For the first time in over two decades, New York City witnessed a weekend without any shootings or homicide.&nbsp;

According to reports, the last time the city went without any incident of shooting or homicide over a weekend was in 1993, nearly 25 years back.&nbsp;

"We went Friday, Saturday, Sunday without any shootings and homicides," New York Police Department chief James O'Neill told reporters.

"That's the first time in decades, and that's something, not just the NYPD, but all New Yorkers can be proud of," he added.&nbsp;

Brooklyn and Bronx have been some of the most shooting-prone areas in New York. The weekend of October 6-7, for example, was "terrible", with several shootings in the two areas.

Although the rumble-free weekend in the populous US city was welcomed by all, statistics show that the number of murders in the city is on the rise again.

The city recorded 147 murders in the first half of 2018, an eight per cent increase over the same period in 2017.

For the first time in over two decades, New York City witnessed a weekend without any shootings or homicide. According to reports, the last time the city went without any incident of shooting or homicide over a weekend was in 1993, nearly 25 years back.

For the first time in over two decades, New York City witnessed a weekend without any shootings or homicide. According to reports, the last time the city went without any incident of shooting or homicide over a weekend was in 1993, nearly 25 years back. "We went Friday, Saturday, Sunday without any shootings and homicides," New York Police Department chief James O'Neill told reporters. "That's the first time in decades, and that's something, not just the NYPD, but all New Yorkers can be proud of," he added. Brooklyn and Bronx have been some of the most shooting-prone areas in New York. The weekend of October 6-7, for example, was "terrible", with several shootings in the two areas. Although the rumble-free weekend in the populous US city was welcomed by all, statistics show that the number of murders in the city is on the rise again. The city recorded 147 murders in the first half of 2018, an eight per cent increase over the same period in 2017.

New York witnesses first shooting-free weekend in 25 years

What do we have to truly fear about President Donald Trump? Early October he pulled off the successful re-negotiation of the North America Free Trade area. Pundits thought, with Canada refusing to bend, it could not happen. Maybe the deal now leans more in America’s direction, but Trump has also given something away: The right of Mexico and Canada to sell their trucks and cars more easily in the US. He said he’s a great “deal-maker”, and so this time he is.

His trade tussle with China, which looks to be a stand-off at the moment, has not yet led to a breakdown in relations. Trump has been more than careful to keep direct channels open to President Xi Jinping, even if in early October he became more openly critical and personal. He has treated Xi much better than he treated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.

Nevertheless, the fact is the Chinese have taken advantage of the US, ignoring its copyrights, blatantly reverse engineering expensive US products and subsidising exports. Trump goes too far with his demands, but he is on firm enough ground to force the Chinese to re-think some of their policies. He’s making progress.

Likewise, while being tough on Russia, ratcheting up sanctions, sending modern arms to Ukraine, increasing defence spending and standing back from the cuts in nuclear weapons that President Vladimir Putin has suggested, he keeps his personal channels open to Putin, unlike President Barack Obama. Later he may reap the harvest of this. Russian politics is very personal under Putin.

With North Korea, he appears to have flattered President Kim Jong-un to the point where Kim shows his constructive side to Trump. Progress is being made on nuclear disarmament even if it’s not at the rate the foreign policy establishment wants.

Nevertheless, for all this, the fact is that Trump is a man with an ugly personality, as ugly in its way as Kim. Sometimes one can imagine, if he wasn’t constrained by law, he would execute some of his enemies as Kim has done.

His staff find he’s impossible to deal with although he gets important things done.

After reading Bob Woodward’s new book Fear: Trump in the White House, one realises that Woodward gives little space to Trump’s achievements, and his interviews and re-creations of real-life scenes are nearly all orientated in a critical direction.

Woodward has painted a picture of a sordid man, full of quite disgusting profanities and untruths that he aims at his staff and many of those who do business with him with hourly regularity. (If the women in his “base” could hear these, many would be shocked).

It’s a fine book, researched in the most intimate and thorough way. One doesn’t doubt its veracity. Quite a bit of it we have read in the newspapers already over the last two years, but even then Woodward gets deeper inside the man, the policy-making, and how it’s implemented. He’s the best fly on the wall anyone could ask for.

There are, too, whole chapters where Woodward writes about startling things we’ve not known about. Again and again, in order to keep the US on a sensible course in its policies for trade, foreign relations and financial affairs, his staff have to secretly remove from his desk papers waiting to be signed. This choleric man is so seized up by the next crisis or what appears as an affront that he forgets he asked for them.

Time and time again, his staff are courageous, offering the president clever analysis, despite his constant put downs. He tells them it’s bullshit and that he’s held his views on this or that for over 30 years and he’s not going to change. Amazingly, they argue back, and he lets them — up to a point. In his way, he accepts a lot of talk-back and even verbal insubordination, but then gives the staffer hell.

There is insubordination behind his back, too. On one occasion, when discussing President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Trump said to General James Mattis, the Defence Secretary, “Let’s go in, let’s fucking kill him.” “Yes”, Mattis said, “I will get right on it.” He hung up the phone. “We’re not going to do any of that,” he told a senior aide.

When the North Korea crisis first blew up, Mattis made it clear he didn’t want war. His view was that North Korea could be contained.

Ironically, as with North Korea latterly, Trump in some areas of policy can have non-warlike instincts. He argued hard with the military until they persuaded him otherwise, that the US should totally withdraw from Afghanistan.

Where this story ends nobody knows. Woodward for one doesn’t advocate impeachment but by the end of the book it hangs in the air. Who really wants such a volatile, unhinged and amoral man to have his finger on the nuclear button?

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-notoriously-difficult-to-deal-with-trump-gets-work-done-2675381">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What do we have to truly fear about President Donald Trump? Early October he pulled off the successful re-negotiation of the North America Free Trade area. Pundits thought, with Canada refusing to bend, it could not happen.

What do we have to truly fear about President Donald Trump? Early October he pulled off the successful re-negotiation of the North America Free Trade area. Pundits thought, with Canada refusing to bend, it could not happen. Maybe the deal now leans more in America’s direction, but Trump has also given something away: The right of Mexico and Canada to sell their trucks and cars more easily in the US. He said he’s a great “deal-maker”, and so this time he is. His trade tussle with China, which looks to be a stand-off at the moment, has not yet led to a breakdown in relations. Trump has been more than careful to keep direct channels open to President Xi Jinping, even if in early October he became more openly critical and personal. He has treated Xi much better than he treated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada. Nevertheless, the fact is the Chinese have taken advantage of the US, ignoring its copyrights, blatantly reverse engineering expensive US products and subsidising exports. Trump goes too far with his demands, but he is on firm enough ground to force the Chinese to re-think some of their policies. He’s making progress. Likewise, while being tough on Russia, ratcheting up sanctions, sending modern arms to Ukraine, increasing defence spending and standing back from the cuts in nuclear weapons that President Vladimir Putin has suggested, he keeps his personal channels open to Putin, unlike President Barack Obama. Later he may reap the harvest of this. Russian politics is very personal under Putin. With North Korea, he appears to have flattered President Kim Jong-un to the point where Kim shows his constructive side to Trump. Progress is being made on nuclear disarmament even if it’s not at the rate the foreign policy establishment wants. Nevertheless, for all this, the fact is that Trump is a man with an ugly personality, as ugly in its way as Kim. Sometimes one can imagine, if he wasn’t constrained by law, he would execute some of his enemies as Kim has done. His staff find he’s impossible to deal with although he gets important things done. After reading Bob Woodward’s new book Fear: Trump in the White House, one realises that Woodward gives little space to Trump’s achievements, and his interviews and re-creations of real-life scenes are nearly all orientated in a critical direction. Woodward has painted a picture of a sordid man, full of quite disgusting profanities and untruths that he aims at his staff and many of those who do business with him with hourly regularity. (If the women in his “base” could hear these, many would be shocked). It’s a fine book, researched in the most intimate and thorough way. One doesn’t doubt its veracity. Quite a bit of it we have read in the newspapers already over the last two years, but even then Woodward gets deeper inside the man, the policy-making, and how it’s implemented. He’s the best fly on the wall anyone could ask for. There are, too, whole chapters where Woodward writes about startling things we’ve not known about. Again and again, in order to keep the US on a sensible course in its policies for trade, foreign relations and financial affairs, his staff have to secretly remove from his desk papers waiting to be signed. This choleric man is so seized up by the next crisis or what appears as an affront that he forgets he asked for them. Time and time again, his staff are courageous, offering the president clever analysis, despite his constant put downs. He tells them it’s bullshit and that he’s held his views on this or that for over 30 years and he’s not going to change. Amazingly, they argue back, and he lets them — up to a point. In his way, he accepts a lot of talk-back and even verbal insubordination, but then gives the staffer hell. There is insubordination behind his back, too. On one occasion, when discussing President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Trump said to General James Mattis, the Defence Secretary, “Let’s go in, let’s fucking kill him.” “Yes”, Mattis said, “I will get right on it.” He hung up the phone. “We’re not going to do any of that,” he told a senior aide. When the North Korea crisis first blew up, Mattis made it clear he didn’t want war. His view was that North Korea could be contained. Ironically, as with North Korea latterly, Trump in some areas of policy can have non-warlike instincts. He argued hard with the military until they persuaded him otherwise, that the US should totally withdraw from Afghanistan. Where this story ends nobody knows. Woodward for one doesn’t advocate impeachment but by the end of the book it hangs in the air. Who really wants such a volatile, unhinged and amoral man to have his finger on the nuclear button? (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Notoriously difficult to deal with, Trump gets work done

US President Donald Trump said in an interview airing Sunday that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "could be" leaving, referring to him as "sort of a Democrat."

Mattis, seen as one of the steadiest but also more independent members of Trump's cabinet, has served as a low-profile counterweight to the president in his often abrasive treatment of US allies.

In an interview to be aired Sunday on CBS's "60 Minutes," Trump was asked whether he wanted Mattis to leave.

"It could be that he is. I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth," Trump said, according to an excerpt released by CBS. "But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves."

Trump said he had lunch with Mattis two days earlier and Mattis, a retired Marine four-star general, had not told him that he was leaving.

The exchange on Mattis came after Trump alluded to upcoming changes in his cabinet, which last week saw the surprise resignation of Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations.

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"I'm changing things around. And I'm entitled to. I have people now on standby that will be phenomenal. They'll come into the administration, they'll be phenomenal," Trump said.

"I think we have a great cabinet. There're some people that I'm not happy with. I have some people that I'm not thrilled with. And I have other people that I'm beyond thrilled with," he said.

US President Donald Trump said in an interview airing Sunday that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "could be" leaving, referring to him as "sort of a Democrat." Mattis, seen as one of the steadiest but also more independent members of Trump's cabinet, has served as a low-profile counterweight to the president in his often abrasive treatment of US allies.

US President Donald Trump said in an interview airing Sunday that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "could be" leaving, referring to him as "sort of a Democrat." Mattis, seen as one of the steadiest but also more independent members of Trump's cabinet, has served as a low-profile counterweight to the president in his often abrasive treatment of US allies. In an interview to be aired Sunday on CBS's "60 Minutes," Trump was asked whether he wanted Mattis to leave. "It could be that he is. I think he's sort of a Democrat, if you want to know the truth," Trump said, according to an excerpt released by CBS. "But General Mattis is a good guy. We get along very well. He may leave. I mean, at some point, everybody leaves." Trump said he had lunch with Mattis two days earlier and Mattis, a retired Marine four-star general, had not told him that he was leaving. The exchange on Mattis came after Trump alluded to upcoming changes in his cabinet, which last week saw the surprise resignation of Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations. × "I'm changing things around. And I'm entitled to. I have people now on standby that will be phenomenal. They'll come into the administration, they'll be phenomenal," Trump said. "I think we have a great cabinet. There're some people that I'm not happy with. I have some people that I'm not thrilled with. And I have other people that I'm beyond thrilled with," he said.

Jim Mattis 'could be' leaving as US defense chief: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will "probably" meet at a G20 summit next month, a US official said Sunday, as both sides deplored a badly strained relationship that a Chinese official called "very confusing."&nbsp;

"The presidents will probably meet at the G20 in Buenos Aires," Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on the "Fox News Sunday" program.

But he added that trade talks with China -- with each side imposing a mounting series of tariffs on the other, raising fears of a shock to the global economy -- had so far been "unsatisfactory."

"The relationship has not been positive lately," Kudlow said.

China's ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, raised similar doubts about the relationship between the world's two largest economic powers.

Also appearing on Fox, he confirmed reports that China has grown frustrated in trade talks because of conflicting signals from the Trump administration. Cui said other ambassadors in Washington shared his frustration.&nbsp;

"They don't know who was the final decision-maker" in the administration, he said. "Of course, presumably the president would take the final decision. But who is playing what role? It can be very confusing."

Litany of complaints

He also complained about a recent incident in which a US navy ship, in a so-called "freedom of navigation" exercise, sailed close to a disputed island claimed by China in the South China Sea.

"This is a very good example of American intervention into Chinese internal affairs," Cui said, adding that US officials would not be pleased if Chinese warships entered the Gulf of Mexico.

Kudlow concurred that the differences between the two sides extend beyond trade.&nbsp;

"The relationship has not been positive lately, and we have to have reciprocity in all of these areas: trade, security, military issues. That's what is at stake here," he said.

Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence issued a long litany of complaints against China. He accused Beijing of "predatory" trade practices, of military "aggression," of massive attacks on personal freedoms and religious minorities, and even of electoral interference aimed at unseating Trump by running ads in American newspapers.

Cui replied on Fox that Chinese media were "just learning from American media to use all these means to buy commercial pages from newspapers," adding, "This is a normal practice for all the media."

But the ambassador also held out hope for the Buenos Aires meeting.

Two earlier meetings between the presidents, he said, had made it "clear that such top-level communication played a key role, irreplaceable role in guiding the relationship forward. And there is good mutual understanding and good working relationship between the two.

"I hope, and I'm sure, this will continue."

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will "probably" meet at a G20 summit next month, a US official said Sunday, as both sides deplored a badly strained relationship that a Chinese official called "very confusing.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will "probably" meet at a G20 summit next month, a US official said Sunday, as both sides deplored a badly strained relationship that a Chinese official called "very confusing." "The presidents will probably meet at the G20 in Buenos Aires," Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on the "Fox News Sunday" program. But he added that trade talks with China -- with each side imposing a mounting series of tariffs on the other, raising fears of a shock to the global economy -- had so far been "unsatisfactory." "The relationship has not been positive lately," Kudlow said. China's ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, raised similar doubts about the relationship between the world's two largest economic powers. Also appearing on Fox, he confirmed reports that China has grown frustrated in trade talks because of conflicting signals from the Trump administration. Cui said other ambassadors in Washington shared his frustration. "They don't know who was the final decision-maker" in the administration, he said. "Of course, presumably the president would take the final decision. But who is playing what role? It can be very confusing." Litany of complaints He also complained about a recent incident in which a US navy ship, in a so-called "freedom of navigation" exercise, sailed close to a disputed island claimed by China in the South China Sea. "This is a very good example of American intervention into Chinese internal affairs," Cui said, adding that US officials would not be pleased if Chinese warships entered the Gulf of Mexico. Kudlow concurred that the differences between the two sides extend beyond trade. "The relationship has not been positive lately, and we have to have reciprocity in all of these areas: trade, security, military issues. That's what is at stake here," he said. Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence issued a long litany of complaints against China. He accused Beijing of "predatory" trade practices, of military "aggression," of massive attacks on personal freedoms and religious minorities, and even of electoral interference aimed at unseating Trump by running ads in American newspapers. Cui replied on Fox that Chinese media were "just learning from American media to use all these means to buy commercial pages from newspapers," adding, "This is a normal practice for all the media." But the ambassador also held out hope for the Buenos Aires meeting. Two earlier meetings between the presidents, he said, had made it "clear that such top-level communication played a key role, irreplaceable role in guiding the relationship forward. And there is good mutual understanding and good working relationship between the two. "I hope, and I'm sure, this will continue."

China bemoans 'confusing' US signals but holds hope for Trump-Xi meet

China accused the United States on Sunday of going on the offensive by sending US&nbsp;Navy vessels into the South China Sea and described US&nbsp;arms sales to Taiwan as interference in Chinese internal affairs.

"It’s not Chinese warships that are going to the coast of California or to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s so close to the Chinese islands and it is so close to the Chinese coast. So who is on the offensive, who is on the defensive? This is very clear," Ambassador Cui Tiankai told the "Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace" program, apparently referring to a US&nbsp;destroyer sailing near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on September&nbsp;30.&nbsp;

China accused the United States on Sunday of going on the offensive by sending US Navy vessels into the South China Sea and described US arms sales to Taiwan as interference in Chinese internal affairs.

China accused the United States on Sunday of going on the offensive by sending US Navy vessels into the South China Sea and described US arms sales to Taiwan as interference in Chinese internal affairs. "It’s not Chinese warships that are going to the coast of California or to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s so close to the Chinese islands and it is so close to the Chinese coast. So who is on the offensive, who is on the defensive? This is very clear," Ambassador Cui Tiankai told the "Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace" program, apparently referring to a US destroyer sailing near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on September 30.

China says US arms sales to Taiwan interfere in its affairs

The first Indo-US tri-services exercise is likely to take place next year and talks are on to include the special forces of two countries in the drill, a senior US defence official has said.

The three forces of India and the US already take part in bilateral exercises separately -- their armies participate in an annual drill called Yudh Abyaas, whose latest edition took place last month, the air forces take part in a bilateral drill called Cope India and the navies participate in an exercise in Malabar, involving Japan.&nbsp;

But this will be the first time the three services of the India and the US will participate in a drill together.

"The first one will be in India, and it will take place in 2019. It would include all our services, plus we are kind of scoping the exercise right now to include each of the services' special operations forces. That's very exciting. This is under discussion right now...Essentially all our services, plus potentially the special operations forces," Brigadier General David E Brigham told PTI.

An Initial Planning Conference (IPC) will be held to discuss the scale of the exercise, he said. No date has been fixed for the joint drill yet, he said.

The drill may take place somewhere in late August because US naval ships could be in the region around that time.

The drill will focus on United Nations-based scenario and the over-arching mission of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief measure, Brigham said.

He said India was the "natural humanitarian disaster relief hub" in the Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;

The Indian Army has Para SF, the Navy has Marcos while the Air Force has the Garud as their respective special forces.

Although the joint tri-services drill was formally announced after the first 2 plus 2 plus dialogue between the principals of the external affairs and defence ministries of the two countries last month, work on it had begun much before.

The first Indo-US tri-services exercise is likely to take place next year and talks are on to include the special forces of two countries in the drill, a senior US defence official has said.

The first Indo-US tri-services exercise is likely to take place next year and talks are on to include the special forces of two countries in the drill, a senior US defence official has said. The three forces of India and the US already take part in bilateral exercises separately -- their armies participate in an annual drill called Yudh Abyaas, whose latest edition took place last month, the air forces take part in a bilateral drill called Cope India and the navies participate in an exercise in Malabar, involving Japan. But this will be the first time the three services of the India and the US will participate in a drill together. "The first one will be in India, and it will take place in 2019. It would include all our services, plus we are kind of scoping the exercise right now to include each of the services' special operations forces. That's very exciting. This is under discussion right now...Essentially all our services, plus potentially the special operations forces," Brigadier General David E Brigham told PTI. An Initial Planning Conference (IPC) will be held to discuss the scale of the exercise, he said. No date has been fixed for the joint drill yet, he said. The drill may take place somewhere in late August because US naval ships could be in the region around that time. The drill will focus on United Nations-based scenario and the over-arching mission of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief measure, Brigham said. He said India was the "natural humanitarian disaster relief hub" in the Indo-Pacific. The Indian Army has Para SF, the Navy has Marcos while the Air Force has the Garud as their respective special forces. Although the joint tri-services drill was formally announced after the first 2 plus 2 plus dialogue between the principals of the external affairs and defence ministries of the two countries last month, work on it had begun much before.

First Indo-US tri-services exercise likely to include special forces of 2 countries

The hunt for missing people in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael early Sunday is turning into a search for the dead, as hope of finding more people alive fades in the Florida Panhandle, US&nbsp;officials said.

"We're going into recovery mode, unfortunately," said Fire Chief Alex Baird of Panama City, one of the coastal Florida communities clobbered by the hurricane that made landfall Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, packing more than 140 mph winds and deadly storm surges.

"At sunrise, we'll start again on our search," Baird said. "We hope that we'll find more (survivors), but it's more and more doubtful."

President Donald Trump is expected to visit both Florida and Georgia early this week to inspect the damage, and the White House said late Saturday the president was fully committed to helping state and local agencies with the recovery.

The death toll of the storm reached at least 18 Saturday night and is expected to rise in the US&nbsp;Southeast as rescuers go door-to-door in coastal communities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Search and rescue volunteers have already located hundreds of people reported missing last week.

On Saturday, rescue crews heard cries for help and crowbarred into a mobile home crumpled by the storm in Panama City, freeing a mother and daughter, both diabetics who had been trapped in a closet without insulin for two days and were on the verge of diabetic shock, rescuers said.

A lack of food and water is among the most pressing issues for people reeling from the storm, said one volunteer who had been working in the Panama City area.

Rescue teams, hampered by power and telephone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to hunt for people in the rubble.

More than 1,700 search and rescue workers were deployed, including seven swift-water rescue teams and nearly 300 ambulances, Florida Governor Rick Scott's office said.

Electricity and phone service were being slowly restored, but it could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged areas.

The hunt for missing people in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael early Sunday is turning into a search for the dead, as hope of finding more people alive fades in the Florida Panhandle, US officials said.

The hunt for missing people in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael early Sunday is turning into a search for the dead, as hope of finding more people alive fades in the Florida Panhandle, US officials said. "We're going into recovery mode, unfortunately," said Fire Chief Alex Baird of Panama City, one of the coastal Florida communities clobbered by the hurricane that made landfall Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, packing more than 140 mph winds and deadly storm surges. "At sunrise, we'll start again on our search," Baird said. "We hope that we'll find more (survivors), but it's more and more doubtful." President Donald Trump is expected to visit both Florida and Georgia early this week to inspect the damage, and the White House said late Saturday the president was fully committed to helping state and local agencies with the recovery. The death toll of the storm reached at least 18 Saturday night and is expected to rise in the US Southeast as rescuers go door-to-door in coastal communities in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Search and rescue volunteers have already located hundreds of people reported missing last week. On Saturday, rescue crews heard cries for help and crowbarred into a mobile home crumpled by the storm in Panama City, freeing a mother and daughter, both diabetics who had been trapped in a closet without insulin for two days and were on the verge of diabetic shock, rescuers said. A lack of food and water is among the most pressing issues for people reeling from the storm, said one volunteer who had been working in the Panama City area. Rescue teams, hampered by power and telephone outages, used cadaver dogs, drones and heavy equipment to hunt for people in the rubble. More than 1,700 search and rescue workers were deployed, including seven swift-water rescue teams and nearly 300 ambulances, Florida Governor Rick Scott's office said. Electricity and phone service were being slowly restored, but it could be weeks before power is restored to the most damaged areas.

Hopes fade for more survivors of Hurricane Michael

Saudi Arabia on Sunday dismissed threats of sanctions over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi adding that it will retaliate if any such action is taken against the oil-rich country.

"The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats or attempts to undermine it whether through threats to impose economic sanctions or the use of political pressure," an official source said, news agency AFP reported.

"The kingdom also affirms that it will respond to any action with a bigger one," the source said.

Turkey's foreign minister on Saturday accused Saudi Arabia of so far failing to cooperate in the probe into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul and called on Riyadh to grant access to Turkish investigators.

"We still have not seen cooperation in order to ensure a smooth investigation and bring everything to light. We want to see this," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by state-run Anadolu news agency, adding that Riyadh must let Turkish "prosecutors and experts enter the consulate".

US President Donald Trump on Saturday alleged that Saudi Arabia could be behind the disappearance of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump also warned of "severe punishment" if the same turns out to be true, news agency AFP reported.

"We're going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment," Trump told US media.

"As of this moment, they deny it and they deny it vehemently. Could it be them? Yes," Trump said in the interview, which was conducted on Thursday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia on Sunday dismissed threats of sanctions over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi adding that it will retaliate if any such action is taken against the oil-rich country.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday dismissed threats of sanctions over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi adding that it will retaliate if any such action is taken against the oil-rich country. "The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats or attempts to undermine it whether through threats to impose economic sanctions or the use of political pressure," an official source said, news agency AFP reported. "The kingdom also affirms that it will respond to any action with a bigger one," the source said. Turkey's foreign minister on Saturday accused Saudi Arabia of so far failing to cooperate in the probe into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul and called on Riyadh to grant access to Turkish investigators. "We still have not seen cooperation in order to ensure a smooth investigation and bring everything to light. We want to see this," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by state-run Anadolu news agency, adding that Riyadh must let Turkish "prosecutors and experts enter the consulate". US President Donald Trump on Saturday alleged that Saudi Arabia could be behind the disappearance of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trump also warned of "severe punishment" if the same turns out to be true, news agency AFP reported. "We're going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment," Trump told US media. "As of this moment, they deny it and they deny it vehemently. Could it be them? Yes," Trump said in the interview, which was conducted on Thursday. (With inputs from AFP)

Saudi dismisses threat of sanctions over Khashoggi, warns of retaliation

Iran's president boasted Sunday that the United States has lost against the Islamic republic's "righteousness and wisdom" by walking out of the landmark nuclear deal.

"Everyone knows that America has lost legally and politically by giving up on its international obligations and that we have achieved victory," said President Hassan Rouhani in a speech at the University of Tehran to mark the beginning of the school year.

"There are but a few countries in the world that would call the US withdrawal from the JCPOA (nuclear deal) a good move," he added.

"Those that are cautious express disappointment, those that are more frank say it was a mistake, and the outspoken say it was illegal."

Washington pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers in May and is reimposing punishing sanctions on the country, hoping to pressure Tehran into what President Donald Trump calls a "better deal".

The US is due to complete the reimposition of sanctions on November 5, targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank.

The other parties to the agreement -- Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany -- have all pledged to continue to try to make the deal work, despite their firms being vulnerable to the US sanctions if they keep doing business with Iran.

Rouhani said Iran's response had left Washington "empty-handed".

"They expected us to leave the JCPOA hours after they announced they are, and what would have happened? The case would have returned to the UN Security Council, turned against Iran and isolated us," he said.&nbsp;

He said Iran had lost nothing by staying in the deal and could leave "whenever" it chooses.

Iran's president boasted Sunday that the United States has lost against the Islamic republic's "righteousness and wisdom" by walking out of the landmark nuclear deal.

Iran's president boasted Sunday that the United States has lost against the Islamic republic's "righteousness and wisdom" by walking out of the landmark nuclear deal. "Everyone knows that America has lost legally and politically by giving up on its international obligations and that we have achieved victory," said President Hassan Rouhani in a speech at the University of Tehran to mark the beginning of the school year. "There are but a few countries in the world that would call the US withdrawal from the JCPOA (nuclear deal) a good move," he added. "Those that are cautious express disappointment, those that are more frank say it was a mistake, and the outspoken say it was illegal." Washington pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers in May and is reimposing punishing sanctions on the country, hoping to pressure Tehran into what President Donald Trump calls a "better deal". The US is due to complete the reimposition of sanctions on November 5, targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank. The other parties to the agreement -- Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany -- have all pledged to continue to try to make the deal work, despite their firms being vulnerable to the US sanctions if they keep doing business with Iran. Rouhani said Iran's response had left Washington "empty-handed". "They expected us to leave the JCPOA hours after they announced they are, and what would have happened? The case would have returned to the UN Security Council, turned against Iran and isolated us," he said. He said Iran had lost nothing by staying in the deal and could leave "whenever" it chooses.

US is loser by abandoning Iran nuclear deal: Iranian President Rouhani

The US will consider undertaking "appropriate measures" against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power in the Maldives, a top State Department official has said, expressing concern over the "troubling actions" taken by outgoing president Abdullah Yameen.

Pro-China incumbent Yameen was trounced by opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the parliamentary elections held in the Maldives last month. Solih is widely regarded as a pro-India leader.

Yameen's party has filed a legal petition challenging his landslide election defeat despite major international pressure for him to step down.

The important statement by America comes days after Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells met President-elect Solih.

"The US is concerned by troubling actions by outgoing President Yameen that threaten to undermine the will of the Maldivian people, and will consider appropriate measures against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power in the Maldives," State Department Spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a video twitter message.

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The Maldivian people turned out in record numbers during the recent elections to decisively choose Solih as their next president, Palladino said.

The election commission of the Maldives has certified the results of the presidential elections, he said.

Paladino said the US is concerned by troubling actions by outgoing President Yameen that threaten to undermine the will of the Maldivian people after he approached the

Supreme Court contesting the election results. There have been reports of serious threats against members of the election commission.

"The United States and the international community would view with great concern any attempt that undermines the democratic process including any delay in the inauguration scheduled for November 17.

"The United States will consider appropriate measures against anyone who undermines democracy, rule of law or free and fair electoral process of the Maldives," Paladino said.

During her meeting with Solih, Wells emphasised that the US is willing to extend cooperation to his government and to assist the Maldives in its return to the democratic

path.

"The United States urges all parties to respect the will of the Maldivian people and to ensure smooth and peaceful transition," Paladino added.

Yameen's shock defeat was widely reported as a blow to China, which financed his administration's flagship infrastructure projects with loans in excess of a billion dollars, drawing accusations of a debt trap from the main opposition party.

The US will consider undertaking "appropriate measures" against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power in the Maldives, a top State Department official has said, expressing concern over the "troubling actions" taken by outgoing president Abdullah Yameen.

The US will consider undertaking "appropriate measures" against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power in the Maldives, a top State Department official has said, expressing concern over the "troubling actions" taken by outgoing president Abdullah Yameen. Pro-China incumbent Yameen was trounced by opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the parliamentary elections held in the Maldives last month. Solih is widely regarded as a pro-India leader. Yameen's party has filed a legal petition challenging his landslide election defeat despite major international pressure for him to step down. The important statement by America comes days after Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells met President-elect Solih. "The US is concerned by troubling actions by outgoing President Yameen that threaten to undermine the will of the Maldivian people, and will consider appropriate measures against anyone who undermines a peaceful transfer of power in the Maldives," State Department Spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a video twitter message. × The Maldivian people turned out in record numbers during the recent elections to decisively choose Solih as their next president, Palladino said. The election commission of the Maldives has certified the results of the presidential elections, he said. Paladino said the US is concerned by troubling actions by outgoing President Yameen that threaten to undermine the will of the Maldivian people after he approached the Supreme Court contesting the election results. There have been reports of serious threats against members of the election commission. "The United States and the international community would view with great concern any attempt that undermines the democratic process including any delay in the inauguration scheduled for November 17. "The United States will consider appropriate measures against anyone who undermines democracy, rule of law or free and fair electoral process of the Maldives," Paladino said. During her meeting with Solih, Wells emphasised that the US is willing to extend cooperation to his government and to assist the Maldives in its return to the democratic path. "The United States urges all parties to respect the will of the Maldivian people and to ensure smooth and peaceful transition," Paladino added. Yameen's shock defeat was widely reported as a blow to China, which financed his administration's flagship infrastructure projects with loans in excess of a billion dollars, drawing accusations of a debt trap from the main opposition party.

Will take 'appropriate measures' if transfer of power in Maldives is undermined: US

US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey would lead to improved ties with Ankara, after months of diplomatic rancor that eventually triggered a crash in the lira.

He also denied an NBC report that the two countries had reached a secret deal for Brunson to be released in exchange for the US easing "economic pressure" on Ankara.

"I don't make deals for hostages," Trump said on Twitter.

"There was, however, great appreciation on behalf of the United States, which will lead to good, perhaps great, relations between the United States &amp; Turkey!" 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey would lead to improved ties with Ankara, after months of diplomatic rancor that eventually triggered a crash in the lira.

US President Donald Trump said Saturday he hoped the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey would lead to improved ties with Ankara, after months of diplomatic rancor that eventually triggered a crash in the lira. He also denied an NBC report that the two countries had reached a secret deal for Brunson to be released in exchange for the US easing "economic pressure" on Ankara. "I don't make deals for hostages," Trump said on Twitter. "There was, however, great appreciation on behalf of the United States, which will lead to good, perhaps great, relations between the United States & Turkey!"

Trump sees 'good, even great' ties with Turkey after Brunson release

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged Turkey to quickly release other Americans in detention after it freed a pastor at the centre of a crisis in relations.

"Pastor (Andrew) Brunson is finally coming home to America, following a long ordeal for the pastor and his family. We hope that the Turkish government will quickly release our other detained US citizens and State Department locally employed staff," Pompeo tweeted Friday.

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Pastor Brunson is finally coming home to America, following a long ordeal for the pastor and his family. We hope that the Turkish government will quickly release our other detained U.S. citizens and <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StateDept</a> locally employed staff.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1050861466553856000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"The world should know that (President Donald Trump) and the State Department continue to work hard to bring home all American hostages and those wrongfully imprisoned and detained," he tweeted.

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It’s a great day for America! Another American citizen has been released. The world should know that <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StateDept</a> continue to work hard to bring home all American hostages and those wrongfully imprisoned and detained.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1050861467954831360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The United States had imposed tariffs and sanctioned senior government officials to pressure Turkey on Brunson, whose two-year detention had particularly outraged Trump's conservative Christian base.

But two Turkish employees of US diplomatic missions remain in jail. One of them, former Adana consulate staffer Hamza Ulucay, was Friday denied release in a separate court hearing.

And NASA scientist Serkan Golge, a dual US-Turkish national, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in February on terror charges, a term reduced to five years last month.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged Turkey to quickly release other Americans in detention after it freed a pastor at the centre of a crisis in relations.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged Turkey to quickly release other Americans in detention after it freed a pastor at the centre of a crisis in relations. "Pastor (Andrew) Brunson is finally coming home to America, following a long ordeal for the pastor and his family. We hope that the Turkish government will quickly release our other detained US citizens and State Department locally employed staff," Pompeo tweeted Friday. Pastor Brunson is finally coming home to America, following a long ordeal for the pastor and his family. We hope that the Turkish government will quickly release our other detained U.S. citizens and @StateDept locally employed staff. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) October 12, 2018 × "The world should know that (President Donald Trump) and the State Department continue to work hard to bring home all American hostages and those wrongfully imprisoned and detained," he tweeted. It’s a great day for America! Another American citizen has been released. The world should know that @POTUS and @StateDept continue to work hard to bring home all American hostages and those wrongfully imprisoned and detained. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) October 12, 2018 × The United States had imposed tariffs and sanctioned senior government officials to pressure Turkey on Brunson, whose two-year detention had particularly outraged Trump's conservative Christian base. But two Turkish employees of US diplomatic missions remain in jail. One of them, former Adana consulate staffer Hamza Ulucay, was Friday denied release in a separate court hearing. And NASA scientist Serkan Golge, a dual US-Turkish national, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in February on terror charges, a term reduced to five years last month.

Pompeo urges Turkey to release remaining detained Americans

Two US&nbsp;senators have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to soften India's stance on data localisation, warning that measures requiring it represent "key trade barriers" between the two nations.

In a letter to PM Modi dated Friday and seen by Reuters, US&nbsp;Senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner - co-chairmen of the Senate's India caucus - urged India to instead adopt a "light touch" regulatory framework that would allow data to flow freely across borders.

The letter comes as relations between Washington and New Delhi are strained over multiple issues, including an Indo-Russian defence contract, Indian tariffs on electronics and other items, and India's push to purchase oil from Iran despite upcoming US&nbsp;sanctions.

Global tech companies including Mastercard, Visa and American Express have been lobbying India's finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India to relax proposed guidelines that mandate all payment data on domestic transactions in India be stored inside the country by October 15.

The letter is most likely a last-ditch effort after the RBI told officials at top payment companies this week that the central bank would implement, in full, its data localisation directive without extending the deadline or allowing data to be stored offshore as well as locally.

"We see this as a fundamental issue to the further development of digital trade and one that is crucial to our economic partnership," the US&nbsp;senators said in its letter.

PM Modi's office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Two US senators have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to soften India's stance on data localisation, warning that measures requiring it represent "key trade barriers" between the two nations.

Two US senators have called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to soften India's stance on data localisation, warning that measures requiring it represent "key trade barriers" between the two nations. In a letter to PM Modi dated Friday and seen by Reuters, US Senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner - co-chairmen of the Senate's India caucus - urged India to instead adopt a "light touch" regulatory framework that would allow data to flow freely across borders. The letter comes as relations between Washington and New Delhi are strained over multiple issues, including an Indo-Russian defence contract, Indian tariffs on electronics and other items, and India's push to purchase oil from Iran despite upcoming US sanctions. Global tech companies including Mastercard, Visa and American Express have been lobbying India's finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India to relax proposed guidelines that mandate all payment data on domestic transactions in India be stored inside the country by October 15. The letter is most likely a last-ditch effort after the RBI told officials at top payment companies this week that the central bank would implement, in full, its data localisation directive without extending the deadline or allowing data to be stored offshore as well as locally. "We see this as a fundamental issue to the further development of digital trade and one that is crucial to our economic partnership," the US senators said in its letter. PM Modi's office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

US senators urge India to allow free flow of data across borders: Report

South Asian communities in the US have opposed the Trump administration's proposal to change the definition of public charge, claiming that it will have a detrimental impact on new legal immigrants, particularly those from South Asia.

Under the proposal moved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the definition of "public charge" would include an immigrant "who receives one or more public benefits" and whether the person is likely to receive public benefits at any time in the future.

The proposed change in the definition is part of the draft "public charge" rule, under which immigrants may be denied green card if they have received government benefits in the past or are likely to receive one in the future.&nbsp;

The DHS has published the draft rule in federal register early this week and has sought comments from all stakeholders within a period of 60 days.&nbsp;

The definition also expands the types of benefits that a public charge may receive, including those that are temporary in nature.&nbsp;

The proposed public charge rule came in the wake of the US President Donald Trump's plan to not give Green Cards or legal permanent residency to those immigrants who have taken benefits from the government in the past or are likely to take one in the future.

According to a recent Pew Research Centre study, one in four immigrants in the US from Bangladesh and Nepal and one in three immigrants from Bhutan live in poverty.&nbsp;

The new rule would put all these individuals at great risk, observers said.&nbsp;

The South Asian Bar Association (SABA) said Friday that the changes have been proposed with the intention of deterring new immigrants and reinterpreting a fundamental concept in the immigration law.&nbsp;

"This proposal is another example of this administration's attempt to subvert legal immigration in America...Immigrants are being punished for being too young, too old, too poor or not able-bodied. They are being told, yet again, that they are unwelcome and unwanted," SABA president Sundeep Sandhu said.

SABA said the proposed rule if implemented, would make immigration to the US-based predominately on one's wealth rather than one's overall potential contribution to the community.

According to a 2018 Migration Policy Institute Report, 61 per cent Bangladeshi non-citizen immigrant families, 48 per cent non-citizen Pakistani families and 11 per cent non-citizen Indian families receive public benefits in the US.&nbsp;

"The proposed rule punishes immigrants who access public benefits they are entitled to," said Desis for Progress, another South Asian group in the US.

The group said the proposed policy change will have a major impact on South Asian immigrant communities, as over 10 per cent of all green card applicants are from South Asia.

"Some South Asian visa holders who are in the US on non-immigrant visas, like the H1-B programme, could be impacted. Some communities like the Bangladeshis and the Nepalis are more likely to be targeted for green card denials based on their income," the Desis for Progress said.

SAALT, another South Asian community organisation, said the proposed rule would deny permanent resident status to lower-income immigrants who use government services such as nutrition programmes and housing assistance.&nbsp;

South Asian communities in the US have opposed the Trump administration's proposal to change the definition of public charge, claiming that it will have a detrimental impact on new legal immigrants, particularly those from South Asia.

South Asian communities in the US have opposed the Trump administration's proposal to change the definition of public charge, claiming that it will have a detrimental impact on new legal immigrants, particularly those from South Asia. Under the proposal moved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the definition of "public charge" would include an immigrant "who receives one or more public benefits" and whether the person is likely to receive public benefits at any time in the future. The proposed change in the definition is part of the draft "public charge" rule, under which immigrants may be denied green card if they have received government benefits in the past or are likely to receive one in the future. The DHS has published the draft rule in federal register early this week and has sought comments from all stakeholders within a period of 60 days. The definition also expands the types of benefits that a public charge may receive, including those that are temporary in nature. The proposed public charge rule came in the wake of the US President Donald Trump's plan to not give Green Cards or legal permanent residency to those immigrants who have taken benefits from the government in the past or are likely to take one in the future. According to a recent Pew Research Centre study, one in four immigrants in the US from Bangladesh and Nepal and one in three immigrants from Bhutan live in poverty. The new rule would put all these individuals at great risk, observers said. The South Asian Bar Association (SABA) said Friday that the changes have been proposed with the intention of deterring new immigrants and reinterpreting a fundamental concept in the immigration law. "This proposal is another example of this administration's attempt to subvert legal immigration in America...Immigrants are being punished for being too young, too old, too poor or not able-bodied. They are being told, yet again, that they are unwelcome and unwanted," SABA president Sundeep Sandhu said. SABA said the proposed rule if implemented, would make immigration to the US-based predominately on one's wealth rather than one's overall potential contribution to the community. According to a 2018 Migration Policy Institute Report, 61 per cent Bangladeshi non-citizen immigrant families, 48 per cent non-citizen Pakistani families and 11 per cent non-citizen Indian families receive public benefits in the US. "The proposed rule punishes immigrants who access public benefits they are entitled to," said Desis for Progress, another South Asian group in the US. The group said the proposed policy change will have a major impact on South Asian immigrant communities, as over 10 per cent of all green card applicants are from South Asia. "Some South Asian visa holders who are in the US on non-immigrant visas, like the H1-B programme, could be impacted. Some communities like the Bangladeshis and the Nepalis are more likely to be targeted for green card denials based on their income," the Desis for Progress said. SAALT, another South Asian community organisation, said the proposed rule would deny permanent resident status to lower-income immigrants who use government services such as nutrition programmes and housing assistance.

South Asian communities in US oppose proposed change in public charge definition

Trust the retired general of the US Marines to be statesmanesque. James Mattis told an Indian audience in the presence of Indian minister for external affairs (MEA), Ms Sushma Swaraj and the defence minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, “India and the US are co-equal democracies.” For two nations that were categorised in a book title by a former American diplomat, Dennis Kux, as ‘Estranged Democracy,’ this was some path to traverse.

The 2+2 format of meetings between the two countries’ was decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald J Trump in June, 2017. But the occasion of the meetings showed that the Indo-US relationship has gone beyond the vagaries of a Trump White House and installed itself into the processes of State and Defence, even at the policymaking level. And that is reassuring.&nbsp;

For too long had the bilateral relationships of the country been hostage to ideology; and in the post-Cold War phase – realpolitik. The primary votary of the USA’s Cold War ally, Pakistan, had been the Pentagon that had only looked at India’s neighbour for being in a geostrategic location. The US Department of Defence virtually made the triangular matrix of these tangled relationships into a zero-sum game of two binaries. On the other hand, ever since the demise of the Soviet Union, Indian foreign and security policymakers were trying to get Washington’s attention, shorn of any baggage. India emerged on the radar as more than a blip when the rise of China became apparent. So, if George W Bush administration had assumed office with a plan to develop New Delhi as a regional hedge to Beijing’s break-out, they did not anticipate the enormity of 9/11.

Yet, as is history now, Bush II administration could look at Indian priorities substantively only after the US government could get a handle in Afghanistan. Thus was born the civil nuclear agreement. That was the first time India was brought out of the box the Americans Establishment had put it in. Now, as the Indian economy becomes the fastest growing economy of the world, and the US is emerging out of what they call a ‘Great Recession,’ the motivation for US business is the modernisation process the country is undergoing. One of the key drivers of the opportunities American commerce is looking at now is the Indian defence modernisation programme – its very own Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA), really. India is variously expected to spend $ 200 billion annually for about 10 years on this ‘transformation’. That is just too big a pie the world’s biggest war materiel manufacturing nation can ignore.&nbsp;

For now, the hotline that is to be placed in MEA HQ in South Block connecting it with US State Department, or the defence ministry residing in the same sprawling architectural marvel on Delhi’s Raisina Hill, having another such connection with Mattis’ office, will soon start crackling. But is it late for Washington for making this outreach? The regional line-up where Thucydides’ have taken a pause – India, China, with Russia seems to hold the promise of a new, rules-based international order that would provide a larger tent for the world’s developing nations.

A two trillion USD economy can find it more advantageous to join up with a five trillion USD GDP nation than some other country with 18.5 trillion USD behemoth. The sheer market opportunity with another nation of middle-income range is a matter of pent-up, unmet demand than the advanced, fully formed economy, with a consumptive culture at the end of an enormous supply chain.

In that light the outcome of the current trade war is important. While India holds off from pledging its bets to China or the US definitively, it is calculating the comparative gains not just in economic terms. The country, pitching for a larger portfolio, is also computing whether the competitive edge between those two countries can afford it the advancement its own agenda.

Under those circumstances, Mattis’ announcement about India being made a part of discussions of the US Central Command is a master-stroke. But that is again balanced off by India and Pakistan exercising militarily together, for the first time in their conjoined histories within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) rubric, under the watchful eye of China, is a potential big deal.

New Delhi will have to be careful not just about how to deploy its geopolitical pieces but also its timing. Already, the US MNCs based in China have started complaining that Trump tariff hikes are affecting their bottom-line. And they may have to look outwards of the Pearl River delta.

If they come ashore in India, should New Delhi be welcoming or think these are the other bargaining chips in its vast expanding bag of tricks, is still in the realm of imagination. We know there are no permanent enemies or friends. Let Beijing and Washington decide what each of them wishes to do? PM Modi has more hugs to dole out. His policy planners were faster in taking Henry Kissinger’s advice of a ‘philosophical engagement with China’ than Trump’s team. Wuhan summit between Modi and Xi Jinping is barely fixing the cobblestones of a completely new path between the two countries. After all, both are civilizational-nations. They take life slow and easy. 
 
(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-india-has-washington-s-attention-but-will-china-stay-quiet-2673934">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Trust the retired general of the US Marines to be statesmanesque. James Mattis told an Indian audience in the presence of Indian minister for external affairs (MEA), Ms Sushma Swaraj and the defence minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, “India and the US are co-equal democracies.

Trust the retired general of the US Marines to be statesmanesque. James Mattis told an Indian audience in the presence of Indian minister for external affairs (MEA), Ms Sushma Swaraj and the defence minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, “India and the US are co-equal democracies.” For two nations that were categorised in a book title by a former American diplomat, Dennis Kux, as ‘Estranged Democracy,’ this was some path to traverse. The 2+2 format of meetings between the two countries’ was decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald J Trump in June, 2017. But the occasion of the meetings showed that the Indo-US relationship has gone beyond the vagaries of a Trump White House and installed itself into the processes of State and Defence, even at the policymaking level. And that is reassuring. For too long had the bilateral relationships of the country been hostage to ideology; and in the post-Cold War phase – realpolitik. The primary votary of the USA’s Cold War ally, Pakistan, had been the Pentagon that had only looked at India’s neighbour for being in a geostrategic location. The US Department of Defence virtually made the triangular matrix of these tangled relationships into a zero-sum game of two binaries. On the other hand, ever since the demise of the Soviet Union, Indian foreign and security policymakers were trying to get Washington’s attention, shorn of any baggage. India emerged on the radar as more than a blip when the rise of China became apparent. So, if George W Bush administration had assumed office with a plan to develop New Delhi as a regional hedge to Beijing’s break-out, they did not anticipate the enormity of 9/11. Yet, as is history now, Bush II administration could look at Indian priorities substantively only after the US government could get a handle in Afghanistan. Thus was born the civil nuclear agreement. That was the first time India was brought out of the box the Americans Establishment had put it in. Now, as the Indian economy becomes the fastest growing economy of the world, and the US is emerging out of what they call a ‘Great Recession,’ the motivation for US business is the modernisation process the country is undergoing. One of the key drivers of the opportunities American commerce is looking at now is the Indian defence modernisation programme – its very own Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA), really. India is variously expected to spend $ 200 billion annually for about 10 years on this ‘transformation’. That is just too big a pie the world’s biggest war materiel manufacturing nation can ignore. For now, the hotline that is to be placed in MEA HQ in South Block connecting it with US State Department, or the defence ministry residing in the same sprawling architectural marvel on Delhi’s Raisina Hill, having another such connection with Mattis’ office, will soon start crackling. But is it late for Washington for making this outreach? The regional line-up where Thucydides’ have taken a pause – India, China, with Russia seems to hold the promise of a new, rules-based international order that would provide a larger tent for the world’s developing nations. A two trillion USD economy can find it more advantageous to join up with a five trillion USD GDP nation than some other country with 18.5 trillion USD behemoth. The sheer market opportunity with another nation of middle-income range is a matter of pent-up, unmet demand than the advanced, fully formed economy, with a consumptive culture at the end of an enormous supply chain. In that light the outcome of the current trade war is important. While India holds off from pledging its bets to China or the US definitively, it is calculating the comparative gains not just in economic terms. The country, pitching for a larger portfolio, is also computing whether the competitive edge between those two countries can afford it the advancement its own agenda. Under those circumstances, Mattis’ announcement about India being made a part of discussions of the US Central Command is a master-stroke. But that is again balanced off by India and Pakistan exercising militarily together, for the first time in their conjoined histories within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) rubric, under the watchful eye of China, is a potential big deal. New Delhi will have to be careful not just about how to deploy its geopolitical pieces but also its timing. Already, the US MNCs based in China have started complaining that Trump tariff hikes are affecting their bottom-line. And they may have to look outwards of the Pearl River delta. If they come ashore in India, should New Delhi be welcoming or think these are the other bargaining chips in its vast expanding bag of tricks, is still in the realm of imagination. We know there are no permanent enemies or friends. Let Beijing and Washington decide what each of them wishes to do? PM Modi has more hugs to dole out. His policy planners were faster in taking Henry Kissinger’s advice of a ‘philosophical engagement with China’ than Trump’s team. Wuhan summit between Modi and Xi Jinping is barely fixing the cobblestones of a completely new path between the two countries. After all, both are civilizational-nations. They take life slow and easy. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India has Washington’s attention but will China stay quiet?

When asked in an interview why she chose cyber bullying as a pet cause, US President Donald Trump's wife had a surprising answer.

"I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Melania Trump told ABC News in an interview that took place during her trip this month to Africa.

When pressed, the US First Lady said that she could certainly be "one of them, if you really see what people saying about me."

That, she said, is "why my 'Be Best' initiative is focusing on social media and online behaviour."&nbsp;

ABC on Thursday released clips of the interview ahead of a longer piece set to air Friday.

The 48-year-old former model may be smarting from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/melania-trumps-wardrobe-choices-during-africa-trip-stirs-controversy-170144">online and press mockery</a> for her attire during last week's trip to Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt.

Her use of a white pith helmet while on safari in Kenya drew comparisons to a 19th-century colonial administrator.

At her final stop in Egypt, she wore white pants, a pleated white shirt and a black tie with a beige jacket -- with comparisons to Michael Jackson, fictional character Carmen Sandiego, and the French archaeologist villain in the first Indiana Jones movie.

In rare comments to the press before departing Egypt Trump said she wanted "to talk about my trip and not what I wear."

But it's impossible not to talk about Melania Trump without noticing her attire.

In June she raised eyebrows when she visited an immigrant children's shelter in Texas wearing a trench coat with the words "I really don't care, do u?" emblazoned on the back.

Earlier, in August 2017, she departed the White House to visit Hurricane Harvey flood victims sporting stiletto heels -- but later in Texas appeared wearing white sneakers.

Despite the catty online comments, Trump said that her time in the White House has been positive.

"I am enjoying it. I really love to live in Washington and the White House," she told ABC.

Trump also said that she would support her husband -- who has a long history of using Twitter to demean and belittle his opponents, sometimes using sexist language -- if he wants to run for a second term as US president.

When asked in an interview why she chose cyber bullying as a pet cause, US President Donald Trump's wife had a surprising answer. "I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Melania Trump told ABC News in an interview that took place during her trip this month to Africa.

When asked in an interview why she chose cyber bullying as a pet cause, US President Donald Trump's wife had a surprising answer. "I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Melania Trump told ABC News in an interview that took place during her trip this month to Africa. When pressed, the US First Lady said that she could certainly be "one of them, if you really see what people saying about me." That, she said, is "why my 'Be Best' initiative is focusing on social media and online behaviour." ABC on Thursday released clips of the interview ahead of a longer piece set to air Friday. The 48-year-old former model may be smarting from online and press mockery for her attire during last week's trip to Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt. Her use of a white pith helmet while on safari in Kenya drew comparisons to a 19th-century colonial administrator. At her final stop in Egypt, she wore white pants, a pleated white shirt and a black tie with a beige jacket -- with comparisons to Michael Jackson, fictional character Carmen Sandiego, and the French archaeologist villain in the first Indiana Jones movie. In rare comments to the press before departing Egypt Trump said she wanted "to talk about my trip and not what I wear." But it's impossible not to talk about Melania Trump without noticing her attire. In June she raised eyebrows when she visited an immigrant children's shelter in Texas wearing a trench coat with the words "I really don't care, do u?" emblazoned on the back. Earlier, in August 2017, she departed the White House to visit Hurricane Harvey flood victims sporting stiletto heels -- but later in Texas appeared wearing white sneakers. Despite the catty online comments, Trump said that her time in the White House has been positive. "I am enjoying it. I really love to live in Washington and the White House," she told ABC. Trump also said that she would support her husband -- who has a long history of using Twitter to demean and belittle his opponents, sometimes using sexist language -- if he wants to run for a second term as US president.

I'm the most bullied person in the world: Melania Trump

The United States has said it will review Pakistan's bailout request to the IMF from all angles, including the country's debt position, as it appeared to have held the huge Chinese debt responsible for it.

"We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In all cases, we examine that closely from all angles of it, including Pakistan's debt position, in evaluating any type of loan programme," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference Thursday.

This is something the United States has been tracking fairly closely.&nbsp;

"The secretary had spoken about this a few months back, I know, in some interviews not that long ago. I think part of the reason that Pakistan found itself in this situation is Chinese debt, and the fact that there is debt that governments have incurred that they maybe thought wouldn't be so tough to bail themselves out of, but has become increasingly tough," Nauert said in response to a question.

The State Department response on Pakistan's IMF bailout request appeared to be in sync with the statement made by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

Responding to questions on this issue in Bali, Indonesia, Lagarde said she would require absolute transparency on Pakistan's debts, including those owned by China.

"In whatever work we do, we need to have a complete understanding and absolute transparency about the nature, size, and terms of the debt that is bearing on a particular country," she said.

"To really understand the extent and composition of that debt, both in terms of sovereign, in terms of state-owned enterprises and the likes of it, so that we can actually really appreciate and determine the debt sustainability of that country, if and when we consider a programme, Lagarde said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The United States has said it will review Pakistan's bailout request to the IMF from all angles, including the country's debt position, as it appeared to have held the huge Chinese debt responsible for it.

The United States has said it will review Pakistan's bailout request to the IMF from all angles, including the country's debt position, as it appeared to have held the huge Chinese debt responsible for it. "We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In all cases, we examine that closely from all angles of it, including Pakistan's debt position, in evaluating any type of loan programme," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference Thursday. This is something the United States has been tracking fairly closely. "The secretary had spoken about this a few months back, I know, in some interviews not that long ago. I think part of the reason that Pakistan found itself in this situation is Chinese debt, and the fact that there is debt that governments have incurred that they maybe thought wouldn't be so tough to bail themselves out of, but has become increasingly tough," Nauert said in response to a question. The State Department response on Pakistan's IMF bailout request appeared to be in sync with the statement made by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde. Responding to questions on this issue in Bali, Indonesia, Lagarde said she would require absolute transparency on Pakistan's debts, including those owned by China. "In whatever work we do, we need to have a complete understanding and absolute transparency about the nature, size, and terms of the debt that is bearing on a particular country," she said. "To really understand the extent and composition of that debt, both in terms of sovereign, in terms of state-owned enterprises and the likes of it, so that we can actually really appreciate and determine the debt sustainability of that country, if and when we consider a programme, Lagarde said.

US will review Pak's bailout application to IMF, including debt position 

The United States is tightening controls on China`s imports of civil nuclear technology to prevent use for military or other unauthorized purposes, the US Department of Energy said on Thursday amid increased trade tensions.

Last month, US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on nearly $200 billion of Chinese imports and then threatened more levies if China retaliated. China then hit back with tariffs on about $60 billion of US imports.

Washington announced the nuclear technology controls a day after the US Justice Department said it had arrested and indicted a spy for China`s Ministry of State Security on charges of economic espionage. Chinese operative Xu Yanjun also attempted to steal trade secrets from US aviation and aerospace companies, the department said. China rejected the allegations.

"The United States cannot ignore the national security implications of China’s efforts to obtain nuclear technology outside of established processes of US-China civil nuclear cooperation," US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in a statement. &nbsp;

Beginning last year, the National Security Council led a review of China`s efforts to obtain nuclear material, equipment and advanced technology from US companies, government officials said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday. The review was prompted by China’s accelerated efforts to acquire US intellectual property to the detriment of US businesses and military interests, they said.

The officials said the indictment in 2016 of a Chinese-American nuclear engineer, Allen Ho, was one of the factors that led to the review.

Ho, a naturalized US citizen, pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to produce "special nuclear material" in China in violation of the US Atomic Energy Act. The state-owned China General Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC) was also charged.

The new policy goes into immediate effect, and sets guidelines for reviewing all existing and future technology transfers into China, the officials said. The vast majority of existing technology transfers approved before January 1, 2018 are unlikely to be altered, the officials said.

There will be a presumption of denial to new license applications or extensions to existing authorisations related to the CGNPC, the energy department said. Officials declined to comment on whether China is already using this technology.&nbsp;

The development of nuclear technology to power small reactors in the South China Sea and for submarines and icebreakers are of concern, officials said. They also expressed concern about use of the technology in weapons.

The government is also concerned about diversion for use of technology by other countries, one of the officials said. They declined to comment on the specifics of these concerns.

US nuclear exports to China amounted to $170 million in 2017, the officials said.

The United States is tightening controls on China`s imports of civil nuclear technology to prevent use for military or other unauthorized purposes, the US Department of Energy said on Thursday amid increased trade tensions.

The United States is tightening controls on China`s imports of civil nuclear technology to prevent use for military or other unauthorized purposes, the US Department of Energy said on Thursday amid increased trade tensions. Last month, US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on nearly $200 billion of Chinese imports and then threatened more levies if China retaliated. China then hit back with tariffs on about $60 billion of US imports. Washington announced the nuclear technology controls a day after the US Justice Department said it had arrested and indicted a spy for China`s Ministry of State Security on charges of economic espionage. Chinese operative Xu Yanjun also attempted to steal trade secrets from US aviation and aerospace companies, the department said. China rejected the allegations. "The United States cannot ignore the national security implications of China’s efforts to obtain nuclear technology outside of established processes of US-China civil nuclear cooperation," US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in a statement. Beginning last year, the National Security Council led a review of China`s efforts to obtain nuclear material, equipment and advanced technology from US companies, government officials said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday. The review was prompted by China’s accelerated efforts to acquire US intellectual property to the detriment of US businesses and military interests, they said. The officials said the indictment in 2016 of a Chinese-American nuclear engineer, Allen Ho, was one of the factors that led to the review. Ho, a naturalized US citizen, pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to produce "special nuclear material" in China in violation of the US Atomic Energy Act. The state-owned China General Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC) was also charged. The new policy goes into immediate effect, and sets guidelines for reviewing all existing and future technology transfers into China, the officials said. The vast majority of existing technology transfers approved before January 1, 2018 are unlikely to be altered, the officials said. There will be a presumption of denial to new license applications or extensions to existing authorisations related to the CGNPC, the energy department said. Officials declined to comment on whether China is already using this technology. The development of nuclear technology to power small reactors in the South China Sea and for submarines and icebreakers are of concern, officials said. They also expressed concern about use of the technology in weapons. The government is also concerned about diversion for use of technology by other countries, one of the officials said. They declined to comment on the specifics of these concerns. US nuclear exports to China amounted to $170 million in 2017, the officials said.

US tightens controls on China imports of nuclear components

Here is why oil is burning a hole in your pocket

By Louis Monroy-Santander

Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly.&nbsp;

He must battle drug production, which has been rising since the end of the armed conflict. And he must manage the desperate humanitarian and political crisis that is seeping across the border from neighbouring Venezuela.

Thanks to Santos’s peace diplomacy, which helped bring to an end five decades of fighting, Colombia now has the opportunity to open up and expand its foreign policy approach. Duque could now develop a more amicable and positive vision that enables him to establish agreements on social, political, economic and humanitarian issues with countries around the world.

Consequently, Duque’s foreign policy approach is being closely monitored – particularly how it tallies with that of the Trump administration in the US. Closer ties between the US and Colombia were evident during Duque’s intervention at the United Nations General Assembly and his encounter with president Donald Trump, where both drug trafficking and the Venezuelan crisis were discussed.

President Duque’s intervention insisted on the need to combat drug trafficking as a global threat, the need to combat the evident increase in illicit crop plantations, his commitment to fighting corruption, and the need to work with the international community in dealing with the most difficult migratory and humanitarian problem in the region: the Venezuelan crisis.

Colombia’s alignment with American foreign policy has increased tensions between Bogota, Washington and Caracas, leading to speculation about a possible military intervention into Venezuela to topple the regime of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed publicly his support for Colombia as an ally in the war on drugs and offered support for Colombia in the event of a military clash with Venezuela. The US administration also announced sanctions against Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, and Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s top political ally.

For his part, Duque has insisted that Colombia will not support a military intervention into Venezuela, and has instead called on the international community to support sanctions that bring an end to Maduro’s regime.

The Venezuela question

Indeed, Duque opposes a closed border approach and has insisted on opening up diplomatic channels and resources to deal with the crisis in Venezuela, including the International Criminal Court to denounce the violations of the Maduro regime and initiate a peaceful democratic transition. Back in 2017, for example, Duque, together with other senators, initiated a complaint against Maduro at the ICC for the crimes of torture, political discrimination, murder and kidnapping.

But Maduro has contested the US sanctions imposed on his wife, and challenged Duque to a televised debate (to be broadcast both in Colombia and Venezuela) to discuss the range of issues affecting bilateral relations – an invitation rejected by Duque, who deemed it a mere electoral stunt. Maduro has also deployed Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border, justifying these troop movements as a strategy for combating illegal drug networks located along the border, an act interpreted by both Trump and Duque as intimidation.

Although international pressure is a useful instrument for weakening Maduro’s administration, the ongoing and escalating verbal clashes between the three presidents is a dangerous strategy.

US military interventions are viewed with great suspicion in Latin America, particularly after those in Granada and Panama became enforced occupations. A US/Colombian intervention in Venezuela would likely require troops to stay for the long haul, in a country where most physical and social structures have been destroyed, drug traffickers benefit from widespread lawlessness and nation-building would be a lengthy process. The presence of US troops would also play into the hands of Maduro, who already rails to his supporters about US plots against him.

However, the US has often used indirect means to influence events in South America, using allied forces and governments in the region to intervene on its behalf. Trump, for example, has met with various officers of the Venezuelan military since 2017, to discuss the possibility of a coup against president Maduro, although none have ended in concrete material support.

Colombia, therefore, plays a vital role in the current situation – both as Venezuela’s closest neighbour and the most important regional US ally – and the Duque administration has rejected signing the Lima declaration which would have ruled out any intervention leading to regime change in Venezuela.

But an internal coup in Venezuela – with the support of the US and Colombia – would be beset with difficulties. It would require an overarching political and military strategy, as well as regional tactical coordination, with agreements based on varying interests and loyalties. The Venezuelan military, meanwhile, has been purged and politicised through a constant rotation of army commanders since 2002. Irrespective of what Colombia and the US want, putting plans into place in a country as chaotic as Venezuela will be no easy feat.

 
(Louis Monroy-Santander is Teaching Fellow in Defence, Development and Diplomacy, Durham University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tensions-rise-between-colombia-us-and-venezuela-amid-rumours-of-a-military-intervention-104340">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Louis Monroy-Santander Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly.

By Louis Monroy-Santander Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly. He must battle drug production, which has been rising since the end of the armed conflict. And he must manage the desperate humanitarian and political crisis that is seeping across the border from neighbouring Venezuela. Thanks to Santos’s peace diplomacy, which helped bring to an end five decades of fighting, Colombia now has the opportunity to open up and expand its foreign policy approach. Duque could now develop a more amicable and positive vision that enables him to establish agreements on social, political, economic and humanitarian issues with countries around the world. Consequently, Duque’s foreign policy approach is being closely monitored – particularly how it tallies with that of the Trump administration in the US. Closer ties between the US and Colombia were evident during Duque’s intervention at the United Nations General Assembly and his encounter with president Donald Trump, where both drug trafficking and the Venezuelan crisis were discussed. President Duque’s intervention insisted on the need to combat drug trafficking as a global threat, the need to combat the evident increase in illicit crop plantations, his commitment to fighting corruption, and the need to work with the international community in dealing with the most difficult migratory and humanitarian problem in the region: the Venezuelan crisis. Colombia’s alignment with American foreign policy has increased tensions between Bogota, Washington and Caracas, leading to speculation about a possible military intervention into Venezuela to topple the regime of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed publicly his support for Colombia as an ally in the war on drugs and offered support for Colombia in the event of a military clash with Venezuela. The US administration also announced sanctions against Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, and Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s top political ally. For his part, Duque has insisted that Colombia will not support a military intervention into Venezuela, and has instead called on the international community to support sanctions that bring an end to Maduro’s regime. The Venezuela question Indeed, Duque opposes a closed border approach and has insisted on opening up diplomatic channels and resources to deal with the crisis in Venezuela, including the International Criminal Court to denounce the violations of the Maduro regime and initiate a peaceful democratic transition. Back in 2017, for example, Duque, together with other senators, initiated a complaint against Maduro at the ICC for the crimes of torture, political discrimination, murder and kidnapping. But Maduro has contested the US sanctions imposed on his wife, and challenged Duque to a televised debate (to be broadcast both in Colombia and Venezuela) to discuss the range of issues affecting bilateral relations – an invitation rejected by Duque, who deemed it a mere electoral stunt. Maduro has also deployed Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border, justifying these troop movements as a strategy for combating illegal drug networks located along the border, an act interpreted by both Trump and Duque as intimidation. Although international pressure is a useful instrument for weakening Maduro’s administration, the ongoing and escalating verbal clashes between the three presidents is a dangerous strategy. US military interventions are viewed with great suspicion in Latin America, particularly after those in Granada and Panama became enforced occupations. A US/Colombian intervention in Venezuela would likely require troops to stay for the long haul, in a country where most physical and social structures have been destroyed, drug traffickers benefit from widespread lawlessness and nation-building would be a lengthy process. The presence of US troops would also play into the hands of Maduro, who already rails to his supporters about US plots against him. However, the US has often used indirect means to influence events in South America, using allied forces and governments in the region to intervene on its behalf. Trump, for example, has met with various officers of the Venezuelan military since 2017, to discuss the possibility of a coup against president Maduro, although none have ended in concrete material support. Colombia, therefore, plays a vital role in the current situation – both as Venezuela’s closest neighbour and the most important regional US ally – and the Duque administration has rejected signing the Lima declaration which would have ruled out any intervention leading to regime change in Venezuela. But an internal coup in Venezuela – with the support of the US and Colombia – would be beset with difficulties. It would require an overarching political and military strategy, as well as regional tactical coordination, with agreements based on varying interests and loyalties. The Venezuelan military, meanwhile, has been purged and politicised through a constant rotation of army commanders since 2002. Irrespective of what Colombia and the US want, putting plans into place in a country as chaotic as Venezuela will be no easy feat. (Louis Monroy-Santander is Teaching Fellow in Defence, Development and Diplomacy, Durham 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)

Tensions rise between Colombia, US and Venezuela amid rumours of a military intervention

The United States on Friday held China responsible for economic challenges being faced by Pakistan and said that it would review the Pakistan government`s bailout plea from all angles including the position of debt in the country.

According to The News, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert during a press conference, said: "We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).&nbsp;In all cases, we examine that closely from all angles of it, including Pakistan`s debt position, in evaluating any type of loan programme."

Nauert added, "The secretary had spoken about this a few months back, I know, in some interviews not that long ago. I think part of the reason that Pakistan found itself in this situation is Chinese debt, and the fact that there is debt that governments have incurred that they may be thought wouldn`t be so tough to bail themselves out of, but has become increasingly tough."

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Thursday confirmed that Pakistan has formally approached the funding organisation seeking financial assistance to address its economic challenges.&nbsp;

Lagarde met Pakistan's Minister of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Asad Umar, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa and members of their economic team.

"Today, I met with Pakistan's Minister of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Asad Umar, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa and members of their economic team. During the meeting, they requested financial assistance from the IMF to help address Pakistan`s economic challenges," Lagarde revealed in a statement.

Revealing visit of a team of the international body, Lagarde said: "An IMF team will visit Islamabad in the coming weeks to initiate discussions for a possible IMF-supported economic programme. We look forward to our continuing partnership," Lagarde added.

Pakistan`s economy has been in a limbo for long. It was already speculated that Pakistan would have to seek a loan package from IMF following the elections held on July 25.&nbsp;

The United States on Friday held China responsible for economic challenges being faced by Pakistan and said that it would review the Pakistan government`s bailout plea from all angles including the position of debt in the country.

The United States on Friday held China responsible for economic challenges being faced by Pakistan and said that it would review the Pakistan government`s bailout plea from all angles including the position of debt in the country. According to The News, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert during a press conference, said: "We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In all cases, we examine that closely from all angles of it, including Pakistan`s debt position, in evaluating any type of loan programme." Nauert added, "The secretary had spoken about this a few months back, I know, in some interviews not that long ago. I think part of the reason that Pakistan found itself in this situation is Chinese debt, and the fact that there is debt that governments have incurred that they may be thought wouldn`t be so tough to bail themselves out of, but has become increasingly tough." IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Thursday confirmed that Pakistan has formally approached the funding organisation seeking financial assistance to address its economic challenges. Lagarde met Pakistan's Minister of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Asad Umar, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa and members of their economic team. "Today, I met with Pakistan's Minister of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Asad Umar, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan Tariq Bajwa and members of their economic team. During the meeting, they requested financial assistance from the IMF to help address Pakistan`s economic challenges," Lagarde revealed in a statement. Revealing visit of a team of the international body, Lagarde said: "An IMF team will visit Islamabad in the coming weeks to initiate discussions for a possible IMF-supported economic programme. We look forward to our continuing partnership," Lagarde added. Pakistan`s economy has been in a limbo for long. It was already speculated that Pakistan would have to seek a loan package from IMF following the elections held on July 25.

US blames China for economic woes in Pakistan

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un means to abolish all nuclear weapons, materials and facilities to achieve "complete" denuclearisation, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Friday.

Moon also said the North and the United States are in working-level discussions to arrange a second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump as soon as the US midterm elections are over, according to a script of Moon's interview with BBC shared by his office.

After his third summit in Pyongyang last month with Kim, Moon said the North was ready to invite international experts to watch the dismantling of a key missile site and would close the main Yongbyon nuclear complex if Washington took reciprocal actions.

In the BBC interview, Moon said the actions could include opening of a US liaison office in North Korea, humanitarian aid and an exchange of economic experts.

Trump said on Tuesday his second summit with Kim would be held after US congressional elections on November 6.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un means to abolish all nuclear weapons, materials and facilities to achieve "complete" denuclearisation, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Friday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un means to abolish all nuclear weapons, materials and facilities to achieve "complete" denuclearisation, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Friday. Moon also said the North and the United States are in working-level discussions to arrange a second summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump as soon as the US midterm elections are over, according to a script of Moon's interview with BBC shared by his office. After his third summit in Pyongyang last month with Kim, Moon said the North was ready to invite international experts to watch the dismantling of a key missile site and would close the main Yongbyon nuclear complex if Washington took reciprocal actions. In the BBC interview, Moon said the actions could include opening of a US liaison office in North Korea, humanitarian aid and an exchange of economic experts. Trump said on Tuesday his second summit with Kim would be held after US congressional elections on November 6.

South Korea's Moon says North Korea means to abolish all nuclear weapons

Hurricane Michael, which tore into Florida on Wednesday, went in just two days from tropical storm status to a Category 4 hurricane, on a scale with a maximum of five.

Here are some figures which illustrate the power of Michael on the continental United States and which "took forecasters by surprise," according to Phil Klotzbach, a research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University.

"This came out of nowhere, developed on a weekend so it didn't really get much attention at all until basically yesterday," he said.

Wind speed

Michael hit Florida with wind speeds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), placing it almost into Category 5 scale, which starts at 157 mph.

Never in recorded weather history has a hurricane hit the mainland United States at such a speed in October, the month marking the end of the June to November hurricane season.

Looking at the entire hurricane season, Michael had the strongest winds since 1992 and Hurricane Andrew.

Only two other storms in recorded American weather history -- that is, since 1851 -- had stronger winds. They were in 1969 and 1935.

Pressure, a better measure

Meteorologists use another measure to evaluate hurricane intensity: central pressure.&nbsp;

This is preferred by Klotzbach, who explains that it is more precise for historical comparisons because it is measured precisely by an airplane flying in the middle of the storm's eye, whereas "wind is going to be different everywhere along the hurricane."

"The pressure gives an idea of the size of the storm," he said.

Measured in this way -- the lower the pressure the stronger the hurricane -- &nbsp;Michael was the most powerful since Hurricane Camille in 1969.

How much damage?

In any case, no matter how you measure it, Michael is among the most powerful hurricanes in recent memory along with Camille in 1969, Andrew in 1992 and Katrina in 2005.

The calculation changes if you take into account Puerto Rico, the US island territory in the Caribbean that was devastated by Hurricane Maria last year. The death toll was revised to 2,975 fatalities, either in the storm itself or later as the health care and utilities grids failed.

In terms of damage the most costly year was 2017, when besides the Caribbean several US coastal states were hit by powerful hurricanes that moved slowly and dumped record rainful for days.

Major cities such as Houston were flooded, causing as much as $300 billion in damage, according to estimates.

The bill for 2018 is not yet known. It was a relatively calm year except for hurricanes Michael and Florence last month.

In the case of Michael the damage will be mainly from wind rather than rain.

Hurricane Michael, which tore into Florida on Wednesday, went in just two days from tropical storm status to a Category 4 hurricane, on a scale with a maximum of five.

Hurricane Michael, which tore into Florida on Wednesday, went in just two days from tropical storm status to a Category 4 hurricane, on a scale with a maximum of five. Here are some figures which illustrate the power of Michael on the continental United States and which "took forecasters by surprise," according to Phil Klotzbach, a research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. "This came out of nowhere, developed on a weekend so it didn't really get much attention at all until basically yesterday," he said. Wind speed Michael hit Florida with wind speeds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), placing it almost into Category 5 scale, which starts at 157 mph. Never in recorded weather history has a hurricane hit the mainland United States at such a speed in October, the month marking the end of the June to November hurricane season. Looking at the entire hurricane season, Michael had the strongest winds since 1992 and Hurricane Andrew. Only two other storms in recorded American weather history -- that is, since 1851 -- had stronger winds. They were in 1969 and 1935. Pressure, a better measure Meteorologists use another measure to evaluate hurricane intensity: central pressure. This is preferred by Klotzbach, who explains that it is more precise for historical comparisons because it is measured precisely by an airplane flying in the middle of the storm's eye, whereas "wind is going to be different everywhere along the hurricane." "The pressure gives an idea of the size of the storm," he said. Measured in this way -- the lower the pressure the stronger the hurricane -- Michael was the most powerful since Hurricane Camille in 1969. How much damage? In any case, no matter how you measure it, Michael is among the most powerful hurricanes in recent memory along with Camille in 1969, Andrew in 1992 and Katrina in 2005. The calculation changes if you take into account Puerto Rico, the US island territory in the Caribbean that was devastated by Hurricane Maria last year. The death toll was revised to 2,975 fatalities, either in the storm itself or later as the health care and utilities grids failed. In terms of damage the most costly year was 2017, when besides the Caribbean several US coastal states were hit by powerful hurricanes that moved slowly and dumped record rainful for days. Major cities such as Houston were flooded, causing as much as $300 billion in damage, according to estimates. The bill for 2018 is not yet known. It was a relatively calm year except for hurricanes Michael and Florence last month. In the case of Michael the damage will be mainly from wind rather than rain.

Michael: Most violent US hurricane since 1969, took forecasters by surprise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Melania on #MeToo: She supports women, but 'hard evidence' needed

Describing Indian-American Nikki Haley as an "extraordinary person", President Donald Trump has said the outgoing US ambassador to the UN is "going to make a lot of money" in the private sector, which she intends to join.

Haley, 46, the first Indian-American to hold a Cabinet-ranking position in any US presidential administration, tendered her resignation Tuesday, which Trump accepted.

She had hinted in her resignation letter that she is headed to the private sector after two years at the UN and, before that, six years as South Carolina's governor.

She is likely to stay in the position till the year-end so that her successor could be nominated and confirmed by the Senate.

Trump exuded confidence that Haley would return to his administration in some capacity at some point.

"Nikki is going to be here until the end of the year. Nikki is our friend. She has been great. I want whoever it is to spend some time with Nikki before Nikki goes out and gets herself a job, and hopefully does -- she's going to make a lot of money. And I think Nikki will come back in some form too. But she's an extraordinary person, good person,"

Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Trump told reporters that he was considering the name of four-five persons as her replacement. One of them being Dina Powell (45), the former deputy national security adviser to Trump.

Asked about the timing of Haley's resignation, that too just before the mid-term polls, Trump said nothing much should be read into this.

"There's no good time. I mean, there could be no good time. She told me about this a long time ago. And, frankly, it's almost four weeks. So, it's not that bad. No, I don't think so at all. I thought it was very elegantly done," he said.&nbsp;

"If she waited until after, then they'd say, 'Oh, she?'. You know, if we win, they'd say, why is she doing it. And if we lose, they'd say, oh, well, that's obvious why she's doing it. Okay? So there's really no good time to do it," the President added. 
 
Trump said Haley spoke to him about it some six months ago. "She and I had spoken at least six months ago. Maybe even a year ago, we had conversations. She wanted to be here for about two years. I think the point really was, last week at the United Nations, she wanted to get through that and then go, probably into the private sector for a while," he said.&nbsp;

The Washington Post on Wednesday said that Haley served in the Trump administration and departed with most of her dignity intact. "That, in and of itself, is what makes her extraordinary," the daily said.

At the Pentagon, Defence Secretary James Mattis said Haley had been a wonderful representative for the US. "She has been just a tremendous asset to those of us here in the Department of Defence," he said, adding that he worked very closely with her.

"We saw ourselves in many occasions collaborating together on how we would deal with certain issues, alongside the secretary of state. She's done yeoman's work up there, and I would just tell you that she may be moving on but losing our respect one bit," Mattis said.

Describing Indian-American Nikki Haley as an "extraordinary person", President Donald Trump has said the outgoing US ambassador to the UN is "going to make a lot of money" in the private sector, which she intends to join.

Describing Indian-American Nikki Haley as an "extraordinary person", President Donald Trump has said the outgoing US ambassador to the UN is "going to make a lot of money" in the private sector, which she intends to join. Haley, 46, the first Indian-American to hold a Cabinet-ranking position in any US presidential administration, tendered her resignation Tuesday, which Trump accepted. She had hinted in her resignation letter that she is headed to the private sector after two years at the UN and, before that, six years as South Carolina's governor. She is likely to stay in the position till the year-end so that her successor could be nominated and confirmed by the Senate. Trump exuded confidence that Haley would return to his administration in some capacity at some point. "Nikki is going to be here until the end of the year. Nikki is our friend. She has been great. I want whoever it is to spend some time with Nikki before Nikki goes out and gets herself a job, and hopefully does -- she's going to make a lot of money. And I think Nikki will come back in some form too. But she's an extraordinary person, good person," Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. Trump told reporters that he was considering the name of four-five persons as her replacement. One of them being Dina Powell (45), the former deputy national security adviser to Trump. Asked about the timing of Haley's resignation, that too just before the mid-term polls, Trump said nothing much should be read into this. "There's no good time. I mean, there could be no good time. She told me about this a long time ago. And, frankly, it's almost four weeks. So, it's not that bad. No, I don't think so at all. I thought it was very elegantly done," he said. "If she waited until after, then they'd say, 'Oh, she?'. You know, if we win, they'd say, why is she doing it. And if we lose, they'd say, oh, well, that's obvious why she's doing it. Okay? So there's really no good time to do it," the President added. Trump said Haley spoke to him about it some six months ago. "She and I had spoken at least six months ago. Maybe even a year ago, we had conversations. She wanted to be here for about two years. I think the point really was, last week at the United Nations, she wanted to get through that and then go, probably into the private sector for a while," he said. The Washington Post on Wednesday said that Haley served in the Trump administration and departed with most of her dignity intact. "That, in and of itself, is what makes her extraordinary," the daily said. At the Pentagon, Defence Secretary James Mattis said Haley had been a wonderful representative for the US. "She has been just a tremendous asset to those of us here in the Department of Defence," he said, adding that he worked very closely with her. "We saw ourselves in many occasions collaborating together on how we would deal with certain issues, alongside the secretary of state. She's done yeoman's work up there, and I would just tell you that she may be moving on but losing our respect one bit," Mattis said.

Trump praises Haley, says she will make money

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

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

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

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

Hurricane Michael claimed its first life after roaring ashore in Florida on Wednesday, flooding homes and streets and toppling trees and power lines in the Gulf of Mexico beachfront area where it made landfall as a raging Category 4 storm.

Florida officials said Michael, packing winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), was the most powerful storm to hit the state's northern Panhandle area in more than a century.

Michael had weakened to a Category 1, with maximum winds of 90 mph as of 8:00 pm Eastern time (0000 GMT), but that still left it an extremely dangerous storm.

Pictures and video from Mexico Beach -- a community of about 1,000 people where Michael made landfall around 1:00 pm Eastern time (1700 GMT) -- showed scenes of devastation, with houses floating in flooded streets, some ripped from their foundations and missing roofs.

Roads were filled with piles of floating debris.

After being battered for nearly three hours by strong winds and heavy rains, roads in Panama City were virtually impassable and trees, satellite dishes and traffic lights lay in the streets.

Briefing President Donald Trump at the White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Brock Long said Michael was the most intense hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since 1851.

"Along our coast, communities are going to see unimaginable devastation," Scott said, with storm surge posing the greatest danger.

"Water will come miles in shore and could easily rise over the roofs of houses," he said.

"Those who stick around to experience storm surge don't typically live to tell about it," said FEMA's Long.

At a rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday night, Trump offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those in the path of the storm and said he would be visiting Florida soon.

"I'll be traveling to Florida very, very shortly and I just want to wish them all the best. Godspeed," Trump said.

Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes and the governor told residents who had not done so to "hunker down and be careful."

Ken Graham, director of the Miami-based National Hurricane Center, said Michael is "unfortunately, a historical and incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation."

Smith, in Gadsden County, said the situation was dangerous even for emergency personnel.

"We've been very cautious with sending our first responders out right now," she said.

- Just shy of Category 5 - 
Olivia Smith, public information officer for the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, said there was "one hurricane-related fatality," adding that the incident was "debris-related. There was a tree involved."

Smith could not provide details on the victim.

The death, in an area west of state capital Tallahassee, was the first confirmed since Michael made landfall.

General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, said some Florida residents may have been surprised by the rapid growth of the storm.

"It really started as a tropical storm, and then it went to Category 1, then it was Category 2 and before you know it, it was Category 4," O'Shaughnessy said.

"Where that becomes a factor is with the evacuation of some of the local populations," he said. "We haven't seen as robust of an evacuation response from the civilian population that we have seen in other storms."

Several hours after the hurricane made landfall, the eye of the storm had moved out of the Panhandle and was just west of Albany, Georgia, the NHC said.

"Michael should weaken as it crosses the southeastern United States through Thursday," the NHC said.

Long, the head of FEMA, said many Florida buildings were not built to withstand a storm above the strength of a Category 3 hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

As it came ashore, Michael was just shy of a Category 5 -- defined as a storm packing top sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or above.

- 'Leave NOW' - 
An estimated 375,000 people in more than 20 counties were ordered or advised to evacuate.

The National Weather Service office in Tallahassee issued a dramatic appeal for people to comply with evacuation orders.

"Hurricane Michael is an unprecedented event and cannot be compared to any of our previous events. Do not risk your life, leave NOW if you were told to do so," it said.

Trump issued an emergency declaration for Florida, freeing up federal funds for relief operations and providing the assistance of FEMA, which has more than 3,000 people on the ground.

State officials issued disaster declarations in Alabama and Georgia and the storm is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to North and South Carolina.

The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month.

It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain.

Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the western Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Harvey, which caused a record-equaling $125 billion in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area.

Scientists have long warned that global warming will make storms more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible.

bur-wd/mdl

Hurricane Michael claimed its first life after roaring ashore in Florida on Wednesday, flooding homes and streets and toppling trees and power lines in the Gulf of Mexico beachfront area where it made landfall as a raging Category 4 storm.

Hurricane Michael claimed its first life after roaring ashore in Florida on Wednesday, flooding homes and streets and toppling trees and power lines in the Gulf of Mexico beachfront area where it made landfall as a raging Category 4 storm. Florida officials said Michael, packing winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), was the most powerful storm to hit the state's northern Panhandle area in more than a century. Michael had weakened to a Category 1, with maximum winds of 90 mph as of 8:00 pm Eastern time (0000 GMT), but that still left it an extremely dangerous storm. Pictures and video from Mexico Beach -- a community of about 1,000 people where Michael made landfall around 1:00 pm Eastern time (1700 GMT) -- showed scenes of devastation, with houses floating in flooded streets, some ripped from their foundations and missing roofs. Roads were filled with piles of floating debris. After being battered for nearly three hours by strong winds and heavy rains, roads in Panama City were virtually impassable and trees, satellite dishes and traffic lights lay in the streets. Briefing President Donald Trump at the White House, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Brock Long said Michael was the most intense hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since 1851. "Along our coast, communities are going to see unimaginable devastation," Scott said, with storm surge posing the greatest danger. "Water will come miles in shore and could easily rise over the roofs of houses," he said. "Those who stick around to experience storm surge don't typically live to tell about it," said FEMA's Long. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday night, Trump offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those in the path of the storm and said he would be visiting Florida soon. "I'll be traveling to Florida very, very shortly and I just want to wish them all the best. Godspeed," Trump said. Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate their homes and the governor told residents who had not done so to "hunker down and be careful." Ken Graham, director of the Miami-based National Hurricane Center, said Michael is "unfortunately, a historical and incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation." Smith, in Gadsden County, said the situation was dangerous even for emergency personnel. "We've been very cautious with sending our first responders out right now," she said. - Just shy of Category 5 - Olivia Smith, public information officer for the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners, said there was "one hurricane-related fatality," adding that the incident was "debris-related. There was a tree involved." Smith could not provide details on the victim. The death, in an area west of state capital Tallahassee, was the first confirmed since Michael made landfall. General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command, said some Florida residents may have been surprised by the rapid growth of the storm. "It really started as a tropical storm, and then it went to Category 1, then it was Category 2 and before you know it, it was Category 4," O'Shaughnessy said. "Where that becomes a factor is with the evacuation of some of the local populations," he said. "We haven't seen as robust of an evacuation response from the civilian population that we have seen in other storms." Several hours after the hurricane made landfall, the eye of the storm had moved out of the Panhandle and was just west of Albany, Georgia, the NHC said. "Michael should weaken as it crosses the southeastern United States through Thursday," the NHC said. Long, the head of FEMA, said many Florida buildings were not built to withstand a storm above the strength of a Category 3 hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. As it came ashore, Michael was just shy of a Category 5 -- defined as a storm packing top sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or above. - 'Leave NOW' - An estimated 375,000 people in more than 20 counties were ordered or advised to evacuate. The National Weather Service office in Tallahassee issued a dramatic appeal for people to comply with evacuation orders. "Hurricane Michael is an unprecedented event and cannot be compared to any of our previous events. Do not risk your life, leave NOW if you were told to do so," it said. Trump issued an emergency declaration for Florida, freeing up federal funds for relief operations and providing the assistance of FEMA, which has more than 3,000 people on the ground. State officials issued disaster declarations in Alabama and Georgia and the storm is also expected to bring heavy rainfall to North and South Carolina. The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month. It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain. Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the western Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Harvey, which caused a record-equaling $125 billion in damage when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make storms more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. bur-wd/mdl

Monstrous Hurricane Michael tears into Florida, kills one

Singapore Airlines Ltd is poised for a major boost to its US&nbsp;footprint from Thursday evening as it resumes, after five years, the world's longest commercial flight - a near-19 hour non-stop from Singapore to New York.

The route, combined with the airline's plans to restart non-stop services to Los Angeles and add more non-stop flights to San Francisco next month, will give the premium Asian carrier its biggest-ever US&nbsp;presence.

The airline has already ordered seven new ultra-long range twin-engine Airbus SE A350-900ULRs fitted with just 161 business class and premium economy seats - and no economy class seats - for the US&nbsp;capacity increase.

Singapore Airlines had abandoned the marathon Newark and Los Angeles routes in 2013 when high fuel prices made the use of four-engine Airbus A340-500 jets uneconomic.

It has since flown to New York's JFK Airport via Frankfurt and to Los Angeles via Tokyo and Seoul.

The airline's revenue contribution from the Americas region is currently at 14 percent, down from 20 percent in 2013 due to the loss of the non-stop flights, Corrine Png, CEO of transport research firm Crucial Perspective, said.

"Operating trans-Pacific connecting flights opened Singapore Airlines to a lot more competition from other carriers and resulted in the loss of high-yielding business traffic," she said. "We expect Singapore Airlines to regain market share, especially in the premium travel market."

She said capacity would need to be managed carefully given high fuel prices, but there should be sufficient demand as long as the United States and global economies remained robust.

Non-stop ultra-long haul flights can typically command an airfare premium of around 20 percent versus those involving one or more stops, according to travel industry data, given their popularity with time-sensitive business travellers.

However, Singapore Airlines has been offering low initial fares on its US&nbsp;non-stop routes, including as little as S$1,438 ($1,040) return for premium economy on Singapore-Newark, CAPA Centre for Aviation Chief Analyst Brendan Sobie said.

"While it's early days, there will be questions whether the latest attempt at US&nbsp;nonstops will be profitable for Singapore Airlines given the very intense competition in the Singapore-US&nbsp;market, rising fuel prices and the large number of premium seats Singapore Airlines has to fill on the seven newly delivered A350-900ULRs," he said.

Brent crude prices are currently trading near $85 per barrel, significantly below a 2013 peak of about $119 but still up about 27 percent so far this year. The benchmark is on track for its third straight year of gains.

United Airlines offers non-stop flights from Singapore to San Francisco, while other carriers like Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and Taiwan's EVA Airways Corp compete with one-stop Singapore-US&nbsp;offerings.

The Singapore-Newark route will top Qatar Airways' Doha-Auckland route as the world's longest, but Australia's Qantas Airways is considering the introduction of an even longer 20-hour Sydney-London flight from 2022.

Singapore Airlines Ltd is poised for a major boost to its US footprint from Thursday evening as it resumes, after five years, the world's longest commercial flight - a near-19 hour non-stop from Singapore to New York.

Singapore Airlines Ltd is poised for a major boost to its US footprint from Thursday evening as it resumes, after five years, the world's longest commercial flight - a near-19 hour non-stop from Singapore to New York. The route, combined with the airline's plans to restart non-stop services to Los Angeles and add more non-stop flights to San Francisco next month, will give the premium Asian carrier its biggest-ever US presence. The airline has already ordered seven new ultra-long range twin-engine Airbus SE A350-900ULRs fitted with just 161 business class and premium economy seats - and no economy class seats - for the US capacity increase. Singapore Airlines had abandoned the marathon Newark and Los Angeles routes in 2013 when high fuel prices made the use of four-engine Airbus A340-500 jets uneconomic. It has since flown to New York's JFK Airport via Frankfurt and to Los Angeles via Tokyo and Seoul. The airline's revenue contribution from the Americas region is currently at 14 percent, down from 20 percent in 2013 due to the loss of the non-stop flights, Corrine Png, CEO of transport research firm Crucial Perspective, said. "Operating trans-Pacific connecting flights opened Singapore Airlines to a lot more competition from other carriers and resulted in the loss of high-yielding business traffic," she said. "We expect Singapore Airlines to regain market share, especially in the premium travel market." She said capacity would need to be managed carefully given high fuel prices, but there should be sufficient demand as long as the United States and global economies remained robust. Non-stop ultra-long haul flights can typically command an airfare premium of around 20 percent versus those involving one or more stops, according to travel industry data, given their popularity with time-sensitive business travellers. However, Singapore Airlines has been offering low initial fares on its US non-stop routes, including as little as S$1,438 ($1,040) return for premium economy on Singapore-Newark, CAPA Centre for Aviation Chief Analyst Brendan Sobie said. "While it's early days, there will be questions whether the latest attempt at US nonstops will be profitable for Singapore Airlines given the very intense competition in the Singapore-US market, rising fuel prices and the large number of premium seats Singapore Airlines has to fill on the seven newly delivered A350-900ULRs," he said. Brent crude prices are currently trading near $85 per barrel, significantly below a 2013 peak of about $119 but still up about 27 percent so far this year. The benchmark is on track for its third straight year of gains. United Airlines offers non-stop flights from Singapore to San Francisco, while other carriers like Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and Taiwan's EVA Airways Corp compete with one-stop Singapore-US offerings. The Singapore-Newark route will top Qatar Airways' Doha-Auckland route as the world's longest, but Australia's Qantas Airways is considering the introduction of an even longer 20-hour Sydney-London flight from 2022.

Lift off: Singapore Airlines to boost US presence with world's longest flight

The US&nbsp;Air Force on Wednesday said that it had awarded a total $2.3 billion in contracts to develop rocket launch systems for national security missions.

The awards go to Amazon.com billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin; United Launch Services, part of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp; and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

The three contracts are part of a Department of Defense initiative to assure constant military access to space and curb reliance on foreign-made rocket engines, like ULA's flagship Atlas V rocket that uses Russian-made RD-180 boosters. The contracts are to develop rockets and carry defence payloads into space.

Centennial, Colorado-based United Launch Services received $967 million to develop its Vulcan rocket; Kent, Washington-based Blue Origin was awarded $500 million to build its New Glenn booster, and Northrop Grumman of Arizona received $791.6 million for its OmegA rocket.&nbsp;

Blue Origin's and Northrop's prototype vehicles for military launches are expected to be ready to fly by late 2024 and ULA's Vulcan rocket development should be completed by March 2025.

Blue Origin said in a statement following Wednesday's announcement that it will build a launch site at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, although it did not say what rockets would launch from the site. ULA announced in September that its Vulcan rocket will be powered by Blue's BE-4 liquid rocket engines.&nbsp;

The US Air Force on Wednesday said that it had awarded a total $2.3 billion in contracts to develop rocket launch systems for national security missions. The awards go to Amazon.

The US Air Force on Wednesday said that it had awarded a total $2.3 billion in contracts to develop rocket launch systems for national security missions. The awards go to Amazon.com billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin; United Launch Services, part of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp; and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. The three contracts are part of a Department of Defense initiative to assure constant military access to space and curb reliance on foreign-made rocket engines, like ULA's flagship Atlas V rocket that uses Russian-made RD-180 boosters. The contracts are to develop rockets and carry defence payloads into space. Centennial, Colorado-based United Launch Services received $967 million to develop its Vulcan rocket; Kent, Washington-based Blue Origin was awarded $500 million to build its New Glenn booster, and Northrop Grumman of Arizona received $791.6 million for its OmegA rocket. Blue Origin's and Northrop's prototype vehicles for military launches are expected to be ready to fly by late 2024 and ULA's Vulcan rocket development should be completed by March 2025. Blue Origin said in a statement following Wednesday's announcement that it will build a launch site at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, although it did not say what rockets would launch from the site. ULA announced in September that its Vulcan rocket will be powered by Blue's BE-4 liquid rocket engines.

Bezos' Blue Origin and others get $2.3 billion in US Air Force rocket contracts

Hurricane Michael, the fiercest storm to hit Florida in a quarter century and the third-most powerful ever to strike the US&nbsp;mainland, roared into the state's Gulf coast on Wednesday with tree-snapping winds, towering waves and torrential rains.

Michael, whose rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico caught many by surprise, made landfall early in the afternoon near Mexico Beach, about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Panama City in Florida's Panhandle region, with top sustained winds reaching 155 miles per hour (249 kph).

The storm came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale. Its sustained winds were just 2 mph (3.2 kph) shy of an extremely rare Category 5.

As predicted, the storm was downgraded hours later to a still-formidable Category 3 with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) and higher gusts as it pushed inland to the Alabama-Georgia border.

Florida Governor Rick Scott said that as of nightfall, about five hours after Michael struck land, there were no confirmed reports of storm fatalities.

Causing major disruptions to oil and gas production in the Gulf even before its arrival, the storm was forecast to unleash waves as high as 14 feet (4.3 meters) above normal sea levels in some areas, the National Hurricane Center said.

“My God, it’s scary. I didn’t expect all this,” said Bill Manning, 63, a grocery clerk who fled his camper van in Panama City for safer quarters in a hotel, only to see the electricity there go out. "Panama City, I don’t know if there will be much left."

Television news footage showed floodwaters up to the roofs of many homes in Mexico Beach. The fate of about 280 residents who authorities said defied evacuation orders was unknown.

Twenty miles to the south, floodwaters were more than 7-1/2 feet (2.3 meters) deep near Apalachicola, a town of about 2,300 residents, National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said. Wind damage was also widespread.

"There are so many downed power lines and trees that it's almost impossible to get through the city," Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said on Tuesday that an estimated 500,000 Florida residents had been ordered or urged to seek higher ground before the storm in 20 counties spanning a 200-mile (320-km) stretch of shoreline.

But Brad Kieserman of the American Red Cross said Wednesday that as many as 320,000 people on Florida's Gulf Coast had disregarded mandatory or voluntary evacuation notices.

An estimated 6,000 evacuees took cover in emergency shelters, most of them in Florida, and that number was expected to swell to 20,000 across five states by week's end, Kieserman said.

Even before Michael made full landfall, it was whipping trees with its winds and flooding the town of Port St. Joe, just south of Mexico Beach.

"It feels like you don't know when the next tree is going to fall on top of you because its blowing so ferociously," said Port St. Joe Mayor Bo Patterson. "It's very, very scary. We have trees being uprooted, heavy, heavy rain."

'Jaw-dropping strength'

Patterson said about 2,500 of the town's 3,500 people had stayed put, including about 100 in a beachside area who ignored a mandatory evacuation order. "This happened so quickly, we weren't exactly prepared," he said.

FEMA head Brock Long said early evacuation efforts in the area were slow.

Michael grew from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane over the course of about 40 hours.

"Satellite images of Michael’s evolution on Tuesday night were, in a word, jaw-dropping," wrote Bob Henson, a meteorologist with weather site Weather Underground.

With minimum barometric pressure recorded at 919 millibars, a measure of hurricane strength, Michael stood as the strongest storm ever to hit Florida's Panhandle and the most intense anywhere in the state since Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Michael also ranked as the third-most powerful storm on record to make landfall in the continental United States, after Hurricane Camille on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1969 and the so-called Labor Day hurricane of 1935 in the Florida Keys.

President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for all of Florida, freeing up federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses.

At mid-afternoon, about 192,000 homes and business customers were already without power in Florida alone, with more outages reported in Georgia and Alabama, utility companies said.

Michael was forecast to move across southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia on Wednesday night.

Helen Neal, 88, and her husband, JW&nbsp;Neal, 87, preferred to take their chances in a hotel rather than stay in their two-story Panama City Beach beachfront house about a mile away.

"We just finished renovating and updating," she said. "We’re kind of nervous. God willing, we’ll still have some place."

About 3,500 Florida National Guard troops were deployed to assist with evacuations and storm recovery, along with more than 1,000 search-and-rescue personnel, Scott said.

NHC's Graham warned that the storm would continue to pack tropical storm-force winds when it reached the Carolinas, still reeling from severe flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence last month. Up to a foot (30 cm) of rainfall was forecast for some areas from Michael.

Hurricane Michael, the fiercest storm to hit Florida in a quarter century and the third-most powerful ever to strike the US mainland, roared into the state's Gulf coast on Wednesday with tree-snapping winds, towering waves and torrential rains.

Hurricane Michael, the fiercest storm to hit Florida in a quarter century and the third-most powerful ever to strike the US mainland, roared into the state's Gulf coast on Wednesday with tree-snapping winds, towering waves and torrential rains. Michael, whose rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico caught many by surprise, made landfall early in the afternoon near Mexico Beach, about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Panama City in Florida's Panhandle region, with top sustained winds reaching 155 miles per hour (249 kph). The storm came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale. Its sustained winds were just 2 mph (3.2 kph) shy of an extremely rare Category 5. As predicted, the storm was downgraded hours later to a still-formidable Category 3 with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) and higher gusts as it pushed inland to the Alabama-Georgia border. Florida Governor Rick Scott said that as of nightfall, about five hours after Michael struck land, there were no confirmed reports of storm fatalities. Causing major disruptions to oil and gas production in the Gulf even before its arrival, the storm was forecast to unleash waves as high as 14 feet (4.3 meters) above normal sea levels in some areas, the National Hurricane Center said. “My God, it’s scary. I didn’t expect all this,” said Bill Manning, 63, a grocery clerk who fled his camper van in Panama City for safer quarters in a hotel, only to see the electricity there go out. "Panama City, I don’t know if there will be much left." Television news footage showed floodwaters up to the roofs of many homes in Mexico Beach. The fate of about 280 residents who authorities said defied evacuation orders was unknown. Twenty miles to the south, floodwaters were more than 7-1/2 feet (2.3 meters) deep near Apalachicola, a town of about 2,300 residents, National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham said. Wind damage was also widespread. "There are so many downed power lines and trees that it's almost impossible to get through the city," Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson said. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said on Tuesday that an estimated 500,000 Florida residents had been ordered or urged to seek higher ground before the storm in 20 counties spanning a 200-mile (320-km) stretch of shoreline. But Brad Kieserman of the American Red Cross said Wednesday that as many as 320,000 people on Florida's Gulf Coast had disregarded mandatory or voluntary evacuation notices. An estimated 6,000 evacuees took cover in emergency shelters, most of them in Florida, and that number was expected to swell to 20,000 across five states by week's end, Kieserman said. Even before Michael made full landfall, it was whipping trees with its winds and flooding the town of Port St. Joe, just south of Mexico Beach. "It feels like you don't know when the next tree is going to fall on top of you because its blowing so ferociously," said Port St. Joe Mayor Bo Patterson. "It's very, very scary. We have trees being uprooted, heavy, heavy rain." 'Jaw-dropping strength' Patterson said about 2,500 of the town's 3,500 people had stayed put, including about 100 in a beachside area who ignored a mandatory evacuation order. "This happened so quickly, we weren't exactly prepared," he said. FEMA head Brock Long said early evacuation efforts in the area were slow. Michael grew from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane over the course of about 40 hours. "Satellite images of Michael’s evolution on Tuesday night were, in a word, jaw-dropping," wrote Bob Henson, a meteorologist with weather site Weather Underground. With minimum barometric pressure recorded at 919 millibars, a measure of hurricane strength, Michael stood as the strongest storm ever to hit Florida's Panhandle and the most intense anywhere in the state since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Michael also ranked as the third-most powerful storm on record to make landfall in the continental United States, after Hurricane Camille on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1969 and the so-called Labor Day hurricane of 1935 in the Florida Keys. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for all of Florida, freeing up federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. At mid-afternoon, about 192,000 homes and business customers were already without power in Florida alone, with more outages reported in Georgia and Alabama, utility companies said. Michael was forecast to move across southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia on Wednesday night. Helen Neal, 88, and her husband, JW Neal, 87, preferred to take their chances in a hotel rather than stay in their two-story Panama City Beach beachfront house about a mile away. "We just finished renovating and updating," she said. "We’re kind of nervous. God willing, we’ll still have some place." About 3,500 Florida National Guard troops were deployed to assist with evacuations and storm recovery, along with more than 1,000 search-and-rescue personnel, Scott said. NHC's Graham warned that the storm would continue to pack tropical storm-force winds when it reached the Carolinas, still reeling from severe flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence last month. Up to a foot (30 cm) of rainfall was forecast for some areas from Michael.

Florida battered by record-breaking Hurricane Michael

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