A naturalized American who was a sniper for the Islamic State group has been charged in New York with material support for a terror group after being captured in Syria and repatriated to the United States, the Justice Department announced Friday.

Kazakhstan-born Ruslan Maratovich Asainov fought for the Islamic State in Syria for five years before he was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces and handed over to US custody, the department said.

Asainov, 43, was brought back to the United States on Thursday and was to be arraigned Friday afternoon in federal court in Brooklyn.

He fought for IS in Syria from 2013 to 2018 as a sniper and a weapons trainer for other combatants.

Over time, he rose up through the ranks of the organization, and was named an "emir," or chief, in charge of weapons training.

He stayed in contact with some people in the United States, sending messages and photographs of himself from the battlefield.

"We are the worst terrorist organization in the world that has ever existed," one of his messages from 2015 said, according to court documents.

Asainov also tried to recruit another individual in the United States to join the group, who, he did not know, was an informant for the New York Police Department.

"The United States is committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to fight for ISIS," Assistant Attorney General John Demers said in a statement.

"We hope countries around the world, including our European allies and partners, will likewise repatriate and prosecute their own citizens for traveling to support ISIS," he said.

A naturalized American who was a sniper for the Islamic State group has been charged in New York with material support for a terror group after being captured in Syria and repatriated to the United States, the Justice Department announced Friday.

A naturalized American who was a sniper for the Islamic State group has been charged in New York with material support for a terror group after being captured in Syria and repatriated to the United States, the Justice Department announced Friday. Kazakhstan-born Ruslan Maratovich Asainov fought for the Islamic State in Syria for five years before he was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces and handed over to US custody, the department said. Asainov, 43, was brought back to the United States on Thursday and was to be arraigned Friday afternoon in federal court in Brooklyn. He fought for IS in Syria from 2013 to 2018 as a sniper and a weapons trainer for other combatants. Over time, he rose up through the ranks of the organization, and was named an "emir," or chief, in charge of weapons training. He stayed in contact with some people in the United States, sending messages and photographs of himself from the battlefield. "We are the worst terrorist organization in the world that has ever existed," one of his messages from 2015 said, according to court documents. Asainov also tried to recruit another individual in the United States to join the group, who, he did not know, was an informant for the New York Police Department. "The United States is committed to holding accountable those who have left this country in order to fight for ISIS," Assistant Attorney General John Demers said in a statement. "We hope countries around the world, including our European allies and partners, will likewise repatriate and prosecute their own citizens for traveling to support ISIS," he said.

American Islamic State 'sniper' charged in New York: Justice Department

What was once Europe's biggest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-40-killed-in-air-strike-on-libya-migrant-centre-232617">migrant reception centre</a>, in Mineo in Sicily, is to officially close on Tuesday in the presence of its biggest critic, far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.&nbsp;

"Promise kept," Salvini said last week when the centre's final inhabitants were removed, to be sent to another centre in Calabria.

This reception centre, a former housing complex for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-claims-shooting-down-american-drone-us-military-declines-to-comment-228857">US military</a> that resembles an American suburb, is now guarded by Italian troops who block access under a roasting Sicilian sun.

At its peak in 2014, Mineo housed more than 4,100 people.

Its population then steadily dropped. When anti-migrant Salvini and the populist Five Star Movement came to power in June last year, it housed 2,500.&nbsp;

Since then Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister, has declared war on charity rescue vessels, barring their entry to Italian ports in recent weeks. Thousands of migrants nevertheless continue to arrive by their means or are rescued by the Italian authorities.

Psychologist Massimiliano Terrasi stood amid the arid countryside outside the centre where he worked since 2011, disappointed at what he said could have been.

"Hopes were high when the centre first opened and we grew professionally," he told AFP-TV.

"Well managed, it could have been an asset for the area and people's mutual understanding," he lamented, voicing anger at the abrupt end to his years of work, final wages still unpaid.

In the beginning, care and hygiene conditions were decent, he said. But things started to deteriorate when the population went over 3,000.

"If you look at how the centre was in the end, it's a good thing that it closed. But if you think what it could have been, it's a pity," he said.

Built 'on numbers'&nbsp;

Resident Sergio Mastrilli was more critical, as he drank a beer on a Mineo bar terrace.

"When the centre first opened, I immediately thought it wasn't a good thing," he said.

"It wasn't a reception centre built on integration but numbers."

Mastrilli, a 25-year-old law student, is a supporter of Luigi di Maio's anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which is in a ruling coalition with Salvini's Lega for the last 13 months.

"There were more than 4,000 people from 85 different ethnicity, while Mineo has around 5,000 inhabitants," he said.

He called for a Europe-wide solution to migration and suggested "many migrants would like to stay in their own countries" if they could.

The centre's 400 small yellow and pink houses lie in tidy rows, a reminder of the time when US families from the neighbouring base at Sigonella called it home.

But the US military gave up its lease in 2010, and the arrival of the reception centre and migrants made Sicilians in the area both worried and jealous.

The migrants were notably prepared to work for 10 or 20 euros (11-22 dollars) a day during the orange harvest, angering locals who could not work for so little.

'A big illusion'&nbsp;

But the centre also employed 400 people in the area, and Mineo's current mayor, Giuseppe Mistretta, has threatened to resign if the state does not help with the post-migrant transition.

"Mineo's closure is the inexorable epilogue of a big illusion, in a region starved of jobs," said Sicily's conservative regional president Nello Musumeci.

Several judicial probes are currently underway, implicating notably Mineo's former mayor and the centre's former director.&nbsp;

Allegations include preferential awarding of contracts, and the exaggeration of migrant numbers to attract state subsidies that accompanied each new arrival.

In January, police broke up a Nigerian organised crime drug dealing group based within the centre, and a prostitution ring.

What was once Europe's biggest migrant reception centre, in Mineo in Sicily, is to officially close on Tuesday in the presence of its biggest critic, far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

What was once Europe's biggest migrant reception centre, in Mineo in Sicily, is to officially close on Tuesday in the presence of its biggest critic, far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. "Promise kept," Salvini said last week when the centre's final inhabitants were removed, to be sent to another centre in Calabria. This reception centre, a former housing complex for the US military that resembles an American suburb, is now guarded by Italian troops who block access under a roasting Sicilian sun. At its peak in 2014, Mineo housed more than 4,100 people. Its population then steadily dropped. When anti-migrant Salvini and the populist Five Star Movement came to power in June last year, it housed 2,500. Since then Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister, has declared war on charity rescue vessels, barring their entry to Italian ports in recent weeks. Thousands of migrants nevertheless continue to arrive by their means or are rescued by the Italian authorities. Psychologist Massimiliano Terrasi stood amid the arid countryside outside the centre where he worked since 2011, disappointed at what he said could have been. "Hopes were high when the centre first opened and we grew professionally," he told AFP-TV. "Well managed, it could have been an asset for the area and people's mutual understanding," he lamented, voicing anger at the abrupt end to his years of work, final wages still unpaid. In the beginning, care and hygiene conditions were decent, he said. But things started to deteriorate when the population went over 3,000. "If you look at how the centre was in the end, it's a good thing that it closed. But if you think what it could have been, it's a pity," he said. Built 'on numbers' Resident Sergio Mastrilli was more critical, as he drank a beer on a Mineo bar terrace. "When the centre first opened, I immediately thought it wasn't a good thing," he said. "It wasn't a reception centre built on integration but numbers." Mastrilli, a 25-year-old law student, is a supporter of Luigi di Maio's anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which is in a ruling coalition with Salvini's Lega for the last 13 months. "There were more than 4,000 people from 85 different ethnicity, while Mineo has around 5,000 inhabitants," he said. He called for a Europe-wide solution to migration and suggested "many migrants would like to stay in their own countries" if they could. The centre's 400 small yellow and pink houses lie in tidy rows, a reminder of the time when US families from the neighbouring base at Sigonella called it home. But the US military gave up its lease in 2010, and the arrival of the reception centre and migrants made Sicilians in the area both worried and jealous. The migrants were notably prepared to work for 10 or 20 euros (11-22 dollars) a day during the orange harvest, angering locals who could not work for so little. 'A big illusion' But the centre also employed 400 people in the area, and Mineo's current mayor, Giuseppe Mistretta, has threatened to resign if the state does not help with the post-migrant transition. "Mineo's closure is the inexorable epilogue of a big illusion, in a region starved of jobs," said Sicily's conservative regional president Nello Musumeci. Several judicial probes are currently underway, implicating notably Mineo's former mayor and the centre's former director. Allegations include preferential awarding of contracts, and the exaggeration of migrant numbers to attract state subsidies that accompanied each new arrival. In January, police broke up a Nigerian organised crime drug dealing group based within the centre, and a prostitution ring.

Europe's once biggest migrant centre to close in Italy

President Donald Trump said on Friday Mexico's government had reached a deal with the United States to avert a tariff war by pledging to take "strong measures" to contain the migration of mostly Central Americans crossing the southern US border.

Trump calls off tariffs on Mexico after deal on migration

Three American soldiers and a US contractor were killed when their convoy hit a roadside bomb on Monday near the main US base in Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

4 Americans die in roadside Afghanistan blast, Taliban claims responsiblity

A <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-peace-talks-the-tensions-within-the-taliban-195361">Taliban</a> official said on Wednesday that the United States had promised to withdraw half of its troops from Afghanistan by the end of April during talks last month, RIA news agency reported, more than past estimates of the planned pull-out.

There was no immediate reaction from the Pentagon or the US Department of State to the comments from a member of a Taliban delegation visiting Moscow.

But they came a day after President Donald Trump told Americans his administration had accelerated talks for a political settlement in Afghanistan and would be able to reduce US troops there as negotiations advance to end America’s longest war.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghans-hope-for-peace-but-fear-bloodshed-as-us-taliban-talk-193222">US and Taliban delegations </a>met in Qatar in January and are due to meet again in February.

A US official at last month's meeting said significant progress was made, though more talks were needed on US demands for a Taliban ceasefire before any withdrawal and other issues.

"Yes, the Americans told us (last month) that they would withdraw half of their troops from the beginning of February to the end of April," Abdul Salam Hanafi was quoted as saying by Russian news agency RIA.

Hanafi said Washington and the Taliban had also agreed that all foreign troops would eventually leave and that Afghanistan would never be used as a base for attacks on the United States.

"The timeline (of the withdrawal) will be discussed at future meetings," Hanafi said.

The Taliban militants are in Moscow for talks with Afghan opposition politicians, including former President Hamid Karzai - discussions that the current Afghan government has said is not in the country's best interests.

A US official said in December that Trump was planning to withdraw more than 5,000, or more than a third, of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

A Taliban official said on Wednesday that the United States had promised to withdraw half of its troops from Afghanistan by the end of April during talks last month, RIA news agency reported, more than past estimates of the planned pull-out.

A Taliban official said on Wednesday that the United States had promised to withdraw half of its troops from Afghanistan by the end of April during talks last month, RIA news agency reported, more than past estimates of the planned pull-out. There was no immediate reaction from the Pentagon or the US Department of State to the comments from a member of a Taliban delegation visiting Moscow. But they came a day after President Donald Trump told Americans his administration had accelerated talks for a political settlement in Afghanistan and would be able to reduce US troops there as negotiations advance to end America’s longest war. US and Taliban delegations met in Qatar in January and are due to meet again in February. A US official at last month's meeting said significant progress was made, though more talks were needed on US demands for a Taliban ceasefire before any withdrawal and other issues. "Yes, the Americans told us (last month) that they would withdraw half of their troops from the beginning of February to the end of April," Abdul Salam Hanafi was quoted as saying by Russian news agency RIA. Hanafi said Washington and the Taliban had also agreed that all foreign troops would eventually leave and that Afghanistan would never be used as a base for attacks on the United States. "The timeline (of the withdrawal) will be discussed at future meetings," Hanafi said. The Taliban militants are in Moscow for talks with Afghan opposition politicians, including former President Hamid Karzai - discussions that the current Afghan government has said is not in the country's best interests. A US official said in December that Trump was planning to withdraw more than 5,000, or more than a third, of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

Taliban says US promised to halve its troops in Afghanistan by April: Report

India remains one of the most important strategic partners of the United States, a top American senator said. Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and Republican senator John Cornyn met the new Indian Envoy to the US, Harsh V Shringla, at the US Capital here.

“India remains one of our most important strategic partners,” Cornyn said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after the meeting. Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the powerful India Caucus, the only country-specific caucus in the Senate.

“I’m glad Senator Warner and I were able to meet with the Ambassador to welcome him to his post and discuss ways in which our two countries can continue to work together toward advancing our common interests on issues like trade and global security,” he said.

During the meeting, the senators discussed how to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

“I appreciate the opportunity to meet Ambassador Shringla to talk about the issues bridging our nations, especially since Virginia is home to one of the largest populations of Indian Americans,” said Warner, who is vice chairman of the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence “The US and India have many shared economic and strategic interests, so I look forward to working with the Ambassador on these matters,” the Virginia senator added.

 
Issues discussed in the meeting included areas of opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership, increasing international exchange programs between the two counties, and the implications of India’s decision to require all payment system providers to store their data exclusively in India.

Shringla had presented his credentials to President Donald Trump at the White House on January 12.

India remains one of the most important strategic partners of the United States, a top American senator said. Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and Republican senator John Cornyn met the new Indian Envoy to the US, Harsh V Shringla, at the US Capital here.

India remains one of the most important strategic partners of the United States, a top American senator said. Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and Republican senator John Cornyn met the new Indian Envoy to the US, Harsh V Shringla, at the US Capital here. “India remains one of our most important strategic partners,” Cornyn said in a statement on Tuesday, a day after the meeting. Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the powerful India Caucus, the only country-specific caucus in the Senate. “I’m glad Senator Warner and I were able to meet with the Ambassador to welcome him to his post and discuss ways in which our two countries can continue to work together toward advancing our common interests on issues like trade and global security,” he said. During the meeting, the senators discussed how to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries. “I appreciate the opportunity to meet Ambassador Shringla to talk about the issues bridging our nations, especially since Virginia is home to one of the largest populations of Indian Americans,” said Warner, who is vice chairman of the powerful Senate Select Committee on Intelligence “The US and India have many shared economic and strategic interests, so I look forward to working with the Ambassador on these matters,” the Virginia senator added. Issues discussed in the meeting included areas of opportunity to deepen the strategic partnership, increasing international exchange programs between the two counties, and the implications of India’s decision to require all payment system providers to store their data exclusively in India. Shringla had presented his credentials to President Donald Trump at the White House on January 12.

India one of the most important strategic partners, says top US Senator

&nbsp;Democratic <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-democratic-representative-tulsi-gabbard-says-she-will-run-for-president-in-2020-189711">presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard</a> has alleged that she had become a victim of "religious bigotry" and some media outlets were targeting her and accusing her supporters, who have Hindu names, of being Hindu nationalists.

Gabbard, the first Hindu<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/news-brief-big-stories-of-the-day-189741"> elected to the US Congress</a>, wrote an op-ed for the Religious News Services on Sunday, describing the campaign against her, supporters and donors as "profiling and targeting of Hindu Americans and ascribing to them motives without any basis".

The 37-year-old had on January 11 announced that she would be running for the White House in 2020.

In the hard-hitting piece, Gabbard pointed out to the accusation against her of being a Hindu nationalist. "Tomorrow will it be Muslim or Jewish Americans? Japanese, Hispanic or African Americans?" she asked.

"My meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's democratically elected leader, have been highlighted as 'proof' of this and portrayed as somehow being out of the ordinary or somehow suspect, even though President (Barack) Obama, Secretary (Hillary) Clinton, President (Donald) Trump and many of my colleagues in Congress have met with and worked with him," Gabbard said.

"I am proud to be the first Hindu-American to have been elected to Congress, and now, the first Hindu-American to run for president," the four-term Democratic lawmaker from Hawaii said.&nbsp;

"And, while the headlines covering my announcement could have celebrated this historic first, maybe even informed Americans at large about the world's third-largest religion, some have instead fomented suspicion, fear, and religious bigotry about not only me but also my supporters," Gabbard said.

Gabbard said India was one of America's closest allies in Asia and is a country of growing importance in a critical region of the world.

"The strategic partnership between our two countries has been a priority for several decades now. To question my commitment to my country, while not questioning non-Hindu leaders, creates a double standard that can only be rooted in one thing: 'religious bigotry'. I am Hindu and they are not," Gabbard said.

She referred to the attack against her in the past by political opponents. "Religious bigotry and attempt to foment fear of Hindus and other minority religions persist. During my 2012 and 2014 elections, my Republican opponent stated publicly that a Hindu should not be allowed to serve in the US Congress and that Hinduism is incompatible with the US Constitution," she said.

In the 2016 race for Congress, her Republican opponent said repeatedly that a vote for her was a vote for the devil because of her religion, Gabbard wrote.

"Republicans like Ben Carson said in 2016 that a Muslim-American would be unqualified to serve as president. Democratic Senators have recently grilled and opposed Republican judicial nominees because of their connection to Catholicism," she alleged.

These actions and attitudes not only undermine the Constitution but also incite fear and force people into the shadows because of their religion, Gabbard said.

Gabbard said after her 2012 election, she made a personal decision to take "my congressional oath of office on the supreme yoga/Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna's teachings have provided wisdom and spiritual solace to me throughout my life, including when I was serving our country in the Middle East during the Iraq war."

"Those who are trying to foment anti-Hindu sentiment expose the dark underbelly of religious bigotry in politics and must be called out. To advocate voting for or against someone based on religion, race, or gender is simply un-American," she said.

Gabbard had last September refused to be the chairperson of the World Hindu Congress in Chicago, citing her differences with its organisers who were seen close to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Democratic presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard has alleged that she had become a victim of "religious bigotry" and some media outlets were targeting her and accusing her supporters, who have Hindu names, of being Hindu nationalists.

Democratic presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard has alleged that she had become a victim of "religious bigotry" and some media outlets were targeting her and accusing her supporters, who have Hindu names, of being Hindu nationalists. Gabbard, the first Hindu elected to the US Congress, wrote an op-ed for the Religious News Services on Sunday, describing the campaign against her, supporters and donors as "profiling and targeting of Hindu Americans and ascribing to them motives without any basis". The 37-year-old had on January 11 announced that she would be running for the White House in 2020. In the hard-hitting piece, Gabbard pointed out to the accusation against her of being a Hindu nationalist. "Tomorrow will it be Muslim or Jewish Americans? Japanese, Hispanic or African Americans?" she asked. "My meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's democratically elected leader, have been highlighted as 'proof' of this and portrayed as somehow being out of the ordinary or somehow suspect, even though President (Barack) Obama, Secretary (Hillary) Clinton, President (Donald) Trump and many of my colleagues in Congress have met with and worked with him," Gabbard said. "I am proud to be the first Hindu-American to have been elected to Congress, and now, the first Hindu-American to run for president," the four-term Democratic lawmaker from Hawaii said. "And, while the headlines covering my announcement could have celebrated this historic first, maybe even informed Americans at large about the world's third-largest religion, some have instead fomented suspicion, fear, and religious bigotry about not only me but also my supporters," Gabbard said. Gabbard said India was one of America's closest allies in Asia and is a country of growing importance in a critical region of the world. "The strategic partnership between our two countries has been a priority for several decades now. To question my commitment to my country, while not questioning non-Hindu leaders, creates a double standard that can only be rooted in one thing: 'religious bigotry'. I am Hindu and they are not," Gabbard said. She referred to the attack against her in the past by political opponents. "Religious bigotry and attempt to foment fear of Hindus and other minority religions persist. During my 2012 and 2014 elections, my Republican opponent stated publicly that a Hindu should not be allowed to serve in the US Congress and that Hinduism is incompatible with the US Constitution," she said. In the 2016 race for Congress, her Republican opponent said repeatedly that a vote for her was a vote for the devil because of her religion, Gabbard wrote. "Republicans like Ben Carson said in 2016 that a Muslim-American would be unqualified to serve as president. Democratic Senators have recently grilled and opposed Republican judicial nominees because of their connection to Catholicism," she alleged. These actions and attitudes not only undermine the Constitution but also incite fear and force people into the shadows because of their religion, Gabbard said. Gabbard said after her 2012 election, she made a personal decision to take "my congressional oath of office on the supreme yoga/Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna's teachings have provided wisdom and spiritual solace to me throughout my life, including when I was serving our country in the Middle East during the Iraq war." "Those who are trying to foment anti-Hindu sentiment expose the dark underbelly of religious bigotry in politics and must be called out. To advocate voting for or against someone based on religion, race, or gender is simply un-American," she said. Gabbard had last September refused to be the chairperson of the World Hindu Congress in Chicago, citing her differences with its organisers who were seen close to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Proud to be first Hindu-American to run for US president: Tulsi Gabbard

In pics: Serena Williams knocked out of Australian Open

A white high school student seen with classmates appearing to confront a Native American Vietnam veteran near the Lincoln Memorial issued a statement on Sunday that video of the incident that went viral gives a false impression that the teens were instigators.

Nick Sandmann, a student from the private, all-male Covington Catholic High School in northern Kentucky, is seen in the video standing face to face with the Indian activist, Nathan Phillips, staring at him with a smile, while Phillips sings and plays the drum.

The footage, shared online by organizers of an indigenous people's march that took place in Washington on Friday before the incident, shows a group of fellow Covington students surrounding Phillips apparently mocking him.

Phillips recounted in a separate video that he heard the students chanting "build that wall," during the encounter.&nbsp;

The students, many wearing baseball caps emblazoned with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/cardi-b-slams-donald-trump-amid-government-shutdown-191062&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi29KH0pv7fAhWKF3IKHQvyBvoQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZxvSrbliPCQFxFY8xlkI4">President Donald Trump</a>'s "Make America Great Again" slogan, were in the nation's capital the same day for an anti-abortion rally.

The footage sparked outrage on social media and led the high school to issue a statement condemning the students' actions and promising an investigation.

But Sandmann, whose statement was tweeted by CNN anchor Jake Tapper late on Sunday, insisted the video was misinterpreted, leading to "outright lies being spread about my family and me."

He denied acting with any disrespect toward Phillips.

According to Sandmann, his group was waiting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for their bus back to Kentucky when four African American protesters nearby began shouting racially charged insults at them.

With permission from their teacher chaperones, the students responded by shouting "school spirit" chants to "drown out the hateful comments" directed at them.

In the midst of this interaction, Sandmann said, he noticed that a Native American protester - since identified as Phillips - "began playing his drum as he waded into the crowd, which parted for him."

"He locked eyes with me and approached me, coming within inches of my face. He played his drum the entire time he was in my face," Sandmann recalled.

"I never interacted with this protester. I did not speak to him. I did not make any hand gestures or other aggressive moves," Sandmann wrote, adding that he was "startled and confused" as to why Phillips approached him.

Sandmann said he reasoned that by remaining "motionless and calm" he hoped to defuse the situation.

His account was reinforced, at least in part, by a New York Times report on Sunday quoting Phillips, 64, as acknowledging he had approached the crowd of students in a bid to ease racial tensions that had flared between the mostly white teens and the African American protesters.

"I stepped in between to pray," said Phillips, an elder of Nebraska's Omaha tribe and a well-known activist who was among those leading the Standing Rock protests in 2016-2017 against the construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota.

Phillips could not be reached by Reuters for comment over the weekend. 
&nbsp;

A white high school student seen with classmates appearing to confront a Native American Vietnam veteran near the Lincoln Memorial issued a statement on Sunday that video of the incident that went viral gives a false impression that the teens were instigators.

A white high school student seen with classmates appearing to confront a Native American Vietnam veteran near the Lincoln Memorial issued a statement on Sunday that video of the incident that went viral gives a false impression that the teens were instigators. Nick Sandmann, a student from the private, all-male Covington Catholic High School in northern Kentucky, is seen in the video standing face to face with the Indian activist, Nathan Phillips, staring at him with a smile, while Phillips sings and plays the drum. The footage, shared online by organizers of an indigenous people's march that took place in Washington on Friday before the incident, shows a group of fellow Covington students surrounding Phillips apparently mocking him. Phillips recounted in a separate video that he heard the students chanting "build that wall," during the encounter. The students, many wearing baseball caps emblazoned with President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, were in the nation's capital the same day for an anti-abortion rally. The footage sparked outrage on social media and led the high school to issue a statement condemning the students' actions and promising an investigation. But Sandmann, whose statement was tweeted by CNN anchor Jake Tapper late on Sunday, insisted the video was misinterpreted, leading to "outright lies being spread about my family and me." He denied acting with any disrespect toward Phillips. According to Sandmann, his group was waiting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for their bus back to Kentucky when four African American protesters nearby began shouting racially charged insults at them. With permission from their teacher chaperones, the students responded by shouting "school spirit" chants to "drown out the hateful comments" directed at them. In the midst of this interaction, Sandmann said, he noticed that a Native American protester - since identified as Phillips - "began playing his drum as he waded into the crowd, which parted for him." "He locked eyes with me and approached me, coming within inches of my face. He played his drum the entire time he was in my face," Sandmann recalled. "I never interacted with this protester. I did not speak to him. I did not make any hand gestures or other aggressive moves," Sandmann wrote, adding that he was "startled and confused" as to why Phillips approached him. Sandmann said he reasoned that by remaining "motionless and calm" he hoped to defuse the situation. His account was reinforced, at least in part, by a New York Times report on Sunday quoting Phillips, 64, as acknowledging he had approached the crowd of students in a bid to ease racial tensions that had flared between the mostly white teens and the African American protesters. "I stepped in between to pray," said Phillips, an elder of Nebraska's Omaha tribe and a well-known activist who was among those leading the Standing Rock protests in 2016-2017 against the construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota. Phillips could not be reached by Reuters for comment over the weekend.

Student in Trump hat denies mocking Native American activist

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have captured two Islamic State militants of American nationality, according to a statement dated earlier this month that was sent to media on Saturday.

In the statement dated January 6, 2019, the US-backed SDF alliance, led by the Kurdish YPG militia, said the pair were captured during operations against Islamic State in Deir al-Zor province along with two Pakistanis and an Irish citizen.

On Thursday, the SDF vowed to ramp up attacks on Islamic State remnants and cells, a day after a bomb attack killed four Americans in northern Syria.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have captured two Islamic State militants of American nationality, according to a statement dated earlier this month that was sent to media on Saturday.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have captured two Islamic State militants of American nationality, according to a statement dated earlier this month that was sent to media on Saturday. In the statement dated January 6, 2019, the US-backed SDF alliance, led by the Kurdish YPG militia, said the pair were captured during operations against Islamic State in Deir al-Zor province along with two Pakistanis and an Irish citizen. On Thursday, the SDF vowed to ramp up attacks on Islamic State remnants and cells, a day after a bomb attack killed four Americans in northern Syria.

Syria's SDF says it captured two Islamic State militants of American nationality

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has said that it will honour actor Jeff Bridges with the Board of Governors Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The Oscar winner will receive the award during the 33rd annual ASC Awards, which will be held on February 9 at Hollywood &amp; Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom.

The honour is bestowed upon an individual "whose body of work has made significant and indelible contributions to cinema," the ASC said in a statement. It is the only ASC Award not given to a cinematographer and is reserved for filmmakers who have been champions for directors of photography and the visual art form, it added.

"Jeff Bridges is an extraordinary talent on the screen and also a remarkable person offscreen. He is beloved by many for his achievements as an outstanding Oscar-winning actor," ASC president Kees van Oostrum said.

"We at the ASC feel like Jeff is one of us, because he shares our passion for creating artful imagery through his still photography. We are incredibly honoured to present him with our Board of Governors Award," he added.

Past recipients of the ASC Board of Governors Award include Angelina Jolie, Ridley Scott, Barbra Streisand, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Christopher Nolan, Warren Beatty, Francis Ford Coppola, Sally Field, Morgan Freeman, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, among many others.

Bridges, 69, is best known for his performance in films such as 'Tron' (1982), 'Starman' (1984), 'The Big Lebowski' (1998), 'The Contender' (2000), 'True Grit' (2010) and 'Hell or High Water' (2016).&nbsp;He won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2010 for his performance as country music singer-songwriter Otis 'Bad Blake' in 'Crazy Heart' (2009).&nbsp;

The actor was most recently felicitated with the Cecil B DeMille honour at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards. 
&nbsp;

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has said that it will honour actor Jeff Bridges with the Board of Governors Award for Outstanding Achievement. The Oscar winner will receive the award during the 33rd annual ASC Awards, which will be held on February 9 at Hollywood & Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom.

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has said that it will honour actor Jeff Bridges with the Board of Governors Award for Outstanding Achievement. The Oscar winner will receive the award during the 33rd annual ASC Awards, which will be held on February 9 at Hollywood & Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom. The honour is bestowed upon an individual "whose body of work has made significant and indelible contributions to cinema," the ASC said in a statement. It is the only ASC Award not given to a cinematographer and is reserved for filmmakers who have been champions for directors of photography and the visual art form, it added. "Jeff Bridges is an extraordinary talent on the screen and also a remarkable person offscreen. He is beloved by many for his achievements as an outstanding Oscar-winning actor," ASC president Kees van Oostrum said. "We at the ASC feel like Jeff is one of us, because he shares our passion for creating artful imagery through his still photography. We are incredibly honoured to present him with our Board of Governors Award," he added. Past recipients of the ASC Board of Governors Award include Angelina Jolie, Ridley Scott, Barbra Streisand, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Christopher Nolan, Warren Beatty, Francis Ford Coppola, Sally Field, Morgan Freeman, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, among many others. Bridges, 69, is best known for his performance in films such as 'Tron' (1982), 'Starman' (1984), 'The Big Lebowski' (1998), 'The Contender' (2000), 'True Grit' (2010) and 'Hell or High Water' (2016). He won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2010 for his performance as country music singer-songwriter Otis 'Bad Blake' in 'Crazy Heart' (2009). The actor was most recently felicitated with the Cecil B DeMille honour at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards.

Jeff Bridges to receive American Society of Cinematographers' honour

Senator Kamala Harris, who is eyeing to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 elections, has credited her Indian-American "superhero" mother for instilling in her the sense of responsibility that motivates her political career.&nbsp;

Harris, 54, is the first Indian-origin Senator in the US. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan Harris immigrated to the US for studies at the age of 19 from Tamil Nadu. She married Donald Harris an African American born in Jamaica in 1938.&nbsp;

"It was really my mother who took charge of our upbringing. She was the one most responsible for shaping us into the women we would become. And she was extraordinary," Harris writes in her book 'The Truths We Hold: An American Journey' that hit the stores this week.&nbsp;

She said that her late mother empowered her to take personal action to fix problems she encountered -- a theme that she says is influencing her political career.

Harris, is being seen as a potential strong contender to get the Democratic presidential nomination to challenge Trump in the 2020 elections.&nbsp;

"My mother was barely five foot one, but I felt like she was six foot two. She was smart and tough and fierce and protective. She was generous, loyal, and funny. She had only two goals in life: to raise her two daughters and to end breast cancer," the Senator from California said.&nbsp;

"She pushed us hard and with high expectations as she nurtured us. And all the while, she made Maya and me feel special, like we could do anything we wanted to if we put in the work," Harris said. Maya is the name of her younger sister.&nbsp;

In her second book for the children "Superheroes Are Everywhere"&nbsp;Harris describes her mother as on top of her list of superheroes.&nbsp;

"My mom was a superhero because she made me feel special. She believed in me and that helped me believe I could do anything," Harris wrote in the book.&nbsp;

Harris said her mother had been raised in a household where political activism and civic leadership came naturally.&nbsp;

"My grandmother, Rajam Gopalan, had never attended high school, but she was a skilled community organiser. She would take in women who were being abused by their husbands, and then she'd call the husbands and tell them they'd better shape up or she would take care of them,"&nbsp;she wrote.

Her grandfather P V Gopalan had been part of the movement for India's independence, she wrote.

"Eventually, as a senior diplomat in the Indian government, he and my grandmother had spent time living in Zambia after it gained independence, helping to settle refugees," Harris said.

Harris said her mother inherited her grandmother's strength and courage. People who knew them knew not to mess with either.&nbsp;

"And from both of my grandparents, my mother developed a keen political consciousness. She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul," she wrote.

Recollecting her childhood days, Kamala Harris said those early days were happy and carefree.&nbsp;

Harris said she was also close to her mother's brother, Balu, and her two sisters, Sarala and Chinni.&nbsp;

"They lived many thousands of miles away, and we rarely saw one another. Still, through many long-distance calls, our periodic trips to India, and letters and cards written back and forth, our sense of family of closeness and comfort and trust?was able to penetrate the distance," she said.

"It's how I first really learned that you can have very close relationships with people, even if it's not on a daily basis. We were always there for one another, regardless of what form that would take. My mother, grandparents, aunts, and uncle instilled us with pride in our South Asian roots. Our classical Indian names harked back to our heritage, and we were raised with a strong awareness of and appreciation for Indian culture," she wrote.

"My mother understood very well that she was raising two black daughters. She knew that her adopted homeland would see Maya and me as black girls, and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud black women," Harris wrote in her book.&nbsp;

Harris was the first woman attorney general of California and the first African American to occupy that position. Former US President Barack Obama described her as a "trailblazer".&nbsp;

Senator Kamala Harris, who is eyeing to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 elections, has credited her Indian-American "superhero" mother for instilling in her the sense of responsibility that motivates her political career.

Senator Kamala Harris, who is eyeing to challenge President Donald Trump in the 2020 elections, has credited her Indian-American "superhero" mother for instilling in her the sense of responsibility that motivates her political career. Harris, 54, is the first Indian-origin Senator in the US. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan Harris immigrated to the US for studies at the age of 19 from Tamil Nadu. She married Donald Harris an African American born in Jamaica in 1938. "It was really my mother who took charge of our upbringing. She was the one most responsible for shaping us into the women we would become. And she was extraordinary," Harris writes in her book 'The Truths We Hold: An American Journey' that hit the stores this week. She said that her late mother empowered her to take personal action to fix problems she encountered -- a theme that she says is influencing her political career. Harris, is being seen as a potential strong contender to get the Democratic presidential nomination to challenge Trump in the 2020 elections. "My mother was barely five foot one, but I felt like she was six foot two. She was smart and tough and fierce and protective. She was generous, loyal, and funny. She had only two goals in life: to raise her two daughters and to end breast cancer," the Senator from California said. "She pushed us hard and with high expectations as she nurtured us. And all the while, she made Maya and me feel special, like we could do anything we wanted to if we put in the work," Harris said. Maya is the name of her younger sister. In her second book for the children "Superheroes Are Everywhere" Harris describes her mother as on top of her list of superheroes. "My mom was a superhero because she made me feel special. She believed in me and that helped me believe I could do anything," Harris wrote in the book. Harris said her mother had been raised in a household where political activism and civic leadership came naturally. "My grandmother, Rajam Gopalan, had never attended high school, but she was a skilled community organiser. She would take in women who were being abused by their husbands, and then she'd call the husbands and tell them they'd better shape up or she would take care of them," she wrote. Her grandfather P V Gopalan had been part of the movement for India's independence, she wrote. "Eventually, as a senior diplomat in the Indian government, he and my grandmother had spent time living in Zambia after it gained independence, helping to settle refugees," Harris said. Harris said her mother inherited her grandmother's strength and courage. People who knew them knew not to mess with either. "And from both of my grandparents, my mother developed a keen political consciousness. She was conscious of history, conscious of struggle, conscious of inequities. She was born with a sense of justice imprinted on her soul," she wrote. Recollecting her childhood days, Kamala Harris said those early days were happy and carefree. Harris said she was also close to her mother's brother, Balu, and her two sisters, Sarala and Chinni. "They lived many thousands of miles away, and we rarely saw one another. Still, through many long-distance calls, our periodic trips to India, and letters and cards written back and forth, our sense of family of closeness and comfort and trust?was able to penetrate the distance," she said. "It's how I first really learned that you can have very close relationships with people, even if it's not on a daily basis. We were always there for one another, regardless of what form that would take. My mother, grandparents, aunts, and uncle instilled us with pride in our South Asian roots. Our classical Indian names harked back to our heritage, and we were raised with a strong awareness of and appreciation for Indian culture," she wrote. "My mother understood very well that she was raising two black daughters. She knew that her adopted homeland would see Maya and me as black girls, and she was determined to make sure we would grow into confident, proud black women," Harris wrote in her book. Harris was the first woman attorney general of California and the first African American to occupy that position. Former US President Barack Obama described her as a "trailblazer".

Kamala Harris says inspired by her super hero Indian-American mother

An American adventurer has become the first person to complete a solo trek across Antarctica without assistance of any kind.

Colin O'Brady, 33, took 54 days to complete the nearly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) crossing of the frozen continent from coast to coast.

In an Instagram post, he explained his journey ended upon crossing the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf: the point where Antarctica's land mass ends. It lies at the head of Ross Sea, a deep bay of the Southern Ocean.

"I accomplished my goal: to become the first person in history to traverse the continent of Antarctica coast to coast solo, unsupported and unaided," O'Brady wrote on Instagram after covering the final 77.5 miles in 32 hours.

"While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced," he wrote.

"I was locked in a deep flow state the entire time, equally focused on the end goal, while allowing my mind to recount the profound lessons of this journey. I'm delirious writing this as I haven't slept yet."

His voyage was tracked by GPS, and live updates of the trip were provided daily on his website colinobrady.com.

O'Brady and an Englishman, army Captain Louis Rudd, 49, set off individually on November 3 from Union Glacier in a bid to be the first to complete a solo, unassisted crossing of Antarctica.

In 1996-97, a Norwegian polar explorer, Borge Ousland, made the first solo crossing of Antarctica but he was wind-aided by kites on his voyage.

Finishing 'in one go'

O'Brady and Rudd set off on cross-country skis dragging sleds called pulks which weighed nearly 400 pounds (180 kilograms).

O'Brady reached the South Pole on December 12, the 40th day of his journey.

He arrived at the finish point on the Ross Ice Shelf on the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday after covering a total of 921 miles.

Rudd is about a day or two behind.

O'Brady said he made the decision over breakfast to finish his journey in one continuous push -- which he dubbed an "Antarctica Ultramarathon."

"As I was boiling water for my morning oatmeal, a seemingly impossible question popped into my head," O'Brady wrote on Instagram. "I wonder, would (it) be possible to do one straight continuous push all the way to the end?

"By the time I was lacing up my boots the impossible plan had become a solidified goal," he said. "I'm going to push on and try to finish all 80 miles to the end in one go."

The New York Times described O'Brady's effort as among the "most remarkable feats in polar history," ranking alongside the 1911 "Race to the South Pole" between Norway's Roald Amundsen and England's Robert Falcon Scott.

"To complete the final 77.54 miles in one shot -- essentially tacking an ultra marathon onto the 53rd day of an already unprecedented journey -- set an even higher bar for anyone who tries to surpass it," the Times wrote.

In 2016, an English army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley, died while trying to complete an unassisted solo crossing of Antarctica. &nbsp;

An American adventurer has become the first person to complete a solo trek across Antarctica without assistance of any kind. Colin O'Brady, 33, took 54 days to complete the nearly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) crossing of the frozen continent from coast to coast.

An American adventurer has become the first person to complete a solo trek across Antarctica without assistance of any kind. Colin O'Brady, 33, took 54 days to complete the nearly 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) crossing of the frozen continent from coast to coast. In an Instagram post, he explained his journey ended upon crossing the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf: the point where Antarctica's land mass ends. It lies at the head of Ross Sea, a deep bay of the Southern Ocean. "I accomplished my goal: to become the first person in history to traverse the continent of Antarctica coast to coast solo, unsupported and unaided," O'Brady wrote on Instagram after covering the final 77.5 miles in 32 hours. "While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced," he wrote. "I was locked in a deep flow state the entire time, equally focused on the end goal, while allowing my mind to recount the profound lessons of this journey. I'm delirious writing this as I haven't slept yet." His voyage was tracked by GPS, and live updates of the trip were provided daily on his website colinobrady.com. O'Brady and an Englishman, army Captain Louis Rudd, 49, set off individually on November 3 from Union Glacier in a bid to be the first to complete a solo, unassisted crossing of Antarctica. In 1996-97, a Norwegian polar explorer, Borge Ousland, made the first solo crossing of Antarctica but he was wind-aided by kites on his voyage. Finishing 'in one go' O'Brady and Rudd set off on cross-country skis dragging sleds called pulks which weighed nearly 400 pounds (180 kilograms). O'Brady reached the South Pole on December 12, the 40th day of his journey. He arrived at the finish point on the Ross Ice Shelf on the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday after covering a total of 921 miles. Rudd is about a day or two behind. O'Brady said he made the decision over breakfast to finish his journey in one continuous push -- which he dubbed an "Antarctica Ultramarathon." "As I was boiling water for my morning oatmeal, a seemingly impossible question popped into my head," O'Brady wrote on Instagram. "I wonder, would (it) be possible to do one straight continuous push all the way to the end? "By the time I was lacing up my boots the impossible plan had become a solidified goal," he said. "I'm going to push on and try to finish all 80 miles to the end in one go." The New York Times described O'Brady's effort as among the "most remarkable feats in polar history," ranking alongside the 1911 "Race to the South Pole" between Norway's Roald Amundsen and England's Robert Falcon Scott. "To complete the final 77.54 miles in one shot -- essentially tacking an ultra marathon onto the 53rd day of an already unprecedented journey -- set an even higher bar for anyone who tries to surpass it," the Times wrote. In 2016, an English army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley, died while trying to complete an unassisted solo crossing of Antarctica.

In first, American adventurer completes solo trek across Antarctica

The FBI launched investigations of four Americans in July 2016 into whether they helped Russia's alleged efforts to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, former FBI Director James Comey said in remarks released on Saturday.&nbsp;

Comey also appeared to suggest the investigations were looking into ties between Russia and US President Donald Trump`s election campaign. 
He did not identify the people being investigated but said Trump was not among them.

"We opened investigations on four Americans to see if there was any connection between those four Americans and the Russian interference effort," Comey said, according to a transcript of the closed-door hearing held on Friday by the US House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight Committee.&nbsp;

Trump fired Comey in May 2017 after taking office in January of that year. Shortly after Comey`s dismissal, the Department of Justice named a special counsel to investigate alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether Trump`s campaign colluded with Moscow.&nbsp;

Russia has denied any interference. Trump denies there was any collusion and on Saturday renewed his call to end the special counsel`s investigation, calling it a "witch hunt."&nbsp;

In the hearing on Friday, Republican Congressman John Ratcliffe asked Comey whether the FBI had "any evidence" of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia when agents briefed Trump as a candidate in 2016 about foreign intelligence threats.&nbsp;

Comey said the probes into the four Americans began in late July but that he was not sure when agents briefed Trump.

"If it was after July 29th, then the answer would be, yes, we had some reason to suspect that there were Americans who might have assisted the Russians," Comey said, according to the transcript. He said the four Americans "had some connection to Mr. Trump."

The 235-page transcript also covers Comey`s responses to questions about FBI interactions with a former British spy who compiled a dossier of allegations of collusion between Trump`s campaign and Russia.&nbsp;

Most of the hearing on Friday covered lawmaker questions about Republican-led investigations into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton`s use of a private email server while she was in office. Clinton was the Democratic candidate in the 2016 presidential election.&nbsp;

The Republican-led inquiries have been lambasted by Democrats, who will take over the House of Representatives in January, as a partisan effort to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation into Russian interference.

The FBI launched investigations of four Americans in July 2016 into whether they helped Russia's alleged efforts to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, former FBI Director James Comey said in remarks released on Saturday.

The FBI launched investigations of four Americans in July 2016 into whether they helped Russia's alleged efforts to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, former FBI Director James Comey said in remarks released on Saturday. Comey also appeared to suggest the investigations were looking into ties between Russia and US President Donald Trump`s election campaign. He did not identify the people being investigated but said Trump was not among them. "We opened investigations on four Americans to see if there was any connection between those four Americans and the Russian interference effort," Comey said, according to a transcript of the closed-door hearing held on Friday by the US House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight Committee. Trump fired Comey in May 2017 after taking office in January of that year. Shortly after Comey`s dismissal, the Department of Justice named a special counsel to investigate alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and whether Trump`s campaign colluded with Moscow. Russia has denied any interference. Trump denies there was any collusion and on Saturday renewed his call to end the special counsel`s investigation, calling it a "witch hunt." In the hearing on Friday, Republican Congressman John Ratcliffe asked Comey whether the FBI had "any evidence" of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia when agents briefed Trump as a candidate in 2016 about foreign intelligence threats. Comey said the probes into the four Americans began in late July but that he was not sure when agents briefed Trump. "If it was after July 29th, then the answer would be, yes, we had some reason to suspect that there were Americans who might have assisted the Russians," Comey said, according to the transcript. He said the four Americans "had some connection to Mr. Trump." The 235-page transcript also covers Comey`s responses to questions about FBI interactions with a former British spy who compiled a dossier of allegations of collusion between Trump`s campaign and Russia. Most of the hearing on Friday covered lawmaker questions about Republican-led investigations into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton`s use of a private email server while she was in office. Clinton was the Democratic candidate in the 2016 presidential election. The Republican-led inquiries have been lambasted by Democrats, who will take over the House of Representatives in January, as a partisan effort to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation into Russian interference.

FBI investigated four Americans on Russia collusion suspicions: FBI Director James Comey

American rescued after his boat capsizes off Australian coast

Indian authorities said on Friday they are investigating whether a young American believed to have been killed by an isolated tribe on a remote island, may have had help from more people than initially thought to make his illegal trip.

John Chau, 26, was allegedly killed on November 17 by people of the Sentinelese tribe who inhabit the North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar island chain. Chau's family said in a social media post he was a Christian missionary and mountaineer.

It is illegal for people to visit the island and seven people suspected of helping Chau reach it, including fishermen, have been arrested.

The fishermen told police that they saw Chau's body being dragged across a beach and buried in the sand.

Police are now investigating if Chau had help from other people to travel to North Sentinel, said Vijay Singh, senior superintendent of police in Andaman and Nicobar islands, in a statement.

Police plan to investigate "the sequence of events, the sea route followed", and other matters, said Singh.

The Sentinelese, hunter-gatherers armed with primitive spears and bows and arrows, are considered to be the last pre-Neolithic tribe in the world and the most isolated such group.

The tribe, estimated to be only a few dozen in number, have for decades aggressively resisted contact with the outside world.

Anthropologists were briefly in contact with the tribe in the early 1990s, but their effort was abandoned due to fears that contact with the outside world could expose the tribe to pathogens and lead to their extinction.

North Sentinel, 50 km (31 miles) west of Port Blair - the capital of the island cluster - is protected by laws which bar even fishing within a 5-nautical mile radius of the island.

The law also bars tourism or photography of the Sentinelese and certain other tribes in the Andaman islands. Those found guilty of breaking the law face jail of up to three years.

In their social media post, Chau's family called on authorities to release his friends in the Andaman Islands saying they did not blame anyone for his death.

Dependra Pathak, director general of police in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, told Reuters police had to follow the law.

"I understand the emotional concern of the family," he said. "But we'll be handling the entire issue keeping in mind the law."

He said authorities were looking into whether they could retrieve Chau's body.

"We have to respect the utmost sensitivities in this case," he said, adding it was a moral duty to protect and respect the tribe that has lived in isolation for millennia.

Indian authorities said on Friday they are investigating whether a young American believed to have been killed by an isolated tribe on a remote island, may have had help from more people than initially thought to make his illegal trip.

Indian authorities said on Friday they are investigating whether a young American believed to have been killed by an isolated tribe on a remote island, may have had help from more people than initially thought to make his illegal trip. John Chau, 26, was allegedly killed on November 17 by people of the Sentinelese tribe who inhabit the North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar island chain. Chau's family said in a social media post he was a Christian missionary and mountaineer. It is illegal for people to visit the island and seven people suspected of helping Chau reach it, including fishermen, have been arrested. The fishermen told police that they saw Chau's body being dragged across a beach and buried in the sand. Police are now investigating if Chau had help from other people to travel to North Sentinel, said Vijay Singh, senior superintendent of police in Andaman and Nicobar islands, in a statement. Police plan to investigate "the sequence of events, the sea route followed", and other matters, said Singh. The Sentinelese, hunter-gatherers armed with primitive spears and bows and arrows, are considered to be the last pre-Neolithic tribe in the world and the most isolated such group. The tribe, estimated to be only a few dozen in number, have for decades aggressively resisted contact with the outside world. Anthropologists were briefly in contact with the tribe in the early 1990s, but their effort was abandoned due to fears that contact with the outside world could expose the tribe to pathogens and lead to their extinction. North Sentinel, 50 km (31 miles) west of Port Blair - the capital of the island cluster - is protected by laws which bar even fishing within a 5-nautical mile radius of the island. The law also bars tourism or photography of the Sentinelese and certain other tribes in the Andaman islands. Those found guilty of breaking the law face jail of up to three years. In their social media post, Chau's family called on authorities to release his friends in the Andaman Islands saying they did not blame anyone for his death. Dependra Pathak, director general of police in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, told Reuters police had to follow the law. "I understand the emotional concern of the family," he said. "But we'll be handling the entire issue keeping in mind the law." He said authorities were looking into whether they could retrieve Chau's body. "We have to respect the utmost sensitivities in this case," he said, adding it was a moral duty to protect and respect the tribe that has lived in isolation for millennia.

Indian police investigate who helped young American killed on remote island

An American missionary killed in a hail of arrows by an island tribe untouched by modern civilisation was bent on converting them to Christianity, it emerged Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/family-pays-tribute-to-american-john-allen-chau-who-was-christian-missionary-wilderness-emt-killed-by-sentinelese-tribe-in-andaman-island-178684">John Allen Chau</a>, 27, was attacked last week as he illegally set foot on the remote North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean, after paddling his kayak towards the shore carrying fish and a football as gifts, according to a journal quoted by different media.

He was crying: "My name is John. I love you and Jesus loves you... Here is some fish!"

Tribespeople fired arrows at him, one of then piercing his Bible, and he returned to a fishermen's boat and spent the night writing about his experiences before going back to the island the next day.

He never returned.

North Sentinel in the Bay of Bengal is home to the Sentinelese people, believed to number only around 150. To protect their way of life, foreigners and Indians are banned from going within five kilometres (three miles) of the island.

The tribe is known to be hostile to outsiders, having reportedly killed two fishermen whose boat drifted onto the island in 2006, and to have thrown spears at a helicopter checking for damage after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Chau called himself an "outbound collective explorer" and "snakebite survivor" on his purported Instagram account.

Authorities in the Indian Andaman Islands, of which North Sentinel is one, say that Chau, paid local fishermen to take him off the shore so that he could paddle the rest of the way himself.

"You guys might think I'm crazy in all this but I think it's worthwhile to declare Jesus to these people," the reports quoted a letter to his parents as saying.

"Please do not be angry at them or at God if I get killed," he said.&nbsp;

"I can't wait to see them around the throne of God worshipping in their own language as Revelations 7:9-10 states," he wrote, referring to the apocalyptic final book of the Bible's New Testament.

"God, I don't want to die."

Fishermen saw the tribe burying his body on the beach the following day, a fellow missionary wrote in an email to his mother, the Washington Post reported.

"I believe he is still alive," Lynda Adams-Chau said in a short email to the US daily. Asked why, she replied: "My prayers."

'Highly sensitive'

Indian police have consulted field experts including anthropologists, and tribal welfare and forest officers to help them try and retrieve Chau's body.

"We have to take care that we must not disturb them or their habitat by any means. It is a highly sensitive zone and it will take some time," Dependra Pathak, local chief of police, told AFP.

He said that a helicopter and then a ship were sent to the area to identify where the incident took place, and that they were holding talks with experts on how best to handle the delicate situation.

"We maintained a distance from the island and have not yet been able to spot the body. It may take some more days and... (reconnaissance) of the area," Pathak said.

Since the Indian authorities keep away from the island, it was unclear whether Chau's killing will have legal repercussions.

Indian police said a murder case had been registered against "unknown" tribespeople and that the fishermen who allegedly helped Chau get to the island were arrested.

London-based Survival International, which defends tribal rights, said that the "tragedy" of the American's death "should never have been allowed to happen".

"The Indian authorities should have been enforcing the protection of the Sentinelese and their island for the safety of both the tribe and outsiders," it said.

An American missionary killed in a hail of arrows by an island tribe untouched by modern civilisation was bent on converting them to Christianity, it emerged Thursday.

An American missionary killed in a hail of arrows by an island tribe untouched by modern civilisation was bent on converting them to Christianity, it emerged Thursday. John Allen Chau, 27, was attacked last week as he illegally set foot on the remote North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean, after paddling his kayak towards the shore carrying fish and a football as gifts, according to a journal quoted by different media. He was crying: "My name is John. I love you and Jesus loves you... Here is some fish!" Tribespeople fired arrows at him, one of then piercing his Bible, and he returned to a fishermen's boat and spent the night writing about his experiences before going back to the island the next day. He never returned. North Sentinel in the Bay of Bengal is home to the Sentinelese people, believed to number only around 150. To protect their way of life, foreigners and Indians are banned from going within five kilometres (three miles) of the island. The tribe is known to be hostile to outsiders, having reportedly killed two fishermen whose boat drifted onto the island in 2006, and to have thrown spears at a helicopter checking for damage after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Chau called himself an "outbound collective explorer" and "snakebite survivor" on his purported Instagram account. Authorities in the Indian Andaman Islands, of which North Sentinel is one, say that Chau, paid local fishermen to take him off the shore so that he could paddle the rest of the way himself. "You guys might think I'm crazy in all this but I think it's worthwhile to declare Jesus to these people," the reports quoted a letter to his parents as saying. "Please do not be angry at them or at God if I get killed," he said. "I can't wait to see them around the throne of God worshipping in their own language as Revelations 7:9-10 states," he wrote, referring to the apocalyptic final book of the Bible's New Testament. "God, I don't want to die." Fishermen saw the tribe burying his body on the beach the following day, a fellow missionary wrote in an email to his mother, the Washington Post reported. "I believe he is still alive," Lynda Adams-Chau said in a short email to the US daily. Asked why, she replied: "My prayers." 'Highly sensitive' Indian police have consulted field experts including anthropologists, and tribal welfare and forest officers to help them try and retrieve Chau's body. "We have to take care that we must not disturb them or their habitat by any means. It is a highly sensitive zone and it will take some time," Dependra Pathak, local chief of police, told AFP. He said that a helicopter and then a ship were sent to the area to identify where the incident took place, and that they were holding talks with experts on how best to handle the delicate situation. "We maintained a distance from the island and have not yet been able to spot the body. It may take some more days and... (reconnaissance) of the area," Pathak said. Since the Indian authorities keep away from the island, it was unclear whether Chau's killing will have legal repercussions. Indian police said a murder case had been registered against "unknown" tribespeople and that the fishermen who allegedly helped Chau get to the island were arrested. London-based Survival International, which defends tribal rights, said that the "tragedy" of the American's death "should never have been allowed to happen". "The Indian authorities should have been enforcing the protection of the Sentinelese and their island for the safety of both the tribe and outsiders," it said.

Dead American told island tribe: 'Jesus loves you'

American John Allen Chau's family <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-tourist-killed-by-isolated-tribe-in-andaman-and-nicobars-north-sentinel-island-7-arrested-178559">today mourned his&nbsp;death</a> after reports emerged&nbsp;he was killed by Sentinelese tribe in Andaman islands.

"Words cannot express the sadness we have experienced about this report," his family said on Chau's Instagram post.&nbsp;

"To others, he was a Christian missionary, a wilderness EMT, an international soccer coach, and a mountaineer. He loved God, life, helping those in need, and had nothing but love for the Sentinelese people," the family said in its post, adding,"we forgive those reportedly responsible for his death."

"We also ask for the release of those friends he had in the Andaman Islands. He ventured out of his own free will and local contacts need not be persecuted for his actions."

"As a family, we ask for your understanding and respect for him and us during this time."

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqdFDOKnqgQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">John Allen Chau</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/johnachau/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> John Chau</a> (@johnachau) on <time datetime="2018-11-21T19:36:54+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Nov 21, 2018 at 11:36am PST</time>
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Chau, 27, had reportedly taken a boat ride from the Chidiyatapu area to the remote Sentinelese island where the tribesman live cut away from the outside world.&nbsp;

He had made a failed attempt to reach the island on November 14, police said, he was killed on November 17th, the police informed.

"His body was most probably buried in the sands last week," SP (Headquarters) and PRO of Andaman and Nicobar Police, Jatin Narwal, told PTI.

However, the actual circumstances of his death are still unclear, although the American Embassy in India has taken up Chau's case.

"His death was caused by traditional weapons but we cannot specifically say whether he was killed by arrows or spears. The details will come out in course of detail investigation," the police added.

According to reports, operation to recover the body of the slain US national is still uncertain. Sources said police are trying to consider the weather condition and arrange boats to carry out the operation.&nbsp;

Sources say the option of going to the spot has been completely ruled out as the tribals are extremely hostile to outsiders, therefore under no circumstances&nbsp;the police can venture into the Island.

Two FIRs have been registered with Humfrigunj police station in south Andaman under Sections 302 and 304 of the IPC and seven fishermen who took the American to the island have been arrested, police said.

The government had excluded this island and 28 others in the Union Territory from the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime till December 31, 2022.

The lifting of RAP meant that foreigners could be allowed to visit these islands without permission from the government.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n6fgzL0Qe50" width="560"></iframe>

American John Allen Chau's family today mourned his death after reports emerged he was killed by Sentinelese tribe in Andaman islands. "Words cannot express the sadness we have experienced about this report," his family said on Chau's Instagram post.

American John Allen Chau's family today mourned his death after reports emerged he was killed by Sentinelese tribe in Andaman islands. "Words cannot express the sadness we have experienced about this report," his family said on Chau's Instagram post. "To others, he was a Christian missionary, a wilderness EMT, an international soccer coach, and a mountaineer. He loved God, life, helping those in need, and had nothing but love for the Sentinelese people," the family said in its post, adding,"we forgive those reportedly responsible for his death." "We also ask for the release of those friends he had in the Andaman Islands. He ventured out of his own free will and local contacts need not be persecuted for his actions." "As a family, we ask for your understanding and respect for him and us during this time." View this post on Instagram John Allen Chau A post shared by John Chau (@johnachau) on Nov 21, 2018 at 11:36am PST × Chau, 27, had reportedly taken a boat ride from the Chidiyatapu area to the remote Sentinelese island where the tribesman live cut away from the outside world. He had made a failed attempt to reach the island on November 14, police said, he was killed on November 17th, the police informed. "His body was most probably buried in the sands last week," SP (Headquarters) and PRO of Andaman and Nicobar Police, Jatin Narwal, told PTI. However, the actual circumstances of his death are still unclear, although the American Embassy in India has taken up Chau's case. "His death was caused by traditional weapons but we cannot specifically say whether he was killed by arrows or spears. The details will come out in course of detail investigation," the police added. According to reports, operation to recover the body of the slain US national is still uncertain. Sources said police are trying to consider the weather condition and arrange boats to carry out the operation. Sources say the option of going to the spot has been completely ruled out as the tribals are extremely hostile to outsiders, therefore under no circumstances the police can venture into the Island. Two FIRs have been registered with Humfrigunj police station in south Andaman under Sections 302 and 304 of the IPC and seven fishermen who took the American to the island have been arrested, police said. The government had excluded this island and 28 others in the Union Territory from the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime till December 31, 2022. The lifting of RAP meant that foreigners could be allowed to visit these islands without permission from the government.

Family pays tribute to John Allen Chau, Christian missionary killed by Sentinelese tribe in Andaman

American tourist killed in Andaman Islands

Americans started voting Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake.

As polling stations opened at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) on the East Coast, Republicans were keenly aware that losing their majority will hamstring his divisive, nativist political agenda over the next two years.

At stake are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, 36 governor's posts and seats in state legislatures across the country.

For almost two years, Trump's rule-breaking, sometimes chaotic administration has enjoyed a largely free hand from the twin Republican-controlled chambers, but the midterms could finally see his wings clipped.

According to nearly all pollsters, the Democrats have a good chance of winning the House, while the Republicans are likely to retain the Senate.

But with turnout a key unknown factor and pollsters still unsure about the effect of Trump's maverick style on voters, both parties admit that they may be in for nasty surprises.

After a campaign in which Trump was accused of race-baiting with repeated and unsubstantiated references to an "invasion" of undocumented immigrants bent on rape and murder, left-right divisions in America could not be deeper.

Although not on the ballot, Trump made himself the focus of the entire contest, jetting around the country to hold rallies -- in three states on Monday alone. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the first two years of his term.

Trump declared "the Republican agenda is the American dream" and at his final event, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he called on supporters to seize their "righteous destiny as Americans."

Democrats saw the election in equally historic terms.

Voters will "define the future, not just of Texas, but of this country, not just of this generation but every generation that follows," said Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Senator Ted Cruz in traditionally deep-Republican Texas.

- Hot economy, hot rhetoric -

At every rally, Trump has vowed to his supporters that they will "win, win, win."

But as he touched down in Indiana for the second leg of his final-day tour Monday, even Trump conceded that the House may slip from his party's grasp.

"We'll just have to work a little bit differently," he told reporters when asked how he'd live with a Democrat-controlled lower chamber.

The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in off-year elections. However, a healthy economy favours the incumbent, so Trump may yet defy the historical pattern.

New figures on the eve of the polls confirmed that job growth is soaring and Trump gives himself credit for the "hottest economy on Earth."

But to the dismay of some Republicans, he has often pivoted away from that message in the final week of campaigning to emphasize a hardline crackdown against undocumented immigrants.

Trump has sent thousands of soldiers to the Mexican border, suggested that migrants who throw stones at law enforcement officers should be shot, and made wild claims about the Democrats planning to turn the country into a crime-and-drugs black hole.

Stirring fear of foreigners and trumpeting American nationalism worked for the real estate billionaire in his 2016 election victory against the Democrats' establishment candidate Hillary Clinton.

But the angry tone has also turned off swaths of Americans.

Bernie Sanders, the leftist populist who some feel would have had a better chance than Clinton to take on Trump in 2016, lashed out Monday at the president, calling him a "pathological liar."

"He is a sexist, a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe and a religious bigot. He is trying to do what we have never seen in the modern history of this country, to do what he is doing right now, to gain votes by trying to divide the American people up based on where we came from," Sanders said on SiriusXM Progress radio.

Trump's ultra-loyal white base laps up his colourful style, often cheering and chanting as he makes jaw-dropping insults against opponents and factually erroneous claims.

However, even some Republicans became jittery after a Florida man and ardent Trump supporter were charged with sending homemade bombs to more than a dozen senior Democrats and other high profile opponents of Trump.

Days later, a gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot 11 worshippers dead.&nbsp;

He had allegedly lashed out online against Jews he accused of transporting Central American "invaders" into the United States -- in language that echoed Trump's attacks on impoverished migrants coming through Mexico.

Americans started voting Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake.

Americans started voting Tuesday in critical midterm elections that mark the first major voter test of Donald Trump's presidency, with control of Congress at stake. As polling stations opened at 6:00 am (1100 GMT) on the East Coast, Republicans were keenly aware that losing their majority will hamstring his divisive, nativist political agenda over the next two years. At stake are all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 seats in the 100-member Senate, 36 governor's posts and seats in state legislatures across the country. For almost two years, Trump's rule-breaking, sometimes chaotic administration has enjoyed a largely free hand from the twin Republican-controlled chambers, but the midterms could finally see his wings clipped. According to nearly all pollsters, the Democrats have a good chance of winning the House, while the Republicans are likely to retain the Senate. But with turnout a key unknown factor and pollsters still unsure about the effect of Trump's maverick style on voters, both parties admit that they may be in for nasty surprises. After a campaign in which Trump was accused of race-baiting with repeated and unsubstantiated references to an "invasion" of undocumented immigrants bent on rape and murder, left-right divisions in America could not be deeper. Although not on the ballot, Trump made himself the focus of the entire contest, jetting around the country to hold rallies -- in three states on Monday alone. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the first two years of his term. Trump declared "the Republican agenda is the American dream" and at his final event, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, he called on supporters to seize their "righteous destiny as Americans." Democrats saw the election in equally historic terms. Voters will "define the future, not just of Texas, but of this country, not just of this generation but every generation that follows," said Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Senator Ted Cruz in traditionally deep-Republican Texas. - Hot economy, hot rhetoric - At every rally, Trump has vowed to his supporters that they will "win, win, win." But as he touched down in Indiana for the second leg of his final-day tour Monday, even Trump conceded that the House may slip from his party's grasp. "We'll just have to work a little bit differently," he told reporters when asked how he'd live with a Democrat-controlled lower chamber. The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in off-year elections. However, a healthy economy favours the incumbent, so Trump may yet defy the historical pattern. New figures on the eve of the polls confirmed that job growth is soaring and Trump gives himself credit for the "hottest economy on Earth." But to the dismay of some Republicans, he has often pivoted away from that message in the final week of campaigning to emphasize a hardline crackdown against undocumented immigrants. Trump has sent thousands of soldiers to the Mexican border, suggested that migrants who throw stones at law enforcement officers should be shot, and made wild claims about the Democrats planning to turn the country into a crime-and-drugs black hole. Stirring fear of foreigners and trumpeting American nationalism worked for the real estate billionaire in his 2016 election victory against the Democrats' establishment candidate Hillary Clinton. But the angry tone has also turned off swaths of Americans. Bernie Sanders, the leftist populist who some feel would have had a better chance than Clinton to take on Trump in 2016, lashed out Monday at the president, calling him a "pathological liar." "He is a sexist, a racist, a homophobe, a xenophobe and a religious bigot. He is trying to do what we have never seen in the modern history of this country, to do what he is doing right now, to gain votes by trying to divide the American people up based on where we came from," Sanders said on SiriusXM Progress radio. Trump's ultra-loyal white base laps up his colourful style, often cheering and chanting as he makes jaw-dropping insults against opponents and factually erroneous claims. However, even some Republicans became jittery after a Florida man and ardent Trump supporter were charged with sending homemade bombs to more than a dozen senior Democrats and other high profile opponents of Trump. Days later, a gunman walked into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot 11 worshippers dead. He had allegedly lashed out online against Jews he accused of transporting Central American "invaders" into the United States -- in language that echoed Trump's attacks on impoverished migrants coming through Mexico.

US midterm polls 2018: Americans vote in midterm verdict on Donald Trump rule

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a "comprehensive" document on Tuesday following a historic summit in Singapore aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

There were no immediate details on the contents of the document but Trump said he expected the denuclearisation process to start "very, very quickly".

Although the breakthrough made at the summit marks just the start of a diplomatic process, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of Northeast Asia, just as former US&nbspPresident Richard Nixon visit to Beijing in 1972 led to the transformation of China.

Before signing what Trump described as a "comprehensive letter", Kim said the two leaders had a historic meeting “and decided to leave the past behind. The world will see a major change.”

Trump said he had formed a "very special bond" with Kim and that relationship with North Korea would be very different.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-summit-with-north-koreas-kim-better-than-anybody-expected-143755">Trump says summit with North Korea's Kim 'better than anybody expected'</a>

"People are going to be very impressed and people are going to be very happy and we are going to take care of a very dangerous problem for the world," Trump said.

Asked whether he would invite Kim to the White House, Trump said: "Absolutely, I will."

He called Kim "very smart" and a "very worthy, very hard negotiator."

"I learned he's a very talented man. I also learned that he loves his country very much."

During a post-lunch stroll through the gardens of the Singapore hotel where the summit was held, Trump said the summit had gone "better than anybody could have expected".

Kim stood silently alongside, but the North Korean leader had earlier described their meeting as a "a good prelude to peace".

Both men walked to Trump's bullet-proof limousine, nicknamed "The Beast", and looked in at the rear seat, with Trump apparently showing Kim something inside. They then resumed their walk.

They had appeared cautious and serious when they first arrived for the summit at the Capella hotel on Singapore's Sentosa, a resort island with luxury hotels, a casino, manmade beaches and a Universal Studios theme park.

But, with cameras of the world's press trained on them, they displayed an initial atmosphere of bonhomie as they met on the verandah of the Capella, a refurbished 19th century British regimental officers' mess.

After a handshake, they were soon smiling and holding each other by the arm, before Trump guided Kim to the library where they held a meeting with only their interpreters. Trump had said on Saturday he would know within a minute of meeting Kim whether he would reach a deal.

MARKETS RISE

Inside, they sat alongside each other against a backdrop of North Korean and U.S. flags, with Kim beaming broadly as the U.S. president gave him a thumbs up.

The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, in which millions of people died, was concluded only with a truce.

After initial exchanges lasting around 40 minutes, Trump and Kim emerged, walking side-by-side through the colonnaded hotel before entering a meeting room, where they were joined by their most senior officials.

Kim was heard telling Trump through a translator: "I think the entire world is watching this moment. Many people in the world will think of this as a scene from a fantasy...science fiction movie."

Asked by a reporter how the meeting was going, Trump said: "Very good. Very, very good. Good relationship."

Kim also sounded positive about the prospects of peace.

"We overcame all kinds of scepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good for the peace," he said. "I believe this is a good prelude for peace."

The dollar jumped to a 3-week top on Tuesday and Asian shares rose on the news.

Trump was joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, for the expanded talks, while Kim's team included former military intelligence chief Kim Yong Chol, foreign minister Ri Yong Ho and Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party.

As the two leaders met, Singapore navy vessels, and air force Apache helicopters patrolled, while fighter jets and an Gulfstream 550 early warning aircraft circled.

Body language expert said both men tried to project command as they met, but also displayed signs of nerves.

After the meetings, the two teams and other senior officials met for a working lunch, where beef short ribs, sweet and sour pork and "Daegu Jormin", or Korean braised cod, were served for the main course, according to the menu. That was to be followed by dark chocolate tarts, pastries and vanilla ice cream for dessert. The North Korean leader's sister and close confidante Kim Yo Jong was among the lunch party.

As the cameras captured the moment, Trump quipped: "Very nice. Getting a good picture everyone, so we all look nice and handsome and thin...perfect".

In the hours before the summit began, Trump expressed optimism about prospects for the first-ever meeting of sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders, while Pompeo injected a note of caution whether Kim would prove to be sincere about his willingness to denuclearise.

Pompeo said the summit should set the framework for "the hard work that will follow", insisting that North Korea had to move toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.

North Korea, however, has shown little appetite for surrendering nuclear weapons it considers vital to the survival of Kim's dynastic rule.

Sanctions on North Korea would remain in place until that happened, Pompeo said on Monday. "If diplomacy does not move in the right direction ... those measures will increase."

The White House said later that discussions with North Korea had moved "more quickly than expected" and Trump would leave Singapore on Tuesday night after the summit, rather than Wednesday, as scheduled earlier.

Kim is due to leave on Tuesday afternoon, a source involved in the planning of his visit has said.

Trump spoke to Moon and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both key allies of Washington in the region, to discuss developments ahead of the summit.

"I too, got little sleep last night," Moon told his cabinet in Seoul as the summit began in Singapore.

"I truly hope it will be a successful summit that will open a new age for the two Koreas and the United States and bring us complete denuclearisation and peace."

Before signing what Trump described as a 'comprehensive letter', Kim said the two leaders had a historic meeting 'and decided to leave the past behind. The world will see a major change'. Trump said he had formed a 'very special bond' with Kim

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a "comprehensive" document on Tuesday following a historic summit in Singapore aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. There were no immediate details on the contents of the document but Trump said he expected the denuclearisation process to start "very, very quickly". Although the breakthrough made at the summit marks just the start of a diplomatic process, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of Northeast Asia, just as former US&nbspPresident Richard Nixon visit to Beijing in 1972 led to the transformation of China. Before signing what Trump described as a "comprehensive letter", Kim said the two leaders had a historic meeting “and decided to leave the past behind. The world will see a major change.” Trump said he had formed a "very special bond" with Kim and that relationship with North Korea would be very different. Also read: Trump says summit with North Korea's Kim 'better than anybody expected' "People are going to be very impressed and people are going to be very happy and we are going to take care of a very dangerous problem for the world," Trump said. Asked whether he would invite Kim to the White House, Trump said: "Absolutely, I will." He called Kim "very smart" and a "very worthy, very hard negotiator." "I learned he's a very talented man. I also learned that he loves his country very much." During a post-lunch stroll through the gardens of the Singapore hotel where the summit was held, Trump said the summit had gone "better than anybody could have expected". Kim stood silently alongside, but the North Korean leader had earlier described their meeting as a "a good prelude to peace". Both men walked to Trump's bullet-proof limousine, nicknamed "The Beast", and looked in at the rear seat, with Trump apparently showing Kim something inside. They then resumed their walk. They had appeared cautious and serious when they first arrived for the summit at the Capella hotel on Singapore's Sentosa, a resort island with luxury hotels, a casino, manmade beaches and a Universal Studios theme park. But, with cameras of the world's press trained on them, they displayed an initial atmosphere of bonhomie as they met on the verandah of the Capella, a refurbished 19th century British regimental officers' mess. After a handshake, they were soon smiling and holding each other by the arm, before Trump guided Kim to the library where they held a meeting with only their interpreters. Trump had said on Saturday he would know within a minute of meeting Kim whether he would reach a deal. MARKETS RISE Inside, they sat alongside each other against a backdrop of North Korean and U.S. flags, with Kim beaming broadly as the U.S. president gave him a thumbs up. The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, in which millions of people died, was concluded only with a truce. After initial exchanges lasting around 40 minutes, Trump and Kim emerged, walking side-by-side through the colonnaded hotel before entering a meeting room, where they were joined by their most senior officials. Kim was heard telling Trump through a translator: "I think the entire world is watching this moment. Many people in the world will think of this as a scene from a fantasy...science fiction movie." Asked by a reporter how the meeting was going, Trump said: "Very good. Very, very good. Good relationship." Kim also sounded positive about the prospects of peace. "We overcame all kinds of scepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good for the peace," he said. "I believe this is a good prelude for peace." The dollar jumped to a 3-week top on Tuesday and Asian shares rose on the news. Trump was joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, for the expanded talks, while Kim's team included former military intelligence chief Kim Yong Chol, foreign minister Ri Yong Ho and Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party. As the two leaders met, Singapore navy vessels, and air force Apache helicopters patrolled, while fighter jets and an Gulfstream 550 early warning aircraft circled. Body language expert said both men tried to project command as they met, but also displayed signs of nerves. After the meetings, the two teams and other senior officials met for a working lunch, where beef short ribs, sweet and sour pork and "Daegu Jormin", or Korean braised cod, were served for the main course, according to the menu. That was to be followed by dark chocolate tarts, pastries and vanilla ice cream for dessert. The North Korean leader's sister and close confidante Kim Yo Jong was among the lunch party. As the cameras captured the moment, Trump quipped: "Very nice. Getting a good picture everyone, so we all look nice and handsome and thin...perfect". In the hours before the summit began, Trump expressed optimism about prospects for the first-ever meeting of sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders, while Pompeo injected a note of caution whether Kim would prove to be sincere about his willingness to denuclearise. Pompeo said the summit should set the framework for "the hard work that will follow", insisting that North Korea had to move toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. North Korea, however, has shown little appetite for surrendering nuclear weapons it considers vital to the survival of Kim's dynastic rule. Sanctions on North Korea would remain in place until that happened, Pompeo said on Monday. "If diplomacy does not move in the right direction ... those measures will increase." The White House said later that discussions with North Korea had moved "more quickly than expected" and Trump would leave Singapore on Tuesday night after the summit, rather than Wednesday, as scheduled earlier. Kim is due to leave on Tuesday afternoon, a source involved in the planning of his visit has said. Trump spoke to Moon and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both key allies of Washington in the region, to discuss developments ahead of the summit. "I too, got little sleep last night," Moon told his cabinet in Seoul as the summit began in Singapore. "I truly hope it will be a successful summit that will open a new age for the two Koreas and the United States and bring us complete denuclearisation and peace."

Trump says Kim 'very smart', North Korea to denuclearise 'very, very quickly'

Trump and Kim concluded their first historic meeting — it really is, a sitting US President and a North Korean leader have never met before, not even spoken on the phone — today.&nbsp;

The one-on-one, along with translators, lasted about 48 minutes.&nbsp;

Reuters quoted a body language expert as saying Trump and Kim both sought to project a sense of command as they began their summit,&nbsp;

The body language expert said their handshake, which lasted over 10 seconds, showed both leaders seeking to take charge of their encounter. Trump spoke to Kim during the handshake, while the North Korean leader listened affirmatively.&nbsp;

"Their handshake seems to be between peers," Karen Leong, Managing Director of Singapore-headquartered Influence Solutions, said. "Trump seemed to be very aware of this, that he needed to up the stakes and be seen that he is the leader."&nbsp;

Trump arrived to the summit looking serious, and showed off the power-grab gestures most recently seen during the G7 summit this week. He patted the North Korean leader on the arm twice and also initiated a handshake while talking to the media about the "successful relationship".&nbsp;

Trump did most of the talking and Kim appeared to listen attentively, turning to him three times during their walk towards the library they were meeting in. But he also patted the US President's arm, in an attempt to show control over the encounter.

Trump, who is more than twice as old Kim who is reportedly 34, appeared to lead the way to the library, placing his hand on the North Korean leader's back.&nbsp;

But Leong said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump had said he would be able to work out within the first minute whether his North Korean counterpart was serious about making peace.

"I think that very quickly I'll know that something good is going to happen," Trump said in Canada during the G7 meeting. "I also think I'll know if it's going to happen fast – it may not, but I'll know pretty quickly whether or not, in my opinion, something positive will happen."

The two leaders had, before their sudden thaw, been trading insults for months with economic sanctions on North Korea ramped up in response to its nuclear weapons programme.

A body language expert said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground

Trump and Kim concluded their first historic meeting — it really is, a sitting US President and a North Korean leader have never met before, not even spoken on the phone — today. The one-on-one, along with translators, lasted about 48 minutes. Reuters quoted a body language expert as saying Trump and Kim both sought to project a sense of command as they began their summit, The body language expert said their handshake, which lasted over 10 seconds, showed both leaders seeking to take charge of their encounter. Trump spoke to Kim during the handshake, while the North Korean leader listened affirmatively. "Their handshake seems to be between peers," Karen Leong, Managing Director of Singapore-headquartered Influence Solutions, said. "Trump seemed to be very aware of this, that he needed to up the stakes and be seen that he is the leader." Trump arrived to the summit looking serious, and showed off the power-grab gestures most recently seen during the G7 summit this week. He patted the North Korean leader on the arm twice and also initiated a handshake while talking to the media about the "successful relationship". Trump did most of the talking and Kim appeared to listen attentively, turning to him three times during their walk towards the library they were meeting in. But he also patted the US President's arm, in an attempt to show control over the encounter. Trump, who is more than twice as old Kim who is reportedly 34, appeared to lead the way to the library, placing his hand on the North Korean leader's back. But Leong said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground. Ahead of the meeting, Trump had said he would be able to work out within the first minute whether his North Korean counterpart was serious about making peace. "I think that very quickly I'll know that something good is going to happen," Trump said in Canada during the G7 meeting. "I also think I'll know if it's going to happen fast – it may not, but I'll know pretty quickly whether or not, in my opinion, something positive will happen." The two leaders had, before their sudden thaw, been trading insults for months with economic sanctions on North Korea ramped up in response to its nuclear weapons programme.

Trump and Kim's body language said both tried to show they were in control

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday had gone "better than anybody could have expected", and they would sign a document following talks on ways to end a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula.

Kim stood silently alongside Trump as he spoke to media during a post-lunch stroll through the gardens of the Singapore hotel where the summit was held, but the North Korean leader had earlier described their meeting as a "a good prelude to peace".

Both men walked to Trump's limousine and looked in at the rear seat, with Trump apparently showing Kim something inside. They then resumed their walk.

"A lot of progress - really very positive. I think better than anybody could have expected. Top of the line, very good. We’re going now for a signing," Trump told journalists, without giving details on what would be signed.

Should they succeed in making a diplomatic breakthrough, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of Northeast Asia, like the visit of former U.S. President Richard Nixon to China in 1972 led to the transformation of China.

Both men had looked serious as they got out of their limousines for the summit at the Capella hotel on Singapore's Sentosa, a resort island with luxury hotels, a casino, manmade beaches and a Universal Studios theme park.

But, with cameras of the world's press trained on them, they displayed an initial atmosphere of bonhomie as they met on the verandah of the Capella, a refurbished 19th century British regimental officers' mess.

After a handshake, they were soon smiling and holding each other by the arm, before Trump guided Kim to the library where they held a meeting with only their interpreters. Trump had said on Saturday he would know within a minute of meeting Kim whether he would reach a deal.

Inside, they sat alongside each other against a backdrop of North Korean and U.S. flags, with Kim beaming broadly as the U.S. president gave him a thumbs up.

The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, in which millions of people died, was concluded only with a truce.

After initial exchanges lasting around 40 minutes, Trump and Kim emerged, walking side-by-side through the colonnaded hotel before entering a meeting room, where they were joined by their most senior officials.

Kim was heard telling Trump through a translator: "I think the entire world is watching this moment. Many people in the world will think of this as a scene from a fantasy...science fiction movie."

Asked by a reporter how the meeting was going, Trump said: "Very good. Very, very good. Good relationship."

Kim also sounded positive about the prospects.

"We overcame all kinds of scepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good for the peace," he said. "I believe this is a good prelude for peace."

Trump was joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, for the expanded talks, while Kim's team included former military intelligence chief Kim Yong Chol, foreign minister Ri Yong Ho and Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party.

MARKETS CALM

As the two leaders met, Singapore navy vessels, and air force Apache helicopters patrolled, while fighter jets and an Gulfstream 550 early warning aircraft circled.

Financial markets were largely steady in Asia and did not show any noticeable reaction to the start of the summit. The dollar was at a three-week high and the MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares was largely unchanged from Monday.

While Trump and Kim search each other’s eyes and words for signs of trust or deceit, the rest of the world will be watching, hoping that somehow these two unpredictable leaders can find a way to defuse one of the planet's most dangerous flashpoints.

Body language expert said both men tried to project command as they met, but also displayed signs of nerves.

After the meetings, the two teams and other senior officials met for a working lunch, where beef short ribs, sweet and sour pork and "Daegu Jormin", or Korean braised cod, were served for the main course, according to the menu. That was to be followed by dark chocolate tarts, pastries and vanilla ice cream for dessert. The North Korean leader's sister and close confidante Kim Yo Jong was among the lunch party.

As the cameras captured the moment, Trump quipped: "Very nice. Getting a good picture everyone, so we all look nice and handsome and thin...perfect".

In the hours before the summit began, Trump expressed optimism about prospects for the first-ever meeting of sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders, while Pompeo injected a note of caution whether Kim would prove to be sincere about his willingness to denuclearise.

Pompeo said the summit should set the framework for "the hard work that will follow", insisting that North Korea had to move toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.

North Korea, however, has shown little appetite for surrendering nuclear weapons it considers vital to the survival of Kim's dynastic rule.

Sanctions on North Korea would remain in place until that happened, Pompeo said on Monday. "If diplomacy does not move in the right direction ... those measures will increase."

The White House said later that discussions with North Korea had moved "more quickly than expected" and Trump would leave Singapore on Tuesday night after the summit, rather than Wednesday, as scheduled earlier.

Kim is due to leave on Tuesday afternoon, a source involved in the planning of his visit has said.

One of the world's most reclusive leaders, Kim visited Singapore's waterfront on Monday, smiling and waving to onlookers, adding to a more affable image that has emerged since his April summit with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in.

Trump spoke to Moon and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both key allies of Washington in the region, to discuss developments ahead of the summit.

"I too, got little sleep last night," Moon told his cabinet in Seoul as the summit began in Singapore.

"I truly hope it will be a successful summit that will open a new age for the two Koreas and the United States and bring us complete denuclearisation and peace."

Trump added that he and Kim would sign a document following talks on ways to end a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday had gone "better than anybody could have expected", and they would sign a document following talks on ways to end a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula. Kim stood silently alongside Trump as he spoke to media during a post-lunch stroll through the gardens of the Singapore hotel where the summit was held, but the North Korean leader had earlier described their meeting as a "a good prelude to peace". Both men walked to Trump's limousine and looked in at the rear seat, with Trump apparently showing Kim something inside. They then resumed their walk. "A lot of progress - really very positive. I think better than anybody could have expected. Top of the line, very good. We’re going now for a signing," Trump told journalists, without giving details on what would be signed. Should they succeed in making a diplomatic breakthrough, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of Northeast Asia, like the visit of former U.S. President Richard Nixon to China in 1972 led to the transformation of China. Both men had looked serious as they got out of their limousines for the summit at the Capella hotel on Singapore's Sentosa, a resort island with luxury hotels, a casino, manmade beaches and a Universal Studios theme park. But, with cameras of the world's press trained on them, they displayed an initial atmosphere of bonhomie as they met on the verandah of the Capella, a refurbished 19th century British regimental officers' mess. After a handshake, they were soon smiling and holding each other by the arm, before Trump guided Kim to the library where they held a meeting with only their interpreters. Trump had said on Saturday he would know within a minute of meeting Kim whether he would reach a deal. Inside, they sat alongside each other against a backdrop of North Korean and U.S. flags, with Kim beaming broadly as the U.S. president gave him a thumbs up. The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, in which millions of people died, was concluded only with a truce. After initial exchanges lasting around 40 minutes, Trump and Kim emerged, walking side-by-side through the colonnaded hotel before entering a meeting room, where they were joined by their most senior officials. Kim was heard telling Trump through a translator: "I think the entire world is watching this moment. Many people in the world will think of this as a scene from a fantasy...science fiction movie." Asked by a reporter how the meeting was going, Trump said: "Very good. Very, very good. Good relationship." Kim also sounded positive about the prospects. "We overcame all kinds of scepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good for the peace," he said. "I believe this is a good prelude for peace." Trump was joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, for the expanded talks, while Kim's team included former military intelligence chief Kim Yong Chol, foreign minister Ri Yong Ho and Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party. MARKETS CALM As the two leaders met, Singapore navy vessels, and air force Apache helicopters patrolled, while fighter jets and an Gulfstream 550 early warning aircraft circled. Financial markets were largely steady in Asia and did not show any noticeable reaction to the start of the summit. The dollar was at a three-week high and the MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares was largely unchanged from Monday. While Trump and Kim search each other’s eyes and words for signs of trust or deceit, the rest of the world will be watching, hoping that somehow these two unpredictable leaders can find a way to defuse one of the planet's most dangerous flashpoints. Body language expert said both men tried to project command as they met, but also displayed signs of nerves. After the meetings, the two teams and other senior officials met for a working lunch, where beef short ribs, sweet and sour pork and "Daegu Jormin", or Korean braised cod, were served for the main course, according to the menu. That was to be followed by dark chocolate tarts, pastries and vanilla ice cream for dessert. The North Korean leader's sister and close confidante Kim Yo Jong was among the lunch party. As the cameras captured the moment, Trump quipped: "Very nice. Getting a good picture everyone, so we all look nice and handsome and thin...perfect". In the hours before the summit began, Trump expressed optimism about prospects for the first-ever meeting of sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders, while Pompeo injected a note of caution whether Kim would prove to be sincere about his willingness to denuclearise. Pompeo said the summit should set the framework for "the hard work that will follow", insisting that North Korea had to move toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. North Korea, however, has shown little appetite for surrendering nuclear weapons it considers vital to the survival of Kim's dynastic rule. Sanctions on North Korea would remain in place until that happened, Pompeo said on Monday. "If diplomacy does not move in the right direction ... those measures will increase." The White House said later that discussions with North Korea had moved "more quickly than expected" and Trump would leave Singapore on Tuesday night after the summit, rather than Wednesday, as scheduled earlier. Kim is due to leave on Tuesday afternoon, a source involved in the planning of his visit has said. One of the world's most reclusive leaders, Kim visited Singapore's waterfront on Monday, smiling and waving to onlookers, adding to a more affable image that has emerged since his April summit with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in. Trump spoke to Moon and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both key allies of Washington in the region, to discuss developments ahead of the summit. "I too, got little sleep last night," Moon told his cabinet in Seoul as the summit began in Singapore. "I truly hope it will be a successful summit that will open a new age for the two Koreas and the United States and bring us complete denuclearisation and peace."

Trump says summit with North Korea's Kim 'better than anybody expected'

Sloane Stephens maintained her perfect record against fellow American Madison Keys as she blazed into the French Open final with a 6-4 6-4 win on Thursday in a repeat of last year's U.S. Open final.

In the first all-American Roland Garros semi-final since 2002, the 10th-seeded Stephens stayed composed throughout as Keys, who has not won a set against her in three meetings, peppered the court with unforced errors.

Stephens, who had never gone past the fourth round in Paris, will take on twice French Open runner-up and world number one Simona Halep of Romania in Saturday's final.

Regardless of the result, the 25-year-old Stephens will become the first American other than the Williams sisters break into the top five in the WTA rankings since Lindsay Davenport - Keys's coach - in 2006.

"It's always hard to play someone from your country and such a good friend, but I'm happy I played my tennis," Stephens said.

"This is one of my favourite tournaments and I'm looking forward to Saturday. Merci Paris, je t'aime.

"I love playing here. So like I said, making the quarter-finals here was a big deal for me. I was really pleased. And obviously making the semis and finals, there is not much more you can ask for in a player."

Next up is Halep, who has won their last four meetings but Stephens, who has a 6-0 win-loss record in finals, is feeling confident.

"I think that I have done really well, but I'd like to keep going," she said.

After a timid start, Stephens found her rhythm and took control of the opening set by breaking in the third game with a forehand winner down the line.

But Keys, who made 23 unforced errors in the first set, hit back hard and set up a break point at 3-2, only for Stephens to save it with a service return winner.

Stephens continued to dominate and broke in the first and seventh games of the second set to put herself in a position to serve for the match.

Keys briefly rallied to pull one break back, but Stephens did not waste her second opportunity, sealing victory on her first match point with a glorious backhand winner down the line.

Sloane Stephens defeated Madison Keys 6-4, 6-4 to enter the finals of this years's French Open

Sloane Stephens maintained her perfect record against fellow American Madison Keys as she blazed into the French Open final with a 6-4 6-4 win on Thursday in a repeat of last year's U.S. Open final. In the first all-American Roland Garros semi-final since 2002, the 10th-seeded Stephens stayed composed throughout as Keys, who has not won a set against her in three meetings, peppered the court with unforced errors. Stephens, who had never gone past the fourth round in Paris, will take on twice French Open runner-up and world number one Simona Halep of Romania in Saturday's final. Regardless of the result, the 25-year-old Stephens will become the first American other than the Williams sisters break into the top five in the WTA rankings since Lindsay Davenport - Keys's coach - in 2006. "It's always hard to play someone from your country and such a good friend, but I'm happy I played my tennis," Stephens said. "This is one of my favourite tournaments and I'm looking forward to Saturday. Merci Paris, je t'aime. "I love playing here. So like I said, making the quarter-finals here was a big deal for me. I was really pleased. And obviously making the semis and finals, there is not much more you can ask for in a player." Next up is Halep, who has won their last four meetings but Stephens, who has a 6-0 win-loss record in finals, is feeling confident. "I think that I have done really well, but I'd like to keep going," she said. After a timid start, Stephens found her rhythm and took control of the opening set by breaking in the third game with a forehand winner down the line. But Keys, who made 23 unforced errors in the first set, hit back hard and set up a break point at 3-2, only for Stephens to save it with a service return winner. Stephens continued to dominate and broke in the first and seventh games of the second set to put herself in a position to serve for the match. Keys briefly rallied to pull one break back, but Stephens did not waste her second opportunity, sealing victory on her first match point with a glorious backhand winner down the line.

French Open: Sloane Stephens beats fellow American Madison Keys to reach final

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