President Donald Trump and rapper Kanye West were sitting down for lunch at the White House on Thursday to discuss prison reform as Trump seeks to use his celebrity roots to political advantage.

The two were to sit down for a roasted chicken lunch in the private dining room off the Oval Office, along with Hall of Fame NFL running back Jim Brown, as well as Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner.&nbsp;

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said Trump and his guests would discuss potential future clemencies for convicts along with "addressing the massive violent crime surge in Chicago" and efforts to create jobs for African-Americans.

Kanye's visit follows by several months a similar trip to the White House by his celebrity wife, Kim Kardashian West, who met with Trump on May 30 and persuaded him to grant clemency to Alice Johnson, who was serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug charge in Tennessee.

Kanye has drawn fire from other celebrities for his support of Trump, the former reality TV star currently looking ahead to congressional elections on Nov. 6 and his own re-election campaign in 2020.

The Republican president has advocated prison reform and said he was open to changes in sentencing guidelines, an issue that divides the Republican Party between "law and order" hardliners and moderates.

"There are people in jail for really long terms," Trump said in an interview with Fox News. "We do need reform. And that doesn`t mean easy. We`re going to make certain categories tougher, when it comes to drug dealing and other things.

"It`s very unfair to African-Americans it`s very unfair to everybody. And it`s also very costly."

He said he would overrule his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, who has balked at efforts to reduce sentences served by convicts and is unlikely to support new ones.&nbsp;

"Well if he doesn`t then he gets overruled by me, because I make the decisions, he doesn`t," Trump said.&nbsp;

Trump claims Kanye West as a friend and a "different kind of a guy" whose big following in the African-American community helped boost his approval ratings. Asked if he would consider campaigning with the rapper, Trump said, "I could see it. I could see it."

President Donald Trump and rapper Kanye West were sitting down for lunch at the White House on Thursday to discuss prison reform as Trump seeks to use his celebrity roots to political advantage.

President Donald Trump and rapper Kanye West were sitting down for lunch at the White House on Thursday to discuss prison reform as Trump seeks to use his celebrity roots to political advantage. The two were to sit down for a roasted chicken lunch in the private dining room off the Oval Office, along with Hall of Fame NFL running back Jim Brown, as well as Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said Trump and his guests would discuss potential future clemencies for convicts along with "addressing the massive violent crime surge in Chicago" and efforts to create jobs for African-Americans. Kanye's visit follows by several months a similar trip to the White House by his celebrity wife, Kim Kardashian West, who met with Trump on May 30 and persuaded him to grant clemency to Alice Johnson, who was serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug charge in Tennessee. Kanye has drawn fire from other celebrities for his support of Trump, the former reality TV star currently looking ahead to congressional elections on Nov. 6 and his own re-election campaign in 2020. The Republican president has advocated prison reform and said he was open to changes in sentencing guidelines, an issue that divides the Republican Party between "law and order" hardliners and moderates. "There are people in jail for really long terms," Trump said in an interview with Fox News. "We do need reform. And that doesn`t mean easy. We`re going to make certain categories tougher, when it comes to drug dealing and other things. "It`s very unfair to African-Americans it`s very unfair to everybody. And it`s also very costly." He said he would overrule his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, who has balked at efforts to reduce sentences served by convicts and is unlikely to support new ones. "Well if he doesn`t then he gets overruled by me, because I make the decisions, he doesn`t," Trump said. Trump claims Kanye West as a friend and a "different kind of a guy" whose big following in the African-American community helped boost his approval ratings. Asked if he would consider campaigning with the rapper, Trump said, "I could see it. I could see it."

Trump lunches with Kanye West, will talk justice reform

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct but wants them to offer "hard evidence."

The comments from the 48-year-old Trump came in a wide-ranging interview given to ABC News last week in Kenya, during her four-nation solo trip to Africa.

"I support the women and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And also men, not just women," Trump said in excerpts of the interview released Wednesday by ABC on "Good Morning America."

But the first lady said accusers must back up their allegations with firm proof.

"We need to have really hard evidence," she told ABC.

"You cannot just say to somebody... 'I was sexually assaulted' or 'You did that to me.' Because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it's not correct. It's not right."

Her husband President Donald Trump has faced multiple allegations of infidelity and sexual harassment -- all claims he has repeatedly denied or swatted aside.&nbsp;

His latest pick for the US Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, saw his nomination nearly go up in flames after a university research psychologist accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teens.

Trump backed Kavanaugh, and the US Senate eventually confirmed him to the court after a protracted, rancorous nomination process.

Also in the ABC interview, the first lady talked about how her wish to work on certain projects has been stymied by organizations who do not approve of her husband's administration.

"I feel they are choosing the politics over helping others," Melania said. When asked to name some of the groups, she declined, saying only: "They know who they are." 
&nbsp;

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct but wants them to offer "hard evidence.

US First Lady Melania Trump has spoken out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct but wants them to offer "hard evidence." The comments from the 48-year-old Trump came in a wide-ranging interview given to ABC News last week in Kenya, during her four-nation solo trip to Africa. "I support the women and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And also men, not just women," Trump said in excerpts of the interview released Wednesday by ABC on "Good Morning America." But the first lady said accusers must back up their allegations with firm proof. "We need to have really hard evidence," she told ABC. "You cannot just say to somebody... 'I was sexually assaulted' or 'You did that to me.' Because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it's not correct. It's not right." Her husband President Donald Trump has faced multiple allegations of infidelity and sexual harassment -- all claims he has repeatedly denied or swatted aside. His latest pick for the US Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh, saw his nomination nearly go up in flames after a university research psychologist accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were teens. Trump backed Kavanaugh, and the US Senate eventually confirmed him to the court after a protracted, rancorous nomination process. Also in the ABC interview, the first lady talked about how her wish to work on certain projects has been stymied by organizations who do not approve of her husband's administration. "I feel they are choosing the politics over helping others," Melania said. When asked to name some of the groups, she declined, saying only: "They know who they are."

#MeToo: Melania Trump favours women but asks them for 'hard evidence'

Discussions with "very valuable ally" India on a trade deal has started, the White House said Thursday, days after President Donald Trump insisted that New Delhi has reached out to his administration on this, news agency PTI reported.

"Yes discussions (with India on a trade deal) has started. No details, please. But discussions have started. India is a very valuable ally," Larry Kudlow, top economic advisor to President Trump, told reporters at the White House.

However, Kudlow refrained from providing any further detail about the nature of the talks with India, the report added.

Trump recently attacked India calling it ''tariff king''. He said India has reached out to him for a trade deal. Trump said this happened after he said that he will impose similar high tariff on import of Indian products.

"India, which is the tariff king -- they called us, and they say, 'We want to start negotiations immediately.' When Bob Lighthizer said, 'What happened? He would never do this.' They said, 'No, we want to keep your President happy.' Isn't that nice? Isn't that nice? It's true. They have to keep us happy because they understand that we're wise to what's been happening," Trump had said.

Trump, however, said that he has a good relationship with India.

"My relationship with India is great, with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is great. They're going to start doing a lot. They've already called us to make a deal. We didn't even call them. They called us to make a deal, which is, like, shocking to people," said the US President.&nbsp;

Discussions with "very valuable ally" India on a trade deal has started, the White House said Thursday, days after President Donald Trump insisted that New Delhi has reached out to his administration on this, news agency PTI reported.

Discussions with "very valuable ally" India on a trade deal has started, the White House said Thursday, days after President Donald Trump insisted that New Delhi has reached out to his administration on this, news agency PTI reported. "Yes discussions (with India on a trade deal) has started. No details, please. But discussions have started. India is a very valuable ally," Larry Kudlow, top economic advisor to President Trump, told reporters at the White House. However, Kudlow refrained from providing any further detail about the nature of the talks with India, the report added. Trump recently attacked India calling it ''tariff king''. He said India has reached out to him for a trade deal. Trump said this happened after he said that he will impose similar high tariff on import of Indian products. "India, which is the tariff king -- they called us, and they say, 'We want to start negotiations immediately.' When Bob Lighthizer said, 'What happened? He would never do this.' They said, 'No, we want to keep your President happy.' Isn't that nice? Isn't that nice? It's true. They have to keep us happy because they understand that we're wise to what's been happening," Trump had said. Trump, however, said that he has a good relationship with India. "My relationship with India is great, with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is great. They're going to start doing a lot. They've already called us to make a deal. We didn't even call them. They called us to make a deal, which is, like, shocking to people," said the US President.

Trade deal negotiations with 'very valuable ally' India started: White House

Turkey on Thursday denied a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/us-investigators-working-with-saudis-turkey-on-khashoggis-disappearance-trump-170925">claim by US President Donald Trump </a>that American investigators were collectively working with both Ankara and Riyadh to probe the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"The information that the United States has tasked investigators over the Khashoggi case is not correct," said a Turkish diplomatic source quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency.&nbsp;

The US President had said earlier that US investigators were working with Saudis and Turkey to find the whereabouts of the missing journalist.

Trump had&nbsp;said "we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia".

Senior journalist Khashoggi, 59, who is a strong critic of the Saudi establishment had taken&nbsp;US citizenship after leaving his country and had written several articles against&nbsp;Saudi Arabia's repressive policies&nbsp;for the Washington Post.

The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-journalist-was-killed-by-15-man-hit-team-that-then-dismembered-his-body-with-bone-saw-nyt-170659">New York Times revealed on Wednesday that&nbsp;</a>a group of 15 men flew down to Turkey in a private jet in order to kill Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The Turkish government openly accused Saudi Arabia of colluding to kill the journalist.

Khashoggi had entered the Saudi consulate to submit documents seeking&nbsp;a divorce from his wife living in Saudi Arabia so that he could remarry again in Turkey.

Saudi Arabia has denied any hand in Khashoggi's disappearance asserting that he walked out of the consulate from the back door. However, his fiance, Hatice Cengiz, who accompanied him to the consulate on October 2nd said he never came out of the consulate as she waited outside.&nbsp;

Initially, the Turkey president Erdogan had said the journalist was being held inside the consulate as Saudi Arabia gave Turkish authorities permission to enter the premises and search for him, however, the authorities soon began to reveal through sources that he had, in fact, being killed, as reported by the New York Times article.

Khashoggi's own website on 3rd October had posted a message saying he was arrested at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but state-run Saudi Press Agency said he had left the building and the consulate was carrying out follow-up procedures and coordinating with the Turkish authorities to "uncover the circumstances" of his disappearance.

Turkey on Thursday denied a claim by US President Donald Trump that American investigators were collectively working with both Ankara and Riyadh to probe the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Turkey on Thursday denied a claim by US President Donald Trump that American investigators were collectively working with both Ankara and Riyadh to probe the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "The information that the United States has tasked investigators over the Khashoggi case is not correct," said a Turkish diplomatic source quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency. The US President had said earlier that US investigators were working with Saudis and Turkey to find the whereabouts of the missing journalist. Trump had said "we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia". Senior journalist Khashoggi, 59, who is a strong critic of the Saudi establishment had taken US citizenship after leaving his country and had written several articles against Saudi Arabia's repressive policies for the Washington Post. The New York Times revealed on Wednesday that a group of 15 men flew down to Turkey in a private jet in order to kill Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey. The Turkish government openly accused Saudi Arabia of colluding to kill the journalist. Khashoggi had entered the Saudi consulate to submit documents seeking a divorce from his wife living in Saudi Arabia so that he could remarry again in Turkey. Saudi Arabia has denied any hand in Khashoggi's disappearance asserting that he walked out of the consulate from the back door. However, his fiance, Hatice Cengiz, who accompanied him to the consulate on October 2nd said he never came out of the consulate as she waited outside. Initially, the Turkey president Erdogan had said the journalist was being held inside the consulate as Saudi Arabia gave Turkish authorities permission to enter the premises and search for him, however, the authorities soon began to reveal through sources that he had, in fact, being killed, as reported by the New York Times article. Khashoggi's own website on 3rd October had posted a message saying he was arrested at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul but state-run Saudi Press Agency said he had left the building and the consulate was carrying out follow-up procedures and coordinating with the Turkish authorities to "uncover the circumstances" of his disappearance.

Turkey denies Trump's claim of US investigators working on Khashoggi's case

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions after India signed a 5 billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia.

Under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia.

India last week inked a $ 5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, Trump while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, said, "India will find out. Aren't they?"&nbsp;

"India is going to find out,? he reiterated in response to India specific question.

Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also in the room when Trump answered the question on CAATSA sanctions. Pompeo was scheduled to meet the president later.

Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India.&nbsp;

Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to "wean" countries like India off the Russian equipment.

"The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a White House National Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract.

The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Moscow and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners." 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions after India signed a 5 billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions after India signed a 5 billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia. Under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia. India last week inked a $ 5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, Trump while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, said, "India will find out. Aren't they?" "India is going to find out,? he reiterated in response to India specific question. Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also in the room when Trump answered the question on CAATSA sanctions. Pompeo was scheduled to meet the president later. Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to "wean" countries like India off the Russian equipment. "The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a White House National Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract. The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Moscow and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners."

India will soon find out about my decision over S-400 deal with Russia: Trump

US President Donald Trump has mocked the "#MeToo" movement, saying that he needs to censor himself due to the rules of this movement, which is being enforced by the press.

"There's an expression, but under the rules of #MeToo, I am not allowed to use that expression anymore. I can't do it," Trump said at a mid-term election rally in Pennsylvania, and then he pointed at the phrase "the girl that got away".

"It's the person that got away. The old days, it was a little different than Pennsylvania to it," Trump said referring to the GOP's inability to win presidential elections earlier.

Pointing to the media, Trump said he would use the original phrase, except for the media. "I would do it except for these people up there. They would say, did you hear what President Trump said? Did you hear what he said?" he said imitating reporters.

"So, there is an expression, but we'll change the expression. Pennsylvania was always the person that got away. That's pretty good," he said amidst applause from the audience.

US President Donald Trump has mocked the "#MeToo" movement, saying that he needs to censor himself due to the rules of this movement, which is being enforced by the press.

US President Donald Trump has mocked the "#MeToo" movement, saying that he needs to censor himself due to the rules of this movement, which is being enforced by the press. "There's an expression, but under the rules of #MeToo, I am not allowed to use that expression anymore. I can't do it," Trump said at a mid-term election rally in Pennsylvania, and then he pointed at the phrase "the girl that got away". "It's the person that got away. The old days, it was a little different than Pennsylvania to it," Trump said referring to the GOP's inability to win presidential elections earlier. Pointing to the media, Trump said he would use the original phrase, except for the media. "I would do it except for these people up there. They would say, did you hear what President Trump said? Did you hear what he said?" he said imitating reporters. "So, there is an expression, but we'll change the expression. Pennsylvania was always the person that got away. That's pretty good," he said amidst applause from the audience.

Donald Trump mocks #MeToo movement

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the Federal Reserve "has gone crazy" by raising interest rates too much.

Speaking as he arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania for a rally, shortly after Wall Street closed down sharply, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing more than 800 points, Trump made his latest attack on the independent US central bank.

"I think the Fed is making a mistake. It's so tight. I think the Fed has gone crazy," he told reporters.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the Federal Reserve "has gone crazy" by raising interest rates too much. Speaking as he arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania for a rally, shortly after Wall Street closed down sharply, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing more than 800 points, Trump made his latest attack on the independent US central bank.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the Federal Reserve "has gone crazy" by raising interest rates too much. Speaking as he arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania for a rally, shortly after Wall Street closed down sharply, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing more than 800 points, Trump made his latest attack on the independent US central bank. "I think the Fed is making a mistake. It's so tight. I think the Fed has gone crazy," he told reporters.

Trump says 'the Fed has gone crazy' with rate hikes

The United States will refuse any additional reconstruction assistance to war-torn Syria so long as Iranian troops are present in the country, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday.

Speaking to a pro-Israel group, Pompeo vowed to press forward with President Donald Trump's push to isolate Iran, boasting of imposing "some of the harshest sanctions in history."

"The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

"If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said.

Pompeo's remarks come as the Trump administration shifts its reasoning for US involvement in Syria's brutal civil war, which a war monitor says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011.

The United States has some 2,000 troops in Syria, mainly training and advising rebels, after former president Barack Obama authorized the mission to defeat the Islamic State extremist group, or IS.

Pompeo said that fighting IS "continues to be a top priority" but listed rolling back Iran as another.&nbsp;

National security adviser, John Bolton, said last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders."

Iran, ruled by Shiite Muslim clerics, and Russia are the primary supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his bloody campaign against largely Sunni Muslim rebels and IS.

Pompeo did not make similar demands for a withdrawal by Russia, which has long considered Syria a major ally.

Trump in August already pulled out of Syria's immediate reconstruction, suspending $230 million after pledges by Gulf Arab allies.

The United States will refuse any additional reconstruction assistance to war-torn Syria so long as Iranian troops are present in the country, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday.

The United States will refuse any additional reconstruction assistance to war-torn Syria so long as Iranian troops are present in the country, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. Speaking to a pro-Israel group, Pompeo vowed to press forward with President Donald Trump's push to isolate Iran, boasting of imposing "some of the harshest sanctions in history." "The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said. Pompeo's remarks come as the Trump administration shifts its reasoning for US involvement in Syria's brutal civil war, which a war monitor says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011. The United States has some 2,000 troops in Syria, mainly training and advising rebels, after former president Barack Obama authorized the mission to defeat the Islamic State extremist group, or IS. Pompeo said that fighting IS "continues to be a top priority" but listed rolling back Iran as another. National security adviser, John Bolton, said last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders." Iran, ruled by Shiite Muslim clerics, and Russia are the primary supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his bloody campaign against largely Sunni Muslim rebels and IS. Pompeo did not make similar demands for a withdrawal by Russia, which has long considered Syria a major ally. Trump in August already pulled out of Syria's immediate reconstruction, suspending $230 million after pledges by Gulf Arab allies.

Pompeo says no more US reconstruction aid to Syria if Iranian troops stay

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-journalist-was-killed-by-15-man-hit-team-that-then-dismembered-his-body-with-bone-saw-nyt-170659">journalist Jamal Khashoggi </a>and President Donald Trump demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faced growing pressure Thursday to provide a convincing explanation for his disappearance.

The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home.

Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that.

The mystery has captivated the world but also threatens to harm brittle Turkish-Saudi relations and hurt efforts by the crown prince to improve the image of his country with a reform drive.

Erdogan challenged Saudi Arabia to provide CCTV images to back up its version that Khashoggi had left the consulate safely, indicating he did not find the current Saudi explanations sufficient.

"Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy? Is it possible that there was no Saudi camera system where this incident took place?"

Erdogan told Turkish reporters in comments published in newspapers.

"If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as saying.

The consulate said CCTV cameras were not working that day and dismissed the murder claims as "baseless".

'Demanding everything'

The case is also threatening the strong relationship the Trump administration has built with Prince Mohammed, who wants to turn the oil-rich conservative kingdom into a hub for innovation and reform.

The two sides have worked together on challenging Iran despite growing concern over the prince's campaign against dissidents, which critics say has shown up the true face of his rule.

In a reversal from Washington's initial low-key response, Trump demanded answers after he spoke to Saudi authorities "at the highest level".&nbsp;

"We're demanding everything. We want to see what's going on there," he said. Trump later told "Fox News at Night" that "it would not be a good thing at all" if Saudi involvement was proven.

Khashoggi is a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in the US fearing arrest back home.

In his columns for the Washington Post and comments elsewhere, Khashoggi was critical of some policies of Mohammed bin Salman as well as Riyadh's role in the war in Yemen.

'Cannot remain silent'

While unnamed Turkish officials quoted in the media have been giving sometimes macabre details of the alleged murder, Erdogan has so far been more circumspect.

He has said Saudi Arabia must prove its version of events but so far has stopped short of directly accusing the kingdom or laying the blame on the powerful crown prince.

"It's not possible for us to stay silent regarding an incident like this," Erdogan said.

He added that it would "not be right" to comment yet but said he had "concerns".

Ankara and Riyadh have worked over recent years to maintain cordial relations despite disputes on key issues, such as the ousting of the Islamist Egyptian government and the blockade on Turkey's key regional ally Qatar.

Friends of Khashoggi told the Washington Post that for several months, senior Saudi officials were offering him protection, "even a high-level job working for the government" if the critic returned to the kingdom. Khashoggi was sceptical of such offers.

Following the Washington Post report, State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said the US "had no advanced knowledge of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance".

Turkish police are looking into a team of 15 Saudis who they say were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi and arrived in Istanbul on October 2 on board two private planes. Turkish media have said the 15 were an "assassination team" and that they took the consulate's footage with them.

After images of the men and their names were published by pro-government Sabah daily, media identified most of them as senior figures in Riyadh or close to the crown prince.

Turkish police are also analysing CCTV footage which showed a vehicle that went inside the consulate and then to the consul-general's residence nearby after 1200 GMT, two hours after Khashoggi had entered the mission.

Turkish authorities have been given permission to search the consulate -- Saudi sovereign territory -- but it has not yet taken place.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and President Donald Trump demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faced growing pressure Thursday to provide a convincing explanation for his disappearance.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and President Donald Trump demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faced growing pressure Thursday to provide a convincing explanation for his disappearance. The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. The mystery has captivated the world but also threatens to harm brittle Turkish-Saudi relations and hurt efforts by the crown prince to improve the image of his country with a reform drive. Erdogan challenged Saudi Arabia to provide CCTV images to back up its version that Khashoggi had left the consulate safely, indicating he did not find the current Saudi explanations sufficient. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy? Is it possible that there was no Saudi camera system where this incident took place?" Erdogan told Turkish reporters in comments published in newspapers. "If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as saying. The consulate said CCTV cameras were not working that day and dismissed the murder claims as "baseless". 'Demanding everything' The case is also threatening the strong relationship the Trump administration has built with Prince Mohammed, who wants to turn the oil-rich conservative kingdom into a hub for innovation and reform. The two sides have worked together on challenging Iran despite growing concern over the prince's campaign against dissidents, which critics say has shown up the true face of his rule. In a reversal from Washington's initial low-key response, Trump demanded answers after he spoke to Saudi authorities "at the highest level". "We're demanding everything. We want to see what's going on there," he said. Trump later told "Fox News at Night" that "it would not be a good thing at all" if Saudi involvement was proven. Khashoggi is a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in the US fearing arrest back home. In his columns for the Washington Post and comments elsewhere, Khashoggi was critical of some policies of Mohammed bin Salman as well as Riyadh's role in the war in Yemen. 'Cannot remain silent' While unnamed Turkish officials quoted in the media have been giving sometimes macabre details of the alleged murder, Erdogan has so far been more circumspect. He has said Saudi Arabia must prove its version of events but so far has stopped short of directly accusing the kingdom or laying the blame on the powerful crown prince. "It's not possible for us to stay silent regarding an incident like this," Erdogan said. He added that it would "not be right" to comment yet but said he had "concerns". Ankara and Riyadh have worked over recent years to maintain cordial relations despite disputes on key issues, such as the ousting of the Islamist Egyptian government and the blockade on Turkey's key regional ally Qatar. Friends of Khashoggi told the Washington Post that for several months, senior Saudi officials were offering him protection, "even a high-level job working for the government" if the critic returned to the kingdom. Khashoggi was sceptical of such offers. Following the Washington Post report, State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said the US "had no advanced knowledge of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance". Turkish police are looking into a team of 15 Saudis who they say were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi and arrived in Istanbul on October 2 on board two private planes. Turkish media have said the 15 were an "assassination team" and that they took the consulate's footage with them. After images of the men and their names were published by pro-government Sabah daily, media identified most of them as senior figures in Riyadh or close to the crown prince. Turkish police are also analysing CCTV footage which showed a vehicle that went inside the consulate and then to the consul-general's residence nearby after 1200 GMT, two hours after Khashoggi had entered the mission. Turkish authorities have been given permission to search the consulate -- Saudi sovereign territory -- but it has not yet taken place.

Erdogan, Trump step up pressure over missing Saudi journalist

IMF chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday defended central bank rate hikes in a veiled rebuke to Donald Trump after the US president blamed "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-the-fed-has-gone-crazy-with-rate-hikes-170783">crazy" Fed policies</a> for contributing to financial market turmoil.

Lagarde spoke as a global market sell-off rolled into Asia following Trump's comments, underscoring rising financial volatility that the IMF will address at its annual meetings with the World Bank this week in Bali.

Lagarde said central bank rate increases such as those by the policy-setting US Federal Reserve were justified by fundamentals.

"It is clearly a necessary development for those economies that are showing much-improved growth, inflation that is picking up... unemployment that is extremely low," she told a press briefing in Bali.

"It's inevitable that central banks make the decisions that they make."&nbsp;

Following a sharp Wall Street sell-off on Wednesday, Trump said the Federal Reserve "is making a mistake."

"I think the Fed has gone crazy," he said.

Gathering clouds

Trump has repeatedly touted Wall Street record highs as proof of the success of his policies including a confrontational trade strategy, and frequently criticises the Fed for gradually raising interest rates, which could press the brakes on equity markets.

The world's financial elite are on the Indonesian holiday island for a week of discussions clouded by the economic outlook.

An IMF report released Wednesday said global growth could be at risk if emerging markets deteriorate further or trade tensions escalate.

Much of the global angst has been dominated by Trump's escalating tariff war with China and his disdain for world trading norms.

But higher US interest rates have also helped send emerging market currencies into a tailspin, as countries that borrowed heavily in dollars race to pay back debt.

Lagarde said in Bali that world leaders should fix global trading systems instead of tearing them down, in response to rising nationalist and protectionist impulses.

While defending rate hikes, Lagarde added Thursday that uncoordinated increases in advanced economies were contributing to destabilising capital outflows from emerging markets.

Combined with trade tensions, this had created "a bit of an unprecedented situation" for the world economy, she said.

"Clearly as a result of (rate hikes)... we see and we will continue to see capital flow movements," she added.

"The fact that large central banks of advanced economies are not exactly all moving at the same pace is also probably accelerating that phenomenon."

Economic tremors

Trump has levied or threatened tariffs on goods from economies around the world, notably China, but also on traditional allies such as the European Union.

The head of the World Trade Organization warned that a "full-blown commercial war" could shrink global trade by nearly 18 per cent and also knock worldwide GDP, hurting the United States, China, and others.

Lagarde said she would meet Pakistani officials on Thursday, with expectations that Islamabad will request a bailout over a looming balance-of-payments crisis, with Prime Minister Imran Khan saying this week his country needs $10-12 billion.

"I'm assuming that there might be a programme request on their part, but that has not been discussed and we will explore that this afternoon," she said.

The IMF on Tuesday cut its global GDP growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 3.7 per cent for both 2018 and 2019, citing the economic uncertainties.

The meetings open in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami on September 28 on Sulawesi island that left more than 2,000 dead and possibly thousands more missing, highlighting disaster-prone Indonesia's safety hazards.

Those risks were highlighted again early Thursday, when a 6.0-magnitude quake rattled parts of the islands of Java and Bali, including meeting venues and hotels.

Three people were killed on Java when buildings collapsed.

No damage or casualties were reported on Bali, but the tremor prompted summit organisers to issue guidance to attendees on what to do if a quake strikes.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday defended central bank rate hikes in a veiled rebuke to Donald Trump after the US president blamed "crazy" Fed policies for contributing to financial market turmoil.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde on Thursday defended central bank rate hikes in a veiled rebuke to Donald Trump after the US president blamed "crazy" Fed policies for contributing to financial market turmoil. Lagarde spoke as a global market sell-off rolled into Asia following Trump's comments, underscoring rising financial volatility that the IMF will address at its annual meetings with the World Bank this week in Bali. Lagarde said central bank rate increases such as those by the policy-setting US Federal Reserve were justified by fundamentals. "It is clearly a necessary development for those economies that are showing much-improved growth, inflation that is picking up... unemployment that is extremely low," she told a press briefing in Bali. "It's inevitable that central banks make the decisions that they make." Following a sharp Wall Street sell-off on Wednesday, Trump said the Federal Reserve "is making a mistake." "I think the Fed has gone crazy," he said. Gathering clouds Trump has repeatedly touted Wall Street record highs as proof of the success of his policies including a confrontational trade strategy, and frequently criticises the Fed for gradually raising interest rates, which could press the brakes on equity markets. The world's financial elite are on the Indonesian holiday island for a week of discussions clouded by the economic outlook. An IMF report released Wednesday said global growth could be at risk if emerging markets deteriorate further or trade tensions escalate. Much of the global angst has been dominated by Trump's escalating tariff war with China and his disdain for world trading norms. But higher US interest rates have also helped send emerging market currencies into a tailspin, as countries that borrowed heavily in dollars race to pay back debt. Lagarde said in Bali that world leaders should fix global trading systems instead of tearing them down, in response to rising nationalist and protectionist impulses. While defending rate hikes, Lagarde added Thursday that uncoordinated increases in advanced economies were contributing to destabilising capital outflows from emerging markets. Combined with trade tensions, this had created "a bit of an unprecedented situation" for the world economy, she said. "Clearly as a result of (rate hikes)... we see and we will continue to see capital flow movements," she added. "The fact that large central banks of advanced economies are not exactly all moving at the same pace is also probably accelerating that phenomenon." Economic tremors Trump has levied or threatened tariffs on goods from economies around the world, notably China, but also on traditional allies such as the European Union. The head of the World Trade Organization warned that a "full-blown commercial war" could shrink global trade by nearly 18 per cent and also knock worldwide GDP, hurting the United States, China, and others. Lagarde said she would meet Pakistani officials on Thursday, with expectations that Islamabad will request a bailout over a looming balance-of-payments crisis, with Prime Minister Imran Khan saying this week his country needs $10-12 billion. "I'm assuming that there might be a programme request on their part, but that has not been discussed and we will explore that this afternoon," she said. The IMF on Tuesday cut its global GDP growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 3.7 per cent for both 2018 and 2019, citing the economic uncertainties. The meetings open in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami on September 28 on Sulawesi island that left more than 2,000 dead and possibly thousands more missing, highlighting disaster-prone Indonesia's safety hazards. Those risks were highlighted again early Thursday, when a 6.0-magnitude quake rattled parts of the islands of Java and Bali, including meeting venues and hotels. Three people were killed on Java when buildings collapsed. No damage or casualties were reported on Bali, but the tremor prompted summit organisers to issue guidance to attendees on what to do if a quake strikes.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde defends rate hikes after Trump slams 'crazy' Fed

US President Donald Trump said he has yet to read a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/world-temperatures-likely-to-rise-by-15-degrees-between-2030-2052-un-report-170107">UN report warning of global warming-caused chaos</a> unless drastic action is taken and added that he is sceptical.

The landmark report released Monday said that time is running out to avert climate-induced disaster. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) declared it had "high confidence" in its predictions.

At the White House, Trump said he has not read it yet.

"It was given to me and I want to look who drew it, you know -- which groups drew it, because I can give you reports that are fabulous and I can give you reports that aren't so good," he told reporters.

"But I will be reading it, absolutely."

It was Trump's first reaction to the report, which says that the Earth surface has warmed one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and is on track toward an unliveable 3C or 4C rise.

The Trump administration has dismantled emissions reduction policies domestically, and vowed to ditch the Paris treaty on attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. However, Washington did not obstruct the report, as some had expected.

Many in Trump's Republican party are self-described climate change skeptics, questioning whether the overwhelming consensus of scientists around the world about manmade causes for ever-rising temperatures is accurate.

US President Donald Trump said he has yet to read a UN report warning of global warming-caused chaos unless drastic action is taken and added that he is sceptical.

US President Donald Trump said he has yet to read a UN report warning of global warming-caused chaos unless drastic action is taken and added that he is sceptical. The landmark report released Monday said that time is running out to avert climate-induced disaster. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) declared it had "high confidence" in its predictions. At the White House, Trump said he has not read it yet. "It was given to me and I want to look who drew it, you know -- which groups drew it, because I can give you reports that are fabulous and I can give you reports that aren't so good," he told reporters. "But I will be reading it, absolutely." It was Trump's first reaction to the report, which says that the Earth surface has warmed one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and is on track toward an unliveable 3C or 4C rise. The Trump administration has dismantled emissions reduction policies domestically, and vowed to ditch the Paris treaty on attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. However, Washington did not obstruct the report, as some had expected. Many in Trump's Republican party are self-described climate change skeptics, questioning whether the overwhelming consensus of scientists around the world about manmade causes for ever-rising temperatures is accurate.

Trump says he has not read it but is sceptical of UN global warming report

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would be held after US&nbsp;congressional elections on Nov. 6.

Speaking to reporters as he flew to Iowa for a political rally, Trump said: "It’ll be after the midterms. I just can't leave now."

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that plans were being made for his second summit with Kim and that he thought "incredible" progress had been made in US&nbsp;talks with the long-isolated North Asian country.

He said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had very good talks with Kim over the weekend and that three or four locations were being considered.

Pompeo echoed Trump's comments when he spoke briefly to reporters during a Tuesday afternoon visit to the White House.

"While there's still a long way to go and much work to do, we can now see a path where we will achieve (our) ultimate goal, which is the full and final verified denuclearization of North Korea," he said.

Trump and Kim held a historic first summit in Singapore on June 12 at which Kim pledged to work toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. His actions have fallen short, however, of Washington's demands for a complete inventory of its weapons and facilities and irreversible steps to give up its nuclear arsenal, which could threaten the United States.

'No rockets flying'

Still, Trump was upbeat on progress so far.

"You got no rockets flying, you have no missiles flying, you have no nuclear testing," Trump said in the Oval Office. "We've made incredible progress - beyond incredible.

"But I have agreed to meet," he said. "We have a very good relationship with Chairman Kim. I like him, he likes me, the relationship is good."

Pompeo said on Monday the two sides were "pretty close" to agreeing on details for a second summit.

He added that Kim had said he was ready to allow international inspectors into North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site and the Sohae missile engine test facility as soon as the United States and North Korea agreed on logistics.

But experts questioned what Pompeo achieved on Sunday on his fourth visit to Pyongyang this year. They said the North Korean leader appeared simply to be repackaging and dragging out past pledges.

Trump noted that the United States had not lifted the "very big sanctions" it has imposed on Pyongyang.

"I'd love to remove them, but we have to get something for doing it," Trump said.

North Korea is very interested in reaching some sort of agreement on denuclearization so that it can grow economically with the benefit of the foreign investment closed to it now, Trump said.

The UN&nbsp;World Food Program said on Tuesday that the supply of food remained precarious in North Korea, where one in five children is stunted by malnutrition. More than 10 million North Koreans, nearly 40 per cent of the population, are undernourished and need humanitarian aid, it said.

"I will tell you they're calling, wanting to go there and wanting to invest," Trump said. "At some point, when Chairman Kim makes that decision, I think he's going to unleash something that's going to be spectacular, really spectacular.

"And I think he knows it and I think that's one of the reasons that we're having very successful conversations."

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would be held after US congressional elections on Nov. 6. Speaking to reporters as he flew to Iowa for a political rally, Trump said: "It’ll be after the midterms.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would be held after US congressional elections on Nov. 6. Speaking to reporters as he flew to Iowa for a political rally, Trump said: "It’ll be after the midterms. I just can't leave now." Earlier on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that plans were being made for his second summit with Kim and that he thought "incredible" progress had been made in US talks with the long-isolated North Asian country. He said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had very good talks with Kim over the weekend and that three or four locations were being considered. Pompeo echoed Trump's comments when he spoke briefly to reporters during a Tuesday afternoon visit to the White House. "While there's still a long way to go and much work to do, we can now see a path where we will achieve (our) ultimate goal, which is the full and final verified denuclearization of North Korea," he said. Trump and Kim held a historic first summit in Singapore on June 12 at which Kim pledged to work toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. His actions have fallen short, however, of Washington's demands for a complete inventory of its weapons and facilities and irreversible steps to give up its nuclear arsenal, which could threaten the United States. 'No rockets flying' Still, Trump was upbeat on progress so far. "You got no rockets flying, you have no missiles flying, you have no nuclear testing," Trump said in the Oval Office. "We've made incredible progress - beyond incredible. "But I have agreed to meet," he said. "We have a very good relationship with Chairman Kim. I like him, he likes me, the relationship is good." Pompeo said on Monday the two sides were "pretty close" to agreeing on details for a second summit. He added that Kim had said he was ready to allow international inspectors into North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site and the Sohae missile engine test facility as soon as the United States and North Korea agreed on logistics. But experts questioned what Pompeo achieved on Sunday on his fourth visit to Pyongyang this year. They said the North Korean leader appeared simply to be repackaging and dragging out past pledges. Trump noted that the United States had not lifted the "very big sanctions" it has imposed on Pyongyang. "I'd love to remove them, but we have to get something for doing it," Trump said. North Korea is very interested in reaching some sort of agreement on denuclearization so that it can grow economically with the benefit of the foreign investment closed to it now, Trump said. The UN World Food Program said on Tuesday that the supply of food remained precarious in North Korea, where one in five children is stunted by malnutrition. More than 10 million North Koreans, nearly 40 per cent of the population, are undernourished and need humanitarian aid, it said. "I will tell you they're calling, wanting to go there and wanting to invest," Trump said. "At some point, when Chairman Kim makes that decision, I think he's going to unleash something that's going to be spectacular, really spectacular. "And I think he knows it and I think that's one of the reasons that we're having very successful conversations."

Trump says next summit with North Korea's Kim after US midterm elections

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley abruptly announced her resignation on Tuesday. Haley will step down at the end of the year.&nbsp;

There has been speculation that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nikki-haley-resigns-from-trump-cabinet-speculation-is-she-may-run-against-him-in-2020-170533">Haley might run against Donald Trump</a> in the 2020 elections.&nbsp;

There has also been speculation as to who might replace Haley, with Trump saying it might be his daughter Ivanka.&nbsp;

"We are looking at numerous people," Trump told reporters at the White House.&nbsp;

But he also added that should he hire Ivanka, he would be accused of nepotism.&nbsp;

"Ivanka would be dynamite. It's nothing to do with nepotism. But I want to tell you, the people that know, know that Ivanka would be dynamite. But, you know, I would then be accused of nepotism."

Trump has raised eyebrows with his blurring of the lines between relatives, family businesses and official duties since he was elected in 2016.

Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner both work in the White House as high-level unpaid advisers. Among other duties, Kushner, an Orthodox Jew, is tasked with creating a Middle East peace plan.&nbsp;

Ivanka herself later said she would not be replacing Haley.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1049773378167590912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Ambassador Haley has served America with dignity + distinction. 
She is a bold reformer and has been an unwavering champion of truth, principled realism and integrity within the United Nations. 
Jared and I are grateful for her friendship — a true blessing in our lives! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/sidkwXzPZB">pic.twitter.com/sidkwXzPZB</a>
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1049684207923023873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me," she tweeted.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley abruptly announced her resignation on Tuesday. Haley will step down at the end of the year. There has been speculation that Haley might run against Donald Trump in the 2020 elections.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley abruptly announced her resignation on Tuesday. Haley will step down at the end of the year. There has been speculation that Haley might run against Donald Trump in the 2020 elections. There has also been speculation as to who might replace Haley, with Trump saying it might be his daughter Ivanka. "We are looking at numerous people," Trump told reporters at the White House. But he also added that should he hire Ivanka, he would be accused of nepotism. "Ivanka would be dynamite. It's nothing to do with nepotism. But I want to tell you, the people that know, know that Ivanka would be dynamite. But, you know, I would then be accused of nepotism." Trump has raised eyebrows with his blurring of the lines between relatives, family businesses and official duties since he was elected in 2016. Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner both work in the White House as high-level unpaid advisers. Among other duties, Kushner, an Orthodox Jew, is tasked with creating a Middle East peace plan. Ivanka herself later said she would not be replacing Haley. It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me. — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 9, 2018 × Ambassador Haley has served America with dignity + distinction. She is a bold reformer and has been an unwavering champion of truth, principled realism and integrity within the United Nations. Jared and I are grateful for her friendship — a true blessing in our lives! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/sidkwXzPZB — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 9, 2018 × "It is an honor to serve in the White House alongside so many great colleagues and I know that the President will nominate a formidable replacement for Ambassador Haley. That replacement will not be me," she tweeted. (With inputs from AFP)

Ivanka would be 'dynamite' UN envoy, says Trump

The Chinese embassy in New Delhi has issued a statement calling for both countries to "deepen their cooperation to fight trade protectionism".&nbsp;

The statement says practicing unilateral trade protectionism in the name of “national security” and “fair trade” will not only affect China’s economic development, but also undermine the external environment of India and hinder India’s booming economy".&nbsp;

The statement comes at a time when <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/imf-cuts-chinas-growth-rate-on-negative-effect-of-tariff-actions-170439">China and US are engaged in a full-blown trade </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/imf-cuts-chinas-growth-rate-on-negative-effect-of-tariff-actions-170439">war</a>&nbsp;with both the economic giants imposing tariffs on each others products.&nbsp;

It is interesting to note that the statement was issued two days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited China and met Jang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The statement from the Chinese embassy futher said that "facing unilateralism and bullying activities", China and India have greater reason to join "efforts to build a more just and reasonable international order". &nbsp;

India and China have been trying to engage with each other in a more positive manner of late and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping have met three times in the last few months — at the famous Wuhan informal summit, at the SCO meet, and finally the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.&nbsp;

They are likely to meet again on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina.&nbsp;

The two sides jointly published the “Qingdao Declaration” and the 10th BRICS Summit Johannesburg declaration, sending out a clear message against protectionism.&nbsp;

The Chinese embassy statement lashed out at the US.&nbsp;

Calling US Vice-President Mike Pence’s statements "groundless accusations", the statement said "US should view and understand China's development in a right way and immediately stop its misguided comments and actions which harm China’s core interest. China is unswervingly pressing ahead with comprehensively deepening reform and opening wider to the outside world."

"China has initiated an unprecedented effort to influence American public opinion, the 2018 elections, and the environment leading into the 2020 presidential elections," Pence had said. US President Donald Trump had said the same thing at the United Nations Security Council in September.&nbsp;

The Chinese embassy in New Delhi has issued a statement calling for both countries to "deepen their cooperation to fight trade protectionism". The statement says practicing unilateral trade protectionism in the name of “national security” and “fair trade” will not only affect China’s economic development, but also undermine the external environment of India and hinder India’s booming economy".

The Chinese embassy in New Delhi has issued a statement calling for both countries to "deepen their cooperation to fight trade protectionism". The statement says practicing unilateral trade protectionism in the name of “national security” and “fair trade” will not only affect China’s economic development, but also undermine the external environment of India and hinder India’s booming economy". The statement comes at a time when China and US are engaged in a full-blown trade war with both the economic giants imposing tariffs on each others products. It is interesting to note that the statement was issued two days after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited China and met Jang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The statement from the Chinese embassy futher said that "facing unilateralism and bullying activities", China and India have greater reason to join "efforts to build a more just and reasonable international order". India and China have been trying to engage with each other in a more positive manner of late and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jingping have met three times in the last few months — at the famous Wuhan informal summit, at the SCO meet, and finally the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. They are likely to meet again on the sidelines of G20 summit in Argentina. The two sides jointly published the “Qingdao Declaration” and the 10th BRICS Summit Johannesburg declaration, sending out a clear message against protectionism. The Chinese embassy statement lashed out at the US. Calling US Vice-President Mike Pence’s statements "groundless accusations", the statement said "US should view and understand China's development in a right way and immediately stop its misguided comments and actions which harm China’s core interest. China is unswervingly pressing ahead with comprehensively deepening reform and opening wider to the outside world." "China has initiated an unprecedented effort to influence American public opinion, the 2018 elections, and the environment leading into the 2020 presidential elections," Pence had said. US President Donald Trump had said the same thing at the United Nations Security Council in September.

India, China should build more 'reasonable international order': Chinese Embassy

US President Donald Trump has said he likes Taylor Swift's music "about 25 per cent less" after the pop superstar <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/taylor-swift-breaks-silence-on-politics-endorses-two-tennessee-democrats-for-midterms-170286">endorsed the Democrats running for office in Tennessee</a>&nbsp;in the upcoming US midterm elections.&nbsp;

Tennessee is Swift's home state.&nbsp;

Swift backed Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper, who are running for the Senate and the House of Representatives. She also launched a fierce attack on&nbsp;Bredesen's opponent,&nbsp;the Republican Marsha Blackburn, who currently serves in the House.

Swift made her comments on Sunday on Instagram.&nbsp;

"I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," Swift wrote.&nbsp;

"I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values."

Swift won a lawsuit last year against a former radio DJ she accused of groping her.

"For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway," Swift wrote on Instagram.&nbsp;

"So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting!" Swift added.&nbsp;

Trump was asked for his reaction and he said he was ""sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything" about Blackburn.

The president was asked for his reaction to the snub and told reporters at the White House he was "sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything" about Blackburn.

"Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 percent less now, okay?" he added. AFP reported that he also flashed "what could best be described as a cheeky grin".

Trump, it should be noted, has been a Swift fan.

"Glad to hear that @taylorswift13 will be co-hosting the Grammy nominations special on 12.5. Taylor is terrific!" he tweeted breathlessly in October 2012.

In August of that year, addressing her directly, he swooned: "Thanks for the beautiful picture --- you are fantastic!"

(With inputs from AFP)

US President Donald Trump has said he likes Taylor Swift's music "about 25 per cent less" after the pop superstar endorsed the Democrats running for office in Tennessee in the upcoming US midterm elections.

US President Donald Trump has said he likes Taylor Swift's music "about 25 per cent less" after the pop superstar endorsed the Democrats running for office in Tennessee in the upcoming US midterm elections. Tennessee is Swift's home state. Swift backed Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper, who are running for the Senate and the House of Representatives. She also launched a fierce attack on Bredesen's opponent, the Republican Marsha Blackburn, who currently serves in the House. Swift made her comments on Sunday on Instagram. "I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," Swift wrote. "I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values." Swift won a lawsuit last year against a former radio DJ she accused of groping her. "For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway," Swift wrote on Instagram. "So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting!" Swift added. Trump was asked for his reaction and he said he was ""sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything" about Blackburn. The president was asked for his reaction to the snub and told reporters at the White House he was "sure Taylor Swift doesn't know anything" about Blackburn. "Let's say that I like Taylor's music about 25 percent less now, okay?" he added. AFP reported that he also flashed "what could best be described as a cheeky grin". Trump, it should be noted, has been a Swift fan. "Glad to hear that @taylorswift13 will be co-hosting the Grammy nominations special on 12.5. Taylor is terrific!" he tweeted breathlessly in October 2012. In August of that year, addressing her directly, he swooned: "Thanks for the beautiful picture --- you are fantastic!" (With inputs from AFP)

Trump says he likes Taylor Swift's music 'about 25% less' after she endorses Democrats

US&nbsp;Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sought to put a bruising confirmation battle behind him on Monday at a White House ceremony in which President Donald Trump declared him innocent of sexual misconduct and apologised for the heated process.

"On behalf of our nation, I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure," Trump said at the start of a ceremonial swearing-in in the East Room of the White House.

"Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception," he said.

Kavanaugh's confirmation process exploded in controversy after California university professor Christine Blasey Ford went public with allegations that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in 1982, while they were in high school.

Kavanaugh gave a forceful, emotional denial of those allegations during testimony before lawmakers that some Democrats said showed a lack of judicial temperament. The US&nbsp;Senate voted 50-48 on Saturday to confirm him, with just one Democrat supporting him.

Kavanaugh said on Monday that he was starting his new job without bitterness, seeking to set a new tone after the divisive process.

"The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional. That process is over. My focus now is to be the best justice I can be," he said with his wife and children standing nearby.

He said he would aim to be a force for stability and unity on the court, whose other eight members all attended the White House ceremony.

"Although the Senate confirmation process tested me as it has tested others, it did not change me," he said.

US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sought to put a bruising confirmation battle behind him on Monday at a White House ceremony in which President Donald Trump declared him innocent of sexual misconduct and apologised for the heated process.

US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sought to put a bruising confirmation battle behind him on Monday at a White House ceremony in which President Donald Trump declared him innocent of sexual misconduct and apologised for the heated process. "On behalf of our nation, I want to apologise to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure," Trump said at the start of a ceremonial swearing-in in the East Room of the White House. "Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception," he said. Kavanaugh's confirmation process exploded in controversy after California university professor Christine Blasey Ford went public with allegations that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in 1982, while they were in high school. Kavanaugh gave a forceful, emotional denial of those allegations during testimony before lawmakers that some Democrats said showed a lack of judicial temperament. The US Senate voted 50-48 on Saturday to confirm him, with just one Democrat supporting him. Kavanaugh said on Monday that he was starting his new job without bitterness, seeking to set a new tone after the divisive process. "The Senate confirmation process was contentious and emotional. That process is over. My focus now is to be the best justice I can be," he said with his wife and children standing nearby. He said he would aim to be a force for stability and unity on the court, whose other eight members all attended the White House ceremony. "Although the Senate confirmation process tested me as it has tested others, it did not change me," he said.

Trump apologises to Kavanaugh, says he is innocent of sexual assault charges

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/imf-cuts-chinas-growth-rate-on-negative-effect-of-tariff-actions-170439">IMF cuts China's growth rate on 'negative effect of tariff actions'</a>

As the Trump administration turns the heat on China in the trade war, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut China's growth citing "negative effect of recent tariff actions".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-thorough-probe-into-disappearance-of-saudi-journalist-khashoggi-170443">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-thorough-probe-into-disappearance-of-saudi-journalist-khashoggi-170443"> seeks thorough probe into </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-thorough-probe-into-disappearance-of-saudi-journalist-khashoggi-170443">disappearance</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-thorough-probe-into-disappearance-of-saudi-journalist-khashoggi-170443"> of Saudi Journalist Khashoggi&nbsp;</a>

The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/europe/virgin-galatic-space-flight-within-weeks-not-months-richard-branson-170480">Virgin Galatic space flight within weeks, not months: Richard Branson</a>

Virgin Galatic owner and British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he expects his rocket company to launch a space flight "within weeks, not months".

"We will be in space with people not too long after that," he added.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/alok-nath-reacts-on-rape-allegations-made-by-tv-writer-says-it-was-me-who-made-her-what-she-is-170409">Alok Nath responds to rape allegations, says 'It was me who made her what she is'</a>

Actor Alok Nath, who has been accused of raping senior TV writer-director Vinta Nanda, responded to the allegations on Tuesday with an ambiguous answer.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/suicide-bomber-kills-eight-at-afghan-election-rally-official-170465">Suicide bomber kills eight at Afghan election rally, including candidate</a>

A suicide bomber killed eight people in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Tuesday, including a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting the vote, officials said.

IMF cuts China's growth rate on 'negative effect of tariff actions' As the Trump administration turns the heat on China in the trade war, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut China's growth citing "negative effect of recent tariff actions".

IMF cuts China's growth rate on 'negative effect of tariff actions' As the Trump administration turns the heat on China in the trade war, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut China's growth citing "negative effect of recent tariff actions". US seeks thorough probe into disappearance of Saudi Journalist Khashoggi The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts. Virgin Galatic space flight within weeks, not months: Richard Branson Virgin Galatic owner and British entrepreneur Richard Branson said he expects his rocket company to launch a space flight "within weeks, not months". "We will be in space with people not too long after that," he added. Alok Nath responds to rape allegations, says 'It was me who made her what she is' Actor Alok Nath, who has been accused of raping senior TV writer-director Vinta Nanda, responded to the allegations on Tuesday with an ambiguous answer. Suicide bomber kills eight at Afghan election rally, including candidate A suicide bomber killed eight people in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Tuesday, including a candidate in upcoming parliamentary elections, the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting the vote, officials said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts.

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, went missing after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

According to some media reports, Khashoggi, 59, has been killed inside the Saudi consulate.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi.

"As the President has conveyed, the United States is concerned by his disappearance. State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter," he said.

"We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement.

Trump's own remarks to reporters were more tentative, saying he was "concerned" about "some pretty bad stories" about what had happened to Khashoggi.

"I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there's some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday.

Other western allies increased the pressure on Riyadh which has claimed that Khashoggi had left the Istanbul alive, a claim questioned by Turkish officials.

"Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed inside in a planned murder. A team of 15 Saudis arrived on two planes to carry out the killing, officials have said," 'The Washington Post' reported.

Saudi officials, however, insist that Khashoggi left the consulate through a back door.

Khashoggi, a US resident, has written articles over the past year critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate and has not been seen since.

US Vice President Mike Pence also commented on the mystery over the missing journalist, saying "the free world deserves answers".

"Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press and human rights. The free world deserves answers," Pence said in a tweet.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday demanded that the Saudi monarchy prove Khashoggi left its consulate in Istanbul as Riyadh has claimed.

The Trump family in particular the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner has established a close bond with Saudi Crown Prince Salman.

In March 2017, Trump hosted Salman at the White House, breaking protocol to do so as the Saudi was only a deputy crown prince at the time.

The president made Riyadh the destination of his first foreign trip and backed the Saudi royals wholeheartedly in their standoff with the Qataris.

The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts.

The US has sought a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after President Donald Trump expressed concern over the scribe's whereabouts. Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, went missing after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. According to some media reports, Khashoggi, 59, has been killed inside the Saudi consulate. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had seen conflicting reports on the safety and whereabouts of Khashoggi. "As the President has conveyed, the United States is concerned by his disappearance. State Department senior officials have spoken with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels about this matter," he said. "We call on the government of Saudi Arabia to support a thorough investigation of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance and to be transparent about the results of that investigation," Pompeo said in a statement. Trump's own remarks to reporters were more tentative, saying he was "concerned" about "some pretty bad stories" about what had happened to Khashoggi. "I am concerned about it. I don't like hearing about it. Hopefully that will sort itself out. Right now nobody knows anything about it, but there's some pretty bad stories going around. I do not like it," Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. Other western allies increased the pressure on Riyadh which has claimed that Khashoggi had left the Istanbul alive, a claim questioned by Turkish officials. "Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed inside in a planned murder. A team of 15 Saudis arrived on two planes to carry out the killing, officials have said," 'The Washington Post' reported. Saudi officials, however, insist that Khashoggi left the consulate through a back door. Khashoggi, a US resident, has written articles over the past year critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. On the eve of his planned marriage to a Turkish woman, he entered the consulate and has not been seen since. US Vice President Mike Pence also commented on the mystery over the missing journalist, saying "the free world deserves answers". "Deeply troubled to hear reports about Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi. If true, this is a tragic day. Violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to freedom of the press and human rights. The free world deserves answers," Pence said in a tweet. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday demanded that the Saudi monarchy prove Khashoggi left its consulate in Istanbul as Riyadh has claimed. The Trump family in particular the president's son-in-law Jared Kushner has established a close bond with Saudi Crown Prince Salman. In March 2017, Trump hosted Salman at the White House, breaking protocol to do so as the Saudi was only a deputy crown prince at the time. The president made Riyadh the destination of his first foreign trip and backed the Saudi royals wholeheartedly in their standoff with the Qataris.

US seeks thorough probe into disappearance of Saudi Journalist Khashoggi 

Donald Trump said Monday he does not plan to fire the deputy attorney general in charge of an explosive probe into alleged collusion between the president and the Kremlin.

"No I don't, no," Trump responded to a question from journalists at the White House about whether he plans to sack Rod Rosenstein.

Rosenstein had appeared close to being fired following US media reports -- which he denied -- that he discussed secretly recording Trump and using the 25th constitutional amendment for removing presidents found to be unfit for office.

Trump -- who had delayed a previously announced White House meeting in which expectations were high that Rosenstein would depart -- said they were going to talk Monday during a trip to Florida.

Trump also indicated that he was ready to keep working with Rosenstein.

"We're going to be talking. We'll be talking on the plane. I actually have a good relationship," he said.

Trump used the occasion to repeat his insistence that "there's been no collusion, folks, no collusion" with Russia.

The Republican real estate billionaire is infuriated by what he says is Special Counsel Robert Mueller's "witch hunt" into whether Moscow conspired with his campaign in the shock 2016 election win.

Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller, has so far been steadfast in trying to protect the investigation as it digs ever deeper into Trump's inner circle.

So Rosenstein's departure -- possibly putting someone more pliable in his place -- would set off alarm bells over the future independence of a probe which has the potential to rock the entire presidency.

Donald Trump said Monday he does not plan to fire the deputy attorney general in charge of an explosive probe into alleged collusion between the president and the Kremlin.

Donald Trump said Monday he does not plan to fire the deputy attorney general in charge of an explosive probe into alleged collusion between the president and the Kremlin. "No I don't, no," Trump responded to a question from journalists at the White House about whether he plans to sack Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein had appeared close to being fired following US media reports -- which he denied -- that he discussed secretly recording Trump and using the 25th constitutional amendment for removing presidents found to be unfit for office. Trump -- who had delayed a previously announced White House meeting in which expectations were high that Rosenstein would depart -- said they were going to talk Monday during a trip to Florida. Trump also indicated that he was ready to keep working with Rosenstein. "We're going to be talking. We'll be talking on the plane. I actually have a good relationship," he said. Trump used the occasion to repeat his insistence that "there's been no collusion, folks, no collusion" with Russia. The Republican real estate billionaire is infuriated by what he says is Special Counsel Robert Mueller's "witch hunt" into whether Moscow conspired with his campaign in the shock 2016 election win. Rosenstein, who oversees Mueller, has so far been steadfast in trying to protect the investigation as it digs ever deeper into Trump's inner circle. So Rosenstein's departure -- possibly putting someone more pliable in his place -- would set off alarm bells over the future independence of a probe which has the potential to rock the entire presidency.

No plans to fire embattled Russia probe official Rosenstein: Trump

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/7-deported-rohingya-will-be-killed-very-soon-rohingya-refugees-in-delhi-169909">7 Rohingya deported to Myanmar will be killed very soon: Rohingya refugees in Delhi</a>

After the Indian government deported seven of them to Myanmar this week, Rohingya refugees in India say they do not wish to return "until peace is restored in their homeland".&nbsp;

And they added that the seven Rohingya refugees who have been deported will very soon be killed.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kavanaugh-sworn-in-as-us-supreme-court-justice-169896">Brett Kavanaugh </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kavanaugh-sworn-in-as-us-supreme-court-justice-169896">sworn</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kavanaugh-sworn-in-as-us-supreme-court-justice-169896"> into Supreme Court after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kavanaugh-sworn-in-as-us-supreme-court-justice-169896">fight</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kavanaugh-sworn-in-as-us-supreme-court-justice-169896"> that divided </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kavanaugh-sworn-in-as-us-supreme-court-justice-169896">US</a>

Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in Saturday as US Supreme Court justice following the closest Senate confirmation vote in more than a century, marking a major win for President Donald Trump's drive to move the country's political institutions to the right.&nbsp;

The Senate voted 50-48 to approve Kavanaugh as protesters rallied across the country against a nominee who has been plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct as a young man and had questions raised over his candour and partisan rhetoric.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-100-per-cent-certain-kavanaugh-accuser-named-wrong-person-169901">Trump '100 per cent' certain Kavanaugh accuser named </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-100-per-cent-certain-kavanaugh-accuser-named-wrong-person-169901">wrong</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-100-per-cent-certain-kavanaugh-accuser-named-wrong-person-169901"> person</a>

Donald Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain Dr Christine Blasey Ford named the wrong person when she accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her. Kavanaugh was sworn in as a US Supreme Court justice on Saturday.&nbsp;

"This is one of the reasons I chose him is because there is no one with a squeaky clean past like Brett Kavanaugh. He is an outstanding person and I'm very honoured to have chosen him," Reuters reported Trump as telling reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to a campaign rally in Kansas.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-finds-journalist-was-killed-in-saudi-consulate-report-169898">Turkey says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-finds-journalist-was-killed-in-saudi-consulate-report-169898">journalist</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-finds-journalist-was-killed-in-saudi-consulate-report-169898"> was killed inside Saudi consulate: Report</a>

Turkish police have concluded that prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi mission in Istanbul after going missing Tuesday, an unnamed government official said Saturday.

"Based on their initial findings, the police believe that the journalist was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day," the official told AFP.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tanushree-dutta-files-sexual-harassment-complaint-against-nana-patekar-169900">Tanushree Dutta files </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tanushree-dutta-files-sexual-harassment-complaint-against-nana-patekar-169900">sexual</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tanushree-dutta-files-sexual-harassment-complaint-against-nana-patekar-169900"> harassment complaint against Nana Patekar</a>

Tanushree Dutta on Saturday filed a police complaint against veteran actor Nana Patekar for allegedly sexually harassing her on the sets of a film in 2008, police said.

Dutta, in a recent interview, alleged that Patekar had misbehaved with her while filming a song for the 2008 film "Horn Ok Pleasss".

She has filed the complaint at the Oshiwara police station against Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, producer Sameer Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang.

7 Rohingya deported to Myanmar will be killed very soon: Rohingya refugees in Delhi After the Indian government deported seven of them to Myanmar this week, Rohingya refugees in India say they do not wish to return "until peace is restored in their homeland".

7 Rohingya deported to Myanmar will be killed very soon: Rohingya refugees in Delhi After the Indian government deported seven of them to Myanmar this week, Rohingya refugees in India say they do not wish to return "until peace is restored in their homeland". And they added that the seven Rohingya refugees who have been deported will very soon be killed. Brett Kavanaugh sworn into Supreme Court after fight that divided US Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in Saturday as US Supreme Court justice following the closest Senate confirmation vote in more than a century, marking a major win for President Donald Trump's drive to move the country's political institutions to the right. The Senate voted 50-48 to approve Kavanaugh as protesters rallied across the country against a nominee who has been plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct as a young man and had questions raised over his candour and partisan rhetoric. Trump '100 per cent' certain Kavanaugh accuser named wrong person Donald Trump has said he is "100 per cent" certain Dr Christine Blasey Ford named the wrong person when she accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her. Kavanaugh was sworn in as a US Supreme Court justice on Saturday. "This is one of the reasons I chose him is because there is no one with a squeaky clean past like Brett Kavanaugh. He is an outstanding person and I'm very honoured to have chosen him," Reuters reported Trump as telling reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to a campaign rally in Kansas. Turkey says journalist was killed inside Saudi consulate: Report Turkish police have concluded that prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi mission in Istanbul after going missing Tuesday, an unnamed government official said Saturday. "Based on their initial findings, the police believe that the journalist was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day," the official told AFP. Tanushree Dutta files sexual harassment complaint against Nana Patekar Tanushree Dutta on Saturday filed a police complaint against veteran actor Nana Patekar for allegedly sexually harassing her on the sets of a film in 2008, police said. Dutta, in a recent interview, alleged that Patekar had misbehaved with her while filming a song for the 2008 film "Horn Ok Pleasss". She has filed the complaint at the Oshiwara police station against Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, producer Sameer Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headed to Pyongyang Sunday for new talks with Kim Jong Un on denuclearisation and a second US-North Korean summit.

Pompeo departed from Tokyo, where he spent the first leg of a tour that will include stops in Pyongyang, South Korea and China.

"Next stop Pyongyang to meet with Chairman Kim and continue our work to fulfil the commitments made (by) POTUS and Chairman Kim," Pompeo tweeted, using an acronym to refer to US President Donald Trump.

The trip will be Pompeo's fourth to Pyongyang, as the contours of a possibly historic US-North Korea deal take shape.

On the flight to Tokyo, Pompeo said his aim was to "develop sufficient trust" between Washington and Pyongyang to inch towards peace.

"Then we are also going to set up the next summit," said Pompeo.

However, he played down expectations for a major breakthrough.

"I doubt we will get it nailed but begin to develop options for both location and timing for when Chairman Kim will meet with the president again. Maybe we will get further than that," said the top US diplomat.

Bumpy road

In June, Trump met Kim in Singapore for the first-ever summit between the countries.

No sitting US president has ever visited North Korea, which according to human rights groups remains one of the most repressive countries on Earth.

Since the Singapore summit, which yielded what critics charge was only a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the road towards warmer ties has been bumpy.

Trump scrapped a previously planned trip by his top diplomat to Pyongyang after what he said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration.

But the unorthodox US president has since declared himself "in love" with the strongman in Pyongyang.

Pompeo's stop in Tokyo before the summit was intended to reassure the US ally that Washington's diplomacy will not leave Japan out in the cold.

Speaking alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Pompeo said the two historic allies would have a "fully coordinated, unified view of how to proceed, which will be what is needed if we are going to be successful on denuclearising North Korea."

Japan, which has seen North Korean missiles fly over its territory and been threatened with annihilation, has historically taken a hard line on Pyongyang and stressed the need to maintain pressure on the regime.

More recently, however, Abe has said the only way to improve strained ties is a face-to-face meeting with former international pariah Kim.

Pompeo has repeatedly declined to be drawn publicly on the shape of an eventual agreement. The United States has called for a comprehensive accord and strict enforcement of sanctions on North Korea in the meantime.

Grand bargain

After Pyongyang, Pompeo travels to South Korea, whose dovish president Moon Jae-in has served as a go-between for the two sides.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like.

In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site.

In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a full-blown peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said.

Pompeo did not discuss the possible outlines of a deal, saying only that his "mission is to make sure that we understand what each side is truly trying to achieve."

After Seoul, Pompeo closes his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline.

The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headed to Pyongyang Sunday for new talks with Kim Jong Un on denuclearisation and a second US-North Korean summit. Pompeo departed from Tokyo, where he spent the first leg of a tour that will include stops in Pyongyang, South Korea and China.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo headed to Pyongyang Sunday for new talks with Kim Jong Un on denuclearisation and a second US-North Korean summit. Pompeo departed from Tokyo, where he spent the first leg of a tour that will include stops in Pyongyang, South Korea and China. "Next stop Pyongyang to meet with Chairman Kim and continue our work to fulfil the commitments made (by) POTUS and Chairman Kim," Pompeo tweeted, using an acronym to refer to US President Donald Trump. The trip will be Pompeo's fourth to Pyongyang, as the contours of a possibly historic US-North Korea deal take shape. On the flight to Tokyo, Pompeo said his aim was to "develop sufficient trust" between Washington and Pyongyang to inch towards peace. "Then we are also going to set up the next summit," said Pompeo. However, he played down expectations for a major breakthrough. "I doubt we will get it nailed but begin to develop options for both location and timing for when Chairman Kim will meet with the president again. Maybe we will get further than that," said the top US diplomat. Bumpy road In June, Trump met Kim in Singapore for the first-ever summit between the countries. No sitting US president has ever visited North Korea, which according to human rights groups remains one of the most repressive countries on Earth. Since the Singapore summit, which yielded what critics charge was only a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the road towards warmer ties has been bumpy. Trump scrapped a previously planned trip by his top diplomat to Pyongyang after what he said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration. But the unorthodox US president has since declared himself "in love" with the strongman in Pyongyang. Pompeo's stop in Tokyo before the summit was intended to reassure the US ally that Washington's diplomacy will not leave Japan out in the cold. Speaking alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Pompeo said the two historic allies would have a "fully coordinated, unified view of how to proceed, which will be what is needed if we are going to be successful on denuclearising North Korea." Japan, which has seen North Korean missiles fly over its territory and been threatened with annihilation, has historically taken a hard line on Pyongyang and stressed the need to maintain pressure on the regime. More recently, however, Abe has said the only way to improve strained ties is a face-to-face meeting with former international pariah Kim. Pompeo has repeatedly declined to be drawn publicly on the shape of an eventual agreement. The United States has called for a comprehensive accord and strict enforcement of sanctions on North Korea in the meantime. Grand bargain After Pyongyang, Pompeo travels to South Korea, whose dovish president Moon Jae-in has served as a go-between for the two sides. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like. In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site. In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a full-blown peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said. Pompeo did not discuss the possible outlines of a deal, saying only that his "mission is to make sure that we understand what each side is truly trying to achieve." After Seoul, Pompeo closes his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline. The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

US's Pompeo heads to Pyongyang, seeking progress on 2nd Trump-Kim summit

For India, getting a presidential waiver from the biting CAATSA sanctions might not be that easy, some American experts believe referring to the changing political dynamics within the administration and President Donald Trump's personal strong views against New Delhi's trade and tariff policies and calling it a "tariff king".

Under the CAATSA which was signed into law last year, India is subject to sanctions now that it has entered into an agreement with Russia to purchase S-400 Triumf missile defense system in USD 5.4 billion, which is considered by the US as a significant purchase.

The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA gives the Trump administration more ways to target Russia, Iran and North Korea with economic and political sanctions.

Only last month, US had used CAATSA to impose sanctions on Chinese entities for purchase of S-400. Friends of India in the US hope that New Delhi will receive a presidential waiver, given that Trump Administration has recognised India as a major defense partner and is in advance stage of selling billions of dollars' worth of equipment to India in the next few years.

Congressional sources say that both Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed for a presidential CAATSA waiver keeping India in mind. But the final decision will be taken by Trump, who in the last several weeks has been very critical of India's trade and tariff policies.

Last week, Trump described India as a "tariff king" and said India wants to have a trade deal with the US after he warned them of imposing additional tariffs on their imports. His latest statements have made some experts feel that the presidential waiver might not be that easy.

"At the very least, the administration will likely use the possibility of a sanctions waiver as leverage over India in other trade disputes. India may get the waiver in the end, but the administration will likely extract something for it. We just don't know what yet," a Republican Congressional watcher told PTI.

Anish Goel, who served in the Obama White House and was a key staffer of the Senate Armed Services Committee for several years, said that National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2019 does not automatically grant a waiver from sanctions for India's defense purchases from Russia.

"The language is non-country specific and merely gives the Administration the authority to grant a waiver if it desires. The ultimate decision is up to the Administration," said Goel, senior fellow at New America think-tank. 
 
"In this case, obtaining such a waiver is not a foregone conclusion. While Mattis is likely a strong supporter of granting one, and many believe he advocated for the legislation because of India's unique situation, there are others in the administration who will oppose giving India special treatment, particularly when it comes to the proliferation of the S-400. It is hard to predict whose arguments will win out," Goel told PTI in response to a question.

Bharat Gopalaswamy from Atlantic Council think tank hoped that India will finally get the presidential waiver given the strong relationship that the two countries have.

"I am hopeful that the US would grant India the necessary waiver acknowledging the fact that India is on a positive trajectory towards getting closer to the US and these issues are just a 'passing cloud'," he told PTI.

"As we are all aware, India has had a path dependency with Russia for the supply of their military hardware. While India is diversifying their sources of military supplies, in the short run, it is resorting to systems from Russia to ensure that its security is not compromised," he said.

"We have to remind ourselves that US-India relationship in this sphere is less than two decades because in 1998 India was a target of US sanctions. I also understand that India had fewer alternatives," he noted.

But some Congressional sources who closely follow the Trump Administration are quick to point towards the changing dynamics inside the administration.

Based on Mattis's strong advocacy for the CAATSA waiver authority in this year's NDAA, the Indian government likely believes that obtaining a waiver from the sanctions will be relatively straightforward, an informed Congressional source said.

"I don't know if this played any role in India's decision to move ahead with the S-400 purchase, but it's possible that India felt safe that the purchase would not harm US-India relations or incur CAATSA-related sanctions," said the source.

"However, whether India actually gets the waiver will largely be up to National Security Advisor (John) Bolton, who has long been against giving India any special treatment," sources told PTI.

"In addition, the Trump administration has stated that limiting proliferation of the S-400 missile system is one of their strategic priorities, and recently levied sanctions against China for its purchase of the S-400. It is certainly within the realm of possibilities that the administration will not look too kindly on India's actions and decide to levy sanctions against India," the Congressional source said.

"In the end, I think it will come down to who has more influence in this debate - Mattis or Bolton. (Pompeo's personal position is a bit unclear.) I don't know the answer to that question - Mattis's star seems to be fading just a touch and Bolton seems to be ascendant and taking over foreign policy formulation. So it's quite possible that India's faith in getting a waiver is mistaken," the sources said.

 
&nbsp;

For India, getting a presidential waiver from the biting CAATSA sanctions might not be that easy, some American experts believe referring to the changing political dynamics within the administration and President Donald Trump's personal strong views against New Delhi's trade and tariff policies and calling it a "tariff king".

For India, getting a presidential waiver from the biting CAATSA sanctions might not be that easy, some American experts believe referring to the changing political dynamics within the administration and President Donald Trump's personal strong views against New Delhi's trade and tariff policies and calling it a "tariff king". Under the CAATSA which was signed into law last year, India is subject to sanctions now that it has entered into an agreement with Russia to purchase S-400 Triumf missile defense system in USD 5.4 billion, which is considered by the US as a significant purchase. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA gives the Trump administration more ways to target Russia, Iran and North Korea with economic and political sanctions. Only last month, US had used CAATSA to impose sanctions on Chinese entities for purchase of S-400. Friends of India in the US hope that New Delhi will receive a presidential waiver, given that Trump Administration has recognised India as a major defense partner and is in advance stage of selling billions of dollars' worth of equipment to India in the next few years. Congressional sources say that both Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed for a presidential CAATSA waiver keeping India in mind. But the final decision will be taken by Trump, who in the last several weeks has been very critical of India's trade and tariff policies. Last week, Trump described India as a "tariff king" and said India wants to have a trade deal with the US after he warned them of imposing additional tariffs on their imports. His latest statements have made some experts feel that the presidential waiver might not be that easy. "At the very least, the administration will likely use the possibility of a sanctions waiver as leverage over India in other trade disputes. India may get the waiver in the end, but the administration will likely extract something for it. We just don't know what yet," a Republican Congressional watcher told PTI. Anish Goel, who served in the Obama White House and was a key staffer of the Senate Armed Services Committee for several years, said that National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2019 does not automatically grant a waiver from sanctions for India's defense purchases from Russia. "The language is non-country specific and merely gives the Administration the authority to grant a waiver if it desires. The ultimate decision is up to the Administration," said Goel, senior fellow at New America think-tank. "In this case, obtaining such a waiver is not a foregone conclusion. While Mattis is likely a strong supporter of granting one, and many believe he advocated for the legislation because of India's unique situation, there are others in the administration who will oppose giving India special treatment, particularly when it comes to the proliferation of the S-400. It is hard to predict whose arguments will win out," Goel told PTI in response to a question. Bharat Gopalaswamy from Atlantic Council think tank hoped that India will finally get the presidential waiver given the strong relationship that the two countries have. "I am hopeful that the US would grant India the necessary waiver acknowledging the fact that India is on a positive trajectory towards getting closer to the US and these issues are just a 'passing cloud'," he told PTI. "As we are all aware, India has had a path dependency with Russia for the supply of their military hardware. While India is diversifying their sources of military supplies, in the short run, it is resorting to systems from Russia to ensure that its security is not compromised," he said. "We have to remind ourselves that US-India relationship in this sphere is less than two decades because in 1998 India was a target of US sanctions. I also understand that India had fewer alternatives," he noted. But some Congressional sources who closely follow the Trump Administration are quick to point towards the changing dynamics inside the administration. Based on Mattis's strong advocacy for the CAATSA waiver authority in this year's NDAA, the Indian government likely believes that obtaining a waiver from the sanctions will be relatively straightforward, an informed Congressional source said. "I don't know if this played any role in India's decision to move ahead with the S-400 purchase, but it's possible that India felt safe that the purchase would not harm US-India relations or incur CAATSA-related sanctions," said the source. "However, whether India actually gets the waiver will largely be up to National Security Advisor (John) Bolton, who has long been against giving India any special treatment," sources told PTI. "In addition, the Trump administration has stated that limiting proliferation of the S-400 missile system is one of their strategic priorities, and recently levied sanctions against China for its purchase of the S-400. It is certainly within the realm of possibilities that the administration will not look too kindly on India's actions and decide to levy sanctions against India," the Congressional source said. "In the end, I think it will come down to who has more influence in this debate - Mattis or Bolton. (Pompeo's personal position is a bit unclear.) I don't know the answer to that question - Mattis's star seems to be fading just a touch and Bolton seems to be ascendant and taking over foreign policy formulation. So it's quite possible that India's faith in getting a waiver is mistaken," the sources said.

Getting presidential waiver on S-400 might not be easy for India: Experts

The new <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-new-national-strategy-for-counterterrorism-169506">country terrorism strategy unveiled by the Trump administration</a> on Thursday has listed Babbar Khalsa International terrorist group as a "risk to the US personnel and interests overseas".

The National Strategy for Counterterrorism said that Babbar Khalsa International "is responsible for significant terrorist attacks in India and elsewhere that have claimed the lives of innocent civilians".

The group has been associated with the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1981 that killed 329 people on the Emperor Kanishka, a Boeing 747 airliner.

Based in Vancouver, the Babbar Khalsa International group was founded by a Canadian citizen.

Pictures of late Talwinder Singh Parmar, the founder of Babbar Khalsa International are displayed at public events in Canada.

Parmar was killed in 1992 during a confrontation with police when he returned to India from Canada.

Canada had earlier refused to extradite Parmar, who was wanted in India in connection with the killing of two Punjab police officers.

Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, the third largest in Canada's House of Commons, has admitted Parmar's role in the terrorist attack.

A day before the National Strategy for Counter-terrorism also listed Pakistan-based terrorist outfits the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trumps-counter-terrorism-strategy-identifies-let-ttp-as-potential-threat-to-us-169575">Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan </a>(TTP) among radical Islamist groups.

In addition to the ISIS and al-Qaeda, dozens of other radical Islamist terrorist groups are working to advance more locally focused insurgent or terrorist campaigns, while still posing a threat to United States persons and interests overseas, said the strategy.

About groups like the Babbar Khalsa International, it said they "may avoid or deprioritise targeting US interests for now to avoid detracting from their core goals but frequently conduct assassinations and bombings against major economic, political, and social targets, heightening the risk to United States personnel and interests overseas".

(With inputs from agencies)

The new country terrorism strategy unveiled by the Trump administration on Thursday has listed Babbar Khalsa International terrorist group as a "risk to the US personnel and interests overseas".

The new country terrorism strategy unveiled by the Trump administration on Thursday has listed Babbar Khalsa International terrorist group as a "risk to the US personnel and interests overseas". The National Strategy for Counterterrorism said that Babbar Khalsa International "is responsible for significant terrorist attacks in India and elsewhere that have claimed the lives of innocent civilians". The group has been associated with the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1981 that killed 329 people on the Emperor Kanishka, a Boeing 747 airliner. Based in Vancouver, the Babbar Khalsa International group was founded by a Canadian citizen. Pictures of late Talwinder Singh Parmar, the founder of Babbar Khalsa International are displayed at public events in Canada. Parmar was killed in 1992 during a confrontation with police when he returned to India from Canada. Canada had earlier refused to extradite Parmar, who was wanted in India in connection with the killing of two Punjab police officers. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, the third largest in Canada's House of Commons, has admitted Parmar's role in the terrorist attack. A day before the National Strategy for Counter-terrorism also listed Pakistan-based terrorist outfits the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) among radical Islamist groups. In addition to the ISIS and al-Qaeda, dozens of other radical Islamist terrorist groups are working to advance more locally focused insurgent or terrorist campaigns, while still posing a threat to United States persons and interests overseas, said the strategy. About groups like the Babbar Khalsa International, it said they "may avoid or deprioritise targeting US interests for now to avoid detracting from their core goals but frequently conduct assassinations and bombings against major economic, political, and social targets, heightening the risk to United States personnel and interests overseas". (With inputs from agencies)

Trump's terror strategy declares Babbar Khalsa International 'risk to US personnel and interests overseas'

The United States’ time is up. The country is wading into the pits of absolute decline. But, there is a bit of an irony involved here, the country contra international relations theory and practice is not declining because of peer competitor(s), or hard balancing; it is in decline because of its own follies and an inexorable drift into torpor and turpitude.&nbsp;

These assertions might sound counterintuitive or even in the nature of a pious wish given that the country holds the balance in almost all domains of power and politics.&nbsp;

For instance, its defence spending is unmatched, &nbsp;its hard power peerless, power projection capabilities unmatched and the system of alliances that it presides over rather relatively unscathed. &nbsp;The question then arises is that is the United States is still at the apogee of its power, how can it be in decline? If it is in decline, should it be a cause of celebration? And, more importantly perhaps, who or what should replace the country?

First things first.

Power, a slippery and contested concept, is intimately linked with legitimacy. It is not the “number of tanks or battalions (to briefly paraphrase Joseph Stalin) that a country has that determines its “actual” power (or influence) but a combination of power and the fund of legitimacy it enjoys. The United States, despite its grave crimes like the Vietnam war, its egregious and bloody meddling in Latin America, its blatant and fraudulent use of power in the Second Gulf War and so on did enjoy legitimacy especially in the aftermath of the Second world war.

This legitimacy accrued from the country’s leadership in creating and instituting the liberal world order. Consequently, many countries not only acquiesced in its leadership but also accepted the country. But, with the concentration of power in the United States( also known as unipolarity), hubris became the predominant impulse of the United States. The country not only squandered its fund of power and legitimacy by opting for “wars of choice” in Afghanistan and Iraq but also became contemptuous of rules, regimes and norms that it had helped institute. The United States also lost the plot domestically as the country’s elite became so self-centred and self-absorbed that there was a massive disconnect between the masses and the governing classes of the country. This, in turn, corrupted the United States’ democracy and its institutions, in the process.

The chicken finally came to roost, so to speak, in the form of Donald Trump to the highest office of the country. Trump is not only disdainful of ( and in the process reconfiguring) United States institutional fabric in an insalubrious and deleterious way but also swaggering internationally in a cavalier way that he is destroying the fabric of world order, norms, laws and regimes thereof. His gratuitous assault on Iran, the contempt demonstrated by his administration toward the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, and the aggressive and bellicose approach adopted toward China illustrate the point. But, this is not all, the United States is being hollowed out from within by the corruption of its institutions, the ungainly and cruel treatment of refugees and immigrants, the arrogant and disdain demonstrated toward the rule of law and so on. Cumulatively, the gravamen of these omissions and commissions can only mean decline.

Now, if the United States is in decline, who or what can replace it? The obvious contender is China given its power, heft and clout. But, there are obvious issues with China’s total dominance of the international system. The country’s world view and its sense of self, along with issues of humanitarian concern would render China an inadequate globally preponderant power, among other things. &nbsp;The European Union is too mired in structural issues to actually even countenance global leadership. By elimination then, what the world is left with is international law and institutions of global governance like the United Nations.

In the absence of hegemony, only international law and institutions can actually fill the void in anarchic international relations. But, here too, issues arise, the major one being that states invariably act in and out of self-interest. However, given that there will be no more a hegemon to enforce peace, or hold the balance in a way that approximates global public goods, all the states of and in the international system must redefine their interests and conceive these in a way where , internationally and globally, international law, regimes and laws reign supreme. 
 
This might even constitute raison d’etat given that if , in the past, the United States was looked toward as the provider of security and public goods, and that it is in decline and there would be no entity to do this in the future, states’ self-interest would lie in bandwagoning together and agglomerating their interests in and to some well-defined goals and peace. The most important of these goals would be the world order, global peace and stability, themes and ideas that would redound to the benefit of all. Moreover, this potential combination would also check and hem the worst instincts and impulses of states, especially powerful ones.

This potential state of affairs and the desired condition can only be reified if international institutions and laws are strengthened by a robust backing of states. &nbsp;Broken down, it means reviving the United Nations and making it more robust, not merely as a declamatory body or one whose USP lies only in “low politics” but making it an arbiter of high politics. It can happen when states delegate their power, not just rhetorically but substantively to the “Parliament of Man” and, among other things imbue the august body with hard power capabilities.

The United States is declining. There is no other state which can actually replace it, as of now. And, in and during its decline, the country can do something silly and odious, like going to war or rejigging the economic order in place drastically, so much so that the rest of the world suffers. Before the country, during the throes of decline, lashes out and before the world drifts into a more intense disorder, it is time to introspect and accord primacy to law and institutions which promote peace, stability and prosperity. The time to make haste slowly is now!

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The United States’ time is up. The country is wading into the pits of absolute decline. But, there is a bit of an irony involved here, the country contra international relations theory and practice is not declining because of peer competitor(s), or hard balancing; it is in decline because of its own follies and an inexorable drift into torpor and turpitude.

The United States’ time is up. The country is wading into the pits of absolute decline. But, there is a bit of an irony involved here, the country contra international relations theory and practice is not declining because of peer competitor(s), or hard balancing; it is in decline because of its own follies and an inexorable drift into torpor and turpitude. These assertions might sound counterintuitive or even in the nature of a pious wish given that the country holds the balance in almost all domains of power and politics. For instance, its defence spending is unmatched, its hard power peerless, power projection capabilities unmatched and the system of alliances that it presides over rather relatively unscathed. The question then arises is that is the United States is still at the apogee of its power, how can it be in decline? If it is in decline, should it be a cause of celebration? And, more importantly perhaps, who or what should replace the country? First things first. Power, a slippery and contested concept, is intimately linked with legitimacy. It is not the “number of tanks or battalions (to briefly paraphrase Joseph Stalin) that a country has that determines its “actual” power (or influence) but a combination of power and the fund of legitimacy it enjoys. The United States, despite its grave crimes like the Vietnam war, its egregious and bloody meddling in Latin America, its blatant and fraudulent use of power in the Second Gulf War and so on did enjoy legitimacy especially in the aftermath of the Second world war. This legitimacy accrued from the country’s leadership in creating and instituting the liberal world order. Consequently, many countries not only acquiesced in its leadership but also accepted the country. But, with the concentration of power in the United States( also known as unipolarity), hubris became the predominant impulse of the United States. The country not only squandered its fund of power and legitimacy by opting for “wars of choice” in Afghanistan and Iraq but also became contemptuous of rules, regimes and norms that it had helped institute. The United States also lost the plot domestically as the country’s elite became so self-centred and self-absorbed that there was a massive disconnect between the masses and the governing classes of the country. This, in turn, corrupted the United States’ democracy and its institutions, in the process. The chicken finally came to roost, so to speak, in the form of Donald Trump to the highest office of the country. Trump is not only disdainful of ( and in the process reconfiguring) United States institutional fabric in an insalubrious and deleterious way but also swaggering internationally in a cavalier way that he is destroying the fabric of world order, norms, laws and regimes thereof. His gratuitous assault on Iran, the contempt demonstrated by his administration toward the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, and the aggressive and bellicose approach adopted toward China illustrate the point. But, this is not all, the United States is being hollowed out from within by the corruption of its institutions, the ungainly and cruel treatment of refugees and immigrants, the arrogant and disdain demonstrated toward the rule of law and so on. Cumulatively, the gravamen of these omissions and commissions can only mean decline. Now, if the United States is in decline, who or what can replace it? The obvious contender is China given its power, heft and clout. But, there are obvious issues with China’s total dominance of the international system. The country’s world view and its sense of self, along with issues of humanitarian concern would render China an inadequate globally preponderant power, among other things. The European Union is too mired in structural issues to actually even countenance global leadership. By elimination then, what the world is left with is international law and institutions of global governance like the United Nations. In the absence of hegemony, only international law and institutions can actually fill the void in anarchic international relations. But, here too, issues arise, the major one being that states invariably act in and out of self-interest. However, given that there will be no more a hegemon to enforce peace, or hold the balance in a way that approximates global public goods, all the states of and in the international system must redefine their interests and conceive these in a way where , internationally and globally, international law, regimes and laws reign supreme. This might even constitute raison d’etat given that if , in the past, the United States was looked toward as the provider of security and public goods, and that it is in decline and there would be no entity to do this in the future, states’ self-interest would lie in bandwagoning together and agglomerating their interests in and to some well-defined goals and peace. The most important of these goals would be the world order, global peace and stability, themes and ideas that would redound to the benefit of all. Moreover, this potential combination would also check and hem the worst instincts and impulses of states, especially powerful ones. This potential state of affairs and the desired condition can only be reified if international institutions and laws are strengthened by a robust backing of states. Broken down, it means reviving the United Nations and making it more robust, not merely as a declamatory body or one whose USP lies only in “low politics” but making it an arbiter of high politics. It can happen when states delegate their power, not just rhetorically but substantively to the “Parliament of Man” and, among other things imbue the august body with hard power capabilities. The United States is declining. There is no other state which can actually replace it, as of now. And, in and during its decline, the country can do something silly and odious, like going to war or rejigging the economic order in place drastically, so much so that the rest of the world suffers. Before the country, during the throes of decline, lashes out and before the world drifts into a more intense disorder, it is time to introspect and accord primacy to law and institutions which promote peace, stability and prosperity. The time to make haste slowly is now! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

As the US declines, International Law and Institutions must be strengthened

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/republicans-aim-to-confirm-kavanaugh-this-weekend-protesters-arrested-169504">Republicans aim to confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh this weekend; protesters arrested</a>

President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans gained confidence on Thursday that his US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh would win Senate confirmation after two wavering lawmakers&nbsp;responded positively to an FBI report&nbsp;on accusations of sexual misconduct against the judge.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/going-extra-length-to-find-substitute-for-iranian-oil-for-countries-like-india-white-house-169509">Going extra length to find </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/going-extra-length-to-find-substitute-for-iranian-oil-for-countries-like-india-white-house-169509">substitute</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/going-extra-length-to-find-substitute-for-iranian-oil-for-countries-like-india-white-house-169509"> for Iranian oil for countries like India: US</a>

The White House on Thursday said that it's&nbsp;going extra length for countries like India and Iraq to find substitute for Iranian oil.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-pushes-pakistan-for-an-effective-campaign-against-terrorist-169513">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-pushes-pakistan-for-an-effective-campaign-against-terrorist-169513"> pushes Pakistan for an effective campaign against terrorists</a>

The Trump Administration in its meetings with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi this week talked about the suspension of security assistance since early this year and the importance that they place on them renewing an effective campaign against terrorists, the White House said.&nbsp;​

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-new-national-strategy-for-counterterrorism-169506">Trump announces new National Strategy for Counterterrorism​​​​​​</a>

US President Donald Trump unveiled a new counter-terrorism strategy which issues a tough warning to terrorist groups and their supporters that the United States will defeat its enemies with the full force of American might.​

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/nike-concerned-about-ronaldo-rape-claims-169517">Nike 'concerned' about Ronaldo rape claims</a>

Sportswear maker Nike Inc and video game maker Electronic Arts Inc (EA) said on Thursday they were concerned about rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's best football players.

&nbsp;

Republicans aim to confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh this weekend; protesters arrested President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans gained confidence on Thursday that his US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh would win Senate confirmation after two wavering lawmakers responded positively to an FBI report on accusations of sexual misconduct against the judge.

Republicans aim to confirm Trump's Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh this weekend; protesters arrested President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans gained confidence on Thursday that his US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh would win Senate confirmation after two wavering lawmakers responded positively to an FBI report on accusations of sexual misconduct against the judge. Going extra length to find substitute for Iranian oil for countries like India: US The White House on Thursday said that it's going extra length for countries like India and Iraq to find substitute for Iranian oil. US pushes Pakistan for an effective campaign against terrorists The Trump Administration in its meetings with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi this week talked about the suspension of security assistance since early this year and the importance that they place on them renewing an effective campaign against terrorists, the White House said. Trump announces new National Strategy for Counterterrorism US President Donald Trump unveiled a new counter-terrorism strategy which issues a tough warning to terrorist groups and their supporters that the United States will defeat its enemies with the full force of American might. Nike 'concerned' about Ronaldo rape claims Sportswear maker Nike Inc and video game maker Electronic Arts Inc (EA) said on Thursday they were concerned about rape allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world's best football players.

A video showing US President Donald Trump walking with a paper stuck onto his left shoe went viral on social media today.

The incident which shows President Trump walking up the stairs of the plane with a white paper stuck onto his left foot&nbsp;happened on Thursday at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

The incident happened when President Trump was departing for the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota.

The paper got detached from his foot when he reached the top and turned to wave back at his people.

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Social media exploded over the incident with several users speculating that the paper which got stuck to Trump's foot was a toilet tissue.

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A video showing US President Donald Trump walking with a paper stuck onto his left shoe went viral on social media today. The incident which shows President Trump walking up the stairs of the plane with a white paper stuck onto his left foot happened on Thursday at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.

A video showing US President Donald Trump walking with a paper stuck onto his left shoe went viral on social media today. The incident which shows President Trump walking up the stairs of the plane with a white paper stuck onto his left foot happened on Thursday at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The incident happened when President Trump was departing for the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. The paper got detached from his foot when he reached the top and turned to wave back at his people. × Social media exploded over the incident with several users speculating that the paper which got stuck to Trump's foot was a toilet tissue.

Watch: 'Toilet paper' stuck to Trump's foot as he boards plane

South Carolina Shooting: 7 officers shot in Florence county

S-400 sytem has an estimated range of 400 kilometres with an altitude of 30 kilometres. It also has the capability to intercept the intermediate-range ballistic missile, not just that the Tiumph system can target aircrafts, UAVs, cruise missiles with equal ease engaging 300 targets at a time.

Star Wars: America's THAAD vs Russia's S-400 missile defence system

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday shrugged off a New York Times investigation that concluded he made his fortune with the help of more than $400 million from his parents, partly through tax schemes, as a boring, rehashed "hit piece."

Trump has often boasted that he built a multi-billion dollar real estate empire from a $1 million loan from his father, Fred, himself a prominent New York builder.

But the Times reviewed more than 100,000 documents including confidential tax returns and financial records that it said showed he actually received at least $413 million in today's money, in part through schemes to avoid taxes.

"They used the concept of 'time value of money' in doing a very old, boring and often told hit piece on me," he tweeted.

"Added up, this means that 97% of their stories on me are bad. Never recovered from bad election call!"&nbsp;

Forbes magazine, meanwhile, estimated Trump's fortune at $3.1 billion -- the same as last year, but a third smaller than it was in 2015. Forbes ranked Trump's fortune at 259 in the world, down from 248 the year he was elected president.&nbsp;

The Times story said that from the time Trump was a toddler, his father funneled millions of dollars to his four children through a sham corporation to avoid gift taxes.

The Times said the records also indicate that Trump helped his father take millions more in improper tax deductions.

Father's favourite 
And he helped devise a scheme that undervalued his parents' real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars, sharply reducing taxes on those properties when they were transferred to their children, according to the paper.

A lawyer for Trump, Charles Harder, called the account "100 percent false, and highly defamatory."

"There was no fraud or tax evasion by anyone. The facts upon which The Times bases its false allegations are extremely inaccurate," he added.

"President Trump had virtually no involvement whatsoever with these matters."

Addressing a press conference, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders rubbished the article's main claims, but said it was right in one important aspect: Trump's business acumen.

"I will say one thing the article did get right was that it showed that the president's father had a great deal of confidence in him.

"The president brought his father into a lot of deals and they made a lot of money together. His father went on to say that everything he touched turned to gold."

Wealthy toddler 
The paper's contention that Trump was earning as much as $200,000 a year in today's money by the time he was three years old, and was the equivalent of a millionaire by the age of eight, drew considerable attention.&nbsp;

The assertion was pounced on by several late night talk show hosts, including comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of "The Late Show" on CBS.

"So, let me get this straight: At one point, Donald Trump was an extraordinarily wealthy toddler. And today? He is still that," he said.

Not everything, however, was a laughing matter: The Times said Trump's tax-hating father used various methods to funnel his wealth to his children and shield it from the Internal Revenue Service, some of which tax experts said was improper or possibly illegal.

Following the article's publication, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced it was "reviewing the allegations in the NYT article and is vigorously pursuing all appropriate avenues of investigation."

Speculation about the source of Trump's wealth has mounted since 2015, when he declared his candidacy for the nation's highest office but broke with long-standing tradition by refusing to release his tax returns.

He has been repeatedly rebuked over ethics violations for refusing to divest his assets in the Trump Organization, instead turning over control of the entity to his sons, Donald Jr and Eric.

The president also continues to stay or make use of hotels and golf clubs he owns, leading to conflict of interest allegations and multiple lawsuits.

In July, a federal judge allowed to proceed a suit accusing Trump of violating the constitution by maintaining his interest in a hotel that does business with foreign governments.

It marked the first time a court interpreted anti-corruption clauses in the constitution, known as emoluments clauses, and applied them to a sitting president. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday shrugged off a New York Times investigation that concluded he made his fortune with the help of more than $400 million from his parents, partly through tax schemes, as a boring, rehashed "hit piece.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday shrugged off a New York Times investigation that concluded he made his fortune with the help of more than $400 million from his parents, partly through tax schemes, as a boring, rehashed "hit piece." Trump has often boasted that he built a multi-billion dollar real estate empire from a $1 million loan from his father, Fred, himself a prominent New York builder. But the Times reviewed more than 100,000 documents including confidential tax returns and financial records that it said showed he actually received at least $413 million in today's money, in part through schemes to avoid taxes. "They used the concept of 'time value of money' in doing a very old, boring and often told hit piece on me," he tweeted. "Added up, this means that 97% of their stories on me are bad. Never recovered from bad election call!" Forbes magazine, meanwhile, estimated Trump's fortune at $3.1 billion -- the same as last year, but a third smaller than it was in 2015. Forbes ranked Trump's fortune at 259 in the world, down from 248 the year he was elected president. The Times story said that from the time Trump was a toddler, his father funneled millions of dollars to his four children through a sham corporation to avoid gift taxes. The Times said the records also indicate that Trump helped his father take millions more in improper tax deductions. Father's favourite And he helped devise a scheme that undervalued his parents' real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars, sharply reducing taxes on those properties when they were transferred to their children, according to the paper. A lawyer for Trump, Charles Harder, called the account "100 percent false, and highly defamatory." "There was no fraud or tax evasion by anyone. The facts upon which The Times bases its false allegations are extremely inaccurate," he added. "President Trump had virtually no involvement whatsoever with these matters." Addressing a press conference, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders rubbished the article's main claims, but said it was right in one important aspect: Trump's business acumen. "I will say one thing the article did get right was that it showed that the president's father had a great deal of confidence in him. "The president brought his father into a lot of deals and they made a lot of money together. His father went on to say that everything he touched turned to gold." Wealthy toddler The paper's contention that Trump was earning as much as $200,000 a year in today's money by the time he was three years old, and was the equivalent of a millionaire by the age of eight, drew considerable attention. The assertion was pounced on by several late night talk show hosts, including comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of "The Late Show" on CBS. "So, let me get this straight: At one point, Donald Trump was an extraordinarily wealthy toddler. And today? He is still that," he said. Not everything, however, was a laughing matter: The Times said Trump's tax-hating father used various methods to funnel his wealth to his children and shield it from the Internal Revenue Service, some of which tax experts said was improper or possibly illegal. Following the article's publication, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced it was "reviewing the allegations in the NYT article and is vigorously pursuing all appropriate avenues of investigation." Speculation about the source of Trump's wealth has mounted since 2015, when he declared his candidacy for the nation's highest office but broke with long-standing tradition by refusing to release his tax returns. He has been repeatedly rebuked over ethics violations for refusing to divest his assets in the Trump Organization, instead turning over control of the entity to his sons, Donald Jr and Eric. The president also continues to stay or make use of hotels and golf clubs he owns, leading to conflict of interest allegations and multiple lawsuits. In July, a federal judge allowed to proceed a suit accusing Trump of violating the constitution by maintaining his interest in a hotel that does business with foreign governments. It marked the first time a court interpreted anti-corruption clauses in the constitution, known as emoluments clauses, and applied them to a sitting president.

'Boring,' Trump says of NYT report claiming he made fortune from dodging taxes

For the second time within days, US President Donald Trump has lashed out at India’s high tariffs on various American products and asserted that the Government of India (GoI) is desperately seeking a trade deal with the US to keep him happy. Chances are that Trump is speaking the truth, at least about India having approached the US for negotiating a trade agreement.

Talk of a trade deal gained credence not only because Trump said so. Only last week, Assistant US Trade Representative Mark Linscott was in New Delhi for detailed talks with officials about a possible agreement on bilateral trade. Earlier in June, Linscott had come at the head of a US delegation for a discussion of issues related to trade and tariffs that have been points of bilateral contention.

Yet, in spite of Trump’s taunts of India being a “Tariff King”, if the Government of India has not been forthcoming on a trade deal apparently in the offing, it could be because of concerns over domestic reactions, especially among industry and business.

With the threats of a trade war, particularly between the US and China on the rise, the question is, what should India do. Former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh, who was also ambassador to the US, says India should lose no time in signing a trade agreement with the US. Trump is challenging the WTO and he may well render the current international trading regime irrelevant, if not obsolete.

In such a scenario, India has no option but to work on regional and bilateral trade pacts to safeguard and advance its interests, says Mansingh. India, which is part of the RCEP — Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), between the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific nations of China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea — should now similarly protect its economic and commercial interests by signing a bilateral agreement with the US, which is its largest trading partner.

In Mansingh’s view, also shared by other observers of India-US relations, India would be justified in going to the US for a special bilateral deal because it has not been able to take advantage of the WTO system in the aggressive way China has been able to do. Besides, the US opposition to China’s trade strategy under the prevalent world trading system is not limited to Trump; there is a political consensus in the US on redefining the terms of trade with China. Mansingh’s prescription is more by way of a safeguard in the event of a trade war breaking out between the US and China.

So far, India has not suffered as a result of Trump’s trade offensive and slapping of tariffs across continents. It is true that Trump struck India with tariffs on steel and aluminium after New Delhi failed in its attempts to get an exemption. Even so, India is not affected as it is not a big exporter of either steel or aluminium comparable, for example, to China, Japan and South Korea. However, if a US-China trade war breaks out, the international system could be in serious trouble like in 2008, and India would suffer more than collateral damage. Right now it is a war of words and wits. But a trade war between the world’s two largest trading nations will certainly affect India severely. At this stage, it would be hard to foretell all the grim consequences. For the same reason, it is not possible for India to protect its economic and trade interests against the tide of oncoming events.

At the same time, it should not be difficult for India, to secure some of its interests, such as ensuring oil supplies and stabilising the rupee-dollar equation.

Petroleum prices are high and going higher because of US sanctions against Russia and its retraction from the nuclear deal with Iran. This is affecting the Indian economy as well as eroding the value of the rupee. In addition, the US sanctions against Russia is also likely to inflict collateral damage on India, which is facing rough weather from the US on the defence deals to be signed with Russia.

In a way, the price and supply of crude are not related to the rupee value. Oil supplies are hit because of Trump’s actions and campaign to squeeze Iran. India has been protesting unilateral sanctions against Iran. But considering that the US is the largest economy and the biggest military power, India cannot ignore what it entails. Nor can India afford to stand on principle — that it will support only UN sanctions — beyond a point.

India can and will find other sources of oil as well as natural gas. (In this matter, Trump has said that he would help India). Refineries dependent on crude from Iran will suffer, but given India’s good relations with oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and others in the Middle East, supplies should not be a problem in the event of India being compelled to end imports from Iran. Prices will keep rising until such time supplies increase, which will happen when OPEC decides to raise the production. With Trump warning that oil prices should be stable, OPEC would have to give in soon.

Although GoI expects that the US would allow it to fulfil its oil contract obligations with Iran, India is unlikely to wait until the November deadline for finalising other sources of oil supplies. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is confident that there would be no oil crisis.

There is no basis for similar confidence with regard to the rupee value, which is falling because of the weakness of the Indian economy. To address that weakness calls for measures, which the government can ill afford when the country is in election mode, particularly when such measures can alienate powerful financial interests.

India needs to have in place political, economic and diplomatic strategies to deal with a world where the US is moving away from multilateralism. To begin with, it may be worth considering whether India could take a cue from Trump’s North American trade deal with Canada and Mexico.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-india-is-trump-s-trade-target-2671244">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

For the second time within days, US President Donald Trump has lashed out at India’s high tariffs on various American products and asserted that the Government of India (GoI) is desperately seeking a trade deal with the US to keep him happy.

For the second time within days, US President Donald Trump has lashed out at India’s high tariffs on various American products and asserted that the Government of India (GoI) is desperately seeking a trade deal with the US to keep him happy. Chances are that Trump is speaking the truth, at least about India having approached the US for negotiating a trade agreement. Talk of a trade deal gained credence not only because Trump said so. Only last week, Assistant US Trade Representative Mark Linscott was in New Delhi for detailed talks with officials about a possible agreement on bilateral trade. Earlier in June, Linscott had come at the head of a US delegation for a discussion of issues related to trade and tariffs that have been points of bilateral contention. Yet, in spite of Trump’s taunts of India being a “Tariff King”, if the Government of India has not been forthcoming on a trade deal apparently in the offing, it could be because of concerns over domestic reactions, especially among industry and business. With the threats of a trade war, particularly between the US and China on the rise, the question is, what should India do. Former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh, who was also ambassador to the US, says India should lose no time in signing a trade agreement with the US. Trump is challenging the WTO and he may well render the current international trading regime irrelevant, if not obsolete. In such a scenario, India has no option but to work on regional and bilateral trade pacts to safeguard and advance its interests, says Mansingh. India, which is part of the RCEP — Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), between the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific nations of China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea — should now similarly protect its economic and commercial interests by signing a bilateral agreement with the US, which is its largest trading partner. In Mansingh’s view, also shared by other observers of India-US relations, India would be justified in going to the US for a special bilateral deal because it has not been able to take advantage of the WTO system in the aggressive way China has been able to do. Besides, the US opposition to China’s trade strategy under the prevalent world trading system is not limited to Trump; there is a political consensus in the US on redefining the terms of trade with China. Mansingh’s prescription is more by way of a safeguard in the event of a trade war breaking out between the US and China. So far, India has not suffered as a result of Trump’s trade offensive and slapping of tariffs across continents. It is true that Trump struck India with tariffs on steel and aluminium after New Delhi failed in its attempts to get an exemption. Even so, India is not affected as it is not a big exporter of either steel or aluminium comparable, for example, to China, Japan and South Korea. However, if a US-China trade war breaks out, the international system could be in serious trouble like in 2008, and India would suffer more than collateral damage. Right now it is a war of words and wits. But a trade war between the world’s two largest trading nations will certainly affect India severely. At this stage, it would be hard to foretell all the grim consequences. For the same reason, it is not possible for India to protect its economic and trade interests against the tide of oncoming events. At the same time, it should not be difficult for India, to secure some of its interests, such as ensuring oil supplies and stabilising the rupee-dollar equation. Petroleum prices are high and going higher because of US sanctions against Russia and its retraction from the nuclear deal with Iran. This is affecting the Indian economy as well as eroding the value of the rupee. In addition, the US sanctions against Russia is also likely to inflict collateral damage on India, which is facing rough weather from the US on the defence deals to be signed with Russia. In a way, the price and supply of crude are not related to the rupee value. Oil supplies are hit because of Trump’s actions and campaign to squeeze Iran. India has been protesting unilateral sanctions against Iran. But considering that the US is the largest economy and the biggest military power, India cannot ignore what it entails. Nor can India afford to stand on principle — that it will support only UN sanctions — beyond a point. India can and will find other sources of oil as well as natural gas. (In this matter, Trump has said that he would help India). Refineries dependent on crude from Iran will suffer, but given India’s good relations with oil producers such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and others in the Middle East, supplies should not be a problem in the event of India being compelled to end imports from Iran. Prices will keep rising until such time supplies increase, which will happen when OPEC decides to raise the production. With Trump warning that oil prices should be stable, OPEC would have to give in soon. Although GoI expects that the US would allow it to fulfil its oil contract obligations with Iran, India is unlikely to wait until the November deadline for finalising other sources of oil supplies. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is confident that there would be no oil crisis. There is no basis for similar confidence with regard to the rupee value, which is falling because of the weakness of the Indian economy. To address that weakness calls for measures, which the government can ill afford when the country is in election mode, particularly when such measures can alienate powerful financial interests. India needs to have in place political, economic and diplomatic strategies to deal with a world where the US is moving away from multilateralism. To begin with, it may be worth considering whether India could take a cue from Trump’s North American trade deal with Canada and Mexico. (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)

India is Trump’s trade target

US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused China of seeking a change of power in the White House, stepping up allegations of electoral interference.

"To put it bluntly, President Trump's leadership is working; China wants a different American president," Pence said in a speech to the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank.

"There can be no doubt -- China is meddling in America's democracy."

Pence cited China's advertisements in US media and its targeting of politically strategic states when singling out goods for retaliation following tariffs imposed by Trump.

"There can be no doubt -- China is meddling in America's democracy," Pence said.

The hard-hitting speech comes as Trump faces a probe into whether his campaign colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election.

US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused China of seeking a change of power in the White House, stepping up allegations of electoral interference. "To put it bluntly, President Trump's leadership is working; China wants a different American president," Pence said in a speech to the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank.

US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused China of seeking a change of power in the White House, stepping up allegations of electoral interference. "To put it bluntly, President Trump's leadership is working; China wants a different American president," Pence said in a speech to the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank. "There can be no doubt -- China is meddling in America's democracy." Pence cited China's advertisements in US media and its targeting of politically strategic states when singling out goods for retaliation following tariffs imposed by Trump. "There can be no doubt -- China is meddling in America's democracy," Pence said. The hard-hitting speech comes as Trump faces a probe into whether his campaign colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 presidential election.

Pence accuses China of seeking to change US president

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Watch: 'Toilet paper' stuck to Trump's foot as he boards plane