Dozens of Afghan political leaders have attended a conference in neighbouring Pakistan to discuss possible ways to achieve peace in the war-torn country.

US and Taliban to hold talks in Doha

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson has slammed the US state department's 2018 International Religious Freedom report that alleged that some senior leaders of the BJP made inflammatory speeches against minority communities.

India rejects US global religious freedom report

India Watch, 21st June 2019

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 22nd, 2019

US President Donald Trump speaks about Iran. Trump said that I'm not looking for war with Iran. Warns of Obliteration like you've never seen before. Trump cancel strikes against Iran after approving them. Watch this video to know more.

Trump: Not Looking For War With Iran

Mike Pompeo to visit India next week to seek India's cooperation on Iran. Watch this video to know more.

Pompeo to visit India next week to seek India's cooperation on Iran

US forces are preparing to evacuate hundreds of staff working for Lockheed Martin Corp and Sallyport Global from an Iraqi military base where they work as contractors, three Iraqi military sources said on Friday.

Nearly 400 contractors from the two firms are getting ready to leave Balad military base, which hosts US forces some 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad, over "potential security threats", they said, without saying what those threats might be.

The US military denied any planned evacuation from the sprawling Balad base, which last week was hit by three mortar shells. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

"There are no plans at this time to evacuate any personnel from Balad ... should there be increased threats to our people, the US Air Force will put measures in place to provide the protections required," Air Force Colonel Kevin Walker said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for Lockheed in the Middle East said, "We are not evacuating Lockheed Martin employees right now from Balad Air Base." She did not say whether any other evacuation was being prepared.

A military official with knowledge of the base`s daily operations said earlier that the US military had informed Iraqi officials they would begin evacuating about half of the 800 employees who work for both companies at Balad.

The official said the evacuation would take about 10 days.

Two other military sources said the evacuation would take place in two stages and would be carried out by military aircraft.

"Americans informed us that they will only keep limited, necessary staff who work closely on the maintenance of Iraqi F-16 war planes." Lockheed Martin began delivering the first F-16s to Iraq in 2014.

The sources said the evacuation could start at any moment.

Regional crisis

Two other Iraqi bases hosting US forces have been hit by rockets in the past week in unclaimed attacks. On Wednesday, a rocket attack hit near a site used by US energy company Exxon Mobil near the southern city of Basra.

Local officials blamed Iran-backed Shi`ite militias for the Basra incident. 
&nbsp; 
Iran has not commented on the Iraq incidents but has strongly rejected accusations by Washington that it was behind several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf in recent weeks.

The uptick in violence comes amid rising regional tension between the United States and Iran.

Washington has ramped up sanctions pressure on Tehran since last year and several violent incidents in the Gulf have been blamed on the rising tension.

President Donald Trump on Friday said he had called off a US strike on Iran at the last minute.

In Iraq, Iran backs several Shi`ite Muslim militias which have positions close to US military installations.

Those militias have not publicly commented on the recent incidents.

Sunni militant group Islamic State is also trying to stage a comeback in Iraq and has mostly used hit-and-run insurgency tactics against Iraqi forces in recent months.

US forces are preparing to evacuate hundreds of staff working for Lockheed Martin Corp and Sallyport Global from an Iraqi military base where they work as contractors, three Iraqi military sources said on Friday.

US forces are preparing to evacuate hundreds of staff working for Lockheed Martin Corp and Sallyport Global from an Iraqi military base where they work as contractors, three Iraqi military sources said on Friday. Nearly 400 contractors from the two firms are getting ready to leave Balad military base, which hosts US forces some 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad, over "potential security threats", they said, without saying what those threats might be. The US military denied any planned evacuation from the sprawling Balad base, which last week was hit by three mortar shells. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. "There are no plans at this time to evacuate any personnel from Balad ... should there be increased threats to our people, the US Air Force will put measures in place to provide the protections required," Air Force Colonel Kevin Walker said in a statement. A spokeswoman for Lockheed in the Middle East said, "We are not evacuating Lockheed Martin employees right now from Balad Air Base." She did not say whether any other evacuation was being prepared. A military official with knowledge of the base`s daily operations said earlier that the US military had informed Iraqi officials they would begin evacuating about half of the 800 employees who work for both companies at Balad. The official said the evacuation would take about 10 days. Two other military sources said the evacuation would take place in two stages and would be carried out by military aircraft. "Americans informed us that they will only keep limited, necessary staff who work closely on the maintenance of Iraqi F-16 war planes." Lockheed Martin began delivering the first F-16s to Iraq in 2014. The sources said the evacuation could start at any moment. Regional crisis Two other Iraqi bases hosting US forces have been hit by rockets in the past week in unclaimed attacks. On Wednesday, a rocket attack hit near a site used by US energy company Exxon Mobil near the southern city of Basra. Local officials blamed Iran-backed Shi`ite militias for the Basra incident. Iran has not commented on the Iraq incidents but has strongly rejected accusations by Washington that it was behind several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf in recent weeks. The uptick in violence comes amid rising regional tension between the United States and Iran. Washington has ramped up sanctions pressure on Tehran since last year and several violent incidents in the Gulf have been blamed on the rising tension. President Donald Trump on Friday said he had called off a US strike on Iran at the last minute. In Iraq, Iran backs several Shi`ite Muslim militias which have positions close to US military installations. Those militias have not publicly commented on the recent incidents. Sunni militant group Islamic State is also trying to stage a comeback in Iraq and has mostly used hit-and-run insurgency tactics against Iraqi forces in recent months.

US forces prepare to evacuate contractors from Iraqi base: Military sources

US spy drone was shot down over strait of Hormuz. Drone downed by Iran's surface-to-air missile. It was downed around 23:35 GMT on Wednesday. Watch this video to know more.

WION Chat: On Intensifying US-Iran Tensions

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have shot down a U.S. "spy" drone in the southern province of Hormozgan. Watch this video to know more.

Iran's Guards shoot down U.S. "spy" drone in Hormozgan province

US Flights to not enter Iran airspace over Persian gulf. US flights to avoid Iran airspace over Gulf of Oman. Earlier United Airlines suspends Newark-Mumbai flights. Watch this video to know more.

FAA Issues Emergency Order On Iran

Oil Prices, Geopolitical Concerns; Here Is What The U.S.-Iran Tensions Mean From A Global Point Of View

Gravitas: U.S-Iran Tensions: The Global Perspective

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-needs-to-meet-diplomacy-with-diplomacy-not-military-force-us-229256">Iran needs to meet diplomacy with diplomacy, not military force: US</a>

The US said on Friday that Iran has no right to respond to diplomacy "with military force", a day after Tehran shot down a&nbsp;US reconnaissance drone&nbsp;over the Strait of Hormuz.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-us-drone-p-8-plane-with-35-on-board-also-entered-airspace-we-could-have-shot-it-down-but-didnt-iran-revolutionary-guard-229268">With US drone, P-8 plane with 35 on board also entered airspace, we could have shot it down, but didn't: Iran Revolutionary Guard</a>

Iran refrained from shooting down a US plane with 35 people on board that was accompanying the&nbsp;downed drone in the Gulf, a Revolutionary Guards commander said on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/operation-bandar-was-iafs-code-name-for-balakot-airstrike-229212">'Operation Bandar' was IAF's code name for Balakot airstrike: Sources</a>

When the Air Force sent its package of 12 Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft to attack the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp in&nbsp;Balakot on February 26, it code-named it 'Operation Bandar (Monkey)', to maintain secrecy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-government-posts-yogaday-on-twitter-indian-flag-pops-deleted-later-as-twitter-takes-a-dig-229245">Pakistan government's Yoga Day tweet leads to Indian flag pop-up; deleted later as Twitter takes a dig</a>

On the occasion of International Yoga Day, the government of Pakistan posted&nbsp;a picture on&nbsp;its Twitter handle @pid_gov with the hashtag #YogaDay only to realise an Indian flag had popped up with a person meditating.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/creating-g7-task-force-to-ensure-facebooks-libra-governed-by-regulations-france-229231">Creating G7 task force to ensure Facebook's Libra governed by regulations: France</a>

France is creating a G7 task force to study how central banks ensure&nbsp;cryptocurrencies like Facebook's Libra&nbsp;are governed by regulations ranging from money-laundering laws to consumer-protection rules, France's central bank governor said on Friday.

Iran needs to meet diplomacy with diplomacy, not military force: US The US said on Friday that Iran has no right to respond to diplomacy "with military force", a day after Tehran shot down a US reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran needs to meet diplomacy with diplomacy, not military force: US The US said on Friday that Iran has no right to respond to diplomacy "with military force", a day after Tehran shot down a US reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz. With US drone, P-8 plane with 35 on board also entered airspace, we could have shot it down, but didn't: Iran Revolutionary Guard Iran refrained from shooting down a US plane with 35 people on board that was accompanying the downed drone in the Gulf, a Revolutionary Guards commander said on Friday. 'Operation Bandar' was IAF's code name for Balakot airstrike: Sources When the Air Force sent its package of 12 Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft to attack the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp in Balakot on February 26, it code-named it 'Operation Bandar (Monkey)', to maintain secrecy. Pakistan government's Yoga Day tweet leads to Indian flag pop-up; deleted later as Twitter takes a dig On the occasion of International Yoga Day, the government of Pakistan posted a picture on its Twitter handle @pid_gov with the hashtag #YogaDay only to realise an Indian flag had popped up with a person meditating. Creating G7 task force to ensure Facebook's Libra governed by regulations: France France is creating a G7 task force to study how central banks ensure cryptocurrencies like Facebook's Libra are governed by regulations ranging from money-laundering laws to consumer-protection rules, France's central bank governor said on Friday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Iranian officials told Reuters on Friday that Tehran had received a message from U.S. President Donald Trump through Oman overnight warning that a U.S. attack on Iran was imminent. Watch this viideo to know more.

Donald Trump warns Iran of 'Imminent Attack'

Iranian state television showed footage of an Iranian missile launch which it says shot down a U.S. military drone in the southern province of Hormozgan on Thursday. Watch this video to know more.

Iran Releases Footage Of Shot Down U.S Military Drone

U.S. President Trump Launches Re-election Bid, His Theme Is To Keep America Great Four years ago, Trump's theme was 'Make America Great Again'. Now it is to 'Keep America Great'. Trump launches re-election bid, slams media and Mueller and boasts about his 'tough' stance on Russia. Here's a report

Gravitas: Trump launches re-election bid from Florida

Is The U.S. Trying To Arm-Twist India Against Huawei? U.S. sends letter to India's Ministry of External Affairs. The letter warns that punitive action will be taken on those supplying American equipment to Huawei. Is the U.S. forcing India to act against Huawei? And what should India do? Palki explains the development

Gravitas: US tries to arm-twist India over Huawei

The United States has told India it is considering caps on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/h-1b-visa-approvals-in-2018-dropped-10-us-immigration-data-224421">H-1B work visas</a> for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, widening the two countries' row over tariffs and trade.

The plan to restrict the popular<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-propose-hike-in-h-1b-application-fee-labour-secretary-216581"> H-1B visa programme,</a> under which skilled foreign workers are brought to the United States each year, comes days ahead of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to New Delhi.

India, which has upset firms such as Mastercard and irked the US government with stringent new rules on data storage, is the largest recipient of these temporary visas, most of them to workers at big Indian technology firms.

The warning comes as trade tensions between the United States and India have resulted in tit-for-tat tariff actions in recent weeks. From Sunday, India imposed higher tariffs on some US goods, days after Washington withdrew a key trade privilege for New Delhi.

Trump administration to ban work permits for spouses of H-1B holders

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-administration-to-ban-work-permits-for-spouses-of-h-1b-holders-221976/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Two senior Indian government officials said on Wednesday they were briefed last week on a US government plan to cap H-1B visas issued each year to Indians at between 10% and 15% of the annual quota.

There is no current country-specific limit on the 85,000 H-1B work visas granted each year and an estimated 70% go to Indians.

Both officials said they were told the plan was linked to the global push for "data localisation", in which a country places restrictions on data as a way to gain better control over it and potentially curb the power of international companies. US firms have lobbied hard against data localisation rules around the world.

A Washington-based industry source aware of India-US negotiations also said the United States was deliberating capping the number of H-1B visas in response to global data storage rules. The move, however, was not solely targeted at India, the source said.

"The proposal is that any country that does data localisation, then it (H-1B visas) would be limited to about 15% of the quota. It's being discussed internally in the U.S. government," the person said.

The US Embassy in New Delhi did not respond to a request for comment. A spokeswoman for the US Trade Representative's office (USTR) referred questions to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Most-affected by any such caps would be India's more than $150 billion IT sector, led by Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys Ltd, which uses H-1B visas to fly engineers and developers to service clients in the United States, their biggest market.

The Ministry of External Affairs has sought an "urgent response" from officials on how such a move by the United States could affect India, said one of the two government officials, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The Ministry of External Affairs, as well as the commerce department that is typically involved in such discussions, did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Since last year, the US administration has been upset that US firms such as Mastercard and Visa suffer due to regulations in several countries that it says are protectionist and increasingly require companies to store more data locally.

India last year mandated foreign firms to store their payments data "only in India" for supervision, and New Delhi is working on a broad data protection law that would impose strict rules for local processing of data it considers sensitive.

While governments the world over have been announcing stricter data storage rules to better access data in their jurisdictions, critics say restricting cross-border data flows hurts innovation and raises companies' costs.

In March the USTR, in a press note, highlighted "key barriers to digital trade", citing data-flow restrictions in India, China, Indonesia and Vietnam, among others.

At a US-India Business Council event last week, Pompeo said the US administration would push for a free flow of data across borders, not just to help US companies, but also to secure consumers' privacy.

The United States has told India it is considering caps on H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, widening the two countries' row over tariffs and trade.

The United States has told India it is considering caps on H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, widening the two countries' row over tariffs and trade. The plan to restrict the popular H-1B visa programme, under which skilled foreign workers are brought to the United States each year, comes days ahead of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to New Delhi. India, which has upset firms such as Mastercard and irked the US government with stringent new rules on data storage, is the largest recipient of these temporary visas, most of them to workers at big Indian technology firms. The warning comes as trade tensions between the United States and India have resulted in tit-for-tat tariff actions in recent weeks. From Sunday, India imposed higher tariffs on some US goods, days after Washington withdrew a key trade privilege for New Delhi. Trump administration to ban work permits for spouses of H-1B holders Two senior Indian government officials said on Wednesday they were briefed last week on a US government plan to cap H-1B visas issued each year to Indians at between 10% and 15% of the annual quota. There is no current country-specific limit on the 85,000 H-1B work visas granted each year and an estimated 70% go to Indians. Both officials said they were told the plan was linked to the global push for "data localisation", in which a country places restrictions on data as a way to gain better control over it and potentially curb the power of international companies. US firms have lobbied hard against data localisation rules around the world. A Washington-based industry source aware of India-US negotiations also said the United States was deliberating capping the number of H-1B visas in response to global data storage rules. The move, however, was not solely targeted at India, the source said. "The proposal is that any country that does data localisation, then it (H-1B visas) would be limited to about 15% of the quota. It's being discussed internally in the U.S. government," the person said. The US Embassy in New Delhi did not respond to a request for comment. A spokeswoman for the US Trade Representative's office (USTR) referred questions to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Most-affected by any such caps would be India's more than $150 billion IT sector, led by Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys Ltd, which uses H-1B visas to fly engineers and developers to service clients in the United States, their biggest market. The Ministry of External Affairs has sought an "urgent response" from officials on how such a move by the United States could affect India, said one of the two government officials, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. The Ministry of External Affairs, as well as the commerce department that is typically involved in such discussions, did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Since last year, the US administration has been upset that US firms such as Mastercard and Visa suffer due to regulations in several countries that it says are protectionist and increasingly require companies to store more data locally. India last year mandated foreign firms to store their payments data "only in India" for supervision, and New Delhi is working on a broad data protection law that would impose strict rules for local processing of data it considers sensitive. While governments the world over have been announcing stricter data storage rules to better access data in their jurisdictions, critics say restricting cross-border data flows hurts innovation and raises companies' costs. In March the USTR, in a press note, highlighted "key barriers to digital trade", citing data-flow restrictions in India, China, Indonesia and Vietnam, among others. At a US-India Business Council event last week, Pompeo said the US administration would push for a free flow of data across borders, not just to help US companies, but also to secure consumers' privacy.

US tells India it is considering caps on H-1B visas to deter data rules: Sources

U.S. Releases More Images Of Attacks On Oil Tankers, Piles The Pressure On Iran U.S. says Iran is behind the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and releases videos as proof. Iran denies the allegations and says it is not ready to wage a war with any country. The situation is getting tense with Trump deciding to increase the troops in the region. Russia and China meanwhile criticise the U.S. So what's brewing in the region. Here's a report

Gravitas: US piles pressure on Iran: Russia, China caution US

U.S. Sanctions Plunged Iran Into Economic Crises U.S. sanctions have hurt Iran's economy hard. Inflation rate is at an all-time high. Iran's oil exports have halved. The economy shrunk by 4%. European Union's efforts to bypass these sanctions have failed spectacularly. Did Iran have any choice other than to retaliate? Has Iran been pushed to the wall by the U.S.? Here's a report

Gravitas: Has Iran been pushed to the wall by the US?

Tensions Between The U.S. & Iran Intensify As Peace & Stability In West Asia Comes Under Threat Tensions intensify in West Asia. Iran says that it will breach the limit on its stockpile of nuclear fuel. Iran will enrich more uranium than the allowed limit under the nuclear deal. U.S. blames Iran for the attacks on two oil tankers and vows to send 1000 more soldiers to West Asia. Is West Asia on the brink of a conflict again? Palki explains.

Gravitas: A major crisis in West Asia: Iran threatens to breach nuke deal

China and the United States are rekindling trade talks ahead of a meeting next week between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, cheering financial markets on hopes that an escalating trade war between the two countries would abate. Trump said on Tuesday that teams from the two sides would begin preparations for the leaders to sit down at the G20 summit in Osaka. China, which previously declined to say whether the two leaders would meet, confirmed the get-together.

“Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting,” Trump said in a post on Twitter. The world’s two largest economies are in the middle of a costly trade dispute that has pressured financial markets and damaged the world economy. Talks to reach a broad deal broke down last month after U.S. officials accused China of backing away from previously agreed commitments. Interaction between the two sides since then has been limited, and Trump has threatened, repeatedly, to slap more tariffs on Chinese products in an escalation that businesses in both countries want to avoid.

In a speech Tuesday night formally launching his 2020 re-election campaign, Trump said he had taken “historic action to confront China’s chronic trading abuses.” “It should have been done a long time ago, but the days of stealing American jobs and American companies, American ideas and wealth – those days are over,” Trump told the packed rally in Orlando, Florida. White House officials declined to go into detail about the preparations or expected outcomes of the talks in Japan, but both sides reiterated long-held positions: U.S. officials called for structural changes in the Chinese economy and in how Beijing treats U.S. businesses; China called for dialogue instead of expensive tariffs.

“The key is to show consideration to each other’s legitimate concerns,” Xi said, according to Chinese state media. “We also hope that the United States treats Chinese companies fairly. I agree that the economic and trade teams of the two countries will maintain communication on how to resolve differences.” Washington has already imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, ranging from semiconductors to furniture, that is imported to the United States. Trump has threatened to put tariffs on another $325 billion of goods, covering nearly all the remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing.

Trump had made no secret that, despite his threat to escalate the dispute, he wanted to meet with Xi while they are both in Japan. China’s confirmation of the meeting avoids the possibility of a snub to Washington that could have triggered another round of tariffs. Trump praised his relationship with Xi and spoke optimistically about getting a deal. “I think we have a chance. I know that China wants to make a deal. They don’t like the tariffs, and a lot of companies are leaving China in order to avoid the tariffs,” he told reporters at the White House.

“I think the meeting might very well go well, and frankly our people are starting to deal as of tomorrow. The teams are starting to deal. So we’ll see. China would like to make a deal. We’d like to make a deal, but it has to be a good deal for everybody.” Trump’s tweet offered fresh fuel to a rally on Wall Street as investors bet renewed talks could diffuse the trade war. The S&amp;P 500 gained nearly 1%, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average both gained around 1.4%. All closed at their highest levels since early May when Trump knocked global stock markets by ratcheting up tariff rates on $200 billion of imported Chinese goods.

“This is a very positive development,” said Clete Willems, a former trade negotiator with Trump’s team. “Leader level engagement at last year’s G20 was critical to jumpstarting the talks,” he said, citing last year’s meeting between Xi and Trump at the G20 in Argentina. “It will be essential to managing the current political dynamic and getting the talks back on track once again.” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow declined to give details on how the two countries would prepare for the Xi-Trump meeting and said the United States would continue to press for China to change its practices on intellectual property theft and requirements that U.S. companies share their technology to do business in China.

“Our position will continue to be (that) we want structural changes. We want structural changes on all the items … theft of IP, forced transfers of technology, cyber hacking. Of course trade barriers. We’ve got to have something that’s enforceable,” he told reporters at the White House. The two sides were close to a deal in May that addressed many of those concerns. But China sought to soften the legal requirements in the text of the deal, and the United States balked.

According to Chinese state media, Xi told Trump that the China-U.S. relations had encountered difficulties. “If China and the United States cooperate, both benefit. If they fight, both get hurt,” state media paraphrased Xi as saying. Beijing wants the United States to lift its tariffs, but U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has spearheaded negotiations, said on Tuesday that talks alone were not enough. “I don’t know if it will get them to stop cheating, tariffs alone. I think you don’t have any other option,” Lighthizer told a congressional hearing. “I know one thing that won’t work and that is talking to them. Because we’ve done that for 20 years.”

China and the United States are rekindling trade talks ahead of a meeting next week between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, cheering financial markets on hopes that an escalating trade war between the two countries would abate.

China and the United States are rekindling trade talks ahead of a meeting next week between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, cheering financial markets on hopes that an escalating trade war between the two countries would abate. Trump said on Tuesday that teams from the two sides would begin preparations for the leaders to sit down at the G20 summit in Osaka. China, which previously declined to say whether the two leaders would meet, confirmed the get-together. “Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting,” Trump said in a post on Twitter. The world’s two largest economies are in the middle of a costly trade dispute that has pressured financial markets and damaged the world economy. Talks to reach a broad deal broke down last month after U.S. officials accused China of backing away from previously agreed commitments. Interaction between the two sides since then has been limited, and Trump has threatened, repeatedly, to slap more tariffs on Chinese products in an escalation that businesses in both countries want to avoid. In a speech Tuesday night formally launching his 2020 re-election campaign, Trump said he had taken “historic action to confront China’s chronic trading abuses.” “It should have been done a long time ago, but the days of stealing American jobs and American companies, American ideas and wealth – those days are over,” Trump told the packed rally in Orlando, Florida. White House officials declined to go into detail about the preparations or expected outcomes of the talks in Japan, but both sides reiterated long-held positions: U.S. officials called for structural changes in the Chinese economy and in how Beijing treats U.S. businesses; China called for dialogue instead of expensive tariffs. “The key is to show consideration to each other’s legitimate concerns,” Xi said, according to Chinese state media. “We also hope that the United States treats Chinese companies fairly. I agree that the economic and trade teams of the two countries will maintain communication on how to resolve differences.” Washington has already imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods, ranging from semiconductors to furniture, that is imported to the United States. Trump has threatened to put tariffs on another $325 billion of goods, covering nearly all the remaining Chinese imports into the United States, including consumer products such as cellphones, computers and clothing. Trump had made no secret that, despite his threat to escalate the dispute, he wanted to meet with Xi while they are both in Japan. China’s confirmation of the meeting avoids the possibility of a snub to Washington that could have triggered another round of tariffs. Trump praised his relationship with Xi and spoke optimistically about getting a deal. “I think we have a chance. I know that China wants to make a deal. They don’t like the tariffs, and a lot of companies are leaving China in order to avoid the tariffs,” he told reporters at the White House. “I think the meeting might very well go well, and frankly our people are starting to deal as of tomorrow. The teams are starting to deal. So we’ll see. China would like to make a deal. We’d like to make a deal, but it has to be a good deal for everybody.” Trump’s tweet offered fresh fuel to a rally on Wall Street as investors bet renewed talks could diffuse the trade war. The S&P 500 gained nearly 1%, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average both gained around 1.4%. All closed at their highest levels since early May when Trump knocked global stock markets by ratcheting up tariff rates on $200 billion of imported Chinese goods. “This is a very positive development,” said Clete Willems, a former trade negotiator with Trump’s team. “Leader level engagement at last year’s G20 was critical to jumpstarting the talks,” he said, citing last year’s meeting between Xi and Trump at the G20 in Argentina. “It will be essential to managing the current political dynamic and getting the talks back on track once again.” White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow declined to give details on how the two countries would prepare for the Xi-Trump meeting and said the United States would continue to press for China to change its practices on intellectual property theft and requirements that U.S. companies share their technology to do business in China. “Our position will continue to be (that) we want structural changes. We want structural changes on all the items … theft of IP, forced transfers of technology, cyber hacking. Of course trade barriers. We’ve got to have something that’s enforceable,” he told reporters at the White House. The two sides were close to a deal in May that addressed many of those concerns. But China sought to soften the legal requirements in the text of the deal, and the United States balked. According to Chinese state media, Xi told Trump that the China-U.S. relations had encountered difficulties. “If China and the United States cooperate, both benefit. If they fight, both get hurt,” state media paraphrased Xi as saying. Beijing wants the United States to lift its tariffs, but U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has spearheaded negotiations, said on Tuesday that talks alone were not enough. “I don’t know if it will get them to stop cheating, tariffs alone. I think you don’t have any other option,” Lighthizer told a congressional hearing. “I know one thing that won’t work and that is talking to them. Because we’ve done that for 20 years.”

US, China rekindle trade talks ahead of Donald Trump-Xi Jinping G20 meeting

France and Germany will increase their efforts to reduce tensions over Iran, but time was running out and the risk of war could not be ruled out, their foreign ministers said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

"We want to unify our efforts so that there is a de-escalation process that starts," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters after a cabinet meeting in Paris.

"There is still time and we hope all the actors show more calm. There is still time, but only a little time," he said.

Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plan a new push to keep Iran in the 2015 nuclear deal despite Tehran`s threat to violate one of its central limits, but they may be nearing the end of the diplomatic road they embarked on more than 15 years ago, diplomats told Reuters on Tuesday.

Germany Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who attended the French cabinet meeting, echoed those comments adding that "the risk of war in the Gulf has not been averted."

"We need to do everything so that it doesn`t come to this. That`s why we are talking to all sides. I was in Iran and we are also talking with the Americans. We need to de-escalate through dialogue. It is a time of `diplomacy first` and that`s what we are committed to."

The E3 countries have strained to keep the accord between major powers and Iran on life support since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it last year and began re-imposing American sanctions.

Le Drian said Iran`s threat on Monday to breach the 2015 nuclear deal`s limit on its uranium hexafluoride stocks within 10 days was very worrying and not in Tehran`s interest, but he also pointed the finger at the United States.&nbsp;

"We also consider the US` decision to break with the accord is not good and that its maximum pressure campaign is contributing to tensions," he said.

France and Germany will increase their efforts to reduce tensions over Iran, but time was running out and the risk of war could not be ruled out, their foreign ministers said on Wednesday.

France and Germany will increase their efforts to reduce tensions over Iran, but time was running out and the risk of war could not be ruled out, their foreign ministers said on Wednesday. "We want to unify our efforts so that there is a de-escalation process that starts," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters after a cabinet meeting in Paris. "There is still time and we hope all the actors show more calm. There is still time, but only a little time," he said. Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plan a new push to keep Iran in the 2015 nuclear deal despite Tehran`s threat to violate one of its central limits, but they may be nearing the end of the diplomatic road they embarked on more than 15 years ago, diplomats told Reuters on Tuesday. Germany Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who attended the French cabinet meeting, echoed those comments adding that "the risk of war in the Gulf has not been averted." "We need to do everything so that it doesn`t come to this. That`s why we are talking to all sides. I was in Iran and we are also talking with the Americans. We need to de-escalate through dialogue. It is a time of `diplomacy first` and that`s what we are committed to." The E3 countries have strained to keep the accord between major powers and Iran on life support since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it last year and began re-imposing American sanctions. Le Drian said Iran`s threat on Monday to breach the 2015 nuclear deal`s limit on its uranium hexafluoride stocks within 10 days was very worrying and not in Tehran`s interest, but he also pointed the finger at the United States. "We also consider the US` decision to break with the accord is not good and that its maximum pressure campaign is contributing to tensions," he said.

France, Germany to increase efforts to reduce Iran tensions, avert war: Ministers

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China and the United Nations have reached a "broad consensus" about counter-terror work, China`s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday after a controversial visit by a senior UN official to the restive far western Chinese region of Xinjiang this week.

The United States and other western countries objected to a visit by the UN counterterrorism chief to Xinjiang, where UN experts say someone million ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims are held in detention centres.

Diplomats said that along with the United States several other countries, including Britain, complained about the trip of Vladimir Voronkov, a veteran Russian diplomat who heads the UN Counterterrorism Office.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan spoke with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday "to convey deep concerns" about Voronkov`s trip because "Beijing continues to paint its repressive campaign against Uighurs and other Muslims as legitimate counterterrorism efforts when it is not".

In a brief statement, China`s Foreign Ministry said that Voronkov had visited Beijing and Xinjiang from June 13-15, meeting senior diplomats including Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng.

The two sides "had a deep exchange of views on the international counter-terrorism situation and counter-terrorism cooperation between China and the United Nations, and reached a broad consensus", the ministry said, without giving details.

China and the world need to stand together to fight terror, and China supports the work of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office, the statement added.

China has been condemned internationally for setting up the detention complexes, which it describes as "education training centres" helping to stamp out extremism and give people new skills.&nbsp;

Voronkov visited Xinjiang before UN&nbsp;human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, who has repeatedly pushed China to grant the United Nations access to investigate reports of disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly of Muslims in Xinjiang.

Guterres raised the plight of Muslims in China`s Xinjiang region with the Chinese government`s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, during a visit to Beijing in April.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has been in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan over the past few days, where he has spoken of the importance of fighting extremism and terror.

China and the United Nations have reached a "broad consensus" about counter-terror work, China`s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday after a controversial visit by a senior UN official to the restive far western Chinese region of Xinjiang this week.

China and the United Nations have reached a "broad consensus" about counter-terror work, China`s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday after a controversial visit by a senior UN official to the restive far western Chinese region of Xinjiang this week. The United States and other western countries objected to a visit by the UN counterterrorism chief to Xinjiang, where UN experts say someone million ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims are held in detention centres. Diplomats said that along with the United States several other countries, including Britain, complained about the trip of Vladimir Voronkov, a veteran Russian diplomat who heads the UN Counterterrorism Office. US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan spoke with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday "to convey deep concerns" about Voronkov`s trip because "Beijing continues to paint its repressive campaign against Uighurs and other Muslims as legitimate counterterrorism efforts when it is not". In a brief statement, China`s Foreign Ministry said that Voronkov had visited Beijing and Xinjiang from June 13-15, meeting senior diplomats including Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng. The two sides "had a deep exchange of views on the international counter-terrorism situation and counter-terrorism cooperation between China and the United Nations, and reached a broad consensus", the ministry said, without giving details. China and the world need to stand together to fight terror, and China supports the work of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office, the statement added. China has been condemned internationally for setting up the detention complexes, which it describes as "education training centres" helping to stamp out extremism and give people new skills. Voronkov visited Xinjiang before UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, who has repeatedly pushed China to grant the United Nations access to investigate reports of disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly of Muslims in Xinjiang. Guterres raised the plight of Muslims in China`s Xinjiang region with the Chinese government`s top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, during a visit to Beijing in April. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been in the Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan over the past few days, where he has spoken of the importance of fighting extremism and terror.

China says reached 'broad consensus' with UN after Xinjiang visit

Iran on Saturday summoned the British ambassador to Tehran after London<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-prince-blames-iran-for-tanker-attacks-says-wont-hesitate-on-threats-227478"> blamed it for attacks on oil tankers</a> in the Gulf of Oman, the semi-official Students News Agency ISNA reported, a claim denied by the British government.

"During the meeting with Iran`s foreign ministry official, Iran strongly condemned the unfounded allegations and criticised Britain`s unacceptable stance regarding the attacks in the Gulf of Oman," it said.

The ambassador was asked for an explanation and correction after Britain was the only nation to echo <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gulf-of-oman-tanker-attacks-un-chief-pushes-for-an-independent-probe-as-iran-rejects-us-blame-227226">US accusations</a>, ISNA reported.

A British foreign ministry official said the report was wrong and the ambassador has not been summoned.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt issued a statement on Friday blaming Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the attacks, saying no other state or non-state actor could have been responsible.&nbsp;

Iran has denied any involvement.

The attacks have raised fears of a confrontation in the vital oil shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz at a time of increased tension between Iran and the United States.&nbsp;

Iran on Saturday summoned the British ambassador to Tehran after London blamed it for attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, the semi-official Students News Agency ISNA reported, a claim denied by the British government.

Iran on Saturday summoned the British ambassador to Tehran after London blamed it for attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, the semi-official Students News Agency ISNA reported, a claim denied by the British government. "During the meeting with Iran`s foreign ministry official, Iran strongly condemned the unfounded allegations and criticised Britain`s unacceptable stance regarding the attacks in the Gulf of Oman," it said. The ambassador was asked for an explanation and correction after Britain was the only nation to echo US accusations, ISNA reported. A British foreign ministry official said the report was wrong and the ambassador has not been summoned. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt issued a statement on Friday blaming Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the attacks, saying no other state or non-state actor could have been responsible. Iran has denied any involvement. The attacks have raised fears of a confrontation in the vital oil shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz at a time of increased tension between Iran and the United States.

Iran summons UK envoy over 'unfounded' tanker accusations

The tariffs on the 29 goods — including walnuts, apples, and some pulses — were initially announced in June 2018 in retaliation to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision in March that year to impose higher import tariffs on Indian aluminium and steel. India has repeatedly asked for exemption from these higher tariffs, but to no avail.

India imposes retaliatory tariffs on 28 US goods

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