Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday defended Donald Trump over accusations that the US leader pressured Kiev to dig up dirt on a rival, saying there was "nothing compromising" in <a href="wionews.com/world/i-was-on-the-call-says-pompeo-on-trump-call-to-ukraine-leader-253318">transcripts of the call</a>.

"I see nothing compromising in the conversation between Trump and (Ukrainian leader Volodymyr) Zelensky," Putin said of the phone call that has sparked an impeachment probe in the US.

"President Trump turned to a colleague with a request to investigate possible corruption relating to members of the former administration," the Russian leader said at an energy forum in Moscow.

"Any head of state would have had to do the same."

"They have already been using any excuse to attack President Trump. Now it's Ukraine," Putin added.

The White House last week released a transcript of the July call with a recently elected Zelensky.

It showed that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-begins-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-call-to-ukraine-leader-251866">Trump asked Zelensky</a> to probe Democratic rival Joe Biden, and the Democrats are looking into whether Trump used a delayed $400 million&nbsp;aid package as leverage.

Ukraine is fighting an ongoing war in its east against Russia-backed separatists, which broke out after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moscow-vows-to-retaliate-over-new-anti-russian-united-states-sanctions-252913">Moscow'</a>s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday defended Donald Trump over accusations that the US leader pressured Kiev to dig up dirt on a rival, saying there was "nothing compromising" in transcripts of the call.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday defended Donald Trump over accusations that the US leader pressured Kiev to dig up dirt on a rival, saying there was "nothing compromising" in transcripts of the call. "I see nothing compromising in the conversation between Trump and (Ukrainian leader Volodymyr) Zelensky," Putin said of the phone call that has sparked an impeachment probe in the US. "President Trump turned to a colleague with a request to investigate possible corruption relating to members of the former administration," the Russian leader said at an energy forum in Moscow. "Any head of state would have had to do the same." "They have already been using any excuse to attack President Trump. Now it's Ukraine," Putin added. The White House last week released a transcript of the July call with a recently elected Zelensky. It showed that Trump asked Zelensky to probe Democratic rival Joe Biden, and the Democrats are looking into whether Trump used a delayed $400 million aid package as leverage. Ukraine is fighting an ongoing war in its east against Russia-backed separatists, which broke out after Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Putin defends Trump's call to Ukraine leader, says there is 'nothing compromising'

India's Foreign Minister on Monday defended his country's right to buy a missile defence system from Russia despite the threat of sanctions from the United States.

On a visit to Washington, Foreign Minister S&nbsp;Jaishankar said India was discussing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moscow-vows-to-retaliate-over-new-anti-russian-united-states-sanctions-252913">US concerns</a> but declined to forecast the ultimate decision on the fate of the S-400 purchase from Russia.

"We have always maintained that what we buy -- the sourcing of military equipment -- is very much a sovereign right," he told reporters ahead of a meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"We would not like any state to tell us what to buy or not to buy from Russia any more than we would like any state to tell us to buy or not buy from America," he said.

"That freedom of choice is ours and we think it's in everybody's interest to recognize that," he said.

India, a Cold War ally of the Soviet Union, last year agreed to buy five S-400 systems for $5.2 billion, and Russia has said that delivery is on track.

Under a 2017 law, the U<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-russians-over-2018-elections-interference-252904">nited States imposes sanctions against countries over "major" arms purchases from Russia</a> due to Moscow's military involvement in Ukraine and Syria and alleged meddling in US elections.

Turkey, a NATO ally, in June angered the United States by also going ahead with an S-400 purchase.

President Donald Trump responded by ending Turkey's involvement in the F-35 fighter jet program but has yet to announce other sanctions.

Jaishankar hailed warm relations overall with the United States but underlined India's differences with Trump's hawkish stance on Iran.

The United States has threatened sanctions to force all countries to stop buying oil from Iran as it seeks to curb the clerical regime's influence in the Middle East.

In May, the Trump administration ended waivers for countries including India, formerly a leading customer for Iranian oil&nbsp;

"We view Iran from the east, and from east Iran has been a very stable, status quo power," Jaishankar said.

For India, "we've been repeatedly assured that the affordable and predictable access to energy will not change," he said, declining to comment further on discussions on Iran.

India has been teaming up to expand Iran's Chabahar port, a way to ensure a supply route to Afghanistan that bypasses Pakistan, New Delhi's rival and historical ally&nbsp;of the Taliban.

India's Foreign Minister on Monday defended his country's right to buy a missile defence system from Russia despite the threat of sanctions from the United States.

India's Foreign Minister on Monday defended his country's right to buy a missile defence system from Russia despite the threat of sanctions from the United States. On a visit to Washington, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said India was discussing the US concerns but declined to forecast the ultimate decision on the fate of the S-400 purchase from Russia. "We have always maintained that what we buy -- the sourcing of military equipment -- is very much a sovereign right," he told reporters ahead of a meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "We would not like any state to tell us what to buy or not to buy from Russia any more than we would like any state to tell us to buy or not buy from America," he said. "That freedom of choice is ours and we think it's in everybody's interest to recognize that," he said. India, a Cold War ally of the Soviet Union, last year agreed to buy five S-400 systems for $5.2 billion, and Russia has said that delivery is on track. Under a 2017 law, the United States imposes sanctions against countries over "major" arms purchases from Russia due to Moscow's military involvement in Ukraine and Syria and alleged meddling in US elections. Turkey, a NATO ally, in June angered the United States by also going ahead with an S-400 purchase. President Donald Trump responded by ending Turkey's involvement in the F-35 fighter jet program but has yet to announce other sanctions. Jaishankar hailed warm relations overall with the United States but underlined India's differences with Trump's hawkish stance on Iran. The United States has threatened sanctions to force all countries to stop buying oil from Iran as it seeks to curb the clerical regime's influence in the Middle East. In May, the Trump administration ended waivers for countries including India, formerly a leading customer for Iranian oil "We view Iran from the east, and from east Iran has been a very stable, status quo power," Jaishankar said. For India, "we've been repeatedly assured that the affordable and predictable access to energy will not change," he said, declining to comment further on discussions on Iran. India has been teaming up to expand Iran's Chabahar port, a way to ensure a supply route to Afghanistan that bypasses Pakistan, New Delhi's rival and historical ally of the Taliban.

India defends right to buy Russian arms on United States trip

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-says-128000-syrians-subject-to-arbitrary-detention-252917">United States</a> military command for Africa announced on Monday that it had killed seven suspected Islamic State jihadists in an airstrike in southern Libya, the fourth such operation in two weeks.

"Our pursuit of ISIS-Libya and other terrorist networks degrades their ability to effectively conduct operations against the Libyan people," said Africa Command director of operations William Gayler, using an alternative acronym for IS.

His statement said the strike was carried out in coordination with the U.N.-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, and brings to 43 the number of suspected IS members killed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-must-take-sustained-and-verifiable-action-against-terrorists-united-states-252580">US forces</a> in Libya since September 19.

Three airstrikes were carried out on September 19, 24, and 26 in the area around Murzuq, an oasis town some 1,000 kilometres&nbsp;south of Tripoli, killing eight, eleven, and seventeen&nbsp;IS terrorists&nbsp;respectively, according to Africom.&nbsp;

Libya's southern desert lies outside the control of the GNA and of rival forces loyal to eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, although Haftar is alleged to have a presence there.

Since the start of an anti-GNA offensive launched by Haftar on April 4 to take Tripoli, analysts have warned of a security vacuum that could benefit IS in other parts of the country.

The United States military command for Africa announced on Monday that it had killed seven suspected Islamic State jihadists in an airstrike in southern Libya, the fourth such operation in two weeks.

The United States military command for Africa announced on Monday that it had killed seven suspected Islamic State jihadists in an airstrike in southern Libya, the fourth such operation in two weeks. "Our pursuit of ISIS-Libya and other terrorist networks degrades their ability to effectively conduct operations against the Libyan people," said Africa Command director of operations William Gayler, using an alternative acronym for IS. His statement said the strike was carried out in coordination with the U.N.-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, and brings to 43 the number of suspected IS members killed by US forces in Libya since September 19. Three airstrikes were carried out on September 19, 24, and 26 in the area around Murzuq, an oasis town some 1,000 kilometres south of Tripoli, killing eight, eleven, and seventeen IS terrorists respectively, according to Africom. Libya's southern desert lies outside the control of the GNA and of rival forces loyal to eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar, although Haftar is alleged to have a presence there. Since the start of an anti-GNA offensive launched by Haftar on April 4 to take Tripoli, analysts have warned of a security vacuum that could benefit IS in other parts of the country.

United States kills seven Islamic State terrorists in Libya air strike

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-syrias-aleppo-reconstruction-makes-slow-start-252744">United States</a> said Monday nearly 128,000 people face arbitrary detention by the Syrian regime and called for their release.

"This practice is unacceptable," US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the UN Security Council at its monthly meeting on the conflict in Syria.

"The Assad regime must release detainees and provide international monitors access to detention centres," she said.&nbsp;

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has declared several amnesties of prisoners since the conflict began in 2011 -- notably in 2014, 2018, and in mid-September.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin called for the "elimination of terrorists in Idlib" province while stressing that utmost care is taken to spare civilians.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/aleppo-filmmaker-vows-to-continue-showing-reality-of-syria-252170">conflict has claimed the lives of an estimated 370,000 people</a>.

"The time has come to encourage and not impede Syria's return to the Arab family," Vershinin said.

Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011, and the issue of its return has divided the organization's members for more than a year.

Security Council members welcomed the creation of a UN-sponsored constitutional committee by the government and the opposition, after two years of arduous negotiations.

The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said the committee's formation marked the first concrete political agreement between the government and the opposition.

"It is also a shared promise to the Syrian people to try to agree under the auspices of the United Nations on new constitutional arrangements for Syria -- a new social contract to help repair a broken country," he said.

The committee's 150 members are supposed to hold their first meeting on October 30 in Geneva.

Its revision of the constitution is viewed by the UN as a first step toward holding elections that would include the Syrian diaspora.

Last week, the Syrian regime stressed that no deadline has been set for the committee to conclude its work.

The United States said Monday nearly 128,000 people face arbitrary detention by the Syrian regime and called for their release. "This practice is unacceptable," US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the UN Security Council at its monthly meeting on the conflict in Syria.

The United States said Monday nearly 128,000 people face arbitrary detention by the Syrian regime and called for their release. "This practice is unacceptable," US Ambassador Kelly Craft told the UN Security Council at its monthly meeting on the conflict in Syria. "The Assad regime must release detainees and provide international monitors access to detention centres," she said. Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has declared several amnesties of prisoners since the conflict began in 2011 -- notably in 2014, 2018, and in mid-September. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin called for the "elimination of terrorists in Idlib" province while stressing that utmost care is taken to spare civilians. The conflict has claimed the lives of an estimated 370,000 people. "The time has come to encourage and not impede Syria's return to the Arab family," Vershinin said. Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011, and the issue of its return has divided the organization's members for more than a year. Security Council members welcomed the creation of a UN-sponsored constitutional committee by the government and the opposition, after two years of arduous negotiations. The UN envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said the committee's formation marked the first concrete political agreement between the government and the opposition. "It is also a shared promise to the Syrian people to try to agree under the auspices of the United Nations on new constitutional arrangements for Syria -- a new social contract to help repair a broken country," he said. The committee's 150 members are supposed to hold their first meeting on October 30 in Geneva. Its revision of the constitution is viewed by the UN as a first step toward holding elections that would include the Syrian diaspora. Last week, the Syrian regime stressed that no deadline has been set for the committee to conclude its work.

United States says 128,000 Syrians subject to arbitrary detention

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-trudeau-to-march-with-climate-activist-greta-thunberg-252262">Canada is in talks with the United States</a> to seek ways for both to reduce their dependence on China for rare earth elements, key minerals for high-tech products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.

He said that in his last meeting with US President Donald Trump, "I highlighted that Canada has many of the rare earth minerals that are so necessary for modern technology."

Trudeau emphasized that Canada "is a solid ally" and can offer "a reliable supply" of rare earth minerals, many of which currently "come from China."

It is in Canada's interest, Trudeau said, "to ensure that we have reliable supplies of these important minerals for technologies and it is a conversation that our government is leading on."

The remarks followed a report in the Globe and Mail newspaper that Canada and the United States are drafting plans to reduce their mutual dependence on China for rare earth minerals such as lithium, uranium, caesium and cobalt.

China controls more than 90 per cent of the world's supply of those minerals used for key components in smartphones, solar panels and advanced military technology. It is also the world's top producer and refiner of rare earth minerals.

As the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/day-after-imran-khan-returns-from-us-pakistan-removes-maleeha-lodhi-as-permanent-representative-to-un-252912">US-China trade war</a> heats up, Beijing has hinted that it could block exports of rare earth metals.

The threat is not empty: in 2010 China temporarily halted such exports to Japan during a territorial dispute.

Canada and China are also going through an unprecedented rift in their relations following the December 2018 arrest in Vancouver of top Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou of Huawei on a US warrant.

Washington wants to put Meng on trial for fraud for allegedly violating Iran sanctions and lying about it to US banks -- accusations her lawyers dispute.

The case is currently winding its way through Canada's court system.

Nine days after Meng's arrest, Beijing detained two Canadians - former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor - accusing them of espionage in a move widely viewed as retaliation.

China has also blocked billions worth of Canadian agricultural shipments.

Canada is in talks with the United States to seek ways for both to reduce their dependence on China for rare earth elements, key minerals for high-tech products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday.

Canada is in talks with the United States to seek ways for both to reduce their dependence on China for rare earth elements, key minerals for high-tech products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday. He said that in his last meeting with US President Donald Trump, "I highlighted that Canada has many of the rare earth minerals that are so necessary for modern technology." Trudeau emphasized that Canada "is a solid ally" and can offer "a reliable supply" of rare earth minerals, many of which currently "come from China." It is in Canada's interest, Trudeau said, "to ensure that we have reliable supplies of these important minerals for technologies and it is a conversation that our government is leading on." The remarks followed a report in the Globe and Mail newspaper that Canada and the United States are drafting plans to reduce their mutual dependence on China for rare earth minerals such as lithium, uranium, caesium and cobalt. China controls more than 90 per cent of the world's supply of those minerals used for key components in smartphones, solar panels and advanced military technology. It is also the world's top producer and refiner of rare earth minerals. As the US-China trade war heats up, Beijing has hinted that it could block exports of rare earth metals. The threat is not empty: in 2010 China temporarily halted such exports to Japan during a territorial dispute. Canada and China are also going through an unprecedented rift in their relations following the December 2018 arrest in Vancouver of top Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou of Huawei on a US warrant. Washington wants to put Meng on trial for fraud for allegedly violating Iran sanctions and lying about it to US banks -- accusations her lawyers dispute. The case is currently winding its way through Canada's court system. Nine days after Meng's arrest, Beijing detained two Canadians - former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor - accusing them of espionage in a move widely viewed as retaliation. China has also blocked billions worth of Canadian agricultural shipments.

Canada, US seek to reduce dependency on China for rare earth minerals

Russia on Monday said it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-russians-over-2018-elections-interference-252904">"bewildered" by fresh US sanctions</a> and vowed to retaliate following what it called an "anti-Russian attack".&nbsp;

The foreign ministry said the new sanctions on several Russians &nbsp;-- including a businessman tied to President Vladimir Putin and a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the US 2018 midterm election -- "will not go unanswered."&nbsp;

"We urge American politicians to stop this useless sanctions game, the result of which is zero, and to return to the position of common sense," the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

The financial sanctions, which target Russian financier Evgeny Prigozhin, some of his assets and the so-called Internet Research Agency, are the first to be taken under an executive order signed last year President Donald Trump seeking to punish foreign actors accused of interfering in US elections.&nbsp;

The US Treasury announced the sanctions on Monday.

The foreign ministry said the sanctions were part of an "internal political crisis" in the United States in which "Russian issues are deliberately used by part of the Washington establishment as a tool to achieve their own opportunistic goals."&nbsp;

The sanctions marked the third time the US had added Prigozhin's name to its list of foreign nationals formally barred from the US financial system, a move which freezes him out of much of the global financial system as well.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-want-access-to-trumps-phone-calls-with-russian-president-putin-others-252704">US prosecutors last year indicted the Internet Research Agency as well as alleged employees</a>, charging them with a broad conspiracy to influence the 2016 elections by spreading disinformation in the United States via social media.

The US Treasury said Monday the agency had announced its intention to do likewise in the 2018 midterms by seeking to discredit candidates it viewed as hostile to Moscow.

There was no evidence they were successful in preventing voting, altering vote counts or disrupting vote tallying, the Treasury said.

Russia on Monday said it was "bewildered" by fresh US sanctions and vowed to retaliate following what it called an "anti-Russian attack". The foreign ministry said the new sanctions on several Russians -- including a businessman tied to President Vladimir Putin and a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the US 2018 midterm election -- "will not go unanswered.

Russia on Monday said it was "bewildered" by fresh US sanctions and vowed to retaliate following what it called an "anti-Russian attack". The foreign ministry said the new sanctions on several Russians -- including a businessman tied to President Vladimir Putin and a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the US 2018 midterm election -- "will not go unanswered." "We urge American politicians to stop this useless sanctions game, the result of which is zero, and to return to the position of common sense," the ministry said in a statement. The financial sanctions, which target Russian financier Evgeny Prigozhin, some of his assets and the so-called Internet Research Agency, are the first to be taken under an executive order signed last year President Donald Trump seeking to punish foreign actors accused of interfering in US elections. The US Treasury announced the sanctions on Monday. The foreign ministry said the sanctions were part of an "internal political crisis" in the United States in which "Russian issues are deliberately used by part of the Washington establishment as a tool to achieve their own opportunistic goals." The sanctions marked the third time the US had added Prigozhin's name to its list of foreign nationals formally barred from the US financial system, a move which freezes him out of much of the global financial system as well. US prosecutors last year indicted the Internet Research Agency as well as alleged employees, charging them with a broad conspiracy to influence the 2016 elections by spreading disinformation in the United States via social media. The US Treasury said Monday the agency had announced its intention to do likewise in the 2018 midterms by seeking to discredit candidates it viewed as hostile to Moscow. There was no evidence they were successful in preventing voting, altering vote counts or disrupting vote tallying, the Treasury said.

Moscow vows to retaliate over new 'anti-Russian' United States sanctions

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-wework-to-press-on-with-ipo-launch-despite-valuation-concerns-sources-248290">WeWork</a>, which replaced its controversial chief executive last week, announced Monday that it will withdraw a plan to go public for now as it shifts into austerity mode.

The company's co-CEOs Artie Minson and Sebastian Gunningham said in a statement they decided to "postpone our IPO to focus on our core business, the fundamentals of which remain strong."

But they signalled they still intend to take the company public down the road, saying "We have every intention to operate WeWork as a public company and look forward to revisiting the public equity markets in the future."

The announcement comes six days after a shakeup atop the office sharing business that led to Minson's and Gunningham's appointments after controversial co-founder Adam Neumann stepped down.

The company, under pressure from Wall Street to rein in costs, plans to cut thousands of jobs and to rid itself of a corporate jet obtained during Neumann's tenure, according to a person familiar with the matter.

S&amp;P last week downgraded the company and placed it on "negative" watch for possible additional downgrades, saying the outlook "captures the pivot in corporate leadership and related uncertainty around the company's future direction with respect to its operating strategies and growth plans."

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wework-ipo-valuation-likely-below-20-billion-clouding-softbanks-vision-248837">company's IPO setback</a> is a "rare win for the public markets over shoddy governance practices," said a note from Sanford C. Bernstein &amp; Co, which laid out a belt-tightening plan for the company.

The charismatic Neumann was credited with growing the office-sharing company, founded in 2010, into a real estate giant with operations in 111 cities in 29 countries.

However, the company faced questions over its prospects for achieving profitability after reporting $1.9 billion in losses last year.

Neumann came under scrutiny for perceived self-dealing between his personal assets and WeWork and over unconventional personal conduct, including drug use.

Neumann stepped down last week, saying "the scrutiny directed toward me has become a significant distraction, and I have decided that it is in the best interest of the company to step down as chief executive."

Neumann's wife, Rebekah, also left WeWork, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Rebekah Neumann had been "chief brand and impact officer," as well as the founder and chief executive of WeGrow, an elementary school venture.

Belt-tightening

Although <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/weworks-neumann-surrenders-control-and-ceo-role-following-investor-revolt-251890">Neumann will still be on the board</a>, his voting influence over the company has been significantly reduced, limiting his influence over decisions.

Before last week's executive shakeup, WeWork's bankers were eyeing a much smaller IPO than initially envisioned.

The Bernstein note emphasized the need for WeWork to curtail spending given an estimated cash-burn rate of $2.8 billion a year, adding that the company will need between $6 billion and $8 billion to stabilize the cash position.

"The key question is whether the removal of Adam from daily operations and the reduction of his voting control will be sufficient to raise the money," Bernstein said.&nbsp;

The new CEOs will need to show that things have changed the company has "produced a new plan," it continued, saying that overhead spending could be cut by almost half to $380 million per year.

WeWork, which replaced its controversial chief executive last week, announced Monday that it will withdraw a plan to go public for now as it shifts into austerity mode.

WeWork, which replaced its controversial chief executive last week, announced Monday that it will withdraw a plan to go public for now as it shifts into austerity mode. The company's co-CEOs Artie Minson and Sebastian Gunningham said in a statement they decided to "postpone our IPO to focus on our core business, the fundamentals of which remain strong." But they signalled they still intend to take the company public down the road, saying "We have every intention to operate WeWork as a public company and look forward to revisiting the public equity markets in the future." The announcement comes six days after a shakeup atop the office sharing business that led to Minson's and Gunningham's appointments after controversial co-founder Adam Neumann stepped down. The company, under pressure from Wall Street to rein in costs, plans to cut thousands of jobs and to rid itself of a corporate jet obtained during Neumann's tenure, according to a person familiar with the matter. S&P last week downgraded the company and placed it on "negative" watch for possible additional downgrades, saying the outlook "captures the pivot in corporate leadership and related uncertainty around the company's future direction with respect to its operating strategies and growth plans." The company's IPO setback is a "rare win for the public markets over shoddy governance practices," said a note from Sanford C. Bernstein & Co, which laid out a belt-tightening plan for the company. The charismatic Neumann was credited with growing the office-sharing company, founded in 2010, into a real estate giant with operations in 111 cities in 29 countries. However, the company faced questions over its prospects for achieving profitability after reporting $1.9 billion in losses last year. Neumann came under scrutiny for perceived self-dealing between his personal assets and WeWork and over unconventional personal conduct, including drug use. Neumann stepped down last week, saying "the scrutiny directed toward me has become a significant distraction, and I have decided that it is in the best interest of the company to step down as chief executive." Neumann's wife, Rebekah, also left WeWork, according to a person familiar with the matter. Rebekah Neumann had been "chief brand and impact officer," as well as the founder and chief executive of WeGrow, an elementary school venture. Belt-tightening Although Neumann will still be on the board, his voting influence over the company has been significantly reduced, limiting his influence over decisions. Before last week's executive shakeup, WeWork's bankers were eyeing a much smaller IPO than initially envisioned. The Bernstein note emphasized the need for WeWork to curtail spending given an estimated cash-burn rate of $2.8 billion a year, adding that the company will need between $6 billion and $8 billion to stabilize the cash position. "The key question is whether the removal of Adam from daily operations and the reduction of his voting control will be sufficient to raise the money," Bernstein said. The new CEOs will need to show that things have changed the company has "produced a new plan," it continued, saying that overhead spending could be cut by almost half to $380 million per year.

WeWork to withdraw IPO as it enters austerity mode

North Korea and the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-asks-what-a-third-north-korean-summit-would-yield-251755"> United States </a>will hold working-level nuclear talks on Saturday, Pyongyang said, signalling the resumption of a dialogue process that has been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-doubts-prospects-for-future-summit-with-united-states-252322">effectively stalled</a> since the collapse of a summit in February.

The two sides agreed to have "preliminary contact" on October 4 and hold working-level negotiations the following day, the North's vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"It is my expectation that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-between-us-north-korea-may-resume-in-2-3-weeks-251650">working-level negotiations</a> would accelerate the positive development of the DPRK-US relations," she added without disclosing the talks' venue.&nbsp;

North Korean officials were "ready" to enter the discussions, she said. There was no immediate confirmation from the American side.

Negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington have been gridlocked since a second summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump in February ended without a deal.

The two agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, but the North's anger at a US refusal to cancel joint military deals with South Korea placed the process on hold.

Relations thawed last month after Trump fired his hawkish national security advisor John Bolton, who Pyongyang had repeatedly denounced as a warmonger.

North Korea's chief negotiator also responded positively to Trump's suggestion that the two sides try a "new method" of approaching their discussions.

Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi -- who was killed after being deposed in 2011.

Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us back very badly".

Despite the gridlock, Pyongyang has continued to praise Trump, calling him "bold" and "wise".&nbsp;

Consensus reached?

Analysts say Bolton's dismissal from the White House could have helped Pyongyang's decision to come to the table. &nbsp;

South Korea's presidential Blue House welcomed the resumption of dialogue between the North and the US.

"We hope to see the realisation of practical steps towards permanent peace regime and complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula through the upcoming talks," said spokeswoman Ko Min-jung. &nbsp;

The announcement on the new talks could be an "indication" that the two sides have narrowed their differences behind the scenes, said Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul.&nbsp;

"The North has demanded security guarantee in return for denuclearisation measures and called on the US to come up with 'new calculation', he said.&nbsp;

"Consensus between the two might have been reached regarding the matter in the lead-up to the Tuesday announcement," he added.&nbsp;

North Korea and the United States will hold working-level nuclear talks on Saturday, Pyongyang said, signalling the resumption of a dialogue process that has been effectively stalled since the collapse of a summit in February.

North Korea and the United States will hold working-level nuclear talks on Saturday, Pyongyang said, signalling the resumption of a dialogue process that has been effectively stalled since the collapse of a summit in February. The two sides agreed to have "preliminary contact" on October 4 and hold working-level negotiations the following day, the North's vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. "It is my expectation that the working-level negotiations would accelerate the positive development of the DPRK-US relations," she added without disclosing the talks' venue. North Korean officials were "ready" to enter the discussions, she said. There was no immediate confirmation from the American side. Negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington have been gridlocked since a second summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump in February ended without a deal. The two agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, but the North's anger at a US refusal to cancel joint military deals with South Korea placed the process on hold. Relations thawed last month after Trump fired his hawkish national security advisor John Bolton, who Pyongyang had repeatedly denounced as a warmonger. North Korea's chief negotiator also responded positively to Trump's suggestion that the two sides try a "new method" of approaching their discussions. Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi -- who was killed after being deposed in 2011. Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us back very badly". Despite the gridlock, Pyongyang has continued to praise Trump, calling him "bold" and "wise". Consensus reached? Analysts say Bolton's dismissal from the White House could have helped Pyongyang's decision to come to the table. South Korea's presidential Blue House welcomed the resumption of dialogue between the North and the US. "We hope to see the realisation of practical steps towards permanent peace regime and complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula through the upcoming talks," said spokeswoman Ko Min-jung. The announcement on the new talks could be an "indication" that the two sides have narrowed their differences behind the scenes, said Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul. "The North has demanded security guarantee in return for denuclearisation measures and called on the US to come up with 'new calculation', he said. "Consensus between the two might have been reached regarding the matter in the lead-up to the Tuesday announcement," he added.

Will hold nuclear talks with US on October 5: North Korea

The House of Representatives impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump over his request that a foreign power investigate a domestic political rival is set to intensify this week with testimony due from witnesses concerning allegations made by a whistleblower within the US&nbsp;intelligence community.

The whistleblower's complaint cited a July 25 telephone call in which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-white-house-intervened-after-trump-ukraine-call-252228">Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> to investigate Joe Biden, one of the leading Democratic candidates seeking to challenge him in 2020, and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.

Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US&nbsp;ally to get dirt on a political rival for personal political gain. Trump's July 25 phone call came after he froze nearly $400 million in aid intended to help Ukraine deal with an insurgency by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. The aid was later provided.

The House Intelligence Committee is leading the impeachment inquiry. The inquiry in the Democratic-led House could lead to approval of articles of impeachment against the Republican president and a subsequent trial in the Republican-led Senate on whether to remove Trump from office.

Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said on Sunday he expects the whistleblower to appear before the panel very soon.

While Congress is on a two-week recess, members of the committee will return to the US&nbsp;Capitol this week to carry out an investigation that is likely to produce new subpoenas for documents and other material.

The committee is scheduled to hold a closed-door hearing on Friday with the intelligence community's inspector general, Michael Atkinson, who concluded that the whistleblower complaint was of urgent concern and appeared credible.

House investigators are set to take the first witness testimony from two people mentioned in the whistleblower's complaint.

On Wednesday, three House committees - Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight - are due to get a deposition from former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who Trump labelled "bad news" during his call with Zelenskiy.

On Thursday, the committees are set to get a deposition from Trump's former special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, who resigned last week after the whistleblower complaint named him as one of two US&nbsp;diplomats who followed up with Ukrainian officials a day after Trump's call to Zelenskiy.&nbsp;

The whistleblower has not been publicly identified. Trump, in a series of Twitter posts on Sunday evening, said he <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/like-every-american-i-deserve-to-meet-my-accuser-donald-trump-252710">wanted to "meet" the whistleblower</a>, who he called "my accuser," as well as "the person who illegally gave this information" to the whistleblower.

"Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences!" Trump wrote.

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....In addition, I want to meet not only my accuser, who presented SECOND &amp; THIRD HAND INFORMATION, but also the person who illegally gave this information, which was largely incorrect, to the “Whistleblower.” Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1178442765736333313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Some House Democrats said articles of impeachment against Trump could move to the House floor as soon as next month.

"In my mind, it's several weeks," House Judiciary Committee member David Cicilline told reporters last week. "He has already admitted that he contacted a foreign leader and discussed with him ginning up a fake story about one of his political opponents."

Last Friday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for documents related to the Ukraine scandal. House Democrats also have sought material from the White House and Justice Department.&nbsp;

Schiff said any effort by Trump to stonewall the probe could be used to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-caught-in-trump-row-says-nobody-can-pressure-me-251999">impeach him for obstructing Congress</a>.

Trump has withstood repeated scandals since taking office in 2017. House Democrats considered, but never moved ahead with, pursuing articles of impeachment over Trump's actions relating to Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;election aimed at boosting his candidacy.

The United States has been giving military aid to Ukraine since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The House of Representatives impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump over his request that a foreign power investigate a domestic political rival is set to intensify this week with testimony due from witnesses concerning allegations made by a whistleblower within the US intelligence community.

The House of Representatives impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump over his request that a foreign power investigate a domestic political rival is set to intensify this week with testimony due from witnesses concerning allegations made by a whistleblower within the US intelligence community. The whistleblower's complaint cited a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Joe Biden, one of the leading Democratic candidates seeking to challenge him in 2020, and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US ally to get dirt on a political rival for personal political gain. Trump's July 25 phone call came after he froze nearly $400 million in aid intended to help Ukraine deal with an insurgency by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. The aid was later provided. The House Intelligence Committee is leading the impeachment inquiry. The inquiry in the Democratic-led House could lead to approval of articles of impeachment against the Republican president and a subsequent trial in the Republican-led Senate on whether to remove Trump from office. Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said on Sunday he expects the whistleblower to appear before the panel very soon. While Congress is on a two-week recess, members of the committee will return to the US Capitol this week to carry out an investigation that is likely to produce new subpoenas for documents and other material. The committee is scheduled to hold a closed-door hearing on Friday with the intelligence community's inspector general, Michael Atkinson, who concluded that the whistleblower complaint was of urgent concern and appeared credible. House investigators are set to take the first witness testimony from two people mentioned in the whistleblower's complaint. On Wednesday, three House committees - Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight - are due to get a deposition from former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who Trump labelled "bad news" during his call with Zelenskiy. On Thursday, the committees are set to get a deposition from Trump's former special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, who resigned last week after the whistleblower complaint named him as one of two US diplomats who followed up with Ukrainian officials a day after Trump's call to Zelenskiy. The whistleblower has not been publicly identified. Trump, in a series of Twitter posts on Sunday evening, said he wanted to "meet" the whistleblower, who he called "my accuser," as well as "the person who illegally gave this information" to the whistleblower. "Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences!" Trump wrote. ....In addition, I want to meet not only my accuser, who presented SECOND & THIRD HAND INFORMATION, but also the person who illegally gave this information, which was largely incorrect, to the “Whistleblower.” Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2019 × Some House Democrats said articles of impeachment against Trump could move to the House floor as soon as next month. "In my mind, it's several weeks," House Judiciary Committee member David Cicilline told reporters last week. "He has already admitted that he contacted a foreign leader and discussed with him ginning up a fake story about one of his political opponents." Last Friday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for documents related to the Ukraine scandal. House Democrats also have sought material from the White House and Justice Department. Schiff said any effort by Trump to stonewall the probe could be used to impeach him for obstructing Congress. Trump has withstood repeated scandals since taking office in 2017. House Democrats considered, but never moved ahead with, pursuing articles of impeachment over Trump's actions relating to Russian interference in the 2016 US election aimed at boosting his candidacy. The United States has been giving military aid to Ukraine since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Trump remains defiant as impeachment enquiry against him intensifies

The United States on Monday slapped fresh sanctions on a businessman tied to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-want-access-to-trumps-phone-calls-with-russian-president-putin-others-252704">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> as well as to a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the 2018 midterm elections.

The financial sanctions, which target Russian financier Evgeny Prigozhin, some luxury assets and members of the so-called Internet Research Agency, are the first the US Treasury has taken under an executive order on election interference signed last year <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-told-russians-in-2017-he-was-not-concerned-about-election-meddling-report-252557">President Donald Trump</a>.

"Let this serve as a warning," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement following the Treasury's announcement.

Those who fail to distance themselves from the sanctions' targets, or who provide landing rights and service Prigozhin's targeted aircraft and yacht, may also be subject to future sanctions, Pompeo said.

The Treasury's action follows a Washington Post report on Friday that Trump had told senior visiting Russian officials in 2017 he was not concerned by Russian efforts to sway the 2016 election in his favour.

WION Dispatch: Kremlin plays down media reports of US spy in Russian president's office

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The sanctions announced Monday marked the third time the US had added Prigozhin's name to its list of foreign nationals formally barred from the US financial system, a move which freezes him out of much of the global financial system as well.

US prosecutors last year indicted the Internet Research Agency as well as alleged employees, charging them with a broad conspiracy to influence the 2016 elections by spreading disinformation in the United States via social media and stolen identities.

The Treasury said Monday the IRA had last year announced its intention to do likewise in the 2018 midterms by seeking to discredit candidates it viewed as hostile to Moscow.

But there was no evidence they prevented voting, altered vote counts or disrupted vote tallying, the Treasury said.

Treasury announced it was also designating six IRA members for acting to interfere in the 2018 elections.

Treasury also announced it was placing sanctions on three aircraft and a yacht belonging to Prigozhin and three entities incorporated in the Seychelles which he used to manage these properties.

The United States on Monday slapped fresh sanctions on a businessman tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as to a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the 2018 midterm elections.

The United States on Monday slapped fresh sanctions on a businessman tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as to a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the 2018 midterm elections. The financial sanctions, which target Russian financier Evgeny Prigozhin, some luxury assets and members of the so-called Internet Research Agency, are the first the US Treasury has taken under an executive order on election interference signed last year President Donald Trump. "Let this serve as a warning," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement following the Treasury's announcement. Those who fail to distance themselves from the sanctions' targets, or who provide landing rights and service Prigozhin's targeted aircraft and yacht, may also be subject to future sanctions, Pompeo said. The Treasury's action follows a Washington Post report on Friday that Trump had told senior visiting Russian officials in 2017 he was not concerned by Russian efforts to sway the 2016 election in his favour. WION Dispatch: Kremlin plays down media reports of US spy in Russian president's office The sanctions announced Monday marked the third time the US had added Prigozhin's name to its list of foreign nationals formally barred from the US financial system, a move which freezes him out of much of the global financial system as well. US prosecutors last year indicted the Internet Research Agency as well as alleged employees, charging them with a broad conspiracy to influence the 2016 elections by spreading disinformation in the United States via social media and stolen identities. The Treasury said Monday the IRA had last year announced its intention to do likewise in the 2018 midterms by seeking to discredit candidates it viewed as hostile to Moscow. But there was no evidence they prevented voting, altered vote counts or disrupted vote tallying, the Treasury said. Treasury announced it was also designating six IRA members for acting to interfere in the 2018 elections. Treasury also announced it was placing sanctions on three aircraft and a yacht belonging to Prigozhin and three entities incorporated in the Seychelles which he used to manage these properties.

US imposes sanctions on Russia over midterm polls

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-strikes-saudi-high-speed-train-station-at-least-five-injured-252699">Saudi Arabia's crown prince</a> warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran, but said he would prefer a political solution to a military one.

Speaking to the CBS programme "60 Minutes," Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, also denied that he ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives nearly a year ago, but said he ultimately bears "full responsibility" as the leader of his country.

While Khashoggi's death sparked a global uproar and tarnished the crown prince's reputation, the Trump administration's tense standoff with Iran, Saudi Arabia's arch-foe, has more recently dominated US&nbsp;policy toward Riyadh, especially after the September&nbsp;14 attacks on the heartland of the Saudi oil industry.

"If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests," the crown prince said. "Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes."

The crown prince, in an interview conducted on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, said he agreed with US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the September&nbsp;14 attacks, which damaged the world's biggest petroleum-processing facility and knocked out more than 5 per cent&nbsp;of global oil supply, were an act of war by Iran.

But he said he preferred a peaceful resolution because a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran would collapse the global economy.

The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia have blamed the attacks on Iran. Tehran has denied any involvement. Instead, the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility.

"The political and peaceful solution is much better than the military one," he said.

The crown prince also said US&nbsp;President Donald Trump should meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to craft a new deal on Tehran's nuclear program and influence across the Middle East.

Efforts to bring the two together last week at the United Nations General Assembly failed. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated over the US&nbsp;withdrawal from an Iranian nuclear deal and its reinstatement of sanctions against Tehran.

'Absolutely not'

Days before the anniversary of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-year-on-saudi-struggles-to-turn-page-on-khashoggi-murder-252688">killing of Khashoggi</a> in a Saudi consulate in Turkey, the crown prince said: "Absolutely not," when asked if he ordered the murder.

But he said he took full responsibility for the killing, "since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government."

"This was a mistake. And I must take all actions to avoid such a thing in the future," the crown prince said of the killing, which he called "heinous."

The CIA and some Western governments have said they believe he ordered it, but Saudi officials have repeatedly said he had no role.

After initial denials, the official Saudi narrative blamed the murder on rogue operatives. The public prosecutor said the then-deputy intelligence chief ordered the repatriation of Khashoggi, a royal insider who became an outspoken critic, but the lead negotiator ordered him killed after discussions for his return failed.

Asked how the killing could have happened without him knowing about it," the crown prince said: "Some think that I should know what 3 million people working for the Saudi government do daily? It's impossible that the 3 million would send their daily reports to the leader or the second highest person in the Saudi government."

He insisted that "the investigations are being carried out, and once charges are proven against someone, regardless of their rank, it will be taken to court, no exception made."

Eleven Saudi suspects have been put on trial in secretive proceedings but only a few hearings have been held. A U.N. report has called for Prince Mohammed and other senior Saudi officials to be investigated.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October&nbsp;2, where he was to receive papers ahead of his wedding. His body was dismembered and removed from the building, according to reports, and his remains have not been found.

Asked about criticism of the Saudis in the US&nbsp;Congress over the Khashoggi killing and the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, which has taken a huge civilian toll, the crown prince said: "The (US-Saudi) relationship is much larger than that."

Trump has resisted congressional efforts to block US&nbsp;arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attacked-saudi-border-frontline-captured-troops-houthis-252644">The crown prince</a> also repeated a Saudi call for Iran to halt its support for Houthi forces in Yemen and said he was open to "all initiatives for a political solution" to end the war there.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran, but said he would prefer a political solution to a military one.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran, but said he would prefer a political solution to a military one. Speaking to the CBS programme "60 Minutes," Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, also denied that he ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives nearly a year ago, but said he ultimately bears "full responsibility" as the leader of his country. While Khashoggi's death sparked a global uproar and tarnished the crown prince's reputation, the Trump administration's tense standoff with Iran, Saudi Arabia's arch-foe, has more recently dominated US policy toward Riyadh, especially after the September 14 attacks on the heartland of the Saudi oil industry. "If the world does not take a strong and firm action to deter Iran, we will see further escalations that will threaten world interests," the crown prince said. "Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes." The crown prince, in an interview conducted on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, said he agreed with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the September 14 attacks, which damaged the world's biggest petroleum-processing facility and knocked out more than 5 per cent of global oil supply, were an act of war by Iran. But he said he preferred a peaceful resolution because a war between Saudi Arabia and Iran would collapse the global economy. The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia have blamed the attacks on Iran. Tehran has denied any involvement. Instead, the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility. "The political and peaceful solution is much better than the military one," he said. The crown prince also said US President Donald Trump should meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to craft a new deal on Tehran's nuclear program and influence across the Middle East. Efforts to bring the two together last week at the United Nations General Assembly failed. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated over the US withdrawal from an Iranian nuclear deal and its reinstatement of sanctions against Tehran. 'Absolutely not' Days before the anniversary of the killing of Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey, the crown prince said: "Absolutely not," when asked if he ordered the murder. But he said he took full responsibility for the killing, "since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government." "This was a mistake. And I must take all actions to avoid such a thing in the future," the crown prince said of the killing, which he called "heinous." The CIA and some Western governments have said they believe he ordered it, but Saudi officials have repeatedly said he had no role. After initial denials, the official Saudi narrative blamed the murder on rogue operatives. The public prosecutor said the then-deputy intelligence chief ordered the repatriation of Khashoggi, a royal insider who became an outspoken critic, but the lead negotiator ordered him killed after discussions for his return failed. Asked how the killing could have happened without him knowing about it," the crown prince said: "Some think that I should know what 3 million people working for the Saudi government do daily? It's impossible that the 3 million would send their daily reports to the leader or the second highest person in the Saudi government." He insisted that "the investigations are being carried out, and once charges are proven against someone, regardless of their rank, it will be taken to court, no exception made." Eleven Saudi suspects have been put on trial in secretive proceedings but only a few hearings have been held. A U.N. report has called for Prince Mohammed and other senior Saudi officials to be investigated. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, where he was to receive papers ahead of his wedding. His body was dismembered and removed from the building, according to reports, and his remains have not been found. Asked about criticism of the Saudis in the US Congress over the Khashoggi killing and the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, which has taken a huge civilian toll, the crown prince said: "The (US-Saudi) relationship is much larger than that." Trump has resisted congressional efforts to block US arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The crown prince also repeated a Saudi call for Iran to halt its support for Houthi forces in Yemen and said he was open to "all initiatives for a political solution" to end the war there.

Saudi crown prince warns of escalation with Iran, says he prefers political solution

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-markets-fall-as-trump-impeachment-saga-continues-252311">Asian shares and the Chinese yuan were off to a cautious start</a> on Monday as investors looked to how Chinese financial markets will react to the news the US&nbsp;administration is considering delisting Chinese companies from US&nbsp;stock exchanges.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.11 per cent&nbsp;while Japan's Nikkei shed 0.61 per cent. US&nbsp;stock futures gained 0.24 per cent&nbsp;in early trade, paring back almost a half of Friday's 0.53 per cent&nbsp;fall in the index.

The offshore Chinese yuan was little moved at 7.1339 yuan per dollar, off Friday's three-week low of 7.1520 to the dollar.

Chinese share markets will trade only on Monday this week ahead of China's National Day holiday, which runs until October&nbsp;7.

Risk assets took a hit in US trade on Friday following the news that the Trump administration is considering radical new financial pressure tactics on Beijing, including the possibility of delisting Chinese companies from US stock exchanges.

The report knocked Chinese shares listed on US&nbsp;exchanges, with Alibaba Group Holding falling 5.15 per cent&nbsp;and JD.com 5.95 per cent&nbsp;on Friday.

The delisting of Chinese companies from US&nbsp;stock exchanges was part of a broader effort to limit US&nbsp;investment in Chinese companies, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters.

"While China runs a current account surplus and is a net creditor nation, Chinese companies are net debtors and rely on foreign capital," Koji Fukaya, president of Office Fukaya Consulting.

"Washington seems to be trying to limit Chinese companies' activities by putting pressure on their funding," he said.

Still, with trade talks between the United States and China expected to be held October 10-11, many market players are sticking to hopes such drastic measures on capital markets could be avoided.

"At this point, markets will have to wait and see. Of course we need to be guarded against more crazy headlines, but this week could be a bit calmer given holidays in China. Economic data will likely be the main driver for markets," said Kyosuke Suzuki, director of forex at Societe Generale.

Surveys on Chinese companies are due on Monday while in the United States, key business sentiment data and an employment report will be closely scrutinised on clues on how the economy is faring in the face of the ongoing tussle with China.

US&nbsp;data on Friday showed consumer spending barely rose in August and business investment remained weak, suggesting the American economy was losing momentum as the trade dispute drags on.

Industrial output in Japan and South Korea, released Monday morning, dropped more than expected, underscoring the headwinds from the trade war.

Investors are also keeping a wary eye on US&nbsp;politics.

US&nbsp;House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that public opinion is now on the side of an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/like-every-american-i-deserve-to-meet-my-accuser-donald-trump-252710">impeachment inquiry against Trump</a> following the release of new information about his conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Major currencies were little changed in early trade.

The yen traded flat at 107.94 yen.

The euro hovered at $1.0945, having sunk to a 28-month low of $1.0904 on Friday as concerns about tepid growth in Europe weighed on the common currency.

Sterling traded at $1.2294, not far from Friday's low of $1.2270, its lowest since Sept. 9.

Boris Johnson said on Sunday he would not quit as Britain's prime minister even if he fails to secure a deal to leave the European Union, insisting only his Conservative government can deliver Brexit on October&nbsp;31.

Oil prices slightly bounced off a tad after last week's slide.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in an interview with CBS program "60 Minutes." aired on Sunday that crude prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran.

But crown prince Mohammed bin Salman said he would prefer a political solution to a military one, adding the September&nbsp;14 attacks on the kingdom's oil facilities were an act of war by Iran.

Brent crude futures rose 0.34 per cent&nbsp;to $62.12 a barrel while US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.32 per cent&nbsp;to $56.09 per barrel.

Asian shares and the Chinese yuan were off to a cautious start on Monday as investors looked to how Chinese financial markets will react to the news the US administration is considering delisting Chinese companies from US stock exchanges.

Asian shares and the Chinese yuan were off to a cautious start on Monday as investors looked to how Chinese financial markets will react to the news the US administration is considering delisting Chinese companies from US stock exchanges. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.11 per cent while Japan's Nikkei shed 0.61 per cent. US stock futures gained 0.24 per cent in early trade, paring back almost a half of Friday's 0.53 per cent fall in the index. The offshore Chinese yuan was little moved at 7.1339 yuan per dollar, off Friday's three-week low of 7.1520 to the dollar. Chinese share markets will trade only on Monday this week ahead of China's National Day holiday, which runs until October 7. Risk assets took a hit in US trade on Friday following the news that the Trump administration is considering radical new financial pressure tactics on Beijing, including the possibility of delisting Chinese companies from US stock exchanges. The report knocked Chinese shares listed on US exchanges, with Alibaba Group Holding falling 5.15 per cent and JD.com 5.95 per cent on Friday. The delisting of Chinese companies from US stock exchanges was part of a broader effort to limit US investment in Chinese companies, two sources briefed on the matter told Reuters. "While China runs a current account surplus and is a net creditor nation, Chinese companies are net debtors and rely on foreign capital," Koji Fukaya, president of Office Fukaya Consulting. "Washington seems to be trying to limit Chinese companies' activities by putting pressure on their funding," he said. Still, with trade talks between the United States and China expected to be held October 10-11, many market players are sticking to hopes such drastic measures on capital markets could be avoided. "At this point, markets will have to wait and see. Of course we need to be guarded against more crazy headlines, but this week could be a bit calmer given holidays in China. Economic data will likely be the main driver for markets," said Kyosuke Suzuki, director of forex at Societe Generale. Surveys on Chinese companies are due on Monday while in the United States, key business sentiment data and an employment report will be closely scrutinised on clues on how the economy is faring in the face of the ongoing tussle with China. US data on Friday showed consumer spending barely rose in August and business investment remained weak, suggesting the American economy was losing momentum as the trade dispute drags on. Industrial output in Japan and South Korea, released Monday morning, dropped more than expected, underscoring the headwinds from the trade war. Investors are also keeping a wary eye on US politics. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that public opinion is now on the side of an impeachment inquiry against Trump following the release of new information about his conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Major currencies were little changed in early trade. The yen traded flat at 107.94 yen. The euro hovered at $1.0945, having sunk to a 28-month low of $1.0904 on Friday as concerns about tepid growth in Europe weighed on the common currency. Sterling traded at $1.2294, not far from Friday's low of $1.2270, its lowest since Sept. 9. Boris Johnson said on Sunday he would not quit as Britain's prime minister even if he fails to secure a deal to leave the European Union, insisting only his Conservative government can deliver Brexit on October 31. Oil prices slightly bounced off a tad after last week's slide. Saudi Arabia's crown prince warned in an interview with CBS program "60 Minutes." aired on Sunday that crude prices could spike to "unimaginably high numbers" if the world does not come together to deter Iran. But crown prince Mohammed bin Salman said he would prefer a political solution to a military one, adding the September 14 attacks on the kingdom's oil facilities were an act of war by Iran. Brent crude futures rose 0.34 per cent to $62.12 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 0.32 per cent to $56.09 per barrel.

Global Markets: Asian shares, Yuan off to calm start; focus on China

Sikh law-enforcement officer has been fatally shot multiple times during a traffic stop in the US state of Texas, a media report said on Saturday.

First US Sikh cop shot dead in Texas

Ukraine must investigate the activities of US presidential candidate Joe Biden`s son to establish whether his role in a Ukrainian gas company complied with the country`s laws, Mykola Azarov, Ukraine`s former prime minister, said in an interview.

Azarov did not specify to which Ukrainian laws he was referring.

Hunter Biden`s role in the company, Burisma Holdings Limited, is in focus after the White House published a memo showing US President Donald Trump asked his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a July phone call to get prosecutors to look into his activities. Zelenskiy agreed.

"It`s a fact (his directorship and fees) and not made up. It should be investigated so that the `i`s can be dotted and the `t`s crossed," Azarov told Reuters.

A spokesperson for Joe Biden`s campaign declined to comment on Azarov`s investigation call and none of Hunter Biden`s critics have provided any evidence that he broke Ukrainian law.

Ukraine`s National Anti-Corruption Bureau said on Friday it was investigating activity at Burisma between 2010-2012, but that it was not looking into changes to its board in 2014, when Hunter Biden joined.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives are pursuing an impeachment inquiry against Trump, a Republican, after a whistleblower complained about his call with Zelenskiy. Lawmakers are looking into whether Trump`s actions jeopardised national security and the integrity of US elections, saying he appeared to be soliciting a political favour from a foreign leader to get re-elected.

Azarov lives in Moscow, but says he remains well-connected with parts of Ukraine`s political establishment and would like to return one day. He did not provide further details.

Hunter Biden was a director on Burisma`s board from 2014 until at least 2018, according to documents filed by the company in Cyprus, where it is registered.

Azarov, who was prime minister from 2010-2014, is himself wanted by Ukrainian authorities for alleged abuse of power. An Interpol red notice issued in 2015 at the request of Ukrainian authorities said he was wanted on accusations of charges including embezzlement and misappropriation.

Azarov denies any wrongdoing and Reuters cannot determine whether there is any active investigation on him.

Azarov said he was not aware of any evidence suggesting wrongdoing on Hunter Biden`s part, but said it was in the Ukrainian public interest to ascertain the legality of his activities.

In particular, he said it was important to investigate what Biden had done for Burisma to justify his fee.

The younger Biden has said he consulted for Burisma, but critics have suggested he was not doing actual work in return for his compensation, an allegation he denies.

"I think it`s essential (he`s investigated)," Azarov told Reuters in Moscow, where Azarov fled after street protests toppled Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovich in 2014.

"If, using his knowledge, he played an active role then there`s nothing scandalous about it," Azarov said. "But if he was simply on the books and getting money, then that could be seen as a violation of the law."

Burisma was not available for comment on Saturday night.

Ukrainian prosecutors have said they are not investigating Hunter Biden, but are looking into the legality of Burisma`s activities before Biden joined its board.

Azarov said he thought it was "absolute nonsense", but that he believed allegations from Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others that Joe Biden had got Ukraine`s prosecutor general fired to protect his son Hunter must also be investigated.

The former US vice president has denied using his influence to get Ukraine`s prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin, fired in 2016 to prevent him investigating his son`s involvement and has said he and his son have done nothing wrong.

Ukraine must investigate the activities of US presidential candidate Joe Biden`s son to establish whether his role in a Ukrainian gas company complied with the country`s laws, Mykola Azarov, Ukraine`s former prime minister, said in an interview.

Ukraine must investigate the activities of US presidential candidate Joe Biden`s son to establish whether his role in a Ukrainian gas company complied with the country`s laws, Mykola Azarov, Ukraine`s former prime minister, said in an interview. Azarov did not specify to which Ukrainian laws he was referring. Hunter Biden`s role in the company, Burisma Holdings Limited, is in focus after the White House published a memo showing US President Donald Trump asked his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a July phone call to get prosecutors to look into his activities. Zelenskiy agreed. "It`s a fact (his directorship and fees) and not made up. It should be investigated so that the `i`s can be dotted and the `t`s crossed," Azarov told Reuters. A spokesperson for Joe Biden`s campaign declined to comment on Azarov`s investigation call and none of Hunter Biden`s critics have provided any evidence that he broke Ukrainian law. Ukraine`s National Anti-Corruption Bureau said on Friday it was investigating activity at Burisma between 2010-2012, but that it was not looking into changes to its board in 2014, when Hunter Biden joined. Democrats in the US House of Representatives are pursuing an impeachment inquiry against Trump, a Republican, after a whistleblower complained about his call with Zelenskiy. Lawmakers are looking into whether Trump`s actions jeopardised national security and the integrity of US elections, saying he appeared to be soliciting a political favour from a foreign leader to get re-elected. Azarov lives in Moscow, but says he remains well-connected with parts of Ukraine`s political establishment and would like to return one day. He did not provide further details. Hunter Biden was a director on Burisma`s board from 2014 until at least 2018, according to documents filed by the company in Cyprus, where it is registered. Azarov, who was prime minister from 2010-2014, is himself wanted by Ukrainian authorities for alleged abuse of power. An Interpol red notice issued in 2015 at the request of Ukrainian authorities said he was wanted on accusations of charges including embezzlement and misappropriation. Azarov denies any wrongdoing and Reuters cannot determine whether there is any active investigation on him. Azarov said he was not aware of any evidence suggesting wrongdoing on Hunter Biden`s part, but said it was in the Ukrainian public interest to ascertain the legality of his activities. In particular, he said it was important to investigate what Biden had done for Burisma to justify his fee. The younger Biden has said he consulted for Burisma, but critics have suggested he was not doing actual work in return for his compensation, an allegation he denies. "I think it`s essential (he`s investigated)," Azarov told Reuters in Moscow, where Azarov fled after street protests toppled Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovich in 2014. "If, using his knowledge, he played an active role then there`s nothing scandalous about it," Azarov said. "But if he was simply on the books and getting money, then that could be seen as a violation of the law." Burisma was not available for comment on Saturday night. Ukrainian prosecutors have said they are not investigating Hunter Biden, but are looking into the legality of Burisma`s activities before Biden joined its board. Azarov said he thought it was "absolute nonsense", but that he believed allegations from Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others that Joe Biden had got Ukraine`s prosecutor general fired to protect his son Hunter must also be investigated. The former US vice president has denied using his influence to get Ukraine`s prosecutor general, Viktor Shokin, fired in 2016 to prevent him investigating his son`s involvement and has said he and his son have done nothing wrong.

Ukraine must investigate Joe Biden's son: Ex-Ukrainian PM

The chairman of the US&nbsp;House Intelligence Committee said on Sunday Congress is determined to get access to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-rejects-trump-policy-of-expanded-deportation-252639">President Donald Trump</a>'s calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders, citing concerns he may have jeopardized national security.

"I think the paramount need here is to protect the national security of the United States and see whether in the conversations with other world leaders and in particular with Putin that the president was also undermining our security in a way that he thought would personally benefit his campaign," Democrat Adam Schiff said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Following a whistleblower complaint that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/our-country-is-at-stake-like-never-before-trump-to-supporters-252638">Trump</a>, a Republican, solicited a political favor from Ukraine's president that could help him get re-elected, the lawmakers are investigating concerns that Trump's actions have jeopardized national security and the integrity of US&nbsp;elections.

The intelligence committee has reached an agreement with the whistleblower to appear before the panel, Schiff told ABC's "This Week"

Lawmakers were working out logistics to protect the person's identity and also get security clearance for lawyers who will be representing the whistleblower. He hopes the whistleblower can appear very soon, Schiff said.

The whistleblower's complaint cited a telephone call in which Trump asked President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to launch an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Hunter Biden sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.

Joe Biden is a leading candidate in the race to challenge Trump in the November 2020 presidential election.

The complaint said White House lawyers directed that an electronic summary of the call, which was released to the public on Wednesday, be moved from the place where such things are usually kept to a secret server reserved for covert matters.

"If those conversations with Putin or with other world leaders are sequestered in that same electronic file that is meant for covert action, not meant for this, if there's an effort to hide those and cover those up, yes we're determined to find out," Schiff said on NBC.

The chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee said on Sunday Congress is determined to get access to President Donald Trump's calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders, citing concerns he may have jeopardized national security.

The chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee said on Sunday Congress is determined to get access to President Donald Trump's calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other world leaders, citing concerns he may have jeopardized national security. "I think the paramount need here is to protect the national security of the United States and see whether in the conversations with other world leaders and in particular with Putin that the president was also undermining our security in a way that he thought would personally benefit his campaign," Democrat Adam Schiff said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Following a whistleblower complaint that Trump, a Republican, solicited a political favor from Ukraine's president that could help him get re-elected, the lawmakers are investigating concerns that Trump's actions have jeopardized national security and the integrity of US elections. The intelligence committee has reached an agreement with the whistleblower to appear before the panel, Schiff told ABC's "This Week" Lawmakers were working out logistics to protect the person's identity and also get security clearance for lawyers who will be representing the whistleblower. He hopes the whistleblower can appear very soon, Schiff said. The whistleblower's complaint cited a telephone call in which Trump asked President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to launch an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Hunter Biden sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. Joe Biden is a leading candidate in the race to challenge Trump in the November 2020 presidential election. The complaint said White House lawyers directed that an electronic summary of the call, which was released to the public on Wednesday, be moved from the place where such things are usually kept to a secret server reserved for covert matters. "If those conversations with Putin or with other world leaders are sequestered in that same electronic file that is meant for covert action, not meant for this, if there's an effort to hide those and cover those up, yes we're determined to find out," Schiff said on NBC.

Democrats want access to Trump's phone calls with Russian President Putin, others

The United States does not currently plan to stop <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-considers-delisting-chinese-firms-from-us-markets-sources-252565">Chinese companies from listing on US&nbsp;exchanges</a>, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing a US&nbsp;Treasury official.

"The administration is not contemplating blocking Chinese companies from listing shares on US&nbsp;stock exchanges at this time," Bloomberg quoted https://bloom.bg/2obHkDb Treasury spokeswoman Monica Crowley as saying.

Reuters reported on Friday that President Donald Trump's administration is considering delisting Chinese companies from US&nbsp;stock exchanges in a move that would be part of a broader effort to limit US&nbsp;investment in Chinese companies.

The Treasury did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Major US stock indexes slipped on the news, which came days before China celebrates the 70th anniversary of the birth of the People's Republic on October 1, when the world's No. 2 economy will shut down for a week of festivities.

Shares of Hangzhou, Zhejiang-based Alibaba ended down 5.15 per cent. JD.com fell by 5.95 per cent and Baidu Inc declined by 3.67 per cent. The iShares China Large-Cap ETF shed 1.15 per cent.

Shares of New York Stock Exchange-owner Intercontinental Exchange Inc ended down 1.88 per cent and shares of Nasdaq Inc declined by 1.70 per cent.

It was not immediately clear how any delisting would work.

Trade talks between the United States and China are expected to be held October 10-11 after months of tit-for-tat moves by both sides which have weakened global growth and driven rollercoaster moves in markets.

The United States does not currently plan to stop Chinese companies from listing on US exchanges, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing a US Treasury official. "The administration is not contemplating blocking Chinese companies from listing shares on US stock exchanges at this time," Bloomberg quoted https://bloom.

The United States does not currently plan to stop Chinese companies from listing on US exchanges, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing a US Treasury official. "The administration is not contemplating blocking Chinese companies from listing shares on US stock exchanges at this time," Bloomberg quoted https://bloom.bg/2obHkDb Treasury spokeswoman Monica Crowley as saying. Reuters reported on Friday that President Donald Trump's administration is considering delisting Chinese companies from US stock exchanges in a move that would be part of a broader effort to limit US investment in Chinese companies. The Treasury did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Major US stock indexes slipped on the news, which came days before China celebrates the 70th anniversary of the birth of the People's Republic on October 1, when the world's No. 2 economy will shut down for a week of festivities. Shares of Hangzhou, Zhejiang-based Alibaba ended down 5.15 per cent. JD.com fell by 5.95 per cent and Baidu Inc declined by 3.67 per cent. The iShares China Large-Cap ETF shed 1.15 per cent. Shares of New York Stock Exchange-owner Intercontinental Exchange Inc ended down 1.88 per cent and shares of Nasdaq Inc declined by 1.70 per cent. It was not immediately clear how any delisting would work. Trade talks between the United States and China are expected to be held October 10-11 after months of tit-for-tat moves by both sides which have weakened global growth and driven rollercoaster moves in markets.

US Treasury says no plans to block Chinese listings 'at this time': Report

Daniel Ellsberg, a former military intelligence contractor who leaked the "Pentagon Papers", a secret government history of the Vietnam War in 1971, is a contender for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/young-swedish-activist-greta-thunberg-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-203378">2019 Nobel Peace Prize</a>.

Born on April 7, 1931, Ellsberg is an American economist, anti-war activist and former United States military analyst.

In 1971, whilst working for the RAND Corporation, Ellsberg gave rise to a national political controversy by releasing the Pentagon Papers - a top-secret study of the US&nbsp;government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War - to The New York Times and other newspapers.

In 1973 he was put on trial charged with espionage, theft and conspiracy, carrying a total maximum sentence of 115 years. But due to evidence of governmental misconduct and illegal evidence-gathering, Judge William Matthew Byrne Jr. dismissed all charges against Ellsberg on May 11, 1973.

He has since won the Right Livelihood Award in 2006 and was awarded the Olof Palme Prize in 2018.

The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced in Oslo on Friday, October 11, at 0900GMT&nbsp;and the prize, worth 9 million Swedish crowns ($1.12 million), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-makes-his-case-for-nobel-peace-prize-complains-hell-never-get-it-197683">will be handed over</a> on December 10, 2019.

Daniel Ellsberg, a former military intelligence contractor who leaked the "Pentagon Papers", a secret government history of the Vietnam War in 1971, is a contender for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

Daniel Ellsberg, a former military intelligence contractor who leaked the "Pentagon Papers", a secret government history of the Vietnam War in 1971, is a contender for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. Born on April 7, 1931, Ellsberg is an American economist, anti-war activist and former United States military analyst. In 1971, whilst working for the RAND Corporation, Ellsberg gave rise to a national political controversy by releasing the Pentagon Papers - a top-secret study of the US government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War - to The New York Times and other newspapers. In 1973 he was put on trial charged with espionage, theft and conspiracy, carrying a total maximum sentence of 115 years. But due to evidence of governmental misconduct and illegal evidence-gathering, Judge William Matthew Byrne Jr. dismissed all charges against Ellsberg on May 11, 1973. He has since won the Right Livelihood Award in 2006 and was awarded the Olof Palme Prize in 2018. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced in Oslo on Friday, October 11, at 0900GMT and the prize, worth 9 million Swedish crowns ($1.12 million), will be handed over on December 10, 2019.

Daniel Ellsberg, whistleblower of 'Pentagon Papers', contender for Nobel Peace Prize

China wants to join as soon as possible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protesters-set-busy-schedule-ahead-of-china-national-day-252568">an international arms treaty</a> that the United States has spurned, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, adding it was China's responsibility to take part as a member of the international community.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has said he intends to revoke the US&nbsp;signature to the treaty, which regulates the $70 billion global cross-border trade in conventional arms and seeks to keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers.

So far, 104 countries have joined the pact, which the General Assembly approved in 2013. Then-US&nbsp;President Barack Obama had signed it but it was opposed by the National Rifle Association and other conservative groups and never ratified by the U.S. Senate.

Speaking at the United Nations on Friday, the Chinese government's top diplomat State Councillor Wang Yi said China has initiated domestic legal procedures to join the Arms Trade Treaty.

China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement following Wang's announcement that the country was striving to join the treaty "as soon as possible".

This is an important action for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-swipe-at-trump-china-tells-un-tariffs-could-plunge-world-into-recession-252572">China to actively participate</a> in the governance of the global arms trade governance and reflects China's determination to support multilateralism, it said.

China has always attached great importance to the issue of illegal arms sales and their misuse, and supports the purposes and objectives of the treaty, the ministry added.

"As a responsible member of the international family, China is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all parties and work together to build a standardised and reasonable arms trade order and make positive contributions to maintaining international and regional peace and stability."

Since the two countries embarked on a trade war, China has frequently rebuked the United States for its withdrawal from international treaties and not playing by the rules, seeking to portray China as a staunch defender of multilateralism.

China was the fifth-largest global arms exporter between 2014 and 2018, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, though China itself does not publish figures for how many arms it exports.

During that period <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-called-out-by-us-for-staying-mum-over-chinas-treatment-of-muslims-252323">China delivered major arms to 53 countries</a>, with Pakistan the main recipient followed by Bangladesh, according to the think-tank.

After years of steep increases in military spending and cash injections into domestic contractors, experts say some Chinese-made equipment is now comparable to Russian or Western counterparts, though accurate information about the performance of Chinese weapons is scarce.

China faces bans on Western military imports, dating back to anger over its crushing of pro-democracy protests in and around Tiananmen Square in 1989. That makes its domestic arms industry crucial in assembling a modern military that can enforce claims over self-ruled Taiwan and disputed maritime territories.

China wants to join as soon as possible an international arms treaty that the United States has spurned, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, adding it was China's responsibility to take part as a member of the international community.

China wants to join as soon as possible an international arms treaty that the United States has spurned, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, adding it was China's responsibility to take part as a member of the international community. US President Donald Trump has said he intends to revoke the US signature to the treaty, which regulates the $70 billion global cross-border trade in conventional arms and seeks to keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers. So far, 104 countries have joined the pact, which the General Assembly approved in 2013. Then-US President Barack Obama had signed it but it was opposed by the National Rifle Association and other conservative groups and never ratified by the U.S. Senate. Speaking at the United Nations on Friday, the Chinese government's top diplomat State Councillor Wang Yi said China has initiated domestic legal procedures to join the Arms Trade Treaty. China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement following Wang's announcement that the country was striving to join the treaty "as soon as possible". This is an important action for China to actively participate in the governance of the global arms trade governance and reflects China's determination to support multilateralism, it said. China has always attached great importance to the issue of illegal arms sales and their misuse, and supports the purposes and objectives of the treaty, the ministry added. "As a responsible member of the international family, China is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all parties and work together to build a standardised and reasonable arms trade order and make positive contributions to maintaining international and regional peace and stability." Since the two countries embarked on a trade war, China has frequently rebuked the United States for its withdrawal from international treaties and not playing by the rules, seeking to portray China as a staunch defender of multilateralism. China was the fifth-largest global arms exporter between 2014 and 2018, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, though China itself does not publish figures for how many arms it exports. During that period China delivered major arms to 53 countries, with Pakistan the main recipient followed by Bangladesh, according to the think-tank. After years of steep increases in military spending and cash injections into domestic contractors, experts say some Chinese-made equipment is now comparable to Russian or Western counterparts, though accurate information about the performance of Chinese weapons is scarce. China faces bans on Western military imports, dating back to anger over its crushing of pro-democracy protests in and around Tiananmen Square in 1989. That makes its domestic arms industry crucial in assembling a modern military that can enforce claims over self-ruled Taiwan and disputed maritime territories.

China aims to join US-spurned arms treaty as soon as possible

America's first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-pm-modi-interacts-with-sikh-leaders-in-houston-251123">Sikh</a> police officer on Friday&nbsp;was shot dead in northwest Harris County in Houston. Sandeep Dhaliwal was a 10-year veteran at the Harris County Sheriff`s Office and a father of three, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at a press conference.

"He wore the turban, he represented his community with integrity, respect and pride and he was respected by all," he added.

Dhaliwal was conducting a traffic stop when he was shot, the sheriff said. There were two people in the vehicle. As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/europe-india-business-chamber-demands-suspension-of-gsp-status-to-pakistan-for-persecution-of-sikhs-hindus-and-christians-249695">Dhaliwal</a> was headed back to his patrol car, Gonzalez said that a man got out of the vehicle with a pistol.

"In a cold-blooded manner, ambush-style, (he) shot Deputy Dhaliwal from behind," CNN quoted Gonzalez as saying.

Two people are currently in custody in connection with the shooting, the sheriff said, and a weapon was found that deputies believed was used to shoot Dhaliwal.

"It`s the worst day, the worst nightmare for any police executive," Gonzalez said.

"This guy had a heart of gold, he treated his brothers and sisters in law enforcement as if they were just brothers and sisters. He thought of them before he thought of himself. He thought of the broader community before he thought of himself," said Adrian Garcia, Harris County Police Commissioner.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, released a statement on Friday, saying "this tragic loss is a grave reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every single day."

"I thank the officers who bravely responded to apprehend the suspect, and I assure you that the state of Texas is committed to bringing this killer to justice," Abbott said.&nbsp;

America's first Sikh police officer on Friday was shot dead in northwest Harris County in Houston. Sandeep Dhaliwal was a 10-year veteran at the Harris County Sheriff`s Office and a father of three, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at a press conference.

America's first Sikh police officer on Friday was shot dead in northwest Harris County in Houston. Sandeep Dhaliwal was a 10-year veteran at the Harris County Sheriff`s Office and a father of three, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at a press conference. "He wore the turban, he represented his community with integrity, respect and pride and he was respected by all," he added. Dhaliwal was conducting a traffic stop when he was shot, the sheriff said. There were two people in the vehicle. As Dhaliwal was headed back to his patrol car, Gonzalez said that a man got out of the vehicle with a pistol. "In a cold-blooded manner, ambush-style, (he) shot Deputy Dhaliwal from behind," CNN quoted Gonzalez as saying. Two people are currently in custody in connection with the shooting, the sheriff said, and a weapon was found that deputies believed was used to shoot Dhaliwal. "It`s the worst day, the worst nightmare for any police executive," Gonzalez said. "This guy had a heart of gold, he treated his brothers and sisters in law enforcement as if they were just brothers and sisters. He thought of them before he thought of himself. He thought of the broader community before he thought of himself," said Adrian Garcia, Harris County Police Commissioner. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, released a statement on Friday, saying "this tragic loss is a grave reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every single day." "I thank the officers who bravely responded to apprehend the suspect, and I assure you that the state of Texas is committed to bringing this killer to justice," Abbott said.

America's first Sikh Deputy Sheriff fatally shot in Houston

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed deep grief over the killing of America`s first Sikh police officer, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal in Houston.

Extending condolences to the family of the officer, Jaishankar tweeted, "Deeply grieved to learn of the shooting of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a Sikh Indian-American officer in Houston. We have just visited that city. My condolences to his family."

"Dhaliwal died on Friday afternoon in the line of duty during a traffic stop. He was shot by a suspect and was taken to Memorial Hermann hospital in serious condition, where he later died. Dhaliwal is survived by a wife and three children.

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Deeply grieved to learn of the shooting of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a Sikh Indian-American officer in Houston. We have just visited that city. My condolences to his family. <a href="https://t.co/BBUJOFcjB8">https://t.co/BBUJOFcjB8</a>
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&nbsp;

In 2015, Dhaliwal made history when the police department allowed him to keep his beard and wear a dastar (turban) while on patrol -- a requirement of the Sikh religion. He became the first Sikh to be allowed to wear a turban and articles of the Sikh faith, while on duty. With the help of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Dhaliwal helped change the department`s policy and make it more inclusive.

Sikhs of America organisation called the death of Dhaliwal a "great loss to the Sikh community", adding that he will inspire more youth from the community to join the law enforcement agencies in the United States.

In a telephonic interview to ANI, Jesse Singh, chairman of Sikhs of America also condoled the demise of Dhaliwal and called him a "true American Hero". `It is a great loss to the Sikh community, Sandeep fought for the Sikh Identity and in his death, he will inspire more Sikh youth to join the Law enforcement agencies in the USA and carry his dream forward.` he further added.

`Deputy Dhaliwal was known to everybody as someone with a giving heart," Dr Pritpal Singh told ANI, someone, who has known Dhaliwal for some years now.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed deep grief over the killing of America`s first Sikh police officer, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal in Houston.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed deep grief over the killing of America`s first Sikh police officer, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal in Houston. Extending condolences to the family of the officer, Jaishankar tweeted, "Deeply grieved to learn of the shooting of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a Sikh Indian-American officer in Houston. We have just visited that city. My condolences to his family." "Dhaliwal died on Friday afternoon in the line of duty during a traffic stop. He was shot by a suspect and was taken to Memorial Hermann hospital in serious condition, where he later died. Dhaliwal is survived by a wife and three children. Deeply grieved to learn of the shooting of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a Sikh Indian-American officer in Houston. We have just visited that city. My condolences to his family. https://t.co/BBUJOFcjB8 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 28, 2019 × In 2015, Dhaliwal made history when the police department allowed him to keep his beard and wear a dastar (turban) while on patrol -- a requirement of the Sikh religion. He became the first Sikh to be allowed to wear a turban and articles of the Sikh faith, while on duty. With the help of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Dhaliwal helped change the department`s policy and make it more inclusive. Sikhs of America organisation called the death of Dhaliwal a "great loss to the Sikh community", adding that he will inspire more youth from the community to join the law enforcement agencies in the United States. In a telephonic interview to ANI, Jesse Singh, chairman of Sikhs of America also condoled the demise of Dhaliwal and called him a "true American Hero". `It is a great loss to the Sikh community, Sandeep fought for the Sikh Identity and in his death, he will inspire more Sikh youth to join the Law enforcement agencies in the USA and carry his dream forward.` he further added. `Deputy Dhaliwal was known to everybody as someone with a giving heart," Dr Pritpal Singh told ANI, someone, who has known Dhaliwal for some years now.

Deeply grieved over shooting of America's first Sikh police officer: S Jaishankar

United States aggression and an obsession with disarmament mean another summit between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-asks-what-a-third-north-korean-summit-would-yield-251755">Washington and Pyongyang</a> is looking doubtful, North Korea said on Friday, even as it praised US President Donald Trump as "bold" and "wise".

Washington has "done nothing for the implementing the joint statement" from the first US-North Korea summit held in Singapore last year, Kim Kye Gwan, advisor to North Korea's foreign ministry, wrote in a statement carried in Pyongyang's official news wire KCNA.

The official then slammed Washington for its joint military drills with the South, which it has long considered rehearsals for invasion.

He also claimed while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-between-us-north-korea-may-resume-in-2-3-weeks-251650">Pyongyang has made "sincere efforts to build trust"</a>, US politicians remain "obsessed" with&nbsp;the idea of enforcing sanctions until Pyongyang completely gives up its nukes first.

"This makes me doubt whether a new breakthrough could be brought about in the DPRK-US&nbsp;relations though another DPRK-US&nbsp;summit talks may open," Kim Kye Gwan said in the statement, using North Korea's official name.

But the official praised US President Trump as "different from his predecessors", adding he would like to "place hope" on Trump's "wise option and bold decision" for the future dialogues between the two countries.

"I and the DPRK Foreign Ministry will follow the future moves of the US," he said.

The North's statement came two weeks after Trump fired the hawkish former national security advisor John Bolton, and said he would consider trying a "new method" in talks with Pyongyang.

Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi - who was killed after being deposed in 2011.

Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us very back very badly".

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-leader-kim-invited-trump-to-pyongyang-in-letter-report-249926">North</a> has described Bolton as "a nasty trouble-maker" and&nbsp;a "human defect" in the past and hailed his exit.&nbsp;

Negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington have been gridlocked since a second summit between Kim and Trump in February ended without a deal.

The two agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, and Pyongyang has offered to hold those talks in late September, a move the US has described as "encouraging".

There has been no announcement yet on the venue and precise schedule for the talks.

United States aggression and an obsession with disarmament mean another summit between Washington and Pyongyang is looking doubtful, North Korea said on Friday, even as it praised US President Donald Trump as "bold" and "wise".

United States aggression and an obsession with disarmament mean another summit between Washington and Pyongyang is looking doubtful, North Korea said on Friday, even as it praised US President Donald Trump as "bold" and "wise". Washington has "done nothing for the implementing the joint statement" from the first US-North Korea summit held in Singapore last year, Kim Kye Gwan, advisor to North Korea's foreign ministry, wrote in a statement carried in Pyongyang's official news wire KCNA. The official then slammed Washington for its joint military drills with the South, which it has long considered rehearsals for invasion. He also claimed while Pyongyang has made "sincere efforts to build trust", US politicians remain "obsessed" with the idea of enforcing sanctions until Pyongyang completely gives up its nukes first. "This makes me doubt whether a new breakthrough could be brought about in the DPRK-US relations though another DPRK-US summit talks may open," Kim Kye Gwan said in the statement, using North Korea's official name. But the official praised US President Trump as "different from his predecessors", adding he would like to "place hope" on Trump's "wise option and bold decision" for the future dialogues between the two countries. "I and the DPRK Foreign Ministry will follow the future moves of the US," he said. The North's statement came two weeks after Trump fired the hawkish former national security advisor John Bolton, and said he would consider trying a "new method" in talks with Pyongyang. Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi - who was killed after being deposed in 2011. Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us very back very badly". The North has described Bolton as "a nasty trouble-maker" and a "human defect" in the past and hailed his exit. Negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington have been gridlocked since a second summit between Kim and Trump in February ended without a deal. The two agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, and Pyongyang has offered to hold those talks in late September, a move the US has described as "encouraging". There has been no announcement yet on the venue and precise schedule for the talks.

North Korea doubts prospects for future summit with United States

Exactly five years after 43 students disappeared without a trace in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-business-as-usual-at-mexicos-southern-border-despite-trump-deal-225581">Mexico</a>, the government said on Thursday that it will reinvestigate the case as a crime by "agents of the state," offering a reward for new information.

The night of September 26, 2014, a group of students in Guerrero state on their way to a protest were detained by corrupt police who handed them over to a drug cartel.

Forty-three of them vanished.

Half a decade later, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/thousands-of-asylum-seekers-left-waiting-at-the-us-mexico-border-228198">Mexico is still haunted</a> by the case, which drew international condemnation and stained the government of ex-president Enrique Pena Nieto.

On Thursday thousands of people, mainly students, took part in a demonstration led by the parents of the missing youths, shouting "justice!" as they marched towards Mexico City's central square, the Zocalo.

Approximately a hundred people wearing hoods who remained at the rear of the crowd broke shop windows and tried to set a restaurant on fire, which other protesters extinguished.

The investigation into the disappearance has been marred by allegations of official incompetence and even corruption. Misconduct -- especially the use of torture to extract supposed confessions -- has resulted in the release of 77 detainees, including the main suspect earlier this month.

New President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched a truth commission, and the new prosecutor general has announced plans to reinvestigate "almost from scratch."

Deputy Human Rights Minister Alejandro Encinas said the case would now be investigated as a crime "committed by agents of the Mexican state," a phrase Pena Nieto once said he "categorically" rejected.

Lopez Obrador said investigators would have a "great advantage" this time around: under his government, "there is no impunity."

"That's important, because when it's a crime by the state, it's very difficult to get at the truth," the leftist leader told a news conference, wearing a T-shirt stamped with the number 43 and the words "I am for the truth."

The government announced it would offer a reward of about $75,000 for new leads in the case, and $500,000 for information on the whereabouts of Alejandro Tenescalco, the local police supervisor at the time and a chief suspect.

No one will remain above the law, said Omar Gomez, special prosecutor for the case. He said his team would question former top prosecutor Jesus Murillo Karam next week, and even Pena Nieto "if necessary."

Historic Lie

But it is uncertain whether the world will ever know what happened to the young men from the teacher training institute in the rural village of Ayotzinapa.

"I don't think (a new investigation) will achieve a radically different result from the original," said Alejandro Hope, a security expert and former Mexican intelligence officer.

"There are two facts that don't seem to be in doubt: The students were kidnapped by police, and they were handed over to the Guerreros Unidos cartel."

What happened after that, he said, might remain a mystery forever.

The student activists had hijacked five buses that night to drive themselves to a protest in Mexico City.

Local police opened fire on the buses, killing six people. Then they rounded up the remaining students and handed them over to Guerreros Unidos, which apparently had the police on its payroll.

Under Pena Nieto, the federal prosecutor's office concluded the cartel mistook the students for members of a rival gang, executed them at a garbage dump and burned their bodies.

However, a team of independent investigators from the Inter-American Commission&nbsp;on&nbsp;Human Rights found that was impossible, based on forensic analysis of the supposed crime scene.

Their conclusion left Mexicans to wonder: If the government's gruesome explanation was a cover story, how horrific was the truth?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-asks-un-for-more-suppoprt-to-tackle-central-american-migrants-228816">The government</a> did not renew the experts' mandate.

However, before leaving Mexico, they hypothesised the students may have inadvertently hijacked a bus loaded with heroin bound for the United States.

Investigators began chasing a fresh lead this week: they are excavating at a different garbage dump nearby, in the town of Tepecoacuilco, where witnesses reportedly say some of the men were executed.

Exactly five years after 43 students disappeared without a trace in Mexico, the government said on Thursday that it will reinvestigate the case as a crime by "agents of the state," offering a reward for new information.

Exactly five years after 43 students disappeared without a trace in Mexico, the government said on Thursday that it will reinvestigate the case as a crime by "agents of the state," offering a reward for new information. The night of September 26, 2014, a group of students in Guerrero state on their way to a protest were detained by corrupt police who handed them over to a drug cartel. Forty-three of them vanished. Half a decade later, Mexico is still haunted by the case, which drew international condemnation and stained the government of ex-president Enrique Pena Nieto. On Thursday thousands of people, mainly students, took part in a demonstration led by the parents of the missing youths, shouting "justice!" as they marched towards Mexico City's central square, the Zocalo. Approximately a hundred people wearing hoods who remained at the rear of the crowd broke shop windows and tried to set a restaurant on fire, which other protesters extinguished. The investigation into the disappearance has been marred by allegations of official incompetence and even corruption. Misconduct -- especially the use of torture to extract supposed confessions -- has resulted in the release of 77 detainees, including the main suspect earlier this month. New President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has launched a truth commission, and the new prosecutor general has announced plans to reinvestigate "almost from scratch." Deputy Human Rights Minister Alejandro Encinas said the case would now be investigated as a crime "committed by agents of the Mexican state," a phrase Pena Nieto once said he "categorically" rejected. Lopez Obrador said investigators would have a "great advantage" this time around: under his government, "there is no impunity." "That's important, because when it's a crime by the state, it's very difficult to get at the truth," the leftist leader told a news conference, wearing a T-shirt stamped with the number 43 and the words "I am for the truth." The government announced it would offer a reward of about $75,000 for new leads in the case, and $500,000 for information on the whereabouts of Alejandro Tenescalco, the local police supervisor at the time and a chief suspect. No one will remain above the law, said Omar Gomez, special prosecutor for the case. He said his team would question former top prosecutor Jesus Murillo Karam next week, and even Pena Nieto "if necessary." Historic Lie But it is uncertain whether the world will ever know what happened to the young men from the teacher training institute in the rural village of Ayotzinapa. "I don't think (a new investigation) will achieve a radically different result from the original," said Alejandro Hope, a security expert and former Mexican intelligence officer. "There are two facts that don't seem to be in doubt: The students were kidnapped by police, and they were handed over to the Guerreros Unidos cartel." What happened after that, he said, might remain a mystery forever. The student activists had hijacked five buses that night to drive themselves to a protest in Mexico City. Local police opened fire on the buses, killing six people. Then they rounded up the remaining students and handed them over to Guerreros Unidos, which apparently had the police on its payroll. Under Pena Nieto, the federal prosecutor's office concluded the cartel mistook the students for members of a rival gang, executed them at a garbage dump and burned their bodies. However, a team of independent investigators from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights found that was impossible, based on forensic analysis of the supposed crime scene. Their conclusion left Mexicans to wonder: If the government's gruesome explanation was a cover story, how horrific was the truth? The government did not renew the experts' mandate. However, before leaving Mexico, they hypothesised the students may have inadvertently hijacked a bus loaded with heroin bound for the United States. Investigators began chasing a fresh lead this week: they are excavating at a different garbage dump nearby, in the town of Tepecoacuilco, where witnesses reportedly say some of the men were executed.

Five years on, 43 missing students still haunt Mexico

Tensions between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/resisting-us-pressure-on-iran-india-is-stuck-between-rock-and-hard-place-213848">United States and Iran</a> escalated on Thursday as Washington <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-issues-battlefield-warning-as-us-deploys-troops-251022">deployed more troops</a> to the Gulf and Tehran, challenging&nbsp;its arch-enemy to provide evidence it attacked Saudi oil facilities.

The Pentagon announced it was sending 200 troops with Patriot missiles to bolster Saudi Arabia's defences following the strikes this month that knocked out half of the Kingdom's oil production.

After a week of diplomacy at the United Nations where European leaders unsuccessfully tried to arrange a US-Iran meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded that Washington back up its accusations that Iran was behind the attacks. &nbsp;

"Those who make the allegations must provide the needed proof. What is your evidence?", he told reporters.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have soared since President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 international deal that was meant to lift sanctions in exchange for a commitment from Tehran that it would cease trying to develop nuclear weapons.

The United States, France, Germany, Britain, and Saudi Arabia have all, to varying degrees, blamed Iran for the brazen September 14 airstrikes on the kingdom's Abqaiq plant and Khurais oil field.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States shared evidence on the attacks with other countries during the UN General Assembly.

"I think now it has struck them how clear it is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not prepared to do the right thing and behave like a normal nation," Pompeo told reporters Thursday.

Iran "used their usual method of trying to obscure this through the use of a proxy force. They had to know it was the case that the world would rally against them, and yet they still chose to do it," he added.

Tehran has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-and-us-refusing-to-budge-as-tit-for-tat-ship-seizures-in-middle-east-raise-the-temperature-237920">blasted the allegations</a> as "ridiculous." It denies responsibility, and the attacks have been claimed by Yemen's Iranian-backed Huthi rebels.

"If you do have any evidence or documentation please do make them available to me," Rouhani said.

He said that Western powers should instead stop arming Saudi Arabia in its offensive in Yemen, which the United Nations calls the world's biggest humanitarian crisis.

'Vile and cowardly regime'

A senior Saudi official, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly, urged a united front against Iran.

"It is a vile and cowardly regime, which hides behind its affiliated militias, pushing them to claim responsibility," said Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs.

"This regime is only checked by a firm and unified stand and the application of maximum and sustained pressure until it desists from its terrorist behavior," he said.

The US president reimposed economic sanctions and in May his administration said it would unilaterally force all countries to stop buying Iran's oil, one of Tehran's main sources of wealth.

Tehran soon afterward <a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/us-will-respond-with-great-force-if-iran-attacks-interests-donald-trump-220247">shot down an unmanned US drone</a>. At the very last minute, Trump stepped back from striking Iran in June as the risk of all-out war in the Middle East seemed all too real.

In its latest move to ratchet up the pressure, the United States banned senior Iranian regime figures and their families from entering the United States.

It came 24 hours after Washington announced it would punish Chinese companies that bought Iranian oil, on the last official day of Trump's participation at the UN General Assembly.

The US Defense Department said the troop deployment would involve one battery of surface-to-air missiles, along with four Sentinel radars used for air and missile defense systems.

And the UN's nuclear watchdog confirmed Thursday that Iran has started using advanced models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, in a new breach of the agreement with world powers.

No meeting at UN

Speculation had been rife that Trump might meet Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN summit but the US leader returned to Washington without a rendezvous taking place.

Rouhani said Thursday that Iran would be willing to hold talks with the United States if Trump lifted sanctions and ended his policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran.

"If we reach a time when these preconditions are taken off the table, of course the possibility exists to talk with America," he said at the news conference.

French President Emmanuel Macron had shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the UN, trying to arrange an encounter.

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated on Thursday as Washington deployed more troops to the Gulf and Tehran, challenging its arch-enemy to provide evidence it attacked Saudi oil facilities.

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated on Thursday as Washington deployed more troops to the Gulf and Tehran, challenging its arch-enemy to provide evidence it attacked Saudi oil facilities. The Pentagon announced it was sending 200 troops with Patriot missiles to bolster Saudi Arabia's defences following the strikes this month that knocked out half of the Kingdom's oil production. After a week of diplomacy at the United Nations where European leaders unsuccessfully tried to arrange a US-Iran meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded that Washington back up its accusations that Iran was behind the attacks. "Those who make the allegations must provide the needed proof. What is your evidence?", he told reporters. Tensions between Iran and the United States have soared since President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 international deal that was meant to lift sanctions in exchange for a commitment from Tehran that it would cease trying to develop nuclear weapons. The United States, France, Germany, Britain, and Saudi Arabia have all, to varying degrees, blamed Iran for the brazen September 14 airstrikes on the kingdom's Abqaiq plant and Khurais oil field. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States shared evidence on the attacks with other countries during the UN General Assembly. "I think now it has struck them how clear it is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not prepared to do the right thing and behave like a normal nation," Pompeo told reporters Thursday. Iran "used their usual method of trying to obscure this through the use of a proxy force. They had to know it was the case that the world would rally against them, and yet they still chose to do it," he added. Tehran has blasted the allegations as "ridiculous." It denies responsibility, and the attacks have been claimed by Yemen's Iranian-backed Huthi rebels. "If you do have any evidence or documentation please do make them available to me," Rouhani said. He said that Western powers should instead stop arming Saudi Arabia in its offensive in Yemen, which the United Nations calls the world's biggest humanitarian crisis. 'Vile and cowardly regime' A senior Saudi official, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly, urged a united front against Iran. "It is a vile and cowardly regime, which hides behind its affiliated militias, pushing them to claim responsibility," said Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs. "This regime is only checked by a firm and unified stand and the application of maximum and sustained pressure until it desists from its terrorist behavior," he said. The US president reimposed economic sanctions and in May his administration said it would unilaterally force all countries to stop buying Iran's oil, one of Tehran's main sources of wealth. Tehran soon afterward shot down an unmanned US drone. At the very last minute, Trump stepped back from striking Iran in June as the risk of all-out war in the Middle East seemed all too real. In its latest move to ratchet up the pressure, the United States banned senior Iranian regime figures and their families from entering the United States. It came 24 hours after Washington announced it would punish Chinese companies that bought Iranian oil, on the last official day of Trump's participation at the UN General Assembly. The US Defense Department said the troop deployment would involve one battery of surface-to-air missiles, along with four Sentinel radars used for air and missile defense systems. And the UN's nuclear watchdog confirmed Thursday that Iran has started using advanced models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, in a new breach of the agreement with world powers. No meeting at UN Speculation had been rife that Trump might meet Rouhani on the sidelines of the UN summit but the US leader returned to Washington without a rendezvous taking place. Rouhani said Thursday that Iran would be willing to hold talks with the United States if Trump lifted sanctions and ended his policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran. "If we reach a time when these preconditions are taken off the table, of course the possibility exists to talk with America," he said at the news conference. French President Emmanuel Macron had shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the UN, trying to arrange an encounter.

US-Iran tensions ratchet up further despite UN efforts

India's foreign minister S Jaishankar on Thursday a held a meeting with leaders of United States, and Japan on maritime security and connectivity int he Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;

Along with Jaishankar, the meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Japanese politician Toshimitsu Motegi.

"Positive meeting with @MarisePayne, @DrSJaishankar, and @moteging. We discussed our shared interest in building a free and open #IndoPacific, denuclearisation of #NorthKorea, and joint efforts to promote regional stability," Pompeo wrote on Twitter after the talks.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Positive meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/MarisePayne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarisePayne</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/moteging?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@moteging</a>. We discussed our shared interest in building a free and open <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndoPacific?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndoPacific</a>, denuclearization of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NorthKorea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NorthKorea</a>, and joint efforts to promote regional stability. <a href="https://t.co/BBwS6EOukq">pic.twitter.com/BBwS6EOukq</a>
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1177313176532258817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 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>

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of the State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), Alice Wells, tweeted, "Thrilled to join @SecPompeo and foreign ministers of #Australia, #India, and #Japan to deepen our partnership on connectivity, maritime security, and cyber in the #IndoPacific."&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thrilled to join <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> and foreign ministers of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Australia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Australia</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Japan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Japan</a> to deepen our partnership on connectivity, maritime security, and cyber in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndoPacific?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndoPacific</a>. Look forward to meeting again on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in November. AGW <a href="https://t.co/w9JF6eQ2xw">pic.twitter.com/w9JF6eQ2xw</a>
— State_SCA (@State_SCA) <a href="https://twitter.com/State_SCA/status/1177319419372023808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The meeting took place on the margins of the ongoing session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The trio is expected to meet once again on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in November.

India's foreign minister S Jaishankar on Thursday a held a meeting with leaders of United States, and Japan on maritime security and connectivity int he Indo-Pacific region.

India's foreign minister S Jaishankar on Thursday a held a meeting with leaders of United States, and Japan on maritime security and connectivity int he Indo-Pacific region. Along with Jaishankar, the meeting was attended by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Japanese politician Toshimitsu Motegi. "Positive meeting with @MarisePayne, @DrSJaishankar, and @moteging. We discussed our shared interest in building a free and open #IndoPacific, denuclearisation of #NorthKorea, and joint efforts to promote regional stability," Pompeo wrote on Twitter after the talks. Positive meeting with @MarisePayne, @DrSJaishankar, and @moteging. We discussed our shared interest in building a free and open #IndoPacific, denuclearization of #NorthKorea, and joint efforts to promote regional stability. pic.twitter.com/BBwS6EOukq — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) September 26, 2019 × Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of the State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA), Alice Wells, tweeted, "Thrilled to join @SecPompeo and foreign ministers of #Australia, #India, and #Japan to deepen our partnership on connectivity, maritime security, and cyber in the #IndoPacific." Thrilled to join @SecPompeo and foreign ministers of #Australia, #India, and #Japan to deepen our partnership on connectivity, maritime security, and cyber in the #IndoPacific. Look forward to meeting again on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in November. AGW pic.twitter.com/w9JF6eQ2xw — State_SCA (@State_SCA) September 26, 2019 × The meeting took place on the margins of the ongoing session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The trio is expected to meet once again on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in November.

Jaishankar, Mike Pompeo, Japan's Motegi hold talks on maritime security, connectivity in Indo-Pacific region

Donald Trump, the United States President&nbsp;on Wednesday dismissed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-launch-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-ukraine-controversy-251842">impeachment enquiry</a> against him as a "joke", while Democrats stood firm in accusing him&nbsp;of a "mafia-style shakedown" of his Ukrainian counterpart.

Trump denied claims that he abused his office by repeatedly urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to probe his rival Joe Biden - as confirmed in a call transcript released by the White House.

The next episode in the&nbsp;impeachment debacle&nbsp;is set for Thursday when Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph McGuire will testify at&nbsp;Capitol Hill.

"They are getting hit hard on this witch hunt because when they look at the information, it's a joke," said the President, at his first news conference since Democrats launched an official&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-begins-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-call-to-ukraine-leader-251866">impeachment inquiry.</a>

"Impeachment for that? When you have a wonderful meeting or you have a wonderful phone conversation?", he asked.

Trump had earlier insisted that he exerted "no pressure" on Zelensky, who appeared side-by-side with the US leader at a long-planned meeting at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

As two competing narratives took hold, Republican Party's Senator Mitt Romney referred to the escalation as "deeply troubling."

Trump and his allies claimed that the July 25 call contained no evidence of a quid pro quo, pressuring Zelensky to probe the President's top Democratic rival for the White House.

"This is how a mafia boss talks," charged senior Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff.&nbsp;

"'What have you done for us? We've done so much for you but there's not much reciprocity. I have a favour to ask you. And what is that favour? Of course, the favour is to investigate his political rival, to investigate the Bidens", he added.

The call summary -&nbsp;which is not a verbatim transcript -&nbsp;has Trump saying that the&nbsp;US Attorney General Bill Barr and the President's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani would be in touch about probing the Ukraine-related activities of Biden and his son.

In announcing the impeachment probe, House Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pelosi-wasting-her-time-on-manufactured-crisis-says-trump-on-impeachment-inquiry-over-ukraine-controversy-252066">Nancy Pelosi</a> said Trump's actions amounted to a betrayal of his oath of office and of national security.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Watch Video: Trump-Zelensky call row escalates</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/wion-usa-direct-trump-zelensky-call-row-escalates-252070/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'A nothing call'

As Barack Obama's Vice President, Biden and other Western leaders pressured Ukraine to get rid of the country's top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, because he was seen as not tough enough on corruption.

"There's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great," Trump told Zelensky in the call.

"Biden went around bragging that he stopped the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-steps-up-donald-trump-impeachment-probe-248698">prosecution</a> so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me", he added.&nbsp;

The transcript did not show Trump explicitly tying aid to Ukraine to Zelensky probing Biden, which has fed the calls to impeach him.

But the two did discuss a major aid package, which had been frozen by Trump at the time and was only released in recent weeks.

The memo also shows Trump asking Zelensky for a "favour" on an issue unconnected to Biden -&nbsp;just after noting that the US had been "very, very good to Ukraine."

Analysts noted that the transcript uses ellipses -&nbsp;denoting words or entire passages are missing - on three occasions, all when Trump is making requests of Zelensky.

Others pointed out that it was supposed to summarize a 30-minute call, yet the transcript runs to around just 12 minutes.

"There was no pressure whatsoever," Trump told reporters earlier Wednesday, saying Democrats had built up the exchange as the "call from hell" but that "it&nbsp;turned out to be a nothing call."

Zelensky insisted meanwhile that he had not been "pushed" by Trump during the controversial call.

'Very troubling'

Faced with the possibility of being impeached, Trump has pushed back hard - branding the probe the "single greatest witch hunt in American history... a disgraceful thing."&nbsp;

Pelosi had for months resisted pressure from the party rank-and-file for impeachment, preferring to focus on next year's election fight.

But on Tuesday, she relented, 11 days after news that an anonymous US intelligence official had filed a whistleblower complaint on Trump's alleged double-dealing with Ukraine.

Democrats made clear the White House's release of the call record would not satisfy their investigation into whether the US leader broke the law, and the complaint has now been reviewed by lawmakers.

Top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters after reading the whistleblower complaint that "it's very troubling" -- an assessment echoed by Republican Senator Ben Sasse, who said that "there's obviously lots that is very troubling there."

Schumer later called in a statement for the contents of the complaint to be made public, saying: "The public has a right to read the whistleblower's complaint for themselves."

Donald Trump, the United States President on Wednesday dismissed the impeachment enquiry against him as a "joke", while Democrats stood firm in accusing him of a "mafia-style shakedown" of his Ukrainian counterpart.

Donald Trump, the United States President on Wednesday dismissed the impeachment enquiry against him as a "joke", while Democrats stood firm in accusing him of a "mafia-style shakedown" of his Ukrainian counterpart. Trump denied claims that he abused his office by repeatedly urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to probe his rival Joe Biden - as confirmed in a call transcript released by the White House. The next episode in the impeachment debacle is set for Thursday when Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph McGuire will testify at Capitol Hill. "They are getting hit hard on this witch hunt because when they look at the information, it's a joke," said the President, at his first news conference since Democrats launched an official impeachment inquiry. "Impeachment for that? When you have a wonderful meeting or you have a wonderful phone conversation?", he asked. Trump had earlier insisted that he exerted "no pressure" on Zelensky, who appeared side-by-side with the US leader at a long-planned meeting at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. As two competing narratives took hold, Republican Party's Senator Mitt Romney referred to the escalation as "deeply troubling." Trump and his allies claimed that the July 25 call contained no evidence of a quid pro quo, pressuring Zelensky to probe the President's top Democratic rival for the White House. "This is how a mafia boss talks," charged senior Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff. "'What have you done for us? We've done so much for you but there's not much reciprocity. I have a favour to ask you. And what is that favour? Of course, the favour is to investigate his political rival, to investigate the Bidens", he added. The call summary - which is not a verbatim transcript - has Trump saying that the US Attorney General Bill Barr and the President's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani would be in touch about probing the Ukraine-related activities of Biden and his son. In announcing the impeachment probe, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's actions amounted to a betrayal of his oath of office and of national security. Watch Video: Trump-Zelensky call row escalates 'A nothing call' As Barack Obama's Vice President, Biden and other Western leaders pressured Ukraine to get rid of the country's top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, because he was seen as not tough enough on corruption. "There's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great," Trump told Zelensky in the call. "Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me", he added. The transcript did not show Trump explicitly tying aid to Ukraine to Zelensky probing Biden, which has fed the calls to impeach him. But the two did discuss a major aid package, which had been frozen by Trump at the time and was only released in recent weeks. The memo also shows Trump asking Zelensky for a "favour" on an issue unconnected to Biden - just after noting that the US had been "very, very good to Ukraine." Analysts noted that the transcript uses ellipses - denoting words or entire passages are missing - on three occasions, all when Trump is making requests of Zelensky. Others pointed out that it was supposed to summarize a 30-minute call, yet the transcript runs to around just 12 minutes. "There was no pressure whatsoever," Trump told reporters earlier Wednesday, saying Democrats had built up the exchange as the "call from hell" but that "it turned out to be a nothing call." Zelensky insisted meanwhile that he had not been "pushed" by Trump during the controversial call. 'Very troubling' Faced with the possibility of being impeached, Trump has pushed back hard - branding the probe the "single greatest witch hunt in American history... a disgraceful thing." Pelosi had for months resisted pressure from the party rank-and-file for impeachment, preferring to focus on next year's election fight. But on Tuesday, she relented, 11 days after news that an anonymous US intelligence official had filed a whistleblower complaint on Trump's alleged double-dealing with Ukraine. Democrats made clear the White House's release of the call record would not satisfy their investigation into whether the US leader broke the law, and the complaint has now been reviewed by lawmakers. Top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters after reading the whistleblower complaint that "it's very troubling" -- an assessment echoed by Republican Senator Ben Sasse, who said that "there's obviously lots that is very troubling there." Schumer later called in a statement for the contents of the complaint to be made public, saying: "The public has a right to read the whistleblower's complaint for themselves."

Trump calls Democratic impeachment enquiry a 'joke'

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded on Wednesday that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-says-trump-rouhani-know-conditions-for-talks-but-up-to-them-to-deliver-251896">United States</a> "pay more" for any agreement that goes beyond the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that Washington abandoned.

Rouhani also rejected meeting US President Donald Trump while the two are in New York this week for the annual United Nations General Assembly, but both US and Iranian officials suggested they have some interest in a negotiation.

It remains unclear how one might happen given Tehran's demand that Washington first ease sanctions that have blighted its economy and the US imposition of fresh penalties as part of its "maximum pressure" campaign.

"Our response to talks under pressure is 'No,'" Rouhani said in a speech to the General Assembly even as the United States tightened the vise by blacklisting Chinese firms for dealing in Iranian oil despite <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-iran-resists-sanctions-drives-us-desperate-251461">US sanctions</a>.

The US-Iranian confrontation has ratcheted up since last year, when Trump withdrew from Iran's nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled the Islamic republic's economy.

Trump wants to go beyond that deal to further curb Iran's nuclear programme, halt its ballistic missile work and end its support for proxy forces in the Middle East.

"If you wish more, if you require more, you should give and pay more," Rouhani said in his General Assembly address, without giving details.

In his own speech on Tuesday, Trump accused Iranian leaders of "bloodlust" and called on other nations to put pressure on Iran after Sept. 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities that Washington blames on Tehran despite its denials.

The United States plans to increase its military presence in Saudi Arabia following the attacks.

Rouhani, however, said the Gulf region is "on the edge of collapse, as a single blunder can fuel a big fire," and vowed to respond "decisively and strongly" to any foreign violation of its security or territorial integrity.

Trump had said there was still a path to peace and Rouhani has left the door open to diplomacy, saying that if sanctions were lifted, Washington could join nuclear talks between Tehran and other powers.

"We want a peaceful resolution with the Islamic Republic of Iran," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters, saying it was up to Iran. "We hope we get the opportunity to negotiate with them."

The United States has also been reaching out to Iranian officials to discuss the fate of American nationals held in Iran, a US State Department official said on Wednesday.

No Trump-Rouhani meeting

Despite French and British leaders urging <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-rouhani-meeting-not-scheduled-as-speculation-swirls-251685">Rouhani to sit down with Trump</a>, an Iranian official told Reuters there was no chance the US and Iranian presidents would meet this week.

"The chances of a meeting are zero. They know what to do," the official said. The official said the United States should return to the 2015 deal, lift sanctions and end the maximum pressure campaign.

Under that deal, Iran limited its nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions that constricted its ability to trade with the world.

After abandoning the deal, Trump in May tightened sanctions on Iran in an effort to reduce its oil exports - its main source of foreign exchange and government revenues - to zero.

On Wednesday, the United States sanctioned five Chinese people and six entities it accused of knowingly transferring oil from Iran in violation of Washington's curbs on Tehran. The entities include two Cosco Shipping subsidiaries but not the parent company itself.

“This is one of the largest sanctions actions the United States has taken against entities and individuals identified as transporting Iranian oil since our sanctions were re-imposed in November 2018,” Pompeo said in a statement on the move.

While it at first fully adhered to the deal despite Trump's withdrawal, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance and has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, through which an estimated one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-rouhani-meeting-not-scheduled-as-speculation-swirls-251685">United States has blamed Iran</a> for a series of actions since May - some of which Iran has denied - that have roiled oil markets, including attacks on half a dozen tankers, shooting down a US drone and the September 14 attacks on Aramco facilities.

The air strikes on the heartland of Saudi Arabia's oil industry damaged the world’s biggest petroleum-processing facility and knocked out more than 5 per cent of global oil supply.

"This cannot go unanswered, there has to be consequences for Iran for what they did," Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said. He said Riyadh was consulting others and that its options included diplomatic and economic steps.

The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia have blamed the attack on Iran, instead of the Yemeni Iran-aligned Houthi group, which claimed responsibility. Iran distanced itself from the attacks but said it was ready for "full-fledged" war.

In the penultimate sentence of his UN speech, Rouhani raised the possibility of talks.

"This is the message of the Iranian nation: Let's invest on hope towards a better future rather than in war and violence," he said. "Let’s return to justice; to peace; to law, commitment and promise and finally to the negotiating table."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded on Wednesday that the United States "pay more" for any agreement that goes beyond the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that Washington abandoned.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded on Wednesday that the United States "pay more" for any agreement that goes beyond the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that Washington abandoned. Rouhani also rejected meeting US President Donald Trump while the two are in New York this week for the annual United Nations General Assembly, but both US and Iranian officials suggested they have some interest in a negotiation. It remains unclear how one might happen given Tehran's demand that Washington first ease sanctions that have blighted its economy and the US imposition of fresh penalties as part of its "maximum pressure" campaign. "Our response to talks under pressure is 'No,'" Rouhani said in a speech to the General Assembly even as the United States tightened the vise by blacklisting Chinese firms for dealing in Iranian oil despite US sanctions. The US-Iranian confrontation has ratcheted up since last year, when Trump withdrew from Iran's nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled the Islamic republic's economy. Trump wants to go beyond that deal to further curb Iran's nuclear programme, halt its ballistic missile work and end its support for proxy forces in the Middle East. "If you wish more, if you require more, you should give and pay more," Rouhani said in his General Assembly address, without giving details. In his own speech on Tuesday, Trump accused Iranian leaders of "bloodlust" and called on other nations to put pressure on Iran after Sept. 14 attacks on Saudi oil facilities that Washington blames on Tehran despite its denials. The United States plans to increase its military presence in Saudi Arabia following the attacks. Rouhani, however, said the Gulf region is "on the edge of collapse, as a single blunder can fuel a big fire," and vowed to respond "decisively and strongly" to any foreign violation of its security or territorial integrity. Trump had said there was still a path to peace and Rouhani has left the door open to diplomacy, saying that if sanctions were lifted, Washington could join nuclear talks between Tehran and other powers. "We want a peaceful resolution with the Islamic Republic of Iran," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters, saying it was up to Iran. "We hope we get the opportunity to negotiate with them." The United States has also been reaching out to Iranian officials to discuss the fate of American nationals held in Iran, a US State Department official said on Wednesday. No Trump-Rouhani meeting Despite French and British leaders urging Rouhani to sit down with Trump, an Iranian official told Reuters there was no chance the US and Iranian presidents would meet this week. "The chances of a meeting are zero. They know what to do," the official said. The official said the United States should return to the 2015 deal, lift sanctions and end the maximum pressure campaign. Under that deal, Iran limited its nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions that constricted its ability to trade with the world. After abandoning the deal, Trump in May tightened sanctions on Iran in an effort to reduce its oil exports - its main source of foreign exchange and government revenues - to zero. On Wednesday, the United States sanctioned five Chinese people and six entities it accused of knowingly transferring oil from Iran in violation of Washington's curbs on Tehran. The entities include two Cosco Shipping subsidiaries but not the parent company itself. “This is one of the largest sanctions actions the United States has taken against entities and individuals identified as transporting Iranian oil since our sanctions were re-imposed in November 2018,” Pompeo said in a statement on the move. While it at first fully adhered to the deal despite Trump's withdrawal, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance and has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, through which an estimated one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. The United States has blamed Iran for a series of actions since May - some of which Iran has denied - that have roiled oil markets, including attacks on half a dozen tankers, shooting down a US drone and the September 14 attacks on Aramco facilities. The air strikes on the heartland of Saudi Arabia's oil industry damaged the world’s biggest petroleum-processing facility and knocked out more than 5 per cent of global oil supply. "This cannot go unanswered, there has to be consequences for Iran for what they did," Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir said. He said Riyadh was consulting others and that its options included diplomatic and economic steps. The United States, European powers and Saudi Arabia have blamed the attack on Iran, instead of the Yemeni Iran-aligned Houthi group, which claimed responsibility. Iran distanced itself from the attacks but said it was ready for "full-fledged" war. In the penultimate sentence of his UN speech, Rouhani raised the possibility of talks. "This is the message of the Iranian nation: Let's invest on hope towards a better future rather than in war and violence," he said. "Let’s return to justice; to peace; to law, commitment and promise and finally to the negotiating table."

Iran demands United States pay more for a 'wider deal'

The US Justice Department will open an antitrust investigation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-exempts-political-speech-from-fact-checking-251925">Facebook Inc,</a> a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, marking the fourth recent antitrust probe of the social media company.

Facebook also faces probes by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a group of state attorneys general led by New York and the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

Large tech companies, including Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, have increasingly been on the defensive in the recent years over lapses such as privacy breaches and outsized market influence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-takes-down-pro-trump-pages-with-reported-ukraine-links-251827">Facebook has faced extra scrutiny</a> tied to how it allowed its platforms to be used during the 2016 US presidential election.

The company, which owns one-time rivals Instagram and WhatsApp and has 2.4 billion monthly users, recently paid a $5 billion settlement for sharing 87 million users' data with defunct British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica.

Facebook declined to comment on Wednesday.

The two federal agencies had divided up responsibility for the companies being investigated, with the Justice Department taking Google and Apple while the FTC looked at Facebook and Amazon.

The Justice Department later said it was opening a probe of online platforms. It did not specify which ones, but said it would consider concerns raised about "search, social media and some retail services online".

Neither agency has revealed the focus of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-suspends-tens-of-thousands-of-apps-in-privacy-review-251009">investigations into Facebook</a>, though the Wall Street Journal has reported that the FTC's probe is focused on the company's acquisitions.

The world's largest social network has purchased nearly 90 companies since 2003, showed data from S&amp;P Global.

The Justice Department's Antitrust Chief likewise told a tech conference in August that the government is looking at previously approved acquisitions as part of its broad review.

This led some industry observers to question whether the two federal investigations would overlap.

Lawmakers, in particular, Senator&nbsp;Mike Lee, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, criticized the appearance of overlap in a hearing last week.

The agencies generally have a practice of meeting to decide who will investigate which matter but the FTC cannot probe certain areas, for example, price-fixing.

The probe into Facebook by the state attorneys general, announced earlier this month, is being led by New York and also includes Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and the District of Columbia.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said that investigation would look into whether Facebook's actions had endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers' choices or increased the price of advertising.

The US Justice Department will open an antitrust investigation of Facebook Inc, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, marking the fourth recent antitrust probe of the social media company.

The US Justice Department will open an antitrust investigation of Facebook Inc, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, marking the fourth recent antitrust probe of the social media company. Facebook also faces probes by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a group of state attorneys general led by New York and the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. Large tech companies, including Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google, have increasingly been on the defensive in the recent years over lapses such as privacy breaches and outsized market influence. Facebook has faced extra scrutiny tied to how it allowed its platforms to be used during the 2016 US presidential election. The company, which owns one-time rivals Instagram and WhatsApp and has 2.4 billion monthly users, recently paid a $5 billion settlement for sharing 87 million users' data with defunct British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. Facebook declined to comment on Wednesday. The two federal agencies had divided up responsibility for the companies being investigated, with the Justice Department taking Google and Apple while the FTC looked at Facebook and Amazon. The Justice Department later said it was opening a probe of online platforms. It did not specify which ones, but said it would consider concerns raised about "search, social media and some retail services online". Neither agency has revealed the focus of investigations into Facebook, though the Wall Street Journal has reported that the FTC's probe is focused on the company's acquisitions. The world's largest social network has purchased nearly 90 companies since 2003, showed data from S&P Global. The Justice Department's Antitrust Chief likewise told a tech conference in August that the government is looking at previously approved acquisitions as part of its broad review. This led some industry observers to question whether the two federal investigations would overlap. Lawmakers, in particular, Senator Mike Lee, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust panel, criticized the appearance of overlap in a hearing last week. The agencies generally have a practice of meeting to decide who will investigate which matter but the FTC cannot probe certain areas, for example, price-fixing. The probe into Facebook by the state attorneys general, announced earlier this month, is being led by New York and also includes Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and the District of Columbia. New York Attorney General Letitia James said that investigation would look into whether Facebook's actions had endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers' choices or increased the price of advertising.

United States Justice Department to open antitrust investigation against Facebook

Facing the tough task of&nbsp;selling&nbsp;voters on an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-asked-ukraine-leader-to-investigate-biden-cal-transcript-confirms-252046">impeachment&nbsp;inquiry against</a> President Donald Trump, Democrats struggled on Wednesday to craft a unified message explaining why he might deserve to be removed from office.

In the halls of the Congress, on the campaign trail and on social media, many Democrats said Trump's pressure on Ukraine's president to investigate Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden was a clear-cut argument for an&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry.

"This is about the future. This is about protecting America's election and America's national security. It is a matter I think that is not difficult to understand," House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters.

Democrats with military and intelligence backgrounds described the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-democratic-impeachment-enquiry-a-joke-252097">impeachment&nbsp;investigation</a> as a duty, not a political fight they relished.

"In a district like mine, everything's risky," said US representative&nbsp;Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer who flipped a Republican district in Virginia last year that had voted for Trump in 2016.

The allegations against Trump are "a significant threat to our national security," she told constituents in a letter. "We should want to know definitively if they are true, or if they are false."

Others Democrats from Trump-voting districts were concerned that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to launch an&nbsp;impeachment enquiry was not fully explained and could backfire, hurting Democrats in the 2020 elections.

U SRepresentative Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Democrat, said he did not mind an investigation but was not ready to back&nbsp;impeachment. Drew said he had faced some pressure from colleagues to change his mind and get on board.

"It's not pressure like someone putting you in a headlock, but it is pressure like 'Gee, we are all doing this together, we all have the same message.' And that's not true," he told reporters.

A House Democratic lawmaker who requested anonymity to discuss the handling of the inquiry said there was nervousness among more moderate members about whether Pelosi would hold a floor vote on&nbsp;impeachment, forcing them to go on the record.

"The party's really operating on different tracks right now, and that can be confusing for the public," said Colin Strother, a spokesman for Representative Henry Cuellar's re-election campaign in Texas.

"There's definitely a gulf between the people that are 'Impeach, no matter what,' and the people that are 'Follow the evidence.'"

Pelosi, who had resisted demands for an&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry for months out of fear of the political repercussions, changed her mind after reports that Trump pressured <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-calls-controversial-donald-trump-call-normal-252078">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> in a July 25 telephone call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who had worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine.

A defiant Trump, whose administration released on Wednesday a summary of the call, denied any impropriety and said Democrats launched the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry "because they can't beat us at the ballot."

Public opinion polls indicate voters might not be ready for the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;of Trump.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday, before Pelosi made the case for&nbsp;impeachment, found 37 per cent of Americans thought Trump should be impeached, down from 41 per cent&nbsp;in September.

In public, Democrats largely brushed off concerns about the risks and said the issue was bigger than everyday politics.

"History will remember those who put politics aside at this time of crisis and treated it like the moral moment that it is," said Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker.

Most Democratic presidential contenders for the nomination to take on Trump in next year's election support an&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry, including Biden and US&nbsp;Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar.

"It is the constitutional responsibility of Congress to hold this man accountable," Warren told reporters in Keene, New Hampshire.

Even some congressional Democrats facing tough re-election battles weighed in. In a tweet on Tuesday night, US&nbsp;Senator Doug Jones, who faces a difficult path to re-election in conservative Alabama, backed a congressional investigation of Trump and Ukraine.

'Winning on messaging?'

"I'm not certain that the Democrats are winning yet in terms of the messaging game. In the presidential Democratic primary, there's a lack of a clear message – obviously anti-Trump, but not much more," said Scot Schraufnagel, a political scientist at Northern Illinois University.

Pelosi's change of heart followed announcements of support for an&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry from several more moderate Democratic lawmakers, including a Washington Post column earlier this week by seven first-term House Democrats with military and national security backgrounds, including Spanberger.

US&nbsp;Representative Elissa Slotkin, one of the seven, said she had been urging Democrats to communicate clearly what they are investigating. She did not deny earlier reports she told a closed-door meeting of Democrats on Tuesday that "if you are asking us to stay on message, give us a goddamn message to stay on."

"I am doing everything I can to explain to people how I came to the decision. Because my hope is, even if they disagree with the decision, they give me the benefit of the doubt," Slotkin said.

Absent any other unified message, Dan Kildee, the Democrats’ chief deputy whip in the House, described the Post column as "sort of our manifesto at this point."

Democrats were heartened by what they saw as possible cracks in the usually monolithic Republican ranks of Trump supporters.

On Tuesday, not a single Senate Republican spoke out against a resolution urging the White House to hand over the whistleblower complaint on Ukraine to the intelligence committees in Congress.

Some Democrats said the more straightforward details of the Ukraine call made the issues easier for voters to understand than previous controversies that engulfed Trump, including the lengthy investigation into possible Russian interference and collusion in the 2016 election.

"This is a much easier case to make than some of the Russia stuff," said Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Senators Harry Reid and Edward Kennedy.

But he said Democrats would need a point person to deliver a "clear and coherent message" on the need for&nbsp;impeachment. He suggested one of the House committee chairmen leading investigations such as Adam Schiff, who heads the House Intelligence Committee.

Schiff agreed the Ukraine flap would be easier to explain to voters, saying Trump's conversation with the Ukrainian leader read "like a classic mob shakedown."

Facing the tough task of selling voters on an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, Democrats struggled on Wednesday to craft a unified message explaining why he might deserve to be removed from office.

Facing the tough task of selling voters on an impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, Democrats struggled on Wednesday to craft a unified message explaining why he might deserve to be removed from office. In the halls of the Congress, on the campaign trail and on social media, many Democrats said Trump's pressure on Ukraine's president to investigate Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden was a clear-cut argument for an impeachment inquiry. "This is about the future. This is about protecting America's election and America's national security. It is a matter I think that is not difficult to understand," House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters. Democrats with military and intelligence backgrounds described the impeachment investigation as a duty, not a political fight they relished. "In a district like mine, everything's risky," said US representative Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer who flipped a Republican district in Virginia last year that had voted for Trump in 2016. The allegations against Trump are "a significant threat to our national security," she told constituents in a letter. "We should want to know definitively if they are true, or if they are false." Others Democrats from Trump-voting districts were concerned that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to launch an impeachment enquiry was not fully explained and could backfire, hurting Democrats in the 2020 elections. U SRepresentative Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Democrat, said he did not mind an investigation but was not ready to back impeachment. Drew said he had faced some pressure from colleagues to change his mind and get on board. "It's not pressure like someone putting you in a headlock, but it is pressure like 'Gee, we are all doing this together, we all have the same message.' And that's not true," he told reporters. A House Democratic lawmaker who requested anonymity to discuss the handling of the inquiry said there was nervousness among more moderate members about whether Pelosi would hold a floor vote on impeachment, forcing them to go on the record. "The party's really operating on different tracks right now, and that can be confusing for the public," said Colin Strother, a spokesman for Representative Henry Cuellar's re-election campaign in Texas. "There's definitely a gulf between the people that are 'Impeach, no matter what,' and the people that are 'Follow the evidence.'" Pelosi, who had resisted demands for an impeachment inquiry for months out of fear of the political repercussions, changed her mind after reports that Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July 25 telephone call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who had worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine. A defiant Trump, whose administration released on Wednesday a summary of the call, denied any impropriety and said Democrats launched the impeachment inquiry "because they can't beat us at the ballot." Public opinion polls indicate voters might not be ready for the impeachment of Trump. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday, before Pelosi made the case for impeachment, found 37 per cent of Americans thought Trump should be impeached, down from 41 per cent in September. In public, Democrats largely brushed off concerns about the risks and said the issue was bigger than everyday politics. "History will remember those who put politics aside at this time of crisis and treated it like the moral moment that it is," said Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker. Most Democratic presidential contenders for the nomination to take on Trump in next year's election support an impeachment inquiry, including Biden and US Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar. "It is the constitutional responsibility of Congress to hold this man accountable," Warren told reporters in Keene, New Hampshire. Even some congressional Democrats facing tough re-election battles weighed in. In a tweet on Tuesday night, US Senator Doug Jones, who faces a difficult path to re-election in conservative Alabama, backed a congressional investigation of Trump and Ukraine. 'Winning on messaging?' "I'm not certain that the Democrats are winning yet in terms of the messaging game. In the presidential Democratic primary, there's a lack of a clear message – obviously anti-Trump, but not much more," said Scot Schraufnagel, a political scientist at Northern Illinois University. Pelosi's change of heart followed announcements of support for an impeachment inquiry from several more moderate Democratic lawmakers, including a Washington Post column earlier this week by seven first-term House Democrats with military and national security backgrounds, including Spanberger. US Representative Elissa Slotkin, one of the seven, said she had been urging Democrats to communicate clearly what they are investigating. She did not deny earlier reports she told a closed-door meeting of Democrats on Tuesday that "if you are asking us to stay on message, give us a goddamn message to stay on." "I am doing everything I can to explain to people how I came to the decision. Because my hope is, even if they disagree with the decision, they give me the benefit of the doubt," Slotkin said. Absent any other unified message, Dan Kildee, the Democrats’ chief deputy whip in the House, described the Post column as "sort of our manifesto at this point." Democrats were heartened by what they saw as possible cracks in the usually monolithic Republican ranks of Trump supporters. On Tuesday, not a single Senate Republican spoke out against a resolution urging the White House to hand over the whistleblower complaint on Ukraine to the intelligence committees in Congress. Some Democrats said the more straightforward details of the Ukraine call made the issues easier for voters to understand than previous controversies that engulfed Trump, including the lengthy investigation into possible Russian interference and collusion in the 2016 election. "This is a much easier case to make than some of the Russia stuff," said Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Senators Harry Reid and Edward Kennedy. But he said Democrats would need a point person to deliver a "clear and coherent message" on the need for impeachment. He suggested one of the House committee chairmen leading investigations such as Adam Schiff, who heads the House Intelligence Committee. Schiff agreed the Ukraine flap would be easier to explain to voters, saying Trump's conversation with the Ukrainian leader read "like a classic mob shakedown."

Selling impeachment: Democrats search for common message against Trump

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/japan-us-target-broad-bilateral-trade-deal-by-september-nikke-240552">United States and Japanese</a> officials insist a&nbsp;bilateral trade deal will be a "win-win", but some Japanese cattle farmers fear the agreement could sound the death knell for their sector.

Cattle farmers are already struggling to adjust to the terms of two major free trade deals inked by Japan in recent years - the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and an agreement with the European Union.

But they fear the US trade deal will put much greater pressure on them.

"We were able to maintain a market for our products in competition with the TPP members, because our beef quality is good enough to compete, even if imported beef was cheaper," said Harumi Yoshikawa, an official in-charge of livestock at an agricultural cooperative in Hokkaido.

"But American beef rivals ours in terms of quality and in that sense we are worried", he added.

"Politicians are not thinking about us farmers at all", said Akio Kawai, 61, who runs a ranch of some 4,300 beef cattle in Shikaoi town in northern Hokkaido, said:

He added that&nbsp;he is determined to stay afloat "but others may think about quitting this business".

"Japanese beef may be delicious and offer a sense of safety to consumers, but US beef is absolutely cheaper, and that's attractive to some," Kawai said.

Worries for the future

Under the deal announced in New York on Wednesday, Japan will eliminate or reduce tariffs on $7.2 billion worth of US food and agricultural products.

Milk cow farmers fear that they too will struggle, despite assurances of assistance from Japanese government officials.

The deal "will be a further blow to small cow farmers like us who keep just 30 to 50 cows," said one dairy and beef cattle farmer in Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo.

"Various costs -- the price of feed crops, salaries for workers -- are already weighing on us, and this deal will be another factor to worry about in terms of the future of this business," he said.

"I wonder if many cow farmers, many of whom are ageing, will decide to quit the job... And I wonder if it's right for Japan to lose these small-sized farmers... who are the majority of the Japanese farm industry," he added.

Japan came to the negotiating table reluctantly, after President Donald Trump's administration withdrew from the TPP and threatened Tokyo's key auto sector with sanctions.

But <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-the-us-reaches-trade-deals-with-japan-no-word-on-cars-250133">Japanese</a> experts question whether the country's negotiators have done enough to protect local farmers.

"Japan could have drawn more concessions from the US because it is Americans who withdrew from the TPP" and wanted more access, argued Akio Shibata, head of the Natural Resource Research Institute and former researcher for trading house Marubeni.

"Even if the levels of tariff cuts are same as those of the TPP, it will discourage Japanese farmers -- who are already struggling to survive -- from continuing their businesses," he said.

'Chew on car parts'

Manufacturing, including the auto industry, is seen as the main driver of Japan's economic growth, accounting for roughly 20 per cent of nominal GDP.&nbsp;

By contrast, the country's agriculture sector accounts for just one per cent of GDP.

The deal announced Wednesday is only the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-japan-agree-trade-deal-in-principle-245579">first phase of the talks,</a> with Washington saying the second phase will include Japan's auto sector.

Washington continues to wield the threat of imposing tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Japan's auto sector, which US officials view as a key tool to keep negotiations moving.

Nobuhiro Suzuki, an expert on agricultural trade at the University of Tokyo, said Japanese negotiators were offering agricultural concessions to protect the auto sector.

The "mindset is if the US threatens them with punitive measures on the auto sector, they offer (compromise in) agriculture...The result will be a further reduction of agricultural production in this country",&nbsp;he told AFP.

Kawai agreed, saying,&nbsp;"I wonder what the government is thinking about food safety and self-sufficiency rate."

"The price of milk is already cheaper than (bottled) water. That's unfair... If the government think it's okay to import 100 percent of the milk Japan consumes, then that's fine. When a food emergency occurs, they can enjoy chewing on steel car parts",&nbsp;he added.

The United States and Japanese officials insist a bilateral trade deal will be a "win-win", but some Japanese cattle farmers fear the agreement could sound the death knell for their sector.

The United States and Japanese officials insist a bilateral trade deal will be a "win-win", but some Japanese cattle farmers fear the agreement could sound the death knell for their sector. Cattle farmers are already struggling to adjust to the terms of two major free trade deals inked by Japan in recent years - the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and an agreement with the European Union. But they fear the US trade deal will put much greater pressure on them. "We were able to maintain a market for our products in competition with the TPP members, because our beef quality is good enough to compete, even if imported beef was cheaper," said Harumi Yoshikawa, an official in-charge of livestock at an agricultural cooperative in Hokkaido. "But American beef rivals ours in terms of quality and in that sense we are worried", he added. "Politicians are not thinking about us farmers at all", said Akio Kawai, 61, who runs a ranch of some 4,300 beef cattle in Shikaoi town in northern Hokkaido, said: He added that he is determined to stay afloat "but others may think about quitting this business". "Japanese beef may be delicious and offer a sense of safety to consumers, but US beef is absolutely cheaper, and that's attractive to some," Kawai said. Worries for the future Under the deal announced in New York on Wednesday, Japan will eliminate or reduce tariffs on $7.2 billion worth of US food and agricultural products. Milk cow farmers fear that they too will struggle, despite assurances of assistance from Japanese government officials. The deal "will be a further blow to small cow farmers like us who keep just 30 to 50 cows," said one dairy and beef cattle farmer in Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo. "Various costs -- the price of feed crops, salaries for workers -- are already weighing on us, and this deal will be another factor to worry about in terms of the future of this business," he said. "I wonder if many cow farmers, many of whom are ageing, will decide to quit the job... And I wonder if it's right for Japan to lose these small-sized farmers... who are the majority of the Japanese farm industry," he added. Japan came to the negotiating table reluctantly, after President Donald Trump's administration withdrew from the TPP and threatened Tokyo's key auto sector with sanctions. But Japanese experts question whether the country's negotiators have done enough to protect local farmers. "Japan could have drawn more concessions from the US because it is Americans who withdrew from the TPP" and wanted more access, argued Akio Shibata, head of the Natural Resource Research Institute and former researcher for trading house Marubeni. "Even if the levels of tariff cuts are same as those of the TPP, it will discourage Japanese farmers -- who are already struggling to survive -- from continuing their businesses," he said. 'Chew on car parts' Manufacturing, including the auto industry, is seen as the main driver of Japan's economic growth, accounting for roughly 20 per cent of nominal GDP. By contrast, the country's agriculture sector accounts for just one per cent of GDP. The deal announced Wednesday is only the first phase of the talks, with Washington saying the second phase will include Japan's auto sector. Washington continues to wield the threat of imposing tariffs of up to 25 per cent on Japan's auto sector, which US officials view as a key tool to keep negotiations moving. Nobuhiro Suzuki, an expert on agricultural trade at the University of Tokyo, said Japanese negotiators were offering agricultural concessions to protect the auto sector. The "mindset is if the US threatens them with punitive measures on the auto sector, they offer (compromise in) agriculture...The result will be a further reduction of agricultural production in this country", he told AFP. Kawai agreed, saying, "I wonder what the government is thinking about food safety and self-sufficiency rate." "The price of milk is already cheaper than (bottled) water. That's unfair... If the government think it's okay to import 100 percent of the milk Japan consumes, then that's fine. When a food emergency occurs, they can enjoy chewing on steel car parts", he added.

Japan cattle farmers fear US trade deal will be death knell

A senior White House official on Thursday said that he believed China was "absolutely committed" to cooperating with the United States to curb illicit fentanyl, a drug which has played a major role in the US opioid crisis.

The remarks by Jim Carroll, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, reflect a shift in tone after US President Donald Trump accused Chinese President Xi Jinping in August of not living up to his pledges to crack down on the drug.

At the time, China labelled it <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-conclusion-on-fentanyl-deaths-in-us-is-groundless-china-247389">"blatant slander</a>", and it has argued that the United States needs to do more at home to fight fentanyl abuse and reduce demand for the highly addictive drug.

"I am absolutely convinced the Chinese, starting with President Xi down through the Minister of Public Security Zhao (Kezhi), are absolutely committed to doing this," Carroll, who oversees the US government's response to the opioid crisis, told reporters in Beijing after meeting his Chinese counterparts.

"I fully believe that what we learned on this trip is that the Chinese government, the Chinese people, are committed to this issue, both to save lives in the United States, but also to save lives in China," Carroll said.

Carroll, accompanied by Acting Commissioner for US Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan and Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale, called the visit "ground-breaking".

Going forward, US officials would have routine conversations and intelligence sharing at a higher level with Chinese authorities to ensure the two sides are "truly eradicating" traffickers, he said.

Morgan said that he was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lists-fentanyl-as-controlled-substance-in-us-gesture-207176">encouraged by Chinese plans</a> to build additional labs and that the United States would be sharing data from new pollen signature chemical tests that can help identify fentanyl origin countries.

US officials have said China is the main source of illicit fentanyl, a cheap, opioid painkiller 50 times more potent than heroin, and related substances trafficked into the United States, much of them through international mail.

Beijing, which in May expanded control to include the more than 1,400 known and future fentanyl analogues, has cited US statistics to deny that most of the fentanyl entering the United States originates in China.

Earlier this month, Liu Yuejin, Vice Commissioner of the China National Narcotics Control Commission, said that the two countries had only limited cooperation to stop fentanyl smuggling.

The row over fentanyl comes as the United States is in the middle of a bruising trade war with China, and some experts believe that may have been hampering meaningful cooperation on trafficking.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Chinese men accused of illegally trafficking fentanyl in August, but US officials have been frustrated that China has not arrested the suspects.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported earlier this year that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-johnson-ordered-to-pay-572-million-for-opioid-addiction-crisis-245872">130 people die every day in the United States</a> after overdosing on opioids, which include prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

A senior White House official on Thursday said that he believed China was "absolutely committed" to cooperating with the United States to curb illicit fentanyl, a drug which has played a major role in the US opioid crisis.

A senior White House official on Thursday said that he believed China was "absolutely committed" to cooperating with the United States to curb illicit fentanyl, a drug which has played a major role in the US opioid crisis. The remarks by Jim Carroll, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, reflect a shift in tone after US President Donald Trump accused Chinese President Xi Jinping in August of not living up to his pledges to crack down on the drug. At the time, China labelled it "blatant slander", and it has argued that the United States needs to do more at home to fight fentanyl abuse and reduce demand for the highly addictive drug. "I am absolutely convinced the Chinese, starting with President Xi down through the Minister of Public Security Zhao (Kezhi), are absolutely committed to doing this," Carroll, who oversees the US government's response to the opioid crisis, told reporters in Beijing after meeting his Chinese counterparts. "I fully believe that what we learned on this trip is that the Chinese government, the Chinese people, are committed to this issue, both to save lives in the United States, but also to save lives in China," Carroll said. Carroll, accompanied by Acting Commissioner for US Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan and Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale, called the visit "ground-breaking". Going forward, US officials would have routine conversations and intelligence sharing at a higher level with Chinese authorities to ensure the two sides are "truly eradicating" traffickers, he said. Morgan said that he was encouraged by Chinese plans to build additional labs and that the United States would be sharing data from new pollen signature chemical tests that can help identify fentanyl origin countries. US officials have said China is the main source of illicit fentanyl, a cheap, opioid painkiller 50 times more potent than heroin, and related substances trafficked into the United States, much of them through international mail. Beijing, which in May expanded control to include the more than 1,400 known and future fentanyl analogues, has cited US statistics to deny that most of the fentanyl entering the United States originates in China. Earlier this month, Liu Yuejin, Vice Commissioner of the China National Narcotics Control Commission, said that the two countries had only limited cooperation to stop fentanyl smuggling. The row over fentanyl comes as the United States is in the middle of a bruising trade war with China, and some experts believe that may have been hampering meaningful cooperation on trafficking. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Chinese men accused of illegally trafficking fentanyl in August, but US officials have been frustrated that China has not arrested the suspects. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported earlier this year that 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, which include prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

China committed to curbing fentanyl circulation: US official Jim Carroll

During the course of his speech, Prime Minister Modi referred to both 9/11 as well as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He suggested that the perpetrators of both the attacks came from Pakistan and the whole world is aware of the fact. Watch this video to know more.

Culprits of 9/11 and 26/11 found at the same place: PM Modi's scathing attack on Pakistan

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