U.S. Attorney General William Barr told lawmakers on Tuesday (April 9) that he intends to release within a week the long-awaited report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election from Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

US Attorney General Barr promises Mueller report 'within a week'

Facebook and Google on Tuesday (April 9) defended their efforts to remove hate speech from social media sites amid questions from lawmakers in an appearance before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.

US Congress turns up the heat on FB, Google

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday accused the United States of being the real "leader of world terrorism", hitting back after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-designates-irans-revolutionary-guards-as-a-terrorist-organisation-donald-trump-208837">Washington blacklisted Iran's Revolutionary Guards</a> as a terrorist organisation.

Tehran was quick to retaliate on Monday by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-declares-us-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-state-media-208866">declaring US troops "terrorists"</a> following Washington's move, which was welcomed by Iran's regional arch-rivals Israel and Saudi Arabia.

It was the first time that Washington has branded part of a foreign government a terrorist group, meaning that anyone who deals with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could face prison in the United States.

"Who are you to label revolutionary institutions as terrorists?" an angry Rouhani demanded in a speech broadcast live by state television.

Rouhani hailed the Guards for fighting terrorism since their creation in 1979, and accused US forces of having always been involved with terrorist groups or acts of terrorism.

"You want to use terrorist groups as tools against the nations of the region... you are the leader of world terrorism.

"Who is propagating and encouraging terrorism in today's world? Who wanted to use ISIS (the Islamic State group) as a tool?" Rouhani asked, saying that the US is "hiding" the leaders of the jihadist organisation.

The Revolutionary Guards are the ideological arm of the country's military and deeply embedded in Iranian political and economic life.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-calls-us-blacklisting-of-guards-a-vicious-move-209028">Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a> praised the Guards on their National Day, saying they were at the "forefront' of defending the country and its interests, according to his official website.

He lashed out at US officials, saying: "Their vice and deceit will return boomerang on them, leading the enemies of the Islamic Republic such as (US President Donald) Trump and those around him at the US ruling apparatus to go down the drain."

'Everything imaginable'

To support his accusations, Rouhani cited the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 in July 1988 by missiles fired from the US naval ship the USS Vincennes.

"You have done everything imaginable. Which force was it that shot down our civil airliner in the waters of the Persian Gulf?" he said, adding that it was aimed at intimidating Iran.

"You wanted to tell the Iranian nation that we do not have any red lines, you wanted to say that we also kill children, you wanted to say that we also kill women," Rouhani said, concluding that the US was transmitting "a message of terrorism in the whole world."

The US move comes on top of Trump's decision last year to pull the United States out of an international deal with Iran that was meant to lift crippling economic sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Washington had been encouraged to blacklist the Guards by Trump's allies Saudi Arabia and Israel, which both cheered the declaration.

"The US decision (follows) the kingdom's repeated demands to the international community to address the issue of Iranian-backed terrorism," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted a foreign ministry source as saying on Tuesday.

The source welcomed the US move as a "practical and serious step" in curbing what the kingdom describes as Iranian meddling in the region.

The US decision came hours before an Israeli election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a close race for re-election.

In a statement, Netanyahu thanked his "dear friend" Trump who he said had responded to a "request of mine".

In a statement carried by the Iranian official news agency IRNA, the Supreme National Security Council declared the United States a "state sponsor of terrorism" and its forces in the region "terror groups".

Quickly adapting to the decision, the semi-official Fars News Agency, close to ultra-conservatives, described the US casualties in the latest suicide bombing on a military convoy in Afghanistan as "terrorists."

In a report on the attack, Fars said Tuesday: "American army terrorists killed in Afghanistan."

NATO announced on Monday that a suicide car bomb on a convoy in Iran's eastern neighbour had killed three US troops and a military contractor and wounded three more.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday accused the United States of being the real "leader of world terrorism", hitting back after Washington blacklisted Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday accused the United States of being the real "leader of world terrorism", hitting back after Washington blacklisted Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation. Tehran was quick to retaliate on Monday by declaring US troops "terrorists" following Washington's move, which was welcomed by Iran's regional arch-rivals Israel and Saudi Arabia. It was the first time that Washington has branded part of a foreign government a terrorist group, meaning that anyone who deals with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could face prison in the United States. "Who are you to label revolutionary institutions as terrorists?" an angry Rouhani demanded in a speech broadcast live by state television. Rouhani hailed the Guards for fighting terrorism since their creation in 1979, and accused US forces of having always been involved with terrorist groups or acts of terrorism. "You want to use terrorist groups as tools against the nations of the region... you are the leader of world terrorism. "Who is propagating and encouraging terrorism in today's world? Who wanted to use ISIS (the Islamic State group) as a tool?" Rouhani asked, saying that the US is "hiding" the leaders of the jihadist organisation. The Revolutionary Guards are the ideological arm of the country's military and deeply embedded in Iranian political and economic life. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the Guards on their National Day, saying they were at the "forefront' of defending the country and its interests, according to his official website. He lashed out at US officials, saying: "Their vice and deceit will return boomerang on them, leading the enemies of the Islamic Republic such as (US President Donald) Trump and those around him at the US ruling apparatus to go down the drain." 'Everything imaginable' To support his accusations, Rouhani cited the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 in July 1988 by missiles fired from the US naval ship the USS Vincennes. "You have done everything imaginable. Which force was it that shot down our civil airliner in the waters of the Persian Gulf?" he said, adding that it was aimed at intimidating Iran. "You wanted to tell the Iranian nation that we do not have any red lines, you wanted to say that we also kill children, you wanted to say that we also kill women," Rouhani said, concluding that the US was transmitting "a message of terrorism in the whole world." The US move comes on top of Trump's decision last year to pull the United States out of an international deal with Iran that was meant to lift crippling economic sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. Washington had been encouraged to blacklist the Guards by Trump's allies Saudi Arabia and Israel, which both cheered the declaration. "The US decision (follows) the kingdom's repeated demands to the international community to address the issue of Iranian-backed terrorism," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted a foreign ministry source as saying on Tuesday. The source welcomed the US move as a "practical and serious step" in curbing what the kingdom describes as Iranian meddling in the region. The US decision came hours before an Israeli election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a close race for re-election. In a statement, Netanyahu thanked his "dear friend" Trump who he said had responded to a "request of mine". In a statement carried by the Iranian official news agency IRNA, the Supreme National Security Council declared the United States a "state sponsor of terrorism" and its forces in the region "terror groups". Quickly adapting to the decision, the semi-official Fars News Agency, close to ultra-conservatives, described the US casualties in the latest suicide bombing on a military convoy in Afghanistan as "terrorists." In a report on the attack, Fars said Tuesday: "American army terrorists killed in Afghanistan." NATO announced on Monday that a suicide car bomb on a convoy in Iran's eastern neighbour had killed three US troops and a military contractor and wounded three more.

US 'leader of world terrorism', Trump's 'vice and deceit' will destroy him: Iran President Hassan Rouhani

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-fears-lingering-rohingya-crisis-may-trigger-radicalism-196630">Bangladesh </a>on Tuesday said it had sought help from the United States in pressuring the government of Myanmar into offering safeguards for the return of the thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled the country since Aug. 2017.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sought assistance from the US during a meeting on Monday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, the government of Bangladesh said in a statement released on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Momen discussed the importance of the "repatriation of the Rohingyas and creation of credible international pressure on Myanmar in that respect," the statement said.

According to the statement, Pompeo reiterated that the US "would stand beside Bangladesh (both politically and financially) in finding a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis."

"It is the responsibility of the Myanmar government and military to create a conducive environment so that the Rohingyas feel safe to return home," he added.

Momen told Pompeo about Dhaka's plans to transfer a group of Rohingyas to the uninhabited Bhashanchar island in the Bay of Bengal, which has been prepared to host 100,000 refugees from the overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar district in southeastern Bangladesh.

More than 738,000 Rohingya refugees had arrived in the camps since the beginning of the crisis on Aug. 25, 2017, following a wave of violence and persecution against the minority group that has been described by the United Nations as attempted ethnic cleansing.

Most of the refugees of the majority-Muslim community live in harsh conditions in the Kutupalong camp – located close to the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar – which has become the biggest refugee camp in the world.

Although Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement on Nov. 23, 2017, to begin returning Rohingyas, until now the repatriation attempts have failed due to the lack of conditions necessary for a safe and voluntary return of the refugees.

Organizations working to protect civil rights of the Rohingyas informed last week that 20 civilians were killed and 50 were injured in an airstrike carried out by the armed forces in the state of Rakhine (western Myanmar).

Bangladesh on Tuesday said it had sought help from the United States in pressuring the government of Myanmar into offering safeguards for the return of the thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled the country since Aug.

Bangladesh on Tuesday said it had sought help from the United States in pressuring the government of Myanmar into offering safeguards for the return of the thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled the country since Aug. 2017. Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen sought assistance from the US during a meeting on Monday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, the government of Bangladesh said in a statement released on Tuesday. During the meeting, Momen discussed the importance of the "repatriation of the Rohingyas and creation of credible international pressure on Myanmar in that respect," the statement said. According to the statement, Pompeo reiterated that the US "would stand beside Bangladesh (both politically and financially) in finding a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis." "It is the responsibility of the Myanmar government and military to create a conducive environment so that the Rohingyas feel safe to return home," he added. Momen told Pompeo about Dhaka's plans to transfer a group of Rohingyas to the uninhabited Bhashanchar island in the Bay of Bengal, which has been prepared to host 100,000 refugees from the overcrowded camps in the Cox's Bazar district in southeastern Bangladesh. More than 738,000 Rohingya refugees had arrived in the camps since the beginning of the crisis on Aug. 25, 2017, following a wave of violence and persecution against the minority group that has been described by the United Nations as attempted ethnic cleansing. Most of the refugees of the majority-Muslim community live in harsh conditions in the Kutupalong camp – located close to the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar – which has become the biggest refugee camp in the world. Although Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement on Nov. 23, 2017, to begin returning Rohingyas, until now the repatriation attempts have failed due to the lack of conditions necessary for a safe and voluntary return of the refugees. Organizations working to protect civil rights of the Rohingyas informed last week that 20 civilians were killed and 50 were injured in an airstrike carried out by the armed forces in the state of Rakhine (western Myanmar).

Bangladesh seeks US help for Rohingyas' return to Myanmar

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States had made "a vicious move" in designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which he controls, as a foreign terrorist organisation, state TV reported on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-designates-irans-revolutionary-guards-as-a-terrorist-organisation-donald-trump-208837">US President Donald Trump designated Iran's Guards a foreign terrorist organisation</a> on Monday -- an unprecedented step that will raise tensions in the Middle East.

"They wish to plot against our Sepah (the Guards) ... it is in the frontline of confronting enemies of our (1979 Islamic) revolution and has always defended the country ... America has failed to block our advancements," Khamenei said, addressing a group of Guards.

"In spite of all the pressure in the past 40 years, Americans have failed to do a damn thing and their vicious move will bear no fruit."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also defended the corps as protectors of Iran, saying in a televised speech that the United States "holds a grudge" against the Guards who have "sacrificed their lives to protect our people, our revolution".

Comprising an estimated 125,000-strong military with army, navy and air units, the Guards also command the Basij, a religious volunteer paramilitary and control Iran's missile programmes. Its overseas Quds forces have fought Iran's proxy wars in the region.

The US has already blacklisted dozens of entities and people for affiliations with the Guards, but not the organization as a whole.

Trump's move comes after relations between Tehran and Washington took a turn for the worse last May, when Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions.

Tehran took retaliatory action by naming the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) as a terrorist organisation and the US government as a sponsor of terror, and Iranian officials warned the move will endanger US interests in the region, where Iran is involved in proxy wars from Syria to Lebanon.

"This mistake will unite Iranians and the Guards will grow more popular in Iran and in the region ... America has used terrorists as a tool in the region while the Guards have fought against them from Iraq to Syria," Rouhani said.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards commanders have repeatedly said that US bases in the Middle East and US aircraft carriers in the Gulf are within range of Iranian missiles.

Tehran has also threatened to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf if the United States tries to strangle Tehran's economy by halting its oil exports.

Iran's arch-rival Saudi Arabia welcomed the US decision on Tuesday. "The US decision translates the Kingdom's repeated demands to the international community of the necessity of confronting terrorism supported by Iran," Saudi state news agency SPA said, citing a foreign ministry source.

"Our patience has limits"

In a show of support, Iranian lawmakers wore Guards' uniforms to parliament on Tuesday, chanting "Death to America” as Iran marked the annual National Day of the Revolutionary Guards, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

"America's decision to label the Guards as a terrorist group was the peak of stupidity and ignorance of the American leadership," Fars quoted Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani as saying.

Iran has so far continued to comply with the nuclear deal, but Tehran's clerical rulers have threatened to withdraw from it and to resume the suspended nuclear work if other signatories of the pact fail to protect Iran's interests.

"I am telling you (American leaders), if you pressure us, we will mass produce IR8 advanced centrifuges," Rouhani said in the speech marking Iran's National Nuclear Day.

Under the nuclear deal, sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union and United Nations were lifted in return for Iran agreeing long-term curbs on a nuclear programme the West suspected was geared to developing an atom bomb.

The Trump administration says the nuclear deal did not do enough to curb Iranian meddling in regional affairs or restrict its ballistic missile program.

"Since last year, we have acquired kind of missiles that you cannot even imagine," Rouhani said, referring to Iran's determination to continue expanding its missile program despite mounting US pressure to curb it.

Co-signatories Britain, France and Germany are trying to salvage the deal and set up in January a mechanism to allow trade with Tehran and circumvent US sanctions.

But Iran has criticised the EU for failing to "honour its pledges" to protect trade with Iran. Rouhani, who could be weakened by a blow to Iran’s economy if the deal falls apart, struck a tough tone in his televised speech.

"We have been patient and will continue to be patient ... but our patience has a limit ... Fulfil your commitments and respect your pledges," Rouhani told the EU. 
&nbsp;

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States had made "a vicious move" in designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which he controls, as a foreign terrorist organisation, state TV reported on Tuesday.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the United States had made "a vicious move" in designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which he controls, as a foreign terrorist organisation, state TV reported on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump designated Iran's Guards a foreign terrorist organisation on Monday -- an unprecedented step that will raise tensions in the Middle East. "They wish to plot against our Sepah (the Guards) ... it is in the frontline of confronting enemies of our (1979 Islamic) revolution and has always defended the country ... America has failed to block our advancements," Khamenei said, addressing a group of Guards. "In spite of all the pressure in the past 40 years, Americans have failed to do a damn thing and their vicious move will bear no fruit." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also defended the corps as protectors of Iran, saying in a televised speech that the United States "holds a grudge" against the Guards who have "sacrificed their lives to protect our people, our revolution". Comprising an estimated 125,000-strong military with army, navy and air units, the Guards also command the Basij, a religious volunteer paramilitary and control Iran's missile programmes. Its overseas Quds forces have fought Iran's proxy wars in the region. The US has already blacklisted dozens of entities and people for affiliations with the Guards, but not the organization as a whole. Trump's move comes after relations between Tehran and Washington took a turn for the worse last May, when Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers and reimposed sanctions. Tehran took retaliatory action by naming the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) as a terrorist organisation and the US government as a sponsor of terror, and Iranian officials warned the move will endanger US interests in the region, where Iran is involved in proxy wars from Syria to Lebanon. "This mistake will unite Iranians and the Guards will grow more popular in Iran and in the region ... America has used terrorists as a tool in the region while the Guards have fought against them from Iraq to Syria," Rouhani said. Iranian Revolutionary Guards commanders have repeatedly said that US bases in the Middle East and US aircraft carriers in the Gulf are within range of Iranian missiles. Tehran has also threatened to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf if the United States tries to strangle Tehran's economy by halting its oil exports. Iran's arch-rival Saudi Arabia welcomed the US decision on Tuesday. "The US decision translates the Kingdom's repeated demands to the international community of the necessity of confronting terrorism supported by Iran," Saudi state news agency SPA said, citing a foreign ministry source. "Our patience has limits" In a show of support, Iranian lawmakers wore Guards' uniforms to parliament on Tuesday, chanting "Death to America” as Iran marked the annual National Day of the Revolutionary Guards, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. "America's decision to label the Guards as a terrorist group was the peak of stupidity and ignorance of the American leadership," Fars quoted Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani as saying. Iran has so far continued to comply with the nuclear deal, but Tehran's clerical rulers have threatened to withdraw from it and to resume the suspended nuclear work if other signatories of the pact fail to protect Iran's interests. "I am telling you (American leaders), if you pressure us, we will mass produce IR8 advanced centrifuges," Rouhani said in the speech marking Iran's National Nuclear Day. Under the nuclear deal, sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union and United Nations were lifted in return for Iran agreeing long-term curbs on a nuclear programme the West suspected was geared to developing an atom bomb. The Trump administration says the nuclear deal did not do enough to curb Iranian meddling in regional affairs or restrict its ballistic missile program. "Since last year, we have acquired kind of missiles that you cannot even imagine," Rouhani said, referring to Iran's determination to continue expanding its missile program despite mounting US pressure to curb it. Co-signatories Britain, France and Germany are trying to salvage the deal and set up in January a mechanism to allow trade with Tehran and circumvent US sanctions. But Iran has criticised the EU for failing to "honour its pledges" to protect trade with Iran. Rouhani, who could be weakened by a blow to Iran’s economy if the deal falls apart, struck a tough tone in his televised speech. "We have been patient and will continue to be patient ... but our patience has a limit ... Fulfil your commitments and respect your pledges," Rouhani told the EU.

Iran's Khamenei calls US blacklisting of Guards a 'vicious move'

French lawmakers on Monday approved a new tax on digital giants such as Facebook and Apple that has angered the United States, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire boasting that France was proud to be in the vanguard of such a move.

The United States has urged its NATO ally to drop the plan, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning last week that it would hurt both the American firms and the French citizens who use the platforms.

The measure was approved by 55 votes against four in the National Assembly, with five abstentions. It will then be put to vote in the Senate, or upper house, before becoming law.&nbsp;

The legislation, dubbed "Gafa" after Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple, comes amid rising public outrage at the minimal tax paid by some of the world's richest firms.

"France is honoured to be leading on such subjects," Le Maire told parliament before the vote, saying that the draft constituted a "step... towards fairer and more efficient taxation for the 21st century."

Responding to the criticism from the United States, Le Maire said France was "determined" to press on with the legislation and would be "sovereign" on fiscal issues.

He said it was "unacceptable" that digital giants could make considerable profits from user data so that the "profits are made in France but the taxes are imposed abroad".

Last month, France unveiled the draft legislation to set a three per cent tax on digital advertising, the sale of personal data and other revenue for any technology company that earns more than 750 million euros ($840 million) worldwide each year.

France is seeking to agree the legislation on a national level after a European Union-wide effort was scuttled by low-tax countries such as Ireland, which have wooed big technology firms.

But Le Maire insisted that a "good solution in the long term will be a multilateral solution," vowing not to let up in efforts for an agreement within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

French lawmakers on Monday approved a new tax on digital giants such as Facebook and Apple that has angered the United States, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire boasting that France was proud to be in the vanguard of such a move.

French lawmakers on Monday approved a new tax on digital giants such as Facebook and Apple that has angered the United States, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire boasting that France was proud to be in the vanguard of such a move. The United States has urged its NATO ally to drop the plan, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning last week that it would hurt both the American firms and the French citizens who use the platforms. The measure was approved by 55 votes against four in the National Assembly, with five abstentions. It will then be put to vote in the Senate, or upper house, before becoming law. The legislation, dubbed "Gafa" after Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple, comes amid rising public outrage at the minimal tax paid by some of the world's richest firms. "France is honoured to be leading on such subjects," Le Maire told parliament before the vote, saying that the draft constituted a "step... towards fairer and more efficient taxation for the 21st century." Responding to the criticism from the United States, Le Maire said France was "determined" to press on with the legislation and would be "sovereign" on fiscal issues. He said it was "unacceptable" that digital giants could make considerable profits from user data so that the "profits are made in France but the taxes are imposed abroad". Last month, France unveiled the draft legislation to set a three per cent tax on digital advertising, the sale of personal data and other revenue for any technology company that earns more than 750 million euros ($840 million) worldwide each year. France is seeking to agree the legislation on a national level after a European Union-wide effort was scuttled by low-tax countries such as Ireland, which have wooed big technology firms. But Le Maire insisted that a "good solution in the long term will be a multilateral solution," vowing not to let up in efforts for an agreement within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

French MPs approve digital tax, defying US ire

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Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Monday declared the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-designates-irans-revolutionary-guards-as-a-terrorist-organisation-donald-trump-208837">United States a "state sponsor of terrorism"</a> and US forces in the region "terrorist groups", state media said.

In a statement carried by the official news agency IRNA, it said the move was in response to the United States designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a "terrorist organisation".

The council slammed Washington's move as an "illegal and foolish act".

In response, it "declares that it considers the regime of the USA a 'state sponsor of terrorism' and 'the Central Command of America, known as CENTCOM' and all forces related to it 'terrorist groups'," the statement said.

Part of America's vast military presence around the globe, CENTCOM's area of command covers multiple war zones and hotspots including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the Gulf.

Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier urged President Hassan Rouhani to place CENTCOM forces on Tehran's list of terror groups, his ministry said.

Zarif blasted the US move on Twitter, saying it was timed to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Tuesday's parliamentary election in the Jewish state.

"A(nother) misguided election-eve gift to Netanyahu. A(nother) dangerous US misadventure in the region," he wrote.

The US decision came as part of already far-reaching attempts to undermine the Iranian government.

President Donald Trump said the "unprecedented" move "recognises the reality that Iran is not only a State Sponsor of Terrorism, but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft."

"The IRGC is the Iranian government's primary means of directing and implementing its global terrorist campaign," Trump said in a statement.

It is the first time the United States has applied the designation to part of a foreign government, rather than guerrilla groups or other informal entities.

The move follows Trump's decision to pull the United States out of a multilateral deal with Iran that was meant to lift crippling economic sanctions in return curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Monday declared the United States a "state sponsor of terrorism" and US forces in the region "terrorist groups", state media said.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Monday declared the United States a "state sponsor of terrorism" and US forces in the region "terrorist groups", state media said. In a statement carried by the official news agency IRNA, it said the move was in response to the United States designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a "terrorist organisation". The council slammed Washington's move as an "illegal and foolish act". In response, it "declares that it considers the regime of the USA a 'state sponsor of terrorism' and 'the Central Command of America, known as CENTCOM' and all forces related to it 'terrorist groups'," the statement said. Part of America's vast military presence around the globe, CENTCOM's area of command covers multiple war zones and hotspots including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the Gulf. Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif had earlier urged President Hassan Rouhani to place CENTCOM forces on Tehran's list of terror groups, his ministry said. Zarif blasted the US move on Twitter, saying it was timed to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Tuesday's parliamentary election in the Jewish state. "A(nother) misguided election-eve gift to Netanyahu. A(nother) dangerous US misadventure in the region," he wrote. The US decision came as part of already far-reaching attempts to undermine the Iranian government. President Donald Trump said the "unprecedented" move "recognises the reality that Iran is not only a State Sponsor of Terrorism, but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft." "The IRGC is the Iranian government's primary means of directing and implementing its global terrorist campaign," Trump said in a statement. It is the first time the United States has applied the designation to part of a foreign government, rather than guerrilla groups or other informal entities. The move follows Trump's decision to pull the United States out of a multilateral deal with Iran that was meant to lift crippling economic sanctions in return curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme.

Iran declares US 'state sponsor of terrorism': State media

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-unions-tusk-considering-flexible-brexit-extension-up-to-one-year-senior-official-208089">European Union</a> presented ethics guidelines Monday as it seeks to promote its own Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, which has fallen behind developments in China and the United States.

The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, unveiled a framework aimed at boosting trust in AI by ensuring, for example, data about EU citizens are not used to harm them.

"Ethical AI is a win-win proposition that can become a competitive advantage for Europe: being a leader of human-centric AI that people can trust," Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip said.

The guidelines list seven key requirements for "trustworthy AI" established by independent experts consulted by the Commission.

Among them is one ensuring that data about citizens will not be used to harm them or to discriminate against them.

The measures also call for mechanisms to ensure accountability for AI systems and for AI algorithms to be secure and reliable enough to deal with errors or inconsistencies. &nbsp;

The Commission now aims to launch a pilot phase in which industry, research and public authorities test the list of key requirements.&nbsp;

It will also involve companies from other countries and international organisations.

The Commission aims to improve cooperation with "like-minded partners" such as Japan, Canada or Singapore and continue working with the G7 and G20 groups of leading economies.&nbsp;

The updated guidelines flow from the Commission's AI strategy unveiled in April last year, which aimed to bring public and private investment in the sector to at least 20 billion euros annually over the next decade.

Europe is trying to catch up with both the US and China.&nbsp;

A study published last month showed that China is poised to overtake the United States in artificial intelligence with a surge in academic research on the key technology.

A burgeoning sector, AI is already used to recognise people in photos, filter unwanted content from online platforms and enable cars to drive themselves.

The European Union presented ethics guidelines Monday as it seeks to promote its own Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, which has fallen behind developments in China and the United States.

The European Union presented ethics guidelines Monday as it seeks to promote its own Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, which has fallen behind developments in China and the United States. The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, unveiled a framework aimed at boosting trust in AI by ensuring, for example, data about EU citizens are not used to harm them. "Ethical AI is a win-win proposition that can become a competitive advantage for Europe: being a leader of human-centric AI that people can trust," Commission Vice President Andrus Ansip said. The guidelines list seven key requirements for "trustworthy AI" established by independent experts consulted by the Commission. Among them is one ensuring that data about citizens will not be used to harm them or to discriminate against them. The measures also call for mechanisms to ensure accountability for AI systems and for AI algorithms to be secure and reliable enough to deal with errors or inconsistencies. The Commission now aims to launch a pilot phase in which industry, research and public authorities test the list of key requirements. It will also involve companies from other countries and international organisations. The Commission aims to improve cooperation with "like-minded partners" such as Japan, Canada or Singapore and continue working with the G7 and G20 groups of leading economies. The updated guidelines flow from the Commission's AI strategy unveiled in April last year, which aimed to bring public and private investment in the sector to at least 20 billion euros annually over the next decade. Europe is trying to catch up with both the US and China. A study published last month showed that China is poised to overtake the United States in artificial intelligence with a surge in academic research on the key technology. A burgeoning sector, AI is already used to recognise people in photos, filter unwanted content from online platforms and enable cars to drive themselves.

European Union unveils ethics guidelines for Artificial Intelligence

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Saturday clarified that the space debris from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mission-shakti-pentagon-says-space-debris-from-anti-satellite-test-will-burn-up-in-atmosphere-208005">India's A-Sat (anti-satellite) missile test</a> will decay within 45 days.

India chose a much lower orbit of less than 300 kilometres during Mission Shakti for "capability demonstration" and to avoid any threat of debris to global space assets, DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy said Saturday.

"An orbit of around 300 kilometres was chosen for the test for capability demonstration, and the purpose was to avoid any threat of debris to any global space assets," Reddy said.

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DRDO Chief G Satheesh Reddy on P Chidambaram's statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MissionShakti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MissionShakti</a> : Mission of this nature after a test is conducted can’t be kept secret. The satellite is tracked by many stations across the world. All necessary permissions were taken. <a href="https://t.co/A9mYnttZag">pic.twitter.com/A9mYnttZag</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1114468975524622336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Reddy was addressing a press briefing wherein he emphasised the significance of 'Mission Shakti' operation.&nbsp;

India had conducted its A-Sat test on March 27, shooting down a satellite 300 kilometres up in space.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the successful completion of the test which had been dubbed "Mission Shakti" or 'Strength'.

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DRDO Chief GS Reddy: Space has gained importance in the military domain. When a country like India has done an exercise like this and shown capability of interception of a target, you have shown the capability for such operations. Best way of defence is to have deterrence. <a href="https://t.co/8Lnqz7GkM2">pic.twitter.com/8Lnqz7GkM2</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1114470857802420224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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India's 'Mission Shakti' upset the United States. The US expressed concerns about the spread of debris from the test. On April 4, the Pentagon said that the space debris from India's A-Sat (anti-satellite) missile test would burn up in the atmosphere, thereby standing by Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan's assessment.

NASA, on the other hand, that more than 400 pieces of orbital debris from the test had been identified — including debris that was travelling above the International Space Station.&nbsp;

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DRDO Chief GS Reddy on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MissionShakti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MissionShakti</a>: The country has shown ground-based direct hit deterrence capability, it works for the defence also. <a href="https://t.co/MCODTtglY1">https://t.co/MCODTtglY1</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1114471014489055234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that was a "terrible, terrible thing". &nbsp;&nbsp;

DRDO chief Satheesh Reddy, earlier today, lauded the operation, noticing that space has gained importance in the military domain.&nbsp;

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DRDO Chief Satheesh Reddy on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MissionShakti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MissionShakti</a>: Debris will decay in few weeks. Debris won't cause problem to any existing space assets. We have some amount of mechanism to look at these objects. In fact, our radars have picked up the debris immediately after the test also. <a href="https://t.co/8Wpdw8Lmtu">pic.twitter.com/8Wpdw8Lmtu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1114502402231549952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"When a country like India has done an exercise like this and shown capability of interception of a target, you have shown the capability for such operations. The best way of defence is to have deterrence," Reddy told media.&nbsp;

He added that all necessary permissions were taken before conducting the test.&nbsp;

"A mission of this nature after a test is conducted can’t be kept secret. The satellite is tracked by many stations across the world. All necessary permissions were taken," Reddy said.&nbsp;

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Saturday clarified that the space debris from India's A-Sat (anti-satellite) missile test will decay within 45 days.

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Saturday clarified that the space debris from India's A-Sat (anti-satellite) missile test will decay within 45 days. India chose a much lower orbit of less than 300 kilometres during Mission Shakti for "capability demonstration" and to avoid any threat of debris to global space assets, DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy said Saturday. "An orbit of around 300 kilometres was chosen for the test for capability demonstration, and the purpose was to avoid any threat of debris to any global space assets," Reddy said. DRDO Chief G Satheesh Reddy on P Chidambaram's statement on #MissionShakti : Mission of this nature after a test is conducted can’t be kept secret. The satellite is tracked by many stations across the world. All necessary permissions were taken. pic.twitter.com/A9mYnttZag — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019 × Reddy was addressing a press briefing wherein he emphasised the significance of 'Mission Shakti' operation. India had conducted its A-Sat test on March 27, shooting down a satellite 300 kilometres up in space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced the successful completion of the test which had been dubbed "Mission Shakti" or 'Strength'. DRDO Chief GS Reddy: Space has gained importance in the military domain. When a country like India has done an exercise like this and shown capability of interception of a target, you have shown the capability for such operations. Best way of defence is to have deterrence. pic.twitter.com/8Lnqz7GkM2 — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019 × India's 'Mission Shakti' upset the United States. The US expressed concerns about the spread of debris from the test. On April 4, the Pentagon said that the space debris from India's A-Sat (anti-satellite) missile test would burn up in the atmosphere, thereby standing by Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan's assessment. NASA, on the other hand, that more than 400 pieces of orbital debris from the test had been identified — including debris that was travelling above the International Space Station. DRDO Chief GS Reddy on #MissionShakti: The country has shown ground-based direct hit deterrence capability, it works for the defence also. https://t.co/MCODTtglY1 — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019 × NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that was a "terrible, terrible thing". DRDO chief Satheesh Reddy, earlier today, lauded the operation, noticing that space has gained importance in the military domain. DRDO Chief Satheesh Reddy on #MissionShakti: Debris will decay in few weeks. Debris won't cause problem to any existing space assets. We have some amount of mechanism to look at these objects. In fact, our radars have picked up the debris immediately after the test also. pic.twitter.com/8Wpdw8Lmtu — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2019 × "When a country like India has done an exercise like this and shown capability of interception of a target, you have shown the capability for such operations. The best way of defence is to have deterrence," Reddy told media. He added that all necessary permissions were taken before conducting the test. "A mission of this nature after a test is conducted can’t be kept secret. The satellite is tracked by many stations across the world. All necessary permissions were taken," Reddy said.

India counters US on 'Mission Shakti', says debris will decay within 45 days

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-vice-president-bidens-camp-rejects-smears-about-his-physicality-with-women-207401">Former US vice president Joe Biden</a> said Friday he was on the cusp of announcing his 2020 plans, acknowledging he was watching his words carefully so as not to "start the clock" on a presidential campaign.

"I am very close to making a decision to stand before you all relatively soon," Biden, who is polling as the frontrunner despite not officially being in the race, told reporters after addressing union workers in Washington.

"Even if I knew for certain that I was going to run for president back in Thanksgiving, my intention from the beginning, if I were to run, would be the last person to announce," Biden added.

Biden was hit last week with an accusation by former Nevada state lawmaker Lucy Flores, who recalled being "mortified" when he planted a "big, slow kiss" on the back of her head as she waited to take the stage at a campaign rally five years ago.&nbsp;

Biden has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies.&nbsp;

Former US vice president Joe Biden said Friday he was on the cusp of announcing his 2020 plans, acknowledging he was watching his words carefully so as not to "start the clock" on a presidential campaign.

Former US vice president Joe Biden said Friday he was on the cusp of announcing his 2020 plans, acknowledging he was watching his words carefully so as not to "start the clock" on a presidential campaign. "I am very close to making a decision to stand before you all relatively soon," Biden, who is polling as the frontrunner despite not officially being in the race, told reporters after addressing union workers in Washington. "Even if I knew for certain that I was going to run for president back in Thanksgiving, my intention from the beginning, if I were to run, would be the last person to announce," Biden added. Biden was hit last week with an accusation by former Nevada state lawmaker Lucy Flores, who recalled being "mortified" when he planted a "big, slow kiss" on the back of her head as she waited to take the stage at a campaign rally five years ago. Biden has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies.

Former US vice president Joe Biden says 'very close' to announcing if he runs for president

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to go ahead with a deal to purchase Russian missiles despite Washington's suspension of Turkey's participation in a US jet programme because of security concerns over Russian deal.

Turkey's agreement to buy the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-s-400-missile-purchase-from-russia-a-done-deal-cannot-be-cancelled-foreign-minister-208029">Russian S-400 system</a> has further tested its relations with Washington, stoking US concern about Erdogan's burgeoning relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

United States officials have repeatedly warned of the risks the Russian system would pose to Western defences and the lack of interoperability with NATO hardware.

Relations between NATO allies US and Turkey were already on shaky ground over issues including US support to a Syrian Kurdish militia viewed by Ankara as terrorists.

The US said on Monday it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 fighter jet programme if Ankara insisted on the deal.

"The S-400 process is complete," Erdogan said on Friday, adding that the first delivery of the system would be in July.

Erdogan criticised "really wrong" statements coming from the US over the S-400 purchase and suggested NATO allies should not sanction each other.

Turkey could be sanctioned by Washington under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which rules that any entity doing business with Russia's state and private defence and intelligence sectors risks sanctions.

The S-400 is an anti-missile and anti-aircraft weapon system, similar to the US Patriot.

Washington has suggested Turkey could opt for Patriot missiles instead.

But Erdogan said although Ankara was keen to buy the US-produced missiles, "America was unfortunately not giving Patriots to us on the same terms" as Russia.

He has previously said Turkey wanted joint production, credit and early delivery in any Patriot deal, but said Washington did not look favourably on the first two terms.

Despite the US suspension, Erdogan said three F-35 jets had been delivered, though they remain in the US. "The fourth will be delivered in a few weeks."

He said that Turkish pilots were still training in the US.

Erdogan will be in Russia on Monday for talks with Russian counterpart Putin, his third visit to the country this year.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to go ahead with a deal to purchase Russian missiles despite Washington's suspension of Turkey's participation in a US jet programme because of security concerns over Russian deal.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to go ahead with a deal to purchase Russian missiles despite Washington's suspension of Turkey's participation in a US jet programme because of security concerns over Russian deal. Turkey's agreement to buy the Russian S-400 system has further tested its relations with Washington, stoking US concern about Erdogan's burgeoning relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. United States officials have repeatedly warned of the risks the Russian system would pose to Western defences and the lack of interoperability with NATO hardware. Relations between NATO allies US and Turkey were already on shaky ground over issues including US support to a Syrian Kurdish militia viewed by Ankara as terrorists. The US said on Monday it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 fighter jet programme if Ankara insisted on the deal. "The S-400 process is complete," Erdogan said on Friday, adding that the first delivery of the system would be in July. Erdogan criticised "really wrong" statements coming from the US over the S-400 purchase and suggested NATO allies should not sanction each other. Turkey could be sanctioned by Washington under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which rules that any entity doing business with Russia's state and private defence and intelligence sectors risks sanctions. The S-400 is an anti-missile and anti-aircraft weapon system, similar to the US Patriot. Washington has suggested Turkey could opt for Patriot missiles instead. But Erdogan said although Ankara was keen to buy the US-produced missiles, "America was unfortunately not giving Patriots to us on the same terms" as Russia. He has previously said Turkey wanted joint production, credit and early delivery in any Patriot deal, but said Washington did not look favourably on the first two terms. Despite the US suspension, Erdogan said three F-35 jets had been delivered, though they remain in the US. "The fourth will be delivered in a few weeks." He said that Turkish pilots were still training in the US. Erdogan will be in Russia on Monday for talks with Russian counterpart Putin, his third visit to the country this year.

Erdogan says Russia missile deal to go ahead after US suspension

By David Smilde

Even in a country where the crisis has become the norm, the past month has been eventful for Venezuela.

On April 3 Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan National Assembly president who is leading an effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The arrest seems increasingly likely. Guaidó’s chief-of-staff was jailed on March 22, on charges of organising a “terrorist cell.”

Two days later, two Russian military planes carrying 35 tons of unspecified equipment and 100 soldiers landed at the international airport in Caracas.

Meanwhile, three blackouts leftover 90 per cent of the country in the dark. Since water pumps need electricity to run, neighbourhoods and families were forced to organise water rationing systems or fetch water from polluted rivers and streams.

Maduro blames the blackouts on “sabotage” by Guaidó and the United States. The opposition blames government corruption and neglect of Venezuela’s energy grid.

Thousands of Venezuelans protesting the power outages on March 30 were met with violent repression. Counter-protestors came out to support the Maduro government.

These extraordinary events may give the appearance that armed conflict is on the horizon. But having researched Venezuela for over 25 years, I believe a prolonged deadlock – and deeper human suffering – is the more likely result.

International conflict

Each side in Venezuela’s political struggle has powerful international backers.

Guaidó has been coordinating with the Trump administration since before assuming the interim presidency, and Trump has made regime change in Venezuela a foreign policy priority. Over 50 countries now recognise Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Maduro’s government retains important support from Cuba, Turkey and China – though China, which has loaned Venezuela some $60 billion over the last 12 years, has diminished its public backing of Maduro.

Russia has become Maduro’s most important ally. The Russian military equipment and personnel sent in March will likely help maintain and operate Venezuela’s sophisticated Russian-made S-300 air defence system, which protects the capital and key military bases from air attack.

The missile defence system may have been damaged in recent power outages or left understaffed by desertions from Venezuela’s military.

In a March 29 press statement, White House national security adviser John Bolton called Russia’s military assistance to Venezuela a “direct threat to international peace and security in the region” that will “perpetuate the economic crisis that has destroyed Venezuela’s economy.”

Russian officials retorted that the deployment is part of a prior bilateral arms trade agreement with Venezuela.

“The United States is present in many parts of the world and no one is telling it where it should or shouldn’t be,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a March 28 Kremlin press conference.

Regime change stalled

Venezuela’s opposition coalition and its allies in the US appear to have thought that global rejection of Maduro’s re-election and Guaidó’s assuming the interim presidency – coupled with threats of a US military invasion and sanctions on Venezuelan oil – would lead Venezuela’s armed forces to turn against Maduro.&nbsp;

That would then usher in a democratic transition.

Recent events have shown that this strategy was simplistic.

More than 500 Venezuelan soldiers have defected to Colombia and Brazil. But most have stayed loyal, as have the generals who hold high positions in Maduro’s government. And Maduro has shown himself quite adept at using dispersed violence to discourage dissent.

Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated mentions of a “military option” for dealing with Venezuela, it’s become clear in recent weeks that the US has no actual plans for military action. Indeed, it does not have significant military assets in position near Venezuela.

Venezuela’s armed forces are the fifth most powerful in Latin America, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks military strength. It has around 200,000 troops, a volunteer militia, plus paramilitary forces and a fleet of Russian Sukhoi fighter jets.

The presence of Russian troops in Venezuela further complicates any plans for US intervention. Russia is a nuclear power, so incurring Russian casualties is probably too big of a risk for the US to take.

Adam Isacson, a defence expert at the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights organization, suggests that removing Maduro by force would not only kill thousands of people on the ground, it would likely require tens of thousands of US troops to occupy Venezuela for years in order to stabilize it.

Outside of South Florida, where some 200,000 Venezuelan exiles are clamouring for Maduro’s ouster, few Americans would have an appetite for such a prolonged operation.

US economic sanctions – which are now targeting Venezuelan oil – appear to be hurting the Venezuelan people more than Maduro’s government.

That will only make a democratic transition more elusive. Depriving the Venezuelan government of cash and credit will impede it from fixing the electrical grid by preventing the purchase of new equipment. And without electricity and water, Venezuelans, who in their vast majority oppose Maduro, will be concentrating on survival rather than protest.

Working for peace

An international effort led by the European Union, Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica is seeking to negotiate new elections. Calling itself the International Contact Group, this coalition has sent technical teams to Caracas twice to meet with the Maduro government and the opposition.

The International Contact Group has not actually found much interest on either side.

The opposition and its allies in the Trump administration still believe that their strategy of political pressure and economic punishment will lead to the government’s collapse. Maduro, it appears, thinks he can hunker down and wait out the storm.

There is one glimmer of hope.

After years of political wrangling over humanitarian aid, on March 29 the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it had brokered agreements with both the Maduro government and the opposition. They will allow the Red Cross to distribute food and medicine to Venezuelans, who have suffered severe shortages of both since 2015.

The United Nations estimates that 94 per cent of Venezuela’s population now lives in poverty, and a quarter of its people urgently need humanitarian assistance.

The Red Cross deal shows what can be achieved with “satellite diplomacy” – that is, negotiations that engage with rival factions independently rather than requiring them to meet face to face.

This is significant. It is the first time that this diplomatic technique has succeeded in Venezuela’s conflict.

In the best-case scenario, the humanitarian aid agreement will stick. And it could serve as a model for how international actors can facilitate a democratic transition in Venezuela.

(David Smilde is Professor of Sociology, Tulane University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/venezuelas-power-struggle-reaches-a-tense-stalemate-as-human-suffering-deepens-114545">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By David Smilde Even in a country where the crisis has become the norm, the past month has been eventful for Venezuela. On April 3 Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan National Assembly president who is leading an effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity.

By David Smilde Even in a country where the crisis has become the norm, the past month has been eventful for Venezuela. On April 3 Juan Guaidó, the Venezuelan National Assembly president who is leading an effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro from office, was stripped of his parliamentary immunity. The arrest seems increasingly likely. Guaidó’s chief-of-staff was jailed on March 22, on charges of organising a “terrorist cell.” Two days later, two Russian military planes carrying 35 tons of unspecified equipment and 100 soldiers landed at the international airport in Caracas. Meanwhile, three blackouts leftover 90 per cent of the country in the dark. Since water pumps need electricity to run, neighbourhoods and families were forced to organise water rationing systems or fetch water from polluted rivers and streams. Maduro blames the blackouts on “sabotage” by Guaidó and the United States. The opposition blames government corruption and neglect of Venezuela’s energy grid. Thousands of Venezuelans protesting the power outages on March 30 were met with violent repression. Counter-protestors came out to support the Maduro government. These extraordinary events may give the appearance that armed conflict is on the horizon. But having researched Venezuela for over 25 years, I believe a prolonged deadlock – and deeper human suffering – is the more likely result. International conflict Each side in Venezuela’s political struggle has powerful international backers. Guaidó has been coordinating with the Trump administration since before assuming the interim presidency, and Trump has made regime change in Venezuela a foreign policy priority. Over 50 countries now recognise Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president. Maduro’s government retains important support from Cuba, Turkey and China – though China, which has loaned Venezuela some $60 billion over the last 12 years, has diminished its public backing of Maduro. Russia has become Maduro’s most important ally. The Russian military equipment and personnel sent in March will likely help maintain and operate Venezuela’s sophisticated Russian-made S-300 air defence system, which protects the capital and key military bases from air attack. The missile defence system may have been damaged in recent power outages or left understaffed by desertions from Venezuela’s military. In a March 29 press statement, White House national security adviser John Bolton called Russia’s military assistance to Venezuela a “direct threat to international peace and security in the region” that will “perpetuate the economic crisis that has destroyed Venezuela’s economy.” Russian officials retorted that the deployment is part of a prior bilateral arms trade agreement with Venezuela. “The United States is present in many parts of the world and no one is telling it where it should or shouldn’t be,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov at a March 28 Kremlin press conference. Regime change stalled Venezuela’s opposition coalition and its allies in the US appear to have thought that global rejection of Maduro’s re-election and Guaidó’s assuming the interim presidency – coupled with threats of a US military invasion and sanctions on Venezuelan oil – would lead Venezuela’s armed forces to turn against Maduro. That would then usher in a democratic transition. Recent events have shown that this strategy was simplistic. More than 500 Venezuelan soldiers have defected to Colombia and Brazil. But most have stayed loyal, as have the generals who hold high positions in Maduro’s government. And Maduro has shown himself quite adept at using dispersed violence to discourage dissent. Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated mentions of a “military option” for dealing with Venezuela, it’s become clear in recent weeks that the US has no actual plans for military action. Indeed, it does not have significant military assets in position near Venezuela. Venezuela’s armed forces are the fifth most powerful in Latin America, according to Global Fire Power, which ranks military strength. It has around 200,000 troops, a volunteer militia, plus paramilitary forces and a fleet of Russian Sukhoi fighter jets. The presence of Russian troops in Venezuela further complicates any plans for US intervention. Russia is a nuclear power, so incurring Russian casualties is probably too big of a risk for the US to take. Adam Isacson, a defence expert at the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights organization, suggests that removing Maduro by force would not only kill thousands of people on the ground, it would likely require tens of thousands of US troops to occupy Venezuela for years in order to stabilize it. Outside of South Florida, where some 200,000 Venezuelan exiles are clamouring for Maduro’s ouster, few Americans would have an appetite for such a prolonged operation. US economic sanctions – which are now targeting Venezuelan oil – appear to be hurting the Venezuelan people more than Maduro’s government. That will only make a democratic transition more elusive. Depriving the Venezuelan government of cash and credit will impede it from fixing the electrical grid by preventing the purchase of new equipment. And without electricity and water, Venezuelans, who in their vast majority oppose Maduro, will be concentrating on survival rather than protest. Working for peace An international effort led by the European Union, Uruguay, Ecuador and Costa Rica is seeking to negotiate new elections. Calling itself the International Contact Group, this coalition has sent technical teams to Caracas twice to meet with the Maduro government and the opposition. The International Contact Group has not actually found much interest on either side. The opposition and its allies in the Trump administration still believe that their strategy of political pressure and economic punishment will lead to the government’s collapse. Maduro, it appears, thinks he can hunker down and wait out the storm. There is one glimmer of hope. After years of political wrangling over humanitarian aid, on March 29 the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that it had brokered agreements with both the Maduro government and the opposition. They will allow the Red Cross to distribute food and medicine to Venezuelans, who have suffered severe shortages of both since 2015. The United Nations estimates that 94 per cent of Venezuela’s population now lives in poverty, and a quarter of its people urgently need humanitarian assistance. The Red Cross deal shows what can be achieved with “satellite diplomacy” – that is, negotiations that engage with rival factions independently rather than requiring them to meet face to face. This is significant. It is the first time that this diplomatic technique has succeeded in Venezuela’s conflict. In the best-case scenario, the humanitarian aid agreement will stick. And it could serve as a model for how international actors can facilitate a democratic transition in Venezuela. (David Smilde is Professor of Sociology, Tulane University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Venezuela’s power struggle reaches a tense stalemate as human suffering deepens

Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is undergoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nirav-modi-intends-to-appeal-for-bail-in-uk-high-court-207548">extradition proceedings </a>in the United Kingdon (UK), has been charged with violating Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an American bankruptcy court&nbsp;which, according to reports, could pave the way for his speedier extradition to India.&nbsp;

Modi is currently in Wandsworth Jail in the UK.

In February 2018, three companies linked to Nirav – Firestar Diamond International, A Jaffe and Fantasy Inc – filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States of America (USA).

A court-appointed trustee probed the companies and filed a complaint against Mihir Bhansali, CEO of Firestar Diamond and Fantasy; Ajay Gandhi, a senior executive in all three companies; and Nirav.

The trio was accused of breaching fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, and violations of the RICO Act. “The case in the US is also linked with his [Nirav’s] scam in the country,” a media report said quoting ED source.

Nirav is the prime accused in $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the maximum punishment Modi would face in India is seven years’ imprisonment while a conviction under the RICO Act could see Nirav, Bhansali and Gandhi facing up to 20 years in prison. Reports said&nbsp;the ED believes that if Nirav is faced with this possibility, he may not contest India’s extradition request as aggressively as he is now.

London's Westminster Magistrate court on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-court-rejects-nirav-modis-bail-plea-remands-him-to-custody-206560">March 29&nbsp;rejected </a>Modi's bail plea for the second time.

The judge had fixed April 26th as the next date of hearing. Modi will appear via video link from jail at the next hearing.

Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is undergoing extradition proceedings in the United Kingdon (UK), has been charged with violating Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an American bankruptcy court which, according to reports, could pave the way for his speedier extradition to India.

Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is undergoing extradition proceedings in the United Kingdon (UK), has been charged with violating Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an American bankruptcy court which, according to reports, could pave the way for his speedier extradition to India. Modi is currently in Wandsworth Jail in the UK. In February 2018, three companies linked to Nirav – Firestar Diamond International, A Jaffe and Fantasy Inc – filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States of America (USA). A court-appointed trustee probed the companies and filed a complaint against Mihir Bhansali, CEO of Firestar Diamond and Fantasy; Ajay Gandhi, a senior executive in all three companies; and Nirav. The trio was accused of breaching fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, and violations of the RICO Act. “The case in the US is also linked with his [Nirav’s] scam in the country,” a media report said quoting ED source. Nirav is the prime accused in $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the maximum punishment Modi would face in India is seven years’ imprisonment while a conviction under the RICO Act could see Nirav, Bhansali and Gandhi facing up to 20 years in prison. Reports said the ED believes that if Nirav is faced with this possibility, he may not contest India’s extradition request as aggressively as he is now. London's Westminster Magistrate court on March 29 rejected Modi's bail plea for the second time. The judge had fixed April 26th as the next date of hearing. Modi will appear via video link from jail at the next hearing.

US invokes RICO Act against Nirav Modi, may expedite extradition to India: Report

MacKenzie Bezos, ex-wife of Amazon.com Inc founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, will give 75 per cent of their stake in the company and all voting rights to the billionaire entrepreneur.

MacKenzie Bezos will also relinquish all her interests in the Washington Post newspaper and rocket company Blue Origin, she said in a tweet on Thursday.

The announcement resolves questions about the direction of the world's largest online retailer that have abounded since the couple announced their divorce in January. Jeff Bezos, widely viewed as a management guru whose long-term focus has been essential to Amazon's meteoric stock rise, will retain company control.

The settlement also suggests that Amazon will be spared the kind of boardroom battle that has plagued other companies whose owners are dealing with family rifts.

"Happy to be giving him all of my interests in the Washington Post and Blue Origin, and 75 per cent of our Amazon stock," MacKenzie Bezos said in the tweet.

Her remaining stake is worth about $36 billion at current market prices. The couple's total stake of $143 billion had made them the richest in the world.

"Grateful to have finished the process of dissolving my marriage with Jeff with support from each other and everyone who reached out to us in kindness, and looking forward to next phase as co-parents and friends," MacKenzie Bezos wrote.

MacKenzie Bezos, ex-wife of Amazon.com Inc founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, will give 75 per cent of their stake in the company and all voting rights to the billionaire entrepreneur.

MacKenzie Bezos, ex-wife of Amazon.com Inc founder and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, will give 75 per cent of their stake in the company and all voting rights to the billionaire entrepreneur. MacKenzie Bezos will also relinquish all her interests in the Washington Post newspaper and rocket company Blue Origin, she said in a tweet on Thursday. The announcement resolves questions about the direction of the world's largest online retailer that have abounded since the couple announced their divorce in January. Jeff Bezos, widely viewed as a management guru whose long-term focus has been essential to Amazon's meteoric stock rise, will retain company control. The settlement also suggests that Amazon will be spared the kind of boardroom battle that has plagued other companies whose owners are dealing with family rifts. "Happy to be giving him all of my interests in the Washington Post and Blue Origin, and 75 per cent of our Amazon stock," MacKenzie Bezos said in the tweet. Her remaining stake is worth about $36 billion at current market prices. The couple's total stake of $143 billion had made them the richest in the world. "Grateful to have finished the process of dissolving my marriage with Jeff with support from each other and everyone who reached out to us in kindness, and looking forward to next phase as co-parents and friends," MacKenzie Bezos wrote.

Jeff Bezos' ex-wife cedes control of Amazon in divorce deal

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-talks-free-trade-must-not-be-derailed-198923">Trade talks</a> between the United States and China made "good headway" last week in Beijing and the two sides aim to bridge differences during talks that could extend beyond three days this week, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said.

Kudlow, speaking to reporters on Wednesday at an event organized by the Christian Science Monitor, said China had recognised problems for the first time during the talks that the United States has raised for years.

Negotiations continued in Washington on Wednesday after meetings last week in Beijing, spearheaded by US&nbsp;Trade Representative <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-china-open-trade-talks-in-beijing-197284&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiS9J-OxbXhAhXRjOYKHcjCB2IQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0hILGxRoNQmZwUAh7dAjpk">Robert Lighthizer</a> and Treasury Secretary <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/so-far-so-good-steven-mnuchin-says-of-trade-talks-in-china-197240&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjk9cybxbXhAhXg73MBHc3VAEoQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw166SGi2CpUGSdzjm1490zV">Steven Mnuchin</a>.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-report-progress-in-beijing-trade-talks-206635&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjwgcGvxbXhAhXh73MBHZozBKwQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZlL_MbQGBucQYU-1ZqQyc">President Donald Trump</a> will meet with Vice Premier Liu He, who is leading the Chinese side in the talks, in the Oval Office at 4:30 p.m. (2030 GMT) on Thursday, the White House said.

The United States and China have levied tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of two-way trade since July 2018. Trump has said he wants a "great deal" with China and has hinted that tariffs could remain in place for some time.

Chinese commitments to increase purchases of American agricultural, energy and manufactured products are expected to be part of a final deal, and a person familiar with the talks said China would get about six years to meet those commitments, or until 2025.

The deadline was reported earlier by Bloomberg, but Trump administration officials previously said that a six-year timeline for purchases exceeding $1 trillion had been under discussion.

A final number for the number of purchases has not been settled, the person said.

Kudlow said Liu and his team would remain in Washington for three days and possibly longer.

"We're covering issues that have never really been covered before, including enforcement," Kudlow said, listing U.S. accusations that Beijing engages in intellectual property theft, forced transfer of technology from US&nbsp;companies doing business in China, cyber hacking, tariffs and non-tariff barriers for commodity trading.

"All making good progress, all making good headway, but we're not there yet," he said about those areas. "We hope this week to get closer."

Kudlow said it was significant that China had "acknowledged these problems for the first time. They were in denial."

Those structural issues along with the way a potential deal would be enforced have been sticking points during months of talks between the world's two largest economies.

Kudlow said on Wednesday that US&nbsp;charges against Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd had generally not come up during trade talks.

Kudlow also said no decisions had been made on tariffs on auto imports coming from top US&nbsp;allies.

Trade talks between the United States and China made "good headway" last week in Beijing and the two sides aim to bridge differences during talks that could extend beyond three days this week, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said.

Trade talks between the United States and China made "good headway" last week in Beijing and the two sides aim to bridge differences during talks that could extend beyond three days this week, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said. Kudlow, speaking to reporters on Wednesday at an event organized by the Christian Science Monitor, said China had recognised problems for the first time during the talks that the United States has raised for years. Negotiations continued in Washington on Wednesday after meetings last week in Beijing, spearheaded by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. President Donald Trump will meet with Vice Premier Liu He, who is leading the Chinese side in the talks, in the Oval Office at 4:30 p.m. (2030 GMT) on Thursday, the White House said. The United States and China have levied tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of two-way trade since July 2018. Trump has said he wants a "great deal" with China and has hinted that tariffs could remain in place for some time. Chinese commitments to increase purchases of American agricultural, energy and manufactured products are expected to be part of a final deal, and a person familiar with the talks said China would get about six years to meet those commitments, or until 2025. The deadline was reported earlier by Bloomberg, but Trump administration officials previously said that a six-year timeline for purchases exceeding $1 trillion had been under discussion. A final number for the number of purchases has not been settled, the person said. Kudlow said Liu and his team would remain in Washington for three days and possibly longer. "We're covering issues that have never really been covered before, including enforcement," Kudlow said, listing U.S. accusations that Beijing engages in intellectual property theft, forced transfer of technology from US companies doing business in China, cyber hacking, tariffs and non-tariff barriers for commodity trading. "All making good progress, all making good headway, but we're not there yet," he said about those areas. "We hope this week to get closer." Kudlow said it was significant that China had "acknowledged these problems for the first time. They were in denial." Those structural issues along with the way a potential deal would be enforced have been sticking points during months of talks between the world's two largest economies. Kudlow said on Wednesday that US charges against Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd had generally not come up during trade talks. Kudlow also said no decisions had been made on tariffs on auto imports coming from top US allies.

US-China talks making progress, could be extended: White House

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the US&nbsp;economy was very strong despite what he said were "unnecessary and destructive actions" taken by the US&nbsp;Federal Reserve, his latest attack on the nation's independent central bank.

"Despite the unnecessary and destructive actions taken by the Fed, the Economy is looking very strong, the China and USMCA deals are moving along nicely, there is little or no Inflation, and USA optimism is very high!," Trump said on Twitter.

USMCA is Trump's designation for a trade pact between the United States, Mexico and Canada that would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump has departed from the practice of recent previous administrations of not commenting on Fed interest rate policy, repeatedly criticizing the central bank for a rate-hike campaign it brought to an abrupt end last month.

On Friday, he said the Fed had made a mistake in raising rates, and his top economic adviser said the president felt the central bank should reverse course and cut borrowing cuts.

Several Fed officials have touted the underlying strength of the US&nbsp;economy in recent remarks, arguing that a spate of weak data is likely to prove fleeting. None have said they back a rate cut.

 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the US economy was very strong despite what he said were "unnecessary and destructive actions" taken by the US Federal Reserve, his latest attack on the nation's independent central bank.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the US economy was very strong despite what he said were "unnecessary and destructive actions" taken by the US Federal Reserve, his latest attack on the nation's independent central bank. "Despite the unnecessary and destructive actions taken by the Fed, the Economy is looking very strong, the China and USMCA deals are moving along nicely, there is little or no Inflation, and USA optimism is very high!," Trump said on Twitter. USMCA is Trump's designation for a trade pact between the United States, Mexico and Canada that would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump has departed from the practice of recent previous administrations of not commenting on Fed interest rate policy, repeatedly criticizing the central bank for a rate-hike campaign it brought to an abrupt end last month. On Friday, he said the Fed had made a mistake in raising rates, and his top economic adviser said the president felt the central bank should reverse course and cut borrowing cuts. Several Fed officials have touted the underlying strength of the US economy in recent remarks, arguing that a spate of weak data is likely to prove fleeting. None have said they back a rate cut.

Trump says US economy strong despite 'destructive actions' by Fed

Trump Administration may allow a small group of countries, including India continue buying Iranian oil after a US deadline on sanctions waivers expires in May, news agency ANI reported quoting analysts.

India, China, Turkey, South Korea and Japan were among the eight countries that were allowed to continue importing Iranian crude in November and condensate without facing penalties, and are now likely to be given new waivers, according to US-based analysts Eurasia Group.

The US will probably fail to meet its goal to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero, despite renewed talk from the White House about letting all oil import waivers expire on May 2, a move that will limit oil exports from Iran, the fourth-largest producer in OPEC.

"Given OPEC+ production cuts and conditions in Venezuela, the oil market probably cannot absorb the loss of 1.3 million barrels per day of Iranian crude without a significant effect on domestic gasoline prices- a red line for US President Donald Trump,"&nbsp;&nbsp;said Henry Rome, a political analyst at Eurasia Group's Global Macro practice, in a note.

If waivers are renewed, countries importing the crude oil will most likely be required to reduce purchases.

In that case, Iranian exports are likely to fall between 900,000 bpd and 1.1 million bpd on average through the May-November waiver period.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With ANI inputs)&nbsp; &nbsp;

Trump Administration may allow a small group of countries, including India continue buying Iranian oil after a US deadline on sanctions waivers expires in May, news agency ANI reported quoting analysts.

Trump Administration may allow a small group of countries, including India continue buying Iranian oil after a US deadline on sanctions waivers expires in May, news agency ANI reported quoting analysts. India, China, Turkey, South Korea and Japan were among the eight countries that were allowed to continue importing Iranian crude in November and condensate without facing penalties, and are now likely to be given new waivers, according to US-based analysts Eurasia Group. The US will probably fail to meet its goal to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero, despite renewed talk from the White House about letting all oil import waivers expire on May 2, a move that will limit oil exports from Iran, the fourth-largest producer in OPEC. "Given OPEC+ production cuts and conditions in Venezuela, the oil market probably cannot absorb the loss of 1.3 million barrels per day of Iranian crude without a significant effect on domestic gasoline prices- a red line for US President Donald Trump," said Henry Rome, a political analyst at Eurasia Group's Global Macro practice, in a note. If waivers are renewed, countries importing the crude oil will most likely be required to reduce purchases. In that case, Iranian exports are likely to fall between 900,000 bpd and 1.1 million bpd on average through the May-November waiver period. (With ANI inputs)

US may renew waivers to countries importing Iranian oil, including India

The peripatetic US envoy for the peace process in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was back this week in Kabul to restart the enigmatic dialogue with Taliban. Are the five rounds of talks between the US and Taliban, the last and most intense at Doha last month, going nowhere or there is light at the end of the tunnel? Hope of a breakthrough is being spread by Pakistan which has the maximum to gain from its success. Here are the known facts.&nbsp;

President Trump last December, unsurprisingly, did a U-turn on Afghanistan. Having been reluctantly persuaded by his Generals to stay the course, in a policy speech on Afghanistan in August 2017, he lashed out at Pakistan saying all it has given the US is lies and deceit after receiving $31 billion and praised India for its constructive role in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Then Defence Secretary James Mattis issued a ‘last chance’ ultimatum to Pakistan to act against Taliban sanctuaries which did not work despite intensified drone strikes in Pakistan. Soon, Trump did another U-turn: embraced Pakistan, criticised India for doing five minutes of work like building libraries in Afghanistan and sought an exit by appointing Zalmay Khalilzad as an interlocutor with Taliban to work out an exit deal. So far according to the US, four issues have been discussed – US withdrawal from Afghanistan;&nbsp;

Taliban pledge that Afghanistan will not become a base for Al Qaeda and its affiliates for attacks on the US and its allies; ceasefire and composition of a future Afghan government including direct talks between Taliban and Kabul.&nbsp;

The Taliban says only two issues constitute the framework accord. Equally pressing problems like interim government, elections, constitution, exchange of prisoners and lifting the ban on Taliban leaders are also to be addressed. &nbsp;

This kind of peace and reconciliation talks are called talking while fighting or vice versa as a conventional peace process is sequenced roughly like this: ceasefire; disarmament (integration of armies and arms); constitutional arrangements; and elections. The presidential elections have been postponed from April to July to September and maybe indefinitely to accommodate the Taliban.

Similarly, the results of the October 2018 parliamentary elections delayed by two years have not been finalised. Conspicuously, the Afghan government has been kept out of the loop in the present US-Taliban series of engagements, making a mockery of the much-touted peace process being Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. This reflects the urgency Trump attaches to a quick troop withdrawal - half the 14,000 soldiers before the end of the year before his re-election bid and the remainder within two to three years.&nbsp;

The US and Afghanistan have signed in 2012 a Strategic Partnership Agreement according to which, America will not abandon the country militarily or financially for years after 2014 which was the US deadline for foreign forces withdrawal. Then in 2014, a bilateral security agreement was signed that provides US troops access to military bases like Bagram and Kandahar in Afghanistan upto 2024 and beyond. Will Trump forsake the retention of strategic assets in Afghanistan? Is this being kept under wraps?&nbsp;

If the mercurial Trump were to pull out like he reportedly announced recently from Syria and Afghanistan – both denied and later and modified – it could prove catastrophic. The Mattis exit was catalysed by this decision setting the cat among the pigeons in the region. James Dobbins, a former US envoy to Afghanistan, fears it could lead to a civil war – back to 1996? Probably not. Gen Kenneth Mackenzie of CENTCOM has said Afghan National Security Forces will dissolve without US support. In 2014, a report published by Special Inspector General Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) had made the assessment that ANSF would be capable of resisting Taliban independently after December 2014 when International Security Assistance Forces combat role ended but would require US air support and assistance in casualty evacuation. When Konduz became the first provincial capital to fall to Taliban in 2014, all hell broke loose in Pentagon, sparking the fear of a strategic collapse.&nbsp;

With the Taliban staging spectacular suicide attacks and enhancing their territorial control (only 54 per cent of 407 districts were under control/influence of government in October 2018 against 72 per cent in November 2005). ANSF casualties are averaging 120 to 130 a month with complete companies capitulating. Instead of correcting the deficiency of unprepared ANSF in the lead since December 2014, US is considering further cuts and exit. In mid-2009, President Obama had observed that if Afghanistan falls to Taliban it will once again become an Al Qaeda base. On 2 January 2019, unpredictable Trump made the following convoluted observation on Afghanistan. ‘Pakistan is there…it should be fighting. But Russia should be fighting too, to prevent terrorists from going to Russia…and India….Why are we there. And we’re 6000 miles away !’&nbsp;

The Afghans are convinced that Taliban pumped by Pakistan is taking the US for a royal ride. NSA Hamdullah Mohib, addressing UNSC last month, criticised the US peace process, especially Khalilzad stressing: ‘peace at any cost is not acceptable’. Former intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh, has doubts about the sincerity of the Taliban, adding it did not represent the Afghan people but Pakistan. Will Trump spring a surprise by ordering a hasty withdrawal or put in place, a mechanism that ensures that the gains of the last 17 years under US leadership are preserved?&nbsp;

India has been outpaced by developments in Afghanistan mainly due to an impetuous Trump. Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat’s advice to engage the Taliban even at this late stage, has been ignored. A backchannel should have been started in 2014-15 after the Konduz debacle. India must update its contingency plans to prevent the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul by force and protect its strategic assets including 5000 Indians. India’s only foreign air base at Ayni in Tajikistan where 100 IAF personnel and engineers are located, must be factored for utilisation after consultations with Russia which has the last word on its use.&nbsp;

Since 2002, India’s right of use has been unclear and combat aircraft have never been stationed there. The Chinese have lately acquired a military base in Tajikistan with its troops operating in the Wakhan corridor. The present government has made national security its prime election issue acting boldly against Pakistan and China but losing sight of Afghanistan.. India’s diminution in Afghanistan will be a jolt to its prestige and image in the region.&nbsp;

For Khalilzad though finding all the pieces to fit into the peace and reconciliation puzzle will be an uphill task and could take time, even as strategic patience is not a virtue Trump is blessed with.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) 
&nbsp;

The peripatetic US envoy for the peace process in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was back this week in Kabul to restart the enigmatic dialogue with Taliban. Are the five rounds of talks between the US and Taliban, the last and most intense at Doha last month, going nowhere or there is light at the end of the tunnel?

The peripatetic US envoy for the peace process in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was back this week in Kabul to restart the enigmatic dialogue with Taliban. Are the five rounds of talks between the US and Taliban, the last and most intense at Doha last month, going nowhere or there is light at the end of the tunnel? Hope of a breakthrough is being spread by Pakistan which has the maximum to gain from its success. Here are the known facts. President Trump last December, unsurprisingly, did a U-turn on Afghanistan. Having been reluctantly persuaded by his Generals to stay the course, in a policy speech on Afghanistan in August 2017, he lashed out at Pakistan saying all it has given the US is lies and deceit after receiving $31 billion and praised India for its constructive role in Afghanistan. Then Defence Secretary James Mattis issued a ‘last chance’ ultimatum to Pakistan to act against Taliban sanctuaries which did not work despite intensified drone strikes in Pakistan. Soon, Trump did another U-turn: embraced Pakistan, criticised India for doing five minutes of work like building libraries in Afghanistan and sought an exit by appointing Zalmay Khalilzad as an interlocutor with Taliban to work out an exit deal. So far according to the US, four issues have been discussed – US withdrawal from Afghanistan; Taliban pledge that Afghanistan will not become a base for Al Qaeda and its affiliates for attacks on the US and its allies; ceasefire and composition of a future Afghan government including direct talks between Taliban and Kabul. The Taliban says only two issues constitute the framework accord. Equally pressing problems like interim government, elections, constitution, exchange of prisoners and lifting the ban on Taliban leaders are also to be addressed. This kind of peace and reconciliation talks are called talking while fighting or vice versa as a conventional peace process is sequenced roughly like this: ceasefire; disarmament (integration of armies and arms); constitutional arrangements; and elections. The presidential elections have been postponed from April to July to September and maybe indefinitely to accommodate the Taliban. Similarly, the results of the October 2018 parliamentary elections delayed by two years have not been finalised. Conspicuously, the Afghan government has been kept out of the loop in the present US-Taliban series of engagements, making a mockery of the much-touted peace process being Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. This reflects the urgency Trump attaches to a quick troop withdrawal - half the 14,000 soldiers before the end of the year before his re-election bid and the remainder within two to three years. The US and Afghanistan have signed in 2012 a Strategic Partnership Agreement according to which, America will not abandon the country militarily or financially for years after 2014 which was the US deadline for foreign forces withdrawal. Then in 2014, a bilateral security agreement was signed that provides US troops access to military bases like Bagram and Kandahar in Afghanistan upto 2024 and beyond. Will Trump forsake the retention of strategic assets in Afghanistan? Is this being kept under wraps? If the mercurial Trump were to pull out like he reportedly announced recently from Syria and Afghanistan – both denied and later and modified – it could prove catastrophic. The Mattis exit was catalysed by this decision setting the cat among the pigeons in the region. James Dobbins, a former US envoy to Afghanistan, fears it could lead to a civil war – back to 1996? Probably not. Gen Kenneth Mackenzie of CENTCOM has said Afghan National Security Forces will dissolve without US support. In 2014, a report published by Special Inspector General Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) had made the assessment that ANSF would be capable of resisting Taliban independently after December 2014 when International Security Assistance Forces combat role ended but would require US air support and assistance in casualty evacuation. When Konduz became the first provincial capital to fall to Taliban in 2014, all hell broke loose in Pentagon, sparking the fear of a strategic collapse. With the Taliban staging spectacular suicide attacks and enhancing their territorial control (only 54 per cent of 407 districts were under control/influence of government in October 2018 against 72 per cent in November 2005). ANSF casualties are averaging 120 to 130 a month with complete companies capitulating. Instead of correcting the deficiency of unprepared ANSF in the lead since December 2014, US is considering further cuts and exit. In mid-2009, President Obama had observed that if Afghanistan falls to Taliban it will once again become an Al Qaeda base. On 2 January 2019, unpredictable Trump made the following convoluted observation on Afghanistan. ‘Pakistan is there…it should be fighting. But Russia should be fighting too, to prevent terrorists from going to Russia…and India….Why are we there. And we’re 6000 miles away !’ The Afghans are convinced that Taliban pumped by Pakistan is taking the US for a royal ride. NSA Hamdullah Mohib, addressing UNSC last month, criticised the US peace process, especially Khalilzad stressing: ‘peace at any cost is not acceptable’. Former intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh, has doubts about the sincerity of the Taliban, adding it did not represent the Afghan people but Pakistan. Will Trump spring a surprise by ordering a hasty withdrawal or put in place, a mechanism that ensures that the gains of the last 17 years under US leadership are preserved? India has been outpaced by developments in Afghanistan mainly due to an impetuous Trump. Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat’s advice to engage the Taliban even at this late stage, has been ignored. A backchannel should have been started in 2014-15 after the Konduz debacle. India must update its contingency plans to prevent the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul by force and protect its strategic assets including 5000 Indians. India’s only foreign air base at Ayni in Tajikistan where 100 IAF personnel and engineers are located, must be factored for utilisation after consultations with Russia which has the last word on its use. Since 2002, India’s right of use has been unclear and combat aircraft have never been stationed there. The Chinese have lately acquired a military base in Tajikistan with its troops operating in the Wakhan corridor. The present government has made national security its prime election issue acting boldly against Pakistan and China but losing sight of Afghanistan.. India’s diminution in Afghanistan will be a jolt to its prestige and image in the region. For Khalilzad though finding all the pieces to fit into the peace and reconciliation puzzle will be an uphill task and could take time, even as strategic patience is not a virtue Trump is blessed with. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Afghan peace talks: India must update its contingency plans to prevent Taliban’s takeover of Kabul

An Indian national, wanted in his home country on charges including attempted murder, extortion, theft and possession of illegal firearms, was removed from the US and turned over to Indian authorities, an official statement said Tuesday.

Ubaidullah Abdulrashid Radiowala, 46, also known as Obed Radiowala, is a key accused in the 2014 cases of alleged conspiracy to kill Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt and firing on film-maker Karim Morani.&nbsp;

An Interpol Red Corner notice was also issued on the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2015 after a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against Radiowala.&nbsp;

"He was wanted in India on charges of attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, extortion, forgery, cheating, theft, abetment, use and possession of illegal firearms, and transmission of information by using the internet to form an organised crime syndicate," the US Immigration and&nbsp; 
Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release.

Radiowala was arrested by the Newark's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in September 2017 from Iselin, New Jersey for illegally staying in the US.

He was later ordered removed to India by an immigration judge, the release said.&nbsp;

Radiowala was held in detention by the ERO Newark, until his removal and handing over to Indian authorities on Monday, following the dismissal of his appeal by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the release said.

"This individual's long list of criminal charges in his home country, including attempted murder, show that he was a danger to the community here in the US," ERO Newark field office director John Tsoukaris said.

A total of 256,085 aliens have been removed or returned in fiscal year 2018 by the ICE, the release said.&nbsp;

The proportion of FY18 removals resulting from ICE arrests increased by nearly 17 per cent over the previous fiscal year, and the number of ICE interior removals in FY18 increased by nearly 14,000 from FY17, it said.

The ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.

An Indian national, wanted in his home country on charges including attempted murder, extortion, theft and possession of illegal firearms, was removed from the US and turned over to Indian authorities, an official statement said Tuesday.

An Indian national, wanted in his home country on charges including attempted murder, extortion, theft and possession of illegal firearms, was removed from the US and turned over to Indian authorities, an official statement said Tuesday. Ubaidullah Abdulrashid Radiowala, 46, also known as Obed Radiowala, is a key accused in the 2014 cases of alleged conspiracy to kill Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt and firing on film-maker Karim Morani. An Interpol Red Corner notice was also issued on the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2015 after a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against Radiowala. "He was wanted in India on charges of attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, extortion, forgery, cheating, theft, abetment, use and possession of illegal firearms, and transmission of information by using the internet to form an organised crime syndicate," the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a press release. Radiowala was arrested by the Newark's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in September 2017 from Iselin, New Jersey for illegally staying in the US. He was later ordered removed to India by an immigration judge, the release said. Radiowala was held in detention by the ERO Newark, until his removal and handing over to Indian authorities on Monday, following the dismissal of his appeal by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the release said. "This individual's long list of criminal charges in his home country, including attempted murder, show that he was a danger to the community here in the US," ERO Newark field office director John Tsoukaris said. A total of 256,085 aliens have been removed or returned in fiscal year 2018 by the ICE, the release said. The proportion of FY18 removals resulting from ICE arrests increased by nearly 17 per cent over the previous fiscal year, and the number of ICE interior removals in FY18 increased by nearly 14,000 from FY17, it said. The ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.

US deports Indian wanted in home country for attempted murder, extortion

Chicago on Tuesday elected a black gay woman as its mayor and becomes the biggest city in the US to do so.

Lori Lightfoot will be the first openly gay mayor as well as the first African America woman to hold the post.&nbsp;

"We were up against powerful interests," Lightfoot said in a victory speech, with her wife and young daughter by her side.&nbsp;

"Today, you did more than make history, you created a movement for change," she told a cheering crowd.&nbsp;

The 56-year-old formal federal prosecutor and practising lawyer won the Midwestern city's mayoral race in a one-sided victory. She was standing against Toni Preckwinkle, also a black and won by a huge margin of 74 to 26 per cent with most ballots counted.&nbsp;

Chicago on Tuesday elected a black gay woman as its mayor and becomes the biggest city in the US to do so. Lori Lightfoot will be the first openly gay mayor as well as the first African America woman to hold the post.

Chicago on Tuesday elected a black gay woman as its mayor and becomes the biggest city in the US to do so. Lori Lightfoot will be the first openly gay mayor as well as the first African America woman to hold the post. "We were up against powerful interests," Lightfoot said in a victory speech, with her wife and young daughter by her side. "Today, you did more than make history, you created a movement for change," she told a cheering crowd. The 56-year-old formal federal prosecutor and practising lawyer won the Midwestern city's mayoral race in a one-sided victory. She was standing against Toni Preckwinkle, also a black and won by a huge margin of 74 to 26 per cent with most ballots counted.

Black, gay woman elected Chicago mayor in historic vote

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-anti-submarine-helicopter-sale-to-india-207615">US</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-anti-submarine-helicopter-sale-to-india-207615"> approves 24 anti-submarine helicopter sale to India worth $2.6 billion</a>

The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean.

The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-seeks-new-brexit-delay-to-approve-deal-207606">British PM Theresa May seeks new Brexit delay to approve </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-seeks-new-brexit-delay-to-approve-deal-207606">deal</a>

Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday she would ask the EU to delay Brexit again to avoid Britain crashing out of the bloc next week, signalling she could accept a closer relationship with Europe to break months of political deadlock.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-stripped-of-immunity-can-face-prosecution-official-207607">Venezuela's Constituent Assembly strips Guaido of immunity, may face prosecution</a>

Venezuela's ruling Constituent Assembly stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido's immunity Tuesday and authorised the crisis-hit country's high court to criminally prosecute him for usurpation of functions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-woman-arrested-at-trumps-resort-with-malware-on-thumb-drive-207610">Chinese woman arrested at Trump's resort with malware on </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-woman-arrested-at-trumps-resort-with-malware-on-thumb-drive-207610">thumb</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-woman-arrested-at-trumps-resort-with-malware-on-thumb-drive-207610"> drive</a>

A Chinese woman carrying multiple cellphones and a thumb drive containing malware was arrested on Saturday at US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida while he was staying there, court documents revealed Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/english-premier-league-wolverhampton-wanderers-topple-manchester-united-207613">English Premier League: Wolverhampton Wanderers topple Manchester United</a>

Wolverhampton Wanderers repeated their FA Cup defeat of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United thanks to a Chris Smalling own goal that gave them a 2-1 comeback win in a pulsating Premier League game on Tuesday.

US approves 24 anti-submarine helicopter sale to India worth $2.6 billion The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean.

US approves 24 anti-submarine helicopter sale to India worth $2.6 billion The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean. The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean. British PM Theresa May seeks new Brexit delay to approve deal Prime Minister Theresa May said Tuesday she would ask the EU to delay Brexit again to avoid Britain crashing out of the bloc next week, signalling she could accept a closer relationship with Europe to break months of political deadlock. Venezuela's Constituent Assembly strips Guaido of immunity, may face prosecution Venezuela's ruling Constituent Assembly stripped opposition leader Juan Guaido's immunity Tuesday and authorised the crisis-hit country's high court to criminally prosecute him for usurpation of functions. Chinese woman arrested at Trump's resort with malware on thumb drive A Chinese woman carrying multiple cellphones and a thumb drive containing malware was arrested on Saturday at US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida while he was staying there, court documents revealed Tuesday. English Premier League: Wolverhampton Wanderers topple Manchester United Wolverhampton Wanderers repeated their FA Cup defeat of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United thanks to a Chris Smalling own goal that gave them a 2-1 comeback win in a pulsating Premier League game on Tuesday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean.

In a quick reply to an Indian request submitted late last year, the State Department said it was informing the US Congress as legally required that it was giving the green light for India to buy the 24 helicopters worth a total of $2.6 billion.

Nicknamed the Romeo, the MH-60R helicopters <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aero-india-lockheed-martin-tata-unveils-new-combat-jet-f-21-for-india-198490">manufactured by Lockheed Martin</a> are designed for hunting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navy-says-ins-vikramaditya-nuclear-submarines-deployed-in-northern-arabian-sea-amid-indo-pak-tensions-203846">submarines</a> as well as knocking out ships and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner," the State Department said in a statement.

It called India "a major defensive partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region."

India, which had estranged relations with the United States since the Cold War, has emerged as one of its leading defence partner with the interests of the world's two largest democracies largely overlapping amid their concerns over a rising China and Islamist extremism.

India has been alarmed by China's growing interest in the Indian Ocean as it becomes a global naval power.

In a strategy dubbed by Indian and US observers as the "string of pearls," China has made use of a growing number of naval bases in the Indian Ocean, most notably the Gwadar port it is developing in India's historic rival Pakistan.

Indian naval planners have responded with a doctrine to ensure freedom of movement throughout the Indian Ocean, stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca.

The Romeos would replenish India's ageing fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters.

The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean.

The United States said Tuesday it had approved the sale of 24 MH-60R helicopters to India, significantly boosting its emerging ally's firepower to target submarines as China expands in the Indian Ocean. In a quick reply to an Indian request submitted late last year, the State Department said it was informing the US Congress as legally required that it was giving the green light for India to buy the 24 helicopters worth a total of $2.6 billion. Nicknamed the Romeo, the MH-60R helicopters manufactured by Lockheed Martin are designed for hunting submarines as well as knocking out ships and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea. "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive partner," the State Department said in a statement. It called India "a major defensive partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region." India, which had estranged relations with the United States since the Cold War, has emerged as one of its leading defence partner with the interests of the world's two largest democracies largely overlapping amid their concerns over a rising China and Islamist extremism. India has been alarmed by China's growing interest in the Indian Ocean as it becomes a global naval power. In a strategy dubbed by Indian and US observers as the "string of pearls," China has made use of a growing number of naval bases in the Indian Ocean, most notably the Gwadar port it is developing in India's historic rival Pakistan. Indian naval planners have responded with a doctrine to ensure freedom of movement throughout the Indian Ocean, stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca. The Romeos would replenish India's ageing fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters.

US approves 24 anti-submarine helicopters sale to India worth $2.6 billion

A Connecticut woman said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-us-vice-president-biden-denies-inappropriate-conduct-over-alleged-kiss-207028">former US Vice President Joe Biden</a> touched her inappropriately and rubbed noses with her at a 2009 political fundraiser, becoming the second person in three days to accuse the former vice president of unwanted physical contact as he considers a White House run.

"It wasn't sexual, but he did grab me by the head," Amy Lappos, 43, told the Hartford Courant on Monday of her encounter with Biden at a Greenwich, Connecticut, event. "He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth."

Lappos posted about the alleged incident in a Connecticut Women in Politics Facebook group on Sunday in response to an account by former Nevada state legislator Lucy Flores, who last week accused Biden of kissing her on the back of the head at a 2014 event.

The allegations could endanger a possible 2020 presidential run by Biden, who was vice president under President Barack Obama at the time of both alleged instances. He has been expected to announce a Democratic White House bid in the coming weeks and has been leading the Democratic presidential field in opinion polls.

Asked about the Connecticut allegation, a Biden spokesman pointed to Biden's statement on Sunday, when he said he did not believe he ever acted inappropriately during his many years in public life and on the campaign trail.

"I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately," Biden said in the statement. "If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention."

Biden has long been known for a warm and intimate campaign style, but his propensity for hugging and physical touching has come under new scrutiny in the #MeToo era as awareness about sexual assault and harassment has grown.

Lappos, a former aide to US&nbsp;Representative Jim Himes, told the Courant she felt uncomfortable when Biden approached her at a fundraiser for Himes. She said she was in the kitchen with three or four other volunteers when Biden moved toward her.

"I never filed a complaint, to be honest, because he was the vice president. I was a nobody," said Lappos, who is now a freelance worker with nonprofit agencies. "There's absolutely a line of decency. There's a line of respect. Crossing that line is not grandfatherly. It's not cultural. It's not affection. It's sexism or misogyny."

Lappos did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters.

Some Biden supporters rallied to his defence. Elizabeth Alexander, a former Senate and White House aide to Biden, wrote in a USA Today column that he supported women and was a champion for their rights even when it was not politically expedient.

A Connecticut woman said former US Vice President Joe Biden touched her inappropriately and rubbed noses with her at a 2009 political fundraiser, becoming the second person in three days to accuse the former vice president of unwanted physical contact as he considers a White House run.

A Connecticut woman said former US Vice President Joe Biden touched her inappropriately and rubbed noses with her at a 2009 political fundraiser, becoming the second person in three days to accuse the former vice president of unwanted physical contact as he considers a White House run. "It wasn't sexual, but he did grab me by the head," Amy Lappos, 43, told the Hartford Courant on Monday of her encounter with Biden at a Greenwich, Connecticut, event. "He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth." Lappos posted about the alleged incident in a Connecticut Women in Politics Facebook group on Sunday in response to an account by former Nevada state legislator Lucy Flores, who last week accused Biden of kissing her on the back of the head at a 2014 event. The allegations could endanger a possible 2020 presidential run by Biden, who was vice president under President Barack Obama at the time of both alleged instances. He has been expected to announce a Democratic White House bid in the coming weeks and has been leading the Democratic presidential field in opinion polls. Asked about the Connecticut allegation, a Biden spokesman pointed to Biden's statement on Sunday, when he said he did not believe he ever acted inappropriately during his many years in public life and on the campaign trail. "I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately," Biden said in the statement. "If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention." Biden has long been known for a warm and intimate campaign style, but his propensity for hugging and physical touching has come under new scrutiny in the #MeToo era as awareness about sexual assault and harassment has grown. Lappos, a former aide to US Representative Jim Himes, told the Courant she felt uncomfortable when Biden approached her at a fundraiser for Himes. She said she was in the kitchen with three or four other volunteers when Biden moved toward her. "I never filed a complaint, to be honest, because he was the vice president. I was a nobody," said Lappos, who is now a freelance worker with nonprofit agencies. "There's absolutely a line of decency. There's a line of respect. Crossing that line is not grandfatherly. It's not cultural. It's not affection. It's sexism or misogyny." Lappos did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters. Some Biden supporters rallied to his defence. Elizabeth Alexander, a former Senate and White House aide to Biden, wrote in a USA Today column that he supported women and was a champion for their rights even when it was not politically expedient.

Second woman says former US vice president Joe Biden touched her inappropriately

The lines in front of the water spigots are the same for the government-supporting Chavistas and the opposition non-Chavistas.

In the residential districts of Caracas, the tired faces show irritation when people start to talk about who's to blame for the situation that for weeks has mired Venezuela amid a series of power blackouts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-venezuela-court-calls-to-strip-guaidos-immunity-207309">Also read:&nbsp;Top Venezuela court calls to strip opposition leader Guaido's immunity</a>

Residents of the shantytowns strewn over the hills of the capital look for water from pipes, fountains and abandoned cisterns without regard for their political affiliation, patiently filling containers, decanters or big bottles to take the precious liquid back home with them.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're in resistance because if we were just an agricultural country, none of this would be happening," said Orlando Iturbe, a 47-year-old businessman, standing before some pipes out of which water is running at an abandoned construction site in the capital's downtown.

He repeats the theory that the opposition and the United States are to blame for sabotaging the electricity grid, the story that the Nicolas Maduro regime has pushed to explain why - since March 7 - the country has been experiencing repeated power outages, each lasting several days, that have prevented the electric pumps from sending water through the pipes.

"It's unconventional warfare, which is our modern war if we were a country that didn't have any more crops ... Because we have all kinds of wealth, what happens? The United States wants the whole pie," he said.

Behind him, Pascual Escalona is watching the man with an amazed look on his face until Iturbe starts criticizing the opposition and then he can't contain himself any longer.

"What opposition? The one who has the power here is the government!" he says angrily, sparking an argument in which they wind up berating each other.

Escalona is a retiree from the Graphic Arts who, like Iturbe, lives in La Pastora. He's tired, he says, confirming that these days he only received 18,000 bolivares (about $5) a month from his pension, and that's not enough to buy even a carton of eggs.

"We were happy here. We had a few beers, we messed around, we screwed around and now we're hungry. Look, no light, no telephone, we don't have a damn thing," he said.

"Now, brother? We're looking for water like a bunch of a-holes. This is a real humiliation. They've got us humiliated!" he added.

He said that last night at his house with his two little girls some tear gas drifted in and they inhaled it, evidently fired by the police at protesters somewhere nearby.

Iturbe, who is now the one looking irritated, replies: "OK, so weren't they blocking the streets with barricades?"

And Escalona responds: "Sure, but you have to block (them), you have to protest!"

Not far away, dozens of vehicles are parked along Avenida Baralt, which circles Avila Hill, while hundreds of people scour around tirelessly for water in the streams and drains.

Alexander, a 45-year-old peddler, says that over the past five days he climbed up and down to one of the streams to bring 50 buckets of water home for washing, drinking and cooking.

"What are we going to do? You boil it and you drink it. We're not going to die, man. The homeless drink dirty water and nothing happen to them," he says.

He says that he normally works as a peddler at one of the metro exits, but the metro hasn't had electricity for days and so nobody's riding it and he can't work there. But, nevertheless, he's got to get by.

"Hell, man, I don't know how much more these people can take of this because the truth is that it's a nuisance, it's tough ... Another month? Weren't there protests all over the place yesterday?" he said.

Virgilio Rodriguez, a 62-year-old businessman, lives in a nearby neighbourhood. He began by saying that he's apolitical but he had only been talking for a few seconds when his indignation betrayed him.

"I don't know. I don't get involved in politics. But there's got to be a change here because we can't go on like this," he remarked.

"The people are in need. (The well-off) aren't having any problems and they have everything in their homes. Do you see (former Vice President) Elias Jaua standing in line to look for water or to buy food?" he said.

Nearby, standing in the stream, a man is washing his little daughter with soap. When your reporter identifies himself and asks him why he's here, the man says he doesn't want to talk.

"I don't know whether you guys are with the CIA," he adds.

The lines in front of the water spigots are the same for the government-supporting Chavistas and the opposition non-Chavistas. In the residential districts of Caracas, the tired faces show irritation when people start to talk about who's to blame for the situation that for weeks has mired Venezuela amid a series of power blackouts.

The lines in front of the water spigots are the same for the government-supporting Chavistas and the opposition non-Chavistas. In the residential districts of Caracas, the tired faces show irritation when people start to talk about who's to blame for the situation that for weeks has mired Venezuela amid a series of power blackouts. Also read: Top Venezuela court calls to strip opposition leader Guaido's immunity Residents of the shantytowns strewn over the hills of the capital look for water from pipes, fountains and abandoned cisterns without regard for their political affiliation, patiently filling containers, decanters or big bottles to take the precious liquid back home with them. "As far as I'm concerned, we're in resistance because if we were just an agricultural country, none of this would be happening," said Orlando Iturbe, a 47-year-old businessman, standing before some pipes out of which water is running at an abandoned construction site in the capital's downtown. He repeats the theory that the opposition and the United States are to blame for sabotaging the electricity grid, the story that the Nicolas Maduro regime has pushed to explain why - since March 7 - the country has been experiencing repeated power outages, each lasting several days, that have prevented the electric pumps from sending water through the pipes. "It's unconventional warfare, which is our modern war if we were a country that didn't have any more crops ... Because we have all kinds of wealth, what happens? The United States wants the whole pie," he said. Behind him, Pascual Escalona is watching the man with an amazed look on his face until Iturbe starts criticizing the opposition and then he can't contain himself any longer. "What opposition? The one who has the power here is the government!" he says angrily, sparking an argument in which they wind up berating each other. Escalona is a retiree from the Graphic Arts who, like Iturbe, lives in La Pastora. He's tired, he says, confirming that these days he only received 18,000 bolivares (about $5) a month from his pension, and that's not enough to buy even a carton of eggs. "We were happy here. We had a few beers, we messed around, we screwed around and now we're hungry. Look, no light, no telephone, we don't have a damn thing," he said. "Now, brother? We're looking for water like a bunch of a-holes. This is a real humiliation. They've got us humiliated!" he added. He said that last night at his house with his two little girls some tear gas drifted in and they inhaled it, evidently fired by the police at protesters somewhere nearby. Iturbe, who is now the one looking irritated, replies: "OK, so weren't they blocking the streets with barricades?" And Escalona responds: "Sure, but you have to block (them), you have to protest!" Not far away, dozens of vehicles are parked along Avenida Baralt, which circles Avila Hill, while hundreds of people scour around tirelessly for water in the streams and drains. Alexander, a 45-year-old peddler, says that over the past five days he climbed up and down to one of the streams to bring 50 buckets of water home for washing, drinking and cooking. "What are we going to do? You boil it and you drink it. We're not going to die, man. The homeless drink dirty water and nothing happen to them," he says. He says that he normally works as a peddler at one of the metro exits, but the metro hasn't had electricity for days and so nobody's riding it and he can't work there. But, nevertheless, he's got to get by. "Hell, man, I don't know how much more these people can take of this because the truth is that it's a nuisance, it's tough ... Another month? Weren't there protests all over the place yesterday?" he said. Virgilio Rodriguez, a 62-year-old businessman, lives in a nearby neighbourhood. He began by saying that he's apolitical but he had only been talking for a few seconds when his indignation betrayed him. "I don't know. I don't get involved in politics. But there's got to be a change here because we can't go on like this," he remarked. "The people are in need. (The well-off) aren't having any problems and they have everything in their homes. Do you see (former Vice President) Elias Jaua standing in line to look for water or to buy food?" he said. Nearby, standing in the stream, a man is washing his little daughter with soap. When your reporter identifies himself and asks him why he's here, the man says he doesn't want to talk. "I don't know whether you guys are with the CIA," he adds.

Venezuela: With no water, Caracas residents' patience is drying up

Asia shares extended their rally on Tuesday as factory activity surveys from China and the United States boosted investor confidence, triggering the largest one-day sell-off in the US Treasury market in nearly three months.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3 per cent to a seven-month high after rallying more than one per cent in the previous session.

Australian shares gained 0.8 per cent while Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.4 per cent, extending its gains for a third session.

Wall Street shares jumped on Monday, with the S&amp;P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both rising more than one per cent, with the Dow lifted by sharp gains in Caterpillar Inc and Boeing Co.

Investors cheered US&nbsp;data overnight showing improvements in manufacturing activity last month and construction spending for February, which overshadowed an unexpected drop in retail sales.

The upbeat readings added to earlier data showing China's manufacturing sector surprisingly returned to growth for the first time in four months in March in a sign government stimulus steps were starting to be felt.

The rare bright news for the global economy comes in the wake of persistent worries over cooling demand across the world, with the Sino-US tariff dispute, slowing trade and corporate profits prompting investors to dump risk assets over the past several months.

"The market is reacting to the improvement of the sentiment in China. Many investors are buying in anticipation of a rise in shares," said Norihiro Fujito, chief investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

"But thinking about how things really are, at the end of the week (US) jobless claims will be released and it's true that individual consumption, which accounts for 70 per cent of gross domestic product, hasn't been good. I think that has to be taken into account," Fujito said.

The encouraging data on manufacturing activity in the world's two biggest economies led to a wobbly start to the US bond market, with the US benchmark 10-year Treasury note yields booking their largest single-day jump since January 4.

The US 10-year Treasury yield overnight jumped to a more than one-week high of 2.502 per cent, moving off a 15-month low of 2.340 per cent touched on March 25.

The rise pushed the yield curve between three-month US Treasury bills and 10-year notes further into positive territory, after being inverted for a week until last Friday.

BREXIT CHAOS

In the currency market, sterling took a knock after British lawmakers came no nearer to resolving the chaos surrounding the country's departure from the European Union.

The British parliament failed on Monday to find a majority of its own for an alternative to Prime Minister Theresa May's divorce deal.

"The only sensible thing for Theresa May to do is to step aside and let someone else take control of Brexit," said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Think Markets in London.

"Failure to chose any of the options on Brexit took the floor under sterling and the currency stumbled like a rock," Aslam said in a note to clients.

Sterling was last down 0.25 per cent at $1.3073, not far from last month's nadir of $1.2945.

The euro struggled near a three-week low of $1.1198 brushed early on Tuesday and was last trading down a tenth of a per cent at $1.1204.

Against the Japanese yen, the dollar was down a tad at 111.33 yen, but 1.5 per cent above its 1-1/2-month low of 109.70 touched on March 25.

Oil prices hovered near their four-month peaks, after two key benchmarks booked their largest first-quarter gains in nearly a decade on positive signs for the global economy and tighter supplies.

US crude futures traded at $61.92 per barrel, up half a per cent on the day. Brent futures were up 0.4 per cent at $69.28 a barrel.

Gold was 0.15 per cent higher at $1,289.10.

Asia shares extended their rally on Tuesday as factory activity surveys from China and the United States boosted investor confidence, triggering the largest one-day sell-off in the US Treasury market in nearly three months.

Asia shares extended their rally on Tuesday as factory activity surveys from China and the United States boosted investor confidence, triggering the largest one-day sell-off in the US Treasury market in nearly three months. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3 per cent to a seven-month high after rallying more than one per cent in the previous session. Australian shares gained 0.8 per cent while Japan's Nikkei advanced 0.4 per cent, extending its gains for a third session. Wall Street shares jumped on Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average both rising more than one per cent, with the Dow lifted by sharp gains in Caterpillar Inc and Boeing Co. Investors cheered US data overnight showing improvements in manufacturing activity last month and construction spending for February, which overshadowed an unexpected drop in retail sales. The upbeat readings added to earlier data showing China's manufacturing sector surprisingly returned to growth for the first time in four months in March in a sign government stimulus steps were starting to be felt. The rare bright news for the global economy comes in the wake of persistent worries over cooling demand across the world, with the Sino-US tariff dispute, slowing trade and corporate profits prompting investors to dump risk assets over the past several months. "The market is reacting to the improvement of the sentiment in China. Many investors are buying in anticipation of a rise in shares," said Norihiro Fujito, chief investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities. "But thinking about how things really are, at the end of the week (US) jobless claims will be released and it's true that individual consumption, which accounts for 70 per cent of gross domestic product, hasn't been good. I think that has to be taken into account," Fujito said. The encouraging data on manufacturing activity in the world's two biggest economies led to a wobbly start to the US bond market, with the US benchmark 10-year Treasury note yields booking their largest single-day jump since January 4. The US 10-year Treasury yield overnight jumped to a more than one-week high of 2.502 per cent, moving off a 15-month low of 2.340 per cent touched on March 25. The rise pushed the yield curve between three-month US Treasury bills and 10-year notes further into positive territory, after being inverted for a week until last Friday. BREXIT CHAOS In the currency market, sterling took a knock after British lawmakers came no nearer to resolving the chaos surrounding the country's departure from the European Union. The British parliament failed on Monday to find a majority of its own for an alternative to Prime Minister Theresa May's divorce deal. "The only sensible thing for Theresa May to do is to step aside and let someone else take control of Brexit," said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Think Markets in London. "Failure to chose any of the options on Brexit took the floor under sterling and the currency stumbled like a rock," Aslam said in a note to clients. Sterling was last down 0.25 per cent at $1.3073, not far from last month's nadir of $1.2945. The euro struggled near a three-week low of $1.1198 brushed early on Tuesday and was last trading down a tenth of a per cent at $1.1204. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar was down a tad at 111.33 yen, but 1.5 per cent above its 1-1/2-month low of 109.70 touched on March 25. Oil prices hovered near their four-month peaks, after two key benchmarks booked their largest first-quarter gains in nearly a decade on positive signs for the global economy and tighter supplies. US crude futures traded at $61.92 per barrel, up half a per cent on the day. Brent futures were up 0.4 per cent at $69.28 a barrel. Gold was 0.15 per cent higher at $1,289.10.

Asian shares rise to seven-month high on US, China manufacturing rebound

The children of murdered <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/royal-adviser-fired-over-khashoggi-murder-absent-from-saudi-trial-report-205319">Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a> have received multimillion-dollar homes and are being paid thousands of dollars per month by the kingdom's authorities, The Washington Post reported Monday.

Khashoggi -- a contributor to the Post and a critic of the Saudi government -- was killed and dismembered in October at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body has not been recovered.

The payments to his four children -- two sons and two daughters -- "are part of an effort by Saudi Arabia to reach a long-term arrangement with Khashoggi family members, aimed in part at ensuring that they continue to show restraint in their public statements," the Post said.

The houses given to the Khashoggi children are located in the port city of Jeddah and are worth up to $4 million, the newspaper reported.

Salah, the eldest of the children, plans to continue living in the kingdom, while the others, who live in the United States, are expected to sell the homes, the paper said.

In addition to the properties, the children are receiving $10,000 or more per month and may also receive larger payments that could amount to tens of millions of dollars each, according to the report.

Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been accused of orchestrating Khashoggi's killing, but the kingdom has claimed that the prince was not involved.

Saudi Arabia initially said it had no knowledge of Khashoggi's fate but later blamed rogue agents for his death.

Its public prosecutor has charged 11 people over his murder.

The children of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have received multimillion-dollar homes and are being paid thousands of dollars per month by the kingdom's authorities, The Washington Post reported Monday.

The children of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have received multimillion-dollar homes and are being paid thousands of dollars per month by the kingdom's authorities, The Washington Post reported Monday. Khashoggi -- a contributor to the Post and a critic of the Saudi government -- was killed and dismembered in October at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body has not been recovered. The payments to his four children -- two sons and two daughters -- "are part of an effort by Saudi Arabia to reach a long-term arrangement with Khashoggi family members, aimed in part at ensuring that they continue to show restraint in their public statements," the Post said. The houses given to the Khashoggi children are located in the port city of Jeddah and are worth up to $4 million, the newspaper reported. Salah, the eldest of the children, plans to continue living in the kingdom, while the others, who live in the United States, are expected to sell the homes, the paper said. In addition to the properties, the children are receiving $10,000 or more per month and may also receive larger payments that could amount to tens of millions of dollars each, according to the report. Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has been accused of orchestrating Khashoggi's killing, but the kingdom has claimed that the prince was not involved. Saudi Arabia initially said it had no knowledge of Khashoggi's fate but later blamed rogue agents for his death. Its public prosecutor has charged 11 people over his murder.

Saudi journalist Khashoggi's children paid by Saudi Arabia: Report

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday accused the United States of impending aid efforts after the authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-evacuates-flood-threatened-villages-after-heavy-rains-kill-dozens-206805">flood-stricken cities in western Iran</a>.

''Trump's 'maximum pressure'—flouting UNSC Res 2231 &amp; ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by #IranianRedCrescent to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM,'' Zarif tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> ‘s "maximum pressure"—flouting UNSC Res 2231 &amp; ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IranianRedCrescent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IranianRedCrescent</a> to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM. <a href="https://t.co/EEKTMiXLEi">pic.twitter.com/EEKTMiXLEi</a>
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1112792501872672770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At least 45 people were killed last week in flash floods in northern and southern Iran. Forecasters have predicted more heavy rains in the days ahead.

The government ordered an evacuation on Saturday for around 11 villages lying near the Dez and Karkheh rivers in the oil-rich southwestern province of Khuzestan.

The authorities declared a "situation red", the highest level of alert, in Lorestan province with four or five cities "completely critical", state television news network IRINN reported from Khorramabad, the region's capital.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday accused the United States of impending aid efforts after the authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of flood-stricken cities in western Iran.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Monday accused the United States of impending aid efforts after the authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of flood-stricken cities in western Iran. ''Trump's 'maximum pressure'—flouting UNSC Res 2231 & ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by #IranianRedCrescent to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM,'' Zarif tweeted. .@realDonaldTrump ‘s "maximum pressure"—flouting UNSC Res 2231 & ICJ ruling—is impeding aid efforts by #IranianRedCrescent to all communities devastated by unprecedented floods. Blocked equipment includes relief choppers: This isn't just economic warfare; it's economic TERRORISM. pic.twitter.com/EEKTMiXLEi — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 1, 2019 × At least 45 people were killed last week in flash floods in northern and southern Iran. Forecasters have predicted more heavy rains in the days ahead. The government ordered an evacuation on Saturday for around 11 villages lying near the Dez and Karkheh rivers in the oil-rich southwestern province of Khuzestan. The authorities declared a "situation red", the highest level of alert, in Lorestan province with four or five cities "completely critical", state television news network IRINN reported from Khorramabad, the region's capital.

Iran's foreign minister accuses US of impending aid efforts, calls it 'economic warfare'

The United States said Monday it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 fighter jet program after the NATO ally insisted on a major arms purchase from Russia.

After months of warnings, the United States said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-s-400-missile-defence-system-a-done-deal-turkey-199862">Turkey's decision to buy Russia's S-400 missile system</a> was incompatible with remaining part of the emblematic US warplane program.

"Until they forgo delivery of the S-400, the United States has suspended deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey's F-35 operational capability," Pentagon chief spokesman Charles E&nbsp;Summers Jr&nbsp;said.

"Should Turkey procure the S-400, their continued participation in the F-35 program is at risk," he said in a statement.

US officials have voiced concern that, with Turkey in both camps, Russia could obtain F-35 data to improve the accuracy of the S-400 against Western aircraft.

The Pentagon said that it had started to look at secondary sources to produce parts for F-35s that were being developed in Turkey.

"We very much regret the current situation facing our F-35 partnership with Turkey, but the (Defense Department) is taking prudent steps to protect the shared investments made in our critical technology," Summers said.

Turkey had planned to buy 100 F-35A fighter jets, with pilots already training in the United States. The plane's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, said that contracts with Turkish companies to build parts for the F-35 had been expected to reach $12 billion.

Among the eight Turkish companies involved in the purchase, Ayesas has been building a panoramic cockpit display for the F-35 and Fokker Elmo makes 40 per cent of the electrical wiring and interconnection system, according to Lockheed Martin.

Growing tilt to Russia&nbsp;

The purchase of a Russian system is highly unusual for a member of NATO, the Western alliance forged to counter the Soviet Union.

The US suspension announcement comes two days before foreign ministers from the 29 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are due in Washington to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the alliance -- and hours after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP party suffered a surprise rout in elections in major cities including Istanbul.

Erdogan, whose relations with the West have soured sharply as he cracks down on dissent at home, has increasingly looked to Moscow as a partner. Russian tourists have made Turkey their top destination, providing a vital economic boost.

Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov travelled to Turkey, where Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu insisted that the S-400 purchase would go ahead.

"We have an agreement with Russia and we are bound by it," Cavusoglu told reporters.

Hoping to offer an alternative, the United States last year approved the sale of Patriot missiles to Turkey -- a deal to which Ankara said it was open.

Four senators last week proposed legally barring the transfer of F-35s to Turkey if it buys the S-400. One of the senators, Democrat Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, praised the Pentagon suspension and pledged to "continue working in the Senate to prevent this dangerous possibility from becoming a reality."

Rocky ties with US&nbsp;

Turkey's relations with the United States plunged last year when President Donald Trump imposed tariffs, battering Turkey's lira, over the jailing of an American pastor detained as part of a mass roundup following a coup attempt against Erdogan.

The pastor, Andrew Brunson, was freed and Trump appeared to grow fond of Erdogan, speaking to him before his sudden decision to withdrew US troops from Syria.

But tensions quickly resurfaced with the United States fearful that Erdogan will strike US-allied Kurdish fighters in Syria and a Turkish court trying a US consulate staffer, Metin Topuz, on charges of spying.

Topuz, a Turkish citizen, is accused of ties to Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States. Erdogan has repeatedly demanded that the United States extradite Gulen, whom the Turkish leader accuses of fomenting the coup.

The United States said Monday it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 fighter jet program after the NATO ally insisted on a major arms purchase from Russia.

The United States said Monday it was halting all deliveries and joint work with Turkey on the F-35 fighter jet program after the NATO ally insisted on a major arms purchase from Russia. After months of warnings, the United States said that Turkey's decision to buy Russia's S-400 missile system was incompatible with remaining part of the emblematic US warplane program. "Until they forgo delivery of the S-400, the United States has suspended deliveries and activities associated with the stand-up of Turkey's F-35 operational capability," Pentagon chief spokesman Charles E Summers Jr said. "Should Turkey procure the S-400, their continued participation in the F-35 program is at risk," he said in a statement. US officials have voiced concern that, with Turkey in both camps, Russia could obtain F-35 data to improve the accuracy of the S-400 against Western aircraft. The Pentagon said that it had started to look at secondary sources to produce parts for F-35s that were being developed in Turkey. "We very much regret the current situation facing our F-35 partnership with Turkey, but the (Defense Department) is taking prudent steps to protect the shared investments made in our critical technology," Summers said. Turkey had planned to buy 100 F-35A fighter jets, with pilots already training in the United States. The plane's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, said that contracts with Turkish companies to build parts for the F-35 had been expected to reach $12 billion. Among the eight Turkish companies involved in the purchase, Ayesas has been building a panoramic cockpit display for the F-35 and Fokker Elmo makes 40 per cent of the electrical wiring and interconnection system, according to Lockheed Martin. Growing tilt to Russia The purchase of a Russian system is highly unusual for a member of NATO, the Western alliance forged to counter the Soviet Union. The US suspension announcement comes two days before foreign ministers from the 29 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are due in Washington to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the alliance -- and hours after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP party suffered a surprise rout in elections in major cities including Istanbul. Erdogan, whose relations with the West have soured sharply as he cracks down on dissent at home, has increasingly looked to Moscow as a partner. Russian tourists have made Turkey their top destination, providing a vital economic boost. Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov travelled to Turkey, where Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu insisted that the S-400 purchase would go ahead. "We have an agreement with Russia and we are bound by it," Cavusoglu told reporters. Hoping to offer an alternative, the United States last year approved the sale of Patriot missiles to Turkey -- a deal to which Ankara said it was open. Four senators last week proposed legally barring the transfer of F-35s to Turkey if it buys the S-400. One of the senators, Democrat Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, praised the Pentagon suspension and pledged to "continue working in the Senate to prevent this dangerous possibility from becoming a reality." Rocky ties with US Turkey's relations with the United States plunged last year when President Donald Trump imposed tariffs, battering Turkey's lira, over the jailing of an American pastor detained as part of a mass roundup following a coup attempt against Erdogan. The pastor, Andrew Brunson, was freed and Trump appeared to grow fond of Erdogan, speaking to him before his sudden decision to withdrew US troops from Syria. But tensions quickly resurfaced with the United States fearful that Erdogan will strike US-allied Kurdish fighters in Syria and a Turkish court trying a US consulate staffer, Metin Topuz, on charges of spying. Topuz, a Turkish citizen, is accused of ties to Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish preacher who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States. Erdogan has repeatedly demanded that the United States extradite Gulen, whom the Turkish leader accuses of fomenting the coup.

US suspends F-35 program deliveries to Turkey over Russian arms

&nbsp;A restoration centre to preserve the work of Ernest Hemingway opened in Cuba on Saturday, highlighting an area of cooperation with the United States even as bilateral ties between the old Cold War foes have chilled again.

Hemingway, who won the Nobel prize for Literature in 1954, wrote some of his greatest books during the 21 years he lived at Finca Vigia, or Lookout Farm, now a museum in San Francisco de Paula on the outskirts of Havana.

The restoration centre built by the Cuban National Cultural Heritage Council and Finca Vigia Foundation of the United States is located on the 15-acre (6-hectare) property where Hemingway lived in a tree-shaded, airy Spanish-style home.

McGovern said the project would have been much easier were it not for the decades-old US trade embargo on Cuba, that President Donald Trump has tightened since coming to power.

Hemingway moved to Finca Vigia in 1939, the year before "For Whom the Bell Tolls" was published, and wrote "The Old Man and the Sea", "A Moveable Feast" and "Islands in the Stream" while he was there, according to local scholars.

He left Cuba in 1960, more than a year after the Cuban revolution and less than a year before he killed himself in Idaho at age 61 amidst a struggle with depression.

The writer left thousands of documents in Cuba, ranging from manuscripts of some of his works to letters, as well as photographs and annotated books.

The restoration centre, which received financing from the Ford Foundation, American Express Philanthropy and the AT&amp;T Foundation amongst others, includes laboratories and an air-conditioned vault.

The Cuban National Cultural Heritage Council and Finca Vigia Foundation had previously signed three cooperation agreements to conserve and disseminate the legacy of Hemingway.

A restoration centre to preserve the work of Ernest Hemingway opened in Cuba on Saturday, highlighting an area of cooperation with the United States even as bilateral ties between the old Cold War foes have chilled again.

A restoration centre to preserve the work of Ernest Hemingway opened in Cuba on Saturday, highlighting an area of cooperation with the United States even as bilateral ties between the old Cold War foes have chilled again. Hemingway, who won the Nobel prize for Literature in 1954, wrote some of his greatest books during the 21 years he lived at Finca Vigia, or Lookout Farm, now a museum in San Francisco de Paula on the outskirts of Havana. The restoration centre built by the Cuban National Cultural Heritage Council and Finca Vigia Foundation of the United States is located on the 15-acre (6-hectare) property where Hemingway lived in a tree-shaded, airy Spanish-style home. McGovern said the project would have been much easier were it not for the decades-old US trade embargo on Cuba, that President Donald Trump has tightened since coming to power. Hemingway moved to Finca Vigia in 1939, the year before "For Whom the Bell Tolls" was published, and wrote "The Old Man and the Sea", "A Moveable Feast" and "Islands in the Stream" while he was there, according to local scholars. He left Cuba in 1960, more than a year after the Cuban revolution and less than a year before he killed himself in Idaho at age 61 amidst a struggle with depression. The writer left thousands of documents in Cuba, ranging from manuscripts of some of his works to letters, as well as photographs and annotated books. The restoration centre, which received financing from the Ford Foundation, American Express Philanthropy and the AT&T Foundation amongst others, includes laboratories and an air-conditioned vault. The Cuban National Cultural Heritage Council and Finca Vigia Foundation had previously signed three cooperation agreements to conserve and disseminate the legacy of Hemingway.

Hemingway centre opens in Cuba to preserve writer's work

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