North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's trip to Singapore for talks with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump poses logistical challenges that are likely to include using Soviet-era aircraft to carry him and his limousine, as well as dozens of security and other support staff.

The choice of Singapore as the site of the first-ever meeting of a sitting US&nbsppresident and a North Korean leader was as much because it was within reasonable flight time and distance from Pyongyang as because of the island state’s political neutrality, a South Korean presidential official told reporters.

Since becoming North Korea’s leader in 2011, Kim has only taken one known overseas trip by air – and that was earlier this week to Dalian in China to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He flew in his personal Ilyushin-62M jet accompanied by a cargo plane that people with knowledge of North Korean affairs say is believed to have carried his limousine.

"It looks very much like the trip to Dalian was a dry run," said Andray Abrahamian, a research fellow at Pacific Forum CSIS and formerly with Choson Exchange, a Singapore-based group that trains North Koreans in business skills.

At 4,700 km from Pyongyang's Sunan airport, Singapore is easily in the range of the Il-62M aircraft. The Soviet-era narrow-body jet with four engines was first introduced in the 1970s and has a maximum range of 10,000 km.

But the Ilyushin-76 cargo plane cannot fly more than 3,000 km without refuelling if carrying a full load. It will, therefore, have to stop off at a friendly location like Vietnam’s capital on the way to Singapore or fly with a reduced load.

The Il-76, originally designed for moving heavy machinery to remote parts of the Soviet Union, is big enough to fit a school bus or two shipping containers inside it, according to passenger and cargo flight operator Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions.

But the cargo plane has had some safety issues. In the latest incident last month, a crash killed 257 people on board after takeoff from an Algiers air base.

Unlike his father Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011 and who travelled by armoured train on his rare trips abroad because he feared being shot down, according to a North Korean defector familiar with his security details, the younger leader is not known to be averse to flying.

But air travel of this distance does pose a significantly greater challenge in transporting communication and security equipment and personnel needed to back up a summit meeting.

Suite fit for the leader

Lee Yun-keol, a defector who had worked for the North's government and now heads the North Korea Strategic Information Service Center in Seoul, said the trip will involve dozens of security personnel and equipment including possibly a personal toilet for the leader.

It will also mean burning a large quantity of jet fuel, a refined oil product sharply limited by UN&nbspsanctions targeting North Korea’ imports. Kim's two planes will need around 50 metric tons of jet fuel per aircraft for the flight from Pyongyang to Singapore.

China, the main source of fuel for the North, exported just 3 tons of jet fuel in March and made no official exports the two previous months, according to Chinese customs data.

But the North's planes can pick up extra fuel when they fly to China and Russia for commercial operations, and international security experts believe the North may have been stockpiling the fuel which it has also used for its missile programme.

“The United States had preferred Geneva," the South Korean presidential official told reporters, requesting anonymity to discuss the arrangements for the summit meeting.

&nbsp"But Singapore was selected as it was the most realistically viable destination Kim Jong Un could probably travel when considering the travel time and flight distance."

&nbspThe two sides initially considered meeting in the Panmunjom truce village straddling the Korean military border, the scene of the third inter-Korea summit attended by Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month, the official said. The official said the South did not know the reason why Panmunjom was dropped.

&nbspThere was no confirmation on the specific location for the meeting between Kim and Trump although there are a number of sites in Singapore that can guarantee security protection, including hotels that have experience hosting high-security events, Singapore media and a Singapore government official said.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the country was "honoured to host it, and would do our best to facilitate a smooth and successful meeting," in a telephone call with Trump on Friday.

Trump said the summit would contribute to resolving the long outstanding issue of securing peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, Singapore's foreign ministry said.

The meeting is scheduled for one day on June 12, but if either or both of the leaders decide to stay overnight, there is only one hotel room in all of the city that meets “security protocol" for the US&nbsppresident, according to a source with knowledge of previous US&nbsppresidential visits.

That is the 348-square meter Shangri-la Suite in the Valley Wing of the hotel of the same name, at a current rate of S$10,000 ($7,500) a night for June 12.

&nbsp

The choice of Singapore as the site of the first-ever meeting of a sitting US president and a North Korean leader was as much because it was within reasonable flight time and distance from Pyongyang

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's trip to Singapore for talks with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump poses logistical challenges that are likely to include using Soviet-era aircraft to carry him and his limousine, as well as dozens of security and other support staff. The choice of Singapore as the site of the first-ever meeting of a sitting US&nbsppresident and a North Korean leader was as much because it was within reasonable flight time and distance from Pyongyang as because of the island state’s political neutrality, a South Korean presidential official told reporters. Since becoming North Korea’s leader in 2011, Kim has only taken one known overseas trip by air – and that was earlier this week to Dalian in China to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He flew in his personal Ilyushin-62M jet accompanied by a cargo plane that people with knowledge of North Korean affairs say is believed to have carried his limousine. "It looks very much like the trip to Dalian was a dry run," said Andray Abrahamian, a research fellow at Pacific Forum CSIS and formerly with Choson Exchange, a Singapore-based group that trains North Koreans in business skills. At 4,700 km from Pyongyang's Sunan airport, Singapore is easily in the range of the Il-62M aircraft. The Soviet-era narrow-body jet with four engines was first introduced in the 1970s and has a maximum range of 10,000 km. But the Ilyushin-76 cargo plane cannot fly more than 3,000 km without refuelling if carrying a full load. It will, therefore, have to stop off at a friendly location like Vietnam’s capital on the way to Singapore or fly with a reduced load. The Il-76, originally designed for moving heavy machinery to remote parts of the Soviet Union, is big enough to fit a school bus or two shipping containers inside it, according to passenger and cargo flight operator Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions. But the cargo plane has had some safety issues. In the latest incident last month, a crash killed 257 people on board after takeoff from an Algiers air base. Unlike his father Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011 and who travelled by armoured train on his rare trips abroad because he feared being shot down, according to a North Korean defector familiar with his security details, the younger leader is not known to be averse to flying. But air travel of this distance does pose a significantly greater challenge in transporting communication and security equipment and personnel needed to back up a summit meeting. Suite fit for the leader Lee Yun-keol, a defector who had worked for the North's government and now heads the North Korea Strategic Information Service Center in Seoul, said the trip will involve dozens of security personnel and equipment including possibly a personal toilet for the leader. It will also mean burning a large quantity of jet fuel, a refined oil product sharply limited by UN&nbspsanctions targeting North Korea’ imports. Kim's two planes will need around 50 metric tons of jet fuel per aircraft for the flight from Pyongyang to Singapore. China, the main source of fuel for the North, exported just 3 tons of jet fuel in March and made no official exports the two previous months, according to Chinese customs data. But the North's planes can pick up extra fuel when they fly to China and Russia for commercial operations, and international security experts believe the North may have been stockpiling the fuel which it has also used for its missile programme. “The United States had preferred Geneva," the South Korean presidential official told reporters, requesting anonymity to discuss the arrangements for the summit meeting. "But Singapore was selected as it was the most realistically viable destination Kim Jong Un could probably travel when considering the travel time and flight distance." &nbspThe two sides initially considered meeting in the Panmunjom truce village straddling the Korean military border, the scene of the third inter-Korea summit attended by Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in last month, the official said. The official said the South did not know the reason why Panmunjom was dropped. &nbspThere was no confirmation on the specific location for the meeting between Kim and Trump although there are a number of sites in Singapore that can guarantee security protection, including hotels that have experience hosting high-security events, Singapore media and a Singapore government official said. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the country was "honoured to host it, and would do our best to facilitate a smooth and successful meeting," in a telephone call with Trump on Friday. Trump said the summit would contribute to resolving the long outstanding issue of securing peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, Singapore's foreign ministry said. The meeting is scheduled for one day on June 12, but if either or both of the leaders decide to stay overnight, there is only one hotel room in all of the city that meets “security protocol" for the US&nbsppresident, according to a source with knowledge of previous US&nbsppresidential visits. That is the 348-square meter Shangri-la Suite in the Valley Wing of the hotel of the same name, at a current rate of S$10,000 ($7,500) a night for June 12.

Trump, Kim summit in Singapore presents logistical challenges for North Korea

As the three American <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-emerging-as-likely-option-for-trump-kim-summit-us-official-135819">prisoners released by North Korea</a> arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer".

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Looking forward to greeting the Hostages (no longer) at 2:00 A.M.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/994346538028675072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier.

A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning.

The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier.

The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

As the three American prisoners released by North Korea arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer". Looking forward to greeting the Hostages (no longer) at 2:00 A.M. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2018 × The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month. "I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier. A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska. President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning. The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier. The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

Watch: Trump prepares to meet US prisoners freed by North Korea

As the three American <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-emerging-as-likely-option-for-trump-kim-summit-us-official-135819">prisoners released by North Korea</a> arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer".

&nbsp

The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier.

A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning.

The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier.

The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

As the three American prisoners released by North Korea arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer".

As the three American prisoners released by North Korea arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer". The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month. "I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier. A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska. President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning. The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier. The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

After US President Trump rejected out the Demilitarised Zone(DMZ) on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-returning-from-north-korea-with-three-us-detainees-trump-135759">South and North Korean border </a>area as the possible venue for his summit talks with Kim Jong Un, a US official said Singapore has emerged has the likliest option for the key talks.

Newswire Reuters quoted a US official saying that&nbspSingapore is now an option&nbspfor the summit talks between the US President and the North Korean leader.

The US president had suddenly announced on March 8th that he had accepted an invitation to meet Kim Jong Un after South Korean president Moon relayed the message to the Trump at the White House.

Meanwhile, North Korean state media KCNA said the Trump summit is a "historic chance to build a good future".

President Trump on Wednesday while ruling out DMZ as the possible venue had said he will announce the venue in the "next three days".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who met Kim on Wednesday said the two leaders could meet as part of a one-day summit, with the option to extend it to "second day" as well, he told reporters.

After meeting Kim, Pompeo was handed three American prisoners who have now reached the US.

Trump said he would greet them when they arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington on Thursday morning.

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President Trump while ruling out DMZ as the possible venue had said he will announce the venue in the "next three days on Wednesday".

After US President Trump rejected out the Demilitarised Zone(DMZ) on the South and North Korean border area as the possible venue for his summit talks with Kim Jong Un, a US official said Singapore has emerged has the likliest option for the key talks. Newswire Reuters quoted a US official saying that&nbspSingapore is now an option&nbspfor the summit talks between the US President and the North Korean leader. The US president had suddenly announced on March 8th that he had accepted an invitation to meet Kim Jong Un after South Korean president Moon relayed the message to the Trump at the White House. Meanwhile, North Korean state media KCNA said the Trump summit is a "historic chance to build a good future". President Trump on Wednesday while ruling out DMZ as the possible venue had said he will announce the venue in the "next three days". Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who met Kim on Wednesday said the two leaders could meet as part of a one-day summit, with the option to extend it to "second day" as well, he told reporters. After meeting Kim, Pompeo was handed three American prisoners who have now reached the US. Trump said he would greet them when they arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington on Thursday morning.

Singapore emerging as likely option for Trump-Kim summit: US official

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Washington's chief diplomat Mike Pompeo is on his way to North Korea to prepare for a landmark nuclear summit.&nbsp; &nbsp;

"At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said, in a White House address.

Pompeo, who met Kim in Pyongyang last month while he was still director of the CIA, will arrive in the North in "virtually an hour," Trump said.

In addition to planning the summit, due later this month or early in June, Pompeo has been pressing the regime to release three detained US citizens.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had secretly met Kim Jong-Un in Pyongyang last month

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Washington's chief diplomat Mike Pompeo is on his way to North Korea to prepare for a landmark nuclear summit. "At this very moment, Secretary Pompeo is on his way to North Korea in preparation for my upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un," Trump said, in a White House address. Pompeo, who met Kim in Pyongyang last month while he was still director of the CIA, will arrive in the North in "virtually an hour," Trump said. In addition to planning the summit, due later this month or early in June, Pompeo has been pressing the regime to release three detained US citizens.

Pompeo heading to North Korea to prepare summit with Kim Jong-Un, says Trump

North Korea leader's surprise second meeting with China President Xi Jinping underscores how China will play a part in the denuclearisation front and till what extent till the negotiations go.&nbsp

China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that concerned parties should seize the opportunity to promote denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the official Xinhua news agency said.

Xinhua said Li made the remarks during a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

As per reports, the negotiations could result in a "permanent, solid peace" on the Korean peninsula.

The negotiations could result in a 'permanent, solid peace' on the Korean peninsula

North Korea leader's surprise second meeting with China President Xi Jinping underscores how China will play a part in the denuclearisation front and till what extent till the negotiations go. China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that concerned parties should seize the opportunity to promote denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, the official Xinhua news agency said. Xinhua said Li made the remarks during a trilateral meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. As per reports, the negotiations could result in a "permanent, solid peace" on the Korean peninsula.

China Premier says parties should seize chance to denuclearise Korean Peninsula

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that three Americans detained by North Korea have been released and are on their way home with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-chief-diplomat-heading-to-pyongyang-to-prepare-summit-informs-president-trump-135590">Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a>.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.

Trump said he will greet Pompeo and the Americans when they land at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington at 2 a.m. EDT (0600 GMT) Thursday morning. "Very exciting!" he wrote on Twitter.

The fate of Korean-Americans Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul had been among a number of delicate issues in the run-up to the first-ever meeting of US&nbsp;and North Korean leaders.

Trump sent Pompeo to Pyongyang to accompany the men home following US calls for Kim to free them as a gesture of goodwill and sincerity before the US-North Korea meeting, which is expected to take place in late May or early June.

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Secretary Pompeo and his “guests” will be landing at Andrews Air Force Base at 2:00 A.M. in the morning. I will be there to greet them. Very exciting!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/994194233111273472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump said he will greet Pompeo and the Americans when they land at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington at 2 a.m. EDT (0600 GMT) Thursday morning. 'Very exciting!' he wrote on Twitter

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that three Americans detained by North Korea have been released and are on their way home with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. Trump said he will greet Pompeo and the Americans when they land at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington at 2 a.m. EDT (0600 GMT) Thursday morning. "Very exciting!" he wrote on Twitter. The fate of Korean-Americans Kim Hak-song, Tony Kim and Kim Dong-chul had been among a number of delicate issues in the run-up to the first-ever meeting of US and North Korean leaders. Trump sent Pompeo to Pyongyang to accompany the men home following US calls for Kim to free them as a gesture of goodwill and sincerity before the US-North Korea meeting, which is expected to take place in late May or early June. Secretary Pompeo and his “guests” will be landing at Andrews Air Force Base at 2:00 A.M. in the morning. I will be there to greet them. Very exciting! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2018 ×

Pompeo returning from North Korea with three US detainees: Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US counterpart Donald Trump to take Pyongyang's "reasonable security concerns" into consideration, in a phone call Tuesday hours after Xi met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Xi told Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The Chinees president "hopes the US and North Korea can work together, build mutual trust" and "consider North Korea's reasonable security concerns," the report said.

The North has long demanded the withdrawal of US troops from the peninsula and an end to its nuclear umbrella over South Korea.

Trump said last week that he was not envisaging a drawdown of troops in South Korea for now, but he admitted it was a possibility in the longer term.

The US said the two leaders agreed to keep economic pressure on North Korea. Beijing -- Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic ally -- has backed UN sanctions over North Korea's nuclear programme.

"President Trump and President Xi agreed on the importance of continued implementation of sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programmes," the White House said in a statement.

Xi and Kim met on Monday and Tuesday in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, the North Korean leader's second trip to China in six weeks as the two countries seek to bolster frayed ties.

The meeting came as Kim is expected to meet with Trump in June, possibly in Singapore.

"China is willing to continue playing a positive role for the realisation of denuclearisation of the Peninsula and long-term peace and security of the region," Xi told Trump.

Xi and Trump also discussed trade frictions.

"The economy and trade has always been the ballast and propellor of the China-US relationship," Xi said.

US and Chinese official held talks in Beijing last week, but no breakthroughs were announced.

Xi described the discussions as "frank, efficient and constructive".

"Both sides can maintain communication and strive to find a way to appropriately resolve the existing issues and obtain mutually beneficial win-win results," he was quoted as saying.

Xi told Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US counterpart Donald Trump to take Pyongyang's "reasonable security concerns" into consideration, in a phone call Tuesday hours after Xi met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Xi told Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The Chinees president "hopes the US and North Korea can work together, build mutual trust" and "consider North Korea's reasonable security concerns," the report said. The North has long demanded the withdrawal of US troops from the peninsula and an end to its nuclear umbrella over South Korea. Trump said last week that he was not envisaging a drawdown of troops in South Korea for now, but he admitted it was a possibility in the longer term. The US said the two leaders agreed to keep economic pressure on North Korea. Beijing -- Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic ally -- has backed UN sanctions over North Korea's nuclear programme. "President Trump and President Xi agreed on the importance of continued implementation of sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programmes," the White House said in a statement. Xi and Kim met on Monday and Tuesday in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, the North Korean leader's second trip to China in six weeks as the two countries seek to bolster frayed ties. The meeting came as Kim is expected to meet with Trump in June, possibly in Singapore. "China is willing to continue playing a positive role for the realisation of denuclearisation of the Peninsula and long-term peace and security of the region," Xi told Trump. Xi and Trump also discussed trade frictions. "The economy and trade has always been the ballast and propellor of the China-US relationship," Xi said. US and Chinese official held talks in Beijing last week, but no breakthroughs were announced. Xi described the discussions as "frank, efficient and constructive". "Both sides can maintain communication and strive to find a way to appropriately resolve the existing issues and obtain mutually beneficial win-win results," he was quoted as saying.

Xi urges Trump to consider North Korea's 'reasonable security concerns': State media

Japan and North Korea should begin talks to normalise relations between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday.

"In particular, I think dialogue between Japan and North Korea should be resumed," Moon said in the interview with the Yomiuri newspaper.

"If Japan-North Korea relations are normalised, that would greatly contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia beyond the Korean peninsula," he said in written answers to questions submitted by the newspaper.

At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation. Kim said during that meeting he was "ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime", Moon told the newspaper.

There was no immediate comment from the Japanese government, which has called Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programmes the toughest security threat facing Japan since World War Two.

Moon's interview was conducted ahead of a summit on Wednesday between Moon, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo.

North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda but a Chinese diplomat said last week the talks were about regional cooperation and not focused on the Korean peninsula

Nevertheless, months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appear to have thawed since Kim's secretive visit to Beijing in March, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Analysts said Kim's meeting with Xi strengthened North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Kim's summit with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in the coming weeks.

A high-ranking North Korean official visited the Chinese city of Dalian this week, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Tuesday, citing multiple anonymous sources.

The North Korean official flew in a private plane and arrived at Dalian airport on Monday amid heavy security, Yonhap said. It did not identify the official.

In the interview, Moon said Kim's desire for "complete denuclearisation" laid the groundwork for the future summit between the United States and North Korea, although it remained to be seen if concrete steps were agreed at the talks.

Trump has said he will maintain sanctions and pressure on the North and "not repeat the mistakes of past administrations", and has said his tough stance had led to the breakthrough.

Moon said Kim was "a very open and practical person" and both leaders had a mutual goal for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

"From now on, based on our deep mutual trust, we'll make bold steps toward peace and prosperity, and unification," Moon said.

At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation

Japan and North Korea should begin talks to normalise relations between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday. "In particular, I think dialogue between Japan and North Korea should be resumed," Moon said in the interview with the Yomiuri newspaper. "If Japan-North Korea relations are normalised, that would greatly contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia beyond the Korean peninsula," he said in written answers to questions submitted by the newspaper. At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation. Kim said during that meeting he was "ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime", Moon told the newspaper. There was no immediate comment from the Japanese government, which has called Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programmes the toughest security threat facing Japan since World War Two. Moon's interview was conducted ahead of a summit on Wednesday between Moon, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo. North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda but a Chinese diplomat said last week the talks were about regional cooperation and not focused on the Korean peninsula Nevertheless, months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appear to have thawed since Kim's secretive visit to Beijing in March, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts said Kim's meeting with Xi strengthened North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Kim's summit with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in the coming weeks. A high-ranking North Korean official visited the Chinese city of Dalian this week, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Tuesday, citing multiple anonymous sources. The North Korean official flew in a private plane and arrived at Dalian airport on Monday amid heavy security, Yonhap said. It did not identify the official. In the interview, Moon said Kim's desire for "complete denuclearisation" laid the groundwork for the future summit between the United States and North Korea, although it remained to be seen if concrete steps were agreed at the talks. Trump has said he will maintain sanctions and pressure on the North and "not repeat the mistakes of past administrations", and has said his tough stance had led to the breakthrough. Moon said Kim was "a very open and practical person" and both leaders had a mutual goal for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "From now on, based on our deep mutual trust, we'll make bold steps toward peace and prosperity, and unification," Moon said.

Japan and North Korea should talk, South Korea's Moon says

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-Un met in northeast China on Tuesday in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader ahead of an expected summit with US President Donald Trump.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed Xi and Kim taking a seaside stroll in the northeastern city of Dalian and holding talks, while the official Xinhua news agency said the two leaders met on Monday and Tuesday.

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BREAKING: Chinese President <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XiJinping?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XiJinping</a>, DPRK top leader <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KimJongUn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KimJongUn</a> holds talks in NE China's Dalian on May 7-8 <a href="https://t.co/zzPoFLItPb">pic.twitter.com/zzPoFLItPb</a>
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/XHNews/status/993812702517776385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It was Kim's second visit to China since March, highlighting efforts by the Cold War-era allies to mend ties that have chilled as Beijing has supported UN sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear activities.

Beijing is keen to avoid being left out in the cold in the wake of Kim's historic summit last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his planned meeting with Trump in June.

"After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman (Kim), both China-DPRK relations and the Korean peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it," Xi said, according to Xinhua.

For his part, Kim was quoted as saying: "These are the positive outcomes of the historic meeting between me and Comrade General Secretary (Xi)."

Japanese media had earlier shown images of an airplane normally used by North Korean VIPs flying out of Dalian, fuelling speculation that Kim had been in town.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed Xi and Kim taking a seaside stroll in the northeastern city of Dalian and holding talks.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-Un met in northeast China on Tuesday in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader ahead of an expected summit with US President Donald Trump. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV showed Xi and Kim taking a seaside stroll in the northeastern city of Dalian and holding talks, while the official Xinhua news agency said the two leaders met on Monday and Tuesday. BREAKING: Chinese President #XiJinping, DPRK top leader #KimJongUn holds talks in NE China's Dalian on May 7-8 pic.twitter.com/zzPoFLItPb — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 8, 2018 × It was Kim's second visit to China since March, highlighting efforts by the Cold War-era allies to mend ties that have chilled as Beijing has supported UN sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear activities. Beijing is keen to avoid being left out in the cold in the wake of Kim's historic summit last month with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his planned meeting with Trump in June. "After the first meeting between me and Comrade Chairman (Kim), both China-DPRK relations and the Korean peninsula situation have made positive progress. I feel happy about it," Xi said, according to Xinhua. For his part, Kim was quoted as saying: "These are the positive outcomes of the historic meeting between me and Comrade General Secretary (Xi)." Japanese media had earlier shown images of an airplane normally used by North Korean VIPs flying out of Dalian, fuelling speculation that Kim had been in town.

Before summit with Trump, North Korea's Kim Jong-Un meets Xi Jinping in China

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-elections-sonia-hits-campaign-trail-after-2-years-says-wherever-modi-goes-he-distorts-historical-facts-135515">Karnataka elections: Sonia hits campaign trail after 2 years. Says wherever Modi goes, he distorts facts</a>

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi hit the campaign trail Tuesday after two years, and immediately went on the attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-and-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-met-in-china-reports-135511">Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong-Un meet in China</a>

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-Un met in northeast China on Tuesday in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader ahead of an expected summit with US President Donald Trump.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-here-is-the-first-picture-of-the-newlyweds-sonam-kapoor-and-anand-ahuja--135478">Here is the first picture of the newlyweds: Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja</a>

The couple got married in Mumbai at Rockdale as the entire Bollywood fraternity turned up to wish the young couple in their new phase of lives.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/islamist-group-youth-leader-accused-of-shooting-pakistani-minister-police-135524">Islamist group youth leader accused of shooting Pakistani minister: Police</a>

The gunman accused of shooting and wounding&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-interior-minister-ahsan-iqbal-was-an-easy-target-says-primary-suspect-after-assassination-attempt-135300">Pakistan's interior minister</a>&nbspis a youth leader of a hardline religious group that sees its mission as enforcing death for blasphemers and ridding government of secular influence, police said in a report.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-rouhani-losing-everything-due-to-trump-135503">Iran's Rouhani 'losing everything' due to Trump</a>

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani staked his legacy on efforts to end decades of tension with the West. With the landmark nuclear deal unravelling, what hope is there for his political future?

Karnataka elections: Sonia hits campaign trail after 2 years. Says wherever Modi goes, he distorts facts Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi hit the campaign trail Tuesday after two years, and immediately went on the attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Xi Jinping and North Korea's Kim Jong-Un meet in China Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-Un met in northeast China on Tuesday in an unannounced visit by the North Korean leader ahead of an expected summit with US President Donald Trump. Here is the first picture of the newlyweds: Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja The couple got married in Mumbai at Rockdale as the entire Bollywood fraternity turned up to wish the young couple in their new phase of lives. Islamist group youth leader accused of shooting Pakistani minister: Police The gunman accused of shooting and wounding Pakistan's interior minister&nbspis a youth leader of a hardline religious group that sees its mission as enforcing death for blasphemers and ridding government of secular influence, police said in a report. Iran's Rouhani 'losing everything' due to Trump Iran's President Hassan Rouhani staked his legacy on efforts to end decades of tension with the West. With the landmark nuclear deal unravelling, what hope is there for his political future?

News brief: Big stories of the day

After <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-should-win-nobel-peace-prize-south-korea-president-133773">South Korea Presiden Moon Jae-Un</a> said that US President Donald Trump should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, Britan's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has also suggested that Trump be given the honor if he "fixes" North Korea and the Iran nuclear deal, reports said.&nbsp;

Johnson also said that Trump is as a deserving candidate as for the prize as Barack Obama "who got it before he even did anything," reports quoted him as saying.&nbsp;

Obama had won the prestigious award in 2009, less than a year after entering office.

Johnson's remarks came during his trip to Washington DC where he plans to convince Trump to renew the Iran nuclear deal of 2015. Johnson told Trump that Iran will "go for a bomb" if the deal is scrapped.&nbsp;

On Monday, Trump announced on Twitter that he would make a decision on Tuesday. “I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2.00pm,” he wrote.&nbsp;

Johnson said that, if he backs the Iran deal, Trump has as much chance of winning the award as Barack Obama.

Johnson is set to meet the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo but has no meetings with Trump this week.&nbsp;

Earlier, South Korean President Moon Jae-Un said: "President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace," Moon told a cabinet meeting, according to a presidential Blue House official who briefed media.

Trump has tamped down expectations from the North Korea talks over its nuclear weapon programme but has claimed credit for making it possible. &nbsp;

Calls have followed for the Nobel Peace Prize for Trump, Kim and South Korea’s Moon Jae-in. According to a leading London bookie, the Korea reconciliation initiative is currently the favorite for the prize in 2018, with Kim and Moon front-ending it. Trump is the next favorite.

Also, loyal supporters of Donald Trump in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/house-of-representatives-nominate-trump-for-nobel-peace-prize-134374">House of Representatives</a> have nominated the US President's name for Nobel Peace Prize.

The members from House of Representatives have sent a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their proposal.&nbsp;

The nomination was headed by Indiana's Rep. Luke Messer, who is locked in a fierce GOP primary battle in the Hoosier State for a Senate seat. Besides Messer, other members endorsing the proposal are Freedom Caucus leader Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Rep. Steve King of Iowa.&nbsp;

Johnson also said that Trump as a deserving candidate as for the prize as Barack Obama 'who got it before he even did anything' reports quoted him as saying

After South Korea Presiden Moon Jae-Un said that US President Donald Trump should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, Britan's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has also suggested that Trump be given the honor if he "fixes" North Korea and the Iran nuclear deal, reports said. Johnson also said that Trump is as a deserving candidate as for the prize as Barack Obama "who got it before he even did anything," reports quoted him as saying. Obama had won the prestigious award in 2009, less than a year after entering office. Johnson's remarks came during his trip to Washington DC where he plans to convince Trump to renew the Iran nuclear deal of 2015. Johnson told Trump that Iran will "go for a bomb" if the deal is scrapped. On Monday, Trump announced on Twitter that he would make a decision on Tuesday. “I will be announcing my decision on the Iran Deal tomorrow from the White House at 2.00pm,” he wrote. Johnson said that, if he backs the Iran deal, Trump has as much chance of winning the award as Barack Obama. Johnson is set to meet the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo but has no meetings with Trump this week. Earlier, South Korean President Moon Jae-Un said: "President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace," Moon told a cabinet meeting, according to a presidential Blue House official who briefed media. Trump has tamped down expectations from the North Korea talks over its nuclear weapon programme but has claimed credit for making it possible. Calls have followed for the Nobel Peace Prize for Trump, Kim and South Korea’s Moon Jae-in. According to a leading London bookie, the Korea reconciliation initiative is currently the favorite for the prize in 2018, with Kim and Moon front-ending it. Trump is the next favorite. Also, loyal supporters of Donald Trump in House of Representatives have nominated the US President's name for Nobel Peace Prize. The members from House of Representatives have sent a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their proposal. The nomination was headed by Indiana's Rep. Luke Messer, who is locked in a fierce GOP primary battle in the Hoosier State for a Senate seat. Besides Messer, other members endorsing the proposal are Freedom Caucus leader Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Rep. Steve King of Iowa.

This is why Trump could win the Nobel Peace Prize, according to Boris Johnson

US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim-Jong Un are most probably going to meet in Singapore for the historic summit in June, reports said on Monday.&nbsp;

The date and location have been settled by the two leaders, Trump had said during the weekend but refrained from giving out any other detail.&nbsp;

Earlier, a senior US official said Singapore was still high on the list of potential sites for the summit after Trump had suggested the Peace House on DMZ where Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae In last week.&nbsp;

"We're looking at various countries, including Singapore. And we are also talking about the possibility of the DMZ Peace House/Freedom House," Trump said.

A similar report on the weekend from South Korea's Yonhap news agency also said Singapore was firming as the favoured location for the summit.

Preparations for the much-anticipated talks between the two leaders are gaining more momentum since the Korea summit last month which saw Pyongyang and Seoul promise to pursue the complete denuclearisation of the peninsula and a formal peace treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea has offered to close its nuclear test site this month -- and invited US experts to verify the move.

Trump, who has declined to comment on whether he has spoken directly to the North Korean leader, called Kim "very open and very straightforward so far".

"Oh yeah, I think the summit's going to happen," he said. They very much want it. We certainly would like to see it... I will say this: If it's not a success... I will respectfully leave. It's very simple."

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&nbsp;

The date and location have been settled by the two leaders, Trump had said during the weekend but refrained from giving out any other detail

US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim-Jong Un are most probably going to meet in Singapore for the historic summit in June, reports said on Monday. The date and location have been settled by the two leaders, Trump had said during the weekend but refrained from giving out any other detail. Earlier, a senior US official said Singapore was still high on the list of potential sites for the summit after Trump had suggested the Peace House on DMZ where Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae In last week. "We're looking at various countries, including Singapore. And we are also talking about the possibility of the DMZ Peace House/Freedom House," Trump said. A similar report on the weekend from South Korea's Yonhap news agency also said Singapore was firming as the favoured location for the summit. Preparations for the much-anticipated talks between the two leaders are gaining more momentum since the Korea summit last month which saw Pyongyang and Seoul promise to pursue the complete denuclearisation of the peninsula and a formal peace treaty to end the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea has offered to close its nuclear test site this month -- and invited US experts to verify the move. Trump, who has declined to comment on whether he has spoken directly to the North Korean leader, called Kim "very open and very straightforward so far". "Oh yeah, I think the summit's going to happen," he said. They very much want it. We certainly would like to see it... I will say this: If it's not a success... I will respectfully leave. It's very simple." ×

Watch: Singapore to be a possible location for historic Trump-Kim meeting

According to North Korean state media, the country has slammed the United States for claiming that Washington's sanctions on Pyongyang and political pressure on the Kim Jong-Un regime led North Korea to the negotiating table.

A North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson noted that such claims are dangerous and may pose threat to the budding peace and reconciliation process in the Korean peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held their historic summit in Panmunjom last week.

In a joint declaration after the talks, the two leaders officially inaugurated a document formally called the 'Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification on the Korean Peninsula'.

The two Koreas agreed to sign a peace treaty formally later this year, ending the six-decades-old war between the two countries.

The South Korean President is also slated to visit Pyongyang later this year, according to a statement released by his presidential office.

Kim Jong-Un on April 21 announced to suspend its nuclear tests and inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

Kim and President Donald Trump are also expected to meet later this month or in early June.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The two Koreas agreed to sign a peace treaty formally later this year, ending the six-decades-old war between the two countries

According to North Korean state media, the country has slammed the United States for claiming that Washington's sanctions on Pyongyang and political pressure on the Kim Jong-Un regime led North Korea to the negotiating table. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson noted that such claims are dangerous and may pose threat to the budding peace and reconciliation process in the Korean peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held their historic summit in Panmunjom last week. In a joint declaration after the talks, the two leaders officially inaugurated a document formally called the 'Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification on the Korean Peninsula'. The two Koreas agreed to sign a peace treaty formally later this year, ending the six-decades-old war between the two countries. The South Korean President is also slated to visit Pyongyang later this year, according to a statement released by his presidential office. Kim Jong-Un on April 21 announced to suspend its nuclear tests and inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests. Kim and President Donald Trump are also expected to meet later this month or in early June. (With inputs from agencies)

Washington's claims threaten peace process in Korean peninsula: North Korea

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump spoke with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday on issues including the Iran nuclear deal, a week before the president is to decide whether Washington will leave the pact, the White House said.

Trump is set to decide by May 12 whether to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal, in which the Islamic Republic agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump has all but decided to withdraw, White House officials said on May 2.

Still, Trump could figure out a way to stay in the deal between the Islamic Republic and six world powers: Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

Britain, France and Germany agreed that the deal is the best way of stopping Tehran from getting nuclear weapons, May's office said in late April.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Trump to stay in the deal when he met with the president in Washington last month.

In the call with May, Trump "underscored his commitment to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon," the White House said.

The two also talked about nuclear issues in North Korea. "As planning continues for his upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Trump emphasized his goal of a denuclearized North Korea," the White House said.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is travelling to Washington on Sunday for a two-day visit, when he will meet Vice President Mike Pence and national security adviser John Bolton, for talks on Iran, North Korea, Syria and other issues, Britain said.

"The UK, the United States, and European partners are "united in our effort to tackle the kind of Iranian behavior that makes the Middle East region less secure - its cyber activities, its support for groups like Hezbollah, and its dangerous missile program, which is arming Houthi militias in Yemen," Johnson said in a statement.

Trump is slated visit the United Kingdom in July.

Trump is set to decide by May 12 whether to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump spoke with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday on issues including the Iran nuclear deal, a week before the president is to decide whether Washington will leave the pact, the White House said. Trump is set to decide by May 12 whether to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal, in which the Islamic Republic agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump has all but decided to withdraw, White House officials said on May 2. Still, Trump could figure out a way to stay in the deal between the Islamic Republic and six world powers: Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. Britain, France and Germany agreed that the deal is the best way of stopping Tehran from getting nuclear weapons, May's office said in late April. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Trump to stay in the deal when he met with the president in Washington last month. In the call with May, Trump "underscored his commitment to ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon," the White House said. The two also talked about nuclear issues in North Korea. "As planning continues for his upcoming meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, President Trump emphasized his goal of a denuclearized North Korea," the White House said. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is travelling to Washington on Sunday for a two-day visit, when he will meet Vice President Mike Pence and national security adviser John Bolton, for talks on Iran, North Korea, Syria and other issues, Britain said. "The UK, the United States, and European partners are "united in our effort to tackle the kind of Iranian behavior that makes the Middle East region less secure - its cyber activities, its support for groups like Hezbollah, and its dangerous missile program, which is arming Houthi militias in Yemen," Johnson said in a statement. Trump is slated visit the United Kingdom in July.

Trump speaks with Britain's May on Iran, North Korea

UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit Washington today. Johnson will meet US Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton among other Congress leaders.&nbsp;

Johnson will discuss a range of issues at Washinton with the Iran nuclear deal, Syria and North Korea on top of the agenda.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12.&nbsp;

Britain, France and Germany have been trying to keep Trump from abandoning the deal.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12

UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit Washington today. Johnson will meet US Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton among other Congress leaders. Johnson will discuss a range of issues at Washinton with the Iran nuclear deal, Syria and North Korea on top of the agenda. US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12. Britain, France and Germany have been trying to keep Trump from abandoning the deal.

UK Foreign Secretary heads to Washington to discuss North Korea, Syria and Iran nuke deal

Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign.

It was a plea by South Korea not to jeopardise the recent thaw, engineered by the leaders of the two Koreas who agreed during last week's summit to cease all hostile acts along the border - including the distribution of leaflets - from May 1.

On Saturday, police prevented a planned release of balloons by a defector group after a confrontation with anti-leaflet protesters.

For Lee, the campaign is personal. He says reading such leaflets as a young man in the North brought an "awakening moment" in 1990 that helped him realise how oppressive and destitute his homeland was at a time when the South was emerging as an economic powerhouse. In 1995, he escaped to South Korea.

"I really believed that Kim Il Sung was the centre of the world and he was making everything right and great for us," Lee said, referring to North Korea's founding father, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un.

"Realising what I had learned, heard and read were all lies, I decided to defect to the South to live with the truth."

Lee, who launched his first batch of balloons in 2003 and has since dispatched more than 300 million, runs one of several defector-led civic groups that regularly send leaflets across the border carrying messages critical of Kim and human rights abuses in North Korea.

Their campaign now poses a thorny dilemma for Seoul, which is striving to keep up the momentum for inter-Korean reconciliation after a decade of confrontation amid the North's growing nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Pyongyang has in the past blamed Seoul for failing to stop previous leaflet launches, calling them "an act of war". The two Koreas even traded fire in 2014 after the North's military shot machine guns at balloons launched by defector activists.

Launch Blocked

In the call from the Unification Ministry, the official repeatedly pleaded for an end to balloon launches, promising support if his group switched to other activities aimed at improving human rights in North Korea, according to Lee.

The ministry was not available for comment on the call, but on Friday it issued a statement urging civic groups to halt leaflet launches, which it said would violate the spirit of the agreement made at the summit and heighten military tensions and safety concerns.

Some South Koreans also think the balloon campaign should end.

"Customers stopped visiting our town after North Korea threatened to shoot the balloons," said Kim Hyung-do, who runs a chicken soup restaurant in the border city of Paju.

"The mood between the two Koreas has a big impact on our lives. I hope they won't send flyers and throw cold water on this good mood after the summit."

Despite the pleas, a group of North Korean defectors flocked to Paju on Saturday to fly balloons into the North.

The group prepared 150,000 leaflets, 1,000 $1 bills and 500 booklets authored by another defector on South Korea's dramatic rise from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, said its leader Park Sang-haak.

"We are carried away by Kim Jong Un's sudden deceitful peace offensive, but just a while ago he blackmailed us and the whole world with nuclear and missile provocations, while killing his own family members and executives," Park said.

About 150 residents of Paju and members of a small, progressive party staged a protest against the leaflet launch, and one protester ran into Park as he gave a speech, prompting police to intervene.

"I risked my life to cross the border. You can't stop me," a colleague of Park furiously shouted at the man, drawing applause from other defectors.

The launch was eventually called off as police blocked the truck carrying the balloons from entering the site. Local police were not immediately available for comment.

Leaflet War

The two Koreas have waged rival leaflet campaigns for decades.

The South's military used to launch anti-North flyers across the demilitarised zone, but the programme ended in 2010, a defence ministry official said.

Defector groups continued the campaign, sending, along with the flyers, $1 bills, mini radios, instant food such ramen noodles and USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and news.

Pyongyang has also used balloons to send its own propaganda leaflets, which typically feature military threats and satirical images of South Korean and US leaders.

"I remember picking up fliers praising Kim Il Sung from the playground and mountain near my home when I was in elementary school, and we were told to drop them at a police box and get pencils as a reward," said Kim Chang-hwan, a 35-year-old book editor in Seoul.

"It was sort of scary as we were taught that those things were very bad, but when I saw them again during my military service, I would just laugh it off."

Defector and human rights campaigners say the South Korean government cannot obstruct civilian activities that they say are subject to freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution.

In 2015, a local court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of residents to prevent Park's leaflet campaign, citing freedom of expression.

But in a separate 2016 case, the Supreme Court ruled the government could limit the civic group's activities due to residents' safety concerns.

President Moon Jae-in, a former human rights lawyer, took office last May, pledging to re-engage the North. As an opposition lawmaker, Moon co-sponsored a resolution calling for a halt to leaflet launches in 2014.

"The agreement from the summit doesn't have binding authority over what the people do or don't do," said Kim Tae-hoon, a member of Hanbyun, an association of lawyers for human rights and unification. "And it can't undercut the universal value of human rights."

It was a plea by South Korea not to jeopardise the recent thaw, engineered by the leaders of the two Koreas who agreed during last week's summit to cease all hostile acts along the border - including the distribution of leaflets - from May 1

Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign. It was a plea by South Korea not to jeopardise the recent thaw, engineered by the leaders of the two Koreas who agreed during last week's summit to cease all hostile acts along the border - including the distribution of leaflets - from May 1. On Saturday, police prevented a planned release of balloons by a defector group after a confrontation with anti-leaflet protesters. For Lee, the campaign is personal. He says reading such leaflets as a young man in the North brought an "awakening moment" in 1990 that helped him realise how oppressive and destitute his homeland was at a time when the South was emerging as an economic powerhouse. In 1995, he escaped to South Korea. "I really believed that Kim Il Sung was the centre of the world and he was making everything right and great for us," Lee said, referring to North Korea's founding father, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un. "Realising what I had learned, heard and read were all lies, I decided to defect to the South to live with the truth." Lee, who launched his first batch of balloons in 2003 and has since dispatched more than 300 million, runs one of several defector-led civic groups that regularly send leaflets across the border carrying messages critical of Kim and human rights abuses in North Korea. Their campaign now poses a thorny dilemma for Seoul, which is striving to keep up the momentum for inter-Korean reconciliation after a decade of confrontation amid the North's growing nuclear weapons and missile programmes. Pyongyang has in the past blamed Seoul for failing to stop previous leaflet launches, calling them "an act of war". The two Koreas even traded fire in 2014 after the North's military shot machine guns at balloons launched by defector activists. Launch Blocked In the call from the Unification Ministry, the official repeatedly pleaded for an end to balloon launches, promising support if his group switched to other activities aimed at improving human rights in North Korea, according to Lee. The ministry was not available for comment on the call, but on Friday it issued a statement urging civic groups to halt leaflet launches, which it said would violate the spirit of the agreement made at the summit and heighten military tensions and safety concerns. Some South Koreans also think the balloon campaign should end. "Customers stopped visiting our town after North Korea threatened to shoot the balloons," said Kim Hyung-do, who runs a chicken soup restaurant in the border city of Paju. "The mood between the two Koreas has a big impact on our lives. I hope they won't send flyers and throw cold water on this good mood after the summit." Despite the pleas, a group of North Korean defectors flocked to Paju on Saturday to fly balloons into the North. The group prepared 150,000 leaflets, 1,000 $1 bills and 500 booklets authored by another defector on South Korea's dramatic rise from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, said its leader Park Sang-haak. "We are carried away by Kim Jong Un's sudden deceitful peace offensive, but just a while ago he blackmailed us and the whole world with nuclear and missile provocations, while killing his own family members and executives," Park said. About 150 residents of Paju and members of a small, progressive party staged a protest against the leaflet launch, and one protester ran into Park as he gave a speech, prompting police to intervene. "I risked my life to cross the border. You can't stop me," a colleague of Park furiously shouted at the man, drawing applause from other defectors. The launch was eventually called off as police blocked the truck carrying the balloons from entering the site. Local police were not immediately available for comment. Leaflet War The two Koreas have waged rival leaflet campaigns for decades. The South's military used to launch anti-North flyers across the demilitarised zone, but the programme ended in 2010, a defence ministry official said. Defector groups continued the campaign, sending, along with the flyers, $1 bills, mini radios, instant food such ramen noodles and USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and news. Pyongyang has also used balloons to send its own propaganda leaflets, which typically feature military threats and satirical images of South Korean and US leaders. "I remember picking up fliers praising Kim Il Sung from the playground and mountain near my home when I was in elementary school, and we were told to drop them at a police box and get pencils as a reward," said Kim Chang-hwan, a 35-year-old book editor in Seoul. "It was sort of scary as we were taught that those things were very bad, but when I saw them again during my military service, I would just laugh it off." Defector and human rights campaigners say the South Korean government cannot obstruct civilian activities that they say are subject to freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution. In 2015, a local court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of residents to prevent Park's leaflet campaign, citing freedom of expression. But in a separate 2016 case, the Supreme Court ruled the government could limit the civic group's activities due to residents' safety concerns. President Moon Jae-in, a former human rights lawyer, took office last May, pledging to re-engage the North. As an opposition lawmaker, Moon co-sponsored a resolution calling for a halt to leaflet launches in 2014. "The agreement from the summit doesn't have binding authority over what the people do or don't do," said Kim Tae-hoon, a member of Hanbyun, an association of lawyers for human rights and unification. "And it can't undercut the universal value of human rights."

South Korea faces dilemma over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw

Weeks after historic Inter-Korea summit, North Korea has joined the time zone of South Korea bu resetting its clock by 30 minutes on Friday, reported France based news agency AFP citing state media.

The resetting&nbspof time is the first practical step that has been taken after the peace summit between North Korea and South Korea for a reconciliation and unity of both countries.

The different time zone was created in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese rule after World War Two.

North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and South Korea president Moon Jae-in pledged to take various steps to formally end the 1950-53 Korea war after the&nbsp27 April's&nbspInter-Korea Summit.

North Korea also surprised the world after Kim Jong-un promised to shut down its nuclear test site. It also assured that that denuclearisation process would take place with full transparency in presence of journalists and respective authorities.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un will also meet United States president Donald Trump.&nbsp

Trump on Friday told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, which would be announced soon.

Another historic summit between the US and North Korea is expected to take place this month.&nbsp 
&nbsp

The resetting of time is the first practical step that has been taken after the peace summit between North Korea and South Korea for a reconciliation and unity of both countries

Weeks after historic Inter-Korea summit, North Korea has joined the time zone of South Korea bu resetting its clock by 30 minutes on Friday, reported France based news agency AFP citing state media. The resetting&nbspof time is the first practical step that has been taken after the peace summit between North Korea and South Korea for a reconciliation and unity of both countries. The different time zone was created in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese rule after World War Two. North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and South Korea president Moon Jae-in pledged to take various steps to formally end the 1950-53 Korea war after the&nbsp27 April's&nbspInter-Korea Summit. North Korea also surprised the world after Kim Jong-un promised to shut down its nuclear test site. It also assured that that denuclearisation process would take place with full transparency in presence of journalists and respective authorities. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un will also meet United States president Donald Trump. Trump on Friday told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, which would be announced soon. Another historic summit between the US and North Korea is expected to take place this month.

As promised, North Korea joins South Korea time zone

United States President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, which would be announced soon.

The White House has said the historic summit with the Asian leader could take place this month, as long as North Korea made certain concessions on its nuclear program and other areas of contention with the United States.

On Friday, while answering reporters' questions before boarding Marine One at the White House, Trump said: "We're having very substantive talks with North Korea and a lot of things have already happened with respect to the (US) hostages. I think you're going to see very good things."

The US government is looking into reports that three Americans arrested in recent years in North Korea had recently been relocated from a labour camp to a hotel near Pyongyang, as expectations grow that they will be released before the summit.

The White House has said the historic summit with the Asian leader could take place this month, as long as North Korea made certain concessions on its nuclear program and other areas of contention with the United States.

United States President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, which would be announced soon. The White House has said the historic summit with the Asian leader could take place this month, as long as North Korea made certain concessions on its nuclear program and other areas of contention with the United States. On Friday, while answering reporters' questions before boarding Marine One at the White House, Trump said: "We're having very substantive talks with North Korea and a lot of things have already happened with respect to the (US) hostages. I think you're going to see very good things." The US government is looking into reports that three Americans arrested in recent years in North Korea had recently been relocated from a labour camp to a hotel near Pyongyang, as expectations grow that they will be released before the summit.

US President Donald Trump says date, place set for North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un meeting

China's state councillor Wang Yi met with the North's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho in Pyongyang where they discussed bilateral ties and issues regarding the Korean Peninsula, North Korean and Chinese state media reported on Thursday.

Chinese state television CCTV showed Wang meeting Ri and offering flowers at the Friendship Tower and Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang.

North Korea's official news agency KCNA released still photographs of the activities, which could not be independently verified.

CCTV said Wang offered his congratulations for the successful summit between the leaders of the North and South during. Ri told Wang that North Korea is willing to keep close communications with China on realizing denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, CCTV added.

China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, despite Beijing's anger at Pyongyang's repeated nuclear and missile tests and support for strong United Nations sanctions against the North.

Chinese state television CCTV showed Wang meeting Ri and offering flowers at the Friendship Tower and Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang

China's state councillor Wang Yi met with the North's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho in Pyongyang where they discussed bilateral ties and issues regarding the Korean Peninsula, North Korean and Chinese state media reported on Thursday. Chinese state television CCTV showed Wang meeting Ri and offering flowers at the Friendship Tower and Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang. North Korea's official news agency KCNA released still photographs of the activities, which could not be independently verified. CCTV said Wang offered his congratulations for the successful summit between the leaders of the North and South during. Ri told Wang that North Korea is willing to keep close communications with China on realizing denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, CCTV added. China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, despite Beijing's anger at Pyongyang's repeated nuclear and missile tests and support for strong United Nations sanctions against the North.

China's senior diplomat meets with North Korea foreign minister

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un told a visiting Chinese diplomat on Thursday that he is committed to denuclearisation, China's foreign ministry said, as diplomatic efforts to bring lasting peace to the Korean peninsula gather pace.

China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, despite its anger at North Korea' repeated nuclear and missile tests, and its support for strong UN&nbsp;sanctions against the North.

However, China has also welcomed moves by North Korea to improve ties with South Korea and the United States.

China's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, is visiting North Korea following last week's historic meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North's Kim Jong-Un, when both pledged to improve ties.

The North surprised the world several days before the summit by declaring it would dismantle its nuclear test site to "transparently guarantee" its dramatic commitment to stop all nuclear and missile tests.

Meeting in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, Kim told Wang that recent positive changes on the peninsula were beneficial to a peaceful resolution, China's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Kim Jong Un said achieving the denuclearisation of the peninsula is the firm position of the North Korean side," the ministry said.

Wang told Kim that North Korea had seized the day and made a decisive decision, bringing positive changes.

Last week's summit talks between the leaders of the two Koreans had brought about an opportunity for a political resolution, Wang added.

China supported an end to the state of war on the peninsula, North Korea's shift to economic development and the resolution of North Korea's legitimate security concerns during the denuclearisation process, he said.

"China is willing to maintain communication with North Korea on this and increase coordination."

The 1950-53 Korean War, which technically is still going on because a peace treaty has yet to be signed.

Wang also met North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

'POSITIVE ROLE'

In an earlier statement, Wang said China hoped dialogue between North Korea and the United States would be successful and that substantial progress would be made, referring to an upcoming meeting between Kim and US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

"China is willing to strengthen communication with North Korea and continue to play a positive role in seeking a political solution to the Korean peninsula issue," Wang said.

South Korea's presidential official said high-level inter-Korean talks would be held in mid-May to work on implementing the agreement reached by Kim and Moon.

China had largely sat on the sidelines while the two Koreas improved ties, until Kim made a secretive trip to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in late March.

Beijing has been keen to show that it has an indispensable role to play in seeking a lasting solution, concerned that its interests may be ignored, especially as Pyongyang and Washington edge closer together.

The widely read Chinese state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an editorial any suggestion China was being marginalised "is a shallow attempt to manipulate public opinion".

China preferred quieter diplomacy, it said, pointing to the secrecy surrounding Kim's meeting with Xi.

"But Seoul, for its own political purposes, created much hype about the inter-Korean summit. U.S. President Donald Trump has started claiming credit for the Kim-Trump summit before it even starts," it said.

North Korean leader Kim Jon-Un told a visiting Chinese diplomat on Thursday that he is committed to denuclearisation, China's foreign ministry said

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un told a visiting Chinese diplomat on Thursday that he is committed to denuclearisation, China's foreign ministry said, as diplomatic efforts to bring lasting peace to the Korean peninsula gather pace. China is North Korea's most important economic and diplomatic backer, despite its anger at North Korea' repeated nuclear and missile tests, and its support for strong UN sanctions against the North. However, China has also welcomed moves by North Korea to improve ties with South Korea and the United States. China's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, is visiting North Korea following last week's historic meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North's Kim Jong-Un, when both pledged to improve ties. The North surprised the world several days before the summit by declaring it would dismantle its nuclear test site to "transparently guarantee" its dramatic commitment to stop all nuclear and missile tests. Meeting in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, Kim told Wang that recent positive changes on the peninsula were beneficial to a peaceful resolution, China's foreign ministry said in a statement. "Kim Jong Un said achieving the denuclearisation of the peninsula is the firm position of the North Korean side," the ministry said. Wang told Kim that North Korea had seized the day and made a decisive decision, bringing positive changes. Last week's summit talks between the leaders of the two Koreans had brought about an opportunity for a political resolution, Wang added. China supported an end to the state of war on the peninsula, North Korea's shift to economic development and the resolution of North Korea's legitimate security concerns during the denuclearisation process, he said. "China is willing to maintain communication with North Korea on this and increase coordination." The 1950-53 Korean War, which technically is still going on because a peace treaty has yet to be signed. Wang also met North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho. 'POSITIVE ROLE' In an earlier statement, Wang said China hoped dialogue between North Korea and the United States would be successful and that substantial progress would be made, referring to an upcoming meeting between Kim and US President Donald Trump. "China is willing to strengthen communication with North Korea and continue to play a positive role in seeking a political solution to the Korean peninsula issue," Wang said. South Korea's presidential official said high-level inter-Korean talks would be held in mid-May to work on implementing the agreement reached by Kim and Moon. China had largely sat on the sidelines while the two Koreas improved ties, until Kim made a secretive trip to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in late March. Beijing has been keen to show that it has an indispensable role to play in seeking a lasting solution, concerned that its interests may be ignored, especially as Pyongyang and Washington edge closer together. The widely read Chinese state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an editorial any suggestion China was being marginalised "is a shallow attempt to manipulate public opinion". China preferred quieter diplomacy, it said, pointing to the secrecy surrounding Kim's meeting with Xi. "But Seoul, for its own political purposes, created much hype about the inter-Korean summit. U.S. President Donald Trump has started claiming credit for the Kim-Trump summit before it even starts," it said.

North Korea's Kim Jong-Un tells China he is committed to denuclearisation

Loyal supporters of Donald Trump in House of Representatives have nominated the US President's name for Nobel Peace Prize.

The members from House of Representatives have sent a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their proposal.&nbsp;

The nomination was headed by Indiana's Rep. Luke Messer, who is locked in a fierce GOP primary battle in the Hoosier State for a Senate seat.Besides Messer, other members endorsing the proposal are Freedom Caucus leader Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Rep. Steve King of Iowa.&nbsp;

The members have advocated the nomination by stating that the President deserves the award because of his efforts to end the Korean War and ensuring peace in the peninsula.

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Before Trump, four US Presidents have been bestowed with the award including Barack Obama, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Jimmy Carter.

While addressing a re-election rally in Michigan on Saturday, US President Donald Trump was welcomed with chants of "Nobel, Nobel" by the crowd.&nbsp;The crowd's&nbsp;chant was in response to Trump's discussion on his efforts in North Korea.

The members have advocated the nomination by stating that the President deserves the award because of his efforts to end the Korean War and ensuring peace in the peninsula

Loyal supporters of Donald Trump in House of Representatives have nominated the US President's name for Nobel Peace Prize. The members from House of Representatives have sent a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their proposal. The nomination was headed by Indiana's Rep. Luke Messer, who is locked in a fierce GOP primary battle in the Hoosier State for a Senate seat.Besides Messer, other members endorsing the proposal are Freedom Caucus leader Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Rep. Steve King of Iowa. The members have advocated the nomination by stating that the President deserves the award because of his efforts to end the Korean War and ensuring peace in the peninsula. × Before Trump, four US Presidents have been bestowed with the award including Barack Obama, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Jimmy Carter. While addressing a re-election rally in Michigan on Saturday, US President Donald Trump was welcomed with chants of "Nobel, Nobel" by the crowd. The crowd's chant was in response to Trump's discussion on his efforts in North Korea.

House of Representatives nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/14-of-worlds-20-most-polluted-cities-in-india-who-134112">14 of world's 20 most polluted cities in India: WHO</a>

Of the 20 most polluted cities in the world suffering from air pollution by very fine particles in 2016, 14 are in India, data released by the WHO on Tuesday showed. The Indian cities that registered very high levels of PM2.5 pollutants include Delhi, Varanasi, Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur followed by Ali Subah Al-Salem in Kuwait and a few cities in China and Mongolia.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-soon-to-offer-dating-services-to-users-134111">Now, Facebook to soon offer dating services</a>

Social networking site Facebook will soon offer dating services to its users, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg revealed on Tuesday. While addressing&nbspFacebook's annual F8 conference, he told software developers&nbsp"There are 200 million people on Facebook that list themselves as single, so clearly there's something to do here".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-may-open-us-embassy-in-jerusalem-guatemala-first-country-to-move-to-holy-city-134110">Trump may open US embassy in Jerusalem Guatemala first country to move to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-may-open-us-embassy-in-jerusalem-guatemala-first-country-to-move-to-holy-city-134110">holy</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-may-open-us-embassy-in-jerusalem-guatemala-first-country-to-move-to-holy-city-134110"> city</a>

In a move which is likely to upset several countries in&nbsp<a 560="" href="http://www.wionews.com/world/%3Ciframe%20width=">West Asia, President Donald Trump&nbsp</a>said he may travel to Jerusalem to open the US embassy in Jerusalem.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-location-date-of-north-korea-summit-may-be-announced-soon-134115">Trump says location, date of North Korea summit may be announced soon</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the location and date of a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be announced soon. While addressing reporters at the White House, Trump said on Saturday that the meeting with Kim could happen over the next three or four weeks.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-labour-day-india-china-troops-meet-at-the-border-exchange-sweets-134113">On Labour Day, India, China troops meet at the border, exchange sweets</a>

On International&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-xi-agree-to-issue-strategic-guidance-to-their-militaries-to-build-trust--133407">Labour Day, Indian and Chinese troops</a>&nbspheld a special border personnel meeting at the Chusul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh. Indicating an upward trend in relations between the two sides, post-Doklam, troops and families of both armies took part in celebrations.&nbsp

14 of world's 20 most polluted cities in India: WHO Of the 20 most polluted cities in the world suffering from air pollution by very fine particles in 2016, 14 are in India, data released by the WHO on Tuesday showed. The Indian cities that registered very high levels of PM2.5 pollutants include Delhi, Varanasi, Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur followed by Ali Subah Al-Salem in Kuwait and a few cities in China and Mongolia. Now, Facebook to soon offer dating services Social networking site Facebook will soon offer dating services to its users, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg revealed on Tuesday. While addressing&nbspFacebook's annual F8 conference, he told software developers "There are 200 million people on Facebook that list themselves as single, so clearly there's something to do here". Trump may open US embassy in Jerusalem Guatemala first country to move to holy city In a move which is likely to upset several countries in West Asia, President Donald Trump said he may travel to Jerusalem to open the US embassy in Jerusalem. Trump says location, date of North Korea summit may be announced soon US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the location and date of a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be announced soon. While addressing reporters at the White House, Trump said on Saturday that the meeting with Kim could happen over the next three or four weeks. On Labour Day, India, China troops meet at the border, exchange sweets On International Labour Day, Indian and Chinese troops&nbspheld a special border personnel meeting at the Chusul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh. Indicating an upward trend in relations between the two sides, post-Doklam, troops and families of both armies took part in celebrations.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the location and date of a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be announced soon.

While addressing reporters at the White House, Trump said on Saturday that the meeting with Kim could happen over the next three or four weeks.

Trump said on Saturday that the meeting with Kim could happen over the next three or four weeks

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the location and date of a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may be announced soon. While addressing reporters at the White House, Trump said on Saturday that the meeting with Kim could happen over the next three or four weeks.

Trump says location, date of North Korea summit may be announced soon

Every event of Korean leaders' summit on April 27, 2018, was covered extensively by the media where they highlighted their pledge to end six decades of hostility. Airing their rhetoric about commitment to peace and "complete" denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and eventually achieve unification, looks too good, but too quick, to be true.

In a scripted ceremony, Kim Jong-un did become the first North Korean leader to walk across the demarcation line to South Korea since the Korean War of 1953. The war was halted by an armistice signed in 1953, but did not formally end through any permanent peace agreement. The declaration by both to work together for a "nuclear-free Korea", disarmament, as well as officially ending the war at Panmunjom in 2018 is a historical event, which may outwardly amuse population both sides, but it needs careful decoding.

How and why the event happened as per expected script?

South Korea was under maximum pressure due to war clouds over its territory because of hard line taken by North Korea and the US. Kim's adventurism with no noticeable control by China and Russia, a war of words and incremental sanctions by US and UN were making things worse in the Korean Peninsula. Mountain collapsing at the nuclear site and fear of radiation continue to add to the risk to nearby areas. Under immense pressure, South Korea was able to set the stage for Kim-Trump meet, which is possible only if this summit went off well on scripted lines. Under domestic pressure due to hard hitting sanctions, and nuclear test related dangers, Kim was also mentally prepared to follow the peace narrative.

Will this inter-Korean peace initiative work?

The United States, China and Russia welcomed the agreement as their first response. The criticism indicates that the document promises mutual disarmament "in a phased manner" to build trust, lacks any roadmap/timelines for implementation. It does not meet US expectation of "complete, verifiable and irreversible" dismantling of North Korea's nuclear weapons. Any real promise regarding dismantling of missiles and nuclear weapons was missing, and Kim's image of being nuclear powered dictator has remained intact. Irrespective of skeptics, this summit has set the tone for the Trump-Kim Summit, although some more diplomatic efforts will have to follow.

Beyond the optics

There were some difficulties, which made some ideas of the summit impractical. Here are some of them:

<ul>
	<li>While everyone will like to see the peace and prosperity of Koreans but neither China nor US will be keen for a unified Korea. This will also invite internal opposition in South Korea. China will not like a democratic unified Korea, balancing between US and China, whereas US will not like its foothold in Korea going away so easily.</li>
	<li>When North Korea threatened the US and Japan, the issue expanded beyond bilateral limits of North and South Korea, hence cannot be settled by them bilaterally. Any permanent solution has to be acceptable to US, China, Japan and Russia.</li>
	<li>When Armistice was signed in 1953, US and China representatives were present. The same is a must for lasting peace.</li>
	<li>Expecting Kim to give away the only leverage he has in terms of posing nuclear and missile threat to US, something which has forced President Trump to meet him, sounds unrealistic.</li>
</ul>

This event is a good beginning which has a face saving option for all parties unless a hard line is adopted by someone. The US and Japan are unlikely to be moved by optics and will be keen in eradication of threat to them, hence may not remove or soften sanctions, which Kim may be eyeing for by such niceties with South

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

In a scripted ceremony, Kim Jong-un did become the first North Korean leader to walk across the DMZ to South Korea.

Every event of Korean leaders' summit on April 27, 2018, was covered extensively by the media where they highlighted their pledge to end six decades of hostility. Airing their rhetoric about commitment to peace and "complete" denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and eventually achieve unification, looks too good, but too quick, to be true. In a scripted ceremony, Kim Jong-un did become the first North Korean leader to walk across the demarcation line to South Korea since the Korean War of 1953. The war was halted by an armistice signed in 1953, but did not formally end through any permanent peace agreement. The declaration by both to work together for a "nuclear-free Korea", disarmament, as well as officially ending the war at Panmunjom in 2018 is a historical event, which may outwardly amuse population both sides, but it needs careful decoding. How and why the event happened as per expected script? South Korea was under maximum pressure due to war clouds over its territory because of hard line taken by North Korea and the US. Kim's adventurism with no noticeable control by China and Russia, a war of words and incremental sanctions by US and UN were making things worse in the Korean Peninsula. Mountain collapsing at the nuclear site and fear of radiation continue to add to the risk to nearby areas. Under immense pressure, South Korea was able to set the stage for Kim-Trump meet, which is possible only if this summit went off well on scripted lines. Under domestic pressure due to hard hitting sanctions, and nuclear test related dangers, Kim was also mentally prepared to follow the peace narrative. Will this inter-Korean peace initiative work? The United States, China and Russia welcomed the agreement as their first response. The criticism indicates that the document promises mutual disarmament "in a phased manner" to build trust, lacks any roadmap/timelines for implementation. It does not meet US expectation of "complete, verifiable and irreversible" dismantling of North Korea's nuclear weapons. Any real promise regarding dismantling of missiles and nuclear weapons was missing, and Kim's image of being nuclear powered dictator has remained intact. Irrespective of skeptics, this summit has set the tone for the Trump-Kim Summit, although some more diplomatic efforts will have to follow. Beyond the optics There were some difficulties, which made some ideas of the summit impractical. Here are some of them: While everyone will like to see the peace and prosperity of Koreans but neither China nor US will be keen for a unified Korea. This will also invite internal opposition in South Korea. China will not like a democratic unified Korea, balancing between US and China, whereas US will not like its foothold in Korea going away so easily. When North Korea threatened the US and Japan, the issue expanded beyond bilateral limits of North and South Korea, hence cannot be settled by them bilaterally. Any permanent solution has to be acceptable to US, China, Japan and Russia. When Armistice was signed in 1953, US and China representatives were present. The same is a must for lasting peace. Expecting Kim to give away the only leverage he has in terms of posing nuclear and missile threat to US, something which has forced President Trump to meet him, sounds unrealistic. This event is a good beginning which has a face saving option for all parties unless a hard line is adopted by someone. The US and Japan are unlikely to be moved by optics and will be keen in eradication of threat to them, hence may not remove or soften sanctions, which Kim may be eyeing for by such niceties with South (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Decoding the Kim and Moon summit for a nuclear free Korea

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-to-align-with-souths-time-zone-as-first-practical-step-toward-reconciliation-133694">North Korea to align with South's time zone as </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-to-align-with-souths-time-zone-as-first-practical-step-toward-reconciliation-133694">first</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-to-align-with-souths-time-zone-as-first-practical-step-toward-reconciliation-133694"> practical step toward reconciliation</a>

North Korea will shift its time zone 30 minutes earlier to align with South Korea starting May 5 "as a first practical step for national reconciliation and unity," the North's state media said Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/theresa-mays-government-under-pressure-after-home-secy-amber-rudd-resigns-over-windrush-immigration-scandal-133676">UK Home Secy resigns, admits having 'inadvertently misled' Parliament over 'Windrush' scandal</a>

UK's Home Secretary Amber Rudd resigned on Monday. Her resignation came following pressure mounting on Theresa May's government over its treatment of the 'Windrush generation', the first large group of Caribbean migrants that arrived in the UK after the World War II.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-visit-kailash-mansarovar-after-karnataka-polls-133688">Rahul Gandhi to visit Kailash Mansarovar after Karnataka polls</a>

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that he intends to go on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet after the Karnataka elections.&nbsp;

The Gandhi's pilgrimage announcement comes days after a mid-air scare while flying to poll-bound Karnataka.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-concerned-by-destabilising-and-malign-activities-of-iran-pompeo-133678">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-concerned-by-destabilising-and-malign-activities-of-iran-pompeo-133678"> concerned by 'destabilising and malign activities' of Iran: Pompeo</a>

The United States is deeply concerned by Iran's "destabilising and malign activities", new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/-us-not-starry-eyed-on-north-korea-giving-up-nuclear-weapons-says-nsa-john-bolton-133685">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/-us-not-starry-eyed-on-north-korea-giving-up-nuclear-weapons-says-nsa-john-bolton-133685"> not starry-eyed on North Korea giving up nuclear </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/-us-not-starry-eyed-on-north-korea-giving-up-nuclear-weapons-says-nsa-john-bolton-133685">weapons,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/-us-not-starry-eyed-on-north-korea-giving-up-nuclear-weapons-says-nsa-john-bolton-133685"> says NSA John Bolton</a>

Newly-appointed national security adviser(NSA) John Bolton told a US television programme that the Trump administration is not &nbsp;"starry-eyed" on North Korea's commitment to give up nuclear weapons.

North Korea to align with South's time zone as first practical step toward reconciliation North Korea will shift its time zone 30 minutes earlier to align with South Korea starting May 5 "as a first practical step for national reconciliation and unity," the North's state media said Monday. UK Home Secy resigns, admits having 'inadvertently misled' Parliament over 'Windrush' scandal UK's Home Secretary Amber Rudd resigned on Monday. Her resignation came following pressure mounting on Theresa May's government over its treatment of the 'Windrush generation', the first large group of Caribbean migrants that arrived in the UK after the World War II. Rahul Gandhi to visit Kailash Mansarovar after Karnataka polls Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that he intends to go on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet after the Karnataka elections. The Gandhi's pilgrimage announcement comes days after a mid-air scare while flying to poll-bound Karnataka. US concerned by 'destabilising and malign activities' of Iran: Pompeo The United States is deeply concerned by Iran's "destabilising and malign activities", new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. US not starry-eyed on North Korea giving up nuclear weapons, says NSA John Bolton Newly-appointed national security adviser(NSA) John Bolton told a US television programme that the Trump administration is not "starry-eyed" on North Korea's commitment to give up nuclear weapons.

North Korea will shift its time zone 30 minutes earlier to align with South Korea starting May 5 "as a first practical step for national reconciliation and unity," the North's state media said Monday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said it was "a painful wrench" to see two clocks showing different Pyongyang and Seoul times on a wall at the summit venue during the historic meeting Friday with President Moon Jae-in, KCNA said.

Meanwhile, China will send the government's top diplomat, Wang Yi, to visit North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday this week, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

The time change report confirmed news from South Korean officials on Sunday that Kim pledged to scrap the northern time zone, which was created in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule after World War Two.

South Korea and Japan are in the same time zone, nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

"It is not an abstract meaning that the north and the south become one but it is just a process in which the north and the south turn their different and separated things into the same and single ones," Kim said, according to the dispatch.

At their summit Friday, Kim and Moon declared they would take steps to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended only with a truce, and work towards the "denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula. The declaration didn't offer any specifics on what that meant or how it would progress.

Much now hinges on Kim's upcoming summit with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who said the meeting could happen over the next three to four weeks. No location has been announced.

Kim also told Moon he would soon invite experts and journalists from the United States and South Korea when the country dismantles its Punggye-ri nuclear testing site, the Blue House said on Sunday.

North Korea has conducted all six of its nuclear tests at the site, a series of tunnels dug into the mountains in the northeastern part of the country. Some experts and researchers have speculated that the most recent - and by far largest - blast in September had rendered the entire site unusable.

But Kim said there were two additional, larger tunnels that remain "in very good condition" beyond the existing one, which experts believe may have collapsed.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday he told Kim during their secret meeting at the beginning of April that North Korea would have to agree to take "irreversible" steps toward shutting its nuclear weapons program in any deal with the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said it was 'a painful wrench' to see two clocks showing different Pyongyang and Seoul times on a wall at the summit venue

North Korea will shift its time zone 30 minutes earlier to align with South Korea starting May 5 "as a first practical step for national reconciliation and unity," the North's state media said Monday. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said it was "a painful wrench" to see two clocks showing different Pyongyang and Seoul times on a wall at the summit venue during the historic meeting Friday with President Moon Jae-in, KCNA said. Meanwhile, China will send the government's top diplomat, Wang Yi, to visit North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday this week, the foreign ministry said on Monday. The time change report confirmed news from South Korean officials on Sunday that Kim pledged to scrap the northern time zone, which was created in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule after World War Two. South Korea and Japan are in the same time zone, nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. "It is not an abstract meaning that the north and the south become one but it is just a process in which the north and the south turn their different and separated things into the same and single ones," Kim said, according to the dispatch. At their summit Friday, Kim and Moon declared they would take steps to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended only with a truce, and work towards the "denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula. The declaration didn't offer any specifics on what that meant or how it would progress. Much now hinges on Kim's upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, who said the meeting could happen over the next three to four weeks. No location has been announced. Kim also told Moon he would soon invite experts and journalists from the United States and South Korea when the country dismantles its Punggye-ri nuclear testing site, the Blue House said on Sunday. North Korea has conducted all six of its nuclear tests at the site, a series of tunnels dug into the mountains in the northeastern part of the country. Some experts and researchers have speculated that the most recent - and by far largest - blast in September had rendered the entire site unusable. But Kim said there were two additional, larger tunnels that remain "in very good condition" beyond the existing one, which experts believe may have collapsed. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday he told Kim during their secret meeting at the beginning of April that North Korea would have to agree to take "irreversible" steps toward shutting its nuclear weapons program in any deal with the United States.

North Korea to align with South's time zone as first practical step toward reconciliation

US&nbspPresident Donald&nbspTrump&nbspon Monday suggested his planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un take place at the Peace House on the border between North and South Korea, as preparations for the summit advance.

"Numerous countries are being considered for the MEETING, but would Peace House/Freedom House, on the Border of North & South Korea, be a more Representative, Important and Lasting site than a third party country? Just asking!"&nbspTrump&nbspsaid on Twitter.

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Numerous countries are being considered for the MEETING, but would Peace House/Freedom House, on the Border of North & South Korea, be a more Representative, Important and Lasting site than a third party country? Just asking!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/990928644100034561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump&nbspis expected to meet with Kim in weeks, and said in an interview on Thursday that he was considering five locations for his summit with the North Korean leader, although he has said multiple times that the talks may not happen.

The Peace House is in the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, on the border between the two countries. It is the same site as the one that hosted Kim's historic meeting last week with the South Korean president.

The choices of a venue for the&nbspTrump&nbspsummit also include neutral third countries like Singapore, but U.S. officials have been skeptical that Kim would be willing to travel far.

Last week the leaders of North and South Korea met and pledged to end hostilities and work toward the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula, seeming to increase the likelihood of the&nbspTrump-Kim summit. A war between North and South ended in July 1953 in a truce rather than an official peace treaty.

On Friday, Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula, a goal that the United States also seeks as it tries to prevent North Korea developing a nuclear weapon that could reach the United States.

A senior adviser to Moon told Reuters last week that Seoul had a "comprehensive road map" that it was sharing with Washington before the summit between&nbspTrump&nbspand Kim.

If&nbspTrump&nbspmeets with Kim at the DMZ, it will not be the first time the White House had planned a trip to that border. On a 12-day trip to multiple Asian countries in November,&nbspTrump&nbspvisited South Korea, but a surprise visit to the DMZ was scrapped due to weather issues.

Trump is expected to meet with Kim in weeks, and said in an interview on Thursday that he was considering five locations for his summit with the North Korean leader, although he has said multiple times that the talks may not happen

US&nbspPresident Donald&nbspTrump&nbspon Monday suggested his planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un take place at the Peace House on the border between North and South Korea, as preparations for the summit advance. "Numerous countries are being considered for the MEETING, but would Peace House/Freedom House, on the Border of North & South Korea, be a more Representative, Important and Lasting site than a third party country? Just asking!"&nbspTrump&nbspsaid on Twitter. Numerous countries are being considered for the MEETING, but would Peace House/Freedom House, on the Border of North & South Korea, be a more Representative, Important and Lasting site than a third party country? Just asking! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 30, 2018 × Trump&nbspis expected to meet with Kim in weeks, and said in an interview on Thursday that he was considering five locations for his summit with the North Korean leader, although he has said multiple times that the talks may not happen. The Peace House is in the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, on the border between the two countries. It is the same site as the one that hosted Kim's historic meeting last week with the South Korean president. The choices of a venue for the&nbspTrump&nbspsummit also include neutral third countries like Singapore, but U.S. officials have been skeptical that Kim would be willing to travel far. Last week the leaders of North and South Korea met and pledged to end hostilities and work toward the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula, seeming to increase the likelihood of the&nbspTrump-Kim summit. A war between North and South ended in July 1953 in a truce rather than an official peace treaty. On Friday, Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula, a goal that the United States also seeks as it tries to prevent North Korea developing a nuclear weapon that could reach the United States. A senior adviser to Moon told Reuters last week that Seoul had a "comprehensive road map" that it was sharing with Washington before the summit between&nbspTrump&nbspand Kim. If&nbspTrump&nbspmeets with Kim at the DMZ, it will not be the first time the White House had planned a trip to that border. On a 12-day trip to multiple Asian countries in November,&nbspTrump&nbspvisited South Korea, but a surprise visit to the DMZ was scrapped due to weather issues.

Trump suggests meeting Kim Jong Un at Korea's Peace House

Newly-appointed national security<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-willing-to-talk-to-japan-at-any-time-133582"> adviser(NSA) John Bolton</a> told a US television programme that the Trump administration is not &nbsp"starry-eyed" on North Korea's commitment to give up nuclear weapons.

After the high-profile meeting between Kim Jong Un and South Korea's President &nbspMoon Jae-in, North Korea had announced that it will close its nuclear facilities in May.

"We'll want to test North Korea in this first meeting for evidence that they have made that strategic decision, " US NSA Bolton said.

NSA John Bolton told the US media channel that North Korea's announcement does not mean it could happen quickly, saying "demonstrating they've made a strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons, it would be possible to move quickly."

North Korean leader Kim had said he is willing to invite US and South Korean journalists and experts in May when the country begins to shut down its nuclear weapon sites.

"There's nobody in the Trump administration starry-eyed about what may happen here but by demonstrating they've made a strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons, It would be possible to move quickly as again the Libya case demonstrates," he said.

During the meeting with President Moon Jae-in, North Korea had said it will work for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula by suspending nuclear and missile tests immediately.

Bolton, however, remained sceptical adding that the US would continue to keep ships and planes along the Korean peninsula despite Kim's assurances, Bolton said, "we certainly haven't made that commitment," when asked about US initiative to pull its forces from the area.

In another move aimed at pursuing peace in the region, Kim on Sunday told the South Korean presidential office that he is ready to hold bilateral talks with Japanese President Shinzo Abe.&nbsp

In a separate teleconference late on Saturday, Abe and President Donald Trump agreed that North Korea needs to take "concrete action" toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.&nbsp 
&nbsp

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vgy31V9nCK8" width="560"></iframe>

North Korea had announced that it will close its nuclear facilities in May

Newly-appointed national security adviser(NSA) John Bolton told a US television programme that the Trump administration is not "starry-eyed" on North Korea's commitment to give up nuclear weapons. After the high-profile meeting between Kim Jong Un and South Korea's President &nbspMoon Jae-in, North Korea had announced that it will close its nuclear facilities in May. "We'll want to test North Korea in this first meeting for evidence that they have made that strategic decision, " US NSA Bolton said. NSA John Bolton told the US media channel that North Korea's announcement does not mean it could happen quickly, saying "demonstrating they've made a strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons, it would be possible to move quickly." North Korean leader Kim had said he is willing to invite US and South Korean journalists and experts in May when the country begins to shut down its nuclear weapon sites. "There's nobody in the Trump administration starry-eyed about what may happen here but by demonstrating they've made a strategic decision to give up nuclear weapons, It would be possible to move quickly as again the Libya case demonstrates," he said. During the meeting with President Moon Jae-in, North Korea had said it will work for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula by suspending nuclear and missile tests immediately. Bolton, however, remained sceptical adding that the US would continue to keep ships and planes along the Korean peninsula despite Kim's assurances, Bolton said, "we certainly haven't made that commitment," when asked about US initiative to pull its forces from the area. In another move aimed at pursuing peace in the region, Kim on Sunday told the South Korean presidential office that he is ready to hold bilateral talks with Japanese President Shinzo Abe. In a separate teleconference late on Saturday, Abe and President Donald Trump agreed that North Korea needs to take "concrete action" toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

US not starry-eyed on North Korea giving up nuclear weapons, says NSA John Bolton

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-13-year-old-girl-stripped-molested-by-gang-of-teens-attack-filmed-no-one-comes-to-her-rescue-133772">Bihar: 13-year-old girl stripped, molested by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-13-year-old-girl-stripped-molested-by-gang-of-teens-attack-filmed-no-one-comes-to-her-rescue-133772">gang</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-13-year-old-girl-stripped-molested-by-gang-of-teens-attack-filmed-no-one-comes-to-her-rescue-133772"> of teens. Attack filmed, no one comes to her rescue</a>

News reports said police were conducting door-to-door searches in the area. The attack had taken place in Bihar's Ramdani village near Bharthua town.&nbsp;The reports said police were able to zero in on the attackers from a motorcycle seen in the video.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aiims-says-lalu-prasad-fit-to-discharge-rjd-chief-disagrees-133758">AIIMS says Lalu Prasad fit to be discharged, RJD chief disagrees</a>

AIIMS in its statement had said that Lalu's condition has improved significantly and as per advise of the medical board constituted for his treatment, he is being referred back to Ranchi Medical College.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-also-sold-data-to-cambridge-analytica-researcher-report-133788">Twitter also sold data to Cambridge Analytica researcher: Report</a>

After Facebook, another major social media outlet Twitter has now been caught up in the data scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, the British political consulting firm which collected the data of nearly 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge and permission, according to a media report.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-should-win-nobel-peace-prize-south-korea-president-133773">Donald Trump should win Nobel Peace Prize: South Korea President</a>

"President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace," Moon told a cabinet meeting, according to a presidential Blue House official who briefed media.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-rustom-uniform-auction-row-twinkle-tweets-of-taking-legal-action-against-navy-officer-for-threats-133726">'Rustom' uniform auction row: Twinkle tweets of taking legal action against Navy officer for threats</a>

Actress-turned-author Twinkle Khanna’s support for an auction involving her husband Akshay Kumar’s naval uniform he wore in the film Rustom has now taken an ugly turn as an Indian Navy officer threatened her for the act.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Read the top five stories of the day here

Bihar: 13-year-old girl stripped, molested by gang of teens. Attack filmed, no one comes to her rescue News reports said police were conducting door-to-door searches in the area. The attack had taken place in Bihar's Ramdani village near Bharthua town. The reports said police were able to zero in on the attackers from a motorcycle seen in the video. AIIMS says Lalu Prasad fit to be discharged, RJD chief disagrees AIIMS in its statement had said that Lalu's condition has improved significantly and as per advise of the medical board constituted for his treatment, he is being referred back to Ranchi Medical College. Twitter also sold data to Cambridge Analytica researcher: Report After Facebook, another major social media outlet Twitter has now been caught up in the data scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, the British political consulting firm which collected the data of nearly 87 million Facebook users without their knowledge and permission, according to a media report. Donald Trump should win Nobel Peace Prize: South Korea President "President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace," Moon told a cabinet meeting, according to a presidential Blue House official who briefed media. 'Rustom' uniform auction row: Twinkle tweets of taking legal action against Navy officer for threats Actress-turned-author Twinkle Khanna’s support for an auction involving her husband Akshay Kumar’s naval uniform he wore in the film Rustom has now taken an ugly turn as an Indian Navy officer threatened her for the act.

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