The United States has that it was preparing fresh sanctions against Moscow over the attempted assassination in Britain of a former spy, after a previous round sowed chaos on Russian markets.

Three months after the United States declared that Russia violated a US law that seeks the elimination of chemical and biological weapons, the State Department told Congress in a legally-mandated follow-up that Moscow had not come into compliance.

"We intend to proceed in accordance with the terms of the (Chemical and Biological Weapons) Act, which directs the implementation of additional sanctions," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement on Tuesday.

She said the State Department was in discussions with Congress, which has led the push to punish Russia, to determine the exact measures.

British investigators said Russian operatives on March 4 tried to kill Sergei Skripal, a former intelligence officer and double agent, and his daughter Yulia Skripal in the English city of Salisbury.

The attack involved Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The two Russians survived but a third person died after exposure.

Under the US law, the State Department must slap further sanctions three months after its initial determination unless a country proves it has reversed course on chemical and biological weapons, for example by inviting in international inspectors.

Russia has denied involvement in the Salisbury attacks and has promised reciprocal measures to all US sanctions.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned in August that any imposition of further sanctions would constitute a "declaration of economic war." 
Lawmakers across the political spectrum have urged a strong response to Russia, despite President Donald Trump's avowed affinity for his counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Representative Ed Royce, a Republican and outgoing chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Trump administration needs to act quickly on new sanctions, adding, "Hesitation only encourages more Russian aggression."

"No one should be surprised that Vladimir Putin refuses to swear off future use of weapons-grade nerve agents," Royce said in a statement.

"It is unacceptable that the administration lacks a plan -- or even a timeline -- for action on the second round of mandatory sanctions required by US law," he added.

The first round of sanctions banned exports to Russia of arms and other products with national security applications and froze any US government credit guarantees to Russia.

The sanctions announcement in August sent Russian stocks plunging and the ruble fell to its lowest level against the dollar in nearly two years.

The drop came even though the direct effects of the initial sanctions were limited, as Russia -- the major rival to the United States as an arms exporter -- does not buy US weapons.

The State Department also made a number of exemptions in the sanctions, such as continuing military trade to allow space cooperation with Russia including commercial launches.

Russia had already been under sanctions since 2014 over its military meddling in Ukraine.

Trump has cited sanctions as proof that he is tough on Russia but has voiced misgivings about punishing Moscow and accused political enemies of waging a "witch hunt" to prove he colluded with Russia in the 2016 election.

Last month, US prosecutors also indicted seven Russian agents over hacking operations after The Netherlands said that spies had obtained access to the world's chemical weapons watchdog, which is based in The Hague.&nbsp;

The United States has that it was preparing fresh sanctions against Moscow over the attempted assassination in Britain of a former spy, after a previous round sowed chaos on Russian markets.

The United States has that it was preparing fresh sanctions against Moscow over the attempted assassination in Britain of a former spy, after a previous round sowed chaos on Russian markets. Three months after the United States declared that Russia violated a US law that seeks the elimination of chemical and biological weapons, the State Department told Congress in a legally-mandated follow-up that Moscow had not come into compliance. "We intend to proceed in accordance with the terms of the (Chemical and Biological Weapons) Act, which directs the implementation of additional sanctions," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement on Tuesday. She said the State Department was in discussions with Congress, which has led the push to punish Russia, to determine the exact measures. British investigators said Russian operatives on March 4 tried to kill Sergei Skripal, a former intelligence officer and double agent, and his daughter Yulia Skripal in the English city of Salisbury. The attack involved Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The two Russians survived but a third person died after exposure. Under the US law, the State Department must slap further sanctions three months after its initial determination unless a country proves it has reversed course on chemical and biological weapons, for example by inviting in international inspectors. Russia has denied involvement in the Salisbury attacks and has promised reciprocal measures to all US sanctions. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned in August that any imposition of further sanctions would constitute a "declaration of economic war." Lawmakers across the political spectrum have urged a strong response to Russia, despite President Donald Trump's avowed affinity for his counterpart Vladimir Putin. Representative Ed Royce, a Republican and outgoing chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Trump administration needs to act quickly on new sanctions, adding, "Hesitation only encourages more Russian aggression." "No one should be surprised that Vladimir Putin refuses to swear off future use of weapons-grade nerve agents," Royce said in a statement. "It is unacceptable that the administration lacks a plan -- or even a timeline -- for action on the second round of mandatory sanctions required by US law," he added. The first round of sanctions banned exports to Russia of arms and other products with national security applications and froze any US government credit guarantees to Russia. The sanctions announcement in August sent Russian stocks plunging and the ruble fell to its lowest level against the dollar in nearly two years. The drop came even though the direct effects of the initial sanctions were limited, as Russia -- the major rival to the United States as an arms exporter -- does not buy US weapons. The State Department also made a number of exemptions in the sanctions, such as continuing military trade to allow space cooperation with Russia including commercial launches. Russia had already been under sanctions since 2014 over its military meddling in Ukraine. Trump has cited sanctions as proof that he is tough on Russia but has voiced misgivings about punishing Moscow and accused political enemies of waging a "witch hunt" to prove he colluded with Russia in the 2016 election. Last month, US prosecutors also indicted seven Russian agents over hacking operations after The Netherlands said that spies had obtained access to the world's chemical weapons watchdog, which is based in The Hague.

US prepares more Russia sanctions over Britain nerve attack

The Florida man accused of mailing bombs to prominent Democrats and other critics of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump agreed to be held without bail on

Tuesday during his first appearance in federal court in New York.

Cesar Sayoc was arrested on October&nbsp;26 in Fort Lauderdale and agreed in a Florida court appearance last week to be transferred to New York to face five criminal charges.

Sayoc, a former stripper and pizza delivery driver who lived in a white van festooned with right-wing political images supporting Trump and attacking his critics, was arrested following an intense manhunt.

Dressed in a navy blue prison overalls with his gray hair pulled back and knotted at the back of his head, Sayoc appeared respectful and alert in court.

When US&nbsp;Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger asked him if he understood his rights as explained to him, Sayoc responded: "Yes, sir, a hundred percent."

Prosecutors had argued before the hearing that Sayoc was too dangerous to be released on bail. But Sayoc`s attorney, federal defender Sarah Baumgartel, told the hearing he would not make an application for bail at this point.&nbsp;

A preliminary hearing in the case was set for November&nbsp;12.

The mailed bombs and the separate massacre of 11 Jews at a Pittsburgh synagogue in late October heightened tensions days ahead of Tuesday`s

elections, which will determine the balance of power in the US&nbsp;Congress currently controlled by Trump`s Republican Party.&nbsp; 
Prosecutors have accused Sayoc of sending 16 improvised explosive devices. None of the devices exploded before being intercepted and no one was

hurt. 
The first bomb discovered was sent to billionaire investor George Soros at his home in New York`s Westchester County, and some of the other high-profile targets also live in New York state, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Other targets of the improvised explosive devices included former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden, among others.

Sayoc faces a maximum 48 years in prison if convicted on the five counts he now faces, including for mailing explosives and threatening the Clintons. 
Prosecutors have said Sayoc is likely to face additional charges and penalties from their ongoing investigation.

In a letter to ABC News Sayoc`s mother, Madeline Sayoc, wrote that she had unsuccessfully tried to get him treatment for what she said was long-standing mental illness.

The Florida man accused of mailing bombs to prominent Democrats and other critics of US President Donald Trump agreed to be held without bail on Tuesday during his first appearance in federal court in New York.

The Florida man accused of mailing bombs to prominent Democrats and other critics of US President Donald Trump agreed to be held without bail on Tuesday during his first appearance in federal court in New York. Cesar Sayoc was arrested on October 26 in Fort Lauderdale and agreed in a Florida court appearance last week to be transferred to New York to face five criminal charges. Sayoc, a former stripper and pizza delivery driver who lived in a white van festooned with right-wing political images supporting Trump and attacking his critics, was arrested following an intense manhunt. Dressed in a navy blue prison overalls with his gray hair pulled back and knotted at the back of his head, Sayoc appeared respectful and alert in court. When US Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger asked him if he understood his rights as explained to him, Sayoc responded: "Yes, sir, a hundred percent." Prosecutors had argued before the hearing that Sayoc was too dangerous to be released on bail. But Sayoc`s attorney, federal defender Sarah Baumgartel, told the hearing he would not make an application for bail at this point. A preliminary hearing in the case was set for November 12. The mailed bombs and the separate massacre of 11 Jews at a Pittsburgh synagogue in late October heightened tensions days ahead of Tuesday`s elections, which will determine the balance of power in the US Congress currently controlled by Trump`s Republican Party. Prosecutors have accused Sayoc of sending 16 improvised explosive devices. None of the devices exploded before being intercepted and no one was hurt. The first bomb discovered was sent to billionaire investor George Soros at his home in New York`s Westchester County, and some of the other high-profile targets also live in New York state, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Other targets of the improvised explosive devices included former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden, among others. Sayoc faces a maximum 48 years in prison if convicted on the five counts he now faces, including for mailing explosives and threatening the Clintons. Prosecutors have said Sayoc is likely to face additional charges and penalties from their ongoing investigation. In a letter to ABC News Sayoc`s mother, Madeline Sayoc, wrote that she had unsuccessfully tried to get him treatment for what she said was long-standing mental illness.

US mail bomb suspect agrees to be held without bail

US mid-term polls: Record voter turnout expected

American voters poured out across their bitterly divided country Tuesday to deliver judgment on Donald Trump in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">midterm polls</a> where opposition Democrats hope to seize at least partial control of Congress.

From New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia there were long lines from early morning at polling stations as voters finally got their say, following a heated, often tense campaign.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/control-of-congress-and-verdict-on-trump-at-stake-in-us-elections-175905">Control of Congress is at stake</a>, effectively deciding whether Trump will continue to get a free ride from the current Republican-led legislature or be forced to deal with Democrats that he has spent months deriding as extreme leftists bent on bringing chaos to the United States.

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs.

Polls indicated that Democrats have a good chance of winning the 23 seats they need to seize the House, while Republicans were forecast to retain the Senate or even increase their current razor-thin majority of 51-49.

With memories still fresh from 2016, when Trump astonished experts by defeating the heavily favored Hillary Clinton, pollsters are being cautious. Several dozen races where candidates from the two sides are barely separated will decide the day.

Even so, Democrats scented triumph, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory."

Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd be "dumbfounded" not to win the House.

The first polling stations closed at 6:00 pm Eastern time (2300 GMT) in parts of Kentucky and Indiana -- where Democrats are struggling to hold a crucial Senate seat in a state won by Trump two years ago. The last polls were to close seven hours later in Alaska, with results trickling in through the evening.

Big turnout 
Voters often sit out the midterms. This time, they're sitting up.

According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm.

And on the streets there was a palpable buzz.

"We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, told AFP.

On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports.

At a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, head election officer William Harkins said "it's a very good turnout."

Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidates -- and his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020.

"The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing."

Immigration fears 
Trump was spending the day at the White House, tweeting support for Republicans in the toughest races and preparing to watch the results alongside friends and family, his spokeswoman said.

The president so dominates politics across the country that despite not being on any ballot he has made the election largely about him.

Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies.

"I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just love the deregulation and I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it."

But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers."

Sensing that his Republican base favors the hardline stand, Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones at the border, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights.

At Trump's pre-election rallies, large crowds have consistently cheered his rhetoric about strengthening the southern border, chanting "build the wall!"

But Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees."

"This is our source of strength," O'Rourke said as he voted in El Paso. "No one from outside can stir paranoia or fear that can change that."

The result in Texas will say much about which way argument has worked best in these polarized times. Other tight Senate races are in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.

American voters poured out across their bitterly divided country Tuesday to deliver judgment on Donald Trump in midterm polls where opposition Democrats hope to seize at least partial control of Congress.

American voters poured out across their bitterly divided country Tuesday to deliver judgment on Donald Trump in midterm polls where opposition Democrats hope to seize at least partial control of Congress. From New York to California and from Missouri to Georgia there were long lines from early morning at polling stations as voters finally got their say, following a heated, often tense campaign. Control of Congress is at stake, effectively deciding whether Trump will continue to get a free ride from the current Republican-led legislature or be forced to deal with Democrats that he has spent months deriding as extreme leftists bent on bringing chaos to the United States. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate and 36 governorships were up for grabs. Polls indicated that Democrats have a good chance of winning the 23 seats they need to seize the House, while Republicans were forecast to retain the Senate or even increase their current razor-thin majority of 51-49. With memories still fresh from 2016, when Trump astonished experts by defeating the heavily favored Hillary Clinton, pollsters are being cautious. Several dozen races where candidates from the two sides are barely separated will decide the day. Even so, Democrats scented triumph, with Nancy Pelosi, the party's top leader in the House, saying "it's just a question of the size of the victory." Former vice president Joe Biden, often touted as a possible Democratic candidate to take on Trump in 2020, said he'd be "dumbfounded" not to win the House. The first polling stations closed at 6:00 pm Eastern time (2300 GMT) in parts of Kentucky and Indiana -- where Democrats are struggling to hold a crucial Senate seat in a state won by Trump two years ago. The last polls were to close seven hours later in Alaska, with results trickling in through the evening. Big turnout Voters often sit out the midterms. This time, they're sitting up. According to Michael McDonald of the US Elections Project, 38.4 million Americans cast their ballots early ahead of this election, compared with 27.4 million in the 2014 midterm. And on the streets there was a palpable buzz. "We have already seen huge turnout, people out and about knocking on doors, making sure everybody gets out there, but I think turnout will be very, very high," Democratic candidate Katie Porter, who is running in Irvine, California, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters, told AFP. On the other side of the country, in Atlanta, Georgia, voters waited in line for nearly two hours to cast ballots, according to local media reports. At a polling station in Arlington, Virginia, head election officer William Harkins said "it's a very good turnout." Trump himself noted the energy as he wrapped up a punishing schedule of rallies around the country that were intended to boost Republican candidates -- and his own brand heading towards reelection in 2020. "The midterm elections used to be, like, boring," Trump told a crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday. "Now it's like the hottest thing." Immigration fears Trump was spending the day at the White House, tweeting support for Republicans in the toughest races and preparing to watch the results alongside friends and family, his spokeswoman said. The president so dominates politics across the country that despite not being on any ballot he has made the election largely about him. Voting in Chicago, James Gerlock, 27, a Republican, said he wanted to see more of the soaring economic growth that Trump says is the fruit of his business-friendly policies. "I am extremely happy with the economy," Gerlock said. "I just love the deregulation and I just want to keep everything moving, because I'm loving it." But Democrats have been fired up by anger at Trump's extraordinary attacks over the last few weeks against immigrants, claiming that his opponents seek to throw open the borders to "drug dealers, predators and bloodthirsty MS-13 killers." Sensing that his Republican base favors the hardline stand, Trump has sent soldiers to the Mexican border, threatened to have illegal immigrants shot if they throw stones at the border, and vowed to restrict citizenship rights. At Trump's pre-election rallies, large crowds have consistently cheered his rhetoric about strengthening the southern border, chanting "build the wall!" But Beto O'Rourke, a charismatic Democrat in a closely watched bid to dethrone Republican Ted Cruz in Texas, told voters that Trump was wrong, describing his state as built from "immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees." "This is our source of strength," O'Rourke said as he voted in El Paso. "No one from outside can stir paranoia or fear that can change that." The result in Texas will say much about which way argument has worked best in these polarized times. Other tight Senate races are in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.

US midterms: Huge turnout as America votes to decide if it is for or against Trump

The United States said Tuesday it would exempt Iran's Indian-backed port of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/chabahar-port-developed-by-india-to-be-inaugurated-in-iran-today-25724">Chabahar from new sanctions</a> on Tehran, recognizing the value of the project to Afghanistan.

Iran late last year inaugurated the port on the Indian Ocean which provides a key supply route to landlocked Afghanistan and allows India to bypass its historic enemy Pakistan.

The United States will <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-sanctions-on-iran-threaten-vital-afghanistan-trade-project-138341">exempt from sanctions</a> the development of Chabahar along with an attached railway project and Iranian petroleum shipments into Afghanistan, the State Department said.

President Donald Trump's "South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan's economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India," a State Department spokesperson said.

"This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief," the spokesperson said.

The United States, which has been building closer relations with New Delhi since the late 1990s, earlier exempted India from sanctions that took effect on Monday.

The Trump administration has vowed to exert maximum pressure on Iran to end its support for regional proxies, exiting a denuclearization agreement that brought sanctions relief.

Trump's decision has been opposed by European powers as well as other nations including India, which has largely warm relations with Iran and accuses Pakistan of fomenting attacks on its soil.

India has poured US $2 billion into Afghanistan since the 2001 US-led overthrow of the extremist Taliban regime, which was also opposed by Iran.

India has seen Chabahar as a key way both to send supplies to Afghanistan and to step up trade with Central Asia as well as Africa.

Iran has plans to link the port by railway to Zahedan on the Pakistani border up to Mashhad in the northeast.

The United States said Tuesday it would exempt Iran's Indian-backed port of Chabahar from new sanctions on Tehran, recognizing the value of the project to Afghanistan.

The United States said Tuesday it would exempt Iran's Indian-backed port of Chabahar from new sanctions on Tehran, recognizing the value of the project to Afghanistan. Iran late last year inaugurated the port on the Indian Ocean which provides a key supply route to landlocked Afghanistan and allows India to bypass its historic enemy Pakistan. The United States will exempt from sanctions the development of Chabahar along with an attached railway project and Iranian petroleum shipments into Afghanistan, the State Department said. President Donald Trump's "South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan's economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India," a State Department spokesperson said. "This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan's growth and humanitarian relief," the spokesperson said. The United States, which has been building closer relations with New Delhi since the late 1990s, earlier exempted India from sanctions that took effect on Monday. The Trump administration has vowed to exert maximum pressure on Iran to end its support for regional proxies, exiting a denuclearization agreement that brought sanctions relief. Trump's decision has been opposed by European powers as well as other nations including India, which has largely warm relations with Iran and accuses Pakistan of fomenting attacks on its soil. India has poured US $2 billion into Afghanistan since the 2001 US-led overthrow of the extremist Taliban regime, which was also opposed by Iran. India has seen Chabahar as a key way both to send supplies to Afghanistan and to step up trade with Central Asia as well as Africa. Iran has plans to link the port by railway to Zahedan on the Pakistani border up to Mashhad in the northeast.

US exempts Indian-backed Chabahar port in Iran from sanctions

US law enforcement and intelligence agencies said on the eve of crucial US midterm voting they had no indication of efforts to disrupt election infrastructure, but that Americans should be wary of Russian attempts to spread fake news.

The announcement came days after a new study found that misinformation on social media was spreading at a greater rate than during the run-up to the 2016 presidential vote, which Russia is accused of manipulating through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump, the eventual winner.

"At this time we have no indication of compromise of our nation's election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts, or disrupt the ability to tally votes," said a joint statement by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

"But Americans should be aware that foreign actors -- and Russia in particular -- continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord," it continued, without specifying whether Moscow was backing Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats.

"They can do this by spreading false information about political processes and candidates, lying about their own interference activities, disseminating propaganda on social media, and through other tactics. The American public can mitigate these efforts by remaining informed, reporting suspicious activity and being vigilant consumers of information," it said.

Oxford Internet Institute researchers, in a study published Thursday, said that despite an aggressive crackdown by social media firms, so-called "junk news" is spreading at a greater rate than in 2016 on social media ahead of the US midterm elections.

"We found that the proportion of junk news circulating over social media has increased in the US since 2016, with users sharing higher proportions of junk news than links to professional content over all," the report said.

Twitter meanwhile said Saturday it deleted a "series of accounts" that attempted to share disinformation without giving a number.&nbsp;

US law enforcement and intelligence agencies said on the eve of crucial US midterm voting they had no indication of efforts to disrupt election infrastructure, but that Americans should be wary of Russian attempts to spread fake news.

US law enforcement and intelligence agencies said on the eve of crucial US midterm voting they had no indication of efforts to disrupt election infrastructure, but that Americans should be wary of Russian attempts to spread fake news. The announcement came days after a new study found that misinformation on social media was spreading at a greater rate than during the run-up to the 2016 presidential vote, which Russia is accused of manipulating through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump, the eventual winner. "At this time we have no indication of compromise of our nation's election infrastructure that would prevent voting, change vote counts, or disrupt the ability to tally votes," said a joint statement by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, and FBI Director Christopher Wray. "But Americans should be aware that foreign actors -- and Russia in particular -- continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord," it continued, without specifying whether Moscow was backing Trump's Republicans or opposition Democrats. "They can do this by spreading false information about political processes and candidates, lying about their own interference activities, disseminating propaganda on social media, and through other tactics. The American public can mitigate these efforts by remaining informed, reporting suspicious activity and being vigilant consumers of information," it said. Oxford Internet Institute researchers, in a study published Thursday, said that despite an aggressive crackdown by social media firms, so-called "junk news" is spreading at a greater rate than in 2016 on social media ahead of the US midterm elections. "We found that the proportion of junk news circulating over social media has increased in the US since 2016, with users sharing higher proportions of junk news than links to professional content over all," the report said. Twitter meanwhile said Saturday it deleted a "series of accounts" that attempted to share disinformation without giving a number.

Before midterms, US warns voters to be wary of Russian fake news

Single mother wins $190 million

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman goes on trial in New York on Monday, accused of running the world's biggest drug cartel and spending a quarter of a century smuggling more than 155 tons of cocaine into the United States.

The mammoth trial in Brooklyn, which will cost millions of dollars and is expected to last more than four months, will see one of the world's most notorious criminals face the US justice system.

Prosecutors spent years piecing together a sweeping case against Guzman, who was extradited in 2017 after twice escaping prison in Mexico -- first hidden in a laundry cart, then slipping down a tunnel that reached his prison shower.

Experts say the government has a near water-tight case likely to send Guzman, 61, to a maximum-security US prison for the rest of his life, after jury selection kicks off on Monday. But at what price?

The Sinaloa cartel that Guzman founded in 1989 is still hugely powerful. His co-defendant Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada remains at large, and violent drug trafficking continues unabated in Mexico.

Last year, Mexico witnessed a record 29,000 murders. In the United States, opioid addiction has spiraled into an epidemic. In 2016, an average of 174 Americans died every day from drug overdoses.

Jury selection will be conducted in the tightest security reserved only for the most dangerous defendants. US District Court Judge Brian Cogan will preside over the process behind closed doors.

- 'Most expensive trial in history' -

The 12 jurors, with six alternates, will remain anonymous. US Marshals will escort them to and from the federal court every day.

These ordinary men and women will determine whether Guzman -- the diminutive father of two whose nickname means "shorty" -- is guilty or not of 11 trafficking, firearms and money laundering charges.

According to the indictment, the Sinaloa cartel, which Guzman is accused of leading from 1989 to 2014, became "the largest drug trafficking organization in the world... with thousands of members."

US prosecutors contend that from 1989 to 2014, the cartel smuggled at least 340,892 pounds (154,626 kilograms) of cocaine into the United States, as well as heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, raking in $14 billion.

Guzman pleads not guilty, but the government has presented so much evidence -- more than 300,000 pages and at least 117,000 audio recordings -- that the defense complains they haven't had enough time to review it all.

"It's probably set up to be the most expensive trial in the history of the US," says Rob Heroy, a North Carolina lawyer who has defended other Mexican drug barons. The price tag includes protection programs for at least some of the several hundred witnesses expected to testify.

Even Guzman's lawyers are in the dark as to all the former associates, hired hands or rivals who have turned informants.

- Informants -

Some of the informants have already been absorbed into the US witness protection program, given new identities. Others are already in jail, housed in special wings to protect them from reprisals.

Guzman has been held in solitary confinement in New York since Mexico extradited him in January 2017, one day before Donald Trump took office. He spends 23 hours a day in his cell.

The only visitors he is allowed are his lawyers and twin, seven-year-old daughters, from whom he is separated by thick glass.

The judge has banned his 29-year-old beauty queen wife, Emma Coronel, from visiting. Instead, she has attended almost all his pre-trial hearings, waving and blowing him kisses from the gallery.

Arrested for the first time in Guatemala in 1993, El Chapo spent more than seven years in a Mexican prison before his first escape in 2001.

Re-arrested by Mexican marines in February 2014, he escaped again 14 months later.

Guzman was re-captured in January 2016 after a visit from Hollywood actor Sean Penn and a Mexican actress, who wanted to make a film about his life, allowed Mexican authorities to trace his whereabouts.

This time, Mexico decided to wash their hands and put him on a plane.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman goes on trial in New York on Monday, accused of running the world's biggest drug cartel and spending a quarter of a century smuggling more than 155 tons of cocaine into the United States.

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman goes on trial in New York on Monday, accused of running the world's biggest drug cartel and spending a quarter of a century smuggling more than 155 tons of cocaine into the United States. The mammoth trial in Brooklyn, which will cost millions of dollars and is expected to last more than four months, will see one of the world's most notorious criminals face the US justice system. Prosecutors spent years piecing together a sweeping case against Guzman, who was extradited in 2017 after twice escaping prison in Mexico -- first hidden in a laundry cart, then slipping down a tunnel that reached his prison shower. Experts say the government has a near water-tight case likely to send Guzman, 61, to a maximum-security US prison for the rest of his life, after jury selection kicks off on Monday. But at what price? The Sinaloa cartel that Guzman founded in 1989 is still hugely powerful. His co-defendant Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada remains at large, and violent drug trafficking continues unabated in Mexico. Last year, Mexico witnessed a record 29,000 murders. In the United States, opioid addiction has spiraled into an epidemic. In 2016, an average of 174 Americans died every day from drug overdoses. Jury selection will be conducted in the tightest security reserved only for the most dangerous defendants. US District Court Judge Brian Cogan will preside over the process behind closed doors. - 'Most expensive trial in history' - The 12 jurors, with six alternates, will remain anonymous. US Marshals will escort them to and from the federal court every day. These ordinary men and women will determine whether Guzman -- the diminutive father of two whose nickname means "shorty" -- is guilty or not of 11 trafficking, firearms and money laundering charges. According to the indictment, the Sinaloa cartel, which Guzman is accused of leading from 1989 to 2014, became "the largest drug trafficking organization in the world... with thousands of members." US prosecutors contend that from 1989 to 2014, the cartel smuggled at least 340,892 pounds (154,626 kilograms) of cocaine into the United States, as well as heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, raking in $14 billion. Guzman pleads not guilty, but the government has presented so much evidence -- more than 300,000 pages and at least 117,000 audio recordings -- that the defense complains they haven't had enough time to review it all. "It's probably set up to be the most expensive trial in the history of the US," says Rob Heroy, a North Carolina lawyer who has defended other Mexican drug barons. The price tag includes protection programs for at least some of the several hundred witnesses expected to testify. Even Guzman's lawyers are in the dark as to all the former associates, hired hands or rivals who have turned informants. - Informants - Some of the informants have already been absorbed into the US witness protection program, given new identities. Others are already in jail, housed in special wings to protect them from reprisals. Guzman has been held in solitary confinement in New York since Mexico extradited him in January 2017, one day before Donald Trump took office. He spends 23 hours a day in his cell. The only visitors he is allowed are his lawyers and twin, seven-year-old daughters, from whom he is separated by thick glass. The judge has banned his 29-year-old beauty queen wife, Emma Coronel, from visiting. Instead, she has attended almost all his pre-trial hearings, waving and blowing him kisses from the gallery. Arrested for the first time in Guatemala in 1993, El Chapo spent more than seven years in a Mexican prison before his first escape in 2001. Re-arrested by Mexican marines in February 2014, he escaped again 14 months later. Guzman was re-captured in January 2016 after a visit from Hollywood actor Sean Penn and a Mexican actress, who wanted to make a film about his life, allowed Mexican authorities to trace his whereabouts. This time, Mexico decided to wash their hands and put him on a plane.

Mexican drug lord El Chapo faces biggest US drugs trial

Amidst criticism from US President Donald Trump, some migrants travelling in a caravan through Mexico are considering staying on in the country.

Ahead of US&nbsp;congressional elections, President Donald Trump has warned repeatedly about the advance of the caravan and ordered thousands of troops to the Mexican border, where units strung up razor wire this weekend.

This group of migrants is made up of many children. They're resting in the city of Cordoba in Veracruz before they head off to Mexico City where some will consider getting a job in the bustling capital.

President Enrique Pena Nieto has called on migrants travelling through Mexico to register so that they can participate in a temporary work programme being offered by the government.

The leftist local government of Mexico City has set up medical and food aid facilities for migrants arriving in the capital, stressing the need for a humanitarian response to the challenges of the caravan.

Amidst criticism from US President Donald Trump, some migrants travelling in a caravan through Mexico are considering staying on in the country. Ahead of US congressional elections, President Donald Trump has warned repeatedly about the advance of the caravan and ordered thousands of troops to the Mexican border, where units strung up razor wire this weekend.

Amidst criticism from US President Donald Trump, some migrants travelling in a caravan through Mexico are considering staying on in the country. Ahead of US congressional elections, President Donald Trump has warned repeatedly about the advance of the caravan and ordered thousands of troops to the Mexican border, where units strung up razor wire this weekend. This group of migrants is made up of many children. They're resting in the city of Cordoba in Veracruz before they head off to Mexico City where some will consider getting a job in the bustling capital. President Enrique Pena Nieto has called on migrants travelling through Mexico to register so that they can participate in a temporary work programme being offered by the government. The leftist local government of Mexico City has set up medical and food aid facilities for migrants arriving in the capital, stressing the need for a humanitarian response to the challenges of the caravan.

Caravan migrants consider staying in Mexico as Trump rachets up criticism

About 500 United States and South Korean marines began small-scale military drills on Monday, just days before US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to hold talks with North Korea on denuclearisation and plans for a second summit of their leaders.

The Korean Marine Exchange Program was among the training drills indefinitely suspended in June after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore and promised to end joint, US-South Korea military exercises.

Although larger exercises were suspended, the two countries have continued small-scale drills, the South's Ministry of National Defense said on Monday, adding that the marines were holding a training round near the southern city of Pohang.

Pompeo, interviewed on broadcaster CBS's "Face the Nation," said on Sunday he would be in New York City at the end of this week to meet his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Chol.

"I expect we’ll make some real progress, including an effort to make sure that the summit between our two leaders can take place, where we can make substantial steps towards denuclearisation," he added.

In Washington last week, South Korea's defence minister said the two countries would decide by December on major joint military exercises for 2019. Vigilant Ace, suspended this month, is one of several such exercises halted to encourage dialogue with Pyongyang, which has criticised joint US-South Korea exercises in the past.

The biggest combat-readiness war game ever staged in and around Japan has gone ahead, however, with nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan joining Japanese destroyers and a Canadian warship in the ocean off Japan, another key player in the effort to pressure North Korea.

This week's exercises follow a warning by North Korea on Friday that it could resume development of its nuclear programme if the United States did not drop its campaign of "maximum pressure" and sanctions.

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," a foreign ministry official said in a statement released through state-run KCNA news agency.

"The US&nbsp;thinks that its oft-repeated 'sanctions and pressure' lead to 'denuclearisation.' We cannot help laughing at such a foolish idea."

South Korea hopes the North and the United States will make "big progress" during the talks set for this week, presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said on Monday, but declined to comment on the North's Friday statement.

North Korea has not tested a ballistic missile or nuclear weapon for nearly a year, and has said it has shuttered its main nuclear test site with plans to dismantle several more facilities.

In recent weeks, North Korea has pressed harder for what it sees as reciprocal concessions by the United States and other countries.

"As shown, the US&nbsp;is totally to blame for all the problems on the Korean peninsula, including the nuclear issue and therefore, the very one that caused all those must untie the knot it made," it said on Friday.

American officials have remained sceptical of Kim's commitment to give up his nuclear arsenal, however, and Washington says it will not support easing international sanctions until more verified progress is made.

Pompeo, interviewed on television's "Fox News Sunday," said the Trump administration wants a full, verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, adding that Trump insisted on "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in's continuing efforts to engage with North Korea have fanned US&nbsp;concerns that Seoul could weaken pressure on North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

About 500 United States and South Korean marines began small-scale military drills on Monday, just days before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to hold talks with North Korea on denuclearisation and plans for a second summit of their leaders.

About 500 United States and South Korean marines began small-scale military drills on Monday, just days before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to hold talks with North Korea on denuclearisation and plans for a second summit of their leaders. The Korean Marine Exchange Program was among the training drills indefinitely suspended in June after US President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore and promised to end joint, US-South Korea military exercises. Although larger exercises were suspended, the two countries have continued small-scale drills, the South's Ministry of National Defense said on Monday, adding that the marines were holding a training round near the southern city of Pohang. Pompeo, interviewed on broadcaster CBS's "Face the Nation," said on Sunday he would be in New York City at the end of this week to meet his North Korean counterpart, Kim Yong Chol. "I expect we’ll make some real progress, including an effort to make sure that the summit between our two leaders can take place, where we can make substantial steps towards denuclearisation," he added. In Washington last week, South Korea's defence minister said the two countries would decide by December on major joint military exercises for 2019. Vigilant Ace, suspended this month, is one of several such exercises halted to encourage dialogue with Pyongyang, which has criticised joint US-South Korea exercises in the past. The biggest combat-readiness war game ever staged in and around Japan has gone ahead, however, with nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan joining Japanese destroyers and a Canadian warship in the ocean off Japan, another key player in the effort to pressure North Korea. This week's exercises follow a warning by North Korea on Friday that it could resume development of its nuclear programme if the United States did not drop its campaign of "maximum pressure" and sanctions. "The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," a foreign ministry official said in a statement released through state-run KCNA news agency. "The US thinks that its oft-repeated 'sanctions and pressure' lead to 'denuclearisation.' We cannot help laughing at such a foolish idea." South Korea hopes the North and the United States will make "big progress" during the talks set for this week, presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said on Monday, but declined to comment on the North's Friday statement. North Korea has not tested a ballistic missile or nuclear weapon for nearly a year, and has said it has shuttered its main nuclear test site with plans to dismantle several more facilities. In recent weeks, North Korea has pressed harder for what it sees as reciprocal concessions by the United States and other countries. "As shown, the US is totally to blame for all the problems on the Korean peninsula, including the nuclear issue and therefore, the very one that caused all those must untie the knot it made," it said on Friday. American officials have remained sceptical of Kim's commitment to give up his nuclear arsenal, however, and Washington says it will not support easing international sanctions until more verified progress is made. Pompeo, interviewed on television's "Fox News Sunday," said the Trump administration wants a full, verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, adding that Trump insisted on "no economic relief until we have achieved our ultimate objective." South Korean President Moon Jae-in's continuing efforts to engage with North Korea have fanned US concerns that Seoul could weaken pressure on North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

US, South Korea marines hold small-scale exercise ahead of North Korea talks

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday.

The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency.

Also, the airstrikes destroyed two shelters where the ISIS terrorists had been hiding.

In December last year, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS), which had seized control of nearly a third of the country in 2014. However, in some parts of the war-torn country, the IS maintains a network of "sleeper cells".

Both the US-led forces and the Iraqi government have been conducting several airstrikes to clear out the terror camps, particularly in the northern parts of Iraq.

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday. The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency.

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday. The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency. Also, the airstrikes destroyed two shelters where the ISIS terrorists had been hiding. In December last year, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS), which had seized control of nearly a third of the country in 2014. However, in some parts of the war-torn country, the IS maintains a network of "sleeper cells". Both the US-led forces and the Iraqi government have been conducting several airstrikes to clear out the terror camps, particularly in the northern parts of Iraq.

25 ISIS terrorists killed in US airstrikes in Iraq

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic republic "will proudly bypass sanctions" by the United States that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-on-iran-toughest-ever-take-force-monday-175530">took effect on Monday</a> targeting the country's oil and financial sectors.

"I announce that we will proudly bypass your illegal, unjust sanctions because it's against international regulations," Rouhani said in a televised speech.

"We are in a situation of economic war, confronting a bullying power. I don't think that in the history of America, someone has entered the White House who is so against law and international conventions," he added.

The renewed US sanctions aim to significantly curb Iran's oil exports and cut it off from international finance, and follow US President Donald Trump's controversial decision in May to abandon the multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic republic "will proudly bypass sanctions" by the United States that took effect on Monday targeting the country's oil and financial sectors.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic republic "will proudly bypass sanctions" by the United States that took effect on Monday targeting the country's oil and financial sectors. "I announce that we will proudly bypass your illegal, unjust sanctions because it's against international regulations," Rouhani said in a televised speech. "We are in a situation of economic war, confronting a bullying power. I don't think that in the history of America, someone has entered the White House who is so against law and international conventions," he added. The renewed US sanctions aim to significantly curb Iran's oil exports and cut it off from international finance, and follow US President Donald Trump's controversial decision in May to abandon the multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran.

As US sanctions kick in, Iran says it will 'proudly bypass' them

North Korea has warned the United States it will "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-us-against-confidence-destroying-measures-173432">nuclear weapons</a> if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished regime.

For years, the North had pursued a "byungjin" policy of simultaneously developing its nuclear capabilities alongside the economy.

In April, citing a "fresh climate of detente and peace" on the peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the nuclear quest complete and said his country would focus on "socialist economic construction".

But a statement issued by the North's foreign ministry said Pyongyang could revert to its former policy if the US did not change its stance over sanctions.

"The word 'byungjin' may appear again and the change of the line could be seriously reconsidered," said the statement carried by the official KCNA news agency late Friday.

At a historic summit in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump and Kim signed a vaguely-worded statement on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/need-to-assure-kim-he-took-right-decision-to-denuclearise-south-korean-president-moon-171498">denuclearisation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/need-to-assure-kim-he-took-right-decision-to-denuclearise-south-korean-president-moon-171498">.</a>

But little progress has been made since then, with Washington pushing to maintain sanctions against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation" and Pyongyang condemning US demands as "gangster-like".

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said the statement, released under the name of the director of the foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies.&nbsp;

"What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added.

The statement is the latest sign of Pyongyang's increasing frustration with Washington.

Last month, the North's state media carried a near 1,700 words long commentary accusing the US of playing a "double game", implicitly criticising Trump for his comments aimed at barring Seoul from lifting sanctions against Pyongyang.

Despite a flurry of diplomacy on and around the peninsula differences are emerging between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.

The South's doveish president Moon Jae-in has long favoured engagement with the North, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

He has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearisation, while the US has been adamant pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it fully dismantles its weapons programmes.

In an interview with Fox News on Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that sanctions will remain until Pyongyang carries out it denuclearisation commitments made in Singapore, adding he will meet with his North Korean counterpart next week.

North Korea has warned the United States it will "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished regime.

North Korea has warned the United States it will "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished regime. For years, the North had pursued a "byungjin" policy of simultaneously developing its nuclear capabilities alongside the economy. In April, citing a "fresh climate of detente and peace" on the peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the nuclear quest complete and said his country would focus on "socialist economic construction". But a statement issued by the North's foreign ministry said Pyongyang could revert to its former policy if the US did not change its stance over sanctions. "The word 'byungjin' may appear again and the change of the line could be seriously reconsidered," said the statement carried by the official KCNA news agency late Friday. At a historic summit in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump and Kim signed a vaguely-worded statement on denuclearisation. But little progress has been made since then, with Washington pushing to maintain sanctions against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation" and Pyongyang condemning US demands as "gangster-like". "The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said the statement, released under the name of the director of the foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies. "What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added. The statement is the latest sign of Pyongyang's increasing frustration with Washington. Last month, the North's state media carried a near 1,700 words long commentary accusing the US of playing a "double game", implicitly criticising Trump for his comments aimed at barring Seoul from lifting sanctions against Pyongyang. Despite a flurry of diplomacy on and around the peninsula differences are emerging between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour. The South's doveish president Moon Jae-in has long favoured engagement with the North, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. He has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearisation, while the US has been adamant pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it fully dismantles its weapons programmes. In an interview with Fox News on Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that sanctions will remain until Pyongyang carries out it denuclearisation commitments made in Singapore, adding he will meet with his North Korean counterpart next week.

Will go back to building nukes if you don't end economic sanctions against us: North Korea to US

A brooding military veteran and former teacher who railed at women and blacks in a series of poorly lit videos shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a Florida yoga studio before killing himself.

The Friday evening shooting at a busy upscale shopping plaza jolted the state capital and police said they were still searching for a motive that led to the deaths of a Florida State University student and a well-known local doctor who was a member of the school faculty.

But details about 40-year-old Scott Paul Beierle began to emerge in the hours after, including that he had once been banned from FSU's campus and had been arrested twice for grabbing women even though the charges were ultimately dropped.

Beierle, who had moved to the central Florida town of Deltona after getting a graduate degree from FSU, also appear to post a series of videos on YouTube in 2014 where he called women "whores" if they dated black men, said many black women were "disgusting" and described himself as a misogynist.

He said promiscuous women deserved to be crucified and he suggested putting up land mines to keep people from crossing into the US from Mexico. The existence of the videos was first reported by BuzzFeed.

Tallahassee police say Beierle shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the yoga studio that sits on the second floor of a shopping centre located near the city's fashionable midtown neighborhoods. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo said some in the studio showed courage by trying to stop him.

Witnesses at the shopping centre described how people who had been in the studio ran away, seeking shelter in nearby bars and restaurants as shots rang out.

Police responded within a few minutes, but by then Beirele had fatally shot himself, leaving police to search for a motive and a community to wonder what prompted the violence.

"It's a place that brings me joy and peace, and I think it's ruined," said Katie Bohnett, an instructor at the yoga studio who skipped her normal Friday practice to meet a friend for dinner.

"This monster ruined it." Police said Beierle acted alone but they were still looking into what prompted the shooting. He was originally from New York, had served in the military and once was a teacher in Maryland.

After his military service, he wound up attending FSU.

Kristi Malone, who had a graduate class with Beierle, said in a Facebook message that she did not interact with him outside of the classroom because of "his odd leering, inappropriate comments and general demeanor."

"I know that myself and several of my female colleagues made a point to never be alone with him even at school because of his odd behavior," Malone said.

Mike Orgo, who was friends with Beierle on Facebook, said he met him back in 2011 at comedy night open microphone sessions held at a Tallahassee restaurant. He said that he did not know him well but said he "definitely seemed angry and on edge".

Witnesses told police that Beierle posed as a customer to gain entrance to the studio, then started shooting without warning. Police have not yet said what kind of gun he used. Bohnett said that those at the studio Friday were yoga devotees. She said she did not recognize Beierle.

The two slain Friday were a student and faculty member at Florida State University, according to university officials. The department identified them as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21.

Binkley was a student from Atlanta who was due to graduate in May. Police said two other victims were in stable condition, and three had been released from the hospital.

Van Vessem was an internist who also served as chief medical director for Capital Health Plan, the area's leading health maintenance organisation. Court and FSU records show that Beierle had been previously arrested for grabbing women&nbsp;and had once been banned from FSU's campus.

Beierle was charged by police with battery in 2016 after he slapped and grabbed a woman's buttocks at an apartment complex pool. Records show that the charges were eventually dismissed after Beierle followed the conditions of a deferred prosecution agreement.

Beierle was also charged with battery in 2012 for grabbing women's buttocks in a university campus dining hall. A FSU police report shows that Beierle told police he may have accidentally bumped into someone, but denied grabbing anyone.

In 2014, Beierle was charged with trespassing at FSU. He had been seen following an FSU volleyball coach near the campus gym and was told that he was banned from campus. A month later police found him at a campus restaurant.

It was shortly after his trespassing charges that he posted the series of videos. A Tallahassee police spokesman would not confirm or deny the videos were Beierle.

Biographical details mentioned in the videos, however, match known facts about Beierle, including details about his military service. The videos were taken down by YouTube on Saturday.&nbsp;

A brooding military veteran and former teacher who railed at women and blacks in a series of poorly lit videos shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a Florida yoga studio before killing himself.

A brooding military veteran and former teacher who railed at women and blacks in a series of poorly lit videos shot two women to death and wounded five other people at a Florida yoga studio before killing himself. The Friday evening shooting at a busy upscale shopping plaza jolted the state capital and police said they were still searching for a motive that led to the deaths of a Florida State University student and a well-known local doctor who was a member of the school faculty. But details about 40-year-old Scott Paul Beierle began to emerge in the hours after, including that he had once been banned from FSU's campus and had been arrested twice for grabbing women even though the charges were ultimately dropped. Beierle, who had moved to the central Florida town of Deltona after getting a graduate degree from FSU, also appear to post a series of videos on YouTube in 2014 where he called women "whores" if they dated black men, said many black women were "disgusting" and described himself as a misogynist. He said promiscuous women deserved to be crucified and he suggested putting up land mines to keep people from crossing into the US from Mexico. The existence of the videos was first reported by BuzzFeed. Tallahassee police say Beierle shot six people and pistol-whipped another after walking into the yoga studio that sits on the second floor of a shopping centre located near the city's fashionable midtown neighborhoods. Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo said some in the studio showed courage by trying to stop him. Witnesses at the shopping centre described how people who had been in the studio ran away, seeking shelter in nearby bars and restaurants as shots rang out. Police responded within a few minutes, but by then Beirele had fatally shot himself, leaving police to search for a motive and a community to wonder what prompted the violence. "It's a place that brings me joy and peace, and I think it's ruined," said Katie Bohnett, an instructor at the yoga studio who skipped her normal Friday practice to meet a friend for dinner. "This monster ruined it." Police said Beierle acted alone but they were still looking into what prompted the shooting. He was originally from New York, had served in the military and once was a teacher in Maryland. After his military service, he wound up attending FSU. Kristi Malone, who had a graduate class with Beierle, said in a Facebook message that she did not interact with him outside of the classroom because of "his odd leering, inappropriate comments and general demeanor." "I know that myself and several of my female colleagues made a point to never be alone with him even at school because of his odd behavior," Malone said. Mike Orgo, who was friends with Beierle on Facebook, said he met him back in 2011 at comedy night open microphone sessions held at a Tallahassee restaurant. He said that he did not know him well but said he "definitely seemed angry and on edge". Witnesses told police that Beierle posed as a customer to gain entrance to the studio, then started shooting without warning. Police have not yet said what kind of gun he used. Bohnett said that those at the studio Friday were yoga devotees. She said she did not recognize Beierle. The two slain Friday were a student and faculty member at Florida State University, according to university officials. The department identified them as Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, 61, and Maura Binkley, 21. Binkley was a student from Atlanta who was due to graduate in May. Police said two other victims were in stable condition, and three had been released from the hospital. Van Vessem was an internist who also served as chief medical director for Capital Health Plan, the area's leading health maintenance organisation. Court and FSU records show that Beierle had been previously arrested for grabbing women and had once been banned from FSU's campus. Beierle was charged by police with battery in 2016 after he slapped and grabbed a woman's buttocks at an apartment complex pool. Records show that the charges were eventually dismissed after Beierle followed the conditions of a deferred prosecution agreement. Beierle was also charged with battery in 2012 for grabbing women's buttocks in a university campus dining hall. A FSU police report shows that Beierle told police he may have accidentally bumped into someone, but denied grabbing anyone. In 2014, Beierle was charged with trespassing at FSU. He had been seen following an FSU volleyball coach near the campus gym and was told that he was banned from campus. A month later police found him at a campus restaurant. It was shortly after his trespassing charges that he posted the series of videos. A Tallahassee police spokesman would not confirm or deny the videos were Beierle. Biographical details mentioned in the videos, however, match known facts about Beierle, including details about his military service. The videos were taken down by YouTube on Saturday.

US yoga studio shooter posted racist, misogynistic videos

America's power and hegemony in the world is declining: Ayatollah Khameni

Sri Lanka's deposed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the United States and Japan had frozen more than a billion dollars of development aid after his abrupt dismissal raised doubts about the future of democracy in the island.

The move to hold back project financing, along with the EU's warning it could withdraw duty-free concessions for Sri Lankan exports if it didn't stick to commitments on national reconciliation, will further strain the economy, Wickremesinghe told Reuters in an interview.

President Maithripala Sirisena fired him last month after months of tensions within the government and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as premier in a shock move that has plunged the nation into a political crisis.

Rajapaksa is a former president who led the country to a military defeat of Tamil separatist guerrillas in 2009 but who has since faced widespread allegations of human rights abuse and targeting of Tamil civilians.

Wickremesinghe, who has challenged his dismissal and vowed to remain, prime minister, until parliament voted him out, said there were international concerns about a government led by Rajapaksa.

"Countries are sensitive, they have concerns (about a government led by Rajapaksa) democratic countries have concerns," he said in the interview conducted in the prime minister's official residence in a colonial-era bungalow where Wickremesinghe is camping along with his supporters.

The United States has held off on a nearly $500 million aid programme for building of highways and improving land administration by the government-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Wickremesinghe said.

Japan had also put on hold plans to extend a soft loan of $1.4 billion for a light railway project, he said. "A lot of projects are held up, the Millennium Challenge, the Japanese loan," he said.

The Sri Lankan embassy in Washington has been informally told by the MCC that around $480 million will be on hold because of the latest situation in the country, a Sri Lankan foreign ministry official separately confirmed to Reuters.

An official at the Sri Lankan ministry of Megapolis and Western Development also confirmed the freeze to Reuters on the Japanese loan, imperilling the project.

An official at the Japan International Cooperation Agency said the agency was closely monitoring political developments and the railway project loan had been withheld.

The US&nbsp;embassy in Colombo had no immediate comment when asked if Washington is taking any measures due to the Sri Lankan political crisis.

The United States and the EU have urged the president to immediately summon parliament and let deputies decide who is to lead the country. Sirisena suspended parliament until Nov. 16 and has made no public statement on his plans.

While Wickremesinghe is staying on in the premier's residence called Temple Trees, Rajapaksa has taken over the offices of the prime minister following his swearing-in.

Wickremesinghe said his party will step up a public campaign for parliament to be called and he be allowed to prove his majority. "We are all contemplating alternative actions, this includes a big mobilisation of people. Ultimately this has to be decided in parliament."

Soon after taking over Rajapaksa said he wanted to end the "politics of hate" in the country and that his government will work for justice for all citizens.

Sri Lanka's deposed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the United States and Japan had frozen more than a billion dollars of development aid after his abrupt dismissal raised doubts about the future of democracy in the island.

Sri Lanka's deposed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the United States and Japan had frozen more than a billion dollars of development aid after his abrupt dismissal raised doubts about the future of democracy in the island. The move to hold back project financing, along with the EU's warning it could withdraw duty-free concessions for Sri Lankan exports if it didn't stick to commitments on national reconciliation, will further strain the economy, Wickremesinghe told Reuters in an interview. President Maithripala Sirisena fired him last month after months of tensions within the government and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa as premier in a shock move that has plunged the nation into a political crisis. Rajapaksa is a former president who led the country to a military defeat of Tamil separatist guerrillas in 2009 but who has since faced widespread allegations of human rights abuse and targeting of Tamil civilians. Wickremesinghe, who has challenged his dismissal and vowed to remain, prime minister, until parliament voted him out, said there were international concerns about a government led by Rajapaksa. "Countries are sensitive, they have concerns (about a government led by Rajapaksa) democratic countries have concerns," he said in the interview conducted in the prime minister's official residence in a colonial-era bungalow where Wickremesinghe is camping along with his supporters. The United States has held off on a nearly $500 million aid programme for building of highways and improving land administration by the government-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Wickremesinghe said. Japan had also put on hold plans to extend a soft loan of $1.4 billion for a light railway project, he said. "A lot of projects are held up, the Millennium Challenge, the Japanese loan," he said. The Sri Lankan embassy in Washington has been informally told by the MCC that around $480 million will be on hold because of the latest situation in the country, a Sri Lankan foreign ministry official separately confirmed to Reuters. An official at the Sri Lankan ministry of Megapolis and Western Development also confirmed the freeze to Reuters on the Japanese loan, imperilling the project. An official at the Japan International Cooperation Agency said the agency was closely monitoring political developments and the railway project loan had been withheld. The US embassy in Colombo had no immediate comment when asked if Washington is taking any measures due to the Sri Lankan political crisis. The United States and the EU have urged the president to immediately summon parliament and let deputies decide who is to lead the country. Sirisena suspended parliament until Nov. 16 and has made no public statement on his plans. While Wickremesinghe is staying on in the premier's residence called Temple Trees, Rajapaksa has taken over the offices of the prime minister following his swearing-in. Wickremesinghe said his party will step up a public campaign for parliament to be called and he be allowed to prove his majority. "We are all contemplating alternative actions, this includes a big mobilisation of people. Ultimately this has to be decided in parliament." Soon after taking over Rajapaksa said he wanted to end the "politics of hate" in the country and that his government will work for justice for all citizens.

Sri Lanka's ousted PM Wickremesinghe says US, Japan freeze aid over political crisis

The US&nbsp;government has approved integration of the US&nbsp;Patriot PAC-3 MSE missile into a next-generation German missile defence system, a spokesman said on Friday, a key step toward completion of a long-delayed multibillion-dollar arms sale.

The decision followed high-level talks by German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen and US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Jim Mattis this summer, two sources familiar with the issue said.

Germany selected the Medium Extended Air Defence System (MEADS) built by Lockheed Martin Corp and European missile maker MBDA over Raytheon's Patriot air and missile defence system in 2015, but it has taken years to move forward on the new defensive system called TLVS.

US&nbsp;Air Force Colonel&nbsp;Mike Andrews, the Pentagon spokesman, confirmed the use of the MSE missile had been approved for use in the German programme, but gave no further details.

"This is a significant step forward. The impasse has been solved," said one of the sources, who was not authorised to speak publicly.

Lockheed, the top US&nbsp;weapons maker, and MBDA gave no details, but said they were upbeat that the programme was moving forward. MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo.

A spokesman at the German defence ministry gave no details, but said both the US&nbsp;and German sides were committed to signing a contract. "There is new momentum. Both sides are clearly committed to successful completion of the TLVS programme," the spokesman said.

Germany's defence ministry in August asked Lockheed and MBDA to submit a best and final offer for the programme, but that required US&nbsp;government approval of the integration of the PAC-3 MSE missile, one of the sources said.

Lockheed, which developed the MEADS programme together with MBDA, also builds the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile, but needed approval for its integration into German programme since the missile was developed separately from MEADS.

The MEADS system was developed with US $4 billion in funding from Germany, Italy and the United States, although the US&nbsp;Army later ended its participation in the programme.

Germany hopes to sign a contract for TLVS in 2019 and field the system in 2025.

MBDA and Lockheed executives have said progress on the German deal could fuel interest by other countries in the system, which will offer the ability to knit together a variety of different systems, including Patriot.

Initially slated to cost about 4 billion euros ($4.56 billion), sources say the final cost of the TLVS system is likely to be several billion euros higher.

The US government has approved integration of the US Patriot PAC-3 MSE missile into a next-generation German missile defence system, a spokesman said on Friday, a key step toward completion of a long-delayed multibillion-dollar arms sale.

The US government has approved integration of the US Patriot PAC-3 MSE missile into a next-generation German missile defence system, a spokesman said on Friday, a key step toward completion of a long-delayed multibillion-dollar arms sale. The decision followed high-level talks by German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen and US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis this summer, two sources familiar with the issue said. Germany selected the Medium Extended Air Defence System (MEADS) built by Lockheed Martin Corp and European missile maker MBDA over Raytheon's Patriot air and missile defence system in 2015, but it has taken years to move forward on the new defensive system called TLVS. US Air Force Colonel Mike Andrews, the Pentagon spokesman, confirmed the use of the MSE missile had been approved for use in the German programme, but gave no further details. "This is a significant step forward. The impasse has been solved," said one of the sources, who was not authorised to speak publicly. Lockheed, the top US weapons maker, and MBDA gave no details, but said they were upbeat that the programme was moving forward. MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo. A spokesman at the German defence ministry gave no details, but said both the US and German sides were committed to signing a contract. "There is new momentum. Both sides are clearly committed to successful completion of the TLVS programme," the spokesman said. Germany's defence ministry in August asked Lockheed and MBDA to submit a best and final offer for the programme, but that required US government approval of the integration of the PAC-3 MSE missile, one of the sources said. Lockheed, which developed the MEADS programme together with MBDA, also builds the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missile, but needed approval for its integration into German programme since the missile was developed separately from MEADS. The MEADS system was developed with US $4 billion in funding from Germany, Italy and the United States, although the US Army later ended its participation in the programme. Germany hopes to sign a contract for TLVS in 2019 and field the system in 2025. MBDA and Lockheed executives have said progress on the German deal could fuel interest by other countries in the system, which will offer the ability to knit together a variety of different systems, including Patriot. Initially slated to cost about 4 billion euros ($4.56 billion), sources say the final cost of the TLVS system is likely to be several billion euros higher.

US approves key step towards German missile defence deal

Iran has started mass-producing its locally designed Kowsar fighter plane, state television reported on Saturday.

"Soon the needed number of this plane will be produced and put at the service of the Air Force," Defence Minister Amir Hatami said at a ceremony launching the plane's production, which was shown on television.

Meanwhile, the United States will add 700 individuals and entities to its Iran blacklist and pressure the global SWIFT banking network to cut off Tehran when expanded sanctions are put in place next week.

The aim is to cripple the Iranian economy to pressure Tehran to halt its nuclear activities and what the US says is broad support for “terrorism” in the region, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

The reimposition of sanctions “is aimed at depriving the regime of the revenues it uses to spread death and destruction around the world,” Pompeo explained.

“Our ultimate aim is to compel Iran to permanently abandon its well-documented outlaw activities and behave as a normal country.”

Iran has started mass-producing its locally designed Kowsar fighter plane, state television reported on Saturday. "Soon the needed number of this plane will be produced and put at the service of the Air Force," Defence Minister Amir Hatami said at a ceremony launching the plane's production, which was shown on television.

Iran has started mass-producing its locally designed Kowsar fighter plane, state television reported on Saturday. "Soon the needed number of this plane will be produced and put at the service of the Air Force," Defence Minister Amir Hatami said at a ceremony launching the plane's production, which was shown on television. Meanwhile, the United States will add 700 individuals and entities to its Iran blacklist and pressure the global SWIFT banking network to cut off Tehran when expanded sanctions are put in place next week. The aim is to cripple the Iranian economy to pressure Tehran to halt its nuclear activities and what the US says is broad support for “terrorism” in the region, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. The reimposition of sanctions “is aimed at depriving the regime of the revenues it uses to spread death and destruction around the world,” Pompeo explained. “Our ultimate aim is to compel Iran to permanently abandon its well-documented outlaw activities and behave as a normal country.”

Iran starts mass-producing local fighter jet: State TV

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6.

But&nbsp;oddly enough, millions of Hispanic voters do not appear set on taking revenge at the polls: no surveys indicate a Latino wave to turf Republicans out of Congress come Tuesday.

What's going on? According to experts, Trump's repeated insults and bullying haven't had the effect of pushing Latinos toward the Democrat party -- rather they have driven them from voting at all.

"In 2016 many analysts had pointed to then-candidate Trump's comments on Mexican immigrants and Hispanics as perhaps being a motivator to get Latinos to the polls," said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of global migration and demography research at Pew Research Center.&nbsp; But in reality, he says, "the turnout fell."

And 30 per cent of all Hispanics ended up in fact voting for Trump.&nbsp;

There are 29 million Hispanics registered to vote in the midterm elections, where all 435 seats from the House of Representatives are up for grabs, one-third of the Senate, the governors of 36 states and numerous local officials including judges, sheriffs and attorneys general.

Burned by their failures to accurately predict the 2016 presidential vote, many analysts are striking a more cautious note.

"It remains to be seen what will happen this year. Latinos may be more interested in voting but there are many indications that perhaps the turnout rate may not rise much compared to 2014," said Lopez.&nbsp;

When midterms were held that year the turnout rate was only 27 percent for the demographic -- a history low, according to Pew Research.

Veterans and Evangelicals

It ends up being a vicious circle: the fewer Latinos are mobilized, the less the major political parties spend gearing their platforms to address the community's concerns.

And the less the major parties care, the more apathy spreads. To be sure, Latinos are generally more inclined toward the center-left Democrats,&nbsp;but the party "is not doing enough outreach" with the group, says Christine Marie Sierra, Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of New Mexico.&nbsp;

"We continue to hear about all they have to reach out to the white-working class voters or white women in some suburbs," she continued.&nbsp;

"Well that's fine. You can reach out to them but that's not where your base is. For the Democrats their base is in communities of color.

"They've got to invest a whole lot more to especially with Latinos to overcome the lack of participation."

According to the non-profit Latino Decisions, 63 percent of registered Hispanic voters say they plan to vote. But more than half of them were not contacted by any candidate in their constituency.

"Those voters that are contacted more are more likely to vote and those that are impacted less or not at all are less likely to vote," emphasized David Ayon of Latino Decisions.

Complicating matters further is the Latino vote is far from a monolithic bloc but instead a mosaic of diverse communities, with party affiliation not necessarily linked to country of origin, said Lopez.

Republicans, for example, can count on the overwhelming support of Cuban Americans, a community vehemently opposed to the Communist regime that rules the island. Military veterans and Evangelical migrants from Central America are likewise more likely to lean toward the Grand Old Party.

It sets the scene for some intriguing races. Will Mexican-born voters in Texas throw their weight behind Irish-American Beto O'Rourke over his Cuban-American rival and arch conservative Ted Cruz?&nbsp;

Will Puerto Ricans resettled in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria tip the scales for the Democrats in Florida? We will find out Tuesday.

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6.

Drug dealers, sexual predators, "poisonous snakes" blamed for all the ills plaguing US society: President Donald Trump has cast Latino immigrants as public enemy numero uno in his rallies and tweets in the run-up to November 6. But oddly enough, millions of Hispanic voters do not appear set on taking revenge at the polls: no surveys indicate a Latino wave to turf Republicans out of Congress come Tuesday. What's going on? According to experts, Trump's repeated insults and bullying haven't had the effect of pushing Latinos toward the Democrat party -- rather they have driven them from voting at all. "In 2016 many analysts had pointed to then-candidate Trump's comments on Mexican immigrants and Hispanics as perhaps being a motivator to get Latinos to the polls," said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of global migration and demography research at Pew Research Center. But in reality, he says, "the turnout fell." And 30 per cent of all Hispanics ended up in fact voting for Trump. There are 29 million Hispanics registered to vote in the midterm elections, where all 435 seats from the House of Representatives are up for grabs, one-third of the Senate, the governors of 36 states and numerous local officials including judges, sheriffs and attorneys general. Burned by their failures to accurately predict the 2016 presidential vote, many analysts are striking a more cautious note. "It remains to be seen what will happen this year. Latinos may be more interested in voting but there are many indications that perhaps the turnout rate may not rise much compared to 2014," said Lopez. When midterms were held that year the turnout rate was only 27 percent for the demographic -- a history low, according to Pew Research. Veterans and Evangelicals It ends up being a vicious circle: the fewer Latinos are mobilized, the less the major political parties spend gearing their platforms to address the community's concerns. And the less the major parties care, the more apathy spreads. To be sure, Latinos are generally more inclined toward the center-left Democrats, but the party "is not doing enough outreach" with the group, says Christine Marie Sierra, Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of New Mexico. "We continue to hear about all they have to reach out to the white-working class voters or white women in some suburbs," she continued. "Well that's fine. You can reach out to them but that's not where your base is. For the Democrats their base is in communities of color. "They've got to invest a whole lot more to especially with Latinos to overcome the lack of participation." According to the non-profit Latino Decisions, 63 percent of registered Hispanic voters say they plan to vote. But more than half of them were not contacted by any candidate in their constituency. "Those voters that are contacted more are more likely to vote and those that are impacted less or not at all are less likely to vote," emphasized David Ayon of Latino Decisions. Complicating matters further is the Latino vote is far from a monolithic bloc but instead a mosaic of diverse communities, with party affiliation not necessarily linked to country of origin, said Lopez. Republicans, for example, can count on the overwhelming support of Cuban Americans, a community vehemently opposed to the Communist regime that rules the island. Military veterans and Evangelical migrants from Central America are likewise more likely to lean toward the Grand Old Party. It sets the scene for some intriguing races. Will Mexican-born voters in Texas throw their weight behind Irish-American Beto O'Rourke over his Cuban-American rival and arch conservative Ted Cruz? Will Puerto Ricans resettled in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria tip the scales for the Democrats in Florida? We will find out Tuesday.

US midterm polls 2018: Will Trump's America wake up Latino vote in midterms?

A lawyer for a US&nbsp;Treasury Department employee charged with leaking to a journalist confidential documents on former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and others, said on Friday that his client was motivated by public service.

Manafort and his longtime associate Rick Gates have pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to cooperate in US&nbsp;Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;election and whether President Donald Trump's campaign coordinated with Moscow.

Russia denies election meddling and Trump denies campaign collusion.

Prosecutors said Natalie Sours Edwards, a senior adviser in the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), leaked documents to a reporter that became the basis of articles about that investigation published by digital media company BuzzFeed.

"She saw things in her official capacity that she felt an obligation to bring forward," Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Sours Edwards, told reporters after a hearing in federal court in Manhattan.

During Friday's brief hearing, US&nbsp;Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn ordered that Sours Edwards may remain free on bail. She had previously pleaded not guilty at a hearing in Virginia, according to Agnifilo. She is currently on paid leave from her position.

Prosecutors said beginning in October 2017, Sours Edwards illegally disclosed so-called suspicious activity reports connected to Manafort, accused Russian agent Maria Butina, the Russian embassy and a unit of Prevezon Holdings Ltd, a corporation owned by Russian businessman Denis Katsyv.

Suspicious activity reports are submitted by banks to alert law enforcement to potentially illegal transactions.

Information from the disclosures was reported in 11 articles that appeared in BuzzFeed over the course of a year, prosecutors said.

Agnifilo said Sours Edwards shared the reports because "she believes that certain pieces of information were not being handled the right way and were not being brought to the attention of the people who should know it," though he did not give further details.

He said Sours Edwards had also spoken to committees in Congress and to other government agencies about her concerns, and that her contact with the media was a relatively small part of her efforts.

"It's been going on for several years," he said.

A lawyer for a US Treasury Department employee charged with leaking to a journalist confidential documents on former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and others, said on Friday that his client was motivated by public service.

A lawyer for a US Treasury Department employee charged with leaking to a journalist confidential documents on former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and others, said on Friday that his client was motivated by public service. Manafort and his longtime associate Rick Gates have pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to cooperate in US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election and whether President Donald Trump's campaign coordinated with Moscow. Russia denies election meddling and Trump denies campaign collusion. Prosecutors said Natalie Sours Edwards, a senior adviser in the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), leaked documents to a reporter that became the basis of articles about that investigation published by digital media company BuzzFeed. "She saw things in her official capacity that she felt an obligation to bring forward," Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Sours Edwards, told reporters after a hearing in federal court in Manhattan. During Friday's brief hearing, US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn ordered that Sours Edwards may remain free on bail. She had previously pleaded not guilty at a hearing in Virginia, according to Agnifilo. She is currently on paid leave from her position. Prosecutors said beginning in October 2017, Sours Edwards illegally disclosed so-called suspicious activity reports connected to Manafort, accused Russian agent Maria Butina, the Russian embassy and a unit of Prevezon Holdings Ltd, a corporation owned by Russian businessman Denis Katsyv. Suspicious activity reports are submitted by banks to alert law enforcement to potentially illegal transactions. Information from the disclosures was reported in 11 articles that appeared in BuzzFeed over the course of a year, prosecutors said. Agnifilo said Sours Edwards shared the reports because "she believes that certain pieces of information were not being handled the right way and were not being brought to the attention of the people who should know it," though he did not give further details. He said Sours Edwards had also spoken to committees in Congress and to other government agencies about her concerns, and that her contact with the media was a relatively small part of her efforts. "It's been going on for several years," he said.

US official felt 'obligation' to leak documents on Manafort, others: Lawyer

The United States will add 700 individuals and entities to its Iran blacklist and pressure the global SWIFT banking network to cut off Tehran when expanded sanctions are put in place next week.

The aim is to cripple the Iranian economy to pressure Tehran to halt its nuclear activities and what the US says is broad support for “terrorism” in the region, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

The reimposition of sanctions “is aimed at depriving the regime of the revenues it uses to spread death and destruction around the world,” Pompeo explained.

“Our ultimate aim is to compel Iran to permanently abandon its well-documented outlaw activities and behave as a normal country.”

President Trump tweeted what looks like a movie-style poster that takes creative inspiration from the TV series “Game of Thrones” to announce the reimposition of sanctions against Iran.

He tweeted a photo of himself with the words “Sanctions are Coming”.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://t.co/nk2vKvHuaL">pic.twitter.com/nk2vKvHuaL</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1058388700617498625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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However, eight countries will be able to continue importing Iranian oil at lower levels in order to avoid upsetting global crude markets when the sanctions take effect on Monday, the US later said.

The sanctions come six months after President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal struck between world powers and Iran.

At the time, he began reimposing sanctions that had been suspended or removed by his predecessor Barack Obama.

That process will be completed starting from midnight Sunday, US eastern time, when sanctions on the regime’s banks, shippers, shipbuilders and oil sector are imposed.

The impact remains in question as other countries, particularly Washington’s European allies, resist joining its effort to economically strangle the Tehran regime.

The European Union has gone so far as to protect businesses that operate in Iran. It has announced plans for a legal framework through which firms can skirt US sanctions, although few major corporations have been eager to risk the wrath of penalties in the world’s largest economy.

“This is not 2012 when the world was united behind sanctions against Iran. This is the Trump administration trying to force the rest of the world to go along with a policy that most countries do not accept,” said Barbara Slavin, an Iran expert at the Washington-based Atlantic Council.

“The US has had some success in terms of frightening away major corporations. The sanctions hurt a lot. But Iran is still going to be able to sell oil,” especially to China, she said.

OIL TRADE EXEMPTIONS

Pompeo said the US will grant exemptions to eight countries that have pledged to or have already cut back on purchases of petroleum from Iran, which has long depended on crude exports to power its economy.

He did not name the eight countries, but they are believed to include India, Japan, South Korea, and possibly China.

Pompeo said the countries agreed that the payments for the oil will go into offshore accounts that Iran will only be able to tap for “humanitarian trade, or bilateral trade in non-sanctioned goods and services.”

“Maximum pressure means maximum pressure,” he said.

To punish Iranian banks, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the global financial network SWIFT — which enables secure bank-to-bank communications and transactions — will also be subject to US sanctions if it provides services to Iranian financial institutions on the US blacklist, which includes most major Iranian banks.

That could make it very hard for Iran to do business with other countries.

“SWIFT is no different than any other entity,”&nbsp;Mnuchin said.

US OBJECTIVE IN QUESTION

Justifying the action,&nbsp;Pompeo has issued a list of demands for Iran that go well beyond the nuclear program that was the focus of&nbsp;Obama’s deal.

He wants the Shiite clerical regime to withdraw from war-ravaged Syria, where it is a critical ally of President Bashar al-Assad, and to end longstanding support to regional militant movements Hezbollah and Hamas.

The US also wants Iran to stop backing Yemen’s Huthi rebels, who are facing a US-supported air campaign led by Saudi Arabia.

But experts don’t expect Iran’s leaders to immediately throw in the towel.

“It’s basically magical thinking. The Iranians have been able to continue their support to regional proxies and allies for 40 years despite economic pressure,” said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group.

He said the Trump administration believed that a constrained, struggling Iran would see its influence erode. But the final goal, he said, was unclear.

“I think the endgame depends on who you’re asking. The president himself is interested in having a broader, better deal with the Iranians, but I believe that most of his national security team are interested in either destabilising Iran or assuring a regime change in Tehran,” Mr Vaez said.

The United States will add 700 individuals and entities to its Iran blacklist and pressure the global SWIFT banking network to cut off Tehran when expanded sanctions are put in place next week.

The United States will add 700 individuals and entities to its Iran blacklist and pressure the global SWIFT banking network to cut off Tehran when expanded sanctions are put in place next week. The aim is to cripple the Iranian economy to pressure Tehran to halt its nuclear activities and what the US says is broad support for “terrorism” in the region, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. The reimposition of sanctions “is aimed at depriving the regime of the revenues it uses to spread death and destruction around the world,” Pompeo explained. “Our ultimate aim is to compel Iran to permanently abandon its well-documented outlaw activities and behave as a normal country.” President Trump tweeted what looks like a movie-style poster that takes creative inspiration from the TV series “Game of Thrones” to announce the reimposition of sanctions against Iran. He tweeted a photo of himself with the words “Sanctions are Coming”. pic.twitter.com/nk2vKvHuaL — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 2, 2018 × However, eight countries will be able to continue importing Iranian oil at lower levels in order to avoid upsetting global crude markets when the sanctions take effect on Monday, the US later said. The sanctions come six months after President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal struck between world powers and Iran. At the time, he began reimposing sanctions that had been suspended or removed by his predecessor Barack Obama. That process will be completed starting from midnight Sunday, US eastern time, when sanctions on the regime’s banks, shippers, shipbuilders and oil sector are imposed. The impact remains in question as other countries, particularly Washington’s European allies, resist joining its effort to economically strangle the Tehran regime. The European Union has gone so far as to protect businesses that operate in Iran. It has announced plans for a legal framework through which firms can skirt US sanctions, although few major corporations have been eager to risk the wrath of penalties in the world’s largest economy. “This is not 2012 when the world was united behind sanctions against Iran. This is the Trump administration trying to force the rest of the world to go along with a policy that most countries do not accept,” said Barbara Slavin, an Iran expert at the Washington-based Atlantic Council. “The US has had some success in terms of frightening away major corporations. The sanctions hurt a lot. But Iran is still going to be able to sell oil,” especially to China, she said. OIL TRADE EXEMPTIONS Pompeo said the US will grant exemptions to eight countries that have pledged to or have already cut back on purchases of petroleum from Iran, which has long depended on crude exports to power its economy. He did not name the eight countries, but they are believed to include India, Japan, South Korea, and possibly China. Pompeo said the countries agreed that the payments for the oil will go into offshore accounts that Iran will only be able to tap for “humanitarian trade, or bilateral trade in non-sanctioned goods and services.” “Maximum pressure means maximum pressure,” he said. To punish Iranian banks, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the global financial network SWIFT — which enables secure bank-to-bank communications and transactions — will also be subject to US sanctions if it provides services to Iranian financial institutions on the US blacklist, which includes most major Iranian banks. That could make it very hard for Iran to do business with other countries. “SWIFT is no different than any other entity,” Mnuchin said. US OBJECTIVE IN QUESTION Justifying the action, Pompeo has issued a list of demands for Iran that go well beyond the nuclear program that was the focus of Obama’s deal. He wants the Shiite clerical regime to withdraw from war-ravaged Syria, where it is a critical ally of President Bashar al-Assad, and to end longstanding support to regional militant movements Hezbollah and Hamas. The US also wants Iran to stop backing Yemen’s Huthi rebels, who are facing a US-supported air campaign led by Saudi Arabia. But experts don’t expect Iran’s leaders to immediately throw in the towel. “It’s basically magical thinking. The Iranians have been able to continue their support to regional proxies and allies for 40 years despite economic pressure,” said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group. He said the Trump administration believed that a constrained, struggling Iran would see its influence erode. But the final goal, he said, was unclear. “I think the endgame depends on who you’re asking. The president himself is interested in having a broader, better deal with the Iranians, but I believe that most of his national security team are interested in either destabilising Iran or assuring a regime change in Tehran,” Mr Vaez said.

'Sanctions are Coming', tweets Trump as US reimposes all sanctions on Iran

The Trump administration has introduced a new set of stringent provisions to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/three-fourths-of-h1b-visa-holders-in-2018-are-indians-us-report-172413">H-1B</a> labour application process under which the US employers must disclose the total number of foreigners already employed by them, making it tougher to sponsor fresh foreign workers.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-administration-to-propose-major-changes-in-h-1b-visas-172035">H-1B visa</a>, popular among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

The new information required by the Department of Labour is significant because before sponsoring a foreign worker for the H-1B visa, the company needs to get its labour application approved by it.

The department certifies that there are no domestic worker for that particular position and as such the company can hire a foreign guest worker under the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-administration-to-propose-major-changes-in-h-1b-visas-172035">H-1B visa </a>category.

The Labour Condition Application form updates will now require employers to provide more detailed information about H-1B worker employment conditions, including disclosing all places of employment for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/penalty-imposed-on-us-company-for-paying-low-wages-to-h-1b-employees-165541">H-1B workers</a>, including periods of short duration and providing the estimated number of H-1B workers at each place of intended employment.

It also requires the clear identification of secondary entities which are using H-1B workers and seeks H-1B dependent employers which are claiming an exemption solely on the basis of education, such as a master's degree, to provide documentation of the degree.

Under the new forms, employers also need to give an estimate of the total number of foreign nationals already working at each location listed in the application.

Further, revisions to the worker complaint form include added data fields designed to better describe the nature of an alleged programme violation, the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

To allow appropriate time for transition, the new forms will be made available for use in the coming weeks.

An announcement will be made on the Office of Foreign Labour Certification's website identifying the date when they will be made available, it said.

Since 2017, the department has taken action to combat visa fraud and abuse and encouraged US workers to report complaints, including establishing protocols for promptly referring matters related to criminal fraud to the department's Office of Inspector General for investigation.

It has also directed the department's Wage and Hour Division to use all its tools in conducting civil investigations to enforce labour protections provided by the visa programmes.

Further, it has signed an agreement with the US Department of Justice to promptly refer complaints from US workers who believe they have been discriminated against based on nationality or citizenship.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the form changes are the latest in a series targeting employers who place foreign nationals at third-party worksites.

In a February policy memo, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) required employers to provide detailed work itineraries for the entire duration of H-1B petitions involving offsite employment. An advocacy group representing small and medium-size IT companies have filed a lawsuit against USCIS on this issue.

"Employers should expect renewed scrutiny on where H-1B employees are working, whether they are working at third-party sites and, if so, whether the arrangement is permissible," said Justin Storch, director of regulatory affairs and judicial counsel at the Society for Human Resource Management.

"Given current scrutiny of H-1Bs, both petitioners and end users should be aware of what information is being disclosed on the forms and the fact that the Department of Labour is likely to make this information publicly available," Storch said.

The Trump administration has introduced a new set of stringent provisions to the H-1B labour application process under which the US employers must disclose the total number of foreigners already employed by them, making it tougher to sponsor fresh foreign workers.

The Trump administration has introduced a new set of stringent provisions to the H-1B labour application process under which the US employers must disclose the total number of foreigners already employed by them, making it tougher to sponsor fresh foreign workers. The H-1B visa, popular among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The new information required by the Department of Labour is significant because before sponsoring a foreign worker for the H-1B visa, the company needs to get its labour application approved by it. The department certifies that there are no domestic worker for that particular position and as such the company can hire a foreign guest worker under the H-1B visa category. The Labour Condition Application form updates will now require employers to provide more detailed information about H-1B worker employment conditions, including disclosing all places of employment for H-1B workers, including periods of short duration and providing the estimated number of H-1B workers at each place of intended employment. It also requires the clear identification of secondary entities which are using H-1B workers and seeks H-1B dependent employers which are claiming an exemption solely on the basis of education, such as a master's degree, to provide documentation of the degree. Under the new forms, employers also need to give an estimate of the total number of foreign nationals already working at each location listed in the application. Further, revisions to the worker complaint form include added data fields designed to better describe the nature of an alleged programme violation, the department said in a statement on Tuesday. To allow appropriate time for transition, the new forms will be made available for use in the coming weeks. An announcement will be made on the Office of Foreign Labour Certification's website identifying the date when they will be made available, it said. Since 2017, the department has taken action to combat visa fraud and abuse and encouraged US workers to report complaints, including establishing protocols for promptly referring matters related to criminal fraud to the department's Office of Inspector General for investigation. It has also directed the department's Wage and Hour Division to use all its tools in conducting civil investigations to enforce labour protections provided by the visa programmes. Further, it has signed an agreement with the US Department of Justice to promptly refer complaints from US workers who believe they have been discriminated against based on nationality or citizenship. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the form changes are the latest in a series targeting employers who place foreign nationals at third-party worksites. In a February policy memo, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) required employers to provide detailed work itineraries for the entire duration of H-1B petitions involving offsite employment. An advocacy group representing small and medium-size IT companies have filed a lawsuit against USCIS on this issue. "Employers should expect renewed scrutiny on where H-1B employees are working, whether they are working at third-party sites and, if so, whether the arrangement is permissible," said Justin Storch, director of regulatory affairs and judicial counsel at the Society for Human Resource Management. "Given current scrutiny of H-1Bs, both petitioners and end users should be aware of what information is being disclosed on the forms and the fact that the Department of Labour is likely to make this information publicly available," Storch said.

US makes it tougher for companies to employ fresh foreign workers under H-1B

WION Gravitas: Know how electoral democracy works in US

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-murder-outcry-threatens-us-saudi-ties-saudi-prince-says-174743">Khashoggi murder outcry threatens US-Saudi ties, Saudi prince says</a>

The outcry in the United States demonising Saudi Arabia over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul threatens US-Saudi strategic ties, the former Saudi intelligence minister warned on Wednesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-doesnt-want-to-harm-friends-allies-with-iran-sanctions-john-bolton-174742">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-doesnt-want-to-harm-friends-allies-with-iran-sanctions-john-bolton-174742"> doesn't want to harm friends, allies with Iran sanctions: John Bolton</a>

US national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday the Trump administration wants sanctions on Iran's crude exports to strain Tehran, but does not want to harm countries that depend on the oil.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tdp-chief-chandrababu-naidu-to-discuss-opposition-unity-with-rahul-today-174752">TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to discuss opposition unity with Rahul Gandhi today</a>

In an effort&nbsp;to build a strong opposition alliance to take on the BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu will meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-assange-says-ecuador-seeking-to-end-his-asylum-174759">WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says Ecuador seeking to end his asylum</a>

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said on Monday that Ecuador is seeking to end his asylum in its London embassy and hand him over to the United States, but a judge rejected his lawsuit over embassy living conditions.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-does-not-feel-betrayed-by-saudis-174753">US President Donald Trump says he does not feel betrayed by Saudis</a>

Both Republican and Democratic senators asked US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (October 31) to suspend civilian nuclear energy talks with Saudi Arabia after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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Khashoggi murder outcry threatens US-Saudi ties, Saudi prince says The outcry in the United States demonising Saudi Arabia over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul threatens US-Saudi strategic ties, the former Saudi intelligence minister warned on Wednesday.

Khashoggi murder outcry threatens US-Saudi ties, Saudi prince says The outcry in the United States demonising Saudi Arabia over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul threatens US-Saudi strategic ties, the former Saudi intelligence minister warned on Wednesday. US doesn't want to harm friends, allies with Iran sanctions: John Bolton US national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday the Trump administration wants sanctions on Iran's crude exports to strain Tehran, but does not want to harm countries that depend on the oil. TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu to discuss opposition unity with Rahul Gandhi today In an effort to build a strong opposition alliance to take on the BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu will meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says Ecuador seeking to end his asylum WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said on Monday that Ecuador is seeking to end his asylum in its London embassy and hand him over to the United States, but a judge rejected his lawsuit over embassy living conditions. US President Donald Trump says he does not feel betrayed by Saudis Both Republican and Democratic senators asked US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (October 31) to suspend civilian nuclear energy talks with Saudi Arabia after the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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