<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-to-challenge-the-appointment-of-kg-bopaiah-as-pro-tem-speaker-in-the-sc-137972">Karnataka crisis: Congress to challenge KG Bopaiah's appointment as pro-tem Speaker in Supreme Court</a>

Congress to challenge the appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday. According to television reports, Congress is moving Supreme Court to challenge the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint KG Bopiah as pro-tem speaker ahead of the floor test on Saturday 4 pm.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-to-jk-pakistan-summons-indian-high-commissioner-over-unprovoked-ceasefire-violations-along-loc-137934">Pakistan summons Indian High Commissioner over 'unprovoked ceasefire violations' along LoC</a>

As PM Modi prepares to visit J&K on Saturday, Pakistan today summoned Indian High Commissioner over "unprovoked ceasefire violations" allegedly carried out by Indian forces along the Line of Control(LoC).

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-allows-karti-chidambaram-to-travel-abroad-137929">Supreme Court allows Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad</a>

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, to travel to offshore locations in United Kingdom, Germany and Spain with certain conditions, including that he would not open or close a bank account abroad.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-offering-200-billion-package-to-slash-us-trade-gap-137953">China denies offering $200 billion </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-offering-200-billion-package-to-slash-us-trade-gap-137953">package</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-offering-200-billion-package-to-slash-us-trade-gap-137953"> to slash US trade gap</a>

China denied on Friday that it had offered a package to slash the US trade deficit by up to $200 billion, hours after it dropped an anti-dumping probe into US sorghum imports in a conciliatory gesture as top negotiators meet in Washington.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/congo-faces-very-high-risk-from-ebola-outbreak-who--137926">Congo faces 'very high' risk from Ebola outbreak: WHO</a>

Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously.

&nbsp

Karnataka crisis: Congress to challenge KG Bopaiah's appointment as pro-tem Speaker in Supreme Court Congress to challenge the appointment of KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker in the Supreme Court on Friday. According to television reports, Congress is moving Supreme Court to challenge the Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint KG Bopiah as pro-tem speaker ahead of the floor test on Saturday 4 pm. Pakistan summons Indian High Commissioner over 'unprovoked ceasefire violations' along LoC As PM Modi prepares to visit J&K on Saturday, Pakistan today summoned Indian High Commissioner over "unprovoked ceasefire violations" allegedly carried out by Indian forces along the Line of Control(LoC). Supreme Court allows Karti Chidambaram to travel abroad The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, to travel to offshore locations in United Kingdom, Germany and Spain with certain conditions, including that he would not open or close a bank account abroad. China denies offering $200 billion package to slash US trade gap China denied on Friday that it had offered a package to slash the US trade deficit by up to $200 billion, hours after it dropped an anti-dumping probe into US sorghum imports in a conciliatory gesture as top negotiators meet in Washington. Congo faces 'very high' risk from Ebola outbreak: WHO Democratic Republic of Congo faces a "very high" public health risk from Ebola because the disease has been confirmed in a patient in a big city, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, raising its assessment from "high" previously.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Israel was sharply criticised at a UN&nbsphuman rights body on Friday for its killings of protesters in Gaza and treatment of the Palestinians, but Washington came to its defence.

The special session of the Human Rights Council was convened after the bloodiest day for Palestinians in years last Monday, when 60 were killed by Israeli gunfire during demonstrations that Israel said included attempts to breach its frontier fence.

"Nobody has been made safer by the horrific events of the past week," UN&nbsphuman rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein told the Council.

He said Israeli forces had killed 106 Palestinians, including 15 children, since March 30. More than 12,000 were injured, at least 3,500 by live ammunition. Israel was an occupying power under international law, obliged to protect the people of Gaza and ensure their welfare, he said.

"But they are, in essence, caged in a toxic slum from birth to death deprived of dignity dehumanised by the Israeli authorities to such a point it appears officials do not even consider that these men and women have a right, as well as every reason, to protest."

Israel says the deaths took place in protests organised by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, which intentionally provoked the violence, an accusation Hamas denies.

Israel and the United States complain that the Human Rights Council, made up of 47 states chosen by the General Assembly, has a permanent anti-Israel bias because of the disproportionate number of countries hostile to Israel with UN&nbspseats.

Israel's ambassador Aviva Raz Shechter said the Council had relapsed to its worst form of anti-Israel obsession. The call for an inquiry was "politically motivated and won’t improve the situation on the ground by even one iota," she said.

"The loss of life could have been avoided had Hamas refrained from sending terrorists to attack Israel under the cover of the riots, while exploiting its own civilian population as human shields," she said. "It is Israel, certainly not Hamas, which makes a real effort to minimize casualties among Palestinian civilians."

The United States has stood by Israel during the past week's violence, which coincided with the opening of a new US&nbspembassy in Jerusalem. US&nbspchargé d'affaires Theodore Allegra said the Council was ignoring the real culprit of the violence: Hamas.

"The one sided action proposed by the Council today only further shows that the Human Rights Council is indeed a broken body," he said.

Two million people live in Gaza, most of them stateless descendants of refugees who fled or were driven from homes in what is now Israel at its founding in 1948.

The territory has been run by Hamas since 2007, during which time Israel has fought three wars against the militant group which denies Israel's right to exist. Israel and Egypt maintain a blockade of Gaza for security reasons, which the United Nations says has plunged Gaza's economy into a collapse.

In Gaza, residents told Reuters that Israel deserved its international criticism.

"Israel must be dismantled as a state and its leaders must stand international trial for their massacres against us since 1948," said Ibrahim Abu Galeb, 65, a refugee living in southern Gaza. "Israel occupied our land, displaced our people, killed our children’s dreams to live safely and it is behind our sickness and poverty."

The special session of the Human Rights Council was convened after the bloodiest day for Palestinians in years last Monday

Israel was sharply criticised at a UN&nbsphuman rights body on Friday for its killings of protesters in Gaza and treatment of the Palestinians, but Washington came to its defence. The special session of the Human Rights Council was convened after the bloodiest day for Palestinians in years last Monday, when 60 were killed by Israeli gunfire during demonstrations that Israel said included attempts to breach its frontier fence. "Nobody has been made safer by the horrific events of the past week," UN&nbsphuman rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein told the Council. He said Israeli forces had killed 106 Palestinians, including 15 children, since March 30. More than 12,000 were injured, at least 3,500 by live ammunition. Israel was an occupying power under international law, obliged to protect the people of Gaza and ensure their welfare, he said. "But they are, in essence, caged in a toxic slum from birth to death deprived of dignity dehumanised by the Israeli authorities to such a point it appears officials do not even consider that these men and women have a right, as well as every reason, to protest." Israel says the deaths took place in protests organised by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, which intentionally provoked the violence, an accusation Hamas denies. Israel and the United States complain that the Human Rights Council, made up of 47 states chosen by the General Assembly, has a permanent anti-Israel bias because of the disproportionate number of countries hostile to Israel with UN&nbspseats. Israel's ambassador Aviva Raz Shechter said the Council had relapsed to its worst form of anti-Israel obsession. The call for an inquiry was "politically motivated and won’t improve the situation on the ground by even one iota," she said. "The loss of life could have been avoided had Hamas refrained from sending terrorists to attack Israel under the cover of the riots, while exploiting its own civilian population as human shields," she said. "It is Israel, certainly not Hamas, which makes a real effort to minimize casualties among Palestinian civilians." The United States has stood by Israel during the past week's violence, which coincided with the opening of a new US&nbspembassy in Jerusalem. US&nbspchargé d'affaires Theodore Allegra said the Council was ignoring the real culprit of the violence: Hamas. "The one sided action proposed by the Council today only further shows that the Human Rights Council is indeed a broken body," he said. Two million people live in Gaza, most of them stateless descendants of refugees who fled or were driven from homes in what is now Israel at its founding in 1948. The territory has been run by Hamas since 2007, during which time Israel has fought three wars against the militant group which denies Israel's right to exist. Israel and Egypt maintain a blockade of Gaza for security reasons, which the United Nations says has plunged Gaza's economy into a collapse. In Gaza, residents told Reuters that Israel deserved its international criticism. "Israel must be dismantled as a state and its leaders must stand international trial for their massacres against us since 1948," said Ibrahim Abu Galeb, 65, a refugee living in southern Gaza. "Israel occupied our land, displaced our people, killed our children’s dreams to live safely and it is behind our sickness and poverty."

Israel vilified at UN body for Gaza killings, but backed by US

The US&nbspgovernment's aid chief called on Thursday on Myanmar to end violence against members of the Rohingya Muslim minority and to provide humanitarian workers and media unhindered access to the country.

Mark Green, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), visited Rohingya refugee camps on a three-day visit to Bangladesh this week.

The United States would provide $44 million in additional aid to help meet the needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, he told reports in Dhaka, before travelling on to Myanmar, which is also known as Burma.

"Today, I will fly to Burma and will ask them to end the violence and will also ask them to allow media access,” Green said.

"This humanitarian crisis is a global challenge and our government along with the international community will work together to support Bangladesh," he said.

According to UN&nbspofficials, nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh from Buddhist-majority Myanmar's Rakhine State to escape a military crackdown since August, launched in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks.

Refugees have told of numerous incidents of murder, rape and arson by Myanmar troops and Buddhist vigilantes, which the United Nations has likened to "ethnic cleansing".

Myanmar has denied nearly all of the allegations, saying its security forces have been waging a legitimate counter-insurgency operation against Rohingya "terrorists".

Green, who is due to meet Myanmar government officials in the capital, Naypyitaw, said he would ask for "free and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the country" as well as access for media to travel freely.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump this month assured Bangladesh of US&nbspsupport in dealing with the Myanmar Rohingya refugee crisis.

US President Donald Trump this month assured Bangladesh of US support in dealing with the Myanmar Rohingya refugee crisis

The US&nbspgovernment's aid chief called on Thursday on Myanmar to end violence against members of the Rohingya Muslim minority and to provide humanitarian workers and media unhindered access to the country. Mark Green, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), visited Rohingya refugee camps on a three-day visit to Bangladesh this week. The United States would provide $44 million in additional aid to help meet the needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, he told reports in Dhaka, before travelling on to Myanmar, which is also known as Burma. "Today, I will fly to Burma and will ask them to end the violence and will also ask them to allow media access,” Green said. "This humanitarian crisis is a global challenge and our government along with the international community will work together to support Bangladesh," he said. According to UN&nbspofficials, nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled into Bangladesh from Buddhist-majority Myanmar's Rakhine State to escape a military crackdown since August, launched in response to Rohingya insurgent attacks. Refugees have told of numerous incidents of murder, rape and arson by Myanmar troops and Buddhist vigilantes, which the United Nations has likened to "ethnic cleansing". Myanmar has denied nearly all of the allegations, saying its security forces have been waging a legitimate counter-insurgency operation against Rohingya "terrorists". Green, who is due to meet Myanmar government officials in the capital, Naypyitaw, said he would ask for "free and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the country" as well as access for media to travel freely. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump this month assured Bangladesh of US&nbspsupport in dealing with the Myanmar Rohingya refugee crisis.

US aid chief calls on Myanmar to end violence against Rohingya

The US&nbspAir Force apologised on Thursday and withdrew a tweet that sought to find humour in killing Taliban militants in Afghanistan by invoking a viral Internet debate about whether an audio file says the words "Laurel" or "Yanny."

The tweet from the Air Force's main Twitter account @usairforce came after days of intense fighting in the Afghan city of Farah, which has served as a reminder of the perils facing US-backed Afghan forces even after 16 years of war.

The US&nbspmilitary has provided air support with A-10 attack aircraft and drones.

"The Taliban forces in Farah city #Afghanistan would much rather have heard #Yanny or #Laurel than the deafening #BRRRT they got courtesy of our #A10," read the Air Force Tweet. The #BRRRT was meant to suggest the sound of Gatling gun fire.

The tweet sought to link, however awkwardly, the war to a blithe Internet debate over an audio file circulating online that listeners alternatively think sounds like the words "Laurel" or "Yanny."

Wired magazine has reported that the audio file was posted by high school students on May 11.

After questions at a Pentagon briefing about whether the tweet was appropriate, the Air Force deleted it and expressed regrets for the poor attempt at humour.

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We apologize for the earlier tweet regarding the A-10. It was made in poor taste and we are addressing it internally. It has since been removed.
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"We apologise for the earlier tweet regarding the A-10. It was made in poor taste and we are addressing it internally. It has since been removed," it said.

The US military has provided air support with A-10 attack aircraft and drones

The US&nbspAir Force apologised on Thursday and withdrew a tweet that sought to find humour in killing Taliban militants in Afghanistan by invoking a viral Internet debate about whether an audio file says the words "Laurel" or "Yanny." The tweet from the Air Force's main Twitter account @usairforce came after days of intense fighting in the Afghan city of Farah, which has served as a reminder of the perils facing US-backed Afghan forces even after 16 years of war. The US&nbspmilitary has provided air support with A-10 attack aircraft and drones. "The Taliban forces in Farah city #Afghanistan would much rather have heard #Yanny or #Laurel than the deafening #BRRRT they got courtesy of our #A10," read the Air Force Tweet. The #BRRRT was meant to suggest the sound of Gatling gun fire. The tweet sought to link, however awkwardly, the war to a blithe Internet debate over an audio file circulating online that listeners alternatively think sounds like the words "Laurel" or "Yanny." Wired magazine has reported that the audio file was posted by high school students on May 11. After questions at a Pentagon briefing about whether the tweet was appropriate, the Air Force deleted it and expressed regrets for the poor attempt at humour. We apologize for the earlier tweet regarding the A-10. It was made in poor taste and we are addressing it internally. It has since been removed. — U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) May 17, 2018 × "We apologise for the earlier tweet regarding the A-10. It was made in poor taste and we are addressing it internally. It has since been removed," it said.

US Air Force apologises for Yanny/Laurel tweet about Afghan war

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

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

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

American diplomat allowed to leave Pak on US assurance

Walmart Inc, the world's biggest retailer, posted a rebound in its US&nbspe-commerce business on Thursday and beat profit and revenue expectations, lifting its shares in premarket trade.

Walmart's e-commerce sales grew 33 percent during the first quarter ended April 30, above the 23-percent growth in the previous three months. It said it is on track to increase US&nbspe-commerce sales by 40 percent for the full year.

The e-commerce rebound comes after a sharp slowdown during the crucial holiday quarter, which sent its shares down over 10 percent and wiped out $31 billion from its market capitalization. Investors worried Walmart would not be able to keep pace with rival Amazon.com Inc.

"Online grocery continued to accelerate and we also have new brands in e-commerce including the partnership with Lord and Taylor, so there are a lot of different things driving growth there," Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs said in an interview. He said free two-day shipping boosted growth, and the Walmart.com site redesign helped late in the quarter.

International sales were up 4.5 percent at $28.3 billion on a constant currency basis, helped by an early Easter, Biggs said.

The company is in the process of fixing its international business portfolio and recently said it will acquire a 77-percent stake in Indian e-commerce firm Flipkart for $16 billion, its largest deal ever, to compete with Amazon.com Inc in an important growth market. It also plans to sell a majority stake in its UK grocery chain Asda Group Ltd to J Sainsbury PLC.

Walmart also recently reached agreements to sell its banking operations in Walmart Canada and Walmart Chile, it said on Thursday.

Excluding special items, adjusted earnings were $1.14 per share. The average analyst estimate was $1.12 per share, according to Thomson Reuters.

Sales at US&nbspstores open at least a year rose 2.1 percent excluding fuel, in line with analyst forecasts, according to Consensus Metrix. Walmart has recorded nearly four straight years of US&nbspgrowth, unmatched by any other retailer.

The comparable sales increase was driven by a jump in the price of items sold and by e-commerce. Customer traffic was 0.8-percent higher during the quarter, slower than the 1.5 percent growth during the same period a year ago. A delayed spring hurt demand in weather-related categories and led customers to consolidate trips.

Biggs said demand in those categories rebounded this month.

Total revenue increased 4.4 percent to $122.7 billion, beating analysts' estimates of $120.5 billion.

Walmart's shares were up 1.98 percent at $87.18 in premarket trade. The company's stock has fallen around 20 percent since reaching an all-time high of $109.98 in late January.

Walmart's e-commerce sales grew 33 percent during the first quarter ended April 30, above the 23-percent growth in the previous three months

Walmart Inc, the world's biggest retailer, posted a rebound in its US&nbspe-commerce business on Thursday and beat profit and revenue expectations, lifting its shares in premarket trade. Walmart's e-commerce sales grew 33 percent during the first quarter ended April 30, above the 23-percent growth in the previous three months. It said it is on track to increase US&nbspe-commerce sales by 40 percent for the full year. The e-commerce rebound comes after a sharp slowdown during the crucial holiday quarter, which sent its shares down over 10 percent and wiped out $31 billion from its market capitalization. Investors worried Walmart would not be able to keep pace with rival Amazon.com Inc. "Online grocery continued to accelerate and we also have new brands in e-commerce including the partnership with Lord and Taylor, so there are a lot of different things driving growth there," Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs said in an interview. He said free two-day shipping boosted growth, and the Walmart.com site redesign helped late in the quarter. International sales were up 4.5 percent at $28.3 billion on a constant currency basis, helped by an early Easter, Biggs said. The company is in the process of fixing its international business portfolio and recently said it will acquire a 77-percent stake in Indian e-commerce firm Flipkart for $16 billion, its largest deal ever, to compete with Amazon.com Inc in an important growth market. It also plans to sell a majority stake in its UK grocery chain Asda Group Ltd to J Sainsbury PLC. Walmart also recently reached agreements to sell its banking operations in Walmart Canada and Walmart Chile, it said on Thursday. Excluding special items, adjusted earnings were $1.14 per share. The average analyst estimate was $1.12 per share, according to Thomson Reuters. Sales at US&nbspstores open at least a year rose 2.1 percent excluding fuel, in line with analyst forecasts, according to Consensus Metrix. Walmart has recorded nearly four straight years of US&nbspgrowth, unmatched by any other retailer. The comparable sales increase was driven by a jump in the price of items sold and by e-commerce. Customer traffic was 0.8-percent higher during the quarter, slower than the 1.5 percent growth during the same period a year ago. A delayed spring hurt demand in weather-related categories and led customers to consolidate trips. Biggs said demand in those categories rebounded this month. Total revenue increased 4.4 percent to $122.7 billion, beating analysts' estimates of $120.5 billion. Walmart's shares were up 1.98 percent at $87.18 in premarket trade. The company's stock has fallen around 20 percent since reaching an all-time high of $109.98 in late January.

Walmart's US e-commerce growth rebounds, shares rise

South Korea said on Thursday it intends to play the role of mediator after North Korea threatened to pull out of a summit with the United States aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea on Wednesday said it might not attend the June 12 summit in Singapore if the United States continued to demand it unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal, which it has developed in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions to counter perceived US&nbsphostility.

Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises as a provocation and called off high-level talks with Seoul.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament that North Korea and the United States had differences of views over how to achieve denuclearisation. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday it was unclear if the summit would go ahead.

"It is true that there are differences of opinion between the North and the United States on methods to accomplish denuclearisation," Kang told lawmakers, according to Yonhap News Agency.

A South Korean presidential Blue House official said the South intends to more actively perform "the role of a mediator" between the United States and North Korea.

Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House on May 22.

The Blue House intends to "sufficiently convey (to the United States) what we've discerned about North Korea's position and attitude... and sufficiently convey the United States' position to North Korea", thereby helping to bridge the gap, the official said.

Asked if she trusted Kim Jong Un, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang said: "Yes."

Japan's Asahi newspaper reported that the United States had demanded North Korea ship some nuclear warheads, an intercontinental ballistic missile and other nuclear material overseas within six months.

The newspaper, citing several sources familiar with North Korea, said US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to have told the North Korean leader when they met this month that Pyongyang might be removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism if it complied.

The Asahi also reported that if North Korea agreed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation at the Singapore summit, Washington was considering giving guarantees for Kim's regime.

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said the measures North Korea has taken to ease tension should be acknowledged, and all other parties, especially the United States, should cherish the opportunity for peace.

Cancellation of the summit, the first between US&nbspand North Korean leaders, would deal a major blow to what could be the biggest diplomatic achievement of Trump's presidency.

This comes at a time his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally and moving the US&nbspembassy in Israel to Jerusalem has fuelled deadly violence on the Israel-Gaza border.

North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against perceived aggression by the United States, which keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The North has long said it is open to eventually giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States withdraws its troops from South Korea and ends its “nuclear umbrella” alliance with Seoul.

North Korea said it was pulling out of the talks with South Korea after denouncing U.S.-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US&nbspstealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets".

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, UN&nbspSecretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I hope that in the end common sense will prevail, and the summit will take place and it will be successful."

Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises

South Korea said on Thursday it intends to play the role of mediator after North Korea threatened to pull out of a summit with the United States aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. North Korea on Wednesday said it might not attend the June 12 summit in Singapore if the United States continued to demand it unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal, which it has developed in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions to counter perceived US&nbsphostility. Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises as a provocation and called off high-level talks with Seoul. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament that North Korea and the United States had differences of views over how to achieve denuclearisation. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday it was unclear if the summit would go ahead. "It is true that there are differences of opinion between the North and the United States on methods to accomplish denuclearisation," Kang told lawmakers, according to Yonhap News Agency. A South Korean presidential Blue House official said the South intends to more actively perform "the role of a mediator" between the United States and North Korea. Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House on May 22. The Blue House intends to "sufficiently convey (to the United States) what we've discerned about North Korea's position and attitude... and sufficiently convey the United States' position to North Korea", thereby helping to bridge the gap, the official said. Asked if she trusted Kim Jong Un, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang said: "Yes." Japan's Asahi newspaper reported that the United States had demanded North Korea ship some nuclear warheads, an intercontinental ballistic missile and other nuclear material overseas within six months. The newspaper, citing several sources familiar with North Korea, said US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to have told the North Korean leader when they met this month that Pyongyang might be removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism if it complied. The Asahi also reported that if North Korea agreed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation at the Singapore summit, Washington was considering giving guarantees for Kim's regime. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said the measures North Korea has taken to ease tension should be acknowledged, and all other parties, especially the United States, should cherish the opportunity for peace. Cancellation of the summit, the first between US&nbspand North Korean leaders, would deal a major blow to what could be the biggest diplomatic achievement of Trump's presidency. This comes at a time his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally and moving the US&nbspembassy in Israel to Jerusalem has fuelled deadly violence on the Israel-Gaza border. North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against perceived aggression by the United States, which keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North has long said it is open to eventually giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States withdraws its troops from South Korea and ends its “nuclear umbrella” alliance with Seoul. North Korea said it was pulling out of the talks with South Korea after denouncing U.S.-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US&nbspstealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets". Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, UN&nbspSecretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I hope that in the end common sense will prevail, and the summit will take place and it will be successful."

South Korea offers to mediate to clear doubts over North Korea-US summit

'<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/natak-in-karnataka-continues-jds-congress-combine-and-bjp-to-meet-governor-again-today-137223">Natak'&nbsp;in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today</a>

The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/varanasi-flyover-collapse-15-dead-11-critically-injured-probe-committee-to-file-report-in-48-hours-137212">Varanasi flyover collapse: 15 dead, 11 critically injured committee to file probe report in 48 hours</a>

15 people have been feared dead and 11 injured after an under-construction bridge in Varanasi collapsed on Tuesday. After being held responsible for the incident, chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been suspended with immediate effect.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-suspends-talks-with-south-over-military-exercises-warns-on-trump-kim-summit-137211">North Korea calls off talks with South, says may do same with Trump-Kim summit</a>

A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US. After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-department-of-justice-fbi-begin-investigating-cambridge-analytica-following-shutdown-137214">US Department of Justice, FBI begin investigating Cambridge Analytica following </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-department-of-justice-fbi-begin-investigating-cambridge-analytica-following-shutdown-137214">shutdown</a>

The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216">Meghan Markle's father says he is having </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216">heart</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216"> procedure, so not coming to wedding</a>

After news of Actress Meghan Markle's father decided to pull out of the Royal wedding which is set to take place on Saturday, reports on Tuesday said that the reason behind his absence is because he needed a heart procedure.&nbsp;

Read the top five stories of the day here

'Natak' in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government. Varanasi flyover collapse: 15 dead, 11 critically injured committee to file probe report in 48 hours 15 people have been feared dead and 11 injured after an under-construction bridge in Varanasi collapsed on Tuesday. After being held responsible for the incident, chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been suspended with immediate effect. North Korea calls off talks with South, says may do same with Trump-Kim summit A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US. After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. US Department of Justice, FBI begin investigating Cambridge Analytica following shutdown The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal. Meghan Markle's father says he is having heart procedure, so not coming to wedding After news of Actress Meghan Markle's father decided to pull out of the Royal wedding which is set to take place on Saturday, reports on Tuesday said that the reason behind his absence is because he needed a heart procedure.

News brief: Five big stories of the day

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

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

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

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

Powerful storms carrying high winds, torrential rain and hail slammed heavily populated parts of the U.S. Northeast on Tuesday, knocking over trees that killed two people, snarling transport and causing widespread power outages.

A state of emergency has been declared in&nbsp;New York following&nbsp;severe thunderstorm. Members of the New York National Guard will help with recovery operations, reports said.&nbsp;

An 11-year-old girl was killed on Tuesday afternoon when strong winds caused a tree to fall on a parked car in Newburgh, New York, the Daily Freeman newspaper in Kingston.

A man who had been mowing his lawn and sought refuge in his truck was killed when a tree fell on the vehicle in Danbury, Connecticut, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said, according to the Hartford Courant newspaper.

Frequent lightning strikes, blinding downpours and isolated flash flooding are also likely. Expect sporadic power outages and downed trees with these storms, reports said on Wednesday.

The area at greatest risk for an isolated tornado extends from northeastern Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts and central Connecticut.

Major cities that are projected to be impacted include Philadelphia New York City Washington, DC. Baltimore Boston Wilmington, Delaware Atlantic City, New Jersey and Hartford, Connecticut.

There were nearly 50 reports of hail in states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Hail the size of tennis balls smashed car and house windows in Hartford, Pereira said.

Nearly 500,000 customers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia were without power by late Thursday night, fewer power outages than earlier Tuesday, tracking service PowerOutage.us said.

At Grand Central Station in New York, Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Line service was suspended due to the storms, the station's Twitter feed said.

More than 500 flights were canceled at the three major airports serving the New York on Tuesday, and more than 100 at Boston's Logan International, according to tracking service FlightAware.com.

Rain is expected to continue for the next couple of days over much of the areas that experienced strong winds and rain on Tuesday, but the threat of severe weather has diminished, Pereira said.

The area at greatest risk for an isolated tornado extends from northeastern Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts and central Connecticut

Powerful storms carrying high winds, torrential rain and hail slammed heavily populated parts of the U.S. Northeast on Tuesday, knocking over trees that killed two people, snarling transport and causing widespread power outages. A state of emergency has been declared in New York following severe thunderstorm. Members of the New York National Guard will help with recovery operations, reports said. An 11-year-old girl was killed on Tuesday afternoon when strong winds caused a tree to fall on a parked car in Newburgh, New York, the Daily Freeman newspaper in Kingston. A man who had been mowing his lawn and sought refuge in his truck was killed when a tree fell on the vehicle in Danbury, Connecticut, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said, according to the Hartford Courant newspaper. Frequent lightning strikes, blinding downpours and isolated flash flooding are also likely. Expect sporadic power outages and downed trees with these storms, reports said on Wednesday. The area at greatest risk for an isolated tornado extends from northeastern Pennsylvania to western Massachusetts and central Connecticut. Major cities that are projected to be impacted include Philadelphia New York City Washington, DC. Baltimore Boston Wilmington, Delaware Atlantic City, New Jersey and Hartford, Connecticut. There were nearly 50 reports of hail in states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. Hail the size of tennis balls smashed car and house windows in Hartford, Pereira said. Nearly 500,000 customers in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Virginia were without power by late Thursday night, fewer power outages than earlier Tuesday, tracking service PowerOutage.us said. At Grand Central Station in New York, Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Line service was suspended due to the storms, the station's Twitter feed said. More than 500 flights were canceled at the three major airports serving the New York on Tuesday, and more than 100 at Boston's Logan International, according to tracking service FlightAware.com. Rain is expected to continue for the next couple of days over much of the areas that experienced strong winds and rain on Tuesday, but the threat of severe weather has diminished, Pereira said.

Northeast US storms kill two, state of emergency declared

The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal.&nbsp;

As per reports, the investigation is in the primary stages and no details have yet been given out about the firm's involvement in the 2016 presidential elections.&nbsp;

Prosecutors have sought to question former Cambridge Analytica employees and banks that handled its business, the newspaper said, citing an American official and others familiar with the inquiry,&nbsp;

The investigation is also looking into the company’s financial history, in particular, its relationship to certain banks, and how it may have used the data it gathered from Facebook and other online sources, reports say.&nbsp;

Cambridge Analytical announced its shut down amid reports of providing ad targeting expertise for Trump's campaign based on data it got from Cambridge psychology professor Aleksandr Kogan, who gathered the data on as many as 87 million Facebook users using a quiz app.&nbsp;

Kogan thereafter sold the data - violating Facebook's terms and services.&nbsp;

Cambridge Analytica said earlier this month it was shutting down after losing clients and facing mounting legal fees.&nbsp;

Cambridge Analytica was created around 2013, initially with a focus on US&nbsp;elections, with $15 million in backing from billionaire Republican donor Robert Mercer and a name chosen by future Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon, the New York Times has reported. Bannon left the White House on August 2017. 
&nbsp;

As per reports, the investigation is in the primary stages and no details have yet been given out about the firm's involvement in the 2016 presidential elections

The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal. As per reports, the investigation is in the primary stages and no details have yet been given out about the firm's involvement in the 2016 presidential elections. Prosecutors have sought to question former Cambridge Analytica employees and banks that handled its business, the newspaper said, citing an American official and others familiar with the inquiry, The investigation is also looking into the company’s financial history, in particular, its relationship to certain banks, and how it may have used the data it gathered from Facebook and other online sources, reports say. Cambridge Analytical announced its shut down amid reports of providing ad targeting expertise for Trump's campaign based on data it got from Cambridge psychology professor Aleksandr Kogan, who gathered the data on as many as 87 million Facebook users using a quiz app. Kogan thereafter sold the data - violating Facebook's terms and services. Cambridge Analytica said earlier this month it was shutting down after losing clients and facing mounting legal fees. Cambridge Analytica was created around 2013, initially with a focus on US elections, with $15 million in backing from billionaire Republican donor Robert Mercer and a name chosen by future Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon, the New York Times has reported. Bannon left the White House on August 2017.

US Department of Justice, FBI begin investigating Cambridge Analytica following its shutdown

The volume of U.S. crude oil arriving in Asia is expected to hit a new high in July as Asian refiners sought arbitrage supplies to replace Middle Eastern crude after prices for Gulf grades rose, traders said on Wednesday.

U.S. crude arriving in Asia hit an all-time high of close to 25 million barrels in May with cargoes discharging in China, South&nbspKorea, Singapore, India and Malaysia, according to trade flows data on Eikon.

The volume dips to about 19 million barrels in June, but is set to rebound again in July after U.S. crude futures slipped to the widest discount in three years against Brent this week, according to traders and Eikon data.

The drop in U.S. crude prices coincides with rising values for Middle East oil in Asia and has opened the arbitrage window, traders said.

Close to 10 supertankers, each carrying 2 million barrels of crude, have been lined up to load oil in the U.S. Gulf Coast for Asia, two of the traders said. These are expected to arrive in July, they said.

"WTI Midland is coming across," a third trader said, adding that refiners such as JXTG Nippon, SK Energy and Cosmo Oil have bought U.S. crude.

Last week, Indian state-refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC) bought 3 million barrels of U.S. crude for loading in June.

Some of the popular U.S. grades in Asia such as WTI Midland, Mars and Southern Green Canyon can now compete with Middle East grades such as Murban and Oman in Asia, traders said.

WTI Midland crude delivered to&nbspNorth&nbspAsia are priced at a premium of close to $5 a barrel to Dubai quotes, comparable with Abu Dhabi's Murban, while Mars crude cargoes are being offered at $1.50 a barrel above Dubai quotes, competitive with Oman, they said.

Light sweet WTI Midland comes from the Permian basin, a region which was a key contributor to record shale oil production in June. The grade's cash discount hit the lowest in four years earlier this month.

"The value for Midland is better than Murban for cargoes landing in China," a trader with a Chinese company said, adding that the influx of U.S. oil supplies may put some downward pressure on Middle East crude prices.

The Middle East crude market has been underpinned by supply cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, peak summer demand and as fears of disruption in Iranian supplies after the United States withdrew from a global nuclear pact fueled sentiment.

U.S. crude arriving in Asia hit an all-time high of close to 25 million barrels in May with cargoes discharging in China, South Korea, Singapore, India and Malaysia, according to trade flows data on Eikon

The volume of U.S. crude oil arriving in Asia is expected to hit a new high in July as Asian refiners sought arbitrage supplies to replace Middle Eastern crude after prices for Gulf grades rose, traders said on Wednesday. U.S. crude arriving in Asia hit an all-time high of close to 25 million barrels in May with cargoes discharging in China, South&nbspKorea, Singapore, India and Malaysia, according to trade flows data on Eikon. The volume dips to about 19 million barrels in June, but is set to rebound again in July after U.S. crude futures slipped to the widest discount in three years against Brent this week, according to traders and Eikon data. The drop in U.S. crude prices coincides with rising values for Middle East oil in Asia and has opened the arbitrage window, traders said. Close to 10 supertankers, each carrying 2 million barrels of crude, have been lined up to load oil in the U.S. Gulf Coast for Asia, two of the traders said. These are expected to arrive in July, they said. "WTI Midland is coming across," a third trader said, adding that refiners such as JXTG Nippon, SK Energy and Cosmo Oil have bought U.S. crude. Last week, Indian state-refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC) bought 3 million barrels of U.S. crude for loading in June. Some of the popular U.S. grades in Asia such as WTI Midland, Mars and Southern Green Canyon can now compete with Middle East grades such as Murban and Oman in Asia, traders said. WTI Midland crude delivered to&nbspNorth&nbspAsia are priced at a premium of close to $5 a barrel to Dubai quotes, comparable with Abu Dhabi's Murban, while Mars crude cargoes are being offered at $1.50 a barrel above Dubai quotes, competitive with Oman, they said. Light sweet WTI Midland comes from the Permian basin, a region which was a key contributor to record shale oil production in June. The grade's cash discount hit the lowest in four years earlier this month. "The value for Midland is better than Murban for cargoes landing in China," a trader with a Chinese company said, adding that the influx of U.S. oil supplies may put some downward pressure on Middle East crude prices. The Middle East crude market has been underpinned by supply cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, peak summer demand and as fears of disruption in Iranian supplies after the United States withdrew from a global nuclear pact fueled sentiment.

US oil shipments to Asia may hit new high in July, cool Mideast crude prices

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

According to reports, the First Lady underwent an embolization procedure

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

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

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

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

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

US Homeland Security unveils new cyber security strategy amid threats

Oil prices hit a 3-1/2-year high on Tuesday, supported by tight supply and planned US&nbspsanctions against Iran that are likely to restrict crude oil exports from one of the biggest producers in the Middle East.

Brent crude oil reached an intraday peak of $79.47 a barrel, up $1.24 and its highest since November 2014, before easing to $78.28, up 5 cents, by 1345 GMT.

US&nbsplight crude was 15 cents lower at $70.81 a barrel, also not far off its highest since November 2014.

World oil prices have surged by more than 70 percent over the last year as demand has risen sharply but production has been restricted by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, led by Saudi Arabia, and other producers including Russia.

Now the United States has announced it will impose sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, raising fears that markets will face shortages later this year when trade restrictions come into effect.

"Oil prices are touching fresh multi-year highs as robust demand prospects coupled with a tense geopolitical backdrop make for a potent bullish cocktail," said Stephen Brennock, analyst at London brokers PVM Oil Associates.

Norbert Rücker, head of macro and commodity research at private bank Julius Baer, said that at the top of everyone's mind was "the potential impact on Iranian oil exports and thus the risk of another meaningful supply disruption".

In China, the world's biggest oil importer, refinery runs rose nearly 12 percent in April compared with a year earlier, to around 12.06 million barrels per day (bpd), marking the second-highest level on record on a daily basis, data showed.

The tightening market has all but eliminated a global supply overhang which depressed crude prices between late 2014 and early 2017.

OPEC figures published on Monday showed that oil inventories in OECD industrialised nations in March fell to 9 million barrels above the five-year average, from 340 million barrels above the average in January 2017.

US crude is trading at a hefty discount to Brent, the international marker, thanks to sharp rises in US&nbspproduction to 10.7 million bpd, which has left the American domestic oil market well supplied.

US&nbspshale oil production is expected to rise by about 145,000 bpd to a record 7.18 million bpd in June, the US&nbspEnergy Information Administration said on Monday.

The Permian basin in Texas, the biggest US&nbspoil patch, is expected to see output climb 78,000 bpd to a fresh record of 3.28 million bpd.

US light crude was 15 cents lower at $70.81 a barrel, also not far off its highest since November 2014

Oil prices hit a 3-1/2-year high on Tuesday, supported by tight supply and planned US&nbspsanctions against Iran that are likely to restrict crude oil exports from one of the biggest producers in the Middle East. Brent crude oil reached an intraday peak of $79.47 a barrel, up $1.24 and its highest since November 2014, before easing to $78.28, up 5 cents, by 1345 GMT. US&nbsplight crude was 15 cents lower at $70.81 a barrel, also not far off its highest since November 2014. World oil prices have surged by more than 70 percent over the last year as demand has risen sharply but production has been restricted by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, led by Saudi Arabia, and other producers including Russia. Now the United States has announced it will impose sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, raising fears that markets will face shortages later this year when trade restrictions come into effect. "Oil prices are touching fresh multi-year highs as robust demand prospects coupled with a tense geopolitical backdrop make for a potent bullish cocktail," said Stephen Brennock, analyst at London brokers PVM Oil Associates. Norbert Rücker, head of macro and commodity research at private bank Julius Baer, said that at the top of everyone's mind was "the potential impact on Iranian oil exports and thus the risk of another meaningful supply disruption". In China, the world's biggest oil importer, refinery runs rose nearly 12 percent in April compared with a year earlier, to around 12.06 million barrels per day (bpd), marking the second-highest level on record on a daily basis, data showed. The tightening market has all but eliminated a global supply overhang which depressed crude prices between late 2014 and early 2017. OPEC figures published on Monday showed that oil inventories in OECD industrialised nations in March fell to 9 million barrels above the five-year average, from 340 million barrels above the average in January 2017. US crude is trading at a hefty discount to Brent, the international marker, thanks to sharp rises in US&nbspproduction to 10.7 million bpd, which has left the American domestic oil market well supplied. US&nbspshale oil production is expected to rise by about 145,000 bpd to a record 7.18 million bpd in June, the US&nbspEnergy Information Administration said on Monday. The Permian basin in Texas, the biggest US&nbspoil patch, is expected to see output climb 78,000 bpd to a fresh record of 3.28 million bpd.

Oil hits multi-year high on tight supply, Iran sanctions

President Donald Trump today defended his decision to offer an olive branch to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE, which his administration had previously banned from purchasing US components or acquiring American companies.

Following series of complaints from China, Trump has asked his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to look into the issue. The move was criticised by anti-China hardliners in the US, saying the President is getting soft on China in the middle of trade negotiations.

The company shut its main operations after the Commerce Department banned U.S. companies from selling components to ZTE for seven years after it violated the terms of a settlement deal for illegally shipping goods made with US&nbspparts to Iran and North Korea.

"ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from US&nbspcompanies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi," Trump said on Monday.

ZTE paid more than $2.3 billion to 211 US&nbspexporters in 2017, a senior ZTE official said on Friday. US&nbspcompanies are estimated to provide 25 per cent to 30 per cent of components used in ZTE's smartphones, network gear and other products.

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ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from U.S. companies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/996119678551552000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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White House Press Secretary Raj Shah told reporters that Trump has asked Ross to look into the ZTE issue, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

"This is part of a very complex relationship between the US and China that involves economic issues, national security issues and the like. It's an issue of high concern for China that's been raised with the US government and with our administration at various levels," he told reporters at a news conference.

Shah was responding to questions on a tweet by Trump in which he had said that he was working with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to give China's telecom giant ZTE a way to get back into business.

"The matter has been brought up at a number of levels, you know, as part of bilateral talks on a number of issues," he said.

Shah, however, refrained it from linking the ZTE issue with the upcoming trade meetings between the US and Chinese officials.

"It's part of again the US relationship with China, which is complex. It has economic factors, it has national security factors. This is just one of many factors, and again the President is asking the Secretary of Commerce to look into the matter consistent with laws and regulation," he said.

The White House strongly refuted allegations that Trump was giving any kind of "concession" to the Chinese companies.

Responding to a question on "how does the President Trump's statement that too many Chinese jobs are at risk square with his campaign promise that China is stealing American jobs?"&nbsp

Shah replied, "I don't think this has frankly any bearing on the President's campaign promises...The President has overseen an economy in which we have the lowest unemployment rate since 2000. It's at 3.9 per cent, over two million jobs have been created since this President took office,"&nbsp

"With respect to trade with China, he's been tough. Let's put this into context. I mean this President has taken China to task for its unfair trade practices through this Section 301 investigation. He's introduced and proposed or rather up to USD 150 billion of tariffs on China for intellectual property theft, dumping in a range of you know inimical Chinese economic action. So he's been tough and he's confronted them, he added.

The company shut its main operations after the Commerce Department banned U.S. companies from selling components to ZTE for seven years after it violated the terms of a settlement deal for illegally shipping goods made with U.S. parts to Iran and North Korea

President Donald Trump today defended his decision to offer an olive branch to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE, which his administration had previously banned from purchasing US components or acquiring American companies. Following series of complaints from China, Trump has asked his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to look into the issue. The move was criticised by anti-China hardliners in the US, saying the President is getting soft on China in the middle of trade negotiations. The company shut its main operations after the Commerce Department banned U.S. companies from selling components to ZTE for seven years after it violated the terms of a settlement deal for illegally shipping goods made with US&nbspparts to Iran and North Korea. "ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from US&nbspcompanies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi," Trump said on Monday. ZTE paid more than $2.3 billion to 211 US&nbspexporters in 2017, a senior ZTE official said on Friday. US&nbspcompanies are estimated to provide 25 per cent to 30 per cent of components used in ZTE's smartphones, network gear and other products. ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from U.S. companies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2018 × White House Press Secretary Raj Shah told reporters that Trump has asked Ross to look into the ZTE issue, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. "This is part of a very complex relationship between the US and China that involves economic issues, national security issues and the like. It's an issue of high concern for China that's been raised with the US government and with our administration at various levels," he told reporters at a news conference. Shah was responding to questions on a tweet by Trump in which he had said that he was working with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to give China's telecom giant ZTE a way to get back into business. "The matter has been brought up at a number of levels, you know, as part of bilateral talks on a number of issues," he said. Shah, however, refrained it from linking the ZTE issue with the upcoming trade meetings between the US and Chinese officials. "It's part of again the US relationship with China, which is complex. It has economic factors, it has national security factors. This is just one of many factors, and again the President is asking the Secretary of Commerce to look into the matter consistent with laws and regulation," he said. The White House strongly refuted allegations that Trump was giving any kind of "concession" to the Chinese companies. Responding to a question on "how does the President Trump's statement that too many Chinese jobs are at risk square with his campaign promise that China is stealing American jobs?" Shah replied, "I don't think this has frankly any bearing on the President's campaign promises...The President has overseen an economy in which we have the lowest unemployment rate since 2000. It's at 3.9 per cent, over two million jobs have been created since this President took office," "With respect to trade with China, he's been tough. Let's put this into context. I mean this President has taken China to task for its unfair trade practices through this Section 301 investigation. He's introduced and proposed or rather up to USD 150 billion of tariffs on China for intellectual property theft, dumping in a range of you know inimical Chinese economic action. So he's been tough and he's confronted them, he added.

Trump defends intervention to help China telecom company ZTE

US envoy to the Middle East and Trump's senior advisor on the region, Jared Kushner, in his speech at the embassy inauguration ceremony today, noted that the move shows that the entire world can trust the United States.

"Jerusalem must remain a city that brings people of all faiths together," noted Kushner.

"When President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it," Kushner said at the embassy's opening ceremony.&nbsp;

"Today also demonstrates American leadership. By moving our embassy to Jerusalem, we have shown the world once again that the United States can be trusted," he said.

"We stand with our friends and our allies, and above all else, we've shown that the United States of America will do what's right," Kushner noted.

US President Donald Trump, in a recorded message, reiterated United States' commitment to peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

"Our greatest hope is for peace," said Trump. "The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement," he noted.

"The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace," Trump stated.

Meanwhile, violent protests erupted along the Gaza Strip's border ahead of the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday.

As many as 43 Palestinians have been killed so far by Israeli forces as angry protesters demonstrated at the frontier.

United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem a short while ago in a festive ceremony which was attended by Ivanka Trump, advisor to US President Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Meanwhile, violent protests erupted along the Gaza Strip's border ahead of the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday

US envoy to the Middle East and Trump's senior advisor on the region, Jared Kushner, in his speech at the embassy inauguration ceremony today, noted that the move shows that the entire world can trust the United States. "Jerusalem must remain a city that brings people of all faiths together," noted Kushner. "When President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it," Kushner said at the embassy's opening ceremony. "Today also demonstrates American leadership. By moving our embassy to Jerusalem, we have shown the world once again that the United States can be trusted," he said. "We stand with our friends and our allies, and above all else, we've shown that the United States of America will do what's right," Kushner noted. US President Donald Trump, in a recorded message, reiterated United States' commitment to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. "Our greatest hope is for peace," said Trump. "The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement," he noted. "The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace," Trump stated. Meanwhile, violent protests erupted along the Gaza Strip's border ahead of the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on Monday. As many as 43 Palestinians have been killed so far by Israeli forces as angry protesters demonstrated at the frontier. United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem a short while ago in a festive ceremony which was attended by Ivanka Trump, advisor to US President Trump, and her husband Jared Kushner. (With inputs from Reuters)

We've shown that US will do what's right: Jared Kushner in Jerusalem 

The United States on Sunday threatened to impose sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran, as the remaining participants in the Iran nuclear accord stiffened their resolve to keep that agreement operational.

White House National Security adviser John Bolton said US&nbspsanctions on European companies that maintain business dealings with Iran were "possible," but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he remained hopeful Washington and its allies could strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran.

Bolton struck a more hawkish tone with his comments in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union" program than Pompeo did when he was interviewed on "Fox News Sunday."

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-withdrawal-from-iran-deal-wasnt-aimed-at-the-europeans-136612">Withdrawal from Iran deal 'wasn't aimed at the Europeans'</a>

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump on May 8 announced that the United States was withdrawing from a 2015 deal negotiated by the Obama administration.

So far, China, France, Russia, Britain, the European Union and Iran remain in the accord, which placed controls on Iran's nuclear program and led to a relaxation of U.S. economic sanctions against Iran and companies doing business there.

Also read:&nbsp<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-lift-sanctions-on-north-korea-if-it-meets-demands-says-pompeo-136599">US to lift sanctions on North Korea if it meets demands, says Pompeo</a>

Despite the US&nbspexit, Britain and Iran on Sunday expressed their commitment to ensuring that the accord is upheld, according to a statement released by British Prime Minister Theresa May's office.

And Germany said it will spend the next few months trying to persuade Washington to change its mind.

When asked whether the United States might impose sanctions on European companies that continue to do business with Iran, Bolton told CNN: "It's possible. It depends on the conduct of other governments."

Pompeo said he was "hopeful in the days and weeks ahead we can come up with a deal that really works, that really protects the world from Iranian bad behaviour, not just their nuclear program, but their missiles and their malign behavior as well."

'REGIME CHANGE'

The US&nbspwithdrawal from the Iran deal has upset Washington's European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

Germany's minister for economic affairs, Peter Altmaier, said on Sunday that Berlin will try to "persuade the US&nbspgovernment to change its behaviour."

In an interview with ZDF public television, Altmaier noted the United States has set a 90-day deadline for foreign firms to comply with the return of sanctions and that this period can be used to convince Washington to change course.

Israel and Iran engaged in an extensive military exchange on the heels of Trump's decision to leave the deal. On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron told Trump in a telephone call that he was worried about stability in the Middle East, according to Macron's office.

As a private citizen, Bolton in the past has suggested that the United States push for a change in Iran's government. But in an interview aired on the ABC's "This Week" program, Bolton said, "That's not the policy of the administration. The policy of the administration is to make sure that Iran never gets close to deliverable nuclear weapons."

In the CNN interview, Bolton did not respond directly when asked whether Trump might seek "regime change" in Iran, or whether the U.S. military would be ordered to make a preemptive strike against any Iranian nuclear facility.

"I'm not the national security decision-maker," Bolton said, adding that Trump "makes the decision and the advice that I give him is between us."

When pressed by CNN on whether the Trump administration would sanction European firms that continue to do business with Iran, Bolton said, "I think the Europeans will see that it's in their interest ultimately to come along with us."

Bolton said Europe was still digesting Trump's May 8 move.

"I think at the moment there's some feeling in Europe - they're really surprised we got out of it, really surprised at the reimposition of strict sanctions. I think that will sink in we'll see what happens then," Bolton said.

The US threatened to impose sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran even as the remaining participants in the Iran nuclear accord stiffened their resolve to keep the agreement operational

The United States on Sunday threatened to impose sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran, as the remaining participants in the Iran nuclear accord stiffened their resolve to keep that agreement operational. White House National Security adviser John Bolton said US&nbspsanctions on European companies that maintain business dealings with Iran were "possible," but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he remained hopeful Washington and its allies could strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran. Bolton struck a more hawkish tone with his comments in an interview with CNN's "State of the Union" program than Pompeo did when he was interviewed on "Fox News Sunday." Also read: Withdrawal from Iran deal 'wasn't aimed at the Europeans' US&nbspPresident Donald Trump on May 8 announced that the United States was withdrawing from a 2015 deal negotiated by the Obama administration. So far, China, France, Russia, Britain, the European Union and Iran remain in the accord, which placed controls on Iran's nuclear program and led to a relaxation of U.S. economic sanctions against Iran and companies doing business there. Also read: US to lift sanctions on North Korea if it meets demands, says Pompeo Despite the US&nbspexit, Britain and Iran on Sunday expressed their commitment to ensuring that the accord is upheld, according to a statement released by British Prime Minister Theresa May's office. And Germany said it will spend the next few months trying to persuade Washington to change its mind. When asked whether the United States might impose sanctions on European companies that continue to do business with Iran, Bolton told CNN: "It's possible. It depends on the conduct of other governments." Pompeo said he was "hopeful in the days and weeks ahead we can come up with a deal that really works, that really protects the world from Iranian bad behaviour, not just their nuclear program, but their missiles and their malign behavior as well." 'REGIME CHANGE' The US&nbspwithdrawal from the Iran deal has upset Washington's European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East. Germany's minister for economic affairs, Peter Altmaier, said on Sunday that Berlin will try to "persuade the US&nbspgovernment to change its behaviour." In an interview with ZDF public television, Altmaier noted the United States has set a 90-day deadline for foreign firms to comply with the return of sanctions and that this period can be used to convince Washington to change course. Israel and Iran engaged in an extensive military exchange on the heels of Trump's decision to leave the deal. On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron told Trump in a telephone call that he was worried about stability in the Middle East, according to Macron's office. As a private citizen, Bolton in the past has suggested that the United States push for a change in Iran's government. But in an interview aired on the ABC's "This Week" program, Bolton said, "That's not the policy of the administration. The policy of the administration is to make sure that Iran never gets close to deliverable nuclear weapons." In the CNN interview, Bolton did not respond directly when asked whether Trump might seek "regime change" in Iran, or whether the U.S. military would be ordered to make a preemptive strike against any Iranian nuclear facility. "I'm not the national security decision-maker," Bolton said, adding that Trump "makes the decision and the advice that I give him is between us." When pressed by CNN on whether the Trump administration would sanction European firms that continue to do business with Iran, Bolton said, "I think the Europeans will see that it's in their interest ultimately to come along with us." Bolton said Europe was still digesting Trump's May 8 move. "I think at the moment there's some feeling in Europe - they're really surprised we got out of it, really surprised at the reimposition of strict sanctions. I think that will sink in we'll see what happens then," Bolton said.

US threatens sanctions on European companies doing business with Iran

Germany acknowledged it could be hard to protect companies doing business with Iran as a senior U.S. official renewed a threat of sanctions against European firms following Washington's decision to pull out of a nuclear deal with Tehran.

Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said Germany viewed President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear pact as wrong, adding that Berlin hopes Washington can still be persuaded not to punish foreign firms doing business there.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said, however, that it could be difficult to protect European firms from any fallout from the U.S. decision.

"I do not see a simple solution to shield companies from all risks of American sanctions," Maas told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Altmaier said there was a deadline of up to 90 days for foreign firms to comply with U.S. sanctions or face penalties.

"In this time, we'll use all possibilities to persuade the U.S. government to change its behaviour," he told ZDF television.

"That can be achieved through talks and by explaining that everybody will be losing in the end if we are running into a worldwide escalation of unilateral measures," Altmaier added.

Trump's decision on Tuesday to renege on the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran and reimpose sanctions against Tehran came with the threat of penalties against any foreign firms involved in business there.

White House National Security adviser John Bolton refreshed the threat on Sunday, saying U.S. sanctions could be imposed on European companies doing business with Iran.

"It's possible. It depends on the conduct of other governments," Bolton said on CNN's "State of the Union."

A German Economy Ministry spokesman said the government had noted Bolton's comments.

Since the easing of sanctions against Iran in early 2016, German exports to the country have jumped by more than 40 percent, with machinery and vehicles high in demand.

Germany - along with France and Britain - has said it remains committed to the nuclear deal. The foreign ministers of the three European powers will meet their Iranian counterpart in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss a way forward.

"The talks with the Europeans, Iran and the other signatories to the agreement are therefore also about how it can be possible to continue trade with Iran," Maas said.

Maas said the Europeans wanted to wanted to ensure that Iran would continue to abide by the rules and restrictions of the nuclear agreement.

"After all, Iran is ready to talk. It's clear that there should also be economic incentives - that will not be easy after the U.S. decision," Maas said.

The minister echoed calls from Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders that Iran should agree to a broader deal that went beyond the original accord and included Iran's "problematic role in the region".

The Trump administration portrayed its rejection of the nuclear agreement as a response, in part, to Tehran's interventions in the Middle East, underpinning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tough line towards Iran.

Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said Germany viewed President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear pact as wrong, adding that Berlin hopes Washington can still be persuaded not to punish foreign firms doing business there

Germany acknowledged it could be hard to protect companies doing business with Iran as a senior U.S. official renewed a threat of sanctions against European firms following Washington's decision to pull out of a nuclear deal with Tehran. Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said Germany viewed President Donald Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear pact as wrong, adding that Berlin hopes Washington can still be persuaded not to punish foreign firms doing business there. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said, however, that it could be difficult to protect European firms from any fallout from the U.S. decision. "I do not see a simple solution to shield companies from all risks of American sanctions," Maas told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. Altmaier said there was a deadline of up to 90 days for foreign firms to comply with U.S. sanctions or face penalties. "In this time, we'll use all possibilities to persuade the U.S. government to change its behaviour," he told ZDF television. "That can be achieved through talks and by explaining that everybody will be losing in the end if we are running into a worldwide escalation of unilateral measures," Altmaier added. Trump's decision on Tuesday to renege on the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran and reimpose sanctions against Tehran came with the threat of penalties against any foreign firms involved in business there. White House National Security adviser John Bolton refreshed the threat on Sunday, saying U.S. sanctions could be imposed on European companies doing business with Iran. "It's possible. It depends on the conduct of other governments," Bolton said on CNN's "State of the Union." A German Economy Ministry spokesman said the government had noted Bolton's comments. Since the easing of sanctions against Iran in early 2016, German exports to the country have jumped by more than 40 percent, with machinery and vehicles high in demand. Germany - along with France and Britain - has said it remains committed to the nuclear deal. The foreign ministers of the three European powers will meet their Iranian counterpart in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss a way forward. "The talks with the Europeans, Iran and the other signatories to the agreement are therefore also about how it can be possible to continue trade with Iran," Maas said. Maas said the Europeans wanted to wanted to ensure that Iran would continue to abide by the rules and restrictions of the nuclear agreement. "After all, Iran is ready to talk. It's clear that there should also be economic incentives - that will not be easy after the U.S. decision," Maas said. The minister echoed calls from Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders that Iran should agree to a broader deal that went beyond the original accord and included Iran's "problematic role in the region". The Trump administration portrayed its rejection of the nuclear agreement as a response, in part, to Tehran's interventions in the Middle East, underpinning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's tough line towards Iran.

Germany sees difficulties in shielding firms after US exits Iran deal

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that Washington has agreed to lift the sanctions imposed on North Korea if it agrees to completely eliminate its nuclear program.&nbsp

This move would create economic prosperity that "will rival" South Korea. &nbsp

Speaking on several Sunday morning talk shows, Pompeo said the United States would not be willing to invest taxpayer dollars to help the country but was willing to "lift sanctions" to pave the way for private American investment in North Korea’s energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.

Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, the first such meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.

“What Chairman Kim will get from America is our finest – our entrepreneurs, our risk takers, our capital providers...They will get private capital that comes in. North Korea is desperately in need of energy...for their people. They are in great need of agricultural equipment and technology,” he said on CBS's “Face the Nation.”

“We can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South,” he added.

On Friday, North Korea said that it is taking measures to dismantle its nuclear test site. The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said.

All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site.&nbsp

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site.&nbsp

Last month, Pompeo became the first known U.S. official to meet with Kim, where he helped lay the ground work for the upcoming meeting with Trump.

He returned again to North Korea last week for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the historic release of three American prisoners.

Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that Washington has agreed to lift the sanctions imposed on North Korea if it agrees to completely eliminate its nuclear program. This move would create economic prosperity that "will rival" South Korea. Speaking on several Sunday morning talk shows, Pompeo said the United States would not be willing to invest taxpayer dollars to help the country but was willing to "lift sanctions" to pave the way for private American investment in North Korea’s energy, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors. Pompeo's comments come ahead of a planned June 12 meeting in Singapore between North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump, the first such meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. “What Chairman Kim will get from America is our finest – our entrepreneurs, our risk takers, our capital providers...They will get private capital that comes in. North Korea is desperately in need of energy...for their people. They are in great need of agricultural equipment and technology,” he said on CBS's “Face the Nation.” “We can create conditions for real economic prosperity for the North Korean people that will rival that of the South,” he added. On Friday, North Korea said that it is taking measures to dismantle its nuclear test site. The test tunnels would be blown up, blocking their entries, the statement said. All observation facilities and research institutes would be removed along with guards and researchers, it said, detailing the process of closing the site. US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site. Last month, Pompeo became the first known U.S. official to meet with Kim, where he helped lay the ground work for the upcoming meeting with Trump. He returned again to North Korea last week for a second meeting, after which Kim agreed to the historic release of three American prisoners.

US to lift sanctions on North Korea if it meets demands, says Pompeo

Within a week of US President Donald Trump announcing America's pullout from the Iran nuclear accord, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.&nbsp;

Both the leaders met in Beijing earlier today where Zarif hoped that China and other countries will be able to "construct a clear future design" for the nuclear agreement.

According to reports, President Hassan Rouhani has asked Zarif to get European countries, like China and Russia, to take measures that could save the nuke deal post United States' exit.&nbsp;

Zarif is scheduled to leave for Russia after his China visit from where he will head to Brussels to meet foreign ministers from Germany, Britain and France and discuss the "fate of the nuclear deal".

&nbsp;

According to reports, President Hassan Rouhani has asked Zarif to get European countries to take measures that could save the nuke deal

Within a week of US President Donald Trump announcing America's pullout from the Iran nuclear accord, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Both the leaders met in Beijing earlier today where Zarif hoped that China and other countries will be able to "construct a clear future design" for the nuclear agreement. According to reports, President Hassan Rouhani has asked Zarif to get European countries, like China and Russia, to take measures that could save the nuke deal post United States' exit. Zarif is scheduled to leave for Russia after his China visit from where he will head to Brussels to meet foreign ministers from Germany, Britain and France and discuss the "fate of the nuclear deal".

Iran-China meet over nuke deal after US exit

The United States opens its new embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, a move that has delighted Israel and infuriated Palestinians.

The opening ceremony is at an existing US&nbsp;consular building in the mostly Jewish Arnona neighbourhood of the city, inside which an interim embassy with a small staff will operate until a larger site is found.

But the location is controversial - the compound cuts across the 1949 Armistice Line separating West Jerusalem from No Man's Land, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day War and has held under occupation ever since.

The embassy move is the most tangible result so far of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's decision last December to break with decades of US&nbsp;policy and recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the move, saying it reflected that "the Jewish people have had a capital for 3,000 years, and that it is called Jerusalem."

But the move upset the Arab world and Western allies, and protests are expected. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called it a "slap in the face" and said the US&nbsp;can no longer be regarded as an honest broker in any peace talks with Israel.

Trump said that his administration has a peace proposal in the works, and that by recognising Jerusalem as the capital of America's closest ally he had "taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table."

There has long been pressure from pro-Israel politicians in Washington to move the US&nbsp;embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and Trump made it a signature promise of his 2016 election campaign.

Vice-President Mike Pence and David Friedman, the ambassador to Israel appointed by Trump, are thought to have pushed hard for both recognition and embassy relocation.

It is a decision that was popular with many conservative and evangelical Christians who voted for Trump and Pence. Many of them support political recognition of Israel's claim to the city.

Trump acted under a 1995 law that requires the United States to move its embassy to Jerusalem. But Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama consistently signed waivers.

Announcing his decision on December 6, Trump cited the Jerusalem Embassy Act and suggested that his predecessors had "lacked courage." He said: "They failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering."

Jerusalem is a city that is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and each religion has sites of great significance there. Jerusalem has been fought over for millennia by its inhabitants, and by regional powers and invaders including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans, early Muslim rulers, Crusaders, Ottomans, the British Empire, and by the modern states of Israel and its Arab neighbours.

Israel's government regards Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the country, although that is not recognized internationally. Palestinians feel equally strongly, saying that East Jerusalem must be the capital of a future Palestinian state. The city even has different names. Jews call it Jerusalem, or Yerushalayim, and Arabs call it Al-Quds, which means "The Holy".

But the city's significance goes further.

At the heart of Jerusalem's Old City is the hill known to Jews across the world as Har ha-Bayit, or Temple Mount, and to Muslims internationally as al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary. It was home to the Jewish temples of antiquity but all that remains of them above ground is a restraining wall for the foundations built by Herod the Great. Known as the Western Wall, this is a sacred place of prayer for Jews.

Within yards of the wall, and overlooking it, are two Muslim holy places, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which was built in the 8th century. Muslims regard the site as the third holiest in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. The city is also an important pilgrimage site for Christians, who revere it as the place where they believe that Jesus Christ preached, died and was resurrected.

In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the then British-ruled Palestine should be partitioned into an Arab state and a Jewish state. But it recognized that Jerusalem had special status and proposed international rule for the city, along with nearby Bethlehem, as a 'corpus separatum' to be administered by the United Nations.

That never happened. When British rule ended in 1948, Jordanian forces occupied the Old City and Arab East Jerusalem. Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally.

In 1980 the Israeli parliament passed a law declaring the "complete and united" city of Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel. But the United Nations regards East Jerusalem as occupied, and the city's status as disputed until resolved by negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The King of Jordan retains a role in ensuring the upkeep of the Muslim holy places.

Guatemala will move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 16, two days after the American move, and Paraguay later this month.

Guatemala and a dozen other countries maintained embassies in Jerusalem in the past. All moved them out of the city years ago, after a UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution calling on countries to relocate to Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu said in April that "at least half a dozen" countries were now "seriously discussing" following the US&nbsp;lead, but he did not identify them.

In December, 128 countries voted in a non-binding UN&nbsp;General Assembly resolution calling on the US&nbsp;to drop its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Nine voted against, 35 abstained and 21 did not cast a vote.

Since the announcement, there has been tension, with Palestinian protests in Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in Gaza during a six-week border protest.

That protest culminates on May 15, a day that Palestinians traditionally lament homes and land lost as Israel was created in 1948, given extra significance this year because it falls on the day after the US&nbsp;Embassy move.

Although the clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces have not been on the scale of the first and second Palestinian intifadas in 1987-1993 and 2000-2005, violence has erupted before over matters of sovereignty and religion.

In 1969 an Australian Messianic Christian tried to burn down the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He failed, but caused damage. So charged was the Middle East's political climate - just two years after the Six Day War - that there was fury across the Arab world.

In 2000, the Israeli politician Ariel Sharon, then opposition leader, led a group of Israeli lawmakers onto the Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif complex. Palestinians protested, and there were violent clashes that quickly escalated into the second Palestinian uprising, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada.

Deadly confrontations also took place last July after Israel installed metal detectors at the entrance to the complex following the killing of two Israeli policemen thereby Arab-Israeli gunmen.

Arab leaders across the Middle East have warned that a unilateral American move could lead to turmoil, and hamper US&nbsp;efforts to restart long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the move, saying it reflected that 'the Jewish people have had a capital for 3,000 years, and that it is called Jerusalem'

The United States opens its new embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, a move that has delighted Israel and infuriated Palestinians. The opening ceremony is at an existing US consular building in the mostly Jewish Arnona neighbourhood of the city, inside which an interim embassy with a small staff will operate until a larger site is found. But the location is controversial - the compound cuts across the 1949 Armistice Line separating West Jerusalem from No Man's Land, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day War and has held under occupation ever since. The embassy move is the most tangible result so far of US President Donald Trump's decision last December to break with decades of US policy and recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the move, saying it reflected that "the Jewish people have had a capital for 3,000 years, and that it is called Jerusalem." But the move upset the Arab world and Western allies, and protests are expected. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called it a "slap in the face" and said the US can no longer be regarded as an honest broker in any peace talks with Israel. Trump said that his administration has a peace proposal in the works, and that by recognising Jerusalem as the capital of America's closest ally he had "taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table." There has long been pressure from pro-Israel politicians in Washington to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and Trump made it a signature promise of his 2016 election campaign. Vice-President Mike Pence and David Friedman, the ambassador to Israel appointed by Trump, are thought to have pushed hard for both recognition and embassy relocation. It is a decision that was popular with many conservative and evangelical Christians who voted for Trump and Pence. Many of them support political recognition of Israel's claim to the city. Trump acted under a 1995 law that requires the United States to move its embassy to Jerusalem. But Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama consistently signed waivers. Announcing his decision on December 6, Trump cited the Jerusalem Embassy Act and suggested that his predecessors had "lacked courage." He said: "They failed to deliver. Today, I am delivering." Jerusalem is a city that is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and each religion has sites of great significance there. Jerusalem has been fought over for millennia by its inhabitants, and by regional powers and invaders including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans, early Muslim rulers, Crusaders, Ottomans, the British Empire, and by the modern states of Israel and its Arab neighbours. Israel's government regards Jerusalem as the eternal and indivisible capital of the country, although that is not recognized internationally. Palestinians feel equally strongly, saying that East Jerusalem must be the capital of a future Palestinian state. The city even has different names. Jews call it Jerusalem, or Yerushalayim, and Arabs call it Al-Quds, which means "The Holy". But the city's significance goes further. At the heart of Jerusalem's Old City is the hill known to Jews across the world as Har ha-Bayit, or Temple Mount, and to Muslims internationally as al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary. It was home to the Jewish temples of antiquity but all that remains of them above ground is a restraining wall for the foundations built by Herod the Great. Known as the Western Wall, this is a sacred place of prayer for Jews. Within yards of the wall, and overlooking it, are two Muslim holy places, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which was built in the 8th century. Muslims regard the site as the third holiest in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. The city is also an important pilgrimage site for Christians, who revere it as the place where they believe that Jesus Christ preached, died and was resurrected. In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the then British-ruled Palestine should be partitioned into an Arab state and a Jewish state. But it recognized that Jerusalem had special status and proposed international rule for the city, along with nearby Bethlehem, as a 'corpus separatum' to be administered by the United Nations. That never happened. When British rule ended in 1948, Jordanian forces occupied the Old City and Arab East Jerusalem. Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in a move not recognized internationally. In 1980 the Israeli parliament passed a law declaring the "complete and united" city of Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel. But the United Nations regards East Jerusalem as occupied, and the city's status as disputed until resolved by negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The King of Jordan retains a role in ensuring the upkeep of the Muslim holy places. Guatemala will move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 16, two days after the American move, and Paraguay later this month. Guatemala and a dozen other countries maintained embassies in Jerusalem in the past. All moved them out of the city years ago, after a UN Security Council resolution calling on countries to relocate to Tel Aviv. Netanyahu said in April that "at least half a dozen" countries were now "seriously discussing" following the US lead, but he did not identify them. In December, 128 countries voted in a non-binding UN General Assembly resolution calling on the US to drop its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Nine voted against, 35 abstained and 21 did not cast a vote. Since the announcement, there has been tension, with Palestinian protests in Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in Gaza during a six-week border protest. That protest culminates on May 15, a day that Palestinians traditionally lament homes and land lost as Israel was created in 1948, given extra significance this year because it falls on the day after the US Embassy move. Although the clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces have not been on the scale of the first and second Palestinian intifadas in 1987-1993 and 2000-2005, violence has erupted before over matters of sovereignty and religion. In 1969 an Australian Messianic Christian tried to burn down the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He failed, but caused damage. So charged was the Middle East's political climate - just two years after the Six Day War - that there was fury across the Arab world. In 2000, the Israeli politician Ariel Sharon, then opposition leader, led a group of Israeli lawmakers onto the Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif complex. Palestinians protested, and there were violent clashes that quickly escalated into the second Palestinian uprising, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada. Deadly confrontations also took place last July after Israel installed metal detectors at the entrance to the complex following the killing of two Israeli policemen thereby Arab-Israeli gunmen. Arab leaders across the Middle East have warned that a unilateral American move could lead to turmoil, and hamper US efforts to restart long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Why is US moving its embassy to Jerusalem?

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reiterated on Sunday that Tehran would remain committed to its 2015 nuclear deal if its interests can be protected and said the U.S. withdrawal from the accord was a "violation of morals".

"The U.S. withdrawal ... is a violation of morals, the correct way to carry out politics and diplomacy and against international regulations," Rouhani during a meeting with visiting Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena.

"If the remaining five countries continue to abide by the agreement, Iran will remain in the deal despite the will of America," Rouhani said in remarks carried by state television.

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to pull out of the nuclear deal has upset European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

Iran has said it will stay committed to the deal, to which Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia are also signatories, if powers still backing the agreement can ensure it is protected from sanctions against key sectors of its economy such as oil.

In what is seen as a last-ditch effort to save the accord after Washington's withdrawal, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has embarked on a tour of world powers.

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to pull out of the nuclear deal has upset European allies

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reiterated on Sunday that Tehran would remain committed to its 2015 nuclear deal if its interests can be protected and said the U.S. withdrawal from the accord was a "violation of morals". "The U.S. withdrawal ... is a violation of morals, the correct way to carry out politics and diplomacy and against international regulations," Rouhani during a meeting with visiting Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena. "If the remaining five countries continue to abide by the agreement, Iran will remain in the deal despite the will of America," Rouhani said in remarks carried by state television. U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on Tuesday to pull out of the nuclear deal has upset European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East. Iran has said it will stay committed to the deal, to which Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia are also signatories, if powers still backing the agreement can ensure it is protected from sanctions against key sectors of its economy such as oil. In what is seen as a last-ditch effort to save the accord after Washington's withdrawal, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has embarked on a tour of world powers.

Rouhani says Iran may remain part of nuclear accord

&nbspAs Pakistan imposed new travel restrictions on the United States diplomats, the American cargo would now have to undergo scanning at Pakistani airports.

The removal of various exemptions, and the imposition on movements was taken in a tit-for-tat move after the Trump administration had earlier decided to impose travel restrictions on the Pakistani diplomats in the US.

Also the US diplomats cannot use tinted glass on official vehicles and rented transport. Further, the embassy has been barred from using non-diplomatic number plates on their vehicles.

In addition to this, the diplomats can no longer use unregistered mobile SIMs and hold multiple passports.

According to a notification, tweeted by Hassan Akbar, a Pakistan-based foreign affairs expert, a number of such exemptions and restrictions came into effect on Friday following US travel restrictions, which also came into force yesterday.

"As #US places travel restrictions on #Pakistan's diplomats, the #ForeignOffice is set to lift special exemptions enjoyed by #USembassy in Islamabad including exemption from cargo scanning, use of unregistered car plates and SIMs, renting safe houses without NOC etc," he tweeted.

As reported by the Pakistan's News International on Thursday, the Trump's administration decided that the officials of the Pakistan Embassy and four consulates are required to get permission from the State Department five days before going beyond the set limits.

The decision was taken after Trump's administration turned around Islamabad's request to put the name of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar leader Umer Khalid Khurasani aka Abdul Wali on the UNSC sanctions committee's list.

Pakistan had earlier attacked the United States saying that the top militant leaders are residing inside Afghanistan under the full view of NATO and the US troops.

Following this allegation, Trump's administration turned down Islamabad's request to put the name of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar leader Umer Khalid Khurasani also known as Abdul Wali, a terrorist listed on the UNSC sanctions committee's list.

Pakistan has also decided that from May 11, restrictions will be imposed on all American diplomats and their movements.

The US fired back saying that Pakistani diplomats in Washington D.C. would be facing similar restrictions.

It has been further reported that back-door negotiations are underway between the two countries.

Pakistan also clarified for not allowing Pakhtun Afghan refugees in the PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement) rallies.

Earlier in April this year, the United States and Pakistan had faced tensions over visa policy.

As reported by the Dawn, Pakistan had received a notification by the US imposing restrictions on the movement of the Pakistani diplomats as they would need to apply for permission at least five days ahead of an intended travel outside the imposed 25 miles radius.

On the other hand, the US officials, in discussion with their Pakistani counterparts, argued that Islamabad had already slapped similar restrictions on its diplomats, who are barred from travelling to Karachi and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

The tensions had escalated to an extent that the US had introduced short duration visas to the Pakistani officials.&nbsp

The removal of various exemptions, and the imposition on movements was taken in a tit-for-tat move after the Trump administration had earlier decided to impose travel restrictions on the Pakistani diplomats in the US

&nbspAs Pakistan imposed new travel restrictions on the United States diplomats, the American cargo would now have to undergo scanning at Pakistani airports. The removal of various exemptions, and the imposition on movements was taken in a tit-for-tat move after the Trump administration had earlier decided to impose travel restrictions on the Pakistani diplomats in the US. Also the US diplomats cannot use tinted glass on official vehicles and rented transport. Further, the embassy has been barred from using non-diplomatic number plates on their vehicles. In addition to this, the diplomats can no longer use unregistered mobile SIMs and hold multiple passports. According to a notification, tweeted by Hassan Akbar, a Pakistan-based foreign affairs expert, a number of such exemptions and restrictions came into effect on Friday following US travel restrictions, which also came into force yesterday. "As #US places travel restrictions on #Pakistan's diplomats, the #ForeignOffice is set to lift special exemptions enjoyed by #USembassy in Islamabad including exemption from cargo scanning, use of unregistered car plates and SIMs, renting safe houses without NOC etc," he tweeted. As reported by the Pakistan's News International on Thursday, the Trump's administration decided that the officials of the Pakistan Embassy and four consulates are required to get permission from the State Department five days before going beyond the set limits. The decision was taken after Trump's administration turned around Islamabad's request to put the name of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar leader Umer Khalid Khurasani aka Abdul Wali on the UNSC sanctions committee's list. Pakistan had earlier attacked the United States saying that the top militant leaders are residing inside Afghanistan under the full view of NATO and the US troops. Following this allegation, Trump's administration turned down Islamabad's request to put the name of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar leader Umer Khalid Khurasani also known as Abdul Wali, a terrorist listed on the UNSC sanctions committee's list. Pakistan has also decided that from May 11, restrictions will be imposed on all American diplomats and their movements. The US fired back saying that Pakistani diplomats in Washington D.C. would be facing similar restrictions. It has been further reported that back-door negotiations are underway between the two countries. Pakistan also clarified for not allowing Pakhtun Afghan refugees in the PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement) rallies. Earlier in April this year, the United States and Pakistan had faced tensions over visa policy. As reported by the Dawn, Pakistan had received a notification by the US imposing restrictions on the movement of the Pakistani diplomats as they would need to apply for permission at least five days ahead of an intended travel outside the imposed 25 miles radius. On the other hand, the US officials, in discussion with their Pakistani counterparts, argued that Islamabad had already slapped similar restrictions on its diplomats, who are barred from travelling to Karachi and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The tensions had escalated to an extent that the US had introduced short duration visas to the Pakistani officials.

Exemptions lifted: American cargo to undergo scanning at Pakistani airports

US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled his plans to lower drug prices in the US with hopes to force other countries to increase their drug prices to bring down costs at home.

The plan will focus on "increasing competition and reducing regulatory burdens so drugs can be gotten to the market quicker and cheaper," Trump said at a White House ceremony with Health Secretary Alex Azar.

"We're very much eliminating the middlemen (who) became very, very rich."

Trump's program essentially aims to lower the price of drugs for seniors and retirees covered by the Medicare social insurance program.

"It`s time to end the global freeloading once and for all. I have directed US Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer to make fixing this injustice a top priority with every trading partner," Trump said during a speech at the White House Rose Garden, Efe reported.

"We have great power over the trading partners you`re seeing that already. America will not be cheated any longer, and especially will not be cheated by foreign countries," the President added.

Trump said that foreign countries had been taking advantage of the US pharmaceutical industry and the money put in in research and development, adding that brining costs down at home would lead to higher costs abroad. Trump has accused foreign countries of being partly responsible for the astronomical US prices.

"Their medicine is a tiny fraction of what the medicine costs in the USA," Trump said, without naming countries. "It's unfair and it's ridiculous, and it's not going to happen any longer."

The US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the Trump administration will use "every tool available" to ensure other nations use fair pricing practices.

"Our trading partners need to contribute their fair share toward pharmaceutical research and development by providing robust levels of intellectual property protection and enforcement, as well as having fair and transparent drug pricing systems," Lighthizer said.

Senate Democrat Claire McCaskill welcomed Trump's crackdown on the pharmaceutical industry, but she wondered "why the president backed off the idea of Medicare negotiating drug prices directly, which could bring significant savings for millions of people."

Drug pricing has vexed US politicians for years. According to statistics of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United States has the highest annual health expenditures of any industrialized country, at nearly $10,000 per capita, with drugs prices playing a major role.

The plan will focus on 'increasing competition and reducing regulatory burdens so drugs can be gotten to the market quicker and cheaper,' Trump said at a White House ceremony with Health Secretary Alex Azar

US President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled his plans to lower drug prices in the US with hopes to force other countries to increase their drug prices to bring down costs at home. The plan will focus on "increasing competition and reducing regulatory burdens so drugs can be gotten to the market quicker and cheaper," Trump said at a White House ceremony with Health Secretary Alex Azar. "We're very much eliminating the middlemen (who) became very, very rich." Trump's program essentially aims to lower the price of drugs for seniors and retirees covered by the Medicare social insurance program. "It`s time to end the global freeloading once and for all. I have directed US Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer to make fixing this injustice a top priority with every trading partner," Trump said during a speech at the White House Rose Garden, Efe reported. "We have great power over the trading partners you`re seeing that already. America will not be cheated any longer, and especially will not be cheated by foreign countries," the President added. Trump said that foreign countries had been taking advantage of the US pharmaceutical industry and the money put in in research and development, adding that brining costs down at home would lead to higher costs abroad. Trump has accused foreign countries of being partly responsible for the astronomical US prices. "Their medicine is a tiny fraction of what the medicine costs in the USA," Trump said, without naming countries. "It's unfair and it's ridiculous, and it's not going to happen any longer." The US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the Trump administration will use "every tool available" to ensure other nations use fair pricing practices. "Our trading partners need to contribute their fair share toward pharmaceutical research and development by providing robust levels of intellectual property protection and enforcement, as well as having fair and transparent drug pricing systems," Lighthizer said. Senate Democrat Claire McCaskill welcomed Trump's crackdown on the pharmaceutical industry, but she wondered "why the president backed off the idea of Medicare negotiating drug prices directly, which could bring significant savings for millions of people." Drug pricing has vexed US politicians for years. According to statistics of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United States has the highest annual health expenditures of any industrialized country, at nearly $10,000 per capita, with drugs prices playing a major role.

Trump announces plans of decreasing drug prices in US

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for unity among Muslims and efforts towards scientific advancement, saying this would make it impossible for "enemies" such as the United States to dominate Islamic countries.

Shi’ite Iran faces off with Western-allied Sunni Saudi Arabia for influence in the Middle East. The two regional powers back opposing sides in the conflicts in Yemen and Syria as well as rival political groups in Iraq and Lebanon.

"Today, every movement that leads to mutual understanding of Islamic groups and sects is a good thing, and this gathering is an example of the movement for the unification of the Islamic nation," said Khamenei in remarks carried by his official website.

"The scientific movement must accelerate and the Islamic nation must once again reach heights of science and civilization so that the enemies of Islam and the Americans cannot order around the heads of Islamic countries," Khamenei told a meeting about Shi'ite contributions to sciences.

Iran frequently calls for Islamic unity to help Tehran in its confrontation with its arch-foe, the United States.

Washington on Tuesday pulled out of a nuclear deal with Iran, a move accompanied by the threat of penalties against any foreign firms doing business in Iran.

Tehran denies seeking atomic weapons and says its nuclear programme is for peaceful uses in areas including electricity, agriculture and medicine.

Iran frequently calls for Islamic unity to help Tehran in its confrontation with its arch-foe, the United States

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for unity among Muslims and efforts towards scientific advancement, saying this would make it impossible for "enemies" such as the United States to dominate Islamic countries. Shi’ite Iran faces off with Western-allied Sunni Saudi Arabia for influence in the Middle East. The two regional powers back opposing sides in the conflicts in Yemen and Syria as well as rival political groups in Iraq and Lebanon. "Today, every movement that leads to mutual understanding of Islamic groups and sects is a good thing, and this gathering is an example of the movement for the unification of the Islamic nation," said Khamenei in remarks carried by his official website. "The scientific movement must accelerate and the Islamic nation must once again reach heights of science and civilization so that the enemies of Islam and the Americans cannot order around the heads of Islamic countries," Khamenei told a meeting about Shi'ite contributions to sciences. Iran frequently calls for Islamic unity to help Tehran in its confrontation with its arch-foe, the United States. Washington on Tuesday pulled out of a nuclear deal with Iran, a move accompanied by the threat of penalties against any foreign firms doing business in Iran. Tehran denies seeking atomic weapons and says its nuclear programme is for peaceful uses in areas including electricity, agriculture and medicine.

Iran urges Muslims to develop sciences to shake off US hegemony

&nbspFormer U.S. President Barack&nbspObama&nbspsaid on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, struck during&nbspObama's presidency, was "misguided."

"I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake,"&nbspObama&nbspsaid in a statement, referring to the acronym for the agreement worked out by the United States, five other world powers and Iran.

Since leaving office in January 2017,&nbspObama, a Democrat, has largely remained on the sidelines of the political debate, although he has criticized his Republican successor's efforts to undo some of his major policy achievements.

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There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Today’s decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: <a href="https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe">https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe</a>
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/993938824752451586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He has condemned Trump for pulling out of the Paris climate accord and for ending a program that shielded from deportation immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children. He also spoke out against Trump's effort to unravel the&nbspObamacare healthcare program.

Obama&nbspsaid the Iran agreement significantly rolled back Tehran's nuclear program and was a model for a possible deal Trump hopes to negotiate with North Korea to eliminate Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.

"That is why today’s announcement is so misguided,"&nbspObama&nbspsaid.

"Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America’s closest allies, and an agreement that our country’s leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated," he said.

President Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran nuclear deal.

He terminated the US participation in the JCPOA citing that the deal failed to protect America's national security interest.

He also underscored that the deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into.

The US President also delivered a message to the long-suffering people of Iran saying "the people of America stand with you."

Since leaving office in January 2017, Obama, a Democrat, has largely remained on the sidelines of the political debate, although he has criticized his Republican successor's efforts to undo some of his major policy achievements

&nbspFormer U.S. President Barack&nbspObama&nbspsaid on Tuesday that President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, struck during&nbspObama's presidency, was "misguided." "I believe that the decision to put the JCPOA at risk without any Iranian violation of the deal is a serious mistake,"&nbspObama&nbspsaid in a statement, referring to the acronym for the agreement worked out by the United States, five other world powers and Iran. Since leaving office in January 2017,&nbspObama, a Democrat, has largely remained on the sidelines of the political debate, although he has criticized his Republican successor's efforts to undo some of his major policy achievements. There are few issues more important to the security of the US than the potential spread of nuclear weapons or the potential for even more destructive war in the Middle East. Today’s decision to put the JCPOA at risk is a serious mistake. My full statement: https://t.co/4oTdXESbxe — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2018 × He has condemned Trump for pulling out of the Paris climate accord and for ending a program that shielded from deportation immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children. He also spoke out against Trump's effort to unravel the&nbspObamacare healthcare program. Obama&nbspsaid the Iran agreement significantly rolled back Tehran's nuclear program and was a model for a possible deal Trump hopes to negotiate with North Korea to eliminate Pyongyang's nuclear weapons. "That is why today’s announcement is so misguided,"&nbspObama&nbspsaid. "Walking away from the JCPOA turns our back on America’s closest allies, and an agreement that our country’s leading diplomats, scientists, and intelligence professionals negotiated," he said. President Trump on Tuesday announced the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran nuclear deal. He terminated the US participation in the JCPOA citing that the deal failed to protect America's national security interest. He also underscored that the deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. The US President also delivered a message to the long-suffering people of Iran saying "the people of America stand with you."

Obama calls Trump's decision on Iran nuclear deal 'misguided'

Oil prices pushed higher in early trading on Wednesday after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pulls-out-of-iran-nuclear-deal-reimposes-us-sanctions-135588">US President Donald Trump walked away</a> from an international nuclear deal with Iran, a move that may curb the OPEC member's crude exports in an already tight market.

Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international nuclear deal with Iran that was agreed in late 2015, raising the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-decision-on-iran-is-psychological-warfare-iran-president--135593">risk of conflict in the Middle East </a>and casting uncertainty over global oil supplies.

Brent crude oil futures were at $76.21 per barrel at 0005 GMT, up $1.36, or 1.8 percent from their last close and not far off Monday's $76.34, the highest since late 2014.

US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $1.18 per barrel, or 1.7 percent, at $70.24 a barrel, also close to highs last seen in late 2014.

"The big event of the night was President Trump`s cancelling of the nuclear deal made with Iran back in 2015. Sanctions will, therefore (likely) be reimposed on Iran, which will ultimately affect Iran's oil exports," said William O`Loughlin, investment analyst at Australia`s Rivkin Securities.

Iran re-emerged as a major oil exporter in 2016 after international sanctions against it were lifted in return for curbs on Iran`s nuclear programme, with its April exports standing at 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd).

This makes Iran the third biggest exporter of crude within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Walking away from the deal means that the United States will likely re-impose sanctions against Iran after 180 days unless some other agreement is reached before then.

ANZ bank said Trump`s decision "puts into place a scenario that could see the crude oil market tighten significantly in H2 2018 and into next year."

Iran's exports of oil to Asia and Europe will almost certainly decline later this year and into 2019 as some nations seek alternatives in order to avoid trouble with Washington and as sanctions start to bite.

Despite this, it is not yet clear, how strongly global oil markets will be affected.

The United States buys no Iranian oil, while the other signatories of the agreement, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, are opposed to ending the agreement, and may continue to buy Iranian crude.

Asia, by far the biggest importer of oil from Iran, will likely continue to take in some supplies as well, as it did during the previous round of sanctions.

"There are worries that Iran`s oil exports could fall by about 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from current levels," said Tomomichi Akuta, senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting in Tokyo.

"The oil supply/demand balance is roughly in balance now, but it could turn to a complete supply shortage (in case of new supply curbs). Oil prices could rise at least $10 (a barrel), with Brent approaching near $90," he said.

Walking away from the deal means that the United States will likely re-impose sanctions against Iran after 180 days unless some other agreement is reached before then.

Oil prices pushed higher in early trading on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump walked away from an international nuclear deal with Iran, a move that may curb the OPEC member's crude exports in an already tight market. Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international nuclear deal with Iran that was agreed in late 2015, raising the risk of conflict in the Middle East and casting uncertainty over global oil supplies. Brent crude oil futures were at $76.21 per barrel at 0005 GMT, up $1.36, or 1.8 percent from their last close and not far off Monday's $76.34, the highest since late 2014. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $1.18 per barrel, or 1.7 percent, at $70.24 a barrel, also close to highs last seen in late 2014. "The big event of the night was President Trump`s cancelling of the nuclear deal made with Iran back in 2015. Sanctions will, therefore (likely) be reimposed on Iran, which will ultimately affect Iran's oil exports," said William O`Loughlin, investment analyst at Australia`s Rivkin Securities. Iran re-emerged as a major oil exporter in 2016 after international sanctions against it were lifted in return for curbs on Iran`s nuclear programme, with its April exports standing at 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd). This makes Iran the third biggest exporter of crude within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Walking away from the deal means that the United States will likely re-impose sanctions against Iran after 180 days unless some other agreement is reached before then. ANZ bank said Trump`s decision "puts into place a scenario that could see the crude oil market tighten significantly in H2 2018 and into next year." Iran's exports of oil to Asia and Europe will almost certainly decline later this year and into 2019 as some nations seek alternatives in order to avoid trouble with Washington and as sanctions start to bite. Despite this, it is not yet clear, how strongly global oil markets will be affected. The United States buys no Iranian oil, while the other signatories of the agreement, Russia, Britain, France and Germany, are opposed to ending the agreement, and may continue to buy Iranian crude. Asia, by far the biggest importer of oil from Iran, will likely continue to take in some supplies as well, as it did during the previous round of sanctions. "There are worries that Iran`s oil exports could fall by about 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from current levels," said Tomomichi Akuta, senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting in Tokyo. "The oil supply/demand balance is roughly in balance now, but it could turn to a complete supply shortage (in case of new supply curbs). Oil prices could rise at least $10 (a barrel), with Brent approaching near $90," he said.

Oil prices push higher after US walks away from Iran nuclear deal

China's Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States next week to continue trade discussions between both the countries.

Liu He's talks with a high-level US delegation in Beijing last week made little headway in resolving the ongoing trade standoff between Trump administration and Xi regime.

"China's top economic advisor, the vice premier, will be coming here next week to continue the discussions with the President's economic team," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders noted.

"The president has a great relationship with President Xi," Sanders said. "And we are working on something that we think will be great for everybody."

US President Donald Trump had previously accused China of using unfair practices to get an unfair advantage over US exporters. The two countries have been busy threatening each other with trade tariffs on billions of dollars of goods.&nbsp

The ongoing trade spat between US and China can potentially fuel a trade war between the economic superpowers, something that can cause long-term damage to the global economy.

(With inputs from AFP)

US President Donald Trump had previously accused China of using unfair practices to get an unfair advantage over US exporters

China's Vice Premier Liu He will visit the United States next week to continue trade discussions between both the countries. Liu He's talks with a high-level US delegation in Beijing last week made little headway in resolving the ongoing trade standoff between Trump administration and Xi regime. "China's top economic advisor, the vice premier, will be coming here next week to continue the discussions with the President's economic team," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders noted. "The president has a great relationship with President Xi," Sanders said. "And we are working on something that we think will be great for everybody." US President Donald Trump had previously accused China of using unfair practices to get an unfair advantage over US exporters. The two countries have been busy threatening each other with trade tariffs on billions of dollars of goods. The ongoing trade spat between US and China can potentially fuel a trade war between the economic superpowers, something that can cause long-term damage to the global economy. (With inputs from AFP)

China Vice Premier to visit US for trade talks: White House

China's trade surplus with the United States widened to $22.19 billion in April, from $15.43 billion in March, customs data showed on Tuesday.

For January-April, China's trade surplus with the United States was $80.4 billion.

The world's two largest economies have threatened each other with tens of billions of dollars' worth of tariffs in recent months, leading to worries that Washington and Beijing may engage in a full-scale trade war that could damage global growth and roil markets.

The Trump administration has drawn a hard line in trade talks, demanding a $200 billion cut in the Chinese trade surplus with the United States, sharply lower tariffs and advanced technology subsidies.

For January-April, China's trade surplus with the United States was $80.4 billion

China's trade surplus with the United States widened to $22.19 billion in April, from $15.43 billion in March, customs data showed on Tuesday. For January-April, China's trade surplus with the United States was $80.4 billion. The world's two largest economies have threatened each other with tens of billions of dollars' worth of tariffs in recent months, leading to worries that Washington and Beijing may engage in a full-scale trade war that could damage global growth and roil markets. The Trump administration has drawn a hard line in trade talks, demanding a $200 billion cut in the Chinese trade surplus with the United States, sharply lower tariffs and advanced technology subsidies.

China's trade surplus with US widens to $22.19 billion in April

With business sentiment at the "weakest" in four years, India slipped to the 6th position globally in the business optimism index for the first quarter of this year, says a survey.

Business optimism is however at an "all-time high" globally with the index at net 61 per cent, the highest figure recorded in 15 years of research, as per Grant Thornton's quarterly global business survey released today.

Noting that business sentiment in India has been the weakest since 2014 in the first quarter, the advisory firm said the confidence has been shaken since the third quarter of 2017 with weakening currency and a surge in oil prices.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ease-of-doing-business-indias-rankings-zooms-to-100-in-world-bank-report-up-30-places-23243">India's ranking&nbsp;zooms to 100 in Ease of Doing&nbsp;Business index, up 30 places</a>

"While entering the last year of the current regime, the business optimism in India has deteriorated with the country ranking 6th globally on the optimism index in the first quarter of 2018... India has been topping the chart since the new government came into power in 2014," Grant Thornton's International Business Report said.

With a score of 89, India is at the sixth place in the index. The top five nations are Austria, Finland, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the US.

The conclusions are based on a quarterly global business survey of 2,500 businesses in 37 economies.

With regard to India, Grant Thornton said the underlying pessimism is reflected in other parameters as well including revenue, selling prices, profitability, employment and exports expectations.

Indian businesses have been citing regulations and red tape, availability of skilled workforce, lack of ICT infrastructure and shortage of finance as the biggest growth constraints.

Even after India's significant jump in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business ranking, the country still continues to rank 1st or 2nd in quoting these reasons as the key hurdles for growth, it noted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government came to power in May 2014.

Grant Thornton India LLP CEO Vishesh C Chandiok said the reversal in sentiment amongst mid- sized business in India in the last three quarters is startling and hoped that policy makers would sit up and take note.

"With oil climbing, and India firmly in an election year, we ought to brace for a volatile economic environment in the days ahead. Export oriented businesses should see better days, finally," he added. PTI

Business optimism however is at an 'all-time high' globally. The index is at a net 61 per cent, the highest figure recorded in 15 years of research.

With business sentiment at the "weakest" in four years, India slipped to the 6th position globally in the business optimism index for the first quarter of this year, says a survey. Business optimism is however at an "all-time high" globally with the index at net 61 per cent, the highest figure recorded in 15 years of research, as per Grant Thornton's quarterly global business survey released today. Noting that business sentiment in India has been the weakest since 2014 in the first quarter, the advisory firm said the confidence has been shaken since the third quarter of 2017 with weakening currency and a surge in oil prices. Also read: India's ranking zooms to 100 in Ease of Doing Business index, up 30 places "While entering the last year of the current regime, the business optimism in India has deteriorated with the country ranking 6th globally on the optimism index in the first quarter of 2018... India has been topping the chart since the new government came into power in 2014," Grant Thornton's International Business Report said. With a score of 89, India is at the sixth place in the index. The top five nations are Austria, Finland, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the US. The conclusions are based on a quarterly global business survey of 2,500 businesses in 37 economies. With regard to India, Grant Thornton said the underlying pessimism is reflected in other parameters as well including revenue, selling prices, profitability, employment and exports expectations. Indian businesses have been citing regulations and red tape, availability of skilled workforce, lack of ICT infrastructure and shortage of finance as the biggest growth constraints. Even after India's significant jump in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business ranking, the country still continues to rank 1st or 2nd in quoting these reasons as the key hurdles for growth, it noted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government came to power in May 2014. Grant Thornton India LLP CEO Vishesh C Chandiok said the reversal in sentiment amongst mid- sized business in India in the last three quarters is startling and hoped that policy makers would sit up and take note. "With oil climbing, and India firmly in an election year, we ought to brace for a volatile economic environment in the days ahead. Export oriented businesses should see better days, finally," he added. PTI

India slips to 6th spot on business optimism index, sentiment weakest since 2014

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