Former US President Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that many of the country’s leaders “aren’t even pretending to be in charge”, media reports said.

Former US President Barack Obama attacked the Trump administration’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that many of the country’s leaders “aren’t even pretending to be in charge”, media reports said. Speaking during an online commencement address to graduates of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Obama came down heavily on his successor this breaking tradition of refraining from criticism of successor. ''Let’s be honest, a disease like this just spotlights the underlying inequalities and extra burdens that black communities have historically had to deal with in this country. We see it in the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on our communities,'' Obama was quoted as saying. ''More than anything, this pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing. A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge,'' he said. Also read: Donald Trump blames Obama for conspiracy on Twitter; calls it 'Obamagate' Talking about the injustice faced by the communities of colour, he also talked about the recent killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Ahmaud was an unarmed black jogger who was shot by a white former police officer and his son after they chased him in a neighbourhood in Georgia. “We see it when a black man goes for a jog and some folks feel like they can stop and question and shoot him, if he doesn’t submit to their questioning,” said Obama. Talking to the recent graduates, he motivated them to fight for a better future. “If the world’s going to get better, it’s going to be up to you.” The live video event also saw presence of Steve Harvey, Anthony Hamilton, Doug E Fresh, Wyclef Jean, Common, Kevin Hart, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Vivica A Fox. The two-hour event was broadcasted live on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

A lot of them aren’t even pretending to be in charge: Obama attacks Trump administration

An Iranian news agency close to the elite Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday there would be repercussions if the United States acted "just like pirates" against an Iranian fuel shipment to Venezuela.

A senior official in President Donald Trump's administration told Reuters on Thursday the United States was considering measures it could take in response to Iran's shipment of fuel to crisis-stricken Venezuela.

The oil sectors of Iran and Venezuela, members of OPEC, are both under US sanctions. The Trump administration official declined to specify the measures being weighed but said options would be presented to Trump.

"If the United States, just like pirates, intends to create insecurity on international waterways, it would be taking a dangerous risk and that will certainly not go without repercussion," Iran's Nour news agency said.

At least one tanker carrying fuel loaded at an Iranian port has set sail for Venezuela, according to vessel tracking data from Refinitiv Eikon on Wednesday, which could help ease an acute scarcity of gasoline in the South American country.

"Venezuela and Iran are both independent states that have had and will continue to have trade relations with each other," Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei was quoted as saying by the YJC news website, linked to Iran's state broadcaster.

"We sell goods and buy goods in return. This trade has nothing to do with anyone else," Rabiei said, adding that he had no information about the Venezuela-bound vessel.

The Iran-flagged medium tanker Clavel passed the Suez Canal on Wednesday after loading fuel at the end of March at Iran's Bandar Abbas port, according to the data.

"News received from informed sources indicate that the US Navy has sent four warships and a Boeing P-8 Poseidon from the VP-26 squadron to the Caribbean region," Nour said.

Venezuela is in desperate need of gasoline and other refined fuel products to keep the country functioning amid an economic collapse under socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela produces crude oil but its infrastructure has been crippled during the economic crisis.

A Venezuelan official said last month that Venezuela had received refining materials via plane from Iran to help it start a unit at the 310,000 barrel-per-day Cardon refinery, which is necessary to produce gasoline.

An Iranian news agency close to the elite Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday there would be repercussions if the United States acted "just like pirates" against an Iranian fuel shipment to Venezuela.

An Iranian news agency close to the elite Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday there would be repercussions if the United States acted "just like pirates" against an Iranian fuel shipment to Venezuela. A senior official in President Donald Trump's administration told Reuters on Thursday the United States was considering measures it could take in response to Iran's shipment of fuel to crisis-stricken Venezuela. The oil sectors of Iran and Venezuela, members of OPEC, are both under US sanctions. The Trump administration official declined to specify the measures being weighed but said options would be presented to Trump. "If the United States, just like pirates, intends to create insecurity on international waterways, it would be taking a dangerous risk and that will certainly not go without repercussion," Iran's Nour news agency said. At least one tanker carrying fuel loaded at an Iranian port has set sail for Venezuela, according to vessel tracking data from Refinitiv Eikon on Wednesday, which could help ease an acute scarcity of gasoline in the South American country. "Venezuela and Iran are both independent states that have had and will continue to have trade relations with each other," Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei was quoted as saying by the YJC news website, linked to Iran's state broadcaster. "We sell goods and buy goods in return. This trade has nothing to do with anyone else," Rabiei said, adding that he had no information about the Venezuela-bound vessel. The Iran-flagged medium tanker Clavel passed the Suez Canal on Wednesday after loading fuel at the end of March at Iran's Bandar Abbas port, according to the data. "News received from informed sources indicate that the US Navy has sent four warships and a Boeing P-8 Poseidon from the VP-26 squadron to the Caribbean region," Nour said. Venezuela is in desperate need of gasoline and other refined fuel products to keep the country functioning amid an economic collapse under socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela produces crude oil but its infrastructure has been crippled during the economic crisis. A Venezuelan official said last month that Venezuela had received refining materials via plane from Iran to help it start a unit at the 310,000 barrel-per-day Cardon refinery, which is necessary to produce gasoline.

Iran news agency warns US against any move on fuel shipment to Venezuela

Foreign policy and its making is sheer and pure craftsmanship. It is either more because, essentially it revolves around power, its exercise and how it relates to interstate relations. There are other dimensions of foreign policy like diplomacy, spycraft, foreign economic relations, military relations and so on but embedded or implicated even in these is power. For a small state or even a middle power, power and foreign policy, do not pose an insuperable problem but for major powers, say like the United States, a country that has a rather inexhaustible supply of power, wielding and crafting it in the sinews of foreign policy is a challenge.

One minor error, say of judgement, in the making of US foreign policy can cost dear in lives, men and material and have far-reaching consequences spanning decades. So, how does the US foreign policymaking establishment make foreign policy? The answer calls for delineating the component and constituent institutions of the US foreign policy establishment. There are the state department, the Pentagon, the CIA, the office of National security and the Congress.&nbsp;

A supplementary role appears to be provided by think tanks.

Foreign policy is made by the synergies and linkages between these institutions of the government. Of course, there are turf wars and at times, their institutions work at cross purposes but in the main, it is the coordination between these and the policy and conceptual inputs garnered and produced by these that go into the making of US foreign policy. The process then is necessarily a top-down affair percolated and mediated through these institutions. Yes, there is the tedium of bureaucracy and the natural inertia of government but sometimes things can be speeded up.

Among these institutions who or what institution is the most powerful or potent one? While there are no definitive answers to these but I would hazard an educated guess and posit that it is the Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) and the National Security adviser plus the secretary of the state that are most important and critical. While a powerful, strong and highly intelligent secretary of the state like Henry Kissinger can roll these institutions into one, so to speak, to make these more coherent, oftentimes, it appears that it is the CIA and the National Security office and adviser that constitute the centre of gravity of the making of US foreign policy. This is not to demean other institutions but provide an account of the institutional pecking order.

What about think tanks? Do they have an influence on the making of US foreign policy? Yes, they do. But their role is that of an outsider. By providing area expertise and policy ideas, think tanks have played a role in US foreign policy. But, over the years, the research and policy output produced by the US think tanks have degenerated to an atrocious level.

Till now, a glaring omission in this essay has been the United States’ president. Does he have a role? Indeed, a pivotal one, given that it is the president who signs off a given policy. But, the president is occasionally a generalist and hardly a specialist. He depends upon advice on issues on experts, especially the national security adviser. The quality of advice and how issues are framed and interpreted then become cardinally critical. Real power then rests with those who dispense this advice and who have the president’s ear. However, a president might have strong instincts, preferences and even biases. He may want to leave an imprint of these on foreign policy. Donald Trump springs to mind here. If and when this happens, it can lead to policy disasters. But, yet again, there are checks and balances in the US foreign policy institutional firmament that can act as a check on the president’s worst impulses.

All in all, it would appear that the centre of gravity of US foreign policymaking is institutions like the CIA and the National Security advisor with the president the one who signs policy. There have, in US history been some exceptional presidents like Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson who have left a mark on the country’s foreign policy.&nbsp;

But, in the final analysis, it is the duo of institutions and experts like the NSA that inform the US foreign policy. Since the CIA operates in secret, naturally given its nature, the onus lies on area experts and policy advisers like the NSA to determine the thrust of foreign policy. (At times, NSAs bring their pet projects and theories to the office which can be dangerous.)&nbsp;

Examples include John Bolton and Brent Snowcroft, to name a couple). Does the current dispensation in the US inspire confidence that sober and prudent foreign policies will be devised, formulated and implemented? The answer is bleak no. This is because the United States is and remains an enormously powerful actor in international relations. If the county sneezes the proverbial sneeze, ripples are felt across the globe. It is then not only the president of the country that must be wise, prudent and far-sighted but also the critical institutions and advisors that must be men of both practical and technical expertise but also be visionaries. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Foreign policy and its making is sheer and pure craftsmanship. It is either more because, essentially it revolves around power, its exercise and how it relates to interstate relations.

Foreign policy and its making is sheer and pure craftsmanship. It is either more because, essentially it revolves around power, its exercise and how it relates to interstate relations. There are other dimensions of foreign policy like diplomacy, spycraft, foreign economic relations, military relations and so on but embedded or implicated even in these is power. For a small state or even a middle power, power and foreign policy, do not pose an insuperable problem but for major powers, say like the United States, a country that has a rather inexhaustible supply of power, wielding and crafting it in the sinews of foreign policy is a challenge. One minor error, say of judgement, in the making of US foreign policy can cost dear in lives, men and material and have far-reaching consequences spanning decades. So, how does the US foreign policymaking establishment make foreign policy? The answer calls for delineating the component and constituent institutions of the US foreign policy establishment. There are the state department, the Pentagon, the CIA, the office of National security and the Congress. A supplementary role appears to be provided by think tanks. Foreign policy is made by the synergies and linkages between these institutions of the government. Of course, there are turf wars and at times, their institutions work at cross purposes but in the main, it is the coordination between these and the policy and conceptual inputs garnered and produced by these that go into the making of US foreign policy. The process then is necessarily a top-down affair percolated and mediated through these institutions. Yes, there is the tedium of bureaucracy and the natural inertia of government but sometimes things can be speeded up. Among these institutions who or what institution is the most powerful or potent one? While there are no definitive answers to these but I would hazard an educated guess and posit that it is the Central Intelligence Agency(CIA) and the National Security adviser plus the secretary of the state that are most important and critical. While a powerful, strong and highly intelligent secretary of the state like Henry Kissinger can roll these institutions into one, so to speak, to make these more coherent, oftentimes, it appears that it is the CIA and the National Security office and adviser that constitute the centre of gravity of the making of US foreign policy. This is not to demean other institutions but provide an account of the institutional pecking order. What about think tanks? Do they have an influence on the making of US foreign policy? Yes, they do. But their role is that of an outsider. By providing area expertise and policy ideas, think tanks have played a role in US foreign policy. But, over the years, the research and policy output produced by the US think tanks have degenerated to an atrocious level. Till now, a glaring omission in this essay has been the United States’ president. Does he have a role? Indeed, a pivotal one, given that it is the president who signs off a given policy. But, the president is occasionally a generalist and hardly a specialist. He depends upon advice on issues on experts, especially the national security adviser. The quality of advice and how issues are framed and interpreted then become cardinally critical. Real power then rests with those who dispense this advice and who have the president’s ear. However, a president might have strong instincts, preferences and even biases. He may want to leave an imprint of these on foreign policy. Donald Trump springs to mind here. If and when this happens, it can lead to policy disasters. But, yet again, there are checks and balances in the US foreign policy institutional firmament that can act as a check on the president’s worst impulses. All in all, it would appear that the centre of gravity of US foreign policymaking is institutions like the CIA and the National Security advisor with the president the one who signs policy. There have, in US history been some exceptional presidents like Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson who have left a mark on the country’s foreign policy. But, in the final analysis, it is the duo of institutions and experts like the NSA that inform the US foreign policy. Since the CIA operates in secret, naturally given its nature, the onus lies on area experts and policy advisers like the NSA to determine the thrust of foreign policy. (At times, NSAs bring their pet projects and theories to the office which can be dangerous.) Examples include John Bolton and Brent Snowcroft, to name a couple). Does the current dispensation in the US inspire confidence that sober and prudent foreign policies will be devised, formulated and implemented? The answer is bleak no. This is because the United States is and remains an enormously powerful actor in international relations. If the county sneezes the proverbial sneeze, ripples are felt across the globe. It is then not only the president of the country that must be wise, prudent and far-sighted but also the critical institutions and advisors that must be men of both practical and technical expertise but also be visionaries. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The making of US foreign policy: Problems and challenges

US Senator Thom Tillis presented an 18-point plan on Thursday. The plan aims at using the help of regional allies to hold the Chinese government accountable for its “lies, deception, and cover-ups” that led to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This plan also includes&nbsp;enhancing military ties with India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-covid-19-crisis-trump-threatens-to-cut-off-whole-relationship-with-china-298711">Also read:&nbsp;Amid COVID-19 crisis, Trump threatens to 'cut off whole relationship with China'</a>

“The Chinese government maliciously covered up and enabled a global pandemic that has caused misery for so many Americans. This is the same regime that locks up its own citizens in labour camps, steals America’s technology and jobs, and threatens the sovereignty of our allies," said Thom Tillis.

"This is a major wake-up call to the United States and the rest of the free world. My plan of action will hold the Chinese government accountable for lying about COVID-19; sanctioning the Chinese government while protecting America’s economy, public health, and national security," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-accuses-china-of-stealing-american-research-on-covid-19-298763">Also read:&nbsp;Mike Pompeo accuses China of stealing American research on COVID-19</a>

Through this, Tillis is blaming China and has claimed that China knew about the amount of damage and danger the coronavirus could bring, but hid the information. He has alleged Chinese government of not disclosing important information about COVID-19 for months, and has also claimed that thousand of lives could have been saved if the Chinese government would have been truthful about the coronavirus.

The 18-point plan talks about an immediate approval of USD 20 billion funding for the military, and strengthening ties with regional allies, and expanding equipment sales with India, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Talking about bringing back the manufacturing industry to the US, the plan read, "Move manufacturing back to the US from China and gradually eliminate our supply chain dependency on China. Stop China from stealing our technology and provide incentives to American companies to regain our technological advantage. Strengthen cybersecurity against Chinese hacks and sabotage."

Blaming China for hiding information on coronavirus, the plan states that the US should ban Chinese technology company, Huawei. It seeks support for preventing the American taxpayer's money to going to Chinese government, which Tillis alleges is being used by the Chinese government to pay off their debt.

Senator Tillis’ plan urges the Trump Administration to formally request the International Olympic Committee to withdraw the 2022 Winter Olympics from Beijing.

Tillis has also claimed that WHO should be investigated to ensure that the organization is working independently. "Expose and counter China’s predatory debt-trap diplomacy targeting developing countries. Increase intelligence sharing on potential pandemics and lead the creation of a watchdog organization to monitor foreign governments’ handling of deadly viruses,"&nbsp;Tillis said in his suggestions.

Congressman Troy Balderson introduced bicameral legislation with Congressman Doug Collins and Senator Lindsey Graham that will hold China accountable for deceptive actions taken by its leaders that led to the spread and subsequent global pandemic.

The Covid-19 Accountability Act authorises President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on China if it fails to cooperate with a full investigation led by the US or its allies into the events that lead to the Covid-19 outbreak.

This is not the first time such an accusation has been made against China. In the past few months, the US and Chinese government have been in a vocal rebuttal about coronavirus.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

US Senator Thom Tillis presented an 18-point plan on Thursday. The plan aims at using the help of regional allies to hold the Chinese government accountable for its “lies, deception, and cover-ups” that led to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

US Senator Thom Tillis presented an 18-point plan on Thursday. The plan aims at using the help of regional allies to hold the Chinese government accountable for its “lies, deception, and cover-ups” that led to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This plan also includes enhancing military ties with India. Also read: Amid COVID-19 crisis, Trump threatens to 'cut off whole relationship with China' “The Chinese government maliciously covered up and enabled a global pandemic that has caused misery for so many Americans. This is the same regime that locks up its own citizens in labour camps, steals America’s technology and jobs, and threatens the sovereignty of our allies," said Thom Tillis. "This is a major wake-up call to the United States and the rest of the free world. My plan of action will hold the Chinese government accountable for lying about COVID-19; sanctioning the Chinese government while protecting America’s economy, public health, and national security," he added. Also read: Mike Pompeo accuses China of stealing American research on COVID-19 Through this, Tillis is blaming China and has claimed that China knew about the amount of damage and danger the coronavirus could bring, but hid the information. He has alleged Chinese government of not disclosing important information about COVID-19 for months, and has also claimed that thousand of lives could have been saved if the Chinese government would have been truthful about the coronavirus. The 18-point plan talks about an immediate approval of USD 20 billion funding for the military, and strengthening ties with regional allies, and expanding equipment sales with India, Taiwan and Vietnam. Talking about bringing back the manufacturing industry to the US, the plan read, "Move manufacturing back to the US from China and gradually eliminate our supply chain dependency on China. Stop China from stealing our technology and provide incentives to American companies to regain our technological advantage. Strengthen cybersecurity against Chinese hacks and sabotage." Blaming China for hiding information on coronavirus, the plan states that the US should ban Chinese technology company, Huawei. It seeks support for preventing the American taxpayer's money to going to Chinese government, which Tillis alleges is being used by the Chinese government to pay off their debt. Senator Tillis’ plan urges the Trump Administration to formally request the International Olympic Committee to withdraw the 2022 Winter Olympics from Beijing. Tillis has also claimed that WHO should be investigated to ensure that the organization is working independently. "Expose and counter China’s predatory debt-trap diplomacy targeting developing countries. Increase intelligence sharing on potential pandemics and lead the creation of a watchdog organization to monitor foreign governments’ handling of deadly viruses," Tillis said in his suggestions. Congressman Troy Balderson introduced bicameral legislation with Congressman Doug Collins and Senator Lindsey Graham that will hold China accountable for deceptive actions taken by its leaders that led to the spread and subsequent global pandemic. The Covid-19 Accountability Act authorises President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on China if it fails to cooperate with a full investigation led by the US or its allies into the events that lead to the Covid-19 outbreak. This is not the first time such an accusation has been made against China. In the past few months, the US and Chinese government have been in a vocal rebuttal about coronavirus. (With inputs from PTI)

India a part of 18-point plan of US to uncover China's lies

Mike Pompeo, on Thursday, accused China of stealing America's research on COVID-19.

"The US condemns attempts by cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated with People's Republic of China (PRC) to steal US intellectual property and data related to COVID-19 research. The United States calls on China to cease this malicious activity," US Secretary of State said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fbi-arrests-nasa-researcher-for-not-disclosing-ties-with-china-298579">Also watch:&nbsp;FBI arrests NASA researcher for not 'disclosing' ties with China&nbsp;</a>

The allegations on China of stealing intellectual property and data on COVID-19 came a day after the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security announced that there is a chance that hackers might be targeting the research being conducted by few organisations.

They also claimed that these hackers might have a direct or indirect link to the&nbsp;Chinese government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-covid-19-crisis-trump-threatens-to-cut-off-whole-relationship-with-china-298711">Also read:&nbsp;Amid COVID-19 crisis, Trump threatens to 'cut off whole relationship with China'</a>

Mike Pompeo has alleged that "China continues to silence scientists, journalists, and citizens, and to spread disinformation, which has exacerbated the dangers of this health crisis." On the other hand, he has also claimed that the US&nbsp;and its allies and partners are coordinating a collective, transparent response to save lives.

This allegation was challenged by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, who&nbsp;said that the US is simply shifting blame on China just to cover up their poor way of handling the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

This is not the first time the US has accused China for coronavirus. Earlier, too, US President Donald Trump had accused China of spreading the coronavirus onto the world and had also been criticized for calling it the "Wuhan virus".&nbsp;

China and the US have been in constant verbal war for few months now. Trump had also, recently, threatened to cut all relationship ties with China over the coronavirus.

Mike Pompeo, on Thursday, accused China of stealing America's research on COVID-19. "The US condemns attempts by cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated with People's Republic of China (PRC) to steal US intellectual property and data related to COVID-19 research.

Mike Pompeo, on Thursday, accused China of stealing America's research on COVID-19. "The US condemns attempts by cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated with People's Republic of China (PRC) to steal US intellectual property and data related to COVID-19 research. The United States calls on China to cease this malicious activity," US Secretary of State said in a statement. Also watch: FBI arrests NASA researcher for not 'disclosing' ties with China The allegations on China of stealing intellectual property and data on COVID-19 came a day after the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security announced that there is a chance that hackers might be targeting the research being conducted by few organisations. They also claimed that these hackers might have a direct or indirect link to the Chinese government. Also read: Amid COVID-19 crisis, Trump threatens to 'cut off whole relationship with China' Mike Pompeo has alleged that "China continues to silence scientists, journalists, and citizens, and to spread disinformation, which has exacerbated the dangers of this health crisis." On the other hand, he has also claimed that the US and its allies and partners are coordinating a collective, transparent response to save lives. This allegation was challenged by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, who said that the US is simply shifting blame on China just to cover up their poor way of handling the coronavirus pandemic. This is not the first time the US has accused China for coronavirus. Earlier, too, US President Donald Trump had accused China of spreading the coronavirus onto the world and had also been criticized for calling it the "Wuhan virus". China and the US have been in constant verbal war for few months now. Trump had also, recently, threatened to cut all relationship ties with China over the coronavirus.

Mike Pompeo accuses China of stealing American research on COVID-19

Beaches in Los Angeles county which have been closed for more than 6 weeks during the pandemic have now been reopened activities.

COVID-19: Los Angeles county beaches reopen

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed the name of a Saudi diplomat who is suspected of directing support to two al-Qaeda hijackers in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

However,&nbsp;Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah's name was disclosed by mistake.

In a response to a lawsuit by families of 9/11 victims, an FBI official accidentally revealed the name of the Saudi official in a declaration by him. The lawsuit was by the families of the victims, who have accused Saudi Arabia's government of involvement in the attacks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-to-enforce-24-hour-curfew-during-the-five-day-eid-al-fitr-holiday-298476">Also read:&nbsp;Saudi Arabia to enforce 24-hour curfew during the five-day Eid al-Fitr holiday</a>

The accidental revelation&nbsp;was spotted by&nbsp;Michael Isikoff, the chief investigative journalist at Yahoo News.

"When I noticed that the declaration included this information, I contacted the FBI for comment. Because I knew that the justice department and the Trump administration had been going to extraordinary length to keep all of this under wraps," he said.

"In fact, both Attorney General William Barr and the Acting Director of the National Intelligence Richard Grennell had filed motions with the court saying that any information relating to the Saudi embassy official and all internal FBI documents about this matter were so sensitive; they were state secrets, that means if revealed they could cause damage to the national security," he added.

The declaration was made by&nbsp;Jill Sanborn, the assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division.

When requested to depose the person under oath, Sanborn's declaration said that it involved "any and all records referring to or relating to Jarrah". This was the point where it was accidentally revealed that the "third person" was&nbsp;Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah.

However, all other background and investigative reports conducted by the FBI remain sealed.

This accidental slip-up has, however, revived the questions about Saudi government's involvement in the attacks. "This shows there is a complete government cover-up of the Saudi involvement," Brett Eagleson, a spokesman for the families, told Yahoo news. "This is a giant screw-up."

Officials notified the court and withdrew the FBI's declaration from the public docket. Following that, the docket now reads:&nbsp; "The document was incorrectly filed in this case."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed the name of a Saudi diplomat who is suspected of directing support to two al-Qaeda hijackers in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disclosed the name of a Saudi diplomat who is suspected of directing support to two al-Qaeda hijackers in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. However, Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah's name was disclosed by mistake. In a response to a lawsuit by families of 9/11 victims, an FBI official accidentally revealed the name of the Saudi official in a declaration by him. The lawsuit was by the families of the victims, who have accused Saudi Arabia's government of involvement in the attacks. Also read: Saudi Arabia to enforce 24-hour curfew during the five-day Eid al-Fitr holiday The accidental revelation was spotted by Michael Isikoff, the chief investigative journalist at Yahoo News. "When I noticed that the declaration included this information, I contacted the FBI for comment. Because I knew that the justice department and the Trump administration had been going to extraordinary length to keep all of this under wraps," he said. "In fact, both Attorney General William Barr and the Acting Director of the National Intelligence Richard Grennell had filed motions with the court saying that any information relating to the Saudi embassy official and all internal FBI documents about this matter were so sensitive; they were state secrets, that means if revealed they could cause damage to the national security," he added. The declaration was made by Jill Sanborn, the assistant director of the FBI's counterterrorism division. When requested to depose the person under oath, Sanborn's declaration said that it involved "any and all records referring to or relating to Jarrah". This was the point where it was accidentally revealed that the "third person" was Mussaed Ahmed al-Jarrah. However, all other background and investigative reports conducted by the FBI remain sealed. This accidental slip-up has, however, revived the questions about Saudi government's involvement in the attacks. "This shows there is a complete government cover-up of the Saudi involvement," Brett Eagleson, a spokesman for the families, told Yahoo news. "This is a giant screw-up." Officials notified the court and withdrew the FBI's declaration from the public docket. Following that, the docket now reads: "The document was incorrectly filed in this case."

FBI accidentally reveals Saudi official link to 9/11 attacks

United States of America has been one of the worst-hit countries by coronavirus in the world. The number of cases have been rising rapidly, and so has the death toll. Despite the rapid increase in number of infections, Americans have not been in favour of lockdown.&nbsp;

Canada, on the other hand, has had a strict lockdown in place but has not been able to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Keeping this in mind, both countries are now deciding to extend the travel ban till June 21.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-zoo-is-sending-two-pandas-back-to-china-because-it-cant-get-enough-bamboo-to-feed-them-298500">Also read:&nbsp;Canada zoo is sending two pandas back to China because it can't get enough bamboo to feed them</a>

"It's too early to lift the restrictions, so we're working toward an extension," said one Canadian government source to a media house.

Earlier, on April 18, Canada and the US had agreed to extend border restrictions until May 21. Considering the rise in number of cases, Canada is now hoping to extend the travel ban&nbsp;for another month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/justin-trudeau-starts-canadahomeworkhelp-asks-kids-to-reach-out-to-him-298079">Also read:&nbsp;Justin Trudeau starts #CanadaHomeworkHelp; asks kids to reach out to him</a>

The restriction will be in place only for non-essential travel plans. All trade travels will be allowed across the border as US takes 75% of all Canadian good exports.&nbsp;

The chief Canadian public health officer, on Tuesday, talked to the media about US being a risk for Canadians, if the travel ban is lifted.

The same travel ban will be proposed for US-Mexico border too.&nbsp;

United States of America has been one of the worst-hit countries by coronavirus in the world. The number of cases have been rising rapidly, and so has the death toll.

United States of America has been one of the worst-hit countries by coronavirus in the world. The number of cases have been rising rapidly, and so has the death toll. Despite the rapid increase in number of infections, Americans have not been in favour of lockdown. Canada, on the other hand, has had a strict lockdown in place but has not been able to contain the spread of coronavirus. Keeping this in mind, both countries are now deciding to extend the travel ban till June 21. Also read: Canada zoo is sending two pandas back to China because it can't get enough bamboo to feed them "It's too early to lift the restrictions, so we're working toward an extension," said one Canadian government source to a media house. Earlier, on April 18, Canada and the US had agreed to extend border restrictions until May 21. Considering the rise in number of cases, Canada is now hoping to extend the travel ban for another month. Also read: Justin Trudeau starts #CanadaHomeworkHelp; asks kids to reach out to him The restriction will be in place only for non-essential travel plans. All trade travels will be allowed across the border as US takes 75% of all Canadian good exports. The chief Canadian public health officer, on Tuesday, talked to the media about US being a risk for Canadians, if the travel ban is lifted. The same travel ban will be proposed for US-Mexico border too.

Canada-US to extend travel ban till June 21

One thing is certain, the recent US military pullback from Saudi Arabia will fuel a brewing arms race in the Middle East at a time when the region, struggling with the public health and devastating economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, can least afford it. It’s a financially costly race that neither Saudi Arabia nor Iran can really afford in an era of economic meltdown.

Saudi Arabia is likely to see the withdrawal, despite a seemingly reassuring phone call between Saudi King Salman and President Donald Trump, as further evidence that it cannot fully rely, for its defence, on the United States.

The drawdown involves two US Patriot anti-missile systems that were sent to the kingdom last year to bolster its defences in the wake of alleged Iranian watershed attacks on Saudi oil facilities and oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

The withdrawal came on the heels of the successful launch of Iran’s first military reconnaissance satellite that not only catapulted the Islamic Republic into an elite group of about a dozen countries capable of orbital launches but also signalled its capabilities despite crippling US economic sanctions and a public healthcare crisis.

The satellite “Will play a role in identification missions and in providing strategic assistance to the armed forces in identification, communication, and navigation missions. We must use these satellites and provide services to the armed forces,” said Iranian General Ali Jafarabadi, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ space division.

Iran hawks in the United States and Israel worry that the satellite will enhance the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile capability, a pillar of its defence strategy, as well as the ability of Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian Shiite militia in Lebanon, to convert its rocket and GPS-guided weapons stockpile into smart munitions.

The Trump administration’s drawdown decision was announced amid estimates that Iran’s gradual backing away from a 2015 international agreement – that curbed its nuclear program in response to a US withdrawal from the accord in 2018, had cut in half the time it would need to produce enough weapons-grade fuel to build a nuclear weapon.

The risk of an arms race was explicit in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s warning at the time that Trump was gearing up to withdraw from the nuclear agreement that “Without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”

A report last week by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggested that talks with the kingdom on US help to create a Saudi civil nuclear program had stalled because of Saudi reluctance to agree to enrichment and reprocessing restrictions and signing of an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which would allow IAEA to obtain expanded information about Saudi nuclear activities and grant it access to facilities.

The development of the local defence industry is a pillar of Prince Mohammed’s troubled Vision 2030 plan designed to streamline and diversify the Saudi economy that has been thrown into doubt by the global economic depression. The kingdom this week tripled sales taxes from five to 15 per cent and suspended cost-of-living allowances for government employees to cope with a fiscal crunch.

Anthony Cordesman, a Washington-based Gulf military analyst, warned that the Saudi plan to build a defence industry was not the best way to diversify the kingdom’s economy even if it would create some jobs and boost its technology sector.

There is “Virtually no way to waste money more effectively than trying to create an effective technology base or fund a weapons assembly effort in an area of industry and technology which is so demanding, offers so few real-world benefits in job creation, and where there often is so little ability to use the technology needed for specific weapons or purposes – particularly civil ones,” Cordesman said.

“Such an effort would involve other problems— the domestic needs for such weapons is limited and Saudi Arabia would likely be unable to compete in selling these weapons on the international market,” Cordesman went on to say.

Iran’s satellite launch is the latest building block in an arms race that Iran, like the UAE, is ironically better placed than Saudi Arabia to compete in given its already existing defence industry and more diversified industrial base.

Ballistic missiles and drones are other building blocks.

Satellite images revealed last year that Saudi Arabia had a facility deep in the Saudi desert designed to test and possibly manufacture ballistic missiles that potentially would be capable of delivering nuclear warheads to targets thousands of kilometres from their launch point. The facility is believed to be intended to counter Iran’s far advanced ballistic missile program.

The kingdom is similarly set to begin next year producing military drones that would match Iran’s bomb-carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that reportedly have a range of 1,500 kilometres.

China agreed in 2017 to build a facility in Saudi Arabia to produce UAVs, the People’s Republic’s first overseas military manufacturing site.

“The Middle East has become a drone warfare theatre,” said Alessandro Arduino, a drone warfare researcher at Singapore’s Middle East Institute. “Their deployment has ushered in a new era of post-coronavirus deterrence and turned conventional military doctrine on its head. From Yemen to Libya and Syria, warring parties resist calls for a truce, emboldened by the role of armed UAVs.”

The reality on the ground, however, is neither of these countries can presently afford the extraordinary financial and technological cost of such militaristic endeavours when their economies are battered by a far-reaching global depression, a collapse of oil prices, and a health pandemic. Iran, moreover, is struggling to grope with US sanctions while Saudi Arabia faces painful fiscal problems and structural reforms.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

(First Published on InsideArabia) 
&nbsp;

One thing is certain, the recent US military pullback from Saudi Arabia will fuel a brewing arms race in the Middle East at a time when the region, struggling with the public health and devastating economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, can least afford it.

One thing is certain, the recent US military pullback from Saudi Arabia will fuel a brewing arms race in the Middle East at a time when the region, struggling with the public health and devastating economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, can least afford it. It’s a financially costly race that neither Saudi Arabia nor Iran can really afford in an era of economic meltdown. Saudi Arabia is likely to see the withdrawal, despite a seemingly reassuring phone call between Saudi King Salman and President Donald Trump, as further evidence that it cannot fully rely, for its defence, on the United States. The drawdown involves two US Patriot anti-missile systems that were sent to the kingdom last year to bolster its defences in the wake of alleged Iranian watershed attacks on Saudi oil facilities and oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The withdrawal came on the heels of the successful launch of Iran’s first military reconnaissance satellite that not only catapulted the Islamic Republic into an elite group of about a dozen countries capable of orbital launches but also signalled its capabilities despite crippling US economic sanctions and a public healthcare crisis. The satellite “Will play a role in identification missions and in providing strategic assistance to the armed forces in identification, communication, and navigation missions. We must use these satellites and provide services to the armed forces,” said Iranian General Ali Jafarabadi, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards’ space division. Iran hawks in the United States and Israel worry that the satellite will enhance the Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile capability, a pillar of its defence strategy, as well as the ability of Hezbollah, the pro-Iranian Shiite militia in Lebanon, to convert its rocket and GPS-guided weapons stockpile into smart munitions. The Trump administration’s drawdown decision was announced amid estimates that Iran’s gradual backing away from a 2015 international agreement – that curbed its nuclear program in response to a US withdrawal from the accord in 2018, had cut in half the time it would need to produce enough weapons-grade fuel to build a nuclear weapon. The risk of an arms race was explicit in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s warning at the time that Trump was gearing up to withdraw from the nuclear agreement that “Without a doubt, if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.” A report last week by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggested that talks with the kingdom on US help to create a Saudi civil nuclear program had stalled because of Saudi reluctance to agree to enrichment and reprocessing restrictions and signing of an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which would allow IAEA to obtain expanded information about Saudi nuclear activities and grant it access to facilities. The development of the local defence industry is a pillar of Prince Mohammed’s troubled Vision 2030 plan designed to streamline and diversify the Saudi economy that has been thrown into doubt by the global economic depression. The kingdom this week tripled sales taxes from five to 15 per cent and suspended cost-of-living allowances for government employees to cope with a fiscal crunch. Anthony Cordesman, a Washington-based Gulf military analyst, warned that the Saudi plan to build a defence industry was not the best way to diversify the kingdom’s economy even if it would create some jobs and boost its technology sector. There is “Virtually no way to waste money more effectively than trying to create an effective technology base or fund a weapons assembly effort in an area of industry and technology which is so demanding, offers so few real-world benefits in job creation, and where there often is so little ability to use the technology needed for specific weapons or purposes – particularly civil ones,” Cordesman said. “Such an effort would involve other problems— the domestic needs for such weapons is limited and Saudi Arabia would likely be unable to compete in selling these weapons on the international market,” Cordesman went on to say. Iran’s satellite launch is the latest building block in an arms race that Iran, like the UAE, is ironically better placed than Saudi Arabia to compete in given its already existing defence industry and more diversified industrial base. Ballistic missiles and drones are other building blocks. Satellite images revealed last year that Saudi Arabia had a facility deep in the Saudi desert designed to test and possibly manufacture ballistic missiles that potentially would be capable of delivering nuclear warheads to targets thousands of kilometres from their launch point. The facility is believed to be intended to counter Iran’s far advanced ballistic missile program. The kingdom is similarly set to begin next year producing military drones that would match Iran’s bomb-carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that reportedly have a range of 1,500 kilometres. China agreed in 2017 to build a facility in Saudi Arabia to produce UAVs, the People’s Republic’s first overseas military manufacturing site. “The Middle East has become a drone warfare theatre,” said Alessandro Arduino, a drone warfare researcher at Singapore’s Middle East Institute. “Their deployment has ushered in a new era of post-coronavirus deterrence and turned conventional military doctrine on its head. From Yemen to Libya and Syria, warring parties resist calls for a truce, emboldened by the role of armed UAVs.” The reality on the ground, however, is neither of these countries can presently afford the extraordinary financial and technological cost of such militaristic endeavours when their economies are battered by a far-reaching global depression, a collapse of oil prices, and a health pandemic. Iran, moreover, is struggling to grope with US sanctions while Saudi Arabia faces painful fiscal problems and structural reforms. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (First Published on InsideArabia)

US military drawdown in Saudi Arabia threatens to fuel arms race

Cyber attacks has become a new flashpoint between the US&nbsp;and China.

Top US&nbsp;agencies are preparing to issue a stern warning urging China to stop stealing research on COVID-19 vaccine.

Everybody involved in finding a cure for the deadly virus will be alerted, including hospital labs.

What are China’s most skilled hackers doing during the lockdown? They are mounting cyber-attacks on America to steal research on coronavirus vaccine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/now-chinese-websites-claim-kyrgyzstan-kazakhstan-part-of-china-draws-ire-of-central-asia-298057">Also read:&nbsp;Now, Chinese websites claim Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan part of China; draws ire of Central Asia</a>

That’s what the US&nbsp;claims. The FBI and Homeland Security are now preparing to sound the bugle.

From premier medical research centres to university departments, even hospitals, everyone involved in finding a cure to the deadly virus will be alerted.

The US&nbsp;fears many of China’s research thieves are already at work, operating in close proximity to the database on American soil.

The draft warning letter says: China is seeking “valuable intellectual property and public health data through illicit means related to vaccines, treatments and testing.”

How is China doing this? 

Through “non-traditional actors".&nbsp;Chinese theft of the US&nbsp;trade secrets costs America $300 to 600 billion each year, according to national counter-intelligence and security center. Can this be considered China’s proxy war?

This is not the first time China has been accused of stealing information. Since April, America has been saying China is spying on US&nbsp;labs.

America also considered cracking down on China’s student programs after reports of information theft at universities.

A senate committee was set up to investigate the claims. Their report declared China is “systematically stealing U.S. Research”. China has been accused of trying to steal military technology too.

Pentagon reports, senate reports, news reports, all claimed China wants to steal military technology to end America’s dominance.

Two years ago, special powers were granted to&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Donald Trump to stop these cyber attacks.

On the other side of the Atlantic, the U.K. is accusing Russia and Iran of hacking British universities with the very same purpose: steal vaccine research data. If the trend continues, then verbal attacks on virus labs could turn into a cyber war.

When Beijing was asked about the charges, it chose to play the victim card.

Two global powers engaged in disrupting each other’s research projects, while the world waits for a cure for the deadly pandemic.

Cyber attacks has become a new flashpoint between the US and China. Top US agencies are preparing to issue a stern warning urging China to stop stealing research on COVID-19 vaccine.

Cyber attacks has become a new flashpoint between the US and China. Top US agencies are preparing to issue a stern warning urging China to stop stealing research on COVID-19 vaccine. Everybody involved in finding a cure for the deadly virus will be alerted, including hospital labs. What are China’s most skilled hackers doing during the lockdown? They are mounting cyber-attacks on America to steal research on coronavirus vaccine. Also read: Now, Chinese websites claim Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan part of China; draws ire of Central Asia That’s what the US claims. The FBI and Homeland Security are now preparing to sound the bugle. From premier medical research centres to university departments, even hospitals, everyone involved in finding a cure to the deadly virus will be alerted. The US fears many of China’s research thieves are already at work, operating in close proximity to the database on American soil. The draft warning letter says: China is seeking “valuable intellectual property and public health data through illicit means related to vaccines, treatments and testing.” How is China doing this? Through “non-traditional actors". Chinese theft of the US trade secrets costs America $300 to 600 billion each year, according to national counter-intelligence and security center. Can this be considered China’s proxy war? This is not the first time China has been accused of stealing information. Since April, America has been saying China is spying on US labs. America also considered cracking down on China’s student programs after reports of information theft at universities. A senate committee was set up to investigate the claims. Their report declared China is “systematically stealing U.S. Research”. China has been accused of trying to steal military technology too. Pentagon reports, senate reports, news reports, all claimed China wants to steal military technology to end America’s dominance. Two years ago, special powers were granted to US President Donald Trump to stop these cyber attacks. On the other side of the Atlantic, the U.K. is accusing Russia and Iran of hacking British universities with the very same purpose: steal vaccine research data. If the trend continues, then verbal attacks on virus labs could turn into a cyber war. When Beijing was asked about the charges, it chose to play the victim card. Two global powers engaged in disrupting each other’s research projects, while the world waits for a cure for the deadly pandemic.

Top US agencies to warn China to stop 'stealing' research on COVID-19 vaccine

Last week, USA changed visa regulations for Chinese journalists. The reporters will only have&nbsp;90 days allowed for visa, which can be extended by the respective journalists.

However, the decision has not gone well with the Chinese government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-lengthy-rebuttal-china-refutes-24-us-lies-over-coronavirus-297805">Also read:&nbsp;In a lengthy rebuttal, China refutes 24 US' lies over coronavirus</a>

Earlier, these visas used to be open-ended that did not need extension,&nbsp;unless the employee moves to a different company or medium.

The new guidelines that have been issued by the USA now limits the accessibility of Chinese reporters in the US now. Now, China has responded by warning the American government that China will have to take countermeasures if the US does not correct its mistake.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian&nbsp;called this move an escalation of suppression against Chinese media. China claims that this will directly lead to oppression of Chinese journalists and will limit their ability to report in the US.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-releases-five-notable-labour-rights-activists-after-year-long-imprisonment-297713">Also read:&nbsp;China releases five notable labour rights activists after year-long imprisonment</a>

Zhao stated the Chinese government feels that the US is using these visas&nbsp;to "take discriminatory limitations"

In a media briefing, Zhao said, "We are resolutely opposed and strongly dissatisfied with this. We require the U.S. to immediately correct its mistake, or China will have no choice but to take countermeasures."

This is not the first time in this year that US and China have locked horns with respect to journalism.&nbsp;In March, China expelled American journalists from three U.S. newspapers, a month after the United States said it would begin to treat five Chinese state-run media entities with U.S. operations as foreign embassies. 
Earlier, China expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters - two Americans and an Australian - after the paper published an opinion column calling China the "real sick man of Asia".

(With inputs from Reuters)

Last week, USA changed visa regulations for Chinese journalists. The reporters will only have 90 days allowed for visa, which can be extended by the respective journalists.

Last week, USA changed visa regulations for Chinese journalists. The reporters will only have 90 days allowed for visa, which can be extended by the respective journalists. However, the decision has not gone well with the Chinese government. Also read: In a lengthy rebuttal, China refutes 24 US' lies over coronavirus Earlier, these visas used to be open-ended that did not need extension, unless the employee moves to a different company or medium. The new guidelines that have been issued by the USA now limits the accessibility of Chinese reporters in the US now. Now, China has responded by warning the American government that China will have to take countermeasures if the US does not correct its mistake. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian called this move an escalation of suppression against Chinese media. China claims that this will directly lead to oppression of Chinese journalists and will limit their ability to report in the US. Also read: China releases five notable labour rights activists after year-long imprisonment Zhao stated the Chinese government feels that the US is using these visas to "take discriminatory limitations" In a media briefing, Zhao said, "We are resolutely opposed and strongly dissatisfied with this. We require the U.S. to immediately correct its mistake, or China will have no choice but to take countermeasures." This is not the first time in this year that US and China have locked horns with respect to journalism. In March, China expelled American journalists from three U.S. newspapers, a month after the United States said it would begin to treat five Chinese state-run media entities with U.S. operations as foreign embassies. Earlier, China expelled three Wall Street Journal reporters - two Americans and an Australian - after the paper published an opinion column calling China the "real sick man of Asia". (With inputs from Reuters)

US limits visa of Chinese journalists; China warns countermeasures

Iran is ready for the &nbsp;unconditional prisoner swap talks with the United States, it said, citing fears that the coronavirus could put the lives of the prisoners at risk as the reason.&nbsp;Washington has, however, not&nbsp;yet responded to Iran.

Khabaronline.Ir, an Iranian news website, quoted Cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiei as saying there is a readiness for all prisoners to be discussed without condition. We hope the US government eventually will prefer lives to politics, he added.

If a swap goes ahead, it would be one of very few instances of cooperation in an otherwise deeply frayed U.S.-Iran relationship, which has grown more hostile since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump took office.

Both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the new coronavirus outbreak. Iran is the worst hit country in the Middle East, while the United States has reported the highest number of deaths worldwide from the virus.

US officials last week said they were making progress in efforts to secure the release of a detained Navy veteran in Iran. In December, Iran released a Princeton University scholar held for three years on widely disputed charges of espionage in exchange of the release of a detained Iranian scientist.

Iranian media has said there are several Iran nationals in the US custody, including&nbsp;professor Sirous Asgari, a 60-year-old university professor. The United States is set to deport&nbsp;Asgari, who was acquitted of stealing trade secrets, once he receives medical clearance to leave.

Relations have grown more hostile again since 2018 when Trump exited Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran that has crippled its economy. Iran has responded by gradually scaling back its commitments under the agreement.

Animosity reached historic heights in early January when top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. Iran retaliated on January&nbsp;9 by firing missiles at bases in Iraq where US&nbsp;troops were stationed.

(with inputs from agencies)

Iran is ready for the unconditional prisoner swap talks with the United States, it said, citing fears that the coronavirus could put the lives of the prisoners at risk as the reason.

Iran is ready for the unconditional prisoner swap talks with the United States, it said, citing fears that the coronavirus could put the lives of the prisoners at risk as the reason. Washington has, however, not yet responded to Iran. Khabaronline.Ir, an Iranian news website, quoted Cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiei as saying there is a readiness for all prisoners to be discussed without condition. We hope the US government eventually will prefer lives to politics, he added. If a swap goes ahead, it would be one of very few instances of cooperation in an otherwise deeply frayed U.S.-Iran relationship, which has grown more hostile since US President Donald Trump took office. Both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the new coronavirus outbreak. Iran is the worst hit country in the Middle East, while the United States has reported the highest number of deaths worldwide from the virus. US officials last week said they were making progress in efforts to secure the release of a detained Navy veteran in Iran. In December, Iran released a Princeton University scholar held for three years on widely disputed charges of espionage in exchange of the release of a detained Iranian scientist. Iranian media has said there are several Iran nationals in the US custody, including professor Sirous Asgari, a 60-year-old university professor. The United States is set to deport Asgari, who was acquitted of stealing trade secrets, once he receives medical clearance to leave. Relations have grown more hostile again since 2018 when Trump exited Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers and re-imposed sanctions on Tehran that has crippled its economy. Iran has responded by gradually scaling back its commitments under the agreement. Animosity reached historic heights in early January when top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. Iran retaliated on January 9 by firing missiles at bases in Iraq where US troops were stationed. (with inputs from agencies)

Iran cites coronavirus, and says it's ready for prisoner swap with US

Luke Alexander Denman, 34, and Airan Berry, 41, have been charged with "terrorism" and "conspiracy" by&nbsp;Venezuela on Friday. The two soldiers were&nbsp;among 17 people captured by the Venezuelan military.

The military claims the group of 17&nbsp;were attempting an invasion&nbsp;to topple President Nicolas Maduro&nbsp;in the early hours of Sunday morning.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-complaint-draws-attention-to-trump-administrations-flawed-covid-19-response-297366">Also read:&nbsp;Whistleblower complaint draws attention to Trump's flawed COVID-19 response</a>

Attorney-General Tarek William Saab&nbsp;briefed the media that the two ex-soldiers could be looking at 25-30 years in prison as hey have been charged with&nbsp;terrorism, conspiracy, illicit trafficking of weapons of war and (criminal) association.

Venezuela has requested an international arrest warrant to capture the mastermind of this force, Jordan Goudreau, who is a former US army medic. It is alleged that he&nbsp;trained the mercenary force.&nbsp;Eight attackers were reportedly killed in the attempted incursion.

President Maduro had earlier accused his American counterpart Donald Trump to be the direct head of this invasion. To which, Donald Trump had replied, "If I wanted to go into Venezuela I wouldn't make a secret about it. I'd go in and they would do nothing about it. They would roll over. I wouldn't send a small little group. No, no, no. It would be called an army. It would be called an invasion." (as told to Fox News)

The US army confirmed they were former members of the Green Berets,&nbsp;deployed to Iraq.&nbsp;Mike Pompeo,&nbsp;Secretary of State, assured that the US government will use every possible tool to get the soldiers safely back to the States.

Venezuela Attorney General has also accused Juan Guaido, opposition leader, to be behind this inavsion. He has also accused Juan&nbsp;accused Guaido of signing a US$212 million (S$300 million) contract with "hired mercenaries" using funds seized by the United States from the state oil company PDVSA.

(With inputs from AFP)

Luke Alexander Denman, 34, and Airan Berry, 41, have been charged with "terrorism" and "conspiracy" by Venezuela on Friday. The two soldiers were among 17 people captured by the Venezuelan military.

Luke Alexander Denman, 34, and Airan Berry, 41, have been charged with "terrorism" and "conspiracy" by Venezuela on Friday. The two soldiers were among 17 people captured by the Venezuelan military. The military claims the group of 17 were attempting an invasion to topple President Nicolas Maduro in the early hours of Sunday morning. Also read: Whistleblower complaint draws attention to Trump's flawed COVID-19 response Attorney-General Tarek William Saab briefed the media that the two ex-soldiers could be looking at 25-30 years in prison as hey have been charged with terrorism, conspiracy, illicit trafficking of weapons of war and (criminal) association. Venezuela has requested an international arrest warrant to capture the mastermind of this force, Jordan Goudreau, who is a former US army medic. It is alleged that he trained the mercenary force. Eight attackers were reportedly killed in the attempted incursion. President Maduro had earlier accused his American counterpart Donald Trump to be the direct head of this invasion. To which, Donald Trump had replied, "If I wanted to go into Venezuela I wouldn't make a secret about it. I'd go in and they would do nothing about it. They would roll over. I wouldn't send a small little group. No, no, no. It would be called an army. It would be called an invasion." (as told to Fox News) The US army confirmed they were former members of the Green Berets, deployed to Iraq. Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, assured that the US government will use every possible tool to get the soldiers safely back to the States. Venezuela Attorney General has also accused Juan Guaido, opposition leader, to be behind this inavsion. He has also accused Juan accused Guaido of signing a US$212 million (S$300 million) contract with "hired mercenaries" using funds seized by the United States from the state oil company PDVSA. (With inputs from AFP)

Venezuela charges two former US soldiers with terrorism and conspiracy

Air India has announced that it will resume bookings for evacuation flights for people who wish to travel to London, Singapore and select destinations in the US.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyAI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyAI</a> : Important Update for passengers regarding evacuation flights from India. Please visit <a href="https://t.co/FOAixDQ0Qo">https://t.co/FOAixDQ0Qo</a> for details. <a href="https://t.co/O23kcKLVlU">pic.twitter.com/O23kcKLVlU</a>
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The flights will operate from May 08 to May 14. These flights are specifically for people who are stranded and wish to be evacuated. These outgoing flights will have certain rules in place.

Air India will only be allowing the eligible passengers to board the flight. The eligibility will depend on the nationality status with respect to the destination countries, i.e., the passenger should either hold a green card/permanent residency or a one-year valid visa.

The passengers will have to go through thermal screening, compulsorily wear face masks and follow all protocols of social distancing at all times.

The entire cost of the travel will be borne by the passenger. In addition to this, if the passenger is quarantined or deported, he/she will have to bear the entire cost for that too.

The bookings can be made through Air India's official website.

Air India has announced that it will resume bookings for evacuation flights for people who wish to travel to London, Singapore and select destinations in the US.

Air India has announced that it will resume bookings for evacuation flights for people who wish to travel to London, Singapore and select destinations in the US. #FlyAI : Important Update for passengers regarding evacuation flights from India. Please visit https://t.co/FOAixDQ0Qo for details. pic.twitter.com/O23kcKLVlU — Air India (@airindiain) May 6, 2020 × The flights will operate from May 08 to May 14. These flights are specifically for people who are stranded and wish to be evacuated. These outgoing flights will have certain rules in place. Air India will only be allowing the eligible passengers to board the flight. The eligibility will depend on the nationality status with respect to the destination countries, i.e., the passenger should either hold a green card/permanent residency or a one-year valid visa. The passengers will have to go through thermal screening, compulsorily wear face masks and follow all protocols of social distancing at all times. The entire cost of the travel will be borne by the passenger. In addition to this, if the passenger is quarantined or deported, he/she will have to bear the entire cost for that too. The bookings can be made through Air India's official website.

Air India starts bookings for London, Singapore and the US

Indigenous groups from nine countries in the Amazon basin called on Wednesday (May 6) for donations to help protect 3 million rainforest inhabitants who are vulnerable to the spread of the novel coronavirus because they lack adequate access to healthcare.

Amazon indigenous groups launch international fund to fight coronavirus

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vande-bharat-india-kicks-off-biggest-repatriation-mission-amid-covid-19-crisis-297087">coronavirus</a> pandemic has seen a major shift in public sentiment, and it looks like trust in governments around the world is at an all-time high.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-covid-19-pandemic-china-wages-silent-war-in-international-waters-297079">Also Read:&nbsp;Amid COVID-19 pandemic, China wages 'silent war' in international waters</a>

According to the consultancy Edelman’s Trust Barometer report, individuals have started putting more trust in their government than any other institution for the first time in 20 years.

Governments are now more trusted than businesses, non-profits and the media. It was the only institution trusted by more than 62 per cent&nbsp;of the population.

Edelman has surveyed more than 13,000 people in 11 countries including the U., U., India and China.. The latest report contrasts with their January survey.

The January survey showed businesses as the most trusted institution while government and media tied as the least trusted. As per the new results, &nbsp;trust in government jumped nearly 11 per cent from 54 per cent&nbsp;in January to 65 per cent&nbsp;in April.

Public trust in government was highest in China, India and Saudi Arabia. In India, there has been a 6 per cent&nbsp;rise in people's trust in the government.

The countries where the trust was found lowest are France, the US and Japan.

The countries which witnessed a massive shift in public's trust were the UK, Canada, Germany and South Korea. These countries witnessed a double digit rise in public trust.

In the United States, 46 per cent respondents said that they trusted the federal government. While 66 per cent&nbsp;said they had trust in local or state government. Globally, a large majority of people even said that they wanted government to lead in multiple areas of the pandemic response. This includes containing the pandemic, informing the public and providing economic relief.

Since 2011, mistrust in governments has been on a rise. For the first time in years, the public is relying on the government to protect them in a manner not seen since World War II.

This kind of rise of trust is a classic example of what experts call "rallying around the flag".

The report seems to indicate that people trust strong and decisive leadership - may be even leaning towards authoritarianism. However, this could end up to be a dangerous precedent for the world.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen a major shift in public sentiment, and it looks like trust in governments around the world is at an all-time high. Also Read: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, China wages 'silent war' in international waters According to the consultancy Edelman’s Trust Barometer report, individuals have started putting more trust in their government than any other institution for the first time in 20 years.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen a major shift in public sentiment, and it looks like trust in governments around the world is at an all-time high. Also Read: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, China wages 'silent war' in international waters According to the consultancy Edelman’s Trust Barometer report, individuals have started putting more trust in their government than any other institution for the first time in 20 years. Governments are now more trusted than businesses, non-profits and the media. It was the only institution trusted by more than 62 per cent of the population. Edelman has surveyed more than 13,000 people in 11 countries including the U., U., India and China.. The latest report contrasts with their January survey. The January survey showed businesses as the most trusted institution while government and media tied as the least trusted. As per the new results, trust in government jumped nearly 11 per cent from 54 per cent in January to 65 per cent in April. Public trust in government was highest in China, India and Saudi Arabia. In India, there has been a 6 per cent rise in people's trust in the government. The countries where the trust was found lowest are France, the US and Japan. The countries which witnessed a massive shift in public's trust were the UK, Canada, Germany and South Korea. These countries witnessed a double digit rise in public trust. In the United States, 46 per cent respondents said that they trusted the federal government. While 66 per cent said they had trust in local or state government. Globally, a large majority of people even said that they wanted government to lead in multiple areas of the pandemic response. This includes containing the pandemic, informing the public and providing economic relief. Since 2011, mistrust in governments has been on a rise. For the first time in years, the public is relying on the government to protect them in a manner not seen since World War II. This kind of rise of trust is a classic example of what experts call "rallying around the flag". The report seems to indicate that people trust strong and decisive leadership - may be even leaning towards authoritarianism. However, this could end up to be a dangerous precedent for the world.

Trust in governments rise amid coronavirus outbreak: Study

As Washington and Beijing trade barbs over the coronavirus pandemic, a longer-term struggle between the two Pacific powers is at a turning point, as the United States rolls out new weapons and strategy in a bid to close a wide missile gap with China.

The United States has largely stood by in recent decades as China dramatically expanded its military firepower. Now, having shed the constraints of a Cold War-era arms control treaty, the Trump administration is planning to deploy long-range, ground-launched cruise missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Pentagon intends to arm its Marines with versions of the Tomahawk cruise missile now carried on US warships, according to the White House budget requests for 2021 and Congressional testimony in March of senior US military commanders. It is also accelerating deliveries of its first new long-range anti-ship missiles in decades. 
In a statement to Reuters about the latest US moves, Beijing urged Washington to "be cautious in word and deed," to "stop moving chess pieces around" the region, and to "stop flexing its military muscles around China."

The US moves are aimed at countering China's overwhelming advantage in land-based cruise and ballistic missiles. The Pentagon also intends to dial back China's lead in what strategists refer to as the "range war." The People's Liberation Army (PLA), China's military, has built up a huge force of missiles that mostly outrange those of the US and its regional allies, according to senior US commanders and strategic advisers to the Pentagon, who have been warning that China holds a clear advantage in these weapons. 
And, in a radical shift in tactics, the Marines will join forces with the US Navy in attacking an enemy's warships. Small and mobile units of US Marines armed with anti-ship missiles will become ship killers.

In a conflict, these units will be dispersed at key points in the Western Pacific and along the so-called first island chain, commanders said. The first island chain is the string of islands that run from the Japanese archipelago, through Taiwan, the Philippines and on to Borneo, enclosing China's coastal seas.

Top US military commanders explained the new tactics to Congress in March in a series of budget hearings. The commandant of the US Marine Corps, General David Berger, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 5 that small units of Marines armed with precision missiles could assist the US Navy to gain control of the seas, particularly in the Western Pacific. "The Tomahawk missile is one of the tools that is going to allow us to do that," he said.

The Tomahawk - which first gained fame when launched in massed strikes during the 1991 Gulf War - has been carried on US warships and used to attack land targets in recent decades. The Marines would test fire the cruise missile through 2022 with the aim of making it operational the following year, top Pentagon commanders testified.

At first, a relatively small number of land-based cruise missiles will not change the balance of power. But such a shift would send a strong political signal that Washington is preparing to compete with China's massive arsenal, according to senior US and other Western strategists. Longer term, bigger numbers of these weapons combined with similar Japanese and Taiwanese missiles would pose a serious threat to Chinese forces, they say. The biggest immediate threat to the PLA comes from new, long-range anti-ship missiles now entering service with US Navy and Air Force strike aircraft.

"The Americans are coming back strongly," said Ross Babbage, a former senior Australian government defense official and now a non-resident fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a security research group. "By 2024 or 2025 there is a serious risk for the PLA that their military developments will be obsolete."

A Chinese military spokesman, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, warned last October that Beijing would "not stand by" if Washington deployed land-based, long-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region.

China's foreign ministry accused the United States of sticking "to its cold war mentality" and "constantly increasing military deployment" in the region.

"Recently, the United States has gotten worse, stepping up its pursuit of a so-called 'Indo-Pacific strategy' that seeks to deploy new weapons, including ground-launched intermediate-range missiles, in the Asia-Pacific region," the ministry said in a statement to Reuters. "China firmly opposes that."

Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn said he would not comment on statements by the Chinese government or the PLA.

US MILITARY UNSHACKLED

While the coronavirus pandemic rages, Beijing has increased its military pressure on Taiwan and exercises in the South China Sea. In a show of strength, on April 11 the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning led a flotilla of five other warships into the Western Pacific through the Miyako Strait to the northeast of Taiwan, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry. On April 12, the Chinese warships exercised in waters east and south of Taiwan, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the US Navy was forced to tie up the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt at Guam while it battles to contain a coronavirus outbreak among the crew of the giant warship. However, the US Navy managed to maintain a powerful presence off the Chinese coast. The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry passed through the Taiwan Strait twice in April. And the amphibious assault ship USS America last month exercised in the East China Sea and South China Sea, the US Indo-Pacific Command said.

In a series last year, Reuters reported that while the US was distracted by almost two decades of war in the Middle East and Afghanistan, the PLA had built a missile force designed to attack the aircraft carriers, other surface warships and network of bases that form the backbone of American power in Asia. Over that period, Chinese shipyards built the world's biggest navy, which is now capable of dominating the country's coastal waters and keeping US forces at bay.

The series also revealed that in most categories, China's missiles now rival or outperform counterparts in the armories of the US alliance.

China derived an advantage because it was not party to a Cold War-era treaty - the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) - that banned the United States and Russia from possessing ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges from 500 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers. Unrestrained by the INF pact, China has deployed about 2,000 of these weapons, according to US and other Western estimates.

While building up its missile forces on land, the PLA also fitted powerful, long-range anti-ship missiles to its warships and strike aircraft.

This accumulated firepower has shifted the regional balance of power in China's favor. The United States, long the dominant military power in Asia, can no longer be confident of victory in a military clash in waters off the Chinese coast, according to senior retired US military officers.

But the decision by President Donald Trump last year to exit the INF treaty has given American military planners new leeway. Almost immediately after withdrawing from the pact on August 2, the administration signaled it would respond to China's missile force. The next day, US Secretary for Defense Mark Esper said he would like to see ground-based missiles deployed in Asia within months, but he acknowledged it would take longer.

Later that month, the Pentagon tested a ground-launched Tomahawk cruise missile. In December, it tested a ground-launched ballistic missile. The INF treaty banned such ground-launched weapons, and thus both tests would have been forbidden.

A senior Marines commander, Lieutenant General Eric Smith, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 11 that the Pentagon leadership had instructed the Marines to field a ground-launched cruise missile "very quickly."

The budget documents show that the Marines have requested $125 million to buy 48 Tomahawk missiles from next year. The Tomahawk has a range of 1,600km, according to its manufacturer, Raytheon Company.

Smith said the cruise missile may not ultimately prove to be the most suitable weapon for the Marines. "It may be a little too heavy for us," he told the Senate Armed Services Committee, but experience gained from the tests could be transferred to the army.

Smith also said the Marines had successfully tested a new shorter-range anti-ship weapon, the Naval Strike Missile, from a ground launcher and would conduct another test in June. He said if that test was successful, the Marines intended to order 36 of these missiles in 2022. The US Army is also testing a new long-range, land-based missile that can target warships. This missile would have been prohibited under the INF treaty.

The Marine Corps said in a statement it was evaluating the Naval Strike Missile to target ships and the Tomahawk for attacking targets on land. Eventually, the Marines aimed to field a system "that could engage long-range moving targets either on land or sea," the statement said.

The Defense Department also has research underway on new, long-range strike weapons, with a budget request of $3.2 billion for hypersonic technology, mostly for missiles.

China's foreign ministry drew a distinction between the PLA's arsenal of missiles and the planned US deployment. It said China's missiles were "located in its territory, especially short and medium-range missiles, which cannot reach the mainland of the United States. This is fundamentally different from the US, which is vigorously pushing forward deployment."

BOTTLING UP CHINA'S NAVY

Military strategists James Holmes and Toshi Yoshihara suggested almost a decade ago that the first island chain was a natural barrier that could be exploited by the American military to counter the Chinese naval build-up. Ground-based anti-ship missiles could command key passages through the island chain into the Western Pacific as part of a strategy to keep the rapidly expanding Chinese navy bottled up, they suggested. 
In embracing this strategy, Washington is attempting to turn Chinese tactics back on the PLA. Senior US commanders have warned that China's land-based cruise and ballistic missiles would make it difficult for US and allied navies to operate near China's coastal waters.

But deploying ground-based US and allied missiles in the island chain would pose a similar threat to Chinese warships - to vessels operating in the South China Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea, or ships attempting to break out into the Western Pacific. Japan and Taiwan have already deployed ground-based anti-ship missiles for this purpose.

"We need to be able to plug up the straits," said Holmes, a professor at the US Naval War College. "We can, in effect, ask them if they want Taiwan or the Senkakus badly enough to see their economy and armed forces cut off from the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. In all likelihood the answer will be no."

Holmes was referring to the uninhabited group of isles in the East China Sea - known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and the Diaoyu islands in China - that are claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing.

The United States faces challenges in plugging the first island chain. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to distance himself from the United States and forge closer ties with China is a potential obstacle to American plans. US forces could face barriers to operating from strategically important islands in the Philippines archipelago after Duterte in February scrapped a key security agreement with Washington.

And if US forces do deploy in the first island chain with anti-ship missiles, some US strategists believe this won't be decisive, as the Marines would be vulnerable to strikes from the Chinese military. 
The United States has other counterweights. The firepower of long-range US Air Force bombers could pose a bigger threat to Chinese forces than the Marines, the strategists said. Particularly effective, they said, could be the stealthy B-21 bomber, which is due to enter service in the middle of this decade, armed with long-range missiles.

The Pentagon is already moving to boost the firepower of its existing strike aircraft in Asia. US Navy Super Hornet jets and Air Force B-1 bombers are now being armed with early deliveries of Lockheed Martin's new Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, according to the budget request documents. The new missile is being deployed in response to an "urgent operational need" for the US Pacific Command, the documents explain.

The new missile carries a 450 kilogram warhead and is capable of "semi-autonomous" targeting, giving it some ability to steer itself, according to the budget request. Details of the stealthy cruise missile's range are classified. But US and other Western military officials estimate it can strike targets at distances greater than 800 kilometers.

The budget documents show the Pentagon is seeking $224 million to order another 53 of these missiles in 2021. The US Navy and Air Force expect to have more than 400 of them in service by 2025, according to orders projected in the documents.

This new anti-ship missile is derived from an existing Lockheed long-range, land attack weapon, the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. The Pentagon is asking for $577 million next year to order another 400 of these land-attack missiles.

"The US and allied focus on long-range land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles was the quickest way to rebuild long-range conventional firepower in the Western Pacific region," said Robert Haddick, a former US Marine Corps officer and now a visiting senior fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies based in Arlington, Virginia.

For the US Navy in Asia, Super Hornet jets operating from aircraft carriers and armed with the new anti-ship missile would deliver a major boost in firepower while allowing the expensive warships to operate further away from potential threats, US and other Western military officials say.

Current and retired US Navy officers have been urging the Pentagon to equip American warships with longer-range anti-ship missiles that would allow them to compete with the latest, heavily armed Chinese cruisers, destroyers and frigates. Lockheed has said it successfully test-fired one of the new Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles from the type of launcher used on US and allied warships.

Haddick, one of the first to draw attention to China's firepower advantage in his 2014 book, "Fire on the Water," said the threat from Chinese missiles had galvanized the Pentagon with new strategic thinking and budgets now directed at preparing for high-technology conflict with powerful nations like China.

Haddick said the new missiles were critical to the defensive plans of America and its allies in the Western Pacific. The gap won't close immediately, but firepower would gradually improve, Haddick said. "This is especially true during the next half-decade and more, as successor hypersonic and other classified munition designs complete their long periods of development, testing, production, and deployment," he said.

As Washington and Beijing trade barbs over the coronavirus pandemic, a longer-term struggle between the two Pacific powers is at a turning point, as the United States rolls out new weapons and strategy in a bid to close a wide missile gap with China.

As Washington and Beijing trade barbs over the coronavirus pandemic, a longer-term struggle between the two Pacific powers is at a turning point, as the United States rolls out new weapons and strategy in a bid to close a wide missile gap with China. The United States has largely stood by in recent decades as China dramatically expanded its military firepower. Now, having shed the constraints of a Cold War-era arms control treaty, the Trump administration is planning to deploy long-range, ground-launched cruise missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. The Pentagon intends to arm its Marines with versions of the Tomahawk cruise missile now carried on US warships, according to the White House budget requests for 2021 and Congressional testimony in March of senior US military commanders. It is also accelerating deliveries of its first new long-range anti-ship missiles in decades. In a statement to Reuters about the latest US moves, Beijing urged Washington to "be cautious in word and deed," to "stop moving chess pieces around" the region, and to "stop flexing its military muscles around China." The US moves are aimed at countering China's overwhelming advantage in land-based cruise and ballistic missiles. The Pentagon also intends to dial back China's lead in what strategists refer to as the "range war." The People's Liberation Army (PLA), China's military, has built up a huge force of missiles that mostly outrange those of the US and its regional allies, according to senior US commanders and strategic advisers to the Pentagon, who have been warning that China holds a clear advantage in these weapons. And, in a radical shift in tactics, the Marines will join forces with the US Navy in attacking an enemy's warships. Small and mobile units of US Marines armed with anti-ship missiles will become ship killers. In a conflict, these units will be dispersed at key points in the Western Pacific and along the so-called first island chain, commanders said. The first island chain is the string of islands that run from the Japanese archipelago, through Taiwan, the Philippines and on to Borneo, enclosing China's coastal seas. Top US military commanders explained the new tactics to Congress in March in a series of budget hearings. The commandant of the US Marine Corps, General David Berger, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 5 that small units of Marines armed with precision missiles could assist the US Navy to gain control of the seas, particularly in the Western Pacific. "The Tomahawk missile is one of the tools that is going to allow us to do that," he said. The Tomahawk - which first gained fame when launched in massed strikes during the 1991 Gulf War - has been carried on US warships and used to attack land targets in recent decades. The Marines would test fire the cruise missile through 2022 with the aim of making it operational the following year, top Pentagon commanders testified. At first, a relatively small number of land-based cruise missiles will not change the balance of power. But such a shift would send a strong political signal that Washington is preparing to compete with China's massive arsenal, according to senior US and other Western strategists. Longer term, bigger numbers of these weapons combined with similar Japanese and Taiwanese missiles would pose a serious threat to Chinese forces, they say. The biggest immediate threat to the PLA comes from new, long-range anti-ship missiles now entering service with US Navy and Air Force strike aircraft. "The Americans are coming back strongly," said Ross Babbage, a former senior Australian government defense official and now a non-resident fellow at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a security research group. "By 2024 or 2025 there is a serious risk for the PLA that their military developments will be obsolete." A Chinese military spokesman, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, warned last October that Beijing would "not stand by" if Washington deployed land-based, long-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. China's foreign ministry accused the United States of sticking "to its cold war mentality" and "constantly increasing military deployment" in the region. "Recently, the United States has gotten worse, stepping up its pursuit of a so-called 'Indo-Pacific strategy' that seeks to deploy new weapons, including ground-launched intermediate-range missiles, in the Asia-Pacific region," the ministry said in a statement to Reuters. "China firmly opposes that." Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn said he would not comment on statements by the Chinese government or the PLA. US MILITARY UNSHACKLED While the coronavirus pandemic rages, Beijing has increased its military pressure on Taiwan and exercises in the South China Sea. In a show of strength, on April 11 the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning led a flotilla of five other warships into the Western Pacific through the Miyako Strait to the northeast of Taiwan, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry. On April 12, the Chinese warships exercised in waters east and south of Taiwan, the ministry said. Meanwhile, the US Navy was forced to tie up the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt at Guam while it battles to contain a coronavirus outbreak among the crew of the giant warship. However, the US Navy managed to maintain a powerful presence off the Chinese coast. The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry passed through the Taiwan Strait twice in April. And the amphibious assault ship USS America last month exercised in the East China Sea and South China Sea, the US Indo-Pacific Command said. In a series last year, Reuters reported that while the US was distracted by almost two decades of war in the Middle East and Afghanistan, the PLA had built a missile force designed to attack the aircraft carriers, other surface warships and network of bases that form the backbone of American power in Asia. Over that period, Chinese shipyards built the world's biggest navy, which is now capable of dominating the country's coastal waters and keeping US forces at bay. The series also revealed that in most categories, China's missiles now rival or outperform counterparts in the armories of the US alliance. China derived an advantage because it was not party to a Cold War-era treaty - the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) - that banned the United States and Russia from possessing ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges from 500 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers. Unrestrained by the INF pact, China has deployed about 2,000 of these weapons, according to US and other Western estimates. While building up its missile forces on land, the PLA also fitted powerful, long-range anti-ship missiles to its warships and strike aircraft. This accumulated firepower has shifted the regional balance of power in China's favor. The United States, long the dominant military power in Asia, can no longer be confident of victory in a military clash in waters off the Chinese coast, according to senior retired US military officers. But the decision by President Donald Trump last year to exit the INF treaty has given American military planners new leeway. Almost immediately after withdrawing from the pact on August 2, the administration signaled it would respond to China's missile force. The next day, US Secretary for Defense Mark Esper said he would like to see ground-based missiles deployed in Asia within months, but he acknowledged it would take longer. Later that month, the Pentagon tested a ground-launched Tomahawk cruise missile. In December, it tested a ground-launched ballistic missile. The INF treaty banned such ground-launched weapons, and thus both tests would have been forbidden. A senior Marines commander, Lieutenant General Eric Smith, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 11 that the Pentagon leadership had instructed the Marines to field a ground-launched cruise missile "very quickly." The budget documents show that the Marines have requested $125 million to buy 48 Tomahawk missiles from next year. The Tomahawk has a range of 1,600km, according to its manufacturer, Raytheon Company. Smith said the cruise missile may not ultimately prove to be the most suitable weapon for the Marines. "It may be a little too heavy for us," he told the Senate Armed Services Committee, but experience gained from the tests could be transferred to the army. Smith also said the Marines had successfully tested a new shorter-range anti-ship weapon, the Naval Strike Missile, from a ground launcher and would conduct another test in June. He said if that test was successful, the Marines intended to order 36 of these missiles in 2022. The US Army is also testing a new long-range, land-based missile that can target warships. This missile would have been prohibited under the INF treaty. The Marine Corps said in a statement it was evaluating the Naval Strike Missile to target ships and the Tomahawk for attacking targets on land. Eventually, the Marines aimed to field a system "that could engage long-range moving targets either on land or sea," the statement said. The Defense Department also has research underway on new, long-range strike weapons, with a budget request of $3.2 billion for hypersonic technology, mostly for missiles. China's foreign ministry drew a distinction between the PLA's arsenal of missiles and the planned US deployment. It said China's missiles were "located in its territory, especially short and medium-range missiles, which cannot reach the mainland of the United States. This is fundamentally different from the US, which is vigorously pushing forward deployment." BOTTLING UP CHINA'S NAVY Military strategists James Holmes and Toshi Yoshihara suggested almost a decade ago that the first island chain was a natural barrier that could be exploited by the American military to counter the Chinese naval build-up. Ground-based anti-ship missiles could command key passages through the island chain into the Western Pacific as part of a strategy to keep the rapidly expanding Chinese navy bottled up, they suggested. In embracing this strategy, Washington is attempting to turn Chinese tactics back on the PLA. Senior US commanders have warned that China's land-based cruise and ballistic missiles would make it difficult for US and allied navies to operate near China's coastal waters. But deploying ground-based US and allied missiles in the island chain would pose a similar threat to Chinese warships - to vessels operating in the South China Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea, or ships attempting to break out into the Western Pacific. Japan and Taiwan have already deployed ground-based anti-ship missiles for this purpose. "We need to be able to plug up the straits," said Holmes, a professor at the US Naval War College. "We can, in effect, ask them if they want Taiwan or the Senkakus badly enough to see their economy and armed forces cut off from the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. In all likelihood the answer will be no." Holmes was referring to the uninhabited group of isles in the East China Sea - known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and the Diaoyu islands in China - that are claimed by both Tokyo and Beijing. The United States faces challenges in plugging the first island chain. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to distance himself from the United States and forge closer ties with China is a potential obstacle to American plans. US forces could face barriers to operating from strategically important islands in the Philippines archipelago after Duterte in February scrapped a key security agreement with Washington. And if US forces do deploy in the first island chain with anti-ship missiles, some US strategists believe this won't be decisive, as the Marines would be vulnerable to strikes from the Chinese military. The United States has other counterweights. The firepower of long-range US Air Force bombers could pose a bigger threat to Chinese forces than the Marines, the strategists said. Particularly effective, they said, could be the stealthy B-21 bomber, which is due to enter service in the middle of this decade, armed with long-range missiles. The Pentagon is already moving to boost the firepower of its existing strike aircraft in Asia. US Navy Super Hornet jets and Air Force B-1 bombers are now being armed with early deliveries of Lockheed Martin's new Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, according to the budget request documents. The new missile is being deployed in response to an "urgent operational need" for the US Pacific Command, the documents explain. The new missile carries a 450 kilogram warhead and is capable of "semi-autonomous" targeting, giving it some ability to steer itself, according to the budget request. Details of the stealthy cruise missile's range are classified. But US and other Western military officials estimate it can strike targets at distances greater than 800 kilometers. The budget documents show the Pentagon is seeking $224 million to order another 53 of these missiles in 2021. The US Navy and Air Force expect to have more than 400 of them in service by 2025, according to orders projected in the documents. This new anti-ship missile is derived from an existing Lockheed long-range, land attack weapon, the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. The Pentagon is asking for $577 million next year to order another 400 of these land-attack missiles. "The US and allied focus on long-range land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles was the quickest way to rebuild long-range conventional firepower in the Western Pacific region," said Robert Haddick, a former US Marine Corps officer and now a visiting senior fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies based in Arlington, Virginia. For the US Navy in Asia, Super Hornet jets operating from aircraft carriers and armed with the new anti-ship missile would deliver a major boost in firepower while allowing the expensive warships to operate further away from potential threats, US and other Western military officials say. Current and retired US Navy officers have been urging the Pentagon to equip American warships with longer-range anti-ship missiles that would allow them to compete with the latest, heavily armed Chinese cruisers, destroyers and frigates. Lockheed has said it successfully test-fired one of the new Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles from the type of launcher used on US and allied warships. Haddick, one of the first to draw attention to China's firepower advantage in his 2014 book, "Fire on the Water," said the threat from Chinese missiles had galvanized the Pentagon with new strategic thinking and budgets now directed at preparing for high-technology conflict with powerful nations like China. Haddick said the new missiles were critical to the defensive plans of America and its allies in the Western Pacific. The gap won't close immediately, but firepower would gradually improve, Haddick said. "This is especially true during the next half-decade and more, as successor hypersonic and other classified munition designs complete their long periods of development, testing, production, and deployment," he said.

US rearms to nullify China's missile supremacy

United States President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-Americans for key positions in his administration.

AS REPRESENTATIVE TO IBRD

Ashok Michael Pinto has been nominated as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Trump had announced his intent to nominate Pinto for this position on April 9.&nbsp;

Pinto currently serves as Counselor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the United States Department of the Treasury.

Pinto was on Monday nominated as US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for a term of two years. He, if confirmed by the Senate, would replace Erik Bethel.

Pinto was Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President George W Bush during private practice at two international law firms. He was also a law clerk to Judge F A Little, Jr Of the United State District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

He has also held senior leadership roles in the United States Congress, including Chief Investigative Counsel and Policy Director to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate, Chief Counsel for Investigations to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the House of Representatives, and Special Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary in the Senate.

Bethel has resigned from the post.

AS FEDERAL COURT JUDGE

Trump also nominated an Indian-American attorney to a federal court in New York -- the judge of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Saritha Komatireddy is a prosecutor and teaches law at the Columbia Law School.

She has clerked under the former judge of the same district, Brett Kavanaugh. 
Komatireddy is currently Deputy Chief of General Crimes in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Previously she was Acting Deputy Chief, International Narcotics and Money Laundering (June, 2018 - January, 2019) and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator (2016-2019).

Komatireddy has served as a law clerk to then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She also served as counsel to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

On February 12 this year, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Komatireddy to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

AS OECD ENVOY

Trump has nominated senior Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as his envoy to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Currently Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department, Singh will be the US representative to OECD with the rank of an Ambassador.

Paris-based OECD is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 36 member countries to stimulate economic progress and world trade.

On April 27, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Singh for this position. 
Singh.

Singh has previously served as the acting under secretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and as a deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs at the State Department.

She also previously served as the deputy chief counsel to the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Singh was the Senior Fellow for International Economic Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council and was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

United States President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-Americans for key positions in his administration. AS REPRESENTATIVE TO IBRD Ashok Michael Pinto has been nominated as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

United States President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-Americans for key positions in his administration. AS REPRESENTATIVE TO IBRD Ashok Michael Pinto has been nominated as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Trump had announced his intent to nominate Pinto for this position on April 9. Pinto currently serves as Counselor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the United States Department of the Treasury. Pinto was on Monday nominated as US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for a term of two years. He, if confirmed by the Senate, would replace Erik Bethel. Pinto was Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President George W Bush during private practice at two international law firms. He was also a law clerk to Judge F A Little, Jr Of the United State District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. He has also held senior leadership roles in the United States Congress, including Chief Investigative Counsel and Policy Director to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate, Chief Counsel for Investigations to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the House of Representatives, and Special Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary in the Senate. Bethel has resigned from the post. AS FEDERAL COURT JUDGE Trump also nominated an Indian-American attorney to a federal court in New York -- the judge of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Saritha Komatireddy is a prosecutor and teaches law at the Columbia Law School. She has clerked under the former judge of the same district, Brett Kavanaugh. Komatireddy is currently Deputy Chief of General Crimes in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. Previously she was Acting Deputy Chief, International Narcotics and Money Laundering (June, 2018 - January, 2019) and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator (2016-2019). Komatireddy has served as a law clerk to then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She also served as counsel to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. On February 12 this year, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Komatireddy to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. AS OECD ENVOY Trump has nominated senior Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as his envoy to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Currently Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department, Singh will be the US representative to OECD with the rank of an Ambassador. Paris-based OECD is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 36 member countries to stimulate economic progress and world trade. On April 27, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Singh for this position. Singh. Singh has previously served as the acting under secretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and as a deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs at the State Department. She also previously served as the deputy chief counsel to the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Singh was the Senior Fellow for International Economic Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council and was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Trump nominates Indian-Americans as US representative to IBRD, federal court judge and OECD envoy

A man in the United States accused of involuntary manslaughter was released from jail on Monday over coronavirus concerns.

Derick Almena, who's been behind bars since 2017, was facing a second trial after a fire killed 36 partygoers at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse he's accused of illegally converting into a cluttered artists enclave.

At least 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the Santa Rita Jail where Almena was held.

The 50-year-old is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the December 2, 2016, fire that swept through an electronic music party at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland. 
&nbsp; 
He was released after a court hearing by phone. He will be under electronic monitoring while he waits for a new trial.

Prosecutors allege Almena, who was the master tenant on the lease, was criminally negligent when he turned the industrial building into a residence for artists and held events without proper permits.

His co-defendant, Max Harris, was acquitted of the same charges.

Almena was released in the rural community of Upper Lake, where his wife and children live. He is banned from contacting relatives of victims or witnesses.

Jails and prisons in California and across the US have released inmates in response to the pandemic

A man in the United States accused of involuntary manslaughter was released from jail on Monday over coronavirus concerns. Derick Almena, who's been behind bars since 2017, was facing a second trial after a fire killed 36 partygoers at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse he's accused of illegally converting into a cluttered artists enclave.

A man in the United States accused of involuntary manslaughter was released from jail on Monday over coronavirus concerns. Derick Almena, who's been behind bars since 2017, was facing a second trial after a fire killed 36 partygoers at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse he's accused of illegally converting into a cluttered artists enclave. At least 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the Santa Rita Jail where Almena was held. The 50-year-old is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the December 2, 2016, fire that swept through an electronic music party at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland. He was released after a court hearing by phone. He will be under electronic monitoring while he waits for a new trial. Prosecutors allege Almena, who was the master tenant on the lease, was criminally negligent when he turned the industrial building into a residence for artists and held events without proper permits. His co-defendant, Max Harris, was acquitted of the same charges. Almena was released in the rural community of Upper Lake, where his wife and children live. He is banned from contacting relatives of victims or witnesses. Jails and prisons in California and across the US have released inmates in response to the pandemic

US man accused of involuntary manslaughter freed over coronavirus concerns

The US Navy sailed three warships into the Barents Sea off Russia's Arctic coast Monday -- first time since the mid-1980s, the height of the Cold War.

The three destroyers -- USS Donald Cook, USS Porter and USS Roosevelt -- were joined by a UK Royal Navy frigate, HMS Kent.

The Barents Sea is part of the Arctic Ocean and borders northern Norway and Russia.

The US Navy said it had notified Moscow of the upcoming operation on Friday "to avoid misperceptions, reduce risk, and prevent inadvertent&nbsp;

The purpose of the operation was to assert freedom of navigation and demonstrate seamless integration among allies, US Naval Forces Europe said in a statement.

The US and Russian militaries often find themselves operating in close proximity in and around Europe.

US officials have consistently said that Russia has boosted its military presence in the Arctic in recent years.

Last month the US military accused Russian jets of twice endangering the crew of a US Navy surveillance plane flying in international airspace in the eastern Mediterranean after the Russian aircraft performed what the Navy called "unsafe and unprofessional" intercepts.

The US Navy sailed three warships into the Barents Sea off Russia's Arctic coast Monday -- first time since the mid-1980s, the height of the Cold War. The three destroyers -- USS Donald Cook, USS Porter and USS Roosevelt -- were joined by a UK Royal Navy frigate, HMS Kent.

The US Navy sailed three warships into the Barents Sea off Russia's Arctic coast Monday -- first time since the mid-1980s, the height of the Cold War. The three destroyers -- USS Donald Cook, USS Porter and USS Roosevelt -- were joined by a UK Royal Navy frigate, HMS Kent. The Barents Sea is part of the Arctic Ocean and borders northern Norway and Russia. The US Navy said it had notified Moscow of the upcoming operation on Friday "to avoid misperceptions, reduce risk, and prevent inadvertent The purpose of the operation was to assert freedom of navigation and demonstrate seamless integration among allies, US Naval Forces Europe said in a statement. The US and Russian militaries often find themselves operating in close proximity in and around Europe. US officials have consistently said that Russia has boosted its military presence in the Arctic in recent years. Last month the US military accused Russian jets of twice endangering the crew of a US Navy surveillance plane flying in international airspace in the eastern Mediterranean after the Russian aircraft performed what the Navy called "unsafe and unprofessional" intercepts.

US Navy sails warships into Barents Sea for the first time since the 1980s

Global anti-China sentiment is currently at its highest -- ever since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, an internal report has warned.&nbsp;

The report, as quoted by Reuters, further warns that China faces a rising wave of hostility in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that could tip relations with the United States into confrontation.

The deadly virus, which first showed signs in China's Wuhan city, has so far infected more than 3 million people globally and caused more than 2,00,000 deaths.

The said Chinese report was presented early last month by the Ministry of State Security to top Beijing leaders including President Xi Jinping.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-questions-to-answer-over-coronavirus-outbreak-says-uk-296580">Also read |&nbsp;China has questions to answer over coronavirus outbreak, says UK</a>

It says China needs to be prepared in a worst-case scenario for armed confrontation with the United States.

The report was drawn up by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), a think tank affiliated with the Ministry of State Security, China’s top intelligence body.

DEEPENING RIFT

Relations between China and the United States are being seen to be at their worst point in decades. Having started with deepening mistrust and friction points from US allegations of unfair trade and technology practices to disputes over Hong Kong, Taiwan and contested territories in the South China Sea, the US-China relations have nosedived into an abyss.

The coronavirus has claimed tens of thousands of American lives and ravaged the US economy.

US President Donald Trump has since been ramping up his criticism of Beijing and threatening new tariffs on China. His administration, meanwhile, is considering retaliatory measures against China over the outbreak.

Inversely, it is widely believed in Beijing that the United States wants to contain a rising China, which has become more assertive globally as its economy has grown.

To this end, the paper concluded that Washington views China’s rise as an economic and national security threat and a challenge to Western democracies, the people said. The report also said the United States was aiming to undercut the ruling Communist Party by undermining public confidence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/covid-19-us-intelligence-communitys-statement-may-have-given-china-a-huge-propaganda-victory-296034">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19: US intelligence community's statement may have given China a huge propaganda victory</a>

Reuters said the report looks like the 'Novikov Telegram', a 1946 dispatch by the Soviet ambassador to Washington, Nikolai Novikov, that stressed the dangers of US economic and military ambition in the wake of World War II. It said the Soviet Union did not see the possibility for peaceful coexistence with the West, and that containment was the best long-term strategy. The two documents helped set the stage for the strategic thinking that defined both sides of the Cold War.

China has been trying to assert a leading role in the global battle against COVID-19. That has included a propaganda push around its donations and sale of medical supplies to the United States and other countries and sharing of expertise.

But it also faces a growing backlash from critics who have called to hold Beijing accountable for its role in the pandemic.

Trump has said he would cut off funding for the World Health Organisation (WHO), which he called “very China-centric,” something the officials have denied.

Australia’s government has called for an international investigation into the origins and spread of the virus.

Last month, France summoned China’s ambassador to protest a publication on the website of China’s embassy that criticised Western handling of coronavirus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/facts-that-china-is-trying-to-suppress-about-origin-of-covid-19-296367">Also read |&nbsp;Facts that China is trying to suppress about origin of COVID-19</a>

RESULT

The report suggests the anti-China sentiment could fuel resistance to China’s Belt and Road infrastructure investment projects, and that Washington could step up financial and military support for regional allies, making the security situation in Asia more volatile.

A reaction similar to that of the aftermath of Tiananmen seems unlikely though -- as China is far more powerful nowadays. Back then, many Western governments had imposed sanctions against China including banning or restricting arms sales and technology transfers.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Global anti-China sentiment is currently at its highest -- ever since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, an internal report has warned. The report, as quoted by Reuters, further warns that China faces a rising wave of hostility in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that could tip relations with the United States into confrontation.

Global anti-China sentiment is currently at its highest -- ever since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, an internal report has warned. The report, as quoted by Reuters, further warns that China faces a rising wave of hostility in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that could tip relations with the United States into confrontation. The deadly virus, which first showed signs in China's Wuhan city, has so far infected more than 3 million people globally and caused more than 2,00,000 deaths. The said Chinese report was presented early last month by the Ministry of State Security to top Beijing leaders including President Xi Jinping. Also read | China has questions to answer over coronavirus outbreak, says UK It says China needs to be prepared in a worst-case scenario for armed confrontation with the United States. The report was drawn up by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), a think tank affiliated with the Ministry of State Security, China’s top intelligence body. DEEPENING RIFT Relations between China and the United States are being seen to be at their worst point in decades. Having started with deepening mistrust and friction points from US allegations of unfair trade and technology practices to disputes over Hong Kong, Taiwan and contested territories in the South China Sea, the US-China relations have nosedived into an abyss. The coronavirus has claimed tens of thousands of American lives and ravaged the US economy. US President Donald Trump has since been ramping up his criticism of Beijing and threatening new tariffs on China. His administration, meanwhile, is considering retaliatory measures against China over the outbreak. Inversely, it is widely believed in Beijing that the United States wants to contain a rising China, which has become more assertive globally as its economy has grown. To this end, the paper concluded that Washington views China’s rise as an economic and national security threat and a challenge to Western democracies, the people said. The report also said the United States was aiming to undercut the ruling Communist Party by undermining public confidence. Also read | COVID-19: US intelligence community's statement may have given China a huge propaganda victory Reuters said the report looks like the 'Novikov Telegram', a 1946 dispatch by the Soviet ambassador to Washington, Nikolai Novikov, that stressed the dangers of US economic and military ambition in the wake of World War II. It said the Soviet Union did not see the possibility for peaceful coexistence with the West, and that containment was the best long-term strategy. The two documents helped set the stage for the strategic thinking that defined both sides of the Cold War. China has been trying to assert a leading role in the global battle against COVID-19. That has included a propaganda push around its donations and sale of medical supplies to the United States and other countries and sharing of expertise. But it also faces a growing backlash from critics who have called to hold Beijing accountable for its role in the pandemic. Trump has said he would cut off funding for the World Health Organisation (WHO), which he called “very China-centric,” something the officials have denied. Australia’s government has called for an international investigation into the origins and spread of the virus. Last month, France summoned China’s ambassador to protest a publication on the website of China’s embassy that criticised Western handling of coronavirus. Also read | Facts that China is trying to suppress about origin of COVID-19 RESULT The report suggests the anti-China sentiment could fuel resistance to China’s Belt and Road infrastructure investment projects, and that Washington could step up financial and military support for regional allies, making the security situation in Asia more volatile. A reaction similar to that of the aftermath of Tiananmen seems unlikely though -- as China is far more powerful nowadays. Back then, many Western governments had imposed sanctions against China including banning or restricting arms sales and technology transfers. (With inputs from Reuters)

China faces increasing global backlash over coronavirus outbreak, warns internal report

The United States faces a stark choice in the Middle East if it continues its maximum pressure campaign against Iran: confront the Islamic republic militarily or withdraw from the region.

Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute in Washington and a former head of the National Iranian American Council, recently drew that harsh conclusion. No doubt, Parsi may be correct in the ultimate analysis. US-Iranian tensions could easily spin out of control into an all-out war that neither Iran nor the United States wants.

There are, however, lots of shades of grey that separate long-standing tit-for-tat attacks on US targets – primarily in Iraq, occasional Iranian harassment of US naval vessels in the Gulf, and sporadic US responses, from all-out war.

The United States and Iran have been engaged in tit-for-tat with varying degrees of intensity for years and so far have avoided an uncontrolled escalation despite incidents such as the 1988 downing of Iran Air flight 655, that killed 274 people, and the targeted assassination earlier this year of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

Leaving aside potential black and grey swans, a more likely scenario is that a US desire to reduce its commitment to Gulf states, increased Gulf doubts about US reliability as a regional security guarantor, and a new world in which Gulf and Western states struggle to come to grips with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, create an environment more conducive to a multilateral security arrangement. One that would reduce the risk of war, even if multilateralism globally seems to be on the retreat.

US President Donald Trump’s threat in early April to cut off military sales to Saudi Arabia, if the kingdom did not bury the hatchet in its oil price war with Russia – sparking the collapse of oil markets, is an inevitable epic battle for market share.

More immediately, it drove the message home in Riyadh that US security guarantees were conditional and reinforced Saudi perceptions that the United States was getting disproportionately more out of its close ties to the kingdom than Saudi Arabia.

The Trump administration, in a little-noticed sign of the times, put Saudi Arabia in late April on a priority watch list for violations of intellectual property rights because of its pirating of sports broadcasting rights owned by Qatar’s beIN television franchise. The listing threatened to complicate Saudi Arabia’s already controversial bid to acquire English soccer club Newcastle United.

It is still too early to assess the geopolitical impact of the global economic downturn. Depressed demand and pricing for oil and gas could enable China to diversify its sourcing and potentially reduce its dependence on the Middle East, a volatile region with heightened security risks. China imported 31 per cent more oil from Russia last month while its intake of Saudi crude slipped by 1.8 per cent compared to March 2019.

At the same time, low oil prices that make US production commercially less viable could temporarily increase Washington’s interest in Gulf security.

Fundamentally, and irrespective of what scenario plays out, little will change. The US will still want to reduce its exposure to the Middle East. For its part, China will still need to secure oil and gas supplies as well as its investments and significant diaspora community in the region while seeking to avoid being sucked into intractable regional conflicts.

By the same token, the gradual revival of economic life, including a probable phased revitalisation of supply chains and international travel, combined with a need to rethink migrant worker housing and create local employment, could alter Middle Eastern perspectives of China’s way of doing business.

China’s Belt-and-Road projects often have a China-wins-twice aspect to them that may have always been problematic but have become even more so in a post-pandemic economic environment. China-funded projects rely by and large on Chinese labour and materials supply rather than local sourcing.

The People’s Republic’s “China First” approach extends beyond economics and commerce. In an environment in which the United States is an irreplaceable but unreliable partner, Gulf states may look differently at Chinese hesitancy to co-shoulder responsibility for regional security with the risk of having to involve itself in multiple conflicts it has so far been able to stay aloof from.

The coronavirus pandemic constitutes a watershed that will colour Middle Eastern attitudes towards all of the region’s foremost external players: the United States, China, and Russia. Prior to the crisis, Russia, the weakest of the three, was playing a weak economic hand well, but may find that more difficult going forward.

Gulf states are likely to conclude that assertive go-it-alone policies are risky and only work in specific circumstances where big powers are either part of the ploy or look the other way. Though such were easier to pursue in a stable economic environment in which their oil and gas revenue base appeared secure.

The United Arab Emirates appears to have read the writing on the wall. It began a year ago to hedge its bets by reaching out to Iran in a bid to ensure that it would not become a theatre of war if US-Iranian tensions were to spin out of control. Still, that has not stopped its support for rebel forces in Libya led by renegade Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar in violation of an international arms embargo.

Trump’s threat of a cut-off in military sales to Saudi Arabia should have driven the point home. Yet, financially and economically weakened, less able to play big powers off against one another, and deprived of any viable alternative options, the kingdom and other Gulf states may find that a multilateral security arrangement that incorporates rather than replaces the United States’ regional defence umbrella is the only security straw they can hold on to.

Nevertheless, in eventually attempting to negotiate a new arrangement, they may also find that they no longer have the kind of leverage they had prior to a pandemic that in many ways has pulled the rug from beneath them.

&nbsp;(First published <a href="https://insidearabia.com/gulf-security-arab-gulf-states-have-no-good-options/">on Inside Arabia</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The United States faces a stark choice in the Middle East if it continues its maximum pressure campaign against Iran: confront the Islamic republic militarily or withdraw from the region.

The United States faces a stark choice in the Middle East if it continues its maximum pressure campaign against Iran: confront the Islamic republic militarily or withdraw from the region. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute in Washington and a former head of the National Iranian American Council, recently drew that harsh conclusion. No doubt, Parsi may be correct in the ultimate analysis. US-Iranian tensions could easily spin out of control into an all-out war that neither Iran nor the United States wants. There are, however, lots of shades of grey that separate long-standing tit-for-tat attacks on US targets – primarily in Iraq, occasional Iranian harassment of US naval vessels in the Gulf, and sporadic US responses, from all-out war. The United States and Iran have been engaged in tit-for-tat with varying degrees of intensity for years and so far have avoided an uncontrolled escalation despite incidents such as the 1988 downing of Iran Air flight 655, that killed 274 people, and the targeted assassination earlier this year of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Leaving aside potential black and grey swans, a more likely scenario is that a US desire to reduce its commitment to Gulf states, increased Gulf doubts about US reliability as a regional security guarantor, and a new world in which Gulf and Western states struggle to come to grips with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, create an environment more conducive to a multilateral security arrangement. One that would reduce the risk of war, even if multilateralism globally seems to be on the retreat. US President Donald Trump’s threat in early April to cut off military sales to Saudi Arabia, if the kingdom did not bury the hatchet in its oil price war with Russia – sparking the collapse of oil markets, is an inevitable epic battle for market share. More immediately, it drove the message home in Riyadh that US security guarantees were conditional and reinforced Saudi perceptions that the United States was getting disproportionately more out of its close ties to the kingdom than Saudi Arabia. The Trump administration, in a little-noticed sign of the times, put Saudi Arabia in late April on a priority watch list for violations of intellectual property rights because of its pirating of sports broadcasting rights owned by Qatar’s beIN television franchise. The listing threatened to complicate Saudi Arabia’s already controversial bid to acquire English soccer club Newcastle United. It is still too early to assess the geopolitical impact of the global economic downturn. Depressed demand and pricing for oil and gas could enable China to diversify its sourcing and potentially reduce its dependence on the Middle East, a volatile region with heightened security risks. China imported 31 per cent more oil from Russia last month while its intake of Saudi crude slipped by 1.8 per cent compared to March 2019. At the same time, low oil prices that make US production commercially less viable could temporarily increase Washington’s interest in Gulf security. Fundamentally, and irrespective of what scenario plays out, little will change. The US will still want to reduce its exposure to the Middle East. For its part, China will still need to secure oil and gas supplies as well as its investments and significant diaspora community in the region while seeking to avoid being sucked into intractable regional conflicts. By the same token, the gradual revival of economic life, including a probable phased revitalisation of supply chains and international travel, combined with a need to rethink migrant worker housing and create local employment, could alter Middle Eastern perspectives of China’s way of doing business. China’s Belt-and-Road projects often have a China-wins-twice aspect to them that may have always been problematic but have become even more so in a post-pandemic economic environment. China-funded projects rely by and large on Chinese labour and materials supply rather than local sourcing. The People’s Republic’s “China First” approach extends beyond economics and commerce. In an environment in which the United States is an irreplaceable but unreliable partner, Gulf states may look differently at Chinese hesitancy to co-shoulder responsibility for regional security with the risk of having to involve itself in multiple conflicts it has so far been able to stay aloof from. The coronavirus pandemic constitutes a watershed that will colour Middle Eastern attitudes towards all of the region’s foremost external players: the United States, China, and Russia. Prior to the crisis, Russia, the weakest of the three, was playing a weak economic hand well, but may find that more difficult going forward. Gulf states are likely to conclude that assertive go-it-alone policies are risky and only work in specific circumstances where big powers are either part of the ploy or look the other way. Though such were easier to pursue in a stable economic environment in which their oil and gas revenue base appeared secure. The United Arab Emirates appears to have read the writing on the wall. It began a year ago to hedge its bets by reaching out to Iran in a bid to ensure that it would not become a theatre of war if US-Iranian tensions were to spin out of control. Still, that has not stopped its support for rebel forces in Libya led by renegade Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar in violation of an international arms embargo. Trump’s threat of a cut-off in military sales to Saudi Arabia should have driven the point home. Yet, financially and economically weakened, less able to play big powers off against one another, and deprived of any viable alternative options, the kingdom and other Gulf states may find that a multilateral security arrangement that incorporates rather than replaces the United States’ regional defence umbrella is the only security straw they can hold on to. Nevertheless, in eventually attempting to negotiate a new arrangement, they may also find that they no longer have the kind of leverage they had prior to a pandemic that in many ways has pulled the rug from beneath them. (First published on Inside Arabia) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Coronavirus will reshape security and political landscape of Middle East

European stock markets and oil prices fell on Monday as a spat between top U.S. officials and China over the origin of the coronavirus fuelled fears of a new trade war, derailing a rebound in global markets.

European shares &lt;.STOXX&gt; opened down 2.5% with U.S. stock futures trading close to 1% in the red.

Earlier, MSCI`s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan &lt;.MIAPJ0000PUS&gt; fell 2.5%, pulled down by Hong Kong where the Hang Seng &lt;.HSI&gt; returned from a two-session holiday with its biggest drop in six weeks.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday there was "a significant amount of evidence" that the virus emerged from a laboratory in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Pompeo did not provide evidence or dispute an earlier U.S. intelligence conclusion that the virus was not man-made.

An editorial in China`s Global Times said he was "bluffing" and called on the United States to present its evidence.

"Concern on the potential for another flare up between the US and China is dominating price action", commented RBC strategist Adam Cole in a morning note.

Simon Black, head of investment management at wealth management firm Dolfin said investors were also adjusting their forecasts over the depth of the economic damage inflicted by the pandemic.

"It`s also the economic reality sinking in", he said, adding that the rebound of over 20% from lows hit in March by global equities was likely not sustainable.

Companies listed on the pan-European STOXX 600 &lt;.STOXX&gt; are currently expected to report a 40% decline in earnings in the second quarter.

Manufacturing activity in the euro zone collapsed last month as government-imposed lockdowns to stop the spread of the new coronavirus forced factories to close and consumers to stay indoors, a survey showed on Monday.

"We`ve just come off a rally of hopes, not a rally on fundamentals", Black said, pointing to the massive monetary and fiscal stimulus pledged by governments and central banks around the world.

Recent economic data paints a dire picture of the global economy after weeks of lockdowns.

In the United States, manufacturing plunged to an 11-year low last month, consumer spending collapsed, and some 30.3 million Americans have filed claims for unemployment.

Oil prices fell again, paring last week`s gains, on worries a global oil glut may persist even as coronavirus pandemic lockdowns start to ease.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell to $18.66 a barrel while Brent crude futures were down 1.7% at $26, after touching a low of $25.50. Brent rose about 23% last week following three consecutive weeks of losses.

In currency markets, the dollar rose 0.1% to 99.38 against a basket of currencies while the euro was down 0.48% at $1.0930.

The safe-haven yen fell 0.2% to 106.72 per dollar.

Global coronavirus cases have surpassed 3.5 million and deaths have neared a quarter of a million, according to a Reuters tally.

European stock markets and oil prices fell on Monday as a spat between top U.S. officials and China over the origin of the coronavirus fuelled fears of a new trade war, derailing a rebound in global markets.

European stock markets and oil prices fell on Monday as a spat between top U.S. officials and China over the origin of the coronavirus fuelled fears of a new trade war, derailing a rebound in global markets. European shares <.STOXX> opened down 2.5% with U.S. stock futures trading close to 1% in the red. Earlier, MSCI`s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan <.MIAPJ0000PUS> fell 2.5%, pulled down by Hong Kong where the Hang Seng <.HSI> returned from a two-session holiday with its biggest drop in six weeks. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday there was "a significant amount of evidence" that the virus emerged from a laboratory in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Pompeo did not provide evidence or dispute an earlier U.S. intelligence conclusion that the virus was not man-made. An editorial in China`s Global Times said he was "bluffing" and called on the United States to present its evidence. "Concern on the potential for another flare up between the US and China is dominating price action", commented RBC strategist Adam Cole in a morning note. Simon Black, head of investment management at wealth management firm Dolfin said investors were also adjusting their forecasts over the depth of the economic damage inflicted by the pandemic. "It`s also the economic reality sinking in", he said, adding that the rebound of over 20% from lows hit in March by global equities was likely not sustainable. Companies listed on the pan-European STOXX 600 <.STOXX> are currently expected to report a 40% decline in earnings in the second quarter. Manufacturing activity in the euro zone collapsed last month as government-imposed lockdowns to stop the spread of the new coronavirus forced factories to close and consumers to stay indoors, a survey showed on Monday. "We`ve just come off a rally of hopes, not a rally on fundamentals", Black said, pointing to the massive monetary and fiscal stimulus pledged by governments and central banks around the world. Recent economic data paints a dire picture of the global economy after weeks of lockdowns. In the United States, manufacturing plunged to an 11-year low last month, consumer spending collapsed, and some 30.3 million Americans have filed claims for unemployment. Oil prices fell again, paring last week`s gains, on worries a global oil glut may persist even as coronavirus pandemic lockdowns start to ease. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell to $18.66 a barrel while Brent crude futures were down 1.7% at $26, after touching a low of $25.50. Brent rose about 23% last week following three consecutive weeks of losses. In currency markets, the dollar rose 0.1% to 99.38 against a basket of currencies while the euro was down 0.48% at $1.0930. The safe-haven yen fell 0.2% to 106.72 per dollar. Global coronavirus cases have surpassed 3.5 million and deaths have neared a quarter of a million, according to a Reuters tally.

Global Markets: Stocks fall as US-China tensions threaten rebound

Coronavirus deaths in the United States jumped by 1,435 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total toll to more than 66,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.&nbsp;

The coronavirus cases in the country are more than 1.1 million, which includes 66,224 deaths as of 8:30 pm on Saturday (0030 GMT Sunday), as per the tally.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-remdesivir-as-several-states-ease-lockdown-296248">US approves Remdesivir as several states ease lockdown</a>

The US is the worst-hit country by the virus and the other severely-affected nations are far behind.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-in-europe-top-15-million-report-296285">Coronavirus cases in Europe top 1.5 million: Report</a>

Earlier on Friday, Texas became the latest and largest state to ease lockdown measures despite recording its highest single-day deaths.&nbsp;

The pressure of reopening is mounting on several US states as anti-lockdown demonstrations were held in many parts, including California, where authorities had re-closed beaches from Friday after crowds flocked to the shoreline last weekend.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths in the United States jumped by 1,435 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total toll to more than 66,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

Coronavirus deaths in the United States jumped by 1,435 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total toll to more than 66,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The coronavirus cases in the country are more than 1.1 million, which includes 66,224 deaths as of 8:30 pm on Saturday (0030 GMT Sunday), as per the tally. Also read | US approves Remdesivir as several states ease lockdown The US is the worst-hit country by the virus and the other severely-affected nations are far behind. Also read | Coronavirus cases in Europe top 1.5 million: Report Earlier on Friday, Texas became the latest and largest state to ease lockdown measures despite recording its highest single-day deaths. The pressure of reopening is mounting on several US states as anti-lockdown demonstrations were held in many parts, including California, where authorities had re-closed beaches from Friday after crowds flocked to the shoreline last weekend.

US sees 1,435 new coronavirus deaths; total toll over 66,000

The US military called on the parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to settle the disagreements through political means and threatened with retaliatory actions if the Taliban militants did not reduce the scale of violence, Col. Sonny Leggett, spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said on Saturday.

Leggett sent a two-page letter to the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, posted on Twitter. According to the US side, all parties must embark on the path of a "political solution" to the conflict, urging Afghans to sit down and start discussing the country`s future.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-colonel-major-killed-in-kupwara-encounter-296332">Also read:&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir: Colonel, major killed in Kupwara encounter</a>

"Reducing violence is an absolute necessity--and this is up to the leaders of all military forces-- [Afghan National Security Forces] ANDSF, Taliban fighters and, yes, the Coalition. Attacks generate attacks, while restraint produces restraint. All sides must choose restraint to prevent more killing and violence," Leggett wrote on Twitter.

The Taliban spokesman responded to the call on his social media account, saying that the path to resolution of the conflict "lies in the implementation of the agreement concluded in Doha." He also called upon Washington not to "harm the current state of things".

On February 29, the US and the Taliban inked a peace agreement in the Qatari capital of Doha, according to which an intra-Afghan negotiation was scheduled to begin on March 10. The talks, however, failed to begin due to disagreements between Kabul and the Taliban, in particular on the subject of the prisoner exchange.&nbsp;

The US military called on the parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to settle the disagreements through political means and threatened with retaliatory actions if the Taliban militants did not reduce the scale of violence, Col.

The US military called on the parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to settle the disagreements through political means and threatened with retaliatory actions if the Taliban militants did not reduce the scale of violence, Col. Sonny Leggett, spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said on Saturday. Leggett sent a two-page letter to the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, posted on Twitter. According to the US side, all parties must embark on the path of a "political solution" to the conflict, urging Afghans to sit down and start discussing the country`s future. Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: Colonel, major killed in Kupwara encounter "Reducing violence is an absolute necessity--and this is up to the leaders of all military forces-- [Afghan National Security Forces] ANDSF, Taliban fighters and, yes, the Coalition. Attacks generate attacks, while restraint produces restraint. All sides must choose restraint to prevent more killing and violence," Leggett wrote on Twitter. The Taliban spokesman responded to the call on his social media account, saying that the path to resolution of the conflict "lies in the implementation of the agreement concluded in Doha." He also called upon Washington not to "harm the current state of things". On February 29, the US and the Taliban inked a peace agreement in the Qatari capital of Doha, according to which an intra-Afghan negotiation was scheduled to begin on March 10. The talks, however, failed to begin due to disagreements between Kabul and the Taliban, in particular on the subject of the prisoner exchange.

US threatens Taliban with retaliatory actions if violence in Afghanistan continues

American authorities approved an experimental drug for emergency use on coronavirus patients, as more US states eased pandemic lockdowns despite another spike in deaths from the disease.

The approval is the latest step in a global push to find viable treatments and a vaccine for the coronavirus, which has left half of humanity under some form of lockdown, hammered the world economy, and infected more than 3.3 million people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-nears-65000-in-us-as-malls-theatres-open-in-texas-296215">Coronavirus death toll nears 65,000 in US as malls, theatres open in Texas</a>

Remdesivir, an antiviral drug initially developed to treat Ebola, was given the green light on Friday after a major trial found that it boosted recovery in serious COVID-19 patients.

"It's really a very promising situation," President Donald Trump said on Friday at the White House, where he was joined by Daniel O'Day, CEO of Gilead Sciences, which developed Remdesivir.

Remdesivir incorporates itself into the virus's genome, short-circuiting its replication process.

The drug approval came as the US leaders struggled with growing pressure from citizens wearying of stay-at-home orders.

With about 1.1 million confirmed coronavirus cases, nearly 65,000 of them fatal, the United States has the highest tolls of any country, and Trump is keen for a turnaround as the world's largest economy reels with tens of millions left jobless.

"Hopefully, we're going to come in below that 100,000 lives lost, which is a horrible number nevertheless," said Trump, after suggesting earlier in the week the country could expect 60,000 or 70,000 fatalities.

Texas became the largest US state yet to ease curbs, while anti-lockdown demonstrations were held in several states -- including California, where officials had re-closed beaches beginning Friday to avoid a repeat of last weekend when crowds flocked to the shoreline.

There were protests in 11 cities in California -- where more than 50,000 coronavirus cases have been reported -- with people chanting against the lockdown.

In Huntington Beach, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Los Angeles, several thousand people rallied to denounce Governor Gavin Newsom's beach shutdown order.

"It was the straw that broke the camel's back," protester Monica Beilhard fumed.

"It was uncalled for, unnecessary and people out here are making that known," she said. "And we're also very much saying enough is enough, we have the right to work... and it's time for the governor to allow the healthy to be able to get back to business."

'Slow, phased' reopening&nbsp;

Like the United States, governments around the world are struggling to balance the immense political and economic pressure to ease lockdowns with the need for public health measures against the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 236,000 people.

Several European countries, including Austria, have begun to ease restrictions with authorities in some of the hardest-hit parts like Spain reporting signs that the pandemic there was slowing.

Britain announced that it had hit its target of conducting 100,000 coronavirus tests a day, a step toward eventually lifting lockdown rules in the UK -- which this week overtook Spain to record the world's third-highest death toll.

Ireland, however, extended its lockdown by two weeks to May 18, with Prime Minister Leo Varadkar saying the nation will reopen "in a slow, phased, staged way" after that.

Meanwhile in South Asia, India announced that the lockdown on its 1.3 billion people -- the world's biggest -- would continue for two more weeks from May 4.

The virus restrictions also put a damper on May Day celebrations worldwide on Friday, with many labor unions delaying their rallies and some holding online events, while a determined few hit the streets in face masks in defiance of lockdown orders.

In Cuba's capital Havana, where around a million workers and their families take part in the annual May Day march, the image of Che Guevara gazed down on an eerily silent Revolution Square.

Sharp rhetoric &nbsp;

May Day carried extra significance this year because of the staggering number of people put out of work by the pandemic, with the global economy in a tailspin and facing its worst downturn since the Great Depression.

Stock markets tumbled again on Friday after President Trump's unproven allegation that the virus may have come from a lab in Wuhan -- the central Chinese city where the disease first emerged late last year.

Beijing has rejected the accusation, and scientists believe the virus jumped from animals to humans.

The White House has accused Chinese authorities of mishandling the outbreak, "slow-walking" coronavirus data, and putting the US lives at risk.

The disease overwhelmed healthcare infrastructure when it hit the United States, putting immense pressure on doctors, nurses, and emergency responders.

Some US medics relied on past experience in other countries to fight the virus.

David Callaway, a doctor, and academic who has worked in the past on diseases in conflict-hit nations such as South Sudan and Iraq, said he found overseas epidemics easier to handle in some ways.

"Family and loved ones, you can put them in a box and you use them as a source of motivation and inspiration when things get rough, but you know they are safe," he told AFP.

"A pandemic at home, you know that your family and your loved ones are still at risk, their lives hang on the line."

American authorities approved an experimental drug for emergency use on coronavirus patients, as more US states eased pandemic lockdowns despite another spike in deaths from the disease.

American authorities approved an experimental drug for emergency use on coronavirus patients, as more US states eased pandemic lockdowns despite another spike in deaths from the disease. The approval is the latest step in a global push to find viable treatments and a vaccine for the coronavirus, which has left half of humanity under some form of lockdown, hammered the world economy, and infected more than 3.3 million people. Also read | Coronavirus death toll nears 65,000 in US as malls, theatres open in Texas Remdesivir, an antiviral drug initially developed to treat Ebola, was given the green light on Friday after a major trial found that it boosted recovery in serious COVID-19 patients. "It's really a very promising situation," President Donald Trump said on Friday at the White House, where he was joined by Daniel O'Day, CEO of Gilead Sciences, which developed Remdesivir. Remdesivir incorporates itself into the virus's genome, short-circuiting its replication process. The drug approval came as the US leaders struggled with growing pressure from citizens wearying of stay-at-home orders. With about 1.1 million confirmed coronavirus cases, nearly 65,000 of them fatal, the United States has the highest tolls of any country, and Trump is keen for a turnaround as the world's largest economy reels with tens of millions left jobless. "Hopefully, we're going to come in below that 100,000 lives lost, which is a horrible number nevertheless," said Trump, after suggesting earlier in the week the country could expect 60,000 or 70,000 fatalities. Texas became the largest US state yet to ease curbs, while anti-lockdown demonstrations were held in several states -- including California, where officials had re-closed beaches beginning Friday to avoid a repeat of last weekend when crowds flocked to the shoreline. There were protests in 11 cities in California -- where more than 50,000 coronavirus cases have been reported -- with people chanting against the lockdown. In Huntington Beach, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Los Angeles, several thousand people rallied to denounce Governor Gavin Newsom's beach shutdown order. "It was the straw that broke the camel's back," protester Monica Beilhard fumed. "It was uncalled for, unnecessary and people out here are making that known," she said. "And we're also very much saying enough is enough, we have the right to work... and it's time for the governor to allow the healthy to be able to get back to business." 'Slow, phased' reopening Like the United States, governments around the world are struggling to balance the immense political and economic pressure to ease lockdowns with the need for public health measures against the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 236,000 people. Several European countries, including Austria, have begun to ease restrictions with authorities in some of the hardest-hit parts like Spain reporting signs that the pandemic there was slowing. Britain announced that it had hit its target of conducting 100,000 coronavirus tests a day, a step toward eventually lifting lockdown rules in the UK -- which this week overtook Spain to record the world's third-highest death toll. Ireland, however, extended its lockdown by two weeks to May 18, with Prime Minister Leo Varadkar saying the nation will reopen "in a slow, phased, staged way" after that. Meanwhile in South Asia, India announced that the lockdown on its 1.3 billion people -- the world's biggest -- would continue for two more weeks from May 4. The virus restrictions also put a damper on May Day celebrations worldwide on Friday, with many labor unions delaying their rallies and some holding online events, while a determined few hit the streets in face masks in defiance of lockdown orders. In Cuba's capital Havana, where around a million workers and their families take part in the annual May Day march, the image of Che Guevara gazed down on an eerily silent Revolution Square. Sharp rhetoric May Day carried extra significance this year because of the staggering number of people put out of work by the pandemic, with the global economy in a tailspin and facing its worst downturn since the Great Depression. Stock markets tumbled again on Friday after President Trump's unproven allegation that the virus may have come from a lab in Wuhan -- the central Chinese city where the disease first emerged late last year. Beijing has rejected the accusation, and scientists believe the virus jumped from animals to humans. The White House has accused Chinese authorities of mishandling the outbreak, "slow-walking" coronavirus data, and putting the US lives at risk. The disease overwhelmed healthcare infrastructure when it hit the United States, putting immense pressure on doctors, nurses, and emergency responders. Some US medics relied on past experience in other countries to fight the virus. David Callaway, a doctor, and academic who has worked in the past on diseases in conflict-hit nations such as South Sudan and Iraq, said he found overseas epidemics easier to handle in some ways. "Family and loved ones, you can put them in a box and you use them as a source of motivation and inspiration when things get rough, but you know they are safe," he told AFP. "A pandemic at home, you know that your family and your loved ones are still at risk, their lives hang on the line."

US approves Remdesivir as several states ease lockdown

As many as 1,883 new coronavirus deaths were recorded in the United States in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to about 65,000.

According to the coronavirus tally of Johns Hopkins University, more than 1.1 million people have so far tested positive with coronavirus as of 8:30 pm Friday (0030 GMT Saturday).&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/target-beijing-biden-trump-strategy-to-stay-in-white-house-296175">Target Beijing &amp; Biden - Trump strategy to stay in White House</a>

The US has witnessed 64,789 deaths from coronavirus, a jump of three per cent from a day earlier.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-hes-seen-evidence-coronavirus-originated-in-chinese-lab-295950">Trump claims he's seen evidence coronavirus originated in Chinese lab</a>

The country has seen the most number of COVId-19 deaths and infections and the nations preceeding are far behind, reflecting the severity of crisis in the US.&nbsp;

The latest figures came after Texas became the latest state in the US to ease lockdown measures despite witnessing highest single-day deaths.&nbsp;

Stores, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, museums and libraries were allowed to function with 25 per cent of occupancy in the largest US state.&nbsp;

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, said in a tweet that "Texans should continue to practice social distancing" and follow health guidelines.

On Thursday, Texas reported 50 coronavirus deaths, the most since the outbreak began and 1,000 cases, the highest single-day figures since April 10.&nbsp;

Over 29,200 COVID-19 cases are confirmed in Texas, including 816 deaths, as per state health officials.&nbsp;

According to federal guidelines, the number of cases need to fall for 14 consecutive days for lockdown to be relaxed, however, a number of states in the country have bypassed it.&nbsp;

As many as 1,883 new coronavirus deaths were recorded in the United States in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to about 65,000. According to the coronavirus tally of Johns Hopkins University, more than 1.

As many as 1,883 new coronavirus deaths were recorded in the United States in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities to about 65,000. According to the coronavirus tally of Johns Hopkins University, more than 1.1 million people have so far tested positive with coronavirus as of 8:30 pm Friday (0030 GMT Saturday). Also read | Target Beijing & Biden - Trump strategy to stay in White House The US has witnessed 64,789 deaths from coronavirus, a jump of three per cent from a day earlier. Also read | Trump claims he's seen evidence coronavirus originated in Chinese lab The country has seen the most number of COVId-19 deaths and infections and the nations preceeding are far behind, reflecting the severity of crisis in the US. The latest figures came after Texas became the latest state in the US to ease lockdown measures despite witnessing highest single-day deaths. Stores, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, museums and libraries were allowed to function with 25 per cent of occupancy in the largest US state. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, said in a tweet that "Texans should continue to practice social distancing" and follow health guidelines. On Thursday, Texas reported 50 coronavirus deaths, the most since the outbreak began and 1,000 cases, the highest single-day figures since April 10. Over 29,200 COVID-19 cases are confirmed in Texas, including 816 deaths, as per state health officials. According to federal guidelines, the number of cases need to fall for 14 consecutive days for lockdown to be relaxed, however, a number of states in the country have bypassed it.

Coronavirus death toll nears 65,000 in US as malls, theatres open in Texas

Trump’s sharpened rhetoric against China reflected his growing frustration with Beijing over the pandemic, which has cost tens of thousands of lives in the United States alone

Donald Trump more critical of China than ever

The top United States intelligence agency has said that the virus originated in Wuhan was neither manmade nor genetically modified. Watch this video to know more.

US intelligence: COVID-19 was not 'manmade or genetically modified'

US President Donald Trump is upping the ante against China. US Intelligence agencies are investigating 'what China hid' during the Coronavirus outbreak. Funding to a research project in China on 'Coronaviruses and bats' has been stopped.

Coronavirus Pandemic: WHO, China to be investigated by the US

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (April 30) it was possible that China either could not stop the spread of the coronavirus or let it spread, as his rhetoric on Beijing toughened.

Donald Trump: China either could not stop virus spread or let it spread

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