A Chinese human rights lawyer said Sunday he had landed in the United States despite being stopped from leaving Beijing in April by mainland authorities who imposed an exit ban on him.

"My family and I have landed in JFK airport, New York, late night on August 3, 2019," Chen Jiangang said in a statement provided by a friend to AFP.&nbsp;

In April, the lawyer was pulled aside by customs at Beijing Capital airport as he prepared to board a flight to Seattle and told him he was banned from leaving China.

He had been selected to study English there as part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, a program named for the late vice president that provides a year of US education for emerging leaders from around the world.

Beijing defended the ban as "in accordance with China's own laws", but the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-welcomes-news-of-ceasefire-in-northwest-syria-240525">US State Department</a> called it disturbing.

It was Chen's work as a human rights lawyer in China that landed him in authority crosshairs.

Chen represented Xie Yang a leading lawyer involved in politically sensitive cases including defending Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who were himself rounded up in a sweeping crackdown on legal staff in 2015.

Chen remained vocal on the case even after authorities removed him as Xie's lawyer, drawing attention to his former client's allegations of torture in police custody.

In a separate 2017 incident criticized by the United Nations human rights office, Chen was stopped while vacationing with his family in remote Yunnan province.

His wife and young children were allowed to fly back to Beijing, but Chen said he was taken back via a 3,200 kilometre (2,000 miles) road journey under police escort.

"Merely for following and defending the law in normal practice, I have met naked threats delivered in my face by officials representing the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/china-is-building-a-global-coalition-of-human-rights-violators-to-defend-its-record-in-xinjiang-237132"> Chinese government</a>," Chen said in Sunday's statement.

"Such threats have put me in imminent danger of enforced disappearance, torture, or even death."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chen did not say how he came to leave China, but thanked friends and human rights organisations for their "rescue work and help".

"Without them, our family would not have made it to freedom," he said.&nbsp;

A Chinese human rights lawyer said Sunday he had landed in the United States despite being stopped from leaving Beijing in April by mainland authorities who imposed an exit ban on him.

A Chinese human rights lawyer said Sunday he had landed in the United States despite being stopped from leaving Beijing in April by mainland authorities who imposed an exit ban on him. "My family and I have landed in JFK airport, New York, late night on August 3, 2019," Chen Jiangang said in a statement provided by a friend to AFP. In April, the lawyer was pulled aside by customs at Beijing Capital airport as he prepared to board a flight to Seattle and told him he was banned from leaving China. He had been selected to study English there as part of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, a program named for the late vice president that provides a year of US education for emerging leaders from around the world. Beijing defended the ban as "in accordance with China's own laws", but the US State Department called it disturbing. It was Chen's work as a human rights lawyer in China that landed him in authority crosshairs. Chen represented Xie Yang a leading lawyer involved in politically sensitive cases including defending Hong Kong pro-democracy activists who were himself rounded up in a sweeping crackdown on legal staff in 2015. Chen remained vocal on the case even after authorities removed him as Xie's lawyer, drawing attention to his former client's allegations of torture in police custody. In a separate 2017 incident criticized by the United Nations human rights office, Chen was stopped while vacationing with his family in remote Yunnan province. His wife and young children were allowed to fly back to Beijing, but Chen said he was taken back via a 3,200 kilometre (2,000 miles) road journey under police escort. "Merely for following and defending the law in normal practice, I have met naked threats delivered in my face by officials representing the Chinese government," Chen said in Sunday's statement. "Such threats have put me in imminent danger of enforced disappearance, torture, or even death." Chen did not say how he came to leave China, but thanked friends and human rights organisations for their "rescue work and help". "Without them, our family would not have made it to freedom," he said.

Chinese human rights lawyer lands in United States despite travel ban

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on August 3 that he was in favour of placing ground-launched, intermediate-range missiles in Asia relatively soon, a day after the United States withdrew from a landmark arms control treaty. Watch this video to know more.

U.S. to place INF-range missiles in Asia

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that things are going well with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-tariffs-serious-violation-will-take-countermeasures-china-240145">China</a>, insisting US consumers are not paying for import taxes he has imposed on goods from that country although economists say Americans are footing the bill.

"Things are going along very well with China. They are paying us Tens of Billions of Dollars, made possible by their monetary devaluations and pumping in massive amounts of cash to keep their system going. So far our consumer is paying nothing - and no inflation. No help from Fed!" Trump said on Twitter.

He also said - without presenting evidence - that countries are asking to negotiate "REAL trade deals," saying on Twitter, "They don't want to be targeted for Tariffs by the US"

Trump abruptly decided on Thursday to slap <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/slapping-tariffs-not-a-constructive-way-to-solve-trade-war-china-to-us-240074">10 per cent tariffs</a> $300 billion in Chinese imports, stunning financial markets and ending a month-long trade truce.<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-trump-to-impose-fresh-tariffs-on-china-240306/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

China vowed on Friday to fight back.

China's new ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said Beijing would take "necessary countermeasures" to protect its rights and bluntly described Trump's move as "an irrational, irresponsible act."

"China's position is very clear that if US&nbsp;wishes to talk, then we will talk, if they want to fight, then we will fight," Zhang told reporters in New York, also signalling that trade tensions could hurt cooperation between the countries on dealing with North Korea.

Trump said China had to do a lot in order to turn things around in the trade talks and repeated an earlier threat to substantially increase tariffs if they failed to do so.

"We can't just go and make an even deal with China. We have to go and make a better deal with China," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Tariffs are intended to make foreign goods more expensive to boost domestic producers unless international exporters reduce prices. But there has been no evidence that China is cutting prices to accommodate Trump's tariffs.

A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research in March found that all of the cost of tariffs imposed in 2018 was passed on to US consumers.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that things are going well with China, insisting US consumers are not paying for import taxes he has imposed on goods from that country although economists say Americans are footing the bill.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that things are going well with China, insisting US consumers are not paying for import taxes he has imposed on goods from that country although economists say Americans are footing the bill. "Things are going along very well with China. They are paying us Tens of Billions of Dollars, made possible by their monetary devaluations and pumping in massive amounts of cash to keep their system going. So far our consumer is paying nothing - and no inflation. No help from Fed!" Trump said on Twitter. He also said - without presenting evidence - that countries are asking to negotiate "REAL trade deals," saying on Twitter, "They don't want to be targeted for Tariffs by the US" Trump abruptly decided on Thursday to slap 10 per cent tariffs $300 billion in Chinese imports, stunning financial markets and ending a month-long trade truce. China vowed on Friday to fight back. China's new ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said Beijing would take "necessary countermeasures" to protect its rights and bluntly described Trump's move as "an irrational, irresponsible act." "China's position is very clear that if US wishes to talk, then we will talk, if they want to fight, then we will fight," Zhang told reporters in New York, also signalling that trade tensions could hurt cooperation between the countries on dealing with North Korea. Trump said China had to do a lot in order to turn things around in the trade talks and repeated an earlier threat to substantially increase tariffs if they failed to do so. "We can't just go and make an even deal with China. We have to go and make a better deal with China," Trump told reporters at the White House. Tariffs are intended to make foreign goods more expensive to boost domestic producers unless international exporters reduce prices. But there has been no evidence that China is cutting prices to accommodate Trump's tariffs. A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research in March found that all of the cost of tariffs imposed in 2018 was passed on to US consumers.

Trump defends stance on China trade after new tariffs, says 'things are going well'

Washington wants to quickly deploy new intermediate-range missiles in Asia, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said Saturday in a move likely to anger China.

The new Pentagon chief said the US was now free to deploy the weapons following its withdrawal Friday from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-blames-russia-for-inf-pact-demise-vows-measured-response-240181">Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces</a> (INF) treaty with Russia.

"Yes I would like to," Esper said when asked if the US was considering deploying new medium-range conventional weapons in Asia.

"We would like to deploy a capability sooner rather than later," Esper told reporters on a plane to Sydney at the start of a week-long tour of Asia.

"I would prefer the months... But these things tend to take longer than you expect."

The plan to deploy new missiles in Asia is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-tariffs-serious-violation-will-take-countermeasures-china-240145">likely to anger China</a> which is vying with Washington for influence in the region, but Esper said Beijing should not be surprised.

"That should be no surprise because we have been talking about that for some time now," he said.

"And I want to say that 80 per cent of their inventory is INF range systems. So that should not surprise that we would want to have a like capability," he said.

But Esper stressed the US was not embarking on a new arms race.

"The traditional sense of an arms race has been in a nuclear context," he said.

"Right now, we don't have plans to build nuclear-tipped INF range weapons. It's the Russians who have developed non-compliant likely, possibly nuclear-tipped weapons," he said.

"So I don't see an arms race happening. I do see us taking corrective measures to develop a capability that we need for both the European theatre and this theatre, the Indo-Pac-Com theatre."

'Reassure our allies'

The INF treaty was considered a cornerstone of the global arms control architecture but the United States said the bilateral pact had given other countries -- namely China -- free rein to develop their own long-range missiles.

The rise of a militarily more assertive China in the region has worried traditional US allies such as Australia and New Zealand, and Beijing's actions in the South China Sea have alarmed neighbours with competing for territorial claims to the strategic waterway.

Esper did not specify where the US intended to deploy the weapons.

"I would not speculate because those things depend on plans, it's those things you always discuss with your allies," he said.

Esper said he chose Asia for his first trip since taking office on July 23 "to affirm our commitment to the region, to reassure our allies and our partners."

The Pentagon chief and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are due to meet with their Australian counterparts on Sunday.

Washington withdrew from the INF treaty on Friday after accusing Russia of violating it for years.

Under the pact signed in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Washington and Moscow agreed to limit the use of conventional and nuclear medium-range missiles (with a range of 500-5,000 kilometres, 300-3,000 miles).

But its unravelling had been on the cards for months amid worsening ties between Russia and the US.

Washington wants to quickly deploy new intermediate-range missiles in Asia, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said Saturday in a move likely to anger China. The new Pentagon chief said the US was now free to deploy the weapons following its withdrawal Friday from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia.

Washington wants to quickly deploy new intermediate-range missiles in Asia, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said Saturday in a move likely to anger China. The new Pentagon chief said the US was now free to deploy the weapons following its withdrawal Friday from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia. "Yes I would like to," Esper said when asked if the US was considering deploying new medium-range conventional weapons in Asia. "We would like to deploy a capability sooner rather than later," Esper told reporters on a plane to Sydney at the start of a week-long tour of Asia. "I would prefer the months... But these things tend to take longer than you expect." The plan to deploy new missiles in Asia is likely to anger China which is vying with Washington for influence in the region, but Esper said Beijing should not be surprised. "That should be no surprise because we have been talking about that for some time now," he said. "And I want to say that 80 per cent of their inventory is INF range systems. So that should not surprise that we would want to have a like capability," he said. But Esper stressed the US was not embarking on a new arms race. "The traditional sense of an arms race has been in a nuclear context," he said. "Right now, we don't have plans to build nuclear-tipped INF range weapons. It's the Russians who have developed non-compliant likely, possibly nuclear-tipped weapons," he said. "So I don't see an arms race happening. I do see us taking corrective measures to develop a capability that we need for both the European theatre and this theatre, the Indo-Pac-Com theatre." 'Reassure our allies' The INF treaty was considered a cornerstone of the global arms control architecture but the United States said the bilateral pact had given other countries -- namely China -- free rein to develop their own long-range missiles. The rise of a militarily more assertive China in the region has worried traditional US allies such as Australia and New Zealand, and Beijing's actions in the South China Sea have alarmed neighbours with competing for territorial claims to the strategic waterway. Esper did not specify where the US intended to deploy the weapons. "I would not speculate because those things depend on plans, it's those things you always discuss with your allies," he said. Esper said he chose Asia for his first trip since taking office on July 23 "to affirm our commitment to the region, to reassure our allies and our partners." The Pentagon chief and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are due to meet with their Australian counterparts on Sunday. Washington withdrew from the INF treaty on Friday after accusing Russia of violating it for years. Under the pact signed in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Washington and Moscow agreed to limit the use of conventional and nuclear medium-range missiles (with a range of 500-5,000 kilometres, 300-3,000 miles). But its unravelling had been on the cards for months amid worsening ties between Russia and the US.

US wants to quickly deploy new missiles in Asia: US Secretary of Defence

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the first official meet between the two nations after US President Donald Trump's comment on mediation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issue. S Jaishankar conveyed India's stand on Kashmir issue to Mike Pompeo. He said, discussion on Kashmir issue if at all will only be with Pakistan and bilateral.

S Jaishankar: Discussion on Kashmir issue will only be with Pakistan and bilateral

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the first official meet between the two nations after US President Donald Trump's comment on mediation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issue.

First India-US high level meet after Trump's Kashmir comments

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the first official meet between the two nations after US President Donald Trump's comment on mediation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issue. S Jaishankar conveyed India's stand on Kashmir issue to Mike Pompeo.

S Jaishankar conveyed India's stand to Mike Pompeo

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to Russia after leaking information about the US government's mass surveillance program, is publishing a memoir.

The book, "Permanent Record," will go on sale on September 17. It is being published globally by Macmillan Publishers.

Snowden, who once worked for the CIA in addition to the NSA, has been living in Russia since leaking thousands of classified documents to the press in 2013 which revealed the scope of US government surveillance after 9/11.

Praised as a whistleblower and a privacy advocate by his defenders, the United States accuses Snowden of endangering national security.

He is facing espionage charges in the United States that could send him to prison for decades.

"Edward Snowden decided at the age of 29 to give up his entire future for the good of his country," John Sargent, the CEO of Macmillan Publishers USA, said in a statement.

"He displayed enormous courage in doing so, and like him or not, he is an incredible American story," Sargent said. "There is no doubt that the world is a better and more private place for his actions."

On his Twitter account, Snowden said: "I wrote a book" and included a link to a video of himself.

"Everything that we do now lasts forever, not because we want to remember but because we're no longer allowed to forget," he says in the video. "Helping to create that system is my greatest regret."

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to Russia after leaking information about the US government's mass surveillance program, is publishing a memoir.

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to Russia after leaking information about the US government's mass surveillance program, is publishing a memoir. The book, "Permanent Record," will go on sale on September 17. It is being published globally by Macmillan Publishers. Snowden, who once worked for the CIA in addition to the NSA, has been living in Russia since leaking thousands of classified documents to the press in 2013 which revealed the scope of US government surveillance after 9/11. Praised as a whistleblower and a privacy advocate by his defenders, the United States accuses Snowden of endangering national security. He is facing espionage charges in the United States that could send him to prison for decades. "Edward Snowden decided at the age of 29 to give up his entire future for the good of his country," John Sargent, the CEO of Macmillan Publishers USA, said in a statement. "He displayed enormous courage in doing so, and like him or not, he is an incredible American story," Sargent said. "There is no doubt that the world is a better and more private place for his actions." On his Twitter account, Snowden said: "I wrote a book" and included a link to a video of himself. "Everything that we do now lasts forever, not because we want to remember but because we're no longer allowed to forget," he says in the video. "Helping to create that system is my greatest regret."

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden to publish memoir

Tariff wars, duties imposed by Donald Trump and US trading partners

Time and again the world seemed divided on the Kashmir issue. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-imran-are-fantastic-people-if-they-want-i-can-intervene-in-kashmir-issue-trump-240059">While some world leaders delved into the matter</a>, many steered clear of the issue. &nbsp;

Trump spoke on the issue and so did his predecessor Obama. But each time India responded predictably, maintaining that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/conveyed-to-america-in-clear-terms-that-discussion-on-kashmir-only-with-pakistan-s-jaishankar-240082">Kashmir is a bilateral issue</a> with Pakistan which requires no mediation from any third party and that the Simla and the Lahore pacts with the neighbouring South Asian nation are in place for bilateral talks. &nbsp;

Like Trump, Obama too could not resist wading into the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistans-attempts-are-being-thwarted-no-one-will-be-allowed-to-disrupt-peace-in-jammu-and-kashmir-indian-army-240171">Kashmir controversy</a>. And again like Trump, Obama too linked the situation in Afghanistan to the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

In an interview, almost a decade back in 2008, former US President Barack Obama had said that “the most important thing we’re going to have to do with respect to Afghanistan is actually a deal with Pakistan... We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they can stay focused not on India but on the situation with those militants."

After Obama became the US president, he once again invoked the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;

At a joint news conference with then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2010, Obama said that Washington would be happy to play a role to improve India-Pakistan relations.

Obama qualified it by saying that the US cannot impose a solution.

Singh, however, was quick to point out that the US cannot simultaneously be talking and at the same time the terror machine in Pakistan remains as active as ever.

Other world leaders too had attempted to intervene in the South Asian situation, only to eventually fall in line.&nbsp;

For instance, the United Kingdom had acknowledged that the bilateral dialogue, in accordance with the Simla agreement and reiterated in the Lahore declaration, is the only way to address all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Kashmir.&nbsp;

In January 2018, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres ruled out mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue, unless all parties agree to it.

Guterres asked India and Pakistan to address their outstanding issues through talks amidst heightened tensions along the border.

Time and again the world seemed divided on the Kashmir issue. While some world leaders delved into the matter, many steered clear of the issue. Trump spoke on the issue and so did his predecessor Obama.

Time and again the world seemed divided on the Kashmir issue. While some world leaders delved into the matter, many steered clear of the issue. Trump spoke on the issue and so did his predecessor Obama. But each time India responded predictably, maintaining that Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Pakistan which requires no mediation from any third party and that the Simla and the Lahore pacts with the neighbouring South Asian nation are in place for bilateral talks. Like Trump, Obama too could not resist wading into the Kashmir controversy. And again like Trump, Obama too linked the situation in Afghanistan to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. In an interview, almost a decade back in 2008, former US President Barack Obama had said that “the most important thing we’re going to have to do with respect to Afghanistan is actually a deal with Pakistan... We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they can stay focused not on India but on the situation with those militants." After Obama became the US president, he once again invoked the Kashmir issue. At a joint news conference with then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2010, Obama said that Washington would be happy to play a role to improve India-Pakistan relations. Obama qualified it by saying that the US cannot impose a solution. Singh, however, was quick to point out that the US cannot simultaneously be talking and at the same time the terror machine in Pakistan remains as active as ever. Other world leaders too had attempted to intervene in the South Asian situation, only to eventually fall in line. For instance, the United Kingdom had acknowledged that the bilateral dialogue, in accordance with the Simla agreement and reiterated in the Lahore declaration, is the only way to address all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Kashmir. In January 2018, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres ruled out mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue, unless all parties agree to it. Guterres asked India and Pakistan to address their outstanding issues through talks amidst heightened tensions along the border.

From Trump to Obama, world leaders and their stance on Kashmir issue

Minister of External Affairs of India S Jaishankar will meet US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday on the sidelines of the second day of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok, Thailand, in the first official meet between the two nations after US President Donald Trump's comment on mediation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issue.

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to meet Mike Pompeo

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar meets Mike Pompeo

America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo on Friday implored <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-asking-asean-allies-to-choose-between-us-and-china-mike-pompeo-239944">Southeast Asian nations to trust in US values</a>, delivering a withering takedown of China's leadership of a region it considers its backyard.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/external-affairs-minister-s-jaishankar-to-meet-pompeo-today-240045">US Secretary of State</a> said decades of US alliances and investment had helped Asia walk from poverty to prosperity, as he aired the Trump administration's "Indo-Pacific" strategy in Bangkok.

From supporting state-led enterprises to disputes over contested territories, Pompeo took aim at China's actions and motivations in Southeast Asia, rowing back on comments on Thursday in which he told regional diplomats they were not expected to "choose" sides between the superpowers.&nbsp;

"Our investments don't serve a government.... (they) don't serve a political party," he said of the Chinese Communist Party.

Beijing considers Southeast Asia as its "neighbourhood" where its economic, political and military might has given it primacy, with massive infrastructure and investment schemes striating the region.&nbsp;

But smaller powers also accuse China of loading on debt as well as aggression in the disputed South China Sea where a military build-up threatens the claims of several nations to strategically crucial waters. &nbsp;

The US wants the South China Sea, one of the world's most important shipping lanes, to remain open.

Serving up a sharp rebuke on China's drive into Southeast Asia, Pompeo said: "We're not building roads to pave over your national sovereignty... We don't fund bridges to close gaps of loyalty."&nbsp;

His speech came hours after President Donald Trump promised to slap 10 per cent of new tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods in a sharp escalation of the trade war between the two superpowers.

In short panel comments after his speech, Pompeo accused China of "protectionism" and "predatory tactics" to give its companies an advantage in global markets.

"China has taken advantage of trade... It's time for that to stop," he said.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">"I think that's what you saw this morning," he added, referencing Trump's latest barrage of tariffs on Chinese goods.</div>

He also stuck to Washington's position of non-interference on the massive anti-government protests engulfing Hong Kong, a Chinese territory.

"I hope that the way things will proceed in Hong Kong... will be non-violent."

Asked what the US response would be in the event of Chinese military intervention in the financial hub, he said: "One thing this administration has been really good about is not tipping our hand to what we will or won't do. And I'm going to do that here this morning."

Pompeo is in Bangkok to attend the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting.

America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo on Friday implored Southeast Asian nations to trust in US values, delivering a withering takedown of China's leadership of a region it considers its backyard.

America's top diplomat Mike Pompeo on Friday implored Southeast Asian nations to trust in US values, delivering a withering takedown of China's leadership of a region it considers its backyard. The US Secretary of State said decades of US alliances and investment had helped Asia walk from poverty to prosperity, as he aired the Trump administration's "Indo-Pacific" strategy in Bangkok. From supporting state-led enterprises to disputes over contested territories, Pompeo took aim at China's actions and motivations in Southeast Asia, rowing back on comments on Thursday in which he told regional diplomats they were not expected to "choose" sides between the superpowers. "Our investments don't serve a government.... (they) don't serve a political party," he said of the Chinese Communist Party. Beijing considers Southeast Asia as its "neighbourhood" where its economic, political and military might has given it primacy, with massive infrastructure and investment schemes striating the region. But smaller powers also accuse China of loading on debt as well as aggression in the disputed South China Sea where a military build-up threatens the claims of several nations to strategically crucial waters. The US wants the South China Sea, one of the world's most important shipping lanes, to remain open. Serving up a sharp rebuke on China's drive into Southeast Asia, Pompeo said: "We're not building roads to pave over your national sovereignty... We don't fund bridges to close gaps of loyalty." His speech came hours after President Donald Trump promised to slap 10 per cent of new tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods in a sharp escalation of the trade war between the two superpowers. In short panel comments after his speech, Pompeo accused China of "protectionism" and "predatory tactics" to give its companies an advantage in global markets. "China has taken advantage of trade... It's time for that to stop," he said. "I think that's what you saw this morning," he added, referencing Trump's latest barrage of tariffs on Chinese goods. He also stuck to Washington's position of non-interference on the massive anti-government protests engulfing Hong Kong, a Chinese territory. "I hope that the way things will proceed in Hong Kong... will be non-violent." Asked what the US response would be in the event of Chinese military intervention in the financial hub, he said: "One thing this administration has been really good about is not tipping our hand to what we will or won't do. And I'm going to do that here this morning." Pompeo is in Bangkok to attend the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting.

China has taken advantage of trade, time for it to stop: Pompeo at foreign ministers meeting in Bangkok

Possible ways in which China can retaliate to Trump tariffs

President Donald Trump and Britain's new Conservative prime minister, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/remain-alliance-can-it-halt-brexit-and-beat-boris-johnson-240152">Boris Johnson</a>, have discussed trade and the growing struggle for control of emerging 5G technology, the White House said Friday.

In the call made Thursday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-would-do-great-job-as-british-pm-donald-trump-237196">Trump and Johnson </a>discussed "areas of further cooperation, especially relating to trade, 5G, and global security," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

This was the second call between the two leaders made public in a week and underlines the Trump administration's support for Johnson as he tries to manage Britain's risky exit from the European Union.

Trump said last week that a "very substantial" US-British trade deal was under discussion.

Watch: Is Boris Johnson 'The British' Trump?

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In Thursday's call, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-call-him-britains-trump-says-us-president-on-boris-johnson-238131">Trump</a> "reiterated his strong appreciation for the special relationship between the United States and United Kingdom and noted he is looking forward to meeting with the Prime Minister at the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France later this month," the White House said.

The United States is leaning hard on allies to keep out Chinese companies from the fast emerging 5G cellular market, arguing that they pose a security risk.

Earlier last month, US President Donald Trump said that Boris Johnson would do a "great job" as the UK PM.

"I like him," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

"He is going to do a great job," the Republican president added. "We get along well."

"He's a different kind of a guy, but they say I'm a different kind of a guy too. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-would-do-great-job-as-british-pm-donald-trump-237196">We get along well</a>. I think we'll have a very good relationship," Trump told reporters.

Meanwhile, Britain's Boris <a href="http://wionews.com/world/british-prime-minister-boris-johnson-suffers-first-leadership-blow-in-by-election-240049">Johnson lost his first major test as prime minister</a> on Friday when his candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that could narrow his parliamentary majority to one.

Thursday's vote in the Welsh sheep farming community of Brecon and Radnorshire offered a stark choice between a Brexit-backing candidate from Johnson's Conservative party and a Liberal Democrat who wants to preserve Britain's four-decade stay in the EU.

Johnson dropped by the region on Tuesday to help out Chris Davies -- a Conservative MP who was forced to step down after becoming embroiled in an expanses scandal.

Davies protested his innocense and contested the seat again but the Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds received 13,826 votes to Davies' 12,401 after having two smaller pro-EU parties back her bid.

The result extends a recent revival for the Liberal Democrats at the major parties' expense.

President Donald Trump and Britain's new Conservative prime minister, Boris Johnson, have discussed trade and the growing struggle for control of emerging 5G technology, the White House said Friday.

President Donald Trump and Britain's new Conservative prime minister, Boris Johnson, have discussed trade and the growing struggle for control of emerging 5G technology, the White House said Friday. In the call made Thursday, Trump and Johnson discussed "areas of further cooperation, especially relating to trade, 5G, and global security," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement. This was the second call between the two leaders made public in a week and underlines the Trump administration's support for Johnson as he tries to manage Britain's risky exit from the European Union. Trump said last week that a "very substantial" US-British trade deal was under discussion. Watch: Is Boris Johnson 'The British' Trump? × In Thursday's call, Trump "reiterated his strong appreciation for the special relationship between the United States and United Kingdom and noted he is looking forward to meeting with the Prime Minister at the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France later this month," the White House said. The United States is leaning hard on allies to keep out Chinese companies from the fast emerging 5G cellular market, arguing that they pose a security risk. Earlier last month, US President Donald Trump said that Boris Johnson would do a "great job" as the UK PM. "I like him," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "He is going to do a great job," the Republican president added. "We get along well." "He's a different kind of a guy, but they say I'm a different kind of a guy too. We get along well. I think we'll have a very good relationship," Trump told reporters. Meanwhile, Britain's Boris Johnson lost his first major test as prime minister on Friday when his candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that could narrow his parliamentary majority to one. Thursday's vote in the Welsh sheep farming community of Brecon and Radnorshire offered a stark choice between a Brexit-backing candidate from Johnson's Conservative party and a Liberal Democrat who wants to preserve Britain's four-decade stay in the EU. Johnson dropped by the region on Tuesday to help out Chris Davies -- a Conservative MP who was forced to step down after becoming embroiled in an expanses scandal. Davies protested his innocense and contested the seat again but the Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds received 13,826 votes to Davies' 12,401 after having two smaller pro-EU parties back her bid. The result extends a recent revival for the Liberal Democrats at the major parties' expense.

Trump, Johnson discuss 5G and trade ahead of G7: White House

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia -&nbsp;and throwing China into the mix.

The treaty -&nbsp;concluded in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -&nbsp;limited the Cold War powers' medium-range missiles, both conventional and nuclear.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the demise of the treaty a dangerous step that "will likely heighten, not reduce, the threat posed by ballistic missiles."

"When it expires tomorrow, the world will lose an invaluable brake on nuclear war," he said on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-hit-300-billion-worth-of-chinese-goods-with-10-tariff-donald-trump-240021">US President Donald Trump's administration</a> says the treaty is effectively dead already because of Russian violations -- a charge Russia denies. The White House launched the six-month procedure for leaving the treaty on February 1.

"I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently.

"The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd -&nbsp;and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers.

In response, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gives-russian-citizenship-to-novateks-finance-chief-a-us-national-237779">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> signed off on Moscow's participation in the INF on July 3.&nbsp;

Under the deal, missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometres were eliminated.&nbsp;

That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe.

Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO has endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement.

Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometres -- within INF parameters.

But the death of the INF treaty may suit Washington, former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July.

"From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike."

On Thursday, Trump told reporters that the INF did not even come up when he talked by telephone with Putin about Russian wildfires on Wednesday.

However, he did suggest vaguely that a new treaty may be in the mix.

"Russia would like to do something on a nuclear treaty and that's ok with me. They'd like to do something and so would I," he said.

Next-generation technology

The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernize its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia.

"Most of China's inventory is of intermediate-range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said.

The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe. But it has made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons.

Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation.

"The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert.

For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the United States must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies.

Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands.

"It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks.

"Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression."

Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley.

When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Do you think those would be helpful?" one senator asked.

"I do," Milley replied.

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix.

The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix. The treaty - concluded in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev - limited the Cold War powers' medium-range missiles, both conventional and nuclear. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called the demise of the treaty a dangerous step that "will likely heighten, not reduce, the threat posed by ballistic missiles." "When it expires tomorrow, the world will lose an invaluable brake on nuclear war," he said on Thursday. US President Donald Trump's administration says the treaty is effectively dead already because of Russian violations -- a charge Russia denies. The White House launched the six-month procedure for leaving the treaty on February 1. "I think the INF Treaty has served us well, but it only works if both parties comply," new US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said recently. "The United States will remain in compliance with all of our obligations until August 2nd - and after that point in time, we will continue to pursue what is in our best interest," he told lawmakers. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off on Moscow's participation in the INF on July 3. Under the deal, missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometres were eliminated. That paved the way for the mothballing of Russian SS-20 missiles and American Pershing missiles deployed in Europe. Even if European nations have expressed concerns about the consequence of a new arms race, NATO has endorsed the US position, saying Russia's 9M729 missile had violated the INF agreement. Moscow insists the new projectile has a maximum range of 480 kilometres -- within INF parameters. But the death of the INF treaty may suit Washington, former defence secretary Ash Carter said in early July. "From the military point of view, not the political point of view, it's not so bad," Carter said at a conference at the Council on Foreign Relations. "We can make good use of what we call conventional prompt strike." On Thursday, Trump told reporters that the INF did not even come up when he talked by telephone with Putin about Russian wildfires on Wednesday. However, he did suggest vaguely that a new treaty may be in the mix. "Russia would like to do something on a nuclear treaty and that's ok with me. They'd like to do something and so would I," he said. Next-generation technology The Pentagon is thrilled that it will now be able to modernize its arsenal to counter the mounting might of China, which is looking to assert its military supremacy in Asia. "Most of China's inventory is of intermediate-range missiles and so we need to make sure we have the capability as well to respond should we -- God forbid -- get in a fight with them one day," Esper said. The United States has pledged not to deploy new nuclear-armed missiles in Europe. But it has made no such promise on the deployment of conventional weapons. Advances in technology have allowed for the development of mid-range missiles that are much more precise than those made 30 years ago, explained career diplomat William Courtney, who is now a senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Rand Corporation. "The technology has changed so much that is makes it militarily attractive," said Courtney, an arms control expert. For Thomas Mahnken, a professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, the United States must now deploy medium-range conventional weapons on its islands in the Pacific and other territory controlled by its allies. Such a move would help counter China's rise, especially in the South China Sea, where the People's Liberation Army has effectively commandeered several disputed islands. "It is time to turn the tables," Mahnken said in a commentary published on the specialist website War on the Rocks. "Such weapons, capable of denying China the use of littoral waters, would be a powerful deterrent to Chinese aggression." Such a move seems to have the support of the next chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley. When asked by US senators about the imminent demise of the INF Treaty, he said he supported the deployment of conventional ground-based medium-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region. "Do you think those would be helpful?" one senator asked. "I do," Milley replied.

US pullout from INF treaty will likely heighten, not reduce threat: UN chief Guterres

Investors continued to pump in money into bonds and shunned equities in the past week, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) said on Friday, amid worries of a corporate earnings recession and trade tensions across the world.

BAML said its global earnings per share (EPS) "growth model" suggested an earnings recession. The model forecasts a 7.5% drop in EPS in the next 12 months.

With all major central banks coming out with less-dovish guidance, in the week to July 31 investors played it safe by pouring $10.5 billion into bonds while pulling some $1.7 billion money out of equities.

The US was the only region to attract investors, who pumped $4.8 billion into equities, while European and Japan stocks had outflows. Money has flowed out of European equities in 70 of the past 73 weeks.

Global equities were roiled last week by central bank comments that fell-short of expectations. European markets took a sharp hit after the European Central Bank kept interest&nbsp;rates intact and its outlook on easing came in below market expectations.

The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates in line with market expectations on Wednesday but poured cold water on market expectations of a lengthy easing cycle sending global stocks lower.

Investors continued to pump in money into bonds and shunned equities in the past week, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) said on Friday, amid worries of a corporate earnings recession and trade tensions across the world.

Investors continued to pump in money into bonds and shunned equities in the past week, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) said on Friday, amid worries of a corporate earnings recession and trade tensions across the world. BAML said its global earnings per share (EPS) "growth model" suggested an earnings recession. The model forecasts a 7.5% drop in EPS in the next 12 months. With all major central banks coming out with less-dovish guidance, in the week to July 31 investors played it safe by pouring $10.5 billion into bonds while pulling some $1.7 billion money out of equities. The US was the only region to attract investors, who pumped $4.8 billion into equities, while European and Japan stocks had outflows. Money has flowed out of European equities in 70 of the past 73 weeks. Global equities were roiled last week by central bank comments that fell-short of expectations. European markets took a sharp hit after the European Central Bank kept interest rates intact and its outlook on easing came in below market expectations. The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates in line with market expectations on Wednesday but poured cold water on market expectations of a lengthy easing cycle sending global stocks lower.

Fears of earnings recession keep investors away from stocks: Bank of America Merrill Lynch

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Bangkok, Thailand. It was the first official meet between the two nations after US President Donald Trump's comment on mediation between India and Pakistan over Kashmir issue. S Jaishankar conveyed India's stand on Kashmir issue to Mike Pompeo. He said, discussion on Kashmir issue if at all will only be with Pakistan and bilateral. Earlier in the day, United States President Donald Trump once again reiterated his offer to mediate in the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan but added that is up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept the offer of assistance.

India to US: Kashmir is a bilateral issue

Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar is likely to have a pull-aside with US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit, Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok. Watch this video to know more.

First India-US meet after Trump's Kashmir remark

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would impose an additional 10 per cent&nbsp;tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting September&nbsp;1, as talks aimed to ease <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-begun-purchasing-farm-goods-says-china-after-resuming-trade-talks-with-us-239902">tensions between the world's two largest economies</a> continue.

"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-next-in-us-china-trade-talks-240002">Trade talks</a> are continuing, and during the talks the US&nbsp;will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%," Trump tweeted.

In a string of tweets, Trump also faulted China for not following through on promises to buy more American agricultural products and personally criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping for failing to do more to stem sales of the synthetic opioid fentanyl.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
...during the talks the U.S. will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1156979446877962243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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US&nbsp;stock prices fell after Trump's announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling into negative territory.

US&nbsp;and Chinese negotiators ended two days of talks in Shanghai on Wednesday with little sign of progress, although both countries described the negotiations as constructive. Another round of meetings between the negotiators has been scheduled for September.

The United States and China have been locked in a trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs since last year. The tensions have disrupted global supply chains and roiled financial markets.

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting September 1, as talks aimed to ease tensions between the world's two largest economies continue.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports starting September 1, as talks aimed to ease tensions between the world's two largest economies continue. "Trade talks are continuing, and during the talks the US will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%," Trump tweeted. In a string of tweets, Trump also faulted China for not following through on promises to buy more American agricultural products and personally criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping for failing to do more to stem sales of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. ...during the talks the U.S. will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25%... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2019 × US stock prices fell after Trump's announcement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling into negative territory. US and Chinese negotiators ended two days of talks in Shanghai on Wednesday with little sign of progress, although both countries described the negotiations as constructive. Another round of meetings between the negotiators has been scheduled for September. The United States and China have been locked in a trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs since last year. The tensions have disrupted global supply chains and roiled financial markets.

US to hit $300 billion worth of Chinese goods with 10% tariff: Donald Trump

Joint military exercises between the United States and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-detains-north-korean-man-crossing-the-dmz-239817">South Korea</a> will go ahead, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-north-korea-conducting-missile-tests-239757">missile tests</a> and calls for the drills' cancellation by North Korea.

The affirmation of the annual, joint exercises came amid a series of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-short-range-ballistic-missiles-south-korean-military-239597">missile launches by North Korea</a>, one of which it called a "solemn warning to the South Korean warmongers" over the planned military drills.

But despite Pyongyang's warning that the exercises could also derail further talks with Washington in the long-running diplomatic process over its nuclear and missile programs, the senior US official said there is "no adjustment or change in plans that we're aware of."

"We have to do two things -&nbsp;we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that's conducive to the talks when they resume - which we expect," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Watch:&nbsp;South Koreans remain unfazed by North Korea's missile test

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Washington stations nearly 30,000 troops in the South to defend it from its neighbour, which invaded in 1950.&nbsp;

The annual exercises between the US and South Korea have repeatedly raised the ire of the North, which sees them as a rehearsal for an invasion of its territory.

North Korea launched two missiles Thursday of last week, then followed it up with the firing of two more missiles from its eastern coast on Wednesday, according to the South's military.

The missiles fired last week travelled much farther - one of them going nearly 700 kilometres - than Wednesday's, and also reached a higher altitude, 50 kilometres (30 miles) compared to 30.

UN Security Council resolutions ban the North from ballistic missile launches.

&nbsp;

Joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea will go ahead, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after missile tests and calls for the drills' cancellation by North Korea.

Joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea will go ahead, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after missile tests and calls for the drills' cancellation by North Korea. The affirmation of the annual, joint exercises came amid a series of missile launches by North Korea, one of which it called a "solemn warning to the South Korean warmongers" over the planned military drills. But despite Pyongyang's warning that the exercises could also derail further talks with Washington in the long-running diplomatic process over its nuclear and missile programs, the senior US official said there is "no adjustment or change in plans that we're aware of." "We have to do two things - we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that's conducive to the talks when they resume - which we expect," the official said on condition of anonymity. Watch: South Koreans remain unfazed by North Korea's missile test Washington stations nearly 30,000 troops in the South to defend it from its neighbour, which invaded in 1950. The annual exercises between the US and South Korea have repeatedly raised the ire of the North, which sees them as a rehearsal for an invasion of its territory. North Korea launched two missiles Thursday of last week, then followed it up with the firing of two more missiles from its eastern coast on Wednesday, according to the South's military. The missiles fired last week travelled much farther - one of them going nearly 700 kilometres - than Wednesday's, and also reached a higher altitude, 50 kilometres (30 miles) compared to 30. UN Security Council resolutions ban the North from ballistic missile launches.

US-South Korea military exercises still on despite North's warnings: Pentagon official

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, a senior US&nbsp;official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/north-korea-test-fired-new-rocket-system-under-kims-supervision-state-media-239815">Kim oversaw the first test-firing</a> of a "new-type large-calibre multiple-launch guided rocket system" on Wednesday, North Korean state media reported.

North Korean state television showed rockets launching from a vehicle that had been blurred in photos to obscure its features.

The launch came six days after North Korea tested two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-north-korea-conducting-missile-tests-239757">short-range ballistic missiles</a>, its first tests since Kim and Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks.

The latest launches appeared intended to put pressure on South Korea and the United States to stop planned military exercises, analysts said and came as diplomats criss-cross the region this week in the hope of restarting the talks.

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolton-says-north-korea-tests-didnt-violate-pledge-to-trump-but-no-word-on-talks-239809">firing of these missiles don't violate the pledge</a> that Kim Jong Un made to the president about intercontinental-range ballistic missiles," US&nbsp;national security adviser John Bolton said in an interview with Fox Business News.

"But you have to ask when the real diplomacy is going to begin when the working-level discussions on denuclearisation will begin," he said.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles

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North Korea's tests of short-range missiles over the past week happened despite the meeting between Kim and Trump on June 30 at demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas at which they agreed to revive their talks on North Korea's weapons.

South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers more North Korean missile tests were possible this month, said Lee Eun-jae, one of the lawmakers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Vipin Narang said the missile tests were part of the North Korean leader's approach to diplomacy,&nbsp;"He's saying it will take more than a photo-op to get things moving."

The tests were a stark reminder that every day the United States and its allies failed to secure an agreement is a day that North Korea continues to improve and expand its nuclear and missile arsenals, he said.

US&nbsp;officials have played down the tests.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped talks would start soon, though he "regretted" that a highly anticipated meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho would not take place in Thailand this week.

Ri has cancelled a trip to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Bangkok that Pompeo is attending.

"We stand ready to continue our diplomatic conversation with North Korea," Pompeo told a news conference with his Thai counterpart, adding he was optimistic Kim would deploy his team for working-level talks "before too long".

A summit between Trump and Kim in Vietnam in February collapsed after they failed to reconcile differences between US&nbsp;demands for North Korea's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief.

'Fat target'

The North Korean photographs of the missile test appeared to show a type of multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Such systems form a major part of North Korea's conventional arsenal, according to a 2018 assessment by the South's defence ministry.

The North Korean military has nearly 5,500 MLRS, along with 8,600 field guns, 4,300 tanks, and 2,500 armoured vehicles, the ministry said.

Wednesday's test verified the combat effectiveness of the overall rocket system and Kim predicted "it would be inescapable distress to the forces becoming a fat target of the weapon", KCNA said.

It said the rocket system would play a major role in ground military operations. Such operations would most likely be directed at South Korea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles).

The missiles launched last week were a different type of short-range ballistic missile, which experts said were designed to make interception difficult.

Ballistic missiles would violate UN&nbsp;resolutions designed to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Britain, Germany and France have asked the UN&nbsp;Security Council to meet on Thursday to discuss the missile launches, diplomats said.

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believed the launches were "just another reminder of the importance of restarting talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

The South Korean military also said a North Korean soldier had crossed the DMZ on Wednesday and asked to defect to the South.

South Korean nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon met US&nbsp;Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Bangkok.

South Korea's foreign ministry said they discussed the missile tests and vowed diplomatic efforts for an early restart of working-level talks.

China welcomed the US&nbsp;readiness to restart the working-level talks, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said in Bangkok, following talks with Pompeo.

The United States does not plan to make changes to this month's military drill with South Korea, a senior US&nbsp;defence official said, despite the missile tests.

"We have to do two things,&nbsp;we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that is conducive to the talks when they resume ... and we have to maintain readiness," the US&nbsp;official said.

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US President Donald Trump, a senior US official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt.

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US President Donald Trump, a senior US official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt. Kim oversaw the first test-firing of a "new-type large-calibre multiple-launch guided rocket system" on Wednesday, North Korean state media reported. North Korean state television showed rockets launching from a vehicle that had been blurred in photos to obscure its features. The launch came six days after North Korea tested two short-range ballistic missiles, its first tests since Kim and Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. The latest launches appeared intended to put pressure on South Korea and the United States to stop planned military exercises, analysts said and came as diplomats criss-cross the region this week in the hope of restarting the talks. "The firing of these missiles don't violate the pledge that Kim Jong Un made to the president about intercontinental-range ballistic missiles," US national security adviser John Bolton said in an interview with Fox Business News. "But you have to ask when the real diplomacy is going to begin when the working-level discussions on denuclearisation will begin," he said. Watch: North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles North Korea's tests of short-range missiles over the past week happened despite the meeting between Kim and Trump on June 30 at demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas at which they agreed to revive their talks on North Korea's weapons. South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers more North Korean missile tests were possible this month, said Lee Eun-jae, one of the lawmakers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Vipin Narang said the missile tests were part of the North Korean leader's approach to diplomacy, "He's saying it will take more than a photo-op to get things moving." The tests were a stark reminder that every day the United States and its allies failed to secure an agreement is a day that North Korea continues to improve and expand its nuclear and missile arsenals, he said. US officials have played down the tests. On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped talks would start soon, though he "regretted" that a highly anticipated meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho would not take place in Thailand this week. Ri has cancelled a trip to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Bangkok that Pompeo is attending. "We stand ready to continue our diplomatic conversation with North Korea," Pompeo told a news conference with his Thai counterpart, adding he was optimistic Kim would deploy his team for working-level talks "before too long". A summit between Trump and Kim in Vietnam in February collapsed after they failed to reconcile differences between US demands for North Korea's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief. 'Fat target' The North Korean photographs of the missile test appeared to show a type of multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Such systems form a major part of North Korea's conventional arsenal, according to a 2018 assessment by the South's defence ministry. The North Korean military has nearly 5,500 MLRS, along with 8,600 field guns, 4,300 tanks, and 2,500 armoured vehicles, the ministry said. Wednesday's test verified the combat effectiveness of the overall rocket system and Kim predicted "it would be inescapable distress to the forces becoming a fat target of the weapon", KCNA said. It said the rocket system would play a major role in ground military operations. Such operations would most likely be directed at South Korea. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles). The missiles launched last week were a different type of short-range ballistic missile, which experts said were designed to make interception difficult. Ballistic missiles would violate UN resolutions designed to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missile programmes. Britain, Germany and France have asked the UN Security Council to meet on Thursday to discuss the missile launches, diplomats said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believed the launches were "just another reminder of the importance of restarting talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. The South Korean military also said a North Korean soldier had crossed the DMZ on Wednesday and asked to defect to the South. South Korean nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon met US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Bangkok. South Korea's foreign ministry said they discussed the missile tests and vowed diplomatic efforts for an early restart of working-level talks. China welcomed the US readiness to restart the working-level talks, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said in Bangkok, following talks with Pompeo. The United States does not plan to make changes to this month's military drill with South Korea, a senior US defence official said, despite the missile tests. "We have to do two things, we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that is conducive to the talks when they resume ... and we have to maintain readiness," the US official said.

US still hopes for talks after latest North Korean missile tests

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/armed-man-dead-after-attacking-united-states-immigration-jail-235787">United States immigration</a> officials have added Venezuelan government minister Tareck El Aissami, a suspected drug smuggler, to their list of most wanted fugitives, they said Wednesday.

"Have you seen this #mostwanted #fugitive?," Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted on its Twitter account, alongside a picture of the industry minister and former deputy to President Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;

"He's wanted for international narcotics trafficking."

US federal authorities in March charged El Aissami with drug trafficking and dodging sanctions imposed by Washington.&nbsp;

If he is arrested and extradited, El Aissami could face up to 30 years in prison.&nbsp;

The US designated El Aissami in February 2017 as having played "a significant role in international narcotics trafficking."

"In his previous positions, he oversaw or partially owned narcotics shipments of more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) from Venezuela on multiple occasions, including those with the final destinations of Mexico and the United States," ICE said on its website.

El Aissami denounced the move as "a dirty trick" and declared himself steadfast and loyal to Maduro's government.

"Accuse us of whatever you want... we will win," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/technicians-to-fly-out-of-venezuela-russian-embassy-230688">Venezuela</a> is struggling with a political and economic crisis that the United Nations says has left a quarter of its 30 million people in need of humanitarian aid.&nbsp;

In January, National Assembly Speaker Juan Guaido declared himself acting president, branding Maduro a "usurper" over his re-election last year in a poll widely believed to have been rigged.

But despite the support of some 50 countries including the US, Guaido has been unable to dislodge him from power. 
&nbsp;

United States immigration officials have added Venezuelan government minister Tareck El Aissami, a suspected drug smuggler, to their list of most wanted fugitives, they said Wednesday.

United States immigration officials have added Venezuelan government minister Tareck El Aissami, a suspected drug smuggler, to their list of most wanted fugitives, they said Wednesday. "Have you seen this #mostwanted #fugitive?," Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) posted on its Twitter account, alongside a picture of the industry minister and former deputy to President Nicolas Maduro. "He's wanted for international narcotics trafficking." US federal authorities in March charged El Aissami with drug trafficking and dodging sanctions imposed by Washington. If he is arrested and extradited, El Aissami could face up to 30 years in prison. The US designated El Aissami in February 2017 as having played "a significant role in international narcotics trafficking." "In his previous positions, he oversaw or partially owned narcotics shipments of more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) from Venezuela on multiple occasions, including those with the final destinations of Mexico and the United States," ICE said on its website. El Aissami denounced the move as "a dirty trick" and declared himself steadfast and loyal to Maduro's government. "Accuse us of whatever you want... we will win," he said. Venezuela is struggling with a political and economic crisis that the United Nations says has left a quarter of its 30 million people in need of humanitarian aid. In January, National Assembly Speaker Juan Guaido declared himself acting president, branding Maduro a "usurper" over his re-election last year in a poll widely believed to have been rigged. But despite the support of some 50 countries including the US, Guaido has been unable to dislodge him from power.

US immigration agency names Venezuelan minister Tareck El Aissami among 'most wanted'

Asian countries turning back wealthy world's waste

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/donald-trump-wants-troop-withdrawal-in-afghan-before-2020-election-us-state-secretary-mike-pompeo-239310">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> insisted Thursday that Washington was not asking Southeast Asian nations to "choose" between his country and rival power China, as he trailed a rebooted security and trade strategy at a Bangkok summit.

The denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, a bitter trade war between the superpowers and open access to contested seas dominated talks between Pompeo and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asia's top diplomats.

Pompeo is in Bangkok tasked with reassuring Asian allies that the US remains a key player in the region, as China builds up its military presence in disputed seas and airspace and cements its economic and political primacy across the region.

The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asia's economies.

Pompeo and Wang shook hands and smiled before the brief talks.

Both later played down the rifts between their nations, with Wang describing the meeting as a "deep communication" that "has helped to increase our mutual understanding".

"There may be various kinds of issues and problems between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-begun-purchasing-farm-goods-says-china-after-resuming-trade-talks-with-us-239902">China and the United States</a>," he said.

"But no matter how many problems.. we all need to sit down and continue to communicate."&nbsp;

In a tweet Pompeo said he had "an in-depth exchange of views" with Wang - including on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-north-korea-conducting-missile-tests-239757">North Korea</a> - adding "when it advances US&nbsp;interests, we are ready to cooperate with China."

Pompeo also insisted the US was not prodding Southeast Asian nations to "choose between countries".&nbsp;

"Our engagement in this region has not been and will not be a zero-sum exercise," he said in short remarks at the opening of a meeting with the 10-member ASEAN states.

"Our interests simply naturally converge with yours to our mutual benefit".

China on Thursday said it had begun buying more US farm goods, a day after trade negotiations resumed in Shanghai in a bid to find a way through the tit-for-tat tariff war.

Beijing's orbit

Among the tension points with China is the South China Sea, an area Beijing believes to be its orbit and outside the US sphere of influence.

China is accused of deploying warships, militarising outposts and ramming fishing vessels in contested waters, one of the world's key shipping routes and which the US is desperate to keep open.&nbsp;

Several rival Southeast Asian claimants to the sea say Beijing has used its military, economic and diplomatic heft to slow progress on a binding Code of Conduct in the flashpoint zone.

The US wants guarantees of open seas and has offered its support to several of the claimant nations in the face of Chinese aggression.&nbsp;

The administration of President Donald Trump, which early on pulled out from a massive Asia-Pacific trade pact, is pushing an "Indo-Pacific" strategy of bilateral commercial deals and security support for the region.

China rebuffs US intentions in the region and is the driving force behind a separate trade-pact which sweeps in Southeast Asia.

On Wednesday Wang described Southeast Asia as China's "neighbourhood" and in barely concealed swipe at the US urged "non-regional countries" to not "sow distrust" in the area.

US-led efforts to tease North Korea into ending its nuclear ambitions were also covered in discussions, with Beijing's leading diplomat welcoming the high-visibility summits between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un.

Before his arrival, Pompeo also suggested he would address the political crisis enveloping Hong Kong, where weeks of mass anti-government protests have been marred by violent increasingly violent clashes.

On Friday, America's top diplomat will meet his South Korean and Japanese counterparts hoping to help defuse a bitter diplomatic row between two key US allies that has billowed out into a trade dispute.

The issue has its roots a decades-long quarrel over Japanese forced labour during World War II.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted Thursday that Washington was not asking Southeast Asian nations to "choose" between his country and rival power China, as he trailed a rebooted security and trade strategy at a Bangkok summit.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted Thursday that Washington was not asking Southeast Asian nations to "choose" between his country and rival power China, as he trailed a rebooted security and trade strategy at a Bangkok summit. The denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, a bitter trade war between the superpowers and open access to contested seas dominated talks between Pompeo and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asia's top diplomats. Pompeo is in Bangkok tasked with reassuring Asian allies that the US remains a key player in the region, as China builds up its military presence in disputed seas and airspace and cements its economic and political primacy across the region. The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asia's economies. Pompeo and Wang shook hands and smiled before the brief talks. Both later played down the rifts between their nations, with Wang describing the meeting as a "deep communication" that "has helped to increase our mutual understanding". "There may be various kinds of issues and problems between China and the United States," he said. "But no matter how many problems.. we all need to sit down and continue to communicate." In a tweet Pompeo said he had "an in-depth exchange of views" with Wang - including on North Korea - adding "when it advances US interests, we are ready to cooperate with China." Pompeo also insisted the US was not prodding Southeast Asian nations to "choose between countries". "Our engagement in this region has not been and will not be a zero-sum exercise," he said in short remarks at the opening of a meeting with the 10-member ASEAN states. "Our interests simply naturally converge with yours to our mutual benefit". China on Thursday said it had begun buying more US farm goods, a day after trade negotiations resumed in Shanghai in a bid to find a way through the tit-for-tat tariff war. Beijing's orbit Among the tension points with China is the South China Sea, an area Beijing believes to be its orbit and outside the US sphere of influence. China is accused of deploying warships, militarising outposts and ramming fishing vessels in contested waters, one of the world's key shipping routes and which the US is desperate to keep open. Several rival Southeast Asian claimants to the sea say Beijing has used its military, economic and diplomatic heft to slow progress on a binding Code of Conduct in the flashpoint zone. The US wants guarantees of open seas and has offered its support to several of the claimant nations in the face of Chinese aggression. The administration of President Donald Trump, which early on pulled out from a massive Asia-Pacific trade pact, is pushing an "Indo-Pacific" strategy of bilateral commercial deals and security support for the region. China rebuffs US intentions in the region and is the driving force behind a separate trade-pact which sweeps in Southeast Asia. On Wednesday Wang described Southeast Asia as China's "neighbourhood" and in barely concealed swipe at the US urged "non-regional countries" to not "sow distrust" in the area. US-led efforts to tease North Korea into ending its nuclear ambitions were also covered in discussions, with Beijing's leading diplomat welcoming the high-visibility summits between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un. Before his arrival, Pompeo also suggested he would address the political crisis enveloping Hong Kong, where weeks of mass anti-government protests have been marred by violent increasingly violent clashes. On Friday, America's top diplomat will meet his South Korean and Japanese counterparts hoping to help defuse a bitter diplomatic row between two key US allies that has billowed out into a trade dispute. The issue has its roots a decades-long quarrel over Japanese forced labour during World War II.

Not asking ASEAN allies to 'choose' between US and China: Mike Pompeo

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the day from across the globe. Watch this video to get the latest updates.

WION Speed News: Watch top international & national news of the day, August 01, 2019

The United Nation nuclear watchdog said on Thursday - it had fixed the timetable for the election of a new director-general following the death of Yukiya Amano two weeks ago.

Member states decided that nominations would be received until September 5, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said following a special meeting of its board of governors in Vienna.

"The Board expects to appoint a director-general in October 2019 and, in any case, envisages that the person appointed will assume office no later than 1 January 2020," it said in a statement.

The US had pushed for a timetable to ensure a new chief would be named by September, but other states were understood to want more time for the process.&nbsp;

The race to succeed Amano will be keenly watched given heightened international tensions over Iran's nuclear activities.

The UN agency is currently confronted with the unravelling of the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, which began when President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-confirms-kelly-craft-as-ambassador-to-united-nations-239845&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjerMTIr-HjAhUWinAKHZoMBUsQFjAIegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2dKJ5nUXSJsB2FBU7DyArL">United States</a> out of the agreement in May 2018.

At another special meeting last week, the IAEA elected Romanian diplomat Cornel Feruta as its acting director-general until a permanent successor is elected "in order to ensure the orderly and smooth functioning of the Agency".

Feruta has been tipped as one of the likely candidates for the post along with Rafael Grossi, Argentina's ambassador to the IAEA.

Feruta, 43, who worked as a journalist before entering Romania's diplomatic service in 1998, was one of Amano's closest collaborators and had been serving as the agency's chief coordinator.

Amano had led the agency since December 2009 and died on July 18 at the age of 72. No details were released about the cause of death, but he had been ill for several months.

The United Nation nuclear watchdog said on Thursday - it had fixed the timetable for the election of a new director-general following the death of Yukiya Amano two weeks ago.

The United Nation nuclear watchdog said on Thursday - it had fixed the timetable for the election of a new director-general following the death of Yukiya Amano two weeks ago. Member states decided that nominations would be received until September 5, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said following a special meeting of its board of governors in Vienna. "The Board expects to appoint a director-general in October 2019 and, in any case, envisages that the person appointed will assume office no later than 1 January 2020," it said in a statement. The US had pushed for a timetable to ensure a new chief would be named by September, but other states were understood to want more time for the process. The race to succeed Amano will be keenly watched given heightened international tensions over Iran's nuclear activities. The UN agency is currently confronted with the unravelling of the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, which began when President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the United States out of the agreement in May 2018. At another special meeting last week, the IAEA elected Romanian diplomat Cornel Feruta as its acting director-general until a permanent successor is elected "in order to ensure the orderly and smooth functioning of the Agency". Feruta has been tipped as one of the likely candidates for the post along with Rafael Grossi, Argentina's ambassador to the IAEA. Feruta, 43, who worked as a journalist before entering Romania's diplomatic service in 1998, was one of Amano's closest collaborators and had been serving as the agency's chief coordinator. Amano had led the agency since December 2009 and died on July 18 at the age of 72. No details were released about the cause of death, but he had been ill for several months.

United Nations nuclear watchdog aims to name permanent chief by October

The dollar charged to its highest in more than two years on Thursday after the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/stormy-sterling-sinks-again-stocks-wilt-before-fed-239448&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjO-ZbLuOHjAhUBr48KHSApDvgQFjAFegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Y8jTTDaVY7qnK939Bej7w">Federal Reserve</a> spoiled hopes of a run of US interest rate cuts.

A blizzard of global data and events was going on, but it was Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks on Wednesday that set the markets running. Powell said the first US rate cut in over a decade was "not the beginning of a long series of rate cuts".

The dollar’s reaction said it all. The DXY index surged to its highest in more than two years, euro/dollar dropped below $1.11 for the first time since May 2017, and Brexit-hobbled sterling hit 30-month lows just above $1.21.

World stocks had recoiled overnight and emerging markets had their longest run of falls in almost a year.

"Markets interpreted the Fed’s communication as slightly hawkish and therefore further rate cuts in the immediate future were somewhat priced out," said David Milleker, senior economic advisor at Union Investment. "And the dollar strengthened. All in all, the Fed did not achieve what it presumably wanted."

US Treasuries were sold off as investors scaled back their pre-Fed expectations for at least 100 basis points of cuts in the near term. Yields on 10-year notes climbed as high as 2.058% in Europe from a US close of 2.007%.

WATCH VIDEO

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Core eurozone bond yields were rising, too, although -0.428% German Bund levels were still extraordinary. "I didn’t say it’s just one rate cut," Powell had been careful to emphasise after Wednesday's 25-basis-point move.

Instead, he characterised it as "a mid-cycle adjustment to policy", citing signs of a global slowdown, US trade tensions and a desire to boost inflation.

Wall Street fell afterwards and E-minis futures for the S&amp;P 500 were pointing 0.15% lower.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.8%, extending losses for a fifth day to the lowest since mid-June and posting its biggest one-day percentage drop in a month.

Japan's Nikkei rose, reversing early declines. Australian shares declined 0.4%. Losses by Chinese shares ended down 0.8%.

"We believe the Fed is trying to thread the needle, balancing market jitters about slowing global growth with robust consumer spending and a strong job market in the US," said Nick Maroutsos, co-head of global bonds at Janus Henderson.

"In other words, by cutting just 25 bps, the Fed is trying to bolster market confidence while also keeping some dry powder in reserve in case of an economic shock."

Trade Talks

Adding to worries, the United States and China on Wednesday ended a brief round of talks without much progress in ending their year-long trade war.

Downbeat data and factory surveys on Thursday had also pointed to further weakness for Asia's trade-reliant economies.

South Korea's exports fell for an eighth straight month in July amid weak global demand and a dispute with Japan. New export orders shrank the most in about six years.

South Korea, the world's sixth-largest exporter, is the first major industrial economy to release trade data each month, providing an early assessment on the health of global demand.

Pressure on Chinese factories eased slightly, but manufacturing activity continued to shrink.

"The broader global trade dynamic remains a challenge," Morgan Stanley strategist Michael Zezas said. "Trade should continue to drag on corporate confidence, CapEx and global growth in the near term."

In Europe's foreign exchange markets, sterling dropped as low as $1.2101 before a Bank of England meeting that's expected to leave its 0.75% interest rate unchanged but result in plenty of interesting discussions.

Fears of a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-to-spend-an-extra-26-billion-on-no-deal-brexit-planning-239860&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjd24uDu-HjAhUW8XMBHSfID2IQFjAAegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw05e85f7pwO51L5lCnpMiS3">no-deal Brexit</a> now that Boris Johnson is prime minister continue to afflict the pound, although it was fractionally higher against a weakening euro at 91.17 pence.

"Sterling remains vulnerable to a further escalation in Brexit tensions and we anticipate the market will likely discount higher risks of a ‘no deal’ outcome in the weeks ahead," said Roger Hallam, currency chief investment officer at JP Morgan Asset Management.

Elsewhere, the Aussie dollar slipped below key chart support of $0.6832 to as low as $0.6828, a level not seen since an early January "flash crash".

The kiwi hit a six-week trough of $0.6535 on expectations the Reserve Bank of New Zealand will cut rates next week.

US crude futures fell 76 cents to $57.82 per barrel after comments on the rating outlook. Brent was down 71 cents at $64.34.

Spot gold also fell, to $1,405.26.

The dollar charged to its highest in more than two years on Thursday after the Federal Reserve spoiled hopes of a run of US interest rate cuts. A blizzard of global data and events was going on, but it was Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks on Wednesday that set the markets running.

The dollar charged to its highest in more than two years on Thursday after the Federal Reserve spoiled hopes of a run of US interest rate cuts. A blizzard of global data and events was going on, but it was Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks on Wednesday that set the markets running. Powell said the first US rate cut in over a decade was "not the beginning of a long series of rate cuts". The dollar’s reaction said it all. The DXY index surged to its highest in more than two years, euro/dollar dropped below $1.11 for the first time since May 2017, and Brexit-hobbled sterling hit 30-month lows just above $1.21. World stocks had recoiled overnight and emerging markets had their longest run of falls in almost a year. "Markets interpreted the Fed’s communication as slightly hawkish and therefore further rate cuts in the immediate future were somewhat priced out," said David Milleker, senior economic advisor at Union Investment. "And the dollar strengthened. All in all, the Fed did not achieve what it presumably wanted." US Treasuries were sold off as investors scaled back their pre-Fed expectations for at least 100 basis points of cuts in the near term. Yields on 10-year notes climbed as high as 2.058% in Europe from a US close of 2.007%. WATCH VIDEO × Core eurozone bond yields were rising, too, although -0.428% German Bund levels were still extraordinary. "I didn’t say it’s just one rate cut," Powell had been careful to emphasise after Wednesday's 25-basis-point move. Instead, he characterised it as "a mid-cycle adjustment to policy", citing signs of a global slowdown, US trade tensions and a desire to boost inflation. Wall Street fell afterwards and E-minis futures for the S&P 500 were pointing 0.15% lower. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.8%, extending losses for a fifth day to the lowest since mid-June and posting its biggest one-day percentage drop in a month. Japan's Nikkei rose, reversing early declines. Australian shares declined 0.4%. Losses by Chinese shares ended down 0.8%. "We believe the Fed is trying to thread the needle, balancing market jitters about slowing global growth with robust consumer spending and a strong job market in the US," said Nick Maroutsos, co-head of global bonds at Janus Henderson. "In other words, by cutting just 25 bps, the Fed is trying to bolster market confidence while also keeping some dry powder in reserve in case of an economic shock." Trade Talks Adding to worries, the United States and China on Wednesday ended a brief round of talks without much progress in ending their year-long trade war. Downbeat data and factory surveys on Thursday had also pointed to further weakness for Asia's trade-reliant economies. South Korea's exports fell for an eighth straight month in July amid weak global demand and a dispute with Japan. New export orders shrank the most in about six years. South Korea, the world's sixth-largest exporter, is the first major industrial economy to release trade data each month, providing an early assessment on the health of global demand. Pressure on Chinese factories eased slightly, but manufacturing activity continued to shrink. "The broader global trade dynamic remains a challenge," Morgan Stanley strategist Michael Zezas said. "Trade should continue to drag on corporate confidence, CapEx and global growth in the near term." In Europe's foreign exchange markets, sterling dropped as low as $1.2101 before a Bank of England meeting that's expected to leave its 0.75% interest rate unchanged but result in plenty of interesting discussions. Fears of a no-deal Brexit now that Boris Johnson is prime minister continue to afflict the pound, although it was fractionally higher against a weakening euro at 91.17 pence. "Sterling remains vulnerable to a further escalation in Brexit tensions and we anticipate the market will likely discount higher risks of a ‘no deal’ outcome in the weeks ahead," said Roger Hallam, currency chief investment officer at JP Morgan Asset Management. Elsewhere, the Aussie dollar slipped below key chart support of $0.6832 to as low as $0.6828, a level not seen since an early January "flash crash". The kiwi hit a six-week trough of $0.6535 on expectations the Reserve Bank of New Zealand will cut rates next week. US crude futures fell 76 cents to $57.82 per barrel after comments on the rating outlook. Brent was down 71 cents at $64.34. Spot gold also fell, to $1,405.26.

Mind your backs, dollar coming through!

Al-Qaeda's post-Osama strategy: Hamza bin Laden's 'voice' used to blunt Islamic State

Guatemala`s refugee agency meets only sporadically and operates on a bare-bones basis, adding to doubts about how the crime-wracked, impoverished Central American country will cope with a surge in asylum-seekers under a deal signed with Washington.

Under Friday`s accord, Guatemala becomes a so-called "safe third country," turning it into a buffer zone for migrants trying to reach the United States, and potentially lifting applications for asylum in Guatemala from a few hundred a years to tens of thousands.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tears-into-china-on-twitter-as-trade-talks-resume-239492">US President Donald Trump</a> has pushed Mexico and Guatemala to sign such agreements to make asylum-seekers passing through their territory solicit haven in those countries, and not in the United States.

Mexico has so far refused, but under pressure from Trump it has accepted taking in Central American migrants while their applications for asylum in the United States are processed by US courts.&nbsp;

Guatemala only agreed after Trump threatened to impose what <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guatemalan-presidential-candidates-question-us-migration-deal-238957">President Jimmy Morales</a> described on Facebook as "drastic" economic sanctions against the country, which is heavily dependent on billions of dollars in remittances sent home by Guatemalans in the United States.&nbsp;

Asylum applicants, migration experts and critics of the deal say Guatemala, which itself sends tens of thousands of migrants to the United States each year, has the scant capacity to process asylum-seekers, never mind keep them safe.

"Asylum infrastructure in Guatemala and other parts of the region is still under development," said William Spindler, senior external engagement coordinator for Latin America at the United Nations` refugee agency UNHCR.

"So the number of individual asylum-seekers who can be received and processed with adequate protection guarantees is still limited."

Decisions about whether to grant asylum fall to Guatemala`s National Commission for Refugees (CONARE), an agency represented by officials from the ministries of foreign relations, interior, labour and migration who meet periodically to adjudicate claims.

The CONARE "is not an office as such, and meets only to analyse, grant and deny shelter," said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Guatemala`s General Directorate of Migration.

Compared to the United States and neighbouring Mexico, which has received tens of thousands of asylum applicants, the numbers of applicants in Guatemala has been negligible.

As such, CONARE met only twice between 2013 and 2014, according to a 2018 UNHCR document. Meetings since that year have increased after a jump in applications, it said.

Between 2002 and 2014, the document said, CONARE analysed an average of seven cases per year. From 2015, applications began accelerating, and so far in 2019, CONARE has received 226. But none of those has yet been approved, said Mena.&nbsp;

Critics say that backlog could spell trouble for the deal, which was immediately called into question by the two contenders battling to assume Guatemala`s presidency in 2020.

"If you can`t deal with 60 or 100 requests, what will you do when you receive hundreds?," said Mauro Verzeletti, director of a migrant shelter in Guatemala City.

Safe country

Oscar, 47, a public health technician from Honduras who declined to give his last name out of fear of reprisals, said he had been waiting six months for asylum in Guatemala.

He fled the violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula after officials harassed him for investigating the murders of LGBTQ individuals, including a friend, he said.&nbsp;

In Mexico, he joined a caravan of migrants, but fell ill and could not manage the long daily treks further north toward the US border.&nbsp;

Oscar eventually ended up back in Guatemala, but he told Reuters the risks he faced just across the border with Honduras were almost the same as at home.&nbsp;

"To me, the idea of a `safe country` is a country without corruption, without violence, that gives us work, home and food, but Guatemala has no jobs (even) for Guatemalans," Oscar said.&nbsp;

"It`s not that I`m ungrateful, but Guatemala has the same conditions as Honduras," he added.

People from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador make up the bulk of the migrants caught on the US-Mexican border, and the so-called Northern Triangle countries have some of the highest murder rates in the Americas.

Since January, Oscar has had two interviews at Guatemala`s migration directorate, which granted him a provisional residence permit he must renew every month. Still, migrant shelters only allow three-day stays, and finding work has been tough, he said.

The US-Guatemala agreement faces other challenges.&nbsp;

On July 14, Guatemala`s Constitutional Court ruled that Morales could not sign a safe third country agreement without congressional approval, an obstacle that the two presidential candidates pointed to last weekend.

Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart, who signed the deal in Washington, and Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel on Monday denied that Guatemala had reached the agreement under duress.&nbsp;

"We were not coerced, pressured, or forced to sign anything at all," Degenhart said. 
&nbsp;

Guatemala`s refugee agency meets only sporadically and operates on a bare-bones basis, adding to doubts about how the crime-wracked, impoverished Central American country will cope with a surge in asylum-seekers under a deal signed with Washington.

Guatemala`s refugee agency meets only sporadically and operates on a bare-bones basis, adding to doubts about how the crime-wracked, impoverished Central American country will cope with a surge in asylum-seekers under a deal signed with Washington. Under Friday`s accord, Guatemala becomes a so-called "safe third country," turning it into a buffer zone for migrants trying to reach the United States, and potentially lifting applications for asylum in Guatemala from a few hundred a years to tens of thousands. US President Donald Trump has pushed Mexico and Guatemala to sign such agreements to make asylum-seekers passing through their territory solicit haven in those countries, and not in the United States. Mexico has so far refused, but under pressure from Trump it has accepted taking in Central American migrants while their applications for asylum in the United States are processed by US courts. Guatemala only agreed after Trump threatened to impose what President Jimmy Morales described on Facebook as "drastic" economic sanctions against the country, which is heavily dependent on billions of dollars in remittances sent home by Guatemalans in the United States. Asylum applicants, migration experts and critics of the deal say Guatemala, which itself sends tens of thousands of migrants to the United States each year, has the scant capacity to process asylum-seekers, never mind keep them safe. "Asylum infrastructure in Guatemala and other parts of the region is still under development," said William Spindler, senior external engagement coordinator for Latin America at the United Nations` refugee agency UNHCR. "So the number of individual asylum-seekers who can be received and processed with adequate protection guarantees is still limited." Decisions about whether to grant asylum fall to Guatemala`s National Commission for Refugees (CONARE), an agency represented by officials from the ministries of foreign relations, interior, labour and migration who meet periodically to adjudicate claims. The CONARE "is not an office as such, and meets only to analyse, grant and deny shelter," said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Guatemala`s General Directorate of Migration. Compared to the United States and neighbouring Mexico, which has received tens of thousands of asylum applicants, the numbers of applicants in Guatemala has been negligible. As such, CONARE met only twice between 2013 and 2014, according to a 2018 UNHCR document. Meetings since that year have increased after a jump in applications, it said. Between 2002 and 2014, the document said, CONARE analysed an average of seven cases per year. From 2015, applications began accelerating, and so far in 2019, CONARE has received 226. But none of those has yet been approved, said Mena. Critics say that backlog could spell trouble for the deal, which was immediately called into question by the two contenders battling to assume Guatemala`s presidency in 2020. "If you can`t deal with 60 or 100 requests, what will you do when you receive hundreds?," said Mauro Verzeletti, director of a migrant shelter in Guatemala City. Safe country Oscar, 47, a public health technician from Honduras who declined to give his last name out of fear of reprisals, said he had been waiting six months for asylum in Guatemala. He fled the violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula after officials harassed him for investigating the murders of LGBTQ individuals, including a friend, he said. In Mexico, he joined a caravan of migrants, but fell ill and could not manage the long daily treks further north toward the US border. Oscar eventually ended up back in Guatemala, but he told Reuters the risks he faced just across the border with Honduras were almost the same as at home. "To me, the idea of a `safe country` is a country without corruption, without violence, that gives us work, home and food, but Guatemala has no jobs (even) for Guatemalans," Oscar said. "It`s not that I`m ungrateful, but Guatemala has the same conditions as Honduras," he added. People from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador make up the bulk of the migrants caught on the US-Mexican border, and the so-called Northern Triangle countries have some of the highest murder rates in the Americas. Since January, Oscar has had two interviews at Guatemala`s migration directorate, which granted him a provisional residence permit he must renew every month. Still, migrant shelters only allow three-day stays, and finding work has been tough, he said. The US-Guatemala agreement faces other challenges. On July 14, Guatemala`s Constitutional Court ruled that Morales could not sign a safe third country agreement without congressional approval, an obstacle that the two presidential candidates pointed to last weekend. Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart, who signed the deal in Washington, and Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel on Monday denied that Guatemala had reached the agreement under duress. "We were not coerced, pressured, or forced to sign anything at all," Degenhart said.

Guatemala's shortcomings raise doubts about US migration deal

The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Kelly Craft, a Republican donor who is currently ambassador to Canada, as ambassador to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-led-forces-israel-among-states-rapped-by-un-for-killing-children-239735">United Nations</a>, despite opposition from Democrats who criticized <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-nominee-sparks-worries-of-intelligence-politicization-239554">President Donald Trump`s</a> nominee as too inexperienced for the post.

The Senate backed Craft by a vote of 56 to 34, largely along party lines, moving to end seven months without a permanent&nbsp; 
US envoy to the world body.&nbsp;

UN ambassador is one of several high-level positions in the Trump administration held for months by temporary appointees as the White House struggles to deal with a chronic, high turnover of top administration officials.

The Senate last week confirmed Army Secretary Mark Esper, a former lobbyist, as secretary of defence, ending a record seven-month period in which the Pentagon lacked a permanent top official.

This week, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats announced his resignation.

Trump nominated Craft, 57, for the UN post after a recommendation from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who represents her home state of Kentucky.

She had faced fierce opposition from some Democrats. Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, accused Craft of lacking the "seriousness and professionalism" for the post at the world body.

Craft, the wife of a billionaire coal industry executive, generated controversy shortly after assuming her post in Ottawa by telling Canadian Broadcasting she believed "both sides" of the climate change debate.

However, she acknowledged during her confirmation hearing that climate change is a global threat and pledged to recuse herself from any UN 
&nbsp;talks on the issue involving coal because of her husband`s position.

Menendez on Wednesday released a report that said Craft spent the majority of her time as ambassador to Canada outside of the country. 
Craft`s backers called her a tough negotiator on a trade deal with Canada and Mexico who had established decent working relationships with both Republicans and Democrats.

The craft will have the difficult job of defending Trump`s "America First" foreign policy and navigating his criticism of the United Nations while getting global diplomats to back US policies.

Trump`s first UN ambassador, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, announced her resignation in October and left the position at the end of last year.

The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Kelly Craft, a Republican donor who is currently ambassador to Canada, as ambassador to the United Nations, despite opposition from Democrats who criticized President Donald Trump`s nominee as too inexperienced for the post.

The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Kelly Craft, a Republican donor who is currently ambassador to Canada, as ambassador to the United Nations, despite opposition from Democrats who criticized President Donald Trump`s nominee as too inexperienced for the post. The Senate backed Craft by a vote of 56 to 34, largely along party lines, moving to end seven months without a permanent US envoy to the world body. UN ambassador is one of several high-level positions in the Trump administration held for months by temporary appointees as the White House struggles to deal with a chronic, high turnover of top administration officials. The Senate last week confirmed Army Secretary Mark Esper, a former lobbyist, as secretary of defence, ending a record seven-month period in which the Pentagon lacked a permanent top official. This week, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats announced his resignation. Trump nominated Craft, 57, for the UN post after a recommendation from Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who represents her home state of Kentucky. She had faced fierce opposition from some Democrats. Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, accused Craft of lacking the "seriousness and professionalism" for the post at the world body. Craft, the wife of a billionaire coal industry executive, generated controversy shortly after assuming her post in Ottawa by telling Canadian Broadcasting she believed "both sides" of the climate change debate. However, she acknowledged during her confirmation hearing that climate change is a global threat and pledged to recuse herself from any UN talks on the issue involving coal because of her husband`s position. Menendez on Wednesday released a report that said Craft spent the majority of her time as ambassador to Canada outside of the country. Craft`s backers called her a tough negotiator on a trade deal with Canada and Mexico who had established decent working relationships with both Republicans and Democrats. The craft will have the difficult job of defending Trump`s "America First" foreign policy and navigating his criticism of the United Nations while getting global diplomats to back US policies. Trump`s first UN ambassador, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, announced her resignation in October and left the position at the end of last year.

US Senate confirms Kelly Craft as ambassador to United Nations

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