China on Wednesday rejected new United States sanctions targeting Chinese traders doing business with North Korea as &quot;wrong&quot;, stressing that it has enforced UN sanctions over Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear provocations.

The Chinese companies were hit by punitive measures along with North Korean shipping interests after US President Donald Trump put Pyongyang back on a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Trump warned this week that the sanctions announcement would be the first in a series of moves over the next two weeks that would reinforce his &quot;maximum pressure campaign&quot; against Kim Jong-Un&#39;s regime.

As had been expected, the US Treasury Department&#39;s measures unveiled on Tuesday make use of existing US directives against North Korean trade but expand their scope to take in more companies and individuals.

Most importantly, they expand the list of Chinese firms accused of doing business with the North despite promises from Beijing that it will honour UN-backed punitive measures.

&quot;We consistently oppose any country adopting unilateral sanctions based on its own domestic laws and regulations and the wrong method of exercising long-arm jurisdiction,&quot; foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular news briefing.

Trump met China&#39;s President Xi Jinping earlier this month and is bullish about the US-China relationship, but concerns remain that Beijing is not ready to take tough measures against Kim.

&quot;China has been comprehensively respecting and strictly implementing (UN) Security Council resolutions and our efforts in this regard are witnessed by all,&quot; Lu said.

The spokesman called on Washington to provide &quot;any solid evidence&quot; that Chinese companies have violated the UN sanctions.

He said that if any companies or individuals have violated domestic laws, &quot;we will severely deal with that in accordance with our laws and regulations&quot;.

&nbsp;&#39;More should be done&#39;

While China has backed the UN measures, it has been reluctant to take the more drastic step of cutting off oil supplies through a pipeline to North Korea&#39;s lone refinery, fearing that regime collapse could lead to chaos on their common border.

And, according to US officials, some Chinese-based banks and trading firms continue to do business with the North in defiance of UN sanctions and US threats of unilateral measures.

China has pressed for dialogue, saying this week that &quot;more should be done&quot; to hold talks to resolve the crisis.

A Chinese special envoy also wrapped up a four-day trip to the North on Monday, during which the two sides discussed regional concerns but made no direct statements about the nuclear standoff.

Beijing has pushed for a &quot;dual-track approach&quot; which would see the United States freeze its military drills in South Korea while North Korea would halt its weapons programs.

Washington has rejected that approach.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions would not only increase Pyongyang&#39;s isolation but also expose &quot;its evasive tactics.&quot;

&quot;These designations include companies that have engaged in trade with North Korea cumulatively worth hundreds of millions of dollars,&quot; Mnuchin said.

&quot;We are also sanctioning the shipping and transportation companies, and their vessels, that facilitate North Korea&#39;s trade and its deceptive manoeuvres.&quot;

In all, the new measures add one individual, 13 trading entities and 20 ships to US sanctions lists.

Any property or assets of the firms involved found to be in areas under US jurisdiction are to be frozen, and Americans are banned from trading with them.

Three Chinese firms -&nbsp;Dandong Kehua Economy and Trade, Dandong Xianghe Trading Company and Dandong Hongda Trade -&nbsp;are said to have sold computers, minerals and ore to North Korea.

Chinese businessman Sun Sidong and his company Dandong Dongyuan Industrial are accused of exporting vehicles, machinery, radio navigation and &quot;items associated with nuclear reactors.&quot;

&nbsp;&#39;We suspended trading&#39;&nbsp;

A woman who answered the phone at the company said it was not doing business with North Korea and suggested that the firm had halted its operations.

&quot;We are not operating,&quot; she said.

Another woman at Dandong Kehua Economy and Trade denied knowing about the sanctions.

&quot;We have temporarily suspended (trading),&quot; she said.

The Chinese companies were hit by punitive measures along with North Korean shipping interests after US President Donald Trump put Pyongyang back on a list of state sponsors of terrorism

China on Wednesday rejected new United States sanctions targeting Chinese traders doing business with North Korea as "wrong", stressing that it has enforced UN sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations. The Chinese companies were hit by punitive measures along with North Korean shipping interests after US President Donald Trump put Pyongyang back on a list of state sponsors of terrorism. Trump warned this week that the sanctions announcement would be the first in a series of moves over the next two weeks that would reinforce his "maximum pressure campaign" against Kim Jong-Un's regime. As had been expected, the US Treasury Department's measures unveiled on Tuesday make use of existing US directives against North Korean trade but expand their scope to take in more companies and individuals. Most importantly, they expand the list of Chinese firms accused of doing business with the North despite promises from Beijing that it will honour UN-backed punitive measures. "We consistently oppose any country adopting unilateral sanctions based on its own domestic laws and regulations and the wrong method of exercising long-arm jurisdiction," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular news briefing. Trump met China's President Xi Jinping earlier this month and is bullish about the US-China relationship, but concerns remain that Beijing is not ready to take tough measures against Kim. "China has been comprehensively respecting and strictly implementing (UN) Security Council resolutions and our efforts in this regard are witnessed by all," Lu said. The spokesman called on Washington to provide "any solid evidence" that Chinese companies have violated the UN sanctions. He said that if any companies or individuals have violated domestic laws, "we will severely deal with that in accordance with our laws and regulations". 'More should be done' While China has backed the UN measures, it has been reluctant to take the more drastic step of cutting off oil supplies through a pipeline to North Korea's lone refinery, fearing that regime collapse could lead to chaos on their common border. And, according to US officials, some Chinese-based banks and trading firms continue to do business with the North in defiance of UN sanctions and US threats of unilateral measures. China has pressed for dialogue, saying this week that "more should be done" to hold talks to resolve the crisis. A Chinese special envoy also wrapped up a four-day trip to the North on Monday, during which the two sides discussed regional concerns but made no direct statements about the nuclear standoff. Beijing has pushed for a "dual-track approach" which would see the United States freeze its military drills in South Korea while North Korea would halt its weapons programs. Washington has rejected that approach. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the sanctions would not only increase Pyongyang's isolation but also expose "its evasive tactics." "These designations include companies that have engaged in trade with North Korea cumulatively worth hundreds of millions of dollars," Mnuchin said. "We are also sanctioning the shipping and transportation companies, and their vessels, that facilitate North Korea's trade and its deceptive manoeuvres." In all, the new measures add one individual, 13 trading entities and 20 ships to US sanctions lists. Any property or assets of the firms involved found to be in areas under US jurisdiction are to be frozen, and Americans are banned from trading with them. Three Chinese firms - Dandong Kehua Economy and Trade, Dandong Xianghe Trading Company and Dandong Hongda Trade - are said to have sold computers, minerals and ore to North Korea. Chinese businessman Sun Sidong and his company Dandong Dongyuan Industrial are accused of exporting vehicles, machinery, radio navigation and "items associated with nuclear reactors." 'We suspended trading' A woman who answered the phone at the company said it was not doing business with North Korea and suggested that the firm had halted its operations. "We are not operating," she said. Another woman at Dandong Kehua Economy and Trade denied knowing about the sanctions. "We have temporarily suspended (trading)," she said.

China slams 'wrong' US sanctions on North Korea-tied Chinese firms

The head of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission unveiled plans on Tuesday to scrap landmark 2015 rules intended to ensure a free and open internet, moving to give broadband service providers sweeping power over what content consumers can access.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump in January, said the regulatory agency will vote at a December 14 meeting on his plan to rescind the so-called net neutrality rules championed by Democratic former President Barack Obama that treated internet service providers like public utilities.

Pai said the action would remove heavy-handed internet regulations. Critics said it would let internet service providers give preferential treatment to some sites and apps and allow them to favor their own digital content.

The Obama-era rules, aimed at giving consumers equal access to web content, barred broadband providers from blocking or slowing down access to content or charging consumers more for certain content.

The FCC action was a clear victory for big internet service providers such as AT&amp;T Inc, Comcast Corp, and Verizon Communications Inc, which favored a repeal.

Companies including Google parent Alphabet Inc, Facebook Inc, online shopping company Amazon and video streaming service Netflix Inc had urged Pai not to rescind the rules.

With three Republican and two Democratic commissioners, the FCC is all but certain to approve the repeal.

Trump, a Republican, expressed his opposition to net neutrality in 2014 before the regulations were even implemented, calling it a &ldquo;power grab&rdquo; by Obama.

Pai said his proposal would prevent state and local governments from creating their own net neutrality rules because internet service is &ldquo;inherently an interstate service.&rdquo; The preemption is most likely to handcuff Democratic-governed states and localities that could have considered their own plans to protect consumers&rsquo; equal access to internet content.

&ldquo;The FCC will no longer be in the business of micromanaging business models and preemptively prohibiting services and applications and products that could be pro-competitive,&rdquo; Pai said in an interview, adding that the Obama administration had sought to pick winners and losers.

&ldquo;We should simply set rules of the road that let companies of all kinds in every sector compete and let consumers decide who wins and loses,&rdquo; Pai added.

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said Pai&rsquo;s proposal &ldquo;hands broadband providers the power to decide what voices to amplify, which sites we can visit, what connections we can make, and what communities we create. It throttles access, stalls opportunity, and censors content.&rdquo;

Tom Wheeler, who headed the FCC under Obama and advocated for the net neutrality rules, called the planned repeal &ldquo;a shameful sham and sellout. Even for this FCC and its leadership, this proposal raises hypocrisy to new heights.&rdquo;

AT&amp;T, Comcast, and Verizon have said that repealing the rules could lead to billions of dollars in additional broadband investment and eliminate the possibility that a future presidential administration could regulate internet pricing.

Comcast said no matter what the FCC decided it would &ldquo;not block, throttle or discriminate against lawful content.&rdquo; AT&amp;T said all major companies have publicly agreed to honor net neutrality and a company &ldquo;that is so foolish as to seek to engage in gatekeeping will be quickly and decisively called out.&rdquo;

HEAVY COSTS

Verizon said it believed the FCC &ldquo;will reinstate a framework that protects consumers&rsquo; access to the open internet, without forcing them to bear the heavy costs from unnecessary regulation.&rdquo;

The planned repeal represents the latest example of a legacy achievement of Obama being erased since Trump took office in January.

Trump has abandoned international trade deals, the landmark Paris climate accord and environmental protections, taken aim at the Iran nuclear accord and closer relations with Cuba, and sought repeal Obama&rsquo;s signature healthcare law.

The Internet Association, representing major technology firms including Alphabet and Facebook, said Pai&rsquo;s proposal &ldquo;represents the end of net neutrality as we know it and defies the will of millions of Americans.&rdquo;

Pai&rsquo;s proposal would require internet service providers to disclose whether they allow blocking or slowing down of consumer web access or permit so-called internet fast lanes to facilitate a practice called paid prioritization of charging for certain content. Such disclosure will make it easier for another agency, the Federal Trade Commission, to act against internet service providers that fail to disclose such conduct to consumers, Pai said.

A U.S. appeals court last year upheld the legality of the net neutrality regulations, which were challenged in a lawsuit led by telecommunications industry trade association US Telecom.

The group praised Pai&rsquo;s decision to remove &ldquo;antiquated, restrictive regulations&rdquo; to &ldquo;pave the way for broadband network investment, expansion and upgrades.&rdquo;

The FCC&rsquo;s repeal is certain to draw a legal challenge from advocates of net neutrality.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, said he has been investigating for six months who provided significant numbers of fake public comments to the FCC in its review of net neutrality rules, corrupting the process.

Nancy Pelosi, the top U.S. House of Representatives Democrat, said the FCC move would hurt consumers and chill competition, saying the agency &ldquo;has launched an all-out assault on the entrepreneurship, innovation, and competition at the heart of the internet.&rdquo;

Pai said he had not shared his plans on the rollback with the White House in advance or been directed to undo net neutrality by White House officials.

Pai&rsquo;s proposal would give the FCC significantly less authority to oversee the web. The FCC granted initial approval to Pai&rsquo;s plan in May, but had left open many key questions including whether to retain any legal requirements limiting internet providers&rsquo; conduct.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the regulatory agency will vote at a December 14 meeting on his plan to rescind the so-called net neutrality rules, which intended to ensure a free and open internet to all and barred broadband providers from blocking access to content or charging consumers

The head of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission unveiled plans on Tuesday to scrap landmark 2015 rules intended to ensure a free and open internet, moving to give broadband service providers sweeping power over what content consumers can access. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican appointed by President Donald Trump in January, said the regulatory agency will vote at a December 14 meeting on his plan to rescind the so-called net neutrality rules championed by Democratic former President Barack Obama that treated internet service providers like public utilities. Pai said the action would remove heavy-handed internet regulations. Critics said it would let internet service providers give preferential treatment to some sites and apps and allow them to favor their own digital content. The Obama-era rules, aimed at giving consumers equal access to web content, barred broadband providers from blocking or slowing down access to content or charging consumers more for certain content. The FCC action was a clear victory for big internet service providers such as AT&T Inc, Comcast Corp, and Verizon Communications Inc, which favored a repeal. Companies including Google parent Alphabet Inc, Facebook Inc, online shopping company Amazon and video streaming service Netflix Inc had urged Pai not to rescind the rules. With three Republican and two Democratic commissioners, the FCC is all but certain to approve the repeal. Trump, a Republican, expressed his opposition to net neutrality in 2014 before the regulations were even implemented, calling it a “power grab” by Obama. Pai said his proposal would prevent state and local governments from creating their own net neutrality rules because internet service is “inherently an interstate service.” The preemption is most likely to handcuff Democratic-governed states and localities that could have considered their own plans to protect consumers’ equal access to internet content. “The FCC will no longer be in the business of micromanaging business models and preemptively prohibiting services and applications and products that could be pro-competitive,” Pai said in an interview, adding that the Obama administration had sought to pick winners and losers. “We should simply set rules of the road that let companies of all kinds in every sector compete and let consumers decide who wins and loses,” Pai added. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said Pai’s proposal “hands broadband providers the power to decide what voices to amplify, which sites we can visit, what connections we can make, and what communities we create. It throttles access, stalls opportunity, and censors content.” Tom Wheeler, who headed the FCC under Obama and advocated for the net neutrality rules, called the planned repeal “a shameful sham and sellout. Even for this FCC and its leadership, this proposal raises hypocrisy to new heights.” AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon have said that repealing the rules could lead to billions of dollars in additional broadband investment and eliminate the possibility that a future presidential administration could regulate internet pricing. Comcast said no matter what the FCC decided it would “not block, throttle or discriminate against lawful content.” AT&T said all major companies have publicly agreed to honor net neutrality and a company “that is so foolish as to seek to engage in gatekeeping will be quickly and decisively called out.” HEAVY COSTS Verizon said it believed the FCC “will reinstate a framework that protects consumers’ access to the open internet, without forcing them to bear the heavy costs from unnecessary regulation.” The planned repeal represents the latest example of a legacy achievement of Obama being erased since Trump took office in January. Trump has abandoned international trade deals, the landmark Paris climate accord and environmental protections, taken aim at the Iran nuclear accord and closer relations with Cuba, and sought repeal Obama’s signature healthcare law. The Internet Association, representing major technology firms including Alphabet and Facebook, said Pai’s proposal “represents the end of net neutrality as we know it and defies the will of millions of Americans.” Pai’s proposal would require internet service providers to disclose whether they allow blocking or slowing down of consumer web access or permit so-called internet fast lanes to facilitate a practice called paid prioritization of charging for certain content. Such disclosure will make it easier for another agency, the Federal Trade Commission, to act against internet service providers that fail to disclose such conduct to consumers, Pai said. A U.S. appeals court last year upheld the legality of the net neutrality regulations, which were challenged in a lawsuit led by telecommunications industry trade association US Telecom. The group praised Pai’s decision to remove “antiquated, restrictive regulations” to “pave the way for broadband network investment, expansion and upgrades.” The FCC’s repeal is certain to draw a legal challenge from advocates of net neutrality. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a Democrat, said he has been investigating for six months who provided significant numbers of fake public comments to the FCC in its review of net neutrality rules, corrupting the process. Nancy Pelosi, the top U.S. House of Representatives Democrat, said the FCC move would hurt consumers and chill competition, saying the agency “has launched an all-out assault on the entrepreneurship, innovation, and competition at the heart of the internet.” Pai said he had not shared his plans on the rollback with the White House in advance or been directed to undo net neutrality by White House officials. Pai’s proposal would give the FCC significantly less authority to oversee the web. The FCC granted initial approval to Pai’s plan in May, but had left open many key questions including whether to retain any legal requirements limiting internet providers’ conduct.

US FCC chief plans to dump Obama-era 'net neutrality' policy

China called Tuesday for extra efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis through talks after<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-north-korea-state-sponsor-of-terror-24690"> US President Donald Trump re-branded Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism.</a>

Beijing has repeatedly pushed for negotiations to end the standoff. Some analysts warned that the terror designation could further inflame tensions.

&quot;We still hope all relevant parties can contribute to easing tensions, that the relevant parties can resume talks and (adopt) the correct track to resolving the Korean peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation,&quot; said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang.

&quot;More should be done in that regard.&quot;

China has pushed for a &quot;dual-track approach&quot; which would require the United States to freeze its military drills in South Korea while North Korea would halt its weapons programmes, but the proposal has not gained traction.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gap-in-india-us-ties-will-likely-suck-new-delhi-into-us-orbit-china-daily-24702">Trump on Monday promised </a>a rapid escalation of US Treasury sanctions against the North after adding its name to a terror blacklist previously led by Iran and Syria.

&quot;Should have happened a long time ago. Should have happened years ago,&quot; Trump said.

He cited the death of a US student who had been held in a North Korean jail and the assassination by nerve agent of Kim&#39;s elder half-brother on foreign soil as reasons for the move.

However, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said sanctions and diplomacy could still pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un into talks on nuclear disarmament.

&quot;We still hope for diplomacy,&quot; he said, adding that punitive measures were already having a significant impact on Pyongyang&#39;s economy.

There was no immediate reaction from North Korea, but an editorial in the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun before the announcement described Trump as a &quot;mentally deranged money-grabber&quot; who was leading the US down an &quot;irretrievable road to hell&quot;.

The White House has said it will not tolerate the North&#39;s testing or deployment of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to US cities.

Experts believe Pyongyang is within months of such a threshold, having carried out six nuclear tests since 2006 and test-fired several types of missiles, including multi-stage rockets.

Japan said it &quot;welcomes and supports&quot; Trump&#39;s announcement. But there was a more restrained response from South Korea.

Seoul&#39;s foreign ministry said the US measure was &quot;part of the international community&#39;s common efforts to bring North Korea to the path of denuclearization through strong sanctions and pressure&quot;.

Some analysts warned of a possible backlash.

&quot;North Korea will consider it as a thing next to a declaration of war,&quot; Professor Yang Moo-Jin of the University for North Korean Studies in Seoul told AFP.

&quot;There is a possibility that it may retaliate by test-launching an ICBM in the near future.&quot;

&#39;Maximum pressure&#39;&nbsp;

Both Trump and Kim have previously raised fears of open conflict erupting over the North&#39;s banned nuclear missile programme, as they exchanged insults and threats of a devastating military response.

But US officials say their main hope is that Pyongyang will back down, in the face of what Tillerson described as an inexorable increase in Chinese-backed economic and diplomatic pressure.

&quot;We know that there are current shortages of fuel based upon what we can gather anecdotally and also from certain intelligence sources,&quot; Tillerson said.

&quot;We know that their revenues are down,&quot; he said. &quot;So I think it is having an effect. Is this the reason we haven&#39;t had a provocative act in 60 days?&quot;

North Korea is already under a crushing sanctions regime, and Monday&#39;s terror designation will not have much immediate economic impact.

But Trump said his declaration was the prelude to a two-week period of announcements -- starting with a &quot;very large&quot; US Treasury sanctions measure -- that would amount to a &quot;maximum pressure campaign&quot;.

US officials see the designation -- which was removed by then-president George W. Bush in 2008 -- as a way of intensifying pressure on other nations and foreign banks which may be failing to fully enforce the sanctions.

Tortured in custody?&nbsp;

&quot;In addition to threatening the world by nuclear devastation, North Korea repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism including assassinations on foreign soil,&quot; Trump said.

Trump invoked Otto Warmbier, the 22-year-old who died this year after being repatriated from detention in North Korea in a coma. US officials allege he was tortured in custody.

In February Kim&#39;s potential rival and elder half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam died after he was sprayed with a nerve agent in Kuala Lumpur airport, in an assassination blamed on Pyongyang.

US officials would not say what new sanctions might be announced but an expert predicted secondary measures against Chinese banks, and an Asian diplomat said there could be action against individual North Korean traders working in China.

The diplomat said Washington would like to impose a total oil embargo on the North but China was not yet ready to accept a move that could cause Kim&#39;s regime to topple and unleash chaos on its border.

China called Tuesday for extra efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis through talks after US President Donald Trump re-branded Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism

China called Tuesday for extra efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis through talks after US President Donald Trump re-branded Pyongyang as a state sponsor of terrorism. Beijing has repeatedly pushed for negotiations to end the standoff. Some analysts warned that the terror designation could further inflame tensions. "We still hope all relevant parties can contribute to easing tensions, that the relevant parties can resume talks and (adopt) the correct track to resolving the Korean peninsula issue through dialogue and consultation," said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang. "More should be done in that regard." China has pushed for a "dual-track approach" which would require the United States to freeze its military drills in South Korea while North Korea would halt its weapons programmes, but the proposal has not gained traction. Trump on Monday promised a rapid escalation of US Treasury sanctions against the North after adding its name to a terror blacklist previously led by Iran and Syria. "Should have happened a long time ago. Should have happened years ago," Trump said. He cited the death of a US student who had been held in a North Korean jail and the assassination by nerve agent of Kim's elder half-brother on foreign soil as reasons for the move. However, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said sanctions and diplomacy could still pressure North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un into talks on nuclear disarmament. "We still hope for diplomacy," he said, adding that punitive measures were already having a significant impact on Pyongyang's economy. There was no immediate reaction from North Korea, but an editorial in the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun before the announcement described Trump as a "mentally deranged money-grabber" who was leading the US down an "irretrievable road to hell". The White House has said it will not tolerate the North's testing or deployment of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to US cities. Experts believe Pyongyang is within months of such a threshold, having carried out six nuclear tests since 2006 and test-fired several types of missiles, including multi-stage rockets. Japan said it "welcomes and supports" Trump's announcement. But there was a more restrained response from South Korea. Seoul's foreign ministry said the US measure was "part of the international community's common efforts to bring North Korea to the path of denuclearization through strong sanctions and pressure". Some analysts warned of a possible backlash. "North Korea will consider it as a thing next to a declaration of war," Professor Yang Moo-Jin of the University for North Korean Studies in Seoul told AFP. "There is a possibility that it may retaliate by test-launching an ICBM in the near future." 'Maximum pressure' Both Trump and Kim have previously raised fears of open conflict erupting over the North's banned nuclear missile programme, as they exchanged insults and threats of a devastating military response. But US officials say their main hope is that Pyongyang will back down, in the face of what Tillerson described as an inexorable increase in Chinese-backed economic and diplomatic pressure. "We know that there are current shortages of fuel based upon what we can gather anecdotally and also from certain intelligence sources," Tillerson said. "We know that their revenues are down," he said. "So I think it is having an effect. Is this the reason we haven't had a provocative act in 60 days?" North Korea is already under a crushing sanctions regime, and Monday's terror designation will not have much immediate economic impact. But Trump said his declaration was the prelude to a two-week period of announcements -- starting with a "very large" US Treasury sanctions measure -- that would amount to a "maximum pressure campaign". US officials see the designation -- which was removed by then-president George W. Bush in 2008 -- as a way of intensifying pressure on other nations and foreign banks which may be failing to fully enforce the sanctions. Tortured in custody? "In addition to threatening the world by nuclear devastation, North Korea repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism including assassinations on foreign soil," Trump said. Trump invoked Otto Warmbier, the 22-year-old who died this year after being repatriated from detention in North Korea in a coma. US officials allege he was tortured in custody. In February Kim's potential rival and elder half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam died after he was sprayed with a nerve agent in Kuala Lumpur airport, in an assassination blamed on Pyongyang. US officials would not say what new sanctions might be announced but an expert predicted secondary measures against Chinese banks, and an Asian diplomat said there could be action against individual North Korean traders working in China. The diplomat said Washington would like to impose a total oil embargo on the North but China was not yet ready to accept a move that could cause Kim's regime to topple and unleash chaos on its border.

China urges talks after US brands North Korea a terror sponsor

A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration&#39;s crackdown on illegal immigration.

The judge, who blocked the order provisionally in April, issued a permanent injunction in the suit brought by the city and county of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which said the order was unconstitutional.

&quot;The Counties have demonstrated that the Executive Order has caused and will cause them constitutional injuries by violating the separation of powers doctrine and depriving them of their Tenth and Fifth Amendment rights,&quot; US&nbsp;District Judge William Orrick for the Northern District of California wrote in his order.

Trump issued the order in January, shortly after he was inaugurated, slashing funding to jurisdictions that refuse to comply with a statute that requires local governments to share information with US&nbsp;immigration authorities.

As part of that policy, the Justice Department has sought to punish cities and other local jurisdictions that have joined a growing &quot;sanctuary&quot; movement aimed at shielding illegal immigrants from stepped-up deportation efforts.

&quot;The district court exceeded its authority today when it barred the president from instructing his cabinet members to enforce existing law,&quot; Department of Justice spokesman Devin O&rsquo;Malley said in a statement. &quot;The Justice Department will vindicate the president&rsquo;s lawful authority to direct the executive branch.&quot;

The department has already appealed the judge&#39;s prior ruling from April.

The Trump administration contends local authorities endanger public safety when they decline to hand over for deportation illegal immigrants arrested for crimes.

Dozens of local governments and cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have joined the growing &quot;sanctuary&quot; movement.

Supporters of the sanctuary policy argue enlisting police cooperation in rounding up immigrants for removal undermines communities&#39; trust in local police, particularly among Latinos.

The Justice Department is concerned about localities&#39; compliance with US&nbsp;Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to detain people up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time so that immigration officials can pick them up.

Some cities say they will only honor such requests when accompanied by criminal warrants, and that compliance is voluntary and not required under the statute.

Chicago also sued the federal government in August over the threats of funding cuts by the Justice Department. A federal judge sided with the city in September and issued a preliminary injunction barring the US&nbsp;government from denying the public-safety grants.

A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration

A federal court judge in California on Monday blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump to deny some federal grants to so-called sanctuary cities, undermining the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. The judge, who blocked the order provisionally in April, issued a permanent injunction in the suit brought by the city and county of San Francisco and Santa Clara County, which said the order was unconstitutional. "The Counties have demonstrated that the Executive Order has caused and will cause them constitutional injuries by violating the separation of powers doctrine and depriving them of their Tenth and Fifth Amendment rights," US District Judge William Orrick for the Northern District of California wrote in his order. Trump issued the order in January, shortly after he was inaugurated, slashing funding to jurisdictions that refuse to comply with a statute that requires local governments to share information with US immigration authorities. As part of that policy, the Justice Department has sought to punish cities and other local jurisdictions that have joined a growing "sanctuary" movement aimed at shielding illegal immigrants from stepped-up deportation efforts. "The district court exceeded its authority today when it barred the president from instructing his cabinet members to enforce existing law," Department of Justice spokesman Devin O’Malley said in a statement. "The Justice Department will vindicate the president’s lawful authority to direct the executive branch." The department has already appealed the judge's prior ruling from April. The Trump administration contends local authorities endanger public safety when they decline to hand over for deportation illegal immigrants arrested for crimes. Dozens of local governments and cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have joined the growing "sanctuary" movement. Supporters of the sanctuary policy argue enlisting police cooperation in rounding up immigrants for removal undermines communities' trust in local police, particularly among Latinos. The Justice Department is concerned about localities' compliance with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests to detain people up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time so that immigration officials can pick them up. Some cities say they will only honor such requests when accompanied by criminal warrants, and that compliance is voluntary and not required under the statute. Chicago also sued the federal government in August over the threats of funding cuts by the Justice Department. A federal judge sided with the city in September and issued a preliminary injunction barring the US government from denying the public-safety grants.

US judge in California blocks Trump's order on sanctuary cities

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen challenged the United States on Sunday to cut all aid after it announced it was ending funding for a general election next year in response to the dissolution of the main opposition party, media reported.

Hun Sen, the strongman who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades, has taken a strident anti-American line in an increasingly tense run-up to a 2018 election that has included a crackdown on critics, rights groups and independent media.

The United States announced on Friday it was ending funding for the election, and promised more &quot;concrete steps&quot;, after the Supreme Court dissolved the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) at the request of the government, on the grounds it was plotting to seize power.

The party denied the accusation.

The pro-government Fresh News website reported that Hun Sen said in a speech to garment workers that he welcomed the US&nbsp;aid cut and urged it cut it all.

&quot;Samdech Techo Hun Sen confirmed that cutting US&nbsp;aid won&#39;t kill the government but will only kill a group of people who serve American policies,&quot; Fresh News reported, using Hun Sen&#39;s official title.

It did not identify the people suspected of serving US&nbsp;policies but added:

&quot;Hun Sen ... welcomes and encourages the US&nbsp;to cut all aid.&quot;

The US&nbsp;embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond to a request for comment.

In April, the US&nbsp;embassy announced a $1.8 million grant to assist local elections this year and next year&#39;s general election.

CHINESE SUPPORT

The US&nbsp;State Department said on its website that US&nbsp;assistance to Cambodia for programmes in health, education, governance, economic growth and clearing unexploded ordnance was worth more than $77.6 million in 2014.

However, Chinese support for big-ticket projects has allowed Hun Sen to brush off Western criticism of his crackdown on dissent.

China vastly outspends the United States in a country once destroyed by Cold War superpower rivalry, and its money goes on highly visible infrastructure projects and with no demands for political reform.

In September, authorities arrested the CNRP leader, Kem Sokha, and charged him with treason over what they said was a plot to take power with US&nbsp;help. He denied any such plot.

The US&nbsp;State Department called on Friday for Cambodia to release him and reverse the decision to ban his party. The court also banned 118 party members from politics for five years.

Police have begun to take down CNRP signs from their offices across the country.

Mu Sochua, a senior CNRP member who moved abroad shortly before the party was banned, said Hun Sen was jeopardizing foreign investment.

&quot;Foreign investors serious about investing in Cambodia won&#39;t be coming and are, or will be, looking at an exit if they can&#39;t compete with China&#39;s monopoly in Cambodia because Hun Sen needs to pay back favours to China,&quot; she said.

Western countries, which for decades supported Cambodia&#39;s emergence from war and isolation, have shown little appetite for sanctions in response to the crackdown, but the European Union has raised the possibility of Cambodia losing trade preferences.

Tariff-free access to Europe for Cambodian garments - and similar trade preferences in the United States - have helped Cambodia build a garment industry on low-cost labour. EU and US&nbsp;buyers take some 60 percent of Cambodia&#39;s exports.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen challenged the United States on Sunday to cut all aid after it announced it was ending funding for a general election next year in response to the dissolution of the main opposition party, media reported

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen challenged the United States on Sunday to cut all aid after it announced it was ending funding for a general election next year in response to the dissolution of the main opposition party, media reported. Hun Sen, the strongman who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades, has taken a strident anti-American line in an increasingly tense run-up to a 2018 election that has included a crackdown on critics, rights groups and independent media. The United States announced on Friday it was ending funding for the election, and promised more "concrete steps", after the Supreme Court dissolved the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) at the request of the government, on the grounds it was plotting to seize power. The party denied the accusation. The pro-government Fresh News website reported that Hun Sen said in a speech to garment workers that he welcomed the US aid cut and urged it cut it all. "Samdech Techo Hun Sen confirmed that cutting US aid won't kill the government but will only kill a group of people who serve American policies," Fresh News reported, using Hun Sen's official title. It did not identify the people suspected of serving US policies but added: "Hun Sen ... welcomes and encourages the US to cut all aid." The US embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond to a request for comment. In April, the US embassy announced a $1.8 million grant to assist local elections this year and next year's general election. CHINESE SUPPORT The US State Department said on its website that US assistance to Cambodia for programmes in health, education, governance, economic growth and clearing unexploded ordnance was worth more than $77.6 million in 2014. However, Chinese support for big-ticket projects has allowed Hun Sen to brush off Western criticism of his crackdown on dissent. China vastly outspends the United States in a country once destroyed by Cold War superpower rivalry, and its money goes on highly visible infrastructure projects and with no demands for political reform. In September, authorities arrested the CNRP leader, Kem Sokha, and charged him with treason over what they said was a plot to take power with US help. He denied any such plot. The US State Department called on Friday for Cambodia to release him and reverse the decision to ban his party. The court also banned 118 party members from politics for five years. Police have begun to take down CNRP signs from their offices across the country. Mu Sochua, a senior CNRP member who moved abroad shortly before the party was banned, said Hun Sen was jeopardizing foreign investment. "Foreign investors serious about investing in Cambodia won't be coming and are, or will be, looking at an exit if they can't compete with China's monopoly in Cambodia because Hun Sen needs to pay back favours to China," she said. Western countries, which for decades supported Cambodia's emergence from war and isolation, have shown little appetite for sanctions in response to the crackdown, but the European Union has raised the possibility of Cambodia losing trade preferences. Tariff-free access to Europe for Cambodian garments - and similar trade preferences in the United States - have helped Cambodia build a garment industry on low-cost labour. EU and US buyers take some 60 percent of Cambodia's exports.

Defiant Hun Sen tells US to cut all aid to Cambodia

Congressional Republicans took important steps on Thursday toward the biggest US&nbsp;tax-code overhaul since the 1980s, with the House of Representatives approving a broad package of tax cuts, and a Senate panel advancing its own version of the legislation sought by senior lawmakers and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-trump-in-manila-24102">President Donald Trump</a>.

The House vote shifted the tax debate to the Senate, where a tax-writing panel finished debating and approved a bill late Thursday evening. That measure has already encountered resistance from some within the Republicans ranks. Full Senate action is expected after next week&rsquo;s Thanksgiving holiday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-stops-abruptly-to-drink-water-while-giving-a-speech-and-internet-cant-stop-having-a-laugh-24351">Four Republican senators</a> - enough to derail the legislation - have been talking privately about opposing the bill because it would balloon the federal deficit, according to a Time magazine report.

Trump, who is still seeking his first major legislative win since taking office in January, went to the US&nbsp;Capitol just before the House vote to urge Republicans to pass the tax bill, which Democrats call a giveaway to the wealthy and businesses.

&ldquo;A simple, fair and competitive tax code will be rocket fuel for our economy, and it&rsquo;s within our reach. Now is the time to deliver,&rdquo; White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said after the largely party-line House vote of 227-205.

Congress has not thoroughly overhauled the sprawling US&nbsp;tax code since Republican Ronald Reagan was president. The House measure is not as comprehensive as Reagan&rsquo;s 1986 package, but it is more ambitious than anything since then.

The path forward for the tax plan in the Senate, where Republicans have a narrow majority, is fraught with obstacles about concerns over the deficit, healthcare and the distribution of tax benefits. Republicans can lose no more than two Senate votes if Democrats remain united in opposition.

Senate Republican tax-writers earlier this week made the risky decision of tying their plan to a repeal of the requirement for people to get healthcare insurance under former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hillary-clinton-takes-centre-stage-on-final-day-of-democratic-party-convention-3505">President Barack Obama</a>&rsquo;s Affordable Care Act. That exposed the tax initiative to the same political forces that wrecked Republicans&rsquo; anti-Obamacare push earlier in July.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-suffers-setback-as-house-delays-vote-on-healthcare-bill-13725">The House bill</a>, estimated to increase the federal deficit by nearly $1.5 trillion over 10 years, would consolidate individual and family tax brackets to four from seven and reduce the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent.

It also would scale back or end some popular tax deductions, including one for state and local income taxes, while preserving a capped deduction for property tax payments.

Democrats have pointed to analyses showing millions of Americans could end up with a tax hike because of eliminated deductions. Repealing or shrinking some deductions is a way to offset the revenue lost from tax cuts.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a shameful piece of legislation, and the Republicans should know better,&rdquo; House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told lawmakers before the vote.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned Republicans that by increasing the deficit, the tax bill would imperil other important priorities such as military spending.

Thirteen House Republicans opposed the bill, all but one from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/indian-roots-american-soil-555">New York, New Jersey or California</a> - states with high taxes where residents would feel the pinch from eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes.

&ldquo;This fight is not over. I look forward to continuing negotiations to improve this proposal for my constituents,&rdquo; said Republican Representative Lee Zeldin of New York, who voted against the bill.

Investors have cheered the prospect of a tax overhaul. US&nbsp;stocks rose and the dollar edged higher against a basket of major currencies on Thursday after the House vote.

Brian Battle, director of trading at Performance Trust Capital Partners in Chicago, said stocks&rsquo; strong gains on the day were helped by the House vote.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s helping stocks now and the bond market&rsquo;s turned around,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The tax plan isn&rsquo;t a foregone conclusion, but it passed the lowest hurdle in the House. The even higher hurdle is to have something pass in the Senate.&rdquo;

Republicans have long promised tax cuts and see enacting them as critical to their prospects of retaining power in Washington in the November 2018 congressional elections, particularly after failing to meet their promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

But it will be a challenge in the 100-seat Senate, where Republicans have only a 52-48 majority.

Senators Jeff Flake and James Lankford are among the four Republicans considering opposing the plan, Time reported.

A Lankford spokesman said he was &ldquo;eager to work with colleagues to pass tax reform.&rdquo;

Flake, who often clashes with Trump and has announced he will not seek re-election next year, told Reuters on Thursday he was &ldquo;more worried about the fiscal problem&rdquo; than other issues.

Several other senators, including Ron Johnson and Susan Collins, who helped sink the Republican effort to repeal Obamacare, have expressed concerns.

Johnson announced his opposition because of what he said were unequal rates for small businesses and non-corporate enterprises known as &ldquo;pass-throughs,&rdquo; versus corporations. He is working with the White House to fix the issue, he told Reuters.

Congressional Republicans took important step towards the biggest US tax-code overhaul since the 1980s, with the House of Representatives approving a broad package of tax cuts, and a Senate panel advancing its own version of the legislation sought by senior lawmakers and President Donald

Congressional Republicans took important steps on Thursday toward the biggest US tax-code overhaul since the 1980s, with the House of Representatives approving a broad package of tax cuts, and a Senate panel advancing its own version of the legislation sought by senior lawmakers and President Donald Trump. The House vote shifted the tax debate to the Senate, where a tax-writing panel finished debating and approved a bill late Thursday evening. That measure has already encountered resistance from some within the Republicans ranks. Full Senate action is expected after next week’s Thanksgiving holiday. Four Republican senators - enough to derail the legislation - have been talking privately about opposing the bill because it would balloon the federal deficit, according to a Time magazine report. Trump, who is still seeking his first major legislative win since taking office in January, went to the US Capitol just before the House vote to urge Republicans to pass the tax bill, which Democrats call a giveaway to the wealthy and businesses. “A simple, fair and competitive tax code will be rocket fuel for our economy, and it’s within our reach. Now is the time to deliver,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said after the largely party-line House vote of 227-205. Congress has not thoroughly overhauled the sprawling US tax code since Republican Ronald Reagan was president. The House measure is not as comprehensive as Reagan’s 1986 package, but it is more ambitious than anything since then. The path forward for the tax plan in the Senate, where Republicans have a narrow majority, is fraught with obstacles about concerns over the deficit, healthcare and the distribution of tax benefits. Republicans can lose no more than two Senate votes if Democrats remain united in opposition. Senate Republican tax-writers earlier this week made the risky decision of tying their plan to a repeal of the requirement for people to get healthcare insurance under former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. That exposed the tax initiative to the same political forces that wrecked Republicans’ anti-Obamacare push earlier in July. The House bill, estimated to increase the federal deficit by nearly $1.5 trillion over 10 years, would consolidate individual and family tax brackets to four from seven and reduce the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent. It also would scale back or end some popular tax deductions, including one for state and local income taxes, while preserving a capped deduction for property tax payments. Democrats have pointed to analyses showing millions of Americans could end up with a tax hike because of eliminated deductions. Repealing or shrinking some deductions is a way to offset the revenue lost from tax cuts. “It’s a shameful piece of legislation, and the Republicans should know better,” House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told lawmakers before the vote. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warned Republicans that by increasing the deficit, the tax bill would imperil other important priorities such as military spending. Thirteen House Republicans opposed the bill, all but one from New York, New Jersey or California - states with high taxes where residents would feel the pinch from eliminating the deduction for state and local income taxes. “This fight is not over. I look forward to continuing negotiations to improve this proposal for my constituents,” said Republican Representative Lee Zeldin of New York, who voted against the bill. Investors have cheered the prospect of a tax overhaul. US stocks rose and the dollar edged higher against a basket of major currencies on Thursday after the House vote. Brian Battle, director of trading at Performance Trust Capital Partners in Chicago, said stocks’ strong gains on the day were helped by the House vote. “It’s helping stocks now and the bond market’s turned around,” he said. “The tax plan isn’t a foregone conclusion, but it passed the lowest hurdle in the House. The even higher hurdle is to have something pass in the Senate.” Republicans have long promised tax cuts and see enacting them as critical to their prospects of retaining power in Washington in the November 2018 congressional elections, particularly after failing to meet their promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. But it will be a challenge in the 100-seat Senate, where Republicans have only a 52-48 majority. Senators Jeff Flake and James Lankford are among the four Republicans considering opposing the plan, Time reported. A Lankford spokesman said he was “eager to work with colleagues to pass tax reform.” Flake, who often clashes with Trump and has announced he will not seek re-election next year, told Reuters on Thursday he was “more worried about the fiscal problem” than other issues. Several other senators, including Ron Johnson and Susan Collins, who helped sink the Republican effort to repeal Obamacare, have expressed concerns. Johnson announced his opposition because of what he said were unequal rates for small businesses and non-corporate enterprises known as “pass-throughs,” versus corporations. He is working with the White House to fix the issue, he told Reuters.

Tax overhaul moves to Senate as US House approves bill

Just three days <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-aircraft-carriers-south-korean-destroyers-conduct-joint-naval-excercise-24071">after three US aircraft carriers carried </a>out a drill with the South Korean forces, Japan and the United States launched another joint naval excercise in southern Japan amid tensions with North Korea.

The annual drill is designed to increase the defensive readiness and interoperability of Japanese and American forces through training in air and sea operations,&quot; the US navy statement said, adding, &quot;The exercise follows more than a week of scenario-based training ashore.&quot;

Three US aircraft carriers - &nbsp;USS Nimitz, the Ronald Reagan, the Theodore Roosevelt - had carried out joint exercise off the east coast of South Korea on Sunday, the South Korea military conducted the exercise with seven vessels including three destroyers. 
&nbsp; 
In one of the biggest naval exercises in recent times, the US-Japan drill will involve 14,000 US servicemen, aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan including missile destroyers USS Stethem, USS Chafee and USS Mustin.

The US has been conducting joint excercises with South Korea and Japan for the past several months. In April, the US and South Korean forces had conducted &quot;Foal Eagle&quot; drill which involved around 20,000 South Korean and 10,000 US troops, just after concluding another excercise called &nbsp;&quot;Key Resolve&quot;.

The joint naval drill between US and South Korea in April involved the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson with North Korean state media threatening to attack the Vinson.

Pyongyang has been defiant even as the US has conducted major drills in the past few weeks with reports of another nuclear test likely to be conducted by the South Korean neighbour.

The annual drill is designed to increase the defensive readiness and interoperability of Japanese and American forces

Just three days after three US aircraft carriers carried out a drill with the South Korean forces, Japan and the United States launched another joint naval excercise in southern Japan amid tensions with North Korea. The annual drill is designed to increase the defensive readiness and interoperability of Japanese and American forces through training in air and sea operations," the US navy statement said, adding, "The exercise follows more than a week of scenario-based training ashore." Three US aircraft carriers - USS Nimitz, the Ronald Reagan, the Theodore Roosevelt - had carried out joint exercise off the east coast of South Korea on Sunday, the South Korea military conducted the exercise with seven vessels including three destroyers. In one of the biggest naval exercises in recent times, the US-Japan drill will involve 14,000 US servicemen, aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan including missile destroyers USS Stethem, USS Chafee and USS Mustin. The US has been conducting joint excercises with South Korea and Japan for the past several months. In April, the US and South Korean forces had conducted "Foal Eagle" drill which involved around 20,000 South Korean and 10,000 US troops, just after concluding another excercise called "Key Resolve". The joint naval drill between US and South Korea in April involved the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson with North Korean state media threatening to attack the Vinson. Pyongyang has been defiant even as the US has conducted major drills in the past few weeks with reports of another nuclear test likely to be conducted by the South Korean neighbour.

US aircraft carriers, Japanese navy conduct joint drill amid North Korea tensions

Russia&#39;s defence ministry, on Wednesday, accused the US of &quot;helping Islamic State&quot;&nbsp;and provided &quot;irrefutable proof&quot;.&nbsp;

Moscow has been&nbsp;accusing the US of aiding IS&nbsp;for a long time.&nbsp;

A number of pictures were posted on Twitter by the Russian defense ministery claiming &quot;irrefutable evidence that US is actually covering ISIS&nbsp;[IS] combat units to recover their combat capabilities, redeploy, and use them to promote the American interests in the Middle East&quot;.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RusMoD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RusMoD</a> shows irrefutable evidence that US are actually covering ISIS combat units to recover their combat capabilities, redeploy, and use them to promote the American interests in the Middle East <a href="https://t.co/jcb7G4MAfZ">https://t.co/jcb7G4MAfZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/VIMjfFGJEg">pic.twitter.com/VIMjfFGJEg</a>
&mdash; ?????????? ?????? (@mod_russia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mod_russia/status/930472894454517760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

However, it was later found that the pictures were actually taken from a video game.&nbsp;

Moments later, new pictures were posted by the ministery making the same accusations and also that the US is helping IS by covering IS militants, the ministry said it liberated the town of Abu Kamal last week alongside the Syrian army, as per media reports.&nbsp;

But it was discovered a few hours later that it was actually a screenshot from an AC-130 gunship simulator video game, said reports.&nbsp;

According to reports, the ministry had also accused US of organizing air operations in the area in order to impede with Russian strikes and alleged that IS forces were transforming themselves into US lead SDF fighters.&nbsp;

The propaganda&rsquo;s connection to the video game was discovered by people on Twitter.&nbsp;

British researcher, Eliot Higgins of investigative site - Bellingcat was among the first to find a YouTube clip of &ldquo;Special Ops Squadron&rdquo; demonstrating that Russia&rsquo;s defense ministry posted a cropped screenshot as an &ldquo;irrefutable&rdquo; proof,&rdquo; evidenced most clearly by similar text showing in both the video game footage and Moscow&rsquo;s photo of the Islamic State convoy, reported the Washington Times.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/mod_russia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mod_russia</a> uses images from a computer game as evidence the US is working with ISIS <a href="https://t.co/8uv2vbEHeQ">https://t.co/8uv2vbEHeQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/EvqP1Id5pR">pic.twitter.com/EvqP1Id5pR</a>
&mdash; Eliot Higgins (@EliotHiggins) <a href="https://twitter.com/EliotHiggins/status/930382903787343872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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&nbsp;

The Russian Ministry of Defense has since deleted the posts

Russia's defence ministry, on Wednesday, accused the US of "helping Islamic State" and provided "irrefutable proof". Moscow has been accusing the US of aiding IS for a long time. A number of pictures were posted on Twitter by the Russian defense ministery claiming "irrefutable evidence that US is actually covering ISIS [IS] combat units to recover their combat capabilities, redeploy, and use them to promote the American interests in the Middle East". #RusMoD shows irrefutable evidence that US are actually covering ISIS combat units to recover their combat capabilities, redeploy, and use them to promote the American interests in the Middle East https://t.co/jcb7G4MAfZ pic.twitter.com/VIMjfFGJEg — ?????????? ?????? (@mod_russia) November 14, 2017 × However, it was later found that the pictures were actually taken from a video game. Moments later, new pictures were posted by the ministery making the same accusations and also that the US is helping IS by covering IS militants, the ministry said it liberated the town of Abu Kamal last week alongside the Syrian army, as per media reports. But it was discovered a few hours later that it was actually a screenshot from an AC-130 gunship simulator video game, said reports. According to reports, the ministry had also accused US of organizing air operations in the area in order to impede with Russian strikes and alleged that IS forces were transforming themselves into US lead SDF fighters. The propaganda’s connection to the video game was discovered by people on Twitter. British researcher, Eliot Higgins of investigative site - Bellingcat was among the first to find a YouTube clip of “Special Ops Squadron” demonstrating that Russia’s defense ministry posted a cropped screenshot as an “irrefutable” proof,” evidenced most clearly by similar text showing in both the video game footage and Moscow’s photo of the Islamic State convoy, reported the Washington Times. The @mod_russia uses images from a computer game as evidence the US is working with ISIS https://t.co/8uv2vbEHeQ pic.twitter.com/EvqP1Id5pR — Eliot Higgins (@EliotHiggins) November 14, 2017 ×

US helping IS? Russia posts 'video game screenshots' as 'irrefutable' evidence

Taking a significant step in the field of healthcare and technology, United States has given approval for a &quot;digital pill&quot;.

The pill, with an embedded sensor, will track patients timings in while taking medicines.

Before this&nbsp;Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd&#39;s established drug Abilify, equipped with sensors was given approval in 2012.&nbsp;

The new drug contains a tracking device developed by Proteus Digital Health.&nbsp;

Proteus was working on the pill for many years.&nbsp;The drug will help doctors in monitoring if their patients are taking their medicines on time.&nbsp;

The system sends a message from the pill&#39;s sensor to a wearable patch.

The message then transmits the information to a mobile application following which injestion&nbsp;of the medication is tracked on smartphones.&nbsp;

The sensor, which is about the size of a grain of salt, gets activated when it gets wet from stomach juices. It has a coating of copper and magnesium on either side which generates a tiny electric charge.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The system sends a message from the pill's sensor to a wearable patch. The message then transmits the information to a mobile application following which ingestion of medicines is tracked on smartphones

Taking a significant step in the field of healthcare and technology, United States has given approval for a "digital pill". The pill, with an embedded sensor, will track patients timings in while taking medicines. Before this Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd's established drug Abilify, equipped with sensors was given approval in 2012. The new drug contains a tracking device developed by Proteus Digital Health. Proteus was working on the pill for many years. The drug will help doctors in monitoring if their patients are taking their medicines on time. The system sends a message from the pill's sensor to a wearable patch. The message then transmits the information to a mobile application following which injestion of the medication is tracked on smartphones. The sensor, which is about the size of a grain of salt, gets activated when it gets wet from stomach juices. It has a coating of copper and magnesium on either side which generates a tiny electric charge.

US gives green signal to 'sensor' pill to track patient's medication

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-trump-in-manila-24102">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> left the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-did-trumps-charm-offensive-work-in-the-philippines-24160"> Philippines</a> on Tuesday without attending an annual East Asia Summit, due to delays in the schedule of the programme of meetings.

Trump told reporters on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-air-force-to-get-58-black-hawk-helicopters-from-us-24044">Air Force One</a> that he delivered his prepared remarks during a lunch with the leaders instead.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend Tuesday&#39;s summit in his place, a senior <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-to-face-house-judiciary-panel-on-november-14-24132">White House</a> official said, adding the event was running too late.

The meetings in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/india-asean-summit-world-leaders-arrive-at-manila-6657">Manila</a> were approximately 90 minutes behind schedule.

U.S. President Donald Trump left the Philippines on Tuesday without attending an annual East Asia Summit, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend Tuesday's summit in his place

US President Donald Trump left the Philippines on Tuesday without attending an annual East Asia Summit, due to delays in the schedule of the programme of meetings. Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he delivered his prepared remarks during a lunch with the leaders instead. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would attend Tuesday's summit in his place, a senior White House official said, adding the event was running too late. The meetings in Manila were approximately 90 minutes behind schedule.

Trump skips East Asia leaders summit, sends Tillerson

In the past few months, Google has been actively keeping a check on YouTube content.&nbsp;The video sharing website had removed several extremist videos from the site.

As part of its new policy, Google aims to keep a check on videos featuring people and groups that have been designated as &quot;terrorists&quot;&nbsp;by the US or British government.&nbsp;

The move comes&nbsp;after the company faced increasing pressure from governments.&nbsp;The new policy will restrict terrorist groups based on the government&#39;s list.

However, the policy will not affect news clips or educational videos about terrorism.&nbsp;

Citing that such content in the website radicalises viewers and results in deadly terror attacks, governments and human right groups have been forcing YouTube to crackdown on extremist videos for a long time.&nbsp;

Earlier the company had announced that &ldquo;inflammatory religious or supremacist content&rdquo; that does not violates its policies would be allowed with warning labels.

Such videos were restricted to any advertisement revenue.&nbsp;

Google General counsel Kent Walker had said in a blog post&nbsp;then calling for a &quot;right balance&quot;&nbsp;between &quot;free expression&quot;&nbsp;and &quot;access to information without promoting extremely offensive viewpoints.&quot;

&nbsp;

As part of its new policy, Google aims to keep a check on videos featuring people and groups that have been designated as terrorists by the US or British government

In the past few months, Google has been actively keeping a check on YouTube content. The video sharing website had removed several extremist videos from the site. As part of its new policy, Google aims to keep a check on videos featuring people and groups that have been designated as "terrorists" by the US or British government. The move comes after the company faced increasing pressure from governments. The new policy will restrict terrorist groups based on the government's list. However, the policy will not affect news clips or educational videos about terrorism. Citing that such content in the website radicalises viewers and results in deadly terror attacks, governments and human right groups have been forcing YouTube to crackdown on extremist videos for a long time. Earlier the company had announced that “inflammatory religious or supremacist content” that does not violates its policies would be allowed with warning labels. Such videos were restricted to any advertisement revenue. Google General counsel Kent Walker had said in a blog post then calling for a "right balance" between "free expression" and "access to information without promoting extremely offensive viewpoints."

Google's new policy to widen control on 'extremist' videos on YouTube

Aly Raisman, a 23-year-old US gymnast has accused former US national gymnasts doctor of sexually harassing her.&nbsp;

The six-time Olympic medalist, in an interview to &quot;60 Minutes&quot; said&nbsp;that Larry Nassar who is&nbsp;of the most celebrated doctors for gymnasts in the US&nbsp;abused her when she was 15-years-old.&nbsp;

She said that she was &quot;really innocent&quot; at that time and she trusted Nassar.

She said that the team was&nbsp;told that he is the best US&nbsp;Olympic and gymnast&nbsp;doctor.

To gain her confidence and &quot;normalise&quot;&nbsp;the assaults the doctor used to buy her presents, she said in the interview.&nbsp;

Raisman could not figure out his behaviour&nbsp;at first. She realised that his treatment was not normal only after&nbsp;she was approached by an investigator working for USA Gymnasts in 2015, she revealed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It was only&nbsp;then, that she spoke about his harassment.

Nassar worked with USA gymnast for more than two decades.&nbsp;

She feels that her revelations can bring change in the power structure of USA Gymnasts.&nbsp;

She spoke about the harassment to protect the upcoming younger athletes.&nbsp;

Before Raisman over 130 other women have made similar claims about Nassar.&nbsp;

According to &quot;60 Minutes&quot; several women who have accused Nassar of sexual abuse have stated that he inserted &quot;gloveless hand into their vagina for treating hip and back pain.&quot;

&nbsp;

She feels that her revelations can bring change in the power structure of USA Gymnasts.?She spoke about the harassment to protect the upcoming younger athletes

Aly Raisman, a 23-year-old US gymnast has accused former US national gymnasts doctor of sexually harassing her. The six-time Olympic medalist, in an interview to "60 Minutes" said that Larry Nassar who is of the most celebrated doctors for gymnasts in the US abused her when she was 15-years-old. She said that she was "really innocent" at that time and she trusted Nassar. She said that the team was told that he is the best US Olympic and gymnast doctor. To gain her confidence and "normalise" the assaults the doctor used to buy her presents, she said in the interview. Raisman could not figure out his behaviour at first. She realised that his treatment was not normal only after she was approached by an investigator working for USA Gymnasts in 2015, she revealed. It was only then, that she spoke about his harassment. Nassar worked with USA gymnast for more than two decades. She feels that her revelations can bring change in the power structure of USA Gymnasts. She spoke about the harassment to protect the upcoming younger athletes. Before Raisman over 130 other women have made similar claims about Nassar. According to "60 Minutes" several women who have accused Nassar of sexual abuse have stated that he inserted "gloveless hand into their vagina for treating hip and back pain."

US gymnast accuses former doctor of sexual abuse

Vietnam and China agreed on Monday to avoid conflicts in the hotly contested South China Sea, as a new pathway to dialogue on easing tensions was opened with other Southeast Asian nations.

The communist neighbours have long sparred over the sea, through which $5 trillion in shipping trade passes annually and which is believed to sit atop vast gas reserves.

Hanoi and Beijing agreed Monday to keep the peace in the sea, the countries said in a joint statement during a state visit to Hanoi by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

They agreed to &quot;well manage disputes at sea, make no moves that may complicate or expand disputes, (and) maintain peace and stability on the East Sea,&quot; the Vietnamese version of the statement said, using Hanoi&#39;s term for the waters.&nbsp;

China claims nearly all of the sea, even approaching the coasts of its neighbours. It is also partly claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan in addition to Vietnam.

China has in recent years built artificial islands and airstrips capable of hosting military installations in contested areas to cement its claims, inflaming tensions with its neighbours.

Relations between China and Vietnam hit a low in 2014 when Beijing moved an oil rig into waters claimed by Vietnam, sparking weeks of protests.&nbsp;

There have been two armed conflicts between China and Vietnam in the sea -- brief clashes in 1974 and 1988 that claimed the lives of dozens of Vietnamese troops.&nbsp;

On Sunday US President Donald Trump offered to help Vietnam resolve the long-simmering tensions.&nbsp;

&quot;If I can help mediate or arbitrate, please let me know... I am a very good mediator,&quot; Trump said on his own state visit to Hanoi at the tail end of his marathon tour of Asia.&nbsp;

Vietnam offered no response.

And China, which has long insisted the United States has no role to play in the dispute, spoke out against what it deemed foreign interference.

&quot;We hope non-regional countries can respect the regional countries&#39; efforts in maintaining the regional stability of the South China Sea and play a constructive role in this aspect,&quot; foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

More talks agreed&nbsp;

Trump was in Manila on Monday for meetings with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and several other countries.

At that meeting, China and ASEAN, which includes Vietnam, announced on Monday night they had agreed to begin talks on a much-delayed code of conduct for the sea.&nbsp;

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sealed the accord with the ASEAN leaders in Manila, according to China&#39;s state-run Xinhua news agency.

However, no timeframe was announced for an actual code.

China initially agreed in 2002 to begin talks on a code but delayed doing so while carrying out its expansionist strategy. And at China&#39;s insistence, ASEAN also agreed in August that any future code would not be legally binding, despite a strong push from Vietnam.

After the Philippines backed China&#39;s position, ASEAN agreed it would not have legal force.

The Philippines had for many years stood alongside Vietnam as one of the region&#39;s strongest opponents to Chinese expansionism.

Following Manila&#39;s complaint to a United Nations-backed tribunal, the panel ruled last year that China&#39;s territorial claims in the sea were without legal basis.

But the Philippines, after President Rodrigo Duterte took office last year, decided not to use the ruling to pressure China.

He instead chose to build closer ties in return for billions of dollars in investments and aid.

Critics accused Duterte of giving in to Beijing. But he said his tactics had eased tensions and opened the door to dialogue.

China and ASEAN, which includes Vietnam, announced on Monday night they had agreed to begin talks on a much-delayed code of conduct for the sea

Vietnam and China agreed on Monday to avoid conflicts in the hotly contested South China Sea, as a new pathway to dialogue on easing tensions was opened with other Southeast Asian nations. The communist neighbours have long sparred over the sea, through which $5 trillion in shipping trade passes annually and which is believed to sit atop vast gas reserves. Hanoi and Beijing agreed Monday to keep the peace in the sea, the countries said in a joint statement during a state visit to Hanoi by Chinese President Xi Jinping. They agreed to "well manage disputes at sea, make no moves that may complicate or expand disputes, (and) maintain peace and stability on the East Sea," the Vietnamese version of the statement said, using Hanoi's term for the waters. China claims nearly all of the sea, even approaching the coasts of its neighbours. It is also partly claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan in addition to Vietnam. China has in recent years built artificial islands and airstrips capable of hosting military installations in contested areas to cement its claims, inflaming tensions with its neighbours. Relations between China and Vietnam hit a low in 2014 when Beijing moved an oil rig into waters claimed by Vietnam, sparking weeks of protests. There have been two armed conflicts between China and Vietnam in the sea -- brief clashes in 1974 and 1988 that claimed the lives of dozens of Vietnamese troops. On Sunday US President Donald Trump offered to help Vietnam resolve the long-simmering tensions. "If I can help mediate or arbitrate, please let me know... I am a very good mediator," Trump said on his own state visit to Hanoi at the tail end of his marathon tour of Asia. Vietnam offered no response. And China, which has long insisted the United States has no role to play in the dispute, spoke out against what it deemed foreign interference. "We hope non-regional countries can respect the regional countries' efforts in maintaining the regional stability of the South China Sea and play a constructive role in this aspect," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing in Beijing. More talks agreed Trump was in Manila on Monday for meetings with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and several other countries. At that meeting, China and ASEAN, which includes Vietnam, announced on Monday night they had agreed to begin talks on a much-delayed code of conduct for the sea. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sealed the accord with the ASEAN leaders in Manila, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency. However, no timeframe was announced for an actual code. China initially agreed in 2002 to begin talks on a code but delayed doing so while carrying out its expansionist strategy. And at China's insistence, ASEAN also agreed in August that any future code would not be legally binding, despite a strong push from Vietnam. After the Philippines backed China's position, ASEAN agreed it would not have legal force. The Philippines had for many years stood alongside Vietnam as one of the region's strongest opponents to Chinese expansionism. Following Manila's complaint to a United Nations-backed tribunal, the panel ruled last year that China's territorial claims in the sea were without legal basis. But the Philippines, after President Rodrigo Duterte took office last year, decided not to use the ruling to pressure China. He instead chose to build closer ties in return for billions of dollars in investments and aid. Critics accused Duterte of giving in to Beijing. But he said his tactics had eased tensions and opened the door to dialogue.

Vietnam, China agree to avoid conflicts in South China Sea

China today said that regional cooperation should neither be politicised nor exclusionary, responding to US President Donald Trump&#39;s use of the term &quot;Indo-Pacific&quot; during his trip to Asia.

&quot;Indo-Pacific&quot; has grown in usage across diplomatic and security circles in Australia, India and Japan in recent years, shorthand for a broader and democratic-led region in place of the &quot;Asia-Pacific&quot;, which to some places an authoritarian China too firmly at the centre.

Trump and his team have given it fresh currency in recent days, starting during stops in Tokyo and Seoul, building on the rhetoric of his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who last month talked of the need to support a &quot;free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific&quot;.

Although Trump was addressing a meeting alongside the APEC summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in the Vietnamese city of Danang on Friday, he repeatedly referred to the Indo-Pacific region and mentioned the importance of India in his speech.

Asked about China&#39;s view of the Indo-Pacific concept, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that peaceful development and win-win cooperation were the trends of the times.

&quot;All sides can come up with their own plans and positions on how to promote regional cooperation,&quot; Geng told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

&quot;But we hope that plans and positions can accord with and conform to this trend, can suit the general trend of events in the world, and that the relevant plans and positions are open and inclusive, benefiting the promotion of win-win cooperation by all sides, and avoid politicised or exclusionary arrangements.&quot;

China has been busy promoting President Xi Jinping&#39;s Belt and Road initiative, an extensive infrastructure plan to recreate the ancient Silk Road, linking Asia with the Middle East and Europe, which critics say is more about spreading Chinese influence.

China says it is simply a development project for common prosperity that any country is welcome to join.

'Indo-Pacific' has grown in usage across diplomatic and security circles in Australia, India and Japan in recent years

China today said that regional cooperation should neither be politicised nor exclusionary, responding to US President Donald Trump's use of the term "Indo-Pacific" during his trip to Asia. "Indo-Pacific" has grown in usage across diplomatic and security circles in Australia, India and Japan in recent years, shorthand for a broader and democratic-led region in place of the "Asia-Pacific", which to some places an authoritarian China too firmly at the centre. Trump and his team have given it fresh currency in recent days, starting during stops in Tokyo and Seoul, building on the rhetoric of his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who last month talked of the need to support a "free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific". Although Trump was addressing a meeting alongside the APEC summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in the Vietnamese city of Danang on Friday, he repeatedly referred to the Indo-Pacific region and mentioned the importance of India in his speech. Asked about China's view of the Indo-Pacific concept, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that peaceful development and win-win cooperation were the trends of the times. "All sides can come up with their own plans and positions on how to promote regional cooperation," Geng told a daily news briefing in Beijing. "But we hope that plans and positions can accord with and conform to this trend, can suit the general trend of events in the world, and that the relevant plans and positions are open and inclusive, benefiting the promotion of win-win cooperation by all sides, and avoid politicised or exclusionary arrangements." China has been busy promoting President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, an extensive infrastructure plan to recreate the ancient Silk Road, linking Asia with the Middle East and Europe, which critics say is more about spreading Chinese influence. China says it is simply a development project for common prosperity that any country is welcome to join.

Trump says 'Indo Pacific' & not 'Asia Pacific', China reacts

World carbon emissions are set to rise 2 percent this year to a new record, scientists said on Monday, dashing hopes that global emissions had already peaked.

Carbon emissions had been roughly flat from 2014-16, but will increase this year mainly due to a rise in China after a two-year decline, the scientists said.

Their data, presented during negotiations among almost 200 nations in Germany about details of the 2015 Paris Agreement climate accord, are a setback to a global goal of curbing emissions to avert more downpours, heat waves, and rising sea levels.

&quot;The plateau of last year was not peak emissions after all,&quot; the Global Carbon Project, a group of 76 scientists in 15 countries, wrote of the findings.

Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry, the bulk of man-made greenhouse gases, were on track to gain 2 percent in 2017 from 2016 levels to a record high of about 37 billion tonnes, it said.

&quot;Global CO2 emissions appear to be going up strongly once again ... This is very disappointing,&quot; said lead researcher Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia in Britain.

Glen Peters, another leader of the study at the CICERO Center for International Climate Research in Oslo, said China&#39;s emissions were set to rise 3.5 percent, driven by more coal demand amid stronger economic growth.

China, the top greenhouse gas emitter ahead of the United States, accounts for almost 30 percent of world emissions.

U.S. emissions were set to decline by 0.4 percent in 2017, a smaller fall than in recent years, also reflecting more burning of coal.

Coal&#39;s gains were linked to a rise in the price of natural gas that made coal more attractive in power plants, Peters told Reuters, rather than the effects of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s pro-coal policies.

Trump plans to pull out of the Paris Agreement.

Worldwide &quot;we are probably in the level-to-upwards direction for emissions in the next years rather than level or downwards,&quot; Peters said, because of stronger global gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think-tank who was not involved in the study, said carbon emissions per unit of GDP were falling.

This year &quot;might well prove a small blip on an otherwise flattening emissions curve,&quot; he said.

Carbon emissions had been roughly flat from 2014-16, but will increase this year mainly due to a rise in China after a two-year decline, the scientists said

World carbon emissions are set to rise 2 percent this year to a new record, scientists said on Monday, dashing hopes that global emissions had already peaked. Carbon emissions had been roughly flat from 2014-16, but will increase this year mainly due to a rise in China after a two-year decline, the scientists said. Their data, presented during negotiations among almost 200 nations in Germany about details of the 2015 Paris Agreement climate accord, are a setback to a global goal of curbing emissions to avert more downpours, heat waves, and rising sea levels. "The plateau of last year was not peak emissions after all," the Global Carbon Project, a group of 76 scientists in 15 countries, wrote of the findings. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry, the bulk of man-made greenhouse gases, were on track to gain 2 percent in 2017 from 2016 levels to a record high of about 37 billion tonnes, it said. "Global CO2 emissions appear to be going up strongly once again ... This is very disappointing," said lead researcher Corinne Le Quere, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia in Britain. Glen Peters, another leader of the study at the CICERO Center for International Climate Research in Oslo, said China's emissions were set to rise 3.5 percent, driven by more coal demand amid stronger economic growth. China, the top greenhouse gas emitter ahead of the United States, accounts for almost 30 percent of world emissions. U.S. emissions were set to decline by 0.4 percent in 2017, a smaller fall than in recent years, also reflecting more burning of coal. Coal's gains were linked to a rise in the price of natural gas that made coal more attractive in power plants, Peters told Reuters, rather than the effects of US President Donald Trump's pro-coal policies. Trump plans to pull out of the Paris Agreement. Worldwide "we are probably in the level-to-upwards direction for emissions in the next years rather than level or downwards," Peters said, because of stronger global gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think-tank who was not involved in the study, said carbon emissions per unit of GDP were falling. This year "might well prove a small blip on an otherwise flattening emissions curve," he said.

World carbon emissions set to rise 2% this year, new record: Scientists

US&nbsp;soccer star Hope Solo accused ex-FIFA President Sepp Blatter of grabbing her buttocks during an awards ceremony five years ago, an allegation that the former head of the international football&rsquo;s governing body denied.

Solo, 36, told a Portuguese newspaper that Blatter touched her inappropriately in January 2013 during the Ballon D&lsquo;or awards ceremony in Lisbon. A spokeswoman for Solo on Saturday confirmed her comments.

&quot;I had Sepp Blatter grab my ass,&rdquo; the former goalkeeper on the US&nbsp;national women&rsquo;s team said in an audio interview with Expresso, posted on Saturday.

&quot;It was at the Ballon D&lsquo;or one year, right before I went on stage,&rdquo; said Solo, who received FIFA&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s player of the year award in 2013. &quot;It&rsquo;s been normalized.&quot;

A spokesman for Blatter said in a phone interview on Saturday that Solo&rsquo;s allegation was &ldquo;absurd and ridiculous, and it is not true.&rdquo;

Solo is the latest celebrity to go public with accusations of sexual misconduct by powerful men in sports and entertainment, including movie producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and former Fox News host Bill O&lsquo;Reilly.

The high-profile allegations have inspired <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-say-sita-and-savitri-23112">an online campaign, tagged #MeToo</a>, that has encouraged men and women in all walks of life to reveal their own experiences with sexual harassment and assault, often years after they occurred.

Solo last month posted a statement on her Instagram page that commended women in the entertainment industry for having courage to reveal their experiences with sexual misconduct and suggested she had been a victim herself.

&ldquo;From inappropriate comments, unwanted advances and grabs of the ass to coaches and GMs and even press officers speaking about players &lsquo;tits&rsquo; and physical appearance, sexual harassment is rampant in the sports world,&rdquo; Solo wrote online.

&ldquo;I always felt I&rsquo;d &lsquo;handled it&rsquo; and stood up for myself in those situations, but there were never any consequences for the perpetrators,&rdquo; she added.

Solo, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, played on the U.S. women&rsquo;s soccer team from 2000 to 2016, when it won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup.

Blatter is in the midst of a six-year ban from all soccer-related duties imposed by Zurich-based FIFA&rsquo;s ethics committee after a corruption scandal.

Solo, accused ex-FIFA President Sepp Blatter that he touched her buttocks in January 2013 during the Ballon D?or awards ceremony in Lisbon, an allegation that the former head of international football?s governing body denied

US soccer star Hope Solo accused ex-FIFA President Sepp Blatter of grabbing her buttocks during an awards ceremony five years ago, an allegation that the former head of the international football’s governing body denied. Solo, 36, told a Portuguese newspaper that Blatter touched her inappropriately in January 2013 during the Ballon D‘or awards ceremony in Lisbon. A spokeswoman for Solo on Saturday confirmed her comments. "I had Sepp Blatter grab my ass,” the former goalkeeper on the US national women’s team said in an audio interview with Expresso, posted on Saturday. "It was at the Ballon D‘or one year, right before I went on stage,” said Solo, who received FIFA’s women’s player of the year award in 2013. "It’s been normalized." A spokesman for Blatter said in a phone interview on Saturday that Solo’s allegation was “absurd and ridiculous, and it is not true.” Solo is the latest celebrity to go public with accusations of sexual misconduct by powerful men in sports and entertainment, including movie producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and former Fox News host Bill O‘Reilly. The high-profile allegations have inspired an online campaign, tagged #MeToo, that has encouraged men and women in all walks of life to reveal their own experiences with sexual harassment and assault, often years after they occurred. Solo last month posted a statement on her Instagram page that commended women in the entertainment industry for having courage to reveal their experiences with sexual misconduct and suggested she had been a victim herself. “From inappropriate comments, unwanted advances and grabs of the ass to coaches and GMs and even press officers speaking about players ‘tits’ and physical appearance, sexual harassment is rampant in the sports world,” Solo wrote online. “I always felt I’d ‘handled it’ and stood up for myself in those situations, but there were never any consequences for the perpetrators,” she added. Solo, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, played on the U.S. women’s soccer team from 2000 to 2016, when it won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup. Blatter is in the midst of a six-year ban from all soccer-related duties imposed by Zurich-based FIFA’s ethics committee after a corruption scandal.

US soccer star Hope Solo says ex-FIFA president 'grabbed' her

Vietnam and the United States signed a series of energy and aviation deals Sunday during a visit to Hanoi by US president Donald Trump, who railed against Washington&#39;s yawning trade deficit with the fast-growing nation.

Trump was in the communist capital at the tail-end of his swing through Asia where he has promoted his &quot;America First&quot; mantra on global trade -- prioritising &quot;fair&quot; bilateral deals over sprawling multilateral pacts.&nbsp;

Several agreements were signed during his state visit Sunday, including those covering the natural gas sector, transport and aviation.&nbsp;

National carrier Vietnam Airlines signed a deal worth $1.5 billion for engines and support services from US firm Pratt &amp; Whitney.

&quot;(The agreement) will further reinforce the important economic, trade and investment partnership between Vietnam and the United States,&quot; airline CEO Duong Tri Thanh said in a statement.&nbsp;

Low-budget Vietnamese carrier VietJet, best known for its bikini-clad flight attendants, also signed a deal for engines and maintenance services with Pratt &amp; Whitney worth $600 million.

Trump is seeking to boost exports of American goods and services as part of a campaign pledge. He won office with strong support from blue-collar US workers.

He has accused Vietnam and China, two key Asian manufacturing hubs, of stealing American jobs and blamed previous US administrations for allowing trade deficits to grow unchecked.

On Sunday Trump again complained about the United States&#39; gaping trade deficit with Vietnam, worth $32 billion in 2016.

&quot;We have to get rid of the trading imbalance, we can&#39;t have a trade imbalance,&quot; he said at the beginning of a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

&quot;We have to take care of American companies and we have to take care of American workers,&quot; he added, in comments likely to play well with his base back home.

American energy firms Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and AES Corporation also signed deals Sunday, along with US truck company Navistar, though no details were provided.&nbsp;

Vietnam has eagerly sought to drum up trade and investment with the United States since Trump came to power, especially after he withdrew from the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal from which Vietnam stood to gain enormously.&nbsp;

The US is a leading export market for Vietnam, whose booming manufacturing sector has largely driven dizzying economic growth in recent years.

US exports to Vietnam have soared in the past decade, increasing ninefold to more than $10 billion in 2016, according to the US Trade Representative. Vietnam&#39;s exports to the United States over the same period rose around fivefold.

(Also See: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-in-vietnam-offers-to-mediate-on-south-china-sea-dispute-24021">Trump in Vietnam offers to &#39;mediate&#39; in South China Sea dispute</a>)

Vietnam and the United States signed a series of energy and aviation deals Sunday during a visit to Hanoi by US president Donald Trump, who railed against Washington's yawning trade deficit with the fast-growing nation.

Vietnam and the United States signed a series of energy and aviation deals Sunday during a visit to Hanoi by US president Donald Trump, who railed against Washington's yawning trade deficit with the fast-growing nation. Trump was in the communist capital at the tail-end of his swing through Asia where he has promoted his "America First" mantra on global trade -- prioritising "fair" bilateral deals over sprawling multilateral pacts. Several agreements were signed during his state visit Sunday, including those covering the natural gas sector, transport and aviation. National carrier Vietnam Airlines signed a deal worth $1.5 billion for engines and support services from US firm Pratt & Whitney. "(The agreement) will further reinforce the important economic, trade and investment partnership between Vietnam and the United States," airline CEO Duong Tri Thanh said in a statement. Low-budget Vietnamese carrier VietJet, best known for its bikini-clad flight attendants, also signed a deal for engines and maintenance services with Pratt & Whitney worth $600 million. Trump is seeking to boost exports of American goods and services as part of a campaign pledge. He won office with strong support from blue-collar US workers. He has accused Vietnam and China, two key Asian manufacturing hubs, of stealing American jobs and blamed previous US administrations for allowing trade deficits to grow unchecked. On Sunday Trump again complained about the United States' gaping trade deficit with Vietnam, worth $32 billion in 2016. "We have to get rid of the trading imbalance, we can't have a trade imbalance," he said at the beginning of a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. "We have to take care of American companies and we have to take care of American workers," he added, in comments likely to play well with his base back home. American energy firms Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and AES Corporation also signed deals Sunday, along with US truck company Navistar, though no details were provided. Vietnam has eagerly sought to drum up trade and investment with the United States since Trump came to power, especially after he withdrew from the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal from which Vietnam stood to gain enormously. The US is a leading export market for Vietnam, whose booming manufacturing sector has largely driven dizzying economic growth in recent years. US exports to Vietnam have soared in the past decade, increasing ninefold to more than $10 billion in 2016, according to the US Trade Representative. Vietnam's exports to the United States over the same period rose around fivefold. (Also See: Trump in Vietnam offers to 'mediate' in South China Sea dispute)

Trump rails at Vietnam trade imbalance as deals signed in Hanoi

Lockheed Martin Corp will work with the U.S. government as it talks to Germany about a replacement for its Tornado fighter jets, its chief executive said on Thursday, adding she believed Lockheed&rsquo;s F-35 would be the &ldquo;best choice&rdquo; for Berlin.

Germany is kicking off the process of replacing its 85 Tornado jets, which will go out of service around 2030. The programme could be worth billions of euros in coming years. The German air force last month issued a formal request for information about the F-35, as well as three other jets: the F-15 and F/A-18E/F, both built by Boeing Co, and the European Eurofighter Typhoon.

On Wednesday, the chief of staff of the German air force said the country needed a &ldquo;fifth-generation&rdquo; replacement for its Tornado fighters that is hard to detect on enemy radars and can strike targets from a great distance. Lieutenant General Karl Muellner&rsquo;s comments indicated a preference for the F-35, which meets those requirements.

&ldquo;I saw in the media that there is an interest in the F-35, and we stand ready to support the U.S. government on their interactions with the German government on their assessment of the F-35,&rdquo; Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson told Reuters during a visit to Norway. &ldquo;I do think it would be the best choice for them,&rdquo; she added. She was non-committal when asked how many planes Lockheed could potentially sell to Berlin, saying it was up to Germany.

Lockheed Martin also hopes to increase its sales of the F-35 to South Korea, Hewson said. &ldquo;Their initial buy is at 40 (aircraft), but I hope that over time they will look at additional buy,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We are happy that the F-35 is being considered by a number of countries around the world ... Countries like Belgium, Finland, Canada and others are going to continue to look at the programme and make their decision,&rdquo; she added.

Many German allies in Europe, including Norway, the Netherlands, Britain, Italy, Turkey, and Denmark have selected the F-35 and some have received initial deliveries. Belgium is expected to make a decision next year.

Germany is kicking off the process of replacing its 85 Tornado jets, which will go out of service around 2030

Lockheed Martin Corp will work with the U.S. government as it talks to Germany about a replacement for its Tornado fighter jets, its chief executive said on Thursday, adding she believed Lockheed’s F-35 would be the “best choice” for Berlin. Germany is kicking off the process of replacing its 85 Tornado jets, which will go out of service around 2030. The programme could be worth billions of euros in coming years. The German air force last month issued a formal request for information about the F-35, as well as three other jets: the F-15 and F/A-18E/F, both built by Boeing Co, and the European Eurofighter Typhoon. On Wednesday, the chief of staff of the German air force said the country needed a “fifth-generation” replacement for its Tornado fighters that is hard to detect on enemy radars and can strike targets from a great distance. Lieutenant General Karl Muellner’s comments indicated a preference for the F-35, which meets those requirements. “I saw in the media that there is an interest in the F-35, and we stand ready to support the U.S. government on their interactions with the German government on their assessment of the F-35,” Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson told Reuters during a visit to Norway. “I do think it would be the best choice for them,” she added. She was non-committal when asked how many planes Lockheed could potentially sell to Berlin, saying it was up to Germany. Lockheed Martin also hopes to increase its sales of the F-35 to South Korea, Hewson said. “Their initial buy is at 40 (aircraft), but I hope that over time they will look at additional buy,” she said. “We are happy that the F-35 is being considered by a number of countries around the world ... Countries like Belgium, Finland, Canada and others are going to continue to look at the programme and make their decision,” she added. Many German allies in Europe, including Norway, the Netherlands, Britain, Italy, Turkey, and Denmark have selected the F-35 and some have received initial deliveries. Belgium is expected to make a decision next year.

Lockheed to work with US in bid to sell F-35s to Germany

The US has announced a grant of nearly US $ 500,000 for organisations which can come up with ideas and projects to promote religious freedom in India and Sri Lanka.

The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice, said it seeks to &quot;reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India&quot; through its USD 493,827 programme.

And for Sri Lanka, it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.

Recipient of both the India Programme and Sri Lanka with similar objectives of religious freedom and protection would be announced after a screening of applications in this regard, it said.

For India, the state department wants the applying organisation to come up with proposals to develop and implement early warning systems to mitigate large-scale violence, and implement conflict mitigation programs between minority and majority groups.

The applicant also needs to ideate successful programme activities to counter hateful or discriminatory public messages with positive messages using all kinds of media.

The state department also wants the applicants to come up with ideas to educate civil society and journalists about legal protections for religious freedom, particularly for members of religious minorities; document and report religious freedom violations to authorities, and educate law enforcement on human rights standards.

The State Department did not respond immediately to a set of questions on the necessity of such a grant.

According to the information available on the state department&#39;s website, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor supports over 28 democracy, human rights, and labor programmes in South and Central Asia (SCA).

Current funding for these programmes exceeds USD 17 million.

Programme topics include media innovation and development, gender advocacy and equality, and improving protections for political, labor, and human rights.

India is not among the countries listed by the state department as recipient of these funding programmes.

The countries currently receiving grants from the US in the region are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhastan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

In its latest International Religious Freedom report, the state department said Christian and Muslim activists stated the government was not doing enough to protect them against religiously motivated attacks.

There were reports of religiously motivated killings, assaults, riots, discrimination, vandalism, and actions restricting the right of individuals to practice their religious beliefs and proselytize, it said.

There was an increase in violent incidents by cow protection groups against mostly Muslim victims, including killings, mob violence, assaults, and intimidation.

Hindus threatened and assaulted Muslims and Christians and destroyed their property, it added.

According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), there were more than 300 incidents of abuse targeting Christians during the year, compared with 177 in 2015.

Incidents included assaults on missionaries, forced conversions of non-Hindus, and attacks on churches, schools, and private property.

As for Sri Lanka, the state department notice of funding opportunity said it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice, said it seeks to 'reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India' through its USD 493,827 programme

The US has announced a grant of nearly US $ 500,000 for organisations which can come up with ideas and projects to promote religious freedom in India and Sri Lanka. The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, in its notice, said it seeks to "reduce religiously-motivated violence and discrimination in India" through its USD 493,827 programme. And for Sri Lanka, it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom. Recipient of both the India Programme and Sri Lanka with similar objectives of religious freedom and protection would be announced after a screening of applications in this regard, it said. For India, the state department wants the applying organisation to come up with proposals to develop and implement early warning systems to mitigate large-scale violence, and implement conflict mitigation programs between minority and majority groups. The applicant also needs to ideate successful programme activities to counter hateful or discriminatory public messages with positive messages using all kinds of media. The state department also wants the applicants to come up with ideas to educate civil society and journalists about legal protections for religious freedom, particularly for members of religious minorities; document and report religious freedom violations to authorities, and educate law enforcement on human rights standards. The State Department did not respond immediately to a set of questions on the necessity of such a grant. According to the information available on the state department's website, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor supports over 28 democracy, human rights, and labor programmes in South and Central Asia (SCA). Current funding for these programmes exceeds USD 17 million. Programme topics include media innovation and development, gender advocacy and equality, and improving protections for political, labor, and human rights. India is not among the countries listed by the state department as recipient of these funding programmes. The countries currently receiving grants from the US in the region are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhastan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In its latest International Religious Freedom report, the state department said Christian and Muslim activists stated the government was not doing enough to protect them against religiously motivated attacks. There were reports of religiously motivated killings, assaults, riots, discrimination, vandalism, and actions restricting the right of individuals to practice their religious beliefs and proselytize, it said. There was an increase in violent incidents by cow protection groups against mostly Muslim victims, including killings, mob violence, assaults, and intimidation. Hindus threatened and assaulted Muslims and Christians and destroyed their property, it added. According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), there were more than 300 incidents of abuse targeting Christians during the year, compared with 177 in 2015. Incidents included assaults on missionaries, forced conversions of non-Hindus, and attacks on churches, schools, and private property. As for Sri Lanka, the state department notice of funding opportunity said it seeks to ensure that authorities at all levels of government in Sri Lanka effectively implement national laws and policies protecting religious freedom.

US grants $500,000 to promote religious freedom in India, Sri Lanka

Syria told the UN climate talks in Bonn on Tuesday that it would join the Paris Agreement, leaving the United States as the only nation in the world opting to stay outside the landmark treaty.

&quot;We are going to join the Paris Agreement,&quot; the Syrian delegate, speaking in Arabic, said during a plenary session at the 196-nation talks, according to Safa Al Jayoussi of the IndyAct NGO, who was monitoring the session.&nbsp;

The United States ratified the 2015 pact but US President Donald Trump announced earlier this year that he would pull out, saying the pact did not serve US interests.

&quot;It is our understanding that the government of Syria announced today their intent to join the Paris Agreement,&quot; Nick Nuttall, the spokesman for the UN climate body, told AFP.

Nuttall identified the Syrian delegate as Wadah Katmawi, the deputy minister of the ministry of local administration and environment.

Syria must submit their &quot;instruments of ratification&quot; at the UN headquarters in New York before their adherence becomes official, he added.

According to the Syrian parliament website, a bill was passed on October 22 to ratify the Paris accord, &quot;in accordance with the Syrian Constitution which stipulates the protection of the environment&quot;.

Other parties at the 12-day negotiations, tasked with elaborating and implementing the agreement, welcomed the news.

&quot;Syria joining the Paris Agreement will be a good thing,&quot; South Africa&#39;s chief negotiator Maesela Kekana told AFP.

&quot;That&#39;s great,&quot; said Chai Qimin, a climate negotiator from China&#39;s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.&nbsp;

&quot;They were the last party to the UN Convention to sign the Paris Agreement,&quot; he said, referring to 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the bedrock treaty for UN climate talks.

&quot;That leaves only the one who announced their withdrawal,&quot; he added, in an oblique reference to the United States.

US mocks Syria&nbsp;

War-torn Syria would be the 197th country to sign on to the climate pact, which vows to hold global warming to &quot;well below&quot; two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

The United States mocked Syria&#39;s arrival in the climate change agreement Tuesday, side-stepping the charge that it has isolated itself by being the world&#39;s sole hold-out.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert fiercely dismissed suggestions that this means that Trump&#39;s &quot;America First&quot; policy has in practice meant &quot;America Alone.&quot;

&quot;I find it ironic that the government of Syria, OK, would say that it wants to be involved and that it cares so much about climate and things like CO2 gas,&quot; she told reporters.

&quot;If the government of Syria cared so much about what was put in the air, then it wouldn&#39;t be gassing its own people,&quot; she said, referring to the Damascus regime&#39;s brutal civil war tactics.

Nauert said that the department&#39;s undersecretary for political affairs, Tom Shannon, would lead a US delegation to the Bonn talks next week but that Trump&#39;s decision would stand.

&quot;We intend to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as soon as we&#39;re eligible to do so,&quot; she said.

&nbsp;&#39;Splendid isolation&#39;&nbsp;

Openly isolated on the climate issue at G-7 and G-20 meetings earlier this year, the United States said it intended to withdraw &quot;unless the president can identify terms that are more favourable to American businesses, workers, and taxpayers.&quot;

The Trump administration has not said what those terms might be.

&quot;This means Trump is in splendid isolation -- no one wants to be in his company,&quot; said Alden Meyer, a veteran climate analyst at the Washington-based Union of Concerned Scientists.

&quot;With Syria on board, now the entire world is resolutely committed to advancing climate action -&ndash; all save one country,&quot; said Paula Caballero, director for climate change at the World Resources Institute.

&quot;This should make the Trump administration pause and reflect on their ill-advised announcement about withdrawing from the Paris Agreement.&quot;

Signed in the French capital in December 2015, the treaty entered into force on November 4, 2016.

According to the terms, no country can formally submit their intent to withdraw until three years after the date of entry into force.&nbsp;

It will then take one year to fully withdraw, meaning the earliest the United States could officially withdraw is the day after the 2020 election.

&quot;When even Syria -- with all its problems -- can see the sense of a global climate agreement, it really shows how ideologically wedded to climate denialism the US Republican Party has become,&quot; said Mohamed Adow, International Climate Lead for Christian Aid. 
&nbsp;

Syria told the UN climate talks in Bonn on Tuesday that it would join the Paris Agreement, leaving the United States as the only nation in the world opting to stay outside the landmark treaty

Syria told the UN climate talks in Bonn on Tuesday that it would join the Paris Agreement, leaving the United States as the only nation in the world opting to stay outside the landmark treaty. "We are going to join the Paris Agreement," the Syrian delegate, speaking in Arabic, said during a plenary session at the 196-nation talks, according to Safa Al Jayoussi of the IndyAct NGO, who was monitoring the session. The United States ratified the 2015 pact but US President Donald Trump announced earlier this year that he would pull out, saying the pact did not serve US interests. "It is our understanding that the government of Syria announced today their intent to join the Paris Agreement," Nick Nuttall, the spokesman for the UN climate body, told AFP. Nuttall identified the Syrian delegate as Wadah Katmawi, the deputy minister of the ministry of local administration and environment. Syria must submit their "instruments of ratification" at the UN headquarters in New York before their adherence becomes official, he added. According to the Syrian parliament website, a bill was passed on October 22 to ratify the Paris accord, "in accordance with the Syrian Constitution which stipulates the protection of the environment". Other parties at the 12-day negotiations, tasked with elaborating and implementing the agreement, welcomed the news. "Syria joining the Paris Agreement will be a good thing," South Africa's chief negotiator Maesela Kekana told AFP. "That's great," said Chai Qimin, a climate negotiator from China's National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation. "They were the last party to the UN Convention to sign the Paris Agreement," he said, referring to 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the bedrock treaty for UN climate talks. "That leaves only the one who announced their withdrawal," he added, in an oblique reference to the United States. US mocks Syria War-torn Syria would be the 197th country to sign on to the climate pact, which vows to hold global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The United States mocked Syria's arrival in the climate change agreement Tuesday, side-stepping the charge that it has isolated itself by being the world's sole hold-out. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert fiercely dismissed suggestions that this means that Trump's "America First" policy has in practice meant "America Alone." "I find it ironic that the government of Syria, OK, would say that it wants to be involved and that it cares so much about climate and things like CO2 gas," she told reporters. "If the government of Syria cared so much about what was put in the air, then it wouldn't be gassing its own people," she said, referring to the Damascus regime's brutal civil war tactics. Nauert said that the department's undersecretary for political affairs, Tom Shannon, would lead a US delegation to the Bonn talks next week but that Trump's decision would stand. "We intend to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as soon as we're eligible to do so," she said. 'Splendid isolation' Openly isolated on the climate issue at G-7 and G-20 meetings earlier this year, the United States said it intended to withdraw "unless the president can identify terms that are more favourable to American businesses, workers, and taxpayers." The Trump administration has not said what those terms might be. "This means Trump is in splendid isolation -- no one wants to be in his company," said Alden Meyer, a veteran climate analyst at the Washington-based Union of Concerned Scientists. "With Syria on board, now the entire world is resolutely committed to advancing climate action -– all save one country," said Paula Caballero, director for climate change at the World Resources Institute. "This should make the Trump administration pause and reflect on their ill-advised announcement about withdrawing from the Paris Agreement." Signed in the French capital in December 2015, the treaty entered into force on November 4, 2016. According to the terms, no country can formally submit their intent to withdraw until three years after the date of entry into force. It will then take one year to fully withdraw, meaning the earliest the United States could officially withdraw is the day after the 2020 election. "When even Syria -- with all its problems -- can see the sense of a global climate agreement, it really shows how ideologically wedded to climate denialism the US Republican Party has become," said Mohamed Adow, International Climate Lead for Christian Aid.

Syria to join Paris climate pact, isolating the US

President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that &#39;no dictator&#39;&nbsp;should underestimate the United States, as he launched an Asia tour that will be dominated by the North Korea nuclear crisis.&nbsp;

Speaking to cheering military personnel at Yokota Air Base just west of Tokyo, Trump donned a bomber jacket and issued a threat that &#39;no one, no dictator, no regime and no nation should underestimate american resolve.&#39;

&quot;Every once in a while in the past, they underestimated us. It was not pleasant for them, was it?&quot; roared Trump.

&quot;We will never yield, never waver and never falter in defence of our people, our freedom and our great American flag.&quot;

Trump&#39;s marathon trip comes with the North Korea crisis at fever pitch, as US bombers fly sorties over the Korean peninsula and fears mount of another Pyongyang missile test.

According to the Washington Post, Pentagon officials have warned that the only way to locate and secure North Korea&#39;s nuclear weapons sites would be via a ground invasion.

The president&#39;s first stops are Japan and South Korea - frontline US allies in the effort to force Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, and the two countries with most to fear should a full-scale conflict break out.

Trump touched down under clear blue Tokyo skies and stepped out with his wife Melania in bright sunshine to greet the crowds.

Speaking to reporters on the plane, he announced he would likely be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin during the tour, as the international community scrambles for a solution to the North Korean crisis.

&quot;I think it&#39;s expected we&#39;ll meet with Putin, yeah. We want Putin&#39;s help on North Korea, and we&#39;ll be meeting with a lot of different leaders,&quot; said Trump.

He added that North Korea was a &#39;big problem for our country and for the world, and we want to get it solved&#39;&nbsp;but had kind words for the people in the hermit state.

&quot;I think they&#39;re great people. They&#39;re industrious. They&#39;re warm, much warmer than the world really knows or understands. They&#39;re great people. And I hope it all works out for everybody,&quot; he said.

The next stop was a golfing date with his &#39;friend&#39;&nbsp;Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan, with whom he enjoys a close personal relationship.&nbsp;

Trump joked with reporters on Air Force One that they should not believe him if he claims to outhit Hedeki Matsuyama, one of the world&#39;s best players who joined the leaders on the course.

Abe has emerged strengthened from a crushing victory in a snap election and has firmly supported Trump in his policy of exerting maximum pressure on Kim, backed up with the threat of military force.

&quot;I want to further cement the bond of the Japan-US alliance, based on our relations of trust and friendship with President Trump,&quot; Abe said as Trump arrived.

Trump for his part described Japan as a &#39;treasured partner and crucial ally of the US.&#39;

&quot;Trump only has to play golf in Japan, as he knows Japan will follow (the US) whatever happens. Everything has been sorted out beforehand,&quot; Tetsuro Kato, political scientist at Tokyo&#39;s Hitotsubashi University, told AFP.

After Japan, Trump travels to Seoul, where his relationship with President Moon Jae-in is noticeably cooler.

While Trump has been in regular contact with the hawkish Abe during the North Korean crisis, he pointedly failed to speak to Moon for several days after Pyongyang&#39;s second intercontinental ballistic missile test in July.

Trump labelled Moon&#39;s dovish approach to North Korea as &#39;appeasement&#39;&nbsp;on Twitter, a comment that did not go down well in the Blue House.

Trump will speak to Korean MPs but not follow the well-trodden path to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula - a visit derided in Washington as a bit of a &#39;cliche.&#39;

From Seoul, Trump travels to China to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping who, like Abe, has solidified his grip on power after being handed a second term.

Trump said before his trip that China could have a &#39;big problem&#39;&nbsp;with &#39;warrior nation&#39;&nbsp;Japan if the North Korea issue is not solved.

He then travels to an Pacific Rim summit in Vietnam before heading to a gathering of Southeast Asian leaders.

Some observers have fretted that a gaffe by the famously ad-lib president could send tensions rising on the peninsula.

&quot;It will be a disaster if he speaks off the cuff and without thinking,&quot; said professor Koo Kab-Woo from the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

&quot;If Trump says anything that can provoke North Korea, it could send military tensions soaring again.&quot; 
&nbsp;

According to the Washington Post, Pentagon officials have warned that the only way to locate and secure North Korea's nuclear weapons sites would be via a ground invasion.

President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that 'no dictator' should underestimate the United States, as he launched an Asia tour that will be dominated by the North Korea nuclear crisis. Speaking to cheering military personnel at Yokota Air Base just west of Tokyo, Trump donned a bomber jacket and issued a threat that 'no one, no dictator, no regime and no nation should underestimate american resolve.' "Every once in a while in the past, they underestimated us. It was not pleasant for them, was it?" roared Trump. "We will never yield, never waver and never falter in defence of our people, our freedom and our great American flag." Trump's marathon trip comes with the North Korea crisis at fever pitch, as US bombers fly sorties over the Korean peninsula and fears mount of another Pyongyang missile test. According to the Washington Post, Pentagon officials have warned that the only way to locate and secure North Korea's nuclear weapons sites would be via a ground invasion. The president's first stops are Japan and South Korea - frontline US allies in the effort to force Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, and the two countries with most to fear should a full-scale conflict break out. Trump touched down under clear blue Tokyo skies and stepped out with his wife Melania in bright sunshine to greet the crowds. Speaking to reporters on the plane, he announced he would likely be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin during the tour, as the international community scrambles for a solution to the North Korean crisis. "I think it's expected we'll meet with Putin, yeah. We want Putin's help on North Korea, and we'll be meeting with a lot of different leaders," said Trump. He added that North Korea was a 'big problem for our country and for the world, and we want to get it solved' but had kind words for the people in the hermit state. "I think they're great people. They're industrious. They're warm, much warmer than the world really knows or understands. They're great people. And I hope it all works out for everybody," he said. The next stop was a golfing date with his 'friend' Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan, with whom he enjoys a close personal relationship. Trump joked with reporters on Air Force One that they should not believe him if he claims to outhit Hedeki Matsuyama, one of the world's best players who joined the leaders on the course. Abe has emerged strengthened from a crushing victory in a snap election and has firmly supported Trump in his policy of exerting maximum pressure on Kim, backed up with the threat of military force. "I want to further cement the bond of the Japan-US alliance, based on our relations of trust and friendship with President Trump," Abe said as Trump arrived. Trump for his part described Japan as a 'treasured partner and crucial ally of the US.' "Trump only has to play golf in Japan, as he knows Japan will follow (the US) whatever happens. Everything has been sorted out beforehand," Tetsuro Kato, political scientist at Tokyo's Hitotsubashi University, told AFP. After Japan, Trump travels to Seoul, where his relationship with President Moon Jae-in is noticeably cooler. While Trump has been in regular contact with the hawkish Abe during the North Korean crisis, he pointedly failed to speak to Moon for several days after Pyongyang's second intercontinental ballistic missile test in July. Trump labelled Moon's dovish approach to North Korea as 'appeasement' on Twitter, a comment that did not go down well in the Blue House. Trump will speak to Korean MPs but not follow the well-trodden path to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula - a visit derided in Washington as a bit of a 'cliche.' From Seoul, Trump travels to China to meet his counterpart Xi Jinping who, like Abe, has solidified his grip on power after being handed a second term. Trump said before his trip that China could have a 'big problem' with 'warrior nation' Japan if the North Korea issue is not solved. He then travels to an Pacific Rim summit in Vietnam before heading to a gathering of Southeast Asian leaders. Some observers have fretted that a gaffe by the famously ad-lib president could send tensions rising on the peninsula. "It will be a disaster if he speaks off the cuff and without thinking," said professor Koo Kab-Woo from the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. "If Trump says anything that can provoke North Korea, it could send military tensions soaring again."

Trump: 'No dictator' should underestimate US resolve

The only certain way to locate and secure all North Korea&#39;s nuclear weapons sites would be via a US ground invasion, the Washington Post reported Saturday, citing a letter from Pentagon officials sent to US lawmakers.

It said the letter, reportedly written by the vice director of the Pentagon&#39;s Joint Staff, noted that such a conflict could prompt Pyongyang to deploy biological and chemical weapons.

The report detailing the prospect of war on the Korean peninsula comes as President Donald Trump embarks on a nearly two-week Asia tour, with the North&#39;s nuclear and missile program expected to top the agenda.

The US Defense Department sent the letter in response to a request from two members of Congress for details regarding &#39;expected casualty assessments in a conflict with North Korea&#39;&nbsp;for US and allied forces in Japan, South Korea and Guam as well as civilians, the Post said.

Tensions have soared over North Korea&#39;s nuclear and missile programs in recent months, goaded by Trump and Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-Un&#39;s fiery exchanges of insults and warnings of conflict.

On Saturday, North Korea welcomed Trump to the region by threatening to increase its nuclear arsenal and saying the idea of talks was &quot;daydreaming,&quot; according to the state-run KCNA news agency.

Neither the US president nor his fierce rhetoric were mentioned in the letter, the Post said.

It did however say the military backs the current US approach -&nbsp;led by state department chief Rex Tillerson -&nbsp;to wield economic sanctions and apply diplomatic pressure on the North as a means of discouraging its nuclear ambitions.

The Post reported that a statement from 16 lawmakers - all but one of them Democrats - obtained along with the Pentagon letter said the &#39;assessment underscores what we&#39;ve known all along: There are no good military options for North Korea.&#39;

The report detailing the prospect of war on the Korean peninsula comes as President Donald Trump embarks on a nearly two-week Asia tour, with the North's nuclear and missile program expected to top the agenda.

The only certain way to locate and secure all North Korea's nuclear weapons sites would be via a US ground invasion, the Washington Post reported Saturday, citing a letter from Pentagon officials sent to US lawmakers. It said the letter, reportedly written by the vice director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, noted that such a conflict could prompt Pyongyang to deploy biological and chemical weapons. The report detailing the prospect of war on the Korean peninsula comes as President Donald Trump embarks on a nearly two-week Asia tour, with the North's nuclear and missile program expected to top the agenda. The US Defense Department sent the letter in response to a request from two members of Congress for details regarding 'expected casualty assessments in a conflict with North Korea' for US and allied forces in Japan, South Korea and Guam as well as civilians, the Post said. Tensions have soared over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs in recent months, goaded by Trump and Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-Un's fiery exchanges of insults and warnings of conflict. On Saturday, North Korea welcomed Trump to the region by threatening to increase its nuclear arsenal and saying the idea of talks was "daydreaming," according to the state-run KCNA news agency. Neither the US president nor his fierce rhetoric were mentioned in the letter, the Post said. It did however say the military backs the current US approach - led by state department chief Rex Tillerson - to wield economic sanctions and apply diplomatic pressure on the North as a means of discouraging its nuclear ambitions. The Post reported that a statement from 16 lawmakers - all but one of them Democrats - obtained along with the Pentagon letter said the 'assessment underscores what we've known all along: There are no good military options for North Korea.'

Securing N. Korea nukes would require US ground invasion: Reports

President Donald Trump has nominated Federal Reserve Governor Jerome &quot;Jay&quot; Powell to lead the US central bank, saying the former investment banker has the wisdom and intelligence to guide the world&#39;s largest economy.

Trump decided not to reappoint current Fed Chair Janet Yellen, the first woman to oversee monetary policy, despite praising her excellent management of the US economy over the past four years.

&quot;He is strong. He&#39;s committed. He&#39;s smart,&quot; Trump said of Powell yesterday during the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. &quot;He has proven to be a consensus builder.&quot;

&quot;Based on his record I am confident that Jay has the wisdom and leadership to guide our economy through any challenges that our great economy may face.&quot;

Analysts say choosing Powell allows Trump to put his own imprimatur on the central bank with a minimum of disruption.

&quot;Powell allows Trump to change the Fed leadership without changing the basic monetary policy strategy. That strategy has been largely successful,&quot; said University of Oregon economist Tim Duy.

The president&#39;s decision to replace the sitting Fed chair is something no first-term US president had done in 40 years.

He has made it clear he has no problem upsetting tradition, and specifically cited his desire to leave his mark on the Fed during the very public search process. Still, in choosing the 64-year-old Powell, a Republican, Trump took a less radical course.

Powell has echoed the administration&#39;s views in favour of bank deregulation but has supported the Yellen Fed&#39;s very gradual interest rate increases.

Trump has repeatedly hailed the country&#39;s smooth economic progress and Wall Street&#39;s successive rallies, making the prospect of disrupting the status quo at the Fed particularly risky.

Powell is the latest in a string of former investment bankers Trump has tapped for high-profile posts.

He will require Senate confirmation, but he already went through that process when he became a member of the Fed&#39;s board of governors.

Trump noted that his Fed pick has &quot;a unique background of prior government service and business experience.&quot;

&quot;As a result he understands what it takes for our economy to grow,&quot; Trump said.

Powell has a declared personal fortune ranging between about USD 20 million and USD 55 million after nearly a decade at the Washington-based private equity firm Carlyle Group, where fellow Fed Governor Randal Quarles once worked as well.

In another break with tradition, Powell is not a trained economist. Even so Terry Sheehan of Oxford Economics said he has received a working education and is &quot;well qualified&quot; to serve as Fed chair. 
But she warned he may have to defend the Fed&#39;s independence &quot;in a hostile political environment.&quot;

In accepting the nomination, Powell said he would ensure the Fed &quot;remains vigilant and prepared to respond to changes in markets and evolving risks,&quot; but he also cited the independence of the Fed in setting monetary policy.

Trump and Powell offered extensive praise for Yellen, who they said demonstrated judicious economic stewardship during the current recovery.

Yellen congratulated Powell on his nomination and said she would work to ensure a &quot;smooth transition&quot; in February.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has nominated Federal Reserve Governor Jerome "Jay" Powell to lead the US central bank, saying the former investment banker has the wisdom and intelligence to guide the world's largest economy.

President Donald Trump has nominated Federal Reserve Governor Jerome "Jay" Powell to lead the US central bank, saying the former investment banker has the wisdom and intelligence to guide the world's largest economy. Trump decided not to reappoint current Fed Chair Janet Yellen, the first woman to oversee monetary policy, despite praising her excellent management of the US economy over the past four years. "He is strong. He's committed. He's smart," Trump said of Powell yesterday during the ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. "He has proven to be a consensus builder." "Based on his record I am confident that Jay has the wisdom and leadership to guide our economy through any challenges that our great economy may face." Analysts say choosing Powell allows Trump to put his own imprimatur on the central bank with a minimum of disruption. "Powell allows Trump to change the Fed leadership without changing the basic monetary policy strategy. That strategy has been largely successful," said University of Oregon economist Tim Duy. The president's decision to replace the sitting Fed chair is something no first-term US president had done in 40 years. He has made it clear he has no problem upsetting tradition, and specifically cited his desire to leave his mark on the Fed during the very public search process. Still, in choosing the 64-year-old Powell, a Republican, Trump took a less radical course. Powell has echoed the administration's views in favour of bank deregulation but has supported the Yellen Fed's very gradual interest rate increases. Trump has repeatedly hailed the country's smooth economic progress and Wall Street's successive rallies, making the prospect of disrupting the status quo at the Fed particularly risky. Powell is the latest in a string of former investment bankers Trump has tapped for high-profile posts. He will require Senate confirmation, but he already went through that process when he became a member of the Fed's board of governors. Trump noted that his Fed pick has "a unique background of prior government service and business experience." "As a result he understands what it takes for our economy to grow," Trump said. Powell has a declared personal fortune ranging between about USD 20 million and USD 55 million after nearly a decade at the Washington-based private equity firm Carlyle Group, where fellow Fed Governor Randal Quarles once worked as well. In another break with tradition, Powell is not a trained economist. Even so Terry Sheehan of Oxford Economics said he has received a working education and is "well qualified" to serve as Fed chair. But she warned he may have to defend the Fed's independence "in a hostile political environment." In accepting the nomination, Powell said he would ensure the Fed "remains vigilant and prepared to respond to changes in markets and evolving risks," but he also cited the independence of the Fed in setting monetary policy. Trump and Powell offered extensive praise for Yellen, who they said demonstrated judicious economic stewardship during the current recovery. Yellen congratulated Powell on his nomination and said she would work to ensure a "smooth transition" in February.

Trump taps Jerome Powell to lead US Federal Reserve

Facebook has assured to double its cybersecurity staff by the end of 2018.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/google-facebook-twitter-asked-to-testify-in-russia-probe-20770" target="_blank">social media giant</a> testified before US senators that the&nbsp;company will expand its security staff to 20,000 including contract workers.&nbsp;

The company had over 20,000 employees by the end of June.

Facebook&#39;s assurance has come after US&nbsp;senators sought to include tech lawyers to investigate about Russian meddling in the 2016&nbsp;presidential election.&nbsp;

The US senators questioned the social media giant Facebook, Google and Twitter about Russia&#39;s alleged&nbsp;interference in the 2016 presidential election.&nbsp;

Facebook lawyer Colin Stretch also said that the new employees will keep a track on extremists on the site.&nbsp;

For the first time, ever tech executives appeared publicly before US lawmakers on Russia matter.&nbsp;

Till now the US technology sector was experiencing light advertisement regulations.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Facebook's assurance has come after US?senators sought to include tech lawyers to investigate about Russian meddling in the 2016?presidential election

Facebook has assured to double its cybersecurity staff by the end of 2018. The social media giant testified before US senators that the company will expand its security staff to 20,000 including contract workers. The company had over 20,000 employees by the end of June. Facebook's assurance has come after US senators sought to include tech lawyers to investigate about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The US senators questioned the social media giant Facebook, Google and Twitter about Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election. Facebook lawyer Colin Stretch also said that the new employees will keep a track on extremists on the site. For the first time, ever tech executives appeared publicly before US lawmakers on Russia matter. Till now the US technology sector was experiencing light advertisement regulations.

Facebook to expand Cybersecurity staff by 2018

Pakistan has returned the five remaining helicopters to the United States that were given to them to monitor its border with Afghanistan.

According to the Geo News, the US&nbsp;gave a total of nine helicopters to Pakistan in 2002, out of which four were returned on October 15.

The Ministry of Interior&#39;s air wing had been using the choppers for anti-narcotics operations and combating terrorism, according to sources.

Now, it would be difficult to monitor the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as the Ministry of Interior is left with only three Cessna aircraft in the air wing, the insiders added

Pakistan has returned the five remaining helicopters to the United States that were given to them to monitor its border with Afghanistan.

Pakistan has returned the five remaining helicopters to the United States that were given to them to monitor its border with Afghanistan. According to the Geo News, the US gave a total of nine helicopters to Pakistan in 2002, out of which four were returned on October 15. The Ministry of Interior's air wing had been using the choppers for anti-narcotics operations and combating terrorism, according to sources. Now, it would be difficult to monitor the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as the Ministry of Interior is left with only three Cessna aircraft in the air wing, the insiders added

Pakistan returns helicopters given by US

A federal judge in Washington on Monday blocked President Donald Trump from banning transgender people from serving in the US&nbsp;military, handing a victory to transgender service members who accused the president of violating their constitutional rights.

Trump announced in July that he would ban transgender people from the military in a move that would reverse Democratic former President Barack Obama&#39;s policy of accepting them and halt years of efforts to eliminate barriers to military service based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The transgender service members sued in August to try to block the ban, which had not yet gone into effect, and US&nbsp;District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly granted them an injunction halting enforcement of it until their case is resolved.

The service members asserted that Trump&#39;s policy violated their rights to due process and equal protection under the law under the US&nbsp;Constitution. Kollar-Kotelly said the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claim that the ban was unconstitutional because the administration&#39;s reasons for it &quot;do not appear to be supported by any facts.&quot;

After his policy announcement on Twitter, Trump signed a memorandum in August that directed the military not to accept transgender people as recruits and halted the use of government funds for sex-reassignment surgeries for active-duty personnel unless the process was already underway.

The memo called on Defense Secretary James Mattis to submit a plan to Trump by Feb. 21 on how to implement the changes, and the Pentagon has created a panel of senior officials for that purpose. In the meantime, the current policy of allowing transgender people to serve remains in force.

Mattis in June already had delayed allowing transgender recruits to join the US&nbsp;armed forces on July 1 as previously scheduled.

The judge tossed out the suit&#39;s challenge to the sex-reassignment surgery directive, saying none of the plaintiffs had shown they would be impacted by that prohibition.

&#39;HUGELY IMPORTANT&#39;

&quot;This is a hugely important decision and confirms that transgender people can and should be able to serve in the military if they are qualified to do so,&quot; said the plaintiffs&#39; lead attorney, Jennifer Levi.

&quot;The court saw through the smoke screens that the government tried to throw up to hide what is actually going on here, which is straight-on bias and prejudice against transgender people,&quot; added Levi, director of the transgender rights project for the anti-discrimination group GLBTQ Legal Advocates &amp; Defenders.

The Justice Department said it was disappointed in the ruling and evaluating its next steps. Spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam said the suit was premature because the &quot;Defense Department is actively reviewing such service requirements, as the president ordered, and because none of the plaintiffs have established that they will be impacted by current policies on military service.&quot;

Trump&#39;s action appealed to his hard-line conservative supporters. The president in February also rescinded protections put in place under Obama for transgender public school students.

The judge&#39;s action marked the latest legal setback suffered by Trump on policies he has pursued as president. Courts also have blocked Trump&#39;s latest version of a travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority countries, and dealt him setbacks on policies on so-called sanctuary cities and environmental rules.

The service members who sued Trump, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and military leaders in August had been serving openly as transgender people in the US&nbsp;Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. They said Trump&#39;s ban discriminated against them based on their sex and transgender status.

They also said they relied on the 2016 policy put in place by Obama to reveal they are transgender and called Trump&#39;s reversal unfair, arbitrary and a violation of their privacy rights.

The Trump administration argued that transgender people might harm military unit cohesion and that they suffer medical conditions that could limit their ability to perform duties or deploy.

The judge said the military previously commissioned a study that debunked concerns about unit cohesion, military readiness, or healthcare costs related to transgender troops. That report estimated there were 2,450 active-duty service members and 1,510 in the military reserves.

&quot;In short, the military concerns purportedly underlying the president&#39;s decision had been studied and rejected by the military itself,&quot; Kollar-Kotelly wrote.

Other suits also have been filed against Trump&#39;s ban.

Trump announced in July that he would ban transgender people from the military in a move that would reverse Democratic former President Barack Obama's policy of accepting them.

A federal judge in Washington on Monday blocked President Donald Trump from banning transgender people from serving in the US military, handing a victory to transgender service members who accused the president of violating their constitutional rights. Trump announced in July that he would ban transgender people from the military in a move that would reverse Democratic former President Barack Obama's policy of accepting them and halt years of efforts to eliminate barriers to military service based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The transgender service members sued in August to try to block the ban, which had not yet gone into effect, and US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly granted them an injunction halting enforcement of it until their case is resolved. The service members asserted that Trump's policy violated their rights to due process and equal protection under the law under the US Constitution. Kollar-Kotelly said the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in their claim that the ban was unconstitutional because the administration's reasons for it "do not appear to be supported by any facts." After his policy announcement on Twitter, Trump signed a memorandum in August that directed the military not to accept transgender people as recruits and halted the use of government funds for sex-reassignment surgeries for active-duty personnel unless the process was already underway. The memo called on Defense Secretary James Mattis to submit a plan to Trump by Feb. 21 on how to implement the changes, and the Pentagon has created a panel of senior officials for that purpose. In the meantime, the current policy of allowing transgender people to serve remains in force. Mattis in June already had delayed allowing transgender recruits to join the US armed forces on July 1 as previously scheduled. The judge tossed out the suit's challenge to the sex-reassignment surgery directive, saying none of the plaintiffs had shown they would be impacted by that prohibition. 'HUGELY IMPORTANT' "This is a hugely important decision and confirms that transgender people can and should be able to serve in the military if they are qualified to do so," said the plaintiffs' lead attorney, Jennifer Levi. "The court saw through the smoke screens that the government tried to throw up to hide what is actually going on here, which is straight-on bias and prejudice against transgender people," added Levi, director of the transgender rights project for the anti-discrimination group GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. The Justice Department said it was disappointed in the ruling and evaluating its next steps. Spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam said the suit was premature because the "Defense Department is actively reviewing such service requirements, as the president ordered, and because none of the plaintiffs have established that they will be impacted by current policies on military service." Trump's action appealed to his hard-line conservative supporters. The president in February also rescinded protections put in place under Obama for transgender public school students. The judge's action marked the latest legal setback suffered by Trump on policies he has pursued as president. Courts also have blocked Trump's latest version of a travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority countries, and dealt him setbacks on policies on so-called sanctuary cities and environmental rules. The service members who sued Trump, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and military leaders in August had been serving openly as transgender people in the US Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. They said Trump's ban discriminated against them based on their sex and transgender status. They also said they relied on the 2016 policy put in place by Obama to reveal they are transgender and called Trump's reversal unfair, arbitrary and a violation of their privacy rights. The Trump administration argued that transgender people might harm military unit cohesion and that they suffer medical conditions that could limit their ability to perform duties or deploy. The judge said the military previously commissioned a study that debunked concerns about unit cohesion, military readiness, or healthcare costs related to transgender troops. That report estimated there were 2,450 active-duty service members and 1,510 in the military reserves. "In short, the military concerns purportedly underlying the president's decision had been studied and rejected by the military itself," Kollar-Kotelly wrote. Other suits also have been filed against Trump's ban.

In defeat for Trump, US judge blocks transgender military ban

Six influential US Senators have urged secretary of state Rex Tillerson to designate Pakistan as a &quot;country of particular concern&quot; on the issue of religious freedom violation, saying its discriminatory laws continue to result in prosecution of individuals due to their faith.

Senators Bob Menendez, Marco Rubio, Chris Coons, Todd Young, Jeff Merkley and James Lankford wrote a letter to Tillerson ahead of the November 13 deadline before which the State Department needs to notify Congress on its country of particular concern (CPC) designations.

In the letter to Tillerson, who has just concluded a visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, the bipartisan group of Senators said that they believe &quot;the State Department should designate Pakistan as a CPC as long recommended by US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

&quot;The government of Pakistan continues to perpetrate and tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious religious freedom violations. Discriminatory constitutional provisions and laws, including the country&#39;s blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya measures, continue to result in the unjust prosecution and imprisonment of individuals due to their faith,&quot; the Senators said in their letter to Tillerson.

&quot;At least 40 people are currently sentenced to death or are serving life sentences for blasphemy. Religious minority communities, including Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and Shia Muslims also experience religiously motivated and sectarian violence perpetrated by terrorist organisations and societal elements with relative impunity,&quot; said the letter.

Additionally, provincial textbooks with discriminatory content against minorities remain a significant concern, the Senators said in the letter dated October 27.

The Frank R Wolf International Religious Freedom Act requires the president to make CPC designations no later than 90 days after the release of the annual report and that Congress be notified no later than 90 days after these designations about the parties responsible for the violations prompting the designations, the actions the US government has taken in response, and the effectiveness of these actions.

&quot;We, therefore, expect to receive CPC designations by November 13, 2017, and the notification of the responsible parties, actions were taken, and the effectiveness of these actions by February 11, 2018.

&quot;We believe promoting freedom of religion and belief is a moral imperative and encourages peace, stability, and economic vibrancy. We look forward to working with you to help ensure this precious freedom has a central role in US foreign policy,&quot; the Senators added.

The Senators also sought the CPC designation of Myanmar over the issue of Rohingyas.

Tillerson has urged the Myanmar army to help the government end violence in the northern Rakhine state where unrest has forced over 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh.

The senators said Pakistan's discriminatory laws continue to result in prosecution of individuals due to their faith

Six influential US Senators have urged secretary of state Rex Tillerson to designate Pakistan as a "country of particular concern" on the issue of religious freedom violation, saying its discriminatory laws continue to result in prosecution of individuals due to their faith. Senators Bob Menendez, Marco Rubio, Chris Coons, Todd Young, Jeff Merkley and James Lankford wrote a letter to Tillerson ahead of the November 13 deadline before which the State Department needs to notify Congress on its country of particular concern (CPC) designations. In the letter to Tillerson, who has just concluded a visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, the bipartisan group of Senators said that they believe "the State Department should designate Pakistan as a CPC as long recommended by US Commission on International Religious Freedom. "The government of Pakistan continues to perpetrate and tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious religious freedom violations. Discriminatory constitutional provisions and laws, including the country's blasphemy and anti-Ahmadiyya measures, continue to result in the unjust prosecution and imprisonment of individuals due to their faith," the Senators said in their letter to Tillerson. "At least 40 people are currently sentenced to death or are serving life sentences for blasphemy. Religious minority communities, including Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and Shia Muslims also experience religiously motivated and sectarian violence perpetrated by terrorist organisations and societal elements with relative impunity," said the letter. Additionally, provincial textbooks with discriminatory content against minorities remain a significant concern, the Senators said in the letter dated October 27. The Frank R Wolf International Religious Freedom Act requires the president to make CPC designations no later than 90 days after the release of the annual report and that Congress be notified no later than 90 days after these designations about the parties responsible for the violations prompting the designations, the actions the US government has taken in response, and the effectiveness of these actions. "We, therefore, expect to receive CPC designations by November 13, 2017, and the notification of the responsible parties, actions were taken, and the effectiveness of these actions by February 11, 2018. "We believe promoting freedom of religion and belief is a moral imperative and encourages peace, stability, and economic vibrancy. We look forward to working with you to help ensure this precious freedom has a central role in US foreign policy," the Senators added. The Senators also sought the CPC designation of Myanmar over the issue of Rohingyas. Tillerson has urged the Myanmar army to help the government end violence in the northern Rakhine state where unrest has forced over 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh.

Religious intolerance: 6 US Senators urge listing of Pak as 'country of particular concern'

New security measures including stricter passenger screening take effect on Thursday on all US-bound flights to comply with government requirements aimed at responding to threats of hidden explosives, airlines said.

Airlines contacted by Reuters said the new measures could include short security interviews with passengers at check-in or the boarding gate, sparking concerns over flight delays and extended processing time.

They will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,100 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries.

US&nbsp;Transportation Security Administration officials are giving some airlines or airports additional time to comply with the new interviews as long the US&nbsp;government has approved security plans by Thursday.

&quot;TSA will continue to work closely with our aviation partners and verify that all security enhancements are accurately implemented,&quot; TSA spokeswoman Lucy Martinez said in a statement Wednesday.

The United States announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to concerns that explosives could be hidden in electronic devices.

Those restrictions were lifted in July, but the Trump administration said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security.&nbsp;

European and US&nbsp;officials said at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening. The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing.&nbsp;

&quot;We see this as a big issue for China Airlines,&quot; Steve Chang, senior vice president of the Taiwanese firm told reporters on Wednesday, adding the airline was trying to consult with the American Institute in the country over the issue.

&nbsp;Korean Airlines, South Korea&#39;s flagship carrier, also said it had a lot of concerns with the new measures.&nbsp;

&quot;We are asking customers to show up at the airport early ... It&#39;s just inconvenient for the passengers,&quot; President and Chief Operating Officer Walter Cho told&nbsp;in Taipei.

Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate.&nbsp;

Economy passengers on Lufthansa&#39;s Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure.&nbsp;

Singapore Airlines Ltd said the security checks could include inspections of personal electronic devices as well as security questioning during check-in and boarding.

Airlines for America, a US&nbsp;trade group, said the changes &quot;are complex security measures&quot; but praised US&nbsp;officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules.

Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, said the industry understood security threats to aviation were made regularly but in this case, the US&nbsp;government had not shared any specific dangers before changing the rules.

&quot;What we have seen is very strange,&quot; he told reporters in Taipei. &quot;Unilateral measures announced without any prior consultation... That is something that is very concerning and disturbing.&quot;&nbsp;

At their annual meeting in Taipei, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) members passed a resolution calling for security measures to be risk-based, outcome-focused and proportionate to the probable threat.&nbsp;

&quot;Unilateral actions taken by individual governments reacting to emerging threats may result in unnecessary disruption or lead to unintended safety consequences,&quot; said the members.

AAPA includes most large Asian airlines but not mainland Chinese carriers.

&quot;The risk is other countries make similar demands,&quot; AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said.

US&nbsp;authorities in June also ordered increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart and ordered enhanced screening of personal electronic devices. Some of those new requirements take effect this week as well.

The TSA said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US&nbsp;domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

 
&nbsp;

New security measures including stricter passenger screening take effect on Thursday on all U.S.-bound flights to comply with government requirements aimed at responding to threats of hidden explosives, airlines said.

New security measures including stricter passenger screening take effect on Thursday on all US-bound flights to comply with government requirements aimed at responding to threats of hidden explosives, airlines said. Airlines contacted by Reuters said the new measures could include short security interviews with passengers at check-in or the boarding gate, sparking concerns over flight delays and extended processing time. They will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,100 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries. US Transportation Security Administration officials are giving some airlines or airports additional time to comply with the new interviews as long the US government has approved security plans by Thursday. "TSA will continue to work closely with our aviation partners and verify that all security enhancements are accurately implemented," TSA spokeswoman Lucy Martinez said in a statement Wednesday. The United States announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to concerns that explosives could be hidden in electronic devices. Those restrictions were lifted in July, but the Trump administration said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security. European and US officials said at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening. The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing. "We see this as a big issue for China Airlines," Steve Chang, senior vice president of the Taiwanese firm told reporters on Wednesday, adding the airline was trying to consult with the American Institute in the country over the issue. Korean Airlines, South Korea's flagship carrier, also said it had a lot of concerns with the new measures. "We are asking customers to show up at the airport early ... It's just inconvenient for the passengers," President and Chief Operating Officer Walter Cho told in Taipei. Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate. Economy passengers on Lufthansa's Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure. Singapore Airlines Ltd said the security checks could include inspections of personal electronic devices as well as security questioning during check-in and boarding. Airlines for America, a US trade group, said the changes "are complex security measures" but praised US officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules. Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association, said the industry understood security threats to aviation were made regularly but in this case, the US government had not shared any specific dangers before changing the rules. "What we have seen is very strange," he told reporters in Taipei. "Unilateral measures announced without any prior consultation... That is something that is very concerning and disturbing." At their annual meeting in Taipei, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) members passed a resolution calling for security measures to be risk-based, outcome-focused and proportionate to the probable threat. "Unilateral actions taken by individual governments reacting to emerging threats may result in unnecessary disruption or lead to unintended safety consequences," said the members. AAPA includes most large Asian airlines but not mainland Chinese carriers. "The risk is other countries make similar demands," AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said. US authorities in June also ordered increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart and ordered enhanced screening of personal electronic devices. Some of those new requirements take effect this week as well. The TSA said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

Airlines get ready for new US security rules from Thursday

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-more-dangerous-than-north-korea-ex-us-senator-22963" target="_blank">Washington&#39;s goal &quot;is not war&quot;</a> as it seeks to ease high military tension with Pyongyang, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Friday, standing at the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas.

Tension has flared on the Korean peninsula as US President Donald Trump and the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/why-north-koreas-nuclear-threat-must-be-taken-more-seriously-than-ever-22933" target="_blank">North&#39;s ruler Kim Jong-Un</a> have traded threats of war and personal insults that sparked global alarm.

Mattis, who visited the tense Demilitarised Zone during a trip to South Korea, criticised the North&#39;s &quot;pursuit of nuclear weapons... in order to threaten others with catastrophe&quot;.

But he maintained that the US was still committed to a &quot;diplomatic solution&quot;.

&quot;As the US Secretary of State Tillerson has made clear, our goal is not war but rather the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula,&quot; he said in the truce village of Panmunjom.

Mattis also stressed he and his South Korean counterpart Song Young-Moo had &quot;made clear our mutual commitment to a diplomatic solution to address North Korea&#39;s reckless, outlaw behaviour&quot;.

The remarks came a day after Mattis had said Washington was &quot;not rushing to war&quot; and was looking for a &quot;peaceful resolution&quot;.

He is set to hold annual defence talks with Song on Saturday during the two-day trip, which comes ahead of a planned trip by Trump to the South, a key US ally in Asia, next month.

Trump is set to visit Seoul from November 7 to 8 with all eyes on his message to the North and Kim.&nbsp;

The isolated North carried out its sixth nuclear test in September and has launched several missiles in recent months potentially capable of reaching the mainland of its &quot;imperialist enemy&quot; the US.&nbsp;

The moves staged in violation of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/not-scared-of-us-sanctions-north-korean-envoy-13640" target="_blank">UN resolutions banning the North from any use of atomic and ballistic technology</a>, prompted new US-led UN sanctions against the impoverished state.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pyongyang reacted angrily to the new sanctions and Trump&#39;s recent remark that &quot;only one thing will work&quot; with the North fuelled concerns of a potential conflict.

But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul,only around 50 kilometres from the border and home to 10 million people.

The North says its atomic weapons are &quot;treasured sword&quot; to protect itself from potential invasion by the US. Its missile technology has made significant progress under Kim, who took power after the death of his father in 2011.&nbsp;

But following a flurry of nuclear and missile tests, the North has gone more than a month without such provocations, leaving Seoul and Washington officials perplexed about its intention.

Also in a rare humanitarian gesture at a time of heightened tension, the North said Friday it would return a South Korean fishing boat captured after crossing the sea border.

The ship, captured last Saturday after &quot;illegally&quot; crossing the border off the east coast, would be repatriated Friday evening &quot;from the humanitarian point of view&quot;, state-run news agency KCNA said.

The North has been accused of abducting many South Korean fishermen and Japanese civilians in the 1960s, 70s and 80s to use some of them as tutors to train North Korean spies to be sent abroad.

The moves staged in violation of UN resolutions banning the North from any use of atomic and ballistic technology, prompted new US-led UN sanctions against the impoverished state. Pyongyang reacted angrily to the new sanctions

Washington's goal "is not war" as it seeks to ease high military tension with Pyongyang, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Friday, standing at the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas. Tension has flared on the Korean peninsula as US President Donald Trump and the North's ruler Kim Jong-Un have traded threats of war and personal insults that sparked global alarm. Mattis, who visited the tense Demilitarised Zone during a trip to South Korea, criticised the North's "pursuit of nuclear weapons... in order to threaten others with catastrophe". But he maintained that the US was still committed to a "diplomatic solution". "As the US Secretary of State Tillerson has made clear, our goal is not war but rather the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," he said in the truce village of Panmunjom. Mattis also stressed he and his South Korean counterpart Song Young-Moo had "made clear our mutual commitment to a diplomatic solution to address North Korea's reckless, outlaw behaviour". The remarks came a day after Mattis had said Washington was "not rushing to war" and was looking for a "peaceful resolution". He is set to hold annual defence talks with Song on Saturday during the two-day trip, which comes ahead of a planned trip by Trump to the South, a key US ally in Asia, next month. Trump is set to visit Seoul from November 7 to 8 with all eyes on his message to the North and Kim. The isolated North carried out its sixth nuclear test in September and has launched several missiles in recent months potentially capable of reaching the mainland of its "imperialist enemy" the US. The moves staged in violation of UN resolutions banning the North from any use of atomic and ballistic technology, prompted new US-led UN sanctions against the impoverished state. Pyongyang reacted angrily to the new sanctions and Trump's recent remark that "only one thing will work" with the North fuelled concerns of a potential conflict. But even some Trump advisers say US military options are limited when Pyongyang could launch an artillery barrage on the South Korean capital Seoul,only around 50 kilometres from the border and home to 10 million people. The North says its atomic weapons are "treasured sword" to protect itself from potential invasion by the US. Its missile technology has made significant progress under Kim, who took power after the death of his father in 2011. But following a flurry of nuclear and missile tests, the North has gone more than a month without such provocations, leaving Seoul and Washington officials perplexed about its intention. Also in a rare humanitarian gesture at a time of heightened tension, the North said Friday it would return a South Korean fishing boat captured after crossing the sea border. The ship, captured last Saturday after "illegally" crossing the border off the east coast, would be repatriated Friday evening "from the humanitarian point of view", state-run news agency KCNA said. The North has been accused of abducting many South Korean fishermen and Japanese civilians in the 1960s, 70s and 80s to use some of them as tutors to train North Korean spies to be sent abroad.

Mattis says US goal is 'not war' over North Korea, bans use of atomic and ballistic technology

The US House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously on Thursday for new sanctions on Iran&#39;s ballistic missile program, part of an effort to clamp down on Tehran without immediately moving to undermine an international nuclear agreement.

The vote was 423 to two for the &quot;Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act.&quot; Among other things, it calls on the US president to report to Congress on the Iranian and international supply chain for Iran&#39;s ballistic missile program and to impose sanctions on Iranian government or foreign entities that support it.

President Donald Trump said on October 13 he would not certify Iran is complying with an international agreement on its nuclear program and threatened that he might ultimately terminate the accord.

Trump&#39;s action opened a 60-day window for Congress to act to reimpose sanctions on Iran&#39;s nuclear program that were lifted under the agreement, but there has been no move to do so in the House or Senate.

Aides said that, for now, House lawmakers are focusing on clamping down on Iran in other ways such as the Hezbollah and missile-related sanctions.

US Representative Ed Royce, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who sponsored the ballistic missile bill, has said the international nuclear deal should be strictly enforced by Washington working with its allies.

&quot;The United States must respond to the full range of threats and, with this bill.... that is what we are doing today,&quot; he said.

The House passed three other Iran-related measures on Wednesday, including new sanctions on Lebanon&#39;s Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and a resolution urging the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

To become law, the measure would have to pass the US Senate and be signed into law by Trump.

The US House of Representative passed three other Iran-related measures on Wednesday, including new sanctions on Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and a resolution urging the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation

The US House of Representatives voted nearly unanimously on Thursday for new sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile program, part of an effort to clamp down on Tehran without immediately moving to undermine an international nuclear agreement. The vote was 423 to two for the "Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act." Among other things, it calls on the US president to report to Congress on the Iranian and international supply chain for Iran's ballistic missile program and to impose sanctions on Iranian government or foreign entities that support it. President Donald Trump said on October 13 he would not certify Iran is complying with an international agreement on its nuclear program and threatened that he might ultimately terminate the accord. Trump's action opened a 60-day window for Congress to act to reimpose sanctions on Iran's nuclear program that were lifted under the agreement, but there has been no move to do so in the House or Senate. Aides said that, for now, House lawmakers are focusing on clamping down on Iran in other ways such as the Hezbollah and missile-related sanctions. US Representative Ed Royce, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who sponsored the ballistic missile bill, has said the international nuclear deal should be strictly enforced by Washington working with its allies. "The United States must respond to the full range of threats and, with this bill.... that is what we are doing today," he said. The House passed three other Iran-related measures on Wednesday, including new sanctions on Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and a resolution urging the European Union to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. To become law, the measure would have to pass the US Senate and be signed into law by Trump.

US House passes ballistic missile sanctions on Iran

Pakistan is more dangerous than North Korea as it does not have a centralised control on its nuclear weapons, making them vulnerable to theft and sale, a former top American Senator warned, describing both the nations as rogue states.

Larry Pressler, who served as chairman of the US Senate&#39;s Arms Control Subcommittee, feared that Pakistan&#39;s nuclear weapons might be used against the US, warning of the possibility of someone buying these nuclear weapons from generals or colonels.

As chairman of Senate Arms Control Subcommittee, Pressler advocated the now-famous Pressler Amendment, enforced in 1990.

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<h5>When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said &#39;Yes&#39;</h5>
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Aid and military sales to Pakistan were blocked, including a consignment of F-16 fighter aircraft, changing forever the tenor of the US relationships with Pakistan and India. &quot;Their weapons could be transported to the US fairly simply. Just as 9/11 was a very simple operation run by 20 or 30 people,&quot; he said.

&quot;The Pakistani nuclear bombs are not controlled. They are subject to sale or stealing and they could be easily gotten out of Pakistan to just about anywhere in the world,&quot; he said speaking at an event organised by The Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank.

&quot;I consider Pakistan more dangerous than North Korea in the sense that Pakistan doesn&#39;t have a centralised control of their nuclear weapons,&quot; Pressler said while discussing his latest book &#39;Neighbours in Arms: An American Senator&#39;s Quest for Disarmament in a Nuclear Subcontinent&#39;.

The former top American Senator, however, said he does not think that Pakistan&#39;s nuclear weapons are going to be used against India.

&quot;I think what North Korea needs is just a lot of attention and hand-holding. Pakistan is a different thing because you don&#39;t really have one person in charge. I think Pakistan is more dangerous to the US,&quot; he reiterated in response to a question.

With Secretary of State Rex Tillerson having just concluded his India trip wherein he sought to elevate India-US relationship, Pressler said the US should declare Pakistan a terrorist state.

&quot;We should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. We should put certain sanctions on Pakistan,&quot;&nbsp;he said.

Pressler said in his book he has made recommendations for some reforms to treat India at a higher level.

When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler, if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said &quot;Yes&quot;.

&quot;From a nuclear dangerous point of view, I think they are both the rogue states in my opinion. They both do not have the interests of the US in mind. Pakistan has and is harbouring terrorists. And North Korea is a threat to the US,&quot; he said.

He said President Donald Trump may be one of the best presidents of US&nbsp;for India in terms of Indo-US relationship.

Trump, Tillerson and the secretary of defense are advocating closer relationships with India, he said.

&quot;They are coming close to declaring Pakistan a terrorist state or at least in effect. And they are very interested in moving toward more free trade with India of course,&quot; the former Senator from South Dakota said.

Moderating the session, former Pakistan&#39;s ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani said American officials have acknowledged that Pakistan has a stable command and control system over its nuclear programme. 
Haqqani, however, said, &quot;Pakistanis are living in a narrative that is purely Pakistani.&quot;

&quot;One should pay attention to what Pressler said that while he started out by being critical of the nuclear programme of everybody it was Pakistan&#39;s repeated inability to keep the promises that made him particularly critical,&quot; he said.

&quot;I&#39;m a Pakistani too and I would say that there is some merit to that argument where the Pakistanis want to recognise it or not. We have a tendency to over promise and then later on give excuses for why we couldn&#39;t keep our promise that&#39;s not just in relation to the nuclear issue, we have seen that over Afghanistan in the last two decades, he said.&nbsp;

Pakistan is more dangerous than North Korea becuase it does not have centralised control over its nuclear weapons, making them vulnerable to theft and sale, said Larry Pressler

Pakistan is more dangerous than North Korea as it does not have a centralised control on its nuclear weapons, making them vulnerable to theft and sale, a former top American Senator warned, describing both the nations as rogue states. Larry Pressler, who served as chairman of the US Senate's Arms Control Subcommittee, feared that Pakistan's nuclear weapons might be used against the US, warning of the possibility of someone buying these nuclear weapons from generals or colonels. As chairman of Senate Arms Control Subcommittee, Pressler advocated the now-famous Pressler Amendment, enforced in 1990. When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said 'Yes' × Aid and military sales to Pakistan were blocked, including a consignment of F-16 fighter aircraft, changing forever the tenor of the US relationships with Pakistan and India. "Their weapons could be transported to the US fairly simply. Just as 9/11 was a very simple operation run by 20 or 30 people," he said. "The Pakistani nuclear bombs are not controlled. They are subject to sale or stealing and they could be easily gotten out of Pakistan to just about anywhere in the world," he said speaking at an event organised by The Hudson Institute, a top American think-tank. "I consider Pakistan more dangerous than North Korea in the sense that Pakistan doesn't have a centralised control of their nuclear weapons," Pressler said while discussing his latest book 'Neighbours in Arms: An American Senator's Quest for Disarmament in a Nuclear Subcontinent'. The former top American Senator, however, said he does not think that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are going to be used against India. "I think what North Korea needs is just a lot of attention and hand-holding. Pakistan is a different thing because you don't really have one person in charge. I think Pakistan is more dangerous to the US," he reiterated in response to a question. With Secretary of State Rex Tillerson having just concluded his India trip wherein he sought to elevate India-US relationship, Pressler said the US should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. "We should declare Pakistan a terrorist state. We should put certain sanctions on Pakistan," he said. Pressler said in his book he has made recommendations for some reforms to treat India at a higher level. When a Pakistani embassy official asked Pressler, if it is appropriate to categorise Pakistan and North Korea on the same page, the former Senator said "Yes". "From a nuclear dangerous point of view, I think they are both the rogue states in my opinion. They both do not have the interests of the US in mind. Pakistan has and is harbouring terrorists. And North Korea is a threat to the US," he said. He said President Donald Trump may be one of the best presidents of US for India in terms of Indo-US relationship. Trump, Tillerson and the secretary of defense are advocating closer relationships with India, he said. "They are coming close to declaring Pakistan a terrorist state or at least in effect. And they are very interested in moving toward more free trade with India of course," the former Senator from South Dakota said. Moderating the session, former Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani said American officials have acknowledged that Pakistan has a stable command and control system over its nuclear programme. Haqqani, however, said, "Pakistanis are living in a narrative that is purely Pakistani." "One should pay attention to what Pressler said that while he started out by being critical of the nuclear programme of everybody it was Pakistan's repeated inability to keep the promises that made him particularly critical," he said. "I'm a Pakistani too and I would say that there is some merit to that argument where the Pakistanis want to recognise it or not. We have a tendency to over promise and then later on give excuses for why we couldn't keep our promise that's not just in relation to the nuclear issue, we have seen that over Afghanistan in the last two decades, he said.

Pak more dangerous than North Korea: Ex-US Senator

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