A meeting between the Chinese and US presidents at the G20 summit will be of "great significance" in resolving bilateral problems, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday, as the two countries try tentatively to get ties back on track.

China and the United States have put tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods and US President Donald Trump has threatened to set tariffs on the remainder of China's $500 billion-plus exports to the United States if their blistering trade dispute cannot be resolved.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping plan to meet on the sidelines of a G20 summit, which is being held in Argentina at the end of November and early December, for high-stakes talks.

Speaking in Beijing, China's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi said Xi and Trump reached an important consensus on the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties in their telephone call last week and were slated to meet in Buenos Aires.

"That will be of great significance for both sides to manage differences effectively and resolve issues in a practical way," Wang told reporters.

Wang said China stands ready to work with the United States to remove disruptions, build trust and prepare fully for the meeting.

"We believe that meeting will help chart the course for China-US relations," he said, following talks with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

Wang added that the more complex the situation it is, the more important it is for both sides to remain "level-headed".

Relations between the two countries have warmed since the Xi-Trump telephone call, laying the ground for their G20 meeting.

In a further sign of improving ties, Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe are set to hold a security and diplomatic dialogue with US officials in Washington on Friday.

Meeting US national security adviser John Bolton in Washington ahead of those talks, Yang said on Wednesday that the two sides should "properly manage differences and carefully prepare to ensure positive results in the Argentina meeting", China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"China is committed to working with the US to achieve a no-confrontational, conflict-free, mutually respectful co-operation in which both sides win," added Yang, who heads the ruling Communist Party's foreign affairs commission and outranks Wang.

In a separate meeting on Thursday in Beijing with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Wang said the two countries absolutely could resolve their trade dispute.

"As for the present China-US economic and trade dispute, we believe it ought to be and can be appropriately resolved via equal dialogue," Wang said, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

However, speaking in Singapore at a forum on Wednesday, former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said there was a risk of an economic "Iron Curtain" falling between China and the United States unless Beijing carries out reforms and that some people in the United States would like to "divorce" from China.

Beijing can help avoid this happening by ending practices like forced technology transfers, and providing better protection for intellectual property, and by also genuinely allowing market forces to drive key decisions.

"If China doesn't move quickly, I suspect the calls for divorce will intensify," Paulson said.

A meeting between the Chinese and US presidents at the G20 summit will be of "great significance" in resolving bilateral problems, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday, as the two countries try tentatively to get ties back on track.

A meeting between the Chinese and US presidents at the G20 summit will be of "great significance" in resolving bilateral problems, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday, as the two countries try tentatively to get ties back on track. China and the United States have put tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other's goods and US President Donald Trump has threatened to set tariffs on the remainder of China's $500 billion-plus exports to the United States if their blistering trade dispute cannot be resolved. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping plan to meet on the sidelines of a G20 summit, which is being held in Argentina at the end of November and early December, for high-stakes talks. Speaking in Beijing, China's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi said Xi and Trump reached an important consensus on the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties in their telephone call last week and were slated to meet in Buenos Aires. "That will be of great significance for both sides to manage differences effectively and resolve issues in a practical way," Wang told reporters. Wang said China stands ready to work with the United States to remove disruptions, build trust and prepare fully for the meeting. "We believe that meeting will help chart the course for China-US relations," he said, following talks with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne. Wang added that the more complex the situation it is, the more important it is for both sides to remain "level-headed". Relations between the two countries have warmed since the Xi-Trump telephone call, laying the ground for their G20 meeting. In a further sign of improving ties, Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe are set to hold a security and diplomatic dialogue with US officials in Washington on Friday. Meeting US national security adviser John Bolton in Washington ahead of those talks, Yang said on Wednesday that the two sides should "properly manage differences and carefully prepare to ensure positive results in the Argentina meeting", China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "China is committed to working with the US to achieve a no-confrontational, conflict-free, mutually respectful co-operation in which both sides win," added Yang, who heads the ruling Communist Party's foreign affairs commission and outranks Wang. In a separate meeting on Thursday in Beijing with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Wang said the two countries absolutely could resolve their trade dispute. "As for the present China-US economic and trade dispute, we believe it ought to be and can be appropriately resolved via equal dialogue," Wang said, according to China's Foreign Ministry. However, speaking in Singapore at a forum on Wednesday, former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said there was a risk of an economic "Iron Curtain" falling between China and the United States unless Beijing carries out reforms and that some people in the United States would like to "divorce" from China. Beijing can help avoid this happening by ending practices like forced technology transfers, and providing better protection for intellectual property, and by also genuinely allowing market forces to drive key decisions. "If China doesn't move quickly, I suspect the calls for divorce will intensify," Paulson said.

Xi, Trump's G20 meeting will be of 'great significance': China

Trump supporters react at Ohio rally

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/troops-will-not-fire-on-migrant-caravan-trump-175260">US troops will not fire on migrant caravan: Donald Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that illegal immigrants who throw rocks at the military would be arrested, but not fired upon by troops.

He made the remarks to reporters one day after he suggested the military could fire on members of a migrant caravan if they throw rocks at troops.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asia-bibis-lawyer-leaves-pakistan-citing-threats-to-his-life-175254">Asia Bibi likely to face travel ban, lawyer flees Pakistan citing threats to life</a>

The Pakistani lawyer who saved a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy from the gallows left the country on Saturday, saying his life was under threat.

Saif-ul-Mulook's latest victory saw the freeing of Asia Bibi, who spent nearly a decade on death row, after the Supreme Court overturned her sentence on Wednesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-main-tamil-party-to-support-no-trust-motion-against-rajapaksa-175274">Sri Lanka's main Tamil party to support </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-main-tamil-party-to-support-no-trust-motion-against-rajapaksa-175274">no-trust</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-main-tamil-party-to-support-no-trust-motion-against-rajapaksa-175274"> motion against Rajapaksa</a>

Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance - Saturday said it will support a no-trust motion against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, amid mounting pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to let the suspended parliament hold a vote to end the political crisis.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-wont-halt-trial-over-census-citizenship-question-175261">US Supreme Court won't halt trial over census citizenship question</a>

The US Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request by President Donald Trump's administration to halt a trial set to begin on Monday that will test the legality of the government's contentious decision to ask people taking part in the 2020 national census whether they are citizens.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-disgraced-us-prestige-irans-leader-khamenei-175258">Trump has 'disgraced' US prestige: Iran's leader Khamenei</a>

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that President Donald Trump has "disgraced" US prestige and would be the ultimate loser from renewing sanctions on the Islamic republic.

US troops will not fire on migrant caravan: Donald Trump US President Donald Trump said on Friday that illegal immigrants who throw rocks at the military would be arrested, but not fired upon by troops.

US troops will not fire on migrant caravan: Donald Trump US President Donald Trump said on Friday that illegal immigrants who throw rocks at the military would be arrested, but not fired upon by troops. He made the remarks to reporters one day after he suggested the military could fire on members of a migrant caravan if they throw rocks at troops. Asia Bibi likely to face travel ban, lawyer flees Pakistan citing threats to life The Pakistani lawyer who saved a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy from the gallows left the country on Saturday, saying his life was under threat. Saif-ul-Mulook's latest victory saw the freeing of Asia Bibi, who spent nearly a decade on death row, after the Supreme Court overturned her sentence on Wednesday. Sri Lanka's main Tamil party to support no-trust motion against Rajapaksa Sri Lanka's main Tamil party - Tamil National Alliance - Saturday said it will support a no-trust motion against newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, amid mounting pressure on President Maithripala Sirisena to let the suspended parliament hold a vote to end the political crisis. US Supreme Court won't halt trial over census citizenship question The US Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request by President Donald Trump's administration to halt a trial set to begin on Monday that will test the legality of the government's contentious decision to ask people taking part in the 2020 national census whether they are citizens. Trump has 'disgraced' US prestige: Iran's leader Khamenei Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that President Donald Trump has "disgraced" US prestige and would be the ultimate loser from renewing sanctions on the Islamic republic.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The BSE benchmark Sensex Friday soared over 413 points to 34,845.15 and the NSE Nifty raced past 10,500 on widespread gains amid fresh foreign fund inflows, fall in global crude prices and rising rupee.

Positive leads from most other Asian markets on easing concerns over the US-China trade war, too, buoyed sentiments here.

The 30-share Sensex climbed 413.15 points, or 1.20 per cent, to quote at 34,845.15. The gauge had shed 10 points in Thursday's volatile session.

The NSE Nifty leaped 122.85 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 10,503.30.

Investor sentiment got a big push after Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped below the USD 73-mark to quote at a seven-month low of USD 72.65 by falling 3.48 per cent, traders said.

Adding to the upbeat mood, strengthening rupee against the dollar and a firm trend at other Asian markets, tracking overnight gains at the Wall Street after US President Donald Trump said trade talks with China were "moving along nicely".

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs), which had been selling on the Indian bourses, made fresh purchases worth Rs 348.75 crore Thursday, while DIIs sold shares to the tune of Rs 509.17 crore, provisional data showed.

The big gainers were Asian Paint, Yes Bank, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, IndusInd Bank, Tata Motors, M&amp;M, Maruti Suzuki, SBI, L&amp;T, Axis Bank, ITC, Bharti Airtel, HUL, RIL, Kotak Bank and ICICI Bank, gaining up to 5.80 per cent.

Shares of state-run oil market companies such as HPCL, BPCL and IOC rose up to 3.76 per cent, largely supported by fall in crude prices in the global market.

All the sectoral indices led by auto, consumer durables and oil &amp; gas were trading in the positive zone, with gains of up to 2.65 per cent.

Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 2.37 per cent, Shanghai Composite Index was up 1.21 per cent, Japan's Nikkei gained 0.70 per cent, and Korea rallied 2.13 per cent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained 1.06 per cent in Thursday's session.&nbsp;

The BSE benchmark Sensex Friday soared over 413 points to 34,845.15 and the NSE Nifty raced past 10,500 on widespread gains amid fresh foreign fund inflows, fall in global crude prices and rising rupee.

The BSE benchmark Sensex Friday soared over 413 points to 34,845.15 and the NSE Nifty raced past 10,500 on widespread gains amid fresh foreign fund inflows, fall in global crude prices and rising rupee. Positive leads from most other Asian markets on easing concerns over the US-China trade war, too, buoyed sentiments here. The 30-share Sensex climbed 413.15 points, or 1.20 per cent, to quote at 34,845.15. The gauge had shed 10 points in Thursday's volatile session. The NSE Nifty leaped 122.85 points, or 1.18 per cent, to 10,503.30. Investor sentiment got a big push after Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped below the USD 73-mark to quote at a seven-month low of USD 72.65 by falling 3.48 per cent, traders said. Adding to the upbeat mood, strengthening rupee against the dollar and a firm trend at other Asian markets, tracking overnight gains at the Wall Street after US President Donald Trump said trade talks with China were "moving along nicely". Foreign institutional investors (FIIs), which had been selling on the Indian bourses, made fresh purchases worth Rs 348.75 crore Thursday, while DIIs sold shares to the tune of Rs 509.17 crore, provisional data showed. The big gainers were Asian Paint, Yes Bank, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, IndusInd Bank, Tata Motors, M&M, Maruti Suzuki, SBI, L&T, Axis Bank, ITC, Bharti Airtel, HUL, RIL, Kotak Bank and ICICI Bank, gaining up to 5.80 per cent. Shares of state-run oil market companies such as HPCL, BPCL and IOC rose up to 3.76 per cent, largely supported by fall in crude prices in the global market. All the sectoral indices led by auto, consumer durables and oil & gas were trading in the positive zone, with gains of up to 2.65 per cent. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 2.37 per cent, Shanghai Composite Index was up 1.21 per cent, Japan's Nikkei gained 0.70 per cent, and Korea rallied 2.13 per cent. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average had gained 1.06 per cent in Thursday's session.

Sensex rallies over 400 points on strong global cues, falling crude prices

The International Monetary Fund has said it was monitoring the development in India with regard to the reported rift between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre.

It expressed its opposition to any move that compromises with the independence of central banks anywhere in the world.

"We're monitoring the development on that issue and will continue to do so," IMF Director of Communications Gerry Rice told reporters on Thursday when asked about the row.

"Just stepping back, as a general principle, and we've said this before. I've said this before standing here that we support clear lines of responsibility and accountability... And, international best practice is that there should be no government or industry interference that compromises the independence of the central bank and financial supervisor," Rice said.

This is true across the range of countries that the independence of the central bank and the financial supervisor is of utmost importance, he asserted.

"We regard it as such and we have to make that statement in the context of a number of countries. So, I think that's probably the best response I can give you," Rice said, responding to a question on the increasing efforts globally to criticise central banks, including the one by the US President Donald Trump in recent weeks.

The row was sparked off last Friday when RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya in a hard-hitting speech warned that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic", possible indication of the RBI being pushed to relax its policies ahead of general elections next year.

Sources privy to the development said the government had sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest.

The standoff was in relation to RBI's handling of weak public sector banks, tight liquidity in the market and ways of resolving bad loans in the power sector. Unconfirmed reports claimed Governor Urjit Patel was considering stepping down if the government were to issue an unprecedented direction.

Without acknowledging that the notices have been sent to the RBI, the Finance Ministry in a statement said that the "autonomy for the central bank, within the framework of the RBI Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement. Governments in India have nurtured and respected this".

The International Monetary Fund has said it was monitoring the development in India with regard to the reported rift between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre.

The International Monetary Fund has said it was monitoring the development in India with regard to the reported rift between the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre. It expressed its opposition to any move that compromises with the independence of central banks anywhere in the world. "We're monitoring the development on that issue and will continue to do so," IMF Director of Communications Gerry Rice told reporters on Thursday when asked about the row. "Just stepping back, as a general principle, and we've said this before. I've said this before standing here that we support clear lines of responsibility and accountability... And, international best practice is that there should be no government or industry interference that compromises the independence of the central bank and financial supervisor," Rice said. This is true across the range of countries that the independence of the central bank and the financial supervisor is of utmost importance, he asserted. "We regard it as such and we have to make that statement in the context of a number of countries. So, I think that's probably the best response I can give you," Rice said, responding to a question on the increasing efforts globally to criticise central banks, including the one by the US President Donald Trump in recent weeks. The row was sparked off last Friday when RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya in a hard-hitting speech warned that undermining central bank's independence could be "potentially catastrophic", possible indication of the RBI being pushed to relax its policies ahead of general elections next year. Sources privy to the development said the government had sent at least three letters on different issues under Section 7 of the RBI Act that gives it powers to issue any direction to the central bank governor on matters of public interest. The standoff was in relation to RBI's handling of weak public sector banks, tight liquidity in the market and ways of resolving bad loans in the power sector. Unconfirmed reports claimed Governor Urjit Patel was considering stepping down if the government were to issue an unprecedented direction. Without acknowledging that the notices have been sent to the RBI, the Finance Ministry in a statement said that the "autonomy for the central bank, within the framework of the RBI Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement. Governments in India have nurtured and respected this".

RBI row: IMF against govt interference that compromises central bank's independence

World shares slid towards their lowest level in a year on Tuesday, as negative drivers from fatigued earnings and Saudi Arabia's diplomatic isolation to a brewing spat over Italy's finances piled on the pressure.

Wall Street looked set to for another jolt lower when it reopens but it was heavy selloffs in both Asia and Europe, which was heading for the fifth day of uninterrupted falls, that did the main damage.

The tech sector posted the worst performance after Swiss-listed chipmaker AMS plunged 25 per cent as its outlook triggered alarm bells, but there was a broader force at play.

The pan-European STOXX 600 was near a two-year low with almost half of its stocks now in the bear-market territory -- down 20 per cent from their peak.

Germany's DAX dropped to late 2016 lows, MSCI's world share index was just two points of a one-year low while Wall Street's S&amp;P 500 was set to test the lower limits of its 200-day moving average again.

"This is quite an important period now because we have tried to rally a few times and haven't really managed it," said Natwest Markets' head of global strategy James McCormick.

There has been a spike in US&nbsp;bond yields similar to earlier in the year, "but the macro picture for equities is more challenging now," he added, pointing to fading synchronization in global growth as well a stronger dollar.

That strength kept the euro pinned near a two-month low at $1.146 before a European Commission meeting that could see Brussels take the unprecedented step of demanding changes to Italy's recently laid out budget plans.

Italian bond traders were biding their time amid reports of some conciliatory moves from Rome's coalition but the spat has also bred doubts about the European Central Bank plans to possibly raise its interest rates next year.

Questions about the future of Britain's prime minister, mired in a stalemate over Brexit, relented just an enough to help sterling claw higher but the mood remained distinctly 'risk off' regardless.

That helped strengthen the safe-haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc while higher-yielding currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars fell.

"The prospect of a normalisation of (ECB) monetary policy was the main reason why the euro was able to appreciate over the past year. However, there is a rising risk that this support is now going to crumble," Commerzbank analyst Thu Lan Nguyen said.

SAUDI TENSIONS

US stock index futures were pointing to a more than 1 per cent fall for Wall Streets main markets later. Digger maker Caterpillar's shares fell 5.4 per cent in premarket moves after it blamed US tariffs for rising costs, while 3M slumped 7 per cent after missing analysts estimates.

Markets were also digesting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's comments on the killing of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul this month.

"Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned... Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community," Erdogan told Turkey's parliament, though he did not reveal a smoking gun in the form of recordings that some reports had hinted at.

Saudi Arabia, a top crude oil exporter, faces international pressure to provide all the facts about an incident that has raised a global storm and added the threat of sanctions against the kingdom to a list of market concerns.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was not satisfied with what he had heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing, but expressed reluctance to punish the kingdom economically.

Investors worry that may lead to Saudi retaliation through crude oil, although a Saudi pledge to play a "responsible role" and keep markets supplied held down crude prices on Tuesday.

Front-month Brent crude oil futures were at $79.51 a barrel, down 0.4 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $69.12 a barrel, dropping 0.35 per cent.

Asia's overnight tumble gave back some of the ground the region had clawed back over the last two sessions.

MSCI's broadest index of Asian shares dropped 2 per cent to a 1 1/2-year low, with declines in many of the region's heavyweight bourses even more pronounced.

South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng both fell 3 per cent and Japan's Nikkei lost 2.7 per cent.

"We've got a few negative factors when market sentiment was already fragile," said Hiroyuki Ueno, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management. "And earnings from some Japanese companies were weaker than expected, with some starting to blame trade wars."

The yen gained 0.4 per cent amid the risk-off mood to 112.42 to the dollar.

The yuan was little changed but stood near Monday's 21-month low of 6.9445 per dollar in the onshore trade on expectations China will pursue looser monetary policy to cope with pressure from US President Donald Trump on tariffs.

World shares slid towards their lowest level in a year on Tuesday, as negative drivers from fatigued earnings and Saudi Arabia's diplomatic isolation to a brewing spat over Italy's finances piled on the pressure.

World shares slid towards their lowest level in a year on Tuesday, as negative drivers from fatigued earnings and Saudi Arabia's diplomatic isolation to a brewing spat over Italy's finances piled on the pressure. Wall Street looked set to for another jolt lower when it reopens but it was heavy selloffs in both Asia and Europe, which was heading for the fifth day of uninterrupted falls, that did the main damage. The tech sector posted the worst performance after Swiss-listed chipmaker AMS plunged 25 per cent as its outlook triggered alarm bells, but there was a broader force at play. The pan-European STOXX 600 was near a two-year low with almost half of its stocks now in the bear-market territory -- down 20 per cent from their peak. Germany's DAX dropped to late 2016 lows, MSCI's world share index was just two points of a one-year low while Wall Street's S&P 500 was set to test the lower limits of its 200-day moving average again. "This is quite an important period now because we have tried to rally a few times and haven't really managed it," said Natwest Markets' head of global strategy James McCormick. There has been a spike in US bond yields similar to earlier in the year, "but the macro picture for equities is more challenging now," he added, pointing to fading synchronization in global growth as well a stronger dollar. That strength kept the euro pinned near a two-month low at $1.146 before a European Commission meeting that could see Brussels take the unprecedented step of demanding changes to Italy's recently laid out budget plans. Italian bond traders were biding their time amid reports of some conciliatory moves from Rome's coalition but the spat has also bred doubts about the European Central Bank plans to possibly raise its interest rates next year. Questions about the future of Britain's prime minister, mired in a stalemate over Brexit, relented just an enough to help sterling claw higher but the mood remained distinctly 'risk off' regardless. That helped strengthen the safe-haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc while higher-yielding currencies like the Australian and New Zealand dollars fell. "The prospect of a normalisation of (ECB) monetary policy was the main reason why the euro was able to appreciate over the past year. However, there is a rising risk that this support is now going to crumble," Commerzbank analyst Thu Lan Nguyen said. SAUDI TENSIONS US stock index futures were pointing to a more than 1 per cent fall for Wall Streets main markets later. Digger maker Caterpillar's shares fell 5.4 per cent in premarket moves after it blamed US tariffs for rising costs, while 3M slumped 7 per cent after missing analysts estimates. Markets were also digesting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's comments on the killing of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul this month. "Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned... Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community," Erdogan told Turkey's parliament, though he did not reveal a smoking gun in the form of recordings that some reports had hinted at. Saudi Arabia, a top crude oil exporter, faces international pressure to provide all the facts about an incident that has raised a global storm and added the threat of sanctions against the kingdom to a list of market concerns. US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was not satisfied with what he had heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing, but expressed reluctance to punish the kingdom economically. Investors worry that may lead to Saudi retaliation through crude oil, although a Saudi pledge to play a "responsible role" and keep markets supplied held down crude prices on Tuesday. Front-month Brent crude oil futures were at $79.51 a barrel, down 0.4 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $69.12 a barrel, dropping 0.35 per cent. Asia's overnight tumble gave back some of the ground the region had clawed back over the last two sessions. MSCI's broadest index of Asian shares dropped 2 per cent to a 1 1/2-year low, with declines in many of the region's heavyweight bourses even more pronounced. South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng both fell 3 per cent and Japan's Nikkei lost 2.7 per cent. "We've got a few negative factors when market sentiment was already fragile," said Hiroyuki Ueno, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management. "And earnings from some Japanese companies were weaker than expected, with some starting to blame trade wars." The yen gained 0.4 per cent amid the risk-off mood to 112.42 to the dollar. The yuan was little changed but stood near Monday's 21-month low of 6.9445 per dollar in the onshore trade on expectations China will pursue looser monetary policy to cope with pressure from US President Donald Trump on tariffs.

Global Markets: Biting bears sink world shares to 1-year low

WION Dispatch: Trump, Xi plan to meet at the G20 summit next month

When asked in an interview why she chose cyber bullying as a pet cause, US President Donald Trump's wife had a surprising answer.

"I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Melania Trump told ABC News in an interview that took place during her trip this month to Africa.

When pressed, the US First Lady said that she could certainly be "one of them, if you really see what people saying about me."

That, she said, is "why my 'Be Best' initiative is focusing on social media and online behaviour."&nbsp;

ABC on Thursday released clips of the interview ahead of a longer piece set to air Friday.

The 48-year-old former model may be smarting from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/melania-trumps-wardrobe-choices-during-africa-trip-stirs-controversy-170144">online and press mockery</a> for her attire during last week's trip to Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt.

Her use of a white pith helmet while on safari in Kenya drew comparisons to a 19th-century colonial administrator.

At her final stop in Egypt, she wore white pants, a pleated white shirt and a black tie with a beige jacket -- with comparisons to Michael Jackson, fictional character Carmen Sandiego, and the French archaeologist villain in the first Indiana Jones movie.

In rare comments to the press before departing Egypt Trump said she wanted "to talk about my trip and not what I wear."

But it's impossible not to talk about Melania Trump without noticing her attire.

In June she raised eyebrows when she visited an immigrant children's shelter in Texas wearing a trench coat with the words "I really don't care, do u?" emblazoned on the back.

Earlier, in August 2017, she departed the White House to visit Hurricane Harvey flood victims sporting stiletto heels -- but later in Texas appeared wearing white sneakers.

Despite the catty online comments, Trump said that her time in the White House has been positive.

"I am enjoying it. I really love to live in Washington and the White House," she told ABC.

Trump also said that she would support her husband -- who has a long history of using Twitter to demean and belittle his opponents, sometimes using sexist language -- if he wants to run for a second term as US president.

When asked in an interview why she chose cyber bullying as a pet cause, US President Donald Trump's wife had a surprising answer. "I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Melania Trump told ABC News in an interview that took place during her trip this month to Africa.

When asked in an interview why she chose cyber bullying as a pet cause, US President Donald Trump's wife had a surprising answer. "I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Melania Trump told ABC News in an interview that took place during her trip this month to Africa. When pressed, the US First Lady said that she could certainly be "one of them, if you really see what people saying about me." That, she said, is "why my 'Be Best' initiative is focusing on social media and online behaviour." ABC on Thursday released clips of the interview ahead of a longer piece set to air Friday. The 48-year-old former model may be smarting from online and press mockery for her attire during last week's trip to Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt. Her use of a white pith helmet while on safari in Kenya drew comparisons to a 19th-century colonial administrator. At her final stop in Egypt, she wore white pants, a pleated white shirt and a black tie with a beige jacket -- with comparisons to Michael Jackson, fictional character Carmen Sandiego, and the French archaeologist villain in the first Indiana Jones movie. In rare comments to the press before departing Egypt Trump said she wanted "to talk about my trip and not what I wear." But it's impossible not to talk about Melania Trump without noticing her attire. In June she raised eyebrows when she visited an immigrant children's shelter in Texas wearing a trench coat with the words "I really don't care, do u?" emblazoned on the back. Earlier, in August 2017, she departed the White House to visit Hurricane Harvey flood victims sporting stiletto heels -- but later in Texas appeared wearing white sneakers. Despite the catty online comments, Trump said that her time in the White House has been positive. "I am enjoying it. I really love to live in Washington and the White House," she told ABC. Trump also said that she would support her husband -- who has a long history of using Twitter to demean and belittle his opponents, sometimes using sexist language -- if he wants to run for a second term as US president.

I'm the most bullied person in the world: Melania Trump

Some Asian stock markets opened in the red Friday, but losses were relatively muted as traders took a breather after a global rout sparked by fears over higher US interest rates.

Japan's main Nikkei-225 index began the day more than one per cent lower but bounced back in the first hour of trade.&nbsp;

Chinese stocks, which have seen a ferocious sell-off in recent days, also opened with marginal losses, the benchmark Shanghai Composite shedding 0.36 per cent.

But the Kospi index in South Korea bucked the trend and was trading in the green, as was the Hang Seng in Hong Kong as markets in Asia started the fightback.

The past two days have seen something approaching panic in global equity markets, as investors took fright in the face of a perfect storm of rising US interest rates and an intensifying trade war between the US and China.

The global sell-off was also in part due to US President Donald Trump describing the policies of the Federal Reserve as "loco" and "crazy", sparking concerns over the independence of the world's top central bank.

"Markets are finding themselves in a total state of discombobulation as we mercifully head towards the weekend," Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia Pacific at Oanda, said in a commentary ahead of the opening bell in Japan.

"There have been multiple train wrecks over the past 24 hours, and the continuous wall of worry around US yields and US-China tension still weighs on equity sentiment," he said.

After a see-saw session on Wall Street, the Dow Jones ended 2.1 per cent down, taking its losses for the week to more than five per cent and closing at the lowest levels in months.

Frankfurt, Paris and London all lost at least 1.5 per cent as renewed worries over the eurozone came to the fore amid a budgetary scrap between the European Union and Italy.

Some experts warned that the correction, which came after many indices had hit multi-year highs, would be more than a flash in the pan.

"When we have a recalibration in values, it's not surprising that it takes more than one day," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley FBR.

"In these kinds of moves, it usually takes three days to wash out."

Most market watchers saw last week's surge in the yield of the 10-year US Treasury bond as the catalyst for the two-day rout in the US.

Yields spiked at an unexpectedly fast rate, prompting worries about a sudden acceleration of inflation and more aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

Volatility also spread to commodities with big drops in the price of oil after the OPEC cartel cut its forecast for global oil demand.

However, these markets also staged a comeback, bouncing around 19 cents in early Asian trade.

Some Asian stock markets opened in the red Friday, but losses were relatively muted as traders took a breather after a global rout sparked by fears over higher US interest rates.

Some Asian stock markets opened in the red Friday, but losses were relatively muted as traders took a breather after a global rout sparked by fears over higher US interest rates. Japan's main Nikkei-225 index began the day more than one per cent lower but bounced back in the first hour of trade. Chinese stocks, which have seen a ferocious sell-off in recent days, also opened with marginal losses, the benchmark Shanghai Composite shedding 0.36 per cent. But the Kospi index in South Korea bucked the trend and was trading in the green, as was the Hang Seng in Hong Kong as markets in Asia started the fightback. The past two days have seen something approaching panic in global equity markets, as investors took fright in the face of a perfect storm of rising US interest rates and an intensifying trade war between the US and China. The global sell-off was also in part due to US President Donald Trump describing the policies of the Federal Reserve as "loco" and "crazy", sparking concerns over the independence of the world's top central bank. "Markets are finding themselves in a total state of discombobulation as we mercifully head towards the weekend," Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia Pacific at Oanda, said in a commentary ahead of the opening bell in Japan. "There have been multiple train wrecks over the past 24 hours, and the continuous wall of worry around US yields and US-China tension still weighs on equity sentiment," he said. After a see-saw session on Wall Street, the Dow Jones ended 2.1 per cent down, taking its losses for the week to more than five per cent and closing at the lowest levels in months. Frankfurt, Paris and London all lost at least 1.5 per cent as renewed worries over the eurozone came to the fore amid a budgetary scrap between the European Union and Italy. Some experts warned that the correction, which came after many indices had hit multi-year highs, would be more than a flash in the pan. "When we have a recalibration in values, it's not surprising that it takes more than one day," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley FBR. "In these kinds of moves, it usually takes three days to wash out." Most market watchers saw last week's surge in the yield of the 10-year US Treasury bond as the catalyst for the two-day rout in the US. Yields spiked at an unexpectedly fast rate, prompting worries about a sudden acceleration of inflation and more aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. Volatility also spread to commodities with big drops in the price of oil after the OPEC cartel cut its forecast for global oil demand. However, these markets also staged a comeback, bouncing around 19 cents in early Asian trade.

Stock losses muted in Asia after global rout

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his next meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is happening and officials are in the process of setting it up.

Trump, speaking in the Oval Office after announcing the resignation of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a great meeting with Kim and that three or four locations were being considered for the two leaders' next summit.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his next meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is happening and officials are in the process of setting it up. Trump, speaking in the Oval Office after announcing the resignation of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a great meeting with Kim and that three or four locations were being considered for the two leaders' next summit.

Meeting with North Korea's Kim being set up: Trump

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-to-hold-key-talks-to-reduce-trade-military-tensions-170026">US, China to hold key talks to reduce trade, military tensions</a>

China and the United States are set to hold high-level talks here on Monday to reduce the spiralling trade and military tensions between the world's two largest economies.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-pompeo-agree-to-2nd-us-north-korea-summit-at-earliest-date-170028">Kim, Pompeo agree to second US-North Korea summit 'at earliest date'</a>

Kim Jong Un has agreed to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible, Seoul said Sunday, after Washington's top diplomat held "productive" talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean leader in Pyongyang.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-pumps-109-billion-into-economy-as-trade-war-bites-on-growth-170027">China pumps $109 billion into </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-pumps-109-billion-into-economy-as-trade-war-bites-on-growth-170027">economy</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-pumps-109-billion-into-economy-as-trade-war-bites-on-growth-170027"> as trade war bites on growth</a>

China's central bank said on Sunday that it was cutting the reserve requirement ratios (RRRs) by one per cent from October 15 which will inject a net $ 109.2 billion in cash into the banking system, amid a deepening trade war with the US that has increased pressure on growth in the world's second-largest economy.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/5000-believed-missing-in-two-hard-hit-indonesian-quake-zones-1763-dead-169999">5,000 believed missing in two hard-hit Indonesian quake zones; 1,763 dead</a>

As many as 5,000 people are believed missing from two hard-hit areas in Palu more than a week after the Indonesian city was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami, an official said Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ril-worst-affected-as-top-10-most-valued-companies-lose-rs-255995-crore-in-m-cap-169998">Mukesh Ambani's RIL worst affected as top 10 companies lose Rs 2.5 lakh cr in market cap</a>

A weak broader market pulled down the combined market valuation of the top 10 most valued Indian companies by a whopping Rs 2,55,995 crore last week, with RIL taking the steepest hit.

US, China to hold key talks to reduce trade, military tensions China and the United States are set to hold high-level talks here on Monday to reduce the spiralling trade and military tensions between the world's two largest economies.

US, China to hold key talks to reduce trade, military tensions China and the United States are set to hold high-level talks here on Monday to reduce the spiralling trade and military tensions between the world's two largest economies. Kim, Pompeo agree to second US-North Korea summit 'at earliest date' Kim Jong Un has agreed to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible, Seoul said Sunday, after Washington's top diplomat held "productive" talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean leader in Pyongyang. China pumps $109 billion into economy as trade war bites on growth China's central bank said on Sunday that it was cutting the reserve requirement ratios (RRRs) by one per cent from October 15 which will inject a net $ 109.2 billion in cash into the banking system, amid a deepening trade war with the US that has increased pressure on growth in the world's second-largest economy. 5,000 believed missing in two hard-hit Indonesian quake zones; 1,763 dead As many as 5,000 people are believed missing from two hard-hit areas in Palu more than a week after the Indonesian city was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami, an official said Sunday. Mukesh Ambani's RIL worst affected as top 10 companies lose Rs 2.5 lakh cr in market cap A weak broader market pulled down the combined market valuation of the top 10 most valued Indian companies by a whopping Rs 2,55,995 crore last week, with RIL taking the steepest hit.

Kim Jong Un has agreed to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible, Seoul said Sunday, after Washington's top diplomat held "productive" talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean leader in Pyongyang.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim on Sunday morning for around two hours of talks followed by a lunch in the North's capital, before flying to Seoul on a whirlwind diplomatic visit to the region.

Pompeo said "he agreed with Chairman Kim to hold the second US-North Korea summit at the earliest date possible," South Korea's presidential office said in a statement, although no specific time or location has yet been agreed.

Pompeo and Kim also discussed "denuclearisation steps that will be taken by North Korea and the issue of attendance by the US government," as well as "corresponding measures" to be taken by the US, the statement said.

The visit was Pompeo's fourth to North Korea.

US President Donald Trump met Kim in Singapore in June for the first-ever summit between the countries, resulting in what critics say was only a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

"We continue to make progress on agreements made at Singapore Summit. Thanks for hosting me and my team," Pompeo tweeted.&nbsp;

Kim also praised their "nice meeting", telling Pompeo via an interpreter following the morning's talks that it was "a very nice day that promises a good future ... for both countries."

'Gangster-like demands'

Since the Singapore summit, the road towards warmer ties has been bumpy.

Washington and Pyongyang have sparred over the exact terms of the vaguely-worded agreement in Singapore, with the US pushing to maintain sanctions and pressure against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation".

Last month the North's foreign minister told the United Nations there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as tough US sanctions remain against his country.

After a previous visit to Pyongyang in July, Pompeo had said the two foes made progress on key issues -- but within hours of his departure the North condemned "gangster-like" demands from the US, raising questions over how much the two sides really saw eye to eye.

Another planned trip by Pompeo to Pyongyang was scrapped after what Trump said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration.

An official on Sunday's latest visit to Pyongyang with Pompeo said the trip was "better than the last time", but added: "It's going to be a long haul."

Following his arrival in Seoul from Pyongyang on Sunday, Pompeo said at a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in that he had "a good productive conversation" with Kim, in talks which represented "another step forward".

The dovish Moon, who held three summits with Kim this year and also brokered the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore, said Sunday the "whole world" was watching with keen interest the outcomes of Pompeo's trip.

"I hope your trip to North Korea and the upcoming second US-North Korea summit will provide a good opportunity for achieving irreversible, decisive progress in terms of denuclearisation and the peace process on the Korean peninsula."

Grand bargain

Analysts say Washington may now consider new options as China, Russia and South Korea seek to relax sanctions.

"North Korea took some steps towards denuclearisation and the US will face criticism from the international community if it continues to demand complete denuclearisation without any lifting of sanctions," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

"We can't rule out the possibility that Washington... may move in the direction of partial easing of sanctions based on progress in denuclearisation," he said.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like.

In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site.&nbsp;

In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said.

After Seoul, Pompeo ends his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline.

The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

Kim Jong Un has agreed to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible, Seoul said Sunday, after Washington's top diplomat held "productive" talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean leader in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Un has agreed to hold a second summit with US President Donald Trump as soon as possible, Seoul said Sunday, after Washington's top diplomat held "productive" talks on denuclearisation with the North Korean leader in Pyongyang. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim on Sunday morning for around two hours of talks followed by a lunch in the North's capital, before flying to Seoul on a whirlwind diplomatic visit to the region. Pompeo said "he agreed with Chairman Kim to hold the second US-North Korea summit at the earliest date possible," South Korea's presidential office said in a statement, although no specific time or location has yet been agreed. Pompeo and Kim also discussed "denuclearisation steps that will be taken by North Korea and the issue of attendance by the US government," as well as "corresponding measures" to be taken by the US, the statement said. The visit was Pompeo's fourth to North Korea. US President Donald Trump met Kim in Singapore in June for the first-ever summit between the countries, resulting in what critics say was only a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "We continue to make progress on agreements made at Singapore Summit. Thanks for hosting me and my team," Pompeo tweeted. Kim also praised their "nice meeting", telling Pompeo via an interpreter following the morning's talks that it was "a very nice day that promises a good future ... for both countries." 'Gangster-like demands' Since the Singapore summit, the road towards warmer ties has been bumpy. Washington and Pyongyang have sparred over the exact terms of the vaguely-worded agreement in Singapore, with the US pushing to maintain sanctions and pressure against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation". Last month the North's foreign minister told the United Nations there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as tough US sanctions remain against his country. After a previous visit to Pyongyang in July, Pompeo had said the two foes made progress on key issues -- but within hours of his departure the North condemned "gangster-like" demands from the US, raising questions over how much the two sides really saw eye to eye. Another planned trip by Pompeo to Pyongyang was scrapped after what Trump said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration. An official on Sunday's latest visit to Pyongyang with Pompeo said the trip was "better than the last time", but added: "It's going to be a long haul." Following his arrival in Seoul from Pyongyang on Sunday, Pompeo said at a meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in that he had "a good productive conversation" with Kim, in talks which represented "another step forward". The dovish Moon, who held three summits with Kim this year and also brokered the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore, said Sunday the "whole world" was watching with keen interest the outcomes of Pompeo's trip. "I hope your trip to North Korea and the upcoming second US-North Korea summit will provide a good opportunity for achieving irreversible, decisive progress in terms of denuclearisation and the peace process on the Korean peninsula." Grand bargain Analysts say Washington may now consider new options as China, Russia and South Korea seek to relax sanctions. "North Korea took some steps towards denuclearisation and the US will face criticism from the international community if it continues to demand complete denuclearisation without any lifting of sanctions," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. "We can't rule out the possibility that Washington... may move in the direction of partial easing of sanctions based on progress in denuclearisation," he said. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like. In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site. In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said. After Seoul, Pompeo ends his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline. The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

Kim, Pompeo agree to second US-North Korea summit 'at earliest date'

China's central bank said on Sunday that it was cutting the reserve requirement ratios (RRRs) by one per cent from October 15 which will inject a net $ 109.2 billion in cash into the banking system, amid a deepening trade war with the US that has increased pressure on growth in the world's second-largest economy.&nbsp;

The reserve cut, the fourth by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) this year, came after Beijing pledged to speed up plans to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects as the economy shows signs of cooling further.

The PBOC said on Sunday it will cut the RRR for RMB deposits by one percentage point starting from October 15. The cut will enable banks in China to release 1.2 trillion-yuan cash for additional lending.&nbsp;

Some of the liquidity unleashed will be used to pay back the 450 billion yuan ($ 65 billion) of the medium-term lending facility that will mature on October 15, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

In addition, the liquidity of another 750 billion yuan ($ 110 billion) will be injected into the market for lending, according to the PBOC statement.

The announcement of the relaxing the RRR requirement for the banks, which are also saddled with the huge local government debt of $ 2.58 trillion comes amid deepening trade war with US and raising of the interest rates by US Federal Reserve, intensifying the pressure on capital outflows.&nbsp;

The huge cash outflow from the banks was expected to help the private businesses to access more credit as their products faced an uncertain prospect in the US, which is China's second largest market after the European Union.

US President Donald Trump kicked off the trade war in June by slapping additional tariffs on billions of dollars Chinese exports, piling up pressure on China to reduce over $ 335 billion trade deficit in the $ 710.4 billion bilateral trade.

The US Federal Reserve move to increase the interest rates also sparked fears of more capital outflows from China.

The injection of cash into the economy will also boost hopes that the negative impact of higher US tariffs on Chinese exports can be eased.

The PBOC's announcement comes at the end of weeklong national day holidays which ends on Sunday.

It also comes ahead of Monday's visit here by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for the second of talks with Chinese leaders on trade and security issues.

The RRR cut will fill in the liquidity gap of banks and put no downward pressure on the yuan as the country's monetary policy is not eased, the PBOC statement.

There are sufficient conditions for the RMB exchange rate to remain basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level, it said.

"The PBOC will continue to take necessary measures to stabilize market expectations and keep the foreign exchange market running smoothly," it said.

The RRR cut will cover the yuan deposits of large commercial banks, share-holding commercial banks, city commercial banks, non-county rural commercial banks and foreign banks.&nbsp;

China's central bank said on Sunday that it was cutting the reserve requirement ratios (RRRs) by one per cent from October 15 which will inject a net $ 109.2 billion in cash into the banking system, amid a deepening trade war with the US that has increased pressure on growth in the world's second-largest economy.

China's central bank said on Sunday that it was cutting the reserve requirement ratios (RRRs) by one per cent from October 15 which will inject a net $ 109.2 billion in cash into the banking system, amid a deepening trade war with the US that has increased pressure on growth in the world's second-largest economy. The reserve cut, the fourth by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) this year, came after Beijing pledged to speed up plans to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects as the economy shows signs of cooling further. The PBOC said on Sunday it will cut the RRR for RMB deposits by one percentage point starting from October 15. The cut will enable banks in China to release 1.2 trillion-yuan cash for additional lending. Some of the liquidity unleashed will be used to pay back the 450 billion yuan ($ 65 billion) of the medium-term lending facility that will mature on October 15, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. In addition, the liquidity of another 750 billion yuan ($ 110 billion) will be injected into the market for lending, according to the PBOC statement. The announcement of the relaxing the RRR requirement for the banks, which are also saddled with the huge local government debt of $ 2.58 trillion comes amid deepening trade war with US and raising of the interest rates by US Federal Reserve, intensifying the pressure on capital outflows. The huge cash outflow from the banks was expected to help the private businesses to access more credit as their products faced an uncertain prospect in the US, which is China's second largest market after the European Union. US President Donald Trump kicked off the trade war in June by slapping additional tariffs on billions of dollars Chinese exports, piling up pressure on China to reduce over $ 335 billion trade deficit in the $ 710.4 billion bilateral trade. The US Federal Reserve move to increase the interest rates also sparked fears of more capital outflows from China. The injection of cash into the economy will also boost hopes that the negative impact of higher US tariffs on Chinese exports can be eased. The PBOC's announcement comes at the end of weeklong national day holidays which ends on Sunday. It also comes ahead of Monday's visit here by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for the second of talks with Chinese leaders on trade and security issues. The RRR cut will fill in the liquidity gap of banks and put no downward pressure on the yuan as the country's monetary policy is not eased, the PBOC statement. There are sufficient conditions for the RMB exchange rate to remain basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level, it said. "The PBOC will continue to take necessary measures to stabilize market expectations and keep the foreign exchange market running smoothly," it said. The RRR cut will cover the yuan deposits of large commercial banks, share-holding commercial banks, city commercial banks, non-county rural commercial banks and foreign banks.

China pumps $109 billion into economy as trade war bites on growth

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hailed "progress" in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang Sunday before landing in Seoul on a whirlwind diplomatic visit to the region.

The top US diplomat met with Kim for around two hours Sunday morning in the North's capital, where denuclearisation and a second US-North Korean summit were expected to be high on the agenda, before the pair shared a lunch together.

"Had a good trip to Pyongyang to meet with Chairman Kim," Pompeo tweeted. "We continue to make progress on agreements made at Singapore Summit. Thanks for hosting me and my team."

The visit was Pompeo's fourth to North Korea. US President Donald Trump met Kim in Singapore in June for the first-ever summit between the countries.&nbsp;

Speaking to Pompeo via an interpreter following the morning's talks, Kim praised their "nice meeting".

He added: "It's a very nice day that promises a good future ... for both countries."

After a previous visit to Pyongyang in July, Pompeo had said the two foes had made progress on key issues. But within hours of the Secretary of State departing the North released a statement condemning "gangster-like" demands from the US, raising questions over how much the two sides really saw eye to eye.

An official on Sunday's latest visit to Pyongyang with Pompeo said the trip was "better than the last time", but added: "It's going to be a long haul."

Details of Sunday's discussions were not immediately available. But prior to the meeting, Pompeo tweeted that he would "continue our work to fulfil the commitments made (by) POTUS and Chairman Kim," using an acronym to refer to US President Donald Trump.

On the flight to Tokyo, Pompeo said his aim was to "develop sufficient trust" between Washington and Pyongyang to inch towards peace.

"Then we are also going to set up the next summit," said Pompeo.

However, he played down expectations for a breakthrough.

"I doubt we will get it nailed but begin to develop options for both location and timing for when Chairman Kim will meet with the president again. Maybe we will get further than that," said the top US diplomat.

No sitting US president has ever visited North Korea, which according to human rights groups remains one of the most repressive countries on Earth.

'In love'&nbsp;

Since the Singapore summit, which yielded what critics charge was only a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the road towards warmer ties has been bumpy.

Trump scrapped a previously planned trip by his top diplomat to Pyongyang after what he said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration.

But the unorthodox US president has also since declared himself "in love" with Kim.

Washington and Pyongyang have sparred over the exact terms of their vaguely-worded agreement in Singapore, with the US pushing to maintain sanctions and pressure against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation.

Last month the North's foreign minister told the United Nations there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as tough US sanctions remain against his country.

Analysts say Washington may now consider new options as China, Russia and South Korea seek to relax sanctions.

"North Korea took some steps towards denuclearisation and the US will face criticism from the international community if it continues to demand complete denuclearisation without any lifting of sanctions," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

"We can't rule out the possibility that Washington... may move in the direction of partial easing of sanctions based on progress in denuclearisation," he said.

Speaking alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier in the trip, Pompeo said the two historic allies would have a "fully coordinated, unified view of how to proceed, which will be what is needed if we are going to be successful on denuclearising North Korea."

Grand bargain&nbsp;

Pompeo landed Sunday afternoon in South Korea, whose dovish president Moon Jae-in has served as a go-between for the two sides.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like.

In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site.&nbsp;

In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said.

After Seoul, Pompeo ends his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline.

The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hailed "progress" in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang Sunday before landing in Seoul on a whirlwind diplomatic visit to the region.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hailed "progress" in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang Sunday before landing in Seoul on a whirlwind diplomatic visit to the region. The top US diplomat met with Kim for around two hours Sunday morning in the North's capital, where denuclearisation and a second US-North Korean summit were expected to be high on the agenda, before the pair shared a lunch together. "Had a good trip to Pyongyang to meet with Chairman Kim," Pompeo tweeted. "We continue to make progress on agreements made at Singapore Summit. Thanks for hosting me and my team." The visit was Pompeo's fourth to North Korea. US President Donald Trump met Kim in Singapore in June for the first-ever summit between the countries. Speaking to Pompeo via an interpreter following the morning's talks, Kim praised their "nice meeting". He added: "It's a very nice day that promises a good future ... for both countries." After a previous visit to Pyongyang in July, Pompeo had said the two foes had made progress on key issues. But within hours of the Secretary of State departing the North released a statement condemning "gangster-like" demands from the US, raising questions over how much the two sides really saw eye to eye. An official on Sunday's latest visit to Pyongyang with Pompeo said the trip was "better than the last time", but added: "It's going to be a long haul." Details of Sunday's discussions were not immediately available. But prior to the meeting, Pompeo tweeted that he would "continue our work to fulfil the commitments made (by) POTUS and Chairman Kim," using an acronym to refer to US President Donald Trump. On the flight to Tokyo, Pompeo said his aim was to "develop sufficient trust" between Washington and Pyongyang to inch towards peace. "Then we are also going to set up the next summit," said Pompeo. However, he played down expectations for a breakthrough. "I doubt we will get it nailed but begin to develop options for both location and timing for when Chairman Kim will meet with the president again. Maybe we will get further than that," said the top US diplomat. No sitting US president has ever visited North Korea, which according to human rights groups remains one of the most repressive countries on Earth. 'In love' Since the Singapore summit, which yielded what critics charge was only a vague commitment by Kim towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, the road towards warmer ties has been bumpy. Trump scrapped a previously planned trip by his top diplomat to Pyongyang after what he said was insufficient progress towards implementing the terms of the Singapore declaration. But the unorthodox US president has also since declared himself "in love" with Kim. Washington and Pyongyang have sparred over the exact terms of their vaguely-worded agreement in Singapore, with the US pushing to maintain sanctions and pressure against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation. Last month the North's foreign minister told the United Nations there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as tough US sanctions remain against his country. Analysts say Washington may now consider new options as China, Russia and South Korea seek to relax sanctions. "North Korea took some steps towards denuclearisation and the US will face criticism from the international community if it continues to demand complete denuclearisation without any lifting of sanctions," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. "We can't rule out the possibility that Washington... may move in the direction of partial easing of sanctions based on progress in denuclearisation," he said. Speaking alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe earlier in the trip, Pompeo said the two historic allies would have a "fully coordinated, unified view of how to proceed, which will be what is needed if we are going to be successful on denuclearising North Korea." Grand bargain Pompeo landed Sunday afternoon in South Korea, whose dovish president Moon Jae-in has served as a go-between for the two sides. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has given a hint of what a grand bargain between the two countries could look like. In an interview with the Washington Post, she said the North could agree to dismantle Yongbyon, its signature nuclear site. In exchange, the United States would declare a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War -- which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty -- but North Korea would stop short of delivering an exhaustive list of its nuclear facilities, she said. After Seoul, Pompeo ends his trip Monday in China, North Korea's political and economic lifeline. The Beijing stop could be tense as it comes days after Vice President Mike Pence delivered a blistering speech accusing China of military aggression, commercial theft, rising human rights violations and electoral intervention against Trump.

Pompeo hails 'progress' after talks with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang

The US jobless rate tumbled in September to its lowest level since December 1969, even as job creation slowed, likely due in part to Hurricane Florence, the government reported Friday.

Unemployment fell to a 48-year-low of 3.7 per cent last month from 3.9 per cent, an unusually large drop, according to the Labor Department's closely-watched monthly jobs report.

US President Donald Trump tweeted, "Just out: 3.7% Unemployment is the lowest number since 1969!''

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Just out: 3.7% Unemployment is the lowest number since 1969!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1048197648807854080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Non-farm employers added just 134,000 net new positions, far weaker than analysts expected.

A month ahead of hard-fought congressional elections, the result was sure to delight US President Donald Trump, who has eagerly taken credit for America's extended run of good economic health but whose Republican party faces a possible rebuke from disenchanted voters in elections in November.

Hurricane Florence, the storm which made landfall along the mid-Atlantic US coast on September 14, caused widespread disruption for homes and employers but it was not possible to determine the extent to which this might have depressed the September jobs numbers, officials said.

But economists had expected job creation to slow to 184,000, even with the hurricane impact, from the 270,000 net new positions created in August, which was revised up from the original report.

Employees temporarily left unable to work during natural disasters can be left off the government's monthly jobs survey, especially part-time workers who receive no pay during the week of the survey, meaning figures can rebound in the month after a storm.

Meanwhile, the labour force participation rate held steady at 62.7 per cent, while the number of unemployed people fell by 270,000 to six million, with the largest drop among adult women.&nbsp;

Worker pay edged up 0.3 per cent for the month, and is 2.8 per cent higher than the same month last year, a notch above inflation.

Job gains were noted in healthcare, up 26,000, transportation and warehousing, up 24,000, and construction, up 23,000.

But the banner result from August's jobs numbers was surely the record low jobless rate.

The US jobless rate tumbled in September to its lowest level since December 1969, even as job creation slowed, likely due in part to Hurricane Florence, the government reported Friday.

The US jobless rate tumbled in September to its lowest level since December 1969, even as job creation slowed, likely due in part to Hurricane Florence, the government reported Friday. Unemployment fell to a 48-year-low of 3.7 per cent last month from 3.9 per cent, an unusually large drop, according to the Labor Department's closely-watched monthly jobs report. US President Donald Trump tweeted, "Just out: 3.7% Unemployment is the lowest number since 1969!'' Just out: 3.7% Unemployment is the lowest number since 1969! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2018 × Non-farm employers added just 134,000 net new positions, far weaker than analysts expected. A month ahead of hard-fought congressional elections, the result was sure to delight US President Donald Trump, who has eagerly taken credit for America's extended run of good economic health but whose Republican party faces a possible rebuke from disenchanted voters in elections in November. Hurricane Florence, the storm which made landfall along the mid-Atlantic US coast on September 14, caused widespread disruption for homes and employers but it was not possible to determine the extent to which this might have depressed the September jobs numbers, officials said. But economists had expected job creation to slow to 184,000, even with the hurricane impact, from the 270,000 net new positions created in August, which was revised up from the original report. Employees temporarily left unable to work during natural disasters can be left off the government's monthly jobs survey, especially part-time workers who receive no pay during the week of the survey, meaning figures can rebound in the month after a storm. Meanwhile, the labour force participation rate held steady at 62.7 per cent, while the number of unemployed people fell by 270,000 to six million, with the largest drop among adult women. Worker pay edged up 0.3 per cent for the month, and is 2.8 per cent higher than the same month last year, a notch above inflation. Job gains were noted in healthcare, up 26,000, transportation and warehousing, up 24,000, and construction, up 23,000. But the banner result from August's jobs numbers was surely the record low jobless rate.

US unemployment falls to 48-year low in September

The people of Iran face a sensitive time because of the pressure from America and economic problems, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a key address broadcast by state television on Thursday.

Khamenei was speaking to tens of thousands of members of the Basij militia and top Revolutionary Guards leaders gathered in a stadium in Tehran.

Discord between Iran and the United States has worsened since US President Donald Trump withdrew from a multilateral nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic in May and reimposed sanctions.

"The situation of the nation, region and world is sensitive, especially for us the people of Iran," Khamenei said.

"Sensitive in this respect that on one hand we have the shouting of the arrogant powers and politicians of imperialist America...on another hand the economic problems of the nation and the tightness of the livelihood of a large portion of the weak people in the country."

The Iranian rial has lost approximately 75 per cent of its value since the beginning of 2018.

The United States has said it plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector on Nov. 4 with the aim of stopping Iran's involvement in conflicts in Syria and Iraq and bring the Islamic Republic to the negotiating table for its ballistic missile program.

Iranian officials have said they are involved in the Syrian conflict at the request of President Bashar al-Assad and have refused any negotiations on their missile program.

At a press briefing in Geneva on Thursday, Robert Wood, the US Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, said: "We want to see Iran no longer operating in Syria ... And we will continue to tighten sanctions on Iran – you will be seeing some new steps in November, and we’ll go from there."

In his speech in Tehran, Khamenei also said that Iran must deliver a slap to America by defeating sanctions.

"With the kindness of God we will defeat sanctions and the defeat of sanctions is the defeat of America," Khamenei said. "And America must receive another slap from the people of Iran with the defeat of sanctions."

The people of Iran face a sensitive time because of the pressure from America and economic problems, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a key address broadcast by state television on Thursday.

The people of Iran face a sensitive time because of the pressure from America and economic problems, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a key address broadcast by state television on Thursday. Khamenei was speaking to tens of thousands of members of the Basij militia and top Revolutionary Guards leaders gathered in a stadium in Tehran. Discord between Iran and the United States has worsened since US President Donald Trump withdrew from a multilateral nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic in May and reimposed sanctions. "The situation of the nation, region and world is sensitive, especially for us the people of Iran," Khamenei said. "Sensitive in this respect that on one hand we have the shouting of the arrogant powers and politicians of imperialist America...on another hand the economic problems of the nation and the tightness of the livelihood of a large portion of the weak people in the country." The Iranian rial has lost approximately 75 per cent of its value since the beginning of 2018. The United States has said it plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector on Nov. 4 with the aim of stopping Iran's involvement in conflicts in Syria and Iraq and bring the Islamic Republic to the negotiating table for its ballistic missile program. Iranian officials have said they are involved in the Syrian conflict at the request of President Bashar al-Assad and have refused any negotiations on their missile program. At a press briefing in Geneva on Thursday, Robert Wood, the US Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, said: "We want to see Iran no longer operating in Syria ... And we will continue to tighten sanctions on Iran – you will be seeing some new steps in November, and we’ll go from there." In his speech in Tehran, Khamenei also said that Iran must deliver a slap to America by defeating sanctions. "With the kindness of God we will defeat sanctions and the defeat of sanctions is the defeat of America," Khamenei said. "And America must receive another slap from the people of Iran with the defeat of sanctions."

Iran faces sensitive time due to America, economic woes: Khamenei

US President Donald Trump's net worth has flatlined at USD 3.1 billion, but he has slid down a Forbes ranking of billionaires as the magazine believes his White House stint is harming the Trump brand.

Trump's ranking dropped to number 259 on the list of Forbes's wealthiest 400 billionaires released Wednesday, down from spot number 248 in 2017.

In 2015, the year that Trump announced his then improbable run for the presidency, Forbes valued his net worth at $ 4.5 billion.

Forbes attributes his declining wealth to deeper reporting about his assets, decline in brick-and-mortar retail, slowdown in real-estate, particularly in the luxury sector, and how being president affects the brand.

While he built much of his fortune on lending his name to projects he does not always own, a Forbes investigation say the strategy is backfiring, with his name no longer synonymous with luxury but divisiveness, driving away business partners and potential apartment buyers.

Nevertheless, the value of property that he does own, including his Trump Tower penthouse, his personal private jet and Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, dubbed the Winter White House, has gained in value, Forbes believes.

Before taking office, Trump placed his business interests in a trust managed by his adult sons, Don Junior and Eric, and veteran Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg.

He refused multiple calls to divest fully, leading to ongoing accusations of conflict of interest.

Forbes calculated that if Trump had liquidated, paid capital gains tax on his fortune and created a blind trust to invest everything in the booming stock market, he would be would now be USD 500 million richer.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos, whose fortune jumped USD 78.5 billion in one year, tops the Forbes list this year, with a net worth of USD 160 billion.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who held the number one spot for 24 consecutive years, is ranked number two at USD 97 billion.

Forbes said the 400 on the list have a record-breaking, combined net worth of USD 2.9 trillion, up from USD 2.7 trillion in 2017.

Entrance to the exclusive club cost an all-time high of USD 2.1 billion and 204 Americans with 10-figure fortunes fell short.

US President Donald Trump's net worth has flatlined at USD 3.1 billion, but he has slid down a Forbes ranking of billionaires as the magazine believes his White House stint is harming the Trump brand.

US President Donald Trump's net worth has flatlined at USD 3.1 billion, but he has slid down a Forbes ranking of billionaires as the magazine believes his White House stint is harming the Trump brand. Trump's ranking dropped to number 259 on the list of Forbes's wealthiest 400 billionaires released Wednesday, down from spot number 248 in 2017. In 2015, the year that Trump announced his then improbable run for the presidency, Forbes valued his net worth at $ 4.5 billion. Forbes attributes his declining wealth to deeper reporting about his assets, decline in brick-and-mortar retail, slowdown in real-estate, particularly in the luxury sector, and how being president affects the brand. While he built much of his fortune on lending his name to projects he does not always own, a Forbes investigation say the strategy is backfiring, with his name no longer synonymous with luxury but divisiveness, driving away business partners and potential apartment buyers. Nevertheless, the value of property that he does own, including his Trump Tower penthouse, his personal private jet and Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, dubbed the Winter White House, has gained in value, Forbes believes. Before taking office, Trump placed his business interests in a trust managed by his adult sons, Don Junior and Eric, and veteran Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg. He refused multiple calls to divest fully, leading to ongoing accusations of conflict of interest. Forbes calculated that if Trump had liquidated, paid capital gains tax on his fortune and created a blind trust to invest everything in the booming stock market, he would be would now be USD 500 million richer. Amazon's Jeff Bezos, whose fortune jumped USD 78.5 billion in one year, tops the Forbes list this year, with a net worth of USD 160 billion. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who held the number one spot for 24 consecutive years, is ranked number two at USD 97 billion. Forbes said the 400 on the list have a record-breaking, combined net worth of USD 2.9 trillion, up from USD 2.7 trillion in 2017. Entrance to the exclusive club cost an all-time high of USD 2.1 billion and 204 Americans with 10-figure fortunes fell short.

Trump's net worth at over $3.1 billion, slips 11 points in rich list: Forbes

US President Donald Trump insisted on Monday he wants the FBI to do a comprehensive investigation into sexual assault allegations against his Supreme Court nominee <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-fbi-probe-kavanaugh-senate-delays-final-vote-168336">Brett </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-fbi-probe-kavanaugh-senate-delays-final-vote-168336">Kavanaugh,</a> but said he would leave the parameters of the probe to Senate Republicans.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-says-not-micromanaging-fbi-probe-kavanaugh-168642">Also read:&nbsp;White House says not 'micromanaging' FBI probe of Kavanaugh</a>

"I want them to do a very comprehensive investigation. Whatever that means, according to the senators and the Republicans and the Republican majority, I want them to do that," Trump said at a White House news conference. "With that being said, I'd like it to go quickly."

US President Donald Trump insisted on Monday he wants the FBI to do a comprehensive investigation into sexual assault allegations against his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, but said he would leave the parameters of the probe to Senate Republicans.

US President Donald Trump insisted on Monday he wants the FBI to do a comprehensive investigation into sexual assault allegations against his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, but said he would leave the parameters of the probe to Senate Republicans. Also read: White House says not 'micromanaging' FBI probe of Kavanaugh "I want them to do a very comprehensive investigation. Whatever that means, according to the senators and the Republicans and the Republican majority, I want them to do that," Trump said at a White House news conference. "With that being said, I'd like it to go quickly."

Trump wants 'comprehensive' FBI investigation of Kavanaugh

Russia's foreign minister trashed accusations of Russian meddling abroad as "baseless" and used the podium at the UN's biggest event to tear into US policies in Iran, Syria and Venezuela. He later declared that US-Russian relations "are bad and probably at their all-time low."

In a rapid-fire, unforgiving speech Friday, Sergey Lavrov pounded away at "self-serving" unilateral moves by US President Donald Trump, and assailed crippling Western sanctions against Russia as "political blackmail."

Lavrov deflected accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, a nerve agent attack in Britain and other meddling abroad despite mounting evidence of a broad, coordinated influence campaign.

He criticized "baseless accusations of interference in the internal affairs of certain countries" and turned it around against the West, accusing unnamed forces of "overt endeavours to undermine democratically elected governments," in an apparent reference to US and EU support for Russia's neighbours and the Syrian opposition.

Lavrov defended the United Nations where Russia holds veto power on the Security Council&nbsp;as the only legitimate place to resolve international issues and disputes.

At a news conference later, he said US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held "quite constructive" meetings in Germany and Finland, but those responsible for implementing the agreements that were reached "are in no hurry to do that." Lavrov also cited the absence of any US-Russia talks on important issues including counter-terrorism, cyber-security, strategic stability and major arms control agreements.

"The time for the negotiations is ripe, or I would say overripe," he said. "The dialogue right now is in limbo."

In his speech, Lavrov was particularly angry over US and EU sanctions over Russia's actions abroad, saying, "We see the desire of several Western nations to preserve their self-proclaimed status as world leaders ... And do not hesitate to use any methods including political blackmail, economic pressure and brute force."

He defended the 2015 deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program, and said "we will do everything possible" to preserve it. Lavrov called Trump's decision to pull out of the deal part of a dangerous trend of unilateral measures that risk damaging the post-World War II world order.

Lavrov lobbied for strengthening the United Nations instead of the go-it-alone doctrine that Trump laid out in his General Assembly speech earlier this week, slamming the UN's central tenet of multilateralism from inside its halls.

Russia is framing itself as a counterweight to US Power around the world, and Lavrov has been maneuvering in talks at the UN this week to shape the future of Syria, influence nonproliferation negotiations with North Korea and bolster Venezuela's embattled president.

Lavrov met Friday with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem at the UN Russia is rebuilding trade and military ties with Syria as it looks to a postwar future. While tensions linger over the last rebel stronghold of Idlib, Russia is determined to keep Syria solidly anchored in its sphere of influence over the long term, as a foothold in the Middle East and as a warning to the US And its allies against future interference.

Russia's relations with the US are at a post-Cold War low, and many Russian policies are directly aimed at countering American influence.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped this year's UN Gathering, Lavrov has made sure Russia's voice was heard, holding more than 20&nbsp;meetings with world leaders and top diplomats this week.

Among them: the presidents of Venezuela, Iran and Turkey, the chiefs of NATO, the UN And EU, and North Korea's foreign minister.

Russia's foreign minister trashed accusations of Russian meddling abroad as "baseless" and used the podium at the UN's biggest event to tear into US policies in Iran, Syria and Venezuela.

Russia's foreign minister trashed accusations of Russian meddling abroad as "baseless" and used the podium at the UN's biggest event to tear into US policies in Iran, Syria and Venezuela. He later declared that US-Russian relations "are bad and probably at their all-time low." In a rapid-fire, unforgiving speech Friday, Sergey Lavrov pounded away at "self-serving" unilateral moves by US President Donald Trump, and assailed crippling Western sanctions against Russia as "political blackmail." Lavrov deflected accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election, a nerve agent attack in Britain and other meddling abroad despite mounting evidence of a broad, coordinated influence campaign. He criticized "baseless accusations of interference in the internal affairs of certain countries" and turned it around against the West, accusing unnamed forces of "overt endeavours to undermine democratically elected governments," in an apparent reference to US and EU support for Russia's neighbours and the Syrian opposition. Lavrov defended the United Nations where Russia holds veto power on the Security Council as the only legitimate place to resolve international issues and disputes. At a news conference later, he said US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held "quite constructive" meetings in Germany and Finland, but those responsible for implementing the agreements that were reached "are in no hurry to do that." Lavrov also cited the absence of any US-Russia talks on important issues including counter-terrorism, cyber-security, strategic stability and major arms control agreements. "The time for the negotiations is ripe, or I would say overripe," he said. "The dialogue right now is in limbo." In his speech, Lavrov was particularly angry over US and EU sanctions over Russia's actions abroad, saying, "We see the desire of several Western nations to preserve their self-proclaimed status as world leaders ... And do not hesitate to use any methods including political blackmail, economic pressure and brute force." He defended the 2015 deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program, and said "we will do everything possible" to preserve it. Lavrov called Trump's decision to pull out of the deal part of a dangerous trend of unilateral measures that risk damaging the post-World War II world order. Lavrov lobbied for strengthening the United Nations instead of the go-it-alone doctrine that Trump laid out in his General Assembly speech earlier this week, slamming the UN's central tenet of multilateralism from inside its halls. Russia is framing itself as a counterweight to US Power around the world, and Lavrov has been maneuvering in talks at the UN this week to shape the future of Syria, influence nonproliferation negotiations with North Korea and bolster Venezuela's embattled president. Lavrov met Friday with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem at the UN Russia is rebuilding trade and military ties with Syria as it looks to a postwar future. While tensions linger over the last rebel stronghold of Idlib, Russia is determined to keep Syria solidly anchored in its sphere of influence over the long term, as a foothold in the Middle East and as a warning to the US And its allies against future interference. Russia's relations with the US are at a post-Cold War low, and many Russian policies are directly aimed at countering American influence. While Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped this year's UN Gathering, Lavrov has made sure Russia's voice was heard, holding more than 20 meetings with world leaders and top diplomats this week. Among them: the presidents of Venezuela, Iran and Turkey, the chiefs of NATO, the UN And EU, and North Korea's foreign minister.

Meddling claims by US baseless: Russia at UN

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described on Thursday what he said was a secret atomic warehouse in Tehran and accused Europe of appeasing Iran as he sought to rally support for US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu showed an aerial photograph of the Iranian capital marked with a red arrow and pointed to what he said was a previously secret warehouse holding nuclear-related material. He argued this showed Iran still sought to obtain nuclear weapons, despite its 2015 agreement with world powers to curb its program in exchange for loosening of sanctions.

Netanyahu spoke 4-1/2 months after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord, arguing it did too little to rein in Tehran`s nuclear ambitions and triggering the resumption of US economic sanctions on Iran.

Netanyahu said the site contained some 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of radioactive material that has since been moved and called on the UN atomic agency to inspect the location immediately with Geiger counters.

"I am disclosing for the first time that Iran has another secret facility in Tehran, a secret atomic warehouse for storing massive amounts of equipment and material from Iran`s secret nuclear programme," Netanyahu said.

The world will laugh at Netanyahu`s claims, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, according to Fars News.

"The world will only laugh loudly at this type of false, meaningless and unnecessary speech and false shows," Qassemi said.

Iran`s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that there should be more scrutiny on Israel`s nuclear program.

"No arts &amp; craft show will ever obfuscate that Israel is only regime in our region with a *secret* and *undeclared* nuclear weapons program - including an *actual atomic arsenal*. Time for Israel to fess up and open its illegal nuclear weapons program to international inspectors," Zarif tweeted.

Netanyahu did not identify the material nor specifically suggest that Iran had actively violated the nuclear deal.&nbsp;

An outspoken opponent of the deal, Netanyahu has previously made allegations about Iran`s nuclear activities that are difficult or impossible to verify, including presenting a cartoon bomb to the General Assembly in 2012 warning of how close Tehran was to producing a nuclear device.

In April, Netanyahu presented what he said was evidence of a large secret archive of documents related to Iran`s clandestine nuclear weapons program at a different site in Tehran.

He said Israeli agents removed vast amounts of documents from that site. At the time, Iran said the documents were fake.

In a speech in which he said relatively little about efforts to achieve peace with the Palestinians, Netanyahu said Iran had since begun moving items out of the second site.

"Since we raided the atomic archive, they`ve been busy cleaning out the atomic warehouse. Just last month they removed 15 kilograms of radioactive material. You know what they did with it?" he said. "They took it out and they spread it around Tehran in an effort to hide the evidence."

He said Iranian officials still had a lot of work to do because there were some 15 shipping containers full of nuclear-related equipment and materials stored at the second site.

"This site contained as much as 300 tonnes - 300 tonnes - of nuclear-related equipment and materiel," he said.

Under the nuclear deal struck by Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions.

The International Atomic Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly said Tehran was abiding by its commitments to the deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including in a document reviewed by Reuters on August 30.

France, Britain, Germany, China and Russia have stayed in the pact, vowing to save it despite the restoration of US sanctions and this week discussing a barter mechanism they hope may allow Iran to circumvent the US measures.

Netanyahu criticized Europe for doing so in unusually harsh language that evoked European nations` initial failure to confront Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

"While the United States is confronting Iran with new sanctions, Europe and others are appeasing Iran by trying to help it bypass those new sanctions," Netanyahu said.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States is aware of the facility Netanyahu announced and described it as a "warehouse" used to store "records and archives" from Iran’s nuclear program.

A second US intelligence official called Netanyahu’s comments "somewhat misleading. First, we have known about this facility for some time, and it’s full of file cabinets and paper, not aluminium tubes for centrifuges, and second, so far as anyone knows, there is nothing in it that would allow Iran to break out of the JCPOA any faster than it otherwise could."

The Israeli leader also lambasted Iran`s ballistic missile activity, identifying three locations near Beirut airport where he said Lebanon`s Hezbollah was converting missiles.

"In Lebanon, Iran is directing Hezbollah to build secret sites to convert inaccurate projectiles into precision-guided missiles, missiles that can target deep inside Israel within an accuracy of 10 metres (yards)," he said.

The IAEA, Iran and Hezbollah were not immediately available for comment.

The Israeli military released a video clip and photos of what it said were Hezbollah Shi`ite militia rocket building sites in Lebanon, shortly after Netanyahu`s address.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described on Thursday what he said was a secret atomic warehouse in Tehran and accused Europe of appeasing Iran as he sought to rally support for US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described on Thursday what he said was a secret atomic warehouse in Tehran and accused Europe of appeasing Iran as he sought to rally support for US sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu showed an aerial photograph of the Iranian capital marked with a red arrow and pointed to what he said was a previously secret warehouse holding nuclear-related material. He argued this showed Iran still sought to obtain nuclear weapons, despite its 2015 agreement with world powers to curb its program in exchange for loosening of sanctions. Netanyahu spoke 4-1/2 months after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord, arguing it did too little to rein in Tehran`s nuclear ambitions and triggering the resumption of US economic sanctions on Iran. Netanyahu said the site contained some 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of radioactive material that has since been moved and called on the UN atomic agency to inspect the location immediately with Geiger counters. "I am disclosing for the first time that Iran has another secret facility in Tehran, a secret atomic warehouse for storing massive amounts of equipment and material from Iran`s secret nuclear programme," Netanyahu said. The world will laugh at Netanyahu`s claims, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, according to Fars News. "The world will only laugh loudly at this type of false, meaningless and unnecessary speech and false shows," Qassemi said. Iran`s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that there should be more scrutiny on Israel`s nuclear program. "No arts & craft show will ever obfuscate that Israel is only regime in our region with a *secret* and *undeclared* nuclear weapons program - including an *actual atomic arsenal*. Time for Israel to fess up and open its illegal nuclear weapons program to international inspectors," Zarif tweeted. Netanyahu did not identify the material nor specifically suggest that Iran had actively violated the nuclear deal. An outspoken opponent of the deal, Netanyahu has previously made allegations about Iran`s nuclear activities that are difficult or impossible to verify, including presenting a cartoon bomb to the General Assembly in 2012 warning of how close Tehran was to producing a nuclear device. In April, Netanyahu presented what he said was evidence of a large secret archive of documents related to Iran`s clandestine nuclear weapons program at a different site in Tehran. He said Israeli agents removed vast amounts of documents from that site. At the time, Iran said the documents were fake. In a speech in which he said relatively little about efforts to achieve peace with the Palestinians, Netanyahu said Iran had since begun moving items out of the second site. "Since we raided the atomic archive, they`ve been busy cleaning out the atomic warehouse. Just last month they removed 15 kilograms of radioactive material. You know what they did with it?" he said. "They took it out and they spread it around Tehran in an effort to hide the evidence." He said Iranian officials still had a lot of work to do because there were some 15 shipping containers full of nuclear-related equipment and materials stored at the second site. "This site contained as much as 300 tonnes - 300 tonnes - of nuclear-related equipment and materiel," he said. Under the nuclear deal struck by Iran and six major powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States - Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for relief from US and other economic sanctions. The International Atomic Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly said Tehran was abiding by its commitments to the deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including in a document reviewed by Reuters on August 30. France, Britain, Germany, China and Russia have stayed in the pact, vowing to save it despite the restoration of US sanctions and this week discussing a barter mechanism they hope may allow Iran to circumvent the US measures. Netanyahu criticized Europe for doing so in unusually harsh language that evoked European nations` initial failure to confront Nazi Germany in the 1930s. "While the United States is confronting Iran with new sanctions, Europe and others are appeasing Iran by trying to help it bypass those new sanctions," Netanyahu said. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States is aware of the facility Netanyahu announced and described it as a "warehouse" used to store "records and archives" from Iran’s nuclear program. A second US intelligence official called Netanyahu’s comments "somewhat misleading. First, we have known about this facility for some time, and it’s full of file cabinets and paper, not aluminium tubes for centrifuges, and second, so far as anyone knows, there is nothing in it that would allow Iran to break out of the JCPOA any faster than it otherwise could." The Israeli leader also lambasted Iran`s ballistic missile activity, identifying three locations near Beirut airport where he said Lebanon`s Hezbollah was converting missiles. "In Lebanon, Iran is directing Hezbollah to build secret sites to convert inaccurate projectiles into precision-guided missiles, missiles that can target deep inside Israel within an accuracy of 10 metres (yards)," he said. The IAEA, Iran and Hezbollah were not immediately available for comment. The Israeli military released a video clip and photos of what it said were Hezbollah Shi`ite militia rocket building sites in Lebanon, shortly after Netanyahu`s address.

Israel PM Netanyahu claims secret Iranian nuclear site in UN speech

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/antiguan-prime-minister-government-committed-extraditing-choksi-ministry-external">Antiguan Prime Minister, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/antiguan-prime-minister-government-committed-extraditing-choksi-ministry-external">government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/antiguan-prime-minister-government-committed-extraditing-choksi-ministry-external"> committed to extraditing Choksi: Ministry of External Affairs</a>

Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, on Wednesday shared information on fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's extradition to India, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-defends-supreme-court-pick-kavanaugh-says-could-change-mind-167882">Trump defends Supreme Court pick Kavanaugh but says could change </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-defends-supreme-court-pick-kavanaugh-says-could-change-mind-167882">mind</a>

US President Donald Trump praised his Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday but said he would be open to withdrawing his nomination if he finds sexual assault allegations against him to be credible.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-verdict-babri-masjid-ram-mandir-today-timeline-key-events-167874">SC verdict on Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir today: A timeline of key events&nbsp;</a>

The Supreme Court is set to pronounce its landmark judgement today on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.&nbsp;

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer will give its verdict on a batch of pleas by Muslim groups on title dispute seeking reconsideration of the 1994 verdict that stated that a mosque was not integral to Islam.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-foreign-minister-claims-he-had-informal-meeting-trump-white-house-says-only">Pak foreign minister claims he had 'informal meeting' with Trump, US says only handshake&nbsp;</a>

US President Donald Trump had a handshake with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a luncheon in New York, the White House said, but Qureshi described it as an "informal meeting" when they discussed bilateral ties.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-abe-agree-two-way-trade-talks-japan-dodges-us-auto-tariffs-167878">Trump, Abe </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-abe-agree-two-way-trade-talks-japan-dodges-us-auto-tariffs-167878">agree</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-abe-agree-two-way-trade-talks-japan-dodges-us-auto-tariffs-167878"> two-way trade talks, Japan dodges US auto tariffs</a>

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Wednesday to start trade talks in an arrangement that, for now, protects Japanese automakers from further tariffs, seen as a major threat to the export-dependent economy.

Antiguan Prime Minister, government committed to extraditing Choksi: Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, on Wednesday shared information on fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's extradition to India, news agency ANI reported.

Antiguan Prime Minister, government committed to extraditing Choksi: Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, on Wednesday shared information on fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi's extradition to India, news agency ANI reported. Trump defends Supreme Court pick Kavanaugh but says could change mind US President Donald Trump praised his Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday but said he would be open to withdrawing his nomination if he finds sexual assault allegations against him to be credible. SC verdict on Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir today: A timeline of key events The Supreme Court is set to pronounce its landmark judgement today on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer will give its verdict on a batch of pleas by Muslim groups on title dispute seeking reconsideration of the 1994 verdict that stated that a mosque was not integral to Islam. Pak foreign minister claims he had 'informal meeting' with Trump, US says only handshake US President Donald Trump had a handshake with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during a luncheon in New York, the White House said, but Qureshi described it as an "informal meeting" when they discussed bilateral ties. Trump, Abe agree two-way trade talks, Japan dodges US auto tariffs US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Wednesday to start trade talks in an arrangement that, for now, protects Japanese automakers from further tariffs, seen as a major threat to the export-dependent economy.

US President Donald Trump says the United Nations wasn't laughing at him when he boasted about his government's successes during a speech to world diplomats. They were just sharing a "good time."

"We had fun," he told journalists in New York on Wednesday.

"They weren't laughing at me, they were laughing with me," he said. "People had a good time with me."

The incident took place during Trump's speech to the annual UN General Assembly.

Trump had launched into what sounded more like a campaign speech ahead of November's congressional elections, boasting in trademark fashion of how "in less than two years my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country."

Assembled global dignitaries started to chuckle.

Trump then interrupted his prepared remarks and insisted, "So true," at which the laughter became audible.

Trump smiled and said, "I didn't expect that reaction, but that's okay."

Headlines quickly emerged about the world laughing at Trump. But on Wednesday, Trump said he had simply connected with an audience not known for levity -- "people who aren't big into clapping, applauding, smiling."

US President Donald Trump says the United Nations wasn't laughing at him when he boasted about his government's successes during a speech to world diplomats. They were just sharing a "good time.

US President Donald Trump says the United Nations wasn't laughing at him when he boasted about his government's successes during a speech to world diplomats. They were just sharing a "good time." "We had fun," he told journalists in New York on Wednesday. "They weren't laughing at me, they were laughing with me," he said. "People had a good time with me." The incident took place during Trump's speech to the annual UN General Assembly. Trump had launched into what sounded more like a campaign speech ahead of November's congressional elections, boasting in trademark fashion of how "in less than two years my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country." Assembled global dignitaries started to chuckle. Trump then interrupted his prepared remarks and insisted, "So true," at which the laughter became audible. Trump smiled and said, "I didn't expect that reaction, but that's okay." Headlines quickly emerged about the world laughing at Trump. But on Wednesday, Trump said he had simply connected with an audience not known for levity -- "people who aren't big into clapping, applauding, smiling."

Trump: UN wasn't 'laughing at me'

US President Donald Trump admitted his friendship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be over on Wednesday as he accused Beijing of undermining his prospects in upcoming elections.

With tensions growing sharply between the two sides on a range of issues, Trump said China wanted him to suffer an electoral setback as payback for his hard-line over trade.

After accusing the government in Beijing of using a variety of tactics to damage his chances at the vital midterm polls in November, he said that relations with Xi might have taken a permanent turn for the worse.

Trump has spoken many times since coming to office of his friendship with Xi, praising the Chinese leader for his role in helping bring pressure to bear on North Korea over its nuclear program.

But asked at a press conference in New York how Xi could remain his friend given the hike in tensions, Trump indicated that he preferred to be respected than liked.

"He may not be a friend of mine anymore but I think he probably respects me," said the president, who said the US economy was easily weathering the impact of the trade dispute.

Washington this week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports, shrugging off threats of counter measures from Beijing.&nbsp;

"We have to make it fair," he said. "A lot of money is coming into our coffers. And it's had absolutely no impact on our economy."

China has vowed to retaliate with duties on $60 billion in US goods, but since the country only imports a total of $130 billion, its ability to hit back with matching tariffs is limited.

'Evidence'&nbsp;

The accusation of electoral interference first came during a meeting of the UN Security Council that Trump chaired himself earlier in the day. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"Regrettably we found that China has been attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election coming up in November against my administration," Trump told the chamber.

"They do not want me or us to win because I am the first president ever to challenge China on trade," he added.

Trump later said there was clear evidence to back up his claim.

"We have evidence. It will come out. Yeah, I can't tell you now, but it came -- it didn't come out of nowhere, that I can tell you," he told a press conference.

In a briefing with reporters in Washington, a senior White House official said that China was deploying economic, military and informational tools to spread influence and to undermine the US government.

"The activities have reached an unacceptable level," the official said.

The official said the policy of "actively interfering in our political system includes hurting farmers in districts and states that voted for the president."

The official was referring to China's imposition of tariffs on soybeans -- a hugely important trade in the electorally crucial state of Iowa -- as retaliation for Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods.

'Unwarranted accusations'&nbsp;

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected what he termed "unwarranted accusations."

"China has all along followed the principle of non-interference," Wang said in the same session that was chaired by the US president.

"We did not and will not interfere in any country's domestic affairs. We refuse to accept any unwarranted accusations against China."

But Trump followed up his accusations with a series of tweets accusing China's government of paying for newspaper space in the US state of Iowa to push its message.

These "propaganda ads" are being placed "because we are beating them on Trade, opening markets," he tweeted.

The United States also irked China earlier this week by going ahead with plans to sell a batch of military parts to the self-governing island of Taiwan.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting unification, and is deeply suspicious of the island's relations with the United States.

A special prosecutor, Robert Mueller, is investigating allegations that members of Trump's inner circle colluded with Russia to secure his victory in the 2016 presidential election after US security agencies determined that Moscow had sought to influence the outcome.

US President Donald Trump admitted his friendship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be over on Wednesday as he accused Beijing of undermining his prospects in upcoming elections.

US President Donald Trump admitted his friendship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping could be over on Wednesday as he accused Beijing of undermining his prospects in upcoming elections. With tensions growing sharply between the two sides on a range of issues, Trump said China wanted him to suffer an electoral setback as payback for his hard-line over trade. After accusing the government in Beijing of using a variety of tactics to damage his chances at the vital midterm polls in November, he said that relations with Xi might have taken a permanent turn for the worse. Trump has spoken many times since coming to office of his friendship with Xi, praising the Chinese leader for his role in helping bring pressure to bear on North Korea over its nuclear program. But asked at a press conference in New York how Xi could remain his friend given the hike in tensions, Trump indicated that he preferred to be respected than liked. "He may not be a friend of mine anymore but I think he probably respects me," said the president, who said the US economy was easily weathering the impact of the trade dispute. Washington this week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports, shrugging off threats of counter measures from Beijing. "We have to make it fair," he said. "A lot of money is coming into our coffers. And it's had absolutely no impact on our economy." China has vowed to retaliate with duties on $60 billion in US goods, but since the country only imports a total of $130 billion, its ability to hit back with matching tariffs is limited. 'Evidence' The accusation of electoral interference first came during a meeting of the UN Security Council that Trump chaired himself earlier in the day. "Regrettably we found that China has been attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election coming up in November against my administration," Trump told the chamber. "They do not want me or us to win because I am the first president ever to challenge China on trade," he added. Trump later said there was clear evidence to back up his claim. "We have evidence. It will come out. Yeah, I can't tell you now, but it came -- it didn't come out of nowhere, that I can tell you," he told a press conference. In a briefing with reporters in Washington, a senior White House official said that China was deploying economic, military and informational tools to spread influence and to undermine the US government. "The activities have reached an unacceptable level," the official said. The official said the policy of "actively interfering in our political system includes hurting farmers in districts and states that voted for the president." The official was referring to China's imposition of tariffs on soybeans -- a hugely important trade in the electorally crucial state of Iowa -- as retaliation for Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods. 'Unwarranted accusations' Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi rejected what he termed "unwarranted accusations." "China has all along followed the principle of non-interference," Wang said in the same session that was chaired by the US president. "We did not and will not interfere in any country's domestic affairs. We refuse to accept any unwarranted accusations against China." But Trump followed up his accusations with a series of tweets accusing China's government of paying for newspaper space in the US state of Iowa to push its message. These "propaganda ads" are being placed "because we are beating them on Trade, opening markets," he tweeted. The United States also irked China earlier this week by going ahead with plans to sell a batch of military parts to the self-governing island of Taiwan. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting unification, and is deeply suspicious of the island's relations with the United States. A special prosecutor, Robert Mueller, is investigating allegations that members of Trump's inner circle colluded with Russia to secure his victory in the 2016 presidential election after US security agencies determined that Moscow had sought to influence the outcome.

Trump admits friendship with China's Xi Jinping could be over

US President Donald Trump praised his Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday but said he would be open to withdrawing his nomination if he finds sexual assault allegations against him to be credible.

"I can always be convinced," Trump said on the eve of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing featuring one of Kavanaugh's accusers.

"If I thought he was guilty of something like this, yes, sure," Trump said at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

"It's possible I'll hear that, and I'll say, 'Hey, I'm changing my mind.'

"I want to watch," Trump said ahead of the hearing featuring Christine Blasey Ford, a university professor who has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers.

"I look forward to what she has to say," Trump said. "I also look forward to what Judge Kavanaugh has to say. I think it's going to be a very important day in the history of our country."

In prepared testimony released on Wednesday, the 51-year-old Blasey Ford said she feared Kavanaugh would rape her during the attack, which she said occurred in the summer of 1982.

Blasey Ford said the incident left her "drastically altered," but it was her "civic duty" to tell lawmakers what happened.&nbsp;

Kavanaugh has also been accused of exposing himself to a classmate, Deborah Ramirez, during an alcohol-fueled Yale University party a few years later.

On Wednesday a third woman came forward with explosive allegations, saying she witnessed sexually abusive behaviour by Kavanaugh when he was a teenager.

Trump described Kavanaugh as a "great gentleman" and a "great intellect" and said he believed the accusations against the conservative judge were "false."

'Big, fat con job'&nbsp;

Trump said he was skeptical because he personally had been the target of "false statements" in the past made by various women.

"I've had a lot of false charges made against me," he said. "People want fame, they want money, they want whatever."

He also slammed his Democratic opponents, accusing them of being "con artists" and destroying the 53-year-old judge's reputation.

The Kavanaugh nomination has turned into a political firestorm ahead of November congressional elections and is threatening to derail Trump's push to get a conservative-minded majority on the top court ahead of the vote.

Democrats on Wednesday demanded that Trump withdraw Kavanaugh's nomination or order an FBI investigation.

"He is asking for a lifetime appointment to the nation's highest court where he will have the opportunity to rule on matters that will impact Americans for decades," the 10 Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee said in a letter to the president.

The third woman to come forward, Julie Swetnick, said she saw Kavanaugh engage in sexually abusive behaviour as a teenager and claimed she had been drugged and gang-raped at a party he attended in approximately 1982.

Kavanaugh strongly denied the allegations by Swetnick, 55, who has worked extensively for the federal government.

"This is ridiculous and from the Twilight Zone," he said in a statement. "I don't know who this is and this never happened."

Later, the judiciary committee said it had received the fourth allegation, this time in a letter from an anonymous source who said their daughter and others had witnessed Kavanaugh physically assault a woman while intoxicated in Washington in 1998, shoving her "up against the wall very aggressively and sexually."

"There were at least four witnesses including my daughter," the source wrote, adding that the alleged victim was "still traumatized."

But a spokesman for the committee told AFP the letter lacked credibility and the panel had no way to investigate the matter because the complaint was anonymous.

'Physically aggressive behaviour'&nbsp;

Swetnick said she saw Kavanaugh behave as a "mean drunk" at parties they both attended growing up in suburban Maryland.

"I observed Brett Kavanaugh drink excessively at many of these parties and engage in abusive and physically aggressive behaviour towards girls, including pressing girls against him without their consent, 'grinding' against girls, and attempting to remove or shift girls' clothing to expose private body parts," Swetnick said.

She did not specifically claim Kavanaugh took part or that he was aware of her rape, but said that he and other boys in his circle engaged in similar behaviour.

She said she saw efforts by "Kavanaugh and others to cause girls to become inebriated and disoriented so they could then be 'gang-raped' in a side room or bedroom by a 'train' of numerous boys.

"I have a firm recollection of seeing boys lined up outside rooms at many of these parties waiting for their 'turn' with a girl inside the room," she said.

"These boys included Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh," she said. Judge is a boyhood friend of Kavanaugh who has written a book describing the debauchery of his high school years.

Kavanaugh, in prepared testimony released on Wednesday, repeated his denial of Blasey Ford's allegation and said: "this effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out."

US President Donald Trump praised his Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday but said he would be open to withdrawing his nomination if he finds sexual assault allegations against him to be credible.

US President Donald Trump praised his Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday but said he would be open to withdrawing his nomination if he finds sexual assault allegations against him to be credible. "I can always be convinced," Trump said on the eve of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing featuring one of Kavanaugh's accusers. "If I thought he was guilty of something like this, yes, sure," Trump said at a press conference on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. "It's possible I'll hear that, and I'll say, 'Hey, I'm changing my mind.' "I want to watch," Trump said ahead of the hearing featuring Christine Blasey Ford, a university professor who has accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers. "I look forward to what she has to say," Trump said. "I also look forward to what Judge Kavanaugh has to say. I think it's going to be a very important day in the history of our country." In prepared testimony released on Wednesday, the 51-year-old Blasey Ford said she feared Kavanaugh would rape her during the attack, which she said occurred in the summer of 1982. Blasey Ford said the incident left her "drastically altered," but it was her "civic duty" to tell lawmakers what happened. Kavanaugh has also been accused of exposing himself to a classmate, Deborah Ramirez, during an alcohol-fueled Yale University party a few years later. On Wednesday a third woman came forward with explosive allegations, saying she witnessed sexually abusive behaviour by Kavanaugh when he was a teenager. Trump described Kavanaugh as a "great gentleman" and a "great intellect" and said he believed the accusations against the conservative judge were "false." 'Big, fat con job' Trump said he was skeptical because he personally had been the target of "false statements" in the past made by various women. "I've had a lot of false charges made against me," he said. "People want fame, they want money, they want whatever." He also slammed his Democratic opponents, accusing them of being "con artists" and destroying the 53-year-old judge's reputation. The Kavanaugh nomination has turned into a political firestorm ahead of November congressional elections and is threatening to derail Trump's push to get a conservative-minded majority on the top court ahead of the vote. Democrats on Wednesday demanded that Trump withdraw Kavanaugh's nomination or order an FBI investigation. "He is asking for a lifetime appointment to the nation's highest court where he will have the opportunity to rule on matters that will impact Americans for decades," the 10 Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee said in a letter to the president. The third woman to come forward, Julie Swetnick, said she saw Kavanaugh engage in sexually abusive behaviour as a teenager and claimed she had been drugged and gang-raped at a party he attended in approximately 1982. Kavanaugh strongly denied the allegations by Swetnick, 55, who has worked extensively for the federal government. "This is ridiculous and from the Twilight Zone," he said in a statement. "I don't know who this is and this never happened." Later, the judiciary committee said it had received the fourth allegation, this time in a letter from an anonymous source who said their daughter and others had witnessed Kavanaugh physically assault a woman while intoxicated in Washington in 1998, shoving her "up against the wall very aggressively and sexually." "There were at least four witnesses including my daughter," the source wrote, adding that the alleged victim was "still traumatized." But a spokesman for the committee told AFP the letter lacked credibility and the panel had no way to investigate the matter because the complaint was anonymous. 'Physically aggressive behaviour' Swetnick said she saw Kavanaugh behave as a "mean drunk" at parties they both attended growing up in suburban Maryland. "I observed Brett Kavanaugh drink excessively at many of these parties and engage in abusive and physically aggressive behaviour towards girls, including pressing girls against him without their consent, 'grinding' against girls, and attempting to remove or shift girls' clothing to expose private body parts," Swetnick said. She did not specifically claim Kavanaugh took part or that he was aware of her rape, but said that he and other boys in his circle engaged in similar behaviour. She said she saw efforts by "Kavanaugh and others to cause girls to become inebriated and disoriented so they could then be 'gang-raped' in a side room or bedroom by a 'train' of numerous boys. "I have a firm recollection of seeing boys lined up outside rooms at many of these parties waiting for their 'turn' with a girl inside the room," she said. "These boys included Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh," she said. Judge is a boyhood friend of Kavanaugh who has written a book describing the debauchery of his high school years. Kavanaugh, in prepared testimony released on Wednesday, repeated his denial of Blasey Ford's allegation and said: "this effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out."

Trump defends Supreme Court pick Kavanaugh but says could change mind

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday he is willing to meet with US President Donald Trump and to speak about anything the US government wants to discuss.

Trump's comments earlier on Wednesday suggested he could meet Maduro, who has been publicly seeking a sit-down with Trump, his ideological foe, since last year.

"I would certainly be open to it, I'm willing to meet with anybody," Trump said as he arrived at the United Nations headquarters. "We're going to take care of Venezuela, if he's here and he wants to meet, it was not on my mind, it was not on my plate, but if I can help people that's what I'm here for."

He said that "all options" were available to find a solution to Venezuela's ballooning economic and political crisis, which has fuelled an exodus to nearby Latin American countries.

"All options are on the table, everyone," Trump told reporters. "The strong ones and the less than strong ones - and you know what I mean by strong. Every option is on the table with respect to Venezuela."

The White House last year said a meeting with Maduro would happen when Venezuela returned to democracy.

Maduro frequently accuses the United States of seeking to sabotage his administration by fomenting an economic crisis and stoking unrest.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday he is willing to meet with US President Donald Trump and to speak about anything the US government wants to discuss.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday he is willing to meet with US President Donald Trump and to speak about anything the US government wants to discuss. Trump's comments earlier on Wednesday suggested he could meet Maduro, who has been publicly seeking a sit-down with Trump, his ideological foe, since last year. "I would certainly be open to it, I'm willing to meet with anybody," Trump said as he arrived at the United Nations headquarters. "We're going to take care of Venezuela, if he's here and he wants to meet, it was not on my mind, it was not on my plate, but if I can help people that's what I'm here for." He said that "all options" were available to find a solution to Venezuela's ballooning economic and political crisis, which has fuelled an exodus to nearby Latin American countries. "All options are on the table, everyone," Trump told reporters. "The strong ones and the less than strong ones - and you know what I mean by strong. Every option is on the table with respect to Venezuela." The White House last year said a meeting with Maduro would happen when Venezuela returned to democracy. Maduro frequently accuses the United States of seeking to sabotage his administration by fomenting an economic crisis and stoking unrest. (With inputs from Reuters)

Venezuela's Maduro heads to New York, Trump says open to meeting

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Wednesday to start trade talks in an arrangement that, for now, protects Japanese automakers from further tariffs, seen as a major threat to the export-dependent economy.

In a joint statement, the two countries said the talks "will respect positions of the other government," drawing lines on autos and Japan's agriculture sector.

Trump has made clear he is unhappy with Japan's $69 billion trade surplus with the United States - nearly two-thirds of it from auto exports - and wants a two-way agreement to address it.

Tokyo had worried that Trump would demand a reduction in auto imports from Japan or that he could impose steep tariffs on such imports on national security grounds.

Abe said the billions of dollars in investments and jobs created by Japanese companies in the United States were built on the spirit of free trade, and that Trump had affirmed this view at their meeting. Any measures to restrict trade, he said, would be harmful.

"We must by no means turn back the clock," he told a news conference following his meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. "In fact, we need to be more active in trade investments to build on this relationship."

Abe said that as part of the agreement, the United States would not impose additional tariffs on the auto sector, while also protecting the politically important farm sector from access that goes beyond what had been agreed under the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement that Trump abandoned in 2017.

For Trump's part, he said he was "happy" to have gotten Japan to agree to bilateral trade talks and expected a "satisfactory conclusion".

"This was something that for various reasons over the years Japan was unwilling to do and now they are willing to do," Trump said at a summit with Abe in New York.

Abe later stressed that the new framework would be a Trade Agreement on Goods (TAG), not a more wide-ranging Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that includes rules on investments and services that Japan has resisted.

Still, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters he is aiming for a full free trade deal requiring approval by Congress under the "fast track" trade negotiating authority law.

The law requires Congress to be notified 90 days before negotiations can begin and Lighthizer said that he will start consultations with lawmakers on Thursday.

Lighthizer said the talks would be tackled in two "tranches" with hopes for an "early harvest" from the initial talks on reductions to tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers in goods.

He declined to specify when an imbalance in autos trade would be addressed but acknowledged autos were a key goods area.

Wednesday's joint statement said that for the United States, "market access outcomes in the motor vehicle sector will be designed to increase production and jobs in the United States in the motor vehicle industries."

"Actually I think we will probably come to a conclusion and I think it'll be something very exciting," Trump said.

"We're going to have a really great relationship, better than ever before on trade. I think it's going to be better for Japan and better for the United States."

On Tuesday, top trade officials from Japan, the United States and the European Union agreed to cooperate on steps aimed at reining in China's "non-market" economic policies, such as those aimed at technology transfers and subsidies in the form of state bank loans to state-owned enterprises.

They agreed to cooperate on reforms to World Trade Organization rules.

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Wednesday to start trade talks in an arrangement that, for now, protects Japanese automakers from further tariffs, seen as a major threat to the export-dependent economy.

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed on Wednesday to start trade talks in an arrangement that, for now, protects Japanese automakers from further tariffs, seen as a major threat to the export-dependent economy. In a joint statement, the two countries said the talks "will respect positions of the other government," drawing lines on autos and Japan's agriculture sector. Trump has made clear he is unhappy with Japan's $69 billion trade surplus with the United States - nearly two-thirds of it from auto exports - and wants a two-way agreement to address it. Tokyo had worried that Trump would demand a reduction in auto imports from Japan or that he could impose steep tariffs on such imports on national security grounds. Abe said the billions of dollars in investments and jobs created by Japanese companies in the United States were built on the spirit of free trade, and that Trump had affirmed this view at their meeting. Any measures to restrict trade, he said, would be harmful. "We must by no means turn back the clock," he told a news conference following his meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. "In fact, we need to be more active in trade investments to build on this relationship." Abe said that as part of the agreement, the United States would not impose additional tariffs on the auto sector, while also protecting the politically important farm sector from access that goes beyond what had been agreed under the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement that Trump abandoned in 2017. For Trump's part, he said he was "happy" to have gotten Japan to agree to bilateral trade talks and expected a "satisfactory conclusion". "This was something that for various reasons over the years Japan was unwilling to do and now they are willing to do," Trump said at a summit with Abe in New York. Abe later stressed that the new framework would be a Trade Agreement on Goods (TAG), not a more wide-ranging Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that includes rules on investments and services that Japan has resisted. Still, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told reporters he is aiming for a full free trade deal requiring approval by Congress under the "fast track" trade negotiating authority law. The law requires Congress to be notified 90 days before negotiations can begin and Lighthizer said that he will start consultations with lawmakers on Thursday. Lighthizer said the talks would be tackled in two "tranches" with hopes for an "early harvest" from the initial talks on reductions to tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers in goods. He declined to specify when an imbalance in autos trade would be addressed but acknowledged autos were a key goods area. Wednesday's joint statement said that for the United States, "market access outcomes in the motor vehicle sector will be designed to increase production and jobs in the United States in the motor vehicle industries." "Actually I think we will probably come to a conclusion and I think it'll be something very exciting," Trump said. "We're going to have a really great relationship, better than ever before on trade. I think it's going to be better for Japan and better for the United States." On Tuesday, top trade officials from Japan, the United States and the European Union agreed to cooperate on steps aimed at reining in China's "non-market" economic policies, such as those aimed at technology transfers and subsidies in the form of state bank loans to state-owned enterprises. They agreed to cooperate on reforms to World Trade Organization rules.

Trump, Abe agree two-way trade talks, Japan dodges US auto tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday blasted Canada over the slow pace of talks over NAFTA, saying he was so unhappy that he had rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's request for a one-on-one meeting.

The remarks by Trump, who repeated a threat to impose tariffs on Canadian autos, knocked the Canadian dollar&nbsp;down to a one-week low against the US greenback.

The comments also mark a new low in relations between the two leaders. Trudeau spokeswoman Chantal Gagnon said: "No meeting was requested. We don't have any comment beyond that."

The attack cast further doubt on the future of the three-nation North American Free Trade Agreement, which underpins $1.2 trillion in annual trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States. Markets and business groups are openly fretting about the damage that a collapse could provoke.

Trump, who wants major changes to the 1994 treaty, has already concluded a text with Mexico and is threatening to leave out Canada unless it signs up by this Sunday.

Trump told reporters he had rebuffed a Trudeau request for a meeting "because his tariffs are too high and he doesn't seem to want to move and I told him 'forget about it'. And frankly, we're thinking about just taxing cars coming in from Canada."

Earlier on Wednesday, Trudeau shrugged off US pressure to quickly agree to a deal and indicated it was possible the three member nations might fail to conclude a new pact.

The two sides are still far apart on major issues such as how to settle disputes and US demands for more access to Canada's protected dairy market.

"We're very unhappy with the negotiations and the negotiating style of Canada. We don't like their representative very much," Trump said in an apparent reference to Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Relations between the Canadian and US leaders have been chilly since June when Trump left a Group of Seven summit in Canada and then accused Trudeau of being dishonest and weak.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer - Freeland's counterpart at the talks - on Tuesday had complained Canada was not making enough concessions and said time was running out.

Canadian officials said they do not believe Trump can rework NAFTA into a bilateral deal without the approval of Congress.

"We will keep working as long as it takes to get to the right deal for Canada," Trudeau earlier told reporters at the United Nations. He has repeatedly said he is ready to walk away from the talks rather than sign a document he thinks is bad.

Asked about the challenge that autos tariffs would pose, Trudeau said Canada would need to feel confident "about the path forward as we move forward - if we do - on a NAFTA 2.0."

The three nations' auto industries are highly integrated and tariffs on Canadian cars would be hugely disruptive.

Speaking separately, Canada's ambassador to Washington said that on a scale of 1 to 10, the chances of an agreement by the September 30 deadline were 5.

"If it doesn't happen by the end of the week, we'll just keep working away and trying to get the best deal for Canada," David MacNaughton told a Toronto event arranged by Politico Canada.

A Trump administration official said the text of the agreement with Mexico was set to be published on Friday.

The official declined to be named because the matter has not yet been made public. A spokesman for the US Trade Representative's Office declined to comment.

Trudeau said existing US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium in late May would have to be scrapped before Canada felt comfortable signing a new NAFTA.

The Trump administration has said the text of an agreement between the three nations is needed by Sunday to allow the current Mexican government to sign it before it leaves office at the end of November. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday blasted Canada over the slow pace of talks over NAFTA, saying he was so unhappy that he had rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's request for a one-on-one meeting.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday blasted Canada over the slow pace of talks over NAFTA, saying he was so unhappy that he had rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's request for a one-on-one meeting. The remarks by Trump, who repeated a threat to impose tariffs on Canadian autos, knocked the Canadian dollar down to a one-week low against the US greenback. The comments also mark a new low in relations between the two leaders. Trudeau spokeswoman Chantal Gagnon said: "No meeting was requested. We don't have any comment beyond that." The attack cast further doubt on the future of the three-nation North American Free Trade Agreement, which underpins $1.2 trillion in annual trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States. Markets and business groups are openly fretting about the damage that a collapse could provoke. Trump, who wants major changes to the 1994 treaty, has already concluded a text with Mexico and is threatening to leave out Canada unless it signs up by this Sunday. Trump told reporters he had rebuffed a Trudeau request for a meeting "because his tariffs are too high and he doesn't seem to want to move and I told him 'forget about it'. And frankly, we're thinking about just taxing cars coming in from Canada." Earlier on Wednesday, Trudeau shrugged off US pressure to quickly agree to a deal and indicated it was possible the three member nations might fail to conclude a new pact. The two sides are still far apart on major issues such as how to settle disputes and US demands for more access to Canada's protected dairy market. "We're very unhappy with the negotiations and the negotiating style of Canada. We don't like their representative very much," Trump said in an apparent reference to Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. Relations between the Canadian and US leaders have been chilly since June when Trump left a Group of Seven summit in Canada and then accused Trudeau of being dishonest and weak. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer - Freeland's counterpart at the talks - on Tuesday had complained Canada was not making enough concessions and said time was running out. Canadian officials said they do not believe Trump can rework NAFTA into a bilateral deal without the approval of Congress. "We will keep working as long as it takes to get to the right deal for Canada," Trudeau earlier told reporters at the United Nations. He has repeatedly said he is ready to walk away from the talks rather than sign a document he thinks is bad. Asked about the challenge that autos tariffs would pose, Trudeau said Canada would need to feel confident "about the path forward as we move forward - if we do - on a NAFTA 2.0." The three nations' auto industries are highly integrated and tariffs on Canadian cars would be hugely disruptive. Speaking separately, Canada's ambassador to Washington said that on a scale of 1 to 10, the chances of an agreement by the September 30 deadline were 5. "If it doesn't happen by the end of the week, we'll just keep working away and trying to get the best deal for Canada," David MacNaughton told a Toronto event arranged by Politico Canada. A Trump administration official said the text of the agreement with Mexico was set to be published on Friday. The official declined to be named because the matter has not yet been made public. A spokesman for the US Trade Representative's Office declined to comment. Trudeau said existing US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium in late May would have to be scrapped before Canada felt comfortable signing a new NAFTA. The Trump administration has said the text of an agreement between the three nations is needed by Sunday to allow the current Mexican government to sign it before it leaves office at the end of November.

Trump slams Canada over NAFTA, says rejected Trudeau meeting

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/west-asia/iranian-president-hassan-rouhani-slams-donald-trump-administration-over-sanctions-167698">Iranian President Rouhani slams Trump administration over sanctions</a>

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday lashed out at the sanctions reinstated by the Donald Trump-led United States administration, saying that they amounted to "economic terrorism" and "economic war", while speaking at the ongoing 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-corrupt-dictatorship-plundering-its-people-pay-aggression-abroad-donald-trump-un-167667">Iran's 'corrupt dictatorship' is plundering its people: Trump at UN</a>

US President Donald Trump criticized Iran on Tuesday as a "corrupt dictatorship" that is plundering the Iranian people to pay for aggression abroad, using his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to lay down a tough message for Tehran.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bill-cosby-imprisoned-10-years-sexual-assault-167690">Bill Cosby imprisoned for up to 10 years for sexual assault</a>

Bill Cosby was marched out of court in shackles on Tuesday after a judge branded him a "predator" and sentenced him to between three and 10 years in prison for sexual assault, capping the downfall of the once-beloved comedian known as "America's Dad."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-can-say-lot-dont-want-worsen-situation-pak-fm-qureshi-cancelled-talks-india-167692">I can say a lot but don't want to worsen situation: Pak FM Qureshi on cancelled talks with India&nbsp;</a>

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday reacted to India's decision of calling off talks with Pakistan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. Qureshi noted that he can a say a lot over the incident but that would only add to the existing issues and hamper peace.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-china-trade-war-dims-asias-2019-growth-outlook-adb-167703">US-China trade war dims Asia's 2019 growth outlook: ADB</a>

Developing Asia could grow more slowly than previously thought next year as the US-China trade war inflicts collateral damage on the region's export-reliant economies, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Wednesday.

Tightening global liquidity could also weigh on business activity by pushing up borrowing costs, while capital outflows are also a risk.

Iranian President Rouhani slams Trump administration over sanctions Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday lashed out at the sanctions reinstated by the Donald Trump-led United States administration, saying that they amounted to "economic terrorism" and "economic war", while speaking at the ongoing 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Iranian President Rouhani slams Trump administration over sanctions Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday lashed out at the sanctions reinstated by the Donald Trump-led United States administration, saying that they amounted to "economic terrorism" and "economic war", while speaking at the ongoing 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Iran's 'corrupt dictatorship' is plundering its people: Trump at UN US President Donald Trump criticized Iran on Tuesday as a "corrupt dictatorship" that is plundering the Iranian people to pay for aggression abroad, using his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to lay down a tough message for Tehran. Bill Cosby imprisoned for up to 10 years for sexual assault Bill Cosby was marched out of court in shackles on Tuesday after a judge branded him a "predator" and sentenced him to between three and 10 years in prison for sexual assault, capping the downfall of the once-beloved comedian known as "America's Dad." I can say a lot but don't want to worsen situation: Pak FM Qureshi on cancelled talks with India Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday reacted to India's decision of calling off talks with Pakistan on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. Qureshi noted that he can a say a lot over the incident but that would only add to the existing issues and hamper peace. US-China trade war dims Asia's 2019 growth outlook: ADB Developing Asia could grow more slowly than previously thought next year as the US-China trade war inflicts collateral damage on the region's export-reliant economies, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Wednesday. Tightening global liquidity could also weigh on business activity by pushing up borrowing costs, while capital outflows are also a risk.

Asian shares barely budged on Wednesday, lacking traction as US bond yields edged near a seven-year peak ahead of a widely expected rate hike by the Federal Reserve and as international oil prices rose to four-year highs.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan &lt;.MIAPJ0000PUS&gt; was almost flat in early trade, in part as South Korea is closed for a holiday. It stayed below a three-week high hit on Friday.

In Japan, the Nikkei &lt;.N225&gt; edged down 0.4 per cent.

Wall Street shares were mixed, as rises in energy shares on higher oil prices and gains in consumer discretionary shares following strong US consumer confidence were offset by falls in other sectors.

US consumer confidence hit an 18-year high, adding to a string of recent US data that pointed to the strong US&nbsp;economic momentum, despite concerns about trade wars US President Donald Trump is waging.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average &lt;.DJI&gt; fell 0.26 percent, the S&amp;P 500 &lt;.SPX&gt; lost 0.13 percent while the Nasdaq Composite &lt;.IXIC&gt; added 0.18 percent.

The utility sector, sometimes seen as an alternative to bonds because of the relative steadiness of their business, was the worst performer as investors braced for a rate hike by the Federal Reserve later on Wednesday.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield &lt;US10YT=RR&gt; rose to as high as 3.113 per cent, near its seven-year peak of 3.128 per cent touched on May 18.

Fed funds rates futures &lt;0#FF:&gt; implied traders are fully pricing in a rate hike on Wednesday, and another 85 per cent chance the Fed would raise rates again in December.

"The focus will be on whether the Fed will indicate its tightening is coming to an end. The Fed may not do so today but I expect markets will soon start looking to that scenario," said Akira Takei, bond fund manager at Asset Management One.

Takei noted that there are already signs that higher rates are starting to hurt the US economy, such as a rise in delinquencies of consumer loans, adding the dollar's softness could be an early sign of growing focus over an end to the US tightening cycle.

The dollar's index against a basket of major currencies stood at 94.169 &lt;=USD&gt;, near Friday's 93.808, a 2-1/2-month low.

The euro traded at $1.1765 &lt;EUR=&gt;, not far from three-month high of $1.18155 touched on Monday.

Many emerging market currencies, such as the Turkish lira &lt;TRYTOM=D4&gt; and the South African rand &lt;ZAR=D4&gt;, also kept some distances from lows hit last month.

A rare exception was the yen &lt;JPY=&gt;, which changed hands at 112.98 to the dollar, near six-month lows of 113.18 set in mid-July.

Oil prices slipped following data showing US crude stocks rose unexpectedly last week and renewed call from Trump on OPEC to boost crude output.

Still they were supported on the whole on concerns of tight supply on US sanctions on Iran's oil exports.

Benchmark Brent futures &lt;LCOc1&gt; hit $82.55 per barrel, its highest since Nov. 10, 2014, on Tuesday and last stood at $81.41, down 0.55 per cent on the day.

US crude futures &lt;CLc1&gt; shed 0.6 per cent to $71.87 per barrel after hitting an 11-week high of $72.78 the previous day. 
&nbsp;

Asian shares barely budged on Wednesday, lacking traction as US bond yields edged near a seven-year peak ahead of a widely expected rate hike by the Federal Reserve and as international oil prices rose to four-year highs.

Asian shares barely budged on Wednesday, lacking traction as US bond yields edged near a seven-year peak ahead of a widely expected rate hike by the Federal Reserve and as international oil prices rose to four-year highs. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> was almost flat in early trade, in part as South Korea is closed for a holiday. It stayed below a three-week high hit on Friday. In Japan, the Nikkei <.N225> edged down 0.4 per cent. Wall Street shares were mixed, as rises in energy shares on higher oil prices and gains in consumer discretionary shares following strong US consumer confidence were offset by falls in other sectors. US consumer confidence hit an 18-year high, adding to a string of recent US data that pointed to the strong US economic momentum, despite concerns about trade wars US President Donald Trump is waging. The Dow Jones Industrial Average <.DJI> fell 0.26 percent, the S&P 500 <.SPX> lost 0.13 percent while the Nasdaq Composite <.IXIC> added 0.18 percent. The utility sector, sometimes seen as an alternative to bonds because of the relative steadiness of their business, was the worst performer as investors braced for a rate hike by the Federal Reserve later on Wednesday. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield <US10YT=RR> rose to as high as 3.113 per cent, near its seven-year peak of 3.128 per cent touched on May 18. Fed funds rates futures <0#FF:> implied traders are fully pricing in a rate hike on Wednesday, and another 85 per cent chance the Fed would raise rates again in December. "The focus will be on whether the Fed will indicate its tightening is coming to an end. The Fed may not do so today but I expect markets will soon start looking to that scenario," said Akira Takei, bond fund manager at Asset Management One. Takei noted that there are already signs that higher rates are starting to hurt the US economy, such as a rise in delinquencies of consumer loans, adding the dollar's softness could be an early sign of growing focus over an end to the US tightening cycle. The dollar's index against a basket of major currencies stood at 94.169 <=USD>, near Friday's 93.808, a 2-1/2-month low. The euro traded at $1.1765 <EUR=>, not far from three-month high of $1.18155 touched on Monday. Many emerging market currencies, such as the Turkish lira <TRYTOM=D4> and the South African rand <ZAR=D4>, also kept some distances from lows hit last month. A rare exception was the yen <JPY=>, which changed hands at 112.98 to the dollar, near six-month lows of 113.18 set in mid-July. Oil prices slipped following data showing US crude stocks rose unexpectedly last week and renewed call from Trump on OPEC to boost crude output. Still they were supported on the whole on concerns of tight supply on US sanctions on Iran's oil exports. Benchmark Brent futures <LCOc1> hit $82.55 per barrel, its highest since Nov. 10, 2014, on Tuesday and last stood at $81.41, down 0.55 per cent on the day. US crude futures <CLc1> shed 0.6 per cent to $71.87 per barrel after hitting an 11-week high of $72.78 the previous day.

Asian shares hover below 3-week high as Fed rate hike looms

OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia and its biggest oil-producer ally outside the group, Russia, ruled out on Sunday any immediate, additional increase in crude output, effectively rebuffing US President Donald Trump's calls for action to cool the market.

"I do not influence prices," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters as OPEC and non-OPEC energy ministers gathered in Algiers for a meeting that ended with no formal recommendation for any additional supply boost.

Benchmark Brent oil reached $80 a barrel this month, prompting Trump to reiterate on Thursday his demand that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries lower prices.

The price rally mainly stemmed from a decline in oil exports from OPEC member Iran due to fresh US sanctions.

"We protect the countries of the Middle East, they would not be safe for very long without us, and yet they continue to push for higher and higher oil prices! We will remember. The OPEC monopoly must get prices down now!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

Falih said Saudi Arabia had spare capacity to raise output but such a move was not required at the moment and might not be needed next year as, according to OPEC's projections, a stellar rise in non-OPEC production could exceed global demand growth.

"The markets are adequately supplied. I don't know of any refiner in the world who is looking for oil and is not able to get it," Falih said, adding that Saudi Arabia could raise output by up to 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) if needed.

"Given the numbers we saw today, that (an output increase in 2019) is highly unlikely unless we have surprises on the supply and demand," Falih added.

The statement from Trump, meanwhile, was not his first criticism of OPEC.

Higher gasoline prices for US consumers could create a political headache for Republican Trump before mid-term congressional elections in November.

Iran, OPEC's third-largest producer, has accused Trump of orchestrating the oil price rally by imposing sanctions on Tehran and accused its regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia of bowing to US pressure.

On Sunday, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said Trump's tweet "was the biggest insult to Washington's allies in the Middle East".

SHIFTING FOCUS TO 2019

A mid-term report released by OPEC on Sunday forecast that non-OPEC supply from countries led by the United States would rise by 2.4 million bpd in 2019 while global oil demand should grow by just 1.5 million.

It also steeply raised US oil output growth estimates to 2023, predicting OPEC would lose further market share.

"Our attention is shifting to 2019. We have been briefed on the prospect of 2019 inventory builds which result from significant supply growth from non-member counties," Falih said.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said no immediate output increase was necessary, although he believed a trade war between China and the United States as well as US sanctions on Iran were creating new challenges for oil markets.

"Oil demand will be declining in the fourth quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year. So far, we have decided to stick to our June agreements," Novak said.

Seeking to reverse a downturn in oil prices that began in 2014, OPEC, Russia and other allies decided in late 2016 to reduce supply by some 1.8 million bpd.

In June this year, however, after months of cutting by more than their pact had called for, largely due to involuntary reductions from Venezuela and other producers, they agreed to boost output by returning to 100 per cent compliance.

That equates to an increase of about 1 million bpd, but the latest data shows they are some way from achieving that target.

IRAN SOFTENS STANCE

In August, OPEC and its allies cut production by 600,000 bpd more than their pact required, mainly as a result of falling output in Iran as customers in Europe and Asia reduced purchases ahead of the US sanctions deadline.

OPEC put Iran's current production at 3.58 million bpd, down some 300,000 bpd from the start of the year, according to OPEC's secondary sources such as researchers and ship-trackers.

Iran's OPEC governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili insisted on Sunday that Iranian production was steady at 3.8 million bpd but appeared to soften his stance on potential increases in OPEC output.

"If there is a fall not only from Iran, but anybody else, it is the responsibility of OPEC and non-OPEC to balance the market," Kazempour told reporters.

Falih said returning to 100 per cent compliance was the main objective and should be achieved in the next two to three months.

Although he refrained from specifying how that could be done, Saudi Arabia is the only oil producer with significant spare capacity.

"The biggest issue is not with the producing countries, it’s with the refiners, it's with the demand. We in Saudi Arabia have not seen demand for any additional barrel that we did not produce."

The OPEC/non-OPEC monitoring committee next meets on Nov. 11 in Abu Dhabi, followed by a full OPEC gathering at its Vienna headquarters on December 6-7.

OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia and its biggest oil-producer ally outside the group, Russia, ruled out on Sunday any immediate, additional increase in crude output, effectively rebuffing US President Donald Trump's calls for action to cool the market.

OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia and its biggest oil-producer ally outside the group, Russia, ruled out on Sunday any immediate, additional increase in crude output, effectively rebuffing US President Donald Trump's calls for action to cool the market. "I do not influence prices," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters as OPEC and non-OPEC energy ministers gathered in Algiers for a meeting that ended with no formal recommendation for any additional supply boost. Benchmark Brent oil reached $80 a barrel this month, prompting Trump to reiterate on Thursday his demand that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries lower prices. The price rally mainly stemmed from a decline in oil exports from OPEC member Iran due to fresh US sanctions. "We protect the countries of the Middle East, they would not be safe for very long without us, and yet they continue to push for higher and higher oil prices! We will remember. The OPEC monopoly must get prices down now!" Trump wrote on Twitter. Falih said Saudi Arabia had spare capacity to raise output but such a move was not required at the moment and might not be needed next year as, according to OPEC's projections, a stellar rise in non-OPEC production could exceed global demand growth. "The markets are adequately supplied. I don't know of any refiner in the world who is looking for oil and is not able to get it," Falih said, adding that Saudi Arabia could raise output by up to 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) if needed. "Given the numbers we saw today, that (an output increase in 2019) is highly unlikely unless we have surprises on the supply and demand," Falih added. The statement from Trump, meanwhile, was not his first criticism of OPEC. Higher gasoline prices for US consumers could create a political headache for Republican Trump before mid-term congressional elections in November. Iran, OPEC's third-largest producer, has accused Trump of orchestrating the oil price rally by imposing sanctions on Tehran and accused its regional arch-rival Saudi Arabia of bowing to US pressure. On Sunday, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said Trump's tweet "was the biggest insult to Washington's allies in the Middle East". SHIFTING FOCUS TO 2019 A mid-term report released by OPEC on Sunday forecast that non-OPEC supply from countries led by the United States would rise by 2.4 million bpd in 2019 while global oil demand should grow by just 1.5 million. It also steeply raised US oil output growth estimates to 2023, predicting OPEC would lose further market share. "Our attention is shifting to 2019. We have been briefed on the prospect of 2019 inventory builds which result from significant supply growth from non-member counties," Falih said. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said no immediate output increase was necessary, although he believed a trade war between China and the United States as well as US sanctions on Iran were creating new challenges for oil markets. "Oil demand will be declining in the fourth quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year. So far, we have decided to stick to our June agreements," Novak said. Seeking to reverse a downturn in oil prices that began in 2014, OPEC, Russia and other allies decided in late 2016 to reduce supply by some 1.8 million bpd. In June this year, however, after months of cutting by more than their pact had called for, largely due to involuntary reductions from Venezuela and other producers, they agreed to boost output by returning to 100 per cent compliance. That equates to an increase of about 1 million bpd, but the latest data shows they are some way from achieving that target. IRAN SOFTENS STANCE In August, OPEC and its allies cut production by 600,000 bpd more than their pact required, mainly as a result of falling output in Iran as customers in Europe and Asia reduced purchases ahead of the US sanctions deadline. OPEC put Iran's current production at 3.58 million bpd, down some 300,000 bpd from the start of the year, according to OPEC's secondary sources such as researchers and ship-trackers. Iran's OPEC governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili insisted on Sunday that Iranian production was steady at 3.8 million bpd but appeared to soften his stance on potential increases in OPEC output. "If there is a fall not only from Iran, but anybody else, it is the responsibility of OPEC and non-OPEC to balance the market," Kazempour told reporters. Falih said returning to 100 per cent compliance was the main objective and should be achieved in the next two to three months. Although he refrained from specifying how that could be done, Saudi Arabia is the only oil producer with significant spare capacity. "The biggest issue is not with the producing countries, it’s with the refiners, it's with the demand. We in Saudi Arabia have not seen demand for any additional barrel that we did not produce." The OPEC/non-OPEC monitoring committee next meets on Nov. 11 in Abu Dhabi, followed by a full OPEC gathering at its Vienna headquarters on December 6-7.

OPEC, Russia rebuff Trump's call for immediate oil output boost

Iran on Sunday called on its OPEC partners not to bow to "threats" from US President Donald Trump, as the oil cartel prepared to meet to discuss output levels.

"I hope the outcome of this meeting will not be affected by President Trump's threats," Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh told SHANA, his ministry's news agency.

Ahead of Sunday's meeting in Algiers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Trump tweeted that "the OPEC monopoly must get prices down now!" by raising output.

Middle East states "would not be safe for very long" without the United States, the president also wrote Thursday.

Zanganeh fired back, saying the claim that "America safeguards the security and survival of producing countries" was the "biggest insult to American allies in the region".

"OPEC is an organisation independent of America and will hopefully stay so," he said.

However, the Algiers meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC ministers is expected to offer an increase in output to "offset Iran's production cut", said Zanganeh.

Output from Iran has hit its lowest level since July 2016, according to the International Energy Agency, as top buyers India and China distance themselves from Tehran.

Trump has called for OPEC members, primarily US ally Saudi Arabia, to raise production, and warned importers to stop buying oil from Iran or face American sanctions.

The US in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran and reimposed sanctions on the Iranian economy, with a US embargo due to hit Iran's oil industry on November 4.

Iran on Sunday called on its OPEC partners not to bow to "threats" from US President Donald Trump, as the oil cartel prepared to meet to discuss output levels. "I hope the outcome of this meeting will not be affected by President Trump's threats," Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh told SHANA, his ministry's news agency.

Iran on Sunday called on its OPEC partners not to bow to "threats" from US President Donald Trump, as the oil cartel prepared to meet to discuss output levels. "I hope the outcome of this meeting will not be affected by President Trump's threats," Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh told SHANA, his ministry's news agency. Ahead of Sunday's meeting in Algiers of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Trump tweeted that "the OPEC monopoly must get prices down now!" by raising output. Middle East states "would not be safe for very long" without the United States, the president also wrote Thursday. Zanganeh fired back, saying the claim that "America safeguards the security and survival of producing countries" was the "biggest insult to American allies in the region". "OPEC is an organisation independent of America and will hopefully stay so," he said. However, the Algiers meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC ministers is expected to offer an increase in output to "offset Iran's production cut", said Zanganeh. Output from Iran has hit its lowest level since July 2016, according to the International Energy Agency, as top buyers India and China distance themselves from Tehran. Trump has called for OPEC members, primarily US ally Saudi Arabia, to raise production, and warned importers to stop buying oil from Iran or face American sanctions. The US in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran and reimposed sanctions on the Iranian economy, with a US embargo due to hit Iran's oil industry on November 4.

Iran urges OPEC to rebuff 'threats' from Trump