For the first time in history- the United States intelligence community has published a report on climate change.The findings are bleak.The report warns that the climate crisis will ignite tensions across the world as countries will be forced to compete for scarce resources.

United States intelligence community publishes report on climate change

More than 1,800 sexual assaults occurred during Lyft rides in 2019, the company said Thursday in its first-ever safety report on sexual and physical assaults, fatal crashes and other serious incidents.

Lyft’s safety report had been long awaited in the ride-hailing industry, as the company is facing lawsuits from victims of sexual assaults that occurred during rides. It committed to releasing its sexual assault statistics in 2019, when Uber released a similar report.

“While safety incidents on our platform are incredibly rare, we realize that even one is too many,” Lyft’s head of policy development and research, Jennifer Brandenburger, said in a blog post Thursday. “Behind every report is a real person and real experience.”

The 1,807 sexual assaults during Lyft rides in 2019, the most recent year for data in the report, were a 64 per cent increase from 2017, the company said. But because the number of rides rose even faster, safety improved overall, Lyft said, with the incident rate of sexual assaults declining 19 per cent during the period.

Four people were killed during physical assaults in 2019, and 49 were killed during motor vehicle accidents, Lyft said in the report.

“The type of safety incidents detailed in this report occurred on 0.0002 per cent of rides, and well over 99 per cent of all rides occur without any safety report at all,” Brandenburger said.

The statistics are in line with similar incidents on Uber’s platform. Uber said in its 2019 safety report that the number of sexual assaults on its platform the previous year represented just 0.0002 per cent of all rides.

Rachel Abrams, a lawyer who represents about 1,000 sexual assault victims in lawsuits against Uber and Lyft, said the report from Lyft was long overdue. “We’ve all been waiting for it,” she said.

“They are not implementing the safety measures to prevent this from happening, and it’s just going to keep mounting,” Abrams added. She said Lyft should incorporate video surveillance in its vehicles to monitor for safety problems.

Lyft said it was working to make its platform as safe as possible, requiring drivers to undergo rigorous background checks and offering riders safety check-ins and emergency assistance during rides that veer off course.

More than 1,800 sexual assaults occurred during Lyft rides in 2019, the company said Thursday in its first-ever safety report on sexual and physical assaults, fatal crashes and other serious incidents.

More than 1,800 sexual assaults occurred during Lyft rides in 2019, the company said Thursday in its first-ever safety report on sexual and physical assaults, fatal crashes and other serious incidents. Lyft’s safety report had been long awaited in the ride-hailing industry, as the company is facing lawsuits from victims of sexual assaults that occurred during rides. It committed to releasing its sexual assault statistics in 2019, when Uber released a similar report. “While safety incidents on our platform are incredibly rare, we realize that even one is too many,” Lyft’s head of policy development and research, Jennifer Brandenburger, said in a blog post Thursday. “Behind every report is a real person and real experience.” The 1,807 sexual assaults during Lyft rides in 2019, the most recent year for data in the report, were a 64 per cent increase from 2017, the company said. But because the number of rides rose even faster, safety improved overall, Lyft said, with the incident rate of sexual assaults declining 19 per cent during the period. Four people were killed during physical assaults in 2019, and 49 were killed during motor vehicle accidents, Lyft said in the report. “The type of safety incidents detailed in this report occurred on 0.0002 per cent of rides, and well over 99 per cent of all rides occur without any safety report at all,” Brandenburger said. The statistics are in line with similar incidents on Uber’s platform. Uber said in its 2019 safety report that the number of sexual assaults on its platform the previous year represented just 0.0002 per cent of all rides. Rachel Abrams, a lawyer who represents about 1,000 sexual assault victims in lawsuits against Uber and Lyft, said the report from Lyft was long overdue. “We’ve all been waiting for it,” she said. “They are not implementing the safety measures to prevent this from happening, and it’s just going to keep mounting,” Abrams added. She said Lyft should incorporate video surveillance in its vehicles to monitor for safety problems. Lyft said it was working to make its platform as safe as possible, requiring drivers to undergo rigorous background checks and offering riders safety check-ins and emergency assistance during rides that veer off course.

Lyft says 1,807 sexual assaults occurred in rides in 2019

A new report by Bennington College’s Beyond Plastics project has revealed that the plastics industry in the US will be releasing more greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) than coal-powered electricity generating plants by the end of the decade.

The report found that the American plastics industry is releasing at least 232m tons of GHG annually. This is equivalent to 116 average-sized coal-fired power plants.

Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and former regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator under President Obama said that plastic has become the new coal. She was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The health impacts of the emissions are disproportionately borne by low-income communities and communities of color."

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It has been reported that 90 per cent of the plastics industry’s climate change pollution takes place in just 18 communities. This is where the residents earn 28 per cent less than the average American household and are 67 per cent more likely to be minority communities.

The report further highlighted 10 different stages in which plastics manufacturing emits the maximum amount of GHG. It was concluded that Hydro-fracking is expected to release 45m tons of methane annually in the US by 2025.

Also, transporting and processing fracked gases emit roughly 4.8m tons of methane a year.

The petrochemical ethane gas cracker facilities release at least 70m tons of GHG annually.&nbsp;

Various other plastic raw materials manufacturing is responsible for 28m tons of GHG emissions annually. The exports and imports of plastics raw materials and products emit at least 51m tons of GHG annually. This is equivalent to more than 25 coal-fired power plants.

A new report by Bennington College’s Beyond Plastics project has revealed that the plastics industry in the US will be releasing more greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) than coal-powered electricity generating plants by the end of the decade.

A new report by Bennington College’s Beyond Plastics project has revealed that the plastics industry in the US will be releasing more greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) than coal-powered electricity generating plants by the end of the decade. The report found that the American plastics industry is releasing at least 232m tons of GHG annually. This is equivalent to 116 average-sized coal-fired power plants. Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and former regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator under President Obama said that plastic has become the new coal. She was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "The health impacts of the emissions are disproportionately borne by low-income communities and communities of color." Also read | World's largest triceratops, 'Big John,' fetches nearly $8 million in auction It has been reported that 90 per cent of the plastics industry’s climate change pollution takes place in just 18 communities. This is where the residents earn 28 per cent less than the average American household and are 67 per cent more likely to be minority communities. The report further highlighted 10 different stages in which plastics manufacturing emits the maximum amount of GHG. It was concluded that Hydro-fracking is expected to release 45m tons of methane annually in the US by 2025. Also, transporting and processing fracked gases emit roughly 4.8m tons of methane a year. The petrochemical ethane gas cracker facilities release at least 70m tons of GHG annually. Various other plastic raw materials manufacturing is responsible for 28m tons of GHG emissions annually. The exports and imports of plastics raw materials and products emit at least 51m tons of GHG annually. This is equivalent to more than 25 coal-fired power plants.

US: Plastics to overtake coal’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, says study

The Group of 20 rich countries are divided over phasing out coal and committing to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius as they prepare for a crucial summit in Rome next week, sources familiar with the negotiations said.

The need to curb emissions will be high on the agenda of the Rome G20 gathering on Oct. 30-31, seen as a key stepping stone immediately ahead of broader United Nations climate talks, called COP 26, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland.

So far big polluters such as China and India have dug in their heels and little progress has been made since G20 energy and environment ministers met in Naples in July, said three sources, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the talks.

"Countries are not moving, at the moment they are still just making sure their positions are heard loud and clear," said one of the sources.

However he added that such intransigence was normal at this stage and any concessions were unlikely to come before G20 climate sherpas meet face-to-face next Thursday and Friday, immediately before their leaders` weekend meeting.

"Where I see the problem is in the commitment to 1.5 degrees and in the phase out of coal and fossil fuels by China, India and Russia," said another source, a G20 minister.

Climate scientists say capping global warming at 1.5 degrees compared with pre-industrial levels is vital to limit environmental disasters, but a broad and clear commitment to achieve the goal is proving elusive.

The landmark UN Paris Agreement signed in 2015 aimed to limit global warming to "well below 2 degrees" and "preferably" to 1.5 degrees, and since then international gatherings have tried with difficulty to toughen up the language.

In Naples, energy and environment ministers recognised that environmental risks were lower at 1.5 degrees than at 2, but again fell short of clearly stating 1.5 must not be breached.

They also failed to reach unanimous agreement on fixing dates to end fossil fuel subsidies, halt international financing of coal projects and phase out coal power altogether, asking leaders to bridge the gaps at the upcoming Rome summit.

<h2>Big-hitters stay home</h2>

At least four G20 leaders are not expected to come to Rome, including China`s Xi Jinping, at the helm of the world`s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, and Russia`s Vladimir Putin, head of a major oil and gas producer.

One source said while such absences were "not a great political signal," they would not necessarily prevent progress.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be coming to Rome, officials said, and New Delhi confirmed on Thursday that he will also be at the COP26 in Glasgow.

Neither Russia, China nor India have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, considered a vital goal in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.

So far China is proving most reluctant to commit to the 1.5 degree ceiling, while India is most intransigent in not pledging net zero emissions by 2050, one of the sources said.

China and India are also among a group of countries that have not yet presented new national plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP 26, on how they will help curb climate change.

The COP26 president, Britain`s Alok Sharma, said in a speech this month the G20, which accounts for 80% of global emissions, would be "make, or break" for achieving success in Glasgow.

However, one of the sources said breakthroughs were more likely in Glasgow than in Rome.

Big emitters like China, India and Russia tend to feel pressured and hectored by the Western countries at the G20, he said, making them defensive and reluctant to concede ground.

The much larger UN forum was more "neutral" and conducive to compromise, he said.

The Rome G20 will also focus on the coronavirus pandemic and how to foster global economic recovery, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who will chair the meeting, said on Wednesday.

The Group of 20 rich countries are divided over phasing out coal and committing to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius as they prepare for a crucial summit in Rome next week, sources familiar with the negotiations said.

The Group of 20 rich countries are divided over phasing out coal and committing to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius as they prepare for a crucial summit in Rome next week, sources familiar with the negotiations said. The need to curb emissions will be high on the agenda of the Rome G20 gathering on Oct. 30-31, seen as a key stepping stone immediately ahead of broader United Nations climate talks, called COP 26, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland. So far big polluters such as China and India have dug in their heels and little progress has been made since G20 energy and environment ministers met in Naples in July, said three sources, asking not to be named due to the sensitivity of the talks. "Countries are not moving, at the moment they are still just making sure their positions are heard loud and clear," said one of the sources. However he added that such intransigence was normal at this stage and any concessions were unlikely to come before G20 climate sherpas meet face-to-face next Thursday and Friday, immediately before their leaders` weekend meeting. "Where I see the problem is in the commitment to 1.5 degrees and in the phase out of coal and fossil fuels by China, India and Russia," said another source, a G20 minister. Climate scientists say capping global warming at 1.5 degrees compared with pre-industrial levels is vital to limit environmental disasters, but a broad and clear commitment to achieve the goal is proving elusive. The landmark UN Paris Agreement signed in 2015 aimed to limit global warming to "well below 2 degrees" and "preferably" to 1.5 degrees, and since then international gatherings have tried with difficulty to toughen up the language. In Naples, energy and environment ministers recognised that environmental risks were lower at 1.5 degrees than at 2, but again fell short of clearly stating 1.5 must not be breached. They also failed to reach unanimous agreement on fixing dates to end fossil fuel subsidies, halt international financing of coal projects and phase out coal power altogether, asking leaders to bridge the gaps at the upcoming Rome summit. Big-hitters stay home At least four G20 leaders are not expected to come to Rome, including China`s Xi Jinping, at the helm of the world`s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, and Russia`s Vladimir Putin, head of a major oil and gas producer. One source said while such absences were "not a great political signal," they would not necessarily prevent progress. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be coming to Rome, officials said, and New Delhi confirmed on Thursday that he will also be at the COP26 in Glasgow. Neither Russia, China nor India have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, considered a vital goal in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. So far China is proving most reluctant to commit to the 1.5 degree ceiling, while India is most intransigent in not pledging net zero emissions by 2050, one of the sources said. China and India are also among a group of countries that have not yet presented new national plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP 26, on how they will help curb climate change. The COP26 president, Britain`s Alok Sharma, said in a speech this month the G20, which accounts for 80% of global emissions, would be "make, or break" for achieving success in Glasgow. However, one of the sources said breakthroughs were more likely in Glasgow than in Rome. Big emitters like China, India and Russia tend to feel pressured and hectored by the Western countries at the G20, he said, making them defensive and reluctant to concede ground. The much larger UN forum was more "neutral" and conducive to compromise, he said. The Rome G20 will also focus on the coronavirus pandemic and how to foster global economic recovery, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who will chair the meeting, said on Wednesday.

G20 split over coal, 1.5 degree climate limit ahead of Rome summit: Report

More than 600 people have fallen sick and 129 hospitalised across 37 states in the US due to mass salmonella outbreak, which has been linked to onions imported from Mexico,&nbsp;according to US media reports.&nbsp;

But, no&nbsp;deaths have been reported so far.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said one source of infections had been traced to onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico, and distributed by ProSource Inc., also known as ProSource Produce, LLC, based in Hailey, Idaho.

The US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have asked people to throw away all unlabelled red, white and yellow onions.

“Interviews with sick people show that 75% of people ate or possibly ate raw onions or dishes likely containing raw onions before they became sick,” the CDC said in a statement.

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“Several ill people reported eating at the same restaurants, indicating they may be part of illness clusters.”

According to the FDA, most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

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The US agency urged restaurants, retailers and consumers not to eat, sell or serve red, yellow, and white onions supplied by ProSource Inc that were imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico from July 1, 2021 through August 27, 2021, or products containing such onions.

ProSource has agreed to voluntarily recall all onions it imported from Chihuahua from July 1 through Aug. 27, Frank Yiannas, the Food and Drug Administration's deputy commissioner for food policy and response, said in a statement.

The FDA has launched an investigation, along with the CDC and local authorities, Yiannas said.

“We are issuing this update early in our investigation as part of our continued commitment to transparency and early communication. We will provide updates as we learn more,” Yiannas said.

(With inputs from agencies)

More than 600 people have fallen sick and 129 hospitalised across 37 states in the US due to mass salmonella outbreak, which has been linked to onions imported from Mexico, according to US media reports.

More than 600 people have fallen sick and 129 hospitalised across 37 states in the US due to mass salmonella outbreak, which has been linked to onions imported from Mexico, according to US media reports. But, no deaths have been reported so far. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said one source of infections had been traced to onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico, and distributed by ProSource Inc., also known as ProSource Produce, LLC, based in Hailey, Idaho. The US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have asked people to throw away all unlabelled red, white and yellow onions. “Interviews with sick people show that 75% of people ate or possibly ate raw onions or dishes likely containing raw onions before they became sick,” the CDC said in a statement. Also read | World's largest triceratops, 'Big John,' fetches nearly $8 million in auction “Several ill people reported eating at the same restaurants, indicating they may be part of illness clusters.” According to the FDA, most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal. Also read | Court rules Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos are legally people The US agency urged restaurants, retailers and consumers not to eat, sell or serve red, yellow, and white onions supplied by ProSource Inc that were imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico from July 1, 2021 through August 27, 2021, or products containing such onions. ProSource has agreed to voluntarily recall all onions it imported from Chihuahua from July 1 through Aug. 27, Frank Yiannas, the Food and Drug Administration's deputy commissioner for food policy and response, said in a statement. The FDA has launched an investigation, along with the CDC and local authorities, Yiannas said. “We are issuing this update early in our investigation as part of our continued commitment to transparency and early communication. We will provide updates as we learn more,” Yiannas said. (With inputs from agencies)

Over 600 in US fall sick due to salmonella outbreak linked to onion imports from Mexico

Nearly two days after the crucial OPEC plus meet, global oil prices have risen to multi-year high levels while U.S. oil prices rose for a fifth day today, the highest since 2014.

US oil rises to highest since 2014

When a powerful Democratic Senate chairman assembled his Special Committee on Aging to confront what he called a “crisis of affordability” for prescription drugs, he proposed a novel solution: allow the government to negotiate better deals for critical medications.

The year was 1989, and the idea from that chairman, former Sen. David Pryor of Arkansas, touched off a drive for government drug-price negotiations that has been embraced by two generations of Democrats and one Republican president, Donald Trump — but now appears at risk of being left out of a sprawling domestic policy bill taking shape in Congress.

Senior Democrats insist that they have not given up the push to grant Medicare broad powers to negotiate lower drug prices as part of a once-ambitious climate change and social safety net bill that is slowly shrinking in scope. They know that the loss of the provision, promoted by President Joe Biden on the campaign trail and in the White House, could be a particularly embarrassing defeat for the package, since it has been central to Democratic congressional campaigns for nearly three decades.

“Senate Democrats understand that after all the pledges, you’ve got to deliver,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Finance Committee.

“It’s not dead,” declared Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

But with at least three House Democrats opposing the toughest version of the measure, and at least one Senate Democrat, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, against it, government negotiating power appears almost certain to be curtailed, if not jettisoned. The loss would be akin to Republicans’ failure under Trump to repeal the Affordable Care Act, after solemn pledges for eight years to dismantle the health law “root and branch.”

And after so many campaign-trail promises, Democrats could be left next year with a lot of explaining to do.

“It would mean that the pharmaceutical industry, which has 1,500 paid lobbyists, the pharmaceutical industry, which made $50 billion in profits last year, the pharmaceutical industry, which pays its executives huge compensation packages, and which is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to defeat this legislation, will have won,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the Budget Committee chairman, said Wednesday. “And I intend to not allow that to happen.”

It is not clear how Sanders can pull that off. The length of the fight speaks to the durability and popularity of the issue, but also the power of the pharmaceutical industry.

Pryor teed it up in the late 1980s, hoping to muscle through lower prices for Medicaid, with an eye on the bigger prize, Medicare. President Bill Clinton included government price negotiations in his universal health care plan in 1993, and throughout the 1990s, as Democrats pressed to add a prescription drug benefit for Medicare, government negotiations were central to holding the cost down.

Then in 2003, a Republican Congress and president, George W. Bush, secured passage of that drug benefit — but with an explicit prohibition on the government negotiating the price of medicines older Americans would purchase.

Repealing that so-called noninterference provision has been a centerpiece of Democratic campaigns ever since. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a former head of House Democrats’ campaign arm, recalled that “Medicare shall negotiate drug prices” was one of the six planks in the “Six for ’06” platform that helped the Democrats win control of the House in 2006.

It has passed the House numerous times, including in 2019 with yes votes from the three House members now opposing it — Reps. Kathleen Rice of New York, Scott Peters of California and Kurt Schrader of Oregon — only to die in the Senate. Even Trump adopted the effort in his 2016 campaign, only to see it go nowhere.

That futility is why Schrader said he opposed it: “Why do the same thing again and again and expect to have a different result?” he asked.

To proponents, defeat after defeat speaks solely to the power of the pharmaceutical industry and its attendant lobbyists.

But opponents say it reflects the complexity of the issue. Once lawmakers realize they could actually secure government price negotiations, they see how problematic that could be.

“If anyone thinks this is the easy political route for me, that’s just laughable,” said Peters, who has endured scorn and pressure from his Democratic colleagues but whose San Diego district includes almost 1,000 biotechnology companies and 68,000 jobs directly tied to pharmaceutical work.

Schrader and Peters said the House version of prescription drug price controls, tucked into the broader social policy legislation, would stifle innovation in one of the country’s most profitable global industries.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, known as PhRMA, also maintains that government negotiations would severely limit the types of prescription drugs that would be available to Medicare beneficiaries as companies withdraw their products from the program. With the goodwill the industry has accrued with its coronavirus vaccines and treatments, drug companies have pressed their case with key lawmakers, and roped in the larger business community.

American Action Network, a conservative group with business money, unveiled a new set of ads Wednesday targeting vulnerable Democrats such as Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux of Georgia and decrying “another socialist health care plan to control what medicines you can get.”

“We are taking on the greed and the corruption of the pharmaceutical industry — I know their power, believe me, I know their power,” Sanders said. “But this is a fight we’ve got to win.”

Wyden insisted that any legislative effort to tackle rising drug costs must include government negotiating power, but alternatives are emerging.

Some simpler solutions would change the formula of the existing Medicare prescription drug benefit to limit out-of-pocket costs, especially in the event of a catastrophic health event.

Wyden is also pressing to enact legislation he drafted with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, that would force drugmakers to offer rebates to consumers on products whose prices rise faster than inflation. Grassley said he still supports the measure, as does Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., a traditional ally of the pharmaceutical industry in his state.

Schrader and Peters said negotiations were progressing around their proposal, which would grant the government power to negotiate prices under Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient services and some of the most costly medications, once outpatient drugs like chemotherapy have outlived their patent exclusivity.

Their bill would also force rebates for drug prices rising faster than inflation, and limit out-of-pocket medication expenses for older Americans. That is projected to save the government $300 billion over 10 years, about half what the broader measure would save.

“Frankly, based on discussions we’ve had with the White House, senators and other members in our party, this could get done,” Schrader said. “That’d be huge.”

Ultimately, if any significant price controls survive, it will be the logic of the policy overcoming the power over the lobby, said Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., whose district is being hit with pharmaceutical industry advertising. Kind, an influential centrist, said he has been speaking with like-minded Democrats, trying to buck them up against the onslaught.

“Obviously, there’s some advertising,” he said. “But boy, public sentiment is overwhelming. They just don’t understand why the pharmaceutical industry is the only private industry the federal government’s refused to even discuss prices with.”

When a powerful Democratic Senate chairman assembled his Special Committee on Aging to confront what he called a “crisis of affordability” for prescription drugs, he proposed a novel solution: allow the government to negotiate better deals for critical medications.

When a powerful Democratic Senate chairman assembled his Special Committee on Aging to confront what he called a “crisis of affordability” for prescription drugs, he proposed a novel solution: allow the government to negotiate better deals for critical medications. The year was 1989, and the idea from that chairman, former Sen. David Pryor of Arkansas, touched off a drive for government drug-price negotiations that has been embraced by two generations of Democrats and one Republican president, Donald Trump — but now appears at risk of being left out of a sprawling domestic policy bill taking shape in Congress. Senior Democrats insist that they have not given up the push to grant Medicare broad powers to negotiate lower drug prices as part of a once-ambitious climate change and social safety net bill that is slowly shrinking in scope. They know that the loss of the provision, promoted by President Joe Biden on the campaign trail and in the White House, could be a particularly embarrassing defeat for the package, since it has been central to Democratic congressional campaigns for nearly three decades. “Senate Democrats understand that after all the pledges, you’ve got to deliver,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the chairman of the Finance Committee. “It’s not dead,” declared Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. But with at least three House Democrats opposing the toughest version of the measure, and at least one Senate Democrat, Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, against it, government negotiating power appears almost certain to be curtailed, if not jettisoned. The loss would be akin to Republicans’ failure under Trump to repeal the Affordable Care Act, after solemn pledges for eight years to dismantle the health law “root and branch.” And after so many campaign-trail promises, Democrats could be left next year with a lot of explaining to do. “It would mean that the pharmaceutical industry, which has 1,500 paid lobbyists, the pharmaceutical industry, which made $50 billion in profits last year, the pharmaceutical industry, which pays its executives huge compensation packages, and which is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to defeat this legislation, will have won,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the Budget Committee chairman, said Wednesday. “And I intend to not allow that to happen.” It is not clear how Sanders can pull that off. The length of the fight speaks to the durability and popularity of the issue, but also the power of the pharmaceutical industry. Pryor teed it up in the late 1980s, hoping to muscle through lower prices for Medicaid, with an eye on the bigger prize, Medicare. President Bill Clinton included government price negotiations in his universal health care plan in 1993, and throughout the 1990s, as Democrats pressed to add a prescription drug benefit for Medicare, government negotiations were central to holding the cost down. Then in 2003, a Republican Congress and president, George W. Bush, secured passage of that drug benefit — but with an explicit prohibition on the government negotiating the price of medicines older Americans would purchase. Repealing that so-called noninterference provision has been a centerpiece of Democratic campaigns ever since. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a former head of House Democrats’ campaign arm, recalled that “Medicare shall negotiate drug prices” was one of the six planks in the “Six for ’06” platform that helped the Democrats win control of the House in 2006. It has passed the House numerous times, including in 2019 with yes votes from the three House members now opposing it — Reps. Kathleen Rice of New York, Scott Peters of California and Kurt Schrader of Oregon — only to die in the Senate. Even Trump adopted the effort in his 2016 campaign, only to see it go nowhere. That futility is why Schrader said he opposed it: “Why do the same thing again and again and expect to have a different result?” he asked. To proponents, defeat after defeat speaks solely to the power of the pharmaceutical industry and its attendant lobbyists. But opponents say it reflects the complexity of the issue. Once lawmakers realize they could actually secure government price negotiations, they see how problematic that could be. “If anyone thinks this is the easy political route for me, that’s just laughable,” said Peters, who has endured scorn and pressure from his Democratic colleagues but whose San Diego district includes almost 1,000 biotechnology companies and 68,000 jobs directly tied to pharmaceutical work. Schrader and Peters said the House version of prescription drug price controls, tucked into the broader social policy legislation, would stifle innovation in one of the country’s most profitable global industries. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, known as PhRMA, also maintains that government negotiations would severely limit the types of prescription drugs that would be available to Medicare beneficiaries as companies withdraw their products from the program. With the goodwill the industry has accrued with its coronavirus vaccines and treatments, drug companies have pressed their case with key lawmakers, and roped in the larger business community. American Action Network, a conservative group with business money, unveiled a new set of ads Wednesday targeting vulnerable Democrats such as Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux of Georgia and decrying “another socialist health care plan to control what medicines you can get.” “We are taking on the greed and the corruption of the pharmaceutical industry — I know their power, believe me, I know their power,” Sanders said. “But this is a fight we’ve got to win.” Wyden insisted that any legislative effort to tackle rising drug costs must include government negotiating power, but alternatives are emerging. Some simpler solutions would change the formula of the existing Medicare prescription drug benefit to limit out-of-pocket costs, especially in the event of a catastrophic health event. Wyden is also pressing to enact legislation he drafted with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, that would force drugmakers to offer rebates to consumers on products whose prices rise faster than inflation. Grassley said he still supports the measure, as does Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., a traditional ally of the pharmaceutical industry in his state. Schrader and Peters said negotiations were progressing around their proposal, which would grant the government power to negotiate prices under Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient services and some of the most costly medications, once outpatient drugs like chemotherapy have outlived their patent exclusivity. Their bill would also force rebates for drug prices rising faster than inflation, and limit out-of-pocket medication expenses for older Americans. That is projected to save the government $300 billion over 10 years, about half what the broader measure would save. “Frankly, based on discussions we’ve had with the White House, senators and other members in our party, this could get done,” Schrader said. “That’d be huge.” Ultimately, if any significant price controls survive, it will be the logic of the policy overcoming the power over the lobby, said Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., whose district is being hit with pharmaceutical industry advertising. Kind, an influential centrist, said he has been speaking with like-minded Democrats, trying to buck them up against the onslaught. “Obviously, there’s some advertising,” he said. “But boy, public sentiment is overwhelming. They just don’t understand why the pharmaceutical industry is the only private industry the federal government’s refused to even discuss prices with.”

A 30-Year campaign to control drug prices faces yet another failure

Ten months since being banned by social medial companies following the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, former US president Donald Trump has now decided to launch his own social networking platform called “TRUTH Social.”

The platform will be owned by Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (TMTG), which also intends to launch a subscription video on demand service that will feature “non-woke” entertainment programming, the group said in a statement.

“I am excited to send out my first TRUTH on TRUTH Social very soon. TMTG was founded with a mission to give a voice to all,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.

Trump said that Truth Social would “stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech”. The platform will be available through an app on the Apple Store as a beta version for trial by “invited guests” in November and the company expects a full rollout in the first quarter of 2022.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2024-poll-shows-80-republicans-want-donald-trump-to-run-422257">US election 2024: Poll shows 80% Republicans want Donald Trump to run</a>

“We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favourite American President has been silenced. This is unacceptable,” he continued.&nbsp;

The Trump Media &amp; Technology Group will merge with blank check company Digital Acquisition Corp to make TMTG a publicly-listed company, the statement said.&nbsp;

“The transaction values Trump Media &amp; Technology Group at an initial enterprise value of $875 Million, with a potential additional earnout of $825 Million in additional shares (at the valuation they are granted) for a cumulative valuation of up to $1.7 Billion depending on the performance of the stock price post-business combination,” it stated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-riot-us-committee-votes-to-hold-criminal-contempt-charge-against-trumps-ex-aide-steve-bannon-422167">Capitol riot: US committee votes to hold criminal contempt charge against Trump’s ex-aide Steve Bannon</a>

Trump was banned from the many social media platforms— Twitter, Facebook and YouTube— after his supporters stormed the Capitol earlier this year—over concerns that he might further incite the mob with his continued presence on social media.

YouTube said its ban would be lifted after the “risk of violence” decreases, Facebook said Trump could come back to the platform at the soonest in 2023 and Twitter said its ban would be permanent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sues-us-committee-investigating-jan-6-capitol-hill-riots-to-block-release-of-white-house-records-421934">Trump sues US committee investigating Jan 6 Capitol Hill riots to block release of White House records</a>

Since then, Trump has been trying to reclaim his space on social networking sites.

In May he launched a blog called “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump,” which was touted as a major new outlet.

But Trump, who was also banned from Instagram, and Snapchat, cancelled the blog just a month later.&nbsp;

He has been communicating&nbsp; through a constant stream of press releases with tweet-like statements to the media and supporters.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ten months since being banned by social medial companies following the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, former US president Donald Trump has now decided to launch his own social networking platform called “TRUTH Social.

Ten months since being banned by social medial companies following the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, former US president Donald Trump has now decided to launch his own social networking platform called “TRUTH Social.” The platform will be owned by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), which also intends to launch a subscription video on demand service that will feature “non-woke” entertainment programming, the group said in a statement. “I am excited to send out my first TRUTH on TRUTH Social very soon. TMTG was founded with a mission to give a voice to all,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday. Trump said that Truth Social would “stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech”. The platform will be available through an app on the Apple Store as a beta version for trial by “invited guests” in November and the company expects a full rollout in the first quarter of 2022. Also read | US election 2024: Poll shows 80% Republicans want Donald Trump to run “We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favourite American President has been silenced. This is unacceptable,” he continued. The Trump Media & Technology Group will merge with blank check company Digital Acquisition Corp to make TMTG a publicly-listed company, the statement said. “The transaction values Trump Media & Technology Group at an initial enterprise value of $875 Million, with a potential additional earnout of $825 Million in additional shares (at the valuation they are granted) for a cumulative valuation of up to $1.7 Billion depending on the performance of the stock price post-business combination,” it stated. Also read | Capitol riot: US committee votes to hold criminal contempt charge against Trump’s ex-aide Steve Bannon Trump was banned from the many social media platforms— Twitter, Facebook and YouTube— after his supporters stormed the Capitol earlier this year—over concerns that he might further incite the mob with his continued presence on social media. YouTube said its ban would be lifted after the “risk of violence” decreases, Facebook said Trump could come back to the platform at the soonest in 2023 and Twitter said its ban would be permanent. Also read | Trump sues US committee investigating Jan 6 Capitol Hill riots to block release of White House records Since then, Trump has been trying to reclaim his space on social networking sites. In May he launched a blog called “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump,” which was touted as a major new outlet. But Trump, who was also banned from Instagram, and Snapchat, cancelled the blog just a month later. He has been communicating through a constant stream of press releases with tweet-like statements to the media and supporters. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump, banned on Twitter and FB, to launch his own social network

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Home Minister of Taliban's interim government has been seen with either his face covered or secured in public photographs, which raises the question that what is he afraid of?

Is the US looking to capture or kill Sirajuddin Haqqani?

Troika plus meeting in Moscow on the Afghanistan situation has been concluded. According to a Russian foreign ministry statement, Russia, China and Pakistan have agreed to provide humanitarian aid and economic support to Afghanistan.

Troika plus meeting: Russia, China and Pak agree to give aid for Afghanistan

An armed gang is seeking a $17 million ransom for a group of American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti last week.

According to Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel, the renowned 400 Mawozo gangs is demanding $1 million for each captive. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-haitis-pm-driven-out-from-official-ceremony-after-armed-gangs-shoot-in-the-air-421996">Watch: Haiti's PM driven out from official ceremony after armed gangs shoot in the air</a>

The Mawozo gang dominates the Ganthier commune in the eastern outskirts of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, where a party of 16 Americans and one Canadian were abducted on Saturday while on their way to visit an orphanage.&nbsp;

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<h5>According to the Human Rights Analysis and Research Center, a Haitian nonprofit organisation, at least 628 kidnappings have occurred since January, with 29 of the victims being foreign nationals. The number of occurrences increased by 300 per cent in September compared to July.</h5>
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The hostages range in age from 8 months to 15 years old, according to Christian Aid Ministries, the charity that sponsors the missionaries' activities in Haiti.

Watch:

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The adults in the group range in age from 18 to 48 years old.

Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated that the FBI was part of a concerted US government operation to bring Americans to safety.

According to a source close to the Biden administration, the agents landed in Haiti the day before to help the State Department in securing the missionaries' release.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that "We will do everything we can to help resolve the situation and we have in the administration been relentlessly focused on this."

In April, 400 Mawozo abducted and detained 10 people, including two French clergymen, for 20 days in the same location.

In August, the United States issued a red warning for Haiti, advising Americans not to go to the Caribbean country due to rampant abduction, crime, and civil instability.

Kidnappings in Haiti have more than quadrupled in the last year, as gangs become more numerous and strong, leaving an already understaffed police force unable to cope.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

An armed gang is seeking a $17 million ransom for a group of American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti last week. According to Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel, the renowned 400 Mawozo gangs is demanding $1 million for each captive.

An armed gang is seeking a $17 million ransom for a group of American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti last week. According to Haitian Justice Minister Liszt Quitel, the renowned 400 Mawozo gangs is demanding $1 million for each captive. Watch: Haiti's PM driven out from official ceremony after armed gangs shoot in the air The Mawozo gang dominates the Ganthier commune in the eastern outskirts of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, where a party of 16 Americans and one Canadian were abducted on Saturday while on their way to visit an orphanage. According to the Human Rights Analysis and Research Center, a Haitian nonprofit organisation, at least 628 kidnappings have occurred since January, with 29 of the victims being foreign nationals. The number of occurrences increased by 300 per cent in September compared to July. × The hostages range in age from 8 months to 15 years old, according to Christian Aid Ministries, the charity that sponsors the missionaries' activities in Haiti. Watch: The adults in the group range in age from 18 to 48 years old. Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated that the FBI was part of a concerted US government operation to bring Americans to safety. According to a source close to the Biden administration, the agents landed in Haiti the day before to help the State Department in securing the missionaries' release. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that "We will do everything we can to help resolve the situation and we have in the administration been relentlessly focused on this." In April, 400 Mawozo abducted and detained 10 people, including two French clergymen, for 20 days in the same location. In August, the United States issued a red warning for Haiti, advising Americans not to go to the Caribbean country due to rampant abduction, crime, and civil instability. Kidnappings in Haiti have more than quadrupled in the last year, as gangs become more numerous and strong, leaving an already understaffed police force unable to cope. (With inputs from agencies)

Haiti gang demands $17 million ransom for kidnapped missionaries and children

As a growing number of states, cities and private companies start to enforce mandates for inoculation against COVID-19, thousands of unvaccinated workers across the United States are facing potential job losses.

US: Workers face job losses as vaccine mandates kick in

&nbsp;A bankruptcy court in New York has dismissed a petition of Indian fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi and his associates, seeking dismissal of fraud allegations against them.

The allegations were made by Richard Levin, the court appointed trustee of three US corporations--Firestar Diamond, Fantasy Inc and A Jaffe--indirectly owned by Nirav Modi previously.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pandora-papers-how-nirav-modis-sister-purvi-opened-a-firm-in-british-virgin-islands-418099">Pandora papers: How Nirav Modi's sister Purvi opened a firm in British Virgin Islands</a>

Levin had also sought a minimum compensation of USD 15 million for harm&nbsp;suffered by the debtors of Modi and his associates Mihir Bhansali and Ajay Gandhi.

Southern District of New York Bankruptcy Court Judge Sean H Lane issued the order last Friday, in a major blow to the Indian fugitive and his accomplices.&nbsp;

SDNY Bankruptcy Court Judge Lane in a clear decision denied defendants Modi, Bansali and Gandhi's motions to dismiss US Trustee Richard Levin's amended complaint in the adversary proceeding arising out of Modi's initial chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, RICO and related state law claims,&nbsp;Indian American attorney Ravi Batra told PTI.

Explaining the 60-page order, Batra said Modi ploughed his profits back into his own company as additional sales to falsely raise the stock price/company valuation by setting up a scheme to defraud Punjab National Bank and others of over USD1 billion.

But to get the ill-gotten funds by bank fraud out of his companies, he engaged in a separate fraud to hide those withdrawals for personal benefit as if they were ordinary business transactions, Batra said.

According to the court order, Levin's petition sought to recover damages for harm inflicted by Modi and his two accomplishes on the debtors and their estates as a result of the his six-year extensive international fraud, money laundering and embezzlement scheme.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-concerned-as-china-denies-it-conducted-hypersonic-missile-test-421873">US 'concerned' as China denies it conducted hypersonic missile test</a>

It said from early 2011 to early 2018, Modi and his associates orchestrated and carried out a scheme to obtain loans, credits, or other funds under false pretences and without collateral? from numerous banks, including the PNB.

The bank fraud involved the use of letters of undertaking (LoUs), a financial instrument unique to India, designed to facilitate efficient import transactions. Modi and the co-conspirators sought to artificially inflate the import volumes of Modi's India-based companies with sham transactions so as to obtain more LoU funding, it alleged.

To carry out this scheme, Modi and his co-conspirators used a web of shell companies known as shadow entities&nbsp;based in Hong Kong and Dubai that posed as legitimate businesses to create fake import transactions and launder the proceeds, it said.

The PNB and the other defrauded banks are reported to have lost in excess of USD1 billion as a result of the fraud, the judge wrote in his order.

In his petition, Levin listed examples how Modi, Bhansali and Gandhi directly benefited from fraudulently issued LoUs and were involved in circular transactions until early 2013, when the debtors no longer directly participated in import and export transactions underlying LoU issuances and instead received proceeds indirectly through the shadow entities.

A bankruptcy court in New York has dismissed a petition of Indian fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi and his associates, seeking dismissal of fraud allegations against them.

A bankruptcy court in New York has dismissed a petition of Indian fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi and his associates, seeking dismissal of fraud allegations against them. The allegations were made by Richard Levin, the court appointed trustee of three US corporations--Firestar Diamond, Fantasy Inc and A Jaffe--indirectly owned by Nirav Modi previously. Also Read | Pandora papers: How Nirav Modi's sister Purvi opened a firm in British Virgin Islands Levin had also sought a minimum compensation of USD 15 million for harm suffered by the debtors of Modi and his associates Mihir Bhansali and Ajay Gandhi. Southern District of New York Bankruptcy Court Judge Sean H Lane issued the order last Friday, in a major blow to the Indian fugitive and his accomplices. SDNY Bankruptcy Court Judge Lane in a clear decision denied defendants Modi, Bansali and Gandhi's motions to dismiss US Trustee Richard Levin's amended complaint in the adversary proceeding arising out of Modi's initial chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, RICO and related state law claims, Indian American attorney Ravi Batra told PTI. Explaining the 60-page order, Batra said Modi ploughed his profits back into his own company as additional sales to falsely raise the stock price/company valuation by setting up a scheme to defraud Punjab National Bank and others of over USD1 billion. But to get the ill-gotten funds by bank fraud out of his companies, he engaged in a separate fraud to hide those withdrawals for personal benefit as if they were ordinary business transactions, Batra said. According to the court order, Levin's petition sought to recover damages for harm inflicted by Modi and his two accomplishes on the debtors and their estates as a result of the his six-year extensive international fraud, money laundering and embezzlement scheme. Also Read | US 'concerned' as China denies it conducted hypersonic missile test It said from early 2011 to early 2018, Modi and his associates orchestrated and carried out a scheme to obtain loans, credits, or other funds under false pretences and without collateral? from numerous banks, including the PNB. The bank fraud involved the use of letters of undertaking (LoUs), a financial instrument unique to India, designed to facilitate efficient import transactions. Modi and the co-conspirators sought to artificially inflate the import volumes of Modi's India-based companies with sham transactions so as to obtain more LoU funding, it alleged. To carry out this scheme, Modi and his co-conspirators used a web of shell companies known as shadow entities based in Hong Kong and Dubai that posed as legitimate businesses to create fake import transactions and launder the proceeds, it said. The PNB and the other defrauded banks are reported to have lost in excess of USD1 billion as a result of the fraud, the judge wrote in his order. In his petition, Levin listed examples how Modi, Bhansali and Gandhi directly benefited from fraudulently issued LoUs and were involved in circular transactions until early 2013, when the debtors no longer directly participated in import and export transactions underlying LoU issuances and instead received proceeds indirectly through the shadow entities.

US court dismisses plea filed by Indian fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, associates

Former US president Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the congressional committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, claiming that the members made an illegal request for his White House records.

The suit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, accused&nbsp;the select committee of harassing Trump and senior members of his administration with&nbsp;“an illegal, unfounded, and overbroad records request to the Archivist of the United States.”

Trump has said that records sought by the House of Representatives committee are covered by a legal doctrine known as executive privilege, which protects the confidentiality of some White House communications.

The suit also accuses President Joe Biden of “a political ploy” by refusing to assert executive privilege over the records to keep them from going to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

“The Committee’s request amounts to nothing less than a vexatious, illegal fishing expedition openly endorses by Biden to unconstitutionally investigate President Trump and his administration,” the suit says.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/melania-trump-refused-to-condemn-capitol-hill-attack-despite-a-chance-413024">&nbsp;Melania Trump refused to condemn Capitol Hill attack despite a chance</a>

Committee members Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, and Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, said in a written statement issued in response to Trump's lawsuit that the former president was seeking to “delay and obstruct” their investigation.

“It’s hard to imagine a more compelling public interest than trying to get answers about an attack on our democracy and an attempt to overturn the results of an election,” Cheney and Thompson said in the statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-donald-trump-was-partying-just-hours-before-capitol-hill-violence-355417">Donald Trump was 'partying' just hours before Capitol Hill violence</a>

On January 6 this year, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the seat of Congress in a failed bid to prevent lawmakers from certifying Democratic President Joe Biden's election victory. More than 600 people face criminal charges stemming from the event.

Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House on a charge of inciting the attack on the Capitol in a fiery speech at a rally earlier that day. He was acquitted by the Senate.

Biden earlier this month authorised the National Archives to turn over an initial batch of documents requested by the select committee. The Archives has said it would turn over the requested material next month, according to Trump's lawsuit, which seeks an injunction halting that process.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the congressional committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, claiming that the members made an illegal request for his White House records.

Former US president Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the congressional committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, claiming that the members made an illegal request for his White House records. The suit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday, accused the select committee of harassing Trump and senior members of his administration with “an illegal, unfounded, and overbroad records request to the Archivist of the United States.” Trump has said that records sought by the House of Representatives committee are covered by a legal doctrine known as executive privilege, which protects the confidentiality of some White House communications. The suit also accuses President Joe Biden of “a political ploy” by refusing to assert executive privilege over the records to keep them from going to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol. “The Committee’s request amounts to nothing less than a vexatious, illegal fishing expedition openly endorses by Biden to unconstitutionally investigate President Trump and his administration,” the suit says. Also read | Melania Trump refused to condemn Capitol Hill attack despite a chance Committee members Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming, and Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, said in a written statement issued in response to Trump's lawsuit that the former president was seeking to “delay and obstruct” their investigation. “It’s hard to imagine a more compelling public interest than trying to get answers about an attack on our democracy and an attempt to overturn the results of an election,” Cheney and Thompson said in the statement. Also read | Donald Trump was 'partying' just hours before Capitol Hill violence On January 6 this year, hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the seat of Congress in a failed bid to prevent lawmakers from certifying Democratic President Joe Biden's election victory. More than 600 people face criminal charges stemming from the event. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House on a charge of inciting the attack on the Capitol in a fiery speech at a rally earlier that day. He was acquitted by the Senate. Biden earlier this month authorised the National Archives to turn over an initial batch of documents requested by the select committee. The Archives has said it would turn over the requested material next month, according to Trump's lawsuit, which seeks an injunction halting that process. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump sues US committee investigating Jan 6 Capitol Hill riots to block release of White House records

Haiti's already fragile government faces a serious new crisis after one of the island nation's increasingly brazen criminal gangs kidnapped a large US and Canadian missionary group.

Haiti: Criminal gang kidnap the U.S, Canadian missionaries group

North Korea's missile launch on Tuesday (October 19) drew stern reactions from countries in the region and the United States. The UN condemned North Korea and called on it to "refrain from any further destabilizing acts."

"We are aware of the North Korean ballistic missile launch this morning into the Sea of Japan and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan," the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement, adding that "this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, territory, or that of our allies."

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles earlier in the day, and called that country's continued missile launches since last month "very regrettable."

The North Korean launch would be the latest weapons test by the country, which has pressed ahead with military development in the face of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

"I'd rather not predict North Korea's intentions (of firing the missiles) from my point of view. But I think we must continue making efforts on grasping the situation and collecting information," Kishida told reporters at Fukushima station during a business trip.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fired-one-ballistic-missile-towards-the-sea-of-japan-reports-421918">North Korea fired one ballistic missile towards the sea of Japan: Reports</a>

China meanwhile has appealed for restraint

"All parties concerned should focus on the overall situation, exercise restraint, commit to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, and carry on in the right direction of dialogue and consultation," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

South Korea, the bitter rival of North Korea, said that it was monitoring the situation.

"Our military is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States, to prepare for possible additional launches," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

North Korea's missile launch on Tuesday (October 19) drew stern reactions from countries in the region and the United States. The UN condemned North Korea and called on it to "refrain from any further destabilizing acts.

North Korea's missile launch on Tuesday (October 19) drew stern reactions from countries in the region and the United States. The UN condemned North Korea and called on it to "refrain from any further destabilizing acts." "We are aware of the North Korean ballistic missile launch this morning into the Sea of Japan and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan," the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement, adding that "this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, territory, or that of our allies." × Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday said North Korea fired two ballistic missiles earlier in the day, and called that country's continued missile launches since last month "very regrettable." The North Korean launch would be the latest weapons test by the country, which has pressed ahead with military development in the face of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and missile programmes. "I'd rather not predict North Korea's intentions (of firing the missiles) from my point of view. But I think we must continue making efforts on grasping the situation and collecting information," Kishida told reporters at Fukushima station during a business trip. Also Read | North Korea fired one ballistic missile towards the sea of Japan: Reports China meanwhile has appealed for restraint "All parties concerned should focus on the overall situation, exercise restraint, commit to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, and carry on in the right direction of dialogue and consultation," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. South Korea, the bitter rival of North Korea, said that it was monitoring the situation. "Our military is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining readiness posture in close cooperation with the United States, to prepare for possible additional launches," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea missile launch: US issues warning, China calls for restraint

It's the&nbsp;world's&nbsp;longest&nbsp;certified foot&nbsp;race: a 3,100-mile run that takes participants around the same New York block 5,649 times.

Thousands of people have climbed Everest -- but, organizers say, just 49 have completed the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile&nbsp;Race.

Runners finish more than two marathons a day for almost two months, on less than five hours sleep a night.

They can't rely on changing scenery to keep them motivated as the route is a half-mile loop on a concrete sidewalk around a high school in Jamaica, Queens.

To mix things up a bit, they alternate daily between running clockwise one day and anti-clockwise the next.

"Definitely monotony," said this year's winner, Andrea Marcato, describing the biggest test of the&nbsp;race.

"The first week is quite challenging, especially for the mind. But after a while you get used to it. You have to accept that every day is going to be the same," he told AFP.

Participants have 52 days to run 3,100 miles (4,989 km), meaning they must average 59.6 miles every day.

They run, walk and hobble between 6:00 am and midnight, eating as they go to make up for the estimated 10,000 calories they burn during every session.

For the day's other six hours they sleep, wash and care for their blistered feet in nearby accommodation.

Only ultra-marathon veterans who have completed six-day races are allowed to enter.

<h2>Meditation</h2>

"It's a test of stamina, strength, inner determination, and talent," said&nbsp;race&nbsp;director Sahishnu Szczesiul.

Harita Davies, the sole woman of this year's seven competitors, said the&nbsp;race&nbsp;takes a physical toll&nbsp;but "the kind of unbelievable thing is that as the days and weeks go by your body actually does adapt, you do get stronger."

Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who lived in New York before his death in 2007, founded the run in 1997.

He advocated "self-transcendence," using spirituality to go beyond the limits of what an individual thinks they can achieve.

Runners in the 25th edition, which began on September 5, said achieving a meditative state was key to completing the&nbsp;race.

"If the mind is focused, you don't have other thoughts or fears or worries or doubts," said Marcato, 39.

Meditating while navigating the 883-metre loop around Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School isn't easy though.

Runners go past a busy highway and basketball and handball courts. The route isn't cordoned off from everyday life and twice a day 2,000 school children flood the sidewalk.

Forty-seven-year-old New Zealander Davies listens to music, audiobooks and recordings of inspiring quotes.

"When you first come here you think oh my god it's a concrete jungle. But you can find beauty everywhere. You can look at the sky, the trees, the birds, the people," she told AFP.

The runners, who are also from Japan, Taiwan, Slovakia, Ukraine and Russia, have a small aid station at their disposal where a doctor is on hand to tend to blisters and shin splints.

Volunteers hand participants copious helpings of food -- from healthy vegan meals and juices to donut holes, ice-cream and sometimes Chinese takeout.

An RV with a bed provides for quick power naps while a rickety scoreboard displays the number of miles completed by each runner.

<h2>'My dream'</h2>

Supporters come by to clap while residents shout words of encouragement, although not everyone is sure what is going on.

"I grew up here and had no idea that it was a&nbsp;race. I just figured they were really into jogging," said 34-year-old Julio Quezada.

The&nbsp;race&nbsp;returned to New York after occurring in Austria last year due to the pandemic.

Marcato, from Italy, clocked his 3,100th mile late Sunday, completing the&nbsp;race&nbsp;in less than 43 days with an average of more than 72 miles per day.

He tore through some 16 pairs of shoes in the process and will receive a trophy but no prize money.

"This is the ultimate. It was my dream and here I am," said the passionate ultra-marathoner who works for a plant-based food company.

"The last two laps I was completely disconnected from my body. I didn't feel any pain. It was a really special sensation."

For New Zealander Harris, on track to complete the distance before the October 26 deadline, the&nbsp;race&nbsp;is an opportunity to "explore the frontiers of my capacity and potential" and "to make myself a better person."

When it ends, the healing process begins, which means lots of rest, sleep, food and patience.

But one element of the recovery is perhaps the hardest.

"Getting used to being back to regular life," said Davies.&nbsp;

"This&nbsp;race&nbsp;really simplifies your life because you don't have to think about anything else except running."

It's the world's longest certified foot race: a 3,100-mile run that takes participants around the same New York block 5,649 times. Thousands of people have climbed Everest -- but, organizers say, just 49 have completed the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race.

It's the world's longest certified foot race: a 3,100-mile run that takes participants around the same New York block 5,649 times. Thousands of people have climbed Everest -- but, organizers say, just 49 have completed the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race. Runners finish more than two marathons a day for almost two months, on less than five hours sleep a night. They can't rely on changing scenery to keep them motivated as the route is a half-mile loop on a concrete sidewalk around a high school in Jamaica, Queens. To mix things up a bit, they alternate daily between running clockwise one day and anti-clockwise the next. "Definitely monotony," said this year's winner, Andrea Marcato, describing the biggest test of the race. "The first week is quite challenging, especially for the mind. But after a while you get used to it. You have to accept that every day is going to be the same," he told AFP. Participants have 52 days to run 3,100 miles (4,989 km), meaning they must average 59.6 miles every day. They run, walk and hobble between 6:00 am and midnight, eating as they go to make up for the estimated 10,000 calories they burn during every session. For the day's other six hours they sleep, wash and care for their blistered feet in nearby accommodation. Only ultra-marathon veterans who have completed six-day races are allowed to enter. Meditation "It's a test of stamina, strength, inner determination, and talent," said race director Sahishnu Szczesiul. Harita Davies, the sole woman of this year's seven competitors, said the race takes a physical toll but "the kind of unbelievable thing is that as the days and weeks go by your body actually does adapt, you do get stronger." Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who lived in New York before his death in 2007, founded the run in 1997. He advocated "self-transcendence," using spirituality to go beyond the limits of what an individual thinks they can achieve. Runners in the 25th edition, which began on September 5, said achieving a meditative state was key to completing the race. "If the mind is focused, you don't have other thoughts or fears or worries or doubts," said Marcato, 39. Meditating while navigating the 883-metre loop around Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School isn't easy though. Runners go past a busy highway and basketball and handball courts. The route isn't cordoned off from everyday life and twice a day 2,000 school children flood the sidewalk. Forty-seven-year-old New Zealander Davies listens to music, audiobooks and recordings of inspiring quotes. "When you first come here you think oh my god it's a concrete jungle. But you can find beauty everywhere. You can look at the sky, the trees, the birds, the people," she told AFP. The runners, who are also from Japan, Taiwan, Slovakia, Ukraine and Russia, have a small aid station at their disposal where a doctor is on hand to tend to blisters and shin splints. Volunteers hand participants copious helpings of food -- from healthy vegan meals and juices to donut holes, ice-cream and sometimes Chinese takeout. An RV with a bed provides for quick power naps while a rickety scoreboard displays the number of miles completed by each runner. 'My dream' Supporters come by to clap while residents shout words of encouragement, although not everyone is sure what is going on. "I grew up here and had no idea that it was a race. I just figured they were really into jogging," said 34-year-old Julio Quezada. The race returned to New York after occurring in Austria last year due to the pandemic. Marcato, from Italy, clocked his 3,100th mile late Sunday, completing the race in less than 43 days with an average of more than 72 miles per day. He tore through some 16 pairs of shoes in the process and will receive a trophy but no prize money. "This is the ultimate. It was my dream and here I am," said the passionate ultra-marathoner who works for a plant-based food company. "The last two laps I was completely disconnected from my body. I didn't feel any pain. It was a really special sensation." For New Zealander Harris, on track to complete the distance before the October 26 deadline, the race is an opportunity to "explore the frontiers of my capacity and potential" and "to make myself a better person." When it ends, the healing process begins, which means lots of rest, sleep, food and patience. But one element of the recovery is perhaps the hardest. "Getting used to being back to regular life," said Davies. "This race really simplifies your life because you don't have to think about anything else except running."

World's longest race? 3,100 miles around a New York block

Five US lawmakers have accused Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other executives of lying to the Congress about firm’s business practices, saying that they are now considering referring Amazon “for criminal investigation”.

The allegations follow an investigation by news agency Reuters that claimed Amazon copied products and rigged its search results in India to boost sales of its own brands.

In a letter to the Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the members of the US House Judiciary committee wrote that “credible reporting” in the Reuters story and recent articles in several other news outlets “directly contradicts the sworn testimony and representations of Amazon’s top executives – including former CEO Jeffrey Bezos.”

“At best, this reporting confirms that Amazon’s representatives misled the Committee. At worst, it demonstrates that they may have lied to Congress in possible violation of federal criminal law,” Reuters cited the letter as saying.

Amazon, however, has strongly denied the allegations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeff-bezos-is-pouring-money-to-crack-secret-of-living-forever-412737">Jeff Bezos is pouring money to crack secret of living 'forever'</a>

“Amazon and its executives did not mislead the committee, and we have denied and sought to correct the record on the inaccurate media articles in question.”

&nbsp;“As we have previously stated, we have an internal policy, which goes beyond that of any other retailer’s policy that we’re aware of, that prohibits the use of individual seller data to develop Amazon private label products. We investigate any allegations that this policy may have been violated and take appropriate action,” it added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-accused-of-toxic-work-culture-involving-sexual-harassment-417357">Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin accused of 'toxic' work culture involving sexual harassment</a>

Since 2019, the House Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in digital markets, including how Amazon uses proprietary seller data from its platform, and whether the company unfairly favors its own products.

In sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee’s antitrust subcommittee last year, Bezos said the company prohibits its employees from using data on individual sellers to benefit its own private-label product lines. In another hearing in 2019, Nate Sutton, Amazon’s associate general counsel, testified that the company does not use such data to create its own branded products or alter its search results to benefit them.

(With inputs from agencies)

Five US lawmakers have accused Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other executives of lying to the Congress about firm’s business practices, saying that they are now considering referring Amazon “for criminal investigation”.

Five US lawmakers have accused Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other executives of lying to the Congress about firm’s business practices, saying that they are now considering referring Amazon “for criminal investigation”. The allegations follow an investigation by news agency Reuters that claimed Amazon copied products and rigged its search results in India to boost sales of its own brands. In a letter to the Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the members of the US House Judiciary committee wrote that “credible reporting” in the Reuters story and recent articles in several other news outlets “directly contradicts the sworn testimony and representations of Amazon’s top executives – including former CEO Jeffrey Bezos.” “At best, this reporting confirms that Amazon’s representatives misled the Committee. At worst, it demonstrates that they may have lied to Congress in possible violation of federal criminal law,” Reuters cited the letter as saying. Amazon, however, has strongly denied the allegations. Also read | Jeff Bezos is pouring money to crack secret of living 'forever' “Amazon and its executives did not mislead the committee, and we have denied and sought to correct the record on the inaccurate media articles in question.” “As we have previously stated, we have an internal policy, which goes beyond that of any other retailer’s policy that we’re aware of, that prohibits the use of individual seller data to develop Amazon private label products. We investigate any allegations that this policy may have been violated and take appropriate action,” it added. Also read | Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin accused of 'toxic' work culture involving sexual harassment Since 2019, the House Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in digital markets, including how Amazon uses proprietary seller data from its platform, and whether the company unfairly favors its own products. In sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee’s antitrust subcommittee last year, Bezos said the company prohibits its employees from using data on individual sellers to benefit its own private-label product lines. In another hearing in 2019, Nate Sutton, Amazon’s associate general counsel, testified that the company does not use such data to create its own branded products or alter its search results to benefit them. (With inputs from agencies)

5 US lawmakers accuse Jeff Bezos of lying to Congress on Amazon’s ‘business practices’

In pics | Indo-US joint army training exercise underway in Alaska

Haiti's already fragile government faces a serious new crisis after one of the island nation's increasingly brazen criminal gangs kidnapped a large US and Canadian missionary group.&nbsp;

There has been little official reaction in Haiti, and local police did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/15-us-missionaries-and-family-kidnapped-in-haiti-security-source-421425">15 US missionaries and family kidnapped in Haiti: security source</a>

But civil groups called Sunday for the immediate release of the group of 17 missionaries, family members and staff abducted a day earlier while returning from an orphanage visit.

"We call for the liberation of the persons kidnapped, whether American citizens or of other nationalities," said Gedeon Jean, director of the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, based in the capital Port-au-Prince. He said the current situation was "detrimental to human dignity."

The missionary group, including children and one Canadian, was traveling in several vehicles when stopped by members of a criminal gang some 30 kilometers (20 miles) east of the capital, a Haitian security source told AFP.

&nbsp;'Pray for us !'&nbsp;

One member of the group posted a desperate call for help in a WhatsApp group even as the attack unfolded, The Washington Post reported. "Please pray for us!!" the message read. "We are being held hostage, they kidnapped our driver. Pray pray pray. We don't know where they are taking us."

The Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries said the group of 16 US citizens and one Canadian included five men, seven women and five children.

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"Join us in praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers, and the families, friends, and churches of those affected," the group said in a statement. "Pray for those who are seeking God’s direction and making decisions regarding this matter."

The abduction was the work of the so-called "400 Mawozo" gang, which for months has carried out kidnappings and robberies in the area between Port-au-Prince and the Dominican Republic border, said a Haitian security source, who spoke on grounds of anonymity.

The gang has hijacked several vehicles -- even entire busloads of victims -- on roads it controls, kidnapping both Haitians and foreigners and holding them for ransoms often many times a Haitian's yearly earnings.

Such armed gangs have been steadily extending their reach, taking advantage of spreading insecurity and a political crisis aggravated by the assassination in July of President Jovenel Moise.&nbsp;

"The police have proven incapable of confronting the gangs, which have become better organized and which control more and more territory" around the capital and in provincial cities, Gedeon Jean said.

His group has tallied an alarming increase in kidnappings in Haiti: more than 600 occurred in the first three months of 2021, up sharply from 231 in the corresponding period of 2020.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canada-colluded-to-provoke-trouble-says-china-after-warships-sail-through-taiwan-strait-421574">US, Canada colluded to provoke trouble, says China after warships sail through Taiwan Strait</a>

The US State Department offered no details on the situation.&nbsp;

A spokesperson said only: "The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State.&nbsp;

"We are aware of these reports and have nothing additional to offer at this time."

Officials are typically close-mouthed about abductions, given the extraordinary sensitivity of such situations.

The State Department had issued a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory for Haiti in August due to "kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and COVID-19."

"Kidnapping is widespread and victims regularly include US citizens," the advisory warned.

&nbsp;Turmoil&nbsp;

In April, the Mawozo group held 10 people, including two French Catholic clergy members, for 20 days before releasing them.

The gangs often demand huge ransoms. Rights groups say the vast majority of women kidnapped by criminal gangs are sexually assaulted.&nbsp;

Haiti has struggled for years with natural and man-made challenges that have fueled disorder and paralyzed economic growth.

Barely a month after Moise's assassination in the presidential residence, an August 14 earthquake killed more than 2,200 people in the southwest.

Gedeon Jean said the absence of a strong state has left a void that criminal gangs have moved to fill, extending their hold from some of the capital's poorest districts into surrounding areas.&nbsp;

Even before Saturday's kidnappings, business and professional groups in Port-au-Prince had called for an indefinite strike beginning Monday to protest the spreading climate of insecurity.

Haiti's already fragile government faces a serious new crisis after one of the island nation's increasingly brazen criminal gangs kidnapped a large US and Canadian missionary group. There has been little official reaction in Haiti, and local police did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. Also Read | 15 US missionaries and family kidnapped in Haiti: security source But civil groups called Sunday for the immediate release of the group of 17 missionaries, family members and staff abducted a day earlier while returning from an orphanage visit. "We call for the liberation of the persons kidnapped, whether American citizens or of other nationalities," said Gedeon Jean, director of the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, based in the capital Port-au-Prince. He said the current situation was "detrimental to human dignity." The missionary group, including children and one Canadian, was traveling in several vehicles when stopped by members of a criminal gang some 30 kilometers (20 miles) east of the capital, a Haitian security source told AFP. 'Pray for us !' One member of the group posted a desperate call for help in a WhatsApp group even as the attack unfolded, The Washington Post reported. "Please pray for us!!" the message read. "We are being held hostage, they kidnapped our driver. Pray pray pray. We don't know where they are taking us." The Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries said the group of 16 US citizens and one Canadian included five men, seven women and five children. Also Read | With new hypersonic missile test in August, China surprised US officials "Join us in praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers, and the families, friends, and churches of those affected," the group said in a statement. "Pray for those who are seeking God’s direction and making decisions regarding this matter." The abduction was the work of the so-called "400 Mawozo" gang, which for months has carried out kidnappings and robberies in the area between Port-au-Prince and the Dominican Republic border, said a Haitian security source, who spoke on grounds of anonymity. The gang has hijacked several vehicles -- even entire busloads of victims -- on roads it controls, kidnapping both Haitians and foreigners and holding them for ransoms often many times a Haitian's yearly earnings. Such armed gangs have been steadily extending their reach, taking advantage of spreading insecurity and a political crisis aggravated by the assassination in July of President Jovenel Moise. "The police have proven incapable of confronting the gangs, which have become better organized and which control more and more territory" around the capital and in provincial cities, Gedeon Jean said. His group has tallied an alarming increase in kidnappings in Haiti: more than 600 occurred in the first three months of 2021, up sharply from 231 in the corresponding period of 2020. Also Read | US, Canada colluded to provoke trouble, says China after warships sail through Taiwan Strait The US State Department offered no details on the situation. A spokesperson said only: "The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State. "We are aware of these reports and have nothing additional to offer at this time." Officials are typically close-mouthed about abductions, given the extraordinary sensitivity of such situations. The State Department had issued a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory for Haiti in August due to "kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and COVID-19." "Kidnapping is widespread and victims regularly include US citizens," the advisory warned. Turmoil In April, the Mawozo group held 10 people, including two French Catholic clergy members, for 20 days before releasing them. The gangs often demand huge ransoms. Rights groups say the vast majority of women kidnapped by criminal gangs are sexually assaulted. Haiti has struggled for years with natural and man-made challenges that have fueled disorder and paralyzed economic growth. Barely a month after Moise's assassination in the presidential residence, an August 14 earthquake killed more than 2,200 people in the southwest. Gedeon Jean said the absence of a strong state has left a void that criminal gangs have moved to fill, extending their hold from some of the capital's poorest districts into surrounding areas. Even before Saturday's kidnappings, business and professional groups in Port-au-Prince had called for an indefinite strike beginning Monday to protest the spreading climate of insecurity.

US, Canadian missionaries' abduction poses latest test for a Haiti government in turmoil

Five members of the US&nbsp;House Judiciary committee wrote to Amazon.com Inc's chief executive Sunday, and accused the company's top executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, of either misleading Congress or possibly lying to it about Amazon's business practices.

The letter also states that the committee is considering "whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-protest-more-intensely-than-indians-over-amazons-rigging-in-india-cait-421504">US lawmakers protest more intensely than Indians over Amazon's rigging in India: CAIT</a>

Addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the letter followed a Reuters investigation last week that showed that the company had conducted a systematic campaign of copying products and rigging search results in India to boost sales of its own brands - practices Amazon has denied engaging in. Jassy, a longtime Amazon executive, succeeded Bezos in July.

The letter states that "credible reporting" in the Reuters story and recent articles in several other news outlets "directly contradicts the sworn testimony and representations of Amazon's top executives – including former CEO Jeffrey Bezos."

"At best, this reporting confirms that Amazon's representatives misled the Committee. At worst, it demonstrates that they may have lied to Congress in possible violation of federal criminal law," the letter states. Reuters reviewed a copy of the letter.

In response, an Amazon spokesperson issued a statement that said: "Amazon and its executives did not mislead the committee, and we have denied and sought to correct the record on the inaccurate media articles in question."

It added: "As we have previously stated, we have an internal policy, which goes beyond that of any other retailer's policy that we`re aware of, that prohibits the use of individual seller data to develop Amazon private label products. We investigate any allegations that this policy may have been violated and take appropriate action."

Since 2019, the House Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in digital markets, including how Amazon uses proprietary seller data from its platform, and whether the company unfairly favors its own products.

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In sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee last year, Bezos said the company prohibits its employees from using data on individual sellers to benefit its own private-label product lines. In another hearing in 2019, Nate Sutton, Amazon's associate general counsel, testified that the company does not use such data to create its own branded products or alter its search results to benefit them.

Asked during the 2019 congressional hearing whether Amazon alters algorithms to direct consumers to its own goods, Sutton replied: "The algorithms are optimized to predict what customers want to buy regardless of the seller."

The lawmakers&nbsp;letter gives Jassy "a final opportunity" to provide evidence to corroborate the company's prior testimony and statements. It also notes that "it is criminally illegal to knowingly and willfully make statements that are materially false, conceal a material fact, or otherwise provide false documentation in response to a congressional investigation."

It gives the CEO until November&nbsp;1 to provide a sworn response to clarify "how Amazon uses non-public individual seller data to develop and market its own line of products" and how Amazon's search rankings favor those products.

It also requests copies of all documents mentioned in the October&nbsp;13 Reuters investigation.

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"We strongly encourage you to make use of this opportunity to correct the record and provide the Committee with sworn, truthful, and accurate responses to this request as we consider whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate," the letter states.

The Reuters probe was based on thousands of pages of internal Amazon documents – including emails, strategy papers and business plans. They showed that, at least in India, Amazon had a formal, clandestine policy of manipulating search results to favor Amazon's own products, as well as copying other sellers&nbsp;goods – and that at least two senior company executives had reviewed it.

In response to the Reuters report, Amazon said, "We believe these claims are factually incorrect and unsubstantiated." The company did not elaborate. The company said the way it displays search results doesn't favor private-brand products.

The lawmakers&nbsp;letter also cites other recent stories in the Markup, the Wall Street Journal and the Capitol Forum about Amazon's private-brand products and use of seller data.

The letter's sharp wording ratchets up the rhetoric between Washington and Big Tech. Companies including Amazon, Facebook Inc, Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google have been under growing scrutiny in Washington, Europe and other parts of the world, fueled by concerns among regulators, lawmakers and consumer groups that the firms have too much power and are engaging in unfair practices that hurt other businesses.

The lawmakers&nbsp;letter was signed by a bipartisan group, and included the judiciary committee's chairman, Democrat Jerrold Nadler, and four members of the antitrust subcommittee – its chair, Democrat David Cicilline, vice chair Pramila Jayapal and Republicans Ken Buck and Matt Gaetz.

On Wednesday, following publication of the Reuters investigation, US&nbsp;Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent critic of Amazon, called for breaking up the company. In India, a group representing millions of brick-and-mortar retailers urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to take action against Amazon.

Five members of the US House Judiciary committee wrote to Amazon.com Inc's chief executive Sunday, and accused the company's top executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, of either misleading Congress or possibly lying to it about Amazon's business practices.

Five members of the US House Judiciary committee wrote to Amazon.com Inc's chief executive Sunday, and accused the company's top executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, of either misleading Congress or possibly lying to it about Amazon's business practices. The letter also states that the committee is considering "whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate." Also Read | US lawmakers protest more intensely than Indians over Amazon's rigging in India: CAIT Addressed to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the letter followed a Reuters investigation last week that showed that the company had conducted a systematic campaign of copying products and rigging search results in India to boost sales of its own brands - practices Amazon has denied engaging in. Jassy, a longtime Amazon executive, succeeded Bezos in July. The letter states that "credible reporting" in the Reuters story and recent articles in several other news outlets "directly contradicts the sworn testimony and representations of Amazon's top executives – including former CEO Jeffrey Bezos." "At best, this reporting confirms that Amazon's representatives misled the Committee. At worst, it demonstrates that they may have lied to Congress in possible violation of federal criminal law," the letter states. Reuters reviewed a copy of the letter. In response, an Amazon spokesperson issued a statement that said: "Amazon and its executives did not mislead the committee, and we have denied and sought to correct the record on the inaccurate media articles in question." It added: "As we have previously stated, we have an internal policy, which goes beyond that of any other retailer's policy that we`re aware of, that prohibits the use of individual seller data to develop Amazon private label products. We investigate any allegations that this policy may have been violated and take appropriate action." Since 2019, the House Judiciary Committee has been investigating competition in digital markets, including how Amazon uses proprietary seller data from its platform, and whether the company unfairly favors its own products. Also Read | Jeff Bezos shares an old article predicting Amazon's failure, Elon Musk replies In sworn testimony before the Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee last year, Bezos said the company prohibits its employees from using data on individual sellers to benefit its own private-label product lines. In another hearing in 2019, Nate Sutton, Amazon's associate general counsel, testified that the company does not use such data to create its own branded products or alter its search results to benefit them. Asked during the 2019 congressional hearing whether Amazon alters algorithms to direct consumers to its own goods, Sutton replied: "The algorithms are optimized to predict what customers want to buy regardless of the seller." The lawmakers letter gives Jassy "a final opportunity" to provide evidence to corroborate the company's prior testimony and statements. It also notes that "it is criminally illegal to knowingly and willfully make statements that are materially false, conceal a material fact, or otherwise provide false documentation in response to a congressional investigation." It gives the CEO until November 1 to provide a sworn response to clarify "how Amazon uses non-public individual seller data to develop and market its own line of products" and how Amazon's search rankings favor those products. It also requests copies of all documents mentioned in the October 13 Reuters investigation. Also Read | Hundreds of Amazon and Google employees ask their companies to end military contract with Israel "We strongly encourage you to make use of this opportunity to correct the record and provide the Committee with sworn, truthful, and accurate responses to this request as we consider whether a referral of this matter to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation is appropriate," the letter states. The Reuters probe was based on thousands of pages of internal Amazon documents – including emails, strategy papers and business plans. They showed that, at least in India, Amazon had a formal, clandestine policy of manipulating search results to favor Amazon's own products, as well as copying other sellers goods – and that at least two senior company executives had reviewed it. In response to the Reuters report, Amazon said, "We believe these claims are factually incorrect and unsubstantiated." The company did not elaborate. The company said the way it displays search results doesn't favor private-brand products. The lawmakers letter also cites other recent stories in the Markup, the Wall Street Journal and the Capitol Forum about Amazon's private-brand products and use of seller data. The letter's sharp wording ratchets up the rhetoric between Washington and Big Tech. Companies including Amazon, Facebook Inc, Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google have been under growing scrutiny in Washington, Europe and other parts of the world, fueled by concerns among regulators, lawmakers and consumer groups that the firms have too much power and are engaging in unfair practices that hurt other businesses. The lawmakers letter was signed by a bipartisan group, and included the judiciary committee's chairman, Democrat Jerrold Nadler, and four members of the antitrust subcommittee – its chair, Democrat David Cicilline, vice chair Pramila Jayapal and Republicans Ken Buck and Matt Gaetz. On Wednesday, following publication of the Reuters investigation, US Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent critic of Amazon, called for breaking up the company. In India, a group representing millions of brick-and-mortar retailers urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to take action against Amazon.

Five US lawmakers accuse Amazon of possibly lying to Congress following Reuters report

The first Black US secretary of state, Colin Powell, has died from complications due to COVID-19, his family said on Facebook. He was 84.

His leadership in several Republican administrations helped shape American foreign policy in the last few years of the 20th century.

Taking to Facebook, his family wrote, "General Colin L. Powell, former US&nbsp;Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from COVID-19."

"We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American," they said, as they highlighted that he was fully vaccinated.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-should-first-seek-internal-legitimacy-to-receive-international-recognition-ex-afghan-president-karzai-421686">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban should first seek internal legitimacy to receive international recognition: Ex-Afghan president Karzai</a>

Powell's career took him from combat duty in Vietnam to becoming the first Black national security adviser during the end of Ronald Reagan's presidency and the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush.&nbsp;

His national popularity surged after the victory of the US-led coalition during the Gulf War. Also, for a time in the mid-90s, he was considered a leading contender to become the first Black President of the United States.&nbsp;

However, this was hampered when he pushed faulty intelligence at the United Nations, as President George W. Bush’s first secretary of state to advocate for the Iraq War. This was something that he considered a blot on his record.

The first Black US secretary of state, Colin Powell, has died from complications due to COVID-19, his family said on Facebook. He was 84. His leadership in several Republican administrations helped shape American foreign policy in the last few years of the 20th century.

The first Black US secretary of state, Colin Powell, has died from complications due to COVID-19, his family said on Facebook. He was 84. His leadership in several Republican administrations helped shape American foreign policy in the last few years of the 20th century. Taking to Facebook, his family wrote, "General Colin L. Powell, former US Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from COVID-19." "We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American," they said, as they highlighted that he was fully vaccinated. Also read | Taliban should first seek internal legitimacy to receive international recognition: Ex-Afghan president Karzai Powell's career took him from combat duty in Vietnam to becoming the first Black national security adviser during the end of Ronald Reagan's presidency and the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush. His national popularity surged after the victory of the US-led coalition during the Gulf War. Also, for a time in the mid-90s, he was considered a leading contender to become the first Black President of the United States. However, this was hampered when he pushed faulty intelligence at the United Nations, as President George W. Bush’s first secretary of state to advocate for the Iraq War. This was something that he considered a blot on his record.

Colin Powell dies at 84 due to COVID-19 complications

About 15 American missionaries and family members were kidnapped on Saturday by a gang outside the Haitian capital, a local security source told AFP.

The group of between 15 and 17 people, including children, were being held by an armed gang which for months has been engaged in theft and kidnappings in the area between Port-au-Prince and the border with the Dominican Republic, the source said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/top-us-naval-commander-hosts-senior-indian-navy-officers-aboard-uss-carl-vinson-420814">Top US naval commander hosts senior Indian Navy officers aboard USS Carl Vinson</a>

A spokesman for the US government declined to provide any information.

"The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State," the official said. "We are aware of these reports and have nothing additional to offer at this time."

Armed gangs, which for years have controlled the poorest districts of the Haitian capital, have extended their hold to other parts of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, sowing terror with kidnappings.

More than 600 kidnappings were recorded in the first three quarters of 2021, compared with 231 over the same period last year, according to the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, a civil society group based in the Haitian capital.

For years, Haiti has been paralysed by a deep political and economic crisis, and the July assassination of President Jovenel Moise plunged the Caribbean country even further turmoil.

About 15 American missionaries and family members were kidnapped on Saturday by a gang outside the Haitian capital, a local security source told AFP. The group of between 15 and 17 people, including children, were being held by an armed gang which for months has been engaged in theft and kidnappings in the area between Port-au-Prince and the border with the Dominican Republic, the source said.

About 15 American missionaries and family members were kidnapped on Saturday by a gang outside the Haitian capital, a local security source told AFP. The group of between 15 and 17 people, including children, were being held by an armed gang which for months has been engaged in theft and kidnappings in the area between Port-au-Prince and the border with the Dominican Republic, the source said. Also Read | Top US naval commander hosts senior Indian Navy officers aboard USS Carl Vinson A spokesman for the US government declined to provide any information. "The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State," the official said. "We are aware of these reports and have nothing additional to offer at this time." Armed gangs, which for years have controlled the poorest districts of the Haitian capital, have extended their hold to other parts of Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, sowing terror with kidnappings. More than 600 kidnappings were recorded in the first three quarters of 2021, compared with 231 over the same period last year, according to the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, a civil society group based in the Haitian capital. For years, Haiti has been paralysed by a deep political and economic crisis, and the July assassination of President Jovenel Moise plunged the Caribbean country even further turmoil.

15 US missionaries and family kidnapped in Haiti: security source

With the pandemic grimly persisting, American homes could face a meager holiday season, forced to do without some of their favorite items missing from store shelves.

Even as demand surges as the world's largest economy reopens, US retailers are working hard to avoid putting a damper on festivities, taking unprecedented actions to try to navigate around myriad supply chain obstacles.

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The most dramatic steps have included moves by Walmart and other big box chains to charter their own ships and bypass messy delays at West Coast ports.

Other workarounds have included bringing imports in earlier in the season, launching holiday promotions sooner and shifting to air cargo from ships.

"A lot of companies have made the decision over the last 30 days that 'we have to change modes,'" said Neel Jones Shah, global head of air freight at Flexport, a freight forwarding company.&nbsp;

"They're having to pivot to air or they're going to miss their sale season all-together."

But even with these measures, Scott Case, a logistics industry veteran and founder of Chicago-based Position: Global, predicted "there are going to be noticeable gaps in what is available to people this holiday season."

Retailers are trying to plan for that as well, working up strategies to mollify or cushion the disappointment when choice items run out.

'Monumental shortages'&nbsp;

On the positive side, consumer activity remains robust, a dynamic apparent in US retail sales data released Friday, which showed another surprising gain in September.

"It will be a good holiday season from a demand perspective," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, who expects companies to offer fewer promotions to entice buyers than they have in the past due to the tight supply.

On top of the backlog at ports, that has seen ships lining up waiting to offload their containers, retailers are contending with manufacturing outages at key plants in Asia where local governments have imposed lockdowns due to COVID-19.

They also face shortages of front-line workers, which could make it challenging to hire enough seasonal employees.

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These supply chain bottlenecks were a key focus of attention of finance ministers gathered last week in Washington.

And at the White House President Joe Biden announced a commitment by the Los Angeles Port to work 24 hours a day.

Piggybacking on the publicity surrounding the issue, trade groups like the National Retail Federation have been urging consumers to shop early this season.&nbsp;

But even so "There's going to be some monumental shortages," said Terry Esper, a professor of logistics at Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.

Retailers are going to need to resort to &nbsp;"demand shaping," where they steer consumers to products that are in stock, or substitution, sometimes with a higher-value option. For example, a customer who wants a wool sweater, might be offered one made of cashmere instead.

Companies are diversifying suppliers and shifting from a "just in time" to a "just in case" inventory management, said Esper, who also expects greater use of automation in light of the labor crunch.

"The projections is this is going to be a tight squeeze until 2023," Esper said. "This is not a holiday issue. This is a transition to a different business model."

Higher prices ahead

The squeeze in capacity on everything from warehouse space to cargo planes also adds cost, which are already trending higher because of higher wages. Estimates vary, but industry officials have complained about ocean freight prices as much as 10 times their pre-pandemic level.&nbsp;

And surging oil prices led Delta Air Lines to warn this week that increased jet fuel costs could result in an unprofitable fourth quarter.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/key-to-bidens-climate-agenda-likely-to-be-cut-because-of-manchin-opposition-421381" hreflang="en">Key to Biden’s climate agenda likely to be cut because of Manchin opposition</a>

Saunders of GlobalData expects some inflation, but said in the "extremely competitive" retail sector "companies have to be careful about passing it on for fear of losing market share."

At Rickenbacker International Airport in Ohio, Bryan Schreiber, manager of air cargo business development, said he is surprised not to have seen a bigger hike in prices.

"Maybe the companies are trying to hold down those costs that they pass on to consumers," he told AFP. "But I do think ultimately for a lot of stuff -- if you can get it -- it's going to become a lot more expensive."

With the pandemic grimly persisting, American homes could face a meager holiday season, forced to do without some of their favorite items missing from store shelves.

With the pandemic grimly persisting, American homes could face a meager holiday season, forced to do without some of their favorite items missing from store shelves. Even as demand surges as the world's largest economy reopens, US retailers are working hard to avoid putting a damper on festivities, taking unprecedented actions to try to navigate around myriad supply chain obstacles. Also Read | With new hypersonic missile test in August, China surprised US officials The most dramatic steps have included moves by Walmart and other big box chains to charter their own ships and bypass messy delays at West Coast ports. Other workarounds have included bringing imports in earlier in the season, launching holiday promotions sooner and shifting to air cargo from ships. "A lot of companies have made the decision over the last 30 days that 'we have to change modes,'" said Neel Jones Shah, global head of air freight at Flexport, a freight forwarding company. "They're having to pivot to air or they're going to miss their sale season all-together." But even with these measures, Scott Case, a logistics industry veteran and founder of Chicago-based Position: Global, predicted "there are going to be noticeable gaps in what is available to people this holiday season." Retailers are trying to plan for that as well, working up strategies to mollify or cushion the disappointment when choice items run out. 'Monumental shortages' On the positive side, consumer activity remains robust, a dynamic apparent in US retail sales data released Friday, which showed another surprising gain in September. "It will be a good holiday season from a demand perspective," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, who expects companies to offer fewer promotions to entice buyers than they have in the past due to the tight supply. On top of the backlog at ports, that has seen ships lining up waiting to offload their containers, retailers are contending with manufacturing outages at key plants in Asia where local governments have imposed lockdowns due to COVID-19. They also face shortages of front-line workers, which could make it challenging to hire enough seasonal employees. Also Read | 10 more plaintiffs join lawsuit against Liberty University over sexual abuse These supply chain bottlenecks were a key focus of attention of finance ministers gathered last week in Washington. And at the White House President Joe Biden announced a commitment by the Los Angeles Port to work 24 hours a day. Piggybacking on the publicity surrounding the issue, trade groups like the National Retail Federation have been urging consumers to shop early this season. But even so "There's going to be some monumental shortages," said Terry Esper, a professor of logistics at Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business. Retailers are going to need to resort to "demand shaping," where they steer consumers to products that are in stock, or substitution, sometimes with a higher-value option. For example, a customer who wants a wool sweater, might be offered one made of cashmere instead. Companies are diversifying suppliers and shifting from a "just in time" to a "just in case" inventory management, said Esper, who also expects greater use of automation in light of the labor crunch. "The projections is this is going to be a tight squeeze until 2023," Esper said. "This is not a holiday issue. This is a transition to a different business model." Higher prices ahead The squeeze in capacity on everything from warehouse space to cargo planes also adds cost, which are already trending higher because of higher wages. Estimates vary, but industry officials have complained about ocean freight prices as much as 10 times their pre-pandemic level. And surging oil prices led Delta Air Lines to warn this week that increased jet fuel costs could result in an unprofitable fourth quarter. Also Read | Key to Biden’s climate agenda likely to be cut because of Manchin opposition Saunders of GlobalData expects some inflation, but said in the "extremely competitive" retail sector "companies have to be careful about passing it on for fear of losing market share." At Rickenbacker International Airport in Ohio, Bryan Schreiber, manager of air cargo business development, said he is surprised not to have seen a bigger hike in prices. "Maybe the companies are trying to hold down those costs that they pass on to consumers," he told AFP. "But I do think ultimately for a lot of stuff -- if you can get it -- it's going to become a lot more expensive."

Coal in the stocking: US retailers scramble ahead of festive season

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