Harley-Davidson Inc will partner with China's Qianjiang Motorcycle Co to build a new smaller motorcycle than its trademark "big hogs", making good on promises to move more production outside the United States that have angered President Donald Trump.

Trump last year threatened to impose<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-reduced-tariffs-on-harley-davidson-motorcycles-by-50-i-said-it-was-still-unacceptable-trump-226103"> higher taxes on Harley</a> after it made plans to move production for European customers overseas, part of a longer-term strategy for dealing with lower sales in the US and higher costs because of trade tariffs.

The partnership Harley outlined on Wednesday is aimed both at taking a bigger chunk of China's huge bike and moped market, while also fitting in with a plan to cut costs and source half of all sales outside the United States by 2027.

The new bike would have an engine displacement of 338 cubic centimetres, one of the smallest in the company's 116-year old history, and would be sold in China from the end of 2020.

Harley's existing range of motorcycles are generally far larger and come with high price tags and engine capacities of more than 601 cubic centimetres.

That has made the company a niche seller in Asia's big markets, where lightweight bikes and scooters dominate and left it struggling to win over consumers globally to replace a traditional US customer base which is ageing.

Harley declined to reveal a price range for the new motorbike, but Qianjiang said it would be "affordable" and Harley said it would be introduced elsewhere in Asia after the initial launch in China.

"The international motorcycle market is huge, but Harley-Davidson has not been able to penetrate it with large/expensive bikes," said Craig Kennison, an analyst with brokerage Baird.

"Our recent dealer survey work reinforces the need for Harley-Davidson to add more first-time riders. For many, affordability is an issue."

Harley's sales in China grew 27 per cent in 2018 compared to 2017, and the company has already boosted investment at its Thailand plant to serve that market and avoid additional import duty.

Harley said it had picked Qianjiang, owned by Chinese Volvo brand operator Geely, based on its experience developing upscale smaller motorcycles, supply base and knowledge of emerging markets.

The company said in 2018 that it planned to launch lightweight motorcycles in Asia and electric bikes globally. It expects to launch its first electric motorcycle without the traditional clutch and gear-shift controls later this year.

As part of a plan it calls "More Roads to Harley-Davidson", the company expects to spend $675 million-$825 million over the next four years, cutting costs and generating $5.9 billion-$6.4 billion in revenue in 2022.

Harley-Davidson Inc will partner with China's Qianjiang Motorcycle Co to build a new smaller motorcycle than its trademark "big hogs", making good on promises to move more production outside the United States that have angered President Donald Trump.

Harley-Davidson Inc will partner with China's Qianjiang Motorcycle Co to build a new smaller motorcycle than its trademark "big hogs", making good on promises to move more production outside the United States that have angered President Donald Trump. Trump last year threatened to impose higher taxes on Harley after it made plans to move production for European customers overseas, part of a longer-term strategy for dealing with lower sales in the US and higher costs because of trade tariffs. The partnership Harley outlined on Wednesday is aimed both at taking a bigger chunk of China's huge bike and moped market, while also fitting in with a plan to cut costs and source half of all sales outside the United States by 2027. The new bike would have an engine displacement of 338 cubic centimetres, one of the smallest in the company's 116-year old history, and would be sold in China from the end of 2020. Harley's existing range of motorcycles are generally far larger and come with high price tags and engine capacities of more than 601 cubic centimetres. That has made the company a niche seller in Asia's big markets, where lightweight bikes and scooters dominate and left it struggling to win over consumers globally to replace a traditional US customer base which is ageing. Harley declined to reveal a price range for the new motorbike, but Qianjiang said it would be "affordable" and Harley said it would be introduced elsewhere in Asia after the initial launch in China. "The international motorcycle market is huge, but Harley-Davidson has not been able to penetrate it with large/expensive bikes," said Craig Kennison, an analyst with brokerage Baird. "Our recent dealer survey work reinforces the need for Harley-Davidson to add more first-time riders. For many, affordability is an issue." Harley's sales in China grew 27 per cent in 2018 compared to 2017, and the company has already boosted investment at its Thailand plant to serve that market and avoid additional import duty. Harley said it had picked Qianjiang, owned by Chinese Volvo brand operator Geely, based on its experience developing upscale smaller motorcycles, supply base and knowledge of emerging markets. The company said in 2018 that it planned to launch lightweight motorcycles in Asia and electric bikes globally. It expects to launch its first electric motorcycle without the traditional clutch and gear-shift controls later this year. As part of a plan it calls "More Roads to Harley-Davidson", the company expects to spend $675 million-$825 million over the next four years, cutting costs and generating $5.9 billion-$6.4 billion in revenue in 2022.

Harley-Davidson strikes deal to build smaller bike in China

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

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 19th, 2019

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-gains-amid-middle-east-tensions-us-china-trade-deal-hopes-228566">Oil prices</a> ticked down on Wednesday as data suggesting a smaller-than-expected fall in US crude inventories countered support from hopes for a US-China trade deal.

Brent crude futures were down 46 cents at $61.68 a barrel by 1042 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 3 cents to $53.87 a barrel. On Tuesday, it had recorded its biggest daily rise since early January.

After weeks of swelling, US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rupee-drops-18-paise-to-6946-vs-us-dollar-as-crude-oil-rebounds-225272">crude</a> stocks fell by 812,000 barrels last week to 482 million, industry group the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday, a smaller fall than the 1.1 million barrel drop analysts had expected.

PVM said a price rally had run out of steam "as concerns over bulging US oil stockpiles return to the fore."

Estimates on US crude stockpiles from the US Energy Information Administration are due on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump offered some support, by saying preparations were starting for him to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

Talks between the United States and China broke down last month after Washington accused the Chinese of backing away from previously agreed commitments.

Interaction between the two sides has been limited since then. Trump has repeatedly threatened to slap more tariffs on Chinese goods.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi also offered a boost, saying on Tuesday that the central bank would ease policy again if inflation failed to accelerate.

Elsewhere, tensions in the Middle East after last week's tanker attacks remain high. Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday's attacks. Washington blamed Tehran, which has denied any role.

Trump said he was prepared to take military action to stop Iran from having a nuclear bomb but left open whether he would approve the use of force to protect Gulf oil supplies.

The United States is deploying about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East, saying it was a defensive move in response to what Washington says is concerns about a threat from Iran.

Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have agreed to meet on July 1, followed by a meeting with non-OPEC allies on July 2, after weeks of wrangling over dates.

OPEC and its allies will discuss whether to extend a deal on cutting 1.2 million barrels per day of production that runs out this month.

Oil prices ticked down on Wednesday as data suggesting a smaller-than-expected fall in US crude inventories countered support from hopes for a US-China trade deal.

Oil prices ticked down on Wednesday as data suggesting a smaller-than-expected fall in US crude inventories countered support from hopes for a US-China trade deal. Brent crude futures were down 46 cents at $61.68 a barrel by 1042 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 3 cents to $53.87 a barrel. On Tuesday, it had recorded its biggest daily rise since early January. After weeks of swelling, US crude stocks fell by 812,000 barrels last week to 482 million, industry group the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday, a smaller fall than the 1.1 million barrel drop analysts had expected. PVM said a price rally had run out of steam "as concerns over bulging US oil stockpiles return to the fore." Estimates on US crude stockpiles from the US Energy Information Administration are due on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump offered some support, by saying preparations were starting for him to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Talks between the United States and China broke down last month after Washington accused the Chinese of backing away from previously agreed commitments. Interaction between the two sides has been limited since then. Trump has repeatedly threatened to slap more tariffs on Chinese goods. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi also offered a boost, saying on Tuesday that the central bank would ease policy again if inflation failed to accelerate. Elsewhere, tensions in the Middle East after last week's tanker attacks remain high. Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday's attacks. Washington blamed Tehran, which has denied any role. Trump said he was prepared to take military action to stop Iran from having a nuclear bomb but left open whether he would approve the use of force to protect Gulf oil supplies. The United States is deploying about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East, saying it was a defensive move in response to what Washington says is concerns about a threat from Iran. Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have agreed to meet on July 1, followed by a meeting with non-OPEC allies on July 2, after weeks of wrangling over dates. OPEC and its allies will discuss whether to extend a deal on cutting 1.2 million barrels per day of production that runs out this month.

Oil inches down as inventory data counters trade deal hopes

Global stocks rallied on Tuesday and benchmark government bond yields tumbled after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-central-bank-will-ease-policy-if-inflation-doesnt-pick-up-draghi-228287">European Central Bank President Mario Draghi</a> hinted at economic stimulus, with equities getting an extra boost from confirmation that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-rekindle-trade-talks-ahead-of-donald-trump-xi-jinping-g20-meeting-228545">US President Donald Trump</a> would meet China's president to talk about trade.

The euro also weakened after Draghi said the ECB will ease policy again if inflation fails to accelerate, signalling one of the biggest policy reversals of his eight-year tenure.

Draghi's comments spurred talk that the Federal Reserve would also soon start easing monetary policy by cutting interest rates, with the US central bank set to give its policy statement on Wednesday.

"In the US, it got translated into, 'Oh great, this means the Fed will have to cut,'" said Carol Schleif, deputy chief investment officer with Abbot Downing in Minneapolis. "But we don’t necessarily think they have to or should this soon."

The Fed is expected to leave borrowing costs unchanged at its meeting this week but possibly lay the groundwork for a rate cut later this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-meet-chinas-top-trade-negotiator-as-deadline-presses-199044">Trump</a> has sought to influence the Fed to cut rates. In response to Draghi's comments, Trump on Tuesday accused the ECB president of trying to weaken the euro to gain an unfair competitive advantage.

Trump also said he would have an extended meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit later this month, as the world's two largest economies rekindle trade talks. China, which previously declined to say whether the two leaders would meet, confirmed the get-together.

"There had been some question in markets in the last few days about whether or not that meeting was going to happen," Schleif said. "It remains to be seen what comes out of that meeting."

MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe gained 1.04%.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 353.01 points, or 1.35%, to 26,465.54, the S&amp;P 500 gained 28.08 points, or 0.97%, to 2,917.75 and the Nasdaq Composite added 108.86 points, or 1.39%, to 7,953.88.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 1.67%, its best day since January.

Benchmark bond yields fell globally following Draghi's hints of more stimulus, with German bond yields hitting record lows deep in negative territory, around -0.32%, and French 10-year yields turning negative for the first time.

Benchmark US 10-year notes last rose 8/32 in price to yield 2.0578%, from 2.086% late on Monday.

"Draghi was extremely dovish and this had a big impact on Treasuries as we anticipate the Federal Reserve," said Ellis Phifer, market strategist at Raymond James in Memphis, Tennessee.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.06%, with the euro down 0.18% to $1.1197.

Oil prices rose sharply after Trump confirmed his meeting with Xi.

US crude settled up 3.8% at $53.90 a barrel, while Brent settled at $62.14 a barrel, up 2%.

Global stocks rallied on Tuesday and benchmark government bond yields tumbled after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi hinted at economic stimulus, with equities getting an extra boost from confirmation that US President Donald Trump would meet China's president to talk about trade.

Global stocks rallied on Tuesday and benchmark government bond yields tumbled after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi hinted at economic stimulus, with equities getting an extra boost from confirmation that US President Donald Trump would meet China's president to talk about trade. The euro also weakened after Draghi said the ECB will ease policy again if inflation fails to accelerate, signalling one of the biggest policy reversals of his eight-year tenure. Draghi's comments spurred talk that the Federal Reserve would also soon start easing monetary policy by cutting interest rates, with the US central bank set to give its policy statement on Wednesday. "In the US, it got translated into, 'Oh great, this means the Fed will have to cut,'" said Carol Schleif, deputy chief investment officer with Abbot Downing in Minneapolis. "But we don’t necessarily think they have to or should this soon." The Fed is expected to leave borrowing costs unchanged at its meeting this week but possibly lay the groundwork for a rate cut later this year. Trump has sought to influence the Fed to cut rates. In response to Draghi's comments, Trump on Tuesday accused the ECB president of trying to weaken the euro to gain an unfair competitive advantage. Trump also said he would have an extended meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit later this month, as the world's two largest economies rekindle trade talks. China, which previously declined to say whether the two leaders would meet, confirmed the get-together. "There had been some question in markets in the last few days about whether or not that meeting was going to happen," Schleif said. "It remains to be seen what comes out of that meeting." MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe gained 1.04%. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 353.01 points, or 1.35%, to 26,465.54, the S&P 500 gained 28.08 points, or 0.97%, to 2,917.75 and the Nasdaq Composite added 108.86 points, or 1.39%, to 7,953.88. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 1.67%, its best day since January. Benchmark bond yields fell globally following Draghi's hints of more stimulus, with German bond yields hitting record lows deep in negative territory, around -0.32%, and French 10-year yields turning negative for the first time. Benchmark US 10-year notes last rose 8/32 in price to yield 2.0578%, from 2.086% late on Monday. "Draghi was extremely dovish and this had a big impact on Treasuries as we anticipate the Federal Reserve," said Ellis Phifer, market strategist at Raymond James in Memphis, Tennessee. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.06%, with the euro down 0.18% to $1.1197. Oil prices rose sharply after Trump confirmed his meeting with Xi. US crude settled up 3.8% at $53.90 a barrel, while Brent settled at $62.14 a barrel, up 2%.

Stocks lifted by hopes for monetary policy, US-China trade

President Donald Trump`s conflict with US House Democrats over their many investigations of him, his family and businesses is beginning to move from Capitol Hill into the US courts, where some key cases are already developing.

Trump and most of his fellow Republicans dismiss the Democrats` inquiries as grandstanding or political harassment.

The Democrats, who control the House of Representatives, say the investigations are needed to hold to account a president who scorns respect for the law and governing norms.

In most of the disputes, Trump and his advisers run the legal risk of contempt of Congress citations and court enforcement actions that could result in fines.

Here are some of the conflicts between Congress and Trump that are being litigated or could end up in court.&nbsp;

Mazars accounting firm

In a win for House Democrats, a federal judge on May 20 said Mazars LLP, Trump`s long-time accounting firm, should hand over Trump`s financial records to congressional investigators.&nbsp;

Lawyers for Trump asserted that a subpoena seeking the records was unlawful because Congress was improperly taking on a law enforcement role.&nbsp;

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said they needed the documents to examine whether Trump faces conflicts of interest or broke the law by not disentangling himself from his businesses as previous presidents have done.

Trump called the judge`s decision "crazy" and appealed. An appeals court will hold an oral argument on July 12.

Deutsche Bank, Capital One

Another judge ruled against Trump in a similar case involving banks that Trump did business with - Deutsche Bank AG and Capital One Financial.

Two House committees sent subpoenas to the banks and, as in the Mazars case, Trump sued to try to block them, arguing that the committees were reaching beyond their legislative role.

US District Judge Edgardo Ramos in New York said Congress has the legal authority to demand the records, clearing the way for the banks to comply with the subpoenas.&nbsp;

The Deutsche Bank subpoena seeks accounts, transactions and investments linked to Trump, his three oldest children, their immediate family and several Trump Organization entities, as well as records of ties they might have to foreign entities.

Deutsche Bank has long been a principal lender for Trump`s real estate business. A 2017 disclosure form showed that Trump had at least $130 million of liabilities to the bank.

The Capital One subpoena seeks records related to the Trump Organization`s hotel business, which some Democrats have argued raises potential conflicts of interest.&nbsp;

An appeals court will hold oral arguments in August.&nbsp;

Tax returns

Unlike past presidents in recent decades, Trump refuses to make public his tax returns, raising questions about what is in them. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has defied a subpoena from the House tax committee seeking six years of Trump`s past individual and business tax returns.

Committee Chairman Richard Neal said on May 23 that he plans to take the Trump administration to court to enforce the subpoena, but he has not followed through.&nbsp;

Trump`s Justice Department said in a June 14 legal opinion that Mnuchin did not violate the law by refusing to turn over the tax returns. A judge could opt to ignore that Justice Department memo in the event of a legal battle.&nbsp;

Mueller report

Attorney General William Barr released a redacted version on April 18 of a report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 US election in Trump`s favor and Trump`s attempt to impede that probe.&nbsp;

The redactions left unanswered some key questions about Mueller`s probe. Seeking answers, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler has subpoenaed the unredacted report and the evidence that Mueller relied on.

The White House has asserted the seldom-used principle of executive privilege to keep the full Mueller report under wraps.

On June 10, Nadler cut a deal with Barr to allow committee members to view some of the materials they want, avoiding a court showdown. But Nadler said he would not rule out suing Barr if the Justice Department does not continue to cooperate.&nbsp;

A similar May 22 agreement gave the House Intelligence Committee access to counterintelligence materials underlying Mueller`s report.&nbsp;

House Democrats have also discussed a possible subpoena directing Mueller to testify about his report.&nbsp;

Emoluments

In 2017, a group of congressional Democrats sued Trump in Washington for allegedly accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments through his businesses, a violation of the anti-corruption Emoluments Clauses of the Constitution.

In April, a federal judge denied a request by Trump to dismiss that case.&nbsp; 
A similar case, filed by the Democratic attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Maryland, is making its way through the courts. An appeals court heard oral arguments in March over whether that case should have been allowed to proceed.&nbsp;

The Justice Department argues Democrats are reading the Emoluments Clauses too broadly and that there is nothing new or illegal about a president engaging in commercial transactions.&nbsp;

Ex-White House counsel McGhan

Nadler has said he may begin legal proceedings to force former White House counsel Don McGahn to cooperate with the Judiciary Committee`s probe into whether Trump obstructed justice. McGahn failed to show up to testify at a May 21 hearing, having been told by the White House not to produce documents in response to a committee subpoena.

McGahn was the most-cited witness in Mueller`s report, recounting Trump`s efforts to interfere with the investigation.

The House approved a measure on June 11 that authorized Nadler to take legal action to enforce the subpoena to McGahn.

Census and Citizenship

Trump on June 12 asserted executive privilege to keep under wraps documents related to his administration’s push to add a citizenship question to the census, defying a subpoena from the Democratic-led House Oversight Committee.

That same day, the committee voted to recommend the full House find Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt for their refusal to produce the documents. It was unclear if the committee would sue to enforce the contempt finding.

President Donald Trump`s conflict with US House Democrats over their many investigations of him, his family and businesses is beginning to move from Capitol Hill into the US courts, where some key cases are already developing.

President Donald Trump`s conflict with US House Democrats over their many investigations of him, his family and businesses is beginning to move from Capitol Hill into the US courts, where some key cases are already developing. Trump and most of his fellow Republicans dismiss the Democrats` inquiries as grandstanding or political harassment. The Democrats, who control the House of Representatives, say the investigations are needed to hold to account a president who scorns respect for the law and governing norms. In most of the disputes, Trump and his advisers run the legal risk of contempt of Congress citations and court enforcement actions that could result in fines. Here are some of the conflicts between Congress and Trump that are being litigated or could end up in court. Mazars accounting firm In a win for House Democrats, a federal judge on May 20 said Mazars LLP, Trump`s long-time accounting firm, should hand over Trump`s financial records to congressional investigators. Lawyers for Trump asserted that a subpoena seeking the records was unlawful because Congress was improperly taking on a law enforcement role. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said they needed the documents to examine whether Trump faces conflicts of interest or broke the law by not disentangling himself from his businesses as previous presidents have done. Trump called the judge`s decision "crazy" and appealed. An appeals court will hold an oral argument on July 12. Deutsche Bank, Capital One Another judge ruled against Trump in a similar case involving banks that Trump did business with - Deutsche Bank AG and Capital One Financial. Two House committees sent subpoenas to the banks and, as in the Mazars case, Trump sued to try to block them, arguing that the committees were reaching beyond their legislative role. US District Judge Edgardo Ramos in New York said Congress has the legal authority to demand the records, clearing the way for the banks to comply with the subpoenas. The Deutsche Bank subpoena seeks accounts, transactions and investments linked to Trump, his three oldest children, their immediate family and several Trump Organization entities, as well as records of ties they might have to foreign entities. Deutsche Bank has long been a principal lender for Trump`s real estate business. A 2017 disclosure form showed that Trump had at least $130 million of liabilities to the bank. The Capital One subpoena seeks records related to the Trump Organization`s hotel business, which some Democrats have argued raises potential conflicts of interest. An appeals court will hold oral arguments in August. Tax returns Unlike past presidents in recent decades, Trump refuses to make public his tax returns, raising questions about what is in them. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has defied a subpoena from the House tax committee seeking six years of Trump`s past individual and business tax returns. Committee Chairman Richard Neal said on May 23 that he plans to take the Trump administration to court to enforce the subpoena, but he has not followed through. Trump`s Justice Department said in a June 14 legal opinion that Mnuchin did not violate the law by refusing to turn over the tax returns. A judge could opt to ignore that Justice Department memo in the event of a legal battle. Mueller report Attorney General William Barr released a redacted version on April 18 of a report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller on his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 US election in Trump`s favor and Trump`s attempt to impede that probe. The redactions left unanswered some key questions about Mueller`s probe. Seeking answers, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler has subpoenaed the unredacted report and the evidence that Mueller relied on. The White House has asserted the seldom-used principle of executive privilege to keep the full Mueller report under wraps. On June 10, Nadler cut a deal with Barr to allow committee members to view some of the materials they want, avoiding a court showdown. But Nadler said he would not rule out suing Barr if the Justice Department does not continue to cooperate. A similar May 22 agreement gave the House Intelligence Committee access to counterintelligence materials underlying Mueller`s report. House Democrats have also discussed a possible subpoena directing Mueller to testify about his report. Emoluments In 2017, a group of congressional Democrats sued Trump in Washington for allegedly accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments through his businesses, a violation of the anti-corruption Emoluments Clauses of the Constitution. In April, a federal judge denied a request by Trump to dismiss that case. A similar case, filed by the Democratic attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Maryland, is making its way through the courts. An appeals court heard oral arguments in March over whether that case should have been allowed to proceed. The Justice Department argues Democrats are reading the Emoluments Clauses too broadly and that there is nothing new or illegal about a president engaging in commercial transactions. Ex-White House counsel McGhan Nadler has said he may begin legal proceedings to force former White House counsel Don McGahn to cooperate with the Judiciary Committee`s probe into whether Trump obstructed justice. McGahn failed to show up to testify at a May 21 hearing, having been told by the White House not to produce documents in response to a committee subpoena. McGahn was the most-cited witness in Mueller`s report, recounting Trump`s efforts to interfere with the investigation. The House approved a measure on June 11 that authorized Nadler to take legal action to enforce the subpoena to McGahn. Census and Citizenship Trump on June 12 asserted executive privilege to keep under wraps documents related to his administration’s push to add a citizenship question to the census, defying a subpoena from the Democratic-led House Oversight Committee. That same day, the committee voted to recommend the full House find Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt for their refusal to produce the documents. It was unclear if the committee would sue to enforce the contempt finding.

Factbox: Clash between Trump, US House Democrats shifts into courts

US President Donald Trump has asked The New York Times to disclose its sources behind the report that claimed that his government was ramping up cyber attacks on Russia's electric power grid as a sign of warning to President Vladimir Putin.

"The story in the @nytimes about the U.S. escalating attacks on Russia's power grid is Fake News, and the Failing New York Times knows it. They should immediately release their sources which, if they exist at all, which I doubt, are phoney. Times must be held fully accountable!" Trump wrote on his official Twitter handle on Monday (local time).

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The story in the <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nytimes</a> about the U.S. escalating attacks on Russia’s power grid is Fake News, and the Failing New York Times knows it. They should immediately release their sources which, if they exist at all, which I doubt, are phony. Times must be held fully accountable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1140804748423118848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Citing unofficial sources, The New York Times report claimed that the US has placed a malware inside the Russian systems operating the nation's power grid so as to conduct cyber attacks if a conflict arises between the two countries in the future.

"Two administration officials said they believed Trump had not been briefed in any detail about the steps to place "implants" — software code that can be used for surveillance or attack — inside the Russian grid," said the report.

"Pentagon and intelligence officials described broad hesitation to go into detail with Trump about operations against Russia for concern over his reaction — and the possibility that he might countermand it or discuss it with foreign officials, as he did in 2017 when he mentioned a sensitive operation in Syria to the Russian foreign minister," it added.

Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton had recently said that the US was now taking a broader view of the potential digital targets as part of an effort "to say to Russia, or anybody else that's engaged in cyberoperations against us, 'You will pay a price."

In a couple of tweets on Saturday, the US President had refuted these claims and deemed the article a "virtual act of treason" written without "the slightest thought of consequence."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia. This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1140065300186128384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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The report adds that Trump himself has not been briefed about the details of the "implants" inside the Russian grid, in fear that he might countermand the operation or discuss it with the foreign officials

US President Donald Trump has asked The New York Times to disclose its sources behind the report that claimed that his government was ramping up cyber attacks on Russia's electric power grid as a sign of warning to President Vladimir Putin.

US President Donald Trump has asked The New York Times to disclose its sources behind the report that claimed that his government was ramping up cyber attacks on Russia's electric power grid as a sign of warning to President Vladimir Putin. "The story in the @nytimes about the U.S. escalating attacks on Russia's power grid is Fake News, and the Failing New York Times knows it. They should immediately release their sources which, if they exist at all, which I doubt, are phoney. Times must be held fully accountable!" Trump wrote on his official Twitter handle on Monday (local time). The story in the @nytimes about the U.S. escalating attacks on Russia’s power grid is Fake News, and the Failing New York Times knows it. They should immediately release their sources which, if they exist at all, which I doubt, are phony. Times must be held fully accountable! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019 × Citing unofficial sources, The New York Times report claimed that the US has placed a malware inside the Russian systems operating the nation's power grid so as to conduct cyber attacks if a conflict arises between the two countries in the future. "Two administration officials said they believed Trump had not been briefed in any detail about the steps to place "implants" — software code that can be used for surveillance or attack — inside the Russian grid," said the report. "Pentagon and intelligence officials described broad hesitation to go into detail with Trump about operations against Russia for concern over his reaction — and the possibility that he might countermand it or discuss it with foreign officials, as he did in 2017 when he mentioned a sensitive operation in Syria to the Russian foreign minister," it added. Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton had recently said that the US was now taking a broader view of the potential digital targets as part of an effort "to say to Russia, or anybody else that's engaged in cyberoperations against us, 'You will pay a price." In a couple of tweets on Saturday, the US President had refuted these claims and deemed the article a "virtual act of treason" written without "the slightest thought of consequence." Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia. This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2019 × The report adds that Trump himself has not been briefed about the details of the "implants" inside the Russian grid, in fear that he might countermand the operation or discuss it with the foreign officials

Donald Trump asks New York Times to disclose sources that US is ramping up cyber attacks on Russia

US President Donald Trump has kicked off his re-election campaign with a rally in Orlando, Florida. Campaign advisers say Trump will seek to connect his first term to the goals he hopes to achieve with four more years as president.

Trump officially launches his 2020 re-election bid

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States was very prepared with regard to Iran, as tensions ramped up after attacks on several oil tankers and Tehran's announcement it would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-exceed-enriched-uranium-limit-in-10-days-iran-227944">step up uranium enrichment</a>.

"We're very prepared for Iran. We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters.

On Monday, the United States announced it would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-deployment-of-1000-additional-troops-to-middle-east-amid-iran-tensions-228136">deploy about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East</a>, citing concerns about a threat from Iran.

US officials have blamed Iran for attacks last week on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and attacks on four tankers in May off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran has denied any involvement.

"If you look at what they've done. And I'm not just talking about over the last week. I'm talking about over a long period of years. They've been a nation of terror," Trump said.

Iran said on Monday it would soon breach limits on how much enriched uranium it can stockpile under a 2015 nuclear agreement.

Trump withdrew the United States from deal last year and imposed sanctions on Iran.

In an interview with Time magazine published on Tuesday, Trump said he was prepared to take military action to stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb, but left open whether he would back the use of force to protect oil supplies in the Gulf.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States was very prepared with regard to Iran, as tensions ramped up after attacks on several oil tankers and Tehran's announcement it would step up uranium enrichment.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States was very prepared with regard to Iran, as tensions ramped up after attacks on several oil tankers and Tehran's announcement it would step up uranium enrichment. "We're very prepared for Iran. We'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. On Monday, the United States announced it would deploy about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East, citing concerns about a threat from Iran. US officials have blamed Iran for attacks last week on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and attacks on four tankers in May off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran has denied any involvement. "If you look at what they've done. And I'm not just talking about over the last week. I'm talking about over a long period of years. They've been a nation of terror," Trump said. Iran said on Monday it would soon breach limits on how much enriched uranium it can stockpile under a 2015 nuclear agreement. Trump withdrew the United States from deal last year and imposed sanctions on Iran. In an interview with Time magazine published on Tuesday, Trump said he was prepared to take military action to stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb, but left open whether he would back the use of force to protect oil supplies in the Gulf.

Trump says US is 'very prepared' with regard to Iran

Acting Defence Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-picks-ex-boeing-executive-shanahan-as-defense-secretary-217433">Patrick Shanahan</a> has withdrawn from consideration to head the US military, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding that Shanahan wanted to spend more time with his family.

Taking Twitter to announce, Trump said the secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, will be named as the new acting defence secretary.

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....I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1141027595380826118?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Esper had been considered a leading contender for the job if Shanahan was ultimately not confirmed.

The sudden withdrawn has come as surprise as Shanahan was expected to be confirmed by senators and Trump both.

In May former White House spokesperson, Sarah Sanders had said that President Trump intends to nominate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plays-important-role-in-afghan-peace-process-acting-us-defence-secretary-217162&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjYopOMrJDiAhXR7HMBHQr2DvMQFjACegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Y3Uknh9v8Ni71efCGGM5h">Patrick M&nbsp;Shanahan&nbsp;</a>to be the secretary of defence

"Based upon his outstanding service to the country and his demonstrated ability to lead, President Trump intends to nominate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plays-important-role-in-afghan-peace-process-acting-us-defence-secretary-217162&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjYopOMrJDiAhXR7HMBHQr2DvMQFjACegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Y3Uknh9v8Ni71efCGGM5h">Patrick M Shanahan&nbsp;</a>to be the secretary of defence," Sanders had said in a statement.

Shanahan, 56, was thrust into the role in an acting capacity in January after Jim Mattis abruptly resigned over policy differences with Trump.&nbsp;

Former Boeing executive, Shanahan had been under investigation by the Pentagon inspector general for allegedly seeking preferential treatment of Boeing while at the Defence Department but he was cleared of wrongdoing in April.&nbsp;

Shanahan has been serving in an acting capacity since the start of the year, making him the longest acting defence secretary ever. He joined Boeing in 1986 and spent more than three decades there, working on the 737 and 787 Dreamliner commercial aeroplanes.&nbsp;

Shanahan was also the president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems and worked on the Apache, Chinook and Osprey military aircraft.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan has withdrawn from consideration to head the US military, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding that Shanahan wanted to spend more time with his family.

Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan has withdrawn from consideration to head the US military, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding that Shanahan wanted to spend more time with his family. Taking Twitter to announce, Trump said the secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, will be named as the new acting defence secretary. ....I thank Pat for his outstanding service and will be naming Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, to be the new Acting Secretary of Defense. I know Mark, and have no doubt he will do a fantastic job! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019 × Esper had been considered a leading contender for the job if Shanahan was ultimately not confirmed. The sudden withdrawn has come as surprise as Shanahan was expected to be confirmed by senators and Trump both. In May former White House spokesperson, Sarah Sanders had said that President Trump intends to nominate Patrick M Shanahan to be the secretary of defence "Based upon his outstanding service to the country and his demonstrated ability to lead, President Trump intends to nominate Patrick M Shanahan to be the secretary of defence," Sanders had said in a statement. Shanahan, 56, was thrust into the role in an acting capacity in January after Jim Mattis abruptly resigned over policy differences with Trump. Former Boeing executive, Shanahan had been under investigation by the Pentagon inspector general for allegedly seeking preferential treatment of Boeing while at the Defence Department but he was cleared of wrongdoing in April. Shanahan has been serving in an acting capacity since the start of the year, making him the longest acting defence secretary ever. He joined Boeing in 1986 and spent more than three decades there, working on the 737 and 787 Dreamliner commercial aeroplanes. Shanahan was also the president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems and worked on the Apache, Chinook and Osprey military aircraft. (With inputs from agencies)

Patrick Shanahan withdraws from consideration to be US defence secretary

European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi said Tuesday that the institution "doesn't target the exchange rate", shrugging off an allegation of currency manipulation from US President Donald Trump.

"We have our remit. We have our mandate. Our mandate is price stability" or inflation just below two per cent, Draghi told a central banking conference in Sintra, Portugal.

"We are ready to use all the instruments that are ready to fulfil this mandate, and we don't target the exchange rate," he added.

Draghi's statement that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-central-bank-will-ease-policy-if-inflation-doesnt-pick-up-draghi-228287">weak economic growth and sluggish inflation</a> could prompt the ECB to slash further rates already at historic lows had earlier sparked Trump's ire.

"Mario Draghi just announced more stimulus could come, which immediately dropped the Euro against the Dollar, making it unfairly easier for them to compete against the USA," Trump said via Twitter.

"They have been getting away with this for years, along with China and others," he added.

Draghi said in a speech that "further cuts in policy interest rates... remain part of our tools" as the bank looks to juice growth and inflation.

Eurozone policymakers had already discussed potential rate cuts in early June, but Draghi's Tuesday remarks were the first to catch markets' full attention.

That was in part because he said the central bank was ready to move "in the absence of improvement" rather than if economic conditions worsen, lowering the threshold for action.

Germany's DAX index of blue-chip shares leapt into the black from negative territory -- adding 2.1 per cent around 5:15 pm (1515 GMT) -- and pushed the euro down as much as 0.3 per cent against the dollar, to $1.12, before rebounding slightly.

"German DAX way up due to stimulus remarks from Mario Draghi. Very unfair to the United States!" Trump tweeted.

Many of the DAX companies like carmaker BMW or chemical company Bayer, in fact, have a massive US presence.

And 10-year government bond yields in France briefly dipped into negative territory for the first time ever -- joining Germany, the Netherlands and Austria in the club of countries investors pay to lend them money -- before ticking up to 0.01 per cent mid-afternoon.

Draghi's speech was "the clearest indication yet that the bank will cut interest rates and relaunch its asset purchase programme in the coming months if... measures of inflation and inflation expectations remain very low," said Andrew Kenningham of Capital Economics.

From the start of his presidency in 2017, Trump accused trading partners like China and eurozone heavyweight Germany of currency manipulation.

Both countries and others like Japan and South Korea remain on a Washington watchlist, the US Treasury Department said last month, but have not been formally singled out as manipulators.

Action in the air

The ECB blames weakening economic growth on US-led trade conflicts, the looming threat of a no-deal Brexit and slower performance from emerging economies.

With the slower expansion, price growth was well short of the ECB goal of just below two per cent in May, at 1.2 per cent.

"In the absence of improvement, such that the sustained return of inflation to our aim is threatened, the additional stimulus will be required," Draghi said.

Aside from rate cuts, the ECB could restart its 2.6 trillion euro ($2.9 trillion) "quantitative easing" (QE) purchases of government and corporate debt.

For now, the Frankfurt-based central bank is on hold after promising no rate rises until at least mid-2020, while the US Federal Reserve is also making hints towards its first rate cut in more than a decade as confidence ebbs from the economy.

Virgin territory

Any new lowering of rates in the eurozone would be a step further into the unknown for the ECB, which has since 2014 charged banks to park cash with it, using a negative deposit rate now at -0.4 per cent.

"We think the bank will cut its deposit rate from -0.4 to -0.5 per cent in December," Capital Economics' Kenningham predicted.

Meanwhile, any restart of QE might require loosening some of the ECB's self-imposed rules on the scheme, designed to fend off allegations it is financing government spending by printing money.

Nevertheless, "the asset purchase programme still has considerable headroom," Draghi said.

European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi said Tuesday that the institution "doesn't target the exchange rate", shrugging off an allegation of currency manipulation from US President Donald Trump.

European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi said Tuesday that the institution "doesn't target the exchange rate", shrugging off an allegation of currency manipulation from US President Donald Trump. "We have our remit. We have our mandate. Our mandate is price stability" or inflation just below two per cent, Draghi told a central banking conference in Sintra, Portugal. "We are ready to use all the instruments that are ready to fulfil this mandate, and we don't target the exchange rate," he added. Draghi's statement that weak economic growth and sluggish inflation could prompt the ECB to slash further rates already at historic lows had earlier sparked Trump's ire. "Mario Draghi just announced more stimulus could come, which immediately dropped the Euro against the Dollar, making it unfairly easier for them to compete against the USA," Trump said via Twitter. "They have been getting away with this for years, along with China and others," he added. Draghi said in a speech that "further cuts in policy interest rates... remain part of our tools" as the bank looks to juice growth and inflation. Eurozone policymakers had already discussed potential rate cuts in early June, but Draghi's Tuesday remarks were the first to catch markets' full attention. That was in part because he said the central bank was ready to move "in the absence of improvement" rather than if economic conditions worsen, lowering the threshold for action. Germany's DAX index of blue-chip shares leapt into the black from negative territory -- adding 2.1 per cent around 5:15 pm (1515 GMT) -- and pushed the euro down as much as 0.3 per cent against the dollar, to $1.12, before rebounding slightly. "German DAX way up due to stimulus remarks from Mario Draghi. Very unfair to the United States!" Trump tweeted. Many of the DAX companies like carmaker BMW or chemical company Bayer, in fact, have a massive US presence. And 10-year government bond yields in France briefly dipped into negative territory for the first time ever -- joining Germany, the Netherlands and Austria in the club of countries investors pay to lend them money -- before ticking up to 0.01 per cent mid-afternoon. Draghi's speech was "the clearest indication yet that the bank will cut interest rates and relaunch its asset purchase programme in the coming months if... measures of inflation and inflation expectations remain very low," said Andrew Kenningham of Capital Economics. From the start of his presidency in 2017, Trump accused trading partners like China and eurozone heavyweight Germany of currency manipulation. Both countries and others like Japan and South Korea remain on a Washington watchlist, the US Treasury Department said last month, but have not been formally singled out as manipulators. Action in the air The ECB blames weakening economic growth on US-led trade conflicts, the looming threat of a no-deal Brexit and slower performance from emerging economies. With the slower expansion, price growth was well short of the ECB goal of just below two per cent in May, at 1.2 per cent. "In the absence of improvement, such that the sustained return of inflation to our aim is threatened, the additional stimulus will be required," Draghi said. Aside from rate cuts, the ECB could restart its 2.6 trillion euro ($2.9 trillion) "quantitative easing" (QE) purchases of government and corporate debt. For now, the Frankfurt-based central bank is on hold after promising no rate rises until at least mid-2020, while the US Federal Reserve is also making hints towards its first rate cut in more than a decade as confidence ebbs from the economy. Virgin territory Any new lowering of rates in the eurozone would be a step further into the unknown for the ECB, which has since 2014 charged banks to park cash with it, using a negative deposit rate now at -0.4 per cent. "We think the bank will cut its deposit rate from -0.4 to -0.5 per cent in December," Capital Economics' Kenningham predicted. Meanwhile, any restart of QE might require loosening some of the ECB's self-imposed rules on the scheme, designed to fend off allegations it is financing government spending by printing money. Nevertheless, "the asset purchase programme still has considerable headroom," Draghi said.

European Central Bank chief Draghi brushes off Donald Trump's charge of currency manipulation

President Donald Trump downplayed<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-wage-war-says-iran-president-hassan-rouhani-as-us-deploys-more-troops-to-middle-east-228306"> recent attacks on oil tankers</a> in the Gulf of Oman that Washington blames on Iran and noted that the United States is less dependent on energy supplies from the region.

"So far, it’s been very minor," Trump told Time magazine in an interview released Monday.

However, Trump said he accepts the US intelligence assessment that Iran is behind the explosions that damaged the hulls of Norwegian and Japanese tankers.

"I don’t think too many people don’t believe it," he said.

Iran denies responsibility for the incidents, which come as tensions spiral between Washington and Tehran over what the United States says is Iran's secret push to develop nuclear weapons technology. Iran also denies having such a policy.

Trump told Time he would order a US military response if Iran had to be stopped getting nuclear arms, but he was not eager for war otherwise.

"I would certainly go over nuclear weapons," he said, "and I would keep the other a question mark."

"Other places get such vast amounts of oil there," Trump said. "We get very little. We have made tremendous progress in the last two and a half years in energy. And when the pipelines get built, we’re now an exporter of energy. So we’re not in the position that we used to be in in the Middle East."

President Donald Trump downplayed recent attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman that Washington blames on Iran and noted that the United States is less dependent on energy supplies from the region.

President Donald Trump downplayed recent attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman that Washington blames on Iran and noted that the United States is less dependent on energy supplies from the region. "So far, it’s been very minor," Trump told Time magazine in an interview released Monday. However, Trump said he accepts the US intelligence assessment that Iran is behind the explosions that damaged the hulls of Norwegian and Japanese tankers. "I don’t think too many people don’t believe it," he said. Iran denies responsibility for the incidents, which come as tensions spiral between Washington and Tehran over what the United States says is Iran's secret push to develop nuclear weapons technology. Iran also denies having such a policy. Trump told Time he would order a US military response if Iran had to be stopped getting nuclear arms, but he was not eager for war otherwise. "I would certainly go over nuclear weapons," he said, "and I would keep the other a question mark." "Other places get such vast amounts of oil there," Trump said. "We get very little. We have made tremendous progress in the last two and a half years in energy. And when the pipelines get built, we’re now an exporter of energy. So we’re not in the position that we used to be in in the Middle East."

Donald Trump says attacks on oil tankers 'very minor'

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Moscow had been the victim of US cyberattacks "for years" following a New York Times report that Washington is stepping up digital incursions into Russia's power grid.

"We -- I'm talking about several of our financial and media organisations, state institutions and critical infrastructure -- have been under attack for several years," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The cyberattacks "come from various Western countries, including the US," he added.&nbsp;

Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had "several times suggested to Washington and his American counterpart to work together in the field of cybersecurity. These suggestions have been rejected by our American colleagues."

The Times at the weekend reported current and former government officials describing the classified deployment of American computer code inside Russia's power grid and other targets.

The action is intended partly as a warning but also to leave the US poised to conduct cyberstrikes in the event of a major conflict with Russia, the newspaper said.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump reacted with fury to the report, calling it on Twitter a "virtual act of Treason" and rejecting the paper's claims.&nbsp;

The Times report came after an investigation by US special counsel Robert Mueller of alleged hacking by Russia's GRU intelligence agency and social media manipulation by Russia's Internet Research Agency to benefit Trump's election campaign.

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Moscow had been the victim of US cyberattacks "for years" following a New York Times report that Washington is stepping up digital incursions into Russia's power grid.

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Moscow had been the victim of US cyberattacks "for years" following a New York Times report that Washington is stepping up digital incursions into Russia's power grid. "We -- I'm talking about several of our financial and media organisations, state institutions and critical infrastructure -- have been under attack for several years," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The cyberattacks "come from various Western countries, including the US," he added. Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had "several times suggested to Washington and his American counterpart to work together in the field of cybersecurity. These suggestions have been rejected by our American colleagues." The Times at the weekend reported current and former government officials describing the classified deployment of American computer code inside Russia's power grid and other targets. The action is intended partly as a warning but also to leave the US poised to conduct cyberstrikes in the event of a major conflict with Russia, the newspaper said. US President Donald Trump reacted with fury to the report, calling it on Twitter a "virtual act of Treason" and rejecting the paper's claims. The Times report came after an investigation by US special counsel Robert Mueller of alleged hacking by Russia's GRU intelligence agency and social media manipulation by Russia's Internet Research Agency to benefit Trump's election campaign.

Russia says victim of US cyberattacks 'for years'

Japanese police Monday arrested a man suspected of stabbing a police officer in the chest and stealing his gun near Osaka, just days before world leaders fly into the city for a G20 summit.

The 33-year-old suspect, who denies the charges, was in possession of an ID document showing he was mentally disabled, an Osaka regional police detective told AFP.

The police officer, 22, is still in a coma, the detective added. His gun was found later with one bullet missing.

The incident, a rare case of violent crime in Japan, hit national headlines due to the proximity of the attack to the G20, which will be held in the western city on June 28 and 29.

"We have not yet studied what impact this will have on the G20 security plan," Takahisa Ishida, chief of the Osaka police, told local media.

US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be among the leaders jetting in for the summit, with tens of thousands of aides in tow.&nbsp;

More than 25,000 police officers will reportedly be mobilised to provide security in Osaka during the summit meetings.

"We will do our best on security measures ahead of the G20 next week," top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters Monday when asked about the incident.

A recent meeting of G20 finance ministers in the western city of Fukuoka was held under extremely high security, with areas around the meeting in total lockdown.

Japanese police Monday arrested a man suspected of stabbing a police officer in the chest and stealing his gun near Osaka, just days before world leaders fly into the city for a G20 summit.

Japanese police Monday arrested a man suspected of stabbing a police officer in the chest and stealing his gun near Osaka, just days before world leaders fly into the city for a G20 summit. The 33-year-old suspect, who denies the charges, was in possession of an ID document showing he was mentally disabled, an Osaka regional police detective told AFP. The police officer, 22, is still in a coma, the detective added. His gun was found later with one bullet missing. The incident, a rare case of violent crime in Japan, hit national headlines due to the proximity of the attack to the G20, which will be held in the western city on June 28 and 29. "We have not yet studied what impact this will have on the G20 security plan," Takahisa Ishida, chief of the Osaka police, told local media. US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be among the leaders jetting in for the summit, with tens of thousands of aides in tow. More than 25,000 police officers will reportedly be mobilised to provide security in Osaka during the summit meetings. "We will do our best on security measures ahead of the G20 next week," top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters Monday when asked about the incident. A recent meeting of G20 finance ministers in the western city of Fukuoka was held under extremely high security, with areas around the meeting in total lockdown.

Police officer stabbed ahead of G20 summit in Japan

Ronald, Don and John are living the good life in this haven of Republican retirees in Florida, a city designed for the ageing, with paths everywhere for golf carts and where residents have plenty of time to campaign for their president, Donald Trump.

The Villages is a pleasant, immaculately clean, fast-growing retirement town in central Florida. The average age of its 75,000 inhabitants is 71. Some two-thirds are Republican.

One afternoon not long ago five retirees all wearing Trump pins reviewed lists of recent arrivals in the city in order to send them invitations to join Republican-affiliated clubs.&nbsp;

An hour's drive to the south, in Orlando, the US president will be formally launching his re-election campaign on Tuesday.

"We're very proud," Ronald McMahan, vice president of one of the clubs, told AFP. "We're proud to be Republicans, we're proud to be with other Republicans and very proud that Mr Trump has chosen to open his campaign here."

Trump's choice of Florida was no accident. If he is to win a second term in the White House in 2020, he will have to win in Florida again.&nbsp;

"The president is coming here because he knows this state is a tipping point," said Dennis Baxley, a Florida state senator who described himself to AFP as the legislature's "most conservative" member.&nbsp;

Key swing state

With 14 million voters, Florida is one of the country's most important swing states. It usually keeps the country in suspense on election night with results often decided by the thinnest of margins -- so thin that, in last year's midterm elections, votes in three important state offices had to be recounted.

That provides a little extra incentive for McMahan, sitting with friends John Black and Don Eaton, as they address envelopes to send out dozens of invitations.&nbsp;

The men speak enthusiastically about life in the Disney-like surroundings of The Villages -- "the happiest place on Earth" for Republicans who retire here from all corners of the country.&nbsp;

"When the campaign really starts and we know who the opposition will be, the president will have a really great group here that will assist him in winning Florida again," said Eaton, an Indiana native wearing a red T-shirt emblazoned with "Victory 2020."

His "Make America Great Again" hat sat next to him on the table.

Religion, work and family

"They share some core values that I try to protect, and that I share," said Baxley, whose district includes this and many other retirement communities in central Florida.

"That is to protect things such as faith, family, freedom, opportunity and life itself."

"They still believe in American exceptionalism," he added, "...and they're interested in preserving that."

These retirees are impervious to the criticism of Trump as sympathetic to white supremacists, or for apparently obstructing the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 elections.

It's all "fake news," they say.

"I know that some people are a little bit taken aback by Mr. Trump's sometimes abrasive nature," McMahan said.&nbsp;

"But maybe we needed that, maybe we needed somebody to stop being so polite, so gentlemanly, and tell it the way it is."

In a tweet Wednesday, the president bragged that 74,000 people had requested tickets to see him launch his re-election campaign from the Amway Center, the Orlando arena with a capacity of 20,000.&nbsp;

Orlando, like Florida's other big cities, is a Democratic island in a sea of red -- the colour that represents Trump's Republican Party.

Living in this same part of the state are not only retirees but large numbers of Puerto Rican migrants, who despise Trump for what they saw as his insufficient response to Hurricane Maria.

- 'We heard that last time' - 
But while Trump is unpopular among Hispanics nationwide for his handling of the migration crisis, those in South Florida include some of his fiercest supporters.

Most are Cuban immigrants who will support the candidate who promises the toughest line against any leftist governments in Latin America.

Trump has successfully courted this group, which has grown to include many Venezuelans and Nicaraguans since Trump toughened US sanctions against the governments of Havana, Caracas and Managua.

Given the political landscape here, the Democrats face an uphill battle in their bid to reverse the 2016 election result.

A leader in that battle is former candidate for governor Andrew Gillum, a rising Democratic star who lost to his Republican rival by a mere 33,000 votes last year. Gillum is leading an enormous campaign to recruit a million voters in the state.

Bill Nelson, a former US senator from Florida who also narrowly lost to a Republican in November, believes that only Joe Biden can lead the Democrats to victory.

"Joe Biden will beat Trump in Florida," he flatly predicted to ABC News.

"More than anything, (Democrats) want a candidate that can beat Trump."&nbsp;

A Quinnipiac opinion poll in March had Biden defeating Trump in Florida by a substantial 49-to-35 point margin. And this week, another survey from the same group gave Biden a 13-point edge over Trump nationwide.

"Yeah, we heard that last time," said Eaton. "The polls were so wrong, so wrong."

Ronald, Don and John are living the good life in this haven of Republican retirees in Florida, a city designed for the ageing, with paths everywhere for golf carts and where residents have plenty of time to campaign for their president, Donald Trump.

Ronald, Don and John are living the good life in this haven of Republican retirees in Florida, a city designed for the ageing, with paths everywhere for golf carts and where residents have plenty of time to campaign for their president, Donald Trump. The Villages is a pleasant, immaculately clean, fast-growing retirement town in central Florida. The average age of its 75,000 inhabitants is 71. Some two-thirds are Republican. One afternoon not long ago five retirees all wearing Trump pins reviewed lists of recent arrivals in the city in order to send them invitations to join Republican-affiliated clubs. An hour's drive to the south, in Orlando, the US president will be formally launching his re-election campaign on Tuesday. "We're very proud," Ronald McMahan, vice president of one of the clubs, told AFP. "We're proud to be Republicans, we're proud to be with other Republicans and very proud that Mr Trump has chosen to open his campaign here." Trump's choice of Florida was no accident. If he is to win a second term in the White House in 2020, he will have to win in Florida again. "The president is coming here because he knows this state is a tipping point," said Dennis Baxley, a Florida state senator who described himself to AFP as the legislature's "most conservative" member. Key swing state With 14 million voters, Florida is one of the country's most important swing states. It usually keeps the country in suspense on election night with results often decided by the thinnest of margins -- so thin that, in last year's midterm elections, votes in three important state offices had to be recounted. That provides a little extra incentive for McMahan, sitting with friends John Black and Don Eaton, as they address envelopes to send out dozens of invitations. The men speak enthusiastically about life in the Disney-like surroundings of The Villages -- "the happiest place on Earth" for Republicans who retire here from all corners of the country. "When the campaign really starts and we know who the opposition will be, the president will have a really great group here that will assist him in winning Florida again," said Eaton, an Indiana native wearing a red T-shirt emblazoned with "Victory 2020." His "Make America Great Again" hat sat next to him on the table. Religion, work and family "They share some core values that I try to protect, and that I share," said Baxley, whose district includes this and many other retirement communities in central Florida. "That is to protect things such as faith, family, freedom, opportunity and life itself." "They still believe in American exceptionalism," he added, "...and they're interested in preserving that." These retirees are impervious to the criticism of Trump as sympathetic to white supremacists, or for apparently obstructing the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 elections. It's all "fake news," they say. "I know that some people are a little bit taken aback by Mr. Trump's sometimes abrasive nature," McMahan said. "But maybe we needed that, maybe we needed somebody to stop being so polite, so gentlemanly, and tell it the way it is." In a tweet Wednesday, the president bragged that 74,000 people had requested tickets to see him launch his re-election campaign from the Amway Center, the Orlando arena with a capacity of 20,000. Orlando, like Florida's other big cities, is a Democratic island in a sea of red -- the colour that represents Trump's Republican Party. Living in this same part of the state are not only retirees but large numbers of Puerto Rican migrants, who despise Trump for what they saw as his insufficient response to Hurricane Maria. - 'We heard that last time' - But while Trump is unpopular among Hispanics nationwide for his handling of the migration crisis, those in South Florida include some of his fiercest supporters. Most are Cuban immigrants who will support the candidate who promises the toughest line against any leftist governments in Latin America. Trump has successfully courted this group, which has grown to include many Venezuelans and Nicaraguans since Trump toughened US sanctions against the governments of Havana, Caracas and Managua. Given the political landscape here, the Democrats face an uphill battle in their bid to reverse the 2016 election result. A leader in that battle is former candidate for governor Andrew Gillum, a rising Democratic star who lost to his Republican rival by a mere 33,000 votes last year. Gillum is leading an enormous campaign to recruit a million voters in the state. Bill Nelson, a former US senator from Florida who also narrowly lost to a Republican in November, believes that only Joe Biden can lead the Democrats to victory. "Joe Biden will beat Trump in Florida," he flatly predicted to ABC News. "More than anything, (Democrats) want a candidate that can beat Trump." A Quinnipiac opinion poll in March had Biden defeating Trump in Florida by a substantial 49-to-35 point margin. And this week, another survey from the same group gave Biden a 13-point edge over Trump nationwide. "Yeah, we heard that last time," said Eaton. "The polls were so wrong, so wrong."

Donald Trump to launch 2020 campaign in retiree-friendly Florida

Israel unveiled "Trump Heights" on Sunday, a new community named after U.S. President Donald Trump on a contested frontier with Syria. The Golan Heights project is designed to cement ties between Israel and the United States after Trump signed a decree in March at the start of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the United States recognises Israeli sovereignty over the territory that Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war.

Israel launches "Trump Heights" on Golan

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week.

The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one.

"There's no news on a possible full-scale meeting between Putin and Trump in Osaka," Peskov said. "That means the American side has still not formulated any initiatives or proposals on this."

Peskov added that "one can't rule out a brief meeting between them while they are standing up, but this won't be a full-scale meeting."

Trump said last week that he would meet Putin on the sidelines of the summit but told a reporter he wanted other people to be present at their meeting because "you people (journalists) don't trust anything."

The US leader said last month he would meet with Putin at the G20, but the Kremlin indicated at the time there was no agreement on a bilateral meeting.

On Tuesday, Trump is set to formally announce his bid for re-election in 2020.

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week. The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one.

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week. The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one. "There's no news on a possible full-scale meeting between Putin and Trump in Osaka," Peskov said. "That means the American side has still not formulated any initiatives or proposals on this." Peskov added that "one can't rule out a brief meeting between them while they are standing up, but this won't be a full-scale meeting." Trump said last week that he would meet Putin on the sidelines of the summit but told a reporter he wanted other people to be present at their meeting because "you people (journalists) don't trust anything." The US leader said last month he would meet with Putin at the G20, but the Kremlin indicated at the time there was no agreement on a bilateral meeting. On Tuesday, Trump is set to formally announce his bid for re-election in 2020.

President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump could meet briefly at G20: Russia

Washington is planning <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-slap-huge-new-tariffs-on-china-if-president-xi-doesnt-show-up-trump-ahead-of-g20-meeting-226081">another tidal wave of tariffs on Chinese imports</a> that represent a worst-case scenario for markets and major industries on both sides of the Pacific.

And on Monday, seven days of public hearings are due to begin as major businesses issue their loudest warnings yet about layoffs, lost business and America's waning industrial predominance.

Some industries, such as steel and aluminum producers, have benefitted from President Donald Trump's trade policies and strongly support tariffs.

But the lion's share so far are pleading with his administration to spare the imports they depend on -- if not to step back from the brink of an unprecedented all-out trade conflict that economists say would prove dire for global growth.

Should they take effect, the newest $300 billion round of tariffs -- which follow last month's sudden crackup in trade negotiations with Beijing -- would mean stinging duties cover just about all of the more than half trillion dollars in goods that Americans buy from China every year.

Major trade bodies share Trump's principle grievances with Beijing, accusing it of rampant industrial espionage and massive state intervention in markets.

But in a letter to Trump on Thursday, hundreds of US companies large and small, including retail giants Target and Walmart, warned Trump the new tariff round could cost two million jobs and cut US GDP growth by a full percentage point.

Watch:&nbsp;India imposes retaliatory tariffs on 28 US goods

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-imposes-retaliatory-tariffs-on-28-us-goods-227482/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

So far, Trump has imposed tariffs on more than $250 billion in Chinese goods but this has spared most consumer items from major price increases.

Still, William Reinsch, a trade policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP the new tariffs were likely to pinch ordinary consumers far more.&nbsp;

"Unlike the previous times, I think there'll be a sharp negative reaction from the public," he said.&nbsp;

"If these things go into effect in July, what you're going to see is fairly immediate price increases on a whole bunch of things right at the point where people are gearing up to shop for the fall season, for winter clothes and for Christmas."

Trump has pinned hopes for resolving the impasse on a planned meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this month at the Group of 20 summit in Japan.

America makes no tea

Should Xi fail to attend, Trump told CNBC this week, he could impose the new tariffs "immediately" -- although the period for public comment on the tariffs extends beyond the conclusion of the summit.

At the hearings, more than 300 people are scheduled to testify. And the US Trade Representative's office has collected more than 1,200 written comments and requests to appear in person.

"We are not able to quickly or simply shift all manufacturing to other sourcing countries, resulting in price increases for the average US consumer," wrote Patrice Louvet, CEO of Ralph Lauren Corporation. "This ultimately undermines American competitiveness."

Oilfield services giant Halliburton warned of job cuts and decreased US oil-and-gas exploration if duties rise to 25 per cent on barite, a key mineral used in drilling fluids for which China has the world's largest reserves.

Smaller businesses also came forward.&nbsp;

"We would like it to be known that the retail segment of the economy is preparing for a big hit and pray that the present administration consults God," said an anonymous retailer in western Kentucky that imports outdoor seating and artificial Christmas trees, among other items, but supported Trump's trade policies overall.

Lu Yu, vice president of the China Chamber of Commerce of Food Stuffs, Native Produce and Animal Byproducts, said putting tariffs on Chinese tea made no sense.

"The USA is not a tea producing country," she wrote.

"The tea industry of the USA does not need to be protected by tariffs and there is not any tea grower or group that would be protected."

Trump's departing chief economist Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Friday the possible Trump-Xi meeting at the G20 summit could yield rapid improvements.

"I think the hope is that at the G20 meeting the two presidents can get together to start to get closer to where we were a few months ago where we really, really close to having a deal," he said.

But Trump's commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday he thinks "the most that will come out of the G-20 might be an agreement to actively resume talks."

"At the presidential level they're not going to talk about the details of how do you enforce a trade agreement," Ross said.

And the spectre of such a massive hit to consumers' wallets holds political peril for Trump.&nbsp;

Polling last month by Monmouth and Quinnipiac universities showed majorities disapproved of Trump's trade policies and expected his tariffs to raise prices.

Reinsch of CSIS said Trump was left with a dilemma, as Beijing was not likely to meet his toughest demands.

"The president has a choice: accept a weaker agreement or continue the war," he said, adding that either outcome would leave him vulnerable to attacks from Democrats.&nbsp;

"I don't see a clean way out of this."

Washington is planning another tidal wave of tariffs on Chinese imports that represent a worst-case scenario for markets and major industries on both sides of the Pacific.

Washington is planning another tidal wave of tariffs on Chinese imports that represent a worst-case scenario for markets and major industries on both sides of the Pacific. And on Monday, seven days of public hearings are due to begin as major businesses issue their loudest warnings yet about layoffs, lost business and America's waning industrial predominance. Some industries, such as steel and aluminum producers, have benefitted from President Donald Trump's trade policies and strongly support tariffs. But the lion's share so far are pleading with his administration to spare the imports they depend on -- if not to step back from the brink of an unprecedented all-out trade conflict that economists say would prove dire for global growth. Should they take effect, the newest $300 billion round of tariffs -- which follow last month's sudden crackup in trade negotiations with Beijing -- would mean stinging duties cover just about all of the more than half trillion dollars in goods that Americans buy from China every year. Major trade bodies share Trump's principle grievances with Beijing, accusing it of rampant industrial espionage and massive state intervention in markets. But in a letter to Trump on Thursday, hundreds of US companies large and small, including retail giants Target and Walmart, warned Trump the new tariff round could cost two million jobs and cut US GDP growth by a full percentage point. Watch: India imposes retaliatory tariffs on 28 US goods So far, Trump has imposed tariffs on more than $250 billion in Chinese goods but this has spared most consumer items from major price increases. Still, William Reinsch, a trade policy expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP the new tariffs were likely to pinch ordinary consumers far more. "Unlike the previous times, I think there'll be a sharp negative reaction from the public," he said. "If these things go into effect in July, what you're going to see is fairly immediate price increases on a whole bunch of things right at the point where people are gearing up to shop for the fall season, for winter clothes and for Christmas." Trump has pinned hopes for resolving the impasse on a planned meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this month at the Group of 20 summit in Japan. America makes no tea Should Xi fail to attend, Trump told CNBC this week, he could impose the new tariffs "immediately" -- although the period for public comment on the tariffs extends beyond the conclusion of the summit. At the hearings, more than 300 people are scheduled to testify. And the US Trade Representative's office has collected more than 1,200 written comments and requests to appear in person. "We are not able to quickly or simply shift all manufacturing to other sourcing countries, resulting in price increases for the average US consumer," wrote Patrice Louvet, CEO of Ralph Lauren Corporation. "This ultimately undermines American competitiveness." Oilfield services giant Halliburton warned of job cuts and decreased US oil-and-gas exploration if duties rise to 25 per cent on barite, a key mineral used in drilling fluids for which China has the world's largest reserves. Smaller businesses also came forward. "We would like it to be known that the retail segment of the economy is preparing for a big hit and pray that the present administration consults God," said an anonymous retailer in western Kentucky that imports outdoor seating and artificial Christmas trees, among other items, but supported Trump's trade policies overall. Lu Yu, vice president of the China Chamber of Commerce of Food Stuffs, Native Produce and Animal Byproducts, said putting tariffs on Chinese tea made no sense. "The USA is not a tea producing country," she wrote. "The tea industry of the USA does not need to be protected by tariffs and there is not any tea grower or group that would be protected." Trump's departing chief economist Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Friday the possible Trump-Xi meeting at the G20 summit could yield rapid improvements. "I think the hope is that at the G20 meeting the two presidents can get together to start to get closer to where we were a few months ago where we really, really close to having a deal," he said. But Trump's commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday he thinks "the most that will come out of the G-20 might be an agreement to actively resume talks." "At the presidential level they're not going to talk about the details of how do you enforce a trade agreement," Ross said. And the spectre of such a massive hit to consumers' wallets holds political peril for Trump. Polling last month by Monmouth and Quinnipiac universities showed majorities disapproved of Trump's trade policies and expected his tariffs to raise prices. Reinsch of CSIS said Trump was left with a dilemma, as Beijing was not likely to meet his toughest demands. "The president has a choice: accept a weaker agreement or continue the war," he said, adding that either outcome would leave him vulnerable to attacks from Democrats. "I don't see a clean way out of this."

US planning more tariffs on Chinese goods, represent worst scenario for both countries

Amid rising tension between the US and Iran over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-make-sure-to-guarantee-freedom-of-navigation-in-strait-of-hormuz-pompeo-227699">recent attacks on civilian oil tankers</a> in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is considering a 'full range of options' — including a military strike.

"The United States is considering a full range of options. We have briefed the President a couple of times, we'll continue to keep him updated. We are confident that we can take a set of actions that can restore deterrence which is our mission set," Pompeo said in a TV interview.

Pompeo, at the same time, suggested that Washington seeks to prevent the ongoing tension with Iran from escalating any further.

"President Trump has done everything he can to avoid war. We don't want war," he said in another interview with Fox News on the same day.

Gulf of Oman: Saudi Arabia blames tanker attacks on rival Iran 
&nbsp;

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Pompeo, in a series of Sunday television interviews, emphasized the US international outreach in the wake of what the US says were Iranian attacks Thursday on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has denied being involved in the attacks and accused America of promoting a negative campaign against it.

Last week, two oil tankers — Marshall Islands-flagged Front Altair and the Panama-flagged Kokuka Courageous — were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.

Shortly after the incident, the United States claimed that Tehran was responsible for the attack, a statement that was denounced by the latter earlier today.

To back its claim, the US released a blurry video which, the country believed, showed the boat crew of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) removing an unexploded mine from one of the tankers shortly after the attack.

The UK, in a statement, said that Iran should be held responsible for the attack on four oil tankers off the port of Fujairah last month.&nbsp;

A third of the world's seaborne oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel bordered to the north by Iran that links the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid rising tension between the US and Iran over recent attacks on civilian oil tankers in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is considering a 'full range of options' — including a military strike.

Amid rising tension between the US and Iran over recent attacks on civilian oil tankers in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is considering a 'full range of options' — including a military strike. "The United States is considering a full range of options. We have briefed the President a couple of times, we'll continue to keep him updated. We are confident that we can take a set of actions that can restore deterrence which is our mission set," Pompeo said in a TV interview. Pompeo, at the same time, suggested that Washington seeks to prevent the ongoing tension with Iran from escalating any further. "President Trump has done everything he can to avoid war. We don't want war," he said in another interview with Fox News on the same day. Gulf of Oman: Saudi Arabia blames tanker attacks on rival Iran Pompeo, in a series of Sunday television interviews, emphasized the US international outreach in the wake of what the US says were Iranian attacks Thursday on two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has denied being involved in the attacks and accused America of promoting a negative campaign against it. Last week, two oil tankers — Marshall Islands-flagged Front Altair and the Panama-flagged Kokuka Courageous — were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. Shortly after the incident, the United States claimed that Tehran was responsible for the attack, a statement that was denounced by the latter earlier today. To back its claim, the US released a blurry video which, the country believed, showed the boat crew of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) removing an unexploded mine from one of the tankers shortly after the attack. The UK, in a statement, said that Iran should be held responsible for the attack on four oil tankers off the port of Fujairah last month. A third of the world's seaborne oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel bordered to the north by Iran that links the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. (With inputs from agencies)

US weighing 'full range' of options to counter Iran, including a military strike: Mike Pompeo on Iran

Two top US senators have moved an amendment to change the US Armed Controls Export Act to bring India on a par with NATO allies, Israel, Australia, New Zealand and Korea for purposes of selling military items under the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) list.

India can soon get Nato ally-like status

The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn on Monday reached out to US President Donald Trump, asking him to press Japan at upcoming talks about "fair trial conditions".

Carlos Ghosn is awaiting trial in Japan over charges of under-reporting his salary for years while at Nissan and using company funds for personal expenses. The 65-year-old denies the accusations.

"World leaders are going to be meeting at the G20 at the end of the month," Carole Ghosn told the BBC in an interview broadcast on Monday.

"I'd like President Trump to speak to Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe about fair conditions, fair trial conditions, and to let me speak to my husband -- and also to respect this presumption of innocence until proven guilty."

She added that the last time she saw her husband was on April 4 when prosecutors stormed their apartment in the early hours.

Carlos Ghosn, who is a French citizen, was freed in Japan on $4.5 million bail in April after being detained on fresh charges but is living under strict conditions including restrictions on seeing his wife.

Under those bail conditions, Ghosn must stay in Japan and live in a court-appointed residence with cameras to monitor his movements.

"I think all of this could have been dealt with internally within the company. This didn't need to go this far," Carole Ghosn added on Monday.

"On top of this, my husband is innocent and time will prove the truth."

This year's G20 summit will be held in the Japanese city of Osaka from June 28-29.

The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn on Monday reached out to US President Donald Trump, asking him to press Japan at upcoming talks about "fair trial conditions".

The wife of ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn on Monday reached out to US President Donald Trump, asking him to press Japan at upcoming talks about "fair trial conditions". Carlos Ghosn is awaiting trial in Japan over charges of under-reporting his salary for years while at Nissan and using company funds for personal expenses. The 65-year-old denies the accusations. "World leaders are going to be meeting at the G20 at the end of the month," Carole Ghosn told the BBC in an interview broadcast on Monday. "I'd like President Trump to speak to Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe about fair conditions, fair trial conditions, and to let me speak to my husband -- and also to respect this presumption of innocence until proven guilty." She added that the last time she saw her husband was on April 4 when prosecutors stormed their apartment in the early hours. Carlos Ghosn, who is a French citizen, was freed in Japan on $4.5 million bail in April after being detained on fresh charges but is living under strict conditions including restrictions on seeing his wife. Under those bail conditions, Ghosn must stay in Japan and live in a court-appointed residence with cameras to monitor his movements. "I think all of this could have been dealt with internally within the company. This didn't need to go this far," Carole Ghosn added on Monday. "On top of this, my husband is innocent and time will prove the truth." This year's G20 summit will be held in the Japanese city of Osaka from June 28-29.

Wife of Nissan's former boss Carlos Ghosn seeks Donald Trump help

Xi Jinping will make the first trip to North Korea by a Chinese president in 14 years this week, state media said Monday, as Beijing tightens relations with Pyongyang amid tensions with the United States.

Xi will visit Pyongyang on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-he-received-a-beautiful-letter-from-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-226360">North Korean leader Kim Jong-un</a>, said Chinese broadcaster CCTV.

The timing is likely to raise eyebrows at the White House as it comes one week before the G20 summit in Japan, where US President Donald Trump expects to meet with Xi to discuss their trade war.

China and North Korea have worked to improve relations in the past year after they deteriorated as Beijing backed a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear activities.

The North's leader Kim Jong-un travelled to China -- his country's sole major ally -- four times in the past year to meet Xi.

But Xi had yet to reciprocate until now. It will be the first trip there by a Chinese president since Hu Jintao went in 2005.&nbsp;

With Beijing and Washington at loggerheads over trade, China is keen to remind Trump of its influence in Pyongyang, with whom his nuclear negotiations -- a point of pride for the US president, who faces an election next year -- are also at a deadlock.

"The signal would be that China remains a critical stakeholder," said Jingdong Yuan, a professor specialising in Asia-Pacific security and Chinese foreign policy at the University of Sydney.

"You cannot ignore China and China can play a very important role," he told AFP. Xi could thus use the trip as a "bargaining chip" in the US-China trade war, he added.

According to an informed source in Pyongyang, Beijing was keen to arrange a visit to North Korea ahead of any encounter between Xi and Trump at the G20 summit -- with trip logistics finalised only last month.

In recent days, hundreds of soldiers and workers have been sprucing up the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, pruning bushes and replanting flowerbeds on the approaches to the monument, which commemorates the millions of Chinese troops Mao Zedong sent to save the forces of Kim's grandfather Kim Il Sung from defeat during the Korean War.

A detachment of soldiers in white jackets was also seen outside the Liberation War Museum -- which includes a section on the Chinese contribution -- potentially indicating that it may be on Xi's itinerary.

'Four to zero'

It will be Xi's first trip to North Korea since taking power in 2012, though he visited the country as vice president in 2008.

"China and the DPRK are friendly neighbours," CCTV said, adding that Xi and Kim have reached a "series of important consensus" in past meetings and that a new chapter of bilateral relations had begun.

In contrast, Kim Jong-un has gone to China multiple times over the past year -- an unbalanced exchange that has not gone unnoticed in Pyongyang.

According to diplomatic sources in the North Korean capital, after Kim's many trips to meet Xi, there were increasingly strong feelings in Pyongyang that the Chinese leader should reciprocate for reasons of saving face.

"From a North Korean perspective, it's time for Chairman Xi to visit," said John Delury, an expert on US-China relations and Korean Peninsula affairs at Yonsei University in Seoul.

"They do keep score and it's like four to zero," he recently told AFP. "So far, Xi has approached China-North Korea relations very much as a function of US-China relations and kind of calculated in terms of that."

The visit also comes as negotiations between Trump and Kim have soured after the second summit in February broke up without a deal, failing to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief.

Since then, Kim has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach.

Still, the nuclear situation is "under control for now", said Delury.&nbsp;

"That creates a space, a window where Xi could make a visit without expecting like a missile test the day he leaves or something like that," he said.

Xi Jinping will make the first trip to North Korea by a Chinese president in 14 years this week, state media said Monday, as Beijing tightens relations with Pyongyang amid tensions with the United States.

Xi Jinping will make the first trip to North Korea by a Chinese president in 14 years this week, state media said Monday, as Beijing tightens relations with Pyongyang amid tensions with the United States. Xi will visit Pyongyang on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said Chinese broadcaster CCTV. The timing is likely to raise eyebrows at the White House as it comes one week before the G20 summit in Japan, where US President Donald Trump expects to meet with Xi to discuss their trade war. China and North Korea have worked to improve relations in the past year after they deteriorated as Beijing backed a series of UN sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear activities. The North's leader Kim Jong-un travelled to China -- his country's sole major ally -- four times in the past year to meet Xi. But Xi had yet to reciprocate until now. It will be the first trip there by a Chinese president since Hu Jintao went in 2005. With Beijing and Washington at loggerheads over trade, China is keen to remind Trump of its influence in Pyongyang, with whom his nuclear negotiations -- a point of pride for the US president, who faces an election next year -- are also at a deadlock. "The signal would be that China remains a critical stakeholder," said Jingdong Yuan, a professor specialising in Asia-Pacific security and Chinese foreign policy at the University of Sydney. "You cannot ignore China and China can play a very important role," he told AFP. Xi could thus use the trip as a "bargaining chip" in the US-China trade war, he added. According to an informed source in Pyongyang, Beijing was keen to arrange a visit to North Korea ahead of any encounter between Xi and Trump at the G20 summit -- with trip logistics finalised only last month. In recent days, hundreds of soldiers and workers have been sprucing up the Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, pruning bushes and replanting flowerbeds on the approaches to the monument, which commemorates the millions of Chinese troops Mao Zedong sent to save the forces of Kim's grandfather Kim Il Sung from defeat during the Korean War. A detachment of soldiers in white jackets was also seen outside the Liberation War Museum -- which includes a section on the Chinese contribution -- potentially indicating that it may be on Xi's itinerary. 'Four to zero' It will be Xi's first trip to North Korea since taking power in 2012, though he visited the country as vice president in 2008. "China and the DPRK are friendly neighbours," CCTV said, adding that Xi and Kim have reached a "series of important consensus" in past meetings and that a new chapter of bilateral relations had begun. In contrast, Kim Jong-un has gone to China multiple times over the past year -- an unbalanced exchange that has not gone unnoticed in Pyongyang. According to diplomatic sources in the North Korean capital, after Kim's many trips to meet Xi, there were increasingly strong feelings in Pyongyang that the Chinese leader should reciprocate for reasons of saving face. "From a North Korean perspective, it's time for Chairman Xi to visit," said John Delury, an expert on US-China relations and Korean Peninsula affairs at Yonsei University in Seoul. "They do keep score and it's like four to zero," he recently told AFP. "So far, Xi has approached China-North Korea relations very much as a function of US-China relations and kind of calculated in terms of that." The visit also comes as negotiations between Trump and Kim have soured after the second summit in February broke up without a deal, failing to agree on what Pyongyang would be willing to give up in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Kim has accused Washington of acting in "bad faith" and given it until the end of the year to change its approach. Still, the nuclear situation is "under control for now", said Delury. "That creates a space, a window where Xi could make a visit without expecting like a missile test the day he leaves or something like that," he said.

China's Xi Jinping to visit North Korea this week ahead of G20

Gold prices remained subdued on Monday after retreating from a 14-month peak in the previous session, as the dollar held near multi-week highs on strong US retail sales data, ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting this week.

Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,338.86 per ounce as of 0549 GMT, after hitting $1,358.04, its highest since April 11, 2018, on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gold-hits-two-week-low-as-upbeat-us-data-lifts-dollar-200423">US gold futures</a> were down 0.2% at $1,343.90 an ounce.

"For now, gold prices are holding tight. The markets have aggressively priced in rate-cut expectations and trade uncertainties have boosted safe-haven assets," said Benjamin Lu, an analyst with Singapore-based Phillip Futures.

Expectations of an interest rate cut at the Fed's June 18-19 meeting fell to 21.7% from 28.3% on Thursday, in the wake of the strong retail data, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. However, bets for monetary easing at the July meeting remain high at 85%.

Weighing on bullion's appeal was the stronger dollar, which is holding near a two-week high on Monday, supported by strong US retail sales data, analysts said.

US retail sales increased in May and sales for the prior month were revised higher, suggesting a pick-up in consumer spending that could ease fears the economy was slowing down sharply in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, US Trade Representative's Office on Monday will kick off seven days of testimony from US retailers, manufacturers and other businesses about President Donald Trump's plan to hit another $300 billion worth of Chinese goods with tariffs.

"US-China trade tension is a supportive factor for the gold market, the unresolved trade dispute and any escalation is likely to increase demand for gold," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist, CMC Markets.

Indicative of the sentiment, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.6% to 764.10 tonnes on Friday from 759.70 tonnes on Thursday.

Hedge funds and money managers raised their net long positions in COMEX gold in the week to June 11, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday.

Physical gold discounts in India widened to their biggest in five months last week as an upsurge in local prices dampened purchases, while China and Singapore saw demand rising from investors looking to hedge against a global slowdown.

Among other metals, silver eased 0.2% to $14.84 per ounce, while platinum rose 0.4% at $801.77.

Palladium fell 0.7% to $1,455.20 per ounce.

Gold prices remained subdued on Monday after retreating from a 14-month peak in the previous session, as the dollar held near multi-week highs on strong US retail sales data, ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting this week.

Gold prices remained subdued on Monday after retreating from a 14-month peak in the previous session, as the dollar held near multi-week highs on strong US retail sales data, ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting this week. Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,338.86 per ounce as of 0549 GMT, after hitting $1,358.04, its highest since April 11, 2018, on Friday. US gold futures were down 0.2% at $1,343.90 an ounce. "For now, gold prices are holding tight. The markets have aggressively priced in rate-cut expectations and trade uncertainties have boosted safe-haven assets," said Benjamin Lu, an analyst with Singapore-based Phillip Futures. Expectations of an interest rate cut at the Fed's June 18-19 meeting fell to 21.7% from 28.3% on Thursday, in the wake of the strong retail data, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool. However, bets for monetary easing at the July meeting remain high at 85%. Weighing on bullion's appeal was the stronger dollar, which is holding near a two-week high on Monday, supported by strong US retail sales data, analysts said. US retail sales increased in May and sales for the prior month were revised higher, suggesting a pick-up in consumer spending that could ease fears the economy was slowing down sharply in the second quarter. Meanwhile, US Trade Representative's Office on Monday will kick off seven days of testimony from US retailers, manufacturers and other businesses about President Donald Trump's plan to hit another $300 billion worth of Chinese goods with tariffs. "US-China trade tension is a supportive factor for the gold market, the unresolved trade dispute and any escalation is likely to increase demand for gold," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist, CMC Markets. Indicative of the sentiment, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.6% to 764.10 tonnes on Friday from 759.70 tonnes on Thursday. Hedge funds and money managers raised their net long positions in COMEX gold in the week to June 11, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday. Physical gold discounts in India widened to their biggest in five months last week as an upsurge in local prices dampened purchases, while China and Singapore saw demand rising from investors looking to hedge against a global slowdown. Among other metals, silver eased 0.2% to $14.84 per ounce, while platinum rose 0.4% at $801.77. Palladium fell 0.7% to $1,455.20 per ounce.

Gold prices subdued on firmer dollar; Fed meeting in focus

Donald Trump has arrived in the UK for a delayed state visit and set a combative tone by criticising the London mayor as his plane landed.

US President & London mayor's war of words

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet announced inauguration of Golan settlement named after the U.S. President Donald Trump. Watch this video to know more.

Netanyahu unveils 'Trump Heights' town

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday inaugurated a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-site-found-for-golan-trump-settlement-218165">new settlement in the occupied Golan Heights</a>, in honour of his key ally US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu unveiled a "Trump Heights" sign to mark the site of the new settlement.

The ceremony comes after the US president in late March recognised Israeli sovereignty over the part of the strategic plateau it seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day war.

Israel later annexed the area in a move never recognised by the international community.

"The Golan is Israeli and will remain so always", Netanyahu declared.

Trump is "a very great friend of Israel who has taken a decision that has never before been taken", he added.

Surrounding a large table, Israel's cabinet met under a tent in the north of the Golan to name the settlement. Its construction is planned in an area currently occupied by four settler families.

Some 23,000 Druze -- an Arab Muslim minority also present in Syria and Lebanon -- live in the occupied and annexed portion of the Golan, while 25,000 Israeli settlers have arrived there since 1967.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday inaugurated a new settlement in the occupied Golan Heights, in honour of his key ally US President Donald Trump.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday inaugurated a new settlement in the occupied Golan Heights, in honour of his key ally US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu unveiled a "Trump Heights" sign to mark the site of the new settlement. The ceremony comes after the US president in late March recognised Israeli sovereignty over the part of the strategic plateau it seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day war. Israel later annexed the area in a move never recognised by the international community. "The Golan is Israeli and will remain so always", Netanyahu declared. Trump is "a very great friend of Israel who has taken a decision that has never before been taken", he added. Surrounding a large table, Israel's cabinet met under a tent in the north of the Golan to name the settlement. Its construction is planned in an area currently occupied by four settler families. Some 23,000 Druze -- an Arab Muslim minority also present in Syria and Lebanon -- live in the occupied and annexed portion of the Golan, while 25,000 Israeli settlers have arrived there since 1967.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurates Golan settlement honouring Trump: Report

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran on Sunday for last week's attacks on oil tankers and vowed that the United States will guarantee free passage through the vital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-commander-says-he-could-send-carrier-into-strait-of-hormuz-despite-iran-tensions-217422">Strait of Hormuz</a>.

Pompeo would not be drawn on what options the US is considering to protect shipping -- or to punish Iran -- in the wake of Thursday's attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

"What you should assume is we are going to guarantee freedom of navigation throughout the strait," he said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday."

A third of the world's seaborne oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel bordered to the north by Iran that links the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

"This is an international challenge, important to the entire globe. The United States is going to make sure that we take all the actions necessary, diplomatic and otherwise, that achieve that outcome," Pompeo said.

He would not lay out US evidence for Iran's involvement in the Gulf of Oman explosions but insisted, "It's unmistakable what happened here. &nbsp;

"These were attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran on commercial shipping, on the freedom of navigation, with the clear intent to deny transit through the strait."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran on Sunday for last week's attacks on oil tankers and vowed that the United States will guarantee free passage through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran on Sunday for last week's attacks on oil tankers and vowed that the United States will guarantee free passage through the vital Strait of Hormuz. Pompeo would not be drawn on what options the US is considering to protect shipping -- or to punish Iran -- in the wake of Thursday's attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman. "What you should assume is we are going to guarantee freedom of navigation throughout the strait," he said in an interview on "Fox News Sunday." A third of the world's seaborne oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel bordered to the north by Iran that links the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. "This is an international challenge, important to the entire globe. The United States is going to make sure that we take all the actions necessary, diplomatic and otherwise, that achieve that outcome," Pompeo said. He would not lay out US evidence for Iran's involvement in the Gulf of Oman explosions but insisted, "It's unmistakable what happened here. "These were attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran on commercial shipping, on the freedom of navigation, with the clear intent to deny transit through the strait."

Will make sure to guarantee freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz: Pompeo

The tariffs on the 29 goods — including walnuts, apples, and some pulses — were initially announced in June 2018 in retaliation to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision in March that year to impose higher import tariffs on Indian aluminium and steel. India has repeatedly asked for exemption from these higher tariffs, but to no avail.

India imposes retaliatory tariffs on 28 US goods

Donald trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner made $135 million in the last financial year. Watch this video to know more.

Trump clan's financial disclosure

Iran's parliament speaker hinted Sunday that Washington could be behind the "suspicious" <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-behind-tanker-attack-in-gulf-of-oman-us-acting-ambassador-jonathan-cohen-226968">tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman </a>to pile pressure on Tehran, official news agency IRNA reported.

"The suspicious actions against the tankers... seem to complement the economic sanctions against Iran considering that (the US) has not achieved any results from them," Ali Larijani told MPs.

He backed his claim by saying there had been a precedent "during World War II when Americans targeted their own ships near Japan to create an excuse for hostility".

A non-belligerent state at the beginning of World War II, the US went to war after Japan's surprise attack on the American Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii on the morning of December 7, 1941.

A Japanese-owned tanker, the Kokuka Courageous, and a Norwegian-operated one, the Front Altair, were attacked on Thursday and left ablaze as they were passing through the Gulf of Oman

Washington accused Tehran of being behind the attacks, that took place at the same time that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Tehran for talks aimed at defusing tensions between Iran and the United States.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed the US claim as "baseless" and said Washington had "immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran (without) a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence".

Iran has been locked in a bitter standoff with the United States since Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal in May last year. 
&nbsp;

Iran's parliament speaker hinted Sunday that Washington could be behind the "suspicious" tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman to pile pressure on Tehran, official news agency IRNA reported.

Iran's parliament speaker hinted Sunday that Washington could be behind the "suspicious" tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman to pile pressure on Tehran, official news agency IRNA reported. "The suspicious actions against the tankers... seem to complement the economic sanctions against Iran considering that (the US) has not achieved any results from them," Ali Larijani told MPs. He backed his claim by saying there had been a precedent "during World War II when Americans targeted their own ships near Japan to create an excuse for hostility". A non-belligerent state at the beginning of World War II, the US went to war after Japan's surprise attack on the American Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii on the morning of December 7, 1941. A Japanese-owned tanker, the Kokuka Courageous, and a Norwegian-operated one, the Front Altair, were attacked on Thursday and left ablaze as they were passing through the Gulf of Oman Washington accused Tehran of being behind the attacks, that took place at the same time that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in Tehran for talks aimed at defusing tensions between Iran and the United States. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed the US claim as "baseless" and said Washington had "immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran (without) a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence". Iran has been locked in a bitter standoff with the United States since Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal in May last year.

Iran hints United States could be behind 'suspicious' tanker attacks

President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-queen-elizabeth-a-great-great-woman-at-state-banquet-224027">Britain's Queen Elizabeth II </a>had more fun during his state visit to the UK than in the last 25 years.

"I have such a great relationship, and we were laughing and having fun. And her people said she hasn`t had so much fun in 25 years. Then I got criticised for it because they said we were having too much fun," the Hill quoted Trump as saying.

Trump`s comments come two weeks after his first state visit to London to meet the 93-year-old monarch.

During his three-day visit, the president dined with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-to-be-evacuated-in-case-of-brexit-unrest-report-194679">Queen</a>, members of the British royal family and other British politicians at Buckingham Palace.

Trump and the queen reaffirmed the importance of the Washington-London relationship during an elaborate state banquet.

"On behalf of all Americans I offer a toast to the eternal friendship of our people, the vitality of our nations and to the long cherished and truly remarkable reign of her majesty, the queen," Trump said in his toast during the event.&nbsp;

He also met Prime Minister Theresa May.

Opposing Trump`s visit, thousands of people hit the streets.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-baby-blimp-to-fly-in-london-for-us-presidents-visit-223719">`Trump Baby` blimp </a>was flown by the demonstrators outside the Houses of Parliament, according to CNN, alongside a 16-foot robot version of Trump sitting on the toilet and tweeting.

Other activists came dressed as gorillas, with signs reading that they "only eat chlorinated chicken" -- a nod to concerns in Britain that a post-Brexit trade deal with the US would mean a decline in food standards for imported produce.

President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that Britain's Queen Elizabeth II had more fun during his state visit to the UK than in the last 25 years. "I have such a great relationship, and we were laughing and having fun.

President Donald Trump on Friday claimed that Britain's Queen Elizabeth II had more fun during his state visit to the UK than in the last 25 years. "I have such a great relationship, and we were laughing and having fun. And her people said she hasn`t had so much fun in 25 years. Then I got criticised for it because they said we were having too much fun," the Hill quoted Trump as saying. Trump`s comments come two weeks after his first state visit to London to meet the 93-year-old monarch. During his three-day visit, the president dined with the Queen, members of the British royal family and other British politicians at Buckingham Palace. Trump and the queen reaffirmed the importance of the Washington-London relationship during an elaborate state banquet. "On behalf of all Americans I offer a toast to the eternal friendship of our people, the vitality of our nations and to the long cherished and truly remarkable reign of her majesty, the queen," Trump said in his toast during the event. He also met Prime Minister Theresa May. Opposing Trump`s visit, thousands of people hit the streets. The `Trump Baby` blimp was flown by the demonstrators outside the Houses of Parliament, according to CNN, alongside a 16-foot robot version of Trump sitting on the toilet and tweeting. Other activists came dressed as gorillas, with signs reading that they "only eat chlorinated chicken" -- a nod to concerns in Britain that a post-Brexit trade deal with the US would mean a decline in food standards for imported produce.

Donald Trump claims Queen Elizabeth II had fun with him during his UK visit

US President Donald Trump declared Friday that a mysterious attack on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-attacks-in-gulf-of-oman-stoke-security-and-oil-fears-226939">two oil tankers </a>in the Gulf of Oman had Iran "written all over it," rejecting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-zarif-calls-oil-tanker-incidents-suspicious-wants-regional-talks-226847">Tehran'</a>s denial that it had any involvement.

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-behind-tanker-attack-in-gulf-of-oman-us-acting-ambassador-jonathan-cohen-226968">US-Iranian tensions</a> soared, Trump dismissed previous threats by Tehran that in case of conflict it could block the Hormuz Strait -- a narrow seaway vital to the world's oil supplies.

Speaking hours after the US military released grainy footage it said showed an Iranian patrol boat removing an "unexploded limpet mine" from one of the tankers, Trump was emphatic.

"Iran did do it," Trump told Fox News. "You know they did it because you saw the boat. I guess one of the mines didn't explode and it's probably got essentially Iran written all over it."

"You saw the boat at night, successfully trying to take the mine off -- and that was exposed," he added.

Iran rejected the US accusations.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-releases-video-it-says-shows-irans-military-recovering-tanker-mine-227009/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that the US had "immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran without a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation.

"It's very important to know the truth. It's very important that responsibilities are clarified," Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.

"Obviously that can only be done if there is an independent entity that verifies those facts."

Meanwhile, Britain's assessment found that Iran was "almost certainly" behind the attacks, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.

London pinned the blame for Thursday's attack on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard -- a vast and powerful branch of the Iranian military.

Oil exports choke point

Iran has repeatedly warned in the past that it could block the Hormuz Strait in a relatively low-tech, high-impact countermeasure to any attack by the United States.

Doing so would disrupt oil tankers travelling out of the Gulf region to the Indian Ocean and global export routes.

Trump played down the threat.

"It's not going to be closed, it's not going to be closed for long and they know it. They've been told in very strong terms," Trump said.

Oil prices have surged in response to the rising tensions.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid al-Falih said the kingdom was monitoring the situation with "great concern" and called for action to secure maritime traffic, the Saudi SPA news agency said.

Saudi Arabia, a close US ally, is a bitter regional rival of Iran.

China called for all sides to "resolve the conflict through dialogue," while the European Union called for "maximum restraint."

Russia, which has close -- if sometimes strained -- links to Iran, warned through its foreign ministry against "hasty conclusions."&nbsp;

Sailors rescued

The oil tankers were 10 nautical miles apart and headed to Asia when they were struck by explosions early Thursday after passing through the Strait of Hormuz some 25 nautical miles off Iran's southern coast.

The Front Altair, owned by the Oslo-listed company Frontline, was carrying naphtha, a refined petroleum product. It was hit by three explosions, according to Norwegian officials.

Explosions also struck the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous, which was loaded with methanol, but the fire on board was soon extinguished. One crew member suffered minor injuries and the ship was headed Friday toward the UAE port of Khor Fakkan.

There was no claim of responsibility for the blasts, which struck both tankers at the waterline.

Iran said its navy rescued several dozen crew members from the two vessels, while the US Navy said it had picked up 21 from the Kokuka Courageous.

Iran's English-language Press TV aired footage of rescued crewmen from the Front Altair, saying they were all in "full health."

The crew of the Kokuka Courageous saw a "flying object" before a second blast on board, the operator's head said Friday.

Washington has dispatched the destroyer USS Mason to the scene "to provide assistance," CENTCOM said in a statement while Oman said it sent two navy vessels to assist.

Iran or 'proxies?'

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday's tanker explosions were "the latest in a series of attacks" he blamed on Iran or its "proxies," including Yemeni rebel missile strikes which wounded 26 civilians at a Saudi airport on Wednesday.

A Saudi-led coalition which is fighting the rebels it accuses of being Iranian proxies said its air defences had intercepted a new rebel attack on an airport in the Islamic kingdom on Friday.

The abortive strike involving five rebel drones targeted the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, home to a huge airbase which has been the main launchpad of the coalition's more than four-year bombing campaign in Yemen.

The United States has also accused Iran over May 12 attacks on four tankers anchored in the Gulf of Oman off the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah.

The preliminary findings of an UAE-led investigation found that a state actor was responsible but stopped short of naming Iran.

US President Donald Trump declared Friday that a mysterious attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman had Iran "written all over it," rejecting Tehran's denial that it had any involvement.

US President Donald Trump declared Friday that a mysterious attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman had Iran "written all over it," rejecting Tehran's denial that it had any involvement. As US-Iranian tensions soared, Trump dismissed previous threats by Tehran that in case of conflict it could block the Hormuz Strait -- a narrow seaway vital to the world's oil supplies. Speaking hours after the US military released grainy footage it said showed an Iranian patrol boat removing an "unexploded limpet mine" from one of the tankers, Trump was emphatic. "Iran did do it," Trump told Fox News. "You know they did it because you saw the boat. I guess one of the mines didn't explode and it's probably got essentially Iran written all over it." "You saw the boat at night, successfully trying to take the mine off -- and that was exposed," he added. Iran rejected the US accusations. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that the US had "immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran without a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation. "It's very important to know the truth. It's very important that responsibilities are clarified," Guterres told reporters at UN headquarters in New York. "Obviously that can only be done if there is an independent entity that verifies those facts." Meanwhile, Britain's assessment found that Iran was "almost certainly" behind the attacks, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said. London pinned the blame for Thursday's attack on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard -- a vast and powerful branch of the Iranian military. Oil exports choke point Iran has repeatedly warned in the past that it could block the Hormuz Strait in a relatively low-tech, high-impact countermeasure to any attack by the United States. Doing so would disrupt oil tankers travelling out of the Gulf region to the Indian Ocean and global export routes. Trump played down the threat. "It's not going to be closed, it's not going to be closed for long and they know it. They've been told in very strong terms," Trump said. Oil prices have surged in response to the rising tensions. Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid al-Falih said the kingdom was monitoring the situation with "great concern" and called for action to secure maritime traffic, the Saudi SPA news agency said. Saudi Arabia, a close US ally, is a bitter regional rival of Iran. China called for all sides to "resolve the conflict through dialogue," while the European Union called for "maximum restraint." Russia, which has close -- if sometimes strained -- links to Iran, warned through its foreign ministry against "hasty conclusions." Sailors rescued The oil tankers were 10 nautical miles apart and headed to Asia when they were struck by explosions early Thursday after passing through the Strait of Hormuz some 25 nautical miles off Iran's southern coast. The Front Altair, owned by the Oslo-listed company Frontline, was carrying naphtha, a refined petroleum product. It was hit by three explosions, according to Norwegian officials. Explosions also struck the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous, which was loaded with methanol, but the fire on board was soon extinguished. One crew member suffered minor injuries and the ship was headed Friday toward the UAE port of Khor Fakkan. There was no claim of responsibility for the blasts, which struck both tankers at the waterline. Iran said its navy rescued several dozen crew members from the two vessels, while the US Navy said it had picked up 21 from the Kokuka Courageous. Iran's English-language Press TV aired footage of rescued crewmen from the Front Altair, saying they were all in "full health." The crew of the Kokuka Courageous saw a "flying object" before a second blast on board, the operator's head said Friday. Washington has dispatched the destroyer USS Mason to the scene "to provide assistance," CENTCOM said in a statement while Oman said it sent two navy vessels to assist. Iran or 'proxies?' US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday's tanker explosions were "the latest in a series of attacks" he blamed on Iran or its "proxies," including Yemeni rebel missile strikes which wounded 26 civilians at a Saudi airport on Wednesday. A Saudi-led coalition which is fighting the rebels it accuses of being Iranian proxies said its air defences had intercepted a new rebel attack on an airport in the Islamic kingdom on Friday. The abortive strike involving five rebel drones targeted the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait, home to a huge airbase which has been the main launchpad of the coalition's more than four-year bombing campaign in Yemen. The United States has also accused Iran over May 12 attacks on four tankers anchored in the Gulf of Oman off the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah. The preliminary findings of an UAE-led investigation found that a state actor was responsible but stopped short of naming Iran.

Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: Trump dismisses Iran denials, United Nations chief pushes for an independent probe

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