US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he wants to overhaul the immigration system to favour <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-trump-immigration-plan-may-increase-visas-for-highly-skilled-workers-213463">young, educated, English-speaking applicants</a> with job offers instead of people with family ties to Americans, a plan with little chance of advancing in Congress.

Trump`s plan, roundly panned by Democrats and immigration advocacy groups, is aimed at trying to unite Republicans - some who want to boost immigration, others who want to restrict it - ahead of the November 2020 presidential and congressional elections.

"If for some reason, possibly political, we can`t get the Democrats to approve this merit-based, high-security plan, then we will get it approved immediately after the election when we take back the House (of Representatives), keep the Senate, and, of course, hold the presidency," Trump said in a Rose Garden address to Republican lawmakers and Cabinet members.

Currently, about two-thirds of the 1.1 million people allowed to emigrate to the United States each year are given green cards granting permanent residency because of family ties.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-immigration-agency-violates-human-rights-doesnt-deserve-a-dime-democrat-lawmakers-195965">US immigration agency violates human rights, doesn't deserve a dime: Democrat lawmakers</a>

Trump proposed keeping the overall numbers steady, but shift to a "merit-based" system similar to one used in Canada - a plan he said would result in 57% of green cards to be based on employment and skills.

Ahead of the speech, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said "merit" was a "condescending" term.

"Are they saying family is without merit? Are they saying most of the people who have ever come to the United States in the history of our country, are without merit, because they don’t have an engineering degree?" Pelosi told reporters.

The plan was developed by Trump`s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and Stephen Miller, an adviser known for his hard line on immigration issues.

Democratic support would be needed to advance any legislation through the Republican-led Senate - let alone the Democratic-controlled House.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the White House for failing to consult with Democratic lawmakers, and said that showed the proposal was not serious.

Trump`s plan included proposals to beef up security at the border to try to prevent people from crossing illegally and legal changes aimed at curbing a flood of Central American migrants seeking asylum.

But it left aside the thorny issue of how to deal with the roughly 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally - many for years - and protections for "Dreamer" children brought to the country illegally, a top priority for Democratic lawmakers.

"To say it’s dead on arrival would be generous," said Pili Tobar, deputy director of America`s Voice, a group that advocates for undocumented immigrants.

The plan also does not include provisions to help farmers and other seasonal employers obtain more guest workers, or reforms for technology visa programs.

Business groups said the plan was a good first step but emphasised solutions needed to be broader and bipartisan.

"It should also incorporate policies to improve access to temporary workers with skills needed in the marketplace and provide a practical solution for undocumented immigrants and those living under temporary relief from removal, including Dreamers," the Business Roundtable - a group of chief executives from large companies - said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he wants to overhaul the immigration system to favour young, educated, English-speaking applicants with job offers instead of people with family ties to Americans, a plan with little chance of advancing in Congress.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he wants to overhaul the immigration system to favour young, educated, English-speaking applicants with job offers instead of people with family ties to Americans, a plan with little chance of advancing in Congress. Trump`s plan, roundly panned by Democrats and immigration advocacy groups, is aimed at trying to unite Republicans - some who want to boost immigration, others who want to restrict it - ahead of the November 2020 presidential and congressional elections. "If for some reason, possibly political, we can`t get the Democrats to approve this merit-based, high-security plan, then we will get it approved immediately after the election when we take back the House (of Representatives), keep the Senate, and, of course, hold the presidency," Trump said in a Rose Garden address to Republican lawmakers and Cabinet members. Currently, about two-thirds of the 1.1 million people allowed to emigrate to the United States each year are given green cards granting permanent residency because of family ties. Also read: US immigration agency violates human rights, doesn't deserve a dime: Democrat lawmakers Trump proposed keeping the overall numbers steady, but shift to a "merit-based" system similar to one used in Canada - a plan he said would result in 57% of green cards to be based on employment and skills. Ahead of the speech, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said "merit" was a "condescending" term. "Are they saying family is without merit? Are they saying most of the people who have ever come to the United States in the history of our country, are without merit, because they don’t have an engineering degree?" Pelosi told reporters. The plan was developed by Trump`s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and Stephen Miller, an adviser known for his hard line on immigration issues. Democratic support would be needed to advance any legislation through the Republican-led Senate - let alone the Democratic-controlled House. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the White House for failing to consult with Democratic lawmakers, and said that showed the proposal was not serious. Trump`s plan included proposals to beef up security at the border to try to prevent people from crossing illegally and legal changes aimed at curbing a flood of Central American migrants seeking asylum. But it left aside the thorny issue of how to deal with the roughly 11 million immigrants living in the country illegally - many for years - and protections for "Dreamer" children brought to the country illegally, a top priority for Democratic lawmakers. "To say it’s dead on arrival would be generous," said Pili Tobar, deputy director of America`s Voice, a group that advocates for undocumented immigrants. The plan also does not include provisions to help farmers and other seasonal employers obtain more guest workers, or reforms for technology visa programs. Business groups said the plan was a good first step but emphasised solutions needed to be broader and bipartisan. "It should also incorporate policies to improve access to temporary workers with skills needed in the marketplace and provide a practical solution for undocumented immigrants and those living under temporary relief from removal, including Dreamers," the Business Roundtable - a group of chief executives from large companies - said in a statement.

Trump proposes new US immigration plan favouring skills over family ties

By Scott Lucas

You can’t say the world wasn’t warned. In February, US National Security Adviser John Bolton — a leading proponent of the disastrous 2003 Iraq War — sent a video message to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 40 years after the creation of the Islamic Republic: “I don’t think you’ll have many more anniversaries to enjoy.”

Propelled in large part by Bolton, the Trump Administration withdrew in May 2018 from the 2015 nuclear agreement between the US and the 5+1 powers – the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China. In November, Washington imposed comprehensive sanctions on Tehran, including on the energy and financial sectors.

But Bolton was signalling unsubtly: we can inflict more damage if we wish. So how far will the Trump administration go? And is there an imminent threat of war between the US and Iran?

On May 13, after weeks of escalation, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, each took a rhetorical step back. In Moscow, alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Pompeo said the Trump administration “fundamentally” did not seek conflict. Addressing the president and other senior officials in Tehran the same day, Khamenei asserted: “Neither we nor they, who know the war will not be in their interest, are after war.”

Still, there were other combative words and steps on both sides. Khamenei jabbed: “In [its] policy of confrontation with the Islamic Republic, the US will definitely suffer defeat.” For his part, Pompeo said: “We have also made clear to the Iranians that if American interests are attacked, we will most certainly respond in an appropriate fashion.” Hours later, the administration ordered the partial evacuation of US embassy staff from Baghdad in Iran’s neighbour Iraq.

Psychology of the drumbeat

The threat of war is not just on the Twitter timeline of US President Donald Trump. It is also in Pompeo traipsing through Europe, cancelling a meeting with the Germans – seen as too conciliatory towards the Islamic Republic – to twist the arm of the British to take action. And it is in the loudly-signalled move to the Persian Gulf of a naval strike group with the USS Abraham Lincoln and bomber aircraft in early May, and the positioning of more bombers in Qatar.

It is US administration officials telling The New York Times of an updated military plan tabled at a meeting of national security officials to send up to 120,000 troops to the Middle East if Iran attacks US forces or accelerates work on nuclear weapons – a plan ordered by Bolton and other hardliners. Trump subsequently dismissed the report but said that if he did decide to become more aggressive with Iran, the US would: “send a hell of a lot more troops than that.”

But it is likely that all of this is for the illusion of war, rather than its launch. This is still jaw-jawed, but in the service of the US administration’s non-military schemes to topple Iran’s supreme leader.

The game – again far from subtle – is to break Iran’s economy. While the US ratcheted up sanctions during the Obama administration, the aim was to bring the Iranians into negotiations over their nuclear programme. This time, the ever-expanding blacklist has no vision of talks for a renewed agreement. Its aim is to constrict Iranian production, trade, and investment, driving up unemployment and driving down the currency. In support of this, the US could update past covert operations, such as the Stuxnet computer virus, to disrupt nuclear and other operations and – as an Iranian engineer claims – attempt to take down Iran’s power grid.

War by default

But what if the overt sanctions and covert sabotage don’t bring about Khamenei’s departure? The vision of Bolton and his compatriots egged on by certain Iranian diaspora groups, maybe that Iranians will take to the streets in many hundreds of thousands, as they did in the Green Movement after the country’s disputed 2009 presidential election.

That vision is likely to be faulty. For almost a decade, the Iranian regime has decapitated dissent. The leaders of the Green Movement have been under house arrest since February 2011. Hundreds of activists, students, lawyers, labour leaders, and rights advocates are imprisoned or under perpetual threat of detention. Communications are still restricted, with a further threat of punishment.

Many inside Iran are just trying to survive, and the mood is resignation. Assuming they did return to the streets, the motive for many was and is still likely to be reform of the system, not revolution – particularly if the US is pursuing regime change.

So what then? With Khamenei unyielding to any demand from the streets, will Bolton, Pompeo and co. conclude that the hammer has to fall? The gambit may be to make the Iranians make the first forceful move, and then act on the pretext of self-defence.

We could already be at that point. There is no sign yet of Iranian speedboats buzzing the US carrier and its bombers, or Iran closing the oil waterway of the Strait of Hormuz. But, on May 12 four commercial ships, including two Saudi tankers, were damaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in what the country called a “sabotage” attack. Two days later, Saudi Arabia said two drones caused a fire at oil pumping stations. Attacks by Iranian elements or their proxies? “False flags” to blame Tehran? Under either scenario, an escalation to more violent acts is possible.

There are many logical arguments why that escalation will not occur, however. The Islamic Republic’s factions, from Khamenei to the Revolutionary Guards, know that head-on confrontation with the US could be suicidal. American forces in a conflict that is far from straightforward is not a vote winner either for Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. With the possible exceptions of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, almost every international actor – the UN, the European Union, China, Russia, the Organisation of Islamic Countries – will be opposed to war.

As Ilan Goldenberg of the Center for a New American Security summarised: “Nobody wants a war.” Probably. But some officials in Washington may not be averse to a war that happens to come along. The title of Bolton’s last major opinion article in the Wall Street Journal before joining the Trump administration in April 2018 was: “The legal case for striking North Korea first.”

 
(Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-a-war-coming-between-the-us-and-iran-117150">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

By Scott Lucas You can’t say the world wasn’t warned. In February, US National Security Adviser John Bolton — a leading proponent of the disastrous 2003 Iraq War — sent a video message to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 40 years after the creation of the Islamic Republic: “I don’t think you’ll have many more anniversaries to enjoy.

By Scott Lucas You can’t say the world wasn’t warned. In February, US National Security Adviser John Bolton — a leading proponent of the disastrous 2003 Iraq War — sent a video message to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 40 years after the creation of the Islamic Republic: “I don’t think you’ll have many more anniversaries to enjoy.” Propelled in large part by Bolton, the Trump Administration withdrew in May 2018 from the 2015 nuclear agreement between the US and the 5+1 powers – the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China. In November, Washington imposed comprehensive sanctions on Tehran, including on the energy and financial sectors. But Bolton was signalling unsubtly: we can inflict more damage if we wish. So how far will the Trump administration go? And is there an imminent threat of war between the US and Iran? On May 13, after weeks of escalation, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, each took a rhetorical step back. In Moscow, alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Pompeo said the Trump administration “fundamentally” did not seek conflict. Addressing the president and other senior officials in Tehran the same day, Khamenei asserted: “Neither we nor they, who know the war will not be in their interest, are after war.” Still, there were other combative words and steps on both sides. Khamenei jabbed: “In [its] policy of confrontation with the Islamic Republic, the US will definitely suffer defeat.” For his part, Pompeo said: “We have also made clear to the Iranians that if American interests are attacked, we will most certainly respond in an appropriate fashion.” Hours later, the administration ordered the partial evacuation of US embassy staff from Baghdad in Iran’s neighbour Iraq. Psychology of the drumbeat The threat of war is not just on the Twitter timeline of US President Donald Trump. It is also in Pompeo traipsing through Europe, cancelling a meeting with the Germans – seen as too conciliatory towards the Islamic Republic – to twist the arm of the British to take action. And it is in the loudly-signalled move to the Persian Gulf of a naval strike group with the USS Abraham Lincoln and bomber aircraft in early May, and the positioning of more bombers in Qatar. It is US administration officials telling The New York Times of an updated military plan tabled at a meeting of national security officials to send up to 120,000 troops to the Middle East if Iran attacks US forces or accelerates work on nuclear weapons – a plan ordered by Bolton and other hardliners. Trump subsequently dismissed the report but said that if he did decide to become more aggressive with Iran, the US would: “send a hell of a lot more troops than that.” But it is likely that all of this is for the illusion of war, rather than its launch. This is still jaw-jawed, but in the service of the US administration’s non-military schemes to topple Iran’s supreme leader. The game – again far from subtle – is to break Iran’s economy. While the US ratcheted up sanctions during the Obama administration, the aim was to bring the Iranians into negotiations over their nuclear programme. This time, the ever-expanding blacklist has no vision of talks for a renewed agreement. Its aim is to constrict Iranian production, trade, and investment, driving up unemployment and driving down the currency. In support of this, the US could update past covert operations, such as the Stuxnet computer virus, to disrupt nuclear and other operations and – as an Iranian engineer claims – attempt to take down Iran’s power grid. War by default But what if the overt sanctions and covert sabotage don’t bring about Khamenei’s departure? The vision of Bolton and his compatriots egged on by certain Iranian diaspora groups, maybe that Iranians will take to the streets in many hundreds of thousands, as they did in the Green Movement after the country’s disputed 2009 presidential election. That vision is likely to be faulty. For almost a decade, the Iranian regime has decapitated dissent. The leaders of the Green Movement have been under house arrest since February 2011. Hundreds of activists, students, lawyers, labour leaders, and rights advocates are imprisoned or under perpetual threat of detention. Communications are still restricted, with a further threat of punishment. Many inside Iran are just trying to survive, and the mood is resignation. Assuming they did return to the streets, the motive for many was and is still likely to be reform of the system, not revolution – particularly if the US is pursuing regime change. So what then? With Khamenei unyielding to any demand from the streets, will Bolton, Pompeo and co. conclude that the hammer has to fall? The gambit may be to make the Iranians make the first forceful move, and then act on the pretext of self-defence. We could already be at that point. There is no sign yet of Iranian speedboats buzzing the US carrier and its bombers, or Iran closing the oil waterway of the Strait of Hormuz. But, on May 12 four commercial ships, including two Saudi tankers, were damaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in what the country called a “sabotage” attack. Two days later, Saudi Arabia said two drones caused a fire at oil pumping stations. Attacks by Iranian elements or their proxies? “False flags” to blame Tehran? Under either scenario, an escalation to more violent acts is possible. There are many logical arguments why that escalation will not occur, however. The Islamic Republic’s factions, from Khamenei to the Revolutionary Guards, know that head-on confrontation with the US could be suicidal. American forces in a conflict that is far from straightforward is not a vote winner either for Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. With the possible exceptions of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, almost every international actor – the UN, the European Union, China, Russia, the Organisation of Islamic Countries – will be opposed to war. As Ilan Goldenberg of the Center for a New American Security summarised: “Nobody wants a war.” Probably. But some officials in Washington may not be averse to a war that happens to come along. The title of Bolton’s last major opinion article in the Wall Street Journal before joining the Trump administration in April 2018 was: “The legal case for striking North Korea first.” (Scott Lucas is Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Is a war coming between the US and Iran?

17 Nations & Tech Firms Sign Christchurch Call. It's A Voluntary Commitment To Tackled Online Terrorism Social line: What is the Christchurch call? Who have signed it? What does it intend to do? Here's a report on the effort to curb extremist content online

Gravitas: United States declines to join Christchurch call

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, May 16th 2019

The Trump administration hits Huawei with severe sanctions, The Commerce Department said it was adding Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and 70 affiliates to its “Entity List.” Watch this video to know more.

Huawei can no longer buy U.S. parts

Election officials in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-gifts-two-mi-24-attack-helicopters-to-afghan-air-force-219184&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj2pK-dkaDiAhXWknAKHWnzC_EQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw31bUNjDEouRH8c1khzpZB7">Afghanistan </a>should do more to ensure delayed presidential polls can take place in September, the US embassy in Kabul said Thursday.

The election was initially slated for April 20, but as the date drew closer it grew obvious that overwhelmed poll officials were unprepared -- owing to them still tallying results from a nationwide parliamentary ballot in October.

Amid the push to finalise those results, officials first delayed the presidential election until July 20, and then again to September 28.

Final results were only announced this week.

In a statement, the US embassy urged the Independent Election Commission and Afghan authorities "do their part to take the decisions and actions necessary to give the Afghan people their voice at the ballot box this year."

Among its recommendations, the embassy said the election commission should present a clear plan and budget request, as well as hire and train sufficient staff to complete voter registration and preparations.

"The Afghan people deserve the opportunity to choose their next leadership through transparent elections in September," the statement read.

"We are prepared to continue supporting this process'', it added.

The embassy statement comes after Alice Wells, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, met with Afghan leaders in Kabul this week, when she stressed the importance of holding the September election.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/afghanistan/ashraf-ghanis-special-envoy-reaches-delhi-as-india-increases-engagement-with-other-forces-on-afghan-peace-process-219148&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjG8qmCkaDiAhXEheYKHT83BEoQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Bq2l5xL9CKZOLaqFsG-4x">Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's</a> term technically expires May 22, and his opponents have said his administration should make way for a caretaker government until presidential elections can be held.

The supreme court, however, has said he can remain in power until the next election.

The delayed elections come as the United States tries to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban, and some had speculated the polls were being deliberately stalled to create more space for those talks.

Negotiations, however, appear to be making slow progress, with the two sides at loggerheads over several key issues.

Election officials in Afghanistan should do more to ensure delayed presidential polls can take place in September, the US embassy in Kabul said Thursday. The election was initially slated for April 20, but as the date drew closer it grew obvious that overwhelmed poll officials were unprepared -- owing to them still tallying results from a nationwide parliamentary ballot in October.

Election officials in Afghanistan should do more to ensure delayed presidential polls can take place in September, the US embassy in Kabul said Thursday. The election was initially slated for April 20, but as the date drew closer it grew obvious that overwhelmed poll officials were unprepared -- owing to them still tallying results from a nationwide parliamentary ballot in October. Amid the push to finalise those results, officials first delayed the presidential election until July 20, and then again to September 28. Final results were only announced this week. In a statement, the US embassy urged the Independent Election Commission and Afghan authorities "do their part to take the decisions and actions necessary to give the Afghan people their voice at the ballot box this year." Among its recommendations, the embassy said the election commission should present a clear plan and budget request, as well as hire and train sufficient staff to complete voter registration and preparations. "The Afghan people deserve the opportunity to choose their next leadership through transparent elections in September," the statement read. "We are prepared to continue supporting this process'', it added. The embassy statement comes after Alice Wells, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, met with Afghan leaders in Kabul this week, when she stressed the importance of holding the September election. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's term technically expires May 22, and his opponents have said his administration should make way for a caretaker government until presidential elections can be held. The supreme court, however, has said he can remain in power until the next election. The delayed elections come as the United States tries to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban, and some had speculated the polls were being deliberately stalled to create more space for those talks. Negotiations, however, appear to be making slow progress, with the two sides at loggerheads over several key issues.

Afghan election workers must prepare for presidential polls in September: US

President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned disgraced media mogul Conrad Black, who served more than three years in prison in the US for fraud and obstruction of justice.

"In 2007, prosecutors alleged that Lord Black had committed several acts of mail fraud and obstruction. The Supreme Court of the United States, however, largely disagreed and overturned almost all charges in his case," the White House said in a statement announcing the pardon.

The statement described Black -- who wrote a book entitled "Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other" -- as an "entrepreneur and scholar" who "has made tremendous contributions to business, as well as to political and historical thought."

His legal battles began in 2004 when he was accused of siphoning off tens of millions of dollars from the sale of newspapers owned by Hollinger International, his holding company.

Black, a prolific writer and historian in his own right, vehemently maintained his innocence and launched a series of libel lawsuits in Canada to strike back at the detractors he blames for destroying his once vast empire.

But years of legal battles -- which went all the way up to the US Supreme Court -- failed to fully clear his name, although he did manage to greatly reduce his prison time by clearing himself of many of the charges.

Montreal-born Black renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001 after a spat with then prime minister Jean Chretien, who protested the media owner's peerage to Britain's House of Lords.

At its peak, Black's newspaper group was one of the largest media empires in the world, with revenues in the billions of dollars and global daily circulation in the millions.

As well as The Daily Telegraph in London, the group included the Chicago Sun-Times, Canada's National Post, and the Jerusalem Post.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned disgraced media mogul Conrad Black, who served more than three years in prison in the US for fraud and obstruction of justice.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned disgraced media mogul Conrad Black, who served more than three years in prison in the US for fraud and obstruction of justice. "In 2007, prosecutors alleged that Lord Black had committed several acts of mail fraud and obstruction. The Supreme Court of the United States, however, largely disagreed and overturned almost all charges in his case," the White House said in a statement announcing the pardon. The statement described Black -- who wrote a book entitled "Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other" -- as an "entrepreneur and scholar" who "has made tremendous contributions to business, as well as to political and historical thought." His legal battles began in 2004 when he was accused of siphoning off tens of millions of dollars from the sale of newspapers owned by Hollinger International, his holding company. Black, a prolific writer and historian in his own right, vehemently maintained his innocence and launched a series of libel lawsuits in Canada to strike back at the detractors he blames for destroying his once vast empire. But years of legal battles -- which went all the way up to the US Supreme Court -- failed to fully clear his name, although he did manage to greatly reduce his prison time by clearing himself of many of the charges. Montreal-born Black renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2001 after a spat with then prime minister Jean Chretien, who protested the media owner's peerage to Britain's House of Lords. At its peak, Black's newspaper group was one of the largest media empires in the world, with revenues in the billions of dollars and global daily circulation in the millions. As well as The Daily Telegraph in London, the group included the Chicago Sun-Times, Canada's National Post, and the Jerusalem Post.

Trump pardons disgraced media mogul Conrad Black: White House

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">national emergency</a> and barring US&nbsp;companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China`s Huawei Technologies Co.

The executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order directs the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days.

The order, which has been under review for more than a year, is aimed at protecting the supply chain from "foreign adversaries to the nation`s information and communications technology and services supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-willing-to-sign-no-spy-pacts-with-governments-chairman-218851">Huawei willing to sign 'no-spy' pacts with governments: Chairman</a>

"Under President Trump`s leadership, Americans will be able to trust that our data and infrastructure are secure," he said.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Trump was expected to take action on the long-awaited proposal this week. The order does not specifically name any country or company, but US officials have previously labelled Huawei a "threat" and actively lobbied allies to not using Huawei network equipment in next generation 5G networks.

The executive order comes at a delicate time in relations between China and the United States as the world`s<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-a-us-china-trade-war-around-the-corner-217615"> two largest economies ratchet up tariffs in a battle</a> over what US officials call China`s unfair trade practices.

Washington believes equipment made by Huawei could be used by the Chinese state to spy. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-defence-secretary-fired-over-huawei-leaks-denies-involvement-215329">Huawei</a>, which has repeatedly denied the allegations, did not immediately comment.&nbsp;

The United States has been actively pushing other countries not to use Huawei`s equipment in next-generation 5G networks that it calls "untrustworthy." In August, Trump signed a bill that barred the US government itself from using equipment from Huawei and another Chinese provider, ZTE Corp.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, who has called Huawei a threat to US security, said Wednesday that "given the threats presented by certain foreign companies’ equipment and services, this is a significant step toward securing America’s networks."

The order directs the director of US National Intelligence to produce an assessment by late June on the risks to the United States and critical infrastructure "from information and communications technology or services designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary."&nbsp;

In January, US&nbsp;prosecutors charged two Huawei units in Washington state, saying they conspired to steal T-Mobile US Inc trade secrets, and also charged Huawei and its chief financial officer with bank and wire fraud on allegations that the company violated sanctions against Iran.

The FCC in April 2018 voted to advance a proposal to bar the use of a $9 billion government fund to purchase equipment or services from companies that pose a security threat to US&nbsp;communications networks.

The FCC voted unanimously to deny China Mobile Ltd’s bid to provide US telecommunications services last week and said it was reviewing similar prior approvals held by China Unicom and China Telecom Corp.

The issue has taken on new urgency as US&nbsp;wireless carriers rollout 5G networks.

While the big wireless companies have already cut ties with Huawei, small rural carriers continue to rely on both Huawei and ZTE switches and other equipment because they tend to be cheaper.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China`s Huawei Technologies Co.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China`s Huawei Technologies Co. The executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order directs the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days. The order, which has been under review for more than a year, is aimed at protecting the supply chain from "foreign adversaries to the nation`s information and communications technology and services supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Also read- Huawei willing to sign 'no-spy' pacts with governments: Chairman "Under President Trump`s leadership, Americans will be able to trust that our data and infrastructure are secure," he said. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Trump was expected to take action on the long-awaited proposal this week. The order does not specifically name any country or company, but US officials have previously labelled Huawei a "threat" and actively lobbied allies to not using Huawei network equipment in next generation 5G networks. The executive order comes at a delicate time in relations between China and the United States as the world`s two largest economies ratchet up tariffs in a battle over what US officials call China`s unfair trade practices. Washington believes equipment made by Huawei could be used by the Chinese state to spy. Huawei, which has repeatedly denied the allegations, did not immediately comment. The United States has been actively pushing other countries not to use Huawei`s equipment in next-generation 5G networks that it calls "untrustworthy." In August, Trump signed a bill that barred the US government itself from using equipment from Huawei and another Chinese provider, ZTE Corp. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, who has called Huawei a threat to US security, said Wednesday that "given the threats presented by certain foreign companies’ equipment and services, this is a significant step toward securing America’s networks." The order directs the director of US National Intelligence to produce an assessment by late June on the risks to the United States and critical infrastructure "from information and communications technology or services designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary." In January, US prosecutors charged two Huawei units in Washington state, saying they conspired to steal T-Mobile US Inc trade secrets, and also charged Huawei and its chief financial officer with bank and wire fraud on allegations that the company violated sanctions against Iran. The FCC in April 2018 voted to advance a proposal to bar the use of a $9 billion government fund to purchase equipment or services from companies that pose a security threat to US communications networks. The FCC voted unanimously to deny China Mobile Ltd’s bid to provide US telecommunications services last week and said it was reviewing similar prior approvals held by China Unicom and China Telecom Corp. The issue has taken on new urgency as US wireless carriers rollout 5G networks. While the big wireless companies have already cut ties with Huawei, small rural carriers continue to rely on both Huawei and ZTE switches and other equipment because they tend to be cheaper.

Trump declares national emergency, bars Huawei from US telecommunications networks

US President Donald Trump will outline on Thursday a plan to harden border security and overhaul the legal immigration system to favour applicants who speak English, are well-educated and have job offers, senior administration officials said.

Trump's immigration proposal, the product largely of senior advisers Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller and economic aide Kevin Hassett, is an effort to rally Republicans on an issue that has often divided them.

While its chances of approval by Congress seem distant, the plan will give Republicans an outline they can say they favour as Trump and lawmakers look toward the November 2020 presidential and congressional elections, where immigration will likely be a key issue.

For decades, US immigration laws have given priority to family-based immigration, and about two-thirds of all people granted green cards each year have family ties to people in the United States.

Trump's plan would keep legal immigration steady at 1.1 million people a year, but family-based immigration would account for only a third of that. Instead, high-skilled people with jobs would be given priority, and could bring with them their spouses and children, the officials told reporters at a White House briefing on Wednesday.

It would harden the border by building more of Trump's coveted southern border wall and improve inspections of goods and people at ports of entry to fight drug smuggling. It would propose an increase in fees collected at the border to pay for border security infrastructure.

"Our goal in the short term is to make sure that we are laying out what the president's policy is in terms of what he's looking for from immigration reform, and we would like to see if we could get the Republican Party to come together on these two pillars, which we think is a very, very logical, very mainstream point of view," said one official.

Trump will present an overview of the plan, with details of the "very large document" to be released in coming weeks, the official said.

Shift to skilled workers&nbsp;

It does not address some of the hot-button issues in the immigration debate, such as what to do about the surge of people crossing the southern border from Mexico.

Nor does it deal with the "Dreamer" children of immigrants in the country illegally or immigrants in the country under Temporary Protected Status, both of whom are priorities of Democratic lawmakers. The plan also does not include provisions to help farmers and other seasonal employers obtain more guest workers.

Instead, Kushner and others looked at the legal migration systems of Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand for clues on how to shift US policy more toward attracting skilled workers and less on uniting extended families.

After studying the systems of the other countries, they found that 12% of migration to the United States was based on employment and skill, compared with 63% for Canada, 57% for New Zealand, 68% for Australia and 52% for Japan.

By giving preference to immigrants proficient in English and with degrees or training and job offers, the officials said the plan would allow 57% of green cards, which grant permanent legal residency, to be based on employment.

Trump will propose ending the diversity lottery system, which offers applicants from countries with low immigration rates the chance to move to the United States.

The plan also proposes changes to the asylum process, which the Trump administration says is abused. It would result in 10 per cent of green cards being given to immigration for humanitarian reasons, down from 22 per cent currently.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham proposed legislation on Wednesday to deal with the surge of migrants from Central America at the southern US border, changes the administration officials described as needed to address the immediate crisis.

US President Donald Trump will outline on Thursday a plan to harden border security and overhaul the legal immigration system to favour applicants who speak English, are well-educated and have job offers, senior administration officials said.

US President Donald Trump will outline on Thursday a plan to harden border security and overhaul the legal immigration system to favour applicants who speak English, are well-educated and have job offers, senior administration officials said. Trump's immigration proposal, the product largely of senior advisers Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller and economic aide Kevin Hassett, is an effort to rally Republicans on an issue that has often divided them. While its chances of approval by Congress seem distant, the plan will give Republicans an outline they can say they favour as Trump and lawmakers look toward the November 2020 presidential and congressional elections, where immigration will likely be a key issue. For decades, US immigration laws have given priority to family-based immigration, and about two-thirds of all people granted green cards each year have family ties to people in the United States. Trump's plan would keep legal immigration steady at 1.1 million people a year, but family-based immigration would account for only a third of that. Instead, high-skilled people with jobs would be given priority, and could bring with them their spouses and children, the officials told reporters at a White House briefing on Wednesday. It would harden the border by building more of Trump's coveted southern border wall and improve inspections of goods and people at ports of entry to fight drug smuggling. It would propose an increase in fees collected at the border to pay for border security infrastructure. "Our goal in the short term is to make sure that we are laying out what the president's policy is in terms of what he's looking for from immigration reform, and we would like to see if we could get the Republican Party to come together on these two pillars, which we think is a very, very logical, very mainstream point of view," said one official. Trump will present an overview of the plan, with details of the "very large document" to be released in coming weeks, the official said. Shift to skilled workers It does not address some of the hot-button issues in the immigration debate, such as what to do about the surge of people crossing the southern border from Mexico. Nor does it deal with the "Dreamer" children of immigrants in the country illegally or immigrants in the country under Temporary Protected Status, both of whom are priorities of Democratic lawmakers. The plan also does not include provisions to help farmers and other seasonal employers obtain more guest workers. Instead, Kushner and others looked at the legal migration systems of Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand for clues on how to shift US policy more toward attracting skilled workers and less on uniting extended families. After studying the systems of the other countries, they found that 12% of migration to the United States was based on employment and skill, compared with 63% for Canada, 57% for New Zealand, 68% for Australia and 52% for Japan. By giving preference to immigrants proficient in English and with degrees or training and job offers, the officials said the plan would allow 57% of green cards, which grant permanent legal residency, to be based on employment. Trump will propose ending the diversity lottery system, which offers applicants from countries with low immigration rates the chance to move to the United States. The plan also proposes changes to the asylum process, which the Trump administration says is abused. It would result in 10 per cent of green cards being given to immigration for humanitarian reasons, down from 22 per cent currently. Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham proposed legislation on Wednesday to deal with the surge of migrants from Central America at the southern US border, changes the administration officials described as needed to address the immediate crisis.

Trump to propose plan to make US immigration more merit-based

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/democrats-demand-full-mueller-report-217148&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi5hJ2ijqDiAhWMMo8KHV1lAVM4ChAWMAR6BAgCEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1rWMGp5PbyLEGzI1RxvWcl">Democrats in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives</a> will read aloud on Thursday the redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 448-page assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, one of the top Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, will, along with nearly two dozen of her colleagues, begin reading the Mueller report at 12 p.m. (1700 GMT) in a Capitol hearing room.

"We have a Constitutional duty to share that truth with the American people," Scanlon said in a release, adding the report's conclusions could not be adequately "summarized in a tweet."

Mueller's report, which contained redactions, described numerous links between <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-national-emergency-bars-huawei-from-us-telecommunications-networks-219053&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj7qqy7jqDiAhVEQo8KHRzCCdQQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2zlTqFrcR7JIVGeILAveXX">President Donald Trump's</a> 2016 campaign and various Russians but did not find sufficient evidence to establish there was a criminal conspiracy with Moscow.

The report also described numerous attempts by Trump to impede Mueller's probe but stopped short of declaring that the president committed a crime.

Democrats, who control the House, are sparring with the White House over numerous probes into Trump and his campaign's ties to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-is-not-a-fire-brigade-to-rescue-iran-deal-putin-219039&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjdi43IjqDiAhWH6nMBHe5sD6gQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1TaKvN879AvjXb0ir7--ks">Russia</a>, the president's business dealings and administration policies.

Democrats have requested a full, unredacted version of Muller's report, six years of Trump's individual and business tax returns and background on decisions made by the administration on security clearances and the separation of migrant families along the US-Mexico border.

The deadline for the administration to respond to a subpoena for the unredacted report passed without being met.

Trump has sued to block a congressional subpoena for financial records from his accounting firm.

The White House has directed key staff not to cooperate with various House probes.

Democrats are now considering contempt resolutions against top administration officials, with votes expected as early as June. 
&nbsp;

Democrats in the US House of Representatives will read aloud on Thursday the redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 448-page assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives will read aloud on Thursday the redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 448-page assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, one of the top Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, will, along with nearly two dozen of her colleagues, begin reading the Mueller report at 12 p.m. (1700 GMT) in a Capitol hearing room. "We have a Constitutional duty to share that truth with the American people," Scanlon said in a release, adding the report's conclusions could not be adequately "summarized in a tweet." Mueller's report, which contained redactions, described numerous links between President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and various Russians but did not find sufficient evidence to establish there was a criminal conspiracy with Moscow. The report also described numerous attempts by Trump to impede Mueller's probe but stopped short of declaring that the president committed a crime. Democrats, who control the House, are sparring with the White House over numerous probes into Trump and his campaign's ties to Russia, the president's business dealings and administration policies. Democrats have requested a full, unredacted version of Muller's report, six years of Trump's individual and business tax returns and background on decisions made by the administration on security clearances and the separation of migrant families along the US-Mexico border. The deadline for the administration to respond to a subpoena for the unredacted report passed without being met. Trump has sued to block a congressional subpoena for financial records from his accounting firm. The White House has directed key staff not to cooperate with various House probes. Democrats are now considering contempt resolutions against top administration officials, with votes expected as early as June.

US House Democrats to read Mueller report aloud in Capitol hearing room

Even though <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unsc-sanctions-terror-group-isis-south-asia-branch-218883&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjXqYvox5_iAhUv63MBHbOiA2wQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2S8KL3seMJmxEklmpKHpxA">ISIS</a> has been defeated in the Syria-Iraq region, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-has-isis-set-up-a-camp-in-india-218802&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjAs9n3x5_iAhUBqI8KHbS9C60QFjACegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2HsawG8Y25ShkU9MDhucL-">ISIS </a>affiliates around the world remain a significant terrorist threat, said US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in an official release.

Furthermore, on behalf of the US, she welcomed the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) designation of ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) which is responsible for carrying out multiple terror attacks in Afghanistan.

With the UNSC 1267 ISIL and al-Qa'ida Sanctions Committee's latest decision, ISIS-K became the first ISIS affiliate to be designated by the UN.

"This action is a necessary step in the global fight to defeat ISIS. Despite the complete liberation of ISIS-held territory in Iraq and Syria, ISIS-K and other ISIS affiliates around the world remain a significant terrorist threat, and the international community must work together to deny them the resources they seek," Ortagus said.

The responsibility for last month's deadly terrorist strikes in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lankan-court-orders-dna-test-to-verify-death-of-easter-bombings-mastermind-217506&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjAs9n3x5_iAhUBqI8KHbS9C60QFjAJegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1y6SGrhutUuWa3abmWWXCC">Sri Lanka was taken by the Islamic State</a>, even though its last stronghold was destroyed by the US and its affiliated sources in the Syrian region, leading to the end of the self-declared 'caliphate'.

This UN designation obligates all member states to implement a travel ban, arms embargo, and asset freeze on ISIS-K, actions that will cut the group off from the resources it needs to continue its terrorist activities.

Previously, the US had designated ISIS-K as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 in September 2015, and as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act in January 2016.

Even though ISIS has been defeated in the Syria-Iraq region, ISIS affiliates around the world remain a significant terrorist threat, said US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in an official release.

Even though ISIS has been defeated in the Syria-Iraq region, ISIS affiliates around the world remain a significant terrorist threat, said US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in an official release. Furthermore, on behalf of the US, she welcomed the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) designation of ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) which is responsible for carrying out multiple terror attacks in Afghanistan. With the UNSC 1267 ISIL and al-Qa'ida Sanctions Committee's latest decision, ISIS-K became the first ISIS affiliate to be designated by the UN. "This action is a necessary step in the global fight to defeat ISIS. Despite the complete liberation of ISIS-held territory in Iraq and Syria, ISIS-K and other ISIS affiliates around the world remain a significant terrorist threat, and the international community must work together to deny them the resources they seek," Ortagus said. The responsibility for last month's deadly terrorist strikes in Sri Lanka was taken by the Islamic State, even though its last stronghold was destroyed by the US and its affiliated sources in the Syrian region, leading to the end of the self-declared 'caliphate'. This UN designation obligates all member states to implement a travel ban, arms embargo, and asset freeze on ISIS-K, actions that will cut the group off from the resources it needs to continue its terrorist activities. Previously, the US had designated ISIS-K as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 in September 2015, and as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act in January 2016.

ISIS affiliates remain a significant terrorist threat: US

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-two-students-open-fire-at-colorado-school-wounding-eight-schoolmates-216856&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQiqKWzJ_iAhVJ6Y8KHQiXAEkQFjAEegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1nF578hVGyYPSnLaKF3ZVg">Two teenagers accused of fatally shooting a classmate and wounding eight others</a> at a Denver-area high school last week were <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/photos/killing-one-classmate-wounding-eight-two-students-opened-fire-at-stem-school-216944&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQiqKWzJ_iAhVJ6Y8KHQiXAEkQFjAHegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2O4CDxvT7SzQC_63fE5tVS">charged with murder and attempted murder</a> on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Devon Erickson, 18, and Alec McKinney, 16, are accused of opening fire on fellow students in two classrooms at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) charter school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on May 7.

McKinney, who identifies as male, was listed on the court docket as Maya Elizabeth McKinney.&nbsp;

Douglas County District Judge Theresa Slade has put the charges along with the entire case file under seal, banning the public from seeing it.

Both teenagers were each facing a range of charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, arson and theft.&nbsp;

McKinney was charged as an adult, prosecutors said.&nbsp;

Both Erickson and McKinney were being held without bond.&nbsp;

Denver’s ABC affiliate television station has reported that the two pistols used in the attack were stolen from the home of Erickson, whose parents had purchased the guns legally.

The Douglas County Sheriff`s Office declined to comment.&nbsp;

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Kendrick Castillo, 18, was shot dead three days before graduation when he and two other students charged the shooters in an effort to disarm them, authorities said.&nbsp;

Castillo, a robotics enthusiast and aspiring engineer, was remembered as a compassionate, bright young man during a memorial service on Wednesday at a church in Highlands Ranch.&nbsp;

"If I had to describe him a certain way, the first it would be love, the love for anybody that he met," his father John Castillo said during the service.

"We all really, really love Kendrick, but to carry on his life's message, we need to be more like him", his father said.&nbsp;

The attack occurred less than a month after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in nearby Littleton, in which two students shot 13 people to death before committing suicide.

Five months ago, a school district official urged the STEM school’s director to investigate allegations of student bullying and violence by a parent who feared they could lead to the next “Columbine.”

The director said an investigation found no evidence to support the allegations.

The STEM school had no sworn police officer at the 1,850-student campus after a dispute with the sheriff’s office over the previous school resource officer’s role ended that relationship last year, the school said last week.

Instead, a private security company was hired to patrol the campus that included students from kindergarten through high school.

An armed security guard responded to last week’s shooting.

ABC News, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, reported last week that the security guard may have mistakenly fired on sheriff’s deputies called to the scene and wounded a student in the chaos.

The Douglas County District Attorney's office said on Wednesday it had turned over the investigation into the security guard's actions to a special prosecutor from neighbouring El Paso County.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for El Paso County District Attorney Dan May confirmed that they are investigating the incident involving the security guard.

Two teenagers accused of fatally shooting a classmate and wounding eight others at a Denver-area high school last week were charged with murder and attempted murder on Wednesday.

Two teenagers accused of fatally shooting a classmate and wounding eight others at a Denver-area high school last week were charged with murder and attempted murder on Wednesday. Devon Erickson, 18, and Alec McKinney, 16, are accused of opening fire on fellow students in two classrooms at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) charter school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on May 7. McKinney, who identifies as male, was listed on the court docket as Maya Elizabeth McKinney. Douglas County District Judge Theresa Slade has put the charges along with the entire case file under seal, banning the public from seeing it. Both teenagers were each facing a range of charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, arson and theft. McKinney was charged as an adult, prosecutors said. Both Erickson and McKinney were being held without bond. Denver’s ABC affiliate television station has reported that the two pistols used in the attack were stolen from the home of Erickson, whose parents had purchased the guns legally. The Douglas County Sheriff`s Office declined to comment. MEMORIAL SERVICE Kendrick Castillo, 18, was shot dead three days before graduation when he and two other students charged the shooters in an effort to disarm them, authorities said. Castillo, a robotics enthusiast and aspiring engineer, was remembered as a compassionate, bright young man during a memorial service on Wednesday at a church in Highlands Ranch. "If I had to describe him a certain way, the first it would be love, the love for anybody that he met," his father John Castillo said during the service. "We all really, really love Kendrick, but to carry on his life's message, we need to be more like him", his father said. The attack occurred less than a month after the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in nearby Littleton, in which two students shot 13 people to death before committing suicide. Five months ago, a school district official urged the STEM school’s director to investigate allegations of student bullying and violence by a parent who feared they could lead to the next “Columbine.” The director said an investigation found no evidence to support the allegations. The STEM school had no sworn police officer at the 1,850-student campus after a dispute with the sheriff’s office over the previous school resource officer’s role ended that relationship last year, the school said last week. Instead, a private security company was hired to patrol the campus that included students from kindergarten through high school. An armed security guard responded to last week’s shooting. ABC News, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, reported last week that the security guard may have mistakenly fired on sheriff’s deputies called to the scene and wounded a student in the chaos. The Douglas County District Attorney's office said on Wednesday it had turned over the investigation into the security guard's actions to a special prosecutor from neighbouring El Paso County. A spokeswoman for El Paso County District Attorney Dan May confirmed that they are investigating the incident involving the security guard.

Teen suspects in Colorado school shooting formally charged; case sealed

US farmers who are major exporters of pork and soy, are caught in the middle of President Donald Trump's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trade-war-calm-amidst-storm-218799">trade wars</a>.

And farmers along with the industries that support them, are also key voters. So with 18 months to go before the presidential election, Trump is hoping to put them at ease and keep their support.

But as trade barriers continue to bite deeper into an industry that was already suffering low prices and falling income, there are signs of mounting frustration.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explaining-the-us-china-trade-war-which-grabbed-spotlight-in-2018-185043">Explaining the US-China trade war which grabbed spotlight in 2018</a>

"Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now," Trump said Tuesday on Twitter.&nbsp;

He said he hoped China would "do us the honor" of continuing to buy US farm exports but even if they do not, the government "will be making up the difference" by buying crops to prop up prices.

The tweets came a day after China announced it was raising tariffs on $60 billion in US agricultural and manufactured goods to retaliate for Trump's decision last week to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese merchandise.

Rural areas are generally more conservative and favorable to Trump, but they have been shaken by the conflict that has brought soy bean exports to China in particular to a screeching halt.&nbsp;

Last year's exports fell by 75 per cent from 2017, according to Commerce Department figures.

And over the last year, they have been targeted not only by China but also the European Union, Canada and Mexico.

For now, while many continue to support Trump, others "are not so sure," according to Will Rodger, head of communications for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"We don't have hard numbers that tell us exactly how strong support or opposition may be but our gut feeling is most farmers still support the president since they like many of his policies across the board," he told AFP in an email.

Sid Ready, a farmer in Scribner, Nebraska, says the trade war has hurt but farmers were hanging in there.

"We understand it and I think farmers are pretty darn resilient," he said. "In the long run, we hope it works."

Their patience has limits, Rodger said, as revenues have been falling for six years due to global oversupply.

From a record $123.4 billion in 2013, farm incomes had fallen by about half as of last year to $63.1 billion, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Many farmers in the Midwestern US breadbasket also have been devastated by floods that destroyed crops and prevented planting.

The American Soybean Association says it generally supports the Trump administration's trade objectives, just not the means used to reach them.

'We always win'

Soy farmers are "frustrated" that Chinese and US negotiators have been unable to strike a bargain and worry their entire business is in danger.

"With depressed prices and unsold stocks expected to double by the 2019 harvest, soybean farmers are not willing to be collateral damage in an endless tariff war," ASA President Davie Stephens said in a statement Monday.

Many fear their Chinese customers, who once bought about a third of the US soy crop, may soon buy even more from Brazil instead.

The Chinese export market for soy took more than 40 years to develop, and as the trade conflict persists "it will become increasingly difficult to recover."

Other buyers, like the European Union, may step in to fill the gap left by China. Still, about two thirds of global soy exports are destined for China.

In his Tuesday tweets, Trump said the "massive tariffs" currently in place will pay for government bailouts for suffering farms.

Last week, he suggested the government could purchase the crops and send it as food aid to poor nations.

In July 2018, the government unveiled a $12 billion bailout fund and US farmers already receive about $20 billion in annual assistance through various aid programs.

And the National Pork Producer's Council said last week it "welcomes the offer of assistance from President Trump."

"We stand ready to work with the USDA to facilitate US pork exports as food aid to a number of nations," NPCC President David Herring said in a statement.

Exports now account for 26 per cent of all US pork production, of which a large share is normally shipped to China.

Trump on Tuesday called the US-China trade war a "little squabble" and predicted ultimate victory.

"We always win. We always win," he said.

US farmers who are major exporters of pork and soy, are caught in the middle of President Donald Trump's trade wars. And farmers along with the industries that support them, are also key voters.

US farmers who are major exporters of pork and soy, are caught in the middle of President Donald Trump's trade wars. And farmers along with the industries that support them, are also key voters. So with 18 months to go before the presidential election, Trump is hoping to put them at ease and keep their support. But as trade barriers continue to bite deeper into an industry that was already suffering low prices and falling income, there are signs of mounting frustration. Also read: Explaining the US-China trade war which grabbed spotlight in 2018 "Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now," Trump said Tuesday on Twitter. He said he hoped China would "do us the honor" of continuing to buy US farm exports but even if they do not, the government "will be making up the difference" by buying crops to prop up prices. The tweets came a day after China announced it was raising tariffs on $60 billion in US agricultural and manufactured goods to retaliate for Trump's decision last week to raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese merchandise. Rural areas are generally more conservative and favorable to Trump, but they have been shaken by the conflict that has brought soy bean exports to China in particular to a screeching halt. Last year's exports fell by 75 per cent from 2017, according to Commerce Department figures. And over the last year, they have been targeted not only by China but also the European Union, Canada and Mexico. For now, while many continue to support Trump, others "are not so sure," according to Will Rodger, head of communications for the American Farm Bureau Federation. "We don't have hard numbers that tell us exactly how strong support or opposition may be but our gut feeling is most farmers still support the president since they like many of his policies across the board," he told AFP in an email. Sid Ready, a farmer in Scribner, Nebraska, says the trade war has hurt but farmers were hanging in there. "We understand it and I think farmers are pretty darn resilient," he said. "In the long run, we hope it works." Their patience has limits, Rodger said, as revenues have been falling for six years due to global oversupply. From a record $123.4 billion in 2013, farm incomes had fallen by about half as of last year to $63.1 billion, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Many farmers in the Midwestern US breadbasket also have been devastated by floods that destroyed crops and prevented planting. The American Soybean Association says it generally supports the Trump administration's trade objectives, just not the means used to reach them. 'We always win' Soy farmers are "frustrated" that Chinese and US negotiators have been unable to strike a bargain and worry their entire business is in danger. "With depressed prices and unsold stocks expected to double by the 2019 harvest, soybean farmers are not willing to be collateral damage in an endless tariff war," ASA President Davie Stephens said in a statement Monday. Many fear their Chinese customers, who once bought about a third of the US soy crop, may soon buy even more from Brazil instead. The Chinese export market for soy took more than 40 years to develop, and as the trade conflict persists "it will become increasingly difficult to recover." Other buyers, like the European Union, may step in to fill the gap left by China. Still, about two thirds of global soy exports are destined for China. In his Tuesday tweets, Trump said the "massive tariffs" currently in place will pay for government bailouts for suffering farms. Last week, he suggested the government could purchase the crops and send it as food aid to poor nations. In July 2018, the government unveiled a $12 billion bailout fund and US farmers already receive about $20 billion in annual assistance through various aid programs. And the National Pork Producer's Council said last week it "welcomes the offer of assistance from President Trump." "We stand ready to work with the USDA to facilitate US pork exports as food aid to a number of nations," NPCC President David Herring said in a statement. Exports now account for 26 per cent of all US pork production, of which a large share is normally shipped to China. Trump on Tuesday called the US-China trade war a "little squabble" and predicted ultimate victory. "We always win. We always win," he said.

Victory awaits in China trade war, Trump tells farmers

President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order this week barring U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China’s Huawei. Watch full video to know more.

US President Donald Trump expected to sign order paving way for U.S. telecoms ban on Huawei

Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a new meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at G20 in June. Watch full video to know more.

Russian President Putin open to meet US President at G20 in June

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get the lastes updates.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the day, May 15th, 2019

US President Donald Trump has vowed to strike a trade deal with China but on terms dictated by Washington. Listen in.

US President Donald Trump vows to strike trade deal with China

A team in White House has talked about Trump's plan which is called 'Deal of Century' to solve Israel-Palestine conflict. Watch full video to know more.

Trump's 'Deal of Century' details unveiled

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Russian President Vladimir Putin Russia part of a renewed effort by the White House and Kremlin to improve relations following the publication of the Mueller report.Watch full video to know more.

President Vladimir Putin tells Pompeo US and Russia can improve relations after Mueller report

The top British officer in the US-led coalition has said there is no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq or Syria. Watch full video to know more.

U.K. Military says no increased Iran threat in Syria or Iraq

Donald Trump hosted an Iftaar dinner for Muslim members from his administration and top diplomats from various countries at the White House on Monday night. During the gathering, Donald Trump resolved to defeat the evils of terrorism and religious persecution so that all people can worship without fear, pray without danger and live by the faith that flows from their heart.

Donald Trump hosts iftar at White House to mark Ramadan

By Benjamin Habib&nbsp;

In recent days, North Korea has upped the ante in its standoff with the United States and South Korea, further highlighting the missed opportunity at February’s Hanoi summit aimed at bringing peace to the Korean peninsula.

Reports last Thursday suggest that a “projectile” was launched from the Sino-ri test site on North Korea’s west coast, flying approximately 420 kilometres. A flight path of this distance would suggest the projectile was a Hwasong-6 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), which the North has possessed for some time.

On May 4, North Korea tested a new missile that appeared to be a version of the Russian-made Iskander SRBM. According to 38 North, a North Korea analysis website, the strategic significance of the Iskander missile is its in-flight manoeuvrability and relatively low flight altitude, which allows it to evade most missile defence systems. With a range of approximately 280 kilometres, the Iskander missile is clearly intended for targets in South Korea.

The latest missile tests are a predictable reaction by the Kim regime to its diplomatic impasse with the United States. Tiny escalations are North Korea’s stock-in-trade response in situations where it is trying to extract concessions in an unfavourable negotiating dynamic.

How the White House responds from here is an open question. Every time North Korea needles the US with another provocation, it represents a loss of face for Trump and makes it harder for him to mobilise the domestic support in the US for a return to the negotiating table.

A familiar strategy from Kim Jong-un 
 
The Iskander short-range missile is new to North Korea’s missile arsenal and demonstrates the damage the North could do to South Korea in a war scenario – a veiled threat that is classic North Korean strategic signalling.

The tests were conducted on the heels of Kim Jong-un’s speech to the North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly on April 12, in which he indicated he will only wait until the end of the year for the US to change its diplomatic approach and return to negotiations for a peace agreement.

In the meantime, it would be unsurprising to see more short-range missile tests of this sort from the North. Short-range missile tests technically fall within Kim’s pledge at his first summit with Trump in Singapore last year not to conduct any further long-range inter-continental ballistic missiles.

If we get to 2020 without any substantive change in the Trump administration’s approach to North Korea, a reversion to North Korea’s belligerent behaviour of the past is likely: more nuclear tests, more long-range, inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, ramping up production of fissile material and increasing its nuclear weapons arsenal.

This can be predicted with reasonable confidence, as Kim does not have many other options if he wants to move forward with his economic modernisation agenda.

In short, Kim will likely put a capital ‘N’ and ‘P’ on “nuclear proliferation” if he sees the door slamming shut on the summit process with Trump.

Trump boxed himself in at Hanoi

The US responded to Pyongyang’s latest missile launches late last week by suspending the program to repatriate America’s war dead from North Korea. However, US President Donald Trump tried to downplay the tests by saying he didn’t consider it a breach of trust.

With his all-or-nothing grand bargain gambit in Hanoi, Trump trapped himself in a box. He has expressed a strong personal desire to secure an agreement with Kim. But if he still wants a deal, he is going to work around their irreconcilable positions on the meaning of denuclearisation.

What this means is either Trump or Kim will have to blink. At this point, only one of them has room to compromise. Kim cannot afford to dramatically change tack and relinquish his nuclear program, as, from his perspective, the security and the legitimacy of his regime depends on its possession of “the bomb”.

As a result, the US will inevitably have to make the bulk of the concessions if this process is to move forward. The US is also in the better position to make concessions because of its overwhelming nuclear superiority, its effective deterrence posture and its status as a global power that is not existentially threatened in the same way that North Korea is.

Previous US administrations have been unwilling to shoulder this burden. Trump has. But every time North Korea tests a missile, it will further undermine Trump’s ability to cut a deal.

Competing voices within the White House are another complication. Hardliners like National Security Adviser John Bolton are arguing for a “maximum pressure” stance against Pyongyang, to squeeze North Korea until Kim makes concessions. To them, any deal with North Korea would represent a sell-out of US interests. North Korea criticised Bolton, in particular, for being a potential spoiler in the negotiations in Hanoi.

If negotiations break down, is conflict inevitable? 
 
The latest tensions have left South Korean leader Moon Jae-in scrambling to save the peace process. His government is urging the US to &nbsp;stay the course on engagement with the North, in spite of the recent missile provocations.

Moon has spent enormous political capital trying to reconcile with the North and bring lasting peace and security to the Korean peninsula. And the Blue House is well aware that the carefully constructed summit agreements of 2018 are teetering on the brink of collapse. There is no fortuitously timed Winter Olympics to provide a circuit-breaker to prevent tensions from escalating, either.

We have been here before. When tensions last reached a crescendo between the US and North Korea in 2017, threats of war from Washington were successful in cracking open the window for new possibilities.

After the unprecedented diplomatic activity of the last year, however, this strategy would not work again. If the US pursues “maximum pressure” against North Korea now, there is nowhere left to go besides conflict. 
 
(Benjamin Habib is Lecturer in International Relations, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/north-korea-is-firing-missiles-again-does-diplomacy-still-have-a-chance-116956">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Benjamin Habib In recent days, North Korea has upped the ante in its standoff with the United States and South Korea, further highlighting the missed opportunity at February’s Hanoi summit aimed at bringing peace to the Korean peninsula.

By Benjamin Habib In recent days, North Korea has upped the ante in its standoff with the United States and South Korea, further highlighting the missed opportunity at February’s Hanoi summit aimed at bringing peace to the Korean peninsula. Reports last Thursday suggest that a “projectile” was launched from the Sino-ri test site on North Korea’s west coast, flying approximately 420 kilometres. A flight path of this distance would suggest the projectile was a Hwasong-6 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), which the North has possessed for some time. On May 4, North Korea tested a new missile that appeared to be a version of the Russian-made Iskander SRBM. According to 38 North, a North Korea analysis website, the strategic significance of the Iskander missile is its in-flight manoeuvrability and relatively low flight altitude, which allows it to evade most missile defence systems. With a range of approximately 280 kilometres, the Iskander missile is clearly intended for targets in South Korea. The latest missile tests are a predictable reaction by the Kim regime to its diplomatic impasse with the United States. Tiny escalations are North Korea’s stock-in-trade response in situations where it is trying to extract concessions in an unfavourable negotiating dynamic. How the White House responds from here is an open question. Every time North Korea needles the US with another provocation, it represents a loss of face for Trump and makes it harder for him to mobilise the domestic support in the US for a return to the negotiating table. A familiar strategy from Kim Jong-un The Iskander short-range missile is new to North Korea’s missile arsenal and demonstrates the damage the North could do to South Korea in a war scenario – a veiled threat that is classic North Korean strategic signalling. The tests were conducted on the heels of Kim Jong-un’s speech to the North Korean Supreme People’s Assembly on April 12, in which he indicated he will only wait until the end of the year for the US to change its diplomatic approach and return to negotiations for a peace agreement. In the meantime, it would be unsurprising to see more short-range missile tests of this sort from the North. Short-range missile tests technically fall within Kim’s pledge at his first summit with Trump in Singapore last year not to conduct any further long-range inter-continental ballistic missiles. If we get to 2020 without any substantive change in the Trump administration’s approach to North Korea, a reversion to North Korea’s belligerent behaviour of the past is likely: more nuclear tests, more long-range, inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests, ramping up production of fissile material and increasing its nuclear weapons arsenal. This can be predicted with reasonable confidence, as Kim does not have many other options if he wants to move forward with his economic modernisation agenda. In short, Kim will likely put a capital ‘N’ and ‘P’ on “nuclear proliferation” if he sees the door slamming shut on the summit process with Trump. Trump boxed himself in at Hanoi The US responded to Pyongyang’s latest missile launches late last week by suspending the program to repatriate America’s war dead from North Korea. However, US President Donald Trump tried to downplay the tests by saying he didn’t consider it a breach of trust. With his all-or-nothing grand bargain gambit in Hanoi, Trump trapped himself in a box. He has expressed a strong personal desire to secure an agreement with Kim. But if he still wants a deal, he is going to work around their irreconcilable positions on the meaning of denuclearisation. What this means is either Trump or Kim will have to blink. At this point, only one of them has room to compromise. Kim cannot afford to dramatically change tack and relinquish his nuclear program, as, from his perspective, the security and the legitimacy of his regime depends on its possession of “the bomb”. As a result, the US will inevitably have to make the bulk of the concessions if this process is to move forward. The US is also in the better position to make concessions because of its overwhelming nuclear superiority, its effective deterrence posture and its status as a global power that is not existentially threatened in the same way that North Korea is. Previous US administrations have been unwilling to shoulder this burden. Trump has. But every time North Korea tests a missile, it will further undermine Trump’s ability to cut a deal. Competing voices within the White House are another complication. Hardliners like National Security Adviser John Bolton are arguing for a “maximum pressure” stance against Pyongyang, to squeeze North Korea until Kim makes concessions. To them, any deal with North Korea would represent a sell-out of US interests. North Korea criticised Bolton, in particular, for being a potential spoiler in the negotiations in Hanoi. If negotiations break down, is conflict inevitable? The latest tensions have left South Korean leader Moon Jae-in scrambling to save the peace process. His government is urging the US to stay the course on engagement with the North, in spite of the recent missile provocations. Moon has spent enormous political capital trying to reconcile with the North and bring lasting peace and security to the Korean peninsula. And the Blue House is well aware that the carefully constructed summit agreements of 2018 are teetering on the brink of collapse. There is no fortuitously timed Winter Olympics to provide a circuit-breaker to prevent tensions from escalating, either. We have been here before. When tensions last reached a crescendo between the US and North Korea in 2017, threats of war from Washington were successful in cracking open the window for new possibilities. After the unprecedented diplomatic activity of the last year, however, this strategy would not work again. If the US pursues “maximum pressure” against North Korea now, there is nowhere left to go besides conflict. (Benjamin Habib is Lecturer in International Relations, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

North Korea missile tests: Does diplomacy still have a chance?

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 gathering in Japan next month. Trump said he expects his discussion with Xi to be "very fruitful", as the trade war between China and the United States intensified this week.

Donald Trump says he will meet China's Xi Jinping at G20 next month

North Korea said on Tuesday the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seizes-north-korean-cargo-ship-accused-of-violating-sanctions-217341">seizure of one of its cargo ships</a> by the United States was an illegal act that violated the spirit of a summit pact between the two countries' leaders and demanded the return of the vessel.

In a statement, the North's foreign ministry said it rejected UN Security Council resolutions against it, which the United States cited in impounding the vessel, as a violation of its sovereignty.

The US Justice Department last week said it had seized a North Korean cargo ship that it accused of illicit coal shipments in violations of sanctions after it was first detained by Indonesia.

"Our office uncovered North Korea's scheme to export tons of high-grade coal to foreign buyers by concealing the origin of their ship, the Wise Honest," US attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement.

"This scheme not only allowed North Korea to evade sanctions, but the Wise Honest was also used to import heavy machinery to North Korea," Berman said.

The ship, which was first confiscated by other foreign maritime authorities in Indonesia in April 2018, is now in the possession of the United States, a Justice Department official had said.

The 17,061-ton ship, which also was used to deliver heavy machinery to North Korea, is one of the country's largest bulk carriers, the Justice Department said.

The case marks the first time the United States has seized a North Korean cargo vessel for violating sanctions.

According to UN sanctions monitors, the Wise Honest was transporting 25,500 tons of coal when it was detained by Indonesia in April 2018.

The UN report estimated that the value of the ship's coal cargo was around $3 million.

North Korea said on Tuesday the seizure of one of its cargo ships by the United States was an illegal act that violated the spirit of a summit pact between the two countries' leaders and demanded the return of the vessel.

North Korea said on Tuesday the seizure of one of its cargo ships by the United States was an illegal act that violated the spirit of a summit pact between the two countries' leaders and demanded the return of the vessel. In a statement, the North's foreign ministry said it rejected UN Security Council resolutions against it, which the United States cited in impounding the vessel, as a violation of its sovereignty. The US Justice Department last week said it had seized a North Korean cargo ship that it accused of illicit coal shipments in violations of sanctions after it was first detained by Indonesia. "Our office uncovered North Korea's scheme to export tons of high-grade coal to foreign buyers by concealing the origin of their ship, the Wise Honest," US attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. "This scheme not only allowed North Korea to evade sanctions, but the Wise Honest was also used to import heavy machinery to North Korea," Berman said. The ship, which was first confiscated by other foreign maritime authorities in Indonesia in April 2018, is now in the possession of the United States, a Justice Department official had said. The 17,061-ton ship, which also was used to deliver heavy machinery to North Korea, is one of the country's largest bulk carriers, the Justice Department said. The case marks the first time the United States has seized a North Korean cargo vessel for violating sanctions. According to UN sanctions monitors, the Wise Honest was transporting 25,500 tons of coal when it was detained by Indonesia in April 2018. The UN report estimated that the value of the ship's coal cargo was around $3 million.

North Korea says ship seizure by US violates spirit of Trump-Kim summit

The United States on June 17 will hold public hearings on President Donald Trump's proposal to put tariffs on another $300 billion in Chinese goods, according to a document published Monday.

The hearing is part of Trump's escalating trade offensive against Beijing. If the tariffs are imposed, they would make virtually all Chinese imports to the United States subject to steep, punitive duties.

Beijing on Monday fired its latest counter-salvo, raising tariffs on $60 billion in US exports in retaliation for Trump's decision to bump up duties on $200 billion in Chinese exports.

But Trump told reporters on Monday he had not yet decided whether to proceed with the $300 billion round.

"That is a tremendous amount of money that would come into our country," Trump said, reiterating his belief that duties are paid by trade adversaries, not US importers and consumers.

"I have not made that decision yet."

Members of the public, such as diplomats, trade bodies and individuals, also have until the hearing date to submit written comments before officials finalize the list of goods that face duties of up to 25 per cent, according to the US Trade Representative's office.

US trade with China hit record levels last year, with $540 billion in imports and $$120 billion in exports, according to the US Commerce Department.

The United States on June 17 will hold public hearings on President Donald Trump's proposal to put tariffs on another $300 billion in Chinese goods, according to a document published Monday.

The United States on June 17 will hold public hearings on President Donald Trump's proposal to put tariffs on another $300 billion in Chinese goods, according to a document published Monday. The hearing is part of Trump's escalating trade offensive against Beijing. If the tariffs are imposed, they would make virtually all Chinese imports to the United States subject to steep, punitive duties. Beijing on Monday fired its latest counter-salvo, raising tariffs on $60 billion in US exports in retaliation for Trump's decision to bump up duties on $200 billion in Chinese exports. But Trump told reporters on Monday he had not yet decided whether to proceed with the $300 billion round. "That is a tremendous amount of money that would come into our country," Trump said, reiterating his belief that duties are paid by trade adversaries, not US importers and consumers. "I have not made that decision yet." Members of the public, such as diplomats, trade bodies and individuals, also have until the hearing date to submit written comments before officials finalize the list of goods that face duties of up to 25 per cent, according to the US Trade Representative's office. US trade with China hit record levels last year, with $540 billion in imports and $$120 billion in exports, according to the US Commerce Department.

US to hold China tariffs hearing on June 17

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic.

The uproar began last week when Rashida Tlaib, a freshman congresswoman in the House of Representatives whose parents are Palestinian immigrants, said in an interview that she finds "a kind of calming feeling," in the fact that Palestinians were involved in creating "a safe haven for Jews."

"There's a kind of a calming feeling, I always tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors -- Palestinians -- who lost their land and some lost their lives," she told Yahoo's "Skullduggery" podcast on Friday.

"All of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time," she said, adding, "I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that."

Trump laid into Tlaib, saying the congresswoman "obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?"

Top House Republican Liz Cheney also seized on the remarks, saying they represented "vile anti-Semitism" and called on the House's Democratic leadership to take action.

"This must cross the line, even for them," she tweeted.

Tlaib said on Twitter her remarks were taken out of context and that "All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably."

She was backed up by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who said "Republicans’ desperate attempts to smear (Tlaib) &amp; misrepresent her comments are outrageous," adding that Trump and Republicans needed to apologise.

Yair Rosenberg, a writer for the online Jewish magazine Tablet, said Tlaib's comments were historically inaccurate but not anti-Semitic.&nbsp;

"Tlaib said she got a 'calming feeling' NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical," he wrote on Twitter, "but it isn't anti-Semitic."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Rashida Tlaib said she got a "calming feeling" NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical (the local Arabs rioted &amp; got the British to halt Jewish immigration, and their Mufti was Hitler's ally), but it isn't anti-Semitic.
— (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yair_Rosenberg/status/1127958445599199233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Bend The Arc, a progressive Jewish association, also defended the congresswoman.

"The attacks on Rashida Tlaib are vile &amp; baseless. She did not minimize the tragedy of the Holocaust," the group tweeted. "Shame on GOP leadership for weaponizing antisemitism &amp; Jewish trauma to attack progressive leaders of colour and push Islamophobia."

Similar accusations of anti-Semitism were levelled against Ilhan Omar, who after Tlaib is the only other Muslim in Congress after she said earlier this year that American support for Israel was driven by money from a pro-Israel lobbying group.

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic.

US President Donald Trump on Monday entered the swirling debate over a US Congresswoman's comments regarding the Holocaust that Republicans have condemned as anti-Semitic. The uproar began last week when Rashida Tlaib, a freshman congresswoman in the House of Representatives whose parents are Palestinian immigrants, said in an interview that she finds "a kind of calming feeling," in the fact that Palestinians were involved in creating "a safe haven for Jews." "There's a kind of a calming feeling, I always tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors -- Palestinians -- who lost their land and some lost their lives," she told Yahoo's "Skullduggery" podcast on Friday. "All of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time," she said, adding, "I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that." Trump laid into Tlaib, saying the congresswoman "obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?" Top House Republican Liz Cheney also seized on the remarks, saying they represented "vile anti-Semitism" and called on the House's Democratic leadership to take action. "This must cross the line, even for them," she tweeted. Tlaib said on Twitter her remarks were taken out of context and that "All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably." She was backed up by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who said "Republicans’ desperate attempts to smear (Tlaib) & misrepresent her comments are outrageous," adding that Trump and Republicans needed to apologise. Yair Rosenberg, a writer for the online Jewish magazine Tablet, said Tlaib's comments were historically inaccurate but not anti-Semitic. "Tlaib said she got a 'calming feeling' NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical," he wrote on Twitter, "but it isn't anti-Semitic." Rashida Tlaib said she got a "calming feeling" NOT about the Holocaust, but about how Palestinians gave refuge to Jews from it. This is ahistorical (the local Arabs rioted & got the British to halt Jewish immigration, and their Mufti was Hitler's ally), but it isn't anti-Semitic. — (((Yair Rosenberg))) (@Yair_Rosenberg) May 13, 2019 × Bend The Arc, a progressive Jewish association, also defended the congresswoman. "The attacks on Rashida Tlaib are vile & baseless. She did not minimize the tragedy of the Holocaust," the group tweeted. "Shame on GOP leadership for weaponizing antisemitism & Jewish trauma to attack progressive leaders of colour and push Islamophobia." Similar accusations of anti-Semitism were levelled against Ilhan Omar, who after Tlaib is the only other Muslim in Congress after she said earlier this year that American support for Israel was driven by money from a pro-Israel lobbying group.

Uproar follows US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's Holocaust remarks

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, May 14th 2019

President Donald Trump said on Monday he was optimistic about resolving the US trade dispute with China.

Speaking at a White House dinner, Trump noted that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was attending the event, returned from trade talks in China two weeks ago.

"He just got back from China. We'll let you know in about three or four weeks whether or not it was successful. ... But I have a feeling it's going to be very successful," Trump said.

Earlier, China&nbsp;imposed higher tariffs on a range of US&nbsp;goods, including frozen vegetables and liquefied natural gas, a move in retaliation to Washington's decision last week to hike its own levies on $200 billion in Chinese imports.

The prospect that the United States and China were spiralling into a no-holds-barred dispute that could derail the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-setback-stokes-recession-fears-stocks-slide-218396">global economy has rattled investors</a> and led to a sharp selloff on equities markets in the past week.

A gauge of global stocks shed a further 1.9% on Monday, its biggest one-day drop in more than five months. China's yuan currency fell to its lowest level since December and oil futures slumped.

Trump, who has embraced protectionism as part of an "America First" agenda, said he would talk to Xi at a G20 summit in late June.

US farmers are among those most hurt by the trade war, with soybean sales to China plummeting and US soybean futures hitting their lowest level in a decade.&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said on Monday his administration was planning to provide about $15 billion to help farmers whose products might be targeted.

Steady drum beat

China said on Monday it planned to set import tariffs ranging from 5% to 25% on<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-may-provoke-us-lawmakers-to-impeach-him-by-obstructing-investigations-adam-schiff-218219"> 5,140 US products on a $60 billion target list</a>. It said the tariffs would take effect on June 1.

"China's adjustment on additional tariffs is a response to US unilateralism and protectionism," its finance ministry said. "China hopes the US will get back to the right track of bilateral trade and economic consultations and meet with China halfway."

In the middle of the negotiations last week, Trump hiked tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25% from 10%. The move affected 5,700 categories of Chinese products, including internet modems and routers.

Sources have said talks stalled after China tried to delete commitments from a draft agreement that its laws would be changed to enact new policies on issues from intellectual property protection to forced technology transfers.

Beijing said on Monday it would never surrender to external pressure. Its state media kept up a steady drum beat of strongly worded commentary, reiterating that the door to talks was always open but vowing that China would defend its national interests and dignity.

State television said in a commentary the effect of the US tariffs on the Chinese economy was "totally controllable."

Trump has said he is in no rush to finalise a deal with China. He again defended the move to hike US tariffs and said there was no reason why American consumers would pay the costs.

Economists and industry consultants, however, maintain that it is US businesses that will pay the costs and likely pass them on to consumers.

US tariffs last year triggered retaliation by China, which imposed 25% levies on $50 billion worth of US products including soybeans, beef and pork and lower tariffs on a list of $60 billion in goods.

Goldman Sachs economists said in a research note new evidence showed the costs of Washington's tariffs on China last year had fallen entirely on US businesses and households, with no clear reduction in prices charged by Chinese exporters.

They said the effects of the tariffs had spilled over noticeably to the prices charged by US producers competing with goods affected by the levies.

President Donald Trump said on Monday he was optimistic about resolving the US trade dispute with China. Speaking at a White House dinner, Trump noted that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was attending the event, returned from trade talks in China two weeks ago.

President Donald Trump said on Monday he was optimistic about resolving the US trade dispute with China. Speaking at a White House dinner, Trump noted that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was attending the event, returned from trade talks in China two weeks ago. "He just got back from China. We'll let you know in about three or four weeks whether or not it was successful. ... But I have a feeling it's going to be very successful," Trump said. Earlier, China imposed higher tariffs on a range of US goods, including frozen vegetables and liquefied natural gas, a move in retaliation to Washington's decision last week to hike its own levies on $200 billion in Chinese imports. The prospect that the United States and China were spiralling into a no-holds-barred dispute that could derail the global economy has rattled investors and led to a sharp selloff on equities markets in the past week. A gauge of global stocks shed a further 1.9% on Monday, its biggest one-day drop in more than five months. China's yuan currency fell to its lowest level since December and oil futures slumped. Trump, who has embraced protectionism as part of an "America First" agenda, said he would talk to Xi at a G20 summit in late June. US farmers are among those most hurt by the trade war, with soybean sales to China plummeting and US soybean futures hitting their lowest level in a decade. Trump said on Monday his administration was planning to provide about $15 billion to help farmers whose products might be targeted. Steady drum beat China said on Monday it planned to set import tariffs ranging from 5% to 25% on 5,140 US products on a $60 billion target list. It said the tariffs would take effect on June 1. "China's adjustment on additional tariffs is a response to US unilateralism and protectionism," its finance ministry said. "China hopes the US will get back to the right track of bilateral trade and economic consultations and meet with China halfway." In the middle of the negotiations last week, Trump hiked tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25% from 10%. The move affected 5,700 categories of Chinese products, including internet modems and routers. Sources have said talks stalled after China tried to delete commitments from a draft agreement that its laws would be changed to enact new policies on issues from intellectual property protection to forced technology transfers. Beijing said on Monday it would never surrender to external pressure. Its state media kept up a steady drum beat of strongly worded commentary, reiterating that the door to talks was always open but vowing that China would defend its national interests and dignity. State television said in a commentary the effect of the US tariffs on the Chinese economy was "totally controllable." Trump has said he is in no rush to finalise a deal with China. He again defended the move to hike US tariffs and said there was no reason why American consumers would pay the costs. Economists and industry consultants, however, maintain that it is US businesses that will pay the costs and likely pass them on to consumers. US tariffs last year triggered retaliation by China, which imposed 25% levies on $50 billion worth of US products including soybeans, beef and pork and lower tariffs on a list of $60 billion in goods. Goldman Sachs economists said in a research note new evidence showed the costs of Washington's tariffs on China last year had fallen entirely on US businesses and households, with no clear reduction in prices charged by Chinese exporters. They said the effects of the tariffs had spilled over noticeably to the prices charged by US producers competing with goods affected by the levies.

Trump says he feels US-China trade talks 'going to be very successful'

President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to meet with the presidents of Russia and China next month at the Group of 20 summit in Japan.

As the trade conflict with China escalates, Trump said of the expected encounter with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, "we'll be meeting at the G20 in Japan. And that will be I think probably a very fruitful meeting."

Speaking to reporters at the White House as he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Trump also said he expected to meet with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

However, the Kremlin responded immediately saying there was no agreement on a meeting.

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-secretary-pompeo-to-visit-brussels-monday-to-discuss-iran-official-218245">Mike Pompeo made a last-minute change of plan</a>, scrapping a trip to Moscow that had been planned for Tuesday, meeting instead with counterparts from European allies who have been critical of US policy on Iran.

Despite Trump's conciliatory attitude toward Putin, Washington and Moscow are at loggerheads on an array of urgent strategic questions, including the Venezuelan crisis, the Syrian civil war and the conflict in Ukraine.

US officials have demanded for weeks that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-of-plotting-coup-in-venezuela-205616">Moscow cease its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro</a>, whom Washington opposes, accusing him of running a corrupt and incompetent leftist regime.

Trump said early this month that Putin had assured him that Russia was not involved in Venezuela.

President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to meet with the presidents of Russia and China next month at the Group of 20 summit in Japan. As the trade conflict with China escalates, Trump said of the expected encounter with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, "we'll be meeting at the G20 in Japan.

President Donald Trump said Monday he expects to meet with the presidents of Russia and China next month at the Group of 20 summit in Japan. As the trade conflict with China escalates, Trump said of the expected encounter with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, "we'll be meeting at the G20 in Japan. And that will be I think probably a very fruitful meeting." Speaking to reporters at the White House as he met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Trump also said he expected to meet with Russia's Vladimir Putin. However, the Kremlin responded immediately saying there was no agreement on a meeting. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a last-minute change of plan, scrapping a trip to Moscow that had been planned for Tuesday, meeting instead with counterparts from European allies who have been critical of US policy on Iran. Despite Trump's conciliatory attitude toward Putin, Washington and Moscow are at loggerheads on an array of urgent strategic questions, including the Venezuelan crisis, the Syrian civil war and the conflict in Ukraine. US officials have demanded for weeks that Moscow cease its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington opposes, accusing him of running a corrupt and incompetent leftist regime. Trump said early this month that Putin had assured him that Russia was not involved in Venezuela.

Trump will meet Putin, Xi at G20 summit in Japan; says, we'll be very fruitful meeting

Russian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-president-vladimir-putin-scores-eight-goals-in-all-star-hockey-game-217675">President Vladimir Putin</a> on Tuesday meets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the highest-level talks between the rival powers in nearly a year as they see if they can make headway on a raft of disagreements from Venezuela to Iran to arms control.

Pompeo will visit Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi less than two weeks after US President Donald Trump voiced optimism about improving relations with Moscow during a more than one-hour telephone conversation with the Russian leader.

The new diplomatic push followed the long-awaited report in the United States by investigator Robert Mueller which found that Russia interfered in the 2016 election but that the Trump campaign did not collude with Moscow, partially lifting a cloud that had hung over the mogul-turned-president for two years.

Putin is expected to receive Pompeo Tuesday evening after the US secretary of state holds talks with Moscow's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov.

"My meetings in Russia will highlight a number of important topics," Pompeo tweeted on Tuesday.

"On some issues, we may agree, on others we may disagree, but when it’s in our national interests, it is our responsibility to find a way forward."

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Pompeo is the highest-ranking US official to see Putin since July when Trump met him in Helsinki and stunned the US political class by appearing to accept the Russian leader's statement at face value that he did not meddle in the US election.

Despite Trump's conciliatory attitude toward Putin, Washington and Moscow are at loggerheads on an array of urgent strategic questions, including the Venezuelan crisis, Iran, the Syrian civil war and the conflict in Ukraine.&nbsp;

&nbsp;'Hypersonic weapons'&nbsp;

Hours before he meets Pompeo, Putin is expected to visit a top military flight test centre and inspect new weaponry on Tuesday.

At a meeting Monday evening, Putin stressed that Russia was developing hypersonic weapons and tasked his top brass with also developing defences against such weapons.

"We understand full well that leading countries of the world will sooner or later get such weapons," Putin said.&nbsp;

"This means that we should get hold of defences against such types of weapons before" Western countries put such weapons into combat service.

Both the United States and Russia hope to make some progress on arms control, with Moscow seeking a five-year extension of the New START treaty, which caps the number of nuclear warheads well below Cold War limits and is set to expire in 2021.

The Trump administration earlier this year pulled out of another key arms control agreement, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, with NATO allies saying a Russian missile system was in violation. Moscow has denied the claims.

Last year Putin revealed a new generation of "invincible" nuclear weapons and warned of a new arms race if America pulled out of weapons treaties.

The Venezuela crisis is expected to be another key point of contention.

The United States has been trying for more than three months to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a leftist firebrand whose re-election was widely criticised for irregularities, and Pompeo has repeatedly blamed Russia for giving him a lifeline.

Trump has, however, contradicted Pompeo, saying the Russian president assured him that Moscow is not involved in Venezuela.

&nbsp;'Regime slays dissidents'&nbsp;

The US president's enthusiasm for courting Putin has little support in Washington, even within his own administration, which has kept up a campaign of pressure including sanctions on Russia over alleged election meddling and Moscow's support for armed separatists in Ukraine.

Pompeo, despite his close relationship with Trump, left little doubt on where he stood in remarks Saturday in California.

Addressing the conservative Claremont Institute, Pompeo said that US policymakers in recent decades had "drifted from realism" and chastised them for believing that "enfolding the likes of China and Russia into a so-called rules-based international order would hasten their domestic evolution towards democracy."

"But we can see now 30 years on, after the end of the Cold War, that the Putin regime slays dissidents in cold blood and invades its neighbours," Pompeo said.

Pompeo cancelled a stop in Moscow scheduled for Monday to meet with European foreign ministers in Brussels, who have been uncomfortable with the hawkish direction of the United States, especially on Iran.

The United States has pulled out of a nuclear deal backed by the Europeans, Russia and China and instead has slapped sweeping sanctions on Iran in an all-out effort to curb Tehran's regional clout.

The United States has recently ramped up the pressure by deploying to the region an aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable bombers, warning vaguely of imminent threats from Iran, which UN inspectors say is complying with the 2015 accord.

Russia's Lavrov said he would have a "frank conversation" with Pompeo on Iran.

"We will try to clarify with Pompeo how the Americans plan to get out of this crisis, which was created by their unilateral decisions," Lavrov told reporters as he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Sochi on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday meets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the highest-level talks between the rival powers in nearly a year as they see if they can make headway on a raft of disagreements from Venezuela to Iran to arms control.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday meets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the highest-level talks between the rival powers in nearly a year as they see if they can make headway on a raft of disagreements from Venezuela to Iran to arms control. Pompeo will visit Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi less than two weeks after US President Donald Trump voiced optimism about improving relations with Moscow during a more than one-hour telephone conversation with the Russian leader. The new diplomatic push followed the long-awaited report in the United States by investigator Robert Mueller which found that Russia interfered in the 2016 election but that the Trump campaign did not collude with Moscow, partially lifting a cloud that had hung over the mogul-turned-president for two years. Putin is expected to receive Pompeo Tuesday evening after the US secretary of state holds talks with Moscow's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov. "My meetings in Russia will highlight a number of important topics," Pompeo tweeted on Tuesday. "On some issues, we may agree, on others we may disagree, but when it’s in our national interests, it is our responsibility to find a way forward." × Pompeo is the highest-ranking US official to see Putin since July when Trump met him in Helsinki and stunned the US political class by appearing to accept the Russian leader's statement at face value that he did not meddle in the US election. Despite Trump's conciliatory attitude toward Putin, Washington and Moscow are at loggerheads on an array of urgent strategic questions, including the Venezuelan crisis, Iran, the Syrian civil war and the conflict in Ukraine. 'Hypersonic weapons' Hours before he meets Pompeo, Putin is expected to visit a top military flight test centre and inspect new weaponry on Tuesday. At a meeting Monday evening, Putin stressed that Russia was developing hypersonic weapons and tasked his top brass with also developing defences against such weapons. "We understand full well that leading countries of the world will sooner or later get such weapons," Putin said. "This means that we should get hold of defences against such types of weapons before" Western countries put such weapons into combat service. Both the United States and Russia hope to make some progress on arms control, with Moscow seeking a five-year extension of the New START treaty, which caps the number of nuclear warheads well below Cold War limits and is set to expire in 2021. The Trump administration earlier this year pulled out of another key arms control agreement, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, with NATO allies saying a Russian missile system was in violation. Moscow has denied the claims. Last year Putin revealed a new generation of "invincible" nuclear weapons and warned of a new arms race if America pulled out of weapons treaties. The Venezuela crisis is expected to be another key point of contention. The United States has been trying for more than three months to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a leftist firebrand whose re-election was widely criticised for irregularities, and Pompeo has repeatedly blamed Russia for giving him a lifeline. Trump has, however, contradicted Pompeo, saying the Russian president assured him that Moscow is not involved in Venezuela. 'Regime slays dissidents' The US president's enthusiasm for courting Putin has little support in Washington, even within his own administration, which has kept up a campaign of pressure including sanctions on Russia over alleged election meddling and Moscow's support for armed separatists in Ukraine. Pompeo, despite his close relationship with Trump, left little doubt on where he stood in remarks Saturday in California. Addressing the conservative Claremont Institute, Pompeo said that US policymakers in recent decades had "drifted from realism" and chastised them for believing that "enfolding the likes of China and Russia into a so-called rules-based international order would hasten their domestic evolution towards democracy." "But we can see now 30 years on, after the end of the Cold War, that the Putin regime slays dissidents in cold blood and invades its neighbours," Pompeo said. Pompeo cancelled a stop in Moscow scheduled for Monday to meet with European foreign ministers in Brussels, who have been uncomfortable with the hawkish direction of the United States, especially on Iran. The United States has pulled out of a nuclear deal backed by the Europeans, Russia and China and instead has slapped sweeping sanctions on Iran in an all-out effort to curb Tehran's regional clout. The United States has recently ramped up the pressure by deploying to the region an aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable bombers, warning vaguely of imminent threats from Iran, which UN inspectors say is complying with the 2015 accord. Russia's Lavrov said he would have a "frank conversation" with Pompeo on Iran. "We will try to clarify with Pompeo how the Americans plan to get out of this crisis, which was created by their unilateral decisions," Lavrov told reporters as he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Sochi on Monday.

Putin meets Pompeo as US seeks 'a way forward' in ties

Iran's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-calls-for-unity-to-face-unprecedented-us-pressure-217908/amp">Hassan Rouhani</a> has said that the Islamic Republic is "too great to be intimidated by anyone" in a late night meeting with clerics.

"God willing we will pass this difficult period with glory and our heads held high, and defeat the enemy," Rouhani said late Monday as he met Sunni clerics to mark the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, the official government website dolat.Ir said.

He was speaking after four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were reportedly attacked off the UAE coast on Sunday, in a sign of mounting regional tensions. Iran has called for an investigation into what it called an "alarming" incident.

Iran and the United States have engaged in a war of words in recent weeks since Tehran began to roll back commitments set out in a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-ship-seizure-by-us-violates-spirit-of-trump-kim-summit-218542">US President Donald Trump </a>withdraw the United States from the deal last year and has unilaterally reimposed stringent sanctions on Iran. Last month, Washington designated Iran's revolutionary guards as a "foreign terrorist organisation", the first time that part of a foreign government has been branded as such.

The dispatch of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group plus an amphibious assault ship, a Patriot missile battery and B-52 bombers by the US to the region has triggered fears of possible military clashes.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has said that the Islamic Republic is "too great to be intimidated by anyone" in a late night meeting with clerics. "God willing we will pass this difficult period with glory and our heads held high, and defeat the enemy," Rouhani said late Monday as he met Sunni clerics to mark the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, the official government website dolat.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has said that the Islamic Republic is "too great to be intimidated by anyone" in a late night meeting with clerics. "God willing we will pass this difficult period with glory and our heads held high, and defeat the enemy," Rouhani said late Monday as he met Sunni clerics to mark the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, the official government website dolat.Ir said. He was speaking after four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were reportedly attacked off the UAE coast on Sunday, in a sign of mounting regional tensions. Iran has called for an investigation into what it called an "alarming" incident. Iran and the United States have engaged in a war of words in recent weeks since Tehran began to roll back commitments set out in a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. US President Donald Trump withdraw the United States from the deal last year and has unilaterally reimposed stringent sanctions on Iran. Last month, Washington designated Iran's revolutionary guards as a "foreign terrorist organisation", the first time that part of a foreign government has been branded as such. The dispatch of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group plus an amphibious assault ship, a Patriot missile battery and B-52 bombers by the US to the region has triggered fears of possible military clashes.

Iran too great to be intimidated by anyone: Rouhani

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