious role in dealing with terrorism and providing refuge to Osama bin Laden have once again posed serious questions about Pakistani deep state's role in sponsoring religious extremism and terrorism worldwide.

The statement further pointed out that Trump's statement cannot be overestimated as it is the first time a president has talked about Pakistan's role in the hiding of terrorist Osama bin Laden.

"For years Pakistan's officials kept denying the presence of Osama on Pakistani soil, but in the end, he was found and killed by American special forces operatives in a Pakistani town, widely considered as a fort for Pakistani military," the press release stated.

The statement asserted that Trump's remark has reiterated the claims made by The Voice of Karachi that Pakistan regime and military play a key role in promoting extremism and using religious terrorism as a tool for foreign policy."

The VOK chairman added that these latest comments of President Trump have merely confirmed what the Voice of Karachi leadership has been pointing out for a while. Pakistan's military establishment's role in promoting and using religious terrorism as a foreign policy tool is not a secret anymore," the statement read.

Nusrat also claimed that several Pakistan citizens have also fell prey to the "mindless policy" of the country and urged the international community to also closely scrutinize Pakistani security forces'&nbsp;inhuman treatment of the country's ethnic and religious minorities.

"On behalf of Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious groups, I commend President Trump`s bold, yet honest, comments about Pakistani deep state's role and assure him on behalf of all suppressed ethnic and religious groups their full support for the current administration`s policy on South Asia," Nusrat said.

The statement also revealed that as many as 25,000 Mohajirs have been killed by Pakistani security forces and similar acts of state brutalities are also a part of everyday life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan.

Lauding the United States President Donald Trump's statement on Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism, the Voice of Karachi (VOK) chairman and Mohajir leader, Nadeem Nusrat said that Trump deserves an applaud for taking a strong stand and publicly discussing Islamabad's role in terrorism.

Lauding the United States President Donald Trump's statement on Pakistan's role in promoting terrorism, the Voice of Karachi (VOK) chairman and Mohajir leader, Nadeem Nusrat said that Trump deserves an applaud for taking a strong stand and publicly discussing Islamabad's role in terrorism. In his latest interview to Fox News, Trump said, "Pakistan doesn't do a damn thing for us," while defending his administration's decision to pull hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to the Asian country. Trump further charged that the Pakistan government helped wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden to hide in their country. Nusrat, in a statement released by the Voice of Karachi, said that Trump's candid comments on Pakistan's dubious role in dealing with terrorism and providing refuge to Osama bin Laden have once again posed serious questions about Pakistani deep state's role in sponsoring religious extremism and terrorism worldwide. The statement further pointed out that Trump's statement cannot be overestimated as it is the first time a president has talked about Pakistan's role in the hiding of terrorist Osama bin Laden. "For years Pakistan's officials kept denying the presence of Osama on Pakistani soil, but in the end, he was found and killed by American special forces operatives in a Pakistani town, widely considered as a fort for Pakistani military," the press release stated. The statement asserted that Trump's remark has reiterated the claims made by The Voice of Karachi that Pakistan regime and military play a key role in promoting extremism and using religious terrorism as a tool for foreign policy." The VOK chairman added that these latest comments of President Trump have merely confirmed what the Voice of Karachi leadership has been pointing out for a while. Pakistan's military establishment's role in promoting and using religious terrorism as a foreign policy tool is not a secret anymore," the statement read. Nusrat also claimed that several Pakistan citizens have also fell prey to the "mindless policy" of the country and urged the international community to also closely scrutinize Pakistani security forces' inhuman treatment of the country's ethnic and religious minorities. "On behalf of Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious groups, I commend President Trump`s bold, yet honest, comments about Pakistani deep state's role and assure him on behalf of all suppressed ethnic and religious groups their full support for the current administration`s policy on South Asia," Nusrat said. The statement also revealed that as many as 25,000 Mohajirs have been killed by Pakistani security forces and similar acts of state brutalities are also a part of everyday life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan.

Voice of Karachi chairman lauds Trump's comments about Pakistan's role in terror

In a development that confirms the deteriorating US-Pakistan ties, US President Donald Trump justified the aid cut to Pakistan, slamming inaction on its part to curb terror.

In an interview to Fox news channel on Sunday, Trump said, "And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year. ... [<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bin-laden-raid-commander-to-trump-revoke-my-security-clearance-too-159688">bin Laden</a>] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year - which we don’t give them any more, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us."

The first tweet this year by US President was on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-meets-abu-dhabi-crown-prince-amid-reports-of-uae-package-178070">Pakistan aid cut</a> and the "lies and deceit". He tweeted on January 1, 2018, "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"

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The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/947802588174577664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He slammed Pakistan for providing a safe haven to 9/11 mastermind <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bin-laden-raid-commander-to-trump-revoke-my-security-clearance-too-159688">Osama Bin Laden</a>. He said, "You know, living - think of this - living in Pakistan, beautifully in Pakistan in what I guess they considered a nice mansion, I don’t know, I’ve seen nicer. But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there," he added."

In an operation on April 2, 2011, US special forces raided Osama Bin Laden's compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad and killed him.

Pakistan is likely to summon US&nbsp;Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad Ambassador Paul W&nbsp;Jones after the comments.

The relationship between Islamabad and Washington has come under pressure. US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo had visited Islamabad after the formation of New government led by Imran Khan and asked to do more on the issue of terror.&nbsp;

The comments by US president comes days after PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence in Singapore on the sidelines of 13th East Asia summit and raised with him the issue of terror originating from Pakistan. Speaking to the media after the Modi-Pence meet, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Prime Minister reminded that in one way or another all the traces or all the leads in global terror attacks ultimately leads to a single source, a single place of origin".

PM Modi also raised the issue of mainstreaming of terrorism by Pakistan. Gokhale said PM Modi "did point out that the mainstreaming of the people involved in Mumbai terror attacks in a political process which had taken place in a recent election in Pakistan should be a matter of serious concern not just to the two countries i.e. India and the United States but to the International community."

The remarks by Trump comes a week before India marks the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. US Vice President Mike Pence during his meeting had referred to the coming 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks.

The remarks also come before a likely Modi-Trump meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina by the end of this month.

In a development that confirms the deteriorating US-Pakistan ties, US President Donald Trump justified the aid cut to Pakistan, slamming inaction on its part to curb terror.

In a development that confirms the deteriorating US-Pakistan ties, US President Donald Trump justified the aid cut to Pakistan, slamming inaction on its part to curb terror. In an interview to Fox news channel on Sunday, Trump said, "And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year. ... [bin Laden] lived in Pakistan, we’re supporting Pakistan, we’re giving them $1.3 billion a year - which we don’t give them any more, by the way. I ended it because they don’t do anything for us, they don’t do a damn thing for us." The first tweet this year by US President was on Pakistan aid cut and the "lies and deceit". He tweeted on January 1, 2018, "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 × He slammed Pakistan for providing a safe haven to 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden. He said, "You know, living - think of this - living in Pakistan, beautifully in Pakistan in what I guess they considered a nice mansion, I don’t know, I’ve seen nicer. But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there," he added." In an operation on April 2, 2011, US special forces raided Osama Bin Laden's compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad and killed him. Pakistan is likely to summon US Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad Ambassador Paul W Jones after the comments. The relationship between Islamabad and Washington has come under pressure. US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo had visited Islamabad after the formation of New government led by Imran Khan and asked to do more on the issue of terror. The comments by US president comes days after PM Modi met US Vice President Mike Pence in Singapore on the sidelines of 13th East Asia summit and raised with him the issue of terror originating from Pakistan. Speaking to the media after the Modi-Pence meet, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Prime Minister reminded that in one way or another all the traces or all the leads in global terror attacks ultimately leads to a single source, a single place of origin". PM Modi also raised the issue of mainstreaming of terrorism by Pakistan. Gokhale said PM Modi "did point out that the mainstreaming of the people involved in Mumbai terror attacks in a political process which had taken place in a recent election in Pakistan should be a matter of serious concern not just to the two countries i.e. India and the United States but to the International community." The remarks by Trump comes a week before India marks the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. US Vice President Mike Pence during his meeting had referred to the coming 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks. The remarks also come before a likely Modi-Trump meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina by the end of this month.

Ended aid to Pakistan as they don't do a damn thing for us: Donald Trump

Leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific nations battled to paper over gaping differences Sunday after an unusually sharp exchange of words between the group's two most powerful members, the United States and China.

With just hours of the two-day summit remaining, officials were still scrambling to forge enough of a consensus to issue a formal joint statement and were admitting privately that it might not be possible, amid yawning differences on trade policy.

The annual gathering has been overshadowed by speeches on Saturday from Chinese President Xi Jinping and US Vice President Mike Pence, which appeared to represent competing bids for regional leadership.

Pence warned smaller countries not to be seduced by China's massive Belt-and-Road infrastructure programme, which sees Beijing offer money to poorer countries for construction and development projects.

The "opaque" loans come with strings attached and build up "staggering debt", Pence charged, mocking the initiative as a "constricting belt" and a "one-way road".

He urged nations instead to stick with the United States, which doesn't "drown our partners in a sea of debt" or "coerce, corrupt or compromise your independence".

In a speech to business leaders just minutes before Pence, Xi insisted the initiative was not a "trap" and there was no "hidden agenda" -- amid criticism that it amounts to "chequebook diplomacy" in the region.

Xi also lashed out at "America First" trade protectionism, saying it was a "short-sighted approach" that was "doomed to failure".

The feisty barbs on a gleaming white cruise ship moored in Port Moresby set the scene for a potentially fiery meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of this month.

But Xi and Pence, who both wore shiny, red shirts provided by the Pacific island did hold talks on Saturday night at the leaders' gala dinner.

Pence told reporters on Sunday: "I spoke to President Xi twice during the course of this conference. We had a candid conversation."

He told him that the US is interested in a better relationship with China "but there has to be change" in Beijing's trade policies.

With fears that a trade war between the two rivals could cripple the Pacific Rim economy, some attendees voiced concern about the growing rivalry for influence in the region.

"Business leaders do not want to speak out, but behind the scenes here, they are talking over dinner saying 'how has this happened'?" said Denis O'Brien, the billionaire chairman of Digicel.

"It's a very forced situation, one country is trying to force all the other countries to change tariffs agreed over years," O'Brien told AFP.

- Cruise ship diplomacy - 
Trump -- and Russian President Vladimir Putin -- both decided to skip the gathering, leaving the spotlight on Xi who arrived two days early to open a Chinese-funded school and road in Papua New Guinea's dirt-poor capital Port Moresby.

Xi has been the star of the show, front and centre at official photos whereas Pence has kept a lower profile, only deciding at the last minute to stay overnight in Port Moresby -- shelving original plans to fly in and out from Cairns in Australia.

As if to counter Chinese largesse, the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan on Sunday announced a project to boost electricity capacity in Papua New Guinea.

The project aims to raise the percentage of the PNG population with access to electricity from 13 percent to 70 percent.

And as the US and China vie for influence in the region, the statement dangled the prospect of similar projects for countries that "support principles and values which help maintain and promote a free, open, prosperous and rules-based region."

With the official business of the summit relatively low-key, much of the focus has been on the unlikely venue of Port Moresby, which is hosting its first international event of this scale.

The city is on lockdown with hundreds of police and military patrolling the streets of the notoriously crime-ridden capital.

Warships are stationed just off the coast to provide security for the leaders, and delegates and media have been housed in enormous cruise ships due to a dearth of hotel rooms.

Leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific nations battled to paper over gaping differences Sunday after an unusually sharp exchange of words between the group's two most powerful members, the United States and China.

Leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific nations battled to paper over gaping differences Sunday after an unusually sharp exchange of words between the group's two most powerful members, the United States and China. With just hours of the two-day summit remaining, officials were still scrambling to forge enough of a consensus to issue a formal joint statement and were admitting privately that it might not be possible, amid yawning differences on trade policy. The annual gathering has been overshadowed by speeches on Saturday from Chinese President Xi Jinping and US Vice President Mike Pence, which appeared to represent competing bids for regional leadership. Pence warned smaller countries not to be seduced by China's massive Belt-and-Road infrastructure programme, which sees Beijing offer money to poorer countries for construction and development projects. The "opaque" loans come with strings attached and build up "staggering debt", Pence charged, mocking the initiative as a "constricting belt" and a "one-way road". He urged nations instead to stick with the United States, which doesn't "drown our partners in a sea of debt" or "coerce, corrupt or compromise your independence". In a speech to business leaders just minutes before Pence, Xi insisted the initiative was not a "trap" and there was no "hidden agenda" -- amid criticism that it amounts to "chequebook diplomacy" in the region. Xi also lashed out at "America First" trade protectionism, saying it was a "short-sighted approach" that was "doomed to failure". The feisty barbs on a gleaming white cruise ship moored in Port Moresby set the scene for a potentially fiery meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump at the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of this month. But Xi and Pence, who both wore shiny, red shirts provided by the Pacific island did hold talks on Saturday night at the leaders' gala dinner. Pence told reporters on Sunday: "I spoke to President Xi twice during the course of this conference. We had a candid conversation." He told him that the US is interested in a better relationship with China "but there has to be change" in Beijing's trade policies. With fears that a trade war between the two rivals could cripple the Pacific Rim economy, some attendees voiced concern about the growing rivalry for influence in the region. "Business leaders do not want to speak out, but behind the scenes here, they are talking over dinner saying 'how has this happened'?" said Denis O'Brien, the billionaire chairman of Digicel. "It's a very forced situation, one country is trying to force all the other countries to change tariffs agreed over years," O'Brien told AFP. - Cruise ship diplomacy - Trump -- and Russian President Vladimir Putin -- both decided to skip the gathering, leaving the spotlight on Xi who arrived two days early to open a Chinese-funded school and road in Papua New Guinea's dirt-poor capital Port Moresby. Xi has been the star of the show, front and centre at official photos whereas Pence has kept a lower profile, only deciding at the last minute to stay overnight in Port Moresby -- shelving original plans to fly in and out from Cairns in Australia. As if to counter Chinese largesse, the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan on Sunday announced a project to boost electricity capacity in Papua New Guinea. The project aims to raise the percentage of the PNG population with access to electricity from 13 percent to 70 percent. And as the US and China vie for influence in the region, the statement dangled the prospect of similar projects for countries that "support principles and values which help maintain and promote a free, open, prosperous and rules-based region." With the official business of the summit relatively low-key, much of the focus has been on the unlikely venue of Port Moresby, which is hosting its first international event of this scale. The city is on lockdown with hundreds of police and military patrolling the streets of the notoriously crime-ridden capital. Warships are stationed just off the coast to provide security for the leaders, and delegates and media have been housed in enormous cruise ships due to a dearth of hotel rooms.

Divided APEC leaders battle for unity after US, China spat

The trade war between the US and China has heightened tensions in global markets and increased volatility in international prices, especially in some key commodities.

While the US tries to ‘correct’ its worsening trade deficit with China by raising punitive tariffs across key sectors like steel and aluminium, China has retaliated by launching tariff lines across sectors that are likely to hurt US exports the most.

However, given the highly interconnected nature of today’s trade, the repercussions of the bilateral trade war are likely to be felt multilaterally across countries, sectors and businesses.

One of the core principles of economics is that free trade can potentially benefit everyone. While the past is riddled with stories of how free trade has catapulted nations into prosperity — the most notable in the recent past being the East Asian Tigers and China — yet, there is growing evidence to suggest that free trade brings with it losers and winners.

If the redistribution of wealth between the losers and winners is drastic, this can generate resentment. This partly explains the growing backlash against free trade, especially in the West. These were the countries which benefited the most from free trade in their early stages of development in the 19th and 20th centuries.

However, towards the end of the 20th century and in the beginning of the 21st century, as the lower-income countries began gaining manufacturing competitiveness through their abundant but cheap labour, the manufacturing base of the western countries gradually began to erode as multinational corporations (MNCs) started shift their manufacturing centres to the lower income countries, like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

The richer countries continued to specialise in the tertiary and other highly skilled sectors, which could employ only a limited amount of the vast manufacturing labour that was now left without jobs. Thus, while free trade benefitted the richer nations as a whole, the gains from trade were captured by the top few, widening inequality in these nations.&nbsp;

The growing protectionism in the West needs to be seen in this light. Coming to the context of trade in general, the recent trade war is unlikely to be long lived. Both US and China are mutually dependent on each other. While punitive tariffs can give short-term benefits by redistributing the gains from trade, the longer solution is not to restrict free trade but use other redistributive measures, such as income or wealth taxation.

India is a small player in the global trade scenario, making up less than 2 per cent of global trade. Yet, the recent trade war is likely to have a negative fallout not just on our steel and aluminium exports but also our current account deficit (CAD) and the worsening of the rupee.

The way forward is to engage multilateral forums like the World Trade Organization (WTO), strengthening multilateralism, and using trade diplomacy with our major trading partners, notably the US and China. At the same time, steps to enhance export competitiveness need to continue, as raising labour-intensive exports is the surest way to promote sustainable growth.

Author is a research scholar at DSE

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-widening-inequality-among-nations-2686763">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The trade war between the US and China has heightened tensions in global markets and increased volatility in international prices, especially in some key commodities.

The trade war between the US and China has heightened tensions in global markets and increased volatility in international prices, especially in some key commodities. While the US tries to ‘correct’ its worsening trade deficit with China by raising punitive tariffs across key sectors like steel and aluminium, China has retaliated by launching tariff lines across sectors that are likely to hurt US exports the most. However, given the highly interconnected nature of today’s trade, the repercussions of the bilateral trade war are likely to be felt multilaterally across countries, sectors and businesses. One of the core principles of economics is that free trade can potentially benefit everyone. While the past is riddled with stories of how free trade has catapulted nations into prosperity — the most notable in the recent past being the East Asian Tigers and China — yet, there is growing evidence to suggest that free trade brings with it losers and winners. If the redistribution of wealth between the losers and winners is drastic, this can generate resentment. This partly explains the growing backlash against free trade, especially in the West. These were the countries which benefited the most from free trade in their early stages of development in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, towards the end of the 20th century and in the beginning of the 21st century, as the lower-income countries began gaining manufacturing competitiveness through their abundant but cheap labour, the manufacturing base of the western countries gradually began to erode as multinational corporations (MNCs) started shift their manufacturing centres to the lower income countries, like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The richer countries continued to specialise in the tertiary and other highly skilled sectors, which could employ only a limited amount of the vast manufacturing labour that was now left without jobs. Thus, while free trade benefitted the richer nations as a whole, the gains from trade were captured by the top few, widening inequality in these nations. The growing protectionism in the West needs to be seen in this light. Coming to the context of trade in general, the recent trade war is unlikely to be long lived. Both US and China are mutually dependent on each other. While punitive tariffs can give short-term benefits by redistributing the gains from trade, the longer solution is not to restrict free trade but use other redistributive measures, such as income or wealth taxation. India is a small player in the global trade scenario, making up less than 2 per cent of global trade. Yet, the recent trade war is likely to have a negative fallout not just on our steel and aluminium exports but also our current account deficit (CAD) and the worsening of the rupee. The way forward is to engage multilateral forums like the World Trade Organization (WTO), strengthening multilateralism, and using trade diplomacy with our major trading partners, notably the US and China. At the same time, steps to enhance export competitiveness need to continue, as raising labour-intensive exports is the surest way to promote sustainable growth. Author is a research scholar at DSE (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Widening inequality among nations

California wildfires: Trump refers fire-ravaged town Paradise as 'Pleasure' until corrected

President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday he would not intervene if Matthew Whitaker, his acting US attorney general, moved to curtail Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

In an interview with the "Fox News Sunday" program taped on Friday, Trump also said he probably would not agree to a sit-down interview with Mueller, who also is investigating whether the Republican president`s campaign conspired with Moscow and whether Trump has unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe.

Whitaker took over supervision of Mueller`s investigation on November 7 after Trump appointed him as the chief US law enforcement official to replace Jeff Sessions, who the president ousted. Whitaker, who Democrats have called a Trump "political lackey," in the past criticized the scope of the Mueller probe and brought up the possibility of undermining it by slashing Mueller`s funding.

Trump, in the interview, said he was unaware of Whitaker`s past statements about Mueller`s probe and that he would "not get involved" if Whitaker moved to curtail it.

"It`s going to be up to him," Trump said told "Fox News Sunday" interviewer Chris Wallace. "I think he`s very well aware politically. I think he`s astute politically. ... He`s going to do what`s right."

Trump has denied any collusion with Moscow and has called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt." Russia also has denied collusion.

"There is no collusion, he happened to be right," Trump said, referring to one of Whitaker`s previous statements.

Mueller has brought charges against a series of former Trump aides, including his former campaign chairman and his former national security adviser, as well as a number of Russian individuals and entities. Congressional critics have voiced concern that Whitaker could hamper or even fire Mueller.

A bipartisan group of US senators renewed a push last week for legislation to protect the special counsel, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, opposes it. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who will likely lead the Senate panel overseeing the Justice Department next year, met with Whitaker last week and expressed confidence Russia probe would continue.

'The rule of law'

Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Democrats will not stand for any effort by Whitaker to curb Mueller`s probe.

"We will expose any involvement he has in it," Schiff, referring to Whitaker, told ABC`s "This Week" program," accusing Trump of appointing Whitaker in order to interfere with the investigation. "This is an attack on the rule of law."

Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday he had "very easily" completed his written answers for Mueller`s investigation. In his "Fox News Sunday" comments, he signaled he had no plans to do a face-to-face interview with Mueller`s team.

Trump and his lawyers had been in negotiations with Mueller`s team for months over how the president would be questioned as part of the investigation.

Wallace asked Trump whether it was his final position that he would not do a sit-down interview and would not give written responses to questions relating to obstruction of justice.

"I think we`ve wasted enough time on this witch hunt and the answer is probably, we`re finished," Trump said, though he added "I can change my mind."

"We gave very, very complete answers to a lot of questions that I shouldn`t have even been asked, and I think that should solve the problem," Trump added.

President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday he would not intervene if Matthew Whitaker, his acting US attorney general, moved to curtail Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday he would not intervene if Matthew Whitaker, his acting US attorney general, moved to curtail Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. In an interview with the "Fox News Sunday" program taped on Friday, Trump also said he probably would not agree to a sit-down interview with Mueller, who also is investigating whether the Republican president`s campaign conspired with Moscow and whether Trump has unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Whitaker took over supervision of Mueller`s investigation on November 7 after Trump appointed him as the chief US law enforcement official to replace Jeff Sessions, who the president ousted. Whitaker, who Democrats have called a Trump "political lackey," in the past criticized the scope of the Mueller probe and brought up the possibility of undermining it by slashing Mueller`s funding. Trump, in the interview, said he was unaware of Whitaker`s past statements about Mueller`s probe and that he would "not get involved" if Whitaker moved to curtail it. "It`s going to be up to him," Trump said told "Fox News Sunday" interviewer Chris Wallace. "I think he`s very well aware politically. I think he`s astute politically. ... He`s going to do what`s right." Trump has denied any collusion with Moscow and has called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt." Russia also has denied collusion. "There is no collusion, he happened to be right," Trump said, referring to one of Whitaker`s previous statements. Mueller has brought charges against a series of former Trump aides, including his former campaign chairman and his former national security adviser, as well as a number of Russian individuals and entities. Congressional critics have voiced concern that Whitaker could hamper or even fire Mueller. A bipartisan group of US senators renewed a push last week for legislation to protect the special counsel, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, opposes it. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who will likely lead the Senate panel overseeing the Justice Department next year, met with Whitaker last week and expressed confidence Russia probe would continue. 'The rule of law' Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Democrats will not stand for any effort by Whitaker to curb Mueller`s probe. "We will expose any involvement he has in it," Schiff, referring to Whitaker, told ABC`s "This Week" program," accusing Trump of appointing Whitaker in order to interfere with the investigation. "This is an attack on the rule of law." Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday he had "very easily" completed his written answers for Mueller`s investigation. In his "Fox News Sunday" comments, he signaled he had no plans to do a face-to-face interview with Mueller`s team. Trump and his lawyers had been in negotiations with Mueller`s team for months over how the president would be questioned as part of the investigation. Wallace asked Trump whether it was his final position that he would not do a sit-down interview and would not give written responses to questions relating to obstruction of justice. "I think we`ve wasted enough time on this witch hunt and the answer is probably, we`re finished," Trump said, though he added "I can change my mind." "We gave very, very complete answers to a lot of questions that I shouldn`t have even been asked, and I think that should solve the problem," Trump added.

Trump would not intervene if Whitaker moves to curtail Mueller probe

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-us-to-report-who-killed-jamal-khashoggi-in-next-two-days-177935">Donald Trump says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-us-to-report-who-killed-jamal-khashoggi-in-next-two-days-177935">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-us-to-report-who-killed-jamal-khashoggi-in-next-two-days-177935"> to report who killed Jamal Khashoggi in 'next two days'</a>

A day after Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, President Donald Trump has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-fuel-protest-1-dead-over-200-injured-protesters-demand-president-macron-resignation-177926">France fuel protest: 1 dead, over 200 injured; protesters demand President Macron resignation</a>

A protester was accidentally killed and more than 220 injured on Saturday as tens of thousands of people blocked roads across France in a "yellow vest" protest against high fuel prices, which has channelled anger at stagnant spending under President Emmanuel Macron.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/haryana-cm-manohar-lal-khattars-rape-remark-sparks-controversy-invites-congresss-wrath-177936">Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s rape remark sparks </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/haryana-cm-manohar-lal-khattars-rape-remark-sparks-controversy-invites-congresss-wrath-177936">controversy,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/haryana-cm-manohar-lal-khattars-rape-remark-sparks-controversy-invites-congresss-wrath-177936"> invites Congress's wrath</a>

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has courted a controversy over his remarks on rape incidents, with the Congress condemning the statement, saying the state government's "anti-women mindset" was exposed.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-new-president-solih-warns-state-coffers-looted-after-china-led-boom-177940">Maldives' new president Solih warns state coffers 'looted' after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-new-president-solih-warns-state-coffers-looted-after-china-led-boom-177940">China-led</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-new-president-solih-warns-state-coffers-looted-after-china-led-boom-177940"> boom</a>

The new president of the Maldives took office on Saturday, declaring the state coffers to have been looted and warned that the country was in financial difficulty after racking up debt with Chinese lenders in an infrastructure boom.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-womens-world-t20-mandhana-hits-83-to-set-up-indias-48-run-win-over-australia-177938">ICC Women's World T20: Mandhana hits 83 to set up India's 48-run win over Australia</a>

Opener Smriti Mandhana smashed a career-best 83 before Indian slow bowlers spun their web against Australia to continue their invincible run with a 48-run win in a group B match of the ICC Women's World Cup here on Saturday.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Donald Trump says US to report who killed Jamal Khashoggi in 'next two days' A day after Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, President Donald Trump has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days.

Donald Trump says US to report who killed Jamal Khashoggi in 'next two days' A day after Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, President Donald Trump has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days." France fuel protest: 1 dead, over 200 injured; protesters demand President Macron resignation A protester was accidentally killed and more than 220 injured on Saturday as tens of thousands of people blocked roads across France in a "yellow vest" protest against high fuel prices, which has channelled anger at stagnant spending under President Emmanuel Macron. Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s rape remark sparks controversy, invites Congress's wrath Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has courted a controversy over his remarks on rape incidents, with the Congress condemning the statement, saying the state government's "anti-women mindset" was exposed. Maldives' new president Solih warns state coffers 'looted' after China-led boom The new president of the Maldives took office on Saturday, declaring the state coffers to have been looted and warned that the country was in financial difficulty after racking up debt with Chinese lenders in an infrastructure boom. ICC Women's World T20: Mandhana hits 83 to set up India's 48-run win over Australia Opener Smriti Mandhana smashed a career-best 83 before Indian slow bowlers spun their web against Australia to continue their invincible run with a 48-run win in a group B match of the ICC Women's World Cup here on Saturday.

A day after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cia-has-concluded-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-journalists-killing-report-177782">Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist</a> Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-discuss-jamal-khashoggi-murder-with-cia-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-177879">President Donald Trump</a> has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days."

Speaking to reporters in Malibu, California after surveying damage from wildfires, Trump said a "full report" on "who did it" would be completed by Monday or Tuesday, AFP reported.

On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Salman ordered the assassination of Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, contradicting&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killing-saudi-arabia-says-crown-prince-salman-was-not-involved-5-others-face-death-penalty-for-the-murder-177533">conclusions of a Saudi prosecutor a day earlier</a>, which exonerated the prince of involvement in the brutal murder.

However, on Saturday, the state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that&nbsp;US government has not reached a final conclusion over the killing and reports indicating that&nbsp;are "inaccurate".

"There remain numerous unanswered questions with respect to the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. The State Department will continue to seek all relevant facts," she said.&nbsp;

She further said that in the meantime, the US will continue to consult and Congress and work with other nations to hold accountable those who were involved in the killing, adding that Washington had already taken "decisive measures" against individuals, including visa and sanctions actions.&nbsp;

"We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those accountable who planned, led and were connected to the murder. And, we will do that while maintaining the important strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia."

Meanwhile, Vice President&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-hold-khashoggi-murderers-to-account-mike-pence-177828">Mike Pence also vowed that the US would hold the murderers to account</a>&nbsp;as he decribed the Khashoggi's killing as an atrocity and&nbsp;&nbsp;"affront to a free and independent press" but declined to comment on classified information.

"We are going to follow the facts," said Pence. However, he also added the US wanted to find a way of preserving a "strong and historic partnership" with Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi, a Post columnist, had gone to the consulate to obtain documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee.

Saudi Arabia -- which quickly dismissed the reported CIA findings -- has repeatedly changed its official narrative of the October 2 murder, first denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts and later saying he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight.

In the latest version presented by the Saudi prosecutor on Thursday, a 15-member squad was formed to bring Khashoggi back from Istanbul "by means of persuasion" -- but instead ended up killing the journalist and dismembering his body in a "rogue" operation.

(With inputs from news agencies)

A day after Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, President Donald Trump has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days.

A day after Central Investigation Agency reportedly concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, President Donald Trump has said that the United States would determine the killer Saudi critic "within the next two days." Speaking to reporters in Malibu, California after surveying damage from wildfires, Trump said a "full report" on "who did it" would be completed by Monday or Tuesday, AFP reported. On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Salman ordered the assassination of Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, contradicting the conclusions of a Saudi prosecutor a day earlier, which exonerated the prince of involvement in the brutal murder. However, on Saturday, the state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that US government has not reached a final conclusion over the killing and reports indicating that are "inaccurate". "There remain numerous unanswered questions with respect to the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. The State Department will continue to seek all relevant facts," she said. She further said that in the meantime, the US will continue to consult and Congress and work with other nations to hold accountable those who were involved in the killing, adding that Washington had already taken "decisive measures" against individuals, including visa and sanctions actions. "We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those accountable who planned, led and were connected to the murder. And, we will do that while maintaining the important strategic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia." Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence also vowed that the US would hold the murderers to account as he decribed the Khashoggi's killing as an atrocity and "affront to a free and independent press" but declined to comment on classified information. "We are going to follow the facts," said Pence. However, he also added the US wanted to find a way of preserving a "strong and historic partnership" with Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi, a Post columnist, had gone to the consulate to obtain documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee. Saudi Arabia -- which quickly dismissed the reported CIA findings -- has repeatedly changed its official narrative of the October 2 murder, first denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts and later saying he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight. In the latest version presented by the Saudi prosecutor on Thursday, a 15-member squad was formed to bring Khashoggi back from Istanbul "by means of persuasion" -- but instead ended up killing the journalist and dismembering his body in a "rogue" operation. (With inputs from news agencies)

Donald Trump says US to report who killed Jamal Khashoggi in 'next two days'

The United States President Donald Trump on Sunday visited California to asses the damage caused by the devastating wildfires ravaging in the Southern and Northern side of the state.&nbsp;

However, things did not go very well for him as he referred the 'Camp Fire' affected town Paradise as "Pleasure" -- twice -- until officials corrected him.

"You don't really see the gravity of it (fire destruction). I mean, as big as they look on the 'tube' (TV), you don't see what's going on until you come here. And what we saw at Pleasure, what a name right now -- But what we just saw, we just left Pleasure," Trump said

Officials then corrected him and looking undeterred&nbsp;Trump continued speaking, "Paradise, and what we just saw at Paradise, is just, you know, it's just not acceptable".

All this while, state governor Jerry Brown was standing beside him who had been staring at the ground, instantly looked up with a confused look on his face as the president got the name of the area incorrect.

The outbreak of the Camp Fire in Northern California coincided with a series of smaller blazes in Southern California, most notably the Woolsey Fire, which is linked to three fatalities and has destroyed at least 500 structures near the Malibu coast west of Los Angeles.

According to a report by Reuters, at least 76 people have died in 'Camp Fire'&nbsp;in Paradise.

Thousands of people have also been displaced with over 1276 people missing by California's most destructive wildfire outbreak.&nbsp;

Trump has however blamed the recent spate of fires on forest mismanagement sparking outrage among the people.

Scientists have said the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires in California and elsewhere across the West are largely attributable to prolonged drought that is symptomatic of climate change.

The United States President Donald Trump on Sunday visited California to asses the damage caused by the devastating wildfires ravaging in the Southern and Northern side of the state.

The United States President Donald Trump on Sunday visited California to asses the damage caused by the devastating wildfires ravaging in the Southern and Northern side of the state. However, things did not go very well for him as he referred the 'Camp Fire' affected town Paradise as "Pleasure" -- twice -- until officials corrected him. "You don't really see the gravity of it (fire destruction). I mean, as big as they look on the 'tube' (TV), you don't see what's going on until you come here. And what we saw at Pleasure, what a name right now -- But what we just saw, we just left Pleasure," Trump said Officials then corrected him and looking undeterred Trump continued speaking, "Paradise, and what we just saw at Paradise, is just, you know, it's just not acceptable". All this while, state governor Jerry Brown was standing beside him who had been staring at the ground, instantly looked up with a confused look on his face as the president got the name of the area incorrect. The outbreak of the Camp Fire in Northern California coincided with a series of smaller blazes in Southern California, most notably the Woolsey Fire, which is linked to three fatalities and has destroyed at least 500 structures near the Malibu coast west of Los Angeles. According to a report by Reuters, at least 76 people have died in 'Camp Fire' in Paradise. Thousands of people have also been displaced with over 1276 people missing by California's most destructive wildfire outbreak. Trump has however blamed the recent spate of fires on forest mismanagement sparking outrage among the people. Scientists have said the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires in California and elsewhere across the West are largely attributable to prolonged drought that is symptomatic of climate change.

Watch: Trump in California refers to fire-ravaged town Paradise as 'Pleasure'

President Donald Trump said Friday that China was ready to make a deal to defuse trade tensions, so he might not have to punish the country with more import tariffs.

A deal to resolve the dispute would be a huge breakthrough on the issue that has dominated much of Trump's two years in office, blowback from which threatens to take the steam out of the US economy.

"China wants to make a deal," Trump told reporters. "They sent a list of things that they are willing to do."

While the offer is not acceptable yet, he said he was optimistic for an agreement to get "reciprocal" trade.

Trump this year has imposed steep tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods and has threatened to hit the remaining $267 billion in products the US imports from the world's number two economy each year.

US companies and farmers have complained of lost business and rising prices for key components as a result of the trade friction and that was a factor in some of the contests in the midterm congressional elections early this month.

"I think a deal will be made and we will find out very soon," Trump said, noting Beijing's list included 142 items and includes "a lot of the things we asked for."

"Some things were left off. We will probably get them, too," he said.

Tariff increase

But the statements seemed to contradict comments from Trump's Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who just hours earlier had said a deal with Beijing before January was "impossible."

Trump is due to meet with China's President Xi Jinping late this month in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the Group of 20 leaders summit.

However, Ross said those talks would serve as a framework to resolving the dispute. "We certainly won't have a full formal deal by January. Impossible," he said, according to Bloomberg.

The January date is key since the 10 per cent tariffs in place on $200 billion in annual imports from China is due to increase to 25 per cent.

Trump indicated he will continue to continue to take a hard line with China until the country changes.

US officials have highlighted high Chinese tariffs but also the country's trade and investment rules that allows rampant theft of American technology.

"We have to have reciprocal trade," he said. "We can't have trade meant for stupid people. That's the way they took advantage of our country."

US stocks jumped following Trump's remarks, but quickly retreated although the benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day with a slight increase.

Investors are hoping for a deal soon to end the uncertainty which hurts the bottom line for many companies as well as increasing prices for consumers.

Some firms have even warned that they might have to postpone investment plans if they cannot insure a steady supply of material.

Economists say the tariffs' full bite has yet to hit the American economy but the trade conflict comes at a bad time for China, which is seeing slower growth.

In addition, Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, who has been studying the impact of the trade tariffs closely, said in a report on Thursday that Trump's tariffs on steel, which largely targeted China and other big producers, were inflicting collateral damage on poorer nations that are small producers and pose no threat to the US economy.

President Donald Trump said Friday that China was ready to make a deal to defuse trade tensions, so he might not have to punish the country with more import tariffs.

President Donald Trump said Friday that China was ready to make a deal to defuse trade tensions, so he might not have to punish the country with more import tariffs. A deal to resolve the dispute would be a huge breakthrough on the issue that has dominated much of Trump's two years in office, blowback from which threatens to take the steam out of the US economy. "China wants to make a deal," Trump told reporters. "They sent a list of things that they are willing to do." While the offer is not acceptable yet, he said he was optimistic for an agreement to get "reciprocal" trade. Trump this year has imposed steep tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods and has threatened to hit the remaining $267 billion in products the US imports from the world's number two economy each year. US companies and farmers have complained of lost business and rising prices for key components as a result of the trade friction and that was a factor in some of the contests in the midterm congressional elections early this month. "I think a deal will be made and we will find out very soon," Trump said, noting Beijing's list included 142 items and includes "a lot of the things we asked for." "Some things were left off. We will probably get them, too," he said. Tariff increase But the statements seemed to contradict comments from Trump's Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who just hours earlier had said a deal with Beijing before January was "impossible." Trump is due to meet with China's President Xi Jinping late this month in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the Group of 20 leaders summit. However, Ross said those talks would serve as a framework to resolving the dispute. "We certainly won't have a full formal deal by January. Impossible," he said, according to Bloomberg. The January date is key since the 10 per cent tariffs in place on $200 billion in annual imports from China is due to increase to 25 per cent. Trump indicated he will continue to continue to take a hard line with China until the country changes. US officials have highlighted high Chinese tariffs but also the country's trade and investment rules that allows rampant theft of American technology. "We have to have reciprocal trade," he said. "We can't have trade meant for stupid people. That's the way they took advantage of our country." US stocks jumped following Trump's remarks, but quickly retreated although the benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day with a slight increase. Investors are hoping for a deal soon to end the uncertainty which hurts the bottom line for many companies as well as increasing prices for consumers. Some firms have even warned that they might have to postpone investment plans if they cannot insure a steady supply of material. Economists say the tariffs' full bite has yet to hit the American economy but the trade conflict comes at a bad time for China, which is seeing slower growth. In addition, Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, who has been studying the impact of the trade tariffs closely, said in a report on Thursday that Trump's tariffs on steel, which largely targeted China and other big producers, were inflicting collateral damage on poorer nations that are small producers and pose no threat to the US economy.

Trump opens door to trade deal with China soon

US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the CIA`s conclusions regarding the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but that he would speak with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the CIA about the issue later on Saturday.

The CIA believes Saudi Arabia`s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country`s de-facto ruler, ordered Khashoggi`s killing, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.

But Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House before flying to California, also reiterated that he had been told the crown prince had not played a role in the journalist`s death.

"We haven`t been briefed yet," Trump said. "We will be talking with the CIA later and lots of others. I`ll be doing that while I`m on the plane. I`ll be speaking also with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo."

Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul when he went there to pick up documents he needed for his planned marriage.

Trump and top administration officials have said Saudi Arabia should be held to account for any involvement in Khashoggi`s death and have imposed sanctions on 17 Saudis for their role in the killing.

But they have also stressed the importance of Washington`s ties with Riyadh, even while U.S. lawmakers have called on the administration to punish Saudi Arabia over the murder.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the CIA`s conclusions regarding the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but that he would speak with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the CIA about the issue later on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the CIA`s conclusions regarding the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but that he would speak with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the CIA about the issue later on Saturday. The CIA believes Saudi Arabia`s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country`s de-facto ruler, ordered Khashoggi`s killing, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. But Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House before flying to California, also reiterated that he had been told the crown prince had not played a role in the journalist`s death. "We haven`t been briefed yet," Trump said. "We will be talking with the CIA later and lots of others. I`ll be doing that while I`m on the plane. I`ll be speaking also with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo." Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was killed in October at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul when he went there to pick up documents he needed for his planned marriage. Trump and top administration officials have said Saudi Arabia should be held to account for any involvement in Khashoggi`s death and have imposed sanctions on 17 Saudis for their role in the killing. But they have also stressed the importance of Washington`s ties with Riyadh, even while U.S. lawmakers have called on the administration to punish Saudi Arabia over the murder.

Trump to discuss Jamal Khashoggi murder with CIA, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

By Tom Harper

As the US begins to enforce what are possibly the strongest sanctions on Iran to date, headlines have been dominated by the bellicose rhetoric of the Trump administration and Tehran. This comes on the heels of Washington’s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, alongside Britain, France, Russia and China.

The marked difference between the latest sanctions and previous rounds has been the criticism of them voiced by European states, who previously had accepted what had been imposed by Washington. So has US unlateralism gone too far?

While the most recent round of sanctions aims to put further pressure on Tehran for regime change and to support American regional allies, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, they also have an indirect beneficiary in the form of the US’s biggest global rival, China. And this has wider implications for the region.

The Middle Kingdom meets the Middle East

While European firms have explored ways to circumvent American sanctions or seek waivers, the threat of sanctions is likely to scare away many firms from doing business in the country. This will leave a void that China is likely to fill. As a result, Chinese firms will gain a near monopoly on Iranian oil and trade.

While Chinese imports of Iranian oil have initially experienced a slight decline, it is possible that this is one of Beijing’s ploys to see whether deals serving China’s interests are offered by an increasingly isolated Iran. For while Iran has been receptive to Chinese investment in the past, it has equally sought European investment to balance this out and to prevent China from playing too dominant a role in the country. The sanctions have now made China’s dominance all the more likely.

China increasingly is building its influence in a region that has traditionally been dominated by the US. This may see Tehran become more amenable to Chinese global initiatives, such as the Belt and the Road Initiative (BRI) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The former is likely to see further Eurasian integration under China’s watch, while the latter, as a loose military alliance, is likely to be attractive to Iran as a deterrent to regime change.

But while these moves follow the common pattern of Chinese foreign policy, most notably Beijing’s willingness to take greater risks and conduct business in shunned nations, they have wider implications for the region and the wider world.

The way of Mao

Beijing has long been adept at exploiting developments in the international system for its own benefit – and Iran is the latest example of this. In this case, it is filling the void left by European firms that have been scared off by the threat of sanctions.

This raises questions about the utility of sanctions at a time when they have become a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s diplomatic arsenal. While there have been cases of sanctions being successful, most notably in ending apartheid rule in South Africa, they have rarely succeeded in changing state behaviour in recent years.

But possibly the most significant implication is how sanctions have led to widespread de-dollarisation, whereby the dominant global status of the dollar has been challenged. Since sanctioned states are no longer attached to the established system, it is easier for them to adopt an alternative way of operating. An example is the Petro Yuan – whereby China’s oil imports have been priced in yuan rather than in dollars – which has been adopted by oil-rich states targeted by sanctions, most notably Russia and Venezuela. The sanctions on Iran will only exacerbate this process.

The Petro Yuan is evidence that China is challenging the established US-centric system and seeks to provide an alternative. This is reminiscent of Mao Zedong’s strategies for guerrilla warfare, where an insurgent seeks to make the government irrelevant over a long period of time before overthrowing it. By building ties with sanctioned nations and creating alternative international institutions, China is deploying a similar strategy on a global scale in an effort to bypass the&nbsp;US.

As a result of this, there has also been wider Sino-Russian cooperation, such as in Syria. There, China is poised to play a role in rebuilding the country alongside Russia’s military assistance to it, having found common ground in their concerns over Islamic militancy .

Russia and China were also signatories of the Iran deal and have been dissatisfied with Washington’s abandonment of it. Trump’s present strategies have often been described as a “reverse Nixon”, seeking further ties with Russia to counter China. But the situation in Iran is more likely to see China and Russia jointly challenge the US.

By withdrawing from the deal, Trump has also split the Western world and while it is easy to turn Iran away from the table, it will be tougher to get it back there.

What next?

As a result of these developments, China has become one of the wild cards of the Middle East, challenging and changing the established system there. This also questions the utility of sanctions in the long-term since nations under longstanding sanctions are more open to alternative systems.

By providing an alternative, China seeks to challenge the established system by making it irrelevant. While China has abandoned Mao’s ideology, his strategies continue to be influential.

While the sanctions were seen as an attempt to preserve American dominance in the region, they will have consequences that will indirectly challenge this. This is one US play that could badly misfire.

(Tom Harper is Doctoral Researcher in Politics, University of Surrey) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/iran-how-us-sanctions-are-strengthening-chinas-global-power-106564">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

By Tom Harper As the US begins to enforce what are possibly the strongest sanctions on Iran to date, headlines have been dominated by the bellicose rhetoric of the Trump administration and Tehran.

By Tom Harper As the US begins to enforce what are possibly the strongest sanctions on Iran to date, headlines have been dominated by the bellicose rhetoric of the Trump administration and Tehran. This comes on the heels of Washington’s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, alongside Britain, France, Russia and China. The marked difference between the latest sanctions and previous rounds has been the criticism of them voiced by European states, who previously had accepted what had been imposed by Washington. So has US unlateralism gone too far? While the most recent round of sanctions aims to put further pressure on Tehran for regime change and to support American regional allies, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, they also have an indirect beneficiary in the form of the US’s biggest global rival, China. And this has wider implications for the region. The Middle Kingdom meets the Middle East While European firms have explored ways to circumvent American sanctions or seek waivers, the threat of sanctions is likely to scare away many firms from doing business in the country. This will leave a void that China is likely to fill. As a result, Chinese firms will gain a near monopoly on Iranian oil and trade. While Chinese imports of Iranian oil have initially experienced a slight decline, it is possible that this is one of Beijing’s ploys to see whether deals serving China’s interests are offered by an increasingly isolated Iran. For while Iran has been receptive to Chinese investment in the past, it has equally sought European investment to balance this out and to prevent China from playing too dominant a role in the country. The sanctions have now made China’s dominance all the more likely. China increasingly is building its influence in a region that has traditionally been dominated by the US. This may see Tehran become more amenable to Chinese global initiatives, such as the Belt and the Road Initiative (BRI) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The former is likely to see further Eurasian integration under China’s watch, while the latter, as a loose military alliance, is likely to be attractive to Iran as a deterrent to regime change. But while these moves follow the common pattern of Chinese foreign policy, most notably Beijing’s willingness to take greater risks and conduct business in shunned nations, they have wider implications for the region and the wider world. The way of Mao Beijing has long been adept at exploiting developments in the international system for its own benefit – and Iran is the latest example of this. In this case, it is filling the void left by European firms that have been scared off by the threat of sanctions. This raises questions about the utility of sanctions at a time when they have become a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s diplomatic arsenal. While there have been cases of sanctions being successful, most notably in ending apartheid rule in South Africa, they have rarely succeeded in changing state behaviour in recent years. But possibly the most significant implication is how sanctions have led to widespread de-dollarisation, whereby the dominant global status of the dollar has been challenged. Since sanctioned states are no longer attached to the established system, it is easier for them to adopt an alternative way of operating. An example is the Petro Yuan – whereby China’s oil imports have been priced in yuan rather than in dollars – which has been adopted by oil-rich states targeted by sanctions, most notably Russia and Venezuela. The sanctions on Iran will only exacerbate this process. The Petro Yuan is evidence that China is challenging the established US-centric system and seeks to provide an alternative. This is reminiscent of Mao Zedong’s strategies for guerrilla warfare, where an insurgent seeks to make the government irrelevant over a long period of time before overthrowing it. By building ties with sanctioned nations and creating alternative international institutions, China is deploying a similar strategy on a global scale in an effort to bypass the US. As a result of this, there has also been wider Sino-Russian cooperation, such as in Syria. There, China is poised to play a role in rebuilding the country alongside Russia’s military assistance to it, having found common ground in their concerns over Islamic militancy . Russia and China were also signatories of the Iran deal and have been dissatisfied with Washington’s abandonment of it. Trump’s present strategies have often been described as a “reverse Nixon”, seeking further ties with Russia to counter China. But the situation in Iran is more likely to see China and Russia jointly challenge the US. By withdrawing from the deal, Trump has also split the Western world and while it is easy to turn Iran away from the table, it will be tougher to get it back there. What next? As a result of these developments, China has become one of the wild cards of the Middle East, challenging and changing the established system there. This also questions the utility of sanctions in the long-term since nations under longstanding sanctions are more open to alternative systems. By providing an alternative, China seeks to challenge the established system by making it irrelevant. While China has abandoned Mao’s ideology, his strategies continue to be influential. While the sanctions were seen as an attempt to preserve American dominance in the region, they will have consequences that will indirectly challenge this. This is one US play that could badly misfire. (Tom Harper is Doctoral Researcher in Politics, University of Surrey) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How US sanctions are strengthening China’s global power

A top Republican Senator has urged US President Donald Trump to grant asylum and refugee status to Pakistani national Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently freed from prison after her blasphemy conviction was overturned.

Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was release from Multan jail earlier this month after the Supreme Court in its landmark decision acquitted her of blasphemy charges.

Senator Rand Paul said that he was worried that Bibi won't survive and he personally took up the matter with President Trump last week.

"I've been fighting for them to free Asia Bibi. I've talked to the President about granting her asylum and refugee status here," Paul told CNN in an interview.

A senior member from an American think-tank has also suggested that Bibi should request asylum.&nbsp;

"President Trump should invite Ms Bibi to come to America and request asylum. To do so would be just, moral and wise," Clifford D May, president of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, said in an op-ed in The Washington Times this week.

A top Republican Senator has urged US President Donald Trump to grant asylum and refugee status to Pakistani national Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently freed from prison after her blasphemy conviction was overturned.

A top Republican Senator has urged US President Donald Trump to grant asylum and refugee status to Pakistani national Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently freed from prison after her blasphemy conviction was overturned. Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was release from Multan jail earlier this month after the Supreme Court in its landmark decision acquitted her of blasphemy charges. Senator Rand Paul said that he was worried that Bibi won't survive and he personally took up the matter with President Trump last week. "I've been fighting for them to free Asia Bibi. I've talked to the President about granting her asylum and refugee status here," Paul told CNN in an interview. A senior member from an American think-tank has also suggested that Bibi should request asylum. "President Trump should invite Ms Bibi to come to America and request asylum. To do so would be just, moral and wise," Clifford D May, president of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, said in an op-ed in The Washington Times this week.

US Senator seeks political asylum for Asia Bibi

US First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday (November 15) discussed cyber safety and the impact of the internet on children, with a particular focus on cyber-bullying.

"Today's technology provides people with digital shields to hide behind and being anonymous often takes the place of being caring and responsible, which can lead to children and adults feeling empowered to be kind and at times cruel," she told the Family Online Safety Institute's (FOSI) annual conference in Washington where she talked about promoting civility online.

She also repeated prior claim that she feels like she is the most, or one of the most, bullied persons in the world.

"It is not news or surprising to me that the critics and the media have chosen to ridicule me for speaking out on this issue. And that's OK. I remain committed to tackling this topic," she told her audience.

Melania Trump has chosen cyber bullying focus issue as the American First Lady, leaving some to say there is irony in the decision because of her husband's reputation as a bully towards his critics, especially on social media.

President Trump has frequently used his twitter account to attack his rivals, the media, and other public figures on topics ranging from their physical appearance to their intelligence.

The same day his wife was to speak at the cyber safety event, Trump sent out a stream of early morning tweets that began in the 3 o'clock hour lashing at critics with disparaging language like "Democrat thugs," "Crooked Hillary", former FBI agent Lisa Page "&amp; her lover", among other things. 
&nbsp;

US First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday (November 15) discussed cyber safety and the impact of the internet on children, with a particular focus on cyber-bullying.

US First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday (November 15) discussed cyber safety and the impact of the internet on children, with a particular focus on cyber-bullying. "Today's technology provides people with digital shields to hide behind and being anonymous often takes the place of being caring and responsible, which can lead to children and adults feeling empowered to be kind and at times cruel," she told the Family Online Safety Institute's (FOSI) annual conference in Washington where she talked about promoting civility online. She also repeated prior claim that she feels like she is the most, or one of the most, bullied persons in the world. "It is not news or surprising to me that the critics and the media have chosen to ridicule me for speaking out on this issue. And that's OK. I remain committed to tackling this topic," she told her audience. Melania Trump has chosen cyber bullying focus issue as the American First Lady, leaving some to say there is irony in the decision because of her husband's reputation as a bully towards his critics, especially on social media. President Trump has frequently used his twitter account to attack his rivals, the media, and other public figures on topics ranging from their physical appearance to their intelligence. The same day his wife was to speak at the cyber safety event, Trump sent out a stream of early morning tweets that began in the 3 o'clock hour lashing at critics with disparaging language like "Democrat thugs," "Crooked Hillary", former FBI agent Lisa Page "& her lover", among other things.

Melania Trump decries cyber bullying as Trump lashes at critics via tweets

A business trip by Donald J Trump Jr, the son of the US president, this year to India cost the American taxpayers about $100,000 in fees related to the Secret Service agents guarding him and other costs, according to a media report.

In February this year, Donald J Trump Jr, 40, had travelled to four Indian cities, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkatta, to promote the high-rise luxurious condos being build by the Trump organization, of which US president Donald Trump is the sole owner. Trump Jr is the vice president of his family-owned company.

The Washington Post reported on Thursday that it calculated this figure from the documents it obtained from the Department of Homeland through the Freedom of Information Act, which is similar to India's Right to Information Act.

The documents showed that "Trump Jr's February trip cost more than $97,805 for hotel rooms, airfare, car rental and overtime for Secret Service agents,"&nbsp;the daily reported.

The White House and Donald J Trump Jr did not immediately respond to the news report, which their political opponents on the social media alleged the Secret Service expenses for his trip to promote condos in India was misuse of tax payers money.

As per US laws, the President and his immediate family members are entitled to protection by the Secret Service. Same is the case with the former presidents and their family members too.

"Donald Trump Jr went to India to promote condo sales. His trip cost taxpayers almost $100,000. That's essentially the government spending money on the president's private business,"&nbsp;Citizens for Ethics, a watchdog, alleged in a tweet.

Because the president has not placed his assets in a blind trust, as other presidents have done, he still effectively controls his real estate empire and benefits from his children's travels, Jordan Libowitz, communications director for the Washington-based watchdog group told the Washington Post.

"The issue is that essentially the president still owns his businesses, and these trips are being done to make the president money. Essentially the government is spending money for the president's private businesses,"&nbsp;Libowitz told the daily. 
&nbsp;

A business trip by Donald J Trump Jr, the son of the US president, this year to India cost the American taxpayers about $100,000 in fees related to the Secret Service agents guarding him and other costs, according to a media report.

A business trip by Donald J Trump Jr, the son of the US president, this year to India cost the American taxpayers about $100,000 in fees related to the Secret Service agents guarding him and other costs, according to a media report. In February this year, Donald J Trump Jr, 40, had travelled to four Indian cities, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkatta, to promote the high-rise luxurious condos being build by the Trump organization, of which US president Donald Trump is the sole owner. Trump Jr is the vice president of his family-owned company. The Washington Post reported on Thursday that it calculated this figure from the documents it obtained from the Department of Homeland through the Freedom of Information Act, which is similar to India's Right to Information Act. The documents showed that "Trump Jr's February trip cost more than $97,805 for hotel rooms, airfare, car rental and overtime for Secret Service agents," the daily reported. The White House and Donald J Trump Jr did not immediately respond to the news report, which their political opponents on the social media alleged the Secret Service expenses for his trip to promote condos in India was misuse of tax payers money. As per US laws, the President and his immediate family members are entitled to protection by the Secret Service. Same is the case with the former presidents and their family members too. "Donald Trump Jr went to India to promote condo sales. His trip cost taxpayers almost $100,000. That's essentially the government spending money on the president's private business," Citizens for Ethics, a watchdog, alleged in a tweet. Because the president has not placed his assets in a blind trust, as other presidents have done, he still effectively controls his real estate empire and benefits from his children's travels, Jordan Libowitz, communications director for the Washington-based watchdog group told the Washington Post. "The issue is that essentially the president still owns his businesses, and these trips are being done to make the president money. Essentially the government is spending money for the president's private businesses," Libowitz told the daily.

Trump Jr's business trip to India cost US taxpayers nearly $100,000: Report

President Donald Trump will fly Saturday to California to meet victims of wildfires that have killed at least 59 people and destroyed the homes of thousands, the White House said Thursday.

At least 300 people are still missing and the death toll is expected to rise as recovery teams conduct house-to-house searches amid the wreckage of the sprawling blazes in northern and southern California.

Trump will "meet with individuals impacted by the wildfires," a White House spokeswoman said.

Fifty-six of the deaths and most of those unaccounted for are from the Butte County town of Paradise in northern California, which was decimated by the so-called Camp Fire that erupted a week ago.

Trump initially showed little sympathy for the famously liberal state as the death toll began to mount, blaming poor forest management in a tweet posted on Friday that also threatened to cut federal funding.&nbsp;

"Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!" he said.

Virtually every home in Paradise, a town of around 26,000 located 80 miles (130 kilometres) north of the state capital Sacramento, was destroyed by the fire, which was fueled by high winds.

The Butte County Sheriff's Office published a list late Wednesday of about 300 people who are missing. Some may have fled their homes and not been in touch with family and friends but others are believed to have died in the fast-moving Camp Fire.

At the southern end of the state the Woolsey Fire has razed 98,000 acres (39,660 hectares) and has been 57 per cent contained.

A number of celebrities have lost their homes in Malibu as a result of the inferno, including Pierce Brosnan, Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, Robin Thicke, Shannen Doherty and Gerard Butler.

President Donald Trump will fly Saturday to California to meet victims of wildfires that have killed at least 59 people and destroyed the homes of thousands, the White House said Thursday.

President Donald Trump will fly Saturday to California to meet victims of wildfires that have killed at least 59 people and destroyed the homes of thousands, the White House said Thursday. At least 300 people are still missing and the death toll is expected to rise as recovery teams conduct house-to-house searches amid the wreckage of the sprawling blazes in northern and southern California. Trump will "meet with individuals impacted by the wildfires," a White House spokeswoman said. Fifty-six of the deaths and most of those unaccounted for are from the Butte County town of Paradise in northern California, which was decimated by the so-called Camp Fire that erupted a week ago. Trump initially showed little sympathy for the famously liberal state as the death toll began to mount, blaming poor forest management in a tweet posted on Friday that also threatened to cut federal funding. "Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!" he said. Virtually every home in Paradise, a town of around 26,000 located 80 miles (130 kilometres) north of the state capital Sacramento, was destroyed by the fire, which was fueled by high winds. The Butte County Sheriff's Office published a list late Wednesday of about 300 people who are missing. Some may have fled their homes and not been in touch with family and friends but others are believed to have died in the fast-moving Camp Fire. At the southern end of the state the Woolsey Fire has razed 98,000 acres (39,660 hectares) and has been 57 per cent contained. A number of celebrities have lost their homes in Malibu as a result of the inferno, including Pierce Brosnan, Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, Robin Thicke, Shannen Doherty and Gerard Butler.

Trump to visit California wildfire victims: White House

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the testing of a newly developed tactical weapon, calling it "another display of our rapidly-growing defence capabilities to the whole region," North Korean state media said on Friday.

It was the first mention by state media of a new development in North Korea's weapons programme in months.

"This result today is a justification of the party's policy focused on defence science and technology, another display of our rapidly-growing defence capabilities to the whole region, and a groundbreaking change in strengthening our military's combat capabilities," Kim said.

KCNA said the test was successful.

Kim said that the weapons system tested was one that his father, Kim Jong Il, was especially interested during his lifetime and led the development of personality.

This is Kim's first field visit to a testing site since his unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump in June, when the two leaders agreed to work toward denuclearisation and peace on the Korean peninsula&nbsp;and to establish new relations between the United States and North Korea.

The agreement was short on specifics, and negotiations have made little headway since, however.

A North Korean delegation is currently in South Korea visiting economic-related sites as part of inter-Korean reconciliation efforts.

Any testing of new weapons is likely to raise tensions with Washington, which has said there will be no easing in international sanctions until North Korea takes more concrete steps to abandon its nuclear weapons or long-range missiles.

The White House referred questions about the latest development to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump on Tuesday criticized what he called "inaccurate" media reports that North Korea had not declared an estimated 20 missile bases and added in a tweet: "I will be the first to let you know if things go bad!"

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been due to meet North Korea's Kim Yong Chol, a senior aide to Kim Jong Un, in New York earlier this month, but it was postponed to a later date.

US Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday Trump plans to meet Kim Jong Un again in 2019 and will push for a concrete plan outlining Pyongyang's moves to end its arms programs.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the testing of a newly developed tactical weapon, calling it "another display of our rapidly-growing defence capabilities to the whole region," North Korean state media said on Friday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the testing of a newly developed tactical weapon, calling it "another display of our rapidly-growing defence capabilities to the whole region," North Korean state media said on Friday. It was the first mention by state media of a new development in North Korea's weapons programme in months. "This result today is a justification of the party's policy focused on defence science and technology, another display of our rapidly-growing defence capabilities to the whole region, and a groundbreaking change in strengthening our military's combat capabilities," Kim said. KCNA said the test was successful. Kim said that the weapons system tested was one that his father, Kim Jong Il, was especially interested during his lifetime and led the development of personality. This is Kim's first field visit to a testing site since his unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump in June, when the two leaders agreed to work toward denuclearisation and peace on the Korean peninsula and to establish new relations between the United States and North Korea. The agreement was short on specifics, and negotiations have made little headway since, however. A North Korean delegation is currently in South Korea visiting economic-related sites as part of inter-Korean reconciliation efforts. Any testing of new weapons is likely to raise tensions with Washington, which has said there will be no easing in international sanctions until North Korea takes more concrete steps to abandon its nuclear weapons or long-range missiles. The White House referred questions about the latest development to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump on Tuesday criticized what he called "inaccurate" media reports that North Korea had not declared an estimated 20 missile bases and added in a tweet: "I will be the first to let you know if things go bad!" US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been due to meet North Korea's Kim Yong Chol, a senior aide to Kim Jong Un, in New York earlier this month, but it was postponed to a later date. US Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday Trump plans to meet Kim Jong Un again in 2019 and will push for a concrete plan outlining Pyongyang's moves to end its arms programs.

North Korea's Kim inspects testing of newly developed 'tactical' weapon: Report

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