The peaceful protest by various minorities of Pakistan against Imran Khan's visit to the US was disrupted by the Pakistan prime minister's supporters outside the White House as they broke into a verbal clash with the protestors.

Imran Khan supporters clash against Pakistan minority groups protestors in US

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is on a three-day visit to the United States, on Monday met President Donald Trump for a one-on-one meeting at the White House, sources said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Meets Donald Trump

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon to repair damaged ties between the two countries in recent times.

As per a schedule released by the White House, the meeting will begin at around 12:05 pm and would be followed by an expanded bilateral lunch at around 12.50 pm.

Khan would be accompanied by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, confirmed military spokesperson Asif Ghafoor.&nbsp;

The US-Pakistan relationship has been strained in recent times, especially after Trump struck down an aid amounting to $1.3 billion to Pakistan last year. Washington had said that the aid would remain suspended until Islamabad takes steps against harbouring terrorists on its soil.

A tweet by Pakistan's Information Ministry on Sunday stated that the meeting is likely to focus on expanding bilateral cooperation on trade and investment, as well as working "toward peace in South Asia at large and Afghanistan in particular".

After accompanying Khan at the bilateral meeting, the Army Chief will visit the Pentagon to have interaction with US military leadership, informed Ghafoor.

"COAS at Washington, DC. On 22 July 19, after the meeting at White House as part of Prime Minister's delegation, COAS will visit Pentagon to interact with Acting Secretary Defence Mr. Richard Spencer, CJCS Gen Joseph Dunford, and Chief of Staff of US Army Gen Mark A Milley," Ghafoor wrote on Twitter.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon to repair damaged ties between the two countries in recent times.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon to repair damaged ties between the two countries in recent times. As per a schedule released by the White House, the meeting will begin at around 12:05 pm and would be followed by an expanded bilateral lunch at around 12.50 pm. Khan would be accompanied by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, confirmed military spokesperson Asif Ghafoor. The US-Pakistan relationship has been strained in recent times, especially after Trump struck down an aid amounting to $1.3 billion to Pakistan last year. Washington had said that the aid would remain suspended until Islamabad takes steps against harbouring terrorists on its soil. A tweet by Pakistan's Information Ministry on Sunday stated that the meeting is likely to focus on expanding bilateral cooperation on trade and investment, as well as working "toward peace in South Asia at large and Afghanistan in particular". After accompanying Khan at the bilateral meeting, the Army Chief will visit the Pentagon to have interaction with US military leadership, informed Ghafoor. "COAS at Washington, DC. On 22 July 19, after the meeting at White House as part of Prime Minister's delegation, COAS will visit Pentagon to interact with Acting Secretary Defence Mr. Richard Spencer, CJCS Gen Joseph Dunford, and Chief of Staff of US Army Gen Mark A Milley," Ghafoor wrote on Twitter.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Trump to hold bilateral meeting today

Afghan government forces mistakenly killed seven civilians, including children, in an attack on militants south of the capital, a provincial official said on Monday, the latest victims of a war undiminished by peace talks.

Government forces, have been facing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-taliban-us-violence-for-upper-hand-in-afghan-deal-237189">Taliban</a> attacks across much of the country, and have responded with airstrikes aimed at killing insurgent leaders, even as US and Afghan representatives have been negotiating with the militants in Qatar.

The seven civilians, including women and children, were killed in Logar province, just south of Kabul, on Sunday night said Hasib Stanekzai, a member of Logar's provincial council. Six people were wounded, he said.

Provincial police confirmed the attack on militants by government forces but said they were investigating the casualties.

"According to our initial information a number of militants were killed or wounded, but local people gathered in the area, claiming that a house belonging to a Kuchi family had been bombed, causing civilian casualties," said Shahpor Ahmadzai, a spokesman for Logar police.

Kuchi is nomadic herders, but some now live in permanent settlements.

Ahmadzai, who said police were investigating, also said foreign force was involved in the attack on the militants. Officials with Afghanistan's NATO force were not immediately available to confirm or deny their involvement in the operation.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-has-no-military-solution-says-pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-in-us-diaspora-address-237567&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjKiM2hvsjjAhUIPo8KHbTxBNIQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw13XcLzzXPbUvinqsOphqlU">Afghan forces</a>, backed by US advisers, have in recent months stepped up their airstrikes and raids to the highest levels since 2014.

The latest phase of Afghanistan's war - which began when US-backed forces overthrew the Taliban following September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States - has intensified despite the most sustained peace talks of the war.

The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concern about civilian casualties, which reached their highest level last year since detailed accounting began nearly a decade ago.

The war claimed 3,804 civilian lives in 2018, that included 927 children, both figures all-time highs, representing an 11% increase in civilian deaths compared with 2017, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in February.

Afghan government forces mistakenly killed seven civilians, including children, in an attack on militants south of the capital, a provincial official said on Monday, the latest victims of a war undiminished by peace talks.

Afghan government forces mistakenly killed seven civilians, including children, in an attack on militants south of the capital, a provincial official said on Monday, the latest victims of a war undiminished by peace talks. Government forces, have been facing Taliban attacks across much of the country, and have responded with airstrikes aimed at killing insurgent leaders, even as US and Afghan representatives have been negotiating with the militants in Qatar. The seven civilians, including women and children, were killed in Logar province, just south of Kabul, on Sunday night said Hasib Stanekzai, a member of Logar's provincial council. Six people were wounded, he said. Provincial police confirmed the attack on militants by government forces but said they were investigating the casualties. "According to our initial information a number of militants were killed or wounded, but local people gathered in the area, claiming that a house belonging to a Kuchi family had been bombed, causing civilian casualties," said Shahpor Ahmadzai, a spokesman for Logar police. Kuchi is nomadic herders, but some now live in permanent settlements. Ahmadzai, who said police were investigating, also said foreign force was involved in the attack on the militants. Officials with Afghanistan's NATO force were not immediately available to confirm or deny their involvement in the operation. Afghan forces, backed by US advisers, have in recent months stepped up their airstrikes and raids to the highest levels since 2014. The latest phase of Afghanistan's war - which began when US-backed forces overthrew the Taliban following September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States - has intensified despite the most sustained peace talks of the war. The United Nations has repeatedly expressed concern about civilian casualties, which reached their highest level last year since detailed accounting began nearly a decade ago. The war claimed 3,804 civilian lives in 2018, that included 927 children, both figures all-time highs, representing an 11% increase in civilian deaths compared with 2017, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in February.

Afghan forces kill seven civilians in attack on militants

Imran Khan is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Following a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump will host the visiting prime minister for a working lunch at the White House. Imran Khan’s maiden visit to the US as Pakistan’s Prime Minister will be “weak in substance” and there is nothing he can promise that hasn’t been promised before, a former top diplomat has said.

Imran Khan's biggest diplomatic visit

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-zarif-calls-for-prudence-and-foresight-as-tensions-mount-with-uk-237486">seizure of a British flagged tanker by Iran</a> is in "clear violation of international law" because it was in Omani waters, the head of the UK Chamber of Shipping said on Sunday.

On Saturday British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-probe-into-seized-ship-depends-on-crew-cooperation-237435">Stena Impero was seized in Omani waters</a> in clear contravention of international law and then forced to sail into Iran. Iran says the tanker was captured after it collided with a fishing boat.

"The chart released by Her Majesty's government today clearly demonstrates that the Swedish-owned and British-flagged tanker, Stena Impero, was in Oman territorial waters when she was boarded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Friday 19th July," said Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping.

"The evidence provided is proof that the seizing of the Stena Impero was in clear violation of international law."

Sanguinetti added that there is no comparison to be made with the seizure of Grace I, which was done under international law for the breach of EU sanctions.

"The Stena Impero was outside Iranian waters and legitimately carrying out its business at the time of its seizure," he said.

Iran's top diplomat said on Sunday that only "prudence and foresight" could alleviate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-warship-warned-iranian-forces-against-seizing-tanker-237484">tensions between his country and Britain</a>&nbsp;after Tehran's seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker.

Watch: US-Iran tensions Soar after tanker seizure

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Tehran for weeks has vowed to retaliate for the seizure of its Grace 1 oil tanker by British forces for violating European Union sanctions on Syria.

Britain needs to contain "those domestic political forces who want to escalate existing tension between Iran and the UK well beyond the issue of ships," Iran's envoy to Britain Hamid Baeidinejad said on Twitter.

"This is quite dangerous and unwise at a sensitive time in the region," he said, adding that Iran "is firm and ready for different scenarios."

Britain's junior defence minister Tobias Ellwood did not rule out the possibility of targeting Tehran with sanctions in response.

Tehran's seizure of the Stena Impero followed the July 4 capture by Royal Marines of the Grace 1 tanker carrying Iranian oil near Gibraltar.

The seizure of a British flagged tanker by Iran is in "clear violation of international law" because it was in Omani waters, the head of the UK Chamber of Shipping said on Sunday.

The seizure of a British flagged tanker by Iran is in "clear violation of international law" because it was in Omani waters, the head of the UK Chamber of Shipping said on Sunday. On Saturday British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt said the Stena Impero was seized in Omani waters in clear contravention of international law and then forced to sail into Iran. Iran says the tanker was captured after it collided with a fishing boat. "The chart released by Her Majesty's government today clearly demonstrates that the Swedish-owned and British-flagged tanker, Stena Impero, was in Oman territorial waters when she was boarded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Friday 19th July," said Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping. "The evidence provided is proof that the seizing of the Stena Impero was in clear violation of international law." Sanguinetti added that there is no comparison to be made with the seizure of Grace I, which was done under international law for the breach of EU sanctions. "The Stena Impero was outside Iranian waters and legitimately carrying out its business at the time of its seizure," he said. Iran's top diplomat said on Sunday that only "prudence and foresight" could alleviate tensions between his country and Britain after Tehran's seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker. Watch: US-Iran tensions Soar after tanker seizure × Tehran for weeks has vowed to retaliate for the seizure of its Grace 1 oil tanker by British forces for violating European Union sanctions on Syria. Britain needs to contain "those domestic political forces who want to escalate existing tension between Iran and the UK well beyond the issue of ships," Iran's envoy to Britain Hamid Baeidinejad said on Twitter. "This is quite dangerous and unwise at a sensitive time in the region," he said, adding that Iran "is firm and ready for different scenarios." Britain's junior defence minister Tobias Ellwood did not rule out the possibility of targeting Tehran with sanctions in response. Tehran's seizure of the Stena Impero followed the July 4 capture by Royal Marines of the Grace 1 tanker carrying Iranian oil near Gibraltar.

Seizure of British-flagged tanker 'clear violation of international law': UK Chamber of Shipping

Afghanistan intelligence has recently released audio tapes, which reveal Pakistan's link to the Kandahar attack. Will this affect Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to the US?

Afghans allegation will affect Imran Khan's US visit?

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Washington DC on a three-day official trip to the US. According to the reports, Khan did not receive the state protocol which the US gives to the heads of the government who arrive on an official trip.

No top official to welcome Imran Khan in US

A US-based non-profit organisation, the South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump highlighting the abuses faced by Mohajirs in Pakistan, ahead of the leader`s meeting with the South Asian country`s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-meets-pakistan-businessmen-during-us-visit-237467">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> on Monday.

In his letter, the organisation`s founder, Nadeem Nusrat, urged Trump to "raise several critical issues" with Khan during their upcoming meeting.&nbsp;

This includes the state of affairs in Karachi -- home to Mohajirs -- which remains deprived of even the most basic civic facilities, according to Nadeem.

He highlighted that Karachi`s millions of frustrated, poor, and unemployed, yet talented and educated, youth could easily fall prey to religious extremists, including ISIS, which recently vowed to make Pakistan its next powerbase.

"Reforms in Karachi are the key to turning the corner on resisting the terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan to benefit not only the interest of the US but those of the civilized world," Nadeem stated in his letter.

"As we all know, criminal and terrorist forces thrive in places where frustration, poverty and hunger dominate. This is why it is critical from the US safety and security perspective to work closely with Pakistan to ensure justice for people living in urban Sindh. Again, largescale political and financial reforms in Karachi are key to the elimination of the terrorist elements in Pakistan," he added.

He highlighted a few focus areas in Karachi which could be raised during the Khan-Trump meeting.&nbsp;

They range from the fair representation of the people of Karachi to the persecution of Mohajirs, or Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947.

"There must be a crack-down on the draconian brutality of the actions of the quasi-military police force which is the source of deaths, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, political engineering, and basic civil rights abuses," Nadeem said.

"Law and order is a serious issue in Karachi. Over 90 per cent of the personnel of every law enforcement agency operating in Karachi is recruited from outside the city. At first brush, that may not seem important. However, we get back to the ethnic and cultural prejudice," he wrote.

"The large majority of Karachi citizens subject to these abuses are Urdu-speaking Mohajirs: Mohajirs are the descendants of those Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947; The religious, cultural and ethnic differences of these Mohajirs from the law enforcement personnel, who are not Mohajirs, is the basis of the gross human rights atrocities," Nadeem stated.

"These non-local security forces treat citizens of Karachi with utmost disrespect and contempt. Human rights violations are a daily occurrence and thousands of Karachi`s citizens have gone missing in the last few years after being taken into unlawful custody by non-local law enforcement agencies.&nbsp;

Around 25,000 people in Karachi have also been killed in fake encounters at the hands of police and paramilitary forces," he said, highlighting the issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

He also outlined that a few law enforcement agencies patronise and protect organised criminal gangs -- known as tanker mafia -- that steal Karachi`s water from main pipelines and sell it to Karachi`s poor residents through privately-owned tankers at exorbitant prices.

"In addition, two federal governments in Pakistan, in 1990 and 1996, were dissolved due to their involvement in extrajudicial executions of Karachi citizens, but the state has prosecuted even a single culprit responsible for these crimes against humanity. These facts have been reported by Amnesty International, UNO`s Commission on Human Rights, UNO`s Special Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance, as well as many other independent human rights organizations," he added.

Nadeem further stated that these intimidation tactics to politically control the population of Karachi through the denial of basic human needs and the right of representation are adverse to the political and security interest of the US.

"If it continues, ISIS and similar terrorist organisations can prey on the vulnerabilities of this Karachi population and find sanctuaries there...Chinese influence is sneaking its way into the Karachi vicinity and maybe in a position, with the direct or indirect approval of the Pakistan government, to lure those needy citizens of Karachi to work and thereby be brought into the influence of the Chinese government," he stated.

"The World Bank has catalogued even more problems than I have described in this letter that the city of Karachi is facing. The authors of the report have made some important recommendations besides strongly urging the Pakistan Government to spend at least 10 billion dollars every year on top of the city`s regular annual budget to make Karachi a viable city. Both federal and Sindh governments, however, have refused to implement any of those recommendations," the founder said.

He requested Trump to instruct the US State Department and the USAID to work closely with Karachi and Pakistan`s elected leadership to promote fair representation of the citizens of Karachi in the local and national government, free speech, religious freedom, free trade, freedom from oppressive para-military police force actions and provide opportunities for basic human development.

A US-based non-profit organisation, the South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump highlighting the abuses faced by Mohajirs in Pakistan, ahead of the leader`s meeting with the South Asian country`s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday.

A US-based non-profit organisation, the South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump highlighting the abuses faced by Mohajirs in Pakistan, ahead of the leader`s meeting with the South Asian country`s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. In his letter, the organisation`s founder, Nadeem Nusrat, urged Trump to "raise several critical issues" with Khan during their upcoming meeting. This includes the state of affairs in Karachi -- home to Mohajirs -- which remains deprived of even the most basic civic facilities, according to Nadeem. He highlighted that Karachi`s millions of frustrated, poor, and unemployed, yet talented and educated, youth could easily fall prey to religious extremists, including ISIS, which recently vowed to make Pakistan its next powerbase. "Reforms in Karachi are the key to turning the corner on resisting the terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan to benefit not only the interest of the US but those of the civilized world," Nadeem stated in his letter. "As we all know, criminal and terrorist forces thrive in places where frustration, poverty and hunger dominate. This is why it is critical from the US safety and security perspective to work closely with Pakistan to ensure justice for people living in urban Sindh. Again, largescale political and financial reforms in Karachi are key to the elimination of the terrorist elements in Pakistan," he added. He highlighted a few focus areas in Karachi which could be raised during the Khan-Trump meeting. They range from the fair representation of the people of Karachi to the persecution of Mohajirs, or Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947. "There must be a crack-down on the draconian brutality of the actions of the quasi-military police force which is the source of deaths, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, political engineering, and basic civil rights abuses," Nadeem said. "Law and order is a serious issue in Karachi. Over 90 per cent of the personnel of every law enforcement agency operating in Karachi is recruited from outside the city. At first brush, that may not seem important. However, we get back to the ethnic and cultural prejudice," he wrote. "The large majority of Karachi citizens subject to these abuses are Urdu-speaking Mohajirs: Mohajirs are the descendants of those Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947; The religious, cultural and ethnic differences of these Mohajirs from the law enforcement personnel, who are not Mohajirs, is the basis of the gross human rights atrocities," Nadeem stated. "These non-local security forces treat citizens of Karachi with utmost disrespect and contempt. Human rights violations are a daily occurrence and thousands of Karachi`s citizens have gone missing in the last few years after being taken into unlawful custody by non-local law enforcement agencies. Around 25,000 people in Karachi have also been killed in fake encounters at the hands of police and paramilitary forces," he said, highlighting the issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan. He also outlined that a few law enforcement agencies patronise and protect organised criminal gangs -- known as tanker mafia -- that steal Karachi`s water from main pipelines and sell it to Karachi`s poor residents through privately-owned tankers at exorbitant prices. "In addition, two federal governments in Pakistan, in 1990 and 1996, were dissolved due to their involvement in extrajudicial executions of Karachi citizens, but the state has prosecuted even a single culprit responsible for these crimes against humanity. These facts have been reported by Amnesty International, UNO`s Commission on Human Rights, UNO`s Special Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance, as well as many other independent human rights organizations," he added. Nadeem further stated that these intimidation tactics to politically control the population of Karachi through the denial of basic human needs and the right of representation are adverse to the political and security interest of the US. "If it continues, ISIS and similar terrorist organisations can prey on the vulnerabilities of this Karachi population and find sanctuaries there...Chinese influence is sneaking its way into the Karachi vicinity and maybe in a position, with the direct or indirect approval of the Pakistan government, to lure those needy citizens of Karachi to work and thereby be brought into the influence of the Chinese government," he stated. "The World Bank has catalogued even more problems than I have described in this letter that the city of Karachi is facing. The authors of the report have made some important recommendations besides strongly urging the Pakistan Government to spend at least 10 billion dollars every year on top of the city`s regular annual budget to make Karachi a viable city. Both federal and Sindh governments, however, have refused to implement any of those recommendations," the founder said. He requested Trump to instruct the US State Department and the USAID to work closely with Karachi and Pakistan`s elected leadership to promote fair representation of the citizens of Karachi in the local and national government, free speech, religious freedom, free trade, freedom from oppressive para-military police force actions and provide opportunities for basic human development.

Trump apprised of persecution of Mohajirs in Pakistan ahead of meeting with Imran Khan

Afghanistan intelligence has released audio tapes, which reveal Pakistan's link to the Kandahar attack.

Afghan released audio tapes reveals Pak link to Kandahar attack

Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-embarks-on-3-day-visit-to-us-will-hold-talks-with-donald-trump-237208">three-day visit to the US</a>&nbsp;is a definite sign of the easing of the bitter relations between the two countries.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-lawmakers-urge-trump-to-raise-paks-human-rights-abuse-issue-during-meeting-with-imran-khan-237318">Khan will meet US President Donald Trump </a>on July 22.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, earlier this week, described PM Imran Khan's visit to the United States as "a move from isolation to an invitation".

Khan and Trump have, however, met before on Twitter and indulged in a war of words.&nbsp;

Twitter spat

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump had tweeted earlier last year.

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The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies &amp; deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/947802588174577664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The stand was reiterated in several interviews by the US President.

Eventually, Imran Khan - who had stormed to power on the back of the promise of 'Naya Pakistan' - was forced to hit back. In a series of tweets last year in November, he said, "Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war and over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion."

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Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war &amp; over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1064482777054220289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan's dwindling economy

To turn Pakistan's cash-strapped economy around, Imran Khan made state visits to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Malaysia in a bid to get investments.

But such is the debt trap which Pakistan is caught in, it has again, for the thirteenth time been forced to accept a $6 billion bailout by the IMF. To cut down on expenses, Imran Khan has embarked on an austerity drive.

He is, in fact, travelling to the United States this time round in a commercial flight and will stay at the Ambassador's residence.

Mission United States

Accompanied by his army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Imran Khan's agenda on his US trip is primarily focused on resuming military training programs with the US, getting permission to purchase spare parts for F-16 jets, assistance from the US to get off the FATF greylist and getting more loans to boost Pakistan's dwindling economy.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;US lawmakers have written to US President Donald Trump, urging him to raise the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-lawmakers-urge-trump-to-raise-paks-human-rights-abuse-issue-during-meeting-with-imran-khan-237318">issue of human rights abuses in Pakistan's Sindh</a> - including enforced disappearances - during his upcoming meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In a letter addressed to Trump on July 19, the lawmakers highlight that human rights abuses, at the hands of the authorities, continue to prevail in the Pakistani province, despite Washington having provided more than $30 billion in aid to the South Asian country.

The aid, according to them, was supposed to improve social and economic conditions in Pakistan, as well as promote good governance - improvements that have not occurred.

&nbsp;

Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's three-day visit to the US is a definite sign of the easing of the bitter relations between the two countries. Khan will meet US President Donald Trump on July 22.

Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's three-day visit to the US is a definite sign of the easing of the bitter relations between the two countries. Khan will meet US President Donald Trump on July 22. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, earlier this week, described PM Imran Khan's visit to the United States as "a move from isolation to an invitation". Khan and Trump have, however, met before on Twitter and indulged in a war of words. Twitter spat "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump had tweeted earlier last year. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 × The stand was reiterated in several interviews by the US President. Eventually, Imran Khan - who had stormed to power on the back of the promise of 'Naya Pakistan' - was forced to hit back. In a series of tweets last year in November, he said, "Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war and over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion." Record needs to be put straight on Mr Trump's tirade against Pakistan: 1. No Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US War on Terror. 2. Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties in this war & over $123 bn was lost to economy. US "aid" was a miniscule $20 bn. — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2018 × Pakistan's dwindling economy To turn Pakistan's cash-strapped economy around, Imran Khan made state visits to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China and Malaysia in a bid to get investments. But such is the debt trap which Pakistan is caught in, it has again, for the thirteenth time been forced to accept a $6 billion bailout by the IMF. To cut down on expenses, Imran Khan has embarked on an austerity drive. He is, in fact, travelling to the United States this time round in a commercial flight and will stay at the Ambassador's residence. Mission United States Accompanied by his army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Imran Khan's agenda on his US trip is primarily focused on resuming military training programs with the US, getting permission to purchase spare parts for F-16 jets, assistance from the US to get off the FATF greylist and getting more loans to boost Pakistan's dwindling economy. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have written to US President Donald Trump, urging him to raise the issue of human rights abuses in Pakistan's Sindh - including enforced disappearances - during his upcoming meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. In a letter addressed to Trump on July 19, the lawmakers highlight that human rights abuses, at the hands of the authorities, continue to prevail in the Pakistani province, despite Washington having provided more than $30 billion in aid to the South Asian country. The aid, according to them, was supposed to improve social and economic conditions in Pakistan, as well as promote good governance - improvements that have not occurred.

Imran Khan's US visit: Focus on resuming military training programs, exiting FATF greylist

The US State Department said on Saturday it is concerned by reports of China`s interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea, including Vietnam`s long-standing exploration and production activities.

"China`s repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore oil and gas development of other claimant states threatens regional energy security and undermines the free and open Indo-Pacific energy market," the State Department said in a statement.

Vietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China remove the ships from Vietnamese waters.&nbsp;

Vietnam and China have for years-long been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, two US-based think tanks reported that Chinese and Vietnamese vessels had engaged in a standoff lasting several weeks near an oil block in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Neither Beijing nor Hanoi have directly confirmed or denied the reports.

"The United States firmly opposes coercion and intimidation by any claimant to assert its territorial or maritime claims," the State Department said.&nbsp;

"China should cease its bullying behaviour and refrain from engaging in this type of provocative and destabilizing activity," it added.

The State Department also pointed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo`s comments earlier this year when he said, "by blocking development in the South China Sea through coercive means, China prevents ASEAN members from accessing more than $2.5 trillion in recoverable energy reserves."

The State Department also said that China`s growing pressure on ASEAN countries to accept provisions that seek to restrict their right to partner with third-party companies or countries further reveal its intent to assert control over oil and gas resources in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

"China’s reclamation and militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea...including the use of maritime militia to intimidate, coerce, and threaten other nations, undermine the peace and security of the region," it said.

The US State Department said on Saturday it is concerned by reports of China`s interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea, including Vietnam`s long-standing exploration and production activities.

The US State Department said on Saturday it is concerned by reports of China`s interference with oil and gas activities in the South China Sea, including Vietnam`s long-standing exploration and production activities. "China`s repeated provocative actions aimed at the offshore oil and gas development of other claimant states threatens regional energy security and undermines the free and open Indo-Pacific energy market," the State Department said in a statement. Vietnam on Friday accused a Chinese oil survey vessel and its escorts of violating its sovereignty and demanded that China remove the ships from Vietnamese waters. Vietnam and China have for years-long been embroiled in a dispute over the potentially energy-rich stretch of waters in the South China Sea. On Wednesday, two US-based think tanks reported that Chinese and Vietnamese vessels had engaged in a standoff lasting several weeks near an oil block in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Neither Beijing nor Hanoi have directly confirmed or denied the reports. "The United States firmly opposes coercion and intimidation by any claimant to assert its territorial or maritime claims," the State Department said. "China should cease its bullying behaviour and refrain from engaging in this type of provocative and destabilizing activity," it added. The State Department also pointed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo`s comments earlier this year when he said, "by blocking development in the South China Sea through coercive means, China prevents ASEAN members from accessing more than $2.5 trillion in recoverable energy reserves." The State Department also said that China`s growing pressure on ASEAN countries to accept provisions that seek to restrict their right to partner with third-party companies or countries further reveal its intent to assert control over oil and gas resources in the South China Sea. "China’s reclamation and militarization of disputed outposts in the South China Sea...including the use of maritime militia to intimidate, coerce, and threaten other nations, undermine the peace and security of the region," it said.

Concerned by reports of Chinese interference in South China Sea: US State Department

The United States should reject "prejudice" and respect facts instead of vilifying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-watch-report-on-uighurs-full-of-prejudice-says-china-164872">China's record on religious rights</a>, the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily said on Saturday after fresh criticism of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uighur-wives-forced-to-drink-alcohol-and-eat-pork-in-chinas-re-education-camps-214757">China's treatment of ethnic Muslims</a>.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo branded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-government-has-destroyed-graveyard-of-uighur-community-historian-226704">China's treatment of its Uighur minority</a> in the far northwestern region of Xinjiang the "stain of the century" on Thursday. He also accused Beijing of pressuring countries not to attend a US-hosted conference on religious freedom.

Beijing has been accused of persecuting Uighurs, with at least a million believed to be detained in what China insists are vocational centres aimed at reducing the spread of extremism.&nbsp;

But the People`s Daily said China respected religious rights and accused some in the United States of having "ulterior motives" and using religion as a pretext to vilify China.&nbsp;

"They even use so-called freedom of religious belief as an excuse to undermine China`s national harmony and interfere in China`s internal affairs," the editorial said.&nbsp;

It said the critics "know nothing about the real situation" in Xinjiang, and the vocational training system had already become an effective way of protecting the region`s population from terrorism and extremism.

An open letter signed by dozens of scholars and religious officials from the region has accused Pompeo of making "false accusations" about the treatment of Uighur Muslims.

The letter, published by the Xinjiang government`s official website late on Friday, said there was "no evidence" to show China was trying to destroy Uighur culture or religion, and urged Pompeo to "stop fabricating lies and slanders about Xinjiang".&nbsp;

Earlier this month, nearly two dozen countries called on China to halt its mass detention of Uighurs in Xinjiang, the first such joint move on the issue at the UN&nbsp;Human Rights Council.&nbsp;

The United States should reject "prejudice" and respect facts instead of vilifying China's record on religious rights, the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily said on Saturday after fresh criticism of China's treatment of ethnic Muslims.

The United States should reject "prejudice" and respect facts instead of vilifying China's record on religious rights, the Communist Party newspaper People's Daily said on Saturday after fresh criticism of China's treatment of ethnic Muslims. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo branded China's treatment of its Uighur minority in the far northwestern region of Xinjiang the "stain of the century" on Thursday. He also accused Beijing of pressuring countries not to attend a US-hosted conference on religious freedom. Beijing has been accused of persecuting Uighurs, with at least a million believed to be detained in what China insists are vocational centres aimed at reducing the spread of extremism. But the People`s Daily said China respected religious rights and accused some in the United States of having "ulterior motives" and using religion as a pretext to vilify China. "They even use so-called freedom of religious belief as an excuse to undermine China`s national harmony and interfere in China`s internal affairs," the editorial said. It said the critics "know nothing about the real situation" in Xinjiang, and the vocational training system had already become an effective way of protecting the region`s population from terrorism and extremism. An open letter signed by dozens of scholars and religious officials from the region has accused Pompeo of making "false accusations" about the treatment of Uighur Muslims. The letter, published by the Xinjiang government`s official website late on Friday, said there was "no evidence" to show China was trying to destroy Uighur culture or religion, and urged Pompeo to "stop fabricating lies and slanders about Xinjiang". Earlier this month, nearly two dozen countries called on China to halt its mass detention of Uighurs in Xinjiang, the first such joint move on the issue at the UN Human Rights Council.

US should reject 'prejudice' on China religious rights: State media

The United States has removed Turkey from its F-35 fighter jet program, this comes a day after Turkey received first delivery of S-400 missile defense system from Russian. Watch this video to know more.

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U.S. President Kicks Up A Storm With His Racist Remarks

Gravitas: Trump Criticised for 'Racist Rant'

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-imposes-sanctions-on-myanmar-military-leaders-over-rohingya-abuses-236561&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiV0sDPq77jAhVFjuYKHfXpDNcQFjAEegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw19Bl-Zd9_TOCkR-aIEk1_f">Sanctions</a> imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.

The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.&nbsp;

But Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for freezing the assets of the commanders.

"(The ban) does not go far enough and it should go further, and the parameters of those sanctions should go further too," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

"They were never going to travel to the US.. let's be realistic."

Lee said the sanctions - which covered Min Aung Hlaing, his deputy Soe Win, and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should also be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018.

The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide.&nbsp;

Lee said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse.

Last month, Lee had said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states.

On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area.

It has also hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods, she added.

"The question is, did the Myanmar government impose the ban to inflict more harm on the people of Rakhine?"

A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, according to UN figures.

UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." Myanmar denies the charge.

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday.

Sanctions imposed this week by the United States on Myanmar's military leaders over human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims do not go far enough, UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said on Thursday. The United States banned Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other senior commanders, and their families from entering the United States in the strongest steps yet taken by Washington in response to the massacre of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. But Lee said a travel ban was not enough and called for freezing the assets of the commanders. "(The ban) does not go far enough and it should go further, and the parameters of those sanctions should go further too," she told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. "They were never going to travel to the US.. let's be realistic." Lee said the sanctions - which covered Min Aung Hlaing, his deputy Soe Win, and brigadier generals Than Oo and Aung Aung - should also be extended to two more military leaders identified in UN investigators report in 2018. The report, compiled by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, had called for the six generals to be tried for genocide. Lee said reports from Myanmar in recent weeks suggested that human rights violations and abuses committed by the army and insurgents against civilian populations may be getting worse. Last month, Lee had said the army may be committing gross human rights violations under cover of a mobile phone blackout in Myanmar's Rakhine and Chin states. On Thursday, Lee said the blackout had left many villages unprepared for severe monsoon floods in the area. It has also hampered disaster relief and humanitarian responses to the floods, she added. "The question is, did the Myanmar government impose the ban to inflict more harm on the people of Rakhine?" A 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar drove more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, according to UN figures. UN investigators have said Myanmar's operation included mass killings, gang rapes, and arson and was executed with "genocidal intent." Myanmar denies the charge.

United States sanctions on Myanmar military leaders inadequate: United Nation investigator

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Mexican drug lord who twice escaped maximum-security prisons in that country, will spend the rest of his life in a U.S. penitentiary, a federal judge said on Wednesday. Watch the full video to know more.

Convicted Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo sentenced to life in prison

Amid the differences between Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena over security ties with the United States, a US State Department spokesperson has said they have no intention to establish a military base in the island nation.

US: No military base in Sri Lanka | WION Exclusive

Global shares slipped on Thursday on growing signs that a trade dispute between the United States and China was taking a toll on corporate earnings, with nerves spreading from Wall Street through Asia to European markets.

MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, fell 0.2% to its lowest in nine days, while the Euro STOXX 600 slipped 0.5% to its lowest in almost three weeks.

The earnings season, kicking off this week brought bad signs as rail freight giant CSX Corp, cut its revenue forecast as it warned of the impact of the US-China trade war, pushing down Wall Street indexes on Wednesday.

In Europe, too, earnings were top of the agenda. Tech stocks led the slide as software firm SAP, Europe's most valuable tech stock by market cap, reported poor results, also flagging the impact of the US-China trade war.

With nerves already on edge over when face-to-face talks between the United States and China will resume, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday maintained pressure on Beijing with a threat to put tariffs on another $325 billion of Chinese goods.

Investors also cited a report that progress toward a US-China trade deal has stalled as the Trump administration works out how to address Beijing's demands that it ease restrictions on Huawei Technologies.

"It's still about the US and China dispute," Christophe Barraud, chief economist and strategist at Market Securities. "The trade war is creating uncertainty, weighed on capEx, and clearly on trade flows."

"There are also problems with guidance, especially in the transportation sector. The fact is that one of the key stories of this year is global trade flows contraction," he said.

Adding to the concerns over corporate health, Netflix shed US subscribers for the first time in 8 years, sending shares falling over 10% after the close of the market.

Compounding the trade concerns were concerning signs for the economy emerging from Japan to the United States.

Japan's exports slumped yet again, falling 6.7% in June, while manufacturers' confidence fell to a three-year low in July on the back of the trade tensions and slowing China's growth.

US housebuilding fell in June for a second consecutive month, with building permits also falling, in a possible sign of more trouble ahead for the housing market.

The earnings anxiety and macro data boosted demand for safe-haven assets, with yields on benchmark 10-year and 30-year US Treasuries climbing overnight.

Eurozone government bond yields slipped back towards record lows on Thursday as economic indicators and corporate earnings deepened gloom on the global economy and increased bets on interest-rate cuts by major central banks.

Amid the gloomy outlook, bets for further monetary policy easing from major central banks have grown, with speculation on whether the US Federal Reserve will be cut by 25 basis points or 50 basis points in July.

While markets take comfort from central banks' willingness to support growth, said Sunil Krishnan, head of multi-asset funds at Aviva Investors, there were concerns for equity markets that have rallied on the back of stimulus expectations.

The weak start to the Q2 earnings season may spill over into the outlook for the remainder of the year, threatening equity markets' stellar rally this year.

"We are probably in the middle of analysts downgrading Q3 company earnings expectations," he said.

Earlier in the day, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan lost 0.3%, with Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei tumbling 2.0%, its biggest one-day fall in four months.

POUND TO PARITY?

In currencies, the dollar edged lower against its rivals on the softer US&nbsp;Treasury yields, with investors focusing their attention on the Fed's meeting next week.

Against a basket of its rivals, the dollar edged 0.1% lower to 97.195.

Sterling was a shade higher at $1.244, off its lowest since April 2017 touched on Wednesday amid growing risks of Britain leaving the European Union in a no-deal Brexit.

Major British banks, such as HSBC, are already talking of the possibility of the pound breaching post-Brexit referendum lows of $1.149, with some asking whether the pound is headed for parity against both the dollar and the euro.

Oil prices were mixed, with US&nbsp;crude extending losses after data showed U.S. stockpiles of gasoline and other products rising sharply last week, suggesting weak demand.

Brent crude futures were up 6 cents, or 0.1%, at $63.71 a barrel by 0755 GMT. They fell by 1.1% on Wednesday.

Global shares slipped on Thursday on growing signs that a trade dispute between the United States and China was taking a toll on corporate earnings, with nerves spreading from Wall Street through Asia to European markets.

Global shares slipped on Thursday on growing signs that a trade dispute between the United States and China was taking a toll on corporate earnings, with nerves spreading from Wall Street through Asia to European markets. MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, fell 0.2% to its lowest in nine days, while the Euro STOXX 600 slipped 0.5% to its lowest in almost three weeks. The earnings season, kicking off this week brought bad signs as rail freight giant CSX Corp, cut its revenue forecast as it warned of the impact of the US-China trade war, pushing down Wall Street indexes on Wednesday. In Europe, too, earnings were top of the agenda. Tech stocks led the slide as software firm SAP, Europe's most valuable tech stock by market cap, reported poor results, also flagging the impact of the US-China trade war. With nerves already on edge over when face-to-face talks between the United States and China will resume, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday maintained pressure on Beijing with a threat to put tariffs on another $325 billion of Chinese goods. Investors also cited a report that progress toward a US-China trade deal has stalled as the Trump administration works out how to address Beijing's demands that it ease restrictions on Huawei Technologies. "It's still about the US and China dispute," Christophe Barraud, chief economist and strategist at Market Securities. "The trade war is creating uncertainty, weighed on capEx, and clearly on trade flows." "There are also problems with guidance, especially in the transportation sector. The fact is that one of the key stories of this year is global trade flows contraction," he said. Adding to the concerns over corporate health, Netflix shed US subscribers for the first time in 8 years, sending shares falling over 10% after the close of the market. Compounding the trade concerns were concerning signs for the economy emerging from Japan to the United States. Japan's exports slumped yet again, falling 6.7% in June, while manufacturers' confidence fell to a three-year low in July on the back of the trade tensions and slowing China's growth. US housebuilding fell in June for a second consecutive month, with building permits also falling, in a possible sign of more trouble ahead for the housing market. The earnings anxiety and macro data boosted demand for safe-haven assets, with yields on benchmark 10-year and 30-year US Treasuries climbing overnight. Eurozone government bond yields slipped back towards record lows on Thursday as economic indicators and corporate earnings deepened gloom on the global economy and increased bets on interest-rate cuts by major central banks. Amid the gloomy outlook, bets for further monetary policy easing from major central banks have grown, with speculation on whether the US Federal Reserve will be cut by 25 basis points or 50 basis points in July. While markets take comfort from central banks' willingness to support growth, said Sunil Krishnan, head of multi-asset funds at Aviva Investors, there were concerns for equity markets that have rallied on the back of stimulus expectations. The weak start to the Q2 earnings season may spill over into the outlook for the remainder of the year, threatening equity markets' stellar rally this year. "We are probably in the middle of analysts downgrading Q3 company earnings expectations," he said. Earlier in the day, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan lost 0.3%, with Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei tumbling 2.0%, its biggest one-day fall in four months. POUND TO PARITY? In currencies, the dollar edged lower against its rivals on the softer US Treasury yields, with investors focusing their attention on the Fed's meeting next week. Against a basket of its rivals, the dollar edged 0.1% lower to 97.195. Sterling was a shade higher at $1.244, off its lowest since April 2017 touched on Wednesday amid growing risks of Britain leaving the European Union in a no-deal Brexit. Major British banks, such as HSBC, are already talking of the possibility of the pound breaching post-Brexit referendum lows of $1.149, with some asking whether the pound is headed for parity against both the dollar and the euro. Oil prices were mixed, with US crude extending losses after data showed U.S. stockpiles of gasoline and other products rising sharply last week, suggesting weak demand. Brent crude futures were up 6 cents, or 0.1%, at $63.71 a barrel by 0755 GMT. They fell by 1.1% on Wednesday.

Global Markets: Stocks slide as US-China trade war takes toll on earnings

The House of Representatives passed an amendment on Wednesday calling for the Department of Defense to investigate its possible "bioweaponization" of Lyme disease in ticks from the years 1950-1975.

House passes amendment seeking investigation of 'bioweaponization' of ticks

The United States has tightly restricted the travel of more than a dozen Iranian diplomats and their families living in New York, according to a US diplomatic note sent to the Iran Mission to the United Nations and seen by Reuters on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The diplomats are subjected to the same rules imposed by the United States on Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who arrived on Sunday amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

They may only travel between the United Nations, the Iranian UN mission, the Iranian UN ambassador's residence and John F. Kennedy airport. There is also a carve-out for the six blocks surrounding Queensboro Plaza in Long Island City in the borough of Queens. It was not immediately clear why.

Longtime US-Iran strains have worsened since US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-human-rights-minister-deletes-tweet-criticising-trump-236553">Donald Trump</a> last year quit a 2015 international agreement to curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. Trump has imposed more sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

Washington and Tehran sent mixed signals on Tuesday about resolving their disputes as Iran's supreme leader threatened to further breach the nuclear deal while Trump cited "a lot of progress."

The July 12 diplomatic note said the open-ended travel rules, apply to "all members of the permanent mission of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-says-uks-seizure-of-oil-tanker-will-not-go-unanswered-236651&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi--aGj7rvjAhWJMI8KHdXYCuQQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw17zG9ROyh3jjMutN9uGfHS">Iran</a> to the United Nations, their immediate family members, and representatives of the Iranian government to the United Nations."

It said a waiver would be required from US State Department Office of Foreign Missions for any other travel and requests must be made at least five days in advance. The Iranian UN mission is also required to submit residential and hotel accommodations for approval.

The Iranian UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday Zarif's work in New York was unaffected.&nbsp;

The United Nations said on Monday that it told the United States it was concerned by the new tight travel restrictions. A US State Department official said the United States had acted "in a manner that is fully consistent" with its obligations under a 1947 agreement with the United Nations.&nbsp;

Before the new rules, Iranian diplomats - like envoys of North Korea, Syria and Cuba - were already confined to a radius of 25 miles from Columbus Circle in Midtown Manhattan. According to the UN Blue Book, which lists diplomats of each mission to the world body, there are 13 Iranian diplomats in New York.

Under the 1947 UN "headquarters agreement," the United States is generally required to allow access to the United Nations for foreign diplomats. But Washington says it can deny visas for "security, terrorism, and foreign policy" reasons.

The US diplomatic note said Zarif was "being admitted to the United States for the sole purpose of attending UN meetings" and that "he should restrict his activities to UN-related business only.&nbsp;

Zarif is due to attend a ministerial meeting at the UN on Wednesday on sustainable development goals, which aim to tackle issues including conflict, hunger, equality and climate change by 2030. On Monday, he did interviews with British and US media at the residence of the Iranian UN ambassador. 
&nbsp;

The United States has tightly restricted the travel of more than a dozen Iranian diplomats and their families living in New York, according to a US diplomatic note sent to the Iran Mission to the United Nations and seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The United States has tightly restricted the travel of more than a dozen Iranian diplomats and their families living in New York, according to a US diplomatic note sent to the Iran Mission to the United Nations and seen by Reuters on Tuesday. The diplomats are subjected to the same rules imposed by the United States on Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who arrived on Sunday amid heightened tensions between the two countries. They may only travel between the United Nations, the Iranian UN mission, the Iranian UN ambassador's residence and John F. Kennedy airport. There is also a carve-out for the six blocks surrounding Queensboro Plaza in Long Island City in the borough of Queens. It was not immediately clear why. Longtime US-Iran strains have worsened since US President Donald Trump last year quit a 2015 international agreement to curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief. Trump has imposed more sanctions on Iran. Washington and Tehran sent mixed signals on Tuesday about resolving their disputes as Iran's supreme leader threatened to further breach the nuclear deal while Trump cited "a lot of progress." The July 12 diplomatic note said the open-ended travel rules, apply to "all members of the permanent mission of Iran to the United Nations, their immediate family members, and representatives of the Iranian government to the United Nations." It said a waiver would be required from US State Department Office of Foreign Missions for any other travel and requests must be made at least five days in advance. The Iranian UN mission is also required to submit residential and hotel accommodations for approval. The Iranian UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday Zarif's work in New York was unaffected. The United Nations said on Monday that it told the United States it was concerned by the new tight travel restrictions. A US State Department official said the United States had acted "in a manner that is fully consistent" with its obligations under a 1947 agreement with the United Nations. Before the new rules, Iranian diplomats - like envoys of North Korea, Syria and Cuba - were already confined to a radius of 25 miles from Columbus Circle in Midtown Manhattan. According to the UN Blue Book, which lists diplomats of each mission to the world body, there are 13 Iranian diplomats in New York. Under the 1947 UN "headquarters agreement," the United States is generally required to allow access to the United Nations for foreign diplomats. But Washington says it can deny visas for "security, terrorism, and foreign policy" reasons. The US diplomatic note said Zarif was "being admitted to the United States for the sole purpose of attending UN meetings" and that "he should restrict his activities to UN-related business only. Zarif is due to attend a ministerial meeting at the UN on Wednesday on sustainable development goals, which aim to tackle issues including conflict, hunger, equality and climate change by 2030. On Monday, he did interviews with British and US media at the residence of the Iranian UN ambassador.

Iranian diplomats, families living in New York face US travel curbs

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US senators grill Facebook over its plans

Police arrested multiple people in New York on Monday as demonstrators protested the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and called for its closure.

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Hijab Debate Intensifies In Iran. Amidst the worsening of conflict between U.S. & Iran, Tehran has a new problem to deal with. Right now, the country is polarised on the debate over whether women should wear a hijab. So why Iranian women are pushing back against the dress code? And why now? Take a look at this report

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U.S. President Trump Targets Congresswomen Of Colour, Asks Them To Leave The U.S. U.S. President Trump lands himself in hot water yet again. His racially charged tweets aimed at women lawmakers of colour leads to strong criticism. Here's a report

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Oil prices steadied on Tuesday as a resumption of output in the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Barry and a boom in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-oil-sanctions-wont-go-without-response-iran-213205&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjj4bTblLnjAhWJA4gKHayhADcQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2N7rYgrXrmgJR5alcxjn-1">US&nbsp;supply</a> due to shale oil countered tensions in the Middle East.

Prices remained under pressure as data on Monday showed that second-quarter economic growth in China slowed to 6.2% from a year earlier, the weakest pace in at least 27 years.

Brent crude futures were up 4 cents at $66.52 a barrel by 0852 GMT. The international benchmark lost 24 cents, or 0.4%, on Monday.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose by 1 cent to $59.59 a barrel. The US&nbsp;benchmark fell about 1% in the previous session.

US&nbsp;oil companies on Monday began restoring some of the nearly 74% of production that was shut at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-jump-45-per-cent-on-united-states-crude-stocks-draw-gulf-of-mexico-storm-234960&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjU6vaclbnjAhVinI8KHdSmCrUQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3wuMvTZ1nP71fehkxYtIVE">Gulf of Mexico</a> platforms ahead of Hurricane Barry.

"Crude oil is having a quiet day today after giving back some of last week's gains," Saxo Bank commodity strategist Ole Hansen said.

"US&nbsp;output from the Gulf looks set to increase and ... Barry failed to hit refinery assets along the coast."

Workers were returning to the more than 280 production platforms that had been evacuated. However, it can still take several days for full production to resume.

"You could almost hear the big sigh of relief from oil producers and refiners in the region as the storm passed without causing significant damage," PVM analyst Tamas Varga said.

The market was also weighed down by signs of further increases in output from the United States, which has ridden a wave of shale oil production to become the world's biggest crude producer, ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia.

US&nbsp;oil output from seven major shale formations is expected to rise by about 49,000 barrels per day in August, to a record 8.55 million barrels per day, the US&nbsp;Energy Information Administration said.

Rising US&nbsp;output will undermine efforts by Russia and Saudi Arabia to reduce global oil inventories by convincing suppliers in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and outside OPEC to cut production.

The global supplier group, known as OPEC+, agreed this month to extend production cuts for another nine months.

Market activity has started to slow as it tends to do in July and August, the peak European and US&nbsp;holiday season, Hansen said.

Tension between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme kept the market nervous given the potential for a price spike should the situation deteriorate.

"The Iranian tension ... still makes any oil bear careful," Varga said.

Oil prices steadied on Tuesday as a resumption of output in the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Barry and a boom in US supply due to shale oil countered tensions in the Middle East.

Oil prices steadied on Tuesday as a resumption of output in the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Barry and a boom in US supply due to shale oil countered tensions in the Middle East. Prices remained under pressure as data on Monday showed that second-quarter economic growth in China slowed to 6.2% from a year earlier, the weakest pace in at least 27 years. Brent crude futures were up 4 cents at $66.52 a barrel by 0852 GMT. The international benchmark lost 24 cents, or 0.4%, on Monday. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose by 1 cent to $59.59 a barrel. The US benchmark fell about 1% in the previous session. US oil companies on Monday began restoring some of the nearly 74% of production that was shut at Gulf of Mexico platforms ahead of Hurricane Barry. "Crude oil is having a quiet day today after giving back some of last week's gains," Saxo Bank commodity strategist Ole Hansen said. "US output from the Gulf looks set to increase and ... Barry failed to hit refinery assets along the coast." Workers were returning to the more than 280 production platforms that had been evacuated. However, it can still take several days for full production to resume. "You could almost hear the big sigh of relief from oil producers and refiners in the region as the storm passed without causing significant damage," PVM analyst Tamas Varga said. The market was also weighed down by signs of further increases in output from the United States, which has ridden a wave of shale oil production to become the world's biggest crude producer, ahead of Russia and Saudi Arabia. US oil output from seven major shale formations is expected to rise by about 49,000 barrels per day in August, to a record 8.55 million barrels per day, the US Energy Information Administration said. Rising US output will undermine efforts by Russia and Saudi Arabia to reduce global oil inventories by convincing suppliers in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and outside OPEC to cut production. The global supplier group, known as OPEC+, agreed this month to extend production cuts for another nine months. Market activity has started to slow as it tends to do in July and August, the peak European and US holiday season, Hansen said. Tension between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme kept the market nervous given the potential for a price spike should the situation deteriorate. "The Iranian tension ... still makes any oil bear careful," Varga said.

Oil steadies as US supply concerns ease, Iran tension unresolved

Representatives from the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/robert-muller-to-testify-before-house-committees-on-us-russia-probe-in-july-congress-230456&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMqYiKornjAhXKso8KHeq_DFMQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2sjx_-5jhYFhUOAKW0ZERJ">United States and Russia</a> are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday.

US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to see a "next-generation" arms control deal with Russia and China to cover all types of nuclear weapons. He has broached the topic individually with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including most recently at the G20 summit in Osaka last month.

China is not a party to nuclear arms pacts between the United States and Russia and it is unclear how willing Beijing would be to be drawn into talks, said the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.

"A good meeting would be some greater clarity about where the Russians see things going with the Chinese," one official said.

China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the country had no interest in joining such talks.

"At present, we cannot see the preconditions or basis for China participating in these negotiations between the United States and Russia," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation, which will include Tim Morrison, a top aide at the White House National Security Council, and representatives from the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Agency, the US officials said.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, will lead the Russian delegation, the US officials said.

"We actually feel that - touch wood - we've actually got to a point where we can try to start this again," one US official said.

"I say touch wood because we're always just one incident away from unfortunately things getting derailed," the official said.

Relations between the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-us-russia-relations-are-getting-worse-and-worse-226830&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMqYiKornjAhXKso8KHeq_DFMQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0tvrZETUunIs5K2GbpcHAL">United States and Russia</a> have been sour for years, deteriorating after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war.

Trump has sought better relations but has been hamstrung by a two-year investigation into the 2016 influence campaign by Russian operatives to attack Trump's Democratic rival in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton.

The investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller found there was insufficient evidence that the Trump campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. The Kremlin has denied any meddling.

Relations also frayed over Russia's poisoning of a former spy and his daughter on British soil, the detention of Ukrainian navy boats and crew near Crimea, and Russia's detention of US citizens, among other incidents.

The Geneva meeting will be just two weeks before the United States withdraws from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that required both countries to eliminate short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles.

US authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.

No breakthrough is expected on the INF treaty, the US officials said.

US officials also are not planning to discuss renewal of the 2011 New START treaty, a US-Russia arms control pact which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons.

One of the officials told reporters it would be "premature" to talk about New START, which is set to expire in February 2021 but can be extended for five years if both sides agree, calling the issues a "next-year problem."

Representatives from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday.

Representatives from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday. US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to see a "next-generation" arms control deal with Russia and China to cover all types of nuclear weapons. He has broached the topic individually with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including most recently at the G20 summit in Osaka last month. China is not a party to nuclear arms pacts between the United States and Russia and it is unclear how willing Beijing would be to be drawn into talks, said the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. "A good meeting would be some greater clarity about where the Russians see things going with the Chinese," one official said. China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the country had no interest in joining such talks. "At present, we cannot see the preconditions or basis for China participating in these negotiations between the United States and Russia," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing. US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation, which will include Tim Morrison, a top aide at the White House National Security Council, and representatives from the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Agency, the US officials said. Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, will lead the Russian delegation, the US officials said. "We actually feel that - touch wood - we've actually got to a point where we can try to start this again," one US official said. "I say touch wood because we're always just one incident away from unfortunately things getting derailed," the official said. Relations between the United States and Russia have been sour for years, deteriorating after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war. Trump has sought better relations but has been hamstrung by a two-year investigation into the 2016 influence campaign by Russian operatives to attack Trump's Democratic rival in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton. The investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller found there was insufficient evidence that the Trump campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. The Kremlin has denied any meddling. Relations also frayed over Russia's poisoning of a former spy and his daughter on British soil, the detention of Ukrainian navy boats and crew near Crimea, and Russia's detention of US citizens, among other incidents. The Geneva meeting will be just two weeks before the United States withdraws from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that required both countries to eliminate short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. US authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation. No breakthrough is expected on the INF treaty, the US officials said. US officials also are not planning to discuss renewal of the 2011 New START treaty, a US-Russia arms control pact which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons. One of the officials told reporters it would be "premature" to talk about New START, which is set to expire in February 2021 but can be extended for five years if both sides agree, calling the issues a "next-year problem."

US, Russia to discuss nuclear arms limits in Geneva on Wednesday: Officials

In a court case that could further strain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-says-trump-can-waive-sanctions-on-turkey-report-236013">American relations with Turkey</a> and weigh on the sentencing of former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, a criminal trial began on Monday involving a former Iranian-American business partner of Flynn.

Bijan Rafiekian's trial in US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, turns on whether he conspired to lobby on Turkey's behalf to try to persuade the US government to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkey for a failed coup in July 2016.

"During the summer and fall of 2016, the defendant has acted as an agent to advance one of Turkey's most important foreign policy goals," one US&nbsp;prosecutor said in his opening statement, adding that was to help support Ankara's goal in seeking the extradition of Gulen from the United States.

Flynn, a retired US Army lieutenant general whose brief tenure in 2017 as part of President Donald Trump's inner circle is still causing legal aftershocks, is not charged as a co-conspirator with Rafiekian. But the case could influence how US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan sentences Flynn later this year in Washington.

Flynn had previously agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors and testify against Rafiekian, known as "Kian," in hopes of getting a lighter sentence after he pleaded guilty in December 2017 to having lied to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigators about his contacts with Russian officials.

In a reversal earlier this month, Flynn and prosecutors had a falling out and Flynn backed away from earlier admissions of making false statements to the US Justice Department in the paperwork that disclosed his work as a Turkish government lobbyist.

Flynn now contends he relied on attorneys' advice when filing the lobbying paperwork with the Justice Department and that he did not knowingly file false information.

STRAINED TIES

Rafiekian faces two criminal counts of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, making false statements to the Justice Department and acting as a foreign agent. His former client, Turkish-Dutch national Ekim Alptekin, is also charged.

The trial, which began on the third anniversary of Turkey's failed coup that killed 251 people and wounded more than 1,500, has implications for already strained ties between Ankara and Washington.

US prosecutors are aiming to build a case showing Rafiekian and Alptekin acted with direction from the Turkish government and did not disclose their lobbying campaign to return Gulen, a shadowy figure who lives in a fortified compound in Pennsylvania, to Turkey.

The Turkish government has denied engaging in a conspiracy to evade US regulations requiring foreign government lobbyists to register with the Justice Department.

"The idea that we would conspire against the United States is preposterous. ... We categorically reject any accusation of wrongdoing or illegal conduct in the United States," Fahrettin Altun, spokesman for the Turkish presidency, said in a statement over the weekend.

Lawyers for Rafiekian denied the allegations. "Bijan never conspired with anyone, never ever sought to avoid US regulations, never conspired to serve as an agent of a foreign government," his attorney, Bob Trout, said in his opening statements.

Government lawyers now no longer plan to call Flynn as a star witness in the Rafiekian case, although they may end up calling Flynn's son, Michael G. Flynn, who worked for Flynn's lobbying firm, known as the Flynn Intel Group. Defence lawyers for Rafiekian have listed the elder Flynn as a possible star witness in the case.

The US government is expected to call five witnesses on Tuesday, prosecutors said. Michael G. Flynn was not one of them.

Flynn was due to be sentenced in December 2018, but his sentence was delayed after Judge Sullivan lambasted him for selling his country out to Russia and urged him to complete his cooperation with government prosecutors.

In a court case that could further strain American relations with Turkey and weigh on the sentencing of former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, a criminal trial began on Monday involving a former Iranian-American business partner of Flynn.

In a court case that could further strain American relations with Turkey and weigh on the sentencing of former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, a criminal trial began on Monday involving a former Iranian-American business partner of Flynn. Bijan Rafiekian's trial in US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, turns on whether he conspired to lobby on Turkey's behalf to try to persuade the US government to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkey for a failed coup in July 2016. "During the summer and fall of 2016, the defendant has acted as an agent to advance one of Turkey's most important foreign policy goals," one US prosecutor said in his opening statement, adding that was to help support Ankara's goal in seeking the extradition of Gulen from the United States. Flynn, a retired US Army lieutenant general whose brief tenure in 2017 as part of President Donald Trump's inner circle is still causing legal aftershocks, is not charged as a co-conspirator with Rafiekian. But the case could influence how US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan sentences Flynn later this year in Washington. Flynn had previously agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors and testify against Rafiekian, known as "Kian," in hopes of getting a lighter sentence after he pleaded guilty in December 2017 to having lied to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigators about his contacts with Russian officials. In a reversal earlier this month, Flynn and prosecutors had a falling out and Flynn backed away from earlier admissions of making false statements to the US Justice Department in the paperwork that disclosed his work as a Turkish government lobbyist. Flynn now contends he relied on attorneys' advice when filing the lobbying paperwork with the Justice Department and that he did not knowingly file false information. STRAINED TIES Rafiekian faces two criminal counts of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, making false statements to the Justice Department and acting as a foreign agent. His former client, Turkish-Dutch national Ekim Alptekin, is also charged. The trial, which began on the third anniversary of Turkey's failed coup that killed 251 people and wounded more than 1,500, has implications for already strained ties between Ankara and Washington. US prosecutors are aiming to build a case showing Rafiekian and Alptekin acted with direction from the Turkish government and did not disclose their lobbying campaign to return Gulen, a shadowy figure who lives in a fortified compound in Pennsylvania, to Turkey. The Turkish government has denied engaging in a conspiracy to evade US regulations requiring foreign government lobbyists to register with the Justice Department. "The idea that we would conspire against the United States is preposterous. ... We categorically reject any accusation of wrongdoing or illegal conduct in the United States," Fahrettin Altun, spokesman for the Turkish presidency, said in a statement over the weekend. Lawyers for Rafiekian denied the allegations. "Bijan never conspired with anyone, never ever sought to avoid US regulations, never conspired to serve as an agent of a foreign government," his attorney, Bob Trout, said in his opening statements. Government lawyers now no longer plan to call Flynn as a star witness in the Rafiekian case, although they may end up calling Flynn's son, Michael G. Flynn, who worked for Flynn's lobbying firm, known as the Flynn Intel Group. Defence lawyers for Rafiekian have listed the elder Flynn as a possible star witness in the case. The US government is expected to call five witnesses on Tuesday, prosecutors said. Michael G. Flynn was not one of them. Flynn was due to be sentenced in December 2018, but his sentence was delayed after Judge Sullivan lambasted him for selling his country out to Russia and urged him to complete his cooperation with government prosecutors.

Trial begins with high stakes for United States-Turkey ties, ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-president-donald-trump-and-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-have-to-find-real-common-ground-233182&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjC0JSz_7jjAhWDAYgKHUywD3AQFjAGegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ds6wbSgjNbNWme2mwF0XN">North Korea and the United States</a> could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks."

President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks.

Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue.

The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions.

"I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too."

However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations."

While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea.

Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons.

Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices.

But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations.

Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-xi-g20-meeting-us-china-resume-talks-to-resolve-trade-war-234508&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiWwdLL_7jjAhVEQd4KHa34A6EQFjAEegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Kbel3-LoEHEp2PyW1q8vW">Xi Jinping</a> urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course."

China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps.

South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month.

On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response.

North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles.

The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks." President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks. Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue. The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions. "I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too." However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations." While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea. Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons. Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices. But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations. Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course." China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps. South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month. On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response. North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles. The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

Mike Pompeo hopes US, North Korea can be 'more creative' in nuclear talks

Iran is ready to hold talks with the United States if Washington lifts sanctions and returns to the 2015 nuclear deal it quit last year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech on Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration says it is open to negotiations with Iran on a more far-reaching agreement on nuclear and security issues. But Iran has made any talks conditional on first being able to export as much oil as it did before the United States withdrew from the nuclear pact with world powers in May 2018.

Rouhani: Iran ready to talk to US if sanctions lifted

Donald Trump in the dock for racially charged tweets. Trump takes potshots at unnamed Congresswomen colour. Trump's outbreak was aimed at 'the squad.' Trump said, ''Why don't they go back and help fix their countries.'' Watch this video to know more.

Donald Trump accused of racism

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