US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum directing the Commerce Department to develop a long-term comprehensive national spectrum strategy to prepare for the introduction of next-generation 5G wireless networks.

Trump is also creating a White House Spectrum Strategy Task Force and wants federal agencies to report on government spectrum needs and review how spectrum can be shared with private sector users.

The memorandum requires a series of reports over the next nine months and looking at ways and existing efforts on increasing spectrum and sharing existing spectrum. A long-term strategy is due by July.

The goal is to ensure th ere is enough spectrum to handle the growing amount of internet and wireless traffic and that future faster 5G networks have adequate spectrum.

The White House also said Trump is withdrawing presidential memorandums on spectrum signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2010 and 2013.&nbsp;

AT&amp;T Inc , Verizon Communications Inc , Sprint Corp and T-Mobile US Inc are working to acquire spectrum and beginning to develop and test 5G networks, which are expected to be at least 100 times faster than current 4G networks and cut latency, or delays, to less than one-thousandth of a second from one-hundredth of a second in 4G, the Federal Communications Commission has said.

Wireless industry trade group CTIA praised the administration for "recognising the importance of establishing a national spectrum strategy. With the right approach based on licensed wireless spectrum, America’s wireless carriers will invest hundreds of billions of dollars and create millions of jobs."

White House officials said they do not support any effort to nationalize the 5G network. A leaked document in January suggested the administration was considering the idea.&nbsp;

"We will prioritize efforts to accelerate the private sector’s development of 5G, so that the American people can reap the rewards of this incredible technology," White House adviser Michael Kratsios told reporters on Thursday.

Democratic Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Jessica Rosenworcel questioned the length of the time for the reports. "Other nations are moving ahead while we’re headed to study hall - and in the interim we’re slapping big tariffs on 5G networks. This doesn`t speed our 5G leadership - it slows us down," she said.

One big issue is a band of spectrum reserved for automakers to enable vehicles to "talk" to one another that has gone largely unused. Cable companies and others want the FCC to award part or all of that to expand Wi-Fi.

On Tuesday, the FCC voted to open additional spectrum for use by unlicensed devices in the 6 GHz band, or five times the current spectrum available.

Unlicensed devices include things such as Wi-Fi routers, connected home appliances, baby monitors, fitness trackers, garage door openers and cordless landline phones.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum directing the Commerce Department to develop a long-term comprehensive national spectrum strategy to prepare for the introduction of next-generation 5G wireless networks.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum directing the Commerce Department to develop a long-term comprehensive national spectrum strategy to prepare for the introduction of next-generation 5G wireless networks. Trump is also creating a White House Spectrum Strategy Task Force and wants federal agencies to report on government spectrum needs and review how spectrum can be shared with private sector users. The memorandum requires a series of reports over the next nine months and looking at ways and existing efforts on increasing spectrum and sharing existing spectrum. A long-term strategy is due by July. The goal is to ensure th ere is enough spectrum to handle the growing amount of internet and wireless traffic and that future faster 5G networks have adequate spectrum. The White House also said Trump is withdrawing presidential memorandums on spectrum signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2010 and 2013. AT&T Inc , Verizon Communications Inc , Sprint Corp and T-Mobile US Inc are working to acquire spectrum and beginning to develop and test 5G networks, which are expected to be at least 100 times faster than current 4G networks and cut latency, or delays, to less than one-thousandth of a second from one-hundredth of a second in 4G, the Federal Communications Commission has said. Wireless industry trade group CTIA praised the administration for "recognising the importance of establishing a national spectrum strategy. With the right approach based on licensed wireless spectrum, America’s wireless carriers will invest hundreds of billions of dollars and create millions of jobs." White House officials said they do not support any effort to nationalize the 5G network. A leaked document in January suggested the administration was considering the idea. "We will prioritize efforts to accelerate the private sector’s development of 5G, so that the American people can reap the rewards of this incredible technology," White House adviser Michael Kratsios told reporters on Thursday. Democratic Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Jessica Rosenworcel questioned the length of the time for the reports. "Other nations are moving ahead while we’re headed to study hall - and in the interim we’re slapping big tariffs on 5G networks. This doesn`t speed our 5G leadership - it slows us down," she said. One big issue is a band of spectrum reserved for automakers to enable vehicles to "talk" to one another that has gone largely unused. Cable companies and others want the FCC to award part or all of that to expand Wi-Fi. On Tuesday, the FCC voted to open additional spectrum for use by unlicensed devices in the 6 GHz band, or five times the current spectrum available. Unlicensed devices include things such as Wi-Fi routers, connected home appliances, baby monitors, fitness trackers, garage door openers and cordless landline phones.

Trump signs order to set US spectrum strategy as 5G race looms

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-finds-11th-package-in-florida-hunt-for-sender-of-bombs-173674">FBI finds </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-finds-11th-package-in-florida-hunt-for-sender-of-bombs-173674">11th</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-finds-11th-package-in-florida-hunt-for-sender-of-bombs-173674"> package addressed to US Senator Cory Booker during Florida hunt for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-finds-11th-package-in-florida-hunt-for-sender-of-bombs-173674">sender</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-finds-11th-package-in-florida-hunt-for-sender-of-bombs-173674"> of bombs</a>

An eleventh suspicious package addressed to US Senator Cory Booker was found on Friday morning, as federal authorities investigate the bombs sent to prominent Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump.

The latest package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-courts-arrest-says-pm-modi-can-run-but-not-hide-from-the-truth-173640">Rahul Gandhi courts </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-courts-arrest-says-pm-modi-can-run-but-not-hide-from-the-truth-173640">arrest,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-courts-arrest-says-pm-modi-can-run-but-not-hide-from-the-truth-173640"> says PM Modi can run but not hide from </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-courts-arrest-says-pm-modi-can-run-but-not-hide-from-the-truth-173640">truth</a>

Congress president Rahul Gandhi courted arrest on Friday after staging a protest outside the CBI headquarters against the move to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his powers, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi "stole" money from the country and can run but not hide from the truth.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-has-invited-putin-to-washington-nsa-john-bolton-173632">White House has invited Putin to Washington: NSA John Bolton</a>

The White House has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Washington, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Friday.

Putin and Trump have met several times on the sidelines of multilateral gatherings, but had only one bilateral summit, in the Finnish capital in July.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-agrees-to-increase-imports-from-india-trade-minister-suresh-prabhu-173630">China has agreed to increase imports from India: Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu</a>

Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday said that China has agreed to increase its imports from the country.

"Global disruptions offer a chance to increase Indian exports," Prabhu said at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rs-8100-crore-bank-loan-fraud-ed-seeks-fugitive-tag-for-sterling-biotech-group-promoters-173633">Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud: ED seeks fugitive tag for Sterling Biotech group promoters</a>

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said.

FBI finds 11th package addressed to US Senator Cory Booker during Florida hunt for sender of bombs An eleventh suspicious package addressed to US Senator Cory Booker was found on Friday morning, as federal authorities investigate the bombs sent to prominent Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump.

FBI finds 11th package addressed to US Senator Cory Booker during Florida hunt for sender of bombs An eleventh suspicious package addressed to US Senator Cory Booker was found on Friday morning, as federal authorities investigate the bombs sent to prominent Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump. The latest package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter. Rahul Gandhi courts arrest, says PM Modi can run but not hide from truth Congress president Rahul Gandhi courted arrest on Friday after staging a protest outside the CBI headquarters against the move to divest CBI Director Alok Verma of his powers, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi "stole" money from the country and can run but not hide from the truth. White House has invited Putin to Washington: NSA John Bolton The White House has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Washington, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Friday. Putin and Trump have met several times on the sidelines of multilateral gatherings, but had only one bilateral summit, in the Finnish capital in July. China has agreed to increase imports from India: Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday said that China has agreed to increase its imports from the country. "Global disruptions offer a chance to increase Indian exports," Prabhu said at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud: ED seeks fugitive tag for Sterling Biotech group promoters The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

American lawmakers recently created the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to finance infrastructure projects in low-income countries. The IDFC’s primary aim is to counter China’s growing influence, and it signals a dramatic new chapter in the fragile relationship between the US and China.

Tensions between the two countries have been high, as they struggle over trade, intellectual property rights and military control of the South China Sea. They are now also racing to connect the world by financing large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, railways and ports.

The IDFC enjoyed bipartisan support and was rushed through Congress as a matter of urgency. It was initially part of the BUILD Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives. The Senate then incorporated it into the FAA Reauthorization Act and passed it by a margin of 93-6 (with one abstention). The US president, Donald Trump, signed the IDFC into law while Capitol Hill was gripped by the bitter feud over the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The 2008 financial crisis destabilised the so-called Chimerica order of the global economy, which balanced China’s export-led growth with a period of overconsumption in the US. Following the financial crisis, the Chinese government countered slackening demand from the US by financing infrastructure projects in low-income countries.

And so over the past decade, China has quietly become a leader in the construction sector and, according to some commentators, is poised to establish a global monopoly. Indeed, its signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to integrate Asia, Africa and Europe via large-scale infrastructure projects. The World Bank has even suggested that the BRI may constitute “a new approach” to development.

Infrastructure-led connectivity 
 
The BRI is consistent with a global trend to enhance infrastructure-led connectivity. This prioritises long-distance and cross-border connections and infrastructure to link resource extraction, agribusiness and manufacturing with global markets and supply chains.

In addition to the BRI, examples from low and middle-income countries include the Greater Mekong Subregion in South-East Asia, and the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET), in East Africa. While enhanced connectivity can indeed foster economic growth, it can also have harmful consequences, such as in South America where the extension of infrastructure networks in remote areas has caused rapid environmental degradation.

Nevertheless, from a realpolitik perspective, whichever country funds connective infrastructure initiatives can benefit by determining how territories are integrated into the global economy. Control of overseas ports, airports, railways and roadways can enable a country to align parts of the global economy with their own.

This explains why the race to connect the world is not limited to the US and China. The European Union has launched an initiative to invest in infrastructure that enhances its connectivity with Asia. Similarly, Japan, Australia, the UK and others in the G20 are active in the Global Infrastructure Hub, which was created to encourage private investment in connective infrastructure around the world.

The US strikes back 
 
The American IDFC differs from the EU and G20 initiatives because it signals that US policymakers intend to contain rather than compete with China. It has been granted an initial budget of $60 billion to invest in infrastructure projects in low-income countries, and this is designed to “provide countries with a robust alternative to state-directed investments by authoritarian governments”.

So how does it work? The IDFC is loosely modelled on the Chinese approach to infrastructure finance. Chinese development assistance is typically bilateral and prioritises long-term political objectives over profit. This explains why China funds infrastructure projects that institutional investors in the OECD deem too risky. The US is now taking on China by allowing the IDFC to operate in a similar fashion. Unencumbered by shareholder demands, the IDFC’s mandate is “to complement and be guided by overall United States foreign policy, development, and national security objectives”. In other words, it is meant to put politics before profit.

The question is whether this strategy really will contain China’s expanding sphere of influence.

Certainly, the IDFC needs a significantly larger budget to threaten China’s growing influence. After all, China finances multiple infrastructure projects beyond the BRI. In a recent summit with African leaders in Beijing, for example, Xi Jinping committed to invest $60 billion in the continent, independent of the BRI. Furthermore, China is the largest shareholder in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and enjoys influence in the New Development Bank – both of which also pursue objectives consistent with the BRI. Multilateral investment banks such as the World Bank have also already invested in infrastructure projects that complement the BRI.

Making growth sustainable and inclusive 
 
Ultimately, then, the IDFC will be unable to limit China’s growing influence with a mere $60 billion, and China’s sphere of influence will continue to expand regardless.

But the race to connect the world is significant because it will have tremendous impacts on emerging economies that suffer from inadequate infrastructure. Indeed, this scramble between the US and China will likely accelerate economic integration in places that have historically been isolated.

Both countries prioritise geopolitical objectives over developmental outcomes, so the challenge for recipient countries is to ensure such funding and initiatives foster sustainable, inclusive growth.

Chinese investment is required by Beijing to comply with local social and environmental laws, yet many low-income countries lack strong regulations. The IDFC, meanwhile, is required to “annually evaluate and report to the Board and Congress regarding compliance with environmental, social, labor, human rights, and transparency standards”. But it is unclear what standards the IDFC will embrace in any of these fields.

The quickening race between China and the US to connect the world does present opportunities for low-income countries held back by poor infrastructure. The question is whether the “beneficiaries” can ensure that the projects are sustainable and equitable in the long-run. If they can’t, much of the infrastructure will likely just further line American and Chinese pockets.

(Seth Schindler is Senior Lecturer in Urban Development &amp; Transformation, University of Manchester; &nbsp;Juan Miguel Kanai is Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Sheffield)

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/us-sparks-new-development-race-with-china-but-can-it-win-105203">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

American lawmakers recently created the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to finance infrastructure projects in low-income countries. The IDFC’s primary aim is to counter China’s growing influence, and it signals a dramatic new chapter in the fragile relationship between the US and China.

American lawmakers recently created the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to finance infrastructure projects in low-income countries. The IDFC’s primary aim is to counter China’s growing influence, and it signals a dramatic new chapter in the fragile relationship between the US and China. Tensions between the two countries have been high, as they struggle over trade, intellectual property rights and military control of the South China Sea. They are now also racing to connect the world by financing large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, railways and ports. The IDFC enjoyed bipartisan support and was rushed through Congress as a matter of urgency. It was initially part of the BUILD Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives. The Senate then incorporated it into the FAA Reauthorization Act and passed it by a margin of 93-6 (with one abstention). The US president, Donald Trump, signed the IDFC into law while Capitol Hill was gripped by the bitter feud over the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The 2008 financial crisis destabilised the so-called Chimerica order of the global economy, which balanced China’s export-led growth with a period of overconsumption in the US. Following the financial crisis, the Chinese government countered slackening demand from the US by financing infrastructure projects in low-income countries. And so over the past decade, China has quietly become a leader in the construction sector and, according to some commentators, is poised to establish a global monopoly. Indeed, its signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to integrate Asia, Africa and Europe via large-scale infrastructure projects. The World Bank has even suggested that the BRI may constitute “a new approach” to development. Infrastructure-led connectivity The BRI is consistent with a global trend to enhance infrastructure-led connectivity. This prioritises long-distance and cross-border connections and infrastructure to link resource extraction, agribusiness and manufacturing with global markets and supply chains. In addition to the BRI, examples from low and middle-income countries include the Greater Mekong Subregion in South-East Asia, and the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET), in East Africa. While enhanced connectivity can indeed foster economic growth, it can also have harmful consequences, such as in South America where the extension of infrastructure networks in remote areas has caused rapid environmental degradation. Nevertheless, from a realpolitik perspective, whichever country funds connective infrastructure initiatives can benefit by determining how territories are integrated into the global economy. Control of overseas ports, airports, railways and roadways can enable a country to align parts of the global economy with their own. This explains why the race to connect the world is not limited to the US and China. The European Union has launched an initiative to invest in infrastructure that enhances its connectivity with Asia. Similarly, Japan, Australia, the UK and others in the G20 are active in the Global Infrastructure Hub, which was created to encourage private investment in connective infrastructure around the world. The US strikes back The American IDFC differs from the EU and G20 initiatives because it signals that US policymakers intend to contain rather than compete with China. It has been granted an initial budget of $60 billion to invest in infrastructure projects in low-income countries, and this is designed to “provide countries with a robust alternative to state-directed investments by authoritarian governments”. So how does it work? The IDFC is loosely modelled on the Chinese approach to infrastructure finance. Chinese development assistance is typically bilateral and prioritises long-term political objectives over profit. This explains why China funds infrastructure projects that institutional investors in the OECD deem too risky. The US is now taking on China by allowing the IDFC to operate in a similar fashion. Unencumbered by shareholder demands, the IDFC’s mandate is “to complement and be guided by overall United States foreign policy, development, and national security objectives”. In other words, it is meant to put politics before profit. The question is whether this strategy really will contain China’s expanding sphere of influence. Certainly, the IDFC needs a significantly larger budget to threaten China’s growing influence. After all, China finances multiple infrastructure projects beyond the BRI. In a recent summit with African leaders in Beijing, for example, Xi Jinping committed to invest $60 billion in the continent, independent of the BRI. Furthermore, China is the largest shareholder in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and enjoys influence in the New Development Bank – both of which also pursue objectives consistent with the BRI. Multilateral investment banks such as the World Bank have also already invested in infrastructure projects that complement the BRI. Making growth sustainable and inclusive Ultimately, then, the IDFC will be unable to limit China’s growing influence with a mere $60 billion, and China’s sphere of influence will continue to expand regardless. But the race to connect the world is significant because it will have tremendous impacts on emerging economies that suffer from inadequate infrastructure. Indeed, this scramble between the US and China will likely accelerate economic integration in places that have historically been isolated. Both countries prioritise geopolitical objectives over developmental outcomes, so the challenge for recipient countries is to ensure such funding and initiatives foster sustainable, inclusive growth. Chinese investment is required by Beijing to comply with local social and environmental laws, yet many low-income countries lack strong regulations. The IDFC, meanwhile, is required to “annually evaluate and report to the Board and Congress regarding compliance with environmental, social, labor, human rights, and transparency standards”. But it is unclear what standards the IDFC will embrace in any of these fields. The quickening race between China and the US to connect the world does present opportunities for low-income countries held back by poor infrastructure. The question is whether the “beneficiaries” can ensure that the projects are sustainable and equitable in the long-run. If they can’t, much of the infrastructure will likely just further line American and Chinese pockets. (Seth Schindler is Senior Lecturer in Urban Development & Transformation, University of Manchester; Juan Miguel Kanai is Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Sheffield) (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)

US sparks new development race with China – but can it win?

The investigation into 10 pipe bombs sent to high-profile Democrats and critics of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump is focusing on leads in Florida, a federal law enforcement source said on Thursday.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and actor Robert De Niro on Thursday became the seventh and eighth intended targets of the bombs, all of which were intercepted before they exploded.

The bombs have heightened what already was a contentious campaign season ahead of the Nov. 6 elections in which Trump's Republicans will try to maintain majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. The episode has also called attention to the harsh rhetoric Trump wields against his rivals.

Trump condemned the bombs but later blamed the media, his frequent foil, for much of the angry tone.

No one has claimed responsibility and the FBI urged the public to report any tips and be vigilant.

Some of the bombs were said to have been hand-delivered, but the law enforcement source said all 10 of the suspicious packages were believed to have gone through the US&nbsp;Postal System at some point. The source said officials were focusing their investigation on Florida.

The pipe bombs discovered on Wednesday were similar to the ones sent to Biden and De Niro, a federal official told Reuters. Authorities described the devices as crude while security experts said their goal may have been to create fear rather than to kill.

Leading Democrats said the bombs were a dangerous outgrowth of an antagonistic political atmosphere created by the president.

Trump and other Republicans have likened Democrats to an "angry mob," citing protests at the confirmation hearing of US&nbsp;Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

The FBI said on Thursday one of the two packages sent to Biden - who once said he would have fought Trump if they were in high school - was discovered at a mail facility in his home state of Delaware and the second at another location.

The device intended for De Niro, who received a loud ovation when he hurled an obscenity at Trump at the Tony Awards in June, was sent to one of his properties in New York City.

Trump blamed media

At a Wisconsin rally on Wednesday night Trump, who has denounced news media organizations as an "enemy of the people," called attention to "how nice I’m behaving tonight” but on Thursday morning he attacked the media.

"A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News," Trump wrote. "It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!"

Several of the people who were sent bombs - including former President Barack Obama and Trump's rival for the presidency, Hillary Clinton - are frequent targets of right-wing critics.

Also sent packages were Eric Holder, who served as attorney general under Obama; former CIA Director John Brennan, who had his security clearance withdrawn after frequently lambasting Trump; prominent Democratic Party donor George Soros; and California Representative Maxine Waters, another outspoken Trump critic. Two packages were sent to Waters, whom Trump has called "an extraordinarily low IQ person."

Several politicians, including US&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, described the package bombs as an act of terrorism.

"Someone is trying to intimidate. Someone is trying to quash voices in this country using violence," De Blasio said. "I am confident that we will find the perpetrator or perpetrators."

The CNN bureau in New York received a package addressed to Brennan, who has appeared as a CNN analyst, leading police on Wednesday to evacuate the Time Warner building in a busy Manhattan neighbourhood near Central Park.

The package sent to CNN, which Trump has frequently derided for its coverage of him, contained an envelope of white powder that experts were analyzing, New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill said.

Increased security

Some major media outlets in New York, including the New York Times, increased security on Thursday.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told CNN some of the packages in his state were hand-delivered and that authorities were scrutinizing security camera videos for signs of the bomber.

Trump told the Wisconsin rally his government would conduct "an aggressive investigation."

"Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself," Trump said. "We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony."

Last week, Trump, who joined other Republicans in accusing Democrats of encouraging "mob" tactics, heaped praise on a Montana congressional candidate who assaulted a reporter during his successful 2017 campaign.

The first package turned up on Monday and was addressed to Soros, the billionaire financier and advocate of liberal, open-border values who is a frequent target of right-wing conspiracy theories.

The FBI said on Wednesday the packages consisted of a manila envelope with a bubble-wrap interior containing "potentially destructive devices." Each bore a computer-printed address label and six "Forever" postage stamps, the FBI said.

The investigation into 10 pipe bombs sent to high-profile Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump is focusing on leads in Florida, a federal law enforcement source said on Thursday.

The investigation into 10 pipe bombs sent to high-profile Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump is focusing on leads in Florida, a federal law enforcement source said on Thursday. Former Vice President Joe Biden and actor Robert De Niro on Thursday became the seventh and eighth intended targets of the bombs, all of which were intercepted before they exploded. The bombs have heightened what already was a contentious campaign season ahead of the Nov. 6 elections in which Trump's Republicans will try to maintain majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. The episode has also called attention to the harsh rhetoric Trump wields against his rivals. Trump condemned the bombs but later blamed the media, his frequent foil, for much of the angry tone. No one has claimed responsibility and the FBI urged the public to report any tips and be vigilant. Some of the bombs were said to have been hand-delivered, but the law enforcement source said all 10 of the suspicious packages were believed to have gone through the US Postal System at some point. The source said officials were focusing their investigation on Florida. The pipe bombs discovered on Wednesday were similar to the ones sent to Biden and De Niro, a federal official told Reuters. Authorities described the devices as crude while security experts said their goal may have been to create fear rather than to kill. Leading Democrats said the bombs were a dangerous outgrowth of an antagonistic political atmosphere created by the president. Trump and other Republicans have likened Democrats to an "angry mob," citing protests at the confirmation hearing of US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The FBI said on Thursday one of the two packages sent to Biden - who once said he would have fought Trump if they were in high school - was discovered at a mail facility in his home state of Delaware and the second at another location. The device intended for De Niro, who received a loud ovation when he hurled an obscenity at Trump at the Tony Awards in June, was sent to one of his properties in New York City. Trump blamed media At a Wisconsin rally on Wednesday night Trump, who has denounced news media organizations as an "enemy of the people," called attention to "how nice I’m behaving tonight” but on Thursday morning he attacked the media. "A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News," Trump wrote. "It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!" Several of the people who were sent bombs - including former President Barack Obama and Trump's rival for the presidency, Hillary Clinton - are frequent targets of right-wing critics. Also sent packages were Eric Holder, who served as attorney general under Obama; former CIA Director John Brennan, who had his security clearance withdrawn after frequently lambasting Trump; prominent Democratic Party donor George Soros; and California Representative Maxine Waters, another outspoken Trump critic. Two packages were sent to Waters, whom Trump has called "an extraordinarily low IQ person." Several politicians, including US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, described the package bombs as an act of terrorism. "Someone is trying to intimidate. Someone is trying to quash voices in this country using violence," De Blasio said. "I am confident that we will find the perpetrator or perpetrators." The CNN bureau in New York received a package addressed to Brennan, who has appeared as a CNN analyst, leading police on Wednesday to evacuate the Time Warner building in a busy Manhattan neighbourhood near Central Park. The package sent to CNN, which Trump has frequently derided for its coverage of him, contained an envelope of white powder that experts were analyzing, New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill said. Increased security Some major media outlets in New York, including the New York Times, increased security on Thursday. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told CNN some of the packages in his state were hand-delivered and that authorities were scrutinizing security camera videos for signs of the bomber. Trump told the Wisconsin rally his government would conduct "an aggressive investigation." "Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself," Trump said. "We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony." Last week, Trump, who joined other Republicans in accusing Democrats of encouraging "mob" tactics, heaped praise on a Montana congressional candidate who assaulted a reporter during his successful 2017 campaign. The first package turned up on Monday and was addressed to Soros, the billionaire financier and advocate of liberal, open-border values who is a frequent target of right-wing conspiracy theories. The FBI said on Wednesday the packages consisted of a manila envelope with a bubble-wrap interior containing "potentially destructive devices." Each bore a computer-printed address label and six "Forever" postage stamps, the FBI said.

Package bombs sent to Trump critics lead investigators to Florida: Report

President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday of a new arms race if America pulls out of weapons treaties, and said Russia would respond "in kind" to any new US missiles placed on European soil.

At the weekend, US President Donald Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch a key Cold War-era nuclear weapons pact, the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).

Speaking after hosting Trump's national security advisor John Bolton on Tuesday, Putin warned that abandoning the treaty, and failure to extend another key arms control agreement known as the New START, would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger.

Putin said dismantling a global arms control system was "very dangerous," adding Russia was concerned about the fact that the United States had already abandoned the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, planned to ditch the INF, and that the future of the New START was unclear.

"There would be nothing left except an arms race," he said at a news conference after talks with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.&nbsp;

The Russian president said that if Washington moved to abandon the INF and placed more missiles in Europe, Russia would respond "in kind."

"Will we be able to respond?" he said. "Yes, we will and this will be very quick and effective."

Putin said any European countries agreeing to host US missiles would be at risk of a Russian attack.&nbsp;

"These are obvious things," the Russian leader said.&nbsp;

Pershings in Europe

"We will return to the situation with the Pershing missiles in Europe," he said, referring to US missiles stationed in Western Europe in the 1980s.

Putin accused the United States of violating the INF treaty which Trump has said Russia is in breach of.

The Russian president said he wanted to discuss the issue with his American counterpart when they attend a November 11 event in Paris commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I.

"We are ready to work with our American partners without any hysterics," he added.

Italy's Conte said his country was also concerned about a possible collapse of the INF agreement, adding he would speak to Trump on the subject.

"I've already let President Putin know that I was really young in the era of the Pershing missiles and I would not want to return to the time that we have been able to overcome," the 54-year-old said in remarks translated into Russian.

"We should focus on other prospects of cooperation and avoid an escalation that could be alarming for us all."

Trump had said the United States was ready to build up its nuclear arsenal because Russia violated the INF agreement.

"Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," he said Monday, referring to America's nuclear stockpile.&nbsp;

Trump's announcement sparked concern globally, with the European Commission urging the United States and Russia to pursue talks to preserve the treaty, and China calling on Washington to "think twice."

Bolton has said that Britain, Japan, and other countries supported the US position.

Earlier Wednesday, the Kremlin said it was ready to discuss the possibility of a summit between Putin and Trump in Washington next year.

"Undoubtedly (we are) ready," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists after Bolton reportedly said such a summit was possible.&nbsp;

Peskov said the issue had been "raised" but "so far there is no concrete decision on this."

Bolton arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening and held talks with Putin and top officials including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev.

The US official said the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, a key Soviet-era agreement abandoned by George W. Bush, was previously considered a cornerstone of global security, but that the world had remained safe without it.&nbsp;

President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday of a new arms race if America pulls out of weapons treaties, and said Russia would respond "in kind" to any new US missiles placed on European soil.

President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday of a new arms race if America pulls out of weapons treaties, and said Russia would respond "in kind" to any new US missiles placed on European soil. At the weekend, US President Donald Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch a key Cold War-era nuclear weapons pact, the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Speaking after hosting Trump's national security advisor John Bolton on Tuesday, Putin warned that abandoning the treaty, and failure to extend another key arms control agreement known as the New START, would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger. Putin said dismantling a global arms control system was "very dangerous," adding Russia was concerned about the fact that the United States had already abandoned the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, planned to ditch the INF, and that the future of the New START was unclear. "There would be nothing left except an arms race," he said at a news conference after talks with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The Russian president said that if Washington moved to abandon the INF and placed more missiles in Europe, Russia would respond "in kind." "Will we be able to respond?" he said. "Yes, we will and this will be very quick and effective." Putin said any European countries agreeing to host US missiles would be at risk of a Russian attack. "These are obvious things," the Russian leader said. Pershings in Europe "We will return to the situation with the Pershing missiles in Europe," he said, referring to US missiles stationed in Western Europe in the 1980s. Putin accused the United States of violating the INF treaty which Trump has said Russia is in breach of. The Russian president said he wanted to discuss the issue with his American counterpart when they attend a November 11 event in Paris commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I. "We are ready to work with our American partners without any hysterics," he added. Italy's Conte said his country was also concerned about a possible collapse of the INF agreement, adding he would speak to Trump on the subject. "I've already let President Putin know that I was really young in the era of the Pershing missiles and I would not want to return to the time that we have been able to overcome," the 54-year-old said in remarks translated into Russian. "We should focus on other prospects of cooperation and avoid an escalation that could be alarming for us all." Trump had said the United States was ready to build up its nuclear arsenal because Russia violated the INF agreement. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," he said Monday, referring to America's nuclear stockpile. Trump's announcement sparked concern globally, with the European Commission urging the United States and Russia to pursue talks to preserve the treaty, and China calling on Washington to "think twice." Bolton has said that Britain, Japan, and other countries supported the US position. Earlier Wednesday, the Kremlin said it was ready to discuss the possibility of a summit between Putin and Trump in Washington next year. "Undoubtedly (we are) ready," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists after Bolton reportedly said such a summit was possible. Peskov said the issue had been "raised" but "so far there is no concrete decision on this." Bolton arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening and held talks with Putin and top officials including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev. The US official said the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, a key Soviet-era agreement abandoned by George W. Bush, was previously considered a cornerstone of global security, but that the world had remained safe without it.

Putin warns of a new 'arms race' with America

President Donald Trump has stepped up his drive to fill courts across the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-heads-to-final-vote-on-kavanaugh-supreme-court-nomination-169893">United States with conservative judges</a> in an effort to woo voters on the right ahead of the midterm congressional elections.

Coming off his success in appointing two judges strongly aligned with Republican ideology to the Supreme Court, Trump is duplicating that move in federal circuit and district courts -- the next two levels in the US justice system.

"I have been there less than two years and I have two of them," Trump boasted in an election rally on Monday in Texas, referring to Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the conservative justices who have tilted the Supreme Court strongly toward the right.

"We have a record number of circuit court judges for the time we have been in office," he added. "We expect to go to the all-time record."

The US Constitution empowers the president to make lifetime appointments of judges to all three levels of federal courts, where nearly 900 judges serve. Each needs to be confirmed by the Senate, however.

Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has obtained the confirmation of 84 federal judges, compared to 43 in the same period for his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama.

Trump has nominated some 50 more, who are awaiting the Senate's green light.

Trump's former White House counsel Don McGahn said they have consciously chosen some of the most conservative people possible for the positions.

"Some folks that are kind of too hot for prime-time," he described them. "The kind of people that make some people nervous."

Impact already felt&nbsp;

Democrats are angry, but have been powerless to do anything about it because they are a minority in the Senate.

The senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein, pointed out that her committee was the only one holding hearings before the midterms.&nbsp;

"Republicans are breaking every norm to stack the courts with young, ideological nominees who will undermine the rights and protections of all Americans for generations to come," she said.

And Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said in a tweet, "The Trump Administration is trying to pack the courts for years to come. We will fight this."

If Republicans retain control of the Senate in the November midterm elections as expected, Trump could have the opportunity to fill another 150 vacant posts over the next two years.

The new judges are already having an impact on US society, for instance by shooting down a complaint on racial discrimination in the workplace, and supporting the removal of limits to election campaign donations, both positions backed by Republicans.

"I think it's a huge thing," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said last week. "We can feel a difference in some of the circuits (appeals courts) already."

Trump calls the effort a major achievements of his presidency.

"These appointments are going to be one of the most important things, if not the most important thing, we do," he said.

Election issue

Ahead of the November 6 election -- in which Republicans are fighting to retain control of the two chambers of Congress -- Trump's judicial appointments are galvanizing conservative voters.

Evangelical Christians and traditional conservatives were originally skeptical of billionaire Trump, given his record of political opportunism and seeming agnosticism.

But he won their support in the 2016 presidential election by promising to appoint a committed conservative to the Supreme Court who would oppose abortion and support broad gun ownership rights.

The opportunity to stack the courts with conservatives was greater than usual when he took office: for the previous two years, Republicans in Congress had blocked dozens of Obama's nominees, leaving 107 judgeships vacant.

The Republican Senate quickly began confirming Trump's court picks. Even in their fervor, however, they did not get everyone through: one candidate withdrew when his legal shortcomings became evident; another was dropped after his former writings in support of the Ku Klux Klan were brought to light.

Unprecedented power grab'

With Republicans worried they could lose their majority in the November 6 vote, they have bent the rules in Congress to accelerate confirmations.

Fifteen were approved in one day in mid-October just ahead of the Senate going on break.

And even while it is officially in recess for the election, the Senate Judiciary Committee continues to hold confirmation hearings with nominees, angering Democrats.

"It is an unprecedented power grab that flies in the face of Senators' constitutional duty to advise and consent on judicial nominees and makes a mockery of our Constitution and justice system," said Jill Dash, vice president of the liberal-leaning American Constitution Society. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has stepped up his drive to fill courts across the United States with conservative judges in an effort to woo voters on the right ahead of the midterm congressional elections.

President Donald Trump has stepped up his drive to fill courts across the United States with conservative judges in an effort to woo voters on the right ahead of the midterm congressional elections. Coming off his success in appointing two judges strongly aligned with Republican ideology to the Supreme Court, Trump is duplicating that move in federal circuit and district courts -- the next two levels in the US justice system. "I have been there less than two years and I have two of them," Trump boasted in an election rally on Monday in Texas, referring to Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the conservative justices who have tilted the Supreme Court strongly toward the right. "We have a record number of circuit court judges for the time we have been in office," he added. "We expect to go to the all-time record." The US Constitution empowers the president to make lifetime appointments of judges to all three levels of federal courts, where nearly 900 judges serve. Each needs to be confirmed by the Senate, however. Since taking office in January 2017, Trump has obtained the confirmation of 84 federal judges, compared to 43 in the same period for his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama. Trump has nominated some 50 more, who are awaiting the Senate's green light. Trump's former White House counsel Don McGahn said they have consciously chosen some of the most conservative people possible for the positions. "Some folks that are kind of too hot for prime-time," he described them. "The kind of people that make some people nervous." Impact already felt Democrats are angry, but have been powerless to do anything about it because they are a minority in the Senate. The senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Dianne Feinstein, pointed out that her committee was the only one holding hearings before the midterms. "Republicans are breaking every norm to stack the courts with young, ideological nominees who will undermine the rights and protections of all Americans for generations to come," she said. And Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said in a tweet, "The Trump Administration is trying to pack the courts for years to come. We will fight this." If Republicans retain control of the Senate in the November midterm elections as expected, Trump could have the opportunity to fill another 150 vacant posts over the next two years. The new judges are already having an impact on US society, for instance by shooting down a complaint on racial discrimination in the workplace, and supporting the removal of limits to election campaign donations, both positions backed by Republicans. "I think it's a huge thing," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said last week. "We can feel a difference in some of the circuits (appeals courts) already." Trump calls the effort a major achievements of his presidency. "These appointments are going to be one of the most important things, if not the most important thing, we do," he said. Election issue Ahead of the November 6 election -- in which Republicans are fighting to retain control of the two chambers of Congress -- Trump's judicial appointments are galvanizing conservative voters. Evangelical Christians and traditional conservatives were originally skeptical of billionaire Trump, given his record of political opportunism and seeming agnosticism. But he won their support in the 2016 presidential election by promising to appoint a committed conservative to the Supreme Court who would oppose abortion and support broad gun ownership rights. The opportunity to stack the courts with conservatives was greater than usual when he took office: for the previous two years, Republicans in Congress had blocked dozens of Obama's nominees, leaving 107 judgeships vacant. The Republican Senate quickly began confirming Trump's court picks. Even in their fervor, however, they did not get everyone through: one candidate withdrew when his legal shortcomings became evident; another was dropped after his former writings in support of the Ku Klux Klan were brought to light. Unprecedented power grab' With Republicans worried they could lose their majority in the November 6 vote, they have bent the rules in Congress to accelerate confirmations. Fifteen were approved in one day in mid-October just ahead of the Senate going on break. And even while it is officially in recess for the election, the Senate Judiciary Committee continues to hold confirmation hearings with nominees, angering Democrats. "It is an unprecedented power grab that flies in the face of Senators' constitutional duty to advise and consent on judicial nominees and makes a mockery of our Constitution and justice system," said Jill Dash, vice president of the liberal-leaning American Constitution Society.

With eye on vote, Trump stacks US courts with conservatives

A North Korean official urged the United States on Thursday to immediately lift sanctions against his country, warning that the country's "confidence-destroying measures" would undermine denuclearisation talks.

The US has insisted on maintaining stringent international sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons, even as the two countries' leaders are expected to hold a second summit soon.

"We think that sanctions and pressure do more harm than good," Song Il Hyok, deputy director general of the North Korean foreign ministry's Institute for Disarmament and Peace, said at a defence forum in Beijing.

The sanctions, Song said, "are not at all" confidence-building measures "but confidence-destroying measures".

At their first summit in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearisation, but little progress has been made since then as both sides spar over how to interpret the text.

Song said Trump and Kim "recognised that the mutual confidence-building can promote the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" during their meeting in Singapore.

He called on Washington to "lift immediately the sanctions and this hindrance" to confidence-building.

Song spoke at the Xiangshan Forum, a regional defence dialogue hosted by China since 2006 as part of Beijing's efforts to step up its global influence.

A North Korean official urged the United States on Thursday to immediately lift sanctions against his country, warning that the country's "confidence-destroying measures" would undermine denuclearisation talks.

A North Korean official urged the United States on Thursday to immediately lift sanctions against his country, warning that the country's "confidence-destroying measures" would undermine denuclearisation talks. The US has insisted on maintaining stringent international sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons, even as the two countries' leaders are expected to hold a second summit soon. "We think that sanctions and pressure do more harm than good," Song Il Hyok, deputy director general of the North Korean foreign ministry's Institute for Disarmament and Peace, said at a defence forum in Beijing. The sanctions, Song said, "are not at all" confidence-building measures "but confidence-destroying measures". At their first summit in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearisation, but little progress has been made since then as both sides spar over how to interpret the text. Song said Trump and Kim "recognised that the mutual confidence-building can promote the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula" during their meeting in Singapore. He called on Washington to "lift immediately the sanctions and this hindrance" to confidence-building. Song spoke at the Xiangshan Forum, a regional defence dialogue hosted by China since 2006 as part of Beijing's efforts to step up its global influence.

North Korea warns US against 'confidence-destroying measures'

US President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Thursday said that he was "bringing out the military" to protect the US border as a caravan of Central American migrants continues through Mexico on their trek to the United States.

"I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!" Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. It was not immediately clear what new policy he was referring to.

"Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council is right when he says on @foxandfriends that the Democrat inspired laws make it tough for us to stop people at the Border. MUST BE CHANDED, but I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!" his tweet read.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council is right when he says on <a href="https://twitter.com/foxandfriends?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@foxandfriends</a> that the Democrat inspired laws make it tough for us to stop people at the Border. MUST BE CHANDED, but I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1055414972635926528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, in the series of the latest tweet, Trump also accused the media of stirring up "anger" as the United States reeled from a series of suspicious packages and pipe bombs sent to prominent Democrats and actor Robert De Niro.

"A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News," Trump tweeted.

"It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!"

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1055418269270716418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he was "bringing out the military" to protect the US border as a caravan of Central American migrants continues through Mexico on their trek to the United States.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he was "bringing out the military" to protect the US border as a caravan of Central American migrants continues through Mexico on their trek to the United States. "I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!" Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. It was not immediately clear what new policy he was referring to. "Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council is right when he says on @foxandfriends that the Democrat inspired laws make it tough for us to stop people at the Border. MUST BE CHANDED, but I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped!" his tweet read. Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council is right when he says on @foxandfriends that the Democrat inspired laws make it tough for us to stop people at the Border. MUST BE CHANDED, but I am bringing out the military for this National Emergency. They will be stopped! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018 × Meanwhile, in the series of the latest tweet, Trump also accused the media of stirring up "anger" as the United States reeled from a series of suspicious packages and pipe bombs sent to prominent Democrats and actor Robert De Niro. "A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News," Trump tweeted. "It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!" A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018 ×

Trump 'bringing out the military' to protect US border

A manhunt was underway on Thursday after high-profile Democrats and CNN were targeted by package bombs, less than two weeks ahead of elections that could alter the US&nbsp;political landscape.

None of the seven devices went off and no injuries were reported, but some top Democrats called the threats a symptom of a coarsening brand of political rhetoric promoted by President Donald Trump, who also condemned the acts.

All the targets are frequently maligned by right-wing critics, including former US President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder.

Former CIA Director John Brennan, prominent Democratic Party donor George Soros and California Representative Maxine Waters, an outspoken critic of Trump, were also targeted.

On Thursday morning, police were investigating a suspicious package at a building in the Tribeca section of New York City that houses a restaurant owned by actor Robert De Niro, according to NBC's New York affiliate.

The bomb packages were sent as the nation prepares for Nov. 6 elections that will decide whether Democrats take control of one or both houses of Congress from Republicans and deny Trump the majority his party now holds in both.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

An FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies "will continue to work to identity and arrest whosoever is responsible for sending these packages," FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

Several politicians, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, described it as an act of terrorism.

Investigators were trying to track down another suspicious parcel they believe was addressed to Obama's vice president, Joe Biden, a federal official told Reuters late on Wednesday.

The CNN bureau in New York received a package addressed to Brennan, who has appeared as an on-air CNN analyst, leading police to evacuate the Time Warner building in a busy Manhattan neighborhood near Central Park.

The package contained an envelope of white powder that experts were analyzing, Police Commissioner James O'Neill said.

Trump told a political rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday his government would conduct "an aggressive investigation."

"Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself," Trump said. "We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony."

He also said the media had a responsibility "to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories."

Last week, Trump, who has joined other Republicans in accusing Democrats of encouraging "mob" tactics, heaped praise on a Montana congressman who assaulted a reporter in 2017.

At an event in Texas on Wednesday, Brennan faulted Trump for frequent inflammatory rhetoric.

Manila envelopes

The first package, which turned up on Monday, was addressed to Soros, the billionaire financier and advocate of liberal, open-border values who is a frequent target of right-wing conspiracy theories.

The parcel intended for Holder ended up rerouted to the return address printed on all the packages - the Florida office of U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who formerly chaired the Democratic National Committee, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FBI said late on Wednesday it had confirmed that two additional packages, similar in appearance to the others, were addressed to Waters.

An FBI statement said the other packages consisted of a manila envelope with a bubble-wrap interior containing "potentially destructive devices". Each bore a computer-printed address label and six "Forever" postage stamps.

Other officials said the devices contained in the envelopes were all similar to one found in the mailbox of the Soros home and later detonated by police. At least one bomb was packed with shards of glass, one federal source said.

A manhunt was underway on Thursday after high-profile Democrats and CNN were targeted by package bombs, less than two weeks ahead of elections that could alter the US political landscape.

A manhunt was underway on Thursday after high-profile Democrats and CNN were targeted by package bombs, less than two weeks ahead of elections that could alter the US political landscape. None of the seven devices went off and no injuries were reported, but some top Democrats called the threats a symptom of a coarsening brand of political rhetoric promoted by President Donald Trump, who also condemned the acts. All the targets are frequently maligned by right-wing critics, including former US President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder. Former CIA Director John Brennan, prominent Democratic Party donor George Soros and California Representative Maxine Waters, an outspoken critic of Trump, were also targeted. On Thursday morning, police were investigating a suspicious package at a building in the Tribeca section of New York City that houses a restaurant owned by actor Robert De Niro, according to NBC's New York affiliate. The bomb packages were sent as the nation prepares for Nov. 6 elections that will decide whether Democrats take control of one or both houses of Congress from Republicans and deny Trump the majority his party now holds in both. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. An FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies "will continue to work to identity and arrest whosoever is responsible for sending these packages," FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. Several politicians, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, described it as an act of terrorism. Investigators were trying to track down another suspicious parcel they believe was addressed to Obama's vice president, Joe Biden, a federal official told Reuters late on Wednesday. The CNN bureau in New York received a package addressed to Brennan, who has appeared as an on-air CNN analyst, leading police to evacuate the Time Warner building in a busy Manhattan neighborhood near Central Park. The package contained an envelope of white powder that experts were analyzing, Police Commissioner James O'Neill said. Trump told a political rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday his government would conduct "an aggressive investigation." "Any acts or threats of political violence are an attack on our democracy itself," Trump said. "We want all sides to come together in peace and harmony." He also said the media had a responsibility "to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories." Last week, Trump, who has joined other Republicans in accusing Democrats of encouraging "mob" tactics, heaped praise on a Montana congressman who assaulted a reporter in 2017. At an event in Texas on Wednesday, Brennan faulted Trump for frequent inflammatory rhetoric. Manila envelopes The first package, which turned up on Monday, was addressed to Soros, the billionaire financier and advocate of liberal, open-border values who is a frequent target of right-wing conspiracy theories. The parcel intended for Holder ended up rerouted to the return address printed on all the packages - the Florida office of U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who formerly chaired the Democratic National Committee, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI said late on Wednesday it had confirmed that two additional packages, similar in appearance to the others, were addressed to Waters. An FBI statement said the other packages consisted of a manila envelope with a bubble-wrap interior containing "potentially destructive devices". Each bore a computer-printed address label and six "Forever" postage stamps. Other officials said the devices contained in the envelopes were all similar to one found in the mailbox of the Soros home and later detonated by police. At least one bomb was packed with shards of glass, one federal source said.

Manhunt underway after bombs sent to US Democrats, Trump critics

US President Donald Trump has for the first time said he believes <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/people-behind-jamal-khashoggis-killing-will-be-held-accountable-saudi-crown-prince-salman-173263">Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman</a> was at least aware of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if he had not given the order to kill him himself.&nbsp;

Trump said that was because the prince was "running things" over there.&nbsp;

Trump made his comments to the Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;

Trump was asked whether he thought Salman was at least aware of the plan to kill Khashoggi.&nbsp;

“Well, the prince is running things over there more so at this stage,” the Wall Street Journal quoted Trump as saying. “He’s running things and so if anybody were going to be, it would be him.”&nbsp;

Trump had earlier said "the cover up (of the killing) was one of the worst in the history of cover ups." He went on to call the killing and its aftermath — with the Saudis first denying the murder, then giving a number of accounts as to how it might have happened — a "total fiasco."

US President Donald Trump has for the first time said he believes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was at least aware of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if he had not given the order to kill him himself.

US President Donald Trump has for the first time said he believes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was at least aware of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if he had not given the order to kill him himself. Trump said that was because the prince was "running things" over there. Trump made his comments to the Wall Street Journal. Trump was asked whether he thought Salman was at least aware of the plan to kill Khashoggi. “Well, the prince is running things over there more so at this stage,” the Wall Street Journal quoted Trump as saying. “He’s running things and so if anybody were going to be, it would be him.” Trump had earlier said "the cover up (of the killing) was one of the worst in the history of cover ups." He went on to call the killing and its aftermath — with the Saudis first denying the murder, then giving a number of accounts as to how it might have happened — a "total fiasco."

Khashoggi killing: Trump says Crown Prince Salman would have known of killing

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday said Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggis-possessions-found-during-search-of-saudi-consulate-vehicle-report-173079">killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a> this month, as the United States vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible.

Trump spoke hours after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/who-gave-the-order-to-kill-jamal-khashoggi-turkey-president-erdogan-demands-to-know-172995">Turkey's president, Tayyip Erdogan</a>, dismissed Saudi efforts to blame Khashoggi's death on rogue operatives. Erdogan urged Riyadh to search "from top to bottom" to uncover those behind Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, an incident that has sparked global outrage and strained relations between Riyadh and Washington.

For Saudi Arabia’s allies, the question will be whether they believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability.

Trump said the killing and subsequent cover-up by Saudi Arabia were "a total fiasco."

"There should have never been an execution or a cover-up, because it should have never happened," Trump told reporters. He said he had spoken on Monday with the crown prince who denied having anything to do with Khashoggi's killing.

Earlier, Trump said the Khashoggi matter was handled badly by Saudi officials.

"Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was a US resident and Washington Post columnist.

Trump's comments in recent days have ranged from threatening Saudi Arabia with "very severe" consequences and mentioning possible economic sanctions, to more conciliatory remarks highlighting the country's role as a US ally against Iran and Islamist militants, as well as a major purchaser of US arms.

Trump did not give his views on who was ultimately responsible. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had identified some of the Saudi government and security officials it believed were involved in Khashoggi's murder and would take appropriate actions including revoking US visas.

The US State Department said 21 Saudis would have their visas revoked or be made ineligible for US visas. Another official said the vast majority of the group had US visas.

"As we continue to develop our understanding of the individuals that were responsible for this, not only those who executed it but those who were connected to it, the world should know that we intend to hold those individuals accountable when we develop this fact set," Pompeo told reporters.

Pompeo also said the State Department was looking into whether sanctions could be applicable for those found to be involved.

"These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo said, although he emphasized as have other senior U.S. officials, the importance of the US-Saudi relationship. "Neither the president nor I are happy with this situation."

The Saudi Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the US measures.

As the crisis unfolded over the past three weeks, Saudi Arabia changed its tune on Khashoggi. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi's fate before saying on Saturday he was killed in a fight in the consulate, an account met with scepticism from several Western governments, straining their relations with the world's biggest oil exporter.

Saudi Arabia has detained 18 people and dismissed five senior government officials as part of an investigation into Khashoggi's death. One of those fired includes Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. According to two intelligence sources, Qahtani ran Khashoggi's killing by giving orders over Skype.

Turkish security sources say that when Khashoggi entered the consulate, he was seized by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before.

Erdogan vow

Erdogan on Tuesday stopped short of mentioning the crown prince who some US lawmakers suspect ordered the killing.

"The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments," Erdogan said in a speech in parliament.

"From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account," Turkey's president said.

Turkish sources have said that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing. Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording.

A Saudi Cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman said Riyadh would hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they were.

Turkish investigators searched a Saudi consulate vehicle in Istanbul that contained two suitcases and other items, according to broadcaster CNN Turk. It was not clear what was in the suitcases.

'Brutal Murder'

Trump said he would work with the US Congress to determine the US response to the Khashoggi matter.

"In terms of what we ultimately do, I'm going to leave it very much - in conjunction with me - up to Congress," Trump said, adding he would like a bipartisan recommendation.

CIA Director Gina Haspel, in Turkey to investigate the death of Khashoggi, has sought to hear the purported audio recording of his torture and murder, four sources familiar with her mission told Reuters on Tuesday.

A host of Western executives and governments have pulled out of a high-profile Saudi investment summit that started on Tuesday because of the Khashoggi affair.

Erdogan said the killing was planned from when Khashoggi, 59, first went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on September 28 to obtain documents necessary for his marriage. He was told he would need to return later to collect the documents.

A day before Khashoggi's death, agents arrived from overseas and began to scout locations, including the Belgrad Forest near Istanbul and the city of Yalova to its south, Erdogan said. Police have searched both areas for evidence of Khashoggi's remains, Reuters has reported.

On the day Khashoggi arrived for his appointment and was later killed, the hard disk in the consulate's camera system was removed, Erdogan said.

"Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience. We expect the same sensitivity from all parties, primarily the Saudi Arabian leadership," he said.

"We have strong signs that the murder was the result of a planned operation, not a spontaneous development."

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday said Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi this month, as the United States vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday said Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi this month, as the United States vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible. Trump spoke hours after Turkey's president, Tayyip Erdogan, dismissed Saudi efforts to blame Khashoggi's death on rogue operatives. Erdogan urged Riyadh to search "from top to bottom" to uncover those behind Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, an incident that has sparked global outrage and strained relations between Riyadh and Washington. For Saudi Arabia’s allies, the question will be whether they believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability. Trump said the killing and subsequent cover-up by Saudi Arabia were "a total fiasco." "There should have never been an execution or a cover-up, because it should have never happened," Trump told reporters. He said he had spoken on Monday with the crown prince who denied having anything to do with Khashoggi's killing. Earlier, Trump said the Khashoggi matter was handled badly by Saudi officials. "Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," Trump told reporters at the White House. Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was a US resident and Washington Post columnist. Trump's comments in recent days have ranged from threatening Saudi Arabia with "very severe" consequences and mentioning possible economic sanctions, to more conciliatory remarks highlighting the country's role as a US ally against Iran and Islamist militants, as well as a major purchaser of US arms. Trump did not give his views on who was ultimately responsible. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had identified some of the Saudi government and security officials it believed were involved in Khashoggi's murder and would take appropriate actions including revoking US visas. The US State Department said 21 Saudis would have their visas revoked or be made ineligible for US visas. Another official said the vast majority of the group had US visas. "As we continue to develop our understanding of the individuals that were responsible for this, not only those who executed it but those who were connected to it, the world should know that we intend to hold those individuals accountable when we develop this fact set," Pompeo told reporters. Pompeo also said the State Department was looking into whether sanctions could be applicable for those found to be involved. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo said, although he emphasized as have other senior U.S. officials, the importance of the US-Saudi relationship. "Neither the president nor I are happy with this situation." The Saudi Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the US measures. As the crisis unfolded over the past three weeks, Saudi Arabia changed its tune on Khashoggi. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi's fate before saying on Saturday he was killed in a fight in the consulate, an account met with scepticism from several Western governments, straining their relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. Saudi Arabia has detained 18 people and dismissed five senior government officials as part of an investigation into Khashoggi's death. One of those fired includes Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. According to two intelligence sources, Qahtani ran Khashoggi's killing by giving orders over Skype. Turkish security sources say that when Khashoggi entered the consulate, he was seized by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before. Erdogan vow Erdogan on Tuesday stopped short of mentioning the crown prince who some US lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. "The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments," Erdogan said in a speech in parliament. "From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account," Turkey's president said. Turkish sources have said that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing. Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording. A Saudi Cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman said Riyadh would hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they were. Turkish investigators searched a Saudi consulate vehicle in Istanbul that contained two suitcases and other items, according to broadcaster CNN Turk. It was not clear what was in the suitcases. 'Brutal Murder' Trump said he would work with the US Congress to determine the US response to the Khashoggi matter. "In terms of what we ultimately do, I'm going to leave it very much - in conjunction with me - up to Congress," Trump said, adding he would like a bipartisan recommendation. CIA Director Gina Haspel, in Turkey to investigate the death of Khashoggi, has sought to hear the purported audio recording of his torture and murder, four sources familiar with her mission told Reuters on Tuesday. A host of Western executives and governments have pulled out of a high-profile Saudi investment summit that started on Tuesday because of the Khashoggi affair. Erdogan said the killing was planned from when Khashoggi, 59, first went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on September 28 to obtain documents necessary for his marriage. He was told he would need to return later to collect the documents. A day before Khashoggi's death, agents arrived from overseas and began to scout locations, including the Belgrad Forest near Istanbul and the city of Yalova to its south, Erdogan said. Police have searched both areas for evidence of Khashoggi's remains, Reuters has reported. On the day Khashoggi arrived for his appointment and was later killed, the hard disk in the consulate's camera system was removed, Erdogan said. "Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience. We expect the same sensitivity from all parties, primarily the Saudi Arabian leadership," he said. "We have strong signs that the murder was the result of a planned operation, not a spontaneous development."

Trump says Saudis staged 'worst cover-up ever' on Khashoggi

A man arrested for allegedly groping a woman's breasts while travelling on a plane told police that President Donald Trump says it is OK to touch women's private parts.

Trump once famously bragged that he could <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sexual-harassment-charges-against-donald-trump-what-south-asian-women-think-8245">touch women's genitals</a> and get away with it because he is famous.

On a Southwest Airlines flight Sunday from Houston to Albuquerque, the unnamed woman was dozing when she was awakened by a hand reaching from the seat behind her and touching her right breast, according to a complaint filed in US District Court in New Mexico.

She said she thought it was an accident but after it happened again 30 minutes later she stood up and confronted the suspect, identified as Bruce Alexander, and told him to stop, the complaint states.

The woman was moved to another seat at the rear of the plane.

Alexander was arrested after the plane landed in Albuquerque.

After he was handcuffed and put in a police car, he "stated that the president of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts," according to the complaint.

Alexander's age was not given. The complaint said he is "older and worked as a heavy equipment operator."

Shortly before the 2016 election, audio tape emerged in which Trump is heard saying, "when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything."

He added: "Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything."

A man arrested for allegedly groping a woman's breasts while travelling on a plane told police that President Donald Trump says it is OK to touch women's private parts.

A man arrested for allegedly groping a woman's breasts while travelling on a plane told police that President Donald Trump says it is OK to touch women's private parts. Trump once famously bragged that he could touch women's genitals and get away with it because he is famous. On a Southwest Airlines flight Sunday from Houston to Albuquerque, the unnamed woman was dozing when she was awakened by a hand reaching from the seat behind her and touching her right breast, according to a complaint filed in US District Court in New Mexico. She said she thought it was an accident but after it happened again 30 minutes later she stood up and confronted the suspect, identified as Bruce Alexander, and told him to stop, the complaint states. The woman was moved to another seat at the rear of the plane. Alexander was arrested after the plane landed in Albuquerque. After he was handcuffed and put in a police car, he "stated that the president of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts," according to the complaint. Alexander's age was not given. The complaint said he is "older and worked as a heavy equipment operator." Shortly before the 2016 election, audio tape emerged in which Trump is heard saying, "when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything." He added: "Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything."

Trump says it's okay: Man who grabbed woman's breast on plane

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Puerto Rico's politicians of using "massive and ridiculously high amounts of hurricane/disaster funding" to pay off other debts, and said he would not allow a bailout with relief money.

"The US will NOT bail out long outstanding &amp; unpaid obligations with hurricane relief money!," Trump said on Twitter.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The people of Puerto Rico are wonderful but the inept politicians are trying to use the massive and ridiculously high amounts of hurricane/disaster funding to pay off other obligations. The U.S. will NOT bail out long outstanding &amp; unpaid obligations with hurricane relief money!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1054755401651179521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A federally appointed oversight board on Tuesday approved a fiscal reform plan for Puerto Rico over opposition from the island's elected government. The plan calls for a range of fiscal and structural reforms, reduces government spending and takes into account $20 billion in federal disaster relief funds.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Puerto Rico's politicians of using "massive and ridiculously high amounts of hurricane/disaster funding" to pay off other debts, and said he would not allow a bailout with relief money.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused Puerto Rico's politicians of using "massive and ridiculously high amounts of hurricane/disaster funding" to pay off other debts, and said he would not allow a bailout with relief money. "The US will NOT bail out long outstanding & unpaid obligations with hurricane relief money!," Trump said on Twitter. The people of Puerto Rico are wonderful but the inept politicians are trying to use the massive and ridiculously high amounts of hurricane/disaster funding to pay off other obligations. The U.S. will NOT bail out long outstanding & unpaid obligations with hurricane relief money! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2018 × A federally appointed oversight board on Tuesday approved a fiscal reform plan for Puerto Rico over opposition from the island's elected government. The plan calls for a range of fiscal and structural reforms, reduces government spending and takes into account $20 billion in federal disaster relief funds.

Trump accuses Puerto Rico of using disaster funds to pay off other debt

The most serious threat to the Saudi version is in the hands of Turkish intelligence. Ankara might determine the nature of relations between Riyadh and Washington, and the question is – what will it want to make of the scandal?

Has the formula been found for the lie that absolves Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi?

Is the kingdom’s latest version, according to which the Saudi journalist died in a fist fight with a number of Saudis who were arrested last week, enough to salvage Donald Trump’s precious $110 billion arms deal?&nbsp;

The US president rushed to declare the Saudi explanation “credible.” It’s possible that someone who dispenses lies on a daily basis knows the difference between credible and incredible lies. But anyone who chooses to believe the Saudi version must ask a few nagging questions.

The first pertains to the location of Khashoggi’s body, whole or otherwise. If he died in a brawl, why was it necessary to dismember the corpse? What were 15 Saudi security officers doing at the consulate? Why did the crown prince lie when he said he didn’t know about Khashoggi’s murder, and why did the Saudis say the journalist left the consulate shortly after arriving, which is why he could not be found?&nbsp;

But, even if these contradictions can be papered over with a credible cover story, the dismissal of senior Saudi intelligence official General Ahmed al-Asiri and Saud al-Qahtani, both of them close advisers to Crown Prince Mohammed, has pulled the rug out from under the official version. If the two knew about the murder, or perhaps even ordered it, this cannot have been without the knowledge of Saudi General Intelligence Khalid al-Humaidan. And if Humaidan, whose head hasn’t rolled yet, knew about it, so did the crown prince.&nbsp;

One should treat with suspicion these dismissals, as well as King Salman’s establishment of a commission of inquiry, under Crown Prince Mohammed, that has also been tasked with reorganising the kingdom’s intelligence services. Asiri and Qahtani, who were appointed by the crown prince, will most likely win new appointments: they know too much about the crown prince and his military and economic failures.&nbsp;

Asiri was previously a spokesman for the Saudi forces operating in Yemen, heading PR efforts to justify the war as benefiting international interests and to absolve Saudi Arabia from responsibility for the deaths of thousands of civilians in Yemen. Qahtani, meanwhile, directed the Saudi media from behind the scenes, operating social networks while shaping a positive image for the crown prince in Arab and international media.&nbsp;

But, the most serious threat to the Saudi story and an American seal of approval is in Turkish intelligence headquarters in Ankara. Turkish listening devices and sensitive cameras have already yielded most of the horrific details of Khashoggi’s murder. Turkey claims the Saudis are cooperating with Turkish investigators, who are sharing their findings with their US counterparts, American intelligence agencies, but no one knows what is being held back from publication. Turkey, which changed from a Saudi rival to its enemy in the wake of the incident, is the main target of criticism of Saudi Arabia and its allies.&nbsp;

Ankara is not accepting Saudi explanations regarding Khashoggi’s death. A spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party, Omer Celik, has said that Turkey will get to the bottom of Khashoggi’s disappearance and death.&nbsp;

His remark suggests that Turkey, to the extent that it has the evidence to back its claims, will determine the nature of future relations between Riyadh and Washington. If it has a recording of the murderers calling Crown Prince Mohammed to announce “mission accomplished,” or a record of the crown prince calling them during their stay in Turkey, Trump will have to re-examine, if not disavow, his support for the new Saudi version of events.&nbsp;

The question is whether and how Turkey might want to leverage the Khashoggi affair, which is evolving from a mafia-style hit by Saudi intelligence operatives into an international incident obligating Western countries to manoeuvre carefully vis-a-vis Riyadh, caught between pressure to guarantee a transparent investigation of the murder and the need to preserve their political and economic interests. Theoretically, Turkey could demand political “hush money” such as the lifting of the Saudi embargo on Qatar in exchange for freezing the investigation or accepting the Saudi version. This is a high price, which the crown prince is unlikely to pay, but if the demand comes with American pressure and mediation, it could serve the interests of all sides.&nbsp;

Khashoggi’s murder poses a dilemma for Saudi Arabia’s allies. For now, only Trump is willing to pull Riyadh’s chestnuts out of the fire. His decision will clearly and greatly affect the future of the investigation as well as international responses towards Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Interestingly, no leader, including Turkey’s president, has called for sanctions like the ones imposed on Russia for assassinating former agents and dissident journalists. Perhaps that’s because Western states still regard the killing of a journalist by an Arab government as infuriating but not inconceivable, particularly since this was done in another Muslim state, which treats its own journalists as criminals.&nbsp;

Russia, on the other hand, is perceived as part of the “civilised” world, committing its assassinations in the heart of Europe. Saudi Arabia, however, is seen as pro-Western by virtue of its membership in the alliance against Iran. As a result, even if it is far removed from embracing Western values, it enjoys certain “discounts” that the anti-Western resistance front members, Russia and China, do not.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-more-queries-than-answers-2678020">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The most serious threat to the Saudi version is in the hands of Turkish intelligence. Ankara might determine the nature of relations between Riyadh and Washington, and the question is – what will it want to make of the scandal?

The most serious threat to the Saudi version is in the hands of Turkish intelligence. Ankara might determine the nature of relations between Riyadh and Washington, and the question is – what will it want to make of the scandal? Has the formula been found for the lie that absolves Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of responsibility for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi? Is the kingdom’s latest version, according to which the Saudi journalist died in a fist fight with a number of Saudis who were arrested last week, enough to salvage Donald Trump’s precious $110 billion arms deal? The US president rushed to declare the Saudi explanation “credible.” It’s possible that someone who dispenses lies on a daily basis knows the difference between credible and incredible lies. But anyone who chooses to believe the Saudi version must ask a few nagging questions. The first pertains to the location of Khashoggi’s body, whole or otherwise. If he died in a brawl, why was it necessary to dismember the corpse? What were 15 Saudi security officers doing at the consulate? Why did the crown prince lie when he said he didn’t know about Khashoggi’s murder, and why did the Saudis say the journalist left the consulate shortly after arriving, which is why he could not be found? But, even if these contradictions can be papered over with a credible cover story, the dismissal of senior Saudi intelligence official General Ahmed al-Asiri and Saud al-Qahtani, both of them close advisers to Crown Prince Mohammed, has pulled the rug out from under the official version. If the two knew about the murder, or perhaps even ordered it, this cannot have been without the knowledge of Saudi General Intelligence Khalid al-Humaidan. And if Humaidan, whose head hasn’t rolled yet, knew about it, so did the crown prince. One should treat with suspicion these dismissals, as well as King Salman’s establishment of a commission of inquiry, under Crown Prince Mohammed, that has also been tasked with reorganising the kingdom’s intelligence services. Asiri and Qahtani, who were appointed by the crown prince, will most likely win new appointments: they know too much about the crown prince and his military and economic failures. Asiri was previously a spokesman for the Saudi forces operating in Yemen, heading PR efforts to justify the war as benefiting international interests and to absolve Saudi Arabia from responsibility for the deaths of thousands of civilians in Yemen. Qahtani, meanwhile, directed the Saudi media from behind the scenes, operating social networks while shaping a positive image for the crown prince in Arab and international media. But, the most serious threat to the Saudi story and an American seal of approval is in Turkish intelligence headquarters in Ankara. Turkish listening devices and sensitive cameras have already yielded most of the horrific details of Khashoggi’s murder. Turkey claims the Saudis are cooperating with Turkish investigators, who are sharing their findings with their US counterparts, American intelligence agencies, but no one knows what is being held back from publication. Turkey, which changed from a Saudi rival to its enemy in the wake of the incident, is the main target of criticism of Saudi Arabia and its allies. Ankara is not accepting Saudi explanations regarding Khashoggi’s death. A spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party, Omer Celik, has said that Turkey will get to the bottom of Khashoggi’s disappearance and death. His remark suggests that Turkey, to the extent that it has the evidence to back its claims, will determine the nature of future relations between Riyadh and Washington. If it has a recording of the murderers calling Crown Prince Mohammed to announce “mission accomplished,” or a record of the crown prince calling them during their stay in Turkey, Trump will have to re-examine, if not disavow, his support for the new Saudi version of events. The question is whether and how Turkey might want to leverage the Khashoggi affair, which is evolving from a mafia-style hit by Saudi intelligence operatives into an international incident obligating Western countries to manoeuvre carefully vis-a-vis Riyadh, caught between pressure to guarantee a transparent investigation of the murder and the need to preserve their political and economic interests. Theoretically, Turkey could demand political “hush money” such as the lifting of the Saudi embargo on Qatar in exchange for freezing the investigation or accepting the Saudi version. This is a high price, which the crown prince is unlikely to pay, but if the demand comes with American pressure and mediation, it could serve the interests of all sides. Khashoggi’s murder poses a dilemma for Saudi Arabia’s allies. For now, only Trump is willing to pull Riyadh’s chestnuts out of the fire. His decision will clearly and greatly affect the future of the investigation as well as international responses towards Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, no leader, including Turkey’s president, has called for sanctions like the ones imposed on Russia for assassinating former agents and dissident journalists. Perhaps that’s because Western states still regard the killing of a journalist by an Arab government as infuriating but not inconceivable, particularly since this was done in another Muslim state, which treats its own journalists as criminals. Russia, on the other hand, is perceived as part of the “civilised” world, committing its assassinations in the heart of Europe. Saudi Arabia, however, is seen as pro-Western by virtue of its membership in the alliance against Iran. As a result, even if it is far removed from embracing Western values, it enjoys certain “discounts” that the anti-Western resistance front members, Russia and China, do not. (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)

Jamal Khashoggi’s murder poses a dilemma for Saudi Arabia’s allies

US National Security Advisor John Bolton met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty.

"Today, there are a large number of problems in the world that we could solve through joint efforts," Shoigu said in comments carried by the RIA Novosti agency.&nbsp;

He mentioned "strategic questions linked to nuclear deterrence as well as to the solution of major, long-running conflicts."

The minister said the first summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer had shown ties between the two countries were gradually being reestablished.

Bolton for his part said he had been sent to Moscow with the task of "deepening and strengthening" dialogue with Russia, in comments translated into Russian.

Bolton is expected to meet with Putin later Tuesday.&nbsp;

Trump sparked concern globally at the weekend by saying he wanted to jettison the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by former US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader.

Signed in 1987, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals.

In Moscow on Monday, Bolton said the pact seemed to have run its course, accusing Russia of violating the treaty.&nbsp;

Russia rejects the claims and accuses Washington of violations.

US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two states are also at odds over Russian support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty. "Today, there are a large number of problems in the world that we could solve through joint efforts," Shoigu said in comments carried by the RIA Novosti agency. He mentioned "strategic questions linked to nuclear deterrence as well as to the solution of major, long-running conflicts." The minister said the first summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer had shown ties between the two countries were gradually being reestablished. Bolton for his part said he had been sent to Moscow with the task of "deepening and strengthening" dialogue with Russia, in comments translated into Russian. Bolton is expected to meet with Putin later Tuesday. Trump sparked concern globally at the weekend by saying he wanted to jettison the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by former US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. Signed in 1987, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. In Moscow on Monday, Bolton said the pact seemed to have run its course, accusing Russia of violating the treaty. Russia rejects the claims and accuses Washington of violations. US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two states are also at odds over Russian support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine.

John Bolton, in Russia for nuclear talks, meets defence minister Shoigu

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-erdogan-trump-speak-over-the-phone-turkey-puts-khashoggi-fiancee-under-police-protection-172696">President Erdogan, Trump speak over the phone; Turkey puts Khashoggi's fiancee under police protection</a>

Turkey President Erdogan and US President spoke on the phone on Sunday over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.The Turkish president's office said both leaders agreed that Khashoggi's killing needed to be clarified "in all aspects".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/petrol-and-diesel-prices-go-down-for-the-fifth-consecutive-day-172692">Petrol and diesel prices go down for the fifth consecutive day</a>

Petrol and diesel prices have been slashed across India and as of today petrol is priced at Rs 81.44 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.30) and diesel is priced at Rs 74.92 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.27), respectively in Delhi.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/australia-and-new-zealand/australian-pm-scott-morrison-gives-national-apology-to-victims-of-institutional-child-abuse-172691">Australian PM Scott Morrison apologies to victims of institutional child abuse</a>

"This was done by Australians to Australians, enemies in our midst, enemies in our midst," Morrison told a parliamentary chamber in a televised speech, his voice trembling with emotion.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayurveda-is-the-soft-power-of-india-says-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-172698">Ayurveda is the 'soft power' of India, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat</a>

"There is a need to make the study of Ayurveda and its application more relevant as per the research methodology prevalent in the present system," Bhagwat said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/did-you-win-the-title-kimi-raikkonen-max-verstappen-tease-lewis-hamilton-after-us-grand-prix-result-172695">'Did you win the title,' Raikkonen, Verstappen tease Hamilton</a>

Dutch driver Max Verstappen finished a surprise second after starting 18th in a thrilling finale with the top three cars separated by just 2.1 seconds at the chequered flag.

President Erdogan, Trump speak over the phone; Turkey puts Khashoggi's fiancee under police protection Turkey President Erdogan and US President spoke on the phone on Sunday over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

President Erdogan, Trump speak over the phone; Turkey puts Khashoggi's fiancee under police protection Turkey President Erdogan and US President spoke on the phone on Sunday over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.The Turkish president's office said both leaders agreed that Khashoggi's killing needed to be clarified "in all aspects". Petrol and diesel prices go down for the fifth consecutive day Petrol and diesel prices have been slashed across India and as of today petrol is priced at Rs 81.44 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.30) and diesel is priced at Rs 74.92 per litre (decrease by Rs 0.27), respectively in Delhi. Australian PM Scott Morrison apologies to victims of institutional child abuse "This was done by Australians to Australians, enemies in our midst, enemies in our midst," Morrison told a parliamentary chamber in a televised speech, his voice trembling with emotion. Ayurveda is the 'soft power' of India, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat "There is a need to make the study of Ayurveda and its application more relevant as per the research methodology prevalent in the present system," Bhagwat said. 'Did you win the title,' Raikkonen, Verstappen tease Hamilton Dutch driver Max Verstappen finished a surprise second after starting 18th in a thrilling finale with the top three cars separated by just 2.1 seconds at the chequered flag.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to US President Donald Trump on Sunday to stress the importance of a Cold War-era nuclear treaty Trump said Washington would withdraw from, Macron's office said in a statement on Monday.

"The President of the Republic underlined the importance of this treaty, especially with regards to European security and our strategic stability," the statement said.

Over the weekend, Trump said Washington would withdraw from the landmark treaty that eliminated nuclear missiles from Europe because Russia was violating the pact, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow.

Macron and Trump also discussed the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the situation in Syria, the statement said.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to US President Donald Trump on Sunday to stress the importance of a Cold War-era nuclear treaty Trump said Washington would withdraw from, Macron's office said in a statement on Monday.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to US President Donald Trump on Sunday to stress the importance of a Cold War-era nuclear treaty Trump said Washington would withdraw from, Macron's office said in a statement on Monday. "The President of the Republic underlined the importance of this treaty, especially with regards to European security and our strategic stability," the statement said. Over the weekend, Trump said Washington would withdraw from the landmark treaty that eliminated nuclear missiles from Europe because Russia was violating the pact, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow. Macron and Trump also discussed the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the situation in Syria, the statement said.

Nuclear pact is key to Europe's security: Macron to Trump

US President Donald Trump has alleged that his predecessor Barack Obama had done nothing despite being advised by the FBI on likely Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential elections.&nbsp;

He was responding to a question on the Russian meddling in the US elections after a rally in Nevada Saturday, ahead of next month's midterm polls.&nbsp;

Russia, however, has denied the allegations.

"I've already said that. I always say this and you've heard me say this many times... President Obama was contacted by the FBI in September, long before the election in November, and they told him there may be meddling by the Russians, and he did nothing about it because he thought Hillary Clinton would win," Trump told reporters.

He said the present government has taken adequate steps to "protect" the upcoming elections.

"He (Obama) did nothing. He didn't lift a finger. He didn't spend a dime. We've done a lot to protect the elections coming up very shortly.But President Obama, people don't want to bring it up. The 'fake news' don't want to bring it up. President Obama was told in September by the FBI that there could be problems with Russian meddling," Trump said.

He also said the Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential elections did not have to do anything with his campaign then.&nbsp;

It had nothing to do with my campaign. All of the hackers, and everybody that you see, nothing to do with my campaign. If they are hackers, a lot of them probably liked Hillary Clinton better than me. Now they do. Now they do, he said.&nbsp;

"The good thing is, every single report, Sen. Richard Burr, head of the Senate intelligence, they said, Did you see any collusion? No collusion. I've seen no collusion whatsoever.' Very strong. Couldn't be stronger.&nbsp;But the good news is it never affected, whatever did take place, never affected the vote,'' Trump said.

He said, "Everybody agrees to that. Never affected the vote. The candidate affected the vote. The bad candidate. She should have gone to Wisconsin. She should have gone more to North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Michigan, Florida."&nbsp;

Clinton should have gone out a little bit more and worked a little bit harder. "That affected the vote", Trump said.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has alleged that his predecessor Barack Obama had done nothing despite being advised by the FBI on likely Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential elections.

US President Donald Trump has alleged that his predecessor Barack Obama had done nothing despite being advised by the FBI on likely Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential elections. He was responding to a question on the Russian meddling in the US elections after a rally in Nevada Saturday, ahead of next month's midterm polls. Russia, however, has denied the allegations. "I've already said that. I always say this and you've heard me say this many times... President Obama was contacted by the FBI in September, long before the election in November, and they told him there may be meddling by the Russians, and he did nothing about it because he thought Hillary Clinton would win," Trump told reporters. He said the present government has taken adequate steps to "protect" the upcoming elections. "He (Obama) did nothing. He didn't lift a finger. He didn't spend a dime. We've done a lot to protect the elections coming up very shortly.But President Obama, people don't want to bring it up. The 'fake news' don't want to bring it up. President Obama was told in September by the FBI that there could be problems with Russian meddling," Trump said. He also said the Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential elections did not have to do anything with his campaign then. It had nothing to do with my campaign. All of the hackers, and everybody that you see, nothing to do with my campaign. If they are hackers, a lot of them probably liked Hillary Clinton better than me. Now they do. Now they do, he said. "The good thing is, every single report, Sen. Richard Burr, head of the Senate intelligence, they said, Did you see any collusion? No collusion. I've seen no collusion whatsoever.' Very strong. Couldn't be stronger. But the good news is it never affected, whatever did take place, never affected the vote,'' Trump said. He said, "Everybody agrees to that. Never affected the vote. The candidate affected the vote. The bad candidate. She should have gone to Wisconsin. She should have gone more to North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Michigan, Florida." Clinton should have gone out a little bit more and worked a little bit harder. "That affected the vote", Trump said.

Obama did nothing despite FBI's advice on Russian meddling in 2016 polls: Trump 

US President Donald Trump has accused Saudi Arabia of lying about <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-do-not-know-where-jamal-khashoggis-body-is-saudi-arabia-172683">the killing of Jamal Khashoggi</a>, his strongest comments to date on the affair as pressure builds on the administration to strike a tougher line.

In an interview with the Washington Post published late Saturday, Trump stepped back from his stance that Saudi Arabia's latest explanation for the death of the journalist inside their Istanbul consulate was credible, but said he remained confident in the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"Obviously there's been deception and there's been lies," he said of the shifting accounts offered by Riyadh.

Saudi officials originally said Khashoggi, who entered the diplomatic mission on October 2, had left unharmed, before announcing Friday he was killed inside the building in what they described as an altercation.&nbsp;

"Their stories are all over the place," added Trump.

Saudi Arabia faced a growing chorus of incredulity Sunday, with world powers demanding answers. British and French officials denounced the latest Saudi explanation as insufficient. Canada's foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, said the Saudi version lacked "consistency and credibility."

Growing pressure 
Closer to home, pressure continued to grow on Trump to take a stronger stance against Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter and a key regional power.

Several senior members of Trump's Republican Party said they believed Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, was linked to the killing, and one called for a "collective" Western response if a link is proved.

But Trump stopped far short of calling for the prince to be replaced, emphasizing as he has before how important the US-Saudi relationship is to Washington's regional strategic goals.

He described the 33-year-old prince, widely known as MBS, as a "strong person; he has very good control."

"He's seen as a person who can keep things under check," added Trump. "I mean that in a positive way."

Trump added that he has yet to be shown any evidence by intelligence officials that would make him believe MBS had any direct role.

"Nobody has told me he's responsible. Nobody has told me he's not responsible. We haven't reached that point. I haven’t heard either way," the president said.

"There is a possibility he found out about it afterward. It could be something in the building went badly awry. It could be that's when he found out about it. He could have known they were bringing him back to Saudi Arabia."

Republicans hit MBS 
Amid Trump's apparent equivocations, several key Republicans demanded a tougher stance.

Speaking on ABC on Sunday, Republican Congressman Peter King said: "There's no way that one person, an overweight civilian, has to be killed. They could have brought him down with no trouble at all," adding he believed there was "an intent to kill."&nbsp;

Asked if he thought Prince Mohammed was behind the killing, a fellow Republican, Senator Bob Corker, told CNN: "Yes, I think he did it. Let's finish this investigation."

Corker, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, added that if the prince is implicated, "There should be a collective response."

"I think you're going to see the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany working collectively with others if he did this to respond in an appropriate way."

Perhaps the strongest words came from Lindsay Graham, a strong Trump ally in the Senate who called for Prince Mohammed to "be removed."&nbsp;

"I would like to punish those involved. It's impossible to believe the crown prince wasn't involved. I don't mind military sales but I object to business with the current leadership," he said.

"This behaviour is outside the norm to the point that the people involved need to be removed in my view. Saudi Arabia is a country and MBS is a person. I'm willing to separate the two."

Democrats have repeatedly lashed out at Trump's response as weak and indecisive, and they said his latest reaction fell short as well.

Barring an unlikely "confession" from &nbsp;Prince Mohammed, Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said Sunday, "the president is going to accept the crown prince's denials like he's accepted Putin's denials and Kim Jong-Un's denials."&nbsp;

"We need to do a deep-dive probe in terms of Saudi Arabia," he said on ABC. "We have to see if financial motives are influencing the president."

US President Donald Trump has accused Saudi Arabia of lying about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, his strongest comments to date on the affair as pressure builds on the administration to strike a tougher line.

US President Donald Trump has accused Saudi Arabia of lying about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, his strongest comments to date on the affair as pressure builds on the administration to strike a tougher line. In an interview with the Washington Post published late Saturday, Trump stepped back from his stance that Saudi Arabia's latest explanation for the death of the journalist inside their Istanbul consulate was credible, but said he remained confident in the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Obviously there's been deception and there's been lies," he said of the shifting accounts offered by Riyadh. Saudi officials originally said Khashoggi, who entered the diplomatic mission on October 2, had left unharmed, before announcing Friday he was killed inside the building in what they described as an altercation. "Their stories are all over the place," added Trump. Saudi Arabia faced a growing chorus of incredulity Sunday, with world powers demanding answers. British and French officials denounced the latest Saudi explanation as insufficient. Canada's foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, said the Saudi version lacked "consistency and credibility." Growing pressure Closer to home, pressure continued to grow on Trump to take a stronger stance against Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter and a key regional power. Several senior members of Trump's Republican Party said they believed Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, was linked to the killing, and one called for a "collective" Western response if a link is proved. But Trump stopped far short of calling for the prince to be replaced, emphasizing as he has before how important the US-Saudi relationship is to Washington's regional strategic goals. He described the 33-year-old prince, widely known as MBS, as a "strong person; he has very good control." "He's seen as a person who can keep things under check," added Trump. "I mean that in a positive way." Trump added that he has yet to be shown any evidence by intelligence officials that would make him believe MBS had any direct role. "Nobody has told me he's responsible. Nobody has told me he's not responsible. We haven't reached that point. I haven’t heard either way," the president said. "There is a possibility he found out about it afterward. It could be something in the building went badly awry. It could be that's when he found out about it. He could have known they were bringing him back to Saudi Arabia." Republicans hit MBS Amid Trump's apparent equivocations, several key Republicans demanded a tougher stance. Speaking on ABC on Sunday, Republican Congressman Peter King said: "There's no way that one person, an overweight civilian, has to be killed. They could have brought him down with no trouble at all," adding he believed there was "an intent to kill." Asked if he thought Prince Mohammed was behind the killing, a fellow Republican, Senator Bob Corker, told CNN: "Yes, I think he did it. Let's finish this investigation." Corker, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, added that if the prince is implicated, "There should be a collective response." "I think you're going to see the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany working collectively with others if he did this to respond in an appropriate way." Perhaps the strongest words came from Lindsay Graham, a strong Trump ally in the Senate who called for Prince Mohammed to "be removed." "I would like to punish those involved. It's impossible to believe the crown prince wasn't involved. I don't mind military sales but I object to business with the current leadership," he said. "This behaviour is outside the norm to the point that the people involved need to be removed in my view. Saudi Arabia is a country and MBS is a person. I'm willing to separate the two." Democrats have repeatedly lashed out at Trump's response as weak and indecisive, and they said his latest reaction fell short as well. Barring an unlikely "confession" from Prince Mohammed, Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said Sunday, "the president is going to accept the crown prince's denials like he's accepted Putin's denials and Kim Jong-Un's denials." "We need to do a deep-dive probe in terms of Saudi Arabia," he said on ABC. "We have to see if financial motives are influencing the president."

Trump accuses Saudi Arabia of 'lies' over Khashoggi killing

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed that the US will be pulling out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), a nuclear deal signed between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War.

"We're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out. We'll have to develop those weapons," The Hill quoted Trump, as saying.

Trump further claimed that Russia has been violating the treaty and has not adhered to the agreement.

INF was signed in 1986 between former US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and allows the US to counter Chinese efforts to accumulate arms in the Pacific. It, however, prevents Washington from deploying new weapons in response.

A nuclear strategy document from the Trump administration, which was accessed by The Hill, noted that Russia's decision to violate the INF Treaty and other commitments was a clear indication of the fact that Russia has "rebuffed repeated US efforts to reduce the salience, role, and the number of nuclear weapons."

The US' withdrawal from the treaty comes a week ahead of National Security Adviser John Bolton's trip to Moscow to meet with top Russian officials.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed that the US will be pulling out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), a nuclear deal signed between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War.

United States President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed that the US will be pulling out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), a nuclear deal signed between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War. "We're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out. We'll have to develop those weapons," The Hill quoted Trump, as saying. Trump further claimed that Russia has been violating the treaty and has not adhered to the agreement. INF was signed in 1986 between former US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and allows the US to counter Chinese efforts to accumulate arms in the Pacific. It, however, prevents Washington from deploying new weapons in response. A nuclear strategy document from the Trump administration, which was accessed by The Hill, noted that Russia's decision to violate the INF Treaty and other commitments was a clear indication of the fact that Russia has "rebuffed repeated US efforts to reduce the salience, role, and the number of nuclear weapons." The US' withdrawal from the treaty comes a week ahead of National Security Adviser John Bolton's trip to Moscow to meet with top Russian officials.

Donald Trump confirms US will pull out of nuclear deal with Russia

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-explanation-of-khashoggi-death-not-credible-uk-172634">Saudi explanation of Khashoggi death not credible, want </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-explanation-of-khashoggi-death-not-credible-uk-172634">whole</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-explanation-of-khashoggi-death-not-credible-uk-172634"> truth: France, UK</a>

Britain on Sunday said Saudi Arabia's account of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside its Istanbul consulate was not credible and the culprits must be "held to account".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/1st-odi-shimron-hetmyer-ton-powers-windies-to-massive-322-172638">1st ODI: Shimron Hetmyer ton powers Windies to massive 322 against India</a>

Shimron Hetmyer slammed a century to bring the West Indies back into contention and post a target of 323 runs for India in the 1st ODI at &nbsp;Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-supreme-court-upholds-abdulla-yameens-election-defeat-172618">Maldives Supreme Court upholds Abdulla Yameen's election defeat&nbsp;</a>

The Maldives Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the outgoing President Abdulla Yameen's defeat in the September's polls as it rejected a petition filed last week by his party.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-pulls-out-of-nuclear-treaty-russia-says-it-will-retaliate-172639">After Trump pulls out of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-pulls-out-of-nuclear-treaty-russia-says-it-will-retaliate-172639">nuclear</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-pulls-out-of-nuclear-treaty-russia-says-it-will-retaliate-172639"> treaty, Russia says it will retaliate</a>

President Donald Trump said Washington will exit the Cold-War era treaty that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons due to Russian violations, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/deepika-ranveer-confirms-november-wedding-read-to-know-the-dates-172629">No more a rumour! Deepika-Ranveer confirm their November wedding</a>

It is finally happening! Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh finally announced the date of their wedding ending all speculations that have been going around for a while now.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Saudi explanation of Khashoggi death not credible, want whole truth: France, UK Britain on Sunday said Saudi Arabia's account of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside its Istanbul consulate was not credible and the culprits must be "held to account".

Saudi explanation of Khashoggi death not credible, want whole truth: France, UK Britain on Sunday said Saudi Arabia's account of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside its Istanbul consulate was not credible and the culprits must be "held to account". 1st ODI: Shimron Hetmyer ton powers Windies to massive 322 against India Shimron Hetmyer slammed a century to bring the West Indies back into contention and post a target of 323 runs for India in the 1st ODI at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday. Maldives Supreme Court upholds Abdulla Yameen's election defeat The Maldives Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the outgoing President Abdulla Yameen's defeat in the September's polls as it rejected a petition filed last week by his party. After Trump pulls out of nuclear treaty, Russia says it will retaliate President Donald Trump said Washington will exit the Cold-War era treaty that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons due to Russian violations, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow. No more a rumour! Deepika-Ranveer confirm their November wedding It is finally happening! Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh finally announced the date of their wedding ending all speculations that have been going around for a while now.

President Donald Trump said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-confirms-us-will-pull-out-of-nuclear-deal-with-russia-172549">Washington will exit the Cold-War era treaty</a> that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons due to Russian violations, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, negotiated by then-President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, required elimination of short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles by both countries.

"Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement so we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," Trump told reporters on Saturday after a rally in Nevada.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday that a unilateral U.S. withdrawal would be "very dangerous" and lead to a "military-technical" retaliation.

U.S. authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.

Trump said the United States will develop the weapons unless Russia and China agree to a halt on development.

China is not a party to the treaty and has invested heavily in conventional missiles, while the INF has banned U.S possession of ground- launched ballistic missiles or cruise missiles of ranges between 500 and 5,500 km (311 and 3,418 miles).

Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, will visit Moscow next week.

Ryabkov, in comments reported by state-controlled RIA news agency, said if the United States withdrew, Russia would have no choice but to retaliate, including taking unspecified measures of a "military-technical nature".

"But we would rather things did not get that far," RIA quoted him as saying.

TASS news agency quoted him as saying withdrawal "would be a very dangerous step", and it was Washington and not Moscow that was failing to comply with the treaty.

He said the Trump administration was using the treaty in an attempt to blackmail the Kremlin, putting global security at risk. "...We will, of course, accept no ultimatums or blackmail methods," Interfax quoted him as saying.

British defence minister Gavin Williamson, in comments reported by the Financial Times, said London stood "resolute" behind Washington over the issue, and that the Kremlin was making a mockery of the agreement.

President Donald Trump said Washington will exit the Cold-War era treaty that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons due to Russian violations, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow.

President Donald Trump said Washington will exit the Cold-War era treaty that eliminated a class of nuclear weapons due to Russian violations, triggering a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, negotiated by then-President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, required elimination of short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles by both countries. "Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement so we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," Trump told reporters on Saturday after a rally in Nevada. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday that a unilateral U.S. withdrawal would be "very dangerous" and lead to a "military-technical" retaliation. U.S. authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation. Trump said the United States will develop the weapons unless Russia and China agree to a halt on development. China is not a party to the treaty and has invested heavily in conventional missiles, while the INF has banned U.S possession of ground- launched ballistic missiles or cruise missiles of ranges between 500 and 5,500 km (311 and 3,418 miles). Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, will visit Moscow next week. Ryabkov, in comments reported by state-controlled RIA news agency, said if the United States withdrew, Russia would have no choice but to retaliate, including taking unspecified measures of a "military-technical nature". "But we would rather things did not get that far," RIA quoted him as saying. TASS news agency quoted him as saying withdrawal "would be a very dangerous step", and it was Washington and not Moscow that was failing to comply with the treaty. He said the Trump administration was using the treaty in an attempt to blackmail the Kremlin, putting global security at risk. "...We will, of course, accept no ultimatums or blackmail methods," Interfax quoted him as saying. British defence minister Gavin Williamson, in comments reported by the Financial Times, said London stood "resolute" behind Washington over the issue, and that the Kremlin was making a mockery of the agreement.

After Trump pulls out of nuclear treaty, Russia says it will retaliate

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would prefer to pick a woman to take over the job of Washington's United Nations ambassador.

Trump, speaking to reporters in Elko, Nevada, said he was currently interviewing three women and two men for the position. "I'm going to pick the best person," he said.

Nikki Haley, who currently holds the job, said earlier this month that she would be stepping down at the end of the year.

"We are going to pick someone very quickly," Trump said.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would prefer to pick a woman to take over the job of Washington's United Nations ambassador. Trump, speaking to reporters in Elko, Nevada, said he was currently interviewing three women and two men for the position.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would prefer to pick a woman to take over the job of Washington's United Nations ambassador. Trump, speaking to reporters in Elko, Nevada, said he was currently interviewing three women and two men for the position. "I'm going to pick the best person," he said. Nikki Haley, who currently holds the job, said earlier this month that she would be stepping down at the end of the year. "We are going to pick someone very quickly," Trump said.

Trump would prefer to pick a woman for UN envoy

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that Saudi Arabia's explanation for how journalist Jamal Khashoggi died at its consulate in Istanbul was credible.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said Saudi Arabia's announcement on the circumstances of Khashoggi's death was a "good first step." He also said he prefers that any sanctions against Riyadh not include cancelling big defence orders.

Meanwhile, the White House said on Friday it would press for justice after Saudi Arabia announced that journalist Jamal Khashoggi had died in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul and that 18 Saudis had been arrested in connection with his death.

"We will continue to closely follow the international investigations into this tragic incident and advocate for justice that is timely, transparent, and in accordance with all due process," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"We are saddened to hear confirmation of Mr. Khashoggi’s death, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family, fiancée, and friends," she added.

But members of Congress voiced scepticism about the Saudi public prosecutor's explanation that a fight broke out between Khashoggi and people who met him when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and that the altercation led to his death.

"To say that I am sceptical of the new Saudi narrative about Mr. Khashoggi is an understatement," Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, said on Twitter. Graham, who has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi's disappearance, is a close ally of President Donald Trump.

"First we were told Mr. Khashoggi supposedly left the consulate and there was blanket denial of any Saudi involvement.&nbsp;Now, a fight breaks out and he’s killed in the consulate, all without knowledge of Crown Prince," Graham said.

"It’s hard to find this latest 'explanation' as credible," he added.

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that Saudi Arabia's explanation for how journalist Jamal Khashoggi died at its consulate in Istanbul was credible.

United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that Saudi Arabia's explanation for how journalist Jamal Khashoggi died at its consulate in Istanbul was credible. Speaking to reporters, Trump said Saudi Arabia's announcement on the circumstances of Khashoggi's death was a "good first step." He also said he prefers that any sanctions against Riyadh not include cancelling big defence orders. Meanwhile, the White House said on Friday it would press for justice after Saudi Arabia announced that journalist Jamal Khashoggi had died in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul and that 18 Saudis had been arrested in connection with his death. "We will continue to closely follow the international investigations into this tragic incident and advocate for justice that is timely, transparent, and in accordance with all due process," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "We are saddened to hear confirmation of Mr. Khashoggi’s death, and we offer our deepest condolences to his family, fiancée, and friends," she added. But members of Congress voiced scepticism about the Saudi public prosecutor's explanation that a fight broke out between Khashoggi and people who met him when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and that the altercation led to his death. "To say that I am sceptical of the new Saudi narrative about Mr. Khashoggi is an understatement," Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, said on Twitter. Graham, who has been sharply critical of Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi's disappearance, is a close ally of President Donald Trump. "First we were told Mr. Khashoggi supposedly left the consulate and there was blanket denial of any Saudi involvement. Now, a fight breaks out and he’s killed in the consulate, all without knowledge of Crown Prince," Graham said. "It’s hard to find this latest 'explanation' as credible," he added.

US President Donald Trump says Saudi Arabia's explanation on Jamal Khashoggi's death credible

Six days after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared, US President Donald Trump tried to play down the crisis, saying "hopefully that will sort itself out".

It did not, and on October 10, amid a growing outcry, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and national security adviser John Bolton pressed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, in what one US official described as a "stern" phone call, to identify who was responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance or death.

Trump then seemed to give Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt, suggesting "rogue killers" may have been to blame and criticizing a growing view that this was a case of state murder.

He changed his tone once again late this week, raising the prospect of sanctions against Riyadh.

But when Saudi Arabia finally admitted on Saturday that Khashoggi was dead, saying he was killed in a fight inside the consulate, Trump said the official explanation was "credible" even as Republican and Democratic lawmakers responded with anger and disbelief.

Over the last two weeks, Trump has at times spoken of punishing Saudi Arabia but appeared reluctant to follow through against a close economic and security ally in the Middle East, a key player in ensuring the stability of global oil markets, and a major customer of arms deals that he says are "tremendous".

"Trump's dug himself into a hole," said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to both Democratic and Republican administrations. "He will have to take some kind of action."

Behind the scenes, though, Trump's aides scrambled to craft a response, especially as the bipartisan outcry in the Washington establishment grew.

When news of Khashoggi's disappearance first broke, aides made clear to White House chief of staff John Kelly that the case was not going away, two senior White House officials said.

Kushner, who had cultivated a close personal relationship with the crown prince, commonly known as MbS, urged Trump to act with caution to avoid upsetting a critical strategic and economic relationship, a senior administration official said.

Kushner was heavily involved in making Saudi Arabia Trump's first stop on his maiden international trip as president last year.

As grim allegations emerged from Turkey about Khashoggi’s death and the Saudis stuck to their denials, Trump felt pressure from congressional Democrats and some of his own Republicans.

US&nbsp;Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican close to Trump, accused MbS of ordering Khashoggi's murder and called him a "wrecking ball" jeopardizing relations with the United States.

When Riyadh came out with its official version of what happened inside the consulate, Graham quickly tweeted he was "skeptical of the new Saudi narrative".

'Not a US citizen'

Trump sought to justify his muted response by pointing out the incident occurred in Turkey and that Khashoggi, a US&nbsp;resident and columnist for the Washington Post, was "not a United States citizen".

Critics accused Trump of trying to give the Saudis diplomatic cover and buy time for them to get their story straight, something Trump's aides denied.

At the same time, Peter Navarro, Trump’s White House trade chief and architect of his “Buy American” policy to ease restrictions on foreign arms sales, was stressing the importance of Saudi weapons deals and the implications for US&nbsp;jobs, another administration official told Reuters.

Trump repeatedly touted the $110 billion in weapons deals he announced during his visit to Saudi Arabia last year, and insisted around 500,000 US&nbsp;jobs were at stake. Experts have dismissed the sales and jobs numbers as highly exaggerated.

Some Trump aides raised doubts about the veracity of the Turkish government’s leaks of what it says happened to Khashoggi.

But as the days dragged on and evidence of Khashoggi’s death mounted, Trump's view began to shift, White House officials said.

He ordered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to drop what he was doing and fly to Riyadh for talks at mid-week, and was then briefed by him at the White House on Thursday.

Critics slammed Pompeo for appearing to hold court in a festive manner with MbS, undercutting the severity of the US&nbsp;message.

But one senior White House official countered, saying Pompeo told the Saudi royals that “you need to give us some legitimate information soon, people aren’t just going to let it drag on.'”

Speaking to reporters during a trip to Arizona on Friday, Trump said he was ready to “listen to what Congress has to say” about actions to be taken in the Khashoggi case, yet also made clear he wanted to continue to protect defense contracts, and U.S. jobs dependent on them.

Congress has already triggered a mechanism for the U.S. Treasury Department to consider human rights sanctions against Saudi Arabia and some lawmakers have vowed to block further arms sales to Riyadh, a move that Trump is likely to oppose.

Six days after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared, US President Donald Trump tried to play down the crisis, saying "hopefully that will sort itself out".

Six days after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared, US President Donald Trump tried to play down the crisis, saying "hopefully that will sort itself out". It did not, and on October 10, amid a growing outcry, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and national security adviser John Bolton pressed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, in what one US official described as a "stern" phone call, to identify who was responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance or death. Trump then seemed to give Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt, suggesting "rogue killers" may have been to blame and criticizing a growing view that this was a case of state murder. He changed his tone once again late this week, raising the prospect of sanctions against Riyadh. But when Saudi Arabia finally admitted on Saturday that Khashoggi was dead, saying he was killed in a fight inside the consulate, Trump said the official explanation was "credible" even as Republican and Democratic lawmakers responded with anger and disbelief. Over the last two weeks, Trump has at times spoken of punishing Saudi Arabia but appeared reluctant to follow through against a close economic and security ally in the Middle East, a key player in ensuring the stability of global oil markets, and a major customer of arms deals that he says are "tremendous". "Trump's dug himself into a hole," said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to both Democratic and Republican administrations. "He will have to take some kind of action." Behind the scenes, though, Trump's aides scrambled to craft a response, especially as the bipartisan outcry in the Washington establishment grew. When news of Khashoggi's disappearance first broke, aides made clear to White House chief of staff John Kelly that the case was not going away, two senior White House officials said. Kushner, who had cultivated a close personal relationship with the crown prince, commonly known as MbS, urged Trump to act with caution to avoid upsetting a critical strategic and economic relationship, a senior administration official said. Kushner was heavily involved in making Saudi Arabia Trump's first stop on his maiden international trip as president last year. As grim allegations emerged from Turkey about Khashoggi’s death and the Saudis stuck to their denials, Trump felt pressure from congressional Democrats and some of his own Republicans. US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican close to Trump, accused MbS of ordering Khashoggi's murder and called him a "wrecking ball" jeopardizing relations with the United States. When Riyadh came out with its official version of what happened inside the consulate, Graham quickly tweeted he was "skeptical of the new Saudi narrative". 'Not a US citizen' Trump sought to justify his muted response by pointing out the incident occurred in Turkey and that Khashoggi, a US resident and columnist for the Washington Post, was "not a United States citizen". Critics accused Trump of trying to give the Saudis diplomatic cover and buy time for them to get their story straight, something Trump's aides denied. At the same time, Peter Navarro, Trump’s White House trade chief and architect of his “Buy American” policy to ease restrictions on foreign arms sales, was stressing the importance of Saudi weapons deals and the implications for US jobs, another administration official told Reuters. Trump repeatedly touted the $110 billion in weapons deals he announced during his visit to Saudi Arabia last year, and insisted around 500,000 US jobs were at stake. Experts have dismissed the sales and jobs numbers as highly exaggerated. Some Trump aides raised doubts about the veracity of the Turkish government’s leaks of what it says happened to Khashoggi. But as the days dragged on and evidence of Khashoggi’s death mounted, Trump's view began to shift, White House officials said. He ordered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to drop what he was doing and fly to Riyadh for talks at mid-week, and was then briefed by him at the White House on Thursday. Critics slammed Pompeo for appearing to hold court in a festive manner with MbS, undercutting the severity of the US message. But one senior White House official countered, saying Pompeo told the Saudi royals that “you need to give us some legitimate information soon, people aren’t just going to let it drag on.'” Speaking to reporters during a trip to Arizona on Friday, Trump said he was ready to “listen to what Congress has to say” about actions to be taken in the Khashoggi case, yet also made clear he wanted to continue to protect defense contracts, and U.S. jobs dependent on them. Congress has already triggered a mechanism for the U.S. Treasury Department to consider human rights sanctions against Saudi Arabia and some lawmakers have vowed to block further arms sales to Riyadh, a move that Trump is likely to oppose.

Trump a reluctant critic of Saudi Arabia despite pressure to act

Moscow on Saturday condemned Washington for indicting a Russian woman for interfering in US 2018 elections, saying the accusations were fabricated in order to impose further sanctions on Russia.

"We understand that Washington is fabricating a pretext in order to impose its notorious sanctions once more against our country," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying in a statement.

He complained that after previous accusations involving the 2016 presidential elections won by Donald Trump, "in Washington they are now trying to play the same card ahead of the approaching election day in the US."

On November 6, Americans will vote in mid-term congressional elections.

The finance chief of Russia's leading troll farm, named as Yelena Khusyainova, was indicted by the US Justice Department on Friday, becoming the first person to face charges of interfering in next month's vote.

Ryabkov accused "certain US politicians" of waging "a shameful slanderous campaign" in order to gain political advantage and "at the same time put pressure on Russia."

Moscow warned Washington that by "demonstrating enmity," it will "just receive an even more forceful rebuff."

Moscow on Saturday condemned Washington for indicting a Russian woman for interfering in US 2018 elections, saying the accusations were fabricated in order to impose further sanctions on Russia.

Moscow on Saturday condemned Washington for indicting a Russian woman for interfering in US 2018 elections, saying the accusations were fabricated in order to impose further sanctions on Russia. "We understand that Washington is fabricating a pretext in order to impose its notorious sanctions once more against our country," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying in a statement. He complained that after previous accusations involving the 2016 presidential elections won by Donald Trump, "in Washington they are now trying to play the same card ahead of the approaching election day in the US." On November 6, Americans will vote in mid-term congressional elections. The finance chief of Russia's leading troll farm, named as Yelena Khusyainova, was indicted by the US Justice Department on Friday, becoming the first person to face charges of interfering in next month's vote. Ryabkov accused "certain US politicians" of waging "a shameful slanderous campaign" in order to gain political advantage and "at the same time put pressure on Russia." Moscow warned Washington that by "demonstrating enmity," it will "just receive an even more forceful rebuff."

Moscow slams US for 'fabricating' election indictment

By Marco Aponte-Moreno

President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis – which began in late 2014, when a drop in oil prices deprived the government of its primary income source – has worsened to previously unimaginable levels. People are now dying from shortages of food and medicine.

Noting that 2 million Venezuelan refugees have escaped “the anguish inflicted by the socialist Maduro regime,” Trump asked world leaders to join forces and “seek the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.”

Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Latin America in June, described the situation in Venezuela as “heart breaking.”

This sounds like strong support for my ailing native country. My academic research on political rhetoric, however, has taught me that politicians’ words often deceive.

Close analysis of Trump’s Venezuela policy shows that his administration is doing much less than it could to ease Venezuelans’ suffering. But that hasn’t stopped the president from using the country’s crisis for Republicans’ political gain ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Sanctions that don’t work

Venezuela was once Latin America’s richest nation. Now inflation may reach 1 million per cent and a recent poll found that 30 per cent of Venezuelans eat only once a day.

To pressure Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to “restore democratic order,” the US in September imposed sanctions on his wife, the country’s defence minister and the head of its Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful body created in 2017 to supersede the opposition-led legislature.

This is the fourth round of sanctions on Venezuelan leadership since Trump took office in 2017.

President Barack Obama also targeted Maduro’s regime, passing sanctions in 2015 and declaring Venezuela a threat to US national security.

Latin America’s crisis

Despite repeated sanctions, the authoritarian Maduro regime remains firmly in power.

As conditions in Venezuela worsen, a massive and growing number of people are fleeing to neighbouring nations. The UN High Commission on Refugees estimates that 5,000 people leave every day.

The Venezuelan exodus “is on the scale of Syria,” said Matthew Raynolds, of the United Nations refugee agency.

The influx of migrants is straining resources in Brazil and Colombia, where border cities have seen flare-ups of xenophobia and violent attacks on refugees.

The US says it will allocate an additional $48 million in humanitarian aid to fund US agencies that are providing disaster and food relief to Venezuelan migrants in Latin America.

Combined with the $46.8 million already earmarked as humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees this fiscal year, US foreign aid for the South American nation totals $94.8 million – up from $14 million in 2017.

But even with that big boost, foreign assistance for Venezuela is just a fraction of the $475 million given last year to Colombia and only slightly higher than the Latin American regional average of $62 million in annual aid.

Closed borders 
 
Despite Trump’s statements of sympathy for Venezuelan refugees, they are not exempt from his administration’s immigration crackdown.

Nearly 260 Venezuelans were deported from the US in the first half of 2018 alone, up from 248 deportations in all 2017 and 182 in 2016.

And though Vice President Pence’s recognized that “violence and tyranny” rule the country, Venezuelans are routinely denied political asylum. Over the past five years, immigration judges have denied nearly 50 per cent of all Venezuelan asylum applications.

Venezuelans now represent the biggest group of asylum-seekers in the US, surpassing Central Americans in 2016. Last year Venezuelan refugees filed 27,629 asylum claims, more than 10 times the 2,181 petitions made in 2014.

Immigration attorneys in Miami say the U.S. Consulate there has also been revoking tourist visas from Venezuelans, and the federal government has drastically reduced the number of non-immigrant visas issued to Venezuelans, from 239,772 in 2015 to 47,942 last year.

In Florida, home to the United States’ largest Venezuelan community, politicians from both parties – including Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio – say they would support giving Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans. That policy would allow migrants to remain legally in the U.S. until Venezuela stabilizes.

Previous administrations have granted TPS to Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Sudanese during similar times of crisis.

But the Trump administration, which is in a court fight over its termination of TPS for most immigrant groups, says Venezuelans do not qualify for protected status.

The military option

Trump seems more interested in military action in Venezuela.

Administration officials met secretly with dissidents from Venezuela’s armed forces over the last year to discuss plans to overthrow Maduro, according to a New York Times story.

Ultimately, the US declined to participate in a coup. But Maduro’s regime “could be toppled very quickly by the military,” Trump has said, evidently referring to the Venezuelan armed forces.

Navy Vice Adm. Craig Faller, nominated to lead the US military’s Southern Command, recently told a Senate panel that he was unaware of any plan for military action in Venezuela.

“We are not doing anything other than normal prudent planning … to prepare for a range of contingencies,” he said.

The lack of serious American efforts to address Venezuela’s migration crisis has left Latin American governments alone in dealing with this historic migration crisis.

Eleven nations in the region, including refugee-saturated Brazil and Colombia, recently agreed to accept more Venezuelans, including those whose documents have expired. Many Venezuelans cannot obtain a passport or renew their national identity cards because of the Maduro regime’s slow, dysfunctional and corrupt bureaucracy.

‘They want to turn American into Venezuela!’

The White House’s failure to act on Venezuela has not stopped Trump from using its crisis for electoral gain in November’s midterm elections.

“The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela,” Trump wrote in an October 10 USA Today op-ed.

And at an event to in Tennessee earlier this month, Trump insisted that Democrats “want to shut down American energy and replace freedom with socialism.”

They “want to turn America into Venezuela!” he yelled.

Bellicose rhetoric against Maduro’s regime coupled with expressions of compassion for its victims may play well with Trump’s base.

But it will not help those living through the worst humanitarian crisis the Americas have ever seen.

 
(Marco Aponte-Moreno is Assistant Professor of Global Business, St Mary's College of California)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/trump-sees-opportunity-in-venezuelas-humanitarian-crisis-as-midterms-approach-104047">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 Marco Aponte-Moreno President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

By Marco Aponte-Moreno President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, calling it a “human tragedy” at the United Nations General Assembly in September. Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis – which began in late 2014, when a drop in oil prices deprived the government of its primary income source – has worsened to previously unimaginable levels. People are now dying from shortages of food and medicine. Noting that 2 million Venezuelan refugees have escaped “the anguish inflicted by the socialist Maduro regime,” Trump asked world leaders to join forces and “seek the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.” Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Latin America in June, described the situation in Venezuela as “heart breaking.” This sounds like strong support for my ailing native country. My academic research on political rhetoric, however, has taught me that politicians’ words often deceive. Close analysis of Trump’s Venezuela policy shows that his administration is doing much less than it could to ease Venezuelans’ suffering. But that hasn’t stopped the president from using the country’s crisis for Republicans’ political gain ahead of November’s midterm elections. Sanctions that don’t work Venezuela was once Latin America’s richest nation. Now inflation may reach 1 million per cent and a recent poll found that 30 per cent of Venezuelans eat only once a day. To pressure Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to “restore democratic order,” the US in September imposed sanctions on his wife, the country’s defence minister and the head of its Constituent Assembly, an all-powerful body created in 2017 to supersede the opposition-led legislature. This is the fourth round of sanctions on Venezuelan leadership since Trump took office in 2017. President Barack Obama also targeted Maduro’s regime, passing sanctions in 2015 and declaring Venezuela a threat to US national security. Latin America’s crisis Despite repeated sanctions, the authoritarian Maduro regime remains firmly in power. As conditions in Venezuela worsen, a massive and growing number of people are fleeing to neighbouring nations. The UN High Commission on Refugees estimates that 5,000 people leave every day. The Venezuelan exodus “is on the scale of Syria,” said Matthew Raynolds, of the United Nations refugee agency. The influx of migrants is straining resources in Brazil and Colombia, where border cities have seen flare-ups of xenophobia and violent attacks on refugees. The US says it will allocate an additional $48 million in humanitarian aid to fund US agencies that are providing disaster and food relief to Venezuelan migrants in Latin America. Combined with the $46.8 million already earmarked as humanitarian aid for Venezuelan refugees this fiscal year, US foreign aid for the South American nation totals $94.8 million – up from $14 million in 2017. But even with that big boost, foreign assistance for Venezuela is just a fraction of the $475 million given last year to Colombia and only slightly higher than the Latin American regional average of $62 million in annual aid. Closed borders Despite Trump’s statements of sympathy for Venezuelan refugees, they are not exempt from his administration’s immigration crackdown. Nearly 260 Venezuelans were deported from the US in the first half of 2018 alone, up from 248 deportations in all 2017 and 182 in 2016. And though Vice President Pence’s recognized that “violence and tyranny” rule the country, Venezuelans are routinely denied political asylum. Over the past five years, immigration judges have denied nearly 50 per cent of all Venezuelan asylum applications. Venezuelans now represent the biggest group of asylum-seekers in the US, surpassing Central Americans in 2016. Last year Venezuelan refugees filed 27,629 asylum claims, more than 10 times the 2,181 petitions made in 2014. Immigration attorneys in Miami say the U.S. Consulate there has also been revoking tourist visas from Venezuelans, and the federal government has drastically reduced the number of non-immigrant visas issued to Venezuelans, from 239,772 in 2015 to 47,942 last year. In Florida, home to the United States’ largest Venezuelan community, politicians from both parties – including Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio – say they would support giving Temporary Protective Status to Venezuelans. That policy would allow migrants to remain legally in the U.S. until Venezuela stabilizes. Previous administrations have granted TPS to Nicaraguans, Hondurans and Sudanese during similar times of crisis. But the Trump administration, which is in a court fight over its termination of TPS for most immigrant groups, says Venezuelans do not qualify for protected status. The military option Trump seems more interested in military action in Venezuela. Administration officials met secretly with dissidents from Venezuela’s armed forces over the last year to discuss plans to overthrow Maduro, according to a New York Times story. Ultimately, the US declined to participate in a coup. But Maduro’s regime “could be toppled very quickly by the military,” Trump has said, evidently referring to the Venezuelan armed forces. Navy Vice Adm. Craig Faller, nominated to lead the US military’s Southern Command, recently told a Senate panel that he was unaware of any plan for military action in Venezuela. “We are not doing anything other than normal prudent planning … to prepare for a range of contingencies,” he said. The lack of serious American efforts to address Venezuela’s migration crisis has left Latin American governments alone in dealing with this historic migration crisis. Eleven nations in the region, including refugee-saturated Brazil and Colombia, recently agreed to accept more Venezuelans, including those whose documents have expired. Many Venezuelans cannot obtain a passport or renew their national identity cards because of the Maduro regime’s slow, dysfunctional and corrupt bureaucracy. ‘They want to turn American into Venezuela!’ The White House’s failure to act on Venezuela has not stopped Trump from using its crisis for electoral gain in November’s midterm elections. “The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela,” Trump wrote in an October 10 USA Today op-ed. And at an event to in Tennessee earlier this month, Trump insisted that Democrats “want to shut down American energy and replace freedom with socialism.” They “want to turn America into Venezuela!” he yelled. Bellicose rhetoric against Maduro’s regime coupled with expressions of compassion for its victims may play well with Trump’s base. But it will not help those living through the worst humanitarian crisis the Americas have ever seen. (Marco Aponte-Moreno is Assistant Professor of Global Business, St Mary's College of California) (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)

Trump sees opportunity in Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis as midterms approach

Turkish prosecutors investigating the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi questioned Turkish employees of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Friday, widening the hunt for evidence in a case straining some of Riyadh's oldest alliances.

Khashoggi went missing more than two weeks ago after entering the consulate to obtain documents in relation to a forthcoming marriage. Turkish officials believe he was killed in the building on Oct. 2, but Riyadh has denied the allegations.

In an expanding quest for clues, police searched a forest on the outskirts of Istanbul and a city near the Sea of Marmara for Khashoggi's remains, two senior Turkish officials told Reuters, after tracking the routes of cars that left the Saudi consulate and the consul's residence on the day he vanished.

Investigators have recovered samples from searches of both buildings which it will analyse for traces of Khashoggi's DNA.

State-run Anadolu news agency said 15 employees of the consulate were giving testimony at the Turkish prosecutor's office.

Consulate employees questioned as witnesses included accountants, technicians and a driver, Anadolu said. The investigation is being carried out by the prosecutor's terrorism and organised crime bureau, it added.

Turkey said on Friday it had not shared audio recordings purportedly documenting Khashoggi's murder inside the consulate, dismissing reports it had passed them to the United States.

Turkish pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak has published what it said were details from the audio, including that his torturers severed Khashoggi's fingers during an interrogation and later beheaded and dismembered him.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara had not shared information with any country, adding, "We will share the results that emerge transparently with the whole world."

The disappearance and presumed death of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist, has caused an international outcry and strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Western allies.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has painted himself as the face of a vibrant new kingdom, diversifying its economy away from oil and introducing some social changes. But other moves have faced criticism, including involvement in the Yemen war, the arrest of women activists, and a diplomatic row with Canada.

King intervenes

Khashoggi's disappearance has tarnished his reputation and deepened questions about his leadership, prompting the king to intervene, five sources with links to the Saudi royal family told Reuters.

US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and senior ministers from France, Britain and the Netherlands have abandoned plans to attend an Oct. 23-25 investor conference in Riyadh, putting the event in question.

On Friday, the CEOs of Deutsche Bank and ABB, plus Airbus' defence chief and energy historian Daniel Yergin joined a growing list of Western business executives who have pulled out.

But Pakistan's prime minister and a delegation led by Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev plan to participate, while Britain's BAE Systems is sending senior representatives.

A pro-government Turkish daily published preliminary evidence last week from investigators who it said had identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team that arrived in Istanbul on diplomatic passports hours before Khashoggi disappeared.

One name matches a LinkedIn profile for a forensic expert who has worked at the interior ministry for 20 years. Another matches a former diplomat at the Saudi Embassy in London. Others resemble officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force.

A New York Times report, citing witnesses and other records, linked four suspects to Prince Mohammed's security detail.

Turkish pro-government newspaper Sabah also published time-stamped photos it said showed a man, who appears to travel sometimes with the Saudi crown prince, outside the consulate on the morning Khashoggi disappeared.

'Very serious matter'

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has appeared unwilling to distance himself too much from the Saudis, citing Riyadh's role in countering Iranian influence in the region and tens of billions of dollars in potential arms deals.

He has said he believes Khashoggi is dead and the US response will likely be "very severe" but he wanted to get to the bottom of what happened. He previously speculated without providing evidence that "rogue killers" could be responsible.

Trump, who has forged closer ties with Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, says Washington has asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence, while Pompeo said Riyadh should be given a few more days to complete its own probe.

US intelligence agencies are increasingly convinced of Prince Mohammed's culpability in the operation against Khashoggi, which they believe resulted in his death, a U.S. government source said.

The foreign ministers of Britain and Germany said on Friday that the allegations regarding Khashoggi would be totally unacceptable if true.

Arab allies have rallied to support Riyadh, with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash denouncing what he called "attempts to undermine Saudi stability".

Turkish prosecutors investigating the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi questioned Turkish employees of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Friday, widening the hunt for evidence in a case straining some of Riyadh's oldest alliances.

Turkish prosecutors investigating the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi questioned Turkish employees of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Friday, widening the hunt for evidence in a case straining some of Riyadh's oldest alliances. Khashoggi went missing more than two weeks ago after entering the consulate to obtain documents in relation to a forthcoming marriage. Turkish officials believe he was killed in the building on Oct. 2, but Riyadh has denied the allegations. In an expanding quest for clues, police searched a forest on the outskirts of Istanbul and a city near the Sea of Marmara for Khashoggi's remains, two senior Turkish officials told Reuters, after tracking the routes of cars that left the Saudi consulate and the consul's residence on the day he vanished. Investigators have recovered samples from searches of both buildings which it will analyse for traces of Khashoggi's DNA. State-run Anadolu news agency said 15 employees of the consulate were giving testimony at the Turkish prosecutor's office. Consulate employees questioned as witnesses included accountants, technicians and a driver, Anadolu said. The investigation is being carried out by the prosecutor's terrorism and organised crime bureau, it added. Turkey said on Friday it had not shared audio recordings purportedly documenting Khashoggi's murder inside the consulate, dismissing reports it had passed them to the United States. Turkish pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak has published what it said were details from the audio, including that his torturers severed Khashoggi's fingers during an interrogation and later beheaded and dismembered him. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara had not shared information with any country, adding, "We will share the results that emerge transparently with the whole world." The disappearance and presumed death of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist, has caused an international outcry and strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Western allies. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has painted himself as the face of a vibrant new kingdom, diversifying its economy away from oil and introducing some social changes. But other moves have faced criticism, including involvement in the Yemen war, the arrest of women activists, and a diplomatic row with Canada. King intervenes Khashoggi's disappearance has tarnished his reputation and deepened questions about his leadership, prompting the king to intervene, five sources with links to the Saudi royal family told Reuters. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and senior ministers from France, Britain and the Netherlands have abandoned plans to attend an Oct. 23-25 investor conference in Riyadh, putting the event in question. On Friday, the CEOs of Deutsche Bank and ABB, plus Airbus' defence chief and energy historian Daniel Yergin joined a growing list of Western business executives who have pulled out. But Pakistan's prime minister and a delegation led by Russian Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev plan to participate, while Britain's BAE Systems is sending senior representatives. A pro-government Turkish daily published preliminary evidence last week from investigators who it said had identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team that arrived in Istanbul on diplomatic passports hours before Khashoggi disappeared. One name matches a LinkedIn profile for a forensic expert who has worked at the interior ministry for 20 years. Another matches a former diplomat at the Saudi Embassy in London. Others resemble officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force. A New York Times report, citing witnesses and other records, linked four suspects to Prince Mohammed's security detail. Turkish pro-government newspaper Sabah also published time-stamped photos it said showed a man, who appears to travel sometimes with the Saudi crown prince, outside the consulate on the morning Khashoggi disappeared. 'Very serious matter' US President Donald Trump has appeared unwilling to distance himself too much from the Saudis, citing Riyadh's role in countering Iranian influence in the region and tens of billions of dollars in potential arms deals. He has said he believes Khashoggi is dead and the US response will likely be "very severe" but he wanted to get to the bottom of what happened. He previously speculated without providing evidence that "rogue killers" could be responsible. Trump, who has forged closer ties with Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, says Washington has asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence, while Pompeo said Riyadh should be given a few more days to complete its own probe. US intelligence agencies are increasingly convinced of Prince Mohammed's culpability in the operation against Khashoggi, which they believe resulted in his death, a U.S. government source said. The foreign ministers of Britain and Germany said on Friday that the allegations regarding Khashoggi would be totally unacceptable if true. Arab allies have rallied to support Riyadh, with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash denouncing what he called "attempts to undermine Saudi stability".

Turkey questions employees of Saudi consulate on Khashoggi

Growing Western political and corporate reluctance to be associated with Saudi Arabia in the wake of the suspected killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi spotlights fundamentally different investment strategies and environments in the bulk of Asia and the oil-rich Gulf states, the continent’s most western flank.

The Khashoggi crisis highlighted the fact that much of investment in the Gulf, irrespective of whether it is domestic, Western or Chinese, comes from financial, technology and other service industries, the arms industry or Gulf governments. It is focused on services, infrastructure or enhancing the state’s capacities rather than on manufacturing, industrial development, and the nurturing of an independent private sector.

The crisis has put on display the risks Gulf governments run by adopting policies that significantly tarnish their international reputations. Technology, media, financial and other services industries, as well as various European ministers and the US Treasury Secretary, have cancelled, in the wake of Khashoggi’s disappearance and likely killing while visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, their participation in Davos in the Desert, a high-profile investors’ conference in Riyadh later this month.

By contrast, the military industry, with US President Donald J. Trump’s encouragement, has proven so far less worried about reputational damage.

Sponsored by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is suspected of being responsible for Khashoggi’s likely murder, the conference was intended to attract investment in his Vision 2030 plan to reform and diversify the Saudi economy.

In highlighting differences in investment strategies in the Middle East and the rest of Asia, the fallout of Khashoggi’s disappearance goes beyond the parameters of a single incident. It suggests that foreign investment must be embedded in broader social and economic policies as well as an environment that promises stability to ensure that it is productive, contributes to sustainable growth, and benefits broad segments of the population.

In contrast to the Gulf where, with the exception of state-run airlines and DP World, Dubai’s global port operator, the bulk of investment in portfolios managed by sovereign wealth funds, trophies or investment designed to enhance a country’s international prestige and soft power, major Asian nations like China and India have used investment to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, foster a substantial middle class, and create an industrial base.

To be sure, with small populations, Gulf states are more likely to ensure sustainability in services and oil and gas derivatives rather than in manufacturing and industry. Nonetheless, that too requires enabling policies and an education system that encourages critical thinking and the freedom to question, allow one’s mind to roam without fear of repercussion, and grants free, unfettered access to information – categories that are becoming increasingly rare in a part of the world in which freedoms are severely curtailed.

China’s $1 trillion, infrastructure-driven Belt and Road initiative may be the Asian exception that would come closest to some of the Gulf’s soft power investments. Yet, even so, the Belt and Road initiative, designed to alleviate domestic over capacity by state-owned companies that are not beholden to shareholders’ short-term demands and/or geopolitical gain, contributes to productive economic growth in the People’s Republic itself.

Asian nations, moreover, have been able to manage investors’ expectations in an environment of relative political stability. By contrast, Saudi Arabia damaged confidence in its ability to reform and diversify its oil-based economy when after repeated delays it suspended indefinitely plans to list five per cent of its national oil company, Saudi Arabian Oil Company or Aramco, in what would have been the world’s largest-ever initial public offering.

The Khashoggi crisis and the Aramco delay followed a series of political initiatives for which there was little equivalent in the rest of Asia. These included the Saudi-United Arab Emirates military campaign in Yemen causing the world’s worst post-World War Two humanitarian crisis; the 16-month-old diplomatic and economic embargo of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt; the detention and failed effort to force Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign; and the diplomatic Saudi spat with Canada in response to a tweet criticizing the kingdom’s human rights record. As a result, foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia last year plunged to a 14-year low.

All of this is not to say that the rest of Asia does not have its own questionable policies such as Chinese claims in the South China Sea or the Pakistani-Indian feud, and questionable business practices such as China’s alleged industrial espionage. However, with the exception of China’s massive repression of Turkic Muslims in its north-western province of Xinjiang, none of these is likely to fundamentally undermine investor confidence, derail existing social and economic policies that have produced results or produce situations in which avoidance of reputational damage becomes a priority.

At the bottom line, China is no less autocratic than the Gulf states, while Hindu nationalism in India fits a global trend towards populism and illiberal democracy. Nevertheless, what differentiates much of Asia from the Gulf and accounts for its economic success are policies that ensure a relatively stable environment and are focused on social and economic enhancement rather than primarily on regime survival. That may be the lesson for Gulf rulers. 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
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Growing Western political and corporate reluctance to be associated with Saudi Arabia in the wake of the suspected killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi spotlights fundamentally different investment strategies and environments in the bulk of Asia and the oil-rich Gulf states, the continent’s most western flank.

Growing Western political and corporate reluctance to be associated with Saudi Arabia in the wake of the suspected killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi spotlights fundamentally different investment strategies and environments in the bulk of Asia and the oil-rich Gulf states, the continent’s most western flank. The Khashoggi crisis highlighted the fact that much of investment in the Gulf, irrespective of whether it is domestic, Western or Chinese, comes from financial, technology and other service industries, the arms industry or Gulf governments. It is focused on services, infrastructure or enhancing the state’s capacities rather than on manufacturing, industrial development, and the nurturing of an independent private sector. The crisis has put on display the risks Gulf governments run by adopting policies that significantly tarnish their international reputations. Technology, media, financial and other services industries, as well as various European ministers and the US Treasury Secretary, have cancelled, in the wake of Khashoggi’s disappearance and likely killing while visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, their participation in Davos in the Desert, a high-profile investors’ conference in Riyadh later this month. By contrast, the military industry, with US President Donald J. Trump’s encouragement, has proven so far less worried about reputational damage. Sponsored by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is suspected of being responsible for Khashoggi’s likely murder, the conference was intended to attract investment in his Vision 2030 plan to reform and diversify the Saudi economy. In highlighting differences in investment strategies in the Middle East and the rest of Asia, the fallout of Khashoggi’s disappearance goes beyond the parameters of a single incident. It suggests that foreign investment must be embedded in broader social and economic policies as well as an environment that promises stability to ensure that it is productive, contributes to sustainable growth, and benefits broad segments of the population. In contrast to the Gulf where, with the exception of state-run airlines and DP World, Dubai’s global port operator, the bulk of investment in portfolios managed by sovereign wealth funds, trophies or investment designed to enhance a country’s international prestige and soft power, major Asian nations like China and India have used investment to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, foster a substantial middle class, and create an industrial base. To be sure, with small populations, Gulf states are more likely to ensure sustainability in services and oil and gas derivatives rather than in manufacturing and industry. Nonetheless, that too requires enabling policies and an education system that encourages critical thinking and the freedom to question, allow one’s mind to roam without fear of repercussion, and grants free, unfettered access to information – categories that are becoming increasingly rare in a part of the world in which freedoms are severely curtailed. China’s $1 trillion, infrastructure-driven Belt and Road initiative may be the Asian exception that would come closest to some of the Gulf’s soft power investments. Yet, even so, the Belt and Road initiative, designed to alleviate domestic over capacity by state-owned companies that are not beholden to shareholders’ short-term demands and/or geopolitical gain, contributes to productive economic growth in the People’s Republic itself. Asian nations, moreover, have been able to manage investors’ expectations in an environment of relative political stability. By contrast, Saudi Arabia damaged confidence in its ability to reform and diversify its oil-based economy when after repeated delays it suspended indefinitely plans to list five per cent of its national oil company, Saudi Arabian Oil Company or Aramco, in what would have been the world’s largest-ever initial public offering. The Khashoggi crisis and the Aramco delay followed a series of political initiatives for which there was little equivalent in the rest of Asia. These included the Saudi-United Arab Emirates military campaign in Yemen causing the world’s worst post-World War Two humanitarian crisis; the 16-month-old diplomatic and economic embargo of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt; the detention and failed effort to force Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign; and the diplomatic Saudi spat with Canada in response to a tweet criticizing the kingdom’s human rights record. As a result, foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia last year plunged to a 14-year low. All of this is not to say that the rest of Asia does not have its own questionable policies such as Chinese claims in the South China Sea or the Pakistani-Indian feud, and questionable business practices such as China’s alleged industrial espionage. However, with the exception of China’s massive repression of Turkic Muslims in its north-western province of Xinjiang, none of these is likely to fundamentally undermine investor confidence, derail existing social and economic policies that have produced results or produce situations in which avoidance of reputational damage becomes a priority. At the bottom line, China is no less autocratic than the Gulf states, while Hindu nationalism in India fits a global trend towards populism and illiberal democracy. Nevertheless, what differentiates much of Asia from the Gulf and accounts for its economic success are policies that ensure a relatively stable environment and are focused on social and economic enhancement rather than primarily on regime survival. That may be the lesson for Gulf rulers. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Jamal Khashoggi crisis highlights why investment in Asia is more productive

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo have cancelled the "Vigilant Ace" military exercise that was slated for December, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Friday.

The two officials agreed to suspend the drill to "give the diplomatic process" with Pyongyang "every opportunity to continue," spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement.

"Both ministers are committed to modifying training exercises to ensure the readiness of our forces," the statement read, saying the need for future exercises would continue to be evaluated.

The decision came as Mattis met with Jeong and South Japanese Minister of Defense Takeshi Iwaya on Friday at a security summit in Singapore.

White's statement said Iwaya was "consulted" on the matter. Mattis did not mention the decision when he spoke to reporters after his meetings with Jeong and Iwaya.

Following US President Trump's June meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the United States said it would suspend "select" exercises with South Korea, including the large-scale Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises scheduled for August.

Vigilant Ace is an air exercise aimed at improving coordination between the two armies that takes place every year in early December in South Korea.

Last year, 230 aircraft and some 12,000 US and South Korean troops participated.

In August Mattis had said the Pentagon would "see how the negotiations go, and then we will calculate the future, how we go forward."

US and South Korean forces have been training together for years, and routinely rehearse everything from beach landings to an invasion from the North, or even "decapitation" strikes targeting the North Korean regime.

Last month, the then-nominee to head US and UN forces in South Korea said the pause in drills had been a "prudent risk" to help facilitate a detente on the peninsula.

But there "was certainly a degradation in the readiness of the force, for the combined forces," General Robert Abrams told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing. Abrams went on to say that the continued suspension of the drills risked a further erosion in "readiness and capability and interoperability of the combined forces," though he noted officials were working to minimize issues by running smaller scale staff exercises.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo have cancelled the "Vigilant Ace" military exercise that was slated for December, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Friday.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his South Korean counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo have cancelled the "Vigilant Ace" military exercise that was slated for December, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Friday. The two officials agreed to suspend the drill to "give the diplomatic process" with Pyongyang "every opportunity to continue," spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement. "Both ministers are committed to modifying training exercises to ensure the readiness of our forces," the statement read, saying the need for future exercises would continue to be evaluated. The decision came as Mattis met with Jeong and South Japanese Minister of Defense Takeshi Iwaya on Friday at a security summit in Singapore. White's statement said Iwaya was "consulted" on the matter. Mattis did not mention the decision when he spoke to reporters after his meetings with Jeong and Iwaya. Following US President Trump's June meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the United States said it would suspend "select" exercises with South Korea, including the large-scale Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercises scheduled for August. Vigilant Ace is an air exercise aimed at improving coordination between the two armies that takes place every year in early December in South Korea. Last year, 230 aircraft and some 12,000 US and South Korean troops participated. In August Mattis had said the Pentagon would "see how the negotiations go, and then we will calculate the future, how we go forward." US and South Korean forces have been training together for years, and routinely rehearse everything from beach landings to an invasion from the North, or even "decapitation" strikes targeting the North Korean regime. Last month, the then-nominee to head US and UN forces in South Korea said the pause in drills had been a "prudent risk" to help facilitate a detente on the peninsula. But there "was certainly a degradation in the readiness of the force, for the combined forces," General Robert Abrams told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing. Abrams went on to say that the continued suspension of the drills risked a further erosion in "readiness and capability and interoperability of the combined forces," though he noted officials were working to minimize issues by running smaller scale staff exercises.

US, South Korea suspend additional military exercise: Pentagon

Disputes over US tariffs and retaliatory moves by other states have sparked 12 requests for adjudication at the World Trade Organization, signalling an escalation in global trade tensions.

The agenda for an Oct. 29 meeting of the WTO's dispute settlement body on Friday confirmed the legal moves, which Reuters reported late on Thursday.

The dispute procedure begins with a 60-day window for talks to try to reach a settlement. The meeting agenda show that those talks have failed.

By asking for adjudication, the disputants are triggering litigation that could last years.

China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Norway, Russia and Turkey have all requested that the WTO set up a panel of adjudicators to judge the legality of steel and aluminium tariffs which US&nbsp;President Donald Trump imposed in March.

In return, the United States has asked the WTO to adjudicate on tariffs imposed by Canada, China, Mexico and the European Union in response to those US&nbsp;steel and aluminium tariffs.

It has also asked for adjudication in a separate case against China. Washington wants to impose tariffs on Beijing for its alleged failure to protect US&nbsp;intellectual property rights.

Opponents of the 25 per cent US&nbsp;duty on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminium say they breach WTO rules. Washington says they are a national security matter, and therefore outside the WTO's jurisdiction.

The wheels of WTO adjudication are slow, and particularly congested at the moment, with a record number of disputes working through the system.

The defendants in the disputes can reject the adjudication requests at the October 29 meeting but would have to accept them at the November meeting.

Then a search for adjudicators will begin. Once they are appointed, which will take months more, they may take two years or more to report on the disputes.

The sides can then appeal, but the United States is threatening to cripple the WTO appeals system by blocking the appointment of judges.

Disputes over US tariffs and retaliatory moves by other states have sparked 12 requests for adjudication at the World Trade Organization, signalling an escalation in global trade tensions.

Disputes over US tariffs and retaliatory moves by other states have sparked 12 requests for adjudication at the World Trade Organization, signalling an escalation in global trade tensions. The agenda for an Oct. 29 meeting of the WTO's dispute settlement body on Friday confirmed the legal moves, which Reuters reported late on Thursday. The dispute procedure begins with a 60-day window for talks to try to reach a settlement. The meeting agenda show that those talks have failed. By asking for adjudication, the disputants are triggering litigation that could last years. China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico, Norway, Russia and Turkey have all requested that the WTO set up a panel of adjudicators to judge the legality of steel and aluminium tariffs which US President Donald Trump imposed in March. In return, the United States has asked the WTO to adjudicate on tariffs imposed by Canada, China, Mexico and the European Union in response to those US steel and aluminium tariffs. It has also asked for adjudication in a separate case against China. Washington wants to impose tariffs on Beijing for its alleged failure to protect US intellectual property rights. Opponents of the 25 per cent US duty on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminium say they breach WTO rules. Washington says they are a national security matter, and therefore outside the WTO's jurisdiction. The wheels of WTO adjudication are slow, and particularly congested at the moment, with a record number of disputes working through the system. The defendants in the disputes can reject the adjudication requests at the October 29 meeting but would have to accept them at the November meeting. Then a search for adjudicators will begin. Once they are appointed, which will take months more, they may take two years or more to report on the disputes. The sides can then appeal, but the United States is threatening to cripple the WTO appeals system by blocking the appointment of judges.

Clash over Trump tariffs heats up with barrage of WTO litigation

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