Texas&nbsp;Governor Greg Abbott is set to begin a three-day series of discussions with educators and law enforcement officials on improving&nbsp;school&nbsp;safety&nbsp;on Tuesday, days&nbsp;after&nbsp;a teenager killed 10 people at a Houston-area high&nbsp;school.

Abbott will meet with two dozen people, including supporters and opponents of arming teachers, following the fourth-deadliest US&nbsp;school&nbsp;shooting&nbsp;this year at Santa Fe High&nbsp;School&nbsp;in Santa Fe, Texas&nbsp;on Friday.

"I am seeking the best solutions to make our&nbsp;schools more secure and to keep our communities safe," he said in a statement. "I look forward to hearing from all sides of the debate, and from expert perspectives on these issues."

Abbott, a Republican, has vowed that any changes to state laws would "protect Second Amendment rights."

The Second Amendment of the US&nbsp;Constitution enshrines the right to bear arms. Gun rights proponents say it prohibits regulations on gun ownership and that enforcement of existing laws should be sufficient to stop violent incidents like the one in Santa Fe.

Gun control groups point to the regular toll of&nbsp;shootings across the United States as evidence that more needs to be done to rein in the proliferation of weapons.

The US&nbsp;Supreme Court has avoided major gun cases for a number of years, leaving in place restrictions on guns enacted by some states.

In contrast to Florida, where the killing of 17 teens and educators in February sparked a youth-led movement calling for new restrictions on gun ownership, the&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;tragedy saw elected officials and survivors alike voicing support for gun rights.

Some gun rights proponents in&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;have embraced the idea of arming teachers, a strategy advocated by the National Rifle Association and US&nbsp;President Donald Trump. That solution is largely rejected by survivors and parents in Parkland, Florida,&nbsp;after&nbsp;the carnage there.

Police arrested Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, at the Santa Fe&nbsp;school&nbsp;following the rampage they said he committed with a shotgun and .38-caliber pistol. He is charged with capital murder of 10 people - eight students and two teachers.

Police said Pagourtzis confessed to Friday's killings&nbsp;after&nbsp;he was taken into custody, but they have offered no motive yet for the&nbsp;massacre.

He is being held without bond, on suicide watch, at the Galveston County Jail in nearby Galveston, Sheriff Henry Trochesset said.

Pagourtzis' family said in a statement it was "saddened and dismayed" by the&nbsp;shooting.

Greg Abbott will meet with two dozen people, including supporters and opponents of arming teachers, following the fourth-deadliest US school shooting this year at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is set to begin a three-day series of discussions with educators and law enforcement officials on improving school safety on Tuesday, days after a teenager killed 10 people at a Houston-area high school. Abbott will meet with two dozen people, including supporters and opponents of arming teachers, following the fourth-deadliest US school shooting this year at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas on Friday. "I am seeking the best solutions to make our schools more secure and to keep our communities safe," he said in a statement. "I look forward to hearing from all sides of the debate, and from expert perspectives on these issues." Abbott, a Republican, has vowed that any changes to state laws would "protect Second Amendment rights." The Second Amendment of the US Constitution enshrines the right to bear arms. Gun rights proponents say it prohibits regulations on gun ownership and that enforcement of existing laws should be sufficient to stop violent incidents like the one in Santa Fe. Gun control groups point to the regular toll of shootings across the United States as evidence that more needs to be done to rein in the proliferation of weapons. The US Supreme Court has avoided major gun cases for a number of years, leaving in place restrictions on guns enacted by some states. In contrast to Florida, where the killing of 17 teens and educators in February sparked a youth-led movement calling for new restrictions on gun ownership, the Texas tragedy saw elected officials and survivors alike voicing support for gun rights. Some gun rights proponents in Texas have embraced the idea of arming teachers, a strategy advocated by the National Rifle Association and US President Donald Trump. That solution is largely rejected by survivors and parents in Parkland, Florida, after the carnage there. Police arrested Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, at the Santa Fe school following the rampage they said he committed with a shotgun and .38-caliber pistol. He is charged with capital murder of 10 people - eight students and two teachers. Police said Pagourtzis confessed to Friday's killings after he was taken into custody, but they have offered no motive yet for the massacre. He is being held without bond, on suicide watch, at the Galveston County Jail in nearby Galveston, Sheriff Henry Trochesset said. Pagourtzis' family said in a statement it was "saddened and dismayed" by the shooting.

Texas mulls school safety days after mass shooting

Amid growing speculations over North Korea cancelling the upcoming summit with the United States, the White House has released a commemorative coin for the meet.&nbsp;

In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'Trip Coin' ahead of the meeting that is 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;

The release of the commemorative coin comes shortly after the US President threatened that North Korea could end up like Libya if it fails to fall in line with America's expectations.

"There was some talk about the Libyan model last week, and you know, as the President made clear, this will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal," Vice President Mike Pence said in a television interview on Monday. 
&nbsp;

In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'trip coin' ahead of the meeting

Amid growing speculations over North Korea cancelling the upcoming summit with the United States, the White House has released a commemorative coin for the meet. In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'Trip Coin' ahead of the meeting that is 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. The release of the commemorative coin comes shortly after the US President threatened that North Korea could end up like Libya if it fails to fall in line with America's expectations. "There was some talk about the Libyan model last week, and you know, as the President made clear, this will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal," Vice President Mike Pence said in a television interview on Monday.

Watch: White House releases 'trip coin' ahead of US-N. Korea summit

President Donald Trump's South Asia strategy has shown few signs of progress this quarter, a US&nbsp;government watchdog report said&nbsp;on Monday, despite public assertions by the US&nbsp;military that Taliban militants were on the back foot.

An inspector general report said that there had been few signs of significant progress by Afghan security forces and the Taliban continued to carry out deadly attacks.

"Available metrics showed few signs of progress, and during the quarter, the Taliban and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria - Khorasan each launched high-profile attacks in Kabul that killed hundreds," a statement accompanying the report said.

In August, Trump committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in&nbsp;Afghanistan, dispatching an additional 3,000 troops to the nearly 17-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands of Afghan civilians.

Publicly, US&nbsp;officials have presented an optimistic view of the situation in&nbsp;Afghanistan. U.S. Army General John Nicholson, who leads US&nbsp;and international forces in&nbsp;Afghanistan, in November said the country had "turned the corner."

Nicholson was the latest US&nbsp;military official to try and put a positive image on the war, despite few signs of an end to the conflict.

"This quarter the Taliban continued to hold territory and launched devastating terrorist attacks in Kabul and across the country," the watchdog report said.

The report covered the war in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;from January to the end of March and was compiled by the inspector generals from the Pentagon, State Department and US&nbsp;Agency for International Development.

A Pentagon spokesman said the military felt that progress was being made.

"Chaos and progress can coexist and that is exactly what we feel is happening in&nbsp;Afghanistan," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning said.

In a sign of the precarious security situation, Taliban fighters closed in on another district in Afghanistan&nbsp;over the weekend, a development at odds with the positive image US&nbsp;military officials have conveyed.

"Given the different audiences that US&nbsp;military officials have in mind when they make these (public) announcements, there is simply a very strong incentive to accentuate and even embellish the positives, (and) to minimize the negatives," said Michael Kugelman, with the Wilson Center think tank in Washington.

It is a war that many Americans don't support and don't understand and yet it is a war that is probably going to continue for the foreseeable future ... it is just like Vietnam.

There had been few signs of significant progress by Afghan security forces and the Taliban continued to carry out deadly attacks, stated the report

President Donald Trump's South Asia strategy has shown few signs of progress this quarter, a US government watchdog report said on Monday, despite public assertions by the US military that Taliban militants were on the back foot. An inspector general report said that there had been few signs of significant progress by Afghan security forces and the Taliban continued to carry out deadly attacks. "Available metrics showed few signs of progress, and during the quarter, the Taliban and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria - Khorasan each launched high-profile attacks in Kabul that killed hundreds," a statement accompanying the report said. In August, Trump committed the United States to an open-ended conflict in Afghanistan, dispatching an additional 3,000 troops to the nearly 17-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands of Afghan civilians. Publicly, US officials have presented an optimistic view of the situation in Afghanistan. U.S. Army General John Nicholson, who leads US and international forces in Afghanistan, in November said the country had "turned the corner." Nicholson was the latest US military official to try and put a positive image on the war, despite few signs of an end to the conflict. "This quarter the Taliban continued to hold territory and launched devastating terrorist attacks in Kabul and across the country," the watchdog report said. The report covered the war in Afghanistan from January to the end of March and was compiled by the inspector generals from the Pentagon, State Department and US Agency for International Development. A Pentagon spokesman said the military felt that progress was being made. "Chaos and progress can coexist and that is exactly what we feel is happening in Afghanistan," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning said. In a sign of the precarious security situation, Taliban fighters closed in on another district in Afghanistan over the weekend, a development at odds with the positive image US military officials have conveyed. "Given the different audiences that US military officials have in mind when they make these (public) announcements, there is simply a very strong incentive to accentuate and even embellish the positives, (and) to minimize the negatives," said Michael Kugelman, with the Wilson Center think tank in Washington. It is a war that many Americans don't support and don't understand and yet it is a war that is probably going to continue for the foreseeable future ... it is just like Vietnam.

Watchdog finds little progress in Afghanistan, despite US military optimism

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump is willing to walk away from an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, US&nbsp;Vice President Mike&nbsp;Pence&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Monday, after North Korea called into question the meeting last week.

Pence&nbsp;said North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions from the United States for promises it did not intend to keep.

"It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump,"&nbsp;Pence&nbsp;said according to excerpts of an interview made available to him. When asked if Trump could still walk away from the summit scheduled for&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;in Singapore, he replied: "Well there's no question."

'It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump,' Pence said

US President Donald Trump is willing to walk away from an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, US Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday, after North Korea called into question the meeting last week. Pence said North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions from the United States for promises it did not intend to keep. "It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump," Pence said according to excerpts of an interview made available to him. When asked if Trump could still walk away from the summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, he replied: "Well there's no question."

Trump willing to walk away from North Korea summit: US VP Pence

Donald Trump holds a high-stakes meeting with South Korea's president at the White House&nbsp;Tuesday, talks that could decide whether the US president's much-vaunted summit with the North's leader Kim Jong Un goes ahead.

Moon Jae-in jets into Washington on a mission to salvage a rare diplomatic opening between the US and North Korea that is in trouble almost before it begins.

Trump had agreed to meet inscrutable "Supreme Leader" Kim in Singapore on&nbsp;June 12, but the first-ever US-North Korea summit is now in serious doubt, with both sides expressing reservations.

South Korea -- worried about Kim's bellicose weapons testing and Trump's similarly bellicose warnings about a looming war -- was instrumental in convincing the two Cold War foes to sit down and talk.

Moon sent his own national security advisor to the White House in March, carrying an offer of talks and word that North Korea may be willing to abandon nuclear weapons, an enticing prospect.

Trump surprised his guests, his own aides and the world by summarily accepting the meeting, seeing an opportunity to "do a deal" and avoid military confrontation.

Pyongyang is on the verge of marrying nuclear and missile technology allowing it to hit the continental United States with a nuke, a capability Washington sees as wholly unacceptable.

Since then, there has been a landmark series of intra-Korean meetings, two trips to Pyongyang by Mike Pompeo -- first as CIA director then as America's top diplomat -- and three American citizens have been released from the North.

But after several Trumpian victory laps, North Korea's willingness to denuclearize is now in serious doubt.

Earlier this month, North Korea denounced US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment" and cancelled at the last minute a high-level meeting with the South in protest over joint military drills between Seoul and Washington.

Trump responded by saying the meeting may or may not take place.

Vice President Mike Pence warned in an interview&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;night that there was "no question" that Trump would be prepared to walk away from the talks with Kim if it looks like they won't yield results and that the president was not just after a public relations triumph.&nbsp;

Pence said that both the Clinton and Bush administrations "got played" by North Korea when Washington previously tried to get Pyongyang to denuclearize but the current administration would not make the same mistakes.

"It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump," he told Fox News.

'We'll see what happens'

Trump also surprised many by offering Kim an upfront security guarantee, allowing him to stay in power, and suggested that Kim's apparent about-face may have been at the behest of Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

"It could very well be that he's influencing Kim Jong Un," Trump said, citing a recent meeting between the pair, their second in a month's time. "We'll see what happens."

Analysts saw North Korea's perceived slow peddling as evidence of what they feared all along, that Pyongyang may have been playing for time -- hoping to ease sanctions and "maximum pressure" or of South Korea overtorquing the prospects of a deal.

"The current episode of tension reflects a wide and dangerous expectation gap between the United States and North Korea," said Eric Gomez of the CATO Institute.

"Denuclearization is not off the table for the North, but it expects the United States to end the so-called 'hostile policy' as a precondition for denuclearization."

It is far from clear what that means concretely, but it could include the forced withdrawal of 30,000 US troops from the Korean peninsula.

With just weeks to go and little clarity on what will be discussed or what happens if talks fail, some Korea watchers predict fireworks during Trump's talks with Moon.

"It increasingly looks like the Moon administration overstated North Korea's willingness to deal. Moon will probably get an earful over that," said Robert Kelly of Pusan National University.

Yonhap news agency quoted a Blue House official as saying Moon would "likely tell President Trump what to expect and what not to expect from Kim."

Moon sent his own national security advisor to the White House in March, carrying an offer of talks and word that North Korea may be willing to abandon nuclear weapons

Donald Trump holds a high-stakes meeting with South Korea's president at the White House Tuesday, talks that could decide whether the US president's much-vaunted summit with the North's leader Kim Jong Un goes ahead. Moon Jae-in jets into Washington on a mission to salvage a rare diplomatic opening between the US and North Korea that is in trouble almost before it begins. Trump had agreed to meet inscrutable "Supreme Leader" Kim in Singapore on June 12, but the first-ever US-North Korea summit is now in serious doubt, with both sides expressing reservations. South Korea -- worried about Kim's bellicose weapons testing and Trump's similarly bellicose warnings about a looming war -- was instrumental in convincing the two Cold War foes to sit down and talk. Moon sent his own national security advisor to the White House in March, carrying an offer of talks and word that North Korea may be willing to abandon nuclear weapons, an enticing prospect. Trump surprised his guests, his own aides and the world by summarily accepting the meeting, seeing an opportunity to "do a deal" and avoid military confrontation. Pyongyang is on the verge of marrying nuclear and missile technology allowing it to hit the continental United States with a nuke, a capability Washington sees as wholly unacceptable. Since then, there has been a landmark series of intra-Korean meetings, two trips to Pyongyang by Mike Pompeo -- first as CIA director then as America's top diplomat -- and three American citizens have been released from the North. But after several Trumpian victory laps, North Korea's willingness to denuclearize is now in serious doubt. Earlier this month, North Korea denounced US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment" and cancelled at the last minute a high-level meeting with the South in protest over joint military drills between Seoul and Washington. Trump responded by saying the meeting may or may not take place. Vice President Mike Pence warned in an interview on Monday night that there was "no question" that Trump would be prepared to walk away from the talks with Kim if it looks like they won't yield results and that the president was not just after a public relations triumph. Pence said that both the Clinton and Bush administrations "got played" by North Korea when Washington previously tried to get Pyongyang to denuclearize but the current administration would not make the same mistakes. "It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump," he told Fox News. 'We'll see what happens' Trump also surprised many by offering Kim an upfront security guarantee, allowing him to stay in power, and suggested that Kim's apparent about-face may have been at the behest of Chinese leader Xi Jinping. "It could very well be that he's influencing Kim Jong Un," Trump said, citing a recent meeting between the pair, their second in a month's time. "We'll see what happens." Analysts saw North Korea's perceived slow peddling as evidence of what they feared all along, that Pyongyang may have been playing for time -- hoping to ease sanctions and "maximum pressure" or of South Korea overtorquing the prospects of a deal. "The current episode of tension reflects a wide and dangerous expectation gap between the United States and North Korea," said Eric Gomez of the CATO Institute. "Denuclearization is not off the table for the North, but it expects the United States to end the so-called 'hostile policy' as a precondition for denuclearization." It is far from clear what that means concretely, but it could include the forced withdrawal of 30,000 US troops from the Korean peninsula. With just weeks to go and little clarity on what will be discussed or what happens if talks fail, some Korea watchers predict fireworks during Trump's talks with Moon. "It increasingly looks like the Moon administration overstated North Korea's willingness to deal. Moon will probably get an earful over that," said Robert Kelly of Pusan National University. Yonhap news agency quoted a Blue House official as saying Moon would "likely tell President Trump what to expect and what not to expect from Kim."

Trump-Kim summit in play as Moon visits White House

Israeli lawmakers urged the government on Monday to reopen talks with the United States on a defence aid deal signed in 2016 in the hope that President Donald Trump might ease a requirement that American aid money be spent on US equipment.

Under the deal signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then US&nbspPresident Barack Obama, the United States would provide Israel with $38 billion in military assistance over 10 years, the largest such aid package in US&nbsphistory.

However, one component of the deal was to phase out a special arrangement that had allowed Israel to use 26.3 percent of the US&nbspaid on its own defence industry instead of on American-made weapons. All the aid will now have to be spent on US&nbspequipment by 2026.

Israeli lawmakers suggested that this requirement could be renegotiated now that Obama has been succeeded by Trump, who has broken with other past US&nbsppolicies by moving the US&nbspembassy to Jerusalem last week.

"The US&nbspadministration today is different than the previous one and it is possible to do something on a policy level to change the decision in some way," Opposition parliament member Mickey Levy said.

In a meeting of parliament's finance committee, the chairman of the panel, Moshe Gafni, from a party in Netanyahu's rightwing government, called on the cabinet to tell the US administration that the current agreement will cause the Israeli defence sector "unacceptable harm".

According to Defence Ministry economist Zeev Zilber, in addition to the $800 million annually that would be directly diverted from Israeli to US defence firms, the industry would lose another $1.3 billion each year from the knock-on effects of the change. That could threaten 22,000 jobs.

The Economy Ministry said the deal could impact as many as 700 small suppliers.

Eyal Ben-Reuven, another opposition lawmaker, expressed worry that Israel could lose its ability to act independently in times of emergency, such as if its Iron Dome anti-missille system is needed during wartime.

"The most disturbing thing is that the government has no solutions," he said.

The Prime Minister's Office was not immediately available for comment.

Israeli lawmakers urged the government on Monday to reopen talks with the United States on a defence aid deal signed in 2016 in the hope that President Donald Trump might ease a requirement that American aid money be spent on US equipment

Israeli lawmakers urged the government on Monday to reopen talks with the United States on a defence aid deal signed in 2016 in the hope that President Donald Trump might ease a requirement that American aid money be spent on US equipment. Under the deal signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then US&nbspPresident Barack Obama, the United States would provide Israel with $38 billion in military assistance over 10 years, the largest such aid package in US&nbsphistory. However, one component of the deal was to phase out a special arrangement that had allowed Israel to use 26.3 percent of the US&nbspaid on its own defence industry instead of on American-made weapons. All the aid will now have to be spent on US&nbspequipment by 2026. Israeli lawmakers suggested that this requirement could be renegotiated now that Obama has been succeeded by Trump, who has broken with other past US&nbsppolicies by moving the US&nbspembassy to Jerusalem last week. "The US&nbspadministration today is different than the previous one and it is possible to do something on a policy level to change the decision in some way," Opposition parliament member Mickey Levy said. In a meeting of parliament's finance committee, the chairman of the panel, Moshe Gafni, from a party in Netanyahu's rightwing government, called on the cabinet to tell the US administration that the current agreement will cause the Israeli defence sector "unacceptable harm". According to Defence Ministry economist Zeev Zilber, in addition to the $800 million annually that would be directly diverted from Israeli to US defence firms, the industry would lose another $1.3 billion each year from the knock-on effects of the change. That could threaten 22,000 jobs. The Economy Ministry said the deal could impact as many as 700 small suppliers. Eyal Ben-Reuven, another opposition lawmaker, expressed worry that Israel could lose its ability to act independently in times of emergency, such as if its Iron Dome anti-missille system is needed during wartime. "The most disturbing thing is that the government has no solutions," he said. The Prime Minister's Office was not immediately available for comment.

Israel lawmakers hope Trump could ease 'made-in-USA' rules for military aid

The new head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Gina Haspel, was sworn in on Monday (May 21) at the agency's headquarters in Virginia.

Haspel is the first woman to serve in that capacity, which is a source of tremendous pride, she said in remarks after taking the oath administered by Vice President Mike Pence.

"I stand on the shoulders of heroines who never sought public acclaim but served as inspirations to the generations that came after them," Haspel said.

The US&nbspSenate confirmed Gina Haspel on Thursday (May 17) to be director of the CIA, ending a bruising confirmation fight centered on her ties to the spy agency's past use of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation techniques.

Haspel is a 33-year veteran at the agency currently serving as its acting director. The tally was 54-45 in favor of her nomination in the 100-member chamber, where a simple majority was required for confirmation.

Trump nominated Haspel, then deputy director, in March to succeed Mike Pompeo as CIA director. Haspel became acting director after Pompeo was confirmed as secretary of state.

Haspel is the first woman to serve in that capacity, which is a source of tremendous pride, she said in remarks after taking the oath administered by Vice President Mike Pence

The new head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Gina Haspel, was sworn in on Monday (May 21) at the agency's headquarters in Virginia. Haspel is the first woman to serve in that capacity, which is a source of tremendous pride, she said in remarks after taking the oath administered by Vice President Mike Pence. "I stand on the shoulders of heroines who never sought public acclaim but served as inspirations to the generations that came after them," Haspel said. The US&nbspSenate confirmed Gina Haspel on Thursday (May 17) to be director of the CIA, ending a bruising confirmation fight centered on her ties to the spy agency's past use of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation techniques. Haspel is a 33-year veteran at the agency currently serving as its acting director. The tally was 54-45 in favor of her nomination in the 100-member chamber, where a simple majority was required for confirmation. Trump nominated Haspel, then deputy director, in March to succeed Mike Pompeo as CIA director. Haspel became acting director after Pompeo was confirmed as secretary of state.

In first, Donald Trump swears in new CIA Director Gina Haspel

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN.

Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment."&nbsp

"China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

"The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said.&nbsp

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks.

Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping.

As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong."

"He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN. Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment." "China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang. "The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said. China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs. Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks. Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping. As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong." "He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

Trump urges China to clamp down on North Korea border

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani says the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign could end by September 1.

Giuliani said the office of Robert Mueller -- the special counsel who is leading the investigation -- plans to end the investigation by then, and had shared the timeline some two weeks ago, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Fox News quoted Giuliani as saying that Mueller told Trump's legal team the investigation could be over by September 1, although the timeline was contingent upon the special counsel interviewing the president by mid-July.

Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November, Fox reported.

"You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election," Giuliani told the Times.

Former FBI director James Comey -- fired by Trump last year -- announced that the bureau would reopen an investigation into Hillary Clinton's misuse of a private email server just 11 days before the 2016 presidential vote, a move that may have helped cost her the election.

Trump, who has repeatedly described the investigation as a "witch hunt," views it as a stain on his presidency and wants it over.

His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his first national security advisor Michael Flynn and an assortment of campaign aides have all been caught in Mueller's investigation, variously pleading guilty, cutting a plea deal or fighting the case in court.

But a year after the probe began, the big questions remain unanswered: Did Trump's campaign collude with the Kremlin to skew the 2016 election? What did the president know and when did he know it? Did he obstruct justice? Can a sitting president be indicted?

Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani says the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign could end by September 1. Giuliani said the office of Robert Mueller -- the special counsel who is leading the investigation -- plans to end the investigation by then, and had shared the timeline some two weeks ago, The New York Times reported Sunday. Fox News quoted Giuliani as saying that Mueller told Trump's legal team the investigation could be over by September 1, although the timeline was contingent upon the special counsel interviewing the president by mid-July. Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November, Fox reported. "You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election," Giuliani told the Times. Former FBI director James Comey -- fired by Trump last year -- announced that the bureau would reopen an investigation into Hillary Clinton's misuse of a private email server just 11 days before the 2016 presidential vote, a move that may have helped cost her the election. Trump, who has repeatedly described the investigation as a "witch hunt," views it as a stain on his presidency and wants it over. His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his first national security advisor Michael Flynn and an assortment of campaign aides have all been caught in Mueller's investigation, variously pleading guilty, cutting a plea deal or fighting the case in court. But a year after the probe began, the big questions remain unanswered: Did Trump's campaign collude with the Kremlin to skew the 2016 election? What did the president know and when did he know it? Did he obstruct justice? Can a sitting president be indicted?

Russia election-meddling probe may end by September 1: Giuliani

US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues.

Trump has described the infiltration allegations as being potentially "bigger than Watergate", but Democrats say he is attempting to undermine the year-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign, headed by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!" Trump tweeted.

Trump's angry order came amid building pressure from the year-old Russia meddling investigation, and as US media reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigations sent a Britain-based American professor to speak separately with Trump campaign advisers in 2016.

A New York Times report described the professor as "an informant," saying the federal agency was looking into evidence that Carter Page and George Papadopoulos had suspicious contacts with Russia.

The Washington Post called him "a longtime US intelligence source," and said he met with a third campaign adviser -- Sam Clovis -- as well as Page and Papadopoulos.

Trump and his supporters have cast the man as a mole possibly sent by the Obama administration to burrow into his campaign.

The Justice Department tasked its internal watchdog with looking into the issues raised by Trump.

But it paired that inquiry with an existing "review" of the application process for FISA national security warrants, which Republicans allege was abused in connection with the surveillance of Page.

Expanding an 'ongoing review'

"The department has asked the inspector general to expand the ongoing review of the FISA application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election," spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement.

Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the Russia investigation, said: "If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action."

While Trump allies in Congress have demanded more information about the informant, law enforcement officials have refused, saying the source -- not yet officially identified -- could be in danger if named.

Efforts to identify the FBI informant -- and Trump's claims -- have drawn fire from Democratic lawmakers.

"It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," said Senator Mark Warner, the Senate Intelligence Committee's top Democrat.

"Trump's claim of an embedded 'spy' is nonsense. His 'demand' DOJ investigate something they know to be untrue is an abuse of power, and an effort to distract from his growing legal problems," tweeted Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

Joaquin Castro, another House Democrat, responded to Trump's demand for Justice Department action by tweeting: "@realDonaldTrump - Let Mueller do his job. Stay out of it. You need to be subpoenaed for obstruction of justice/conspiracy/money laundering."

"Obstruction in broad daylight," Democratic lawmaker Eric Swalwell wrote.

Trump lawyer Rudolph Giuliani, a former Justice Department prosecutor and assistant attorney general, told CNN on Friday that it was unclear whether an FBI informant had been embedded in the campaign, while adding that the agency "should tell us if there was."

Trump has described the infiltration allegations as being potentially 'bigger than Watergate'. Democrats say he is attempting to undermine the year-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign

US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues. Trump has described the infiltration allegations as being potentially "bigger than Watergate", but Democrats say he is attempting to undermine the year-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign, headed by special counsel Robert Mueller. "I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!" Trump tweeted. Trump's angry order came amid building pressure from the year-old Russia meddling investigation, and as US media reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigations sent a Britain-based American professor to speak separately with Trump campaign advisers in 2016. A New York Times report described the professor as "an informant," saying the federal agency was looking into evidence that Carter Page and George Papadopoulos had suspicious contacts with Russia. The Washington Post called him "a longtime US intelligence source," and said he met with a third campaign adviser -- Sam Clovis -- as well as Page and Papadopoulos. Trump and his supporters have cast the man as a mole possibly sent by the Obama administration to burrow into his campaign. The Justice Department tasked its internal watchdog with looking into the issues raised by Trump. But it paired that inquiry with an existing "review" of the application process for FISA national security warrants, which Republicans allege was abused in connection with the surveillance of Page. Expanding an 'ongoing review' "The department has asked the inspector general to expand the ongoing review of the FISA application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election," spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the Russia investigation, said: "If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action." While Trump allies in Congress have demanded more information about the informant, law enforcement officials have refused, saying the source -- not yet officially identified -- could be in danger if named. Efforts to identify the FBI informant -- and Trump's claims -- have drawn fire from Democratic lawmakers. "It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," said Senator Mark Warner, the Senate Intelligence Committee's top Democrat. "Trump's claim of an embedded 'spy' is nonsense. His 'demand' DOJ investigate something they know to be untrue is an abuse of power, and an effort to distract from his growing legal problems," tweeted Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. Joaquin Castro, another House Democrat, responded to Trump's demand for Justice Department action by tweeting: "@realDonaldTrump - Let Mueller do his job. Stay out of it. You need to be subpoenaed for obstruction of justice/conspiracy/money laundering." "Obstruction in broad daylight," Democratic lawmaker Eric Swalwell wrote. Trump lawyer Rudolph Giuliani, a former Justice Department prosecutor and assistant attorney general, told CNN on Friday that it was unclear whether an FBI informant had been embedded in the campaign, while adding that the agency "should tell us if there was."

Trump says FBI or Justice Department may have spied on presidential campaign

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed Sunday that Washington and Beijing have agreed to back off from imposing tariffs on each other, a day after reaching an accord on slashing the American trade deficit with China.

"We have made very meaningful progress and we agreed on a framework," Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday. "So right now we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework."

China's Vice Premier Liu He, who led a high-level delegation to the United States this week, meantime confirmed that "the two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.&nbsp

The apparent detente between the two economic giants follows months of increasing tensions that have set markets on edge over fears of a damaging trade war. &nbsp

The US-Chinese thaw raised concerns in some other countries still facing potential US tariffs, however, with France saying it could come "at the expense of Europe."

Mnuchin emphasized Sunday that the sides had also discussed structural changes by Beijing "to make sure that we have a fair ability to compete" in its vast market.&nbsp

Unfreezing the ice

As each side worked to set expectations, Liu cautioned that "unfreezing the ice cannot be done in a day" and that structural changes "will take time."

Mnuchin added a caution of his own, emphasizing that if China did not respect its commitments, Trump could "always decide to put the tariffs back on."

In the absence of an agreement, US levies on $50 billion of Chinese imports could have taken effect as early as next week. Tariffs on steel and aluminum were put in place in March.

A joint statement issued Saturday in Washington said Beijing would "significantly" increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details.&nbsp

Last year, the United States had a $375.2 billion trade deficit with China, and Washington reportedly had demanded the deficit be slashed by at least $200 billion by 2020.

Targets not disclosed

Asked on Fox whether the agreement addressed the $200 billion demand, Mnuchin said, "We have specific targets" but that he would not disclose them publicly. &nbsp

He said they were set "industry by industry."

Trump's threats of further tariffs had prompted Beijing to warn it would target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and even whiskey.

Against that fraught backdrop, teams led by Mnuchin and Liu met earlier this month in Beijing. &nbsp

Both sides said further talks are planned to flesh out details.

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China," Saturday's joint statement said.

It added that "China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services."

Mnuchin said there would be "a very big increase" in Chinese purchases of US agricultural supplies -- by 35 percent to 45 percent this year -- as well as a potential doubling of energy purchases.

And Liu said the new cooperation would extend to medical care, high-tech products and finance, according to Xinhua.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting intellectual property -- a long-standing source of US discontent.

Korean complication

The trade issue is complicated by the impending summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has consulted with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.&nbsp

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

Meantime, the effects of the new US-Chinese warming were being nervously assessed in other countries, with French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warning Sunday that it could exact a cost from Europe.

"The United States and China risk entering an agreement at the expense of Europe if Europe is not capable of showing a firm hand," he told CNEWS television.

Trump earlier this month granted the EU, along with Canada and Mexico, only a 30-day reprieve from threatened steel and aluminum tariffs.&nbsp

"The United States wants to make Europe and European countries pay for China's bad behavior," Le Maire said. "All of that is totally absurd and incomprehensible for allies."

The apparent detente between the two economic giants follows months of increasing tensions that have set markets on edge over fears of a damaging trade war

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed Sunday that Washington and Beijing have agreed to back off from imposing tariffs on each other, a day after reaching an accord on slashing the American trade deficit with China. "We have made very meaningful progress and we agreed on a framework," Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday. "So right now we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework." China's Vice Premier Liu He, who led a high-level delegation to the United States this week, meantime confirmed that "the two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. The apparent detente between the two economic giants follows months of increasing tensions that have set markets on edge over fears of a damaging trade war. The US-Chinese thaw raised concerns in some other countries still facing potential US tariffs, however, with France saying it could come "at the expense of Europe." Mnuchin emphasized Sunday that the sides had also discussed structural changes by Beijing "to make sure that we have a fair ability to compete" in its vast market. Unfreezing the ice As each side worked to set expectations, Liu cautioned that "unfreezing the ice cannot be done in a day" and that structural changes "will take time." Mnuchin added a caution of his own, emphasizing that if China did not respect its commitments, Trump could "always decide to put the tariffs back on." In the absence of an agreement, US levies on $50 billion of Chinese imports could have taken effect as early as next week. Tariffs on steel and aluminum were put in place in March. A joint statement issued Saturday in Washington said Beijing would "significantly" increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details. Last year, the United States had a $375.2 billion trade deficit with China, and Washington reportedly had demanded the deficit be slashed by at least $200 billion by 2020. Targets not disclosed Asked on Fox whether the agreement addressed the $200 billion demand, Mnuchin said, "We have specific targets" but that he would not disclose them publicly. He said they were set "industry by industry." Trump's threats of further tariffs had prompted Beijing to warn it would target US agricultural exports, aircraft, and even whiskey. Against that fraught backdrop, teams led by Mnuchin and Liu met earlier this month in Beijing. Both sides said further talks are planned to flesh out details. "There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China," Saturday's joint statement said. It added that "China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services." Mnuchin said there would be "a very big increase" in Chinese purchases of US agricultural supplies -- by 35 percent to 45 percent this year -- as well as a potential doubling of energy purchases. And Liu said the new cooperation would extend to medical care, high-tech products and finance, according to Xinhua. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting intellectual property -- a long-standing source of US discontent. Korean complication The trade issue is complicated by the impending summit meeting in Singapore between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has consulted with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs. Meantime, the effects of the new US-Chinese warming were being nervously assessed in other countries, with French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warning Sunday that it could exact a cost from Europe. "The United States and China risk entering an agreement at the expense of Europe if Europe is not capable of showing a firm hand," he told CNEWS television. Trump earlier this month granted the EU, along with Canada and Mexico, only a 30-day reprieve from threatened steel and aluminum tariffs. "The United States wants to make Europe and European countries pay for China's bad behavior," Le Maire said. "All of that is totally absurd and incomprehensible for allies."

US, China back off on tariffs, easing trade tensions

China and the US have agreed to abandon a threatened trade war, the news agency Xinhua reported Saturday.&nbsp;

The two countries have also agreed not to raise tariffs on each other.&nbsp;

The report came after Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He led a high-level delegation to the US.&nbsp;

"The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," Xinhua reported He as saying.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-agrees-to-import-more-from-us-no-sign-of-us-200-billion-figure-138324">China agrees to import more from </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-agrees-to-import-more-from-us-no-sign-of-us-200-billion-figure-138324">US</a>

The state-owned news agency added that the two sides agreed to take effective measures to substantially decrease the US trade deficit in goods with China.

And that China will significantly increase its purchase of US goods and services to meet the consumption needs of the Chinese people.

Xinhua added that the two countries also agreed to meaningfully increase the export of US agriculture and energy products.&nbsp;

'The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," Xinhua reported Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He as saying

China and the US have agreed to abandon a threatened trade war, the news agency Xinhua reported Saturday. The two countries have also agreed not to raise tariffs on each other. The report came after Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He led a high-level delegation to the US. "The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," Xinhua reported He as saying. Also read: China agrees to import more from US The state-owned news agency added that the two sides agreed to take effective measures to substantially decrease the US trade deficit in goods with China. And that China will significantly increase its purchase of US goods and services to meet the consumption needs of the Chinese people. Xinhua added that the two countries also agreed to meaningfully increase the export of US agriculture and energy products.

China-US agree to abandon trade war, not raise tariffs: Xinhua

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday barred immigration judges from a once-common practice of shelving deportation cases involving some immigrants with deep ties to the United States.&nbsp

The practice known as administrative closure allowed judges to clear low-priority cases off their dockets, effectively letting some immigrants remain indefinitely in the United States despite their lack of legal status.&nbsp

Under President Barack Obama there had been an effort to administratively close certain cases as a way of allowing judges to focus on higher-priority matters and reduce the immigration court backlog. More than 200,000 cases were closed during the last six years of his presidency.&nbsp

The closures were routinely used for people without criminal backgrounds who had lived for many years in the United States, often with US citizen children or spouses. In many cases, the immigrants became eligible for work permits.&nbsp

The administration of President Donald Trump has taken a sharply different tack on immigration, declaring that all those in the country illegally, whether or not they pose a threat to public safety, are subject to deportation.&nbsp

Since immigration courts fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, the attorney general can issue opinions in immigration cases to establish legal precedent for judges across the country and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

On Thursday, Sessions issued such an order in a case in which a judge had granted administrative closure for an unaccompanied minor from Guatemala.&nbsp

Before Sessions` ruling, the government or an immigrant could ask a judge to close a case. The attorney general ruled that judges "do not have the general authority to suspend indefinitely immigration proceedings by administrative closure." He said exceptions could be made in some cases, including when an immigrant has certain forms of legal status pending.&nbsp

Sessions had already quietly been instituting the policy even before this announcement. Reuters reported last June that government prosecutors were moving to put cases that had been previously closed back on the court calendar.

Sessions acknowledged in the order, however, that recalendaring all cases that had been closed "would likely overwhelm the immigration courts."

Immigration attorneys and advocates quickly criticized Sessions` decision. The ruling was intended "to reduce immigration judges to deportation machines," said Chuck Roth of the National Immigrant Justice Center.

The practice known as administrative closure allowed judges to clear low-priority cases off their dockets, effectively letting some immigrants remain indefinitely in the United States despite their lack of legal status

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday barred immigration judges from a once-common practice of shelving deportation cases involving some immigrants with deep ties to the United States. The practice known as administrative closure allowed judges to clear low-priority cases off their dockets, effectively letting some immigrants remain indefinitely in the United States despite their lack of legal status. Under President Barack Obama there had been an effort to administratively close certain cases as a way of allowing judges to focus on higher-priority matters and reduce the immigration court backlog. More than 200,000 cases were closed during the last six years of his presidency. The closures were routinely used for people without criminal backgrounds who had lived for many years in the United States, often with US citizen children or spouses. In many cases, the immigrants became eligible for work permits. The administration of President Donald Trump has taken a sharply different tack on immigration, declaring that all those in the country illegally, whether or not they pose a threat to public safety, are subject to deportation. Since immigration courts fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, the attorney general can issue opinions in immigration cases to establish legal precedent for judges across the country and the Board of Immigration Appeals. On Thursday, Sessions issued such an order in a case in which a judge had granted administrative closure for an unaccompanied minor from Guatemala. Before Sessions` ruling, the government or an immigrant could ask a judge to close a case. The attorney general ruled that judges "do not have the general authority to suspend indefinitely immigration proceedings by administrative closure." He said exceptions could be made in some cases, including when an immigrant has certain forms of legal status pending. Sessions had already quietly been instituting the policy even before this announcement. Reuters reported last June that government prosecutors were moving to put cases that had been previously closed back on the court calendar. Sessions acknowledged in the order, however, that recalendaring all cases that had been closed "would likely overwhelm the immigration courts." Immigration attorneys and advocates quickly criticized Sessions` decision. The ruling was intended "to reduce immigration judges to deportation machines," said Chuck Roth of the National Immigrant Justice Center.

US ends practice that gave some immigrants reprieves from deportation

A Chinese bank has been offering its clients the chance to buy tickets to a dinner with US President Donald Trump for $150,000, Bloomberg News reported Friday.

A Chinese-language invitation to the event seen by AFP, which did not include the hefty price tag, said the chair and finance chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) were "inviting you for dinner with President Trump" on May 31.

China Construction Bank told AFP that "some employees" at a branch in the southern tech hub Shenzhen had "passed on information" to clients about tickets to a dinner with Trump.

"Event information was pushed by individual employees (to clients)," China's second-largest state bank said in a statement. "Our branch wasn't involved."

The invitations have raised eyebrows as US political campaigns are forbidden from accepting donations from foreign nationals or corporations.

But it was unclear whether any tickets have been sold in China to the event, which only individuals with a US passport would be eligible to attend.

Trump is expected to host a fundraising dinner with the RNC in Dallas on May 31, although it wasn't clear if the invitations being circulated in China referred to the same event.

The Bloomberg News report said officials with Trump's campaign and the RNC had no knowledge of the Chinese bank's advertisement before being contacted by the press.

China Construction Bank said Friday its employees had received information about the event from the Chinese Entrepreneurs' Association, a Beijing-based group of private businessmen, and a Shanghai-based travel agency, Vvisa Tourism Services Co.

The bank did not say whether its employees sold tickets or advertised them using the bank's official marketing channels or their personal social media accounts.

Vvisa Tourism Services and the Chinese Entrepreneurs Association were not available for comment.

It comes despite the looming threat of a trade war between the world's two largest economies, who have threatened tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods.

China's top economic envoy Liu He is currently in Washington to iron out trade issues with US officials. 
&nbsp

Trump is expected to host a fundraising dinner with the RNC in Dallas on May 31

A Chinese bank has been offering its clients the chance to buy tickets to a dinner with US President Donald Trump for $150,000, Bloomberg News reported Friday. A Chinese-language invitation to the event seen by AFP, which did not include the hefty price tag, said the chair and finance chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) were "inviting you for dinner with President Trump" on May 31. China Construction Bank told AFP that "some employees" at a branch in the southern tech hub Shenzhen had "passed on information" to clients about tickets to a dinner with Trump. "Event information was pushed by individual employees (to clients)," China's second-largest state bank said in a statement. "Our branch wasn't involved." The invitations have raised eyebrows as US political campaigns are forbidden from accepting donations from foreign nationals or corporations. But it was unclear whether any tickets have been sold in China to the event, which only individuals with a US passport would be eligible to attend. Trump is expected to host a fundraising dinner with the RNC in Dallas on May 31, although it wasn't clear if the invitations being circulated in China referred to the same event. The Bloomberg News report said officials with Trump's campaign and the RNC had no knowledge of the Chinese bank's advertisement before being contacted by the press. China Construction Bank said Friday its employees had received information about the event from the Chinese Entrepreneurs' Association, a Beijing-based group of private businessmen, and a Shanghai-based travel agency, Vvisa Tourism Services Co. The bank did not say whether its employees sold tickets or advertised them using the bank's official marketing channels or their personal social media accounts. Vvisa Tourism Services and the Chinese Entrepreneurs Association were not available for comment. It comes despite the looming threat of a trade war between the world's two largest economies, who have threatened tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods. China's top economic envoy Liu He is currently in Washington to iron out trade issues with US officials.

Chinese bank sells Trump dinner tickets for $150,000: Report

The US&nbspSenate confirmed Gina Haspel on Thursday to be director of the CIA, ending a bruising confirmation fight centred on her ties to the spy agency's past use of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation techniques.

Haspel, who will be the first woman to lead the CIA, is a 33-year veteran at the agency currently serving as its acting director. The tally was 54-45 in favour of her nomination in the 100-member chamber, where a simple majority was required for confirmation.

Six Democrats joined President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in voting for Haspel, and two Republicans voted no.

Haspel was approved despite stiff opposition over her links to the CIA's use of harsh interrogation methods, including waterboarding, a type of simulated drowning widely considered torture, in the years after the September 11 attacks.

An undercover officer for most of her CIA career, Haspel in 2002 served as CIA station chief in Thailand, where the agency conducted interrogations at a secret prison using methods including waterboarding. Three years later, she drafted a cable ordering the destruction of videotapes of those interrogations.

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Congratulations to our new CIA Director, Gina Haspel! <a href="https://t.co/n1xj9LSV9D">pic.twitter.com/n1xj9LSV9D</a>
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Republican Senator John McCain, who has been away from Washington all year as he battles brain cancer, urged the Senate not to vote for Haspel. He did not vote on Thursday.

Tortured himself while a prisoner of war in Vietnam, McCain said approving Haspel would send the wrong message, and the country should only use methods to keep itself safe "as right and just as the values we aspire to live up to and promote in the world."

Haspel also had strong support from Trump's administration, many current and former intelligence officials and a wide range of lawmakers, including Democrats.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, which oversaw the nomination, supported Haspel.

"I believe she is someone who can and will stand up to the president, who will speak truth to power if this president orders her to do something illegal or immoral, like a return to torture," he said in a Senate speech before the vote.

Rights groups quickly condemned the vote. Laura Pitter of Human Rights Watch called it "the predictable and perverse byproduct of the US&nbspfailure to grapple with past abuses."

Trump nominated Haspel, then deputy director, in March to succeed Mike Pompeo as CIA director. Haspel became acting director after Pompeo was confirmed as secretary of state.

Six Democrats joined President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in voting for Haspel, two Republicans voted no

The US&nbspSenate confirmed Gina Haspel on Thursday to be director of the CIA, ending a bruising confirmation fight centred on her ties to the spy agency's past use of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation techniques. Haspel, who will be the first woman to lead the CIA, is a 33-year veteran at the agency currently serving as its acting director. The tally was 54-45 in favour of her nomination in the 100-member chamber, where a simple majority was required for confirmation. Six Democrats joined President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in voting for Haspel, and two Republicans voted no. Haspel was approved despite stiff opposition over her links to the CIA's use of harsh interrogation methods, including waterboarding, a type of simulated drowning widely considered torture, in the years after the September 11 attacks. An undercover officer for most of her CIA career, Haspel in 2002 served as CIA station chief in Thailand, where the agency conducted interrogations at a secret prison using methods including waterboarding. Three years later, she drafted a cable ordering the destruction of videotapes of those interrogations. Congratulations to our new CIA Director, Gina Haspel! pic.twitter.com/n1xj9LSV9D — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 17, 2018 × Republican Senator John McCain, who has been away from Washington all year as he battles brain cancer, urged the Senate not to vote for Haspel. He did not vote on Thursday. Tortured himself while a prisoner of war in Vietnam, McCain said approving Haspel would send the wrong message, and the country should only use methods to keep itself safe "as right and just as the values we aspire to live up to and promote in the world." Haspel also had strong support from Trump's administration, many current and former intelligence officials and a wide range of lawmakers, including Democrats. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, which oversaw the nomination, supported Haspel. "I believe she is someone who can and will stand up to the president, who will speak truth to power if this president orders her to do something illegal or immoral, like a return to torture," he said in a Senate speech before the vote. Rights groups quickly condemned the vote. Laura Pitter of Human Rights Watch called it "the predictable and perverse byproduct of the US&nbspfailure to grapple with past abuses." Trump nominated Haspel, then deputy director, in March to succeed Mike Pompeo as CIA director. Haspel became acting director after Pompeo was confirmed as secretary of state.

US Senate confirms Haspel as first woman CIA director, Trump congratulates

According to reports, a man was shot by the police at the Trump National Doral Golf Club, on Friday as officers responded to a call about shots being fired.

The man has not been identified but was rushed to a local hospital. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting at present.

Trump National Doral Golf Club, an 800-acre resort outside of Miami, is home to four championship golf courses, including the Blue Monster, which plays host to a PGA Tour event each year. Trump bought the property for $150 million in 2012.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp

The man has not been identified but was rushed to a local hospital

According to reports, a man was shot by the police at the Trump National Doral Golf Club, on Friday as officers responded to a call about shots being fired. The man has not been identified but was rushed to a local hospital. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting at present. Trump National Doral Golf Club, an 800-acre resort outside of Miami, is home to four championship golf courses, including the Blue Monster, which plays host to a PGA Tour event each year. Trump bought the property for $150 million in 2012. (With inputs from Reuters)

Shots fired at Trump's golf resort in Florida, police shoots down one

As Muslims all across the globe celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday released an official statement stating that Ramadan "reminds us of the richness Muslims add to the religious tapestry of American life."&nbsp;

According to reports, the White House may also organise a small Iftar event on June 6, with ambassadors from Muslim majority countries and other US Muslim leaders as attendees.

Last year in January, Trump had signed an order banning refugee admissions and temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries -- Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The move instantly soured United States' relations with Muslim Americans. The Trump administration, in 2016, also pressed for mosque surveillance for security.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Last year in January, Trump signed an order banning refugee admissions and temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries

As Muslims all across the globe celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday released an official statement stating that Ramadan "reminds us of the richness Muslims add to the religious tapestry of American life." According to reports, the White House may also organise a small Iftar event on June 6, with ambassadors from Muslim majority countries and other US Muslim leaders as attendees. Last year in January, Trump had signed an order banning refugee admissions and temporarily barring people from seven Muslim-majority countries -- Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The move instantly soured United States' relations with Muslim Americans. The Trump administration, in 2016, also pressed for mosque surveillance for security.

Muslims add to religious tapestry of American life: Trump's Ramadan message

Ahead of the meeting between Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un on June 12 in Singapore, the US President has assured "protection" to North Korea.

His assurance has come as a reward to North Korea in return for its adoption to denuclearisation.&nbsp;

The assurance has also come in the wake of the North Korea's recent claim on the need of a nuclear weapon. North Korea had recently argued its need of nuclear weapon in order to secure itself.

According to media reports, Trump said that in return for abandoning nuclear weapons, the United States would provide it with protection against any kind of attacks.&nbsp;

Trump also negated reports that claimed the cancellation of the meeting between North Korea and the US. The reports said that the meeting between the two countries was cancelled due to the ongoing military deal between US and South Korea.

North Korea has dismantled its nuclear site Punggye-ri after United States, Japan, South Korea and China collectively put forward the need for denuclearisation.

The assurance has also come in the wake of the North Korea's recent claim on the need of a nuclear weapon. Earlier, North Korea had argued its need of nuclear weapon in order to secure itself

Ahead of the meeting between Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un on June 12 in Singapore, the US President has assured "protection" to North Korea. His assurance has come as a reward to North Korea in return for its adoption to denuclearisation. The assurance has also come in the wake of the North Korea's recent claim on the need of a nuclear weapon. North Korea had recently argued its need of nuclear weapon in order to secure itself. According to media reports, Trump said that in return for abandoning nuclear weapons, the United States would provide it with protection against any kind of attacks. Trump also negated reports that claimed the cancellation of the meeting between North Korea and the US. The reports said that the meeting between the two countries was cancelled due to the ongoing military deal between US and South Korea. North Korea has dismantled its nuclear site Punggye-ri after United States, Japan, South Korea and China collectively put forward the need for denuclearisation.

Trump offers protection to North Korea in return for denuclearisation

The European Union's top official launched a stinging attack on President Donald Trump, slamming his "capricious assertiveness" and saying the US leader acted more like an enemy than a friend.

EU president Donald Tusk yesterday urged leaders meeting in Bulgaria to form a "united European front" against Trump's withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal and his move to impose trade tariffs on Europe.

Tusk even compared the US administration to Europe's traditional foes Moscow and Beijing as he launched his broadside before a dinner of the 28 leaders in Sofia where they discussed the issue.

"Looking at the latest decisions of President Trump, someone could even think with friends like that, who needs enemies," Tusk told reporters.

"But frankly speaking, Europe should be grateful to President Trump, because thanks to him we have got rid of all illusions. He has made us realise that if you need a helping hand you will find one at the end of your arm."

The transatlantic rift has hijacked the agenda of a summit&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;at which the EU leaders will meet their Balkan counterparts in a bid to foster closer ties and keep Russia out of their backyard.

European ministers met a top Iranian official in Brussels&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;in a bid to save the Iranian nuclear accord after Trump decided to pull out.

Meanwhile, the EU is still trying to win exemptions from tariffs on steel and aluminium exports.

Tusk called for more unity in the divided EU -- which is set to lose Britain as a member next year -- to face the growing challenges.

"Besides the traditional political challenges such as the rise of China or the aggressive stance of Russia, we are witnessing today a new phenomenon: the capricious assertiveness of the American administration," Tusk said.

"I have no doubt that in the new global game, Europe will either be one of the major players, or a pawn. This is the only real alternative."

After the talks, a European source told AFP the leaders agreed on a "united EU approach" on the Iran deal, including continued support for the agreement if Tehran abides by it.

They also agreed to "initiate work to protect European companies negatively affected by the US decision," which involves Washington reimposing sanctions on the Iranian nuclear programme.

"The EU will continue fighting for a rules-based international system despite recent decisions on climate change, tariffs and Iran," the source said after the leaders met over dinner in Sofia.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron -- whose countries are the signatories to the Iran deal along with the US, Russia and China, gave their views on the situation to their colleagues, he said.

Merkel, however&nbsp;said earlier that Europe had no choice but to stick with the ties that have bound it to Washington since World War II.&nbsp;

EU president Donald Tusk yesterday urged leaders meeting in Bulgaria to form a 'united European front' against Trump's withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal and his move to impose trade tariffs on Europe

The European Union's top official launched a stinging attack on President Donald Trump, slamming his "capricious assertiveness" and saying the US leader acted more like an enemy than a friend. EU president Donald Tusk yesterday urged leaders meeting in Bulgaria to form a "united European front" against Trump's withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal and his move to impose trade tariffs on Europe. Tusk even compared the US administration to Europe's traditional foes Moscow and Beijing as he launched his broadside before a dinner of the 28 leaders in Sofia where they discussed the issue. "Looking at the latest decisions of President Trump, someone could even think with friends like that, who needs enemies," Tusk told reporters. "But frankly speaking, Europe should be grateful to President Trump, because thanks to him we have got rid of all illusions. He has made us realise that if you need a helping hand you will find one at the end of your arm." The transatlantic rift has hijacked the agenda of a summit on Thursday at which the EU leaders will meet their Balkan counterparts in a bid to foster closer ties and keep Russia out of their backyard. European ministers met a top Iranian official in Brussels on Tuesday in a bid to save the Iranian nuclear accord after Trump decided to pull out. Meanwhile, the EU is still trying to win exemptions from tariffs on steel and aluminium exports. Tusk called for more unity in the divided EU -- which is set to lose Britain as a member next year -- to face the growing challenges. "Besides the traditional political challenges such as the rise of China or the aggressive stance of Russia, we are witnessing today a new phenomenon: the capricious assertiveness of the American administration," Tusk said. "I have no doubt that in the new global game, Europe will either be one of the major players, or a pawn. This is the only real alternative." After the talks, a European source told AFP the leaders agreed on a "united EU approach" on the Iran deal, including continued support for the agreement if Tehran abides by it. They also agreed to "initiate work to protect European companies negatively affected by the US decision," which involves Washington reimposing sanctions on the Iranian nuclear programme. "The EU will continue fighting for a rules-based international system despite recent decisions on climate change, tariffs and Iran," the source said after the leaders met over dinner in Sofia. British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron -- whose countries are the signatories to the Iran deal along with the US, Russia and China, gave their views on the situation to their colleagues, he said. Merkel, however said earlier that Europe had no choice but to stick with the ties that have bound it to Washington since World War II.

With friends like Trump, who needs enemies: EU chief

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537">In </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537">late-night</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537"> hearing, Supreme Court refuses to stay Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony</a>

The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state.

The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-natak-in-karnataka-continues-both-sides-to-meet-governor-mlas-report-poaching-attempts-137278">Live: Yeddyurappa&nbsp;sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister&nbsp;</a>

The BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today

Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in while conducting a post-midnight hearing.

Yeddyurappa, who succeeds Siddaramaiah, took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at 9.00 am at the Raj Bhavan.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">Trump discloses payment to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">attorney</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545"> who paid off </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">porn</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545"> star</a>

President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show.

The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/north-korea-pledges-not-to-create-security-concerns-for-india-137548">North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India</a>

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK Singh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India's security.

The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556">Collegium again defers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556">decision</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556"> on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court</a>

The Supreme Court Collegium Wednesday again deferred its decision on the issue of recommending Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the top court after it was returned by the Centre. An apex court official said that no decision has been taken as to when the recommendation will be sent to the Centre.

The Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and four senior-most judges — justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — deliberated for more than an hour.

Official details on the outcome of the meeting were awaited. This was the Collegium's second meeting in five days.

In late-night hearing, Supreme Court refuses to stay Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state. The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it. Live: Yeddyurappa sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister The BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in while conducting a post-midnight hearing. Yeddyurappa, who succeeds Siddaramaiah, took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at 9.00 am at the Raj Bhavan. Trump discloses payment to attorney who paid off porn star President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show. The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch. North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK Singh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India's security. The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security. Collegium again defers decision on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court The Supreme Court Collegium Wednesday again deferred its decision on the issue of recommending Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the top court after it was returned by the Centre. An apex court official said that no decision has been taken as to when the recommendation will be sent to the Centre. The Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and four senior-most judges — justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — deliberated for more than an hour. Official details on the outcome of the meeting were awaited. This was the Collegium's second meeting in five days.

News brief: Big stories of the day

South Korea said on Thursday it intends to play the role of mediator after North Korea threatened to pull out of a summit with the United States aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea on Wednesday said it might not attend the June 12 summit in Singapore if the United States continued to demand it unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal, which it has developed in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions to counter perceived US&nbsphostility.

Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises as a provocation and called off high-level talks with Seoul.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament that North Korea and the United States had differences of views over how to achieve denuclearisation. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday it was unclear if the summit would go ahead.

"It is true that there are differences of opinion between the North and the United States on methods to accomplish denuclearisation," Kang told lawmakers, according to Yonhap News Agency.

A South Korean presidential Blue House official said the South intends to more actively perform "the role of a mediator" between the United States and North Korea.

Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House on May 22.

The Blue House intends to "sufficiently convey (to the United States) what we've discerned about North Korea's position and attitude... and sufficiently convey the United States' position to North Korea", thereby helping to bridge the gap, the official said.

Asked if she trusted Kim Jong Un, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang said: "Yes."

Japan's Asahi newspaper reported that the United States had demanded North Korea ship some nuclear warheads, an intercontinental ballistic missile and other nuclear material overseas within six months.

The newspaper, citing several sources familiar with North Korea, said US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to have told the North Korean leader when they met this month that Pyongyang might be removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism if it complied.

The Asahi also reported that if North Korea agreed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation at the Singapore summit, Washington was considering giving guarantees for Kim's regime.

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said the measures North Korea has taken to ease tension should be acknowledged, and all other parties, especially the United States, should cherish the opportunity for peace.

Cancellation of the summit, the first between US&nbspand North Korean leaders, would deal a major blow to what could be the biggest diplomatic achievement of Trump's presidency.

This comes at a time his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally and moving the US&nbspembassy in Israel to Jerusalem has fuelled deadly violence on the Israel-Gaza border.

North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against perceived aggression by the United States, which keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The North has long said it is open to eventually giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States withdraws its troops from South Korea and ends its “nuclear umbrella” alliance with Seoul.

North Korea said it was pulling out of the talks with South Korea after denouncing U.S.-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US&nbspstealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets".

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, UN&nbspSecretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I hope that in the end common sense will prevail, and the summit will take place and it will be successful."

Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises

South Korea said on Thursday it intends to play the role of mediator after North Korea threatened to pull out of a summit with the United States aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. North Korea on Wednesday said it might not attend the June 12 summit in Singapore if the United States continued to demand it unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal, which it has developed in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions to counter perceived US&nbsphostility. Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises as a provocation and called off high-level talks with Seoul. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament that North Korea and the United States had differences of views over how to achieve denuclearisation. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday it was unclear if the summit would go ahead. "It is true that there are differences of opinion between the North and the United States on methods to accomplish denuclearisation," Kang told lawmakers, according to Yonhap News Agency. A South Korean presidential Blue House official said the South intends to more actively perform "the role of a mediator" between the United States and North Korea. Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House on May 22. The Blue House intends to "sufficiently convey (to the United States) what we've discerned about North Korea's position and attitude... and sufficiently convey the United States' position to North Korea", thereby helping to bridge the gap, the official said. Asked if she trusted Kim Jong Un, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang said: "Yes." Japan's Asahi newspaper reported that the United States had demanded North Korea ship some nuclear warheads, an intercontinental ballistic missile and other nuclear material overseas within six months. The newspaper, citing several sources familiar with North Korea, said US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to have told the North Korean leader when they met this month that Pyongyang might be removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism if it complied. The Asahi also reported that if North Korea agreed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation at the Singapore summit, Washington was considering giving guarantees for Kim's regime. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said the measures North Korea has taken to ease tension should be acknowledged, and all other parties, especially the United States, should cherish the opportunity for peace. Cancellation of the summit, the first between US&nbspand North Korean leaders, would deal a major blow to what could be the biggest diplomatic achievement of Trump's presidency. This comes at a time his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally and moving the US&nbspembassy in Israel to Jerusalem has fuelled deadly violence on the Israel-Gaza border. North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against perceived aggression by the United States, which keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North has long said it is open to eventually giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States withdraws its troops from South Korea and ends its “nuclear umbrella” alliance with Seoul. North Korea said it was pulling out of the talks with South Korea after denouncing U.S.-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US&nbspstealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets". Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, UN&nbspSecretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I hope that in the end common sense will prevail, and the summit will take place and it will be successful."

South Korea offers to mediate to clear doubts over North Korea-US summit

The White House is "still hopeful" the summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump will proceed despite Pyongyang's threat to cancel it, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday.

"We're still hopeful that the meeting will take place and we'll continue down that path," Sanders told Fox News. "At the same time ... we've been prepared that these might be tough negotiations."

"The president is ready if the meeting takes place. And if it doesn't, we will continue the maximum pressure campaign that has been ongoing."

The North warned it may back out of the high-level summit -- set for June 12 in Singapore -- if the United States pressures it to relinquish its nuclear arsenal.

"If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media.

China, North Korea's sole major ally, voiced "hope" the meeting would still go ahead.

In recent weeks Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week.

In addition to brandishing threats over the slated meeting with Trump, North Korea cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation."

&nbsp

 
&nbsp

China, North Korea's sole major ally, voiced "hope" the meeting would still go ahead

The White House is "still hopeful" the summit between North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump will proceed despite Pyongyang's threat to cancel it, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Wednesday. "We're still hopeful that the meeting will take place and we'll continue down that path," Sanders told Fox News. "At the same time ... we've been prepared that these might be tough negotiations." "The president is ready if the meeting takes place. And if it doesn't, we will continue the maximum pressure campaign that has been ongoing." The North warned it may back out of the high-level summit -- set for June 12 in Singapore -- if the United States pressures it to relinquish its nuclear arsenal. "If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media. China, North Korea's sole major ally, voiced "hope" the meeting would still go ahead. In recent weeks Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week. In addition to brandishing threats over the slated meeting with Trump, North Korea cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation."

White House says 'still hopeful' Kim-Trump summit will happen

Turkey has ordered the Israeli consul general in Istanbul to return to Israel "for some time", a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday, in a diplomatic spat which follows the killings of 60 Palestinian protesters by Israeli forces.

Turkey has been among the most vocal critics of the Israeli use of deadly force against protesters at the Gaza border and of the US decision to open its new embassy in a ceremony attended by President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

President Tayyip Erdogan described Monday's bloodshed, the deadliest for Palestinians since the 2014 Gaza conflict, as genocide and called Israel a terrorist state.&nbsp;

The government declared three days of mourning.

Turkey has expelled Israel's ambassador and recalled its ambassadors from Tel Aviv and Washington.&nbsp;

It has called for an emergency meeting of Islamic nations on Friday.

Israel expelled the Turkish consul-general in Jerusalem, and Erdogan exchanged heated words on Twitter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the Turkish Consul-General in Jerusalem had been summoned and told to return to Turkey "for consultations for a period of time."

The dispute appears to mark the worst diplomatic crisis between the two regional powers since Israeli marines stormed an aid ship to enforce a naval blockade of Gaza in 2010, killing 10 Turkish activists and prompting a downgrade in diplomatic ties that lasted until 2016.

President Tayyip Erdogan described Monday's bloodshed, the deadliest for Palestinians since the 2014 Gaza conflict, as genocide and called Israel a terrorist state

Turkey has ordered the Israeli consul general in Istanbul to return to Israel "for some time", a Turkish Foreign Ministry official said on Wednesday, in a diplomatic spat which follows the killings of 60 Palestinian protesters by Israeli forces. Turkey has been among the most vocal critics of the Israeli use of deadly force against protesters at the Gaza border and of the US decision to open its new embassy in a ceremony attended by President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner. President Tayyip Erdogan described Monday's bloodshed, the deadliest for Palestinians since the 2014 Gaza conflict, as genocide and called Israel a terrorist state. The government declared three days of mourning. Turkey has expelled Israel's ambassador and recalled its ambassadors from Tel Aviv and Washington. It has called for an emergency meeting of Islamic nations on Friday. Israel expelled the Turkish consul-general in Jerusalem, and Erdogan exchanged heated words on Twitter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel's Foreign Ministry said the Turkish Consul-General in Jerusalem had been summoned and told to return to Turkey "for consultations for a period of time." The dispute appears to mark the worst diplomatic crisis between the two regional powers since Israeli marines stormed an aid ship to enforce a naval blockade of Gaza in 2010, killing 10 Turkish activists and prompting a downgrade in diplomatic ties that lasted until 2016.

Turkey expels Israeli consul in spat over Gaza violence

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday took to Twitter informing about his wife Melania Trump's health.&nbsp;

"Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days," Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

He thanked everyone for all the love and support.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days. Thank you for so much love and support!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/996366330436648960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Melania Trump had undergone a kidney procedure on Monday morning for a&nbsp;kidney condition.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4NQrKY3Hsm4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

According to reports, the First Lady underwent a minor embolization procedure wherein blood's flow is restricted to a tumour.

According to reports, the First Lady underwent an embolization procedure

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday took to Twitter informing about his wife Melania Trump's health. "Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days," Trump tweeted. He thanked everyone for all the love and support. Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days. Thank you for so much love and support! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2018 × Melania Trump had undergone a kidney procedure on Monday morning for a kidney condition. According to reports, the First Lady underwent a minor embolization procedure wherein blood's flow is restricted to a tumour.

Melania Trump undergoes kidney procedure; 'doing really well,' tweets Trump

Asian stocks pulled back on Tuesday, brushing off a firmer Wall Street lead and pausing a recent rally, as investors remained cautious about key economic and political risks, while supply concerns kept crude oil prices near 3-1/2-year highs.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.65 percent after rising the previous day to its highest since late March.

The index had rallied for three straight sessions prior to Tuesday.

"The markets appear to be taking a breather after their recent surge, awaiting fresh developments in matters such as US-China trade issues and Washington's upcoming summit with North Korea," said Yoshinori Shigemi, global markets strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management in Tokyo.

Australian stocks were down 0.35 percent after briefly touching a four-month high and South Korea's KOSPI shed 0.55 percent.

Japan's Nikkei was a shade lower, its surge to a three-month peak bogging down.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.5 percent, pulling back from a two-month peak to snap a five-day winning run and Shanghai inched up 0.05 percent.

Investors in Chinese equities will likely re-jig their exposure after MSCI, the U.S. index publisher, published its latest index weighting.

MSCI said on Tuesday that 234 Chinese large caps will be partially included in its global and regional indexes on June 1, following an index review ahead of China's inclusion in MSCI's widely tracked equity benchmarks.

Wall Street scraped out gains on Monday after weakness in defensive stocks offset optimism following US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's conciliatory remarks toward China's ZTE Corp that helped calm US-China trade tensions.

While higher oil prices sometimes raise inflation concerns, the recent crude oil surge - Brent has risen 17 percent so far in 2018 - was seen to be generally supportive for equities.

"The recent rise in prices of crude oil won't have a broadly negative impact on equity markets if it continues at the current pace," said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management in Tokyo.

"The rise in oil prices is boding well for certain stock sectors like energy shares."

Brent crude added 4 cents to $78.27 a barrel and in close reach of $78.53, the 3-1/2-year high marked on Monday. US&nbsp;crude oil futures advanced 0.4 cents to $71.00 a barrel and in reach of $71.89, the highest since November 2014 scaled on Thursday.

Oil prices received their latest lift as OPEC reported that the global oil glut has been virtually eliminated.

Tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty about output from Iran amid renewed US&nbsp;sanctions have contributed to the recent rise in oil prices.

"The commitment of Saudi Arabia and the rest of OPEC to the production cuts are a major factor in supporting the price at the moment as well as the possibility of reduced exports from Iran due to sanctions," said William O'Loughlin, investment analyst at Rivkin Securities.

In currencies, the dollar index against a basket of six major currencies nudged up 0.05 percent to 92.643.

The greenback took a knock against the euro earlier on Monday after European Central Bank policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said the ECB could give fresh timing guidance of its first rate hike as the end of its exceptional bond purchases approaches.

The US&nbsp;currency managed to bounce back, however, after Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester reiterated support for gradual interest rate increases.

The euro stood little changed at $1.1933 after pulling back sharply from the previous day's high of $1.1996.

The dollar was a shade higher at 109.745 yen, adding to the previous day's gains.

The currency drew support as US&nbsp;Treasury yields rose amid the easing of US-China trade tensions.

The 10-year Treasury note yield was at 2.998 percent after rising about 2.5 basis points overnight.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.5 percent, pulling back from a two-month peak to snap a five-day winning run and Shanghai inched up 0.05 percent

Asian stocks pulled back on Tuesday, brushing off a firmer Wall Street lead and pausing a recent rally, as investors remained cautious about key economic and political risks, while supply concerns kept crude oil prices near 3-1/2-year highs. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.65 percent after rising the previous day to its highest since late March. The index had rallied for three straight sessions prior to Tuesday. "The markets appear to be taking a breather after their recent surge, awaiting fresh developments in matters such as US-China trade issues and Washington's upcoming summit with North Korea," said Yoshinori Shigemi, global markets strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management in Tokyo. Australian stocks were down 0.35 percent after briefly touching a four-month high and South Korea's KOSPI shed 0.55 percent. Japan's Nikkei was a shade lower, its surge to a three-month peak bogging down. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.5 percent, pulling back from a two-month peak to snap a five-day winning run and Shanghai inched up 0.05 percent. Investors in Chinese equities will likely re-jig their exposure after MSCI, the U.S. index publisher, published its latest index weighting. MSCI said on Tuesday that 234 Chinese large caps will be partially included in its global and regional indexes on June 1, following an index review ahead of China's inclusion in MSCI's widely tracked equity benchmarks. Wall Street scraped out gains on Monday after weakness in defensive stocks offset optimism following US President Donald Trump's conciliatory remarks toward China's ZTE Corp that helped calm US-China trade tensions. While higher oil prices sometimes raise inflation concerns, the recent crude oil surge - Brent has risen 17 percent so far in 2018 - was seen to be generally supportive for equities. "The recent rise in prices of crude oil won't have a broadly negative impact on equity markets if it continues at the current pace," said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Asset Management in Tokyo. "The rise in oil prices is boding well for certain stock sectors like energy shares." Brent crude added 4 cents to $78.27 a barrel and in close reach of $78.53, the 3-1/2-year high marked on Monday. US crude oil futures advanced 0.4 cents to $71.00 a barrel and in reach of $71.89, the highest since November 2014 scaled on Thursday. Oil prices received their latest lift as OPEC reported that the global oil glut has been virtually eliminated. Tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty about output from Iran amid renewed US sanctions have contributed to the recent rise in oil prices. "The commitment of Saudi Arabia and the rest of OPEC to the production cuts are a major factor in supporting the price at the moment as well as the possibility of reduced exports from Iran due to sanctions," said William O'Loughlin, investment analyst at Rivkin Securities. In currencies, the dollar index against a basket of six major currencies nudged up 0.05 percent to 92.643. The greenback took a knock against the euro earlier on Monday after European Central Bank policymaker Francois Villeroy de Galhau said the ECB could give fresh timing guidance of its first rate hike as the end of its exceptional bond purchases approaches. The US currency managed to bounce back, however, after Cleveland Federal Reserve President Loretta Mester reiterated support for gradual interest rate increases. The euro stood little changed at $1.1933 after pulling back sharply from the previous day's high of $1.1996. The dollar was a shade higher at 109.745 yen, adding to the previous day's gains. The currency drew support as US Treasury yields rose amid the easing of US-China trade tensions. The 10-year Treasury note yield was at 2.998 percent after rising about 2.5 basis points overnight.

Global Markets: Asia stocks pull back as investors eye new risks; oil higher

France's foreign minister warned on Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was prepared to respond to US&nbsp;moves in the Middle East, marking a sharp departure from the warm relations on show during Macron's visit to Washington last month.

To date, Macron's best buddy approach to President Donald Trump has produced little practical influence on his policies.

"The situation in the Middle East is explosive, violence is doing the talking, war could loom," Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament on Tuesday, a day after the United States moved an embassy in Jerusalem and Israeli soldiers shot dead more than 50 Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border.

"The president of the republic has decided to take all necessary political initiatives" in response, Le Drian said, without providing specifics.

Britain's minister of state for the Middle East expressed similar exasperation with Washington, saying the Trump administration needed a greater understanding of the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Earlier, the French government spokesman defended Macron's efforts to build a close working relationship with Trump, despite the US&nbsp;president having gone against the French leader on almost all major issues so far.

Asked if Trump was still Macron's friend, Benjamin Griveaux, a close adviser to the French president, told BFM TV: "When you are the president of the republic, you are not the friend of foreign leaders, you are their partner, you have strategic alliances.

"France is attached to one thing -- multilateralism. We talk to everyone and we speak firmly and frankly to them, we don't mince our words," he added.

Since coming to power a year ago, Macron has not hidden his desire to build a familiar relationship with Trump.

Perfect

Weeks after he took office, he invited the US&nbsp;president to attend the annual Bastille Day celebrations, putting on a spectacular military parade for Trump.

During their first phone call, 71-year-old Trump gave the 40-year-old Frenchman his personal mobile phone number, and the two have spoken frequently since.

Last month, Macron and his wife Brigitte travelled to Washington for a state visit, the first Trump has hosted since he took office. Trump described Macron as "perfect" and the two made a show of giving each other warm hugs.

"He's a great guy, his wife is fantastic," Trump said of Macron in January. "I like him. He's a friend of mine."

Yet Macron has struggled to convert the 'bonhomie' into influence on critical issues.

Soon after Macron took office, Trump announced he was walking away from the Paris climate accord, a landmark international agreement to combat global warming.

In recent weeks, over the objection of Macron and other leaders, Trump has moved to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports, has withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal and moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, fuelling widespread Palestinian unrest.

Asked late last year whether Macron wasn't wasting his time buddying up to Trump, a close adviser to the French president said it was worth it.

"We don't know how much worse things might be if he wasn't building a close relationship," the official said.

Griveaux took a similar line, adding that Macron's efforts didn't mean he was giving in.

"Does it mean that we endorse or share the positions (of the US&nbsp;administration)?" he said. "The answer is no."

France's foreign minister warned on Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was prepared to respond to US moves in the Middle East, marking a sharp departure from the warm relations on show during Macron's visit to Washington

France's foreign minister warned on Tuesday that President Emmanuel Macron was prepared to respond to US moves in the Middle East, marking a sharp departure from the warm relations on show during Macron's visit to Washington last month. To date, Macron's best buddy approach to President Donald Trump has produced little practical influence on his policies. "The situation in the Middle East is explosive, violence is doing the talking, war could loom," Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament on Tuesday, a day after the United States moved an embassy in Jerusalem and Israeli soldiers shot dead more than 50 Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border. "The president of the republic has decided to take all necessary political initiatives" in response, Le Drian said, without providing specifics. Britain's minister of state for the Middle East expressed similar exasperation with Washington, saying the Trump administration needed a greater understanding of the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Earlier, the French government spokesman defended Macron's efforts to build a close working relationship with Trump, despite the US president having gone against the French leader on almost all major issues so far. Asked if Trump was still Macron's friend, Benjamin Griveaux, a close adviser to the French president, told BFM TV: "When you are the president of the republic, you are not the friend of foreign leaders, you are their partner, you have strategic alliances. "France is attached to one thing -- multilateralism. We talk to everyone and we speak firmly and frankly to them, we don't mince our words," he added. Since coming to power a year ago, Macron has not hidden his desire to build a familiar relationship with Trump. Perfect Weeks after he took office, he invited the US president to attend the annual Bastille Day celebrations, putting on a spectacular military parade for Trump. During their first phone call, 71-year-old Trump gave the 40-year-old Frenchman his personal mobile phone number, and the two have spoken frequently since. Last month, Macron and his wife Brigitte travelled to Washington for a state visit, the first Trump has hosted since he took office. Trump described Macron as "perfect" and the two made a show of giving each other warm hugs. "He's a great guy, his wife is fantastic," Trump said of Macron in January. "I like him. He's a friend of mine." Yet Macron has struggled to convert the 'bonhomie' into influence on critical issues. Soon after Macron took office, Trump announced he was walking away from the Paris climate accord, a landmark international agreement to combat global warming. In recent weeks, over the objection of Macron and other leaders, Trump has moved to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports, has withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal and moved the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, fuelling widespread Palestinian unrest. Asked late last year whether Macron wasn't wasting his time buddying up to Trump, a close adviser to the French president said it was worth it. "We don't know how much worse things might be if he wasn't building a close relationship," the official said. Griveaux took a similar line, adding that Macron's efforts didn't mean he was giving in. "Does it mean that we endorse or share the positions (of the US administration)?" he said. "The answer is no."

French at growing odds with US despite Macron's 'BFF' tactics on Trump

North Korea and South Korea will hold high-level talks on Wednesday to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, South Korea said.

The meeting will focus on plans to implement a declaration that emerged from an April 27 inter-Korea summit, including promises to formally end the Koran War and pursue "complete denuclearisation", the South's unification ministry, which handles ties with the North, said on Tuesday.

North Korea has said it will dismantle its nuclear bomb test site sometime between May 23 and May 25 in order to uphold its pledge to cease tests, its state media reported on Saturday, a month ahead of a planned North Korea-US&nbspsummit in Singapore.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on June 12, a scenario that until recently looked impossible given the insults and threats the two leaders exchanged over the past year as tension rose over the North's relentless work on its missile and nuclear programmes.

But North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called in a New Year’s speech for a reduction in military tension, beginning a rapid easing of tension.

North Koreans appeared optimistic about the summit, the chief of the UN&nbspWorld Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, told reporters in Seoul after a trip to the North.

"I think they're hopeful. I think everyone on the ground there was hopeful," Beasley said when asked whether the North Koreans he met had mentioned anything about the summit.

Beasley, who visited the North from May 8 to May 11, said WFP officials had been granted "unprecedented access" to some areas and had held "open, candid and frank discussions" with officials there.

US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday the United States would agree to lift sanctions on North Korea if it agreed to completely dismantle its nuclear weapons programme, a move that would create economic prosperity that "will rival" that of South Korea.

Last month, Pompeo became the first known US official to meet North Korean leader Kim, where he helped lay the groundwork for the meeting with Trump.

He returned again to North Korea this month for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the release of three American prisoners.

Something big

A South Korean presidential adviser warned that an incremental North Korean approach to denuclearisation at the June 12 summit would not be acceptable to Trump or the South Korean public.

"When Kim Jong Un sees President Trump in Singapore, he should give something big," the security adviser, Moon Chung-in, said at a conference in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, disarmament experts have raised questions about the safety and verification of North Korea's shutdown of its nuclear test site.

North Korea has invited international media to witness the destruction of the site, but not technical inspectors, leaving disarmament experts and nuclear scientists wondering how effective the plan is – and whether it will be safe.

On Tuesday, North Korea invited one news agency and one television broadcaster from South Korea to observe the shutdown, the South's Ministry of Unification said.

South Koreans cannot visit North Korea without an invitation from the North and approval from their government.

Wednesday's meeting will take place at the Peace House in Panmunjom, on the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas, where the two sides signed their joint-declaration last month, the unification ministry said in a statement.

"Through these high-level talks we will negotiate and implement measures to carry out the Panmunjom Declaration and build sustainable development for inter-Korean relations and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula," the ministry said.

South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will lead a team of five at the talks.

North Korea's 29-member delegation will be led by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of its "Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the country". Also in the delegation will be Kim Yun-hyok, vice minister of railways, and Won Kil-U, vice minister of physical culture and sports

The meeting will focus on plans to implement declarations emerged from an April 27 inter-Korea summit, including promises to formally end the Koran War

North Korea and South Korea will hold high-level talks on Wednesday to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, South Korea said. The meeting will focus on plans to implement a declaration that emerged from an April 27 inter-Korea summit, including promises to formally end the Koran War and pursue "complete denuclearisation", the South's unification ministry, which handles ties with the North, said on Tuesday. North Korea has said it will dismantle its nuclear bomb test site sometime between May 23 and May 25 in order to uphold its pledge to cease tests, its state media reported on Saturday, a month ahead of a planned North Korea-US&nbspsummit in Singapore. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on June 12, a scenario that until recently looked impossible given the insults and threats the two leaders exchanged over the past year as tension rose over the North's relentless work on its missile and nuclear programmes. But North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called in a New Year’s speech for a reduction in military tension, beginning a rapid easing of tension. North Koreans appeared optimistic about the summit, the chief of the UN&nbspWorld Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, told reporters in Seoul after a trip to the North. "I think they're hopeful. I think everyone on the ground there was hopeful," Beasley said when asked whether the North Koreans he met had mentioned anything about the summit. Beasley, who visited the North from May 8 to May 11, said WFP officials had been granted "unprecedented access" to some areas and had held "open, candid and frank discussions" with officials there. US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday the United States would agree to lift sanctions on North Korea if it agreed to completely dismantle its nuclear weapons programme, a move that would create economic prosperity that "will rival" that of South Korea. Last month, Pompeo became the first known US official to meet North Korean leader Kim, where he helped lay the groundwork for the meeting with Trump. He returned again to North Korea this month for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the release of three American prisoners. Something big A South Korean presidential adviser warned that an incremental North Korean approach to denuclearisation at the June 12 summit would not be acceptable to Trump or the South Korean public. "When Kim Jong Un sees President Trump in Singapore, he should give something big," the security adviser, Moon Chung-in, said at a conference in Tokyo. Meanwhile, disarmament experts have raised questions about the safety and verification of North Korea's shutdown of its nuclear test site. North Korea has invited international media to witness the destruction of the site, but not technical inspectors, leaving disarmament experts and nuclear scientists wondering how effective the plan is – and whether it will be safe. On Tuesday, North Korea invited one news agency and one television broadcaster from South Korea to observe the shutdown, the South's Ministry of Unification said. South Koreans cannot visit North Korea without an invitation from the North and approval from their government. Wednesday's meeting will take place at the Peace House in Panmunjom, on the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas, where the two sides signed their joint-declaration last month, the unification ministry said in a statement. "Through these high-level talks we will negotiate and implement measures to carry out the Panmunjom Declaration and build sustainable development for inter-Korean relations and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula," the ministry said. South Korea's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will lead a team of five at the talks. North Korea's 29-member delegation will be led by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of its "Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the country". Also in the delegation will be Kim Yun-hyok, vice minister of railways, and Won Kil-U, vice minister of physical culture and sports

Two Koreas to hold talks as North prepares to shut test site

In a recorded message US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Monday&nbsp;reiterated United States' commitment to peace between Israel and the Palestinians.&nbsp;

Trump's message&nbsp;was played&nbsp;at a ceremony opening the US&nbsp;embassy in Jerusalem.&nbsp;

"Our greatest hope is for peace," said Trump. "The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement," Trump said.

"The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace."

Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the decision to move the US embassy to the holy city from Tel Aviv, has outraged Palestinians and drawn international concern.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces killed at least 41 Palestinians along the Gaza border on Monday as angry protesters demonstrated at the frontier on the day the United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem, health officials said.

It was the highest Palestinian death toll in a single day since a series of protests dubbed the "Great March of Return" began at the border with Israel on March 30 and since the 2014 Gaza war.

"A great day for Israel," the US&nbsp;president, who stoked Arab anger by recognising disputed Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December, said in a tweet.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in lockstep with Trump over fulfilling a long-standing US&nbsp;promise to move the embassy to the holy city and over Washington's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal last week, echoed the sentiment.

"What a moving day for the people of Israel and the State of Israel," Netanyahu said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Thank you. Thank you, <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> Trump, for having the courage to keep your promises. 
 
Thank you, President Trump, and thank you all, for making the alliance between America and Israel stronger than ever! <a href="https://t.co/HmFBBdlkva">pic.twitter.com/HmFBBdlkva</a>
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/996084024878739456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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This is a great day for Israel. It’s a great day for America. It’s a great day for our fantastic partnership. But I believe it’s also a great day for peace. I want to thank Jared, Jason and David for your tireless efforts to advance peace and to advance the truth. <a href="https://t.co/Yg021Eth48">pic.twitter.com/Yg021Eth48</a>
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/996085036154871809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from Reuters)

US President Donald Trump, in a recorded message at a ceremony opening the US embassy in Jerusalem

In a recorded message US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated United States' commitment to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Trump's message was played at a ceremony opening the US embassy in Jerusalem. "Our greatest hope is for peace," said Trump. "The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement," Trump said. "The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace." Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the decision to move the US embassy to the holy city from Tel Aviv, has outraged Palestinians and drawn international concern. Meanwhile, Israeli forces killed at least 41 Palestinians along the Gaza border on Monday as angry protesters demonstrated at the frontier on the day the United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem, health officials said. It was the highest Palestinian death toll in a single day since a series of protests dubbed the "Great March of Return" began at the border with Israel on March 30 and since the 2014 Gaza war. "A great day for Israel," the US president, who stoked Arab anger by recognising disputed Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December, said in a tweet. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in lockstep with Trump over fulfilling a long-standing US promise to move the embassy to the holy city and over Washington's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal last week, echoed the sentiment. "What a moving day for the people of Israel and the State of Israel," Netanyahu said. Thank you. Thank you, @POTUS Trump, for having the courage to keep your promises. Thank you, President Trump, and thank you all, for making the alliance between America and Israel stronger than ever! pic.twitter.com/HmFBBdlkva — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 14, 2018 × This is a great day for Israel. It’s a great day for America. It’s a great day for our fantastic partnership. But I believe it’s also a great day for peace. I want to thank Jared, Jason and David for your tireless efforts to advance peace and to advance the truth. pic.twitter.com/Yg021Eth48 — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 14, 2018 × (With inputs from Reuters)

US fully committed to peace: Trump's message to Jerusalem

Eight children under the age of 16 were among the people died in Gaza border clash Palestinian envoy told United Nations on Monday.

Violent clashes erupted on Monday as the US officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem even tens of thousands of Palestinians demonstrated throughout the Gaza strip marking the bloodiest day in years since 2014 Gaza war.

According to a report by news agency AFP, 52 people have been killed in the clashes by Israeli forces. More than 2,400 were also reported to be wounded, the health ministry said.

Though the protests ended on the evening of the day, however, fresh protests are expected on Tuesday.

The Monday's Gaza violence received&nbsp;criticism from international media while world leaders&nbsp;urged to maintain peace.

British Prime Minister, Thersa May's spokesperson said,&nbsp;"We are concerned by the reports of violence and loss of life in Gaza. We urge calm and restraint to avoid actions destructive to peace efforts," the spokesman said, adding that the embassy move was "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region," AFP reported as saying.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also called all parties to "act responsibly to prevent a new flare-up" in an official statement.

The statement reads, "France calls again for Israeli authorities to act with caution and restraint in the use of force, which must be strictly proportional, adding, It stresses the duty to protect civilians, in particular minors, and Palestinians' right to protest peacefully."

Amid leaders around the world came forward and condemned the killings at Gaza, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also offered assurances of Washington's commitment to maintaining Middle East peace, however, he did not mention&nbsp;anything regarding the deadly violence.

"We remain committed to advancing a lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians," he said.

The protests at Gaza border began on March 30 as Palestinians marched towards Gaza border for what they called "The Great March of Return". These protests are continuing for the sixth week now.

Gathered in thousands of number, demonstrators are demanding access to their families' lost homes or lands which are now in Israel. Two-thirds of the two million Palestinians in Gaza are war refugees or their descendants.

Palestinians have accused Israeli forces of using tear gas and guns as they targeted protestors. However, Israel says its troops have used live ammunition to prevent a border fence from being damaged or breached.

The death toll has gained attention from worldwide media. Israeli forces were also criticised for using live ammunition at protestors. However, &nbsp;Israeli authorities accused Gaza's ruling Hamas movement of instigating violence.

52 people have been killed in the clashes by Israeli forces. More than 2,400 were also reported to be wounded, the health ministry said

Eight children under the age of 16 were among the people died in Gaza border clash Palestinian envoy told United Nations on Monday. Violent clashes erupted on Monday as the US officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem even tens of thousands of Palestinians demonstrated throughout the Gaza strip marking the bloodiest day in years since 2014 Gaza war. According to a report by news agency AFP, 52 people have been killed in the clashes by Israeli forces. More than 2,400 were also reported to be wounded, the health ministry said. Though the protests ended on the evening of the day, however, fresh protests are expected on Tuesday. The Monday's Gaza violence received criticism from international media while world leaders urged to maintain peace. British Prime Minister, Thersa May's spokesperson said, "We are concerned by the reports of violence and loss of life in Gaza. We urge calm and restraint to avoid actions destructive to peace efforts," the spokesman said, adding that the embassy move was "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region," AFP reported as saying. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also called all parties to "act responsibly to prevent a new flare-up" in an official statement. The statement reads, "France calls again for Israeli authorities to act with caution and restraint in the use of force, which must be strictly proportional, adding, It stresses the duty to protect civilians, in particular minors, and Palestinians' right to protest peacefully." Amid leaders around the world came forward and condemned the killings at Gaza, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also offered assurances of Washington's commitment to maintaining Middle East peace, however, he did not mention anything regarding the deadly violence. "We remain committed to advancing a lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians," he said. The protests at Gaza border began on March 30 as Palestinians marched towards Gaza border for what they called "The Great March of Return". These protests are continuing for the sixth week now. Gathered in thousands of number, demonstrators are demanding access to their families' lost homes or lands which are now in Israel. Two-thirds of the two million Palestinians in Gaza are war refugees or their descendants. Palestinians have accused Israeli forces of using tear gas and guns as they targeted protestors. However, Israel says its troops have used live ammunition to prevent a border fence from being damaged or breached. The death toll has gained attention from worldwide media. Israeli forces were also criticised for using live ammunition at protestors. However, Israeli authorities accused Gaza's ruling Hamas movement of instigating violence.

Gaza unrest: Eight children among the dead in clashes; France, Britain urges to maintain peace

Violent clashes erupted along the Gaza Strip's border ahead of the controversial opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, leaving 52 Palestinians dead from Israeli fire and hundreds wounded in the conflict's bloodiest day in years.

The clashes took place as a White House delegation and Israeli officials gathered for the embassy inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem. It was the bloodiest day in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since a 2014 Gaza war.

The dead included a 14-year-old, according to the Gazan health ministry, which also provided the overall death toll.

Tens of thousands had gathered near the border in protest while smaller numbers of stone-throwing Palestinians approached the fence and sought to break through, with Israeli snipers positioned on the other side.

Crowds built throughout the day in the Palestinian enclave less than 100 kilometres (60 miles) away from Jerusalem and sealed off from Israel by a blockade.

Israel's military said "over 35,000 Palestinians are currently taking part in violent riots in 12 locations along the Gaza Strip security fence."

"The rioters are hurling firebombs and explosive devices towards the security fence and (Israeli) forces, and are burning tyres, throwing rocks and launching flaming objects in order to ignite fires in Israeli territory and harm (Israeli) troops."

It said soldiers were responding with "riot dispersal means and fire."

The Palestinian Authority government based in the occupied West Bank accused Israel of committing a "terrible massacre."

The inauguration that follows US President Donald Trump's deeply controversial December 6 recognition of the disputed city as Israel's capital also comes at a time of heightened regional tensions.

In a tweet on Monday, Trump hailed the embassy opening as "a great day for Israel".

It follows Trump's announcement last week that the United States is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and Israeli strikes two days later on dozens of Iranian targets in Syria.

Those strikes came after rocket fire toward Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights that Israel blamed on Iran.

Monday's inauguration ceremony at 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) will include around 800 guests -- though not Trump himself -- at what until now had been a US consulate building in Jerusalem.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the Washington delegation that includes Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both White House aides, as well as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Capital for all time

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly called Trump's decision "historic", welcomed them at a reception on Sunday.

"Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for the past 3,000 years," he said.

"It's been the capital of our state for the past 70 years. It will remain our capital for all time."

Sullivan called the embassy "a long overdue recognition of reality."

Saeb Erekat, Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary-general, called it a "hostile act against international law".

Police and the Israeli military deployed massively.

Around 1,000 police officers were being positioned around the embassy for the inauguration.

Israel's army said it was almost doubling the number of troops surrounding Gaza and in the occupied West Bank.

It also dropped leaflets warning Gazans to stay away from the fence, including one with a photo of the Champs-Elysees boulevard in Paris and the caption: "Gaza 2025? The choice is in your hands."

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a message to Gazans "we will protect our civilians with all our means and not enable the fence to be crossed."

Israelis began celebrating on Sunday, as tens of thousands of marched in Jerusalem, some holding American flags, to mark Jerusalem Day.

The annual event is an Israeli celebration of the "reunification" of the city following the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.

Beyond the disputed nature of Jerusalem, the date of the embassy move is also key.

May 14 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel.

The following day, Palestinians mark the "Nakba", or catastrophe, commemorating the more than 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation.

Palestinian protests are planned on both days.

Off the table

There had already been weeks of protests and clashes along the Gaza border, with 91 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire there since March 30.

No Israelis have been wounded and the military has faced criticism over the use of live fire.

Israel says it only opens fire when necessary to stop infiltrations, attacks and damage to the border fence, while accusing Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip, of seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence.

Jerusalem's status is perhaps the thorniest issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

In the decades since 1967, international consensus has been that the city's status must be negotiated between the two sides, but Trump broke with that to global outrage.

He has argued that it helps make peace possible by taking Jerusalem "off the table", but many have pointed out he has not announced any concessions in return from Israel.

Trump's initial decision led to a series of protests in various Middle Eastern and Muslim countries.

The clashes took place as a White House delegation and Israeli officials gathered for the embassy inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem. It was the bloodiest day in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since a 2014 Gaza war

Violent clashes erupted along the Gaza Strip's border ahead of the controversial opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, leaving 52 Palestinians dead from Israeli fire and hundreds wounded in the conflict's bloodiest day in years. The clashes took place as a White House delegation and Israeli officials gathered for the embassy inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem. It was the bloodiest day in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since a 2014 Gaza war. The dead included a 14-year-old, according to the Gazan health ministry, which also provided the overall death toll. Tens of thousands had gathered near the border in protest while smaller numbers of stone-throwing Palestinians approached the fence and sought to break through, with Israeli snipers positioned on the other side. Crowds built throughout the day in the Palestinian enclave less than 100 kilometres (60 miles) away from Jerusalem and sealed off from Israel by a blockade. Israel's military said "over 35,000 Palestinians are currently taking part in violent riots in 12 locations along the Gaza Strip security fence." "The rioters are hurling firebombs and explosive devices towards the security fence and (Israeli) forces, and are burning tyres, throwing rocks and launching flaming objects in order to ignite fires in Israeli territory and harm (Israeli) troops." It said soldiers were responding with "riot dispersal means and fire." The Palestinian Authority government based in the occupied West Bank accused Israel of committing a "terrible massacre." The inauguration that follows US President Donald Trump's deeply controversial December 6 recognition of the disputed city as Israel's capital also comes at a time of heightened regional tensions. In a tweet on Monday, Trump hailed the embassy opening as "a great day for Israel". It follows Trump's announcement last week that the United States is withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal and Israeli strikes two days later on dozens of Iranian targets in Syria. Those strikes came after rocket fire toward Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights that Israel blamed on Iran. Monday's inauguration ceremony at 4:00 pm (1300 GMT) will include around 800 guests -- though not Trump himself -- at what until now had been a US consulate building in Jerusalem. US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the Washington delegation that includes Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both White House aides, as well as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Capital for all time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly called Trump's decision "historic", welcomed them at a reception on Sunday. "Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for the past 3,000 years," he said. "It's been the capital of our state for the past 70 years. It will remain our capital for all time." Sullivan called the embassy "a long overdue recognition of reality." Saeb Erekat, Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary-general, called it a "hostile act against international law". Police and the Israeli military deployed massively. Around 1,000 police officers were being positioned around the embassy for the inauguration. Israel's army said it was almost doubling the number of troops surrounding Gaza and in the occupied West Bank. It also dropped leaflets warning Gazans to stay away from the fence, including one with a photo of the Champs-Elysees boulevard in Paris and the caption: "Gaza 2025? The choice is in your hands." Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a message to Gazans "we will protect our civilians with all our means and not enable the fence to be crossed." Israelis began celebrating on Sunday, as tens of thousands of marched in Jerusalem, some holding American flags, to mark Jerusalem Day. The annual event is an Israeli celebration of the "reunification" of the city following the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. Beyond the disputed nature of Jerusalem, the date of the embassy move is also key. May 14 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel. The following day, Palestinians mark the "Nakba", or catastrophe, commemorating the more than 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation. Palestinian protests are planned on both days. Off the table There had already been weeks of protests and clashes along the Gaza border, with 91 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire there since March 30. No Israelis have been wounded and the military has faced criticism over the use of live fire. Israel says it only opens fire when necessary to stop infiltrations, attacks and damage to the border fence, while accusing Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip, of seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence. Jerusalem's status is perhaps the thorniest issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. In the decades since 1967, international consensus has been that the city's status must be negotiated between the two sides, but Trump broke with that to global outrage. He has argued that it helps make peace possible by taking Jerusalem "off the table", but many have pointed out he has not announced any concessions in return from Israel. Trump's initial decision led to a series of protests in various Middle Eastern and Muslim countries.

Gaza unrest: 52 Palestinians dead in deadliest day in years

As the United States embassy is all set to shift from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday, two Palestinian were killed by Israeli forces during the Gaza protests continuing for the sixth week.

Two men aged 21 and 29-years-old were killed raising the death toll to 47 Palestinian killed by Israeli forces since the protests began in March.

News agency Reuters reported citing health officials reports that, 28 Palestinians have also been wounded in a gunfire by Israeli soldiers today.&nbsp;

Along with demonstrations at Gaza border, protests are expected to further escalate in the day as the United States is set to open its new embassy in Jerusalem. A move announced by US president Donald Trump in 2017 to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The protests at Gaza border began on March 30 as Palestinians marched towards Gaza border for what they called "The Great March of Return". These protests are continuing for the sixth week now.

Gathered in thousands of number, demonstrators are demanding access to their families' lost homes or lands which are now in Israel. Two-thirds of the two million Palestinians in Gaza are war refugees or their descendants.

Palestinians have accused Israeli forces of using tear gas and guns as they targeted protestors. However, Israel says its troops have used live ammunition to prevent a border fence from being damaged or breached.

The death toll has gained attention from worldwide media. Israeli forces were also criticised for using live ammunition at protestors. However,&nbsp;&nbsp;Israeli authorities accused Gaza's ruling Hamas movement of instigating violence.

According to media reports over 1000 Palestinians have been injured in the unrest so far. 
&nbsp;

Two men aged 21 and 29-years-old were killed raising the death toll to 47 Palestinian killed by Israeli forces since the protests began in March

As the United States embassy is all set to shift from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Monday, two Palestinian were killed by Israeli forces during the Gaza protests continuing for the sixth week. Two men aged 21 and 29-years-old were killed raising the death toll to 47 Palestinian killed by Israeli forces since the protests began in March. News agency Reuters reported citing health officials reports that, 28 Palestinians have also been wounded in a gunfire by Israeli soldiers today. Along with demonstrations at Gaza border, protests are expected to further escalate in the day as the United States is set to open its new embassy in Jerusalem. A move announced by US president Donald Trump in 2017 to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The protests at Gaza border began on March 30 as Palestinians marched towards Gaza border for what they called "The Great March of Return". These protests are continuing for the sixth week now. Gathered in thousands of number, demonstrators are demanding access to their families' lost homes or lands which are now in Israel. Two-thirds of the two million Palestinians in Gaza are war refugees or their descendants. Palestinians have accused Israeli forces of using tear gas and guns as they targeted protestors. However, Israel says its troops have used live ammunition to prevent a border fence from being damaged or breached. The death toll has gained attention from worldwide media. Israeli forces were also criticised for using live ammunition at protestors. However, Israeli authorities accused Gaza's ruling Hamas movement of instigating violence. According to media reports over 1000 Palestinians have been injured in the unrest so far.

Gaza unrest: 2 Palestinians killed, 28 injured by Israeli forces

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