Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/with-trump-sitting-nearby-macron-calls-nationalism-betrayal-176693">attack on Emmanuel Macron</a>, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary.

In a caustic series of early-morning tweets the US president lambasted Macron's support for a European army, while renewing his frequent charge that America's European allies in NATO spend too little on defence.

"Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

"They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US&nbsp;came along," Trump said, in a low blow sure to gall French allies. "Pay for NATO or not!"

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Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One &amp; Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062311785787744256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062331024426913792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333534214520832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1062333882610171907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The fierce broadside against a traditional US ally -- for whom Trump rolled out the red carpet in Washington earlier this year -- came just two days after Trump joined dozens of world leaders in Paris for events to mark the 100 years since the end of the Great War.&nbsp;

After slamming Macron on defence, Trump's went on to attack his standing as president: "The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%."

"He was just trying to get onto another subject," Trump said, appearing to reference Macron's push for a European military. "By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!"&nbsp;

"MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!" the mercurial Trump continued in a play on his own campaign slogan, before turning to what he said were protectionist tariffs on wine -- which he said were "not fair, must change!"

Macron's office declined to comment on Trump's broadside.

'Bromance' dead?&nbsp;

Trump and Macron had seemed to share a special camaraderie in the early days of their respective presidencies, a "bromance" of sorts that included touching, kissing and playful banter.

The US president even seemed to flick a piece of dandruff off of Macron's jacket on national television during the French president's state visit to the US capital, saying "we have to make him perfect. He is perfect."

But the relationship took a turn for the worse after Macron angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European cybersecurity.

Trump set a combative tone for his visit to Paris, tweeted right after he landed that Macron's call for a "real European army" was "insulting."

In an interview recorded Saturday with CNN after talks with Trump, Macron said the two leaders had spoken about what his office has portrayed as a misunderstanding.

Both leaders agree there should be "better burden-sharing within NATO," meaning Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense, Macron said.

But Macron told CNN: "To be very direct with you, what I don't want to see is European countries increasing the budget in defence in order to buy American and other arms or materials coming from your industry."

The president's trip to France was further clouded by controversy over the cancellation of a visit to a World War I US military cemetery -- after his helicopter was grounded by the rain -- a decision that was widely criticized.

"I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO," Trump tweeted in his defence -- pointing out that he had delivered a speech the following day at another American cemetery in the Paris suburbs "in pouring rain!"&nbsp;

"Little reported-Fake News!" he charged.

Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary attack on Emmanuel Macron, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary.

Donald Trump on Tuesday unleashed an extraordinary attack on Emmanuel Macron, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals, on the heels of a rocky trip to Paris to mark the World War I centenary. In a caustic series of early-morning tweets the US president lambasted Macron's support for a European army, while renewing his frequent charge that America's European allies in NATO spend too little on defence. "Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the US, China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France?" Trump tweeted. "They were starting to learn German in Paris before the US came along," Trump said, in a low blow sure to gall French allies. "Pay for NATO or not!" Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. Pay for NATO or not! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × On Trade, France makes excellent wine, but so does the U.S. The problem is that France makes it very hard for the U.S. to sell its wines into France, and charges big Tariffs, whereas the U.S. makes it easy for French wines, and charges very small Tariffs. Not fair, must change! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%. He was just trying to get onto another subject. By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!........ — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × ......MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018 × The fierce broadside against a traditional US ally -- for whom Trump rolled out the red carpet in Washington earlier this year -- came just two days after Trump joined dozens of world leaders in Paris for events to mark the 100 years since the end of the Great War. After slamming Macron on defence, Trump's went on to attack his standing as president: "The problem is that Emmanuel suffers from a very low Approval Rating in France, 26%, and an unemployment rate of almost 10%." "He was just trying to get onto another subject," Trump said, appearing to reference Macron's push for a European military. "By the way, there is no country more Nationalist than France, very proud people-and rightfully so!" "MAKE FRANCE GREAT AGAIN!" the mercurial Trump continued in a play on his own campaign slogan, before turning to what he said were protectionist tariffs on wine -- which he said were "not fair, must change!" Macron's office declined to comment on Trump's broadside. 'Bromance' dead? Trump and Macron had seemed to share a special camaraderie in the early days of their respective presidencies, a "bromance" of sorts that included touching, kissing and playful banter. The US president even seemed to flick a piece of dandruff off of Macron's jacket on national television during the French president's state visit to the US capital, saying "we have to make him perfect. He is perfect." But the relationship took a turn for the worse after Macron angered Trump by saying Europe needed its own army and listing the US along with Russia and China as a threat to European cybersecurity. Trump set a combative tone for his visit to Paris, tweeted right after he landed that Macron's call for a "real European army" was "insulting." In an interview recorded Saturday with CNN after talks with Trump, Macron said the two leaders had spoken about what his office has portrayed as a misunderstanding. Both leaders agree there should be "better burden-sharing within NATO," meaning Europe should be less reliant on US spending for its defense, Macron said. But Macron told CNN: "To be very direct with you, what I don't want to see is European countries increasing the budget in defence in order to buy American and other arms or materials coming from your industry." The president's trip to France was further clouded by controversy over the cancellation of a visit to a World War I US military cemetery -- after his helicopter was grounded by the rain -- a decision that was widely criticized. "I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO," Trump tweeted in his defence -- pointing out that he had delivered a speech the following day at another American cemetery in the Paris suburbs "in pouring rain!" "Little reported-Fake News!" he charged.

After Macron rubbishes nationalism, Trump goes on massive Twitter tirade against him

US National Security Advisor John Bolton vowed Tuesday to "squeeze" Iran "until the pips squeak", a week after a tough new round of sanctions came into force.

President Donald Trump has dramatically increased pressure on Tehran, withdrawing from an international agreement aimed at ending its nuclear programme and introducing several rounds of unilateral US sanctions.

The latest tranche of measures have been touted as the toughest yet, and aim to significantly reduce Iran's vital oil exports and cut off its banks from international finance.

Speaking in Singapore ahead of a summit, Bolton said: "We think the government is under real pressure and it's our intention to squeeze them very hard.

"As the British say, squeeze them until the pips squeak.

"We are also going to significantly increase the enforcement of sanctions."

The US measures have been opposed by other parties to the deal aimed at ending Iran's nuclear drive -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- who have vowed to keep the accord alive.

"There's no doubt Iran has already started to try and find ways to evade the sanctions both on oil in particular and financial markets," Bolton added.

UN inspectors say Iran is abiding by the agreement.

Bolton, however, said that "most of the countries of Europe have passed through denial and anger and many of them are already at acceptance that we're out of the deal.

"Others are getting to that point."

In the face of widespread opposition to the sanctions, Washington issued exemptions to eight countries to its ban on buying oil from major producer Iran.

Washington is demanding that Tehran end policies rooted in the 1979 Islamist revolution, including its support for regional proxies such as the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and its development of missiles.

The only support for the US position has come from Iran's regional rivals, notably Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The International Monetary Fund has forecast that the sanctions will cause Iran's economy to contract 1.5 per cent this year and 3.6 per cent next year.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton vowed Tuesday to "squeeze" Iran "until the pips squeak", a week after a tough new round of sanctions came into force. President Donald Trump has dramatically increased pressure on Tehran, withdrawing from an international agreement aimed at ending its nuclear programme and introducing several rounds of unilateral US sanctions.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton vowed Tuesday to "squeeze" Iran "until the pips squeak", a week after a tough new round of sanctions came into force. President Donald Trump has dramatically increased pressure on Tehran, withdrawing from an international agreement aimed at ending its nuclear programme and introducing several rounds of unilateral US sanctions. The latest tranche of measures have been touted as the toughest yet, and aim to significantly reduce Iran's vital oil exports and cut off its banks from international finance. Speaking in Singapore ahead of a summit, Bolton said: "We think the government is under real pressure and it's our intention to squeeze them very hard. "As the British say, squeeze them until the pips squeak. "We are also going to significantly increase the enforcement of sanctions." The US measures have been opposed by other parties to the deal aimed at ending Iran's nuclear drive -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- who have vowed to keep the accord alive. "There's no doubt Iran has already started to try and find ways to evade the sanctions both on oil in particular and financial markets," Bolton added. UN inspectors say Iran is abiding by the agreement. Bolton, however, said that "most of the countries of Europe have passed through denial and anger and many of them are already at acceptance that we're out of the deal. "Others are getting to that point." In the face of widespread opposition to the sanctions, Washington issued exemptions to eight countries to its ban on buying oil from major producer Iran. Washington is demanding that Tehran end policies rooted in the 1979 Islamist revolution, including its support for regional proxies such as the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and its development of missiles. The only support for the US position has come from Iran's regional rivals, notably Saudi Arabia and Israel. The International Monetary Fund has forecast that the sanctions will cause Iran's economy to contract 1.5 per cent this year and 3.6 per cent next year.

US security chief Bolton vows to 'squeeze' Iran

Iran has been abiding by the terms of its nuclear deal with global powers, the latest report from the UN atomic watchdog indicated Monday, days after fresh US sanctions hit the country.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report showed that as of early November, Iran had been complying with the restrictions to its nuclear programme laid down in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Sweeping new American sanctions against Iran, which came into effect on 5 November, have raised fears about whether the deal can survive.

Iran has been abiding by the terms of its nuclear deal with global powers, the latest report from the UN atomic watchdog indicated Monday, days after fresh US sanctions hit the country.

Iran has been abiding by the terms of its nuclear deal with global powers, the latest report from the UN atomic watchdog indicated Monday, days after fresh US sanctions hit the country. The International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report showed that as of early November, Iran had been complying with the restrictions to its nuclear programme laid down in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Sweeping new American sanctions against Iran, which came into effect on 5 November, have raised fears about whether the deal can survive.

Iran sticking to nuclear deal conditions: IAEA

The death toll in a raging California wildfire has reached 29, matching the deadliest in the state's history as firefighters battling blazes at both ends of the state on Monday braced for strong winds.

The "Camp Fire" -- in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains north of Sacramento -- is the largest and most destructive of several infernos that have broken out.

The flames have sent 250,000 people fleeing their homes across the tinder-dry state and razed 6,400 homes in the town of Paradise, effectively wiping it off the map.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced the new death toll at a news conference Sunday, adding that all were found in Paradise area.

At least 31 people have died in fire zones in north and south California, where acrid smoke blanketed the sky for miles, the sun barely visible.&nbsp;

On the ground, cars caught in the flames were reduced to scorched metal skeletons, while homes were left as smoldering piles of debris, with an occasional brick wall or chimney remaining.

Some 200 people remained unaccounted for in the Paradise area alone, officials said. Several fire-affected areas were left without cell phone service.

The fire matched the 1933 Griffith Park disaster in Los Angeles -- until now the single deadliest wildfire on record, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

At the southern end of the state, the "Woolsey Fire" has destroyed mansions and mobile homes in the coastal celebrity redoubt of Malibu, where the death toll has been limited to two victims found in a vehicle on a private driveway.

The National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag" alert for fire-affected Los Angeles and Ventura County.

The service warned of "EXTREMELY CRITICAL Fire Weather Conditions through Tuesday."

It said winds of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour were expected in the coastal region, and up to 60 mph (96 kph) in mountainous areas.

'The new abnormal'&nbsp;

The "Camp Fire" has scorched&nbsp;111,000 acres (45,000 hectares) and is 25 percent contained, Cal Fire said. So far, three of the more than 4,000 firefighters deployed have been injured.

Evacuation orders have been issued to more than a quarter of a million people across California.

While some Malibu-area residents were allowed to return home late Sunday, the entire city of Calabasas -- just northeast of Malibu -- came under evacuation orders.

"This is not the new normal, this is the new abnormal. And this new abnormal will continue, certainly in the next 10 to 15 to 20 years," California Governor Jerry Brown said Sunday.

"Unfortunately, the best science is telling us that the dryness, warmth, drought, all those things, they're going to intensify."

&nbsp;'Dangerously wrong'&nbsp;

President Donald Trump drew fierce criticism for an unsympathetic reaction to the devastation.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted, threatening to withdraw federal support.

Brian Rice, the head of the California Professional Firefighters, slammed the tweet as "ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines."

He said the president's claim that forest policies were mismanaged "is dangerously wrong."

Celebrity aid for pets&nbsp;

The "Woolsey Fire" engulfed parts of Thousand Oaks, where the community is still shell-shocked after a Marine Corps veteran shot dead 12 people in a country music bar on Wednesday.

The blaze has consumed around 85,500 acres, destroyed at least 177 buildings and was 15 percent contained, Cal Fire said.

Singer Miley Cyrus's home was one of the buildings destroyed in southern California.&nbsp;

"Completely devestated (sic) by the fires affecting my community. I am one of the lucky ones. My animals and LOVE OF MY LIFE made it out safely &amp; that's all that matters right now," she tweeted.&nbsp;

"My house no longer stands but the memories shared with family &amp; friends stand strong."

Many of the southern California area's residents own horses, and for the past days Twitter has been filled with messages of people seeking and offering help.

Actor James Woods, a rare political conservative in liberal Hollywood, has made new friends by using his Twitter account to help find missing people and getting help for pets, including horses.

"Please think about fostering #pets while evacuees are dealing with the crisis. Los Angeles #animal shelters are mostly filled, so follow my hashtags, and see if someone in need is someone you can help!" read one of his tweets.

The Ventura County Humane Society said it was "deeply humbled by a $100,000 donation from (actress) Sandra Bullock and family" to rescue and care for animals evacuated from the fires.

The death toll in a raging California wildfire has reached 29, matching the deadliest in the state's history as firefighters battling blazes at both ends of the state on Monday braced for strong winds.

The death toll in a raging California wildfire has reached 29, matching the deadliest in the state's history as firefighters battling blazes at both ends of the state on Monday braced for strong winds. The "Camp Fire" -- in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains north of Sacramento -- is the largest and most destructive of several infernos that have broken out. The flames have sent 250,000 people fleeing their homes across the tinder-dry state and razed 6,400 homes in the town of Paradise, effectively wiping it off the map. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced the new death toll at a news conference Sunday, adding that all were found in Paradise area. At least 31 people have died in fire zones in north and south California, where acrid smoke blanketed the sky for miles, the sun barely visible. On the ground, cars caught in the flames were reduced to scorched metal skeletons, while homes were left as smoldering piles of debris, with an occasional brick wall or chimney remaining. Some 200 people remained unaccounted for in the Paradise area alone, officials said. Several fire-affected areas were left without cell phone service. The fire matched the 1933 Griffith Park disaster in Los Angeles -- until now the single deadliest wildfire on record, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). At the southern end of the state, the "Woolsey Fire" has destroyed mansions and mobile homes in the coastal celebrity redoubt of Malibu, where the death toll has been limited to two victims found in a vehicle on a private driveway. The National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag" alert for fire-affected Los Angeles and Ventura County. The service warned of "EXTREMELY CRITICAL Fire Weather Conditions through Tuesday." It said winds of up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour were expected in the coastal region, and up to 60 mph (96 kph) in mountainous areas. 'The new abnormal' The "Camp Fire" has scorched 111,000 acres (45,000 hectares) and is 25 percent contained, Cal Fire said. So far, three of the more than 4,000 firefighters deployed have been injured. Evacuation orders have been issued to more than a quarter of a million people across California. While some Malibu-area residents were allowed to return home late Sunday, the entire city of Calabasas -- just northeast of Malibu -- came under evacuation orders. "This is not the new normal, this is the new abnormal. And this new abnormal will continue, certainly in the next 10 to 15 to 20 years," California Governor Jerry Brown said Sunday. "Unfortunately, the best science is telling us that the dryness, warmth, drought, all those things, they're going to intensify." 'Dangerously wrong' President Donald Trump drew fierce criticism for an unsympathetic reaction to the devastation. "There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted, threatening to withdraw federal support. Brian Rice, the head of the California Professional Firefighters, slammed the tweet as "ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines." He said the president's claim that forest policies were mismanaged "is dangerously wrong." Celebrity aid for pets The "Woolsey Fire" engulfed parts of Thousand Oaks, where the community is still shell-shocked after a Marine Corps veteran shot dead 12 people in a country music bar on Wednesday. The blaze has consumed around 85,500 acres, destroyed at least 177 buildings and was 15 percent contained, Cal Fire said. Singer Miley Cyrus's home was one of the buildings destroyed in southern California. "Completely devestated (sic) by the fires affecting my community. I am one of the lucky ones. My animals and LOVE OF MY LIFE made it out safely & that's all that matters right now," she tweeted. "My house no longer stands but the memories shared with family & friends stand strong." Many of the southern California area's residents own horses, and for the past days Twitter has been filled with messages of people seeking and offering help. Actor James Woods, a rare political conservative in liberal Hollywood, has made new friends by using his Twitter account to help find missing people and getting help for pets, including horses. "Please think about fostering #pets while evacuees are dealing with the crisis. Los Angeles #animal shelters are mostly filled, so follow my hashtags, and see if someone in need is someone you can help!" read one of his tweets. The Ventura County Humane Society said it was "deeply humbled by a $100,000 donation from (actress) Sandra Bullock and family" to rescue and care for animals evacuated from the fires.

California wildfire toll matches deadliest ever with 29 victims

The two Koreas began destroying 20 guard posts along their heavily-fortified frontier Sunday under a plan to reduce tensions on the border.

Under an agreement made between their generals in late October, North and South Korea agreed to each remove 10 posts and preserve one on either side of the frontier.

The militaries on Sunday began destroying the 20 border guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas after withdrawing troops and equipment from them, Yonhap news agency reported, citing Seoul's defence ministry.

South Korea has around 60 such posts along the rest of the border while the North has about 160, Yonhap said.

The border truce village of Panmunjom -- or the Joint Security Area (JSA) -- is the only spot along the tense, 250-kilometre (155-mile) frontier where soldiers from the two Koreas and the US-led UN Command stand face to face.

But as part of the latest reconciliatory gesture, the two Koreas last month removed all firearms and guard posts from the area, leaving it manned by 35 unarmed personnel from each side.

The moves come as a diplomatic thaw between the former wartime foes gathers pace.

Under doveish South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Seoul has pursued a policy of engagement with its isolated, nuclear-armed neighbour, in contrast with the US which insists pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it denuclearises.

Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed on a broad plan to ease tensions along the border during their third summit in Pyongyang in September.

The two nations technically remain at war after the 1950-53 Korean War that sealed the division of the peninsula and ended with a ceasefire instead of a peace treaty.

But ties improved markedly this year as Moon and Kim took a series of reconciliatory gestures.

Kim and US President Donald Trump also held a historic summit in June in Singapore and signed a vaguely worded deal on denuclearisation, but little progress has been made since then, with the two countries sparring over the exact meaning of the agreement.

Planned talks between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and one of Kim's right-hand men, Kim Yong Chol, were also delayed this week.&nbsp;

The two Koreas began destroying 20 guard posts along their heavily-fortified frontier Sunday under a plan to reduce tensions on the border. Under an agreement made between their generals in late October, North and South Korea agreed to each remove 10 posts and preserve one on either side of the frontier.

The two Koreas began destroying 20 guard posts along their heavily-fortified frontier Sunday under a plan to reduce tensions on the border. Under an agreement made between their generals in late October, North and South Korea agreed to each remove 10 posts and preserve one on either side of the frontier. The militaries on Sunday began destroying the 20 border guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas after withdrawing troops and equipment from them, Yonhap news agency reported, citing Seoul's defence ministry. South Korea has around 60 such posts along the rest of the border while the North has about 160, Yonhap said. The border truce village of Panmunjom -- or the Joint Security Area (JSA) -- is the only spot along the tense, 250-kilometre (155-mile) frontier where soldiers from the two Koreas and the US-led UN Command stand face to face. But as part of the latest reconciliatory gesture, the two Koreas last month removed all firearms and guard posts from the area, leaving it manned by 35 unarmed personnel from each side. The moves come as a diplomatic thaw between the former wartime foes gathers pace. Under doveish South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Seoul has pursued a policy of engagement with its isolated, nuclear-armed neighbour, in contrast with the US which insists pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it denuclearises. Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed on a broad plan to ease tensions along the border during their third summit in Pyongyang in September. The two nations technically remain at war after the 1950-53 Korean War that sealed the division of the peninsula and ended with a ceasefire instead of a peace treaty. But ties improved markedly this year as Moon and Kim took a series of reconciliatory gestures. Kim and US President Donald Trump also held a historic summit in June in Singapore and signed a vaguely worded deal on denuclearisation, but little progress has been made since then, with the two countries sparring over the exact meaning of the agreement. Planned talks between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and one of Kim's right-hand men, Kim Yong Chol, were also delayed this week.

North and South Korea begin destroying border guard posts to reduce tensions

World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.

China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could announce a broad agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which covers half the world's population, on the sidelines of the annual gathering.

Not only is the US absent from the deal, but Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules and raising further questions about Washington's commitment to Asia.

Trump launched his unilateralist trade policy with a bang shortly after coming to office by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal spearheaded by predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to bind fast-growing Asian powers into an American-backed order to counter China.

His approach has left the floor open for Beijing to promote a rival pact it favours, the 16-member RCEP, a free trade deal which also aims to cut tariffs and integrate markets, but gives weaker protection in areas including employment and the environment.

The pact championed by Obama has been kept alive even without the US, and is due to go into force this year, but the Beijing-backed pact has now overtaken it as the world's biggest.

Announcing in Singapore that talks for the deal -- which formally began in 2012 -- are mostly concluded would be "important as a symbol of Asia's commitment to trade at a time of rising global tensions", Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, told AFP.

She said negotiations in some areas were likely to continue into next year, however, while a diplomat attending the summit, speaking anonymously, said "substantial progress" had been made but there were still sticking points.

The gathering of 20 world leaders comes against a backdrop of a months-long trade dispute between China and the United States after Trump imposed tariffs on most Chinese imports this summer, and Beijing retaliated with its own levies.

The standoff is having an impact far beyond the US and China, and leaders at the four days of meetings that begin Monday will be keen to voice their grievances to Vice President Mike Pence, attending in Trump's place, and Premier Li Keqiang.

Trump's absence from the Singapore gathering and a subsequent meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea is even more notable given Obama, who launched a so-called "pivot to Asia" to direct more US economic and military resources to the region, was a regular participant.

Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials.

"We are fully engaged," insisted Patrick Murphy, one of the State Department's most senior Asia diplomats.&nbsp;

"That is very sustained and has been enhanced under the current administration."&nbsp;

Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the meetings, and will deliver a keynote address at a business forum Monday.

She may face criticism over a military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya that saw hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh last year, and has sparked rare criticism of Myanmar from within regional bloc the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Also on the agenda will be North Korea's nuclear programme.&nbsp;

Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation at a historic summit in June, but progress has been slow since.

Pence will also keep on pressure on Beijing over its growing aggression in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

China claims almost all the strategically vital waters, a source of friction with Southeast Asian states that have overlapping claims as well as the US, the traditionally dominant military power in the region.

Other leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

But much of the focus will be on the RCEP as leaders seek to send a message in support of free trade.&nbsp;

The deal groups the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

World leaders "should present a united front advancing trade liberalisation in (the Asia-Pacific) despite global headwinds to trade from the rising tide of global protectionism," Rajiv Biswas, chief regional economist at IHS Markit, told AFP.&nbsp;

World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.

World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda. China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could announce a broad agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which covers half the world's population, on the sidelines of the annual gathering. Not only is the US absent from the deal, but Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules and raising further questions about Washington's commitment to Asia. Trump launched his unilateralist trade policy with a bang shortly after coming to office by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal spearheaded by predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to bind fast-growing Asian powers into an American-backed order to counter China. His approach has left the floor open for Beijing to promote a rival pact it favours, the 16-member RCEP, a free trade deal which also aims to cut tariffs and integrate markets, but gives weaker protection in areas including employment and the environment. The pact championed by Obama has been kept alive even without the US, and is due to go into force this year, but the Beijing-backed pact has now overtaken it as the world's biggest. Announcing in Singapore that talks for the deal -- which formally began in 2012 -- are mostly concluded would be "important as a symbol of Asia's commitment to trade at a time of rising global tensions", Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, told AFP. She said negotiations in some areas were likely to continue into next year, however, while a diplomat attending the summit, speaking anonymously, said "substantial progress" had been made but there were still sticking points. The gathering of 20 world leaders comes against a backdrop of a months-long trade dispute between China and the United States after Trump imposed tariffs on most Chinese imports this summer, and Beijing retaliated with its own levies. The standoff is having an impact far beyond the US and China, and leaders at the four days of meetings that begin Monday will be keen to voice their grievances to Vice President Mike Pence, attending in Trump's place, and Premier Li Keqiang. Trump's absence from the Singapore gathering and a subsequent meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea is even more notable given Obama, who launched a so-called "pivot to Asia" to direct more US economic and military resources to the region, was a regular participant. Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials. "We are fully engaged," insisted Patrick Murphy, one of the State Department's most senior Asia diplomats. "That is very sustained and has been enhanced under the current administration." Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the meetings, and will deliver a keynote address at a business forum Monday. She may face criticism over a military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya that saw hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh last year, and has sparked rare criticism of Myanmar from within regional bloc the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Also on the agenda will be North Korea's nuclear programme. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation at a historic summit in June, but progress has been slow since. Pence will also keep on pressure on Beijing over its growing aggression in the South China Sea. China claims almost all the strategically vital waters, a source of friction with Southeast Asian states that have overlapping claims as well as the US, the traditionally dominant military power in the region. Other leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But much of the focus will be on the RCEP as leaders seek to send a message in support of free trade. The deal groups the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. World leaders "should present a united front advancing trade liberalisation in (the Asia-Pacific) despite global headwinds to trade from the rising tide of global protectionism," Rajiv Biswas, chief regional economist at IHS Markit, told AFP.

China-backed trade deal centre stage at summit as US retreats

World doubles number one Katerina Siniakova and veteran Barbora Strycova powered the Czech Republic to the verge of another Fed Cup title in the final against defending champions the United States on Saturday.

Their opening day victories ensured the Czech team will take a 2-0 lead into Sunday as they seek a sixth Fed Cup triumph since 2011 against the only the country to have won more titles.

The two most successful teams in the tournament's history were facing off without their top players.

Americans Serena and Venus Williams, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens were all unavailable while, for the Czechs, world number eight Karolina Pliskova pulled out with injury and Petra Kvitova was sidelined on the first day with illness.

That left the responsibility to Siniakova, who defeated Alison Riske 6-3 7-6(2), and veteran Barbora Strycova, who beat Fed Cup debutant Sofia Kenin 6-7(5) 6-1 6-4 in the opening rubber.

"I was trying... when I had a chance to be aggressive," said Siniakova, who won the French Open and Wimbledon doubles titles this season with her Czech teammate Barbora Krejcikova.

It was the ideal start for the Czechs, winners of five of the last seven Fed Cup titles and unbeaten in 10 home ties since 2009.

They remain heavy favourites, even without their leading duo, against a U.S. team featuring three debutants, including Kenin.

The veteran Strycova, playing in her final tie for the Czechs after a 16-year Fed Cup career, gave up the first set to the 19-year-old Kenin, who fought through early nerves in her first taste of Fed Cup action.

But the 32-year-old Strycova called on all her experience, bringing the home crowd back into the match by racing ahead 3-0 in the second set and securing the set four games later with a big serve that Kenin returned high and long.

"It is funny because it is her first (Fed Cup tie) and it is my last one," Strycova said.

"For me, it was a lot of emotions. I fought for every ball, and I'm so happy I could win today in front of this crowd. It means a lot to me.

"In the second set, I started to move much better and I also served much better."

Strycova carried the momentum into the third and withstood a late challenge from the American for a resilient victory -- the first time in her distinguished Fed Cup career that she had fought back from a set down to win a singles rubber.

In the second match, Siniakova cruised in the first set but fell behind in the second before pulling level at 3-3. Riske pushed the set to a tiebreak, where Siniakova took control.

U.S. captain Kathy Rinaldi said it was a day of missed opportunities for her squad.

"Anything can happen in Fed Cup and tomorrow is another day," she said.

World doubles number one Katerina Siniakova and veteran Barbora Strycova powered the Czech Republic to the verge of another Fed Cup title in the final against defending champions the United States on Saturday.

World doubles number one Katerina Siniakova and veteran Barbora Strycova powered the Czech Republic to the verge of another Fed Cup title in the final against defending champions the United States on Saturday. Their opening day victories ensured the Czech team will take a 2-0 lead into Sunday as they seek a sixth Fed Cup triumph since 2011 against the only the country to have won more titles. The two most successful teams in the tournament's history were facing off without their top players. Americans Serena and Venus Williams, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens were all unavailable while, for the Czechs, world number eight Karolina Pliskova pulled out with injury and Petra Kvitova was sidelined on the first day with illness. That left the responsibility to Siniakova, who defeated Alison Riske 6-3 7-6(2), and veteran Barbora Strycova, who beat Fed Cup debutant Sofia Kenin 6-7(5) 6-1 6-4 in the opening rubber. "I was trying... when I had a chance to be aggressive," said Siniakova, who won the French Open and Wimbledon doubles titles this season with her Czech teammate Barbora Krejcikova. It was the ideal start for the Czechs, winners of five of the last seven Fed Cup titles and unbeaten in 10 home ties since 2009. They remain heavy favourites, even without their leading duo, against a U.S. team featuring three debutants, including Kenin. The veteran Strycova, playing in her final tie for the Czechs after a 16-year Fed Cup career, gave up the first set to the 19-year-old Kenin, who fought through early nerves in her first taste of Fed Cup action. But the 32-year-old Strycova called on all her experience, bringing the home crowd back into the match by racing ahead 3-0 in the second set and securing the set four games later with a big serve that Kenin returned high and long. "It is funny because it is her first (Fed Cup tie) and it is my last one," Strycova said. "For me, it was a lot of emotions. I fought for every ball, and I'm so happy I could win today in front of this crowd. It means a lot to me. "In the second set, I started to move much better and I also served much better." Strycova carried the momentum into the third and withstood a late challenge from the American for a resilient victory -- the first time in her distinguished Fed Cup career that she had fought back from a set down to win a singles rubber. In the second match, Siniakova cruised in the first set but fell behind in the second before pulling level at 3-3. Riske pushed the set to a tiebreak, where Siniakova took control. U.S. captain Kathy Rinaldi said it was a day of missed opportunities for her squad. "Anything can happen in Fed Cup and tomorrow is another day," she said.

Czechs take 2-0 lead over US in Fed Cup final

United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Central Commission of the Communist Party of China Yang Jiechi and State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe for the second US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue.

The US Department of State, in a statement, stated that the US and China had candid and in-depth conversations about key diplomatic and security issues.

They even reaffirmed that the US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue could be a constructive platform that produces meaningful results.

The US also highlighted President Donald Trump`s vision for a constructive, results-oriented relationship between the two countries based on fairness and reciprocity.

Both the countries also committed to coordinate on resolving differences and cooperate on common goals.

Further discussing the military co-operation, the two countries recognised that the military-to-military relationship between the US and China could be a stabilising factor for the overall bilateral relationship, and committed to a productive mil-mil relationship.

The two sides also decided to deepen engagement to advance their shared commitment to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

The issue of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and to bring back normalcy in Afghanistan were also discussed during the meeting.

The two sides committed to supporting peace and stability in the South China Sea, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea in accordance with international law.&nbsp;

United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Central Commission of the Communist Party of China Yang Jiechi and State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe for the second US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue.

United States Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Central Commission of the Communist Party of China Yang Jiechi and State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe for the second US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue. The US Department of State, in a statement, stated that the US and China had candid and in-depth conversations about key diplomatic and security issues. They even reaffirmed that the US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue could be a constructive platform that produces meaningful results. The US also highlighted President Donald Trump`s vision for a constructive, results-oriented relationship between the two countries based on fairness and reciprocity. Both the countries also committed to coordinate on resolving differences and cooperate on common goals. Further discussing the military co-operation, the two countries recognised that the military-to-military relationship between the US and China could be a stabilising factor for the overall bilateral relationship, and committed to a productive mil-mil relationship. The two sides also decided to deepen engagement to advance their shared commitment to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. The issue of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and to bring back normalcy in Afghanistan were also discussed during the meeting. The two sides committed to supporting peace and stability in the South China Sea, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea in accordance with international law.

US, China hold security, diplomatic dialogue

Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for a potentially more strained relationship with the United States in the wake of Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives in this week's mid-term elections and mounting Turkish efforts to corner the kingdom in the Khashoggi crisis.

To counter possible US pressure, the kingdom is exploring opportunities to diversify its arms suppliers and build a domestic defense industry. It is also rallying the wagons at home with financial handouts and new development projects in a bid to bolster domestic support for crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Democrats' election victory has strengthened Saudi concerns that the Trump administration may pressure the kingdom to back down on key issues like the Yemen war that has sparked the world's worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two and the 17-month old Saudi-United Arab Emirates-led economic and diplomatic boycott of Qatar.

US officials have argued that Saudi policies complicate their efforts to isolate and economically cripple Iran.

The officials assert that the boycott of Qatar and the fallout of the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul constitute obstacles to the creation of a Sunni Muslim alliance against the Islamic republic, dubbed an Arab NATO, as well as the achievement of other US goals in the Middle East, including countering political violence and ensuring the free flow of oil.

Going a step further, senior Israelis say they have given up on the notion of a Sunni Muslim alliance whose interests would be aligned with those of the Jewish state and see their budding relations with Gulf states increasingly in transactional terms.

The Trump administration signalled its concerns even before the killing of Khashoggi.

"Our regional partners are increasingly competing and, in the case of the Qatar rift, entering into outright competition to the detriment of American interests and to the benefit of Iran, Russia and China," National Security Adviser John Bolton wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in a letter late summer, according to Reuters.

With the House expected to be tougher on arms sales to the kingdom and possibly go as far as imposing an arms embargo because of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen caused by Saudi and UAE military operations, Saudi Arabia has wasted no time in casting around for alternative weapons suppliers.

In apparent recognition that the Saudi military, reliant on US and European arms acquisitions, would find it difficult to quickly shift to Russian or Chinese systems, Saudi Arabia appears for now to be focussing on alternative Western suppliers.

That could prove to be risky with anti-Saudi sentiment because of the Yemen war also running high in European parliaments and countries like Spain and Germany either teetering on the brink of sanctions or having toyed with restrictions on weapons sales to the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia, nonetheless, has in recent days contracted Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to jointly build five corvettes for the Saudi navy and offered South African state-owned defense group Denel $1 billion to help the kingdom build a domestic defense industry.

The partnership with Denel would involve Saudi Arabia taking a minority stake in German defense contractor Rheinmetall, which designs armoured fighting vehicles and howitzers.

With sale of the US-made precision-guided munitions bogged down in Congress, Spain has stepped in to address Saudi Arabia's immediate need. The question is however whether Spain can fully meet Saudi demand.

A US refusal already before the Gulf crisis and the Khashoggi incident to share with Saudi Arabia its most advanced drone technology, paved the way for Chinese agreement to open its first overseas defense production facility in the kingdom.

State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) will manufacture its CH-4 Caihong, or Rainbow drone, as well as associated equipment in Saudi Arabia. The CH-4 is comparable to the US armed MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Saudi Arabia also fears that Democratic control of the House could strengthen opposition to a nuclear energy agreement with the kingdom. Five Republican senators called on President Donald J. Trump days before the mid-term election to suspend talks with Saudi Arabia.

Development of a defense industry would over time serve Prince Mohammed's efforts to diversify the Saudi economy and create jobs.

So would &nbsp;King Salman's inauguration this week of 259 development projects worth US$6.13 billion ranging from tourism, electricity, environment, water, agriculture, housing, and transport to energy. &nbsp;King Salman launched the projects during a curtailed visit to Saudi provinces designed to bolster support for his regime as well as his son, Prince Mohammed

On the other hand, the government's most recent decision to restore annual bonuses and allowances for civil servants and military personnel without linking them to performance constitutes an attempt to curry public favour that runs contrary to Prince Mohammed's intention to streamline the bureaucracy and stimulate competition.

Bonuses were cut in 2016 as part of austerity measures. They were restored last year and linked in May to job performance.

In a further populist move, King Salman also pardoned prisoners serving time on financial charges and promised to pay the debts up to US$267,000 of each one of them.

King Salman's moves appear designed to lessen Saudi dependence on US arms sales and project a united front against any attempt to implicate Prince Mohammed in the death of Khashoggi.

The moves come as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that the order to kill the journalist came "from the highest levels of the Saudi government" and the Trump administration demands Saudi action against the perpetrators and those responsible for the murder.

Failure to be seen to be taking credible action may not undermine King Salman's rallying of the wagons at home but will do little to weaken calls in Washington as well as European capitals for tougher action in a bid to force Saudi Arabia to come clean on the Khashoggi case and adopt a more conciliatory approach towards ending the Yemen war and resolving the Gulf crisis.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for a potentially more strained relationship with the United States in the wake of Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives in this week's mid-term elections and mounting Turkish efforts to corner the kingdom in the Khashoggi crisis.

Saudi Arabia is bracing itself for a potentially more strained relationship with the United States in the wake of Democrats gaining control of the House of Representatives in this week's mid-term elections and mounting Turkish efforts to corner the kingdom in the Khashoggi crisis. To counter possible US pressure, the kingdom is exploring opportunities to diversify its arms suppliers and build a domestic defense industry. It is also rallying the wagons at home with financial handouts and new development projects in a bid to bolster domestic support for crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Democrats' election victory has strengthened Saudi concerns that the Trump administration may pressure the kingdom to back down on key issues like the Yemen war that has sparked the world's worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two and the 17-month old Saudi-United Arab Emirates-led economic and diplomatic boycott of Qatar. US officials have argued that Saudi policies complicate their efforts to isolate and economically cripple Iran. The officials assert that the boycott of Qatar and the fallout of the October 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul constitute obstacles to the creation of a Sunni Muslim alliance against the Islamic republic, dubbed an Arab NATO, as well as the achievement of other US goals in the Middle East, including countering political violence and ensuring the free flow of oil. Going a step further, senior Israelis say they have given up on the notion of a Sunni Muslim alliance whose interests would be aligned with those of the Jewish state and see their budding relations with Gulf states increasingly in transactional terms. The Trump administration signalled its concerns even before the killing of Khashoggi. "Our regional partners are increasingly competing and, in the case of the Qatar rift, entering into outright competition to the detriment of American interests and to the benefit of Iran, Russia and China," National Security Adviser John Bolton wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in a letter late summer, according to Reuters. With the House expected to be tougher on arms sales to the kingdom and possibly go as far as imposing an arms embargo because of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen caused by Saudi and UAE military operations, Saudi Arabia has wasted no time in casting around for alternative weapons suppliers. In apparent recognition that the Saudi military, reliant on US and European arms acquisitions, would find it difficult to quickly shift to Russian or Chinese systems, Saudi Arabia appears for now to be focussing on alternative Western suppliers. That could prove to be risky with anti-Saudi sentiment because of the Yemen war also running high in European parliaments and countries like Spain and Germany either teetering on the brink of sanctions or having toyed with restrictions on weapons sales to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia, nonetheless, has in recent days contracted Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to jointly build five corvettes for the Saudi navy and offered South African state-owned defense group Denel $1 billion to help the kingdom build a domestic defense industry. The partnership with Denel would involve Saudi Arabia taking a minority stake in German defense contractor Rheinmetall, which designs armoured fighting vehicles and howitzers. With sale of the US-made precision-guided munitions bogged down in Congress, Spain has stepped in to address Saudi Arabia's immediate need. The question is however whether Spain can fully meet Saudi demand. A US refusal already before the Gulf crisis and the Khashoggi incident to share with Saudi Arabia its most advanced drone technology, paved the way for Chinese agreement to open its first overseas defense production facility in the kingdom. State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) will manufacture its CH-4 Caihong, or Rainbow drone, as well as associated equipment in Saudi Arabia. The CH-4 is comparable to the US armed MQ-9 Reaper drone. Saudi Arabia also fears that Democratic control of the House could strengthen opposition to a nuclear energy agreement with the kingdom. Five Republican senators called on President Donald J. Trump days before the mid-term election to suspend talks with Saudi Arabia. Development of a defense industry would over time serve Prince Mohammed's efforts to diversify the Saudi economy and create jobs. So would King Salman's inauguration this week of 259 development projects worth US$6.13 billion ranging from tourism, electricity, environment, water, agriculture, housing, and transport to energy. King Salman launched the projects during a curtailed visit to Saudi provinces designed to bolster support for his regime as well as his son, Prince Mohammed On the other hand, the government's most recent decision to restore annual bonuses and allowances for civil servants and military personnel without linking them to performance constitutes an attempt to curry public favour that runs contrary to Prince Mohammed's intention to streamline the bureaucracy and stimulate competition. Bonuses were cut in 2016 as part of austerity measures. They were restored last year and linked in May to job performance. In a further populist move, King Salman also pardoned prisoners serving time on financial charges and promised to pay the debts up to US$267,000 of each one of them. King Salman's moves appear designed to lessen Saudi dependence on US arms sales and project a united front against any attempt to implicate Prince Mohammed in the death of Khashoggi. The moves come as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insists that the order to kill the journalist came "from the highest levels of the Saudi government" and the Trump administration demands Saudi action against the perpetrators and those responsible for the murder. Failure to be seen to be taking credible action may not undermine King Salman's rallying of the wagons at home but will do little to weaken calls in Washington as well as European capitals for tougher action in a bid to force Saudi Arabia to come clean on the Khashoggi case and adopt a more conciliatory approach towards ending the Yemen war and resolving the Gulf crisis. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Khashoggi crisis: Saudi Arabia braces for tougher post-election US attitude

Jordan said on Thursday it was in talks with Washington and Moscow to empty a desert camp used by 50,000 displaced Syrians, a move aimed at defusing security tensions near a potential military flashpoint on its northeast border with Syria.

Jordan`s foreign ministry said the kingdom backed a Russian plan to arrange the voluntary return of the inhabitants of Rukban camp to their home areas in eastern Syria following their recapture by the Syrian government from Islamic State.

"Jordanian-US-Russian talks have begun with the aim of finding a fundamental solution to Rukban by ensuring the right conditions of their voluntary return to their cities and towns," Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al Qatarneh said.

"Jordan supports the Russian plan to create the conditions that allow the emptying of the camp," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

He did not elaborate.

Intelligence sources say the Russian plan entails negotiating with Syrian tribal leaders and former Western-backed rebels sheltering in the camp area to provide safe passage for returnees to go to opposition areas in northern Syria, and to help those who want to go their homes in state-held areas.&nbsp;

Many camp inhabitants are not ready to go back to homes in state-held areas for fear of being drafted for conscription, tribal figures in the camp say.&nbsp;

Developments at Rukban are watched closely around the region because it is near a US garrison in southeastern Syria at Tanf on the Iraq-Syria border.

The camp falls within a so-called deconfliction zone set up by the Pentagon to try to shield the Tanf garrison from attacks by pro-government forces.

Damascus says the US forces are occupying Syrian territory and providing a safe-haven in that area for rebels it deems terrorists.&nbsp;

Jordan officials have repeatedly said they suspect the camp is infiltrated with IS sleeper cells, a security nightmare that has haunted Amman since an IS militant in 2016 drove a car bomb into a Jordanian military border post, killing seven guards.

In the last three years, tens of thousands of Syrians trekked to the camp where the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq meet. They fled expanded Russian and US-led coalition air strikes against IS-held areas in central and eastern Syria.

Intelligence sources say a siege of the camp last month by the Syrian army that depleted food stores in the compound and raised the spectre of starvation was aimed at piling pressure on Washington.

Russia`s defence ministry in August repeated an accusation that Washington has been harbouring Islamic State militants within the zone.

Washington, however, responded to growing Russian pressure by conducting rare military exercises in the base last month, and General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, made an unannounced visit to Tanf.

Tanf lies on the strategic Damascus-Baghdad highway, once a major supply route for Iranian weapons into Syria. This makes the base a bulwark against Iran and part of a larger campaign against Iranian influence in the Middle East.&nbsp;

Jordan said on Thursday it was in talks with Washington and Moscow to empty a desert camp used by 50,000 displaced Syrians, a move aimed at defusing security tensions near a potential military flashpoint on its northeast border with Syria.

Jordan said on Thursday it was in talks with Washington and Moscow to empty a desert camp used by 50,000 displaced Syrians, a move aimed at defusing security tensions near a potential military flashpoint on its northeast border with Syria. Jordan`s foreign ministry said the kingdom backed a Russian plan to arrange the voluntary return of the inhabitants of Rukban camp to their home areas in eastern Syria following their recapture by the Syrian government from Islamic State. "Jordanian-US-Russian talks have begun with the aim of finding a fundamental solution to Rukban by ensuring the right conditions of their voluntary return to their cities and towns," Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al Qatarneh said. "Jordan supports the Russian plan to create the conditions that allow the emptying of the camp," he said in a statement. He did not elaborate. Intelligence sources say the Russian plan entails negotiating with Syrian tribal leaders and former Western-backed rebels sheltering in the camp area to provide safe passage for returnees to go to opposition areas in northern Syria, and to help those who want to go their homes in state-held areas. Many camp inhabitants are not ready to go back to homes in state-held areas for fear of being drafted for conscription, tribal figures in the camp say. Developments at Rukban are watched closely around the region because it is near a US garrison in southeastern Syria at Tanf on the Iraq-Syria border. The camp falls within a so-called deconfliction zone set up by the Pentagon to try to shield the Tanf garrison from attacks by pro-government forces. Damascus says the US forces are occupying Syrian territory and providing a safe-haven in that area for rebels it deems terrorists. Jordan officials have repeatedly said they suspect the camp is infiltrated with IS sleeper cells, a security nightmare that has haunted Amman since an IS militant in 2016 drove a car bomb into a Jordanian military border post, killing seven guards. In the last three years, tens of thousands of Syrians trekked to the camp where the borders of Syria, Jordan and Iraq meet. They fled expanded Russian and US-led coalition air strikes against IS-held areas in central and eastern Syria. Intelligence sources say a siege of the camp last month by the Syrian army that depleted food stores in the compound and raised the spectre of starvation was aimed at piling pressure on Washington. Russia`s defence ministry in August repeated an accusation that Washington has been harbouring Islamic State militants within the zone. Washington, however, responded to growing Russian pressure by conducting rare military exercises in the base last month, and General Joseph Votel, head of US Central Command, made an unannounced visit to Tanf. Tanf lies on the strategic Damascus-Baghdad highway, once a major supply route for Iranian weapons into Syria. This makes the base a bulwark against Iran and part of a larger campaign against Iranian influence in the Middle East.

Jordan says in talks with US and Russia to dismantle Syria camp

A US appeals court in California ruled on Thursday that President Donald Trump's administration must continue a program begun under former President Barack Obama that protects hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who were brought into the country as children.

The decision by the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals preserves the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program introduced in 2012 that has shielded from deportation a group of immigrants dubbed "Dreamers" and has given them work permits, though not a path to citizenship.&nbsp;

Trump has taken a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-moves-to-curb-migrants-asylum-claims-176298">stern stance against illegal immigration</a>. His administration announced plans in September 2017 to phase out DACA, arguing that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he bypassed Congress and created the program. DACA currently protects roughly 700,000 young adults, mostly Hispanics, with the number previously as high as about 800,000 people.

The three-judge panel unanimously upheld a federal judge`s January injunction maintaining the program, rejecting the administration`s claim that the decision to end DACA was not reviewable by the courts.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought by the University of California, the states of California, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota and others challenging Trump`s move to end DACA.

The judges said the plaintiffs made a plausible case that the Republican president`s plan violates the US Constitution`s guarantee of equal protection under the law. The plaintiffs provided evidence of "discriminatory motivation, including the rescission order`s disparate impact on Latinos and persons of Mexican heritage," Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw write in the opinion.&nbsp;

Wardlaw was appointed by Democratic former President Bill Clinton. The other two judges, John Owens and Jacqueline Nguyen, were appointed by Obama, a Democrat. Wardlaw and Nguyen also said the plaintiffs would likely win on their claim that rescinding DACA would violate federal administrative law.&nbsp;

The ruling represented another legal defeat for Trump concerning DACA, although he has won court victories on other parts of his tough immigration policies.

"Another federal court has said what we`ve always known: that Trump`s decision to kill DACA was wrong and that his sole motivation was to deport 800,000 people of color," said Sanaa Abrar of the group United We Dream, which advocates for DACA recipients.

On Monday, the administration took the unusual step of asking the US Supreme Court to review the case even though the appeals court had yet to rule.

Trump said on Wednesday he saw a potential to work with Democrats, who won control of the House of Representatives this week, but would have to see how the Supreme Court rules on the issue.

The ruling was the first by a federal appellate court to review the merits of the decision to rescind DACA.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-2000-migrants-drown-in-mediterranean-this-year-un-175892">More than 2,000 migrants drown in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-2000-migrants-drown-in-mediterranean-this-year-un-175892">Mediterranean</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-2000-migrants-drown-in-mediterranean-this-year-un-175892"> this year: UN</a>

"Far from over"

"In California and across our nation, Dreamers significantly enrich our communities as scholars, entrepreneurs, first responders and much more," said Xavier Becerra, California`s Democratic attorney general. "This fight, of course, is far from over. We will continue to defend Dreamers and DACA all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary."

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

San Francisco-based US District Judge William Alsup decided in January the government must continue processing renewals of existing DACA applications while litigation over the legality of Trump`s action is resolved. The administration in February unsuccessfully appealed Alsup`s ruling to the Supreme Court.

Trump`s move last year had called for DACA to begin winding down this past March. Trump`s action sparked an outcry from immigration advocates, business groups, colleges and some religious leaders. There are about 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center.&nbsp;

Lawsuits both challenging and supporting Trump`s decision to end DACA have been working their way through the courts, making it likely the issue will wind up in front of the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit ruling does not impact a nationwide injunction to preserve DACA issued by US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn in February, which also has been appealed.

A federal judge in Washington in August ordered the administration to fully restore DACA, including taking new applications. That decision was stayed pending appeal.

Legislation to extend protections for DACA recipients and provide them a path to citizenship failed in Congress this year.&nbsp;

A US appeals court in California ruled on Thursday that President Donald Trump's administration must continue a program begun under former President Barack Obama that protects hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who were brought into the country as children.

A US appeals court in California ruled on Thursday that President Donald Trump's administration must continue a program begun under former President Barack Obama that protects hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who were brought into the country as children. The decision by the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals preserves the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program introduced in 2012 that has shielded from deportation a group of immigrants dubbed "Dreamers" and has given them work permits, though not a path to citizenship. Trump has taken a stern stance against illegal immigration. His administration announced plans in September 2017 to phase out DACA, arguing that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he bypassed Congress and created the program. DACA currently protects roughly 700,000 young adults, mostly Hispanics, with the number previously as high as about 800,000 people. The three-judge panel unanimously upheld a federal judge`s January injunction maintaining the program, rejecting the administration`s claim that the decision to end DACA was not reviewable by the courts. The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought by the University of California, the states of California, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota and others challenging Trump`s move to end DACA. The judges said the plaintiffs made a plausible case that the Republican president`s plan violates the US Constitution`s guarantee of equal protection under the law. The plaintiffs provided evidence of "discriminatory motivation, including the rescission order`s disparate impact on Latinos and persons of Mexican heritage," Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw write in the opinion. Wardlaw was appointed by Democratic former President Bill Clinton. The other two judges, John Owens and Jacqueline Nguyen, were appointed by Obama, a Democrat. Wardlaw and Nguyen also said the plaintiffs would likely win on their claim that rescinding DACA would violate federal administrative law. The ruling represented another legal defeat for Trump concerning DACA, although he has won court victories on other parts of his tough immigration policies. "Another federal court has said what we`ve always known: that Trump`s decision to kill DACA was wrong and that his sole motivation was to deport 800,000 people of color," said Sanaa Abrar of the group United We Dream, which advocates for DACA recipients. On Monday, the administration took the unusual step of asking the US Supreme Court to review the case even though the appeals court had yet to rule. Trump said on Wednesday he saw a potential to work with Democrats, who won control of the House of Representatives this week, but would have to see how the Supreme Court rules on the issue. The ruling was the first by a federal appellate court to review the merits of the decision to rescind DACA. Also read: More than 2,000 migrants drown in Mediterranean this year: UN "Far from over" "In California and across our nation, Dreamers significantly enrich our communities as scholars, entrepreneurs, first responders and much more," said Xavier Becerra, California`s Democratic attorney general. "This fight, of course, is far from over. We will continue to defend Dreamers and DACA all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary." The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. San Francisco-based US District Judge William Alsup decided in January the government must continue processing renewals of existing DACA applications while litigation over the legality of Trump`s action is resolved. The administration in February unsuccessfully appealed Alsup`s ruling to the Supreme Court. Trump`s move last year had called for DACA to begin winding down this past March. Trump`s action sparked an outcry from immigration advocates, business groups, colleges and some religious leaders. There are about 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center. Lawsuits both challenging and supporting Trump`s decision to end DACA have been working their way through the courts, making it likely the issue will wind up in front of the Supreme Court. The 9th Circuit ruling does not impact a nationwide injunction to preserve DACA issued by US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn in February, which also has been appealed. A federal judge in Washington in August ordered the administration to fully restore DACA, including taking new applications. That decision was stayed pending appeal. Legislation to extend protections for DACA recipients and provide them a path to citizenship failed in Congress this year.

US appeals court rules against Trump on DACA immigration program

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday.

Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar last month as part of efforts to find a way to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, according to the Islamist group that was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001.

"On his last trip to the region in October, Special Representative Khalilzad called on the Afghan Government and the Taliban to organise authoritative negotiating teams, and has been encouraged to see that both parties are taking steps in that direction," the State Department said in a statement.

"The United States remains committed to a political settlement that results in an end to the war and to the terrorist threat posed to the United States and the world."

The Taliban are fighting the US-backed Kabul government to re-impose strict Islamic law and have stepped up attacks in strategic provinces.

A senior Taliban official said after last month`s talks that Khalilzad had asked the Taliban leadership, based in the Qatari capital Doha, to declare a ceasefire in Afghanistan for six months.&nbsp;

In exchange, the Taliban want the Afghan government to release fighters from jails and the swift removal of foreign forces fighting alongside Afghan troops. 
A statement by the US embassy in Kabul about Khalilzad`s diplomatic tour in October did not confirm his meeting with the Taliban.

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday.

US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, will visit Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20 to push for peace negotiations with the Afghan Taliban, the State Department said on Thursday. Khalilzad met Taliban leaders in Qatar last month as part of efforts to find a way to end the 17-year-long war in Afghanistan, according to the Islamist group that was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001. "On his last trip to the region in October, Special Representative Khalilzad called on the Afghan Government and the Taliban to organise authoritative negotiating teams, and has been encouraged to see that both parties are taking steps in that direction," the State Department said in a statement. "The United States remains committed to a political settlement that results in an end to the war and to the terrorist threat posed to the United States and the world." The Taliban are fighting the US-backed Kabul government to re-impose strict Islamic law and have stepped up attacks in strategic provinces. A senior Taliban official said after last month`s talks that Khalilzad had asked the Taliban leadership, based in the Qatari capital Doha, to declare a ceasefire in Afghanistan for six months. In exchange, the Taliban want the Afghan government to release fighters from jails and the swift removal of foreign forces fighting alongside Afghan troops. A statement by the US embassy in Kabul about Khalilzad`s diplomatic tour in October did not confirm his meeting with the Taliban.

US peace envoy to visit Afghanistan, Qatar, Pakistan, UAE

A "frank" exchange of views can be expected in top-level diplomatic and security talks between the United States and China on Friday, including on issues such as human rights and the South China Sea, the US ambassador to China said.

Terry Branstad told reporters at the State Department on Thursday that the United States would seek progress on priority issues, including North Korea, and that there would also be discussions on strategic security and how "to avoid mistakes or accidents that can happen in the military arena."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will take part in the talks in Washington, with Chinese politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. They were supposed to have been held in Beijing in October but were delayed amid rising tension over trade, Taiwan and the South China Sea.

While the focus will be on diplomacy and security, moves to try to resolve a damaging trade war between the two countries are expected to be touched upon ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Argentina at the end of November.&nbsp;

"We want this to be a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China," Branstad said. "The US is not trying to contain China but we want fairness and reciprocity."

China and the United States have put tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other`s goods and Trump has threatened to set tariffs on the remainder of China`s $500 billion-plus exports to the United States if the dispute cannot be resolved.

A resumption of high-level dialogue, marked by a phone call last week between the presidents, has raised some hopes, but the Trump administration has also accused China of interfering in US politics, charges China strongly denies. The two have also sparred over the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims.&nbsp;

Washington has also been increasingly critical of Chinese treatment of religious minorities, including Uighur Muslims in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang.

"The diplomatic and security dialogue is a forum for a frank, open exchange of views on a full range of issues from the South China Sea, to human rights," Branstad.

He noted Beijing`s cooperation on a range of international issues, calling it a "very key player" in getting North Korea back to negotiations.

Discussion is also expected on Friday of US plans to quit the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia, which has sparked Chinese worries that it could lead to the stationing of US land-based missiles in Asia.

Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China wants to resolve problems through talks, but Washington must respect Beijing`s choice of development path and interests.

China`s Foreign Ministry said Yang Jiechi met US national security adviser John Bolton on Wednesday and said the two sides should "properly manage differences and carefully prepare to ensure positive results in the Argentina meeting."

"China is committed to working with the US to achieve a no-confrontational, conflict-free, mutually respectful co-operation in which both sides win," it quoted Yang as saying.

A "frank" exchange of views can be expected in top-level diplomatic and security talks between the United States and China on Friday, including on issues such as human rights and the South China Sea, the US ambassador to China said.

A "frank" exchange of views can be expected in top-level diplomatic and security talks between the United States and China on Friday, including on issues such as human rights and the South China Sea, the US ambassador to China said. Terry Branstad told reporters at the State Department on Thursday that the United States would seek progress on priority issues, including North Korea, and that there would also be discussions on strategic security and how "to avoid mistakes or accidents that can happen in the military arena." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will take part in the talks in Washington, with Chinese politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. They were supposed to have been held in Beijing in October but were delayed amid rising tension over trade, Taiwan and the South China Sea. While the focus will be on diplomacy and security, moves to try to resolve a damaging trade war between the two countries are expected to be touched upon ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Argentina at the end of November. "We want this to be a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China," Branstad said. "The US is not trying to contain China but we want fairness and reciprocity." China and the United States have put tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other`s goods and Trump has threatened to set tariffs on the remainder of China`s $500 billion-plus exports to the United States if the dispute cannot be resolved. A resumption of high-level dialogue, marked by a phone call last week between the presidents, has raised some hopes, but the Trump administration has also accused China of interfering in US politics, charges China strongly denies. The two have also sparred over the disputed South China Sea and self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims. Washington has also been increasingly critical of Chinese treatment of religious minorities, including Uighur Muslims in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang. "The diplomatic and security dialogue is a forum for a frank, open exchange of views on a full range of issues from the South China Sea, to human rights," Branstad. He noted Beijing`s cooperation on a range of international issues, calling it a "very key player" in getting North Korea back to negotiations. Discussion is also expected on Friday of US plans to quit the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia, which has sparked Chinese worries that it could lead to the stationing of US land-based missiles in Asia. Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China wants to resolve problems through talks, but Washington must respect Beijing`s choice of development path and interests. China`s Foreign Ministry said Yang Jiechi met US national security adviser John Bolton on Wednesday and said the two sides should "properly manage differences and carefully prepare to ensure positive results in the Argentina meeting." "China is committed to working with the US to achieve a no-confrontational, conflict-free, mutually respectful co-operation in which both sides win," it quoted Yang as saying.

US ambassador expects 'frank' exchanges in China dialogue on Friday

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans towards President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also seek congressional authorisation for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo.

As the majority party, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the House and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation.

"I don`t think we should challenge something just because it`s put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority`s greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence.

How do the Democrats see Russia?

Democrats plan Russia-related investigations, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia.&nbsp;

From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House will push to punish Russia for interference in US elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The House could push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It could also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017.

Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoenas if necessary, to obtain information about Trump`s summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting.

"It`s ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said.

He said the issue of Russia`s interference in the 2016 election "hasn`t been at all resolved."

Will Khashoggi's killing influence Saudi ties?

The furore over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers` frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights.

A Democratic-led House could vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US aircraft refuelling and other support for the campaign in Yemen.

While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran`s influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said.

Don't Democrats want peace with North Korea?

Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much.

Engel plans to call administration officials to testify about the status of talks. But Democrats also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a nuclear war.

"I think it`s good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn`t be deluded in thinking that they`re going to have any major changes," Engel said.

Can Democrats change China policy?

Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in China policy. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change.

Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp&nbsp;and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats.

But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said.

Will Democrats challenge Trump trade policy?

Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump`s trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing.

While the president has considerable latitude on trade policy, Democrats have said they want more accountability on Trump`s actions, including sharp tariff hikes on China that have affected farm and manufacturing states, particularly in the Midwest. Even if they do not come down hard on Trump on trade, Democrats will ask him to ensure that any trade deal sets labour and environmental standards.

Can Democrats revive the Iran Nuclear Deal?

Democrats were infuriated by Trump's withdrawal from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama`s administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House.

Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties.

Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.&nbsp;

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans towards President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans towards President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also seek congressional authorisation for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo. As the majority party, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the House and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation. "I don`t think we should challenge something just because it`s put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview. Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority`s greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence. How do the Democrats see Russia? Democrats plan Russia-related investigations, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia. From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House will push to punish Russia for interference in US elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war. The House could push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It could also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017. Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoenas if necessary, to obtain information about Trump`s summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting. "It`s ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said. He said the issue of Russia`s interference in the 2016 election "hasn`t been at all resolved." Will Khashoggi's killing influence Saudi ties? The furore over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers` frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights. A Democratic-led House could vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US aircraft refuelling and other support for the campaign in Yemen. While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran`s influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said. Don't Democrats want peace with North Korea? Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much. Engel plans to call administration officials to testify about the status of talks. But Democrats also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a nuclear war. "I think it`s good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn`t be deluded in thinking that they`re going to have any major changes," Engel said. Can Democrats change China policy? Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in China policy. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change. Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats. But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said. Will Democrats challenge Trump trade policy? Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump`s trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing. While the president has considerable latitude on trade policy, Democrats have said they want more accountability on Trump`s actions, including sharp tariff hikes on China that have affected farm and manufacturing states, particularly in the Midwest. Even if they do not come down hard on Trump on trade, Democrats will ask him to ensure that any trade deal sets labour and environmental standards. Can Democrats revive the Iran Nuclear Deal? Democrats were infuriated by Trump's withdrawal from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama`s administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House. Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties. Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.

How a Democratic US House could alter foreign policy

California shooting: 12 killed including a cop; several others injured

Watch: WION Dispatch, 8th November, 2018

WION Dispatch: 13 dead; gunman killed in California bar shooting

Shooting at a bar in Southern California injures several; gunman killed

We need to defend Europe against China, Russia, US: French president Macron

Democrats will use their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterm-elections-democrats-take-control-of-house-republicans-keep-senate-175998">new majority</a> in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans toward President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also push for congressional authorization for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo.

Now that they <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/analysis-loss-of-us-house-leaves-republicans-more-tied-to-trump-than-ever-176001">have taken control</a> of the 435-member House of Representatives for the first time since 2011, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the chamber and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation.

"I don't think we should challenge something just because it's put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority's greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence.

HOW DO THE DEMOCRATS SEE RUSSIA?

Democrats plan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/meddling-claims-us-baseless-russia-un-168357">Russia-related investigations</a>, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia.

From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House would push to punish Russia for interference in US&nbsp;elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war.

The House would push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It would also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017.

Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoena power if necessary, to obtain information about Trump's summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting.

"It's ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said.

He said the issue of Russia's interference in the 2016 election "hasn't been at all resolved."

WILL KHASHOGGI'S KILLING INFLUENCE SAUDI TIES?

The furor over the death of journalist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-was-dead-in-twenty-minutes-says-tura-khislakchi-as-he-unfolds-the-incident-to-wion-173771">Jamal Khashoggi</a> at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers' frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights.

A Democratic-led House would vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US&nbsp;aircraft refueling and other support for the campaign in Yemen.

While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran's influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more from Riyadh. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said.

DON'T DEMOCRATS WANT PEACE WITH NORTH KOREA?

Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much.

Engel and other Democrats plan to call administration officials to testify in public, and behind closed doors, about the status of talks. But they also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/working-groups-on-denuclearization-set-up-by-uss-pompeo-and-north-koreans-report-149661">nuclear war</a>.

"I think it's good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn't be deluded in thinking that they're going to have any major changes," Engel said.

CAN DEMOCRATS CHANGE CHINA POLICY?

Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/the-trump-china-trade-war-how-will-it-end-171248">China policy</a>. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change.

Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats.

But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said.

Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump's trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing.

CAN DEMOCRATS REVIVE THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL?

Democrats were infuriated by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-proudly-bypass-us-sanctions-rouhani-175592">Trump's withdrawal</a> from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama's administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House.

Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US&nbsp;Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties.

Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work more closely with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans toward President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

Democrats will use their new majority in the US House of Representatives to reverse what they see as a hands-off approach by Republicans toward President Donald Trump's foreign policy, and push for tougher dealings with Russia, Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Representative Eliot Engel, the Democrat in line to head the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said they may also push for congressional authorization for the use of military force in places like Iraq and Syria. But on some hot-button areas, like China and Iran, he acknowledged there was little they could do to change the status quo. Now that they have taken control of the 435-member House of Representatives for the first time since 2011, Democrats will decide what legislation is considered in the chamber and have a bigger role in setting spending policy and writing legislation. "I don't think we should challenge something just because it's put forth by the administration, but I do think we have an obligation to review policies and do oversight," Engel told Reuters in a telephone interview. Since they must still work with a Republican-controlled Senate to pass any bills, the Democratic majority's greatest influence will be oversight, the ability to call hearings and, if necessary, subpoena witnesses, as they lead committees like Foreign Affairs as well as Armed Services and Intelligence. HOW DO THE DEMOCRATS SEE RUSSIA? Democrats plan Russia-related investigations, such as a probe of possible business ties and conflicts of interest between Trump and Russia. From a policy perspective, a Democratic-led House would push to punish Russia for interference in US elections and activities including its aggression in Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian civil war. The House would push for more sanctions, including measures targeting new Russian sovereign debt. It would also try to pressure Trump to enact all of the sanctions in a sweeping bill he reluctantly signed into law in August 2017. Members of Congress have also vowed to push harder, using subpoena power if necessary, to obtain information about Trump's summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The White House has released few details about the meeting. "It's ludicrous that there could be such a high-level meeting between the two leaders and Congress should be in the dark about it," Engel said. He said the issue of Russia's interference in the 2016 election "hasn't been at all resolved." WILL KHASHOGGI'S KILLING INFLUENCE SAUDI TIES? The furor over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has added to lawmakers' frustration with Saudi Arabia over the war in Yemen and human rights. A Democratic-led House would vote on legislation to block arms deals with Riyadh, make it difficult to win congressional approval of a nuclear energy deal and consider a measure to stop US aircraft refueling and other support for the campaign in Yemen. While Engel still views Saudi Arabia as a counterweight to Iran's influence in the Middle East, he said Washington must demand more from Riyadh. "If the Saudis want our support, then they have to address some of the things that concern us," he said. DON'T DEMOCRATS WANT PEACE WITH NORTH KOREA? Democrats say they are determined to obtain more information about meetings by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, worried that Trump is so eager to make a "great deal" that he will give Kim too much. Engel and other Democrats plan to call administration officials to testify in public, and behind closed doors, about the status of talks. But they also will walk a fine line, because they do not want to be seen as interfering with diplomacy and efforts to prevent a nuclear war. "I think it's good to have some kind of a dialogue with them. But we shouldn't be deluded in thinking that they're going to have any major changes," Engel said. CAN DEMOCRATS CHANGE CHINA POLICY? Democratic House control is not expected to yield significant changes in China policy. Democrats will hold more hearings and demand more briefings, but criticism of Beijing has so far crossed party lines and that is not expected to change. Prominent Democrats, such as Representative Adam Schiff, who is in line to chair the House Intelligence Committee, have joined Republicans backing measures to clamp down on China, like legislation treating ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd technology and phones as major cyber security threats. But Engel and others acknowledged the need for China as a partner, particularly in dealing with North Korea. "I think we need to be careful not to lash out," Engel said. Like Republicans, Democrats are divided on Trump's trade war with China. Some party members see free trade as a generator of jobs, while others back tariffs to protect workers in industries such as steel and manufacturing. CAN DEMOCRATS REVIVE THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL? Democrats were infuriated by Trump's withdrawal from the international nuclear deal with Iran that Democratic President Barack Obama's administration reached in 2015. But there is little they can do to change the policy as long as Republicans occupy the White House. Lawmakers also are wary of seeming too friendly to Iran, especially given hostility to Tehran by the government of Israel. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked increasingly closely with US Republicans, strong ties to Israel remain a top priority for both parties. Engel was among Democrats who opposed the Iran deal, but he said Trump should work more closely with important allies, like the members of the European Union, on that and other issues. "I think what we should do is try to repair the damage with our alliances that has been done," he said.

Democrats will use House win to get tougher on Russia, Saudi Arabia & North Korea

There is a notable no-show among the dozens of national pavilions at Shanghai's massive import fair -- the United States -- a metaphor for isolationist Trump policies that attendees say are pushing them closer to China.

The China International Import Expo opened Monday with thousands of foreign companies wooing Chinese buyers with products including Italian helicopters, Canadian fur, Dominican cigars, and Japanese fresh fish.

China touts the first annual event as a milestone marking its economic transition from "the world's factory" to a major consuming nation, and President Xi Jinping opened it with a vow to import US $30 trillion in goods and services over the next 15 years.

But the US has snubbed the gathering amid an increasingly bitter tariffs standoff with China, with Donald Trump accusing it of unfair trade practices.

And foreign businesses and officials at the show said the US president's combative approach to trade has made it imperative for them to turn more toward China.

Sigfrido Reyes, an El Salvadoran trade official, said market turbulence caused by Trump had hurt his country by driving down prices of commodities such as coffee.

It now looks to China to reduce reliance on the United States.

"What really worries us is the uncertainty. In an uncertain environment, everybody loses. So we don’t want to have all our eggs in one basket," Reyes said.

'We want to diversify'&nbsp;

China is expected to remain reliant on US electronics and other high-tech goods that it, and other countries, cannot yet supply.

But tariffs imposed by each side could cut off the flow of a range of other US goods.&nbsp;

While few dispute that China's mercantilist trade policies need to change, the trade spat has started to bite in the United States, where a Chinese shift to non-US suppliers of soybeans and other key import goods has left American farmers without buyers.

Major Chinese meat importers also have told AFP they will simply source from other countries.

Even Canada, which relies heavily on US trade, wants to diversify.

"Of course we are close to the US and we always will be. But we want to diversify our trade, especially including China because it's a huge country," said John McCallum, Canadian ambassador to China.

Canadian officials said Tuesday at the expo that Ottawa plans to double its trade with China by 2025.

China's growing appetite for imports, fuelled by increasing incomes, will benefit many US companies, dozens of which are at the expo including Boeing, Caterpillar, General Motors, Honeywell and Tesla.

But the shocks delivered by Trump's trade policies give opportunities to others.

China is already the world's largest exporter and is catching up to the US on import volumes. The resulting trade relationships that China develops add to its global leverage.

Political risk&nbsp;

Ye Ming, one of thousands of Chinese buyers milling about the show, imports footballs.

China increasingly buys such lower-value products from abroad as it moves up the global production chain, and Ye chose Pakistan because its sound relations with Beijing mean less political risk.

"Right now, if you are doing businesses with America, you'd have that problem," Ye said.

"(The import expo) is also a message that America can buy from around the world, and we can buy from around the world, too."

Attendees said China's emergence as a powerful importing nation depends on whether it removes trade barriers it has used for decades to coddle domestic industries.

Xi opened the expo by declaring China's resolve to tear down hurdles, but his comments were widely seen as repeating earlier unfulfilled promises.

"It is a huge market that is demanding every single product, but it is still very difficult to penetrate," said Reyes.

But that means little right now to foreign delegates like Marcelo Sobrinho, who exports handmade shoes under the 71-year-old Brazilian brand Ferrucci.

Sobrinho said the China-US trade war resulted in both countries making Brazilian imports easier, and Ferrucci sought to take advantage by grabbing its first toehold in China.

"(The trade conflict) helped us. China opened its market and the US reduced import taxes. So two doors have opened for us," he said.

There is a notable no-show among the dozens of national pavilions at Shanghai's massive import fair -- the United States -- a metaphor for isolationist Trump policies that attendees say are pushing them closer to China.

There is a notable no-show among the dozens of national pavilions at Shanghai's massive import fair -- the United States -- a metaphor for isolationist Trump policies that attendees say are pushing them closer to China. The China International Import Expo opened Monday with thousands of foreign companies wooing Chinese buyers with products including Italian helicopters, Canadian fur, Dominican cigars, and Japanese fresh fish. China touts the first annual event as a milestone marking its economic transition from "the world's factory" to a major consuming nation, and President Xi Jinping opened it with a vow to import US $30 trillion in goods and services over the next 15 years. But the US has snubbed the gathering amid an increasingly bitter tariffs standoff with China, with Donald Trump accusing it of unfair trade practices. And foreign businesses and officials at the show said the US president's combative approach to trade has made it imperative for them to turn more toward China. Sigfrido Reyes, an El Salvadoran trade official, said market turbulence caused by Trump had hurt his country by driving down prices of commodities such as coffee. It now looks to China to reduce reliance on the United States. "What really worries us is the uncertainty. In an uncertain environment, everybody loses. So we don’t want to have all our eggs in one basket," Reyes said. 'We want to diversify' China is expected to remain reliant on US electronics and other high-tech goods that it, and other countries, cannot yet supply. But tariffs imposed by each side could cut off the flow of a range of other US goods. While few dispute that China's mercantilist trade policies need to change, the trade spat has started to bite in the United States, where a Chinese shift to non-US suppliers of soybeans and other key import goods has left American farmers without buyers. Major Chinese meat importers also have told AFP they will simply source from other countries. Even Canada, which relies heavily on US trade, wants to diversify. "Of course we are close to the US and we always will be. But we want to diversify our trade, especially including China because it's a huge country," said John McCallum, Canadian ambassador to China. Canadian officials said Tuesday at the expo that Ottawa plans to double its trade with China by 2025. China's growing appetite for imports, fuelled by increasing incomes, will benefit many US companies, dozens of which are at the expo including Boeing, Caterpillar, General Motors, Honeywell and Tesla. But the shocks delivered by Trump's trade policies give opportunities to others. China is already the world's largest exporter and is catching up to the US on import volumes. The resulting trade relationships that China develops add to its global leverage. Political risk Ye Ming, one of thousands of Chinese buyers milling about the show, imports footballs. China increasingly buys such lower-value products from abroad as it moves up the global production chain, and Ye chose Pakistan because its sound relations with Beijing mean less political risk. "Right now, if you are doing businesses with America, you'd have that problem," Ye said. "(The import expo) is also a message that America can buy from around the world, and we can buy from around the world, too." Attendees said China's emergence as a powerful importing nation depends on whether it removes trade barriers it has used for decades to coddle domestic industries. Xi opened the expo by declaring China's resolve to tear down hurdles, but his comments were widely seen as repeating earlier unfulfilled promises. "It is a huge market that is demanding every single product, but it is still very difficult to penetrate," said Reyes. But that means little right now to foreign delegates like Marcelo Sobrinho, who exports handmade shoes under the 71-year-old Brazilian brand Ferrucci. Sobrinho said the China-US trade war resulted in both countries making Brazilian imports easier, and Ferrucci sought to take advantage by grabbing its first toehold in China. "(The trade conflict) helped us. China opened its market and the US reduced import taxes. So two doors have opened for us," he said.

With US absent, world's exporters turn attention to China

US mid-term polls: Democrat Joe Manchin wins in West Virginia Senate race

US mid-term polls: Democrats pick up one house seat

US mid-term polls: Exit polls result hints towards Republican Marsha Blackburn's victory

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