A senior North Korean official will hand over a letter from the country's leader Kim Jong Un to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in a rare visit to the White House&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;as the two sides try to put a derailed summit meeting back on track.

Trump hopes to meet Kim in&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;on&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;and pressure him to give up his nuclear weapons, although he conceded&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;that might require more rounds of direct negotiations.

"I’d like to see it done in one meeting," Trump told Reuters. "But often times that’s not the way deals work. There’s a very good chance that it won’t be done in one meeting or two meetings or three meetings. But it’ll get done at some point."

Leading the delegation to the White House&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;is Kim Yong Chol, a close aide of Kim Jong Un.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said late&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;that the details of the meeting were still being worked out. It was not clear whether Trump would receive Kim Yong Chol in the Oval Office.

It was also not clear what North Korea's leader wrote in his letter to Trump, although it was seen as raising hopes that the summit meeting might be back on.

After trading threats of war last year, the two men agreed to meet for a historic summit on&nbsp;June 12. But Trump cancelled last week, citing Kim's "tremendous anger and open hostility" in a string of public statements.

Even as he pulled out, though, Trump urged Kim to "call me or write" if he wanted to revive the meeting.

Within a day, both sides were in new talks to save the summit, and Kim Yong Chol flew to New York this week to meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Despite saying the two sides made "real progress", Pompeo also cautioned that there might be no quick solution.

"They'll have to choose a path that is fundamentally different than the one that their country has proceeded on for decades. It should not be to anyone's surprise that there will be moments along the way, that this won't be straightforward," he said.

North Korea's nuclear weapons program has made significant advances in recent years and poses a threat to the United States. Trump's main goal in any talks is to eliminate that threat.

Kim has rejected the previous US&nbsp;calls for North Korea's unilateral nuclear disarmament and argued instead for a "phased" approach to the denuclearization of the entire Korean peninsula. That in the past has also meant the removal of the U.S. nuclear umbrella protecting South Korea and Japan.

In Pyongyang, Kim said his will to see denuclearization on the peninsula remained "unchanged, consistent and fixed” and hoped improved North Korea-U.S. relations would be solved on a "stage-by-stage" basis.

The North Korean visit to the White House&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;will be the first since 2000 when President Bill Clinton met senior figure Jo Myong Rok in an unsuccessful attempt to win the reclusive nation's nuclear disarmament.

The two men met for 45 minutes and Jo brought Clinton a letter from Kim Jong Il, the late father of North Korea's current leader.

Jo wore his full military uniform when he was with Clinton, then donned a business suit to meet with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

To make his trip this week, Kim Yong Chol needed special permission for official travel to the United States because he had previously been blacklisted.

South Korea has accused him of masterminding deadly attacks on a South Korean warship and an island in 2010, and U.S intelligence linked him to a cyber attack on Sony Pictures in 2014.

Trump hopes to meet Kim in Singapore on June 12 and pressure him to give up his nuclear weapons

A senior North Korean official will hand over a letter from the country's leader Kim Jong Un to US President Donald Trump in a rare visit to the White House on Friday as the two sides try to put a derailed summit meeting back on track. Trump hopes to meet Kim in Singapore on June 12 and pressure him to give up his nuclear weapons, although he conceded on Thursday that might require more rounds of direct negotiations. "I’d like to see it done in one meeting," Trump told Reuters. "But often times that’s not the way deals work. There’s a very good chance that it won’t be done in one meeting or two meetings or three meetings. But it’ll get done at some point." Leading the delegation to the White House on Friday is Kim Yong Chol, a close aide of Kim Jong Un. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said late on Thursday that the details of the meeting were still being worked out. It was not clear whether Trump would receive Kim Yong Chol in the Oval Office. It was also not clear what North Korea's leader wrote in his letter to Trump, although it was seen as raising hopes that the summit meeting might be back on. After trading threats of war last year, the two men agreed to meet for a historic summit on June 12. But Trump cancelled last week, citing Kim's "tremendous anger and open hostility" in a string of public statements. Even as he pulled out, though, Trump urged Kim to "call me or write" if he wanted to revive the meeting. Within a day, both sides were in new talks to save the summit, and Kim Yong Chol flew to New York this week to meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Despite saying the two sides made "real progress", Pompeo also cautioned that there might be no quick solution. "They'll have to choose a path that is fundamentally different than the one that their country has proceeded on for decades. It should not be to anyone's surprise that there will be moments along the way, that this won't be straightforward," he said. North Korea's nuclear weapons program has made significant advances in recent years and poses a threat to the United States. Trump's main goal in any talks is to eliminate that threat. Kim has rejected the previous US calls for North Korea's unilateral nuclear disarmament and argued instead for a "phased" approach to the denuclearization of the entire Korean peninsula. That in the past has also meant the removal of the U.S. nuclear umbrella protecting South Korea and Japan. In Pyongyang, Kim said his will to see denuclearization on the peninsula remained "unchanged, consistent and fixed” and hoped improved North Korea-U.S. relations would be solved on a "stage-by-stage" basis. The North Korean visit to the White House on Friday will be the first since 2000 when President Bill Clinton met senior figure Jo Myong Rok in an unsuccessful attempt to win the reclusive nation's nuclear disarmament. The two men met for 45 minutes and Jo brought Clinton a letter from Kim Jong Il, the late father of North Korea's current leader. Jo wore his full military uniform when he was with Clinton, then donned a business suit to meet with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. To make his trip this week, Kim Yong Chol needed special permission for official travel to the United States because he had previously been blacklisted. South Korea has accused him of masterminding deadly attacks on a South Korean warship and an island in 2010, and U.S intelligence linked him to a cyber attack on Sony Pictures in 2014.

North Korean leader Kim sends letter to Trump

China will cut import tariffs on nearly 1,500 consumer products ranging from cosmetics to home appliances from July 1, in a bid to boost imports as part of efforts to open up the economy.

The move would be in step with Beijing's pledge to its trade partners - including the United States - that China will take steps to increase imports, and offers a boon to global brands looking to deepen their presence in China.

The finance ministry published a detailed list of products affected and their new reduced tax rates&nbsp;on Thursday, following early announcements of the broader plan.

Starting next month, the average tariff rate on 1,449 products imported from most favoured nations will be reduced to 6.9 per cent from 15.7 per cent, which is equivalent to a cut of about 60 per cent, the finance ministry said in a statement on its website.

That followed an announcement from the State Council, or the country's Cabinet,&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;that China will cut import tariffs on consumer items including apparel, cosmetics, home appliances, and drugs.

The tariff cuts this time are more broad-ranging than previous reductions.

Import tariffs for apparel, footwear and headgear, kitchen supplies and fitness products will be more than halved to an average of 7.1 per cent from 15.9 per cent, with those on washing machines and refrigerators slashed to just 8 per cent, from 20.5 per cent.

Tariffs will also be cut on processed foods such as aquaculture and fishing products and mineral water, from 15.2 per cent to 6.9 percent.

Cosmetics, such as skin and hair products, and some medical and health products, will also benefit from a tariff cut to 2.9 per cent from 8.4 per cent.

In particular, tariffs on drugs ranging from penicillin, cephalosporin to insulin will be slashed to zero from 6 per cent before.

In the meantime, temporary tariff rates on 210 imported products from most favoured nations will be scrapped as they are no longer favourable compared with new rates.

In December, China cut import taxes on almost 200 consumer products including food, health supplements, pharmaceuticals, garments and recreational goods to 7.7 per cent on average from 17.3 per cent, according to the finance ministry.

The move would be in step with Beijing's pledge to its trade partners - including the United States

China will cut import tariffs on nearly 1,500 consumer products ranging from cosmetics to home appliances from July 1, in a bid to boost imports as part of efforts to open up the economy. The move would be in step with Beijing's pledge to its trade partners - including the United States - that China will take steps to increase imports, and offers a boon to global brands looking to deepen their presence in China. The finance ministry published a detailed list of products affected and their new reduced tax rates on Thursday, following early announcements of the broader plan. Starting next month, the average tariff rate on 1,449 products imported from most favoured nations will be reduced to 6.9 per cent from 15.7 per cent, which is equivalent to a cut of about 60 per cent, the finance ministry said in a statement on its website. That followed an announcement from the State Council, or the country's Cabinet, on Wednesday that China will cut import tariffs on consumer items including apparel, cosmetics, home appliances, and drugs. The tariff cuts this time are more broad-ranging than previous reductions. Import tariffs for apparel, footwear and headgear, kitchen supplies and fitness products will be more than halved to an average of 7.1 per cent from 15.9 per cent, with those on washing machines and refrigerators slashed to just 8 per cent, from 20.5 per cent. Tariffs will also be cut on processed foods such as aquaculture and fishing products and mineral water, from 15.2 per cent to 6.9 percent. Cosmetics, such as skin and hair products, and some medical and health products, will also benefit from a tariff cut to 2.9 per cent from 8.4 per cent. In particular, tariffs on drugs ranging from penicillin, cephalosporin to insulin will be slashed to zero from 6 per cent before. In the meantime, temporary tariff rates on 210 imported products from most favoured nations will be scrapped as they are no longer favourable compared with new rates. In December, China cut import taxes on almost 200 consumer products including food, health supplements, pharmaceuticals, garments and recreational goods to 7.7 per cent on average from 17.3 per cent, according to the finance ministry.

China to slash import tariffs on many consumer products by 60 per cent

The US says it will veto an Arab-backed resolution that asks the UN chief to propose measures to ensure “international protection” for Palestinian civilians.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley described the text put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians."

After initially deciding to delay action on the measure, the council was expected to finally go ahead with the vote around 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), diplomats said.

Kuwait presented the draft two weeks ago, initially calling for an international protection mission for the Palestinians as protests turned violent on the Israeli-Gaza border.

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed.

The final version, however, urges "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians and requests a report from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on a possible "international protection mechanism."

"The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease its actions in self-defense, but makes no mention of Hamas' aggressive actions against Israeli security forces and civilians," Haley said in a statement.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/USUN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USUN</a>: Yesterday, Hamas launched 70 rockets into Israel. Who among us would accept 70 rockets launched into your country? We all know the answer to that. No one would. <a href="https://t.co/eVzmqoirvS">pic.twitter.com/eVzmqoirvS</a>
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) <a href="https://twitter.com/nikkihaley/status/1001941044445954048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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She also delivered a blunt warning to European countries and others on the council who decide to back the Kuwait text.

"Those who choose to vote in favour of this resolution will clarify their own lack of fitness to take part in any credible negotiations between the two parties," she said.

The United States circulated its own draft resolution demanding that Hamas and Islamic Jihad "cease all violent activity and provocative actions, including along the boundary fence" between Israel and Gaza.

The UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, this week warned the Security Council that Gaza was on the brink of war following a serious escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled enclave.

An exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip.

It was the worst flare-up since the 2014 war in Gaza.

Diplomats have said the Palestinians may turn to the UN General Assembly to win support for the measure if the vote fails at the Security Council as expected.

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.

A young relative of 23-year-old Palestinian Naji Ghonaim mourns during his funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2018 at least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March.

(With inputs from AFP)

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed.

The US says it will veto an Arab-backed resolution that asks the UN chief to propose measures to ensure “international protection” for Palestinian civilians. US Ambassador Nikki Haley described the text put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians." After initially deciding to delay action on the measure, the council was expected to finally go ahead with the vote around 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), diplomats said. Kuwait presented the draft two weeks ago, initially calling for an international protection mission for the Palestinians as protests turned violent on the Israeli-Gaza border. At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed. The final version, however, urges "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians and requests a report from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on a possible "international protection mechanism." "The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease its actions in self-defense, but makes no mention of Hamas' aggressive actions against Israeli security forces and civilians," Haley said in a statement. RT @USUN: Yesterday, Hamas launched 70 rockets into Israel. Who among us would accept 70 rockets launched into your country? We all know the answer to that. No one would. pic.twitter.com/eVzmqoirvS — Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) May 30, 2018 × She also delivered a blunt warning to European countries and others on the council who decide to back the Kuwait text. "Those who choose to vote in favour of this resolution will clarify their own lack of fitness to take part in any credible negotiations between the two parties," she said. The United States circulated its own draft resolution demanding that Hamas and Islamic Jihad "cease all violent activity and provocative actions, including along the boundary fence" between Israel and Gaza. The UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, this week warned the Security Council that Gaza was on the brink of war following a serious escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled enclave. An exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip. It was the worst flare-up since the 2014 war in Gaza. Diplomats have said the Palestinians may turn to the UN General Assembly to win support for the measure if the vote fails at the Security Council as expected. 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. A young relative of 23-year-old Palestinian Naji Ghonaim mourns during his funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2018 at least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. (With inputs from AFP)

US will veto United Nations draft on protecting Palestinians: Nikki Haley 

The U.S.&nbspmilitary&nbsphas held preliminary discussions about moving a powerful missile defence&nbspsystem&nbspto Germany to boost European defences, according to two&nbspsources familiar with the issue, a move that experts said could trigger fresh tensions with Moscow.

The tentative proposal to send the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)&nbspsystem&nbspto Europe predates U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear accord and comes amid a broader push to strengthen Europe's air and missile defences.

While Europe and the United States are at odds over the fate of the nuclear agreement, they share concerns about Iran continued development of ballistic missiles.

Iran's Shahab 3 missiles can already travel 2,000 km, enough to reach southern Europe, and its Revolutionary Guards have said they will increase the range if threatened since the range is capped by strategic doctrine, not technology constraints.

U.S. European Command has been pushing for a THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspin Europe for years, but the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear accord has added urgency to the issue, said Riki Ellison, head of the non-profit Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.

A senior German&nbspmilitary&nbspofficial cited the need to add more radars across Europe to better track and monitor potential threats, and cue interceptors if needed.

The U.S. Defense Dept said no such action had been decided.

"There are currently no plans to station THAAD&nbspsystems in Germany. We do not discuss potential future&nbspmilitary&nbspplanning, as we would not want to signal our intent to potential adversaries. Germany remains among our closest partners and strongest allies," said Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon.

Deploying&nbspanother U.S. defensive&nbspsystem&nbspto Europe could reassure NATO allies in southern Europe already within striking range of Iran's missiles, said one&nbspmilitary&nbspofficial from that region.

Talk of&nbspdeploying&nbspa THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspin Europe also comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between the West and Russia.

NATO has long insisted that its missile defence programme is not directed at Russia, but the alliance has adopted a tougher tone toward Moscow in the wake of the poisoning of a Russian former spy in England.

Moscow denies any involvement in the poisoning and blames the tensions on NATO's&nbspmilitary expansion eastward, and its assembly of a ballistic missile shield with a key site in Romania that was declared combat-ready in 2016.

Moving THAAD to Germany could plug a radar gap caused by a two-year delay in completion of a second Aegis Ashore missile defence site in Poland that was initially due to open this year.

The issue may be raised in a new Pentagon missile defence review expected in early June.

The review may draw a closer connection between missile defence and a need to deter Russia that was highlighted in the new U.S. national defence strategy, said Tom Karako, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

MESSAGE TO EUROPEAN ALLIES

One U.S.&nbspmilitary&nbspofficial said there had been preliminary talks with German&nbspmilitary&nbspofficials on moving a THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspto Ramstein Air Base in Germany, headquarters for the U.S. Air Force in Europe and NATO Allied Air Command.

"It would be a further political message to the Europeans that we're serious&nbspabout protecting our allies," said the official. "The initial assessment is that Germany would very likely not have a problem with a THAAD deployment," U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, head of U.S. European command, last week said he was seeking more troops and equipment to deter Russia, but declined further comment.

A second source said German officials were open to the move as a way to better protect civilian populations.

The German defence ministry is working to rebuild its own short- and medium-range missile defences after years of cuts.

Starting later this year, it also plans to review territorial missile defence needs in a conceptual study that will also look at THAAD and the Arrow 3 anti-missile&nbspsystem&nbspbuilt by Israel and the United States, a spokesman said.

The German foreign ministry, which oversees foreign troops stationed in Germany, said it could not confirm sending any signals about a possible THAAD deployment to the United States.

Washington does not need Germany's permission to move such equipment under existing basing contracts, but the&nbspsources&nbspsaid a formal notification would be sent before any move to proceed.

The THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspis built by Lockheed Martin Corp with a powerful Raytheon Co AN/TPY-2 radar, to shootdown short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

While Europe and the United States are at odds over the fate of the nuclear agreement, they share concerns about Iran continued development of ballistic missiles.

The U.S.&nbspmilitary&nbsphas held preliminary discussions about moving a powerful missile defence&nbspsystem&nbspto Germany to boost European defences, according to two&nbspsources familiar with the issue, a move that experts said could trigger fresh tensions with Moscow. The tentative proposal to send the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)&nbspsystem&nbspto Europe predates U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear accord and comes amid a broader push to strengthen Europe's air and missile defences. While Europe and the United States are at odds over the fate of the nuclear agreement, they share concerns about Iran continued development of ballistic missiles. Iran's Shahab 3 missiles can already travel 2,000 km, enough to reach southern Europe, and its Revolutionary Guards have said they will increase the range if threatened since the range is capped by strategic doctrine, not technology constraints. U.S. European Command has been pushing for a THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspin Europe for years, but the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear accord has added urgency to the issue, said Riki Ellison, head of the non-profit Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. A senior German&nbspmilitary&nbspofficial cited the need to add more radars across Europe to better track and monitor potential threats, and cue interceptors if needed. The U.S. Defense Dept said no such action had been decided. "There are currently no plans to station THAAD&nbspsystems in Germany. We do not discuss potential future&nbspmilitary&nbspplanning, as we would not want to signal our intent to potential adversaries. Germany remains among our closest partners and strongest allies," said Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon. Deploying&nbspanother U.S. defensive&nbspsystem&nbspto Europe could reassure NATO allies in southern Europe already within striking range of Iran's missiles, said one&nbspmilitary&nbspofficial from that region. Talk of&nbspdeploying&nbspa THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspin Europe also comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between the West and Russia. NATO has long insisted that its missile defence programme is not directed at Russia, but the alliance has adopted a tougher tone toward Moscow in the wake of the poisoning of a Russian former spy in England. Moscow denies any involvement in the poisoning and blames the tensions on NATO's&nbspmilitary expansion eastward, and its assembly of a ballistic missile shield with a key site in Romania that was declared combat-ready in 2016. Moving THAAD to Germany could plug a radar gap caused by a two-year delay in completion of a second Aegis Ashore missile defence site in Poland that was initially due to open this year. The issue may be raised in a new Pentagon missile defence review expected in early June. The review may draw a closer connection between missile defence and a need to deter Russia that was highlighted in the new U.S. national defence strategy, said Tom Karako, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. MESSAGE TO EUROPEAN ALLIES One U.S.&nbspmilitary&nbspofficial said there had been preliminary talks with German&nbspmilitary&nbspofficials on moving a THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspto Ramstein Air Base in Germany, headquarters for the U.S. Air Force in Europe and NATO Allied Air Command. "It would be a further political message to the Europeans that we're serious&nbspabout protecting our allies," said the official. "The initial assessment is that Germany would very likely not have a problem with a THAAD deployment," U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, head of U.S. European command, last week said he was seeking more troops and equipment to deter Russia, but declined further comment. A second source said German officials were open to the move as a way to better protect civilian populations. The German defence ministry is working to rebuild its own short- and medium-range missile defences after years of cuts. Starting later this year, it also plans to review territorial missile defence needs in a conceptual study that will also look at THAAD and the Arrow 3 anti-missile&nbspsystem&nbspbuilt by Israel and the United States, a spokesman said. The German foreign ministry, which oversees foreign troops stationed in Germany, said it could not confirm sending any signals about a possible THAAD deployment to the United States. Washington does not need Germany's permission to move such equipment under existing basing contracts, but the&nbspsources&nbspsaid a formal notification would be sent before any move to proceed. The THAAD&nbspsystem&nbspis built by Lockheed Martin Corp with a powerful Raytheon Co AN/TPY-2 radar, to shootdown short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Exclusive: US military looking at deploying anti-missile system in Germany: sources

US President Donald Trump was to receive a letter from his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un&nbsp;on Friday, a much-anticipated moment as preparations for a historic nuclear summit gain pace.

Kim's right-hand man, Kim Yong Chol, was due in Washington a day after talks in New York with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made what the US diplomat called "real progress" towards holding the planned&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;summit.

Meanwhile, back in Pyongyang, the North Korean leader re-committed his isolated state to "denuclearisation", boosting hopes of what would be an extraordinary diplomatic turn-around just a week after Trump threatened to cancel preparations.

Since that short-lived crisis, diplomats in both countries have conducted an intense flurry of negotiations, culminating&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;when Pompeo sat down in New York with Kim's envoy.

Simultaneously, Kim met Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and, according to official news agency KCNA, said the North's "will for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula still remains unchanged and consistent and fixed."&nbsp;

It is still far from clear that North Korea's vision of "denuclearization" in exchange for security guarantees and sanctions relief will prove compatible with Washington's demand for a "complete, verifiable and irreversible" end to its nuclear program.

Many expert observers expect Kim, perhaps with tacit Chinese backing, to demand that Washington also reduce its own military footprint in South Korea and loosen its guarantees to treaty ally Japan.&nbsp;

But Pompeo suggested things are moving in the right direction.

"It will take bold leadership from Chairman Kim Jong Un if we were able to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to change the course for the world," he said.

"President Trump and I believe Chairman Kim is the kind of leader who can make those kind of decisions, and in the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to test whether or not this is the case."

Kim Yong Chol -- the most senior official from Pyongyang to visit the United States&nbsp;in 18 years&nbsp;-- is expected to present an eagerly expectant Trump with a letter from his young leader

But Pompeo warned this message in itself may not resolve all the issues standing in the way of the summit

"This is a difficult, difficult challenge. Make no mistake about it. There remains a great deal of work to do," Pompeo said, citing ongoing talks in Singapore and in the demilitarized zone on the Korean border

But he said that, after what have now been two meetings with Kim Jong Un and three with Kim Yong Chol, he believes the North is at least ready to consider addressing US demands for denuclearization

"I believe they are contemplating a path forward. They can make a strategic shift. One that their country has not been prepared to make before. This will obviously be their decision," he said

US officials now expect the summit to go ahead, but they want Pyongyang to accept that nuclear disarmament be at the heart of the discussion -- and warn there can be no end to trade sanctions without it

Asked whether the answer would come&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;in the letter, Pompeo said he did not know but added "we have made real progress in the last 72 hours toward setting the conditions.

"The conditions are putting President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un in a place where we think there could be real progress made by the two of them meeting," he said

Earlier, in Washington, Trump had said he was "looking forward" to reading the letter.

The flurry of diplomacy&nbsp;has also seen a rapprochement on the Korean peninsula, with the two Koreas holding high-level talks&nbsp;Friday&nbsp;at the border truce village of Panmunjom to discuss their ongoing efforts to improve ties.

The meeting follows two landmark summits between the leaders of North and South Korea in the last five weeks.

"We will discuss a way&nbsp;to implement expediently and smoothly agreements reached by the two leaders," the South's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told journalists before the talks.

He said the delegation would also try "to create a positive atmosphere for a US-North Korea summit."

On his visit to Pyongyang, Russia's Lavrov warned against setting expectations too high, urging all sides to "avoid the temptation to demand everything and now."

Lavrov passed on greetings from President Vladimir Putin to Kim and invited him to visit Russia, the Russian foreign ministry said.

Russia is the latest major nation to reach out to North Korea since Trump accepted Kim's proposal for a summit. Kim has already had two meetings each with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Kim meanwhile has re-committed his isolated state to 'denuclearisation', boosting hopes of what would be an extraordinary diplomatic turn-around just a week after Trump threatened to cancel preparations

US President Donald Trump was to receive a letter from his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un on Friday, a much-anticipated moment as preparations for a historic nuclear summit gain pace. Kim's right-hand man, Kim Yong Chol, was due in Washington a day after talks in New York with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made what the US diplomat called "real progress" towards holding the planned June 12 summit. Meanwhile, back in Pyongyang, the North Korean leader re-committed his isolated state to "denuclearisation", boosting hopes of what would be an extraordinary diplomatic turn-around just a week after Trump threatened to cancel preparations. Since that short-lived crisis, diplomats in both countries have conducted an intense flurry of negotiations, culminating on Thursday when Pompeo sat down in New York with Kim's envoy. Simultaneously, Kim met Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and, according to official news agency KCNA, said the North's "will for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula still remains unchanged and consistent and fixed." It is still far from clear that North Korea's vision of "denuclearization" in exchange for security guarantees and sanctions relief will prove compatible with Washington's demand for a "complete, verifiable and irreversible" end to its nuclear program. Many expert observers expect Kim, perhaps with tacit Chinese backing, to demand that Washington also reduce its own military footprint in South Korea and loosen its guarantees to treaty ally Japan. But Pompeo suggested things are moving in the right direction. "It will take bold leadership from Chairman Kim Jong Un if we were able to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity to change the course for the world," he said. "President Trump and I believe Chairman Kim is the kind of leader who can make those kind of decisions, and in the coming weeks and months, we will have the opportunity to test whether or not this is the case." Kim Yong Chol -- the most senior official from Pyongyang to visit the United States in 18 years -- is expected to present an eagerly expectant Trump with a letter from his young leader But Pompeo warned this message in itself may not resolve all the issues standing in the way of the summit "This is a difficult, difficult challenge. Make no mistake about it. There remains a great deal of work to do," Pompeo said, citing ongoing talks in Singapore and in the demilitarized zone on the Korean border But he said that, after what have now been two meetings with Kim Jong Un and three with Kim Yong Chol, he believes the North is at least ready to consider addressing US demands for denuclearization "I believe they are contemplating a path forward. They can make a strategic shift. One that their country has not been prepared to make before. This will obviously be their decision," he said US officials now expect the summit to go ahead, but they want Pyongyang to accept that nuclear disarmament be at the heart of the discussion -- and warn there can be no end to trade sanctions without it Asked whether the answer would come on Friday in the letter, Pompeo said he did not know but added "we have made real progress in the last 72 hours toward setting the conditions. "The conditions are putting President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un in a place where we think there could be real progress made by the two of them meeting," he said Earlier, in Washington, Trump had said he was "looking forward" to reading the letter. The flurry of diplomacy has also seen a rapprochement on the Korean peninsula, with the two Koreas holding high-level talks Friday at the border truce village of Panmunjom to discuss their ongoing efforts to improve ties. The meeting follows two landmark summits between the leaders of North and South Korea in the last five weeks. "We will discuss a way to implement expediently and smoothly agreements reached by the two leaders," the South's Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told journalists before the talks. He said the delegation would also try "to create a positive atmosphere for a US-North Korea summit." On his visit to Pyongyang, Russia's Lavrov warned against setting expectations too high, urging all sides to "avoid the temptation to demand everything and now." Lavrov passed on greetings from President Vladimir Putin to Kim and invited him to visit Russia, the Russian foreign ministry said. Russia is the latest major nation to reach out to North Korea since Trump accepted Kim's proposal for a summit. Kim has already had two meetings each with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Trump to receive letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un today

President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;pardoned a conservative commentator and said he was considering pardoning lifestyle maven Martha Stewart and commuting a former Illinois governor's prison sentence, prompting critics to accuse him of subverting the rule of law.

Trump announced on Twitter his decision to pardon pundit and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to U.S. campaign finance law violations and was an outspoken critic of Democratic former President Barack Obama, saying he had been "treated very unfairly by our government!"

The Republican president then told reporters on a flight to Houston he was also considering a pardon for Stewart, who was convicted in 2004 on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements in an insider-trading probe.

James Comey, whom Trump fired as FBI director last year and has repeatedly assailed, was the lead federal prosecutor in Stewart's case and played a role in the prosecution of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the chief of staff to former Vice President Dick Cheney. Trump pardoned Libby in April.

Trump also said he might commute the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat convicted of corruption charges, and was considering pardoning a woman convicted of a drug-related charge after reality TV star Kim Kardashian discussed the case with him&nbsp;on Wednesday.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley, briefing reporters on Air Force One as Trump later flew to Dallas for Republican fundraising events, denied that celebrity was a consideration in whom the president decides to pardon.

"Look, there are plenty of people the president is looking at right now under the pardon process," he said.

The U.S. Constitution gives the president the power to issue pardons, and Trump sometimes has used that authority to benefit convicted figures revered by some on the political right such as former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio and Libby.

After D'Souza's pardon, some constitutional scholars, legal analysts and Democratic lawmakers accused Trump of undermining the rule of law with pardons based on political considerations.

Critics said the president was sending a message to people caught up in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia, including his longtime private lawyer Michael Cohen, whose business dealings&nbsp;are separately under scrutiny in New York.

"Trump's Dinesh D'Souza pardon today, on top of his pardons of Scooter Libby and Joe Arpaio, makes sense only as an elephant-whistle to Michael Cohen & all who know damning things about Trump: protect me & I'll have your back. Turn on me & your goose is cooked. More obstruction!" Harvard Law School constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe wrote on Twitter.

"As with the pardon of Joe Arpaio, Trump is sending a message that he will reward political allies for loyalty with get-out-of-jail-free cards," Democratic U.S. Representative Don Beyer said on Twitter. "He doesn't care about the rule of law."

Trump denies any collusion with Russia and has called Mueller's probe a "witch hunt."

D'Souza, 53, admitted in 2014 he illegally reimbursed two "straw donors" who donated $10,000 each to the unsuccessful 2012 U.S. Senate campaign in New York of Wendy Long, a Republican he had known since attending Dartmouth College in the 1980s.

He was sentenced to five years of probation after telling the judge he was ashamed of his actions and contrite. "I cannot believe how stupid I was, how careless, and how irresponsible," D'Souza wrote in a statement to the judge.

Some conservatives complained of selective prosecution of D'Souza. The prosecutor, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, was an Obama appointee later fired by Trump.

On Thursday, D'Souza thanked Trump in Twitter posts that also slammed Bharara. "KARMA IS A BITCH DEPT: @PreetBharara wanted to destroy a fellow Indian American to advance his career. Then he got fired & I got pardoned," D'Souza wrote.

Bharara earlier said on Twitter: "The President has the right to pardon but the facts are these: D'Souza intentionally broke the law, voluntarily pled guilty, apologised for his conduct & the judge found no unfairness. The career prosecutors and agents did their job."

Stewart and Blagojevich both were involved with Trump's "Apprentice" reality TV television show.

Blagojevich was convicted of corruption offences including soliciting bribes for appointment to the U.S. Senate seat Obama vacated after being elected president in 2008.

Last August, Trump pardoned Arpaio less than a month after his conviction for criminal contempt in a case involving racial profiling of Hispanics. Arpaio was known for his crackdown on illegal immigrants in Arizona's Maricopa County.

Libby was convicted in 2007 of lying in an investigation into the unmasking of a CIA agent.

Trump last week posthumously pardoned boxer Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight champion, who was jailed a century ago because of his relationship with a white woman.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif" />

Trump said he was also considering pardoning a woman convicted of a drug-related charge after reality TV star Kim Kardashian discussed the case with him on Wednesday. Critics have accused him of subverting the rule of law

President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned a conservative commentator and said he was considering pardoning lifestyle maven Martha Stewart and commuting a former Illinois governor's prison sentence, prompting critics to accuse him of subverting the rule of law. Trump announced on Twitter his decision to pardon pundit and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, who pleaded guilty in 2014 to U.S. campaign finance law violations and was an outspoken critic of Democratic former President Barack Obama, saying he had been "treated very unfairly by our government!" The Republican president then told reporters on a flight to Houston he was also considering a pardon for Stewart, who was convicted in 2004 on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements in an insider-trading probe. James Comey, whom Trump fired as FBI director last year and has repeatedly assailed, was the lead federal prosecutor in Stewart's case and played a role in the prosecution of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the chief of staff to former Vice President Dick Cheney. Trump pardoned Libby in April. Trump also said he might commute the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat convicted of corruption charges, and was considering pardoning a woman convicted of a drug-related charge after reality TV star Kim Kardashian discussed the case with him on Wednesday. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley, briefing reporters on Air Force One as Trump later flew to Dallas for Republican fundraising events, denied that celebrity was a consideration in whom the president decides to pardon. "Look, there are plenty of people the president is looking at right now under the pardon process," he said. The U.S. Constitution gives the president the power to issue pardons, and Trump sometimes has used that authority to benefit convicted figures revered by some on the political right such as former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio and Libby. After D'Souza's pardon, some constitutional scholars, legal analysts and Democratic lawmakers accused Trump of undermining the rule of law with pardons based on political considerations. Critics said the president was sending a message to people caught up in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into whether Trump's 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia, including his longtime private lawyer Michael Cohen, whose business dealings are separately under scrutiny in New York. "Trump's Dinesh D'Souza pardon today, on top of his pardons of Scooter Libby and Joe Arpaio, makes sense only as an elephant-whistle to Michael Cohen & all who know damning things about Trump: protect me & I'll have your back. Turn on me & your goose is cooked. More obstruction!" Harvard Law School constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe wrote on Twitter. "As with the pardon of Joe Arpaio, Trump is sending a message that he will reward political allies for loyalty with get-out-of-jail-free cards," Democratic U.S. Representative Don Beyer said on Twitter. "He doesn't care about the rule of law." Trump denies any collusion with Russia and has called Mueller's probe a "witch hunt." D'Souza, 53, admitted in 2014 he illegally reimbursed two "straw donors" who donated $10,000 each to the unsuccessful 2012 U.S. Senate campaign in New York of Wendy Long, a Republican he had known since attending Dartmouth College in the 1980s. He was sentenced to five years of probation after telling the judge he was ashamed of his actions and contrite. "I cannot believe how stupid I was, how careless, and how irresponsible," D'Souza wrote in a statement to the judge. Some conservatives complained of selective prosecution of D'Souza. The prosecutor, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, was an Obama appointee later fired by Trump. On Thursday, D'Souza thanked Trump in Twitter posts that also slammed Bharara. "KARMA IS A BITCH DEPT: @PreetBharara wanted to destroy a fellow Indian American to advance his career. Then he got fired & I got pardoned," D'Souza wrote. Bharara earlier said on Twitter: "The President has the right to pardon but the facts are these: D'Souza intentionally broke the law, voluntarily pled guilty, apologised for his conduct & the judge found no unfairness. The career prosecutors and agents did their job." Stewart and Blagojevich both were involved with Trump's "Apprentice" reality TV television show. Blagojevich was convicted of corruption offences including soliciting bribes for appointment to the U.S. Senate seat Obama vacated after being elected president in 2008. Last August, Trump pardoned Arpaio less than a month after his conviction for criminal contempt in a case involving racial profiling of Hispanics. Arpaio was known for his crackdown on illegal immigrants in Arizona's Maricopa County. Libby was convicted in 2007 of lying in an investigation into the unmasking of a CIA agent. Trump last week posthumously pardoned boxer Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight champion, who was jailed a century ago because of his relationship with a white woman.

Trump says he may pardon Martha Stewart, former Illinois governor

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;it may take more than one meeting with North Korean leader&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;Jong Un to seal a denuclearization deal and that he would like Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear weapons program as quickly as possible under any agreement.

Trump, in a brief interview with Reuters aboard Air Force One as he flew to Texas for Republican fund raising events, said he was still hoping for a summit with&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;on&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;in Singapore.

The president emphasized that it may take more than one meeting to reach an agreement.

"I’d like to see it done in one meeting. But oftentimes that’s not the way deals work," Trump said.

"There’s a very good chance that it won’t be done in one meeting or two meetings or three meetings. But it’ll get done at some point. It may get done really nicely and really intelligently, or it may not get done intelligently. It may have to be the hard way," he said.

The president said he believed&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;wanted a deal.

"But I think it’ll get done in a very smart, organized fashion and I think that&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;Jong Un wants to see it also. And I’m going to be very happy when the day arrives when we can take sanctions off, and have a very good relationship with the entire Korean Peninsula," Trump said.

US ally South Korea and North Korea have technically been at war for decades, even though the Korean War's military combat ended in 1953, because a peace agreement was never signed.

The president said he will most likely be visited by North Korean envoy&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;Yong Chol&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;at the White House after the official's meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York.

The North Korean official is carrying a letter to Trump from&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;Jong Un.

"I look forward to seeing the letter and I look forward to&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;where hopefully we can make progress," Trump said.

Disputes between Washington and Pyongyang led Trump to announce last Thursday he was canceling the meeting with&nbsp;Kim, only to say the following day that it could still go ahead. The days since have seen a flurry of diplomatic efforts to get the summit back on track.

In a letter to&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;last Thursday cancelling the summit, Trump accused North Korea of "open hostility," but urged&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;to "call me or write" if he had a change of heart.

In his interview with Reuters, the U.S. president said a nuclear deal with North Korea would have to cover its missile program.

"It means missiles," Trump said.

He said he wanted to see denuclearization occur at a rapid pace.

“I’d like to see a total denuclearization in as quick a period of time as is practicable," he said. "You’re talking about machinery, you’re talking about things that can’t necessarily happen immediately but they can happen in as rapid a fashion as they can happen. That’s what I want to happen."

North Korea has made advances in missile technology in recent years but Trump has sworn not to allow it to develop nuclear missiles that could hit the United States.

The president emphasized that it may take more than one meeting to reach an agreement

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday it may take more than one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to seal a denuclearization deal and that he would like Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear weapons program as quickly as possible under any agreement. Trump, in a brief interview with Reuters aboard Air Force One as he flew to Texas for Republican fund raising events, said he was still hoping for a summit with Kim on June 12 in Singapore. The president emphasized that it may take more than one meeting to reach an agreement. "I’d like to see it done in one meeting. But oftentimes that’s not the way deals work," Trump said. "There’s a very good chance that it won’t be done in one meeting or two meetings or three meetings. But it’ll get done at some point. It may get done really nicely and really intelligently, or it may not get done intelligently. It may have to be the hard way," he said. The president said he believed Kim wanted a deal. "But I think it’ll get done in a very smart, organized fashion and I think that Kim Jong Un wants to see it also. And I’m going to be very happy when the day arrives when we can take sanctions off, and have a very good relationship with the entire Korean Peninsula," Trump said. US ally South Korea and North Korea have technically been at war for decades, even though the Korean War's military combat ended in 1953, because a peace agreement was never signed. The president said he will most likely be visited by North Korean envoy Kim Yong Chol on Friday at the White House after the official's meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York. The North Korean official is carrying a letter to Trump from Kim Jong Un. "I look forward to seeing the letter and I look forward to June 12 where hopefully we can make progress," Trump said. Disputes between Washington and Pyongyang led Trump to announce last Thursday he was canceling the meeting with Kim, only to say the following day that it could still go ahead. The days since have seen a flurry of diplomatic efforts to get the summit back on track. In a letter to Kim last Thursday cancelling the summit, Trump accused North Korea of "open hostility," but urged Kim to "call me or write" if he had a change of heart. In his interview with Reuters, the U.S. president said a nuclear deal with North Korea would have to cover its missile program. "It means missiles," Trump said. He said he wanted to see denuclearization occur at a rapid pace. “I’d like to see a total denuclearization in as quick a period of time as is practicable," he said. "You’re talking about machinery, you’re talking about things that can’t necessarily happen immediately but they can happen in as rapid a fashion as they can happen. That’s what I want to happen." North Korea has made advances in missile technology in recent years but Trump has sworn not to allow it to develop nuclear missiles that could hit the United States.

Trump: Nuclear deal may take more than one meeting with North Korea's Kim

Singapore hotel rooms are being snapped up, police are preparing to lock down the city and thousands of journalists are set to jet in for the greatest media circus on Earth -- the US-North Korea summit.

Top officials are scrambling to salvage the historic meeting between President Donald Trump and the North's leader&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;Jong&nbsp;Unplanned for&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;in the city-state.

If the summit -- already cancelled once by Trump before plans got back on track -- does go ahead, then tiny, placid Singapore will be the unlikely ground zero for one of the biggest geopolitical events of recent times.

The delegations of US and North Korean officials, along with their security details, are expected to be huge. But they are likely to pale in comparison to the gigantic media pack set to swarm the tropical city-state.

Some 3,000 people are expected to apply for media accreditation, sources involved in planning the event who spoke on condition of anonymity told.

It should easily eclipse the contingent of journalists at the last comparable event in Singapore, the 2015 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's then-leader Ma Ying-jeou. Hundreds of journalists witnessed that meeting.

There was a foretaste of the coming invasion this week as reporters camped out at the upscale Fullerton hotel to get a glimpse of&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;Chang Son,&nbsp;Kim's de facto chief of staff, who is in Singapore to lay the ground for the meeting.

Meanwhile, top hotels rumoured to be summit venues -- the frontrunner is the five-star Shangri-La, where the Xi-Ma meeting took place -- are almost fully booked.

But while world leaders hold their breath amid rising hopes a summit could lead to Pyongyang permanently abandoning its nuclear weapons programme, some Singaporeans were more concerned about the potential disruption to their peaceful lives.

Chang Anthony posted on Facebook that the meeting in the squeaky-clean city-state -- calm and stable to the point of sometimes being mocked as boring -- was "going to cause us inconvenience".

"Can government declare a (public holiday) for this special day?" he asked.&nbsp;

"Oh crap, two most unpopular leaders in the world coming here for world peace," lamented Timothy Klein on the site.

Security will certainly be onerous, with large numbers of police set to be deployed and extensive road closures expected around the summit venue.

But Lim Tai Wei, a fellow at the National University of Singapore's East Asia Institute, played down fears the event could cause widespread disruption.

"You have to bear in mind that the country has the experience of hosting the Xi-Ma meeting in 2015, and also previously having hosted past US presidents," he told AFP.

While some may lament the sudden influx of media and diplomats, businesses see it as an opportunity.

In a city famous for the "Singapore Sling" cocktail, watering hole Escobar is proving the country's bartenders can still rise to the occasion with two special summit drinks.

The "Trump" is a blue, bourbon-based cocktail while the "Kim" is a red-coloured cocktail with soju, a Korean liquor, as its base. Both cost Sg$12.60 ($9.40), a reference to the summit's expected date.

The bar -- named after drug kingpin Pablo Escobar -- will also have a "US-North Korea showdown" where customers who order a tray of 20 shots get to compete in a game of "rock, paper, scissors" while wearing gloves emblazoned with the countries' flags.

And there is a special treat for weary summit participants.

"If you can show that you're a delegate attending the event, I'll buy you a round of drinks on the house," owner Stan Sri Ganesh said

Top officials are scrambling to salvage the historic meeting between President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong Un planned for June 12 in the city-state

Singapore hotel rooms are being snapped up, police are preparing to lock down the city and thousands of journalists are set to jet in for the greatest media circus on Earth -- the US-North Korea summit. Top officials are scrambling to salvage the historic meeting between President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong Unplanned for June 12 in the city-state. If the summit -- already cancelled once by Trump before plans got back on track -- does go ahead, then tiny, placid Singapore will be the unlikely ground zero for one of the biggest geopolitical events of recent times. The delegations of US and North Korean officials, along with their security details, are expected to be huge. But they are likely to pale in comparison to the gigantic media pack set to swarm the tropical city-state. Some 3,000 people are expected to apply for media accreditation, sources involved in planning the event who spoke on condition of anonymity told. It should easily eclipse the contingent of journalists at the last comparable event in Singapore, the 2015 meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's then-leader Ma Ying-jeou. Hundreds of journalists witnessed that meeting. There was a foretaste of the coming invasion this week as reporters camped out at the upscale Fullerton hotel to get a glimpse of Kim Chang Son, Kim's de facto chief of staff, who is in Singapore to lay the ground for the meeting. Meanwhile, top hotels rumoured to be summit venues -- the frontrunner is the five-star Shangri-La, where the Xi-Ma meeting took place -- are almost fully booked. But while world leaders hold their breath amid rising hopes a summit could lead to Pyongyang permanently abandoning its nuclear weapons programme, some Singaporeans were more concerned about the potential disruption to their peaceful lives. Chang Anthony posted on Facebook that the meeting in the squeaky-clean city-state -- calm and stable to the point of sometimes being mocked as boring -- was "going to cause us inconvenience". "Can government declare a (public holiday) for this special day?" he asked. "Oh crap, two most unpopular leaders in the world coming here for world peace," lamented Timothy Klein on the site. Security will certainly be onerous, with large numbers of police set to be deployed and extensive road closures expected around the summit venue. But Lim Tai Wei, a fellow at the National University of Singapore's East Asia Institute, played down fears the event could cause widespread disruption. "You have to bear in mind that the country has the experience of hosting the Xi-Ma meeting in 2015, and also previously having hosted past US presidents," he told AFP. While some may lament the sudden influx of media and diplomats, businesses see it as an opportunity. In a city famous for the "Singapore Sling" cocktail, watering hole Escobar is proving the country's bartenders can still rise to the occasion with two special summit drinks. The "Trump" is a blue, bourbon-based cocktail while the "Kim" is a red-coloured cocktail with soju, a Korean liquor, as its base. Both cost Sg$12.60 ($9.40), a reference to the summit's expected date. The bar -- named after drug kingpin Pablo Escobar -- will also have a "US-North Korea showdown" where customers who order a tray of 20 shots get to compete in a game of "rock, paper, scissors" while wearing gloves emblazoned with the countries' flags. And there is a special treat for weary summit participants. "If you can show that you're a delegate attending the event, I'll buy you a round of drinks on the house," owner Stan Sri Ganesh said

Placid Singapore braces for Trump-Kim storm

President Bashar al-Assad said he would recover areas of Syria held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that US&nbspforces should learn the lesson of Iraq and leave the country.

In an interview with Russia Today, Assad also said the government had "started now opening doors for negotiations" with the SDF, a Kurdish dominated militia alliance that controls parts of northern and eastern Syria where US&nbspforces are stationed.

"This is the first option. If not, we`re going to resort to ... liberating those areas by force," he said, adding "the Americans should leave, somehow they`re going to leave".

Responding to US&nbspPresident Donald Trump`s description of him as "Animal Assad", the Syrian leader said: "What you say is what you are".

Assad also said the government had 'started now opening doors for negotiations' with the SDF

President Bashar al-Assad said he would recover areas of Syria held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and that US&nbspforces should learn the lesson of Iraq and leave the country. In an interview with Russia Today, Assad also said the government had "started now opening doors for negotiations" with the SDF, a Kurdish dominated militia alliance that controls parts of northern and eastern Syria where US&nbspforces are stationed. "This is the first option. If not, we`re going to resort to ... liberating those areas by force," he said, adding "the Americans should leave, somehow they`re going to leave". Responding to US&nbspPresident Donald Trump`s description of him as "Animal Assad", the Syrian leader said: "What you say is what you are".

Assad says US will leave Syria, vows to retake SDF-held areas

US forces killed over 50 Taliban leaders in a series of strikes against those behind a recent attack in the Helmand provincial capital of Farah, US military and NATO commander General John Nicholson said&nbsp;Wednesday.

After pushing out fighters in Farah, Afghan and US forces continued to pursue them, Nicholson told reporters at the Pentagon via video link.

Under surveillance by the Marines, the Taliban fighters returned to their Helmand stronghold, a&nbsp;center&nbsp;for poppy cultivation.

On May 24, they were spotted in a known Taliban command&nbsp;center&nbsp;in Musa Qala.

"What it looks like is it was a group of commanders, meeting in part to discuss the operation in Farah that many of them had just participated in," said General Nicholson.&nbsp;

"And they obviously thought they were meeting in relative safety in Musa Qala, but our intelligence was able to identify the group and effectively conduct the strike."

The group was involved in drug trafficking, Nicholson added.

"I would not call it strategic significance, but it definitely has a significant local significance in terms of the fight in Southern Afghanistan," he said.

In a statement, the US command in Afghanistan said the strike resulted in "more than 50 casualties," among them the number two Taliban leader in Helmand, Abdul Manan, and several district governors and local leaders in Kandahar, Kunduz, Herat, Farah, Uruzgan and Helmand provinces.

Under surveillance by the Marines, the Taliban fighters returned to their Helmand stronghold, a centre for poppy cultivation

US forces killed over 50 Taliban leaders in a series of strikes against those behind a recent attack in the Helmand provincial capital of Farah, US military and NATO commander General John Nicholson said Wednesday. After pushing out fighters in Farah, Afghan and US forces continued to pursue them, Nicholson told reporters at the Pentagon via video link. Under surveillance by the Marines, the Taliban fighters returned to their Helmand stronghold, a center for poppy cultivation. On May 24, they were spotted in a known Taliban command center in Musa Qala. "What it looks like is it was a group of commanders, meeting in part to discuss the operation in Farah that many of them had just participated in," said General Nicholson. "And they obviously thought they were meeting in relative safety in Musa Qala, but our intelligence was able to identify the group and effectively conduct the strike." The group was involved in drug trafficking, Nicholson added. "I would not call it strategic significance, but it definitely has a significant local significance in terms of the fight in Southern Afghanistan," he said. In a statement, the US command in Afghanistan said the strike resulted in "more than 50 casualties," among them the number two Taliban leader in Helmand, Abdul Manan, and several district governors and local leaders in Kandahar, Kunduz, Herat, Farah, Uruzgan and Helmand provinces.

Afghanistan: Over 50 Taliban leaders killed in US operation

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was expecting to receive a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as the two sides scramble to revive a summit previously set for next month between the two leaders.

"I look forward to seeing what's in the letter. They will probably be coming to Washington DC on Friday to deliver the letter so I look forward to that," Trump said before heading to Texas for the day.

He also said that meetings in New York between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which resumed early Thursday, were going "very well."

There were reports earlier on Wednesday that South&nbspKorean officials were noting "quite significant" differences between the United States and&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspover denuclearization.

The New York meetings follow high-level conversations Pompeo held in&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspin April and earlier in May and are intended to get negotiations between the two long-time adversaries back on track.

The United States has been demanding that&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspabandon its nuclear weapons programme amid reports that it is close to being able to launch a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States.

He also said that meetings in New York between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which resumed early Thursday, were going very well

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was expecting to receive a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as the two sides scramble to revive a summit previously set for next month between the two leaders. "I look forward to seeing what's in the letter. They will probably be coming to Washington DC on Friday to deliver the letter so I look forward to that," Trump said before heading to Texas for the day. He also said that meetings in New York between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, which resumed early Thursday, were going "very well." There were reports earlier on Wednesday that South&nbspKorean officials were noting "quite significant" differences between the United States and&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspover denuclearization. The New York meetings follow high-level conversations Pompeo held in&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspin April and earlier in May and are intended to get negotiations between the two long-time adversaries back on track. The United States has been demanding that&nbspNorth&nbspKorea&nbspabandon its nuclear weapons programme amid reports that it is close to being able to launch a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States.

Trump says expecting letter from Kim Jong Un ahead of summit

President Donald Trump intends to impose steep import duties on steel and aluminium imports from Europe starting Friday, after weeks of talks failed to reach a compromise, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Trade officials from Washington and Brussels had continued discussions to find a solution, such as import quotas, that would convince Trump to extend the exemption for the European Union from the 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium.

But The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter saying a last-minute deal appeared unlikely, and the tariff announcement could come as early as Thursday.

Trump imposed the tariffs in March to address the global oversupply of the metals but thought it was largely aimed at China it hit US allies as well.

Washington exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs while negotiations continue to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement, and South Korea agreed to quotas instead of tariffs.

The EU has vowed to hit back at the US with tariffs on American goods, including iconic items such as Harley-Davidson motorbikes, blue jeans and bourbon whiskey.

The metals dispute is just one front in Trump's multi-sided trade confrontation that has hit economic partners and adversaries alike. He has veered from threats to compromise and back again, sowing confusion in global capitals.

He is pressing ahead with 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods, even after last week saying that dispute was "on hold," and 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports, which is likely to spark a fierce reaction from the EU as well.

The EU has vowed to hit back at the US with tariffs on American goods, including iconic items such as Harley-Davidson motorbikes, blue jeans and bourbon whiskey

President Donald Trump intends to impose steep import duties on steel and aluminium imports from Europe starting Friday, after weeks of talks failed to reach a compromise, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. Trade officials from Washington and Brussels had continued discussions to find a solution, such as import quotas, that would convince Trump to extend the exemption for the European Union from the 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium. But The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter saying a last-minute deal appeared unlikely, and the tariff announcement could come as early as Thursday. Trump imposed the tariffs in March to address the global oversupply of the metals but thought it was largely aimed at China it hit US allies as well. Washington exempted Canada and Mexico from the tariffs while negotiations continue to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement, and South Korea agreed to quotas instead of tariffs. The EU has vowed to hit back at the US with tariffs on American goods, including iconic items such as Harley-Davidson motorbikes, blue jeans and bourbon whiskey. The metals dispute is just one front in Trump's multi-sided trade confrontation that has hit economic partners and adversaries alike. He has veered from threats to compromise and back again, sowing confusion in global capitals. He is pressing ahead with 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods, even after last week saying that dispute was "on hold," and 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports, which is likely to spark a fierce reaction from the EU as well.

United States to impose steel tariffs on European Union: Report

China's state media on Wednesday lashed into a US&nbsp;announcement that it would press ahead with restrictions on investment by Chinese companies, saying Beijing was ready to fight back if Washington was looking to ignite a trade war.

The United States said on Tuesday that it still held the threat of imposing tariffs on $50 billion of imports from China and would use it unless Beijing addressed the issue of theft of American intellectual property.

The declaration by the White House came after the two sides had agreed earlier this month to look at steps to narrow China's $375 billion trade surplus with America, and days ahead of a visit to the Chinese capital by US&nbsp;Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for further talks.

China commerce's ministry reacted swiftly overnight with a short statement, saying it was surprised and saw it as contrary to the consensus both sides had reached recently.

Chinese tabloid the Global Times said the United States was suffering from a "delusion" and warned that the "trade renege could leave Washington dancing with itself".

The widely read Global Times is run by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, although its stance does not necessarily reflect Chinese government policy.

"The Chinese government will have the necessary measures in place to deal with a US&nbsp;withdrawal from any settled agreement. If the US&nbsp;wants to play games, then China would be more than willing to play along and do so until the very end," it said.

Fears of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies had also receded after the Trump administration said it had reached a deal that would put ZTE Corp back in business after banning China's second-biggest telecoms equipment maker from buying US&nbsp;technology parts.

Still hanging in the balance, however, is San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc's proposal to acquire NXP Semiconductors NV - a $44 billion deal that requires clearance from China's antitrust regulators.

State news agency Xinhua said China hoped that the United States would not act impulsively but stood ready to fight to protect its own interests.

"China's attitude, as always, is: we do not want to fight, but we are also not afraid to fight," it said in a commentary.

"China will continue to hold pragmatic consultations with the United States' delegation and hope that the United States will act in accordance with the spirit of the joint statement," it said.

Commerce Secretary Ross is scheduled to visit Beijing from June 2 to June 4 to try and get China to agree to firm numbers for additional US&nbsp;exports to the country.

Visas

The deal to reduce China's trade surplus with the US&nbsp;was separate from the US&nbsp;probe into China's alleged theft of intellectual property.

A White House official said on Tuesday that the US&nbsp;government plans to shorten the length of visas issued to some Chinese citizens as part of a strategy to prevent intellectual property theft by US&nbsp;rivals.

Citing a document issued by the Trump administration in December, the official said the US&nbsp;government would consider restrictions on visas for science and technology students from some countries to ensure "intellectual property is not transferred to our competitors."

The China Daily newspaper said the repeated US&nbsp;claim that China had forced foreign firms to transfer their technologies to Chinese businesses was without evidence and was being used as an excuse to facilitate its trade protectionism.

It said technology transfers between US&nbsp;companies and their Chinese partners were the result of normal business practices, not coercive policies.

The deal to reduce China's trade surplus with the US was separate from the US probe into China's alleged theft of intellectual property

China's state media on Wednesday lashed into a US announcement that it would press ahead with restrictions on investment by Chinese companies, saying Beijing was ready to fight back if Washington was looking to ignite a trade war. The United States said on Tuesday that it still held the threat of imposing tariffs on $50 billion of imports from China and would use it unless Beijing addressed the issue of theft of American intellectual property. The declaration by the White House came after the two sides had agreed earlier this month to look at steps to narrow China's $375 billion trade surplus with America, and days ahead of a visit to the Chinese capital by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for further talks. China commerce's ministry reacted swiftly overnight with a short statement, saying it was surprised and saw it as contrary to the consensus both sides had reached recently. Chinese tabloid the Global Times said the United States was suffering from a "delusion" and warned that the "trade renege could leave Washington dancing with itself". The widely read Global Times is run by the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily, although its stance does not necessarily reflect Chinese government policy. "The Chinese government will have the necessary measures in place to deal with a US withdrawal from any settled agreement. If the US wants to play games, then China would be more than willing to play along and do so until the very end," it said. Fears of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies had also receded after the Trump administration said it had reached a deal that would put ZTE Corp back in business after banning China's second-biggest telecoms equipment maker from buying US technology parts. Still hanging in the balance, however, is San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc's proposal to acquire NXP Semiconductors NV - a $44 billion deal that requires clearance from China's antitrust regulators. State news agency Xinhua said China hoped that the United States would not act impulsively but stood ready to fight to protect its own interests. "China's attitude, as always, is: we do not want to fight, but we are also not afraid to fight," it said in a commentary. "China will continue to hold pragmatic consultations with the United States' delegation and hope that the United States will act in accordance with the spirit of the joint statement," it said. Commerce Secretary Ross is scheduled to visit Beijing from June 2 to June 4 to try and get China to agree to firm numbers for additional US exports to the country. Visas The deal to reduce China's trade surplus with the US was separate from the US probe into China's alleged theft of intellectual property. A White House official said on Tuesday that the US government plans to shorten the length of visas issued to some Chinese citizens as part of a strategy to prevent intellectual property theft by US rivals. Citing a document issued by the Trump administration in December, the official said the US government would consider restrictions on visas for science and technology students from some countries to ensure "intellectual property is not transferred to our competitors." The China Daily newspaper said the repeated US claim that China had forced foreign firms to transfer their technologies to Chinese businesses was without evidence and was being used as an excuse to facilitate its trade protectionism. It said technology transfers between US companies and their Chinese partners were the result of normal business practices, not coercive policies.

China's state media slam US trade announcement, say Beijing ready to fight

A US-based international nuclear proliferation watchdog on Wednesday said Pakistan's application to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) should not be granted, mainly because of its ongoing illicit nuclear procurements abroad and its refusal to even minimally split its military and civil atomic programmes. 
 
A report by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS)— authored by David Albright, Sarah Burkhard, and Frank Pabian—said as it released latest satellite images of the Kahuta nuclear power plant site in Pakistan: “Pakistan's application to the Nuclear Suppliers Group should not be granted at the present time”. 
 
“Although there are many reasons to refuse its membership, some more obvious reasons include its ongoing illicit nuclear procurements abroad and its refusal to even minimally split its military and civil nuclear programs,” it said. 
 
The report discusses the purpose and size of the likely enrichment plant at Kahuta and estimates the amount of enriched uranium it could produce. 
 
“We could not determine if Pakistan is building one or two enrichment plants. We are certainly interested in learning more,” it said. 
 
While much of the world's attention has been directed to the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, Pakistan has greatly expanded its nuclear complex dedicated to producing nuclear weapons, the report rued. 
 
One European official stated in an interview in late 2016 that in terms of instances of illicit nuclear-related procurements by the three countries, Pakistan has carried out the most, the report said. 
 
Over the last decade, Pakistan has renovated or expanded its uranium enrichment, plutonium production, and nuclear weaponisation capabilities, according to this official.&nbsp It has also been expanding the number of its nuclear power plants and the means to make fuel for these new reactors, it said.&nbsp 
 
In a detailed analysis of the latest satellite images it obtained, ISIS says Pakistan appears committed to building one or two large uranium enrichment plants.&nbsp Whether the plants will be exclusively for peaceful purposes is undetermined, it said. 
 
“Pakistan should be called upon by other states such as the United States, China, and major European powers to declare the purpose of its new enrichment plant(s),” ISIS said. “Based on assessing the construction project at Kahuta, which is likely an enrichment plant, it is difficult to know if this facility will lead to Pakistan expanding its supply of weapons-grade uranium or be limited to making only low enriched uranium for nuclear power reactors. Moreover, this enrichment facility could provide LEU to both military and civil nuclear programmes,” ISIS said. 
 
The report said, if the Kahuta site is indeed a centrifuge plant, it will require a great deal of equipment, much of which Pakistan does not make domestically. 
 
&nbsp“According to government sources, Pakistan has acquired many goods from abroad. As such, supplier governments should step up efforts to thwart Pakistan's purchases for this plant or any other centrifuge plant and consider applying sanctions on Pakistani entities and individuals involved in purchasing for its centrifuge programme,” ISIS said. 
 
&nbsp“Financial sanctions should also be applied on these entities and individuals. China should be told explicitly by other members of the NSG that the supply of goods to Pakistan's enrichment programme would violate China's NSG commitments,” said the report.&nbsp

The report discusses the purpose and size of the likely enrichment plant at Kahuta and estimates the amount of enriched uranium it could produce

A US-based international nuclear proliferation watchdog on Wednesday said Pakistan's application to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) should not be granted, mainly because of its ongoing illicit nuclear procurements abroad and its refusal to even minimally split its military and civil atomic programmes. A report by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS)— authored by David Albright, Sarah Burkhard, and Frank Pabian—said as it released latest satellite images of the Kahuta nuclear power plant site in Pakistan: “Pakistan's application to the Nuclear Suppliers Group should not be granted at the present time”. “Although there are many reasons to refuse its membership, some more obvious reasons include its ongoing illicit nuclear procurements abroad and its refusal to even minimally split its military and civil nuclear programs,” it said. The report discusses the purpose and size of the likely enrichment plant at Kahuta and estimates the amount of enriched uranium it could produce. “We could not determine if Pakistan is building one or two enrichment plants. We are certainly interested in learning more,” it said. While much of the world's attention has been directed to the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, Pakistan has greatly expanded its nuclear complex dedicated to producing nuclear weapons, the report rued. One European official stated in an interview in late 2016 that in terms of instances of illicit nuclear-related procurements by the three countries, Pakistan has carried out the most, the report said. Over the last decade, Pakistan has renovated or expanded its uranium enrichment, plutonium production, and nuclear weaponisation capabilities, according to this official. It has also been expanding the number of its nuclear power plants and the means to make fuel for these new reactors, it said. In a detailed analysis of the latest satellite images it obtained, ISIS says Pakistan appears committed to building one or two large uranium enrichment plants. Whether the plants will be exclusively for peaceful purposes is undetermined, it said. “Pakistan should be called upon by other states such as the United States, China, and major European powers to declare the purpose of its new enrichment plant(s),” ISIS said. “Based on assessing the construction project at Kahuta, which is likely an enrichment plant, it is difficult to know if this facility will lead to Pakistan expanding its supply of weapons-grade uranium or be limited to making only low enriched uranium for nuclear power reactors. Moreover, this enrichment facility could provide LEU to both military and civil nuclear programmes,” ISIS said. The report said, if the Kahuta site is indeed a centrifuge plant, it will require a great deal of equipment, much of which Pakistan does not make domestically. “According to government sources, Pakistan has acquired many goods from abroad. As such, supplier governments should step up efforts to thwart Pakistan's purchases for this plant or any other centrifuge plant and consider applying sanctions on Pakistani entities and individuals involved in purchasing for its centrifuge programme,” ISIS said. “Financial sanctions should also be applied on these entities and individuals. China should be told explicitly by other members of the NSG that the supply of goods to Pakistan's enrichment programme would violate China's NSG commitments,” said the report.

Pakistan must not be admitted to  Nuclear Suppliers Group: US nuke watchdog

US President Donald Trump announced that a senior North Korean official is headed to New York to discuss an upcoming summit,&nbsp;the latest indication that an on-again-off-again meeting between Trump and North Korea's leader may go ahead next month.

Kim Yong Chol, 72, will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000.

Kim Jong Chol has often be described as Supreme leader Kin Jong Un's "right-hand man" and also coordinated the North Korean president's two meetings with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in April and May. He and Kim Jong Un's sister were the only North Korean officials to attend the first inter-Korean summit in April alongside the North Korean leader.

<img alt="128.PNG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="390" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/128.PNG" width="697" />

He was also&nbsp;among a small and select group of North Korean officials who&nbsp;accompanied Kim Jong Un&nbsp;to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula&nbsp;to meet twice&nbsp;with South Korean President Moon Jae In.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently informed that Kim would be meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York, making him the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit the US since 2000 when Jo Myong Rok, the late vice marshal, met with then-President Bill Clinton in Washington.

Kim has previously been a liaison officer with the United Nations, a border guard in the Korean demilitarised zone and was also a part of the team which carried out the breakthrough negotiations with the South Koreans in the early 1990s. Over the past decade, he was promoted to four-star general and made the head of the main North Korean intelligence service, known as the reconnaissance general bureau (RGB).

He is the current vice-chairman of the ruling Worker's party and was also one of the delegations from North Korea for the Winter Olympics closing ceremony.&nbsp;

He later served as the director of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, tasked with cyber-warfare and gathering foreign intelligence, from 2009 to 2016.

During his time as North Korea's military intelligence chief, Kim was accused of being responsible for the attacks on the South Korea warship Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island in 2010 in which 46 sailors had died.

He also allegedly had a hand in North Korea’s deadly shelling of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island six months later.

He is also linked to the cyber-attack on Sony Pictures in 2014 and led the country's delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in South Korea's Pyeongchang earlier this year.

The United States and South Korea blacklisted Kim Yong Chol for supporting the North's nuclear and missile programmes in 2010 and 2016, respectively, so a visit to the United States would indicate the US&nbsp;government has granted him a waiver.

North Korea denied any involvement in both attacks.

Kim Yong Chol, 72, will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000

US President Donald Trump announced that a senior North Korean official is headed to New York to discuss an upcoming summit, the latest indication that an on-again-off-again meeting between Trump and North Korea's leader may go ahead next month. Kim Yong Chol, 72, will be the most senior North Korean official to meet top officials for talks in the United States since Jo Myong Rok, a marshal, met then-President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2000. Kim Jong Chol has often be described as Supreme leader Kin Jong Un's "right-hand man" and also coordinated the North Korean president's two meetings with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in April and May. He and Kim Jong Un's sister were the only North Korean officials to attend the first inter-Korean summit in April alongside the North Korean leader. He was also among a small and select group of North Korean officials who accompanied Kim Jong Un to the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula to meet twice with South Korean President Moon Jae In. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders recently informed that Kim would be meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York, making him the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit the US since 2000 when Jo Myong Rok, the late vice marshal, met with then-President Bill Clinton in Washington. Kim has previously been a liaison officer with the United Nations, a border guard in the Korean demilitarised zone and was also a part of the team which carried out the breakthrough negotiations with the South Koreans in the early 1990s. Over the past decade, he was promoted to four-star general and made the head of the main North Korean intelligence service, known as the reconnaissance general bureau (RGB). He is the current vice-chairman of the ruling Worker's party and was also one of the delegations from North Korea for the Winter Olympics closing ceremony. He later served as the director of the General Reconnaissance Bureau, tasked with cyber-warfare and gathering foreign intelligence, from 2009 to 2016. During his time as North Korea's military intelligence chief, Kim was accused of being responsible for the attacks on the South Korea warship Cheonan and Yeonpyeong Island in 2010 in which 46 sailors had died. He also allegedly had a hand in North Korea’s deadly shelling of South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island six months later. He is also linked to the cyber-attack on Sony Pictures in 2014 and led the country's delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in South Korea's Pyeongchang earlier this year. The United States and South Korea blacklisted Kim Yong Chol for supporting the North's nuclear and missile programmes in 2010 and 2016, respectively, so a visit to the United States would indicate the US government has granted him a waiver. North Korea denied any involvement in both attacks.

Kim Yong Chol: North Korean leader's right-hand man and ex-spy chief

Regular incidents of violent attacks have been reported against Rohingya Muslims throughout Myanmar in 2017.

As reported by the Anadolu Agency, United States International Religious Freedom Report 2017 was released on Tuesday as per which ethnic Rohingyas residing in Myanmar have faced religious discrimination.

"Violence, discrimination, and harassment against ethnic Rohingya, who are nearly all Muslim, and other minority populations continued," said the annual US State Department report.

Ambassador Sam Brownback, who prepared the report, told a press briefing that "I don't think you've seen progress taking place there in the country (Myanmar)".

He further noted that the arrival of rainy season would invite multiple hardships for migrant Rohingyas who will be forced to move.

The report documented incidents of mass gang rapes, killings of infants and young children, and abduction of citizens.&nbsp

As reported by the Anadolu Agency, United States International Religious Freedom Report 2017 was released on Tuesday as per which ethnic Rohingyas residing in Myanmar have faced religious discrimination

Regular incidents of violent attacks have been reported against Rohingya Muslims throughout Myanmar in 2017. As reported by the Anadolu Agency, United States International Religious Freedom Report 2017 was released on Tuesday as per which ethnic Rohingyas residing in Myanmar have faced religious discrimination. "Violence, discrimination, and harassment against ethnic Rohingya, who are nearly all Muslim, and other minority populations continued," said the annual US State Department report. Ambassador Sam Brownback, who prepared the report, told a press briefing that "I don't think you've seen progress taking place there in the country (Myanmar)". He further noted that the arrival of rainy season would invite multiple hardships for migrant Rohingyas who will be forced to move. The report documented incidents of mass gang rapes, killings of infants and young children, and abduction of citizens.

US reports several violent attacks against Rohingyas across Myanmar

The United States has decided to cut short the length of validity of visas issued o Chinese citizens as part of a strategy to prevent intellectual property theft by US rivals, a White House official said on Tuesday.

The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis although the visa process remains the same, reports said.&nbsp;

The US State Department will implement measures from June 11 to “enhance security for some Chinese visa applicants,” the official said.

Reports further said that the maximum validity for Chinese student visas would remain the same, five years, but that consular officials have the authority to put an earlier expiration date on some visas.

A US official has said that Chinese graduate students would be limited to one-year visas if they are studying in certain fields, such as robotics, aviation and high-tech manufacturing.

The change would come as President Donald Trump’s administration attempts to crack down on what it says is theft of US intellectual property by China.

“Going forward, a reduction in the validity of some newly issued visas is part of the National Security Strategy to ensure that intellectual property is not transferred to our competitors,” the official said, referring to a document issued by the Trump administration in December.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-state-media-slam-us-trade-announcement-say-beijing-ready-to-fight-140836">China's state media slam US trade announcement, say Beijing ready to fight</a>

The official said the instructions also stated that Chinese citizens seeking visas would need special clearance from multiple US agencies if they work as researchers or managers for companies on a US Commerce Department list of entities needing higher scrutiny. Those clearances are expected to take months for each application, AP cited the official as saying.

Earlier on Tuesday, Washington said it was still considering slapping 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods in retaliation for what the Trump administration says are China’s unfair trade practices.

The US State Department will implement measures from June 11 to 'enhance security for some Chinese visa applicants,' the official said

The United States has decided to cut short the length of validity of visas issued o Chinese citizens as part of a strategy to prevent intellectual property theft by US rivals, a White House official said on Tuesday. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis although the visa process remains the same, reports said. The US State Department will implement measures from June 11 to “enhance security for some Chinese visa applicants,” the official said. Reports further said that the maximum validity for Chinese student visas would remain the same, five years, but that consular officials have the authority to put an earlier expiration date on some visas. A US official has said that Chinese graduate students would be limited to one-year visas if they are studying in certain fields, such as robotics, aviation and high-tech manufacturing. The change would come as President Donald Trump’s administration attempts to crack down on what it says is theft of US intellectual property by China. “Going forward, a reduction in the validity of some newly issued visas is part of the National Security Strategy to ensure that intellectual property is not transferred to our competitors,” the official said, referring to a document issued by the Trump administration in December. Also read: China's state media slam US trade announcement, say Beijing ready to fight The official said the instructions also stated that Chinese citizens seeking visas would need special clearance from multiple US agencies if they work as researchers or managers for companies on a US Commerce Department list of entities needing higher scrutiny. Those clearances are expected to take months for each application, AP cited the official as saying. Earlier on Tuesday, Washington said it was still considering slapping 25 per cent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods in retaliation for what the Trump administration says are China’s unfair trade practices.

US to shorten length of visas for some Chinese citizens: White House

The prospect of a trade war is threatening the global growth outlook, which otherwise is on course for a 40-year low in unemployment, the OECD said&nbsp;on Wednesday.

Global growth is set to nudge up from 3.8 per cent this year to 3.9 per cent in 2019, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development forecast in its biannual Economic Outlook.

The Paris-based policy forum made up mainly of developed countries had in March pencilled in an estimate of 3.9 per cent for both years but trimmed its outlook for 2018 due to a weak start to the year because of temporary factors like bad weather.

The OECD said budgetary easing had taken over from central bank stimulus as the main motor of global growth with three-fourths of its member countries now estimated to be loosening purse-strings, led by massive US&nbsp;tax cuts.

Against that backdrop, the overall OECD unemployment rate was seen falling to five per cent by the end of 2019, hitting the lowest level since 1980 and setting the stage for so-far elusive growth in workers' wages.

"In spite of all this good news, risks loom large for the global outlook. What are these risks? First and foremost, an escalation of trade tensions should be avoided," acting OECD chief economist Alvaro Pereira wrote in an introduction to the organisation's biannual Economic Outlook.

The warning comes as European governments brace for the expiration of temporary exemptions on new US&nbsp;steel and aluminium tariffs on&nbsp;June 1, which has outraged Washington's closest allies.

Though the number of trade restrictions has crept higher over the last decade, further measures could create a significant drag on growth because the global economy is now more interconnected than ever before, the OECD said.

With tax cuts boosting US&nbsp;investment, the world's biggest economy was forecast to grow 2.9 per cent this year and 2.8 per cent next year.

As a result, the Federal Reserve was expected to keep gradually increasing its interest rates, bringing the Fed funds rate to 3.25 per cent by the end of 2019.

The euro area economy was seen growing 2.2 per cent this year and 2.1 per cent in 2019 as the labour market and wages recover. The European Central Bank was seen halting bond purchases this year and increasing its negative deposit rate in the second half of 2019.

Outside the euro area, the OECD marginally raised its outlook for Britain to 1.4 per cent growth this year and 1.3 per cent in 2019. The Bank of England was expected to only gradually raise interest rates given the uncertainty over Brexit.

Japanese growth was seen at 1.2 per cent both this and next year as growing labour shortages force companies to increase business investment and hire more workers.

Outside of the OECD, Chinese growth was expected to ease gradually from 6.7 per cent this year to 6.4 per cent in 2019 as infrastructure investment slows in the face of tighter lending conditions and tougher government project approvals.

Global growth is set to nudge up from 3.8 per cent this year to 3.9 per cent in 2019

The prospect of a trade war is threatening the global growth outlook, which otherwise is on course for a 40-year low in unemployment, the OECD said on Wednesday. Global growth is set to nudge up from 3.8 per cent this year to 3.9 per cent in 2019, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development forecast in its biannual Economic Outlook. The Paris-based policy forum made up mainly of developed countries had in March pencilled in an estimate of 3.9 per cent for both years but trimmed its outlook for 2018 due to a weak start to the year because of temporary factors like bad weather. The OECD said budgetary easing had taken over from central bank stimulus as the main motor of global growth with three-fourths of its member countries now estimated to be loosening purse-strings, led by massive US tax cuts. Against that backdrop, the overall OECD unemployment rate was seen falling to five per cent by the end of 2019, hitting the lowest level since 1980 and setting the stage for so-far elusive growth in workers' wages. "In spite of all this good news, risks loom large for the global outlook. What are these risks? First and foremost, an escalation of trade tensions should be avoided," acting OECD chief economist Alvaro Pereira wrote in an introduction to the organisation's biannual Economic Outlook. The warning comes as European governments brace for the expiration of temporary exemptions on new US steel and aluminium tariffs on June 1, which has outraged Washington's closest allies. Though the number of trade restrictions has crept higher over the last decade, further measures could create a significant drag on growth because the global economy is now more interconnected than ever before, the OECD said. With tax cuts boosting US investment, the world's biggest economy was forecast to grow 2.9 per cent this year and 2.8 per cent next year. As a result, the Federal Reserve was expected to keep gradually increasing its interest rates, bringing the Fed funds rate to 3.25 per cent by the end of 2019. The euro area economy was seen growing 2.2 per cent this year and 2.1 per cent in 2019 as the labour market and wages recover. The European Central Bank was seen halting bond purchases this year and increasing its negative deposit rate in the second half of 2019. Outside the euro area, the OECD marginally raised its outlook for Britain to 1.4 per cent growth this year and 1.3 per cent in 2019. The Bank of England was expected to only gradually raise interest rates given the uncertainty over Brexit. Japanese growth was seen at 1.2 per cent both this and next year as growing labour shortages force companies to increase business investment and hire more workers. Outside of the OECD, Chinese growth was expected to ease gradually from 6.7 per cent this year to 6.4 per cent in 2019 as infrastructure investment slows in the face of tighter lending conditions and tougher government project approvals.

Trade war risk stalks global economic upturn: OECD

The European Union told the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement body on Monday that it had acted within days of a WTO ruling to bring its funding of planemaker Airbus into line with WTO rules, a trade official who attended the meeting said.

The United States won a partial victory on May 15 against EU support for Airbus at the WTO, clearing the way for possible US&nbspsanctions in a 14-year-old dispute over claims of illegal handouts for aircraft makers.

The EU said last week it had taken steps to comply with the WTO ruling on subsidies for its A350, Europe's newest long-haul jet, and the A380, the world's largest airliner, and reiterated its efforts at a closed-door WTO meeting on Monday.

The EU said it had made "contractual changes to the loan terms for the A380 and the A350XWB models of aircraft, where it was found that the repayable loans provided to Airbus for these aircrafts did not sufficiently reflect market conditions."

But a US&nbsprepresentative at the WTO meeting said it was hard to give credence to the EU's assertion after four previous rulings that had disagreed with similar EU claims to have brought Airbus's financing into line with market benchmarks.

Under WTO rules, Washington could now ask the WTO to set a level of sanctions allowed against the EU.

"To be clear, the US&nbsppreferred outcome is a mutually agreed solution with respect to aircraft financing," the US&nbspofficial told the meeting. "The United States remains ready to hold serious discussions to achieve this goal."

The United States is the target of a similar WTO complaint brought by the EU over US&nbspsupport for Airbus's rival Boeing, and the EU has said it expects to land a similar legal blow later this year.

That could plunge the two sides into a tit-for-tat sanctions battle, or prompt what some trade experts have long expected: a trans-Atlantic deal on financing big civil aircraft.

The US&nbspofficial said Washington wanted to agree on a deal to avoid similar disputes over subsidies in future, although it was prepared to seek countermeasures on EU products if necessary.

"But in our view, what is needed to resolve this dispute is not more WTO litigation but a real desire to resolve this dispute," the US&nbspofficial said.

An Airbus spokeswoman said the firm welcomed the US&nbspproposal for a settlement, saying it would be a "wise way forward" and dismissing any grounds for US&nbspcountermeasures.

“Airbus and the EU have always been open to sit down and discuss a settlement with everything on the table and without any preconditions," she said.

"If that is the case, we are happy to start a constructive discussion to find a solution to this long-lasting dispute."

The United States is the target of a similar WTO complaint brought by the EU over US support for Airbus's rival Boeing, and the EU has said it expects to land a similar legal blow later this year

The European Union told the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement body on Monday that it had acted within days of a WTO ruling to bring its funding of planemaker Airbus into line with WTO rules, a trade official who attended the meeting said. The United States won a partial victory on May 15 against EU support for Airbus at the WTO, clearing the way for possible US&nbspsanctions in a 14-year-old dispute over claims of illegal handouts for aircraft makers. The EU said last week it had taken steps to comply with the WTO ruling on subsidies for its A350, Europe's newest long-haul jet, and the A380, the world's largest airliner, and reiterated its efforts at a closed-door WTO meeting on Monday. The EU said it had made "contractual changes to the loan terms for the A380 and the A350XWB models of aircraft, where it was found that the repayable loans provided to Airbus for these aircrafts did not sufficiently reflect market conditions." But a US&nbsprepresentative at the WTO meeting said it was hard to give credence to the EU's assertion after four previous rulings that had disagreed with similar EU claims to have brought Airbus's financing into line with market benchmarks. Under WTO rules, Washington could now ask the WTO to set a level of sanctions allowed against the EU. "To be clear, the US&nbsppreferred outcome is a mutually agreed solution with respect to aircraft financing," the US&nbspofficial told the meeting. "The United States remains ready to hold serious discussions to achieve this goal." The United States is the target of a similar WTO complaint brought by the EU over US&nbspsupport for Airbus's rival Boeing, and the EU has said it expects to land a similar legal blow later this year. That could plunge the two sides into a tit-for-tat sanctions battle, or prompt what some trade experts have long expected: a trans-Atlantic deal on financing big civil aircraft. The US&nbspofficial said Washington wanted to agree on a deal to avoid similar disputes over subsidies in future, although it was prepared to seek countermeasures on EU products if necessary. "But in our view, what is needed to resolve this dispute is not more WTO litigation but a real desire to resolve this dispute," the US&nbspofficial said. An Airbus spokeswoman said the firm welcomed the US&nbspproposal for a settlement, saying it would be a "wise way forward" and dismissing any grounds for US&nbspcountermeasures. “Airbus and the EU have always been open to sit down and discuss a settlement with everything on the table and without any preconditions," she said. "If that is the case, we are happy to start a constructive discussion to find a solution to this long-lasting dispute."

US and EU again at odds over Airbus subsidies at WTO

At least eleven militants affiliated with the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) have been killed during the United States' drone strike in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province.

According to Afghan's news agency Khaama Press, the provincial government media office, in a statement, confirmed the number of casualties.

The militants have been killed in Ghulam Dak area of Chaparhar district.

The airstrike also left two IS militants wounded and three vehicles were destroyed, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the report makes note of the fact that at least two heroin labs belonging to the militants were destroyed in a separate airstrike conducted by the Afghan Air Force.

The Afghan forces have also launched operations in Bati Kot district and several areas have been cleared of the militants by far.

This comes in tandem with various ongoing counter-terrorism operations in certain provinces as the militant and terrorist groups are attempting to expand their insurgency activities.

The US military based in Afghanistan also conducts regular airstrikes against the IS, Taliban, and other militant and terrorist groups.

The US forces conduct airstrikes by using unmanned aerial vehicles in the province to clamp down the militants, according to the reports.

No comments have been received from the anti-government armed militant groups including the IS militants in connection with this report by far.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the report makes note of the fact that at least two heroin labs belonging to the militants were destroyed in a separate airstrike conducted by the Afghan Air Force

At least eleven militants affiliated with the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) have been killed during the United States' drone strike in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province. According to Afghan's news agency Khaama Press, the provincial government media office, in a statement, confirmed the number of casualties. The militants have been killed in Ghulam Dak area of Chaparhar district. The airstrike also left two IS militants wounded and three vehicles were destroyed, the statement added. Meanwhile, the report makes note of the fact that at least two heroin labs belonging to the militants were destroyed in a separate airstrike conducted by the Afghan Air Force. The Afghan forces have also launched operations in Bati Kot district and several areas have been cleared of the militants by far. This comes in tandem with various ongoing counter-terrorism operations in certain provinces as the militant and terrorist groups are attempting to expand their insurgency activities. The US military based in Afghanistan also conducts regular airstrikes against the IS, Taliban, and other militant and terrorist groups. The US forces conduct airstrikes by using unmanned aerial vehicles in the province to clamp down the militants, according to the reports. No comments have been received from the anti-government armed militant groups including the IS militants in connection with this report by far.

Afghanistan: 11 IS militants killed in US drone strike

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

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

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

China urges US to stop provocation in its territorial waters

Amid the US plan to scrap a rule allowing spouses of H-1B visa holders to work legally in the country, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday the government would make all efforts to persuade the Trump administration against such a move.

The Trump administration is planning to end the Obama-era rule under which spouses of H1-B visa holders are given work permit or H-4 visa, a move that could affect more than 70,000 such visa holders. A significantly large number of these H-4 visa holders are high-skilled professionals from India.

Addressing her annual press conference in New Delhi, Swaraj, when asked about the US plan, said it was true that President Donald Trump was reviewing the H-4 visa programme and there were reports of its possible revocation.

"This is not just for H-4, I am also talking about H1-B visa as well. We are making a three-pronged effort to save these visas. We are talking to the White House, we are talking to state administration, and we are also talking to Congressmen and Senators," Swaraj said.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/90000-foreigners-rescued-by-india-in-4-years-proof-of-our-humane-foreign-policy-sushma-swaraj-140366">Terror and talks cannot go together — Sushma Swaraj on Pakistan</a>

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This has yielded results as 130 members of Parliament, both Congressmen and Senators, have written a letter to Trump asking him not to revoke H-4 visas, stating that the American economy will be jolted by it, she said.

"We are trying our best to save H1-B visas, H4 visas. But America is a sovereign country. Ultimately they have to decide. How successful we will be, will be decided in the future. But I assure the country from this platform that we would not spare any effort," she said.

The H-4 visa holders had obtained work permits under a special order issued by the previous Obama administration.

Indian-Americans were a major beneficiary of this provision. More than 100,000 H-4 visa holders have benefited from this rule.

The 2015 rule allowed work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while H-1B visa holders seek permanent resident status -- a process that can take a decade or longer.

&nbsp;

The Trump administration is planning to end the Obama-era rule under which spouses of H1-B visa holders are given work permit or H-4 visa, a move that could affect more than 70,000 such visa holders. A significantly large number of these H-4 visa holders are high-skilled professionals from India

Amid the US plan to scrap a rule allowing spouses of H-1B visa holders to work legally in the country, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday the government would make all efforts to persuade the Trump administration against such a move. The Trump administration is planning to end the Obama-era rule under which spouses of H1-B visa holders are given work permit or H-4 visa, a move that could affect more than 70,000 such visa holders. A significantly large number of these H-4 visa holders are high-skilled professionals from India. Addressing her annual press conference in New Delhi, Swaraj, when asked about the US plan, said it was true that President Donald Trump was reviewing the H-4 visa programme and there were reports of its possible revocation. "This is not just for H-4, I am also talking about H1-B visa as well. We are making a three-pronged effort to save these visas. We are talking to the White House, we are talking to state administration, and we are also talking to Congressmen and Senators," Swaraj said. Also read: Terror and talks cannot go together — Sushma Swaraj on Pakistan × This has yielded results as 130 members of Parliament, both Congressmen and Senators, have written a letter to Trump asking him not to revoke H-4 visas, stating that the American economy will be jolted by it, she said. "We are trying our best to save H1-B visas, H4 visas. But America is a sovereign country. Ultimately they have to decide. How successful we will be, will be decided in the future. But I assure the country from this platform that we would not spare any effort," she said. The H-4 visa holders had obtained work permits under a special order issued by the previous Obama administration. Indian-Americans were a major beneficiary of this provision. More than 100,000 H-4 visa holders have benefited from this rule. The 2015 rule allowed work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while H-1B visa holders seek permanent resident status -- a process that can take a decade or longer.

Would spare no effort to persuade US: Swaraj on plans to end work permits for H-1B spouses

Afghanistan and Pakistan held a meeting of senior military and intelligence officials on Sunday to discuss comprehensive bilateral mechanism on key areas.

The talks that&nbsp;majorly aimed at ensuring peace in the region were held at Pakistan army's headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Pakistan's Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa told the delegation that the two countries must develop trust that they will never try to intrude into other's territory nor they will allow their land to be used against the other.

Afghanistan has been putting pressure on Pakistan to stop the country from using its land for breeding terrorists against it.

This is the first time when a high-level official from Afghanistan has visited Pakistan after the two countries agreed on a comprehensive bilateral mechanism for dialogue on key areas.

The talks that majorly aimed at ensuring peace in the region were held at Pakistan army's headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi

Afghanistan and Pakistan held a meeting of senior military and intelligence officials on Sunday to discuss comprehensive bilateral mechanism on key areas. The talks that majorly aimed at ensuring peace in the region were held at Pakistan army's headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. Pakistan's Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa told the delegation that the two countries must develop trust that they will never try to intrude into other's territory nor they will allow their land to be used against the other. Afghanistan has been putting pressure on Pakistan to stop the country from using its land for breeding terrorists against it. This is the first time when a high-level official from Afghanistan has visited Pakistan after the two countries agreed on a comprehensive bilateral mechanism for dialogue on key areas.

Afghan, Pakistani military officials held talks to push for peace

After heavy floods in Cuba, US and Oman it has now been reported that Britan has now been hit by flash floods with forecasters announcing 'danger to life.'

More than 20 warnings have been given for the Midlands region as huge storms made their way. A prominent route in Birmingham was filled with water up to 5ft deep while&nbsp;homes were flooded and cars submerged in water in other areas.&nbsp;

Also, Highways England was forced to close a stretch of the M5 between Halesowen and Oldbury which had become flooded. Other places hit included&nbsp;eastbound Hagley Road in the Bearwood area, Harborne area of Birmingham.&nbsp;

There are high levels of floodwater and Highways England is working to re-open the road as soon as possible.

As per reports, warnings of rain and thunderstorms are in place this afternoon for East Anglia, London and the South East and the South West.

A total of 42 flood alerts were also issued for other areas, urging residents to be prepared for the possibility of flooding.

Meanwhile, as per reports temperatures could hit highs of 28C or 29C in the region.

Earlier, heavy rains and flooding made streets in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-ellicott-city-declared-on-state-of-emergency-due-to-massive-flooding-140225">Ellicott City, Maryland</a> look like a river. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/storm-alberto-drenches-cuba-on-the-way-to-the-usa-140208">Storm Alberto</a> lashed the western Cuban region of Artemisia on Sunday, swelling a nearby river and dumping up to 12 cm of rain in less than eight hours.

The Environment Agency has more than 20 flood warnings and more than 40 flood alerts in place covering much of Central Englan

After heavy floods in Cuba, US and Oman it has now been reported that Britan has now been hit by flash floods with forecasters announcing 'danger to life.' More than 20 warnings have been given for the Midlands region as huge storms made their way. A prominent route in Birmingham was filled with water up to 5ft deep while homes were flooded and cars submerged in water in other areas. Also, Highways England was forced to close a stretch of the M5 between Halesowen and Oldbury which had become flooded. Other places hit included eastbound Hagley Road in the Bearwood area, Harborne area of Birmingham. There are high levels of floodwater and Highways England is working to re-open the road as soon as possible. As per reports, warnings of rain and thunderstorms are in place this afternoon for East Anglia, London and the South East and the South West. A total of 42 flood alerts were also issued for other areas, urging residents to be prepared for the possibility of flooding. Meanwhile, as per reports temperatures could hit highs of 28C or 29C in the region. Earlier, heavy rains and flooding made streets in Ellicott City, Maryland look like a river. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. Storm Alberto lashed the western Cuban region of Artemisia on Sunday, swelling a nearby river and dumping up to 12 cm of rain in less than eight hours.

Flash floods now hit UK after Cuba, US, Oman, forecasters announce 'danger to life'

Phishing and malware-based attacks are the most prolific online fraud tactics globally and India is one of the top three target countries for such attacks, says a report.

According to the RSA Quarterly Fraud Report for the period between January 1 to March 31, 2018, phishing accounted for 48 per cent of all cyber-attacks.

The report that contains fraud attack and consumer fraud data and analysis, noted that Canada, the United States, India and Brazil were the countries most targeted by phishing.

Other most phishing-targeted countries include Brazil in the fourth place, Netherlands (5th), Colombia (6th), Spain (7th), Mexico (8th), Germany (9th) and South Africa (10th).&nbsp

As per the report, consumer transactions and fraud continue to grow in the mobile channel. In the first quarter, 55 per cent of transactions originated in the mobile channel and 65 per cent of fraud transactions used a mobile application or browser.

The report further noted that the top hosting countries list for such attacks was topped by the United States, followed by Russia and India in the second and third place, respectively.&nbsp

Others in the list include Australia in the fourth position, Canada (5th), France (6th), Luxembourg (7th), Germany (8th), China (9th) and Italy (10th).

The report represents a snapshot of the cyber fraud environment, providing actionable intelligence to consumer-facing organisations of all sizes and types to enable more effective digital risk management.&nbsp

The report that contains fraud attack and consumer fraud data and analysis, noted that Canada, the United States, India and Brazil were the countries most targeted by phishing

Phishing and malware-based attacks are the most prolific online fraud tactics globally and India is one of the top three target countries for such attacks, says a report. According to the RSA Quarterly Fraud Report for the period between January 1 to March 31, 2018, phishing accounted for 48 per cent of all cyber-attacks. The report that contains fraud attack and consumer fraud data and analysis, noted that Canada, the United States, India and Brazil were the countries most targeted by phishing. Other most phishing-targeted countries include Brazil in the fourth place, Netherlands (5th), Colombia (6th), Spain (7th), Mexico (8th), Germany (9th) and South Africa (10th). As per the report, consumer transactions and fraud continue to grow in the mobile channel. In the first quarter, 55 per cent of transactions originated in the mobile channel and 65 per cent of fraud transactions used a mobile application or browser. The report further noted that the top hosting countries list for such attacks was topped by the United States, followed by Russia and India in the second and third place, respectively. Others in the list include Australia in the fourth position, Canada (5th), France (6th), Luxembourg (7th), Germany (8th), China (9th) and Italy (10th). The report represents a snapshot of the cyber fraud environment, providing actionable intelligence to consumer-facing organisations of all sizes and types to enable more effective digital risk management.

India one of the most vulnerable to cyber attacks & data theft; third behind Canada, US

The United States government couldn't account for nearly 1,500 immigrant children in 2018, However, the federal government believes that it is not 'legally responsible'.

Steven Wagner, a top official with the Department of Health and Human Services, disclosed the number to a Senate subcommittee last month, CNN reported.

Wagner is the acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. ORR is a program of the Administration for Children and Families.

In his testimony, Wagner said that during the last three months of 2017, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) lost track of nearly 1,500 immigrant children it had placed in the homes of sponsors.

He also said that the Department of Homeland Security referred more than 40,000 immigrant children to the ORR during the 2017 fiscal year.

However, Wagner said that the Department of Health and Human Services is not responsible for the children.

"I understand that it has been HHS's long-standing interpretation of the law that ORR is not legally responsible for children after they are released from ORR care," CNN quoted Wagner as saying.

The office is "taking a fresh look at that question," he added.

Between October and December 2017, Wagner told the subcommittee, the ORR reached out to 7,635 unaccompanied children to check on them. But the ORR "was unable to determine with certainty the whereabouts of 1,475 children," Wagner testified. An additional 28 had run away.

Meanwhile, Wagner's statement has received increased scrutiny a month after the Department of Homeland Security defended an agency policy that will result in more families being separated at the border.

A request for comment from HHS on Saturday has not been returned. 
&nbsp

Steven Wagner, a top official with the Department of Health and Human Services, disclosed the number to a Senate subcommittee last month

The United States government couldn't account for nearly 1,500 immigrant children in 2018, However, the federal government believes that it is not 'legally responsible'. Steven Wagner, a top official with the Department of Health and Human Services, disclosed the number to a Senate subcommittee last month, CNN reported. Wagner is the acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. ORR is a program of the Administration for Children and Families. In his testimony, Wagner said that during the last three months of 2017, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) lost track of nearly 1,500 immigrant children it had placed in the homes of sponsors. He also said that the Department of Homeland Security referred more than 40,000 immigrant children to the ORR during the 2017 fiscal year. However, Wagner said that the Department of Health and Human Services is not responsible for the children. "I understand that it has been HHS's long-standing interpretation of the law that ORR is not legally responsible for children after they are released from ORR care," CNN quoted Wagner as saying. The office is "taking a fresh look at that question," he added. Between October and December 2017, Wagner told the subcommittee, the ORR reached out to 7,635 unaccompanied children to check on them. But the ORR "was unable to determine with certainty the whereabouts of 1,475 children," Wagner testified. An additional 28 had run away. Meanwhile, Wagner's statement has received increased scrutiny a month after the Department of Homeland Security defended an agency policy that will result in more families being separated at the border. A request for comment from HHS on Saturday has not been returned.

US loses track of 1500 immigrant children, says not its responsibility

North Korea on Sunday disputed reports which said that North Korea is seeking economic assistance from the United States in exchange for complete denuclearisation.&nbsp;

The incumbent Workers' Party's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun said that Fox News TV, CBS and CNN were as impudent as to make rubbish that if North Korea meets the requirements of the U.S., it can get 'large-scale non-governmental economic aid,'" Yonhap quoted.

Agitated North claims that it is the US that asked for Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)-US talks first and as far as the economic aid is concerned, the DPRK has never asked for it.

This newspaper controversy came after the US President Donald Trump cancelled the meeting with North Korean Supreme leader Kim Jong-Un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. Trump later changed his statement saying, the summit would go ahead as planned.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House during a meeting with a US prisoner freed by Venezuela.

"We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. It hasn't changed.

Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his June 12 meeting with Kim in the Southeast Asian city-state, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang.'

Also, South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, the South said in the second inter-Korean summit in as many months.

Moon and Kim met just north of the heavily militarised border in the afternoon to exchange views to pave way for a summit between North Korea and the United States, South Korea's presidential office said.

The Blue House, South Korea's presidential office, said the two leaders held talks for two hours in the truce village of Panmunjom, where they had met last month and made a declaration vowing to improve ties.

"They exchanged views and discussed ways to implement the Panmunjom Declaration and to ensure a successful US North Korea summit," the Blue House said in a statement, adding further details would be released Sunday morning.

This newspaper controversy came after the US President Donald Trump cancelled the meeting with North Korean Supreme leader Kim Jong-Un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. Trump later changed his statement saying, the summit would go ahead as planned

North Korea on Sunday disputed reports which said that North Korea is seeking economic assistance from the United States in exchange for complete denuclearisation. The incumbent Workers' Party's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun said that Fox News TV, CBS and CNN were as impudent as to make rubbish that if North Korea meets the requirements of the U.S., it can get 'large-scale non-governmental economic aid,'" Yonhap quoted. Agitated North claims that it is the US that asked for Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)-US talks first and as far as the economic aid is concerned, the DPRK has never asked for it. This newspaper controversy came after the US President Donald Trump cancelled the meeting with North Korean Supreme leader Kim Jong-Un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore. Trump later changed his statement saying, the summit would go ahead as planned. US President Donald Trump said Saturday that things are moving "very nicely" towards a summit on June 12 in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. "It's moving along very nicely," Trump said at the White House during a meeting with a US prisoner freed by Venezuela. "We're looking at June 12 in Singapore. It hasn't changed. Trump rattled the region on Thursday by cancelling his June 12 meeting with Kim in the Southeast Asian city-state, citing "open hostility" from Pyongyang.' Also, South Korean President Moon Jae-in met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Saturday to discuss Kim's possible upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, the South said in the second inter-Korean summit in as many months. Moon and Kim met just north of the heavily militarised border in the afternoon to exchange views to pave way for a summit between North Korea and the United States, South Korea's presidential office said. The Blue House, South Korea's presidential office, said the two leaders held talks for two hours in the truce village of Panmunjom, where they had met last month and made a declaration vowing to improve ties. "They exchanged views and discussed ways to implement the Panmunjom Declaration and to ensure a successful US North Korea summit," the Blue House said in a statement, adding further details would be released Sunday morning.

North Korea refutes reports saying it's seeking economic help from US

The United States Air Force Central Command (AFCENT), in its recent report, has mentioned that the Afghan Air Force has dropped over 50 laser guided bombs post the first deployment of such a bomb on March 22.

According to Afghan's news agency Khaama Press, "The recent addition of laser-guided bomb strike capability is huge for the Afghan Air Force," said US Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Williams, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron commander.

"The bombs are built by Afghan ammunitions specialists and loaded onto Afghan planes by Afghan maintainers. This is one example of how the Afghan Air Force is assuming ownership across the board," said Lt. Col. Williams.

A-29 pilots have advocated about 30 Afghan ground missions with this technology as of May 11, the report said.

An Afghan Air Force A-29 pilot said, "The Taliban like to hide in towns and places where civilians are. The Laser Guided Bomb lets me strike those places without hurting the local people."

A laser-guided bomb (LGB) is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser guidance to strike a designated target with greater accuracy in comparison to an unguided bomb.

First developed by the United States during the Vietnam War, laser-guided bombs proved their value in precision strikes of difficult point targets.

A-29 pilots have advocated about 30 Afghan ground missions with this technology as of May 11, the report said

The United States Air Force Central Command (AFCENT), in its recent report, has mentioned that the Afghan Air Force has dropped over 50 laser guided bombs post the first deployment of such a bomb on March 22. According to Afghan's news agency Khaama Press, "The recent addition of laser-guided bomb strike capability is huge for the Afghan Air Force," said US Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Williams, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron commander. "The bombs are built by Afghan ammunitions specialists and loaded onto Afghan planes by Afghan maintainers. This is one example of how the Afghan Air Force is assuming ownership across the board," said Lt. Col. Williams. A-29 pilots have advocated about 30 Afghan ground missions with this technology as of May 11, the report said. An Afghan Air Force A-29 pilot said, "The Taliban like to hide in towns and places where civilians are. The Laser Guided Bomb lets me strike those places without hurting the local people." A laser-guided bomb (LGB) is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser guidance to strike a designated target with greater accuracy in comparison to an unguided bomb. First developed by the United States during the Vietnam War, laser-guided bombs proved their value in precision strikes of difficult point targets.

Over 50 laser-guided bombs dropped by Afghan Air Force: US AFCENT

United States Congressman vowed to use every way possible to prevent Pakistan from oppressing its minority communities, ANI reported on Saturday.&nbsp

The congressman, Thomas Garrett Jr voiced his ire over human rights violation in Pakistan's ethnic and religious minorities while addressing the inaugural ceremony of The Voice of Karachi and South Aisa Minorities Alliance Foundation in Washington DC.&nbsp

Garett said, "Every tool that we have in the toolbox whether its sanctions, whether it is the application of Little Magnitsky concepts on leaders who oppress their people whether in Pakistan or anywhere else, I will advocate on behalf of that."

He expressed his disgust over incidents of harassments and intimidation by some elements to stop peaceful activities of these organizations on the US soil.

A United States-based advocacy group representing various ethnic minorities of Pakistan has formed a joint platform 'South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation' against what they alleged as the massive human rights violation by security forces and ruling establishment of the country.

Garrett including Scott Perry from Pennsylvania extended their support to the newly formed group and expressed concerns about Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities.

"If you look at the constitution what some might say is controlled by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), it's the leadership of the nation that denies individuals the rights that they are entitled to," Congressman Thomas Garrett told ANI.

"You don't take American money and oppress your people with our money. That's not good," Congressman Perry told the gathering of people representing various ethnic groups of Pakistan Mohajirs, Baloch, Gilgit and Hazara. Perry has voted in House of Representative against funding for Pakistan.

"We should be sure that the people with whom the United States is engaging with are in favor of relations, and we must ensure that the citiizen's of the state (Pakistan) have basic rights. We can choose whom to do business or not to do business, or have relations or not have relations to encourage bad behavior," Garrett said.

Nadeem Nusrat, Chairman of the Voice of Karachi, told the US legislators that Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities were looking towards the US and the international community to play their role in stopping state atrocities being committed by the Pakistani security forces, ISI in particular. 
&nbsp

The congressman, Thomas Garrett Jr voiced his ire over human rights violation in Pakistan's ethnic and religious minorities while addressing the inaugural ceremony of The Voice of Karachi and South Aisa Minorities Alliance Foundation in Washington DC

United States Congressman vowed to use every way possible to prevent Pakistan from oppressing its minority communities, ANI reported on Saturday. The congressman, Thomas Garrett Jr voiced his ire over human rights violation in Pakistan's ethnic and religious minorities while addressing the inaugural ceremony of The Voice of Karachi and South Aisa Minorities Alliance Foundation in Washington DC. Garett said, "Every tool that we have in the toolbox whether its sanctions, whether it is the application of Little Magnitsky concepts on leaders who oppress their people whether in Pakistan or anywhere else, I will advocate on behalf of that." He expressed his disgust over incidents of harassments and intimidation by some elements to stop peaceful activities of these organizations on the US soil. A United States-based advocacy group representing various ethnic minorities of Pakistan has formed a joint platform 'South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation' against what they alleged as the massive human rights violation by security forces and ruling establishment of the country. Garrett including Scott Perry from Pennsylvania extended their support to the newly formed group and expressed concerns about Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities. "If you look at the constitution what some might say is controlled by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), it's the leadership of the nation that denies individuals the rights that they are entitled to," Congressman Thomas Garrett told ANI. "You don't take American money and oppress your people with our money. That's not good," Congressman Perry told the gathering of people representing various ethnic groups of Pakistan Mohajirs, Baloch, Gilgit and Hazara. Perry has voted in House of Representative against funding for Pakistan. "We should be sure that the people with whom the United States is engaging with are in favor of relations, and we must ensure that the citiizen's of the state (Pakistan) have basic rights. We can choose whom to do business or not to do business, or have relations or not have relations to encourage bad behavior," Garrett said. Nadeem Nusrat, Chairman of the Voice of Karachi, told the US legislators that Pakistan's oppressed ethnic and religious communities were looking towards the US and the international community to play their role in stopping state atrocities being committed by the Pakistani security forces, ISI in particular.

US Congressman vows to curb Pakistan oppression on minorities

Former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli, jailed in Miami on spying charges while awaiting extradition to his home country, said in a letter released Friday that the United States reneged on promises from some U.S. officials to offer him a safe-haven.

"After years of friendship with this country, I did not expect to be thrown in a U.S. jail," he wrote in a letter dated May 14 and released by a spokesman.

Martinelli was jailed last year in the United States after Panama requested extradition on charges that he used public money to spy on more than 150 political rivals during his 2009-2014 term.

A US&nbspcourt authorized the extradition last year, and Martinelli last month maintained his innocence but said he would stop fighting the proceedings for judgment in Panama.

In the four-page letter, Martinelli says Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, a former ally, had sought political revenge, and that he expected the United States to offer "protection" from Varela's government.

He also detailed examples of assisting the United States to curb cross-border crime, such as halting a North Korean ship traveling from Cuba with planes, missiles and radar.

"When the CIA requested that I stop a North Korean ship leaving Cuba that was crossing the Panama Canal, I did not blink an eye," the letter states.

Martinelli, a wealthy supermarket magnate, also said he understood that high-ranking U.S. officials had agreed to let him settle in the United States "without fear."

Reuters could not immediately verify Martinelli's claims.

"I was under the impression that promises made by such government officials could be relied upon. I was mistaken," he added in the letter, which was addressed to the "government and people of the United States".

Martinelli was jailed last year in the United States after Panama requested extradition on charges that he used public money to spy on more than 150 political rivals during his 2009-2014 term

Former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli, jailed in Miami on spying charges while awaiting extradition to his home country, said in a letter released Friday that the United States reneged on promises from some U.S. officials to offer him a safe-haven. "After years of friendship with this country, I did not expect to be thrown in a U.S. jail," he wrote in a letter dated May 14 and released by a spokesman. Martinelli was jailed last year in the United States after Panama requested extradition on charges that he used public money to spy on more than 150 political rivals during his 2009-2014 term. A US&nbspcourt authorized the extradition last year, and Martinelli last month maintained his innocence but said he would stop fighting the proceedings for judgment in Panama. In the four-page letter, Martinelli says Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, a former ally, had sought political revenge, and that he expected the United States to offer "protection" from Varela's government. He also detailed examples of assisting the United States to curb cross-border crime, such as halting a North Korean ship traveling from Cuba with planes, missiles and radar. "When the CIA requested that I stop a North Korean ship leaving Cuba that was crossing the Panama Canal, I did not blink an eye," the letter states. Martinelli, a wealthy supermarket magnate, also said he understood that high-ranking U.S. officials had agreed to let him settle in the United States "without fear." Reuters could not immediately verify Martinelli's claims. "I was under the impression that promises made by such government officials could be relied upon. I was mistaken," he added in the letter, which was addressed to the "government and people of the United States".

Ex-Panama president's jail letter blames US for extradition

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