US President Donald Trump makes headlines almost every day but the world of social media loves it when it is for all the wrong reasons.

Whether it was Trump getting caught on camera trying to hold the First Lady's hand during their visit to Israel last year (and later getting a swat on his hand by lady Trump) or the recent incident when a leading American news channel captured his relentless effort of trying to hold Melania's hand at a state arrival ceremony --&nbsp;gossipmongers love to feed on such stuff.&nbsp;

This time around we turn the spotlight on the fact that the US President keeps so busy that he can actually skip getting a birthday gift to Melania.&nbsp;

In an interview to Fox News, the 71-year-old admitted keeping too busy to be able to get his wife a birthday present.

In a telephonic conversation with the news channel, Trump laughed at the question and noted that he didn't get her much on her 48th birthday except for some flowers and a card. Maybe he likes to keep it sweet and simple!&nbsp;

"Well, I better not get into that 'cause I may get in trouble. Maybe I didn't get her so much."

He later chuckled and said that he keeps too busy to be running around buying gifts and presents. We wonder what the First Lady has to say on that.

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Trump trying to hold Melania’s hand reminds me of Pepé le Pew chasing a bewildered Le Cat. <a href="https://t.co/ZlhbtAJDuH">pic.twitter.com/ZlhbtAJDuH</a>
— laney (@misslaneym) <a href="https://twitter.com/misslaneym/status/988798356431495169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In what can some say an attempt to mend the damage, Trump lauded his wife for her "fantastic" planning of state dinner honouring France this Tuesday, yes, the same event where he got the most recent hand-swating&nbsp;by the wifey.

Trump-Melania marital ties came under scrutiny after the Stormy Daniels episode.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Trump admitted not getting Melania on her 48th birthday except for some flowers and a card

US President Donald Trump makes headlines almost every day but the world of social media loves it when it is for all the wrong reasons. Whether it was Trump getting caught on camera trying to hold the First Lady's hand during their visit to Israel last year (and later getting a swat on his hand by lady Trump) or the recent incident when a leading American news channel captured his relentless effort of trying to hold Melania's hand at a state arrival ceremony -- gossipmongers love to feed on such stuff. This time around we turn the spotlight on the fact that the US President keeps so busy that he can actually skip getting a birthday gift to Melania. In an interview to Fox News, the 71-year-old admitted keeping too busy to be able to get his wife a birthday present. In a telephonic conversation with the news channel, Trump laughed at the question and noted that he didn't get her much on her 48th birthday except for some flowers and a card. Maybe he likes to keep it sweet and simple! "Well, I better not get into that 'cause I may get in trouble. Maybe I didn't get her so much." He later chuckled and said that he keeps too busy to be running around buying gifts and presents. We wonder what the First Lady has to say on that. Trump trying to hold Melania’s hand reminds me of Pepé le Pew chasing a bewildered Le Cat. pic.twitter.com/ZlhbtAJDuH — laney (@misslaneym) April 24, 2018 × In what can some say an attempt to mend the damage, Trump lauded his wife for her "fantastic" planning of state dinner honouring France this Tuesday, yes, the same event where he got the most recent hand-swating by the wifey. Trump-Melania marital ties came under scrutiny after the Stormy Daniels episode.

I am too busy to be running around buying gifts: Trump on not getting Melania birthday present

United States President Donald Trump has tweeted in support of the joint North American bid to host FIFA World Cup 2026. He said, "The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup." Previously the US hosted football World Cup in 1994. For FIFA 2026, North American bid boasts large stadiums and excellent infrastructure.

Trump also issued a warning to the countries who might oppose the joint US-Canada-Mexico bid. Other than the North American joint bid, Morocco is the only strong rival which can stand against them.

On Thursday, Trump tweeted, "It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?"

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The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/989650212380692480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It is&nbsp;expected that Morocco might receive strong backing from FIFA's African and Middle East countries.

On June 13 in Moscow, The FIFA Congress will meet to select the 2026 host. A majority of the 207 voting FIFA members is needed to decide. Member countries might also&nbsp;pick neither bid, which would lead to the host process being reopened.

FIFA member countries receive one vote each, no matter their size, which gives disproportionate influence to small soccer nations.

FIFA 2026 will be the 23rd edition of football World Cup. The upcoming edition is scheduled to take place in June 2018 in Russia.

Donald Trump also issued a warning to the countries who might oppose the joint US-Canada-Mexico bid to host football World Cup 2026

United States President Donald Trump has tweeted in support of the joint North American bid to host FIFA World Cup 2026. He said, "The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup." Previously the US hosted football World Cup in 1994. For FIFA 2026, North American bid boasts large stadiums and excellent infrastructure. Trump also issued a warning to the countries who might oppose the joint US-Canada-Mexico bid. Other than the North American joint bid, Morocco is the only strong rival which can stand against them. On Thursday, Trump tweeted, "It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?" The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2018 × It is expected that Morocco might receive strong backing from FIFA's African and Middle East countries. On June 13 in Moscow, The FIFA Congress will meet to select the 2026 host. A majority of the 207 voting FIFA members is needed to decide. Member countries might also pick neither bid, which would lead to the host process being reopened. FIFA member countries receive one vote each, no matter their size, which gives disproportionate influence to small soccer nations. FIFA 2026 will be the 23rd edition of football World Cup. The upcoming edition is scheduled to take place in June 2018 in Russia.

Trump threatens countries who don't support North American joint bid for FIFA 2026

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the UK on July 13, the White House said Thursday, and he is expected to meet UK Prime Minister Theresa May.&nbsp

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that the date has been set.

It will mark his first visit to Britain since his 2016 election triumph.

British Ambassador to the USA Kim Darroch also tweeted confirmation of the visit on Thursday afternoon.

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Delighted that President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> will visit the UK on 13 July and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister May.
— Kim Darroch (@KimDarroch) <a href="https://twitter.com/KimDarroch/status/989529614249873408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp

British Ambassador to the USA Kim Darroch also tweeted confirmation of the visit on Thursday afternoon.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the UK on July 13, the White House said Thursday, and he is expected to meet UK Prime Minister Theresa May. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that the date has been set. It will mark his first visit to Britain since his 2016 election triumph. British Ambassador to the USA Kim Darroch also tweeted confirmation of the visit on Thursday afternoon. Delighted that President @realDonaldTrump will visit the UK on 13 July and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister May. — Kim Darroch (@KimDarroch) April 26, 2018 ×

US President Donald Trump to visit the UK on July 13

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/asaram-appeared-broken-after-conviction-kept-telling-lawyers-to-do-something-132868">Asaram appeared broken after conviction, kept telling lawyers to 'do something': Jail officials</a>

Asaram was on Wednesday found guilty of raping a teenage girl at his ashram near Jodhpur in 2013. The sentence was passed inside Jodhpur Central Jail — where Asaram has been lodged since 2013 — itself.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-hugs-and-kisses-macron-tears-into-trump-says-forget-america-first-make-our-planet-great-again-132863">After hugs and kisses, Macron tears into Trump. Says forget America First, 'make our planet great again'</a>

A day after flaunting his friendship with Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron forcefully challenged many of the US president's policies on Wednesday, urging the United States to engage more with the world, step up the fight against climate change and stay in the Iran nuclear pact for now.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/train-collides-with-school-van-in-up-11-children-dead-132871">Train collides with school van in UP, 13 children dead</a>

Thirteen schoolchildren have died in Uttar Pradesh after a train collided with the van they were travelling in.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-announce-spring-offensive-dismisses-peace-overtures-132858">Taliban announce spring offensive, dismisses peace overtures</a>

The Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive on Wednesday, dismissing an offer for peace talks by President Ashraf Ghani and saying it will focus on U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/now-elon-musk-wants-to-build-a-cyborg-dragon-132864">Elon Musk's next project? He says he's 'building a cyborg dragon'</a>

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk never fails to take the world by surprise and his latest Twitter post seems to have reinstated the same. Earlier today Musk announced his latest project, a 'cyborg dragon'.&nbsp

Asaram appeared broken after conviction, kept telling lawyers to 'do something': Jail officials Asaram was on Wednesday found guilty of raping a teenage girl at his ashram near Jodhpur in 2013. The sentence was passed inside Jodhpur Central Jail — where Asaram has been lodged since 2013 — itself. After hugs and kisses, Macron tears into Trump. Says forget America First, 'make our planet great again' A day after flaunting his friendship with Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron forcefully challenged many of the US president's policies on Wednesday, urging the United States to engage more with the world, step up the fight against climate change and stay in the Iran nuclear pact for now. Train collides with school van in UP, 13 children dead Thirteen schoolchildren have died in Uttar Pradesh after a train collided with the van they were travelling in. Taliban announce spring offensive, dismisses peace overtures The Taliban announced the start of its annual spring offensive on Wednesday, dismissing an offer for peace talks by President Ashraf Ghani and saying it will focus on U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Elon Musk's next project? He says he's 'building a cyborg dragon' SpaceX CEO Elon Musk never fails to take the world by surprise and his latest Twitter post seems to have reinstated the same. Earlier today Musk announced his latest project, a 'cyborg dragon'.

News brief: Big stories of the day

He has been off Twitter for nearly a year but Kanye West has been making up for the lost time. Since Tuesday, the rapper has been tweeting about myraid topics- from posting photos of his children playing with dolls, to hinting at him running for the elections in 2024 to even praising President Donald Trump, West has covered almost every topic under the sun.&nbsp

On Wednesday, West said he supported President Donald Trump and called him his `brother`.In a series of tweets, the 40-year-old rapper said, "You don`t have to agree with trump but the mob can`t make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don`t agree with everything anyone does. That`s what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought".

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You don't have to agree with trump but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989179757651574784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Hours later, Trump quoted West`s tweet and wrote - "Thank you Kanye, very cool!"The American rapper later posted two pictures - a "Make America Great Again" hat and a selfie with the hat on.Minutes later, the US President quoted West`s Make America Great Again hat and wrote - "MAGA!"

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Thank you Kanye, very cool! <a href="https://t.co/vRIC87M21X">https://t.co/vRIC87M21X</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/989225812166696960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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MAGA! <a href="https://t.co/jFf5ONASlv">https://t.co/jFf5ONASlv</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/989252420294336512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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West added that he neither identified himself as a Democrat or a Republican, adding that he was "not political".In a second tweet, the husband of American TV actor Kim Kardashian wrote, "I love when people have their own ideas. You don`t have to be allowed anymore. Just be. Love who you want to love. That`s free thought. I`m not even political. I`m not a democrat or a republican."

West further tweeted that he also loved former US Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for 2016 US presidential election, Hillary Clinton.

"If your friend jumps off the bridge you don`t have to do the same. Ye being Ye is a fight for you to be you. For people In my life the idea of Trump is pretty much a 50 50 split but I don`t tell a Hillary supporter not to support Hillary. I love Hillary too."

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If your friend jumps off the bridge you don't have to do the same. Ye being Ye is a fight for you to be you. For people In my life the idea of Trump is pretty much a 50 50 split but I don't tell a Hillary supporter not to support Hillary 
I love Hillary too.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989179949851463681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Hours after posting his series of tweets, West clarified his "comments" following a call from Kardashian." my wife just called me and she wanted me to make this clear to everyone. I don`t agree with everything Trump does. I don`t agree 100% with anyone but myself.(Sic)"

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my wife just called me and she wanted me to make this clear to everyone. I don't agree with everything Trump does. I don't agree 100% with anyone but myself.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989192498307219456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kardashian had earlier wrote in a post on her website that she too supported Clinton in the 2016 election, but was unsure whether she wanted to vote at all, according to Time.

The 40-year-old-rapper`s viral tweets, who has 21 Grammy Awards to his name, made headlines in the entertainment industry in a very short time.

It is to be noted that not many celebrities supported Trump`s presidential campaign or the first year of his presidency.West, who met Trump at the Trump Tower, in December 2016, said they talked about "life."The US President told the media after the meeting that they have been friends for a very long time.

The rapper has been tweeting about everything under the sun including Trump and Clinton.

He has been off Twitter for nearly a year but Kanye West has been making up for the lost time. Since Tuesday, the rapper has been tweeting about myraid topics- from posting photos of his children playing with dolls, to hinting at him running for the elections in 2024 to even praising President Donald Trump, West has covered almost every topic under the sun. On Wednesday, West said he supported President Donald Trump and called him his `brother`.In a series of tweets, the 40-year-old rapper said, "You don`t have to agree with trump but the mob can`t make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don`t agree with everything anyone does. That`s what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought". You don't have to agree with trump but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018 × Hours later, Trump quoted West`s tweet and wrote - "Thank you Kanye, very cool!"The American rapper later posted two pictures - a "Make America Great Again" hat and a selfie with the hat on.Minutes later, the US President quoted West`s Make America Great Again hat and wrote - "MAGA!" Thank you Kanye, very cool! https://t.co/vRIC87M21X — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2018 × MAGA! https://t.co/jFf5ONASlv — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2018 × West added that he neither identified himself as a Democrat or a Republican, adding that he was "not political".In a second tweet, the husband of American TV actor Kim Kardashian wrote, "I love when people have their own ideas. You don`t have to be allowed anymore. Just be. Love who you want to love. That`s free thought. I`m not even political. I`m not a democrat or a republican." West further tweeted that he also loved former US Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for 2016 US presidential election, Hillary Clinton. "If your friend jumps off the bridge you don`t have to do the same. Ye being Ye is a fight for you to be you. For people In my life the idea of Trump is pretty much a 50 50 split but I don`t tell a Hillary supporter not to support Hillary. I love Hillary too." If your friend jumps off the bridge you don't have to do the same. Ye being Ye is a fight for you to be you. For people In my life the idea of Trump is pretty much a 50 50 split but I don't tell a Hillary supporter not to support Hillary I love Hillary too. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018 × Hours after posting his series of tweets, West clarified his "comments" following a call from Kardashian." my wife just called me and she wanted me to make this clear to everyone. I don`t agree with everything Trump does. I don`t agree 100% with anyone but myself.(Sic)" my wife just called me and she wanted me to make this clear to everyone. I don't agree with everything Trump does. I don't agree 100% with anyone but myself. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018 × Kardashian had earlier wrote in a post on her website that she too supported Clinton in the 2016 election, but was unsure whether she wanted to vote at all, according to Time. The 40-year-old-rapper`s viral tweets, who has 21 Grammy Awards to his name, made headlines in the entertainment industry in a very short time. It is to be noted that not many celebrities supported Trump`s presidential campaign or the first year of his presidency.West, who met Trump at the Trump Tower, in December 2016, said they talked about "life."The US President told the media after the meeting that they have been friends for a very long time.

Kanye West breaks his Twitter silence, calls Donald Trump his 'brother'

Germany expects US tariffs on European steel and aluminium products to kick in on May 1, a senior government official said before Chancellor Angela Merkel travels to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump on Friday.

Trade will be a major topic for discussion at the meeting, before an exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports granted to the European Union expires on May 1.

"From today's point of view, one has to expect that the tariffs will come on May 1," the official said, stressing Germany would continue to negotiate to try to get a broad package including other industries. The tariffs would hit Germany's powerful auto sector especially hard.

"I think the chancellor would prefer a broad dialogue with the Americans. The government is open to extending the package to other duties and trade barriers," said the official.

"Whether we succeed on that, we don't know. For that to happen, we would first need the exemption to be delayed for the long term," he said.

Germany's BDI industry association is banking on an agreement with Trump.

"The threatened tariffs are an acid test for the transatlantic relationship," said BDI President Dieter Kempf, adding one in four jobs in Europe's biggest economy depends on exports.

The official argued that as well as exporting vehicles, German firms operate plants in the United States which provide jobs and export cars around the world.

Merkel's one-day working trip follows a three-day state visit to Washington by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Cautious Merkel has failed to establish as strong a rapport with Trump as she did with Barack Obama and the mood music of her visit is likely to contrast sharply with that of Macron's "bromance" with the US president.

IRAN, RUSSIAN GAS

Macron called on the United States not to abandon a multinational Iran nuclear deal as Western envoys said Britain, France and Germany were nearing a package that seeks to persuade Trump to save the pact.

Trump has threatened to wreck the 2015 accord, under which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of economic sanctions, by reimposing U.S. penalties next month unless the three European allies agree to fix its "flaws".

"The premise of Macron's proposal is that the agreement remains in its existing form and additional elements come on top," another German government official said. "In our view, this agreement should be maintained."

He said add-ons could include issues such as Iran's ballistic missile programme and its role in the region.

Trump may try to seize on a planned Russian gas pipeline running under the Baltic Sea to Germany as a bargaining chip.

The United States sees the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which would double the existing pipeline's annual capacity of 55 billion cubic metres, as a threat to Europe’s energy security.

Despite increased tensions between the West and Moscow in the last few weeks, Merkel appears committed to the project. She has, however, conceded that there are political as well as economic factors at stake and has sought to reassure Ukraine which is worried it will lose gas transit revenues.

The German officials argued that Germany, which gets 37 percent of its gas from Russia, was not making itself more dependent on Moscow and that it was trying to get foreign investors to help Ukraine by investing in its pipeline.

"Our analysis is ... that does not make us more dependent on Russia," one of the two officials said.&nbsp

Trade will be a major topic for discussion at the meeting, before an exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports granted to the European Union expires on May 1.

Germany expects US tariffs on European steel and aluminium products to kick in on May 1, a senior government official said before Chancellor Angela Merkel travels to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump on Friday. Trade will be a major topic for discussion at the meeting, before an exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports granted to the European Union expires on May 1. "From today's point of view, one has to expect that the tariffs will come on May 1," the official said, stressing Germany would continue to negotiate to try to get a broad package including other industries. The tariffs would hit Germany's powerful auto sector especially hard. "I think the chancellor would prefer a broad dialogue with the Americans. The government is open to extending the package to other duties and trade barriers," said the official. "Whether we succeed on that, we don't know. For that to happen, we would first need the exemption to be delayed for the long term," he said. Germany's BDI industry association is banking on an agreement with Trump. "The threatened tariffs are an acid test for the transatlantic relationship," said BDI President Dieter Kempf, adding one in four jobs in Europe's biggest economy depends on exports. The official argued that as well as exporting vehicles, German firms operate plants in the United States which provide jobs and export cars around the world. Merkel's one-day working trip follows a three-day state visit to Washington by French President Emmanuel Macron. Cautious Merkel has failed to establish as strong a rapport with Trump as she did with Barack Obama and the mood music of her visit is likely to contrast sharply with that of Macron's "bromance" with the US president. IRAN, RUSSIAN GAS Macron called on the United States not to abandon a multinational Iran nuclear deal as Western envoys said Britain, France and Germany were nearing a package that seeks to persuade Trump to save the pact. Trump has threatened to wreck the 2015 accord, under which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of economic sanctions, by reimposing U.S. penalties next month unless the three European allies agree to fix its "flaws". "The premise of Macron's proposal is that the agreement remains in its existing form and additional elements come on top," another German government official said. "In our view, this agreement should be maintained." He said add-ons could include issues such as Iran's ballistic missile programme and its role in the region. Trump may try to seize on a planned Russian gas pipeline running under the Baltic Sea to Germany as a bargaining chip. The United States sees the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which would double the existing pipeline's annual capacity of 55 billion cubic metres, as a threat to Europe’s energy security. Despite increased tensions between the West and Moscow in the last few weeks, Merkel appears committed to the project. She has, however, conceded that there are political as well as economic factors at stake and has sought to reassure Ukraine which is worried it will lose gas transit revenues. The German officials argued that Germany, which gets 37 percent of its gas from Russia, was not making itself more dependent on Moscow and that it was trying to get foreign investors to help Ukraine by investing in its pipeline. "Our analysis is ... that does not make us more dependent on Russia," one of the two officials said.

Ahead of Angela Merkel trip to US, Germany downbeat on trade tariffs

A day after flaunting his friendship with Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron forcefully challenged many of the US&nbsp;president's policies on Wednesday, urging the United States to engage more with the world, step up the fight against climate change and stay in the Iran nuclear pact for now.

Capping a three-day visit, Macron repeatedly criticised the president's isolationist principles in a speech to a joint meeting of Congress, an honour given to a small number of visiting foreign leaders.

Macron said US&nbsp;involvement in the global community was vital and Trump's opposition to the Paris climate accord and international trade agreements was short-sighted.

The French president even took a dig at Trump's famous 2016 campaign slogan, calling for the United States to help "make our planet great again."

Macron has developed a strong relationship with Trump at a time when many European leaders are keeping a distance. During the visit, they repeatedly shook and grabbed hands, exchanged kisses on the cheek, and slapped each other's backs while praising their friendship.&nbsp;

Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-brushes-dandruff-off-perfect-macron-132660">Trump brushes 'dandruff' off Macron, wants to make him 'perfect'</a>

But before Congress, Macron suggested he wanted more than just good optics.

Without mentioning Trump by name, he challenged the Republican president's protectionist and nationalist impulses and said modern economic and security challenges must be a shared global responsibility that is "based on a new breed of multilateralism."

"The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism. You are the one now who has to help preserve and reinvent it," Macron said.

IRAN DEAL

He said an international nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump has harshly criticized, was not perfect but must remain in place until a replacement is forged.

"It is true to say that this agreement may not address all concerns and very important concerns," Macron said. "But we should not abandon it without having something more substantial instead. That's my position."

Trump has often vowed to pull the United States out of the 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six major powers. He will decide by May 12 whether to restore US&nbsp;economic sanctions on Tehran, which could be a first step to ending the deal.

Macron, a centrist, also said he was confident the United States would eventually come back into the Paris climate accord aimed at combating global warming.

"Let us work together in order to make our planet great again," he said. "We are killing our planet - let us face it, there is no Planet B."

Macron's speech drew frequent cheers and applause, particularly from Democratic lawmakers when he took aim at Trump's views. Afterward, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said Macron's call for global engagement was timely.

"I hope that everyone at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue takes President Macron’s words to heart," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Trump had tweeted earlier on Wednesday that he was, "Looking forward to watching President Macron of France address a Joint Session of Congress today. This is a great honour and seldom allowed to be done...he will be GREAT!"

There was no immediate reaction from the White House afterward to Macron's speech.

Macron's visit also included efforts to convince Trump to exempt Europe from steel tariffs and convince the United States to maintain its military presence in Syria. France joined the United States and Britain in launching air strikes this month in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

But the Iran deal was the centerpiece of this week's talks.

The two leaders pledged to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump made no commitments to stay in the nuclear deal, negotiated by former President Barack Obama. Trump also threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme.

Macron has sought a new approach that would see the United States and Europe agree to address any Iranian nuclear activity after 2025, tackle Iran's ballistic missile programme and seek a political solution to contain Iran in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

He said France remains committed to the bottom line goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

"Iran shall never possess any nuclear weapon. Not now not in five years, not in 10 years, never," he told lawmakers.

If Trump reaches an agreement on Iran with France and other European powers, Congress is expected to pass legislation to tweak it.

Lawmakers are widely expected, for example, to change the frequency with which Trump has to report to Congress that Iran is complying with the pact. They could also change some of the expiration dates in the agreement.

Macron is the eighth French president to address a joint meeting of Congress, and the first since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan's office said. The last foreign leader to address a joint meeting was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces difficult talks with Trump on Friday during a visit at a time when Washington and Berlin are at odds over a range of issues from trade to Iran.

Capping a three-day visit, Macron repeatedly criticised the president's isolationist principles in a speech to a joint meeting of Congress. The French president even took a dig at Trump's famous 2016 campaign slogan, calling for the United States to help 'make our planet great again'

A day after flaunting his friendship with Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron forcefully challenged many of the US president's policies on Wednesday, urging the United States to engage more with the world, step up the fight against climate change and stay in the Iran nuclear pact for now. Capping a three-day visit, Macron repeatedly criticised the president's isolationist principles in a speech to a joint meeting of Congress, an honour given to a small number of visiting foreign leaders. Macron said US involvement in the global community was vital and Trump's opposition to the Paris climate accord and international trade agreements was short-sighted. The French president even took a dig at Trump's famous 2016 campaign slogan, calling for the United States to help "make our planet great again." Macron has developed a strong relationship with Trump at a time when many European leaders are keeping a distance. During the visit, they repeatedly shook and grabbed hands, exchanged kisses on the cheek, and slapped each other's backs while praising their friendship. Also watch: Trump brushes 'dandruff' off Macron, wants to make him 'perfect' But before Congress, Macron suggested he wanted more than just good optics. Without mentioning Trump by name, he challenged the Republican president's protectionist and nationalist impulses and said modern economic and security challenges must be a shared global responsibility that is "based on a new breed of multilateralism." "The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism. You are the one now who has to help preserve and reinvent it," Macron said. IRAN DEAL He said an international nuclear deal with Iran, which Trump has harshly criticized, was not perfect but must remain in place until a replacement is forged. "It is true to say that this agreement may not address all concerns and very important concerns," Macron said. "But we should not abandon it without having something more substantial instead. That's my position." Trump has often vowed to pull the United States out of the 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six major powers. He will decide by May 12 whether to restore US economic sanctions on Tehran, which could be a first step to ending the deal. Macron, a centrist, also said he was confident the United States would eventually come back into the Paris climate accord aimed at combating global warming. "Let us work together in order to make our planet great again," he said. "We are killing our planet - let us face it, there is no Planet B." Macron's speech drew frequent cheers and applause, particularly from Democratic lawmakers when he took aim at Trump's views. Afterward, Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said Macron's call for global engagement was timely. "I hope that everyone at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue takes President Macron’s words to heart," Schumer said on the Senate floor. Trump had tweeted earlier on Wednesday that he was, "Looking forward to watching President Macron of France address a Joint Session of Congress today. This is a great honour and seldom allowed to be done...he will be GREAT!" There was no immediate reaction from the White House afterward to Macron's speech. Macron's visit also included efforts to convince Trump to exempt Europe from steel tariffs and convince the United States to maintain its military presence in Syria. France joined the United States and Britain in launching air strikes this month in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. But the Iran deal was the centerpiece of this week's talks. The two leaders pledged to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump made no commitments to stay in the nuclear deal, negotiated by former President Barack Obama. Trump also threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme. Macron has sought a new approach that would see the United States and Europe agree to address any Iranian nuclear activity after 2025, tackle Iran's ballistic missile programme and seek a political solution to contain Iran in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. He said France remains committed to the bottom line goal of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. "Iran shall never possess any nuclear weapon. Not now not in five years, not in 10 years, never," he told lawmakers. If Trump reaches an agreement on Iran with France and other European powers, Congress is expected to pass legislation to tweak it. Lawmakers are widely expected, for example, to change the frequency with which Trump has to report to Congress that Iran is complying with the pact. They could also change some of the expiration dates in the agreement. Macron is the eighth French president to address a joint meeting of Congress, and the first since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan's office said. The last foreign leader to address a joint meeting was Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces difficult talks with Trump on Friday during a visit at a time when Washington and Berlin are at odds over a range of issues from trade to Iran.

After hugs and kisses, Macron tears into Trump. Says forget America First, 'make our planet great again'

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday jocularly brushed away what he said was a 'little piece' of dandruff from 'perfect' French President Emmanuel Macron's shoulders to 'make him perfect'.

"They're all saying what a great relationship we have, and they're actually correct. It's not fake news. Finally, it's not fake news. It's a great honour, a great honour that you're here, in fact, I'll get that little piece of dandruff, that little piece," Trump said, laughing.

"We have to make him perfect. He is perfect. So it's really great to be with you, and you are a special friend. Thank you," Trump said, shaking Macron's hand as the two leaders stood for a photo-op at the White House.

The visiting French President reacted with a wide smile toward Trump, which did not depict if he was thankful or offended.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
No, this isn’t an SNL skit, it’s Trump telling Macron he has dandruff on his suit and wiping it off <a href="https://t.co/uJd33tRvYv">pic.twitter.com/uJd33tRvYv</a>
— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolandscahill/status/988789987427717120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Later, Trump took to Twitter and wrote, "Having great meetings and discussions with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron of France. We are in the midst of meetings on Iran, Syria and Trade. We will be holding a joint press conference shortly, here at the @WhiteHouse."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Having great meetings and discussions with my friend, President <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EmmanuelMacron</a> of France. We are in the midst of meetings on Iran, Syria and Trade. We will be holding a joint press conference shortly, here at the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>. ???? <a href="https://t.co/ju1FXhgjaD">pic.twitter.com/ju1FXhgjaD</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/988820755164139521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

'They're all saying what a great relationship we have, and they're actually correct. It's not fake news. Finally, it's not fake news. It's a great honour, a great honour that you're here, in fact, I'll get that little piece of dandruff, that little piece,' Trump said, laughing

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday jocularly brushed away what he said was a 'little piece' of dandruff from 'perfect' French President Emmanuel Macron's shoulders to 'make him perfect'. "They're all saying what a great relationship we have, and they're actually correct. It's not fake news. Finally, it's not fake news. It's a great honour, a great honour that you're here, in fact, I'll get that little piece of dandruff, that little piece," Trump said, laughing. "We have to make him perfect. He is perfect. So it's really great to be with you, and you are a special friend. Thank you," Trump said, shaking Macron's hand as the two leaders stood for a photo-op at the White House. The visiting French President reacted with a wide smile toward Trump, which did not depict if he was thankful or offended. No, this isn’t an SNL skit, it’s Trump telling Macron he has dandruff on his suit and wiping it off pic.twitter.com/uJd33tRvYv — Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) April 24, 2018 × Later, Trump took to Twitter and wrote, "Having great meetings and discussions with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron of France. We are in the midst of meetings on Iran, Syria and Trade. We will be holding a joint press conference shortly, here at the @WhiteHouse." Having great meetings and discussions with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron of France. We are in the midst of meetings on Iran, Syria and Trade. We will be holding a joint press conference shortly, here at the @WhiteHouse. ???? pic.twitter.com/ju1FXhgjaD — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 24, 2018 ×

Watch: Trump brushes 'dandruff' off Macron, wants to make him 'perfect'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/asaram-verdict-today-security-beefed-up-in-3-states-entry-of-media-banned-132657">Asaram verdict today: Security heightened in 3 states, entry of media banned</a>

The Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Court will pronounce its verdict today in a rape case against Asaram Bapu, a self-styled godman.&nbsp;

The judgement in the case will be pronounced inside the Jodhpur Central Jail.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbse-to-hold-class-12-economics-paper-retest-today-132667">CBSE to hold Class 12 economics paper retest today</a>

The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct a re-test of its Class 12 economics paper today, nearly a month after it was leaked triggering widespread outrage and confusion among students across India.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-pay-a-price-like-few-countries-have-trump-threatens-iran-with-retaliation-if-it-restarts-nuclear-programme-132654">Will pay a price like few countries have: Trump threatens Iran with retaliation if it restarts </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-pay-a-price-like-few-countries-have-trump-threatens-iran-with-retaliation-if-it-restarts-nuclear-programme-132654">nuclear</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-pay-a-price-like-few-countries-have-trump-threatens-iran-with-retaliation-if-it-restarts-nuclear-programme-132654"> programme</a>

US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/anger-against-women-reason-for-toronto-van-attack-132664">Anger against women reason for Toronto van attack?&nbsp;</a>

The man accused of plowing a rental van into pedestrians on a crowded Toronto sidewalk, killing 10 people in Canada's deadliest mass killing in decades, left a "cryptic message" on social media before his attack, police said on Tuesday.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-super-salah-shines-again-as-liverpool-trounce-as-roma-in-semi-final-132649">Champions League: Super Salah shines again as Liverpool defeat AS Roma in semi-final&nbsp;first leg</a>

Liverpool blew Roma's defence to pieces as the Reds beat the visitors 5-2 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday at Anfield.

Read the five big stories of the day here

Asaram verdict today: Security heightened in 3 states, entry of media banned The Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Court will pronounce its verdict today in a rape case against Asaram Bapu, a self-styled godman. The judgement in the case will be pronounced inside the Jodhpur Central Jail. CBSE to hold Class 12 economics paper retest today The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct a re-test of its Class 12 economics paper today, nearly a month after it was leaked triggering widespread outrage and confusion among students across India. Will pay a price like few countries have: Trump threatens Iran with retaliation if it restarts nuclear programme US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran but Trump refrained from committing to staying in a 2015 nuclear deal and threatened Tehran with retaliation if it restarted its nuclear programme. Anger against women reason for Toronto van attack? The man accused of plowing a rental van into pedestrians on a crowded Toronto sidewalk, killing 10 people in Canada's deadliest mass killing in decades, left a "cryptic message" on social media before his attack, police said on Tuesday. Champions League: Super Salah shines again as Liverpool defeat AS Roma in semi-final first leg Liverpool blew Roma's defence to pieces as the Reds beat the visitors 5-2 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday at Anfield.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Chinese embassy in Pyongyang to express his sorrow to the bus crash incident occurred on Sunday, state media reported on Tuesday.

North's central news agency KCNA quoted Kim saying that "the unexpected accident brought bitter sorrow to his heart and that he couldn't control his grief at the thought of the bereaved families who lost their blood relatives".

On Sunday a bus plunged from a bridge in North Hwanghae province in North Korea leaving thirty-two Chinese tourists and four North Koreans dead.

Kim Jong-un also met Chinese ambassador Li Jinjun and later he visited crash survivors in hospital.

China is North Korea's most important economic, diplomatic and sole ally but the relations between both countries has been sored through time due to Pyongyang's numerous missile and nuclear tests.

Kim visiting crash survivors in hospital and expressing his sorrow is being observed by experts as an indication of how much seriousness North Korea is taking the accident.

News reports also cited Kim saying that his government would take follow-up measures to the accident with "utmost sincerity".

Kim Jong-un also visited Beijing to personally meet Chinese President Xi-Jinping in March. The March visit was a first known visit by Kim Jong-un outside North Korea borders since 2011.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un also made an announcement for closing down its nuclear test site ahead of the Korea-summit with South Korea President Moon Jae-In and will be followed by a planned face-to-face with US President Donald Trump.

&nbsp;

Four North Koreans were also killed in the crash

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited Chinese embassy in Pyongyang to express his sorrow to the bus crash incident occurred on Sunday, state media reported on Tuesday. North's central news agency KCNA quoted Kim saying that "the unexpected accident brought bitter sorrow to his heart and that he couldn't control his grief at the thought of the bereaved families who lost their blood relatives". On Sunday a bus plunged from a bridge in North Hwanghae province in North Korea leaving thirty-two Chinese tourists and four North Koreans dead. Kim Jong-un also met Chinese ambassador Li Jinjun and later he visited crash survivors in hospital. China is North Korea's most important economic, diplomatic and sole ally but the relations between both countries has been sored through time due to Pyongyang's numerous missile and nuclear tests. Kim visiting crash survivors in hospital and expressing his sorrow is being observed by experts as an indication of how much seriousness North Korea is taking the accident. News reports also cited Kim saying that his government would take follow-up measures to the accident with "utmost sincerity". Kim Jong-un also visited Beijing to personally meet Chinese President Xi-Jinping in March. The March visit was a first known visit by Kim Jong-un outside North Korea borders since 2011. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un also made an announcement for closing down its nuclear test site ahead of the Korea-summit with South Korea President Moon Jae-In and will be followed by a planned face-to-face with US President Donald Trump.

North Korea's Kim Jong-un expresses 'bitter sorrow' over bus crash that killed 32 Chinese

Foreign ministers from Group of Seven leading industrialized nations on Monday united to condemn Russia for what they called "a pattern of irresponsible and destabilising" behaviour and urged Moscow to help resolve the conflict in Syria.

The ministers agreed to create a working group to study Russia's "malign behaviour" and said they were working on a plan to improve coordination to push back against foreign interference in elections.

"We call on Russia to cease this behaviour, which is highly detrimental to prospects for constructive cooperation," the G7 foreign ministers said in a joint statement.

The two-day meeting in Toronto was meant to prepare for a G7 leaders'&nbsp;summit in Charlevoix, Quebec on June 7-8.

US&nbsp;intelligence agencies have said Russia meddled in the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential election campaign, and Russia is also blamed for a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain last month, which the G7 statement strongly condemned. Moscow has denied involvement in either event.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said G7 ministers expressed deep concern about Russia's efforts to destabilise democracies by interfering in elections.

"The G7 countries are committed to preventing, stopping and responding to foreign interference," she told a news conference at the end of talks.

"There are consequences for those who seek to undermine our democracies," she said, adding there was clear unity among G7 allies on Russia.

Later, Freeland told reporters the G7 would soon detail a plan on improved coordination among member states when faced with foreign interference.

"Coordinated action and cooperation are needed to build resilience and reinforce our democratic institutions and process against foreign interference by state and non-state actors," Freeland told reporters.

"There is a concern within the G7 countries that authoritarian states are actively working to undermine democratic systems ... today we said `enough is enough`," she added.

The challenge for the G7 is that it also needs Moscow`s help to resolve the crisis in Syria, where Russia and Iran are backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Acting US&nbsp;Secretary of State John Sullivan called on Moscow to stop creating impediments to peace in Syria and to play a role in ending the seven-year-long conflict.

"Russia must be a constructive partner in Syria or will be held accountable," he told reporters.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, speaking to reporters on the margins of the meeting, said G7 ministers had agreed on the need to be vigilant about Russia.&nbsp;

"What we decided ... was that we were going to set up a G7 group that would look at Russian malign behaviour in all its manifestations - whether it`s cyber warfare, whether it`s disinformation, assassination attempts, whatever it happens to be, and collectively try to call it out," he told reporters.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the meeting established "again that there will be no political solution in Syria without Russia ... and that Russia has to contribute its share to such a solution."

The G7 meeting is the first high-level gathering of the allies since the United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles targeting chemical weapons facilities in Syria in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack on April 7.

The Western countries blame Assad for the attack that killed dozens of people. The Syrian government and its Russian ally deny involvement or using poison gas on April 7.

While supporting the air strikes, the G7 statement said they were "limited, proportionate and necessary - and taken only after exhausting every possible diplomatic option to uphold the international norm against the use of chemical weapons."&nbsp;

Maas also said the leaders of France and Germany would urge US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in separate meetings this week not to pull out of an Iran nuclear deal with major powers.&nbsp;

Trump has given the European signatories of the deal a May 12 deadline to "fix the terrible flaws" of the 2015 nuclear agreement, or he will refuse to extend US&nbsp;sanctions relief on Iran.

The agreement offered Tehran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbing its nuclear programme.

"We accept that Iranian behaviour has been disruptive in the region, we accept the president has some valid points that need to be addressed, but we believe they are capable of being addressed (inside the deal)," said Johnson.

The G7 meeting took place several miles from where the driver of a van killed at least nine people and injured 16 when he ploughed through a busy Toronto sidewalk on Monday, according to police, hospital officials and a Reuters witness.

G7 foreign ministers called it 'a pattern of irresponsible and destabilising' behaviour and urged Moscow to help resolve the conflict in Syria

Foreign ministers from Group of Seven leading industrialized nations on Monday united to condemn Russia for what they called "a pattern of irresponsible and destabilising" behaviour and urged Moscow to help resolve the conflict in Syria. The ministers agreed to create a working group to study Russia's "malign behaviour" and said they were working on a plan to improve coordination to push back against foreign interference in elections. "We call on Russia to cease this behaviour, which is highly detrimental to prospects for constructive cooperation," the G7 foreign ministers said in a joint statement. The two-day meeting in Toronto was meant to prepare for a G7 leaders' summit in Charlevoix, Quebec on June 7-8. US intelligence agencies have said Russia meddled in the 2016 US presidential election campaign, and Russia is also blamed for a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain last month, which the G7 statement strongly condemned. Moscow has denied involvement in either event. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said G7 ministers expressed deep concern about Russia's efforts to destabilise democracies by interfering in elections. "The G7 countries are committed to preventing, stopping and responding to foreign interference," she told a news conference at the end of talks. "There are consequences for those who seek to undermine our democracies," she said, adding there was clear unity among G7 allies on Russia. Later, Freeland told reporters the G7 would soon detail a plan on improved coordination among member states when faced with foreign interference. "Coordinated action and cooperation are needed to build resilience and reinforce our democratic institutions and process against foreign interference by state and non-state actors," Freeland told reporters. "There is a concern within the G7 countries that authoritarian states are actively working to undermine democratic systems ... today we said `enough is enough`," she added. The challenge for the G7 is that it also needs Moscow`s help to resolve the crisis in Syria, where Russia and Iran are backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Acting US Secretary of State John Sullivan called on Moscow to stop creating impediments to peace in Syria and to play a role in ending the seven-year-long conflict. "Russia must be a constructive partner in Syria or will be held accountable," he told reporters. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, speaking to reporters on the margins of the meeting, said G7 ministers had agreed on the need to be vigilant about Russia. "What we decided ... was that we were going to set up a G7 group that would look at Russian malign behaviour in all its manifestations - whether it`s cyber warfare, whether it`s disinformation, assassination attempts, whatever it happens to be, and collectively try to call it out," he told reporters. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the meeting established "again that there will be no political solution in Syria without Russia ... and that Russia has to contribute its share to such a solution." The G7 meeting is the first high-level gathering of the allies since the United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles targeting chemical weapons facilities in Syria in retaliation for a suspected poison gas attack on April 7. The Western countries blame Assad for the attack that killed dozens of people. The Syrian government and its Russian ally deny involvement or using poison gas on April 7. While supporting the air strikes, the G7 statement said they were "limited, proportionate and necessary - and taken only after exhausting every possible diplomatic option to uphold the international norm against the use of chemical weapons." Maas also said the leaders of France and Germany would urge US President Donald Trump in separate meetings this week not to pull out of an Iran nuclear deal with major powers. Trump has given the European signatories of the deal a May 12 deadline to "fix the terrible flaws" of the 2015 nuclear agreement, or he will refuse to extend US sanctions relief on Iran. The agreement offered Tehran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbing its nuclear programme. "We accept that Iranian behaviour has been disruptive in the region, we accept the president has some valid points that need to be addressed, but we believe they are capable of being addressed (inside the deal)," said Johnson. The G7 meeting took place several miles from where the driver of a van killed at least nine people and injured 16 when he ploughed through a busy Toronto sidewalk on Monday, according to police, hospital officials and a Reuters witness.

G7 foreign ministers condemn Russia's 'irresponsible, destabilising' behaviour in Syria

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized pomp and ceremony on Monday as Macron began a state visit to Washington likely to be dominated by differences with the United States over trade and the nuclear accord with Iran.

As Macron headed to the United States, the Iranian government urged European leaders to convince Trump not to tear up the 2015 deal between Tehran and six world powers.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-either-all-or-nothing-says-iran-foreign-minister-over-nuclear-deal--132298">Either all or </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-either-all-or-nothing-says-iran-foreign-minister-over-nuclear-deal--132298">nothing,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-either-all-or-nothing-says-iran-foreign-minister-over-nuclear-deal--132298"> says Iran foreign minister on&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-either-all-or-nothing-says-iran-foreign-minister-over-nuclear-deal--132298">nuclear</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-either-all-or-nothing-says-iran-foreign-minister-over-nuclear-deal--132298"> deal</a>

The French president said on Sunday there was no "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/frances-president-says-he-has-no-plan-b-for-iran-nuclear-deal-132121">Plan B</a>" for keeping a lid on Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

He is on something of a rescue mission for what is formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump has said he would scrap unless European allies fix by mid-May what he calls "terrible flaws."

"This visit is very important in our current context, with so many uncertainties, troubles and at times threats," Macron said in French remarks as he arrived in Washington.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on European leaders to support the agreement.

"It is either all or nothing. European leaders should encourage Trump not just to stay in the nuclear deal, but more important to begin implementing his part of the bargain in good faith," Zarif wrote on Twitter.

The deal reached between six powers - all of whom but Germany are nuclear-armed - and Tehran put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Minutes after Macron touched down in the United States, the White House said it had no announcements on the Iran deal.

"The president has been extremely clear that he thinks it's a bad deal. That certainly has not changed," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

Macron said on "Fox News Sunday" it would be better to protect the deal instead of getting rid of it. "Is this agreement perfect and this JCPOA a perfect thing for our relationship with Iran? No. But for nuclear, what do you have as a better option? I don't see it," he said.

CHARM OFFENSIVE

Macron's visit is the first time Trump has hosted a state visit since he took power in January 2017. While the French leader has tried to develop a close relationship with Trump since he took office last May, he has so far seen few tangible results on issues from Iran to climate politics.

Macron and his wife, Brigitte, shortly after their arrival at the Blair House residence, took quickly to the streets of Washington, walking past the White House complex to the Lincoln Memorial and greeting tourists.

Macron brought with him an oak tree sapling for planting on the South Lawn of the White House. The tree came from the Belleau Woods, site of a World War One battle in 1918 where 9,000 Americans died. Trump and Macron shovelled dirt on the freshly planted tree as the cameras clicked. "France is a very special country," said Trump. "It's a great honour."

Trump and his wife, Melania, and the Macrons then flew aboard Trump's Marine One helicopter to dine at Mount Vernon, the Virginia home of George Washington, the first U.S. president and Revolutionary War commander whose alliance with France was critical to victory over the British.

The Trumps and Macrons spent about two hours at Mount Vernon. "We had a great dinner," President Trump told reporters as they boarded the helicopter for the return trip to the White House.

Working meetings will be held at the White House on Tuesday before Macron addresses the U.S. Congress the following day, the anniversary of the day French General Charles de Gaulle addressed a joint session of Congress in 1960.

Trump and Macron began their friendship a year ago in Belgium with a jaw-clenching handshake. While some other European leaders have kept a distance from Trump, Macron has worked hard to remain close to the U.S. president. The two leaders speak frequently by phone.

TRADE TALKS

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes.

Macron also wants to persuade Trump to exempt European nations from metal tariffs that are part of the U.S. president's plan to reduce chronic trade deficits with countries around the world, chiefly China.

His visit comes at a time of mounting alarm in Europe over the effect that U.S. sanctions on Russia will have on their own manufacturing industries.

French officials said Paris and other European governments were coordinating efforts to persuade Trump to ease sanctions on Russia, including measures against Russian aluminium producers.

"There are concerns raised by the extraterritoriality effects of the new sets of sanctions," a French finance ministry source said. "Europeans ... have jointly warned the U.S. administration about the economic impact and consequences and the need to find solutions."

The official said France, Germany, Italy and Ireland were working together on the matter. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with Trump in Washington later in the week.

Macron and Trump are also due to discuss Syria less than two weeks after the United States, France and Britain launched air strikes there in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack that killed dozens.

Macron said last week he believed he had persuaded Trump to keep U.S. troops in Syria, though Trump has been insistent on bringing them home.

As Macron headed to the United States, the Iranian government urged European leaders to convince Trump not to tear up the 2015 deal between Tehran and six world powers

US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized pomp and ceremony on Monday as Macron began a state visit to Washington likely to be dominated by differences with the United States over trade and the nuclear accord with Iran. As Macron headed to the United States, the Iranian government urged European leaders to convince Trump not to tear up the 2015 deal between Tehran and six world powers. Also read: Either all or nothing, says Iran foreign minister on nuclear deal The French president said on Sunday there was no "Plan B" for keeping a lid on Tehran's nuclear ambitions. He is on something of a rescue mission for what is formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump has said he would scrap unless European allies fix by mid-May what he calls "terrible flaws." "This visit is very important in our current context, with so many uncertainties, troubles and at times threats," Macron said in French remarks as he arrived in Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on European leaders to support the agreement. "It is either all or nothing. European leaders should encourage Trump not just to stay in the nuclear deal, but more important to begin implementing his part of the bargain in good faith," Zarif wrote on Twitter. The deal reached between six powers - all of whom but Germany are nuclear-armed - and Tehran put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Minutes after Macron touched down in the United States, the White House said it had no announcements on the Iran deal. "The president has been extremely clear that he thinks it's a bad deal. That certainly has not changed," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. Macron said on "Fox News Sunday" it would be better to protect the deal instead of getting rid of it. "Is this agreement perfect and this JCPOA a perfect thing for our relationship with Iran? No. But for nuclear, what do you have as a better option? I don't see it," he said. CHARM OFFENSIVE Macron's visit is the first time Trump has hosted a state visit since he took power in January 2017. While the French leader has tried to develop a close relationship with Trump since he took office last May, he has so far seen few tangible results on issues from Iran to climate politics. Macron and his wife, Brigitte, shortly after their arrival at the Blair House residence, took quickly to the streets of Washington, walking past the White House complex to the Lincoln Memorial and greeting tourists. Macron brought with him an oak tree sapling for planting on the South Lawn of the White House. The tree came from the Belleau Woods, site of a World War One battle in 1918 where 9,000 Americans died. Trump and Macron shovelled dirt on the freshly planted tree as the cameras clicked. "France is a very special country," said Trump. "It's a great honour." Trump and his wife, Melania, and the Macrons then flew aboard Trump's Marine One helicopter to dine at Mount Vernon, the Virginia home of George Washington, the first U.S. president and Revolutionary War commander whose alliance with France was critical to victory over the British. The Trumps and Macrons spent about two hours at Mount Vernon. "We had a great dinner," President Trump told reporters as they boarded the helicopter for the return trip to the White House. Working meetings will be held at the White House on Tuesday before Macron addresses the U.S. Congress the following day, the anniversary of the day French General Charles de Gaulle addressed a joint session of Congress in 1960. Trump and Macron began their friendship a year ago in Belgium with a jaw-clenching handshake. While some other European leaders have kept a distance from Trump, Macron has worked hard to remain close to the U.S. president. The two leaders speak frequently by phone. TRADE TALKS Iran has long maintained that its nuclear programme was for peaceful purposes. Macron also wants to persuade Trump to exempt European nations from metal tariffs that are part of the U.S. president's plan to reduce chronic trade deficits with countries around the world, chiefly China. His visit comes at a time of mounting alarm in Europe over the effect that U.S. sanctions on Russia will have on their own manufacturing industries. French officials said Paris and other European governments were coordinating efforts to persuade Trump to ease sanctions on Russia, including measures against Russian aluminium producers. "There are concerns raised by the extraterritoriality effects of the new sets of sanctions," a French finance ministry source said. "Europeans ... have jointly warned the U.S. administration about the economic impact and consequences and the need to find solutions." The official said France, Germany, Italy and Ireland were working together on the matter. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with Trump in Washington later in the week. Macron and Trump are also due to discuss Syria less than two weeks after the United States, France and Britain launched air strikes there in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack that killed dozens. Macron said last week he believed he had persuaded Trump to keep U.S. troops in Syria, though Trump has been insistent on bringing them home.

France's Macron visits Trump as Iran nuclear deal hangs in balance

*By:&nbspRichard Holden

It’s not all that often that the semi-annual report titled “US Treasury Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States” is a hotly anticipated document. But against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s views on trade, it was this week.

The report was prepared by seasoned folks at Treasury, yet it has the fingerprints of the administration and its mercantilist views all over it.

Early on the report states: “The global economy accelerated in 2017 to its fastest pace of growth since the post-crisis rebound in 2011. The broad-based strengthening of growth was led by the United States, where domestic demand growth averaged 3 percent over the last three quarters of the year, and by a synchronized expansion in Europe…Notwithstanding the pick-up in global growth, the U.S. trade deficit widened in 2017…

The Administration remains deeply concerned by the significant trade imbalances in the global economy, and is working actively across a broad range of areas to help ensure that trade expands in a way that is fair and reciprocal.”

“Fair and reciprocal”. Well that sounds nice. But US trade is fair and reciprocal. Imports from China allow the US to allocate its resources to what it does relatively more efficiently – make fewer t-shirts, produce more iMacs, iPhones and Apple watches, for example.

President Trump has long thought – mistakenly, mind you – that trade is a zero-sum game and that bilateral trade deficits are evidence of a “bad deal”. That’s flat-out wrong. But given the president’s famously short attention span, there was some hope those views wouldn’t affect policy too much.

Unfortunately, he appointed Peter Navarro as Director of the White House National Trade Council. Navarro thinks if trade deficits go down, economic output must rise – a conclusion that is false as a matter of logic. It’s distressing that Navarro doesn’t understand the principle of comparative advantage, or even how the national accounts work in that exports add to GDP, but imports leave it unchanged.

As a brief aside, Navarro is a self-described “heterodox economist”. Those folks in Australia who wear that moniker with pride would do well to reflect on how one of their intellectual fellow travellers is complicit in attacking the living standards of not only the poorest people in the US but also in China.

Speaking of China, figures released this week showed that China’s GDP grew a little faster than expected, expanding 6.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018. This was largely due to strong consumer demand (which accounted for roughly 80 per cent of that growth), but also strong exports and a healthy construction sector. Indeed, Chinese retail sales rose 10.1 per cent for the 12 months to March, exceeding both their recent pace and market expectations.

Given time lags and implementation issues, the recent tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China have yet to take effect – so next quarter’s numbers will be the really interesting ones to focus on. In fact, Chinese exports to the US were up 14.8 per cent on an annualised basis, suggesting that exporters may have shipped goods early in a bid to beat the tariffs. That “pipeline filling” could result in a significant drop next quarter.

In the US, retail sales figures for March showed positive signs. Commerce Department data showed retail sales up 0.6 per cent in March, a bounce back from previous disappointing monthly figures in 2018. Importantly, bellwether categories like cars and appliances were up strongly – a sign of consumer confidence.

Residential construction in the US was also strong, with housing starts up 1.9 per cent to 1.32 million at an annualised rate, compared to market expectations of 1.27 million. This was driven, however, by so-called “multifamily” construction, which is essentially apartments. As in Australia, that is a volatile category month to month. It was up strongly but had been down 10.2 per cent in February. Single-family construction fell 5.5 per cent, the largest decline in seven years. All in all, a mixed bag.

In Australia, fewer jobs were created in March than expected, with unemployment steady at 5.5 per cent, seasonally adjusted. This is still far too high, and with the participation rate picking up it could head higher, rather than lower.

The RBA released minutes of its most recent board meeting.

The most interesting part was the discussion of the financial stability of Australian households. The minutes noted: “Risks remained from the high level of household debt and the growth of riskier lending in earlier years, but regulatory measures had helped to contain the build-up of risks.”

They added that while household debt had outpaced income in recent years, net household wealth was also growing, with housing and financial assets of Australian households exceeding borrowing.

“Members noted, however, that this was not reflective of the financial positions of all individual households. Nevertheless, measures of household financial stress did not indicate a high level of financial stress at present.” (emphasis added).

It’s that italicised part that is important. Just because on average households might have their noses above water doesn’t mean significant problems don’t loom.

It’s the marginal household or borrower that matters and can drive financial problems. Think sub-prime in the US. Average borrowers in California or Massachusetts or New York were fine. But the marginal borrowers were not, and it was their borrowing behaviour (and the behaviour of those who lent to them) that triggered the financial crisis. Surely the RBA understands that, using this to inform its approach to macroprudential regulation?

*Richard Holden, Professor of Economics and PLuS Alliance Fellow, UNSW

(This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vital-signs-the-calm-before-the-storm-in-us-china-trade-95149">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Given time lags and implementation issues, the recent tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China have yet to take effect – so next quarter’s numbers will be the really interesting ones to focus on

*By: Richard Holden It’s not all that often that the semi-annual report titled “US Treasury Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States” is a hotly anticipated document. But against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s views on trade, it was this week. The report was prepared by seasoned folks at Treasury, yet it has the fingerprints of the administration and its mercantilist views all over it. Early on the report states: “The global economy accelerated in 2017 to its fastest pace of growth since the post-crisis rebound in 2011. The broad-based strengthening of growth was led by the United States, where domestic demand growth averaged 3 percent over the last three quarters of the year, and by a synchronized expansion in Europe…Notwithstanding the pick-up in global growth, the U.S. trade deficit widened in 2017… The Administration remains deeply concerned by the significant trade imbalances in the global economy, and is working actively across a broad range of areas to help ensure that trade expands in a way that is fair and reciprocal.” “Fair and reciprocal”. Well that sounds nice. But US trade is fair and reciprocal. Imports from China allow the US to allocate its resources to what it does relatively more efficiently – make fewer t-shirts, produce more iMacs, iPhones and Apple watches, for example. President Trump has long thought – mistakenly, mind you – that trade is a zero-sum game and that bilateral trade deficits are evidence of a “bad deal”. That’s flat-out wrong. But given the president’s famously short attention span, there was some hope those views wouldn’t affect policy too much. Unfortunately, he appointed Peter Navarro as Director of the White House National Trade Council. Navarro thinks if trade deficits go down, economic output must rise – a conclusion that is false as a matter of logic. It’s distressing that Navarro doesn’t understand the principle of comparative advantage, or even how the national accounts work in that exports add to GDP, but imports leave it unchanged. As a brief aside, Navarro is a self-described “heterodox economist”. Those folks in Australia who wear that moniker with pride would do well to reflect on how one of their intellectual fellow travellers is complicit in attacking the living standards of not only the poorest people in the US but also in China. Speaking of China, figures released this week showed that China’s GDP grew a little faster than expected, expanding 6.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018. This was largely due to strong consumer demand (which accounted for roughly 80 per cent of that growth), but also strong exports and a healthy construction sector. Indeed, Chinese retail sales rose 10.1 per cent for the 12 months to March, exceeding both their recent pace and market expectations. Given time lags and implementation issues, the recent tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China have yet to take effect – so next quarter’s numbers will be the really interesting ones to focus on. In fact, Chinese exports to the US were up 14.8 per cent on an annualised basis, suggesting that exporters may have shipped goods early in a bid to beat the tariffs. That “pipeline filling” could result in a significant drop next quarter. In the US, retail sales figures for March showed positive signs. Commerce Department data showed retail sales up 0.6 per cent in March, a bounce back from previous disappointing monthly figures in 2018. Importantly, bellwether categories like cars and appliances were up strongly – a sign of consumer confidence. Residential construction in the US was also strong, with housing starts up 1.9 per cent to 1.32 million at an annualised rate, compared to market expectations of 1.27 million. This was driven, however, by so-called “multifamily” construction, which is essentially apartments. As in Australia, that is a volatile category month to month. It was up strongly but had been down 10.2 per cent in February. Single-family construction fell 5.5 per cent, the largest decline in seven years. All in all, a mixed bag. In Australia, fewer jobs were created in March than expected, with unemployment steady at 5.5 per cent, seasonally adjusted. This is still far too high, and with the participation rate picking up it could head higher, rather than lower. The RBA released minutes of its most recent board meeting. The most interesting part was the discussion of the financial stability of Australian households. The minutes noted: “Risks remained from the high level of household debt and the growth of riskier lending in earlier years, but regulatory measures had helped to contain the build-up of risks.” They added that while household debt had outpaced income in recent years, net household wealth was also growing, with housing and financial assets of Australian households exceeding borrowing. “Members noted, however, that this was not reflective of the financial positions of all individual households. Nevertheless, measures of household financial stress did not indicate a high level of financial stress at present.” (emphasis added). It’s that italicised part that is important. Just because on average households might have their noses above water doesn’t mean significant problems don’t loom. It’s the marginal household or borrower that matters and can drive financial problems. Think sub-prime in the US. Average borrowers in California or Massachusetts or New York were fine. But the marginal borrowers were not, and it was their borrowing behaviour (and the behaviour of those who lent to them) that triggered the financial crisis. Surely the RBA understands that, using this to inform its approach to macroprudential regulation? *Richard Holden, Professor of Economics and PLuS Alliance Fellow, UNSW (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: The calm before the storm in US-China trade

South Korea halted the propaganda broadcasts it blares across the border at North Korea on Monday ahead of their first summit in a decade, as US&nbspPresident Donald Trump cautioned the nuclear crisis on the peninsula was a long way from being resolved.

North and South Korea are in the final stages of preparations for a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-In at the border truce village of Panmunjom on Friday.

Ahead of the summit, North Korea announced it would halt nuclear and missile tests and said it was scrapping its nuclear test site to instead pursue economic growth and peace.

“North Korea’s decision to freeze its nuclear program is a significant decision for the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in a regular meeting at the Blue House on Monday.

“It is a green light that raises the chances of positive outcomes at the North’s summits with South Korea and the United States. If North Korea goes the path of complete denuclearization starting from this, then a bright future for North Korea can be guaranteed.”

The South’s propaganda broadcasts were stopped at midnight, the defense ministry said, without specifying whether they would resume after the Kim-Moon summit.

“We hope this decision will lead both Koreas to stop mutual criticism and propaganda against each other and also contribute in creating peace and a new beginning,” the South Korean defense ministry said about the decision to halt the broadcasts.

It is the first time in more than two years the South Korean broadcasts, which include a mixture of news, South Korean pop music and criticism of the North Korean regime, have been stopped.

North Korea has its own propaganda loudspeakers at the border, but a defense ministry official said he could not verify whether the North had stopped its broadcasts.

Caution

The inter-Korean talks and a planned meeting between Kim and Trump in the coming weeks have raised hopes of an easing in tensions that reached a crescendo last year amid a flurry of North Korean missile tests and its largest nuclear test.

After initially welcoming Pyongyang’s statement on halting nuclear and missile tests, Trump sounded a more cautious note on Sunday.

“We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won’t - only time will tell,” Trump said on Twitter.

Still, South Korean companies with exposure to North Korea rallied after Pyongyang’s weekend announcement.

Shares of Good People (033340.KQ) and Shinwon Corp (009270.KS), which used to operate factories in North Korea’s Kaesong industrial region near the Demilitarized Zone, surged 8 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

China, North Korea’s main ally, also welcomed the North Korean announcement, but editorials in state-run media on Monday were tempered with notes of caution.

The China Daily, the official English-languages newspaper of the Chinese government, said the pledges conveyed the message that Kim will sit down for talks as the leader of a legitimate nuclear power.

“Negotiations about actual nuclear disarmament will likely prove arduous given such weapons are critical to Pyongyang’s sense of security. It will require ironclad security guarantees if it is to relinquish them.”

The Global Times, a hawkish tabloid newspaper run by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, said all parties “should cherish this hard-won state of affairs” and continue to make efforts toward peace and denuclearization.

“Washington should not regard North Korea’s halt to nuclear and missile tests as a result of its maximum pressure,” the Global Times wrote.

“It must be attributed to multiple factors, one of which is that Pyongyang has mastered certain advanced nuclear technologies and successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of more than 10,000 km.”

The United States, through the United Nations, has pursued a series of tightening sanctions on North Korea aimed at cutting its access to foreign currency.

Customs data on Monday showed China’s imports from North Korea fell 87 per cent in the first three months of the year, while exports dropped 46 per cent.

Tourism, dominated by Chinese visitors, remains a key export earner for North Korea. Chinese tourists have been involved in a major bus accident in North Korea and there are a large number of casualties, Chinese state media and the government said on Monday.

North and South Korea are in the final stages of preparations for a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-In at the border truce village of Panmunjom on Friday

South Korea halted the propaganda broadcasts it blares across the border at North Korea on Monday ahead of their first summit in a decade, as US&nbspPresident Donald Trump cautioned the nuclear crisis on the peninsula was a long way from being resolved. North and South Korea are in the final stages of preparations for a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-In at the border truce village of Panmunjom on Friday. Ahead of the summit, North Korea announced it would halt nuclear and missile tests and said it was scrapping its nuclear test site to instead pursue economic growth and peace. “North Korea’s decision to freeze its nuclear program is a significant decision for the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in a regular meeting at the Blue House on Monday. “It is a green light that raises the chances of positive outcomes at the North’s summits with South Korea and the United States. If North Korea goes the path of complete denuclearization starting from this, then a bright future for North Korea can be guaranteed.” The South’s propaganda broadcasts were stopped at midnight, the defense ministry said, without specifying whether they would resume after the Kim-Moon summit. “We hope this decision will lead both Koreas to stop mutual criticism and propaganda against each other and also contribute in creating peace and a new beginning,” the South Korean defense ministry said about the decision to halt the broadcasts. It is the first time in more than two years the South Korean broadcasts, which include a mixture of news, South Korean pop music and criticism of the North Korean regime, have been stopped. North Korea has its own propaganda loudspeakers at the border, but a defense ministry official said he could not verify whether the North had stopped its broadcasts. Caution The inter-Korean talks and a planned meeting between Kim and Trump in the coming weeks have raised hopes of an easing in tensions that reached a crescendo last year amid a flurry of North Korean missile tests and its largest nuclear test. After initially welcoming Pyongyang’s statement on halting nuclear and missile tests, Trump sounded a more cautious note on Sunday. “We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won’t - only time will tell,” Trump said on Twitter. Still, South Korean companies with exposure to North Korea rallied after Pyongyang’s weekend announcement. Shares of Good People (033340.KQ) and Shinwon Corp (009270.KS), which used to operate factories in North Korea’s Kaesong industrial region near the Demilitarized Zone, surged 8 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. China, North Korea’s main ally, also welcomed the North Korean announcement, but editorials in state-run media on Monday were tempered with notes of caution. The China Daily, the official English-languages newspaper of the Chinese government, said the pledges conveyed the message that Kim will sit down for talks as the leader of a legitimate nuclear power. “Negotiations about actual nuclear disarmament will likely prove arduous given such weapons are critical to Pyongyang’s sense of security. It will require ironclad security guarantees if it is to relinquish them.” The Global Times, a hawkish tabloid newspaper run by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, said all parties “should cherish this hard-won state of affairs” and continue to make efforts toward peace and denuclearization. “Washington should not regard North Korea’s halt to nuclear and missile tests as a result of its maximum pressure,” the Global Times wrote. “It must be attributed to multiple factors, one of which is that Pyongyang has mastered certain advanced nuclear technologies and successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of more than 10,000 km.” The United States, through the United Nations, has pursued a series of tightening sanctions on North Korea aimed at cutting its access to foreign currency. Customs data on Monday showed China’s imports from North Korea fell 87 per cent in the first three months of the year, while exports dropped 46 per cent. Tourism, dominated by Chinese visitors, remains a key export earner for North Korea. Chinese tourists have been involved in a major bus accident in North Korea and there are a large number of casualties, Chinese state media and the government said on Monday.

South Korea switches off propaganda broadcasts, Moon upbeat on North Korea nuclear halt

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday to kick off a three-day state visit expected to be dominated by US-European differences on the Iran nuclear deal and trade.

It will be Trump's first hosting of a state visit since he took power in January 2017. The pair will get a sense of their two countries' shared history during an evening meal on Monday night at Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, the first US&nbsp;president and Revolutionary War commander whose alliance with France was critical to victory over the British.

The major work between them will be done on Tuesday during White House meetings and a joint news conference.

On Wednesday, President Macron will address a Joint Session of Congress, making the anniversary of the day that French General Charles de Gaulle addressed the Joint Session of Congress, April 25, 1960.

Trump and Macron began their improbable friendship a year ago in Belgium with a jaw-clenching handshake. While other European leaders have kept a certain distance from Trump, Macron has worked hard to remain close to the U.S. president and the two leaders speak frequently by phone.

Macron is on something of a rescue mission for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump has vowed to scrap unless European allies strengthen it by mid-May.

The deal reached between Iran, the United States and five other world powers put curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Macron said on Fox News Sunday that it would be better to protect the Iran deal instead of get rid of it, saying there is no "Plan B" to take its place.

"Is this agreement perfect and this JCPOA a perfect thing for our relationship with Iran? &nbsp;No. But for nuclear -- what do you have? As a better option? I don't see it," he said.

Macron also wants to persuade Trump to exempt European nations from steel tariffs that are part of the US&nbsp;president's plan to reduce chronic trade deficits with countries around the world, chiefly China.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss Syria, less than two weeks after the United States, France and Britain launched airstrikes in Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack that killed dozens in Douma, Syria.

Macron said last week that he believed he had persuaded Trump to keep US troops in Syria, but Trump has been insistent on bringing them home, although he has not publicly provided a definite timetable.

Whether substantive progress will be made on these and other issues was unclear.

"Whether we will actually solve, or come to closure, or a full detailed agreement on some of the issues that we've touched on is difficult to say at this remove," a senior administration official told reporters on Friday.

It will be Trump's first hosting of a state visit since he took power in January 2017

US President Donald Trump welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday to kick off a three-day state visit expected to be dominated by US-European differences on the Iran nuclear deal and trade. It will be Trump's first hosting of a state visit since he took power in January 2017. The pair will get a sense of their two countries' shared history during an evening meal on Monday night at Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, the first US president and Revolutionary War commander whose alliance with France was critical to victory over the British. The major work between them will be done on Tuesday during White House meetings and a joint news conference. On Wednesday, President Macron will address a Joint Session of Congress, making the anniversary of the day that French General Charles de Gaulle addressed the Joint Session of Congress, April 25, 1960. Trump and Macron began their improbable friendship a year ago in Belgium with a jaw-clenching handshake. While other European leaders have kept a certain distance from Trump, Macron has worked hard to remain close to the U.S. president and the two leaders speak frequently by phone. Macron is on something of a rescue mission for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump has vowed to scrap unless European allies strengthen it by mid-May. The deal reached between Iran, the United States and five other world powers put curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Macron said on Fox News Sunday that it would be better to protect the Iran deal instead of get rid of it, saying there is no "Plan B" to take its place. "Is this agreement perfect and this JCPOA a perfect thing for our relationship with Iran? No. But for nuclear -- what do you have? As a better option? I don't see it," he said. Macron also wants to persuade Trump to exempt European nations from steel tariffs that are part of the US president's plan to reduce chronic trade deficits with countries around the world, chiefly China. The two leaders are also expected to discuss Syria, less than two weeks after the United States, France and Britain launched airstrikes in Syria in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack that killed dozens in Douma, Syria. Macron said last week that he believed he had persuaded Trump to keep US troops in Syria, but Trump has been insistent on bringing them home, although he has not publicly provided a definite timetable. Whether substantive progress will be made on these and other issues was unclear. "Whether we will actually solve, or come to closure, or a full detailed agreement on some of the issues that we've touched on is difficult to say at this remove," a senior administration official told reporters on Friday.

Trump, Macron to face differences on Iran, trade as French visit begins

Former New York mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg said on Sunday he will write a $4.5 million check for this year's US&nbspfinancial commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.

President Donald Trump last year pulled the United States out of the agreement, making the country the only one opposed to the pact.

Bloomberg, in a CBS interview, did not commit to provide funds beyond this year and said he hopes by next year Trump will have changed his mind.

Trump staunchly opposes the agreement and his administration has rolled back a number of environmental regulations.

Bloomberg did not commit to provide funds beyond this year and said he hopes by next year Trump will have changed his mind

Former New York mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg said on Sunday he will write a $4.5 million check for this year's US&nbspfinancial commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. President Donald Trump last year pulled the United States out of the agreement, making the country the only one opposed to the pact. Bloomberg, in a CBS interview, did not commit to provide funds beyond this year and said he hopes by next year Trump will have changed his mind. Trump staunchly opposes the agreement and his administration has rolled back a number of environmental regulations.

Michael Bloomberg to write $4.5 million check for Paris climate pact

French President Emmanuel Macron said he has no "plan B" for the Iran nuclear deal and that the United States should stay in the agreement as long as there is no better option.

In a Fox News interview on Sunday, the day before he arrives in Washington for a three-day state visit, Macron also said the United States, France and other allies will have a "very important" role to play in rebuilding Syria after they defeat Islamic State militants.

President Donald Trump has said he wants US&nbspforces to leave Syria as quickly as possible, but Macron warned that Iran, which has been Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's most supportive ally, will overrun Syria if the countries exit too quickly.

Macron and Trump will discuss the Iran nuclear agreement at the White House on Tuesday, a senior US&nbspadministration official said on Friday. They will also discuss the joint military strike on Syria this month following a suspected chemical weapons attack near Damascus, the official said.

The 2015 deal reached between Iran, the United States and five other world powers put curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

"I don't have any plan B," Macron said. "Let's present this framework because it's better than the sort of North Korean-type situation."

Macron, who said he and Trump have "a very special relationship," said he wanted to complete the Iran deal by addressing ballistic missiles and working to contain Iran's influence in the region.

Trump has called it one of the worst deals ever negotiated and will decide by May 12 whether to restore US&nbspeconomic sanctions on Tehran, which would be a severe blow to the pact. Trump has pressured European allies to work with Washington to fix the deal.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a CBS interview on Sunday the United States would be viewed as an unreliable partner to the international community if it pulls out of the deal. He added that there would be no reason for Iran to remain in the deal if the United States leaves and the benefits for Iran start to diminish.

"This would be a very bad precedent if the United States sends this message to the international community that the length or the duration of any agreement would depend on the duration of the presidency," Zarif said.

Macron also said the United States, France and other allies will have a 'very important' role to play in rebuilding Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron said he has no "plan B" for the Iran nuclear deal and that the United States should stay in the agreement as long as there is no better option. In a Fox News interview on Sunday, the day before he arrives in Washington for a three-day state visit, Macron also said the United States, France and other allies will have a "very important" role to play in rebuilding Syria after they defeat Islamic State militants. President Donald Trump has said he wants US&nbspforces to leave Syria as quickly as possible, but Macron warned that Iran, which has been Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's most supportive ally, will overrun Syria if the countries exit too quickly. Macron and Trump will discuss the Iran nuclear agreement at the White House on Tuesday, a senior US&nbspadministration official said on Friday. They will also discuss the joint military strike on Syria this month following a suspected chemical weapons attack near Damascus, the official said. The 2015 deal reached between Iran, the United States and five other world powers put curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. "I don't have any plan B," Macron said. "Let's present this framework because it's better than the sort of North Korean-type situation." Macron, who said he and Trump have "a very special relationship," said he wanted to complete the Iran deal by addressing ballistic missiles and working to contain Iran's influence in the region. Trump has called it one of the worst deals ever negotiated and will decide by May 12 whether to restore US&nbspeconomic sanctions on Tehran, which would be a severe blow to the pact. Trump has pressured European allies to work with Washington to fix the deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a CBS interview on Sunday the United States would be viewed as an unreliable partner to the international community if it pulls out of the deal. He added that there would be no reason for Iran to remain in the deal if the United States leaves and the benefits for Iran start to diminish. "This would be a very bad precedent if the United States sends this message to the international community that the length or the duration of any agreement would depend on the duration of the presidency," Zarif said.

France's president says he has no 'plan B' for Iran nuclear deal

The first big showdown at the US&nbsp;Supreme Court over President Donald Trump's immigration policies is set for Wednesday when the justices hear a challenge to the lawfulness of his travel ban targeting people from several Muslim-majority countries.

The case represents a test of the limits of presidential power. Trump's policy, announced in September, blocks entry into the United States of most people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Chad previously was on the list but Trump lifted those restrictions on April 10.

The high court has never decided the legal merits of the travel ban or any other major Trump immigration policy, including his move to rescind protections for young immigrants sometimes called Dreamers brought into the United States illegally as children. It has previously acted on Trump requests to undo lower court orders blocking those two policies, siding with him on the travel ban and opposing him on the Dreamers.

Trump's immigration policies - also including actions taken against states and cities that protect illegal immigrants, intensified deportation efforts and limits on legal immigration - have been among his most contentious.

The conservative-majority Supreme Court is due to hear arguments on Wednesday on the third version of a travel ban policy Trump first sought to implement a week after taking office in January 2017, and issue a ruling by the end of June.

The lead challenger is the state of Hawaii, which argues the ban violates federal immigration law and the US&nbsp;Constitution's prohibition on the government favoring one religion over another.

"Right now, the travel ban is keeping families apart. It is degrading our values by subjecting a specific set of people to be denigrated and marginalized," Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Doug Chin said in an interview.

The Supreme Court on Dec. 4 signaled it may lean toward backing Trump when it granted the administration's request to let the ban go into full effect while legal challenges played out.

In another immigration-related case, the justices on April 17 invalidated a provision in a US&nbsp;law requiring deportation of immigrants convicted of certain crimes of violence. Trump's administration and the prior Obama administration had defended the provision.

'Politically correct'

Trump has said the travel ban is needed to protect the United States from terrorism by Islamic militants. Just before the latest ban was announced, Trump wrote on Twitter that the restrictions "should be far larger, tougher and more specific - but stupidly that would not be politically correct!"

The challengers have argued the policy was motivated by Trump's enmity toward Muslims, pressing that point in lower courts with some success by citing statements he made as a candidate and as president. As a candidate, Trump promised "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States."

The Justice Department argues Trump's statements as a candidate carry no weight because he was not yet president. The policy's challengers also point to views he has expressed as president, including his retweets in November of anti-Muslim videos posted by a far-right British political figure.

In a court filing last week, US&nbsp;Solicitor General Noel Francisco, representing Trump in court, said those retweets "do not address the meaning" of the travel ban policy.

Francisco cited Trump statements complimentary toward Muslims and Islam, including in a May 2017 speech in Saudi Arabia.

In defending the ban, the administration has pointed to a waiver provision allowing people from targeted countries to seek entry if they meet certain criteria. The State Department said that as of last month 375 waivers to the travel ban had been granted since the policy went into effect on Dec 8.

Some former Republican senators and officials who served in Republican former President George W. Bush's administration have signed onto legal briefs asking the high court to invalidate the ban.

"I think the travel ban is a terribly misguided policy that appeared to be motivated more by a political intention of the president than by any real national security need," John Bellinger, the State Department's top legal advisor during the Bush administration, said in an interview.

The arguments in the case follow US&nbsp;missile strikes this month in one of the targeted countries, Syria, after Trump's administration blamed President Bashar al-Assad for a chemical weapons attack on Syrian people near Damascus.

"Lots of people have pointed out the hypocrisy of the president, on the one hand, being willing to bomb Syria and on the other hand being unwilling to accept refugees and immigrants from that country who are trying to escape," lawyer Omar Jadwat of the American Civil Liberties Union, which challenged the travel ban in a separate case in Maryland, said in an interview.

Venezuela and North Korea also were targeted in the travel ban but those restrictions were not challenged in court.

Trump's policy, announced in September, blocks entry into the United States of most people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen

The first big showdown at the US Supreme Court over President Donald Trump's immigration policies is set for Wednesday when the justices hear a challenge to the lawfulness of his travel ban targeting people from several Muslim-majority countries. The case represents a test of the limits of presidential power. Trump's policy, announced in September, blocks entry into the United States of most people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Chad previously was on the list but Trump lifted those restrictions on April 10. The high court has never decided the legal merits of the travel ban or any other major Trump immigration policy, including his move to rescind protections for young immigrants sometimes called Dreamers brought into the United States illegally as children. It has previously acted on Trump requests to undo lower court orders blocking those two policies, siding with him on the travel ban and opposing him on the Dreamers. Trump's immigration policies - also including actions taken against states and cities that protect illegal immigrants, intensified deportation efforts and limits on legal immigration - have been among his most contentious. The conservative-majority Supreme Court is due to hear arguments on Wednesday on the third version of a travel ban policy Trump first sought to implement a week after taking office in January 2017, and issue a ruling by the end of June. The lead challenger is the state of Hawaii, which argues the ban violates federal immigration law and the US Constitution's prohibition on the government favoring one religion over another. "Right now, the travel ban is keeping families apart. It is degrading our values by subjecting a specific set of people to be denigrated and marginalized," Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Doug Chin said in an interview. The Supreme Court on Dec. 4 signaled it may lean toward backing Trump when it granted the administration's request to let the ban go into full effect while legal challenges played out. In another immigration-related case, the justices on April 17 invalidated a provision in a US law requiring deportation of immigrants convicted of certain crimes of violence. Trump's administration and the prior Obama administration had defended the provision. 'Politically correct' Trump has said the travel ban is needed to protect the United States from terrorism by Islamic militants. Just before the latest ban was announced, Trump wrote on Twitter that the restrictions "should be far larger, tougher and more specific - but stupidly that would not be politically correct!" The challengers have argued the policy was motivated by Trump's enmity toward Muslims, pressing that point in lower courts with some success by citing statements he made as a candidate and as president. As a candidate, Trump promised "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." The Justice Department argues Trump's statements as a candidate carry no weight because he was not yet president. The policy's challengers also point to views he has expressed as president, including his retweets in November of anti-Muslim videos posted by a far-right British political figure. In a court filing last week, US Solicitor General Noel Francisco, representing Trump in court, said those retweets "do not address the meaning" of the travel ban policy. Francisco cited Trump statements complimentary toward Muslims and Islam, including in a May 2017 speech in Saudi Arabia. In defending the ban, the administration has pointed to a waiver provision allowing people from targeted countries to seek entry if they meet certain criteria. The State Department said that as of last month 375 waivers to the travel ban had been granted since the policy went into effect on Dec 8. Some former Republican senators and officials who served in Republican former President George W. Bush's administration have signed onto legal briefs asking the high court to invalidate the ban. "I think the travel ban is a terribly misguided policy that appeared to be motivated more by a political intention of the president than by any real national security need," John Bellinger, the State Department's top legal advisor during the Bush administration, said in an interview. The arguments in the case follow US missile strikes this month in one of the targeted countries, Syria, after Trump's administration blamed President Bashar al-Assad for a chemical weapons attack on Syrian people near Damascus. "Lots of people have pointed out the hypocrisy of the president, on the one hand, being willing to bomb Syria and on the other hand being unwilling to accept refugees and immigrants from that country who are trying to escape," lawyer Omar Jadwat of the American Civil Liberties Union, which challenged the travel ban in a separate case in Maryland, said in an interview. Venezuela and North Korea also were targeted in the travel ban but those restrictions were not challenged in court.

Trump's travel ban faces US Supreme Court showdown

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said the North Korean nuclear crisis is far from conclusion on Sunday, striking a cautious note a day after the North`s pledge to end its nuclear tests raised hopes before planned summits with South Korea and the United States.&nbsp

North Korea said on Saturday it was suspending nuclear and missile tests and scrapping its nuclear test site, and instead pursuing economic growth and peace ahead of planned summits with South Korea and the United States.

"We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won’t - only time will tell....But the work I am doing now should have been done a long time ago!" Trump said on Twitter.

World leaders welcomed the announcement about the end to nuclear tests including Trump, who in an earlier tweet Sunday called North Korea's statement a pledge to denuclearize: "Wow, we haven’t given up anything & they have agreed to denuclearization (so great for World), site closure, and no more testing!"

However, Kim's announcement did not include a commitment to scrap existing nuclear weapons and missiles, and there are doubts he would ever give up the nuclear arsenal his country has been developing for decades.

Some have expressed doubts about the North's intentions and South Korean President Moon Jae-in will be under intense international scrutiny when he meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday.

"North Korea has a long history of raising the issue of denuclearisation and has committed to freeze its nuclear weapons programmes in the past. We all remember how those pledges and commitments went down over past decades," said Nam Sung-wook, a professor of North Korean Studies at Korea University in Seoul.&nbsp

"Although the North's announcement is quite dramatic, it's natural for the world to be extra sensitive to every word spoken by Kim."

Kim said North Korea no longer needed to test nuclear bombs or intercontinental ballistic missiles now that his country had the weapons, and he would gear all efforts toward economic development.

Moon, who welcomed Kim's announcement as a "major" step toward denuclearisation, is making the summit his sole focus this week, staying in the presidential Blue House to prepare with no outside engagements, a Blue House official said on Sunday.

South Korea's presidential security service met officials from the military as well as the UN&nbspCommand on Saturday to discuss security at the border truce village of Panmunjom, where the inter-Korean summit will take place, the official said.

For the past few weeks, South Korea has been renovating Peace House, on its side of Panmunjom, to prepare for the summit with Kim, who will be the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-1953 Korean War.

On Monday, the two Koreas will hold another round of working-level talks at the Tongil Pavilion on the North Korean side of Panmunjom to discuss protocol, security and media coverage of the summit.

'Big progress'

Moon now has a direct phone link with Kim on his office desk, instead of having to communicate through a hotline at the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom, which had been the main channel between the two sides over the Winter Olympics in February.&nbsp

The two leaders are expected to talk over the newly installed phone for the first time this week, before the summit, South Korea said on Friday.&nbsp

A senior US&nbspdiplomat for East Asia, Susan Thornton, called North Korea's latest announcement "a very positive step" as she started a three-day visit to Seoul on Sunday, which will include meetings with South Korea's foreign minister as well as its top nuclear negotiator.

"We are going to be doing a lot of close coordination with South Korea, allies and partners this week," the Yonhap news agency quoted her as saying.&nbsp

Earlier, Trump called North Korea's offer to freeze testing and close its only known nuclear testing site "very good news" and "big progress", while South Korea said it signified "meaningful" progress that would create good conditions for successful summits with it and later with the United States.

Kim is expected to meet Trump in late May or early June, the first meeting between sitting leaders of the two countries.

US&nbspofficials say North Korea had in the past repeatedly reneged on denuclearisation agreements, the latest in 2012 when the North launched a long-range rocket after agreeing to a moratorium on missile testing.

Cheong Seong-chang, senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute think-tank, said a firm commitment to denuclearise could not be expected before negotiations with the United States began.

"Kim cannot give up everything at once. What is clear is that he is showing his earnest willingness to pave the way for smooth negotiations," Cheong said.

North Korea said on Saturday it was suspending nuclear and missile tests and scrapping its nuclear test site

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said the North Korean nuclear crisis is far from conclusion on Sunday, striking a cautious note a day after the North`s pledge to end its nuclear tests raised hopes before planned summits with South Korea and the United States. North Korea said on Saturday it was suspending nuclear and missile tests and scrapping its nuclear test site, and instead pursuing economic growth and peace ahead of planned summits with South Korea and the United States. "We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won’t - only time will tell....But the work I am doing now should have been done a long time ago!" Trump said on Twitter. World leaders welcomed the announcement about the end to nuclear tests including Trump, who in an earlier tweet Sunday called North Korea's statement a pledge to denuclearize: "Wow, we haven’t given up anything & they have agreed to denuclearization (so great for World), site closure, and no more testing!" However, Kim's announcement did not include a commitment to scrap existing nuclear weapons and missiles, and there are doubts he would ever give up the nuclear arsenal his country has been developing for decades. Some have expressed doubts about the North's intentions and South Korean President Moon Jae-in will be under intense international scrutiny when he meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday. "North Korea has a long history of raising the issue of denuclearisation and has committed to freeze its nuclear weapons programmes in the past. We all remember how those pledges and commitments went down over past decades," said Nam Sung-wook, a professor of North Korean Studies at Korea University in Seoul. "Although the North's announcement is quite dramatic, it's natural for the world to be extra sensitive to every word spoken by Kim." Kim said North Korea no longer needed to test nuclear bombs or intercontinental ballistic missiles now that his country had the weapons, and he would gear all efforts toward economic development. Moon, who welcomed Kim's announcement as a "major" step toward denuclearisation, is making the summit his sole focus this week, staying in the presidential Blue House to prepare with no outside engagements, a Blue House official said on Sunday. South Korea's presidential security service met officials from the military as well as the UN&nbspCommand on Saturday to discuss security at the border truce village of Panmunjom, where the inter-Korean summit will take place, the official said. For the past few weeks, South Korea has been renovating Peace House, on its side of Panmunjom, to prepare for the summit with Kim, who will be the first North Korean leader to set foot in the South since the 1950-1953 Korean War. On Monday, the two Koreas will hold another round of working-level talks at the Tongil Pavilion on the North Korean side of Panmunjom to discuss protocol, security and media coverage of the summit. 'Big progress' Moon now has a direct phone link with Kim on his office desk, instead of having to communicate through a hotline at the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom, which had been the main channel between the two sides over the Winter Olympics in February. The two leaders are expected to talk over the newly installed phone for the first time this week, before the summit, South Korea said on Friday. A senior US&nbspdiplomat for East Asia, Susan Thornton, called North Korea's latest announcement "a very positive step" as she started a three-day visit to Seoul on Sunday, which will include meetings with South Korea's foreign minister as well as its top nuclear negotiator. "We are going to be doing a lot of close coordination with South Korea, allies and partners this week," the Yonhap news agency quoted her as saying. Earlier, Trump called North Korea's offer to freeze testing and close its only known nuclear testing site "very good news" and "big progress", while South Korea said it signified "meaningful" progress that would create good conditions for successful summits with it and later with the United States. Kim is expected to meet Trump in late May or early June, the first meeting between sitting leaders of the two countries. US&nbspofficials say North Korea had in the past repeatedly reneged on denuclearisation agreements, the latest in 2012 when the North launched a long-range rocket after agreeing to a moratorium on missile testing. Cheong Seong-chang, senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute think-tank, said a firm commitment to denuclearise could not be expected before negotiations with the United States began. "Kim cannot give up everything at once. What is clear is that he is showing his earnest willingness to pave the way for smooth negotiations," Cheong said.

Trump says 'long way' to go on North Korea crisis

President Tayyip Erdogan said the United States should look at its own actions if it wants the return of an American Christian pastor who has been jailed in Turkey for suspected links to a 2016 failed coup.

Erdogan made the comment in a live interview with broadcaster NTV.

Andrew Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was indicted on charges of helping the group that Ankara holds responsible for the failed coup against Erdogan. He faces up to 35 years in prison. Brunson denies the charges.

Erdogan has previously linked Brunson's fate to that of the cleric Fethullah Gulen, the Muslim cleric Turkey blames for the coup attempt. Gulen has lived in the United States since 1999 and denies the charges. Turkey is seeking his extradition from the United States.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and dozens of US&nbspsenators have urged Erdogan to release Brunson.

President Tayyip Erdogan said the United States should look at its own actions if it wants the return of an American Christian pastor who has been jailed in Turkey for suspected links to a 2016 failed coup

President Tayyip Erdogan said the United States should look at its own actions if it wants the return of an American Christian pastor who has been jailed in Turkey for suspected links to a 2016 failed coup. Erdogan made the comment in a live interview with broadcaster NTV. Andrew Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was indicted on charges of helping the group that Ankara holds responsible for the failed coup against Erdogan. He faces up to 35 years in prison. Brunson denies the charges. Erdogan has previously linked Brunson's fate to that of the cleric Fethullah Gulen, the Muslim cleric Turkey blames for the coup attempt. Gulen has lived in the United States since 1999 and denies the charges. Turkey is seeking his extradition from the United States. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump and dozens of US&nbspsenators have urged Erdogan to release Brunson.

Turkey's Erdogan says US should look at its own actions if it wants jailed pastor freed

United States President Donald Trump has branded the lawsuit filed by the Democratic Party a "good news" and has sought the documents held by the "Pakistani mystery man", DNC Server, Debbie Wasserman Schultz Servers and Clinton emails to counter it.

"This can be good news in that we will now counter for the DNC Server that they refused to give to the FBI, the Wendy Wasserman Schultz Servers and Documents held by the Pakistani mystery man and Clinton Emails," President Trump, a Republican, said in a tweet.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Just heard the Campaign was sued by the Obstructionist Democrats. This can be good news in that we will now counter for the DNC Server that they refused to give to the FBI, the Debbie Wasserman Schultz Servers and Documents held by the Pakistani mystery man and Clinton Emails.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/987470932989050881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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President Trump's Pakistani mystery man is Imran Awan, who along with his brother Abid Awan, and five other family members and associates, is at the heart of the brewing IT Scandal which has put Congressional Data at risk.

Awan, a former IT aide to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who investigators concluded, made "unauthorized access" to House servers.

They worked as shared IT employees for 44 House Democrats and had access to the House members' sensitive data, including emails, calendars, constituents' data, and personal files, despite having little to no IT experience, according to the local media reports.

Awan's father Haji Ashraf Awan was giving data to Pakistan, alleged the father's ex-business partner, adding that Imran bragged he had the power to "change the U.S. president," the New York based Epoch Times reports.

Imran began working for the House of Representatives in 2004. The Epoch Times reports that most members of his immediate family are also working as IT aides to Democrats in the House of Representatives.

According to the report, inspector general, Michael Ptasienski, testified this month that "system administrators hold the 'keys to the kingdom' meaning they can create accounts, grant access, view, download, update, or delete almost any electronic information within an office. Because of this high-level access, a rogue system administrator could inflict considerable damage."

The president's tweet came hours after the DNC filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Russian government, the Trump Campaign and the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.

That lawsuit alleges that the defendants conspired to disrupt the 2016 presidential election and undermine Hillary Clinton's Campaign by hacking the DNC's servers and disseminating stolen information.&nbsp

United States President Donald Trump has branded the lawsuit filed by the Democratic Party a 'good news' and has sought the documents held by the 'Pakistani mystery man', DNC Server, Debbie Wasserman Schultz Servers and Clinton emails to counter it

United States President Donald Trump has branded the lawsuit filed by the Democratic Party a "good news" and has sought the documents held by the "Pakistani mystery man", DNC Server, Debbie Wasserman Schultz Servers and Clinton emails to counter it. "This can be good news in that we will now counter for the DNC Server that they refused to give to the FBI, the Wendy Wasserman Schultz Servers and Documents held by the Pakistani mystery man and Clinton Emails," President Trump, a Republican, said in a tweet. Just heard the Campaign was sued by the Obstructionist Democrats. This can be good news in that we will now counter for the DNC Server that they refused to give to the FBI, the Debbie Wasserman Schultz Servers and Documents held by the Pakistani mystery man and Clinton Emails. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2018 × President Trump's Pakistani mystery man is Imran Awan, who along with his brother Abid Awan, and five other family members and associates, is at the heart of the brewing IT Scandal which has put Congressional Data at risk. Awan, a former IT aide to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who investigators concluded, made "unauthorized access" to House servers. They worked as shared IT employees for 44 House Democrats and had access to the House members' sensitive data, including emails, calendars, constituents' data, and personal files, despite having little to no IT experience, according to the local media reports. Awan's father Haji Ashraf Awan was giving data to Pakistan, alleged the father's ex-business partner, adding that Imran bragged he had the power to "change the U.S. president," the New York based Epoch Times reports. Imran began working for the House of Representatives in 2004. The Epoch Times reports that most members of his immediate family are also working as IT aides to Democrats in the House of Representatives. According to the report, inspector general, Michael Ptasienski, testified this month that "system administrators hold the 'keys to the kingdom' meaning they can create accounts, grant access, view, download, update, or delete almost any electronic information within an office. Because of this high-level access, a rogue system administrator could inflict considerable damage." The president's tweet came hours after the DNC filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the Russian government, the Trump Campaign and the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. That lawsuit alleges that the defendants conspired to disrupt the 2016 presidential election and undermine Hillary Clinton's Campaign by hacking the DNC's servers and disseminating stolen information.

Trump seeks 'documents held' by Pakistani man to counter Democrats' lawsuit

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-it-will-stop-nuclear-tests-abolish-test-site-131747">North Korea leader Kim Jong Un says his country will suspend nuclear, missile tests and abolish test site</a>

North Korea will suspend nuclear and missile tests effectively immediately and abolish a nuclear test site in a bid to pursue economic growth and peace on the Korean peninsula, the North`s state media said on Saturday, ahead of planned summits with South Korea and the United States.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/us-recession-ahead-federal-policymakers-say-not-to-worry-131765">US recession ahead? Federal policymakers say not to worry</a>

As the gap between short- and long-term borrowing costs hovers near its lowest in more than 10 years, speculation has risen over whether the so-called yield curve is signalling that a recession could be around the corner. Not to worry, two influential Federal Reserve policymakers said on Friday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/walmart-could-buy-controlling-stake-in-flipkart-by-next-week-131767">Walmart could buy </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/walmart-could-buy-controlling-stake-in-flipkart-by-next-week-131767">controlling</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-&-economy/walmart-could-buy-controlling-stake-in-flipkart-by-next-week-131767"> stake in Flipkart by next week</a>

Walmart Inc could seal a deal to buy a more than 51% stake in Indian online marketplace Flipkart as early as next week, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-students-walk-out-again-to-protest-gun-violence-131754">US students walk out again to protest gun violence</a>

Demanding an end to gun violence and tougher restrictions on firearm sales, thousands of students again walked out of classes across the United States on Friday in hopes of putting pressure on politicians ahead of November's midterm elections.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/indias-growth-momentum-must-continue-despite-elections-imf-131757">India's growth momentum must continue despite elections: IMF</a>

The International Monetary Fund has said it wants continued momentum in India's growth and structural reforms despite the election period.

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un says his country will suspend nuclear, missile tests and abolish test site North Korea will suspend nuclear and missile tests effectively immediately and abolish a nuclear test site in a bid to pursue economic growth and peace on the Korean peninsula, the North`s state media said on Saturday, ahead of planned summits with South Korea and the United States. US recession ahead? Federal policymakers say not to worry As the gap between short- and long-term borrowing costs hovers near its lowest in more than 10 years, speculation has risen over whether the so-called yield curve is signalling that a recession could be around the corner. Not to worry, two influential Federal Reserve policymakers said on Friday. Walmart could buy controlling stake in Flipkart by next week Walmart Inc could seal a deal to buy a more than 51% stake in Indian online marketplace Flipkart as early as next week, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday. US students walk out again to protest gun violence Demanding an end to gun violence and tougher restrictions on firearm sales, thousands of students again walked out of classes across the United States on Friday in hopes of putting pressure on politicians ahead of November's midterm elections. India's growth momentum must continue despite elections: IMF The International Monetary Fund has said it wants continued momentum in India's growth and structural reforms despite the election period.

An internal CIA review in 2011 cleared US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's choice to head the agency, Gina Haspel, of wrongdoing in the destruction of videotapes depicting the harsh interrogation of an al Qaeda suspect, according to a memorandum that the CIA declassified and released on Friday.

The spy agency released the memo in response to demands by US&nbsplawmakers for more details on Haspel's career and as part of its effort to bolster her nomination. Haspel's bid to be the first woman CIA director faces scrutiny on Capitol Hill due to her involvement in a discontinued interrogation programme that many regarded as using torture.

"I have found no fault with the performance of Ms&nbspHaspel," Michael Morell, then the CIA's deputy director, wrote in the December 2011 memo.

"I have concluded that she acted appropriately in her role" as chief of staff to Jose Rodriguez, the head of CIA spy operations, Morell wrote.

At issue was a decision that Rodriguez has said he made in November 2005 to destroy videotapes showing the waterboarding of CIA detainee Abu Zubaydah who US&nbspofficials believed at the time - incorrectly - was a top-level al Qaeda operative.

Waterboarding is a form of simulated drowning. Zubaydah`s role in al Qaeda was later found to have been overstated.

CIA officials have long said that Haspel drafted a cable from Rodriguez ordering agency officers in the field to destroy the tapes, and that she believed Rodriguez was going to clear it first with the agency`s director at the time, Porter Goss.

At the time the cable was sent, Haspel worked in CIA headquarters outside Washington, DC&nbspPublished accounts have said she was chief in 2002 of a base in Thailand where detainees were interrogated, but arrived there after Zubaydah's waterboarding.

The memo appears to support the CIA version of events.

Haspel "drafted the cable on the direct orders of Mr&nbspRodriguez she did not release that cable. It was not her decision to destroy the tapes it was Mr Rodriguez's," Morell wrote.

Rodriguez has said he ordered the tapes destroyed out of fear that, if leaked, they could put CIA officers at risk.

In a statement earlier this week, Rodriguez said he took full responsibility for destroying the tapes.

"I was under the impression that the chain of command did not think it was illegal to destroy the tapes but that no one wanted to make the decision at the time," Rodriguez said.

Haspel, who is now the agency's No&nbsp2 official, is due to appear at a May 9 hearing on her confirmation before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Haspel has the backing of the committee's Republican chairman, Richard Burr, but several Democrats have expressed concern about the nomination.

"It’s completely unacceptable for the CIA to declassify only material that’s favourable to Gina Haspel, while at the same time stonewalling our efforts to declassify all documents related to her involvement in the torture programme," Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said in a statement. "Senators and the public need to know more about her record."

Rachel Cohen, a spokeswoman for Senator Mark Warner, the panel`s ranking Democrat, said release of the memo was "a good step, but it was only one step. Senator Warner will continue to press the CIA to declassify additional documents and material regarding Ms. Haspel’s background."

An internal CIA review in 2011 cleared US President Donald Trump's choice to head the agency, Gina Haspel, of wrongdoing in the destruction of videotapes depicting the harsh interrogation of an al Qaeda suspect

An internal CIA review in 2011 cleared US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's choice to head the agency, Gina Haspel, of wrongdoing in the destruction of videotapes depicting the harsh interrogation of an al Qaeda suspect, according to a memorandum that the CIA declassified and released on Friday. The spy agency released the memo in response to demands by US&nbsplawmakers for more details on Haspel's career and as part of its effort to bolster her nomination. Haspel's bid to be the first woman CIA director faces scrutiny on Capitol Hill due to her involvement in a discontinued interrogation programme that many regarded as using torture. "I have found no fault with the performance of Ms&nbspHaspel," Michael Morell, then the CIA's deputy director, wrote in the December 2011 memo. "I have concluded that she acted appropriately in her role" as chief of staff to Jose Rodriguez, the head of CIA spy operations, Morell wrote. At issue was a decision that Rodriguez has said he made in November 2005 to destroy videotapes showing the waterboarding of CIA detainee Abu Zubaydah who US&nbspofficials believed at the time - incorrectly - was a top-level al Qaeda operative. Waterboarding is a form of simulated drowning. Zubaydah`s role in al Qaeda was later found to have been overstated. CIA officials have long said that Haspel drafted a cable from Rodriguez ordering agency officers in the field to destroy the tapes, and that she believed Rodriguez was going to clear it first with the agency`s director at the time, Porter Goss. At the time the cable was sent, Haspel worked in CIA headquarters outside Washington, DC&nbspPublished accounts have said she was chief in 2002 of a base in Thailand where detainees were interrogated, but arrived there after Zubaydah's waterboarding. The memo appears to support the CIA version of events. Haspel "drafted the cable on the direct orders of Mr&nbspRodriguez she did not release that cable. It was not her decision to destroy the tapes it was Mr Rodriguez's," Morell wrote. Rodriguez has said he ordered the tapes destroyed out of fear that, if leaked, they could put CIA officers at risk. In a statement earlier this week, Rodriguez said he took full responsibility for destroying the tapes. "I was under the impression that the chain of command did not think it was illegal to destroy the tapes but that no one wanted to make the decision at the time," Rodriguez said. Haspel, who is now the agency's No&nbsp2 official, is due to appear at a May 9 hearing on her confirmation before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Haspel has the backing of the committee's Republican chairman, Richard Burr, but several Democrats have expressed concern about the nomination. "It’s completely unacceptable for the CIA to declassify only material that’s favourable to Gina Haspel, while at the same time stonewalling our efforts to declassify all documents related to her involvement in the torture programme," Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said in a statement. "Senators and the public need to know more about her record." Rachel Cohen, a spokeswoman for Senator Mark Warner, the panel`s ranking Democrat, said release of the memo was "a good step, but it was only one step. Senator Warner will continue to press the CIA to declassify additional documents and material regarding Ms. Haspel’s background."

Internal review cleared Trump's CIA pick in videotape destruction

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday Iran's atomic agency was ready with "expected and unexpected" reactions if the United States pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, as US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has threatened to do.

"Our Atomic Energy Organization is fully prepared ... for actions that they expect and actions they do not expect," Rouhani said without elaborating in a speech carried by state television, referring to a possible decision by Trump to leave the accord next month.

The deal reached between Iran, the United States and five other world powers put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump has called the agreement one of the worst deals ever negotiated. In January he sent an ultimatum to Britain, France and Germany, saying they must agree to fix what the United States sees as the deal's flaws or he would refuse to extend the critical US&nbspsanctions relief that it entails.

US&nbspdisarmament ambassador Robert Wood said on Thursday Washington had been having "intense" discussions with European allies ahead of the May 12 deadline, when US&nbspsanctions against Iran will resume unless Trump issues new waivers to suspend them.

Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will "shred" the deal if Washington pulls out.

"Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran's reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," Iranian state TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying in New York.

Foreign exchange controls 'preventive' in case US exits

Rouhani said his government intended to prevent instability in the foreign exchange market after a possible Washington exit from the nuclear accord when the central bank this month slapped controls on markets in an attempt to unify the Iranian rial.

"This was a preventative blow against any American decision on May 12. They fully hoped to ... cause chaos in the (foreign exchange) market. I promise to the people that the plot of the enemy has been thwarted, and whether or not the nuclear deal remains in effect, we will have no problem," Rouhani said.

On April 9, Iran moved to formally unify the country's official and open market exchange rates and banned money changing outside of banks, after its currency, the rial, plunged to an all-time low on concerns over a return of crippling sanctions.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday Iran's atomic agency was ready with "expected and unexpected" reactions if the United States pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, as US President Donald Trump has threatened to do

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday Iran's atomic agency was ready with "expected and unexpected" reactions if the United States pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, as US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has threatened to do. "Our Atomic Energy Organization is fully prepared ... for actions that they expect and actions they do not expect," Rouhani said without elaborating in a speech carried by state television, referring to a possible decision by Trump to leave the accord next month. The deal reached between Iran, the United States and five other world powers put curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump has called the agreement one of the worst deals ever negotiated. In January he sent an ultimatum to Britain, France and Germany, saying they must agree to fix what the United States sees as the deal's flaws or he would refuse to extend the critical US&nbspsanctions relief that it entails. US&nbspdisarmament ambassador Robert Wood said on Thursday Washington had been having "intense" discussions with European allies ahead of the May 12 deadline, when US&nbspsanctions against Iran will resume unless Trump issues new waivers to suspend them. Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will "shred" the deal if Washington pulls out. "Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran's reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," Iranian state TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying in New York. Foreign exchange controls 'preventive' in case US exits Rouhani said his government intended to prevent instability in the foreign exchange market after a possible Washington exit from the nuclear accord when the central bank this month slapped controls on markets in an attempt to unify the Iranian rial. "This was a preventative blow against any American decision on May 12. They fully hoped to ... cause chaos in the (foreign exchange) market. I promise to the people that the plot of the enemy has been thwarted, and whether or not the nuclear deal remains in effect, we will have no problem," Rouhani said. On April 9, Iran moved to formally unify the country's official and open market exchange rates and banned money changing outside of banks, after its currency, the rial, plunged to an all-time low on concerns over a return of crippling sanctions.

Iran vows 'expected and unexpected' moves if US exits nuclear deal

Refuting earlier reports of Rusia could host meeting between US president Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said it will not offer to host any such meeting.

Trump has said he is trying to set up a meeting with Kim to defuse tensions on the Korean peninsula. Lavrov was quoted as saying by RIA that the meeting would be a step away from a military resolution of the situation.

In December there were media reports that said that&nbspRussia could host talks between the United States and North Korea if Moscow is asked to do so.

“We are open to contacts and ready to provide a venue (for talks) if necessary,” news agency RIA quoted Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Burmistrov as saying. “We are ready to take part in such meetings if we are invited.”

On Wednesday the White House has said that Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have not spoken directly but the US president confirmed that Washington and Pyongyang had been in contact at "very high levels" to prepare for a historic meeting between them.

The Washington Post reported that CIA director Mike Pompeo had met Kim on a secret trip to the North over the first weekend of April, shortly after he was nominated to be secretary of state.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Russian will not offer to host a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, according to the RIA news agency

Refuting earlier reports of Rusia could host meeting between US president Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said it will not offer to host any such meeting. Trump has said he is trying to set up a meeting with Kim to defuse tensions on the Korean peninsula. Lavrov was quoted as saying by RIA that the meeting would be a step away from a military resolution of the situation. In December there were media reports that said that&nbspRussia could host talks between the United States and North Korea if Moscow is asked to do so. “We are open to contacts and ready to provide a venue (for talks) if necessary,” news agency RIA quoted Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Burmistrov as saying. “We are ready to take part in such meetings if we are invited.” On Wednesday the White House has said that Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have not spoken directly but the US president confirmed that Washington and Pyongyang had been in contact at "very high levels" to prepare for a historic meeting between them. The Washington Post reported that CIA director Mike Pompeo had met Kim on a secret trip to the North over the first weekend of April, shortly after he was nominated to be secretary of state. (With inputs from Reuters)

Russia says will not offer to host Trump meeting with North Korea's Kim: RIA

Jim Bridenstine, a congressman from Oklahoma and former pilot, has been confirmed as NASA's 13th administrator.&nbsp

"It is an honor to be confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as NASA Administrator,” said Bridenstine. “I am humbled by this opportunity, and I once again thank President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their confidence. I look forward to working with the outstanding team at NASA to achieve the President’s vision for American leadership in space,” Bridenstine was quoted in NASA's official press release.

The Trump administration previously hinted at President Trump's choice as the next NASA chief. Bridenstine secured a 50-49 vote&nbspto take the office of NASA's chief.&nbspHe was nominated for the post by Trump last year in September.&nbsp

As Bridenstine braces up to take up the role of NASA's chief, objections loom from the Democrat side alleging that he lacks a technical background.

42-year-old Bridenstine succeeds former astronaut Charles Bolden who stepped down in January 2017. Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. took the office of Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on January 20, 2017.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Jim Bridenstine to NASA,” said Lightfoot. "He joins our great agency at a time when we are poised to accomplish historic milestones across the full spectrum of our work. Jim now takes the reins of this agency and its talented and dedicated workforce. I'm looking forward to him building on our great momentum and sharing our many strengths to help us make the next giants leaps on behalf of humanity. I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the NASA team for all they accomplished during my time leading the agency."

Bridenstine's confirmation was certain after Trump took to Twitter complaining that Democrats are "'slow walking' all of my nominations."&nbsp

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Democrats are obstructing good (hopefully great) people wanting to give up a big portion of their life to work for our Government, hence, the American People. They are “slow walking” all of my nominations - hundreds of people. At this rate it would take 9 years for all approvals!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/987063604691259393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Administrator and Deputy Administrator of NASA are the highest-ranked officials of the space agency. NASA Administrator serves as the senior space science advisor to the President of the United States.&nbsp

42-year-old Bridenstine succeeds former astronaut Charles Bolden who stepped down in January 2017

Jim Bridenstine, a congressman from Oklahoma and former pilot, has been confirmed as NASA's 13th administrator. "It is an honor to be confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as NASA Administrator,” said Bridenstine. “I am humbled by this opportunity, and I once again thank President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their confidence. I look forward to working with the outstanding team at NASA to achieve the President’s vision for American leadership in space,” Bridenstine was quoted in NASA's official press release. The Trump administration previously hinted at President Trump's choice as the next NASA chief. Bridenstine secured a 50-49 vote&nbspto take the office of NASA's chief.&nbspHe was nominated for the post by Trump last year in September. As Bridenstine braces up to take up the role of NASA's chief, objections loom from the Democrat side alleging that he lacks a technical background. 42-year-old Bridenstine succeeds former astronaut Charles Bolden who stepped down in January 2017. Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. took the office of Acting Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on January 20, 2017. “I’m very pleased to welcome Jim Bridenstine to NASA,” said Lightfoot. "He joins our great agency at a time when we are poised to accomplish historic milestones across the full spectrum of our work. Jim now takes the reins of this agency and its talented and dedicated workforce. I'm looking forward to him building on our great momentum and sharing our many strengths to help us make the next giants leaps on behalf of humanity. I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the NASA team for all they accomplished during my time leading the agency." Bridenstine's confirmation was certain after Trump took to Twitter complaining that Democrats are "'slow walking' all of my nominations." Democrats are obstructing good (hopefully great) people wanting to give up a big portion of their life to work for our Government, hence, the American People. They are “slow walking” all of my nominations - hundreds of people. At this rate it would take 9 years for all approvals! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2018 × The Administrator and Deputy Administrator of NASA are the highest-ranked officials of the space agency. NASA Administrator serves as the senior space science advisor to the President of the United States.

Republican Congressman and former pilot Jim Bridenstine becomes NASA's new chief

Former FBI Director James Comey in memos recounting conversations with President Donald Trump last year said Trump repeatedly raised concerns over salacious allegations in an intelligence dossier, the need for loyalty and ferreting out leakers.

The partially redacted memos were handed over on Thursday by the US&nbspJustice Department to three House of Representatives committees.

The memos&nbspinclude notes on a meeting at the Trump Tower in New York in January 2017 just before Trump's inauguration in which Comey spoke alone with the then president-elect about the dossier that detailed an alleged 2013 encounter involving Trump and prostitutes in Moscow.

The memos also describe a dinner Comey and Trump had at the White House about a week after the inauguration, where Comey said Trump told him he expected loyalty from him.

Trump fired Comey in May 2017 while Comey was leading the FBI investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsppresidential election and possible collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russians.

The firing led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller to continue the investigation.

Russia denies any meddling in the election. Trump says there was no collusion and that the investigation is a witch hunt.

Much of the memo's contents were included in a book by Comey titled "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership" and published this week in which he compares the Republican president to a mob boss who stresses personal loyalty over the law and has little regard for morality or truth.

In one memo, Comey recounts a Feb. 8, 2017, meeting with then-White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, about two weeks after acting Attorney General Sally Yates had warned the White House that Michael Flynn, then Trump's national security adviser, had lied about his December 2016 conversation with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Comey wrote in the memo that Priebus asked “if this was a ‘private conversation.’” Priebus then asked: “Do you have a FISA order on Mike Flynn?” referring to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, according to the memo.

At the White House dinner in January, Comey said Trump told him that Flynn “has serious judgment issues.” Comey said Trump’s comment came after he learned there was a delay in returning a congratulatory phone call from a foreign leader.

According to a memo in mid-February, Priebus requested that Comey and other senior FBI officials "publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump’s associates and Russians known to U.S. intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign." They declined to do so.

The partially redacted memos were handed over on Thursday by the US Justice Department to three House of Representatives committees

Former FBI Director James Comey in memos recounting conversations with President Donald Trump last year said Trump repeatedly raised concerns over salacious allegations in an intelligence dossier, the need for loyalty and ferreting out leakers. The partially redacted memos were handed over on Thursday by the US&nbspJustice Department to three House of Representatives committees. The memos&nbspinclude notes on a meeting at the Trump Tower in New York in January 2017 just before Trump's inauguration in which Comey spoke alone with the then president-elect about the dossier that detailed an alleged 2013 encounter involving Trump and prostitutes in Moscow. The memos also describe a dinner Comey and Trump had at the White House about a week after the inauguration, where Comey said Trump told him he expected loyalty from him. Trump fired Comey in May 2017 while Comey was leading the FBI investigation into allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsppresidential election and possible collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russians. The firing led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller to continue the investigation. Russia denies any meddling in the election. Trump says there was no collusion and that the investigation is a witch hunt. Much of the memo's contents were included in a book by Comey titled "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership" and published this week in which he compares the Republican president to a mob boss who stresses personal loyalty over the law and has little regard for morality or truth. In one memo, Comey recounts a Feb. 8, 2017, meeting with then-White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, about two weeks after acting Attorney General Sally Yates had warned the White House that Michael Flynn, then Trump's national security adviser, had lied about his December 2016 conversation with the Russian ambassador to the United States. Comey wrote in the memo that Priebus asked “if this was a ‘private conversation.’” Priebus then asked: “Do you have a FISA order on Mike Flynn?” referring to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, according to the memo. At the White House dinner in January, Comey said Trump told him that Flynn “has serious judgment issues.” Comey said Trump’s comment came after he learned there was a delay in returning a congratulatory phone call from a foreign leader. According to a memo in mid-February, Priebus requested that Comey and other senior FBI officials "publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump’s associates and Russians known to U.S. intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign." They declined to do so.

Comey says in memos that Trump showed concerns about leaks, loyalty, dossier

Iran warned the United States on Thursday of "unpleasant" consequences if Washington pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, Iranian state TV reported.

"Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran`s reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on his arrival in New York.&nbsp

Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were lifted in January 2016.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to “fix the terrible flaws” of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran.

Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were lifted in January 2016

Iran warned the United States on Thursday of "unpleasant" consequences if Washington pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, Iranian state TV reported. "Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran`s reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on his arrival in New York. Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were lifted in January 2016. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to “fix the terrible flaws” of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Iran warns of 'unpleasant' response if US drops nuclear deal: Report

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/congress-using-impeachment-as-a-political-tool-arun-jaitley--131639">Congress using CJI Deepak Misra's impeachment as a 'political tool': Arun Jaitley</a>

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday accused the Congress party of trivialising the power of impeachment and using it as a political tool.

In a scathing Facebook post, the senior BJP leader said the 114-page judgement in the Judge Loya death case authored by Justice D Y Chandrachud on behalf of the three Judge Bench of the Supreme Court "exposes every fact of the conspiracy" to generate falsehood as propaganda in the public and political space.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/will-not-be-accepted-after-trumps-tweet-on-oil-prices-dip-131685">'Will not be accepted': After Trump's tweet on oil, prices dip</a>

As oil prices touched a new high today, US President tweeted saying it was "very high" and "will not be accepted", after the president's tweet, Brent and WTI crude prices turned "negative".

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/entertainment-natalie-portman-withdraws-her-attendance-from-an-israeli-award-ceremony-131659">Watch: Natalie Portman withdraws attendance from Israeli award ceremony</a>

Hollywood actress Natalie Portman has refused to attend a ceremony in Israel to accept a million-dollar prize because of "recent events" in the country, the organisers said, announcing the prizegiving had been cancelled.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/south-asia/entertainment-after-meesha-shafi-more-women-accuse-ali-zafar-of-sexual-harassment-131673">MeToo# in Pak: After Meesha Shafi, more women accuse Ali Zafar of sexual harassment</a>

Meesha Shafi is not the only woman to have gone through harassment by singer Ali Zafar it seems as more women have broken their silence and spoken about Zafar's misconduct.&nbsp;

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/sports/arsene-wenger-to-step-down-as-arsenal-manager-131646">Arsene Wenger to step down as Arsenal manager</a>

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is to stand down at the end of the season after a reign of almost 22 years that made him the most successful boss in the Premier League club's history.

&nbsp;

Congress using CJI Deepak Misra's impeachment as a 'political tool': Arun Jaitley Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday accused the Congress party of trivialising the power of impeachment and using it as a political tool. In a scathing Facebook post, the senior BJP leader said the 114-page judgement in the Judge Loya death case authored by Justice D Y Chandrachud on behalf of the three Judge Bench of the Supreme Court "exposes every fact of the conspiracy" to generate falsehood as propaganda in the public and political space. 'Will not be accepted': After Trump's tweet on oil, prices dip As oil prices touched a new high today, US President tweeted saying it was "very high" and "will not be accepted", after the president's tweet, Brent and WTI crude prices turned "negative". Watch: Natalie Portman withdraws attendance from Israeli award ceremony Hollywood actress Natalie Portman has refused to attend a ceremony in Israel to accept a million-dollar prize because of "recent events" in the country, the organisers said, announcing the prizegiving had been cancelled. MeToo# in Pak: After Meesha Shafi, more women accuse Ali Zafar of sexual harassment Meesha Shafi is not the only woman to have gone through harassment by singer Ali Zafar it seems as more women have broken their silence and spoken about Zafar's misconduct. Arsene Wenger to step down as Arsenal manager Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is to stand down at the end of the season after a reign of almost 22 years that made him the most successful boss in the Premier League club's history.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to the United States during a phone call, and said he would be glad to see Putin in the White House, RIA Novosti reported on Friday, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying Trump returned to the subject of an invitation a couple of times during a call last month and that Russia was now expecting Trump to formalise the invitation.&nbsp

"We proceed from the fact that the US&nbsppresident in a telephone conversation...made such an invitation, said he would be glad to see (Putin) in the White House, would then be glad to meet on a reciprocal visit," said Lavrov, according to a transcript of an interview with RIA on the foreign ministry website.&nbsp

"He returned to this topic a couple of times, so we let our American colleagues know that we do not want to impose, but we also do not want to be impolite, and that considering that President Trump made this proposal, we proceed from the position that he will make it concrete."&nbsp

Rolling out a welcome for Putin in the White House could anger Trump's domestic critics, who accuse Russia of hostile acts against Western countries, including the United States.

"I would simply turn your attention to the fact that Donald Trump after this phone conversation has said several times in both Tweets and in words that it is necessary to resolve issues with Russia, we want to have good relations with Russia, this is better than not having good relations, and that only a fool thinks otherwise," Lavrov said. "We also hear this."

Trump and Putin spoke by phone on March 20. 
&nbsp

Trump and Putin spoke by phone on March 20.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to the United States during a phone call, and said he would be glad to see Putin in the White House, RIA Novosti reported on Friday, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry. The news agency quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying Trump returned to the subject of an invitation a couple of times during a call last month and that Russia was now expecting Trump to formalise the invitation. "We proceed from the fact that the US&nbsppresident in a telephone conversation...made such an invitation, said he would be glad to see (Putin) in the White House, would then be glad to meet on a reciprocal visit," said Lavrov, according to a transcript of an interview with RIA on the foreign ministry website. "He returned to this topic a couple of times, so we let our American colleagues know that we do not want to impose, but we also do not want to be impolite, and that considering that President Trump made this proposal, we proceed from the position that he will make it concrete." Rolling out a welcome for Putin in the White House could anger Trump's domestic critics, who accuse Russia of hostile acts against Western countries, including the United States. "I would simply turn your attention to the fact that Donald Trump after this phone conversation has said several times in both Tweets and in words that it is necessary to resolve issues with Russia, we want to have good relations with Russia, this is better than not having good relations, and that only a fool thinks otherwise," Lavrov said. "We also hear this." Trump and Putin spoke by phone on March 20.

Russia says Trump invited Putin to US during phone call

The leader of Romania's ruling Social Democrats said the government had approved a memorandum to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, one of the first countries to do so following the United States.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in December recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, infuriating Washington’s Arab allies and dismaying Palestinians who want the eastern part of the city as their capital.

Under Romanian legislation, a final embassy relocation decision belongs to centrist President Klaus Iohannis, who said he had not been consulted. The Romanian government and foreign ministry did not immediately confirm the information.

"Yesterday, the government adopted a memorandum deciding to start the procedure to effectively move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Social Democrat leader and lower house speaker Liviu Dragnea told private television station Antena3 late on Thursday.

Dragnea keeps a tight grip on his party and is seen as effectively in charge of the cabinet.

Romanian President Iohannis said in a statement on Friday that he had not been informed or consulted about the decision and urged all government and political actors to show "responsibility and discernment regarding major foreign policy decisions that have strategic effects including on national security."

"Such a decision must be taken only after consulting and securing the approval of all foreign policy and national security institutions, with a final decision belonging to the President, according to the constitution."

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "at least half a dozen" countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The US&nbspEmbassy is due to relocate on May 14.

"Our gesture has a huge symbolic value ... for Israel, a state with an unbelievably large influence in the world and with which we have had a special relationship for many years," Social Democrat leader Dragnea said.

"Moving the embassy to Jerusalem can and I believe will bring short, medium and long-term benefits for Romania and we must use this huge chance and opportunity."

The leader of Romania's ruling Social Democrats said the government had approved a memorandum to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, one of the first countries to do so following the United States

The leader of Romania's ruling Social Democrats said the government had approved a memorandum to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, one of the first countries to do so following the United States. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in December recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, infuriating Washington’s Arab allies and dismaying Palestinians who want the eastern part of the city as their capital. Under Romanian legislation, a final embassy relocation decision belongs to centrist President Klaus Iohannis, who said he had not been consulted. The Romanian government and foreign ministry did not immediately confirm the information. "Yesterday, the government adopted a memorandum deciding to start the procedure to effectively move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Social Democrat leader and lower house speaker Liviu Dragnea told private television station Antena3 late on Thursday. Dragnea keeps a tight grip on his party and is seen as effectively in charge of the cabinet. Romanian President Iohannis said in a statement on Friday that he had not been informed or consulted about the decision and urged all government and political actors to show "responsibility and discernment regarding major foreign policy decisions that have strategic effects including on national security." "Such a decision must be taken only after consulting and securing the approval of all foreign policy and national security institutions, with a final decision belonging to the President, according to the constitution." On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "at least half a dozen" countries were considering moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The US&nbspEmbassy is due to relocate on May 14. "Our gesture has a huge symbolic value ... for Israel, a state with an unbelievably large influence in the world and with which we have had a special relationship for many years," Social Democrat leader Dragnea said. "Moving the embassy to Jerusalem can and I believe will bring short, medium and long-term benefits for Romania and we must use this huge chance and opportunity."

Romanian ruling party chief says plans to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem

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Watch: Trump brushes 'dandruff' off Macron, wants to make him 'perfect'

News brief: Big stories of the day

North Korea's Kim Jong-un expresses 'bitter sorrow' over bus crash that killed 32 Chinese

G7 foreign ministers condemn Russia's 'irresponsible, destabilising' behaviour in Syria

France's Macron visits Trump as Iran nuclear deal hangs in balance

Opinion: The calm before the storm in US-China trade

South Korea switches off propaganda broadcasts, Moon upbeat on North Korea nuclear halt

Trump, Macron to face differences on Iran, trade as French visit begins

Michael Bloomberg to write $4.5 million check for Paris climate pact

France's president says he has no 'plan B' for Iran nuclear deal

Trump's travel ban faces US Supreme Court showdown

Trump says 'long way' to go on North Korea crisis

Turkey's Erdogan says US should look at its own actions if it wants jailed pastor freed

Trump seeks 'documents held' by Pakistani man to counter Democrats' lawsuit

News brief: Big stories of the day

Internal review cleared Trump's CIA pick in videotape destruction

Iran vows 'expected and unexpected' moves if US exits nuclear deal

Russia says will not offer to host Trump meeting with North Korea's Kim: RIA

Republican Congressman and former pilot Jim Bridenstine becomes NASA's new chief