Honduras is not considering a so-called safe third country designation for migrants seeking refuge in the United States, foreign minister Lisandro Rosales said late on Monday, denying reports of a deal agreed with US officials.

The United States has persuaded neighbouring Guatemala to become a safe third country that would accept US-bound asylum seekers, part of a larger effort by President Donald Trump to reduce the flow of migrants.

The deal has yet to be ratified by Guatemala's government.

A safe third country designation would require asylum seekers to apply for protection in any legally-designated "safe" country they pass through before reaching the United States.

US authorities have said they were working with Honduras on a similar deal, but Rosales said no such agreement is in the works.

"Contrary to some publications, the talks with the United States do not contemplate that Honduras become a safe third country," the minister wrote in a post on Twitter.

Rosales added that the talks are instead focused on regional security, promoting investment and orderly migration.

Honduras is not considering a so-called safe third country designation for migrants seeking refuge in the United States, foreign minister Lisandro Rosales said late on Monday, denying reports of a deal agreed with US officials.

Honduras is not considering a so-called safe third country designation for migrants seeking refuge in the United States, foreign minister Lisandro Rosales said late on Monday, denying reports of a deal agreed with US officials. The United States has persuaded neighbouring Guatemala to become a safe third country that would accept US-bound asylum seekers, part of a larger effort by President Donald Trump to reduce the flow of migrants. The deal has yet to be ratified by Guatemala's government. A safe third country designation would require asylum seekers to apply for protection in any legally-designated "safe" country they pass through before reaching the United States. US authorities have said they were working with Honduras on a similar deal, but Rosales said no such agreement is in the works. "Contrary to some publications, the talks with the United States do not contemplate that Honduras become a safe third country," the minister wrote in a post on Twitter. Rosales added that the talks are instead focused on regional security, promoting investment and orderly migration.

Not considering safe third country migration deal with US: Honduras

WeWork owner The We Company is weighing slashing the valuation of its forthcoming IPO to below $20 billion, two sources said, in the latest headwind for leading <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-%26-economy/yahoo-japan-buys-back-2-billion-of-shares-in-three-way-deal-with-softbank-altaba-150347">shareholder SoftBank Group</a> whose key group portfolio firms have tumbled in value.

The valuation for the money-losing US office-sharing startup could be as low as $15 billion-$18 billion, one of the sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. The other source said the valuation was unlikely to be as low as that.

SoftBank, whose $100 billion Vision Fund is widely seen as having contributed to frothy tech valuations, has urged WeWork to shelve the IPO due to tepid investor demand, the Financial Times reported. SoftBank declined to comment.

But the tech conglomerate's reluctance to pump further funds into WeWork means the startup "may have no choice but to push ahead with the IPO at a much lower than anticipated valuation," one of the sources said.

WeWork's planned listing follows weak initial trading at other startups including Uber Technologies Inc and Slack Technologies Inc, both backed by SoftBank.

While SoftBank and its Vision Fund emphasise their long-term investing credentials, founder and CEO Masayoshi Son has set out an ambitious IPO pipeline for tech investments spanning ride-hailing, fin-tech, and health startups.

Putting WeWork's offering on hold would disrupt that schedule at a time when SoftBank is seeking funds from investors for a second Vision Fund, for which it says $108 billion in pledges have been secured.

SoftBank made a follow-on investment in WeWork, one of its biggest tech bets, at a $47 billion valuation earlier this year,&nbsp;a number widely treated with scepticism by analysts.

While long-time Son lieutenant and group Vice Chairman Ron Fisher is pushing for the IPO to go ahead, others at SoftBank are pushing for a delay, one source said.

Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Chris Lane said that if WeWork halts its IPO, SoftBank could come up with an alternative funding plan for the startup, which he estimates needs $9 billion in funding to become cash-flow positive.

SoftBank "has got an important voice, but more importantly, they have money&nbsp;(WeWork) will have to listen to them," said Lane, who values the office space-sharing firm at $23 billion.

The tech conglomerate has burned through much of the $100 billion raised by its first Vision Fund in just two years, recording big paper gains on internal revaluations of its tech investments.

SoftBank defends its valuation techniques, which include cash-flow analysis, recent transactions, and comparison with peers to underpin its numbers.

At the end of June, the fund recorded the value of $71 billion in investments in 83 startups as having grown by $20 billion. Since then the share price of portfolio companies Uber and Slack have both fallen by around a third.

SoftBank says many investments receive a vote of confidence as third parties come in as co-investors or by making follow-on investments at the same or higher valuations.

If a tech company shelves an IPO due to a lower valuation than expected, investors are generally expected to take that fall into account when appraising their stakes.

WeWork owner The We Company is weighing slashing the valuation of its forthcoming IPO to below $20 billion, two sources said, in the latest headwind for leading shareholder SoftBank Group whose key group portfolio firms have tumbled in value.

WeWork owner The We Company is weighing slashing the valuation of its forthcoming IPO to below $20 billion, two sources said, in the latest headwind for leading shareholder SoftBank Group whose key group portfolio firms have tumbled in value. The valuation for the money-losing US office-sharing startup could be as low as $15 billion-$18 billion, one of the sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. The other source said the valuation was unlikely to be as low as that. SoftBank, whose $100 billion Vision Fund is widely seen as having contributed to frothy tech valuations, has urged WeWork to shelve the IPO due to tepid investor demand, the Financial Times reported. SoftBank declined to comment. But the tech conglomerate's reluctance to pump further funds into WeWork means the startup "may have no choice but to push ahead with the IPO at a much lower than anticipated valuation," one of the sources said. WeWork's planned listing follows weak initial trading at other startups including Uber Technologies Inc and Slack Technologies Inc, both backed by SoftBank. While SoftBank and its Vision Fund emphasise their long-term investing credentials, founder and CEO Masayoshi Son has set out an ambitious IPO pipeline for tech investments spanning ride-hailing, fin-tech, and health startups. Putting WeWork's offering on hold would disrupt that schedule at a time when SoftBank is seeking funds from investors for a second Vision Fund, for which it says $108 billion in pledges have been secured. SoftBank made a follow-on investment in WeWork, one of its biggest tech bets, at a $47 billion valuation earlier this year, a number widely treated with scepticism by analysts. While long-time Son lieutenant and group Vice Chairman Ron Fisher is pushing for the IPO to go ahead, others at SoftBank are pushing for a delay, one source said. Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Chris Lane said that if WeWork halts its IPO, SoftBank could come up with an alternative funding plan for the startup, which he estimates needs $9 billion in funding to become cash-flow positive. SoftBank "has got an important voice, but more importantly, they have money (WeWork) will have to listen to them," said Lane, who values the office space-sharing firm at $23 billion. The tech conglomerate has burned through much of the $100 billion raised by its first Vision Fund in just two years, recording big paper gains on internal revaluations of its tech investments. SoftBank defends its valuation techniques, which include cash-flow analysis, recent transactions, and comparison with peers to underpin its numbers. At the end of June, the fund recorded the value of $71 billion in investments in 83 startups as having grown by $20 billion. Since then the share price of portfolio companies Uber and Slack have both fallen by around a third. SoftBank says many investments receive a vote of confidence as third parties come in as co-investors or by making follow-on investments at the same or higher valuations. If a tech company shelves an IPO due to a lower valuation than expected, investors are generally expected to take that fall into account when appraising their stakes.

WeWork IPO valuation likely below $20 billion: Sources

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that Washington is stalling the implementation of an agreement to create a "safe zone" in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-turkey-launch-joint-patrols-in-northeast-syria-248400">northeast Syria</a>.

The NATO allies carried out their first joint military land patrol in the region on Sunday.

Turkey wants the operations to expand rapidly and push back Kurdish forces 20 miles (32 km) from the border, creating a zone which Ankara says should be controlled by Turkish troops.

Cavusoglu said Turkey wanted to work with the United States, but was prepared to clear the area of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-us-imposes-sanctions-on-irans-shipping-network-over-supplying-oil-to-syria-247630"> Kurdish YPG fighters </a>itself if necessary.

"Yes, there are some joint patrols but other than that, the steps that have been taken or the steps that are said to be taken are cosmetic steps," he told reporters in Ankara.

"We are seeing that the United States is entering a stalling process and that it is trying to get Turkey accustomed to this stalling process."

Cavusoglu said Washington's approach so far had served the Syrian Kurdish YPG forces more than Turkey.

The YPG, which has been the main US ally in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, is considered a terrorist organisation by Ankara, which says it is an extension of Kurdish militants in Turkey.

President Tayyip Erdogan said last week Turkey also aims to send 1 million of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts to the planned safe zone in northern Syria.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that Washington is stalling the implementation of an agreement to create a "safe zone" in northeast Syria.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that Washington is stalling the implementation of an agreement to create a "safe zone" in northeast Syria. The NATO allies carried out their first joint military land patrol in the region on Sunday. Turkey wants the operations to expand rapidly and push back Kurdish forces 20 miles (32 km) from the border, creating a zone which Ankara says should be controlled by Turkish troops. Cavusoglu said Turkey wanted to work with the United States, but was prepared to clear the area of Kurdish YPG fighters itself if necessary. "Yes, there are some joint patrols but other than that, the steps that have been taken or the steps that are said to be taken are cosmetic steps," he told reporters in Ankara. "We are seeing that the United States is entering a stalling process and that it is trying to get Turkey accustomed to this stalling process." Cavusoglu said Washington's approach so far had served the Syrian Kurdish YPG forces more than Turkey. The YPG, which has been the main US ally in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, is considered a terrorist organisation by Ankara, which says it is an extension of Kurdish militants in Turkey. President Tayyip Erdogan said last week Turkey also aims to send 1 million of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts to the planned safe zone in northern Syria.

US stalling on Syria 'safe zone': Turkey

Hong Kong's embattled leader warned the United States on Tuesday not to "interfere" with her government's response to the city's pro-democracy movement after fresh protests called on Washington to ramp up pressure on Beijing.

Millions of people have demonstrated over the last 14 weeks in the biggest challenge to China's rule of the financial hub since its handover from Britain in 1997.

Protesters took to the streets again on Sunday, marching to the American consulate to call on Congress to pass a bill expressing support for the pro-democracy movement.

The proposed law could undermine Hong Kong's special US trade privileges by mandating regular checks on whether authorities were respecting the Basic Law that underpins the city's semi-autonomous status.

But Hong Kong's pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that any change to its economic relationship with Washington would threaten "mutual benefits".

"It's extremely inappropriate for any country to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs," she told reporters.

"I hope that no more people in Hong Kong actively reach out to tell the United States to pass the act."

While some American politicians on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for the democratic goals of the protesters, President Donald Trump's administration has maintained a more hands-off approach while it fights a trade war with China.

Trump has called for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis and urged Beijing to not escalate with a violent crackdown.

But he has also said it is up to China to handle the protests.

Washington has rejected Beijing's allegations that it is backing the demonstrators and China has provided little evidence to back its claims beyond supportive statements from some US politicians.

'Crazy destruction'&nbsp;

Hong Kong's protests were lit by a plan to allow extraditions to the authoritarian mainland, seen by opponents as the latest move by China to chip away at the city's unique freedoms.

After Beijing and city leaders took a hard line, the movement snowballed into a broader campaign calling for greater democracy, police accountability and an amnesty for those arrested.

The protests show no signs of abating, and Lam has struck an uncompromising tone for much of the last three months.

But last week, she made a surprise concession, announcing the full withdrawal of the extradition bill.

That was not enough to mollify pro-democracy activists, who denounced the move as too little and too late, and huge crowds thronged the streets again over the weekend.

In what has become a familiar pattern, Sunday's main daytime rally to the US consulate passed off peacefully.

But as evening set in, riot police chased groups of hardcore protesters who blocked roads, vandalized nearby subway stations and set makeshift barricades on fire.

Lam once again denounced demonstrators during her Tuesday press conference.

"The crazy destruction made at MTR stations shows that protesters have acted beyond expressing their views on the extradition law and other demands," she said, using the name of the firm that runs the city's underground rail service.

Hong Kong's embattled leader warned the United States on Tuesday not to "interfere" with her government's response to the city's pro-democracy movement after fresh protests called on Washington to ramp up pressure on Beijing.

Hong Kong's embattled leader warned the United States on Tuesday not to "interfere" with her government's response to the city's pro-democracy movement after fresh protests called on Washington to ramp up pressure on Beijing. Millions of people have demonstrated over the last 14 weeks in the biggest challenge to China's rule of the financial hub since its handover from Britain in 1997. Protesters took to the streets again on Sunday, marching to the American consulate to call on Congress to pass a bill expressing support for the pro-democracy movement. The proposed law could undermine Hong Kong's special US trade privileges by mandating regular checks on whether authorities were respecting the Basic Law that underpins the city's semi-autonomous status. But Hong Kong's pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that any change to its economic relationship with Washington would threaten "mutual benefits". "It's extremely inappropriate for any country to interfere in Hong Kong's affairs," she told reporters. "I hope that no more people in Hong Kong actively reach out to tell the United States to pass the act." While some American politicians on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for the democratic goals of the protesters, President Donald Trump's administration has maintained a more hands-off approach while it fights a trade war with China. Trump has called for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis and urged Beijing to not escalate with a violent crackdown. But he has also said it is up to China to handle the protests. Washington has rejected Beijing's allegations that it is backing the demonstrators and China has provided little evidence to back its claims beyond supportive statements from some US politicians. 'Crazy destruction' Hong Kong's protests were lit by a plan to allow extraditions to the authoritarian mainland, seen by opponents as the latest move by China to chip away at the city's unique freedoms. After Beijing and city leaders took a hard line, the movement snowballed into a broader campaign calling for greater democracy, police accountability and an amnesty for those arrested. The protests show no signs of abating, and Lam has struck an uncompromising tone for much of the last three months. But last week, she made a surprise concession, announcing the full withdrawal of the extradition bill. That was not enough to mollify pro-democracy activists, who denounced the move as too little and too late, and huge crowds thronged the streets again over the weekend. In what has become a familiar pattern, Sunday's main daytime rally to the US consulate passed off peacefully. But as evening set in, riot police chased groups of hardcore protesters who blocked roads, vandalized nearby subway stations and set makeshift barricades on fire. Lam once again denounced demonstrators during her Tuesday press conference. "The crazy destruction made at MTR stations shows that protesters have acted beyond expressing their views on the extradition law and other demands," she said, using the name of the firm that runs the city's underground rail service.

Hong Kong leader tells US not to 'interfere' after fresh protests

Myanmar’s army said on Monday it had dropped a criminal complaint against a religious leader who told US&nbsp;President Donald Trump the military was oppressing Christians, days after the United States voiced concern about the lawsuit.

Reverend Hkalam Samson, of the Kachin Baptist Convention, an organisation based in the northern Kachin state representing Myanmar’s mostly Christian Kachin minority, took part in a gathering at the White House in July, when victims of religious persecution met with Trump and other US officials.

Samson told Trump that Christians were being "oppressed and tortured by the Myanmar military government" in the Buddhist-majority country.

He also thanked Trump for imposing sanctions against top generals over Myanmar's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, saying it was "very helpful".

A military officer, Lieutenant Colonel Than Htike, then filed a lawsuit against Samson, but a spokesman told Reuters on Monday that it had now been formally withdrawn.

"We withdraw the case voluntarily because it is what we should do," army spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said by phone, without giving a reason.

Samson called the move a positive gesture towards the Kachin people.

"We welcome this issue being finished with understanding and without needing to be brought to the court," he said.

The move came after the US State Department last Thursday expressed concern about the lawsuit, which it said had sought "to unduly limit his freedom of expression and potentially could disrupt his critical work on behalf of tens of thousands of internally displaced people".

In July, the United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States, in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to a massacre of the Rohingya Muslims.

A military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017 drove more than 730,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring &nbsp;Bangladesh, according to United Nations figures.

UN&nbsp;investigators have said Myanmar’s operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent".

Myanmar’s army said on Monday it had dropped a criminal complaint against a religious leader who told US President Donald Trump the military was oppressing Christians, days after the United States voiced concern about the lawsuit.

Myanmar’s army said on Monday it had dropped a criminal complaint against a religious leader who told US President Donald Trump the military was oppressing Christians, days after the United States voiced concern about the lawsuit. Reverend Hkalam Samson, of the Kachin Baptist Convention, an organisation based in the northern Kachin state representing Myanmar’s mostly Christian Kachin minority, took part in a gathering at the White House in July, when victims of religious persecution met with Trump and other US officials. Samson told Trump that Christians were being "oppressed and tortured by the Myanmar military government" in the Buddhist-majority country. He also thanked Trump for imposing sanctions against top generals over Myanmar's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims, saying it was "very helpful". A military officer, Lieutenant Colonel Than Htike, then filed a lawsuit against Samson, but a spokesman told Reuters on Monday that it had now been formally withdrawn. "We withdraw the case voluntarily because it is what we should do," army spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said by phone, without giving a reason. Samson called the move a positive gesture towards the Kachin people. "We welcome this issue being finished with understanding and without needing to be brought to the court," he said. The move came after the US State Department last Thursday expressed concern about the lawsuit, which it said had sought "to unduly limit his freedom of expression and potentially could disrupt his critical work on behalf of tens of thousands of internally displaced people". In July, the United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States, in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to a massacre of the Rohingya Muslims. A military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017 drove more than 730,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh, according to United Nations figures. UN investigators have said Myanmar’s operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent".

Myanmar army drops lawsuit against religious leader who complained to Trump of persecution

US agents extracted a high-level Russian government source who had confirmed Vladimir Putin's direct role in interfering in the 2016 US presidential election, US media reported late Monday.

The source, who had been providing information for decades, had access to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-president-putin-hold-bilateral-talks-in-vladivostok-exchange-several-mous-247560">Putin</a> and had sent pictures of high-level documents on the Russian leader's desk, CNN reported.

The network said the spy was pulled out of Russia in 2017 due to concerns that President Donald Trump and his cabinet could expose the asset due to repeated mishandling of classified intelligence.

The CIA refuted this. Brittany Bramell, the agency's director of public affairs, told CNN&nbsp;"Misguided speculation that the President's handling of our nation's most sensitive intelligence which he has access to each and every day drove an alleged exfiltration operation is inaccurate."

The agency offered to extract the source in late 2016 but the informant initially refused, citing family issues, the New York Times reported.

This prompted fears that the informant had become a double agent, but months later the source relented, the Times added.

The unnamed individual was key in providing information that led US intelligence to conclude Putin directly orchestrated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-expect-more-responsible-attitude-putin-to-russian-space-officials-248076">Russian</a> interference in favor of Trump and against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, the Times said.

The informant was also directly linked Putin to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, resulting in the release of a flood of embarrassing messages, the newspaper reported.

According to the Times, the agent was the CIA's most valuable Russian asset.

The extraction has "effectively blinded" American intelligence to the Kremlin's inner workings during the 2018 US midterm election, the Times report said, as well as the upcoming 2020 presidential election.

US agents extracted a high-level Russian government source who had confirmed Vladimir Putin's direct role in interfering in the 2016 US presidential election, US media reported late Monday.

US agents extracted a high-level Russian government source who had confirmed Vladimir Putin's direct role in interfering in the 2016 US presidential election, US media reported late Monday. The source, who had been providing information for decades, had access to Putin and had sent pictures of high-level documents on the Russian leader's desk, CNN reported. The network said the spy was pulled out of Russia in 2017 due to concerns that President Donald Trump and his cabinet could expose the asset due to repeated mishandling of classified intelligence. The CIA refuted this. Brittany Bramell, the agency's director of public affairs, told CNN "Misguided speculation that the President's handling of our nation's most sensitive intelligence which he has access to each and every day drove an alleged exfiltration operation is inaccurate." The agency offered to extract the source in late 2016 but the informant initially refused, citing family issues, the New York Times reported. This prompted fears that the informant had become a double agent, but months later the source relented, the Times added. The unnamed individual was key in providing information that led US intelligence to conclude Putin directly orchestrated Russian interference in favor of Trump and against his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, the Times said. The informant was also directly linked Putin to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, resulting in the release of a flood of embarrassing messages, the newspaper reported. According to the Times, the agent was the CIA's most valuable Russian asset. The extraction has "effectively blinded" American intelligence to the Kremlin's inner workings during the 2018 US midterm election, the Times report said, as well as the upcoming 2020 presidential election.

US extracted spy that confirmed Putin role in 2016 US vote: Reports

Jacquelin Febrillet was 26 years old on September 11, 2001, when jihadist hijackers flew two passenger jets into the World Trade Center just two blocks from where she worked.

Fifteen years after the attacks that day, Febrillet, by then a mother of three, was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. The likely cause: a cloud of toxic ash that engulfed her.

"I was there (on) 9/11 For years I have been working down there every day since 9/11. We were never told that something could happen," she says.

Unlike Febrillet, Richard Fahrer, then 19, wasn't in the area on 9/11, but he regularly worked as a land surveyor between 2001 and 2003 in south Manhattan, where the Twin Towers came crashing down.

Eighteen months ago, the young father, now 37, was diagnosed with aggressive colon cancer, a disease that usually affects older men and which there is no history of in his family.

Febrillet and Fahrer represent a growing category of patients who were living or working close to the World Trade Center in the wake of the attacks, which killed almost 3,000 people.

They were not among the thousands of emergency personnel who rushed to the site or who spent months clearing debris at Ground Zero, but their health is being similarly affected.

As the 18th anniversary of the attacks approaches, New York continues to count the number of people who have developed cancer or other serious illnesses related to the toxic cloud that hovered over Manhattan for several weeks.

'People are dying'&nbsp;

The 9/11 attacks released unprecedented amounts of chemicals into the air, including dioxins, asbestos, and other carcinogenic substances.

Firefighters, other first responders, and volunteers who helped with the months-long clean-up were the first to be affected. Studies found they faced an increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Ten thousand of them have been diagnosed with cancer by the World Trade Center Health Program, a federal treatment program helping survivors.

At the end of June this year, 21,000 people not considered first responders were also in the program twice as many as in June 2016. Of these, almost 4,000 have cancer, the most common being prostate, breast, and skin.

Febrillet, now 44, is one of them. She recalls that the message at the time was to get the city back to normal as quickly as possible.

"People were just going about their business a few days later. But look at what happened a few years later, people are dying," says Febrillet, who also lived close to Ground Zero.

Fahrer, too, laments that city officials did not do more to protect residents and office staff in the vicinity.

"My wife asks me, 'Did terrorists cause your cancer?' I can't say 100 percent, but I do know there could have been better efforts to limit the exposure of healthy adults from entering into the disaster area," he says.

Compensation fund&nbsp;

Health experts say it is impossible to pinpoint exactly the cause of cancer in every patient, but note that there is a clear correlation between the rate and exposure to toxic debris.

Several studies have shown that the cancer rate "has increased between 10 and 30 percent" among people who were exposed compared to those who weren't, David Prezant, New York fire department chief medical officer, told AFP. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The rate is expected to increase further, he said, as exposed people get older. The risk of cancer increases with age and some cancers, including lung, can take 20 to 30 years to develop, Prezant added.

It is because of this that President Donald Trump signed a bill in July that extends a deadline for victims to file claims for compensation from December 2020 to 2090.

The Victim Compensation Fund will be regularly topped up after exhausting its initial budget of $7.3 billion. The average compensation per patient is $240,000, or $682,000 for a deceased person.

Lawyer Matthew Baione, who represents Fahrer and Febrillet in their pursuit of claims, said the extension recognized that it was appropriate to cover someone "who was a baby during the attacks for the rest of their life."

"We have lost so many people, so many friends are sick," says Febrillet

"You get to a point where you are not asking, 'Have you seen so and so, I wonder how she is doing, is she retired?'

"Instead you are asking, 'So how is the surgery, how is the treatment going?' We are so young, this shouldn't be happening."

Jacquelin Febrillet was 26 years old on September 11, 2001, when jihadist hijackers flew two passenger jets into the World Trade Center just two blocks from where she worked.

Jacquelin Febrillet was 26 years old on September 11, 2001, when jihadist hijackers flew two passenger jets into the World Trade Center just two blocks from where she worked. Fifteen years after the attacks that day, Febrillet, by then a mother of three, was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. The likely cause: a cloud of toxic ash that engulfed her. "I was there (on) 9/11 For years I have been working down there every day since 9/11. We were never told that something could happen," she says. Unlike Febrillet, Richard Fahrer, then 19, wasn't in the area on 9/11, but he regularly worked as a land surveyor between 2001 and 2003 in south Manhattan, where the Twin Towers came crashing down. Eighteen months ago, the young father, now 37, was diagnosed with aggressive colon cancer, a disease that usually affects older men and which there is no history of in his family. Febrillet and Fahrer represent a growing category of patients who were living or working close to the World Trade Center in the wake of the attacks, which killed almost 3,000 people. They were not among the thousands of emergency personnel who rushed to the site or who spent months clearing debris at Ground Zero, but their health is being similarly affected. As the 18th anniversary of the attacks approaches, New York continues to count the number of people who have developed cancer or other serious illnesses related to the toxic cloud that hovered over Manhattan for several weeks. 'People are dying' The 9/11 attacks released unprecedented amounts of chemicals into the air, including dioxins, asbestos, and other carcinogenic substances. Firefighters, other first responders, and volunteers who helped with the months-long clean-up were the first to be affected. Studies found they faced an increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Ten thousand of them have been diagnosed with cancer by the World Trade Center Health Program, a federal treatment program helping survivors. At the end of June this year, 21,000 people not considered first responders were also in the program twice as many as in June 2016. Of these, almost 4,000 have cancer, the most common being prostate, breast, and skin. Febrillet, now 44, is one of them. She recalls that the message at the time was to get the city back to normal as quickly as possible. "People were just going about their business a few days later. But look at what happened a few years later, people are dying," says Febrillet, who also lived close to Ground Zero. Fahrer, too, laments that city officials did not do more to protect residents and office staff in the vicinity. "My wife asks me, 'Did terrorists cause your cancer?' I can't say 100 percent, but I do know there could have been better efforts to limit the exposure of healthy adults from entering into the disaster area," he says. Compensation fund Health experts say it is impossible to pinpoint exactly the cause of cancer in every patient, but note that there is a clear correlation between the rate and exposure to toxic debris. Several studies have shown that the cancer rate "has increased between 10 and 30 percent" among people who were exposed compared to those who weren't, David Prezant, New York fire department chief medical officer, told AFP. The rate is expected to increase further, he said, as exposed people get older. The risk of cancer increases with age and some cancers, including lung, can take 20 to 30 years to develop, Prezant added. It is because of this that President Donald Trump signed a bill in July that extends a deadline for victims to file claims for compensation from December 2020 to 2090. The Victim Compensation Fund will be regularly topped up after exhausting its initial budget of $7.3 billion. The average compensation per patient is $240,000, or $682,000 for a deceased person. Lawyer Matthew Baione, who represents Fahrer and Febrillet in their pursuit of claims, said the extension recognized that it was appropriate to cover someone "who was a baby during the attacks for the rest of their life." "We have lost so many people, so many friends are sick," says Febrillet "You get to a point where you are not asking, 'Have you seen so and so, I wonder how she is doing, is she retired?' "Instead you are asking, 'So how is the surgery, how is the treatment going?' We are so young, this shouldn't be happening."

18 years later, cancer cases linger over 9/11 anniversary

Oil rose on Monday on expectations that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/saudi-arabia-replaces-aramco-chairman-ahead-of-potential-ipo-247313">Saudi Arabia</a>, the world's largest oil exporter, will continue to support output cuts by OPEC and other producers to prop up prices under new Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

Prices climbed for a fourth day and were also supported by comments from the United Arab Emirates energy minister that OPEC and its allies are committed to balancing the crude market.

Global benchmark Brent was up 61 cents, or 1 per cent, at $62.15 a barrel by 0649 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate was up 65 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $57.17 a barrel.

Salman, a long-time member of the Saudi delegation to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, was named minister on Sunday, replacing Khalid al-Falih. He is the son of Saudi King Salman. It is the first time the energy portfolio has been handed to a member of the royal family.

He helped to negotiate the current global agreement on supply cuts between OPEC and non-OPEC countries including Russia, a group known as OPEC+.

 
A Saudi official said on Sunday there would be no shift in Saudi and OPEC policy.

"The change at the top doesn't necessarily mean a shift in policy as much as it's being viewed as a move to improve relations within OPEC and with non-OPEC producers in the wake of the latest Russian compliance fissures," said Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific market strategist at Axi Trader.

Russia's oil output in August exceeded its quota under the OPEC+ agreements.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/aramco-ipo-how-saudi-arabia-caught-between-united-states-and-china-245687">UAE</a> Energy and Industry Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Sunday that members of OPEC and non-OPEC producers were "committed" to achieving oil market balance.

Trade and geopolitical tensions are affecting the market more than demand and supply, Mazrouei said, but he was quick to rule out hasty steps influenced by the trade war between the United States and China.

"The fear of slower (oil) demand is only going to happen if that tension is escalating and I am personally hopeful that is not the case," Mazrouei told Reuters on Sunday.

Prices on Monday were also supported by a rise in oil imports in China in August, with shipments to the world's biggest importer up 3 per cent from July and nearly 10 per cent higher in the first eight months of 2019 from a year earlier.

In the United States, drilling companies cut the number of operating oil rigs for a third week in a row last week

Oil rose on Monday on expectations that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, will continue to support output cuts by OPEC and other producers to prop up prices under new Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

Oil rose on Monday on expectations that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, will continue to support output cuts by OPEC and other producers to prop up prices under new Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. Prices climbed for a fourth day and were also supported by comments from the United Arab Emirates energy minister that OPEC and its allies are committed to balancing the crude market. Global benchmark Brent was up 61 cents, or 1 per cent, at $62.15 a barrel by 0649 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate was up 65 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $57.17 a barrel. Salman, a long-time member of the Saudi delegation to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, was named minister on Sunday, replacing Khalid al-Falih. He is the son of Saudi King Salman. It is the first time the energy portfolio has been handed to a member of the royal family. He helped to negotiate the current global agreement on supply cuts between OPEC and non-OPEC countries including Russia, a group known as OPEC+. A Saudi official said on Sunday there would be no shift in Saudi and OPEC policy. "The change at the top doesn't necessarily mean a shift in policy as much as it's being viewed as a move to improve relations within OPEC and with non-OPEC producers in the wake of the latest Russian compliance fissures," said Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific market strategist at Axi Trader. Russia's oil output in August exceeded its quota under the OPEC+ agreements. UAE Energy and Industry Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Sunday that members of OPEC and non-OPEC producers were "committed" to achieving oil market balance. Trade and geopolitical tensions are affecting the market more than demand and supply, Mazrouei said, but he was quick to rule out hasty steps influenced by the trade war between the United States and China. "The fear of slower (oil) demand is only going to happen if that tension is escalating and I am personally hopeful that is not the case," Mazrouei told Reuters on Sunday. Prices on Monday were also supported by a rise in oil imports in China in August, with shipments to the world's biggest importer up 3 per cent from July and nearly 10 per cent higher in the first eight months of 2019 from a year earlier. In the United States, drilling companies cut the number of operating oil rigs for a third week in a row last week

Oil rises as Saudi signals OPEC cuts to continue under new minister

The United States and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-say-us-will-be-harmed-more-than-anyone-after-trump-halts-talks-248470">Afghanistan's Taliban</a> on Sunday both left the door open to fresh talks after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-donald-trump-calls-off-peace-talks-secret-summit-with-taliban-over-terror-attacks-248340">President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled</a> a secret summit, but the insurgents warned of inflicting greater costs.

The United States also said it would not relent in fighting the militants as Trump cited a Taliban attack that killed a US soldier for scuttling the unprecedented meeting.

Trump said he had invited Taliban leaders, as well as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, for talks Sunday at the presidential retreat of Camp David on a draft deal that would see the United States pull out thousands of troops and wind down its longest-ever war.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a series of television interviews Sunday, did not rule out a return to talks but said the United States needed a "significant commitment" from the Taliban.

"I'm not pessimistic," Pompeo told NBC. "I've watched the Taliban do things and say things they've not been permitted to do before."

"I hope it's the case the Taliban will change their behavior," he said on ABC.&nbsp;

"In the end, this will be resolved through a series of conversations," he added, urging the Taliban to drop its long-running refusal to negotiate with Ghani's internationally recognized government.

He said that Trump had not decided whether to go ahead with a withdrawal, which under the draft deal would pull 5,000 of the roughly 13,000 US troops from Afghanistan next year.

But he warned that the United States was also inflicting a toll on the Taliban, saying that US forces had killed more than 1,000 insurgents in the past 10 days alone.

"If the Taliban don't behave, if they don't deliver on the commitments they made to us for weeks and in some cases months, the president of the United States is not going to reduce the pressure," Pompeo said on CNN.

'Americans will be harmed'

Veteran US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad had spent a year meeting with the Taliban, who confirmed that they considered the deal finished.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Trump showed "neither experience nor patience."

"Americans will be harmed more than any other" by Trump's decision, a Taliban statement warned.

US "credibility will be harmed, their anti-peace stance will become more visible to the world, their casualties and financial losses will increase, and the US role in international political interaction will be discredited even further," it said.

But the spokesman said that the Taliban still believe "that the American side will come back to this position" of talks that seek "the complete end of the occupation."

The office of Ghani, whose government is rejected by the Taliban as illegitimate, cautiously saluted the "sincere efforts of its allies" after Trump called off the summit.

The Afghan presidency in a statement also "insisted that a real peace can only be achieved if the Taliban stop killing Afghans and accept a ceasefire, and face-to-face talks with the Afghan government."

Trump's dramatic about-face came weeks before Afghanistan holds presidential elections, raising fears that the Taliban will step up their campaign of violence to disrupt voting.

Criticism ahead of 9/11

Trump relishes dramatic gestures, such as meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but the idea of inviting Taliban leaders to US soil still stunned Washington.

The would-be talks angered even some allies of Trump, who noted that the Taliban would be visiting three days before the 18th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which triggered the US invasion of Afghanistan.

"Camp David is where America's leaders met to plan our response after Al-Qaeda, supported by the Taliban, killed 3,000 Americans on 9/11. No member of the Taliban should set foot there. Ever," tweeted Liz Cheney, a Republican congresswoman and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney.

Considering Trump's penchant for bombast, some questioned if the summit was even set to take place.

"I'm still looking for confirmation an actual, physical trip to Camp David was planned," Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro told CNN, while adding: "It's very odd to invite a terrorist organization like that to Camp David."

Pompeo said that Trump had said of the Taliban, "I want to look them in the eyes, I want to see if we can get to the final outcome that we need so we could sign off on the deal."

On the eve of the canceled summit, Pompeo traveled to the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the return of the remains of the US soldier killed in Kabul, Elis Barreto Ortiz.

The United States and Afghanistan's Taliban on Sunday both left the door open to fresh talks after President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a secret summit, but the insurgents warned of inflicting greater costs.

The United States and Afghanistan's Taliban on Sunday both left the door open to fresh talks after President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a secret summit, but the insurgents warned of inflicting greater costs. The United States also said it would not relent in fighting the militants as Trump cited a Taliban attack that killed a US soldier for scuttling the unprecedented meeting. Trump said he had invited Taliban leaders, as well as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, for talks Sunday at the presidential retreat of Camp David on a draft deal that would see the United States pull out thousands of troops and wind down its longest-ever war. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a series of television interviews Sunday, did not rule out a return to talks but said the United States needed a "significant commitment" from the Taliban. "I'm not pessimistic," Pompeo told NBC. "I've watched the Taliban do things and say things they've not been permitted to do before." "I hope it's the case the Taliban will change their behavior," he said on ABC. "In the end, this will be resolved through a series of conversations," he added, urging the Taliban to drop its long-running refusal to negotiate with Ghani's internationally recognized government. He said that Trump had not decided whether to go ahead with a withdrawal, which under the draft deal would pull 5,000 of the roughly 13,000 US troops from Afghanistan next year. But he warned that the United States was also inflicting a toll on the Taliban, saying that US forces had killed more than 1,000 insurgents in the past 10 days alone. "If the Taliban don't behave, if they don't deliver on the commitments they made to us for weeks and in some cases months, the president of the United States is not going to reduce the pressure," Pompeo said on CNN. 'Americans will be harmed' Veteran US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad had spent a year meeting with the Taliban, who confirmed that they considered the deal finished. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Trump showed "neither experience nor patience." "Americans will be harmed more than any other" by Trump's decision, a Taliban statement warned. US "credibility will be harmed, their anti-peace stance will become more visible to the world, their casualties and financial losses will increase, and the US role in international political interaction will be discredited even further," it said. But the spokesman said that the Taliban still believe "that the American side will come back to this position" of talks that seek "the complete end of the occupation." The office of Ghani, whose government is rejected by the Taliban as illegitimate, cautiously saluted the "sincere efforts of its allies" after Trump called off the summit. The Afghan presidency in a statement also "insisted that a real peace can only be achieved if the Taliban stop killing Afghans and accept a ceasefire, and face-to-face talks with the Afghan government." Trump's dramatic about-face came weeks before Afghanistan holds presidential elections, raising fears that the Taliban will step up their campaign of violence to disrupt voting. Criticism ahead of 9/11 Trump relishes dramatic gestures, such as meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but the idea of inviting Taliban leaders to US soil still stunned Washington. The would-be talks angered even some allies of Trump, who noted that the Taliban would be visiting three days before the 18th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, which triggered the US invasion of Afghanistan. "Camp David is where America's leaders met to plan our response after Al-Qaeda, supported by the Taliban, killed 3,000 Americans on 9/11. No member of the Taliban should set foot there. Ever," tweeted Liz Cheney, a Republican congresswoman and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney. Considering Trump's penchant for bombast, some questioned if the summit was even set to take place. "I'm still looking for confirmation an actual, physical trip to Camp David was planned," Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro told CNN, while adding: "It's very odd to invite a terrorist organization like that to Camp David." Pompeo said that Trump had said of the Taliban, "I want to look them in the eyes, I want to see if we can get to the final outcome that we need so we could sign off on the deal." On the eve of the canceled summit, Pompeo traveled to the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the return of the remains of the US soldier killed in Kabul, Elis Barreto Ortiz.

US, Taliban keep open door to talks after summit scrapped

The United States and Turkey on Sunday began joint patrols in northeastern Syria aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and US-backed Kurdish forces who battled the Islamic State jihadist group.

Six Turkish armoured vehicles crossed the border to join US forces in Syria for their first joint patrol under a deal reached between Washington and Ankara, an AFP journalist reported.

Two helicopters flew over the area as the Turkish vehicles drove through an opening in the concrete wall separating the two countries.

They then headed west with the same number of American vehicles, along with an ambulance and a pick-up, for the joint operation, before crossing back into Turkey.

The Turkish defence ministry said drones were also deployed.

The agreement reached on August 7 aims to establish a "safe zone" between the Turkish border and the Syrian areas east of the Euphrates river controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

Syrian Kurdish forces began withdrawing from along the Turkish border in late August.

The patrol allowed Turkish forces to observe "first-hand progress on destroyed YPG fortifications and areas where YPG elements voluntarily departed the area", said Colonel Myles Caggins, spokesman for the US-led coalition against IS.

The YPG forms the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- a key partner of Washington in the fight against IS jihadists in Syria.

But Ankara sees the YPG as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party.

The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Ankara, the US and the European Union.

Washington's support for the SDF has been a major point of friction with fellow NATO member Turkey.

Caggins said the patrol demonstrated the coalition's "continued commitment to address Turkey's legitimate security concerns, while also allowing the coalition and our SDF partners to remain focused on achieving the enduring defeat" of IS.&nbsp;

'Preventing war'

Turkey carried out unilateral offensives in northern Syria against IS in 2016 and the YPG in 2018.

As the regional fight against IS winds down, the prospect of a US military withdrawal has stoked Kurdish fears of another Turkish attack.&nbsp;

"We are implementing the agreement and we have no problem with it as long as it prevents war," said Riyad Khamis, the head of an SDF-led military council in the border town of Tal Abyad.

Although they led the US-backed fight against IS, Syria's Kurds have largely stayed out of Syria's eight-year civil war, instead building their own autonomous institutions in areas they control.

Sunday's patrol drew sharp criticism from Damascus, which labelled it a flagrant "aggression" that seeks to prolong Syria's war.

It also reiterated its "absolute rejection" of the planned safe zone, calling it a violation of Syria's sovereignty.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to launch an operation against the YPG in Syria unless progress is made on setting up the safe zone.

Erdogan said his US counterpart Donald Trump had promised the buffer would be 32 kilometres (20 miles) wide.

Turkish army chief General Yasar Guler told General Joseph Dunford, the top US military officer, in a phone call on Saturday that the safe zone must be set up without delay, the Turkish defence ministry said.

A joint centre of operations was recently established as part of the agreement.

Ankara hopes the safe zone will smooth the way for the return of some of the more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, but experts say the situation remains unclear.

"We may have joint patrols but we still don't have a joint understanding of what the safe zone is," said Nicholas Danforth, senior visiting fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

"America sees the safe zone as a way to preserve our relationship with the SDF and preserve the SDF's autonomy. Turkey sees the safe zone as a step toward ending them both."

 
&nbsp;

The United States and Turkey on Sunday began joint patrols in northeastern Syria aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and US-backed Kurdish forces who battled the Islamic State jihadist group.

The United States and Turkey on Sunday began joint patrols in northeastern Syria aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and US-backed Kurdish forces who battled the Islamic State jihadist group. Six Turkish armoured vehicles crossed the border to join US forces in Syria for their first joint patrol under a deal reached between Washington and Ankara, an AFP journalist reported. Two helicopters flew over the area as the Turkish vehicles drove through an opening in the concrete wall separating the two countries. They then headed west with the same number of American vehicles, along with an ambulance and a pick-up, for the joint operation, before crossing back into Turkey. The Turkish defence ministry said drones were also deployed. The agreement reached on August 7 aims to establish a "safe zone" between the Turkish border and the Syrian areas east of the Euphrates river controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Syrian Kurdish forces began withdrawing from along the Turkish border in late August. The patrol allowed Turkish forces to observe "first-hand progress on destroyed YPG fortifications and areas where YPG elements voluntarily departed the area", said Colonel Myles Caggins, spokesman for the US-led coalition against IS. The YPG forms the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- a key partner of Washington in the fight against IS jihadists in Syria. But Ankara sees the YPG as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party. The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Ankara, the US and the European Union. Washington's support for the SDF has been a major point of friction with fellow NATO member Turkey. Caggins said the patrol demonstrated the coalition's "continued commitment to address Turkey's legitimate security concerns, while also allowing the coalition and our SDF partners to remain focused on achieving the enduring defeat" of IS. 'Preventing war' Turkey carried out unilateral offensives in northern Syria against IS in 2016 and the YPG in 2018. As the regional fight against IS winds down, the prospect of a US military withdrawal has stoked Kurdish fears of another Turkish attack. "We are implementing the agreement and we have no problem with it as long as it prevents war," said Riyad Khamis, the head of an SDF-led military council in the border town of Tal Abyad. Although they led the US-backed fight against IS, Syria's Kurds have largely stayed out of Syria's eight-year civil war, instead building their own autonomous institutions in areas they control. Sunday's patrol drew sharp criticism from Damascus, which labelled it a flagrant "aggression" that seeks to prolong Syria's war. It also reiterated its "absolute rejection" of the planned safe zone, calling it a violation of Syria's sovereignty. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to launch an operation against the YPG in Syria unless progress is made on setting up the safe zone. Erdogan said his US counterpart Donald Trump had promised the buffer would be 32 kilometres (20 miles) wide. Turkish army chief General Yasar Guler told General Joseph Dunford, the top US military officer, in a phone call on Saturday that the safe zone must be set up without delay, the Turkish defence ministry said. A joint centre of operations was recently established as part of the agreement. Ankara hopes the safe zone will smooth the way for the return of some of the more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, but experts say the situation remains unclear. "We may have joint patrols but we still don't have a joint understanding of what the safe zone is," said Nicholas Danforth, senior visiting fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. "America sees the safe zone as a way to preserve our relationship with the SDF and preserve the SDF's autonomy. Turkey sees the safe zone as a step toward ending them both."

US, Turkey launch joint patrols in northeast Syria

The United States and Turkey on Sunday began joint patrols in northeastern Syria aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and US-backed Kurdish forces.&nbsp;

Six Turkish armoured vehicles crossed the border to join US troops in Syria for their first joint patrol under a deal reached between Washington and Ankara, an AFP journalist reported.

Two helicopters overflew the area as the Turkish vehicles drove through an opening in the concrete wall erected between the two countries.

The agreement reached on August 7 aims to establish a "safe zone" between the Turkish border and the Syrian areas east of the Euphrates river controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units militia.

The YPG is an ally of the US but seen as a terrorist organisation by Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to launch an operation against the YPG in Syria unless progress is made on setting up the safe zone.

Erdogan said his US counterpart Donald Trump had promised it would be 32 kilometres (20 miles) wide.

A joint centre of operations was recently established as part of the agreement.&nbsp;

Turkey previously conducted cross-border operations in northern Syria supporting Syrian rebels in 2016 against IS and in early 2018 against the YPG.

Ankara says the YPG militia is a "terrorist" offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party.

The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Ankara, the US and the European Union.

The United States and Turkey on Sunday began joint patrols in northeastern Syria aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and US-backed Kurdish forces. Six Turkish armoured vehicles crossed the border to join US troops in Syria for their first joint patrol under a deal reached between Washington and Ankara, an AFP journalist reported.

The United States and Turkey on Sunday began joint patrols in northeastern Syria aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and US-backed Kurdish forces. Six Turkish armoured vehicles crossed the border to join US troops in Syria for their first joint patrol under a deal reached between Washington and Ankara, an AFP journalist reported. Two helicopters overflew the area as the Turkish vehicles drove through an opening in the concrete wall erected between the two countries. The agreement reached on August 7 aims to establish a "safe zone" between the Turkish border and the Syrian areas east of the Euphrates river controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units militia. The YPG is an ally of the US but seen as a terrorist organisation by Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to launch an operation against the YPG in Syria unless progress is made on setting up the safe zone. Erdogan said his US counterpart Donald Trump had promised it would be 32 kilometres (20 miles) wide. A joint centre of operations was recently established as part of the agreement. Turkey previously conducted cross-border operations in northern Syria supporting Syrian rebels in 2016 against IS and in early 2018 against the YPG. Ankara says the YPG militia is a "terrorist" offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party. The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is blacklisted as a terrorist group by Ankara, the US and the European Union.

A coalition of US states unveiled on Friday an antitrust investigation of Facebook, the first of what is expected to be a wave of action against dominant technology firms.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the action on behalf of seven other states and the District of Columbia to probe "whether Facebook has stifled competition and put users at risk."

The case may be the first in a series of antitrust actions against Big Tech firms and highlights growing "techlash," based on worries about platforms that control the flow of online information and dominate key economic sectors.

"We will use every investigative tool at our disposal to determine whether Facebook's actions may have endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers' choices, or increased the price of advertising," James said.

Joining the action were attorneys general of Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee, said, James.

Earlier this year the US Justice Department said it would launch a "review" of major online platforms to determine if they have stifled innovation or reduced competition.

It was not immediately clear if the states would be working in coordination with federal officials.

'Rising fears'

Facebook offered no immediate comment, but in the past, it has claimed it is not a monopoly and that consumers have many choices for how to connect with people online.

The new probe "shows how unease with large tech companies is spreading beyond Congress and the federal government agencies to the states," said Michael Carrier, professor of antitrust law at Rutgers University.

"With each passing day, there are greater fears about these companies controlling our online lives."

Yet the legal basis for an antitrust action remains unclear, said Eric Goldman, director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University.

"It remains to be seen if the (attorneys general) has any merit to their complaints or if they will be conducting a fishing expedition hoping to find some damning evidence," Goldman said.

"Companies as large as Google or Facebook probably have minor problematic practices the AGs could target, but I'm still waiting for any evidence that would support more structural challenges to the internet giants' practices."

'More on Monday'

A separate coalition of states was set to launch another antitrust initiative, with Google reportedly a target.

The office of the Texas attorney general scheduled an event Monday in Washington with a "broad coalition of states" to unveil a probe into "whether large tech companies have engaged in anticompetitive behaviour that stifled competition, restricted access, and harmed consumers."

Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said the company's services "help people every day, create more choice for consumers, and support thousands of jobs and small businesses across the country" and pledged to "work constructively with regulators."

'What's the remedy?'

Maurice Stucke, a University of Tennessee law professor, said he expects one of the areas being investigated will be online advertising markets, which are dominated by Google and Facebook.

"This is a great area to look at because the market has been criticized as being opaque," Stucke said.

Stucke said the investigations may go further by looking at how tech platforms control data, potentially examining "the intersection between competition law and privacy."

Amazon and Apple may also be in the crosshairs. Critics have complained that Amazon wields too much power in online retail and that Apple may disadvantage rivals offering services in its app store.

In the European Union, Google has faced a series of antitrust actions and Amazon is now being targeted by enforcers.

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has made a breakup of the big tech firms a part of her campaign platform.

But some analysts say the case against the tech firms faces challenges because the companies have in many cases provided services for free and brought prices down, making it hard to prove they harmed "consumer welfare," a longstanding judicial precedent.

Jessica Melugin of the Competitive Enterprise Institute said the state officials are stretching the limits of antitrust.

"This sort of high-profile activism may benefit state AGs' political ambitions, but impose harmful costs on consumers, businesses, and the economy," she said in a statement.

But Stucke said it would be wrong to view antitrust law as solely focused on consumer prices, and that it may be applied to questions of competition and innovation.

The probes could end up with a variety of outcomes including fines, restrictions on conduct or a breakup, Stucke maintained.

"You'd have to show how the remedy would address the concerns," he said.

A coalition of US states unveiled on Friday an antitrust investigation of Facebook, the first of what is expected to be a wave of action against dominant technology firms.

A coalition of US states unveiled on Friday an antitrust investigation of Facebook, the first of what is expected to be a wave of action against dominant technology firms. New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the action on behalf of seven other states and the District of Columbia to probe "whether Facebook has stifled competition and put users at risk." The case may be the first in a series of antitrust actions against Big Tech firms and highlights growing "techlash," based on worries about platforms that control the flow of online information and dominate key economic sectors. "We will use every investigative tool at our disposal to determine whether Facebook's actions may have endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers' choices, or increased the price of advertising," James said. Joining the action were attorneys general of Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee, said, James. Earlier this year the US Justice Department said it would launch a "review" of major online platforms to determine if they have stifled innovation or reduced competition. It was not immediately clear if the states would be working in coordination with federal officials. 'Rising fears' Facebook offered no immediate comment, but in the past, it has claimed it is not a monopoly and that consumers have many choices for how to connect with people online. The new probe "shows how unease with large tech companies is spreading beyond Congress and the federal government agencies to the states," said Michael Carrier, professor of antitrust law at Rutgers University. "With each passing day, there are greater fears about these companies controlling our online lives." Yet the legal basis for an antitrust action remains unclear, said Eric Goldman, director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University. "It remains to be seen if the (attorneys general) has any merit to their complaints or if they will be conducting a fishing expedition hoping to find some damning evidence," Goldman said. "Companies as large as Google or Facebook probably have minor problematic practices the AGs could target, but I'm still waiting for any evidence that would support more structural challenges to the internet giants' practices." 'More on Monday' A separate coalition of states was set to launch another antitrust initiative, with Google reportedly a target. The office of the Texas attorney general scheduled an event Monday in Washington with a "broad coalition of states" to unveil a probe into "whether large tech companies have engaged in anticompetitive behaviour that stifled competition, restricted access, and harmed consumers." Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said the company's services "help people every day, create more choice for consumers, and support thousands of jobs and small businesses across the country" and pledged to "work constructively with regulators." 'What's the remedy?' Maurice Stucke, a University of Tennessee law professor, said he expects one of the areas being investigated will be online advertising markets, which are dominated by Google and Facebook. "This is a great area to look at because the market has been criticized as being opaque," Stucke said. Stucke said the investigations may go further by looking at how tech platforms control data, potentially examining "the intersection between competition law and privacy." Amazon and Apple may also be in the crosshairs. Critics have complained that Amazon wields too much power in online retail and that Apple may disadvantage rivals offering services in its app store. In the European Union, Google has faced a series of antitrust actions and Amazon is now being targeted by enforcers. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has made a breakup of the big tech firms a part of her campaign platform. But some analysts say the case against the tech firms faces challenges because the companies have in many cases provided services for free and brought prices down, making it hard to prove they harmed "consumer welfare," a longstanding judicial precedent. Jessica Melugin of the Competitive Enterprise Institute said the state officials are stretching the limits of antitrust. "This sort of high-profile activism may benefit state AGs' political ambitions, but impose harmful costs on consumers, businesses, and the economy," she said in a statement. But Stucke said it would be wrong to view antitrust law as solely focused on consumer prices, and that it may be applied to questions of competition and innovation. The probes could end up with a variety of outcomes including fines, restrictions on conduct or a breakup, Stucke maintained. "You'd have to show how the remedy would address the concerns," he said.

Antitrust probe of Facebook may be first step against Big Tech

Charities, government agencies and even cruise ships loaded with supplies and volunteers rushed emergency aid to the storm-ravaged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dorian-kills-five-in-bahamas-us-evacuates-coast-247227">Bahamas</a> on Saturday amid fears of a "staggering" death toll left in the wake of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-dorian-skirts-us-carolinas-coast-with-high-winds-and-rain-248039">Hurricane Dorian</a>.

Bahama leaders believe hundreds and perhaps thousands remained missing in the archipelago nation of about 400,000 people, even as the official death toll rose only to 43 as of late on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-continues-to-defend-incorrect-map-of-hurricane-dorian-path-247743">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s&nbsp;administration requested airlift and logistical support from the Defense Department on Friday to support relief efforts for the Bahamas, the Miami Herald and other media reported.

The US&nbsp;Coast Guard and other agencies have already provided help with US Northern Command chief General Terrance O'Shaughnessy arriving in Nassau on Friday to assess the needs.

"We'll continue to beef up, we'll continue to collaborate with the government of the Bahamas," he told news reporters.

Hurricane Dorian, the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas, parked itself over part of the archipelago for almost two days earlier this week, pummeling it with Category 5 winds, with some gusts topping 200 mph.

The most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas levelled some neighbourhoods, swallowed others with storm surges and caused what one official described as a "staggering" number of deaths.

Dorian also devastated parts of the Outer Banks Islands in North Carolina, on Friday and it continued to push northward along the US&nbsp;Atlantic coast early on Saturday.

It brought tropical-storm-force winds to southeastern Massachusetts and Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard on Saturday morning, according to an advisory from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

"Dorian's rain is just grazing New England," said Alex Lamers, a forecaster with the National Weather Service.

It is expected to make landfall in Canada's Nova Scotia province on Saturday night with winds of about 90 mph (150 kph) and leave up to 7 inches of rain before pushing further east as a weakened post-tropical storm by Sunday, the NHC said.

The Bahamas hade only a slight, 10 per cent, chance of rain Saturday that was not expected to hamper relief efforts as Bahamas Health Minister Duane Sands spoke of "a tremendous loss of life."

'Staggering number of dead feared'

The medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau said two refrigerated, 40-foot trucks would be needed to hold the "staggering" number of bodies likely to be found.

"We've ordered lots of body bags," said Dr Caroline Burnett-Garraway.

The United Nations estimated 70,000 people were in "immediate need of life-saving assistance" such as food, water and shelter. The UN&nbsp;World Food Programme was airlifting storage units, generators, prefab offices, and satellite equipment as well as 8 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat meals.

The American Red Cross said it had committed an initial $2 million help the Bahamas recover from the hurricane, with food, water and shelter and other necessities.

"Our relief operation is growing, but we are also facing serious challenges in terms of delivering aid," Red Cross spokeswoman Jennifer Eli said. "Even search-and-rescue choppers haven't been able to reach some people because there's no place to land. These challenges are affecting everyone."

Near an area called The Mudd in Marsh Harbour, a commercial hub, a Reuters witness reported most houses levelled, the body of a man lying near the main street and dead dogs floating in the water. Some residents were leaving the area with meagre possessions, while others were determined to remain.

The US Coast Guard has rescued 295 people since Dorian began, the US Embassy in Nassau tweeted.

Relief groups were focusing on getting doctors, nurses and medical supplies into the hardest-hit areas and helping survivors get food and safe drinking water.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. committed $1 million for hurricane relief and its ship Norwegian Breakaway left Miami on Thursday with supplies donated by the company and its employees, in addition to items collected by the City of Miami and various charities.

Celebrity chef José Andrés and members of his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, we're on the ground in the Bahamas to aid hurricane survivors by preparing thousands of meals.

The risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea and waterborne diseases is high as drinking water may be tainted with sewage, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which described the situation for some people on Abaco island as "desperate."

Claudin Lauriston, 39, a Haitian carpenter, said he and his three young children were among the "lucky ones" to get on a plane out of Abaco. He said he had no documents with him but would try to get a job to support his family.

"There are too many dead bodies there. The government needs to remove everyone from the island, the smell is everywhere, it's in the water."

Charities, government agencies and even cruise ships loaded with supplies and volunteers rushed emergency aid to the storm-ravaged Bahamas on Saturday amid fears of a "staggering" death toll left in the wake of Hurricane Dorian.

Charities, government agencies and even cruise ships loaded with supplies and volunteers rushed emergency aid to the storm-ravaged Bahamas on Saturday amid fears of a "staggering" death toll left in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Bahama leaders believe hundreds and perhaps thousands remained missing in the archipelago nation of about 400,000 people, even as the official death toll rose only to 43 as of late on Friday. US President Donald Trump's administration requested airlift and logistical support from the Defense Department on Friday to support relief efforts for the Bahamas, the Miami Herald and other media reported. The US Coast Guard and other agencies have already provided help with US Northern Command chief General Terrance O'Shaughnessy arriving in Nassau on Friday to assess the needs. "We'll continue to beef up, we'll continue to collaborate with the government of the Bahamas," he told news reporters. Hurricane Dorian, the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas, parked itself over part of the archipelago for almost two days earlier this week, pummeling it with Category 5 winds, with some gusts topping 200 mph. The most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Bahamas levelled some neighbourhoods, swallowed others with storm surges and caused what one official described as a "staggering" number of deaths. Dorian also devastated parts of the Outer Banks Islands in North Carolina, on Friday and it continued to push northward along the US Atlantic coast early on Saturday. It brought tropical-storm-force winds to southeastern Massachusetts and Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard on Saturday morning, according to an advisory from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center. "Dorian's rain is just grazing New England," said Alex Lamers, a forecaster with the National Weather Service. It is expected to make landfall in Canada's Nova Scotia province on Saturday night with winds of about 90 mph (150 kph) and leave up to 7 inches of rain before pushing further east as a weakened post-tropical storm by Sunday, the NHC said. The Bahamas hade only a slight, 10 per cent, chance of rain Saturday that was not expected to hamper relief efforts as Bahamas Health Minister Duane Sands spoke of "a tremendous loss of life." 'Staggering number of dead feared' The medical chief of staff at Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau said two refrigerated, 40-foot trucks would be needed to hold the "staggering" number of bodies likely to be found. "We've ordered lots of body bags," said Dr Caroline Burnett-Garraway. The United Nations estimated 70,000 people were in "immediate need of life-saving assistance" such as food, water and shelter. The UN World Food Programme was airlifting storage units, generators, prefab offices, and satellite equipment as well as 8 metric tonnes of ready-to-eat meals. The American Red Cross said it had committed an initial $2 million help the Bahamas recover from the hurricane, with food, water and shelter and other necessities. "Our relief operation is growing, but we are also facing serious challenges in terms of delivering aid," Red Cross spokeswoman Jennifer Eli said. "Even search-and-rescue choppers haven't been able to reach some people because there's no place to land. These challenges are affecting everyone." Near an area called The Mudd in Marsh Harbour, a commercial hub, a Reuters witness reported most houses levelled, the body of a man lying near the main street and dead dogs floating in the water. Some residents were leaving the area with meagre possessions, while others were determined to remain. The US Coast Guard has rescued 295 people since Dorian began, the US Embassy in Nassau tweeted. Relief groups were focusing on getting doctors, nurses and medical supplies into the hardest-hit areas and helping survivors get food and safe drinking water. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. committed $1 million for hurricane relief and its ship Norwegian Breakaway left Miami on Thursday with supplies donated by the company and its employees, in addition to items collected by the City of Miami and various charities. Celebrity chef José Andrés and members of his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, we're on the ground in the Bahamas to aid hurricane survivors by preparing thousands of meals. The risk of outbreaks of diarrhoea and waterborne diseases is high as drinking water may be tainted with sewage, according to the Pan American Health Organization, which described the situation for some people on Abaco island as "desperate." Claudin Lauriston, 39, a Haitian carpenter, said he and his three young children were among the "lucky ones" to get on a plane out of Abaco. He said he had no documents with him but would try to get a job to support his family. "There are too many dead bodies there. The government needs to remove everyone from the island, the smell is everywhere, it's in the water."

Relief efforts ramp up amid fear of 'staggering' death toll in storm ravaged Bahamas

WeWork owner The We Company plans to proceed with an investor roadshow for its initial public offering (IPO) as early as next week, braving concerns over the valuation it can achieve in a listing, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The company's IPO has been in doubt since Thursday, after sources said the US office-sharing startup now estimated it could be valued at a little over $20 billion in a listing, less than half the $47 billion valuations&nbsp;it achieved in a private fundraising round in January.

Growing investor scepticism over We Company's lack of a roadmap to profitability, and its co-founder Adam Neumann's firm grip on its governance, are weighing on its IPO prospects.

A big drop in We Company's valuation would be a blow to its existing investors, including its biggest backer, Japan's SoftBank Group Corp &lt;9984.T&gt;.

We Company told its IPO underwriters and potential stock market investors on Friday to expect the launch of the roadshow as early as the middle of next week, the sources said.

The sources cautioned that no final decision on beginning the roadshow has been taken and the plans are still subject to change. We Company declined to comment.

An IPO roadshow is typically a 10-day period when companies solicit feedback from investors with the aim of convincing them to buy shares in the IPO. We Company would be hoping to convince investors to give it a valuation closer to what its venture capital backers placed on it.

We Company rents out workspace to clients under short-term contracts and pays rent for the properties under long-term leases.

The New York-based company lost more than $900 million in the first half of 2019, up 25 per cent from a year earlier, even though its revenue doubled to $1.54 billion, as it burned through cash to expand.

The mounting losses and concerns over how it's&nbsp;business&nbsp;model would survive an economic downturn have raised scepticism from analysts and investors about the IPO.

In August, We Company secured bank commitments for a $6 billion credit facility contingent on it raising billions of dollars in an IPO.

Complicating matters further, the company is looking to go public against a turbulent market backdrop, with the US and China trade war-making for the worst August for US&nbsp;stocks in four years.

If We Company proceeds with its IPO, its private investors may take a loss on any shares sold, but they can make that up in the future if the company is able to achieve its projected valuation, said Adam Troso, head of real estate corporate advisory at Greenhill &amp; Co, a New York investment bank.

"There's still an opportunity (for the value) to go back up to where you expect it to be. That's how an underwriter would explain it to his clients," Troso said.

WeWork owner The We Company plans to proceed with an investor roadshow for its initial public offering (IPO) as early as next week, braving concerns over the valuation it can achieve in a listing, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

WeWork owner The We Company plans to proceed with an investor roadshow for its initial public offering (IPO) as early as next week, braving concerns over the valuation it can achieve in a listing, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. The company's IPO has been in doubt since Thursday, after sources said the US office-sharing startup now estimated it could be valued at a little over $20 billion in a listing, less than half the $47 billion valuations it achieved in a private fundraising round in January. Growing investor scepticism over We Company's lack of a roadmap to profitability, and its co-founder Adam Neumann's firm grip on its governance, are weighing on its IPO prospects. A big drop in We Company's valuation would be a blow to its existing investors, including its biggest backer, Japan's SoftBank Group Corp <9984.T>. We Company told its IPO underwriters and potential stock market investors on Friday to expect the launch of the roadshow as early as the middle of next week, the sources said. The sources cautioned that no final decision on beginning the roadshow has been taken and the plans are still subject to change. We Company declined to comment. An IPO roadshow is typically a 10-day period when companies solicit feedback from investors with the aim of convincing them to buy shares in the IPO. We Company would be hoping to convince investors to give it a valuation closer to what its venture capital backers placed on it. We Company rents out workspace to clients under short-term contracts and pays rent for the properties under long-term leases. The New York-based company lost more than $900 million in the first half of 2019, up 25 per cent from a year earlier, even though its revenue doubled to $1.54 billion, as it burned through cash to expand. The mounting losses and concerns over how it's business model would survive an economic downturn have raised scepticism from analysts and investors about the IPO. In August, We Company secured bank commitments for a $6 billion credit facility contingent on it raising billions of dollars in an IPO. Complicating matters further, the company is looking to go public against a turbulent market backdrop, with the US and China trade war-making for the worst August for US stocks in four years. If We Company proceeds with its IPO, its private investors may take a loss on any shares sold, but they can make that up in the future if the company is able to achieve its projected valuation, said Adam Troso, head of real estate corporate advisory at Greenhill & Co, a New York investment bank. "There's still an opportunity (for the value) to go back up to where you expect it to be. That's how an underwriter would explain it to his clients," Troso said.

WeWork to press on with IPO launch despite valuation concerns: Reports

US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that while it was seeking a political agreement with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-on-threshold-of-deal-us-afghan-envoy-246925">Taliban</a>, Washington would not accept just any deal, as a wave of violence has cast a shadow over talks with the United States.

"The United States' view is that the best way forward is a political agreement and that (is what) we're&nbsp;working&nbsp;diligently on right now, that doesn't mean we'll take any deal," Esper said during a press conference in Paris with his French counterpart.

"We will make sure we have a good deal, a good enough deal that guarantees at least the security of countries going forward and a brighter path ahead for the Afghan people," Esper said

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that while it was seeking a political agreement with the Taliban, Washington would not accept just any deal, as a wave of violence has cast a shadow over talks with the United States.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that while it was seeking a political agreement with the Taliban, Washington would not accept just any deal, as a wave of violence has cast a shadow over talks with the United States. "The United States' view is that the best way forward is a political agreement and that (is what) we're working diligently on right now, that doesn't mean we'll take any deal," Esper said during a press conference in Paris with his French counterpart. "We will make sure we have a good deal, a good enough deal that guarantees at least the security of countries going forward and a brighter path ahead for the Afghan people," Esper said

Pentagon chief says US working towards 'good deal' with Taliban

White House economic adviser <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-us-talks-likely-to-heat-up-in-october-meeting-kudlow-248069">Larry Kudlow </a>said on Friday the United States wants "near term" results from the US, China trade talks in September and October but cautioned that the trade conflict could take years to resolve.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Kudlow said that although the United States and China have been negotiating on trade and intellectual property issues for 18 months, that was a short period of time in terms of what was at stake and negotiations could go on much longer.

"A deal of this size and scope and central global importance, I don't think 18 months is a very long time," Kudlow said.

"The stakes are so high, we have to get it right, and if that takes a decade, so be it," Kudlow added, drawing parallels to US&nbsp;Cold War competition against the Soviet Union.

But in confirming talks between the high-level US&nbsp;and Chinese officials in early October, Kudlow declined to predict outcomes or a specific timeline for reaching any agreements.

The plans for the first in-person US and&nbsp;China trade meetings since late July were set during a phone call on Thursday between Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Trade deputies are due to meet in mid-September.

'Back to May'

The 14-month <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-war-to-knock-05-points-off-global-growth-french-finance-minister-247859">US and China trade war</a> has escalated sharply since May when talks broke down after Beijing backtracked on earlier commitments to make changes in the law to improve intellectual property protections, curb the forced transfer of US technology to Chinese firms and improve the US access to Chinese markets.

Since then, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-bullish-on-china-tariffs-but-aide-warns-of-long-haul-248138">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> has sharply increased existing tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods and imposed or scheduled new tariffs on virtually all remaining imports from China to increase his negotiating leverage.

Kudlow told Bloomberg TV that he could not speculate on whether the September or October talks could delay a planned tariff increase on October&nbsp;1 to 30 per cent&nbsp;from 25 per cent&nbsp;on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods.

"We would like to go back to where we were last May, but I don't know if that's possible, and I don't want to predict any outcomes. This is a difficult matter," told reporters at the White House.

He also said that it was important that Chinese reforms be reflected in changes to its laws and that any deal must have enforcement provisions to ensure that China lives up to its commitments.

'Everything on table'

He said on Fox Business Network that the September and October talks would cover all of the core issues in the dispute.

"Everything will be on the table. You can rest assured, for example, the absolute key structural issues the IP theft, the forced transfer of technology, the cyberspace, the clouds, financial services, all of that will be on the table&nbsp;agriculture purchases, industrial purchases, energy purchases, getting tariff and non-tariff barriers down," Kudlow said.

While there were no precondition talks, Kudlow told Bloomberg TV that the Trump administration wants "to see results in the near term."

"When we don't see results, we take additional actions," Kudlow said. "On the other hand, if we do see results from these upcoming meetings, then progress will be made."

Trump said on Twitter that China was hurting economically from the US&nbsp;tariffs but that the new round of talks was positive.

"'China is eating the Tariffs,'" Trump tweeted. "Billions pouring into the USA. Targeted Patriot Farmers getting massive Dollars from the incoming Tariffs!

Good Jobs Numbers, No Inflation(Fed). China having the worst year in decades. Talks happening, good for all!"

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Friday the United States wants "near term" results from the US, China trade talks in September and October but cautioned that the trade conflict could take years to resolve.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Friday the United States wants "near term" results from the US, China trade talks in September and October but cautioned that the trade conflict could take years to resolve. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Kudlow said that although the United States and China have been negotiating on trade and intellectual property issues for 18 months, that was a short period of time in terms of what was at stake and negotiations could go on much longer. "A deal of this size and scope and central global importance, I don't think 18 months is a very long time," Kudlow said. "The stakes are so high, we have to get it right, and if that takes a decade, so be it," Kudlow added, drawing parallels to US Cold War competition against the Soviet Union. But in confirming talks between the high-level US and Chinese officials in early October, Kudlow declined to predict outcomes or a specific timeline for reaching any agreements. The plans for the first in-person US and China trade meetings since late July were set during a phone call on Thursday between Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Trade deputies are due to meet in mid-September. 'Back to May' The 14-month US and China trade war has escalated sharply since May when talks broke down after Beijing backtracked on earlier commitments to make changes in the law to improve intellectual property protections, curb the forced transfer of US technology to Chinese firms and improve the US access to Chinese markets. Since then, US President Donald Trump has sharply increased existing tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods and imposed or scheduled new tariffs on virtually all remaining imports from China to increase his negotiating leverage. Kudlow told Bloomberg TV that he could not speculate on whether the September or October talks could delay a planned tariff increase on October 1 to 30 per cent from 25 per cent on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods. "We would like to go back to where we were last May, but I don't know if that's possible, and I don't want to predict any outcomes. This is a difficult matter," told reporters at the White House. He also said that it was important that Chinese reforms be reflected in changes to its laws and that any deal must have enforcement provisions to ensure that China lives up to its commitments. 'Everything on table' He said on Fox Business Network that the September and October talks would cover all of the core issues in the dispute. "Everything will be on the table. You can rest assured, for example, the absolute key structural issues the IP theft, the forced transfer of technology, the cyberspace, the clouds, financial services, all of that will be on the table agriculture purchases, industrial purchases, energy purchases, getting tariff and non-tariff barriers down," Kudlow said. While there were no precondition talks, Kudlow told Bloomberg TV that the Trump administration wants "to see results in the near term." "When we don't see results, we take additional actions," Kudlow said. "On the other hand, if we do see results from these upcoming meetings, then progress will be made." Trump said on Twitter that China was hurting economically from the US tariffs but that the new round of talks was positive. "'China is eating the Tariffs,'" Trump tweeted. "Billions pouring into the USA. Targeted Patriot Farmers getting massive Dollars from the incoming Tariffs! Good Jobs Numbers, No Inflation(Fed). China having the worst year in decades. Talks happening, good for all!"

US, China trade conflict could take years to resolve: White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random.

A line in one missive, written in Dari and spelt out in huge letters, states simply, "We want peace," Sharifi says.

"By peace, they just mean a ceasefire, just stop this nonsense violence," he explains.

The letters are the fruit of a recent initiative by ArtLords, a not-for-profit group that Sharifi co-founded and runs, which aims to give a voice to young Afghans who feel ignored and powerless as the war rages on.

In a pilot project in Kabul, where more than 30 people were killed by blasts in the past week, ArtLords is building on the Afghan tradition of penning "dard-e-dil" -- letters of pain.

The scheme allows people living in an ultra-conservative society to find freedom by sharing their passions and emotions in written form.

Sharifi and his team have placed six large wooden letter boxes -- painted white and decorated with love hearts -- in high schools, universities and cafes around the Afghan capital and invited people to share their stories.

"Whenever you want to share your deep thoughts, you write letters," Sharifi says.&nbsp;

"So we asked the youngsters to write letters about their fears, about their solutions, about their hopes."

Within the first two weeks of the project, they had more than 300 letters, Sharifi says.

He reads from another, this one addressed to the Kabul government.

"'We are in a very bad situation,'" he quotes.

"'We need your attention because every single day we are dying from the fear of explosions and the fear that I might die today -- in the car, in the office, in the university...' He says nowhere is safe."

Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump

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Angry and ignored

The project launched a few weeks ago, just as talks between the US and the Taliban seemed to be entering their final stages.

They are working on a deal that would see the Pentagon pull about 5,000 troops from Afghanistan by early next year, in return for various security guarantees from the insurgents.

But so far, the negotiations have all but excluded the Afghan government, and many Afghans -- particularly educated young people in urban cores -- feel angry and ignored.

The US says it is up to the Kabul government and Afghan society at large to forge an eventual peace deal with the Taliban that protects basic freedoms.

But many fear a jaded America is selling out their interests in its bid to quit Afghanistan after 18 years of grinding and costly war.

The young letter writers want "an inclusive peace process that takes into consideration all realities of Afghanistan," Sharif told AFP at ArtLords' colourful base in Kabul, where artworks cover the walls and where anyone can walk in and paint a picture.

The 32-year-old artist is well known around Kabul and across Afghanistan thanks to ArtLords' prolific output, which centres mainly on the painting of huge murals on the capital's labyrinth of blast walls that divide the city into militarised ghettos.

The latest mural project ArtLords has undertaken is to paint one red tulip for each and every Afghan civilian killed in the war -- some 35,000 in all since 2001.

Each "one of these tulips is a story of someone," Sharifi said. Many of the flowers will be painted at the scene of the explosion or attack that claimed an innocent life.

Sharifi hopes to expand the letter-writing campaign across Afghanistan. He said the contents of all the letters would be shared with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the US and even the Taliban.

"I know that the president has read all of the letters ... and he is aware of what the young ones are expecting of him in that whole peace process," Sharifi said

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random.

Omaid Sharifi, who heads a Kabul-based art collective, sits in his studio and leafs through a stack of dozens of hand-written letters, reading out sentences at random. A line in one missive, written in Dari and spelt out in huge letters, states simply, "We want peace," Sharifi says. "By peace, they just mean a ceasefire, just stop this nonsense violence," he explains. The letters are the fruit of a recent initiative by ArtLords, a not-for-profit group that Sharifi co-founded and runs, which aims to give a voice to young Afghans who feel ignored and powerless as the war rages on. In a pilot project in Kabul, where more than 30 people were killed by blasts in the past week, ArtLords is building on the Afghan tradition of penning "dard-e-dil" -- letters of pain. The scheme allows people living in an ultra-conservative society to find freedom by sharing their passions and emotions in written form. Sharifi and his team have placed six large wooden letter boxes -- painted white and decorated with love hearts -- in high schools, universities and cafes around the Afghan capital and invited people to share their stories. "Whenever you want to share your deep thoughts, you write letters," Sharifi says. "So we asked the youngsters to write letters about their fears, about their solutions, about their hopes." Within the first two weeks of the project, they had more than 300 letters, Sharifi says. He reads from another, this one addressed to the Kabul government. "'We are in a very bad situation,'" he quotes. "'We need your attention because every single day we are dying from the fear of explosions and the fear that I might die today -- in the car, in the office, in the university...' He says nowhere is safe." Watch: 'US Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan' says Donald Trump × Angry and ignored The project launched a few weeks ago, just as talks between the US and the Taliban seemed to be entering their final stages. They are working on a deal that would see the Pentagon pull about 5,000 troops from Afghanistan by early next year, in return for various security guarantees from the insurgents. But so far, the negotiations have all but excluded the Afghan government, and many Afghans -- particularly educated young people in urban cores -- feel angry and ignored. The US says it is up to the Kabul government and Afghan society at large to forge an eventual peace deal with the Taliban that protects basic freedoms. But many fear a jaded America is selling out their interests in its bid to quit Afghanistan after 18 years of grinding and costly war. The young letter writers want "an inclusive peace process that takes into consideration all realities of Afghanistan," Sharif told AFP at ArtLords' colourful base in Kabul, where artworks cover the walls and where anyone can walk in and paint a picture. The 32-year-old artist is well known around Kabul and across Afghanistan thanks to ArtLords' prolific output, which centres mainly on the painting of huge murals on the capital's labyrinth of blast walls that divide the city into militarised ghettos. The latest mural project ArtLords has undertaken is to paint one red tulip for each and every Afghan civilian killed in the war -- some 35,000 in all since 2001. Each "one of these tulips is a story of someone," Sharifi said. Many of the flowers will be painted at the scene of the explosion or attack that claimed an innocent life. Sharifi hopes to expand the letter-writing campaign across Afghanistan. He said the contents of all the letters would be shared with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the US and even the Taliban. "I know that the president has read all of the letters ... and he is aware of what the young ones are expecting of him in that whole peace process," Sharifi said

Sidelined young Afghans pen 'letters of pain' as war rages

2019 International Airshow in Torre del Mar, Spain 2019

US&nbsp;House Democrats have launched an investigation into Vice President Mike Pence's stay at a hotel owned by President Donald Trump during a visit to Ireland this week, two committees said on Friday.

Pence drew fire from Democrats when he stayed at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg on the west coast of Ireland during his visit to the country, though it was 300 kilometres (180 miles) away from his meetings in the capital, Dublin.

Elijah Cummings, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, wrote to the White House, Trump Organisation, US Secret Service and the Vice President's Office seeking documents on the visit by September 19.

The letters cite media reports indicating the golf club had been a "problematic investment" for Trump's company and had not been profitable in years.

"The Committee does not believe that US&nbsp;taxpayer funds should be used to personally enrich President Trump, his family, and his companies," Cummings wrote, saying the stay could be a potential conflict of interest and violate the US&nbsp;Constitution.

Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, told journalists that Trump had suggested Pence stay at the property, though Trump said later he had not been involved with the decision.

In a separate letter, the chairman of the US&nbsp;House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler, and the chairman of a Judiciary subcommittee, Steve Cohen, cited Pence's stay at Trump's Ireland golf club to press for documents for their own investigation into the White House's decision to host next year's Group of Seven economic summit at his resort in Florida.

Last month during the G7 meeting in France, Trump said his administration was considering hosting the summit at his Miami-area golf resort but insisted he would not personally profit from hosting the event.

Nadler and Cohen said in August they planned to investigate the proposal.

Trump has remained in control of his hotels, golf courses, and other businesses, though he said he handed over day-to-day operations to his sons before taking office in January 2017.

Watchdog groups and former government ethics officials say Trump has not put safeguards in place to make sure he does not directly profit from actions taken as president, as past presidents have done.

US House Democrats have launched an investigation into Vice President Mike Pence's stay at a hotel owned by President Donald Trump during a visit to Ireland this week, two committees said on Friday.

US House Democrats have launched an investigation into Vice President Mike Pence's stay at a hotel owned by President Donald Trump during a visit to Ireland this week, two committees said on Friday. Pence drew fire from Democrats when he stayed at the Trump International Golf Club in Doonbeg on the west coast of Ireland during his visit to the country, though it was 300 kilometres (180 miles) away from his meetings in the capital, Dublin. Elijah Cummings, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, wrote to the White House, Trump Organisation, US Secret Service and the Vice President's Office seeking documents on the visit by September 19. The letters cite media reports indicating the golf club had been a "problematic investment" for Trump's company and had not been profitable in years. "The Committee does not believe that US taxpayer funds should be used to personally enrich President Trump, his family, and his companies," Cummings wrote, saying the stay could be a potential conflict of interest and violate the US Constitution. Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, told journalists that Trump had suggested Pence stay at the property, though Trump said later he had not been involved with the decision. In a separate letter, the chairman of the US House Judiciary Committee, Jerrold Nadler, and the chairman of a Judiciary subcommittee, Steve Cohen, cited Pence's stay at Trump's Ireland golf club to press for documents for their own investigation into the White House's decision to host next year's Group of Seven economic summit at his resort in Florida. Last month during the G7 meeting in France, Trump said his administration was considering hosting the summit at his Miami-area golf resort but insisted he would not personally profit from hosting the event. Nadler and Cohen said in August they planned to investigate the proposal. Trump has remained in control of his hotels, golf courses, and other businesses, though he said he handed over day-to-day operations to his sons before taking office in January 2017. Watchdog groups and former government ethics officials say Trump has not put safeguards in place to make sure he does not directly profit from actions taken as president, as past presidents have done.

United States Democrats to probe into Mike Pence's stay at Trump hotel in Ireland

A US&nbsp;soldier killed by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan has been identified as Army Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense said on Friday.

Barreto, 34 and based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was killed on Thursday when an improvised bomb in a vehicle exploded in a suicide attack near his vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul, the department said in a statement.

Barreto was a paratrooper and maintenance control sergeant in the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion.

A Romanian soldier also died in the attack near a neighbourhood in Kabul that housed embassy staff from the United States and other countries, the Army Times reported on its website.

The incident is under investigation, the department said.

A US soldier killed by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan has been identified as Army Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense said on Friday.

A US soldier killed by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan has been identified as Army Sgt. 1st Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense said on Friday. Barreto, 34 and based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was killed on Thursday when an improvised bomb in a vehicle exploded in a suicide attack near his vehicle in the Afghan capital Kabul, the department said in a statement. Barreto was a paratrooper and maintenance control sergeant in the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion. A Romanian soldier also died in the attack near a neighbourhood in Kabul that housed embassy staff from the United States and other countries, the Army Times reported on its website. The incident is under investigation, the department said.

United States soldier killed in Afghanistan identified

Taliban loyalists are cheering the prospect of a deal with the US that after 18 years of gruelling conflict will see "defeated" American "invaders" finally go home.

While details of the deal have not been announced, it is widely expected the Pentagon will slash its troop presence in Afghanistan in return for various Taliban commitments.

AFP spoke to several Taliban fighters and supporters in and around Kandahar&nbsp;the southern Afghan province that is the birthplace of the Islamist movement and a key stronghold.

'Islamic values'

Mohammad Manzoor Hussaini, who previously fought for the Taliban, was until two years ago hiding out in Pakistan but returned to Kandahar as the group's influence strengthened.

All Afghans want is a peace founded on "Islamic values", he said, using the same stock phrase the Taliban has used in talks with the United States.

The term is seen as contentious because it is open to broad interpretation, and the Taliban are known for pushing some of the most extreme views of the Islamic faith, including an almost total denial of all freedoms for women.

"Afghans wish for peace, moreover they want a dignified peace based on Islamic values, and peace among all Afghans," Hussaini said.

"Afghans should trust each other, and should be honest with each other, and should not pay attention to any foreigners".

But if things are handled poorly, the war could go on for another 20 years and spread to other countries too, Hussaini warned.

Leaving with 'shame'

Hafiz Mohammad Wali, a gardener from the Shahjoy District of Zabul province, which neighbours Kandahar, was delighted at the news that a deal is likely to see the US military draw down its forces.

"For nearly 20 years, we have been hoping for this news, to see the Americans leave Afghanistan with shame," he said.

"People now are praying for peace in the country. We have fought a lot, and the fighting still continues today."

Like most of the Taliban supporters AFP spoke to, Wali worried about whether the group would be able to make a separate agreement with the Afghan government.

"Our main concern is how the Taliban and the Afghan government make peace," he said.

"Afghans have been fighting with each other for years in the villages and districts. Will they sit together? This is not just my concern, but other villagers are also worried about it."

Until now, the Taliban have refused to talk to the administration of President Ashraf Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge.

The upcoming withdrawal deal with the Taliban is expected to require "intra-Afghan" talks between the insurgents and Kabul.

'Defeated' America

Mullah Gul Agha, a Taliban commander from the Marja district of Helmand province, another insurgent stronghold, said Afghans would never accept foreigners as their "masters".

"The Afghans have been fighting invaders for decades, once it was the Russians, today it is the Americans and the British," Agha said.

"With the Help of Almighty Allah, we have defeated them again."

The toll the war has taken on the US military more than 2,400 US troops killed in combat and thousands more with horrendous wounds&nbsp;would make America think twice before invading other countries, he said.

"Afghans accept a poor, humble life, but never anybody as their masters," he said.

Both sides 'tired'

Mullah Rauf, who was once a Taliban commander in the central province of Ghazni, was optimistic peace might finally come to Afghanistan after 18 years of conflict.

"Both sides in this war are tired," he said.

"I am very happy America is leaving, because they didn't give Afghans anything but war and destruction, and thousands of Afghans were killed if Afghans join hands, they can prevent more destruction and bloodshed."

Taliban loyalists are cheering the prospect of a deal with the US that after 18 years of gruelling conflict will see "defeated" American "invaders" finally go home.

Taliban loyalists are cheering the prospect of a deal with the US that after 18 years of gruelling conflict will see "defeated" American "invaders" finally go home. While details of the deal have not been announced, it is widely expected the Pentagon will slash its troop presence in Afghanistan in return for various Taliban commitments. AFP spoke to several Taliban fighters and supporters in and around Kandahar the southern Afghan province that is the birthplace of the Islamist movement and a key stronghold. 'Islamic values' Mohammad Manzoor Hussaini, who previously fought for the Taliban, was until two years ago hiding out in Pakistan but returned to Kandahar as the group's influence strengthened. All Afghans want is a peace founded on "Islamic values", he said, using the same stock phrase the Taliban has used in talks with the United States. The term is seen as contentious because it is open to broad interpretation, and the Taliban are known for pushing some of the most extreme views of the Islamic faith, including an almost total denial of all freedoms for women. "Afghans wish for peace, moreover they want a dignified peace based on Islamic values, and peace among all Afghans," Hussaini said. "Afghans should trust each other, and should be honest with each other, and should not pay attention to any foreigners". But if things are handled poorly, the war could go on for another 20 years and spread to other countries too, Hussaini warned. Leaving with 'shame' Hafiz Mohammad Wali, a gardener from the Shahjoy District of Zabul province, which neighbours Kandahar, was delighted at the news that a deal is likely to see the US military draw down its forces. "For nearly 20 years, we have been hoping for this news, to see the Americans leave Afghanistan with shame," he said. "People now are praying for peace in the country. We have fought a lot, and the fighting still continues today." Like most of the Taliban supporters AFP spoke to, Wali worried about whether the group would be able to make a separate agreement with the Afghan government. "Our main concern is how the Taliban and the Afghan government make peace," he said. "Afghans have been fighting with each other for years in the villages and districts. Will they sit together? This is not just my concern, but other villagers are also worried about it." Until now, the Taliban have refused to talk to the administration of President Ashraf Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge. The upcoming withdrawal deal with the Taliban is expected to require "intra-Afghan" talks between the insurgents and Kabul. 'Defeated' America Mullah Gul Agha, a Taliban commander from the Marja district of Helmand province, another insurgent stronghold, said Afghans would never accept foreigners as their "masters". "The Afghans have been fighting invaders for decades, once it was the Russians, today it is the Americans and the British," Agha said. "With the Help of Almighty Allah, we have defeated them again." The toll the war has taken on the US military more than 2,400 US troops killed in combat and thousands more with horrendous wounds would make America think twice before invading other countries, he said. "Afghans accept a poor, humble life, but never anybody as their masters," he said. Both sides 'tired' Mullah Rauf, who was once a Taliban commander in the central province of Ghazni, was optimistic peace might finally come to Afghanistan after 18 years of conflict. "Both sides in this war are tired," he said. "I am very happy America is leaving, because they didn't give Afghans anything but war and destruction, and thousands of Afghans were killed if Afghans join hands, they can prevent more destruction and bloodshed."

Afghanistan: Taliban supporters cheer US withdrawal plans

The trial of two men charged with deadly negligence over a 2016 fire that killed 36 people in the US state of California ended with an acquittal for one and a mistrial for the other.

Derick Almena, the leaseholder of the building known locally as the "Ghost Ship," a warehouse he had turned into a public space dedicated to music and art, and Max Harris, who helped him manage it, was tried for manslaughter and had faced nearly 40 years in prison.

The prosecution and the families of the victims, most people between the ages of 20 and 30, accused the two men of a series of criminal failures and negligence that they said resulted in the deaths during an electronic music concert in December 2016.

After several years of proceedings and two lawsuits, the jury acquitted Harris of all charges and was deadlocked over those against Almena.

The prosecution is to appear in court next month to say if they want to initiate a new trial against him.

Almena had rented the warehouse in Oakland, California three years before the fire and turned it into a collective for artists.

He also received rent from at least 25 tenants, according to the prosecution, without having equipped the structure with smoke detectors, alarms or fire-fighting systems.

The "Ghost Ship" was also packed floor to ceiling with sculptures, musical instruments, and furniture, all dotted with multiple electrical connections a flammable labyrinth that turned into a death trap for occupants when the fire broke out, prosecutors said.

The damage from the blaze was so severe that investigators could never determine the cause of the fire, which could have been triggered by a power failure, cigarette or candles.

Last year, Almena and Harris pleaded no contest to charges of involuntary manslaughter over the fire, which was expected to see the former serve nine years in prison and the latter six.

But a judge rejected the agreement, which was deemed unacceptable by many relatives of victims, and the case went to trial.

The trial of two men charged with deadly negligence over a 2016 fire that killed 36 people in the US state of California ended with an acquittal for one and a mistrial for the other.

The trial of two men charged with deadly negligence over a 2016 fire that killed 36 people in the US state of California ended with an acquittal for one and a mistrial for the other. Derick Almena, the leaseholder of the building known locally as the "Ghost Ship," a warehouse he had turned into a public space dedicated to music and art, and Max Harris, who helped him manage it, was tried for manslaughter and had faced nearly 40 years in prison. The prosecution and the families of the victims, most people between the ages of 20 and 30, accused the two men of a series of criminal failures and negligence that they said resulted in the deaths during an electronic music concert in December 2016. After several years of proceedings and two lawsuits, the jury acquitted Harris of all charges and was deadlocked over those against Almena. The prosecution is to appear in court next month to say if they want to initiate a new trial against him. Almena had rented the warehouse in Oakland, California three years before the fire and turned it into a collective for artists. He also received rent from at least 25 tenants, according to the prosecution, without having equipped the structure with smoke detectors, alarms or fire-fighting systems. The "Ghost Ship" was also packed floor to ceiling with sculptures, musical instruments, and furniture, all dotted with multiple electrical connections a flammable labyrinth that turned into a death trap for occupants when the fire broke out, prosecutors said. The damage from the blaze was so severe that investigators could never determine the cause of the fire, which could have been triggered by a power failure, cigarette or candles. Last year, Almena and Harris pleaded no contest to charges of involuntary manslaughter over the fire, which was expected to see the former serve nine years in prison and the latter six. But a judge rejected the agreement, which was deemed unacceptable by many relatives of victims, and the case went to trial.

No convictions in trial for deadly California 'Ghost Ship' fire

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said cutting interest rates further into negative territory is among the bank's policy options, according to an interview with the Nikkei newspaper published on Friday.

Cutting rates "further into the negative zone is always an option," the newspaper quoted him as saying in the interview, held on Thursday.

Kuroda said while Japan's economy was sustaining momentum to achieve the BOJ's 2 per cent&nbsp;inflation target, risks surrounding the overseas economy were heightening.

"There are various things we can do, such as combining various tools or enhancing them," Kuroda was quoted as saying on what the BOJ could do if it were to ease again.

But Kuroda also stressed that the BOJ must take into account the impact any policy change could have on Japan's banking system and financial market functions.

Life insurers and pension funds have seen the return on their investments decline significantly due to falling long-term yields, which could hurt consumer sentiment, he said.

Kuroda also said yields on super-long Japanese government bonds with maturities of 20 or 30 years have "fallen a bit too far."

Markets are rife with speculation the BOJ could ease policy as early as this month to fend off an unwelcome yen spike that could be caused by expected monetary easing steps by the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.

But some BOJ policymakers are wary of ramping up stimulus due to the rising cost of prolonged easings, such as the strain years of ultra-low interest rates are inflicting on financial institutions

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said cutting interest rates further into negative territory is among the bank's policy options, according to an interview with the Nikkei newspaper published on Friday.

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said cutting interest rates further into negative territory is among the bank's policy options, according to an interview with the Nikkei newspaper published on Friday. Cutting rates "further into the negative zone is always an option," the newspaper quoted him as saying in the interview, held on Thursday. Kuroda said while Japan's economy was sustaining momentum to achieve the BOJ's 2 per cent inflation target, risks surrounding the overseas economy were heightening. "There are various things we can do, such as combining various tools or enhancing them," Kuroda was quoted as saying on what the BOJ could do if it were to ease again. But Kuroda also stressed that the BOJ must take into account the impact any policy change could have on Japan's banking system and financial market functions. Life insurers and pension funds have seen the return on their investments decline significantly due to falling long-term yields, which could hurt consumer sentiment, he said. Kuroda also said yields on super-long Japanese government bonds with maturities of 20 or 30 years have "fallen a bit too far." Markets are rife with speculation the BOJ could ease policy as early as this month to fend off an unwelcome yen spike that could be caused by expected monetary easing steps by the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. But some BOJ policymakers are wary of ramping up stimulus due to the rising cost of prolonged easings, such as the strain years of ultra-low interest rates are inflicting on financial institutions

Bank of Japan's Kuroda says deepening negative rates is among options: Nikkei

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