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Defending the immigration deal the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-is-confident-mexico-will-try-very-hard-to-enforce-new-immigration-deal-225578/amp">United States</a> reached with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-business-as-usual-at-mexicos-southern-border-despite-trump-deal-225581">Mexico</a>, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Monday termed the agreement as a "significant win" for Washington and reflects "diplomacy at its finest."

"Frankly, it reflects diplomacy at its finest. It shows the enduring strength, too, of the relationship between our two countries. It's a significant win for the American people," Pompeo told reporters at a press briefing.

Reiterating US' stand on tough immigration, Pompeo said that migrants who crossed the southern border would be "rapidly returned" to Mexico and Washington will now have the "full-throttle" capacity to send asylum seekers back to Mexico.

"Those crossing the US southern border to seek asylum will be rapidly returned to Mexico where they may await the adjudication of their asylum claims. We've seen this before. We were able to do this to the tune of a couple of hundred people per day," he said.

"We now have the capacity to do this full throttle and engage this in a way that will make a fundamental difference in the calculus for those deciding to transit Mexico to try to get into the United States," Pompeo added. 
Talking about the immigration deal, the Secretary of State asserted that it underlined US' commitment to tackle illegal immigration at the southern border.

"The deal continues the Trump administration's commitment - the strongest by any administration in history - to confront the tide of illegal immigration and many other problems along our southern border, including the drug trafficking issues that transit there. The President is doing precisely what he said he would do," he said.

Pompeo said, "We agreed to a number of things, including the placement of 6,000 Mexican National Guard along the Mexican southern border. It's the biggest effort to date that the Mexicans have committed. It's something that we pressed for with them throughout the time of the negotiations." 
He said that both the US and Mexico will work closely to make the deal successful.

On June 7, President Donald Trump had announced that his administration reached an agreement with Mexico over immigration, owing to which tariffs on the Central American country were "indefinitely suspended," after days of gruelling negotiations between the two sides.

According to the deal, Mexico has agreed to strengthen its security presence at the southern border to stop the flow of Central American migrants from entering the US and boost intelligence sharing with Washington.

Mexico has also said that it would take stringent action against human and drug trafficking rings.

Trump had threatened to impose a five per cent tariff on all Mexican goods from June 10, which would increase by another five per cent every month and ultimately reach 25 per cent by October.
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Defending the immigration deal the United States reached with Mexico, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Monday termed the agreement as a "significant win" for Washington and reflects "diplomacy at its finest.

Defending the immigration deal the United States reached with Mexico, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Monday termed the agreement as a "significant win" for Washington and reflects "diplomacy at its finest." "Frankly, it reflects diplomacy at its finest. It shows the enduring strength, too, of the relationship between our two countries. It's a significant win for the American people," Pompeo told reporters at a press briefing. Reiterating US' stand on tough immigration, Pompeo said that migrants who crossed the southern border would be "rapidly returned" to Mexico and Washington will now have the "full-throttle" capacity to send asylum seekers back to Mexico. "Those crossing the US southern border to seek asylum will be rapidly returned to Mexico where they may await the adjudication of their asylum claims. We've seen this before. We were able to do this to the tune of a couple of hundred people per day," he said. "We now have the capacity to do this full throttle and engage this in a way that will make a fundamental difference in the calculus for those deciding to transit Mexico to try to get into the United States," Pompeo added. Talking about the immigration deal, the Secretary of State asserted that it underlined US' commitment to tackle illegal immigration at the southern border. "The deal continues the Trump administration's commitment - the strongest by any administration in history - to confront the tide of illegal immigration and many other problems along our southern border, including the drug trafficking issues that transit there. The President is doing precisely what he said he would do," he said. Pompeo said, "We agreed to a number of things, including the placement of 6,000 Mexican National Guard along the Mexican southern border. It's the biggest effort to date that the Mexicans have committed. It's something that we pressed for with them throughout the time of the negotiations." He said that both the US and Mexico will work closely to make the deal successful. On June 7, President Donald Trump had announced that his administration reached an agreement with Mexico over immigration, owing to which tariffs on the Central American country were "indefinitely suspended," after days of gruelling negotiations between the two sides. According to the deal, Mexico has agreed to strengthen its security presence at the southern border to stop the flow of Central American migrants from entering the US and boost intelligence sharing with Washington. Mexico has also said that it would take stringent action against human and drug trafficking rings. Trump had threatened to impose a five per cent tariff on all Mexican goods from June 10, which would increase by another five per cent every month and ultimately reach 25 per cent by October.

Mexico immigration deal 'significant win' for US: Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his visit to New Delhi this month will be focused on advancing the "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Pompeo would leave for New Delhi on June 24.&nbsp;

New Delhi would be Pompeo's first stop and South Korea his last during the nearly week-long visit to the Indo-Pacific region, beginning June 24, that would also take him to Sri Lanka and Japan.

Before starting his trip, Pompeo will address the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on June 12.

"I'll be speaking to a group of Indian business leaders in preparation for the trip that I'll take in a couple weeks where I'll be visiting India, an important part of President Trump's strategy in the Indo-Pacific," he told reporters at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department on Monday.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity both to give the set of remarks about how it is our relationship is so closely tied economically, but also importantly the things that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-narendra-modi-to-meet-chinese-president-xi-jinping-on-sidelines-of-sco-summit-225651">United States and India </a>can continue to do to build out what is an incredibly important relationship for both countries," Pompeo said.

State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters that Pompeo will travel to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-reduced-tariffs-on-harley-davidson-motorcycles-by-50-i-said-it-was-still-unacceptable-trump-226103">Indo-Pacific region </a>on June 24 through June 30 to broaden and deepen America's partnership with key countries to advance their shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

"The secretary's first stop will be in New Delhi, India. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's recent election victory provides an excellent opportunity for him to implement his vision for a strong and prosperous India that plays a leading role on the global stage," she said.&nbsp;

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region.

China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, which is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the sea.

Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the Maldives underscored India's firm commitment to make the strategic Indo-Pacific an area for shared economic growth, saying it has been "our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity."&nbsp;

Pompeo will preview elements of a cooperative agenda during his remarks at the India Ideas Summit at the US Chamber of Commerce, she said.

His next stop will be in Colombo, where Pompeo will express America's solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as they stand united against the despicable Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. He will also discuss promising opportunities for US-Sri Lanka cooperation based on shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, she added. 
Pompeo will then travel to Osaka, Japan, to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit from June 28 -29, the first such gathering hosted by Japan.

On the margins of the summit, Pompeo will join Trump in meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to coordinate "on the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea", and discuss ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation with South Korea on "our unified approach towards North Korea" and other shared challenges, she said. 
Following the G20 Summit, Pompeo will accompany Trump to South Korea to meet with President Moon Jae-in.

"The two leaders will also discuss ways to strengthen the United States-Republic of Korea alliance. President Trump and President Moon will continue their close coordination on efforts to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Ortagus said. &nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his visit to New Delhi this month will be focused on advancing the "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that his visit to New Delhi this month will be focused on advancing the "incredibly important" ties with India which is a significant part of President Donald Trump's strategy in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. Pompeo would leave for New Delhi on June 24. New Delhi would be Pompeo's first stop and South Korea his last during the nearly week-long visit to the Indo-Pacific region, beginning June 24, that would also take him to Sri Lanka and Japan. Before starting his trip, Pompeo will address the India Ideas Summit of US-India Business Council on June 12. "I'll be speaking to a group of Indian business leaders in preparation for the trip that I'll take in a couple weeks where I'll be visiting India, an important part of President Trump's strategy in the Indo-Pacific," he told reporters at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the US State Department on Monday. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity both to give the set of remarks about how it is our relationship is so closely tied economically, but also importantly the things that the United States and India can continue to do to build out what is an incredibly important relationship for both countries," Pompeo said. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters that Pompeo will travel to the Indo-Pacific region on June 24 through June 30 to broaden and deepen America's partnership with key countries to advance their shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. "The secretary's first stop will be in New Delhi, India. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's recent election victory provides an excellent opportunity for him to implement his vision for a strong and prosperous India that plays a leading role on the global stage," she said. India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military maneuvering in the region. China has been trying to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific, which is a biogeographic region, comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea. China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the sea. Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the Maldives underscored India's firm commitment to make the strategic Indo-Pacific an area for shared economic growth, saying it has been "our lifeline, and also the highway for trade and prosperity." Pompeo will preview elements of a cooperative agenda during his remarks at the India Ideas Summit at the US Chamber of Commerce, she said. His next stop will be in Colombo, where Pompeo will express America's solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as they stand united against the despicable Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. He will also discuss promising opportunities for US-Sri Lanka cooperation based on shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, she added. Pompeo will then travel to Osaka, Japan, to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit from June 28 -29, the first such gathering hosted by Japan. On the margins of the summit, Pompeo will join Trump in meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to coordinate "on the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea", and discuss ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation with South Korea on "our unified approach towards North Korea" and other shared challenges, she said. Following the G20 Summit, Pompeo will accompany Trump to South Korea to meet with President Moon Jae-in. "The two leaders will also discuss ways to strengthen the United States-Republic of Korea alliance. President Trump and President Moon will continue their close coordination on efforts to achieve the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Ortagus said.

India an important part of President Trump's strategy in Indo-Pacific: Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Switzerland about its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-too-close-to-chinese-government-to-be-trusted-us-223309">close business ties with China</a>, telling a newspaper the neutral European country was exposing itself to privacy breaches if it let Chinese companies help build its infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has told allies not to use <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-hopes-canada-understands-consequences-of-siding-with-us-223210">Huawei Technologies Co Ltd’s</a> next-generation mobile technology and equipment because of concerns it could allow China to spy on sensitive communications and data. Huawei denies it is, or could be, a vehicle for Chinese intelligence.

“The Swiss attach great importance to the protection of their privacy, and that for a long time,” Pompeo told the Neue Zuercher Zeitung. “But if you operate with Chinese technology, you supply your information to the Chinese Communist Party. There is no privacy.”

In the interview published on Tuesday, Pompeo praised Switzerland - which acts as a diplomatic conduit between the United States and Iran - as a country with deep democratic traditions, the rule of law and a similar view of how the world should work.

“But we also work together on important security issues,” he said of his four-day trip to Switzerland that ended on Monday.

Swiss President Ueli Mauer met Trump at the White House last month and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in April.

Maurer said in Washington that Switzerland had chosen a different path in dealing with China, preferring to advocate for its values directly with Beijing.

He said Switzerland had banned all foreign companies from providing services or hardware for its critical infrastructure, but Huawei was present in the private commercial market.

Trump, on an official visit to London, is expected on Tuesday to demand that Prime Minister Theresa May’s successor ban Huawei from UK 5G networks.

Security minister Ben Wallace said Britain has not made a final decision on whether to use Huawei technology. 
&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Switzerland about its close business ties with China, telling a newspaper the neutral European country was exposing itself to privacy breaches if it let Chinese companies help build its infrastructure.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Switzerland about its close business ties with China, telling a newspaper the neutral European country was exposing itself to privacy breaches if it let Chinese companies help build its infrastructure. US President Donald Trump’s administration has told allies not to use Huawei Technologies Co Ltd’s next-generation mobile technology and equipment because of concerns it could allow China to spy on sensitive communications and data. Huawei denies it is, or could be, a vehicle for Chinese intelligence. “The Swiss attach great importance to the protection of their privacy, and that for a long time,” Pompeo told the Neue Zuercher Zeitung. “But if you operate with Chinese technology, you supply your information to the Chinese Communist Party. There is no privacy.” In the interview published on Tuesday, Pompeo praised Switzerland - which acts as a diplomatic conduit between the United States and Iran - as a country with deep democratic traditions, the rule of law and a similar view of how the world should work. “But we also work together on important security issues,” he said of his four-day trip to Switzerland that ended on Monday. Swiss President Ueli Mauer met Trump at the White House last month and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in April. Maurer said in Washington that Switzerland had chosen a different path in dealing with China, preferring to advocate for its values directly with Beijing. He said Switzerland had banned all foreign companies from providing services or hardware for its critical infrastructure, but Huawei was present in the private commercial market. Trump, on an official visit to London, is expected on Tuesday to demand that Prime Minister Theresa May’s successor ban Huawei from UK 5G networks. Security minister Ben Wallace said Britain has not made a final decision on whether to use Huawei technology.

Huawei row: No privacy if Switzerland uses Chinese technology, warns Pompeo

The United States was prepared to engage with Iran without pre-conditions about its nuclear program but needed to see the country behaving like "a normal nation", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.&nbsp;

Iran`s President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Saturday that Iran may be willing to hold talks <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-not-be-bullied-into-us-talks-president-hassan-rouhani-223523">if Washington showed it respect</a>, but said Tehran would not be pressured into talks.&nbsp;

In an apparent softening of his previous stance, Pompeo said when asked about Rouhani`s remarks, "We are prepared ... to engage in conversations with no pre-conditions, we are ready to sit down."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-countries-buying-iranian-oil-will-be-subject-to-sanctions-223000">US says countries buying Iranian oil will be subject to sanctions</a>

However, he said Washington would continue to work to "reverse the malign activity" of Iran in the Middle East.

Pompeo said US President Donald Trump had been saying for a long time that he was willing to talk to Iran.

"We are certainly prepared to have that conversation when the Iranians can prove that they want to behave like a normal nation," Pompeo said at a joint news conference with his Swiss counterpart in the southern Swiss city of Bellinzona.

Trump said last Monday he was hopeful Iran would come to the negotiating table. But Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Tehran would not negotiate with Washington, even after Rouhani had previously signalled talks might be possible if sanctions were lifted.

Last year, Pompeo outlined 12 ways Iran must change — including stopping its support for proxy groups and halting its missile program — before the United States lifts sanctions.

He also called on Iran to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor. He said it also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work.

The United States was prepared to engage with Iran without pre-conditions about its nuclear program but needed to see the country behaving like "a normal nation", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.

The United States was prepared to engage with Iran without pre-conditions about its nuclear program but needed to see the country behaving like "a normal nation", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. Iran`s President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Saturday that Iran may be willing to hold talks if Washington showed it respect, but said Tehran would not be pressured into talks. In an apparent softening of his previous stance, Pompeo said when asked about Rouhani`s remarks, "We are prepared ... to engage in conversations with no pre-conditions, we are ready to sit down." Also read: US says countries buying Iranian oil will be subject to sanctions However, he said Washington would continue to work to "reverse the malign activity" of Iran in the Middle East. Pompeo said US President Donald Trump had been saying for a long time that he was willing to talk to Iran. "We are certainly prepared to have that conversation when the Iranians can prove that they want to behave like a normal nation," Pompeo said at a joint news conference with his Swiss counterpart in the southern Swiss city of Bellinzona. Trump said last Monday he was hopeful Iran would come to the negotiating table. But Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Tehran would not negotiate with Washington, even after Rouhani had previously signalled talks might be possible if sanctions were lifted. Last year, Pompeo outlined 12 ways Iran must change — including stopping its support for proxy groups and halting its missile program — before the United States lifts sanctions. He also called on Iran to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor. He said it also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work.

US prepared to engage with Iran without pre-conditions: Pompeo

India is a "great ally" and "partner" of the US and the Trump administration will work closely with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-5-hour-long-meeting-pm-modi-and-amit-shah-discuss-new-cabinet-222396">Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second term</a> on a range of issues, a senior State Department official said Tuesday.

State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus also said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was looking forward having a "robust discussion" with his Indian counterpart on a wide range of issues.

The Trump administration, including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Pompeo, congratulated Prime Minister Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party on the spectacular electoral victory in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

"We, of course, will work closely with Modi, as we have many times," Ortagus told reporters in response to a question during an off-camera news conference on Tuesday.

"We're confident in the fairness and integrity of the elections, and I think that Secretary Pompeo will have a very robust discussion on a range of issues. India is a great ally and partner of the United States," Ortagus said.

Her comment came amid a report that Pompeo may visit New Delhi next month on his way to Osaka, Japan for the G20 summit to be attended by Prime Minister Modi, US President Donald Trump and other leaders.

Watch:&nbsp;'Modi united India like no PM in decades'

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Meanwhile, US lawmakers and senior government officials continue to congratulate Prime Minister Modi on his electoral victory.

According to a compilation made by the Indian Embassy here, more than 50 Congressmen, Senators and the senior government officials have sent congratulatory messages to Modi.

"India continues to have amazing potential and is a strong US partner.&nbsp;Congratulations to Narendra Modi on your success with the elections and the direction you are taking India. We look forward to seeing our partnership continue to strengthen," tweeted Indian-American politician Nikki Haley.

"Congratulations to Modi 'on being re-elected' as Prime Minister of India, said Congressman Al Green.

"I wish peace and prosperity for India and its neighbours and look forward to seeing you at India House in my congressional district in Houston, Texas, USA," he said.

In the first back-to-back majority for a single party in over three decades, the Modi-led BJP won 303 out of the total 542 Lok Sabha seats.&nbsp;

India is a "great ally" and "partner" of the US and the Trump administration will work closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second term on a range of issues, a senior State Department official said Tuesday.

India is a "great ally" and "partner" of the US and the Trump administration will work closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second term on a range of issues, a senior State Department official said Tuesday. State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus also said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was looking forward having a "robust discussion" with his Indian counterpart on a wide range of issues. The Trump administration, including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Pompeo, congratulated Prime Minister Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party on the spectacular electoral victory in the Lok Sabha elections. "We, of course, will work closely with Modi, as we have many times," Ortagus told reporters in response to a question during an off-camera news conference on Tuesday. "We're confident in the fairness and integrity of the elections, and I think that Secretary Pompeo will have a very robust discussion on a range of issues. India is a great ally and partner of the United States," Ortagus said. Her comment came amid a report that Pompeo may visit New Delhi next month on his way to Osaka, Japan for the G20 summit to be attended by Prime Minister Modi, US President Donald Trump and other leaders. Watch: 'Modi united India like no PM in decades' Meanwhile, US lawmakers and senior government officials continue to congratulate Prime Minister Modi on his electoral victory. According to a compilation made by the Indian Embassy here, more than 50 Congressmen, Senators and the senior government officials have sent congratulatory messages to Modi. "India continues to have amazing potential and is a strong US partner. Congratulations to Narendra Modi on your success with the elections and the direction you are taking India. We look forward to seeing our partnership continue to strengthen," tweeted Indian-American politician Nikki Haley. "Congratulations to Modi 'on being re-elected' as Prime Minister of India, said Congressman Al Green. "I wish peace and prosperity for India and its neighbours and look forward to seeing you at India House in my congressional district in Houston, Texas, USA," he said. In the first back-to-back majority for a single party in over three decades, the Modi-led BJP won 303 out of the total 542 Lok Sabha seats.

US to work closely with 'great ally' India: State Department spokesperson

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday favoured the restoration of "full-scope relations" with the United States during a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-meets-pompeo-as-us-seeks-a-way-forward-in-ties-218663">meeting with the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo </a>in Russia.

The Russian leader`s comments come as the United States announced its intent to withdraw from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing breaches by Russia as the reason behind the decision.

The US is slated to withdraw from the accord by August this year, warning that the treaty will terminate if "Russia does not return to full and verifiable compliance" with it, according to an official statement.

During the meeting with Pompeo, Putin outlined his recent phone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, left the impression that the US wanted to restore relations as well.

"As you know, a few days ago I had the pleasure to talk to the US president over the phone, I had an impression that the president was in favor of restoring the Russia-US ties, contacts, jointly resolving the issues of common interest," Sputnik quoted Putin as saying.

"On our part, we have repeatedly said that we would also like to restore the full-scope relations," he added.

Pompeo, on the other hand, said that the two countries would hold more extensive conversations on arms control in the "weeks ahead."

"We`ll have a more extensive set of conversations both on arms control and an opportunity to discuss all broad strategic security issues between our two countries in the weeks ahead," Pompeo said.

"As for its extension, what we agreed to do is gather teams that will begin to work not only on New START... and its potential extension but on a broader range of arms control issues," the US official also said.

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This comes as US suspended its obligations under the INF treaty, which aimed to curb the arms race between the US and Russia. Moscow, in retaliation, mirrored Washington`s move immediately.

The Russian leader also welcomed the probe undertaken by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian collusion in the 2016 Presidential elections in the United States. He said that Mueller conducted an "objective" investigation, which proved no Russian interference in Trump`s 2016 Presidential campaign.

"We should give (Mueller) credit. In general, he conducted an objective probe and confirmed the absence of any traces and collusion between Russia and the current administration, which we initially characterised as complete nonsense: there was no interference on our part in the elections in the United States at the state level, and could not be," Putin stated.

Before meeting with Putin, Pompeo held talks with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov welcomed talks between the Presidents of the two nations during the upcoming G20 summit, the idea of which was floated by Trump.

"We heard statements by president Trump that he expects to hold a meeting with President Putin, including during the G20 Summit in Osaka. If we receive an official invitation we will respond positively. We talked about that today with Mike Pompeo," he said.

The Russian minister also said that he handed Pompeo an "unofficial memorandum of sorts" which lists "factual proof" of US interference in Russia`s domestic affairs.

The two sides also spoke on other issues, like North Korea and Venezuela during the meeting.

The two officials also held a joint presser, during which Lavrov said that Russia-US tensions have a negative impact on the "global situation."

"Russia is interested in normalizing bilateral dialogue with the US and we are convinced that it is quite possible to conduct this dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and consideration of each other`s interests," Lavrov said.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday favoured the restoration of "full-scope relations" with the United States during a meeting with the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday favoured the restoration of "full-scope relations" with the United States during a meeting with the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Russia. The Russian leader`s comments come as the United States announced its intent to withdraw from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing breaches by Russia as the reason behind the decision. The US is slated to withdraw from the accord by August this year, warning that the treaty will terminate if "Russia does not return to full and verifiable compliance" with it, according to an official statement. During the meeting with Pompeo, Putin outlined his recent phone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, left the impression that the US wanted to restore relations as well. "As you know, a few days ago I had the pleasure to talk to the US president over the phone, I had an impression that the president was in favor of restoring the Russia-US ties, contacts, jointly resolving the issues of common interest," Sputnik quoted Putin as saying. "On our part, we have repeatedly said that we would also like to restore the full-scope relations," he added. Pompeo, on the other hand, said that the two countries would hold more extensive conversations on arms control in the "weeks ahead." "We`ll have a more extensive set of conversations both on arms control and an opportunity to discuss all broad strategic security issues between our two countries in the weeks ahead," Pompeo said. "As for its extension, what we agreed to do is gather teams that will begin to work not only on New START... and its potential extension but on a broader range of arms control issues," the US official also said. × This comes as US suspended its obligations under the INF treaty, which aimed to curb the arms race between the US and Russia. Moscow, in retaliation, mirrored Washington`s move immediately. The Russian leader also welcomed the probe undertaken by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian collusion in the 2016 Presidential elections in the United States. He said that Mueller conducted an "objective" investigation, which proved no Russian interference in Trump`s 2016 Presidential campaign. "We should give (Mueller) credit. In general, he conducted an objective probe and confirmed the absence of any traces and collusion between Russia and the current administration, which we initially characterised as complete nonsense: there was no interference on our part in the elections in the United States at the state level, and could not be," Putin stated. Before meeting with Putin, Pompeo held talks with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov welcomed talks between the Presidents of the two nations during the upcoming G20 summit, the idea of which was floated by Trump. "We heard statements by president Trump that he expects to hold a meeting with President Putin, including during the G20 Summit in Osaka. If we receive an official invitation we will respond positively. We talked about that today with Mike Pompeo," he said. The Russian minister also said that he handed Pompeo an "unofficial memorandum of sorts" which lists "factual proof" of US interference in Russia`s domestic affairs. The two sides also spoke on other issues, like North Korea and Venezuela during the meeting. The two officials also held a joint presser, during which Lavrov said that Russia-US tensions have a negative impact on the "global situation." "Russia is interested in normalizing bilateral dialogue with the US and we are convinced that it is quite possible to conduct this dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and consideration of each other`s interests," Lavrov said.

Putin lauds Mueller probe, favours restoration of full-scope relations with US

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday warned<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-fundamentally-do-not-see-a-war-with-iran-says-pompeo-in-joint-conference-with-russian-foreign-minister-218796"> Russia not to interfere in next year's US election</a> even as the two countries worked to improve relations.

Pompeo on Tuesday was visiting the Black Sea resort of Sochi where he is set to become the highest-ranking American to meet with President Vladimir Putin in nearly a year.

But at a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Pompeo renewed US concerns that Moscow meddled in the 2016 election to try to tip the vote to President Donald Trump.

"Interference in American elections in unacceptable. If Russia engaged in that in 2020, it would put our relationship in an even worse place than it has been," Pompeo said.

"I conveyed that there are things that Russia can do to demonstrate that these kinds of activities are a thing of the past. I hope that Russia takes advantage of those opportunities," Pompeo said.

Lavrov, however, rejected the accusations of Russian interference, which an investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller said included extensive, shadowy efforts on social media.

"The facts show that those who are inflating this topic do not have any proof," Lavrov said.

On "collusion" involving high-ranking officials, Lavrov said: "It's clear that such insinuations are absolute fiction."

"We want and we are ready to deal with cybersecurity issues along with our American partners, without any politicisation," he said.

The two-year-long investigation by Mueller found that Russia intervened extensively but found no evidence that the Trump campaign was colluding with Russia.

The mogul turned politician has hailed the findings as vindication on a controversy that has clouded his presidency since the start.

Despite the sharp disagreement on election meddling, Pompeo said that Trump had instructed him to build a better relationship with Russia.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday warned Russia not to interfere in next year's US election even as the two countries worked to improve relations. Pompeo on Tuesday was visiting the Black Sea resort of Sochi where he is set to become the highest-ranking American to meet with President Vladimir Putin in nearly a year.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday warned Russia not to interfere in next year's US election even as the two countries worked to improve relations. Pompeo on Tuesday was visiting the Black Sea resort of Sochi where he is set to become the highest-ranking American to meet with President Vladimir Putin in nearly a year. But at a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Pompeo renewed US concerns that Moscow meddled in the 2016 election to try to tip the vote to President Donald Trump. "Interference in American elections in unacceptable. If Russia engaged in that in 2020, it would put our relationship in an even worse place than it has been," Pompeo said. "I conveyed that there are things that Russia can do to demonstrate that these kinds of activities are a thing of the past. I hope that Russia takes advantage of those opportunities," Pompeo said. Lavrov, however, rejected the accusations of Russian interference, which an investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller said included extensive, shadowy efforts on social media. "The facts show that those who are inflating this topic do not have any proof," Lavrov said. On "collusion" involving high-ranking officials, Lavrov said: "It's clear that such insinuations are absolute fiction." "We want and we are ready to deal with cybersecurity issues along with our American partners, without any politicisation," he said. The two-year-long investigation by Mueller found that Russia intervened extensively but found no evidence that the Trump campaign was colluding with Russia. The mogul turned politician has hailed the findings as vindication on a controversy that has clouded his presidency since the start. Despite the sharp disagreement on election meddling, Pompeo said that Trump had instructed him to build a better relationship with Russia.

Interference in American elections in unacceptable: Pompeo to Lavrov

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-slams-china-russia-aggressive-behaviour-in-the-arctic-216490">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> will be travelling to Russia on May 12-14, where he will meet President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the State Department said on Friday.

The State Department also said that Pompeo will meet Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Pompeo and Putin will discuss the full range of bilateral and multilateral challenges.

Russia earlier announced Pompeo's visit but it had been unclear whether he would meet Putin. He will also hold talks in Sochi with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- their second meeting in as many weeks after they met on the sidelines of an Arctic conference in Helsinki. &nbsp;

Pompeo will also visit Moscow, where he will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dedicated to Soviet troops killed in World War II -- an era when Moscow and Washington were allied.

Meanwhile, US President Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-positive-venezuela-talks-with-russian-president-putin-donald-trump-215772">Trump met Putin on May 4</a> to discuss Venezuela crisis.

"It was a very positive conversation," Trump said. "He is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela."&nbsp;

US-Russian tensions have spiked over the months-long standoff in Venezuela, and the Kremlin's assessment of the Trump-Putin call differed substantially from that coming from the White House.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be travelling to Russia on May 12-14, where he will meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the State Department said on Friday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be travelling to Russia on May 12-14, where he will meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the State Department said on Friday. The State Department also said that Pompeo will meet Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Pompeo and Putin will discuss the full range of bilateral and multilateral challenges. Russia earlier announced Pompeo's visit but it had been unclear whether he would meet Putin. He will also hold talks in Sochi with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- their second meeting in as many weeks after they met on the sidelines of an Arctic conference in Helsinki. Pompeo will also visit Moscow, where he will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dedicated to Soviet troops killed in World War II -- an era when Moscow and Washington were allied. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump met Putin on May 4 to discuss Venezuela crisis. "It was a very positive conversation," Trump said. "He is not looking at all to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela." US-Russian tensions have spiked over the months-long standoff in Venezuela, and the Kremlin's assessment of the Trump-Putin call differed substantially from that coming from the White House.

Pompeo to meet Putin on Russia visit: State Department

Iraq has promised to guarantee the safety of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-reduce-nuclear-commitments-state-media-216851">US interests from Iran</a>, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday as he paid a surprise trip to Baghdad where he accused Tehran of planning "imminent" attacks.

The top US diplomat's unannounced visit marked an effort to stand up Washington's ties with Baghdad as it pushes ahead with its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sending-carrier-bombers-to-mideast-is-psychological-warfare-iran-216721">"maximum pressure" against Tehran</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;a US arch-rival, but an ally of Iraq.

Pompeo abruptly cancelled talks in Germany and made a lengthy detour from a European tour to spend four hours in Iraq, where he met both President Barham Saleh and Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi.

"We talked to them about the importance of Iraq ensuring that it's able to adequately protect Americans in their country," Pompeo told reporters after the meetings.

"They both provided assurances that they understood that was their responsibility," he said.

Pompeo said he made the trip because Iranian forces are "escalating their activity" and said the threat of attacks were "very specific".

"These were attacks that were imminent," Pompeo said.

He declined to go into further detail on the alleged plot, which has been met with scepticism in numerous quarters, with leading Democratic lawmakers fearing that President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to spark a war with Iran.

In the latest US move, the Pentagon said it was sending several massive, nuclear-capable B-52s to the region.

The deployment was in response to "recent and clear indications that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were making preparations to possibly attack US forces," the Pentagon said.

On Sunday, Washington announced it was dispatching an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as national security advisor John Bolton warned Iran that Washington would respond with "unrelenting force" to any attack by Tehran, including by its regional allies.

- Pressure on Shiite militias - 
Iraq's majority Shiite population enjoys religious kinship with Iran, which played a significant role in helping Baghdad to fight the Islamic State extremist movement.

President Hassan Rouhani paid an official visit to Iraq in March, where he denounced pressure from the "aggressor" United States, which deposed Iran's arch-enemy Saddam Hussein in a 2003 invasion.

Pompeo, whose trip to Iraq is his second this year, said he spoke at length about Iran's influence with Shiite militias.

"We've urged the Iraqi government for its own security to get all of those forces under Iraqi central control," Pompeo said.

"In each of those meetings, those two leaders promised that that was their objective, too, they were moving towards that goal," he said.

In Iraq, a debate has been raging in recent months over the fate of some 5,200 US troops stationed across the country.

Their presence angers the Hashed al-Shaabi, a paramilitary force that is dominated by pro-Iran factions which played a key role alongside government forces in the fight against IS.

In a press conference a few hours before Pompeo's arrival, Abdel Mahdi said Iraq would not accept any attack on foreign troops on its land.&nbsp;

"Iraq really is taking the responsibility to avoid any attack on any of our friends here, coalition forces or any of our friends here," he told reporters.

"This is an obligation that Iraq would honour, (and) not accept any attack on anyone -- whether Iraqi, foreigner, whether it's an embassy or a company or a military mission," he said.

- Eve of anniversary - 
The Trump administration has imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, including trying to stop all exports of its oil, although it has issued a waiver for energy-starved Iraq to keep buying power from its neighbour.

Iranian media have said that Rouhani will announce retaliatory measures on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of Trump's pullout from a 2015 nuclear accord under which Tehran drastically scaled back its sensitive work.

With the imposition of US sanctions, Iran has grown increasingly frustrated that it has not seen the fruits of the agreement, with which UN inspectors say it is complying.

Pompeo had been travelling from Finland, where he had attended a meeting of the Arctic Council, to Germany, where he was due to meet both Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday.

Germany has wide disagreements with the Trump administration and along with other European nations still supports the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former US president Barack Obama.

German parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair Norbert Roettgen said that "even if the reasons for the rejection are unavoidable, it unfortunately fits in with the current climate in the relationship between the two governments".

But Pompeo said that Maas was "most gracious" in a telephone call in which he told him he would scrap the visit.&nbsp;

Pompeo, who returns to Europe for talks Wednesday in London, said he would try to reschedule his trip "as soon as we possibly could".

Iraq has promised to guarantee the safety of US interests from Iran, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday as he paid a surprise trip to Baghdad where he accused Tehran of planning "imminent" attacks.

Iraq has promised to guarantee the safety of US interests from Iran, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday as he paid a surprise trip to Baghdad where he accused Tehran of planning "imminent" attacks. The top US diplomat's unannounced visit marked an effort to stand up Washington's ties with Baghdad as it pushes ahead with its "maximum pressure" against Tehran - a US arch-rival, but an ally of Iraq. Pompeo abruptly cancelled talks in Germany and made a lengthy detour from a European tour to spend four hours in Iraq, where he met both President Barham Saleh and Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi. "We talked to them about the importance of Iraq ensuring that it's able to adequately protect Americans in their country," Pompeo told reporters after the meetings. "They both provided assurances that they understood that was their responsibility," he said. Pompeo said he made the trip because Iranian forces are "escalating their activity" and said the threat of attacks were "very specific". "These were attacks that were imminent," Pompeo said. He declined to go into further detail on the alleged plot, which has been met with scepticism in numerous quarters, with leading Democratic lawmakers fearing that President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to spark a war with Iran. In the latest US move, the Pentagon said it was sending several massive, nuclear-capable B-52s to the region. The deployment was in response to "recent and clear indications that Iranian and Iranian proxy forces were making preparations to possibly attack US forces," the Pentagon said. On Sunday, Washington announced it was dispatching an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as national security advisor John Bolton warned Iran that Washington would respond with "unrelenting force" to any attack by Tehran, including by its regional allies. - Pressure on Shiite militias - Iraq's majority Shiite population enjoys religious kinship with Iran, which played a significant role in helping Baghdad to fight the Islamic State extremist movement. President Hassan Rouhani paid an official visit to Iraq in March, where he denounced pressure from the "aggressor" United States, which deposed Iran's arch-enemy Saddam Hussein in a 2003 invasion. Pompeo, whose trip to Iraq is his second this year, said he spoke at length about Iran's influence with Shiite militias. "We've urged the Iraqi government for its own security to get all of those forces under Iraqi central control," Pompeo said. "In each of those meetings, those two leaders promised that that was their objective, too, they were moving towards that goal," he said. In Iraq, a debate has been raging in recent months over the fate of some 5,200 US troops stationed across the country. Their presence angers the Hashed al-Shaabi, a paramilitary force that is dominated by pro-Iran factions which played a key role alongside government forces in the fight against IS. In a press conference a few hours before Pompeo's arrival, Abdel Mahdi said Iraq would not accept any attack on foreign troops on its land. "Iraq really is taking the responsibility to avoid any attack on any of our friends here, coalition forces or any of our friends here," he told reporters. "This is an obligation that Iraq would honour, (and) not accept any attack on anyone -- whether Iraqi, foreigner, whether it's an embassy or a company or a military mission," he said. - Eve of anniversary - The Trump administration has imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, including trying to stop all exports of its oil, although it has issued a waiver for energy-starved Iraq to keep buying power from its neighbour. Iranian media have said that Rouhani will announce retaliatory measures on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of Trump's pullout from a 2015 nuclear accord under which Tehran drastically scaled back its sensitive work. With the imposition of US sanctions, Iran has grown increasingly frustrated that it has not seen the fruits of the agreement, with which UN inspectors say it is complying. Pompeo had been travelling from Finland, where he had attended a meeting of the Arctic Council, to Germany, where he was due to meet both Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas later Tuesday. Germany has wide disagreements with the Trump administration and along with other European nations still supports the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former US president Barack Obama. German parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair Norbert Roettgen said that "even if the reasons for the rejection are unavoidable, it unfortunately fits in with the current climate in the relationship between the two governments". But Pompeo said that Maas was "most gracious" in a telephone call in which he told him he would scrap the visit. Pompeo, who returns to Europe for talks Wednesday in London, said he would try to reschedule his trip "as soon as we possibly could".

Iraq promised to guarantee safety of US interests from Iran, says Pompeo in Baghdad

Anti-Semitism Has Risen In The U.S. Despite Trump'S Pro-Israel Stance. Why Is It So?

Gravitas: Pompeo Said Trump Was Sent By God To Save Israel From Iran

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday called for the release of all jailed journalists after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/reuters-journalists-jailed-in-myanmar-freed-from-prison-216559">Myanmar freed two Reuters journalists</a> who had reported on the Rohingya crisis.

"The United States welcomes the decision in Burma to release Reuters journalists Wa Lone &amp; Kyaw Soe Oo, freeing them to return to their families following over 500 days of imprisonment," Pompeo tweeted.

"We hope to see the release of other imprisoned journalists and greater freedom of expression," he said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The United States welcomes the decision in Burma to release <a href="https://twitter.com/Reuters?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Reuters</a> journalists Wa Lone &amp; Kyaw Soe Oo, freeing them to return to their families following over 500 days of imprisonment. We hope to see the release of other imprisoned journalists and greater freedom of expression.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1125789398463807488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Myanmar released two Reuters journalist, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo who were convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/reuters-journalists-jailed-in-myanmar-reunite-with-families-216622/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday called for the release of all jailed journalists after Myanmar freed two Reuters journalists who had reported on the Rohingya crisis.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday called for the release of all jailed journalists after Myanmar freed two Reuters journalists who had reported on the Rohingya crisis. "The United States welcomes the decision in Burma to release Reuters journalists Wa Lone & Kyaw Soe Oo, freeing them to return to their families following over 500 days of imprisonment," Pompeo tweeted. "We hope to see the release of other imprisoned journalists and greater freedom of expression," he said. The United States welcomes the decision in Burma to release @Reuters journalists Wa Lone & Kyaw Soe Oo, freeing them to return to their families following over 500 days of imprisonment. We hope to see the release of other imprisoned journalists and greater freedom of expression. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) May 7, 2019 × Myanmar released two Reuters journalist, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo who were convicted in September and sentenced to seven years in jail, in a case that raised questions about Myanmar's progress toward democracy and sparked an outcry from diplomats and human rights advocates. Before their arrest in December 2017, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo had been working on an investigation into the killing of 10 Rohingya Muslim men and boys by security forces and Buddhist civilians in western Myanmar's Rakhine State during an army crackdown that began in August 2017.

Pompeo calls for release of all jailed journalists in Myanmar

The US on Monday said it planned to beef up its Arctic presence to keep<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-increasing-influence-in-cuba-stirs-ghost-of-cold-war-215866"> Russia's and China's</a> "aggressive behaviour" in check in the resource-rich region.

"The region has become an arena of global power and competition" owing to vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in a speech in Rovaniemi, northern Finland.

"Just because the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/polar-bear-invasion-how-climate-change-is-forcing-them-to-change-their-hunting-habits-197555">Arctic is a place of wilderness</a> does not mean it should become a place of lawlessness," he said.

Speaking on the eve of a meeting of the eight members of the Arctic Council, Pompeo took on Beijing and Moscow.

"China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere will inform how it treats the Arctic," he said.

He warned against scenarios whereby nations become ensnared by debt and corruption, of low-quality investments, militarisation and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, all of which he said were potential effects of allowing rising Chinese influence.

"Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarisation and competing territorial claims?", he said.

While the US and Russia are members of the Arctic Council, China holds only observer status in the cooperation body. Noting that China's most northern tip was 900 miles (1,450 kilometres) from the Arctic, Pompeo swatted down Beijing's attempts to style itself as a "near Arctic state".

"There are only Arctic States and Non-Arctic States. No third category exists, and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing," he said.

Beijing has invested massively in the region -&nbsp;almost $90 billion between 2012 and 2017, according to Pompeo -- and intends to fully benefit from the advantages of the Northern Sea Route.

The shipping channel, which drastically cuts sailing times between the Pacific and Atlantic by passing north of Russia, is increasingly usable as the ice melts.

China and Russia would like to make the Northern Sea Route a part of the New Silk Road project, a vast Chinese investment programme which several countries, especially the US, see as an attempt to gain control.

Gao Feng, China's special representative for Arctic affairs, reacted by saying; "He said ... It's a competition of powers. OK, competition? Let's see ... Who can get more friends".

In his speech, Pompeo also denounced Russia's "provocative actions", accusing Moscow of wanting to remilitarise the region. 
"Russia is already leaving snow prints in the form of army boots," he said. Under President Vladimir Putin, Moscow has beefed up its military presence in the region, reopening several bases that were abandoned after the fall of the USSR.

The virulence of Pompeo's remarks was noteworthy given the fact he made them just minutes before a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, amid rising US-Russian tensions over Venezuela, among other things.

The two smiled and shook hands in front of the assembled media, but refused to answer questions on the nature of their talks. 
Pompeo later told reporters that he had spoken to Lavrov about Russian interference in US elections, telling the Russian foreign minister that "It's not appropriate. To stifle rival ambitions in the Arctic, the US is "hosting military exercises, strengthening our force presence, rebuilding our icebreaker fleet, (and) expanding Coast Guard funding," Pompeo said.

At Congress' request, the Pentagon is to present a new defence strategy for the Arctic by June 1. Hundreds of US Marines already rotate through Norway to carry out cold climate training, and US planes have returned to Iceland's Keflavik airbase, which they left in 2006.

Meanwhile, Pompeo also reiterated US claims to be "the world's leader in caring for the environment," saying it would take the lead in the Arctic as well.

US carbon dioxide emissions are "on track to drop by nearly half by 2025, the best of any Arctic country," he said.

Asked in the plane carrying him to Rovaniemi about the apparent contradiction between the US commitment to protect the Arctic and President Donald Trump's pledge to leave the Paris climate accord, Pompeo said the accord, signed in 2015, had proven its "ineffectiveness".

The US on Monday said it planned to beef up its Arctic presence to keep Russia's and China's "aggressive behaviour" in check in the resource-rich region. "The region has become an arena of global power and competition" owing to vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in a speech in Rovaniemi, northern Finland.

The US on Monday said it planned to beef up its Arctic presence to keep Russia's and China's "aggressive behaviour" in check in the resource-rich region. "The region has become an arena of global power and competition" owing to vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in a speech in Rovaniemi, northern Finland. "Just because the Arctic is a place of wilderness does not mean it should become a place of lawlessness," he said. Speaking on the eve of a meeting of the eight members of the Arctic Council, Pompeo took on Beijing and Moscow. "China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere will inform how it treats the Arctic," he said. He warned against scenarios whereby nations become ensnared by debt and corruption, of low-quality investments, militarisation and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, all of which he said were potential effects of allowing rising Chinese influence. "Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, fraught with militarisation and competing territorial claims?", he said. While the US and Russia are members of the Arctic Council, China holds only observer status in the cooperation body. Noting that China's most northern tip was 900 miles (1,450 kilometres) from the Arctic, Pompeo swatted down Beijing's attempts to style itself as a "near Arctic state". "There are only Arctic States and Non-Arctic States. No third category exists, and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing," he said. Beijing has invested massively in the region - almost $90 billion between 2012 and 2017, according to Pompeo -- and intends to fully benefit from the advantages of the Northern Sea Route. The shipping channel, which drastically cuts sailing times between the Pacific and Atlantic by passing north of Russia, is increasingly usable as the ice melts. China and Russia would like to make the Northern Sea Route a part of the New Silk Road project, a vast Chinese investment programme which several countries, especially the US, see as an attempt to gain control. Gao Feng, China's special representative for Arctic affairs, reacted by saying; "He said ... It's a competition of powers. OK, competition? Let's see ... Who can get more friends". In his speech, Pompeo also denounced Russia's "provocative actions", accusing Moscow of wanting to remilitarise the region. "Russia is already leaving snow prints in the form of army boots," he said. Under President Vladimir Putin, Moscow has beefed up its military presence in the region, reopening several bases that were abandoned after the fall of the USSR. The virulence of Pompeo's remarks was noteworthy given the fact he made them just minutes before a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, amid rising US-Russian tensions over Venezuela, among other things. The two smiled and shook hands in front of the assembled media, but refused to answer questions on the nature of their talks. Pompeo later told reporters that he had spoken to Lavrov about Russian interference in US elections, telling the Russian foreign minister that "It's not appropriate. To stifle rival ambitions in the Arctic, the US is "hosting military exercises, strengthening our force presence, rebuilding our icebreaker fleet, (and) expanding Coast Guard funding," Pompeo said. At Congress' request, the Pentagon is to present a new defence strategy for the Arctic by June 1. Hundreds of US Marines already rotate through Norway to carry out cold climate training, and US planes have returned to Iceland's Keflavik airbase, which they left in 2006. Meanwhile, Pompeo also reiterated US claims to be "the world's leader in caring for the environment," saying it would take the lead in the Arctic as well. US carbon dioxide emissions are "on track to drop by nearly half by 2025, the best of any Arctic country," he said. Asked in the plane carrying him to Rovaniemi about the apparent contradiction between the US commitment to protect the Arctic and President Donald Trump's pledge to leave the Paris climate accord, Pompeo said the accord, signed in 2015, had proven its "ineffectiveness".

China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere informs how it treats the Arctic: Pompeo

China Tuesday hit back at US criticism of its Arctic presence, saying Secretary of State Mike <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-pattern-of-aggressive-behaviour-elsewhere-informs-how-it-treats-the-arctic-pompeo-216537">Pompeo had misrepresented facts</a> about its intentions in the resource-rich region.

Pompeo said ahead of a meeting of the eight members of the Arctic Council in Finland on Monday that the US planned to beef up its presence in the region to keep Russia and China's "aggressive behaviour" there in check.

Pompeo's remarks were "a misrepresentation of the facts that has ulterior motives", Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing.

"We have no geopolitical calculations, and seek no exclusionary blocs," he said.

Pompeo warned against scenarios whereby nations become ensnared by debt and corruption, of low-quality investments, militarisation and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, all of which he said were potential effects of allowing rising Chinese influence.&nbsp;

Geng said China has participated in Arctic affairs with "an open, cooperative and win-win attitude".

China will "not intervene" in matters between Arctic countries, but it will also "not be absent" from global issues on the Arctic, he said.

While the US and Russia are members of the Arctic Council, China holds only observer status in the cooperation body and Washington has been wary of Beijing's attempts to style itself as a "near Arctic state".

Shuang said, "The Arctic issue is not only related to Arctic countries but is also of global significance and international influence".

He said China is willing to work with others to "protect the Arctic, to exploit the Arctic and to participate in the governance of the Arctic".

Beijing has invested massively in the region -- almost $90 billion between 2012 and 2017, according to Pompeo -- and intends to fully benefit from the advantages of the Northern Sea Route.

The shipping channel, which drastically cuts sailing times between the Pacific and Atlantic by passing north of Russia, is increasingly usable as the ice melts.

China Tuesday hit back at US criticism of its Arctic presence, saying Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had misrepresented facts about its intentions in the resource-rich region.

China Tuesday hit back at US criticism of its Arctic presence, saying Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had misrepresented facts about its intentions in the resource-rich region. Pompeo said ahead of a meeting of the eight members of the Arctic Council in Finland on Monday that the US planned to beef up its presence in the region to keep Russia and China's "aggressive behaviour" there in check. Pompeo's remarks were "a misrepresentation of the facts that has ulterior motives", Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing. "We have no geopolitical calculations, and seek no exclusionary blocs," he said. Pompeo warned against scenarios whereby nations become ensnared by debt and corruption, of low-quality investments, militarisation and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, all of which he said were potential effects of allowing rising Chinese influence. Geng said China has participated in Arctic affairs with "an open, cooperative and win-win attitude". China will "not intervene" in matters between Arctic countries, but it will also "not be absent" from global issues on the Arctic, he said. While the US and Russia are members of the Arctic Council, China holds only observer status in the cooperation body and Washington has been wary of Beijing's attempts to style itself as a "near Arctic state". Shuang said, "The Arctic issue is not only related to Arctic countries but is also of global significance and international influence". He said China is willing to work with others to "protect the Arctic, to exploit the Arctic and to participate in the governance of the Arctic". Beijing has invested massively in the region -- almost $90 billion between 2012 and 2017, according to Pompeo -- and intends to fully benefit from the advantages of the Northern Sea Route. The shipping channel, which drastically cuts sailing times between the Pacific and Atlantic by passing north of Russia, is increasingly usable as the ice melts.

Pompeo's Arctic comments a 'misrepresentation of facts': China

The US will strengthen its Arctic presence to keep in check the "aggressive behaviour" of China and Russia in the resource-rich region, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday.

Speaking ahead of talks in Finland between the eight Arctic states, Pompeo warned that "the region has become an arena of global power and competition" thanks to its vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks.

He denounced attempts by China, which has observer status on the Arctic Council, to style itself as a "near-Arctic" state, citing Pentagon fears that China is seeking to establish a permanent security presence in the polar region, including by deploying submarines as a deterrent against nuclear attacks.

"There are only Arctic States and Non-Arctic States. No third category exists, and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing," he said, adding that China's activities in the region must be closely monitored.

"China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere will inform how it treats the Arctic," he said.

Pompeo also slammed Russian territorial claims on new, faster trade routes opening up through the region due to melting sea ice.

"In the Northern Sea Route, Moscow already illegally demands that other nations request permission to pass, requires Russian maritime pilots to be aboard foreign ships, and threatens to use military force to sink any that fail to comply," Pompeo said.

"These provocative actions are part of a pattern of aggressive Russian behaviour in the Arctic."

Pompeo said the US would strengthen its security and diplomatic presence in the Arctic, in part through military exercises, an increased military presence, and by rebuilding the US's icebreaker fleet.

"Just because the Arctic is a place of wilderness does not mean it should become a place of lawlessness," he said.

Russia has previously insisted that Moscow's drive for military and economic development in the Arctic is not a threat to other countries.&nbsp;

"We are not doing anything else besides ensuring security of the country. All we're doing in the Arctic is geared toward this and only this. We are not threatening anyone," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at an Arctic forum in St Petersburg last month.

On the sidelines of the Arctic Council, Pompeo will also meet Lavrov to discuss Venezuela, where the United States is trying to oust President Nicolas Maduro, an ally of Moscow.

The US Secretary of State will then continue his European tour with visits to Britain, Germany and Greenland.

The US will strengthen its Arctic presence to keep in check the "aggressive behaviour" of China and Russia in the resource-rich region, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday.

The US will strengthen its Arctic presence to keep in check the "aggressive behaviour" of China and Russia in the resource-rich region, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday. Speaking ahead of talks in Finland between the eight Arctic states, Pompeo warned that "the region has become an arena of global power and competition" thanks to its vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks. He denounced attempts by China, which has observer status on the Arctic Council, to style itself as a "near-Arctic" state, citing Pentagon fears that China is seeking to establish a permanent security presence in the polar region, including by deploying submarines as a deterrent against nuclear attacks. "There are only Arctic States and Non-Arctic States. No third category exists, and claiming otherwise entitles China to exactly nothing," he said, adding that China's activities in the region must be closely monitored. "China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere will inform how it treats the Arctic," he said. Pompeo also slammed Russian territorial claims on new, faster trade routes opening up through the region due to melting sea ice. "In the Northern Sea Route, Moscow already illegally demands that other nations request permission to pass, requires Russian maritime pilots to be aboard foreign ships, and threatens to use military force to sink any that fail to comply," Pompeo said. "These provocative actions are part of a pattern of aggressive Russian behaviour in the Arctic." Pompeo said the US would strengthen its security and diplomatic presence in the Arctic, in part through military exercises, an increased military presence, and by rebuilding the US's icebreaker fleet. "Just because the Arctic is a place of wilderness does not mean it should become a place of lawlessness," he said. Russia has previously insisted that Moscow's drive for military and economic development in the Arctic is not a threat to other countries. "We are not doing anything else besides ensuring security of the country. All we're doing in the Arctic is geared toward this and only this. We are not threatening anyone," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at an Arctic forum in St Petersburg last month. On the sidelines of the Arctic Council, Pompeo will also meet Lavrov to discuss Venezuela, where the United States is trying to oust President Nicolas Maduro, an ally of Moscow. The US Secretary of State will then continue his European tour with visits to Britain, Germany and Greenland.

Pompeo slams China, Russia 'aggressive behaviour' in the Arctic

Iran today said US oil sanctions were "illegal" after the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-no-longer-grant-sanctions-exemptions-to-irans-oil-customers-us-212617"> Trump administration informed</a> that it would stop all exemptions starting May to countries which traded with Tehran.

"Since the sanctions in question are principally illegal, the Islamic Republic of Iran did not and does not attach any value or credibility to the waivers given to the sanctions," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Iranian media reported that commander of the Revolutionary Guards' said the country would close the Hormuz Strait if Tehran is barred from exporting oil.

"According to international law, the Strait of Hormuz is a marine passageway and if we are barred from using it, we will shut it down," the semi-official news agency Fars quoted General Alireza Tangsiri as saying on Monday.

"In case of any threat, we will have not even an iota of doubt to protect and defend the Iranian waters," Tangsiri added.

Iran had earlier threatened to stop ships passing through Strait of Hormuz, a major channel in the Gulf, if the US tried to halt its oil exports. Meanwhile, China said it opposes "unilateral" US sanctions against Iran.

Chinese ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China's bilateral cooperation with Iran was in accordance with the law. Eight counties were initially given six-month reprieves from unilateral US sanctions on Iran.

Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -&nbsp;have already heavily reduced their purchases from Iran. The United States said Monday it would start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey that buy Iranian oil.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that the United States would punish countries that buy Iranian oil after May 2nd.

"We've made clear -- if you don't abide by this, there will be sanctions," Pompeo told reporters. "We intend to enforce the sanctions."

Iran today said US oil sanctions were "illegal" after the Trump administration informed that it would stop all exemptions starting May to countries which traded with Tehran.

Iran today said US oil sanctions were "illegal" after the Trump administration informed that it would stop all exemptions starting May to countries which traded with Tehran. "Since the sanctions in question are principally illegal, the Islamic Republic of Iran did not and does not attach any value or credibility to the waivers given to the sanctions," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Iranian media reported that commander of the Revolutionary Guards' said the country would close the Hormuz Strait if Tehran is barred from exporting oil. "According to international law, the Strait of Hormuz is a marine passageway and if we are barred from using it, we will shut it down," the semi-official news agency Fars quoted General Alireza Tangsiri as saying on Monday. "In case of any threat, we will have not even an iota of doubt to protect and defend the Iranian waters," Tangsiri added. Iran had earlier threatened to stop ships passing through Strait of Hormuz, a major channel in the Gulf, if the US tried to halt its oil exports. Meanwhile, China said it opposes "unilateral" US sanctions against Iran. Chinese ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China's bilateral cooperation with Iran was in accordance with the law. Eight counties were initially given six-month reprieves from unilateral US sanctions on Iran. Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan - have already heavily reduced their purchases from Iran. The United States said Monday it would start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey that buy Iranian oil. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that the United States would punish countries that buy Iranian oil after May 2nd. "We've made clear -- if you don't abide by this, there will be sanctions," Pompeo told reporters. "We intend to enforce the sanctions."

US oil sanctions principally illegal, do not attach any value to it: Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in the city of Cucuta, Colombia on Sunday where he met with Colombian President Ivan Duque as part of a tour to shore up regional support for President Donald Trump's hard line stance against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Mike Pompeo visits Venezuelan border with Colombian President Duque

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday accused Iran of ties to Al-Qaeda and declined to say whether the Trump administration had legal authority to invade the country.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo hedged on whether the authorization of force by the US Congress days after the September 11, 2001 attacks would allow the United States to strike Iran.

"I would prefer just to leave that to lawyers," Pompeo told Senator Rand Paul, a Republican who is critical of US foreign interventions.

"The factual question with respect to Iran's connections to Al-Qaeda is very real. They have hosted Al-Qaeda, they have permitted Al-Qaeda to transit their country," he said.

"There is no doubt there is a connection between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Al-Qaeda. Period, full stop," he said.

But Pompeo denied Paul's suggestion that President Donald Trump's designation Monday of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards was aimed at making a legal case for war.

"It was not part of the decision-making process. The designation was a simple recognition of reality," Pompeo said, citing US figures that Iran was behind more than 600 deaths of US troops in Iraq after the 2003 invasion when Tehran backed Shiite forces.

Trump has piled pressure on Iran after last year withdrawing from a nuclear accord negotiated under previous president Barack Obama, slapping sweeping sanctions as Washington seeks to roll back the clerical regime's regional influence.

Paul voiced concern that Pompeo had not rejected war with Iran under the 2001 authorization, which has been used to back the war in Afghanistan as well as attacks on Al-Qaeda in countries as diverse as Yemen and the Philippines.

"I am troubled that the administration can't unequivocally say that you haven't been given power or authority by Congress to have war with Iran," Paul said.

"In any kind of semblance of a sane world, you would have to come back and ask us before you go into Iran," Paul said. The US Constitution gives the power to declare war to Congress.

Paul also rejected the idea that Iran, a Shiite clerical regime, would ally with Al-Qaeda, Sunnis whose ranks have denounced Shiites as heretics.

"I don't think that dog hunts very well," Paul said of Pompeo's statement. "They actually would just as soon eradicate Sunni extremists."

Iran is believed to have been the longtime base of Hamza bin Laden, the son of late Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

But some experts say Tehran kept him under house arrest as a way to maintain pressure on rival Saudi Arabia and dissuade Al-Qaeda attacks inside Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday accused Iran of ties to Al-Qaeda and declined to say whether the Trump administration had legal authority to invade the country.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday accused Iran of ties to Al-Qaeda and declined to say whether the Trump administration had legal authority to invade the country. Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo hedged on whether the authorization of force by the US Congress days after the September 11, 2001 attacks would allow the United States to strike Iran. "I would prefer just to leave that to lawyers," Pompeo told Senator Rand Paul, a Republican who is critical of US foreign interventions. "The factual question with respect to Iran's connections to Al-Qaeda is very real. They have hosted Al-Qaeda, they have permitted Al-Qaeda to transit their country," he said. "There is no doubt there is a connection between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Al-Qaeda. Period, full stop," he said. But Pompeo denied Paul's suggestion that President Donald Trump's designation Monday of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards was aimed at making a legal case for war. "It was not part of the decision-making process. The designation was a simple recognition of reality," Pompeo said, citing US figures that Iran was behind more than 600 deaths of US troops in Iraq after the 2003 invasion when Tehran backed Shiite forces. Trump has piled pressure on Iran after last year withdrawing from a nuclear accord negotiated under previous president Barack Obama, slapping sweeping sanctions as Washington seeks to roll back the clerical regime's regional influence. Paul voiced concern that Pompeo had not rejected war with Iran under the 2001 authorization, which has been used to back the war in Afghanistan as well as attacks on Al-Qaeda in countries as diverse as Yemen and the Philippines. "I am troubled that the administration can't unequivocally say that you haven't been given power or authority by Congress to have war with Iran," Paul said. "In any kind of semblance of a sane world, you would have to come back and ask us before you go into Iran," Paul said. The US Constitution gives the power to declare war to Congress. Paul also rejected the idea that Iran, a Shiite clerical regime, would ally with Al-Qaeda, Sunnis whose ranks have denounced Shiites as heretics. "I don't think that dog hunts very well," Paul said of Pompeo's statement. "They actually would just as soon eradicate Sunni extremists." Iran is believed to have been the longtime base of Hamza bin Laden, the son of late Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. But some experts say Tehran kept him under house arrest as a way to maintain pressure on rival Saudi Arabia and dissuade Al-Qaeda attacks inside Iran.

Pompeo says Iran tied to Al-Qaeda, declines to say if war legal

The US State Department on Monday barred entry to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/royal-adviser-fired-over-khashoggi-murder-absent-from-saudi-trial-report-205319">16 Saudi nationals over </a>what it described as their role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The announcement by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-rejects-call-for-international-probe-of-khashoggi-murder-203366">Secretary of State Mike Pompeo </a>comes as the administration of President Donald Trump has faced pressure from Congress over its response to the killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October, which sparked unprecedented international scrutiny of the kingdom's human rights record.

A statement by the State Department listed the individuals and said that they had been designated under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2019.

The section "provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that officials of foreign governments have been involved in significant corruption or gross violations of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States."

"The law requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members."

The State Department previously revoked the visas of nearly two dozen Saudi officials and froze the assets of 17 others.

A critic of the Saudi regime, Khashoggi was killed and dismembered October 2 last year in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body has never been recovered.

After having denied the murder, Saudi Arabia said the operation was carried out by agents who were out of control. A trial of 11 suspects opened earlier this year in Saudi Arabia.

But much of the case remains shrouded, beginning with the role of Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman.

The US Senate, after a closed-door briefing by the CIA, adopted a resolution in December naming the crown prince as "responsible" for the murder, while President Donald Trump has refused to publicly take a stand.

The US State Department on Monday barred entry to 16 Saudi nationals over what it described as their role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The announcement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo comes as the administration of President Donald Trump has faced pressure from Congress over its response to the killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October, which sparked unprecedented international scrutiny of the kingdom's human rights record.

The US State Department on Monday barred entry to 16 Saudi nationals over what it described as their role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The announcement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo comes as the administration of President Donald Trump has faced pressure from Congress over its response to the killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October, which sparked unprecedented international scrutiny of the kingdom's human rights record. A statement by the State Department listed the individuals and said that they had been designated under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2019. The section "provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that officials of foreign governments have been involved in significant corruption or gross violations of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States." "The law requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members." The State Department previously revoked the visas of nearly two dozen Saudi officials and froze the assets of 17 others. A critic of the Saudi regime, Khashoggi was killed and dismembered October 2 last year in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body has never been recovered. After having denied the murder, Saudi Arabia said the operation was carried out by agents who were out of control. A trial of 11 suspects opened earlier this year in Saudi Arabia. But much of the case remains shrouded, beginning with the role of Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman. The US Senate, after a closed-door briefing by the CIA, adopted a resolution in December naming the crown prince as "responsible" for the murder, while President Donald Trump has refused to publicly take a stand.

Sixteen Saudis barred from entering United States over Khashoggi killing: Pompeo

The United States is "deeply concerned" by fighting near <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-pm-accuses-rival-khalifa-haftar-of-betrayal-over-tripoli-offensive-208472">Libya's capital Tripoli</a> and is seeking an "immediate halt" to an offensive by strongman Khalifa Haftar, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.

"We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar's forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital," he said in a statement.

Libya descended into chaos during the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi that has seen a bitter rivalry emerge between the Tripoli-based authorities and Haftar's supporters in the east of the country.

Fighting raged south of Tripoli on Sunday, three days after Haftar launched the offensive to seize the capital, now controlled by a UN-backed unity government and an array of militias.

But Pompeo stressed that there is "no military solution to the Libya conflict," and urged all parties to "urgently de-escalate the situation."

"This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans," he said.

"The United States continues to press Libyan leaders, together with our international partners, to return to political negotiations mediated by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame," he added.

"A political solution is the only way to unify the country and provide a plan for security, stability, and prosperity for all Libyans."

Meanwhile, Russia on Sunday blocked a UN Security Council statement that would have called on forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar to halt their advance on Tripoli, diplomats said.

Moscow insisted that the formal statement urge all Libyan forces to stop fighting, but the proposed change was opposed by the United States, council diplomats said.

After a closed-door meeting on Friday, the council called on Haftar's self-proclaimed Libyan National Army to "halt its military activity" in an agreed statement to the press.

Britain then proposed a more formal text for approval to the 15-member council that was opposed by Russia. All council statements are agreed by consensus.

The United States is "deeply concerned" by fighting near Libya's capital Tripoli and is seeking an "immediate halt" to an offensive by strongman Khalifa Haftar, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday.

The United States is "deeply concerned" by fighting near Libya's capital Tripoli and is seeking an "immediate halt" to an offensive by strongman Khalifa Haftar, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. "We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar's forces and urge the immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital," he said in a statement. Libya descended into chaos during the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi that has seen a bitter rivalry emerge between the Tripoli-based authorities and Haftar's supporters in the east of the country. Fighting raged south of Tripoli on Sunday, three days after Haftar launched the offensive to seize the capital, now controlled by a UN-backed unity government and an array of militias. But Pompeo stressed that there is "no military solution to the Libya conflict," and urged all parties to "urgently de-escalate the situation." "This unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans," he said. "The United States continues to press Libyan leaders, together with our international partners, to return to political negotiations mediated by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame," he added. "A political solution is the only way to unify the country and provide a plan for security, stability, and prosperity for all Libyans." Meanwhile, Russia on Sunday blocked a UN Security Council statement that would have called on forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar to halt their advance on Tripoli, diplomats said. Moscow insisted that the formal statement urge all Libyan forces to stop fighting, but the proposed change was opposed by the United States, council diplomats said. After a closed-door meeting on Friday, the council called on Haftar's self-proclaimed Libyan National Army to "halt its military activity" in an agreed statement to the press. Britain then proposed a more formal text for approval to the 15-member council that was opposed by Russia. All council statements are agreed by consensus.

Haftar should immediately halt military operations on Tripoli: Pompeo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/multiple-injured-after-mass-shooting-in-new-zealands-mosque-203408">New Zealand police hunt 'active shooter' after gunman opens fire at </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/multiple-injured-after-mass-shooting-in-new-zealands-mosque-203408">mosque</a>

New Zealand police were hunting "an active shooter" in the&nbsp;centre of Christchurch city on Friday&nbsp;after a gunman opened fire at a mosque inflicting several casualties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/christchurch-mosque-attack-bangladesh-cricket-team-was-about-to-go-inside-safe-but-mentally-shocked-203418">Christchurch mosque attack: Bangladesh cricket team was about to go inside; 'safe but mentally shocked'</a>

Bangladesh's&nbsp;cricket team escaped unscathed&nbsp;after a deadly shooting at a mosque in New Zealand, an official told AFP on Friday. Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said most of the team were bussed to the mosque in Christchurch and were about to go inside when the incident happened.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-foot-overbridge-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-six-fir-registered-203405">Mumbai foot overbridge collapse: Death toll rises to six, CM Fadnavis calls for </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-foot-overbridge-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-six-fir-registered-203405">high-level</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-foot-overbridge-collapse-death-toll-rises-to-six-fir-registered-203405"> inquiry</a>

At least six people were killed and over 30 injured after a portion of a&nbsp;(CSMT) railway station in Mumbai&nbsp;collapsed on Thursday evening. A big slab of the bridge came crashing down at around 7.20 pm due to which several pedestrians were injured.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-pausing-delivery-but-will-continue-production-of-737-max-boeing-203401">We are pausing </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-pausing-delivery-but-will-continue-production-of-737-max-boeing-203401">delivery,</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-pausing-delivery-but-will-continue-production-of-737-max-boeing-203401"> but will continue production of 737 Max: Boeing</a>

US aerospace giant Boeing said Thursday it was suspending deliveries of its top-selling 737 MAX as French investigators took delivery of the black boxes from the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 passengers and crew.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pompeo-says-all-us-diplomats-have-left-venezuela-203407">All US diplomats have left Venezuela: Pompeo</a>

All&nbsp;US diplomats&nbsp;remaining in Venezuela left the country on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, amid a&nbsp;political crisis&nbsp;over the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro's 2018 re-election.

New Zealand police hunt 'active shooter' after gunman opens fire at mosque New Zealand police were hunting "an active shooter" in the centre of Christchurch city on Friday after a gunman opened fire at a mosque inflicting several casualties.

New Zealand police hunt 'active shooter' after gunman opens fire at mosque New Zealand police were hunting "an active shooter" in the centre of Christchurch city on Friday after a gunman opened fire at a mosque inflicting several casualties. Christchurch mosque attack: Bangladesh cricket team was about to go inside; 'safe but mentally shocked' Bangladesh's cricket team escaped unscathed after a deadly shooting at a mosque in New Zealand, an official told AFP on Friday. Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said most of the team were bussed to the mosque in Christchurch and were about to go inside when the incident happened. Mumbai foot overbridge collapse: Death toll rises to six, CM Fadnavis calls for high-level inquiry At least six people were killed and over 30 injured after a portion of a (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai collapsed on Thursday evening. A big slab of the bridge came crashing down at around 7.20 pm due to which several pedestrians were injured. We are pausing delivery, but will continue production of 737 Max: Boeing US aerospace giant Boeing said Thursday it was suspending deliveries of its top-selling 737 MAX as French investigators took delivery of the black boxes from the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 passengers and crew. All US diplomats have left Venezuela: Pompeo All US diplomats remaining in Venezuela left the country on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, amid a political crisis over the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro's 2018 re-election.

News brief: Big stories of the day

All <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-military-not-involved-in-withdrawing-diplomats-from-venezuela-202985">US diplomats </a>remaining in Venezuela left the country on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, amid a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-calls-public-sector-back-to-work-as-blackout-recedes-203321">political crisis</a> over the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro's 2018 re-election.

"US diplomats will now continue that mission from other locations where they will continue to help manage the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people and support the democratic actors bravely resisting tyranny," Pompeo said in a statement.

A US official said the diplomats were flown out in a civilian charter aircraft.

The State Department had already announced that it would withdraw its remaining diplomatic staff from Venezuela this week.

Washington has taken the lead in recognizing Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old Congress chief who declared himself interim president in January, calling Maduro’s 2018 re-election a fraud. Most countries in Europe and Latin America have followed suit.

All US diplomats remaining in Venezuela left the country on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, amid a political crisis over the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro's 2018 re-election.

All US diplomats remaining in Venezuela left the country on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, amid a political crisis over the legitimacy of President Nicolas Maduro's 2018 re-election. "US diplomats will now continue that mission from other locations where they will continue to help manage the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people and support the democratic actors bravely resisting tyranny," Pompeo said in a statement. A US official said the diplomats were flown out in a civilian charter aircraft. The State Department had already announced that it would withdraw its remaining diplomatic staff from Venezuela this week. Washington has taken the lead in recognizing Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old Congress chief who declared himself interim president in January, calling Maduro’s 2018 re-election a fraud. Most countries in Europe and Latin America have followed suit.

All US diplomats have left Venezuela: Pompeo

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale met US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Washington on Monday evening as they discussed terrorism and the need for Pakistan to take <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-mastermind-mudasir-believed-to-be-killed-in-encounter-jk-police-202489">"meaningful action" against terrorist groups</a>.

India's foreign secretary<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-putin-calls-pm-modi-expresses-condolences-over-pulwama-attack-200360"> Gokhale discussed the strength</a> of India's partnership as both agreed on&nbsp;the importance of bringing the perpetrators of the Pulwama terrorist attack to justice.

Both men noted the strength of India-US partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation including in counter-terrorism. They also sought complementary&nbsp;vision for Indo-Pacific and US-India defence cooperation.

Pompeo and foreign secretary Gokhale recognised the growing US-India economic partnership, including joint efforts to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and reciprocal&nbsp;manner.

During his three-day visit, India's foreign secretary is also likely to meet with senior leaders in the US administration and US Congress. Gokhale is expected to meet Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson.

During the Pulwama attack, Gokhale had briefed the media during which he had said there was credible information information that &nbsp;Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, as a result a pre-emptive strike became important and India struck the biggest camp of JeM at&nbsp;Balakot.

Gokhale had said that India was firmly and resolutely committed to taking all measures to fight the menace of terrorism and that Indian Air Force strike at Balakot was "non-military pre-emptive"&nbsp;action targeted specifically at JeM camp.

The strike was&nbsp;aimed with a desire to to avoid civilian casualties, he had informed the media days after IAF planes stuck JeM terror targets deep inside Pakistan at Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26th.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale met US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Washington on Monday evening as they discussed terrorism and the need for Pakistan to take "meaningful action" against terrorist groups.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale met US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Washington on Monday evening as they discussed terrorism and the need for Pakistan to take "meaningful action" against terrorist groups. India's foreign secretary Gokhale discussed the strength of India's partnership as both agreed on the importance of bringing the perpetrators of the Pulwama terrorist attack to justice. Both men noted the strength of India-US partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation including in counter-terrorism. They also sought complementary vision for Indo-Pacific and US-India defence cooperation. Pompeo and foreign secretary Gokhale recognised the growing US-India economic partnership, including joint efforts to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and reciprocal manner. During his three-day visit, India's foreign secretary is also likely to meet with senior leaders in the US administration and US Congress. Gokhale is expected to meet Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson. During the Pulwama attack, Gokhale had briefed the media during which he had said there was credible information information that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, as a result a pre-emptive strike became important and India struck the biggest camp of JeM at Balakot. Gokhale had said that India was firmly and resolutely committed to taking all measures to fight the menace of terrorism and that Indian Air Force strike at Balakot was "non-military pre-emptive" action targeted specifically at JeM camp. The strike was aimed with a desire to to avoid civilian casualties, he had informed the media days after IAF planes stuck JeM terror targets deep inside Pakistan at Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26th.

Pakistan must take meaningful action against terrorists on its soil, says Pompeo in meeting with Gokhale

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Monday expressed hope that India will supports its efforts in Venezuela by not purchasing oil from the "authoritarian" Maduro regime.

The issue was discussed in a meeting with the visiting <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-must-take-meaningful-action-against-terrorists-on-its-soil-says-pompeo-in-meeting-with-gokhale-202720">Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale</a>, Pompeo told reporters at a news conference here, without providing insight into it.

"We are asking the same thing of India as we are of every country: Do not give&nbsp;economic lifeline for the Maduro regime. So we talked about (Venezuela), I certainly won't characterise the conversations; they're private conversations," Pompeo said in response to a question.

"In the same way that India has been incredibly supportive of our efforts in Iran, I'm confident that they too understand the real threat to the Venezuelan people. We had a good conversation around that," Pompeo said.

At a news conference, Pompeo said the nations that support Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are, by the nature of this "illegitimate" regime, carrying out the very foreign interventionism of which they accuse others.

"Today, the United States is drawing a clear line between those who aid the forces of repression and those who give life to the Venezuelan people's democratic dreams. There is no ambiguity here about the truth," he said.

Similar kind of warning to other nations was issued by US National Security Adviser John Bolton.

"The United States will not stand idly by while foreign financial institutions facilitate illegitimate transactions that benefit Maduro and his cronies, and perpetuate the corruption that has devastated Venezuela," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Treasury sanctioned a Russia-based bank attempting to circumvent US sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA.

It sanctioned Evrofinance Mosnarbank, a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russia and Venezuela, for being involved in facilitating illegitimate transactions that prolong Maduro's usurpation of democracy, it said.

"The illegitimate Maduro regime has profited off of the suffering of the Venezuelan people," said US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

"This action demonstrates that the United States will take action against foreign financial institutions that sustain the illegitimate Maduro regime and contribute to the economic collapse and humanitarian crisis plaguing the people of Venezuela," he said.

In another tweet, Bolton asked international banks not to have relationship with the Maduro regime.

"Bankers: Do not help Maduro and his accomplices steal the assets of the Venezuelan people. The United States is watching. The world is watching. The Venezuelan people are watching," he said.

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Maduro's mismanagement and corruption has driven Venezuela into absolute suffering and collapse. The military should embrace Interim President Guaido’s sincere amnesty proposal, seize the opportunity for U.S. sanctions relief, and work towards democracy and reconstruction.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/1105167947994198016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Maduro is facing a challenge from opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself acting president in January.

The US views Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader and has imposed sanctions on the country's oil sector besides taking other actions targeting top government officials.

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The Venezuelan National Assembly has decreed the suspension of crude exports to Cuba following the collapse of the national electrical grid. Insurance companies and flag carriers that facilitate these give-away shipments to Cuba are now on notice.
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/1105225479785775104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Monday expressed hope that India will supports its efforts in Venezuela by not purchasing oil from the "authoritarian" Maduro regime.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo on Monday expressed hope that India will supports its efforts in Venezuela by not purchasing oil from the "authoritarian" Maduro regime. The issue was discussed in a meeting with the visiting Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale, Pompeo told reporters at a news conference here, without providing insight into it. "We are asking the same thing of India as we are of every country: Do not give economic lifeline for the Maduro regime. So we talked about (Venezuela), I certainly won't characterise the conversations; they're private conversations," Pompeo said in response to a question. "In the same way that India has been incredibly supportive of our efforts in Iran, I'm confident that they too understand the real threat to the Venezuelan people. We had a good conversation around that," Pompeo said. At a news conference, Pompeo said the nations that support Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are, by the nature of this "illegitimate" regime, carrying out the very foreign interventionism of which they accuse others. "Today, the United States is drawing a clear line between those who aid the forces of repression and those who give life to the Venezuelan people's democratic dreams. There is no ambiguity here about the truth," he said. Similar kind of warning to other nations was issued by US National Security Adviser John Bolton. "The United States will not stand idly by while foreign financial institutions facilitate illegitimate transactions that benefit Maduro and his cronies, and perpetuate the corruption that has devastated Venezuela," he said. Earlier in the day, the Treasury sanctioned a Russia-based bank attempting to circumvent US sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company PDVSA. It sanctioned Evrofinance Mosnarbank, a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russia and Venezuela, for being involved in facilitating illegitimate transactions that prolong Maduro's usurpation of democracy, it said. "The illegitimate Maduro regime has profited off of the suffering of the Venezuelan people," said US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "This action demonstrates that the United States will take action against foreign financial institutions that sustain the illegitimate Maduro regime and contribute to the economic collapse and humanitarian crisis plaguing the people of Venezuela," he said. In another tweet, Bolton asked international banks not to have relationship with the Maduro regime. "Bankers: Do not help Maduro and his accomplices steal the assets of the Venezuelan people. The United States is watching. The world is watching. The Venezuelan people are watching," he said. Maduro's mismanagement and corruption has driven Venezuela into absolute suffering and collapse. The military should embrace Interim President Guaido’s sincere amnesty proposal, seize the opportunity for U.S. sanctions relief, and work towards democracy and reconstruction. — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 11, 2019 × Maduro is facing a challenge from opposition leader Juan Guaido who declared himself acting president in January. The US views Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate leader and has imposed sanctions on the country's oil sector besides taking other actions targeting top government officials. The Venezuelan National Assembly has decreed the suspension of crude exports to Cuba following the collapse of the national electrical grid. Insurance companies and flag carriers that facilitate these give-away shipments to Cuba are now on notice. — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 11, 2019 ×

Do not give economic lifeline for Maduro regime in Venezuela: Pompeo to Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale

The United States aims to "get as far down the road as we can" ahead of a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-says-being-chosen-to-host-second-trump-kim-summit-is-positive-sign-196964"> summit with North Korea</a> in Vietnam this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday.

Pompeo said he was sending his team back to Asia in the coming days for further discussions around all issues discussed at a groundbreaking Singapore summit last June between US President Trump and<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-will-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-in-vietnam-on-february-27-28-trump-in-state-of-the-union-address-195467"> North Korean leader Kim Jong-un</a>.

Trump announced last week he would hold a second summit with Kim in Hanoi on February 27th and 28th.

Pompeo told a news conference in Warsaw that Trump and Kim would be looking at the "denuclearisation pillar they agreed to" at their first summit as well as other matters.

"We'll certainly talk about how we ... reduce tension, reduce military risks, take down that risk so we can get peace and security on the peninsula as well," he said after a conference on the Middle East.

"We are aiming to get this as far down the road as we can in what is now a couple of weeks," Pompeo said.

Asked later in a Fox News interview how important the formal end of the Korean War was in the discussions, Pompeo said: "It's something we've had a lot of talks about. In fact, my team will redeploy to Asia in a day or two to continue conversations around all elements that were discussed back in Singapore."

The United States has been demanding that North Korea give up a nuclear weapons programme that threatens the United States, and Trump has been eager for a second summit even though the Singapore meeting produced only vague commitments from Kim and little concrete progress since.

North Korea has been seeking a lifting of punishing US-led sanctions, a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War and security guarantees.

In an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, Pompeo said of Kim that "now it's time for him to deliver."

US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun is expected to hold further talks with his North Korean counterpart next week to prepare for the Hanoi summit.

Biegun held three days of talks in Pyongyang last week, which he said would be aimed at mapping out "a set of concrete deliverables" for Hanoi. The State Department has offered no indications of any progress in these.

South Korean media said Biegun told a South Korean parliamentary delegation that in Pyongyang the two sides agreed not to negotiate, but to make clear their respective positions, and they would seek to narrow their differences in the next round of talks. 
&nbsp;

The United States aims to "get as far down the road as we can" ahead of a summit with North Korea in Vietnam this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday.

The United States aims to "get as far down the road as we can" ahead of a summit with North Korea in Vietnam this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday. Pompeo said he was sending his team back to Asia in the coming days for further discussions around all issues discussed at a groundbreaking Singapore summit last June between US President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump announced last week he would hold a second summit with Kim in Hanoi on February 27th and 28th. Pompeo told a news conference in Warsaw that Trump and Kim would be looking at the "denuclearisation pillar they agreed to" at their first summit as well as other matters. "We'll certainly talk about how we ... reduce tension, reduce military risks, take down that risk so we can get peace and security on the peninsula as well," he said after a conference on the Middle East. "We are aiming to get this as far down the road as we can in what is now a couple of weeks," Pompeo said. Asked later in a Fox News interview how important the formal end of the Korean War was in the discussions, Pompeo said: "It's something we've had a lot of talks about. In fact, my team will redeploy to Asia in a day or two to continue conversations around all elements that were discussed back in Singapore." The United States has been demanding that North Korea give up a nuclear weapons programme that threatens the United States, and Trump has been eager for a second summit even though the Singapore meeting produced only vague commitments from Kim and little concrete progress since. North Korea has been seeking a lifting of punishing US-led sanctions, a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War and security guarantees. In an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, Pompeo said of Kim that "now it's time for him to deliver." US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun is expected to hold further talks with his North Korean counterpart next week to prepare for the Hanoi summit. Biegun held three days of talks in Pyongyang last week, which he said would be aimed at mapping out "a set of concrete deliverables" for Hanoi. The State Department has offered no indications of any progress in these. South Korean media said Biegun told a South Korean parliamentary delegation that in Pyongyang the two sides agreed not to negotiate, but to make clear their respective positions, and they would seek to narrow their differences in the next round of talks.

Aim to get as far down the road with North Korea in Vietnam: Pompeo

Russia said on Tuesday it was ready to facilitate the start of dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition but warned the United States against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeks-un-resolution-calling-for-venezuela-elections-196300">intervening in Caracas' internal affairs</a>.

Russia has sided with President Nicolas Maduro in his stand-off with opposition leader Juan Guaido. Maduro retains control of state institutions including the military, but most Western countries, including the United States, have recognised <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-the-military-which-is-supporting-dictator-maduro-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-196840">Guaido as Venezuela's president</a>.

"We have been maintaining very important contacts with the government of this country and stand ready to provide a kind service in order to facilitate the process of finding ways out of the situation," Tass news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

He also said Russia had made some proposals to Venezuela on settling its crisis but gave no details.

Moscow has invested billions of dollars into Venezuela's economy and oil production.

On Tuesday opposition supporters returned to the streets nationwide to keep the heat on Maduro and demand that he allow humanitarian aid into Venezuela, where food and medicine shortages are rife.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a telephone call on Tuesday evening that Washington should avoid any interference, including military, in Venezuela's internal affairs.

Lavrov also said Russia was ready for consultations on the situation in Venezuela in line with the United Nations charter.

At the United Nations, the United States is pushing the Security Council to formally call for free, fair and credible presidential elections in Venezuela with international observers, diplomats said on Saturday, a move that prompted Russia to propose a rival draft resolution.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described the US draft resolution on Tuesday as "completely unbalanced." When asked if he would put the Russian draft resolution to a vote, he said: "We're just discussing it."

It was also unclear if or when the US draft Security Council resolution could be put to a vote. A council resolution needs nine votes and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass.

Russia said on Tuesday it was ready to facilitate the start of dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition but warned the United States against intervening in Caracas' internal affairs.

Russia said on Tuesday it was ready to facilitate the start of dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition but warned the United States against intervening in Caracas' internal affairs. Russia has sided with President Nicolas Maduro in his stand-off with opposition leader Juan Guaido. Maduro retains control of state institutions including the military, but most Western countries, including the United States, have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's president. "We have been maintaining very important contacts with the government of this country and stand ready to provide a kind service in order to facilitate the process of finding ways out of the situation," Tass news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. He also said Russia had made some proposals to Venezuela on settling its crisis but gave no details. Moscow has invested billions of dollars into Venezuela's economy and oil production. On Tuesday opposition supporters returned to the streets nationwide to keep the heat on Maduro and demand that he allow humanitarian aid into Venezuela, where food and medicine shortages are rife. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a telephone call on Tuesday evening that Washington should avoid any interference, including military, in Venezuela's internal affairs. Lavrov also said Russia was ready for consultations on the situation in Venezuela in line with the United Nations charter. At the United Nations, the United States is pushing the Security Council to formally call for free, fair and credible presidential elections in Venezuela with international observers, diplomats said on Saturday, a move that prompted Russia to propose a rival draft resolution. Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia described the US draft resolution on Tuesday as "completely unbalanced." When asked if he would put the Russian draft resolution to a vote, he said: "We're just discussing it." It was also unclear if or when the US draft Security Council resolution could be put to a vote. A council resolution needs nine votes and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass.

Russia ready to help Venezuela resolve crisis, warns US against meddling

A North Korean envoy arrived in Washington on Thursday for expected talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a possible encounter with President Donald Trump aimed at laying the groundwork for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/us-and-north-korea-negotiating-location-for-second-summit-donald-trump-188710">second US-North Korea summit</a>.

The envoy arrived on the same day <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/in-revamped-missile-defence-strategy-trump-deems-north-korea-an-extraordinary-threat-191082">Trump unveiled a revamped US missile defence strategy </a>that singled out North Korea as an ongoing and "extraordinary threat," seven months after he declared after his first summit with leader Kim Jong Un that the North Korean threat had been eliminated.

Kim Yong Chol, Pyongyang's lead negotiator in denuclearisation talks with the United States, was due to meet Pompeo and could also go to the White House on Friday, a person familiar with the plan said, a sign of potential movement in a diplomatic effort that has appeared stalled for months.

The North Korean visit could yield an announcement of plans for another summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

There has been no indication, however, of any narrowing of differences over US demands that North Korea abandon a nuclear weapons programme that threatens the United States or Pyongyang`s demand for a lifting of punishing sanctions.

Kim Yong Chol, a hardline former spy chief, arrived in Washington on a commercial flight from Beijing, South Korea`s Yonhap news agency reported.

Pompeo had planned to meet his North Korean counterpart to discuss a second summit last November, but the meeting was postponed at the last moment.

Diplomatic contact was resumed after Kim Jong Un delivered a New Year speech in which he said he was willing to meet Trump "at any time," South Korea`s ambassador to the United States, Cho Yoon-je, told reporters last week.

Kim Yong Chol was last in Washington in June, when he delivered a letter from Kim Jong Un to Trump that opened the way for the June 12 summit in Singapore.&nbsp;

That meeting yielded a pledge from the latter to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and Trump declared the next day that there was "no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea."&nbsp;

There has been little obvious progress since, however, which was underlined by the Missile Defense Review unveiled on Thursday.

Introducing the report, acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan noted that North Korean missiles remained a "significant concern." Trump himself only mentioned North Korea in passing at the same event, saying negotiations he had conducted should have been done years ago.

"Concrete steps"

US Vice President Mike Pence acknowledged on Wednesday that efforts to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal had not made headway.

"While the president is promising dialogue with Chairman Kim, we still await concrete steps by North Korea to dismantle the nuclear weapons that threaten our people and our allies in the region," Pence said in an address to US ambassadors and other senior American diplomats at the State Department.

Trump said on January 2 that he had received a "great" letter from Kim Jong Un and would probably meet him again in the not-too-distant future, but there was no rush.

Pyongyang had stopped missile and bomb testing and if it had not been for his administration "you`d be having a nice big fat war in Asia," he said.

CNN quoted a source familiar with the US-North Korea talks as saying that Kim Yong Chol would be carrying a new letter from Kim Jong Un to Trump.

Kim Yong Chol will be the first top North Korean official to stay overnight in Washington since the late Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok did so ahead of talks with then-President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2000.

Communist-ruled Vietnam, which has good relations with both the United States and North Korea, has been widely touted as the most likely venue for a second meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un.&nbsp;

The Washington Post quoted people familiar with recent diplomatic activity as saying that if announced soon, the summit would probably take place in March or April, with the coastal city of Danang the most likely venue.

A North Korean envoy arrived in Washington on Thursday for expected talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a possible encounter with President Donald Trump aimed at laying the groundwork for a second US-North Korea summit.

A North Korean envoy arrived in Washington on Thursday for expected talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a possible encounter with President Donald Trump aimed at laying the groundwork for a second US-North Korea summit. The envoy arrived on the same day Trump unveiled a revamped US missile defence strategy that singled out North Korea as an ongoing and "extraordinary threat," seven months after he declared after his first summit with leader Kim Jong Un that the North Korean threat had been eliminated. Kim Yong Chol, Pyongyang's lead negotiator in denuclearisation talks with the United States, was due to meet Pompeo and could also go to the White House on Friday, a person familiar with the plan said, a sign of potential movement in a diplomatic effort that has appeared stalled for months. The North Korean visit could yield an announcement of plans for another summit between Trump and Kim Jong Un, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. There has been no indication, however, of any narrowing of differences over US demands that North Korea abandon a nuclear weapons programme that threatens the United States or Pyongyang`s demand for a lifting of punishing sanctions. Kim Yong Chol, a hardline former spy chief, arrived in Washington on a commercial flight from Beijing, South Korea`s Yonhap news agency reported. Pompeo had planned to meet his North Korean counterpart to discuss a second summit last November, but the meeting was postponed at the last moment. Diplomatic contact was resumed after Kim Jong Un delivered a New Year speech in which he said he was willing to meet Trump "at any time," South Korea`s ambassador to the United States, Cho Yoon-je, told reporters last week. Kim Yong Chol was last in Washington in June, when he delivered a letter from Kim Jong Un to Trump that opened the way for the June 12 summit in Singapore. That meeting yielded a pledge from the latter to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and Trump declared the next day that there was "no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea." There has been little obvious progress since, however, which was underlined by the Missile Defense Review unveiled on Thursday. Introducing the report, acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan noted that North Korean missiles remained a "significant concern." Trump himself only mentioned North Korea in passing at the same event, saying negotiations he had conducted should have been done years ago. "Concrete steps" US Vice President Mike Pence acknowledged on Wednesday that efforts to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal had not made headway. "While the president is promising dialogue with Chairman Kim, we still await concrete steps by North Korea to dismantle the nuclear weapons that threaten our people and our allies in the region," Pence said in an address to US ambassadors and other senior American diplomats at the State Department. Trump said on January 2 that he had received a "great" letter from Kim Jong Un and would probably meet him again in the not-too-distant future, but there was no rush. Pyongyang had stopped missile and bomb testing and if it had not been for his administration "you`d be having a nice big fat war in Asia," he said. CNN quoted a source familiar with the US-North Korea talks as saying that Kim Yong Chol would be carrying a new letter from Kim Jong Un to Trump. Kim Yong Chol will be the first top North Korean official to stay overnight in Washington since the late Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok did so ahead of talks with then-President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2000. Communist-ruled Vietnam, which has good relations with both the United States and North Korea, has been widely touted as the most likely venue for a second meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un. The Washington Post quoted people familiar with recent diplomatic activity as saying that if announced soon, the summit would probably take place in March or April, with the coastal city of Danang the most likely venue.

North Korea envoy in US for talks with Pompeo, possibly Trump

The US decision to withdraw troops from Syria will not jeopardise Washington`s efforts to counter threats in the region, which come from Iran and Islamic State, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday.

Pompeo was in Jordan, making his first visit to the Middle East since President Donald Trump`s abrupt announcement that he will pull the 2,000 US troops from Syria, which caused alarm among US allies in the region and prompted the resignation of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis.

The US troops in Syria have been fighting against Islamic State and also served as a counterweight to the Syrian government, which is backed by Iran and Russia.

Many of Trump`s domestic and international critics have said that withdrawing the troops abruptly could expose Washington`s Kurdish allies to repression from Turkey, and also allow Iran to solidify its influence in Syria.

But Pompeo said Washington was not stepping down from its efforts to challenge Iran. American policy makers were "redoubling not only our diplomatic but our commercial efforts to put real pressure on Iran," he said.&nbsp;

"There is enormous agreement on the risk that Iran poses to Jordan and other countries in the region," Pompeo added.&nbsp;

Jordan, which has expressed worries in the past about Iranian influence, particularly near the Jordanian border in southern Syria, said Tehran should refrain from meddling in the affairs of its neighbours Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;

"We all have problems with Iran`s expansionist policies in the region," Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.

The US decision to withdraw troops from Syria will not jeopardise Washington`s efforts to counter threats in the region, which come from Iran and Islamic State, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday.

The US decision to withdraw troops from Syria will not jeopardise Washington`s efforts to counter threats in the region, which come from Iran and Islamic State, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday. Pompeo was in Jordan, making his first visit to the Middle East since President Donald Trump`s abrupt announcement that he will pull the 2,000 US troops from Syria, which caused alarm among US allies in the region and prompted the resignation of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis. The US troops in Syria have been fighting against Islamic State and also served as a counterweight to the Syrian government, which is backed by Iran and Russia. Many of Trump`s domestic and international critics have said that withdrawing the troops abruptly could expose Washington`s Kurdish allies to repression from Turkey, and also allow Iran to solidify its influence in Syria. But Pompeo said Washington was not stepping down from its efforts to challenge Iran. American policy makers were "redoubling not only our diplomatic but our commercial efforts to put real pressure on Iran," he said. "There is enormous agreement on the risk that Iran poses to Jordan and other countries in the region," Pompeo added. Jordan, which has expressed worries in the past about Iranian influence, particularly near the Jordanian border in southern Syria, said Tehran should refrain from meddling in the affairs of its neighbours Syria and Iraq. "We all have problems with Iran`s expansionist policies in the region," Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.

US withdrawal from Syria does not jeopardise efforts to counter Iran, Pompeo says

The Trump administration on Friday gave "national interest waiver" to four countries, including <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plans-to-relax-visa-policy-in-bid-to-revive-tourism-185822">Pakistan</a>, which was designated as "countries of particular concern" for having engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.

The four countries <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-issues-export-control-list-of-goods-technologies-related-to-nuclear-biological-weapons-185560">Pakistan</a>, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan along with Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea and Sudan were last month named as "countries of particular concern" (CPC) by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their gross violation of religious freedom.&nbsp;

Such a designation under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, would have automatically attracted sanctions and other punitive measures from the United States.

Prominent among these include designations or sanctions against individuals and organisations responsible for the suppression of freedom in these countries.

However, these sanctions and designations can be done away with a waiver as required in the "important national interest of the United States" as per section 407 of International Religious Freedom Act.

In a federal notification, Pompeo gave national interest waiver to the four countries.

For other countries, including Burma and China, the existing restrictions like export control would continue, a federal notification said.

The Secretary of State also designated Comoros, Russia and Uzbekistan as "special watch list" countries for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom, it said.&nbsp;

The Trump administration on Friday gave "national interest waiver" to four countries, including Pakistan, which was designated as "countries of particular concern" for having engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.

The Trump administration on Friday gave "national interest waiver" to four countries, including Pakistan, which was designated as "countries of particular concern" for having engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom. The four countries Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan along with Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea and Sudan were last month named as "countries of particular concern" (CPC) by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their gross violation of religious freedom. Such a designation under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, would have automatically attracted sanctions and other punitive measures from the United States. Prominent among these include designations or sanctions against individuals and organisations responsible for the suppression of freedom in these countries. However, these sanctions and designations can be done away with a waiver as required in the "important national interest of the United States" as per section 407 of International Religious Freedom Act. In a federal notification, Pompeo gave national interest waiver to the four countries. For other countries, including Burma and China, the existing restrictions like export control would continue, a federal notification said. The Secretary of State also designated Comoros, Russia and Uzbekistan as "special watch list" countries for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom, it said.

US gives national interest waiver to Pakistan on CPC designation

&nbsp;US&nbsp;Secretary of State <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-sees-strong-us-britain-ties-in-hard-brexit-183010">Mike Pompeo</a> said on Friday China should free two Canadian citizens who were detained this week after authorities in Canada arrested a senior Chinese technology executive on a US extradition warrant.

Pompeo's comments were the first by a senior US official on the arrests, which <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canada-faces-threats-from-khalistani-extremists-says-pm-justin-trudeau-govt-report-183479">Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau</a> said could escalate a growing trade conflict between China and the United States.

"The unlawful detention of two Canadian citizens is unacceptable," Pompeo told reporters after talks in Washington with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. "They ought to be returned ... We ask all nations of the world to treat other citizens properly."

Canadian officials were granted consular access on Friday to one of the two detainees in China and were still trying to contact the second, the Foreign Ministry said.

China detained the two&nbsp;businessmen Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat and an adviser with the International Crisis Group (ICG) after Canadian police arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on December 1.

ICG President Robert Malley also called for Kovrig's release on Saturday.

"Michael's arrest is unjust. He should be freed immediately," Malley said in a statement.

"Far from being secretive, Michael's work was open for all to see, Chinese officials first and foremost," he said. Kovrig did not do anything to endanger China's national security, either as a diplomat or at the ICG, Malley said.

US&nbsp;prosecutors accuse Meng of misleading multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, putting the banks at risk of violating US sanctions. Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei's founder, has said she is innocent.

Potentially complicating the case, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump made comments this week that legal experts say may have undermined the US&nbsp;basis for extradition.

Asked about the remarks, Freeland said: "We all agree that the most important thing we can do is to uphold the rule of law, ensure that Ms Meng's right to due process is respected and that the current judicial process in Canada remains apolitical."

Trudeau, in his strongest comments on the matter to date, said China's detention of the two men was "not acceptable."

China rejects Trudeau's insistence that the government cannot interfere with the judiciary. Meng was released on bail this week but has to remain in Canada.

"This is one of the situations you get in when the two largest economies in the world, China and the United States, start picking a fight with each other," Trudeau told City TV in Toronto.

"The escalating trade war between them is going to have all sorts of unintended consequences on Canada, potentially on the entire global economy. We're very worried about that," he said.

Lu Shaye, China's ambassador to Canada, told a university conference on Friday that the prospects for deeper business ties were good despite the dispute. He declined to comment when pressed by reporters about Trudeau's remarks.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday China should free two Canadian citizens who were detained this week after authorities in Canada arrested a senior Chinese technology executive on a US extradition warrant.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday China should free two Canadian citizens who were detained this week after authorities in Canada arrested a senior Chinese technology executive on a US extradition warrant. Pompeo's comments were the first by a senior US official on the arrests, which Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said could escalate a growing trade conflict between China and the United States. "The unlawful detention of two Canadian citizens is unacceptable," Pompeo told reporters after talks in Washington with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. "They ought to be returned ... We ask all nations of the world to treat other citizens properly." Canadian officials were granted consular access on Friday to one of the two detainees in China and were still trying to contact the second, the Foreign Ministry said. China detained the two businessmen Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat and an adviser with the International Crisis Group (ICG) after Canadian police arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on December 1. ICG President Robert Malley also called for Kovrig's release on Saturday. "Michael's arrest is unjust. He should be freed immediately," Malley said in a statement. "Far from being secretive, Michael's work was open for all to see, Chinese officials first and foremost," he said. Kovrig did not do anything to endanger China's national security, either as a diplomat or at the ICG, Malley said. US prosecutors accuse Meng of misleading multinational banks about Iran-linked transactions, putting the banks at risk of violating US sanctions. Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei's founder, has said she is innocent. Potentially complicating the case, US President Donald Trump made comments this week that legal experts say may have undermined the US basis for extradition. Asked about the remarks, Freeland said: "We all agree that the most important thing we can do is to uphold the rule of law, ensure that Ms Meng's right to due process is respected and that the current judicial process in Canada remains apolitical." Trudeau, in his strongest comments on the matter to date, said China's detention of the two men was "not acceptable." China rejects Trudeau's insistence that the government cannot interfere with the judiciary. Meng was released on bail this week but has to remain in Canada. "This is one of the situations you get in when the two largest economies in the world, China and the United States, start picking a fight with each other," Trudeau told City TV in Toronto. "The escalating trade war between them is going to have all sorts of unintended consequences on Canada, potentially on the entire global economy. We're very worried about that," he said. Lu Shaye, China's ambassador to Canada, told a university conference on Friday that the prospects for deeper business ties were good despite the dispute. He declined to comment when pressed by reporters about Trudeau's remarks.

China should free Canadians held after Huawei arrest: Mike Pompeo

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-administration-move-on-pak-religious-freedom-a-courageous-decision-us-lawmaker-183359">Trump Administration</a> on Tuesday designated Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and seven others as countries of particular concern for having engaged in or tolerated "systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom."

Simultaneously, the Trump Administration also designated al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qaeda, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern.

"On November 28, 2018, I designated Burma (Myanmar), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated "systematic, ongoing, (and) egregious violations of religious freedom," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday.

"I also placed Comoros, Russia, and Uzbekistan on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated 'severe violations of religious freedom'," Pompeo said in a statement.

Observing that in far too many places across the globe, individuals continue to face harassment, arrests, or even death for simply living their lives in accordance with their beliefs, Pompeo asserted that the US will not stand by as spectators in the face of such oppression.

Protecting and promoting international religious freedom is a top foreign policy priority of the Trump Administration, he said.

"In July, I hosted the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, which brought together some 85 like-minded governments and more than 400 civil society organisations to harness global attention and motivate forceful action to advance respect for the human right of religious freedom," he added.

Asserting that safeguarding religious freedom is vital to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity, Pompeo said that these designations are aimed at improving the lives of individuals and the broader success of their societies.

"I recognise that several designated countries are working to improve their respect for religious freedom; I welcome such initiatives and look forward to continuing the dialogue," Pompeo said.

The US remains committed to working with governments, civil society organisations, and religious leaders to advance religious freedom around the world, he added.

The Trump Administration on Tuesday designated Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and seven others as countries of particular concern for having engaged in or tolerated "systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.

The Trump Administration on Tuesday designated Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia and seven others as countries of particular concern for having engaged in or tolerated "systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom." Simultaneously, the Trump Administration also designated al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qaeda, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern. "On November 28, 2018, I designated Burma (Myanmar), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as Countries of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for having engaged in or tolerated "systematic, ongoing, (and) egregious violations of religious freedom," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday. "I also placed Comoros, Russia, and Uzbekistan on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated 'severe violations of religious freedom'," Pompeo said in a statement. Observing that in far too many places across the globe, individuals continue to face harassment, arrests, or even death for simply living their lives in accordance with their beliefs, Pompeo asserted that the US will not stand by as spectators in the face of such oppression. Protecting and promoting international religious freedom is a top foreign policy priority of the Trump Administration, he said. "In July, I hosted the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, which brought together some 85 like-minded governments and more than 400 civil society organisations to harness global attention and motivate forceful action to advance respect for the human right of religious freedom," he added. Asserting that safeguarding religious freedom is vital to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity, Pompeo said that these designations are aimed at improving the lives of individuals and the broader success of their societies. "I recognise that several designated countries are working to improve their respect for religious freedom; I welcome such initiatives and look forward to continuing the dialogue," Pompeo said. The US remains committed to working with governments, civil society organisations, and religious leaders to advance religious freedom around the world, he added.

US adds Pakistan, China to its blacklist for religious freedom violations 

United States Secretary of State <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-keep-aiding-saudis-in-yemen-despite-furor-mike-pompeo-180786">Michael Pompeo</a> has said that there is no "direct evidence" which could link<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-arrives-in-argentina-for-g20-summit-180066"> Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman </a>to the murder of Washington Post columnist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/jamal-khashoggis-murder-finally-brings-media-attention-to-plight-of-arab-worlds-exiled-critics-175792">Jamal Khashoggi.</a>

While reiterating Washington`s support for Riyadh amid a global outcry over Saudi Crown Prince`s possible involvement in Khashoggi`s murder, Pompeo told CNN in an interview on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, "I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of the United States government. And when it is done, when you complete that analysis, there`s no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is an accurate statement, it is an important statement, and it is a statement that we are making publicly today."

Replying to a question on Saturday on whether the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has a 'high confidence'&nbsp;of the Saudi crown prince`s alleged involvement, the US Secretary of State underlined, 'I&nbsp; can`t comment on intelligence matters.'

Last month, Pompeo seconded that Saudi Arabia is an important ally of the US, especially to take control of Iran, secure Iraq`s democracy and to fight the Islamic State terrorists and other armed groups. His remarks came despite the CIA`s announcement that the Saudi crown prince had ordered the murder of Khashoggi.

On October 2, Khashoggi was reported missing after he stepped into Saudi Arabia`s consulate in Istanbul to collect paperwork that would allow him to get married to his Turkish fiancee <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-fiancee-hits-at-trump-response-warns-of-money-influence-174297">Hatice Cengiz</a>, who later said that he never appeared from the building.

After days of denial, Saudi Arabia later confirmed its role in Khashoggi`s killing after facing massive pressure from Turkey over their investigations on the issue. But their contradictory statements have led to international uproar led by Turkey`s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has demanded Riyadh to come clean and accept their role in the scribe`s death.

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had admitted that the murder of the scribe was "a mistake and a rogue operation.'Recently, the Donald Trump administration slapped sanctions on 17 Saudi nationals allegedly involved in Khashoggi`s killing. Other countries, such as Canada and France also followed the suit. Khashoggi, who relocated to the US from Saudi Arabia last year, used to write articles for The Washington Post, criticising the Saudi government.&nbsp;

United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said that there is no "direct evidence" which could link Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has said that there is no "direct evidence" which could link Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. While reiterating Washington`s support for Riyadh amid a global outcry over Saudi Crown Prince`s possible involvement in Khashoggi`s murder, Pompeo told CNN in an interview on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, "I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of the United States government. And when it is done, when you complete that analysis, there`s no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is an accurate statement, it is an important statement, and it is a statement that we are making publicly today." Replying to a question on Saturday on whether the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has a 'high confidence' of the Saudi crown prince`s alleged involvement, the US Secretary of State underlined, 'I can`t comment on intelligence matters.' Last month, Pompeo seconded that Saudi Arabia is an important ally of the US, especially to take control of Iran, secure Iraq`s democracy and to fight the Islamic State terrorists and other armed groups. His remarks came despite the CIA`s announcement that the Saudi crown prince had ordered the murder of Khashoggi. On October 2, Khashoggi was reported missing after he stepped into Saudi Arabia`s consulate in Istanbul to collect paperwork that would allow him to get married to his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz, who later said that he never appeared from the building. After days of denial, Saudi Arabia later confirmed its role in Khashoggi`s killing after facing massive pressure from Turkey over their investigations on the issue. But their contradictory statements have led to international uproar led by Turkey`s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has demanded Riyadh to come clean and accept their role in the scribe`s death. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir had admitted that the murder of the scribe was "a mistake and a rogue operation.'Recently, the Donald Trump administration slapped sanctions on 17 Saudi nationals allegedly involved in Khashoggi`s killing. Other countries, such as Canada and France also followed the suit. Khashoggi, who relocated to the US from Saudi Arabia last year, used to write articles for The Washington Post, criticising the Saudi government.

No 'direct evidence' between Saudi Crown Prince and Khashoggi killing: US's Pompeo

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