The United States Navy destroyer USS Ramage docked briefly in Lebanon, the US embassy in Beirut said on Sunday, amid heightened regional tensions.

The Arleigh-Burke-class vessel, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, stopped Saturday for a "one-day goodwill visit on the sidelines of its participation in ongoing efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and free-flow commerce in the eastern Mediterranean", a statement from the US embassy said.

US Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard and Vice Admiral James Malloy hosted "an on-board reception for US and Lebanese officials", it added.

During the reception, the vice admiral and ambassador underscored "the ongoing commitment of the United States to be a strong and enduring partner for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), with the goals of enhancing military-to-military cooperation and promoting security and stability in the region", according to the statement.

"This remarkable US ship, docked in this remarkable Lebanese city speaks volumes about the partnership between the US and Lebanese militaries," Richard said.

The US is currently engaged in a stand-off with Iran and its Lebanese ally, the Shiite movement Hezbollah, which has been slapped with US sanctions and classified as a "terrorist" organisation by Washington.

Hezbollah is a key player in Lebanese politics, represented both in parliament and the cabinet.

The movement is militarily involved in the war in neighbouring Syria, has sent fighters to the aid of the Iran-allied regime.

In July, the US imposed sanctions on three senior Hezbollah officials in Lebanon, including two lawmakers, in the first such move against members of parliament.

At the end of August, powerful US financial sanctions were imposed on the Jammal Trust Bank in Lebanon, which was accused of acting as a key financial institution for Hezbollah, an arch-foe of US ally Israel.

The ship's docking comes as tensions spike between Hezbollah and Israel, including an exchange of cross-border fire on September 1.

The United States Navy destroyer USS Ramage docked briefly in Lebanon, the US embassy in Beirut said on Sunday, amid heightened regional tensions. The Arleigh-Burke-class vessel, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, stopped Saturday for a "one-day goodwill visit on the sidelines of its participation in ongoing efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and free-flow commerce in the eastern Mediterranean", a statement from the US embassy said.

The United States Navy destroyer USS Ramage docked briefly in Lebanon, the US embassy in Beirut said on Sunday, amid heightened regional tensions. The Arleigh-Burke-class vessel, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, stopped Saturday for a "one-day goodwill visit on the sidelines of its participation in ongoing efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and free-flow commerce in the eastern Mediterranean", a statement from the US embassy said. US Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard and Vice Admiral James Malloy hosted "an on-board reception for US and Lebanese officials", it added. During the reception, the vice admiral and ambassador underscored "the ongoing commitment of the United States to be a strong and enduring partner for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), with the goals of enhancing military-to-military cooperation and promoting security and stability in the region", according to the statement. "This remarkable US ship, docked in this remarkable Lebanese city speaks volumes about the partnership between the US and Lebanese militaries," Richard said. The US is currently engaged in a stand-off with Iran and its Lebanese ally, the Shiite movement Hezbollah, which has been slapped with US sanctions and classified as a "terrorist" organisation by Washington. Hezbollah is a key player in Lebanese politics, represented both in parliament and the cabinet. The movement is militarily involved in the war in neighbouring Syria, has sent fighters to the aid of the Iran-allied regime. In July, the US imposed sanctions on three senior Hezbollah officials in Lebanon, including two lawmakers, in the first such move against members of parliament. At the end of August, powerful US financial sanctions were imposed on the Jammal Trust Bank in Lebanon, which was accused of acting as a key financial institution for Hezbollah, an arch-foe of US ally Israel. The ship's docking comes as tensions spike between Hezbollah and Israel, including an exchange of cross-border fire on September 1.

US warship docks in Lebanon amid regional tensions

The first one day international in the United States begins on Friday in Florida between the USA and Papua New Guinea, 175 years after USA played cricket's first recognised international against Canada at Manhattan.

The match at Lauderhill's Central Broward Regional Park is part of a tri-series with Namibia, and also a seven-team competition which will reward the top three sides with berths in the final round of qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup in India.

USA have played three ODIs, including two at the 2004 Champions Trophy, and lost all of them.

USA, who played Canada at Manhattan's St George's Cricket Club in what is considered the first ever international cricket match in 1844, were granted ODI status in April and will play nine tri-series over the next two years.

"The team have worked really hard after our challenging journey through ICC World Cricket League Division 3 and Division 2," USA captain Saurabh Netravalka told the International Cricket Council.

"We are all really looking forward to giving it our best shot at our first ever home ODI series and the first ODI ever to be played in the USA.

"To be part of this is quite something...We hope our efforts will inspire the continued growth and development of cricket in the United States. And to start our journey in our aim to qualify for the ICC men's Cricket World Cup 2023."

In recent times, Lauderhill has hosted West Indies' Twenty20 series against teams such as New Zealand, Bangladesh and India.

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne and India batting great Sachin Tendulkar captained rival teams in a series of three Twenty20 All Star matches in the US&nbsp;in 2015 as part of an attempt to raise cricket’s profile around the globe.

The first one day international in the United States begins on Friday in Florida between the USA and Papua New Guinea, 175 years after USA played cricket's first recognised international against Canada at Manhattan.

The first one day international in the United States begins on Friday in Florida between the USA and Papua New Guinea, 175 years after USA played cricket's first recognised international against Canada at Manhattan. The match at Lauderhill's Central Broward Regional Park is part of a tri-series with Namibia, and also a seven-team competition which will reward the top three sides with berths in the final round of qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup in India. USA have played three ODIs, including two at the 2004 Champions Trophy, and lost all of them. USA, who played Canada at Manhattan's St George's Cricket Club in what is considered the first ever international cricket match in 1844, were granted ODI status in April and will play nine tri-series over the next two years. "The team have worked really hard after our challenging journey through ICC World Cricket League Division 3 and Division 2," USA captain Saurabh Netravalka told the International Cricket Council. "We are all really looking forward to giving it our best shot at our first ever home ODI series and the first ODI ever to be played in the USA. "To be part of this is quite something...We hope our efforts will inspire the continued growth and development of cricket in the United States. And to start our journey in our aim to qualify for the ICC men's Cricket World Cup 2023." In recent times, Lauderhill has hosted West Indies' Twenty20 series against teams such as New Zealand, Bangladesh and India. Former Australia spinner Shane Warne and India batting great Sachin Tendulkar captained rival teams in a series of three Twenty20 All Star matches in the US in 2015 as part of an attempt to raise cricket’s profile around the globe.

USA begin India 2023 bid with first ODI on home soil

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions.

Parties, armed groups, and even officials in Iraq benefit from legions of supporters dubbed "electronic armies," which take to social media to anonymously sing their praises or mock their detractors.

These online rivalries now appear to have been fanned by months of rising tensions pitting Iran against the US and Israel.

This summer, suspicious explosions hit five camps and arms depots run by Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of mostly Shiite armed factions linked to Iran.

The Hashed was quick to blame Israel and the United States, but also said it suspected "agents" of the two countries contributed to the attacks.

That accusation was followed by an online campaign accusing a broad range of Iraqi nationals of "collaborating" with Israel and the US.

One graphic shared by an Arabic-language page named "Don't Tread on Us" accused 14 Iraqis of de facto supporting a policy of "normalisation with Israel."

Shared on social media, it named figures such as journalist Joumana Mumtaz and blogger Ali Wajih.

In response, Wajih penned a rare open letter to Iraq's prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Hashed chief Faleh Fayyadh and his powerful deputy Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis.&nbsp;

"For years, a group of us journalists and bloggers have faced incitements to murder by people and pages that may be close to the Hashed, or directly linked to it," he wrote.

Allegations they were "agents" or seeking normalisation with Israel, Wajih said, were "empty and silly".

'A broader plot'?

Iraqis have long been opposed to Israel because of its occupation of Palestinian land.

Baghdad has however developed close ties with Washington since the American-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Despite that, Washington's bitter rival Tehran also holds considerable sway in Iraq's political scene and within the Hashed.

In recent months, anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric has been on the rise as Iraqis feel increasingly squeezed by the war of words between the two sides.

Some Iraqi factions have used the purported Israeli strikes to relaunch calls for US troops to leave Iraq.

Just last week, many of the same figures lashed out against US-funded Al-Hurra TV for a documentary alleging corruption among Iraq's religious bodies, both Sunni and Shiite.

Perceptions Iraq was being "attacked" by Israel and America were "broadened to include critical and independent Iraqi voices, who have been maligned as agents in a broader plot," said Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore.

"In this way, entrenched domestic interests and rivalries have been folded into the ongoing tensions between the Iran-led axis of resistance and the United States, Israel and their allies in the region," he said.

Rights groups react&nbsp;

Omar al-Shaher, a journalist named in the graphic, said there was "not a shred of proof" to back up the claims.

"These days, it's more dangerous than ever to have your name associated with the Israeli camp," he told AFP.

Historian Omar Mohammad, who documented atrocities in Mosul under the Islamic State group, said he suspected the new accusations came "as a result of the recent (purported) Israeli airstrikes and US-Iranian tensions."

Mohammad said the graphic's sleek production meant he was "absolutely" taking its threats seriously.

"It is institutional and professional. Seems there is a team specialised in dehumanising us," Mohammad told AFP from outside Iraq.

Media rights groups are worried such incitement could lead to real violence.

"The sensitivity of the Palestinian question in the region means that accusing someone of working with Israel is tantamount to calling for their killing," said the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory.

On Thursday, monitor and rights group Iraqi Media House called for better protection of journalists.

"The phenomenon of electronic armies has reached dangerous levels, issuing threats including incitement to violence and hatred," it said.

"We are surprised by the authorities' continued silence so far, including the judiciary, in a clear abandonment of its responsibilities when it comes to electronic crimes."

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions.

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions. Parties, armed groups, and even officials in Iraq benefit from legions of supporters dubbed "electronic armies," which take to social media to anonymously sing their praises or mock their detractors. These online rivalries now appear to have been fanned by months of rising tensions pitting Iran against the US and Israel. This summer, suspicious explosions hit five camps and arms depots run by Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of mostly Shiite armed factions linked to Iran. The Hashed was quick to blame Israel and the United States, but also said it suspected "agents" of the two countries contributed to the attacks. That accusation was followed by an online campaign accusing a broad range of Iraqi nationals of "collaborating" with Israel and the US. One graphic shared by an Arabic-language page named "Don't Tread on Us" accused 14 Iraqis of de facto supporting a policy of "normalisation with Israel." Shared on social media, it named figures such as journalist Joumana Mumtaz and blogger Ali Wajih. In response, Wajih penned a rare open letter to Iraq's prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Hashed chief Faleh Fayyadh and his powerful deputy Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis. "For years, a group of us journalists and bloggers have faced incitements to murder by people and pages that may be close to the Hashed, or directly linked to it," he wrote. Allegations they were "agents" or seeking normalisation with Israel, Wajih said, were "empty and silly". 'A broader plot'? Iraqis have long been opposed to Israel because of its occupation of Palestinian land. Baghdad has however developed close ties with Washington since the American-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. Despite that, Washington's bitter rival Tehran also holds considerable sway in Iraq's political scene and within the Hashed. In recent months, anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric has been on the rise as Iraqis feel increasingly squeezed by the war of words between the two sides. Some Iraqi factions have used the purported Israeli strikes to relaunch calls for US troops to leave Iraq. Just last week, many of the same figures lashed out against US-funded Al-Hurra TV for a documentary alleging corruption among Iraq's religious bodies, both Sunni and Shiite. Perceptions Iraq was being "attacked" by Israel and America were "broadened to include critical and independent Iraqi voices, who have been maligned as agents in a broader plot," said Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore. "In this way, entrenched domestic interests and rivalries have been folded into the ongoing tensions between the Iran-led axis of resistance and the United States, Israel and their allies in the region," he said. Rights groups react Omar al-Shaher, a journalist named in the graphic, said there was "not a shred of proof" to back up the claims. "These days, it's more dangerous than ever to have your name associated with the Israeli camp," he told AFP. Historian Omar Mohammad, who documented atrocities in Mosul under the Islamic State group, said he suspected the new accusations came "as a result of the recent (purported) Israeli airstrikes and US-Iranian tensions." Mohammad said the graphic's sleek production meant he was "absolutely" taking its threats seriously. "It is institutional and professional. Seems there is a team specialised in dehumanising us," Mohammad told AFP from outside Iraq. Media rights groups are worried such incitement could lead to real violence. "The sensitivity of the Palestinian question in the region means that accusing someone of working with Israel is tantamount to calling for their killing," said the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory. On Thursday, monitor and rights group Iraqi Media House called for better protection of journalists. "The phenomenon of electronic armies has reached dangerous levels, issuing threats including incitement to violence and hatred," it said. "We are surprised by the authorities' continued silence so far, including the judiciary, in a clear abandonment of its responsibilities when it comes to electronic crimes."

In divided Iraq, 'electronic armies' threaten activists, media

By Kevin Johnson 
 
The Trump administration is trying to terminate the Flores settlement, a legal agreement that determines how immigrant children are treated in US immigration detention.

The 1997 settlement established basic standards for the treatment of unaccompanied minors who were in the custody of federal authorities for violating immigration laws.

It requires the federal government to place children with a close relative or family friend “without unnecessary delay,” rather than detaining them, and to keep immigrant children who are in custody in the “least restrictive conditions” possible. Generally speaking, this has meant migrant children can be kept in federal immigrant detention for only 20 days.

But a new regulation, originally proposed by the Trump administration in 2018 and finalised on August 21, would remove the requirements of the Flores settlement.

Case took years

In the 1980s, the Reagan administration aggressively used detention of Central Americans as a device to deter migration from that region, where violent civil wars had caused tens of thousands to flee.

Central Americans arrested at the US-Mexico border were held in custody – including many who sought asylum in the US because they feared persecution if returned home.

Immigrant rights groups filed a series of lawsuits challenging various aspects of the detention policies, including denying migrants access to counsel, taking steps to encourage them to “consent” to deportation and detaining them in isolated locations far from families and attorneys.

One suit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in 1985 on behalf of Jenny Lisette Flores, a 15-year-old from El Salvador. She had fled violence in her home country to live with an aunt who was in the US.

But Flores was detained by federal authorities at the US border for not having proper documentation permitting her to stay in the US.

The American Civil Liberties Union charged that holding Flores indefinitely violated the US&nbsp;Constitution and immigration laws. The Flores case slowly made its way to the US Supreme Court.

In its 1993 ruling in the case, the court held that a regulation allowing the government to release a migrant child to a close family member or legal guardian in the United States was legal.

But the primary legacy of the case was the subsequent settlement, to which both the Clinton administration and the plaintiffs agreed in 1997.

The Flores settlement is a landmark agreement in no small part because Central Americans continue to flee violence in their homelands and the US government has responded with mass detention of immigrant children.

Although the settlement was agreeable to the Clinton administration, the Trump administration strongly desires to detain families, including children, for periods longer than permitted by the Flores settlement – in fact, indefinitely.

Longtime contentious issue

Litigation over enforcement of the Flores settlement has exploded during the Trump administration, which has detained migrant children in poor conditions along the US-Mexico border since soon after taking office.

The lawsuits include a court case brought by immigrants’ rights and civil liberties groups in response to what they called the “imminent threat to the health and welfare” of migrant children in detention. US border officials should have “promptly released children to their relatives and provided safe and sanitary detention conditions for all children in its custody,” said an attorney representing the groups that brought the action.

Similarly, in the summer of 2018, based on the Flores settlement, a federal court barred immigration authorities from giving children psychotropic drugs without consent of parents or legal guardians.

Conditions apparently have not improved in detention centers across the country. Several children have died while in custody since January, and public outcry over the conditions of detention for the migrants have led to numerous court fights.

During recent litigation seeking to enforce the Flores settlement, the Department of Justice made headlines for its defense of the detention conditions of migrant children. The judges of the court of appeals were incredulous at the government’s claim that soap and a toothbrush were not necessarily required for detained migrant children. Not surprisingly, the court flatly rejected the government’s claim.

Last year, the Trump administration requested to amend the settlement to allow it to indefinitely detain migrant children.

The courts consistently have denied these requests and have continued to monitor the detention of migrant children, as the Flores settlement requires them to do.

Importantly, the new rule will allow the Department of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to respond to significant changes that have occurred since the Flores settlement agreement has been in place, including dramatic increases in the numbers of unaccompanied children and family units crossing into the United States.

The rule is slated to take effect on October 23. But immigration and civil liberties advocates have vowed to challenge the rule in court, which will put the proposed change in front of US District Judge Dolly M. Gee. Gee is the judge who denied the administration’s request last year to extend family detentions. 
 
(Kevin Johnson is Dean and Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o Studies, University of California, Davis)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/changes-for-a-landmark-agreement-mean-immigrant-children-face-harsher-treatment-in-us-122282">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) &nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

By Kevin Johnson The Trump administration is trying to terminate the Flores settlement, a legal agreement that determines how immigrant children are treated in US immigration detention.

By Kevin Johnson The Trump administration is trying to terminate the Flores settlement, a legal agreement that determines how immigrant children are treated in US immigration detention. The 1997 settlement established basic standards for the treatment of unaccompanied minors who were in the custody of federal authorities for violating immigration laws. It requires the federal government to place children with a close relative or family friend “without unnecessary delay,” rather than detaining them, and to keep immigrant children who are in custody in the “least restrictive conditions” possible. Generally speaking, this has meant migrant children can be kept in federal immigrant detention for only 20 days. But a new regulation, originally proposed by the Trump administration in 2018 and finalised on August 21, would remove the requirements of the Flores settlement. Case took years In the 1980s, the Reagan administration aggressively used detention of Central Americans as a device to deter migration from that region, where violent civil wars had caused tens of thousands to flee. Central Americans arrested at the US-Mexico border were held in custody – including many who sought asylum in the US because they feared persecution if returned home. Immigrant rights groups filed a series of lawsuits challenging various aspects of the detention policies, including denying migrants access to counsel, taking steps to encourage them to “consent” to deportation and detaining them in isolated locations far from families and attorneys. One suit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in 1985 on behalf of Jenny Lisette Flores, a 15-year-old from El Salvador. She had fled violence in her home country to live with an aunt who was in the US. But Flores was detained by federal authorities at the US border for not having proper documentation permitting her to stay in the US. The American Civil Liberties Union charged that holding Flores indefinitely violated the US Constitution and immigration laws. The Flores case slowly made its way to the US Supreme Court. In its 1993 ruling in the case, the court held that a regulation allowing the government to release a migrant child to a close family member or legal guardian in the United States was legal. But the primary legacy of the case was the subsequent settlement, to which both the Clinton administration and the plaintiffs agreed in 1997. The Flores settlement is a landmark agreement in no small part because Central Americans continue to flee violence in their homelands and the US government has responded with mass detention of immigrant children. Although the settlement was agreeable to the Clinton administration, the Trump administration strongly desires to detain families, including children, for periods longer than permitted by the Flores settlement – in fact, indefinitely. Longtime contentious issue Litigation over enforcement of the Flores settlement has exploded during the Trump administration, which has detained migrant children in poor conditions along the US-Mexico border since soon after taking office. The lawsuits include a court case brought by immigrants’ rights and civil liberties groups in response to what they called the “imminent threat to the health and welfare” of migrant children in detention. US border officials should have “promptly released children to their relatives and provided safe and sanitary detention conditions for all children in its custody,” said an attorney representing the groups that brought the action. Similarly, in the summer of 2018, based on the Flores settlement, a federal court barred immigration authorities from giving children psychotropic drugs without consent of parents or legal guardians. Conditions apparently have not improved in detention centers across the country. Several children have died while in custody since January, and public outcry over the conditions of detention for the migrants have led to numerous court fights. During recent litigation seeking to enforce the Flores settlement, the Department of Justice made headlines for its defense of the detention conditions of migrant children. The judges of the court of appeals were incredulous at the government’s claim that soap and a toothbrush were not necessarily required for detained migrant children. Not surprisingly, the court flatly rejected the government’s claim. Last year, the Trump administration requested to amend the settlement to allow it to indefinitely detain migrant children. The courts consistently have denied these requests and have continued to monitor the detention of migrant children, as the Flores settlement requires them to do. Importantly, the new rule will allow the Department of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services to respond to significant changes that have occurred since the Flores settlement agreement has been in place, including dramatic increases in the numbers of unaccompanied children and family units crossing into the United States. The rule is slated to take effect on October 23. But immigration and civil liberties advocates have vowed to challenge the rule in court, which will put the proposed change in front of US District Judge Dolly M. Gee. Gee is the judge who denied the administration’s request last year to extend family detentions. (Kevin Johnson is Dean and Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o Studies, University of California, Davis) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Changes for a landmark agreement mean immigrant children face harsher treatment in US

China demanded Thursday that US diplomats based in <a href="In a statement Thursday, the ministry urged the diplomatic office to &quot;immediately make a clean break with various anti-China rioters&quot; and &quot;stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs immediately&quot;.">Hong Kong</a> "stop interfering" in the city's affairs, after reports that they met with pro-democracy activists, prompting a furious response from Washington.

China's foreign ministry had expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with US authorities, citing local media reports that a US official from Hong Kong's US consulate general had met with a local "independence group".

In a statement Thursday, the ministry urged the diplomatic office to "immediately make a clean break with various anti-China rioters" and "stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs immediately".

A report in Hong Kong newspaper Takungpao said there had been a meeting between members of the political party Demosisto -- including prominent democracy activist Joshua Wong -- and Julie Eadeh, political unit chief of the US consulate general in Hong Kong.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus rejected China's claims and accused it of leaking personal details of their diplomat.

"I don't think that that's a formal protest, that is what a thuggish regime would do," she said. "That is not how a responsible nation would behave."

"Our diplomat was doing her job and we commend her work," Ortagus added. "This is what American diplomats do every single day around the world."

A State Department official had earlier in the day told AFP representatives of the US government "meet regularly with a wide cross-section of people across Hong Kong and Macau."

"For example, the day of this particular meeting, our diplomats also met with both pro-establishment and pan-democratic camp legislators, as well as members of the American business community and the consular corps," the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity.

Beijing has increasingly pitched the anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous region as funded by the West but has provided little evidence beyond supportive statements from some Western politicians.

Tensions are high in the Asian financial hub after two months of protests and clashes triggered by opposition to a planned extradition law that quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reforms.

Demosisto says it campaigns for more self-determination for Hong Kong but not independence.

Last year, the Hong Kong National Party was outlawed on the grounds it posed a security threat, the first such ban since 1997.

China demanded Thursday that US diplomats based in Hong Kong "stop interfering" in the city's affairs, after reports that they met with pro-democracy activists, prompting a furious response from Washington.

China demanded Thursday that US diplomats based in Hong Kong "stop interfering" in the city's affairs, after reports that they met with pro-democracy activists, prompting a furious response from Washington. China's foreign ministry had expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with US authorities, citing local media reports that a US official from Hong Kong's US consulate general had met with a local "independence group". In a statement Thursday, the ministry urged the diplomatic office to "immediately make a clean break with various anti-China rioters" and "stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs immediately". A report in Hong Kong newspaper Takungpao said there had been a meeting between members of the political party Demosisto -- including prominent democracy activist Joshua Wong -- and Julie Eadeh, political unit chief of the US consulate general in Hong Kong. Speaking to reporters in Washington, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus rejected China's claims and accused it of leaking personal details of their diplomat. "I don't think that that's a formal protest, that is what a thuggish regime would do," she said. "That is not how a responsible nation would behave." "Our diplomat was doing her job and we commend her work," Ortagus added. "This is what American diplomats do every single day around the world." A State Department official had earlier in the day told AFP representatives of the US government "meet regularly with a wide cross-section of people across Hong Kong and Macau." "For example, the day of this particular meeting, our diplomats also met with both pro-establishment and pan-democratic camp legislators, as well as members of the American business community and the consular corps," the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity. Beijing has increasingly pitched the anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous region as funded by the West but has provided little evidence beyond supportive statements from some Western politicians. Tensions are high in the Asian financial hub after two months of protests and clashes triggered by opposition to a planned extradition law that quickly evolved into a wider movement for democratic reforms. Demosisto says it campaigns for more self-determination for Hong Kong but not independence. Last year, the Hong Kong National Party was outlawed on the grounds it posed a security threat, the first such ban since 1997.

China tells United States diplomats in Hong Kong to stop interfering

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to Russia after leaking information about the US government's mass surveillance program, is publishing a memoir.

The book, "Permanent Record," will go on sale on September 17. It is being published globally by Macmillan Publishers.

Snowden, who once worked for the CIA in addition to the NSA, has been living in Russia since leaking thousands of classified documents to the press in 2013 which revealed the scope of US government surveillance after 9/11.

Praised as a whistleblower and a privacy advocate by his defenders, the United States accuses Snowden of endangering national security.

He is facing espionage charges in the United States that could send him to prison for decades.

"Edward Snowden decided at the age of 29 to give up his entire future for the good of his country," John Sargent, the CEO of Macmillan Publishers USA, said in a statement.

"He displayed enormous courage in doing so, and like him or not, he is an incredible American story," Sargent said. "There is no doubt that the world is a better and more private place for his actions."

On his Twitter account, Snowden said: "I wrote a book" and included a link to a video of himself.

"Everything that we do now lasts forever, not because we want to remember but because we're no longer allowed to forget," he says in the video. "Helping to create that system is my greatest regret."

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to Russia after leaking information about the US government's mass surveillance program, is publishing a memoir.

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to Russia after leaking information about the US government's mass surveillance program, is publishing a memoir. The book, "Permanent Record," will go on sale on September 17. It is being published globally by Macmillan Publishers. Snowden, who once worked for the CIA in addition to the NSA, has been living in Russia since leaking thousands of classified documents to the press in 2013 which revealed the scope of US government surveillance after 9/11. Praised as a whistleblower and a privacy advocate by his defenders, the United States accuses Snowden of endangering national security. He is facing espionage charges in the United States that could send him to prison for decades. "Edward Snowden decided at the age of 29 to give up his entire future for the good of his country," John Sargent, the CEO of Macmillan Publishers USA, said in a statement. "He displayed enormous courage in doing so, and like him or not, he is an incredible American story," Sargent said. "There is no doubt that the world is a better and more private place for his actions." On his Twitter account, Snowden said: "I wrote a book" and included a link to a video of himself. "Everything that we do now lasts forever, not because we want to remember but because we're no longer allowed to forget," he says in the video. "Helping to create that system is my greatest regret."

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden to publish memoir

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has told US President Donald Trump that normal ties with India would be beneficial for both the countries, asserting that a "peaceful neighbourhood" was a priority of his foreign policy, according to officials here.

Gravitas: Imran Khan wish-list for Trump

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - July 21th, 2019

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/for-turkey-xinjiang-visit-amounts-to-a-risky-gamble-234168">Turkey</a> on Thursday slammed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-weekly-jobless-claims-fall-to-three-month-low-235066">United States</a>` decision to remove it from the F-35 program, highlighting that the move would "irreparably" damage relations.

"Turkey calls on the US to correct the mistake to remove the country from F-35 program which will irreparably damage relations," Anadolu Agency quoted the Turkish Foreign Ministry as saying.

Both the USA and Turkey are NATO allies. Turkey currently makes numerous components of the fighter jet for the US, which are sold internationally."US unilateral move to remove Turkey from F-35 program neither complies with alliance spirit nor based on legitimate grounds," the ministry added.

The United States booted Turkey out of its F-35 programme on Wednesday, days after Ankara received the first parts of the S-400 air defence system from Russia a move which was strongly rejected by the US.

"The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence-collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," a statement released by the White House read.

However, the United States added it still values the strategic relationship shared between the two countries.

"As NATO Allies, our relationship is multi-layered, and not solely focused on the F-35. Our military-to-military relationship is strong, and we will continue to cooperate with Turkey extensively, mindful of constraints due to the presence of the S-400 system in Turkey," the statement continued.

Turkey on Thursday slammed the United States` decision to remove it from the F-35 program, highlighting that the move would "irreparably" damage relations. "Turkey calls on the US to correct the mistake to remove the country from F-35 program which will irreparably damage relations," Anadolu Agency quoted the Turkish Foreign Ministry as saying.

Turkey on Thursday slammed the United States` decision to remove it from the F-35 program, highlighting that the move would "irreparably" damage relations. "Turkey calls on the US to correct the mistake to remove the country from F-35 program which will irreparably damage relations," Anadolu Agency quoted the Turkish Foreign Ministry as saying. Both the USA and Turkey are NATO allies. Turkey currently makes numerous components of the fighter jet for the US, which are sold internationally."US unilateral move to remove Turkey from F-35 program neither complies with alliance spirit nor based on legitimate grounds," the ministry added. The United States booted Turkey out of its F-35 programme on Wednesday, days after Ankara received the first parts of the S-400 air defence system from Russia a move which was strongly rejected by the US. "The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence-collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," a statement released by the White House read. However, the United States added it still values the strategic relationship shared between the two countries. "As NATO Allies, our relationship is multi-layered, and not solely focused on the F-35. Our military-to-military relationship is strong, and we will continue to cooperate with Turkey extensively, mindful of constraints due to the presence of the S-400 system in Turkey," the statement continued.

Turkey slams USA's decision to remove it from F-35 program

While Indian flights will save time and fuel, the expenses will reduce drastically after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-take-2-3-days-for-scheduling-flights-over-pakistan-air-space-air-india-official-236398">Pakistan announced the opening of its airspace</a> for civil traffic, according to Air India, Director (Operations) Captain Amitabh Singh.

On being asked to respond to Pakistan`s decision to open its airspace for civil traffic, Singh on Tuesday told ANI, "With this opening, we will be saving 1.5-2 hours of flying time between India-Europe and India-USA.&nbsp;

We will save on fuel consumption too. The expenses will reduce drastically.

"He added that the decision will be beneficial for both <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-not-open-its-airspace-until-india-removes-fighter-jets-from-forward-bases-235332">Indian and foreign carriers</a> as the closure had generated inconvenience for the traveling public."It is going to be beneficial for Indian carriers as well as for foreign carriers. The closure generated a lot of inconvenience for the traveling public," he opined.&nbsp;

This response came after neighbouring country Pakistan on Tuesday morning announced the opening of its airspace for civil traffic, which was closed over four months back after the Balakot strikes.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the Centre had informed Rajya Sabha that Indian airlines suffered losses worth over Rs 548 crore due to airspace closure by Pakistan after the Balakot airstrike in February.

In a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation (Independent Charge) Hardeep Singh Puri had said the national carrier Air India lost Rs 491 crore till July 2, while IndiGo suffered a loss of Rs 25.1 crore till May 31.

SpiceJet and GoAir lost Rs 30.73 crore and Rs 2.1 crore, respectively till June 20.&nbsp;

"The airspace closure by Pakistan is a unilateral measure that followed the non-military counter-terrorism airstrike by the Indian Air Force against terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019," Puri had said in the upper House of Parliament.&nbsp;

Earlier, an Air India official had told ANI that the national carrier was losing 6 crore a day due to airspace closure by Pakistan.

&nbsp;Pakistan had earlier claimed that it would not open its airspace for commercial flights until India removed its fighter jets from forwarding Indian airbases.&nbsp;

Pakistan had fully shut its airspace on the eastern border with India after the Indian Air Force (IAF) had carried out airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot on February 26.

&nbsp;The strikes on the terror camp were in response to the JeM-perpetrated terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 in which 40 CRPF personnel had lost their lives.&nbsp;

In mid-April, Pakistan opened one of its 11 air routes for westbound flights from India airlines like Air India and Turkish Airlines have started using it.

&nbsp;In March, the neighbouring country partially opened its airspace but did not allow Indian flights to fly over its airspace.

While Indian flights will save time and fuel, the expenses will reduce drastically after Pakistan announced the opening of its airspace for civil traffic, according to Air India, Director (Operations) Captain Amitabh Singh.

While Indian flights will save time and fuel, the expenses will reduce drastically after Pakistan announced the opening of its airspace for civil traffic, according to Air India, Director (Operations) Captain Amitabh Singh. On being asked to respond to Pakistan`s decision to open its airspace for civil traffic, Singh on Tuesday told ANI, "With this opening, we will be saving 1.5-2 hours of flying time between India-Europe and India-USA. We will save on fuel consumption too. The expenses will reduce drastically. "He added that the decision will be beneficial for both Indian and foreign carriers as the closure had generated inconvenience for the traveling public."It is going to be beneficial for Indian carriers as well as for foreign carriers. The closure generated a lot of inconvenience for the traveling public," he opined. This response came after neighbouring country Pakistan on Tuesday morning announced the opening of its airspace for civil traffic, which was closed over four months back after the Balakot strikes. Earlier this month, the Centre had informed Rajya Sabha that Indian airlines suffered losses worth over Rs 548 crore due to airspace closure by Pakistan after the Balakot airstrike in February. In a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation (Independent Charge) Hardeep Singh Puri had said the national carrier Air India lost Rs 491 crore till July 2, while IndiGo suffered a loss of Rs 25.1 crore till May 31. SpiceJet and GoAir lost Rs 30.73 crore and Rs 2.1 crore, respectively till June 20. "The airspace closure by Pakistan is a unilateral measure that followed the non-military counter-terrorism airstrike by the Indian Air Force against terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019," Puri had said in the upper House of Parliament. Earlier, an Air India official had told ANI that the national carrier was losing 6 crore a day due to airspace closure by Pakistan. Pakistan had earlier claimed that it would not open its airspace for commercial flights until India removed its fighter jets from forwarding Indian airbases. Pakistan had fully shut its airspace on the eastern border with India after the Indian Air Force (IAF) had carried out airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot on February 26. The strikes on the terror camp were in response to the JeM-perpetrated terror attack in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 in which 40 CRPF personnel had lost their lives. In mid-April, Pakistan opened one of its 11 air routes for westbound flights from India airlines like Air India and Turkish Airlines have started using it. In March, the neighbouring country partially opened its airspace but did not allow Indian flights to fly over its airspace.

Indian flights will save fuel: Air India on Pakistan opening airspace for civil traffic

A look at Trump's history of inflammatory and 'racist' statements

US payments company PayPal &lt;PYPL.O&gt; is expanding further in Europe by launching its international money transfers service Xoom in Britain and 31 other countries across the continent.

Xoom allows customers to transfer money abroad to more than 130 markets internationally, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Poland, and China.

The company said the roll-out would help it grab market share in the $689 billion global remittances market, building on previous launches of the service in the United States and Canada.

Britons alone transfer over $26 billion in remittances overseas annually, many sending money to help family members pay bills.

Xoom partners with major banks and other finance firms to facilitate the money transfers, with customers able to transfer up to 8,800 pounds ($11,029) per transaction.

US payments company PayPal <PYPL.O> is expanding further in Europe by launching its international money transfers service Xoom in Britain and 31 other countries across the continent.

US payments company PayPal <PYPL.O> is expanding further in Europe by launching its international money transfers service Xoom in Britain and 31 other countries across the continent. Xoom allows customers to transfer money abroad to more than 130 markets internationally, including India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Poland, and China. The company said the roll-out would help it grab market share in the $689 billion global remittances market, building on previous launches of the service in the United States and Canada. Britons alone transfer over $26 billion in remittances overseas annually, many sending money to help family members pay bills. Xoom partners with major banks and other finance firms to facilitate the money transfers, with customers able to transfer up to 8,800 pounds ($11,029) per transaction.

PayPal launches international money transfer service Xoom across Europe

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-president-donald-trump-and-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-have-to-find-real-common-ground-233182&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjC0JSz_7jjAhWDAYgKHUywD3AQFjAGegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ds6wbSgjNbNWme2mwF0XN">North Korea and the United States</a> could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks."

President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks.

Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue.

The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions.

"I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too."

However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations."

While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea.

Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons.

Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices.

But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations.

Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-xi-g20-meeting-us-china-resume-talks-to-resolve-trade-war-234508&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiWwdLL_7jjAhVEQd4KHa34A6EQFjAEegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Kbel3-LoEHEp2PyW1q8vW">Xi Jinping</a> urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course."

China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps.

South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month.

On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response.

North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles.

The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks." President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks. Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue. The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions. "I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too." However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations." While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea. Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons. Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices. But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations. Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course." China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps. South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month. On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response. North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles. The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

Mike Pompeo hopes US, North Korea can be 'more creative' in nuclear talks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-workers-in-germany-strike-over-pay-verdi-union-says-236173/amp">Amazon.com</a> Inc's &lt;AMZN.O&gt; Prime Day is now a major marketing opportunity and shopping event in the annual calendar for other US <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-delegation-to-discuss-indias-new-e-commerce-rules-during-trade-talks-235262&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj0oZi0gbnjAhUMr48KHXruCrEQFjAEegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3a1jsroKojRA5VApIzrXx-">retail companies</a>, rivalling the Thanksgiving holiday's Black Friday as a driver of sales.

Walmart Inc &lt;WMT.N&gt;, Target Corp &lt;TGT.N&gt; and eBay Inc &lt;EBAY.O&gt; all run their own special promotions to coincide with the annual sale, which this year Amazon has stretched to two days.

Target announced deal days which will run on the same days like Prime Day - July 15 and 16. Walmart offered promotions from July 14th-17th, while eBay announced a July 15 "crash sale."

"As the awareness of this shopping moment continues to build, we see this as a great opportunity to showcase our competitive advantage on price and inventory," an eBay spokesperson said.

Amazon's break-neck pace of growth, which has seen increasing numbers of shoppers ordering online instead of going to brick-and-mortar stores, is pushing other retailers to respond as they seek to remain competitive.

"There is this enormous halo effect to Prime Day," said Jaysen Gillespie, head of analytics and data science at ads firm Criteo, adding that non-Amazon retailers should experience large increases both in traffic to their websites and in sales.

"The rest of the industry is taking advantage of the free marketing that Jeff Bezos is providing, and they should really send him a thank you card saying, 'Hey, thanks for the awareness marketing - we'll take care of the conversion and close the deal now on our websites.'"

Some retailers also flaunted no membership fees.

Customers have to join Amazon Prime to get discounts during the 48-hour event. US members of the club pay $119 per year for benefits including one-day shipping, and they tend to buy more goods, more often from the Seattle-based retailer.

The mid-summer shopping event is estimated to bring in $5.8 billion in sales this year for Amazon globally, compared to $3.9 billion last year, according to Coresight Research. Amazon does not disclose figures for revenue generated during Prime Day shopping events.

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group &lt;BABA.N&gt; reported sales of $30.8 billion during its 24-hour online retail frenzy Singles' Day in 2018.

Last year, when Prime Day lasted 36 hours and faced technical glitches, online shoppers bought more than 100 million products worldwide, at the time recording the largest daily sales for Amazon's own brand of Echo smart speakers, while the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote and Echo Dot were the best-selling devices.

Other top-selling products around the world were table salt in India, Coke Zero and Kleenex tissues in Singapore and electric toothbrushes in China.

Pop star Lady Gaga announced a line of beauty products exclusively for sale on Amazon last week, which is available for pre-order during the promotional event.

"It's Christmas in July," said Tom Caporaso, chief executive of loyalty platform Clarus Commerce, citing company research that shows roughly 50% of consumers say they search other retailers to find the best price on Prime Day.

"That's telling you that consumers are definitely in the buying mode but are not 100% loyal to Amazon," he said.

To coincide with Prime Day, more than 2,000 workers at seven Amazon sites across Germany went on strike over pay and conditions for logistics workers for at least two days, labour union Verdi said on Monday.

Other protests have been planned across Europe and the United States, including at an Amazon warehouse in Shakopee in Minneapolis, where workers have scheduled a work stoppage and are demanding improved work conditions.

Employees are also calling on the company to do more to combat climate change and cut alleged business dealings with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"Events like Prime Day have become an opportunity for our critics, including unions, to raise awareness for their cause, in this case, increased membership dues," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.

"These groups are conjuring misinformation to work in their favour, when in fact we already offer the things they purport to be their cause — industry leading pay of $15 per hour, benefits, and a safe workplace for our employees."

Democratic presidential candidates and US Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on Twitter threw their support behind the striking workers.

Shares of Amazon edged up 0.4% on Nasdaq shortly before the close of trading.

Amazon.com Inc's <AMZN.O> Prime Day is now a major marketing opportunity and shopping event in the annual calendar for other US retail companies, rivalling the Thanksgiving holiday's Black Friday as a driver of sales.

Amazon.com Inc's <AMZN.O> Prime Day is now a major marketing opportunity and shopping event in the annual calendar for other US retail companies, rivalling the Thanksgiving holiday's Black Friday as a driver of sales. Walmart Inc <WMT.N>, Target Corp <TGT.N> and eBay Inc <EBAY.O> all run their own special promotions to coincide with the annual sale, which this year Amazon has stretched to two days. Target announced deal days which will run on the same days like Prime Day - July 15 and 16. Walmart offered promotions from July 14th-17th, while eBay announced a July 15 "crash sale." "As the awareness of this shopping moment continues to build, we see this as a great opportunity to showcase our competitive advantage on price and inventory," an eBay spokesperson said. Amazon's break-neck pace of growth, which has seen increasing numbers of shoppers ordering online instead of going to brick-and-mortar stores, is pushing other retailers to respond as they seek to remain competitive. "There is this enormous halo effect to Prime Day," said Jaysen Gillespie, head of analytics and data science at ads firm Criteo, adding that non-Amazon retailers should experience large increases both in traffic to their websites and in sales. "The rest of the industry is taking advantage of the free marketing that Jeff Bezos is providing, and they should really send him a thank you card saying, 'Hey, thanks for the awareness marketing - we'll take care of the conversion and close the deal now on our websites.'" Some retailers also flaunted no membership fees. Customers have to join Amazon Prime to get discounts during the 48-hour event. US members of the club pay $119 per year for benefits including one-day shipping, and they tend to buy more goods, more often from the Seattle-based retailer. The mid-summer shopping event is estimated to bring in $5.8 billion in sales this year for Amazon globally, compared to $3.9 billion last year, according to Coresight Research. Amazon does not disclose figures for revenue generated during Prime Day shopping events. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group <BABA.N> reported sales of $30.8 billion during its 24-hour online retail frenzy Singles' Day in 2018. Last year, when Prime Day lasted 36 hours and faced technical glitches, online shoppers bought more than 100 million products worldwide, at the time recording the largest daily sales for Amazon's own brand of Echo smart speakers, while the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote and Echo Dot were the best-selling devices. Other top-selling products around the world were table salt in India, Coke Zero and Kleenex tissues in Singapore and electric toothbrushes in China. Pop star Lady Gaga announced a line of beauty products exclusively for sale on Amazon last week, which is available for pre-order during the promotional event. "It's Christmas in July," said Tom Caporaso, chief executive of loyalty platform Clarus Commerce, citing company research that shows roughly 50% of consumers say they search other retailers to find the best price on Prime Day. "That's telling you that consumers are definitely in the buying mode but are not 100% loyal to Amazon," he said. To coincide with Prime Day, more than 2,000 workers at seven Amazon sites across Germany went on strike over pay and conditions for logistics workers for at least two days, labour union Verdi said on Monday. Other protests have been planned across Europe and the United States, including at an Amazon warehouse in Shakopee in Minneapolis, where workers have scheduled a work stoppage and are demanding improved work conditions. Employees are also calling on the company to do more to combat climate change and cut alleged business dealings with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "Events like Prime Day have become an opportunity for our critics, including unions, to raise awareness for their cause, in this case, increased membership dues," an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. "These groups are conjuring misinformation to work in their favour, when in fact we already offer the things they purport to be their cause — industry leading pay of $15 per hour, benefits, and a safe workplace for our employees." Democratic presidential candidates and US Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on Twitter threw their support behind the striking workers. Shares of Amazon edged up 0.4% on Nasdaq shortly before the close of trading.

Amazon rivals ride on Prime Day marketing as protests unfold

The remaining parties to the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-grants-visa-to-irans-javad-zarif-for-united-nation-meeting-this-week-sources-236046&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi1ocnt-rjjAhVT-WEKHf-gCNAQFjAGegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XnDcqJYQmlBGDMAurg3Hn">Iran nuclear deal</a> do not see Tehran's breaches as significant and do not intend for now to trigger the pact's dispute mechanism, preferring more diplomacy to ease the crisis, the EU foreign policy chief said on Monday.

She spoke at the end of a European Union foreign ministers meeting after Britain said there was only a "small window" of time to salvage the deal, while Iran warned it would ramp up uranium enrichment if the EU failed to do more to that end.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-hits-out-at-us-in-iaea-meet-234819&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjepLeD_LjjAhXXBIgKHbVUAt04MhAWMAR6BAgDEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1PH9R6SLIOtEtvmC-3HUS5">US-Iranian tensions</a> have escalated since US President Donald Trump decided last year to abandon the nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its atomic program in return for relief from economic sanctions crippling its economy.

The EU ministers drew no conclusions on what action should next be taken to head off a feared US-Iranian conflict. But by suggesting that Iran's non-compliance was not significant, it could anger the United States, which last week warned it would intensify sanctions on Iran over its breaches, and it did prompt an immediate outcry from Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy.

"For the time being, none of the parties to the agreement has signalled their intention to invoke this article," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a news conference in Brussels, referring to a mechanism to punish non-compliance.

"(It) means that none of them for the moment, for the time being with the current data we have had in particular from the (UN nuclear watchdog) IAEA, (consider Iran's) non-compliance...to be significant non-compliance."

Nuclear breches

IAEA inspectors last week confirmed Iran is now enriching uranium to 4.5% fissile purity, above the 3.67% limit set by its deal, the second breach in as many weeks after Tehran exceeded limits on its stock of low enriched uranium.

The level at which Iran is now refining uranium is still well below the 20% purity of enrichment Iran reached before the deal, and the 90% needed to yield bomb-grade nuclear fuel. Low-enriched uranium provides fuel for civilian power plants.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said earlier in the day that Iran remained "a good year away from developing a nuclear bomb". He told reporters in Brussels: "There is still some closing, but a small window to keep the deal alive."

Under the terms of the deal, if any party believes another is not upholding their commitments they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the European Union.

This activates a dispute mechanism that could eventually end with a restoration of global, UN sanctions against Iran. Mogherini said a joint commission meeting was possible, although when and at what level had yet to be decided.

She indicated that for now the EU would focus on diplomatic efforts to save the nuclear deal, which signatories in 2015 touted as essential to ward off the risk of a wider Middle East war jeopardising global energy supplies.

"The deal is not in good health, but it's still alive. We hope and we invite Iran to reverse these steps and go back to full compliance with the agreement," Mogherini, adding that they were all reversible.

'Appeasement'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the EU's response on Monday, saying it recalled failed diplomacy with Nazi Germany in the run-up to World War Two.

"(It) reminds me of the European appeasement of the 1930s," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

"Then, too, there were those who stuck their head in the sand and did not see the approaching danger," said Netanyahu, who has often cast Iran's nuclear projects as a mortal menace to Israel and the wider world. Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb.

The Brussels gathering had been called to flesh out ways of convincing Iran and the United States to reduce tensions and start a dialogue amid fears the 2015 deal is close to collapse.

Fears of direct US.-Iranian conflict have risen since May with several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, Iran's downing of a US surveillance drone, and a plan for US air strikes on Iran last month that Trump called off at the last minute.

In reaction to the reimposition of tough US sanctions, which have notably targeted Iran's vital oil revenue stream, Tehran has cut some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

That led the European parties to the pact, France, Britain and Germany, to warn Tehran not to shred the deal's terms.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom suggested the Europeans would leave the door open for diplomacy but that Tehran should exercise restraint.

"It improves their chances of having a good discussion with the EU and other partners in the JCPOA (Iran deal)," she told reporters. "We encourage them to use all diplomatic means and create new diplomatic channels ...to de-escalate the tense situation. We have to use every opportunity to keep the deal."

The Islamic Republic's nuclear energy agency said Tehran would return to the situation before the nuclear deal unless European countries fulfilled their obligations.

"These actions are not taken out of stubbornness but to give diplomacy a chance," agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.

"And if the Europeans and America don't want to fulfil their commitments we will create a balance in this deal by reducing commitments and return the situation to four years ago."

Iran says the European countries must do more to guarantee it the trade and investment dividends it was due to receive in return for UN-monitored limits to its nuclear capacity under the deal.

Trade mechanism

The Europeans are also trying to set up Instex, a barter-based trade conduit with Iran, but an equivalent Iranian mechanism has yet to start. Should the mechanism go ahead it would initially only deal in products such as pharmaceuticals and foods, which are not subject to US sanctions.

Mogherini also said the shareholders of Instex, which now includes 10 EU members, were considering whether to include oil, something that until now has been ruled out given the threat of US blowback.

Iran has said Instex must include oil sales or provide substantial credit facilities for it to be beneficial.

The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal do not see Tehran's breaches as significant and do not intend for now to trigger the pact's dispute mechanism, preferring more diplomacy to ease the crisis, the EU foreign policy chief said on Monday.

The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal do not see Tehran's breaches as significant and do not intend for now to trigger the pact's dispute mechanism, preferring more diplomacy to ease the crisis, the EU foreign policy chief said on Monday. She spoke at the end of a European Union foreign ministers meeting after Britain said there was only a "small window" of time to salvage the deal, while Iran warned it would ramp up uranium enrichment if the EU failed to do more to that end. US-Iranian tensions have escalated since US President Donald Trump decided last year to abandon the nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its atomic program in return for relief from economic sanctions crippling its economy. The EU ministers drew no conclusions on what action should next be taken to head off a feared US-Iranian conflict. But by suggesting that Iran's non-compliance was not significant, it could anger the United States, which last week warned it would intensify sanctions on Iran over its breaches, and it did prompt an immediate outcry from Israel, Iran's regional arch-enemy. "For the time being, none of the parties to the agreement has signalled their intention to invoke this article," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a news conference in Brussels, referring to a mechanism to punish non-compliance. "(It) means that none of them for the moment, for the time being with the current data we have had in particular from the (UN nuclear watchdog) IAEA, (consider Iran's) non-compliance...to be significant non-compliance." Nuclear breches IAEA inspectors last week confirmed Iran is now enriching uranium to 4.5% fissile purity, above the 3.67% limit set by its deal, the second breach in as many weeks after Tehran exceeded limits on its stock of low enriched uranium. The level at which Iran is now refining uranium is still well below the 20% purity of enrichment Iran reached before the deal, and the 90% needed to yield bomb-grade nuclear fuel. Low-enriched uranium provides fuel for civilian power plants. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said earlier in the day that Iran remained "a good year away from developing a nuclear bomb". He told reporters in Brussels: "There is still some closing, but a small window to keep the deal alive." Under the terms of the deal, if any party believes another is not upholding their commitments they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the European Union. This activates a dispute mechanism that could eventually end with a restoration of global, UN sanctions against Iran. Mogherini said a joint commission meeting was possible, although when and at what level had yet to be decided. She indicated that for now the EU would focus on diplomatic efforts to save the nuclear deal, which signatories in 2015 touted as essential to ward off the risk of a wider Middle East war jeopardising global energy supplies. "The deal is not in good health, but it's still alive. We hope and we invite Iran to reverse these steps and go back to full compliance with the agreement," Mogherini, adding that they were all reversible. 'Appeasement' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the EU's response on Monday, saying it recalled failed diplomacy with Nazi Germany in the run-up to World War Two. "(It) reminds me of the European appeasement of the 1930s," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "Then, too, there were those who stuck their head in the sand and did not see the approaching danger," said Netanyahu, who has often cast Iran's nuclear projects as a mortal menace to Israel and the wider world. Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb. The Brussels gathering had been called to flesh out ways of convincing Iran and the United States to reduce tensions and start a dialogue amid fears the 2015 deal is close to collapse. Fears of direct US.-Iranian conflict have risen since May with several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, Iran's downing of a US surveillance drone, and a plan for US air strikes on Iran last month that Trump called off at the last minute. In reaction to the reimposition of tough US sanctions, which have notably targeted Iran's vital oil revenue stream, Tehran has cut some of its nuclear commitments under the deal. That led the European parties to the pact, France, Britain and Germany, to warn Tehran not to shred the deal's terms. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom suggested the Europeans would leave the door open for diplomacy but that Tehran should exercise restraint. "It improves their chances of having a good discussion with the EU and other partners in the JCPOA (Iran deal)," she told reporters. "We encourage them to use all diplomatic means and create new diplomatic channels ...to de-escalate the tense situation. We have to use every opportunity to keep the deal." The Islamic Republic's nuclear energy agency said Tehran would return to the situation before the nuclear deal unless European countries fulfilled their obligations. "These actions are not taken out of stubbornness but to give diplomacy a chance," agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said. "And if the Europeans and America don't want to fulfil their commitments we will create a balance in this deal by reducing commitments and return the situation to four years ago." Iran says the European countries must do more to guarantee it the trade and investment dividends it was due to receive in return for UN-monitored limits to its nuclear capacity under the deal. Trade mechanism The Europeans are also trying to set up Instex, a barter-based trade conduit with Iran, but an equivalent Iranian mechanism has yet to start. Should the mechanism go ahead it would initially only deal in products such as pharmaceuticals and foods, which are not subject to US sanctions. Mogherini also said the shareholders of Instex, which now includes 10 EU members, were considering whether to include oil, something that until now has been ruled out given the threat of US blowback. Iran has said Instex must include oil sales or provide substantial credit facilities for it to be beneficial.

Nuclear deal parties not ready to launch dispute mechanism against Iran, prefer more diplomacy: European Union

A brief history of every moon mission in the history of space exploration. Watch video to know more.

A brief history of every moon mission in the history of space exploration

Tropical <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/life-threatening-tropical-storm-barry-grinds-toward-louisiana-235408&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqt4CY5bHjAhUKO3AKHTmWCuYQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3enmOBvnyahBlPshYI5VEE">Storm Barry</a>, poised to make landfall as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019, churned ever closer to Louisiana's shore early on Saturday as most New Orleans residents huddled at home, or in bars, bracing for the threat of severe flooding.

Authorities urged citizens to secure property, stock up provisions and shelter in place. However, some nervous residents opted to flee the city, and tourism officials reported an abrupt exodus of out-of-town visitors on Friday.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered in outlying coastal areas beyond the protection of levees in neighbouring Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes south of the city.

The storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph), was on track to reach hurricane strength shortly before crossing the Louisiana coastline southwest of New Orleans on Saturday, the National Weather Service said.

Landfall predictions were pushed back from sunrise to late morning or early afternoon, as the storm crawled across the Gulf Coast at about 3 mph, forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said early Saturday.

Rain bands were already hitting the coast before sunrise, and more than 56,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana were without power, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.

Meteorologists warned that torrential rain - as much as 2 feet (60 cm) in some places - could unleash severe flooding as the storm moves inland from the Gulf of Mexico, where oil and gas operations have already cut production by nearly 60 per cent.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/new-orleans-braces-for-flooding-trump-declares-emergency-ahead-of-storm-barry-235308&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJkMm_5bHjAhXLdXAKHZ-LCuwQFjAFegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1wf734-7VGa_HjR097sZt5">US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for Louisiana</a> on Friday, freeing up federal disaster assistance if needed.

The impending storm could test beefed-up flood defences put in place since the 2005 calamity of Hurricane Katrina, which left much of New Orleans underwater and killed about 1,800 people.

Too much water

The brunt of Barry's force was expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans, avoiding a direct hit on a low-lying city virtually surrounded on all sides by rising waters.

But Mayor LaToya Cantrell said 48 hours of heavy downpours could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water.

"There is no system in the world that can handle that amount of rainfall in such a short period," Cantrell said on Twitter.

Authorities were paying especially close attention to the levee system built to contain the lower Mississippi River, which winds through the heart of New Orleans and was already above flood stage from months of heavy upstream rainfall over the Midwest.

A coastal storm surge into the mouth of the Mississippi was expected to push its crest to 19 feet (5.79 m) in New Orleans on Saturday, the highest level since 1950 and dangerously close to the top of the city's levees.

New Orleans was already saturated after thunderstorms drenched it with a foot of rain on Wednesday.

While street flooding seemed probable, the US&nbsp;Army Corps of Engineers insisted that significant breaching of the 20-foot-tall levees in New Orleans was unlikely.

Levee floodgates normally left open to allow passage of traffic were being closed, along with a giant ocean surge barrier erected after Katrina.

The level of Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary on the city's northern flank, rose by 3 feet on Friday, triggering the closure of a floodgate on a drainage canal that breached during Katrina, officials said.

Ahead of the storm, New Orleans residents flocked to supermarkets for bottled water, ice, snacks and beer, thronging grocery stores in such numbers that some ran out of shopping carts.

Across the city, motorists left cars parked on the raised median strips of roadways, hoping the extra elevation would protect them from flood damage. Sandbags were stacked outside of hotels, shops and other businesses along Canal Street.

The sheriff's office said dozens of jail inmates held on minor charges were released to make room for nearly 70 inmates transferred from a temporary lockup to the main detention facility, which was built to withstand a major hurricane.

City residents were asked to remain indoors after 8 p.m. but some, in keeping with New Orleans' party spirit, decided to hunker down in more festive surroundings.

"The rain's not going to shut us down, we're going to shut this place down," said Brett Tidball, 33, who gathered with eight friends at Bourbon Street bar for his bachelor party, asking the pianist for back-to-back songs about bad weather.

Prince's "Purple Rain" echoed down the street.

Tropical Storm Barry, poised to make landfall as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019, churned ever closer to Louisiana's shore early on Saturday as most New Orleans residents huddled at home, or in bars, bracing for the threat of severe flooding.

Tropical Storm Barry, poised to make landfall as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019, churned ever closer to Louisiana's shore early on Saturday as most New Orleans residents huddled at home, or in bars, bracing for the threat of severe flooding. Authorities urged citizens to secure property, stock up provisions and shelter in place. However, some nervous residents opted to flee the city, and tourism officials reported an abrupt exodus of out-of-town visitors on Friday. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in outlying coastal areas beyond the protection of levees in neighbouring Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes south of the city. The storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph), was on track to reach hurricane strength shortly before crossing the Louisiana coastline southwest of New Orleans on Saturday, the National Weather Service said. Landfall predictions were pushed back from sunrise to late morning or early afternoon, as the storm crawled across the Gulf Coast at about 3 mph, forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said early Saturday. Rain bands were already hitting the coast before sunrise, and more than 56,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana were without power, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us. Meteorologists warned that torrential rain - as much as 2 feet (60 cm) in some places - could unleash severe flooding as the storm moves inland from the Gulf of Mexico, where oil and gas operations have already cut production by nearly 60 per cent. US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for Louisiana on Friday, freeing up federal disaster assistance if needed. The impending storm could test beefed-up flood defences put in place since the 2005 calamity of Hurricane Katrina, which left much of New Orleans underwater and killed about 1,800 people. Too much water The brunt of Barry's force was expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans, avoiding a direct hit on a low-lying city virtually surrounded on all sides by rising waters. But Mayor LaToya Cantrell said 48 hours of heavy downpours could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water. "There is no system in the world that can handle that amount of rainfall in such a short period," Cantrell said on Twitter. Authorities were paying especially close attention to the levee system built to contain the lower Mississippi River, which winds through the heart of New Orleans and was already above flood stage from months of heavy upstream rainfall over the Midwest. A coastal storm surge into the mouth of the Mississippi was expected to push its crest to 19 feet (5.79 m) in New Orleans on Saturday, the highest level since 1950 and dangerously close to the top of the city's levees. New Orleans was already saturated after thunderstorms drenched it with a foot of rain on Wednesday. While street flooding seemed probable, the US Army Corps of Engineers insisted that significant breaching of the 20-foot-tall levees in New Orleans was unlikely. Levee floodgates normally left open to allow passage of traffic were being closed, along with a giant ocean surge barrier erected after Katrina. The level of Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary on the city's northern flank, rose by 3 feet on Friday, triggering the closure of a floodgate on a drainage canal that breached during Katrina, officials said. Ahead of the storm, New Orleans residents flocked to supermarkets for bottled water, ice, snacks and beer, thronging grocery stores in such numbers that some ran out of shopping carts. Across the city, motorists left cars parked on the raised median strips of roadways, hoping the extra elevation would protect them from flood damage. Sandbags were stacked outside of hotels, shops and other businesses along Canal Street. The sheriff's office said dozens of jail inmates held on minor charges were released to make room for nearly 70 inmates transferred from a temporary lockup to the main detention facility, which was built to withstand a major hurricane. City residents were asked to remain indoors after 8 p.m. but some, in keeping with New Orleans' party spirit, decided to hunker down in more festive surroundings. "The rain's not going to shut us down, we're going to shut this place down," said Brett Tidball, 33, who gathered with eight friends at Bourbon Street bar for his bachelor party, asking the pianist for back-to-back songs about bad weather. Prince's "Purple Rain" echoed down the street.

New Orleans residents huddle at home, and in bars, ahead of hurricane

Democrats see <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-declines-to-set-united-states-uranium-production-quotas-235511&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjV7Ybf4rHjAhURA4gKHYngDqgQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Igh2cu_eaVsR8edMUc62K">US President Donald Trump</a> becoming increasingly vulnerable to criticism about healthcare costs after the administration's decision to scrap a proposal to lower drug prices, and 2020 White House candidates are rushing to seize the spotlight on the issue.

The debate over the future of the American healthcare system has become a focal point of the Democratic presidential nominating contest.&nbsp;

As Trump has failed to make strides to remedy the problem, Democrats are becoming more vocal.

Some Democrats have been making big promises on healthcare, vowing to sweeping overhauls and complete government takeovers.

But even candidates like US Senators <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/trumps-strong-stances-greatly-benefit-india-heres-how-234632&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjJlo3d47HjAhXQc3AKHdwKAOEQFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw34fN15vkSGEQUlRF2yS_MK">Bernie Sanders</a> and Elizabeth Warren, who would abolish private health insurance, are wading into the debate about lowering costs for consumers buying drugs in the current market.

Trump talked regularly about drug prices during his 2016 campaign but has failed so far to deliver the changes he promised.

On Thursday his administration scrapped one of its most ambitious proposals for lowering prescription medicine prices, backing down from a policy aimed at health insurers and raising the possibility of new measures focused on drugmakers.

The abandoned proposal would have required health insurers to pass billions of dollars in rebates from drugmakers to Medicare patients.

Drug prices directly affect consumers, making it a more pressing concern for voters than debates over the structure of the healthcare system, said Robert Blendon, a political scientist at Harvard University who researches public opinion on healthcare.

Blendon said Trump, having failed to broker any deals in Congress, made his drug price plan too complicated, and voters are unlikely to see him as having made any strides.&nbsp;

That is an opportunity for Democrats to offer their own effort at messaging.

A study Blendon produced earlier this year found that given a list of problems, nine out of 10 Americans chose the price of prescription drugs as an extremely important issue.

But voters' concerns do not extend to the stability or structure of government, with only 25% saying they are concerned about the stability of Medicare.

"Whoever gains anything politically out of this is going to have to talk about this (so that) it sounds like you understand," Blendon said.&nbsp;

"It really is a pocketbook issue."

On Thursday, US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled a plan to lower drug prices.&nbsp;

On Friday, Democrat Amy Klobuchar announced a plan to help lower the cost of pharmaceuticals purchased by seniors. Warren also has a Medicare pricing plan.

Sanders is heading to Canada later this month for an event to highlight the difference in the price of insulin.

Blendon said it was becoming obvious to candidates like Sanders that they cannot peg their entire healthcare message to arguing for a universal system.

"Medicare for all is not a top issue for older voters," Blendon said.

Klobuchar's proposal, which includes investing in research for a cure for Alzheimer's disease and improving the stability of Social Security, would allow the government to negotiate Medicare Part D costs, which cover prescriptions for seniors.

Klobuchar, a US senator from Minnesota, would also let people order prescription drugs from countries like Canada, proposal proponents say would lower costs.

Blendon said import changes are the most popular with voters, who fail to see how drugs from Canada or England are any more risky than ones made in the United States.

Democrats see US President Donald Trump becoming increasingly vulnerable to criticism about healthcare costs after the administration's decision to scrap a proposal to lower drug prices, and 2020 White House candidates are rushing to seize the spotlight on the issue.

Democrats see US President Donald Trump becoming increasingly vulnerable to criticism about healthcare costs after the administration's decision to scrap a proposal to lower drug prices, and 2020 White House candidates are rushing to seize the spotlight on the issue. The debate over the future of the American healthcare system has become a focal point of the Democratic presidential nominating contest. As Trump has failed to make strides to remedy the problem, Democrats are becoming more vocal. Some Democrats have been making big promises on healthcare, vowing to sweeping overhauls and complete government takeovers. But even candidates like US Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who would abolish private health insurance, are wading into the debate about lowering costs for consumers buying drugs in the current market. Trump talked regularly about drug prices during his 2016 campaign but has failed so far to deliver the changes he promised. On Thursday his administration scrapped one of its most ambitious proposals for lowering prescription medicine prices, backing down from a policy aimed at health insurers and raising the possibility of new measures focused on drugmakers. The abandoned proposal would have required health insurers to pass billions of dollars in rebates from drugmakers to Medicare patients. Drug prices directly affect consumers, making it a more pressing concern for voters than debates over the structure of the healthcare system, said Robert Blendon, a political scientist at Harvard University who researches public opinion on healthcare. Blendon said Trump, having failed to broker any deals in Congress, made his drug price plan too complicated, and voters are unlikely to see him as having made any strides. That is an opportunity for Democrats to offer their own effort at messaging. A study Blendon produced earlier this year found that given a list of problems, nine out of 10 Americans chose the price of prescription drugs as an extremely important issue. But voters' concerns do not extend to the stability or structure of government, with only 25% saying they are concerned about the stability of Medicare. "Whoever gains anything politically out of this is going to have to talk about this (so that) it sounds like you understand," Blendon said. "It really is a pocketbook issue." On Thursday, US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled a plan to lower drug prices. On Friday, Democrat Amy Klobuchar announced a plan to help lower the cost of pharmaceuticals purchased by seniors. Warren also has a Medicare pricing plan. Sanders is heading to Canada later this month for an event to highlight the difference in the price of insulin. Blendon said it was becoming obvious to candidates like Sanders that they cannot peg their entire healthcare message to arguing for a universal system. "Medicare for all is not a top issue for older voters," Blendon said. Klobuchar's proposal, which includes investing in research for a cure for Alzheimer's disease and improving the stability of Social Security, would allow the government to negotiate Medicare Part D costs, which cover prescriptions for seniors. Klobuchar, a US senator from Minnesota, would also let people order prescription drugs from countries like Canada, proposal proponents say would lower costs. Blendon said import changes are the most popular with voters, who fail to see how drugs from Canada or England are any more risky than ones made in the United States.

Democrats take aim as Donald Trump abandons drug pricing plan

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-backs-down-on-including-citizenship-question-in-2020-census-235152&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjKypS327HjAhXv7nMBHXgDDcc4ChAWMAR6BAgBEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw22Srw7_bPoBw7xzwLt14Bu">US President Donald Trump</a> late Friday declined to issue quotas for domestic uranium production but instead ordered a new 90-day review by a group of federal agencies.

Trump said in a written memorandum he did not concur with a US Commerce Department investigation that found uranium imports threaten to impair <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-provide-licenses-for-sales-to-huawei-if-national-security-protected-234433">US national security.</a>

Trump wrote that while findings "raise significant concerns" he was ordering a deeper review.

"A fuller analysis of national security considerations with respect to the entire nuclear fuel supply chain is necessary at this time."

The United States sourced just 7% of its uranium domestically in 2017, with most of the rest coming from Canada, Australia, and Russia, according to the Energy Information Administration.

The US uranium mining firms, as well as more than two dozen western state lawmakers, have argued that nuclear generators rely heavily on countries such as Russia, China, and Kazakhstan for uranium supply from their state-owned companies, who flood the market.

Electric utility companies with nuclear power plants, including Duke Energy &lt;DUK.N&gt; and Entergy &lt;ETR.N&gt;, fought back hard against the miners' petition, arguing that their costs would spike if they were forced to source uranium domestically.

They had pushed back against the miners' argument that the utilities relied on adversaries like Russia, China and Kazakhstan, saying that the United States, Canada and Australia together accounted for nearly 60 per cent of the US uranium supply in 2017.

Trump said the working group would make "recommendations to further enable domestic nuclear fuel production if needed."

US President Donald Trump late Friday declined to issue quotas for domestic uranium production but instead ordered a new 90-day review by a group of federal agencies.

US President Donald Trump late Friday declined to issue quotas for domestic uranium production but instead ordered a new 90-day review by a group of federal agencies. Trump said in a written memorandum he did not concur with a US Commerce Department investigation that found uranium imports threaten to impair US national security. Trump wrote that while findings "raise significant concerns" he was ordering a deeper review. "A fuller analysis of national security considerations with respect to the entire nuclear fuel supply chain is necessary at this time." The United States sourced just 7% of its uranium domestically in 2017, with most of the rest coming from Canada, Australia, and Russia, according to the Energy Information Administration. The US uranium mining firms, as well as more than two dozen western state lawmakers, have argued that nuclear generators rely heavily on countries such as Russia, China, and Kazakhstan for uranium supply from their state-owned companies, who flood the market. Electric utility companies with nuclear power plants, including Duke Energy <DUK.N> and Entergy <ETR.N>, fought back hard against the miners' petition, arguing that their costs would spike if they were forced to source uranium domestically. They had pushed back against the miners' argument that the utilities relied on adversaries like Russia, China and Kazakhstan, saying that the United States, Canada and Australia together accounted for nearly 60 per cent of the US uranium supply in 2017. Trump said the working group would make "recommendations to further enable domestic nuclear fuel production if needed."

Donald Trump declines to set United States uranium production quotas

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-to-seek-rollback-of-indian-tariffs-during-trade-talk-report-235194">US</a> Attorney General William Barr has recused himself from the Justice Department's investigation into Boeing Co after two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ryanair-holdings-sees-risk-to-2020-growth-if-737-max-grounded-beyond-november-234886">737 MAX</a> aeroplane crashes killed 346 people, a spokeswoman for Barr said Thursday.

Bloomberg News reported on Thursday that Barr has recused himself because his former law firm is representing Boeing.&nbsp;

Reuters and other outlets reported in March that federal prosecutors aided by the FBI were scrutinizing the development of the 737 MAX jetliners. Boeing did not immediately comment.

US Attorney General William Barr has recused himself from the Justice Department's investigation into Boeing Co after two 737 MAX aeroplane crashes killed 346 people, a spokeswoman for Barr said Thursday.

US Attorney General William Barr has recused himself from the Justice Department's investigation into Boeing Co after two 737 MAX aeroplane crashes killed 346 people, a spokeswoman for Barr said Thursday. Bloomberg News reported on Thursday that Barr has recused himself because his former law firm is representing Boeing. Reuters and other outlets reported in March that federal prosecutors aided by the FBI were scrutinizing the development of the 737 MAX jetliners. Boeing did not immediately comment.

United States Attorney General William Barr has recused himself from Boeing 737 MAX probe: Justice Department

Gold rose on Friday and was on track to post a weekly gain, supported by an easing dollar and weaker than expected Chinese trade data which stoked global growth concerns.

Spot gold was up 0.3% at $1,408.27 per ounce at 1136 GMT.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood-celebrities-applaud-dutee-chand-for-winning-gold-in-world-university-235221">Gold</a> has risen about 0.6% so far this week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-delegation-to-discuss-indias-new-e-commerce-rules-during-trade-talks-235262">US</a> gold futures rose 0.2% to $1,409.8 an ounce.

"We have <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-war-is-making-china-stronger-234526&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiN-qTzsK_jAhXVfd4KHd9NDEsQFjAJegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mZbA9dK8Er7gAUzoNsiFc">(China's) trade</a> data out this morning which disappointed mainly on the import side, suggesting the Chinese economy is still struggling," said Julius Baer analyst Carsten Menke.

"This provided fuel to the growth worries, so that's why gold as a haven is benefiting."

China's exports fell in June as the United States ramped up trade pressure, while imports shrank more than expected, pointing to further strains on the world's second-largest economy.

Also helping gold was the dollar index, which eased for a third straight session as stronger-than-expected US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/euro-zone-growth-inflation-outlook-cut-as-risks-from-us-trade-grow-234720/amp">inflation</a> data failed to shake convictions that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates this month.

Despite the robust core US consumer price index data, money markets still indicated one rate cut at the end of July and a cumulative 64 basis points in cuts by the end of 2019.

"The comments from the Fed and the minutes this week were on the dovish side and have given the market hope that there might be a chance of a 50 basis point cut," said ABN Amro analyst Georgette Boele.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated on Thursday that a rate cut is likely at the Fed's next meeting as businesses slow investment due to trade disputes and their impact on global growth.

Spot gold has risen more than 11% since it touched the year's low of $1,265.85 per ounce in May, mainly on expectations of aggressive monetary policy easing and growth worries.

"The market is clearly more aggressive than we are, so there is some potential for disappointment on the rate side," Menke said.

"So, if we don't get three rate cuts by the end of the year this could be a trigger for a little bit of a short-term correction in gold."

In the physical market, gold buying stalled in top Asian hubs this week as consumers sold back bullion to cash in on the steep price rally.

A recent import duty hike further dented waning interest in an Indian market hit by a surge in local rates.

Elsewhere, silver and platinum were up 0.1% at $15.13 and $821 per ounce respectively.

Palladium fell 0.2% to $1,557.50 an ounce, edging away from a 16-week peak of $1,605.52 touched in the previous session.

Gold rose on Friday and was on track to post a weekly gain, supported by an easing dollar and weaker than expected Chinese trade data which stoked global growth concerns.

Gold rose on Friday and was on track to post a weekly gain, supported by an easing dollar and weaker than expected Chinese trade data which stoked global growth concerns. Spot gold was up 0.3% at $1,408.27 per ounce at 1136 GMT. Gold has risen about 0.6% so far this week. US gold futures rose 0.2% to $1,409.8 an ounce. "We have (China's) trade data out this morning which disappointed mainly on the import side, suggesting the Chinese economy is still struggling," said Julius Baer analyst Carsten Menke. "This provided fuel to the growth worries, so that's why gold as a haven is benefiting." China's exports fell in June as the United States ramped up trade pressure, while imports shrank more than expected, pointing to further strains on the world's second-largest economy. Also helping gold was the dollar index, which eased for a third straight session as stronger-than-expected US inflation data failed to shake convictions that the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates this month. Despite the robust core US consumer price index data, money markets still indicated one rate cut at the end of July and a cumulative 64 basis points in cuts by the end of 2019. "The comments from the Fed and the minutes this week were on the dovish side and have given the market hope that there might be a chance of a 50 basis point cut," said ABN Amro analyst Georgette Boele. Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated on Thursday that a rate cut is likely at the Fed's next meeting as businesses slow investment due to trade disputes and their impact on global growth. Spot gold has risen more than 11% since it touched the year's low of $1,265.85 per ounce in May, mainly on expectations of aggressive monetary policy easing and growth worries. "The market is clearly more aggressive than we are, so there is some potential for disappointment on the rate side," Menke said. "So, if we don't get three rate cuts by the end of the year this could be a trigger for a little bit of a short-term correction in gold." In the physical market, gold buying stalled in top Asian hubs this week as consumers sold back bullion to cash in on the steep price rally. A recent import duty hike further dented waning interest in an Indian market hit by a surge in local rates. Elsewhere, silver and platinum were up 0.1% at $15.13 and $821 per ounce respectively. Palladium fell 0.2% to $1,557.50 an ounce, edging away from a 16-week peak of $1,605.52 touched in the previous session.

Gold edges up on weaker dollar, China data fuels growth concerns

Tropical <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-rise-over-storm-barry-middle-east-tensions-235170">storm Barry</a> could strengthen into a hurricane by Friday night or early Saturday when the centre is near the coast of Louisiana, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-attorney-general-william-barr-recuses-himself-from-boeing-737-max-probe-justice-department-235216">US</a> National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The storm, about 140 miles (220 km) southeast of Morgan City, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-rains-flood-new-orleans-streets-forecasters-predict-hurricane-234833">Louisiana</a>, is packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 km per hour), the NHC said.

"Dangerous storm surge, heavy rains, and wind conditions are expected across the north-central Gulf Coast," the Miami-based weather forecaster added.

Meteorologists predicted between 10 and 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain along much of the Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/storm-barry-bears-down-on-new-orleans-with-extreme-rainfall-flooding-risk-235208/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell warned that 48 hours of heavy rain could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water in the low-lying city.

A tropical storm warning was posted on Thursday afternoon for metropolitan New Orleans, and a hurricane warning for a stretch of the Louisiana coast south of the city. The weather service later reported winds increasing to 45 mph (72 kph), with higher gusts.

The storm swiftly disrupted oil and gas operations along the Gulf, as energy companies halted production on more than half of the region's petroleum output and evacuated nearly 200 offshore facilities and a coastal refinery.

With the brunt of the storm expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans instead of making a direct hit, city officials ordered evacuations.

Tropical storm Barry could strengthen into a hurricane by Friday night or early Saturday when the centre is near the coast of Louisiana, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

Tropical storm Barry could strengthen into a hurricane by Friday night or early Saturday when the centre is near the coast of Louisiana, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm, about 140 miles (220 km) southeast of Morgan City, Louisiana, is packing maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (85 km per hour), the NHC said. "Dangerous storm surge, heavy rains, and wind conditions are expected across the north-central Gulf Coast," the Miami-based weather forecaster added. Meteorologists predicted between 10 and 20 inches (25-50 cm) of rain along much of the Gulf Coast on Friday and Saturday. Watch Video: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell warned that 48 hours of heavy rain could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water in the low-lying city. A tropical storm warning was posted on Thursday afternoon for metropolitan New Orleans, and a hurricane warning for a stretch of the Louisiana coast south of the city. The weather service later reported winds increasing to 45 mph (72 kph), with higher gusts. The storm swiftly disrupted oil and gas operations along the Gulf, as energy companies halted production on more than half of the region's petroleum output and evacuated nearly 200 offshore facilities and a coastal refinery. With the brunt of the storm expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans instead of making a direct hit, city officials ordered evacuations.

Tropical Storm Barry to hit Louisiana may develop into hurricane: US weather forecaster

Driving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-overcast-clouds-rain-expected-at-manchester-ahead-of-india-vs-new-zealand-semi-final-234185">rains</a> flooded parts of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/4th-july-celebrations-battle-tanks-arrive-in-washington-trump-promises-incredible-flyovers-biggest-ever-fireworks-232578">Washington, D.C.,</a> on Monday, shattering a daily record in just an hour, forcing 15 swift-water rescues from stranded cars and causing an undeniable leak in the White House.

"This is a life-threatening situation. Seek higher ground now!" the National Weather Service warned amid torrential <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/railway-services-resume-in-mumbai-amid-heavy-rains-no-water-logging-reported-234162">rains</a> that dropped 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) at Reagan National Airport from 9 a.m. through 10 a.m. ET (1200-1300 GMT), shattering in one hour the previous record of 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) set in 1958.

It was the seventh-wettest July day since record-keeping began in 1871, said NWS meteorologist Marc Chenard.

"They broke their daily record in an hour," he said.

Even more, rainfall was recorded further northwest, in Arlington, Virginia, where about 5 inches (12.7 cm) fell from 9 to 10 a.m., Chenard said.

The rains eased by late morning and were expected to end by midday, Chenard said.

Torrents of water streamed through the ceiling of Metro stations, and major arteries serving Washington's top museums and memorials shut down due to high water as local emergency personnel reported rescuing several people from cars. By midday, DC Fire and EMS said it had saved 15 drivers.

Firefighters used yellow rubber lifeboats to rescue those trapped by the flood waters.

Twitter images showed a photograph of a very wet floor beneath office chairs and desks on the basement level of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

"White House is leaking," CNN journalist Betsy Klein tweeted with the picture.

Driving rains flooded parts of Washington, D.C., on Monday, shattering a daily record in just an hour, forcing 15 swift-water rescues from stranded cars and causing an undeniable leak in the White House.

Driving rains flooded parts of Washington, D.C., on Monday, shattering a daily record in just an hour, forcing 15 swift-water rescues from stranded cars and causing an undeniable leak in the White House. "This is a life-threatening situation. Seek higher ground now!" the National Weather Service warned amid torrential rains that dropped 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) at Reagan National Airport from 9 a.m. through 10 a.m. ET (1200-1300 GMT), shattering in one hour the previous record of 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) set in 1958. It was the seventh-wettest July day since record-keeping began in 1871, said NWS meteorologist Marc Chenard. "They broke their daily record in an hour," he said. Even more, rainfall was recorded further northwest, in Arlington, Virginia, where about 5 inches (12.7 cm) fell from 9 to 10 a.m., Chenard said. The rains eased by late morning and were expected to end by midday, Chenard said. Torrents of water streamed through the ceiling of Metro stations, and major arteries serving Washington's top museums and memorials shut down due to high water as local emergency personnel reported rescuing several people from cars. By midday, DC Fire and EMS said it had saved 15 drivers. Firefighters used yellow rubber lifeboats to rescue those trapped by the flood waters. Twitter images showed a photograph of a very wet floor beneath office chairs and desks on the basement level of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. "White House is leaking," CNN journalist Betsy Klein tweeted with the picture.

Life-threatening rains pound US capital; White House basement offices leak

The future of Obamacare could be at stake on Tuesday when a coalition of Democratic-led states and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-panel-launches-probe-into-possible-obstruction-by-trump-200941">House of Representatives</a> urge a federal appeals court to overturn a Texas judge's ruling that the US healthcare reform law is unconstitutional.

Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), since its 2010 passage, and while the Justice Department would normally defend a federal law, the Trump administration has declined to defend its constitutionality against a challenge by 18 Republican-led states.

A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-desert-braces-for-aftershocks-from-major-71-quake-233580">California</a> Attorney General Xavier Becerra stepped into the void to defend the law. The House intervened after Democrats won control in November's elections after many focused their campaigns on defunding Obamacare.

A three-judge panel of the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, including two judges appointed by Republican presidents and one by a Democrat, will take up a ruling by a federal judge in Texas last year that the entire ACA was unconstitutional.

An appellate ruling declaring Obamacare unconstitutional could prompt an appeal to the US Supreme Court, opening the door for the top court to take up the issue during the 2020 US presidential election.

Obamacare, the signature domestic achievement of Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, has been a political flashpoint since its passage.

Republican opponents call the law an unwarranted intervention by government in health insurance markets, while supporters say that striking it down would put at risk the healthcare of 20 million people who have gained insurance since its enactment.

In 2012, a divided <a href="http://wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-to-take-up-dreamers-case-231345">US Supreme Court</a> upheld most of its provisions, including the individual mandate, which requires people to obtain insurance or pay a penalty.

The mandate compelled healthy people to buy insurance to offset sicker patients' costs after Obamacare barred insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

The Supreme Court's conservative majority argued that Congress could not constitutionally order people to buy insurance. But Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's four liberal members to hold the mandate was a valid exercise of Congress' tax power.

Republicans in Congress subsequently failed to overturn Obamacare, but in December 2017, <a href="http://wionews.com/world/donald-trump-has-discussed-iran-nuclear-standoff-with-macron-white-house-234187">Trump</a> signed into law a tax bill passed by a Republican-led Congress that reduced the tax penalty to zero dollars.

A coalition of Republican-led states headed by Texas sued, alleging the tax penalty's elimination rendered Obamacare unconstitutional.

US District Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth, Texas, agreed in December 2018, saying the individual mandate was unconstitutional because it no longer triggered a tax.

O'Connor, nominated by former Republican President George W. Bush, said that because Obamacare called the mandate "essential," the entire law must be struck down.

The Justice Department initially argued the mandate was unconstitutional but most of Obamacare could be severed from it. But it argues on appeal the law's balance must be struck down.

The future of Obamacare could be at stake on Tuesday when a coalition of Democratic-led states and House of Representatives urge a federal appeals court to overturn a Texas judge's ruling that the US healthcare reform law is unconstitutional.

The future of Obamacare could be at stake on Tuesday when a coalition of Democratic-led states and House of Representatives urge a federal appeals court to overturn a Texas judge's ruling that the US healthcare reform law is unconstitutional. Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), since its 2010 passage, and while the Justice Department would normally defend a federal law, the Trump administration has declined to defend its constitutionality against a challenge by 18 Republican-led states. A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra stepped into the void to defend the law. The House intervened after Democrats won control in November's elections after many focused their campaigns on defunding Obamacare. A three-judge panel of the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, including two judges appointed by Republican presidents and one by a Democrat, will take up a ruling by a federal judge in Texas last year that the entire ACA was unconstitutional. An appellate ruling declaring Obamacare unconstitutional could prompt an appeal to the US Supreme Court, opening the door for the top court to take up the issue during the 2020 US presidential election. Obamacare, the signature domestic achievement of Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, has been a political flashpoint since its passage. Republican opponents call the law an unwarranted intervention by government in health insurance markets, while supporters say that striking it down would put at risk the healthcare of 20 million people who have gained insurance since its enactment. In 2012, a divided US Supreme Court upheld most of its provisions, including the individual mandate, which requires people to obtain insurance or pay a penalty. The mandate compelled healthy people to buy insurance to offset sicker patients' costs after Obamacare barred insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. The Supreme Court's conservative majority argued that Congress could not constitutionally order people to buy insurance. But Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's four liberal members to hold the mandate was a valid exercise of Congress' tax power. Republicans in Congress subsequently failed to overturn Obamacare, but in December 2017, Trump signed into law a tax bill passed by a Republican-led Congress that reduced the tax penalty to zero dollars. A coalition of Republican-led states headed by Texas sued, alleging the tax penalty's elimination rendered Obamacare unconstitutional. US District Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth, Texas, agreed in December 2018, saying the individual mandate was unconstitutional because it no longer triggered a tax. O'Connor, nominated by former Republican President George W. Bush, said that because Obamacare called the mandate "essential," the entire law must be struck down. The Justice Department initially argued the mandate was unconstitutional but most of Obamacare could be severed from it. But it argues on appeal the law's balance must be struck down.

United States appeals court to take up constitutionality of Obamacare

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gold-rises-as-focus-returns-to-growth-concerns-fed-rate-cut-233960/amp">Gold prices</a> ticked lower on Tuesday, as the dollar scaled to multi-week highs on reduced expectations of an aggressive US rate cut, although softer share markets capped the metal's losses.

Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,393.03 per ounce as of 0740 GMT.

US&nbsp;gold futures fell 0.3% to $1,395.70 an ounce.

"Weakness in gold prices is largely due to an easing of rate cut expectations and bond yields are recovering. Markets continue to price in a 25 basis point cut but it looks like sentiment is easing and the dollar has rebounded," said Benjamin Lu, an analyst at Phillip Futures.

The dollar index hit a near three-week peak, making bullion expensive for holders of other currencies. The US Treasury yield curve hit its flattest level in more than a month after investors rolled back expectations for a sharp U.S. rate cut at the end of July. [USD/] [US/]

A week ago, the market forecast an 80.1% chance of a 25-basis-point cut, and a 19.9% chance of a 50-basis-point cut, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. The chances are now 98% and 2%, respectively.

Adding to the reduced expectations for a larger cut, U.S. consumers in June lifted their inflation expectations for the first time in three months, New York Fed data showed on Monday.

However, the decline in gold prices was limited by weaker financial markets, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-stocks-hobbled-by-fading-expectations-for-aggressive-fed-rate-cut-234146">Asian stocks</a> falling to their lowest in two-and-a-half weeks on Tuesday.

"We're seeing a lot of Fed policy uncertainty leak into the equation across risk assets in general. Equity markets falling is the most poignant example supporting gold prices," said Stephen Innes, managing partner at Vanguard Markets.

Market participants now await Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's two-day testimony before Congress, which starts on Wednesday for clues about a rate decrease.

Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.15% to 795.80 tonnes on Monday from 796.97 tonnes on Friday.

Hedge funds and money managers raised their bullish stance in COMEX gold in the week to July 2, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Monday in a report delayed because of the US Independence Day holiday.

On the technical side, spot gold may end its correction around a support at $1,387 and then retest a resistance at $1,421 per ounce, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Among other precious metals, silver gained 0.1% to $15.04 per ounce.

Palladium slipped 0.4% to $1,555.32, and platinum fell 0.2% to $812.23

Gold prices ticked lower on Tuesday, as the dollar scaled to multi-week highs on reduced expectations of an aggressive US rate cut, although softer share markets capped the metal's losses.

Gold prices ticked lower on Tuesday, as the dollar scaled to multi-week highs on reduced expectations of an aggressive US rate cut, although softer share markets capped the metal's losses. Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,393.03 per ounce as of 0740 GMT. US gold futures fell 0.3% to $1,395.70 an ounce. "Weakness in gold prices is largely due to an easing of rate cut expectations and bond yields are recovering. Markets continue to price in a 25 basis point cut but it looks like sentiment is easing and the dollar has rebounded," said Benjamin Lu, an analyst at Phillip Futures. The dollar index hit a near three-week peak, making bullion expensive for holders of other currencies. The US Treasury yield curve hit its flattest level in more than a month after investors rolled back expectations for a sharp U.S. rate cut at the end of July. [USD/] [US/] A week ago, the market forecast an 80.1% chance of a 25-basis-point cut, and a 19.9% chance of a 50-basis-point cut, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. The chances are now 98% and 2%, respectively. Adding to the reduced expectations for a larger cut, U.S. consumers in June lifted their inflation expectations for the first time in three months, New York Fed data showed on Monday. However, the decline in gold prices was limited by weaker financial markets, with Asian stocks falling to their lowest in two-and-a-half weeks on Tuesday. "We're seeing a lot of Fed policy uncertainty leak into the equation across risk assets in general. Equity markets falling is the most poignant example supporting gold prices," said Stephen Innes, managing partner at Vanguard Markets. Market participants now await Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's two-day testimony before Congress, which starts on Wednesday for clues about a rate decrease. Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.15% to 795.80 tonnes on Monday from 796.97 tonnes on Friday. Hedge funds and money managers raised their bullish stance in COMEX gold in the week to July 2, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Monday in a report delayed because of the US Independence Day holiday. On the technical side, spot gold may end its correction around a support at $1,387 and then retest a resistance at $1,421 per ounce, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. Among other precious metals, silver gained 0.1% to $15.04 per ounce. Palladium slipped 0.4% to $1,555.32, and platinum fell 0.2% to $812.23

Gold edges lower as dollar firms; weaker equities limit losses

Oil prices steadied on Monday as tensions over Iran's nuclear program were tempered by global economic growth concerns and consequently oil demand.

Brent crude futures were down 1 cent by 1122 GMT at $64.22 a barrel. US&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/post-budget-sensex-down-over-630-points-pnb-stocks-falls-further-233908">West Texas Intermediate</a> (WTI) was down 2 cents at $57.49.

Iran on Monday threatened to restart deactivated centrifuges and step up its enrichment of uranium to 20% in a move that further threatens the 2015 nuclear agreement that Washington abandoned last year.

Washington has imposed sanctions that eliminate benefits Iran was meant to receive in return for agreeing to curbs on its nuclear program under the 2015 deal with world powers. The confrontation has brought the United States and Iran close to the brink of conflict, with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump calling off air strikes last month minutes before impact.

On Sunday Trump issued another warning over Iran's nuclear activities. "They'd better be careful," he said.

However, oil prices continue to be pressured by lingering fears over demand.

"That the market reacts so little to the tense situation in the Middle East is a reflection of a very well-supplied market in general and a very relaxed market," said SEB chief commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-jab-at-united-states-china-vice-president-wang-qishan-says-world-cannot-shut-china-out-233914">US-China trade</a> war has dampened prospects for global economic growth and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-tread-water-as-market-eyes-global-risks-233891">oil demand</a>.

However, lack of concrete progress in resolving the acrimonious trade war between the United States and China means the bar could be very high for the US Federal Reserve not to lower borrowing costs at its July 30-31 policy meeting.

Elsewhere, Japan's core machinery orders fell for the first time in four months in May, posting the biggest monthly drop in eight months in a worrying sign that global trade tensions are taking a toll on corporate investment.

"Concern for global growth is at the back of the mind of the whole market all the time these days," SEB's Schieldrop said.

Strong US economic data also put a floor under prices. US job growth rebounded strongly in June, with government payrolls surging, a closely watched employment report showed on Friday, suggesting that May's sharp slowdown in hiring was probably a one-off.

Employers added 224,000 jobs last month, the most in five months.

The owner of Britain's biggest oil pipeline, Ineos, on Sunday said it had started to reduce flows on the Forties pipeline system to about 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) until Tuesday to repair a processing unit at Scotland's Kinneil plant.

The pipeline system typically pumps about 450,000 bpd.

Meanwhile, US energy companies this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in three weeks as drillers follow through on plans to cut spending this year.

Oil prices steadied on Monday as tensions over Iran's nuclear program were tempered by global economic growth concerns and consequently oil demand. Brent crude futures were down 1 cent by 1122 GMT at $64.

Oil prices steadied on Monday as tensions over Iran's nuclear program were tempered by global economic growth concerns and consequently oil demand. Brent crude futures were down 1 cent by 1122 GMT at $64.22 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was down 2 cents at $57.49. Iran on Monday threatened to restart deactivated centrifuges and step up its enrichment of uranium to 20% in a move that further threatens the 2015 nuclear agreement that Washington abandoned last year. Washington has imposed sanctions that eliminate benefits Iran was meant to receive in return for agreeing to curbs on its nuclear program under the 2015 deal with world powers. The confrontation has brought the United States and Iran close to the brink of conflict, with US President Donald Trump calling off air strikes last month minutes before impact. On Sunday Trump issued another warning over Iran's nuclear activities. "They'd better be careful," he said. However, oil prices continue to be pressured by lingering fears over demand. "That the market reacts so little to the tense situation in the Middle East is a reflection of a very well-supplied market in general and a very relaxed market," said SEB chief commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop. The US-China trade war has dampened prospects for global economic growth and oil demand. However, lack of concrete progress in resolving the acrimonious trade war between the United States and China means the bar could be very high for the US Federal Reserve not to lower borrowing costs at its July 30-31 policy meeting. Elsewhere, Japan's core machinery orders fell for the first time in four months in May, posting the biggest monthly drop in eight months in a worrying sign that global trade tensions are taking a toll on corporate investment. "Concern for global growth is at the back of the mind of the whole market all the time these days," SEB's Schieldrop said. Strong US economic data also put a floor under prices. US job growth rebounded strongly in June, with government payrolls surging, a closely watched employment report showed on Friday, suggesting that May's sharp slowdown in hiring was probably a one-off. Employers added 224,000 jobs last month, the most in five months. The owner of Britain's biggest oil pipeline, Ineos, on Sunday said it had started to reduce flows on the Forties pipeline system to about 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) until Tuesday to repair a processing unit at Scotland's Kinneil plant. The pipeline system typically pumps about 450,000 bpd. Meanwhile, US energy companies this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in three weeks as drillers follow through on plans to cut spending this year.

Oil steadies as demand concern counters Middle East tensions

The United States retained the women's World Cup on Sunday as a Megan Rapinoe penalty and a superb Rose Lavelle strike gave the holders a 2-0 victory over a battling Netherlands side in Lyon.

Having been kept at bay by the brilliant Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal throughout the first half, the USA finally went ahead just after the hour as Rapinoe stroked home from 12 yards to end the tournament as joint top scorer on six goals.

There was an air of inevitability about the pink-haired 34-year-old, the star of this World Cup on and off the field, putting the USA ahead.

It also seemed inevitable that the breakthrough goal here should come from a VAR-awarded penalty, with French referee Stephanie Frappart initially giving a corner before pointing to the spot following a review.

The whippet-like Lavelle, another stand-out performer over the last month, got the second goal in the 69th minute, killing off Dutch hopes of a comeback.

The victory underlines the USA's status as the dominant force in international women's football as they claim the World Cup for the fourth time in eight editions.

They were already the first team to appear in three consecutive finals, and coach Jill Ellis becomes the first coach to win back-to-back World Cups in the men's or women's game since Italy's Vittorio Pozzo in the 1930s.

The USA had been the only non-European team to make it to the quarter-finals here, but they had already ended the hopes of the hosts and England before denying the Dutch a dream double success, two years after they won Euro 2017 on home soil.

Whether the Americans can continue this domination on to the next World Cup remains to be seen, not least because Rapinoe is already in the twilight years of her career.

She was brought back into the starting line-up here by Ellis having sat out the victory over England in the last four due to a hamstring problem.

Christen Press made way but came on for the closing stages, as Rapinoe went off to a loud ovation from the massed ranks of USA fans.

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Congrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/USWNT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USWNT</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaGrandeFinale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaGrandeFinale</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USANED?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USANED</a>🇺🇸🇳🇱 <a href="https://t.co/YgrovxrBAa">pic.twitter.com/YgrovxrBAa</a>
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1147911900774182912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Goalkeeping heroics in vain

At a tournament which has showcased the improving standards of goalkeeping in the women's game, the excellent Van Veenendaal prevented the USA from winning by a greater margin.

The 29-year-old, who has spent the last four years at Arsenal, had already excelled in her team's win over Sweden in the semi-finals.

Here, she allowed her team to withstand an onslaught from the holders towards half-time, saving well from Julie Ertz and bettering that by producing two superb stops in quick succession in the 38th minute.

Both American chances came from crosses from the left by Rapinoe. First Van Veenendaal stopped a Samantha Mewis header, and then she turned the ball onto the post when Alex Morgan diverted Rapinoe's low centre towards goal.

Morgan was thwarted again moments later as she tried her luck from 20 yards, and the European champions held out until the interval.

The USA had scored no later than the 12th minute in all of their prior matches at this World Cup, but the Dutch, crucially, offered little going forward at the other end.

Still, it was 61 minutes before the holders went ahead.

The referee gave a corner when Stefanie van der Gragt challenged Morgan in the area, but changed her mind upon seeing the images. Rapinoe stroked in the first penalty scored in a women's World Cup final to claim a share of the golden boot with Morgan and England's Ellen White.

The Netherlands tried to regain their composure, but there was nothing they could do to stop Lavelle's piercing run towards the box midway through the second half.

She dropped her shoulder to set up the shooting opportunity, and fired in low from 18 yards. Van Veenendaal then saved from Morgan and Dunn to keep the score down, but the title was the USA's again.

The United States retained the women's World Cup on Sunday as a Megan Rapinoe penalty and a superb Rose Lavelle strike gave the holders a 2-0 victory over a battling Netherlands side in Lyon.

The United States retained the women's World Cup on Sunday as a Megan Rapinoe penalty and a superb Rose Lavelle strike gave the holders a 2-0 victory over a battling Netherlands side in Lyon. Having been kept at bay by the brilliant Dutch goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal throughout the first half, the USA finally went ahead just after the hour as Rapinoe stroked home from 12 yards to end the tournament as joint top scorer on six goals. There was an air of inevitability about the pink-haired 34-year-old, the star of this World Cup on and off the field, putting the USA ahead. It also seemed inevitable that the breakthrough goal here should come from a VAR-awarded penalty, with French referee Stephanie Frappart initially giving a corner before pointing to the spot following a review. The whippet-like Lavelle, another stand-out performer over the last month, got the second goal in the 69th minute, killing off Dutch hopes of a comeback. The victory underlines the USA's status as the dominant force in international women's football as they claim the World Cup for the fourth time in eight editions. They were already the first team to appear in three consecutive finals, and coach Jill Ellis becomes the first coach to win back-to-back World Cups in the men's or women's game since Italy's Vittorio Pozzo in the 1930s. The USA had been the only non-European team to make it to the quarter-finals here, but they had already ended the hopes of the hosts and England before denying the Dutch a dream double success, two years after they won Euro 2017 on home soil. Whether the Americans can continue this domination on to the next World Cup remains to be seen, not least because Rapinoe is already in the twilight years of her career. She was brought back into the starting line-up here by Ellis having sat out the victory over England in the last four due to a hamstring problem. Christen Press made way but came on for the closing stages, as Rapinoe went off to a loud ovation from the massed ranks of USA fans. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Congrats, @USWNT! #LaGrandeFinale | #USANED🇺🇸🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/YgrovxrBAa — FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 7, 2019 × Goalkeeping heroics in vain At a tournament which has showcased the improving standards of goalkeeping in the women's game, the excellent Van Veenendaal prevented the USA from winning by a greater margin. The 29-year-old, who has spent the last four years at Arsenal, had already excelled in her team's win over Sweden in the semi-finals. Here, she allowed her team to withstand an onslaught from the holders towards half-time, saving well from Julie Ertz and bettering that by producing two superb stops in quick succession in the 38th minute. Both American chances came from crosses from the left by Rapinoe. First Van Veenendaal stopped a Samantha Mewis header, and then she turned the ball onto the post when Alex Morgan diverted Rapinoe's low centre towards goal. Morgan was thwarted again moments later as she tried her luck from 20 yards, and the European champions held out until the interval. The USA had scored no later than the 12th minute in all of their prior matches at this World Cup, but the Dutch, crucially, offered little going forward at the other end. Still, it was 61 minutes before the holders went ahead. The referee gave a corner when Stefanie van der Gragt challenged Morgan in the area, but changed her mind upon seeing the images. Rapinoe stroked in the first penalty scored in a women's World Cup final to claim a share of the golden boot with Morgan and England's Ellen White. The Netherlands tried to regain their composure, but there was nothing they could do to stop Lavelle's piercing run towards the box midway through the second half. She dropped her shoulder to set up the shooting opportunity, and fired in low from 18 yards. Van Veenendaal then saved from Morgan and Dunn to keep the score down, but the title was the USA's again.

USA win women's World Cup after beating Netherlands 2-0 in final

US&nbsp;job growth rebounded strongly in June, but moderate wage gains and mounting evidence that the economy was slowing sharply could still encourage the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this month.

The Labor Department's closely watched employment report on Friday suggested May's sharp slowdown in hiring was probably a fluke.

Lack of concrete progress in resolving an acrimonious trade war between the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-war-points-to-the-real-crisis-that-global-leaders-must-confront-at-g20-summit-231112&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi9h4rn8J3jAhXv7nMBHfecB_8QFjADegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Ps1zFjFe0J1G_pX_vjxRi">United States and China</a>, however, means the bar could be very high for the Federal Reserve not to lower borrowing costs at its July 30-31 policy meeting.

The US&nbsp;central bank last month signalled it could ease monetary policy as early as this month citing low inflation as well as growing risks to the economy from an escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.

President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-vietnam-worse-than-china-on-trade-230655&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj5ser78J3jAhVE6nMBHVjaAwMQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2AfaDn0r0GV60JWaMowRbY">Donald Trump</a> and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week agreed to a trade truce and a return to talks. Trump has said he is in "no hurry" to make a deal and on Wednesday accused China and Europe of "playing big currency manipulation game and pumping money into their system in order to compete with the USA."

The trade fight has undercut business confidence, leading to a downturn in equipment spending and manufacturing.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 224,000 jobs last month, the most in five months, the government said. The economy created 11,000 fewer jobs in April and May than previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast payrolls rising 160,000 jobs in June.

Job growth averaged 172,000 per month in the first half. Hiring has cooled from an average of 223,000 jobs per month in 2018. The pace, however, remains well above the roughly 100,000 needed to keep up with growth in the working-age population.

The economy, which has expanded a record 10 years, has shifted into a lower gear as the stimulus from last year's massive tax cuts and more government spending fizzles. The Atlanta Fed is forecasting gross domestic product rising at a 1.3% annualized rate in the April-June quarter.

The economy grew at a 3.1 per cent pace in the first quarter.

The trend in wage growth has slowed from late last year when wages were rising at their fastest rate in a decade, pointing to moderate inflation.

Average hourly earnings rose six cents or 0.2% after gaining 0.3% in May. That kept the annual increase in wages at 3.1% for a second straight month.

The unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.7% as people entered the labour market.

Some of the recent drops in the jobless rate has been because of people leaving the labour market.

A broader measure of unemployment, which includes people who want to work but have given up searching and those working part-time because they cannot find full-time employment, rose to 7.2% in June from 7.1% in May.

Job growth has slowed in part as employers struggle to find qualified workers. There are about 7.4 million job openings.

Hiring picked up nearly across all sectors in June, though retail payrolls contracted for a fifth straight month.

Manufacturing payrolls increased by 17,000 jobs after rising by 3,000 in May. The surge in hiring is despite the sector struggling with an inventory bulge, concentrated in the automotive industry, trade tensions, design troubles at planemaker <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-says-confident-us-china-trade-talks-will-succeed-218453&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi5sIiP8Z3jAhWv7nMBHQC3DP4QFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw01GsstpQ3B_lUm2_nvnomH">Boeing&nbsp;</a>and slowing global growth.

Construction employment rose by 21,000 jobs last month after gaining 5,000 in May.

Government payrolls rebounded by 33,000 after shedding 11,000 jobs in May. The average workweek was unchanged at 34.4 hours in June for a third straight month.

US job growth rebounded strongly in June, but moderate wage gains and mounting evidence that the economy was slowing sharply could still encourage the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this month.

US job growth rebounded strongly in June, but moderate wage gains and mounting evidence that the economy was slowing sharply could still encourage the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this month. The Labor Department's closely watched employment report on Friday suggested May's sharp slowdown in hiring was probably a fluke. Lack of concrete progress in resolving an acrimonious trade war between the United States and China, however, means the bar could be very high for the Federal Reserve not to lower borrowing costs at its July 30-31 policy meeting. The US central bank last month signalled it could ease monetary policy as early as this month citing low inflation as well as growing risks to the economy from an escalation in trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week agreed to a trade truce and a return to talks. Trump has said he is in "no hurry" to make a deal and on Wednesday accused China and Europe of "playing big currency manipulation game and pumping money into their system in order to compete with the USA." The trade fight has undercut business confidence, leading to a downturn in equipment spending and manufacturing. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 224,000 jobs last month, the most in five months, the government said. The economy created 11,000 fewer jobs in April and May than previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast payrolls rising 160,000 jobs in June. Job growth averaged 172,000 per month in the first half. Hiring has cooled from an average of 223,000 jobs per month in 2018. The pace, however, remains well above the roughly 100,000 needed to keep up with growth in the working-age population. The economy, which has expanded a record 10 years, has shifted into a lower gear as the stimulus from last year's massive tax cuts and more government spending fizzles. The Atlanta Fed is forecasting gross domestic product rising at a 1.3% annualized rate in the April-June quarter. The economy grew at a 3.1 per cent pace in the first quarter. The trend in wage growth has slowed from late last year when wages were rising at their fastest rate in a decade, pointing to moderate inflation. Average hourly earnings rose six cents or 0.2% after gaining 0.3% in May. That kept the annual increase in wages at 3.1% for a second straight month. The unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.7% as people entered the labour market. Some of the recent drops in the jobless rate has been because of people leaving the labour market. A broader measure of unemployment, which includes people who want to work but have given up searching and those working part-time because they cannot find full-time employment, rose to 7.2% in June from 7.1% in May. Job growth has slowed in part as employers struggle to find qualified workers. There are about 7.4 million job openings. Hiring picked up nearly across all sectors in June, though retail payrolls contracted for a fifth straight month. Manufacturing payrolls increased by 17,000 jobs after rising by 3,000 in May. The surge in hiring is despite the sector struggling with an inventory bulge, concentrated in the automotive industry, trade tensions, design troubles at planemaker Boeing and slowing global growth. Construction employment rose by 21,000 jobs last month after gaining 5,000 in May. Government payrolls rebounded by 33,000 after shedding 11,000 jobs in May. The average workweek was unchanged at 34.4 hours in June for a third straight month.

US job growth surges, but wage growth remains tepid

NATO and Russia did not make significant progress on saving the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in talks at the alliance headquarters on Friday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Barring a last-minute decision by Russia to destroy a new medium-range missile that <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/two-us-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-nato-230514&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwipxeKE553jAhVUg-YKHRw9A_cQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw32BVzsLyKd1nw__K9YRz9E">NATO</a> says violates the INF, the United States is set to pull out of the accord on Aug. 2, arguing that it needs to develop its own warheads to deter Moscow.

Moscow says it is fully compliant with the INF treaty negotiated by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-treated-us-unfairly-says-trump-during-state-of-the-union-address-195468&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwipxeKE553jAhVUg-YKHRw9A_cQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3IZsdXI7UaWUwfigXpnSKi">US&nbsp;President</a> Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which eliminated the medium-range missile arsenals of the world's two biggest nuclear powers.

"We have not seen any signs of a breakthrough," Stoltenberg told reporters after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, a closed-door forum that allows for dialogue between the two sides' diplomats and officials.

Stoltenberg said the chances of a resolution were "going down, day by day" but that <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/russias-resurgence-and-chinas-rise-will-test-nato-219295&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwipxeKE553jAhVUg-YKHRw9A_cQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw15HleKAxQr69Ybh6oAlcW4">NATO</a> had not given up on trying to convince Moscow to destroy the SSC-8 ground-launched cruise missile, which it says the treaty ban on land-based missiles with a range of 500 km to 5,500 km (300-3,400 miles).

The breakdown of the treaty, the latest in a growing list of East-West tensions, is of grave concern because medium-range rockets would allow Russia to launch a nuclear attack on Europe at very short notice, Western experts and officials say.

NATO and Russia did not make significant progress on saving the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in talks at the alliance headquarters on Friday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

NATO and Russia did not make significant progress on saving the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in talks at the alliance headquarters on Friday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. Barring a last-minute decision by Russia to destroy a new medium-range missile that NATO says violates the INF, the United States is set to pull out of the accord on Aug. 2, arguing that it needs to develop its own warheads to deter Moscow. Moscow says it is fully compliant with the INF treaty negotiated by US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which eliminated the medium-range missile arsenals of the world's two biggest nuclear powers. "We have not seen any signs of a breakthrough," Stoltenberg told reporters after a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, a closed-door forum that allows for dialogue between the two sides' diplomats and officials. Stoltenberg said the chances of a resolution were "going down, day by day" but that NATO had not given up on trying to convince Moscow to destroy the SSC-8 ground-launched cruise missile, which it says the treaty ban on land-based missiles with a range of 500 km to 5,500 km (300-3,400 miles). The breakdown of the treaty, the latest in a growing list of East-West tensions, is of grave concern because medium-range rockets would allow Russia to launch a nuclear attack on Europe at very short notice, Western experts and officials say.

No breakthrough with Russia on INF treaty dispute: NATO's Stoltenberg

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