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

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

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

Trump disinvites NFL champions after they disagree with him on anthem

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

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

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

US police arrest 11 men on child pornography charges

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

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

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

US Supreme Court backs Christian baker who rebuffed gay couple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supreme Court throws out immigrant teen abortion ruling

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

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

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

US should stop detaining migrants, separating children: UN

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

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

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

After 24 days out of sight, Melania Trump finally reappears

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

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

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

US appeals against ruling that Trump could not block Twitter followers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

US Commerce Secretary in China for talks to avoid trade war

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

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

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

European Union joins global battle against Trump tariff onslaught

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

The US energy watchdog found the proposals neither justified nor reasonable

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

Trump readies new plan to aid coal and nuclear power

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

US isolated at G7 meeting as tariffs prompt retaliation

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

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

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

US vetoes UN resolution on protecting Palestinians

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

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

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

North Korean leader Kim sends letter to Trump

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

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

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

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

The US says it will veto an Arab-backed resolution that asks the UN chief to propose measures to ensure “international protection” for Palestinian civilians.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley described the text put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians."

After initially deciding to delay action on the measure, the council was expected to finally go ahead with the vote around 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), diplomats said.

Kuwait presented the draft two weeks ago, initially calling for an international protection mission for the Palestinians as protests turned violent on the Israeli-Gaza border.

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed.

The final version, however, urges "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians and requests a report from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on a possible "international protection mechanism."

"The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease its actions in self-defense, but makes no mention of Hamas' aggressive actions against Israeli security forces and civilians," Haley said in a statement.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
RT <a href="https://twitter.com/USUN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USUN</a>: Yesterday, Hamas launched 70 rockets into Israel. Who among us would accept 70 rockets launched into your country? We all know the answer to that. No one would. <a href="https://t.co/eVzmqoirvS">pic.twitter.com/eVzmqoirvS</a>
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) <a href="https://twitter.com/nikkihaley/status/1001941044445954048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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She also delivered a blunt warning to European countries and others on the council who decide to back the Kuwait text.

"Those who choose to vote in favour of this resolution will clarify their own lack of fitness to take part in any credible negotiations between the two parties," she said.

The United States circulated its own draft resolution demanding that Hamas and Islamic Jihad "cease all violent activity and provocative actions, including along the boundary fence" between Israel and Gaza.

The UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, this week warned the Security Council that Gaza was on the brink of war following a serious escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled enclave.

An exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip.

It was the worst flare-up since the 2014 war in Gaza.

Diplomats have said the Palestinians may turn to the UN General Assembly to win support for the measure if the vote fails at the Security Council as expected.

A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

A young relative of 23-year-old Palestinian Naji Ghonaim mourns during his funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2018 at least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March.

(With inputs from AFP)

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

The US says it will veto an Arab-backed resolution that asks the UN chief to propose measures to ensure “international protection” for Palestinian civilians. US Ambassador Nikki Haley described the text put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians." After initially deciding to delay action on the measure, the council was expected to finally go ahead with the vote around 7:00 pm (2300 GMT), diplomats said. Kuwait presented the draft two weeks ago, initially calling for an international protection mission for the Palestinians as protests turned violent on the Israeli-Gaza border. At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. No Israelis have been killed. The final version, however, urges "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians and requests a report from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on a possible "international protection mechanism." "The resolution calls on Israel to immediately cease its actions in self-defense, but makes no mention of Hamas' aggressive actions against Israeli security forces and civilians," Haley said in a statement. RT @USUN: Yesterday, Hamas launched 70 rockets into Israel. Who among us would accept 70 rockets launched into your country? We all know the answer to that. No one would. pic.twitter.com/eVzmqoirvS — Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) May 30, 2018 × She also delivered a blunt warning to European countries and others on the council who decide to back the Kuwait text. "Those who choose to vote in favour of this resolution will clarify their own lack of fitness to take part in any credible negotiations between the two parties," she said. The United States circulated its own draft resolution demanding that Hamas and Islamic Jihad "cease all violent activity and provocative actions, including along the boundary fence" between Israel and Gaza. The UN envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, this week warned the Security Council that Gaza was on the brink of war following a serious escalation between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Hamas-ruled enclave. An exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with strikes on 65 militant sites in the Gaza Strip. It was the worst flare-up since the 2014 war in Gaza. Diplomats have said the Palestinians may turn to the UN General Assembly to win support for the measure if the vote fails at the Security Council as expected. A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. A young relative of 23-year-old Palestinian Naji Ghonaim mourns during his funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2018 at least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the unrest since the end of March. (With inputs from AFP)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump says he may pardon Martha Stewart, former Illinois governor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Placid Singapore braces for Trump-Kim storm

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