FRESNO, Calif.; 25 Sep 2018; (AP) — The Trump administration’s proposal to roll back national fuel economy standards was headed for its second public hearing a day after California officials and scores of speakers blasted it as a danger to the environment and public health.

BEIJING, September 25. /TASS/. China and Russia are capable, combining their efforts, to overcome the negative consequences of the sanctions pressure and trade wars unleashed by Washington, Vice Minister of Commerce of China Fu Ziying said on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON; 25 Sep 2018; (AP) — The Trump administration says it has approved the sale to Taiwan of $330 million in spare parts and related support for Taiwan’s F-16 fighters and other military aircraft.

A Pentagon statement Monday said the sale will improve Taiwan’s ability to defend itself without altering the basic military balance in Asia.

China opposes all U.S. military sales to Taiwan.

STOCKHOLM; 25 Sep 2018; (AP) — Sweden’s prime minister lost a vote of confidence in parliament on Tuesday after an election this month stripped him of his majority.

Stefan Lofven, the leader of the Social Democratic Party who has been prime minister for four years, will continue in a caretaker role until a new government can be formed that has the command of the Riksdagen.

Lawmakers voted 204-142 against Lofven, while three abstained. The vote was mandatory after the Sept. 9 general election delivered a hung parliament.

NEW YORK; 24 Sep 2018; (AP) — Mel Gibson will co-write and direct a remake of Sam Peckinpah’s classic 1969 Western “The Wild Bunch.”

Warner Bros. on Monday confirmed that Gibson will helm the production, with Bryan Bagby to co-write the script with him. It will be Gibson’s first time directing since his 2016 World War II drama “Hacksaw Ridge,” for which Gibson earned a best directing Oscar nomination.

Washington, Sep 25 (PTI) US President Donald Trump on Monday held a meeting with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, during which the two leaders discussed the situation in Syria, the aggressive behaviour of Iran and promoting free trade between the US and the European Union (EU).

"The two leaders discussed a wide range of international issues, including the situation in Syria, countering threats posed by Iran, and promoting fair terms of trade between the United States and the European Union," the White House said in a readout of the meeting.

BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said Monday it resolutely supports the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's ban on the so-called "Hong Kong National Party."

The HKSAR government has announced an order in its Gazette to prohibit the operation of the "Hong Kong National Party." A spokesperson of the office said it is an unregistered and illegal group as well as a "Hong Kong independence" organization.

ALGIERS, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 10th OPEC and non-OPEC Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) in Algiers wrapped up on Sunday by maintaining the current oil output level, amid calls from the U.S. to raise oil production in a bid to curb mounting prices.

In fact, OPEC and non-OPEC members in Algiers snubbed the calls of the U.S. President Donald Trump. A couple of days ago, Trump accused OPEC of monopolizing the oil market, and called the cartel to raise production in a bid to reduce prices.

WASHINGTON; 24 Sep 2018; (AP) — Farmers across the United States will soon begin receiving government checks as part of a billion-dollar bailout to buoy growers experiencing financial strain from President Donald Trump’s trade disputes with China.

MOSCOW, September 24./TASS/. Within two weeks, the Syrian army will get from Russia S-300 air-defense missiles to strengthen its combat capabilities following the downing of a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft in Syria, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.

"A modern S-300 air defense missile system will be supplied to the Syrian Armed Forces within two weeks. It is capable of intercepting air assault weapons at a distance of more than 250 kilometers and hit simultaneously several air targets," the minister said.

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) Continuing its attack on the BJP-led Centre over the Rafale deal, the Congress Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating the oath of confidentiality by leaking information to Reliance Defence chief Anil Ambani about the purchase of 36 fighter jets from France.

Anand Sharma, deputy leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, demanded that the prime minister respond to the charges made against him in connection with the controversial deal instead of fielding his ministers.

MOSCOW, September 24. /TASS/. Moscow could adequately respond to the downing of Russia’s Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea by closing Syria’s air space, Science Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Science Vitaly Naumkin told TASS, commenting on the information released by the Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday.