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

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 28th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 27th, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects.

"PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects," the Prime Minister's Office announced in a tweet.

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PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> met <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> Secretary General Mr. <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@antonioguterres</a> on the sidelines of the <a href="https://twitter.com/G7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@G7</a> Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. <a href="https://t.co/JuGsftQKRT">pic.twitter.com/JuGsftQKRT</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1165670577685876740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At the G7 summit, Modi is expected to speak during sessions on the environment, climate, oceans, and digital transformation, besides also holding bilaterals with leaders of other countries participating in the two-day summit being held here.

The summit holds significance from India's perspective particularly for the fact that the Kashmir issue is expected to come up during Modi's interaction with the leaders of the member countries, particularly US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The same was also conveyed recently by a senior official from the Trump administration.

India is not a member country of the G-7, and the invitation to participate in the summit was extended by France.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the G7 summit hosted by the southwestern French city of Biarritz on Sunday and had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. "PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects," the Prime Minister's Office announced in a tweet. PM @narendramodi met @UN Secretary General Mr. @antonioguterres on the sidelines of the @G7 Summit. The two leaders had fruitful discussions on a wide range of subjects. pic.twitter.com/JuGsftQKRT — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 25, 2019 × At the G7 summit, Modi is expected to speak during sessions on the environment, climate, oceans, and digital transformation, besides also holding bilaterals with leaders of other countries participating in the two-day summit being held here. The summit holds significance from India's perspective particularly for the fact that the Kashmir issue is expected to come up during Modi's interaction with the leaders of the member countries, particularly US President Donald Trump. The same was also conveyed recently by a senior official from the Trump administration. India is not a member country of the G-7, and the invitation to participate in the summit was extended by France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on sidelines of G7 in France

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 26th, 2019

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-javad-zarif-heading-to-asia-in-push-against-us-sanctions-245310">Javad Zarif </a>flew into Biarritz in southwestern France for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-hasnt-discussed-joint-g7-message-to-iran-245519">G7 summit</a> on Sunday in an unexpected and dramatic attempt to break a diplomatic deadlock over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

Zarif's presence had not been announced and represented a risky attempt by French host Emmanuel Macron to find a way to soothe spiralling tensions between Iran and the United States.

He was not expected to hold <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-blacklists-us-based-think-tank-ministry-245525">face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump</a>, but the presence of the two men in the same place sparked hopes of a detente.

Zarif will "continue talks regarding the recent measures between the presidents of Iran and France," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted after flight tracking sites spotted that Zarif's plane had landed in Biarritz.

The French presidency confirmed his arrival, but emphasised no talks were planned with the American side.

A French diplomat also suggested -- without confirming -- that Trump had been made aware of the arrival during an impromptu two-hour lunch with Macron on a hotel terrace on Saturday.

"We work with full transparency with the Americans," the diplomat told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Watch: Iran wants US to rejoin 2015 nuclear deal

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Also speaking in Biarritz, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that Trump had in the past said that if Iran "wants to sit down and negotiate he will not set preconditions."&nbsp;

'Moving in right direction'

Macron held talks with Zarif in Paris on the eve of the G7 summit and has been leading efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table.

Trump's policy of applying "maximum pressure" on Tehran via crippling sanctions has been criticised by European powers and is seen as raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

Macron has urged the US administration to offer some sort of relief to Iran, such as lifting sanctions on oil sales to China and India, or a new credit line to enable exports.

"To start this approach we need President Trump to agree with the idea that we need to make a pause (in the "maximum pressure" policy)," a French diplomat told reporters last week.

This is seen as a first step to get Iran back to the negotiating table, which could then lead to a new international agreement to limit its nuclear programme.

Speaking to AFP last week, Zarif said that Macron's suggestions were "moving in the right direction, although we are not definitely there yet."

Last year, Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of a landmark deal, of which Zarif had been a key architect, on the nuclear programme reached in 2015 between Iran, the US, European powers, Russia and China.&nbsp;

Trade war doubts?

Trump proclaimed Sunday that the G7 summit was going "beautifully," but there was no masking over cracks between the US president and his allies on many issues.

Leaders of the G7 countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- put on a united front as they spent a second day in the high-end French surfing town of Biarritz.

Trump arrived in Biarritz fresh from having drastically upped the ante in the trade war with China.&nbsp;

European leaders lined up to press for caution and on Sunday Trump gave a glimmer of hope that he was reconsidering his all-or-nothing approach to the dispute between the world's two biggest economies.

Asked whether he was having second thoughts about the trade war, Trump, in a rare moment of public self-doubt, replied: "I have second thoughts about everything."

Then in an extraordinary turnaround, Trump's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said just hours later that the president had been understood.

He did have regrets, she said, but not what everyone thought.

"He regrets not raising the tariffs higher," she explained.

At a breakfast meeting, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the latest of the G7 partners to urge Trump to step back from a trade war that critics fear could tip the world economy into recession.

"Just to register a faint, sheep-like note of our view on the trade war -- we are in favour of trade peace on the whole," Johnson told Trump.

Bashing the EU

The meeting with Johnson, who is sometimes compared to a British version of the populist, nationalist Trump, underlined the White House's dislike for the powerful European Union.

Trump has repeatedly threatened the EU with trade wars and right before his departure from Washington, he warned that he would slap wine import tariffs on France if Macron does not retreat on a tax against US tech giants.

The jovial breakfast with Johnson, who is trying to steer the Brexit process taking Britain out of the EU, emphasised that budding new alliance.

Predicting that Johnson would manage to untangle the mess of Brexit, Trump described in typically undiplomatic terms the EU as "an anchor around their ankle".

The 73-year-old US leader then promised Johnson a "very big trade deal, bigger than we've ever had."&nbsp;

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif flew into Biarritz in southwestern France for the G7 summit on Sunday in an unexpected and dramatic attempt to break a diplomatic deadlock over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif flew into Biarritz in southwestern France for the G7 summit on Sunday in an unexpected and dramatic attempt to break a diplomatic deadlock over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme. Zarif's presence had not been announced and represented a risky attempt by French host Emmanuel Macron to find a way to soothe spiralling tensions between Iran and the United States. He was not expected to hold face-to-face talks with US President Donald Trump, but the presence of the two men in the same place sparked hopes of a detente. Zarif will "continue talks regarding the recent measures between the presidents of Iran and France," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted after flight tracking sites spotted that Zarif's plane had landed in Biarritz. The French presidency confirmed his arrival, but emphasised no talks were planned with the American side. A French diplomat also suggested -- without confirming -- that Trump had been made aware of the arrival during an impromptu two-hour lunch with Macron on a hotel terrace on Saturday. "We work with full transparency with the Americans," the diplomat told reporters on condition of anonymity. Watch: Iran wants US to rejoin 2015 nuclear deal × Also speaking in Biarritz, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that Trump had in the past said that if Iran "wants to sit down and negotiate he will not set preconditions." 'Moving in right direction' Macron held talks with Zarif in Paris on the eve of the G7 summit and has been leading efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table. Trump's policy of applying "maximum pressure" on Tehran via crippling sanctions has been criticised by European powers and is seen as raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East. Macron has urged the US administration to offer some sort of relief to Iran, such as lifting sanctions on oil sales to China and India, or a new credit line to enable exports. "To start this approach we need President Trump to agree with the idea that we need to make a pause (in the "maximum pressure" policy)," a French diplomat told reporters last week. This is seen as a first step to get Iran back to the negotiating table, which could then lead to a new international agreement to limit its nuclear programme. Speaking to AFP last week, Zarif said that Macron's suggestions were "moving in the right direction, although we are not definitely there yet." Last year, Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of a landmark deal, of which Zarif had been a key architect, on the nuclear programme reached in 2015 between Iran, the US, European powers, Russia and China. Trade war doubts? Trump proclaimed Sunday that the G7 summit was going "beautifully," but there was no masking over cracks between the US president and his allies on many issues. Leaders of the G7 countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- put on a united front as they spent a second day in the high-end French surfing town of Biarritz. Trump arrived in Biarritz fresh from having drastically upped the ante in the trade war with China. European leaders lined up to press for caution and on Sunday Trump gave a glimmer of hope that he was reconsidering his all-or-nothing approach to the dispute between the world's two biggest economies. Asked whether he was having second thoughts about the trade war, Trump, in a rare moment of public self-doubt, replied: "I have second thoughts about everything." Then in an extraordinary turnaround, Trump's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said just hours later that the president had been understood. He did have regrets, she said, but not what everyone thought. "He regrets not raising the tariffs higher," she explained. At a breakfast meeting, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the latest of the G7 partners to urge Trump to step back from a trade war that critics fear could tip the world economy into recession. "Just to register a faint, sheep-like note of our view on the trade war -- we are in favour of trade peace on the whole," Johnson told Trump. Bashing the EU The meeting with Johnson, who is sometimes compared to a British version of the populist, nationalist Trump, underlined the White House's dislike for the powerful European Union. Trump has repeatedly threatened the EU with trade wars and right before his departure from Washington, he warned that he would slap wine import tariffs on France if Macron does not retreat on a tax against US tech giants. The jovial breakfast with Johnson, who is trying to steer the Brexit process taking Britain out of the EU, emphasised that budding new alliance. Predicting that Johnson would manage to untangle the mess of Brexit, Trump described in typically undiplomatic terms the EU as "an anchor around their ankle". The 73-year-old US leader then promised Johnson a "very big trade deal, bigger than we've ever had."

Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif arrives for surprise G7 talks, no plan to meet US

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 25th, 2019

The world leaders arrived in Biarritz, France to attend G7 summit. To know more watch the video

G7 Summit: World leaders arrive in Biarritz, France

Thousands of anti-globalisation and environmental activists joined yellow vest protesters and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spains-five-main-election-candidates-214069">Basque separatists </a>on Saturday near the French coastal resort of Biarritz to demand action from G7 and other world leaders set to meet there.

Protesters converged on the nearby town of Hendaye on the French border with Spain to protest against economic and climate policies pursued by the world's leading industrial nations and to promote alternatives.

"The top capitalist leaders are here and we have to show them that the fight continues," said Alain Missana, 48, an electrician wearing a yellow vest symbol of the anti-government demonstrations that have been held in France for months.

"It's more money for the rich and nothing for the poor. We see the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-ireland-may-block-eu-mercosur-deal-over-amazon-fire-245087"> Amazonian forests burning and the arctic melting</a>. The leaders will hear us," he said.

Fires are devastating large swathes of the forest which are considered a vital bulwark against climate change.

Protesters waved banners for causes ranging from gay rights to Palestine, but their messages were aimed firmly at the leaders of the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Canada, Japan and Italy who are set to begin three days of talks on Saturday.

"No to the G7. For another world," one banner read.

"Heads of the state the Amazon is burning. Act now," said another.

The protesters marched under bright-blue summer skies from Hendaye to the town of Irun, Spain, some 30 km (18 miles) south of the G7 venue Biarritz.

More than 13,000 police officers, backed by soldiers, are guarding the Biarritz summit site and police had feared that anarchist groups might have tried to derail Saturday's protest, which has been billed as a peaceful, family event.

Four police officers were lightly wounded on Friday after protesters fired a homemade mortar near the anti-G7 counter-summit in Hendaye.

Police arrested 17 people for hiding their faces.

There was no immediate sign of any radical groups on Saturday and the police presence was light.

Protesters came from all parts of France and beyond including from across the border, where Basque separatists were also keen to show their solidarity.

"The counter-G7 demonstration is in this Basque region and we want people to see we are part of it," said Alfredo Akuna, a 46-year-old engineer from San Sebastián who wore traditional Basque clothing.

"We're involved in many movements including anti-capitalism and anti-fascism so it's important to be here to show that." 
&nbsp;

Thousands of anti-globalisation and environmental activists joined yellow vest protesters and Basque separatists on Saturday near the French coastal resort of Biarritz to demand action from G7 and other world leaders set to meet there.

Thousands of anti-globalisation and environmental activists joined yellow vest protesters and Basque separatists on Saturday near the French coastal resort of Biarritz to demand action from G7 and other world leaders set to meet there. Protesters converged on the nearby town of Hendaye on the French border with Spain to protest against economic and climate policies pursued by the world's leading industrial nations and to promote alternatives. "The top capitalist leaders are here and we have to show them that the fight continues," said Alain Missana, 48, an electrician wearing a yellow vest symbol of the anti-government demonstrations that have been held in France for months. "It's more money for the rich and nothing for the poor. We see the Amazonian forests burning and the arctic melting. The leaders will hear us," he said. Fires are devastating large swathes of the forest which are considered a vital bulwark against climate change. Protesters waved banners for causes ranging from gay rights to Palestine, but their messages were aimed firmly at the leaders of the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Canada, Japan and Italy who are set to begin three days of talks on Saturday. "No to the G7. For another world," one banner read. "Heads of the state the Amazon is burning. Act now," said another. The protesters marched under bright-blue summer skies from Hendaye to the town of Irun, Spain, some 30 km (18 miles) south of the G7 venue Biarritz. More than 13,000 police officers, backed by soldiers, are guarding the Biarritz summit site and police had feared that anarchist groups might have tried to derail Saturday's protest, which has been billed as a peaceful, family event. Four police officers were lightly wounded on Friday after protesters fired a homemade mortar near the anti-G7 counter-summit in Hendaye. Police arrested 17 people for hiding their faces. There was no immediate sign of any radical groups on Saturday and the police presence was light. Protesters came from all parts of France and beyond including from across the border, where Basque separatists were also keen to show their solidarity. "The counter-G7 demonstration is in this Basque region and we want people to see we are part of it," said Alfredo Akuna, a 46-year-old engineer from San Sebastián who wore traditional Basque clothing. "We're involved in many movements including anti-capitalism and anti-fascism so it's important to be here to show that."

Protesters march near Biarritz demanding action from G7 leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will be face-to-face on the sidelines of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-meet-macron-attend-g7-as-he-begins-three-nation-tour-france-uae-and-bahrain-244742"> 45th G7 summit in Biarritz</a>, France on August 26.

This is the first time both leaders will be together at a forum after there much talked about bilateral on the sidelines of G20 summit at the end of June in Osaka Japan.

"I am gonna be with PM Modi...I will be with him over a weekend in France", US President Donald Trump had said earlier this week.

The meet comes in the backdrop of India-Pakistan tensions over India's internal decision to remove the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir which saw Islamabad lashing out at New Delhi.

Since that decision, Pakistani Prime Minister and President Trump have spoken twice and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President have spoken once and discussed the ongoing situation in the Indian subcontinent.&nbsp;

The US while asking both sides to show restraint, has asked Pakistan to tone down its anti-India rhetoric.

Afghanistan is expected to be discussed even as the Afghan peace process reaches a crucial stage. On Thursday, the US President had asked both India and Pakistan to fight the Islamic State(IS) in Afghanistan.

US President Donald Trump said, "countries are going to have to fight them....countries and that includes Russia and it includes Iran and Turkey and Iraq and Afghanistan and Pakistan and India. Look India is right there. They're not fighting it. We're fighting it. Pakistan is right next door. They're fighting it very little. Very very little. It's not fair."

Trade has been another contentious issue with Washington asking India to do more on that front. US President has in the past called India a "tariff king" and has been proding New Delhi to open its market for US companies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will be face-to-face on the sidelines of the 45th G7 summit in Biarritz, France on August 26. This is the first time both leaders will be together at a forum after there much talked about bilateral on the sidelines of G20 summit at the end of June in Osaka Japan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will be face-to-face on the sidelines of the 45th G7 summit in Biarritz, France on August 26. This is the first time both leaders will be together at a forum after there much talked about bilateral on the sidelines of G20 summit at the end of June in Osaka Japan. "I am gonna be with PM Modi...I will be with him over a weekend in France", US President Donald Trump had said earlier this week. The meet comes in the backdrop of India-Pakistan tensions over India's internal decision to remove the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir which saw Islamabad lashing out at New Delhi. Since that decision, Pakistani Prime Minister and President Trump have spoken twice and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President have spoken once and discussed the ongoing situation in the Indian subcontinent. The US while asking both sides to show restraint, has asked Pakistan to tone down its anti-India rhetoric. Afghanistan is expected to be discussed even as the Afghan peace process reaches a crucial stage. On Thursday, the US President had asked both India and Pakistan to fight the Islamic State(IS) in Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump said, "countries are going to have to fight them....countries and that includes Russia and it includes Iran and Turkey and Iraq and Afghanistan and Pakistan and India. Look India is right there. They're not fighting it. We're fighting it. Pakistan is right next door. They're fighting it very little. Very very little. It's not fair." Trade has been another contentious issue with Washington asking India to do more on that front. US President has in the past called India a "tariff king" and has been proding New Delhi to open its market for US companies.

PM Modi, Trump set to meet at G7 summit on August 26

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