<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-intrepid-voyager-2-probe-crosses-into-interstellar-space-183047">NASA'</a>s unmanned New Horizons spacecraft is closing in on its historic New Year's flyby target, the most distant world ever studied, a frozen relic of the solar system some four billion miles (6.4 billion kilometres) away.

The cosmic object, known as Ultima Thule, is about the size of the US capital, Washington, and orbits in the dark and frigid Kuiper Belt about a billion miles beyond the dwarf planet, Pluto.

The spacecraft's closest approach to this primitive space rock comes January 1 at 12:33 am ET (0533 GMT).&nbsp;

Until then, what it looks like, and what it is made of, remain a mystery.

"This is a time capsule that is going to take us back four and a half billion years to the birth of the solar system," said Alan Stern, the principal investigator on the project at the Southwest Research Institute, during a press briefing Friday.

A camera on board the New Horizons spacecraft is currently zooming in on Ultima Thule, so scientists can get a better sense of its shape and configuration — whether it is one object or several.

"We've never been to a type of object like this before," said Kelsi Singer, New Horizons co-investigator at the Southwest Research Institute.&nbsp;

About a day prior, "we will start to see what the actual shape of the object is," she said.

The spacecraft entered "encounter mode" on December 26, and is "very healthy," added Stern.

Communicating with a spacecraft that is so far away takes six hours and eight minutes each way — or about 12 hours and 15 minutes round trip.

New Horizons' eagerly awaited "phone home" command, indicating if it survived the close pass — at a distance of just 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometres) — is expected January 1 at 10:29 am (1529 GMT).

Until then, the New Horizons spacecraft continues speeding through space at 32,000 miles (51,500 kilometres) per hour, travelling almost a million miles per day.

And <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nasa-offers-advice-to-marvel-after-anguished-fans-seek-help-to-bring-back-tony-stark-from-space-182864">NASA scientists</a> are eagerly awaiting the first images.

"Because this is a flyby mission, we only have one chance to get it right," said Alice Bowman, missions operations manager for New Horizons.&nbsp;

The spacecraft, which launched in 2006, captured stunning images of Pluto when it flew by the dwarf planet in 2015. 
&nbsp;

NASA's unmanned New Horizons spacecraft is closing in on its historic New Year's flyby target, the most distant world ever studied, a frozen relic of the solar system some four billion miles (6.

NASA's unmanned New Horizons spacecraft is closing in on its historic New Year's flyby target, the most distant world ever studied, a frozen relic of the solar system some four billion miles (6.4 billion kilometres) away. The cosmic object, known as Ultima Thule, is about the size of the US capital, Washington, and orbits in the dark and frigid Kuiper Belt about a billion miles beyond the dwarf planet, Pluto. The spacecraft's closest approach to this primitive space rock comes January 1 at 12:33 am ET (0533 GMT). Until then, what it looks like, and what it is made of, remain a mystery. "This is a time capsule that is going to take us back four and a half billion years to the birth of the solar system," said Alan Stern, the principal investigator on the project at the Southwest Research Institute, during a press briefing Friday. A camera on board the New Horizons spacecraft is currently zooming in on Ultima Thule, so scientists can get a better sense of its shape and configuration — whether it is one object or several. "We've never been to a type of object like this before," said Kelsi Singer, New Horizons co-investigator at the Southwest Research Institute. About a day prior, "we will start to see what the actual shape of the object is," she said. The spacecraft entered "encounter mode" on December 26, and is "very healthy," added Stern. Communicating with a spacecraft that is so far away takes six hours and eight minutes each way — or about 12 hours and 15 minutes round trip. New Horizons' eagerly awaited "phone home" command, indicating if it survived the close pass — at a distance of just 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometres) — is expected January 1 at 10:29 am (1529 GMT). Until then, the New Horizons spacecraft continues speeding through space at 32,000 miles (51,500 kilometres) per hour, travelling almost a million miles per day. And NASA scientists are eagerly awaiting the first images. "Because this is a flyby mission, we only have one chance to get it right," said Alice Bowman, missions operations manager for New Horizons. The spacecraft, which launched in 2006, captured stunning images of Pluto when it flew by the dwarf planet in 2015.

NASA's unmanned spaceship closes in on most distant world ever studied

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cambodian-pm-says-wont-allow-any-foreign-military-base-in-his-country-178121">Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen </a>lashed out at Western governments for pushing "democracy and human rights" on his country, capping off a tumultuous political year with a fiery speech on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cambodias-hun-sen-says-will-give-speech-to-un-after-flawed-election-157311?first_load=no">The 66-year-old prime minister </a>has ruled Cambodia for over three decades, with the Southeast Asian country<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-pledges-100-million-in-military-aid-to-cambodia-145562"> tilting towards China</a> in recent years thanks to loans for infrastructure and few complaints on human rights issues.

His administration was renewed for another five years in July following elections critics condemned as a sham, inciting threats from the European Union to revoke duty-free access to EU countries.&nbsp;

But Hun Sen remained defiant Saturday as he inaugurated a monument with carvings showcasing his government's achievements.&nbsp;

"Don't make war by using what is called democracy and human rights, in which democratic countries used to make the mistake of supporting Lon Nol's coup," he said in a speech to thousands of officials.&nbsp;

Lon Nol's US-backed regime was ousted by the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge in 1975, jumpstarting four years of horror as Cambodians were forced to live on farming communes, endure hard labour, and were tortured and murdered if they were suspected of plotting against leader Pol Pot.

Hun Sen was a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and had a role in toppling the genocidal regime in 1979, although the US later sought to keep the ousted Khmer Rouge at the table in the United Nations.

"You as a democratic country ... supported Pol Pot, who used to kill people with no regards for respecting human rights," Hun Sen said, without naming the US. "You supported them to keep a seat at the UN."

Cambodia's government dissolved the main opposition party and jailed its leader ahead of July elections in which it won every seat in parliament, transforming the nation into a one-party state.

Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen lashed out at Western governments for pushing "democracy and human rights" on his country, capping off a tumultuous political year with a fiery speech on Saturday.

Cambodia's strongman leader Hun Sen lashed out at Western governments for pushing "democracy and human rights" on his country, capping off a tumultuous political year with a fiery speech on Saturday. The 66-year-old prime minister has ruled Cambodia for over three decades, with the Southeast Asian country tilting towards China in recent years thanks to loans for infrastructure and few complaints on human rights issues. His administration was renewed for another five years in July following elections critics condemned as a sham, inciting threats from the European Union to revoke duty-free access to EU countries. But Hun Sen remained defiant Saturday as he inaugurated a monument with carvings showcasing his government's achievements. "Don't make war by using what is called democracy and human rights, in which democratic countries used to make the mistake of supporting Lon Nol's coup," he said in a speech to thousands of officials. Lon Nol's US-backed regime was ousted by the ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge in 1975, jumpstarting four years of horror as Cambodians were forced to live on farming communes, endure hard labour, and were tortured and murdered if they were suspected of plotting against leader Pol Pot. Hun Sen was a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and had a role in toppling the genocidal regime in 1979, although the US later sought to keep the ousted Khmer Rouge at the table in the United Nations. "You as a democratic country ... supported Pol Pot, who used to kill people with no regards for respecting human rights," Hun Sen said, without naming the US. "You supported them to keep a seat at the UN." Cambodia's government dissolved the main opposition party and jailed its leader ahead of July elections in which it won every seat in parliament, transforming the nation into a one-party state.

Cambodia strongman Hun Sen derides 'democracy' in fiery speech

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/global-markets-stocks-dip-ahead-of-federal-news-oil-prices-drop-185217">Global investors</a> gravitated toward safe-haven assets on Friday as worries about the world economy persisted, cutting short a two-day rebound in Wall Street stocks.

US stock indexes seesawed, making it difficult to end one of the most brutal December selloffs in memory on a high note.

"Markets will likely remain treacherous in the New Year," Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Global Forex LLC, told clients.

After flirting with strong gains in the afternoon, the Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;

MSCI's index of global equities gained 0.57 per cent to bring the global benchmark to a weekly advance near 2 per cent.

Markets swung wildly in a week shortened by the Christmas holiday, starting with Wall Street's worst-ever Christmas Eve drop, pushing the S&amp;P 500 to within a whisker of bear market territory.

But efforts at a late Santa Claus rally failed to salve investors after a year that brought gains for very few categories of financial assets, from stocks to bonds and commodities. The global MSCI index, the S&amp;P 500, the Dow and the Nasdaq are each headed for their worst years since the 2008 financial crisis.

The dollar index dipped 0.14 per cent, with the euro up 0.14 per cent to $1.1445 and Japanese yen strengthening 0.75 per cent against the greenback at 110.17 per dollar. The greenback is down 1 per cent this month against a basket of major currencies.

That has boosted gold, a traditional safe haven whose appeal this year was hit by a stronger dollar, which makes the yellow metal more expensive to buyers with other currencies. Gold is perched at six-month highs of $1,280.11 an ounce.&nbsp;

The steady drumbeat of disappointing economic data reinforced caution, including Japan's slowing industrial output and retail sales, declining German inflation and US data for November showing contracts to buy previously owned homes fell unexpectedly in the latest sign of housing market weakness.

Breaking with the bad news, the Chicago Purchasing Management Index came in ahead of consensus.

Chris Bailey, a strategist at brokerage Raymond James Financial Inc, said dollar weakness was good news for non-US assets.

"If we get the transmission mechanism of a lower dollar, stocks outside the US are set up for a good 2019," Bailey said. "Once people get their heads around the fact the US is not going to have yet another double-digit return year in 2019, you can look elsewhere."

That would be a relief to world markets that largely underperformed the United States in 2018.

Bonds have also been helped in recent weeks by risk aversion. US benchmark 10-year Treasury notes last rose 8/32 in price to yield 2.7146 per cent, compared with 2.743 per cent late on Thursday.&nbsp;

Oil prices lifted a bit off two-year lows after a near 40 per cent decline this quarter with US West Texas Intermediate crude futures settling up 1.6 per cent to $45.33 per barrel.

The Energy Information Administration reported US crude stocks fell modestly last week.&nbsp;

Global investors gravitated toward safe-haven assets on Friday as worries about the world economy persisted, cutting short a two-day rebound in Wall Street stocks.

Global investors gravitated toward safe-haven assets on Friday as worries about the world economy persisted, cutting short a two-day rebound in Wall Street stocks. US stock indexes seesawed, making it difficult to end one of the most brutal December selloffs in memory on a high note. "Markets will likely remain treacherous in the New Year," Marc Chandler, chief market strategist at Bannockburn Global Forex LLC, told clients. After flirting with strong gains in the afternoon, the Dow Jones Industrial Average MSCI's index of global equities gained 0.57 per cent to bring the global benchmark to a weekly advance near 2 per cent. Markets swung wildly in a week shortened by the Christmas holiday, starting with Wall Street's worst-ever Christmas Eve drop, pushing the S&P 500 to within a whisker of bear market territory. But efforts at a late Santa Claus rally failed to salve investors after a year that brought gains for very few categories of financial assets, from stocks to bonds and commodities. The global MSCI index, the S&P 500, the Dow and the Nasdaq are each headed for their worst years since the 2008 financial crisis. The dollar index dipped 0.14 per cent, with the euro up 0.14 per cent to $1.1445 and Japanese yen strengthening 0.75 per cent against the greenback at 110.17 per dollar. The greenback is down 1 per cent this month against a basket of major currencies. That has boosted gold, a traditional safe haven whose appeal this year was hit by a stronger dollar, which makes the yellow metal more expensive to buyers with other currencies. Gold is perched at six-month highs of $1,280.11 an ounce. The steady drumbeat of disappointing economic data reinforced caution, including Japan's slowing industrial output and retail sales, declining German inflation and US data for November showing contracts to buy previously owned homes fell unexpectedly in the latest sign of housing market weakness. Breaking with the bad news, the Chicago Purchasing Management Index came in ahead of consensus. Chris Bailey, a strategist at brokerage Raymond James Financial Inc, said dollar weakness was good news for non-US assets. "If we get the transmission mechanism of a lower dollar, stocks outside the US are set up for a good 2019," Bailey said. "Once people get their heads around the fact the US is not going to have yet another double-digit return year in 2019, you can look elsewhere." That would be a relief to world markets that largely underperformed the United States in 2018. Bonds have also been helped in recent weeks by risk aversion. US benchmark 10-year Treasury notes last rose 8/32 in price to yield 2.7146 per cent, compared with 2.743 per cent late on Thursday. Oil prices lifted a bit off two-year lows after a near 40 per cent decline this quarter with US West Texas Intermediate crude futures settling up 1.6 per cent to $45.33 per barrel. The Energy Information Administration reported US crude stocks fell modestly last week.

Global markets: Equities markets limp to finish line after volatile week

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sears-files-for-bankruptcy-set-to-close-142-stores-in-us-171553">Sears Holdings Corp Chairman Eddie Lampert</a> submitted a $4.4 billion takeover bid for the bankrupt US retailer, representing its only chance of escaping liquidation and laying off tens of thousands of workers, a spokesman for the billionaire's hedge fund said on Friday.

Lampert's bid is backed in part by $1.3 billion in financing from three different financial institutions, the spokesman for his hedge fund, ESL Investments Inc, said. It would preserve about 425 stores that Sears has yet to close and secure the jobs of up to 50,000 workers out of the 68,000 employed by the retailer. An affiliate of ESL, Transform Holdco LLC, submitted the bid, the spokesman said.

People familiar with the matter said the financing comes from Sears' existing lenders Bank of America Corp and Citigroup Inc, as well Royal Bank of Canada, which was not previously a lender, which together agreed to provide a $950 million asset-based loan and a $350 million revolving credit line.

Some of Lampert's bid relies on $1.8 billion of Sears debt that ESL already holds and plans to forgive to back the offer, the sources said. The bid also includes about $400 million in financing from non-bank lenders, the sources said.

The bid contemplates assuming protection agreements Sears has previously sold to reassure customers who have bought appliances, televisions, lawn tractors and other big-ticket items, the ESL spokesman said.

"Factoring for all considerations, we believe that our going concern bid provides the best path forward for the company, the best option to save tens of thousands of jobs and is superior for all of Sears’ stakeholders to the alternative of complete liquidation," the ESL spokesman said. "Much work remains and there is no assurance our proposal will be completed."

Sears will now evaluate the bid to determine whether it is viable, and there remains a possibility the company could reject it, some of the sources said.

A Sears spokeswoman declined to comment. Bank representatives either had no immediate comment or did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A US bankruptcy court judge must approve any sale of Sears. The judge will weigh the opinions of other stakeholders, including unsecured creditors who have argued they could recover more of their investment if the department store operator winds down.

Without the financing or another buyer, Sears faces the prospect of closing its doors for good and putting roughly 68,000 people out of work.

The 125-year-old retailer filed for bankruptcy on October 15 and developed plans to restructure around the sale of 500 stores and businesses including Kenmore, DieHard and the company's home services division. Only Lampert's ESL offered to buy the entire company.

The only other bids Sears has received are from suitors interested in pieces of the company and liquidators prepared to run going-out-of-business sales at stores and shut down the retailer.

Sears dates back to the late 1880s. Its mail-order catalogues with merchandise ranging from toys, medicine and gramophones to automobiles, kit houses and tombstones made it the Amazon.com Inc of its time.

But the iconic retailer gradually lost its shine as consumers increasingly favoured brick-and-mortar rivals such as Walmart Inc and Target Corp and e-commerce.

Lampert, who through ESL is Sears' biggest shareholder and creditor, formed Sears Holdings in 2005 by acquiring Sears Roebuck in an $11 billion deal and combining it with discount chain Kmart, which he had also taken over.

Lampert had pledged to restore Sears to its glory days when it owned the Sears Tower in Chicago, then the world's tallest building, and companies that included a radio station and Allstate insurance. But the company stopped turning a profit in 2011, and it gradually started to sell assets, such as its legendary Craftsman brand and many of its properties, to stay afloat.

Sears Holdings listed $6.9 billion in assets and $11.3 billion in liabilities in documents filed in the US Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

The largest US toy retailer, Toys ‘R’ Us, tried to emerge from its 2017 bankruptcy filing but was forced to liquidate six months later after creditors lost confidence in its turnaround plan.

Sears Holdings Corp Chairman Eddie Lampert submitted a $4.4 billion takeover bid for the bankrupt US retailer, representing its only chance of escaping liquidation and laying off tens of thousands of workers, a spokesman for the billionaire's hedge fund said on Friday.

Sears Holdings Corp Chairman Eddie Lampert submitted a $4.4 billion takeover bid for the bankrupt US retailer, representing its only chance of escaping liquidation and laying off tens of thousands of workers, a spokesman for the billionaire's hedge fund said on Friday. Lampert's bid is backed in part by $1.3 billion in financing from three different financial institutions, the spokesman for his hedge fund, ESL Investments Inc, said. It would preserve about 425 stores that Sears has yet to close and secure the jobs of up to 50,000 workers out of the 68,000 employed by the retailer. An affiliate of ESL, Transform Holdco LLC, submitted the bid, the spokesman said. People familiar with the matter said the financing comes from Sears' existing lenders Bank of America Corp and Citigroup Inc, as well Royal Bank of Canada, which was not previously a lender, which together agreed to provide a $950 million asset-based loan and a $350 million revolving credit line. Some of Lampert's bid relies on $1.8 billion of Sears debt that ESL already holds and plans to forgive to back the offer, the sources said. The bid also includes about $400 million in financing from non-bank lenders, the sources said. The bid contemplates assuming protection agreements Sears has previously sold to reassure customers who have bought appliances, televisions, lawn tractors and other big-ticket items, the ESL spokesman said. "Factoring for all considerations, we believe that our going concern bid provides the best path forward for the company, the best option to save tens of thousands of jobs and is superior for all of Sears’ stakeholders to the alternative of complete liquidation," the ESL spokesman said. "Much work remains and there is no assurance our proposal will be completed." Sears will now evaluate the bid to determine whether it is viable, and there remains a possibility the company could reject it, some of the sources said. A Sears spokeswoman declined to comment. Bank representatives either had no immediate comment or did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A US bankruptcy court judge must approve any sale of Sears. The judge will weigh the opinions of other stakeholders, including unsecured creditors who have argued they could recover more of their investment if the department store operator winds down. Without the financing or another buyer, Sears faces the prospect of closing its doors for good and putting roughly 68,000 people out of work. The 125-year-old retailer filed for bankruptcy on October 15 and developed plans to restructure around the sale of 500 stores and businesses including Kenmore, DieHard and the company's home services division. Only Lampert's ESL offered to buy the entire company. The only other bids Sears has received are from suitors interested in pieces of the company and liquidators prepared to run going-out-of-business sales at stores and shut down the retailer. Sears dates back to the late 1880s. Its mail-order catalogues with merchandise ranging from toys, medicine and gramophones to automobiles, kit houses and tombstones made it the Amazon.com Inc of its time. But the iconic retailer gradually lost its shine as consumers increasingly favoured brick-and-mortar rivals such as Walmart Inc and Target Corp and e-commerce. Lampert, who through ESL is Sears' biggest shareholder and creditor, formed Sears Holdings in 2005 by acquiring Sears Roebuck in an $11 billion deal and combining it with discount chain Kmart, which he had also taken over. Lampert had pledged to restore Sears to its glory days when it owned the Sears Tower in Chicago, then the world's tallest building, and companies that included a radio station and Allstate insurance. But the company stopped turning a profit in 2011, and it gradually started to sell assets, such as its legendary Craftsman brand and many of its properties, to stay afloat. Sears Holdings listed $6.9 billion in assets and $11.3 billion in liabilities in documents filed in the US Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York. The largest US toy retailer, Toys ‘R’ Us, tried to emerge from its 2017 bankruptcy filing but was forced to liquidate six months later after creditors lost confidence in its turnaround plan.

Sears Chairman Lampert makes $4.4 billion bid to keep retailer alive

Commodity traders are in the dark because of the partial<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-congress-meets-briefly-takes-no-action-on-shutdown-186889"> US government shutdown</a>, unable to see daily and weekly reports of agricultural exports to obtain clues as to whether China is following through with promises to buy grain and soy amid the ongoing trade war.

Traders have been anxiously awaiting proof from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-how-partial-shutdown-of-us-government-could-play-out-186861">US Department</a> of Agriculture that China is ramping up purchases of grains and soy from US farmers, who are preparing their spring planting and trying to secure financing for seeds, fertiliser and land rents.

Now, trade experts and grain analysts warn the suspension of the reports is clouding the marketplace and potentially giving an advantage to big grain companies directly involved in the export trade. The government shut down partially at midnight on December 21.

"We're watching sales to China like a hawk," said Ted Seifried, vice president and chief ag market strategist for the Zaner Group.

Beijing resumed buying US cargoes earlier this month, after the two countries agreed on December 1 to a trade war truce. But hefty tariffs on US cargoes remain in place, and there is uncertainty over how much the top US soybean customer will purchase.

The gap also gives the large commercial grain merchants - such as Archer Daniels Midland Co, Bunge Ltd, Cargill Inc and Louis Dreyfus Corp - an advantage by allowing them to keep their export deals with countries like China and Mexico out of the public marketplace.

ADM and Cargill said on Friday they had no comment. The other two companies could not immediately be reached for comment.

Rich Feltes, vice president for research with Chicago-based brokerage R.J. O'Brien, said the absence of USDA export sales data can increase the risk involved in trading agricultural markets, pushing speculators to the side.

"It gives a little bit of unfair advantage to exporters who either are or are not making sales and can trade that information accordingly," he said.

Along with its weekly export sales reports, the USDA has issued daily announcements of grain and soybean sales over 100,000 tonnes since 1977. The reporting system was launched in response to the purchase of millions of tonnes of US grain by the Soviet Union in 1972 in deals that resulted in soaring US grain and food prices

FARMERS AT RISK

University of Illinois agricultural economist Scott Irwin said the partial shutdown could also deal a blow to farmers suffering from the US-China dispute, by delaying aid payments meant to help offset some of the losses for crops hit by retaliatory Chinese tariffs in a trade war launched by US President Donald Trump.

"If you're talking about cash in the farmer's pocket, the longer this goes on, the longer it's going to delay that program, which is really just getting ramped up," Irwin said.

The shutdown entered its seventh day on Friday and was on track to continue into next week and possibly longer. It affects about 800,000 employees of the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, and other agencies.

If the shutdown persists, it also could jeopardise the release of a host of hotly anticipated monthly and quarterly grain supply and demand reports.

The USDA on Friday reiterated that the shutdown if it continues, would halt its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report and reports by its National Agricultural Statistics Service, which tracks quarterly US grain stocks and US winter wheat seedings.

Those reports, along with an annual summary of US crop production, were scheduled for release on January 11.

In the reports, Feltes said analysts expected to see the USDA trim its estimates of the average 2018 US corn and soybean yields, imply strong feed usage of corn in the first quarter, and shed light on how many acres of winter wheat farmers were able to plant this past autumn, given excessive rains in many areas.

"Those are all bullish influences that we are going to be denied confirmation of," he said.

Commodity traders are in the dark because of the partial US government shutdown, unable to see daily and weekly reports of agricultural exports to obtain clues as to whether China is following through with promises to buy grain and soy amid the ongoing trade war.

Commodity traders are in the dark because of the partial US government shutdown, unable to see daily and weekly reports of agricultural exports to obtain clues as to whether China is following through with promises to buy grain and soy amid the ongoing trade war. Traders have been anxiously awaiting proof from the US Department of Agriculture that China is ramping up purchases of grains and soy from US farmers, who are preparing their spring planting and trying to secure financing for seeds, fertiliser and land rents. Now, trade experts and grain analysts warn the suspension of the reports is clouding the marketplace and potentially giving an advantage to big grain companies directly involved in the export trade. The government shut down partially at midnight on December 21. "We're watching sales to China like a hawk," said Ted Seifried, vice president and chief ag market strategist for the Zaner Group. Beijing resumed buying US cargoes earlier this month, after the two countries agreed on December 1 to a trade war truce. But hefty tariffs on US cargoes remain in place, and there is uncertainty over how much the top US soybean customer will purchase. The gap also gives the large commercial grain merchants - such as Archer Daniels Midland Co, Bunge Ltd, Cargill Inc and Louis Dreyfus Corp - an advantage by allowing them to keep their export deals with countries like China and Mexico out of the public marketplace. ADM and Cargill said on Friday they had no comment. The other two companies could not immediately be reached for comment. Rich Feltes, vice president for research with Chicago-based brokerage R.J. O'Brien, said the absence of USDA export sales data can increase the risk involved in trading agricultural markets, pushing speculators to the side. "It gives a little bit of unfair advantage to exporters who either are or are not making sales and can trade that information accordingly," he said. Along with its weekly export sales reports, the USDA has issued daily announcements of grain and soybean sales over 100,000 tonnes since 1977. The reporting system was launched in response to the purchase of millions of tonnes of US grain by the Soviet Union in 1972 in deals that resulted in soaring US grain and food prices FARMERS AT RISK University of Illinois agricultural economist Scott Irwin said the partial shutdown could also deal a blow to farmers suffering from the US-China dispute, by delaying aid payments meant to help offset some of the losses for crops hit by retaliatory Chinese tariffs in a trade war launched by US President Donald Trump. "If you're talking about cash in the farmer's pocket, the longer this goes on, the longer it's going to delay that program, which is really just getting ramped up," Irwin said. The shutdown entered its seventh day on Friday and was on track to continue into next week and possibly longer. It affects about 800,000 employees of the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, and other agencies. If the shutdown persists, it also could jeopardise the release of a host of hotly anticipated monthly and quarterly grain supply and demand reports. The USDA on Friday reiterated that the shutdown if it continues, would halt its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report and reports by its National Agricultural Statistics Service, which tracks quarterly US grain stocks and US winter wheat seedings. Those reports, along with an annual summary of US crop production, were scheduled for release on January 11. In the reports, Feltes said analysts expected to see the USDA trim its estimates of the average 2018 US corn and soybean yields, imply strong feed usage of corn in the first quarter, and shed light on how many acres of winter wheat farmers were able to plant this past autumn, given excessive rains in many areas. "Those are all bullish influences that we are going to be denied confirmation of," he said.

Is China buying US soy? Washington shutdown keeps traders guessing

Chinese firms are encouraging staff to buy Huawei smartphones following Canada’s arrest of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/britain-voices-grave-concerns-over-chinas-huawei-186842">a top Huawei executive</a> on a US extradition request, which has triggered an outpouring of nationalist support.

Several companies are offering employees subsidies for Huawei phone purchases, while others have even warned staff against buying Apple products.&nbsp;

In eastern China, Fuchun Technology said "nearly sixty" out of its 200 employees have taken advantage of 100 to 500 yuan ($15 to $29) Huawei phone subsidies as of Saturday.&nbsp;

Another tech firm, Chengdu RYD Information Technology, has offered 15 per cent subsidies, though it declined to disclose how many employees have actually taken advantage of the benefits.

"We are supportive of good China-made brands," a spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the subsidies are part of employee benefits and were not "guided by the government."

One company has even threatened to fine employees who buy iPhones, charging them 100 per cent of the smartphone's market price.&nbsp;

"Stop buying US brands for company equipment," Shenzhen-based Men pad said in an internal notice, confirmed by AFP.

The surge of patriotism began after Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer, was detained in Canada on December 1 on a US extradition request linked to sanctions-breaking business dealings with Iran.

She has since been released on bail pending her <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-mulls-new-year-executive-order-to-bar-huawei-zte-purchases-186787">US extradition hearing</a> and is now living under electronic surveillance in a luxury home in Vancouver.

Ottawa has repeatedly said Meng's arrest was not political but rather part of a judicial process in keeping with an extradition treaty with Washington.

But some in China see Meng's arrest as part of a broader conspiracy to suppress China's high-tech enterprises, with nationalist tabloid Global Times accusing Washington of "resorting to a despicable rogue's approach" because it cannot stop Huawei's progress in the 5G market.

The internal notices announcing the Huawei subsidies started circulating on China’s Twitter-like Weibo earlier this month, and have split Chinese internet opinion.

Some users were in favour of buying phones in the name of patriotism, while others questioned whether or not Chinese firms were simply leveraging Huawei's case as a marketing strategy or branding opportunity.

"Those companies are conscientious for standing by Huawei’s side," praised one Weibo user, using a thumb's up emoji. "The government should also publish an official document to support domestic brands."

But another user, who said they supported Huawei, criticised the practice of punishing staff who purchase Apple products. To win respect, domestic tech brands should "keep fighting despite setbacks and adopt an attitude of not accepting defeat," they said.

Chinese firms are encouraging staff to buy Huawei smartphones following Canada’s arrest of a top Huawei executive on a US extradition request, which has triggered an outpouring of nationalist support.

Chinese firms are encouraging staff to buy Huawei smartphones following Canada’s arrest of a top Huawei executive on a US extradition request, which has triggered an outpouring of nationalist support. Several companies are offering employees subsidies for Huawei phone purchases, while others have even warned staff against buying Apple products. In eastern China, Fuchun Technology said "nearly sixty" out of its 200 employees have taken advantage of 100 to 500 yuan ($15 to $29) Huawei phone subsidies as of Saturday. Another tech firm, Chengdu RYD Information Technology, has offered 15 per cent subsidies, though it declined to disclose how many employees have actually taken advantage of the benefits. "We are supportive of good China-made brands," a spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the subsidies are part of employee benefits and were not "guided by the government." One company has even threatened to fine employees who buy iPhones, charging them 100 per cent of the smartphone's market price. "Stop buying US brands for company equipment," Shenzhen-based Men pad said in an internal notice, confirmed by AFP. The surge of patriotism began after Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer, was detained in Canada on December 1 on a US extradition request linked to sanctions-breaking business dealings with Iran. She has since been released on bail pending her US extradition hearing and is now living under electronic surveillance in a luxury home in Vancouver. Ottawa has repeatedly said Meng's arrest was not political but rather part of a judicial process in keeping with an extradition treaty with Washington. But some in China see Meng's arrest as part of a broader conspiracy to suppress China's high-tech enterprises, with nationalist tabloid Global Times accusing Washington of "resorting to a despicable rogue's approach" because it cannot stop Huawei's progress in the 5G market. The internal notices announcing the Huawei subsidies started circulating on China’s Twitter-like Weibo earlier this month, and have split Chinese internet opinion. Some users were in favour of buying phones in the name of patriotism, while others questioned whether or not Chinese firms were simply leveraging Huawei's case as a marketing strategy or branding opportunity. "Those companies are conscientious for standing by Huawei’s side," praised one Weibo user, using a thumb's up emoji. "The government should also publish an official document to support domestic brands." But another user, who said they supported Huawei, criticised the practice of punishing staff who purchase Apple products. To win respect, domestic tech brands should "keep fighting despite setbacks and adopt an attitude of not accepting defeat," they said.

Chinese firms support Huawei phones by offering subsidies

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">Mexican and US citizens </a>who live near the border separating San Diego and Tijuana said a threat from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-entirely-close-us-mexico-border-unless-wall-demands-met-187046">US President Donald Trump </a>to close the southern US border with Mexico unless he gets the money he wants for a wall would wreak havoc on their livelihoods.

Tens of thousands of Mexicans enter the United States daily to work or study and closure of the border could mean they can no longer cross upending their lives.

Asked about Trump's threat on Friday (December 28), Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters it was an internal US government matter.

Lopez Obrador added, however: "Of course we will always defend our sovereignty ... we have already demonstrated our respect for (migrants) human right to migrate."

Mexican and US citizens who live near the border separating San Diego and Tijuana said a threat from US President Donald Trump to close the southern US border with Mexico unless he gets the money he wants for a wall would wreak havoc on their livelihoods.

Mexican and US citizens who live near the border separating San Diego and Tijuana said a threat from US President Donald Trump to close the southern US border with Mexico unless he gets the money he wants for a wall would wreak havoc on their livelihoods. Tens of thousands of Mexicans enter the United States daily to work or study and closure of the border could mean they can no longer cross upending their lives. Asked about Trump's threat on Friday (December 28), Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters it was an internal US government matter. Lopez Obrador added, however: "Of course we will always defend our sovereignty ... we have already demonstrated our respect for (migrants) human right to migrate."

People living near border slam Trump’s threat to close US border with Mexico

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-enters-manbij-in-new-alliance-with-kurds-187070">US commanders</a> planning for the withdrawal of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-claims-entering-key-city-manbij-in-new-alliance-with-kurds-187101">US troops from Syria </a>are recommending that Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep US-supplied weapons, four US officials said, a move that would likely anger NATO ally Turkey.

Three of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the recommendations were part of discussions on a draft plan by<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-not-in-manbij-city-us-military-187071"> the US military</a>. It is unclear what the Pentagon will ultimately recommend to the White House.

Discussions are still at an early stage inside the Pentagon and no decision has yet been made, the officials said. The plan will then be presented to the White House in the coming days with US President Donald Trump making the final decision.

The Pentagon said it would be "inappropriate" and premature to comment on what will happen with the weapons.&nbsp;

"Planning is ongoing, and focused on executing a deliberate and controlled withdrawal of forces while taking all measures possible to ensure our troops'&nbsp;safety," said Commander Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman.

The White House did not comment.&nbsp;

Trump last week abruptly ordered a complete withdrawal of US troops from Syria, drawing widespread criticism and prompting Defense Secretary Jim Mattis'&nbsp;resignation.

The US officials said Trump's announcement has upset US commanders, who view his decision as a betrayal of the Kurdish YPG militia, which has led the fight to eradicate Islamic State from northeastern Syria.

Ankara views the YPG as an extension of a Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey. Turkey has threatened to launch an offensive against the YPG, raising fears of a surge in violence that could harm hundreds of thousands of civilians.&nbsp;

The United States told the YPG that they would be armed by Washington until the fight against Islamic State was completed, one of the US officials said.

"The fight isn't over. We can't simply start asking for the weapons back," said the official.

The proposal to leave US-supplied weapons with the YPG, which could include anti-tank missiles, armoured vehicles and mortars, would reassure Kurdish allies that they were not being abandoned.

But Turkey wants the United States to take the weapons back, so the commanders'&nbsp;recommendation, if confirmed, could complicate Trump's plan to allow Turkey to finish off the fight against Islamic State inside Syria.

The Pentagon keeps records of the weapons it has supplied to the YPG and their chain of custody. But, the US officials said, it would be nearly impossible to locate all of the equipment.

"How are we going to get them back and who is going to take them back?" one of the officials asked.

The debate over whether to leave weapons with the YPG coincides with Trump's national security adviser John Bolton's visit to Turkey and Israel next week for talks on Syria.

In May 2017, the United States started distributing arms and equipment to the YPG for an offensive against Raqqa, the de facto capital of the self-declared caliphate that Islamic State overran in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The United States told Turkey that it would take back the weapons after the defeat of Islamic State, which has lost all but a few slivers of territory in northeastern Syria.

"The idea that we'd be able to recover them is asinine. So we leave them where they are," said a US&nbsp;official.

A person familiar with the discussions of the US withdrawal plan said the White House and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan would oppose the proposal to allow the YPG to keep its US-supplied weapons.

The recommendation "is a rejection of Trump's policy to withdraw from Syria," said the person, who asked not to be further identified.

Turkey has said weapons supplied to the YPG have in the past ended up in&nbsp;the hands of its Kurdish separatists, and described any weapon given to the insurgents as a threat to Turkey's security.

A phone call between Trump and Erdogan led to the decision to withdraw all US forces from Syria.&nbsp;

In the call two weeks ago, Trump had been expected to deliver a standard warning to the Turkish president over his plan to launch a cross-border attack targeting US-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, US officials said.

Instead, in the course of the conversation, Trump reshaped US policy in the Middle East, abandoning a quarter of Syrian territory and handing Turkey the job of finishing off Islamic State in Syria.

US commanders planning for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria are recommending that Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep US-supplied weapons, four US officials said, a move that would likely anger NATO ally Turkey.

US commanders planning for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria are recommending that Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep US-supplied weapons, four US officials said, a move that would likely anger NATO ally Turkey. Three of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the recommendations were part of discussions on a draft plan by the US military. It is unclear what the Pentagon will ultimately recommend to the White House. Discussions are still at an early stage inside the Pentagon and no decision has yet been made, the officials said. The plan will then be presented to the White House in the coming days with US President Donald Trump making the final decision. The Pentagon said it would be "inappropriate" and premature to comment on what will happen with the weapons. "Planning is ongoing, and focused on executing a deliberate and controlled withdrawal of forces while taking all measures possible to ensure our troops' safety," said Commander Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman. The White House did not comment. Trump last week abruptly ordered a complete withdrawal of US troops from Syria, drawing widespread criticism and prompting Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation. The US officials said Trump's announcement has upset US commanders, who view his decision as a betrayal of the Kurdish YPG militia, which has led the fight to eradicate Islamic State from northeastern Syria. Ankara views the YPG as an extension of a Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey. Turkey has threatened to launch an offensive against the YPG, raising fears of a surge in violence that could harm hundreds of thousands of civilians. The United States told the YPG that they would be armed by Washington until the fight against Islamic State was completed, one of the US officials said. "The fight isn't over. We can't simply start asking for the weapons back," said the official. The proposal to leave US-supplied weapons with the YPG, which could include anti-tank missiles, armoured vehicles and mortars, would reassure Kurdish allies that they were not being abandoned. But Turkey wants the United States to take the weapons back, so the commanders' recommendation, if confirmed, could complicate Trump's plan to allow Turkey to finish off the fight against Islamic State inside Syria. The Pentagon keeps records of the weapons it has supplied to the YPG and their chain of custody. But, the US officials said, it would be nearly impossible to locate all of the equipment. "How are we going to get them back and who is going to take them back?" one of the officials asked. The debate over whether to leave weapons with the YPG coincides with Trump's national security adviser John Bolton's visit to Turkey and Israel next week for talks on Syria. In May 2017, the United States started distributing arms and equipment to the YPG for an offensive against Raqqa, the de facto capital of the self-declared caliphate that Islamic State overran in Iraq and Syria in 2014. The United States told Turkey that it would take back the weapons after the defeat of Islamic State, which has lost all but a few slivers of territory in northeastern Syria. "The idea that we'd be able to recover them is asinine. So we leave them where they are," said a US official. A person familiar with the discussions of the US withdrawal plan said the White House and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan would oppose the proposal to allow the YPG to keep its US-supplied weapons. The recommendation "is a rejection of Trump's policy to withdraw from Syria," said the person, who asked not to be further identified. Turkey has said weapons supplied to the YPG have in the past ended up in the hands of its Kurdish separatists, and described any weapon given to the insurgents as a threat to Turkey's security. A phone call between Trump and Erdogan led to the decision to withdraw all US forces from Syria. In the call two weeks ago, Trump had been expected to deliver a standard warning to the Turkish president over his plan to launch a cross-border attack targeting US-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, US officials said. Instead, in the course of the conversation, Trump reshaped US policy in the Middle East, abandoning a quarter of Syrian territory and handing Turkey the job of finishing off Islamic State in Syria.

US commanders recommend Kurdish fighters in Syria to go on keeping weapons

Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro met with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-parliament-formally-sets-april-9-election-date-in-dissolution-vote-186749">Israeli Prime Minister</a> Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and while both pledged to deepen ties, there was no announcement as some anticipated of Brazil moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-under-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-key-dates-177545">Netanyahu,</a> the first Israeli prime minister to visit Brazil, flew in to Rio de Janeiro to meet with Bolsonaro, an ideological ally who takes office on January 1 after his election victory in October. The two men had lunch in a fort on Copacabana beach before delivering statements.

"Israel is the promised land. Brazil is the land of promise," said Netanyahu, adding that Israel could help in areas such as economics, security, agriculture and water resources.

Bolsonaro pledged he would visit Israel by March as a way to thank Netanyahu for the gesture.

"We will be starting a difficult government from January, but Brazil has potential," Bolsonaro said. "So that we can overcome obstacles, we need good allies, good friends, good brothers, like Benjamin Netanyahu."

The two also visited a synagogue among tight security including snipers on nearby roofs, where Netanyahu emphasized his hopes the two countries could operate in a more aligned and friendly manner in the future.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro and top aides have repeatedly said he would move Brazil`s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but since his election, he has come under pressure to ditch the idea from powerful backers in the agricultural sector, who fear the decision would hurt their halal meat sales in Arab countries.

The Arab League had told Bolsonaro that moving the embassy to Jerusalem would be a setback for relations with Arab countries, according to a letter seen by Reuters earlier in December.

Such a move by Bolsonaro would be a sharp shift in Brazilian foreign policy as it was for the United States when President Donald Trump relocated the US embassy to Jerusalem in May. Brazil has traditionally backed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Some political observers had speculated that Bolsonaro would use Netanyahu's visit as the perfect way to make the announcement.

Bolsonaro discussed Israel during a meeting in Rio with Trump`s national security adviser, John Bolton, late last month.

Although Bolsonaro could well make the announcement at a later stage, a senior US State Department official said on Friday the US government expected him to eventually make the move.&nbsp;

"We also welcome President-elect Bolsonaro`s comments regarding moving the Brazilian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in support of Israel`s sovereign right to have its capital of Jerusalem recognized by nations around the world. We look forward to welcoming many more of our friends and allies in Jerusalem," the official said.

Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and while both pledged to deepen ties, there was no announcement as some anticipated of Brazil moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Brazil's far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday and while both pledged to deepen ties, there was no announcement as some anticipated of Brazil moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Netanyahu, the first Israeli prime minister to visit Brazil, flew in to Rio de Janeiro to meet with Bolsonaro, an ideological ally who takes office on January 1 after his election victory in October. The two men had lunch in a fort on Copacabana beach before delivering statements. "Israel is the promised land. Brazil is the land of promise," said Netanyahu, adding that Israel could help in areas such as economics, security, agriculture and water resources. Bolsonaro pledged he would visit Israel by March as a way to thank Netanyahu for the gesture. "We will be starting a difficult government from January, but Brazil has potential," Bolsonaro said. "So that we can overcome obstacles, we need good allies, good friends, good brothers, like Benjamin Netanyahu." The two also visited a synagogue among tight security including snipers on nearby roofs, where Netanyahu emphasized his hopes the two countries could operate in a more aligned and friendly manner in the future. Bolsonaro and top aides have repeatedly said he would move Brazil`s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but since his election, he has come under pressure to ditch the idea from powerful backers in the agricultural sector, who fear the decision would hurt their halal meat sales in Arab countries. The Arab League had told Bolsonaro that moving the embassy to Jerusalem would be a setback for relations with Arab countries, according to a letter seen by Reuters earlier in December. Such a move by Bolsonaro would be a sharp shift in Brazilian foreign policy as it was for the United States when President Donald Trump relocated the US embassy to Jerusalem in May. Brazil has traditionally backed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some political observers had speculated that Bolsonaro would use Netanyahu's visit as the perfect way to make the announcement. Bolsonaro discussed Israel during a meeting in Rio with Trump`s national security adviser, John Bolton, late last month. Although Bolsonaro could well make the announcement at a later stage, a senior US State Department official said on Friday the US government expected him to eventually make the move. "We also welcome President-elect Bolsonaro`s comments regarding moving the Brazilian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv in support of Israel`s sovereign right to have its capital of Jerusalem recognized by nations around the world. We look forward to welcoming many more of our friends and allies in Jerusalem," the official said.

No embassy move announced as Brazil's Bolsonaro hosts Israel's Netanyahu

In an embarrassment to Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani dictator, in a leaked video, was purportedly seen seeking covert US support to regain power and telling American lawmakers that he was "ashamed" of the ISI being negligent about the al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden's whereabouts.&nbsp;

The undated video clips, which have been posted by dissident Pakistani columnist Gul Bukhari, also shows the self-exiled former president as saying that he thinks that the negligence of the ISI was "pardonable" as the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11.

General (retd) Musharraf, 75, was Pakistan's president between 2001 and 2008, before resigning to avoid impeachment.&nbsp;

The former army chief has been living in Dubai since March 2016 after he left for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. He is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014.&nbsp;

"All I am saying is, I have certain credentials from the past. I need to come (to power) again and I need to be supported. Not overtly, but in a covert manner. So that we win again," Musharraf is seen as telling US lawmakers in one of the leaked video of the meeting.&nbsp;

When posed with tough questions, he rued that US lawmakers "are too involved in minor tactics".

He also claimed that Pakistan used the money, given by the US for fight against terrorist, to bring down the poverty from 34 per cent to 17 per cent.

To which, those present in the meeting were quick to point out that none of the US Congress members voted for US $20 billion aid to Pakistan in the last 10 years because of poverty.&nbsp;

Money was given to Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban, the lawmakers said, to which the former Pakistan president sought the US to help him get back to power.

In the first video clip, he is seen walking in the corridors of the US House of Representatives. The video clips seems to be from 2012, after he was ousted from power.&nbsp;

In the third segment of the clip, Musharraf is seen in conversation with a lobbyist and Chairman of the powerful American Jewish Congress Jack Rosen during an informal get-together. One of those present in that meeting was Congressman Gary Ackerman.

He argues that there was no complicity in Pakistan not being able to find out Osama bin-Laden.

"There are aspersions against Pakistan of hiding Osama bin Laden," Musharraf says in his meeting with US Congressmen.&nbsp;

"First of all, is the US against Pakistan, or annoyed with the Army and ISI, because they believe there was complicity? My view is that there was no complicity and I would like to say a few words on that," he told the lawmakers.

"There was negligence. Certainly. And we are all ashamed. Even, I, though I am not in the government now, I am ashamed that there was this level of negligence by the ISI that we did not know. I think negligence is pardonable," he said, adding that the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11.&nbsp;

Referring to the 18 people being trained in the US, Musharraf alleged that CIA being such a big organisation was sleeping.&nbsp;

"ISI was also sleeping. Let's leave it at that," he said.

In an embarrassment to Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani dictator, in a leaked video, was purportedly seen seeking covert US support to regain power and telling American lawmakers that he was "ashamed" of the ISI being negligent about the al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden's whereabouts.

In an embarrassment to Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani dictator, in a leaked video, was purportedly seen seeking covert US support to regain power and telling American lawmakers that he was "ashamed" of the ISI being negligent about the al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden's whereabouts. The undated video clips, which have been posted by dissident Pakistani columnist Gul Bukhari, also shows the self-exiled former president as saying that he thinks that the negligence of the ISI was "pardonable" as the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11. General (retd) Musharraf, 75, was Pakistan's president between 2001 and 2008, before resigning to avoid impeachment. The former army chief has been living in Dubai since March 2016 after he left for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. He is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007, a punishable offence for which he was indicted in 2014. "All I am saying is, I have certain credentials from the past. I need to come (to power) again and I need to be supported. Not overtly, but in a covert manner. So that we win again," Musharraf is seen as telling US lawmakers in one of the leaked video of the meeting. When posed with tough questions, he rued that US lawmakers "are too involved in minor tactics". He also claimed that Pakistan used the money, given by the US for fight against terrorist, to bring down the poverty from 34 per cent to 17 per cent. To which, those present in the meeting were quick to point out that none of the US Congress members voted for US $20 billion aid to Pakistan in the last 10 years because of poverty. Money was given to Pakistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban, the lawmakers said, to which the former Pakistan president sought the US to help him get back to power. In the first video clip, he is seen walking in the corridors of the US House of Representatives. The video clips seems to be from 2012, after he was ousted from power. In the third segment of the clip, Musharraf is seen in conversation with a lobbyist and Chairman of the powerful American Jewish Congress Jack Rosen during an informal get-together. One of those present in that meeting was Congressman Gary Ackerman. He argues that there was no complicity in Pakistan not being able to find out Osama bin-Laden. "There are aspersions against Pakistan of hiding Osama bin Laden," Musharraf says in his meeting with US Congressmen. "First of all, is the US against Pakistan, or annoyed with the Army and ISI, because they believe there was complicity? My view is that there was no complicity and I would like to say a few words on that," he told the lawmakers. "There was negligence. Certainly. And we are all ashamed. Even, I, though I am not in the government now, I am ashamed that there was this level of negligence by the ISI that we did not know. I think negligence is pardonable," he said, adding that the CIA was also involved in same level of negligence on 9/11. Referring to the 18 people being trained in the US, Musharraf alleged that CIA being such a big organisation was sleeping. "ISI was also sleeping. Let's leave it at that," he said.

Leaked video shows Musharraf seeking covert US support to regain power

A motorist was killed in Kansas on Thursday in a crash blamed on a fierce blizzard slamming the US&nbsp;Midwest and Southeast that also canceled or delayed thousands of airline flights and injured two people on a commercial jet over the Dallas area.

The traffic fatal crash along Interstate 70 near the city of Oakely prompted the Kansas Highway Patrol to shut down a portion of the major east-west artery.

"Please stay off the roads and stay safe, give (the Kansas Department of Transportation) time to clear ... them, it's not worth your life," Trooper Tod Hileman, the highway patrol's public information officer, said on Twitter.

No other details were immediately available on the collision; the name of the victim was not released. Hileman said roads were expected to remain snow-packed and icy into Friday.

The fatality came as parts of the US&nbsp;Midwest and Southeast were inundated with the first wave of heavy snow and rain expected in the central United States through the weekend, said Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

"Through this morning there have already been amounts as high as 6 to 10 inches across those areas and additional snowfall of 10 inches is possible throughout the day and tonight," Chenard said. "Travel is going to be very difficult across the areas under weather and blizzard warnings."

A passenger and a flight attendant suffered knee and back pain after an American Eagle flight operated by Mesa Airlines hit turbulence over the Dallas-Fort Worth area, American Airlines said in a statement.

Flight 5781, a Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft that departed from San Luis Potosi International Airport in Mexico carrying 75 passengers and four crew members, was diverted to Austin, Texas.

The plane landed safely and the injured passenger and crew member were treated and released from a hospital in Austin, the airline said.

The blizzard contributed to the cancellation of 865 flights and delayed another 7,000, according to FlightAware.com.

In the Midwest, winter storm and blizzard warnings were in effect for parts of Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, the National Weather Service said.

Chenard said the storm system caused heavy rain and thunderstorms with the risk of flash floods in the southeastern United States. A tornado watch for parts of central and southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas were in effect on Thursday.

Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer on Wednesday declared a state of emergency. "We hope that travelers will be wise by paying attention to weather alerts and not unnecessarily placing themselves in harm's way as the storm moves through," Colyer said in a statement.

A motorist was killed in Kansas on Thursday in a crash blamed on a fierce blizzard slamming the US Midwest and Southeast that also canceled or delayed thousands of airline flights and injured two people on a commercial jet over the Dallas area.

A motorist was killed in Kansas on Thursday in a crash blamed on a fierce blizzard slamming the US Midwest and Southeast that also canceled or delayed thousands of airline flights and injured two people on a commercial jet over the Dallas area. The traffic fatal crash along Interstate 70 near the city of Oakely prompted the Kansas Highway Patrol to shut down a portion of the major east-west artery. "Please stay off the roads and stay safe, give (the Kansas Department of Transportation) time to clear ... them, it's not worth your life," Trooper Tod Hileman, the highway patrol's public information officer, said on Twitter. No other details were immediately available on the collision; the name of the victim was not released. Hileman said roads were expected to remain snow-packed and icy into Friday. The fatality came as parts of the US Midwest and Southeast were inundated with the first wave of heavy snow and rain expected in the central United States through the weekend, said Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "Through this morning there have already been amounts as high as 6 to 10 inches across those areas and additional snowfall of 10 inches is possible throughout the day and tonight," Chenard said. "Travel is going to be very difficult across the areas under weather and blizzard warnings." A passenger and a flight attendant suffered knee and back pain after an American Eagle flight operated by Mesa Airlines hit turbulence over the Dallas-Fort Worth area, American Airlines said in a statement. Flight 5781, a Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft that departed from San Luis Potosi International Airport in Mexico carrying 75 passengers and four crew members, was diverted to Austin, Texas. The plane landed safely and the injured passenger and crew member were treated and released from a hospital in Austin, the airline said. The blizzard contributed to the cancellation of 865 flights and delayed another 7,000, according to FlightAware.com. In the Midwest, winter storm and blizzard warnings were in effect for parts of Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, the National Weather Service said. Chenard said the storm system caused heavy rain and thunderstorms with the risk of flash floods in the southeastern United States. A tornado watch for parts of central and southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas were in effect on Thursday. Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer on Wednesday declared a state of emergency. "We hope that travelers will be wise by paying attention to weather alerts and not unnecessarily placing themselves in harm's way as the storm moves through," Colyer said in a statement.

Winter storm batters US; one killed, thousands of flights cancelled

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-leaders-are-trying-to-meddle-upcoming-bangladesh-elections-rab-chief-186855">looming general election in Bangladesh</a> as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked.

The South Asian nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used the last full day of campaigning to call for a record fourth term from Sunday's vote.

The opposition, whose main leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, said the election would not be free and fair.

The US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller said opposition parties have been the target of most of the deadly violence that has tarnished the campaign. He raised US worries in a meeting with election commission chief, KM Nurul Huda.

"I asked for this meeting because the United States is concerned by the high level of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-campaign-marred-by-violence-ends-with-opposition-fearing-unfair-voting-186839">campaign violence</a> over the last two weeks. All parties have been victims of violence, including minorities and female candidates," Miller said in a statement.

"However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence."

Miller said he had questioned the election commission on its security plans for voting day.

Everyone in Bangladesh must be able to vote "without harassment, intimidation, or violence", added the ambassador, whose country called off an election observer mission that it financed because visas were not given. Bangladesh has denied that it refused permission.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed for calm.

Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll", said a spokesman for the UN chief.

Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote", he added.

Thousands of flag-waving supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets of the capital to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet, however.

The BNP said eight of its supporters had been killed in election clashes, while police said two from the Awami League had also been killed since the campaign opened on November 8.

The opposition party said hundreds more of its supporters were detained Thursday.

'Blind' opposition

The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami now say more than 12,800 of their followers have been arrested and thousands of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers.

Hasina has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement ambitious economic plans.

Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies".

"There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said.

Hasina focused her final speeches on Bangladesh's impressive economic growth over the past decade.

She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average income to more than $5,400 by 2030.

Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise her achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said.

The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power.

But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press.

BNP leader Zia, longstanding arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges.

"The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, adding that attacks on party activists were "sponsored by the state itself".

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the looming general election in Bangladesh as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked.

The United States and the United Nations on Thursday raised concerns over the looming general election in Bangladesh as the opposition said hundreds more activists had been arrested and attacked. The South Asian nation's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina used the last full day of campaigning to call for a record fourth term from Sunday's vote. The opposition, whose main leader Khaleda Zia is in jail, said the election would not be free and fair. The US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller said opposition parties have been the target of most of the deadly violence that has tarnished the campaign. He raised US worries in a meeting with election commission chief, KM Nurul Huda. "I asked for this meeting because the United States is concerned by the high level of campaign violence over the last two weeks. All parties have been victims of violence, including minorities and female candidates," Miller said in a statement. "However, it appears opposition party candidates have borne the brunt of most violence." Miller said he had questioned the election commission on its security plans for voting day. Everyone in Bangladesh must be able to vote "without harassment, intimidation, or violence", added the ambassador, whose country called off an election observer mission that it financed because visas were not given. Bangladesh has denied that it refused permission. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also appealed for calm. Guterres "calls on all stakeholders to ensure an environment free of violence, intimidation and coercion before, during and after the elections, so as to enable a peaceful, credible and inclusive poll", said a spokesman for the UN chief. Bangladeshis "must feel safe and confident in exercising their right to vote", he added. Thousands of flag-waving supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League marched in Dhaka and other cities bringing the traffic-choked streets of the capital to a standstill ahead of the official close of campaigning early Friday. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said it had been prevented from holding its closing rally in Dhaka. Thousands of its supporters were allowed to march through the northern city of Sylhet, however. The BNP said eight of its supporters had been killed in election clashes, while police said two from the Awami League had also been killed since the campaign opened on November 8. The opposition party said hundreds more of its supporters were detained Thursday. 'Blind' opposition The BNP and its Islamist ally Jamaat-e-Islami now say more than 12,800 of their followers have been arrested and thousands of activists, including candidates, injured in attacks by ruling party followers. Hasina has shrugged off opposition complaints of authoritarianism and said she needs more time to implement ambitious economic plans. Amid a flurry of late campaign appearances on Wednesday, Hasina said the "BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out bomb attacks in 88 constituencies". "There is no doubt that the people will surely reject them," she said. Hasina focused her final speeches on Bangladesh's impressive economic growth over the past decade. She has promised to increase annual growth to 9.0 per cent from the current 7.8 per cent, expand electricity coverage and put the country on course to raise average income to more than $5,400 by 2030. Hasina slammed the opposition for failing to recognise her achievements. "They are blind despite having eyes," she said. The Awami League leader won a landslide victory in 2008 and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election -- saying it was not free and fair -- gifting her a return to power. But since her last victory, civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press. BNP leader Zia, longstanding arch-rival of the prime minister, was jailed for 17 years this year on graft charges. "The election process has turned into a farce," BNP spokesman Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, adding that attacks on party activists were "sponsored by the state itself".

US, UN raise concerns over violence ahead of Bangladesh election

Both chambers of the US&nbsp;Congress convened for only a few minutes late on Thursday, but took no steps to end a partial federal government shutdown before adjourning until next week.

Showing little sense of urgency over the shutdown, now in its sixth day, the Senate and the House of Representatives did nothing to restore funding for the roughly 20 percent of the government affected.

The shutdown was on track to continue into next week and possibly drag on well into January.

The shutdown was triggered by Republican President Donald Trump's demand, largely opposed by Democrats and some lawmakers within his own party, that US&nbsp;taxpayers provide $5 billion for a wall he wants to build along the US-Mexico border.

Trump wants the money to be included in spending measures that Congress must pass to restore funding to several government agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture and Commerce.

Both chambers of the US Congress convened for only a few minutes late on Thursday, but took no steps to end a partial federal government shutdown before adjourning until next week.

Both chambers of the US Congress convened for only a few minutes late on Thursday, but took no steps to end a partial federal government shutdown before adjourning until next week. Showing little sense of urgency over the shutdown, now in its sixth day, the Senate and the House of Representatives did nothing to restore funding for the roughly 20 percent of the government affected. The shutdown was on track to continue into next week and possibly drag on well into January. The shutdown was triggered by Republican President Donald Trump's demand, largely opposed by Democrats and some lawmakers within his own party, that US taxpayers provide $5 billion for a wall he wants to build along the US-Mexico border. Trump wants the money to be included in spending measures that Congress must pass to restore funding to several government agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture and Commerce.

US Congress meets briefly, takes no action on shutdown

The year 2018 saw the retreat of US troops from Syria and the decline of the jihadist militant group ISIS from the country.

President Donald Trump announced the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/syria-troop-withdrawal-is-donald-trump-burying-the-post-war-liberal-world-order-186963">withdrawal of the US troops from Syria</a> on December 19 stating that America had "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country.&nbsp;

The first US troops were deployed in Syria during the Obama administration in 2015 when the militant group was at its peak. The US had set up about 2,000 troops in the country to support local forces fighting the Islamic State.

The troops had never been involved in a direct fight with the militant group unless it was for their self-defence. Since 2015 the forces had been assisting and advising the Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Force (SDF).

The SDF working alongside the US troops have reclaimed most of the territories that were lost to the ISIS.

After seven years of deadly war between the US-led SDF force and other foreign forces, the Islamic State has now been pushed back to the border of the Syrian territories and has lost control over the majority of the area that they once controlled.

The civil&nbsp;war in Syria

Syria fell into a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/opinions/international-community-has-failed-syria-167928&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjsnbKlvMLfAhUKsI8KHaviDoUQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LihMYnQQnV8TUmMHDGua-">civil war</a> in 2011 following the Arab Spring protest led by the civilians against the unfair government.

The protests turned violent and an armed revolt broke out after some of the protesters took up guns. Several groups were formed inside the country after the civilians faced brutal suppression from the government. A series of arrests and shootings followed the Arab Spring.

The government's brutal crackdown of peaceful protests resulted in an armed revolt against it. Syria was divided into several groups which received aid and support from different foreign groups.

The Bashar al-Assad regime backed by Russia, Iran and Turkey fought against the radical forces. While the US fought alongside the Kurds against them.&nbsp;

The Kurdish forces have been demanding a separate country for themselves. Though the US has never been in favour of the Bashar al-Assad government it did not make much effort to eliminate it from the country because the other alternative against the Assad regime was the Islamic State which the US knew would be even more dangerous.

The current situation

Over the years the civil war in Syria resulted in the killing of over millions of civilians. Syria became a battleground for not only the different internal groups but also global powers such as the US, Russia, Iran and Turkey.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures-children-become-victims-of-chemical-attack-in-syria-220">civilians were falling victim to the atrocities</a> and armed killing by the Islamic State and also the chemical attack by the Bashar al-Assad led government and the proxy war of the global powers.

Though the Islamic State has lost almost all the territories in the seventh year of the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/photos/syrias-aleppo-before-and-after-136&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjsnbKlvMLfAhUKsI8KHaviDoUQFggPMAQ&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0bUJpfs613iAsu-71IENpQ">deadly war</a>, the militant group still remains&nbsp;a threat. The IS has shown an ability to stage sudden guerrilla attacks despite losing its so-called caliphate.

The government now holds more than half of the country, including its most populous areas, the main cities, coast, the border with Lebanon, most of the border with Jordan, central Syrian desert and the main gas fields.

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias now controls almost all the quarter of Syria east of the Euphrates, including the&nbsp;former&nbsp;IS capital of Raqqa and some of the country’s biggest oil fields.

(With input&nbsp;from agencies)

The year 2018 saw the retreat of US troops from Syria and the decline of the jihadist militant group ISIS from the country. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the US troops from Syria on December 19 stating that America had "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country.

The year 2018 saw the retreat of US troops from Syria and the decline of the jihadist militant group ISIS from the country. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the US troops from Syria on December 19 stating that America had "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country. The first US troops were deployed in Syria during the Obama administration in 2015 when the militant group was at its peak. The US had set up about 2,000 troops in the country to support local forces fighting the Islamic State. The troops had never been involved in a direct fight with the militant group unless it was for their self-defence. Since 2015 the forces had been assisting and advising the Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Force (SDF). The SDF working alongside the US troops have reclaimed most of the territories that were lost to the ISIS. After seven years of deadly war between the US-led SDF force and other foreign forces, the Islamic State has now been pushed back to the border of the Syrian territories and has lost control over the majority of the area that they once controlled. The civil war in Syria Syria fell into a civil war in 2011 following the Arab Spring protest led by the civilians against the unfair government. The protests turned violent and an armed revolt broke out after some of the protesters took up guns. Several groups were formed inside the country after the civilians faced brutal suppression from the government. A series of arrests and shootings followed the Arab Spring. The government's brutal crackdown of peaceful protests resulted in an armed revolt against it. Syria was divided into several groups which received aid and support from different foreign groups. The Bashar al-Assad regime backed by Russia, Iran and Turkey fought against the radical forces. While the US fought alongside the Kurds against them. The Kurdish forces have been demanding a separate country for themselves. Though the US has never been in favour of the Bashar al-Assad government it did not make much effort to eliminate it from the country because the other alternative against the Assad regime was the Islamic State which the US knew would be even more dangerous. The current situation Over the years the civil war in Syria resulted in the killing of over millions of civilians. Syria became a battleground for not only the different internal groups but also global powers such as the US, Russia, Iran and Turkey. The civilians were falling victim to the atrocities and armed killing by the Islamic State and also the chemical attack by the Bashar al-Assad led government and the proxy war of the global powers. Though the Islamic State has lost almost all the territories in the seventh year of the deadly war, the militant group still remains a threat. The IS has shown an ability to stage sudden guerrilla attacks despite losing its so-called caliphate. The government now holds more than half of the country, including its most populous areas, the main cities, coast, the border with Lebanon, most of the border with Jordan, central Syrian desert and the main gas fields. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias now controls almost all the quarter of Syria east of the Euphrates, including the former IS capital of Raqqa and some of the country’s biggest oil fields. (With input from agencies)

2018 marked another bloody year in Syria 

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US&nbsp;custody this week, the US&nbsp;government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death.

Felipe Gomez Alonzo, who died on Monday, and his father, Agustin, 47, came from the western municipality of Nenton in Huehuetenango province, Guatemalan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marta Larra said. The pair trekked to the Mexico-US&nbsp;border, joining thousands of others who have left their remote area.

Gomez, belonged to a family of indigenous Maya, was the second child to die this month in US&nbsp;custody after crossing from Mexico, following the December&nbsp;8 death of Jakelin Caal, a 7-year-old girl also from Guatemala.

"I'm sad and in despair over the death of my son," the boy's 32-year-old mother, Catarina Alonzo, told Reuters by phone from her home in the tiny village of Yalambojoch, speaking through a translator because of her limited Spanish.

The latest fatality prompted sharp criticism from some Democrats, and US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced policy changes on Wednesday aimed at preventing future deaths of children in custody.

All children in Border Patrol custody have been given a "thorough medical screening," and moving forward all children will receive "a more thorough hands on assessment" as soon as possible after being apprehended, whether or not the adult with them asks for one, Nielsen said in a statement.

Gomez's parents, who speak a Maya language called Chuj and little Spanish, have requested an autopsy be done as quickly as possible so their son's body can be repatriated to Guatemala, Larra said. The results are expected in about a week, she added.

The US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has not released an official cause of death.

Most families in Nenton, a mountainous area near the Mexican border, are of indigenous origin and subsist on corn and beans, as well as money sent back from relatives working in the United States and Mexico, according to a local government report.

Huehuetenango sends the highest number of migrants abroad from Guatemala every year, Larra at the foreign ministry said.

Nielsen said the death of migrant children in US&nbsp;custody is rare, noting that in the fiscal year ending September&nbsp;30, six migrants died under the CBP's auspices, none of whom were children. It had been more than a decade since a child died in CBP custody, she added.

"It is now clear that migrants, particularly children, are increasingly facing medical challenges and harbouring illness caused by their long and dangerous journey," Nielsen said, noting she would travel to the border later this week to observe the medical screenings and conditions at Border Patrol stations.

She placed some blame for the risks faced by migrant children on their families. "Smugglers, traffickers, and their own parents put these minors at risk by embarking on the dangerous and arduous journey north," Nielsen said.

Investigation demanded

Gomez and his father were detained on December&nbsp;18 in El Paso, Texas, for illegally entering the country, the agency said.

They were given hot food, snacks, juice and water, and two days later, were transferred to the El Paso Border Patrol Station, CBP said. On Dec. 23, they were moved to the Alamogordo Border Patrol Station in New Mexico.

On the morning of December&nbsp;24, an agent noticed Gomez "was coughing and appeared to have glossy eyes," CBP said, and the father and son were transferred to a nearby hospital.

The boy was found to have a fever and cold and was released with a prescription for an antibiotic and Ibuprofen. That evening, Gomez started vomiting, and his father declined medical help because his son had been feeling better, CBP said.

A few hours later, Gomez again began feeling nauseous and was taken back to the hospital, where he died just before midnight. CBP previously said he had died early on Tuesday.

US&nbsp;House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called on Wednesday for the DHS internal watchdog, the Inspector General's office, to investigate Gomez's death.

Other Democrats expressed outrage.

US&nbsp;Representative Raul Ruiz of California said on a conference call that CBP facilities he had visited last week near El Paso were "dehumanizing" and not equipped to handle emergencies in remote areas of the Mexico-US&nbsp;border.

"This is under the care and the responsibility and the custody of the United States government, and they do not meet the most minimal basic standards of humanitarian health," he said. 
&nbsp;

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US custody this week, the US government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death.

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US custody this week, the US government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death. Felipe Gomez Alonzo, who died on Monday, and his father, Agustin, 47, came from the western municipality of Nenton in Huehuetenango province, Guatemalan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marta Larra said. The pair trekked to the Mexico-US border, joining thousands of others who have left their remote area. Gomez, belonged to a family of indigenous Maya, was the second child to die this month in US custody after crossing from Mexico, following the December 8 death of Jakelin Caal, a 7-year-old girl also from Guatemala. "I'm sad and in despair over the death of my son," the boy's 32-year-old mother, Catarina Alonzo, told Reuters by phone from her home in the tiny village of Yalambojoch, speaking through a translator because of her limited Spanish. The latest fatality prompted sharp criticism from some Democrats, and US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced policy changes on Wednesday aimed at preventing future deaths of children in custody. All children in Border Patrol custody have been given a "thorough medical screening," and moving forward all children will receive "a more thorough hands on assessment" as soon as possible after being apprehended, whether or not the adult with them asks for one, Nielsen said in a statement. Gomez's parents, who speak a Maya language called Chuj and little Spanish, have requested an autopsy be done as quickly as possible so their son's body can be repatriated to Guatemala, Larra said. The results are expected in about a week, she added. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has not released an official cause of death. Most families in Nenton, a mountainous area near the Mexican border, are of indigenous origin and subsist on corn and beans, as well as money sent back from relatives working in the United States and Mexico, according to a local government report. Huehuetenango sends the highest number of migrants abroad from Guatemala every year, Larra at the foreign ministry said. Nielsen said the death of migrant children in US custody is rare, noting that in the fiscal year ending September 30, six migrants died under the CBP's auspices, none of whom were children. It had been more than a decade since a child died in CBP custody, she added. "It is now clear that migrants, particularly children, are increasingly facing medical challenges and harbouring illness caused by their long and dangerous journey," Nielsen said, noting she would travel to the border later this week to observe the medical screenings and conditions at Border Patrol stations. She placed some blame for the risks faced by migrant children on their families. "Smugglers, traffickers, and their own parents put these minors at risk by embarking on the dangerous and arduous journey north," Nielsen said. Investigation demanded Gomez and his father were detained on December 18 in El Paso, Texas, for illegally entering the country, the agency said. They were given hot food, snacks, juice and water, and two days later, were transferred to the El Paso Border Patrol Station, CBP said. On Dec. 23, they were moved to the Alamogordo Border Patrol Station in New Mexico. On the morning of December 24, an agent noticed Gomez "was coughing and appeared to have glossy eyes," CBP said, and the father and son were transferred to a nearby hospital. The boy was found to have a fever and cold and was released with a prescription for an antibiotic and Ibuprofen. That evening, Gomez started vomiting, and his father declined medical help because his son had been feeling better, CBP said. A few hours later, Gomez again began feeling nauseous and was taken back to the hospital, where he died just before midnight. CBP previously said he had died early on Tuesday. US House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called on Wednesday for the DHS internal watchdog, the Inspector General's office, to investigate Gomez's death. Other Democrats expressed outrage. US Representative Raul Ruiz of California said on a conference call that CBP facilities he had visited last week near El Paso were "dehumanizing" and not equipped to handle emergencies in remote areas of the Mexico-US border. "This is under the care and the responsibility and the custody of the United States government, and they do not meet the most minimal basic standards of humanitarian health," he said.

US expands medical checks after Guatemala boy dies; mother 'in despair'

About 100 migrants from Central America are in limbo at American and Mexican border cities, awaiting their fate after applying for US&nbsp;asylum.

In El Paso, Texas, these migrant families spent their Christmas with local charity The Home Border Institute. The charity is working with these families on their rights and on the asylum process ahead, which could take some months.

On the Mexican side of the border in Ciudad Juarez, shelters are full, with migrants having to sleep on the floor in wintery conditions.

A local fire station is being used to temporarily house some migrant families.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are among the migrant group. But a federal court has placed a temporary restraining order on his policy which only allowed for asylum claims that were made at official ports of entry.

Under former President Barack Obama, a system dubbed "metering" began which limits how many applicants can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry. 
&nbsp;

About 100 migrants from Central America are in limbo at American and Mexican border cities, awaiting their fate after applying for US asylum. In El Paso, Texas, these migrant families spent their Christmas with local charity The Home Border Institute.

About 100 migrants from Central America are in limbo at American and Mexican border cities, awaiting their fate after applying for US asylum. In El Paso, Texas, these migrant families spent their Christmas with local charity The Home Border Institute. The charity is working with these families on their rights and on the asylum process ahead, which could take some months. On the Mexican side of the border in Ciudad Juarez, shelters are full, with migrants having to sleep on the floor in wintery conditions. A local fire station is being used to temporarily house some migrant families. US President Donald Trump has sought to make it harder to get asylum, claiming criminals are among the migrant group. But a federal court has placed a temporary restraining order on his policy which only allowed for asylum claims that were made at official ports of entry. Under former President Barack Obama, a system dubbed "metering" began which limits how many applicants can ask for asylum each day in Tijuana. Lawyers say Trump is using the system more aggressively to stem the flow at the port of entry.

Migrants in limbo at US and Mexican border cities

A US&nbsp;trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January&nbsp;7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

The delegation will be led by Deputy US&nbsp;Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish and will include David Malpass, Treasury under secretary for international affairs, Bloomberg said.

US&nbsp;and Chinese officials have spoken by phone in recent weeks, but next month's meeting would be the first in-person talks since President Donald Trump met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Buenos Aires on December&nbsp;1.

Trump and Xi agreed to stop escalating tit-for-tat tariffs that have disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods between the world's two biggest economies. The two leaders also agreed to launch new talks while the United States delayed a planned January&nbsp;1 tariff increase until March 2.

A person familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that talks were likely in early January.

The US&nbsp;Trade Representative's Office and the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A US trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January 7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

A US trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January 7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. The delegation will be led by Deputy US Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish and will include David Malpass, Treasury under secretary for international affairs, Bloomberg said. US and Chinese officials have spoken by phone in recent weeks, but next month's meeting would be the first in-person talks since President Donald Trump met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Buenos Aires on December 1. Trump and Xi agreed to stop escalating tit-for-tat tariffs that have disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods between the world's two biggest economies. The two leaders also agreed to launch new talks while the United States delayed a planned January 1 tariff increase until March 2. A person familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that talks were likely in early January. The US Trade Representative's Office and the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

US delegation to travel to China early in January for trade talks

China and the United States have made plans for face-to-face consultations over trade in January, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, as the world's two biggest economies advanced efforts to resolve a months-long trade war.

Consultations through "intensive" telephone calls will continue in the meantime, Gao Feng, spokesman at the commerce ministry, told reporters, adding that talks have been steadily moving forward despite the Christmas break in the United States.

"Even as the US side is in the Christmas holiday period, China and US&nbsp;economic and trade teams have been in close communication, and the consultations are progressing in an orderly manner as scheduled," Gao said, when asked about progress on trade negotiations.

Gao did not comment directly when asked to confirm a media report on a US&nbsp;trade delegation visit scheduled for the week of January&nbsp;7.

"The two sides have indeed made specific arrangements for face-to-face consultations in January in addition to continuing intensive telephone consultations," he said, without elaborating.

US&nbsp;and Chinese officials have spoken by phone in recent weeks, but a meeting next month would be the first in-person talks since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump met his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Buenos Aires on December&nbsp;1.

Trump and Xi agreed to stop escalating tit-for-tat tariffs that have disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods between the two nations. The two leaders also agreed to launch new talks while the United States delayed a planned January&nbsp;1 tariff increase until March.

In response, China has resumed purchases of US&nbsp;soybeans for the first time in six months, even though hefty tariffs on US&nbsp;cargoes remain in place.

Tariff suspension

China has also said it will suspend additional tariffs on US-made vehicles and auto parts for three months starting January 1, adding that it hopes both sides can speed up negotiations to remove all additional tariffs on each other's goods.

A US&nbsp;trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January&nbsp;7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

A person familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that talks were likely in early January.

In yet another reconciliatory sign, China issued on Tuesday a so-called "negative" list that specifies industries where investors - domestic or foreign - are either restricted or prohibited.

The unified list is seen as an effort to address concerns from Western investors that there is no level-playing field in China. Investment in key Chinese sectors, however, is still prohibited.

Draft investment law

On Wednesday, China unveiled the draft of a foreign investment law for public consultation. In it, China has proposed a ban on forced technology transfer and illegal government "interference" in foreign business operations, practices that have come under the spotlight during the trade war.

While China has frequently denied accusations of engaging in such practices, it has pledged to improve market access for foreign investors and better protect their rights in the face of growing complaints and reduced foreign investment.

In an apparent move to emphasize reciprocity, the draft law said China would reserve the right to retaliate against countries that discriminate against Chinese investment with "corresponding measures".

The draft will likely go through several readings before being submitted to China's parliament for formal approval, which could take another year or more.

Heaping some uncertainty in the way of the bilateral trade talks was the recent arrest of the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd in Canada at the request of the United States.

US&nbsp;prosecutors accuse Meng Wanzhou of misleading multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, putting the banks at risk of violating US&nbsp;sanctions. Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei's founder, has said she is innocent.

China and the United States have made plans for face-to-face consultations over trade in January, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, as the world's two biggest economies advanced efforts to resolve a months-long trade war.

China and the United States have made plans for face-to-face consultations over trade in January, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, as the world's two biggest economies advanced efforts to resolve a months-long trade war. Consultations through "intensive" telephone calls will continue in the meantime, Gao Feng, spokesman at the commerce ministry, told reporters, adding that talks have been steadily moving forward despite the Christmas break in the United States. "Even as the US side is in the Christmas holiday period, China and US economic and trade teams have been in close communication, and the consultations are progressing in an orderly manner as scheduled," Gao said, when asked about progress on trade negotiations. Gao did not comment directly when asked to confirm a media report on a US trade delegation visit scheduled for the week of January 7. "The two sides have indeed made specific arrangements for face-to-face consultations in January in addition to continuing intensive telephone consultations," he said, without elaborating. US and Chinese officials have spoken by phone in recent weeks, but a meeting next month would be the first in-person talks since US President Donald Trump met his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Buenos Aires on December 1. Trump and Xi agreed to stop escalating tit-for-tat tariffs that have disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods between the two nations. The two leaders also agreed to launch new talks while the United States delayed a planned January 1 tariff increase until March. In response, China has resumed purchases of US soybeans for the first time in six months, even though hefty tariffs on US cargoes remain in place. Tariff suspension China has also said it will suspend additional tariffs on US-made vehicles and auto parts for three months starting January 1, adding that it hopes both sides can speed up negotiations to remove all additional tariffs on each other's goods. A US trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January 7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. A person familiar with the matter told Reuters last week that talks were likely in early January. In yet another reconciliatory sign, China issued on Tuesday a so-called "negative" list that specifies industries where investors - domestic or foreign - are either restricted or prohibited. The unified list is seen as an effort to address concerns from Western investors that there is no level-playing field in China. Investment in key Chinese sectors, however, is still prohibited. Draft investment law On Wednesday, China unveiled the draft of a foreign investment law for public consultation. In it, China has proposed a ban on forced technology transfer and illegal government "interference" in foreign business operations, practices that have come under the spotlight during the trade war. While China has frequently denied accusations of engaging in such practices, it has pledged to improve market access for foreign investors and better protect their rights in the face of growing complaints and reduced foreign investment. In an apparent move to emphasize reciprocity, the draft law said China would reserve the right to retaliate against countries that discriminate against Chinese investment with "corresponding measures". The draft will likely go through several readings before being submitted to China's parliament for formal approval, which could take another year or more. Heaping some uncertainty in the way of the bilateral trade talks was the recent arrest of the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd in Canada at the request of the United States. US prosecutors accuse Meng Wanzhou of misleading multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, putting the banks at risk of violating US sanctions. Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei's founder, has said she is innocent.

China says has made plans with US for face-to-face trade meeting in January

President Donald Trump has no intention of firing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-markets-slump-trump-calls-fed-only-problem-in-us-economy-186249">chairman of the Federal Reserve</a>, despite his barrages of criticism against the central bank, White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said Wednesday.

"Yes, of course, 100 per cent," Hassett said when asked on ABC television whether Fed boss Jerome Powell would keep his job.

Hassett also downplayed jitters over the economic outlook, following plummeting stock market prices.

"All the anecdotal information we're getting is that the fundamentals remain extremely sound," Hassett said, as Wall Street bounced back from its most recent losses.

Hassett said that Christmas-period shopping had been "through the roof" and that the economy was still expanding at a good pace, with "the momentum that we saw this year... carrying over to next year."

The Trump advisor likewise sought to calm nerves triggered by revelations that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin phoned the CEOs of America's biggest banks last weekend to check that they have healthy liquidity levels.

The calls -- apparently meant to demonstrate the White House's grip on the volatile situation -- backfired by sparking concerns that the government might be worried about a run on the banks.

"Secretary Mnuchin talks to bankers all the time, practically every day and you know, the markets clearly are focused on downside risk for next year and it's important to gather information from the normal sources and from informal sources and you know," Hassett said.

"We've all been doing that really quite a bit over the few weeks."

Hassett said that the ongoing budget impasse in which swaths of the federal government are going without funding, due to Congress' refusal to authorize Trump's demand for more money on a US-Mexico border barrier, would not harm the economy.

"A few weeks shutdown is not going to be something that has any kind of significant effect on the outlook," he said.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on reports that Trump is planning to meet with the Fed's Powell in the near future. Trump has repeatedly and publicly lambasted Powell over the central bank's raising of interest rates.

President Donald Trump has no intention of firing the chairman of the Federal Reserve, despite his barrages of criticism against the central bank, White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said Wednesday.

President Donald Trump has no intention of firing the chairman of the Federal Reserve, despite his barrages of criticism against the central bank, White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett said Wednesday. "Yes, of course, 100 per cent," Hassett said when asked on ABC television whether Fed boss Jerome Powell would keep his job. Hassett also downplayed jitters over the economic outlook, following plummeting stock market prices. "All the anecdotal information we're getting is that the fundamentals remain extremely sound," Hassett said, as Wall Street bounced back from its most recent losses. Hassett said that Christmas-period shopping had been "through the roof" and that the economy was still expanding at a good pace, with "the momentum that we saw this year... carrying over to next year." The Trump advisor likewise sought to calm nerves triggered by revelations that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin phoned the CEOs of America's biggest banks last weekend to check that they have healthy liquidity levels. The calls -- apparently meant to demonstrate the White House's grip on the volatile situation -- backfired by sparking concerns that the government might be worried about a run on the banks. "Secretary Mnuchin talks to bankers all the time, practically every day and you know, the markets clearly are focused on downside risk for next year and it's important to gather information from the normal sources and from informal sources and you know," Hassett said. "We've all been doing that really quite a bit over the few weeks." Hassett said that the ongoing budget impasse in which swaths of the federal government are going without funding, due to Congress' refusal to authorize Trump's demand for more money on a US-Mexico border barrier, would not harm the economy. "A few weeks shutdown is not going to be something that has any kind of significant effect on the outlook," he said. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on reports that Trump is planning to meet with the Fed's Powell in the near future. Trump has repeatedly and publicly lambasted Powell over the central bank's raising of interest rates.

US Fed chairman's job '100%' safe: Trump's advisor

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-meets-pakistan-foreign-minister-qureshi-186178">Senior Chinese and Pakistani diplomats </a>discussed on Tuesday "new changes" to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/strongly-support-afghan-led-afghan-owned-peace-process-china-pakistan-186354">the situation in Afghanistan</a>, China`s foreign ministry said, amid plans by the United States to withdraw about half of the 14,000 US troops based in the country.

US officials have told Reuters that President Donald Trump has issued verbal orders to plan for a drawdown of close to 7,000 US troops. The White House and the Pentagon have not yet commented publicly.

China, a close ally of Pakistan, has been deepening its economic and political ties with Kabul and is using its influence to try to bring the two uneasy neighbours closer.

Meeting in Beijing, the Chinese government`s top diplomat State Councillor Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a "deep discussion about new changes to the situation in Afghanistan and reached a broad consensus", China`s Foreign Ministry said.

"Both sides believe that military means cannot resolve the Afghanistan issue, and promoting political reconciliation is the only realistic way," the ministry said in its short statement.

"The two sides welcome the various efforts made by all parties and are willing to maintain close communication and strategic coordination."

There was no direct mention of the planned US troop drawdown.&nbsp;

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, speaking at a daily news briefing, reiterated the statement and did not answer a question on whether the meeting was connected to the US troop withdrawal.

Wang visited Kabul earlier this month, where he pledged to help Afghanistan and Pakistan overcome their longstanding suspicions of each other.

China has long worried about the effect of instability in Afghanistan on China`s violence-prone far western region of Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur people and where China says it faces a threat from Islamist militants.

Senior Chinese and Pakistani diplomats discussed on Tuesday "new changes" to the situation in Afghanistan, China`s foreign ministry said, amid plans by the United States to withdraw about half of the 14,000 US troops based in the country.

Senior Chinese and Pakistani diplomats discussed on Tuesday "new changes" to the situation in Afghanistan, China`s foreign ministry said, amid plans by the United States to withdraw about half of the 14,000 US troops based in the country. US officials have told Reuters that President Donald Trump has issued verbal orders to plan for a drawdown of close to 7,000 US troops. The White House and the Pentagon have not yet commented publicly. China, a close ally of Pakistan, has been deepening its economic and political ties with Kabul and is using its influence to try to bring the two uneasy neighbours closer. Meeting in Beijing, the Chinese government`s top diplomat State Councillor Wang Yi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a "deep discussion about new changes to the situation in Afghanistan and reached a broad consensus", China`s Foreign Ministry said. "Both sides believe that military means cannot resolve the Afghanistan issue, and promoting political reconciliation is the only realistic way," the ministry said in its short statement. "The two sides welcome the various efforts made by all parties and are willing to maintain close communication and strategic coordination." There was no direct mention of the planned US troop drawdown. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, speaking at a daily news briefing, reiterated the statement and did not answer a question on whether the meeting was connected to the US troop withdrawal. Wang visited Kabul earlier this month, where he pledged to help Afghanistan and Pakistan overcome their longstanding suspicions of each other. China has long worried about the effect of instability in Afghanistan on China`s violence-prone far western region of Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur people and where China says it faces a threat from Islamist militants.

China, Pakistan discuss 'new changes' to situation in Afghanistan

Baltimore police have collected nearly 2,000 weapons including a rocket launcher as part of a buy-back program aimed at reducing violence in the eastern US city.

The three-day operation last week was announced in a bid to rid the streets of illegal weapons in a city where the number of homicides has surpassed 300 for the fourth year in a row.

Officers collected 1,860 weapons, a police spokesman told AFP. The city's mayor tweeted that a rocket launcher was among the haul.

Authorities offered $25 for large magazines, $100 for handguns and rifles, $200 for semi-automatic rifles and $500 for automatic rifles, and promised anonymity to those who took part in the amnesty.

Home to 600,000 people, Baltimore allocated $250,000 for the operation, according to the city council -- as the Baltimore Sun's editorial board said the program was "likely to be a large waste of time, money and resources."

The daily newspaper said such buy-back schemes "do little to reduce the number of shootings or to get guns out of the hands of criminals intent on settling a score, defending their drug territory or protecting themselves from rival gangs and retaliatory shootings." But police chief Gary Guttle told the Sun that if guns are "not in existence, they're not in the home, they can't be used, they can't be stolen." "They won't contribute to our violence," he said.

The right to bear arms is guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution, and there are weapons in one third of American homes.

According to health authorities, nearly 40,000 people died in the United States as a result of firearms in 2017, a figure that includes suicides.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Baltimore police have collected nearly 2,000 weapons including a rocket launcher as part of a buy-back program aimed at reducing violence in the eastern US city.

Baltimore police have collected nearly 2,000 weapons including a rocket launcher as part of a buy-back program aimed at reducing violence in the eastern US city. The three-day operation last week was announced in a bid to rid the streets of illegal weapons in a city where the number of homicides has surpassed 300 for the fourth year in a row. Officers collected 1,860 weapons, a police spokesman told AFP. The city's mayor tweeted that a rocket launcher was among the haul. Authorities offered $25 for large magazines, $100 for handguns and rifles, $200 for semi-automatic rifles and $500 for automatic rifles, and promised anonymity to those who took part in the amnesty. Home to 600,000 people, Baltimore allocated $250,000 for the operation, according to the city council -- as the Baltimore Sun's editorial board said the program was "likely to be a large waste of time, money and resources." The daily newspaper said such buy-back schemes "do little to reduce the number of shootings or to get guns out of the hands of criminals intent on settling a score, defending their drug territory or protecting themselves from rival gangs and retaliatory shootings." But police chief Gary Guttle told the Sun that if guns are "not in existence, they're not in the home, they can't be used, they can't be stolen." "They won't contribute to our violence," he said. The right to bear arms is guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution, and there are weapons in one third of American homes. According to health authorities, nearly 40,000 people died in the United States as a result of firearms in 2017, a figure that includes suicides.

US city buys back 2,000 weapons from residents, including rocket launcher

President Donald Trump set off a Christmas social media storm when he asked whether a 7-year-old was too old to believe in Santa Claus, capping a week of plunging stocks, a government shutdown and the US defense chief's unceremonious departure.

Twitter lit up like a Christmas tree after Trump made his remark during a holiday event with first lady Melania Trump, taking calls from children calling the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa tracker.

A Christmas tradition, the tracker delights children with "real-time" updates on Saint Nick's Christmas Eve journey.

In one of the Christmas Eve calls, Trump chatted with a 7-year-old.

"Are you still a believer in Santa?" Trump asked the child. "Because at 7, it's marginal, right?"

In a twinkling, Twitter was bombarded with messages railing against the president for what sounded to some as if he was casting doubts on a cherished fantasy of childhood.

"It’s just too freaking fantastic that Trump spent his Christmas Eve calling seven-year-olds and telling them believing in Santa at their age is 'marginal,'" Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on his Twitter account.

“Actually there is no heaven," tweeted Dan Amira, head writer for "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" comedy show. "When you die you just rot in the ground and get eaten by worms. Okay Merry Christmas, Timmy.”

Others defended Trump

"Trump does a lot of things wrong, but suggesting to a 7-year old that Santa doesn't exist is probably the one right thing he's done while in office," said a man identified on his Twitter account as Irtiza Sheikh. "Someone's gotta do it."

The White House had no immediate comment on the social media response to the president's Santa comments.

In 2017, Trump spent the holidays at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, with his family, but for his second Christmas as president, Trump opted to cancel his holiday getaway because of the partial federal government shutdown. It began last week when top lawmakers failed to end an impasse over funding for his proposed wall along the border with Mexico.

Stuck in Washington on Christmas morning 2018, Trump displayed little holiday cheer while speaking with reporters after a 20-minute video conference with US troops serving abroad.

He assailed the Federal Reserve for raising interest rates, railed against Democrats who refuse to fund the wall he wants to build on the U.S.-Mexico border, and blasted the investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia, among other regular targets.

The president then closed with holiday wishes of sorts.

&nbsp;"It's a disgrace, what's happening in our country," he said. "But other than that, I wish everyone a very merry Christmas."

President Donald Trump set off a Christmas social media storm when he asked whether a 7-year-old was too old to believe in Santa Claus, capping a week of plunging stocks, a government shutdown and the US defense chief's unceremonious departure.

President Donald Trump set off a Christmas social media storm when he asked whether a 7-year-old was too old to believe in Santa Claus, capping a week of plunging stocks, a government shutdown and the US defense chief's unceremonious departure. Twitter lit up like a Christmas tree after Trump made his remark during a holiday event with first lady Melania Trump, taking calls from children calling the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa tracker. A Christmas tradition, the tracker delights children with "real-time" updates on Saint Nick's Christmas Eve journey. In one of the Christmas Eve calls, Trump chatted with a 7-year-old. "Are you still a believer in Santa?" Trump asked the child. "Because at 7, it's marginal, right?" In a twinkling, Twitter was bombarded with messages railing against the president for what sounded to some as if he was casting doubts on a cherished fantasy of childhood. "It’s just too freaking fantastic that Trump spent his Christmas Eve calling seven-year-olds and telling them believing in Santa at their age is 'marginal,'" Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on his Twitter account. “Actually there is no heaven," tweeted Dan Amira, head writer for "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" comedy show. "When you die you just rot in the ground and get eaten by worms. Okay Merry Christmas, Timmy.” Others defended Trump "Trump does a lot of things wrong, but suggesting to a 7-year old that Santa doesn't exist is probably the one right thing he's done while in office," said a man identified on his Twitter account as Irtiza Sheikh. "Someone's gotta do it." The White House had no immediate comment on the social media response to the president's Santa comments. In 2017, Trump spent the holidays at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, with his family, but for his second Christmas as president, Trump opted to cancel his holiday getaway because of the partial federal government shutdown. It began last week when top lawmakers failed to end an impasse over funding for his proposed wall along the border with Mexico. Stuck in Washington on Christmas morning 2018, Trump displayed little holiday cheer while speaking with reporters after a 20-minute video conference with US troops serving abroad. He assailed the Federal Reserve for raising interest rates, railed against Democrats who refuse to fund the wall he wants to build on the U.S.-Mexico border, and blasted the investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia, among other regular targets. The president then closed with holiday wishes of sorts. "It's a disgrace, what's happening in our country," he said. "But other than that, I wish everyone a very merry Christmas."

Still believe in Santa at your age? Trump ignites Twitter storm

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-sees-limits-of-trump-support-with-syria-pullout-186084"> US withdrawal from Syria</a>, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.

Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by US President Donald Trump would allow Islamic State to regain territory.

"As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil," Kalin told a news conference.

He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the militant group.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-invites-trump-to-visit-turkey-white-house-186256">Erdogan and Trump</a> agreed in a phone call on Sunday to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws.

A committee of US military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria.

In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were "coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria," but declined to give details of the discussions.

Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed rebels fighting against him. The two countries reached an agreement in September to create a demilitarised zone in the Idlib region, the last major rebel stronghold.&nbsp;

Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has upended American policy in the region. It will also effectively hand the fight against Islamic State in Syria to Turkey and set Ankara up to broaden its push against the Syrian Kurdish YPG.

Differences over Syria have long been a source of tension between the United States and Turkey. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, but Ankara sees the militia as a terrorist organisation.

Flashpoint?

A rebel spokesman said on Monday Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the US withdrawal.

"Yesterday units from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed towards the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle," said Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army.

US forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters.

In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal.

Erdogan said earlier this month that Turkish forces would enter the town unless the United States removed the Kurdish fighters.&nbsp;

Outgoing US Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the US forces from Syria, the US Defense Department said on Monday.

The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks.

"Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," Kalin said on Monday. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field."

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the US withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the US withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by US President Donald Trump would allow Islamic State to regain territory. "As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil," Kalin told a news conference. He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the militant group. Erdogan and Trump agreed in a phone call on Sunday to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws. A committee of US military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria. In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were "coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria," but declined to give details of the discussions. Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed rebels fighting against him. The two countries reached an agreement in September to create a demilitarised zone in the Idlib region, the last major rebel stronghold. Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has upended American policy in the region. It will also effectively hand the fight against Islamic State in Syria to Turkey and set Ankara up to broaden its push against the Syrian Kurdish YPG. Differences over Syria have long been a source of tension between the United States and Turkey. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, but Ankara sees the militia as a terrorist organisation. Flashpoint? A rebel spokesman said on Monday Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the US withdrawal. "Yesterday units from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed towards the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle," said Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army. US forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters. In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal. Erdogan said earlier this month that Turkish forces would enter the town unless the United States removed the Kurdish fighters. Outgoing US Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the US forces from Syria, the US Defense Department said on Monday. The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks. "Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," Kalin said on Monday. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field."

Turkey vows no slowdown in fight against IS after US pullout from Syria

North Korea on Tuesday hit back at a latest UN resolution that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-top-kim-jong-un-aides-over-north-korea-rights-183017">condemned Pyongyang's rights abuses</a>, calling it a "serious... provocation" that would undermine peace efforts on the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/historic-inter-korean-summit-when-the-two-koreas-met-186132">Korean peninsula</a>.

The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-condemns-us-sanctions-warns-denuclearization-at-risk-184559">UN General Assembly</a>&nbsp;last week adopted a resolution — which passed by consensus without a vote — condemning the "systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations in the isolated North.&nbsp;

The impoverished but nuclear-armed nation, ruled by the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/east-asia/denuclearisation-includes-eliminating-us-nuclear-threat-in-korean-peninsula-north-korean-state-media-185456">Kim family </a>through three generations, has been accused of state-sanctioned abuses including torture, rape and extrajudicial killings.&nbsp;

It marked the 14th consecutive year the UN has passed such a document. The North has constantly denied any rights abuses in the country and labelled the UN criticisms as smear campaigns aimed at undermining its leadership.&nbsp;

The North's state-run Rodong newspaper slammed the latest resolution as a "serious political provocation against the (North) and a vicious move to tarnish its international image".

"The wicked intention of the US... in getting vocal about the non-existent 'human rights issue' of the DPRK is to broaden the scope of the sanctions and pressure and escalate them," it said in an editorial, using the North's official name.

The editorial also lashed out at a "thoughtless"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pictures-with-kim-jong-un-mask-pulled-down-from-social-media-after-backlash-in-south-korea-183853"> South Korea</a> for backing the UN bill — a move that would be "tarnishing the atmosphere of improving the north-south ties".

Washington had separately sought to organize a Security Council meeting on human rights in the North but gave up on the option earlier this month because it was unsure of the support it would get from partners.&nbsp;

But the US hopes to hold the meeting next month with the arrival of new non-permanent council members that could be more favourable to doing so.

The South's President Moon Jae-in has advocated dialogue with the North to nudge it to denuclearisation negotiations and has met with its leader Kim Jong Un three times this year.&nbsp;

Kim also met with US President Donald Trump in a historic summit in June but progress has stalled with both sides accusing each other of dragging their feet and acting in bad faith.

North Korea on Tuesday hit back at a latest UN resolution that condemned Pyongyang's rights abuses, calling it a "serious... provocation" that would undermine peace efforts on the Korean peninsula.

North Korea on Tuesday hit back at a latest UN resolution that condemned Pyongyang's rights abuses, calling it a "serious... provocation" that would undermine peace efforts on the Korean peninsula. The UN General Assembly last week adopted a resolution — which passed by consensus without a vote — condemning the "systematic, widespread and gross" human rights violations in the isolated North. The impoverished but nuclear-armed nation, ruled by the Kim family through three generations, has been accused of state-sanctioned abuses including torture, rape and extrajudicial killings. It marked the 14th consecutive year the UN has passed such a document. The North has constantly denied any rights abuses in the country and labelled the UN criticisms as smear campaigns aimed at undermining its leadership. The North's state-run Rodong newspaper slammed the latest resolution as a "serious political provocation against the (North) and a vicious move to tarnish its international image". "The wicked intention of the US... in getting vocal about the non-existent 'human rights issue' of the DPRK is to broaden the scope of the sanctions and pressure and escalate them," it said in an editorial, using the North's official name. The editorial also lashed out at a "thoughtless" South Korea for backing the UN bill — a move that would be "tarnishing the atmosphere of improving the north-south ties". Washington had separately sought to organize a Security Council meeting on human rights in the North but gave up on the option earlier this month because it was unsure of the support it would get from partners. But the US hopes to hold the meeting next month with the arrival of new non-permanent council members that could be more favourable to doing so. The South's President Moon Jae-in has advocated dialogue with the North to nudge it to denuclearisation negotiations and has met with its leader Kim Jong Un three times this year. Kim also met with US President Donald Trump in a historic summit in June but progress has stalled with both sides accusing each other of dragging their feet and acting in bad faith.

North Korea say UN resolution on rights abuse 'serious provocation'

us-1

Us, News on Us, stories on Us, articles on Us, Us stories at Wion, Us news, Us latest news

us 1