Beijing has warned the US must “bear responsibility for the consequences” if Washington doesn’t withdraw new sanctions on China for procuring military equipment from Russia.

The US government imposed sanctions on the Chinese military on Thursday for buying ten SU-25 fighter jets and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, in breach of a sweeping US sanctions law punishing Moscow for meddling in the 2016 US election.

In response, “China expresses strong indignation at these unreasonable actions by the US side and has already lodged stern representations,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

“We strongly urge the US side to immediately correct the mistake and rescind the so-called sanctions; otherwise the U.S. side will necessarily bear responsibility for the consequences," he said, without giving details.

China has cozied up to Russia lately at a time when both nations have been targeted by the US. Bilateral relations have been so successful that China was invited to take part in military exercises in Russia earlier this month, the country’s largest since the Cold War and the first including a country from outside the former Soviet bloc.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin also cultivated a rather public friendship. Xi and Putin have met several times, most recently at an annual economic forum in Vladivostok that occurred alongside the joint war games. The pair have enjoyed traditional foods together and Putin even recalled celebrating his birthday once with Xi. In 2017, Xi was award Russia’s highest state order, an occasion commemorated by Putin hanging an elaborate medallion around Xi’s neck. The following year Xi reciprocated by presenting Putin with a similar high order of friendship in the form of a giant gold necklace.

As these new sanctions show, close relations with Russia means China could suffer collateral damage as the US continues to target Moscow, on top of escalating trade tensions with Washington.

One US administration official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity, said the sanctions imposed on the Chinese agency were aimed at Moscow, not Beijing or its military, despite an escalating trade war between the United States and China.

Despite China essentially taking a hit for Russia, security analysts in Asia think the sanctions could further boost ties between Moscow and Beijing.

"The imposition of US sanctions will have zero impact on Russian arms sales to China," said Ian Storey, of Singapore’s ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.

"Both countries are opposed to what they see as US bullying and these kind of actions will just push Beijing and Moscow even closer together," he said, adding that Moscow needed Chinese money and Beijing wanted advanced military technology.

Collin Koh, a security analyst at Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the sanctions would do little to counter the evolving research and development relationship between China and Russia.

At a glance | Sanctions against Russia

Indeed, for now, Geng said China would continue to work with Russia to promote strategic cooperation at an even higher level.

China relies less on large big-ticket purchases from Russia, but Chinese defense industries are seeking expertise from Russia and former-Soviet states to plug knowledge gaps, he said.

The sanctions target China’s Equipment Development Department, the military branch responsible for weapons and equipments, and its director Li Shangfu for engaging in transactions with Russia’s main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

Trump has insisted there was no collusion with Russia. Moscow denies any effort to meddle in US politics.

They also block the Chinese agency and Xi from applying for export licenses and participating in the US financial system, and adds them to the Treasury Department’s list of specially designated individuals with whom Americans are barred from doing business.

The US blacklisted another 33 people and entities associated with the Russian military and intelligence, adding them to a list under the 2017 law, known as the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.

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The Duke of Cambridge will today launch a financial task force to disrupt international money flows linked to the illegal wildlife trade as part of a British-led diplomatic effort to end the global poaching crisis. 

More than 30 international banks and financial institutions will pledge to train staff to identify and share intelligence on suspicious transactions linked to the illegal trade in elephant ivory, rhino horn, and other endangered species body parts. 

They will also sign up to an intelligence sharing financial task force led by United for Wildlife, a charity run by the Royal Foundation, and chaired by William Hague, the former foreign secretary.  

“Traffickers are brazenly exploiting global financial systems to move the proceeds of their crimes, remaining under the radar of investigation and law enforcement," Lord Hague said. 

“Financial institutions can, therefore, play a crucial role in disrupting such criminal activities and ending the illegal wildlife trade."

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The global trade in illegal wildlife produces is thought to be worth £18 billion annually and has been linked to organized crime groups engaged in money laundering, corruption, and the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and people.  

Scientists estimate just 415,000 elephants survive in Africa following a poaching crisis driven by rising disposable incomes and demand for luxury goods in east Asia. Over 100,000, or 20 percent of the population, have been lost in the past decade. 

Signatories, which include Barclays Bank, HSBC, and Bank of America, agree "will not knowingly facilitate or tolerate financial flows that are derived from IWT and associated corruption".

The financial task force announced today follows a similar initiative to encourage intelligence sharing among transportation companies and law enforcement agencies to better intercept smuggling routes. 

United for Wildlife’s transport task force says it has contributed to 5 seizures of wildlife products worth over $500,000, and assisted with more than 32 law enforcement investigations since it was launched in 2016. 

Match Video from June 12-14 at Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.

Men’s Freestyle World Team Trials Matches:

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While WWE’s SmackDown 1000 viewership and ratings were the highest the show has drawn since April, internally, WWE Officials were said to be disappointed with the numbers. Unlike RAW 25 which generated the highest viewership for RAW in four years, SmackDown 1000 wasn’t even in the top 12 shows this year which is certainly a big reason for the disappointment. The next big show for WWE will be next year when SmackDown celebrates 20 years and also when they debut on The FOX Network.
 
One of the backstage rumors is that Vince McMahon reportedly loves it when RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey manhandles and judo throws smaller men around so that is why he ends up scripting such spots and will probably continue to do whenever the situation makes sense.
 
It was previously reported that WWE is airing a “Road To Evolution” special immediately following tonight’s RAW which will basically be a look at the upcoming All-Women’s PPV. According to reports, one of the big reasons why WWE is airing this special is another tactic to try and distract the audience from the happenings related to The Saudi Arabia controversy while doubling its efforts to promote Sunday’s PPV.

The much talked about free agency of about half The Bullet Club continues to gain stream through not only the ticking countdown and WWE related notes from “H” on Being The Elite, but through social media as well.
Earlier this month, The Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, Marty Scurll & Hangman Page tweeted out somewhat similar words about selling their “final Bullet Club style shirt” while adding that, “it also might be their favorite.” The group looks to be distancing themselves for either a move to WWE or staying put and simply working under their own group name, like “The Elite.”
Just recently, Cody wrote that he is “100% not in The Bullet Club” during a fan Q&A on Twitter. Also noting that at this month’s NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling the “new” Bullet Club was featured with “Switchblade” Jay White, Gedo & Jado joining up with The Bullet Club OGs and he wasn’t involved at all in that segment. You can check out those tweets below:

#Cody @CodyRhodes If you could have any wrestler from any promotion join Bullet Club right now, who would it be?
— CamdalfTheGrey (@CameronHolt41) October 24, 2018

The Bullet Club is all Jay’s thing now. Loved being part of it! Met some good folks. https://t.co/lEn7E8X4af
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) October 24, 2018

pic.twitter.com/AdTEk26ZsS
— Bob Giovanni (@Knucklexhead) October 24, 2018

Is it?
It’s weird folks are struggling with this. The last major njpw show featured a segment showcasing the new BC and I wasnt in it. This ain’t a mystery. I am 100% not in the bullet club, 100% the bullet club is awesome and will continue/thrive.
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) October 24, 2018

To add to Cody’s comments, Tama Tonga tweeted out the photo below, making it pretty clear who’s in the group.

Back to business. We run this game now you bitches. #BulletClub #CutThroatEra pic.twitter.com/oSIjmScoEq
— ‘Bad Boy’ Tama Tonga (@Tama_Tonga) October 23, 2018

Somewhat separate from this story is Cody losing The NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title back to Nick Aldis in a 2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match last weekend at The NWA 70th Anniversary Show in Nashville, Tennessee.

On Instagram, Cody commented on the success of the event and thanked the fans who tuned in. Cody also said that he is beginning to “transition to a new role in pro wrestling.” We most likely won’t know what that new role is until the new year. You can check out Cody’s Instagram post below:
“As I begin a transition to a new role in pro-wrestling, I hope all the fans who’ve discovered the NWA recently…stay on board and continue to watch the likes of Nick Aldis, Avalon, Willie Mack, Jazz and many more. As I continue my remaining dates with the good folks at ROH, I’d like to thank them and The NWA for allowing me to cross imaginary lines and give the fans something special!”

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- No. 9 Augustana wrestling will officially begin its season when 17 Vikings travel to Brookings, S.D. this Sunday to compete in the Daktronics open at the Frost Arena. The Vikings have participated in the event every year since 2008.

Last year, Augustana placed five wrestlers in four different weight classes, with Parker Swanson winning the 165-pound division. The Vikings return three wrestlers who placed in last year’s open, TJ North (125), Aero Amo (184) and Michael Lowman (285) all took home fourth place in their weight classes.

Jason Reitmeier returns to the helm for his 13th season as Augustana’s head coach. Reitmeier last year guided the Vikings to an 18-5 dual record, including a 7-1 conference dual record. The only loss was to eventual the national champions, St. Cloud State.

“The main goal this year is to bring more guys to nationals so that we have a shot of bringing home some hardware.” head coach Jason Reitmeier said. “We have the talent and I believe the guys can step up at the right time.”

As Augustana begins its new season let’s take a look at the team on a pound for pound basis.

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125 Pounds
Leading the pack at 125 will be TJ North, who is coming off a 26-4 overall record including his second consecutive runner-up finish at the NCAA Championship.
“TJ is the model of consistency,” Reitmeier said. “When he goes out and does what he’s supposed to do it gets the team fired up and gets us rolling.”
Wrestling along with North in the 125-pound division will be Javier Vieyra who posted a 10-8 record. Including a 2-0 record against NSIC opponents. The last two will be new incoming freshmen Logan Donais and Duncan Stoebner.

133 Pounds
The person to watch for at 133 will be Morgan Enbrecht who last year finished with a 7-2 record against NSIC competition. Following Engbrecht will be David Potratz, Adrian Lozano, and freshmen Joe Fischenich.

141 Pounds
“We’re going to have some people challenging in this weight class.” Reitmeier said.
Starting with returning starter Jeremiah Peterson , who went 13-5 last year including 6-1 against NSIC competition. Competing also in the weight class will be Brandon Charbonneau, Austin Jordan, Deven Donais and Blake Jans round out the 141 weight class.

149 Pounds
Jacob Anderson returns to anchor the 149 pounds division, Anderson last year posted a 28-12 record and 10-3 against NSIC opponents. Wrestling along with Anderson at 149 is Brandon Chestnut who went 8-4 last season, redshirt freshman Colin Ayers and newcomer Tyler Nation and Bailey Neises.

157 Pounds
Shawn Hatlestad returns to guide the Vikings in the 157-pound weight class. Hatlestad went 28-10 in 2014-15 and went 2-2 at the NCAA Super Region Three Tournament. The only competition Hatlestad has in this weight class is freshmen Matthew Rustad and Shane Siewert.

165 Pounds
“This is going to be one of our biggest question marks coming into this season is at 165 pounds.”
Reitmeier said. Heading up at 165 will be Bruce Lemon Jr.who was redshirted the past two season. Mitch Rechtzigel and Ben Goodwin look to get into . Freshmen Zach Determan and Gable Verschoor round out the weight class.

174 Pounds
Tim Weber heads the 174 division. Weber moved up to 174 last year and went 2-2 at the NCAA Super Region III Championship. After Weber will be a couple of inexperienced wrestlers in Mason Bender and Lukas Polonicic.

184 Pounds
Aero Amo will anchor the 184-pound division. Amo posted a 24-11 record last year, which earned him an All-NSIC Second Team honor as a freshman. Logan Henning and Clayton Washburn.

197 Pounds
Another big question mark coming into the season is who will replace Jayd Docken at 197 pounds. The two people up to the task will be Lane Lettau, who finished with a 1-1 record against NSIC competition. The other will be Drake Fanslau who is returning from injury last season.

285 Pounds
Michael Lowman returns to guide the heavyweights for the Vikings. Lowman last season posted a 30-13 at 285 pounds making it to the NCAA Championship. Newcomer Joe Schiller is the backup to Lowman at 285.

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Minnesota falls to three ranked foes in New York

The Gophers spent Sunday in Troy, N.Y. wrestling arguably the most difficult schedule of any of the 20 teams participating in this year’s Northeast Duals, a run of three consecutive matches against top-15 opponents. The Gophers fell in all three contests, dropping duals to No. 13 North Carolina (20-17), No. 5 Lehigh (22-12) and No. 12 NC State (31-3). Those losses even Minnesota’s record on the season at 3-3.

No. 6 Brett Pfarr continued his undefeated season and improved to 9-0 with three victories on Sunday at 197. Sam Brancale also turned in a strong performance from the Empire State, a 2-1 day during which he upset ninth-ranked Mason Beckman, a two-time All-American for Lehigh, during their 133-pound match.

Brancale’s victory was one of three upsets Gopher wrestlers orchestrated on the day, all against the Mountain Hawks. In the match immediately following Brancale’s, No. 20 Tommy Thorn (141) upended No. 10 Randy Cruz, a two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association champion. Later in the dual, Nick Wanzek (174) earned his first victory over a ranked opponent since bumping up a weight class this season when he edged No. 12 Elliot Riddick, 3-2.

Minnesota opened the event with its first-ever match against North Carolina. Through five matches, the Gophers found themselves trailing the Tar Heels by a single point, 9-8, thanks to major decisions from Brancale and Brandon Kingsley (157). Three straight wins for UNC after the dual’s midway point opened up what proved to be an insurmountable lead. Decisions for Brett Pfarr and Michael Kroells (285) brought Minnesota to within three points, 20-17, by the match’s end.

Three bouts into its dual with Lehigh, Minnesota found itself tied with the favored Mountain Hawks, 6-6. After a pin at 125, Brancale and Thorn’s upset wins leveled the team score. As happened during their previous dual, a three-match skid ultimately put the Gophers too far behind their opponents. Wanzek’s upset at 174 brought the Gophers to within seven points, 16-9, with three matches remaining, but a 1-2 performance at the three remaining weights left the Gophers short on points in the 22-12 defeat.

To wrap up the day’s action, Brett Pfarr earned the lone victory for the Gophers against an energetic NC State team. Five Minnesota wrestlers lost matches by four points or fewer to Wolfpack wrestlers, including three of the first four (125, 133 and 149) to begin the dual. Those close losses proved to be too much for the Gophers to overcome as the Wolfpack earned a victory in its first match against Minnesota in 27 years.

Sunday was Minnesota’s third trip to the Northeast Duals and its first since 2006. The program is now 7-4 all-time in the event. With its duals against UNC and NC State, Minnesota has now wrestled three different ACC schools this year, the most of any season in program history. The Gophers defeated Virginia, 19-15, at the Gopher Duals on Nov. 7.

There is little time for rest as the Gophers tackle an eight-dual November schedule. Minnesota returns to action this Saturday at the Sports Pavilion when the team hosts the Air Force Academy for a 6:30 p.m. dual. That contest will be streamed live on BTN Plus.

Fans who want to stay up-to-date on the latest news around the program should not only regularly check on GopherSports.com, but also follow Gopher Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

No. 21 Minnesota 17 – No. 13 North Carolina 20
125: Tyrone Klump (UNC) dec No. 17 Skyler Petry (Minn), 7-5 / Minnesota 0 — UNC 3
133: Sam Brancale (Minn) maj dec A.C. Headlee (UNC), 11-3 / Minnesota 4 – UNC 3
141: No. 5 Evan Henderson (UNC) dec No. 20 Tommy Thorn (Minn), 5-2 / Minnesota 4 — UNC 6
149: Christian Barber (UNC) dec Miles Patton (Minn), 5-1 / Minnesota 4 — UNC 9
157: Brandon Kingsley (Minn) maj dec Robert Henderson (UNC), 12-2 / Minnesota 8 — UNC 9
165: No. 3 Ethan Ramos (UNC) tech fall (5:59) Dylan Urbach (Minn), 20-4 / Minnesota 8 — UNC 14
174: John Michael Staudenmayer (UNC) dec Nick Wanzek (Minn), 6-3 / Minnesota 8 — UNC 17
184: No. 20 Alex Utley (UNC) Chris Pfarr (Minn), 6-3 / Minnesota 8 — UNC 20
197: No. 6 Brett Pfarr (Minn) dec Chip Ness (UNC), 11-5 / Minnesota 11 — UNC 20
285: No. 6 Michael Kroells (Minn) fall (3:34) Cory Daniel (UNC) / Minnesota 17 — UNC 20

No. 21 Minnesota 12 – No. 5 Lehigh 22
125: No. 15 Darian Cruz (Lehigh) fall (1:43) No. 17 Skyler Petry (Minn) / Minnesota 0 — Lehigh 6
133: Sam Brancale (Minn) dec No. 9 Mason Beckman (Lehigh), 4-1 / Minnesota 3 – Lehigh 6
141: No. 20 Tommy Thorn (Minn) dec No. 10 Randy Cruz (Lehigh), 3-0 / Minnesota 6 — Lehigh 6
149: No. 20 Laike Gardner (Lehigh) maj dec Miles Patton (Minn), 12-3 / Minnesota 6 — Lehigh 10
157: No. 5 Mitch Minotti (Lehigh) dec Brandon Kingsley (Minn), 4-2 / Minnesota 6 — Lehigh 13
165: Ryan Preisch (Lehigh) dec Dylan Urbach (Minn), 5-2 / Minnesota 6 — Lehigh 16
174: Nick Wanzek (Minn) dec No. 12 Elliot Riddick (Lehigh), 3-2 / Minnesota 9 — Lehigh 16
184: No. 4 Nathaniel Brown (Lehigh) dec Chris Pfarr (Minn), 9-5 / Minnesota 9 — Lehigh 19
197: No. 6 Brett Pfarr (Minn) dec John Bolich (Lehigh), 7-3 / Minnesota 12 — Lehigh 19
285: Max Wessell (Lehigh) dec No. 6 Michael Kroells (Minn), 10-9 / Minnesota 12 — Lehigh 22

No. 21 Minnesota 3 – No. 12 NC State 31
125: Sean Fausz (NC State) dec No. 17 Skyler Petry (Minn), 8-6 / Minnesota 0 — NC State 3
133: Jamal Morris (NC State) dec Sam Brancale (Minn), 5-2 / Minnesota 0 — NC State 6
141: No. 3 Kevin Jack (NC State) dec No. 20 Tommy Thorn (Minn), 10-4 / Minnesota 0 — NC State 9
149: Beau Donahue (NC State) dec Miles Patton (Minn), 8-4 / Minnesota 0 — NC State 12
157: No. 9 Tommy Gantt (NC State) maj dec Brandon Kingsley (Minn), 12-3 / Minnesota 0 — NC State 16
165: No. 7 Max Rohskopf (NC State) dec Dylan Urbach (Minn), 6-0 / Minnesota 0 — NC State 19
174: Nicky Hall (NC State) dec Nick Wanzek (Minn), 8-6 / Minnesota 0 — NC State 22
Click Here: cheap INTERNATIONAL jersey 184: No. 17 Pete Renda (NC State) fall (5:35) Chris Pfarr (Minn) / Minnesota 0 — NC State 28
197: No. 6 Brett Pfarr (Minn) dec Michael Boykin (NC State), 7-3 / Minnesota 3 — NC State 28
285: No. 1 Nick Gwiazdowski (NC State) dec No. 6 Michael Kroells (Minn), 10-6 / Minnesota 3 — NC State 31

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