Iran criticised a US&nbsp;request that Saudi Arabia pump more oil to cover a drop in Iranian exports and predicted OPEC would not heed the appeal, setting the stage for a tough meeting of the producer group later this month.

Iran’s OPEC governor, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, was responding to news that the US&nbsp;government had unofficially asked Saudi Arabia and some other OPEC producers to raise output.

“It’s crazy and astonishing to see instruction coming from Washington to Saudi to act and replace a shortfall of Iran’s export due to their Illegal sanction on Iran and Venezuela,” Kazempour said in comments to Reuters.

He predicted OPEC would not heed the US&nbsp;request and said oil prices would jump in response to Washington's sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, as they did during a previous round of US&nbsp;sanctions against Iran.

“No one in OPEC will act against two of its founder members,” he said.

“The US&nbsp;tried it last time against Iran, but oil prices got to $140 a barrel.”

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meets to review its oil output policy on June 22 in Vienna.

OPEC, founded in 1960, has a history of collaboration over oil policy despite differences of opinion and even wars between some members over the years.

Kazempour said the group would unite in opposition to the US&nbsp;request.

“OPEC will not accept such a humiliation. How arrogant and ignorant one could be (to) underestimate the history of 60 years' cooperation among competitors,” he said.“We have to live together - we cannot change geography but we must build better history,” he said.

Iran’s OPEC governor, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, was responding to news that the US government had unofficially asked Saudi Arabia and some other OPEC producers to raise output

Iran criticised a US request that Saudi Arabia pump more oil to cover a drop in Iranian exports and predicted OPEC would not heed the appeal, setting the stage for a tough meeting of the producer group later this month. Iran’s OPEC governor, Hossein Kazempour Ardebili, was responding to news that the US government had unofficially asked Saudi Arabia and some other OPEC producers to raise output. “It’s crazy and astonishing to see instruction coming from Washington to Saudi to act and replace a shortfall of Iran’s export due to their Illegal sanction on Iran and Venezuela,” Kazempour said in comments to Reuters. He predicted OPEC would not heed the US request and said oil prices would jump in response to Washington's sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, as they did during a previous round of US sanctions against Iran. “No one in OPEC will act against two of its founder members,” he said. “The US tried it last time against Iran, but oil prices got to $140 a barrel.” The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meets to review its oil output policy on June 22 in Vienna. OPEC, founded in 1960, has a history of collaboration over oil policy despite differences of opinion and even wars between some members over the years. Kazempour said the group would unite in opposition to the US request. “OPEC will not accept such a humiliation. How arrogant and ignorant one could be (to) underestimate the history of 60 years' cooperation among competitors,” he said.“We have to live together - we cannot change geography but we must build better history,” he said.

Iran slams US for seeking Saudi oil output hike, says OPEC won’t comply

The United States is looking to intensifying ongoing military operations against Islamic State militants in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar during a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Friday.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month. But that excludes other militant groups such as Islamic State.

"(Operations against ISIS) will continue, in fact will be even intensified during this period of ceasefire as we focus on ISIS," U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, told reporters.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban

The United States is looking to intensifying ongoing military operations against Islamic State militants in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nangarhar during a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Friday. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced for the first time an unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of the Muslim fasting month. But that excludes other militant groups such as Islamic State. "(Operations against ISIS) will continue, in fact will be even intensified during this period of ceasefire as we focus on ISIS," U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, told reporters.

Military operations against Islamic State in eastern Afghanistan to intensify: US general

German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier called on Friday for Europe to remain unified in the face of rising trade tensions with the United States, saying it was unclear how a summit of the Group of Seven rich nations would end.

"We have a serious situation, not just since last night or this morning, but rather the entire last few weeks," Altmaier told broadcaster ZDF.

He underlined the importance of European unity on free trade and economic interests, especially since domestic debate was continuing in the United States about punitive sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump on G7 allies like Canada, Japan and the European Union.

Leaders of G7 nations meeting in Canada from Friday are more divided than at any time in the group's 42-year history, with Trump's "America First" policies at risk of causing a global trade war and deep diplomatic schisms.

Trump has already imposed hefty tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and threatened to do the same for cars. His decisions to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and a global climate change accord have also fueled tensions.

Altmaier said the EU had long resisted imposing tariffs of its own but had shown it would do so if left with no other choice.

European leaders remained committed to continuing the dialogue with the United States if both sides were willing to make concessions, he said, although there was no sign of that at the moment.

A business leader also expressed concern. Joe Kaeser, chief executive of the engineering group Siemens, warned against deepening the transatlantic trade dispute. "Escalation was never a good answer. That's why we must try to find areas of agreement," he said in Munich.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the United States remained Germany's closest partner outside Europe. However, there were significant differences that could not be ignored, and Europe needed new partnerships, he told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

He took aim at Trump's actions on the Iran deal, trade and climate change, saying the president was willfully ignoring the negative consequences that his decisions would have on Europe and focusing solely on U.S. interests.

"None of that will make the world better, safer or more peaceful," he told the newspaper. "We were used to relying on what had been agreed. That has fundamentally changed."

Maas called for creation of a European security council, an idea backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, and said ending the current requirement for unanimous decisions on foreign policy and security issues would make the EU more agile.

Maas also called for Europe to forge alliances with other regions, including countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

"We have a serious situation, not just since last night or this morning, but rather the entire last few weeks," Altmaier told

German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier called on Friday for Europe to remain unified in the face of rising trade tensions with the United States, saying it was unclear how a summit of the Group of Seven rich nations would end. "We have a serious situation, not just since last night or this morning, but rather the entire last few weeks," Altmaier told broadcaster ZDF. He underlined the importance of European unity on free trade and economic interests, especially since domestic debate was continuing in the United States about punitive sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump on G7 allies like Canada, Japan and the European Union. Leaders of G7 nations meeting in Canada from Friday are more divided than at any time in the group's 42-year history, with Trump's "America First" policies at risk of causing a global trade war and deep diplomatic schisms. Trump has already imposed hefty tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and threatened to do the same for cars. His decisions to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and a global climate change accord have also fueled tensions. Altmaier said the EU had long resisted imposing tariffs of its own but had shown it would do so if left with no other choice. European leaders remained committed to continuing the dialogue with the United States if both sides were willing to make concessions, he said, although there was no sign of that at the moment. A business leader also expressed concern. Joe Kaeser, chief executive of the engineering group Siemens, warned against deepening the transatlantic trade dispute. "Escalation was never a good answer. That's why we must try to find areas of agreement," he said in Munich. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the United States remained Germany's closest partner outside Europe. However, there were significant differences that could not be ignored, and Europe needed new partnerships, he told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung. He took aim at Trump's actions on the Iran deal, trade and climate change, saying the president was willfully ignoring the negative consequences that his decisions would have on Europe and focusing solely on U.S. interests. "None of that will make the world better, safer or more peaceful," he told the newspaper. "We were used to relying on what had been agreed. That has fundamentally changed." Maas called for creation of a European security council, an idea backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, and said ending the current requirement for unanimous decisions on foreign policy and security issues would make the EU more agile. Maas also called for Europe to forge alliances with other regions, including countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Germany urges European unity in face of trade tensions with US

Britain's foreign minister Boris Johnson warned that there could be a Brexit meltdown but it will be "all right in the end" and that US&nbsp;President Trump would take a tougher stance were he leading the talks, according to BuzzFeed.

Johnson's comments were secretly recorded at a dinner on Wednesday evening and released on Thursday by the news website hours after ministers found a compromise on a backstop Brexit plan for the Irish border.

Johnson said that Prime Minister Theresa May was beginning to take a harder line but that there would be a need for level-headedness as talks became more difficult in the months ahead.

"I think Theresa is going to go into a phase where we are much more combative with Brussels,” Johnson was recorded saying.

"You’ve got to face the fact there may now be a meltdown. OK? I don’t want anybody to panic during the meltdown. No panic. Pro bono publico, no bloody panic. It’s going to be all right in the end."

Johnson said US&nbsp;President Trump, who is locked in a battle over steel tariffs with European allies including Britain, would take a stronger approach if he were in charge of the negotiations.

"Imagine Trump doing Brexit,” said Johnson.

"He’d go in bloody hard… There’d be all sorts of breakdowns, all sorts of chaos. Everyone would think he’d gone mad. But actually you might get somewhere. It’s a very, very good thought."

A spokeswoman at May's Downing Street office did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

"I think Theresa is going to go into a phase where we are much more combative with Brussels,” Johnson said

Britain's foreign minister Boris Johnson warned that there could be a Brexit meltdown but it will be "all right in the end" and that US President Trump would take a tougher stance were he leading the talks, according to BuzzFeed. Johnson's comments were secretly recorded at a dinner on Wednesday evening and released on Thursday by the news website hours after ministers found a compromise on a backstop Brexit plan for the Irish border. Johnson said that Prime Minister Theresa May was beginning to take a harder line but that there would be a need for level-headedness as talks became more difficult in the months ahead. "I think Theresa is going to go into a phase where we are much more combative with Brussels,” Johnson was recorded saying. "You’ve got to face the fact there may now be a meltdown. OK? I don’t want anybody to panic during the meltdown. No panic. Pro bono publico, no bloody panic. It’s going to be all right in the end." Johnson said US President Trump, who is locked in a battle over steel tariffs with European allies including Britain, would take a stronger approach if he were in charge of the negotiations. "Imagine Trump doing Brexit,” said Johnson. "He’d go in bloody hard… There’d be all sorts of breakdowns, all sorts of chaos. Everyone would think he’d gone mad. But actually you might get somewhere. It’s a very, very good thought." A spokeswoman at May's Downing Street office did not offer an immediate comment when contacted by Reuters.

Brace for a possible 'Brexit meltdown' but don't panic, UK's Johnson cautions: Buzzfeed

The US&nbsp;State Department on Friday issued an expanded health alert for all of China amid reports some US&nbsp;diplomats based in the country had experienced a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected US&nbsp;personnel in Cuba.

A previous statement in May only mentioned the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou as the location for the health alert, though it was sent to US&nbsp;citizens throughout the country.

The State Department had confirmed earlier that one US&nbsp;employee assigned to the consulate in Guangzhou had "suffered a medical incident", and that it had deployed a team to screen employees and family members there.

On Wednesday the US&nbsp;government said that it had brought a group of people from that consulate back to the United States for further evaluation of their symptoms, and that it was offering screening to anyone at the US&nbsp;embassy in Beijing or other consulates in China who requested it.

The United States also operates consulates in the mainland Chinese cities of Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan.

The location of the health alert was changed to "countrywide" from Guangzhou in the updated statement sent by email.

"The State Department received medical confirmation that a US&nbsp;government employee in China suffered a medical incident consistent with what other US&nbsp;government personnel experienced in Havana, Cuba," the statement said, reiterating comments made last month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

It warned of "unexplained physical symptoms or events, auditory or sensory phenomena", and said symptoms of the ailment included dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints and hearing loss, as well as difficulty sleeping.

China has said that it thoroughly investigated the initial case reported by the United States and found no reasons or clues to explain it.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that as far as she was aware the Chinese government had not had any formal communication with US&nbsp;officials on any new cases.

China's state-run Global Times tabloid called the situation at the consulate "very strange".

"Practically all Chinese people do not believe that this country's official organisations would carry out such sonic attacks against US&nbsp;diplomats. This does not fit with China's basic concept and principles of diplomacy, and is inconceivable," the Global Times said in an editorial.

It also said people found it hard to believe that another foreign country could carry out such an attack in China, escape China's monitoring, and leave no trace.

Last year, 24 US&nbsp;government employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department.

The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tension between the old Cold War foes.

Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month "to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents".

A previous statement only mentioned the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou as the location for the health alert

The US State Department on Friday issued an expanded health alert for all of China amid reports some US diplomats based in the country had experienced a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected US personnel in Cuba. A previous statement in May only mentioned the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou as the location for the health alert, though it was sent to US citizens throughout the country. The State Department had confirmed earlier that one US employee assigned to the consulate in Guangzhou had "suffered a medical incident", and that it had deployed a team to screen employees and family members there. On Wednesday the US government said that it had brought a group of people from that consulate back to the United States for further evaluation of their symptoms, and that it was offering screening to anyone at the US embassy in Beijing or other consulates in China who requested it. The United States also operates consulates in the mainland Chinese cities of Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan. The location of the health alert was changed to "countrywide" from Guangzhou in the updated statement sent by email. "The State Department received medical confirmation that a US government employee in China suffered a medical incident consistent with what other US government personnel experienced in Havana, Cuba," the statement said, reiterating comments made last month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It warned of "unexplained physical symptoms or events, auditory or sensory phenomena", and said symptoms of the ailment included dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints and hearing loss, as well as difficulty sleeping. China has said that it thoroughly investigated the initial case reported by the United States and found no reasons or clues to explain it. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Thursday that as far as she was aware the Chinese government had not had any formal communication with US officials on any new cases. China's state-run Global Times tabloid called the situation at the consulate "very strange". "Practically all Chinese people do not believe that this country's official organisations would carry out such sonic attacks against US diplomats. This does not fit with China's basic concept and principles of diplomacy, and is inconceivable," the Global Times said in an editorial. It also said people found it hard to believe that another foreign country could carry out such an attack in China, escape China's monitoring, and leave no trace. Last year, 24 US government employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department. The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tension between the old Cold War foes. Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month "to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents".

US expands China health alert amid illness reports

Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan Pyongyang on Thursday, days before Singapore plays host to the summit between leaders of North Korea and the United States.

Video provided by North Korea's official&nbsp;showed Balakrishnan arriving Pyongyang International Airport and later meeting his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, at Mansudae Assembly Hall.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are due to hold their historic meeting in Singapore on Tuesday&nbsp;next week.

The United States and North Korea agreed upon Singapore last month as the venue for the first ever meeting between leaders of the two countries. The White House said then it chose Singapore because it could ensure the security of both leaders and provide a neutral meeting ground.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are due to hold their historic meeting in Singapore on Tuesday

Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan Pyongyang on Thursday, days before Singapore plays host to the summit between leaders of North Korea and the United States. Video provided by North Korea's official showed Balakrishnan arriving Pyongyang International Airport and later meeting his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, at Mansudae Assembly Hall. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are due to hold their historic meeting in Singapore on Tuesday next week. The United States and North Korea agreed upon Singapore last month as the venue for the first ever meeting between leaders of the two countries. The White House said then it chose Singapore because it could ensure the security of both leaders and provide a neutral meeting ground.

Singapore's foreign minister visits North Korea

&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;airspace&nbsp;will be&nbsp;restricted&nbsp;during&nbsp;the planned US-NorthKorea&nbsp;summit&nbsp;next week, according to a notice to airmen posted by aviation authorities on Wednesday, which is likely to result in delays at one of Asia's busiest airports.

The Southeast Asian city-state is set to host a historic meeting between US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North&nbsp;Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 and has increased security across the island.

The notice, published on the websites of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the US&nbsp;Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said&nbsp;airspace&nbsp;over&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;will be temporarily restricted for parts of June 11, 12 and 13.

Travellers are advised to expect delays for flights arriving at and departing from&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;during this period,&nbsp;Singapore's Defense Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;said.

All aircraft arriving into&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;Changi Airport will be required to reduce speed and face some restrictions on runway use "for reasons of national security," the notice said.

A separate notice on the ICAO website warned aviators to keep clear of the Paya Lebar Air Base, a military facility in the east of the island that has been used by US presidents on past visits. The notice said aircraft that breach the&nbsp;restrictions "may be intercepted".

As part of its preparations for the&nbsp;summit,&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;has designated certain parts of the city as "special event areas" for June 10 to 14. These include the central region, which is home to its foreign ministry, the US&nbsp;embassy and several hotels, and Sentosa Island in the south, where the summit&nbsp;is scheduled to take place.

Items such as remotely piloted aircraft and public address systems will be prohibited in these areas throughout this period.

The Southeast Asian city-state is set to host a historic meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un and has increased security across the island

Singapore airspace will be restricted during the planned US-NorthKorea summit next week, according to a notice to airmen posted by aviation authorities on Wednesday, which is likely to result in delays at one of Asia's busiest airports. The Southeast Asian city-state is set to host a historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 and has increased security across the island. The notice, published on the websites of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said airspace over Singapore will be temporarily restricted for parts of June 11, 12 and 13. Travellers are advised to expect delays for flights arriving at and departing from Singapore during this period, Singapore's Defense Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said. All aircraft arriving into Singapore Changi Airport will be required to reduce speed and face some restrictions on runway use "for reasons of national security," the notice said. A separate notice on the ICAO website warned aviators to keep clear of the Paya Lebar Air Base, a military facility in the east of the island that has been used by US presidents on past visits. The notice said aircraft that breach the restrictions "may be intercepted". As part of its preparations for the summit, Singapore has designated certain parts of the city as "special event areas" for June 10 to 14. These include the central region, which is home to its foreign ministry, the US embassy and several hotels, and Sentosa Island in the south, where the summit is scheduled to take place. Items such as remotely piloted aircraft and public address systems will be prohibited in these areas throughout this period.

Singapore to restrict airspace during US-North Korea summit

The US&nbsp;government said on Wednesday it would&nbsp;release&nbsp;in&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;an American&nbsp;citizen detained on suspicion of being an Islamic State member, a move the&nbsp;AmericanCivil Liberties Union compared to dumping him on the road in a war zone.

The man, who holds dual US-Saudi citizenship and whose name has not been&nbsp;released, was captured&nbsp;in&nbsp;September&nbsp;in&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;by the US-backed&nbsp;Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of militias fighting against Islamic State, before being handed over to the United States.

He was then held in Iraq without legal representation until the&nbsp;American&nbsp;Civil Liberties Union intervened on his behalf in US&nbsp;federal court last October.

"The government has&nbsp;effectively&nbsp;admitted that it has no&nbsp;reason&nbsp;to continue detaining our client and that he does not pose a threat," said ACLU attorney Jonathan Hafetz in a statement.

"But, instead of offering a safe&nbsp;release, they want to&nbsp;dump an&nbsp;American&nbsp;citizen&nbsp;onto the side of the road in a war-torn country without any assurances of protection&nbsp;and no identification."

The United States previously said it had evidence that he had signed up as an Islamic State foreign fighter in 2014 and entered&nbsp;Syria&nbsp;in January 2015, according to court papers. The detainee, who has a degree in electrical engineering, is married with one child, according to court papers.

The administration had previously sought to transfer the man to an unidentified country, possibly Saudi Arabia.

In its notice filed to a Washington DC&nbsp;court on Wednesday, the Justice Department said it offered the man a choice of being&nbsp;released "either in a town or outside an Internally Displaced Person camp," but he would not agree to&nbsp;release&nbsp;options.

The Justice Department said it would&nbsp;release&nbsp;him in the unspecified town "no sooner than 72 hours hence."

"The government has effectively admitted that it has no reason to continue detaining our client and that he does not pose a threat," said Jonathan Hafetz

The US government said on Wednesday it would release in Syria an American citizen detained on suspicion of being an Islamic State member, a move the AmericanCivil Liberties Union compared to dumping him on the road in a war zone. The man, who holds dual US-Saudi citizenship and whose name has not been released, was captured in September in Syria by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of militias fighting against Islamic State, before being handed over to the United States. He was then held in Iraq without legal representation until the American Civil Liberties Union intervened on his behalf in US federal court last October. "The government has effectively admitted that it has no reason to continue detaining our client and that he does not pose a threat," said ACLU attorney Jonathan Hafetz in a statement. "But, instead of offering a safe release, they want to dump an American citizen onto the side of the road in a war-torn country without any assurances of protection and no identification." The United States previously said it had evidence that he had signed up as an Islamic State foreign fighter in 2014 and entered Syria in January 2015, according to court papers. The detainee, who has a degree in electrical engineering, is married with one child, according to court papers. The administration had previously sought to transfer the man to an unidentified country, possibly Saudi Arabia. In its notice filed to a Washington DC court on Wednesday, the Justice Department said it offered the man a choice of being released "either in a town or outside an Internally Displaced Person camp," but he would not agree to release options. The Justice Department said it would release him in the unspecified town "no sooner than 72 hours hence."

US plans to release American captured in Syria in September

When the then US President Barack Obama called his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari to inform him about the killing of Osama bin Laden by the US forces in a raid in Abbottabad, the latter, according to a book, told him that this was a "good news".

"Whatever the fallout, he (Zardari) told Obama, it's very good news. It's been a long time. God be with you and the people of America," Ben Rhodes, who was Obama's close aide at the White House writes in his latest book, referring to the response of Zardari when the US president called him to inform him about the American raid in on May 2, 2011.

Zardari was thrust into a leading role in Pakistani politics after his wife and prominent politician Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by extremists on 27 December 2007&nbsp

"Zardari was sure to face a backlash at home over America's violation of Pakistani sovereignty," writes Rhodes in his book 'The World as It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House', which hit the bookstores this week.

"But he wasn't upset," says Rhodes, giving his impression of the conversation between the two presidents, which happened before Obama went to address the nation informing his fellow Americans about the killing of Osama bin Laden.

According to Rhodes, who was Obama's close aid during his eight years of presidency, said that even from his election campaign days, he had insisted that he would cross the border if the US had actionable intelligence against Osama bin Laden.&nbsp

When his national security team were debating about crossing into the Pakistani territory to kill bin Laden, it was vice president Joe Biden who was reluctant to do so.&nbsp

"It was obvious to me that Obama was going to do this. He had a way of looking straight ahead when he was listening at the same time that his mind was elsewhere. I could tell that he had turned the intelligence over and over in his mind ("this is a fifty-fifty call"), that he understood the risks with Pakistan," writes Rhodes.

"When he asked me what I thought, I simply said, 'You always said you were going to do this'. Because I'd lived through the debate on the campaign, I knew he had meant what he said about going into Pakistan," the former White House official said.&nbsp

Obama asked him to prepare for four scenarios: (1) bin Laden is at the compound and it's a success (2) bin Laden is at the compound and it's messy" people killed, Pakistani security services, instability (3) bin Laden's not there but we get in and out cleanly (4) bin Laden's not there and it's a mess.&nbsp

"At the end of the meeting, Obama didn't tip his hand, he just said he'd make his decision overnight. As people filed out of the room, Biden pulled Denis and me into a smaller, adjacent room and closed the door. He looked genuinely pained. 'You fellas really think he should do this?' 'I do,' Denis said," Rhodes writes.&nbsp

"I agreed, and repeated my point about Obama's always having said he would go into Pakistan to get Bin, Laden. 'Well', Biden said, 'I'm just trying to give him a little space'. I believed that"&nbspBiden sometimes took strident positions in meetings to widen the spectrum of views and options available to Obama. He also worked hard to understand Obama's mind," he writes.

"You've always got his back," the then Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said to him, according to the book.&nbsp

"You better believe it," Biden replied. "But we're also going to need to say some prayers," he added.&nbsp

'Whatever the fallout, he (Zardari) told Obama, it's very good news. It's been a long time. God be with you and the people of America,' Ben Rhodes, who was Obama's close aide at the White House writes in his latest book, referring to the response of Zardari when the US president called him to inform him about the American raid in on May 2, 2011

When the then US President Barack Obama called his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari to inform him about the killing of Osama bin Laden by the US forces in a raid in Abbottabad, the latter, according to a book, told him that this was a "good news". "Whatever the fallout, he (Zardari) told Obama, it's very good news. It's been a long time. God be with you and the people of America," Ben Rhodes, who was Obama's close aide at the White House writes in his latest book, referring to the response of Zardari when the US president called him to inform him about the American raid in on May 2, 2011. Zardari was thrust into a leading role in Pakistani politics after his wife and prominent politician Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by extremists on 27 December 2007 "Zardari was sure to face a backlash at home over America's violation of Pakistani sovereignty," writes Rhodes in his book 'The World as It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House', which hit the bookstores this week. "But he wasn't upset," says Rhodes, giving his impression of the conversation between the two presidents, which happened before Obama went to address the nation informing his fellow Americans about the killing of Osama bin Laden. According to Rhodes, who was Obama's close aid during his eight years of presidency, said that even from his election campaign days, he had insisted that he would cross the border if the US had actionable intelligence against Osama bin Laden. When his national security team were debating about crossing into the Pakistani territory to kill bin Laden, it was vice president Joe Biden who was reluctant to do so. "It was obvious to me that Obama was going to do this. He had a way of looking straight ahead when he was listening at the same time that his mind was elsewhere. I could tell that he had turned the intelligence over and over in his mind ("this is a fifty-fifty call"), that he understood the risks with Pakistan," writes Rhodes. "When he asked me what I thought, I simply said, 'You always said you were going to do this'. Because I'd lived through the debate on the campaign, I knew he had meant what he said about going into Pakistan," the former White House official said. Obama asked him to prepare for four scenarios: (1) bin Laden is at the compound and it's a success (2) bin Laden is at the compound and it's messy" people killed, Pakistani security services, instability (3) bin Laden's not there but we get in and out cleanly (4) bin Laden's not there and it's a mess. "At the end of the meeting, Obama didn't tip his hand, he just said he'd make his decision overnight. As people filed out of the room, Biden pulled Denis and me into a smaller, adjacent room and closed the door. He looked genuinely pained. 'You fellas really think he should do this?' 'I do,' Denis said," Rhodes writes. "I agreed, and repeated my point about Obama's always having said he would go into Pakistan to get Bin, Laden. 'Well', Biden said, 'I'm just trying to give him a little space'. I believed that"&nbspBiden sometimes took strident positions in meetings to widen the spectrum of views and options available to Obama. He also worked hard to understand Obama's mind," he writes. "You've always got his back," the then Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said to him, according to the book. "You better believe it," Biden replied. "But we're also going to need to say some prayers," he added.

Zardari welcomed Osama bin Laden's killing by US: Book

US President Donald Trump hosted his first Iftar dinner at the White House during which he sought co-operation from the Muslim world to achieve a future of security and prosperity for all, a move that surprised many in the community after he skipped hosting such a party last year.

Last year, Trump broke with decades of precedent by not hosting the annual Iftar dinner? a bipartisan tradition that formally began with Bill Clinton in the 1990s but has conceptual roots tracing as far back as under Thomas Jefferson in 1805.

Trump, who has frequently engaged in anti-Muslim rhetoric, wished Muslims around the world a "Ramadan Mubarak" - a blessed holiday and sought co-operation from them to achieve a future of security and prosperity for all.

"Only by working together can we achieve a future of security and prosperity for all," Trump told a gathering of diplomats and officials at the iftar dinner last evening.

"For this reason, I was proud to make my first foreign trip as President to the heart of the Muslim world, where I addressed an assembly of more than 50 leaders of Muslim-majority countries. That was something," he said.

"The partnership and solidarity that we established over the past year has only deepened with time. So many friendships. So many meetings, even in the Oval Office. And we've made a lot of progress, I think, a lot of tremendous progress," Trump said.

After delivering his remarks, Trump sat on the head table which among others included Saudi Ambassador Prince Khalid Ben Salman and Jordanian envoy Dina Kawar. The Indonesian Ambassadors was also seated on the same table.

Envoys from several Muslim countries including the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Qatar, Bahrain, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Kuwait, Gambia, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Bosnia were invited.

"A very warm welcome to all of the ambassadors here&nbsp;tonight&nbsp;representing Muslim-majority nations. We're greatly honoured by your presence, and thank you very much for being here. Some very good friends. To each of you and to the Muslims around the world: Ramadan Mubarak," Trump said.

Vice President Mike Pence and several of his Cabinet members, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross attended the Iftar dinner.&nbsp;

"Tonight, as we enjoy a magnificent dinner at the White House, let us strive to embody the grace and goodwill that mark the Ramadan season. Let us pray for peace and justice, and let us resolve that these values will guide us as we work together to build a bright and prosperous future that does honour and glory to God," Trump said.

"In gathering together this evening, we honour a sacred tradition of one of the world's great religions," he said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, members of the some of the Muslim groups held their own Iftar outside the White House in protest against the alleged anti-Muslim rhetoric of the Trump administration.

Several Muslim civil rights groups pushed back, organising a "NOT Trump's Iftar" protest at a park across from the White House. The groups say Trump's heated rhetoric has contributed to an increase in bullying and discrimination against Muslim Americans.

The Iftar dinner was completely opposite from the inflammatory rhetoric Trump used during his campaign, when he called for a "complete and total shutdown" of Muslims entering the country, compared Syrian refugees fleeing civil war to a deadly snake and declared.

He has also imposed a travel ban, targeting travellers from five countries with overwhelmingly Muslim populations - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

Trump, who has frequently engaged in anti-Muslim rhetoric, wished Muslims around the world a "Ramadan Mubarak

US President Donald Trump hosted his first Iftar dinner at the White House during which he sought co-operation from the Muslim world to achieve a future of security and prosperity for all, a move that surprised many in the community after he skipped hosting such a party last year. Last year, Trump broke with decades of precedent by not hosting the annual Iftar dinner? a bipartisan tradition that formally began with Bill Clinton in the 1990s but has conceptual roots tracing as far back as under Thomas Jefferson in 1805. Trump, who has frequently engaged in anti-Muslim rhetoric, wished Muslims around the world a "Ramadan Mubarak" - a blessed holiday and sought co-operation from them to achieve a future of security and prosperity for all. "Only by working together can we achieve a future of security and prosperity for all," Trump told a gathering of diplomats and officials at the iftar dinner last evening. "For this reason, I was proud to make my first foreign trip as President to the heart of the Muslim world, where I addressed an assembly of more than 50 leaders of Muslim-majority countries. That was something," he said. "The partnership and solidarity that we established over the past year has only deepened with time. So many friendships. So many meetings, even in the Oval Office. And we've made a lot of progress, I think, a lot of tremendous progress," Trump said. After delivering his remarks, Trump sat on the head table which among others included Saudi Ambassador Prince Khalid Ben Salman and Jordanian envoy Dina Kawar. The Indonesian Ambassadors was also seated on the same table. Envoys from several Muslim countries including the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Qatar, Bahrain, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Kuwait, Gambia, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Bosnia were invited. "A very warm welcome to all of the ambassadors here tonight representing Muslim-majority nations. We're greatly honoured by your presence, and thank you very much for being here. Some very good friends. To each of you and to the Muslims around the world: Ramadan Mubarak," Trump said. Vice President Mike Pence and several of his Cabinet members, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross attended the Iftar dinner. "Tonight, as we enjoy a magnificent dinner at the White House, let us strive to embody the grace and goodwill that mark the Ramadan season. Let us pray for peace and justice, and let us resolve that these values will guide us as we work together to build a bright and prosperous future that does honour and glory to God," Trump said. "In gathering together this evening, we honour a sacred tradition of one of the world's great religions," he said. Meanwhile, members of the some of the Muslim groups held their own Iftar outside the White House in protest against the alleged anti-Muslim rhetoric of the Trump administration. Several Muslim civil rights groups pushed back, organising a "NOT Trump's Iftar" protest at a park across from the White House. The groups say Trump's heated rhetoric has contributed to an increase in bullying and discrimination against Muslim Americans. The Iftar dinner was completely opposite from the inflammatory rhetoric Trump used during his campaign, when he called for a "complete and total shutdown" of Muslims entering the country, compared Syrian refugees fleeing civil war to a deadly snake and declared. He has also imposed a travel ban, targeting travellers from five countries with overwhelmingly Muslim populations - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

Trump hosts first iftar dinner at White House, seeks co-operation from Muslim world

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday his phone calls with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and other world leaders were just like&nbsp;sausages: better not explain what's inside.

During a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron was asked about a CNN report on Monday saying that a phone call between the French leader and Trump last week had been "terrible."

Borrowing a famous quote from 19th-century Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck, Macron summed up his policy of refraining from making off-the-record comments about his conversations with other world leaders.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the need for confidentiality.

A readout from the French presidency of Macron's call with Trump last week said the 40-year old president had told Trump that his decision to slap tariffs on the exports of US&nbsp;allies were both "illegal" and a "mistake."

The shorter White House readout of the same call said the conversation had focused on trade and immigration, without elaborating.

Macron, appalled by his predecessor Francois Hollande's frequent off-the-record comments to journalists, has kept the press at a distance since his election last year and banned his aides from giving behind-the-scenes accounts of his presidency.

He said on Tuesday that he would have a "useful" and "frank" exchange with Trump at the next G7 summit in Canada on June 7-8 about both issues on which they agree and those where they disagree.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the need for confidentiality

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday his phone calls with US President Donald Trump and other world leaders were just like sausages: better not explain what's inside. During a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron was asked about a CNN report on Monday saying that a phone call between the French leader and Trump last week had been "terrible." Borrowing a famous quote from 19th-century Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck, Macron summed up his policy of refraining from making off-the-record comments about his conversations with other world leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the need for confidentiality. A readout from the French presidency of Macron's call with Trump last week said the 40-year old president had told Trump that his decision to slap tariffs on the exports of US allies were both "illegal" and a "mistake." The shorter White House readout of the same call said the conversation had focused on trade and immigration, without elaborating. Macron, appalled by his predecessor Francois Hollande's frequent off-the-record comments to journalists, has kept the press at a distance since his election last year and banned his aides from giving behind-the-scenes accounts of his presidency. He said on Tuesday that he would have a "useful" and "frank" exchange with Trump at the next G7 summit in Canada on June 7-8 about both issues on which they agree and those where they disagree.

Watch: Phone calls with Trump like 'sausages', says Macron

Donald Trump has sacked an aide who said cancer-stricken Senator John McCain's opposition to a presidential nominee did not matter because "he's dying anyway," the White House announced today

The White House was roiled by bipartisan fury over the remark attributed to Kelly Sadler in May.

"Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President," read a brief statement by deputy White House spokesman Raj Shah. McCain, 81, had indicated he opposed the nomination of now CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel over her role in enhanced interrogation techniques under president George W. Bush.

The Arizona senator, who was held prisoner and tortured during the Vietnam War, is battling brain cancer.

CNN had quoted a White House official as saying Sadler, speaking at a staff meeting, meant the comment as a joke but that it flopped.

Another extraordinary attack against McCain that stunned Washington came around the same time from a fellow veteran, retired US Air Force lieutenant general Thomas McInerney, who said torture works because it made McCain spill sensitive information to his captors during his years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

The attacks, remarkable for their bluntness, triggered swift reaction from across the political spectrum, with lawmakers demanding an apology from Trump that never came.

Meghan McCain, a conservative commentator on ABC's popular morning talk show "The View," delivered an eloquent defense of her father, who is battling brain cancer at home in Arizona.

"I don't understand what kind of environment you're working in when that would be acceptable and then you can come to work the next day and still have a job," she said at the time.

Her father is "all about character and bipartisanship and something greater than yourself," Meghan McCain said, before adding a stinging message to the critics: "Nobody's going to remember you." Members of Congress also rallied behind their ailing, war-hero colleague.

Trump, for his part, once mocked McCain's war service, saying during the presidential campaign that "I like people that weren't captured."

The White House was roiled by bipartisan fury over the remark attributed to Kelly Sadler in May

Donald Trump has sacked an aide who said cancer-stricken Senator John McCain's opposition to a presidential nominee did not matter because "he's dying anyway," the White House announced today The White House was roiled by bipartisan fury over the remark attributed to Kelly Sadler in May. "Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President," read a brief statement by deputy White House spokesman Raj Shah. McCain, 81, had indicated he opposed the nomination of now CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel over her role in enhanced interrogation techniques under president George W. Bush. The Arizona senator, who was held prisoner and tortured during the Vietnam War, is battling brain cancer. CNN had quoted a White House official as saying Sadler, speaking at a staff meeting, meant the comment as a joke but that it flopped. Another extraordinary attack against McCain that stunned Washington came around the same time from a fellow veteran, retired US Air Force lieutenant general Thomas McInerney, who said torture works because it made McCain spill sensitive information to his captors during his years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. The attacks, remarkable for their bluntness, triggered swift reaction from across the political spectrum, with lawmakers demanding an apology from Trump that never came. Meghan McCain, a conservative commentator on ABC's popular morning talk show "The View," delivered an eloquent defense of her father, who is battling brain cancer at home in Arizona. "I don't understand what kind of environment you're working in when that would be acceptable and then you can come to work the next day and still have a job," she said at the time. Her father is "all about character and bipartisanship and something greater than yourself," Meghan McCain said, before adding a stinging message to the critics: "Nobody's going to remember you." Members of Congress also rallied behind their ailing, war-hero colleague. Trump, for his part, once mocked McCain's war service, saying during the presidential campaign that "I like people that weren't captured."

Trump fires aide who joked about 'dying' war hero John McCain

The US&nbsp;military is increasing spending on a secret research effort to use artificial intelligence to help anticipate the launch of a nuclear-capable missile, as well as track and target mobile launchers in North Korea and elsewhere.

The effort has gone largely unreported, and the few publicly available details about it are buried under a layer of near impenetrable jargon in the latest Pentagon budget. But US&nbsp;officials familiar with the research told Reuters there are multiple classified programs now under way to explore how to develop AI-driven systems to better protect the United States against a potential nuclear missile strike.

If the research is successful, such computer systems would be able to think for themselves, scouring huge amounts of data, including satellite imagery, with a speed and accuracy beyond the capability of humans, to look for signs of preparations for a missile launch, according to more than half a dozen sources. The sources included US&nbsp;officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the research is classified.

Forewarned, the US&nbsp;government would be able to pursue diplomatic options or, in the case of an imminent attack, the military would have more time to try to destroy the missiles before they were launched, or try to intercept them.

"We should be doing everything in our power to find that missile before they launch it and make it increasingly harder to get it off (the ground)," one of the officials said.

The Trump administration has proposed more than tripling funding in next year's budget to $83 million for just one of the AI-driven missile programs, according to several US&nbsp;officials and budget documents. The boost in funding has not been previously reported.

While the amount is still relatively small, it is one indicator of the growing importance of the research on AI-powered anti-missile systems at a time when the United States faces a more militarily assertive Russia and a significant nuclear weapons threat from long-time foe North Korea.

"What AI and machine learning allows you to do is find the needle in the haystack," said Bob Work, a champion of AI technology who was deputy defense secretary until last July, without referring to any individual projects.

One person familiar with the programs said it includes a pilot project focused on North Korea. Washington is increasingly concerned about Pyongyang's development of mobile missiles that can be hidden in tunnels, forests and caves. The existence of a North Korea-focused project has not been previously reported.

While that project has been kept secret, the military has been clear about its interest in AI. The Pentagon, for example, has disclosed it is using AI to identify objects from video gathered in its drone program, as part of a publicly touted effort launched last year called "Project Maven."

Still, some US&nbsp;officials say AI spending overall on military programs remains woefully inadequate.

The Pentagon is in a race against China and Russia to infuse more AI into its war machine, to create more sophisticated autonomous systems that are able to learn by themselves to carry out specific tasks. The Pentagon research on using AI to identify potential missile threats and track mobile launchers is in its infancy and is just one part of that overall effort.

There are scant details on the AI missile research, but one US&nbsp;official told Reuters that an early prototype of a system to track mobile missile launchers was already being tested within the US&nbsp;military.

This project involves military and private researchers in the Washington DC&nbsp;area. It is pivoting off technological advances developed by commercial firms financed by In-Q-Tel, the intelligence community's venture capital fund, officials said.

In order to carry out the research, the project is tapping into the intelligence community's commercial cloud service, searching for patterns and anomalies in data, including from sophisticated radar that can see through storms and penetrate foliage.

Budget documents reviewed by Reuters noted plans to expand the focus of the mobile missile launcher program to "the remainder of the (Pentagon) 4+1 problem sets." The Pentagon typically uses the 4+1 terminology to refer to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and terrorist groups.

Both supporters and critics of using AI to hunt missiles agree that it carries major risks. It could accelerate decision-making in a nuclear crisis. It could increase the chances of computer-generated errors. It might also provoke an AI arms race with Russia and China that could upset the global nuclear balance.

US&nbsp;Air Force General John Hyten, the top commander of US&nbsp;nuclear forces, said once AI-driven systems become fully operational, the Pentagon will need to think about creating safeguards to ensure humans - not machines - control the pace of nuclear decision-making, the "escalation ladder" in Pentagon speak.

"(Artificial intelligence) could force you onto that ladder if you don't put the safeguards in," Hyten, head of the US&nbsp;Strategic Command, said in an interview. "Once you're on it, then everything starts moving."

Experts at the Rand Corporation, a public policy research body, and elsewhere say there is a high probability that countries like China and Russia could try to trick an AI missile-hunting system, learning to hide their missiles from identification.

There is some evidence to suggest they could be successful.

An experiment by M.I.T. students showed how easy it was to dupe an advanced Google image classifier, in which a computer identifies objects. In that case, students fooled the system into concluding a plastic turtle was actually a rifle.

Dr&nbsp;Steven Walker, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a pioneer in AI that initially funded what became the Internet, said the Pentagon still needs humans to review AI systems’ conclusions.

"Because these systems can be fooled," Walker said in an interview.&nbsp; &nbsp;

DARPA is working on a project to make AI-driven systems capable of better explaining themselves to human analysts, something the agency believes will be critical for high stakes national security programs

Among those working to improve the effectiveness of AI is William "Buzz" Roberts, director for automation, AI and augmentation at the National Geospatial Agency. Roberts works on the front lines of the US&nbsp;government's efforts to develop AI to help analyze satellite imagery, a crucial source of data for missile hunters.

Last year, NGA said it used AI to scan and analyze 12 million images. So far, Roberts said, NGA researchers have made progress in getting AI to help identify the presence or absence of a target of interest, although he declined to discuss individual programs.

In trying to assess potential national security threats, the NGA researchers work under a different kind of pressure from their counterparts in the private sector.

"We can't be wrong ... A lot of the commercial advancements in AI, machine learning, computer vision - If they're half right, they're good," said Roberts.

Although some officials believe elements of the AI missile program could become viable in the early 2020s, others in the US government and the US&nbsp;Congress fear research efforts are too limited.

"The Russians and the Chinese are definitely pursuing these sorts of things," Representative Mac Thornberry, the House Armed Services Committee's chairman, told Reuters. "Probably with greater effort in some ways than we have."

The US military is increasing spending on a secret research effort to use artificial intelligence to help anticipate the launch of a nuclear-capable missile, as well as track and target mobile launchers in North Korea and elsewhere

The US military is increasing spending on a secret research effort to use artificial intelligence to help anticipate the launch of a nuclear-capable missile, as well as track and target mobile launchers in North Korea and elsewhere. The effort has gone largely unreported, and the few publicly available details about it are buried under a layer of near impenetrable jargon in the latest Pentagon budget. But US officials familiar with the research told Reuters there are multiple classified programs now under way to explore how to develop AI-driven systems to better protect the United States against a potential nuclear missile strike. If the research is successful, such computer systems would be able to think for themselves, scouring huge amounts of data, including satellite imagery, with a speed and accuracy beyond the capability of humans, to look for signs of preparations for a missile launch, according to more than half a dozen sources. The sources included US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the research is classified. Forewarned, the US government would be able to pursue diplomatic options or, in the case of an imminent attack, the military would have more time to try to destroy the missiles before they were launched, or try to intercept them. "We should be doing everything in our power to find that missile before they launch it and make it increasingly harder to get it off (the ground)," one of the officials said. The Trump administration has proposed more than tripling funding in next year's budget to $83 million for just one of the AI-driven missile programs, according to several US officials and budget documents. The boost in funding has not been previously reported. While the amount is still relatively small, it is one indicator of the growing importance of the research on AI-powered anti-missile systems at a time when the United States faces a more militarily assertive Russia and a significant nuclear weapons threat from long-time foe North Korea. "What AI and machine learning allows you to do is find the needle in the haystack," said Bob Work, a champion of AI technology who was deputy defense secretary until last July, without referring to any individual projects. One person familiar with the programs said it includes a pilot project focused on North Korea. Washington is increasingly concerned about Pyongyang's development of mobile missiles that can be hidden in tunnels, forests and caves. The existence of a North Korea-focused project has not been previously reported. While that project has been kept secret, the military has been clear about its interest in AI. The Pentagon, for example, has disclosed it is using AI to identify objects from video gathered in its drone program, as part of a publicly touted effort launched last year called "Project Maven." Still, some US officials say AI spending overall on military programs remains woefully inadequate. The Pentagon is in a race against China and Russia to infuse more AI into its war machine, to create more sophisticated autonomous systems that are able to learn by themselves to carry out specific tasks. The Pentagon research on using AI to identify potential missile threats and track mobile launchers is in its infancy and is just one part of that overall effort. There are scant details on the AI missile research, but one US official told Reuters that an early prototype of a system to track mobile missile launchers was already being tested within the US military. This project involves military and private researchers in the Washington DC area. It is pivoting off technological advances developed by commercial firms financed by In-Q-Tel, the intelligence community's venture capital fund, officials said. In order to carry out the research, the project is tapping into the intelligence community's commercial cloud service, searching for patterns and anomalies in data, including from sophisticated radar that can see through storms and penetrate foliage. Budget documents reviewed by Reuters noted plans to expand the focus of the mobile missile launcher program to "the remainder of the (Pentagon) 4+1 problem sets." The Pentagon typically uses the 4+1 terminology to refer to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and terrorist groups. Both supporters and critics of using AI to hunt missiles agree that it carries major risks. It could accelerate decision-making in a nuclear crisis. It could increase the chances of computer-generated errors. It might also provoke an AI arms race with Russia and China that could upset the global nuclear balance. US Air Force General John Hyten, the top commander of US nuclear forces, said once AI-driven systems become fully operational, the Pentagon will need to think about creating safeguards to ensure humans - not machines - control the pace of nuclear decision-making, the "escalation ladder" in Pentagon speak. "(Artificial intelligence) could force you onto that ladder if you don't put the safeguards in," Hyten, head of the US Strategic Command, said in an interview. "Once you're on it, then everything starts moving." Experts at the Rand Corporation, a public policy research body, and elsewhere say there is a high probability that countries like China and Russia could try to trick an AI missile-hunting system, learning to hide their missiles from identification. There is some evidence to suggest they could be successful. An experiment by M.I.T. students showed how easy it was to dupe an advanced Google image classifier, in which a computer identifies objects. In that case, students fooled the system into concluding a plastic turtle was actually a rifle. Dr Steven Walker, director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a pioneer in AI that initially funded what became the Internet, said the Pentagon still needs humans to review AI systems’ conclusions. "Because these systems can be fooled," Walker said in an interview. DARPA is working on a project to make AI-driven systems capable of better explaining themselves to human analysts, something the agency believes will be critical for high stakes national security programs Among those working to improve the effectiveness of AI is William "Buzz" Roberts, director for automation, AI and augmentation at the National Geospatial Agency. Roberts works on the front lines of the US government's efforts to develop AI to help analyze satellite imagery, a crucial source of data for missile hunters. Last year, NGA said it used AI to scan and analyze 12 million images. So far, Roberts said, NGA researchers have made progress in getting AI to help identify the presence or absence of a target of interest, although he declined to discuss individual programs. In trying to assess potential national security threats, the NGA researchers work under a different kind of pressure from their counterparts in the private sector. "We can't be wrong ... A lot of the commercial advancements in AI, machine learning, computer vision - If they're half right, they're good," said Roberts. Although some officials believe elements of the AI missile program could become viable in the early 2020s, others in the US government and the US Congress fear research efforts are too limited. "The Russians and the Chinese are definitely pursuing these sorts of things," Representative Mac Thornberry, the House Armed Services Committee's chairman, told Reuters. "Probably with greater effort in some ways than we have."

How will the US stop a nuclear strike? AI

France, Britain, Germany and the EU on Wednesday sent the United States a joint official request for their companies to be exempt from punitive measures resulting from fresh US sanctions on Iran.

"As allies, we expect that the United States will refrain from taking action to harm Europe's security interests," said the letter to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said the three countries and the EU were asking the US "to exempt European businesses doing legitimate trade in Iran from all extraterritorial American sanctions".

"Those businesses must be able to pursue their activities," he wrote on Twitter.

The plea comes as European leaders scramble to save the hard-fought deal signed between Iran and world powers in 2015 under which Tehran agreed to limits on its nuclear capacities in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions.

US President Donald Trump announced he was abandoning the deal last month -- which will mean new sanctions on the Islamic republic and punitive measures for those who trade with it.

Analysts say European firms which have rushed to invest in Iran after the lifting of sanctions over the past three years have the most to lose from the renewed sanctions.

Several major companies including France's Total and the Netherlands' Maersk have already said it will be impossible to stay in Iran once the sanctions are fully reimposed over the next six months, unless they receive explicit exemptions from Washington.&nbsp;

French automaker PSA said Monday that it would pull out of two joint ventures to sell its cars in Iran to avoid the risk of punishing fines.

'As allies, we expect that the United States will refrain from taking action to harm Europe's security interests,' said the letter to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

France, Britain, Germany and the EU on Wednesday sent the United States a joint official request for their companies to be exempt from punitive measures resulting from fresh US sanctions on Iran. "As allies, we expect that the United States will refrain from taking action to harm Europe's security interests," said the letter to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said the three countries and the EU were asking the US "to exempt European businesses doing legitimate trade in Iran from all extraterritorial American sanctions". "Those businesses must be able to pursue their activities," he wrote on Twitter. The plea comes as European leaders scramble to save the hard-fought deal signed between Iran and world powers in 2015 under which Tehran agreed to limits on its nuclear capacities in exchange for relief from crippling economic sanctions. US President Donald Trump announced he was abandoning the deal last month -- which will mean new sanctions on the Islamic republic and punitive measures for those who trade with it. Analysts say European firms which have rushed to invest in Iran after the lifting of sanctions over the past three years have the most to lose from the renewed sanctions. Several major companies including France's Total and the Netherlands' Maersk have already said it will be impossible to stay in Iran once the sanctions are fully reimposed over the next six months, unless they receive explicit exemptions from Washington. French automaker PSA said Monday that it would pull out of two joint ventures to sell its cars in Iran to avoid the risk of punishing fines.

France, Germany, Britain, EU formally request US exemptions from Iran sanctions

There have been "no big changes" in the H-1B programme and "nothing new" on the H-4 visa policy, the US said on Wednesday, amid the Trump administration's plan to overhaul the immigration system.

US Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in Delhi, MaryKay L Carlson said granting employment visa and work permits are the sovereign decision of a country.&nbsp

The US Mission here today observed 'Student Visa Day', an event to celebrate higher education ties between India and the United States.

"There have been no big changes in the H-1B programme and nothing new on H-4...," Carlson told reporters here.

Certainly, employment visa and work permits for Indians is the sovereign decision of the US, the official said.

The Trump administration's move to end the Obama-era rule could have an impact on more than 70,000 H-4 visas holders, who have work permits.

H-4 is issued to the spouse of H-1B visa holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India.&nbsp

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had last month said the government would make all efforts to persuade the Trump administration against such a move.

In her annual press conference on May 28, the minister had said it was true that President Donald Trump was reviewing the H-4 visa programme and there were reports of its possible revocation.

On the occasion of 'Student Visa Day', the Mission also dedicated the day to student visa applicants who have enrolled for higher studies in different US universities.

The US Embassy in New Delhi and the consulate general of Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, welcomed over 4,000 Indian students, who applied for visas to study in the United States.

In 2017, more than 1,86,000 Indian students were enrolled in US institutions for higher education, more than double the number from a decade ago and a 12 per cent increase from the year before.

India is the second leading place of origin for students coming to the US, with Indians comprising over 17 per cent of the total international students in the United States, according to the US.

Consular staff members wore shirts and hats from their alma maters.

Some consulates invited guest alumni speakers, while others had a video or "selfie" station.

Representatives from partners, including EducationUSA, the American Library, and recent US graduates were present at the event to give their insights and answer queries from students about studying in the United States.

US Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in Delhi, MaryKay L Carlson said granting employment visa and work permits are the sovereign decision of a country.

There have been "no big changes" in the H-1B programme and "nothing new" on the H-4 visa policy, the US said on Wednesday, amid the Trump administration's plan to overhaul the immigration system. US Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in Delhi, MaryKay L Carlson said granting employment visa and work permits are the sovereign decision of a country. The US Mission here today observed 'Student Visa Day', an event to celebrate higher education ties between India and the United States. "There have been no big changes in the H-1B programme and nothing new on H-4...," Carlson told reporters here. Certainly, employment visa and work permits for Indians is the sovereign decision of the US, the official said. The Trump administration's move to end the Obama-era rule could have an impact on more than 70,000 H-4 visas holders, who have work permits. H-4 is issued to the spouse of H-1B visa holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had last month said the government would make all efforts to persuade the Trump administration against such a move. In her annual press conference on May 28, the minister had said it was true that President Donald Trump was reviewing the H-4 visa programme and there were reports of its possible revocation. On the occasion of 'Student Visa Day', the Mission also dedicated the day to student visa applicants who have enrolled for higher studies in different US universities. The US Embassy in New Delhi and the consulate general of Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, welcomed over 4,000 Indian students, who applied for visas to study in the United States. In 2017, more than 1,86,000 Indian students were enrolled in US institutions for higher education, more than double the number from a decade ago and a 12 per cent increase from the year before. India is the second leading place of origin for students coming to the US, with Indians comprising over 17 per cent of the total international students in the United States, according to the US. Consular staff members wore shirts and hats from their alma maters. Some consulates invited guest alumni speakers, while others had a video or "selfie" station. Representatives from partners, including EducationUSA, the American Library, and recent US graduates were present at the event to give their insights and answer queries from students about studying in the United States.

'No big changes' in H-1B visa: US Deputy Chief of Mission Carlson

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump cancelled the planned visit&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;of the Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles to the White House, saying he disinvited the team after it disagreed with his call for players to stand for the national anthem.

Trump said in a statement late&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;that the Eagles, who defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL's Super Bowl in February, wanted to send a smaller delegation but that he declined.

"They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country," Trump said.

Last season, some National Football League players took a knee during the anthem to protest police shootings of unarmed black men, sparking a controversy. The protests began in 2016 with former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Trump denounced the players as unpatriotic and repeatedly demanded an end to such protests.

Under a policy unveiled last month by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and welcomed by Trump, teams will be fined if players on the field fail to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner." Players who choose not to stand may remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished.

"The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!" Trump tweeted later in the evening.

In his earlier statement, Trump said the Eagles wanted to a send a smaller delegation, "but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better."

"These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony - one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem," Trump said.

The Eagles did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Torrey Smith, who played as a wide receiver for the Eagles in the Super Bowl but has since been traded, responded on Twitter to Trump, saying that there were "so many lies."

"Not many people were going to go," Smith said, and "no one refused to go simply because Trump 'insists' folks stand for the anthem."

Trump, he said, "continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military."

No player for the Eagles knelt or sat while there were 73 other protests among Eagles players during the National Anthem during the 2017 regular season, according to report by Sports Pundit, which tracked protests among the 32 NFL teams.

A player knelt and another player raised up his fist while a teammate put his arm around him during the anthem before a preseason game in August, local media reported.

Democratic US&nbsp;Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania invited the team to visit the Capitol Building and called Trump's action "a political stunt".

Trump wants everybody to stand during the playing of the US national. A number of NFL athletes have chosen to kneel during the anthem as a protest against the shooting of African Americans by police

US President Donald Trump cancelled the planned visit on Tuesday of the Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles to the White House, saying he disinvited the team after it disagreed with his call for players to stand for the national anthem. Trump said in a statement late on Monday that the Eagles, who defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL's Super Bowl in February, wanted to send a smaller delegation but that he declined. "They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country," Trump said. Last season, some National Football League players took a knee during the anthem to protest police shootings of unarmed black men, sparking a controversy. The protests began in 2016 with former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Trump denounced the players as unpatriotic and repeatedly demanded an end to such protests. Under a policy unveiled last month by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and welcomed by Trump, teams will be fined if players on the field fail to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner." Players who choose not to stand may remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished. "The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!" Trump tweeted later in the evening. In his earlier statement, Trump said the Eagles wanted to a send a smaller delegation, "but the 1,000 fans planning to attend the event deserve better." "These fans are still invited to the White House to be part of a different type of ceremony - one that will honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem," Trump said. The Eagles did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Torrey Smith, who played as a wide receiver for the Eagles in the Super Bowl but has since been traded, responded on Twitter to Trump, saying that there were "so many lies." "Not many people were going to go," Smith said, and "no one refused to go simply because Trump 'insists' folks stand for the anthem." Trump, he said, "continues to spread the false narrative that players are anti military." No player for the Eagles knelt or sat while there were 73 other protests among Eagles players during the National Anthem during the 2017 regular season, according to report by Sports Pundit, which tracked protests among the 32 NFL teams. A player knelt and another player raised up his fist while a teammate put his arm around him during the anthem before a preseason game in August, local media reported. Democratic US Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania invited the team to visit the Capitol Building and called Trump's action "a political stunt".

Trump disinvites NFL champions after they disagree with him on anthem

Eleven Florida men, including employees of Disney and Legoland and a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, have been arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography, police have said.

A total of 660 charges have so far been brought against the 11 suspects in the operation, dubbed "Guardians of Innocence II" by the police department of Polk County in central Florida and conducted across the month of May.

Sheriff Grady Judd said: "Once we serve search warrants and seize the devices that these suspects are using to download and distribute pornography, we will do a complete forensic analysis.

"In all likelihood we will be adding on more charges related to the felony possession and distribution of images and videos of children being sexually battered." Judd added that most of the evidence collected so far involved material previously known to police. It was not clear if there were any local victims, though that remained a part of the investigation.

The men arrested include Roger Catey, 53, who is employed as a project manager in the costumes department of Disney World, a theme park in Orlando which attracts millions of children and families every year.

Thirty-year-old Rickie Vargas-Garcia, who was a Lego builder for Merlin Entertainment which owns the Legoland theme parks, admitted to soliciting children for nude photos online.

Edward Zaborowski, 48, was caught in possession of pornographic photos of children aged between four- and six-years-old. A bartender, he was also a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, as his son was a member.

Judd said: "Parents, you've got to know where your children are going online, because wherever your children are, (predators) are."

Thirty-year-old Rickie Vargas-Garcia, who was a Lego builder for Merlin Entertainment which owns the Legoland theme parks, admitted to soliciting children for nude photos online

Eleven Florida men, including employees of Disney and Legoland and a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, have been arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography, police have said. A total of 660 charges have so far been brought against the 11 suspects in the operation, dubbed "Guardians of Innocence II" by the police department of Polk County in central Florida and conducted across the month of May. Sheriff Grady Judd said: "Once we serve search warrants and seize the devices that these suspects are using to download and distribute pornography, we will do a complete forensic analysis. "In all likelihood we will be adding on more charges related to the felony possession and distribution of images and videos of children being sexually battered." Judd added that most of the evidence collected so far involved material previously known to police. It was not clear if there were any local victims, though that remained a part of the investigation. The men arrested include Roger Catey, 53, who is employed as a project manager in the costumes department of Disney World, a theme park in Orlando which attracts millions of children and families every year. Thirty-year-old Rickie Vargas-Garcia, who was a Lego builder for Merlin Entertainment which owns the Legoland theme parks, admitted to soliciting children for nude photos online. Edward Zaborowski, 48, was caught in possession of pornographic photos of children aged between four- and six-years-old. A bartender, he was also a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, as his son was a member. Judd said: "Parents, you've got to know where your children are going online, because wherever your children are, (predators) are."

US police arrest 11 men on child pornography charges

The US&nbsp;Supreme Court&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;handed a victory on narrow grounds to a Colorado baker who refused based on his Christian beliefs to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, stopping short of setting a major precedent allowing people to claim religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws.

The justices, in a 7-2 decision, said the Colorado Civil Rights Commission showed an impermissible hostility towards religion when it found that baker Jack Phillips violated the state`s anti-discrimination law by rebuffing gay couple David Mullins and Charlie Craig in 2012. The state law bars businesses from refusing service based on race, sex, marital status or sexual orientation.

The court concluded that the commission violated Phillips` religious rights under the US&nbsp;Constitution`s First Amendment.

But the justices did not issue a definitive ruling on the circumstances under which people can seek exemptions from anti-discrimination laws based on religion. The decision also did not address important claims raised in the case including whether baking a cake is a kind of expressive act protected by the Constitution`s free speech guarantee.

Two of the court`s four liberals, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan, joined the five conservative justices in the ruling authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy, who also wrote the landmark 2015 decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide.

The baker case became a cultural flashpoint in the United States, underscoring the tensions between gay rights proponents and conservative Christians.

Both sides claimed a measure of victory. The couple`s supporters noted that the ruling embraced the importance of gay rights and made it clear that businesses open to the public must serve everyone. The baker`s lawyers said the ruling emphasized that the government must respect religious beliefs.

"It`s hard to believe that the government punished me for operating my business consistent with my beliefs about marriage. That isn`t freedom or tolerance," Phillips said in a statement.

"Today`s decision means our fight against discrimination and unfair treatment will continue," Mullins and Charlie Craig said in a statement. "We have always believed that in America, you should not be turned away from a business open to the public because of who you are."

Seventy-two per cent of US&nbsp;adults believe that businesses should not have the right on religious grounds to deny services to customers based on their sexual orientation, a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;showed. [L2N1T61CY]

"Our society has come to the recognition that gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth," Kennedy wrote.

But Kennedy said the state commission`s hostility towards religion "was inconsistent with the First Amendment`s guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral towards religion."

In one exchange at a 2014 hearing before the commission cited by Kennedy, former commissioner Diann Rice said that "freedom of religion, and religion, has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history, whether it be slavery, whether it be the Holocaust."

Kennedy said the commission ruled the opposite way in three cases brought against bakers in which the business owners refused to bake cakes containing messages that demeaned gay people or same-sex marriage. 
 
Republican President Donald Trump`s administration, which intervened in the case in support of Phillips, welcomed the ruling. "The First Amendment prohibits governments from discriminating against citizens on the basis of religious beliefs," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement.

The decision made it clear that even if the court ultimately rules in a future case that bakers or other businesses that sell creative products such as florists and wedding photographers can avoid punishment under anti-discrimination laws, most businesses open to the public would have no such defence.

Of the 50 states, 21 including Colorado have anti-discrimination laws protecting gay people.&nbsp;

The case marked a test for Kennedy, who has authored significant rulings that advanced gay rights but also is a strong advocate for free speech rights and religious freedom.

"The outcome of cases like this in other circumstances must await further elaboration in the courts, all in the context of recognising that these disputes must be resolved with tolerance, without undue disrespect to sincere religious beliefs, and without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market," Kennedy wrote.

In a written dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, joined by fellow liberal Sonia Sotomayor, said what mattered was that Phillips would not provide a good or service to a same-sex couple that he would provide to a heterosexual couple.

The litigation, along with similar cases around the country, was part of a conservative Christian backlash to the Supreme Court`s gay marriage ruling.

Mullins and Craig were planning their wedding in Massachusetts in 2012 and wanted the cake for a reception in Colorado, where gay marriage was not yet legal. During a brief encounter at Phillips` Masterpiece Cakeshop in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, the baker politely but firmly refused, leaving the couple distraught.

They filed a successful complaint with the state commission and state courts sided with the couple, prompting Phillips to appeal to the top US&nbsp;court.

Mullins and Craig said Phillips was using his Christian faith as pretext for unlawful discrimination based on sexual orientation. Phillips and others like him who believe that gay marriage is inconsistent with their Christian beliefs have said they should not be required to effectively endorse the practice.

"Government hostility towards people of faith has no place in our society, yet the state of Colorado was openly antagonistic towards Jack`s religious beliefs about marriage. The court was right to condemn that," said lawyer Kristen Waggoner of the conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented Phillips.

The court will soon have the opportunity to signal its approach to handling similar cases. The justices&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;will consider whether to hear an appeal by a Washington state flower shop owner who refused to create a floral arrangement to celebrate a gay wedding, based on her Christian beliefs.

&nbsp;

The court concluded that the commission violated Phillips` religious rights under the US Constitution`s First Amendment

The US Supreme Court on Monday handed a victory on narrow grounds to a Colorado baker who refused based on his Christian beliefs to make a wedding cake for a gay couple, stopping short of setting a major precedent allowing people to claim religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws. The justices, in a 7-2 decision, said the Colorado Civil Rights Commission showed an impermissible hostility towards religion when it found that baker Jack Phillips violated the state`s anti-discrimination law by rebuffing gay couple David Mullins and Charlie Craig in 2012. The state law bars businesses from refusing service based on race, sex, marital status or sexual orientation. The court concluded that the commission violated Phillips` religious rights under the US Constitution`s First Amendment. But the justices did not issue a definitive ruling on the circumstances under which people can seek exemptions from anti-discrimination laws based on religion. The decision also did not address important claims raised in the case including whether baking a cake is a kind of expressive act protected by the Constitution`s free speech guarantee. Two of the court`s four liberals, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan, joined the five conservative justices in the ruling authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy, who also wrote the landmark 2015 decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide. The baker case became a cultural flashpoint in the United States, underscoring the tensions between gay rights proponents and conservative Christians. Both sides claimed a measure of victory. The couple`s supporters noted that the ruling embraced the importance of gay rights and made it clear that businesses open to the public must serve everyone. The baker`s lawyers said the ruling emphasized that the government must respect religious beliefs. "It`s hard to believe that the government punished me for operating my business consistent with my beliefs about marriage. That isn`t freedom or tolerance," Phillips said in a statement. "Today`s decision means our fight against discrimination and unfair treatment will continue," Mullins and Charlie Craig said in a statement. "We have always believed that in America, you should not be turned away from a business open to the public because of who you are." Seventy-two per cent of US adults believe that businesses should not have the right on religious grounds to deny services to customers based on their sexual orientation, a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Monday showed. [L2N1T61CY] "Our society has come to the recognition that gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth," Kennedy wrote. But Kennedy said the state commission`s hostility towards religion "was inconsistent with the First Amendment`s guarantee that our laws be applied in a manner that is neutral towards religion." In one exchange at a 2014 hearing before the commission cited by Kennedy, former commissioner Diann Rice said that "freedom of religion, and religion, has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history, whether it be slavery, whether it be the Holocaust." Kennedy said the commission ruled the opposite way in three cases brought against bakers in which the business owners refused to bake cakes containing messages that demeaned gay people or same-sex marriage. Republican President Donald Trump`s administration, which intervened in the case in support of Phillips, welcomed the ruling. "The First Amendment prohibits governments from discriminating against citizens on the basis of religious beliefs," Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. The decision made it clear that even if the court ultimately rules in a future case that bakers or other businesses that sell creative products such as florists and wedding photographers can avoid punishment under anti-discrimination laws, most businesses open to the public would have no such defence. Of the 50 states, 21 including Colorado have anti-discrimination laws protecting gay people. The case marked a test for Kennedy, who has authored significant rulings that advanced gay rights but also is a strong advocate for free speech rights and religious freedom. "The outcome of cases like this in other circumstances must await further elaboration in the courts, all in the context of recognising that these disputes must be resolved with tolerance, without undue disrespect to sincere religious beliefs, and without subjecting gay persons to indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market," Kennedy wrote. In a written dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, joined by fellow liberal Sonia Sotomayor, said what mattered was that Phillips would not provide a good or service to a same-sex couple that he would provide to a heterosexual couple. The litigation, along with similar cases around the country, was part of a conservative Christian backlash to the Supreme Court`s gay marriage ruling. Mullins and Craig were planning their wedding in Massachusetts in 2012 and wanted the cake for a reception in Colorado, where gay marriage was not yet legal. During a brief encounter at Phillips` Masterpiece Cakeshop in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, the baker politely but firmly refused, leaving the couple distraught. They filed a successful complaint with the state commission and state courts sided with the couple, prompting Phillips to appeal to the top US court. Mullins and Craig said Phillips was using his Christian faith as pretext for unlawful discrimination based on sexual orientation. Phillips and others like him who believe that gay marriage is inconsistent with their Christian beliefs have said they should not be required to effectively endorse the practice. "Government hostility towards people of faith has no place in our society, yet the state of Colorado was openly antagonistic towards Jack`s religious beliefs about marriage. The court was right to condemn that," said lawyer Kristen Waggoner of the conservative Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented Phillips. The court will soon have the opportunity to signal its approach to handling similar cases. The justices on Thursday will consider whether to hear an appeal by a Washington state flower shop owner who refused to create a floral arrangement to celebrate a gay wedding, based on her Christian beliefs.

US Supreme Court backs Christian baker who rebuffed gay couple

British Prime Minister Theresa&nbspMay&nbsptold President Donald&nbspTrump&nbspon Monday that US&nbsptariffs&nbspimposed on European Union steel and aluminium imports were "unjustified and deeply disappointing" during a phone&nbspcall.

The leaders spoke for the first time since the announcement in a 30-minute&nbspcall&nbspand agreed to discuss the issue further at the G7 summit in Canada later this week.

Trump&nbsphas infuriated European Union members, Canada and Mexico by imposing&nbsptariffs&nbspof 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, ending months of uncertainty about potential exemptions and suggesting a hardening of the U.S. approach to trade negotiations.

"The prime minister raised the US&nbspdecision to apply&nbsptariffs&nbspto EU steel and aluminium imports, which she said was unjustified and deeply disappointing," a spokesman for the prime minister told reporters.

"She said the US&nbspand UK and EU are close national security allies and we recognise the importance of the values of open and fair trade across the world. The prime minister also underlined the need to safeguard jobs."

The EU threatened&nbsptariffs&nbspon Harley Davidson motorcycles and bourbon, measures aimed at the political bases of US&nbspRepublican legislators.

Britain's&nbsptrade minister Liam Fox warned parliament on Monday that growing protectionism could "ramp up into a global trading disaster" and said Britain and the European Union's response must be measured and proportionate.

"It is right to seek to defend our domestic industries from both the direct and indirect impacts of these US&nbsptariffs. The response must be measured, and proportionate," Fox told parliament.

During the&nbspcall,&nbspMay&nbspalso announced her support for&nbspTrump's plan to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore next week.

The leaders spoke for the first time since the announcement in a 30-minute call and agreed to discuss the issue further at the G7 summit in Canada later this week

British Prime Minister Theresa&nbspMay&nbsptold President Donald&nbspTrump&nbspon Monday that US&nbsptariffs&nbspimposed on European Union steel and aluminium imports were "unjustified and deeply disappointing" during a phone&nbspcall. The leaders spoke for the first time since the announcement in a 30-minute&nbspcall&nbspand agreed to discuss the issue further at the G7 summit in Canada later this week. Trump&nbsphas infuriated European Union members, Canada and Mexico by imposing&nbsptariffs&nbspof 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, ending months of uncertainty about potential exemptions and suggesting a hardening of the U.S. approach to trade negotiations. "The prime minister raised the US&nbspdecision to apply&nbsptariffs&nbspto EU steel and aluminium imports, which she said was unjustified and deeply disappointing," a spokesman for the prime minister told reporters. "She said the US&nbspand UK and EU are close national security allies and we recognise the importance of the values of open and fair trade across the world. The prime minister also underlined the need to safeguard jobs." The EU threatened&nbsptariffs&nbspon Harley Davidson motorcycles and bourbon, measures aimed at the political bases of US&nbspRepublican legislators. Britain's&nbsptrade minister Liam Fox warned parliament on Monday that growing protectionism could "ramp up into a global trading disaster" and said Britain and the European Union's response must be measured and proportionate. "It is right to seek to defend our domestic industries from both the direct and indirect impacts of these US&nbsptariffs. The response must be measured, and proportionate," Fox told parliament. During the&nbspcall,&nbspMay&nbspalso announced her support for&nbspTrump's plan to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore next week.

US tariffs 'unjustified', Britain's May tells Trump on call

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday threw out a lower court ruling that let a pregnant illegal immigrant minor held in federal immigration custody obtain an abortion last year at age 17 over the objections of President Donald Trump’s administration. 
The action by the justices provided a legal victory to Trump’s administration even though the teenager already has had the abortion because it eliminated a precedent at the federal appeals court level that could have applied in similar circumstances in which detained minors sought abortions.

In the unsigned opinion with no dissents, the justices threw out the appeals court decision on the grounds that the dispute became moot once the unnamed teenager had the abortion.

The justices, however, declined to take up the administration’s request for disciplinary action against the American Civil Liberties Union lawyers who represented the girl, who underwent an abortion in Texas last October.

The administration had accused the ACLU lawyers of misleading the Justice Department over when she would have the abortion. The high court said that it takes misconduct allegations against lawyers seriously but said “not all communication breakdowns constitute misconduct.”

The justices also allowed litigation to continue in lower courts concerning other detained immigrants in detention in a similar situations.

The Trump administration had argued that while the girl was in federal custody, she was subject to its policy of refusing to facilitate abortions. The girl, whose name and nationality were not disclosed, went by the name of “Jane Doe” in legal papers.

While the case was pending at the Supreme Court, litigation continued in lower courts.

On March 30, a federal judge in Washington issued an injunction preventing the administration from impeding access to abortion by detained immigrant minors. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan also certified a class action of similar minors to challenge the administration’s policy.

“Today’s decision doesn’t affect our ongoing efforts to ensure that all ‘Janes’ can get an abortion if they need one,” said ACLU attorney Brigitte Amiri. “The district court has blocked the Trump administration’s cruel policy of obstructing unaccompanied immigrant minors’ access to abortion while the case continues, and we won’t stop until we strike it down once and for all.”

The ACLU, which has filed a range of lawsuits against the administration, sued in Washington in October, seeking a decision on obtaining abortions that would be binding in any future cases that arise.

A 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalized abortion nationwide. One of the issues raised by the current case is whether illegal immigrant women have the same right to an abortion as American citizens and legal residents.

The case involves the intersection of two divisive social issues on which Trump has taken a hard line: abortion and immigration.

The girl at the center of the legal fight had an abortion on Oct. 25, the day after a U.S. appeals court ruled against the Trump administration’s objections.

The Justice Department has said it was preparing to appeal that ruling to the Supreme Court when it learned she had already had the abortion early that morning.

She entered the United States without any family in September 2017 and was immediately detained by U.S. authorities and placed in a shelter in Texas for unaccompanied illegal immigrant minors.

She had sought and received a Texas court order to approve the abortion because she a minor, and had scheduled a sonogram and consultation with a physician, as required by Texas law. But the Trump administration refused to let her leave the detention center to carry out those steps.

At the time of the abortion, she was around 15 weeks pregnant. Under Texas law, abortions after 20 weeks are illegal.

The administration had accused the ACLU lawyers of misleading the Justice Department over when she would have the abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday threw out a lower court ruling that let a pregnant illegal immigrant minor held in federal immigration custody obtain an abortion last year at age 17 over the objections of President Donald Trump’s administration. The action by the justices provided a legal victory to Trump’s administration even though the teenager already has had the abortion because it eliminated a precedent at the federal appeals court level that could have applied in similar circumstances in which detained minors sought abortions. In the unsigned opinion with no dissents, the justices threw out the appeals court decision on the grounds that the dispute became moot once the unnamed teenager had the abortion. The justices, however, declined to take up the administration’s request for disciplinary action against the American Civil Liberties Union lawyers who represented the girl, who underwent an abortion in Texas last October. The administration had accused the ACLU lawyers of misleading the Justice Department over when she would have the abortion. The high court said that it takes misconduct allegations against lawyers seriously but said “not all communication breakdowns constitute misconduct.” The justices also allowed litigation to continue in lower courts concerning other detained immigrants in detention in a similar situations. The Trump administration had argued that while the girl was in federal custody, she was subject to its policy of refusing to facilitate abortions. The girl, whose name and nationality were not disclosed, went by the name of “Jane Doe” in legal papers. While the case was pending at the Supreme Court, litigation continued in lower courts. On March 30, a federal judge in Washington issued an injunction preventing the administration from impeding access to abortion by detained immigrant minors. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan also certified a class action of similar minors to challenge the administration’s policy. “Today’s decision doesn’t affect our ongoing efforts to ensure that all ‘Janes’ can get an abortion if they need one,” said ACLU attorney Brigitte Amiri. “The district court has blocked the Trump administration’s cruel policy of obstructing unaccompanied immigrant minors’ access to abortion while the case continues, and we won’t stop until we strike it down once and for all.” The ACLU, which has filed a range of lawsuits against the administration, sued in Washington in October, seeking a decision on obtaining abortions that would be binding in any future cases that arise. A 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalized abortion nationwide. One of the issues raised by the current case is whether illegal immigrant women have the same right to an abortion as American citizens and legal residents. The case involves the intersection of two divisive social issues on which Trump has taken a hard line: abortion and immigration. The girl at the center of the legal fight had an abortion on Oct. 25, the day after a U.S. appeals court ruled against the Trump administration’s objections. The Justice Department has said it was preparing to appeal that ruling to the Supreme Court when it learned she had already had the abortion early that morning. She entered the United States without any family in September 2017 and was immediately detained by U.S. authorities and placed in a shelter in Texas for unaccompanied illegal immigrant minors. She had sought and received a Texas court order to approve the abortion because she a minor, and had scheduled a sonogram and consultation with a physician, as required by Texas law. But the Trump administration refused to let her leave the detention center to carry out those steps. At the time of the abortion, she was around 15 weeks pregnant. Under Texas law, abortions after 20 weeks are illegal.

Supreme Court throws out immigrant teen abortion ruling

The United Nations called on the United States on Tuesday to stop detaining irregular migrant families and separating children on its frontier with Mexico, saying this broke the law.

Several hundred children crossing the southern U.S. border have been held in custody since October 2017 following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump when he took office in January 2016, it said.

"The U.S. should immediately halt this practice of separating families and stop criminalising what should at most be an administrative offence – that of irregular entry or stay in the U.S.," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a briefing in Geneva.

"Entering a country without the relevant papers should not be a criminal offence...so these people should not be detained," she said, adding that some children were very young, including a one-year-old infant.

Poverty, as well as deepening violence from criminal gangs and drug traffickers has driven hundreds of thousands of Central Americans to try to cross the U.S. border illegally or seek asylum in the country.

The Trump administration will soon begin fingerprinting parents claiming custody of children who entered the United States illegally without an adult relative, officials said a week ago, prompting criticism that children may be abandoned by those who fear being identified and deported. [nL2N1T01BY]

Shamdasani, asked about comments by senior U.S. officials that it was normal to remove children from parents in custody, said: "There is nothing normal about detaining children.

"Detention is never in the best interests of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation," she said.

The United States - the only country in the world not to have ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child - still has obligations as a signatory to that treaty and as a party that has ratified other rights treaties, Shamdasani said

"Our position is that preserving family unity is a fundamental tenet of refugee protection," U.N. refugee agency spokesman William Spindler said.

Most crossing the U.S. southern border are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador where there is rampant violence and persecution targetting children and youth, he said.

"The fact that you have people coming from countries experiencing violence and might be subject to persecution by gangs and other criminal violence, would certainly ... give them the right to receive international protection," Spindler said.

Several hundred children crossing the southern U.S. border have been held in custody since October 2017 following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump when he took office in January 2016, it said

The United Nations called on the United States on Tuesday to stop detaining irregular migrant families and separating children on its frontier with Mexico, saying this broke the law. Several hundred children crossing the southern U.S. border have been held in custody since October 2017 following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump when he took office in January 2016, it said. "The U.S. should immediately halt this practice of separating families and stop criminalising what should at most be an administrative offence – that of irregular entry or stay in the U.S.," U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a briefing in Geneva. "Entering a country without the relevant papers should not be a criminal offence...so these people should not be detained," she said, adding that some children were very young, including a one-year-old infant. Poverty, as well as deepening violence from criminal gangs and drug traffickers has driven hundreds of thousands of Central Americans to try to cross the U.S. border illegally or seek asylum in the country. The Trump administration will soon begin fingerprinting parents claiming custody of children who entered the United States illegally without an adult relative, officials said a week ago, prompting criticism that children may be abandoned by those who fear being identified and deported. [nL2N1T01BY] Shamdasani, asked about comments by senior U.S. officials that it was normal to remove children from parents in custody, said: "There is nothing normal about detaining children. "Detention is never in the best interests of the child and always constitutes a child rights violation," she said. The United States - the only country in the world not to have ratified the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child - still has obligations as a signatory to that treaty and as a party that has ratified other rights treaties, Shamdasani said "Our position is that preserving family unity is a fundamental tenet of refugee protection," U.N. refugee agency spokesman William Spindler said. Most crossing the U.S. southern border are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador where there is rampant violence and persecution targetting children and youth, he said. "The fact that you have people coming from countries experiencing violence and might be subject to persecution by gangs and other criminal violence, would certainly ... give them the right to receive international protection," Spindler said.

US should stop detaining migrants, separating children: UN

Finally, Melania Trump has reappeared. 
 
After more than three weeks out of the public eye, the first lady strolled into a White House event&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;for military families and swept away the wild speculation that she was incapacitated or had otherwise vanished. 
 
The White House did not allow journalists to cover the Gold Star event out of respect for the families, which meant Mrs. Trump was seen in person only by the 40 or so families and administration officials who attended. Others had to keep an eye on social media. 
 
Video posted on Twitter showed the first lady, who wore a black sleeveless dress and her trademark stilettos, strolling into the East Room accompanied by President Donald Trump. He showed her to a front-row seat across the aisle from Vice President Mike Pence before heading to the microphone. 
 
"She looked beautiful," said retired Sgt. 1st Class Diana Pike. Pike's son, Chief Petty Officer Christian Pike, of Peoria, Arizona, died in 2013 from injuries suffered in Afghanistan. "She just looked so beautiful." 
 
Trump joked about all the speculation that his wife had supposedly left him but said she was doing fine, Pike said. 
 
The first lady later tweeted several photos of the event, including two of her seated alongside the president. 
 
Mrs. Trump was last seen publicly during the overnight hours of May 10 when she and the president welcomed home three Americans who had been detained in North Korea.&nbsp;Four days later, the White House announced that she had been hospitalized to treat a benign kidney condition. 
 
The closest first lady parallel to Mrs Trump's time out of the public spotlight is Bess Truman, who did few events as first lady because of discomfort around the media, said Anita McBride, a veteran of three Republican administrations who last served as chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush. Mrs Truman also spent a lot of time in Missouri with her mother. 
 
Nancy Reagan spent several weeks out of public view after a mastectomy, but continued to meet with staff and do other work behind the scenes. 
 
Public interest in and news media coverage of first ladies exploded during the Obama administration, the first White House to extensively use social media to spread its brand, McBride said. But first ladies are not elected and technically are still private citizens, and each one gets to tailor the job to suit her. 
 
"She is going to do this job her way," McBride said of Mrs Trump. "It's her style and we just have to accept that." 
 
Mrs Trump stayed in the hospital for five days and has kept out of public view since returning home May 19. She has been meeting with staff and working on upcoming projects, according to spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham. 
 
Grisham said the Gold Star families' event was important to Mrs Trump and had been on her calendar for some time. 
 
It's still unclear when the first lady will make an appearance in public. She's not scheduled to accompany Trump to an annual world leaders' summit in Canada this weekend, or when he meets with North Korea's leader in Singapore next week.&nbsp; 
 
Her absence sparked all kinds of wild speculation, but the first lady has shown no interest in making an appearance just to knock down rumors. 
 
 
She sent early signals that she will not bow to speculation or public expectations about what she should be doing.&nbsp; 
 
Her first clue that she would be a different first lady came when she decided to continue living at Trump Tower after her husband took office in January 2017, citing a desire to maintain stability for her son's schooling. She and son Barron officially moved to the White House last June. 
 
 
"Mrs Trump is very strong and independent," Grisham said.&nbsp;

After more than three weeks out of the public eye, the first lady strolled into a White House event Monday for military families and swept away the wild speculation that she was incapacitated or had otherwise vanished

Finally, Melania Trump has reappeared. After more than three weeks out of the public eye, the first lady strolled into a White House event Monday for military families and swept away the wild speculation that she was incapacitated or had otherwise vanished. The White House did not allow journalists to cover the Gold Star event out of respect for the families, which meant Mrs. Trump was seen in person only by the 40 or so families and administration officials who attended. Others had to keep an eye on social media. Video posted on Twitter showed the first lady, who wore a black sleeveless dress and her trademark stilettos, strolling into the East Room accompanied by President Donald Trump. He showed her to a front-row seat across the aisle from Vice President Mike Pence before heading to the microphone. "She looked beautiful," said retired Sgt. 1st Class Diana Pike. Pike's son, Chief Petty Officer Christian Pike, of Peoria, Arizona, died in 2013 from injuries suffered in Afghanistan. "She just looked so beautiful." Trump joked about all the speculation that his wife had supposedly left him but said she was doing fine, Pike said. The first lady later tweeted several photos of the event, including two of her seated alongside the president. Mrs. Trump was last seen publicly during the overnight hours of May 10 when she and the president welcomed home three Americans who had been detained in North Korea. Four days later, the White House announced that she had been hospitalized to treat a benign kidney condition. The closest first lady parallel to Mrs Trump's time out of the public spotlight is Bess Truman, who did few events as first lady because of discomfort around the media, said Anita McBride, a veteran of three Republican administrations who last served as chief of staff to first lady Laura Bush. Mrs Truman also spent a lot of time in Missouri with her mother. Nancy Reagan spent several weeks out of public view after a mastectomy, but continued to meet with staff and do other work behind the scenes. Public interest in and news media coverage of first ladies exploded during the Obama administration, the first White House to extensively use social media to spread its brand, McBride said. But first ladies are not elected and technically are still private citizens, and each one gets to tailor the job to suit her. "She is going to do this job her way," McBride said of Mrs Trump. "It's her style and we just have to accept that." Mrs Trump stayed in the hospital for five days and has kept out of public view since returning home May 19. She has been meeting with staff and working on upcoming projects, according to spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham. Grisham said the Gold Star families' event was important to Mrs Trump and had been on her calendar for some time. It's still unclear when the first lady will make an appearance in public. She's not scheduled to accompany Trump to an annual world leaders' summit in Canada this weekend, or when he meets with North Korea's leader in Singapore next week. Her absence sparked all kinds of wild speculation, but the first lady has shown no interest in making an appearance just to knock down rumors. She sent early signals that she will not bow to speculation or public expectations about what she should be doing. Her first clue that she would be a different first lady came when she decided to continue living at Trump Tower after her husband took office in January 2017, citing a desire to maintain stability for her son's schooling. She and son Barron officially moved to the White House last June. "Mrs Trump is very strong and independent," Grisham said.

After 24 days out of sight, Melania Trump finally reappears

The US&nbsp;Justice Department said on Monday it would appeal against a federal judge’s ruling that President Donald Trump may not legally block Twitter users from his account on the social media platform based on their political views, according to a court filing.

Jameel Jaffer, a lawyer for the seven plaintiffs who sued, said the @realDonaldTrump account had unblocked the seven plaintiffs on Monday.

“We’re pleased that the White House unblocked our clients from the President’s Twitter account but disappointed that the government intends to appeal the district court’s thoughtful and well-supported ruling,” Jaffer said in an email.

The White House did not comment immediately. A Justice Department spokeswoman confirmed the plaintiffs had been unblocked.

Trump has made his Twitter account - with more than 52 million followers - an integral and controversial part of his presidency, using it to promote his agenda, announce policy and attack critics. He has blocked many critics from his account, which prevents them from directly responding to his tweets.

US&nbsp;District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan ruled on May 23 that comments on the president’s account, and those of other government officials, were public forums and that blocking Twitter users for their views violated their right to free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Buchwald’s ruling was in response to a First Amendment lawsuit filed against Trump in July 2017 by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and several Twitter users.

The plaintiffs include Philip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland, and Brandon Neely, a Texas police officer.

Cohen, who was blocked from Trump’s account a year ago, wrote on Twitter late Monday: “We whined. We complained. We sued. We won our First Amendment lawsuit in federal court. And now @realDonaldTrump has unblocked me. Wow!”

Neely tweeted at Trump after he was unblocked late Monday: “@realDonaldTrump 368 days and a win in court and now I AM BACK!!!”

Novelists Stephen King and Anne Rice, comedian Rosie O’Donnell, model Chrissy Teigen, actress Marina Sirtis and the military veterans political action committee VoteVets.org are among others who have said on Twitter that Trump blocked them.

Buchwald rejected the argument by Justice Department lawyers that Trump’s own First Amendment rights allowed him to block people with whom he did not wish to interact.

Trump could “mute” users, meaning he would not see their tweets while they could still respond to his, she said, without violating their free speech rights.

The White House did not comment immediately. A Justice Department spokeswoman confirmed the plaintiffs had been unblocked

The US Justice Department said on Monday it would appeal against a federal judge’s ruling that President Donald Trump may not legally block Twitter users from his account on the social media platform based on their political views, according to a court filing. Jameel Jaffer, a lawyer for the seven plaintiffs who sued, said the @realDonaldTrump account had unblocked the seven plaintiffs on Monday. “We’re pleased that the White House unblocked our clients from the President’s Twitter account but disappointed that the government intends to appeal the district court’s thoughtful and well-supported ruling,” Jaffer said in an email. The White House did not comment immediately. A Justice Department spokeswoman confirmed the plaintiffs had been unblocked. Trump has made his Twitter account - with more than 52 million followers - an integral and controversial part of his presidency, using it to promote his agenda, announce policy and attack critics. He has blocked many critics from his account, which prevents them from directly responding to his tweets. US District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan ruled on May 23 that comments on the president’s account, and those of other government officials, were public forums and that blocking Twitter users for their views violated their right to free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Buchwald’s ruling was in response to a First Amendment lawsuit filed against Trump in July 2017 by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and several Twitter users. The plaintiffs include Philip Cohen, a sociology professor at the University of Maryland, and Brandon Neely, a Texas police officer. Cohen, who was blocked from Trump’s account a year ago, wrote on Twitter late Monday: “We whined. We complained. We sued. We won our First Amendment lawsuit in federal court. And now @realDonaldTrump has unblocked me. Wow!” Neely tweeted at Trump after he was unblocked late Monday: “@realDonaldTrump 368 days and a win in court and now I AM BACK!!!” Novelists Stephen King and Anne Rice, comedian Rosie O’Donnell, model Chrissy Teigen, actress Marina Sirtis and the military veterans political action committee VoteVets.org are among others who have said on Twitter that Trump blocked them. Buchwald rejected the argument by Justice Department lawyers that Trump’s own First Amendment rights allowed him to block people with whom he did not wish to interact. Trump could “mute” users, meaning he would not see their tweets while they could still respond to his, she said, without violating their free speech rights.

US appeals against ruling that Trump could not block Twitter followers

China warned the United States on Sunday that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures, as the two ended their latest round of talks in Beijing.

A short statement, carried by the official Xinhua news agency, made no mention of any specific new agreements after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

It referred instead to a consensus they reached last month in Washington, when China agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services.

“To implement the consensus reached in Washington, the two sides have had good communication in various areas such as agriculture and energy, and have made positive and concrete progress,” the state news agency said, adding details would be subject to “final confirmation by both parties”.

The United States and China have threatened tit-for-tat tariffs on goods worth up to $150 billion each.

Xinhua said China’s attitude had been consistent, that it was willing to increase imports from all countries, including the United States.

“Reform and opening up and expanding domestic demand are China’s national strategies. Our established rhythm will not change,” it added.

“The achievements reached by China and the United States should be based on the premise that the two sides should meet each other halfway and not fight a trade war,” Xinhua said.

“If the United States introduces trade sanctions including raising tariffs, all the economic and trade achievements negotiated by the two parties will be void.”

There was no immediate comment or statement from the U.S. delegation or from Ross himself.

At the end of last month’s Washington talks the two countries put out a joint statement.

But just when it appeared a trade truce between the two economic heavyweights was on the cards, the White House last week warned it would pursue tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, as well as impose restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States and tighter export controls.

State-run Chinese newspaper the Global Times said in an editorial on its website that China needed to prepare for the long haul due to the U.S. propensity for changing its mind and coming up with new demands.

“Tariffs and expanding exports - the United States can’t have both,” it said. “China-U.S. trade negotiations have to dig up the two sides’ greatest number of common interests, and cannot be tilted toward unilateral U.S. interests.”

Xinhua said in a separate commentary that the United States should not test China with any further flip-flops or provocations.

“The Chinese government’s attitude of not wanting but also not fearing a trade war has never changed,” it said.

Ross arrived in Beijing on Saturday for talks after the Trump administration renewed tariff threats against China, and with key U.S. allies in a foul mood toward Washington after they were hit with duties on steel and aluminum.

Addressing Liu earlier in the day at the start of their formal talks at a government guest house, Ross praised the tone of their interactions.

“Our meetings so far have been friendly and frank, and covered some useful topics about specific export items,” Ross said, in brief comments before reporters.

Liu spoke only to welcome Ross.

Neither man has made any other comments to the media.

Ross is expected to leave Beijing later on Sunday.

Liu, a Harvard-trained economist who is a trusted confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is China’s chief negotiator in the trade dispute.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday the United States wanted this weekend’s talks to result in structural changes to China’s economy, in addition to increased Chinese purchases of American goods.

The purchases are partly aimed at shrinking the $375 billion U.S. goods trade deficit with China.

Mnuchin, speaking at a G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada where he was the target of U.S. allies’ anger over steel and aluminum tariffs, said the China talks would cover other issues, including the Trump administration’s desire to eliminate Chinese joint venture requirements and other policies that effectively force technology transfers.

“I want to be clear, this isn’t just about buying more goods, this is about structural changes,” Mnuchin said.

“But I also fundamentally believe that if there are structural changes that allow our companies to compete fairly, by definition, that will deal with the trade deficit alone.”

The U.S. delegation at the Beijing talks included Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs David Malpass, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, and United States Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud.

Other officials and technical experts from the Department of Commerce, Department of Treasury, United States Trade Representative, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy also took part, the White House said.

China’s delegation included central bank governor Yi Gang, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, and Ning Jizhe, a deputy head of the powerful planning body the National Development and Reform Commission.

Ross, who was preceded in Beijing last week by more than 50 U.S. officials, is expected during the two-day visit to try to secure long-term purchases of U.S. farm and energy commodities to help shrink the U.S. trade deficit.

The U.S. team also wants to secure greater intellectual property protection and an end to Chinese subsidies that have contributed to overproduction of steel and aluminum.

A short statement, carried by the official Xinhua news agency, made no mention of any specific new agreements after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He

China warned the United States on Sunday that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures, as the two ended their latest round of talks in Beijing. A short statement, carried by the official Xinhua news agency, made no mention of any specific new agreements after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. It referred instead to a consensus they reached last month in Washington, when China agreed to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. goods and services. “To implement the consensus reached in Washington, the two sides have had good communication in various areas such as agriculture and energy, and have made positive and concrete progress,” the state news agency said, adding details would be subject to “final confirmation by both parties”. The United States and China have threatened tit-for-tat tariffs on goods worth up to $150 billion each. Xinhua said China’s attitude had been consistent, that it was willing to increase imports from all countries, including the United States. “Reform and opening up and expanding domestic demand are China’s national strategies. Our established rhythm will not change,” it added. “The achievements reached by China and the United States should be based on the premise that the two sides should meet each other halfway and not fight a trade war,” Xinhua said. “If the United States introduces trade sanctions including raising tariffs, all the economic and trade achievements negotiated by the two parties will be void.” There was no immediate comment or statement from the U.S. delegation or from Ross himself. At the end of last month’s Washington talks the two countries put out a joint statement. But just when it appeared a trade truce between the two economic heavyweights was on the cards, the White House last week warned it would pursue tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, as well as impose restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States and tighter export controls. State-run Chinese newspaper the Global Times said in an editorial on its website that China needed to prepare for the long haul due to the U.S. propensity for changing its mind and coming up with new demands. “Tariffs and expanding exports - the United States can’t have both,” it said. “China-U.S. trade negotiations have to dig up the two sides’ greatest number of common interests, and cannot be tilted toward unilateral U.S. interests.” Xinhua said in a separate commentary that the United States should not test China with any further flip-flops or provocations. “The Chinese government’s attitude of not wanting but also not fearing a trade war has never changed,” it said. Ross arrived in Beijing on Saturday for talks after the Trump administration renewed tariff threats against China, and with key U.S. allies in a foul mood toward Washington after they were hit with duties on steel and aluminum. Addressing Liu earlier in the day at the start of their formal talks at a government guest house, Ross praised the tone of their interactions. “Our meetings so far have been friendly and frank, and covered some useful topics about specific export items,” Ross said, in brief comments before reporters. Liu spoke only to welcome Ross. Neither man has made any other comments to the media. Ross is expected to leave Beijing later on Sunday. Liu, a Harvard-trained economist who is a trusted confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is China’s chief negotiator in the trade dispute. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday the United States wanted this weekend’s talks to result in structural changes to China’s economy, in addition to increased Chinese purchases of American goods. The purchases are partly aimed at shrinking the $375 billion U.S. goods trade deficit with China. Mnuchin, speaking at a G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada where he was the target of U.S. allies’ anger over steel and aluminum tariffs, said the China talks would cover other issues, including the Trump administration’s desire to eliminate Chinese joint venture requirements and other policies that effectively force technology transfers. “I want to be clear, this isn’t just about buying more goods, this is about structural changes,” Mnuchin said. “But I also fundamentally believe that if there are structural changes that allow our companies to compete fairly, by definition, that will deal with the trade deficit alone.” The U.S. delegation at the Beijing talks included Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs David Malpass, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, and United States Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud. Other officials and technical experts from the Department of Commerce, Department of Treasury, United States Trade Representative, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy also took part, the White House said. China’s delegation included central bank governor Yi Gang, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, and Ning Jizhe, a deputy head of the powerful planning body the National Development and Reform Commission. Ross, who was preceded in Beijing last week by more than 50 U.S. officials, is expected during the two-day visit to try to secure long-term purchases of U.S. farm and energy commodities to help shrink the U.S. trade deficit. The U.S. team also wants to secure greater intellectual property protection and an end to Chinese subsidies that have contributed to overproduction of steel and aluminum.

Talks end with China warning trade benefits at risk if US imposes tariffs

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross arrived in Beijing&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;for talks aiming to ease tensions over tariffs that have heightened fears of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies, Chinese state media said.

Despite announcing a truce earlier this month, the United States is working to finalise planned sanctions on Beijing -- including restrictions on Chinese investment, export controls and 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese tech goods.

China has threatened to hit back with tit-for-tat tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in US goods.

Ross will stay in the Chinese capital until&nbsp;Sunday, a US government official said.

His visit comes as fears of an all-out global trade war intensified after the European Union, Canada and Mexico drew up retaliatory measures to Washington's stinging steel and aluminium tariffs that came into effect&nbsp;on Friday.

US President Donald Trump first announced trade sanctions on China, largely focused on the Asian giant's theft of US intellectual property, in March.

Beijing&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;lambasted "sudden flip-flops" in US policy after the Trump administration said it would still move to impose the sanctions against it -- just over a week after announcing a truce.

But as Ross arrived, China appeared to soften its position.

"China's door for negotiation remains open," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying&nbsp;on Friday.

The US and China "should adopt a sincere attitude and follow the spirit of equality and mutual respect to seek a win-win solution through dialogue and consultation", she added.

The final list of Chinese imports covered by the US tariffs list will be announced&nbsp;June 15&nbsp;and imposed shortly thereafter, while the proposed investment restrictions and enhanced export controls will be announced by&nbsp;June 30, according to the White House.

Trump has accused China of forcing American firms to hand over their industrial secrets to Chinese companies in order to do business in the country, a charge that Beijing has rejected.

The US leader has also threatened to impose tariffs on an additional $100 billion in Chinese goods if Beijing retaliates.

Zhu Feng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University, told AFP he was "not very optimistic" about the outcome of the latest trade negotiations.

"The chance that there will be no trade war at all is low. I'm afraid that the most practical option for the two sides is now to limit the extent of the conflict," he said.

China has threatened to hit back with tit-for-tat tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in US goods

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross arrived in Beijing Saturday for talks aiming to ease tensions over tariffs that have heightened fears of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies, Chinese state media said. Despite announcing a truce earlier this month, the United States is working to finalise planned sanctions on Beijing -- including restrictions on Chinese investment, export controls and 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese tech goods. China has threatened to hit back with tit-for-tat tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in US goods. Ross will stay in the Chinese capital until Sunday, a US government official said. His visit comes as fears of an all-out global trade war intensified after the European Union, Canada and Mexico drew up retaliatory measures to Washington's stinging steel and aluminium tariffs that came into effect on Friday. US President Donald Trump first announced trade sanctions on China, largely focused on the Asian giant's theft of US intellectual property, in March. Beijing on Wednesday lambasted "sudden flip-flops" in US policy after the Trump administration said it would still move to impose the sanctions against it -- just over a week after announcing a truce. But as Ross arrived, China appeared to soften its position. "China's door for negotiation remains open," said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Friday. The US and China "should adopt a sincere attitude and follow the spirit of equality and mutual respect to seek a win-win solution through dialogue and consultation", she added. The final list of Chinese imports covered by the US tariffs list will be announced June 15 and imposed shortly thereafter, while the proposed investment restrictions and enhanced export controls will be announced by June 30, according to the White House. Trump has accused China of forcing American firms to hand over their industrial secrets to Chinese companies in order to do business in the country, a charge that Beijing has rejected. The US leader has also threatened to impose tariffs on an additional $100 billion in Chinese goods if Beijing retaliates. Zhu Feng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University, told AFP he was "not very optimistic" about the outcome of the latest trade negotiations. "The chance that there will be no trade war at all is low. I'm afraid that the most practical option for the two sides is now to limit the extent of the conflict," he said.

US Commerce Secretary in China for talks to avoid trade war

The EU&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;launched its first counteroffensive against Washington's punishing steel and aluminium tariffs while the US began meetings in Canada with outraged finance ministers from its top trading partners.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Trump floated the possibility of scrapping the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement in favour of separate bilateral deals with Canada and Mexico.

Brussels and Ottawa filed legal challenges at the World Trade Organization against Washington's decision. The EU, Canada and Mexico also threatened stiff retaliatory tariffs as they pushed back against President Donald Trump's multi-front trade offensive.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;he was dumbfounded by Washington's national security basis for the tariffs, given that US and Canadian troops had fought together in World War II, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This is insulting to them," he told NBC News.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "deeply disappointed" and reiterated a call for Britain and the EU to be "permanently exempted" from the "unjustified" metals tariffs.

As the Group of Seven ministerial meeting opened in Canada, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin faced stern reaction from his counterparts, who accused Trump of jeopardizing the world economy with steps that would prove job killers for all concerned.

Canada Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the G7 discussions would be "difficult."

"We are sending the message that these measures are not helpful," he told reporters.

And French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Europe "will not negotiate with a gun to our heads."

They are joined at the meeting by officials from Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan.

"Unfortunately, we are being treated to a G6 + 1, with the United States squaring off against the rest and risking the economic destabilization of the planet," Le Maire said.

Behind closed doors, according to a European source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Mnuchin said little, choosing not to get into detail and deferring answers to next week's G7 summit when heads of state gather in Quebec, Canada.

Other delegations, however, hammered the points made earlier in public.

Le Maire argued that if Washington itself flouted the rules of international commerce, it would have a harder time convincing China to abide by them.

The US imposed the tariffs in March but gave Canada and the EU -- the biggest sources of foreign aluminium and steel for the US -- a grace period that ended at&nbsp;midnight&nbsp;Thursday.

Trump's decision drew furious responses from Canadian President Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The EU is preparing to slap tariffs on US products including bourbon, motorcycles and blue jeans worth up to 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion).

"If players in the world don't stick to the rulebook, the system might collapse. That is why we are challenging the US and China at the WTO," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said.

Macron told Trump in a telephone call that the tariffs were "illegal," and Merkel said the measure "risks touching off spirals of escalation that in the end hurt everyone."

Canada unveiled a package of counter-tariffs on US imports valued at Can$16.6 billion (US$12.8 billion).

And Mexico said it would impose retaliatory duties on a variety of US goods, including steel and a host of agricultural goods, including pork, apples and cheese.

The prospect of a global trade war has roiled financial markets this week even if they were back in positive territory&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;due to upbeat US economic data.&nbsp;

Berenberg Bank economist Holger Schmieding argued that the direct impact of a US-EU trade war on the world economy would actually be rather small.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, "Trump's contempt for international rules can deal a significant blow to business confidence especially in trade-oriented nations," Schmieding said.

The WTO's former chief, Pascal Lamy, also said the damage would likely be limited in concrete terms.

"We have to keep things in proportion," he said on the French radio station France Info. He estimated that the economic impact of the tariffs would amount to "a very small part of trade flows as a whole."

But others have estimated the impact as up to a full point off global growth if the conflict expands and retaliation goes into effect.

The German carmakers' federation described the imposition of tariffs as "incomprehensible."

"In a connected, global economy, customs barriers don't benefit anyone, including the United States," the VDA federation said.

Germany's carmakers are especially braced for the latest threat from Trump, who earlier this month launched proceedings that could eventually slap 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports.

"I know he has a very particular problem with German cars," warned Malmstrom.

Trump floated the possibility of scrapping the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement in favour of separate bilateral deals with Canada and Mexico

The EU on Friday launched its first counteroffensive against Washington's punishing steel and aluminium tariffs while the US began meetings in Canada with outraged finance ministers from its top trading partners. Meanwhile, in Washington, Trump floated the possibility of scrapping the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement in favour of separate bilateral deals with Canada and Mexico. Brussels and Ottawa filed legal challenges at the World Trade Organization against Washington's decision. The EU, Canada and Mexico also threatened stiff retaliatory tariffs as they pushed back against President Donald Trump's multi-front trade offensive. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday he was dumbfounded by Washington's national security basis for the tariffs, given that US and Canadian troops had fought together in World War II, Afghanistan and elsewhere. "This is insulting to them," he told NBC News. British Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "deeply disappointed" and reiterated a call for Britain and the EU to be "permanently exempted" from the "unjustified" metals tariffs. As the Group of Seven ministerial meeting opened in Canada, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin faced stern reaction from his counterparts, who accused Trump of jeopardizing the world economy with steps that would prove job killers for all concerned. Canada Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the G7 discussions would be "difficult." "We are sending the message that these measures are not helpful," he told reporters. And French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Europe "will not negotiate with a gun to our heads." They are joined at the meeting by officials from Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan. "Unfortunately, we are being treated to a G6 + 1, with the United States squaring off against the rest and risking the economic destabilization of the planet," Le Maire said. Behind closed doors, according to a European source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Mnuchin said little, choosing not to get into detail and deferring answers to next week's G7 summit when heads of state gather in Quebec, Canada. Other delegations, however, hammered the points made earlier in public. Le Maire argued that if Washington itself flouted the rules of international commerce, it would have a harder time convincing China to abide by them. The US imposed the tariffs in March but gave Canada and the EU -- the biggest sources of foreign aluminium and steel for the US -- a grace period that ended at midnight Thursday. Trump's decision drew furious responses from Canadian President Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. The EU is preparing to slap tariffs on US products including bourbon, motorcycles and blue jeans worth up to 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion). "If players in the world don't stick to the rulebook, the system might collapse. That is why we are challenging the US and China at the WTO," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said. Macron told Trump in a telephone call that the tariffs were "illegal," and Merkel said the measure "risks touching off spirals of escalation that in the end hurt everyone." Canada unveiled a package of counter-tariffs on US imports valued at Can$16.6 billion (US$12.8 billion). And Mexico said it would impose retaliatory duties on a variety of US goods, including steel and a host of agricultural goods, including pork, apples and cheese. The prospect of a global trade war has roiled financial markets this week even if they were back in positive territory on Friday due to upbeat US economic data. Berenberg Bank economist Holger Schmieding argued that the direct impact of a US-EU trade war on the world economy would actually be rather small. Nevertheless, "Trump's contempt for international rules can deal a significant blow to business confidence especially in trade-oriented nations," Schmieding said. The WTO's former chief, Pascal Lamy, also said the damage would likely be limited in concrete terms. "We have to keep things in proportion," he said on the French radio station France Info. He estimated that the economic impact of the tariffs would amount to "a very small part of trade flows as a whole." But others have estimated the impact as up to a full point off global growth if the conflict expands and retaliation goes into effect. The German carmakers' federation described the imposition of tariffs as "incomprehensible." "In a connected, global economy, customs barriers don't benefit anyone, including the United States," the VDA federation said. Germany's carmakers are especially braced for the latest threat from Trump, who earlier this month launched proceedings that could eventually slap 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports. "I know he has a very particular problem with German cars," warned Malmstrom.

European Union joins global battle against Trump tariff onslaught

Citing national security concerns, US President Donald Trump's administration is working on a fresh plan to subsidize coal and nuclear plants, a move critics say is unnecessary and will drive up energy costs.&nbsp;

The new move comes months after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission terminated an earlier proposal to provide federal aid to the troubled sectors, claiming it was needed to strengthen the resilience of the national grid.

The US energy watchdog found the proposals neither justified nor reasonable.

But&nbsp;on Friday, the White House said it was working on a new plan.

"Keeping America's energy grid and infrastructure strong and secure protects our national security, public safety and economy from intentional attacks and natural disasters," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, impending retirements of fuel-secure power facilities are leading to a rapid depletion of a critical part of our nation's energy mix and impacting the resilience of our power grid."

Sanders said Trump had ordered Energy Secretary Rick Perry to prepare "immediate steps to stop the loss of these resources."

The statement did not provide further details, but a Wall Street Journal report said the new plan would force grid operators to take the electricity produced by coal and nuclear plants.

Grid operator PJM criticized the announcement, saying there was "no need for any such drastic action."

"Any federal intervention in the market to order customers to buy electricity from specific power plants would be damaging to the markets and therefore costly to consumers," it added.

Christopher Mansour, of the Solar Energy Industries Association, added: "A policy to spend billions of dollars keeping uneconomic power plants afloat, while trying to put clean and affordable solar on the sidelines, is not a recipe for economic success."

Both coal and nuclear have seen their share of the energy market diminish in recent years, losing out to oil, natural gas and renewables.

There are currently only two nuclear reactors under construction in the US, in addition to the 99 in service. Coal is also facing a crisis, and Trump made reversing its decline a major campaign pledge.

The US energy watchdog found the proposals neither justified nor reasonable

Citing national security concerns, US President Donald Trump's administration is working on a fresh plan to subsidize coal and nuclear plants, a move critics say is unnecessary and will drive up energy costs. The new move comes months after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission terminated an earlier proposal to provide federal aid to the troubled sectors, claiming it was needed to strengthen the resilience of the national grid. The US energy watchdog found the proposals neither justified nor reasonable. But on Friday, the White House said it was working on a new plan. "Keeping America's energy grid and infrastructure strong and secure protects our national security, public safety and economy from intentional attacks and natural disasters," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. "Unfortunately, impending retirements of fuel-secure power facilities are leading to a rapid depletion of a critical part of our nation's energy mix and impacting the resilience of our power grid." Sanders said Trump had ordered Energy Secretary Rick Perry to prepare "immediate steps to stop the loss of these resources." The statement did not provide further details, but a Wall Street Journal report said the new plan would force grid operators to take the electricity produced by coal and nuclear plants. Grid operator PJM criticized the announcement, saying there was "no need for any such drastic action." "Any federal intervention in the market to order customers to buy electricity from specific power plants would be damaging to the markets and therefore costly to consumers," it added. Christopher Mansour, of the Solar Energy Industries Association, added: "A policy to spend billions of dollars keeping uneconomic power plants afloat, while trying to put clean and affordable solar on the sidelines, is not a recipe for economic success." Both coal and nuclear have seen their share of the energy market diminish in recent years, losing out to oil, natural gas and renewables. There are currently only two nuclear reactors under construction in the US, in addition to the 99 in service. Coal is also facing a crisis, and Trump made reversing its decline a major campaign pledge.

Trump readies new plan to aid coal and nuclear power

The US unemployment rate fell to its lowest level&nbsp;in 18 years&nbsp;in May, the Labor Department reported&nbsp;Friday, showing the world's biggest economy remains robust even as President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies have stoked fears of an all-out trade war.

The jobless rate fell to 3.8 per cent from 3.9 per cent in the prior month, the lowest level since April 2000.

The last time the rate was lower than 3.8 per cent was December 1969.

With a shortage of workers reported throughout the country and across many industries and skill levels, the latest data confirmed wages are rising.

The economy added 223,000 non-farm jobs last month, stronger than the consensus forecast of economists, and better than the increase of 159,000 in April.

And the jobless rate for African American workers dropped sharply in the month to 5.9 per cent from 6.6 per cent, the lowest since the government began keeping records in 1972.

President Donald Trump has been touting that figure as a major accomplishment of his economic policies.

"We have reached yet one more historic milestone with 3.8 per cent unemployment just announced, and another all-time record low African-American unemployment," Trump said at an event shortly after the data were released.

At an event later&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;he continued to tout the strong results.

"We have such a great country right now," he said. "We have some of the best economic numbers we've ever had as a nation and that goes a long way. And we're building something very special."

But many economists and businesses have warned that jobs and economic growth could be victims of Trump's confrontational trade policies which includes steep tariffs on steel and aluminium that have hit key alli

Trump broke with protocol by tweeting about the report an hour before release time, hinting the figures would be positive.

"Looking forward to seeing the employment numbers at&nbsp;8:30&nbsp;this morning," he said on Twitter.

The data are kept strictly confidential and subject to tight security to prevent early release since investors worldwide are waiting to trade on the information.&nbsp;

The report is given to the White House a day in advance, although officials never hint at the contents.

A government rule prevents officials from commenting on sensitive data reports until one hour after release, something Trump administration officials have ignored on various occasions.

Markets did not appear to react to the tweet ahead of release time but were delighted afterwards.&nbsp;

US stocks surged after the opening bell, and mostly continued upward, with the tech-rich Nasdaq closing up 1.5 per cent, while the Dow gained 0.9 per cent.

With robust hiring continuing -- well beyond the monthly average of 179,000 for the past three months -- employers have been reporting the need to increase salaries and benefits to attract workers and keep them from being poached by competitors.

The report shows average hourly earnings rose 0.3 per cent last month to $26.92, which is 2.7 per cent higher than a year ago.

And the pace of hiring is shrinking the pool of available workers -- defined as those working or actively looking for work -- and that was the main driver behind the lower unemployment rate.&nbsp;

With wage gains finally above the Federal Reserve's two per cent inflation target, the central bank will be watching carefully to see if rising salaries translate into accelerating price increases.

However, the Fed signalled clearly that it is willing to tolerate inflation slightly above two per cent for a short period.

The central bank is widely expected to raise the benchmark lending rate at its meeting later in June, the second increase of three or four expected this year.

Hiring was strong across multiple sectors, although there was a slowdown in manufacturing -- contrary to Trump's repeated claims that the industry is adding workers due to last year's tax cuts and his trade policies, which include steep tariffs on aluminium and steel.

The manufacturing sector added 18,000 workers, the least since September 2017, retailers added 31,000, while health care rose 29,000 and construction 25,000.

Ben Herzon of IHS Markit said the labour market "is tightening rapidly" -- meaning the jobless rate is likely to fall further.

"Nearly all aspects of this report were positive and consistent with the solid growth of wage-and-salary income in the second quarter," Herzon said.

The jobless rate fell to 3.8 per cent from 3.9 per cent in the prior month, the lowest level since April 2000

The US unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in 18 years in May, the Labor Department reported Friday, showing the world's biggest economy remains robust even as President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies have stoked fears of an all-out trade war. The jobless rate fell to 3.8 per cent from 3.9 per cent in the prior month, the lowest level since April 2000. The last time the rate was lower than 3.8 per cent was December 1969. With a shortage of workers reported throughout the country and across many industries and skill levels, the latest data confirmed wages are rising. The economy added 223,000 non-farm jobs last month, stronger than the consensus forecast of economists, and better than the increase of 159,000 in April. And the jobless rate for African American workers dropped sharply in the month to 5.9 per cent from 6.6 per cent, the lowest since the government began keeping records in 1972. President Donald Trump has been touting that figure as a major accomplishment of his economic policies. "We have reached yet one more historic milestone with 3.8 per cent unemployment just announced, and another all-time record low African-American unemployment," Trump said at an event shortly after the data were released. At an event later Friday he continued to tout the strong results. "We have such a great country right now," he said. "We have some of the best economic numbers we've ever had as a nation and that goes a long way. And we're building something very special." But many economists and businesses have warned that jobs and economic growth could be victims of Trump's confrontational trade policies which includes steep tariffs on steel and aluminium that have hit key alli Trump broke with protocol by tweeting about the report an hour before release time, hinting the figures would be positive. "Looking forward to seeing the employment numbers at 8:30 this morning," he said on Twitter. The data are kept strictly confidential and subject to tight security to prevent early release since investors worldwide are waiting to trade on the information. The report is given to the White House a day in advance, although officials never hint at the contents. A government rule prevents officials from commenting on sensitive data reports until one hour after release, something Trump administration officials have ignored on various occasions. Markets did not appear to react to the tweet ahead of release time but were delighted afterwards. US stocks surged after the opening bell, and mostly continued upward, with the tech-rich Nasdaq closing up 1.5 per cent, while the Dow gained 0.9 per cent. With robust hiring continuing -- well beyond the monthly average of 179,000 for the past three months -- employers have been reporting the need to increase salaries and benefits to attract workers and keep them from being poached by competitors. The report shows average hourly earnings rose 0.3 per cent last month to $26.92, which is 2.7 per cent higher than a year ago. And the pace of hiring is shrinking the pool of available workers -- defined as those working or actively looking for work -- and that was the main driver behind the lower unemployment rate. With wage gains finally above the Federal Reserve's two per cent inflation target, the central bank will be watching carefully to see if rising salaries translate into accelerating price increases. However, the Fed signalled clearly that it is willing to tolerate inflation slightly above two per cent for a short period. The central bank is widely expected to raise the benchmark lending rate at its meeting later in June, the second increase of three or four expected this year. Hiring was strong across multiple sectors, although there was a slowdown in manufacturing -- contrary to Trump's repeated claims that the industry is adding workers due to last year's tax cuts and his trade policies, which include steep tariffs on aluminium and steel. The manufacturing sector added 18,000 workers, the least since September 2017, retailers added 31,000, while health care rose 29,000 and construction 25,000. Ben Herzon of IHS Markit said the labour market "is tightening rapidly" -- meaning the jobless rate is likely to fall further. "Nearly all aspects of this report were positive and consistent with the solid growth of wage-and-salary income in the second quarter," Herzon said.

US unemployment falls to 3.8% in May, lowest in 18 years

Poverty in the United States is extensive and is deepening under the Trump administration whose policies seem aimed at removing the safety net from millions of poor, while rewarding the rich, a UN&nbsphuman rights investigator has found.

Philip Alston, UN&nbspspecial rapporteur on extreme poverty, called on US&nbspauthorities to provide solid social protection and address underlying problems, rather than "punishing and imprisoning the poor".

While welfare benefits and access to health insurance are being slashed, President Donald Trump's tax reform has awarded "financial windfalls" to the mega-rich and large companies, further increasing inequality, he said in a report.

US&nbsppolicies since President Lyndon Johnson's war on poverty in the 1960s have been "neglectful at best", he said.

"But the policies pursued over the past year seem deliberately designed to remove basic protections from the poorest, punish those who are not in employment and make even basic health care into a privilege to be earned rather than a right of citizenship," Alston said.

Almost 41 million people live in poverty, 18.5 million of them in extreme poverty, and children account for one in three poor, he said. The United States has the highest youth poverty rate among industrialised countries, he added.

"Its citizens live shorter and sicker lives compared to those living in all other rich democracies, eradicable tropical diseases are increasingly prevalent and it has the world's highest incarceration rate...and the highest obesity levels in the developed world," Alston said.

However, the data from the U.S. Census Bureau he cited covers only the period through 2016, and he gave no comparative figures on the extent of poverty before and after Trump came into office in January 2017.

The Australian, a veteran U.N. rights expert and New York University law professor, will present his report to the United Nations Human Rights Council later this month.

It is based on his mission in December to several U.S. states, including rural Alabama, a slum in downtown Los Angeles, California, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

US&nbspofficials in Geneva were not immediately available for comment.

'SHAMEFUL STATISTICS'

Citing "shameful statistics" linked to entrenched racial discrimination, Alston said that African Americans are 2.5 times more likely than whites to live in poverty and their unemployment rate is more than double. Women, Hispanics, immigrants, and indigenous people also suffer high rates.

At least 550,000 people are homeless in America, he said.

"The tax reform will worsen this situation and ensure that the United States remains the most unequal society in the developed world," Alston said. "The planned dramatic cuts in welfare will essentially shred crucial dimensions of a safety net that is already full of holes."

The tax overhaul, which sailed through the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress in December, permanently cut the top corporate rate to 21 percent from 35 percent. Tax cuts for individuals, however, are temporary and expire after 2025.

Trump has said they will lead to more take-home pay for workers and have touted bonuses some workers received from their employers as evidence the law is working.

Alston dismissed allegations of widespread fraud in the welfare system and criticised the U.S. criminal justice system. It sets large bail bonds for a defendant seeking to go free pending trial, meaning wealthy suspects can afford bail while the poor remain in custody, often losing their jobs, he said.

"There is no magic recipe for eliminating extreme poverty and each level of government must make its own good-faith decisions. At the end of the day, however, particularly in a rich country like the United States, the persistence of extreme poverty is a political choice made by those in power," he said.

'The policies pursued over the past year seem deliberately designed to remove basic protections from the poorest, punish those who are not in employment and make even basic health care into a privilege to be earned rather than a right of citizenship,' said Philip Alston, UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty

Poverty in the United States is extensive and is deepening under the Trump administration whose policies seem aimed at removing the safety net from millions of poor, while rewarding the rich, a UN&nbsphuman rights investigator has found. Philip Alston, UN&nbspspecial rapporteur on extreme poverty, called on US&nbspauthorities to provide solid social protection and address underlying problems, rather than "punishing and imprisoning the poor". While welfare benefits and access to health insurance are being slashed, President Donald Trump's tax reform has awarded "financial windfalls" to the mega-rich and large companies, further increasing inequality, he said in a report. US&nbsppolicies since President Lyndon Johnson's war on poverty in the 1960s have been "neglectful at best", he said. "But the policies pursued over the past year seem deliberately designed to remove basic protections from the poorest, punish those who are not in employment and make even basic health care into a privilege to be earned rather than a right of citizenship," Alston said. Almost 41 million people live in poverty, 18.5 million of them in extreme poverty, and children account for one in three poor, he said. The United States has the highest youth poverty rate among industrialised countries, he added. "Its citizens live shorter and sicker lives compared to those living in all other rich democracies, eradicable tropical diseases are increasingly prevalent and it has the world's highest incarceration rate...and the highest obesity levels in the developed world," Alston said. However, the data from the U.S. Census Bureau he cited covers only the period through 2016, and he gave no comparative figures on the extent of poverty before and after Trump came into office in January 2017. The Australian, a veteran U.N. rights expert and New York University law professor, will present his report to the United Nations Human Rights Council later this month. It is based on his mission in December to several U.S. states, including rural Alabama, a slum in downtown Los Angeles, California, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. US&nbspofficials in Geneva were not immediately available for comment. 'SHAMEFUL STATISTICS' Citing "shameful statistics" linked to entrenched racial discrimination, Alston said that African Americans are 2.5 times more likely than whites to live in poverty and their unemployment rate is more than double. Women, Hispanics, immigrants, and indigenous people also suffer high rates. At least 550,000 people are homeless in America, he said. "The tax reform will worsen this situation and ensure that the United States remains the most unequal society in the developed world," Alston said. "The planned dramatic cuts in welfare will essentially shred crucial dimensions of a safety net that is already full of holes." The tax overhaul, which sailed through the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress in December, permanently cut the top corporate rate to 21 percent from 35 percent. Tax cuts for individuals, however, are temporary and expire after 2025. Trump has said they will lead to more take-home pay for workers and have touted bonuses some workers received from their employers as evidence the law is working. Alston dismissed allegations of widespread fraud in the welfare system and criticised the U.S. criminal justice system. It sets large bail bonds for a defendant seeking to go free pending trial, meaning wealthy suspects can afford bail while the poor remain in custody, often losing their jobs, he said. "There is no magic recipe for eliminating extreme poverty and each level of government must make its own good-faith decisions. At the end of the day, however, particularly in a rich country like the United States, the persistence of extreme poverty is a political choice made by those in power," he said.

America's poor becoming poorer under Trump, rich becoming richer: UN expert

The United States'&nbspclosest allies attacked the Trump administration on Friday for imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and mounted challenges with the world`s top trade body, fouling the mood at a G7 finance leaders meeting.

US&nbspTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was the prime target of the criticism at the meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors in Canada, with the six other G7 member countries subject to the US&nbspmetals tariffs, which were imposed on national security grounds.

Their complaints also complicated US&nbspefforts to gain cooperation to challenge China's trade practices.&nbsp

The European Union and Canada both filed challenges with the World Trade Organization.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement that the tariffs were "imposed under a false pretext of safeguarding US&nbspnational security."&nbsp

Canada's finance minister, Bill Morneau, told reporters that in a meeting with Mnuchin, "I expressed in strong terms our opposition to these tariffs in the steel and aluminium sector, our absolute view that this is absurd that Canada could in any way be a security risk."

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Mnuchin was clearly isolated on the issue, though France, Germany, Japan, Britain, Italy and Canada were trying to talk the Trump administration "back to good reason."

"Unfortunately, we are going to have a G6 plus-one with the United States alone against everyone and running the risk of economic destabilisation," Le Maire told reporters.

British finance minister Philip Hammond told reporters that the US&nbspaction "worries" the G7 members, but he hoped that Friday`s discussions could lay the groundwork for G7 leaders to reach an understanding with President Donald Trump on tariffs next week at the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec

"We know that the president has a very personal style. He likes to deal personally with issues," Hammond said.

Mnuchin, regarded as one of the more moderate trade voices in Trump`s cabinet, took a low profile during the G7 discussion of tariffs but was clearly "isolated," two officials participating in the talks said.

"He said it may need to be solved at the summit level," one of the officials said.

The US&nbsptariffs of 25 per cent on imports of steel and 10 percent on aluminium were imposed early on Friday on Canada, Mexico and the European Union after they refused to accept steel and aluminium quotas in negotiations with US&nbspCommerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Trump's Twitter tirade

Trump took to Twitter again on Friday to castigate Canada after his testy exchange with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday over rocky negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump tweeted that Canada had treated US&nbspfarmers "very poorly for a very long period of time."

"Highly restrictive on Trade! They must open their markets and take down their trade barriers! They report a really high surplus on trade with us," he wrote. 
 
Later on Friday, Trump told reporters that he might prefer separate trade deals with Canada and Mexico instead of a revamped NAFTA.

The White House said Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron of the need to "rebalance trade with Europe."

Trump's words followed swift responses to the tariffs by Canada, Mexico and the EU, which plan to retaliate with levies on billions of dollars of US&nbspgoods, including orange juice, whiskey, blue jeans and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

The Harley-Davidson's stock dropped about 1 per cent on Friday, while shares of steelmakers US&nbspSteel and AK Steel both rose 2.2 per cent. The broader stock market rebounded on strong monthly jobs data.

Canada, the largest supplier of steel to the United States, said it will impose tariffs covering C$16.6 billion ($12.8 billion) on US&nbspimports, including whiskey, orange juice, steel, aluminum and other products.

Mexico announced "equivalent" measures on a wide range of US&nbspfarm and industrial products, including pork legs, apples, grapes, cheese, steel and other goods.

The EU plans tariffs on US&nbspexports running the gamut from canoes to "manicure or pedicure preparations."

"We are determined to protect the multilateral system," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said of the WTO challenge. "We are expecting everybody to play by the rules.

China complications

The complaints came on the eve of a visit by Ross to China to try to secure long-term purchases of US farm and energy commodities to help shrink the US&nbsptrade deficit and avert a looming tariff war between the world`s two largest economies. The

US&nbspteam also wants to secure greater intellectual property protections and an end to Chinese subsidies that have contributed to overproduction of steel and aluminium.

Officials at the G7 meeting said the tariffs made it more difficult for the group to work together to confront China`s trade practices, especially when Beijing, like most G7 members, supports the current World Trade Organization-based trade rules and the United States is seeking to go around them.&nbsp

Le Maire asked Mnuchin, "How can you get the Chinese to respect the international law if you don't?" one meeting participant said.

A US Treasury spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the G7 discussions.

For the EU, a decision on how far to push back will require agreement among the 28 member states that make up the world`s biggest trade bloc.

Germany, by far the biggest exporter to the United States, is keen to avoid a wider trade war, especially as the Trump administration has floated the prospect of tariffs on cars, which would potentially be devastating to German exporters. 
 
Other EU countries such as France favour a more robust stance against what they see as American bullying.&nbsp

The United States' closest allies attacked the Trump administration on Friday for imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and mounted challenges with the world`s top trade body, fouling the mood at a G7 finance leaders meeting

The United States'&nbspclosest allies attacked the Trump administration on Friday for imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and mounted challenges with the world`s top trade body, fouling the mood at a G7 finance leaders meeting. US&nbspTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was the prime target of the criticism at the meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors in Canada, with the six other G7 member countries subject to the US&nbspmetals tariffs, which were imposed on national security grounds. Their complaints also complicated US&nbspefforts to gain cooperation to challenge China's trade practices. The European Union and Canada both filed challenges with the World Trade Organization. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement that the tariffs were "imposed under a false pretext of safeguarding US&nbspnational security." Canada's finance minister, Bill Morneau, told reporters that in a meeting with Mnuchin, "I expressed in strong terms our opposition to these tariffs in the steel and aluminium sector, our absolute view that this is absurd that Canada could in any way be a security risk." French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Mnuchin was clearly isolated on the issue, though France, Germany, Japan, Britain, Italy and Canada were trying to talk the Trump administration "back to good reason." "Unfortunately, we are going to have a G6 plus-one with the United States alone against everyone and running the risk of economic destabilisation," Le Maire told reporters. British finance minister Philip Hammond told reporters that the US&nbspaction "worries" the G7 members, but he hoped that Friday`s discussions could lay the groundwork for G7 leaders to reach an understanding with President Donald Trump on tariffs next week at the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Quebec "We know that the president has a very personal style. He likes to deal personally with issues," Hammond said. Mnuchin, regarded as one of the more moderate trade voices in Trump`s cabinet, took a low profile during the G7 discussion of tariffs but was clearly "isolated," two officials participating in the talks said. "He said it may need to be solved at the summit level," one of the officials said. The US&nbsptariffs of 25 per cent on imports of steel and 10 percent on aluminium were imposed early on Friday on Canada, Mexico and the European Union after they refused to accept steel and aluminium quotas in negotiations with US&nbspCommerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Trump's Twitter tirade Trump took to Twitter again on Friday to castigate Canada after his testy exchange with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday over rocky negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump tweeted that Canada had treated US&nbspfarmers "very poorly for a very long period of time." "Highly restrictive on Trade! They must open their markets and take down their trade barriers! They report a really high surplus on trade with us," he wrote. Later on Friday, Trump told reporters that he might prefer separate trade deals with Canada and Mexico instead of a revamped NAFTA. The White House said Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron of the need to "rebalance trade with Europe." Trump's words followed swift responses to the tariffs by Canada, Mexico and the EU, which plan to retaliate with levies on billions of dollars of US&nbspgoods, including orange juice, whiskey, blue jeans and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The Harley-Davidson's stock dropped about 1 per cent on Friday, while shares of steelmakers US&nbspSteel and AK Steel both rose 2.2 per cent. The broader stock market rebounded on strong monthly jobs data. Canada, the largest supplier of steel to the United States, said it will impose tariffs covering C$16.6 billion ($12.8 billion) on US&nbspimports, including whiskey, orange juice, steel, aluminum and other products. Mexico announced "equivalent" measures on a wide range of US&nbspfarm and industrial products, including pork legs, apples, grapes, cheese, steel and other goods. The EU plans tariffs on US&nbspexports running the gamut from canoes to "manicure or pedicure preparations." "We are determined to protect the multilateral system," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said of the WTO challenge. "We are expecting everybody to play by the rules. China complications The complaints came on the eve of a visit by Ross to China to try to secure long-term purchases of US farm and energy commodities to help shrink the US&nbsptrade deficit and avert a looming tariff war between the world`s two largest economies. The US&nbspteam also wants to secure greater intellectual property protections and an end to Chinese subsidies that have contributed to overproduction of steel and aluminium. Officials at the G7 meeting said the tariffs made it more difficult for the group to work together to confront China`s trade practices, especially when Beijing, like most G7 members, supports the current World Trade Organization-based trade rules and the United States is seeking to go around them. Le Maire asked Mnuchin, "How can you get the Chinese to respect the international law if you don't?" one meeting participant said. A US Treasury spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the G7 discussions. For the EU, a decision on how far to push back will require agreement among the 28 member states that make up the world`s biggest trade bloc. Germany, by far the biggest exporter to the United States, is keen to avoid a wider trade war, especially as the Trump administration has floated the prospect of tariffs on cars, which would potentially be devastating to German exporters. Other EU countries such as France favour a more robust stance against what they see as American bullying.

US isolated at G7 meeting as tariffs prompt retaliation

The United States vetoed Friday an Arab-backed UN draft resolution calling for measures to protect the Palestinians but failed to win any backing for its own text condemning Hamas for the violence in Gaza.

The two failed votes at the Security Council came a few hours after a young Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border fence.

At least 123 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the protests began at the end of March. No Israelis have been killed.&nbsp

US Ambassador Nikki Haley declared that "it is now completely clear that the UN is hopelessly biased against Israel," saying council members were "willing to blame Israel, but unwilling to blame Hamas."

Ten countries, including China, France and Russia voted in favor of the draft put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries. Four countries -- Britain, Ethiopia, the Netherlands and Poland -- abstained.

Kuwait's Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi said the US veto "will increase the sense of despair among the Palestinians," fuel further violence and "feed the sentiments of hatred and extremism."

The Kuwait-drafted text had called for "measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and requested a UN report on proposals for an "international protection mechanism."

Haley told the council the measure was "wildly inaccurate in its characterization of recent events in Gaza" by condemning Israel for the violence and failing to mention Hamas, which rules Gaza.

"The terrorist group Hamas bears primary responsibility for the awful living conditions in Gaza," she told the council ahead of the vote.

No support for US draft

During a second vote, the United States failed to win support for its own rival measure calling on Palestinian militants to halt their protests in Gaza and condemning Hamas.

Eleven countries abstained, while Russia and two others opposed it.

A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

The outcome deepened the deadlock at the top UN body over how to respond to the flareup of violence in Gaza that a UN envoy has warned is close to the brink of war.

"This session was another missed opportunity for this council," French Ambassador Francois Delattre said, deploring an "increasingly deafening silence" from the United Nations on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

A barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza on Tuesday was followed by Israeli strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip in the worst flareup since the 2014 war.

Israel has fought three wars in Gaza against Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist organization.

After the failed votes, Arab diplomats said they were considering turning to the UN General Assembly to win adoption for the US-vetoed resolution.

It was the second time that Haley has resorted to US veto power to block a UN measure on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.&nbsp

In December, Haley vetoed a draft resolution that rejected President Donald Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem after all 14 other council members supported it.

The United States vetoed Friday an Arab-backed UN draft resolution calling for measures to protect the Palestinians but failed to win any backing for its own text condemning Hamas for the violence in Gaza

The United States vetoed Friday an Arab-backed UN draft resolution calling for measures to protect the Palestinians but failed to win any backing for its own text condemning Hamas for the violence in Gaza. The two failed votes at the Security Council came a few hours after a young Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border fence. At least 123 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the protests began at the end of March. No Israelis have been killed. US Ambassador Nikki Haley declared that "it is now completely clear that the UN is hopelessly biased against Israel," saying council members were "willing to blame Israel, but unwilling to blame Hamas." Ten countries, including China, France and Russia voted in favor of the draft put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries. Four countries -- Britain, Ethiopia, the Netherlands and Poland -- abstained. Kuwait's Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi said the US veto "will increase the sense of despair among the Palestinians," fuel further violence and "feed the sentiments of hatred and extremism." The Kuwait-drafted text had called for "measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and requested a UN report on proposals for an "international protection mechanism." Haley told the council the measure was "wildly inaccurate in its characterization of recent events in Gaza" by condemning Israel for the violence and failing to mention Hamas, which rules Gaza. "The terrorist group Hamas bears primary responsibility for the awful living conditions in Gaza," she told the council ahead of the vote. No support for US draft During a second vote, the United States failed to win support for its own rival measure calling on Palestinian militants to halt their protests in Gaza and condemning Hamas. Eleven countries abstained, while Russia and two others opposed it. A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The outcome deepened the deadlock at the top UN body over how to respond to the flareup of violence in Gaza that a UN envoy has warned is close to the brink of war. "This session was another missed opportunity for this council," French Ambassador Francois Delattre said, deploring an "increasingly deafening silence" from the United Nations on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. A barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza on Tuesday was followed by Israeli strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip in the worst flareup since the 2014 war. Israel has fought three wars in Gaza against Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist organization. After the failed votes, Arab diplomats said they were considering turning to the UN General Assembly to win adoption for the US-vetoed resolution. It was the second time that Haley has resorted to US veto power to block a UN measure on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In December, Haley vetoed a draft resolution that rejected President Donald Trump's decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem after all 14 other council members supported it.

US vetoes UN resolution on protecting Palestinians

us-1

Us, News on Us, stories on Us, articles on Us, Us stories at Wion, Us news, Us latest news

us 1