The US Senate on June 25 passed a bill by unanimous consent that would impose sanctions on China for its decision to implement the controversial national security law in Hong Kong. Watch report.

US sanctions China over Hong Kong Security Law

70 years of Korean War: How power games kept the peninsula divided

The coronavirus pandemic is battering the United States, especially in the Southern and Western states where new cases of COVID-19 are surging rapidly. Watch report.

35,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in US: 756 deaths in last 24-hours

Britain has no deadline to strike a trade deal with the United States, trade minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday, criticising the US&nbsp;administration for talking a good game on free trade while restricting import access.

Britain left the European Union earlier this year and is now in the process of negotiating bilateral trade deals with major partners like the United States - something the government has cited as a major benefit of leaving the EU.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beware-second-wave-of-coronavirus-medics-warn-britain-308318" hreflang="en">Beware second wave of coronavirus, medics warn Britain</a>

"We're not going to rush into a deal and there is no deadline. We will be tough in pressing our interests," Truss told a parliamentary committee.&nbsp;

"The US&nbsp;talk a good game about free trade and low tariffs. But the reality is that many UK products have been kept unfairly out of their markets," she added.

Earlier, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said talks were continuing at a good pace and that the current round was due to end this week. Truss said she expected a couple of chapters of the deal to be finalised during the next round, but did not specify which.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pubs-restaurants-and-hotels-to-reopen-from-july-4-as-england-eases-social-distancing-308116" hreflang="en">Pubs, restaurants and hotels to reopen from July 4 as England eases social distancing</a>

Nevertheless, she struck a combative tone, citing US&nbsp;tariffs on British steel, the threat of further tariffs on cars and US-centric procurement schemes which restrict access to government contracts. She said a US&nbsp;ban on lamb exports amounted to protectionism.&nbsp;

"Let me be clear. I am not going to strike a trade deal with the US, unless all these points are dealt with," she said. "No deal is better than a bad deal."

Britain has no deadline to strike a trade deal with the United States, trade minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday, criticising the US administration for talking a good game on free trade while restricting import access.

Britain has no deadline to strike a trade deal with the United States, trade minister Liz Truss said on Wednesday, criticising the US administration for talking a good game on free trade while restricting import access. Britain left the European Union earlier this year and is now in the process of negotiating bilateral trade deals with major partners like the United States - something the government has cited as a major benefit of leaving the EU. Also read: Beware second wave of coronavirus, medics warn Britain "We're not going to rush into a deal and there is no deadline. We will be tough in pressing our interests," Truss told a parliamentary committee. "The US talk a good game about free trade and low tariffs. But the reality is that many UK products have been kept unfairly out of their markets," she added. Earlier, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said talks were continuing at a good pace and that the current round was due to end this week. Truss said she expected a couple of chapters of the deal to be finalised during the next round, but did not specify which. Also read: Pubs, restaurants and hotels to reopen from July 4 as England eases social distancing Nevertheless, she struck a combative tone, citing US tariffs on British steel, the threat of further tariffs on cars and US-centric procurement schemes which restrict access to government contracts. She said a US ban on lamb exports amounted to protectionism. "Let me be clear. I am not going to strike a trade deal with the US, unless all these points are dealt with," she said. "No deal is better than a bad deal."

UK says no deadline for US trade deal, talks tough on terms

The United States has reported 792 deaths in 24 hours taking the death toll to 121,176, &nbsp;the Johns Hopkins University tally showed Tuesday. Top health experts in the country have warned of challenges ahead.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-pandemic-has-brought-the-united-states-on-its-knees-cdc-director-308102" hreflang="en">'Coronavirus pandemic has brought the United States on its knees': CDC</a>

US continues to be the worst-hit in terms of coronavirus pandemic as the country has over 2.34 million cases, according to the Baltimore-based institution at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Wednesday).

Despite a spike in deaths and cases, many states in the US have lifted the lockdown, including New York which is the virus epicentre of the country.&nbsp;

Around 20 states in the south and west have witnessed a rebound in cases.&nbsp;

Earlier Monday, US government health experts led by Anthony Fauci warned Congress that the country faces "historic" challenges with the virus and should prepare for a lengthy battle.

Fauci, who has become the trusted face of the country's pandemic response, added that the coming two weeks will be "critical to our ability to address... surgings" in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona.&nbsp;

(Inputs from AFP)

The United States has reported 792 deaths in 24 hours taking the death toll to 121,176, the Johns Hopkins University tally showed Tuesday. Top health experts in the country have warned of challenges ahead.

The United States has reported 792 deaths in 24 hours taking the death toll to 121,176, the Johns Hopkins University tally showed Tuesday. Top health experts in the country have warned of challenges ahead. Also read: 'Coronavirus pandemic has brought the United States on its knees': CDC US continues to be the worst-hit in terms of coronavirus pandemic as the country has over 2.34 million cases, according to the Baltimore-based institution at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Wednesday). Despite a spike in deaths and cases, many states in the US have lifted the lockdown, including New York which is the virus epicentre of the country. Around 20 states in the south and west have witnessed a rebound in cases. Earlier Monday, US government health experts led by Anthony Fauci warned Congress that the country faces "historic" challenges with the virus and should prepare for a lengthy battle. Fauci, who has become the trusted face of the country's pandemic response, added that the coming two weeks will be "critical to our ability to address... surgings" in states like Florida, Texas and Arizona. (Inputs from AFP)

Coronavirus: US reports 792 new deaths due to virus; cases over 2.34 million

By George Rennie

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a sense history had ended, and that the United States represented a supreme endpoint.

Today, the US is not dominant, it is in crisis: convulsed by riots and protest, riven by a virus that has galloped away from those charged with overseeing it, and heading into a presidential election led by a man that has possibly divided the nation like no other before him.

Using the most common metrics available to political scientists, there are signs the United States is failing.

Until very recently, this idea was extraordinary, unthinkable to all but the most radical critics. But, the US is increasingly performing poorly on key predictors of state failure: ethnic and class conflict, democratic and institutional backsliding, and other socioeconomic indicators including healthcare and inequality.

Ethnic and class conflict

Comparative politics pays great attention to the role of ethnic conflict as a predictor of state failure. Those who study African countries, where most of the flare-ups are currently taking place, often observe that ethnic conflicts are closely correlated with battles to secure key resources, such as water and arable land. This closely relates the study of so-called “grievance studies”, which typically regards deep-seated inequalities as causing resource conflicts.

However, it would be a mistake to think this is because of different ethnic groups per se. It is more to do with how inequality and poverty exacerbate perceived racial and cultural fissures. The US reflects this problem, where the experience of many black Americans is telling: they feel “criminalised at birth”, and when this perception reaches a critical mass among a large enough population, states fail.

The global conflict zones that political scientists largely focus on are where groups are fighting for basic resources. These include water, mineral, and other basic economic rights.

So, areas that are deeply impoverished, such as Flint, Michigan, or almost any other recent area of profound socio-economic distress, are highly analogous to failed countries. They have also been some of the biggest challenges to the “united” part of the United States.

Signs of increased economic inequality 
 
Yet, the economic indicators are not only dire for minority groups. America’s economy has grown at a good clip for decades, but the wealth has been taken up almost entirely by the wealthiest. For example, CEOs’ pay went from 20 times the average workers’ salary in 1965 to 278 times their salary in 2018.

In real terms, only college graduates have seen their pay increase as a group since 1979, and this occurs while 21 per cent&nbsp;of American children live in poverty. Moreover, health outcomes for Americans are very poor compared to other OECD countries, despite having the highest per capita healthcare costs in the world.

Disproportionately, this is a problem affecting black Americans. This might go some way to explaining recent riots, but is far from a complete picture. All poor Americans are getting relatively poorer, which may also explain why poor white Americans seem increasingly likely to fight against the perceived injustices of other ethnic groups. They do this by pitting themselves against similarly politically and economically disenfranchised groups, rather than the power system that keeps them dispossessed.

Adding to this, a major historical study by Thomas Piketty showed the disconnect between the poorest and wealthiest Americans is getting exponentially worse, the middle class is shrinking, and the wealth of the top 1% is taking up an increasing share of the pie.

Is there a democratic deficit? 
 
This wealth disconnect is increasingly represented as a deficit in democracy. As one study showed, America’s democracy is being seriously undermined.

In fact, “undermined” is putting it mildly: after a rigorous analysis of voting from 1982 to 2002, Gilens and Page showed the preferences of the top 10% routinely trumped those of average voters.

It would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of these findings. As analyses of the 2016 general election showed, the US states that flipped from Democrat to Republican (supposedly part of Hillary Clinton’s “firewall”) were almost exclusively part of the so called “rust belt”. Once part of America’s all-powerful manufacturing base, they are now people who feel forgotten, and increasingly angry.

The black and white, racial narrative of America’s woes misses an important, but even more consequential point: while there is no doubt black Americans are disproportionately suffering, an increasing majority is losing out, regardless of race.

American hope 
 
The American revolution centred on the very sensible idea there should be no taxation without representation. Yet, there is now significant evidence that a majority of citizens are not being represented.

The US has one advantage: for all of its flaws, it remains an at least semi-functional democracy. This may well mean blame for state failure can exist with individuals or parties, rather than the entire system.

However, the democratic institutions of the United States continue to break down, and successive governments have proved unable to respond and listen to their citizens. Bizarrely, by the most important indicators available to political scientists, the United States is failing.

Even among its most ardent critics, few would consider America’s failure to be anything other than a catastrophe. The domestic deterioration of the world’s biggest nuclear and military superpower would prove unprecedented and frightening beyond rational analysis — rhetoric suggesting this is merely the new “fall of Rome” is almost glib.

The challenge now is whether the world’s oldest continuous democracy can live up to its own ideals.

(George Rennie os Lecturer in Politics, University of Melbourne)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-america-a-failing-state-how-a-superpower-has-been-brought-to-the-brink-139680">the original article</a>) &nbsp;

By George Rennie After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a sense history had ended, and that the United States represented a supreme endpoint. Today, the US is not dominant, it is in crisis: convulsed by riots and protest, riven by a virus that has galloped away from those charged with overseeing it, and heading into a presidential election led by a man that has possibly divided the nation like no other before him.

By George Rennie After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a sense history had ended, and that the United States represented a supreme endpoint. Today, the US is not dominant, it is in crisis: convulsed by riots and protest, riven by a virus that has galloped away from those charged with overseeing it, and heading into a presidential election led by a man that has possibly divided the nation like no other before him. Using the most common metrics available to political scientists, there are signs the United States is failing. Until very recently, this idea was extraordinary, unthinkable to all but the most radical critics. But, the US is increasingly performing poorly on key predictors of state failure: ethnic and class conflict, democratic and institutional backsliding, and other socioeconomic indicators including healthcare and inequality. Ethnic and class conflict Comparative politics pays great attention to the role of ethnic conflict as a predictor of state failure. Those who study African countries, where most of the flare-ups are currently taking place, often observe that ethnic conflicts are closely correlated with battles to secure key resources, such as water and arable land. This closely relates the study of so-called “grievance studies”, which typically regards deep-seated inequalities as causing resource conflicts. However, it would be a mistake to think this is because of different ethnic groups per se. It is more to do with how inequality and poverty exacerbate perceived racial and cultural fissures. The US reflects this problem, where the experience of many black Americans is telling: they feel “criminalised at birth”, and when this perception reaches a critical mass among a large enough population, states fail. The global conflict zones that political scientists largely focus on are where groups are fighting for basic resources. These include water, mineral, and other basic economic rights. So, areas that are deeply impoverished, such as Flint, Michigan, or almost any other recent area of profound socio-economic distress, are highly analogous to failed countries. They have also been some of the biggest challenges to the “united” part of the United States. Signs of increased economic inequality Yet, the economic indicators are not only dire for minority groups. America’s economy has grown at a good clip for decades, but the wealth has been taken up almost entirely by the wealthiest. For example, CEOs’ pay went from 20 times the average workers’ salary in 1965 to 278 times their salary in 2018. In real terms, only college graduates have seen their pay increase as a group since 1979, and this occurs while 21 per cent of American children live in poverty. Moreover, health outcomes for Americans are very poor compared to other OECD countries, despite having the highest per capita healthcare costs in the world. Disproportionately, this is a problem affecting black Americans. This might go some way to explaining recent riots, but is far from a complete picture. All poor Americans are getting relatively poorer, which may also explain why poor white Americans seem increasingly likely to fight against the perceived injustices of other ethnic groups. They do this by pitting themselves against similarly politically and economically disenfranchised groups, rather than the power system that keeps them dispossessed. Adding to this, a major historical study by Thomas Piketty showed the disconnect between the poorest and wealthiest Americans is getting exponentially worse, the middle class is shrinking, and the wealth of the top 1% is taking up an increasing share of the pie. Is there a democratic deficit? This wealth disconnect is increasingly represented as a deficit in democracy. As one study showed, America’s democracy is being seriously undermined. In fact, “undermined” is putting it mildly: after a rigorous analysis of voting from 1982 to 2002, Gilens and Page showed the preferences of the top 10% routinely trumped those of average voters. It would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of these findings. As analyses of the 2016 general election showed, the US states that flipped from Democrat to Republican (supposedly part of Hillary Clinton’s “firewall”) were almost exclusively part of the so called “rust belt”. Once part of America’s all-powerful manufacturing base, they are now people who feel forgotten, and increasingly angry. The black and white, racial narrative of America’s woes misses an important, but even more consequential point: while there is no doubt black Americans are disproportionately suffering, an increasing majority is losing out, regardless of race. American hope The American revolution centred on the very sensible idea there should be no taxation without representation. Yet, there is now significant evidence that a majority of citizens are not being represented. The US has one advantage: for all of its flaws, it remains an at least semi-functional democracy. This may well mean blame for state failure can exist with individuals or parties, rather than the entire system. However, the democratic institutions of the United States continue to break down, and successive governments have proved unable to respond and listen to their citizens. Bizarrely, by the most important indicators available to political scientists, the United States is failing. Even among its most ardent critics, few would consider America’s failure to be anything other than a catastrophe. The domestic deterioration of the world’s biggest nuclear and military superpower would prove unprecedented and frightening beyond rational analysis — rhetoric suggesting this is merely the new “fall of Rome” is almost glib. The challenge now is whether the world’s oldest continuous democracy can live up to its own ideals. (George Rennie os Lecturer in Politics, University of Melbourne) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article)

Is America a ‘failing state’? How a superpower has been brought to the brink

US President Donald Trump has extended a pause on some green cards and suspended visas for other foreign workers until the end of 2020. Watch report.

Trump targets foreign workers: New curbs on H-1B, H-2B & L-1 visas

The United States 120,000 deaths due to coronavirus after reporting 425 fatalities in last 24 hours, &nbsp;the Johns Hopkins University tally showed on Monday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worldwide-coronavirus-cases-cross-9-million-death-toll-at-471519-307787" hreflang="en">Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 9 million, death toll at 471,519</a>

Coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the American country with over 2.31 million cases of the virus. Out of these cases 640,000 have been cured and discharged, according to the Baltimore-based institution at 8:30pm (0030 GMT Tuesday).

These figures have seen a rise against previous day's 305 deaths, which was one of the lowest in months.&nbsp;

Country's epicentre New York has taken a major step by reopening non-essential businesses as life is slowly coming back to normal in the US.

But some 20 states, primarily in the south and west, have seen a rebound in infections. And out of them Florida has passed around 100,000 cases and 3,000 cases were detected on Monday itself.&nbsp;

The second wave of coronavirus is feared in the country as the US economy is reopening and the anti-racism protests continue to rage.&nbsp;

Trump's Tulsa rally was also criticized as a potential COVID-19 "superspreader" event.

The United States 120,000 deaths due to coronavirus after reporting 425 fatalities in last 24 hours, the Johns Hopkins University tally showed on Monday. Also read: Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 9 million, death toll at 471,519 Coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the American country with over 2.

The United States 120,000 deaths due to coronavirus after reporting 425 fatalities in last 24 hours, the Johns Hopkins University tally showed on Monday. Also read: Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 9 million, death toll at 471,519 Coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the American country with over 2.31 million cases of the virus. Out of these cases 640,000 have been cured and discharged, according to the Baltimore-based institution at 8:30pm (0030 GMT Tuesday). These figures have seen a rise against previous day's 305 deaths, which was one of the lowest in months. Country's epicentre New York has taken a major step by reopening non-essential businesses as life is slowly coming back to normal in the US. But some 20 states, primarily in the south and west, have seen a rebound in infections. And out of them Florida has passed around 100,000 cases and 3,000 cases were detected on Monday itself. The second wave of coronavirus is feared in the country as the US economy is reopening and the anti-racism protests continue to rage. Trump's Tulsa rally was also criticized as a potential COVID-19 "superspreader" event.

United States goes past 120,000 coronavirus deaths: Johns Hopkins University tally

Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America recently held his first post-coronavirus election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.&nbsp;The rally was touted as the reinvigoration of his presidential campaign.&nbsp;However, it was marred with a much lower turnout than expected.

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According to Trump’s campaign management, one million requests had been made to attend the rally. However, people questioned the claim once they saw the turnout.

K-pop saves the day?

Turns out, courtesy of K-pop (South Korean pop music) fans and TikTok personalities had registered for his rally online, but with no intention of going at all.&nbsp;

Healthcare professionals were worried of a spike in coronavirus infection rates.&nbsp;Trump had decided to cancel an outdoor speech because he had expected a much bigger turnout.

Only 6,200 people had turned up for the rally, with the venue - BOK Center’s large section - with a capacity of 19,000 remaining unoccupied.

TikTok users and K-pop fans confessed to being the reason behind the inflated attendance at Trump's first political rally in months.

During the speech, Trump spent 104 minutes explaining how violent attempts were being made to takeover the White House.

He further told his supporters why he wants coronavirus testing to be slowed down, and claimed to know 19 different versions of the coronavirus.

"A wacko"

He also recently referred to ex-aide John Bolton as “incapable, a wacko, grossly incompetent, and a liar”.

An upcoming book by John Bolton alleges that Trump sought China's help to ensure his re-election as the US president. It’s called “The room where it happened: A White House memoir”.

Trump says this book contains classified information and threatens national security and tried blocking the book's release by seeking a temporary restraining order against its publication.

But the US judiciary has turned down his request, and the book is expected to release next week, in a series of events that could affect the chances of his re-election

Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America recently held his first post-coronavirus election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The rally was touted as the reinvigoration of his presidential campaign.

Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America recently held his first post-coronavirus election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The rally was touted as the reinvigoration of his presidential campaign. However, it was marred with a much lower turnout than expected. × According to Trump’s campaign management, one million requests had been made to attend the rally. However, people questioned the claim once they saw the turnout. K-pop saves the day? Turns out, courtesy of K-pop (South Korean pop music) fans and TikTok personalities had registered for his rally online, but with no intention of going at all. Healthcare professionals were worried of a spike in coronavirus infection rates. Trump had decided to cancel an outdoor speech because he had expected a much bigger turnout. Only 6,200 people had turned up for the rally, with the venue - BOK Center’s large section - with a capacity of 19,000 remaining unoccupied. TikTok users and K-pop fans confessed to being the reason behind the inflated attendance at Trump's first political rally in months. During the speech, Trump spent 104 minutes explaining how violent attempts were being made to takeover the White House. He further told his supporters why he wants coronavirus testing to be slowed down, and claimed to know 19 different versions of the coronavirus. "A wacko" He also recently referred to ex-aide John Bolton as “incapable, a wacko, grossly incompetent, and a liar”. An upcoming book by John Bolton alleges that Trump sought China's help to ensure his re-election as the US president. It’s called “The room where it happened: A White House memoir”. Trump says this book contains classified information and threatens national security and tried blocking the book's release by seeking a temporary restraining order against its publication. But the US judiciary has turned down his request, and the book is expected to release next week, in a series of events that could affect the chances of his re-election

One million requests? Trump's Tulsa rally was sabotaged by K-pop fans and TikTok users

China threatened Tuesday to retaliate against new US restrictions on Chinese state media, escalating tensions between the two superpowers as they crack down on each other's news outlets. 
 
The US State Department said Monday it was reclassifying four organisations -- China Central Television, China News Service, the People's Daily and the Global Times -- as foreign missions rather than media outlets in the United States, adding to five others designated in February. 
 
China has already expelled more than a dozen American journalists as part of the row.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-raps-china-for-military-activity-says-it-should-fight-coronavirus-instead-307918" hreflang="en">Taiwan raps China for military activity, says it should fight coronavirus instead</a> 
 
On Tuesday Beijing decried the latest US move as "bare-faced political suppression of Chinese media" that "further exposes the hypocrisy of the so-called freedom of speech and press which the US likes to flaunt". 
 
"We strongly urge the US to reject this Cold War mindset and ideological bias... otherwise China will have no choice but to make an appropriate response," said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a routine briefing. 
 
All nine Chinese state-run news organisations will be required to report details of their US-based staff and real estate transactions to the State Department. Their news reporting will not be restricted, officials said. 
 
"These four entities are not media outlets; they are propaganda outlets," David Stilwell, the top US diplomat for East Asia, told reporters. 
 
He declined to say if the four organisations would be asked to reduce their US-based staff, which was required of the five that were earlier designated. 
 
The announcement was further evidence that a closed-door meeting last week in Hawaii between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi did little to ease bilateral tensions. 
 
The five state news outlets earlier designated as foreign missions were Xinhua news agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International and the US distributors of the People's Daily and English-language China Daily. 
 
After these outlets were ordered to slash their numbers of Chinese employees in the United States, Beijing hit back in March by expelling US citizens working for three major newspapers -- The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Further retaliation? 
Some media rights advocates have voiced misgivings about the approach of President Donald Trump's administration, saying it gave China a pretext to kick out journalists who have fearlessly reported on the coronavirus pandemic and the mass incarceration of Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims. 
 
State Department officials say US media are free to report critically on their government while Chinese state-run outlets report to the government.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-launches-beidou-satellite-to-track-geolocation-307914" hreflang="en">China launches Beidou satellite to track geolocation</a> 
 
In February, China separately expelled three journalists from The Wall Street Journal after the newspaper ran an opinion piece with a headline that called the country the "sick man of Asia" -- a word choice Beijing called racist. 
 
Stilwell, the assistant secretary of state, played down fears that China would expel more US journalists, saying the US actions were "simply an excuse" for Beijing to crack down on media.&nbsp; 
 
"Trying to tie what we do to defend ourselves to what they choose to do -- to kick out the best investigative reporters, especially the ones who speak Chinese -- this is all their choice," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

China threatened Tuesday to retaliate against new US restrictions on Chinese state media, escalating tensions between the two superpowers as they crack down on each other's news outlets.

China threatened Tuesday to retaliate against new US restrictions on Chinese state media, escalating tensions between the two superpowers as they crack down on each other's news outlets. The US State Department said Monday it was reclassifying four organisations -- China Central Television, China News Service, the People's Daily and the Global Times -- as foreign missions rather than media outlets in the United States, adding to five others designated in February. China has already expelled more than a dozen American journalists as part of the row. Also read: Taiwan raps China for military activity, says it should fight coronavirus instead On Tuesday Beijing decried the latest US move as "bare-faced political suppression of Chinese media" that "further exposes the hypocrisy of the so-called freedom of speech and press which the US likes to flaunt". "We strongly urge the US to reject this Cold War mindset and ideological bias... otherwise China will have no choice but to make an appropriate response," said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian at a routine briefing. All nine Chinese state-run news organisations will be required to report details of their US-based staff and real estate transactions to the State Department. Their news reporting will not be restricted, officials said. "These four entities are not media outlets; they are propaganda outlets," David Stilwell, the top US diplomat for East Asia, told reporters. He declined to say if the four organisations would be asked to reduce their US-based staff, which was required of the five that were earlier designated. The announcement was further evidence that a closed-door meeting last week in Hawaii between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior Chinese official Yang Jiechi did little to ease bilateral tensions. The five state news outlets earlier designated as foreign missions were Xinhua news agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International and the US distributors of the People's Daily and English-language China Daily. After these outlets were ordered to slash their numbers of Chinese employees in the United States, Beijing hit back in March by expelling US citizens working for three major newspapers -- The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. Further retaliation? Some media rights advocates have voiced misgivings about the approach of President Donald Trump's administration, saying it gave China a pretext to kick out journalists who have fearlessly reported on the coronavirus pandemic and the mass incarceration of Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims. State Department officials say US media are free to report critically on their government while Chinese state-run outlets report to the government. Also read: China launches Beidou satellite to track geolocation In February, China separately expelled three journalists from The Wall Street Journal after the newspaper ran an opinion piece with a headline that called the country the "sick man of Asia" -- a word choice Beijing called racist. Stilwell, the assistant secretary of state, played down fears that China would expel more US journalists, saying the US actions were "simply an excuse" for Beijing to crack down on media. "Trying to tie what we do to defend ourselves to what they choose to do -- to kick out the best investigative reporters, especially the ones who speak Chinese -- this is all their choice," he said.

China threatens retaliation for US curbs on 'propaganda' outlets

The Caribbean is facing a blanketing cloud of Sahara dust as it heads towards the United States. According to the experts, the size and concentration of this cloud have not been witnessed since half a century.&nbsp;

The experts have nicknamed the event as the "Godzilla dust cloud" and the air quality across the region has reached "hazardous" warning people to stay indoors and use air filters.&nbsp;

“This is the most significant event in the past 50 years,” said Pablo Méndez Lázaro, an environmental health specialist at the University of Puerto Rico. “Conditions are dangerous in many Caribbean islands.”

These kinds of dry and dusty air are known as the Saharan Air Layer. It forms over the Sahara desert in Africa and moves across the North Atlantic every three to five days the northern hemisphere’s late spring to early autumn, peaking in late June to mid-August, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Many health experts fear about those affected by coronavirus pandemic and are suffering from respiratory symptoms. Pablo Méndez Lázaro is working with NASA to develop an alert system that could help people brace for the impact. These air has been so dangerous that even healthy people are not safe with it.&nbsp;

From Antigua to Trinidad &amp; Tobago, reports of limited visibilities and extreme hazy conditions were reported. Many pictures made rounds on the social media, where some were concerned while others joked that the Caribbean looked like it had received a yellow filter movie treatment.

Jose Alamo, who is a meteorologist in &nbsp;US National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico said that the United States will face the worst of its conditions on Monday and Tuesday as the dust cloud heads towards US south-east coast.

The Caribbean is facing a blanketing cloud of Sahara dust as it heads towards the United States. According to the experts, the size and concentration of this cloud have not been witnessed since half a century.

The Caribbean is facing a blanketing cloud of Sahara dust as it heads towards the United States. According to the experts, the size and concentration of this cloud have not been witnessed since half a century. The experts have nicknamed the event as the "Godzilla dust cloud" and the air quality across the region has reached "hazardous" warning people to stay indoors and use air filters. “This is the most significant event in the past 50 years,” said Pablo Méndez Lázaro, an environmental health specialist at the University of Puerto Rico. “Conditions are dangerous in many Caribbean islands.” These kinds of dry and dusty air are known as the Saharan Air Layer. It forms over the Sahara desert in Africa and moves across the North Atlantic every three to five days the northern hemisphere’s late spring to early autumn, peaking in late June to mid-August, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Many health experts fear about those affected by coronavirus pandemic and are suffering from respiratory symptoms. Pablo Méndez Lázaro is working with NASA to develop an alert system that could help people brace for the impact. These air has been so dangerous that even healthy people are not safe with it. From Antigua to Trinidad & Tobago, reports of limited visibilities and extreme hazy conditions were reported. Many pictures made rounds on the social media, where some were concerned while others joked that the Caribbean looked like it had received a yellow filter movie treatment. Jose Alamo, who is a meteorologist in US National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico said that the United States will face the worst of its conditions on Monday and Tuesday as the dust cloud heads towards US south-east coast.

'Godzilla dust cloud' blankets Caribbean in a weather event witnessed after half a century

Major League Baseball edged closer to a shortened season on Monday as bitter wrangling between team owners and players neared its endgame.

MLB team owners on Monday voted unanimously to go ahead with the 2020 season under the terms of a deal reached with the MLB Players Association in March.

The owners' vote came after the MLBPA's executive board voted earlier in the day against a proposed 60-game regular season with expanded playoffs.

The rejection means MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred can now order teams to play a drastically shortened season -- something the team owners have approved.

However, before formally inking the shortened season, the MLB has requested that the MLBPA confirm by 5pm Tuesday (2100 GMT) that players will be ready to return to training camp by July 1.

The players must also agree on the terms of the season operating manual, which includes health and safety protocols related to COVID-19.&nbsp;

The MLB and the MLBPA have been at loggerheads over how to salvage the baseball season, which should have started on March 26 but was put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The league proposed a succession of deals that would have seen the players receive only a percentage of their salaries, prorated by number of games played.

Players pushed back against the league proposals, noting that they had already agreed to a pay cut in March and should not be required to accept a further reduction in salary.

The MLBPA had requested a longer regular season with no pay cuts, a proposal that has been firmly opposed by MLB owners, who will take a massive financial hit from a season that will be played out without spectators.&nbsp;

Major League Baseball edged closer to a shortened season on Monday as bitter wrangling between team owners and players neared its endgame. MLB team owners on Monday voted unanimously to go ahead with the 2020 season under the terms of a deal reached with the MLB Players Association in March.

Major League Baseball edged closer to a shortened season on Monday as bitter wrangling between team owners and players neared its endgame. MLB team owners on Monday voted unanimously to go ahead with the 2020 season under the terms of a deal reached with the MLB Players Association in March. The owners' vote came after the MLBPA's executive board voted earlier in the day against a proposed 60-game regular season with expanded playoffs. The rejection means MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred can now order teams to play a drastically shortened season -- something the team owners have approved. However, before formally inking the shortened season, the MLB has requested that the MLBPA confirm by 5pm Tuesday (2100 GMT) that players will be ready to return to training camp by July 1. The players must also agree on the terms of the season operating manual, which includes health and safety protocols related to COVID-19. The MLB and the MLBPA have been at loggerheads over how to salvage the baseball season, which should have started on March 26 but was put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. The league proposed a succession of deals that would have seen the players receive only a percentage of their salaries, prorated by number of games played. Players pushed back against the league proposals, noting that they had already agreed to a pay cut in March and should not be required to accept a further reduction in salary. The MLBPA had requested a longer regular season with no pay cuts, a proposal that has been firmly opposed by MLB owners, who will take a massive financial hit from a season that will be played out without spectators.

Baseball edges closer to season as row nears endgame

Major League Baseball saw 40 players and staff members test positive for COVID-19 in the past week, USA Today reported on Sunday as talks on how to get a 2020 season underway dragged on.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bulgarian-tennis-player-grigor-dimitrov-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-307575" hreflang="en">Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov tests positive for coronavirus</a>

The newspaper cited two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, saying the coronavirus cases had ramped up the urgency of negotiations between owners and players on a framework for starting a season that was originally scheduled to begin in March.

The MLB Players Association postponed a vote on Sunday on whether to accept or reject MLB's proposal for a 60-game season with players receiving full prorated salaries.

Negotiations had dragged on for weeks as MLB sought not only to prorate salaries based on the number of games played, but also to pay only a percentage of those salaries -- something players said they would not accept.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred thought he'd gotten past that stumbling block on Wednesday after hammering out a potential "framework" for an agreement with union chief Tony Clark that paid full prorated salaries for a 60-game season.

But the players countered, asking for 70 games.

USA Today reported that Manfred emailed Clark on Sunday saying that the uptick in COVID-19 cases, and the resulting closure of spring training facilities in Florida and Arizona, meant that 70 games would not be possible and even 60 would be difficult.

It was not clear how the coronavirus cases might impact MLB's plans to play its games in teams' home ballparks without fans.

With spring training facilities closed, teams have been told to plan to conduct pre-season training in their home cities.

An expected three-week preparation period would likely see opening day pushed to the week of July 27.

The league said it wants the regular season to end by September 27 so an expanded playoffs can be completed by late October or early November.

Major League Baseball saw 40 players and staff members test positive for COVID-19 in the past week, USA Today reported on Sunday as talks on how to get a 2020 season underway dragged on.

Major League Baseball saw 40 players and staff members test positive for COVID-19 in the past week, USA Today reported on Sunday as talks on how to get a 2020 season underway dragged on. Also read: Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov tests positive for coronavirus The newspaper cited two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, saying the coronavirus cases had ramped up the urgency of negotiations between owners and players on a framework for starting a season that was originally scheduled to begin in March. The MLB Players Association postponed a vote on Sunday on whether to accept or reject MLB's proposal for a 60-game season with players receiving full prorated salaries. Negotiations had dragged on for weeks as MLB sought not only to prorate salaries based on the number of games played, but also to pay only a percentage of those salaries -- something players said they would not accept. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred thought he'd gotten past that stumbling block on Wednesday after hammering out a potential "framework" for an agreement with union chief Tony Clark that paid full prorated salaries for a 60-game season. But the players countered, asking for 70 games. USA Today reported that Manfred emailed Clark on Sunday saying that the uptick in COVID-19 cases, and the resulting closure of spring training facilities in Florida and Arizona, meant that 70 games would not be possible and even 60 would be difficult. It was not clear how the coronavirus cases might impact MLB's plans to play its games in teams' home ballparks without fans. With spring training facilities closed, teams have been told to plan to conduct pre-season training in their home cities. An expected three-week preparation period would likely see opening day pushed to the week of July 27. The league said it wants the regular season to end by September 27 so an expanded playoffs can be completed by late October or early November.

40 MLB players and staff test positive for COVID-19 in week: Report

As the world is turning against China, and the US President Donald Trump is leaving no stone unturned in blaming China for spreading the novel coronavirus in the world, China has decided to "enhance peace and stability" in the world.

One of the most powerful countries of the world has decided to&nbsp;join a global pact to regulate arms sales that has been rejected by the United States.

The Communist Party's top legislative body has voted to join UN Arms Trade Treaty. The treaty aims to regulate the flow of weapons in conflict zones.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-held-off-xinjiang-sanctions-due-to-us-china-trade-talks-307586">Also read:&nbsp;Trump held off Xinjiang sanctions due to US-China trade talks</a>

The decision has been taken after Donald Trump, last year, announced that he plans to pull US out of the agreement.

China, however, believes that this decision is "another important measure for China to support multilateralism," said&nbsp;Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.

China has claimed that the country only exports such products to sovereign states.&nbsp;

As China hopes to make "continuous effort to maintain and enhance peace and stability in the world and region", it has "always strictly controlled the export of military products".

The treaty requires member countries to keep records of international transfers of weapons and to prohibit cross-border shipments that could be used in human rights violations or attacks on civilians.

However, the US government has not been an active member of the treaty since the end of the Obama administration.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the world is turning against China, and the US President Donald Trump is leaving no stone unturned in blaming China for spreading the novel coronavirus in the world, China has decided to "enhance peace and stability" in the world.

As the world is turning against China, and the US President Donald Trump is leaving no stone unturned in blaming China for spreading the novel coronavirus in the world, China has decided to "enhance peace and stability" in the world. One of the most powerful countries of the world has decided to join a global pact to regulate arms sales that has been rejected by the United States. The Communist Party's top legislative body has voted to join UN Arms Trade Treaty. The treaty aims to regulate the flow of weapons in conflict zones. Also read: Trump held off Xinjiang sanctions due to US-China trade talks The decision has been taken after Donald Trump, last year, announced that he plans to pull US out of the agreement. China, however, believes that this decision is "another important measure for China to support multilateralism," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian. China has claimed that the country only exports such products to sovereign states. As China hopes to make "continuous effort to maintain and enhance peace and stability in the world and region", it has "always strictly controlled the export of military products". The treaty requires member countries to keep records of international transfers of weapons and to prohibit cross-border shipments that could be used in human rights violations or attacks on civilians. However, the US government has not been an active member of the treaty since the end of the Obama administration. (With inputs from agencies)

China joins pact to regulate weapons after Trump decides to quit

A Turkish-US business council is projecting Turkey as a trading alternative to China with the help of influential US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close associate of President Donald J Trump.

The Turkish effort comes two weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heralded a new era in long-strained relations with Washington.

Graham’s agreement to participate in a webinar organised by the Turkey American Business Council (TAIK), an affiliate of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK), the country’s oldest and largest business association, comes amid Turkish efforts to improve relations with the United States as a hedge to its ties to Russia.

“The growing rift between the United States and China creates a significant opportunity for geopolitical cooperation. Turkey and the United States would both benefit economically,” said a Turkish businessman.

Criticism of China’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has widened the gap between Washington and Beijing and sparked calls for diversification of China-centric global supply chains.

Already hard hit, Turkey’s economy has suffered further body blows as a result of the pandemic at a time that Turkish and Russian forces have in recent months ended up on opposite sides of battles in northern Syria and Libya.

Forces of the Turkish-backed, internationally recognised Islamist Government of National Accord (GNA) drove Russian-supported rebels led by self-appointed Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar out of western Libya in recent weeks after Turkish electronic warfare and drones whacked Russian anti-defense missile systems.

Rejecting calls by Egypt and Haftar for a negotiated end to the Libyan conflict, the GNA has vowed to push further by taking the Haftar-controlled, oil-rich south-eastern city of Siirt. Turkey has seconded the GNA’s refusal to negotiate with Haftar.

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi suggested this weekend that Egyptian troops could intervene if GNA forces attacked Siirt. An Egyptian intervention could lead to a battlefield confrontation with Turkey and further muddle Turkish attempts to manage differences with Russia.

Turkish efforts to improve relations with the United States are betting on the belief that the GNA’s military victories have dampened US hopes that Haftar could emerge as a unifying figure in Libya.

Turkish relations with the United States were strained by the NATO member’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 anti-missile defense system, the presence in the US of a Turkish preacher whom Erdogan holds responsible for the failed 2016 military coup against him, and legal proceedings against a state-owned Turkish bank charged with circumventing US sanctions against Iran.

Erdogan is also banking on his personal relationship with Trump that in the past has produced decisions by the US president that overrode opposition from the Pentagon and other branches of his government.

First and foremost was Tump’s acquiescence to Erdogan’s request last year for a pullback of US troops in northern Syria that paved the way for a Turkish military incursion.

Erdogan again sought to capitalise on his relationship with Trump in a June 9 phone call. “To be honest, after our conversation tonight, a new era can begin between the United States and Turkey,” Erdogan said without offering further details.

Erdogan spoke to Trump as Turkey was projecting itself as an important US trading partner.

The TAIK webinar, entitled ‘A Time for Allies to be Allies: Turkish American Global Supply Chain,’ in which Mr. Graham is scheduled to speak alongside former US Senator David Vitter of Louisiana, is part of an effort to position Turkey as a key player in reducing US dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Foreign Lobby Report, a Washington-based online news service, reported that TAIK, working with lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs, had approached Mr. Graham in March with the proposition that Turkey could serve as the United States’ gateway to Africa.

“As we strive to move forward, we at TAIK are already contemplating how we can reignite the economy post-pandemic,” TAIK chairman Mehmet Ali Yalcindag wrote in a letter to Graham. “Joint ventures in Africa could be an exciting part of this plan. Not only would we be helping fragile economies that will need assistance in recovering, but we also would be striking a blow against Chinese designs in Africa and forging closer economic ties between Turkey and the US.”

Yalcindag recommended in a separate letter last month to US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross “an initial focus on LNG (liquified natural gas) and agriculture imports from the US. At the same time, Turkey could boost exports of white goods and automotive parts — diversifying America’s supply chain away from China, a stated goal of the Trump Administration.”

Boosting agriculture exports that were hard hit by Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports ranks high on the president’s priority list.

Vitter, the former senator scheduled to speak in the TAIK webinar, backs a push by Louisiana Natural Gas Exports Inc. to provide Turkey with “long-term, secure, competitively priced access to Turkey’s LNG terminals, gas pipeline and storage facilities” that would make the country less dependent on Russian and Iranian imports.

The push came as Botas, Turkey’s state-owned gas grid operator, opened a tender for the construction of a pipeline to Nakhichevan, an Azerbaijani exclave in Armenia. The pipeline would allow Azerbaijan to reduce imports from Iran.

Erdogan and his energy minister, Fatih Donmez, have long called for diversification of Turkey’s energy imports.

Turkey last month authorised twice-weekly cargo flights by El Al, Israel’s national carrier, between Istanbul and Tel Aviv despite its strained relations with the Jewish state. Two of those flights ferried medical supplies from Turkey to the United States. The flights to Turkey were El Al’s first in ten years.

“Now is the time to reinforce the climate of cooperation and solidarity, China-dependent firms in the supply chain are…turning their eyes to different countries, Turkey being among them,” Yalcindag said, pointing to the fact that Walmart, one of the world’s biggest retailers, had begun to source products in Turkey.

Predicting that a decoupling of the United States and China would create common interests between the US and Turkey, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay added that “the pre-pandemic global economy was built on a single supply chain, with China at its core. For countries like Turkey, with our robust manufacturing sector and our young population, this will be an economic opportunity.” 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A Turkish-US business council is projecting Turkey as a trading alternative to China with the help of influential US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close associate of President Donald J Trump.

A Turkish-US business council is projecting Turkey as a trading alternative to China with the help of influential US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close associate of President Donald J Trump. The Turkish effort comes two weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heralded a new era in long-strained relations with Washington. Graham’s agreement to participate in a webinar organised by the Turkey American Business Council (TAIK), an affiliate of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK), the country’s oldest and largest business association, comes amid Turkish efforts to improve relations with the United States as a hedge to its ties to Russia. “The growing rift between the United States and China creates a significant opportunity for geopolitical cooperation. Turkey and the United States would both benefit economically,” said a Turkish businessman. Criticism of China’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has widened the gap between Washington and Beijing and sparked calls for diversification of China-centric global supply chains. Already hard hit, Turkey’s economy has suffered further body blows as a result of the pandemic at a time that Turkish and Russian forces have in recent months ended up on opposite sides of battles in northern Syria and Libya. Forces of the Turkish-backed, internationally recognised Islamist Government of National Accord (GNA) drove Russian-supported rebels led by self-appointed Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar out of western Libya in recent weeks after Turkish electronic warfare and drones whacked Russian anti-defense missile systems. Rejecting calls by Egypt and Haftar for a negotiated end to the Libyan conflict, the GNA has vowed to push further by taking the Haftar-controlled, oil-rich south-eastern city of Siirt. Turkey has seconded the GNA’s refusal to negotiate with Haftar. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi suggested this weekend that Egyptian troops could intervene if GNA forces attacked Siirt. An Egyptian intervention could lead to a battlefield confrontation with Turkey and further muddle Turkish attempts to manage differences with Russia. Turkish efforts to improve relations with the United States are betting on the belief that the GNA’s military victories have dampened US hopes that Haftar could emerge as a unifying figure in Libya. Turkish relations with the United States were strained by the NATO member’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 anti-missile defense system, the presence in the US of a Turkish preacher whom Erdogan holds responsible for the failed 2016 military coup against him, and legal proceedings against a state-owned Turkish bank charged with circumventing US sanctions against Iran. Erdogan is also banking on his personal relationship with Trump that in the past has produced decisions by the US president that overrode opposition from the Pentagon and other branches of his government. First and foremost was Tump’s acquiescence to Erdogan’s request last year for a pullback of US troops in northern Syria that paved the way for a Turkish military incursion. Erdogan again sought to capitalise on his relationship with Trump in a June 9 phone call. “To be honest, after our conversation tonight, a new era can begin between the United States and Turkey,” Erdogan said without offering further details. Erdogan spoke to Trump as Turkey was projecting itself as an important US trading partner. The TAIK webinar, entitled ‘A Time for Allies to be Allies: Turkish American Global Supply Chain,’ in which Mr. Graham is scheduled to speak alongside former US Senator David Vitter of Louisiana, is part of an effort to position Turkey as a key player in reducing US dependence on Chinese supply chains. Foreign Lobby Report, a Washington-based online news service, reported that TAIK, working with lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs, had approached Mr. Graham in March with the proposition that Turkey could serve as the United States’ gateway to Africa. “As we strive to move forward, we at TAIK are already contemplating how we can reignite the economy post-pandemic,” TAIK chairman Mehmet Ali Yalcindag wrote in a letter to Graham. “Joint ventures in Africa could be an exciting part of this plan. Not only would we be helping fragile economies that will need assistance in recovering, but we also would be striking a blow against Chinese designs in Africa and forging closer economic ties between Turkey and the US.” Yalcindag recommended in a separate letter last month to US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross “an initial focus on LNG (liquified natural gas) and agriculture imports from the US. At the same time, Turkey could boost exports of white goods and automotive parts — diversifying America’s supply chain away from China, a stated goal of the Trump Administration.” Boosting agriculture exports that were hard hit by Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports ranks high on the president’s priority list. Vitter, the former senator scheduled to speak in the TAIK webinar, backs a push by Louisiana Natural Gas Exports Inc. to provide Turkey with “long-term, secure, competitively priced access to Turkey’s LNG terminals, gas pipeline and storage facilities” that would make the country less dependent on Russian and Iranian imports. The push came as Botas, Turkey’s state-owned gas grid operator, opened a tender for the construction of a pipeline to Nakhichevan, an Azerbaijani exclave in Armenia. The pipeline would allow Azerbaijan to reduce imports from Iran. Erdogan and his energy minister, Fatih Donmez, have long called for diversification of Turkey’s energy imports. Turkey last month authorised twice-weekly cargo flights by El Al, Israel’s national carrier, between Istanbul and Tel Aviv despite its strained relations with the Jewish state. Two of those flights ferried medical supplies from Turkey to the United States. The flights to Turkey were El Al’s first in ten years. “Now is the time to reinforce the climate of cooperation and solidarity, China-dependent firms in the supply chain are…turning their eyes to different countries, Turkey being among them,” Yalcindag said, pointing to the fact that Walmart, one of the world’s biggest retailers, had begun to source products in Turkey. Predicting that a decoupling of the United States and China would create common interests between the US and Turkey, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay added that “the pre-pandemic global economy was built on a single supply chain, with China at its core. For countries like Turkey, with our robust manufacturing sector and our young population, this will be an economic opportunity.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Growing rift between US and China creates a significant opportunity for Turkey

The 19th of June commemorates the freedom of slaves. Juneteenth has been celebrated every year since 1866. But Trump credits himself for making the day famous. His explanation? The Tulsa rally! WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay brings you a report.

Gravitas: Bizarre: Trump says he made Juneteenth famous!

A top U.S. federal prosecutor whose office has been investigating President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, refused to step down after the administration abruptly said it was replacing him.

Geoffrey Berman: I have no intention of resigning my position

The United States on Friday turned down a request by Chinese airlines for additional weekly flights between the two countries but said the decision was not meant to escalate tensions over travel restrictions.

The United States on Friday turned down a request by Chinese airlines for additional weekly flights between the two countries but said the decision was not meant to escalate tensions over travel restrictions. In a statement, the US Department of Transportation said the decision was made to "maintain the parity" in scheduled passenger services between the two countries, adding it was willing to review the decision if Chinese aviation authorities adjusted their policies affecting US carriers. "The Department has conveyed to our Chinese counterparts that this order is a procedural matter only and that it should not be viewed as an escalation on our part," the Transportation Department statement said. Earlier this week, the United States and China said they would each allow four weekly flights between the two countries. The Transportation Department said on Monday in its revised order on China flights that the US government still hoped China will agree to restore full U.S. flight rights under their bilateral aviation agreement. The United States had threatened to bar Chinese passenger flights on June 16 due to Beijing's curbs on U.S. airlines amid simmering tensions between the world's two largest economies, and has raised concerns about the number of charter flights Chinese carriers want to fly. Among US airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines had each sought to restart daily passenger flights to China in June but changed their plans in the absence of government approval. (With inputs from Reuters)

US turns down Chinese airlines' request for additional flights

Officials believe the extradition of Tahawwur Rana will throw some light on the activities of Pakistan's ISI.

Rana was recently arrested in the US for his alleged involvement in Mumbai's 26/11 attacks that killed more than 150 people, and injured over 300&nbsp;people.

The Pakistan-origin Canadian businessman was rearrested in Los Angeles on June 10, based on an extradition request by India, which had declared him a fugitive.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/key-witness-who-had-identified-ajmal-kasab-dies-in-mumbai-301463">Also read:&nbsp;Key witness who had identified Ajmal Kasab dies in Mumbai</a>

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has claimed that Rana&nbsp;has been charged with larger criminal conspiracy for carrying out terror activities in India.

"Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, during his deposition before a court here via video link, had accepted that Rana knew the entire criminal conspiracy of 26/11 Mumbai attacks," Nikam said.

"Headley had also admitted that Rana used to finance him," he added.

The 59-year-old suspect was released from jail on compassionate ground after he told a US court that he has tested positive for COVID-19. However, he was rearrested in Los Angeles 10 days back on India's request.

Rana has been accused of conspiring with his childhood friend Headley and others from pakistan, to provide assistance to LeT and&nbsp;Harakat ul-Jihad-e-Islami.

Officials believe the extradition of Tahawwur Rana will throw some light on the activities of Pakistan's ISI. Rana was recently arrested in the US for his alleged involvement in Mumbai's 26/11 attacks that killed more than 150 people, and injured over 300 people.

Officials believe the extradition of Tahawwur Rana will throw some light on the activities of Pakistan's ISI. Rana was recently arrested in the US for his alleged involvement in Mumbai's 26/11 attacks that killed more than 150 people, and injured over 300 people. The Pakistan-origin Canadian businessman was rearrested in Los Angeles on June 10, based on an extradition request by India, which had declared him a fugitive. Also read: Key witness who had identified Ajmal Kasab dies in Mumbai Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has claimed that Rana has been charged with larger criminal conspiracy for carrying out terror activities in India. "Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, during his deposition before a court here via video link, had accepted that Rana knew the entire criminal conspiracy of 26/11 Mumbai attacks," Nikam said. "Headley had also admitted that Rana used to finance him," he added. The 59-year-old suspect was released from jail on compassionate ground after he told a US court that he has tested positive for COVID-19. However, he was rearrested in Los Angeles 10 days back on India's request. Rana has been accused of conspiring with his childhood friend Headley and others from pakistan, to provide assistance to LeT and Harakat ul-Jihad-e-Islami.

Tahawwur Rana's extradition will throw light on ISI activities: Nikam

The US President Donald Trump claims that he deserves credit for popularising Juneteenth.

US President Donald Trump makes false claim

The Supreme Court ruled on June 18 that the Trump administration cannot immediately proceed with its plan to end the 'DACA' program protecting about 700,000 young immigrants known as Dreamers from deportation.

Top court junks bid to end programme: 700,000 immigrants benefit from 'DACA'

The United States on Thursday said it was offering rewards of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two former leaders of Colombia's FARC rebel group.

Seuxis Hernandez and Luciano Marin, best known by their respective noms de guerre Jesus Santrich and Ivan Marquez, had originally supported the 2016 peace accord between Colombia's government and the Marxist-led Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). But both later rejected the deal.

The two "have a long history of involvement in drug trafficking activities, which resulted in their criminal indictments," the US State Department said in a statement.

The Colombian government, in a separate statement, said the capture of the men would contribute to the stability of the peace process.

Marquez, a FARC commander who was one of the negotiators of the peace accord, disappeared in 2018 after his nephew was arrested and bundled off to the United States.

Santrich had been set to serve in one of 10 congressional seats granted to former rebels under the deal. But he was indicted by the United States for drug trafficking that allegedly occurred in 2017, after the peace deal. The indictment sparked months of legal wrangling, including his arrest, before he too disappeared in mid-2019.

Both men reappeared in August 2019 in a video they said was filmed in the Amazon announcing a new offensive against the government.

The announcement was condemned at the time by President Ivan Duque's government, the United Nations and the FARC political party, whose leadership said the majority of former rebels remain committed to peace.

Implementation of the accord has been hampered by the murder of hundreds of former guerrillas and human rights activists. Delays in funding to create more economic opportunities for former combatants have also set back the peace process amid deep political polarization in the South American country.

The United States on Thursday said it was offering rewards of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two former leaders of Colombia's FARC rebel group.

The United States on Thursday said it was offering rewards of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two former leaders of Colombia's FARC rebel group. Seuxis Hernandez and Luciano Marin, best known by their respective noms de guerre Jesus Santrich and Ivan Marquez, had originally supported the 2016 peace accord between Colombia's government and the Marxist-led Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). But both later rejected the deal. The two "have a long history of involvement in drug trafficking activities, which resulted in their criminal indictments," the US State Department said in a statement. The Colombian government, in a separate statement, said the capture of the men would contribute to the stability of the peace process. Marquez, a FARC commander who was one of the negotiators of the peace accord, disappeared in 2018 after his nephew was arrested and bundled off to the United States. Santrich had been set to serve in one of 10 congressional seats granted to former rebels under the deal. But he was indicted by the United States for drug trafficking that allegedly occurred in 2017, after the peace deal. The indictment sparked months of legal wrangling, including his arrest, before he too disappeared in mid-2019. Both men reappeared in August 2019 in a video they said was filmed in the Amazon announcing a new offensive against the government. The announcement was condemned at the time by President Ivan Duque's government, the United Nations and the FARC political party, whose leadership said the majority of former rebels remain committed to peace. Implementation of the accord has been hampered by the murder of hundreds of former guerrillas and human rights activists. Delays in funding to create more economic opportunities for former combatants have also set back the peace process amid deep political polarization in the South American country.

US offers $10 million reward for capture of former Colombian rebels

China is meddling in Nepal's affairs. It is not only interfering with Kathmandu's ties with New Delhi, but also damaging Nepal's relations with the United States.

Gravitas: How China is creating a rift between U.S. & Nepal

'Dismantling homophobia': Iconic New York bar celebrates transgender ruling by US Supreme Court

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