The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-vaping-related-deaths-rise-to-18-illnesses-surpass-1000-253605">US </a>National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it is reviewing a defect petition that claims Tesla Inc failed to issue a recall when it issued a software upgrade in 2,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in May.

The vehicles from 2012 through 2019 model years received a battery management software upgrade in response to a potential defect that could result in non-crash fires, the petition said, adding it believes the update reduces the driving range of the affected vehicles. NHTSA said Friday it had opened a formal review to evaluate the petition's claims.

Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In August, a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in California claiming Tesla knew batteries of some vehicles were defective and "pushed out software updates despite knowing that the class vehicles would suffer from loss in range and performance." The suit added it believes Tesla's aim is "to avoid providing warranty battery replacements to rightful customers."

The suit says Tesla has placed a software-induced limitation on the total number of usable kilo-watt hours and is limiting the ability of owners "to charge the battery cells up to the natural and normal amount of approximately 4.2 volts, by placing battery capacity limitations, by decreasing the charging speed &nbsp;and by reducing the performance in terms of speed."

The suit cites over a dozen reports of Tesla's vehicles catching fire over the past six years. Tesla has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Tesla's May 15 software update changed some settings in the cars’ battery management software related to charging and thermal controls, the suit said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating several battery fires in Tesla vehicles.

On Wednesday, NHTSA said it was looking into parking lot crashes involving Tesla cars driving themselves to their owners using the company’s Smart Summon feature.

Several users have posted videos on social media of Tesla vehicles that appear to have been in near accidents. One posted a video of a Tesla striking a garage wall and another of a Tesla being struck by a vehicle backing up.

A Tesla software update last week added its Smart Summon feature for some customers. When the car is within 200 feet and in their line of sight, they use a phone app to summon the vehicle in a parking lot.

Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk on Wednesday tweeted that there were more than 550,000 Smart Summon uses in the first few days.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it is reviewing a defect petition that claims Tesla Inc failed to issue a recall when it issued a software upgrade in 2,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in May.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday it is reviewing a defect petition that claims Tesla Inc failed to issue a recall when it issued a software upgrade in 2,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in May. The vehicles from 2012 through 2019 model years received a battery management software upgrade in response to a potential defect that could result in non-crash fires, the petition said, adding it believes the update reduces the driving range of the affected vehicles. NHTSA said Friday it had opened a formal review to evaluate the petition's claims. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In August, a proposed class-action lawsuit was filed in California claiming Tesla knew batteries of some vehicles were defective and "pushed out software updates despite knowing that the class vehicles would suffer from loss in range and performance." The suit added it believes Tesla's aim is "to avoid providing warranty battery replacements to rightful customers." The suit says Tesla has placed a software-induced limitation on the total number of usable kilo-watt hours and is limiting the ability of owners "to charge the battery cells up to the natural and normal amount of approximately 4.2 volts, by placing battery capacity limitations, by decreasing the charging speed and by reducing the performance in terms of speed." The suit cites over a dozen reports of Tesla's vehicles catching fire over the past six years. Tesla has not yet responded to the lawsuit. Tesla's May 15 software update changed some settings in the cars’ battery management software related to charging and thermal controls, the suit said. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating several battery fires in Tesla vehicles. On Wednesday, NHTSA said it was looking into parking lot crashes involving Tesla cars driving themselves to their owners using the company’s Smart Summon feature. Several users have posted videos on social media of Tesla vehicles that appear to have been in near accidents. One posted a video of a Tesla striking a garage wall and another of a Tesla being struck by a vehicle backing up. A Tesla software update last week added its Smart Summon feature for some customers. When the car is within 200 feet and in their line of sight, they use a phone app to summon the vehicle in a parking lot. Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk on Wednesday tweeted that there were more than 550,000 Smart Summon uses in the first few days.

United States NHTSA reviewing claims 2,000 Tesla vehicles should have been recalled

US, Taliban peace talks end in Pakistan. Watch this video to know more.

US, Taliban peace talks end in Pakistan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday renewed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-shrugs-off-thomas-cook-collapse-amid-booming-investment-252448">Turkey's</a> threat to launch an "air and ground" operation in Syria against a Kurdish militia viewed as terrorists by Ankara.

The president previously said that Turkey's patience was wearing thin after Turkish and American officials agreed in August to establish a buffer zone in northern<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-syria-camp-uncertain-future-for-foreign-islamic-state-orphans-253184"> Syria</a>.

"We've made our preparations, completed our operation plans, given the necessary instructions," Erdogan said during a televised speech, adding that the offensive could start "as soon as today, tomorrow".

"We will conduct this (operation) on the ground and in the air," he added, saying it would be east of the Euphrates river.

Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to launch a cross-border offensive and recently suggested that progress on the zone with the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-case-on-restrictive-abortion-law-253858"> US</a> was not developing as Ankara wanted.

While there have been joint US-Turkey patrols, Turkey wants to urgently establish a "safe zone" for the return of up to two million Syrian refugees.

Turkey is home to more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees but there has been a growing public backlash against their presence.

Ankara wants to push the US-backed Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia from its border, saying that the group is a "terrorist" offshoot of Kurdish insurgents in Turkey.

But the YPG has worked closely with American troops in the fight against the Islamic State extremist group, recapturing territory in northern Syria.

The Turkish military has twice launched offensives in Syria against IS in 2016 and against the YPG in 2018

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday renewed Turkey's threat to launch an "air and ground" operation in Syria against a Kurdish militia viewed as terrorists by Ankara.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday renewed Turkey's threat to launch an "air and ground" operation in Syria against a Kurdish militia viewed as terrorists by Ankara. The president previously said that Turkey's patience was wearing thin after Turkish and American officials agreed in August to establish a buffer zone in northern Syria. "We've made our preparations, completed our operation plans, given the necessary instructions," Erdogan said during a televised speech, adding that the offensive could start "as soon as today, tomorrow". "We will conduct this (operation) on the ground and in the air," he added, saying it would be east of the Euphrates river. Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to launch a cross-border offensive and recently suggested that progress on the zone with the US was not developing as Ankara wanted. While there have been joint US-Turkey patrols, Turkey wants to urgently establish a "safe zone" for the return of up to two million Syrian refugees. Turkey is home to more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees but there has been a growing public backlash against their presence. Ankara wants to push the US-backed Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia from its border, saying that the group is a "terrorist" offshoot of Kurdish insurgents in Turkey. But the YPG has worked closely with American troops in the fight against the Islamic State extremist group, recapturing territory in northern Syria. The Turkish military has twice launched offensives in Syria against IS in 2016 and against the YPG in 2018

Turkey President Tayyip Erdogan renews Syria 'air and ground' operation threat

Investors are preparing for more cautious capital investment outlooks from US companies as worries mount heading into earnings season about the possibility of an economic recession.

Capital expenditure increases have been weaker than last year, when corporate tax cuts helped to bolster spending, and some strategists say they may even fall short of Wall Street's expectations given the concerns about the economy and a prolonged trade war between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-says-he-wont-tie-biden-concerns-to-trade-deal-with-china-253812">United States </a>and China.

Less spending on technology, machinery, and other equipment would suggest corporate executives are less confident in the economy than they had been, another potential negative for the stock market, which has fallen this week amid a series of weak economic reports.

Capital expenditures are expected to have increased just 3.0 per cent in the third quarter from a year ago, which would be the lowest since the second quarter of 2017, when Capex declined slightly, according to data based on analysts' estimates compiled by Refinitiv's research senior manager, David Aurelio.

That estimate drops to 1.1 per cent in the fourth quarter, and year-over-year declines are projected in some quarters of 2020.

"It's very likely that Capex spending is going to be below expectations," said Kristina Hooper, chief global market strategist at Invesco in New York. "We are in a state of heightened economic policy uncertainty. That tamps down business investment."

Strategists said spending plans will be of particular interest as S&amp;P 500 companies discuss their results for the third quarter in the weeks ahead.

The reporting period begins with big banks including JPMorgan Chase and others reporting on October 15.

Results overall are expected to be relatively weak, with analysts forecasting earnings for S&amp;P 500 companies to have declined 2.7 per cent in the third quarter from a year ago, based on Refinitiv's data.

Recent dismal economic indicators have fuelled concerns that the United States was flirting with a recession.

Upbeat jobs data offered some relief for investors on Friday, but it came on the heels of a report this week showing manufacturing activity plunged to a more than 10-year trough in September. Other data showed US services sector activity slowed to a three-year low in September.

"There is a correlation between CEO confidence and Capex. And right now we've seen CEO confidence decrease, so again it's going to be a challenging environment for companies to go ahead and spend," said Keith Lerner, chief market strategist at SunTrust Advisory Services in Atlanta.

While the trade war has eroded business confidence, easing monetary policy is expected to help because it reduces borrowing costs for businesses.

The US central bank cut rates last month after reducing borrowing costs in July for the first time since 2008. Bets the Federal Reserve will cut rates later this month by 25 basis points were at about 77 per cent on Friday, compared to 39.6 per cent on Monday, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool.

"This talk of whether or not we're going into a recession, that enforces prudence" by companies, said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial, based in Newark, New Jersey. "Ultimately what they're worried about is revenue growth."

Investors are preparing for more cautious capital investment outlooks from US companies as worries mount heading into earnings season about the possibility of an economic recession.

Investors are preparing for more cautious capital investment outlooks from US companies as worries mount heading into earnings season about the possibility of an economic recession. Capital expenditure increases have been weaker than last year, when corporate tax cuts helped to bolster spending, and some strategists say they may even fall short of Wall Street's expectations given the concerns about the economy and a prolonged trade war between the United States and China. Less spending on technology, machinery, and other equipment would suggest corporate executives are less confident in the economy than they had been, another potential negative for the stock market, which has fallen this week amid a series of weak economic reports. Capital expenditures are expected to have increased just 3.0 per cent in the third quarter from a year ago, which would be the lowest since the second quarter of 2017, when Capex declined slightly, according to data based on analysts' estimates compiled by Refinitiv's research senior manager, David Aurelio. That estimate drops to 1.1 per cent in the fourth quarter, and year-over-year declines are projected in some quarters of 2020. "It's very likely that Capex spending is going to be below expectations," said Kristina Hooper, chief global market strategist at Invesco in New York. "We are in a state of heightened economic policy uncertainty. That tamps down business investment." Strategists said spending plans will be of particular interest as S&P 500 companies discuss their results for the third quarter in the weeks ahead. The reporting period begins with big banks including JPMorgan Chase and others reporting on October 15. Results overall are expected to be relatively weak, with analysts forecasting earnings for S&P 500 companies to have declined 2.7 per cent in the third quarter from a year ago, based on Refinitiv's data. Recent dismal economic indicators have fuelled concerns that the United States was flirting with a recession. Upbeat jobs data offered some relief for investors on Friday, but it came on the heels of a report this week showing manufacturing activity plunged to a more than 10-year trough in September. Other data showed US services sector activity slowed to a three-year low in September. "There is a correlation between CEO confidence and Capex. And right now we've seen CEO confidence decrease, so again it's going to be a challenging environment for companies to go ahead and spend," said Keith Lerner, chief market strategist at SunTrust Advisory Services in Atlanta. While the trade war has eroded business confidence, easing monetary policy is expected to help because it reduces borrowing costs for businesses. The US central bank cut rates last month after reducing borrowing costs in July for the first time since 2008. Bets the Federal Reserve will cut rates later this month by 25 basis points were at about 77 per cent on Friday, compared to 39.6 per cent on Monday, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. "This talk of whether or not we're going into a recession, that enforces prudence" by companies, said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial, based in Newark, New Jersey. "Ultimately what they're worried about is revenue growth."

Capital spending outlook another worry ahead of earnings

One of the most loved couples in the world, Barack and Michelle Obama completed 27 years of blissful married life recently and marked the occasion by sharing heartwarming messages for each other.&nbsp; 
 
The former US president and first lady, who completed 27 years together on Thursday, are still `feeling the magic` that brought them together. Barack beat his wife to the punch by posting a photo featuring the couple, who can be seen embracing each other and looking at a sunset together. 
 
In the still, the two are photographed from behind and are seen looking at the sunset while Michelle has her arms wrapped around her husband and her head resting on his shoulder.&nbsp;

The former president quoted a line from The Beatles song `Getting Better`, writing, "Like the Beatles said: It`s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years!"

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KK3xNgy7G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Like the Beatles said: It’s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years!</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/barackobama/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Barack Obama</a> (@barackobama) on <time datetime="2019-10-03T14:10:19+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 3, 2019 at 7:10am PDT</time>
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The former first lady too posted a heartwarming message and shared a photo of the two smiling and overlooking a beach.&nbsp;"27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I`d say he`s delivered. Here`s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what`s next--while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack," she captioned the still.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KPC49gbqM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I’d say he’s delivered. Here’s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what’s next—while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack. 💕</a>

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The couple got engaged in 1991 and soon got hitched on October 3, 1992, in Chicago. They are proud parents to two daughters- Malia Ann Obama and Sasha Obama. 
 
The two have been vocal about their ups and downs, and are known to share romantic messages on special occasions. 
 
On Valentine`s Day in 2018, Michelle published a Spotify playlist dedicated to her beloved husband.`Happy #ValentinesDay to my one and only, @BarackObama. To celebrate the occasion, I`m dedicating a little Valentine`s Day playlist to you`," the former first lady wrote.The list of songs included classics like Ben E. King`s `Stand By Me`, Barry White`s `Can`t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe`, and Diana Ross` `Endless Love`. There were also more modern tracks, like Beyonce`s `Halo`, Janelle Monae`s `Primetime`, and Adele`s cover of `Make You Feel My Love`.&nbsp; 
 
President Obama also shared a message on Twitter back then. "Happy Valentine`s Day, @MichelleObama. You make every day and every place better," he wrote, adding a photo of the two.&nbsp;

One of the most loved couples in the world, Barack and Michelle Obama completed 27 years of blissful married life recently and marked the occasion by sharing heartwarming messages for each other.

One of the most loved couples in the world, Barack and Michelle Obama completed 27 years of blissful married life recently and marked the occasion by sharing heartwarming messages for each other. The former US president and first lady, who completed 27 years together on Thursday, are still `feeling the magic` that brought them together. Barack beat his wife to the punch by posting a photo featuring the couple, who can be seen embracing each other and looking at a sunset together. In the still, the two are photographed from behind and are seen looking at the sunset while Michelle has her arms wrapped around her husband and her head resting on his shoulder. The former president quoted a line from The Beatles song `Getting Better`, writing, "Like the Beatles said: It`s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years!" View this post on Instagram Like the Beatles said: It’s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years! A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama) on Oct 3, 2019 at 7:10am PDT × The former first lady too posted a heartwarming message and shared a photo of the two smiling and overlooking a beach. "27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I`d say he`s delivered. Here`s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what`s next--while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack," she captioned the still. View this post on Instagram 27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I’d say he’s delivered. Here’s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what’s next—while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack. 💕 A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Oct 3, 2019 at 7:46am PDT × The couple got engaged in 1991 and soon got hitched on October 3, 1992, in Chicago. They are proud parents to two daughters- Malia Ann Obama and Sasha Obama. The two have been vocal about their ups and downs, and are known to share romantic messages on special occasions. On Valentine`s Day in 2018, Michelle published a Spotify playlist dedicated to her beloved husband.`Happy #ValentinesDay to my one and only, @BarackObama. To celebrate the occasion, I`m dedicating a little Valentine`s Day playlist to you`," the former first lady wrote.The list of songs included classics like Ben E. King`s `Stand By Me`, Barry White`s `Can`t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe`, and Diana Ross` `Endless Love`. There were also more modern tracks, like Beyonce`s `Halo`, Janelle Monae`s `Primetime`, and Adele`s cover of `Make You Feel My Love`. President Obama also shared a message on Twitter back then. "Happy Valentine`s Day, @MichelleObama. You make every day and every place better," he wrote, adding a photo of the two.

Barack and Michelle Obama's anniversary posts will make you smile

America's jobless rate tumbled in September to its lowest level in 50 years, which could help assuage fears of an economic slowdown, according to government data released Friday.

But while job creation continued, the pace was more subdued and wages were flat, showing a slowing trend.

Unemployment fell two tenths to 3.5 per cent, matching the rate last recorded in December 1969, and well below what analysts had forecast.

Employers added a total of 136,000 net new positions, which was below expectations, with notable slowdowns in education, government, finance, and business services.

And the August job gain was revised up sharply to 168,000, nearly 40,000 more than originally reported.

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-the-impeachment-inquiry-might-affect-donald-trumps-2020-re-election-chances-253716">Donald Trump</a> immediately cheered the news which comes as he faces an impeachment inquiry in Congress.

"Breaking News: Unemployment Rate, at 3.5 per cent, drops to a 50 YEAR LOW. Wow, America, let's impeach your President (even though he did nothing wrong!)," Trump tweeted.

The highly awaited jobs report also landed amid a raft of worrisome economic data showing Trump's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-widens-trade-war-with-tariffs-on-european-planes-cheese-whisky-to-punish-subsidies-253360">trade </a>wars have put a dent in the business environment.

Within the details of the jobs report, there were more signs of strength amid the dwindling supply of workers, but the data also made clear the US jobs engine was beginning to sputter.

Average hourly wages fell by a penny to $28.09, well below economists' expectations, putting an end to a year-long string of steady gains.

The mining sector added no workers after three straight months of layoffs. The auto sector shed workers for the fourth straight month in a row. Manufacturing was down for the second time in 2019.

Still some groups continue to benefit from the tight labor market: Unemployment among Hispanics fell to its lowest level since records began in 1973.

And for workers without a high school diploma, the jobless rate fell to the lowest since records began in 1992.

The broadest measure of unemployment, which takes into account those working part-time but seeking full-time jobs, and those marginally attached to the labor force, fell to the lowest level in nearly 19 years.

The latest data did not reflect the nationwide strike launched last month by General Motors employees, who walked off the job the week after the survey for the September jobs report was conducted.

America's jobless rate tumbled in September to its lowest level in 50 years, which could help assuage fears of an economic slowdown, according to government data released Friday.

America's jobless rate tumbled in September to its lowest level in 50 years, which could help assuage fears of an economic slowdown, according to government data released Friday. But while job creation continued, the pace was more subdued and wages were flat, showing a slowing trend. Unemployment fell two tenths to 3.5 per cent, matching the rate last recorded in December 1969, and well below what analysts had forecast. Employers added a total of 136,000 net new positions, which was below expectations, with notable slowdowns in education, government, finance, and business services. And the August job gain was revised up sharply to 168,000, nearly 40,000 more than originally reported. President Donald Trump immediately cheered the news which comes as he faces an impeachment inquiry in Congress. "Breaking News: Unemployment Rate, at 3.5 per cent, drops to a 50 YEAR LOW. Wow, America, let's impeach your President (even though he did nothing wrong!)," Trump tweeted. The highly awaited jobs report also landed amid a raft of worrisome economic data showing Trump's trade wars have put a dent in the business environment. Within the details of the jobs report, there were more signs of strength amid the dwindling supply of workers, but the data also made clear the US jobs engine was beginning to sputter. Average hourly wages fell by a penny to $28.09, well below economists' expectations, putting an end to a year-long string of steady gains. The mining sector added no workers after three straight months of layoffs. The auto sector shed workers for the fourth straight month in a row. Manufacturing was down for the second time in 2019. Still some groups continue to benefit from the tight labor market: Unemployment among Hispanics fell to its lowest level since records began in 1973. And for workers without a high school diploma, the jobless rate fell to the lowest since records began in 1992. The broadest measure of unemployment, which takes into account those working part-time but seeking full-time jobs, and those marginally attached to the labor force, fell to the lowest level in nearly 19 years. The latest data did not reflect the nationwide strike launched last month by General Motors employees, who walked off the job the week after the survey for the September jobs report was conducted.

US unemployment falls to 50-year low of 3.5% in September

Oil prices rose on Friday, although remained on track for a second consecutive weekly loss, as an increase in US&nbsp;jobs eased financial market concerns that the slowing economy was on the brink of a recession amid lingering trade tensions.

Benchmark Brent crude rose 94 cents, or 1.6 per cent, to $58.65 a barrel by 1319 GMT. US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 68 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to $53.13.

However, Brent was down 5.2 per cent on the week, its lowest since mid-August, and US&nbsp;crude lost 5 per cent&nbsp;on the week, marking its biggest weekly loss since July.

"Both are on track for hefty weekly losses and it will take a brave man to bet against the bearish side," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM.

"As things stand, demand and supply-side developments are anything but supportive and there can be no happy ending for those of a bullish disposition."

US&nbsp;job growth increased moderately in September, with the unemployment rate dropping to near a 50-year low of 3.5 per cent.

The report, however, came on the heels of a string of weak economic reports, including a plunge in manufacturing activity to more than a 10-year low in September and a sharp slowdown in services industry growth to levels last seen in 2016.

"The crisis in the manufacturing sector now appears to be spilling over to the previously robust services sector. This is not good news for oil demand. After all, this also reduces the demand for transport," said Carsten Fritsch, senior commodity analyst at Commerzbank.

On the supply side, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, said on Thursday the world's top crude oil exporter had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-restores-full-oil-output-after-attacks-focused-on-aramco-ipo-253556">fully restored oil output</a> after attacks on its facilities last month knocked out more than 5 per cent&nbsp;of global oil supply.

"That Saudi restored its production back to original capacity sooner than expected means investors had to price out raised supply risks at a faster clip than would have otherwise been the case," said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at futures brokerage Forex.com.

Razaqzada that weak economic data, particularly from the US&nbsp;manufacturing sector, also raised fears for oil demand, "but now that some of these factors have been priced in, oil prices may fall less sharply going forward or at best start to form a base".

France said Iran and the United States have one month to get to the negotiating table, suggesting that Tehran's plan to increase its nuclear activities in November would spark renewed tension in the region.

Oil prices rose on Friday, although remained on track for a second consecutive weekly loss, as an increase in US jobs eased financial market concerns that the slowing economy was on the brink of a recession amid lingering trade tensions.

Oil prices rose on Friday, although remained on track for a second consecutive weekly loss, as an increase in US jobs eased financial market concerns that the slowing economy was on the brink of a recession amid lingering trade tensions. Benchmark Brent crude rose 94 cents, or 1.6 per cent, to $58.65 a barrel by 1319 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 68 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to $53.13. However, Brent was down 5.2 per cent on the week, its lowest since mid-August, and US crude lost 5 per cent on the week, marking its biggest weekly loss since July. "Both are on track for hefty weekly losses and it will take a brave man to bet against the bearish side," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. "As things stand, demand and supply-side developments are anything but supportive and there can be no happy ending for those of a bullish disposition." US job growth increased moderately in September, with the unemployment rate dropping to near a 50-year low of 3.5 per cent. The report, however, came on the heels of a string of weak economic reports, including a plunge in manufacturing activity to more than a 10-year low in September and a sharp slowdown in services industry growth to levels last seen in 2016. "The crisis in the manufacturing sector now appears to be spilling over to the previously robust services sector. This is not good news for oil demand. After all, this also reduces the demand for transport," said Carsten Fritsch, senior commodity analyst at Commerzbank. On the supply side, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, said on Thursday the world's top crude oil exporter had fully restored oil output after attacks on its facilities last month knocked out more than 5 per cent of global oil supply. "That Saudi restored its production back to original capacity sooner than expected means investors had to price out raised supply risks at a faster clip than would have otherwise been the case," said Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at futures brokerage Forex.com. Razaqzada that weak economic data, particularly from the US manufacturing sector, also raised fears for oil demand, "but now that some of these factors have been priced in, oil prices may fall less sharply going forward or at best start to form a base". France said Iran and the United States have one month to get to the negotiating table, suggesting that Tehran's plan to increase its nuclear activities in November would spark renewed tension in the region.

Oil rises on fall in US unemployment rate

Lawmakers pushing a fast-moving impeachment probe against President Donald Trump were set to hear Friday from a key intelligence official as new evidence showed how the president pressured Ukraine to help him win re-election.

Trump is accused of pushing Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-approves-missile-sale-raised-in-ukraine-call-253609">US </a>leader's 2020 election rival Joe Biden in return for $400 million in military aid, in a mushrooming scandal that has engulfed the White House, State Department and Justice Department.

With Congress due to hear from intelligence community inspector general Michael Atkinson, the White House was reeling from the release of text messages illustrating US officials' concerns about the administration's attempt to push Kiev into investigating Biden.

Watch Video: US President Donald Trump says he wants China to investigate Bidens

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When a whistleblower filed a complaint in August alleging that Trump had pressured <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/texts-show-us-diplomat-pushing-ukraine-on-probe-for-donald-trump-meeting-253653">Ukraine</a>'s president to dig up dirt on Biden, it was Atkinson that deemed it a matter of "urgent concern" and passed it on to the Justice Department.

Among the trove of texts released by the House intelligence committee late Thursday, was a message from US special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker to a Zelensky aide, saying that that the Ukrainian president should open the investigation in return for a visit to the White House.

"We have ample evidence now that there was a requirement that President Zelensky investigate the 2016 election, and the Bidens, if he wanted to get a meeting," Democrat Eric Swalwell said after Volker testified for eight hours.

'Nothing to do with politics'&nbsp;

It is illegal for a US national to seek foreign help in a domestic election, regardless of whether an inducement is offered.

Trump's frustration and anger over the scandal have boiled over in a series of increasingly erratic and outlandish public appearances and Twitter rants in which he flitted between defiance and conspiratorial paranoia.

"As President, I have an obligation to end CORRUPTION, even if that means requesting the help of a foreign country or countries," Trump tweeted Friday.

"It is done all the time. This has NOTHING to do with politics or a political campaign against the Bidens. This does have to do with their corruption!"

Trump stunned Washington Thursday by openly calling on China as well as Ukraine to investigate Biden doing brazenly in public what he is trouble for doing in a phone call with Ukraine's leader.

Speaking in Florida Thursday, Trump blasted his accusers as "maniacs" pursuing "impeachment crap" as he sought to turn the tables on a probe that threatens to make him only the third US president ever impeached in the House of Representatives, and face a trial in the Senate.

'Impunity'&nbsp;

Trump doubled down by calling for Zelensky and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to go after Biden, who leads the race for the Democratic presidential nomination next year.

"I would say that President Zelensky, if it were me, I would recommend that they start an investigation into the Bidens," Trump told reporters outside the White House.

"Likewise, China should start an investigation into the Bidens, because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened with Ukraine."

Asked if he would request Xi do the same, Trump replied: "It's certainly something we can start thinking about."

Adam Schiff, the Democrat, leading the impeachment probe in the House of Representatives, said Trump was acting "with impunity" in the face of the law.

"Once again we have a president of the United States suggesting, urging a foreign country to interfere in our presidential elections," Schiff said.

Trump alleges falsely that Biden, as vice president in 2014, tried to block a Ukraine corruption probe into his son Hunter's business partner, a Ukraine gas tycoon, using US aid as leverage.

He also alleged without evidence that Hunter used his stature to raise $1.5 billion in 2013 from China for a new investment vehicle in Beijing.

Republicans who sat in on the interview with Volker said he did not support charges that Trump withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid from Ukraine to force Zelensky to open an investigation, as was alleged in a whistleblower complaint made public last week.

"It is crystal clear that any allegation that President Trump was trying to get President Zelensky to manufacture dirt on the Bidens is just not true," said Representative Lee Zeldin, before Volker's testimony ended.

Lawmakers pushing a fast-moving impeachment probe against President Donald Trump were set to hear Friday from a key intelligence official as new evidence showed how the president pressured Ukraine to help him win re-election.

Lawmakers pushing a fast-moving impeachment probe against President Donald Trump were set to hear Friday from a key intelligence official as new evidence showed how the president pressured Ukraine to help him win re-election. Trump is accused of pushing Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the US leader's 2020 election rival Joe Biden in return for $400 million in military aid, in a mushrooming scandal that has engulfed the White House, State Department and Justice Department. With Congress due to hear from intelligence community inspector general Michael Atkinson, the White House was reeling from the release of text messages illustrating US officials' concerns about the administration's attempt to push Kiev into investigating Biden. Watch Video: US President Donald Trump says he wants China to investigate Bidens × When a whistleblower filed a complaint in August alleging that Trump had pressured Ukraine's president to dig up dirt on Biden, it was Atkinson that deemed it a matter of "urgent concern" and passed it on to the Justice Department. Among the trove of texts released by the House intelligence committee late Thursday, was a message from US special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker to a Zelensky aide, saying that that the Ukrainian president should open the investigation in return for a visit to the White House. "We have ample evidence now that there was a requirement that President Zelensky investigate the 2016 election, and the Bidens, if he wanted to get a meeting," Democrat Eric Swalwell said after Volker testified for eight hours. 'Nothing to do with politics' It is illegal for a US national to seek foreign help in a domestic election, regardless of whether an inducement is offered. Trump's frustration and anger over the scandal have boiled over in a series of increasingly erratic and outlandish public appearances and Twitter rants in which he flitted between defiance and conspiratorial paranoia. "As President, I have an obligation to end CORRUPTION, even if that means requesting the help of a foreign country or countries," Trump tweeted Friday. "It is done all the time. This has NOTHING to do with politics or a political campaign against the Bidens. This does have to do with their corruption!" Trump stunned Washington Thursday by openly calling on China as well as Ukraine to investigate Biden doing brazenly in public what he is trouble for doing in a phone call with Ukraine's leader. Speaking in Florida Thursday, Trump blasted his accusers as "maniacs" pursuing "impeachment crap" as he sought to turn the tables on a probe that threatens to make him only the third US president ever impeached in the House of Representatives, and face a trial in the Senate. 'Impunity' Trump doubled down by calling for Zelensky and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to go after Biden, who leads the race for the Democratic presidential nomination next year. "I would say that President Zelensky, if it were me, I would recommend that they start an investigation into the Bidens," Trump told reporters outside the White House. "Likewise, China should start an investigation into the Bidens, because what happened in China is just about as bad as what happened with Ukraine." Asked if he would request Xi do the same, Trump replied: "It's certainly something we can start thinking about." Adam Schiff, the Democrat, leading the impeachment probe in the House of Representatives, said Trump was acting "with impunity" in the face of the law. "Once again we have a president of the United States suggesting, urging a foreign country to interfere in our presidential elections," Schiff said. Trump alleges falsely that Biden, as vice president in 2014, tried to block a Ukraine corruption probe into his son Hunter's business partner, a Ukraine gas tycoon, using US aid as leverage. He also alleged without evidence that Hunter used his stature to raise $1.5 billion in 2013 from China for a new investment vehicle in Beijing. Republicans who sat in on the interview with Volker said he did not support charges that Trump withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid from Ukraine to force Zelensky to open an investigation, as was alleged in a whistleblower complaint made public last week. "It is crystal clear that any allegation that President Trump was trying to get President Zelensky to manufacture dirt on the Bidens is just not true," said Representative Lee Zeldin, before Volker's testimony ended.

Intel official to testify as new texts pile pressure on Trump

The next 13 months will see American politics completely dominated by the fate of Donald Trump. As the House of Representatives moves towards impeaching him, leading to a hearing which then moves to the Senate, the Democrats will be engaged in an increasingly bitter contest for the nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 elections.

At this stage, it appears there are the numbers in the house for impeachment, which entails formally charging the president with “high crimes and misdemeanors”. Their indictment then moves to the Senate, which can remove the president by a two-thirds majority, in a hearing chaired by the chief justice.

Because 2020 is an election year, both sides will manage proceedings with an eye to the November poll. It is possible the house will vote before the end of the year: the decision to impeach Bill Clinton for lying under oath was made in the last three months of 1998.

Clinton was cleared by the Senate by the following February, so it is also possible the Senate will hold its own proceedings before most of the presidential primaries commence. It takes two-thirds of the Senate to remove a president from office, which has never happened.

While several Republican house representatives have expressed concern about the president’s behaviour, the overwhelming majority of Republican politicians are either supporting him or remaining silent.

Rather as Boris Johnston seems to have captured the British Conservative Party, so Trump has imposed himself on the Republicans. Those who three years ago assailed his unfitness for the presidency, such as Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, are now his loudest defenders. Meanwhile, several of his opponents are withdrawing from political office.

However, Senator Mitt Romney, Republican candidate for president in 2012, has indicated his disquiet, which is almost certainly shared by others. If the house uncovers more apparently illegal activity on Trump, and if public opinion seems to be turning against the president, there are several other senators who may follow, if only to preserve their own positions. Republican senators are facing re-election in states such as Colorado, Iowa, Maine and North Carolina, where they are increasingly vulnerable.

There is an odd historical parallel with the history of Senator Joe McCarthy, who led increasingly virulent anti-Communist crusades in the early 1950s and whose protégé, Roy Cohn, in turn influenced Trump.

Eventually, Republican senators turned on McCarthy, and censured but did not expel him. But this happened only once it was clear that public support for McCarthy was collapsing, which is so far not evident for Trump.

Faced with possible impeachment and loss of support, Richard Nixon resigned. It is difficult to see Trump doing this – it is more likely he will become even more irrational and vengeful as the process winds on. Right-wing media will echo the president’s claim that the impeachment hearings represent treason, with real danger of violent clashes between supporters and opponents of Trump.

For the Democrats, the best outcome would be a split within Republican ranks, which leaves Trump in office but weakened and vulnerable to a challenge for re-nomination. Removing Trump would place Vice President Mike Pence in office, and presumably ensured of nomination in 2020.

The dilemma for the Democrats is that the impeachment process will dominate the news cycle as they jockey for position going into next year’s long battle for the presidential nomination. Trump will use the allegations to focus attention on former Vice President Joe Biden, whose son’s business dealings in Ukraine triggered the impeachment inquiry.

Biden may hope this will allow him to emerge as the injured defender of political propriety, but he will be tarnished through guilt by association, and is likely to slip further in the polls. Biden represents some of the traditional working class and African American base of the Democratic Party, and how they react could determine the ultimate Democrat candidate.

At the moment, Elizabeth Warren challenges Biden’s lead in the polls, with Bernie Sanders the only other candidate consistently supported by more than 10 per cent&nbsp;of Democrats. None of the others in a crowded field — 12 have qualified to take part in the next televised Democratic debate — have much support, and they will start to drop out once the primary season begins in February 2020.

If Biden continues to lose support, there is room for someone to emerge as the moderate front-runner, given that both Warren and Sanders represent the more radical instincts of the party. This is presumably why so many candidates are determined to continue campaigning, even when some of them rarely muster 2 per cent&nbsp;in the polls.

Were Sanders’ current health problems to lead to his withdrawal most of his support would presumably switch to Warren. Predictions are risky, and my record is poor. But it is increasingly likely that the Democrats will nominate someone other than an old white man in 2020, betting on a figure like Barack Obama who can galvanise a bitterly divided nation and persuade people to turn out and vote.

(Dennis Altman is Professorial Fellow in Human Security, La Trobe University)

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-impeachment-inquiry-might-affect-trumps-2020-re-election-chances-124424">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

The next 13 months will see American politics completely dominated by the fate of Donald Trump. As the House of Representatives moves towards impeaching him, leading to a hearing which then moves to the Senate, the Democrats will be engaged in an increasingly bitter contest for the nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 elections.

The next 13 months will see American politics completely dominated by the fate of Donald Trump. As the House of Representatives moves towards impeaching him, leading to a hearing which then moves to the Senate, the Democrats will be engaged in an increasingly bitter contest for the nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 elections. At this stage, it appears there are the numbers in the house for impeachment, which entails formally charging the president with “high crimes and misdemeanors”. Their indictment then moves to the Senate, which can remove the president by a two-thirds majority, in a hearing chaired by the chief justice. Because 2020 is an election year, both sides will manage proceedings with an eye to the November poll. It is possible the house will vote before the end of the year: the decision to impeach Bill Clinton for lying under oath was made in the last three months of 1998. Clinton was cleared by the Senate by the following February, so it is also possible the Senate will hold its own proceedings before most of the presidential primaries commence. It takes two-thirds of the Senate to remove a president from office, which has never happened. While several Republican house representatives have expressed concern about the president’s behaviour, the overwhelming majority of Republican politicians are either supporting him or remaining silent. Rather as Boris Johnston seems to have captured the British Conservative Party, so Trump has imposed himself on the Republicans. Those who three years ago assailed his unfitness for the presidency, such as Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, are now his loudest defenders. Meanwhile, several of his opponents are withdrawing from political office. However, Senator Mitt Romney, Republican candidate for president in 2012, has indicated his disquiet, which is almost certainly shared by others. If the house uncovers more apparently illegal activity on Trump, and if public opinion seems to be turning against the president, there are several other senators who may follow, if only to preserve their own positions. Republican senators are facing re-election in states such as Colorado, Iowa, Maine and North Carolina, where they are increasingly vulnerable. There is an odd historical parallel with the history of Senator Joe McCarthy, who led increasingly virulent anti-Communist crusades in the early 1950s and whose protégé, Roy Cohn, in turn influenced Trump. Eventually, Republican senators turned on McCarthy, and censured but did not expel him. But this happened only once it was clear that public support for McCarthy was collapsing, which is so far not evident for Trump. Faced with possible impeachment and loss of support, Richard Nixon resigned. It is difficult to see Trump doing this – it is more likely he will become even more irrational and vengeful as the process winds on. Right-wing media will echo the president’s claim that the impeachment hearings represent treason, with real danger of violent clashes between supporters and opponents of Trump. For the Democrats, the best outcome would be a split within Republican ranks, which leaves Trump in office but weakened and vulnerable to a challenge for re-nomination. Removing Trump would place Vice President Mike Pence in office, and presumably ensured of nomination in 2020. The dilemma for the Democrats is that the impeachment process will dominate the news cycle as they jockey for position going into next year’s long battle for the presidential nomination. Trump will use the allegations to focus attention on former Vice President Joe Biden, whose son’s business dealings in Ukraine triggered the impeachment inquiry. Biden may hope this will allow him to emerge as the injured defender of political propriety, but he will be tarnished through guilt by association, and is likely to slip further in the polls. Biden represents some of the traditional working class and African American base of the Democratic Party, and how they react could determine the ultimate Democrat candidate. At the moment, Elizabeth Warren challenges Biden’s lead in the polls, with Bernie Sanders the only other candidate consistently supported by more than 10 per cent of Democrats. None of the others in a crowded field — 12 have qualified to take part in the next televised Democratic debate — have much support, and they will start to drop out once the primary season begins in February 2020. If Biden continues to lose support, there is room for someone to emerge as the moderate front-runner, given that both Warren and Sanders represent the more radical instincts of the party. This is presumably why so many candidates are determined to continue campaigning, even when some of them rarely muster 2 per cent in the polls. Were Sanders’ current health problems to lead to his withdrawal most of his support would presumably switch to Warren. Predictions are risky, and my record is poor. But it is increasingly likely that the Democrats will nominate someone other than an old white man in 2020, betting on a figure like Barack Obama who can galvanise a bitterly divided nation and persuade people to turn out and vote. (Dennis Altman is Professorial Fellow in Human Security, La Trobe University) (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How the impeachment inquiry might affect Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election chances

A Taliban delegation met US&nbsp;special representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Thursday, two sources told Reuters, the first known contact between the two sides since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-says-taliban-talks-dead-us-military-to-ramp-up-afghanistan-operations-248707">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump called off talks last month.</a>

Sources cautioned the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, did not represent a resumption of formal negotiations.

"The Taliban officials held a meeting with Zalmay Khalilzad...all I can tell you is that Pakistan played a big role in it to convince them how important it was for the peace process," a senior Pakistan government official told Reuters, declining to be named as he was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.

He added the contact, which was confirmed by a second source, did not involve formal negotiations on the peace process, but were interactions aimed at building confidence. He declined to elaborate further on the content of the discussions.

The US&nbsp;Embassy in Islamabad and State Department in Washington declined to comment on whether a meeting had taken place. A State Department spokesperson said that Khalilzad had spent "several days" in Islamabad this week for consultations with authorities in Pakistan.

The spokesperson said Khalilzad's meetings while in Islamabad did not represent a re-start to the Afghan peace process.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, would not confirm or deny that the Taliban had met Khalilzad, adding that the Taliban delegation was still in Islamabad for meetings on Friday.

Trump halted the talks with the Taliban, aimed at striking a deal allowing the US&nbsp;and other foreign troops to withdraw in exchange for Taliban security guarantees, following the death of a US&nbsp;soldier and 11 others in a Taliban bomb attack in Kabul.

The Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the group's founders, had earlier met <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-delegation-to-visit-pakistan-and-discuss-failed-afghan-peace-talks-253201">Pakistan's foreign minister in Islamabad on Thursday</a> and both sides called for a resumption of the talks as soon as possible.

The United States has long considered Pakistan's cooperation crucial to efforts to end the war in Afghanistan and the latest developments follow a meeting last week between Trump and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The US&nbsp;and Taliban said last month, shortly before talks broke off, that they were close to reaching a deal, despite concerns among some US&nbsp;security officials and within the Afghan government that a US&nbsp;withdrawal could lead to more conflict and a possible resurgence of Islamist militant factions.

A Taliban delegation met US special representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Thursday, two sources told Reuters, the first known contact between the two sides since US President Donald Trump called off talks last month.

A Taliban delegation met US special representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Thursday, two sources told Reuters, the first known contact between the two sides since US President Donald Trump called off talks last month. Sources cautioned the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, did not represent a resumption of formal negotiations. "The Taliban officials held a meeting with Zalmay Khalilzad...all I can tell you is that Pakistan played a big role in it to convince them how important it was for the peace process," a senior Pakistan government official told Reuters, declining to be named as he was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter. He added the contact, which was confirmed by a second source, did not involve formal negotiations on the peace process, but were interactions aimed at building confidence. He declined to elaborate further on the content of the discussions. The US Embassy in Islamabad and State Department in Washington declined to comment on whether a meeting had taken place. A State Department spokesperson said that Khalilzad had spent "several days" in Islamabad this week for consultations with authorities in Pakistan. The spokesperson said Khalilzad's meetings while in Islamabad did not represent a re-start to the Afghan peace process. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, would not confirm or deny that the Taliban had met Khalilzad, adding that the Taliban delegation was still in Islamabad for meetings on Friday. Trump halted the talks with the Taliban, aimed at striking a deal allowing the US and other foreign troops to withdraw in exchange for Taliban security guarantees, following the death of a US soldier and 11 others in a Taliban bomb attack in Kabul. The Taliban delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the group's founders, had earlier met Pakistan's foreign minister in Islamabad on Thursday and both sides called for a resumption of the talks as soon as possible. The United States has long considered Pakistan's cooperation crucial to efforts to end the war in Afghanistan and the latest developments follow a meeting last week between Trump and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The US and Taliban said last month, shortly before talks broke off, that they were close to reaching a deal, despite concerns among some US security officials and within the Afghan government that a US withdrawal could lead to more conflict and a possible resurgence of Islamist militant factions.

Taliban delegation met US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad during visit to Islamabad

A longtime US&nbsp;diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president.

Kurt Volker resigned as special representative for Ukraine negotiations on Friday, the day after the public release of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-in-donald-trump-ukraine-scandal-a-cia-officer-report-252276">whistleblower complaint</a> that described him as trying to "contain the damage" from efforts by Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani to press Ukraine to investigate Democrats.

Volker's meeting with the committee comes after an emotional day in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday when Trump railed at journalists during a news conference, resorted to the use of an expletive on Twitter and called the probe "a hoax and a fraud" while pledging to cooperate.

Democratic lawmakers had said earlier on Wednesday they were prepared to subpoena White House records about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Charges that Trump pressured Zelenskiy in that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-feud-heats-up-donald-trump-says-joe-biden-was-subject-of-ukraine-call-251345">call</a> to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading rival in Trump's bid for re-election in 2020, helped prompt House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to announce a formal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-denounces-impeachment-inquiry-as-a-coup-253163">impeachment investigation</a> last week.

On Thursday, staff from the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees will conduct a transcribed interview with Volker.

The 54-year-old, who is also a former US&nbsp;ambassador to NATO, is appearing voluntarily.

The briefing will take place behind closed doors, the first of a series of events in the probe, none of them public, scheduled within the 10 days.

More are expected.

Late on Wednesday, US&nbsp;Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the session with Volker, saying that Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans were not being given equal representation or the chance to question Volker.

He also expressed concern that US&nbsp;Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic House foreign affairs chairman, had ceded oversight of US foreign policy to the Intelligence Committee because that panel, he said, would lead the questioning of Volker.

An Intelligence Committee aide said the panel's staff would conduct the interview because Pelosi had designated it as the lead committee in the impeachment inquiry.

Intelligence Committee investigators have been working with the Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees, "both of which will have equal Majority and Minority representation," the aide said in an email.

Representatives for the Foreign Affairs Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Friday, Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson will testify at an Intelligence Committee hearing.

Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US&nbsp;ambassador in Kiev until Trump recalled her in May before her normal term was up, will meet with committee staff on October&nbsp;11.

'Perfect'- or 'wrong'?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-nothing-compromising-in-trump-call-to-ukraine-leader-253325">Trump</a>&nbsp;has denied wrongdoing, repeatedly calling his call with Zelenskiy "perfect."

Pelosi dismissed that characterization at a news conference on Wednesday, saying: "It's not perfect - it's wrong."

Some of Trump's Republican allies have joined him in seeking to discredit Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence panel, after a New York Times report on Wednesday that the whistleblower had contacted the committee for advice on how to proceed.

Both Republicans and Democrats familiar with the process said, however, that Schiff's panel had acted properly in advising the person to contact an Inspector General and seek legal counsel.

Staff from eight Senate and House congressional committees, including Republicans and Democrats, also reacted with surprise on Wednesday after a briefing by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick.

At the briefing, which was held behind closed doors but not classified, Linick handed out packets of documents that the only lawmaker who attended, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, described as "propaganda and disinformation."

Committee staff members who attended the briefing said it concerned a package of documents delivered to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that included allegations against Biden and Yovanovitch.

A photograph of one document, whose source was not disclosed, described a discredited theory promoted by Trump allies that Yovanovitch was installed in her post by billionaire George Soros, a Democratic donor frequently attacked by far-right activists.

The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

A longtime US diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president.

A longtime US diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president. Kurt Volker resigned as special representative for Ukraine negotiations on Friday, the day after the public release of a whistleblower complaint that described him as trying to "contain the damage" from efforts by Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani to press Ukraine to investigate Democrats. Volker's meeting with the committee comes after an emotional day in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday when Trump railed at journalists during a news conference, resorted to the use of an expletive on Twitter and called the probe "a hoax and a fraud" while pledging to cooperate. Democratic lawmakers had said earlier on Wednesday they were prepared to subpoena White House records about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Charges that Trump pressured Zelenskiy in that call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading rival in Trump's bid for re-election in 2020, helped prompt House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to announce a formal impeachment investigation last week. On Thursday, staff from the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees will conduct a transcribed interview with Volker. The 54-year-old, who is also a former US ambassador to NATO, is appearing voluntarily. The briefing will take place behind closed doors, the first of a series of events in the probe, none of them public, scheduled within the 10 days. More are expected. Late on Wednesday, US Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the session with Volker, saying that Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans were not being given equal representation or the chance to question Volker. He also expressed concern that US Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic House foreign affairs chairman, had ceded oversight of US foreign policy to the Intelligence Committee because that panel, he said, would lead the questioning of Volker. An Intelligence Committee aide said the panel's staff would conduct the interview because Pelosi had designated it as the lead committee in the impeachment inquiry. Intelligence Committee investigators have been working with the Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees, "both of which will have equal Majority and Minority representation," the aide said in an email. Representatives for the Foreign Affairs Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Friday, Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson will testify at an Intelligence Committee hearing. Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US ambassador in Kiev until Trump recalled her in May before her normal term was up, will meet with committee staff on October 11. 'Perfect'- or 'wrong'? Trump has denied wrongdoing, repeatedly calling his call with Zelenskiy "perfect." Pelosi dismissed that characterization at a news conference on Wednesday, saying: "It's not perfect - it's wrong." Some of Trump's Republican allies have joined him in seeking to discredit Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence panel, after a New York Times report on Wednesday that the whistleblower had contacted the committee for advice on how to proceed. Both Republicans and Democrats familiar with the process said, however, that Schiff's panel had acted properly in advising the person to contact an Inspector General and seek legal counsel. Staff from eight Senate and House congressional committees, including Republicans and Democrats, also reacted with surprise on Wednesday after a briefing by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick. At the briefing, which was held behind closed doors but not classified, Linick handed out packets of documents that the only lawmaker who attended, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, described as "propaganda and disinformation." Committee staff members who attended the briefing said it concerned a package of documents delivered to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that included allegations against Biden and Yovanovitch. A photograph of one document, whose source was not disclosed, described a discredited theory promoted by Trump allies that Yovanovitch was installed in her post by billionaire George Soros, a Democratic donor frequently attacked by far-right activists. The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

United States diplomat at center of Trump-Ukraine affair to meet House committee staff

In The Last 24 Hours, Two Prominent Leaders Have Made It To The Headlines By Screaming At Journalists. This is sadly becoming the norm. When journalists ask difficult questions to political leaders, they get screamed at. In the last 24 hours, U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi slammed journalists for asking question. Take a look at this report.

Gravitas: When Journalists Ask Difficult Questions To Leaders?

Indian stocks followed their Asian peers lower on Thursday, as the United States said it would slap tariffs on European goods, adding to slowdown worries at a time when the US-China trade war is already hurting global economic growth.

The United States said on Wednesday it would slap tariffs on Europe-made planes, liquor, and cheese as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies.

The move follows tariffs levied by the United States and China on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods in their more than year-old trade war, which has disrupted supply chains and weighed on global markets.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.63 per cent by 0427 GMT.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-defends-e-cigarette-ban-in-court-with-attack-on-juul-253200">India</a>'s broader NSE Nifty was down 0.30 per cent at 11,325.60, while the benchmark BSE <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sensex-closes-362-points-lower-yes-bank-plunges-by-22-253060">Sensex</a> had fallen by 0.32 per cent to 38,183.36.

While metal stocks led Indian stock indexes lower, shares in lender Yes Bank recovered after a bruising fall to a more than one-decade low earlier this week.

The Nifty metals index fell 2.35 per cent, with Hindalco Industries Ltd declining the most down 4.5 per cent

Yes Bank shares rose 22.5 per cent and were on course for their best one-day gain in six months after Chief Executive Officer Ravneet Gill said before the opening bell that the lender was on a firm financial footing.

Indian stocks followed their Asian peers lower on Thursday, as the United States said it would slap tariffs on European goods, adding to slowdown worries at a time when the US-China trade war is already hurting global economic growth.

Indian stocks followed their Asian peers lower on Thursday, as the United States said it would slap tariffs on European goods, adding to slowdown worries at a time when the US-China trade war is already hurting global economic growth. The United States said on Wednesday it would slap tariffs on Europe-made planes, liquor, and cheese as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies. The move follows tariffs levied by the United States and China on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods in their more than year-old trade war, which has disrupted supply chains and weighed on global markets. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.63 per cent by 0427 GMT. India's broader NSE Nifty was down 0.30 per cent at 11,325.60, while the benchmark BSE Sensex had fallen by 0.32 per cent to 38,183.36. While metal stocks led Indian stock indexes lower, shares in lender Yes Bank recovered after a bruising fall to a more than one-decade low earlier this week. The Nifty metals index fell 2.35 per cent, with Hindalco Industries Ltd declining the most down 4.5 per cent Yes Bank shares rose 22.5 per cent and were on course for their best one-day gain in six months after Chief Executive Officer Ravneet Gill said before the opening bell that the lender was on a firm financial footing.

Sensex, Nifty slip as United States widens trade war to Europe; Yes Bank recovers

A US&nbsp;panel has asked Boeing Co to make an engineer available for an interview regarding an internal ethics complaint the engineer filed on the safety of the now-grounded 737 MAX jet.

The engineer said in the complaint filed this year than during the development of the 737 MAX, Boeing had rejected a safety system to minimize costs, the New York Times had reported earlier.

The engineer, who worked on cockpit instruments and controls, felt the safety system could have reduced risks that contributed to two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in Ethiopia and Indonesia, according to the report.

"All of this information is critical to have as we prepare for our Committee's October 30th hearing with Boeing's CEO, as well as Boeing's chief engineer of its commercial <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-widens-trade-war-with-tariffs-on-european-planes-cheese-whisky-to-punish-subsidies-253360">airplanes</a> division, and the chief pilot for the 737," said Peter DeFazio, chairman of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-slams-impeachment-probe-as-hoax-as-democrats-seek-white-house-documents-253356">US </a>House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

"These reports certainly add to my concern that production pressures may have impacted safety on the 737 MAX, which is exactly why it's so critical we get to the bottom of this," he said.

The committee has been poring over hundreds of thousands of pages of documents and emails from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, but it was not aware of the engineer's complaint, he said.

Boeing said it would continue to cooperate with Congress and regulatory authorities as it focuses on safely returning the MAX to service.

"Boeing offers its employees a number of channels for raising concerns and complaints and has rigorous processes in place, both to ensure that such complaints receive thorough consideration and to protect the confidentiality of employees who make them. Accordingly, Boeing does not comment on the substance or existence of such internal complaints," it said in a statement, responding to the New York Times report.

Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg is set to testify before Congress this month.

The US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A US panel has asked Boeing Co to make an engineer available for an interview regarding an internal ethics complaint the engineer filed on the safety of the now-grounded 737 MAX jet.

A US panel has asked Boeing Co to make an engineer available for an interview regarding an internal ethics complaint the engineer filed on the safety of the now-grounded 737 MAX jet. The engineer said in the complaint filed this year than during the development of the 737 MAX, Boeing had rejected a safety system to minimize costs, the New York Times had reported earlier. The engineer, who worked on cockpit instruments and controls, felt the safety system could have reduced risks that contributed to two fatal crashes that killed 346 people in Ethiopia and Indonesia, according to the report. "All of this information is critical to have as we prepare for our Committee's October 30th hearing with Boeing's CEO, as well as Boeing's chief engineer of its commercial airplanes division, and the chief pilot for the 737," said Peter DeFazio, chairman of the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "These reports certainly add to my concern that production pressures may have impacted safety on the 737 MAX, which is exactly why it's so critical we get to the bottom of this," he said. The committee has been poring over hundreds of thousands of pages of documents and emails from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, but it was not aware of the engineer's complaint, he said. Boeing said it would continue to cooperate with Congress and regulatory authorities as it focuses on safely returning the MAX to service. "Boeing offers its employees a number of channels for raising concerns and complaints and has rigorous processes in place, both to ensure that such complaints receive thorough consideration and to protect the confidentiality of employees who make them. Accordingly, Boeing does not comment on the substance or existence of such internal complaints," it said in a statement, responding to the New York Times report. Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg is set to testify before Congress this month. The US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

United States committee seeks to interview Boeing engineer on safety of 737 MAX

US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has arrived in Pakistan to discuss revival of the peace talks with the Pakistani leaders and a possible meeting with a Taliban delegation.

US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad in Pak; But why?

By Peter Robertson

If you watched China’s impressive military parade marking the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule, you may be wondering how China now compares to the United States in terms of military might.

The answer: It’s a lot closer than commonly thought.

China’s annual military budget is estimated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute to be about 1.7 trillion yuan. This is about 1.9 per cent of China’s GDP.

Using market exchange rates, China’s annual military spending converts to about $228 billion. By comparison, the US military budget is $649 billion – or 3.2 per cent of US GDP.

Hence China’s military budget is usually thought of about 40 per cent that of the US – which is often characterised as spending more on its military than the next 10 countries combined.

Such an approach, however, dramatically overstates US military capacity – and understates China’s. In real terms, China’s spending is worth about 75 per cent that of the US.

Purchasing power parity

The problem is that a simple currency conversion doesn’t reflect actual price differences across countries. An American or Australian visiting India or China, for example, finds things like street food, nannies and domestic help are all very cheap. The same principle applies to military spending.

The salary of a US soldier might be, say, $60,000 a year. This could pay the salaries of several, if not many more, soldiers in the People’s Liberation Army.

To make a more accurate comparison of the real purchasing power of a country’s military spending, we need to factor in differences in labour and operational costs between countries.

I’ve computed the costs of defence services across countries, looking at personnel, operations and equipment costs.

For some components of military spending, such as the cost of buying a fighter plane or warship, it’s appropriate to use market exchange rates to compare across countries. For other components, particularly personnel expenditure, it’s better to compare wage costs for similarly trained personnel. These costs differences can then be used to construct “purchasing power parity” exchange rates specific to the defence sector.

Using these rates allows us to see how much the spending in each country actually buys – allowing for price differences between countries as well as how defence planners might react to these different prices given their defence priorities.

Looking at these differences, my analysis suggests China’s military spending is equivalent to the US spending about $455 billion.

This is nearly double what is suggested by the figure obtained using a straight currency conversion. It means, in real terms, China’s annual spending is about 74 per cent of the US.

Global comparisons

Similar results hold for other countries where labour and services prices are comparatively low.

For example, official exchange rate estimates suggest military spending by Russia and India is just 10 per cent of the US. But factoring in the lower prices facing their defence sectors suggests Russia’s military budget is equivalent to about 30 per cent of the US budget; and India’s about 40 per cent.

This analysis also changes the impression we have of countries like Indonesia, Ukraine and Colombia.

For example, Indonesia’s military budget in 2018 equates to a “mere” $8 billion. But in terms of the actual resources, it can purchase, a more accurate estimate is that its expenditure is worth about $36 billion – substantially more than Australia’s military budget.

Of course, just because an army costs a lot, or has a lot of personnel, doesn’t mean it is a good value. The numbers don’t tell us everything we might want to know about relative military power. But they do give a very different, and more accurate, picture of the global distribution of military muscle.

So you should have been impressed by the might of China’s military on parade. The US is still number one - but not by as much as you might think.

(Peter Robertson is Professor, University of Western Australia)

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/chinas-military-might-is-much-closer-to-the-us-than-you-probably-think-124487">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Peter Robertson If you watched China’s impressive military parade marking the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule, you may be wondering how China now compares to the United States in terms of military might.

By Peter Robertson If you watched China’s impressive military parade marking the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule, you may be wondering how China now compares to the United States in terms of military might. The answer: It’s a lot closer than commonly thought. China’s annual military budget is estimated by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute to be about 1.7 trillion yuan. This is about 1.9 per cent of China’s GDP. Using market exchange rates, China’s annual military spending converts to about $228 billion. By comparison, the US military budget is $649 billion – or 3.2 per cent of US GDP. Hence China’s military budget is usually thought of about 40 per cent that of the US – which is often characterised as spending more on its military than the next 10 countries combined. Such an approach, however, dramatically overstates US military capacity – and understates China’s. In real terms, China’s spending is worth about 75 per cent that of the US. Purchasing power parity The problem is that a simple currency conversion doesn’t reflect actual price differences across countries. An American or Australian visiting India or China, for example, finds things like street food, nannies and domestic help are all very cheap. The same principle applies to military spending. The salary of a US soldier might be, say, $60,000 a year. This could pay the salaries of several, if not many more, soldiers in the People’s Liberation Army. To make a more accurate comparison of the real purchasing power of a country’s military spending, we need to factor in differences in labour and operational costs between countries. I’ve computed the costs of defence services across countries, looking at personnel, operations and equipment costs. For some components of military spending, such as the cost of buying a fighter plane or warship, it’s appropriate to use market exchange rates to compare across countries. For other components, particularly personnel expenditure, it’s better to compare wage costs for similarly trained personnel. These costs differences can then be used to construct “purchasing power parity” exchange rates specific to the defence sector. Using these rates allows us to see how much the spending in each country actually buys – allowing for price differences between countries as well as how defence planners might react to these different prices given their defence priorities. Looking at these differences, my analysis suggests China’s military spending is equivalent to the US spending about $455 billion. This is nearly double what is suggested by the figure obtained using a straight currency conversion. It means, in real terms, China’s annual spending is about 74 per cent of the US. Global comparisons Similar results hold for other countries where labour and services prices are comparatively low. For example, official exchange rate estimates suggest military spending by Russia and India is just 10 per cent of the US. But factoring in the lower prices facing their defence sectors suggests Russia’s military budget is equivalent to about 30 per cent of the US budget; and India’s about 40 per cent. This analysis also changes the impression we have of countries like Indonesia, Ukraine and Colombia. For example, Indonesia’s military budget in 2018 equates to a “mere” $8 billion. But in terms of the actual resources, it can purchase, a more accurate estimate is that its expenditure is worth about $36 billion – substantially more than Australia’s military budget. Of course, just because an army costs a lot, or has a lot of personnel, doesn’t mean it is a good value. The numbers don’t tell us everything we might want to know about relative military power. But they do give a very different, and more accurate, picture of the global distribution of military muscle. So you should have been impressed by the might of China’s military on parade. The US is still number one - but not by as much as you might think. (Peter Robertson is Professor, University of Western Australia) (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

China’s military might is much closer to the US than you probably think

Fears of a potential military conflict with Iran may have opened the door to a Saudi-Iranian dialogue against the backdrop of a rethink of US military logistics, involving at least a gradual partial relocation to the United States of command and control operations based in the Gulf for almost four decades.

The relocation does not necessarily signal a reduced US commitment to the defence of the strategic energy-rich region even if it comes amid Gulf suspicions that the United States is gradually withdrawing from the Middle East.

Nonetheless, the move, officially intended to reduce the vulnerability of US military assets to a potential Iranian strike without decreasing the United States’ operational capability, is bolstering a rethink in capitals across Eurasia, including Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, New Delhi, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh about possible alternative, more collective and multilateral security arrangements in the Gulf.

The arrangements would involve the Gulf states, Russia, China, the US, the European Union and India as well as other stakeholders, a likely reference to Iran. By necessity, it would require a lowering of tension in the region and a degree of accommodation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urged Gulf states “To establish a platform for dialogue and consultation” in which countries from outside the region would play a role in maintaining security in the region."

Wang was speaking days after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani proposed a security arrangement that would be limited to countries in the region.

In a variation on the theme, Narayanappa Janardhan, a prominent Indian Gulf researcher at the United Arab Emirates’ Emirates Diplomatic Academy, suggested that a new regional security architecture should be Asian-led.

US President Donald J Trump’s transactional approach towards foreign and defence policies in which countries are expected to shoulder their fair burden and pay for US defense services coupled with the president’s long-standing assertion that China and others dependent on energy supplies from the Gulf are free-riding beneficiaries of the US defence umbrella and his withdrawal early in his presidency from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional trade pact, has sparked doubts across Asia about the wisdom of depending on the United States for energy security.

In a sense, the Gulf states and Asian nations are in a bind. The United States may no longer be reliable but despite the various calls for a new security arrangement few realistically see an alternative.

“Having just spent three days in Moscow, I’m convinced the Russians haven’t the faintest clue how to operate any architecture in the Gulf...let alone a security architecture,” tweeted Gulf scholar Michael Stephens.

Concern that military retaliation for last month’s attacks on two key Saudi oil facilities would spark a regional war has sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity and a search for non-military responses as the United States and Saudi Arabia point the finger of responsibility at Iran.

Iran has warned that military retaliation by the United States or the Kingdom would spark a war that would spread to the Gulf, including Iranian targeting of installations in the region.

Trump’s cautious reaction to the attacks coupled with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s stated preference for a non-military response constitutes the latest developments in recent months that have opened the door to the Chinese-backed Russian proposal for a collective security arrangement that would reduce US influence in the region.

Saudi and Iranian leaders, in a gleam of hope that the two countries may be inching towards one another, expressed an interest in resolving issues politically rather than militarily.

“The political and peaceful solution is much better than the military one,” Prince Mohammed told CBS News when asked about a possible military response to the attacks on the kingdom’s oil assets.

Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani responded saying: "The doors of Iran are open. A Saudi-Iranian dialogue can solve many of the region's security and political problems."

In a further hopeful development, Saudi Arabia was reported to be considering a partial ceasefire in Yemen. Earlier, the Houthis declared a unilateral halt to the fighting. Larijani said Iran was advising the Houthis to accept whatever ceasefire was on offer.

At the same time, Iraq suggested that it had established a backchannel between Riyadh and Tehran.

"The Saudis have conditions before the negotiations process starts and the same with Iranians. We have liaised these conditions to each side. It is not an easy task to get together two opposite sides in terms of their ideology, sect and their alliances in the region," said Abbas al-Hasnawi, an official in the office of Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

"Saudi Arabia’s conditions are that Iran minimises its role in Yemen and Syria and stop supporting armed groups such as the Houthis. It also asks the Syrian regime to solve its problems with the Syrian opposition groups, and to write a constitution for Syria with all parties agreeing on it," the official said.

&nbsp;"If there will be a potential deal in the region that includes Yemen, Syria and Iraq, the Americans have no problem with that," Hasnawi added.

While there is every reason to be sceptical despite the noise that Saudi Arabia and Iran are anywhere near resolving their differences, talk of dialogue and calls for a Yemen ceasefire suggest that Iran’s strategy of strategic escalation may be producing results.

Iran moved earlier this year away from its initial strategic patience response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 international agreement curbing the Islamic republic’s nuclear program to a strategy of gradual escalation.

Escalation tactics include a step-by-step breaching of the agreement and a more aggressive asymmetric military posture involving the seizing of a British vessel that was released last week, alleged attacks on tankers off the coast of the UAE, and allegedly the attacks on the Saudi oil facilities.

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Fears of a potential military conflict with Iran may have opened the door to a Saudi-Iranian dialogue against the backdrop of a rethink of US military logistics, involving at least a gradual partial relocation to the United States of command and control operations based in the Gulf for almost four decades.

Fears of a potential military conflict with Iran may have opened the door to a Saudi-Iranian dialogue against the backdrop of a rethink of US military logistics, involving at least a gradual partial relocation to the United States of command and control operations based in the Gulf for almost four decades. The relocation does not necessarily signal a reduced US commitment to the defence of the strategic energy-rich region even if it comes amid Gulf suspicions that the United States is gradually withdrawing from the Middle East. Nonetheless, the move, officially intended to reduce the vulnerability of US military assets to a potential Iranian strike without decreasing the United States’ operational capability, is bolstering a rethink in capitals across Eurasia, including Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, New Delhi, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh about possible alternative, more collective and multilateral security arrangements in the Gulf. The arrangements would involve the Gulf states, Russia, China, the US, the European Union and India as well as other stakeholders, a likely reference to Iran. By necessity, it would require a lowering of tension in the region and a degree of accommodation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urged Gulf states “To establish a platform for dialogue and consultation” in which countries from outside the region would play a role in maintaining security in the region." Wang was speaking days after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani proposed a security arrangement that would be limited to countries in the region. In a variation on the theme, Narayanappa Janardhan, a prominent Indian Gulf researcher at the United Arab Emirates’ Emirates Diplomatic Academy, suggested that a new regional security architecture should be Asian-led. US President Donald J Trump’s transactional approach towards foreign and defence policies in which countries are expected to shoulder their fair burden and pay for US defense services coupled with the president’s long-standing assertion that China and others dependent on energy supplies from the Gulf are free-riding beneficiaries of the US defence umbrella and his withdrawal early in his presidency from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional trade pact, has sparked doubts across Asia about the wisdom of depending on the United States for energy security. In a sense, the Gulf states and Asian nations are in a bind. The United States may no longer be reliable but despite the various calls for a new security arrangement few realistically see an alternative. “Having just spent three days in Moscow, I’m convinced the Russians haven’t the faintest clue how to operate any architecture in the Gulf...let alone a security architecture,” tweeted Gulf scholar Michael Stephens. Concern that military retaliation for last month’s attacks on two key Saudi oil facilities would spark a regional war has sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity and a search for non-military responses as the United States and Saudi Arabia point the finger of responsibility at Iran. Iran has warned that military retaliation by the United States or the Kingdom would spark a war that would spread to the Gulf, including Iranian targeting of installations in the region. Trump’s cautious reaction to the attacks coupled with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s stated preference for a non-military response constitutes the latest developments in recent months that have opened the door to the Chinese-backed Russian proposal for a collective security arrangement that would reduce US influence in the region. Saudi and Iranian leaders, in a gleam of hope that the two countries may be inching towards one another, expressed an interest in resolving issues politically rather than militarily. “The political and peaceful solution is much better than the military one,” Prince Mohammed told CBS News when asked about a possible military response to the attacks on the kingdom’s oil assets. Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani responded saying: "The doors of Iran are open. A Saudi-Iranian dialogue can solve many of the region's security and political problems." In a further hopeful development, Saudi Arabia was reported to be considering a partial ceasefire in Yemen. Earlier, the Houthis declared a unilateral halt to the fighting. Larijani said Iran was advising the Houthis to accept whatever ceasefire was on offer. At the same time, Iraq suggested that it had established a backchannel between Riyadh and Tehran. "The Saudis have conditions before the negotiations process starts and the same with Iranians. We have liaised these conditions to each side. It is not an easy task to get together two opposite sides in terms of their ideology, sect and their alliances in the region," said Abbas al-Hasnawi, an official in the office of Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. "Saudi Arabia’s conditions are that Iran minimises its role in Yemen and Syria and stop supporting armed groups such as the Houthis. It also asks the Syrian regime to solve its problems with the Syrian opposition groups, and to write a constitution for Syria with all parties agreeing on it," the official said. "If there will be a potential deal in the region that includes Yemen, Syria and Iraq, the Americans have no problem with that," Hasnawi added. While there is every reason to be sceptical despite the noise that Saudi Arabia and Iran are anywhere near resolving their differences, talk of dialogue and calls for a Yemen ceasefire suggest that Iran’s strategy of strategic escalation may be producing results. Iran moved earlier this year away from its initial strategic patience response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 international agreement curbing the Islamic republic’s nuclear program to a strategy of gradual escalation. Escalation tactics include a step-by-step breaching of the agreement and a more aggressive asymmetric military posture involving the seizing of a British vessel that was released last week, alleged attacks on tankers off the coast of the UAE, and allegedly the attacks on the Saudi oil facilities. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Can Saudi Arabia and Iran get along?

Popstar Selena Gomez finds the current immigration crisis in the United States utterly upsetting.

The singer-actor voiced her concerns in a write up published in Time magazine while discussing her own family's history, reported Fox News.

"In the 1970s, my aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the United States hidden in the back of a truck," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/selena-gomez-fangirl-over-taylor-swifts-new-album-lover-248448">Gomez</a>&nbsp;said.

"My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a US citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice."

The 27-year-old actor-singer said that her family struggled for around four decades to get their US citizenship. While she wonders about immigration "every day," she never happens to take the fortune of being born in her country for granted.

"But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations," she added.

"I feel afraid for my country."

She also explained that her concern isn't much of a political issue but instead of&nbsp;she is more bothered about real people's lives and how they're all affected.

"It is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives. How we deal with it speaks to our humanity, our empathy, our compassion. How we treat our fellow human beings defines who we are," she said.

Popstar Selena Gomez finds the current immigration crisis in the United States utterly upsetting. The singer-actor voiced her concerns in a write up published in Time magazine while discussing her own family's history, reported Fox News.

Popstar Selena Gomez finds the current immigration crisis in the United States utterly upsetting. The singer-actor voiced her concerns in a write up published in Time magazine while discussing her own family's history, reported Fox News. "In the 1970s, my aunt crossed the border from Mexico to the United States hidden in the back of a truck," Gomez said. "My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after. In 1992, I was born a US citizen thanks to their bravery and sacrifice." The 27-year-old actor-singer said that her family struggled for around four decades to get their US citizenship. While she wonders about immigration "every day," she never happens to take the fortune of being born in her country for granted. "But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations," she added. "I feel afraid for my country." She also explained that her concern isn't much of a political issue but instead of she is more bothered about real people's lives and how they're all affected. "It is a human issue, affecting real people, dismantling real lives. How we deal with it speaks to our humanity, our empathy, our compassion. How we treat our fellow human beings defines who we are," she said.

'I feel afraid for my country': Selena Gomez on immigration crisis in United States

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/general-motors-workers-begin-nationwide-strike-in-us-249987">General Motors</a> has laid off 6,000 workers in Mexico temporarily due to a US labour strike, which has disrupted production at two plants south of the border manufacturing pickup trucks, the company said Tuesday.

The layoffs affect the Silao assembly and transmission plants in central Mexico, where work has been "disrupted as a result of a parts shortage related to the UAW strike," a GM spokesman said.

The Silao workers are expected to return to their jobs after the strike, the spokesman said.

GM's Mexican arm notified workers at the Silao assembly plant that they had been placed on indefinite, mandatory vacation and would receive 55 per cent of their pay, according to an internal document obtained by AFP.

However, the company emphasized that no one was permanently laid off.

"There are no layoffs for the moment, we&nbsp;are evaluating the situation day to day and hope to restore normal operations soon, in a matter of days," spokeswoman Teresa Cid told AFP.

The two plants in Silao, Guanajuato state, produce GMC and Chevrolet pickup trucks.

The moves come on top of the furlough of more than 3,000 workers in Canada and at an Ohio plant where GM operates a joint venture with Isuzu to make diesel engines.

Nearly 50,000 US workers are on strike at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gm-recalls-35-mn-vehicles-on-brake-issue-249068">GM</a>&nbsp;due to a United Auto Workers conflict over the labour contract, now in its third week.

Workers launched the strike on September 16 after contract talks failed to yield an agreement on wages, health benefits, temporary workers and job security.

The strike also comes against the backdrop of GM's decision last November to effectively shutter five plants in North America.

A report Tuesday from JPMorgan Chase estimated that the strike has so far cost GM $1 billion, adding that the company has the potential to recover some of the lost profits in the fourth quarter if the strike ends soon.

General Motors has laid off 6,000 workers in Mexico temporarily due to a US labour strike, which has disrupted production at two plants south of the border manufacturing pickup trucks, the company said Tuesday.

General Motors has laid off 6,000 workers in Mexico temporarily due to a US labour strike, which has disrupted production at two plants south of the border manufacturing pickup trucks, the company said Tuesday. The layoffs affect the Silao assembly and transmission plants in central Mexico, where work has been "disrupted as a result of a parts shortage related to the UAW strike," a GM spokesman said. The Silao workers are expected to return to their jobs after the strike, the spokesman said. GM's Mexican arm notified workers at the Silao assembly plant that they had been placed on indefinite, mandatory vacation and would receive 55 per cent of their pay, according to an internal document obtained by AFP. However, the company emphasized that no one was permanently laid off. "There are no layoffs for the moment, we are evaluating the situation day to day and hope to restore normal operations soon, in a matter of days," spokeswoman Teresa Cid told AFP. The two plants in Silao, Guanajuato state, produce GMC and Chevrolet pickup trucks. The moves come on top of the furlough of more than 3,000 workers in Canada and at an Ohio plant where GM operates a joint venture with Isuzu to make diesel engines. Nearly 50,000 US workers are on strike at GM due to a United Auto Workers conflict over the labour contract, now in its third week. Workers launched the strike on September 16 after contract talks failed to yield an agreement on wages, health benefits, temporary workers and job security. The strike also comes against the backdrop of GM's decision last November to effectively shutter five plants in North America. A report Tuesday from JPMorgan Chase estimated that the strike has so far cost GM $1 billion, adding that the company has the potential to recover some of the lost profits in the fourth quarter if the strike ends soon.

General Motors temporarily lays off 6,000 workers in Mexico due to strike

Two former officials who were engaged in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-denounces-impeachment-inquiry-as-a-coup-253163">Trump administration's dealings</a> with Ukraine will meet with US&nbsp;congressional committees starting this week, as the impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump gains steam.

Congressional staff was also due to attend a briefing at the Capitol on Wednesday by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

Staff members from the Senate and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Oversight and Appropriations committees were invited to the briefing. The session was expected to address Ukraine-related documents that have been subpoenaed by House committees.

Following a whistleblower complaint last week, Democrats are looking into Trump's request to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a July 25 phone call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender in the Democratic race to run against Republican Trump in the 2020 election.

The unidentified whistleblower is said to be an intelligence agent who accused Trump of soliciting foreign interference for his personal political benefit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-suggests-arrest-for-treason-of-democrat-leading-impeachment-probe-252892">Trump has denied wrongdoing and assailed the probe</a>.

Kurt Volker, who resigned last week as Trump's special representative for Ukraine, was to go to Capitol Hill to give a deposition to House staff on Thursday, the day he had been asked to appear.

Marie Yovanovitch, who was US&nbsp;ambassador to Ukraine until she was abruptly recalled in May, has agreed to appear on October&nbsp;11, not on Wednesday as originally requested.

With their deep knowledge of Ukraine, testimony by Yovanovitch and Volker could be especially important to the impeachment probe formally launched by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week.

The enquiry could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. That would lead to a trial in the Senate on whether to remove him from office. But the president's fellow Republicans control that chamber and have shown little appetite for removing him.

Yovanovitch was ordered back to Washington two months before the end of her three-year tour in Kiev. The career diplomat, who had served during both Republican and Democratic administrations, had been the subject of attacks in right-leaning media and Democrats had suggested her recall was politically motivated.

More subpoenas expected

Over the past few days, the Democratic chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees have issued subpoenas to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and scheduled depositions with a series of other current and former officials, as well as associates of Giuliani, as they seek to unearth more evidence of potential wrongdoing by Trump.

Trump asked Zelenskiy during the July call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter in coordination with US&nbsp;Attorney General William Barr and Giuliani.

Announcements of more subpoenas and requests for depositions are expected.

The impeachment investigation has cast a pall over Trump's re-election effort.

On Twitter on Tuesday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/our-country-is-at-stake-like-never-before-trump-to-supporters-252638">Trump</a> repeated his assertion that his call with Zelenskiy was "perfect," and attacked Pelosi and Representative Adam Schiff, the House intelligence committee chairman.

"This is just another Fake News Media, together with their partner, the Democrat Party, HOAX!" the president tweeted.

On Tuesday, Pompeo took to Twitter to address the investigation. He posted a letter accusing Representative Eliot Engel, the House Foreign Affairs chairman, of requesting depositions as "an attempt to intimidate, bully and treat improperly" State Department employees.

Two former officials who were engaged in the Trump administration's dealings with Ukraine will meet with US congressional committees starting this week, as the impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump gains steam.

Two former officials who were engaged in the Trump administration's dealings with Ukraine will meet with US congressional committees starting this week, as the impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump gains steam. Congressional staff was also due to attend a briefing at the Capitol on Wednesday by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Staff members from the Senate and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Oversight and Appropriations committees were invited to the briefing. The session was expected to address Ukraine-related documents that have been subpoenaed by House committees. Following a whistleblower complaint last week, Democrats are looking into Trump's request to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a July 25 phone call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender in the Democratic race to run against Republican Trump in the 2020 election. The unidentified whistleblower is said to be an intelligence agent who accused Trump of soliciting foreign interference for his personal political benefit. Trump has denied wrongdoing and assailed the probe. Kurt Volker, who resigned last week as Trump's special representative for Ukraine, was to go to Capitol Hill to give a deposition to House staff on Thursday, the day he had been asked to appear. Marie Yovanovitch, who was US ambassador to Ukraine until she was abruptly recalled in May, has agreed to appear on October 11, not on Wednesday as originally requested. With their deep knowledge of Ukraine, testimony by Yovanovitch and Volker could be especially important to the impeachment probe formally launched by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week. The enquiry could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. That would lead to a trial in the Senate on whether to remove him from office. But the president's fellow Republicans control that chamber and have shown little appetite for removing him. Yovanovitch was ordered back to Washington two months before the end of her three-year tour in Kiev. The career diplomat, who had served during both Republican and Democratic administrations, had been the subject of attacks in right-leaning media and Democrats had suggested her recall was politically motivated. More subpoenas expected Over the past few days, the Democratic chairmen of the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees have issued subpoenas to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and scheduled depositions with a series of other current and former officials, as well as associates of Giuliani, as they seek to unearth more evidence of potential wrongdoing by Trump. Trump asked Zelenskiy during the July call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter in coordination with US Attorney General William Barr and Giuliani. Announcements of more subpoenas and requests for depositions are expected. The impeachment investigation has cast a pall over Trump's re-election effort. On Twitter on Tuesday, Trump repeated his assertion that his call with Zelenskiy was "perfect," and attacked Pelosi and Representative Adam Schiff, the House intelligence committee chairman. "This is just another Fake News Media, together with their partner, the Democrat Party, HOAX!" the president tweeted. On Tuesday, Pompeo took to Twitter to address the investigation. He posted a letter accusing Representative Eliot Engel, the House Foreign Affairs chairman, of requesting depositions as "an attempt to intimidate, bully and treat improperly" State Department employees.

Trump impeachment probe gains steam with briefing, depositions

Freight rates for US crude tankers bound for Asia were bid up to a more than three-year peak this week as US sanctions on a Chinese transport giant cut vessel availability, traders and shipbrokers said.

The United States last week imposed sanctions on two units of China's COSCO for alleged involvement in ferrying crude out of Iran. That action prompted US Gulf Coast exporters to hold back chartering COSCO-linked vessels, traders and shipbrokers said.&nbsp;

One of the units - COSCO Shipping Tanker (Dalian) - owns and manages at least 36 tankers for crude and refined products, including 18 huge crude carriers (VLCCs), according to shipping sources and Refinitiv data.

This week, suggested rates for VLCCs from the US Gulf Coast to China vaulted to $9.8 million, up from $6.2 million in early September, according to shipbroker McQuilling Services. VLCCs carry around 2<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/dollar-pinned-down-after-poor-us-manufacturing-data-pound-slips-253220"> million</a> barrels each.

To attract a ship into the Atlantic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dollar">market</a>, it's going to cost about $10 million for US Gulf Coast shipments bound for China or South Korea, said another US shipbroker who brokers about 20 vessels per month.

Friday's highest quote was at $9.5 million for charterer Atlantic Trading &amp; Marketing, a unit of Total SA to book a VLCC from the US Gulf Coast to China, shipbrokers said. The deal did not go through, the brokers said, and Atlantic Trading declined to comment.

No transactions for supertankers from the US Gulf Coast to Asia have been executed this week, shipbrokers said.

Occidental Petroleum Corp last week replaced a COSCO-operated supertanker, Coswish Lake, following the US sanctions, by chartering smaller vessels from Texas to destinations in Asia, shipbrokers said.

The Coswish Lake had anchored off Corpus Christi, Texas, since September 23 and departed on Sunday without loading crude, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

Occidental did not respond to requests for comment.

The surge in freight costs has narrowed the window to profitably export US crude to Asia and left some US crude exporters reluctant to book vessels at the higher rates. That could limit November loadings and exports unless more vessels become available in the coming weeks, traders said.

"People are nervous about locking freight in at these high levels, which is why the last week has been so quiet," one US crude oil trader said.

Similarly, freight rates for supertankers loading West African crude in October for Asia have also risen more than 20 per cent to nearly 90 Worldscale points.&nbsp; 
The rise in freight rates is driving up crude costs for Asian refiners and threatening to make shipping oil to Asia unviable, traders said.

"Currently, West African and Latin American crude is too expensive," a source with a North Asian refiner said. Economics of US crude is good, but freight has become an issue, the source said.

Buyers may turn to more crude from the Asia Pacific and Middle East, which have shorter shipping distances, or spot premiums for long-distance cargoes will have to fall to displace the higher freight costs, a Singapore-based trader said.

Freight rates for US crude tankers bound for Asia were bid up to a more than three-year peak this week as US sanctions on a Chinese transport giant cut vessel availability, traders and shipbrokers said.

Freight rates for US crude tankers bound for Asia were bid up to a more than three-year peak this week as US sanctions on a Chinese transport giant cut vessel availability, traders and shipbrokers said. The United States last week imposed sanctions on two units of China's COSCO for alleged involvement in ferrying crude out of Iran. That action prompted US Gulf Coast exporters to hold back chartering COSCO-linked vessels, traders and shipbrokers said. One of the units - COSCO Shipping Tanker (Dalian) - owns and manages at least 36 tankers for crude and refined products, including 18 huge crude carriers (VLCCs), according to shipping sources and Refinitiv data. This week, suggested rates for VLCCs from the US Gulf Coast to China vaulted to $9.8 million, up from $6.2 million in early September, according to shipbroker McQuilling Services. VLCCs carry around 2 million barrels each. To attract a ship into the Atlantic market, it's going to cost about $10 million for US Gulf Coast shipments bound for China or South Korea, said another US shipbroker who brokers about 20 vessels per month. Friday's highest quote was at $9.5 million for charterer Atlantic Trading & Marketing, a unit of Total SA to book a VLCC from the US Gulf Coast to China, shipbrokers said. The deal did not go through, the brokers said, and Atlantic Trading declined to comment. No transactions for supertankers from the US Gulf Coast to Asia have been executed this week, shipbrokers said. Occidental Petroleum Corp last week replaced a COSCO-operated supertanker, Coswish Lake, following the US sanctions, by chartering smaller vessels from Texas to destinations in Asia, shipbrokers said. The Coswish Lake had anchored off Corpus Christi, Texas, since September 23 and departed on Sunday without loading crude, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. Occidental did not respond to requests for comment. The surge in freight costs has narrowed the window to profitably export US crude to Asia and left some US crude exporters reluctant to book vessels at the higher rates. That could limit November loadings and exports unless more vessels become available in the coming weeks, traders said. "People are nervous about locking freight in at these high levels, which is why the last week has been so quiet," one US crude oil trader said. Similarly, freight rates for supertankers loading West African crude in October for Asia have also risen more than 20 per cent to nearly 90 Worldscale points. The rise in freight rates is driving up crude costs for Asian refiners and threatening to make shipping oil to Asia unviable, traders said. "Currently, West African and Latin American crude is too expensive," a source with a North Asian refiner said. Economics of US crude is good, but freight has become an issue, the source said. Buyers may turn to more crude from the Asia Pacific and Middle East, which have shorter shipping distances, or spot premiums for long-distance cargoes will have to fall to displace the higher freight costs, a Singapore-based trader said.

Oil shipping rates from US to Asia hit 3-year high, quieting November trade - Sources

30 years in: Tracing the history of gay marriage

Delegation of Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on their tour to the USA engaged with Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and explored the possibility of their contribution to the development and building of new India.

SJM delegation concluded one week tour of USA in Washington DC and New York n last week of September.

"Delegation of Swadeshi Jagran Manch engaged with Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and explored the possibility of their contribution to the development and building of new India. The delegation received overwhelming response and reception from the Indian Diaspora, which is waiting to wholeheartedly work towards the development of India, aspiring to be a global economic powerhouse," said the release.

The delegation also had a series of meetings with American think-tanks, corporations, funds along with senior officials of World Bank.

The delegation was led by SJM's National co-Convener, Dr Ashwani Mahajan and other official members.

Dr Mahajan further emphasised that such corporations are required to change their business model to maintain their presence in India's market place.

He assured this is first such tour and SJM leaders will travel across the globe to express, present and familiarise the stakeholders with SJM's worldview and will continue doing so in near future too.

The delegation met with corporations at special sessions organised by Business Council for International Understanding (BICU) and US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).

The corporations with interests in data, banking, defence production, e-commerce, technology, HR and labour and agriculture participated in these freewheeling conversations.

This was for the first time that SJM engaged foreign corporations in conversations.

The idea behind this is to let the corporations, lawmakers, think tanks know of SJM's world view.

It was made clear to these corporations that SJM firmly believes in the concept of 'Vasudhev Kutumbakam' or 'world as one family'.

Delegation of Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on their tour to the USA engaged with Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and explored the possibility of their contribution to the development and building of new India.

Delegation of Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on their tour to the USA engaged with Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and explored the possibility of their contribution to the development and building of new India. SJM delegation concluded one week tour of USA in Washington DC and New York n last week of September. "Delegation of Swadeshi Jagran Manch engaged with Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and explored the possibility of their contribution to the development and building of new India. The delegation received overwhelming response and reception from the Indian Diaspora, which is waiting to wholeheartedly work towards the development of India, aspiring to be a global economic powerhouse," said the release. The delegation also had a series of meetings with American think-tanks, corporations, funds along with senior officials of World Bank. The delegation was led by SJM's National co-Convener, Dr Ashwani Mahajan and other official members. Dr Mahajan further emphasised that such corporations are required to change their business model to maintain their presence in India's market place. He assured this is first such tour and SJM leaders will travel across the globe to express, present and familiarise the stakeholders with SJM's worldview and will continue doing so in near future too. The delegation met with corporations at special sessions organised by Business Council for International Understanding (BICU) and US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). The corporations with interests in data, banking, defence production, e-commerce, technology, HR and labour and agriculture participated in these freewheeling conversations. This was for the first time that SJM engaged foreign corporations in conversations. The idea behind this is to let the corporations, lawmakers, think tanks know of SJM's world view. It was made clear to these corporations that SJM firmly believes in the concept of 'Vasudhev Kutumbakam' or 'world as one family'.

Swadeshi Jagran Manch delegation concludes US tour, holds meetings with overseas citizens, corporations

North Korea and the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-asks-what-a-third-north-korean-summit-would-yield-251755"> United States </a>will hold working-level nuclear talks on Saturday, Pyongyang said, signalling the resumption of a dialogue process that has been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-doubts-prospects-for-future-summit-with-united-states-252322">effectively stalled</a> since the collapse of a summit in February.

The two sides agreed to have "preliminary contact" on October 4 and hold working-level negotiations the following day, the North's vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"It is my expectation that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-between-us-north-korea-may-resume-in-2-3-weeks-251650">working-level negotiations</a> would accelerate the positive development of the DPRK-US relations," she added without disclosing the talks' venue.&nbsp;

North Korean officials were "ready" to enter the discussions, she said. There was no immediate confirmation from the American side.

Negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington have been gridlocked since a second summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump in February ended without a deal.

The two agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, but the North's anger at a US refusal to cancel joint military deals with South Korea placed the process on hold.

Relations thawed last month after Trump fired his hawkish national security advisor John Bolton, who Pyongyang had repeatedly denounced as a warmonger.

North Korea's chief negotiator also responded positively to Trump's suggestion that the two sides try a "new method" of approaching their discussions.

Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi -- who was killed after being deposed in 2011.

Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us back very badly".

Despite the gridlock, Pyongyang has continued to praise Trump, calling him "bold" and "wise".&nbsp;

Consensus reached?

Analysts say Bolton's dismissal from the White House could have helped Pyongyang's decision to come to the table. &nbsp;

South Korea's presidential Blue House welcomed the resumption of dialogue between the North and the US.

"We hope to see the realisation of practical steps towards permanent peace regime and complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula through the upcoming talks," said spokeswoman Ko Min-jung. &nbsp;

The announcement on the new talks could be an "indication" that the two sides have narrowed their differences behind the scenes, said Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul.&nbsp;

"The North has demanded security guarantee in return for denuclearisation measures and called on the US to come up with 'new calculation', he said.&nbsp;

"Consensus between the two might have been reached regarding the matter in the lead-up to the Tuesday announcement," he added.&nbsp;

North Korea and the United States will hold working-level nuclear talks on Saturday, Pyongyang said, signalling the resumption of a dialogue process that has been effectively stalled since the collapse of a summit in February.

North Korea and the United States will hold working-level nuclear talks on Saturday, Pyongyang said, signalling the resumption of a dialogue process that has been effectively stalled since the collapse of a summit in February. The two sides agreed to have "preliminary contact" on October 4 and hold working-level negotiations the following day, the North's vice foreign minister Choe Son Hui said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. "It is my expectation that the working-level negotiations would accelerate the positive development of the DPRK-US relations," she added without disclosing the talks' venue. North Korean officials were "ready" to enter the discussions, she said. There was no immediate confirmation from the American side. Negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington have been gridlocked since a second summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump in February ended without a deal. The two agreed to restart working-level dialogue during an impromptu meeting at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas in June, but the North's anger at a US refusal to cancel joint military deals with South Korea placed the process on hold. Relations thawed last month after Trump fired his hawkish national security advisor John Bolton, who Pyongyang had repeatedly denounced as a warmonger. North Korea's chief negotiator also responded positively to Trump's suggestion that the two sides try a "new method" of approaching their discussions. Trump had criticised Bolton's suggestion of the "Libyan model" for North Korea, a reference to a denuclearisation deal with the African nation's former dictator Moamer Kadhafi -- who was killed after being deposed in 2011. Pyongyang had bristled at that comment, which Trump said had "set us back very badly". Despite the gridlock, Pyongyang has continued to praise Trump, calling him "bold" and "wise". Consensus reached? Analysts say Bolton's dismissal from the White House could have helped Pyongyang's decision to come to the table. South Korea's presidential Blue House welcomed the resumption of dialogue between the North and the US. "We hope to see the realisation of practical steps towards permanent peace regime and complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula through the upcoming talks," said spokeswoman Ko Min-jung. The announcement on the new talks could be an "indication" that the two sides have narrowed their differences behind the scenes, said Koh Yu-hwan, professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul. "The North has demanded security guarantee in return for denuclearisation measures and called on the US to come up with 'new calculation', he said. "Consensus between the two might have been reached regarding the matter in the lead-up to the Tuesday announcement," he added.

Will hold nuclear talks with US on October 5: North Korea

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