US&nbsp;Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Saturday said there would be "no legal basis" for Republicans to subpoena his testimony in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clarifying remarks from Friday that drew criticism.

"I want to clarify something I said yesterday. In my 40 years in public life, I have always complied with a lawful order and in my eight years as VP, my office — unlike Donald Trump and Mike Pence — cooperated with legitimate congressional oversight requests," Biden said on Twitter.

"But I am just not going to pretend that there is any legal basis for Republican subpoenas for my testimony in the impeachment trial," Biden added.

The statement came one day after Biden said in an interview with the Des Moines Register that he would not comply with a Senate subpoena because it would be a tactic by Trump to distract from the president's wrongdoing.

Some legal experts and commentators had criticized Biden for his remarks to the Iowa newspaper, noting that the White House's refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas was part of the reason why Trump had been impeached.

Trump was impeached on December&nbsp;18 by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of Biden, a former vice president and a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden’s son. Trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress’ investigation.

Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

A trial is anticipated in the Republican-controlled Senate to determine whether Trump should be removed from office. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the upper chamber in a bid to pressure Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats on trial rules.

Trump has raised unsubstantiated charges that Biden improperly tried to halt a Ukrainian probe of a company with ties to his son, and has said he wants Biden to testify in the impeachment trial.

Ross Garber, a Washington lawyer specializing in impeachment proceedings, said it was "incredibly unlikely" that Republican senators would back an effort to push for Biden's testimony.

US Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Saturday said there would be "no legal basis" for Republicans to subpoena his testimony in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clarifying remarks from Friday that drew criticism.

US Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Saturday said there would be "no legal basis" for Republicans to subpoena his testimony in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clarifying remarks from Friday that drew criticism. "I want to clarify something I said yesterday. In my 40 years in public life, I have always complied with a lawful order and in my eight years as VP, my office — unlike Donald Trump and Mike Pence — cooperated with legitimate congressional oversight requests," Biden said on Twitter. "But I am just not going to pretend that there is any legal basis for Republican subpoenas for my testimony in the impeachment trial," Biden added. The statement came one day after Biden said in an interview with the Des Moines Register that he would not comply with a Senate subpoena because it would be a tactic by Trump to distract from the president's wrongdoing. Some legal experts and commentators had criticized Biden for his remarks to the Iowa newspaper, noting that the White House's refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas was part of the reason why Trump had been impeached. Trump was impeached on December 18 by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of Biden, a former vice president and a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden’s son. Trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress’ investigation. Trump has said he did nothing wrong. A trial is anticipated in the Republican-controlled Senate to determine whether Trump should be removed from office. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the upper chamber in a bid to pressure Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats on trial rules. Trump has raised unsubstantiated charges that Biden improperly tried to halt a Ukrainian probe of a company with ties to his son, and has said he wants Biden to testify in the impeachment trial. Ross Garber, a Washington lawyer specializing in impeachment proceedings, said it was "incredibly unlikely" that Republican senators would back an effort to push for Biden's testimony.

Facing blowback, Biden clarifies stance on impeachment trial testimony

In the weeks before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-do-it-trump-warns-russia-syria-iran-against-killing-civilians-in-idlib-270437">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pulls-back-on-designating-mexico-cartels-as-terror-groups-266750">designating Mexican drug cartels</a> as foreign terrorist organisations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters.

The recommendations, which some of the sources described as unanimous, have not been reported previously. They were driven in part by concerns that such designations could harm US-Mexico ties, potentially jeopardizing Mexico’s cooperation with Trump’s efforts to halt illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border, said two sources, including a senior administration official.

Another key concern was that the designations could make it easier for migrants to win asylum in the United States by claiming they were fleeing terrorism, the senior administration official and two other sources said.

Stephen Miller, one of the most influential White House advisers and the architect of Trump's policies to stem immigration, was among the officials who voiced concerns during deliberations that preceded two high-level meetings resulting in recommendations to shelve the designation plan, according to two of the sources.

The White House and Miller declined to comment on the record. All of the sources who spoke to Reuters requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.

Reuters could not determine whether the president had been briefed on the recommendations before announcing, during a November&nbsp;26 interview with conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly, that he was going forward with the plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Less than two weeks a later, on December&nbsp;9, the president tweeted that he was temporarily delaying the plan at Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s request.

The senior administration official portrayed the president’s announcement not as a reversal but as a strategic move.

“Even the threat of designation was extremely useful leverage in terms of obtaining further cooperation” from Mexico, the official said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The official said that reviving the plan remains “a live possibility” depending on Mexico’s cooperation on such issues as sealing the border to narcotics trafficking and controlling immigration.

The <a href="wionews.com/world/mexico-accuses-bolivia-of-intimidating-its-diplomats-in-la-paz-269871">Mexican government</a> has argued that equating drug cartels with Islamic State and al Qaeda could open the door to US&nbsp;military intervention.

In a meeting with Attorney General William Barr on December&nbsp;5, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-killed-2-injured-in-shooting-near-mexicos-presidential-residence-266902">President Lopez Obrador</a> expressed opposition to the designation plan, saying the Mexican constitution would not permit such foreign interference, a presidential spokesman told Reuters Tuesday. After the plan was delayed, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard tweeted his appreciation of Trump's decision, saying "there will be good results."

Crackdown hinged on cooperation

Trump has made halting illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking across the US-Mexican border a signature issue of his first term and his 2020 re-election campaign.

Designating a group as a foreign terrorist organization, or FTO, is aimed at disrupting its finances through sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on their members and associates. The State Department oversees the process.

The success of Trump’s immigration crackdown hinges, however, on Mexico’s cooperation. Earlier this year, Mexico agreed to deploy thousands of national guard troops to intercept migrants moving north toward the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-the-us-mexican-border-migrants-give-up-hope-of-crossing-269434">US&nbsp;border</a> after the American president threatened to impose escalating tariffs on Mexican goods.

In addition, Mexico has taken in tens of thousands of migrants sent back from the United States to await decisions on their US&nbsp;asylum requests.

The senior administration official said Trump and many top aides have wanted to crack down on cartel trafficking in narcotics and illegal immigration for some time and were looking at novel approaches, including the FTO designation plan.

The president and senior officials believed that they needed “to have an extremely aggressive posture toward the cartels and to look at using tools that had not been used before,” he said.

Two Republican members of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives introduced legislation in March that also would have established an FTO designation for cartels.

The Trump administration began working on its plan in late August, Trump told O’Reilly in the November&nbsp;26 interview, before declaring that&nbsp;the cartels “will be designated” as FTOs.

Unanimous opposition

A few weeks earlier, according to two former officials and another knowledgeable person, deputies to Cabinet members recommended in a meeting that the administration’s plan be shelved. The November&nbsp;8 meeting was held four days after nine American women and children died in an ambush linked to what Mexican officials asserted was a territorial dispute between rival gangs in northern Mexico.

Miller attended the meeting and the decision was unanimous, according to one source.

Participants at a November&nbsp;20 Cabinet-level meeting also advised against the proposal, according to four sources. That decision, too, was unanimous and Miller was there, two of the sources said.

The agencies represented at the meetings included the departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security, Defense, Treasury and Commerce, one administration official said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Numerous current and former US&nbsp;officials and other experts say that designating Mexican cartels as FTOs would be counter-productive.

Several pointed out that a 1999 law allowing US&nbsp;officials to designate foreign drug traffickers as narcotics kingpins already allow the imposition of sanctions similar to those authorized by an FTO designation.

The senior administration official said that US&nbsp;officials’ ability to use the 1999 law contributed to the decision to delay the FTO designation plan.

A December&nbsp;19 report published by the conservative Heritage Foundation warned that designating cartels as FTOs would weaken Trump’s immigration policies.

“A terrorist designation could allow unintended numbers to apply for political asylum in the US,” said the report. “The pool of applicants could logically extend beyond Mexico. While Mexican cartels’ territorial stronghold is within their own country, they have representatives on every continent except Antarctica.”

Jason Blazakis, who oversaw the designation process at the State Department’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau from 2008-2018, said that in addition to damaging <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-deports-mexicans-far-from-border-may-send-others-to-guatemala-269267">US-Mexican relations</a>, the FTO designation could hurt Mexico’s economy by prompting foreign businesses to leave the country or reconsider investing there.

Asset freezes and bans on travel to the US&nbsp;could affect Mexican officials, military commanders, and businessmen in league with the cartels.

“You are blurring the lines between criminality and terrorism and that is extremely problematic,” said Blazakis, now a professor of international relations at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.

He added: "There are hundreds of Brazilian gangs eligible for the list. There are numerous Chinese and Russian criminal gangs eligible for the list. Where would you stop?”&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the weeks before US President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters.

In the weeks before US President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he would forge ahead with designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, Cabinet members and top aides from across the government recommended against it, five people knowledgeable about the matter told Reuters. The recommendations, which some of the sources described as unanimous, have not been reported previously. They were driven in part by concerns that such designations could harm US-Mexico ties, potentially jeopardizing Mexico’s cooperation with Trump’s efforts to halt illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border, said two sources, including a senior administration official. Another key concern was that the designations could make it easier for migrants to win asylum in the United States by claiming they were fleeing terrorism, the senior administration official and two other sources said. Stephen Miller, one of the most influential White House advisers and the architect of Trump's policies to stem immigration, was among the officials who voiced concerns during deliberations that preceded two high-level meetings resulting in recommendations to shelve the designation plan, according to two of the sources. The White House and Miller declined to comment on the record. All of the sources who spoke to Reuters requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. Reuters could not determine whether the president had been briefed on the recommendations before announcing, during a November 26 interview with conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly, that he was going forward with the plan. Less than two weeks a later, on December 9, the president tweeted that he was temporarily delaying the plan at Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s request. The senior administration official portrayed the president’s announcement not as a reversal but as a strategic move. “Even the threat of designation was extremely useful leverage in terms of obtaining further cooperation” from Mexico, the official said. The official said that reviving the plan remains “a live possibility” depending on Mexico’s cooperation on such issues as sealing the border to narcotics trafficking and controlling immigration. The Mexican government has argued that equating drug cartels with Islamic State and al Qaeda could open the door to US military intervention. In a meeting with Attorney General William Barr on December 5, President Lopez Obrador expressed opposition to the designation plan, saying the Mexican constitution would not permit such foreign interference, a presidential spokesman told Reuters Tuesday. After the plan was delayed, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard tweeted his appreciation of Trump's decision, saying "there will be good results." Crackdown hinged on cooperation Trump has made halting illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking across the US-Mexican border a signature issue of his first term and his 2020 re-election campaign. Designating a group as a foreign terrorist organization, or FTO, is aimed at disrupting its finances through sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on their members and associates. The State Department oversees the process. The success of Trump’s immigration crackdown hinges, however, on Mexico’s cooperation. Earlier this year, Mexico agreed to deploy thousands of national guard troops to intercept migrants moving north toward the US border after the American president threatened to impose escalating tariffs on Mexican goods. In addition, Mexico has taken in tens of thousands of migrants sent back from the United States to await decisions on their US asylum requests. The senior administration official said Trump and many top aides have wanted to crack down on cartel trafficking in narcotics and illegal immigration for some time and were looking at novel approaches, including the FTO designation plan. The president and senior officials believed that they needed “to have an extremely aggressive posture toward the cartels and to look at using tools that had not been used before,” he said. Two Republican members of the US House of Representatives introduced legislation in March that also would have established an FTO designation for cartels. The Trump administration began working on its plan in late August, Trump told O’Reilly in the November 26 interview, before declaring that the cartels “will be designated” as FTOs. Unanimous opposition A few weeks earlier, according to two former officials and another knowledgeable person, deputies to Cabinet members recommended in a meeting that the administration’s plan be shelved. The November 8 meeting was held four days after nine American women and children died in an ambush linked to what Mexican officials asserted was a territorial dispute between rival gangs in northern Mexico. Miller attended the meeting and the decision was unanimous, according to one source. Participants at a November 20 Cabinet-level meeting also advised against the proposal, according to four sources. That decision, too, was unanimous and Miller was there, two of the sources said. The agencies represented at the meetings included the departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security, Defense, Treasury and Commerce, one administration official said. Numerous current and former US officials and other experts say that designating Mexican cartels as FTOs would be counter-productive. Several pointed out that a 1999 law allowing US officials to designate foreign drug traffickers as narcotics kingpins already allow the imposition of sanctions similar to those authorized by an FTO designation. The senior administration official said that US officials’ ability to use the 1999 law contributed to the decision to delay the FTO designation plan. A December 19 report published by the conservative Heritage Foundation warned that designating cartels as FTOs would weaken Trump’s immigration policies. “A terrorist designation could allow unintended numbers to apply for political asylum in the US,” said the report. “The pool of applicants could logically extend beyond Mexico. While Mexican cartels’ territorial stronghold is within their own country, they have representatives on every continent except Antarctica.” Jason Blazakis, who oversaw the designation process at the State Department’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau from 2008-2018, said that in addition to damaging US-Mexican relations, the FTO designation could hurt Mexico’s economy by prompting foreign businesses to leave the country or reconsider investing there. Asset freezes and bans on travel to the US could affect Mexican officials, military commanders, and businessmen in league with the cartels. “You are blurring the lines between criminality and terrorism and that is extremely problematic,” said Blazakis, now a professor of international relations at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. He added: "There are hundreds of Brazilian gangs eligible for the list. There are numerous Chinese and Russian criminal gangs eligible for the list. Where would you stop?”

After Cabinet opposed Mexican cartel policy, Trump forged ahead

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-receives-second-tranche-of-452-million-from-international-monetary-fund-270533">Pakistan</a> has arrested five suspected al Qaeda militants planning an attack on security personnel, authorities in the eastern state of Punjab said on Friday.

The raid in Gujranwala city hit an important media cell and financing network for the jihadists, Punjab's counter-terrorism department said. Laptops with encrypted data, cell phones, a printing press, explosives, five Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition and cash were found.

For years militants have held sway in remote northwestern regions on the Afghan border but some have also established networks in Punjab, Pakistan's richest and most populous province.

"They were planning an attack on law enforcement officials in Gujranwala," the police statement added, without giving more details on the plot.

The Gujranwala group recently relocated from Karachi and was running al Qaeda's media operations for the Indian subcontinent and sending funds to central leadership in Afghanistan, it added.

The Pakistan government says the number of militants in the country has decreased due to an army crackdown.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/al-qaeda-is-stronger-today-than-it-was-on-911-232726">Al Qaeda</a> founder Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US&nbsp;operation in 2011 in Pakistan.

Pakistan has arrested five suspected al Qaeda militants planning an attack on security personnel, authorities in the eastern state of Punjab said on Friday. The raid in Gujranwala city hit an important media cell and financing network for the jihadists, Punjab's counter-terrorism department said.

Pakistan has arrested five suspected al Qaeda militants planning an attack on security personnel, authorities in the eastern state of Punjab said on Friday. The raid in Gujranwala city hit an important media cell and financing network for the jihadists, Punjab's counter-terrorism department said. Laptops with encrypted data, cell phones, a printing press, explosives, five Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition and cash were found. For years militants have held sway in remote northwestern regions on the Afghan border but some have also established networks in Punjab, Pakistan's richest and most populous province. "They were planning an attack on law enforcement officials in Gujranwala," the police statement added, without giving more details on the plot. The Gujranwala group recently relocated from Karachi and was running al Qaeda's media operations for the Indian subcontinent and sending funds to central leadership in Afghanistan, it added. The Pakistan government says the number of militants in the country has decreased due to an army crackdown. Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US operation in 2011 in Pakistan.

Pakistan seizes five suspected Al Qaeda militants

The FBI is investigating British socialite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whos-who-in-the-jeffrey-epstein-sex-scandal-242638">Ghislaine Maxwell</a> and several other people linked to US&nbsp;financier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jeffrey-epstein-how-the-man-with-famous-friends-fell-apart-242546">Jeffrey Epstein</a>, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.

They said a principal focus of the FBI's investigation is Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, and other "people who facilitated" Epstein's allegedly illegal behavior.

Maxwell has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Her lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.

The FBI also is following up on many leads received from women who contacted a hotline the agency set up at its New York field office in the wake of Epstein's arrest in July, the sources said.

One of the sources said the probe remains at an early stage.

The sources declined to give further details or identify the people they are looking at apart from Maxwell. However, they said the FBI has no current plans to interview <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-epstein-accuser-calls-on-prince-andrew-to-talk-to-us-authorities-263156">Britain's Prince Andrew</a>, a friend of Epstein's who stepped down from his public duties in November because of what he called his "ill-judged" association with the well-connected money manager.

A spokeswoman for the FBI declined to comment.

A representative for the British royal family said that whether the agency interviewed Andrew was "a matter for the FBI."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/psychologist-approved-jeffreys-epsteins-removal-from-suicide-watch-245240">Epstein’s suicide</a> in August, at age 66, came a little over a month after he was arrested and charged with trafficking dozens of underage girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 to 2005. Prosecutors said he recruited girls to give him massages, which became sexual in nature.

He had pleaded not guilty.

Following Epstein's arrest, the FBI urged anyone who had been victimized by Epstein or had additional information to call the agency's hotline.

US&nbsp;Attorney General William Barr vowed to carry on the case against anyone who was complicit with the financier.

"Any co-conspirators should not rest easy," he said in August.

The sources said they had received numerous tips from the hotline, which they are looking into.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-victims-express-outrage-over-sex-trafficker-jeffrey-epsteins-death-us-lawmakers-push-for-investigation-for-any-foul-play-242305">Virginia Giuffre</a>, one of Epstein's alleged victims, has said in a civil lawsuit that Maxwell recruited her into Epstein's circle, where she claims Epstein forced her to have sex with him and friends including Andrew.

Maxwell has called Giuffre's allegations lies. Giuffre in response filed a defamation suit against Maxwell in 2015.

Giuffre repeated the claims about the prince in a BBC interview that aired this month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-prince-andrew-denies-having-sex-with-epstein-accuser-262718">Andrew</a>, 59, also categorically denies the accusations and has said he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre, who was previously named Virginia Roberts.

The two law enforcement sources said the FBI's principal focus is on people who facilitated Epstein and that Andrew does not fit into that category. They did not rule out the possibility that the FBI would seek to interview Andrew at a later date.

The FBI is investigating British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and several other people linked to US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.

The FBI is investigating British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and several other people linked to US financier Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation. They said a principal focus of the FBI's investigation is Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein, and other "people who facilitated" Epstein's allegedly illegal behavior. Maxwell has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Her lawyers did not respond to a request for comment. The FBI also is following up on many leads received from women who contacted a hotline the agency set up at its New York field office in the wake of Epstein's arrest in July, the sources said. One of the sources said the probe remains at an early stage. The sources declined to give further details or identify the people they are looking at apart from Maxwell. However, they said the FBI has no current plans to interview Britain's Prince Andrew, a friend of Epstein's who stepped down from his public duties in November because of what he called his "ill-judged" association with the well-connected money manager. A spokeswoman for the FBI declined to comment. A representative for the British royal family said that whether the agency interviewed Andrew was "a matter for the FBI." Epstein’s suicide in August, at age 66, came a little over a month after he was arrested and charged with trafficking dozens of underage girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 to 2005. Prosecutors said he recruited girls to give him massages, which became sexual in nature. He had pleaded not guilty. Following Epstein's arrest, the FBI urged anyone who had been victimized by Epstein or had additional information to call the agency's hotline. US Attorney General William Barr vowed to carry on the case against anyone who was complicit with the financier. "Any co-conspirators should not rest easy," he said in August. The sources said they had received numerous tips from the hotline, which they are looking into. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's alleged victims, has said in a civil lawsuit that Maxwell recruited her into Epstein's circle, where she claims Epstein forced her to have sex with him and friends including Andrew. Maxwell has called Giuffre's allegations lies. Giuffre in response filed a defamation suit against Maxwell in 2015. Giuffre repeated the claims about the prince in a BBC interview that aired this month. Andrew, 59, also categorically denies the accusations and has said he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre, who was previously named Virginia Roberts. The two law enforcement sources said the FBI's principal focus is on people who facilitated Epstein and that Andrew does not fit into that category. They did not rule out the possibility that the FBI would seek to interview Andrew at a later date.

FBI investigates Briton, others for Epstein links: Sources

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migration-is-a-solution-to-global-problems-antonio-guterres-3196">Antonio Guterres </a>has repeatedly expressed concern to Washington over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-visa-cut-for-pakistan-citizens-reduced-from-five-years-to-three-months-report-201472">US&nbsp;visa&nbsp;</a>delays&nbsp;for officials from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and other countries, a&nbsp;UN&nbsp;spokesman said on Thursday after Moscow accused Guterres of turning a blind eye.

Moscow says Washington has deliberately delayed issuing&nbsp;visas to&nbsp;Russian officials traveling to the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;headquarters in New York, a move&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;has said could further damage strained relations.

The&nbsp;Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused Guterres of ignoring the&nbsp;US&nbsp;visa&nbsp;delays.

"For many months, the Secretary-General and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-recommendations-to-be-taken-seriously-maduro-229391">United Nations</a> Legal Counsel have repeatedly conveyed their concerns and the legal position of the Organization to senior representatives of the host country,"&nbsp;UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Dujarric said Guterres and his team continued to follow the matter closely.

The latest report from the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Committee on relations with the United States as a host of&nbsp;UN&nbsp;headquarters in New York noted that other countries including China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Cuba had also complained about&nbsp;US&nbsp;visa&nbsp;delays.

According to the report, the United States said it takes its responsibilities as&nbsp;UN&nbsp;host country seriously but added that Washington "reserved the right to exclude individuals in certain limited cases where there was clear and convincing evidence that the individual was traveling to the host country primarily for purposes that were outside the scope of United Nations business and were prejudicial to the host country's national security."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly expressed concern to Washington over US visa delays for officials from Russia and other countries, a UN spokesman said on Thursday after Moscow accused Guterres of turning a blind eye.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly expressed concern to Washington over US visa delays for officials from Russia and other countries, a UN spokesman said on Thursday after Moscow accused Guterres of turning a blind eye. Moscow says Washington has deliberately delayed issuing visas to Russian officials traveling to the UN headquarters in New York, a move Russia has said could further damage strained relations. The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused Guterres of ignoring the US visa delays. "For many months, the Secretary-General and the United Nations Legal Counsel have repeatedly conveyed their concerns and the legal position of the Organization to senior representatives of the host country," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Dujarric said Guterres and his team continued to follow the matter closely. The latest report from the UN Committee on relations with the United States as a host of UN headquarters in New York noted that other countries including China, North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Cuba had also complained about US visa delays. According to the report, the United States said it takes its responsibilities as UN host country seriously but added that Washington "reserved the right to exclude individuals in certain limited cases where there was clear and convincing evidence that the individual was traveling to the host country primarily for purposes that were outside the scope of United Nations business and were prejudicial to the host country's national security."

United Nations rebuffs Russia accusation that United States visa delays being ignored

President Donald Trump has brushed off North Korea’s warning of a “Christmas gift”, saying the United States would “deal with it very successfully”, amid concerns that Pyongyang might be preparing a long-range missile test. Trump on December 24 said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may be planning to give him “a nice present” such as a “beautiful vase” for Christmas rather than a missile launch when the president was asked how he would react to a long-range test. #NorthKorea #ChristmasGift #DonaldTrump #KimJongUnGift

Donald Trump brushes off North Korea's warning of Christmas gift

Rescue kittens got dressed up in festive holiday sweaters on Christmas Eve (December 24) as adoring fans took turns playing and cuddling with them at a Washington cat cafe.

Kittens in festive sweaters bring holiday cheer to Washington cat cafe

Chinese Premier<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-premier-li-keqiang-warns-us-against-trade-war-13404"> Li Keqiang</a> signaled plans to free up more cash for the country's banking system in a bid to boost lending to small businesses as leaders look to kick start the world's number two economy.

Li flagged a fresh cut to the amount of cash lenders must keep in reserve, according to state news agency Xinhua, in the latest move to ramp up stuttering growth.

The comments from Li came as he visited a bank in Chengdu a day before Tuesday's trilateral summit with the leaders of South Korea and Japan in the southwestern city.

Li said he was "very concerned about the financing of small and micro-businesses" and the government will "increase support for small and medium-sized banks" that directly serve these businesses, Xinhua reported.

The government "will further study measures" such as reducing the reserve requirement ratio and ways to reduce financing costs and interest rates "to significantly ease the financing difficulty and high cost".

It has been a tough year for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-dilemmas-of-chinas-economic-rise-170616">China's economy</a>, which is expanding at its weakest rate for three decades as it is buffeted by a long-running trade war with the United States as well as a slowdown in global demand for its goods.

However, recent data has pointed to a mild improvement in some areas of the economy, while a mini trade deal with the US that will see the rolling back of some tariffs should ease some of the pressure on growth.

Analysts have predicted Beijing will have to lend more support to boost growth next year, with Nomura saying authorities will have to "continue rolling out moderate easing measures".

Beijing already slashed the reserve requirement ratio for banks in October, which freed up about $126 billion to boost lending to mostly small and medium enterprises.

Li's remarks came a day after China's cabinet, unveiled measures to support private companies by further opening up major industries to non-state firms and putting in place mechanisms that would give them the same regulatory treatment.

Also on Monday, Beijing said it would cut import tariffs on more than 850 products from January, including frozen pork, cheese, pharmaceuticals and parts for manufacturing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/chinas-transsion-holdings-to-soon-launch-tecno-smartphones-in-india-14636">smartphones</a>.

Analysts said the move was an indication of China's desire to show it is opening up after this month's mini-deal with the US to reduce some levies and work towards a wider pact.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signaled plans to free up more cash for the country's banking system in a bid to boost lending to small businesses as leaders look to kick start the world's number two economy.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signaled plans to free up more cash for the country's banking system in a bid to boost lending to small businesses as leaders look to kick start the world's number two economy. Li flagged a fresh cut to the amount of cash lenders must keep in reserve, according to state news agency Xinhua, in the latest move to ramp up stuttering growth. The comments from Li came as he visited a bank in Chengdu a day before Tuesday's trilateral summit with the leaders of South Korea and Japan in the southwestern city. Li said he was "very concerned about the financing of small and micro-businesses" and the government will "increase support for small and medium-sized banks" that directly serve these businesses, Xinhua reported. The government "will further study measures" such as reducing the reserve requirement ratio and ways to reduce financing costs and interest rates "to significantly ease the financing difficulty and high cost". It has been a tough year for China's economy, which is expanding at its weakest rate for three decades as it is buffeted by a long-running trade war with the United States as well as a slowdown in global demand for its goods. However, recent data has pointed to a mild improvement in some areas of the economy, while a mini trade deal with the US that will see the rolling back of some tariffs should ease some of the pressure on growth. Analysts have predicted Beijing will have to lend more support to boost growth next year, with Nomura saying authorities will have to "continue rolling out moderate easing measures". Beijing already slashed the reserve requirement ratio for banks in October, which freed up about $126 billion to boost lending to mostly small and medium enterprises. Li's remarks came a day after China's cabinet, unveiled measures to support private companies by further opening up major industries to non-state firms and putting in place mechanisms that would give them the same regulatory treatment. Also on Monday, Beijing said it would cut import tariffs on more than 850 products from January, including frozen pork, cheese, pharmaceuticals and parts for manufacturing smartphones. Analysts said the move was an indication of China's desire to show it is opening up after this month's mini-deal with the US to reduce some levies and work towards a wider pact.

China set to boost lending to small businesses to kick start economy

US&nbsp;Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday outlined the kinds of documents he would like to have introduced as evidence in the upcoming <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-does-not-want-prolonged-impeachment-trial-senior-official-269602">impeachment trial</a> of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/so-unfair-donald-trump-slams-impeachment-delay-in-senate-269522">Donald Trump</a>, including emails and other communications held by the White House and State Department.

In a letter to his 99 fellow senators, Schumer wrote that denying the Senate these documents "would be to turn a willfully blind eye to the facts" in the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges against Trump that were approved by the House of Representatives last week.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said that he and Schumer were at an impasse over the Democrat's demand for four administration witnesses to testify and for documents to be entered into the trial record.

The Republican president was charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress' investigation. He has said he did nothing wrong.

His trial in the Senate is likely to start in January but no exact date has been set as Democrats and Republicans are at loggerheads over the rules for a trial.

Also watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump becomes third US President to be impeached

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-becomes-third-us-president-to-be-impeached-269255/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Examples Schumer listed of potentially important documents were records between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy related to the "scheduling, preparation for, and follow-up from" their April 21 and July 25 telephone calls.

Schumer also listed email communications related to "several occasions" in which National Security Council officials "reported their concerns to the NSC legal advisor about the decision to delay" almost $400 million in US&nbsp;security assistance to Ukraine.

Detailed notes, emails and text messages that State Department witnesses told House investigators have been withheld by the administration also were included in Schumer's letter.

McConnell said on Monday that Republicans had not ruled out hearing witnesses in the impeachment trial, as sought by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-seek-high-profile-trial-for-trump-in-senate-269263">Democrats</a>, but wanted to leave the decision until after the trial begins.

Trump was impeached on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden, a potential Democratic candidate to run against Republican Trump in the November 2020 election.

There is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate, but the impeachment proceedings could resonate at the ballot box in November.

US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday outlined the kinds of documents he would like to have introduced as evidence in the upcoming impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, including emails and other communications held by the White House and State Department.

US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday outlined the kinds of documents he would like to have introduced as evidence in the upcoming impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, including emails and other communications held by the White House and State Department. In a letter to his 99 fellow senators, Schumer wrote that denying the Senate these documents "would be to turn a willfully blind eye to the facts" in the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress charges against Trump that were approved by the House of Representatives last week. On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said that he and Schumer were at an impasse over the Democrat's demand for four administration witnesses to testify and for documents to be entered into the trial record. The Republican president was charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress' investigation. He has said he did nothing wrong. His trial in the Senate is likely to start in January but no exact date has been set as Democrats and Republicans are at loggerheads over the rules for a trial. Also watch: Donald Trump becomes third US President to be impeached × Examples Schumer listed of potentially important documents were records between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy related to the "scheduling, preparation for, and follow-up from" their April 21 and July 25 telephone calls. Schumer also listed email communications related to "several occasions" in which National Security Council officials "reported their concerns to the NSC legal advisor about the decision to delay" almost $400 million in US security assistance to Ukraine. Detailed notes, emails and text messages that State Department witnesses told House investigators have been withheld by the administration also were included in Schumer's letter. McConnell said on Monday that Republicans had not ruled out hearing witnesses in the impeachment trial, as sought by the Democrats, but wanted to leave the decision until after the trial begins. Trump was impeached on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former vice president Joe Biden, a potential Democratic candidate to run against Republican Trump in the November 2020 election. There is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate, but the impeachment proceedings could resonate at the ballot box in November.

US Senator Schumer outlines documents he wants for impeachment trial

Christianity Today, the magazine founded by the late Reverend Billy Graham, renewed its criticism of President Donald Trump in a new editorial that cited his "misuses of power" and asked fellow Christians to examine their loyalty to him, days after a controversial editorial that called for his impeachment.

The 130,000-circulation magazine, which has 4.3 million monthly website viewers, in its editorial last week cited Trump's "profoundly immoral" conduct in office, drawing immediate criticism from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-seek-high-profile-trial-for-trump-in-senate-269263">Trump</a> and dozens of evangelical leaders.

Evangelicals have been a bedrock of support for the Republican president, and the magazine noted in its new editorial, published Sunday, that Trump "has done a lot of good for causes we all care about."

But the magazine's president, Timothy Dalrymple, wrote in the editorial, headlined "The Flag in the Whirlwind," that evangelicals' embrace of Trump means being tied to his "rampant immorality, greed, and corruption; his divisiveness and race-baiting; his cruelty and hostility to immigrants and refugees."

"With profound love and respect," Dalrymple said, "we ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to consider whether they have given to Caesar what belongs only to God: their unconditional loyalty."

The editorial praised the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-unveils-development-at-arak-reactor-amid-us-sanctions-pressure-269852">Trump administration</a>'s judicial appointment, "advocacy of life, family, and religious liberty." But it said, "It is one thing to praise his accomplishments; it is another to excuse and deny his obvious misuses of power.

Dalrymple pledged to open up a "serious discussion about how our activity as Christians shapes our activity as citizens" in 2020. He declined to be interviewed until after the Christmas holiday.

Evangelical Christians make up about 25 pet cent&nbsp;of the US&nbsp;population. According to a Pew Research poll from last January, 69 per cent&nbsp;of white evangelicals approved of the job Trump is doing, compared with 48 pet cent&nbsp;of white mainline Protestants and 12 per cent&nbsp;of black Protestants.

On January&nbsp;3, Trump will hold an "Evangelicals for Trump coalition launch" in Miami.

Graham's son Franklin had slammed the original Christianity Today editorial and said his father knew, believed in and voted for Trump, an endorsement that other family members dispute. Dozens of evangelical leaders signed a letter criticizing the magazine's impeachment call, and Trump said on Twitter he would stop reading the publication.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
....have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion &amp; your guns, than Donald Trump as your President. No President has done more for the Evangelical community, and it’s not even close. You’ll not get anything from those Dems on stage. I won’t be reading ET again!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1207997319821615105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Christianity Today was founded in 1956, and its current impact in the evangelical community is limited, said Greg Carey, a New Testament professor at Lancaster Seminary in Pennsylvania. “Like other traditional media, their platform has fragmented, so I’m skeptical that they have the real punch to change a movement.”

Still, the way <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tells-jewish-americans-he-is-israels-best-friend-266897">Trump</a> and others have pushed back showed the outlet is being heard. “There are those who feel that a crack in that foundation (of evangelical support of Trump) is a threat” that needs to be patched, Carey said.

For evangelicals who have doubts about Trump's conduct in office and the church's embrace of the president, "having an institutional voice that has some respect gives them cover to voice their opinion," Carey said.

Christianity Today, the magazine founded by the late Reverend Billy Graham, renewed its criticism of President Donald Trump in a new editorial that cited his "misuses of power" and asked fellow Christians to examine their loyalty to him, days after a controversial editorial that called for his impeachment.

Christianity Today, the magazine founded by the late Reverend Billy Graham, renewed its criticism of President Donald Trump in a new editorial that cited his "misuses of power" and asked fellow Christians to examine their loyalty to him, days after a controversial editorial that called for his impeachment. The 130,000-circulation magazine, which has 4.3 million monthly website viewers, in its editorial last week cited Trump's "profoundly immoral" conduct in office, drawing immediate criticism from Trump and dozens of evangelical leaders. Evangelicals have been a bedrock of support for the Republican president, and the magazine noted in its new editorial, published Sunday, that Trump "has done a lot of good for causes we all care about." But the magazine's president, Timothy Dalrymple, wrote in the editorial, headlined "The Flag in the Whirlwind," that evangelicals' embrace of Trump means being tied to his "rampant immorality, greed, and corruption; his divisiveness and race-baiting; his cruelty and hostility to immigrants and refugees." "With profound love and respect," Dalrymple said, "we ask our brothers and sisters in Christ to consider whether they have given to Caesar what belongs only to God: their unconditional loyalty." The editorial praised the Trump administration's judicial appointment, "advocacy of life, family, and religious liberty." But it said, "It is one thing to praise his accomplishments; it is another to excuse and deny his obvious misuses of power. Dalrymple pledged to open up a "serious discussion about how our activity as Christians shapes our activity as citizens" in 2020. He declined to be interviewed until after the Christmas holiday. Evangelical Christians make up about 25 pet cent of the US population. According to a Pew Research poll from last January, 69 per cent of white evangelicals approved of the job Trump is doing, compared with 48 pet cent of white mainline Protestants and 12 per cent of black Protestants. On January 3, Trump will hold an "Evangelicals for Trump coalition launch" in Miami. Graham's son Franklin had slammed the original Christianity Today editorial and said his father knew, believed in and voted for Trump, an endorsement that other family members dispute. Dozens of evangelical leaders signed a letter criticizing the magazine's impeachment call, and Trump said on Twitter he would stop reading the publication. ....have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion & your guns, than Donald Trump as your President. No President has done more for the Evangelical community, and it’s not even close. You’ll not get anything from those Dems on stage. I won’t be reading ET again! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2019 × Christianity Today was founded in 1956, and its current impact in the evangelical community is limited, said Greg Carey, a New Testament professor at Lancaster Seminary in Pennsylvania. “Like other traditional media, their platform has fragmented, so I’m skeptical that they have the real punch to change a movement.” Still, the way Trump and others have pushed back showed the outlet is being heard. “There are those who feel that a crack in that foundation (of evangelical support of Trump) is a threat” that needs to be patched, Carey said. For evangelicals who have doubts about Trump's conduct in office and the church's embrace of the president, "having an institutional voice that has some respect gives them cover to voice their opinion," Carey said.

Christianity Today again slams Trump, raises issue of 'unconditional loyalty'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/phase-one-trade-deal-with-china-would-be-signed-very-shortly-donald-trump-269576">United States</a> President Donald Trump responded to North Korea's warning of a ''Christmas gift''. He added that the US would "deal with it very successfully".

After the warning from North Korea, concerns in the United States that Pyongyang might be preparing a missile test rose immediately.

"We'll find out what the surprise is and we'll deal with it very successfully," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort. "We'll see what happens", he added.

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump -&nbsp;US&nbsp;is keeping a close watch on North Korea

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-us-is-keeping-a-close-watch-on-north-korea-wion-dispatch-268769/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier this month, North Korea had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-xi-jinping-give-positive-signals-on-trade-deal-after-phone-call-269443">warned the US</a> of sending a ''Christmas gift'' amid the inability of both the countries to reach a trade deal.

"Maybe it's a nice present," he quipped. "Maybe it's a present where he sends me a beautiful vase as opposed to a missile test."

Kim Jong Un gave the United States until the end of the year to propose new concessions in talks over his country’s nuclear arsenal and to further reduce tensions between the two long-time adversaries.

The ''Christmas gift'' statement was made by North Korea on December 3, after it accused the US counterparts of dragging out denuclearisation talks before the US presidential election.

It was "entirely up to the US what Christmas gift it will select to get", North Korea had said.

North Korea has suspended the testing of long-range missiles and nuclear bombs since 2017. According to many US military commanders, North Korea could test a long-range missile.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/so-unfair-donald-trump-slams-impeachment-delay-in-senate-269522">According to Trump</a>, North Korea's suspension of tests was a testimony to their meaningful relationship.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Donald Trump responded to North Korea's warning of a ''Christmas gift''. He added that the US would "deal with it very successfully". After the warning from North Korea, concerns in the United States that Pyongyang might be preparing a missile test rose immediately.

United States President Donald Trump responded to North Korea's warning of a ''Christmas gift''. He added that the US would "deal with it very successfully". After the warning from North Korea, concerns in the United States that Pyongyang might be preparing a missile test rose immediately. "We'll find out what the surprise is and we'll deal with it very successfully," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort. "We'll see what happens", he added. Watch: Donald Trump - US is keeping a close watch on North Korea Earlier this month, North Korea had warned the US of sending a ''Christmas gift'' amid the inability of both the countries to reach a trade deal. "Maybe it's a nice present," he quipped. "Maybe it's a present where he sends me a beautiful vase as opposed to a missile test." Kim Jong Un gave the United States until the end of the year to propose new concessions in talks over his country’s nuclear arsenal and to further reduce tensions between the two long-time adversaries. The ''Christmas gift'' statement was made by North Korea on December 3, after it accused the US counterparts of dragging out denuclearisation talks before the US presidential election. It was "entirely up to the US what Christmas gift it will select to get", North Korea had said. North Korea has suspended the testing of long-range missiles and nuclear bombs since 2017. According to many US military commanders, North Korea could test a long-range missile. According to Trump, North Korea's suspension of tests was a testimony to their meaningful relationship. (With inputs from agencies)

'We'll deal with it successfully': Donald Trump on North Korea's 'Christmas gift' threat

Many pot-smoking adults in Illinois will ring in the new year on a high note when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jay-z-goes-into-the-marijuana-business-234650">recreational marijuana</a> use becomes legal in the state on January&nbsp;1.

Starting New Years Day, people 21 and older will be able to legally buy up to 30 grams of marijuana flower, 5 grams of marijuana concentrate, or 500 grams of THC-infused products such as edibles at licensed commercial dealers throughout the state.

Cannabis consumers are expected to flock to the handful of licensed shops across Chicago on New Years Day. On the city's North Side, a dealer sold $250 tickets to clients who wanted to be at the front of the line when the store opens early in the morning next Wednesday.

Another shop, Dispensary 33, in the city's Uptown neighbourhood, will use a paging system to usher in customers who are waiting at a bar next door.

"The whole neighbourhood is joining on the party... it'll be a whole new world in Chicago on January&nbsp;1," manager Abigail Watkins said, noting that many businesses in the neighbourhood are offering specials and deals to celebrate the day.

Illinois joins 10 other states and the District of Columbia where small amounts of the drug for adult use is legal. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-teen-arrested-in-russia-over-medical-marijuana-247629">Medical marijuana</a> in Illinois has been legal since 2014.

In June, Illinois Governor JB&nbsp;Pritzker, a Democrat, signed into law marijuana legislation that also allows for some 700,000 marijuana-related records and convictions to be erased.

Not everyone approves of the legislation.

"The message that... these foolish politicians are sending to our communities and especially to our young kids is that it's no big deal," said Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith, who opposes the measure.

"We know that it's a big deal from all of the studies that have been done about the high-potency marijuana that is today's product... we are seeing a spike in marijuana illnesses and addictions," he said.

Private pot sales, driving while high and consuming marijuana in public will remain prohibited in state.

The law is projected to generate more than $57 million in new tax and fee revenue for Illinois in fiscal 2020, which begins on July 1 for the financially troubled state, according to Illinois’ revenue department.

Many pot-smoking adults in Illinois will ring in the new year on a high note when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in the state on January 1. Starting New Years Day, people 21 and older will be able to legally buy up to 30 grams of marijuana flower, 5 grams of marijuana concentrate, or 500 grams of THC-infused products such as edibles at licensed commercial dealers throughout the state.

Many pot-smoking adults in Illinois will ring in the new year on a high note when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in the state on January 1. Starting New Years Day, people 21 and older will be able to legally buy up to 30 grams of marijuana flower, 5 grams of marijuana concentrate, or 500 grams of THC-infused products such as edibles at licensed commercial dealers throughout the state. Cannabis consumers are expected to flock to the handful of licensed shops across Chicago on New Years Day. On the city's North Side, a dealer sold $250 tickets to clients who wanted to be at the front of the line when the store opens early in the morning next Wednesday. Another shop, Dispensary 33, in the city's Uptown neighbourhood, will use a paging system to usher in customers who are waiting at a bar next door. "The whole neighbourhood is joining on the party... it'll be a whole new world in Chicago on January 1," manager Abigail Watkins said, noting that many businesses in the neighbourhood are offering specials and deals to celebrate the day. Illinois joins 10 other states and the District of Columbia where small amounts of the drug for adult use is legal. Medical marijuana in Illinois has been legal since 2014. In June, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, signed into law marijuana legislation that also allows for some 700,000 marijuana-related records and convictions to be erased. Not everyone approves of the legislation. "The message that... these foolish politicians are sending to our communities and especially to our young kids is that it's no big deal," said Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith, who opposes the measure. "We know that it's a big deal from all of the studies that have been done about the high-potency marijuana that is today's product... we are seeing a spike in marijuana illnesses and addictions," he said. Private pot sales, driving while high and consuming marijuana in public will remain prohibited in state. The law is projected to generate more than $57 million in new tax and fee revenue for Illinois in fiscal 2020, which begins on July 1 for the financially troubled state, according to Illinois’ revenue department.

Recreational marijuana to become legal in Illinois on New Years Day

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-new-su-57-jet-crashing-during-test-269983">Russian</a> court on Tuesday extended until late March the pre-trial detention of a US man already held in jail for a year despite Western requests for his release.

Paul Whelan, who also has Irish, Canadian and British citizenship, was arrested on December 28 last year for allegedly receiving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-china-spy-concerns-australia-launches-anti-espionage-task-force-265625">state secrets</a>.

On Christmas eve the Moscow City Court extended his detention by another three months, to March 29, a court spokesman told AFP.

He risks up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Whelan, 49, has denounced the case against him and said he is being held "hostage" for a possible prisoner exchange.

On Monday, US charge d'affaires Bart Gorman and diplomats from Canada, Ireland, and Britain visited Whelan in Moscow's high-security Lefortovo prison, bringing him food and Christmas greetings from family and supporters.&nbsp;

"It's two days before Christmas. A holiday Paul Whelan will spend alone in Lefortovo," the US embassy quoted Gorman as saying.

"In the past 12 months, Paul has not heard his parents' voices. Bring Paul some Christmas cheer and let him call home."

Whelan, a former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-space-force-donald-trump-creates-new-warfare-service-branch-of-pentagon-269433">US</a> marine, maintains he has been framed and that he took a USB drive from an acquaintance thinking it contained holiday photos.

His lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov has said the acquaintance that handed over the drive is the only witness against Whelan while the rest of his longtime acquaintances in Russia gave witness statements in his defence.

During a previous court hearing in October, Whelan insisted that he was not a spy.

"Russia thought they caught James Bond on a spy mission, in reality, they abducted Mr Bean on holiday," he has said.

Whelan and his supporters claim that the American has been mistreated in jail.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-releases-japan-fishing-boats-held-near-disputed-islands-269911">Moscow</a> has rubbished the claims, saying foreign diplomats have regular access to Whelan and calling the complaints a "provocative line of defence".&nbsp;

"Whelan's complaints concerning the conditions of detention and actions of investigators have never once been confirmed," the Russian foreign ministry has said.

A Russian court on Tuesday extended until late March the pre-trial detention of a US man already held in jail for a year despite Western requests for his release.

A Russian court on Tuesday extended until late March the pre-trial detention of a US man already held in jail for a year despite Western requests for his release. Paul Whelan, who also has Irish, Canadian and British citizenship, was arrested on December 28 last year for allegedly receiving state secrets. On Christmas eve the Moscow City Court extended his detention by another three months, to March 29, a court spokesman told AFP. He risks up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Whelan, 49, has denounced the case against him and said he is being held "hostage" for a possible prisoner exchange. On Monday, US charge d'affaires Bart Gorman and diplomats from Canada, Ireland, and Britain visited Whelan in Moscow's high-security Lefortovo prison, bringing him food and Christmas greetings from family and supporters. "It's two days before Christmas. A holiday Paul Whelan will spend alone in Lefortovo," the US embassy quoted Gorman as saying. "In the past 12 months, Paul has not heard his parents' voices. Bring Paul some Christmas cheer and let him call home." Whelan, a former US marine, maintains he has been framed and that he took a USB drive from an acquaintance thinking it contained holiday photos. His lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov has said the acquaintance that handed over the drive is the only witness against Whelan while the rest of his longtime acquaintances in Russia gave witness statements in his defence. During a previous court hearing in October, Whelan insisted that he was not a spy. "Russia thought they caught James Bond on a spy mission, in reality, they abducted Mr Bean on holiday," he has said. Whelan and his supporters claim that the American has been mistreated in jail. Moscow has rubbished the claims, saying foreign diplomats have regular access to Whelan and calling the complaints a "provocative line of defence". "Whelan's complaints concerning the conditions of detention and actions of investigators have never once been confirmed," the Russian foreign ministry has said.

Detention of US man in Russian spy case extended up to March

Gold prices rose to their highest in a month and a half on Tuesday, as soft economic data out of the United States and concerns about an interim <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-smears-impacting-global-stability-china-269828">Sino-US&nbsp;trade deal</a> lent support to the safe-haven bullion.

Spot gold was up 0.3 per cent&nbsp;at $1,490.30 per ounce by 0601 GMT. Earlier in the day, prices hit their highest since November&nbsp;7 at $1,490.75. US&nbsp;gold futures edged up 0.4 per cent&nbsp;to $1,494.30.

Data on Monday showed new orders for key US-made capital goods barely rose in November and shipments fell, suggesting business investment will probably remain a drag on economic growth in the fourth quarter.

"The weaker US&nbsp;economic data is starting to show up ... there are still concerns that the current level of tariffs will continue to weigh on the US&nbsp;economy as we enter into 2020," said Stephen Innes, a market strategist at AxiTrader.

Adding to concerns, Canada's economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1 per cent&nbsp;in October, the first monthly decline since February, partly because of a US&nbsp;auto strike that hit manufacturing.

Gold is considered an alternative investment during times of political and financial uncertainty.

On the trade front, investors awaited further developments on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/phase-one-trade-deal-with-china-would-be-signed-very-shortly-donald-trump-269576">Phase 1 deal</a> between the world's top two economies.

"We are still not 100 per cent&nbsp;clear if the 'phase one' deal will go through or not, it has not been signed yet ... we then pivot to 'phase two' that suggests you need some gold, because we don't know what the next phase is all about, how contentious of a deal that is going to be," Innes added.

Gold was on track for its best year since 2010 with a 16 per cent&nbsp;gain, mainly due to the 17-month tariff dispute that has roiled the global financial markets.

Even as Beijing and Washington have taken steps to defuse their dispute, they diverge on a slew of issues, including anti-government protests in Hong Kong and the treatment of Muslim Uighur minority.

Also watch:&nbsp;Hong kong protests-&nbsp;Violent clashes at Uighur support rally

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-protests-violent-clashes-at-uighur-support-rally-269595/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Asian shares and US&nbsp;stock futures darted in and out of losses on Tuesday as the holiday lull offset optimism of a trade deal.

Trading is expected to be subdued in many financial markets ahead of the Christmas holidays.

Elsewhere, silver rose 1.1 per cent&nbsp;to $17.62 per ounce, after scaling its highest since November&nbsp;7 at $17.64 earlier in the session.

Palladium gained 0.2 per cent&nbsp;to $1,880 per ounce, while platinum rose 0.1 per cent&nbsp;to $937.12.

Gold prices rose to their highest in a month and a half on Tuesday, as soft economic data out of the United States and concerns about an interim Sino-US trade deal lent support to the safe-haven bullion.

Gold prices rose to their highest in a month and a half on Tuesday, as soft economic data out of the United States and concerns about an interim Sino-US trade deal lent support to the safe-haven bullion. Spot gold was up 0.3 per cent at $1,490.30 per ounce by 0601 GMT. Earlier in the day, prices hit their highest since November 7 at $1,490.75. US gold futures edged up 0.4 per cent to $1,494.30. Data on Monday showed new orders for key US-made capital goods barely rose in November and shipments fell, suggesting business investment will probably remain a drag on economic growth in the fourth quarter. "The weaker US economic data is starting to show up ... there are still concerns that the current level of tariffs will continue to weigh on the US economy as we enter into 2020," said Stephen Innes, a market strategist at AxiTrader. Adding to concerns, Canada's economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1 per cent in October, the first monthly decline since February, partly because of a US auto strike that hit manufacturing. Gold is considered an alternative investment during times of political and financial uncertainty. On the trade front, investors awaited further developments on the Phase 1 deal between the world's top two economies. "We are still not 100 per cent clear if the 'phase one' deal will go through or not, it has not been signed yet ... we then pivot to 'phase two' that suggests you need some gold, because we don't know what the next phase is all about, how contentious of a deal that is going to be," Innes added. Gold was on track for its best year since 2010 with a 16 per cent gain, mainly due to the 17-month tariff dispute that has roiled the global financial markets. Even as Beijing and Washington have taken steps to defuse their dispute, they diverge on a slew of issues, including anti-government protests in Hong Kong and the treatment of Muslim Uighur minority. Also watch: Hong kong protests- Violent clashes at Uighur support rally × Asian shares and US stock futures darted in and out of losses on Tuesday as the holiday lull offset optimism of a trade deal. Trading is expected to be subdued in many financial markets ahead of the Christmas holidays. Elsewhere, silver rose 1.1 per cent to $17.62 per ounce, after scaling its highest since November 7 at $17.64 earlier in the session. Palladium gained 0.2 per cent to $1,880 per ounce, while platinum rose 0.1 per cent to $937.12.

Gold hits 1-1/2-month peak on soft US data, trade deal concerns

US&nbsp;trade, economic and scientific restrictions on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-pompeo-criticism-of-syria-aid-veto-269763">China and "smears"</a> against its sovereignty are impacting global stability and development, the Chinese government's top diplomat said in comments published on Monday.

Even as the world's two largest economies have taken steps to cool a bitter trade war, they remain far apart on a string of issues including anti-government protests in Hong Kong, Syria, human rights and the status of Chinese-claimed Taiwan.

China has been particularly upset by criticism from senior US&nbsp;officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, of China's ruling Communist Party and of the country's treatment of its Muslim Uighur minority.

The United States says it is determined to speak out about human rights abuses in China, re-balance what it sees as a mismatched trade relationship and stop potential national security threats with restrictions on Chinese companies such as tech giant Huawei.

In a year-end interview with state media, State Councillor Wang Yi said this year marking 40 years of ties between the People's Republic of China and the United States should have been an important anniversary for both to mark.

"Regrettably, the United States has successively imposed restrictions and put pressure on China in various fields such as economy, trade, science and technology, and on a series of issues concerning China's territorial sovereignty has interfered and smeared (us)," Wang said.

"What the United States has done has undermined <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-north-korea-talks-more-important-than-anything-south-korea-tells-china-269749">Sino-US&nbsp;mutual trust</a> accumulated over the past 40 years and has also impacted the stability and development of the entire world," he added, in excerpts of the interview carried on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website.

Wang said China would safeguard its core interests and right to legitimate development, and no person or force can stop the 1.4 billion Chinese people from the path of modernisation.

China wants to resolve problems that arise with the United States through dialogue and on the basis of mutual respect, he added.

"We hope that the United States will rebuild its objective and correct understanding of China," Wang said.

US trade, economic and scientific restrictions on China and "smears" against its sovereignty are impacting global stability and development, the Chinese government's top diplomat said in comments published on Monday.

US trade, economic and scientific restrictions on China and "smears" against its sovereignty are impacting global stability and development, the Chinese government's top diplomat said in comments published on Monday. Even as the world's two largest economies have taken steps to cool a bitter trade war, they remain far apart on a string of issues including anti-government protests in Hong Kong, Syria, human rights and the status of Chinese-claimed Taiwan. China has been particularly upset by criticism from senior US officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, of China's ruling Communist Party and of the country's treatment of its Muslim Uighur minority. The United States says it is determined to speak out about human rights abuses in China, re-balance what it sees as a mismatched trade relationship and stop potential national security threats with restrictions on Chinese companies such as tech giant Huawei. In a year-end interview with state media, State Councillor Wang Yi said this year marking 40 years of ties between the People's Republic of China and the United States should have been an important anniversary for both to mark. "Regrettably, the United States has successively imposed restrictions and put pressure on China in various fields such as economy, trade, science and technology, and on a series of issues concerning China's territorial sovereignty has interfered and smeared (us)," Wang said. "What the United States has done has undermined Sino-US mutual trust accumulated over the past 40 years and has also impacted the stability and development of the entire world," he added, in excerpts of the interview carried on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. Wang said China would safeguard its core interests and right to legitimate development, and no person or force can stop the 1.4 billion Chinese people from the path of modernisation. China wants to resolve problems that arise with the United States through dialogue and on the basis of mutual respect, he added. "We hope that the United States will rebuild its objective and correct understanding of China," Wang said.

US 'smears' impacting global stability: China

On Saturday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described as "shameful" Russia and China blocking the UN resolution, which would have extended for a year cross-border humanitarian aid to four million Syrians.

"To Russia and China, who have chosen to make a political statement by opposing this resolution, you have blood on your hands," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-fresh-sanctions-on-iran-still-hopeful-for-prisoner-talks-267740">Pompeo</a> said in a statement.

China reacted angrily Monday, saying it voted on the basis of "right and wrong".

"We firmly reject the unjustifiable accusations made by the US side on China's voting position," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said&nbsp;at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Geng said the US was "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/icc-to-probe-alleged-war-crimes-in-palestinian-territories-269444">politicising humanitarian issues</a>" and "pursuing a typical double standard".

Humanitarian aid currently flows into Syria through UN-designated checkpoints in Turkey and Iraq without the formal permission of the regime in Damascus, but that authority is due to expire on January 10.

Germany, Belgium and Kuwait presented a resolution extending that authority for a year, winning the support of 13 council members but drawing the vetoes of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-block-un-demand-for-seven-day-aleppo-truce-9783">Russia and China</a>.

A competing Russian resolution would have granted a six-month extension while reducing the number of UN crossing points, but it failed to get the minimum nine votes.

Russia -- an ally and major supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- has used its veto 14 times on Syrian issues since civil war broke out there in 2011.

The resolution failed as tens of thousands of civilians have been fleeing the northwestern Idlib region amid heavy bombardments by Assad's Russian-backed government, in the last bastion of the jihadist opposition.

On Saturday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described as "shameful" Russia and China blocking the UN resolution, which would have extended for a year cross-border humanitarian aid to four million Syrians.

On Saturday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described as "shameful" Russia and China blocking the UN resolution, which would have extended for a year cross-border humanitarian aid to four million Syrians. "To Russia and China, who have chosen to make a political statement by opposing this resolution, you have blood on your hands," Pompeo said in a statement. China reacted angrily Monday, saying it voted on the basis of "right and wrong". "We firmly reject the unjustifiable accusations made by the US side on China's voting position," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing in Beijing. Geng said the US was "politicising humanitarian issues" and "pursuing a typical double standard". Humanitarian aid currently flows into Syria through UN-designated checkpoints in Turkey and Iraq without the formal permission of the regime in Damascus, but that authority is due to expire on January 10. Germany, Belgium and Kuwait presented a resolution extending that authority for a year, winning the support of 13 council members but drawing the vetoes of Russia and China. A competing Russian resolution would have granted a six-month extension while reducing the number of UN crossing points, but it failed to get the minimum nine votes. Russia -- an ally and major supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- has used its veto 14 times on Syrian issues since civil war broke out there in 2011. The resolution failed as tens of thousands of civilians have been fleeing the northwestern Idlib region amid heavy bombardments by Assad's Russian-backed government, in the last bastion of the jihadist opposition.

'US politicising humanitarian issues': China slams Pompeo's criticism of Syria aid veto

35 people were hurt in a 63-vehicle, chain-reaction crash on a foggy and icy stretch of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/miss-america-2020-bio-chemist-camille-schrier-performs-science-experiment-in-talent-round-wins-the-crown-269353">Virginia</a> highway early on Sunday, state police said.

All westbound lanes of Interstate 64 in York County, Virginia, about 80 km&nbsp;southeast of Richmond, remained closed Sunday afternoon as authorities worked at the scene of the pileup, which began shortly before 8 AM. EST, the Virginia State Police said on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
UPDATE: All EASTBOUND lanes have reopened on I-64 at the Queens Creek bridge in <a href="https://twitter.com/YorkCountyVAGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YorkCountyVAGov</a>. All WESTBOUND lanes remain closed at this time. Traffic being detoured to Route 199 (exit 242). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hrtraffic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hrtraffic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VaDOT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VaDOT</a>
— VDOT Hampton Roads (@VaDOTHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/VaDOTHR/status/1208782959270076416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Fog and icy conditions were present on the road at the time of the accident, police said in a tweet.

"#VSP investigation continues into 63-vehicle chain-reaction&nbsp;crashes," the police tweeted. "35 transported for treatment. No fatalities reported."

The injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening, the police tweeted.

Video footage of the scene showed a sea of cars that had collided with one another or the interstate barricade, some with their doors, trunks and bumpers mangled.

A representative for the state police could not immediately be reached for comment.

35 people were hurt in a 63-vehicle, chain-reaction crash on a foggy and icy stretch of a Virginia highway early on Sunday, state police said. All westbound lanes of Interstate 64 in York County, Virginia, about 80 km southeast of Richmond, remained closed Sunday afternoon as authorities worked at the scene of the pileup, which began shortly before 8 AM.

35 people were hurt in a 63-vehicle, chain-reaction crash on a foggy and icy stretch of a Virginia highway early on Sunday, state police said. All westbound lanes of Interstate 64 in York County, Virginia, about 80 km southeast of Richmond, remained closed Sunday afternoon as authorities worked at the scene of the pileup, which began shortly before 8 AM. EST, the Virginia State Police said on Twitter. UPDATE: All EASTBOUND lanes have reopened on I-64 at the Queens Creek bridge in @YorkCountyVAGov. All WESTBOUND lanes remain closed at this time. Traffic being detoured to Route 199 (exit 242). #hrtraffic @VaDOT — VDOT Hampton Roads (@VaDOTHR) December 22, 2019 × Fog and icy conditions were present on the road at the time of the accident, police said in a tweet. "#VSP investigation continues into 63-vehicle chain-reaction crashes," the police tweeted. "35 transported for treatment. No fatalities reported." The injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening, the police tweeted. Video footage of the scene showed a sea of cars that had collided with one another or the interstate barricade, some with their doors, trunks and bumpers mangled. A representative for the state police could not immediately be reached for comment.

35 people injured in 63-vehicle pileup on Virginia highway

South&nbsp;Korean and US&nbsp;special forces troops recently conducted drills simulating the infiltration of an enemy facility,&nbsp;as tensions with North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;ratchet up ahead of a year-end deadline.

South&nbsp;Korean and US&nbsp;commandos raided the facility and led out a man with his hands tied behind the back during the exercise described as a joint regular close-quarters battle training last month at a US&nbsp;military base in the&nbsp;southwestern&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean city of Gunsan.

A&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean official said the drill was designed as a hostage rescue operation training as part of a counter-terrorism drill conducted quarterly by the allies. The US&nbsp;Forces&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;did not respond to a request for comment.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea rules out Denuclearisation Talks

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-rules-out-denuclearisation-talks-266890/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The rare release of the photos by the US&nbsp;Defense Visual Information Distribution Service comes ahead of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-test-fires-rockets-in-thanksgiving-reminder-of-year-end-deadline-for-us-265157">year-end deadline</a> set by Pyongyang for Washington to soften its stance in stalled talks.

The service is operated by an arm of the US&nbsp;Department of Defence.

South&nbsp;Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, which first reported the training, said the drills were intended to simulate a scenario to capture North&nbsp;Korean executives. Sources identified a man in military uniforms akin to that of North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;collapse upon a gunshot from one of the commandos, Chosun Ilbo said.

Pyongyang has in the past accused the United States and&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;of seeking to topple its regime with "hostile policy", while slamming their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-us-military-drills-violate-agreement-north-korea-state-media-176737">regular joint military exercises</a> as plots to "decapitate" its leadership and a rehearsal for war.

South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;under a previous administration had planned to launch a special unit in 2017 tasked with "removing or paralysing" North&nbsp;Korea's top command in the event of a war.

Tension has been growing in recent weeks as North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;conducts a series of weapons tests and waged a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-united-states-not-to-exploit-close-trump-kim-ties-258322">war of words</a> with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in an apparent bid to underscore its year-end deadline.

Earlier this month, Trump said the United States reserved the right to use military force against North&nbsp;Korea.

General Charles Brown, commander of US&nbsp;Pacific Air Forces, said last week the US&nbsp;military could "dust off pretty quickly and be ready to use" options it had developed during the height of tensions in 2017.

South Korean and US special forces troops recently conducted drills simulating the infiltration of an enemy facility, as tensions with North Korea ratchet up ahead of a year-end deadline.

South Korean and US special forces troops recently conducted drills simulating the infiltration of an enemy facility, as tensions with North Korea ratchet up ahead of a year-end deadline. South Korean and US commandos raided the facility and led out a man with his hands tied behind the back during the exercise described as a joint regular close-quarters battle training last month at a US military base in the southwestern South Korean city of Gunsan. A South Korean official said the drill was designed as a hostage rescue operation training as part of a counter-terrorism drill conducted quarterly by the allies. The US Forces Korea did not respond to a request for comment. Watch: North Korea rules out Denuclearisation Talks The rare release of the photos by the US Defense Visual Information Distribution Service comes ahead of a year-end deadline set by Pyongyang for Washington to soften its stance in stalled talks. The service is operated by an arm of the US Department of Defence. South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, which first reported the training, said the drills were intended to simulate a scenario to capture North Korean executives. Sources identified a man in military uniforms akin to that of North Korea collapse upon a gunshot from one of the commandos, Chosun Ilbo said. Pyongyang has in the past accused the United States and South Korea of seeking to topple its regime with "hostile policy", while slamming their regular joint military exercises as plots to "decapitate" its leadership and a rehearsal for war. South Korea under a previous administration had planned to launch a special unit in 2017 tasked with "removing or paralysing" North Korea's top command in the event of a war. Tension has been growing in recent weeks as North Korea conducts a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US President Donald Trump in an apparent bid to underscore its year-end deadline. Earlier this month, Trump said the United States reserved the right to use military force against North Korea. General Charles Brown, commander of US Pacific Air Forces, said last week the US military could "dust off pretty quickly and be ready to use" options it had developed during the height of tensions in 2017.

South Korea, US commandos practice raiding enemy facility as North Korea tensions rise

At least&nbsp;36&nbsp;people were killed in weekend&nbsp;clashes&nbsp;in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/18-prisoners-dead-16-injured-after-clash-in-honduras-jail-269515">Honduran prisons</a> as the military and police try to regain control after a spate of murders linked to the criminal gangs plaguing the country.

On Sunday afternoon, 18 gang members died in a clash between inmates at El Porvenir&nbsp;prison, 60 kilometres&nbsp;north of the capital Tegucigalpa.

"Firearms, knives and machetes" were used in the brawl, which also left 10 wounded, Lieutenant Jose Coello, a spokesman for the National Inter-Institutional Security Force (Fusina), told local media.

On Friday night, 18 prisoners died and 16 were wounded in a shooting at the&nbsp;prison&nbsp;in the port town of Tela, northwest of the capital.

The killings came shortly after President Juan Orlando Hernandez - grappling with a wave of&nbsp;prison&nbsp;killings -&nbsp;ordered the army and the police on Tuesday to take control of the country's 27 prisons, which are badly overcrowded with some 21,000 inmates.

The security forces later said they were deploying about 1,200 military and police in 18 facilities classified as "high risk."

Hernandez announced the crackdown after the killings on December 14 of five members of the feared MS-13 gang by a fellow detainee at the high-security&nbsp;prison&nbsp;in La Tolva, east of Tegucigalpa.

That came just a day after Pedro Idelfonso Armas, the warden of&nbsp;Honduras's main high-security&nbsp;prison&nbsp;in Santa Barbara, El Pozo, was shot&nbsp;dead&nbsp;in the south of the country.

The security ministry had suspended Armas shortly before his death, amid an investigation into his presence during the October 26 murder of Magdaleno Meza, a drug kingpin whose confession and notebooks linked him to the president's brother, Juan Antonio "Tony" Hernandez.&nbsp;

Meza's account books were used as evidence in the New York trial of Hernandez, who was subsequently convicted on four counts of drug trafficking. He faces sentencing -&nbsp;possibly for life - in January.

The president condemned the conviction of his younger brother, saying it was based on "the testimony of confessed assassins."

A video circulating on social media shows the 52-year-old Armas talking with Meza when&nbsp;prison&nbsp;guards opened a locked gate, allowing a dozen inmates to burst in to stab and fatally shoot him.

In statements to the AFP, Meza's lawyer, Carlos Chajtur, publicly accused the government of having ordered his client to be killed in retaliation for having collaborated with US justice in the trial against Hernandez.

Watch:&nbsp;Mexico to help create 20,000 jobs in Honduras to curb migration

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexico-to-help-create-20000-jobs-in-honduras-to-curb-migration-238977/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Drugs, gangs, poverty

On Sunday night military and police chiefs told the press that the wave of violence inside prisons "is an escalation of the criminal world to try to prevent Fusina (...) from imposing the necessary controls in the country's penal centres".

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in&nbsp;Honduras&nbsp;(OHCHR) said it observed "with alarm the violence inside prisons", and urged the state "to guarantee the life and respect of human rights to those deprived of liberty and proceed to a prompt, effective and transparent investigation."

Honduras&nbsp;is plagued by drug trafficking, gangs, poverty and corruption.

It suffers one of the highest murder rates in the world outside areas of armed conflict, having registered 41.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018.

To fight this scourge, Hernandez created a military police force financed by a new tax and built special prisons for gang members.

The sky-high crime rate has been a key factor behind a wave of migration toward the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-moved-to-freeze-ukraine-aid-90-minutes-after-trump-phone-call-report-269643">United States</a>, notably by minors who say they fear being forced into gangs.

At least 36 people were killed in weekend clashes in Honduran prisons as the military and police try to regain control after a spate of murders linked to the criminal gangs plaguing the country.

At least 36 people were killed in weekend clashes in Honduran prisons as the military and police try to regain control after a spate of murders linked to the criminal gangs plaguing the country. On Sunday afternoon, 18 gang members died in a clash between inmates at El Porvenir prison, 60 kilometres north of the capital Tegucigalpa. "Firearms, knives and machetes" were used in the brawl, which also left 10 wounded, Lieutenant Jose Coello, a spokesman for the National Inter-Institutional Security Force (Fusina), told local media. On Friday night, 18 prisoners died and 16 were wounded in a shooting at the prison in the port town of Tela, northwest of the capital. The killings came shortly after President Juan Orlando Hernandez - grappling with a wave of prison killings - ordered the army and the police on Tuesday to take control of the country's 27 prisons, which are badly overcrowded with some 21,000 inmates. The security forces later said they were deploying about 1,200 military and police in 18 facilities classified as "high risk." Hernandez announced the crackdown after the killings on December 14 of five members of the feared MS-13 gang by a fellow detainee at the high-security prison in La Tolva, east of Tegucigalpa. That came just a day after Pedro Idelfonso Armas, the warden of Honduras's main high-security prison in Santa Barbara, El Pozo, was shot dead in the south of the country. The security ministry had suspended Armas shortly before his death, amid an investigation into his presence during the October 26 murder of Magdaleno Meza, a drug kingpin whose confession and notebooks linked him to the president's brother, Juan Antonio "Tony" Hernandez. Meza's account books were used as evidence in the New York trial of Hernandez, who was subsequently convicted on four counts of drug trafficking. He faces sentencing - possibly for life - in January. The president condemned the conviction of his younger brother, saying it was based on "the testimony of confessed assassins." A video circulating on social media shows the 52-year-old Armas talking with Meza when prison guards opened a locked gate, allowing a dozen inmates to burst in to stab and fatally shoot him. In statements to the AFP, Meza's lawyer, Carlos Chajtur, publicly accused the government of having ordered his client to be killed in retaliation for having collaborated with US justice in the trial against Hernandez. Watch: Mexico to help create 20,000 jobs in Honduras to curb migration Drugs, gangs, poverty On Sunday night military and police chiefs told the press that the wave of violence inside prisons "is an escalation of the criminal world to try to prevent Fusina (...) from imposing the necessary controls in the country's penal centres". The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Honduras (OHCHR) said it observed "with alarm the violence inside prisons", and urged the state "to guarantee the life and respect of human rights to those deprived of liberty and proceed to a prompt, effective and transparent investigation." Honduras is plagued by drug trafficking, gangs, poverty and corruption. It suffers one of the highest murder rates in the world outside areas of armed conflict, having registered 41.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018. To fight this scourge, Hernandez created a military police force financed by a new tax and built special prisons for gang members. The sky-high crime rate has been a key factor behind a wave of migration toward the United States, notably by minors who say they fear being forced into gangs.

Prison clashes leave 36 dead in Honduras

An apartment in Las Vegas caught fire on Saturday, killing six and injuring 13.

Dubbed as the ''worst fire fatality'' in the Fire Department's history, the blaze took place at the three-storey Alpine Motel Apartments, an official said.

The fire, which began on the first floor has sent 13, possibly more to the hospital.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet, however, early signs point to an accidental fire caused by heating.

More details are awaited.

(With inputs from agencies)

An apartment in Las Vegas caught fire on Saturday, killing six and injuring 13. Dubbed as the ''worst fire fatality'' in the Fire Department's history, the blaze took place at the three-storey Alpine Motel Apartments, an official said.

An apartment in Las Vegas caught fire on Saturday, killing six and injuring 13. Dubbed as the ''worst fire fatality'' in the Fire Department's history, the blaze took place at the three-storey Alpine Motel Apartments, an official said. The fire, which began on the first floor has sent 13, possibly more to the hospital. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet, however, early signs point to an accidental fire caused by heating. More details are awaited. (With inputs from agencies)

Las Vegas: Apartment fire kills 6, injures 13

US sanctions against Iran are a "reckless addiction" Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on Sunday.

"The US' approach to sanctions betrays a pathological and reckless addiction -- a condition that renders no bounds or boundary to what the US&nbsp;may or may not do," Zarif wrote. "And this addictive behaviour affects friends and foes alike, unless collectively pushed back."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, this week, slammed the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-slams-irrational-us-nuclear-deal-withdrawal-269506">irrational" withdrawal of the United States from the multinational nuclear deal</a> on Tehran's nuclear programme, as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

Rouhani's trip to Japan comes after deadly protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, where the economy has been hit by Washington-imposed sanctions.

"I strongly condemn the US for unilaterally and irrationally withdrawing" from the deal, said Rouhani, who became the first Iranian head of state to visit Japan for two decades.

"I hope Japan and other countries will make efforts to maintain this deal."

The US re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from the international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

Friction between Tehran and Washington has increased since last year when US&nbsp;President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on the country, crippling its economy.

US sanctions against Iran are a "reckless addiction" Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on Sunday. "The US' approach to sanctions betrays a pathological and reckless addiction -- a condition that renders no bounds or boundary to what the US may or may not do," Zarif wrote.

US sanctions against Iran are a "reckless addiction" Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on Sunday. "The US' approach to sanctions betrays a pathological and reckless addiction -- a condition that renders no bounds or boundary to what the US may or may not do," Zarif wrote. "And this addictive behaviour affects friends and foes alike, unless collectively pushed back." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, this week, slammed the "irrational" withdrawal of the United States from the multinational nuclear deal on Tehran's nuclear programme, as he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Rouhani's trip to Japan comes after deadly protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, where the economy has been hit by Washington-imposed sanctions. "I strongly condemn the US for unilaterally and irrationally withdrawing" from the deal, said Rouhani, who became the first Iranian head of state to visit Japan for two decades. "I hope Japan and other countries will make efforts to maintain this deal." The US re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from the international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme. Friction between Tehran and Washington has increased since last year when US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on the country, crippling its economy.

US sanctions against Iran are a 'reckless addiction': Javad Zarif

North Korean leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-has-everything-to-lose-donald-trump-after-north-koreas-significant-test-267034">Kim&nbsp;Jong Un</a> discussed strengthening his country's&nbsp;military&nbsp;capability with top&nbsp;military&nbsp;officials, state media reported Sunday, with Pyongyang's end-of-year&nbsp;deadline&nbsp;for the US to offer concessions approaching.

The North promised an ominous "Christmas gift" earlier this month if Washington does not give ground by the end of December. The denuclearisation process has been largely deadlocked since the collapse of a summit in Hanoi at the start of the year.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Kim Jong Un personally inspects test of a new weapon

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kim-jong-un-personally-inspects-test-of-a-new-weapon-242259/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Pyongyang has carried out a series of static tests at its Sohae rocket facility this month, after a number of weapons launches in recent weeks,&nbsp;some of them described as ballistic missiles by Japan and others. North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;is banned from carrying out such tests under UN sanctions.

Kim&nbsp;held an enlarged meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's Central&nbsp;Military&nbsp;Commission, for which he serves as chairman.

There, he "gave analysis and briefing on the complicated internal and external situation... to bolster up the overall&nbsp;armed forces&nbsp;of the country," the North's official KCNA news agency reported.&nbsp;

"Referring to merits and demerits in the recent work of the People's Army and matters to be rapidly overcome", KCNA said, "the Supreme Leader indicated in detail the direction and ways to be maintained" to boost the&nbsp;armed forces.&nbsp;

"Important issues for decisive improvement of the overall national defence and core matters for the sustained and accelerated development of&nbsp;military&nbsp;capability for self-defence," were also discussed, it added.&nbsp;

The report came a day after the nuclear-armed state warned Washington it would "pay dearly" over criticism of its human rights record by a US state department official.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-opens-a-flagship-construction-project-close-to-mount-paektu-265839">A North Korean foreign ministry </a>spokesperson said the comments were akin to "pouring oil over burning fire" amid heightened tensions in a statement carried by KCNA. &nbsp;

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un discussed strengthening his country's military capability with top military officials, state media reported Sunday, with Pyongyang's end-of-year deadline for the US to offer concessions approaching.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un discussed strengthening his country's military capability with top military officials, state media reported Sunday, with Pyongyang's end-of-year deadline for the US to offer concessions approaching. The North promised an ominous "Christmas gift" earlier this month if Washington does not give ground by the end of December. The denuclearisation process has been largely deadlocked since the collapse of a summit in Hanoi at the start of the year. Watch: Kim Jong Un personally inspects test of a new weapon Pyongyang has carried out a series of static tests at its Sohae rocket facility this month, after a number of weapons launches in recent weeks, some of them described as ballistic missiles by Japan and others. North Korea is banned from carrying out such tests under UN sanctions. Kim held an enlarged meeting of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Military Commission, for which he serves as chairman. There, he "gave analysis and briefing on the complicated internal and external situation... to bolster up the overall armed forces of the country," the North's official KCNA news agency reported. "Referring to merits and demerits in the recent work of the People's Army and matters to be rapidly overcome", KCNA said, "the Supreme Leader indicated in detail the direction and ways to be maintained" to boost the armed forces. "Important issues for decisive improvement of the overall national defence and core matters for the sustained and accelerated development of military capability for self-defence," were also discussed, it added. The report came a day after the nuclear-armed state warned Washington it would "pay dearly" over criticism of its human rights record by a US state department official. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson said the comments were akin to "pouring oil over burning fire" amid heightened tensions in a statement carried by KCNA.

North Korea's Kim discusses strengthening military as deadline for potential US concessions approaches

United States <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-invites-britains-johnson-to-white-house-for-new-year-sources-269520">President Donald Trump</a> criticised the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday. According to Trump, Pelosi is restraining against forwarding the articles of impeachment against him to the Senate.

"It's so unfair," Trump said, days after he was impeached by the House, during a speech to conservative student group Turning Point USA, saying that Pelosi adopted the strategy because she has "no case."

"They are violating the Constitution," Trump said, calling Pelosi "crazy Nancy."

The Democratic-controlled House voted on December 18 to impeach Trump, setting the stage for a trial in the Senate. Trump is very unlikely to be convicted and removed from office by the upper chamber of Congress because it is controlled by his Republican Party. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is needed for a conviction on impeachment charges.

Watch: Donald Trump becomes third US President to be impeached

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-becomes-third-us-president-to-be-impeached-269255/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Republicans and Democrats are at loggerheads over how the trial will play out. Pelosi and other Democrats want to call top <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-xi-jinping-give-positive-signals-on-trade-deal-after-phone-call-269443">Trump aides</a> as witnesses and are seeking assurances that the trial will be held on terms they consider fair.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said he is working in tandem with the White House on trial preparations, drawing accusations from Democrats that he is ignoring his duty to consider the evidence in an impartial manner.

Pelosi has not yet sent the impeachment package to the Senate in a bid to increase pressure on Republicans there. Pelosi has also not yet announced the managers, or prosecutors, who will present evidence in the trial.

"Until the House gets a clearer picture of what a Senate trial will look like, the Speaker will not be in the position to appoint managers and take the next steps in holding this President accountable and ensuring the Senate fulfils its constitutional duty," Pelosi's office said in a statement on Saturday.

Pelosi's office said senators have a constitutional obligation to conduct a "fair process that provides both the Senators, who will act as jurors and the public with the opportunity to understand the full extent of President Trump’s abuse of power."

Trump is accused of abusing his power by holding back $391 million in security aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election.

The president is also charged with obstruction of Congress for directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-blocks-group-spreading-pro-trump-posts-from-fake-accounts-269435">Trump</a> says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

United States President Donald Trump criticised the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday. According to Trump, Pelosi is restraining against forwarding the articles of impeachment against him to the Senate.

United States President Donald Trump criticised the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday. According to Trump, Pelosi is restraining against forwarding the articles of impeachment against him to the Senate. "It's so unfair," Trump said, days after he was impeached by the House, during a speech to conservative student group Turning Point USA, saying that Pelosi adopted the strategy because she has "no case." "They are violating the Constitution," Trump said, calling Pelosi "crazy Nancy." The Democratic-controlled House voted on December 18 to impeach Trump, setting the stage for a trial in the Senate. Trump is very unlikely to be convicted and removed from office by the upper chamber of Congress because it is controlled by his Republican Party. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is needed for a conviction on impeachment charges. Watch: Donald Trump becomes third US President to be impeached Republicans and Democrats are at loggerheads over how the trial will play out. Pelosi and other Democrats want to call top Trump aides as witnesses and are seeking assurances that the trial will be held on terms they consider fair. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said he is working in tandem with the White House on trial preparations, drawing accusations from Democrats that he is ignoring his duty to consider the evidence in an impartial manner. Pelosi has not yet sent the impeachment package to the Senate in a bid to increase pressure on Republicans there. Pelosi has also not yet announced the managers, or prosecutors, who will present evidence in the trial. "Until the House gets a clearer picture of what a Senate trial will look like, the Speaker will not be in the position to appoint managers and take the next steps in holding this President accountable and ensuring the Senate fulfils its constitutional duty," Pelosi's office said in a statement on Saturday. Pelosi's office said senators have a constitutional obligation to conduct a "fair process that provides both the Senators, who will act as jurors and the public with the opportunity to understand the full extent of President Trump’s abuse of power." Trump is accused of abusing his power by holding back $391 million in security aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election. The president is also charged with obstruction of Congress for directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. Trump says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

'So unfair': Donald Trump slams impeachment delay in Senate

United States President Donald Trump has signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, authorising the establishment of Space Force which would become the sixth branch of the armed forces. #US #USPresident #DonaldTrump #USSpaceforce

President Donald Trump officially launches US Space Force

Beijing Saturday slammed a new US defence act, which includes measures to strengthen Washington's ties with Taiwan and support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protestors, saying it "blatantly interfered" in China's internal affairs.

The tough-worded statement by China's top lawmaking body comes a day after President Xi Jinping told his US counterpart Donald Trump that US comments and actions regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet were harming ties between the two economic giants.

Beijing and Washington have agreed to a temporary truce in their bruising trade war, with a phase-one deal that has rolled back tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods.&nbsp;

But China has come under strong criticism in Congress, including from Trump's Republican party, over its attempt to clamp down on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

There is also growing concern in Washington, among both Democrats and Republicans, over the mass repression of ethnic Uighurs, a mostly Muslim minority in northwest China's Xinjiang region.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) calls for a report on the treatment of minorities in Xinjiang and to improve military ties with Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

You Wenze, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), told state-run Xinhua news agency, that the bill "blatantly interfered" in China's internal affairs.

The parts relating to Taiwan undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he said.

Trump signed the $738 billion bill into law on Friday. It also calls for support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protestors.

Washington's attempts to interfere in other countries' domestic affairs using so-called democracy and human rights would be in vain, You told Xinhua.

He expressed "resolute opposition" to the bill, the Xinhua report said.

The statement echoes the language used during a Xi-Trump phone call on Friday.&nbsp;

"China expresses serious concerns over the US side's recent negative words and actions on issues related to China's Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet," Xi said during the call, according to Xinhua's summary.&nbsp;

Xi "noted that the US behaviours have interfered in China's internal affairs and harmed China's interests, which is detrimental to the mutual trust and bilateral cooperation," the state-controlled outlet said.&nbsp;

Beijing Saturday slammed a new US defence act, which includes measures to strengthen Washington's ties with Taiwan and support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protestors, saying it "blatantly interfered" in China's internal affairs.

Beijing Saturday slammed a new US defence act, which includes measures to strengthen Washington's ties with Taiwan and support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protestors, saying it "blatantly interfered" in China's internal affairs. The tough-worded statement by China's top lawmaking body comes a day after President Xi Jinping told his US counterpart Donald Trump that US comments and actions regarding Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet were harming ties between the two economic giants. Beijing and Washington have agreed to a temporary truce in their bruising trade war, with a phase-one deal that has rolled back tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. But China has come under strong criticism in Congress, including from Trump's Republican party, over its attempt to clamp down on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. There is also growing concern in Washington, among both Democrats and Republicans, over the mass repression of ethnic Uighurs, a mostly Muslim minority in northwest China's Xinjiang region. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) calls for a report on the treatment of minorities in Xinjiang and to improve military ties with Taiwan, which Beijing regards as a renegade province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. You Wenze, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), told state-run Xinhua news agency, that the bill "blatantly interfered" in China's internal affairs. The parts relating to Taiwan undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, he said. Trump signed the $738 billion bill into law on Friday. It also calls for support for Hong Kong's pro-democracy protestors. Washington's attempts to interfere in other countries' domestic affairs using so-called democracy and human rights would be in vain, You told Xinhua. He expressed "resolute opposition" to the bill, the Xinhua report said. The statement echoes the language used during a Xi-Trump phone call on Friday. "China expresses serious concerns over the US side's recent negative words and actions on issues related to China's Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet," Xi said during the call, according to Xinhua's summary. Xi "noted that the US behaviours have interfered in China's internal affairs and harmed China's interests, which is detrimental to the mutual trust and bilateral cooperation," the state-controlled outlet said.

China says US defence act 'blatantly interfered' in its affairs

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe.&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies.

"A state with $22 trillion in public debt is banning solvent countries from developing their economies," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page.&nbsp;

"The American ideology does not like global competition. Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing."&nbsp;

Germany also accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs on Saturday for imposing sanctions on companies working on a major project to supply Western Europe with Russian gas.

An EU spokesman criticised "the imposition of sanctions against EU companies conducting legitimate business", the German government said Berlin rejected "these sorts of extra-territorial sanctions".&nbsp;

"They will hit German and European companies and constitute an interference in our internal affairs," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed off on US sanctions against companies building the pipeline that Congress fears will give the Kremlin dangerous leverage over European allies.

The sanctions, which are opposed by the European Union, were included in a sprawling defense spending bill Trump signed at a ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, an air force installation outside Washington, DC.

They target companies building the nearly $11 billion pipeline under the Baltic Sea with the aim of doubling deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe's leading economy, Germany.

US lawmakers have warned the pipeline would enrich a hostile Russian government and vastly increase President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension across the continent.

Although US Congress overwhelmingly backed the sanctions, there was some criticism among lawmakers of a move that in effect punishes NATO allies such as Germany.&nbsp;

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies.

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies. "A state with $22 trillion in public debt is banning solvent countries from developing their economies," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page. "The American ideology does not like global competition. Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing." Germany also accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs on Saturday for imposing sanctions on companies working on a major project to supply Western Europe with Russian gas. An EU spokesman criticised "the imposition of sanctions against EU companies conducting legitimate business", the German government said Berlin rejected "these sorts of extra-territorial sanctions". "They will hit German and European companies and constitute an interference in our internal affairs," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer. On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed off on US sanctions against companies building the pipeline that Congress fears will give the Kremlin dangerous leverage over European allies. The sanctions, which are opposed by the European Union, were included in a sprawling defense spending bill Trump signed at a ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, an air force installation outside Washington, DC. They target companies building the nearly $11 billion pipeline under the Baltic Sea with the aim of doubling deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe's leading economy, Germany. US lawmakers have warned the pipeline would enrich a hostile Russian government and vastly increase President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension across the continent. Although US Congress overwhelmingly backed the sanctions, there was some criticism among lawmakers of a move that in effect punishes NATO allies such as Germany.

Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing: Russia slams US sanctions on European gas project

President Hassan Rouhani will make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state for two decades Friday, as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japan-to-trim-total-govt-bond-issuance-next-fiscal-year-sources-268875">Tokyo</a> seeks to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid spiralling nuclear tensions.

The trip comes after violent protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, as Washington-imposed sanctions over its nuclear programme hit the Iranian economy.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-two-iranian-judges-for-overseeing-iranian-regimes-miscarriage-of-justice-269258">United States </a>re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from an international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei has played down the mediation aspect of the trip, saying the visit to Tokyo had "nothing to do with issues such as negotiations with America".

However, he acknowledged that "our Japanese friends usually convey messages or initiatives, which we welcome... and seriously examine".

As a key US ally that also maintains close diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to build bridges between the two rival powers.

Last week, Abe said he would strive "as much as possible to ease tensions" in the Middle East, noting Japan's alliance with Washington and "favourable relations" with Tehran.

Abe travelled to Tehran in June to try to ease the tension between the United States and Iran in the Gulf.

Japan was formerly a major buyer of Iranian crude but stopped purchases to comply with the US sanctions.

Rouhani comes to Japan from Kuala Lumpur where he called on Muslim countries at a summit to band together to fight US "economic terrorism".

Osamu Miyata, head of Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies in Japan (CCISJ), told AFP that Abe would find it difficult to steer a path between US President Donald Trump and Rouhani.

The US sanctions "are having a serious impact on every aspect of Iran - people's daily life, the country's finances, and inflation in imported goods", Hitoshi Suzuki, an expert on Middle Eastern studies at Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), told AFP.

"It would be difficult to have tangible achievements from the Rouhani-Abe meeting this time, but in the long-term, Japan can warn the US that the current sanctions are having a serious negative impact," added Suzuki.

"This could prompt Iranian domestic politics to move in the opposite direction hoped for by the US -&nbsp;For example, hawks leading Iran to the resume nuclear development, or the emergence of an anti-democratic Iran," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-to-visit-japan-amid-heightened-tensions-with-united-states-268703">Abe and Rouhani</a> are expected to inspect a guard of honour before summit talks and dinner.

They are not scheduled to brief reporters after the talks.&nbsp;

President Hassan Rouhani will make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state for two decades Friday, as Tokyo seeks to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid spiralling nuclear tensions.

President Hassan Rouhani will make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state for two decades Friday, as Tokyo seeks to mediate between Tehran and Washington amid spiralling nuclear tensions. The trip comes after violent protests last month over petroleum price hikes in Iran, as Washington-imposed sanctions over its nuclear programme hit the Iranian economy. The United States re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from an international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme. Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei has played down the mediation aspect of the trip, saying the visit to Tokyo had "nothing to do with issues such as negotiations with America". However, he acknowledged that "our Japanese friends usually convey messages or initiatives, which we welcome... and seriously examine". As a key US ally that also maintains close diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to build bridges between the two rival powers. Last week, Abe said he would strive "as much as possible to ease tensions" in the Middle East, noting Japan's alliance with Washington and "favourable relations" with Tehran. Abe travelled to Tehran in June to try to ease the tension between the United States and Iran in the Gulf. Japan was formerly a major buyer of Iranian crude but stopped purchases to comply with the US sanctions. Rouhani comes to Japan from Kuala Lumpur where he called on Muslim countries at a summit to band together to fight US "economic terrorism". Osamu Miyata, head of Center for Contemporary Islamic Studies in Japan (CCISJ), told AFP that Abe would find it difficult to steer a path between US President Donald Trump and Rouhani. The US sanctions "are having a serious impact on every aspect of Iran - people's daily life, the country's finances, and inflation in imported goods", Hitoshi Suzuki, an expert on Middle Eastern studies at Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), told AFP. "It would be difficult to have tangible achievements from the Rouhani-Abe meeting this time, but in the long-term, Japan can warn the US that the current sanctions are having a serious negative impact," added Suzuki. "This could prompt Iranian domestic politics to move in the opposite direction hoped for by the US - For example, hawks leading Iran to the resume nuclear development, or the emergence of an anti-democratic Iran," he said. Abe and Rouhani are expected to inspect a guard of honour before summit talks and dinner. They are not scheduled to brief reporters after the talks.

Iran's Rouhani to meet Japan PM amid tension with US

Officials and security sources&nbsp;reported that "US forces conducted an operation and captured a leader of paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters over participating in a rocket attack on an airbase housing US&nbsp;troops stationed in Iraq's western province of Anbar.

"The US&nbsp;troops conducted an airdrop operation before dawn on a house in Jubba area and arrested Naseer al-Obeidi, a leader of local tribal fighters affiliated with the Hashd Shaabi forces"&nbsp;a local official said, on condition of anonymity.

Multiple rockets hit an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rockets-hit-military-base-near-baghdad-airport-6-wounded-military-statement-267191">airbase</a> that houses US troops in western Iraq`s Anbar province on December 3 but no casualties were reported, the Iraqi military had said.

The incident came just over a week after US Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/american-vice-president-avoids-baghdad-leaders-on-surprise-iraq-visit-264128">Mike Pence</a> and his wife Karen had met the American soldiers stationed at the base ahead of Thanksgiving Day.

Officials and security sources reported that "US forces conducted an operation and captured a leader of paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters over participating in a rocket attack on an airbase housing US troops stationed in Iraq's western province of Anbar.

Officials and security sources reported that "US forces conducted an operation and captured a leader of paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters over participating in a rocket attack on an airbase housing US troops stationed in Iraq's western province of Anbar. "The US troops conducted an airdrop operation before dawn on a house in Jubba area and arrested Naseer al-Obeidi, a leader of local tribal fighters affiliated with the Hashd Shaabi forces" a local official said, on condition of anonymity. Multiple rockets hit an airbase that houses US troops in western Iraq`s Anbar province on December 3 but no casualties were reported, the Iraqi military had said. The incident came just over a week after US Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen had met the American soldiers stationed at the base ahead of Thanksgiving Day.

Iraq: US Forces capture leader of paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters

The United States respects India`s democratic institutions and will continue to observe the active political debate, parliamentary discussions, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-citizenship-amendment-act-when-actors-turned-activists-269216">protests</a> over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.

"We are seeing the active political debate, the discussions in Parliament, the protests by people who are espousing their views on that law. We are also fully aware that there is a judicial process that`s underway," the official said.

"And we respect India`s democratic institutions and India`s democratic practices, and we will continue to observe it on an ongoing basis,` the official added.

The senior State Department official said that Washington would talk to New Delhi "about the fact that as democracies, issues around minority rights, religious freedom, human rights are important pillars of democratic societies", and encourage India and the other democracies alike to adhere to those principles.

The official also said that the US recognises India as a vibrant democracy and holds regular conversations with the country "about a full range of issues".

Similar remarks were made by US Secretary of State Michael <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-was-on-the-call-says-pompeo-on-trump-call-to-ukraine-leader-253318">Pompeo</a> yesterday, when he said that his country cares deeply about protecting minorities and religious rights everywhere but honours "Indian democracy as they have a robust debate" on the issue of CAA.

"We care deeply and always will about protecting minorities, protecting religious rights everywhere. We honour Indian democracy and they have a robust debate in India on the issue. The US will be consistent in its response to these issues, not only in India but all across the world," Pompeo said during the joint presser with US Defence Secretary Mark Esper, India`s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-us-commence-22-ministerial-dialogue-in-washington-dc-269125">2+2</a> India-US ministerial dialogue.

His remarks came after being asked whether he thinks "it is appropriate for a democracy to use faith as a determining criterion for citizenship."Last week, the Indian Parliament had passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and it became an Act after receiving assent from President Ram Nath Kovind.

The Act grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Commenting on the Kashmir issue, the senior State Department official said that Washington has spoken publicly of concerns about prolonged detentions in the region after the Indian government`s decision to revoke <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/article-370-abrogation-foreign-medias-india-bias-249191">Article 370</a> of the Constitution on August 5.&nbsp;

The United States respects India`s democratic institutions and will continue to observe the active political debate, parliamentary discussions, and the protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.

The United States respects India`s democratic institutions and will continue to observe the active political debate, parliamentary discussions, and the protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, a senior State Department official said on Thursday. "We are seeing the active political debate, the discussions in Parliament, the protests by people who are espousing their views on that law. We are also fully aware that there is a judicial process that`s underway," the official said. "And we respect India`s democratic institutions and India`s democratic practices, and we will continue to observe it on an ongoing basis,` the official added. The senior State Department official said that Washington would talk to New Delhi "about the fact that as democracies, issues around minority rights, religious freedom, human rights are important pillars of democratic societies", and encourage India and the other democracies alike to adhere to those principles. The official also said that the US recognises India as a vibrant democracy and holds regular conversations with the country "about a full range of issues". Similar remarks were made by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo yesterday, when he said that his country cares deeply about protecting minorities and religious rights everywhere but honours "Indian democracy as they have a robust debate" on the issue of CAA. "We care deeply and always will about protecting minorities, protecting religious rights everywhere. We honour Indian democracy and they have a robust debate in India on the issue. The US will be consistent in its response to these issues, not only in India but all across the world," Pompeo said during the joint presser with US Defence Secretary Mark Esper, India`s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the 2+2 India-US ministerial dialogue. His remarks came after being asked whether he thinks "it is appropriate for a democracy to use faith as a determining criterion for citizenship."Last week, the Indian Parliament had passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and it became an Act after receiving assent from President Ram Nath Kovind. The Act grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Commenting on the Kashmir issue, the senior State Department official said that Washington has spoken publicly of concerns about prolonged detentions in the region after the Indian government`s decision to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5.

Respect India's democratic institutions; will continue to observe parliamentary discussions: US State Dept official on CAA

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">Trump administration</a> has approved a resumption of Pakistan's participation in a coveted US&nbsp;&nbsp;military training and educational program more than a year after it was suspended, the State Department said on Thursday.

The decision to resume Islamabad's participation in the International Military Education and Training Program, or IMET - for more than a decade a pillar of US-Pakistani military ties - underscores warming relations that have followed meetings this year between US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and Pakistani <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-cuts-short-geneva-visit-calls-emergency-meeting-to-discuss-musharraf-verdict-268976">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a>.

Washington also has credited Islamabad with helping to facilitate negotiations on a US&nbsp;troop withdrawal from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/four-killed-in-afghanistan-bomb-explosion-268979">Afghanistan</a>. The talks recently resumed between the United States and the Taliban, who US&nbsp;officials say receive sanctuary and other aid from the Pakistan's military-led intelligence agency. Pakistan denies the charge.

The State Department administers IMET. It was a small facet of US&nbsp;security aid programs for Pakistan worth some $2 billion that remain suspended on orders that Trump abruptly issued in January 2018 to compel the nuclear-armed South Asian nation to crackdown on Islamist militants. Trump's decision, announced in a tweet, blindsided US&nbsp;officials.

After an attack earlier this year by a Pakistan-based extremist group that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary troops, US&nbsp;officials called on Islamabad to take "sustained and irreversible action" against militants operating from its territory.

A State Department spokeswoman said in an email that Trump's 2018 decision to suspend security assistance authorized "narrow exceptions for programs that support vital US&nbsp;national security interests." The decision to restore Pakistani participation in IMET was "one such exception," she said.

The program "provides an opportunity to increase bilateral cooperation between our countries on shared priorities," she added. "We want to continue to build on this foundation through concrete actions that advance regional security and stability."

A second US&nbsp;official said on condition of anonymity that Pakistan was in the process of selecting officers to send to the United States.

The restart of the program, however, is subject to approval by Congress. Republican and Democratic aides for the Senate and House of Representatives committees with jurisdiction over the process did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

IMET affords spaces to foreign military officers at US&nbsp;military education institutions, such as the US&nbsp;Army War College and the US&nbsp;Naval War College.

Pakistan's suspension from the program in August 2018 prompted the cancellation of 66 slots set aside that year for Pakistani military officers in one of the first known impacts of Trump's decision to halt security assistance.

The US&nbsp;military traditionally has sought to shield such educational programs from political tensions, arguing that the ties built by bringing foreign military officers to the United States pay long-term dividends.

The Trump administration has approved a resumption of Pakistan's participation in a coveted US military training and educational program more than a year after it was suspended, the State Department said on Thursday.

The Trump administration has approved a resumption of Pakistan's participation in a coveted US military training and educational program more than a year after it was suspended, the State Department said on Thursday. The decision to resume Islamabad's participation in the International Military Education and Training Program, or IMET - for more than a decade a pillar of US-Pakistani military ties - underscores warming relations that have followed meetings this year between US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Washington also has credited Islamabad with helping to facilitate negotiations on a US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. The talks recently resumed between the United States and the Taliban, who US officials say receive sanctuary and other aid from the Pakistan's military-led intelligence agency. Pakistan denies the charge. The State Department administers IMET. It was a small facet of US security aid programs for Pakistan worth some $2 billion that remain suspended on orders that Trump abruptly issued in January 2018 to compel the nuclear-armed South Asian nation to crackdown on Islamist militants. Trump's decision, announced in a tweet, blindsided US officials. After an attack earlier this year by a Pakistan-based extremist group that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary troops, US officials called on Islamabad to take "sustained and irreversible action" against militants operating from its territory. A State Department spokeswoman said in an email that Trump's 2018 decision to suspend security assistance authorized "narrow exceptions for programs that support vital US national security interests." The decision to restore Pakistani participation in IMET was "one such exception," she said. The program "provides an opportunity to increase bilateral cooperation between our countries on shared priorities," she added. "We want to continue to build on this foundation through concrete actions that advance regional security and stability." A second US official said on condition of anonymity that Pakistan was in the process of selecting officers to send to the United States. The restart of the program, however, is subject to approval by Congress. Republican and Democratic aides for the Senate and House of Representatives committees with jurisdiction over the process did not immediately respond to requests for comment. IMET affords spaces to foreign military officers at US military education institutions, such as the US Army War College and the US Naval War College. Pakistan's suspension from the program in August 2018 prompted the cancellation of 66 slots set aside that year for Pakistani military officers in one of the first known impacts of Trump's decision to halt security assistance. The US military traditionally has sought to shield such educational programs from political tensions, arguing that the ties built by bringing foreign military officers to the United States pay long-term dividends.

US to resume military training program for Pakistan: State Department

The United States on Thursday sanctioned two Iranian judges for punishing "Iranian citizens and dual-nationals for exercising their freedoms of expression or assembly."

"Today, the Department of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasury-secretary-mnuchin-says-trade-deal-with-china-to-boost-global-economy-268327">Treasury</a>'s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two judges presiding over branches of the Iranian regime`s Revolutionary Court who, for years, have punished Iranian citizens and dual-nationals for exercising their freedoms of expression or assembly. In many cases, these judges sentenced political prisoners to death," the US Treasury said in a statement.

"Through their respective branches of the Revolutionary Courts, Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh, both designated today, oversaw the Iranian regime's miscarriage of justice in show trials in which journalists, attorneys, political activists, and members of Iran`s ethnic and religious minority groups were penalised for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, lashes, and even execution," it added.

Under the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-to-visit-japan-amid-heightened-tensions-with-united-states-268703">sanctions</a>, all property and interests in property of the persons designated subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them."In addition, foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitate significant transactions for, or persons that provide material or certain other support to, the individuals designated today risk exposure to sanctions that could sever their access to the US financial system or block their property and interests in property under US jurisdiction," US Treasury Department said.

Earlier, US Secretary of State, Mike <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/22-dialogue-india-us-call-on-pakistan-to-arrest-and-prosecute-perpetrators-of-cross-border-terror-attacks-269230">Pompeo</a> said, "Today I am announcing several new actions in support of the Iranian people. First, I have re-designated Iran as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act. The world should know Iran is among the worst violators of basic fundamental religious freedoms. Second, today the United States Department of Treasury will sanction two Iranian judges: Mohammad Moghisseh, and Abolghassem Salavati.

"The US Secretary of State further announced that under the Immigration and Nationality <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/san-francisco-sues-trump-administration-over-rule-to-limit-legal-immigration-242914">Act</a>, visas for current or former Iranian officials and individuals responsible for or complicit in the abuse, detention, or killing of peaceful protesters, or for inhibiting their rights to freedom of expression or assembly, will be restricted.

"Our action will also restrict visas for these individuals` family members. The materials that are being provided to us by citizens from all across Iran will be invaluable in us using this new authority to put true pressure and to hold accountable those who are denying freedom and justice to the people of Iran," he said.

Pompeo said if the regime in Iran respects the rights of all Iranians and abides by its commitments, it can win back respect from its own citizens.&nbsp;

The United States on Thursday sanctioned two Iranian judges for punishing "Iranian citizens and dual-nationals for exercising their freedoms of expression or assembly.

The United States on Thursday sanctioned two Iranian judges for punishing "Iranian citizens and dual-nationals for exercising their freedoms of expression or assembly." "Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two judges presiding over branches of the Iranian regime`s Revolutionary Court who, for years, have punished Iranian citizens and dual-nationals for exercising their freedoms of expression or assembly. In many cases, these judges sentenced political prisoners to death," the US Treasury said in a statement. "Through their respective branches of the Revolutionary Courts, Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh, both designated today, oversaw the Iranian regime's miscarriage of justice in show trials in which journalists, attorneys, political activists, and members of Iran`s ethnic and religious minority groups were penalised for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, lashes, and even execution," it added. Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the persons designated subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them."In addition, foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitate significant transactions for, or persons that provide material or certain other support to, the individuals designated today risk exposure to sanctions that could sever their access to the US financial system or block their property and interests in property under US jurisdiction," US Treasury Department said. Earlier, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said, "Today I am announcing several new actions in support of the Iranian people. First, I have re-designated Iran as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act. The world should know Iran is among the worst violators of basic fundamental religious freedoms. Second, today the United States Department of Treasury will sanction two Iranian judges: Mohammad Moghisseh, and Abolghassem Salavati. "The US Secretary of State further announced that under the Immigration and Nationality Act, visas for current or former Iranian officials and individuals responsible for or complicit in the abuse, detention, or killing of peaceful protesters, or for inhibiting their rights to freedom of expression or assembly, will be restricted. "Our action will also restrict visas for these individuals` family members. The materials that are being provided to us by citizens from all across Iran will be invaluable in us using this new authority to put true pressure and to hold accountable those who are denying freedom and justice to the people of Iran," he said. Pompeo said if the regime in Iran respects the rights of all Iranians and abides by its commitments, it can win back respect from its own citizens.

US sanctions two Iranian judges for overseeing 'Iranian regimes miscarriage of justice'

united-states

United States, News on United States, stories on United States, articles on United States, United States stories at Wion, United States news, United States latest news

united states