Iran and the current situation in Strait of Hormuz will be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iran-oil-imports-trade-top-agenda-during-pompeos-india-visit-229443">on agenda</a> when US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-to-seek-stronger-strategic-ties-with-india-despite-trade-tensions-229376">Mike Pompeo visits India next week</a>.

While the US has appreciated the steps India has taken to reduce Iranian oil import, it is also providing an exception to New Delhi-backed Chabahar project that has been a key connectivity project of India.

The import of oil from Iran has been one of the key contentions between New Delhi and Washington after American waivers ended on sanctions imposed by Washington but the current standoff between Iran and US is something that has been a cause of worry for New Delhi.&nbsp;

Last week, reports emerged that the US President had planned to attack Iran after Tehran shot down an American drone. This has caused considerable tension in Strait of Hormuz, a vital area connecting Persian Gulf and sea of Oman through which 20 per cent of global crude oil and a third of liquefied natural gas passes.

Watch: Pompeo to visit India next week to seek India's cooperation on Iran

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pompeo-to-visit-india-next-week-to-seek-indias-cooperation-on-iran-229393/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Energy interests

Meanwhile, New Delhi is keeping its interest secure. Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan has called Saudi oil minister Khalid Al Falih conveying India's concern on rising crude oil prices in backdrop of the developments in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;

Pradhan, in a tweet, said that he "reiterated the sensitivity of Indian consumers to prevailing crude oil price volatility," adding, New Delhi has sought an active role from Riyadh which is part of oil cartel OPEC in keeping "oil prices at a reasonable level".

Aviation

Impacts will also be seen on the aviation front with Indian airlines re-routing the flights in that area. Civil aviation regulator DGCA or Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Saturday announced that Indian carriers will avoid "the affected part of Iranian Airspace" to ensure safe travel for the passengers.&nbsp;

This comes after the American civil aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration or FAA banned American flights from using the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and sea of Oman area.

Shipping&nbsp;

Last week, the Indian Navy launched Operation Sankalp in the Persian Gulf/Sea of Oman as a measure to re-assure Indian flagged vessels transiting through the region.&nbsp;

The Navy deployed INS Chennai and INS Sunayna in the area to undertake Maritime Security operations. Aerial surveillance has also being undertaken by India and the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram - is also keeping a close watch on the movement of ships in the Gulf.&nbsp;

The Navy in a release said it, "remains committed to ensuring the safety of Indian maritime trade and merchant vessels operating in the region and contributing towards maintaining a stable and peaceful Indian Ocean Region."

DG Shipping had issued two advisories, one on June 13 and another on June 16 to all Indian Flagged Vessels advising them to undertake appropriate protection measures.

Iran and the current situation in Strait of Hormuz will be on agenda when US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits India next week. While the US has appreciated the steps India has taken to reduce Iranian oil import, it is also providing an exception to New Delhi-backed Chabahar project that has been a key connectivity project of India.

Iran and the current situation in Strait of Hormuz will be on agenda when US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits India next week. While the US has appreciated the steps India has taken to reduce Iranian oil import, it is also providing an exception to New Delhi-backed Chabahar project that has been a key connectivity project of India. The import of oil from Iran has been one of the key contentions between New Delhi and Washington after American waivers ended on sanctions imposed by Washington but the current standoff between Iran and US is something that has been a cause of worry for New Delhi. Last week, reports emerged that the US President had planned to attack Iran after Tehran shot down an American drone. This has caused considerable tension in Strait of Hormuz, a vital area connecting Persian Gulf and sea of Oman through which 20 per cent of global crude oil and a third of liquefied natural gas passes. Watch: Pompeo to visit India next week to seek India's cooperation on Iran Energy interests Meanwhile, New Delhi is keeping its interest secure. Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan has called Saudi oil minister Khalid Al Falih conveying India's concern on rising crude oil prices in backdrop of the developments in the Strait of Hormuz. Pradhan, in a tweet, said that he "reiterated the sensitivity of Indian consumers to prevailing crude oil price volatility," adding, New Delhi has sought an active role from Riyadh which is part of oil cartel OPEC in keeping "oil prices at a reasonable level". Aviation Impacts will also be seen on the aviation front with Indian airlines re-routing the flights in that area. Civil aviation regulator DGCA or Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Saturday announced that Indian carriers will avoid "the affected part of Iranian Airspace" to ensure safe travel for the passengers. This comes after the American civil aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration or FAA banned American flights from using the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and sea of Oman area. Shipping Last week, the Indian Navy launched Operation Sankalp in the Persian Gulf/Sea of Oman as a measure to re-assure Indian flagged vessels transiting through the region. The Navy deployed INS Chennai and INS Sunayna in the area to undertake Maritime Security operations. Aerial surveillance has also being undertaken by India and the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram - is also keeping a close watch on the movement of ships in the Gulf. The Navy in a release said it, "remains committed to ensuring the safety of Indian maritime trade and merchant vessels operating in the region and contributing towards maintaining a stable and peaceful Indian Ocean Region." DG Shipping had issued two advisories, one on June 13 and another on June 16 to all Indian Flagged Vessels advising them to undertake appropriate protection measures.

Iran in focus during Pompeo's visit to India; New Delhi takes measures to protect interest

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran's downing of an unmanned US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signalled he was open to talks with Tehran.

An Iranian surface-to-air missile destroyed a US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-were-cocked-and-loaded-to-retaliate-i-stopped-it-10-minutes-before-striking-iran-trump-229293">Global Hawk surveillance drone</a> on Thursday. Tehran said the drone was shot down over its territory and Washington said it occurred in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident aggravated fears of a direct military clash between the longtime foes. Oil futures rose more than 1% to above $65 per barrel on Friday over worries about possible disruptions to crude exports from the Gulf.&nbsp;

Trump's decision to cancel what he said was a planned attack on three sites suggests he wants a diplomatic solution to end weeks of festering tensions with Iran, which Washington accuses of a spate of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf region.

"I'm not looking for war, and if there is, it'll be obliteration like you've never seen before. But I'm not looking to do that," Trump told NBC News in an interview aired on Friday night.

Iranian sources told Reuters that Trump had warned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/had-received-message-from-trump-through-oman-warning-attack-was-imminent-iran-officials-229209">Tehran via Oman</a> that a US attack was imminent, but had said he was against war and wanted talks. Washington also requested a closed-door UN Security Council meeting on Monday.

In a series of early-morning tweets, Trump said he was in no hurry to launch a strike and that US economic sanctions designed to force Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and its involvement in regional wars were having an effect.

"We were cocked &amp; loaded to retaliate last night," Trump tweeted.

"Ten minutes before the strike I stopped it, not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world," Trump tweeted.

Typically, the US military would seek to target Iranian facilities that could be connected to the shooting down of the American drone. The military would not seek to inflict casualties and although Iranian military casualties could occur in an attack, forecasts such as 150 are normally only rough estimates.

White House national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and CIA Director Gina Haspel, along with the rest of Trump's team, favoured a retaliatory strike, a senior Trump administration official said.

"There was complete unanimity amongst the president's advisers and DOD (Department of Defense) leadership on an appropriate response to Iran's activities. The president made the final decision," said the official.

Trump's decision drew mixed reviews in Washington, with some people criticizing him for flinching while others, notably senior Democrats, praised what they saw as restraint.

"A strike of that amount of collateral damage would be very provocative, and I'm glad the president did not take that," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, told reporters.

However, Michael Makovsky, a former Pentagon official who heads the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, a think tank that favours strong US-Israeli security ties, said Trump was undermining U.S. credibility.

"Trump has given the impression he lost his nerve," Makovsky said in a statement.

Iran's destruction of the U.S. drone was the latest among ever more serious incidents in the Gulf region, a critical artery for global oil supplies, since mid-May.

There have also been explosions on six oil tankers that the U.S. suspects Iran or its proxies of carrying out. Iran has denied any involvement.

After interviewing Trump for NBC's "Meet the Press" program, NBC correspondent Chuck Todd said Trump had said he had no preconditions for talks with Iran and was willing to speak to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani or Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Security threats in Iraq

US forces are preparing to evacuate nearly 400 people working for Lockheed Martin Corp and Sallyport Global from an Iraqi military base north of Baghdad over potential security threats, Iraqi military sources said on Friday.

The sources did not give any details about the threats. Three bases hosting US forces in Iraq have been attacked in the past week with no claims of responsibility. Local officials blamed Iran-backed Shi'ite militias for one of the incidents.

Trump on Friday spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about Middle East stability and the oil market, the White House said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she and fellow EU leaders "are concerned about the situation and support diplomatic negotiations, a political solution for a very tense situation."

Some global airlines are re-routing flights to avoid Iran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, they said on Friday after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration barred US&nbsp;air carriers from the area.

Trump message to Iran

News of the Trump message to Iran, delivered through Oman overnight, broke shortly after the New York Times reported that Trump had called off air strikes targeting Iranian radar and missile batteries at the last minute.

"In his message, Trump said he was against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran about various issues," one Iranian official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"He gave a short period of time to get our response, but Iran's immediate response was that it is up to Supreme Leader Khamenei to decide about this issue."

A second Iranian official said: "We made it clear that the leader is against any talks, but the message will be conveyed to him to make a decision.

"However, we told the Omani official that any attack against Iran will have regional and international consequences."

Khamenei has the last say on all state matters and has ruled out any talks with Washington while Tehran is under sanctions.

Trump's decision in May to tighten sanctions to try to eliminate Iran's oil exports led to the latest tensions. In May 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from a 2015 accord between Iran and major powers under which Tehran curtailed its path to building a nuclear bomb in return for sanctions relief.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran's downing of an unmanned US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signalled he was open to talks with Tehran.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran's downing of an unmanned US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signalled he was open to talks with Tehran. An Iranian surface-to-air missile destroyed a US Global Hawk surveillance drone on Thursday. Tehran said the drone was shot down over its territory and Washington said it occurred in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz. The incident aggravated fears of a direct military clash between the longtime foes. Oil futures rose more than 1% to above $65 per barrel on Friday over worries about possible disruptions to crude exports from the Gulf. Trump's decision to cancel what he said was a planned attack on three sites suggests he wants a diplomatic solution to end weeks of festering tensions with Iran, which Washington accuses of a spate of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf region. "I'm not looking for war, and if there is, it'll be obliteration like you've never seen before. But I'm not looking to do that," Trump told NBC News in an interview aired on Friday night. Iranian sources told Reuters that Trump had warned Tehran via Oman that a US attack was imminent, but had said he was against war and wanted talks. Washington also requested a closed-door UN Security Council meeting on Monday. In a series of early-morning tweets, Trump said he was in no hurry to launch a strike and that US economic sanctions designed to force Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and its involvement in regional wars were having an effect. "We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night," Trump tweeted. "Ten minutes before the strike I stopped it, not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world," Trump tweeted. Typically, the US military would seek to target Iranian facilities that could be connected to the shooting down of the American drone. The military would not seek to inflict casualties and although Iranian military casualties could occur in an attack, forecasts such as 150 are normally only rough estimates. White House national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and CIA Director Gina Haspel, along with the rest of Trump's team, favoured a retaliatory strike, a senior Trump administration official said. "There was complete unanimity amongst the president's advisers and DOD (Department of Defense) leadership on an appropriate response to Iran's activities. The president made the final decision," said the official. Trump's decision drew mixed reviews in Washington, with some people criticizing him for flinching while others, notably senior Democrats, praised what they saw as restraint. "A strike of that amount of collateral damage would be very provocative, and I'm glad the president did not take that," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, told reporters. However, Michael Makovsky, a former Pentagon official who heads the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, a think tank that favours strong US-Israeli security ties, said Trump was undermining U.S. credibility. "Trump has given the impression he lost his nerve," Makovsky said in a statement. Iran's destruction of the U.S. drone was the latest among ever more serious incidents in the Gulf region, a critical artery for global oil supplies, since mid-May. There have also been explosions on six oil tankers that the U.S. suspects Iran or its proxies of carrying out. Iran has denied any involvement. After interviewing Trump for NBC's "Meet the Press" program, NBC correspondent Chuck Todd said Trump had said he had no preconditions for talks with Iran and was willing to speak to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani or Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Security threats in Iraq US forces are preparing to evacuate nearly 400 people working for Lockheed Martin Corp and Sallyport Global from an Iraqi military base north of Baghdad over potential security threats, Iraqi military sources said on Friday. The sources did not give any details about the threats. Three bases hosting US forces in Iraq have been attacked in the past week with no claims of responsibility. Local officials blamed Iran-backed Shi'ite militias for one of the incidents. Trump on Friday spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about Middle East stability and the oil market, the White House said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she and fellow EU leaders "are concerned about the situation and support diplomatic negotiations, a political solution for a very tense situation." Some global airlines are re-routing flights to avoid Iran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, they said on Friday after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration barred US air carriers from the area. Trump message to Iran News of the Trump message to Iran, delivered through Oman overnight, broke shortly after the New York Times reported that Trump had called off air strikes targeting Iranian radar and missile batteries at the last minute. "In his message, Trump said he was against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran about various issues," one Iranian official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. "He gave a short period of time to get our response, but Iran's immediate response was that it is up to Supreme Leader Khamenei to decide about this issue." A second Iranian official said: "We made it clear that the leader is against any talks, but the message will be conveyed to him to make a decision. "However, we told the Omani official that any attack against Iran will have regional and international consequences." Khamenei has the last say on all state matters and has ruled out any talks with Washington while Tehran is under sanctions. Trump's decision in May to tighten sanctions to try to eliminate Iran's oil exports led to the latest tensions. In May 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from a 2015 accord between Iran and major powers under which Tehran curtailed its path to building a nuclear bomb in return for sanctions relief.

Trump says he aborted retaliatory strike to spare Iranian lives

Iran warned the United States on Saturday that any <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-firmly-confront-any-aggression-or-threat-by-america-iran-229442">aggression against the Islamic republic</a> would have serious consequences for US interests across the Middle East.

"Firing one bullet towards Iran will set fire to the interests of America and its allies", armed forces general staff spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi told the Tasnim news agency.

"Today, the situation in the region is to Iran’s advantage.

"If the enemy - especially America and its allies in the region - make the military mistake of shooting the powder keg on which America's interests lie, the region will be set on fire," Shekarchi warned.

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States was "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-aborted-retaliatory-strike-to-spare-iranian-lives-229374">cocked &amp; loaded" to strike Iran</a> but pulled back at the last minute as it would not have been a "proportionate" response to Tehran's shooting down of an unmanned US drone.

Watch: Trump says, 'not looking for war with Iran'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-not-looking-for-war-with-iran-229399/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The downing of the drone - which Tehran insists violated its airspace, a claim Washington denies - has seen tensions between the two countries spike after a series of attacks on oil tankers the US has blamed on Iran.

Under pressure to respond to the high-stakes incident near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the US was prepared to hit "3 different sites" Thursday night but that he scrapped the strikes "10 minutes" before they were to have been launched.

"I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General," the president tweeted, saying he concluded it would not have been "proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone."

According to excerpts of an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" conducted Friday morning at the White House, Trump said he had not given final approval to strikes against Iran, and that no planes were in the air.

"But they would have been pretty soon. And things would have happened to a point where you wouldn't turn back or couldn't turn back," he said, adding that he did not want war with Iran, but if it came to pass, there would be "obliteration like you've never seen before."

The US president had struck a combative tone in initial comments Thursday about Iran shooting down the Global Hawk surveillance aircraft, but as the pre-dawn incident whipped up fears of open conflict, Trump moved to dial back tensions.

Iran vowed Friday to defend its borders after downing the drone, with the commander of the aerospace arm of its elite Revolutionary Guards saying the aircraft was warned twice before it was engaged over the Gulf of Oman.

And it denied a report that Trump had warned it via Oman of an impending attack unless it was willing to negotiate.

The US special representative on Iran, Brian Hook, accused Tehran of rejecting diplomatic overtures to deescalate regional tensions.

"Iran needs to meet diplomacy with diplomacy, not military force," Hook told reporters in Saudi Arabia.

Iran warned the United States on Saturday that any aggression against the Islamic republic would have serious consequences for US interests across the Middle East.

Iran warned the United States on Saturday that any aggression against the Islamic republic would have serious consequences for US interests across the Middle East. "Firing one bullet towards Iran will set fire to the interests of America and its allies", armed forces general staff spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi told the Tasnim news agency. "Today, the situation in the region is to Iran’s advantage. "If the enemy - especially America and its allies in the region - make the military mistake of shooting the powder keg on which America's interests lie, the region will be set on fire," Shekarchi warned. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States was "cocked & loaded" to strike Iran but pulled back at the last minute as it would not have been a "proportionate" response to Tehran's shooting down of an unmanned US drone. Watch: Trump says, 'not looking for war with Iran' The downing of the drone - which Tehran insists violated its airspace, a claim Washington denies - has seen tensions between the two countries spike after a series of attacks on oil tankers the US has blamed on Iran. Under pressure to respond to the high-stakes incident near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the US was prepared to hit "3 different sites" Thursday night but that he scrapped the strikes "10 minutes" before they were to have been launched. "I asked, how many will die. 150 people, sir, was the answer from a General," the president tweeted, saying he concluded it would not have been "proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone." According to excerpts of an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" conducted Friday morning at the White House, Trump said he had not given final approval to strikes against Iran, and that no planes were in the air. "But they would have been pretty soon. And things would have happened to a point where you wouldn't turn back or couldn't turn back," he said, adding that he did not want war with Iran, but if it came to pass, there would be "obliteration like you've never seen before." The US president had struck a combative tone in initial comments Thursday about Iran shooting down the Global Hawk surveillance aircraft, but as the pre-dawn incident whipped up fears of open conflict, Trump moved to dial back tensions. Iran vowed Friday to defend its borders after downing the drone, with the commander of the aerospace arm of its elite Revolutionary Guards saying the aircraft was warned twice before it was engaged over the Gulf of Oman. And it denied a report that Trump had warned it via Oman of an impending attack unless it was willing to negotiate. The US special representative on Iran, Brian Hook, accused Tehran of rejecting diplomatic overtures to deescalate regional tensions. "Iran needs to meet diplomacy with diplomacy, not military force," Hook told reporters in Saudi Arabia.

Firing one bullet towards Iran will set fire to America's interests: Iran

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-hopes-canada-understands-consequences-of-siding-with-us-223210">Huawei Technologies Co</a> Inc filed a lawsuit against the US Commerce Department on Friday challenging whether telecommunications equipment is sent from China to the United States, and then back to China, is covered by Export Administration Regulations, according to a court filing.

The lawsuit is the latest salvo in a battle between the US government and Huawei. Washington says the Chinese company's telecommunications gear could be used by Beijing to spy. Huawei denies that this is the case.

In the lawsuit, Huawei said that it shipped telecommunications equipment from China, including a computer server and Ethernet switch, to a testing laboratory in California.

&nbsp;After the testing was done, the equipment was shipped back to China. No application for a license was made because none was needed, the lawsuit claims.

But the equipment was seized in Alaska by the US government, and no decision has been made about whether a license is required to ship it, the filing said.

"The equipment, to the best of HT USA's knowledge, remains in bureaucratic limbo in an Alaskan warehouse," Huawei said in its lawsuit.

The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Huawei contends that the equipment did not require a license because it did not fall into a controlled category and because it was made outside the United States and was being returned to the same country from which it came.

Huawei asked for the equipment to be either released for shipment or for the Commerce Department to decide that it was shipped illegally.

In May, the Trump administration added Huawei to the entity list, barring it from buying needed US parts and components without US government approval. US President Donald Trump has said the United States could resolve complaints about Huawei as part of a trade deal.

Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the company's founder, has been detained in Canada since December on a US warrant. She is fighting extradition on charges that she misled global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran.

Shortly after her detention, Chinese authorities detained two Canadians citizens, charging them with espionage.

Huawei Technologies Co Inc filed a lawsuit against the US Commerce Department on Friday challenging whether telecommunications equipment is sent from China to the United States, and then back to China, is covered by Export Administration Regulations, according to a court filing.

Huawei Technologies Co Inc filed a lawsuit against the US Commerce Department on Friday challenging whether telecommunications equipment is sent from China to the United States, and then back to China, is covered by Export Administration Regulations, according to a court filing. The lawsuit is the latest salvo in a battle between the US government and Huawei. Washington says the Chinese company's telecommunications gear could be used by Beijing to spy. Huawei denies that this is the case. In the lawsuit, Huawei said that it shipped telecommunications equipment from China, including a computer server and Ethernet switch, to a testing laboratory in California. After the testing was done, the equipment was shipped back to China. No application for a license was made because none was needed, the lawsuit claims. But the equipment was seized in Alaska by the US government, and no decision has been made about whether a license is required to ship it, the filing said. "The equipment, to the best of HT USA's knowledge, remains in bureaucratic limbo in an Alaskan warehouse," Huawei said in its lawsuit. The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Huawei contends that the equipment did not require a license because it did not fall into a controlled category and because it was made outside the United States and was being returned to the same country from which it came. Huawei asked for the equipment to be either released for shipment or for the Commerce Department to decide that it was shipped illegally. In May, the Trump administration added Huawei to the entity list, barring it from buying needed US parts and components without US government approval. US President Donald Trump has said the United States could resolve complaints about Huawei as part of a trade deal. Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, daughter of the company's founder, has been detained in Canada since December on a US warrant. She is fighting extradition on charges that she misled global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran. Shortly after her detention, Chinese authorities detained two Canadians citizens, charging them with espionage.

Huawei files lawsuit against United States Commerce Department over seized equipment

Instead of waging a trade war with China, the United States should drop its win-at-all-costs mentality and consider the interests of its people as well as the global community, the official People's Daily said an editorial on Saturday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alibaba-is-the-force-behind-hit-chinese-communist-party-app-report-198138">Chinese Communist Party</a>'s newspaper urged the United States to cancel all tariffs on Chinese goods, saying the only way to resolve trade issues was through "equal dialogue".

Hopes that the two sides can rekindle negotiations were raised in the run-up to a meeting next week between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-rekindle-trade-talks-ahead-of-donald-trump-xi-jinping-g20-meeting-228545">President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Donald Trump</a> in Japan, where they will both attend a Group of 20 summits.

The Office of the US Trade Representative is holding seven days of hearings from manufacturers and other businesses likely to be affected by a new round of tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports proposed by US President Donald Trump.

The People's Daily said all previous hearings had shown "overwhelming" opposition to tariff increases from all walks of life, but it had made no difference.

"It seems that some people in the United States are waving the tariff stick to strengthen their so-called 'industrial competitive advantage'," it said.

"They do not consider public opinion, do not consider national conditions, and do not take the international economic order into account. They just want the renown as 'winners' but cannot understand the fact that they basically cannot win."

The US National Retail Federation (NRF) said on Friday that the proposed tariff extension on Chinese goods, including cellphones and computers, could cost US consumers an additional $12.2 billion each year.

Instead of waging a trade war with China, the United States should drop its win-at-all-costs mentality and consider the interests of its people as well as the global community, the official People's Daily said an editorial on Saturday.

Instead of waging a trade war with China, the United States should drop its win-at-all-costs mentality and consider the interests of its people as well as the global community, the official People's Daily said an editorial on Saturday. The Chinese Communist Party's newspaper urged the United States to cancel all tariffs on Chinese goods, saying the only way to resolve trade issues was through "equal dialogue". Hopes that the two sides can rekindle negotiations were raised in the run-up to a meeting next week between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Donald Trump in Japan, where they will both attend a Group of 20 summits. The Office of the US Trade Representative is holding seven days of hearings from manufacturers and other businesses likely to be affected by a new round of tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports proposed by US President Donald Trump. The People's Daily said all previous hearings had shown "overwhelming" opposition to tariff increases from all walks of life, but it had made no difference. "It seems that some people in the United States are waving the tariff stick to strengthen their so-called 'industrial competitive advantage'," it said. "They do not consider public opinion, do not consider national conditions, and do not take the international economic order into account. They just want the renown as 'winners' but cannot understand the fact that they basically cannot win." The US National Retail Federation (NRF) said on Friday that the proposed tariff extension on Chinese goods, including cellphones and computers, could cost US consumers an additional $12.2 billion each year.

China state media urges United States to drop win-at-all-costs trade stance

The American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) apologised on Friday for previously treating homosexuality as a mental illness, saying its past errors contributed to discrimination and trauma for LGBTQ people.

It may be the first US medical or mental health organisation to issue such an apology.&nbsp;

Although psychiatrists declassified homosexuality as a disorder in 1973 and psychoanalysts came around nearly 20 years later, the APsaA says it is unaware of any related professional group that had apologised.

"It is long past time to recognise and apologise for our role in the discrimination and trauma caused by our profession and say, 'We are sorry,'" said a statement by Dr Lee Jaffe, president of APsaA. The group uses that abbreviation to distinguish it from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Jaffe announced the apology on Friday at the opening session of the group's 109th annual meeting in San Diego, drawing a standing ovation from about 200 people present, witnesses said. Jaffe said his group has long been active in promoting LGBTQ rights but had yet to put its contrition into words.

"It's hard to admit that one has been so wrong," Jaffe said.

One Los Angeles-based analyst said the audience interpreted the moment as significant.

"As someone who comes from a long line of analysts who have been fighting for LGBT people, this felt like a watershed moment," Dr Justin Shubert said.

Stonewall Uprising

The change in the medical community's thinking about homosexuality and Friday's apology both stem from a seminal event in LGBTQ history 50 years ago: the Stonewall uprising.

Patrons of a New York City gay bar called the Stonewall Inn fought back against police harassment in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, triggering the start of the modern movement for the rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.

New York police recently apologised for the raid and discriminatory laws of the time, which prompted APsaA to issue its apology, said Dr Jack Drescher, an APsaA member and leading authority on the history of psychiatric and psychological treatment of LGBTQ people.

New York is expecting as many as 4 million people for the 50th anniversary of Stonewall next week, and gay pride parades will be celebrated around the world on June 30.

LGBTQ activists disrupted the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in 1970 in San Francisco. The protests upended the convention so much, Drescher said, that by December 1973 the APA's board removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

But APsaA did not change its position until 1991 when, under threat of an anti-discrimination lawsuit, it allowed the training of gay and lesbian psychoanalysts, Drescher said.

APsaA went on to become an early supporter of same-sex marriage and opponent of "conversion therapy" aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation.

In 2012, psychiatrist Dr Robert Spitzer on his own apologised for authoring an influential study 11 years earlier that supported reparative therapy to "cure" homosexuality.

Today, APsaA and other professional organisations view being gay as a normal variant of human sexuality, but until now have yet to express how wrong they were before, Drescher said.

"They did the work of apologising but they did not say the words," Drescher said. "If the police commissioner of New York City could do it, why couldn't we do something similar?" 
&nbsp;

The American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) apologised on Friday for previously treating homosexuality as a mental illness, saying its past errors contributed to discrimination and trauma for LGBTQ people.

The American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) apologised on Friday for previously treating homosexuality as a mental illness, saying its past errors contributed to discrimination and trauma for LGBTQ people. It may be the first US medical or mental health organisation to issue such an apology. Although psychiatrists declassified homosexuality as a disorder in 1973 and psychoanalysts came around nearly 20 years later, the APsaA says it is unaware of any related professional group that had apologised. "It is long past time to recognise and apologise for our role in the discrimination and trauma caused by our profession and say, 'We are sorry,'" said a statement by Dr Lee Jaffe, president of APsaA. The group uses that abbreviation to distinguish it from the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Jaffe announced the apology on Friday at the opening session of the group's 109th annual meeting in San Diego, drawing a standing ovation from about 200 people present, witnesses said. Jaffe said his group has long been active in promoting LGBTQ rights but had yet to put its contrition into words. "It's hard to admit that one has been so wrong," Jaffe said. One Los Angeles-based analyst said the audience interpreted the moment as significant. "As someone who comes from a long line of analysts who have been fighting for LGBT people, this felt like a watershed moment," Dr Justin Shubert said. Stonewall Uprising The change in the medical community's thinking about homosexuality and Friday's apology both stem from a seminal event in LGBTQ history 50 years ago: the Stonewall uprising. Patrons of a New York City gay bar called the Stonewall Inn fought back against police harassment in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, triggering the start of the modern movement for the rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. New York police recently apologised for the raid and discriminatory laws of the time, which prompted APsaA to issue its apology, said Dr Jack Drescher, an APsaA member and leading authority on the history of psychiatric and psychological treatment of LGBTQ people. New York is expecting as many as 4 million people for the 50th anniversary of Stonewall next week, and gay pride parades will be celebrated around the world on June 30. LGBTQ activists disrupted the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in 1970 in San Francisco. The protests upended the convention so much, Drescher said, that by December 1973 the APA's board removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). But APsaA did not change its position until 1991 when, under threat of an anti-discrimination lawsuit, it allowed the training of gay and lesbian psychoanalysts, Drescher said. APsaA went on to become an early supporter of same-sex marriage and opponent of "conversion therapy" aimed at changing a person's sexual orientation. In 2012, psychiatrist Dr Robert Spitzer on his own apologised for authoring an influential study 11 years earlier that supported reparative therapy to "cure" homosexuality. Today, APsaA and other professional organisations view being gay as a normal variant of human sexuality, but until now have yet to express how wrong they were before, Drescher said. "They did the work of apologising but they did not say the words," Drescher said. "If the police commissioner of New York City could do it, why couldn't we do something similar?"

United States psychoanalysts apologise for labeling homosexuality an illness

Iran said Friday that it had "indisputable" evidence that a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-approves-then-cancels-iran-strikes-after-drone-shot-down-report-229086">US drone</a> it shot down this week had violated its airspace, reported news agency AFP.

Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Swiss ambassador, Markus Leitner, whose country represents US interests in Iran, of the evidence on Thursday night, the report added quoting the foreign ministry's&nbsp;statement.

"Even some parts of the drone's wreckage have been retrieved from<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-hard-to-believe-iranian-shooting-down-of-us-drone-was-intentional-229050"> Iran"s territorial waters</a>," Araghchi told the Swiss envoy."

A US official on Thursday said that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had shot down a US drone amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over the collapsing nuclear deal.

In a statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the US surveillance drone was brought down by its Air Force near the Kouh-e Mobarak region — which sits in the central district of Jask County — after the aircraft violated Iranian airspace.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is Iran's premier military force.

The reported shootdown of the RQ-4 Global Hawk comes after the US military previously alleged Iran fired a missile at another drone last week that responded to the attack on two oil tankers near the Gulf of Oman, Iran Radio reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

Iran said Friday that it had "indisputable" evidence that a US drone it shot down this week had violated its airspace, reported news agency AFP. Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Swiss ambassador, Markus Leitner, whose country represents US interests in Iran, of the evidence on Thursday night, the report added quoting the foreign ministry's statement.

Iran said Friday that it had "indisputable" evidence that a US drone it shot down this week had violated its airspace, reported news agency AFP. Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Swiss ambassador, Markus Leitner, whose country represents US interests in Iran, of the evidence on Thursday night, the report added quoting the foreign ministry's statement. "Even some parts of the drone's wreckage have been retrieved from Iran"s territorial waters," Araghchi told the Swiss envoy." A US official on Thursday said that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had shot down a US drone amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over the collapsing nuclear deal. In a statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the US surveillance drone was brought down by its Air Force near the Kouh-e Mobarak region — which sits in the central district of Jask County — after the aircraft violated Iranian airspace. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is Iran's premier military force. The reported shootdown of the RQ-4 Global Hawk comes after the US military previously alleged Iran fired a missile at another drone last week that responded to the attack on two oil tankers near the Gulf of Oman, Iran Radio reported. (With inputs from AFP)

Iran says it has 'indisputable' evidence US drone violated its airspace

The United States said that it has no plans to cap&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-has-no-plans-to-cap-h-1b-work-visa-program-state-department-229065">H-1B work visas</a> for nations that "force foreign companies to store data locally."

The development comes days ahead of US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo's India visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are also set to meet on the sidelines of G20 summit in Japan on June 28-29.&nbsp;

The State Department in a statement said, "Trump Administration’s buy American Hire American Executive Order called for a broad review of US worker visa programs, including the H-1B program."

Clarifying, the review is "not targeted at a specific country" and is "completely separate from our <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-tells-india-it-is-considering-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules-sources-228844">ongoing discussions</a> with India about the importance of ensuring the free flow of data across borders."

US had raised concerns over India's data localisation along with other issues.

Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, India, "remains engaged with the US administration, with US Congress, emphasised time and again at high-level interaction, the contribution of Indian skilled professionals to growth and development of US economy"

On data localisation, he said, New Delhi remains engaged with the US "and see how we can dispel any misconception on data localisation."

Data localisation is the use of data of a country's nationals on how it is collected and stored within the country or sent outside.&nbsp;

New Delhi has been saying that US companies should store data of Indian nationals in India.

The United States said that it has no plans to cap H-1B work visas for nations that "force foreign companies to store data locally." The development comes days ahead of US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo's India visit.

The United States said that it has no plans to cap H-1B work visas for nations that "force foreign companies to store data locally." The development comes days ahead of US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo's India visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are also set to meet on the sidelines of G20 summit in Japan on June 28-29. The State Department in a statement said, "Trump Administration’s buy American Hire American Executive Order called for a broad review of US worker visa programs, including the H-1B program." Clarifying, the review is "not targeted at a specific country" and is "completely separate from our ongoing discussions with India about the importance of ensuring the free flow of data across borders." US had raised concerns over India's data localisation along with other issues. Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, India, "remains engaged with the US administration, with US Congress, emphasised time and again at high-level interaction, the contribution of Indian skilled professionals to growth and development of US economy" On data localisation, he said, New Delhi remains engaged with the US "and see how we can dispel any misconception on data localisation." Data localisation is the use of data of a country's nationals on how it is collected and stored within the country or sent outside. New Delhi has been saying that US companies should store data of Indian nationals in India.

US says H-1B visa programme and data localisation not linked  

The Trump administration has no plans to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-tells-india-it-is-considering-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules-sources-228844">cap H-1B work visas</a> for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, the State Department said on Thursday.

Reports suggested on Thursday&nbsp;that the United States had told India it was considering restricting the H-1B visa programmes for countries with the data storage requirement. The H-1B programme issues US&nbsp;visas to skilled foreign workers.

"The Trump Administration has no plans to place caps on H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally," a State Department spokeswoman said in a statement in response to the Reuters article.

While an administration's "Buy American Hire American" executive order calls for a broad review of US worker visa programs, including the H-1B programme, it was not targeted at a specific country, the spokeswoman said.

It is "completely separate from our ongoing discussions with India about the importance of ensuring the free flow of data across borders," the spokeswoman added.

Earlier on Thursday, India said it was in talks with the United States on H-1B visas, but foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar told a news conference: "We have not heard anything officially from the US government" on capping such permits for Indians.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to visit New Delhi next week for talks that will include areas of disagreement between the two countries over trade.

Two senior Indian officials told Reuters on Wednesday they had been briefed last week on a US plan to cap the number of H-1B visas given annually to Indians at between 10% and 15% of the total number issued.

There is no country-specific limit on the 85,000 H-1B work visas the United States issues every year, and an estimated 70% of them go to Indians.

The Trump administration has no plans to cap H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, the State Department said on Thursday.

The Trump administration has no plans to cap H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, the State Department said on Thursday. Reports suggested on Thursday that the United States had told India it was considering restricting the H-1B visa programmes for countries with the data storage requirement. The H-1B programme issues US visas to skilled foreign workers. "The Trump Administration has no plans to place caps on H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally," a State Department spokeswoman said in a statement in response to the Reuters article. While an administration's "Buy American Hire American" executive order calls for a broad review of US worker visa programs, including the H-1B programme, it was not targeted at a specific country, the spokeswoman said. It is "completely separate from our ongoing discussions with India about the importance of ensuring the free flow of data across borders," the spokeswoman added. Earlier on Thursday, India said it was in talks with the United States on H-1B visas, but foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar told a news conference: "We have not heard anything officially from the US government" on capping such permits for Indians. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to visit New Delhi next week for talks that will include areas of disagreement between the two countries over trade. Two senior Indian officials told Reuters on Wednesday they had been briefed last week on a US plan to cap the number of H-1B visas given annually to Indians at between 10% and 15% of the total number issued. There is no country-specific limit on the 85,000 H-1B work visas the United States issues every year, and an estimated 70% of them go to Indians.

US has no plans to cap H-1B work visa programme: State Department

The United States is trying to create "Iran phobia", Iran’s defence minister Amir Hatami said on Friday, news agency Reuters reported quoting&nbsp;Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA).

"Very complicated and suspicious conditions exist in the region," he was quoted as saying. "It seems that all of this is in line with an overall policy for creating Iran phobia and creating a consensus against the Islamic Republic."

Iran defence minister's comment comes amid ongoing tension between Iran and the US after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-indisputable-evidence-us-drone-violated-its-airspace-229116">US surveillance drone was shot down</a> by Iran's Air Force near the Kouh-e Mobarak region on Thursday.

Watch: Iran's Guards shoot down US "spy" drone in Hormozgan province

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/irans-guards-shoot-down-us-spy-drone-in-hormozgan-province-229092/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, a top Democrat in the US Senate said on Thursday he was worried that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-hard-to-believe-iranian-shooting-down-of-us-drone-was-intentional-229050">President Donald Trump</a> may "bumble" into a war with Iran and he said there needed to be an open debate and a congressional decision on funding before any military operation was launched.

"I told the president that these conflicts have a way of escalating," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters after meeting with top administration officials at the White House.&nbsp;

"The president may not intend to go to war here, but we're worried that he and the administration may bumble into a war."

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

The United States is trying to create "Iran phobia", Iran’s defence minister Amir Hatami said on Friday, news agency Reuters reported quoting Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA).

The United States is trying to create "Iran phobia", Iran’s defence minister Amir Hatami said on Friday, news agency Reuters reported quoting Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA). "Very complicated and suspicious conditions exist in the region," he was quoted as saying. "It seems that all of this is in line with an overall policy for creating Iran phobia and creating a consensus against the Islamic Republic." Iran defence minister's comment comes amid ongoing tension between Iran and the US after a US surveillance drone was shot down by Iran's Air Force near the Kouh-e Mobarak region on Thursday. Watch: Iran's Guards shoot down US "spy" drone in Hormozgan province Meanwhile, a top Democrat in the US Senate said on Thursday he was worried that President Donald Trump may "bumble" into a war with Iran and he said there needed to be an open debate and a congressional decision on funding before any military operation was launched. "I told the president that these conflicts have a way of escalating," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters after meeting with top administration officials at the White House. "The president may not intend to go to war here, but we're worried that he and the administration may bumble into a war." (With inputs from Reuters)

America is trying to create 'Iran phobia', says Iran's defence minister

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/syrian-refugees-remain-trapped-and-marginalised-by-lebanons-power-sharing-politics-183443">Syrian refugee</a> in the US was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of planning an attack against a Pennsylvania church in the name of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-group-claims-melbourne-stabbing-that-killed-one-person-propaganda-agency-176428">Islamic State group</a>, the Justice Department said.

Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, who arrived in the country as a refugee from Syria in August 2016, intended to target a church in the North Side neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, assistant attorney general John Demers and Pittsburgh federal prosecutor Scott Brady said in a statement.

 
"Court documents show Mustafa Alowemer planned to attack a church in the name of ISIS, which could have killed or injured many people," Michael McGarrity, of the FBI's counter-terrorism division, said in the statement.

"The FBI takes threats to churches and other religious institutions extremely seriously and will use all our resources to stop potential terrorist attacks against them," he said.

The suspect allegedly passed on documents about the construction and the use of explosives to a man he believed to be an IS group sympathizer, though he turned out to be an FBI employee.

In addition to contacting the man through social media and stating his support for the IS group, Alowemer had met with him four times since April, according to the statement.

He is alleged to have handwritten a 10-point plan about how he personally intended to bring explosives in a backpack and marked the church's access areas on maps.

Alowemer planned to meet with the agent he thought was his co-conspirator Wednesday for the last time before the would-be attack in July, the Department of Justice statement said.

He was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and two counts of distributing information relating to an explosive or weapon of mass destruction.

Eleven people were shot and killed in an anti-Semitic attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh in October, the deadliest attack against Jewish people in the modern history of the United States.

A Syrian refugee in the US was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of planning an attack against a Pennsylvania church in the name of the Islamic State group, the Justice Department said.

A Syrian refugee in the US was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of planning an attack against a Pennsylvania church in the name of the Islamic State group, the Justice Department said. Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 21, who arrived in the country as a refugee from Syria in August 2016, intended to target a church in the North Side neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, assistant attorney general John Demers and Pittsburgh federal prosecutor Scott Brady said in a statement. "Court documents show Mustafa Alowemer planned to attack a church in the name of ISIS, which could have killed or injured many people," Michael McGarrity, of the FBI's counter-terrorism division, said in the statement. "The FBI takes threats to churches and other religious institutions extremely seriously and will use all our resources to stop potential terrorist attacks against them," he said. The suspect allegedly passed on documents about the construction and the use of explosives to a man he believed to be an IS group sympathizer, though he turned out to be an FBI employee. In addition to contacting the man through social media and stating his support for the IS group, Alowemer had met with him four times since April, according to the statement. He is alleged to have handwritten a 10-point plan about how he personally intended to bring explosives in a backpack and marked the church's access areas on maps. Alowemer planned to meet with the agent he thought was his co-conspirator Wednesday for the last time before the would-be attack in July, the Department of Justice statement said. He was charged with one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and two counts of distributing information relating to an explosive or weapon of mass destruction. Eleven people were shot and killed in an anti-Semitic attack at a synagogue in Pittsburgh in October, the deadliest attack against Jewish people in the modern history of the United States.

Syrian refugee in United States arrested for plotting church attack

New Zealand's government on Thursday launched a multimillion-dollar, six-month "buy-back" scheme to compensate owners of powerful but newly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-votes-to-amend-gun-laws-after-christchurch-attack-209275">banned semi-automatic weapons</a> prohibited in the wake of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-mosque-attack-gun-shop-owner-says-christchurch-suspect-bought-weapons-online-203970">deadly attacks on two mosques in the Southern city of Christchurch</a>.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Minister of Police Stuart Nash said in a joint emailed statement that NZ$208 million ($135.97 million) had been set aside to compensate owners of the banned semi-automatic firearms up to 95% of the original cost.

They would have until December 20 to hand in their weapons.

"Police have detailed plans in place for the next step, which is the collection of firearms from the community. It will be a huge logistical exercise and is expected to get underway in mid-July," Nash said.

Parliament passed the gun reform law - the first substantial changes to the country's gun laws in decades - by a vote of 119 to 1 in April.

The vote came less than a month after its worst-ever peacetime mass shooting in which 51 people were killed and dozens injured in attacks on two mosques in Christchurch.

The new curbs bar the circulation and use of most semi-automatic firearms, parts that convert firearms into semi-automatic firearms, magazines over a certain capacity and some shotguns.

Existing gun laws had provided for a standard "A-category" gun license covering semi-automatics limited to seven shots.

Police estimated around 14,300 military style semi-automatics would be covered by the new legislation, though the government said it was difficult to predict the exact number.

Almost 700 weapons had already been handed in before the compensation scheme was launched and almost 5,000 had been registered by owners with police while they awaited collection.

"There is high uncertainty around any (costs), owing to the lack of information on the number of prohibited items, their type and condition," Robertson said, adding that better estimates of the total cost would be available once the buy-back was underway and the government would top up the amount if needed.

The government has also begun work on a second arms amendment bill to tackle issues regarding a gun registry, among others. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Monday that she expected the government to announce its plans for the law in the next few weeks.

With a population of just under 5 million, New Zealand is home to an estimated total of 1.5 million firearms, making it the country with the 17th highest rate of civilian firearm ownership in the world, according to the Small Arms Survey.

New Zealand's government on Thursday launched a multimillion-dollar, six-month "buy-back" scheme to compensate owners of powerful but newly banned semi-automatic weapons prohibited in the wake of deadly attacks on two mosques in the Southern city of Christchurch.

New Zealand's government on Thursday launched a multimillion-dollar, six-month "buy-back" scheme to compensate owners of powerful but newly banned semi-automatic weapons prohibited in the wake of deadly attacks on two mosques in the Southern city of Christchurch. Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Minister of Police Stuart Nash said in a joint emailed statement that NZ$208 million ($135.97 million) had been set aside to compensate owners of the banned semi-automatic firearms up to 95% of the original cost. They would have until December 20 to hand in their weapons. "Police have detailed plans in place for the next step, which is the collection of firearms from the community. It will be a huge logistical exercise and is expected to get underway in mid-July," Nash said. Parliament passed the gun reform law - the first substantial changes to the country's gun laws in decades - by a vote of 119 to 1 in April. The vote came less than a month after its worst-ever peacetime mass shooting in which 51 people were killed and dozens injured in attacks on two mosques in Christchurch. The new curbs bar the circulation and use of most semi-automatic firearms, parts that convert firearms into semi-automatic firearms, magazines over a certain capacity and some shotguns. Existing gun laws had provided for a standard "A-category" gun license covering semi-automatics limited to seven shots. Police estimated around 14,300 military style semi-automatics would be covered by the new legislation, though the government said it was difficult to predict the exact number. Almost 700 weapons had already been handed in before the compensation scheme was launched and almost 5,000 had been registered by owners with police while they awaited collection. "There is high uncertainty around any (costs), owing to the lack of information on the number of prohibited items, their type and condition," Robertson said, adding that better estimates of the total cost would be available once the buy-back was underway and the government would top up the amount if needed. The government has also begun work on a second arms amendment bill to tackle issues regarding a gun registry, among others. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters on Monday that she expected the government to announce its plans for the law in the next few weeks. With a population of just under 5 million, New Zealand is home to an estimated total of 1.5 million firearms, making it the country with the 17th highest rate of civilian firearm ownership in the world, according to the Small Arms Survey.

New Zealand launches gun buy-back scheme for weapons banned after Christchurch attack

The US Navy on Wednesday said it has collected biometric information including fingerprints from the body of one of two oil tankers that were attacked in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flying-objects-damaged-japanese-tanker-during-attack-in-gulf-of-oman-kokuka-sangyo-co-president-227084">Gulf of Oman last week.</a>

Displaying the fragments of limpet mines that the US Navy said had been used to attack the Japanese-owned '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-attacks-in-gulf-of-oman-stoke-security-and-oil-fears-226939">Kokuka Courageous' tanker</a>, near the UAE port of Fujairah today, Commander Sean Kido from the Naval Forces Central Command said that the devices bore a "striking resemblance" to the Iranian ones, The New York Post reported.

"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/limpet-mine-used-in-oil-tanker-attack-resembled-iranian-mines-us-navy-228762">The limpet mine</a> that was used in the attack is distinguishable and also strikingly bearing a resemblance to Iranian mines that have already been publicly displayed in Iranian military parades," Kido said.

The Commander also showed small fragments alleged to have been removed from the Japanese-owned 'Kokuka Courageous' tanker.

In addition, a magnet purportedly left by a team from Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) was also displayed during the media briefing.

The US military had previously released images it said showed the IRGC removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Kokuka Courageous, which was hit by explosions along with the Norwegian-owned Front Altair ship on June 13.

However, Tehran has denied any involvement in the attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil supplies, but the incidents have sparked fears of a broader confrontation in the Gulf region.

The company that owns the Kokuka Courageous has said the vessel was damaged by two "flying objects."

Kido said, "The damage at the blast hole is consistent with a limpet mine attack, it is not consistent with an external flying object striking the ship," adding that nail holes indicated how the mine was attached to the hull.

He also stated that the fingerprints from the hull would help in building a criminal case, apparently in reference to Iran.

The Commander added that Washington is working with regional partners on a "joint and combined investigation," but declined to name the countries involved.

The attack on the oil tankers came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran after President Donald Trump announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier and bombers to the Middle East and sent additional troops to the Arabian Gulf region.

On its part, Iran recently has quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium and threatened to boost its enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels in an attempt to pressure Europe for new terms to the 2015 nuclear deal.

The US Navy on Wednesday said it has collected biometric information including fingerprints from the body of one of two oil tankers that were attacked in the Gulf of Oman last week.

The US Navy on Wednesday said it has collected biometric information including fingerprints from the body of one of two oil tankers that were attacked in the Gulf of Oman last week. Displaying the fragments of limpet mines that the US Navy said had been used to attack the Japanese-owned 'Kokuka Courageous' tanker, near the UAE port of Fujairah today, Commander Sean Kido from the Naval Forces Central Command said that the devices bore a "striking resemblance" to the Iranian ones, The New York Post reported. "The limpet mine that was used in the attack is distinguishable and also strikingly bearing a resemblance to Iranian mines that have already been publicly displayed in Iranian military parades," Kido said. The Commander also showed small fragments alleged to have been removed from the Japanese-owned 'Kokuka Courageous' tanker. In addition, a magnet purportedly left by a team from Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) was also displayed during the media briefing. The US military had previously released images it said showed the IRGC removing an unexploded limpet mine from the Kokuka Courageous, which was hit by explosions along with the Norwegian-owned Front Altair ship on June 13. However, Tehran has denied any involvement in the attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil supplies, but the incidents have sparked fears of a broader confrontation in the Gulf region. The company that owns the Kokuka Courageous has said the vessel was damaged by two "flying objects." Kido said, "The damage at the blast hole is consistent with a limpet mine attack, it is not consistent with an external flying object striking the ship," adding that nail holes indicated how the mine was attached to the hull. He also stated that the fingerprints from the hull would help in building a criminal case, apparently in reference to Iran. The Commander added that Washington is working with regional partners on a "joint and combined investigation," but declined to name the countries involved. The attack on the oil tankers came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran after President Donald Trump announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier and bombers to the Middle East and sent additional troops to the Arabian Gulf region. On its part, Iran recently has quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium and threatened to boost its enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels in an attempt to pressure Europe for new terms to the 2015 nuclear deal.

United States army recovers finger prints from Japanese oil tanker attacked in Gulf of Oman

A day four people including three Russians got charged with causing the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, United States has now urged Russia to ensure families of victims get justice. Watch this video to know more.

MH17 crash: 4 suspects to face murder trial

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-oil-sanctions-wont-go-without-response-iran-213205">Oil jumped more</a> than 3% to above $63 a barrel on Thursday after Iran shot down a US military drone, raising fears of a military confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

Also supporting oil were expectations that the US Federal Reserve could cut interest rates at its next meeting, stimulating growth in the world's largest oil-consuming country, and a drop in US crude inventories.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, was up $1.38 at $63.20 a barrel at 0854 GMT, having risen 3.3% to $63.88 earlier in the session.

The US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.45 to $55.21.

"It's a combination of factors," Petromatrix analyst Olivier Jakob said of the price rise. "You have more supportive stocks data, the Fed indicating they will cut rates and the shooting down of the drone."

The drone was downed in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, a US official said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the drone was flying over southern Iran.

Tension has been rising in the Middle East, home to over 20% of the world's oil output, after attacks on two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for oil supplies. Washington blamed Tehran for the tanker attacks. Iran denied any role.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-prices-fall-on-surging-us-crude-stockpiles-economic-concerns-220779">Concern </a>about slowing economic growth and a US-China trade dispute has pulled oil lower in recent weeks. Brent reached a 2019 high of $75 in April.

Also propelling oil higher on Thursday was a larger-than-expected decline in US crude inventories and the prospect of prolonged supply restraint by producer group OPEC and its allies.

After swelling to near two-year highs, US crude stocks fell by 3.1 million barrels last week, compared with analyst expectations for a draw of 1.1 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia agreed this week to meet on July 1-2, ending a month of wrangling about the timing of the meeting.

The coalition known as OPEC+ will discuss whether to extend throughout 2019 a deal on cutting 1.2 million barrels per day of production. The deal expires at the end of this month.

Momentum for an agreement appeared to be building as the United Arab Emirates' energy minister said extending the deal was "logical and reasonable".

Oil jumped more than 3% to above $63 a barrel on Thursday after Iran shot down a US military drone, raising fears of a military confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

Oil jumped more than 3% to above $63 a barrel on Thursday after Iran shot down a US military drone, raising fears of a military confrontation between Tehran and Washington. Also supporting oil were expectations that the US Federal Reserve could cut interest rates at its next meeting, stimulating growth in the world's largest oil-consuming country, and a drop in US crude inventories. Brent crude, the global benchmark, was up $1.38 at $63.20 a barrel at 0854 GMT, having risen 3.3% to $63.88 earlier in the session. The US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.45 to $55.21. "It's a combination of factors," Petromatrix analyst Olivier Jakob said of the price rise. "You have more supportive stocks data, the Fed indicating they will cut rates and the shooting down of the drone." The drone was downed in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, a US official said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the drone was flying over southern Iran. Tension has been rising in the Middle East, home to over 20% of the world's oil output, after attacks on two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for oil supplies. Washington blamed Tehran for the tanker attacks. Iran denied any role. Concern about slowing economic growth and a US-China trade dispute has pulled oil lower in recent weeks. Brent reached a 2019 high of $75 in April. Also propelling oil higher on Thursday was a larger-than-expected decline in US crude inventories and the prospect of prolonged supply restraint by producer group OPEC and its allies. After swelling to near two-year highs, US crude stocks fell by 3.1 million barrels last week, compared with analyst expectations for a draw of 1.1 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia agreed this week to meet on July 1-2, ending a month of wrangling about the timing of the meeting. The coalition known as OPEC+ will discuss whether to extend throughout 2019 a deal on cutting 1.2 million barrels per day of production. The deal expires at the end of this month. Momentum for an agreement appeared to be building as the United Arab Emirates' energy minister said extending the deal was "logical and reasonable".

Oil prices surge as Iran shoots down US drone in Gulf

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 18 said, United States will maintain its pressure campaign on Iran and continue to deter aggression in the region but does not want the conflict with Tehran to escalate. Watch this video to know more.

U.S. justifies rising military presence in Middle East

Developing countries, not rich Western nations, are bearing the brunt of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/one-million-refugees-can-be-major-threat-to-security-of-entire-region-bangladeshs-high-commissioner-on-rohingyas-228434">world's refugee crisis</a> and are hosting most of the record 70.8 million displaced people who have fled war and persecution, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Half of the world's forcibly displaced are children and the 2018 total is the highest in nearly 70 years, the UN refugee agency said in its annual flagship report, Global Trends.

But the global figure, which comprises 25.9 million refugees, 41.3 million people uprooted within their homelands, and 3.5 million asylum-seekers, is "conservative", it said.

That is because it does not include most of the 4 million Venezuelans who have fled abroad since 2015 as they do not need visas or to lodge asylum claims to stay in most host countries. If the outflow continues, a total of 5 million Venezuelans could have left by year-end, it said.

"Certainly if the situation is not solved politically in Venezuela, with a political agreement, we will see a continuation of this exodus," Filippo Grandi, UN&nbsp;High Commissioner for Refugees, told a news briefing.

Venezuelans, arriving mainly in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, formed the second biggest flow abroad last year, after Syrians fleeing to Turkey following eight years of war, the report said.

"When you say Europe has a refugee emergency, or the United States, or Australia - no. Most of the refugees are in fact in the country next to where the war is, and unfortunately that means mostly in poor countries or in middle-income countries," Grandi said.

"That's where the crisis is, that's need where we need to focus," he told a news briefing.

More than two-thirds of the world's refugees come from five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia, the report said.

Asylum claims

US President Donald Trump has made reducing illegal migration along the border with Mexico one of his signature policy pledges.

Central Americans reaching the United States after fleeing violence or persecution in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are entitled to request asylum, Grandi said.

The United States should give such people a fair hearing and not separate children from their parents, he said, adding that his agency stood ready to help US authorities deal with the challenge.

With 254,300 asylum claims lodged in 2018, the United States is the world’s largest recipient of applications, the report said.

But Grandi said the United States has a huge backlog of 800,000 cases to be processed and that his agency was also helping Mexico to beef up its capacity to handle asylum-seekers.

Asked whether Trump's policies had made the work of UNHCR more difficult, he said: "It's not just in the United States, in Europe as well, and Australia.

"This is the crisis of solidarity that I have mentioned. It is identifying refugees and migrants with a problem instead of people that are fleeing from a problem," he said.

In Europe, the issue has been heavily politicised, leaving some governments "terrified" to commit to take in people rescued at sea after fleeing Libya or other conflict zones, Grandi said.

"So the appeal I make, now that we are in a situation where European (Parliament) elections are behind us, is to stop this electoral agitation. The numbers arriving in Europe are frankly manageable," he said.

Developing countries, not rich Western nations, are bearing the brunt of the world's refugee crisis and are hosting most of the record 70.8 million displaced people who have fled war and persecution, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Developing countries, not rich Western nations, are bearing the brunt of the world's refugee crisis and are hosting most of the record 70.8 million displaced people who have fled war and persecution, the United Nations said on Wednesday. Half of the world's forcibly displaced are children and the 2018 total is the highest in nearly 70 years, the UN refugee agency said in its annual flagship report, Global Trends. But the global figure, which comprises 25.9 million refugees, 41.3 million people uprooted within their homelands, and 3.5 million asylum-seekers, is "conservative", it said. That is because it does not include most of the 4 million Venezuelans who have fled abroad since 2015 as they do not need visas or to lodge asylum claims to stay in most host countries. If the outflow continues, a total of 5 million Venezuelans could have left by year-end, it said. "Certainly if the situation is not solved politically in Venezuela, with a political agreement, we will see a continuation of this exodus," Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, told a news briefing. Venezuelans, arriving mainly in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, formed the second biggest flow abroad last year, after Syrians fleeing to Turkey following eight years of war, the report said. "When you say Europe has a refugee emergency, or the United States, or Australia - no. Most of the refugees are in fact in the country next to where the war is, and unfortunately that means mostly in poor countries or in middle-income countries," Grandi said. "That's where the crisis is, that's need where we need to focus," he told a news briefing. More than two-thirds of the world's refugees come from five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar and Somalia, the report said. Asylum claims US President Donald Trump has made reducing illegal migration along the border with Mexico one of his signature policy pledges. Central Americans reaching the United States after fleeing violence or persecution in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are entitled to request asylum, Grandi said. The United States should give such people a fair hearing and not separate children from their parents, he said, adding that his agency stood ready to help US authorities deal with the challenge. With 254,300 asylum claims lodged in 2018, the United States is the world’s largest recipient of applications, the report said. But Grandi said the United States has a huge backlog of 800,000 cases to be processed and that his agency was also helping Mexico to beef up its capacity to handle asylum-seekers. Asked whether Trump's policies had made the work of UNHCR more difficult, he said: "It's not just in the United States, in Europe as well, and Australia. "This is the crisis of solidarity that I have mentioned. It is identifying refugees and migrants with a problem instead of people that are fleeing from a problem," he said. In Europe, the issue has been heavily politicised, leaving some governments "terrified" to commit to take in people rescued at sea after fleeing Libya or other conflict zones, Grandi said. "So the appeal I make, now that we are in a situation where European (Parliament) elections are behind us, is to stop this electoral agitation. The numbers arriving in Europe are frankly manageable," he said.

Poor nations hosting most refugees worldwide, need more Western help: UN

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-gains-amid-middle-east-tensions-us-china-trade-deal-hopes-228566">Oil prices</a> ticked down on Wednesday as data suggesting a smaller-than-expected fall in US crude inventories countered support from hopes for a US-China trade deal.

Brent crude futures were down 46 cents at $61.68 a barrel by 1042 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 3 cents to $53.87 a barrel. On Tuesday, it had recorded its biggest daily rise since early January.

After weeks of swelling, US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rupee-drops-18-paise-to-6946-vs-us-dollar-as-crude-oil-rebounds-225272">crude</a> stocks fell by 812,000 barrels last week to 482 million, industry group the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday, a smaller fall than the 1.1 million barrel drop analysts had expected.

PVM said a price rally had run out of steam "as concerns over bulging US oil stockpiles return to the fore."

Estimates on US crude stockpiles from the US Energy Information Administration are due on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump offered some support, by saying preparations were starting for him to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

Talks between the United States and China broke down last month after Washington accused the Chinese of backing away from previously agreed commitments.

Interaction between the two sides has been limited since then. Trump has repeatedly threatened to slap more tariffs on Chinese goods.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi also offered a boost, saying on Tuesday that the central bank would ease policy again if inflation failed to accelerate.

Elsewhere, tensions in the Middle East after last week's tanker attacks remain high. Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday's attacks. Washington blamed Tehran, which has denied any role.

Trump said he was prepared to take military action to stop Iran from having a nuclear bomb but left open whether he would approve the use of force to protect Gulf oil supplies.

The United States is deploying about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East, saying it was a defensive move in response to what Washington says is concerns about a threat from Iran.

Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have agreed to meet on July 1, followed by a meeting with non-OPEC allies on July 2, after weeks of wrangling over dates.

OPEC and its allies will discuss whether to extend a deal on cutting 1.2 million barrels per day of production that runs out this month.

Oil prices ticked down on Wednesday as data suggesting a smaller-than-expected fall in US crude inventories countered support from hopes for a US-China trade deal.

Oil prices ticked down on Wednesday as data suggesting a smaller-than-expected fall in US crude inventories countered support from hopes for a US-China trade deal. Brent crude futures were down 46 cents at $61.68 a barrel by 1042 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 3 cents to $53.87 a barrel. On Tuesday, it had recorded its biggest daily rise since early January. After weeks of swelling, US crude stocks fell by 812,000 barrels last week to 482 million, industry group the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday, a smaller fall than the 1.1 million barrel drop analysts had expected. PVM said a price rally had run out of steam "as concerns over bulging US oil stockpiles return to the fore." Estimates on US crude stockpiles from the US Energy Information Administration are due on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump offered some support, by saying preparations were starting for him to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Talks between the United States and China broke down last month after Washington accused the Chinese of backing away from previously agreed commitments. Interaction between the two sides has been limited since then. Trump has repeatedly threatened to slap more tariffs on Chinese goods. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi also offered a boost, saying on Tuesday that the central bank would ease policy again if inflation failed to accelerate. Elsewhere, tensions in the Middle East after last week's tanker attacks remain high. Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday's attacks. Washington blamed Tehran, which has denied any role. Trump said he was prepared to take military action to stop Iran from having a nuclear bomb but left open whether he would approve the use of force to protect Gulf oil supplies. The United States is deploying about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East, saying it was a defensive move in response to what Washington says is concerns about a threat from Iran. Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have agreed to meet on July 1, followed by a meeting with non-OPEC allies on July 2, after weeks of wrangling over dates. OPEC and its allies will discuss whether to extend a deal on cutting 1.2 million barrels per day of production that runs out this month.

Oil inches down as inventory data counters trade deal hopes

US President Donald Trump has kicked off his re-election campaign with a rally in Orlando, Florida. Campaign advisers say Trump will seek to connect his first term to the goals he hopes to achieve with four more years as president.

Trump officially launches his 2020 re-election bid

China's global Belt and Road Initiative could boost economies and reduce poverty rates in dozens of developing countries, but risks environmental damage, debt and corruption if improvements aren't made, the World Bank said Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping's signature foreign policy aims to reinvent the ancient Silk Road to connect Asia to Europe and Africa through massive investments in maritime, road and rail projects, with hundreds of billions of dollars in financing from Chinese banks.

Critics, however, say the six-year-old BRI is a plan to boost Beijing's global influence, riddled with opaque deals favouring Chinese companies, and will saddle nations with debt and environmental damage.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-considered-nominating-daughter-ivanka-for-head-of-world-bank-209867">The World Bank</a>'s "Belt and Road Economics" report said the project has "the potential to substantially improve trade, foreign investment, and living conditions", but only if China and corridor countries make policy reforms to improve transparency, expand trade and mitigate against environmental and corruption risks.&nbsp;

While trade will "increase sharply, if unevenly" for economies along the routes, the "potential gains come with considerable risks", according to Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, a World Bank vice president.

The report estimated that the BRI would boost trade by 2.8 to 9.7 per cent for participating countries and between 1.7 and 6.2 per cent for the world.

However, the study found that around a quarter of those economies already have high debt levels and for some them, "medium-term vulnerabilities could increase".

The report said large infrastructure projects are "inherently risky," as they can create corruption and failures in public procurement.

This has caused the US, India and some European nations to look at the project with suspicion.

Greater transparency&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/world-bank-slashes-global-growth-forecast-amid-deepening-us-china-trade-conflict-224398">The World Bank </a>study found Chinese firms account for the majority of BRI contracts, although "limited data" was available. According to one estimate, it said more than 60 per cent of Chinese-funded BRI project&nbsp;is allocated to Chinese companies.&nbsp;

"Little is known about the processes for selecting firms," the World Bank report said.&nbsp;

"Moving toward international good practices such as open and transparent public procurement would increase the likelihood that BRI projects are allocated to the firms best placed to implement them."

"Belt and Road Economics" recommended the BRI made information regarding planning, fiscal costs, budgeting and procurement more available to the public to improve the effectiveness of individual infrastructure investments and national development strategies.&nbsp;

"Greater transparency is essential to encourage community involvement and build public trust in investment decisions," the report said.

President Xi has already tried to bat away concerns, telling a gathering of 37 world leaders in Beijing in April: "Everything should be done transparently and we should have zero tolerance for corruption."

He told journalists at the same forum: "We are committed to supporting open, clean and green development and rejecting protectionism."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday in response to the World Bank report that China would study "earnestly" its opinions and suggestions.

He added China would "continue to adhere to the principles of joint discussion, construction, sharing and openness, tolerance, and transparency".

China's global Belt and Road Initiative could boost economies and reduce poverty rates in dozens of developing countries, but risks environmental damage, debt and corruption if improvements aren't made, the World Bank said Wednesday.

China's global Belt and Road Initiative could boost economies and reduce poverty rates in dozens of developing countries, but risks environmental damage, debt and corruption if improvements aren't made, the World Bank said Wednesday. President Xi Jinping's signature foreign policy aims to reinvent the ancient Silk Road to connect Asia to Europe and Africa through massive investments in maritime, road and rail projects, with hundreds of billions of dollars in financing from Chinese banks. Critics, however, say the six-year-old BRI is a plan to boost Beijing's global influence, riddled with opaque deals favouring Chinese companies, and will saddle nations with debt and environmental damage. The World Bank's "Belt and Road Economics" report said the project has "the potential to substantially improve trade, foreign investment, and living conditions", but only if China and corridor countries make policy reforms to improve transparency, expand trade and mitigate against environmental and corruption risks. While trade will "increase sharply, if unevenly" for economies along the routes, the "potential gains come with considerable risks", according to Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, a World Bank vice president. The report estimated that the BRI would boost trade by 2.8 to 9.7 per cent for participating countries and between 1.7 and 6.2 per cent for the world. However, the study found that around a quarter of those economies already have high debt levels and for some them, "medium-term vulnerabilities could increase". The report said large infrastructure projects are "inherently risky," as they can create corruption and failures in public procurement. This has caused the US, India and some European nations to look at the project with suspicion. Greater transparency The World Bank study found Chinese firms account for the majority of BRI contracts, although "limited data" was available. According to one estimate, it said more than 60 per cent of Chinese-funded BRI project is allocated to Chinese companies. "Little is known about the processes for selecting firms," the World Bank report said. "Moving toward international good practices such as open and transparent public procurement would increase the likelihood that BRI projects are allocated to the firms best placed to implement them." "Belt and Road Economics" recommended the BRI made information regarding planning, fiscal costs, budgeting and procurement more available to the public to improve the effectiveness of individual infrastructure investments and national development strategies. "Greater transparency is essential to encourage community involvement and build public trust in investment decisions," the report said. President Xi has already tried to bat away concerns, telling a gathering of 37 world leaders in Beijing in April: "Everything should be done transparently and we should have zero tolerance for corruption." He told journalists at the same forum: "We are committed to supporting open, clean and green development and rejecting protectionism." Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday in response to the World Bank report that China would study "earnestly" its opinions and suggestions. He added China would "continue to adhere to the principles of joint discussion, construction, sharing and openness, tolerance, and transparency".

Reforms and transparency needed for Belt and Road success: World Bank

The Trump administration’s decision to rescind work authorisation for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-take-public-opinion-on-h-4-visa-revocation-proposal-trump-administration-176397">H-4 visa</a> holders is yet to get a final shape as the rulemaking process in this regard is not complete, an official said.

H-4 visas are issued to the spouses of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-proposes-changes-to-h-1b-visas-to-be-given-to-most-skilled-highest-paid-foreign-workers-180602">H-1B visa</a> holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) “continues reviewing” all employment-based visa programmes, including the H-4 EADs or employment authorisation card, an official told PTI.

“No decision about the Obama administration regulation granting work authorisation to certain H-4 spouses is final until the rulemaking process is completed,” the official said.

&nbsp;Recently, the Department of Homeland Security in its annual spring agenda had reiterated the proposal to remove from its regulations certain H-4 spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants as a class of aliens eligible for employment authorisation. Under the Obama administration, certain H-4 workers were allowed to get employment authorisation.

Soon after coming to power, the Trump administration informed a US court that it plans to rescind such a rule. However, such a proposed rule is yet to be formally notified and the Trump administration has delayed the notification a number of times in the past two years.

“The USCIS is committed to upholding our nation’s immigration laws, helping ensure they are faithfully carried out, and safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system designed to protect the wages and working conditions of US workers,” USCIS spokeswoman Jessica Collins said.&nbsp;

“The administration has been relentlessly pursuing merit-based policy and regulatory immigration reforms, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes so they benefit the American people to the greatest extent possible in fulfilment of the president’s (Donald Trump) ‘Buy American, Hire American Executive Order’,” she said.

&nbsp;“The USCIS will continue adjudicating all petitions, applications and requests fairly, efficiently, and effectively on a case-by-case basis to determine if they meet all standards required under applicable law, policies, and regulations,” Collins told PTI.

The Trump administration’s decision to rescind work authorisation for H-4 visa holders is yet to get a final shape as the rulemaking process in this regard is not complete, an official said.

The Trump administration’s decision to rescind work authorisation for H-4 visa holders is yet to get a final shape as the rulemaking process in this regard is not complete, an official said. H-4 visas are issued to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) “continues reviewing” all employment-based visa programmes, including the H-4 EADs or employment authorisation card, an official told PTI. “No decision about the Obama administration regulation granting work authorisation to certain H-4 spouses is final until the rulemaking process is completed,” the official said. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security in its annual spring agenda had reiterated the proposal to remove from its regulations certain H-4 spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants as a class of aliens eligible for employment authorisation. Under the Obama administration, certain H-4 workers were allowed to get employment authorisation. Soon after coming to power, the Trump administration informed a US court that it plans to rescind such a rule. However, such a proposed rule is yet to be formally notified and the Trump administration has delayed the notification a number of times in the past two years. “The USCIS is committed to upholding our nation’s immigration laws, helping ensure they are faithfully carried out, and safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system designed to protect the wages and working conditions of US workers,” USCIS spokeswoman Jessica Collins said. “The administration has been relentlessly pursuing merit-based policy and regulatory immigration reforms, including a thorough review of employment-based visa programmes so they benefit the American people to the greatest extent possible in fulfilment of the president’s (Donald Trump) ‘Buy American, Hire American Executive Order’,” she said. “The USCIS will continue adjudicating all petitions, applications and requests fairly, efficiently, and effectively on a case-by-case basis to determine if they meet all standards required under applicable law, policies, and regulations,” Collins told PTI.

Plan to rescind H-4 visas yet to get final shape as rule making process not complete: US Official

The death of six-year-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/united-states-6-year-old-indian-migrant-girl-gurupreet-kaur-died-in-arizona-desert-as-mother-went-to-look-for-water-227259">Gurupreet Kaur</a>, a victim of human smuggling, near the remote and deserted US-Mexico border due to heat stroke is reflective of the "tragic culmination" of America's "broken" immigration system, according to a Sikh advocacy group.

The girl, who was a month shy of turning 7, was found by the US Border Patrol officials 27 kilometres west of Lukeville, Arizona on Wednesday, when the temperature reached a high of 42 degrees Celsius.

Kaur's mother left her with a woman and her child and went in search of water. The deceased was travelling with four other persons, including her mother, and dropped near the border by human smugglers who ordered the group to cross in the dangerous and austere location.

This story reflects the tragic culmination of a broken immigration system, immigration policies that deny basic human dignity and human rights particularly for asylum seekers and the unfortunate practice of individuals moving the most vulnerable for profit, Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), said.

The group has witnessed issues such as solitary confinement, denial of appropriate religious accommodation, language access and medical neglect faced by asylum seekers in detention facilities, she said.

We stand firmly against the practice of detaining and/or turning away asylum seekers and treating the most vulnerable as threats, she said.

SALDEF has been working to ensure Sikh asylum seekers receive fair and humane treatment in the asylum process and are provided appropriate religious accommodation under the law, Gill said.

The death of Gurupreet is the second recorded fatality of a migrant child this year in Arizona desert highlighting the central issue in immigration which is complicated, arduous, expensive and scary, forcing people to take extraordinary measures to come and make a life here in the US.

SALDEF said it will be investigating into the death of the girl and seek information about her mother and the other migrants in their group.

The humanitarian crisis at the border is increasing and the need to address the issue in a humane and timely fashion is more necessary now than ever. We will also be inquiring about this incident with Customs and Border Protection, it said.

The number of Indians crossing the US border from Mexico has steadily risen in recent years, according to immigration officials. They are among thousands of Africans and Asian migrants making the arduous journey, led by smuggling cartels.

Last year, more than 9,000 people from India have detained at US borders nationwide, a big increase from the prior year, when that number was about 3,100. A decade ago, in 2009, the number was 204.

The death of six-year-old Gurupreet Kaur, a victim of human smuggling, near the remote and deserted US-Mexico border due to heat stroke is reflective of the "tragic culmination" of America's "broken" immigration system, according to a Sikh advocacy group.

The death of six-year-old Gurupreet Kaur, a victim of human smuggling, near the remote and deserted US-Mexico border due to heat stroke is reflective of the "tragic culmination" of America's "broken" immigration system, according to a Sikh advocacy group. The girl, who was a month shy of turning 7, was found by the US Border Patrol officials 27 kilometres west of Lukeville, Arizona on Wednesday, when the temperature reached a high of 42 degrees Celsius. Kaur's mother left her with a woman and her child and went in search of water. The deceased was travelling with four other persons, including her mother, and dropped near the border by human smugglers who ordered the group to cross in the dangerous and austere location. This story reflects the tragic culmination of a broken immigration system, immigration policies that deny basic human dignity and human rights particularly for asylum seekers and the unfortunate practice of individuals moving the most vulnerable for profit, Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), said. The group has witnessed issues such as solitary confinement, denial of appropriate religious accommodation, language access and medical neglect faced by asylum seekers in detention facilities, she said. We stand firmly against the practice of detaining and/or turning away asylum seekers and treating the most vulnerable as threats, she said. SALDEF has been working to ensure Sikh asylum seekers receive fair and humane treatment in the asylum process and are provided appropriate religious accommodation under the law, Gill said. The death of Gurupreet is the second recorded fatality of a migrant child this year in Arizona desert highlighting the central issue in immigration which is complicated, arduous, expensive and scary, forcing people to take extraordinary measures to come and make a life here in the US. SALDEF said it will be investigating into the death of the girl and seek information about her mother and the other migrants in their group. The humanitarian crisis at the border is increasing and the need to address the issue in a humane and timely fashion is more necessary now than ever. We will also be inquiring about this incident with Customs and Border Protection, it said. The number of Indians crossing the US border from Mexico has steadily risen in recent years, according to immigration officials. They are among thousands of Africans and Asian migrants making the arduous journey, led by smuggling cartels. Last year, more than 9,000 people from India have detained at US borders nationwide, a big increase from the prior year, when that number was about 3,100. A decade ago, in 2009, the number was 204.

Death of Indian girl reflects 'tragic culmination' of a 'broken' immigration system: Advocacy group

The United States announced Tuesday a $250 million military aid package for war-torn Ukraine to strengthen the former Soviet republic's naval and land capabilities.&nbsp;

The amount is part of a series of Pentagon payments now totalling $1.5 billion to the country since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and a conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine.

"The United States remains committed to helping Ukraine ... to strengthen democratic civilian control of the military, promote command and control reforms, enhance transparency and accountability in acquisition and budgeting, and advance defence industry reforms," a Pentagon spokesman said.&nbsp;

"These reforms will bolster Ukraine's ability to defend its territorial integrity in support of a secure, prosperous, democratic, and free Ukraine."

Almost 13,000 people have been killed since the Moscow-backed insurgency broke out in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms to the pro-Moscow rebels across the border. Moscow denies the allegations.

The United States announced Tuesday a $250 million military aid package for war-torn Ukraine to strengthen the former Soviet republic's naval and land capabilities.

The United States announced Tuesday a $250 million military aid package for war-torn Ukraine to strengthen the former Soviet republic's naval and land capabilities. The amount is part of a series of Pentagon payments now totalling $1.5 billion to the country since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula and a conflict erupted in eastern Ukraine. "The United States remains committed to helping Ukraine ... to strengthen democratic civilian control of the military, promote command and control reforms, enhance transparency and accountability in acquisition and budgeting, and advance defence industry reforms," a Pentagon spokesman said. "These reforms will bolster Ukraine's ability to defend its territorial integrity in support of a secure, prosperous, democratic, and free Ukraine." Almost 13,000 people have been killed since the Moscow-backed insurgency broke out in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea. Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms to the pro-Moscow rebels across the border. Moscow denies the allegations.

United States announces $250 million in military aid to Ukraine

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-deployment-of-1000-additional-troops-to-middle-east-amid-iran-tensions-228136">US approves deployment of 1,000 additional troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions</a>

The United States said on Monday it has approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Iran.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mohamed-morsi-ousted-president-of-egypt-dies-in-court-during-trial-228135">Muslim Brotherhood blames Egyptian authorities for Morsi's 'deliberate slow death'</a>

The Muslim Brotherhood accused Egyptian authorities of being responsible for Mohamed Morsi's "deliberate slow death" after the former Islamist president died after falling ill in a Cairo court on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/toronto-raptors-rally-4-wounded-3-arrested-in-shooting-at-the-celebration-of-nba-title-228145">Toronto Raptors rally: 4 wounded, 3 arrested in shooting at the celebration of NBA title</a>

Four people were shot and wounded and three people were arrested at the victory rally in Toronto celebrating the Raptors' NBA championship.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/circular-economy-can-generate-14-crore-jobs-in-next-5-7-years-niti-aayog-ceo-amitabh-kant-228151">Circular economy can generate 1.4 crore jobs in next 5-7 years: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant</a>

Circular economy has potential to create nearly one-and-half crore jobs in next five to seven years and create lakhs of new entrepreneurs, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said here on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-population-to-cross-chinas-in-next-8-years-un-report-228138">India's population to cross China’s in next 8 years: UN report</a>

India, projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country around 2027, is expected to add nearly 273 million people between now and 2050 and will remain the most populated country through the end of the current century, a UN report said on Monday.

US approves deployment of 1,000 additional troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions The United States said on Monday it has approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Iran.

US approves deployment of 1,000 additional troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions The United States said on Monday it has approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Iran. Muslim Brotherhood blames Egyptian authorities for Morsi's 'deliberate slow death' The Muslim Brotherhood accused Egyptian authorities of being responsible for Mohamed Morsi's "deliberate slow death" after the former Islamist president died after falling ill in a Cairo court on Monday. Toronto Raptors rally: 4 wounded, 3 arrested in shooting at the celebration of NBA title Four people were shot and wounded and three people were arrested at the victory rally in Toronto celebrating the Raptors' NBA championship. Circular economy can generate 1.4 crore jobs in next 5-7 years: NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant Circular economy has potential to create nearly one-and-half crore jobs in next five to seven years and create lakhs of new entrepreneurs, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said here on Monday. India's population to cross China’s in next 8 years: UN report India, projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country around 2027, is expected to add nearly 273 million people between now and 2050 and will remain the most populated country through the end of the current century, a UN report said on Monday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Oil prices steadied on Tuesday, caught between rising tensions in the Middle East and signs that economic growth is being hit by trade tensions between the United States and China.

Brent crude futures were up 4 cents at $60.98 a barrel by 0055 GMT. They fell 1.7% in the previous session on concerns about slowing global growth.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were 1 cent lower at $51.92. They dropped 1.1% on Monday.

The New York Federal Reserve said on Monday its gauge of business growth in New York state posted a record fall this month to its weakest level in more than 2-1/2 years, suggesting an abrupt contraction in regional activity.

US business sentiment has sagged as tensions over trade have escalated between China and the United States and on signs of softness in the labour market.

"The market is in a rut and desperately in need of some robust economic data to get it out of this funk," said Stephen Innes, managing partner at Vanguard Markets in Bangkok.

Oil prices have fallen around 20% since 2019 highs reached in April, in part due to concerns about the US-China trade war and disappointing economic data.

US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping could meet at the G20 summit in Japan later this month. Trump has said he would meet Xi at the summit, although China has not confirmed the meeting.

Putting further pressure on oil, the US energy department said on Monday that shale oil output is expected to reach a record in July.

But tensions in the Middle East are likely to keep prices supported, analysts said.

Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan announced on Monday the deployment of about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East for what he said were defensive purposes, citing concerns about a threat from Iran.

Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday when two oil tankers were attacked, which Washington has blamed on Tehran.

Oil prices steadied on Tuesday, caught between rising tensions in the Middle East and signs that economic growth is being hit by trade tensions between the United States and China.

Oil prices steadied on Tuesday, caught between rising tensions in the Middle East and signs that economic growth is being hit by trade tensions between the United States and China. Brent crude futures were up 4 cents at $60.98 a barrel by 0055 GMT. They fell 1.7% in the previous session on concerns about slowing global growth. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were 1 cent lower at $51.92. They dropped 1.1% on Monday. The New York Federal Reserve said on Monday its gauge of business growth in New York state posted a record fall this month to its weakest level in more than 2-1/2 years, suggesting an abrupt contraction in regional activity. US business sentiment has sagged as tensions over trade have escalated between China and the United States and on signs of softness in the labour market. "The market is in a rut and desperately in need of some robust economic data to get it out of this funk," said Stephen Innes, managing partner at Vanguard Markets in Bangkok. Oil prices have fallen around 20% since 2019 highs reached in April, in part due to concerns about the US-China trade war and disappointing economic data. US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping could meet at the G20 summit in Japan later this month. Trump has said he would meet Xi at the summit, although China has not confirmed the meeting. Putting further pressure on oil, the US energy department said on Monday that shale oil output is expected to reach a record in July. But tensions in the Middle East are likely to keep prices supported, analysts said. Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan announced on Monday the deployment of about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East for what he said were defensive purposes, citing concerns about a threat from Iran. Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday when two oil tankers were attacked, which Washington has blamed on Tehran.

Oil prices hold steady amid Middle East tensions, weak economic data

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gulf-of-oman-tanker-attacks-un-chief-pushes-for-an-independent-probe-as-iran-rejects-us-blame-227226">United States said on Monday</a> it has approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Iran.

Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a statement that the troops were being sent "for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East."&nbsp;

"The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region," Shanahan said.

The US has blamed Iran for last week's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-iran-written-all-over-tanker-attacks-227168">attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman</a>, a charge Tehran has denied as "baseless."

"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran," the statement said, adding that the deployment aimed "to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests."

Watch:&nbsp;US President Donald Trump blames Iran for tanker attack

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Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated ever since the US quit a multi-nation nuclear deal with Iran.&nbsp;

Washington has imposed crippling sanctions, bolstered its military presence in the region and blacklisted Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.

The United States said on Monday it has approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Iran.

The United States said on Monday it has approved the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, against the backdrop of soaring tensions with Iran. Acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a statement that the troops were being sent "for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East." "The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behaviour by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region," Shanahan said. The US has blamed Iran for last week's attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, a charge Tehran has denied as "baseless." "The United States does not seek conflict with Iran," the statement said, adding that the deployment aimed "to ensure the safety and welfare of our military personnel working throughout the region and to protect our national interests." Watch: US President Donald Trump blames Iran for tanker attack Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated ever since the US quit a multi-nation nuclear deal with Iran. Washington has imposed crippling sanctions, bolstered its military presence in the region and blacklisted Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.

US approves deployment of 1,000 additional troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-fall-on-weak-demand-growth-rise-in-us-crude-stocks-226381">Oil&nbsp;prices&nbsp;fell</a> for a&nbsp;second&nbsp;day&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;on signs that global economic growth is being hit by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/amid-us-china-trade-war-india-can-boost-exports-of-300-products-to-both-countries-report-227511">US-China trade war</a>, though losses were capped by Middle East tensions after last week's tanker attacks.

Brent crude futures were trading 42 cents down at $60.52 a barrel by 0932 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures lost 26 cents to $51.67.

The New York Federal Reserve on Monday&nbsp;said that its gauge of business growth in New York state posted a record fall this month to its weakest level in more than 2-1/2 years, suggesting an abrupt contraction in regional activity.

US business sentiment has sagged as trade tensions have escalated between China and the United States and on signs of softness in the labour market.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-prices-fall-on-surging-us-crude-stockpiles-economic-concerns-220779">Oil&nbsp;prices&nbsp;have fallen</a> by about 20% from April's 2019 highs, partly because of concerns over the US-China trade war and disappointing economic data.

US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping could meet at the G20 summit in Japan this month. Trump has said he would meet Xi at the event, though China has not confirmed the meeting.

Putting further pressure on&nbsp;oil, the US energy department on Monday&nbsp;said that shale&nbsp;oil&nbsp;output is expected to reach a record high in July.

Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday's&nbsp;oil&nbsp;tanker attacks, which Washington has blamed on Tehran. Iran has denied involvement.

"Oil&nbsp;prices&nbsp;appear unperturbed by the further escalation of the Iran crisis," said Commerzbank's Carsten Fritsch.

Iran on Monday&nbsp;said it would breach internationally agreed curbs on its stock of low-enriched uranium within 10&nbsp;days, adding that European nations still had time to save a landmark nuclear deal.

Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan announced on Monday&nbsp;the deployment of about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East for what he said were defensive purposes, citing concerns about a threat from Iran.

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih on Monday&nbsp;said that countries need to cooperate on keeping shipping lanes open for&nbsp;oil&nbsp;and other energy supplies to ensure stable supplies.

He also said that Saudi exports and production are expected to remain at "about the same level" as the past few months.

Market participants are also awaiting a meeting between the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers including Russia, a group known as OPEC+, to decide whether to extend a production cut agreement that ends this month.

Oil prices fell for a second day on Tuesday on signs that global economic growth is being hit by the US-China trade war, though losses were capped by Middle East tensions after last week's tanker attacks.

Oil prices fell for a second day on Tuesday on signs that global economic growth is being hit by the US-China trade war, though losses were capped by Middle East tensions after last week's tanker attacks. Brent crude futures were trading 42 cents down at $60.52 a barrel by 0932 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures lost 26 cents to $51.67. The New York Federal Reserve on Monday said that its gauge of business growth in New York state posted a record fall this month to its weakest level in more than 2-1/2 years, suggesting an abrupt contraction in regional activity. US business sentiment has sagged as trade tensions have escalated between China and the United States and on signs of softness in the labour market. Oil prices have fallen by about 20% from April's 2019 highs, partly because of concerns over the US-China trade war and disappointing economic data. US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping could meet at the G20 summit in Japan this month. Trump has said he would meet Xi at the event, though China has not confirmed the meeting. Putting further pressure on oil, the US energy department on Monday said that shale oil output is expected to reach a record high in July. Fears of a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since last Thursday's oil tanker attacks, which Washington has blamed on Tehran. Iran has denied involvement. "Oil prices appear unperturbed by the further escalation of the Iran crisis," said Commerzbank's Carsten Fritsch. Iran on Monday said it would breach internationally agreed curbs on its stock of low-enriched uranium within 10 days, adding that European nations still had time to save a landmark nuclear deal. Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan announced on Monday the deployment of about 1,000 more troops to the Middle East for what he said were defensive purposes, citing concerns about a threat from Iran. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih on Monday said that countries need to cooperate on keeping shipping lanes open for oil and other energy supplies to ensure stable supplies. He also said that Saudi exports and production are expected to remain at "about the same level" as the past few months. Market participants are also awaiting a meeting between the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers including Russia, a group known as OPEC+, to decide whether to extend a production cut agreement that ends this month.

Oil prices slip for second day on global growth fears

The United States is preparing to send additional troops to the Middle East in response to mounting concerns over Iran, which Washington blames for attacks on oil tankers last week, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

U.S. preparing to send more troops to Middle East

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-propose-plan-to-make-us-immigration-more-merit-based-219054">&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> said on Monday that US authorities would begin next week removing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-trump-immigration-plan-may-increase-visas-for-highly-skilled-workers-213463">millions of immigrants</a> who are in the United States illegally.

"Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States," Trump tweeted, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. "They will be removed as fast as they come in," he said. He did not offer specifics.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States. They will be removed as fast as they come in. Mexico, using their strong immigration laws, is doing a very good job of stopping people.......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1140791400658870274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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There are an estimated 12 million immigrants who are in the United States illegally, mainly from Mexico and Central America.

Under a deal reached earlier this month, Mexico has agreed to take Central American immigrants seeking asylum in the United States until their cases are heard in US courts.

The agreement, which included Mexico pledging to deploy National Guard troops to stop Central American immigrants from reaching the US border, averted a Trump threat to hit Mexican imports with tariffs.

Trump also said in the tweet that Guatemala "is getting ready to sign a Safe-Third Agreement."

US Vice President Mike Pence suggested last week that Guatemala could receive asylum seekers from its neighbours as a so-called safe third country.

Details of the plan have not been made public, and Guatemala has not publicly confirmed talks that the US State Department said were taking place in Guatemala on Friday.

US rights group Human Rights First said, however, it was "simply ludicrous" for the United States to assert that Guatemala was capable of protecting refugees when its own citizens are fleeing violence.

Mexico has agreed that if its measures to stem the flow of migrants are unsuccessful, it will discuss signing a safe third country agreement with the United States.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump said on Monday that US authorities would begin next week removing millions of immigrants who are in the United States illegally. "Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States," Trump tweeted, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that US authorities would begin next week removing millions of immigrants who are in the United States illegally. "Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States," Trump tweeted, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. "They will be removed as fast as they come in," he said. He did not offer specifics. Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States. They will be removed as fast as they come in. Mexico, using their strong immigration laws, is doing a very good job of stopping people....... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019 × There are an estimated 12 million immigrants who are in the United States illegally, mainly from Mexico and Central America. Under a deal reached earlier this month, Mexico has agreed to take Central American immigrants seeking asylum in the United States until their cases are heard in US courts. The agreement, which included Mexico pledging to deploy National Guard troops to stop Central American immigrants from reaching the US border, averted a Trump threat to hit Mexican imports with tariffs. Trump also said in the tweet that Guatemala "is getting ready to sign a Safe-Third Agreement." US Vice President Mike Pence suggested last week that Guatemala could receive asylum seekers from its neighbours as a so-called safe third country. Details of the plan have not been made public, and Guatemala has not publicly confirmed talks that the US State Department said were taking place in Guatemala on Friday. US rights group Human Rights First said, however, it was "simply ludicrous" for the United States to assert that Guatemala was capable of protecting refugees when its own citizens are fleeing violence. Mexico has agreed that if its measures to stem the flow of migrants are unsuccessful, it will discuss signing a safe third country agreement with the United States.

US will begin removing millions of illegal immigrants, tweets Donald Trump

The mayor of Phoenix apologized on Sunday after videos emerged showing police in the southwestern US city violently arresting a family with young children.

The videos, shot when the arrest happened last month, show police using foul language while shouting at the family to get out of their car, and threatening to shoot them.

A woman later emerges from the vehicle with two young children. She hands them over to a bystander before being arrested.&nbsp;

Separately, an officer is shown kicking the legs of another man who he is handcuffing against a police car.

"I, like many others, am sick over what I have seen in the video depicting Phoenix police interacting with a family and young children," Mayor Kate Gallego wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.

Calling the officers' actions "inappropriate" and "clearly unprofessional," she wrote "There is no situation in which this behaviour is ever close to acceptable."

"I am deeply sorry for what this family went through, and I apologize to our community," she said.

In an appearance on the local ABC affiliate, Phoenix police chief Jeri Williams said the officers had responded to a report of shoplifting when they encountered the family.

"I'm sorry this incident happened," she said, adding that it was being investigated.

ABC reported that the family has filed a $10 million claim against the city, alleging civil rights violations.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of law enforcement in the public in the United States following a series of high-profile killings of African Americans.

In response, departments across the country have announced reforms such as requiring officers to wear body cameras, which Gallego said Phoenix would speed up in the wake of the controversy.

The mayor of Phoenix apologized on Sunday after videos emerged showing police in the southwestern US city violently arresting a family with young children. The videos, shot when the arrest happened last month, show police using foul language while shouting at the family to get out of their car, and threatening to shoot them.

The mayor of Phoenix apologized on Sunday after videos emerged showing police in the southwestern US city violently arresting a family with young children. The videos, shot when the arrest happened last month, show police using foul language while shouting at the family to get out of their car, and threatening to shoot them. A woman later emerges from the vehicle with two young children. She hands them over to a bystander before being arrested. Separately, an officer is shown kicking the legs of another man who he is handcuffing against a police car. "I, like many others, am sick over what I have seen in the video depicting Phoenix police interacting with a family and young children," Mayor Kate Gallego wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. Calling the officers' actions "inappropriate" and "clearly unprofessional," she wrote "There is no situation in which this behaviour is ever close to acceptable." "I am deeply sorry for what this family went through, and I apologize to our community," she said. In an appearance on the local ABC affiliate, Phoenix police chief Jeri Williams said the officers had responded to a report of shoplifting when they encountered the family. "I'm sorry this incident happened," she said, adding that it was being investigated. ABC reported that the family has filed a $10 million claim against the city, alleging civil rights violations. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of law enforcement in the public in the United States following a series of high-profile killings of African Americans. In response, departments across the country have announced reforms such as requiring officers to wear body cameras, which Gallego said Phoenix would speed up in the wake of the controversy.

US mayor apologizes after violent arrest videos emerge

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-weighing-full-range-of-options-to-counter-iran-including-a-military-strike-mike-pompeo-on-iran-227800">US weighing 'full range' of options to counter Iran, including a military strike: Mike Pompeo on Iran</a>

Amid rising tension between the US and Iran over recent attacks on civilian oil tankers in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is considering a 'full range of options' — including a military strike.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-activist-joshua-wong-freed-from-jail-calls-on-pro-china-leader-carrie-lam-to-resign-227815">Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong freed from jail, calls on pro-China leader Carrie Lam to resign</a>

Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong called on the city's pro-China leader Carrie Lam to resign after was released from prison Monday, a day after one of the largest street protests in Hong Kong’s history forced an apology from the city’s top official over a divisive extradition bill.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-planning-more-tariffs-on-chinese-goods-represent-worst-scenario-for-both-countries-227803">US planning more tariffs on Chinese goods, represent worst scenario for both countries</a>

Washington is planning another tidal wave of tariffs on Chinese imports that represent a worst-case scenario for markets and major industries on both sides of the Pacific.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-teenagers-among-four-of-indian-origin-family-shot-dead-in-us-227806">Two teenagers among four of Indian-origin family shot dead in US</a>

Four members of an Indian-origin family, including two boys, were shot dead inside their home in West Des Moines, United States.

The incident took place on Saturday morning. The family members were identified as Chandrasekhar Sunkara, 44; Lavanya Sunkara, 41; and two boys, ages 15 and 10, reported CNN.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/hospitals-in-delhi-to-join-doctors-strike-call-today-227805">Indian Medical Association begins nationwide strike in support of protesting West Bengal doctors</a>

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday began its strike with the withdrawal of non-essential health services across the country in the wake of the recent assault on doctors in West Bengal.

US weighing 'full range' of options to counter Iran, including a military strike: Mike Pompeo on Iran Amid rising tension between the US and Iran over recent attacks on civilian oil tankers in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is considering a 'full range of options' — including a military strike.

US weighing 'full range' of options to counter Iran, including a military strike: Mike Pompeo on Iran Amid rising tension between the US and Iran over recent attacks on civilian oil tankers in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is considering a 'full range of options' — including a military strike. Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong freed from jail, calls on pro-China leader Carrie Lam to resign Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong called on the city's pro-China leader Carrie Lam to resign after was released from prison Monday, a day after one of the largest street protests in Hong Kong’s history forced an apology from the city’s top official over a divisive extradition bill. US planning more tariffs on Chinese goods, represent worst scenario for both countries Washington is planning another tidal wave of tariffs on Chinese imports that represent a worst-case scenario for markets and major industries on both sides of the Pacific. Two teenagers among four of Indian-origin family shot dead in US Four members of an Indian-origin family, including two boys, were shot dead inside their home in West Des Moines, United States. The incident took place on Saturday morning. The family members were identified as Chandrasekhar Sunkara, 44; Lavanya Sunkara, 41; and two boys, ages 15 and 10, reported CNN. Indian Medical Association begins nationwide strike in support of protesting West Bengal doctors The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday began its strike with the withdrawal of non-essential health services across the country in the wake of the recent assault on doctors in West Bengal.

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