President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani has claimed that the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un begged for the summit with US President Donald Trump after he cancelled it.

He said the North Korean leader "got on his hands and knees and begged".

While speaking at an investment conference in Israel, Giuliani said Trump cancelled the summit because senior North Korean officials insulted top officials of the Trump administration.

The North Korean officials said they would wage a nuclear war with US and would defeat US in a war, he added.

He further said that the Trump administration refused to hold the summit under "such circumstances".

Giuliani said after Trump's refusal for the summit&nbsp;"Kim Jong-un got back on his hands and knees and begged for it, which is exactly the position you want to put him in", a media reported.

For a long time, Kim and Trump were hurling insults and threats of war with each other.

The rhetoric began to cool during the Winter Olympics in South Korea, and by mid-March, the two sides had agreed to a face-to-face.

After some back-and-forth, June 12 in Singapore has been scheduled for the meeting between the two leaders. 
&nbsp;

While speaking at an investment conference in Israel, Giuliani said Trump cancelled the summit because senior North Korean officials insulted top officials of the Trump administration

President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani has claimed that the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un begged for the summit with US President Donald Trump after he cancelled it. He said the North Korean leader "got on his hands and knees and begged". While speaking at an investment conference in Israel, Giuliani said Trump cancelled the summit because senior North Korean officials insulted top officials of the Trump administration. The North Korean officials said they would wage a nuclear war with US and would defeat US in a war, he added. He further said that the Trump administration refused to hold the summit under "such circumstances". Giuliani said after Trump's refusal for the summit "Kim Jong-un got back on his hands and knees and begged for it, which is exactly the position you want to put him in", a media reported. For a long time, Kim and Trump were hurling insults and threats of war with each other. The rhetoric began to cool during the Winter Olympics in South Korea, and by mid-March, the two sides had agreed to a face-to-face. After some back-and-forth, June 12 in Singapore has been scheduled for the meeting between the two leaders.

Kim got on his hands, knees and begged Trump for the summit: Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani

Singapore has designated a central region of the wealthy city state as a "special event area" from June 10 to 14 for a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the government said on Monday.

The area comprising the districts of Tanglin, Newton and Orchard is where the foreign ministry, the U.S. embassy, and several large hotels are located, including the Shangri-La hotel, mentioned as a possible venue for the June 12 summit.

The announcement was made in the government's online gazette.

There will be a series of meetings between the two countries over the five days that include "lead-in activities" and social events connected with the summit, it added.

Police will make stricter checks of people and personal property and items such as public address systems and remotely piloted aircraft systems will be prohibited, the notice said.

There has been no confirmation of the venue for the summit to discuss ending the North's nuclear weapons programme in return for diplomatic and economic incentives, although several Singapore hotels have figured as candidates.

The area comprising the districts of Tanglin, Newton and Orchard is where the foreign ministry, the U.S. embassy, and several large hotels are located, including the Shangri-La hotel, mentioned as a possible venue for the June 12 summit

Singapore has designated a central region of the wealthy city state as a "special event area" from June 10 to 14 for a planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the government said on Monday. The area comprising the districts of Tanglin, Newton and Orchard is where the foreign ministry, the U.S. embassy, and several large hotels are located, including the Shangri-La hotel, mentioned as a possible venue for the June 12 summit. The announcement was made in the government's online gazette. There will be a series of meetings between the two countries over the five days that include "lead-in activities" and social events connected with the summit, it added. Police will make stricter checks of people and personal property and items such as public address systems and remotely piloted aircraft systems will be prohibited, the notice said. There has been no confirmation of the venue for the summit to discuss ending the North's nuclear weapons programme in return for diplomatic and economic incentives, although several Singapore hotels have figured as candidates.

Singapore designates special zone for Trump-Kim summit

President Donald Trump, under pressure from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election, probably has the power to pardon himself but does not plan to do so, his attorney Rudy Giuliani said on Sunday.

Asked whether Trump has the power to give himself a pardon, Giuliani said, "He's not, but he probably does." Giuliani added that Trump "has no intention of pardoning himself," but that the U.S. Constitution, which gives a president the authority to issue pardons, "doesn't say he can't."

Speaking on ABC's "This Week" program, Giuliani added, "It would be an open question. I think it would probably get answered by, gosh, that's what the Constitution says."

Mueller is investigating whether Russia meddled in the presidential election and whether Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow. Mueller, whose investigation already has led to criminal charges against Trump campaign aides including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, is also looking into whether Trump unlawfully sought to obstruct the Russia investigation.

Both Russia and Trump deny collusion, and the president has denied obstructing the probe.

The possibility of Trump pardoning himself appeared to be raised in a Jan. 29 letter from his lawyers to Mueller, published by the New York Times on Saturday, arguing that the president could not have obstructed the probe given the powers granted to him by the Constitution.

"It remains our position that the President's actions here, by virtue of his position as the chief law enforcement officer, could neither constitutionally nor legally constitute obstruction because that would amount to him obstructing himself, and that he could, if he wished, terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon if he so desired," Trump's lawyers wrote.

The letter did not explicitly describe the possibility of Trump pardoning himself.

A Trump decision to terminate the investigation "could lead to impeachment," Giuliani separately told the NBC News program "Meet the Press with Chuck Todd." Under the Constitution, a president can be impeached by the House of Representatives and then removed from office by the Senate.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, made clear that he did not think Trump or any other president should pardon himself. "I don't think a president should pardon themselves," he told CNN's "State of the Union."

Trump has not been shy about using his pardon power.

The president on Thursday pardoned conservative commentator and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to U.S. campaign finance law violations.

Trump also said he was considering pardoning lifestyle maven Martha Stewart and commuting the prison sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, convicted of corruption charges. Critics accused Trump of subverting the rule of law.

Giuliani told ABC it is an "open question" whether Trump would sit for an interview with Mueller but that the president's lawyers were leaning against having him testify.

Giuliani also said the president's legal team planned to challenge any potential subpoena from the special counsel's office as harassment or as unnecessary because the White House has turned over more than a million documents and several witnesses.

Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to again rage against the FBI and Justice Department, saying he would not have hired Manafort if the agencies had told him Manafort was already under investigation.

"As only one of two people left who could become President, why wouldn't the FBI or Department of 'Justice' have told me that they were secretly investigating Paul Manafort (on charges that were 10 years old and had been previously dropped) during my campaign? Should have told me!" Trump tweeted.

"Paul Manafort came into the campaign very late and was with us for a short period of time ... but we should have been told that Comey and the boys were doing a number on him, and he wouldn't have been hired!" Trump wrote, referring to former FBI Director James Comey.

Trump's May 2017 firing of Comey led to Mueller's appointment as special counsel to oversee the federal investigation of Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and related matters.

The possibility of Trump pardoning himself appeared to be raised in a January 29 letter from his lawyers to Mueller, arguing that the president could not have obstructed the probe given the powers granted to him by the Constitution

President Donald Trump, under pressure from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election, probably has the power to pardon himself but does not plan to do so, his attorney Rudy Giuliani said on Sunday. Asked whether Trump has the power to give himself a pardon, Giuliani said, "He's not, but he probably does." Giuliani added that Trump "has no intention of pardoning himself," but that the U.S. Constitution, which gives a president the authority to issue pardons, "doesn't say he can't." Speaking on ABC's "This Week" program, Giuliani added, "It would be an open question. I think it would probably get answered by, gosh, that's what the Constitution says." Mueller is investigating whether Russia meddled in the presidential election and whether Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow. Mueller, whose investigation already has led to criminal charges against Trump campaign aides including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, is also looking into whether Trump unlawfully sought to obstruct the Russia investigation. Both Russia and Trump deny collusion, and the president has denied obstructing the probe. The possibility of Trump pardoning himself appeared to be raised in a Jan. 29 letter from his lawyers to Mueller, published by the New York Times on Saturday, arguing that the president could not have obstructed the probe given the powers granted to him by the Constitution. "It remains our position that the President's actions here, by virtue of his position as the chief law enforcement officer, could neither constitutionally nor legally constitute obstruction because that would amount to him obstructing himself, and that he could, if he wished, terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon if he so desired," Trump's lawyers wrote. The letter did not explicitly describe the possibility of Trump pardoning himself. A Trump decision to terminate the investigation "could lead to impeachment," Giuliani separately told the NBC News program "Meet the Press with Chuck Todd." Under the Constitution, a president can be impeached by the House of Representatives and then removed from office by the Senate. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, made clear that he did not think Trump or any other president should pardon himself. "I don't think a president should pardon themselves," he told CNN's "State of the Union." Trump has not been shy about using his pardon power. The president on Thursday pardoned conservative commentator and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to U.S. campaign finance law violations. Trump also said he was considering pardoning lifestyle maven Martha Stewart and commuting the prison sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, convicted of corruption charges. Critics accused Trump of subverting the rule of law. Giuliani told ABC it is an "open question" whether Trump would sit for an interview with Mueller but that the president's lawyers were leaning against having him testify. Giuliani also said the president's legal team planned to challenge any potential subpoena from the special counsel's office as harassment or as unnecessary because the White House has turned over more than a million documents and several witnesses. Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to again rage against the FBI and Justice Department, saying he would not have hired Manafort if the agencies had told him Manafort was already under investigation. "As only one of two people left who could become President, why wouldn't the FBI or Department of 'Justice' have told me that they were secretly investigating Paul Manafort (on charges that were 10 years old and had been previously dropped) during my campaign? Should have told me!" Trump tweeted. "Paul Manafort came into the campaign very late and was with us for a short period of time ... but we should have been told that Comey and the boys were doing a number on him, and he wouldn't have been hired!" Trump wrote, referring to former FBI Director James Comey. Trump's May 2017 firing of Comey led to Mueller's appointment as special counsel to oversee the federal investigation of Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and related matters.

Trump can probably pardon himself, but has no plan to: Giuliani

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/day-after-countrys-farmers-go-on-strike-fruit--vegetable-prices-shoot-up-141779">Day</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/day-after-countrys-farmers-go-on-strike-fruit--vegetable-prices-shoot-up-141779"> after country's farmers go on strike, fruit & vegetable prices shoot up</a>

A day after farmers in the country went on&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/farmers-begin-10-day-nationwide-strike-say-will-not-sell-produce-in-cities-141609">strike</a>, the prices of fruits and vegetables have reportedly shot up.&nbspANI reported vendors at Delhi's Okhla mandi as saying prices had risen.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-address-farmers-protest-on-june-6-in-mandsaur-mp-141801">Rahul Gandhi to address farmers' protest on June 6 in Mandsaur, MP</a>

A day after farmers across the country initiated a 10-day nationwide protest,&nbspCongress president Rahul Gandhi has decided to join the protest on June 6.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-summit-back-on-but-who-will-pay-for-kims-hotel-room-141802">Trump says summit back on but who will pay for Kim's hotel room?&nbsp</a>

Trump announced early Saturday morning that his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was back on.&nbsp He made his announcement after meeting at the White House with Kim's right-hand man Kim Yong Chol.&nbsp

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/palestinian-tries-to-hit-israeli-soldiers-with-car-shot-dead-army-141790">Palestinian tries to hit Israeli soldiers with </a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/palestinian-tries-to-hit-israeli-soldiers-with-car-shot-dead-army-141790">car</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/palestinian-tries-to-hit-israeli-soldiers-with-car-shot-dead-army-141790">,</a><a href="http://wionews.com/world/palestinian-tries-to-hit-israeli-soldiers-with-car-shot-dead-army-141790"> shot dead: Army</a>

A Palestinian man who tried today to hit Israeli soldiers with his car in the southern occupied West Bank city Hebron was shot dead, the army said.

<a href="http://wionews.com/south-asia/un-and-myanmar-agree-outline-of-rohingya-return-deal-no-details-141556">UN and Myanmar agree outline of Rohingya return deal, no details</a>

The United Nations said&nbspon Thursday&nbspit had struck an outline deal with Myanmar aimed at eventually allowing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims sheltering in Bangladesh to return safely and by choice.

&nbsp

Day after country's farmers go on strike, fruit & vegetable prices shoot up A day after farmers in the country went on strike, the prices of fruits and vegetables have reportedly shot up.&nbspANI reported vendors at Delhi's Okhla mandi as saying prices had risen. Rahul Gandhi to address farmers' protest on June 6 in Mandsaur, MP A day after farmers across the country initiated a 10-day nationwide protest,&nbspCongress president Rahul Gandhi has decided to join the protest on June 6. Trump says summit back on but who will pay for Kim's hotel room? Trump announced early Saturday morning that his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was back on. He made his announcement after meeting at the White House with Kim's right-hand man Kim Yong Chol. Palestinian tries to hit Israeli soldiers with car, shot dead: Army A Palestinian man who tried today to hit Israeli soldiers with his car in the southern occupied West Bank city Hebron was shot dead, the army said. UN and Myanmar agree outline of Rohingya return deal, no details The United Nations said&nbspon Thursday&nbspit had struck an outline deal with Myanmar aimed at eventually allowing hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims sheltering in Bangladesh to return safely and by choice.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Saying he was treated "very unfairly," President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will pardon conservative author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty four years ago to violating US campaign financing laws.

"Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D'Souza today," Trump tweeted. "He was treated very unfairly by our government!"

D'Souza, 57, a caustic critic of former president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, was fined $30,000 and sentenced in September 2014 to five years of probation for illegal campaign contributions.

The Republican pundit pleaded guilty to attempting to donate $20,000 to a Senate campaign through straw donors by offering to reimburse associates who sent in the money.

D'Souza also personally contributed $10,000 to the campaign of Republican Wendy Long, who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in New York in 2012.

At the time, the legal limit for an individual to contribution was $5,000.

Then-US attorney Preet Bharara accused D'Souza following his sentencing of "wilfully undermining the integrity of the campaign finance process."

D'Souza is a best-selling author of several books on politics and the influence of religion on American society.

His films "2016: Obama's America" and "Hillary's America" were popular with conservative groups.

Before pleading guilty, D'Souza insisted on his innocence and claimed he was targeted for federal prosecution because of his anti-Obama views.

Federal judge Richard Berman dismissed the bias claims as completely unfounded.

"The defendant's claim of selective prosecution, legally speaking, is all hat, no cattle," he said.

D'Souza, 57, a caustic critic of former president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, was fined $30,000 and sentenced in September 2014 to five years of probation for illegal campaign contributions

Saying he was treated "very unfairly," President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will pardon conservative author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty four years ago to violating US campaign financing laws. "Will be giving a Full Pardon to Dinesh D'Souza today," Trump tweeted. "He was treated very unfairly by our government!" D'Souza, 57, a caustic critic of former president Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, was fined $30,000 and sentenced in September 2014 to five years of probation for illegal campaign contributions. The Republican pundit pleaded guilty to attempting to donate $20,000 to a Senate campaign through straw donors by offering to reimburse associates who sent in the money. D'Souza also personally contributed $10,000 to the campaign of Republican Wendy Long, who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in New York in 2012. At the time, the legal limit for an individual to contribution was $5,000. Then-US attorney Preet Bharara accused D'Souza following his sentencing of "wilfully undermining the integrity of the campaign finance process." D'Souza is a best-selling author of several books on politics and the influence of religion on American society. His films "2016: Obama's America" and "Hillary's America" were popular with conservative groups. Before pleading guilty, D'Souza insisted on his innocence and claimed he was targeted for federal prosecution because of his anti-Obama views. Federal judge Richard Berman dismissed the bias claims as completely unfounded. "The defendant's claim of selective prosecution, legally speaking, is all hat, no cattle," he said.

Trump says he will pardon conservative firebrand Dinesh D'Souza

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was expecting to receive a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as the two sides scramble to revive a summit previously set for next month between the two leaders.

"I look forward to seeing what's in the letter. They will probably be coming to Washington DC on Friday to deliver the letter so I look forward to that," Trump said before heading to Texas for the day.

He also said that meetings in New York between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which resumed early Thursday, were going "very well."

There were reports earlier on Wednesday that South&nbspKorean officials were noting "quite significant" differences between the United States and&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspover denuclearization.

The New York meetings follow high-level conversations Pompeo held in&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspin April and earlier in May and are intended to get negotiations between the two long-time adversaries back on track.

The United States has been demanding that&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspabandon its nuclear weapons programme amid reports that it is close to being able to launch a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States.

He also said that meetings in New York between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which resumed early Thursday, were going very well

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was expecting to receive a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as the two sides scramble to revive a summit previously set for next month between the two leaders. "I look forward to seeing what's in the letter. They will probably be coming to Washington DC on Friday to deliver the letter so I look forward to that," Trump said before heading to Texas for the day. He also said that meetings in New York between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which resumed early Thursday, were going "very well." There were reports earlier on Wednesday that South&nbspKorean officials were noting "quite significant" differences between the United States and&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspover denuclearization. The New York meetings follow high-level conversations Pompeo held in&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspin April and earlier in May and are intended to get negotiations between the two long-time adversaries back on track. The United States has been demanding that&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspabandon its nuclear weapons programme amid reports that it is close to being able to launch a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States.

Trump says expecting letter from Kim Jong Un ahead of summit

US President Donald Trump announced that a senior North Korean official is headed to New York to discuss an upcoming summit,&nbsp;the latest indication that an on-again-off-again meeting between Trump and North Korea's leader may go ahead next month.

Kim Yong Chol, 72, will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000.

Kim Jong Chol has often be described as Supreme leader Kin Jong Un's "right-hand man" and also coordinated the North Korean president's two meetings with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in April and May. He and Kim Jong Un's sister were the only North Korean officials to attend the first inter-Korean summit in April alongside the North Korean leader.

<img alt="128.PNG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="390" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/128.PNG" width="697" />

He was also&nbsp;among a small and select group of North Korean officials who&nbsp;accompanied Kim Jong Un&nbsp;to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula&nbsp;to meet twice&nbsp;with South Korean President Moon Jae In.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently informed that Kim would be meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York, making him the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit the US since 2000 when Jo Myong Rok, the late vice marshal, met with then-President Bill Clinton in Washington.

Kim has previously been a liaison officer with the United Nations, a border guard in the Korean demilitarised zone and was also a part of the team which carried out the breakthrough negotiations with the South Koreans in the early 1990s. Over the past decade, he was promoted to four-star general and made the head of the main North Korean intelligence service, known as the reconnaissance general bureau (RGB).

He is the current vice-chairman of the ruling Worker's party and was also one of the delegations from North Korea for the Winter Olympics closing ceremony.&nbsp;

He later served as the director of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, tasked with cyber-warfare and gathering foreign intelligence, from 2009 to 2016.

During his time as North Korea's military intelligence chief, Kim was accused of being responsible for the attacks on the South Korea warship Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island in 2010 in which 46 sailors had died.

He also allegedly had a hand in North Korea’s deadly shelling of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island six months later.

He is also linked to the cyber-attack on Sony Pictures in 2014 and led the country's delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in South Korea's Pyeongchang earlier this year.

The United States and South Korea blacklisted Kim Yong Chol for supporting the North's nuclear and missile programmes in 2010 and 2016, respectively, so a visit to the United States would indicate the US&nbsp;government has granted him a waiver.

North Korea denied any involvement in both attacks.

Kim Yong Chol, 72, will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000

US President Donald Trump announced that a senior North Korean official is headed to New York to discuss an upcoming summit, the latest indication that an on-again-off-again meeting between Trump and North Korea's leader may go ahead next month. Kim Yong Chol, 72, will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000. Kim Jong Chol has often be described as Supreme leader Kin Jong Un's "right-hand man" and also coordinated the North Korean president's two meetings with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in April and May. He and Kim Jong Un's sister were the only North Korean officials to attend the first inter-Korean summit in April alongside the North Korean leader. He was also among a small and select group of North Korean officials who accompanied Kim Jong Un to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula to meet twice with South Korean President Moon Jae In. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently informed that Kim would be meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York, making him the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit the US since 2000 when Jo Myong Rok, the late vice marshal, met with then-President Bill Clinton in Washington. Kim has previously been a liaison officer with the United Nations, a border guard in the Korean demilitarised zone and was also a part of the team which carried out the breakthrough negotiations with the South Koreans in the early 1990s. Over the past decade, he was promoted to four-star general and made the head of the main North Korean intelligence service, known as the reconnaissance general bureau (RGB). He is the current vice-chairman of the ruling Worker's party and was also one of the delegations from North Korea for the Winter Olympics closing ceremony. He later served as the director of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, tasked with cyber-warfare and gathering foreign intelligence, from 2009 to 2016. During his time as North Korea's military intelligence chief, Kim was accused of being responsible for the attacks on the South Korea warship Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island in 2010 in which 46 sailors had died. He also allegedly had a hand in North Korea’s deadly shelling of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island six months later. He is also linked to the cyber-attack on Sony Pictures in 2014 and led the country's delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in South Korea's Pyeongchang earlier this year. The United States and South Korea blacklisted Kim Yong Chol for supporting the North's nuclear and missile programmes in 2010 and 2016, respectively, so a visit to the United States would indicate the US government has granted him a waiver. North Korea denied any involvement in both attacks.

Kim Yong Chol: North Korean leader's right-hand man and ex-spy chief

The United States has decided to cut short the length of validity of visas issued o Chinese citizens as part of a strategy to prevent intellectual property theft by US rivals, a White House official said on Tuesday.

The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis although the visa process remains the same, reports said.&nbsp;

The US State Department will implement measures from June 11 to “enhance security for some Chinese visa applicants,” the official said.

Reports further said that the maximum validity for Chinese student visas would remain the same, five years, but that consular officials have the authority to put an earlier expiration date on some visas.

A US official has said that Chinese graduate students would be limited to one-year visas if they are studying in certain fields, such as robotics, aviation and high-tech manufacturing.

The change would come as President Donald Trump’s administration attempts to crack down on what it says is theft of US intellectual property by China.

“Going forward, a reduction in the validity of some newly issued visas is part of the National Security Strategy to ensure that intellectual property is not transferred to our competitors,” the official said, referring to a document issued by the Trump administration in December.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-state-media-slam-us-trade-announcement-say-beijing-ready-to-fight-140836">China's state media slam US trade announcement, say Beijing ready to fight</a>

The official said the instructions also stated that Chinese citizens seeking visas would need special clearance from multiple US agencies if they work as researchers or managers for companies on a US Commerce Department list of entities needing higher scrutiny. Those clearances are expected to take months for each application, AP cited the official as saying.

Earlier on Tuesday, Washington said it was still considering slapping 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods in retaliation for what the Trump administration says are China’s unfair trade practices.

The US State Department will implement measures from June 11 to 'enhance security for some Chinese visa applicants,' the official said

The United States has decided to cut short the length of validity of visas issued o Chinese citizens as part of a strategy to prevent intellectual property theft by US rivals, a White House official said on Tuesday. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis although the visa process remains the same, reports said. The US State Department will implement measures from June 11 to “enhance security for some Chinese visa applicants,” the official said. Reports further said that the maximum validity for Chinese student visas would remain the same, five years, but that consular officials have the authority to put an earlier expiration date on some visas. A US official has said that Chinese graduate students would be limited to one-year visas if they are studying in certain fields, such as robotics, aviation and high-tech manufacturing. The change would come as President Donald Trump’s administration attempts to crack down on what it says is theft of US intellectual property by China. “Going forward, a reduction in the validity of some newly issued visas is part of the National Security Strategy to ensure that intellectual property is not transferred to our competitors,” the official said, referring to a document issued by the Trump administration in December. Also read: China's state media slam US trade announcement, say Beijing ready to fight The official said the instructions also stated that Chinese citizens seeking visas would need special clearance from multiple US agencies if they work as researchers or managers for companies on a US Commerce Department list of entities needing higher scrutiny. Those clearances are expected to take months for each application, AP cited the official as saying. Earlier on Tuesday, Washington said it was still considering slapping 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods in retaliation for what the Trump administration says are China’s unfair trade practices.

US to shorten length of visas for some Chinese citizens: White House

A senior North Korean official is headed to New York to discuss an upcoming summit, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, the latest indication that an on-again-off-again meeting between Trump and North Korea's leader may go ahead next month.

"We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea," Trump said in a Twitter post. "Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more. Kim Young (sic) Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!"

Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee and formerly head of a top North Korean military intelligence agency, was scheduled to fly to the United States on Wednesday after speaking to Chinese officials in Beijing, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said, citing an unidentified source.

The talks indicate that planning for the unprecedented summit, initially scheduled for June 12, is moving ahead after Trump called it off last week in a letter to the North's leader, Kim Jong Un.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-meetings-taking-place-on-us-north-korea-summit-140683">Trump says meetings taking place on US-North Korea summit</a>

A day later, Trump, who frequently exchanged insults with Kim Jong Un before they began talking about a summit, said he had reconsidered and officials from both countries were meeting to work out details.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea. Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more. Kim Young Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1001410457092218880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kim Yong Chol will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000.

Kim Yong Chol coordinated the North Korean president's two meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in April and May. He and Kim Jong Un's sister were the only North Korean officials to attend the first inter-Korean summit in April alongside the North Korean leader.

Analysts believe the United States is trying to determine whether North Korea is willing to agree to sufficient steps toward getting rid of its nuclear weapons to allow a summit to take place.

Kellyanne Conway, a top adviser to Trump, told Fox News a summit might not take place on the date originally set but perhaps shortly after.

<img alt="Untitled design (2)_3.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="450" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/Untitled%20design%20(2)_3.jpg" width="770" />

North Korean leader Kim's de facto chief of staff, Kim Chang Son, meanwhile, flew to Singapore, the scheduled site of the meeting, via Beijing late on Monday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

At the same time, a "pre-advance" U.S. team was in Singapore to meet North Koreans.

North Korea has faced years of isolation and economic sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes since it conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.

But events have moved quickly since Kim Jong Un made a conciliatory New Year’s address at the end of last year, following months of sharply rising tension and war-like rhetoric between Trump and Kim.

Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting on Saturday at the border village of Panmunjom, during which they agreed the North Korea-U.S. summit must be held.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/south-korean-president-moon-jae-in-may-attend-us-north-korea-summit-report-140328">South Korean president Moon Jae-in may attend US-North Korea summit: Report</a>

On Sunday, the U.S. State Department said American and North Korean officials had met at Panmunjom. Sung Kim, the former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and current ambassador to the Philippines, led the U.S. delegation, an official told Reuters.

Sung Kim will meet North Korean Foreign Ministry official Choi Sun Hee again&nbsp;on Wednesday on the border, Yonhap reported, citing a diplomatic source, adding that the agenda for the Trump-Kim summit would be roughly worked out.

While likely substantive, those discussions could be upstaged by any talks between Kim Yong Chol and officials in the United States, said Evans Revere, a former senior diplomat who dealt with North Korea under U.S. President George W. Bush.

The future of North Korea's nuclear programme, which has been a source of international tension for decades, U.S. security guarantees and coordination for a Trump-Kim summit are likely to be at the top of the agenda, analysts said.

In Kim Jong Un and Moon's first meeting on April 27, they agreed to seek the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula but did not define what that meant or how that would proceed.

Since then, North Korea has rejected U.S. demands for it to unilaterally abandon its nuclear programme, which experts say could threaten the United States.

North Korea also demanded the United States stop military exercises with South Korea, the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper said.

South Korea's Defence Ministry said it did not have plans to change exercise schedules with the U.S. military.

North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against what it sees as U.S. aggression. The United States stations 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The United States and South Korea blacklisted Kim Yong Chol

for supporting the North's nuclear and missile programmes in 2010 and 2016, respectively, so a visit to the United States would indicate the U.S. government has granted him a waiver.

During his tenure as a senior intelligence official, Kim was accused by South Korea of masterminding deadly attacks on a South Korean navy ship and an island in 2010. He was linked by U.S intelligence to a cyber attack on Sony Pictures in 2014.

North Korea denied any involvement in both attacks.

The talks indicate that planning for the unprecedented summit, initially scheduled for June 12, is moving ahead after Trump called it off last week in a letter to the North's leader, Kim Jong Un

A senior North Korean official is headed to New York to discuss an upcoming summit, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, the latest indication that an on-again-off-again meeting between Trump and North Korea's leader may go ahead next month. "We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea," Trump said in a Twitter post. "Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more. Kim Young (sic) Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!" Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee and formerly head of a top North Korean military intelligence agency, was scheduled to fly to the United States on Wednesday after speaking to Chinese officials in Beijing, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said, citing an unidentified source. The talks indicate that planning for the unprecedented summit, initially scheduled for June 12, is moving ahead after Trump called it off last week in a letter to the North's leader, Kim Jong Un. Also read: Trump says meetings taking place on US-North Korea summit A day later, Trump, who frequently exchanged insults with Kim Jong Un before they began talking about a summit, said he had reconsidered and officials from both countries were meeting to work out details. We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea. Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more. Kim Young Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2018 × Kim Yong Chol will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000. Kim Yong Chol coordinated the North Korean president's two meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in April and May. He and Kim Jong Un's sister were the only North Korean officials to attend the first inter-Korean summit in April alongside the North Korean leader. Analysts believe the United States is trying to determine whether North Korea is willing to agree to sufficient steps toward getting rid of its nuclear weapons to allow a summit to take place. Kellyanne Conway, a top adviser to Trump, told Fox News a summit might not take place on the date originally set but perhaps shortly after. North Korean leader Kim's de facto chief of staff, Kim Chang Son, meanwhile, flew to Singapore, the scheduled site of the meeting, via Beijing late on Monday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported. At the same time, a "pre-advance" U.S. team was in Singapore to meet North Koreans. North Korea has faced years of isolation and economic sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes since it conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. But events have moved quickly since Kim Jong Un made a conciliatory New Year’s address at the end of last year, following months of sharply rising tension and war-like rhetoric between Trump and Kim. Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held a surprise meeting on Saturday at the border village of Panmunjom, during which they agreed the North Korea-U.S. summit must be held. Also read: South Korean president Moon Jae-in may attend US-North Korea summit: Report On Sunday, the U.S. State Department said American and North Korean officials had met at Panmunjom. Sung Kim, the former U.S. ambassador to South Korea and current ambassador to the Philippines, led the U.S. delegation, an official told Reuters. Sung Kim will meet North Korean Foreign Ministry official Choi Sun Hee again on Wednesday on the border, Yonhap reported, citing a diplomatic source, adding that the agenda for the Trump-Kim summit would be roughly worked out. While likely substantive, those discussions could be upstaged by any talks between Kim Yong Chol and officials in the United States, said Evans Revere, a former senior diplomat who dealt with North Korea under U.S. President George W. Bush. The future of North Korea's nuclear programme, which has been a source of international tension for decades, U.S. security guarantees and coordination for a Trump-Kim summit are likely to be at the top of the agenda, analysts said. In Kim Jong Un and Moon's first meeting on April 27, they agreed to seek the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula but did not define what that meant or how that would proceed. Since then, North Korea has rejected U.S. demands for it to unilaterally abandon its nuclear programme, which experts say could threaten the United States. North Korea also demanded the United States stop military exercises with South Korea, the North's Rodong Sinmun newspaper said. South Korea's Defence Ministry said it did not have plans to change exercise schedules with the U.S. military. North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against what it sees as U.S. aggression. The United States stations 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. The United States and South Korea blacklisted Kim Yong Chol for supporting the North's nuclear and missile programmes in 2010 and 2016, respectively, so a visit to the United States would indicate the U.S. government has granted him a waiver. During his tenure as a senior intelligence official, Kim was accused by South Korea of masterminding deadly attacks on a South Korean navy ship and an island in 2010. He was linked by U.S intelligence to a cyber attack on Sony Pictures in 2014. North Korea denied any involvement in both attacks.

Most senior North Korean envoy to hold official talks in US in 18 years

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/terrorist-attacker-kills-three-in-belgiums-liege-gunman-dead-140693">'Terrorist' attacker kills three in Belgium's Liege, gunman dead</a>

A man killed two policewomen and a bystander in the Belgian city of Liege on Tuesday before being shot dead in a gunbattle at a school in what prosecutors are treating as a terrorist attack.

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India has concluded price negotiations with Russia for a nearly Rs 40,000 crore deal to procure S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for the Indian Air Force. S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.

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Palestinian militants on Tuesday launched their heaviest mortar bomb barrage against Israel since a 2014 Gaza war and Israeli aircraft struck Islamic Jihad camps in the enclave in response.

<a href="http://wionews.com/world/trump-says-meetings-taking-place-on-us-north-korea-summit-140683">Trump says meetings taking place on US-North Korea summit</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that several meetings were being carried out between the US and North Korea ahead of the historic summit and confirmed that a top North Korean official was en route to New York.

<a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/up-bypolls-re-polling-to-take-place-at-73-booths-in-kairana-140707">UP </a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/up-bypolls-re-polling-to-take-place-at-73-booths-in-kairana-140707">bypolls</a><a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/up-bypolls-re-polling-to-take-place-at-73-booths-in-kairana-140707">: Re-polling to take place at 73 booths in Kairana</a>

73 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana Lok Sabha constituency will see repolling on Wednesday, the Election Commission has said.

&nbsp

&nbsp

'Terrorist' attacker kills three in Belgium's Liege, gunman dead A man killed two policewomen and a bystander in the Belgian city of Liege on Tuesday before being shot dead in a gunbattle at a school in what prosecutors are treating as a terrorist attack. What is the S-400 missile defence system that India is eyeing to buy India has concluded price negotiations with Russia for a nearly Rs 40,000 crore deal to procure S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for the Indian Air Force. S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. Gaza militants launch heavy barrage into Israel, Israel responds with air strikes Palestinian militants on Tuesday launched their heaviest mortar bomb barrage against Israel since a 2014 Gaza war and Israeli aircraft struck Islamic Jihad camps in the enclave in response. Trump says meetings taking place on US-North Korea summit US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that several meetings were being carried out between the US and North Korea ahead of the historic summit and confirmed that a top North Korean official was en route to New York. UP bypolls: Re-polling to take place at 73 booths in Kairana 73 polling stations in Uttar Pradesh's Kairana Lok Sabha constituency will see repolling on Wednesday, the Election Commission has said.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that several meetings were being carried out between the US and North Korea ahead of the historic summit and confirmed that a top North Korean official was en route to New York.

"We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea. Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more. Kim Young Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!" Trump said in a Twitter post.

Earlier, US and North Korean officials met Sunday at a border truce village as preparations resumed for a high-stakes, high-drama summit that President Donald Trump said held "brilliant potential" for the North.

"I truly believe North Korea has brilliant potential and will be a great economic and financial Nation one day," Trump said on Twitter.&nbsp

"Kim Jong Un agrees with me on this. It will happen!," the president said, confirming that a US team "has arrived in North Korea to make arrangements for the summit" between himself and North Korean leader Kim.&nbsp

Meanwhile, already been playing the role of mediator between the US and North Korea, South Korean president Moon Jae-in could be present in high-drama summit between the US and North Korea in June media reports said.

According to a report by BBC, South Korean officials have said that South Korean president could attend the summit. However, his attendance would depend on the progress of pre-summit talks between the US and North Korean leaders.

Earlier, US and North Korean officials met Sunday at a border truce village as preparations resumed for a high-stakes, high-drama summit that President Donald Trump said held "brilliant potential" for the North.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that several meetings were being carried out between the US and North Korea ahead of the historic summit and confirmed that a top North Korean official was en route to New York. "We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea. Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more. Kim Young Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!" Trump said in a Twitter post. Earlier, US and North Korean officials met Sunday at a border truce village as preparations resumed for a high-stakes, high-drama summit that President Donald Trump said held "brilliant potential" for the North. "I truly believe North Korea has brilliant potential and will be a great economic and financial Nation one day," Trump said on Twitter. "Kim Jong Un agrees with me on this. It will happen!," the president said, confirming that a US team "has arrived in North Korea to make arrangements for the summit" between himself and North Korean leader Kim. Meanwhile, already been playing the role of mediator between the US and North Korea, South Korean president Moon Jae-in could be present in high-drama summit between the US and North Korea in June media reports said. According to a report by BBC, South Korean officials have said that South Korean president could attend the summit. However, his attendance would depend on the progress of pre-summit talks between the US and North Korean leaders.

Trump says meetings taking place on US-North Korea summit

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/90000-foreigners-rescued-by-india-in-4-years-proof-of-our-humane-foreign-policy-sushma-swaraj-140366">When people are dying on the border, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/90000-foreigners-rescued-by-india-in-4-years-proof-of-our-humane-foreign-policy-sushma-swaraj-140366">dialogue</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/90000-foreigners-rescued-by-india-in-4-years-proof-of-our-humane-foreign-policy-sushma-swaraj-140366"> is not appropriate: Sushma Swaraj on Pakistan</a>

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed an annual press conference on Monday in which she highlighted the achievements made by the Modi government over the past 4 years.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/this-retired-english-teacher-made-corrections-to-a-letter-sent-by-trump-and-mailed-it-back--140397">This retired English teacher made corrections to a letter sent by Trump and mailed it back</a>

A retired English teacher from the United States did not give any consideration to the fact that the letter she had received, had come from the White House and after being astounded by the grammatical mistakes made the rightful changes and sent it back.&nbsp

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After Ireland welcomed the abortion vote, campaigners have said that they will be in full support if the new law will be named after the woman who died after miscarriage - Savita Halappanavar.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif, who arrived here on Monday on a one-day visit, stressed upon the idea of strengthening relations shared by the two countries.

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Pakistan's military Monday took the unprecedented step of preventing a former spy chief from leaving the country, after he ignited a storm by co-authoring a book that touches on Pakistan's alleged roles in Afghanistan and Kashmir.

When people are dying on the border, dialogue is not appropriate: Sushma Swaraj on Pakistan External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed an annual press conference on Monday in which she highlighted the achievements made by the Modi government over the past 4 years. This retired English teacher made corrections to a letter sent by Trump and mailed it back A retired English teacher from the United States did not give any consideration to the fact that the letter she had received, had come from the White House and after being astounded by the grammatical mistakes made the rightful changes and sent it back. Ireland abortion law may be termed as 'Savita's law' After Ireland welcomed the abortion vote, campaigners have said that they will be in full support if the new law will be named after the woman who died after miscarriage - Savita Halappanavar. Iran Foreign Minister urges on strengthening relations with India Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif, who arrived here on Monday on a one-day visit, stressed upon the idea of strengthening relations shared by the two countries. Pakistan military says ex-spy chief will not be allowed to leave country Pakistan's military Monday took the unprecedented step of preventing a former spy chief from leaving the country, after he ignited a storm by co-authoring a book that touches on Pakistan's alleged roles in Afghanistan and Kashmir.

A retired English teacher from the United States did not give any consideration to the fact that the letter she had received, had come from the White House and after being astounded by the grammatical mistakes made the rightful changes and sent it back.&nbsp;

Yvonne Mason, 61,&nbsp;a former high school English teacher at Mauldin High School, had received the letter from Donald Trump on May 3.

Mason, a Democrat who lives in Atlanta, had written to Trump to ask that he visit each family of those who died in the shooting that killed 17 people at a school in Parkland, Florida, in February.

She received the letter in the mail and was shocked by the number of mistakes and soon after started making corrections. She said that the letter was poorly worded, had several mechanical and grammatical error and further went on to say that she had never received a letter with this many 'silly mistakes.'

Mason also wrote some comments on the paper - "Have y’all tried grammar & style check?” , “OMG this is WRONG!”

There was more, but she didn’t correct everything, saying that her main focus was on correcting 'mechanics.'

“Nation” was capitalized, so was “states.” Mason circled both.

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With reference to the question she had asked in the letter- whether Trump had visited the homes of the victims - there was no answer. Instead, it mentioned the measures taken following the incident such as listening sessions, meeting with lawmakers and the STOP School Violence Act, a bill that would authorize $500 million over 10 years for safety improvements at schools but had no such mention about gun violence and measures to control it.&nbsp;

Mason, who taught English at Hughes Middle School and Mauldin High School for 17 years before retiring last year, is a devoted rhetorical activist, writing letters, emails and faxes to state, local and federal officials. 
&nbsp;

Yvonne Mason, 61, was a former high school English teacher at Mauldin High School had received the letter from Donald Trump on May 3

A retired English teacher from the United States did not give any consideration to the fact that the letter she had received, had come from the White House and after being astounded by the grammatical mistakes made the rightful changes and sent it back. Yvonne Mason, 61, a former high school English teacher at Mauldin High School, had received the letter from Donald Trump on May 3. Mason, a Democrat who lives in Atlanta, had written to Trump to ask that he visit each family of those who died in the shooting that killed 17 people at a school in Parkland, Florida, in February. She received the letter in the mail and was shocked by the number of mistakes and soon after started making corrections. She said that the letter was poorly worded, had several mechanical and grammatical error and further went on to say that she had never received a letter with this many 'silly mistakes.' Mason also wrote some comments on the paper - "Have y’all tried grammar & style check?” , “OMG this is WRONG!” There was more, but she didn’t correct everything, saying that her main focus was on correcting 'mechanics.' “Nation” was capitalized, so was “states.” Mason circled both. × With reference to the question she had asked in the letter- whether Trump had visited the homes of the victims - there was no answer. Instead, it mentioned the measures taken following the incident such as listening sessions, meeting with lawmakers and the STOP School Violence Act, a bill that would authorize $500 million over 10 years for safety improvements at schools but had no such mention about gun violence and measures to control it. Mason, who taught English at Hughes Middle School and Mauldin High School for 17 years before retiring last year, is a devoted rhetorical activist, writing letters, emails and faxes to state, local and federal officials.

This retired English teacher made corrections to a letter sent by Trump and mailed it back

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuela has released an American from detention and said he would be welcomed at the White House with his family in the evening. 
 
Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years.&nbsp;

The Venezuelan government on Saturday released an American, Josh Holt, who it has held since 2016 on weapons charges.

Holt, a Utah citizen, and his wife Thamy, were returning to the United States and were expected to arrive in Washington on Saturday evening, Trump tweeted. Hatch posted a statement saying the release was the culmination of two years of hard work.

Yesterday,&nbsp;Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with US&nbsp;Senator Bob Corker on Friday, the socialist-led government said, less than a week after Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term in a vote the United States did not recognise.

The election prompted a further deterioration in relations between the two countries. The United States responded to the vote, which it called undemocratic, with additional sanctions, prompting Venezuela to expel the top two US&nbsp;diplomats posted in Caracas. The United States responded with a similar move.

“It was a very good meeting, it is good news for the Venezuelan people,” Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told reporters, without providing details of what the officials discussed.

US&nbsp;lawmakers have previously held discussions with Venezuelan officials on the release of Josh Holt, a US&nbsp;citizen and Mormon missionary from Utah imprisoned in the South American country since 2016 on weapons charges. US&nbsp;officials say Venezuela is using Holt as a bargaining chip in sanctions talks.

&nbsp;

Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuela has released an American from detention and said he would be welcomed at the White House with his family in the evening. Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years. The Venezuelan government on Saturday released an American, Josh Holt, who it has held since 2016 on weapons charges. Holt, a Utah citizen, and his wife Thamy, were returning to the United States and were expected to arrive in Washington on Saturday evening, Trump tweeted. Hatch posted a statement saying the release was the culmination of two years of hard work. Yesterday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with US Senator Bob Corker on Friday, the socialist-led government said, less than a week after Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term in a vote the United States did not recognise. The election prompted a further deterioration in relations between the two countries. The United States responded to the vote, which it called undemocratic, with additional sanctions, prompting Venezuela to expel the top two US diplomats posted in Caracas. The United States responded with a similar move. “It was a very good meeting, it is good news for the Venezuelan people,” Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told reporters, without providing details of what the officials discussed. US lawmakers have previously held discussions with Venezuelan officials on the release of Josh Holt, a US citizen and Mormon missionary from Utah imprisoned in the South American country since 2016 on weapons charges. US officials say Venezuela is using Holt as a bargaining chip in sanctions talks.

Trump says detained American released in Venezuela

After North Korea reiterated its commitment to talks, US President Donald Trump said that a possible North Korea summit "could even be on the 12th" of June.

"We're going to see what happens. We're talking to them now," Trump told reporters, one day after he cancelled the highly anticipated meeting. "It could even be the 12th ... We'd like to do it." 
 
Asked whether the North Koreans were playing games, Trump acknowledged they were -- and suggested he was too.

"Everybody plays games. You know that," he told reporters when asked about the ongoing talks. "You know that better than anybody." 
 
The US President Donald Trump earlier wrote on Twitter that it was "very good news".

Hinting at a U-turn after calling off a historic summit with North Korea, the US President had written," we will soon see where it will lead".

"Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!," the US President shared on Twitter.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis also said on Friday that a recently scrapped summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea may still take place if diplomats can pull it off.

"We have got some possibly some good news on the Korea summit, where it may, if our diplomats can pull it off, may have it back on," Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon before a meeting with the Danish defense minister.&nbsp; 
 
North Korea responded on Friday with measured tones to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's decision to call off the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scheduled for next month, saying Pyongyang hoped for a "Trump-style solution" to resolve the standoff over its nuclear weapons programme.

On Thursday, Trump wrote a letter to Kim to announce his withdrawal from what would have been the first-ever meeting between a serving US&nbsp;president and a North Korean leader in Singapore on June 12.

"Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it would be inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote. 
 
In a statement, North Korea regretted the cancellation of the summit and said that it was willing to meet anytime in any way.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from Reuters)

After North Korea reiterated its commitment to talks, US President Donald Trump said he was pleased with the news

After North Korea reiterated its commitment to talks, US President Donald Trump said that a possible North Korea summit "could even be on the 12th" of June. "We're going to see what happens. We're talking to them now," Trump told reporters, one day after he cancelled the highly anticipated meeting. "It could even be the 12th ... We'd like to do it." Asked whether the North Koreans were playing games, Trump acknowledged they were -- and suggested he was too. "Everybody plays games. You know that," he told reporters when asked about the ongoing talks. "You know that better than anybody." The US President Donald Trump earlier wrote on Twitter that it was "very good news". Hinting at a U-turn after calling off a historic summit with North Korea, the US President had written," we will soon see where it will lead". "Very good news to receive the warm and productive statement from North Korea. We will soon see where it will lead, hopefully to long and enduring prosperity and peace. Only time (and talent) will tell!," the US President shared on Twitter. US Defense Secretary James Mattis also said on Friday that a recently scrapped summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea may still take place if diplomats can pull it off. "We have got some possibly some good news on the Korea summit, where it may, if our diplomats can pull it off, may have it back on," Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon before a meeting with the Danish defense minister. North Korea responded on Friday with measured tones to US President Donald Trump's decision to call off the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un scheduled for next month, saying Pyongyang hoped for a "Trump-style solution" to resolve the standoff over its nuclear weapons programme. On Thursday, Trump wrote a letter to Kim to announce his withdrawal from what would have been the first-ever meeting between a serving US president and a North Korean leader in Singapore on June 12. "Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it would be inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," Trump wrote. In a statement, North Korea regretted the cancellation of the summit and said that it was willing to meet anytime in any way. (With inputs from Reuters)

North Korea summit could even be on June 12: President Trump's U-turn

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

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

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

In a bid to soften his stand, US president Donald Trump said today that different &nbspstructure was needed for trade deals with China as the present one was "too hard to get done."

Chinese and US officials had met last week to discuss import of agricultural goods in Beijing after the US president had turned the heat on President Xi's regime over Chinese goods entering the US.

Deputy Commissioner of Customs Zhang Jiwen and US Under Secretary of Agriculture Ted McKinney discussed access to &nbspChinese cooked poultry products, citrus fruits and date exports and US exports to China of poultry, rice, feed additives and other products.

"Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion," Trump said in his Twitter post.

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Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/999257533327073281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The US president's move comes amid softening of stand between China and the US over trade issues which has riled US officials including Trump. Chinese state media recently said the two countries had huge potential for "win-win business cooperation".

The US has been putting pressure on China to narrow its trade deficit with China which currently stands at &nbsp$335 billion annually. In the early rounds the US had insisted that China reduce its trade surplus by $200 billion, but toned down later.

The US has been putting pressure on China to narrow its trade deficit with China which currently stands at $335 billion annually.

In a bid to soften his stand, US president Donald Trump said today that different &nbspstructure was needed for trade deals with China as the present one was "too hard to get done." Chinese and US officials had met last week to discuss import of agricultural goods in Beijing after the US president had turned the heat on President Xi's regime over Chinese goods entering the US. Deputy Commissioner of Customs Zhang Jiwen and US Under Secretary of Agriculture Ted McKinney discussed access to &nbspChinese cooked poultry products, citrus fruits and date exports and US exports to China of poultry, rice, feed additives and other products. "Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion," Trump said in his Twitter post. Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2018 × The US president's move comes amid softening of stand between China and the US over trade issues which has riled US officials including Trump. Chinese state media recently said the two countries had huge potential for "win-win business cooperation". The US has been putting pressure on China to narrow its trade deficit with China which currently stands at $335 billion annually. In the early rounds the US had insisted that China reduce its trade surplus by $200 billion, but toned down later.

Different structure needed for trade deal with China, declares Trump

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

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

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

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

Amid growing speculations over North Korea cancelling the upcoming summit with the United States, the White House has released a commemorative coin for the meet.&nbsp;

In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'Trip Coin' ahead of the meeting that is scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 12.

The coin has 'Peace Talks' inscribed on it along with the image of both the leaders, facing each other, against the backdrop of the US and the North Korean flag.&nbsp;

The release of the commemorative coin comes shortly after the US President threatened that North Korea could end up like Libya if it fails to fall in line with America's expectations.

"There was some talk about the Libyan model last week, and you know, as the President made clear, this will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal," Vice President Mike Pence said in a television interview on Monday. 
&nbsp;

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

Amid growing speculations over North Korea cancelling the upcoming summit with the United States, the White House has released a commemorative coin for the meet. In a bid to mint strong ties with the Kim Jong-Un regime, the Trump administration has released the 'Trip Coin' ahead of the meeting that is scheduled to take place in Singapore on June 12. The coin has 'Peace Talks' inscribed on it along with the image of both the leaders, facing each other, against the backdrop of the US and the North Korean flag. The release of the commemorative coin comes shortly after the US President threatened that North Korea could end up like Libya if it fails to fall in line with America's expectations. "There was some talk about the Libyan model last week, and you know, as the President made clear, this will only end like the Libyan model ended if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal," Vice President Mike Pence said in a television interview on Monday.

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

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

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

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

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

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-to-meet-sonia-rahul-today-in-delhi-congress-may-get-20-seats-in-karnatakas-33-member-cabinet-138488">Kumaraswamy to meet Sonia, Rahul today in Delhi Cong may get 20 seats in Karnataka cabinet, JD(S) 13</a>

HD Kumaraswamy, who will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, will be in Delhi today to meet Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-demands-probe-of-alleged-spying-on-his-campaign-138487">Trump says his presidential campaign was spied on, demands probe</a>

US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">North Korea installing viewing stands for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">audience</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481"> to watch </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">dismantling</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481"> of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481">nuclear</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-installing-viewing-stands-for-audience-to-watch-dismantling-nuclear-site--138481"> test site</a>

North Korea has now decided to set up stands for viewers to watch the dismantling of its nuclear test site through satellite imagery between Wednesday (May 23) and Friday (May 25).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-teen-domestic-help-asks-for-salary-is-chopped-into-pieces-138502">Delhi: Teen domestic help asks for salary, is chopped into pieces</a>

A 16-year-old girl was killed and her body was chopped into three pieces by the person who had brought her from Jharkhand to get her employed as a domestic help in Delhi, after she demanded her salary, police said on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-brazilian-woman-swallows-106-cocaine-pills-in-smuggling-bid--138484">Delhi: Brazil woman who swallowed 106 cocaine pills caught at </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-brazilian-woman-swallows-106-cocaine-pills-in-smuggling-bid--138484">airport</a>

A 25-year-old Brazilian woman was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau from Indira Gandhi International Airport after she was caught smuggling cocaine that she had swallowed

Kumaraswamy to meet Sonia, Rahul today in Delhi Cong may get 20 seats in Karnataka cabinet, JD(S) 13 HD Kumaraswamy, who will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, will be in Delhi today to meet Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Trump says his presidential campaign was spied on, demands probe US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues. North Korea installing viewing stands for audience to watch dismantling of nuclear test site North Korea has now decided to set up stands for viewers to watch the dismantling of its nuclear test site through satellite imagery between Wednesday (May 23) and Friday (May 25). Delhi: Teen domestic help asks for salary, is chopped into pieces A 16-year-old girl was killed and her body was chopped into three pieces by the person who had brought her from Jharkhand to get her employed as a domestic help in Delhi, after she demanded her salary, police said on Sunday. Delhi: Brazil woman who swallowed 106 cocaine pills caught at airport A 25-year-old Brazilian woman was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau from Indira Gandhi International Airport after she was caught smuggling cocaine that she had swallowed

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

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

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

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

US President Donald Trump`s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan`s economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end America`s longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbour.

Building Afghanistan`s economy would also slash Kabul`s dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban`s main revenue source.

But Trump`s decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar`s viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

"President Trump`s decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty."

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan`s port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.&nbsp

"We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan`s trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

"The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan`s economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University`s Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy."

Foreign aid

Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world`s poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid.

Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially, Afghanistan would export agricultural produce – such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for US firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

"The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former US&nbspArmy officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

&nbsp"There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can`t do it by air, you can`t do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar."

In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating through Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

"Now the uncertainty is that we don`t know what`s going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven`t heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."

 
&nbsp

US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan`s economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end America`s longest war

US President Donald Trump`s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan`s economy, endangering a key goal of the US strategy to end America`s longest war. The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbour. Building Afghanistan`s economy would also slash Kabul`s dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban`s main revenue source. But Trump`s decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar`s viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing. "President Trump`s decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty." The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July. At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said. In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan`s port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries. "We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender. Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan`s trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves. Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers. "The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan`s economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University`s Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy." Foreign aid Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world`s poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid. Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade. Initially, Afghanistan would export agricultural produce – such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said. Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for US firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said. "The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former US&nbspArmy officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy. "There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can`t do it by air, you can`t do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar." In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world. That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks. Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating through Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington. "Now the uncertainty is that we don`t know what`s going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven`t heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."

US sanctions on Iran threaten vital Afghanistan trade project

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-is-true-i-had-spoken-to-a-few-of-them-yeddyurappa-admits-he-asked-opposition-mlas-to-cross-vote-138302">It is true I had spoken to a few of them: Yeddyurappa admits he asked opposition MLAs to cross-vote</a>

In an emotional speech before stepping down as Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa today accused the Congress-JDS combine of forming an "opportunistic" alliance and said the popular mandate had been subverted due to their "conspiracy".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-jds-win-in-karnataka-encouraging-formation-of-federal-front-against-bjp-138306">Congress-JD(S) win in Karnataka encouraging formation of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-jds-win-in-karnataka-encouraging-formation-of-federal-front-against-bjp-138306">federal</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-jds-win-in-karnataka-encouraging-formation-of-federal-front-against-bjp-138306"> front against BJP</a>

The JD(S)-Congress win&nbspin Karnataka has encouraged the formation of a "federal front" against the BJP, news reports said Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/melania-trump-returns-to-white-house-after-successful-surgery-trump-wishes-her-by-misspelling-her-name-138320">Trump welcomes Melania home after kidney procedure, misspells her name</a>

United States First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday returned to the White House after a successful kidney procedure, the office announced in a statement.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/ill-never-change-chelseas-conte-says-after-winning-fa-cup-138308">'I'll never change,' Chelsea's Conte says after winning FA cup</a>

Antonio Conte has warned Chelsea he will never change his demanding ways as the FA Cup winning boss waits to discover if he will be sacked.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/priyanka-chopras-heartfelt-note-for-friend-meghan-markle-138303">When time stands still: Priyanka Chopra writes </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/priyanka-chopras-heartfelt-note-for-friend-meghan-markle-138303">heartfelt</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/priyanka-chopras-heartfelt-note-for-friend-meghan-markle-138303"> note to friend Meghan Markle</a>

Priyanka Chopra, who was one of the guests invited for the&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/royal-wedding-live-updates-prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-to-wed-at-windsor-castle-today-138144">royal wedding</a>&nbspyesterday said that she teared up after seeing the ceremony and has left a heartfelt note to the close friend and bride Meghan Markle.

It is true I had spoken to a few of them: Yeddyurappa admits he asked opposition MLAs to cross-vote In an emotional speech before stepping down as Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa today accused the Congress-JDS combine of forming an "opportunistic" alliance and said the popular mandate had been subverted due to their "conspiracy". Congress-JD(S) win in Karnataka encouraging formation of federal front against BJP The JD(S)-Congress win&nbspin Karnataka has encouraged the formation of a "federal front" against the BJP, news reports said Sunday. Trump welcomes Melania home after kidney procedure, misspells her name United States First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday returned to the White House after a successful kidney procedure, the office announced in a statement. 'I'll never change,' Chelsea's Conte says after winning FA cup Antonio Conte has warned Chelsea he will never change his demanding ways as the FA Cup winning boss waits to discover if he will be sacked. When time stands still: Priyanka Chopra writes heartfelt note to friend Meghan Markle Priyanka Chopra, who was one of the guests invited for the royal wedding&nbspyesterday said that she teared up after seeing the ceremony and has left a heartfelt note to the close friend and bride Meghan Markle.

&nbspIran's nuclear chief said on Saturday that the European Union had promised to save the nuclear deal with major powers despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

"We hope their efforts materialise ... America's actions ... show that it is not a trustworthy country in international dealings," Ali Akbar Salehi told a joint news conference in Tehran with the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate, Miguel Arias Canete.

Under the 2015 deal with major powers, Iran curbed its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions on the country. The sanctions were lifted in 2016.

Canete, who arrived in Tehran late on Friday for a two-day visit, aims to reassure Iran that the 28-nation EU wants to keep trade open despite the U.S. withdrawal from the pact, announced by Trump on May 8.

"We have sent a message to our Iranian friends that as long as they are sticking to the agreement the Europeans will... fulfil their commitment. And they said the same thing on the other side," Canete said.

"We will try to intensify our flows of trade that have been very positive for the Iranian economy."

The EU was once the biggest importer of Iranian oil.

Under the 2015 deal with major powers, Iran curbed its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions on the country. The sanctions were lifted in 2016

&nbspIran's nuclear chief said on Saturday that the European Union had promised to save the nuclear deal with major powers despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions on Tehran. "We hope their efforts materialise ... America's actions ... show that it is not a trustworthy country in international dealings," Ali Akbar Salehi told a joint news conference in Tehran with the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate, Miguel Arias Canete. Under the 2015 deal with major powers, Iran curbed its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of most Western sanctions on the country. The sanctions were lifted in 2016. Canete, who arrived in Tehran late on Friday for a two-day visit, aims to reassure Iran that the 28-nation EU wants to keep trade open despite the U.S. withdrawal from the pact, announced by Trump on May 8. "We have sent a message to our Iranian friends that as long as they are sticking to the agreement the Europeans will... fulfil their commitment. And they said the same thing on the other side," Canete said. "We will try to intensify our flows of trade that have been very positive for the Iranian economy." The EU was once the biggest importer of Iranian oil.

Iran says EU promising to salvage nuclear deal despite Trump move

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday escalated his attacks on the Justice Department, suggesting that the FBI may have planted or recruited an informant in his 2016 presidential campaign.

Trump stopped short of accusing the FBI of spying on his campaign, instead citing unnamed reports that at least one FBI representative was "implanted" for political purposes into his campaign.

"If true - all time biggest political scandal!" Trump said in a tweet.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, now one of Trump's personal attorneys, almost immediately undercut Trump's speculation about an informant. "I don't know for sure, nor does the president, if there really was one," he told CNN.

"For a long time we've been told there was some kind of infiltration," Giuliani said. "At one time, the president thought it was a wiretap."

Neither Trump nor Giuliani provided any evidence of government infiltration into Trump's presidential campaign.

With Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigating possible collusion between Trump's election campaign team and Russia, Trump and some of his allies have alleged that elements inside the Justice Department are seeking to undermine his administration.

Trump has denied any collusion with Russia and repeatedly called Mueller's investigation a "witch hunt." Russia has denied meddling in the U.S. presidential election.

Glenn Simpson, who heads a consulting firm in Washington and hired former British spy Christopher Steele to investigate Trump's dealings with Russia prior to the campaign, testified last August to the Senate Judiciary Committee that some of what he collected was "human source intelligence."

Simpson, however, did not tell the committee anything that could substantiate suggestions that U.S. authorities might have inserted an informant into the Trump campaign.

The FBI declined to comment on Friday.

CNN reported that U.S. officials said, "The confidential intelligence source was not planted inside the campaign to provide information to investigators."

Nevertheless, some Republicans are demanding classified documents related to the alleged informant. The Justice Department has refused to provide them.

The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, warned members of Congress against publicly outing FBI sources.

"It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," Warner said in a statement.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee, on Wednesday cited the need to protect people who cooperate with law enforcement or intelligence officials.Trump's allies also charge that Mueller has exceeded the bounds of his authority by investigating the financial dealings of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.

Mueller so far remains undeterred by attempts to discredit the investigation or distract attention from it, according to one source familiar with the probe.

His office has negotiated a plea agreement with Manafort's former son-in-law, Jeffrey Yohai, that requires him to cooperate with other probes, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Trump stopped short of accusing the FBI of spying on his campaign, instead citing unnamed reports that at least one FBI representative was 'implanted' for political purposes into his campaign

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday escalated his attacks on the Justice Department, suggesting that the FBI may have planted or recruited an informant in his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump stopped short of accusing the FBI of spying on his campaign, instead citing unnamed reports that at least one FBI representative was "implanted" for political purposes into his campaign. "If true - all time biggest political scandal!" Trump said in a tweet. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, now one of Trump's personal attorneys, almost immediately undercut Trump's speculation about an informant. "I don't know for sure, nor does the president, if there really was one," he told CNN. "For a long time we've been told there was some kind of infiltration," Giuliani said. "At one time, the president thought it was a wiretap." Neither Trump nor Giuliani provided any evidence of government infiltration into Trump's presidential campaign. With Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigating possible collusion between Trump's election campaign team and Russia, Trump and some of his allies have alleged that elements inside the Justice Department are seeking to undermine his administration. Trump has denied any collusion with Russia and repeatedly called Mueller's investigation a "witch hunt." Russia has denied meddling in the U.S. presidential election. Glenn Simpson, who heads a consulting firm in Washington and hired former British spy Christopher Steele to investigate Trump's dealings with Russia prior to the campaign, testified last August to the Senate Judiciary Committee that some of what he collected was "human source intelligence." Simpson, however, did not tell the committee anything that could substantiate suggestions that U.S. authorities might have inserted an informant into the Trump campaign. The FBI declined to comment on Friday. CNN reported that U.S. officials said, "The confidential intelligence source was not planted inside the campaign to provide information to investigators." Nevertheless, some Republicans are demanding classified documents related to the alleged informant. The Justice Department has refused to provide them. The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner, warned members of Congress against publicly outing FBI sources. "It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," Warner said in a statement. FBI Director Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee, on Wednesday cited the need to protect people who cooperate with law enforcement or intelligence officials.Trump's allies also charge that Mueller has exceeded the bounds of his authority by investigating the financial dealings of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mueller so far remains undeterred by attempts to discredit the investigation or distract attention from it, according to one source familiar with the probe. His office has negotiated a plea agreement with Manafort's former son-in-law, Jeffrey Yohai, that requires him to cooperate with other probes, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Trump suggests FBI may have infiltrated his campaign

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

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

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

US ends practice that gave some immigrants reprieves from deportation

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

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

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

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

President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show.

The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch.

The documents released Wednesday by a US government ethics body, do not specify the reason for the payments to Cohen, who paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 election.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, claims she had a tryst with Trump in 2006 while he was married. The president denies the affair, and initially denied all knowledge of the payment, which Cohen has acknowledged was intended to stop her from going public with the allegations.

Trump's claim began to unravel early this month, however, after Rudy Giuliani, a new member of the president's legal team, said Trump had reimbursed Cohen for the sum paid to Daniels -- and the president himself subsequently acknowledged the repayment.

A footnote to disclosures submitted Tuesday to the Office of Government Ethics said Cohen had incurred "expenses" on Trump's behalf in 2016 of between $100,001 and $250,000.&nbsp;

"Mr&nbsp;Cohen sought reimbursement of those expenses and Mr&nbsp;Trump fully reimbursed Mr&nbsp;Cohen in 2017," it said.

Trump's filing states that the president was not required to disclose Cohen's expenses, but was doing so in the interest of transparency.&nbsp;

But an accompanying letter to the Justice Department from David Apol, the acting head of the Office of Government Ethics, said the payments by Cohen were indeed required to be reported, as also argued by an outside government ethics group which had lodged official complaints in March.

Apol told Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein that he was providing both Trump's 2017 and 2018 disclosures, as potentially "relevant to any inquiry" the Justice Department may be pursuing into the president's filings from last year.

Cashing in on access to Trump 
 
Stormy Daniels is suing to be released from the hush agreement reached with Cohen, claiming it is invalid because Trump never signed it.

The president's lawyer, meanwhile, finds himself under investigation by federal prosecutors who seized reams of evidence in raids on his home and office last month but have not revealed what crimes he may have committed.

Cohen also stands accused of seeking to cash in on his proximity to the president, after it emerged he received millions of dollars from a Russian oligarch and major corporations seeking access to the administration.

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis Wednesday announced the retirement of its top legal expert over the $1.2 million in payments to Cohen, while AT&T has said it made a "big mistake" by paying the lawyer some $600,000.

The scandal engulfing Cohen has opened a new front in the legal challenges dogging Trump, grabbing headlines from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ominous investigation into possible collusion between the president's 2016 campaign and Russia.

The disclosure of Trump's payments to his lawyer came the same day a Senate intelligence panel released thousands of pages of testimony from its probe into a meeting between the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, and a Russian lawyer who offered to provide damaging information about Hillary Clinton.

In his testimony released Wednesday, Trump Jr said he did not tell his father ahead of time about the 2016 meeting at Trump Tower, also attended by the Republican candidate's campaign manager Paul Manafort and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The newly-released financial documents also offered a glimpse of the performance of two of Trump's flagship hotels: the Trump International Hotel in Washington -- which has attracted crowds of lobbyists, lawmakers and foreign governments with business before the federal government, and Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, dubbed the "Winter White House."

Trump's hotel in the US capital, which opened in late 2016, took in $40.4 million during 2017 while the Florida resort had revenues of $25.1 million last year.

A prior disclosure made last year covered a 16-month period and showed $37.3 million in revenues for Mar-a-Lago.

The report also showed Trump earned between $230,000 and $1.1 million in capital gains income on stock in iPhone maker Apple, Caterpillar, Microsoft and Pepsico.

 
&nbsp;

The US President has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, government records show

President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show. The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch. The documents released Wednesday by a US government ethics body, do not specify the reason for the payments to Cohen, who paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 election. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, claims she had a tryst with Trump in 2006 while he was married. The president denies the affair, and initially denied all knowledge of the payment, which Cohen has acknowledged was intended to stop her from going public with the allegations. Trump's claim began to unravel early this month, however, after Rudy Giuliani, a new member of the president's legal team, said Trump had reimbursed Cohen for the sum paid to Daniels -- and the president himself subsequently acknowledged the repayment. A footnote to disclosures submitted Tuesday to the Office of Government Ethics said Cohen had incurred "expenses" on Trump's behalf in 2016 of between $100,001 and $250,000. "Mr Cohen sought reimbursement of those expenses and Mr Trump fully reimbursed Mr Cohen in 2017," it said. Trump's filing states that the president was not required to disclose Cohen's expenses, but was doing so in the interest of transparency. But an accompanying letter to the Justice Department from David Apol, the acting head of the Office of Government Ethics, said the payments by Cohen were indeed required to be reported, as also argued by an outside government ethics group which had lodged official complaints in March. Apol told Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein that he was providing both Trump's 2017 and 2018 disclosures, as potentially "relevant to any inquiry" the Justice Department may be pursuing into the president's filings from last year. Cashing in on access to Trump Stormy Daniels is suing to be released from the hush agreement reached with Cohen, claiming it is invalid because Trump never signed it. The president's lawyer, meanwhile, finds himself under investigation by federal prosecutors who seized reams of evidence in raids on his home and office last month but have not revealed what crimes he may have committed. Cohen also stands accused of seeking to cash in on his proximity to the president, after it emerged he received millions of dollars from a Russian oligarch and major corporations seeking access to the administration. Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis Wednesday announced the retirement of its top legal expert over the $1.2 million in payments to Cohen, while AT&T has said it made a "big mistake" by paying the lawyer some $600,000. The scandal engulfing Cohen has opened a new front in the legal challenges dogging Trump, grabbing headlines from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's ominous investigation into possible collusion between the president's 2016 campaign and Russia. The disclosure of Trump's payments to his lawyer came the same day a Senate intelligence panel released thousands of pages of testimony from its probe into a meeting between the president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, and a Russian lawyer who offered to provide damaging information about Hillary Clinton. In his testimony released Wednesday, Trump Jr said he did not tell his father ahead of time about the 2016 meeting at Trump Tower, also attended by the Republican candidate's campaign manager Paul Manafort and son-in-law Jared Kushner. The newly-released financial documents also offered a glimpse of the performance of two of Trump's flagship hotels: the Trump International Hotel in Washington -- which has attracted crowds of lobbyists, lawmakers and foreign governments with business before the federal government, and Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, dubbed the "Winter White House." Trump's hotel in the US capital, which opened in late 2016, took in $40.4 million during 2017 while the Florida resort had revenues of $25.1 million last year. A prior disclosure made last year covered a 16-month period and showed $37.3 million in revenues for Mar-a-Lago. The report also showed Trump earned between $230,000 and $1.1 million in capital gains income on stock in iPhone maker Apple, Caterpillar, Microsoft and Pepsico.

Trump discloses payment to attorney who paid off porn star

North Korea threatened Wednesday to cancel the forthcoming summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump if Washington seeks to push Pyongyang into unilaterally giving up its nuclear arsenal.

It also cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the United States and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation".

It is a sudden and dramatic return to the the rhetoric of the past by Pyongyang, after months of rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula.

"If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media.

In that case, he added, Pyongyang would have to "reconsider" its participation at the summit, due in Singapore on June 12.

The North's arsenal is expected to be at the top of the agenda of the historic talks, but Pyongyang has long insisted it needs the weapons to defend itself against invasion by the US.

Washington is pressing for its complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. But so far the North has not given any public indication of what concessions it is offering, beyond euphemistic commitments to denuclearisation of the "Korean peninsula".

Pyongyang had "made clear on several occasions that precondition for denuclearisation is to put an end to anti-DPRK hostile policy and nuclear threats and blackmail of the United States", minister Kim said.

In the past, Pyongyang has demanded the withdrawal of the US troops stationed in the South to protect it from its neighbour, and an end to Washington's nuclear umbrella over its security ally.

The minister also blasted US National Security Advisor John Bolton's talk of a "Libyan model" for North Korean denuclearisation.

It was a "sinister move to impose on our dignified state the destiny of Libya or Iraq", he said. "I cannot suppress indignation at such moves of the US, and harbour doubt about the US sincerity."

The North has long said it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against a US invasion. After giving up his atomic programme, Libyan leader Moamer Khadafi was killed in an uprising backed by NATO bombing.

Minister Kim also dismissed offers by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has visited Pyongyang twice in recent weeks, coming back the second time with three released US detainees - for US economic aid if the North denuclearises.

"We have never had any expectation of US support in carrying out our economic construction and will not at all make such a deal in future," Kim said.

In recent weeks, as well as an eye-catching summit with the South's leader last month in the Demilitarized Zone, Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week.

Analysts said Pyongyang was now trying to redefine the terms of the debate.

"It's a diplomatic tactic," Kim Hyun-wook, professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, told AFP, calling it "brinkmanship to change the US position".&nbsp

"It looks like Kim Jong Un was pushed into accepting US demands for 'denuclearisation-first' but is now trying to change its position after normalising North Korea-China relations and securing economic assistance," he added. &nbsp

"The classic North Korean tightrope diplomacy between the US and China has begun."

US officials have repeatedly claimed credit for Washington's "maximum pressure" policy for bringing Pyongyang to the negotiating table.

Joshua Pollack of the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said Pyongyang had been irritated by the "triumphalist tone".

"The North Koreans aren't happy with what they're seeing and hearing," he said. "There is still a yawning gulf between expectations for diplomacy in Pyongyang and Washington, DC."

Earlier KCNA denounced the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea as a "rude and wicked provocation", and Seoul said it had received a message cancelling planned high-level talks "indefinitely".

The two-week drills started last Friday and involves some 100 aircraft from the two allies, including F-22 stealth fighter jets.

Pyongyang's move was "regrettable", said unification ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun, adding it "contradicts the fundamental spirit and purpose of the Panmunjom Declaration".

Hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War stopped with a ceasefire, leaving the two halves of the peninsula divided by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and still technically at war.

The North has spent decades developing its atomic arsenal and missiles capable of reaching the US, earning itself multiple rounds of UN Security Council resolutions, while Trump and Kim traded personal insults and threats of war last year.

Relations underwent a sudden turnaround as Moon used February's Winter Olympics in the South to broker talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

Washington said it will continue to plan the meeting in Singapore on June 12, with State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert telling reporters it had received "no notification" of a position change by North Korea.

The exercises were "not provocative" and would continue, she added.

It is a sudden and dramatic return to the rhetoric of the past by Pyongyang, after months of rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula

North Korea threatened Wednesday to cancel the forthcoming summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump if Washington seeks to push Pyongyang into unilaterally giving up its nuclear arsenal. It also cancelled high-level talks due Wednesday with Seoul over the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the United States and South Korea, denouncing the drills as a "rude and wicked provocation". It is a sudden and dramatic return to the the rhetoric of the past by Pyongyang, after months of rapid diplomatic rapprochement on the peninsula. "If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue," first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by state media. In that case, he added, Pyongyang would have to "reconsider" its participation at the summit, due in Singapore on June 12. The North's arsenal is expected to be at the top of the agenda of the historic talks, but Pyongyang has long insisted it needs the weapons to defend itself against invasion by the US. Washington is pressing for its complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. But so far the North has not given any public indication of what concessions it is offering, beyond euphemistic commitments to denuclearisation of the "Korean peninsula". Pyongyang had "made clear on several occasions that precondition for denuclearisation is to put an end to anti-DPRK hostile policy and nuclear threats and blackmail of the United States", minister Kim said. In the past, Pyongyang has demanded the withdrawal of the US troops stationed in the South to protect it from its neighbour, and an end to Washington's nuclear umbrella over its security ally. The minister also blasted US National Security Advisor John Bolton's talk of a "Libyan model" for North Korean denuclearisation. It was a "sinister move to impose on our dignified state the destiny of Libya or Iraq", he said. "I cannot suppress indignation at such moves of the US, and harbour doubt about the US sincerity." The North has long said it needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against a US invasion. After giving up his atomic programme, Libyan leader Moamer Khadafi was killed in an uprising backed by NATO bombing. Minister Kim also dismissed offers by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has visited Pyongyang twice in recent weeks, coming back the second time with three released US detainees - for US economic aid if the North denuclearises. "We have never had any expectation of US support in carrying out our economic construction and will not at all make such a deal in future," Kim said. In recent weeks, as well as an eye-catching summit with the South's leader last month in the Demilitarized Zone, Kim has twice met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pyongyang has announced it will destroy its nuclear testing site next week. Analysts said Pyongyang was now trying to redefine the terms of the debate. "It's a diplomatic tactic," Kim Hyun-wook, professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, told AFP, calling it "brinkmanship to change the US position". "It looks like Kim Jong Un was pushed into accepting US demands for 'denuclearisation-first' but is now trying to change its position after normalising North Korea-China relations and securing economic assistance," he added. "The classic North Korean tightrope diplomacy between the US and China has begun." US officials have repeatedly claimed credit for Washington's "maximum pressure" policy for bringing Pyongyang to the negotiating table. Joshua Pollack of the Middlebury Institute for International Studies said Pyongyang had been irritated by the "triumphalist tone". "The North Koreans aren't happy with what they're seeing and hearing," he said. "There is still a yawning gulf between expectations for diplomacy in Pyongyang and Washington, DC." Earlier KCNA denounced the Max Thunder joint military exercises being held between the US and South Korea as a "rude and wicked provocation", and Seoul said it had received a message cancelling planned high-level talks "indefinitely". The two-week drills started last Friday and involves some 100 aircraft from the two allies, including F-22 stealth fighter jets. Pyongyang's move was "regrettable", said unification ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun, adding it "contradicts the fundamental spirit and purpose of the Panmunjom Declaration". Hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War stopped with a ceasefire, leaving the two halves of the peninsula divided by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and still technically at war. The North has spent decades developing its atomic arsenal and missiles capable of reaching the US, earning itself multiple rounds of UN Security Council resolutions, while Trump and Kim traded personal insults and threats of war last year. Relations underwent a sudden turnaround as Moon used February's Winter Olympics in the South to broker talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Washington said it will continue to plan the meeting in Singapore on June 12, with State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert telling reporters it had received "no notification" of a position change by North Korea. The exercises were "not provocative" and would continue, she added.

North Korea threatens to cancel US summit

President Donald Trump today defended his decision to offer an olive branch to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE, which his administration had previously banned from purchasing US components or acquiring American companies.

Following series of complaints from China, Trump has asked his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to look into the issue. The move was criticised by anti-China hardliners in the US, saying the President is getting soft on China in the middle of trade negotiations.

The company shut its main operations after the Commerce Department banned U.S. companies from selling components to ZTE for seven years after it violated the terms of a settlement deal for illegally shipping goods made with US&nbspparts to Iran and North Korea.

"ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from US&nbspcompanies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi," Trump said on Monday.

ZTE paid more than $2.3 billion to 211 US&nbspexporters in 2017, a senior ZTE official said on Friday. US&nbspcompanies are estimated to provide 25 per cent to 30 per cent of components used in ZTE's smartphones, network gear and other products.

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ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from U.S. companies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/996119678551552000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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White House Press Secretary Raj Shah told reporters that Trump has asked Ross to look into the ZTE issue, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

"This is part of a very complex relationship between the US and China that involves economic issues, national security issues and the like. It's an issue of high concern for China that's been raised with the US government and with our administration at various levels," he told reporters at a news conference.

Shah was responding to questions on a tweet by Trump in which he had said that he was working with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to give China's telecom giant ZTE a way to get back into business.

"The matter has been brought up at a number of levels, you know, as part of bilateral talks on a number of issues," he said.

Shah, however, refrained it from linking the ZTE issue with the upcoming trade meetings between the US and Chinese officials.

"It's part of again the US relationship with China, which is complex. It has economic factors, it has national security factors. This is just one of many factors, and again the President is asking the Secretary of Commerce to look into the matter consistent with laws and regulation," he said.

The White House strongly refuted allegations that Trump was giving any kind of "concession" to the Chinese companies.

Responding to a question on "how does the President Trump's statement that too many Chinese jobs are at risk square with his campaign promise that China is stealing American jobs?"&nbsp

Shah replied, "I don't think this has frankly any bearing on the President's campaign promises...The President has overseen an economy in which we have the lowest unemployment rate since 2000. It's at 3.9 per cent, over two million jobs have been created since this President took office,"&nbsp

"With respect to trade with China, he's been tough. Let's put this into context. I mean this President has taken China to task for its unfair trade practices through this Section 301 investigation. He's introduced and proposed or rather up to USD 150 billion of tariffs on China for intellectual property theft, dumping in a range of you know inimical Chinese economic action. So he's been tough and he's confronted them, he added.

The company shut its main operations after the Commerce Department banned U.S. companies from selling components to ZTE for seven years after it violated the terms of a settlement deal for illegally shipping goods made with U.S. parts to Iran and North Korea

President Donald Trump today defended his decision to offer an olive branch to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE, which his administration had previously banned from purchasing US components or acquiring American companies. Following series of complaints from China, Trump has asked his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to look into the issue. The move was criticised by anti-China hardliners in the US, saying the President is getting soft on China in the middle of trade negotiations. The company shut its main operations after the Commerce Department banned U.S. companies from selling components to ZTE for seven years after it violated the terms of a settlement deal for illegally shipping goods made with US&nbspparts to Iran and North Korea. "ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from US&nbspcompanies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi," Trump said on Monday. ZTE paid more than $2.3 billion to 211 US&nbspexporters in 2017, a senior ZTE official said on Friday. US&nbspcompanies are estimated to provide 25 per cent to 30 per cent of components used in ZTE's smartphones, network gear and other products. ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from U.S. companies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2018 × White House Press Secretary Raj Shah told reporters that Trump has asked Ross to look into the ZTE issue, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. "This is part of a very complex relationship between the US and China that involves economic issues, national security issues and the like. It's an issue of high concern for China that's been raised with the US government and with our administration at various levels," he told reporters at a news conference. Shah was responding to questions on a tweet by Trump in which he had said that he was working with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to give China's telecom giant ZTE a way to get back into business. "The matter has been brought up at a number of levels, you know, as part of bilateral talks on a number of issues," he said. Shah, however, refrained it from linking the ZTE issue with the upcoming trade meetings between the US and Chinese officials. "It's part of again the US relationship with China, which is complex. It has economic factors, it has national security factors. This is just one of many factors, and again the President is asking the Secretary of Commerce to look into the matter consistent with laws and regulation," he said. The White House strongly refuted allegations that Trump was giving any kind of "concession" to the Chinese companies. Responding to a question on "how does the President Trump's statement that too many Chinese jobs are at risk square with his campaign promise that China is stealing American jobs?" Shah replied, "I don't think this has frankly any bearing on the President's campaign promises...The President has overseen an economy in which we have the lowest unemployment rate since 2000. It's at 3.9 per cent, over two million jobs have been created since this President took office," "With respect to trade with China, he's been tough. Let's put this into context. I mean this President has taken China to task for its unfair trade practices through this Section 301 investigation. He's introduced and proposed or rather up to USD 150 billion of tariffs on China for intellectual property theft, dumping in a range of you know inimical Chinese economic action. So he's been tough and he's confronted them, he added.

Trump defends intervention to help China telecom company ZTE

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