US-imposed trade tariffs on its close allies could have a "grave impact" on ties and the world trading system, the Japanese government said&nbsp;Monday, describing the situation as "extremely deplorable".

Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language.

"It is extremely deplorable that the situation has not improved even after Japan has explained to the US its concerns at various levels," said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga.

Close allies Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads over trade policy after the US refused to give Japan an exemption from the tariffs, which came into effect&nbsp;on Friday.

"The US government's trade measures, citing its security, makes us concerned that they could disrupt the global market," Suga told reporters.

"On top of that, we think that it may have a grave impact on the economic cooperation between the allies Japan and the United States and on the whole multilateral trading system under the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules."

The trade row has cast a shadow over the relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump, who have forged otherwise close ties.

Last month, Tokyo informed the WTO it had the right to impose tariffs worth 50 billion yen ($456 million) on American goods -- equivalent to the impact of the US tariffs newly imposed on Japanese steel and aluminium products.

According to the most recent data, Japan's trade surplus with the US was 615.7 billion yen in April ($5.6 billion), a gain of 4.7 per cent on higher demand for cars and construction machinery.

Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language

US-imposed trade tariffs on its close allies could have a "grave impact" on ties and the world trading system, the Japanese government said Monday, describing the situation as "extremely deplorable". Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language. "It is extremely deplorable that the situation has not improved even after Japan has explained to the US its concerns at various levels," said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga. Close allies Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads over trade policy after the US refused to give Japan an exemption from the tariffs, which came into effect on Friday. "The US government's trade measures, citing its security, makes us concerned that they could disrupt the global market," Suga told reporters. "On top of that, we think that it may have a grave impact on the economic cooperation between the allies Japan and the United States and on the whole multilateral trading system under the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules." The trade row has cast a shadow over the relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump, who have forged otherwise close ties. Last month, Tokyo informed the WTO it had the right to impose tariffs worth 50 billion yen ($456 million) on American goods -- equivalent to the impact of the US tariffs newly imposed on Japanese steel and aluminium products. According to the most recent data, Japan's trade surplus with the US was 615.7 billion yen in April ($5.6 billion), a gain of 4.7 per cent on higher demand for cars and construction machinery.

US trade policy 'deplorable', rages Japan

A senior aide to U.S. President Donald Trump described trade frictions with Canada on Sunday as a "family quarrel," and brushed aside concerns expressed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"I think he's overreacting," White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said of Trudeau on Fox News Sunday. Kudlow also said the steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies "may go on for a while" or "they may not," because the matter is subject to negotiation.

Trudeau is hosting a summit on June 8-9 of Group of Seven leaders, including Trump, in the Quebec region of Charlevoix.

The United States on Thursday said it was moving ahead with tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, ending a two-month exemption and potentially setting the stage for a trade war with some of America’s top allies.

Trudeau responded by saying that the tariffs are an affront to the longstanding security partnership between Canada and the United States.

The United States on Thursday said it was moving ahead with tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, ending a two-month exemption and potentially setting the stage for a trade war with some of America’s top allies

A senior aide to U.S. President Donald Trump described trade frictions with Canada on Sunday as a "family quarrel," and brushed aside concerns expressed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "I think he's overreacting," White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said of Trudeau on Fox News Sunday. Kudlow also said the steel and aluminum tariffs on U.S. allies "may go on for a while" or "they may not," because the matter is subject to negotiation. Trudeau is hosting a summit on June 8-9 of Group of Seven leaders, including Trump, in the Quebec region of Charlevoix. The United States on Thursday said it was moving ahead with tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, ending a two-month exemption and potentially setting the stage for a trade war with some of America’s top allies. Trudeau responded by saying that the tariffs are an affront to the longstanding security partnership between Canada and the United States.

Trump aide: Canada trade row a 'family quarrel', Trudeau overreacting

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's right-hand man met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday to deliver a letter from his leader that could pave the way to a historic nuclear summit.

Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of North Korea's ruling party executive and a veteran regime insider, arrived for his Oval Office encounter accompanied by the senior US officials who have overseen an extraordinary diplomatic opening.

Both sides have committed themselves to the "denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula, but it is far from clear if Trump's mission to secure Pyongyang's complete disarmament can be aligned with Kim's quest to win international respect and protection.

On Thursday, after talks with Kim Yong Chol in New York, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed confidence that the process was moving in the right direction, but warned that the North's young leader must be bold enough to make a "strategic shift" in understanding that he will be safer without nuclear weapons.

On the same day in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un told Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that his commitment to denuclearization remains "unchanged and consistent and fixed," but experts warn that he will likely seek deep concessions from Washington.

In particular, he wants a formal end to the Korean conflict and is likely to seek international recognition and guarantees against any strike by the US forces stationed across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea.

US officials said that at the White House, Kim Yong Chol would deliver a letter that may not clear up all the questions about the agenda but may bring the planned Singapore meeting a step closer.

The delivery comes only a week after Trump threatened to consign the entire process to history, abruptly cancelling the summit in a sharply-worded letter, only to revive preparations shortly afterwards.

Since that short-lived crisis, diplomats from both countries have conducted an intense flurry of talks, culminating this week when Pompeo sat down in New York with Kim's envoy.

"It will take bold leadership from Chairman Kim Jong Un if we were able to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to change the course for the world," Pompeo said Thursday.

"President Trump and I believe Chairman Kim is the kind of leader who can make those kind of decisions, and in the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to test whether or not this is the case."

Strategic shift 
Pompeo also said that, after what have now been two meetings with Kim Jong Un and three with Kim Yong Chol, he believes the North is at least ready to consider addressing US demands for denuclearization.

"I believe they are contemplating a path forward. They can make a strategic shift. One that their country has not been prepared to make before. This will obviously be their decision," he said.

US officials now expect the summit to go ahead, but they want Pyongyang to accept that nuclear disarmament be at the heart of the discussion -- and warn there can be no end to sanctions without it.

Asked whether the answer would come on Friday in the letter, Pompeo said he did not know but added: "We have made real progress in the last 72 hours toward setting the conditions."

"The conditions are putting President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un in a place where we think there could be real progress made by the two of them meeting," he said.

Russia urges caution 
The flurry of diplomacy has also seen a rapprochement on the Korean peninsula, with the two Koreas holding high-level talks Friday at the border truce village of Panmunjom to discuss their ongoing efforts to improve ties.

The meeting followed two landmark summits between the leaders of North and South Korea in the last five weeks.

The two Koreas agreed to hold more meetings throughout this month to carry out the agreements reached between their leaders at the April summit, a joint statement said following Friday's talks.

Even as the summit preparations continued, Japan on Friday said it had reported to the United Nations a suspected North Korean sanctions violation involving a ship-to-ship cargo transfer.

The official, Kim Yong Chol, was greeted by White House chief of staff John Kelly, who led him to the Oval Office for talks with Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to press secretary Sarah Sanders

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's right-hand man met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday to deliver a letter from his leader that could pave the way to a historic nuclear summit. Kim Yong Chol, vice chairman of North Korea's ruling party executive and a veteran regime insider, arrived for his Oval Office encounter accompanied by the senior US officials who have overseen an extraordinary diplomatic opening. Both sides have committed themselves to the "denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula, but it is far from clear if Trump's mission to secure Pyongyang's complete disarmament can be aligned with Kim's quest to win international respect and protection. On Thursday, after talks with Kim Yong Chol in New York, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed confidence that the process was moving in the right direction, but warned that the North's young leader must be bold enough to make a "strategic shift" in understanding that he will be safer without nuclear weapons. On the same day in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un told Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that his commitment to denuclearization remains "unchanged and consistent and fixed," but experts warn that he will likely seek deep concessions from Washington. In particular, he wants a formal end to the Korean conflict and is likely to seek international recognition and guarantees against any strike by the US forces stationed across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea. US officials said that at the White House, Kim Yong Chol would deliver a letter that may not clear up all the questions about the agenda but may bring the planned Singapore meeting a step closer. The delivery comes only a week after Trump threatened to consign the entire process to history, abruptly cancelling the summit in a sharply-worded letter, only to revive preparations shortly afterwards. Since that short-lived crisis, diplomats from both countries have conducted an intense flurry of talks, culminating this week when Pompeo sat down in New York with Kim's envoy. "It will take bold leadership from Chairman Kim Jong Un if we were able to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to change the course for the world," Pompeo said Thursday. "President Trump and I believe Chairman Kim is the kind of leader who can make those kind of decisions, and in the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to test whether or not this is the case." Strategic shift Pompeo also said that, after what have now been two meetings with Kim Jong Un and three with Kim Yong Chol, he believes the North is at least ready to consider addressing US demands for denuclearization. "I believe they are contemplating a path forward. They can make a strategic shift. One that their country has not been prepared to make before. This will obviously be their decision," he said. US officials now expect the summit to go ahead, but they want Pyongyang to accept that nuclear disarmament be at the heart of the discussion -- and warn there can be no end to sanctions without it. Asked whether the answer would come on Friday in the letter, Pompeo said he did not know but added: "We have made real progress in the last 72 hours toward setting the conditions." "The conditions are putting President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un in a place where we think there could be real progress made by the two of them meeting," he said. Russia urges caution The flurry of diplomacy has also seen a rapprochement on the Korean peninsula, with the two Koreas holding high-level talks Friday at the border truce village of Panmunjom to discuss their ongoing efforts to improve ties. The meeting followed two landmark summits between the leaders of North and South Korea in the last five weeks. The two Koreas agreed to hold more meetings throughout this month to carry out the agreements reached between their leaders at the April summit, a joint statement said following Friday's talks. Even as the summit preparations continued, Japan on Friday said it had reported to the United Nations a suspected North Korean sanctions violation involving a ship-to-ship cargo transfer.

Kim Jong-Un's right-hand man meets Trump at White House

The Trump administration is examining ways US&nbsp;industries could hire more immigrant workers on a temporary basis, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Friday, as data showed the United States unemployment rate at an 18-year low. news agency Reuters reported.

"We are looking at ways to bring temporary immigrants with temporary visas legally into the United States in a number of industries," Kudlow told CNBC in an interview, adding he did not want to say more that would "get ahead of the curve."

Earlier on Friday, Labour Department data showed job growth accelerated in May and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 per cent, pointing to rapidly tightening labour market conditions that also showed wages rising solidly.

Kudlow said rising US&nbsp;wages could also drive more Americans into the labour market, the report added.

"There are a lot of Americans out there who would love to work if the price is right if the job is right," he told CNBC.

Kudlow said rising US wages could also drive more Americans into the labour market

The Trump administration is examining ways US industries could hire more immigrant workers on a temporary basis, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Friday, as data showed the United States unemployment rate at an 18-year low. news agency Reuters reported. "We are looking at ways to bring temporary immigrants with temporary visas legally into the United States in a number of industries," Kudlow told CNBC in an interview, adding he did not want to say more that would "get ahead of the curve." Earlier on Friday, Labour Department data showed job growth accelerated in May and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 per cent, pointing to rapidly tightening labour market conditions that also showed wages rising solidly. Kudlow said rising US wages could also drive more Americans into the labour market, the report added. "There are a lot of Americans out there who would love to work if the price is right if the job is right," he told CNBC.

US eyeing ways to hire more legal, temporary immigrant workers, says economic adviser

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is moving to finalize trade sanctions against China even as a US delegation is set to travel to Beijing for talks to resolve the dispute.

The White House said the planned sanctions announced in March, largely focused on China's theft of American intellectual property, were still in the works and details would be announced in the coming month.

It was yet another apparent change of course for Trump, who veers from harsh threats to promises of compromise and back again on trade and other more sensitive issues.

Despite announcing a truce in the trade hostilities less than 10 days ago, after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said threatened tariffs on Chinese goods were "on hold," the White House signaled it was ready to pull the trigger on a broad array of penalties.

"From now on, we expect trading relationships to be fair and to be reciprocal," in a statement, which spelled out a list of long-standing US trade grievances," Trump said in a statement.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the move breached the recent consensus reached between Washington and Beijing.

"Whatever measures the United States takes, China has the confidence, capability and experience to defend the interests of Chinese people and the core interests of the country," the ministry said in a statement published by official new agency Xinhua.

The US trade sanctions announced in March -- including restrictions on Chinese investment, export controls and 25 percent tariffs on as much as $50 billion in Chinese tech goods -- remain under development, the White House said.

The final list of Chinese imports covered by the tariffs list will be announced June 15, and imposed shortly thereafter, while the proposed investment restrictions and enhanced export controls will be announced by June 30, according to the statement.

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on an additional $100 billion in Chinese goods as well if Beijing retaliates.

'Difficult and unfair'

The White House said "the United States will continue efforts to protect domestic technology and intellectual property, stop noneconomic transfers of industrially significant technology and intellectual property to China, and enhance access to the Chinese market."

In addition, as part of the ongoing talks "the United States will request that China remove all of its many trade barriers, including non-monetary trade barriers, which make it both difficult and unfair to do business there."

The announcement, which offered little new information, comes as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross prepares to travel to Beijing this week for another round of talks aimed at resolving the conflict, which includes a threat of matching sanctions from China on US goods.

The White House issued a second statement listing the details of many complaints against China, including dumping of goods into the US market at below market value, high tariffs and overcapacity -- likely referring to steel and aluminum, which are subject to another set of harsh US tariffs.

In addition to the bilateral talks with Beijing, the US also will continue to pursue the complaints filed in the World Trade Organization as well as the cases against individual products.

The National Retail Federation on Tuesday said it was "disappointed" with the new White House communications, saying the tariffs would raise prices, kill jobs and spur costly retaliation.

"China's trade practices raise serious concerns but job-killing tariffs aren't the answer," the statement said.

"The lack of clarity surrounding the administration’s plans is creating significant uncertainty for American businesses, disrupting supply chains and threatening to undermine the economic gains we’ve seen over the past year.

The NRF cited a study which estimated the tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports could shave $3 billion off of US GDP and eliminate 134,000 jobs.

The White House announcement came on the heels of stiff criticism from lawmakers of the White House's negotiating tactics and willingness to soften tough penalties in some cases with no benefit to the US.

Trump has faced a backlash among lawmakers this month after announcing he would soften US sanctions on the Chinese telecoms equipment maker ZTE, which neared collapse due to an April ban on purchasing crucial US components.

Lawmakers in both parties also criticized the president, saying this month's truce surrendered Washington's leverage without obtaining significant concessions from Beijing.

'China's trade practices raise serious concerns but job-killing tariffs aren't the answer,' the statement said

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is moving to finalize trade sanctions against China even as a US delegation is set to travel to Beijing for talks to resolve the dispute. The White House said the planned sanctions announced in March, largely focused on China's theft of American intellectual property, were still in the works and details would be announced in the coming month. It was yet another apparent change of course for Trump, who veers from harsh threats to promises of compromise and back again on trade and other more sensitive issues. Despite announcing a truce in the trade hostilities less than 10 days ago, after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said threatened tariffs on Chinese goods were "on hold," the White House signaled it was ready to pull the trigger on a broad array of penalties. "From now on, we expect trading relationships to be fair and to be reciprocal," in a statement, which spelled out a list of long-standing US trade grievances," Trump said in a statement. The Chinese Commerce Ministry said the move breached the recent consensus reached between Washington and Beijing. "Whatever measures the United States takes, China has the confidence, capability and experience to defend the interests of Chinese people and the core interests of the country," the ministry said in a statement published by official new agency Xinhua. The US trade sanctions announced in March -- including restrictions on Chinese investment, export controls and 25 percent tariffs on as much as $50 billion in Chinese tech goods -- remain under development, the White House said. The final list of Chinese imports covered by the tariffs list will be announced June 15, and imposed shortly thereafter, while the proposed investment restrictions and enhanced export controls will be announced by June 30, according to the statement. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on an additional $100 billion in Chinese goods as well if Beijing retaliates. 'Difficult and unfair' The White House said "the United States will continue efforts to protect domestic technology and intellectual property, stop noneconomic transfers of industrially significant technology and intellectual property to China, and enhance access to the Chinese market." In addition, as part of the ongoing talks "the United States will request that China remove all of its many trade barriers, including non-monetary trade barriers, which make it both difficult and unfair to do business there." The announcement, which offered little new information, comes as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross prepares to travel to Beijing this week for another round of talks aimed at resolving the conflict, which includes a threat of matching sanctions from China on US goods. The White House issued a second statement listing the details of many complaints against China, including dumping of goods into the US market at below market value, high tariffs and overcapacity -- likely referring to steel and aluminum, which are subject to another set of harsh US tariffs. In addition to the bilateral talks with Beijing, the US also will continue to pursue the complaints filed in the World Trade Organization as well as the cases against individual products. The National Retail Federation on Tuesday said it was "disappointed" with the new White House communications, saying the tariffs would raise prices, kill jobs and spur costly retaliation. "China's trade practices raise serious concerns but job-killing tariffs aren't the answer," the statement said. "The lack of clarity surrounding the administration’s plans is creating significant uncertainty for American businesses, disrupting supply chains and threatening to undermine the economic gains we’ve seen over the past year. The NRF cited a study which estimated the tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports could shave $3 billion off of US GDP and eliminate 134,000 jobs. The White House announcement came on the heels of stiff criticism from lawmakers of the White House's negotiating tactics and willingness to soften tough penalties in some cases with no benefit to the US. Trump has faced a backlash among lawmakers this month after announcing he would soften US sanctions on the Chinese telecoms equipment maker ZTE, which neared collapse due to an April ban on purchasing crucial US components. Lawmakers in both parties also criticized the president, saying this month's truce surrendered Washington's leverage without obtaining significant concessions from Beijing.

White House moves to finalize China trade sanctions

In a bid to give its public image an uplift, Starbucks is set to close as many as over 8,000 stores across the United States today to conduct an anti-bias training.&nbsp;

Last month, two men of African origin were arrested at a Starbucks outlet in Philadelphia. The coffee-selling giant apologized for the same and met with the two men.

Starbucks has been trying to put together a curriculum for its workers that would enable an anti-bias environment at its outlets all across. The company has reached out to activists and experts for the same.&nbsp;

The training will aim at&nbsp;making people more sensitive and open about implicit biases and stereotypes, especially while encountering people of colour or other identities.

Civil rights advisers hope the training will reinvigorate decades-old efforts to ensure minorities get equal treatment in restaurants and stores, setting an example for other corporations.

Starbucks committed to the training after a Philadelphia cafe manager’s call to police resulted in the arrests of two black men who were waiting for a friend. The arrests sparked protests and accusations of racial profiling at the coffee chain known for its liberal stances on social issues such as same-sex marriage, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

Other global giants like Walmart already have a racial bias training in place for their employees.&nbsp;

Other global giants like Walmart already have racial bias training in place for their employees

In a bid to give its public image an uplift, Starbucks is set to close as many as over 8,000 stores across the United States today to conduct an anti-bias training. Last month, two men of African origin were arrested at a Starbucks outlet in Philadelphia. The coffee-selling giant apologized for the same and met with the two men. Starbucks has been trying to put together a curriculum for its workers that would enable an anti-bias environment at its outlets all across. The company has reached out to activists and experts for the same. The training will aim at making people more sensitive and open about implicit biases and stereotypes, especially while encountering people of colour or other identities. Civil rights advisers hope the training will reinvigorate decades-old efforts to ensure minorities get equal treatment in restaurants and stores, setting an example for other corporations. Starbucks committed to the training after a Philadelphia cafe manager’s call to police resulted in the arrests of two black men who were waiting for a friend. The arrests sparked protests and accusations of racial profiling at the coffee chain known for its liberal stances on social issues such as same-sex marriage, Reuters reported. Other global giants like Walmart already have a racial bias training in place for their employees.

United States: Starbucks to 'close' over 8,000 stores for anti-bias training

''Zero'' is an upcoming 2018 Indian romantic drama film written by Himanshu Sharma and directed by Aanand L&nbsp;Rai. The film is jointly produced by Rai and Red Chillies Entertainment's Gauri Khan. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Anushka Sharma. The plot follows Sharukh as a man of short stature, who falls in love with a superstar played by Katrina whereas Anushka portrays the character of a girl with an intellectual disability.

Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif reunite yet again on screen after ''Jab Tak Hai Jaan.''&nbsp;

Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka are currently in the United States of America shooting extensively for the movie. Revealing more details about the shoot, it was reported&nbsp;by a publication house that Shah Rukh and Anushka will be shooting for a 45-day start-to-finish schedule.&nbsp;

The shoot will take place in NASA, and Shahrukh will be shooting there after his movie ''Swadesh''.

&nbsp;A poster and teaser of the movie are out, fans are anxiously waiting to see Shah Rukh in a never-before-seen avatar.&nbsp;

During an interaction with a reporter, Aanand was all praises for SRK and said, "It's all thanks to a great actor like Shah Rukh, who acts as if he is doing his first film. What I want to pick up from him is that how he can be so fresh and 'new' as an actor every time he is in front of the camera. His approach [to work] is very exciting. He is extremely energetic and I have seen that only in young actors." 
&nbsp; 
"Shah Rukh, Anushka, and Katrina have become like my friends. They have made my life so simple. I am really thankful to my actors who have given me this space where I can really focus on this tough, beautiful story rather than other things. They have been my support system and let me fly on the set. They also let me enjoy the process and that’s the reason it is shaping up like this. Otherwise, you can’t [do it]. I need my people around me and I know we will deliver a cracker of a film," Aanand added.

Also starring R&nbsp;Madhavan and Abhay Deol, "Zero"&nbsp;is to release on December 22, 2018.

&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka are currently in the United States of America shooting extensively for the movie.

''Zero'' is an upcoming 2018 Indian romantic drama film written by Himanshu Sharma and directed by Aanand L Rai. The film is jointly produced by Rai and Red Chillies Entertainment's Gauri Khan. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Anushka Sharma. The plot follows Sharukh as a man of short stature, who falls in love with a superstar played by Katrina whereas Anushka portrays the character of a girl with an intellectual disability. Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif reunite yet again on screen after ''Jab Tak Hai Jaan.'' Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka are currently in the United States of America shooting extensively for the movie. Revealing more details about the shoot, it was reported by a publication house that Shah Rukh and Anushka will be shooting for a 45-day start-to-finish schedule. The shoot will take place in NASA, and Shahrukh will be shooting there after his movie ''Swadesh''. A poster and teaser of the movie are out, fans are anxiously waiting to see Shah Rukh in a never-before-seen avatar. During an interaction with a reporter, Aanand was all praises for SRK and said, "It's all thanks to a great actor like Shah Rukh, who acts as if he is doing his first film. What I want to pick up from him is that how he can be so fresh and 'new' as an actor every time he is in front of the camera. His approach [to work] is very exciting. He is extremely energetic and I have seen that only in young actors." "Shah Rukh, Anushka, and Katrina have become like my friends. They have made my life so simple. I am really thankful to my actors who have given me this space where I can really focus on this tough, beautiful story rather than other things. They have been my support system and let me fly on the set. They also let me enjoy the process and that’s the reason it is shaping up like this. Otherwise, you can’t [do it]. I need my people around me and I know we will deliver a cracker of a film," Aanand added. Also starring R Madhavan and Abhay Deol, "Zero" is to release on December 22, 2018.

Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma to shoot at NASA for their upcoming film 'Zero'

China on Sunday condemned the incident of two US warships trespassing into its territorial waters off the Xisha Islands.&nbsp;

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that the US warships trespassed on Sunday without permission of the Chinese government. He further noted that the Chinese navy had identified the US warships, warned and expelled them.

China has explicit provisions in place over foreign military vessels' entry into its territorial sea, Lu said.

Lu, on behalf of China, urged the United States "to immediately stop such kind of provocative operations that violate China's sovereignty and threaten China's security".

The spokesperson also added that the country will take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and security.

On May 17, Kang had announced that anyone who would want to carry out oil and gas exploration or exploitation in Chinese waters would require a prior permission from Beijing.

"We urge relevant parties to earnestly respect China's sovereign and jurisdictional rights and not do anything that could impact bilateral relations or this region's peace and stability," Lu had said.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

On May 17, China had announced that anyone who would want to carry out oil and gas exploration or exploitation in Chinese waters would require a prior permission from Beijing

China on Sunday condemned the incident of two US warships trespassing into its territorial waters off the Xisha Islands. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that the US warships trespassed on Sunday without permission of the Chinese government. He further noted that the Chinese navy had identified the US warships, warned and expelled them. China has explicit provisions in place over foreign military vessels' entry into its territorial sea, Lu said. Lu, on behalf of China, urged the United States "to immediately stop such kind of provocative operations that violate China's sovereignty and threaten China's security". The spokesperson also added that the country will take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and security. On May 17, Kang had announced that anyone who would want to carry out oil and gas exploration or exploitation in Chinese waters would require a prior permission from Beijing. "We urge relevant parties to earnestly respect China's sovereign and jurisdictional rights and not do anything that could impact bilateral relations or this region's peace and stability," Lu had said. (With inputs from agencies)

China urges US to stop provocation in its territorial waters

Heavy rain and severe flooding made streets in Ellicott City, Maryland look like a river on Sunday (May 27).

Videos uploaded to social media showed completely flooded streets, stranded cars and people trapped in buildings looking through windows as water flowed by.

Local media reported up to 8 inches of rain had fallen on Ellicott City in only two hours.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. First responders arrived at the scene to rescue people trapped on buildings around the area, according to local media.

Local media reported up to 8 inches of rain had fallen on Ellicott City in only two hours

Heavy rain and severe flooding made streets in Ellicott City, Maryland look like a river on Sunday (May 27). Videos uploaded to social media showed completely flooded streets, stranded cars and people trapped in buildings looking through windows as water flowed by. Local media reported up to 8 inches of rain had fallen on Ellicott City in only two hours. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. First responders arrived at the scene to rescue people trapped on buildings around the area, according to local media.

United States: Ellicott City declared on state of emergency due to massive flooding

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having "productive talks" about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he cancelled the meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility."

"We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump said in a Twitter post.

South Korea's presidential spokesman said in response: "We are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for US-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully."

Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks.

"It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th.

"We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it."

After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States.

Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in cancelling the summit.

In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit.

He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues "regardless of ways, at any time."

Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit.

"We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue," he said.

DIPLOMATS AT WORK

Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were "still at work" and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on "if our diplomats can pull it off."

US&nbspState Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: "As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward hearing from them at the highest levels."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was "just a political stunt."

"He wants to get something that’s a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are they are ready to do that then ... we’re certainly ready to have those conversations," she said.

North Korea had sharply criticised suggestions by Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear program.

Trump had initially sought to placate North Korea, saying he was not pursuing the "Libya model" and Sanders said he was following "the President Trump model."

US&nbspregional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit on Friday.

At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on China's core interests.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen.

South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after Moon's top security advisers met for the second time on Friday.

Some analysts worried that cancelling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington.

In his letter, Trump warned Kim of the United States' greater nuclear might, reminiscent of his tweet last year asserting that he had a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim.

While the Trump administration had insisted on North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear program, Pyongyang had always couched its language in terms of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

It has said in previous, failed talks that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan.

Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump late on Friday said the United States was having "productive talks" about reinstating a June 12 summit with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, just a day after he cancelled the meeting citing Pyongyang's "open hostility." "We are having very productive talks about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump said in a Twitter post. South Korea's presidential spokesman said in response: "We are cautiously optimistic that hope is still alive for US-North Korea dialogue. We are continuing to watch developments carefully." Trump had earlier indicated the summit could be salvaged after welcoming a conciliatory statement from North Korea saying it remained open to talks. "It was a very nice statement they put out," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll see what happens - it could even be the 12th. "We're talking to them now. They very much want to do it. We'd like to do it." After years of tension over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, Kim and Trump agreed this month to hold what would be the first meeting between a serving U.S. president and a North Korean leader. The plan followed months of war threats and insults between the leaders over North Korea's development of missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump scrapped the meeting, planned for Singapore, in a letter to Kim on Thursday after repeated threats by North Korea to pull out over what it saw as confrontational remarks by U.S. officials demanding unilateral disarmament. Trump cited North Korean hostility in cancelling the summit. In Pyongyang, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea's criticisms had been a reaction to American rhetoric and that current antagonism showed "the urgent necessity" for the summit. He said North Korea regretted Trump's decision to cancel and remained open to resolving issues "regardless of ways, at any time." Kim Kye Gwan said North Korea had appreciated Trump having made the bold decision to work toward a summit. "We even inwardly hoped that what is called 'Trump formula' would help clear both sides of their worries and comply with the requirements of our side and would be a wise way of substantial effect for settling the issue," he said. DIPLOMATS AT WORK Trump's latest about-face sent officials scrambling in Washington. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters diplomats were "still at work" and said Trump had just sent a note out on the summit, which could be back on "if our diplomats can pull it off." US&nbspState Department spokeswoman Katina Adams declined to give details of any diplomatic contacts but said: "As the president said in his letter to Chairman Kim, dialogue between the two is the only dialogue that matters. If North Korea is serious, then we look forward hearing from them at the highest levels." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters Trump did not want a meeting that was "just a political stunt." "He wants to get something that’s a long-lasting and an actual real solution. And if they are they are ready to do that then ... we’re certainly ready to have those conversations," she said. North Korea had sharply criticised suggestions by Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, and Vice President Mike Pence that it could share the fate of Libya if it did not swiftly surrender its nuclear arsenal. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed by NATO-backed militants after halting his nascent nuclear program. Trump had initially sought to placate North Korea, saying he was not pursuing the "Libya model" and Sanders said he was following "the President Trump model." US&nbspregional allies Japan and South Korea, as well as North Korea's main ally, China, urged the two countries to salvage the summit on Friday. At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said it was necessary to ensure security on the Korean peninsula, which touched on China's core interests. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the same forum, regretted the cancellation and said the world should keep doing its bit to make the summit happen. South Korea also would continue efforts to improve ties with the North, the office of President Moon Jae-in said after Moon's top security advisers met for the second time on Friday. Some analysts worried that cancelling the summit could prompt a resumption in hostilities, including renewed shorter-range missile tests or stepped-up cyber attacks by Pyongyang and increased sanctions or deployment of new military assets by Washington. In his letter, Trump warned Kim of the United States' greater nuclear might, reminiscent of his tweet last year asserting that he had a "much bigger" nuclear button than Kim. While the Trump administration had insisted on North Korea's complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear program, Pyongyang had always couched its language in terms of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. It has said in previous, failed talks that it could consider giving up its arsenal if the United States provided security guarantees by removing its troops from South Korea and withdrawing its so-called nuclear umbrella of deterrence from South Korea and Japan.

US in 'productive talks' about reinstating June North Korea summit: Trump

US&nbsp;tech companies would be forced to disclose if they allowed American adversaries, like Russia and China, to examine the inner workings of software sold to the US military under proposed legislation, Senate staff told Reuters on Thursday.&nbsp;

The bill, approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, comes after a year-long Reuters investigation found software makers allowed a Russian defence agency to hunt for vulnerabilities in software that was already deeply embedded in some of the most sensitive parts of the US&nbsp;government, including the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and intelligence agencies.

Security experts say allowing Russian authorities to conduct the reviews of internal software instructions -- known as source code -- could help Russia find vulnerabilities and more easily attack key systems that protect the United States.&nbsp;

The new source code disclosure rules were included in Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon’s spending bill, according to staffers of Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

In a statement, Shaheen said that tech companies have a duty to help protect federal software systems.&nbsp;

"This is why the Department of Defense and other federal agencies should know of any potential vulnerabilities relating to a partner company’s business practices overseas," she said. The language in the bill mandates those disclosures and "ultimately makes overdue reforms to harden the Department against cyber attacks."

Details of bill, which passed the committee 25-2, are not yet public. And the legislation still needs to be voted on by the full Senate and reconciled with a House version of the legislation before it can be signed into law by President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

If passed into law, the legislation would require companies that do business with the US&nbsp;military to disclose any source code review of the software done by adversaries, staffers for Shaheen told Reuters. If the Pentagon deems a source code review a risk, military officials and the software company would need to agree on how to contain the threat. It could, for example, involve limiting the software’s use to non-classified settings.

The details of the foreign source code reviews, and any steps the company agreed to take to reduce the risks, would be stored in a database accessible to military officials, Shaheen`s staffers said. For most products, the military notification will only apply to countries determined to be cybersecurity threats, such as Russia and China.&nbsp;

Shaheen has been a key voice on cybersecurity in Congress. The New Hampshire senator last year led successful efforts in Congress to ban all government use of software provided by Moscow-based antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab, amid allegations the company is linked to Russian intelligence. Kaspersky denies such links.

In order to sell in the Russian market, tech companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co , SAP and McAfee have allowed a Russian defence agency to scour software source code for vulnerabilities, Reuters found. In many cases, Reuters found that the software companies had not previously informed US&nbsp;agencies that Russian authorities had been allowed to conduct the source code reviews. In most cases, the US&nbsp;military does not require comparable source code reviews before it buys software, procurement experts have told Reuters.

The companies have said the source code reviews were conducted by the Russians in company-controlled facilities, where the reviewer could not copy or alter the software. McAfee announced last year that it no longer allows government source code reviews. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has said none of its current software offerings have gone through the process.&nbsp;

Details of bill, which passed the committee 25-2, are not yet public

US tech companies would be forced to disclose if they allowed American adversaries, like Russia and China, to examine the inner workings of software sold to the US military under proposed legislation, Senate staff told Reuters on Thursday. The bill, approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, comes after a year-long Reuters investigation found software makers allowed a Russian defence agency to hunt for vulnerabilities in software that was already deeply embedded in some of the most sensitive parts of the US government, including the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and intelligence agencies. Security experts say allowing Russian authorities to conduct the reviews of internal software instructions -- known as source code -- could help Russia find vulnerabilities and more easily attack key systems that protect the United States. The new source code disclosure rules were included in Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon’s spending bill, according to staffers of Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. In a statement, Shaheen said that tech companies have a duty to help protect federal software systems. "This is why the Department of Defense and other federal agencies should know of any potential vulnerabilities relating to a partner company’s business practices overseas," she said. The language in the bill mandates those disclosures and "ultimately makes overdue reforms to harden the Department against cyber attacks." Details of bill, which passed the committee 25-2, are not yet public. And the legislation still needs to be voted on by the full Senate and reconciled with a House version of the legislation before it can be signed into law by President Donald Trump. If passed into law, the legislation would require companies that do business with the US military to disclose any source code review of the software done by adversaries, staffers for Shaheen told Reuters. If the Pentagon deems a source code review a risk, military officials and the software company would need to agree on how to contain the threat. It could, for example, involve limiting the software’s use to non-classified settings. The details of the foreign source code reviews, and any steps the company agreed to take to reduce the risks, would be stored in a database accessible to military officials, Shaheen`s staffers said. For most products, the military notification will only apply to countries determined to be cybersecurity threats, such as Russia and China. Shaheen has been a key voice on cybersecurity in Congress. The New Hampshire senator last year led successful efforts in Congress to ban all government use of software provided by Moscow-based antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab, amid allegations the company is linked to Russian intelligence. Kaspersky denies such links. In order to sell in the Russian market, tech companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co , SAP and McAfee have allowed a Russian defence agency to scour software source code for vulnerabilities, Reuters found. In many cases, Reuters found that the software companies had not previously informed US agencies that Russian authorities had been allowed to conduct the source code reviews. In most cases, the US military does not require comparable source code reviews before it buys software, procurement experts have told Reuters. The companies have said the source code reviews were conducted by the Russians in company-controlled facilities, where the reviewer could not copy or alter the software. McAfee announced last year that it no longer allows government source code reviews. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has said none of its current software offerings have gone through the process.

US bill would force tech companies to disclose foreign software probes

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

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

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

North Korea called US Vice-President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid" for his warnings over a planned summit with Donald Trump, renewing a threat to cancel as the US president said the fate of the historic talks will be decided next week.

Trump is due to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12 for high stakes talks aimed at ridding the reclusive state of its newly acquired nuclear weapons and improving ties after decades of animosity.

The summit announcement came after months of unusually cordial diplomacy between the historic foes brokered by South Korea.

But the newfound bonhomie and the meeting's potential success has been thrown into doubt in recent days with both Washington and Pyongyang raising the prospect of cancelling the talks and trading threats.

The latest broadside from North Korea came Thursday with vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui lambasting a Monday media interview in which Pence warned Kim Jong Un that it would be a "great mistake" to try and play Trump.

Pence also said North Korea could end up like Libya, whose former leader Moamer Khadafi was killed by US-backed rebels years after giving up atomic weapons, "if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal".

"I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the US vice-president," Choe said in a statement released by the state-run KCNA news agency.

"We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," she said, adding she would recommend Kim cancel the talks if Washington continues to make such threats.

Similar comments comparing North Korea to Libya from Trump's hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton caused the first threat by Pyongyang last week to cancel the Singapore meeting.

"Whether the US will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behaviour of the United States," she added.

AIDES HEAD TO SINGAPORE

Politically, Trump has invested heavily in the success of the planned summit, and so privately most US officials, as well as outside observers, believe it will go ahead.

Hand-picked aides -- including deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel -- are travelling to the Southeast Asian city-state designated to host the summit, officials said.

They are expected to meet their North Korean counterparts and iron out details of the meeting.

But Trump has also become increasingly lukewarm about meeting Kim, teasing his commitment to talks as keenly as any of his "The Apprentice" season finales.

"On Singapore, we'll see. It could very well happen," he said Wednesday, adding cryptically: "Whatever it is, we'll know next week."

Trump enthusiastically embraced the idea of talks earlier this year -- the first-ever meeting between a US president and a leader of North Korea.

But as the date draws nearer, the yawning gulf in expectations between the two sides is coming into sharp relief.

Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" of the North.

But Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrence until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression.

Some analysts have suggested both sides still want to meet in Singapore but are playing hardball in the run up to the summit to leverage a better negotiation position.

PR BATTLE

Ostensibly the Trump-Kim talks will be about peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons.

But even before talk of test freezes, decommissioning or inspections, Washington and Pyongyang are engaged in a public relations battle.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has met personally with Kim -- said whether the summit goes ahead is now up to North Korea.

"That decision will ultimately be up to Chairman Kim," he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. "He asked for the meeting, the president agreed to meet with him. I'm very hopeful that that meeting will take place."

His remarks reflect an effort to perhaps lay the groundwork for blame should the talks fail.

As part of its own charm offensive, North Korea invited some foreign journalists to witness the slated destruction of the isolated regime's nuclear test site.

The gesture, which experts agree would do little to curb North Korea's long-term nuclear capabilities, is meant to signal that the regime is serious about change.

Pyongyang said it planned to "completely" destroy the Punggye-ri facility in the country's northeast when it made the surprise announcement earlier this month.&nbsp;

The demolition is due to take place sometime between Thursday and Friday, depending on the weather.

Pence had warned Kim Jong Un in an interview that it would be a 'great mistake' to try and play Trump

North Korea called US Vice-President Mike Pence "ignorant and stupid" for his warnings over a planned summit with Donald Trump, renewing a threat to cancel as the US president said the fate of the historic talks will be decided next week. Trump is due to meet his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12 for high stakes talks aimed at ridding the reclusive state of its newly acquired nuclear weapons and improving ties after decades of animosity. The summit announcement came after months of unusually cordial diplomacy between the historic foes brokered by South Korea. But the newfound bonhomie and the meeting's potential success has been thrown into doubt in recent days with both Washington and Pyongyang raising the prospect of cancelling the talks and trading threats. The latest broadside from North Korea came Thursday with vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Choe Son Hui lambasting a Monday media interview in which Pence warned Kim Jong Un that it would be a "great mistake" to try and play Trump. Pence also said North Korea could end up like Libya, whose former leader Moamer Khadafi was killed by US-backed rebels years after giving up atomic weapons, "if Kim Jong Un doesn't make a deal". "I cannot suppress my surprise at such ignorant and stupid remarks gushing out from the mouth of the US vice-president," Choe said in a statement released by the state-run KCNA news agency. "We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," she said, adding she would recommend Kim cancel the talks if Washington continues to make such threats. Similar comments comparing North Korea to Libya from Trump's hawkish National Security Advisor John Bolton caused the first threat by Pyongyang last week to cancel the Singapore meeting. "Whether the US will meet us at a meeting room or encounter us at nuclear-to-nuclear showdown is entirely dependent upon the decision and behaviour of the United States," she added. AIDES HEAD TO SINGAPORE Politically, Trump has invested heavily in the success of the planned summit, and so privately most US officials, as well as outside observers, believe it will go ahead. Hand-picked aides -- including deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel -- are travelling to the Southeast Asian city-state designated to host the summit, officials said. They are expected to meet their North Korean counterparts and iron out details of the meeting. But Trump has also become increasingly lukewarm about meeting Kim, teasing his commitment to talks as keenly as any of his "The Apprentice" season finales. "On Singapore, we'll see. It could very well happen," he said Wednesday, adding cryptically: "Whatever it is, we'll know next week." Trump enthusiastically embraced the idea of talks earlier this year -- the first-ever meeting between a US president and a leader of North Korea. But as the date draws nearer, the yawning gulf in expectations between the two sides is coming into sharp relief. Washington has made it clear it wants to see the "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation" of the North. But Pyongyang has vowed it will never give up its nuclear deterrence until it feels safe from what it terms US aggression. Some analysts have suggested both sides still want to meet in Singapore but are playing hardball in the run up to the summit to leverage a better negotiation position. PR BATTLE Ostensibly the Trump-Kim talks will be about peace on the Korean peninsula and North Korea's nuclear and ballistic weapons. But even before talk of test freezes, decommissioning or inspections, Washington and Pyongyang are engaged in a public relations battle. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo -- who has met personally with Kim -- said whether the summit goes ahead is now up to North Korea. "That decision will ultimately be up to Chairman Kim," he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday. "He asked for the meeting, the president agreed to meet with him. I'm very hopeful that that meeting will take place." His remarks reflect an effort to perhaps lay the groundwork for blame should the talks fail. As part of its own charm offensive, North Korea invited some foreign journalists to witness the slated destruction of the isolated regime's nuclear test site. The gesture, which experts agree would do little to curb North Korea's long-term nuclear capabilities, is meant to signal that the regime is serious about change. Pyongyang said it planned to "completely" destroy the Punggye-ri facility in the country's northeast when it made the surprise announcement earlier this month. The demolition is due to take place sometime between Thursday and Friday, depending on the weather.

North Korea says US Vice-President Mike Pence 'ignorant and stupid'

The United States has ordered two top Venezuelan diplomats to leave its territory within 48 hours, the State Department said Wednesday, responding to Caracas's expulsion order against the top two US diplomats there.

"This action is to reciprocate the Maduro regime's decision to declare the Charge d'Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Caracas personae non grata," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

The Charge d'Affaires of the Venezuelan embassy and the Deputy Consul General of the Venezuelan consulate in Houston had likewise been declared personae non grata and were directed to leave within two days, she said.

Venezuela's move to expel US diplomats earlier this week followed a US tightening of sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's controversial presidential re-election.

Caracas had charged it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" -- accusations Nauert branded "unjustified."

"Our Embassy officers have carried out their official duties responsibly and consistent with diplomatic practice," Nauert said.

"We reject any suggestion to the contrary."

Maduro announced the expulsions after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday's election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation.

The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham."

"This action is to reciprocate the Maduro regime's decision to declare the Charge d'Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Caracas personae non grata," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

The United States has ordered two top Venezuelan diplomats to leave its territory within 48 hours, the State Department said Wednesday, responding to Caracas's expulsion order against the top two US diplomats there. "This action is to reciprocate the Maduro regime's decision to declare the Charge d'Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Caracas personae non grata," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. The Charge d'Affaires of the Venezuelan embassy and the Deputy Consul General of the Venezuelan consulate in Houston had likewise been declared personae non grata and were directed to leave within two days, she said. Venezuela's move to expel US diplomats earlier this week followed a US tightening of sanctions over Nicolas Maduro's controversial presidential re-election. Caracas had charged it was the victim of a "political and financial lynching" -- accusations Nauert branded "unjustified." "Our Embassy officers have carried out their official duties responsibly and consistent with diplomatic practice," Nauert said. "We reject any suggestion to the contrary." Maduro announced the expulsions after being officially proclaimed the winner of Sunday's election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation. The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a "sham."

US demands two Venezuelan diplomats leave within 48 hours: State Dept

The Trump administration supports India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region, a top US official said today.

Speaking to PTI, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said the ties between the US and India had never been stronger or better.&nbsp;

She was responding to questions on the status of India-US relationship amidst recent trade disputes between the two countries and New Delhi being caught in the crossfire of American sanctions against Russia and Iran.

US President Donald Trump has signed a law, 'The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act', CAATSA, imposing sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The Section 231 of the CAATSA mandates secondary sanctions on those who conduct significant transactions with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors.

"The US-India partnership is rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based order," Nauert said.&nbsp;

"We support India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in our efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity," she said.

According to a second State Department spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis were looking forward to hosting their counterparts for the first 'India-US 2+2 Dialogue' this year in Washington.&nbsp;

Dates of the dialogue are yet to be announced. It was initially scheduled for mid-April but was postponed after Trump fired Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State.&nbsp;

The Indian delegation would be led by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"This engagement will support our efforts to increase diplomatic, security, and military cooperation with India to confront our most pressing global challenges, from Afghanistan and North Korea to the threat of terrorism," the second State Department Spokesperson told PTI.

"We are also focused on strengthening our economic ties, including increasing two-way trade, which has more than doubled over the last decade to roughly USD 115 billion in 2016," the official said.

The official said the Trump administration was trying to ensure that bilateral trade was "fair and reciprocal" and that US&nbsp;Companies have a level playing field in India.

"The strong people-to-people ties between our countries and our common values are a tremendous source of strength for our partnership," the spokesperson said, a day after BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav held series of talks with senior officials of the Trump Administration.&nbsp;

Prominent among them were, Brian Hook, Director of Policy Planning at the State Department, Lisa Curtis, who heads the South Asia in the National Security Council of the White House and Alice Wells senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau.

Later, Madhav had told a gathering of Indian-Americans here that the India-US relationship was scaling new heights as strategic partners under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said the ties between the US and India had never been stronger or better

The Trump administration supports India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region, a top US official said today. Speaking to PTI, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said the ties between the US and India had never been stronger or better. She was responding to questions on the status of India-US relationship amidst recent trade disputes between the two countries and New Delhi being caught in the crossfire of American sanctions against Russia and Iran. US President Donald Trump has signed a law, 'The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act', CAATSA, imposing sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The Section 231 of the CAATSA mandates secondary sanctions on those who conduct significant transactions with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors. "The US-India partnership is rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based order," Nauert said. "We support India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in our efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity," she said. According to a second State Department spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis were looking forward to hosting their counterparts for the first 'India-US 2+2 Dialogue' this year in Washington. Dates of the dialogue are yet to be announced. It was initially scheduled for mid-April but was postponed after Trump fired Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State. The Indian delegation would be led by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "This engagement will support our efforts to increase diplomatic, security, and military cooperation with India to confront our most pressing global challenges, from Afghanistan and North Korea to the threat of terrorism," the second State Department Spokesperson told PTI. "We are also focused on strengthening our economic ties, including increasing two-way trade, which has more than doubled over the last decade to roughly USD 115 billion in 2016," the official said. The official said the Trump administration was trying to ensure that bilateral trade was "fair and reciprocal" and that US Companies have a level playing field in India. "The strong people-to-people ties between our countries and our common values are a tremendous source of strength for our partnership," the spokesperson said, a day after BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav held series of talks with senior officials of the Trump Administration. Prominent among them were, Brian Hook, Director of Policy Planning at the State Department, Lisa Curtis, who heads the South Asia in the National Security Council of the White House and Alice Wells senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau. Later, Madhav had told a gathering of Indian-Americans here that the India-US relationship was scaling new heights as strategic partners under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

US supports India's emergence as a leading global power: Heather Nauert

As per a Pentagon memo released on Tuesday, the US Department of Defense has introduced a new policy that sets more restrictions on cell phone usage in designated areas inside the Pentagon.

According to reports, cellphones and other electronic devices will not be used in areas where processing and handling are carried out or where classified information is discussed. However, cell phones can still be used in common areas and other Pentagon offices if classified information is not present.

After a month-long review, it was decided that the Pentagon will continue to allow cellphones to be brought into the building.

The new rules will take effect immediately and will be fully implemented within six months. The new regulation will be applicable to the Defense Department's personnel, contractors and visitors. Electronic devices like laptops, tablets, cellular phones, smart watches, among other portable devices are covered under the rule including any other device that can wirelessly transmit information and have a self-contained power source.&nbsp

The policy will not be applicable to mobile devices with minimal storage and transmission capabilities. Fitness trackers without a camera, microphone, cellular, or Wi-Fi technology will be exempted from the rule while medical devices with cellular technology must be approved on a situational basis.

The memo also enumerates several exceptions, including the use of government-issued cellphones by senior officials in secure spaces in case the camera, microphone and wireless capabilities are turned off.

A review on the use of cellphones was launched by the Pentagon in January after GPS reporting company Strava published a global heat map based on user exercise routes. The map exhibited running routes of soldiers on remote and classified US military bases.

The memo also enumerates several exceptions, including the use of government-issued cellphones by senior officials in secure spaces

As per a Pentagon memo released on Tuesday, the US Department of Defense has introduced a new policy that sets more restrictions on cell phone usage in designated areas inside the Pentagon. According to reports, cellphones and other electronic devices will not be used in areas where processing and handling are carried out or where classified information is discussed. However, cell phones can still be used in common areas and other Pentagon offices if classified information is not present. After a month-long review, it was decided that the Pentagon will continue to allow cellphones to be brought into the building. The new rules will take effect immediately and will be fully implemented within six months. The new regulation will be applicable to the Defense Department's personnel, contractors and visitors. Electronic devices like laptops, tablets, cellular phones, smart watches, among other portable devices are covered under the rule including any other device that can wirelessly transmit information and have a self-contained power source. The policy will not be applicable to mobile devices with minimal storage and transmission capabilities. Fitness trackers without a camera, microphone, cellular, or Wi-Fi technology will be exempted from the rule while medical devices with cellular technology must be approved on a situational basis. The memo also enumerates several exceptions, including the use of government-issued cellphones by senior officials in secure spaces in case the camera, microphone and wireless capabilities are turned off. A review on the use of cellphones was launched by the Pentagon in January after GPS reporting company Strava published a global heat map based on user exercise routes. The map exhibited running routes of soldiers on remote and classified US military bases.

United States: Pentagon issues new restrictions on cellphone use

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-toughens-stance-on-iran-lists-sweeping-demands-138742">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-toughens-stance-on-iran-lists-sweeping-demands-138742"> demands Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions</a>

The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-final-congress-jds-deal-to-be-hammered-out-today-138758">Karnataka: Final Congress-JD(S) deal to be hammered out today</a>

The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy — who will be sworn in as chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday — met Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday in Delhi.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cuba-plane-crash-death-toll-rises-to-111-mexico-suspends-lease-company-138762">Cuba plane crash: Death toll rises to 111, Mexico suspends lease company</a>

The death toll in one of Cuba's worst air disasters rose to 111 on Monday while Mexico suspended the operations of the Mexican company that had leased the 39-year old Boeing 737 to Cuba's flagship airline.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/barack-and-michelle-obama-sign-agreement-with-netflix-to-produce-content--138757">Barack and Michelle Obama to produce movies, series with Netflix</a>

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have signed a multi-year agreement with video streaming giant Netflix Inc to produce films and series.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-gunman-accused-of-murdering-indian-techie-srinivas-pleads-guilty-to-federal-charges-138764">US gunman accused of murdering Indian techie Srinivas pleads guilty to federal charges</a>

US Navy veteran Adam Purinton who killed an Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla last year pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to hate crime and firearm charges.

&nbsp;

US demands Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran. Karnataka: Final Congress-JD(S) deal to be hammered out today The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy — who will be sworn in as chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday — met Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday in Delhi. Cuba plane crash: Death toll rises to 111, Mexico suspends lease company The death toll in one of Cuba's worst air disasters rose to 111 on Monday while Mexico suspended the operations of the Mexican company that had leased the 39-year old Boeing 737 to Cuba's flagship airline. Barack and Michelle Obama to produce movies, series with Netflix Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have signed a multi-year agreement with video streaming giant Netflix Inc to produce films and series. US gunman accused of murdering Indian techie Srinivas pleads guilty to federal charges US Navy veteran Adam Purinton who killed an Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla last year pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to hate crime and firearm charges.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Lawmakers in the US are having discussions on the potential impact of a new law under which any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia would attract American sanctions, an influential US senator said today.

Senator Tim Kaine, who is on the both Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, said sanctions like Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act (CAATSA) would drive friends and allies away and give adversaries a chance to come together.

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia.

"We worry about it (CAATSA) will drive our allies away and also we give adversaries reasons to come together," Kaine told PTI.&nbsp

Kaine said both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are working to bring in the necessary reform in CAATSA.&nbsp

"We are starting to talk about CAATSA reforms both in the armed services and the foreign relations committees,? he said, but quickly added that ?it is premature? to say what will happen.&nbsp

"But we're having the discussion about the application of CAATSA now and how it would punish potentially punish allies of ours," Kaine said.

Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi having informal summits with the presidents of China and Russia, he said it "does not worry" him.&nbsp

"Of course, they are going to talk to great nations that are in their neighbourhood. Of course, they will," he said.&nbsp

"I continue to believe this administration understands how important the US India relationship is. I don't mind criticising President Trump. But on US-India relationship, I do know that they view it as very important," Kaine said.

"They understand the importance of the relationship. I mean, they definitely do," said the Senator from Virginia, who was vice presidential nominee of the Democratic party in the 2016 presidential elections.&nbsp

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia

Lawmakers in the US are having discussions on the potential impact of a new law under which any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia would attract American sanctions, an influential US senator said today. Senator Tim Kaine, who is on the both Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, said sanctions like Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act (CAATSA) would drive friends and allies away and give adversaries a chance to come together. Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia. "We worry about it (CAATSA) will drive our allies away and also we give adversaries reasons to come together," Kaine told PTI. Kaine said both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are working to bring in the necessary reform in CAATSA. "We are starting to talk about CAATSA reforms both in the armed services and the foreign relations committees,? he said, but quickly added that ?it is premature? to say what will happen. "But we're having the discussion about the application of CAATSA now and how it would punish potentially punish allies of ours," Kaine said. Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi having informal summits with the presidents of China and Russia, he said it "does not worry" him. "Of course, they are going to talk to great nations that are in their neighbourhood. Of course, they will," he said. "I continue to believe this administration understands how important the US India relationship is. I don't mind criticising President Trump. But on US-India relationship, I do know that they view it as very important," Kaine said. "They understand the importance of the relationship. I mean, they definitely do," said the Senator from Virginia, who was vice presidential nominee of the Democratic party in the 2016 presidential elections.

Lawmakers discuss about impact of CAATSA on allies: US Senator

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have signed a multi-year agreement with video streaming giant Netflix Inc to produce films and series.

Netflix posted on its official Twitter account confirming the same adding that the agreement with the Obamas potentially includes "scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," under the name Higher Ground Productions.

"President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," read the tweet.&nbsp;

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President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features.
— Netflix US (@netflix) <a href="https://twitter.com/netflix/status/998594451378397185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to Reuters, the deal suggests a wider post-White House public role for the Obamas than is typical.

Netflix currently enjoys close to 125 million subscribers worldwide, the collaboration will give the Obamas a voice outside of the traditional public speaking, books and charity work that recent ex-presidents have relied on.

"One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience," Barack Obama said in a statement.

"That's why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix - we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world," he added.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

'President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features' Netflix said

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have signed a multi-year agreement with video streaming giant Netflix Inc to produce films and series. Netflix posted on its official Twitter account confirming the same adding that the agreement with the Obamas potentially includes "scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," under the name Higher Ground Productions. "President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," read the tweet. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features. — Netflix US (@netflix) May 21, 2018 × According to Reuters, the deal suggests a wider post-White House public role for the Obamas than is typical. Netflix currently enjoys close to 125 million subscribers worldwide, the collaboration will give the Obamas a voice outside of the traditional public speaking, books and charity work that recent ex-presidents have relied on. "One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience," Barack Obama said in a statement. "That's why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix - we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world," he added. (With inputs from Reuters)

Barack and Michelle Obama to produce movies, series with Netflix

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices".

"US&nbsp;diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet.

As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war.&nbsp;

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking 'regime change' in Iran

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices". "US diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet. As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war. Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. (With inputs from Reuters)

US is repeating mistakes on Iran: Zarif tweets over Pompeo's sweeping demands

Actress Jennifer Aniston has been tapped to star as a fictional lesbian President of the United States in upcoming new political comedy `First Ladies`.

As reported by Variety, `One Mississippi` star Tig Notaro will be playing Aniston`s wife in the Netflix series.&nbsp;

The story of the show follows America`s first female president (Aniston as Kasey Nicholson) and her wife, the first lady (Notaro as Beverly). moving into the White House, to prove that behind every great woman. is another great woman.

On the silver screen, Aniston can be seen next in the Anne Fletcher movie `Dumplin`.&nbsp;

Jennifer Aniston has been tapped to star as a fictional lesbian President of the United States

Actress Jennifer Aniston has been tapped to star as a fictional lesbian President of the United States in upcoming new political comedy `First Ladies`. As reported by Variety, `One Mississippi` star Tig Notaro will be playing Aniston`s wife in the Netflix series. The story of the show follows America`s first female president (Aniston as Kasey Nicholson) and her wife, the first lady (Notaro as Beverly). moving into the White House, to prove that behind every great woman. is another great woman. On the silver screen, Aniston can be seen next in the Anne Fletcher movie `Dumplin`.

Jennifer Aniston to play lesbian President of US

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

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

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

US ends practice that gave some immigrants reprieves from deportation

A student and a teacher were killed and 43 others injured when a school bus with preteens on a field trip collided with a dump truck on a New Jersey highway on Thursday, ripping the bus apart and leaving students dangling by seat belts, officials said.

The crash occurred about 10:20 a.m. in Mount Olive Township in northern New Jersey`s Morris County, Governor Phil Murphy told a news conference. The bus was carrying 38 students and seven adults, including the driver.

"Some patients are in critical condition and currently undergoing surgery, so please keep everybody in your prayers," Murphy said.&nbsp

“There is an awful lot we just don’t know,” the governor said, adding details of the crash were not being released pending an investigation.

The front end of the bus was severed from the vehicle and the body of the bus was separated from its chassis, which remained on the highway. The dump truck seemed to be mostly intact.

The bus was carrying students from East Brook Middle School in Paramus to Waterloo Village, a restored 19th century canal town, officials said.

“The bus flew off of the wheels, but it hit the metal thing on the side of the highway,” fifth-grader Theo Ancevski said. He told reporters he escaped through an emergency door on the bus.

"A lot of people (inside the bus) were screaming and they were like, hanging from their seat belts," he added. US fifth-graders are generally aged 10 or 11.

The crash temporarily shut all westbound lanes of I-80, State Police said.

"The children were all over, outside," said Morris County Office Of Emergency Management Director Jeff Paul.

"We had every injury type that you can imagine for a scenario like this. It`s tragic," he told reporters.

Two other buses in the field trip convoy also carrying fifth-graders on the same trip returned to Paramus, officials said.

The operator of the dump truck, Mendez Trucking, had 33 units that drive 1.9 million miles (3.1 million km) in total in 2017 and had been involved in seven crashes over the past two years, US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records showed.

Company officials were not immediately available for comment.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates accidents involving buses, was gathering information but was not investigating the collision, it said on Twitter.

Paramus is about 10 miles west (15 km) of upper Manhattan. Mount Olive is about 40 miles (64 km) west of Paramus.&nbsp

 
&nbsp

The crash occurred about 10:20 a.m. in Mount Olive Township in northern New Jersey`s Morris County, Governor Phil Murphy told a news conference. The bus was carrying 38 students and seven adults, including the driver

A student and a teacher were killed and 43 others injured when a school bus with preteens on a field trip collided with a dump truck on a New Jersey highway on Thursday, ripping the bus apart and leaving students dangling by seat belts, officials said. The crash occurred about 10:20 a.m. in Mount Olive Township in northern New Jersey`s Morris County, Governor Phil Murphy told a news conference. The bus was carrying 38 students and seven adults, including the driver. "Some patients are in critical condition and currently undergoing surgery, so please keep everybody in your prayers," Murphy said. “There is an awful lot we just don’t know,” the governor said, adding details of the crash were not being released pending an investigation. The front end of the bus was severed from the vehicle and the body of the bus was separated from its chassis, which remained on the highway. The dump truck seemed to be mostly intact. The bus was carrying students from East Brook Middle School in Paramus to Waterloo Village, a restored 19th century canal town, officials said. “The bus flew off of the wheels, but it hit the metal thing on the side of the highway,” fifth-grader Theo Ancevski said. He told reporters he escaped through an emergency door on the bus. "A lot of people (inside the bus) were screaming and they were like, hanging from their seat belts," he added. US fifth-graders are generally aged 10 or 11. The crash temporarily shut all westbound lanes of I-80, State Police said. "The children were all over, outside," said Morris County Office Of Emergency Management Director Jeff Paul. "We had every injury type that you can imagine for a scenario like this. It`s tragic," he told reporters. Two other buses in the field trip convoy also carrying fifth-graders on the same trip returned to Paramus, officials said. The operator of the dump truck, Mendez Trucking, had 33 units that drive 1.9 million miles (3.1 million km) in total in 2017 and had been involved in seven crashes over the past two years, US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records showed. Company officials were not immediately available for comment. The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates accidents involving buses, was gathering information but was not investigating the collision, it said on Twitter. Paramus is about 10 miles west (15 km) of upper Manhattan. Mount Olive is about 40 miles (64 km) west of Paramus.

Two dead, 43 injured in New Jersey school bus torn apart in crash

A Manhattan-based lawyer has been receiving flak for talking disrespectfully to the staff&nbsp;of a restaurant. According to reports, the man hurled racially-charged rant on Spanish speaking staff of Manhattan's Fresh Kitchen restaurants on Tuesday.

The video of the incident has gone viral and shows the man threatening the staff and shouting at them for speaking in Spanish. "The clients of your staff are speaking Spanish to customers when they should be speaking English," the man said in the video.&nbsp;

"I pay for their welfare, I pay for their ability to be here. The least they could do is speak English," the man shouted and threatened to deport the cafe workers.&nbsp;

The man, identified as Aaron Schlossberg, is known to have been involved in another confrontation previously. A video from 2016 confirms the same where Schlossberg could be seen calling another man an "ugly foreigner".

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“Tough guy” racist, Aaron Schlossberg running scared in NYC today ? 
 
He also got evicted from his office space ??‍♂️<a href="https://t.co/jEDjHYNEiO">pic.twitter.com/jEDjHYNEiO</a>
— UnsilentMajority ? (@The_UnSilent_) <a href="https://twitter.com/The_UnSilent_/status/997268960264556544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, social media had a field day trolling Schlossberg after videos emerged showing him running away from reporters in New York City.&nbsp;

The man, identified as Aaron Schlossberg, is known to have been involved in another confrontation previously

A Manhattan-based lawyer has been receiving flak for talking disrespectfully to the staff of a restaurant. According to reports, the man hurled racially-charged rant on Spanish speaking staff of Manhattan's Fresh Kitchen restaurants on Tuesday. The video of the incident has gone viral and shows the man threatening the staff and shouting at them for speaking in Spanish. "The clients of your staff are speaking Spanish to customers when they should be speaking English," the man said in the video. "I pay for their welfare, I pay for their ability to be here. The least they could do is speak English," the man shouted and threatened to deport the cafe workers. The man, identified as Aaron Schlossberg, is known to have been involved in another confrontation previously. A video from 2016 confirms the same where Schlossberg could be seen calling another man an "ugly foreigner". “Tough guy” racist, Aaron Schlossberg running scared in NYC today ? He also got evicted from his office space ??‍♂️pic.twitter.com/jEDjHYNEiO — UnsilentMajority ? (@The_UnSilent_) May 18, 2018 × Meanwhile, social media had a field day trolling Schlossberg after videos emerged showing him running away from reporters in New York City.

Watch: New York lawyer threatens to deport cafe workers for speaking Spanish

The US&nbspSenate confirmed Gina Haspel on Thursday to be director of the CIA, ending a bruising confirmation fight centred on her ties to the spy agency's past use of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation techniques.

Haspel, who will be the first woman to lead the CIA, is a 33-year veteran at the agency currently serving as its acting director. The tally was 54-45 in favour of her nomination in the 100-member chamber, where a simple majority was required for confirmation.

Six Democrats joined President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in voting for Haspel, and two Republicans voted no.

Haspel was approved despite stiff opposition over her links to the CIA's use of harsh interrogation methods, including waterboarding, a type of simulated drowning widely considered torture, in the years after the September 11 attacks.

An undercover officer for most of her CIA career, Haspel in 2002 served as CIA station chief in Thailand, where the agency conducted interrogations at a secret prison using methods including waterboarding. Three years later, she drafted a cable ordering the destruction of videotapes of those interrogations.

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Congratulations to our new CIA Director, Gina Haspel! <a href="https://t.co/n1xj9LSV9D">pic.twitter.com/n1xj9LSV9D</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/997220260259487744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Republican Senator John McCain, who has been away from Washington all year as he battles brain cancer, urged the Senate not to vote for Haspel. He did not vote on Thursday.

Tortured himself while a prisoner of war in Vietnam, McCain said approving Haspel would send the wrong message, and the country should only use methods to keep itself safe "as right and just as the values we aspire to live up to and promote in the world."

Haspel also had strong support from Trump's administration, many current and former intelligence officials and a wide range of lawmakers, including Democrats.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, which oversaw the nomination, supported Haspel.

"I believe she is someone who can and will stand up to the president, who will speak truth to power if this president orders her to do something illegal or immoral, like a return to torture," he said in a Senate speech before the vote.

Rights groups quickly condemned the vote. Laura Pitter of Human Rights Watch called it "the predictable and perverse byproduct of the US&nbspfailure to grapple with past abuses."

Trump nominated Haspel, then deputy director, in March to succeed Mike Pompeo as CIA director. Haspel became acting director after Pompeo was confirmed as secretary of state.

Six Democrats joined President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in voting for Haspel, two Republicans voted no

The US&nbspSenate confirmed Gina Haspel on Thursday to be director of the CIA, ending a bruising confirmation fight centred on her ties to the spy agency's past use of waterboarding and other brutal interrogation techniques. Haspel, who will be the first woman to lead the CIA, is a 33-year veteran at the agency currently serving as its acting director. The tally was 54-45 in favour of her nomination in the 100-member chamber, where a simple majority was required for confirmation. Six Democrats joined President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in voting for Haspel, and two Republicans voted no. Haspel was approved despite stiff opposition over her links to the CIA's use of harsh interrogation methods, including waterboarding, a type of simulated drowning widely considered torture, in the years after the September 11 attacks. An undercover officer for most of her CIA career, Haspel in 2002 served as CIA station chief in Thailand, where the agency conducted interrogations at a secret prison using methods including waterboarding. Three years later, she drafted a cable ordering the destruction of videotapes of those interrogations. Congratulations to our new CIA Director, Gina Haspel! pic.twitter.com/n1xj9LSV9D — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 17, 2018 × Republican Senator John McCain, who has been away from Washington all year as he battles brain cancer, urged the Senate not to vote for Haspel. He did not vote on Thursday. Tortured himself while a prisoner of war in Vietnam, McCain said approving Haspel would send the wrong message, and the country should only use methods to keep itself safe "as right and just as the values we aspire to live up to and promote in the world." Haspel also had strong support from Trump's administration, many current and former intelligence officials and a wide range of lawmakers, including Democrats. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, which oversaw the nomination, supported Haspel. "I believe she is someone who can and will stand up to the president, who will speak truth to power if this president orders her to do something illegal or immoral, like a return to torture," he said in a Senate speech before the vote. Rights groups quickly condemned the vote. Laura Pitter of Human Rights Watch called it "the predictable and perverse byproduct of the US&nbspfailure to grapple with past abuses." Trump nominated Haspel, then deputy director, in March to succeed Mike Pompeo as CIA director. Haspel became acting director after Pompeo was confirmed as secretary of state.

US Senate confirms Haspel as first woman CIA director, Trump congratulates

United States President Donald Trump sparked a controversy on Thursday by describing some illegal immigrants as “animals”. Trump further noted that only those with merit should enter America. Donald Trump also vowed to strengthen America's "weak” immigration laws.

“We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in – and we’re stopping a lot of them – but we’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people. These are animals,” Trump noted.

While speaking during a California Sanctuary State Roundtable at the White House, Trump blamed the influx of illegal immigrants in the US on the country’s “dumbest laws”.

“The dumbest laws – as I said before, the dumbest laws on immigration in the world. So we’re going to take care of it, Margaret. We’ll get it done,” he said during the roundtable which was attended by political leaders and law enforcement officials from California.

“We are taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate that’s never happened before. And because of the weak laws, they come in fast, we get them, we release them, we get them again, we bring them out. It’s crazy,” he said.

Time and again, Donald Trump has been seen calling on Congress to enact stricter laws to limit the number of immigrants who come across the US-Mexico border.

Trump said California’s law forced the release of illegal immigrant criminals, drug dealers, gang members and violent predators into the communities.

A secured southern border has been on top of Trump's agenda. The White House plans to beef up border security and create a wall as key components.

“California’s law provides safe harbour to some of the most vicious and violent offenders on Earth, like MS-13 gang members putting innocent men, women, and children at the mercy of these sadistic criminals.

“But we’re moving them out of this country by the thousands. MS-13, we’re grabbing them by the thousands and we’re getting them out,” he said.

“Part of the problem that we have is our economy is so strong that people are pouring up to get into our economy. They want a piece of our economy. And that makes the job even tougher,” he said.

“But we want people based on merit. We want people to come into our country based on merit. We’re not looking to keep them out. We’re looking to bring them in. We need them,” Trump said.

“We have companies moving back into the United States like never before. Chrysler is opening up now in Michigan. We have so many companies actually coming from Mexico, even, and coming back in. So we want people coming in based on merit,” he said.

Trump, last month, signed an executive order directing the deployment of the military along the US-Mexico border in a move that aims to fight illegal immigration. He asserted that the situation had reached “a point of crisis”.

According to the White House, more than a thousand people a day and more than 300,000 a year violate “our sovereignty” by illegally crossing the border.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

While speaking during a California Sanctuary State Roundtable at the White House, Trump blamed the influx of illegal immigrants in the US on the country’s 'dumbest laws'

United States President Donald Trump sparked a controversy on Thursday by describing some illegal immigrants as “animals”. Trump further noted that only those with merit should enter America. Donald Trump also vowed to strengthen America's "weak” immigration laws. “We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in – and we’re stopping a lot of them – but we’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people. These are animals,” Trump noted. While speaking during a California Sanctuary State Roundtable at the White House, Trump blamed the influx of illegal immigrants in the US on the country’s “dumbest laws”. “The dumbest laws – as I said before, the dumbest laws on immigration in the world. So we’re going to take care of it, Margaret. We’ll get it done,” he said during the roundtable which was attended by political leaders and law enforcement officials from California. “We are taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate that’s never happened before. And because of the weak laws, they come in fast, we get them, we release them, we get them again, we bring them out. It’s crazy,” he said. Time and again, Donald Trump has been seen calling on Congress to enact stricter laws to limit the number of immigrants who come across the US-Mexico border. Trump said California’s law forced the release of illegal immigrant criminals, drug dealers, gang members and violent predators into the communities. A secured southern border has been on top of Trump's agenda. The White House plans to beef up border security and create a wall as key components. “California’s law provides safe harbour to some of the most vicious and violent offenders on Earth, like MS-13 gang members putting innocent men, women, and children at the mercy of these sadistic criminals. “But we’re moving them out of this country by the thousands. MS-13, we’re grabbing them by the thousands and we’re getting them out,” he said. “Part of the problem that we have is our economy is so strong that people are pouring up to get into our economy. They want a piece of our economy. And that makes the job even tougher,” he said. “But we want people based on merit. We want people to come into our country based on merit. We’re not looking to keep them out. We’re looking to bring them in. We need them,” Trump said. “We have companies moving back into the United States like never before. Chrysler is opening up now in Michigan. We have so many companies actually coming from Mexico, even, and coming back in. So we want people coming in based on merit,” he said. Trump, last month, signed an executive order directing the deployment of the military along the US-Mexico border in a move that aims to fight illegal immigration. He asserted that the situation had reached “a point of crisis”. According to the White House, more than a thousand people a day and more than 300,000 a year violate “our sovereignty” by illegally crossing the border. (With inputs from PTI)

Donald Trump calls some illegal immigrants 'animals'

Pakistan today said a senior US diplomat, who killed a motorcyclist in a road accident here, was allowed to leave the country as he had diplomatic immunity and also the Trump administration gave assurance that he would be tried in an American court.

Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisalalso also said that restrictions on diplomats of both Pakistan and the US have now been in place and diplomats and their families will have to seek prior permission to travel outside the radius of 25 miles.&nbsp

Defence attache Colonel Joseph Hall left the country on May 14 after Washington assured Islamabad that he would be tried under US laws.

Pakistan had earlier sent back an American plane, delaying the return of Hall to the US amidst the controversy over his immunity from prosecution.

Hall had killed a 22-year-old motorcyclist and injured another on April 7 in Islamabad after jumping a red signal.

He was let go by the Islamabad police in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 which gives diplomat immunity from criminal prosecution. However, a first information report of the incident was registered.

The incident increased political tension between the two countries.

Relations between Washington and Islamabad have been strained since US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of "lies and deceit" and criticised Islamabad for providing safe havens to terror groups.

Pakistan had earlier sent back an American plane, delaying the return of Hall to the US amidst the controversy over his immunity from prosecution

Pakistan today said a senior US diplomat, who killed a motorcyclist in a road accident here, was allowed to leave the country as he had diplomatic immunity and also the Trump administration gave assurance that he would be tried in an American court. Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisalalso also said that restrictions on diplomats of both Pakistan and the US have now been in place and diplomats and their families will have to seek prior permission to travel outside the radius of 25 miles. Defence attache Colonel Joseph Hall left the country on May 14 after Washington assured Islamabad that he would be tried under US laws. Pakistan had earlier sent back an American plane, delaying the return of Hall to the US amidst the controversy over his immunity from prosecution. Hall had killed a 22-year-old motorcyclist and injured another on April 7 in Islamabad after jumping a red signal. He was let go by the Islamabad police in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 which gives diplomat immunity from criminal prosecution. However, a first information report of the incident was registered. The incident increased political tension between the two countries. Relations between Washington and Islamabad have been strained since US President Donald Trump accused Pakistan of "lies and deceit" and criticised Islamabad for providing safe havens to terror groups.

American diplomat allowed to leave Pak on US assurance

If New York and London have been on your travel wishlist for long, then good news awaits you.&nbsp;

Iceland's WOW air will soon launch its service in India with direct flights from Delhi to North America and Europe.

According to reports, the airline is expected to start its service in India by the end of this year. One-way travel to countries like the US may cost as low as low as Rs 13,000.

Skúli Mogensen, chief executive officer and founder of WOW air, noted India's aviation growth to be in sync with the launch of WOW air services.

The airline is likely to get operational in India with Airbus A-330 neos offering trips to North America and Europe at affordable prices.&nbsp;

Delhi will be the first city from where the airline will initially start its operations later expanding to other Indian cities.

There will be five direct flights in a week between India and Iceland that will then connect to destinations across North America and Europe.&nbsp;

The airline plans to launch with a base fare of Rs 13,500, however, the overall fare, including the check-in baggage, meal charges, taxes, among other charges, is likely to amount to Rs 30,000. Fares will also depend on the surge in demand and seasonality.

The airline offers four fare classes -- Wow basic,&nbsp;Wow plus, Wow comfy and Wow premium. Flying to North America from India will take around 20 hours via Iceland.&nbsp;

At present, WOW airline flies to around 15 cities in the United States and around 39 destinations across North America and Europe.

WOW air carrier will have 365 seats in total, 42 will be reserved for the Premium class.

&nbsp;

Flights will be operational between North America, Europe and India via Iceland

If New York and London have been on your travel wishlist for long, then good news awaits you. Iceland's WOW air will soon launch its service in India with direct flights from Delhi to North America and Europe. According to reports, the airline is expected to start its service in India by the end of this year. One-way travel to countries like the US may cost as low as low as Rs 13,000. Skúli Mogensen, chief executive officer and founder of WOW air, noted India's aviation growth to be in sync with the launch of WOW air services. The airline is likely to get operational in India with Airbus A-330 neos offering trips to North America and Europe at affordable prices. Delhi will be the first city from where the airline will initially start its operations later expanding to other Indian cities. There will be five direct flights in a week between India and Iceland that will then connect to destinations across North America and Europe. The airline plans to launch with a base fare of Rs 13,500, however, the overall fare, including the check-in baggage, meal charges, taxes, among other charges, is likely to amount to Rs 30,000. Fares will also depend on the surge in demand and seasonality. The airline offers four fare classes -- Wow basic, Wow plus, Wow comfy and Wow premium. Flying to North America from India will take around 20 hours via Iceland. At present, WOW airline flies to around 15 cities in the United States and around 39 destinations across North America and Europe. WOW air carrier will have 365 seats in total, 42 will be reserved for the Premium class.

Flying to US may get as cheap as Rs 13,000, thanks to Iceland’s WOW air

Guatemala opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, two days after the United States made the same move.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the embassy's opening, in an office complex in west Jerusalem.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the embassy's opening

Guatemala opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, two days after the United States made the same move. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the embassy's opening, in an office complex in west Jerusalem.

After United States, Guatemala opens embassy in Jerusalem

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday took to Twitter informing about his wife Melania Trump's health.&nbsp;

"Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days," Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

He thanked everyone for all the love and support.&nbsp;

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Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days. Thank you for so much love and support!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/996366330436648960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Melania Trump had undergone a kidney procedure on Monday morning for a&nbsp;kidney condition.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4NQrKY3Hsm4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

According to reports, the First Lady underwent a minor embolization procedure wherein blood's flow is restricted to a tumour.

According to reports, the First Lady underwent an embolization procedure

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday took to Twitter informing about his wife Melania Trump's health. "Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days," Trump tweeted. He thanked everyone for all the love and support. Our great First Lady is doing really well. Will be leaving hospital in 2 or 3 days. Thank you for so much love and support! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2018 × Melania Trump had undergone a kidney procedure on Monday morning for a kidney condition. According to reports, the First Lady underwent a minor embolization procedure wherein blood's flow is restricted to a tumour.

Melania Trump undergoes kidney procedure; 'doing really well,' tweets Trump

The US&nbspDepartment of Homeland Security on Tuesday unveiled a new national strategy for addressing the growing number of cyber security risks as it works to assess them and reduce vulnerabilities.

"The cyber threat landscape is shifting in real-time, and we have reached a historic turning point," DHS chief Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement. "It is clear that our cyber adversaries can now threaten the very fabric of our republic itself."

The announcement comes amid concerns about the security of the 2018 US&nbspmidterm congressional elections and numerous high-profile hacking of US&nbspcompanies.

"The United States faces threats from a growing set of sophisticated malicious actors who seek to exploit cyberspace. Motivations include espionage, political and ideological interests, and financial gain," according to the 35-page report reviewed by Reuters before its public release. "Nation-states continue to present a considerable cyber threat. But non-state actors are emerging with capabilities that match those of sophisticated nation-states."

The report noted that by 2020 more than 20 billion devices are expected to be connected to the internet. "The risks introduced by the growing number and variety of such devices are substantial," it said.

Nielsen said the government "must think beyond the defense of specific assets — and confront systemic risks that affect everyone from tech giants to homeowners."

The report also noted the 2015 intrusion into a federal agency resulted in the compromise of personnel records of over 4 million federal employees and in total impacted nearly 22 million people.

The DHS report said the agency "must better align our existing law enforcement efforts and resources to address new and emerging challenges in cyberspace, to include the growing use of end-to-end encryption, anonymous networks, online marketplaces, and cryptocurrencies."

Nielsen will testify Tuesday at a Senate hearing.

In March, Nielsen said the department was prioritizing election cyber security above all other critical infrastructure it protects, such as the financial, energy and communications systems.

US&nbspintelligence officials have repeatedly warned that Russia will attempt to meddle in the 2018 contests after doing so during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Nielsen said that more than half of US&nbspstates have signed up for the agency’s cyber scanning services, designed to detect potential weaknesses that could be targeted by hackers.

DHS said in 2016 that 21 states had experienced initial probing of their systems from Russian hackers in 2016 and that a small number of networks were compromised, but that there was no evidence any votes were actually altered.

The announcement comes amid concerns about the security of the 2018 US midterm congressional elections

The US&nbspDepartment of Homeland Security on Tuesday unveiled a new national strategy for addressing the growing number of cyber security risks as it works to assess them and reduce vulnerabilities. "The cyber threat landscape is shifting in real-time, and we have reached a historic turning point," DHS chief Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement. "It is clear that our cyber adversaries can now threaten the very fabric of our republic itself." The announcement comes amid concerns about the security of the 2018 US&nbspmidterm congressional elections and numerous high-profile hacking of US&nbspcompanies. "The United States faces threats from a growing set of sophisticated malicious actors who seek to exploit cyberspace. Motivations include espionage, political and ideological interests, and financial gain," according to the 35-page report reviewed by Reuters before its public release. "Nation-states continue to present a considerable cyber threat. But non-state actors are emerging with capabilities that match those of sophisticated nation-states." The report noted that by 2020 more than 20 billion devices are expected to be connected to the internet. "The risks introduced by the growing number and variety of such devices are substantial," it said. Nielsen said the government "must think beyond the defense of specific assets — and confront systemic risks that affect everyone from tech giants to homeowners." The report also noted the 2015 intrusion into a federal agency resulted in the compromise of personnel records of over 4 million federal employees and in total impacted nearly 22 million people. The DHS report said the agency "must better align our existing law enforcement efforts and resources to address new and emerging challenges in cyberspace, to include the growing use of end-to-end encryption, anonymous networks, online marketplaces, and cryptocurrencies." Nielsen will testify Tuesday at a Senate hearing. In March, Nielsen said the department was prioritizing election cyber security above all other critical infrastructure it protects, such as the financial, energy and communications systems. US&nbspintelligence officials have repeatedly warned that Russia will attempt to meddle in the 2018 contests after doing so during the 2016 presidential campaign. Nielsen said that more than half of US&nbspstates have signed up for the agency’s cyber scanning services, designed to detect potential weaknesses that could be targeted by hackers. DHS said in 2016 that 21 states had experienced initial probing of their systems from Russian hackers in 2016 and that a small number of networks were compromised, but that there was no evidence any votes were actually altered.

US Homeland Security unveils new cyber security strategy amid threats

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