Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said on Friday that the U.S. State Department had approved his request to extradite his predecessor, former president Ricardo Martinelli, who is jailed in Miami on spying charges.

"The foreign ministry ... has received a diplomatic letter on behalf of the State Department informing of approval of extradition," Varela told journalists at an event.

Martinelli was jailed in the United States last year after Panama requested his extradition on charges that he used public money to spy on more than 150 political rivals during his 2009-2014 term.

Martinelli has maintained his innocence and claims to be a victim of a political attack by Varela.

"The former president Martinelli was mentally prepared for whichever of the two decisions the State Department could take," Luis Eduardo Camacho, a spokesman for Martinelli, wrote in a post on Twitter. "The fight will now be in Panama."

Camacho did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

Roniel Ortiz, a lawyer for Martinelli in Panama, did not immediately respond to a request for comment either.

A U.S. court authorized the extradition last year, and Martinelli in May said he would stop fighting the proceedings for judgement in Panama.

In a letter released in May, Martinelli said he had expected the United States to protect him in exchange for his assistance with U.S. issues, such as curbing cross-border crime.

A US court authorised the extradition last year, and Martinelli in May said he would stop fighting the proceedings for judgement in Panama

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said on Friday that the U.S. State Department had approved his request to extradite his predecessor, former president Ricardo Martinelli, who is jailed in Miami on spying charges. "The foreign ministry ... has received a diplomatic letter on behalf of the State Department informing of approval of extradition," Varela told journalists at an event. Martinelli was jailed in the United States last year after Panama requested his extradition on charges that he used public money to spy on more than 150 political rivals during his 2009-2014 term. Martinelli has maintained his innocence and claims to be a victim of a political attack by Varela. "The former president Martinelli was mentally prepared for whichever of the two decisions the State Department could take," Luis Eduardo Camacho, a spokesman for Martinelli, wrote in a post on Twitter. "The fight will now be in Panama." Camacho did not immediately respond to a request for further comment. Roniel Ortiz, a lawyer for Martinelli in Panama, did not immediately respond to a request for comment either. A U.S. court authorized the extradition last year, and Martinelli in May said he would stop fighting the proceedings for judgement in Panama. In a letter released in May, Martinelli said he had expected the United States to protect him in exchange for his assistance with U.S. issues, such as curbing cross-border crime.

US approves extradition of ex-Panama president

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he expects his meeting with United States President Donald Trump to be "constructive."

He is a serious-minded person who knows how to listen to people and respond to their arguments. This leads me to believe that dialogue may prove to be constructive," TASS quoted Putin as saying.

The two leaders are likely to meet this year as Trump, in April, extended an invitation to meet with the Russian President.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov earlier said such a meeting is vital for improving relations between Moscow and Washington.

This will be the third time that both the leaders would meet face-to-face.

Putin and Trump first met during the G20 summit in Germany`s Hamburg in July last year and again met for the second time in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam in November last year.

Earlier in March this year, the two leaders held a telephonic conversation, where Trump had invited Putin to visit Washington DC

It is to be noted that relations between US and Russia are greatly strained due to the crisis in Ukraine, Russia`s annexation of Crimea in 2015, differences regarding Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war, and the alleged meddling of 2016 US presidential election.

The two leaders are likely to meet this year as Trump, in April, extended an invitation to meet with the Russian President

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he expects his meeting with United States President Donald Trump to be "constructive." He is a serious-minded person who knows how to listen to people and respond to their arguments. This leads me to believe that dialogue may prove to be constructive," TASS quoted Putin as saying. The two leaders are likely to meet this year as Trump, in April, extended an invitation to meet with the Russian President. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov earlier said such a meeting is vital for improving relations between Moscow and Washington. This will be the third time that both the leaders would meet face-to-face. Putin and Trump first met during the G20 summit in Germany`s Hamburg in July last year and again met for the second time in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam in November last year. Earlier in March this year, the two leaders held a telephonic conversation, where Trump had invited Putin to visit Washington DC It is to be noted that relations between US and Russia are greatly strained due to the crisis in Ukraine, Russia`s annexation of Crimea in 2015, differences regarding Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war, and the alleged meddling of 2016 US presidential election.

Putin expects 'constructive' meeting with Trump

United States President Donald Trump will depart from his visit at the Group of Seven summit in Canada several hours early&nbsp;on Saturday.

The development reportedly comes after Trump had a spat with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over Twitter, both of whom he will meet face-to-face&nbsp;on Friday.

Trump will directly fly to Singapore for his much-awaited meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled to take place on June 12, and will skip sessions on climate change and the environment.

The US President will depart the G-7 summit mid-morning&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;after a session on women`s empowerment.

A White House aide will represent the US&nbsp;for the remainder of the summit the Hill quoted White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, as saying.

Earlier in the day, Trump lashed out at Trudeau and Macron in a series of tweets over the criticism on US&nbsp;imposition of trade tariff.

"Why isn`t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the US totally unfair to our farmers, workers & companies.

Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!" Trump tweeted&nbsp;on Friday."Prime Minister Trudeau is being so indignant, bringing up the relationship that the US&nbsp;and Canada had over the many years and all sorts of other things...but he doesn`t bring up the fact that they charge us up to 300% on dairy - hurting our Farmers, killing our Agriculture!," Trump wrote in another tweet. In another Twitter post, Trump wrote, "Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the US&nbsp;massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers.

The EU trade surplus with the US&nbsp;is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them&nbsp;tomorrow.

"On May 31, the US had announced the imposition of 25 and 10 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium respectively on three of its biggest trading partners - Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU). Thereafter, Trudeau dubbed the trade tariffs as `insulting and unacceptable` and announced that the country would impose its own tariffs on US` goods in retaliation.

Meanwhile, Macron tweeted, "The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be. Because these 6 countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight of history behind it and which is now a true international force."

Trump will directly fly to Singapore for his much-awaited meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

United States President Donald Trump will depart from his visit at the Group of Seven summit in Canada several hours early on Saturday. The development reportedly comes after Trump had a spat with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over Twitter, both of whom he will meet face-to-face on Friday. Trump will directly fly to Singapore for his much-awaited meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled to take place on June 12, and will skip sessions on climate change and the environment. The US President will depart the G-7 summit mid-morning on Saturday after a session on women`s empowerment. A White House aide will represent the US for the remainder of the summit the Hill quoted White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, as saying. Earlier in the day, Trump lashed out at Trudeau and Macron in a series of tweets over the criticism on US imposition of trade tariff. "Why isn`t the European Union and Canada informing the public that for years they have used massive Trade Tariffs and non-monetary Trade Barriers against the US totally unfair to our farmers, workers & companies. Take down your tariffs & barriers or we will more than match you!" Trump tweeted on Friday."Prime Minister Trudeau is being so indignant, bringing up the relationship that the US and Canada had over the many years and all sorts of other things...but he doesn`t bring up the fact that they charge us up to 300% on dairy - hurting our Farmers, killing our Agriculture!," Trump wrote in another tweet. In another Twitter post, Trump wrote, "Please tell Prime Minister Trudeau and President Macron that they are charging the US massive tariffs and create non-monetary barriers. The EU trade surplus with the US is $151 Billion, and Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow. "On May 31, the US had announced the imposition of 25 and 10 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium respectively on three of its biggest trading partners - Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU). Thereafter, Trudeau dubbed the trade tariffs as `insulting and unacceptable` and announced that the country would impose its own tariffs on US` goods in retaliation. Meanwhile, Macron tweeted, "The American President may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a 6 country agreement if need be. Because these 6 countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight of history behind it and which is now a true international force."

Trump to leave G7 summit early

&nbsp;Leaders of the Group of Seven rich nations are set to clash with a combative US President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;when they pressure him to lift sanctions on steel and aluminium they fear could lead to a trade war.

The confrontation threatens to rupture a body that during its 43-year history has traditionally sought to find consensus on the economy and other issues.

Trump, who aides say has little interest in multilateralism, twice attacked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;and officials concede the mood is likely to be exceptionally tense.

"There will be some serious disagreements on a lot of things," a Canadian official told reporters late&nbsp;on Thursday.

Although Trump says the tariffs are necessary to protect US industry, Canada and the European Union have denounced them as illegal and are preparing retaliatory measures.

French President Emmanuel Macron said&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;leaders needed to be civil at the summit but he is clearly losing patience with the US President, suggesting the other six members of the G7 could form their own grouping if necessary.

British Prime Minister Theresa May took a more measured tone, telling reporters she wanted the European Union to use restraint in its retaliation to the US tariffs and that the response must be proportionate and legal.

Trump showed no sign of backing down&nbsp;on Thursday, first taking to Twitter to accuse both France and Canada of imposing massive tariffs on US goods and then accusing Trudeau of "being so indignant."

In response, the Canadian official replied that "the prime minister and the president have very frank, direct, candid, honest conversations." Trudeau and Trump are due to meet&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;"and they will have lots to talk about," the official added.

The White House subsequently announced the president would be leaving&nbsp;on Saturday, before the summit formally ends, to fly to Singapore for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

While the G7 leaders have largely praised Trump for his efforts to stabilize the Korean peninsula, they are unhappy he pulled out of an agreement designed to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The arguments threaten to derail a meeting that Trudeau had planned to focus on inclusive growth, gender equality and protecting oceans.

The Canadian official said Trudeau remained optimistic that the summit could help find common solutions to issues such as growth and environmental protection.

The confrontation threatens to rupture a body that during its 43-year history has traditionally sought to find consensus on the economy and other issues

Leaders of the Group of Seven rich nations are set to clash with a combative US President Donald Trump on Friday when they pressure him to lift sanctions on steel and aluminium they fear could lead to a trade war. The confrontation threatens to rupture a body that during its 43-year history has traditionally sought to find consensus on the economy and other issues. Trump, who aides say has little interest in multilateralism, twice attacked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter on Thursday and officials concede the mood is likely to be exceptionally tense. "There will be some serious disagreements on a lot of things," a Canadian official told reporters late on Thursday. Although Trump says the tariffs are necessary to protect US industry, Canada and the European Union have denounced them as illegal and are preparing retaliatory measures. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday leaders needed to be civil at the summit but he is clearly losing patience with the US President, suggesting the other six members of the G7 could form their own grouping if necessary. British Prime Minister Theresa May took a more measured tone, telling reporters she wanted the European Union to use restraint in its retaliation to the US tariffs and that the response must be proportionate and legal. Trump showed no sign of backing down on Thursday, first taking to Twitter to accuse both France and Canada of imposing massive tariffs on US goods and then accusing Trudeau of "being so indignant." In response, the Canadian official replied that "the prime minister and the president have very frank, direct, candid, honest conversations." Trudeau and Trump are due to meet on Friday "and they will have lots to talk about," the official added. The White House subsequently announced the president would be leaving on Saturday, before the summit formally ends, to fly to Singapore for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. While the G7 leaders have largely praised Trump for his efforts to stabilize the Korean peninsula, they are unhappy he pulled out of an agreement designed to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions. The arguments threaten to derail a meeting that Trudeau had planned to focus on inclusive growth, gender equality and protecting oceans. The Canadian official said Trudeau remained optimistic that the summit could help find common solutions to issues such as growth and environmental protection.

G7 leaders set to clash with combative Trump over tariffs, trade

North Korea has confirmed to the US its willingness to denuclearise, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said today, asserting that President Donald Trump will not stand by a "bad deal" in his summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore next week.

Any deal reached as a result of the meeting between Trump and the North Korean leader Kim would be brought before the Congress for its stamp of approval so that it cannot be reversed by any future administration, said Pompeo, who is spearheading the American efforts for talks with Pyongyang.

"The United States and North Korea have been holding direct talks in preparation for a summit, and North Korea has confirmed to us its willingness to denuclearise," he told reporters at a White House news conference.

Noting that a comprehensive whole-of-government effort in support of Trump's upcoming summit was underway, Pompeo said a White House and State Department-led advance teams were finalising logistical preparations and will remain in place in Singapore until the summit begins.

Trump continues to follow every development closely and is getting daily briefings from his national security team, he said.

The fact that the two leaders are coming to the table shows that they are very serious, Pompeo said, noting that the diplomatic model that they have used to date is different from past efforts.

The efforts gives them hope that they can find real success where past efforts have fallen short, he added.

Pompeo said Trump was hopeful, but he is also going into the summit with his eyes wide open. "We've seen how many inadequate agreements have been struck in the past. You can be sure that President Trump will not stand for a bad deal," he said.?&nbsp;

"The US has been clear, time and time again, that complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the only outcome that we will find acceptable," Pompeo said.

Trump, he said, recognises that North Korea has great potential, and he looks forward to a day when sanctions on it can begin to be removed.

However, that cannot happen until the Pyongyang completely and verifiably eliminates its weapons of mass destruction programs, he reiterated.

Pompeo said Trump and Kim will certainly also discuss security assurances for North Korea, establishing a peace regime and improving relations between the two countries.&nbsp;

"Until we achieve our goals, the measures that the world, alongside the US, has put on the regime will remain. In the event diplomacy does not move in the right direction, these measures will increase. Throughout the entire process, the United States has been unified with Japan and South Korea in response to the threats from North Korea," he said.

Trump has been, and continues to be, committed to ridding the US and the world of threats posed by North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes, he said.&nbsp;

"These programmes threaten our homeland, our allies and partners, and the broader non-proliferation regime. North Korea's past activities also make clear that it is proliferation to other actors that creates a risk, in addition to the primary risks. It has supporting infrastructure that is also of concern," he said.

Pompeo, who has met Kim twice in the recent past, said the North Korean leader was very capable of articulating the things that he was prepared to do, presents clearly the challenges that they all have to overcome.?&nbsp;

"It's why the two leaders are meeting. It's the opportunity to lay those out clearly between the two leaders so that we can see if we can find a path forward together that achieves the outcomes that both countries want," he said.

"He (Kim) has indicated to me, personally, that he is prepared to denuclearise that he understands that the current model doesn't work, that he's prepared to denuclearise.&nbsp;He understands that we can't do it the way we've done it before -- that this has to be big and bold, and we have to agree to making major changes," he said.

"We can't step through this over years, but rather need to acknowledge it will take some amount of time, that this doesn't happen instantaneously. But that the model for succeeding -- security assurance and political normalization and denuclearisation completely, verifiably, and irreversibly -- for that to take place, we've got to make bold decisions," Pompeo said.

Leading the American efforts in negotiating with the North Koreans, he said the US is making progress, inch by inch.&nbsp;

"We are going to travel there," the US Secretary of State said.

Asserting that the approach that Trump was taking is fundamentally different, the top American diplomat said in the past, there have been months and months of detailed negotiations, and it "got nowhere".&nbsp;"This has already driven us to a place we've not been able to achieve before," he said.&nbsp;

Pompeo said the Trump administration is hoping to submit a document that Congress would give currency and strength and elongation to the process so that when administrations do change, as they inevitably do, Chairman Kim will have comfort that American policy will continue down the same path.&nbsp;

The United States and North Korea have been holding direct talks in preparation for a summit, and North Korea has confirmed to us its willingness to denuclearise

North Korea has confirmed to the US its willingness to denuclearise, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said today, asserting that President Donald Trump will not stand by a "bad deal" in his summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore next week. Any deal reached as a result of the meeting between Trump and the North Korean leader Kim would be brought before the Congress for its stamp of approval so that it cannot be reversed by any future administration, said Pompeo, who is spearheading the American efforts for talks with Pyongyang. "The United States and North Korea have been holding direct talks in preparation for a summit, and North Korea has confirmed to us its willingness to denuclearise," he told reporters at a White House news conference. Noting that a comprehensive whole-of-government effort in support of Trump's upcoming summit was underway, Pompeo said a White House and State Department-led advance teams were finalising logistical preparations and will remain in place in Singapore until the summit begins. Trump continues to follow every development closely and is getting daily briefings from his national security team, he said. The fact that the two leaders are coming to the table shows that they are very serious, Pompeo said, noting that the diplomatic model that they have used to date is different from past efforts. The efforts gives them hope that they can find real success where past efforts have fallen short, he added. Pompeo said Trump was hopeful, but he is also going into the summit with his eyes wide open. "We've seen how many inadequate agreements have been struck in the past. You can be sure that President Trump will not stand for a bad deal," he said.? "The US has been clear, time and time again, that complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the only outcome that we will find acceptable," Pompeo said. Trump, he said, recognises that North Korea has great potential, and he looks forward to a day when sanctions on it can begin to be removed. However, that cannot happen until the Pyongyang completely and verifiably eliminates its weapons of mass destruction programs, he reiterated. Pompeo said Trump and Kim will certainly also discuss security assurances for North Korea, establishing a peace regime and improving relations between the two countries. "Until we achieve our goals, the measures that the world, alongside the US, has put on the regime will remain. In the event diplomacy does not move in the right direction, these measures will increase. Throughout the entire process, the United States has been unified with Japan and South Korea in response to the threats from North Korea," he said. Trump has been, and continues to be, committed to ridding the US and the world of threats posed by North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes, he said. "These programmes threaten our homeland, our allies and partners, and the broader non-proliferation regime. North Korea's past activities also make clear that it is proliferation to other actors that creates a risk, in addition to the primary risks. It has supporting infrastructure that is also of concern," he said. Pompeo, who has met Kim twice in the recent past, said the North Korean leader was very capable of articulating the things that he was prepared to do, presents clearly the challenges that they all have to overcome.? "It's why the two leaders are meeting. It's the opportunity to lay those out clearly between the two leaders so that we can see if we can find a path forward together that achieves the outcomes that both countries want," he said. "He (Kim) has indicated to me, personally, that he is prepared to denuclearise that he understands that the current model doesn't work, that he's prepared to denuclearise. He understands that we can't do it the way we've done it before -- that this has to be big and bold, and we have to agree to making major changes," he said. "We can't step through this over years, but rather need to acknowledge it will take some amount of time, that this doesn't happen instantaneously. But that the model for succeeding -- security assurance and political normalization and denuclearisation completely, verifiably, and irreversibly -- for that to take place, we've got to make bold decisions," Pompeo said. Leading the American efforts in negotiating with the North Koreans, he said the US is making progress, inch by inch. "We are going to travel there," the US Secretary of State said. Asserting that the approach that Trump was taking is fundamentally different, the top American diplomat said in the past, there have been months and months of detailed negotiations, and it "got nowhere". "This has already driven us to a place we've not been able to achieve before," he said. Pompeo said the Trump administration is hoping to submit a document that Congress would give currency and strength and elongation to the process so that when administrations do change, as they inevitably do, Chairman Kim will have comfort that American policy will continue down the same path.

North Korea has confirmed to US willingness to denuclearise: Pompeo

Guatemalan officials warned of falling ash from the Fuego volcano late on Thursday and urged caution with flights as the Central American country recovers from devastating eruptions that have killed at least 109 people.

The seismological, volcanic and meteorological institute Insivumeh advised the civil aviation authority to take precautions with flights amid renewed activity from the peak, which produced a massive eruption on Sunday.

The death toll from Fuego's most violent eruption in four decades has been gradually rising and now stands at 109, Guatemala's disaster and forensic agency Inacif said earlier on Thursday.

Authorities have said a communication breakdown between CONRED and volcanologists in Guatemala delayed evacuations from the surrounding area.

Guatemala's public prosecutor said on Thursday it would open an investigation into whether protocols were followed to inform proper decision-making in the handling of the disaster.

Rescue teams have been searching frantically for survivors and victims in the ravaged landscape, which is covered in ash and lava.

The eruptions have showered volcanic ash over a vast area and spewed deadly, fast-moving pyroclastic flows through nearby towns.

The US&nbsp;government expressed its "deepest condolences" to the victims on Thursday and said it was sending emergency aid at Guatemala's request, including an unspecified amount of financial resources to help with food, water, and sanitation.

The White House said in a statement it was also dispatching aircraft to transport burn victims for treatment in Florida.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) raised concerns about the economic cost of the disaster in the poor country.

"We should not underestimate the scale of this disaster. Critical, emergency needs are still enormous, and affected communities will need sustained and long-term support," IFRC President Francesco Rocca said in a statement on Thursday.

Rocca noted that ash had fallen across more than half of Guatemala, covering areas where agriculture is crucial.

"We hope it will not mean a secondary disaster," he said.

The IFRC has pledged more than 250,000 Swiss francs ($253,000) to support rescue efforts and said those worst hit would need at least a year to recover.

The suspension of rescue efforts around the volcano may be lifted if conditions on the ground improve, CONRED said.

Volcan de Fuego, which means "Volcano of Fire" in Spanish, lies about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital, Guatemala City.

The death toll from Fuego's most violent eruption in four decades has been gradually rising and now stands at 109

Guatemalan officials warned of falling ash from the Fuego volcano late on Thursday and urged caution with flights as the Central American country recovers from devastating eruptions that have killed at least 109 people. The seismological, volcanic and meteorological institute Insivumeh advised the civil aviation authority to take precautions with flights amid renewed activity from the peak, which produced a massive eruption on Sunday. The death toll from Fuego's most violent eruption in four decades has been gradually rising and now stands at 109, Guatemala's disaster and forensic agency Inacif said earlier on Thursday. Authorities have said a communication breakdown between CONRED and volcanologists in Guatemala delayed evacuations from the surrounding area. Guatemala's public prosecutor said on Thursday it would open an investigation into whether protocols were followed to inform proper decision-making in the handling of the disaster. Rescue teams have been searching frantically for survivors and victims in the ravaged landscape, which is covered in ash and lava. The eruptions have showered volcanic ash over a vast area and spewed deadly, fast-moving pyroclastic flows through nearby towns. The US government expressed its "deepest condolences" to the victims on Thursday and said it was sending emergency aid at Guatemala's request, including an unspecified amount of financial resources to help with food, water, and sanitation. The White House said in a statement it was also dispatching aircraft to transport burn victims for treatment in Florida. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) raised concerns about the economic cost of the disaster in the poor country. "We should not underestimate the scale of this disaster. Critical, emergency needs are still enormous, and affected communities will need sustained and long-term support," IFRC President Francesco Rocca said in a statement on Thursday. Rocca noted that ash had fallen across more than half of Guatemala, covering areas where agriculture is crucial. "We hope it will not mean a secondary disaster," he said. The IFRC has pledged more than 250,000 Swiss francs ($253,000) to support rescue efforts and said those worst hit would need at least a year to recover. The suspension of rescue efforts around the volcano may be lifted if conditions on the ground improve, CONRED said. Volcan de Fuego, which means "Volcano of Fire" in Spanish, lies about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the capital, Guatemala City.

Guatemala warns of falling ash as volcanic activity picks up

World stocks slipped on Friday as expectations of trade tensions dominating this weekend's summit of G7 countries, along with renewed talk of monetary tightening by major central banks, weighed on risk sentiment.

The MSCI All-Country World index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, was down nearly half a per cent in morning trade in Europe - though it was still set to break a three-week streak of losses.

Fears of a trade war, expectations of more rate hikes in the United States, and a wind-down of a massive monetary stimulus in Europe fuelled a risk-off tone in markets, investors said.

The US&nbsp;Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates for a second time this year next week. The focus is on whether it will hint at raising rates four times in 2018.

European Central Bank policymakers meeting on June 14 will debate whether to end bond purchases later this year, the bank's chief economist said this week, in a hawkish message that sent the euro to a three-week top, hit emerging markets, and spurred demand for safe-haven bonds.

Before those meetings, however, markets will have to digest fallout from the G7 summit in Quebec, where the mounting risk of a tariff war between the United States and its major trade partners will be in the spotlight.

An unprecedented US-North Korea summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, with Washington seeking to pressure Pyongyang into abandoning its nuclear weapons programme, is giving investors another reason for caution.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.1 per cent after six straight sessions of gains took it to its highest since mid-March. It was on track for a weekly gain of more than 1 per cent.

Chinese shares slipped, with the blue-chip Shangai-Shenzhen index down 1.7 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng.HSI declining 1.5 per cent.

Japan's Nikkei average and South Korea's KOSPI were off 0.6 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively, while Australian shares ended 0.1 per cent lower.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was on track for its third weekly loss in a row, with renewed strength in the euro also weighing. It was down 0.7 per cent.

Italy's government bonds faced renewed selling pressure, as the risk aversion in world markets and unease about Rome's spending plans set yields on short-dated debt up for their biggest weekly rise since 2012.

"A few things are contributing to nervousness today -- the trade issues are back on, then there is the Italy situation and we are not sure how the ECB will respond to that," said Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier Investment Management.

"And in emerging markets, there are some idiosyncratic risks (Turkey, Argentina and Brazil) which are becoming worrying." He remained "cautious" on adding risk, as "none of these issues seems to have a clear short-term resolution."

The dollar rebounded 0.3 per cent from near three-week lows against a basket of currencies, helped by the strong jobless claims numbers in the US&nbsp;on Thursday.

The dollar has come under pressure this week as the euro bounced back from 10-month lows thanks to an ebbing of political concerns over Italy as well as the possible ECB moves over its bond purchases.

The dollar fell against the safe-haven Japanese yen to 109.35 but remained well below a four-month top of 111.39 touched in May.

The euro inched down to $1.1763 after four straight session of gains took it to its highest level since mid-May.

In commodities, copper came off from a 4-1/2-year high touched on Wednesday.

Oil prices fell as surging US&nbsp;output and signs of weakening demand in China output outweighed support from supply woes in Venezuela and OPEC's production cuts.

U.S. crude fell 0.5 per cent to $65.64 a barrel, while Brent dropped 0.5 per cent to $76.95.

Spot gold slipped 0.1 per cent at $1,298.47 an ounce.

Fears of a trade war, expectations of more rate hikes in the United States, and a wind-down of a massive monetary stimulus in Europe fuelled a risk-off tone in markets, investors said

World stocks slipped on Friday as expectations of trade tensions dominating this weekend's summit of G7 countries, along with renewed talk of monetary tightening by major central banks, weighed on risk sentiment. The MSCI All-Country World index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, was down nearly half a per cent in morning trade in Europe - though it was still set to break a three-week streak of losses. Fears of a trade war, expectations of more rate hikes in the United States, and a wind-down of a massive monetary stimulus in Europe fuelled a risk-off tone in markets, investors said. The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to raise interest rates for a second time this year next week. The focus is on whether it will hint at raising rates four times in 2018. European Central Bank policymakers meeting on June 14 will debate whether to end bond purchases later this year, the bank's chief economist said this week, in a hawkish message that sent the euro to a three-week top, hit emerging markets, and spurred demand for safe-haven bonds. Before those meetings, however, markets will have to digest fallout from the G7 summit in Quebec, where the mounting risk of a tariff war between the United States and its major trade partners will be in the spotlight. An unprecedented US-North Korea summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, with Washington seeking to pressure Pyongyang into abandoning its nuclear weapons programme, is giving investors another reason for caution. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 1.1 per cent after six straight sessions of gains took it to its highest since mid-March. It was on track for a weekly gain of more than 1 per cent. Chinese shares slipped, with the blue-chip Shangai-Shenzhen index down 1.7 per cent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng.HSI declining 1.5 per cent. Japan's Nikkei average and South Korea's KOSPI were off 0.6 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively, while Australian shares ended 0.1 per cent lower. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was on track for its third weekly loss in a row, with renewed strength in the euro also weighing. It was down 0.7 per cent. Italy's government bonds faced renewed selling pressure, as the risk aversion in world markets and unease about Rome's spending plans set yields on short-dated debt up for their biggest weekly rise since 2012. "A few things are contributing to nervousness today -- the trade issues are back on, then there is the Italy situation and we are not sure how the ECB will respond to that," said Salman Ahmed, chief investment strategist at Lombard Odier Investment Management. "And in emerging markets, there are some idiosyncratic risks (Turkey, Argentina and Brazil) which are becoming worrying." He remained "cautious" on adding risk, as "none of these issues seems to have a clear short-term resolution." The dollar rebounded 0.3 per cent from near three-week lows against a basket of currencies, helped by the strong jobless claims numbers in the US on Thursday. The dollar has come under pressure this week as the euro bounced back from 10-month lows thanks to an ebbing of political concerns over Italy as well as the possible ECB moves over its bond purchases. The dollar fell against the safe-haven Japanese yen to 109.35 but remained well below a four-month top of 111.39 touched in May. The euro inched down to $1.1763 after four straight session of gains took it to its highest level since mid-May. In commodities, copper came off from a 4-1/2-year high touched on Wednesday. Oil prices fell as surging US output and signs of weakening demand in China output outweighed support from supply woes in Venezuela and OPEC's production cuts. U.S. crude fell 0.5 per cent to $65.64 a barrel, while Brent dropped 0.5 per cent to $76.95. Spot gold slipped 0.1 per cent at $1,298.47 an ounce.

Global Stocks: Stocks slip as central bank talk, trade, weigh on risk sentiment

The United States and Chinese telecom firm ZTE reached a deal Thursday saving the company from collapse.

ZTE has been facing financial ruin since the US&nbsp;banned suppliers from trading with it.

The Chinese telecom giant was caught in the trade crossfire between the United States and China.

The US&nbsp;has reversed the ban, but with tough conditions, according to the US&nbsp;Commerce Department.

ZTE will have to pay a 1-billion-US&nbsp;-dollar fine, having already paid nearly as much for breaching a settlement for violating sanctions.

It'll also have to put up another 400 million dollars of suspended fines in escrow, and in an unprecedented move, have a US-selected monitoring team embedded in the company.

ZTE has been facing financial ruin since the US banned suppliers from trading with it

The United States and Chinese telecom firm ZTE reached a deal Thursday saving the company from collapse. ZTE has been facing financial ruin since the US banned suppliers from trading with it. The Chinese telecom giant was caught in the trade crossfire between the United States and China. The US has reversed the ban, but with tough conditions, according to the US Commerce Department. ZTE will have to pay a 1-billion-US -dollar fine, having already paid nearly as much for breaching a settlement for violating sanctions. It'll also have to put up another 400 million dollars of suspended fines in escrow, and in an unprecedented move, have a US-selected monitoring team embedded in the company.

US commerce secretary announces 1.4-billion US dollar settlement for ZTE

Despite the fact that the confirmation of the meeting between leaders of the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) came on a short notice, experts believe Singapore is well prepared for the historic event given the city-state's rich experience in security measures.

The White House has announced that U.S. President Donald Trump and top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un will meet at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa, a resort island off Singapore's southern coast, on June 12.

With Singapore's good track record in hosting major events, observers are confident that the country is able to put up good security measures for this historic meeting, even within a short period of time.

"We already have existing security infrastructure, which is good to go, meaning that whatever preparation that we are experiencing right now is going to be very little, I would say, because all the security resources, security personnel, the basic blueprints for all the different locations across Singapore are already there. All we have to do is just activate those resources," said Graham Ong-Webb, a research fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University.

In addition to the infrastructure, security experts believe Singapore is also keeping close tabs on the latest security developments.

"Not to mention the close relationship that Singapore security agencies have with security agencies in the region - we work closely with the U.S. we also work closely with all the security agencies from around the country, around the region, and we are aware of all the latest intelligence required where security is concerned," said Lim How Kiat, general manager of Singapore office of the Ademco Security Group.

In preparation for the summit, Singapore police have tightened security measures to various areas where summit activities would be held. These include having enhanced powers to search people and vehicles.

Singapore airspace will also be restricted from June 10 to 14. During this period, flight delays might be expected.

Although preparation is the key to success, it’s only the beginning of the process.

"Regardless of your maximum amount of resources you put into doing good security, there will also be some residue risks, we don't know what these are. Nevertheless, I am sure that the security panels have put a whole range of contingencies in place for whatever may happen, whether it's about undesirable weather, heavy rainstorm that affects visibility that affects the movement of people, you know, wet weather can change all sorts of things. We can't foresee these things, but what we can do is to preempt the possibilities by putting all the resources in the area so that they are good to go and can be deployed in a short moment notice if they need to be," he said.

With all these security measures in place, Singapore is doing its best to make sure that its guests have a peace of mind, to focus on making the world a more secure place.

The White House has announced that US President Donald Trump and top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un will meet at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa

Despite the fact that the confirmation of the meeting between leaders of the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) came on a short notice, experts believe Singapore is well prepared for the historic event given the city-state's rich experience in security measures. The White House has announced that U.S. President Donald Trump and top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un will meet at the Capella Hotel in Sentosa, a resort island off Singapore's southern coast, on June 12. With Singapore's good track record in hosting major events, observers are confident that the country is able to put up good security measures for this historic meeting, even within a short period of time. "We already have existing security infrastructure, which is good to go, meaning that whatever preparation that we are experiencing right now is going to be very little, I would say, because all the security resources, security personnel, the basic blueprints for all the different locations across Singapore are already there. All we have to do is just activate those resources," said Graham Ong-Webb, a research fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University. In addition to the infrastructure, security experts believe Singapore is also keeping close tabs on the latest security developments. "Not to mention the close relationship that Singapore security agencies have with security agencies in the region - we work closely with the U.S. we also work closely with all the security agencies from around the country, around the region, and we are aware of all the latest intelligence required where security is concerned," said Lim How Kiat, general manager of Singapore office of the Ademco Security Group. In preparation for the summit, Singapore police have tightened security measures to various areas where summit activities would be held. These include having enhanced powers to search people and vehicles. Singapore airspace will also be restricted from June 10 to 14. During this period, flight delays might be expected. Although preparation is the key to success, it’s only the beginning of the process. "Regardless of your maximum amount of resources you put into doing good security, there will also be some residue risks, we don't know what these are. Nevertheless, I am sure that the security panels have put a whole range of contingencies in place for whatever may happen, whether it's about undesirable weather, heavy rainstorm that affects visibility that affects the movement of people, you know, wet weather can change all sorts of things. We can't foresee these things, but what we can do is to preempt the possibilities by putting all the resources in the area so that they are good to go and can be deployed in a short moment notice if they need to be," he said. With all these security measures in place, Singapore is doing its best to make sure that its guests have a peace of mind, to focus on making the world a more secure place.

Singapore well prepared for Trump-Kim Summit with tight security measures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Germany urges European unity in face of trade tensions with US

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

US expands China health alert amid illness reports

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

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

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

Singapore's foreign minister visits North Korea

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

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

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

Singapore to restrict airspace during US-North Korea summit

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

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

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

US plans to release American captured in Syria in September

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the need for confidentiality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How will the US stop a nuclear strike? AI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

us-1

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

us 1