There were signs of a thaw in frosty trade-war tensions between China and the US on Monday as President Donald Trump said delegations would "very shortly" resume talks and Beijing's top negotiator called for "calm".

The two sides have been embroiled in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-says-china-wants-to-negotiate-over-trade-war-245660">bruising year-long dispute</a> that has seen tariffs slapped on billions of dollars worth of goods in two-way trade, with the row escalating over the weekend.

But just three days after the announcement of further mutual tariff hikes, Trump told reporters at the G7 summit in France's Biarritz he had taken two "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-says-china-wants-to-negotiate-over-trade-war-245660">very, very good" phone calls from Chinese officials</a>.

"China called last night... said let's get back to the table. So we'll be getting back to the table," he said on Monday, adding that "they want to make a deal".

Trump's comments followed moves by China's most powerful trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, to take the edge off the soaring tensions.

Watch: Trump slaps new tariffs on China, Additional 5% Tariff On Chinese Imports

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"We are willing to solve the problem through consultation and cooperation with a calm attitude," said Liu, according to a report by Chinese news outlet Caixin.

"We firmly oppose the escalation of the trade war," he said, speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Smart China Expo in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin travelled to Shanghai in July for a round of trade talks, where discussions were described as "constructive" but ended with no announcements.

Monday's detente came after Trump increased tariffs on more than half-a-trillion dollars worth of imports in a new round of punitive measures that are roiling global markets.

The US announcement on Friday followed an earlier surprise notification from Beijing that it would introduce fresh tariffs on US goods worth $75 billion.

Some of these measures are due to take effect on September 1, with the rest to follow over the coming months.

Currency tumbles

On Twitter, Trump also told American firms to start looking for an alternative to production in China -- though he and his top aides later downplayed the idea.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he was not aware of the calls mentioned by Trump and angrily criticised the latest tariffs at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

The US move "tramples on multilateral trade rules, damages the interests of China and the United States, threatens the security of the global industrial supply chain, drags down international trade and world economic growth", he said.

US allies have pressured Trump at the ongoing G7 summit, saying the trade war is putting the world economy at risk.

China's currency slid to its weakest point in more than 11 years on Monday amid the ongoing tensions and fears of a global downturn.

The onshore yuan was around 7.1425 to the US dollar in late-morning Asian trading -- its weakest point since early 2008 -- and by the afternoon it had reached 7.1581.

The yuan, or renminbi as it is also known, is not freely convertible and the Chinese government limits its movement against the dollar to a two percent range on either side of a figure that the central bank sets each day.

The People's Bank of China has set that rate steadily weaker in recent weeks -- allowing the yuan to depreciate, making Chinese exports cheaper and offsetting some of the burden of US tariffs.

US politicians have long accused China of keeping its currency artificially low to increase the competitiveness of its manufacturers.

The yuan breached the key 7.0 threshold against the dollar earlier in August, just days after the US announced its plans to impose tariffs next month on Chinese imports.

There were signs of a thaw in frosty trade-war tensions between China and the US on Monday as President Donald Trump said delegations would "very shortly" resume talks and Beijing's top negotiator called for "calm".

There were signs of a thaw in frosty trade-war tensions between China and the US on Monday as President Donald Trump said delegations would "very shortly" resume talks and Beijing's top negotiator called for "calm". The two sides have been embroiled in a bruising year-long dispute that has seen tariffs slapped on billions of dollars worth of goods in two-way trade, with the row escalating over the weekend. But just three days after the announcement of further mutual tariff hikes, Trump told reporters at the G7 summit in France's Biarritz he had taken two "very, very good" phone calls from Chinese officials. "China called last night... said let's get back to the table. So we'll be getting back to the table," he said on Monday, adding that "they want to make a deal". Trump's comments followed moves by China's most powerful trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, to take the edge off the soaring tensions. Watch: Trump slaps new tariffs on China, Additional 5% Tariff On Chinese Imports × "We are willing to solve the problem through consultation and cooperation with a calm attitude," said Liu, according to a report by Chinese news outlet Caixin. "We firmly oppose the escalation of the trade war," he said, speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Smart China Expo in the southwestern city of Chongqing. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin travelled to Shanghai in July for a round of trade talks, where discussions were described as "constructive" but ended with no announcements. Monday's detente came after Trump increased tariffs on more than half-a-trillion dollars worth of imports in a new round of punitive measures that are roiling global markets. The US announcement on Friday followed an earlier surprise notification from Beijing that it would introduce fresh tariffs on US goods worth $75 billion. Some of these measures are due to take effect on September 1, with the rest to follow over the coming months. Currency tumbles On Twitter, Trump also told American firms to start looking for an alternative to production in China -- though he and his top aides later downplayed the idea. Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he was not aware of the calls mentioned by Trump and angrily criticised the latest tariffs at a regular press briefing in Beijing. The US move "tramples on multilateral trade rules, damages the interests of China and the United States, threatens the security of the global industrial supply chain, drags down international trade and world economic growth", he said. US allies have pressured Trump at the ongoing G7 summit, saying the trade war is putting the world economy at risk. China's currency slid to its weakest point in more than 11 years on Monday amid the ongoing tensions and fears of a global downturn. The onshore yuan was around 7.1425 to the US dollar in late-morning Asian trading -- its weakest point since early 2008 -- and by the afternoon it had reached 7.1581. The yuan, or renminbi as it is also known, is not freely convertible and the Chinese government limits its movement against the dollar to a two percent range on either side of a figure that the central bank sets each day. The People's Bank of China has set that rate steadily weaker in recent weeks -- allowing the yuan to depreciate, making Chinese exports cheaper and offsetting some of the burden of US tariffs. US politicians have long accused China of keeping its currency artificially low to increase the competitiveness of its manufacturers. The yuan breached the key 7.0 threshold against the dollar earlier in August, just days after the US announced its plans to impose tariffs next month on Chinese imports.

Signs of hope as Donald Trump says US-China trade talks back on

European leaders on Friday threatened to tear up a trade deal with South America, reflecting growing international anger at Brazil as a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest intensified an unfolding environmental crisis.

European leaders on Friday threatened to tear up a trade deal with South America, reflecting growing international anger at Brazil as a record number of fires in the Amazon rainforest intensified an unfolding environmental crisis. Amid a global chorus of concern and condemnation, Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro pledged in an address to the nation to mobilise the army to help combat the blazes, while his administration launched a diplomatic charm offensive to try to mend bridges overseas. Forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon, which accounts for more than half of the world's largest rainforest, have surged in number by 83% this year, according to government data, destroying vast swathes of a vital bulwark against global climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron called for G7 leaders to discuss the environmental crisis in Brazil at a summit this weekend in the French coastal resort of Biarritz. Both France and Ireland threatened to oppose an EU trade deal struck in June with a regional South American bloc following Brazil's response. Images of fires raging in the Amazon broadcast around the globe sparked protests outside Brazilian embassies from Mexico City and Lima to London and Paris. In the Cypriot capital Nicosia, a sign tied to the railings of Brazil's diplomatic mission read: "The Amazon belongs to Earth not to the Brazilian president." Bolsonaro, who initially accused non-governmental organisations of setting the forest on fire without providing any evidence, said in a televised address he had authorised the use of troops to fight the fires and stop illegal deforestation in the Amazon. But the former military officer attributed the scale of the fires to drier-than-average weather and insisted on the need for economic development of the Amazon to improve the lives of its 20 million inhabitants. Environmentalists have warned that his controversial plans for more agriculture and mining in the region will speed up deforestation. "We have to give the population the opportunity to develop and my government is working for that, with zero tolerance for crime - and that is no different for the environment," Bolsonaro said in his televised speech. Polls show Brazilians overwhelmingly oppose his policy on the environment and as he spoke to the nation, residents in large cities across Brazil banged on pots and pans in a traditional Latin American form of protest. US President Donald Trump - whose sceptical views on climate change Bolsonaro shares - called the Brazilian president to offer help, if needed, in dealing with the wildfires. "I told him if the United States can help with the Amazon rainforest fires, we stand ready to assist!" Trump said in a post on Twitter.

As European Union threatens trade retaliation, Brazil sends army to fight Amazon fires

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called off a visit to Denmark scheduled for early September after the country's prime minister rebuffed his idea of purchasing Greenland.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called off a visit to Denmark scheduled for early September after the country's prime minister rebuffed his idea of purchasing Greenland. "Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time," Trump said in a post on Twitter. "The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!" A White House official said Trump had dropped the September 2-3 stop in Denmark, a NATO ally. Trump had been due to discuss the Arctic in meetings in Copenhagen with Frederiksen, who took office in June, and Prime Minister Kim Kielsen of Greenland. He is due to visit Poland on Aug. 31. Frederiksen said on Sunday the idea of selling Greenland to the United States was absurd after an economic adviser to Trump confirmed US interest in buying the world's largest island. "Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously," Frederiksen told the newspaper Sermitsiaq during a visit to Greenland. Trump confirmed to reporters on Sunday that he had recently discussed the possibility of buying Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, although he said such a move was not an immediate priority. "The concept came up and ... strategically it's interesting," Trump told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey. A defence treaty between Denmark and the United States dating back to 1951 gives the U.S. military rights over the Thule Air Base in northern Greenland. Trump's interest in buying Greenland has been met with incredulity and humour. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who recently stepped down as Danish prime minister, tweeted last week: "It must be an April Fool’s Day joke." On Monday, Trump retweeted an image of a golden Trump tower looming over a cluster of houses on the Arctic island, and wrote: "I promise not to do this to Greenland!"

Trump cancels Denmark visit after rebuff over Greenland

By Sidhant Sibal/Akash Rai US President Donald Trump has once again offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue. Speaking to US media, Trump said that he will do his best to meditate on 'the complicated situation' ''Kashmir is a very tough situation and you know what we are talking about.

By Sidhant Sibal/Akash Rai US President Donald Trump has once again offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue. Speaking to US media, Trump said that he will do his best to meditate on 'the complicated situation' ''Kashmir is a very tough situation and you know what we are talking about. This has been going on for decades. And I will do the best I can to meditate or do something with both (India and Pakistan) of them but they are not exactly friends at this moment. It's a complicated situation and a lot has to do with religion. Religions are a complicated subject.,'' Trump said. Trump's remarks follow his telephone conversation with PM Modi and Imran Khan. I get along really well with both PM Modi, Pak PM Khan: Trump https://t.co/lneu3OPqXP — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) August 21, 2019 × During the conversation, Khan repeatedly sought Trump's intervention and mediation in the crisis. India, on the other hand, has maintained that any bilateral talks between India and Pakistan on Kashmir will only be considered if Khan dialled down the rhetoric. India never asked the US to mediate. This is not the first time that Trump has made a similar proposal. Last month, Trump claimed that Modi has asked him to mediate on Kashmir. India categorically denied Trump's claim. New Delhi has time and again stated that Kashmir is an entirely internal matter and a sovereign issue. It said that any discussion on Kashmir will take place bilaterally and only with Pakistan. Trump's latest comments come just days after the government of India revoked article 370 that guaranteed special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The move rattled Pakistan. Islamabad sought an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Kashmir. But four out of the five permanent members of the security council did not support Pakistan's contentions. World powers maintained that Kashmir is India's internal matter.

US President Donald Trump once again offers to mediate on Kashmir 

How people stay informed in the Hermit State of North Korea is always a question, and US President Donald Trump may have answered it Thursday&nbsp;&nbsp;by Twitter alerts.

Trump said it only took Kim Jong Un 10 minutes to respond to his tweeted proposal for a landmark meeting in June at the border of North and South Korea.

That suggested that someone in Pyongyang -- perhaps Kim himself -- keeps a minute-by-minute watch on what the US tweet master-in-chief is saying on social media.

"When I was flying to South Korea I had the idea, you know what, I am going to South Korea, right next to North Korea, right with the border, right near there," Trump told the New Hampshire Today radio program.

"There was no way that anybody knows how to get Kim Jong Un. How do you get him?" Trump said.

"I put out a tweet: 'Hey, I am going to South Korea. If you want to meet for a couple of minutes, let's meet.'"

"And I put it out and he was calling within 10 minutes."

Trump appeared to reject speculation that the meeting had already been discussed quietly before he tweeted on June 29 from the G20 summit in Osaka: "If Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!"

A little more than a day later, Trump became the first serving US president to step foot in North Korea, where he held<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-us-north-korea-in-regular-communication-for-the-resumption-of-denuclearisation-talks-official-240377"> brief talks</a> with Kim.

"I mean it's the craziest thing," Trump, an early and now prolific Twitter user, told the radio program.

Twitter, he said, is "an incredible way of communicating for me ... It's a way of getting the word out."

Kim himself has not taken up tweets to communicate his edicts and invitations.

But he appears to be watching.

How people stay informed in the Hermit State of North Korea is always a question, and US President Donald Trump may have answered it Thursday by Twitter alerts. Trump said it only took Kim Jong Un 10 minutes to respond to his tweeted proposal for a landmark meeting in June at the border of North and South Korea.

How people stay informed in the Hermit State of North Korea is always a question, and US President Donald Trump may have answered it Thursday by Twitter alerts. Trump said it only took Kim Jong Un 10 minutes to respond to his tweeted proposal for a landmark meeting in June at the border of North and South Korea. That suggested that someone in Pyongyang -- perhaps Kim himself -- keeps a minute-by-minute watch on what the US tweet master-in-chief is saying on social media. "When I was flying to South Korea I had the idea, you know what, I am going to South Korea, right next to North Korea, right with the border, right near there," Trump told the New Hampshire Today radio program. "There was no way that anybody knows how to get Kim Jong Un. How do you get him?" Trump said. "I put out a tweet: 'Hey, I am going to South Korea. If you want to meet for a couple of minutes, let's meet.'" "And I put it out and he was calling within 10 minutes." Trump appeared to reject speculation that the meeting had already been discussed quietly before he tweeted on June 29 from the G20 summit in Osaka: "If Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!" A little more than a day later, Trump became the first serving US president to step foot in North Korea, where he held brief talks with Kim. "I mean it's the craziest thing," Trump, an early and now prolific Twitter user, told the radio program. Twitter, he said, is "an incredible way of communicating for me ... It's a way of getting the word out." Kim himself has not taken up tweets to communicate his edicts and invitations. But he appears to be watching.

Does North Korea's Kim get US President Donald Trump's tweet alerts?

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he supports meaningful background checks for gun buyers, but he told reporters that those responsible for recent mass shootings were mentally ill and the United States should build more mental institutions.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he supports meaningful background checks for gun buyers, but he told reporters that those responsible for recent mass shootings were mentally ill and the United States should build more mental institutions. Trump said he had been speaking with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and many other Republicans about the problem of gun violence and that "they don't want to have insane people, dangerous people, really bad people having guns." "We don't want crazy people owning guns," the president added. "It's them. They pull the trigger. The gun doesn't pull the trigger. They pull the trigger. So we have to look very seriously at mental illness." The president is under pressure to curb gun violence following mass shootings that killed dozens of people this month in Texas and Ohio. His comments came as he started a trip from New Jersey to speak to a campaign rally in New Hampshire. "We're looking at the whole gun situation," Trump said when asked whether he was pressing Republicans on tougher background checks for gun buyers. "I do want people to remember the words mental illness. These people are mentally ill. ... These are mentally ill people and people have to start thinking about it. I think we have to start building institutions again," he said, adding that many U.S. mental institutions were closed in the 1960s and 70s and their patients released onto the streets. "A lot of our conversation has to do with the fact that we have to open up institutions," Trump added. "We can't let these people be on the streets."

Trump blames mass shootings on mentally ill, calls for more mental institutions

A day after saying that he received a "very beautiful letter" from&nbsp;North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, US President Donald Trump on Saturday revealed the content of the letter on Twitter.&nbsp;

Trump said that much of the letter complained about the ''ridiculous'' and ''expensive exercises'' with South Korea and added, that a nuclear fee North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world.

In a letter to me sent by Kim Jong Un, he stated, very nicely, that he would like to meet and start negotiations as soon as the joint U.S./South Korea joint exercise are (Sic) over, said Trump in a tweet.&nbsp;

It was a long letter, much of it complaining about the ''ridiculous and expensive'' exercises, Trump added about the letter.&nbsp;

''It was also a small apology for testing the short range missiles, and that this testing would stop when the exercises end. I look forward to seeing Kim Jong Un in the not too distant future! A nuclear free North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world!'' Trump said.

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....also a small apology for testing the short range missiles, and that this testing would stop when the exercises end. I look forward to seeing Kim Jong Un in the not too distant future! A nuclear free North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1160158592483418114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump&nbsp;said on Friday he has received a "very beautiful letter" on Thursday from&nbsp;&nbsp;North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and added that he could have&nbsp;another meeting with him.

Trump&nbsp;and Kim have met three times since last year to discuss ways to resolve a crisis over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, but progress has been scant on Washington's aim of getting the North Korea leader to give up his weapons.

A summit between&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Kim in Hanoi in February collapsed over a failure to narrow differences over US demands for North Korea to give up all of its nuclear weapons and Pyongyang's demands for relief from punishing sanctions.

A day after saying that he received a "very beautiful letter" from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, US President Donald Trump on Saturday revealed the content of the letter on Twitter.

A day after saying that he received a "very beautiful letter" from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, US President Donald Trump on Saturday revealed the content of the letter on Twitter. Trump said that much of the letter complained about the ''ridiculous'' and ''expensive exercises'' with South Korea and added, that a nuclear fee North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world. In a letter to me sent by Kim Jong Un, he stated, very nicely, that he would like to meet and start negotiations as soon as the joint U.S./South Korea joint exercise are (Sic) over, said Trump in a tweet. It was a long letter, much of it complaining about the ''ridiculous and expensive'' exercises, Trump added about the letter. ''It was also a small apology for testing the short range missiles, and that this testing would stop when the exercises end. I look forward to seeing Kim Jong Un in the not too distant future! A nuclear free North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world!'' Trump said. ....also a small apology for testing the short range missiles, and that this testing would stop when the exercises end. I look forward to seeing Kim Jong Un in the not too distant future! A nuclear free North Korea will lead to one of the most successful countries in the world! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2019 × Trump said on Friday he has received a "very beautiful letter" on Thursday from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and added that he could have another meeting with him. Trump and Kim have met three times since last year to discuss ways to resolve a crisis over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, but progress has been scant on Washington's aim of getting the North Korea leader to give up his weapons. A summit between Trump and Kim in Hanoi in February collapsed over a failure to narrow differences over US demands for North Korea to give up all of its nuclear weapons and Pyongyang's demands for relief from punishing sanctions.

Look forward to seeing Kim in not too distant future, tweets Trump a day after receiving 'beautiful letter'

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Washington wasn't ready to finalise a trade deal with Beijing, amid lingering worries over the intensifying US-China trade war, reported news agency AFP.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said Washington wasn't ready to finalise a trade deal with Beijing, amid lingering worries over the intensifying US-China trade war, reported news agency AFP. "We're not ready to make a deal," Trump told reporters at the White House before heading out on vacation at his New Jersey golf resort. Trump comment comes a day after US hit China with new import duties Thursday on more than $4 billion in imported wooden cabinets and vanities, after finding manufacturers there benefit from unfair subsidies. The Commerce Department's preliminary finding comes just a week after Washington announced new punitive duties on another $300 billion in Chinese goods, meaning that starting September 1 all Chinese imports will be subject to punitive tariffs. The latest announcement is one in a series of cases Commerce has pursued against particular product lines, usually at the request of American companies claiming to be hurt by imports from China or other trading partners.

President Trump says US 'not ready' to make trade deal with China

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to have a pull-aside with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok, Thailand. 
 
Jaishankar will be in Bangkok from August 1 to August 2 and will also participate in ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting, &nbsp;26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) &amp; 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting.

Jaishankar-Pompeo pull aside will be the first high-level engagement between US and India since&nbsp;President Donald Trump's remarks on Kashmir.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump, a few weeks ago, had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for mediation in Kashmir issue.

This was dismissed by the Indian side. Jaioshankar had said that all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan are governed by Shimla and Lahore agreements under which no third party mediation will be allowed.&nbsp;

During the two-day visit, Jaishankar will "enumerate India's Indo-Pacific vision, which was elaborated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2018", a ministry of external affairs release said. 
&nbsp; 
He will also meet the new British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the British envoy to India Dominic Asquith. He is expected to meet foreign minister of Sri Lanka, Tilak Marapana. 13 foreign ministers will be in Bangkok for the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to have a pull-aside with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok, Thailand.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to have a pull-aside with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meet in Bangkok, Thailand. Jaishankar will be in Bangkok from August 1 to August 2 and will also participate in ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting, 26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) & 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Ministerial Meeting. Jaishankar-Pompeo pull aside will be the first high-level engagement between US and India since President Donald Trump's remarks on Kashmir. US President Donald Trump, a few weeks ago, had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for mediation in Kashmir issue. This was dismissed by the Indian side. Jaioshankar had said that all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan are governed by Shimla and Lahore agreements under which no third party mediation will be allowed. During the two-day visit, Jaishankar will "enumerate India's Indo-Pacific vision, which was elaborated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in June 2018", a ministry of external affairs release said. He will also meet the new British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the British envoy to India Dominic Asquith. He is expected to meet foreign minister of Sri Lanka, Tilak Marapana. 13 foreign ministers will be in Bangkok for the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers meeting.

Foreign minister S Jaishankar likely to meet Mike Pompeo in Bangkok

China and Russia are as much allies as they are rivals.

A joint Tajik-Chinese military exercise in a Tajik region bordering on China’s troubled north-western region of Xinjiang suggests that increased Chinese-Russian military cooperation has not eroded gradually mounting rivalry in Central Asia, long viewed by Moscow as its backyard.

The exercise, the second in three years, coupled with the building by China of border guard posts and a training centre as well as the creation of a Chinese security facility along the 1,300 kilometre long Tajik Afghan Border, Chinese dominance of the Tajik economy, and the hand over of &nbsp;Tajik territory almost two decades ago, challenges Russian-Chinese arrangements in the region.

The informal arrangement involved a division of labour under which China would expand economically in Central Asia while Russia would guarantee the region’s security.

The exercise comes days after China and Russia operated their first joint air patrol and months after Tajik and Russian forces exercised jointly.

The “exercise represents a next step in China’s overall encroachment upon Russia’s self-proclaimed ‘sphere of influence’ in Central Asia,” said Russia expert Stephen Blank.

“Moscow has given remarkably little consideration to the possibility that China will build on its soft power in Central Asia to establish security relationships or even bases and thus accelerate the decline of Russian influence there,” added Eurasia scholar Paul Goble.

The perceived encroachment is but the latest sign that Russia is seeking to balance its determination to ally itself with China in trying to limit US power with the fact the Chinese and Russian interests may be diverging.

The limitations of Russian-Chinese cooperation have long been evident.

China, for example, has refrained from recognising Russian-inspired declarations of independence in 2008 of two regions of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia that recently sparked anti-government protests in Tbilisi.

China similarly abstained in a 2014 United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution that condemned Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Meanwhile, Chinese dependence on Russian military technology is diminishing, potentially threatening a key Russian export market. China in 2017 rolled out its fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 fighter that is believed to be technologically superior to Russia SU-57E.

Perhaps most fundamentally, Chinese president Xi Jinping opted in 2013 to unveil his Belt and Road initiative in the Kazakh capital of Astana rather than Moscow.

By doing so and by so far refusing to invest in railroads and roads that would turn Russia into a transportation hub, Xi effectively relegated Russia to the status of second fiddle, at least as far as the Belt and Road’s core transportation infrastructure pillar is concerned.

China’s recently published latest defence white paper nonetheless praised the continued development of a “high level” military relationship with Russia that is “enriching the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and playing a significant role in maintaining global strategic stability.”

In a bid to ensure Russia remains a key player on the international stage and exploit mounting tension in the Gulf, Russian deputy foreign minister and special representative to the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov this week proposed a collective security concept that would replace the Gulf’s US defence umbrella and position Russia as a power broker alongside the United States.

The concept would entail the creation of a “counter-terrorism coalition of all stakeholders” that would be the motor for resolution of conflicts across the region and promote mutual security guarantees. It would involve the removal of the “permanent deployment of troops of extra-regional states in the territories of states of the Gulf,” a reference to US, British and French forces and bases.

Bogdanov’s proposal called for a “universal and comprehensive” security system that would take into account “the interests of all regional and other parties involved, in all spheres of security, including its military, economic and energy dimensions” and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance.

The coalition to include the Gulf states, Russia, China, the US, the European Union and India as well as other stakeholders, a likely reference to Iran, would be launched at an international conference on security and cooperation in the Gulf.

It was not clear how feuding Gulf states like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arb Emirates and Iran would be persuaded to sit at one table. The proposal suggested that Russia’s advantage was that it maintained good relations with all parties.

“Russia’s contributions to the fight against &nbsp;Islamic terrorist networks and the liberation of parts of Syria and Iraq can be regarded as a kind of test for the role of sheriff in a Greater Eurasia” that would include the Middle East, said political scientist Dmitry Yefremenko.

Putin this week asserted himself as sheriff by signalling his support for embattled former Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev, a Putin crony who has been charged with corruption. Following a meeting in Moscow, Putin urged Atembayev’s nemesis. President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, not to press charges.

At the same time, Putin, building on his visit to Kyrgyzstan in March, offered &nbsp;Jeenbekov a carrot.

Kyrgyzstan “needs political stability. Everybody needs to unite around the current president and to help him develop the state. We have many plans for cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and we are absolutely determined to work together with the current leadership to fulfill these plans,” Putin said.

Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement during the visit to expand by 60 hectares the Kant Air Base 20 kilometres east of the capital Bishkek that is used by the Russian Air Force and increase the rent Russia pays.

Putin further lavished his Kyrgyz hosts with $6 billion in deals ranging from power, mineral resources and hydrocarbons to industry and agriculture.

Putin also allocated $200 million for the upgrading of customs infrastructure and border equipment to put an end to the back-up of dozens of trucks on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border because Kyrgyzstan has so far been unable to comply with the technical requirements of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyaev last month gave the EEU, that groups Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Belarus, and Armenia, &nbsp;a boost by declaring that Uzbekistan would need to join the trade bloc to ensure access to its export markets.

EEU members account for 70 percent of Uzbek exports.

Said Russia and Eurasia scholar Paul Stronski: “China’s deft diplomacy towards Russia — along with both states’ desires to keep the West out of their common backyard — has kept tensions behind closed doors. But with China now recognising it may need to strengthen its security posture in the region, it is unclear how long this stability will last.” 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

China and Russia are as much allies as they are rivals. A joint Tajik-Chinese military exercise in a Tajik region bordering on China’s troubled north-western region of Xinjiang suggests that increased Chinese-Russian military cooperation has not eroded gradually mounting rivalry in Central Asia, long viewed by Moscow as its backyard.

China and Russia are as much allies as they are rivals. A joint Tajik-Chinese military exercise in a Tajik region bordering on China’s troubled north-western region of Xinjiang suggests that increased Chinese-Russian military cooperation has not eroded gradually mounting rivalry in Central Asia, long viewed by Moscow as its backyard. The exercise, the second in three years, coupled with the building by China of border guard posts and a training centre as well as the creation of a Chinese security facility along the 1,300 kilometre long Tajik Afghan Border, Chinese dominance of the Tajik economy, and the hand over of Tajik territory almost two decades ago, challenges Russian-Chinese arrangements in the region. The informal arrangement involved a division of labour under which China would expand economically in Central Asia while Russia would guarantee the region’s security. The exercise comes days after China and Russia operated their first joint air patrol and months after Tajik and Russian forces exercised jointly. The “exercise represents a next step in China’s overall encroachment upon Russia’s self-proclaimed ‘sphere of influence’ in Central Asia,” said Russia expert Stephen Blank. “Moscow has given remarkably little consideration to the possibility that China will build on its soft power in Central Asia to establish security relationships or even bases and thus accelerate the decline of Russian influence there,” added Eurasia scholar Paul Goble. The perceived encroachment is but the latest sign that Russia is seeking to balance its determination to ally itself with China in trying to limit US power with the fact the Chinese and Russian interests may be diverging. The limitations of Russian-Chinese cooperation have long been evident. China, for example, has refrained from recognising Russian-inspired declarations of independence in 2008 of two regions of Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia that recently sparked anti-government protests in Tbilisi. China similarly abstained in a 2014 United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution that condemned Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Meanwhile, Chinese dependence on Russian military technology is diminishing, potentially threatening a key Russian export market. China in 2017 rolled out its fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 fighter that is believed to be technologically superior to Russia SU-57E. Perhaps most fundamentally, Chinese president Xi Jinping opted in 2013 to unveil his Belt and Road initiative in the Kazakh capital of Astana rather than Moscow. By doing so and by so far refusing to invest in railroads and roads that would turn Russia into a transportation hub, Xi effectively relegated Russia to the status of second fiddle, at least as far as the Belt and Road’s core transportation infrastructure pillar is concerned. China’s recently published latest defence white paper nonetheless praised the continued development of a “high level” military relationship with Russia that is “enriching the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and playing a significant role in maintaining global strategic stability.” In a bid to ensure Russia remains a key player on the international stage and exploit mounting tension in the Gulf, Russian deputy foreign minister and special representative to the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov this week proposed a collective security concept that would replace the Gulf’s US defence umbrella and position Russia as a power broker alongside the United States. The concept would entail the creation of a “counter-terrorism coalition of all stakeholders” that would be the motor for resolution of conflicts across the region and promote mutual security guarantees. It would involve the removal of the “permanent deployment of troops of extra-regional states in the territories of states of the Gulf,” a reference to US, British and French forces and bases. Bogdanov’s proposal called for a “universal and comprehensive” security system that would take into account “the interests of all regional and other parties involved, in all spheres of security, including its military, economic and energy dimensions” and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance. The coalition to include the Gulf states, Russia, China, the US, the European Union and India as well as other stakeholders, a likely reference to Iran, would be launched at an international conference on security and cooperation in the Gulf. It was not clear how feuding Gulf states like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arb Emirates and Iran would be persuaded to sit at one table. The proposal suggested that Russia’s advantage was that it maintained good relations with all parties. “Russia’s contributions to the fight against Islamic terrorist networks and the liberation of parts of Syria and Iraq can be regarded as a kind of test for the role of sheriff in a Greater Eurasia” that would include the Middle East, said political scientist Dmitry Yefremenko. Putin this week asserted himself as sheriff by signalling his support for embattled former Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev, a Putin crony who has been charged with corruption. Following a meeting in Moscow, Putin urged Atembayev’s nemesis. President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, not to press charges. At the same time, Putin, building on his visit to Kyrgyzstan in March, offered Jeenbekov a carrot. Kyrgyzstan “needs political stability. Everybody needs to unite around the current president and to help him develop the state. We have many plans for cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and we are absolutely determined to work together with the current leadership to fulfill these plans,” Putin said. Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement during the visit to expand by 60 hectares the Kant Air Base 20 kilometres east of the capital Bishkek that is used by the Russian Air Force and increase the rent Russia pays. Putin further lavished his Kyrgyz hosts with $6 billion in deals ranging from power, mineral resources and hydrocarbons to industry and agriculture. Putin also allocated $200 million for the upgrading of customs infrastructure and border equipment to put an end to the back-up of dozens of trucks on the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border because Kyrgyzstan has so far been unable to comply with the technical requirements of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyaev last month gave the EEU, that groups Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Belarus, and Armenia, a boost by declaring that Uzbekistan would need to join the trade bloc to ensure access to its export markets. EEU members account for 70 percent of Uzbek exports. Said Russia and Eurasia scholar Paul Stronski: “China’s deft diplomacy towards Russia — along with both states’ desires to keep the West out of their common backyard — has kept tensions behind closed doors. But with China now recognising it may need to strengthen its security posture in the region, it is unclear how long this stability will last.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Shifting Sands: Chinese encroachment in Central Asia and challenges to US supremacy in Gulf

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-announces-controversial-asylum-deal-with-guatemala-238748">obstacle for asylum-seekers </a>on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States.

Attorney General William Barr issued a ruling that will set the standard for all immigration judges, using the same power his predecessors Jeff Sessions and Matthew Whitaker used to try to narrow the field of people potentially eligible for asylum.

The Trump administration is actively seeking to reduce the number of asylum cases, saying the system is overwhelmed by fraudulent claims. The number of people apprehended at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-use-disputed-funds-of-25-billion-for-border-wall-238745">US-Mexico border</a> has surged under Trump, with many Central Americans asking for refuge in the United States even though the vast majority of their claims are ultimately denied in court. 
&nbsp; 
Unlike the federal judiciary, US immigration courts fall under Justice Department jurisdiction, and the attorney general can intervene in cases to set national legal precedent. Trump`s attorneys general have been more active than previous administrations in this practice.&nbsp;

As part of a wider effort&nbsp;to clamp down on immigration, the Trump administration has taken a series of measures recently to restrict asylum claims, including by issuing a rule requiring asylum candidates first to seek safe haven in a third country.

A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the new rule last week by issuing a preliminary injunction pending trial. The government on Monday filed a motion asking the judge to suspend the injunction.

In the family ties case, known as "Matter of L-E-A," Barr overruled a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals, finding that the board improperly ruled a Mexican was eligible for asylum protection because the threats against him came about only after a drug cartel first threatened his father.&nbsp;

Asylum law requires that claims be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if they can show their persecution was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a "particular social group."

An immigration lawyer who represented L-E-A said immigration courts for decades have considered families to be a particular social group, "so suddenly reversing that trend is likely to affect thousands of cases," said Bradley Jenkins, a litigator for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.

But Barr`s decision found that virtually every asylum-seeker is a member of a family and that, "There is no evidence that Congress intended the term `particular social group` to cast so wide a net."&nbsp;

Decisions like the one Barr issued Monday can ultimately be appealed to federal appellate courts. In December, a US judge struck down a previous Trump administration decision aimed at denying asylum to victims of gang or domestic violence.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another obstacle for asylum-seekers on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States.

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another obstacle for asylum-seekers on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States. Attorney General William Barr issued a ruling that will set the standard for all immigration judges, using the same power his predecessors Jeff Sessions and Matthew Whitaker used to try to narrow the field of people potentially eligible for asylum. The Trump administration is actively seeking to reduce the number of asylum cases, saying the system is overwhelmed by fraudulent claims. The number of people apprehended at the US-Mexico border has surged under Trump, with many Central Americans asking for refuge in the United States even though the vast majority of their claims are ultimately denied in court. Unlike the federal judiciary, US immigration courts fall under Justice Department jurisdiction, and the attorney general can intervene in cases to set national legal precedent. Trump`s attorneys general have been more active than previous administrations in this practice. As part of a wider effort to clamp down on immigration, the Trump administration has taken a series of measures recently to restrict asylum claims, including by issuing a rule requiring asylum candidates first to seek safe haven in a third country. A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the new rule last week by issuing a preliminary injunction pending trial. The government on Monday filed a motion asking the judge to suspend the injunction. In the family ties case, known as "Matter of L-E-A," Barr overruled a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals, finding that the board improperly ruled a Mexican was eligible for asylum protection because the threats against him came about only after a drug cartel first threatened his father. Asylum law requires that claims be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if they can show their persecution was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a "particular social group." An immigration lawyer who represented L-E-A said immigration courts for decades have considered families to be a particular social group, "so suddenly reversing that trend is likely to affect thousands of cases," said Bradley Jenkins, a litigator for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. But Barr`s decision found that virtually every asylum-seeker is a member of a family and that, "There is no evidence that Congress intended the term `particular social group` to cast so wide a net." Decisions like the one Barr issued Monday can ultimately be appealed to federal appellate courts. In December, a US judge struck down a previous Trump administration decision aimed at denying asylum to victims of gang or domestic violence.

Trump administration enacts another obstacle to asylum cases

US President Donald Trump ripped into China on Tuesday after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-us-trade-talks-to-restart-after-g20-tariff-truce-239483">US negotiators arrived in Shanghai </a>to resurrect talks aimed at ending a year-long trade war between the world's two top economies.

Trump took to Twitter to slam China hours after top US officials landed in the financial hub for the first face-to-face discussions since the US leader agreed to a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping in June.

"My team is negotiating with them now, but they always change the deal in the end to their benefit," Trump tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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..My team is negotiating with them now, but they always change the deal in the end to their benefit. They should probably wait out our Election to see if we get one of the Democrat stiffs like Sleepy Joe. Then they could make a GREAT deal, like in past 30 years, and continue
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1156160004132675584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump had accused China of reneging on its commitments before previous talks broke down in May.&nbsp;

This time the US leader said Beijing was supposed to start buying US agricultural products but they have shown "no signs that they are doing so".

"That is the problem with China, they just don't come through," he said.

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China is doing very badly, worst year in 27 - was supposed to start buying our agricultural product now - no signs that they are doing so. That is the problem with China, they just don’t come through. Our Economy has become MUCH larger than the Chinese Economy is last 3 years....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1156159999833513984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Washington and Beijing have so far hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade, in a tense stand-off centred on demands for China to curb the alleged theft of American technology and provide a level playing field to US companies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-trade-negotiators-will-travel-to-china-in-very-near-future-official-235396">US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer </a>and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin did not talk to reporters after arriving in the Chinese financial hub on Tuesday.&nbsp;

A motorcade believed to be carrying the US officials later headed to the city's famous Peace hotel, where they were expected to meet Chinese officials for dinner.

The US officials are due to hold formal talks with Vice Premier Liu He on Wednesday.

Trump's Twitter tirade will reinforce already low expectations that this week's negotiations will lead to a major breakthrough.

US election gambit

Trump said last week he believed Beijing was hoping to delay a deal until after the US presidential election in November 2020, and on Tuesday the Republican said China could wait to see if a Democratic opponent wins the vote and "continue to ripoff the USA".

"The problem with them waiting, however, is that if &amp; when I win, the deal that they get will be much tougher than what we are negotiating now...or no deal at all," he said.

"We have all the cards, our past leaders never got it!"

Days before the Shanghai meeting, Trump threatened to pull recognition of China's developing nation status at the World Trade Organization -- prompting an irritable reply from Beijing about the "arrogance and selfishness" of the US.

The US leader has also angered the Chinese side by claiming the slowing economy is forcing them to make a trade deal, and blacklisting telecom giant Huawei over national security concerns.

In a commentary on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua admitted relations were "strained" and called for the US to "treat China with due respect if it wants a trade deal".

New city

Holding talks in Shanghai instead of Beijing was seen as a nod to a time of better relations, as the city was the home of the 1972 Shanghai Communique -- an important step in building diplomatic relations between the US and China.

Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, who is seen as a tough negotiator, is expected to join Liu on the Chinese side.

But both sides were busy lowering expectations in the run-up to talks.&nbsp;

Mnuchin told CNBC last week there were still "a lot of issues" while Chinese state-run daily The Global Times wrote that it is "widely believed that trade talks will take a long time".

There was no sign of the rhetoric letting up either, with the China Daily newspaper's Tuesday editorial saying "the US should give its go-to tactic of maximum pressure a couple of days off as it has proven ineffective against China".

It pointed to an announcement at the weekend that China would buy more US agricultural products including pork, cotton and soybean as a sign of China's "goodwill" -- and called for the US to "reciprocate if it wants any progress to be made".

US President Donald Trump ripped into China on Tuesday after US negotiators arrived in Shanghai to resurrect talks aimed at ending a year-long trade war between the world's two top economies.

US President Donald Trump ripped into China on Tuesday after US negotiators arrived in Shanghai to resurrect talks aimed at ending a year-long trade war between the world's two top economies. Trump took to Twitter to slam China hours after top US officials landed in the financial hub for the first face-to-face discussions since the US leader agreed to a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping in June. "My team is negotiating with them now, but they always change the deal in the end to their benefit," Trump tweeted. ..My team is negotiating with them now, but they always change the deal in the end to their benefit. They should probably wait out our Election to see if we get one of the Democrat stiffs like Sleepy Joe. Then they could make a GREAT deal, like in past 30 years, and continue — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2019 × Trump had accused China of reneging on its commitments before previous talks broke down in May. This time the US leader said Beijing was supposed to start buying US agricultural products but they have shown "no signs that they are doing so". "That is the problem with China, they just don't come through," he said. China is doing very badly, worst year in 27 - was supposed to start buying our agricultural product now - no signs that they are doing so. That is the problem with China, they just don’t come through. Our Economy has become MUCH larger than the Chinese Economy is last 3 years.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2019 × Washington and Beijing have so far hit each other with punitive tariffs covering more than $360 billion in two-way trade, in a tense stand-off centred on demands for China to curb the alleged theft of American technology and provide a level playing field to US companies. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin did not talk to reporters after arriving in the Chinese financial hub on Tuesday. A motorcade believed to be carrying the US officials later headed to the city's famous Peace hotel, where they were expected to meet Chinese officials for dinner. The US officials are due to hold formal talks with Vice Premier Liu He on Wednesday. Trump's Twitter tirade will reinforce already low expectations that this week's negotiations will lead to a major breakthrough. US election gambit Trump said last week he believed Beijing was hoping to delay a deal until after the US presidential election in November 2020, and on Tuesday the Republican said China could wait to see if a Democratic opponent wins the vote and "continue to ripoff the USA". "The problem with them waiting, however, is that if & when I win, the deal that they get will be much tougher than what we are negotiating now...or no deal at all," he said. "We have all the cards, our past leaders never got it!" Days before the Shanghai meeting, Trump threatened to pull recognition of China's developing nation status at the World Trade Organization -- prompting an irritable reply from Beijing about the "arrogance and selfishness" of the US. The US leader has also angered the Chinese side by claiming the slowing economy is forcing them to make a trade deal, and blacklisting telecom giant Huawei over national security concerns. In a commentary on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua admitted relations were "strained" and called for the US to "treat China with due respect if it wants a trade deal". New city Holding talks in Shanghai instead of Beijing was seen as a nod to a time of better relations, as the city was the home of the 1972 Shanghai Communique -- an important step in building diplomatic relations between the US and China. Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, who is seen as a tough negotiator, is expected to join Liu on the Chinese side. But both sides were busy lowering expectations in the run-up to talks. Mnuchin told CNBC last week there were still "a lot of issues" while Chinese state-run daily The Global Times wrote that it is "widely believed that trade talks will take a long time". There was no sign of the rhetoric letting up either, with the China Daily newspaper's Tuesday editorial saying "the US should give its go-to tactic of maximum pressure a couple of days off as it has proven ineffective against China". It pointed to an announcement at the weekend that China would buy more US agricultural products including pork, cotton and soybean as a sign of China's "goodwill" -- and called for the US to "reciprocate if it wants any progress to be made".

Donald Trump tears into China on Twitter as trade talks resume

The US Supreme Court on Friday handed President Donald Trump a victory by letting his administration redirect $2.5 billion in money approved by Congress for the Pentagon to help build his promised wall along the US-Mexico border even though lawmakers refused to provide funding.

The conservative-majority court on a 5-4 vote with the court's liberals in dissent blocked in full a ruling by a federal judge in California barring the Republican president from spending the money on the basis that Congress did not specifically authorise the funds to be spent on the wall project fiercely opposed by Democrats and Mexico's government.

"Wow! Big VICTORY on the Wall. The United States Supreme Court overturns lower court injunction, allows Southern Border Wall to proceed. Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law!" Trump tweeted just minutes after the court acted.

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Wow! Big VICTORY on the Wall. The United States Supreme Court overturns lower court injunction, allows Southern Border Wall to proceed. Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1154883345546928128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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A brief order explaining the court's decision said the government "made a sufficient showing" that the groups challenging the decision did not have grounds to bring a lawsuit.

"Today's decision to permit the diversion of military funds for border wall construction will wall off and destroy communities, public lands, and waters in California, New Mexico, and Arizona," said Gloria Smith, an attorney with environmental group the Sierra Club, which sued to block the funds.

In a highly unusual move, Trump on Feb. 15 declared a national emergency in a bid to fund the wall without congressional approval, an action Democrats said exceeded his powers under the U.S. Constitution and usurped the authority of Congress.

The administration has said it plans to redirect $6.7 billion from the Departments of Defence and Treasury towards wall construction under the emergency declaration after failing to convince Congress to provide the money, including the $2.5 billion in Pentagon funding. Congress earlier failed to provide $5.7 billion in wall funding demanded by Trump in a showdown in which the president triggered a 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government that ended in January.

Campaign promise

The administration said a court decision was needed quickly because it needs to spend the money before the end of September, when the federal government's fiscal year ends.

Trump made the border wall a major 2016 campaign promise. The wall is part of his hardline immigration policies that are central to his 2020 re-election bid. Trump has said the wall is needed to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the southern border. Democrats have called the wall immoral, ineffective and expensive.

The Southern Border Communities Coalition, a group advocating for people living in border areas, joined the Sierra Club in suing to try to block Trump's action.

The challengers have said the wall would be disruptive to the environment in part because it could worsen flooding problems and have a negative impact on wildlife.

U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam ruled on May 30 in Oakland, California that the administration's proposal to build parts of the border wall in California, New Mexico and Arizona with money appropriated for the Defence Department to use in the fight against illegal drugs was unlawful. The judge issued an injunction barring use of the Pentagon funds for a border wall.

The administration asked that the injunction barring use of the reprogrammed funds be put on hold pending an appeal but the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to do so.

The US Supreme Court on Friday handed President Donald Trump a victory by letting his administration redirect $2.5 billion in money approved by Congress for the Pentagon to help build his promised wall along the US-Mexico border even though lawmakers refused to provide funding.

The US Supreme Court on Friday handed President Donald Trump a victory by letting his administration redirect $2.5 billion in money approved by Congress for the Pentagon to help build his promised wall along the US-Mexico border even though lawmakers refused to provide funding. The conservative-majority court on a 5-4 vote with the court's liberals in dissent blocked in full a ruling by a federal judge in California barring the Republican president from spending the money on the basis that Congress did not specifically authorise the funds to be spent on the wall project fiercely opposed by Democrats and Mexico's government. "Wow! Big VICTORY on the Wall. The United States Supreme Court overturns lower court injunction, allows Southern Border Wall to proceed. Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law!" Trump tweeted just minutes after the court acted. Wow! Big VICTORY on the Wall. The United States Supreme Court overturns lower court injunction, allows Southern Border Wall to proceed. Big WIN for Border Security and the Rule of Law! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2019 × A brief order explaining the court's decision said the government "made a sufficient showing" that the groups challenging the decision did not have grounds to bring a lawsuit. "Today's decision to permit the diversion of military funds for border wall construction will wall off and destroy communities, public lands, and waters in California, New Mexico, and Arizona," said Gloria Smith, an attorney with environmental group the Sierra Club, which sued to block the funds. In a highly unusual move, Trump on Feb. 15 declared a national emergency in a bid to fund the wall without congressional approval, an action Democrats said exceeded his powers under the U.S. Constitution and usurped the authority of Congress. The administration has said it plans to redirect $6.7 billion from the Departments of Defence and Treasury towards wall construction under the emergency declaration after failing to convince Congress to provide the money, including the $2.5 billion in Pentagon funding. Congress earlier failed to provide $5.7 billion in wall funding demanded by Trump in a showdown in which the president triggered a 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government that ended in January. Campaign promise The administration said a court decision was needed quickly because it needs to spend the money before the end of September, when the federal government's fiscal year ends. Trump made the border wall a major 2016 campaign promise. The wall is part of his hardline immigration policies that are central to his 2020 re-election bid. Trump has said the wall is needed to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the southern border. Democrats have called the wall immoral, ineffective and expensive. The Southern Border Communities Coalition, a group advocating for people living in border areas, joined the Sierra Club in suing to try to block Trump's action. The challengers have said the wall would be disruptive to the environment in part because it could worsen flooding problems and have a negative impact on wildlife. U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam ruled on May 30 in Oakland, California that the administration's proposal to build parts of the border wall in California, New Mexico and Arizona with money appropriated for the Defence Department to use in the fight against illegal drugs was unlawful. The judge issued an injunction barring use of the Pentagon funds for a border wall. The administration asked that the injunction barring use of the reprogrammed funds be put on hold pending an appeal but the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to do so.

US Supreme Court lets Trump use disputed funds of $2.5 billion for border wall

Days after United States President Donald Trump ruffled up feathers by his comments on mediation on Kashmir, New Delhi has said its time to "move on" since clarification has been given by both sides.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in his weekly presser said, "There was a statement made by us, External Affairs Minister in both houses of the Parliament. State Department has issued a clarification in this regard."

Calling India-US ties important, Raveesh said, "We are a very strong strategic partnership, we have deep convergences on range of issues. We have excellent trade and investment linkages... we are moving towards technological ties up"

He added, "Our relationship with the US remains multifaceted.. stands on its own merit. We have broadened convergence"

Trump earlier this week riled up India when he said PM Modi during his meet with him on the sidelines of G20 summit had asked him to mediate on Kashmir.&nbsp;

This was immediately dismissed by India with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar "categorically" assuring the Parliament that no such suggestion was ever made. The state department too said its a bilateral issue and US can only assist.

Days after United States President Donald Trump ruffled up feathers by his comments on mediation on Kashmir, New Delhi has said its time to "move on" since clarification has been given by both sides.

Days after United States President Donald Trump ruffled up feathers by his comments on mediation on Kashmir, New Delhi has said its time to "move on" since clarification has been given by both sides. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in his weekly presser said, "There was a statement made by us, External Affairs Minister in both houses of the Parliament. State Department has issued a clarification in this regard." Calling India-US ties important, Raveesh said, "We are a very strong strategic partnership, we have deep convergences on range of issues. We have excellent trade and investment linkages... we are moving towards technological ties up" He added, "Our relationship with the US remains multifaceted.. stands on its own merit. We have broadened convergence" Trump earlier this week riled up India when he said PM Modi during his meet with him on the sidelines of G20 summit had asked him to mediate on Kashmir. This was immediately dismissed by India with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar "categorically" assuring the Parliament that no such suggestion was ever made. The state department too said its a bilateral issue and US can only assist.

Time to move on from Trump's Kashmir comments: MEA

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-offers-to-mediate-on-kashmir-issue-during-meeting-with-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-report-237780">Donald Trump</a> on Monday said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth.&nbsp;

"We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days -- one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said at the Oval office while hosting Pakistan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/working-with-pakistan-to-find-way-out-of-war-in-afghanistan-trump-on-meeting-with-pm-imran-khan-at-white-house-237765">Imran Khan </a>who is in a three-day visit to the US. &nbsp;

During the discussion on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-has-no-military-solution-says-pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-in-us-diaspora-address-237567">Afghanistan peace process</a> with Khan, Trump warned that "Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the Earth."

"Why would we kill millions of people. It wouldn't be fair in terms of humanity, it wouldn't be fair. So we're doing very well and I think that Pakistan is going to be a big help," Trump added.

"There is only one solution, and I feel, and I think that we will discuss this, is the closest we have been to a peace deal. And we hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement -- a political solution," Trump also said.

Trump on Monday hosted Imran Khan, who is on his first official visit to Washington seeking to revive a fractured relationship, at the Oval office.

Watch: Analysing the Afghanistan peace talks

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This is the first official meeting between the two leaders as Pakistan seeks to leverage support from the Trump administration on steps taken on containing terrorism, a point of contention with the US president often tweeting on Pakistan's support to terror elements on its soil.

During the meeting Khan-Trump meeting, the US President hailed Pakistan's help in advancing peace talks in Afghanistan, in a marked shift tone as the US seeks an accord with the Taliban to end the long-running war.

Pakistan was the Taliban's chief sponsor when it took power in neighbouring Afghanistan during the 1990s.&nbsp;

Its influence over the group, which has waged an insurgency since it was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001, is seen as key in facilitating a political settlement with the government of President Ashraf Ghani.

The United States is pressing for a political agreement with the Taliban before presidential voting in Afghanistan in late September. This would clear the way for most US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan and bring an end to America's longest war.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that he could win Afghanistan war in "a week or ten days" but he doesn't want to "wipe" Afghanistan off the face of the earth. "We have been there (Afghanistan) for 19 years, and we've acted as policemen, not soldiers and again if we wanted to be soldiers it would be over in 10 days -- one week to 10 days if we wanted to. But I have not chosen that," Trump said at the Oval office while hosting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is in a three-day visit to the US. During the discussion on Afghanistan peace process with Khan, Trump warned that "Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the Earth." "Why would we kill millions of people. It wouldn't be fair in terms of humanity, it wouldn't be fair. So we're doing very well and I think that Pakistan is going to be a big help," Trump added. "There is only one solution, and I feel, and I think that we will discuss this, is the closest we have been to a peace deal. And we hope that in the coming days we will be able to urge the Taliban to speak to the Afghan government and come to a settlement -- a political solution," Trump also said. Trump on Monday hosted Imran Khan, who is on his first official visit to Washington seeking to revive a fractured relationship, at the Oval office. Watch: Analysing the Afghanistan peace talks × This is the first official meeting between the two leaders as Pakistan seeks to leverage support from the Trump administration on steps taken on containing terrorism, a point of contention with the US president often tweeting on Pakistan's support to terror elements on its soil. During the meeting Khan-Trump meeting, the US President hailed Pakistan's help in advancing peace talks in Afghanistan, in a marked shift tone as the US seeks an accord with the Taliban to end the long-running war. Pakistan was the Taliban's chief sponsor when it took power in neighbouring Afghanistan during the 1990s. Its influence over the group, which has waged an insurgency since it was ousted from power by US-led forces in 2001, is seen as key in facilitating a political settlement with the government of President Ashraf Ghani. The United States is pressing for a political agreement with the Taliban before presidential voting in Afghanistan in late September. This would clear the way for most US troops to withdraw from Afghanistan and bring an end to America's longest war.

Could win Afghanistan war in 'a week or ten days' but chose not to do so, says Donald Trump in meeting with Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied on Friday that Iran had lost a drone in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-destroyed-iranian-drone-in-strait-of-hormuz-says-donald-trump-236999">Strait of Hormuz</a> after US President Donald Trump said that a US Navy ship had "destroyed" an Iranian drone, reported news agency Reuters.

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We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS by mistake!
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/1152081448704196611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS [Unmanned Aerial System] by mistake!," Araqchi said on Twitter, referring to a US warship in the strategic waterway.

Tensions in the Gulf region mounted Thursday after Trump announced that the USS Boxer, an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firing-one-bullet-towards-iran-will-set-fire-to-americas-interests-iran-229490">amphibious assault ship</a>, "took defensive action" against the Iranian drone as it was "threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew."

The drone was "immediately destroyed&nbsp;after it approached within 1,000 yards (914 meters) of the Boxer", Trump said.

"This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran, against vessels operating in international waters," he said.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied on Friday that Iran had lost a drone in the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump said that a US Navy ship had "destroyed" an Iranian drone, reported news agency Reuters.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied on Friday that Iran had lost a drone in the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump said that a US Navy ship had "destroyed" an Iranian drone, reported news agency Reuters. We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS by mistake! — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 19, 2019 × "We have not lost any drone in the Strait of Hormuz nor anywhere else. I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own UAS [Unmanned Aerial System] by mistake!," Araqchi said on Twitter, referring to a US warship in the strategic waterway. Tensions in the Gulf region mounted Thursday after Trump announced that the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, "took defensive action" against the Iranian drone as it was "threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew." The drone was "immediately destroyed after it approached within 1,000 yards (914 meters) of the Boxer", Trump said. "This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran, against vessels operating in international waters," he said.

Iran's deputy foreign minister says Tehran has not lost any drone

Iran&nbsp;on Thursday signalled a willingness to engage in diplomacy to defuse tensions with the United States with a modest offer on its nuclear programme that met immediate scepticism in Washington.

Iran's foreign minister told reporters in New York that&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;could immediately ratify a document prescribing more intrusive inspections of its<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/seized-foreign-tanker-in-strait-of-hormuz-iran-236898"> nuclear programme</a> if the United States abandoned its economic sanctions, media organizations reported.

The document, known as the Additional Protocol, gives UN inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) more tools to verify that a nuclear programme is peaceful.

Watch:&nbsp;Iran FM at UN accuses US of ‘economic terrorism’

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While US officials suggested they viewed the idea as a non-starter, analysts said it could provide an opening for US President Donald Trump's administration to pursue diplomacy.

"If Trump wants more for more, we can ratify the Additional Protocol and he can lift the sanctions he set," the Guardian newspaper quoted&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as telling reporters.

However, since&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is already implementing the protocol and has often offered in the past to ratify it, it was not clear that Zarif's proposal constituted much of a concession.

Under the 2015 nuclear deal agreed to by Tehran,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;must seek ratification of the protocol eight years after the deal was adopted. That would be the same time that the United States must seek permanent termination of many of its sanctions on&nbsp;Iran.

US officials responded sceptically, suggesting it was a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-warships-to-stay-longer-in-persian-gulf-wont-join-us-coalition-236988">disingenuous effort</a> to get sanctions relief.

"Their whole game is to try to get any sanctions relief they can while maintaining the ability to get a nuclear weapon in the future," said an official on condition of anonymity, saying&nbsp;Iran was "trying to spin a small action into" something bigger.

The official noted that under the offer,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;would keep enriching uranium, a process that can produce fissile material for nuclear weapons, and would do nothing to rein in its support for regional proxies in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

A second US official was also dismissive.

"If&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;wants to make a serious gesture, it should start by ending uranium enrichment immediately and having an actual decision-maker attempt to negotiate a deal that includes a permanent end to&nbsp;Iran’s malign nuclear ambitions, including its development of nuclear-capable missiles," said the official.

US-Iranian tensions have increased since Trump's decision last year to abandon the nuclear deal that&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;struck with six major powers in 2015 under which it agreed to rein in its atomic programme in return for broad relief from economic sanctions.

Relations have deteriorated since May when Trump tightened US sanctions on&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;to try to choke off its oil exports, the main source of foreign exchange and government revenues for the Islamic Republic.

Washington is trying to force Tehran to agree to stricter limits on its nuclear capacity, curb its ballistic missile programme and end support for proxy forces in a regional power struggle with US-backed Gulf Arab states.

Fears of direct US-Iranian conflict have risen since May with several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf,&nbsp;Iran's downing of a US surveillance drone and a plan for US airstrikes on&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;last month that Trump called off at the last minute.

Iran on Thursday signalled a willingness to engage in diplomacy to defuse tensions with the United States with a modest offer on its nuclear programme that met immediate scepticism in Washington.

Iran on Thursday signalled a willingness to engage in diplomacy to defuse tensions with the United States with a modest offer on its nuclear programme that met immediate scepticism in Washington. Iran's foreign minister told reporters in New York that Iran could immediately ratify a document prescribing more intrusive inspections of its nuclear programme if the United States abandoned its economic sanctions, media organizations reported. The document, known as the Additional Protocol, gives UN inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) more tools to verify that a nuclear programme is peaceful. Watch: Iran FM at UN accuses US of ‘economic terrorism’ × While US officials suggested they viewed the idea as a non-starter, analysts said it could provide an opening for US President Donald Trump's administration to pursue diplomacy. "If Trump wants more for more, we can ratify the Additional Protocol and he can lift the sanctions he set," the Guardian newspaper quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as telling reporters. However, since Iran is already implementing the protocol and has often offered in the past to ratify it, it was not clear that Zarif's proposal constituted much of a concession. Under the 2015 nuclear deal agreed to by Tehran, Iran must seek ratification of the protocol eight years after the deal was adopted. That would be the same time that the United States must seek permanent termination of many of its sanctions on Iran. US officials responded sceptically, suggesting it was a disingenuous effort to get sanctions relief. "Their whole game is to try to get any sanctions relief they can while maintaining the ability to get a nuclear weapon in the future," said an official on condition of anonymity, saying Iran was "trying to spin a small action into" something bigger. The official noted that under the offer, Iran would keep enriching uranium, a process that can produce fissile material for nuclear weapons, and would do nothing to rein in its support for regional proxies in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. A second US official was also dismissive. "If Iran wants to make a serious gesture, it should start by ending uranium enrichment immediately and having an actual decision-maker attempt to negotiate a deal that includes a permanent end to Iran’s malign nuclear ambitions, including its development of nuclear-capable missiles," said the official. US-Iranian tensions have increased since Trump's decision last year to abandon the nuclear deal that Iran struck with six major powers in 2015 under which it agreed to rein in its atomic programme in return for broad relief from economic sanctions. Relations have deteriorated since May when Trump tightened US sanctions on Iran to try to choke off its oil exports, the main source of foreign exchange and government revenues for the Islamic Republic. Washington is trying to force Tehran to agree to stricter limits on its nuclear capacity, curb its ballistic missile programme and end support for proxy forces in a regional power struggle with US-backed Gulf Arab states. Fears of direct US-Iranian conflict have risen since May with several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, Iran's downing of a US surveillance drone and a plan for US airstrikes on Iran last month that Trump called off at the last minute.

Iran floats offer on nuclear inspections; US sceptical

In a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-a-bid-to-cut-costs-imran-khan-expresses-wish-to-stay-at-ambassadors-home-during-us-visit-233951"> bid to cut costs with the struggling economy</a> of&nbsp;his country, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to take Qatar Airways flight to the US.

The prime minister had so far used PAK1 for his foreign visits. PAK1 is the official airplane used by Pakistan prime ministers.

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PM Imran Khan will fly to Washington by Qatar Airways.
— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) <a href="https://twitter.com/naeemul_haque/status/1151856958737133576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Imran's foreign visits so far included two times China trip, three times visit to Saudi Arabia, a once trip to Russia, Qatar and UAE.

Khan used PAK1 for his visits to all these countries.

The PM has also decided to&nbsp;stay at Pakistan House on his visit to the US Capitol.

Pakistan House is the Ambassador's residence in Washington DC.

Imran Khan will visit the US from July 21-24 where he will meet with the Pakistan diaspora.

The Pakistan Prime Minister will meet US President Donald Trump on July 22.

In a bid to cut costs with the struggling economy of his country, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to take Qatar Airways flight to the US. The prime minister had so far used PAK1 for his foreign visits.

In a bid to cut costs with the struggling economy of his country, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to take Qatar Airways flight to the US. The prime minister had so far used PAK1 for his foreign visits. PAK1 is the official airplane used by Pakistan prime ministers. PM Imran Khan will fly to Washington by Qatar Airways. — Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) July 18, 2019 × Imran's foreign visits so far included two times China trip, three times visit to Saudi Arabia, a once trip to Russia, Qatar and UAE. Khan used PAK1 for his visits to all these countries. The PM has also decided to stay at Pakistan House on his visit to the US Capitol. Pakistan House is the Ambassador's residence in Washington DC. Imran Khan will visit the US from July 21-24 where he will meet with the Pakistan diaspora. The Pakistan Prime Minister will meet US President Donald Trump on July 22.

Imran Khan's 'cost-cutting' drive; to take Qatar Airways flight to US

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to sideline an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-impeachment-is-dirty-filthy-disgusting-word-222951">impeachment resolution</a> against President Donald Trump, effectively killing the measure for now but not burying the issue that has divided Democrats.

The resolution's sponsor, Democratic Representative Al Green, was seeking to capitalise on growing criticism of Trump after the president's recent attacks on minority congresswomen.

The House voted 332 to 95 to set aside the measure.

"Impeachment of your President...., is now OVER. This should never be allowed to happen to another President of the United States again!," Trump tweeted.

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The United States House of Representatives has just overwhelmingly voted to kill the Resolution on Impeachment, 332-95-1. This is perhaps the most ridiculous and time consuming project I have ever had to work on. Impeachment of your President, who has led the....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1151618789664071681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Green had failed twice before to get an impeachment resolution passed, but Wednesday marked the first time the full House had addressed the matter since Democrats took the majority earlier this year.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has long tried to restrain Democrats from initiating the impeachment process against Trump, pending a House Judiciary Committee probe into whether he colluded with Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and obstructed Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of the matter.

However, Wednesday's vote put lawmakers on the record on the impeachment question. A clear majority of the House's 235 Democrats - 137 - voted along with Republicans to table Green's impeachment resolution. But 95 Democrats opposed setting the measure aside. One Democrat voted present.

While a growing minority of Democrats in the House have called for launching an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-may-provoke-us-lawmakers-to-impeach-him-by-obstructing-investigations-adam-schiff-218219">impeachment inquiry</a>, Democratic leaders made clear earlier Wednesday they did not support Green's effort, at least not now.

"As I have said over and over again, with all the respect in the world for Mr. Green..., we have six committees that are working on following the facts in terms of any abuse of power, obstruction of justice and the rest that the president may have engaged in. That is the serious path that we are on," Pelosi told reporters.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn said he did not think lawmakers were ready to debate impeachment, partly because Congress is scheduled to hear from Mueller in testimony next week.

Green filed the resolution on Tuesday as a "privileged" matter, which means the chamber was forced to act on it within 48 hours. But there was no debate before the vote.

"This will be an opportunity for us to all go on the record: either we will move forward with impeachment or we will vote against it," Green told CNN earlier.

Green made his move a day after the House voted to condemn Trump for making comments against four minority Democratic congresswomen that were widely criticized as racist.

Green said his effort had nothing to do with Mueller's investigation, but that he was focussing on Trump's attacks on the congresswomen, which he said demonstrated Trump was unfit to be president.

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to sideline an impeachment resolution against President Donald Trump, effectively killing the measure for now but not burying the issue that has divided Democrats.

The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to sideline an impeachment resolution against President Donald Trump, effectively killing the measure for now but not burying the issue that has divided Democrats. The resolution's sponsor, Democratic Representative Al Green, was seeking to capitalise on growing criticism of Trump after the president's recent attacks on minority congresswomen. The House voted 332 to 95 to set aside the measure. "Impeachment of your President...., is now OVER. This should never be allowed to happen to another President of the United States again!," Trump tweeted. The United States House of Representatives has just overwhelmingly voted to kill the Resolution on Impeachment, 332-95-1. This is perhaps the most ridiculous and time consuming project I have ever had to work on. Impeachment of your President, who has led the.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2019 × Green had failed twice before to get an impeachment resolution passed, but Wednesday marked the first time the full House had addressed the matter since Democrats took the majority earlier this year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has long tried to restrain Democrats from initiating the impeachment process against Trump, pending a House Judiciary Committee probe into whether he colluded with Russia's meddling in the 2016 presidential election and obstructed Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of the matter. However, Wednesday's vote put lawmakers on the record on the impeachment question. A clear majority of the House's 235 Democrats - 137 - voted along with Republicans to table Green's impeachment resolution. But 95 Democrats opposed setting the measure aside. One Democrat voted present. While a growing minority of Democrats in the House have called for launching an impeachment inquiry, Democratic leaders made clear earlier Wednesday they did not support Green's effort, at least not now. "As I have said over and over again, with all the respect in the world for Mr. Green..., we have six committees that are working on following the facts in terms of any abuse of power, obstruction of justice and the rest that the president may have engaged in. That is the serious path that we are on," Pelosi told reporters. House Majority Whip James Clyburn said he did not think lawmakers were ready to debate impeachment, partly because Congress is scheduled to hear from Mueller in testimony next week. Green filed the resolution on Tuesday as a "privileged" matter, which means the chamber was forced to act on it within 48 hours. But there was no debate before the vote. "This will be an opportunity for us to all go on the record: either we will move forward with impeachment or we will vote against it," Green told CNN earlier. Green made his move a day after the House voted to condemn Trump for making comments against four minority Democratic congresswomen that were widely criticized as racist. Green said his effort had nothing to do with Mueller's investigation, but that he was focussing on Trump's attacks on the congresswomen, which he said demonstrated Trump was unfit to be president.

US House votes to set aside impeachment resolution against Trump

Pakistan`s Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari on Tuesday allegedly tweeted criticising US President Donald Trump only to delete the tweet later, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp;

"When racism and bigotry become acceptable political norms in democracies," Mazari tweeted, added ANI quoting&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;news media outlet&nbsp;The Global Village Space.&nbsp;

Mazari joined in the furore regarding Trump's latest racist Twitter outburst aimed Democrat Congresswomen.&nbsp;

She shared a story titled "A Racist in the White House," published in The New Yorker on July 15 with the tweet. While the Pakistani publication lauded Mazari on her move, Husain Haqqani, the Director (South &amp; Central Asia) Hudson Institute claimed that Mazari had discreetly deleted the tweet amid upcoming meeting between Trump and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan may be the reason behind the step taken by Mazari.

"#Pakistan`s anti-American Human Rights Minister @ShireenMazari1 tweeted this but deleted it, possibly in view of the forthcoming meeting of PM Imran Khan with @realDonaldTrump," Haqqani tweeted.

Trump has recently received flak for his Twitter outburst which reportedly targetted four Democratic, People of Colour (POC) congresswomen, namely Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley.&nbsp;

Democratic leaders have severely condemned his tweets, labelling them as "racist" as he asks them to go back to the "broken, crime-infested" countries they "came" from. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan`s Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari on Tuesday allegedly tweeted criticising US President Donald Trump only to delete the tweet later, reported news agency ANI.

Pakistan`s Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari on Tuesday allegedly tweeted criticising US President Donald Trump only to delete the tweet later, reported news agency ANI. "When racism and bigotry become acceptable political norms in democracies," Mazari tweeted, added ANI quoting Pakistan news media outlet The Global Village Space. Mazari joined in the furore regarding Trump's latest racist Twitter outburst aimed Democrat Congresswomen. She shared a story titled "A Racist in the White House," published in The New Yorker on July 15 with the tweet. While the Pakistani publication lauded Mazari on her move, Husain Haqqani, the Director (South & Central Asia) Hudson Institute claimed that Mazari had discreetly deleted the tweet amid upcoming meeting between Trump and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan may be the reason behind the step taken by Mazari. "#Pakistan`s anti-American Human Rights Minister @ShireenMazari1 tweeted this but deleted it, possibly in view of the forthcoming meeting of PM Imran Khan with @realDonaldTrump," Haqqani tweeted. Trump has recently received flak for his Twitter outburst which reportedly targetted four Democratic, People of Colour (POC) congresswomen, namely Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley. Democratic leaders have severely condemned his tweets, labelling them as "racist" as he asks them to go back to the "broken, crime-infested" countries they "came" from. (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan human rights minister deletes tweet criticising Trump

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told a group of mostly American-born Democratic congresswomen to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came," a comment that was condemned by Democrats as racist.

"So interesting to see 'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe... viciously telling the people of the United States... how our government is to be run," Trump said in a series of three comments on Twitter.

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So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1150381394234941448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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While he did not mention names, Trump appeared to be referring to first-year Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan - a group known as "the squad" that has been very critical of Trump and also of the current Democratic leadership of the House.

Only Omar, whose family left Somalia as refugees and arrived in Minneapolis in 1997, was born outside the United States.

"Mr. President, the country I 'come from,' and the country we all swear to, is the United States," Ocasio-Cortez, like Trump a native of New York City, responded on Twitter. "You are angry because you can't conceive of an America that includes us. You rely on a frightened America for your plunder."

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Mr. President, the country I “come from,” &amp; the country we all swear to, is the United States. 
 
But given how you’ve destroyed our border with inhumane camps, all at a benefit to you &amp; the corps who profit off them, you are absolutely right about the corruption laid at your feet. <a href="https://t.co/HLKQCotR8T">https://t.co/HLKQCotR8T</a>
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1150443496345624577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, has feuded with the group in an increasingly bitter intra-party fight, but came to their defence Sunday along with other Democratic colleagues. She called Trump's comments "xenophobic."

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I reject <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s xenophobic comments meant to divide our nation. Rather than attack Members of Congress, he should work with us for humane immigration policy that reflects American values. Stop the raids - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FamiliesBelongTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FamiliesBelongTogether</a>!
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1150408693021908992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"When @realDonaldTrump tells four American Congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to 'Make America Great Again' has always been about making America white again," she said on Twitter.

"Do I fit into the President's category?" US&nbsp;Senator Dick Durbin on Illinois, said on CBS's "Face the Nation," mentioning his family's Lithuanian heritage.

"Thanks goodness," he said of Omar's journey from refugee to one of only two Muslim women elected to Congress, along with Tlaib, a native of Detroit. "That is what America holds as a dream. The president should not diminish it." 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told a group of mostly American-born Democratic congresswomen to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came," a comment that was condemned by Democrats as racist.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday told a group of mostly American-born Democratic congresswomen to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came," a comment that was condemned by Democrats as racist. "So interesting to see 'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe... viciously telling the people of the United States... how our government is to be run," Trump said in a series of three comments on Twitter. So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly...... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019 × While he did not mention names, Trump appeared to be referring to first-year Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan - a group known as "the squad" that has been very critical of Trump and also of the current Democratic leadership of the House. Only Omar, whose family left Somalia as refugees and arrived in Minneapolis in 1997, was born outside the United States. "Mr. President, the country I 'come from,' and the country we all swear to, is the United States," Ocasio-Cortez, like Trump a native of New York City, responded on Twitter. "You are angry because you can't conceive of an America that includes us. You rely on a frightened America for your plunder." Mr. President, the country I “come from,” & the country we all swear to, is the United States. But given how you’ve destroyed our border with inhumane camps, all at a benefit to you & the corps who profit off them, you are absolutely right about the corruption laid at your feet. https://t.co/HLKQCotR8T — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 14, 2019 × House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, has feuded with the group in an increasingly bitter intra-party fight, but came to their defence Sunday along with other Democratic colleagues. She called Trump's comments "xenophobic." I reject @realDonaldTrump’s xenophobic comments meant to divide our nation. Rather than attack Members of Congress, he should work with us for humane immigration policy that reflects American values. Stop the raids - #FamiliesBelongTogether! — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 14, 2019 × "When @realDonaldTrump tells four American Congresswomen to go back to their countries, he reaffirms his plan to 'Make America Great Again' has always been about making America white again," she said on Twitter. "Do I fit into the President's category?" US Senator Dick Durbin on Illinois, said on CBS's "Face the Nation," mentioning his family's Lithuanian heritage. "Thanks goodness," he said of Omar's journey from refugee to one of only two Muslim women elected to Congress, along with Tlaib, a native of Detroit. "That is what America holds as a dream. The president should not diminish it."

Trump tells Democratic Congresswomen to 'go back' to 'fix' countries they came from

Senior British politicians, including both contenders to be the next prime minister, joined journalists on Saturday in criticising police for warning media not to publish leaked government documents, saying it was a "dangerous road to tread".

Last week, a Sunday newspaper published leaked memos from Britain's Washington ambassador that provoked a serious <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-top-envoy-in-us-says-trump-executive-inept-report-233737">diplomatic spat</a> with US President Donald Trump and ultimately led to the envoy announcing his resignation.

Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Neil Basu, said on Friday police would investigate who was responsible but also warned journalists and publishers they too could be in breach of the law if further documents were leaked.

"I would advise all owners, editors and publishers of social and mainstream media not to publish leaked government documents that may already be in their possession, or which may be offered to them, and to turn them over to the police or give them back to their rightful owner, Her Majesty’s Government," Basu said.

His comments provoked anger and criticism from journalists, editors and politicians who said it risked infringing the freedom of the press

"The state threatening media freedom is a dangerous road to tread," Health Minister Matt Hancock said on Twitter. George Osborne, the editor of the London Evening Standard and a former finance minister, described the remarks as a "very stupid and ill-advised statement from a junior officer who doesn’t appear to understand much about press freedom".

"I cannot think of a worse example of a heavy-handed approach by the police to attempt to curtail the role of the media as a defence against the powerful and those in authority,” said Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society of Editors.

"Frankly it is the kind of approach we would expect from<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-stupid-guy-donald-trump-renews-attack-on-uk-ambassador-theresa-may-234370"> totalitarian regimes</a> where the media are expected to be little more than a tame arm of the government."

Both men battling to replace Theresa May as prime minister when she steps down on July 24 because she failed to deliver Britain's exit from the European Union also said Basu was wrong.

"That is their job"

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his predecessor Boris Johnson said the leaker should be found but the press should not be targeted.

"It cannot be conceivably right that newspapers or any other media organisation publishing such material should face prosecution," Johnson, also a former mayor of London, told an event in central England.

Hunt wrote on Twitter: "I defend to the hilt the right of the press to publish those leaks if they receive them &amp; judge them to be in the public interest: that is their job."

The Mail on Sunday newspaper last week published cables from Kim Darroch, Britain's ambassador to the United States, in which he called the Trump administration "inept", prompting the president to label him "very stupid" and "wacky".

The spat has become one of the central issues of the contest for the leadership of the governing Conservative Party and the next prime minister that will be decided by about 160,000 members of the Conservative Party. A diplomatic source told Reuters that the lack of backing from the frontrunner, Boris Johnson, had been a factor in Darroch's decision to resign.

Johnson himself acknowledged his comments had been partly responsible but denied he was to blame.

Not all politicians, though, felt the police were wrong. Security minister Ben Wallace said members of the public were bound by parts of the Official Secrets Act.

"If (journalists) are receiving stolen material they should give it back to their rightful owner and they should also be aware of the huge damage that's already been done and the potentially even greater damage that could be done," former defence minister Michael Fallon told BBC radio.

Senior British politicians, including both contenders to be the next prime minister, joined journalists on Saturday in criticising police for warning media not to publish leaked government documents, saying it was a "dangerous road to tread".

Senior British politicians, including both contenders to be the next prime minister, joined journalists on Saturday in criticising police for warning media not to publish leaked government documents, saying it was a "dangerous road to tread". Last week, a Sunday newspaper published leaked memos from Britain's Washington ambassador that provoked a serious diplomatic spat with US President Donald Trump and ultimately led to the envoy announcing his resignation. Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer, Neil Basu, said on Friday police would investigate who was responsible but also warned journalists and publishers they too could be in breach of the law if further documents were leaked. "I would advise all owners, editors and publishers of social and mainstream media not to publish leaked government documents that may already be in their possession, or which may be offered to them, and to turn them over to the police or give them back to their rightful owner, Her Majesty’s Government," Basu said. His comments provoked anger and criticism from journalists, editors and politicians who said it risked infringing the freedom of the press "The state threatening media freedom is a dangerous road to tread," Health Minister Matt Hancock said on Twitter. George Osborne, the editor of the London Evening Standard and a former finance minister, described the remarks as a "very stupid and ill-advised statement from a junior officer who doesn’t appear to understand much about press freedom". "I cannot think of a worse example of a heavy-handed approach by the police to attempt to curtail the role of the media as a defence against the powerful and those in authority,” said Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society of Editors. "Frankly it is the kind of approach we would expect from totalitarian regimes where the media are expected to be little more than a tame arm of the government." Both men battling to replace Theresa May as prime minister when she steps down on July 24 because she failed to deliver Britain's exit from the European Union also said Basu was wrong. "That is their job" Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his predecessor Boris Johnson said the leaker should be found but the press should not be targeted. "It cannot be conceivably right that newspapers or any other media organisation publishing such material should face prosecution," Johnson, also a former mayor of London, told an event in central England. Hunt wrote on Twitter: "I defend to the hilt the right of the press to publish those leaks if they receive them & judge them to be in the public interest: that is their job." The Mail on Sunday newspaper last week published cables from Kim Darroch, Britain's ambassador to the United States, in which he called the Trump administration "inept", prompting the president to label him "very stupid" and "wacky". The spat has become one of the central issues of the contest for the leadership of the governing Conservative Party and the next prime minister that will be decided by about 160,000 members of the Conservative Party. A diplomatic source told Reuters that the lack of backing from the frontrunner, Boris Johnson, had been a factor in Darroch's decision to resign. Johnson himself acknowledged his comments had been partly responsible but denied he was to blame. Not all politicians, though, felt the police were wrong. Security minister Ben Wallace said members of the public were bound by parts of the Official Secrets Act. "If (journalists) are receiving stolen material they should give it back to their rightful owner and they should also be aware of the huge damage that's already been done and the potentially even greater damage that could be done," former defence minister Michael Fallon told BBC radio.

UK police warning to media over diplomat's leaked memos stirs anger

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday formally <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-says-national-guard-deployment-to-southern-border-starts-on-wednesday-226694">inaugurated the National Guard</a>, a militarized police force aimed at cracking down on the country's growing crime rate and securing its borders.

Lopez Obrador said that the initial 70,000 members would be deployed to 150 regions across Mexico, and eventually, 150,000 personnel will cover most of the country.

The leftist president, who took office in December 2018, had long criticized the use of soldiers in the crackdown on violent cartels.

The National Guard, however, is made up mainly of former soldiers and has a military leadership. Critics say its personnel is not properly trained to handle civilian tasks.

Although the force was formally inaugurated on Sunday, National Guard members have been deployed since May to hot spots across the country.

In late June, under US pressure, more than 21,000 National Guard personnel were sent to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/thousands-of-asylum-seekers-left-waiting-at-the-us-mexico-border-228198">Mexico's northern and southern borders to halt Central American migrants</a> seeking to illegally enter the United States.

Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said that National Guard members have been trained in police procedures, will respect human rights, and will use force in a "reasoned and proportional" manner.

Maintaining peace and security is Lopez Obrador's biggest challenge: there was a record of 33,341 homicides in Mexico in 2018, the highest number of deaths since the government began tracking murders in 1997.

More than 250,000 people have been murdered since 2006, the year Mexico's military was deployed to combat the cartels. More than 40,000 people have vanished during that same period.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday formally inaugurated the National Guard, a militarized police force aimed at cracking down on the country's growing crime rate and securing its borders.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday formally inaugurated the National Guard, a militarized police force aimed at cracking down on the country's growing crime rate and securing its borders. Lopez Obrador said that the initial 70,000 members would be deployed to 150 regions across Mexico, and eventually, 150,000 personnel will cover most of the country. The leftist president, who took office in December 2018, had long criticized the use of soldiers in the crackdown on violent cartels. The National Guard, however, is made up mainly of former soldiers and has a military leadership. Critics say its personnel is not properly trained to handle civilian tasks. Although the force was formally inaugurated on Sunday, National Guard members have been deployed since May to hot spots across the country. In late June, under US pressure, more than 21,000 National Guard personnel were sent to Mexico's northern and southern borders to halt Central American migrants seeking to illegally enter the United States. Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said that National Guard members have been trained in police procedures, will respect human rights, and will use force in a "reasoned and proportional" manner. Maintaining peace and security is Lopez Obrador's biggest challenge: there was a record of 33,341 homicides in Mexico in 2018, the highest number of deaths since the government began tracking murders in 1997. More than 250,000 people have been murdered since 2006, the year Mexico's military was deployed to combat the cartels. More than 40,000 people have vanished during that same period.

Mexico inaugurates its new National Guard force

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-restricts-chip-smartphone-materials-exports-to-south-korea-231877">South Korea</a> said on Wednesday it sacked an army commander and rebuked other senior officers after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-and-north-korea-highlight-pitfalls-of-trumps-maximum-pressure-strategy-202154">North Korean</a> fishing boat piloted by defectors went undetected in South Korean waters for more than two days last month.

The incident has raised concerns about potential lapses in South Korea's security during fragile talks to end a technical state of war with North Korea since the 1950-53 Korean War.

The small wooden boat spent more than two days in waters south of the Northern Limit Line, which separates areas controlled by the two Koreas, before docking at the port of Samcheok.

The ship's arrival on June 15 was spotted by closed-circuit television cameras, but authorities failed to identify the vessel as North Korean, said Choi Byung-hwan, vice minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

The four fishermen waited, expecting to face South Korean security forces who never came. One man approached a South Korean resident and asked to use a telephone, Choi said, and police were alerted.

The commander of the South Korean Army's 8th Corps, which oversees the area in eastern South Korea where the boat docked, was removed from his command, the defence ministry said.

The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff received a warning, and two other senior military commanders were referred to a disciplinary committee, the ministry said.

"Our analysis found that there was a failure in our security operation," Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo told reporters in the capital Seoul.

"This failure was a grave error that cannot be acceptable in any case," he added.

Two of the fishermen said they wanted to stay in South Korea, officials said, and the other two asked to go home.

At least 546 North Koreans defected to South Korea in the first six months of this year, up from 487 in the same period last year, South Korea's unification ministry said on Tuesday, according to Yonhap news agency.

Most North Korean escapees make their way through China and Southeast Asia, rather than attempting to cross the heavily guarded border between North and South Korea. 
&nbsp;

South Korea said on Wednesday it sacked an army commander and rebuked other senior officers after a North Korean fishing boat piloted by defectors went undetected in South Korean waters for more than two days last month.

South Korea said on Wednesday it sacked an army commander and rebuked other senior officers after a North Korean fishing boat piloted by defectors went undetected in South Korean waters for more than two days last month. The incident has raised concerns about potential lapses in South Korea's security during fragile talks to end a technical state of war with North Korea since the 1950-53 Korean War. The small wooden boat spent more than two days in waters south of the Northern Limit Line, which separates areas controlled by the two Koreas, before docking at the port of Samcheok. The ship's arrival on June 15 was spotted by closed-circuit television cameras, but authorities failed to identify the vessel as North Korean, said Choi Byung-hwan, vice minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. The four fishermen waited, expecting to face South Korean security forces who never came. One man approached a South Korean resident and asked to use a telephone, Choi said, and police were alerted. The commander of the South Korean Army's 8th Corps, which oversees the area in eastern South Korea where the boat docked, was removed from his command, the defence ministry said. The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff received a warning, and two other senior military commanders were referred to a disciplinary committee, the ministry said. "Our analysis found that there was a failure in our security operation," Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo told reporters in the capital Seoul. "This failure was a grave error that cannot be acceptable in any case," he added. Two of the fishermen said they wanted to stay in South Korea, officials said, and the other two asked to go home. At least 546 North Koreans defected to South Korea in the first six months of this year, up from 487 in the same period last year, South Korea's unification ministry said on Tuesday, according to Yonhap news agency. Most North Korean escapees make their way through China and Southeast Asia, rather than attempting to cross the heavily guarded border between North and South Korea.

South Korea sacks army commander over North Korea defector boat

Russia has agreed with Saudi Arabia to extend by six to nine months a deal with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudis-falih-says-oil-stocks-still-building-but-opec-to-act-if-needed-219637">OPEC </a>on reducing oil output, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/vladimir-putin-replies-to-elton-johns-hypocrisy-comment-231519">Russian President Vladimir Putin</a> said, as oil prices come under renewed pressure from rising US supplies and a slowing global economy.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday that the deal would most likely be extended by nine months and no deeper reductions were needed.

Putin, speaking after talks with Saudi Crown Prince <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-doing-spectacular-job-donald-trump-231336">Mohammed bin Salman</a>, told a news conference the deal - which is due to expire on Sunday would be extended in its current form and with the same volumes.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers, an alliance known as OPEC+, meet on July 1-2 to discuss the deal, which involves curbing oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd).

The United States, the world's largest oil producer ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia, is not participating in the pact.

"We will support the extension, both Russia and Saudi Arabia. As far as the length of the extension is concerned, we have yet to decide whether it will be six or nine months. Maybe it will be nine months," said Putin, who met the crown prince on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Japan.

Falih, arriving in Vienna for the OPEC+ talks, told reporters when asked about Saudi preferences: “I think most likely a nine-month extension.”

Asked about a deeper cut, Falih said: "I don’t think the market needs that."

“Demand is softening a little bit but I think it’s still healthy,” the Saudi minister said, adding that he expected the market to balance in the next six to nine months.

A nine-month extension would mean the deal runs out in March 2020. Russia's consent means the OPEC+ group may have a smooth meeting if OPEC's third-largest producer Iran also endorses the arrangement.

New US sanctions on Iran have reduced its exports to a trickle as Washington seeks to change what it calls a "corrupt" regime in Tehran. Iran has denounced the sanctions as illegal and says the White House is run by "mentally retarded" people.

Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund who helped design the OPEC-Russia deal, said the pact in place since 2017 had lifted Russian budget revenues by more than 7 trillion roubles ($110 billion).

"The strategic partnership within OPEC+ has led to the stabilisation of oil markets and allows both to reduce and increase production depending on the market demand conditions, which contributes to the predictability and growth of investments in the industry," Dmitriev said.

Benchmark Brent crude has climbed more than 25% since the start of 2019. But prices could stall as a slowing global economy squeezes demand and US oil floods the market, a Reuters poll of analysts found.

Who needs an OPEC meeting

Falih said the new deal would help reduce global oil stocks, balance the market and spur investments in future energy supplies.

"The agreement confirms that the Saudi-Russian partnership paved the way to guarantee the interest of producers and consumers and the continued growth of the global economy," Falih tweeted.

That Russia and Saudi Arabia effectively announced the deal before the OPEC gatherings will likely anger smaller members of the organisation, who feel sidelined.

"Who needs an OPEC meeting?," one delegate said after learning about the headlines from the Russia-Saudi talks. Some delegates said Iran might still put up a fight on Monday.

Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he believed most OPEC members including Iran have already expressed support to extend the output-cutting deal.

He said it may be wise to extend the agreement by nine rather than six months to avoid raising output during weak seasonal demand.

"It might make sense to keep the deal in place during the winter period," he told reporters.

Russia has agreed with Saudi Arabia to extend by six to nine months a deal with OPEC on reducing oil output, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, as oil prices come under renewed pressure from rising US supplies and a slowing global economy.

Russia has agreed with Saudi Arabia to extend by six to nine months a deal with OPEC on reducing oil output, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, as oil prices come under renewed pressure from rising US supplies and a slowing global economy. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday that the deal would most likely be extended by nine months and no deeper reductions were needed. Putin, speaking after talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told a news conference the deal - which is due to expire on Sunday would be extended in its current form and with the same volumes. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and other producers, an alliance known as OPEC+, meet on July 1-2 to discuss the deal, which involves curbing oil output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd). The United States, the world's largest oil producer ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia, is not participating in the pact. "We will support the extension, both Russia and Saudi Arabia. As far as the length of the extension is concerned, we have yet to decide whether it will be six or nine months. Maybe it will be nine months," said Putin, who met the crown prince on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Japan. Falih, arriving in Vienna for the OPEC+ talks, told reporters when asked about Saudi preferences: “I think most likely a nine-month extension.” Asked about a deeper cut, Falih said: "I don’t think the market needs that." “Demand is softening a little bit but I think it’s still healthy,” the Saudi minister said, adding that he expected the market to balance in the next six to nine months. A nine-month extension would mean the deal runs out in March 2020. Russia's consent means the OPEC+ group may have a smooth meeting if OPEC's third-largest producer Iran also endorses the arrangement. New US sanctions on Iran have reduced its exports to a trickle as Washington seeks to change what it calls a "corrupt" regime in Tehran. Iran has denounced the sanctions as illegal and says the White House is run by "mentally retarded" people. Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund who helped design the OPEC-Russia deal, said the pact in place since 2017 had lifted Russian budget revenues by more than 7 trillion roubles ($110 billion). "The strategic partnership within OPEC+ has led to the stabilisation of oil markets and allows both to reduce and increase production depending on the market demand conditions, which contributes to the predictability and growth of investments in the industry," Dmitriev said. Benchmark Brent crude has climbed more than 25% since the start of 2019. But prices could stall as a slowing global economy squeezes demand and US oil floods the market, a Reuters poll of analysts found. Who needs an OPEC meeting Falih said the new deal would help reduce global oil stocks, balance the market and spur investments in future energy supplies. "The agreement confirms that the Saudi-Russian partnership paved the way to guarantee the interest of producers and consumers and the continued growth of the global economy," Falih tweeted. That Russia and Saudi Arabia effectively announced the deal before the OPEC gatherings will likely anger smaller members of the organisation, who feel sidelined. "Who needs an OPEC meeting?," one delegate said after learning about the headlines from the Russia-Saudi talks. Some delegates said Iran might still put up a fight on Monday. Russia's Energy Minister Alexander Novak said he believed most OPEC members including Iran have already expressed support to extend the output-cutting deal. He said it may be wise to extend the agreement by nine rather than six months to avoid raising output during weak seasonal demand. "It might make sense to keep the deal in place during the winter period," he told reporters.

Russia agrees with Saudi Arabia to extend OPEC and oil output deal

United States President Donald Trump will travel to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-invitation-interesting-but-no-official-request-north-korea-231370">demilitarised zone</a> (DMZ) dividing North and South Korea on Sunday for a possible unplanned summit with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un.

In tweets early on Sunday the US president did not mention Kim but said his schedule for the day would include a speech to US troops and a “long planned” visit to the DMZ.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I am in South Korea now. President Moon and I have “toasted” our new Trade Deal, a far better one for us than that which it replaced. Today I will visit with, and speak to, our Troops - and also go to the the DMZ (long planned). My meeting with President Moon went very well!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1145098417405923330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump also hailed the trade talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the G20 in Japan on Saturday as “far better than expected” and vowed to hold off on further tariffs as negotiations continue while adding that there will be no reduction in the tariffs currently being charged.

“The quality of the transaction is far more important to me than speed. I am in no hurry, but things look very good!” Trump tweeted on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea after G20 Summit in Japan and met the South Korean president Moon Jae-in.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
....again with China as our relationship with them continues to be a very good one. The quality of the transaction is far more important to me than speed. I am in no hurry, but things look very good! There will be no reduction in the Tariffs currently being charged to China.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1145097779632627712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump is also expected to meet North <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-offers-to-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-at-dmz-this-weekend-231334">Korea's Kim Jong-un</a> at the DMZ that divides North and South Korea.

North Korea said a meeting would be "meaningful" if it happened.

If Trump and Kim are to meet, it would be for the third time in just over a year, and four months since their second summit, in Vietnam. The Vietnam summit broke down with no progress on US efforts to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

Trump's reported visit, however, won't be the first visit by a US president to the DMZ.

In the past, most presidents except George Bush Sr havd visited the DMZ.

Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, George Bush Jr, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter had visited the DMZ as an act of solidarity with Seoul.

United States President Donald Trump will travel to the demilitarised zone (DMZ) dividing North and South Korea on Sunday for a possible unplanned summit with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un.

United States President Donald Trump will travel to the demilitarised zone (DMZ) dividing North and South Korea on Sunday for a possible unplanned summit with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. In tweets early on Sunday the US president did not mention Kim but said his schedule for the day would include a speech to US troops and a “long planned” visit to the DMZ. I am in South Korea now. President Moon and I have “toasted” our new Trade Deal, a far better one for us than that which it replaced. Today I will visit with, and speak to, our Troops - and also go to the the DMZ (long planned). My meeting with President Moon went very well! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2019 × Trump also hailed the trade talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the G20 in Japan on Saturday as “far better than expected” and vowed to hold off on further tariffs as negotiations continue while adding that there will be no reduction in the tariffs currently being charged. “The quality of the transaction is far more important to me than speed. I am in no hurry, but things look very good!” Trump tweeted on Sunday. US President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea after G20 Summit in Japan and met the South Korean president Moon Jae-in. ....again with China as our relationship with them continues to be a very good one. The quality of the transaction is far more important to me than speed. I am in no hurry, but things look very good! There will be no reduction in the Tariffs currently being charged to China. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 29, 2019 × Trump is also expected to meet North Korea's Kim Jong-un at the DMZ that divides North and South Korea. North Korea said a meeting would be "meaningful" if it happened. If Trump and Kim are to meet, it would be for the third time in just over a year, and four months since their second summit, in Vietnam. The Vietnam summit broke down with no progress on US efforts to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Trump's reported visit, however, won't be the first visit by a US president to the DMZ. In the past, most presidents except George Bush Sr havd visited the DMZ. Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, George Bush Jr, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter had visited the DMZ as an act of solidarity with Seoul.

Trump to travel to demilitarised zone for possible meeting with Kim Jong-un

US-based tech giant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-explores-moving-15-30-of-production-capacity-from-china-to-southeast-asia-report-228703">Apple</a> will shift production of its Mac Pro computers to China, said a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday.

That desktop is the only major Apple device produced in the US. It is produced in Texas.

According to the report, Apple has chosen a Taiwanese contractor, Quanta Computer Inc, to manufacture the $6,000 desktop computer near Shanghai.&nbsp;

The shift comes at amid the escalating trade war between the US and China. US President Trump is threatening to slap tariffs on almost all imports from China, which would raise prices for US consumers.

Mac Pro is a niche product for Apple and not a high volume seller. But the shift could still anger Trump, who has been pressing US companies in general and Apple specifically to make things in America.

Meanwhile, news agency Reuters had reported that earlier this month that the company has asked its major suppliers to asses the cost implications of moving 15-30 per cent of their production capacity from China to Southeast Asia.

Key iPhone assemblers Foxconn, Pegatron Corp, Wistron Corp, major MacBook maker Quanta Computer Inc, iPad maker Compal Electronics Inc, and AirPods makers Inventec Corp, Luxshare-ICT and Goertek have been asked to evaluate options outside of China, Reuters had reported citing Nikkei Asian Review report.

The countries being considered to include Mexico, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. India and Vietnam are among the favourites for smartphones, Nikkei said, citing sources who did not want to be identified as the discussions are private.

US-based tech giant Apple will shift production of its Mac Pro computers to China, said a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday. That desktop is the only major Apple device produced in the US.

US-based tech giant Apple will shift production of its Mac Pro computers to China, said a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday. That desktop is the only major Apple device produced in the US. It is produced in Texas. According to the report, Apple has chosen a Taiwanese contractor, Quanta Computer Inc, to manufacture the $6,000 desktop computer near Shanghai. The shift comes at amid the escalating trade war between the US and China. US President Trump is threatening to slap tariffs on almost all imports from China, which would raise prices for US consumers. Mac Pro is a niche product for Apple and not a high volume seller. But the shift could still anger Trump, who has been pressing US companies in general and Apple specifically to make things in America. Meanwhile, news agency Reuters had reported that earlier this month that the company has asked its major suppliers to asses the cost implications of moving 15-30 per cent of their production capacity from China to Southeast Asia. Key iPhone assemblers Foxconn, Pegatron Corp, Wistron Corp, major MacBook maker Quanta Computer Inc, iPad maker Compal Electronics Inc, and AirPods makers Inventec Corp, Luxshare-ICT and Goertek have been asked to evaluate options outside of China, Reuters had reported citing Nikkei Asian Review report. The countries being considered to include Mexico, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. India and Vietnam are among the favourites for smartphones, Nikkei said, citing sources who did not want to be identified as the discussions are private.

Apple to move Mac Pro production to China: Report

North Korea on Saturday said that they are yet to receive an official request from Trump regarding his meeting with the North Korean leader but&nbsp;they described&nbsp;US President Donald Trump's surprise invitation to meet Kim Jong-un "interesting", reported news agency AFP.

"We see it as a very interesting suggestion, but we have not received an <a href="http://cms.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-offers-to-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-at-dmz-this-weekend-231334">official proposal </a>in this regard," the official KCNA news agency quoted Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui as saying. &nbsp;

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"I am of the view that if the DPRK-US summit meetings take place on the division line, as is intended by President Trump, it would serve as another meaningful occasion in further deepening the personal relations between the two leaders and advancing the bilateral relations."

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After some very important meetings, including my meeting with President Xi of China, I will be leaving Japan for South Korea (with President Moon). While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1144740178948493314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier Trump proposed a meeting with the North Korean leader in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean peninsula between north and south.

Trump suggested in a tweet on Saturday morning that he could meet the North Korean leader while visiting neighbouring South Korea after he leaves the G20 meeting in Osaka, Japan.

“While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!” the president said in a tweet.

North Korea on Saturday said that they are yet to receive an official request from Trump regarding his meeting with the North Korean leader but they described US President Donald Trump's surprise invitation to meet Kim Jong-un "interesting", reported news agency AFP.

North Korea on Saturday said that they are yet to receive an official request from Trump regarding his meeting with the North Korean leader but they described US President Donald Trump's surprise invitation to meet Kim Jong-un "interesting", reported news agency AFP. "We see it as a very interesting suggestion, but we have not received an official proposal in this regard," the official KCNA news agency quoted Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui as saying. × "I am of the view that if the DPRK-US summit meetings take place on the division line, as is intended by President Trump, it would serve as another meaningful occasion in further deepening the personal relations between the two leaders and advancing the bilateral relations." After some very important meetings, including my meeting with President Xi of China, I will be leaving Japan for South Korea (with President Moon). While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2019 × Earlier Trump proposed a meeting with the North Korean leader in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean peninsula between north and south. Trump suggested in a tweet on Saturday morning that he could meet the North Korean leader while visiting neighbouring South Korea after he leaves the G20 meeting in Osaka, Japan. “While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!” the president said in a tweet.

Trump's invitation 'interesting' but no official request: North Korea

US Attorney General William Barr on Friday declared a public-safety emergency in rural Alaska and pledged $10.5 million in federal funds to combat some of the nation`s worst rates of sexual assault, child abuse and other violent crimes.

Barr`s announcement followed a visit to Alaska last month, where the country`s top law enforcement official was told about extraordinarily high rates of rape and domestic violence and a lack of police officers.&nbsp;

About a third of Alaska Native villages lack local law-enforcement services, according to a statement by the US Department of Justice announcing the federal money.

"I witnessed firsthand the complex, unique, and dire law enforcement challenges the State of Alaska and its remote Alaska Native communities are facing,” Barr said in the statement. &nbsp;

Rural Alaska communities, with largely Native populations and mostly without outside road access, have long been plagued by violent crime. For various legal and financial reasons, local and state responses to rural crime have been limited.

Village public safety officers, residents of the small Native communities scattered over remote parts of Alaska, are managed by the Alaska State Troopers.

Alaska tribes do not have the legal authority to establish police forces, a product of the sweeping 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act that restricted tribal powers, Native leaders told Barr in May. Establishing tribal police would require another act of Congress, the Native leaders said.

State-funded rural law enforcement has been hindered by Alaska`s long-running fiscal problems. The state is dependent on oil revenues that are dwindling and has cut back services over the years.

On Friday, just after Barr declared the public-safety emergency, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced deep cuts he was making by veto to the fiscal 2020 budget passed by the state legislature. Among them was a $3 million cut Dunleavy made to the village public safety officer programme.

Of the emergency funding announced by Barr, $6 million is to support the state`s village public safety officer programme and to help pay for mobile detention facilities.

Another $4.5 million will be paid by the end of July for 20 officer positions, equipment and training for Native grantees, the Justice Department said. 
Barr also announced plans for some longer-term responses, including some funding for child protection.

US Attorney General William Barr on Friday declared a public-safety emergency in rural Alaska and pledged $10.5 million in federal funds to combat some of the nation`s worst rates of sexual assault, child abuse and other violent crimes.

US Attorney General William Barr on Friday declared a public-safety emergency in rural Alaska and pledged $10.5 million in federal funds to combat some of the nation`s worst rates of sexual assault, child abuse and other violent crimes. Barr`s announcement followed a visit to Alaska last month, where the country`s top law enforcement official was told about extraordinarily high rates of rape and domestic violence and a lack of police officers. About a third of Alaska Native villages lack local law-enforcement services, according to a statement by the US Department of Justice announcing the federal money. "I witnessed firsthand the complex, unique, and dire law enforcement challenges the State of Alaska and its remote Alaska Native communities are facing,” Barr said in the statement. Rural Alaska communities, with largely Native populations and mostly without outside road access, have long been plagued by violent crime. For various legal and financial reasons, local and state responses to rural crime have been limited. Village public safety officers, residents of the small Native communities scattered over remote parts of Alaska, are managed by the Alaska State Troopers. Alaska tribes do not have the legal authority to establish police forces, a product of the sweeping 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act that restricted tribal powers, Native leaders told Barr in May. Establishing tribal police would require another act of Congress, the Native leaders said. State-funded rural law enforcement has been hindered by Alaska`s long-running fiscal problems. The state is dependent on oil revenues that are dwindling and has cut back services over the years. On Friday, just after Barr declared the public-safety emergency, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced deep cuts he was making by veto to the fiscal 2020 budget passed by the state legislature. Among them was a $3 million cut Dunleavy made to the village public safety officer programme. Of the emergency funding announced by Barr, $6 million is to support the state`s village public safety officer programme and to help pay for mobile detention facilities. Another $4.5 million will be paid by the end of July for 20 officer positions, equipment and training for Native grantees, the Justice Department said. Barr also announced plans for some longer-term responses, including some funding for child protection.

Trump administration declares emergency in violence-plagued rural Alaska

US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted that he was looking forward to speaking with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-reduced-tariffs-on-harley-davidson-motorcycles-by-50-i-said-it-was-still-unacceptable-trump-226103">''very high tariffs''</a> against the United States ahead of the duo set to meet on the sidelines of G20 summit in Osaka on Friday.

''I look forward to speaking with Prime Minister Modi about the fact that India, for years having put very high Tariffs against the United States, just recently increased the Tariffs even further. This is unacceptable and the Tariffs must be withdrawn!'' tweeted Trump as he departed US for the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

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&nbsp;

India had imposed retaliatory tariffs and announced a hike in custom duties on 28 US products earlier this month, after Washington ended trade concessions for India on June 1 under Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The products whose customs duties were hiked include almond, apple, pulses and walnut.

Trump in the past often criticised India for high tariffs on US goods and called India a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tariff-king-india-wants-trade-talks-us-immediately-says-trump-168847">"tariff king"</a>.&nbsp;

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I look forward to speaking with Prime Minister Modi about the fact that India, for years having put very high Tariffs against the United States, just recently increased the Tariffs even further. This is unacceptable and the Tariffs must be withdrawn!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1144089743795216384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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''India does not want me&nbsp;to impose tariffs on its products reaching American shores while India was imposing 100 per cent tariffs on US products,'' Trump had said repeatedly in the recent past.

Trump had earlier slammed India for reported high import tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycles calling it “unfair” even though India had cut import duty by up to 50 per cent.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted that he was looking forward to speaking with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about ''very high tariffs'' against the United States ahead of the duo set to meet on the sidelines of G20 summit in Osaka on Friday.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted that he was looking forward to speaking with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about ''very high tariffs'' against the United States ahead of the duo set to meet on the sidelines of G20 summit in Osaka on Friday. ''I look forward to speaking with Prime Minister Modi about the fact that India, for years having put very high Tariffs against the United States, just recently increased the Tariffs even further. This is unacceptable and the Tariffs must be withdrawn!'' tweeted Trump as he departed US for the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. × India had imposed retaliatory tariffs and announced a hike in custom duties on 28 US products earlier this month, after Washington ended trade concessions for India on June 1 under Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The products whose customs duties were hiked include almond, apple, pulses and walnut. Trump in the past often criticised India for high tariffs on US goods and called India a "tariff king". I look forward to speaking with Prime Minister Modi about the fact that India, for years having put very high Tariffs against the United States, just recently increased the Tariffs even further. This is unacceptable and the Tariffs must be withdrawn! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2019 × ''India does not want me to impose tariffs on its products reaching American shores while India was imposing 100 per cent tariffs on US products,'' Trump had said repeatedly in the recent past. Trump had earlier slammed India for reported high import tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycles calling it “unfair” even though India had cut import duty by up to 50 per cent.

Look forward to speaking with Modi on 'very high tariffs' against US, tweets Trump ahead of G20 meet 

North Korea on Thursday warned the South to stop "meddling" in talks between Pyongyang and Washington, repudiating its neighbour days before US President Donald Trump arrives in Seoul amid a nuclear deadlock.

Talks have been stalled since February when a second summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un collapsed, after they failed to agree on what the North would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

The two sides have had minimal contact and Trump is due to fly to Seoul at the weekend for a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. 
The dovish Moon said Wednesday that "behind-the-scenes talks" were going on between the US and the North with a view to preparing for a third summit.

"Also underway is dialogue between the South and the North through diverse channels," he added in a written interview with leading media.

Seoul has also recently approved $8 million in food aid for the North. 
But an official at the North's foreign ministry slammed the South on Thursday, saying it was trying to raise its standing by posing as a "mediator".

In a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, he said the US and North Korea were the "direct parties", adding: "It is absolutely not an issue where the south Korean government can meddle in."

If the North had to contact Washington, it can use the "already existing communication channel", he said, stressing it will "never be done through the South Korean government".

"South Korean officials are acting as if there are various exchanges and behind-the-scenes talks between the North and south, there are none," he added.

The statement also reminded Washington that it did not have "much time left" until Kim's end-of-year deadline to adopt a new approach to revive dialogue.

Moon, who favours engagement with Pyongyang, brokered the talks between Trump and Kim last year and has held three summits with the North Korean leader.

Trump's visit to the South had fuelled media speculation over a possible trilateral summit with Kim and Moon, but Trump himself has said he will not be meeting Kim.

North Korea on Thursday warned the South to stop "meddling" in talks between Pyongyang and Washington, repudiating its neighbour days before US President Donald Trump arrives in Seoul amid a nuclear deadlock.

North Korea on Thursday warned the South to stop "meddling" in talks between Pyongyang and Washington, repudiating its neighbour days before US President Donald Trump arrives in Seoul amid a nuclear deadlock. Talks have been stalled since February when a second summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un collapsed, after they failed to agree on what the North would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief. The two sides have had minimal contact and Trump is due to fly to Seoul at the weekend for a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The dovish Moon said Wednesday that "behind-the-scenes talks" were going on between the US and the North with a view to preparing for a third summit. "Also underway is dialogue between the South and the North through diverse channels," he added in a written interview with leading media. Seoul has also recently approved $8 million in food aid for the North. But an official at the North's foreign ministry slammed the South on Thursday, saying it was trying to raise its standing by posing as a "mediator". In a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, he said the US and North Korea were the "direct parties", adding: "It is absolutely not an issue where the south Korean government can meddle in." If the North had to contact Washington, it can use the "already existing communication channel", he said, stressing it will "never be done through the South Korean government". "South Korean officials are acting as if there are various exchanges and behind-the-scenes talks between the North and south, there are none," he added. The statement also reminded Washington that it did not have "much time left" until Kim's end-of-year deadline to adopt a new approach to revive dialogue. Moon, who favours engagement with Pyongyang, brokered the talks between Trump and Kim last year and has held three summits with the North Korean leader. Trump's visit to the South had fuelled media speculation over a possible trilateral summit with Kim and Moon, but Trump himself has said he will not be meeting Kim.

North Korea slams South for 'meddling' in talks with US

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