Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan will do everything within its power to further the peace process in Afghanistan as talks sponsored by the country between the US and the Taliban were being held in the UAE to end the 17-year bloody conflict.

The US and the Taliban have previously met on at least two occasions in Qatar but it is the first time that they are holding talks outside Doha, where the insurgent group has a political office, according to officials.

Khan highlighted the role being played by Pakistan in holding the talks between the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-ceasefire-push-in-focus-in-us-taliban-talks-185000">US and the Taliban </a>in Abu Dhabi.

He expressed his desire for peace to end the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people," Khan said on Twitter

Khan also said, "Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process".

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan were the only three nations to recognise the Taliban government during its five-year rule from 1996-2001.

The Taliban are fighting to flush out international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan will do everything within its power to further the peace process in Afghanistan as talks sponsored by the country between the US and the Taliban were being held in the UAE to end the 17-year bloody conflict.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that Pakistan will do everything within its power to further the peace process in Afghanistan as talks sponsored by the country between the US and the Taliban were being held in the UAE to end the 17-year bloody conflict. The US and the Taliban have previously met on at least two occasions in Qatar but it is the first time that they are holding talks outside Doha, where the insurgent group has a political office, according to officials. Khan highlighted the role being played by Pakistan in holding the talks between the US and the Taliban in Abu Dhabi. He expressed his desire for peace to end the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan. "Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people," Khan said on Twitter Khan also said, "Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process". Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan were the only three nations to recognise the Taliban government during its five-year rule from 1996-2001. The Taliban are fighting to flush out international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001.

Pak will do everything within its power for Afghan peace: Imran Khan

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Tuesday a purported statement by a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-claim-to-bust-isi-backed-terror-module-in-punjab-174957">pro-Khalistan outfit,</a> seeking support from Pakistan to "liberate" Punjab from India, has exposed its "nefarious designs" and nexus with the Pakistani Army and the ISI.

The chief minister made the remarks after a section of media reported that US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a separatist outfit, had allegedly sought support from the Pakistan government for 'Referendum 2020', a campaign to "separate Punjab from India".

Attacking SFJ's legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief minister said, "The cat is now well and truly out of the bag, and the truth of the deep-rooted connection between the SJF and the Pakistani Army is out in the open."&nbsp;

Amarinder Singh has also taken strong exception to SFJ's reported plans to hold a 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019', coinciding with the auspicious occasion of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

The whole affair is a "bigger conspiracy" by the Pakistan Army, which is persistently trying to revive militancy in Punjab, the CM said, reiterating his stand on the issue.&nbsp;

Amarinder Singh also said that Punjab and the Indian Army were well prepared to counter any such plans of the neighbouring country. 
"Punjab is today much better equipped than it was in the 80s and 90s when Pak-backed terrorism had swept the state," he said, warning Islamabad against extending any further support to SFJ or other such outfits that are bent on disturbing the state's hard-earned peace.

The Pakistan Army would do well to remember the ignominious defeats it had suffered at the hands of the Indian Army on every occasion it had tried to take on the might of the latter, right from the 1965 and 1971 wars to the more recent Kargil battle, warned Amarinder Singh.

Asserting that he was all in favour of the Kartarpur Corridor to fulfil the long-pending aspirations of the Sikh community in India, the chief minister said it was the "misuse" of the initiative that he was opposed to.&nbsp;

'If Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was truly in favour of opening the doors for long-lasting peace with India through this corridor, he should not only unequivocally condemn the SFJ statement but should also ensure that Pakistan soil is not used by the anti-India outfit to further its campaign,' he said, urging the Pak leader to put a stop to the plan of 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019'.

'Let the two countries build a corridor of peace in the true sense of the word, without the auspicious occasion of the 550th 'Prakash Purb' being allowed by Islamabad to be abused by anti-Indian forces,' the CM said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Tuesday a purported statement by a pro-Khalistan outfit, seeking support from Pakistan to "liberate" Punjab from India, has exposed its "nefarious designs" and nexus with the Pakistani Army and the ISI.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Tuesday a purported statement by a pro-Khalistan outfit, seeking support from Pakistan to "liberate" Punjab from India, has exposed its "nefarious designs" and nexus with the Pakistani Army and the ISI. The chief minister made the remarks after a section of media reported that US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a separatist outfit, had allegedly sought support from the Pakistan government for 'Referendum 2020', a campaign to "separate Punjab from India". Attacking SFJ's legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief minister said, "The cat is now well and truly out of the bag, and the truth of the deep-rooted connection between the SJF and the Pakistani Army is out in the open." Amarinder Singh has also taken strong exception to SFJ's reported plans to hold a 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019', coinciding with the auspicious occasion of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. The whole affair is a "bigger conspiracy" by the Pakistan Army, which is persistently trying to revive militancy in Punjab, the CM said, reiterating his stand on the issue. Amarinder Singh also said that Punjab and the Indian Army were well prepared to counter any such plans of the neighbouring country. "Punjab is today much better equipped than it was in the 80s and 90s when Pak-backed terrorism had swept the state," he said, warning Islamabad against extending any further support to SFJ or other such outfits that are bent on disturbing the state's hard-earned peace. The Pakistan Army would do well to remember the ignominious defeats it had suffered at the hands of the Indian Army on every occasion it had tried to take on the might of the latter, right from the 1965 and 1971 wars to the more recent Kargil battle, warned Amarinder Singh. Asserting that he was all in favour of the Kartarpur Corridor to fulfil the long-pending aspirations of the Sikh community in India, the chief minister said it was the "misuse" of the initiative that he was opposed to. 'If Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was truly in favour of opening the doors for long-lasting peace with India through this corridor, he should not only unequivocally condemn the SFJ statement but should also ensure that Pakistan soil is not used by the anti-India outfit to further its campaign,' he said, urging the Pak leader to put a stop to the plan of 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019'. 'Let the two countries build a corridor of peace in the true sense of the word, without the auspicious occasion of the 550th 'Prakash Purb' being allowed by Islamabad to be abused by anti-Indian forces,' the CM said.

SFJ seeking help to ‘liberate’ Punjab exposes its nexus with Pak army: Amarinder Singh

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-could-have-a-very-good-relationship-with-russia--putin-trump-128197">Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote</a> and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible.

According to a new report for the US Senate, the primary goal of Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA) was to deepen divisions in US society and convince Democrat-favouring liberals -- including Latinos, youths and the LGBTQ community -- not to vote.&nbsp;

The most extensive analysis yet of thousands of IRA ads and posts across social media in 2015-2017 showed an emphasis on provoking the anger of black Americans so that they would stay home on election day.

For example, the IRA-created account "Blacktivist" sent out messages on the Democratic candidate such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton."

Another IRA account, "Black Matters", posted on Facebook: "Cops kill black kids. Are you sure that your son won't be the next?"

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the report by the Computational Propaganda Project at Oxford University and social media specialists Graphika caused "nothing but incomprehension."

"It voices absolutely general charges and accusations and some of them are absolutely unclear to us," Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

"We are reproached that someone critically thinks of a situation in this or that social sphere in the United States but it is not explained what Russia has to do with it," he said.

He reiterated Russia's long-standing position that any such claims were unfounded.&nbsp;

"The Russian state, the Russian government had and has nothing to do with any interference, especially one that is described in such abstract terms," Peskov added.

The IRA is believed to have been set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman close to Putin, as a propaganda tool.&nbsp;

Russia has been accused of manipulating the 2016 US presidential vote through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump.&nbsp;

US investigators are probing alleged collusion between Russian agents and Trump's campaign.&nbsp;

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible.

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible. According to a new report for the US Senate, the primary goal of Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA) was to deepen divisions in US society and convince Democrat-favouring liberals -- including Latinos, youths and the LGBTQ community -- not to vote. The most extensive analysis yet of thousands of IRA ads and posts across social media in 2015-2017 showed an emphasis on provoking the anger of black Americans so that they would stay home on election day. For example, the IRA-created account "Blacktivist" sent out messages on the Democratic candidate such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton." Another IRA account, "Black Matters", posted on Facebook: "Cops kill black kids. Are you sure that your son won't be the next?" Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the report by the Computational Propaganda Project at Oxford University and social media specialists Graphika caused "nothing but incomprehension." "It voices absolutely general charges and accusations and some of them are absolutely unclear to us," Peskov told reporters on a conference call. "We are reproached that someone critically thinks of a situation in this or that social sphere in the United States but it is not explained what Russia has to do with it," he said. He reiterated Russia's long-standing position that any such claims were unfounded. "The Russian state, the Russian government had and has nothing to do with any interference, especially one that is described in such abstract terms," Peskov added. The IRA is believed to have been set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman close to Putin, as a propaganda tool. Russia has been accused of manipulating the 2016 US presidential vote through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump. US investigators are probing alleged collusion between Russian agents and Trump's campaign.

Kremlin says Russia did not target black US voters

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday highlighted the part Pakistan is playing in the US-Taliban negotiations, a round of which were held in the UAE a day earlier.

Imran said he hoped that the could bring an end to "almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people".

"Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi," Khan tweeted.

"Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process."

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Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1074888807248474112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Imran Khan's remarks come a day after United States diplomats and Taliban representatives met in the United Arab Emirates for the first round of talks facilitated by Pakistan on finding a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday highlighted the part Pakistan is playing in the US-Taliban negotiations, a round of which were held in the UAE a day earlier.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday highlighted the part Pakistan is playing in the US-Taliban negotiations, a round of which were held in the UAE a day earlier. Imran said he hoped that the could bring an end to "almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people". "Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi," Khan tweeted. "Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process." Pakistan has helped in the dialogue between Taliban and the US in Abu Dhabi. Let us pray that this leads to peace and ends almost three decades of suffering of the brave Afghan people. Pakistan will be doing everything within its power to further the peace process. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 18, 2018 × Imran Khan's remarks come a day after United States diplomats and Taliban representatives met in the United Arab Emirates for the first round of talks facilitated by Pakistan on finding a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

We helped in dialogue between US and Taliban, says Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at arranging peace negotiations in Afghanistan were set for a second day on Tuesday after discussions around the future of foreign forces and a possible six-month ceasefire, Taliban sources said.

The three-day meeting in Abu Dhabi is at least the third time that US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-forces-abandon-district-after-taliban-pressure-183544">Taliban </a>representatives as diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year war have intensified this year.

On Monday, a Taliban delegation met officials from Saudi Arabia,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-army-says-it-backs-us-peace-talks-with-afghan-taliban-181980"> Pakistan</a> and the United Arab Emirates ahead of their meeting with Khalilzad, who was appointed to oversee Washington's peace effort in September.

Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US delegation was pressing for a six-month ceasefire as well as an agreement to name Taliban representatives to a future caretaker government.

The officials said the Taliban, fighting to drive foreign forces from Afghanistan and bring in their version of strict Islamic law, were resisting a ceasefire as they felt it would damage their cause and help US and Afghan forces.

"If these three countries - Saudi Arabia, UAE and Pakistan - become guarantors and the US appoints the head of a caretaker government in Afghanistan that we nominate, then we can think about a ceasefire," one senior Taliban official said.

There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul.

The latest round of diplomacy comes about a year after the United States sent thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan and stepped up air strikes to record levels, with the aim of pushing the Taliban to accept talks.

However, despite US insistence that any peace settlement must be agreed between Afghans, the Taliban have refused to talk directly with officials from the Kabul government, which they consider an illegitimate, foreign-appointed regime.

"Talks revolved around withdrawal of occupation forces from Afghanistan, ending the oppression being carried out by the United States and her allies and views were exchanged with the said countries about peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

An Afghan government team travelled to Abu Dhabi "to begin proximity dialogue with the Taliban delegation and to prepare for a face-to-face meeting between the two sides", government spokesman Haroon Chakansuri said in a statement.

But there was no sign from the Taliban that they were ready to accept talks with the government. On Monday, Mujahid dismissed reports of a meeting as "propaganda".

The United States says the aim of the talks is to facilitate an Afghan-led process and the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan in the talks reflects a US desire to bring in countries with an interest in Afghanistan.

Previous meetings were held in Qatar, where the Taliban maintains a political office, but a push to include Saudi Arabia, which is hostile to the gas-rich Gulf state, prompted a change of venue to Abu Dhabi.

Talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at arranging peace negotiations in Afghanistan were set for a second day on Tuesday after discussions around the future of foreign forces and a possible six-month ceasefire, Taliban sources said.

Talks between US and Taliban officials aimed at arranging peace negotiations in Afghanistan were set for a second day on Tuesday after discussions around the future of foreign forces and a possible six-month ceasefire, Taliban sources said. The three-day meeting in Abu Dhabi is at least the third time that US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met Taliban representatives as diplomatic efforts to end the 17-year war have intensified this year. On Monday, a Taliban delegation met officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates ahead of their meeting with Khalilzad, who was appointed to oversee Washington's peace effort in September. Taliban officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US delegation was pressing for a six-month ceasefire as well as an agreement to name Taliban representatives to a future caretaker government. The officials said the Taliban, fighting to drive foreign forces from Afghanistan and bring in their version of strict Islamic law, were resisting a ceasefire as they felt it would damage their cause and help US and Afghan forces. "If these three countries - Saudi Arabia, UAE and Pakistan - become guarantors and the US appoints the head of a caretaker government in Afghanistan that we nominate, then we can think about a ceasefire," one senior Taliban official said. There was no immediate comment from the US embassy in Kabul. The latest round of diplomacy comes about a year after the United States sent thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan and stepped up air strikes to record levels, with the aim of pushing the Taliban to accept talks. However, despite US insistence that any peace settlement must be agreed between Afghans, the Taliban have refused to talk directly with officials from the Kabul government, which they consider an illegitimate, foreign-appointed regime. "Talks revolved around withdrawal of occupation forces from Afghanistan, ending the oppression being carried out by the United States and her allies and views were exchanged with the said countries about peace and reconstruction of Afghanistan," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. An Afghan government team travelled to Abu Dhabi "to begin proximity dialogue with the Taliban delegation and to prepare for a face-to-face meeting between the two sides", government spokesman Haroon Chakansuri said in a statement. But there was no sign from the Taliban that they were ready to accept talks with the government. On Monday, Mujahid dismissed reports of a meeting as "propaganda". The United States says the aim of the talks is to facilitate an Afghan-led process and the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Pakistan in the talks reflects a US desire to bring in countries with an interest in Afghanistan. Previous meetings were held in Qatar, where the Taliban maintains a political office, but a push to include Saudi Arabia, which is hostile to the gas-rich Gulf state, prompted a change of venue to Abu Dhabi.

Afghanistan ceasefire push in focus in US, Taliban talks

China should lower next year's growth target to 6.0-6.5 per cent as headwinds including <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/imf-says-trade-war-already-hurting-asia-may-cut-global-growth-forecasts-184777">a trade dispute with the United States</a> increases risks for the economy, according to government advisers' recommendations to top leaders who will meet to map out the 2019 economic agenda.

This week's annual Central Economic Work Conference, a closed-door gathering of top party leaders and policymakers, is being watched by investors for any fresh policy steps to ward off a sharper slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.

The economic conference is likely to convene on Wednesday, two policy insiders said, a day after an event marking the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, where President Xi Jinping is due to make what the official Xinhua news agency described as an "important" speech.

The meeting will not result in any public announcement of economic targets, which are usually reserved for the opening of the parliamentary session in early March.

China's trade war with the United States is spurring some Chinese entrepreneurs, government advisers and think tanks to call for faster economic reforms and the freeing up of a private sector stifled by state controls.

Government advisers and think tanks, which are influential in the decision-making process but aren't empowered to execute policies, have recommended a growth target of 6.0-6.5 per cent for 2019, versus around 6.5 per cent in 2018.

"Next year's growth target could be 6.0-6.5 per cent as the economy is likely to slow from this year," a policy insider who advises the government, said on condition of anonymity.

The Chinese Academy of Social Science, a top government think tank, has forecast growth to slow to 6.3 per cent in 2019 - which would be the weakest since 1990, from an estimated 6.6 per cent in 2018.

Some advisers suggested the government should be more tolerant of weaker growth, pushing reforms and avoiding strong policy stimulus that could worsen the country's debt problems.

Still, a growth rate of 6.0 per cent for next year is seen as the bottom line, amid concerns about employment due to pressures on the economy both domestically and on the external front.

"The economy is expected to slow next year, but the situation won't be very serious if we can manage it well, because room for expanding domestic demand is relatively big," said one adviser.

The State Council Information Office did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

POLICY SUPPORT

Last week, a meeting of the Politburo - a top decision-making body of the ruling Communist Party - pledged to keep China's economic growth within a "reasonable range" next year.

Growth in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-markets-rise-ahead-of-key-meetings-in-china-and-us-184789">Asia's powerhouse economy</a> slowed to 6.5 per cent in the third quarter, the weakest pace since the global financial crisis. Indications are that momentum is likely to come off further in the current quarter and next year, with data last week showing surprising softness in November factory output and retail sales.

Although full-year growth is expected to come just above 6.5 per cent in 2018, government officials and China watchers have already warned of greater risks to the economy next year from trade frictions with the United States.

China's monetary conditions should be relatively easy to support its slowing economy but policy cannot be too loose as falls in domestic interest rates could hit the local currency, central bank chief Yi Gang said last week.

The central bank is likely to deliver more cuts in banks' reserve requirement ratios, to add to the four reductions this year, but it may not rush to cut benchmark interest rates that could hurt the yuan, policy insiders said.

The government has pledged to cut taxes more aggressively next year, spurring a debate among Chinese economists on whether Beijing should expand its fiscal deficit ratio beyond 3 per cent next year. 
&nbsp;

China should lower next year's growth target to 6.0-6.5 per cent as headwinds including a trade dispute with the United States increases risks for the economy, according to government advisers' recommendations to top leaders who will meet to map out the 2019 economic agenda.

China should lower next year's growth target to 6.0-6.5 per cent as headwinds including a trade dispute with the United States increases risks for the economy, according to government advisers' recommendations to top leaders who will meet to map out the 2019 economic agenda. This week's annual Central Economic Work Conference, a closed-door gathering of top party leaders and policymakers, is being watched by investors for any fresh policy steps to ward off a sharper slowdown in the world's second-largest economy. The economic conference is likely to convene on Wednesday, two policy insiders said, a day after an event marking the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, where President Xi Jinping is due to make what the official Xinhua news agency described as an "important" speech. The meeting will not result in any public announcement of economic targets, which are usually reserved for the opening of the parliamentary session in early March. China's trade war with the United States is spurring some Chinese entrepreneurs, government advisers and think tanks to call for faster economic reforms and the freeing up of a private sector stifled by state controls. Government advisers and think tanks, which are influential in the decision-making process but aren't empowered to execute policies, have recommended a growth target of 6.0-6.5 per cent for 2019, versus around 6.5 per cent in 2018. "Next year's growth target could be 6.0-6.5 per cent as the economy is likely to slow from this year," a policy insider who advises the government, said on condition of anonymity. The Chinese Academy of Social Science, a top government think tank, has forecast growth to slow to 6.3 per cent in 2019 - which would be the weakest since 1990, from an estimated 6.6 per cent in 2018. Some advisers suggested the government should be more tolerant of weaker growth, pushing reforms and avoiding strong policy stimulus that could worsen the country's debt problems. Still, a growth rate of 6.0 per cent for next year is seen as the bottom line, amid concerns about employment due to pressures on the economy both domestically and on the external front. "The economy is expected to slow next year, but the situation won't be very serious if we can manage it well, because room for expanding domestic demand is relatively big," said one adviser. The State Council Information Office did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. POLICY SUPPORT Last week, a meeting of the Politburo - a top decision-making body of the ruling Communist Party - pledged to keep China's economic growth within a "reasonable range" next year. Growth in Asia's powerhouse economy slowed to 6.5 per cent in the third quarter, the weakest pace since the global financial crisis. Indications are that momentum is likely to come off further in the current quarter and next year, with data last week showing surprising softness in November factory output and retail sales. Although full-year growth is expected to come just above 6.5 per cent in 2018, government officials and China watchers have already warned of greater risks to the economy next year from trade frictions with the United States. China's monetary conditions should be relatively easy to support its slowing economy but policy cannot be too loose as falls in domestic interest rates could hit the local currency, central bank chief Yi Gang said last week. The central bank is likely to deliver more cuts in banks' reserve requirement ratios, to add to the four reductions this year, but it may not rush to cut benchmark interest rates that could hurt the yuan, policy insiders said. The government has pledged to cut taxes more aggressively next year, spurring a debate among Chinese economists on whether Beijing should expand its fiscal deficit ratio beyond 3 per cent next year.

As trade war bites, China advisers recommend lowering 2019 growth target

Exposing Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's seriousness on combating terrorism, his junior interior minister has vowed to "protect" Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and his party in a leaked video.

The leaked video showed Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi talking to the Milli Muslim League (MML) leaders and when his attention was drawn towards non-registration of Saeed's party by the Election Commission (ECP) as a political party due to the US pressure and the ECP's plan to declare it a terrorist organisation, the minister said: "We will not let this happen."

"As long as we (the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf) are in the government all those including Hafiz Saeed who are raising voice for Pakistan and righteousness, we are with them," Afridi said, adding "this is our belief." 
"I request you to come to the National Assembly and see whether we are supporting those who on the right path or not," he told them.&nbsp;

Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the 2008 Mumbai attack and was put under house arrest in November 2008 but freed by a court some months later. He carries a USD 10 million American bounty on his head for his role in terror activities.

In the leaked video, an MML leader said the high court ordered the ECP to register the MML as a political party but the top election body said that it had come to know that the US had declared MML a terrorist organisation. 
On this, the minister assured that "this will not happen in the Imran Khan's government."

Saeed launched the MML in August 2017 with a so-called mission to implement the ideology of Pakistan in accordance with the 1973 Constitution.

In April, the US placed the MML on its list of foreign terror organisations for its links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The interior ministry had written to the ECP recommending not to register the MML as it is an off-shoot of Saeed's Jamat-ud Dawah, which has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people.

The MML contested general elections on the platform of the "dormant" political entity Allaha-u-Akbar Tehreek (AAT), which was registered with the ECP.

The Supreme Court in September last permitted the JuD and its arm Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) to continue their relief and charity work in the country.

JuD's network includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services. The JuD and FIF alone have about 50,000 volunteers and hundreds of other paid workers, according to two counter-terrorism officials

Earlier, the government banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF, and other organisations on the UN Security Council sanctions list.&nbsp;

Exposing Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's seriousness on combating terrorism, his junior interior minister has vowed to "protect" Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and his party in a leaked video.

Exposing Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's seriousness on combating terrorism, his junior interior minister has vowed to "protect" Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and his party in a leaked video. The leaked video showed Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi talking to the Milli Muslim League (MML) leaders and when his attention was drawn towards non-registration of Saeed's party by the Election Commission (ECP) as a political party due to the US pressure and the ECP's plan to declare it a terrorist organisation, the minister said: "We will not let this happen." "As long as we (the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf) are in the government all those including Hafiz Saeed who are raising voice for Pakistan and righteousness, we are with them," Afridi said, adding "this is our belief." "I request you to come to the National Assembly and see whether we are supporting those who on the right path or not," he told them. Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the 2008 Mumbai attack and was put under house arrest in November 2008 but freed by a court some months later. He carries a USD 10 million American bounty on his head for his role in terror activities. In the leaked video, an MML leader said the high court ordered the ECP to register the MML as a political party but the top election body said that it had come to know that the US had declared MML a terrorist organisation. On this, the minister assured that "this will not happen in the Imran Khan's government." Saeed launched the MML in August 2017 with a so-called mission to implement the ideology of Pakistan in accordance with the 1973 Constitution. In April, the US placed the MML on its list of foreign terror organisations for its links with the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The interior ministry had written to the ECP recommending not to register the MML as it is an off-shoot of Saeed's Jamat-ud Dawah, which has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. The MML contested general elections on the platform of the "dormant" political entity Allaha-u-Akbar Tehreek (AAT), which was registered with the ECP. The Supreme Court in September last permitted the JuD and its arm Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) to continue their relief and charity work in the country. JuD's network includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services. The JuD and FIF alone have about 50,000 volunteers and hundreds of other paid workers, according to two counter-terrorism officials Earlier, the government banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF, and other organisations on the UN Security Council sanctions list.

Leaked video shows Pak minister vowing to 'protect' Hafiz Saeed

Asian markets mostly rose Monday as traders look ahead to a key meeting of the Federal Reserve, and a Chinese policy-setting conference this week.

However, there is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/imf-says-trade-war-already-hurting-asia-may-cut-global-growth-forecasts-184777">still caution on trading floors </a>after Friday's sharp sell-off fuelled by concerns over China's economy, and despite a tweet from Donald Trump suggesting a trade deal could be hammered out between Washington and Beijing.

While there are signs the world's top two economies are beginning to move towards a resolution in their bitter tariffs spat, there are increasing concerns about the global outlook following another dour set of indicators out of China.

A string of below-par readings this year have highlighted a slowdown in the Asian giant and observers are forecasting leaders will unveil fresh measures to pep up the economy, which is on course for another year of relatively weak growth.

A speech from President Xi Jinping on Tuesday to mark 40 years since China's economy began opening up will be closely watched, and that is expected to be followed by the start of a conference setting out the country's 2019 economic plan.

"We should expect a raft of stimulus measures from China policymakers in an attempt to stabilise the domestic economy," said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA.

The Fed will conclude its rate-setting policy meeting Wednesday and while expectations are for another hike in borrowing costs, comments from chairman Jerome Powell will be closely watched for an idea of its plans for 2019.

'A lot of volatility'

In light of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-trump-china-trade-war-how-will-it-end-171248">China-US trade</a> row and signs of weakness in the global economy, the bank has sounded a little more dovish in recent weeks, fuelling speculation it will slow down its pace of rate hikes -- which has provided some much-needed support to equities.

"The upcoming (Fed) meeting and China's policy-setting meeting have been the most actively discussed topics around the markets," Innes added. "And both events have a smoothing effect on risk sentiment."

Shanghai climbed 0.2 per cent and Tokyo finished 0.6 per cent higher, while Sydney put on one per cent and Singapore jumped 1.2 per cent.

Seoul and Taipei each gained 0.1 per cent while Wellington added 0.3 per cent. There were also gains in Mumbai and Manila, though Hong Kong inched down marginally.

In early European trade London dipped 0.1 per cent, Paris dropped 0.3 per cent and Frankfurt eased 0.2 per cent.

Steve Goldman, fund manager at Kapstream Capital, told Bloomberg TV in Sydney that "we're going to see a lot of volatility" in the new year because of global uncertainty.

Hopes that China and the US can reach a deal to end their trade war were given a boost by Trump on Friday when he tweeted: "China wants to make a big and very comprehensive deal. It could happen, and rather soon!"&nbsp;

That came after China earlier in the day backed off fresh levies imposed this summer on US-made cars and auto parts.

While a full-blown deal is some way off, the developments have provided some hope to dealers.

On currency markets, the pound remains bogged down around 20-month lows as Prime Minister Theresa May struggles to win concessions from EU leaders over her <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/brexit-vote-postponed-what-parliament-must-do-now-to-fix-theresa-mays-mess-183154">Brexit agreement</a>, which a majority of lawmakers in Westminster oppose.

Facing growing calls for another referendum to break the deadlock, May is expected to tell MPs that such a move will do "irreparable damage" to British politics.

However, with her agreement all but dead in the water, there is a growing expectation Britain will leave the EU without a deal, which commentators warn could hammer the British economy.

Asian markets mostly rose Monday as traders look ahead to a key meeting of the Federal Reserve, and a Chinese policy-setting conference this week. However, there is still caution on trading floors after Friday's sharp sell-off fuelled by concerns over China's economy, and despite a tweet from Donald Trump suggesting a trade deal could be hammered out between Washington and Beijing.

Asian markets mostly rose Monday as traders look ahead to a key meeting of the Federal Reserve, and a Chinese policy-setting conference this week. However, there is still caution on trading floors after Friday's sharp sell-off fuelled by concerns over China's economy, and despite a tweet from Donald Trump suggesting a trade deal could be hammered out between Washington and Beijing. While there are signs the world's top two economies are beginning to move towards a resolution in their bitter tariffs spat, there are increasing concerns about the global outlook following another dour set of indicators out of China. A string of below-par readings this year have highlighted a slowdown in the Asian giant and observers are forecasting leaders will unveil fresh measures to pep up the economy, which is on course for another year of relatively weak growth. A speech from President Xi Jinping on Tuesday to mark 40 years since China's economy began opening up will be closely watched, and that is expected to be followed by the start of a conference setting out the country's 2019 economic plan. "We should expect a raft of stimulus measures from China policymakers in an attempt to stabilise the domestic economy," said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA. The Fed will conclude its rate-setting policy meeting Wednesday and while expectations are for another hike in borrowing costs, comments from chairman Jerome Powell will be closely watched for an idea of its plans for 2019. 'A lot of volatility' In light of the China-US trade row and signs of weakness in the global economy, the bank has sounded a little more dovish in recent weeks, fuelling speculation it will slow down its pace of rate hikes -- which has provided some much-needed support to equities. "The upcoming (Fed) meeting and China's policy-setting meeting have been the most actively discussed topics around the markets," Innes added. "And both events have a smoothing effect on risk sentiment." Shanghai climbed 0.2 per cent and Tokyo finished 0.6 per cent higher, while Sydney put on one per cent and Singapore jumped 1.2 per cent. Seoul and Taipei each gained 0.1 per cent while Wellington added 0.3 per cent. There were also gains in Mumbai and Manila, though Hong Kong inched down marginally. In early European trade London dipped 0.1 per cent, Paris dropped 0.3 per cent and Frankfurt eased 0.2 per cent. Steve Goldman, fund manager at Kapstream Capital, told Bloomberg TV in Sydney that "we're going to see a lot of volatility" in the new year because of global uncertainty. Hopes that China and the US can reach a deal to end their trade war were given a boost by Trump on Friday when he tweeted: "China wants to make a big and very comprehensive deal. It could happen, and rather soon!" That came after China earlier in the day backed off fresh levies imposed this summer on US-made cars and auto parts. While a full-blown deal is some way off, the developments have provided some hope to dealers. On currency markets, the pound remains bogged down around 20-month lows as Prime Minister Theresa May struggles to win concessions from EU leaders over her Brexit agreement, which a majority of lawmakers in Westminster oppose. Facing growing calls for another referendum to break the deadlock, May is expected to tell MPs that such a move will do "irreparable damage" to British politics. However, with her agreement all but dead in the water, there is a growing expectation Britain will leave the EU without a deal, which commentators warn could hammer the British economy.

Asian markets rise ahead of key meetings in China and US

Your complete digital life - including data from your social media accounts, banking and credit card details — can be sold by cybercriminals for less than US $50, scientists say.

While many of us have heard of, or even fallen victim to, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyber-crimes-rose-between-2014-and-2017-government-28660">cybercrimes</a> such as data and identity theft, it seems that relatively few know the value of the information stolen from us.&nbsp;

Scientists from the Kaspersky Lab, a cybersecurity company in Russia, found that while our identity may not be worth a lot in terms of dollars, it is a significant asset to criminals in other ways.

The research uncovered an appetite among cybercriminals for data stolen from popular services - including via social media accounts and remote access to gaming websites.

User confusion about what their data is worth could result in a haphazard approach to security, making it all too easy for thieves to steal data and commit a crime.

Data stolen due to people's lax security may have limited resale value, but can be put to many uses.

This can cause huge problems for an individual victim, who may lose money and their reputation, find themselves being chased for debt that somebody else has incurred in their name, or even suspected of a crime that somebody else has committed using their identity as a cover.

Kaspersky Lab investigated 'Dark Web' markets to find out how much personal data is worth, and how it is used by criminals.&nbsp;

The dark web also referred to as the darknet, is an encrypted portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. These networks use the internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorisation to access.

The researchers found that criminals can sell someone's complete digital life for less than US $50; including data from stolen social media accounts, banking details, remote access to servers or desktops, and even data from popular services like Uber, Netflix, and Spotify, as well as gaming websites, dating apps, and porn websites which might store credit card information.

Meanwhile, researchers found that the price paid for a single hacked account is lower, with most selling for about US $1 per account, and with criminals offering up discounts for bulk-buying.

The most common way criminals steal this sort of data in the first place is via spear phishing campaigns or by exploiting a web related security vulnerability in an application's software.

After a successful attack, the criminal gets password dumps which contain a combination of emails and passwords for the hacked services. With many people using the same password for several accounts, attackers might be able to use this information to access accounts on other platforms too.

Some criminals selling data even provide their buyers with a lifetime warranty, so if one account stops working, the buyer will receive a new account for free.

"It is clear that data hacking is a major threat to us all, and this applies at both an individual and societal level because stolen data funds many social evils," said David Jacoby, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab.

"Fortunately, there are steps we can take to prevent it, including by using cybersecurity software and being aware of how much data we are giving away for free - particularly on publicly available social media profiles, or to organisations," said Jacoby.

People can avoid such risks by taking several easy security steps, which should become an integral part of any Internet user's digital life.

To stay safe from phishing, always check that the link address and the sender's email are genuine before clicking anything. A robust security solution will also warn you if you attempt to visit a phishing web page. 
To avoid one data leak harming all your digital identities, never use the same password for several websites or services, researchers said.

Your complete digital life - including data from your social media accounts, banking and credit card details — can be sold by cybercriminals for less than US $50, scientists say.

Your complete digital life - including data from your social media accounts, banking and credit card details — can be sold by cybercriminals for less than US $50, scientists say. While many of us have heard of, or even fallen victim to, cybercrimes such as data and identity theft, it seems that relatively few know the value of the information stolen from us. Scientists from the Kaspersky Lab, a cybersecurity company in Russia, found that while our identity may not be worth a lot in terms of dollars, it is a significant asset to criminals in other ways. The research uncovered an appetite among cybercriminals for data stolen from popular services - including via social media accounts and remote access to gaming websites. User confusion about what their data is worth could result in a haphazard approach to security, making it all too easy for thieves to steal data and commit a crime. Data stolen due to people's lax security may have limited resale value, but can be put to many uses. This can cause huge problems for an individual victim, who may lose money and their reputation, find themselves being chased for debt that somebody else has incurred in their name, or even suspected of a crime that somebody else has committed using their identity as a cover. Kaspersky Lab investigated 'Dark Web' markets to find out how much personal data is worth, and how it is used by criminals. The dark web also referred to as the darknet, is an encrypted portion of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. These networks use the internet but require specific software, configurations, or authorisation to access. The researchers found that criminals can sell someone's complete digital life for less than US $50; including data from stolen social media accounts, banking details, remote access to servers or desktops, and even data from popular services like Uber, Netflix, and Spotify, as well as gaming websites, dating apps, and porn websites which might store credit card information. Meanwhile, researchers found that the price paid for a single hacked account is lower, with most selling for about US $1 per account, and with criminals offering up discounts for bulk-buying. The most common way criminals steal this sort of data in the first place is via spear phishing campaigns or by exploiting a web related security vulnerability in an application's software. After a successful attack, the criminal gets password dumps which contain a combination of emails and passwords for the hacked services. With many people using the same password for several accounts, attackers might be able to use this information to access accounts on other platforms too. Some criminals selling data even provide their buyers with a lifetime warranty, so if one account stops working, the buyer will receive a new account for free. "It is clear that data hacking is a major threat to us all, and this applies at both an individual and societal level because stolen data funds many social evils," said David Jacoby, Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky Lab. "Fortunately, there are steps we can take to prevent it, including by using cybersecurity software and being aware of how much data we are giving away for free - particularly on publicly available social media profiles, or to organisations," said Jacoby. People can avoid such risks by taking several easy security steps, which should become an integral part of any Internet user's digital life. To stay safe from phishing, always check that the link address and the sender's email are genuine before clicking anything. A robust security solution will also warn you if you attempt to visit a phishing web page. To avoid one data leak harming all your digital identities, never use the same password for several websites or services, researchers said.

Your digital data could be on sale for less than US $50: Study

US-led coalition forces destroyed an Islamic State group command centre inside a mosque in the Syrian border town of Hajin on Saturday, the US military said.

The statement comes as Kurdish-led forces mop up the final remnants of IS jihadists in Hajin, the largest settlement in what is the last pocket of territory controlled by the jihadists.

More than 16 "heavily armed" IS fighters were at the "command and control node" at the mosque when it was destroyed by a "precision strike," a statement from the Combined Joint Task Force read.

The jihadists, who were all killed in the strike, were using the mosque to "command attacks against Coalition partners," it said.&nbsp;

The IS group "continues to use protected structures to launch attacks against our Coalition partners with complete disregard for the infrastructure and innocent human lives," the statement added.

Fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces secured Hajin after weeks of heavy fighting on Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The town is located in eastern Syria about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the border with Iraq.&nbsp;

The area is sometimes referred to as the "Hajin pocket," the last rump of a once-sprawling "caliphate" the group proclaimed in 2014 over swathes of Syria and Iraq.

US-led coalition forces destroyed an Islamic State group command centre inside a mosque in the Syrian border town of Hajin on Saturday, the US military said. The statement comes as Kurdish-led forces mop up the final remnants of IS jihadists in Hajin, the largest settlement in what is the last pocket of territory controlled by the jihadists.

US-led coalition forces destroyed an Islamic State group command centre inside a mosque in the Syrian border town of Hajin on Saturday, the US military said. The statement comes as Kurdish-led forces mop up the final remnants of IS jihadists in Hajin, the largest settlement in what is the last pocket of territory controlled by the jihadists. More than 16 "heavily armed" IS fighters were at the "command and control node" at the mosque when it was destroyed by a "precision strike," a statement from the Combined Joint Task Force read. The jihadists, who were all killed in the strike, were using the mosque to "command attacks against Coalition partners," it said. The IS group "continues to use protected structures to launch attacks against our Coalition partners with complete disregard for the infrastructure and innocent human lives," the statement added. Fighters with the Syrian Democratic Forces secured Hajin after weeks of heavy fighting on Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The town is located in eastern Syria about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the border with Iraq. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Hajin pocket," the last rump of a once-sprawling "caliphate" the group proclaimed in 2014 over swathes of Syria and Iraq.

US-led coalition says it destroyed IS site in Syrian mosque

Mike Pompeo urges release of two Canadians

Kurdish-led forces seized the Islamic State's main hub of Hajin Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly US-backed operation to eradicate the jihadists from eastern Syria.

The Syrian Democratic Forces secured Hajin, the largest settlement in what is the last pocket of territory controlled by IS, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"After a week of heavy fighting and air strikes, the SDF were able to kick IS out", Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, said.

The operation was completed at dawn, he said, a day after SDF forces fanned out across the large village in the Euphrates valley.

On Thursday, the last IS fighters were confined to a network of tunnels and the edges of Hajin, which lies in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the border with Iraq.

The area held by IS is sometimes referred to as the "Hajin pocket", the last rump of a once-sprawling "caliphate" the group proclaimed in 2014 over swathes of Syria and Iraq.

IS fighters pulled back to positions east of Hajin Friday and to Sousa and Al-Shaafa, the other two main villages in their shrinking Euphrates valley enclave.

As recently as Thursday, the group posted pictures of fighting in Hajin on its social media accounts.&nbsp;

High death toll

According to Abdel Rahman, a total of 17,000 fighters from the Kurdish-Arab SDF alliance are involved in the operation to flush IS out of its last bastion.

The operation was launched on September 10 and has taken a heavy toll, according to figures collected by the Observatory, which has a &nbsp;network of sources on the ground.

At least 900 jihadists and 500 SDF fighters were killed in the fighting, the Observatory said.

According to Abdel Rahman, more than 320 civilians were also killed, many of them in air strikes by the US-led coalition.

Thousands more civilians who had remained, voluntarily or not, in the Hajin area have fled their homes since the start of the offensive three months ago.

US President Donald Trump this week predicted the jihadist group would be fully defeated within a month.

"We've done a very, very major job on ISIS," he said on Tuesday, using another acronym for IS.

"There are very few of them left in that area of the world. &nbsp;And within another 30 days, there won't be any of them left," he vowed.

Western and other officials have repeatedly announced deadlines for a final victory over IS but the group is proving resilient.

30 days?

The push to retake Hajin was delayed by Turkish threats on the Kurdish heartland further north and deadly counter-attacks by die-hard jihadists making a bloody last stand.

The Turkish threats were renewed this week by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the army would launch an offensive within the "next few days" to "bring peace and security to areas east of the Euphrates" controlled by the SDF.

Washington, which has set up observation posts along the border and launched joint patrols with the SDF, said any unilateral military action in northern Syria would be "unacceptable".

On Friday, 13 political parties in Kurdish territory in northern Syria issued a joint statement denouncing Erdogan's threat as a "declaration of war".

Besides what is left of the pocket near Hajin, IS has a presence in Syria's vast Badia desert, a front which is managed by Russian-backed government forces.

What is left of the jihadist group also has sleeper cells across Iraq and Syria that regularly carry out attacks.

"ISIS anticipated its battlefield defeat and the loss of the caliphate and prepared accordingly," said Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at Georgetown University in Washington. 
&nbsp;

Kurdish-led forces seized the Islamic State's main hub of Hajin Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly US-backed operation to eradicate the jihadists from eastern Syria.

Kurdish-led forces seized the Islamic State's main hub of Hajin Friday, a milestone in a massive and costly US-backed operation to eradicate the jihadists from eastern Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces secured Hajin, the largest settlement in what is the last pocket of territory controlled by IS, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "After a week of heavy fighting and air strikes, the SDF were able to kick IS out", Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, said. The operation was completed at dawn, he said, a day after SDF forces fanned out across the large village in the Euphrates valley. On Thursday, the last IS fighters were confined to a network of tunnels and the edges of Hajin, which lies in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the border with Iraq. The area held by IS is sometimes referred to as the "Hajin pocket", the last rump of a once-sprawling "caliphate" the group proclaimed in 2014 over swathes of Syria and Iraq. IS fighters pulled back to positions east of Hajin Friday and to Sousa and Al-Shaafa, the other two main villages in their shrinking Euphrates valley enclave. As recently as Thursday, the group posted pictures of fighting in Hajin on its social media accounts. High death toll According to Abdel Rahman, a total of 17,000 fighters from the Kurdish-Arab SDF alliance are involved in the operation to flush IS out of its last bastion. The operation was launched on September 10 and has taken a heavy toll, according to figures collected by the Observatory, which has a network of sources on the ground. At least 900 jihadists and 500 SDF fighters were killed in the fighting, the Observatory said. According to Abdel Rahman, more than 320 civilians were also killed, many of them in air strikes by the US-led coalition. Thousands more civilians who had remained, voluntarily or not, in the Hajin area have fled their homes since the start of the offensive three months ago. US President Donald Trump this week predicted the jihadist group would be fully defeated within a month. "We've done a very, very major job on ISIS," he said on Tuesday, using another acronym for IS. "There are very few of them left in that area of the world. And within another 30 days, there won't be any of them left," he vowed. Western and other officials have repeatedly announced deadlines for a final victory over IS but the group is proving resilient. 30 days? The push to retake Hajin was delayed by Turkish threats on the Kurdish heartland further north and deadly counter-attacks by die-hard jihadists making a bloody last stand. The Turkish threats were renewed this week by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the army would launch an offensive within the "next few days" to "bring peace and security to areas east of the Euphrates" controlled by the SDF. Washington, which has set up observation posts along the border and launched joint patrols with the SDF, said any unilateral military action in northern Syria would be "unacceptable". On Friday, 13 political parties in Kurdish territory in northern Syria issued a joint statement denouncing Erdogan's threat as a "declaration of war". Besides what is left of the pocket near Hajin, IS has a presence in Syria's vast Badia desert, a front which is managed by Russian-backed government forces. What is left of the jihadist group also has sleeper cells across Iraq and Syria that regularly carry out attacks. "ISIS anticipated its battlefield defeat and the loss of the caliphate and prepared accordingly," said Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at Georgetown University in Washington.

US-backed forces expel IS from east Syria hub

A family with their young baby climbed over a border fence in Tijuana on Thursday (December 13), as many grow restless in shelters south of the border to get their asylum claims to US authorities.

But these migrants do not get far after they jump the fence. There are a series of fences along the international line patrolled by US border patrol officials, with these migrants detained by officers.

Reuters video showed a US border patrol officer tackling a migrant to the ground with other officers detaining the rest of his family.

This young family spoke to Reuters before jumping the fence, saying their decision to cross was an option between life and death.

Mexican officials have said as many as 1,000 individuals from the caravan of Central American migrants have hopped or otherwise skirted fences to reach the US since they arrived to the border city of Tijuana.

US President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are amongst the migrant group. But a federal court last month placed a temporary restraining order on his policy that only permitted asylum claims made at official ports of entry.

Under former President Barack Obama a system dubbed "metering" began, which limits how many can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry.

A family with their young baby climbed over a border fence in Tijuana on Thursday (December 13), as many grow restless in shelters south of the border to get their asylum claims to US authorities.

A family with their young baby climbed over a border fence in Tijuana on Thursday (December 13), as many grow restless in shelters south of the border to get their asylum claims to US authorities. But these migrants do not get far after they jump the fence. There are a series of fences along the international line patrolled by US border patrol officials, with these migrants detained by officers. Reuters video showed a US border patrol officer tackling a migrant to the ground with other officers detaining the rest of his family. This young family spoke to Reuters before jumping the fence, saying their decision to cross was an option between life and death. Mexican officials have said as many as 1,000 individuals from the caravan of Central American migrants have hopped or otherwise skirted fences to reach the US since they arrived to the border city of Tijuana. US President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are amongst the migrant group. But a federal court last month placed a temporary restraining order on his policy that only permitted asylum claims made at official ports of entry. Under former President Barack Obama a system dubbed "metering" began, which limits how many can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry.

Father, baby detained after climbing Tijuana border fence

The head of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-wont-testify-captured-ukrainian-navy-captains-tell-russia-183847">Ukrainian navy</a> is meeting his US counterpart this week in Washington, where they will discuss the Russian navy's recent seizure of three Ukrainian vessels, a US official said Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/rising-tension-between-russia-and-ukraine-keeps-tourists-away-from-crimea-181930">Russian ships </a>last month opened fire on three Ukrainian navy vessels as they tried to pass through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, and detained the 24 Ukrainian crew members.

Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said Ukraine's Admiral Ihor Voronchenko is meeting Thursday and Friday with US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson.

Richardson and other Pentagon officials "will reiterate the US support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters, as well as the right of its vessels to traverse international waters," Pahon told AFP.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis earlier this month blasted the Russian navy's "brazen" violation of a treaty that allows both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage in the Kerch Strait.

Pahon said the US government supports "Ukraine in its pursuit of a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the ongoing Russian aggression, including Russia's recent unprovoked attack on Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea."

Ukraine's foreign minister on Thursday called for a speedy international response to Russia's "aggression" after it seized the three Ukrainian navy ships and 24 sailors.

The confrontation at sea on November 25 was the first open military incident between Kiev and Moscow since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and a conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine between pro-Russia separatists and government forces, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

The head of the Ukrainian navy is meeting his US counterpart this week in Washington, where they will discuss the Russian navy's recent seizure of three Ukrainian vessels, a US official said Thursday.

The head of the Ukrainian navy is meeting his US counterpart this week in Washington, where they will discuss the Russian navy's recent seizure of three Ukrainian vessels, a US official said Thursday. Russian ships last month opened fire on three Ukrainian navy vessels as they tried to pass through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, and detained the 24 Ukrainian crew members. Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said Ukraine's Admiral Ihor Voronchenko is meeting Thursday and Friday with US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson. Richardson and other Pentagon officials "will reiterate the US support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters, as well as the right of its vessels to traverse international waters," Pahon told AFP. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis earlier this month blasted the Russian navy's "brazen" violation of a treaty that allows both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage in the Kerch Strait. Pahon said the US government supports "Ukraine in its pursuit of a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the ongoing Russian aggression, including Russia's recent unprovoked attack on Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea." Ukraine's foreign minister on Thursday called for a speedy international response to Russia's "aggression" after it seized the three Ukrainian navy ships and 24 sailors. The confrontation at sea on November 25 was the first open military incident between Kiev and Moscow since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and a conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine between pro-Russia separatists and government forces, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

US, Ukraine navy heads meet after Russia ship seizure

Kremlin on Friday held the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/accused-russian-agent-maria-butina-pleads-guilty-in-us-to-conspiracy-183856">accusations made by Maria Butina</a>, the first Russian to be convicted of working to influence US policy during the 2016 presidential race&nbsp;as "absolutely unfounded".

"We consider the accusations against her as absolutely unfounded," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had "reasons to believe" the Russian had been kept in conditions designed to break her will and lead her to enter a false guilty plea.

"As far as I understand, this plea bargain -- the likes of which are common in the US -- is part of a deal to get free and return home as soon as possible," Lavrov said in comments reported by agencies.

Butina on Thursday pleaded guilty in a US court to a single conspiracy charge in a deal with prosecutors and admitted to working with a top Russian official to infiltrate a powerful gun-rights group.

She also admitted to&nbsp;influencing US policy towards&nbsp;Moscow and making inroads with American conservative activists and the Republican Party as an agent for Moscow.

Butina, a Russian former graduate student at American University in Washington admitted to the accusations&nbsp;at a court hearing in Washington before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Thursday.

Prosecutors said she launched a plan in 2015 to develop ties with the Republican Party with the aim of influencing US foreign policy.

The plot was allegedly guided and financed in part by Alexander Torshin, an ally of President Vladimir Putin who was deputy governor of the Russian central bank until his retirement on November 30.

Butina was charged by prosecutors in July with acting as an agent of Russia's government and conspiracy to take actions on behalf of Moscow. She had earlier pleaded not guilty before changing her plea during Thursday's hearing.

Prosecutors accused Butina, who was jailed awaiting trial, of working with a Russian official and two US citizens to try to infiltrate the National Rifle Association, a group closely aligned with Republican politicians including Republican President Donald Trump, and sway Washington's policy toward Moscow.

(With inputs from agencies)

Kremlin on Friday held the accusations made by Maria Butina, the first Russian to be convicted of working to influence US policy during the 2016 presidential race as "absolutely unfounded".

Kremlin on Friday held the accusations made by Maria Butina, the first Russian to be convicted of working to influence US policy during the 2016 presidential race as "absolutely unfounded". "We consider the accusations against her as absolutely unfounded," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had "reasons to believe" the Russian had been kept in conditions designed to break her will and lead her to enter a false guilty plea. "As far as I understand, this plea bargain -- the likes of which are common in the US -- is part of a deal to get free and return home as soon as possible," Lavrov said in comments reported by agencies. Butina on Thursday pleaded guilty in a US court to a single conspiracy charge in a deal with prosecutors and admitted to working with a top Russian official to infiltrate a powerful gun-rights group. She also admitted to influencing US policy towards Moscow and making inroads with American conservative activists and the Republican Party as an agent for Moscow. Butina, a Russian former graduate student at American University in Washington admitted to the accusations at a court hearing in Washington before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Thursday. Prosecutors said she launched a plan in 2015 to develop ties with the Republican Party with the aim of influencing US foreign policy. The plot was allegedly guided and financed in part by Alexander Torshin, an ally of President Vladimir Putin who was deputy governor of the Russian central bank until his retirement on November 30. Butina was charged by prosecutors in July with acting as an agent of Russia's government and conspiracy to take actions on behalf of Moscow. She had earlier pleaded not guilty before changing her plea during Thursday's hearing. Prosecutors accused Butina, who was jailed awaiting trial, of working with a Russian official and two US citizens to try to infiltrate the National Rifle Association, a group closely aligned with Republican politicians including Republican President Donald Trump, and sway Washington's policy toward Moscow. (With inputs from agencies)

US accusations against Russian Butina 'absolutely unfounded': Kremlin

The Arctic had its second-hottest year on record in 2018, part of a warming trend that may be dramatically changing earth's weather patterns, according to a report released on Tuesday by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

"Arctic air temperatures for the past five years have exceeded all previous records since 1900," according to the annual NOAA study, the 2018 Arctic Report Card, which said the year was second only to 2016 in overall warmth in the region.

It marks the latest in a series of warnings about climate change from US&nbsp;government bodies, even as President Donald Trump has voiced scepticism about the phenomenon and has pushed a pro-fossil fuels agenda.

The study said the Arctic warming continues at about double the rate of the rest of the planet, and that the trend appears to be altering the shape and strength of the jet stream air current that influences weather in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Growing atmospheric warmth in the Arctic results in a sluggish and unusually wavy jet-stream that coincided with abnormal weather events," it said, noting that the changing patterns have often brought unusually frigid temperatures to areas south of the Arctic Circle.

Some examples are "a swarm of severe winter storms in the eastern United States in 2018 and the extreme cold outbreak in Europe in March 2018 known as 'the Beast from the East.'"

Environmentalists have long warned of rapid warming in the Arctic, saying it threatens imperiled species like polar bears and is a harbinger of the broader impacts of climate change on the planet.

Scientists have warned that the region could suffer trillions of dollars worth of climate change-related damage to infrastructure in the coming decades.

But the melting of Arctic ice has piqued the interests of polar nations like the United States, Canada and Russia by opening new shipping routes and expanding access to a region believed to be rich in petroleum and minerals.

The United States and Russia have both expressed an interest in boosting Arctic drilling, and Russia has bolstered its military presence in the north.

The NOAA report comes weeks after more than a dozen US government agencies released a study concluding that climate change is driven by human consumption of fossil fuels and will cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century.

Trump, who has been rolling back Obama-era environmental and climate protections to maximize production of domestic fossil fuels, said of the update to the National Climate Assessment: "I don't believe it."

Trump last year announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Deal agreed by nearly 200 nations to combat climate change, arguing the accord would kill jobs and provide little tangible environmental benefit.

The Arctic had its second-hottest year on record in 2018, part of a warming trend that may be dramatically changing earth's weather patterns, according to a report released on Tuesday by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Arctic had its second-hottest year on record in 2018, part of a warming trend that may be dramatically changing earth's weather patterns, according to a report released on Tuesday by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. "Arctic air temperatures for the past five years have exceeded all previous records since 1900," according to the annual NOAA study, the 2018 Arctic Report Card, which said the year was second only to 2016 in overall warmth in the region. It marks the latest in a series of warnings about climate change from US government bodies, even as President Donald Trump has voiced scepticism about the phenomenon and has pushed a pro-fossil fuels agenda. The study said the Arctic warming continues at about double the rate of the rest of the planet, and that the trend appears to be altering the shape and strength of the jet stream air current that influences weather in the Northern Hemisphere. "Growing atmospheric warmth in the Arctic results in a sluggish and unusually wavy jet-stream that coincided with abnormal weather events," it said, noting that the changing patterns have often brought unusually frigid temperatures to areas south of the Arctic Circle. Some examples are "a swarm of severe winter storms in the eastern United States in 2018 and the extreme cold outbreak in Europe in March 2018 known as 'the Beast from the East.'" Environmentalists have long warned of rapid warming in the Arctic, saying it threatens imperiled species like polar bears and is a harbinger of the broader impacts of climate change on the planet. Scientists have warned that the region could suffer trillions of dollars worth of climate change-related damage to infrastructure in the coming decades. But the melting of Arctic ice has piqued the interests of polar nations like the United States, Canada and Russia by opening new shipping routes and expanding access to a region believed to be rich in petroleum and minerals. The United States and Russia have both expressed an interest in boosting Arctic drilling, and Russia has bolstered its military presence in the north. The NOAA report comes weeks after more than a dozen US government agencies released a study concluding that climate change is driven by human consumption of fossil fuels and will cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century. Trump, who has been rolling back Obama-era environmental and climate protections to maximize production of domestic fossil fuels, said of the update to the National Climate Assessment: "I don't believe it." Trump last year announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Deal agreed by nearly 200 nations to combat climate change, arguing the accord would kill jobs and provide little tangible environmental benefit.

Arctic posts second warmest year on record in 2018

A woman accused of acting as a Russian agent to infiltrate a powerful gun lobby group and influence US policy toward Moscow pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy in federal court on Thursday in a deal with prosecutors that could give them insight into Russian meddling in American politics.

Maria Butina, a Russian former graduate student at American University in Washington who publicly advocated for gun rights, entered the plea at a court hearing in Washington before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan. She also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Clad in a green jumpsuit with her red hair pulled back in a long braid, Butina replied "absolutely" when asked by Chutkan if her mind was clear as she prepared to enter her plea of guilty.

Butina was charged by prosecutors in July with acting as an agent of Russia's government and conspiracy to take actions on behalf of Moscow. She had earlier pleaded not guilty before changing her plea during Thursday's hearing.

Prosecutors accused Butina, who was jailed awaiting trial, of working with a Russian official and two US citizens to try to infiltrate the National Rifle Association, a group closely aligned with Republican politicians including Republican President Donald Trump, and sway Washington's policy toward Moscow.

Although there are no sentencing guidelines for her specific crime, her lawyer, Robert Driscoll, estimated that under US sentencing guidelines for similar crimes she could face up to six months in prison. Butina also faces the possibility of deportation to Russia after she finishes whatever sentence she is given.

As part of Butina's ongoing cooperation in the case, the judge did not set a sentencing date. A status hearing was scheduled for February 12.

In the statement of offense read aloud in court, one of the prosecutors said Butina had drafted a March 2015 "Diplomacy Project" that called for establishing unofficial back channels of communication between high-ranking American politicians to help benefit Russia.

As part of that plan, she acknowledged that she conspired with two Americans and a Russian official.

Butina's lawyers previously identified the Russian official as Alexander Torshin, a deputy governor of Russia's central bank who was targeted with US Treasury Department sanctions in April.

One of the two Americans referenced in the prosecution's criminal complaint was Paul Erickson, a conservative US political activist who was dating Butina.

Neither his name, nor the Russian official's name, were explicitly made in the statement of offense, though Erickson's description appears to match that of Person 1 mentioned in the statement of offense read in court.

That statement said Person 1 helped advise Butina which American politicians she should target for meetings, and her plan was carried out on behalf of the Russian official.

'CIRCUMSTANCES WERE FAVORABLE'

"Butina opined that the circumstances were favorable for building relations with a certain US political party," the statement added, in an apparent reference to the Republican Party. "Butina predicted that the candidate nominated by Political Party #1 would likely win the upcoming US presidential election."

The "Diplomacy Project" document was crafted by Butina with help from Person 1, prosecutors said. To carry out the plan, Butina requested $125,000 from a Russian billionaire to attend conferences and set up "separate meetings with interested parties" such as other Russian businessmen or people with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they said.

In April 2015, Butina travelled to the United States to attend a gun rights event, the description of which appears to match that of the NRA's annual meeting, prosecutors said. At that event, she was "introduced to influential members of Political Party #1," they added.

An attorney for Erickson could not be immediately reached for comment.

After she was charged, Russia labeled the case against Butina "fabricated" and called for her release. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about Butina on Tuesday in Moscow, a day after US court filings indicated she would plea guilty in Washington.

"She risks 15 years in jail. For what?" Putin asked . "...I asked all the heads of our intelligence services what is going on. Nobody knows anything about her."

The prosecutors in the Butina case are not from the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 US election and whether Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow to help him win.

Nevertheless, Butina becomes with her guilty plea the first Russian citizen to be convicted of working to shape US policy in the time period spanning the 2016 election campaign. Mueller has brought criminal charges against a series of Russian individuals and entities but those cases are still pending.

The prosecution's complaint against Butina did not mention Trump's campaign by name. Reuters previously reported that Butina was a Trump supporter who bragged at Washington parties that she could use her political connections to help people get jobs in his administration.

Butina even asked Trump a question at a gathering of US conservatives in Las Vegas in 2015 when he was running for president, querying him about American relations with Russia and economic sanctions imposed on Moscow by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Trump responded that as president he would "get along very nicely with Putin" and "I don't think you'd need the sanctions."

Trump has denied any collusion with Moscow. Russia has denied interfering in American politics.

A woman accused of acting as a Russian agent to infiltrate a powerful gun lobby group and influence US policy toward Moscow pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy in federal court on Thursday in a deal with prosecutors that could give them insight into Russian meddling in American politics.

A woman accused of acting as a Russian agent to infiltrate a powerful gun lobby group and influence US policy toward Moscow pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy in federal court on Thursday in a deal with prosecutors that could give them insight into Russian meddling in American politics. Maria Butina, a Russian former graduate student at American University in Washington who publicly advocated for gun rights, entered the plea at a court hearing in Washington before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan. She also agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Clad in a green jumpsuit with her red hair pulled back in a long braid, Butina replied "absolutely" when asked by Chutkan if her mind was clear as she prepared to enter her plea of guilty. Butina was charged by prosecutors in July with acting as an agent of Russia's government and conspiracy to take actions on behalf of Moscow. She had earlier pleaded not guilty before changing her plea during Thursday's hearing. Prosecutors accused Butina, who was jailed awaiting trial, of working with a Russian official and two US citizens to try to infiltrate the National Rifle Association, a group closely aligned with Republican politicians including Republican President Donald Trump, and sway Washington's policy toward Moscow. Although there are no sentencing guidelines for her specific crime, her lawyer, Robert Driscoll, estimated that under US sentencing guidelines for similar crimes she could face up to six months in prison. Butina also faces the possibility of deportation to Russia after she finishes whatever sentence she is given. As part of Butina's ongoing cooperation in the case, the judge did not set a sentencing date. A status hearing was scheduled for February 12. In the statement of offense read aloud in court, one of the prosecutors said Butina had drafted a March 2015 "Diplomacy Project" that called for establishing unofficial back channels of communication between high-ranking American politicians to help benefit Russia. As part of that plan, she acknowledged that she conspired with two Americans and a Russian official. Butina's lawyers previously identified the Russian official as Alexander Torshin, a deputy governor of Russia's central bank who was targeted with US Treasury Department sanctions in April. One of the two Americans referenced in the prosecution's criminal complaint was Paul Erickson, a conservative US political activist who was dating Butina. Neither his name, nor the Russian official's name, were explicitly made in the statement of offense, though Erickson's description appears to match that of Person 1 mentioned in the statement of offense read in court. That statement said Person 1 helped advise Butina which American politicians she should target for meetings, and her plan was carried out on behalf of the Russian official. 'CIRCUMSTANCES WERE FAVORABLE' "Butina opined that the circumstances were favorable for building relations with a certain US political party," the statement added, in an apparent reference to the Republican Party. "Butina predicted that the candidate nominated by Political Party #1 would likely win the upcoming US presidential election." The "Diplomacy Project" document was crafted by Butina with help from Person 1, prosecutors said. To carry out the plan, Butina requested $125,000 from a Russian billionaire to attend conferences and set up "separate meetings with interested parties" such as other Russian businessmen or people with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they said. In April 2015, Butina travelled to the United States to attend a gun rights event, the description of which appears to match that of the NRA's annual meeting, prosecutors said. At that event, she was "introduced to influential members of Political Party #1," they added. An attorney for Erickson could not be immediately reached for comment. After she was charged, Russia labeled the case against Butina "fabricated" and called for her release. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about Butina on Tuesday in Moscow, a day after US court filings indicated she would plea guilty in Washington. "She risks 15 years in jail. For what?" Putin asked . "...I asked all the heads of our intelligence services what is going on. Nobody knows anything about her." The prosecutors in the Butina case are not from the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 US election and whether Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow to help him win. Nevertheless, Butina becomes with her guilty plea the first Russian citizen to be convicted of working to shape US policy in the time period spanning the 2016 election campaign. Mueller has brought criminal charges against a series of Russian individuals and entities but those cases are still pending. The prosecution's complaint against Butina did not mention Trump's campaign by name. Reuters previously reported that Butina was a Trump supporter who bragged at Washington parties that she could use her political connections to help people get jobs in his administration. Butina even asked Trump a question at a gathering of US conservatives in Las Vegas in 2015 when he was running for president, querying him about American relations with Russia and economic sanctions imposed on Moscow by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Trump responded that as president he would "get along very nicely with Putin" and "I don't think you'd need the sanctions." Trump has denied any collusion with Moscow. Russia has denied interfering in American politics.

Accused Russian agent Maria Butina pleads guilty in US to conspiracy

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected as "unilateral and politically motivated" the U<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-adds-pakistan-to-blacklist-for-religious-freedom-violations-183342">S' decision to place it on its annual list </a>of nations that infringe on religious freedom.

The Trump administration on Tuesday designated Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and seven others as countries of particular concern for having engaged in or tolerated "systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom."

"Pakistan rejects the US State Department's unilateral and politically motivated pronouncement released in the context of its annual religious freedom report," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"Besides the clear biases reflected from these designations, there are serious questions on the credentials and impartiality of the self-proclaimed jury involved in this unwarranted exercise," it said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-warns-global-users-their-tweets-violate-pakistani-law-183101">Pakistan is a multi-religious and pluralistic society </a>where people of diverse faiths and denominations live together, including around 4 per cent of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, it said.

Ensuring equal treatment of minorities and their enjoyment of human rights without any discrimination is the cardinal principle of the Constitution of Pakistan, the statement said.

It also called for an honest self-introspection to know the causes of the exponential rise in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in the US.

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected as "unilateral and politically motivated" the US' decision to place it on its annual list of nations that infringe on religious freedom.

Pakistan on Wednesday rejected as "unilateral and politically motivated" the US' decision to place it on its annual list of nations that infringe on religious freedom. The Trump administration on Tuesday designated Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and seven others as countries of particular concern for having engaged in or tolerated "systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom." "Pakistan rejects the US State Department's unilateral and politically motivated pronouncement released in the context of its annual religious freedom report," the Foreign Office said in a statement. "Besides the clear biases reflected from these designations, there are serious questions on the credentials and impartiality of the self-proclaimed jury involved in this unwarranted exercise," it said. Pakistan is a multi-religious and pluralistic society where people of diverse faiths and denominations live together, including around 4 per cent of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, it said. Ensuring equal treatment of minorities and their enjoyment of human rights without any discrimination is the cardinal principle of the Constitution of Pakistan, the statement said. It also called for an honest self-introspection to know the causes of the exponential rise in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in the US.

Reject US government's blacklisting over religious freedom violations: Pakistan

Beijing appears to be easing its push on its "Made in China 2025" industrial policy, which has long irked Washington amid <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trade-negotiations-underway-between-chinese-us-work-teams-chinese-fm-183496">talks between the world's two largest economies </a>to de-escalate trade tensions.

In new guidance to local governments, it has dropped references to "Made in China 2025", an initiative intended to help China catch up with global rivals in key economic areas and promoted hard since it was unveiled in 2015.

The strategy is core to China's aim to transform itself into a global superpower by 2050 and be more competitive in sectors such as robotics, aerospace and clean-energy cars.

But its open efforts to deploy state support and resources to close a technology gap has provoked alarm in the West and blowback from the US administration.

In its 2016 guidance to local governments, the State Council, or cabinet, said local governments that promoted the implementation of "Made in China 2025" while encouraging industrial growth and manufacturing upgrading would be given priority support.

In its latest guidance reported by state media on Wednesday, references to "Made in China 2025" were omitted.

Local governments that have seen results in their promotion of stable industrial growth and upgrading will be given priority support, the state-backed China Information News said, citing a new document from the State Council.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at a December 1 meeting in Argentina to a truce that delayed by 90 days a planned January 1 US increase of tariffs to per cent&nbsp;from 10 per cent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.

The two sides are expected to negotiate over US demands for stronger Chinese protections for US intellectual property, an end to forced technology transfers and greater market access to China for US companies.

In the latest guidance to local governments, the State Council also called for more efforts to promote Chinese exports and attract foreign investment into the world's second-largest economy.

Beijing plans to replace the "Made in China 2025" initiative with a new one to play down China's bid to dominate manufacturing and will seek to be more open to participation by foreign companies, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter.

The new policy could be rolled out early next year, according to the Wall Street Journal report.

INFRASTRUCTURE, POLLUTION

In its guidance to local governments, Beijing also tweaked its priorities to focus more on infrastructure and fighting water pollution while slowing efforts to reduce overcapacity in coal and steel industries.

New infrastructure projects should focus on the construction of roads and waterways.

China last week reported far weaker than expected November exports and imports due to slower global and domestic demand, raising the possibility that authorities will take more measures to keep the country's growth rate from slipping too much.

The State Council said it would give "further support to local governments that achieve outstanding work on some key policies."

One area that will no longer be rewarded with additional funds is the effort to curb overcapacity in China's bloated steel and coal sectors.

It suggests that China, the world's top steel and coal producer, has achieved its planned reduction in overcapacity in these sectors.

China has trimmed 150 million tonnes of steel and 800 million tonnes of coal capacity in the past five years.

China still has around 908 million tonnes of steel capacity and 5.1 billion tonnes of coal capacity.

The State Council will also offer more support to cities, especially those that have relied on primary industries, to improve the environment. It specifically mentioned water pollution and efforts to clean up rural areas.

Beijing has been fighting to clean up the nation after years of breakneck economic growth took their toll on the environment, with its massive steel sector bearing the brunt of its vigorous campaign.

Beijing appears to be easing its push on its "Made in China 2025" industrial policy, which has long irked Washington amid talks between the world's two largest economies to de-escalate trade tensions.

Beijing appears to be easing its push on its "Made in China 2025" industrial policy, which has long irked Washington amid talks between the world's two largest economies to de-escalate trade tensions. In new guidance to local governments, it has dropped references to "Made in China 2025", an initiative intended to help China catch up with global rivals in key economic areas and promoted hard since it was unveiled in 2015. The strategy is core to China's aim to transform itself into a global superpower by 2050 and be more competitive in sectors such as robotics, aerospace and clean-energy cars. But its open efforts to deploy state support and resources to close a technology gap has provoked alarm in the West and blowback from the US administration. In its 2016 guidance to local governments, the State Council, or cabinet, said local governments that promoted the implementation of "Made in China 2025" while encouraging industrial growth and manufacturing upgrading would be given priority support. In its latest guidance reported by state media on Wednesday, references to "Made in China 2025" were omitted. Local governments that have seen results in their promotion of stable industrial growth and upgrading will be given priority support, the state-backed China Information News said, citing a new document from the State Council. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed at a December 1 meeting in Argentina to a truce that delayed by 90 days a planned January 1 US increase of tariffs to per cent from 10 per cent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. The two sides are expected to negotiate over US demands for stronger Chinese protections for US intellectual property, an end to forced technology transfers and greater market access to China for US companies. In the latest guidance to local governments, the State Council also called for more efforts to promote Chinese exports and attract foreign investment into the world's second-largest economy. Beijing plans to replace the "Made in China 2025" initiative with a new one to play down China's bid to dominate manufacturing and will seek to be more open to participation by foreign companies, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter. The new policy could be rolled out early next year, according to the Wall Street Journal report. INFRASTRUCTURE, POLLUTION In its guidance to local governments, Beijing also tweaked its priorities to focus more on infrastructure and fighting water pollution while slowing efforts to reduce overcapacity in coal and steel industries. New infrastructure projects should focus on the construction of roads and waterways. China last week reported far weaker than expected November exports and imports due to slower global and domestic demand, raising the possibility that authorities will take more measures to keep the country's growth rate from slipping too much. The State Council said it would give "further support to local governments that achieve outstanding work on some key policies." One area that will no longer be rewarded with additional funds is the effort to curb overcapacity in China's bloated steel and coal sectors. It suggests that China, the world's top steel and coal producer, has achieved its planned reduction in overcapacity in these sectors. China has trimmed 150 million tonnes of steel and 800 million tonnes of coal capacity in the past five years. China still has around 908 million tonnes of steel capacity and 5.1 billion tonnes of coal capacity. The State Council will also offer more support to cities, especially those that have relied on primary industries, to improve the environment. It specifically mentioned water pollution and efforts to clean up rural areas. Beijing has been fighting to clean up the nation after years of breakneck economic growth took their toll on the environment, with its massive steel sector bearing the brunt of its vigorous campaign.

Beijing eases back on 'Made in China 2025' amid trade talks with US

Global stock markets rallied Wednesday on upbeat China-US trade news, while the pound hit yet another 20-month low as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-may-to-challenge-leadership-contest-says-ousting-would-delay-brexit-183454">British Prime Minister Theresa May</a> faces a no-confidence vote.

Oil prices jumped one dollar as volatility continued to grip world crude markets.

A flurry of positive developments in the tariffs stand-off between the world's top economies provided early Christmas cheer on trading floors, fuelling hopes an all-out trade war can be avoided.

In afternoon deals, Frankfurt fizzed 0.9 per cent higher, London won 1.1 per cent and Paris added 1.6 per cent.&nbsp;

The positivity spilled over from Asia, where Tokyo ended 2.2 per cent higher and Shanghai rose 0.3 per cent, while Hong Kong jumped 1.6 per cent.

"The equity markets are taking encouragement from recent reports of a potential truce in the US-China trade dispute," noted VTB Capital analyst Neil MacKinnon.

Canada on Tuesday released on bail <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-freed-on-bail-leaves-courthouse-183504">Meng Wanzhou</a>, chief financial officer (CFO) at Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, whose arrest last week sparked fury in Beijing and worries about a truce agreed at the G20 by Donald Trump and Xi Jinping this month.

Providing some extra support to the news of Meng's release was an interview in which Trump said he could intervene in the case if it helps seal a trade pact with China, adding: "Whatever's good for this country, I would do."

China added to market-friendly noise by saying it had agreed to cut tariffs on US autos to 15 per cent from 40 per cent -- wiping out a levy imposed earlier this year in response to US measures.&nbsp;

Investors welcomed the headlines but sounded a note of caution.

"Newsflow regarding developments in the US-China trade dispute has been notoriously erratic and positive news can quickly give way to negative news," added MacKinnon.

May no-confidence vote

The British pound meanwhile ducked as low as $1.2478 -- a level last seen in April 2017 -- in a torrid week for the Brexit-hit currency.

The latest low came as the head of a Conservative Party committee in charge of organising leadership challenges announced that May would Wednesday face a no-confidence vote over her Brexit negotiations.

The weak pound boosts London-listed multinationals whose earnings abroad are converted back into sterling, handing a fillip to the FTSE 100 shares index.

The news came after May had delayed Tuesday's parliamentary vote on her EU divorce agreement to avert a crushing defeat.

In midday deals, sterling clawed background to stand at $1.2534, up from $1.2487 late on Tuesday.

"So far sterling has played the waiting game in regards to the impending vote of no-confidence in Theresa May," noted Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell.

"If the prime minister comes out the other side with her job intact, then it takes one of the many uncertainties that have swirled around UK politics for the last few months off the table.

"If she loses, on the other hand, then well, the pound's likely going to have a very unpleasant run-in to Christmas."

Global stock markets rallied Wednesday on upbeat China-US trade news, while the pound hit yet another 20-month low as British Prime Minister Theresa May faces a no-confidence vote.

Global stock markets rallied Wednesday on upbeat China-US trade news, while the pound hit yet another 20-month low as British Prime Minister Theresa May faces a no-confidence vote. Oil prices jumped one dollar as volatility continued to grip world crude markets. A flurry of positive developments in the tariffs stand-off between the world's top economies provided early Christmas cheer on trading floors, fuelling hopes an all-out trade war can be avoided. In afternoon deals, Frankfurt fizzed 0.9 per cent higher, London won 1.1 per cent and Paris added 1.6 per cent. The positivity spilled over from Asia, where Tokyo ended 2.2 per cent higher and Shanghai rose 0.3 per cent, while Hong Kong jumped 1.6 per cent. "The equity markets are taking encouragement from recent reports of a potential truce in the US-China trade dispute," noted VTB Capital analyst Neil MacKinnon. Canada on Tuesday released on bail Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer (CFO) at Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, whose arrest last week sparked fury in Beijing and worries about a truce agreed at the G20 by Donald Trump and Xi Jinping this month. Providing some extra support to the news of Meng's release was an interview in which Trump said he could intervene in the case if it helps seal a trade pact with China, adding: "Whatever's good for this country, I would do." China added to market-friendly noise by saying it had agreed to cut tariffs on US autos to 15 per cent from 40 per cent -- wiping out a levy imposed earlier this year in response to US measures. Investors welcomed the headlines but sounded a note of caution. "Newsflow regarding developments in the US-China trade dispute has been notoriously erratic and positive news can quickly give way to negative news," added MacKinnon. May no-confidence vote The British pound meanwhile ducked as low as $1.2478 -- a level last seen in April 2017 -- in a torrid week for the Brexit-hit currency. The latest low came as the head of a Conservative Party committee in charge of organising leadership challenges announced that May would Wednesday face a no-confidence vote over her Brexit negotiations. The weak pound boosts London-listed multinationals whose earnings abroad are converted back into sterling, handing a fillip to the FTSE 100 shares index. The news came after May had delayed Tuesday's parliamentary vote on her EU divorce agreement to avert a crushing defeat. In midday deals, sterling clawed background to stand at $1.2534, up from $1.2487 late on Tuesday. "So far sterling has played the waiting game in regards to the impending vote of no-confidence in Theresa May," noted Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell. "If the prime minister comes out the other side with her job intact, then it takes one of the many uncertainties that have swirled around UK politics for the last few months off the table. "If she loses, on the other hand, then well, the pound's likely going to have a very unpleasant run-in to Christmas."

World stocks rally on China-US trade; pound slides on UK turmoil

China on Wednesday said that trade negotiations are underway between Chinese and US work teams and China hopes that the two sides can work together to create the necessary conditions for achieving a good result.

Lu Kang, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, made the remarks when commenting on the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries after Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

"According to the consensus reached by the two heads of state, work teams from both sides will step up consultations to resolve the differences between China and the US in the economic and trade field as soon as possible and achieve a result satisfactory to both sides. As far as I know, work teams of both sides are stepping up consultations now. We hope that the two sides can meet with each other halfway so as to create the necessary atmosphere and conditions for achieving a good result," said Lu.

Lu also mentioned that China's Vice Premier Liu He, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had talked on the phone recently, and the two sides have drawn a roadmap and a timetable for further stepping up the consultations.

China on Wednesday said that trade negotiations are underway between Chinese and US work teams and China hopes that the two sides can work together to create the necessary conditions for achieving a good result.

China on Wednesday said that trade negotiations are underway between Chinese and US work teams and China hopes that the two sides can work together to create the necessary conditions for achieving a good result. Lu Kang, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, made the remarks when commenting on the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries after Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the sidelines of the G20 summit. "According to the consensus reached by the two heads of state, work teams from both sides will step up consultations to resolve the differences between China and the US in the economic and trade field as soon as possible and achieve a result satisfactory to both sides. As far as I know, work teams of both sides are stepping up consultations now. We hope that the two sides can meet with each other halfway so as to create the necessary atmosphere and conditions for achieving a good result," said Lu. Lu also mentioned that China's Vice Premier Liu He, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had talked on the phone recently, and the two sides have drawn a roadmap and a timetable for further stepping up the consultations.

Trade negotiations underway between Chinese, US work teams: Chinese FM

Pakistan rejects US blacklisting over religious freedom violations

The United States said Tuesday it has added Pakistan to its blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom, ramping up pressure over its treatment of minorities.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had designated Pakistan among "countries of particular concern" in a congressionally mandated annual report, a year after the State Department put Pakistan on a watchlist without legal consequences.

Pompeo a year earlier had placed Pakistan on a special watch list -- a step short of the designation -- in what had been seen as a US tactic to press Islamabad into reforms.

Human rights advocates have long voiced worry about the treatment of minorities in Pakistan, including Shiites, Ahmadis and Christians.

This comes at a time when the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/us-blocks-aid-to-pakistan-4271">Trump administration suspended &nbsp;$3 billion security aid to Pakistan </a>over its failure to counter terrorist groups.

US president Donald Trump said earlier that Pakistan did not "do a damn thing" for the US despite billions of dollars in American aid for the South Asian nation.

Responding to him Pak PM Imran Khan said that the US aid to Pakistan was a "miniscule" $20 billion, while the country lost 75,000 people and more than $123 billion fighting the 'US War on Terror'.

Trump became the first US president to announce the suspension of security aid to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fatf-dissatisfied-over-pakistans-efforts-to-combat-terror-financing-report-172508">Financial Action Task Force (FATF) </a>had also placed Pakistan on the grey list for failing to curb anti-terror financing.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States said Tuesday it has added Pakistan to its blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom, ramping up pressure over its treatment of minorities.

The United States said Tuesday it has added Pakistan to its blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom, ramping up pressure over its treatment of minorities. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had designated Pakistan among "countries of particular concern" in a congressionally mandated annual report, a year after the State Department put Pakistan on a watchlist without legal consequences. Pompeo a year earlier had placed Pakistan on a special watch list -- a step short of the designation -- in what had been seen as a US tactic to press Islamabad into reforms. Human rights advocates have long voiced worry about the treatment of minorities in Pakistan, including Shiites, Ahmadis and Christians. This comes at a time when the Trump administration suspended $3 billion security aid to Pakistan over its failure to counter terrorist groups. US president Donald Trump said earlier that Pakistan did not "do a damn thing" for the US despite billions of dollars in American aid for the South Asian nation. Responding to him Pak PM Imran Khan said that the US aid to Pakistan was a "miniscule" $20 billion, while the country lost 75,000 people and more than $123 billion fighting the 'US War on Terror'. Trump became the first US president to announce the suspension of security aid to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had also placed Pakistan on the grey list for failing to curb anti-terror financing. (With inputs from agencies)

US adds Pakistan to blacklist for religious freedom violations

A 38-year-old Indian national has been arrested on charges of smuggling foreign nationals into the US for private financial gain, according to Department of Justice.

Bhavin Patel is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to bring in and harbour aliens and six counts of smuggling foreign nationals into the US via commercial airline flights, New Jersey US Attorney Craig Carpenito said on Monday.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on December 18, 2018, before US District Judge John Michael Vazquez. Arrested by special agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on December 7, at Newark Liberty International Airport, Patel if convicted faces a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison.

Each substantive charge of smuggling carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison.

In its court papers, HSI said that it's beginning in October 2013, an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a smuggler began meeting with Patel in Bangkok. Patel told the undercover law enforcement officer that he wanted to smuggle Indian nationals into the US.

On three occasions, Patel or his conspirator transported the Indian nationals to an airport in Thailand, at which point the undercover law enforcement officer would purportedly use his contacts to smuggle them into the US via commercial airline flights.

Patel agreed to wire down payments for each individual to be smuggled into the US and to pay a balance of tens of thousands of dollars for each individual once the foreign nationals arrived in the United States, HSI alleged in its court papers.

Over the ensuing months, Patel arranged for six Indian nationals to be brought to Thailand for smuggling into the United States via Newark Liberty International Airport, HIS alleged.&nbsp;

A 38-year-old Indian national has been arrested on charges of smuggling foreign nationals into the US for private financial gain, according to Department of Justice.

A 38-year-old Indian national has been arrested on charges of smuggling foreign nationals into the US for private financial gain, according to Department of Justice. Bhavin Patel is charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to bring in and harbour aliens and six counts of smuggling foreign nationals into the US via commercial airline flights, New Jersey US Attorney Craig Carpenito said on Monday. He is scheduled to be arraigned on December 18, 2018, before US District Judge John Michael Vazquez. Arrested by special agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on December 7, at Newark Liberty International Airport, Patel if convicted faces a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison. Each substantive charge of smuggling carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison. In its court papers, HSI said that it's beginning in October 2013, an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a smuggler began meeting with Patel in Bangkok. Patel told the undercover law enforcement officer that he wanted to smuggle Indian nationals into the US. On three occasions, Patel or his conspirator transported the Indian nationals to an airport in Thailand, at which point the undercover law enforcement officer would purportedly use his contacts to smuggle them into the US via commercial airline flights. Patel agreed to wire down payments for each individual to be smuggled into the US and to pay a balance of tens of thousands of dollars for each individual once the foreign nationals arrived in the United States, HSI alleged in its court papers. Over the ensuing months, Patel arranged for six Indian nationals to be brought to Thailand for smuggling into the United States via Newark Liberty International Airport, HIS alleged.

Indian arrested on charges of smuggling foreign nationals into US

Gold prices held steady near a five-month peak hit early on Monday, supported by a disappointing US&nbsp;jobs report that fuelled speculation that the Federal Reserve may stop raising interest rates sooner than expected.

Spot gold was up 0.1 per cent at $1,248.96 per ounce, as of 0432 GMT, after hitting its highest since July 11 at $1,250.55 earlier in the session.

US&nbsp;gold futures rose 0.1 per cent to $1,254.2 per ounce.

US&nbsp;non-farm payrolls increased by 155,000 jobs last month, below economists' median forecast of 200,000 jobs and the wage increase was softer than expected.

Some Fed policymakers have struck a cautious tone about the economic outlook, possibly flagging a turning point in its monetary policy.

Gold tends to gain when rate hike expectations recede because lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. Lower interest rates also tend to weigh on US&nbsp;yields and the dollar, in which gold is priced.

"There is also some safe-haven demand coming back in gold," said Argonaut Securities analyst Helen Lau.

The dollar slipped against the yen and the euro, while global stocks extended their slump on worries over slowing growth and fears that a fresh flare-up in tensions between US&nbsp;and China could quash chances of a trade deal.

"A number of tailwinds are in place for it (gold) to move significantly higher during the month including falling US interest rates, a declining or at least a stalling dollar, wobbly US&nbsp;equity markets," INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir said in a note.

"Over the course of December, we see prices trading between $1,230-$1,285 per ounce."

Meanwhile, holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.20 per cent to 759.73 tonnes on Friday.

Spot gold may rise into a range of $1,258-$1,266 per ounce, as it has broken a resistance at $1,245, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Among other precious metals, spot silver was down 0.2 per cent at $14.59 per ounce, while palladium slipped 0.6 per cent to $1,217.10.

Platinum fell 0.3 to $787.80 per ounce. Prices had slipped to their lowest level since September&nbsp;12 to $779 in the previous session.

Gold prices held steady near a five-month peak hit early on Monday, supported by a disappointing US jobs report that fuelled speculation that the Federal Reserve may stop raising interest rates sooner than expected.

Gold prices held steady near a five-month peak hit early on Monday, supported by a disappointing US jobs report that fuelled speculation that the Federal Reserve may stop raising interest rates sooner than expected. Spot gold was up 0.1 per cent at $1,248.96 per ounce, as of 0432 GMT, after hitting its highest since July 11 at $1,250.55 earlier in the session. US gold futures rose 0.1 per cent to $1,254.2 per ounce. US non-farm payrolls increased by 155,000 jobs last month, below economists' median forecast of 200,000 jobs and the wage increase was softer than expected. Some Fed policymakers have struck a cautious tone about the economic outlook, possibly flagging a turning point in its monetary policy. Gold tends to gain when rate hike expectations recede because lower rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. Lower interest rates also tend to weigh on US yields and the dollar, in which gold is priced. "There is also some safe-haven demand coming back in gold," said Argonaut Securities analyst Helen Lau. The dollar slipped against the yen and the euro, while global stocks extended their slump on worries over slowing growth and fears that a fresh flare-up in tensions between US and China could quash chances of a trade deal. "A number of tailwinds are in place for it (gold) to move significantly higher during the month including falling US interest rates, a declining or at least a stalling dollar, wobbly US equity markets," INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir said in a note. "Over the course of December, we see prices trading between $1,230-$1,285 per ounce." Meanwhile, holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.20 per cent to 759.73 tonnes on Friday. Spot gold may rise into a range of $1,258-$1,266 per ounce, as it has broken a resistance at $1,245, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. Among other precious metals, spot silver was down 0.2 per cent at $14.59 per ounce, while palladium slipped 0.6 per cent to $1,217.10. Platinum fell 0.3 to $787.80 per ounce. Prices had slipped to their lowest level since September 12 to $779 in the previous session.

Gold rate stabilizes post five-month peak on easing rate hike view

A series of Gulf and Middle East-related developments suggest that resolving some of the Middle East’s most debilitating and devastating crises while ensuring that efforts to pressure Iran do not perpetuate the mayhem may be easier said than done. They also suggest that the same is true for keeping US and Saudi interests aligned.

Optimists garner hope from the fact that the US Senate may censor Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul; the positive start of Yemeni peace talks in Sweden with an agreement to exchange prisoners, Saudi Arabia’s invitation to Qatar to attend an October 9 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh, and a decision by the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut production.

That optimism, however, may not be borne out by facts on the ground and analysis of developments that are likely to produce at best motion rather than movement. In fact, more fundamentally, what many of the developments suggest is an unacknowledged progressive shift in the region’s alliances stemming in part from the fact that the bandwidth of shared US-Saudi interests is narrowing.

There is no indication that, even if Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani decides to accept an invitation by Saudi king Salman to attend the GCC summit rather than send a lower level delegation or not attend at all, either the kingdom or the United Arab Emirates, the main drivers behind the 17-month old economic and diplomatic boycott of the Gulf state, are open to a face-saving solution despite US pressure to end to the rift.

Signalling that the invitation and an earlier comment by Prince Mohammed that “despite the differences we have, (Qatar) has a great economy and will be doing a lot in the next five years” do not indicate a potential policy shift, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash insisted that the GCC remained strong despite the rift. “The political crisis will end when the cause behind it ends and that is Qatar’s support of extremism and its interference in the stability of the region.,” Gargash said, reiterating long-standing Saudi-UAE allegations.

Similarly, United Nations-sponsored peace talks in Sweden convened with the help of the United States may at best result in alleviating the suffering of millions as a result of the almost four-year-old Saudi-UAE military intervention in Yemen but are unlikely to ensure that a stable resolution of the conflict is achievable without a lowering of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Even humanitarian relief remains in question with the parties in Sweden unable to agree on a reopening of Sana’a airport to facilitate the flow of aid.

More realistically, with the Trump administration, backed by Saudi Arabia and Israel, determined to cripple Iran economically in a bid to force it to alter its regional policies, if not change the regime in Tehran, chances are the Yemeni conflict will be perpetuated rather than resolved.

To Yemen’s detriment, Iran is emerging as one of the foremost remaining shared US-Saudi interests as the two countries struggle to manage their relationship in the wake of Khashoggi’s killing. That struggle is evident with the kingdom’s Washington backers divided between erstwhile backers-turned-vehement critics like Republican senator Graham Lindsey and hardline supporters such as national security advisor John Bolton. The jury is out on who will emerge on top in the Washington debate.

The risks of the Saud-Iranian rivalry spinning out of control possibly with the support of hardliners like Mr. Bolton were evident in this week’s suicide bombing in the Iranian port of Chabahar, an Indian-backed project granted a waiver from US sanctions against the Islamic republic to counter influence of China that support the nearby Pakistani port of Gwadar.

Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Revolutionary Guards spokesman Brigadier General Ramadan Sharif, suggested without providing evidence that Saudi Arabia was complicit in the attack that targeted the city’s police headquarters, killing two people and wounding 40 others.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, believed to be close to the Guards, said the attack was the work of Ansar al-Furqan, an Iranian Sunni jihadi group that Iran claims enjoy Saudi backing.

Iran's allegation of Saudi complicity is partly grounded in the fact that a Saudi thinktank linked to Prince Mohammed last year advocated fuelling an insurgency in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan that incudes Chabahar in a bid to thwart the port development while Bolton before becoming US President Donald J. Trump’s advisor called for US support of ethnic minorities in Iran.

In a bid to create building blocks for the fuelling of ethnic insurgencies in Iran, Pakistani militants have said that Saudi Arabia had in recent years poured money into militant anti-Iranian, anti-Shiite madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that borders on Sistan and Baluchistan.

The divergence of US-Saudi interests, agreement on Iran notwithstanding, was on display in this week’s defeat of a US effort to get the UN General Assembly to condemn Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia, despite the kingdom’s denunciation of Hamas as a terrorist organization and its demand that Qatar halt support of it, voted against the resolution.

The vote suggested that Trump may be hoping in vain for Saudi backing of his as yet undisclosed plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute that is believed to be slanted towards Israel’s position.

Saudi ambassador to the UN Abdallah Al-Mouallimi said the defeated UN resolution would “undermine the two-state solution which we aspire to” and divert attention from Israel’s occupation, settlement activities and “blockade” of territories occupied during the 1967 Middle East war.

Saudi Arabia’s changing status and the divergence of longer-term US-Saudi interests was also evident in this week’s OPEC meeting in Vienna.

To get an OPEC deal on production levels, the kingdom, once the oil market’s dominant swing producer, needed an agreement with non-OPEC member Russia on production levels as well as Russian assistance in managing Iranian resistance, suggesting

The agreement, moreover, had to balance Trump’s frequently tweeted demand for lower prices, and the kingdom's need for higher ones to fund its budgetary requirements and Prince Mohammed’s ambitious economic reforms and demonstrate that the Khashoggi affair had not made it more vulnerable to US pressure.

The emerging divergence of US-Saudi interests in part reflects a wider debate within America's foreign policy community about what values the United States and US diplomats should be promoting.

With some of Trump's ambassadorial political appointees expressing support for populist, nationalist and authoritarian leaders and political groups, the fact that some of the president's closest Congressional allies back the anti-Saudi resolution illustrates that there are red lines that a significant number of the president’s supporters are not willing to cross.

All told, recent developments in the Middle East put a spotlight on the changing nature of a key US relationship in the Middle East that could have far-reaching consequences over the middle and long-term. It is a change that is part of a larger, global shift in US priorities and alliances that is likely to outlive Trump’s term(s) in office.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A series of Gulf and Middle East-related developments suggest that resolving some of the Middle East’s most debilitating and devastating crises while ensuring that efforts to pressure Iran do not perpetuate the mayhem may be easier said than done.

A series of Gulf and Middle East-related developments suggest that resolving some of the Middle East’s most debilitating and devastating crises while ensuring that efforts to pressure Iran do not perpetuate the mayhem may be easier said than done. They also suggest that the same is true for keeping US and Saudi interests aligned. Optimists garner hope from the fact that the US Senate may censor Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul; the positive start of Yemeni peace talks in Sweden with an agreement to exchange prisoners, Saudi Arabia’s invitation to Qatar to attend an October 9 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh, and a decision by the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cut production. That optimism, however, may not be borne out by facts on the ground and analysis of developments that are likely to produce at best motion rather than movement. In fact, more fundamentally, what many of the developments suggest is an unacknowledged progressive shift in the region’s alliances stemming in part from the fact that the bandwidth of shared US-Saudi interests is narrowing. There is no indication that, even if Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani decides to accept an invitation by Saudi king Salman to attend the GCC summit rather than send a lower level delegation or not attend at all, either the kingdom or the United Arab Emirates, the main drivers behind the 17-month old economic and diplomatic boycott of the Gulf state, are open to a face-saving solution despite US pressure to end to the rift. Signalling that the invitation and an earlier comment by Prince Mohammed that “despite the differences we have, (Qatar) has a great economy and will be doing a lot in the next five years” do not indicate a potential policy shift, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash insisted that the GCC remained strong despite the rift. “The political crisis will end when the cause behind it ends and that is Qatar’s support of extremism and its interference in the stability of the region.,” Gargash said, reiterating long-standing Saudi-UAE allegations. Similarly, United Nations-sponsored peace talks in Sweden convened with the help of the United States may at best result in alleviating the suffering of millions as a result of the almost four-year-old Saudi-UAE military intervention in Yemen but are unlikely to ensure that a stable resolution of the conflict is achievable without a lowering of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Even humanitarian relief remains in question with the parties in Sweden unable to agree on a reopening of Sana’a airport to facilitate the flow of aid. More realistically, with the Trump administration, backed by Saudi Arabia and Israel, determined to cripple Iran economically in a bid to force it to alter its regional policies, if not change the regime in Tehran, chances are the Yemeni conflict will be perpetuated rather than resolved. To Yemen’s detriment, Iran is emerging as one of the foremost remaining shared US-Saudi interests as the two countries struggle to manage their relationship in the wake of Khashoggi’s killing. That struggle is evident with the kingdom’s Washington backers divided between erstwhile backers-turned-vehement critics like Republican senator Graham Lindsey and hardline supporters such as national security advisor John Bolton. The jury is out on who will emerge on top in the Washington debate. The risks of the Saud-Iranian rivalry spinning out of control possibly with the support of hardliners like Mr. Bolton were evident in this week’s suicide bombing in the Iranian port of Chabahar, an Indian-backed project granted a waiver from US sanctions against the Islamic republic to counter influence of China that support the nearby Pakistani port of Gwadar. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Revolutionary Guards spokesman Brigadier General Ramadan Sharif, suggested without providing evidence that Saudi Arabia was complicit in the attack that targeted the city’s police headquarters, killing two people and wounding 40 others. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, believed to be close to the Guards, said the attack was the work of Ansar al-Furqan, an Iranian Sunni jihadi group that Iran claims enjoy Saudi backing. Iran's allegation of Saudi complicity is partly grounded in the fact that a Saudi thinktank linked to Prince Mohammed last year advocated fuelling an insurgency in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan that incudes Chabahar in a bid to thwart the port development while Bolton before becoming US President Donald J. Trump’s advisor called for US support of ethnic minorities in Iran. In a bid to create building blocks for the fuelling of ethnic insurgencies in Iran, Pakistani militants have said that Saudi Arabia had in recent years poured money into militant anti-Iranian, anti-Shiite madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that borders on Sistan and Baluchistan. The divergence of US-Saudi interests, agreement on Iran notwithstanding, was on display in this week’s defeat of a US effort to get the UN General Assembly to condemn Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia, despite the kingdom’s denunciation of Hamas as a terrorist organization and its demand that Qatar halt support of it, voted against the resolution. The vote suggested that Trump may be hoping in vain for Saudi backing of his as yet undisclosed plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute that is believed to be slanted towards Israel’s position. Saudi ambassador to the UN Abdallah Al-Mouallimi said the defeated UN resolution would “undermine the two-state solution which we aspire to” and divert attention from Israel’s occupation, settlement activities and “blockade” of territories occupied during the 1967 Middle East war. Saudi Arabia’s changing status and the divergence of longer-term US-Saudi interests was also evident in this week’s OPEC meeting in Vienna. To get an OPEC deal on production levels, the kingdom, once the oil market’s dominant swing producer, needed an agreement with non-OPEC member Russia on production levels as well as Russian assistance in managing Iranian resistance, suggesting The agreement, moreover, had to balance Trump’s frequently tweeted demand for lower prices, and the kingdom's need for higher ones to fund its budgetary requirements and Prince Mohammed’s ambitious economic reforms and demonstrate that the Khashoggi affair had not made it more vulnerable to US pressure. The emerging divergence of US-Saudi interests in part reflects a wider debate within America's foreign policy community about what values the United States and US diplomats should be promoting. With some of Trump's ambassadorial political appointees expressing support for populist, nationalist and authoritarian leaders and political groups, the fact that some of the president's closest Congressional allies back the anti-Saudi resolution illustrates that there are red lines that a significant number of the president’s supporters are not willing to cross. All told, recent developments in the Middle East put a spotlight on the changing nature of a key US relationship in the Middle East that could have far-reaching consequences over the middle and long-term. It is a change that is part of a larger, global shift in US priorities and alliances that is likely to outlive Trump’s term(s) in office. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Diverging US-Saudi interests

India will retain its position as the world's top recipient of remittances this year with its diaspora sending a whopping US $80 billion back home, the World Bank said in a report Saturday.

India is followed by China (US $67 billion), Mexico and the Philippines (US $34 billion each) and Egypt (US $26 billion), according to the global lender.

With this, India has retained its top spot on remittances, according to the latest edition of the World Bank's Migration and Development Brief.

The Bank estimates that officially-recorded remittances to developing countries will increase by 10.8 per cent to reach US $528 billion in 2018. This new record level follows a robust growth of 7.8 per cent in 2017.

Global remittances, which include flows to high-income countries, are projected to grow by 10.3 per cent to US $689 billion, it said.

Over the last three years, India has registered a significant flow of remittances from US $62.7 billion in 2016 to US $65.3 billion 2017. In 2017, remittances constituted 2.7 per cent of India's GDP, it said.

The Bank said remittances to South Asia are projected to increase by 13.5 per cent to US $132 billion in 2018, a stronger pace than the 5.7 per cent growth seen in 2017.

The upsurge is driven by stronger economic conditions in advanced economies, particularly the US, and the increase in oil prices having a positive impact on outflows from some GCC countries such as the UAE which reported a 13 per cent growth in outflows for the first half of 2018.

Bangladesh and Pakistan both experienced strong upticks of 17.9 per cent and 6.2 per cent in 2018, respectively, the Bank said.

For 2019, it is projected that remittances growth for the region will slow to 4.3 per cent due to a moderation of growth in advanced economies, lower migration to the GCC and the benefits from the oil price spurt dissipating.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional inter-governmental political and economic bloc of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

As global growth is projected to moderate, future remittances to low- and middle-income countries are expected to grow moderately by four per cent to reach US $549 billion in 2019. Global remittances are expected to grow 3.7 per cent to US $715 billion in 2019.

The Brief notes that the global average cost of sending US $200 remains high at 6.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2018. Reducing remittance flows to three per cent by 2030 is a global target under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10.7.

Increasing the volume of remittances is also a global goal under the proposals for raising financing for the SDGs, it said.

"Even with technological advances, remittances fees remain too high, double the SDG target of 3 per cent. Opening up markets to competition and promoting the use of low-cost technologies will ease the burden on poorer customers," said Mahmoud Mohieldin, Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, United Nations Relations, and Partnerships at the Bank.

The average cost of remitting in South Asia was the lowest at 5.4 per cent, while Sub-Saharan Africa continued to have the highest at 9 per cent.

No solutions are yet in sight for practices that drive up costs, such as de-risking action of banks, which lead to closure of bank accounts of remittance service providers.

Another persistent factor that keeps fees high is the exclusive partnership between national post office systems and any single money transfer operator, as it allows the operator to charge higher fees to poorer customers dependent on post offices, the Bank said.

"The future growth of remittances is vulnerable to lower oil prices, restrictive migration policies, and an overall moderation of economic growth.

"Remittances have a direct impact on alleviating poverty for many households, and the World Bank is well positioned to work with countries to facilitate remittance flows," said Michal Rutkowski, Senior Director of the Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice at the World Bank.&nbsp;

India will retain its position as the world's top recipient of remittances this year with its diaspora sending a whopping US $80 billion back home, the World Bank said in a report Saturday.

India will retain its position as the world's top recipient of remittances this year with its diaspora sending a whopping US $80 billion back home, the World Bank said in a report Saturday. India is followed by China (US $67 billion), Mexico and the Philippines (US $34 billion each) and Egypt (US $26 billion), according to the global lender. With this, India has retained its top spot on remittances, according to the latest edition of the World Bank's Migration and Development Brief. The Bank estimates that officially-recorded remittances to developing countries will increase by 10.8 per cent to reach US $528 billion in 2018. This new record level follows a robust growth of 7.8 per cent in 2017. Global remittances, which include flows to high-income countries, are projected to grow by 10.3 per cent to US $689 billion, it said. Over the last three years, India has registered a significant flow of remittances from US $62.7 billion in 2016 to US $65.3 billion 2017. In 2017, remittances constituted 2.7 per cent of India's GDP, it said. The Bank said remittances to South Asia are projected to increase by 13.5 per cent to US $132 billion in 2018, a stronger pace than the 5.7 per cent growth seen in 2017. The upsurge is driven by stronger economic conditions in advanced economies, particularly the US, and the increase in oil prices having a positive impact on outflows from some GCC countries such as the UAE which reported a 13 per cent growth in outflows for the first half of 2018. Bangladesh and Pakistan both experienced strong upticks of 17.9 per cent and 6.2 per cent in 2018, respectively, the Bank said. For 2019, it is projected that remittances growth for the region will slow to 4.3 per cent due to a moderation of growth in advanced economies, lower migration to the GCC and the benefits from the oil price spurt dissipating. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional inter-governmental political and economic bloc of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. As global growth is projected to moderate, future remittances to low- and middle-income countries are expected to grow moderately by four per cent to reach US $549 billion in 2019. Global remittances are expected to grow 3.7 per cent to US $715 billion in 2019. The Brief notes that the global average cost of sending US $200 remains high at 6.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2018. Reducing remittance flows to three per cent by 2030 is a global target under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10.7. Increasing the volume of remittances is also a global goal under the proposals for raising financing for the SDGs, it said. "Even with technological advances, remittances fees remain too high, double the SDG target of 3 per cent. Opening up markets to competition and promoting the use of low-cost technologies will ease the burden on poorer customers," said Mahmoud Mohieldin, Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, United Nations Relations, and Partnerships at the Bank. The average cost of remitting in South Asia was the lowest at 5.4 per cent, while Sub-Saharan Africa continued to have the highest at 9 per cent. No solutions are yet in sight for practices that drive up costs, such as de-risking action of banks, which lead to closure of bank accounts of remittance service providers. Another persistent factor that keeps fees high is the exclusive partnership between national post office systems and any single money transfer operator, as it allows the operator to charge higher fees to poorer customers dependent on post offices, the Bank said. "The future growth of remittances is vulnerable to lower oil prices, restrictive migration policies, and an overall moderation of economic growth. "Remittances have a direct impact on alleviating poverty for many households, and the World Bank is well positioned to work with countries to facilitate remittance flows," said Michal Rutkowski, Senior Director of the Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice at the World Bank.

India to retain top position in remittances with US $80 billion: World Bank

Chinese state-run media on Friday condemned the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-immediate-release-of-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-181949">arrest in Canada</a> of a top executive of telecoms giant Huawei on a US extradition request as a "despicable rogue's approach" to contain Chinese high-tech ambitions.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-arrest-canada-pm-justin-trudeau-defends-detaining-meng-wanzhou-182040">arrest of Meng Wanzhou,</a> Huawei's chief financial officer, has angered the Chinese government and raised concerns that it could disrupt a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-and-china-called-a-truce-in-the-trade-war-now-what-181070">trade war truce </a>between the world's two biggest economies.

"The Chinese government should seriously mull over the US tendency to abuse legal procedures to suppress China's high-tech enterprises," said the nationalist tabloid Global Times in an editorial.

"Obviously, Washington is resorting to a despicable rogue's approach as it cannot stop Huawei's 5G advance in the market," it said.

The China Daily warned that "containing Huawei's expansion is detrimental to China-US ties."

US authorities have not disclosed the charges she faces following a publication ban sought by Meng, but "one thing that is undoubtedly true and proven is the US is trying to do whatever it can to contain Huawei's expansion in the world simply because the company is the point man for China's competitive technology companies," the daily said.

Though China's technology sector is still reliant on certain US exports like microchips, Beijing wants to transform the country into a global tech leader with a technological prowess rivalling the United States in a plan dubbed "Made in China 2025".

Huawei is one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment and services providers. Its products are used by carriers around the world, including in Europe and Africa.&nbsp;

But its US business has been tightly constrained by worries it could undermine American competitors and that its cellphones and networking equipment, used widely in other countries, could provide Beijing with avenues for espionage.

Australia, New Zealand and Britain have followed suit this year by rejecting some of the company's services over security concerns.

Chinese netizens have criticised Meng's arrest on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, where online trolls sometimes deliberately incite nationalist fervour or pro-government stances.

Some users viewed the incident as part of the trade war&nbsp;and a broader conspiracy to keep down China's technological development.&nbsp;

"One of the most important reasons why the US started the trade war was to attack China's technology sector and its 'Made in China 2025' plan," wrote one Weibo user.

The goal is to keep China stuck in "low-end industries and force China into the middle-income trap."

The detention of Meng appears to be a "game of politics", wrote another user.

The Huawei executive's arrest follows a US probe into the company's alleged violations of Iran sanctions.

Earlier this year, another Chinese tech firm ZTE nearly collapsed after Washington banned US companies from selling crucial hardware and software components to it for seven years, though the ban was lifted after it agreed to pay a $1 billion fine.

Chinese state-run media on Friday condemned the arrest in Canada of a top executive of telecoms giant Huawei on a US extradition request as a "despicable rogue's approach" to contain Chinese high-tech ambitions.

Chinese state-run media on Friday condemned the arrest in Canada of a top executive of telecoms giant Huawei on a US extradition request as a "despicable rogue's approach" to contain Chinese high-tech ambitions. The arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer, has angered the Chinese government and raised concerns that it could disrupt a trade war truce between the world's two biggest economies. "The Chinese government should seriously mull over the US tendency to abuse legal procedures to suppress China's high-tech enterprises," said the nationalist tabloid Global Times in an editorial. "Obviously, Washington is resorting to a despicable rogue's approach as it cannot stop Huawei's 5G advance in the market," it said. The China Daily warned that "containing Huawei's expansion is detrimental to China-US ties." US authorities have not disclosed the charges she faces following a publication ban sought by Meng, but "one thing that is undoubtedly true and proven is the US is trying to do whatever it can to contain Huawei's expansion in the world simply because the company is the point man for China's competitive technology companies," the daily said. Though China's technology sector is still reliant on certain US exports like microchips, Beijing wants to transform the country into a global tech leader with a technological prowess rivalling the United States in a plan dubbed "Made in China 2025". Huawei is one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment and services providers. Its products are used by carriers around the world, including in Europe and Africa. But its US business has been tightly constrained by worries it could undermine American competitors and that its cellphones and networking equipment, used widely in other countries, could provide Beijing with avenues for espionage. Australia, New Zealand and Britain have followed suit this year by rejecting some of the company's services over security concerns. Chinese netizens have criticised Meng's arrest on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, where online trolls sometimes deliberately incite nationalist fervour or pro-government stances. Some users viewed the incident as part of the trade war and a broader conspiracy to keep down China's technological development. "One of the most important reasons why the US started the trade war was to attack China's technology sector and its 'Made in China 2025' plan," wrote one Weibo user. The goal is to keep China stuck in "low-end industries and force China into the middle-income trap." The detention of Meng appears to be a "game of politics", wrote another user. The Huawei executive's arrest follows a US probe into the company's alleged violations of Iran sanctions. Earlier this year, another Chinese tech firm ZTE nearly collapsed after Washington banned US companies from selling crucial hardware and software components to it for seven years, though the ban was lifted after it agreed to pay a $1 billion fine.

Huawei arrest a 'despicable rogue' action: Report

Nearly half of all American adults have an immediate family member who has experienced incarceration, according to a new study published Thursday that spotlights the extent of mass imprisonment in the United States.

The report comes as President Donald Trump has given his backing to a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming sentences imposed for drug offences, a move that could begin to reduce the prison population after years of spiralling growth.

The study by Cornell University and lobbying group FWD.us found that approximately 45 per cent of American adults (around 113 million people) have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated for at least one night in jail or prison.

It was based on online and phone surveys conducted on a nationally representative sample of 4,041 adults in the summer of 2018.

One in seven<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-happens-if-the-us-terminates-nafta-181728"> US </a>adults has an immediate family member who has been incarcerated for at least one year, and one in 34 adults has had an immediate family member spend 10 years or longer in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-soldier-gets-25-years-in-prison-for-backing-isis-181558"> prison</a>, it added.&nbsp;

An estimated 6.5 million people, or one in 38, have an immediate family member who is currently incarcerated in jail or prison.

Incarceration results in a variety of direct and indirect harms, according to the study.

"Research has shown that even short periods of incarceration can be devastating to people's lives and additional punishments such as fines and fees," it said.

"Restrictions on employment and housing, and the loss of basic human rights limit opportunities for success long after individuals have completed their sentences."

The study found that black people are 50 per cent more likely than white people to have had a family member incarcerated, and three times more likely to have had a family member incarcerated for one year or longer.

People earning under $25,000 per year are 61 per cent more likely than people earning over $100,000 to have had a family member incarcerated and three times more likely to have had a family member in prison for a year or longer.

The report said its findings "should serve as a wake-up call and a stark reminder of how much work is needed to alleviate the harms caused by mass incarceration and unravel the complicated tangle of laws that perpetuate it."

The adoption of successive repressive laws since the 1980s has seen the prison population explode. There are now more than 1.5 million people in state and federal prisons on any given day, and nearly 11 million admissions to local jails each year.

US jail and prison populations are four times larger than in 1980 and the United States continues to incarcerate more people than any other country in the world, the report said.

With 710 prisoners per 100,000 people, the US incarceration rate is far ahead of Western democracies (147 in the United Kingdom, 118 in Canada, 108 in Belgium, 98 in France).

Last month, President Trump announced he would back a bipartisan prison reform brought by a group of Republican and Democratic senators to shorten prison sentences for certain nonviolent offenders.

In particular, it would abolish automatic penalties of 25 years in prison in the event of a third conviction for a drug case, even a minor one.&nbsp;

Hardline conservatives could, however, stall its adoption.

Nearly half of all American adults have an immediate family member who has experienced incarceration, according to a new study published Thursday that spotlights the extent of mass imprisonment in the United States.

Nearly half of all American adults have an immediate family member who has experienced incarceration, according to a new study published Thursday that spotlights the extent of mass imprisonment in the United States. The report comes as President Donald Trump has given his backing to a bipartisan bill aimed at reforming sentences imposed for drug offences, a move that could begin to reduce the prison population after years of spiralling growth. The study by Cornell University and lobbying group FWD.us found that approximately 45 per cent of American adults (around 113 million people) have an immediate family member who has been incarcerated for at least one night in jail or prison. It was based on online and phone surveys conducted on a nationally representative sample of 4,041 adults in the summer of 2018. One in seven US adults has an immediate family member who has been incarcerated for at least one year, and one in 34 adults has had an immediate family member spend 10 years or longer in prison, it added. An estimated 6.5 million people, or one in 38, have an immediate family member who is currently incarcerated in jail or prison. Incarceration results in a variety of direct and indirect harms, according to the study. "Research has shown that even short periods of incarceration can be devastating to people's lives and additional punishments such as fines and fees," it said. "Restrictions on employment and housing, and the loss of basic human rights limit opportunities for success long after individuals have completed their sentences." The study found that black people are 50 per cent more likely than white people to have had a family member incarcerated, and three times more likely to have had a family member incarcerated for one year or longer. People earning under $25,000 per year are 61 per cent more likely than people earning over $100,000 to have had a family member incarcerated and three times more likely to have had a family member in prison for a year or longer. The report said its findings "should serve as a wake-up call and a stark reminder of how much work is needed to alleviate the harms caused by mass incarceration and unravel the complicated tangle of laws that perpetuate it." The adoption of successive repressive laws since the 1980s has seen the prison population explode. There are now more than 1.5 million people in state and federal prisons on any given day, and nearly 11 million admissions to local jails each year. US jail and prison populations are four times larger than in 1980 and the United States continues to incarcerate more people than any other country in the world, the report said. With 710 prisoners per 100,000 people, the US incarceration rate is far ahead of Western democracies (147 in the United Kingdom, 118 in Canada, 108 in Belgium, 98 in France). Last month, President Trump announced he would back a bipartisan prison reform brought by a group of Republican and Democratic senators to shorten prison sentences for certain nonviolent offenders. In particular, it would abolish automatic penalties of 25 years in prison in the event of a third conviction for a drug case, even a minor one. Hardline conservatives could, however, stall its adoption.

Half of US adults have family member who has been incarcerated: Report

Donald Trump to nominate Heather Nauert as US envoy to UN

The Kremlin shrugged off a US call for it to scrap a nuclear-capable missile on Friday, saying it was in compliance with the Cold-War era arms control treaty Washington accuses the missile of violating.

A senior US&nbsp;official said on Thursday that Russia must scrap its 9M729 nuclear-capable cruise missiles and launchers or modify the weapons' range to return to compliance with the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty and avert a US&nbsp;pullout from the pact.

"Russia has not violated, is not violating and remains committed to its obligations under the INF treaty," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the US call.

The Kremlin shrugged off a US call for it to scrap a nuclear-capable missile on Friday, saying it was in compliance with the Cold-War era arms control treaty Washington accuses the missile of violating.

The Kremlin shrugged off a US call for it to scrap a nuclear-capable missile on Friday, saying it was in compliance with the Cold-War era arms control treaty Washington accuses the missile of violating. A senior US official said on Thursday that Russia must scrap its 9M729 nuclear-capable cruise missiles and launchers or modify the weapons' range to return to compliance with the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty and avert a US pullout from the pact. "Russia has not violated, is not violating and remains committed to its obligations under the INF treaty," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the US call.

Won't scrap nuclear-capable 9M729 cruise missiles: Russia

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