North and South Korea's leaders have agreed to meet "frequently" following their surprise face-to-face over the weekend, Pyongyang's state media reported Sunday, adding Kim Jong Un's hopes were &nbsp"fixed" for a potential summit next month with the US.

"They shared the opinion that they would meet frequently in the future to make dialogue brisk and pool wisdom and efforts, expressing their stand to make joint efforts for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," KCNA said in the North's first confirmation of Saturday's talks between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.&nbsp

"Kim Jong Un thanked Moon Jae-in for much effort made by him for the DPRK-US summit scheduled for June 12, and expressed his fixed will on the historic DPRK-US summit talks," the report added, using the official abbreviation for North Korea.

North and Soth Korea's leaders have agreed to meet "frequently" following their surprise face-to-face over the weekend, Pyongyang's state media reported Sunday, adding Kim Jong Un's hopes were 'fixed' for a potential summit next month with the US

North and South Korea's leaders have agreed to meet "frequently" following their surprise face-to-face over the weekend, Pyongyang's state media reported Sunday, adding Kim Jong Un's hopes were "fixed" for a potential summit next month with the US. "They shared the opinion that they would meet frequently in the future to make dialogue brisk and pool wisdom and efforts, expressing their stand to make joint efforts for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," KCNA said in the North's first confirmation of Saturday's talks between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. "Kim Jong Un thanked Moon Jae-in for much effort made by him for the DPRK-US summit scheduled for June 12, and expressed his fixed will on the historic DPRK-US summit talks," the report added, using the official abbreviation for North Korea.

Korean leaders vow to 'meet frequently in the future': Report

North Korea on Sunday disputed reports which said that North Korea is seeking economic assistance from the United States in exchange for complete denuclearisation.&nbsp;

The incumbent Workers' Party's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun said that Fox News TV, CBS and CNN were as impudent as to make rubbish that if North Korea meets the requirements of the U.S., it can get 'large-scale non-governmental economic aid,'" Yonhap quoted.

Agitated North claims that it is the US that asked for Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)-US talks first and as far as the economic aid is concerned, the DPRK has never asked for it.

This newspaper controversy came after the US President Donald Trump cancelled the meeting with North Korean Supreme leader Kim Jong-Un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. Trump later changed his statement saying, the summit would go ahead as planned.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House during a meeting with a US prisoner freed by Venezuela.

"We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. It hasn't changed.

Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his June 12 meeting with Kim in the Southeast Asian city-state, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang.'

Also, South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, the South said in the second inter-Korean summit in as many months.

Moon and Kim met just north of the heavily militarised border in the afternoon to exchange views to pave way for a summit between North Korea and the United States, South Korea's presidential office said.

The Blue House, South Korea's presidential office, said the two leaders held talks for two hours in the truce village of Panmunjom, where they had met last month and made a declaration vowing to improve ties.

"They exchanged views and discussed ways to implement the Panmunjom Declaration and to ensure a successful US North Korea summit," the Blue House said in a statement, adding further details would be released Sunday morning.

This newspaper controversy came after the US President Donald Trump cancelled the meeting with North Korean Supreme leader Kim Jong-Un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. Trump later changed his statement saying, the summit would go ahead as planned

North Korea on Sunday disputed reports which said that North Korea is seeking economic assistance from the United States in exchange for complete denuclearisation. The incumbent Workers' Party's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun said that Fox News TV, CBS and CNN were as impudent as to make rubbish that if North Korea meets the requirements of the U.S., it can get 'large-scale non-governmental economic aid,'" Yonhap quoted. Agitated North claims that it is the US that asked for Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)-US talks first and as far as the economic aid is concerned, the DPRK has never asked for it. This newspaper controversy came after the US President Donald Trump cancelled the meeting with North Korean Supreme leader Kim Jong-Un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. Trump later changed his statement saying, the summit would go ahead as planned. US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House during a meeting with a US prisoner freed by Venezuela. "We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. It hasn't changed. Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his June 12 meeting with Kim in the Southeast Asian city-state, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang.' Also, South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, the South said in the second inter-Korean summit in as many months. Moon and Kim met just north of the heavily militarised border in the afternoon to exchange views to pave way for a summit between North Korea and the United States, South Korea's presidential office said. The Blue House, South Korea's presidential office, said the two leaders held talks for two hours in the truce village of Panmunjom, where they had met last month and made a declaration vowing to improve ties. "They exchanged views and discussed ways to implement the Panmunjom Declaration and to ensure a successful US North Korea summit," the Blue House said in a statement, adding further details would be released Sunday morning.

North Korea refutes reports saying it's seeking economic help from US

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having "productive talks" about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he cancelled the meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility."

"We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump said in a Twitter post.

South Korea's presidential spokesman said in response: "We are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for US-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully."

Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks.

"It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th.

"We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it."

After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States.

Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in cancelling the summit.

In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit.

He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues "regardless of ways, at any time."

Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit.

"We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue," he said.

DIPLOMATS AT WORK

Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were "still at work" and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on "if our diplomats can pull it off."

US&nbspState Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: "As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward hearing from them at the highest levels."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was "just a political stunt."

"He wants to get something that’s a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are they are ready to do that then ... we’re certainly ready to have those conversations," she said.

North Korea had sharply criticised suggestions by Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear program.

Trump had initially sought to placate North Korea, saying he was not pursuing the "Libya model" and Sanders said he was following "the President Trump model."

US&nbspregional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit on Friday.

At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on China's core interests.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen.

South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after Moon's top security advisers met for the second time on Friday.

Some analysts worried that cancelling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington.

In his letter, Trump warned Kim of the United States' greater nuclear might, reminiscent of his tweet last year asserting that he had a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim.

While the Trump administration had insisted on North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear program, Pyongyang had always couched its language in terms of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

It has said in previous, failed talks that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan.

Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having "productive talks" about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he cancelled the meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility." "We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump said in a Twitter post. South Korea's presidential spokesman said in response: "We are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for US-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully." Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th. "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in cancelling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues "regardless of ways, at any time." Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. "We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue," he said. DIPLOMATS AT WORK Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were "still at work" and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on "if our diplomats can pull it off." US&nbspState Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: "As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward hearing from them at the highest levels." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was "just a political stunt." "He wants to get something that’s a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are they are ready to do that then ... we’re certainly ready to have those conversations," she said. North Korea had sharply criticised suggestions by Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear program. Trump had initially sought to placate North Korea, saying he was not pursuing the "Libya model" and Sanders said he was following "the President Trump model." US&nbspregional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit on Friday. At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on China's core interests. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen. South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after Moon's top security advisers met for the second time on Friday. Some analysts worried that cancelling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington. In his letter, Trump warned Kim of the United States' greater nuclear might, reminiscent of his tweet last year asserting that he had a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim. While the Trump administration had insisted on North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear program, Pyongyang had always couched its language in terms of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. It has said in previous, failed talks that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan.

US in 'productive talks' about reinstating June North Korea summit: Trump

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had reached a deal to keep Chinese telecoms giant ZTE running, rolling back some penalties in exchange for security guarantees -- a move that infuriated Democrats and some in his own party.

The news comes as the US prepares to send a trade delegation back to Beijing next week to continue talks aimed at defusing a potentially serious trade dispute with China after the countries exchanged huge tit-for-tat threats on imports.

In a tweet Friday evening the US president praised his plan while lambasting Democrats as well as the Barack Obama administration, who he said: "let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks."

"I closed it down then let it reopen with high-level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase US&nbspparts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing."

In a follow-up tweet, he called the "so-called Trade Deals" struck by Democrats "the laughing stock of the world!"

The New York Times had reported earlier of a deal with China's ZTE that would lift crippling sanctions slapped on the company.

The reported terms of the deal closely match the conditions US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross described earlier this week as a means for the firm to escape the export ban that nearly shuttered its operations.

It provoked a harsh reaction among some members of Congress, however, as lawmakers have been critical of the administration for signalling it might ease the pressure on a company that violated US sanctions on Iran and North Korea and repeatedly lied to US officials.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, slammed Trump's deal as "a staggering betrayal of the American people."

"Trump pledged to fight for Americans, but he's now using US&nbspgovernment resources to enrich ZTE (a foreign company designated a national cybersecurity risk)," Pelosi tweeted.

ZTE was fined $1.2 billion in March 2017, but last month Washington banned the sale of crucial US components to the company after finding it had lied multiple times and failed to take action against employees responsible for sanctions violations.

Under the new deal brokered by the Commerce Department, according to the Times, ZTE would pay a substantial fine, hire American compliance officers to be placed at the firm and make changes to its current management team.

Even while US officials said the ZTE penalties were a national security issue separate from the trade talks with Beijing, Trump said Tuesday he was looking at easing the tough sanctions on ZTE "as a favour" to Chinese President Xi Jinping.&nbsp

Alternatives&nbsp

On Thursday, Ross said that at Trump's request, his department was looking at alternatives to the harsh penalty he chose to impose.

But, he said, "if we do decide to go forward with an alternative, what it literally would involve would be in planting people of our choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit and that unit would report back to the Department of Commerce."

Top Republican and Democrat senators have denounced the compromise and one even vowed to block it.

The reprieve for ZTE came just after Washington and Beijing called a halt to a spiralling trade dispute sparked by US accusations of China's unfair practices and the alleged theft of US technology, with Washington suspending plans to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports.

Trump also faced accusations of quid-pro-quo after pledging to soften sanctions on ZTE just days after AFP reported a Chinese state firm would pour cash into a Trump-tied real estate venture in Indonesia.

Lawmakers were incensed by Trump's offer last week to rescue the company and Chinese jobs, which came via Twitter in the midst of the trade talks with Beijing. The president angrily denied back-pedalling.

Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who chairs a key subcommittee on foreign relations, denounced the move and vowed lawmakers would work on "veto-proof legislation" to stop the deal.

Tweeting again on Friday, Rubio again accused the administration of reaching an agreement that was beneficial to China.

"It is a great deal... for #ZTE & China. #China crushes US companies with no mercy & they use these telecom companies to spy & steal from us," he said on Twitter.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also decried the deal.

"If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again. Would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by Pres Trump," he tweeted. "Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks."

Asked by AFP for comment, a Commerce spokesman said no information was available.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had reached a deal to keep Chinese telecoms giant ZTE running, rolling back some penalties in exchange for security guarantees

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had reached a deal to keep Chinese telecoms giant ZTE running, rolling back some penalties in exchange for security guarantees -- a move that infuriated Democrats and some in his own party. The news comes as the US prepares to send a trade delegation back to Beijing next week to continue talks aimed at defusing a potentially serious trade dispute with China after the countries exchanged huge tit-for-tat threats on imports. In a tweet Friday evening the US president praised his plan while lambasting Democrats as well as the Barack Obama administration, who he said: "let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks." "I closed it down then let it reopen with high-level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase US&nbspparts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing." In a follow-up tweet, he called the "so-called Trade Deals" struck by Democrats "the laughing stock of the world!" The New York Times had reported earlier of a deal with China's ZTE that would lift crippling sanctions slapped on the company. The reported terms of the deal closely match the conditions US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross described earlier this week as a means for the firm to escape the export ban that nearly shuttered its operations. It provoked a harsh reaction among some members of Congress, however, as lawmakers have been critical of the administration for signalling it might ease the pressure on a company that violated US sanctions on Iran and North Korea and repeatedly lied to US officials. Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, slammed Trump's deal as "a staggering betrayal of the American people." "Trump pledged to fight for Americans, but he's now using US&nbspgovernment resources to enrich ZTE (a foreign company designated a national cybersecurity risk)," Pelosi tweeted. ZTE was fined $1.2 billion in March 2017, but last month Washington banned the sale of crucial US components to the company after finding it had lied multiple times and failed to take action against employees responsible for sanctions violations. Under the new deal brokered by the Commerce Department, according to the Times, ZTE would pay a substantial fine, hire American compliance officers to be placed at the firm and make changes to its current management team. Even while US officials said the ZTE penalties were a national security issue separate from the trade talks with Beijing, Trump said Tuesday he was looking at easing the tough sanctions on ZTE "as a favour" to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Alternatives On Thursday, Ross said that at Trump's request, his department was looking at alternatives to the harsh penalty he chose to impose. But, he said, "if we do decide to go forward with an alternative, what it literally would involve would be in planting people of our choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit and that unit would report back to the Department of Commerce." Top Republican and Democrat senators have denounced the compromise and one even vowed to block it. The reprieve for ZTE came just after Washington and Beijing called a halt to a spiralling trade dispute sparked by US accusations of China's unfair practices and the alleged theft of US technology, with Washington suspending plans to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports. Trump also faced accusations of quid-pro-quo after pledging to soften sanctions on ZTE just days after AFP reported a Chinese state firm would pour cash into a Trump-tied real estate venture in Indonesia. Lawmakers were incensed by Trump's offer last week to rescue the company and Chinese jobs, which came via Twitter in the midst of the trade talks with Beijing. The president angrily denied back-pedalling. Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who chairs a key subcommittee on foreign relations, denounced the move and vowed lawmakers would work on "veto-proof legislation" to stop the deal. Tweeting again on Friday, Rubio again accused the administration of reaching an agreement that was beneficial to China. "It is a great deal... for #ZTE & China. #China crushes US companies with no mercy & they use these telecom companies to spy & steal from us," he said on Twitter. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also decried the deal. "If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again. Would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by Pres Trump," he tweeted. "Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks." Asked by AFP for comment, a Commerce spokesman said no information was available.

White House reaches deal to lift sanctions on China's ZTE

US&nbsp;Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt's security detail has cost taxpayers well over $3 million so far, up sharply from his predecessor during an equivalent period, according to details released by the agency, which said Pruitt's life had been threatened.

Pruitt, who environmental groups have accused of lax enforcement and cozy ties with industry, requested 24-hour protection beginning on his first day in office. It was an unusual measure for the nation's top environmental regulator, and Pruitt and the agency have said it was justified by a high number of threats to his life.

"Administrator Pruitt has faced an unprecedented amount of death threats against him and to provide transparency EPA will post the costs of his security detail and pro-actively release these numbers on a quarterly basis," EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox said in an emailed statement.

"Americans should all agree that members of the President's cabinet should be kept safe from violent threats,” he added.

Payroll for the EPA administrator's security detail cost taxpayers $3.43 million between the first quarter of 2017 through the second quarter of 2018, according to the figures, released as part of a Freedom of Information Act request. That compares with $2.48 million spent on his predecessor Gina McCarthy during the first six quarters of her tenure, which began in the middle of 2013, according to the figures.

Travel for the administrator's security detail, meanwhile, has amounted to $935,636 since the start of 2017, compared to $390,924 during the equivalent period for McCarthy, according to the figures.

Pruitt's spending on security, first-class air travel and office renovations, has been subject to intense scrutiny from lawmakers. Many Democrats and a handful of Republicans have called for his resignation over the issue.

EPA's Office of Inspector General has said Pruitt, who has been actively pursuing President Donald Trump's agenda to roll back environmental regulation and boost industry, has received many times more threats than previous EPA chiefs, a lot of them in the form of email and social media posts.

Trump has expressed support for Pruitt, saying he is doing a "fantastic" job at EPA. Some other top administration officials have resigned or been fired over spending scandals.

Scott Pruitt requested 24-hour protection beginning on his first day in office

US Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt's security detail has cost taxpayers well over $3 million so far, up sharply from his predecessor during an equivalent period, according to details released by the agency, which said Pruitt's life had been threatened. Pruitt, who environmental groups have accused of lax enforcement and cozy ties with industry, requested 24-hour protection beginning on his first day in office. It was an unusual measure for the nation's top environmental regulator, and Pruitt and the agency have said it was justified by a high number of threats to his life. "Administrator Pruitt has faced an unprecedented amount of death threats against him and to provide transparency EPA will post the costs of his security detail and pro-actively release these numbers on a quarterly basis," EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox said in an emailed statement. "Americans should all agree that members of the President's cabinet should be kept safe from violent threats,” he added. Payroll for the EPA administrator's security detail cost taxpayers $3.43 million between the first quarter of 2017 through the second quarter of 2018, according to the figures, released as part of a Freedom of Information Act request. That compares with $2.48 million spent on his predecessor Gina McCarthy during the first six quarters of her tenure, which began in the middle of 2013, according to the figures. Travel for the administrator's security detail, meanwhile, has amounted to $935,636 since the start of 2017, compared to $390,924 during the equivalent period for McCarthy, according to the figures. Pruitt's spending on security, first-class air travel and office renovations, has been subject to intense scrutiny from lawmakers. Many Democrats and a handful of Republicans have called for his resignation over the issue. EPA's Office of Inspector General has said Pruitt, who has been actively pursuing President Donald Trump's agenda to roll back environmental regulation and boost industry, has received many times more threats than previous EPA chiefs, a lot of them in the form of email and social media posts. Trump has expressed support for Pruitt, saying he is doing a "fantastic" job at EPA. Some other top administration officials have resigned or been fired over spending scandals.

US EPA chief Scott Pruitt's security bill soars, agency cites death threats

South Korea on Saturday welcomed the renewed prospect of a summit between the United States and North Korea after President Trump cancelled talks with Kim Jong Un only to suggest they might still take place.

"We find it fortunate that the embers of the North Korea-US talks are reignited. We are watching developments carefully," Presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-Gyeom said.

Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang.

President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trump's decision first reached Seoul late Thursday evening as he called Washington's U-turn "shocking and very regrettable".

On Friday, Trump turned on his heels again, saying the meeting with Kim could go ahead after all -- and would "likely" happen on the originally scheduled date of June 12 in Singapore.

The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearisation of the reclusive state.

South Korea's Moon has pushed diplomacy as he desperately sought to calm spiralling tensions on the Korean Peninsula and an escalating war of words between Kim and Trump last year sparked by Pyongyang's detonation of its largest nuclear bomb to date and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile tests.&nbsp;

Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang

South Korea on Saturday welcomed the renewed prospect of a summit between the United States and North Korea after President Trump cancelled talks with Kim Jong Un only to suggest they might still take place. "We find it fortunate that the embers of the North Korea-US talks are reignited. We are watching developments carefully," Presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-Gyeom said. Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang. President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trump's decision first reached Seoul late Thursday evening as he called Washington's U-turn "shocking and very regrettable". On Friday, Trump turned on his heels again, saying the meeting with Kim could go ahead after all -- and would "likely" happen on the originally scheduled date of June 12 in Singapore. The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearisation of the reclusive state. South Korea's Moon has pushed diplomacy as he desperately sought to calm spiralling tensions on the Korean Peninsula and an escalating war of words between Kim and Trump last year sparked by Pyongyang's detonation of its largest nuclear bomb to date and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile tests.

South Korea welcomes prospect of 'reignited' US-North Korea talks

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will visit Beijing next week to resume talks with Chinese officials, state media said&nbsp;Friday, as the two sides seek to avoid a trade war.

Ross's&nbsp;June 2-4&nbsp;visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He,&nbsp;on Friday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Liu visited Washington last week for high-level talks that ended with the world's two biggest economies agreeing to back off slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.

Both sides have extended olive branches since the weekend, with China announcing&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;that it will cut auto import tariffs from&nbsp;July 1.

For his part, President Donald Trump said his administration could impose a new fine of as much as $1.3 billion on embattled Chinese telecom company ZTE to replace crippling sanctions imposed last month that threatened to put the firm out of business.

At the same time, Trump said he was "not satisfied" with the recent talks.

The Chinese commerce ministry denied&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;that it had set a target to cut its trade surplus with the United States, though it said Beijing would seek to increase US imports.

Chinese officials were reported to have offered to slash the country's huge surplus by $200 billion -- meeting a key Washington demand -- by ramping up imports from the United States.

That was followed&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;by President Donald Trump tweeting that China will buy "massive amounts" of additional American agriculture products.

Wilbur Ross's June 2-4 visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will visit Beijing next week to resume talks with Chinese officials, state media said Friday, as the two sides seek to avoid a trade war. Ross's June 2-4 visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He, on Friday, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Liu visited Washington last week for high-level talks that ended with the world's two biggest economies agreeing to back off slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods. Both sides have extended olive branches since the weekend, with China announcing on Tuesday that it will cut auto import tariffs from July 1. For his part, President Donald Trump said his administration could impose a new fine of as much as $1.3 billion on embattled Chinese telecom company ZTE to replace crippling sanctions imposed last month that threatened to put the firm out of business. At the same time, Trump said he was "not satisfied" with the recent talks. The Chinese commerce ministry denied on Thursday that it had set a target to cut its trade surplus with the United States, though it said Beijing would seek to increase US imports. Chinese officials were reported to have offered to slash the country's huge surplus by $200 billion -- meeting a key Washington demand -- by ramping up imports from the United States. That was followed on Monday by President Donald Trump tweeting that China will buy "massive amounts" of additional American agriculture products.

US commerce chief to hold trade talks in China next week

Signatories of the Iran nuclear deal meet with the Islamic republic in Vienna&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;in a bid to save the agreement two weeks after Washington's dramatic withdrawal.

For the first time since the deal came into force in 2015, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany will gather -- at Iran's request -- without the United States, which pulled out on May 8.

US President Donald Trump has long trashed the deal with Iran -- concluded under his predecessor Barack Obama -- saying it did not do enough to curtail Tehran's nuclear ambitions.&nbsp;

He also said it did not go far enough in restricting Iran's ballistic missile programme, or its intervention in regional conflicts from Yemen to Iraq and Syria.

Since the US's pull out, the other signatories have since embarked on a diplomatic marathon to try to keep the agreement afloat.

According to a report seen by AFP&nbsp;Thursday, an International Atomic Energy Agency report shows Iran is still abiding by the deal's key restrictions on its nuclear facilities in return for relief from damaging economic sanctions.

The IAEA, however, is "encouraging (Iran) to go above and beyond the requirements" of the deal in order to boost confidence, said a senior diplomat in Vienna, where the IAEA is based.&nbsp;

Iran said it is waiting for concrete measures from the EU nations before it decides whether the deal can be saved while threatening to restart its uranium enrichment programme at an "industrial level" if not.

The five signatories still committed to the agreement have said they want Iran to stay in the deal, with the European countries saying they would not rule out further talks with the Islamic Republic on an expanded text.

However, several Iranian officials warned that the Vienna meeting would be devoted to the existing agreement only, implying that there was no question of broadening the discussions.

US President Donald Trump has long trashed the deal with Iran saying it did not do enough to curtail Tehran's nuclear ambitions

Signatories of the Iran nuclear deal meet with the Islamic republic in Vienna on Friday in a bid to save the agreement two weeks after Washington's dramatic withdrawal. For the first time since the deal came into force in 2015, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany will gather -- at Iran's request -- without the United States, which pulled out on May 8. US President Donald Trump has long trashed the deal with Iran -- concluded under his predecessor Barack Obama -- saying it did not do enough to curtail Tehran's nuclear ambitions. He also said it did not go far enough in restricting Iran's ballistic missile programme, or its intervention in regional conflicts from Yemen to Iraq and Syria. Since the US's pull out, the other signatories have since embarked on a diplomatic marathon to try to keep the agreement afloat. According to a report seen by AFP Thursday, an International Atomic Energy Agency report shows Iran is still abiding by the deal's key restrictions on its nuclear facilities in return for relief from damaging economic sanctions. The IAEA, however, is "encouraging (Iran) to go above and beyond the requirements" of the deal in order to boost confidence, said a senior diplomat in Vienna, where the IAEA is based. Iran said it is waiting for concrete measures from the EU nations before it decides whether the deal can be saved while threatening to restart its uranium enrichment programme at an "industrial level" if not. The five signatories still committed to the agreement have said they want Iran to stay in the deal, with the European countries saying they would not rule out further talks with the Islamic Republic on an expanded text. However, several Iranian officials warned that the Vienna meeting would be devoted to the existing agreement only, implying that there was no question of broadening the discussions.

Iran nuclear deal signatories meet for the first time since US pullout

Gold prices eased on Friday on profit-taking, after breaking above $1,300 in the previous session when US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's decision to call off a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un triggered safe-haven buying.

Spot gold was down 0.2 per cent at $1,302.18 per ounce at 0312 GMT, after gaining nearly 1 per cent in the previous session in its biggest one-day percentage rise since April 11. It remains on track for a weekly advance.

US&nbsp;gold futures for June delivery fell 0.2 per cent to $1,301.80 per ounce.

"It is normal for some profit-taking to ensue after a surge (in prices). Still, gold appears to be anchored in the $1,300-range, especially with the recent uptick in geopolitical tensions," said OCBC analyst Barnabas Gan.

"The sustained uncertainty over (US-North Korea) negotiations will likely add further upside to gold prices given safe-haven demand," Gan said.

Gold is often seen as a safe investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, alongside the Japanese yen.

The dollar regained its footing on Friday after dropping to a 2-week low versus the yen in the previous session, as North Korea said it was open to resolving issues with the United States after Trump on Thursday called off a summit with the North, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility".

A stronger dollar makes dollar-denominated gold more expensive for holders of other currencies.

The North's conciliatory remarks and commitment to US-North Korea talks had eased some concern about the crisis and pressured gold, said Helen Lau, an analyst at Argonaut Securities.

Meanwhile, Trump's threat to impose tariffs on auto imports drew strong criticism abroad and at home where US&nbsp;business&nbsp;groups and members of his own Republican Party warned of damage to the industry and raised the prospect of a global trade war that would harm American interests.

Elsewhere, eurozone growth could slow further and uncertainty is on the rise but the bloc's expansion remains solid and broad-based, European Central Bank policymakers concluded in April, the minutes of the meeting showed on Thursday.

Among other precious metals, silver fell 0.3 per cent to $16.57 an ounce, while platinum edged down 0.1 per cent to $908.50 an ounce after touching its highest since May 14 at $914.30 in the previous session.

Palladium climbed about 0.2 per cent to $976.10 an ounce.

All three of those metals were on course for weekly gains.

Spot gold was down 0.2 per cent at $1,302.18 per ounce at 0312 GMT, after gaining nearly 1 percent in the previous session

Gold prices eased on Friday on profit-taking, after breaking above $1,300 in the previous session when US President Donald Trump's decision to call off a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un triggered safe-haven buying. Spot gold was down 0.2 per cent at $1,302.18 per ounce at 0312 GMT, after gaining nearly 1 per cent in the previous session in its biggest one-day percentage rise since April 11. It remains on track for a weekly advance. US gold futures for June delivery fell 0.2 per cent to $1,301.80 per ounce. "It is normal for some profit-taking to ensue after a surge (in prices). Still, gold appears to be anchored in the $1,300-range, especially with the recent uptick in geopolitical tensions," said OCBC analyst Barnabas Gan. "The sustained uncertainty over (US-North Korea) negotiations will likely add further upside to gold prices given safe-haven demand," Gan said. Gold is often seen as a safe investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, alongside the Japanese yen. The dollar regained its footing on Friday after dropping to a 2-week low versus the yen in the previous session, as North Korea said it was open to resolving issues with the United States after Trump on Thursday called off a summit with the North, citing Pyongyang's "open hostility". A stronger dollar makes dollar-denominated gold more expensive for holders of other currencies. The North's conciliatory remarks and commitment to US-North Korea talks had eased some concern about the crisis and pressured gold, said Helen Lau, an analyst at Argonaut Securities. Meanwhile, Trump's threat to impose tariffs on auto imports drew strong criticism abroad and at home where US business groups and members of his own Republican Party warned of damage to the industry and raised the prospect of a global trade war that would harm American interests. Elsewhere, eurozone growth could slow further and uncertainty is on the rise but the bloc's expansion remains solid and broad-based, European Central Bank policymakers concluded in April, the minutes of the meeting showed on Thursday. Among other precious metals, silver fell 0.3 per cent to $16.57 an ounce, while platinum edged down 0.1 per cent to $908.50 an ounce after touching its highest since May 14 at $914.30 in the previous session. Palladium climbed about 0.2 per cent to $976.10 an ounce. All three of those metals were on course for weekly gains.

Gold slips, but demand keeps prices above $1,300

India needs to be central to what the Trump administration does in South and Central Asia, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the lawmakers on Thursday, asserting that India "ought to be" one of America's closest partners.

"For scores of reasons, India needs to be central to what we do. Specific issues -- South Central Asia issues, Southeast Asia issues. They ought to be one of our closest partners and we ought to do everything we can to make sure that we achieve that," he told the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 
 
Pompeo was responding to questions from Senator Chris Coons from Delaware about how to further strengthen the US-India relationship.

"Mr Secretary, if you would like to say anything about how we can work with this most populous democracy, a potential strategic partner to strengthen that relationship, I'll make that my last question," Coons asked.

He said sustaining a strategic dialogue with India was something that "would enjoy strong support here".

Pompeo responded that, "Defense Secretary (James) Mattis and I will jointly meet with our Indian counterparts in a dialogue that the two countries have had. I don't know that the date's been set but we're looking to do it. I think it's set this summer, very important."

Pompeo and Mattis are expected to host their Indian counterparts -- External affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman -- sometime this summer for the inaugural 2+2 dialogue.

The decision about this was taken when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House on June 26 last year.

The US-India relationship enjoys bipartisan support in the US Congress.

Early this week, a top US State Department official said the Trump administration supports India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

"The US-India partnership is rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based order. We support India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in our efforts to ensure that the Indo-

Pacific is a region of peace, stability and growing prosperity," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert had said.&nbsp;

Pompeo was responding to questions from Senator Chris Coons from Delaware about how to further strengthen the US-India relationship

India needs to be central to what the Trump administration does in South and Central Asia, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the lawmakers on Thursday, asserting that India "ought to be" one of America's closest partners. "For scores of reasons, India needs to be central to what we do. Specific issues -- South Central Asia issues, Southeast Asia issues. They ought to be one of our closest partners and we ought to do everything we can to make sure that we achieve that," he told the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Pompeo was responding to questions from Senator Chris Coons from Delaware about how to further strengthen the US-India relationship. "Mr Secretary, if you would like to say anything about how we can work with this most populous democracy, a potential strategic partner to strengthen that relationship, I'll make that my last question," Coons asked. He said sustaining a strategic dialogue with India was something that "would enjoy strong support here". Pompeo responded that, "Defense Secretary (James) Mattis and I will jointly meet with our Indian counterparts in a dialogue that the two countries have had. I don't know that the date's been set but we're looking to do it. I think it's set this summer, very important." Pompeo and Mattis are expected to host their Indian counterparts -- External affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman -- sometime this summer for the inaugural 2+2 dialogue. The decision about this was taken when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was hosted by President Donald Trump at the White House on June 26 last year. The US-India relationship enjoys bipartisan support in the US Congress. Early this week, a top US State Department official said the Trump administration supports India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. "The US-India partnership is rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based order. We support India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in our efforts to ensure that the Indo- Pacific is a region of peace, stability and growing prosperity," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert had said.

India ought to be one of America's closest partners, says US Secretary of State

US&nbspstocks dropped on Thursday, but were well off the session lows hit after President Donald Trump cancelled a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un and threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports.

Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility,", even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site.

The market, already lower due to a slide in oil prices and worries over Trump ordering a national security investigation into car and truck imports, dropped sharply after the meeting was called off.

The autos probe, ordered on Wednesday, could lead to new tariffs and China called the move an "abuse" of the national security clauses and said it would defend its interests.

Market participants said the drop after the summit was cancelled was a knee-jerk reaction.&nbsp

"Really not sure why people are looking at it so negatively, except when world politics is unstable, investors` knee-jerk reaction is to sell first and ask questions later," said Rick Meckler, partner, Cherry Lane Investments, a

family investment office in New Vernon, New Jersey.

"The bigger news has really been the proposed tariffs on foreign cars, the administration provides so much potential change everyday, that it's difficult for investors to see consistency to the economic future."

At 13:24 pm&nbspET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 64.85 points, or 0.26 per cent, at 24,821.96, the S&P 500 was down 4.23 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 2,729.06 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.98 points, or 0.03 per cent, at 7,427.94.

Earlier in the session the blue chip Dow fell as much as 1.1 per cent to touch a two-week low.

Defense stocks jumped after Trump called off the North Korea meeting and warned that the US&nbspmilitary was ready in the event of any reckless acts by North Korea.

Seven of the 11 major S&P sectors were in the red, with financials dropping 0.67 per cent.

The big banks were trading lower as the minutes from the Federal Reserve`s latest meeting tempered expectations of faster interest rate hikes.

The energy sector fell 1.25 per cent alongside a slide in oil prices.

US&nbspcrude future declined about 1 per cent, with expectations building that OPEC could wind down an output deal due to concerns about supplies from Venezuela and Iran.&nbsp

Ford and General Motors gained on the possibility of tariffs on European and Asian car imports. US-listed shares of Fiat fell 1.5 per cent.

Best Buy Co tumbled 7.5 per cent after the consumer electronics retailer reported a slowdown in quarterly online sales and did not update its full-year outlook.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.01-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.02-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

The S&P index recorded 19 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 89 new highs and 37 new lows.

Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility,", even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site

US&nbspstocks dropped on Thursday, but were well off the session lows hit after President Donald Trump cancelled a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un and threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports. Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility,", even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site. The market, already lower due to a slide in oil prices and worries over Trump ordering a national security investigation into car and truck imports, dropped sharply after the meeting was called off. The autos probe, ordered on Wednesday, could lead to new tariffs and China called the move an "abuse" of the national security clauses and said it would defend its interests. Market participants said the drop after the summit was cancelled was a knee-jerk reaction. "Really not sure why people are looking at it so negatively, except when world politics is unstable, investors` knee-jerk reaction is to sell first and ask questions later," said Rick Meckler, partner, Cherry Lane Investments, a family investment office in New Vernon, New Jersey. "The bigger news has really been the proposed tariffs on foreign cars, the administration provides so much potential change everyday, that it's difficult for investors to see consistency to the economic future." At 13:24 pm&nbspET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 64.85 points, or 0.26 per cent, at 24,821.96, the S&P 500 was down 4.23 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 2,729.06 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.98 points, or 0.03 per cent, at 7,427.94. Earlier in the session the blue chip Dow fell as much as 1.1 per cent to touch a two-week low. Defense stocks jumped after Trump called off the North Korea meeting and warned that the US&nbspmilitary was ready in the event of any reckless acts by North Korea. Seven of the 11 major S&P sectors were in the red, with financials dropping 0.67 per cent. The big banks were trading lower as the minutes from the Federal Reserve`s latest meeting tempered expectations of faster interest rate hikes. The energy sector fell 1.25 per cent alongside a slide in oil prices. US&nbspcrude future declined about 1 per cent, with expectations building that OPEC could wind down an output deal due to concerns about supplies from Venezuela and Iran. Ford and General Motors gained on the possibility of tariffs on European and Asian car imports. US-listed shares of Fiat fell 1.5 per cent. Best Buy Co tumbled 7.5 per cent after the consumer electronics retailer reported a slowdown in quarterly online sales and did not update its full-year outlook. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.01-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.02-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 19 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 89 new highs and 37 new lows.

Wall Street dips after Trump cancels North Korea summit, targets car imports

North Korea responded on Friday with measured tones to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's decision to call off a historic summit with leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, saying Pyongyang hoped for a "Trump-style solution" to resolve the standoff over its nuclear weapons programme.

On Thursday, Trump wrote a letter to Kim to announce his withdrawal from what would have been the first-ever meeting between a serving US&nbsp;president and a North Korean leader in Singapore on June 12.

"Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it would be inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote.

Trump's announcement came after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out of the summit over what it saw as confrontational remarks by US&nbsp;officials.

Friday's response by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan was more conciliatory, specifically praising Trump's efforts.

"We had hoped a 'Trump-style solution' would be a wise way to relieve worries from both sides, meet our demands and realistically resolve problems," he said in a Korean language statement carried by state media, without elaborating.

North Korea has sharply criticised suggestions by senior US&nbsp;officials - including Vice President Mike Pence - that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and murdered by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear programme.

Kim Kye Gwan said such criticisms had only been a "protest" against American rhetoric, and that it showed the need for talks with Washington.

"To announce the summit is cancelled was a surprise for us and we couldn’t help but feel it was a deep shame," Kim Kye Gwan said, while noting that North Korea remained open to resolving issues with Washington "at any time in any way."

Nuclear site decommissioned

Trump's letter came just after North Korea announced it had completely dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test facility "to ensure the transparency of discontinuance of nuclear test".

With Trump saying he is keeping the door open to diplomacy and North Korea apparently still looking to benefit from a thaw with South Korea, such steps could be constrained - or at least tempered - by a mutual desire to keep things from spiralling out of control.

But with a new exchange of super-charged rhetoric driving the United States and North Korea from the negotiating table, there is growing concern that words could be matched with action, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington, analysts said.

Trump, in scrapping the June 12 summit in Singapore, sounded a bellicose note, warning Kim of the United States' greater nuclear might, reminiscent of the president's tweet last year asserting that he had a “much bigger” nuclear button than Kim.

Speaking later, Trump said the US&nbsp;military stood ready if Kim were to take any "foolish" action.

Asked if the summit cancellation increased the risk of war, Trump replied: "We'll see what happens."

He said the United States would continue its "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who worked hard to help set up the summit and urged Trump at a White House meeting on Tuesday not to let a rare opportunity slip away, said he was "perplexed" by the cancellation. He urged Trump and Kim to talk directly.

Pyongyang had not responded in recent days to queries by the United States as it tried to prepare logistics for a June 12 leaders' summit, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a Senate hearing.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Tokyo understands Trump’s decision to cancel the Singapore summit, Kyodo News reported.

“It’s meaningless to have talks that don’t achieve results,” Kono told reporters on a visit to Mexico City, the news agency said.

Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera also played down the significance of the cancelled meeting.

"The important thing is not the US-North Korea meeting itself, but that the meeting becomes an opportunity to move forward in the issues of denuclearisation and abductions," he told reporters in Toyko.

The news of the cancelled summit prompted a deluge of derisory comments on Twitter, including many about the now discounted commemorative coin pre-minted for the occasion.

The "President Trump United States and Korea Summit" coin, which was the "deal of the day" at the White House Gift Shop on Thursday, shows gold embossed images of Trump and Kim facing each other with a montage of their countries' flags in the background. Kim's title is designated as "Supreme Leader".

&nbsp;

Trump's letter came just after North Korea announced it had completely dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test facility

North Korea responded on Friday with measured tones to US President Donald Trump's decision to call off a historic summit with leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, saying Pyongyang hoped for a "Trump-style solution" to resolve the standoff over its nuclear weapons programme. On Thursday, Trump wrote a letter to Kim to announce his withdrawal from what would have been the first-ever meeting between a serving US president and a North Korean leader in Singapore on June 12. "Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it would be inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote. Trump's announcement came after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out of the summit over what it saw as confrontational remarks by US officials. Friday's response by North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan was more conciliatory, specifically praising Trump's efforts. "We had hoped a 'Trump-style solution' would be a wise way to relieve worries from both sides, meet our demands and realistically resolve problems," he said in a Korean language statement carried by state media, without elaborating. North Korea has sharply criticised suggestions by senior US officials - including Vice President Mike Pence - that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and murdered by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear programme. Kim Kye Gwan said such criticisms had only been a "protest" against American rhetoric, and that it showed the need for talks with Washington. "To announce the summit is cancelled was a surprise for us and we couldn’t help but feel it was a deep shame," Kim Kye Gwan said, while noting that North Korea remained open to resolving issues with Washington "at any time in any way." Nuclear site decommissioned Trump's letter came just after North Korea announced it had completely dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test facility "to ensure the transparency of discontinuance of nuclear test". With Trump saying he is keeping the door open to diplomacy and North Korea apparently still looking to benefit from a thaw with South Korea, such steps could be constrained - or at least tempered - by a mutual desire to keep things from spiralling out of control. But with a new exchange of super-charged rhetoric driving the United States and North Korea from the negotiating table, there is growing concern that words could be matched with action, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington, analysts said. Trump, in scrapping the June 12 summit in Singapore, sounded a bellicose note, warning Kim of the United States' greater nuclear might, reminiscent of the president's tweet last year asserting that he had a “much bigger” nuclear button than Kim. Speaking later, Trump said the US military stood ready if Kim were to take any "foolish" action. Asked if the summit cancellation increased the risk of war, Trump replied: "We'll see what happens." He said the United States would continue its "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who worked hard to help set up the summit and urged Trump at a White House meeting on Tuesday not to let a rare opportunity slip away, said he was "perplexed" by the cancellation. He urged Trump and Kim to talk directly. Pyongyang had not responded in recent days to queries by the United States as it tried to prepare logistics for a June 12 leaders' summit, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a Senate hearing. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Tokyo understands Trump’s decision to cancel the Singapore summit, Kyodo News reported. “It’s meaningless to have talks that don’t achieve results,” Kono told reporters on a visit to Mexico City, the news agency said. Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera also played down the significance of the cancelled meeting. "The important thing is not the US-North Korea meeting itself, but that the meeting becomes an opportunity to move forward in the issues of denuclearisation and abductions," he told reporters in Toyko. The news of the cancelled summit prompted a deluge of derisory comments on Twitter, including many about the now discounted commemorative coin pre-minted for the occasion. The "President Trump United States and Korea Summit" coin, which was the "deal of the day" at the White House Gift Shop on Thursday, shows gold embossed images of Trump and Kim facing each other with a montage of their countries' flags in the background. Kim's title is designated as "Supreme Leader".

'Trump-style solution'? North Korea says still open to talks after summit cancelled

Famous actor and director Robert De Niro has barred the United States president Donald Trump from coming into his Japanese Nobu chain&nbsp;restaurants.

Robert De Niro is founding partner of the hotel chain called&nbsp;Nobu.

While giving an interview to the US daily he was asked who is his dream dinner guest to which he insisted that he "would never let Trump into any of the Nobu restaurants."

He was also quoted by media reports as saying that '' I don't care what he likes. if he walked into a restaurant I was in -- I'd walk out.''

The star was at the celebration of 25 years of Nobu hotels in the hospitality industry.&nbsp;

During the celebration, new branches of the restaurant were launched in Shoreditch, Marbella and Ibiza.

Robert De Niro founded Nobu restaurants with celebrity chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa.

Robert De Niro has described the president as ''a punk", "blatantly stupid", and "an embarrassment to this country".

Niro further&nbsp;informed that he will continue working in movies and the restaurant business simultaneously as he enjoys doing what he has been doing.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;the audience will next see Robert De Niro in ''The war with grandpa" which has been directed by Tim Hill.

The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Robert Kimmel Smith.

Perth’s Nobu is ranked one of the best restaurants in Australia.&nbsp;

Robert De Niro is founding partner of a hotel chain called Nobu

Famous actor and director Robert De Niro has barred the United States president Donald Trump from coming into his Japanese Nobu chain restaurants. Robert De Niro is founding partner of the hotel chain called Nobu. While giving an interview to the US daily he was asked who is his dream dinner guest to which he insisted that he "would never let Trump into any of the Nobu restaurants." He was also quoted by media reports as saying that '' I don't care what he likes. if he walked into a restaurant I was in -- I'd walk out.'' The star was at the celebration of 25 years of Nobu hotels in the hospitality industry. During the celebration, new branches of the restaurant were launched in Shoreditch, Marbella and Ibiza. Robert De Niro founded Nobu restaurants with celebrity chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa. Robert De Niro has described the president as ''a punk", "blatantly stupid", and "an embarrassment to this country". Niro further informed that he will continue working in movies and the restaurant business simultaneously as he enjoys doing what he has been doing. Meanwhile, the audience will next see Robert De Niro in ''The war with grandpa" which has been directed by Tim Hill. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Robert Kimmel Smith. Perth’s Nobu is ranked one of the best restaurants in Australia.

Robert De Niro bans Donald Trump from all his restaurants

The latest development in Trump-Kim summit has reduced the price of the 'commemorative coin'&nbsp;to $19 which was earlier set at $25.

The coin is available for buyers at the White House gift shop. On Thursday, the gift shop was offering the coin at $19 under the "Deal of the day" offer.&nbsp;

In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-trump-administration-releases-commemorative-coin-ahead-of-us-n-korea-summit-138824">Trump administration released the 'Trip Coin'</a> last week, before Trump called off the summit which was scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 12.

The coin has 'Peace Talks' inscribed on it along with the image of both the leaders, facing each other, against the backdrop of the US and the North Korean flag.&nbsp;

Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility" even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-style-solution-north-korea-says-still-open-to-talks-after-summit-cancelled-139544">'Trump-style solution'? North Korea says still open to talks after summit cancelled</a> 
&nbsp;

The coin is available for buyers at the White House gift shop

The latest development in Trump-Kim summit has reduced the price of the 'commemorative coin' to $19 which was earlier set at $25. The coin is available for buyers at the White House gift shop. On Thursday, the gift shop was offering the coin at $19 under the "Deal of the day" offer. In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration released the 'Trip Coin' last week, before Trump called off the summit which was scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 12. The coin has 'Peace Talks' inscribed on it along with the image of both the leaders, facing each other, against the backdrop of the US and the North Korean flag. Trump cancelled the June 12 meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility" even after North Korea followed through on a pledge to blow up tunnels at its nuclear test site. Also read: 'Trump-style solution'? North Korea says still open to talks after summit cancelled

Commemorative 'trip coin' prices drop to $19 as Trump calls off North Korea summit

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting.

White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US&nbspofficials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit.

The US&nbspdelegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea."

But he added: "We'll see."

Also read:&nbsp<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">We will not 'beg'&nbspfor </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">summit</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">, says North Korea</a>

Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US&nbspand North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation.

Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction.

Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months.

Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away.

It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program.

The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest U.S.-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington was "entirely" up to the United States.

"We will neither beg the U.S. for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday.

Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim that North Korea reconsider the summit if the United States offended the North's good will.

If the summit is called off or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency.

'BAD DEAL IS NOT AN OPTION'

Pompeo insisted the Trump administration was "clear-eyed" about North Korea, which has a history of making promises in negotiations and then backtracking.

"A bad deal is not an option," Pompeo said in his written opening statement for a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. "If the right deal is not on the table, we will respectfully walk away."

Pompeo, who was director of the CIA before becoming secretary of state in April after Trump fired Rex Tillerson, is the highest-ranking Trump administration to meet Kim. On his most recent trip he brought back three Americans who had been held by North Korea.

Pompeo said a US-led sanctions pressure campaign would not be eased until North Korea gives up nuclear weapons. “We have made zero concessions to Chairman Kim and have no intention to do so,” he said.

"Our posture will not change until we see credible steps taken toward the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," he said.

Meeting Wang later in the day, Pompeo said the United States expects all countries, including China - North Korea's main trading partner and ally - to "meet their obligations" to enforce sanctions on Pyongyang.

Trump suggested on Tuesday that Kim's recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping had influenced Kim to harden his stance ahead of the summit. China's foreign ministry said, however, that Beijing had played a positive role on the Korean peninsula.

Also on Wednesday, a United Nations Security Council committee approved travel by North Korean officials to Singapore for the summit, diplomats said. Singapore had asked the U.N. sanctions panel for a blanket waiver for the North Koreans' participation.

'It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea,' Trump said. But he added: 'We'll see'

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting. White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US&nbspofficials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit. The US&nbspdelegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal. Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea." But he added: "We'll see." Also read: We will not 'beg'&nbspfor summit, says North Korea Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US&nbspand North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation. Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction. Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months. Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away. It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program. The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest U.S.-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment." North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington was "entirely" up to the United States. "We will neither beg the U.S. for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday. Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim that North Korea reconsider the summit if the United States offended the North's good will. If the summit is called off or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency. 'BAD DEAL IS NOT AN OPTION' Pompeo insisted the Trump administration was "clear-eyed" about North Korea, which has a history of making promises in negotiations and then backtracking. "A bad deal is not an option," Pompeo said in his written opening statement for a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. "If the right deal is not on the table, we will respectfully walk away." Pompeo, who was director of the CIA before becoming secretary of state in April after Trump fired Rex Tillerson, is the highest-ranking Trump administration to meet Kim. On his most recent trip he brought back three Americans who had been held by North Korea. Pompeo said a US-led sanctions pressure campaign would not be eased until North Korea gives up nuclear weapons. “We have made zero concessions to Chairman Kim and have no intention to do so,” he said. "Our posture will not change until we see credible steps taken toward the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," he said. Meeting Wang later in the day, Pompeo said the United States expects all countries, including China - North Korea's main trading partner and ally - to "meet their obligations" to enforce sanctions on Pyongyang. Trump suggested on Tuesday that Kim's recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping had influenced Kim to harden his stance ahead of the summit. China's foreign ministry said, however, that Beijing had played a positive role on the Korean peninsula. Also on Wednesday, a United Nations Security Council committee approved travel by North Korean officials to Singapore for the summit, diplomats said. Singapore had asked the U.N. sanctions panel for a blanket waiver for the North Koreans' participation.

Trump says will know next week if North Korea summit to go ahead

President Donald Trump on Thursday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-cancels-summit-with-north-korean-leader-kim-139490">cancelled the June 12 summit talks with North Korean President</a> Kim Jong Un.

In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant".&nbsp;

The development comes even as North Korea dismantled its nuclear site at Punggye-ri.

Here is the full text of the letter by President Trump.

Dear Mr Chairman:

We greatly appreciate your time, patience and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.

Sincerely yours,

Donald J. Trump

President of the United States of America

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim Jung Un. <a href="https://t.co/qEoi9ymUEz">pic.twitter.com/qEoi9ymUEz</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/999667181083295744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was 'totally irrelevant'

President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled the June 12 summit talks with North Korean President Kim Jong Un. In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant". The development comes even as North Korea dismantled its nuclear site at Punggye-ri. Here is the full text of the letter by President Trump. Dear Mr Chairman: We greatly appreciate your time, patience and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used. I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated. If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history. Sincerely yours, Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim Jung Un. pic.twitter.com/qEoi9ymUEz — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2018 ×

Read letter from President Trump to Kim Jong Un cancelling Singapore summit

North Korea called US Vice-President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid" for his warnings over a planned summit with Donald Trump, renewing a threat to cancel as the US president said the fate of the historic talks will be decided next week.

Trump is due to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12 for high stakes talks aimed at ridding the reclusive state of its newly acquired nuclear weapons and improving ties after decades of animosity.

The summit announcement came after months of unusually cordial diplomacy between the historic foes brokered by South Korea.

But the newfound bonhomie and the meeting's potential success has been thrown into doubt in recent days with both Washington and Pyongyang raising the prospect of cancelling the talks and trading threats.

The latest broadside from North Korea came Thursday with vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui lambasting a Monday media interview in which Pence warned Kim Jong Un that it would be a "great mistake" to try and play Trump.

Pence also said North Korea could end up like Libya, whose former leader Moamer Khadafi was killed by US-backed rebels years after giving up atomic weapons, "if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal".

"I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the US vice-president," Choe said in a statement released by the state-run KCNA news agency.

"We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," she said, adding she would recommend Kim cancel the talks if Washington continues to make such threats.

Similar comments comparing North Korea to Libya from Trump's hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton caused the first threat by Pyongyang last week to cancel the Singapore meeting.

"Whether the US will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behaviour of the United States," she added.

AIDES HEAD TO SINGAPORE

Politically, Trump has invested heavily in the success of the planned summit, and so privately most US officials, as well as outside observers, believe it will go ahead.

Hand-picked aides -- including deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel -- are travelling to the Southeast Asian city-state designated to host the summit, officials said.

They are expected to meet their North Korean counterparts and iron out details of the meeting.

But Trump has also become increasingly lukewarm about meeting Kim, teasing his commitment to talks as keenly as any of his "The Apprentice" season finales.

"On Singapore, we'll see. It could very well happen," he said Wednesday, adding cryptically: "Whatever it is, we'll know next week."

Trump enthusiastically embraced the idea of talks earlier this year -- the first-ever meeting between a US president and a leader of North Korea.

But as the date draws nearer, the yawning gulf in expectations between the two sides is coming into sharp relief.

Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" of the North.

But Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrence until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression.

Some analysts have suggested both sides still want to meet in Singapore but are playing hardball in the run up to the summit to leverage a better negotiation position.

PR BATTLE

Ostensibly the Trump-Kim talks will be about peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons.

But even before talk of test freezes, decommissioning or inspections, Washington and Pyongyang are engaged in a public relations battle.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has met personally with Kim -- said whether the summit goes ahead is now up to North Korea.

"That decision will ultimately be up to Chairman Kim," he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. "He asked for the meeting, the president agreed to meet with him. I'm very hopeful that that meeting will take place."

His remarks reflect an effort to perhaps lay the groundwork for blame should the talks fail.

As part of its own charm offensive, North Korea invited some foreign journalists to witness the slated destruction of the isolated regime's nuclear test site.

The gesture, which experts agree would do little to curb North Korea's long-term nuclear capabilities, is meant to signal that the regime is serious about change.

Pyongyang said it planned to "completely" destroy the Punggye-ri facility in the country's northeast when it made the surprise announcement earlier this month.&nbsp;

The demolition is due to take place sometime between Thursday and Friday, depending on the weather.

Pence had warned Kim Jong Un in an interview that it would be a 'great mistake' to try and play Trump

North Korea called US Vice-President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid" for his warnings over a planned summit with Donald Trump, renewing a threat to cancel as the US president said the fate of the historic talks will be decided next week. Trump is due to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12 for high stakes talks aimed at ridding the reclusive state of its newly acquired nuclear weapons and improving ties after decades of animosity. The summit announcement came after months of unusually cordial diplomacy between the historic foes brokered by South Korea. But the newfound bonhomie and the meeting's potential success has been thrown into doubt in recent days with both Washington and Pyongyang raising the prospect of cancelling the talks and trading threats. The latest broadside from North Korea came Thursday with vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui lambasting a Monday media interview in which Pence warned Kim Jong Un that it would be a "great mistake" to try and play Trump. Pence also said North Korea could end up like Libya, whose former leader Moamer Khadafi was killed by US-backed rebels years after giving up atomic weapons, "if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal". "I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the US vice-president," Choe said in a statement released by the state-run KCNA news agency. "We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," she said, adding she would recommend Kim cancel the talks if Washington continues to make such threats. Similar comments comparing North Korea to Libya from Trump's hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton caused the first threat by Pyongyang last week to cancel the Singapore meeting. "Whether the US will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behaviour of the United States," she added. AIDES HEAD TO SINGAPORE Politically, Trump has invested heavily in the success of the planned summit, and so privately most US officials, as well as outside observers, believe it will go ahead. Hand-picked aides -- including deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel -- are travelling to the Southeast Asian city-state designated to host the summit, officials said. They are expected to meet their North Korean counterparts and iron out details of the meeting. But Trump has also become increasingly lukewarm about meeting Kim, teasing his commitment to talks as keenly as any of his "The Apprentice" season finales. "On Singapore, we'll see. It could very well happen," he said Wednesday, adding cryptically: "Whatever it is, we'll know next week." Trump enthusiastically embraced the idea of talks earlier this year -- the first-ever meeting between a US president and a leader of North Korea. But as the date draws nearer, the yawning gulf in expectations between the two sides is coming into sharp relief. Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" of the North. But Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrence until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression. Some analysts have suggested both sides still want to meet in Singapore but are playing hardball in the run up to the summit to leverage a better negotiation position. PR BATTLE Ostensibly the Trump-Kim talks will be about peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons. But even before talk of test freezes, decommissioning or inspections, Washington and Pyongyang are engaged in a public relations battle. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has met personally with Kim -- said whether the summit goes ahead is now up to North Korea. "That decision will ultimately be up to Chairman Kim," he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. "He asked for the meeting, the president agreed to meet with him. I'm very hopeful that that meeting will take place." His remarks reflect an effort to perhaps lay the groundwork for blame should the talks fail. As part of its own charm offensive, North Korea invited some foreign journalists to witness the slated destruction of the isolated regime's nuclear test site. The gesture, which experts agree would do little to curb North Korea's long-term nuclear capabilities, is meant to signal that the regime is serious about change. Pyongyang said it planned to "completely" destroy the Punggye-ri facility in the country's northeast when it made the surprise announcement earlier this month. The demolition is due to take place sometime between Thursday and Friday, depending on the weather.

North Korea says US Vice-President Mike Pence 'ignorant and stupid'

North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington is "entirely" up to the United States and condemned a media interview by US Vice President Mike Pence in which he compared the North to Libya.

"We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday.

Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim Jong-un that North Korea reconsider the summit, set for June 12 in Singapore, if the United States offends the North's good will.&nbsp

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting.

White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit.

The US delegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea."

But he added: "We'll see."

Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US and North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation.

Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction.

Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months.

Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away.

It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program.

The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

'We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us,' North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister said

North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington is "entirely" up to the United States and condemned a media interview by US Vice President Mike Pence in which he compared the North to Libya. "We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday. Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim Jong-un that North Korea reconsider the summit, set for June 12 in Singapore, if the United States offends the North's good will. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting. White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit. The US delegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal. Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea." But he added: "We'll see." Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US and North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation. Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction. Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months. Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away. It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program. The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

Kim-Trump summit 'entirely' up to US, we will not beg: North Korea

A US judge in New York on Wednesday ruled that President Donald Trump may not legally block Twitter users from his account on the social media platform based on their political views.

Trump has made his @RealDonaldTrump Twitter account an integral and controversial part of his presidency, using it to promote his agenda, announce policy and attack critics. He has blocked many critics from his account, which prevents them from directly responding to his tweets.

US&nbspDistrict Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan ruled that comments on the president's account, and those of other government officials, were public forums, and that blocking Twitter users for their views violated their right to free speech under the First Amendment of Constitution.

Eugene Volokh, a University of California Los Angeles School of Law professor who specializes in First Amendment issues, said the decision’s effect would reach beyond Trump.

“It would end up applying to a wide range of government officials throughout the country,” he said.

The US&nbspDepartment of Justice, which represents Trump in the case, said, "We respectfully disagree with the court’s decision and are considering our next steps."

Twitter Inc, which is not a party to the lawsuit, declined to comment on the ruling.

Buchwald's ruling was in response to a First Amendment lawsuit filed against Trump in July by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and several Twitter users.

The individual plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Philip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland Holly Figueroa, described in the complaint as a political organizer and songwriter in Washington state and Brandon Neely, a Texas police officer.

Cohen, who was blocked from Trump's account last June after posting an image of the president with words "Corrupt Incompetent Authoritarian," said he was "delighted" with Wednesday's decision.

"This increases my faith in the system a little," he said.

Novelists Stephen King and Anne Rice, comedian Rosie O'Donnell, model Chrissy Teigen, actress Marina Sirtis and the military veterans political action committee VoteVets.org are among the others who have said on Twitter that Trump blocked them.

Buchwald rejected the argument by Justice Department lawyers that Trump's own First Amendment rights allowed him to block people with whom he did not wish to interact.

"While we must recognize, and are sensitive to, the president’s personal First Amendment rights, he cannot exercise those rights in a way that infringes the corresponding First Amendment rights of those who have criticized him," Buchwald said.

She said Trump could "mute" users, meaning he would not see their tweets while they could still respond to his, without violating their free speech rights.

Duke University constitutional law professor Stuart Benjamin said he disagreed with Buchwald's finding that parts of Trump and other officials' Twitter accounts were public forums. He said he thought such a designation would require a more explicit statement to that effect by the government.

“If Donald Trump is giving a speech to 100 hand-picked people, and one of them heckles him, he gets to throw that person out,” said Benjamin, adding that he thought the president had a strong chance of winning an appeal of Buchwald's decision.

Buchwald stopped short of ordering Trump to unblock users. Trump had argued that the court did not have the power to issue a direct order against the president.

The judge said she disagreed, but that there was no need to get into a "legal thicket" over the issue because she assumed Trump or his social media director Dan Scavino, who also was a defendant in the case, would unblock the users in light of her decision.

Cohen said Trump had not yet unblocked him as of late Wednesday afternoon.

"Personally, I’m skeptical that he will take that step without more legal pressure," he said.

Judge ruled that comments on the president's account, and those of other government officials, were public forums, and that blocking Twitter users for their views violated their right to free speech under the First Amendment of Constitution.

A US judge in New York on Wednesday ruled that President Donald Trump may not legally block Twitter users from his account on the social media platform based on their political views. Trump has made his @RealDonaldTrump Twitter account an integral and controversial part of his presidency, using it to promote his agenda, announce policy and attack critics. He has blocked many critics from his account, which prevents them from directly responding to his tweets. US&nbspDistrict Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan ruled that comments on the president's account, and those of other government officials, were public forums, and that blocking Twitter users for their views violated their right to free speech under the First Amendment of Constitution. Eugene Volokh, a University of California Los Angeles School of Law professor who specializes in First Amendment issues, said the decision’s effect would reach beyond Trump. “It would end up applying to a wide range of government officials throughout the country,” he said. The US&nbspDepartment of Justice, which represents Trump in the case, said, "We respectfully disagree with the court’s decision and are considering our next steps." Twitter Inc, which is not a party to the lawsuit, declined to comment on the ruling. Buchwald's ruling was in response to a First Amendment lawsuit filed against Trump in July by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and several Twitter users. The individual plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Philip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland Holly Figueroa, described in the complaint as a political organizer and songwriter in Washington state and Brandon Neely, a Texas police officer. Cohen, who was blocked from Trump's account last June after posting an image of the president with words "Corrupt Incompetent Authoritarian," said he was "delighted" with Wednesday's decision. "This increases my faith in the system a little," he said. Novelists Stephen King and Anne Rice, comedian Rosie O'Donnell, model Chrissy Teigen, actress Marina Sirtis and the military veterans political action committee VoteVets.org are among the others who have said on Twitter that Trump blocked them. Buchwald rejected the argument by Justice Department lawyers that Trump's own First Amendment rights allowed him to block people with whom he did not wish to interact. "While we must recognize, and are sensitive to, the president’s personal First Amendment rights, he cannot exercise those rights in a way that infringes the corresponding First Amendment rights of those who have criticized him," Buchwald said. She said Trump could "mute" users, meaning he would not see their tweets while they could still respond to his, without violating their free speech rights. Duke University constitutional law professor Stuart Benjamin said he disagreed with Buchwald's finding that parts of Trump and other officials' Twitter accounts were public forums. He said he thought such a designation would require a more explicit statement to that effect by the government. “If Donald Trump is giving a speech to 100 hand-picked people, and one of them heckles him, he gets to throw that person out,” said Benjamin, adding that he thought the president had a strong chance of winning an appeal of Buchwald's decision. Buchwald stopped short of ordering Trump to unblock users. Trump had argued that the court did not have the power to issue a direct order against the president. The judge said she disagreed, but that there was no need to get into a "legal thicket" over the issue because she assumed Trump or his social media director Dan Scavino, who also was a defendant in the case, would unblock the users in light of her decision. Cohen said Trump had not yet unblocked him as of late Wednesday afternoon. "Personally, I’m skeptical that he will take that step without more legal pressure," he said.

Trump's blocking of critics on Twitter violates Constitution: US judge

Finding a middle solution to the prolonged national anthem protest,the National Football League (NFL) announced that it will fine teams if players on the field refuse to stand for the US anthem.

However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added that players who choose not to stand may now remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished.

The new policy is seen as a victory for the United States President Donald Trump, who loudly demanded an end to such protests last year.

He called them disgraceful and unpatriotic and urged the players to be fired.

US Vice-President Mike Pence also criticised the decision and walked out of an NFL game because players from Kaepernick's team knelt during the anthem.

However, the decision to fine players was welcomed by Trump, saying players who don't want to stand maybe they should not be in the country.

"I think that's good. I don`t think people should be staying in locker rooms but still I think it`s good," Trump said.

"You have to stand, proudly, for the national anthem. Or you shouldn`t be playing, you shouldn`t be there, maybe you shouldn`t be in the country," he added.&nbsp;

But there was also criticism of the move.

The NFL Players Association criticised the new policy, saying it was not consulted and that it may issue a challenge should it violate the collective bargaining agreement.

"The vote by the club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by commissioner Roger Goodell and the chairman of the NFL's management council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of the league," the players union said.

The debate over the kneeling protests began in 2016, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem.

Similar demonstrations spread across the league, where most players are African American.

Players who choose not to stand may now remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished.

Finding a middle solution to the prolonged national anthem protest,the National Football League (NFL) announced that it will fine teams if players on the field refuse to stand for the US anthem. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added that players who choose not to stand may now remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished. The new policy is seen as a victory for the United States President Donald Trump, who loudly demanded an end to such protests last year. He called them disgraceful and unpatriotic and urged the players to be fired. US Vice-President Mike Pence also criticised the decision and walked out of an NFL game because players from Kaepernick's team knelt during the anthem. However, the decision to fine players was welcomed by Trump, saying players who don't want to stand maybe they should not be in the country. "I think that's good. I don`t think people should be staying in locker rooms but still I think it`s good," Trump said. "You have to stand, proudly, for the national anthem. Or you shouldn`t be playing, you shouldn`t be there, maybe you shouldn`t be in the country," he added. But there was also criticism of the move. The NFL Players Association criticised the new policy, saying it was not consulted and that it may issue a challenge should it violate the collective bargaining agreement. "The vote by the club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by commissioner Roger Goodell and the chairman of the NFL's management council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of the league," the players union said. The debate over the kneeling protests began in 2016, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem. Similar demonstrations spread across the league, where most players are African American.

NFL teams to be fined if players kneel during national anthem

President Donald Trump said today that he was "little surprised" at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "different attitude" after his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-and-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-met-in-china-reports-135511">second meeting</a> with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi and Kim met in the northeastern city of Dalian in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader on May 8.

Trump said the meeting between the two leaders was not a great meeting as there has been a change in North Korea's attitude after that.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-kim-summit-could-be-delayed-138979">Trump says Kim summit could be delayed</a>

"I think that President Xi is a worl-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Now maybe nothing happened, I'm not blame anybody. But I'm just saying maybe nothing happened and maybe it did. But there was a different attitude by the North Korean folks after that meeting. So I don't think it was a great meeting," Trump said.

Nobody knew about the meeting and all of a sudden it was reported that he was in China a second time, he said.

"The first time everybody knew about, the second time was like a surprise. And I think things changed after that meeting. So I can't say that I'm happy about it," Trump said in presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

He also asked Moon for his views on the Xi-Kim meeting.

"Now President Moon may have a different opinion, I'd like to have your opinion on that. What you thought of the second meeting with President Xi, what is your feeling? You may have an opinion," Trump asked.

"I don't want to get him in trouble, he lives next to China. You know, he's not too far away," he said. 
 
"The second meeting I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong-un", he said.

"Hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine, he likes me, I like him. I mean that was two of the great days of my life being in China. I don't think anybody's ever been treated better in China in their history," he said.

"It was an incredible thing to see. We built a very good relationship, we speak a lot. But there was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China the second time. And I think they were dedicating an aircraft carrier that the United States paid for," Trump said.&nbsp;

'I think that President Xi is a world-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised,' Trump said

President Donald Trump said today that he was "little surprised" at North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's "different attitude" after his second meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi and Kim met in the northeastern city of Dalian in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader on May 8. Trump said the meeting between the two leaders was not a great meeting as there has been a change in North Korea's attitude after that. Also read: Trump says Kim summit could be delayed "I think that President Xi is a worl-class poker player. I probably maybe doing the same thing that he would do. But I will say this, there was a somewhat different attitude after that meeting, and I'm a little surprised," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Now maybe nothing happened, I'm not blame anybody. But I'm just saying maybe nothing happened and maybe it did. But there was a different attitude by the North Korean folks after that meeting. So I don't think it was a great meeting," Trump said. Nobody knew about the meeting and all of a sudden it was reported that he was in China a second time, he said. "The first time everybody knew about, the second time was like a surprise. And I think things changed after that meeting. So I can't say that I'm happy about it," Trump said in presence of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. He also asked Moon for his views on the Xi-Kim meeting. "Now President Moon may have a different opinion, I'd like to have your opinion on that. What you thought of the second meeting with President Xi, what is your feeling? You may have an opinion," Trump asked. "I don't want to get him in trouble, he lives next to China. You know, he's not too far away," he said. "The second meeting I think there was a little change in attitude from Kim Jong-un", he said. "Hope that's not true, because I have a great relationship with President Xi. He's a friend of mine, he likes me, I like him. I mean that was two of the great days of my life being in China. I don't think anybody's ever been treated better in China in their history," he said. "It was an incredible thing to see. We built a very good relationship, we speak a lot. But there was a difference when Kim Jong-un left China the second time. And I think they were dedicating an aircraft carrier that the United States paid for," Trump said.

Trump says Kim Jong Un's attitude changed after meeting China's Xi

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will propose new tax cuts sometime prior to November when Republicans look to retain their control of the US&nbspCongress in midterm elections, news agency Reuters reported.

According to reports, Trump said he would meet with Republican Representative Kevin Brady, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, about the proposal.

He did not give any details.

"We're going to be submitting additional tax cuts sometime prior to November," Trump said in a speech to the Susan B&nbspAnthony List, an anti-abortion group.

Trump signed a $1.5 trillion tax cut in December, the signature legislative achievement of his presidency.

The economy has been a bright spot for Republicans as they face voters in November, with unemployment dropping to a near 17-1/2-year low.

All members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for re-election.

Democrats must wrest 23 seats nationwide from Republicans to take over the 435-member House. In the Senate, Republicans control the chamber 51 to 49.

Trump signed a $1.5 trillion tax cut in December, the signature legislative achievement of his presidency.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will propose new tax cuts sometime prior to November when Republicans look to retain their control of the US&nbspCongress in midterm elections, news agency Reuters reported. According to reports, Trump said he would meet with Republican Representative Kevin Brady, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, about the proposal. He did not give any details. "We're going to be submitting additional tax cuts sometime prior to November," Trump said in a speech to the Susan B&nbspAnthony List, an anti-abortion group. Trump signed a $1.5 trillion tax cut in December, the signature legislative achievement of his presidency. The economy has been a bright spot for Republicans as they face voters in November, with unemployment dropping to a near 17-1/2-year low. All members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for re-election. Democrats must wrest 23 seats nationwide from Republicans to take over the 435-member House. In the Senate, Republicans control the chamber 51 to 49.

US President Donald Trump says he will propose new tax cuts prior to November

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will propose new tax cuts sometime prior to November when Republicans look to retain their control of the US&nbsp;Congress in midterm elections, news agency Reuters reported.

According to reports, Trump said he would meet with Republican Representative Kevin Brady, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, about the proposal.

He did not give any details.

"We're going to be submitting additional tax cuts sometime prior to November," Trump said in a speech to the Susan B&nbsp;Anthony List, an anti-abortion group.

Trump signed a $1.5 trillion tax cut in December, the signature legislative achievement of his presidency.

The economy has been a bright spot for Republicans as they face voters in November, with unemployment dropping to a near 17-1/2-year low.

All members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for re-election.

Democrats must wrest 23 seats nationwide from Republicans to take over the 435-member House. In the Senate, Republicans control the chamber 51 to 49.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will propose new tax cuts sometime prior to November when Republicans look to retain their control of the US Congress in midterm elections, news agency Reuters reported. According to reports, Trump said he would meet with Republican Representative Kevin Brady, chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, about the proposal. He did not give any details. "We're going to be submitting additional tax cuts sometime prior to November," Trump said in a speech to the Susan B Anthony List, an anti-abortion group. Trump signed a $1.5 trillion tax cut in December, the signature legislative achievement of his presidency. The economy has been a bright spot for Republicans as they face voters in November, with unemployment dropping to a near 17-1/2-year low. All members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for re-election. Democrats must wrest 23 seats nationwide from Republicans to take over the 435-member House. In the Senate, Republicans control the chamber 51 to 49.

A business partner of US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in investigations, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

Evgeny Freidman, a Russian immigrant who is known as the Taxi King, will avoid jail time and will assist government prosecutors in state or federal investigations, the newspaper report said, citing a person briefed on the matter.

The New York State Attorney General's Office said in a press release that Freidman had pleaded guilty to a criminal charge on Tuesday in an Albany, New York, courtroom, but it made no mention of whether he was cooperating with prosecutors, news agency Reuters reported.

Freidman has been Cohen's partner in the taxi business for years, even after New York City regulators barred Freidman last year from continuing to manage taxi medallions, the New York Times said.

Freidman declined in a text message to answer any questions about cooperating with prosecutors or the terms of his agreement, the Reuters&nbspreport said.

"This is me taking responsibility for my actions! ... Michael is a dear dear personal friend and a passive client! That's it! ...I hate that I have been grouped in this runaway train that I am not a part of!" Freidman said by text.

Freidman's lawyer, Patrick Egan, declined to comment on the Times report.

Freidman had been accused of failing to pay more than $5 million in taxes and five other criminal counts each carrying maximum prison sentences of up to 25 years. In pleading guilty to a single count of criminal tax fraud, Freidman will be sentenced to five years' probation, the attorney general's office said.

A spokeswoman for the New York state attorney general did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. Cohen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Federal prosecutors in New York are investigating Cohen for possible bank and tax fraud, possible campaign law violations and perhaps other matters related to Trump's presidential campaign, a person familiar with the probe has said.

The investigation into Cohen arose in part from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into possible collusion between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, something that Trump has repeatedly denied.

Freidman has been Cohen's partner in the taxi business for years, even after New York City regulators barred Freidman last year from continuing to manage taxi medallions, the New York Times said.

A business partner of US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in investigations, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. Evgeny Freidman, a Russian immigrant who is known as the Taxi King, will avoid jail time and will assist government prosecutors in state or federal investigations, the newspaper report said, citing a person briefed on the matter. The New York State Attorney General's Office said in a press release that Freidman had pleaded guilty to a criminal charge on Tuesday in an Albany, New York, courtroom, but it made no mention of whether he was cooperating with prosecutors, news agency Reuters reported. Freidman has been Cohen's partner in the taxi business for years, even after New York City regulators barred Freidman last year from continuing to manage taxi medallions, the New York Times said. Freidman declined in a text message to answer any questions about cooperating with prosecutors or the terms of his agreement, the Reuters&nbspreport said. "This is me taking responsibility for my actions! ... Michael is a dear dear personal friend and a passive client! That's it! ...I hate that I have been grouped in this runaway train that I am not a part of!" Freidman said by text. Freidman's lawyer, Patrick Egan, declined to comment on the Times report. Freidman had been accused of failing to pay more than $5 million in taxes and five other criminal counts each carrying maximum prison sentences of up to 25 years. In pleading guilty to a single count of criminal tax fraud, Freidman will be sentenced to five years' probation, the attorney general's office said. A spokeswoman for the New York state attorney general did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. Cohen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Federal prosecutors in New York are investigating Cohen for possible bank and tax fraud, possible campaign law violations and perhaps other matters related to Trump's presidential campaign, a person familiar with the probe has said. The investigation into Cohen arose in part from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into possible collusion between Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and Russia, something that Trump has repeatedly denied.

Trump lawyer Cohen's business partner cooperating with prosecutors: Report

The Pentagon is all set to name Lieutenant General Austin "Scott" Miller as the next commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan.

Miller will replace current Commander General John Nicholson, the Hill reported, citing senior military officers telling the Wall Street Journal.

Gen. Nicholson has been in charge of the 17-year-old Afghan war since March 2016.

According to the report, Miller has spent the last two years in charge of the military`s Joint Special Operations Command, which oversees the elite Special Mission Units.

Those units include the Navy`s SEAL Team Six and the Army`s Delta Force, which perform highly classified activities.

Throwing more light on his credentials, the report states that he was a captain and ground force commander in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, and was honoured a Bronze Star for his actions there.

Last year, US President Donald Trump revealed his new plan for Afghanistan, which includes sending about 4,000 additional troops to the war-torn South Asian country.

It is pertinent to mention that Miller will be the first commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan appointed under Trump.

Gen. Nicholson has been in charge of the 17-year-old Afghan war since March 2016

The Pentagon is all set to name Lieutenant General Austin "Scott" Miller as the next commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan. Miller will replace current Commander General John Nicholson, the Hill reported, citing senior military officers telling the Wall Street Journal. Gen. Nicholson has been in charge of the 17-year-old Afghan war since March 2016. According to the report, Miller has spent the last two years in charge of the military`s Joint Special Operations Command, which oversees the elite Special Mission Units. Those units include the Navy`s SEAL Team Six and the Army`s Delta Force, which perform highly classified activities. Throwing more light on his credentials, the report states that he was a captain and ground force commander in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, and was honoured a Bronze Star for his actions there. Last year, US President Donald Trump revealed his new plan for Afghanistan, which includes sending about 4,000 additional troops to the war-torn South Asian country. It is pertinent to mention that Miller will be the first commander of US-led forces in Afghanistan appointed under Trump.

Pentagon to appoint new US commander for Afghanistan

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday a planned summit with Kim Jong Un may not take place next month as planned, despite his belief that the North Korean leader is "serious" about denuclearization.

"It may not work out for June 12," Trump said, being characteristically coy about the prospects for the historic meeting in Singapore.

"If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

But Trump added that he does believe the North Korean leader is willing to give up nukes, amid fears about apparent North Korean backpedaling.

"I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, again raising the prospect of a windfall for Kim if he mothballs weapons programs.

"He will be extremely happy" Trump said of Kim, if the deal works out. "He will be very happy."

'It may not work out for June 12,' Trump said, being characteristically coy about the prospects for the historic meeting in Singapore

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday a planned summit with Kim Jong Un may not take place next month as planned, despite his belief that the North Korean leader is "serious" about denuclearization. "It may not work out for June 12," Trump said, being characteristically coy about the prospects for the historic meeting in Singapore. "If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House. But Trump added that he does believe the North Korean leader is willing to give up nukes, amid fears about apparent North Korean backpedaling. "I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, again raising the prospect of a windfall for Kim if he mothballs weapons programs. "He will be extremely happy" Trump said of Kim, if the deal works out. "He will be very happy."

Trump says Kim summit could be delayed

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "serious" about denuclearization, as he remained coy about whether a landmark June 12 summit would go ahead as planned.

"I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit.

"If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

'I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious,' Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is "serious" about denuclearization, as he remained coy about whether a landmark June 12 summit would go ahead as planned. "I do think he is serious. I think he is absolutely very serious," Trump said, amid fears that apparent North Korean backpedaling could scupper the Singapore summit. "If it does not happen, maybe it will happen later," Trump said, as he began talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House.

Donald Trump says Kim 'serious' about denuclearization

In a sign that it will allow some flexibility in exchange rates under threatened US&nbsp;sanctions,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has lowered the official value of the&nbsp;rial&nbsp;versus the&nbsp;dollar&nbsp;for the&nbsp;first&nbsp;time since&nbsp;it tried to stamp out a free currency market last month.

In early April, with the&nbsp;rial&nbsp;sinking to record lows before US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's decision to exit the&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;nuclear deal, Tehran said it was unifying official and free-market rates for the currency at a single value of 42,000 to the&nbsp;dollar.

Authorities threatened anyone trading the&nbsp;rial&nbsp;at other rates with arrest, and sent police to patrol money exchange shops in big cities.

This week, however, the central bank has begun engineering a very slow decline of the&nbsp;rial, suggesting it will let the currency&nbsp;move&nbsp;gradually in response to supply and demand, as long as a fresh free-fall can be avoided.

The central bank set the rate at 42,050 on Monday and 42,060 on Tuesday, its website showed. Central bank chief Valiollah Seif hinted at the possibility of further falls, saying the&nbsp;rial&nbsp;could&nbsp;move as much as 5 or 6 percent during the fiscal year to March 20, 2019, the Financial Tribune newspaper reported.

Seif was quoted as telling a meeting of the banks' chief executives that the central bank would decide foreign exchange rates based on inflation in&nbsp;Iran, which is now running slightly above 8 percent.

By letting the&nbsp;rial&nbsp;depreciate,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;may be able to boost its export sector and make it easier to attract flows of hard currency into the country, partly offsetting economic damage from the sanctions that Trump is threatening to impose.

But at the same time, authorities are desperate to prevent a sharp&nbsp;rial&nbsp;drop that could cause inflation to jump. Rising consumer prices were partly responsible for public protests that were crushed in January with the deaths of at least 25 people.

Residents of Tehran told Reuters that trade in the&nbsp;rial&nbsp;at values other than the official rate had largely halted because of the danger of arrest. But some deals were still being done by&nbsp;Iranians who wanted to trade or travel abroad and could not obtain enough&nbsp;dollars through official channels.

Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said in mid-May that 180 people had been arrested over foreign exchange-related offences, according to the&nbsp;Iranian daily Financial Tribune.

Foreigners in Tehran said they were exchanging currency with dealers in the basements of buildings or petrol stations in order to escape notice. “It is more dangerous than buying drugs,” said one.

In early May, after Trump's decision to pull out of the&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;nuclear deal, the&nbsp;rial&nbsp;traded in the black market at record lows of about 75,000.

It has&nbsp;since&nbsp;recovered to around 64,000. An&nbsp;Iranian analyst in Tehran said authorities had been pumping&nbsp;dollars into the market in order to stabilise it but added that given heavy demand for hard currency and investors' jitters over Trump's decision, it was not clear how long a price of 64,000 could be sustained.

In early April, with the rial sinking to record lows before US President Donald Trump's decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal, Tehran said it was unifying official and free-market rates for the currency at a single value of 42,000 to the dollar

In a sign that it will allow some flexibility in exchange rates under threatened US sanctions, Iran has lowered the official value of the rial versus the dollar for the first time since it tried to stamp out a free currency market last month. In early April, with the rial sinking to record lows before US President Donald Trump's decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal, Tehran said it was unifying official and free-market rates for the currency at a single value of 42,000 to the dollar. Authorities threatened anyone trading the rial at other rates with arrest, and sent police to patrol money exchange shops in big cities. This week, however, the central bank has begun engineering a very slow decline of the rial, suggesting it will let the currency move gradually in response to supply and demand, as long as a fresh free-fall can be avoided. The central bank set the rate at 42,050 on Monday and 42,060 on Tuesday, its website showed. Central bank chief Valiollah Seif hinted at the possibility of further falls, saying the rial could move as much as 5 or 6 percent during the fiscal year to March 20, 2019, the Financial Tribune newspaper reported. Seif was quoted as telling a meeting of the banks' chief executives that the central bank would decide foreign exchange rates based on inflation in Iran, which is now running slightly above 8 percent. By letting the rial depreciate, Iran may be able to boost its export sector and make it easier to attract flows of hard currency into the country, partly offsetting economic damage from the sanctions that Trump is threatening to impose. But at the same time, authorities are desperate to prevent a sharp rial drop that could cause inflation to jump. Rising consumer prices were partly responsible for public protests that were crushed in January with the deaths of at least 25 people. Residents of Tehran told Reuters that trade in the rial at values other than the official rate had largely halted because of the danger of arrest. But some deals were still being done by Iranians who wanted to trade or travel abroad and could not obtain enough dollars through official channels. Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi said in mid-May that 180 people had been arrested over foreign exchange-related offences, according to the Iranian daily Financial Tribune. Foreigners in Tehran said they were exchanging currency with dealers in the basements of buildings or petrol stations in order to escape notice. “It is more dangerous than buying drugs,” said one. In early May, after Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, the rial traded in the black market at record lows of about 75,000. It has since recovered to around 64,000. An Iranian analyst in Tehran said authorities had been pumping dollars into the market in order to stabilise it but added that given heavy demand for hard currency and investors' jitters over Trump's decision, it was not clear how long a price of 64,000 could be sustained.

In first move since FX crackdown, Iran lowers rial vs dollar

The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran.

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran.

Weeks after President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran, his administration threatened to impose "the strongest sanctions in history," and vowed to "crush" Iranian operatives abroad, setting Washington and Tehran further on a course of confrontation.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded sweeping changes that would force Iran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

The speech added to the tension between the two countries, which grew notably when Trump this month withdrew from the 2015 international agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

If Washington sees tangible shifts in Iran's policies, it is prepared to lift sanctions, Pompeo said.

"The sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen for itself and the people of Iran," Pompeo said in his first major speech since becoming secretary of state.

"These will be the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are done," he added.

The European Union largely dismissed Pompeo's speech and said it remained committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal.

Pompeo took aim at Iran's policy of expansion in the Middle East through support for armed groups in countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

He warned that the United States would "crush" Iranian operatives and proxies abroad and told Tehran to pull out forces under its command from the Syrian civil war where they have helped President Bashar al-Assad gain the upper hand.

Iran's president summarily dismissed Pompeo's demands.

"Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?," the semi-official ILNA news agency quoted Hassan Rouhani as saying.

"The world today does not accept America to decide for the world, as countries are independent ... that era is over ... We will continue our path with the support of our nation."

A senior Iranian official said Pompeo's remarks showed that the United States was pushing for "regime change," a charged phrase often associated with the US&nbsp;invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein.

Pompeo warned that if Iran fully resumed its nuclear program Washington would be ready to respond and said the administration would hold companies doing prohibited business in Iran to account.

"Our demands on Iran are not unreasonable: give up your program," Pompeo said, "Should they choose to go back, should they begin to enrich, we are fully prepared to respond to that as well," he said, declining to elaborate.

Pompeo said Washington would work with the Defense Department and allies to counter Iran in the cyberspace and maritime areas.

The Pentagon said it would take all necessary steps to confront Iranian behavior in the region and was assessing whether that could include new actions or doubling down on current ones.

Pompeo will have an uphill battle convincing European allies to sign on to the administration's "Plan B" on Iran after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Secretary Pompeo’s speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran’s conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA. There is no alternative to the JCPOA," the EU said in a statement.

Naming names

Pompeo said if Iran made major changes, the United States was prepared to ease sanctions, re-establish full diplomatic and commercial relations and support the country's re-integration into the international economic system.

Any new US&nbsp;sanctions will raise the cost of trade for Iran and are expected to further deter Western companies from investing there, giving hardliners, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an opportunity to cement their grip on power.

Iran's ruling elite are mindful of recent protests sparked by economic hardship, which is, in part, their calculation for working with the Europeans on ways to salvage the nuclear deal.

Pompeo's speech did not explicitly call for regime change but he repeatedly urged the Iranian people not to put up with their leaders, specifically naming Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

"At the end of the day the Iranian people will get to make a choice about their leadership," Pompeo said.

Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of the Brooking Institution think tank's foreign policy program, said Pompeo's speech did indeed amount to a strategy of regime change.

"There is only one way to read it and that is that Trump administration has wedded itself to a regime-change strategy to Iran, one that is likely to alienate our allies. One with dubious prospects for success," she said.

The administration's approach "explicitly puts the onus on the Iranian people to change their leadership or face cataclysmic financial pressure," said Maloney who has advised the State Department on Iran in the Bush administration between 2005-2007.

Lebanese analyst Ghaleb Kandil, who has close ties to the pro-Iran Hezbollah group, said Washington's demands have previously not worked.

"These are conditions that were tested in previous phases of American pressures, before the nuclear deal, when Iran was in more difficult circumstances than it is in these days, and it did not surrender to these conditions or accept them," said Kandil.

Pompeo outlined 12 US&nbsp;demands for Iran including to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor.

It also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work, he said.

Pompeo's demand that Tehran stop uranium enrichment goes even further than the nuclear deal. Iran says its nuclear work has medical uses and will produce energy to meet domestic demand and complement its oil reserves.

Washington's regional allies, the Gulf Arabs and Israel, who were strong critics of the deal, praised the administration's position on Monday.

European parties to the nuclear deal - France, Britain and Germany - are working to find a way to keep the nuclear pact in effect after Washington's exit.

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking 'regime change' in Iran

The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran. Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran. Weeks after President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran, his administration threatened to impose "the strongest sanctions in history," and vowed to "crush" Iranian operatives abroad, setting Washington and Tehran further on a course of confrontation. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded sweeping changes that would force Iran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The speech added to the tension between the two countries, which grew notably when Trump this month withdrew from the 2015 international agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. If Washington sees tangible shifts in Iran's policies, it is prepared to lift sanctions, Pompeo said. "The sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen for itself and the people of Iran," Pompeo said in his first major speech since becoming secretary of state. "These will be the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are done," he added. The European Union largely dismissed Pompeo's speech and said it remained committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal. Pompeo took aim at Iran's policy of expansion in the Middle East through support for armed groups in countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. He warned that the United States would "crush" Iranian operatives and proxies abroad and told Tehran to pull out forces under its command from the Syrian civil war where they have helped President Bashar al-Assad gain the upper hand. Iran's president summarily dismissed Pompeo's demands. "Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?," the semi-official ILNA news agency quoted Hassan Rouhani as saying. "The world today does not accept America to decide for the world, as countries are independent ... that era is over ... We will continue our path with the support of our nation." A senior Iranian official said Pompeo's remarks showed that the United States was pushing for "regime change," a charged phrase often associated with the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein. Pompeo warned that if Iran fully resumed its nuclear program Washington would be ready to respond and said the administration would hold companies doing prohibited business in Iran to account. "Our demands on Iran are not unreasonable: give up your program," Pompeo said, "Should they choose to go back, should they begin to enrich, we are fully prepared to respond to that as well," he said, declining to elaborate. Pompeo said Washington would work with the Defense Department and allies to counter Iran in the cyberspace and maritime areas. The Pentagon said it would take all necessary steps to confront Iranian behavior in the region and was assessing whether that could include new actions or doubling down on current ones. Pompeo will have an uphill battle convincing European allies to sign on to the administration's "Plan B" on Iran after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Secretary Pompeo’s speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran’s conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA. There is no alternative to the JCPOA," the EU said in a statement. Naming names Pompeo said if Iran made major changes, the United States was prepared to ease sanctions, re-establish full diplomatic and commercial relations and support the country's re-integration into the international economic system. Any new US sanctions will raise the cost of trade for Iran and are expected to further deter Western companies from investing there, giving hardliners, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an opportunity to cement their grip on power. Iran's ruling elite are mindful of recent protests sparked by economic hardship, which is, in part, their calculation for working with the Europeans on ways to salvage the nuclear deal. Pompeo's speech did not explicitly call for regime change but he repeatedly urged the Iranian people not to put up with their leaders, specifically naming Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. "At the end of the day the Iranian people will get to make a choice about their leadership," Pompeo said. Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of the Brooking Institution think tank's foreign policy program, said Pompeo's speech did indeed amount to a strategy of regime change. "There is only one way to read it and that is that Trump administration has wedded itself to a regime-change strategy to Iran, one that is likely to alienate our allies. One with dubious prospects for success," she said. The administration's approach "explicitly puts the onus on the Iranian people to change their leadership or face cataclysmic financial pressure," said Maloney who has advised the State Department on Iran in the Bush administration between 2005-2007. Lebanese analyst Ghaleb Kandil, who has close ties to the pro-Iran Hezbollah group, said Washington's demands have previously not worked. "These are conditions that were tested in previous phases of American pressures, before the nuclear deal, when Iran was in more difficult circumstances than it is in these days, and it did not surrender to these conditions or accept them," said Kandil. Pompeo outlined 12 US demands for Iran including to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor. It also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work, he said. Pompeo's demand that Tehran stop uranium enrichment goes even further than the nuclear deal. Iran says its nuclear work has medical uses and will produce energy to meet domestic demand and complement its oil reserves. Washington's regional allies, the Gulf Arabs and Israel, who were strong critics of the deal, praised the administration's position on Monday. European parties to the nuclear deal - France, Britain and Germany - are working to find a way to keep the nuclear pact in effect after Washington's exit.

US demands Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices".

"US&nbsp;diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet.

As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war.&nbsp;

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices". "US diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet. As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war. Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. (With inputs from Reuters)

US is repeating mistakes on Iran: Zarif tweets over Pompeo's sweeping demands

Three weeks before an unprecedented US-North Korea summit is supposed to take place, President Donald Trump will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday as US&nbspofficials try to figure out whether Pyongyang is serious about negotiating a deal on denuclearisation.

Moon’s White House visit was originally arranged as a meeting to fine-tune a joint strategy for dealing with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but has instead become more of a crisis session after Pyongyang last week threatened to pull out of the planned June 12 summit in Singapore.

Moon’s government-led efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea and gave enthusiastic accounts of its encounters with Kim, spurring Trump to accept an offer of the first-ever meeting between US&nbspand North Korean presidents.

But the White House was caught off-guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threw into doubt the summit with Trump if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

Trump has insisted he remains committed to the summit, but Vice President Mike Pence warned on Monday that the president was still willing to walk away from the meeting, telling Fox News that North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions for promises it did not intend to keep.

Trump has warned in the past that the summit might not take place or that he could walk out if it looked like a deal was not possible. His aides are now looking to Moon to help determine whether Kim is taking a harder line against denuclearisation than South Korea had previously communicated to them, a US&nbspofficial said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Other US&nbspofficials have privately expressed concern that Moon, eager to make progress with the North, may have overstated Kim’s willingness to negotiate in good faith over the dismantling of his nuclear arsenal.

Two visits by US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo over the past two months have apparently failed to yield much clarity on Kim’s intentions.

Some in the US&nbspgovernment worries that Moon may be prepared to accept a less-stringent version of North Korean denuclearisation than Washington wants and could be open to faster sanctions relief for Pyongyang, the officials said.

Most analysts say it is unrealistic to believe North Korea will agree to complete abandonment of its nuclear program, which has focused on developing a missile capable of hitting the United States and which Kim sees as crucial to his survival in power.

If the summit is cancelled or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency.

The uncertainty comes at a time when Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally, his moving of the US&nbspembassy to Jerusalem has fueled violence on the Israel-Gaza border and he is on the defensive over an investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Treating Trump

North Korea's warning of a possible withdrawal from the summit is seen as an effort to test Trump’s willingness to make concessions on his demands for Pyongyang's denuclearisation, the US&nbspofficial said.

"It’s straight out of North Korea’s playbook," the official said.

North Korea’s condemnation of Trump’s hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, for proposing that North Korea should emulate Libya by abandoning its program of weapons of mass destruction was believed meant to sow divisions within the administration.

Despite Trump having contradicted Bolton on the Libya point, there has been no sign of Bolton losing influence.

Seoul has been hoping to ensure a successful summit after a historic meeting last month between Moon and Kim produced a declaration of goodwill.

But South Korea’s role has been brought into question since last week when North Korea's chief negotiator derided Seoul as "ignorant and incompetent."

Seoul has refrained from responding.

"The heads of South Korea and the United States are expected to discuss measures to guarantee a bright future for North Korea in the case it truly goes through complete denuclearisation," said Nam Gwan-pyo, an official at the presidential Blue House.

Trump has sought to placate Kim by holding out the possibility of economic development, and he pledged on Thursday that Kim’s security would be guaranteed in any deal.

But Trump has insisted on concrete steps before any easing of sanctions and warned that failure to reach a denuclearisation agreement could lead to "decimation" of Kim's rule.

"They are locked into not giving much to the North Koreans early...whereas South Korea probably has a bit more interest in economic incentivization," said Christopher Green, an analyst with the International Crisis Group. "So they need to calibrate between the two of them."

China could also be on the agenda. Trump suggested last week that Beijing, which Washington is at odds with over trade, may be influencing North Korea's hardened stance.

Beijing responded on Friday that it stands for stability on the Korean peninsula and for settlement through diplomacy.

However, Trump on Monday urged China, North Korea's main trading partner, to maintain tight sanctions, tweeting that "the word is that recently the Border has become much more porous."

Trump has insisted he remains committed to the summit, but Vice President Mike Pence warned on Monday that the president was still willing to walk away from the meeting

Three weeks before an unprecedented US-North Korea summit is supposed to take place, President Donald Trump will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday as US&nbspofficials try to figure out whether Pyongyang is serious about negotiating a deal on denuclearisation. Moon’s White House visit was originally arranged as a meeting to fine-tune a joint strategy for dealing with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un but has instead become more of a crisis session after Pyongyang last week threatened to pull out of the planned June 12 summit in Singapore. Moon’s government-led efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea and gave enthusiastic accounts of its encounters with Kim, spurring Trump to accept an offer of the first-ever meeting between US&nbspand North Korean presidents. But the White House was caught off-guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threw into doubt the summit with Trump if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment." Trump has insisted he remains committed to the summit, but Vice President Mike Pence warned on Monday that the president was still willing to walk away from the meeting, telling Fox News that North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions for promises it did not intend to keep. Trump has warned in the past that the summit might not take place or that he could walk out if it looked like a deal was not possible. His aides are now looking to Moon to help determine whether Kim is taking a harder line against denuclearisation than South Korea had previously communicated to them, a US&nbspofficial said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other US&nbspofficials have privately expressed concern that Moon, eager to make progress with the North, may have overstated Kim’s willingness to negotiate in good faith over the dismantling of his nuclear arsenal. Two visits by US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo over the past two months have apparently failed to yield much clarity on Kim’s intentions. Some in the US&nbspgovernment worries that Moon may be prepared to accept a less-stringent version of North Korean denuclearisation than Washington wants and could be open to faster sanctions relief for Pyongyang, the officials said. Most analysts say it is unrealistic to believe North Korea will agree to complete abandonment of its nuclear program, which has focused on developing a missile capable of hitting the United States and which Kim sees as crucial to his survival in power. If the summit is cancelled or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency. The uncertainty comes at a time when Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally, his moving of the US&nbspembassy to Jerusalem has fueled violence on the Israel-Gaza border and he is on the defensive over an investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Treating Trump North Korea's warning of a possible withdrawal from the summit is seen as an effort to test Trump’s willingness to make concessions on his demands for Pyongyang's denuclearisation, the US&nbspofficial said. "It’s straight out of North Korea’s playbook," the official said. North Korea’s condemnation of Trump’s hawkish national security adviser, John Bolton, for proposing that North Korea should emulate Libya by abandoning its program of weapons of mass destruction was believed meant to sow divisions within the administration. Despite Trump having contradicted Bolton on the Libya point, there has been no sign of Bolton losing influence. Seoul has been hoping to ensure a successful summit after a historic meeting last month between Moon and Kim produced a declaration of goodwill. But South Korea’s role has been brought into question since last week when North Korea's chief negotiator derided Seoul as "ignorant and incompetent." Seoul has refrained from responding. "The heads of South Korea and the United States are expected to discuss measures to guarantee a bright future for North Korea in the case it truly goes through complete denuclearisation," said Nam Gwan-pyo, an official at the presidential Blue House. Trump has sought to placate Kim by holding out the possibility of economic development, and he pledged on Thursday that Kim’s security would be guaranteed in any deal. But Trump has insisted on concrete steps before any easing of sanctions and warned that failure to reach a denuclearisation agreement could lead to "decimation" of Kim's rule. "They are locked into not giving much to the North Koreans early...whereas South Korea probably has a bit more interest in economic incentivization," said Christopher Green, an analyst with the International Crisis Group. "So they need to calibrate between the two of them." China could also be on the agenda. Trump suggested last week that Beijing, which Washington is at odds with over trade, may be influencing North Korea's hardened stance. Beijing responded on Friday that it stands for stability on the Korean peninsula and for settlement through diplomacy. However, Trump on Monday urged China, North Korea's main trading partner, to maintain tight sanctions, tweeting that "the word is that recently the Border has become much more porous."

With North Korea summit on shaky ground, Trump to press South Korean leader

donald-trump

Donald Trump, News on Donald Trump, stories on Donald Trump, articles on Donald Trump, Donald Trump stories at Wion, Donald Trump news, Donald Trump latest news

donald trump