Youtube daily US Jul 3 2017

It has emerged that President Moon's national security adviser made a secret visit to the

United States last month... ahead of the South Korea-U.S. summit.

According to sources from the Blue House,... Chung Eui-yong is said to have discussed the

deployment of the THAAD missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula... to ease tensions

over the issue.

Chung had already wrapped up an official, two-day trip to the U.S. early in June, but

a decision was made to return to Washington... when it became apparent, the THAAD issue could

be a source of friction at the summit.

Chung is reported to have held marathon discussions with his U.S. counterpart, H.R. McMaster...

as well as President Trump's senior aide on Asian affairs, Matthew Pottinger.

For more infomation >> South Korea's national security chief visited U.S. in secret last month to discuss THAAD: sources - Duration: 0:45.

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President Moon's trip to U.S. reaffirms South Korea-U.S. alliance, recovers trust - Duration: 2:30.

President Moon's visit to Washington reaffirmed the decades-old alliance between the two countries...

and marked the start of a personal friendship with President Trump.

With a wrap-up of what the two leaders discussed... and what needs to be worked out,... here's

Oh Jung-hee.

President Moon's first official visit to the U.S. is seen by many as more successful and

productive than expected -- not only reaffirming the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but reinforcing

bilateral trust as well.

President Moon was able to build trust and a personal rapport with President Trump,...

which will relieve some uncertainties... after a months-long standstill on issues facing

Seoul and Washington.

At the top of the agenda was the threat from North Korea.

The two leaders agreed to make the North their number one priority... and to use both pressure

and dialogue to denuclearize the regime.

That means sanctions will only be used for the peaceful denuclearization and reunification

of the Korean peninsula,... and that Seoul and Washington will be open to dialogue with

Pyongyang.

The U.S. also promised to provide extended deterrence over the Korean peninsula... and

when certain conditions are met, to transfer wartime operational control of South Korean

forces to Seoul as soon as possible.

But a few things still need to be discussed, one of them being trade.

Meeting with Korean reporters based in Washington on Saturday,...

President Moon stressed that a renegotiation of the two countries' free trade agreement

is not part of the agreement he and President Trump reached during their talks.

The two sides did express differences on the FTA -- the U.S. brought up deficits, especially

in steel and automobiles,... while Korea claimed the FTA works to benefit both countries.

President Moon said the meeting was concluded with South Korea proposing a new working-level

task force to examine the effects of the FTA,... and stressed that anything not on the two

leaders' joint statement is not part of any agreement.

"There was nothing agreed at the summit talks about renegotiating the FTA."

Regarding the deployment of the U.S. missile defense system THAAD on the Korean peninsula,...

President Moon clarified his stance that he respects the decision made between the two

countries, but emphasized that observing the due process of law will help further develop

their alliance.

Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> President Moon's trip to U.S. reaffirms South Korea-U.S. alliance, recovers trust - Duration: 2:30.

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U.S. destroyer sails near disputed island in South China Sea - Duration: 1:56.

A U.S. warship sailed near a disputed island in the South China Sea on Sunday... prompting

Beijing to send navy vessels and warplanes to the area in response.

This marks the second freedom of navigation exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy... around

the island chain, in less than six weeks.

Yu Joonhee reports.

On Sunday, the USS Stethem sailed within 22 kilometers of Triton Island, territory which

is claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Pentagon officials said the U.S. Navy destroyer was conducting a routine freedom of navigation

exercise, and said it will continue to do so in the future.

However, experts say the move signifies Washington's refusal to recognize China's claims of sovereignty

in the island chain... while testing Beijing's requirement for prior notification before

entering its claimed territorial waters.

China reacted with outrage, and said it has dispatched navy vessels and fighter jets to

the region to "warn off" the U.S. warship.

Beijing's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said the U.S. warship was acting in violation

of Chinese and international law, and disrupted peace and stability in the region.

He added that China will take all necessary measures to protect its security interests,

and accused the U.S. of deliberately stirring up trouble in the South China Sea.

The incident comes in the midst of growing signs of frustration by the Trump administration

directed at China, for a perceived failure to rein in North Korea.

The U.S. has been renewing its pressure on Beijing, imposing fresh sanctions on Chinese

individuals and entities suspected of conducting business with the North.

Washington also approved the sale of a one-point-four billion dollar arms package to Taiwan, which

is regarded by China as a renegade province.

President Trump is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week, on the sidelines

of the G20 summit in Germany.

Although the pair enjoyed a cordial relationship during their first meeting in February, bilateral

relations have cooled significantly since then... with many observers worrying their

honeymoon period is now over.

Yu Joonhee, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> U.S. destroyer sails near disputed island in South China Sea - Duration: 1:56.

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NEWS HOT!! US Bank Stress Test: A Sense of Deja-Vu? - Duration: 7:31.

Yesterday, Janet Yellen, the chair of the US Federal Reserve Bank, stated that as a

result of the financial reforms that braced the US banking industry in the period 2007

– 2009, no new financial crisis should be expected for at least as long as she is alive

(sarcastic people will quickly point to the fact that since she is 70 years old it means

that no systemic crisis should be expected prior to 2020-2025).

Well, when the head of the largest regulating authority in the world claims that no new

financial crisis should be expected in our lifetimes, this kind of statement should immediately

makes senior risk managers shiver.

Reminiscent of Ten Years Ago

If you merely turn the clock back to ten years ago, many of the systemically important banks

were displaying capital ratios that complied with the minimum capital requirements and

regulators in those days did not raise the alarm on the eve of the financial debacle,

and still some of them went overboard and/or required a bail-out by taxpayers (i.e.

Bear Stears, WaMu, AIG, Dexia, ABN AMRO, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Merrill Lynch, Lehman

Brothers, Fortis, Wachovia, Royal Bank of Scotland, UBS, Lloyds TSB, HBOS, etc.)

This somewhat euphoric statement was made on the back of the announcement by the Federal

Reserve Bank that all 34 banks that had been subjected to a Comprehensive Capital Analysis

and Review (CCAR) and a Dodd-Frank Supervisory stress testing had all passed (for the first

time) the annual assessment with flying colours.

Additionally, as the cherry on the pie, the FRB also approved banks' capital plan to

deplete some of their excess capital for dividend distribution and shares buy-back.

Are US Banks Now Healthy?

In practice, the FRB is of the opinion that the US banks now display "healthy" balance

sheets, particularly regarding solvency.

Indeed, the aggregate ratio of common equity capital to risk-weighted assets doubled from

5.5% in Q1 2009 up to 12.5% in Q4 2016 corresponding to a capital injection in the system of more

than $750bn in common equity capital during the period 2009 – 2016 bringing it to $1.2trn

as of Q4 2016.

These 34 banks are more than merely a representative sample of the US banking industry as they

hold in aggregate more than 75% of the total assets of all US financial companies.

Obviously and understandably these banks celebrate this event as a cheerful victory given that

those supervisory stress tests in previous represented a tremendous strain regarding

risk management resources.

Have Things Improved?

While solvency is an important criterion when assessing the resilience of a bank's business

model, history has shown that while banks have complied with minimum capitalisation

ratios, they still can go bust and/or require a bail-out by taxpayers.

Yes, capital levels under Basel III (Dodd-Frank) are deemed to have been reinforced with a

combination of better capital quality combined with additional capital buffers regarding

higher capital ratio.

The common equity Tier 1 (CET 1) capital ratio is set at minimum 4.5% with a Tier 1 capital

ratio defined at 6% and a minimum total capital ratio of 8%.

To that, one needs to add a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% (2019) as well as countercyclical

up to 2.5%.

Bear in mind there is also a leverage ratio up at 4% not to mention a supplementary leverage

ratio of 3%.

So, again, are all these capital ratios sufficient to warrant a bank's resilience?

Decreasing Capital Requirements

To go back one or two centuries ago, do you know much capital had to be made up for U.S.

banks?

In the 1800s, the capital buffer represented more than half of a bank's liabilities,

and in the 1900s it went down to 20% – and today the minimum requirement is at barely

above 10%.

Granted, banks have become more reliant on customer deposits as well as capital markets

for bond issuance and short-term cash from MM (money-market) funds.

Also, deposit insurance has made the need for very high capital buffers less meaningful.

Some view banks just like power utilities distributing money (just like electricity)

to a network of customers and having a commanding position in the economic system, therefore,

warranting robust capital cushions.

Additionally, given that just like power companies banks' assets are mostly made up of long

term (aka fixed) assets (maturity longer than a year) they should be more capital intensive.

Stronger Economic Conditions Have Strengthened the Banks

Now, again, no one can deny that as economic conditions in the United States have improved,

banks have made sizable profits and generated stronger operating cash flow allowing them

to comply with their capital requirement targets.

Subsequently, there are more capital reserves available to distribute higher dividends and

buy back shares to spur their share prices.

But, when leverage ratios (even though they are greater than the minimum requirement)

show that total assets still represent more than ten times the size of equity, one cannot

have a very loud sigh of relief, mainly because the lion share of the assets of a bank is

made of long-term receivables (essentially being the loan book and the securities portfolio).

As such, the key to maintaining a stable ship that has a lot of long duration assets is

not only about the little shiny object in the room that capitalization ratios represent,

but rather about the soundness of the business model of the bank.

What are the profitability drivers at the firm level as well as across business lines?

What are the underwriting standards that sanction new lending/ investments, to what extent is

the reliance on short-term funding, how much increased risk exposures have been taken that

do not belong to the core business of the bank?

Conclusion

Quite honestly, the external threats that affect the operating environment of the banks

are so strong (banking regulation, deleveraging consumer, and fintech) that merely cutting

costs and refocusing investment in combination with meeting acceptable capital requirements

will not be sufficient for the banks to thrive in the future.

Banks need to be agiler, and to that respect, a more resilient business model that can sail

through storms is required.

To put a number on this argument, by keeping into life the existing business models return

on equity will fall below 10% breaking even with the cost of capital, and hence will cause

future investors to think twice before buying bank shares.

Bottom line, Janet Yellen while she could be satisfied that banks have passed the stress

test, should be more cautious about the future and learn from the past.

For more infomation >> NEWS HOT!! US Bank Stress Test: A Sense of Deja-Vu? - Duration: 7:31.

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President Moon Jae-in returns home from U.S. trip - Duration: 1:56.

President Moon Jae-in is back in Seoul this lunchtime following his trip to Washington.

Upon his arrival Sunday, the South Korean leader said he reached agreement with President

Trump on achieving their common goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Kim Hyo-sun starts us off.

President Moon Jae-in returned home on Sunday from his four-day trip to the United States.

Right after greeting the members of the ruling Democratic Party and his advisors who came

to welcome him,...

President Moon summarized his first foreign visit.

"I forged a strong friendship and trust with President Trump.

We have laid the framework for consultations on issues of common interest."

He also stressed that the summit was a chance to agree on achieving their common goal of

denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Adding that Washington agrees Seoul should play a bigger role in resolving North Korea's

nuclear issue,...

President Moon highlighted that the two nations have embarked on a journey toward lasting

peace on the Peninsula.

"We have secured support from the U.S. to lead the resolution of the Korean Peninsula

issue through dialogue.

This has made our role bigger and more crucial."

The two leaders also agreed to increase consultations on diverse issues, including security and

economy.

However, as President Trump has taken up the issue of renegotiating the bilateral trade

deal and increasing Seoul's defense burden,... there are still tasks to be solved.

Presidents Moon and Trump will meet again this week on the sidelines of the G20 summit

in Germany,... while President Trump has accepted Moon's invitation to visit South Korea in

the latter half of this year.

Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> President Moon Jae-in returns home from U.S. trip - Duration: 1:56.

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U.S. destroyer sails near disputed island in South China Sea - Duration: 1:56.

A U.S. warship sailed near a disputed island in the South China Sea on Sunday... prompting

Beijing to send navy vessels and warplanes to the area in response.

This marks the second freedom of navigation exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy... around

the island chain, in less than six weeks.

Yu Joonhee reports.

On Sunday, the USS Stethem sailed within 22 kilometers of Triton Island, territory which

is claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Pentagon officials said the U.S. Navy destroyer was conducting a routine freedom of navigation

exercise, and said it will continue to do so in the future.

However, experts say the move signifies Washington's refusal to recognize China's claims of sovereignty

in the island chain... while testing Beijing's requirement for prior notification before

entering its claimed territorial waters.

China reacted with outrage, and said it has dispatched navy vessels and fighter jets to

the region to "warn off" the U.S. warship.

Beijing's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said the U.S. warship was acting in violation

of Chinese and international law, and disrupted peace and stability in the region.

He added that China will take all necessary measures to protect its security interests,

and accused the U.S. of deliberately stirring up trouble in the South China Sea.

The incident comes in the midst of growing signs of frustration by the Trump administration

directed at China, for a perceived failure to rein in North Korea.

The U.S. has been renewing its pressure on Beijing, imposing fresh sanctions on Chinese

individuals and entities suspected of conducting business with the North.

Washington also approved the sale of a one-point-four billion dollar arms package to Taiwan, which

is regarded by China as a renegade province.

President Trump is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week, on the sidelines

of the G20 summit in Germany.

Although the pair enjoyed a cordial relationship during their first meeting in February, bilateral

relations have cooled significantly since then... with many observers worrying their

honeymoon period is now over.

Yu Joonhee, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> U.S. destroyer sails near disputed island in South China Sea - Duration: 1:56.

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Korea and U.S. standing firm against N. Korea, Trump targets Seoul on trade - Duration: 4:11.

Like most summit-level meetings, Presidents Moon and Trump's very first bilateral talks

had some ups and downs.

For a breakdown of what we can take away from the press conference following the 2 day meeting

in Washington... we turn to our Lee Unshin.

South Korea's President Moon Jae-in received a warm welcome off U.S. President Trump last

week, with the White House even serving a Korean fusion dish at the reception.

But the summit talks also revealed some differences between the perspectives of the two allies,

especially on economic policy.

Top of the agenda at the joint press conference Friday, the agreement on strengthening security

and defense against North Korea's continued provocations.

. . "We agreed to strengthen our overwhelming

pressure on North Korea through the Republic of Korea-U.S. joint defense posture, including

extended deterrence."

"The era of strategic patience with the North Korean regime has failed.

Frankly, that patience is over."

And as expected by many, Trump followed the statement with comments on plans to share

the cost of defense.

"The burden sharing is one of the top agendas of President Trump, he always said that about

not only for Korea, but also for Japan, and ally members in NATO.

So there will be a negotiation taking place soon."

But it was the topic of economy that came to center stage at the joint conference.

While Moon summed up their discussion saying the two countries "will work together for

mutually beneficial relations, through economic growth and job creation..." Trump brought

up the free trade agreement between two nations.

"...Our trade deficit with South Korea has increased by more than 11 billion dollars.

Not exactly a great deal."

Blue House officials later said that particular remark from Trump on trade was not part of

the previously discussed statement between him and Moon..., stressing that nothing specific

was negotiated regarding the Free Trade Agreement, which came into force back in 2012.

"For the past several years, the losses on America's end had nothing to do with the KORUS

FTA.

As far as tariffs are concerned, the U.S. actually benefits far more than South Korea.

At this point, further analyzing what exactly the Trump administration wants through renegotiation

of the accord is important."

While future talks on future trade practices remain somewhat unclear...,Trump's demand

that Seoul stop enabling the export of dumped steel might be a more immediate dilemma for

South Korea.

"Korea gets steel from China for a relatively inexpensive cost, manufactures products, and

sells those to other nations.

That's also how Japan, another mega-steel industry of Asia...is making a profit.

Putting a cap on steel imports from China isn't easy, and there's only so much the government

can do in this field."

Upon Moon's return to Seoul, pundits are rather optimistic on two nations' united approach

to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through sanctions and dialogue.

"Pyongyang will likely criticize the approach, but in the long run, I think it's possible

that the regime may consider approaching the issue through dialogue."

While the summit brought up many questions about the two countries' future economic relationship...

experts say that, overall, the first meeting between the two leaders fulfilled its purpose.

"The Moon administration just started 2 months ago, so I think the top goal of this summit

is personal entanglement with President Trump.

In that regard, it think the summit was successful."

Building trust is one of the most important goals of these summits.

However with many more talks ahead, including a trilateral one between Seoul, Washington

and Tokyo later this week as part of the G-20 summit... watchers add that compromise is

also expected.

Lee Unshin Arirang News.

For more infomation >> Korea and U.S. standing firm against N. Korea, Trump targets Seoul on trade - Duration: 4:11.

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President Moon Jae-in returns home from U.S. trip - Duration: 2:02.

President Moon Jae-in is back in Seoul this morning following his trip to Washington.

Upon his arrival, the South Korean leader said he reached agreement with his U.S. counterpart

Donald Trump on achieving their common goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula in

a peaceful manner.

Kim Hyo-sun starts us off.

President Moon Jae-in returned home on Sunday from his four-day trip to the United States.

Right after greeting the members of the ruling Democratic Party and his advisors who came

to welcome him,...

President Moon summarized his first foreign visit.

"I forged a strong friendship and trust with President Trump.

We have laid the framework for consultations on issues of common interest."

He also stressed that the summit was a chance to agree on achieving their common goal of

denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Adding that Washington agrees Seoul should play a bigger role in resolving North Korea's

nuclear issue,...

President Moon highlighted that the two nations have embarked on a journey toward lasting

peace on the Peninsula.

"We have secured support from the U.S. to lead the resolution of the Korean Peninsula

issue through dialogue.

This has made our role bigger and more crucial."

The two leaders also agreed to increase consultations on diverse issues, including security and

economy.

However, as President Trump has taken up the issue of renegotiating the bilateral trade

deal and increasing Seoul's defense burden,... there are still tasks to be solved.

Presidents Moon and Trump will meet again this week on the sidelines of the G20 summit

in Germany,... while President Trump has accepted Moon's invitation to visit South Korea in

the latter half of this year.

Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> President Moon Jae-in returns home from U.S. trip - Duration: 2:02.

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Ray Conniff - Neither one of us (HD) (CC) - Duration: 3:30.

For more infomation >> Ray Conniff - Neither one of us (HD) (CC) - Duration: 3:30.

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Former U.S. President Obama in Seoul for his first visit since leaving office - Duration: 0:35.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama is in Seoul to attend a forum and meet with former South

Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

This is Obama's first visit to South Korea since he left office in January, after finishing

his second-term as president.

He's set to deliver a keynote speech today at an international forum in Seoul, before

meeting Lee... with whom he held seven rounds of summit talks between 2009 and 2013.

The pair's last meeting came four years ago... and they will also be accompanied by Kim Sung-hwan

, who served as Lee's foreign minister.

For more infomation >> Former U.S. President Obama in Seoul for his first visit since leaving office - Duration: 0:35.

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""We find our identity by connecting to the God who made us." (Casey Tygrett at Parkview Church) - Duration: 1:09.

We find our identity by connecting to the God who made us, who shaped us, who knows

us at the core of our being better than anyone else ever will.

That's why it's important.

Because listen, the world needs you.

The world needs you and to be the people we were made to be.

Your neighbors, you coworkers, your family your friends, the checkout person at the Jewel,

they need you to be the person you were designed to be.

That's what's going to change the world.

The lovely thing about Jesus is he already knew who he was because there's this moment

in his life where he's being baptized and it says this.

And a voice from heaven said "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

What if the answer to the question of who do you think you are has something to do with

connecting to the one who gets the opportunity and has the right and the privilege to tell

you who you are.

The great thing is the story Jesus tells us is when God looks at us, whether we believe

it or not, he says that's my beloved kid in whom I'm well pleased.

And no one can take that from them.

And if that's your identity, you are unstoppable.

For more infomation >> ""We find our identity by connecting to the God who made us." (Casey Tygrett at Parkview Church) - Duration: 1:09.

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Gold and Silver Reported !Few in U.S. want gold and silver coins when stocks seem strong - Duration: 2:49.

U.S. Mint American Eagle gold coin sales in the first half of 2017 were the lowest for

this period in a decade, while sales of silver in the period were the weakest since 2008,

government data showed on Friday.

U.S. Mint sales of American Eagle gold coins totaled 6,000 ounces in June, down 92 percent

from June 2016 and bringing the tally for the first half of the year to 192,500 ounces.

Sales of American Eagle silver coins totaled 986,000 ounces in June, down 65 percent from

a year ago.

This brought sales for the first six months of 2017 to 12.2 million ounces, the weakest

for the period since 2008.

Spot gold prices rose around 8 percent in the first half of the year, in sharp contrast

to a 25 percent rally in the same period of 2016 that spurred strong interest in the physical

market.

Prices of spot silver were also relatively lackluster the first half of this year, rising

around 4 percent.

This compares with a 35 percent surge in the first six months of 2016.

"U.S. investors seem to be interested in equities since every day seems like a bull market,"

said Terry Hanlon, president of Dillon Gage Metals.

"The news is positive for stocks and mostly negative for metals; therefore, money is not

going into the purchase of U.S. Mint American Eagles."

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both set fresh all-time highs earlier this

month as investors regained confidence in the U.S. economy after upbeat comments from

Federal Reserve officials.

Hanlon also noted that larger investors and institutions were seeking products that carry

lower premiums, such as 1 kilogram (32 troy oz) gold bars.

"There is the concern over the Federal Open Market Committee policy and the increasing

interest rates scenario in the United States, and that's stemmed some of the interest for

investors to buy physical precious metals," said Roy Friedman, president of Manfra, Tordella

and Brookes.

The Fed raised U.S. interest rates earlier this month, marking the fourth such move as

part of a normalization of monetary policy that began in December 2015.

In late 2016, after Donald Trump's surprise victory as U.S. president, many traditional

bullion holders in the United States held off buying gold as a safe haven as they were

optimistic after voting for him.

(Editing by G Crosse)

For more infomation >> Gold and Silver Reported !Few in U.S. want gold and silver coins when stocks seem strong - Duration: 2:49.

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South Korea's national security chief visited U.S. in secret last month to discuss THAAD: sources - Duration: 0:44.

It has emerged that President Moon's national security adviser made a secret visit to the

United States last month... ahead of the South Korea-U.S. summit.

According to sources from the Blue House,... Chung Eui-yong is said to have discussed the

deployment of the THAAD missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula... to ease tensions

over the issue.

Chung had already wrapped up an official, two-day trip to the U.S. early in June, but

a decision was made to return to Washington... when it became apparent, the THAAD issue could

be a source of friction at the summit.

Chung is reported to have held marathon discussions with his U.S. counterpart, H.R. McMaster...

as well as President Trump's senior aide on Asian affairs, Matthew Pottinger.

For more infomation >> South Korea's national security chief visited U.S. in secret last month to discuss THAAD: sources - Duration: 0:44.

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U.S. destroyer sails near disputed island in South China Sea - Duration: 0:34.

U.S. military officials say an American warship sailed near a disputed island in the South

China Sea on Sunday.

It marks the second freedom of navigation exercise in less than six weeks.

The USS Stethem sailed within 20 kilometers of Triton Island, which is claimed by China,

Vietnam and Taiwan.

The move is being seen as Washington's disagreement of Beijing's claim of sovereignty in the region,

though the Pentagon has previously said the exercises are routine, with no political agenda.

For more infomation >> U.S. destroyer sails near disputed island in South China Sea - Duration: 0:34.

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WARN#29: INDIA-US, HONG KONG, LM-5 ROCKET, BHUTAN PUBLIC, NIRBHAY, REAPER DRONE - Duration: 14:50.

Welcome to WARN, Todays News headlines are -----------------------------------------------------------

India as Ally : Ties with Modi make a good balance with China

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington and met with President Donald Trump

on Monday. It is easy to see why the president is paying attention to this Indian leader.

He is clearly in the same league of world leaders as China�s Xi Jinping, Turkey�s

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Germany�s Angela Merkel.

Indian-American economic and commercial involvement is plain to see, although Trump�s emphasis

on trying to sell India military equipment seems to be something of a mis-emphasis. The

United States is India�s best customer for its exports. America is the fourth-largest

supplier of India�s imports; China is first.

Given America�s continuing involvement in its now 16-year-old war in Afghanistan, it

is necessary for Trump to be aware of the geopolitics of South Asia in his interactions

with Modi. India continues to see Pakistan as its primary enemy in the region. In general,

the United States continues to see some of Pakistan�s government and military tie-in

to the Taliban, the nominal opponent of the Ashraf Ghani government that we support, as

unhelpful. Some would even say Pakistan is indispensable to the Taliban. But America

is obliged to watch Pakistan closely for a variety of reasons.

There is also to keep in mind the simmering rivalry between two of the behemoths of Asia,

China and India, both with populations more than 1 billion. There was war in the past,

and continuing sometime incidents between them, most recently Tuesday in Sikkim. Xi

and Modi also have big ambitions, for themselves and for their countries.

In seeking to sell India more weapons, Trump is not splashing around in the baby pool and

should take great care to weigh whatever he promises to Modi in the context of South Asian

and overall Asian politics. That said, his developing a relationship with Modi is very

much worth the trouble. ---------------------------------------------------------------

Citizens of Hong Kong demand independence from China - Xi Jinping talks tough

Chinese President Xi Jinping swore in Hong Kong�s new leader on Saturday with a stark

warning that Beijing won�t tolerate any challenge to its authority in the divided

city as it marked the 20th anniversary of its return from Britain to China.

Police blocked roads, preventing pro-democracy protesters from getting to the harbour-front

venue close to where the last colonial governor, Chris Patten, tearfully handed back Hong Kong

to China in the pouring rain in 1997. Xi said Hong Kong should crack down on moves

towards �Hong Kong independence�. �Any attempt to endanger China�s sovereignty

and security, challenge the power of the central government ... or use Hong Kong to carry out

infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland is an act that crosses the red

line and is absolutely impermissible,� Xi said.

He also referred to the �humiliation and sorrow� China suffered during the first

Opium War in the early 1840s that led to ceding Hong Kong to the British.

Hong Kong has been racked by demands for full democracy and, more recently, by calls by

some pockets of protesters for independence, a subject that is anathema to Beijing.

Xi�s speech was his strongest yet to the city amid concerns over what some perceive

as increased meddling by Beijing, illustrated in recent years by the abduction by mainland

agents of some Hong Kong booksellers and Beijing�s efforts in disqualifying two pro-independence

lawmakers elected to the city legislature. �It�s a more frank and pointed way of

dealing with the problems,� said former senior Hong Kong government adviser Lau Siu-kai

on Hong Kong�s Cable Television. �The central government�s power hasn�t been

sufficiently respected ... they�re concerned about this.�

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China's Space Ambitions take a hit - Heaviest Rocket Launch fails after Lift-Off

The second launch of China's new-generation Long March-5 carrier rocket failed Sunday

-- dealing a blow to the country's ambitious space aspirations.

Carrying an experimental communication satellite, China's largest rocket lifted off at 7:23

p.m. local time (7:23 a.m. ET) toward clear skies from the seaside Wenchang space launch

center on the southern Chinese island of Hainan. But 40 minutes later, the state-run Xinhua

news agency flashed a headline declaring the launch a failure -- without providing any

details. Dubbed "Chubby 5" for its huge size -- 5 meters

in diameter and 57 meters tall -- the LM-5 rocket is designed to carry up to 25 tons

of payload into low orbit, more than doubling the country's previous lift capability.

Xinhua initially tweeted: "#BREAKING: China's launch of Long March-5 Y2 carrier rocket fails."

It then tweeted: "Anomaly was detected during its flight and further investigation will

be carried out." Before the launch attempt, Joan Johnson-Freese,

a professor at the US Naval War College and an expert on China's space program, said the

rocket would give China "heavy lift capabilities" needed to develop a large space station.

"More generally, the LM-5 provides China with capabilities to reach destinations previously

out of reach, including interplanetary," she said.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

China's actions on border risky, could lead to War: Bhutan public

Criticising China for constructing a road inside Bhutanese territory, residents here

have stated that this action by Beijing could lead to war and cautioned the latter not to

transgress Bhutan's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"What China is doing on the border lines is very risky and it encourages war. India is

just trying to warn them that China should respect Bhutan?s sovereignty. India is fully

supported by Bhutan," Bhutanese local Chundu Singye told ANI.

Singye further stated, "Bhutan is a small country, but no one can invade our territory

because the topography and geography is such, that invasion is nearly next to impossible."

Another Thimphu resident Tsheltrim Dorji said, ?I think China, India and Bhutan should come

together and find a solution to the issue.? ?Indo-Bhutan share a really good relationship.

Bhutan is small country, not proper way to acquire forcefully,? Choki Wangmo, another

Bhutanese local said. Echoing similar sentiments, one more Bhutanese

local Namgay Dorji said, ?India and Bhutan are having good relationship since 1961. India

is supporting our government in every aspect.? Locals in Bhutan are severely critical about

China proposing to construct the road inside Bhutanese territory, which they say is a direct

violation of the agreements and affect the process of demarcating the boundary between

the two countries. Bhutan had last month issued a demarche to

the Chinese envoy in India, asking Beijing to restore the status quo in the Doklam area

where Chinese soldiers tried to unilaterally build a road towards their army camp in the

Zomplri area. China who refer to Doklam as Donglang was

part of Chinese territory ?since ancient times and it doesn?t belong to Bhutan?.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stop sending terrorists to our peaceful land: PoK leaders to Pakistan PM, Army

Locals in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) have launched a massive agitation against

political and military leadership of Pakistan, for trying to convert PoK into a terror factory

by creating terror camps. Residents of Hajira in PoK are demanding freedom

from Pakistan and have accused the civilian leadership of Pakistan and Army of nurturing

terrorism in their territory by giving safe havens to them.

Pressure on Pakistan has been building up but civilian leadership in Islamabad is indifferent

and continues to support and oil terror machinery in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The protests are likely to intensify in the coming days as according to reports there

are estimated 50 terrorist training camps still operating in the region, most of these

camps belong to banned outfits like Lashkar -e -Toiba , Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and even ISIS.

These camps are backed and aided by Pakistan military and Inter Service intelligence. Militants

trained here are sent to Kashmir, Afghanistan and even Europe.

Meanwhile, the international community has accused Pakistan of providing safe havens

to terrorists and most of the terror groups are located in the Federally Administered

Tribal Areas (FATA) along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"We urge Pakistan Army and Prime Minister with folded hands to not to send terrorists

here. People of all religions co-exist here in this land of peace. Bomb blasts are taking

place inside religious places, mosques, places where Hindus and Shias worship," said Liaqat

Hayat Khan, senior leader JKNAP.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- �Nirbhay failed due to use of recycled material�

The fourth test of Nirbhay, the long rage sub-sonic cruise missile that is designed

and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), failed on

December 21 last year because of use of faulty material, said Chairman of the DRDO and Secretary

of Department of Defence R&D S. Chirstopher here on Saturday.

Speaking to The Hindu after inaugurating a workshop on indigenous lithium-ion batteries

for special applications, hosted by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratories (NSTL),

the DRDO chief said, �The fourth test of the missile took place from the Launch Complex-III

of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Balasore in Odisha and after lift-off the missile developed

snags over one of its wings, started to bank on one side and veered dangerously. We had

to activate the �self-destruct� mechanism to kill it mid-air. On investigation, it was

found out that the vendor who manufactured it used recycled material for one of the key

components that operates the wings of the missile and that was the reason why it failed.

The strength of the recycled material was not sufficient to operate the parameters.

Though the vendor followed all specifications, the use of re-cycle material was not disclosed.�

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Erdogan talks about Aircraft carriers at launch

ceremony of latest Turkish corvette

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated Turkey�s goal of self-sufficiency in defense

as he launched a new warship on Saturday.Speaking at the launch of the TCG Burgazada, an indigenously

produced corvette, at the Istanbul naval shipyard, Erdogan said Turkey would soon �be in a

position to make our own aircraft carriers. Turkey, especially, cannot stall on defense

industry and military issues because of our strategic geographical location.� The president

has previously said Turkey�s defense industry will be self-sufficient by 2023, the centenary

of the declaration of the republic. The Burgazada is the third Ada-class corvette produced under

the MILGEM project. The first was the Heybeliada, launched in 2008. The ships, which are named

after the Princes� Islands off Istanbul, are designed for search and rescue, patrol

and anti-submarine warfare duties and are armed with a 76 millimeter gun, missiles and

torpedoes and carry a Seahawk helicopter. The ships have a displacement of 2,400 tons,

a maximum speed of more than 29 knots (33 miles an hour) and a range of 3,500 nautical

miles. Erdogan also performed a �welding ceremony� on the TCG Kinaliada, another

MILGEM corvette that is due to be completed in May next year. Defense Minister Fikri Isik

said Turkey was among the top 10 nations in military ship production. �Turkey�s domestic

production rate in the defense industry increased to 60 percent from 24 percent,� he said.

Reducing dependence on foreign arms imports is a key goal of the Turkish defense industry.

Also present at the ceremony, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the government had invested

$30 billion in the defense industry over the last 14 years. �Turkey is in a fire circle

and many oppressed nations wait for our support,� he said. �Thus, we have to improve our defense

and deterrence capability. When we do that, we need to use local and national resources.�

--------------------------------------------------------------------- New Reaper drone variant performs first combat

mission The U.S. Air Force reported Thursday that

its new Block 5 variant of the MQ-9 Reaper drone has performed its first combat mission

against Islamist terrorists. The recent 16-hour sortie, flown June 23 in support of Operation

Inherent Resolve, involved the unmanned aerial vehicle dropping a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack

Munitions bomb and firing two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles in support of ground forces in the

Middle East. Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S. military name given to operations

against ISIS fighters. �Working in conjunction with coalition joint terminal attack controllers,

other MQ-9 aircraft and crews, our aircrews employed two Hellfires and one GBU-38,�

Maj. Dan, the 432nd Wing director of operations, said in a press release. �All three strikes

met the ground force commander�s intent and destroyed two defensive fighting positions,

two vehicles and one mortar tube.� The Block 5 MQ-9 has an enhanced electrical and communications

systems that allows the use of better software and hardware upgrades for future. The variant

also features the new Block 30 cockpit that required different training for aircrews on

the ground. The new MQ-9 aircraft arrived at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada late February

and quickly received modifications, such as changes to the battery cables and enhanced

generator control units. In May, these MQ-9s were flown locally at Creech AFB to test airworthiness

and then shipped to the area of responsibility for Operation Inherent Resolve.

For more infomation >> WARN#29: INDIA-US, HONG KONG, LM-5 ROCKET, BHUTAN PUBLIC, NIRBHAY, REAPER DRONE - Duration: 14:50.

-------------------------------------------

Did Your Bipolar Symptoms Break Us Up? | Eating With My Ex: Rose and Matt - Duration: 5:47.

For more infomation >> Did Your Bipolar Symptoms Break Us Up? | Eating With My Ex: Rose and Matt - Duration: 5:47.

-------------------------------------------

RUSSIA NEWS - US PREPS FOR LIMITLESS WAR WITH PROPOSED NEW 'SPACE CORPS' - Duration: 4:07.

For more infomation >> RUSSIA NEWS - US PREPS FOR LIMITLESS WAR WITH PROPOSED NEW 'SPACE CORPS' - Duration: 4:07.

-------------------------------------------

Drake Requested JAY-Z's '4:44' at a Restaurant Because He's All of Us - Duration: 1:36.

What's up guys?!

Beija here for Complex!

We all know by now Jay-Z's 4:44 is being talked about not only amongst hip-hop FANS,

but the music world as a whole.

Hov dropped his last album Magna Carta Holy Grail back in 2013 so this comeback—which

is exclusively available on Tidal---has received lots of love from fans, public figures and

his fellow peers.

And speaking of peers, none other than Drake requested that a Baltimore restaurant play

Jay's 13th studio album on Thursday night/Friday morning so he could vibe out to this masterpiece.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Drizzy's inquiry for the restaurant to play the new

tracks went down at Azumi at Harbor East.

So…if you live around that area you're probably kicking yourself that you missed

out on this rare occasion.

The Sun also reported that the Toronto rapper was outside on the patio with five friends

when at (or around) midnight he asked whoever was handling the music to put 4:44on.

.

"While we normally have our own DJ's music playing through the speakers, we were able

to accommodate him and they listened to JAY-Z's 4:44 album in its entirety."

Sweeney also went on to add that bartenders, servers and management made comments admiring

how nice and down to earth Drake was.

One of those people was a Drake fan--@XOXOCandice--who took to Twitter to express her encounter with

the More Life artist.

It was a lengthy thread of comments about the rapper…not 5 or 10 tweets but we're

talking nearly 40 tweets.

Drake was more than likely being present with friends and his environment that he probably

didn't get to peep all of the subliminal shots and subtle references in Jay-Z's new

album.

That's all the news for now, but for more on Drake and Jay-Z be sure to subscribe to

Complex on Youtube today.

For Complex News, I'm Beija Velez.

For more infomation >> Drake Requested JAY-Z's '4:44' at a Restaurant Because He's All of Us - Duration: 1:36.

-------------------------------------------

India Russia China SCO to Counter NATO US and UK - Duration: 3:48.

Hello Everyone This is World Conspiracy Daily

WC Daily

India China and Russia creates SCO opposite to NATO

Seven Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Amid a stand-off in the Sikkim sector with Chinese troops, India has attended an SCO

meeting in China to enhance anti-terrorism and border control mechanisms among member

nations, the first plenary meeting after India and Pakistan became full members of the China-

dominated security grouping.

Seven Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states including China, India and Russia

participated in the organisation's meeting of heads of border control departments on

Thursday in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Officials from the Indian Embassy attended the Dalian meeting of the SCO.

This is the first plenary meeting since India and Pakistan joined the grouping in June.

The other members are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

India and Pakistan last month became full members of the SCO that is increasingly seen

as a counterweight to NATO.

India's membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistan's entry into the grouping

was backed by China.

Member states discussed how to cooperate on combating terrorism, separatism and extremism,

state-run Global Times reported.

The members also talked about a joint operation along the border to prevent trans-border crimes

and to improve the organisation's cooperation on safeguarding border security at the SCO

meeting, the report said.

Border enforcement cooperation is an important part of cooperation between China and other

SCO member states, Chen Dingwu, a senior official at China's Ministry of Public Security's Border

Control Department, said.

He said China values the collaboration with border control departments of other countries,

and has already built cooperation mechanisms with 11 neighbouring countries, including

SCO members.

SCO member states are willing to discuss issues of common interest based on equality as provided

by the Shanghai Spirit, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov said.

Alimov said the SCO will create a positive political atmosphere to comprehensively consolidate

and develop trust, respect and friendship.

The Chinese daily said the Indian delegation attended the meeting "despite border rift

with China in the Sikkim sector".

"Observers believed that relations between China and India were unaffected by the stand-off

between Chinese army and Indian troops along the Sino-India border," the daily said.

There is an ongoing stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Sikkim sector after

the Indian Army blocked construction of a road by China in Doklam, a disputed territory

between China and Bhutan.

So what do you think of the SCO Meeting after Aimed Tension between Indian and the Chinese

Troops in the Border of Bhutan and China and India ?

Post you Comments below And if you like this Video please Give a Thumbs-Up

And follow us on Social Networks

And Subscribe to our Channel And Thanks for Watching

This is WC Daily Think Big Think Different

Bye

For more infomation >> India Russia China SCO to Counter NATO US and UK - Duration: 3:48.

-------------------------------------------

U.S. destroyer sails near disputed island in South China Sea - Duration: 1:55.

A U.S. warship sailed near a disputed island in the South China Sea on Sunday... prompting

Beijing to send navy vessels and warplanes to the area in response.

This marks the second freedom of navigation exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy... around

the island chain, in less than six weeks.

Yu Joonhee reports.

On Sunday, the USS Stethem sailed within 22 kilometers of Triton Island, territory which

is claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Pentagon officials said the U.S. Navy destroyer was conducting a routine freedom of navigation

exercise, and said it will continue to do so in the future.

However, experts say the move signifies Washington's refusal to recognize China's claims of sovereignty

in the island chain... while testing Beijing's requirement for prior notification before

entering its claimed territorial waters.

China reacted with outrage, and said it has dispatched navy vessels and fighter jets to

the region to "warn off" the U.S. warship.

Beijing's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang said the U.S. warship was acting in violation

of Chinese and international law, and disrupted peace and stability in the region.

He added that China will take all necessary measures to protect its security interests,

and accused the U.S. of deliberately stirring up trouble in the South China Sea.

The incident comes in the midst of growing signs of frustration by the Trump administration

directed at China, for a perceived failure to rein in North Korea.

The U.S. has been renewing its pressure on Beijing, imposing fresh sanctions on Chinese

individuals and entities suspected of conducting business with the North.

Washington also approved the sale of a one-point-four billion dollar arms package to Taiwan, which

is regarded by China as a renegade province.

President Trump is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week, on the sidelines

of the G20 summit in Germany.

Although the pair enjoyed a cordial relationship during their first meeting in February, bilateral

relations have cooled significantly since then... with many observers worrying their

honeymoon period is now over.

Yu Joonhee, Arirang News.