US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will visit Beijing next week to resume talks with Chinese officials, state media said&nbsp;Friday, as the two sides seek to avoid a trade war.

Ross's&nbsp;June 2-4&nbsp;visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He,&nbsp;on Friday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Liu visited Washington last week for high-level talks that ended with the world's two biggest economies agreeing to back off slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.

Both sides have extended olive branches since the weekend, with China announcing&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;that it will cut auto import tariffs from&nbsp;July 1.

For his part, President Donald Trump said his administration could impose a new fine of as much as $1.3 billion on embattled Chinese telecom company ZTE to replace crippling sanctions imposed last month that threatened to put the firm out of business.

At the same time, Trump said he was "not satisfied" with the recent talks.

The Chinese commerce ministry denied&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;that it had set a target to cut its trade surplus with the United States, though it said Beijing would seek to increase US imports.

Chinese officials were reported to have offered to slash the country's huge surplus by $200 billion -- meeting a key Washington demand -- by ramping up imports from the United States.

That was followed&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;by President Donald Trump tweeting that China will buy "massive amounts" of additional American agriculture products.

Wilbur Ross's June 2-4 visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will visit Beijing next week to resume talks with Chinese officials, state media said Friday, as the two sides seek to avoid a trade war. Ross's June 2-4 visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He, on Friday, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Liu visited Washington last week for high-level talks that ended with the world's two biggest economies agreeing to back off slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods. Both sides have extended olive branches since the weekend, with China announcing on Tuesday that it will cut auto import tariffs from July 1. For his part, President Donald Trump said his administration could impose a new fine of as much as $1.3 billion on embattled Chinese telecom company ZTE to replace crippling sanctions imposed last month that threatened to put the firm out of business. At the same time, Trump said he was "not satisfied" with the recent talks. The Chinese commerce ministry denied on Thursday that it had set a target to cut its trade surplus with the United States, though it said Beijing would seek to increase US imports. Chinese officials were reported to have offered to slash the country's huge surplus by $200 billion -- meeting a key Washington demand -- by ramping up imports from the United States. That was followed on Monday by President Donald Trump tweeting that China will buy "massive amounts" of additional American agriculture products.

US commerce chief to hold trade talks in China next week

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said he hoped Donald Trump would return to Iran nuclear negotiations but that for now French companies would have to decide for themselves how to react to renewed US&nbspsanctions against Tehran.

The French leader said he had a duty to keep working with the US&nbsppresident, describing his relationship with Trump as strong even if there are also "issues on which we have differences".

The French leader said he had a duty to keep working with the US president, describing his relationship with Trump as strong even if there are also 'issues on which we have differences'

President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said he hoped Donald Trump would return to Iran nuclear negotiations but that for now French companies would have to decide for themselves how to react to renewed US&nbspsanctions against Tehran. The French leader said he had a duty to keep working with the US&nbsppresident, describing his relationship with Trump as strong even if there are also "issues on which we have differences".

Macron hopes Trump will return to Iran nuke talks

US&nbsp;tech companies would be forced to disclose if they allowed American adversaries, like Russia and China, to examine the inner workings of software sold to the US military under proposed legislation, Senate staff told Reuters on Thursday.&nbsp;

The bill, approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, comes after a year-long Reuters investigation found software makers allowed a Russian defence agency to hunt for vulnerabilities in software that was already deeply embedded in some of the most sensitive parts of the US&nbsp;government, including the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and intelligence agencies.

Security experts say allowing Russian authorities to conduct the reviews of internal software instructions -- known as source code -- could help Russia find vulnerabilities and more easily attack key systems that protect the United States.&nbsp;

The new source code disclosure rules were included in Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon’s spending bill, according to staffers of Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

In a statement, Shaheen said that tech companies have a duty to help protect federal software systems.&nbsp;

"This is why the Department of Defense and other federal agencies should know of any potential vulnerabilities relating to a partner company’s business practices overseas," she said. The language in the bill mandates those disclosures and "ultimately makes overdue reforms to harden the Department against cyber attacks."

Details of bill, which passed the committee 25-2, are not yet public. And the legislation still needs to be voted on by the full Senate and reconciled with a House version of the legislation before it can be signed into law by President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

If passed into law, the legislation would require companies that do business with the US&nbsp;military to disclose any source code review of the software done by adversaries, staffers for Shaheen told Reuters. If the Pentagon deems a source code review a risk, military officials and the software company would need to agree on how to contain the threat. It could, for example, involve limiting the software’s use to non-classified settings.

The details of the foreign source code reviews, and any steps the company agreed to take to reduce the risks, would be stored in a database accessible to military officials, Shaheen`s staffers said. For most products, the military notification will only apply to countries determined to be cybersecurity threats, such as Russia and China.&nbsp;

Shaheen has been a key voice on cybersecurity in Congress. The New Hampshire senator last year led successful efforts in Congress to ban all government use of software provided by Moscow-based antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab, amid allegations the company is linked to Russian intelligence. Kaspersky denies such links.

In order to sell in the Russian market, tech companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co , SAP and McAfee have allowed a Russian defence agency to scour software source code for vulnerabilities, Reuters found. In many cases, Reuters found that the software companies had not previously informed US&nbsp;agencies that Russian authorities had been allowed to conduct the source code reviews. In most cases, the US&nbsp;military does not require comparable source code reviews before it buys software, procurement experts have told Reuters.

The companies have said the source code reviews were conducted by the Russians in company-controlled facilities, where the reviewer could not copy or alter the software. McAfee announced last year that it no longer allows government source code reviews. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has said none of its current software offerings have gone through the process.&nbsp;

Details of bill, which passed the committee 25-2, are not yet public

US tech companies would be forced to disclose if they allowed American adversaries, like Russia and China, to examine the inner workings of software sold to the US military under proposed legislation, Senate staff told Reuters on Thursday. The bill, approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, comes after a year-long Reuters investigation found software makers allowed a Russian defence agency to hunt for vulnerabilities in software that was already deeply embedded in some of the most sensitive parts of the US government, including the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and intelligence agencies. Security experts say allowing Russian authorities to conduct the reviews of internal software instructions -- known as source code -- could help Russia find vulnerabilities and more easily attack key systems that protect the United States. The new source code disclosure rules were included in Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Pentagon’s spending bill, according to staffers of Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. In a statement, Shaheen said that tech companies have a duty to help protect federal software systems. "This is why the Department of Defense and other federal agencies should know of any potential vulnerabilities relating to a partner company’s business practices overseas," she said. The language in the bill mandates those disclosures and "ultimately makes overdue reforms to harden the Department against cyber attacks." Details of bill, which passed the committee 25-2, are not yet public. And the legislation still needs to be voted on by the full Senate and reconciled with a House version of the legislation before it can be signed into law by President Donald Trump. If passed into law, the legislation would require companies that do business with the US military to disclose any source code review of the software done by adversaries, staffers for Shaheen told Reuters. If the Pentagon deems a source code review a risk, military officials and the software company would need to agree on how to contain the threat. It could, for example, involve limiting the software’s use to non-classified settings. The details of the foreign source code reviews, and any steps the company agreed to take to reduce the risks, would be stored in a database accessible to military officials, Shaheen`s staffers said. For most products, the military notification will only apply to countries determined to be cybersecurity threats, such as Russia and China. Shaheen has been a key voice on cybersecurity in Congress. The New Hampshire senator last year led successful efforts in Congress to ban all government use of software provided by Moscow-based antivirus firm Kaspersky Lab, amid allegations the company is linked to Russian intelligence. Kaspersky denies such links. In order to sell in the Russian market, tech companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co , SAP and McAfee have allowed a Russian defence agency to scour software source code for vulnerabilities, Reuters found. In many cases, Reuters found that the software companies had not previously informed US agencies that Russian authorities had been allowed to conduct the source code reviews. In most cases, the US military does not require comparable source code reviews before it buys software, procurement experts have told Reuters. The companies have said the source code reviews were conducted by the Russians in company-controlled facilities, where the reviewer could not copy or alter the software. McAfee announced last year that it no longer allows government source code reviews. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has said none of its current software offerings have gone through the process.

US bill would force tech companies to disclose foreign software probes

The United States wasted billions of dollars trying to stabilize fragile parts of Afghanistan from 2001-2017 and some efforts caused more harm than good, a US government watchdog said&nbsp;Thursday.

A report by the office of the Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction found that Washington had set unrealistic expectations for itself after the US-led invasion in 2001 and massively overestimated its ability to build and reform government institutions.

"Despite some heroic efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2017, the program mostly failed," Special Inspector General John Sopko said as he presented the report in Washington.

"This happened for a number of reasons, including the establishment of a set of unrealistic expectations about what could be achieved in just a few years' time."

The report found that the military pressured aid groups to build schools and infrastructure in areas that were still being contested by the Taliban, leading to the failure of many projects.

Most of the $4.7 billion in stabilization funds were spent after 2009 when a surge in troops to Afghanistan saw large area cleared of the Taliban -- a rush of Western experts then tried to build institutions in these areas.

But the "large sums of stabilization dollars the United States devoted to Afghanistan in search of quick gains often exacerbated conflicts, enabled corruption and bolstered support for insurgents," the report states.

"Opportunities for corruption and elite capture abounded, making many of those projects far more harmful than helpful," it adds.

The SIGAR analysis found that Washington had set expectations and programs not properly tailored for Afghanistan, and noted that successes in stabilizing Afghan districts rarely lasted longer than the physical presence of coalition troops and civilians.

"Under immense pressure to quickly stabilize insecure districts, US government agencies spent far too much money, far too quickly, in a country woefully unprepared to absorb it," SIGAR noted.

'Despite some heroic efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2017, the program mostly failed,' Special Inspector General John Sopko said

The United States wasted billions of dollars trying to stabilize fragile parts of Afghanistan from 2001-2017 and some efforts caused more harm than good, a US government watchdog said Thursday. A report by the office of the Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction found that Washington had set unrealistic expectations for itself after the US-led invasion in 2001 and massively overestimated its ability to build and reform government institutions. "Despite some heroic efforts to stabilize insecure and contested areas in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2017, the program mostly failed," Special Inspector General John Sopko said as he presented the report in Washington. "This happened for a number of reasons, including the establishment of a set of unrealistic expectations about what could be achieved in just a few years' time." The report found that the military pressured aid groups to build schools and infrastructure in areas that were still being contested by the Taliban, leading to the failure of many projects. Most of the $4.7 billion in stabilization funds were spent after 2009 when a surge in troops to Afghanistan saw large area cleared of the Taliban -- a rush of Western experts then tried to build institutions in these areas. But the "large sums of stabilization dollars the United States devoted to Afghanistan in search of quick gains often exacerbated conflicts, enabled corruption and bolstered support for insurgents," the report states. "Opportunities for corruption and elite capture abounded, making many of those projects far more harmful than helpful," it adds. The SIGAR analysis found that Washington had set expectations and programs not properly tailored for Afghanistan, and noted that successes in stabilizing Afghan districts rarely lasted longer than the physical presence of coalition troops and civilians. "Under immense pressure to quickly stabilize insecure districts, US government agencies spent far too much money, far too quickly, in a country woefully unprepared to absorb it," SIGAR noted.

US wasted billions in failed Afghan stabilization efforts: Official

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting.

White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US&nbspofficials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit.

The US&nbspdelegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea."

But he added: "We'll see."

Also read:&nbsp<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">We will not 'beg'&nbspfor </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">summit</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">, says North Korea</a>

Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US&nbspand North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation.

Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction.

Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months.

Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away.

It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program.

The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest U.S.-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington was "entirely" up to the United States.

"We will neither beg the U.S. for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday.

Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim that North Korea reconsider the summit if the United States offended the North's good will.

If the summit is called off or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency.

'BAD DEAL IS NOT AN OPTION'

Pompeo insisted the Trump administration was "clear-eyed" about North Korea, which has a history of making promises in negotiations and then backtracking.

"A bad deal is not an option," Pompeo said in his written opening statement for a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. "If the right deal is not on the table, we will respectfully walk away."

Pompeo, who was director of the CIA before becoming secretary of state in April after Trump fired Rex Tillerson, is the highest-ranking Trump administration to meet Kim. On his most recent trip he brought back three Americans who had been held by North Korea.

Pompeo said a US-led sanctions pressure campaign would not be eased until North Korea gives up nuclear weapons. “We have made zero concessions to Chairman Kim and have no intention to do so,” he said.

"Our posture will not change until we see credible steps taken toward the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," he said.

Meeting Wang later in the day, Pompeo said the United States expects all countries, including China - North Korea's main trading partner and ally - to "meet their obligations" to enforce sanctions on Pyongyang.

Trump suggested on Tuesday that Kim's recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping had influenced Kim to harden his stance ahead of the summit. China's foreign ministry said, however, that Beijing had played a positive role on the Korean peninsula.

Also on Wednesday, a United Nations Security Council committee approved travel by North Korean officials to Singapore for the summit, diplomats said. Singapore had asked the U.N. sanctions panel for a blanket waiver for the North Koreans' participation.

'It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea,' Trump said. But he added: 'We'll see'

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting. White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US&nbspofficials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit. The US&nbspdelegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal. Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea." But he added: "We'll see." Also read: We will not 'beg'&nbspfor summit, says North Korea Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US&nbspand North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation. Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction. Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months. Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away. It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program. The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest U.S.-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment." North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington was "entirely" up to the United States. "We will neither beg the U.S. for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday. Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim that North Korea reconsider the summit if the United States offended the North's good will. If the summit is called off or fails, it would be a major blow to what Trump supporters hope will be the biggest diplomatic achievement of his presidency. 'BAD DEAL IS NOT AN OPTION' Pompeo insisted the Trump administration was "clear-eyed" about North Korea, which has a history of making promises in negotiations and then backtracking. "A bad deal is not an option," Pompeo said in his written opening statement for a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. "If the right deal is not on the table, we will respectfully walk away." Pompeo, who was director of the CIA before becoming secretary of state in April after Trump fired Rex Tillerson, is the highest-ranking Trump administration to meet Kim. On his most recent trip he brought back three Americans who had been held by North Korea. Pompeo said a US-led sanctions pressure campaign would not be eased until North Korea gives up nuclear weapons. “We have made zero concessions to Chairman Kim and have no intention to do so,” he said. "Our posture will not change until we see credible steps taken toward the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," he said. Meeting Wang later in the day, Pompeo said the United States expects all countries, including China - North Korea's main trading partner and ally - to "meet their obligations" to enforce sanctions on Pyongyang. Trump suggested on Tuesday that Kim's recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping had influenced Kim to harden his stance ahead of the summit. China's foreign ministry said, however, that Beijing had played a positive role on the Korean peninsula. Also on Wednesday, a United Nations Security Council committee approved travel by North Korean officials to Singapore for the summit, diplomats said. Singapore had asked the U.N. sanctions panel for a blanket waiver for the North Koreans' participation.

Trump says will know next week if North Korea summit to go ahead

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">Kim-Trump summit 'entirely' up to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-trump-summit-entirely-up-to-us-we-will-not-beg-north-korea-139284">, we will not beg: North Korea</a>

North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington is "entirely" up to the United States and condemned a media interview by US Vice President Mike Pence in which he compared the North to Libya.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/anti-sterlite-protests-police-chief-district-collector-transferred-amid-fresh-clashes-139280">Anti-Sterlite protests: Internet suspended, top cop, DC transferred</a>

Internet services in Tuticorin have been temporarily suspended from 9 pm on Wednesday until further instruction by the administration.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/petrol-diesel-prices-continue-to-soar-hit-new-high-in-last-four-days-139288">Petrol, diesel prices continue to soar, hit another new high</a>

Petrol prices were recorded at Rs 77.47/litre in Delhi on Thursday morning while for Mumbai it stood at Rs 85.29/litre. In Delhi, the price of diesel was registered at Rs 68.53/litre and at Rs 72.96/litre for Mumbai.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-pakistan-violates-ceasefire-fires-automatic-weapons-and-mortars-along-loc-in-baramulla-district-139281">Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Baramulla district</a>

According to reports, Pakistan violated ceasefire early Thursday morning along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kamal Koot area of Uri sector in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla District.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/heavy-floods-landslides-in-sri-lanka-at-least-9-killed-139219">Heavy floods, landslides in Sri Lanka at least 9 killed</a>

Heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least nine people as the monsoon season kicked off in the emerald country. Reports said at least 38,000 people have been affected by the rains and storms which have lashed central and south Sri Lanka.

Kim-Trump summit 'entirely' up to US, we will not beg: North Korea North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington is "entirely" up to the United States and condemned a media interview by US Vice President Mike Pence in which he compared the North to Libya. Anti-Sterlite protests: Internet suspended, top cop, DC transferred Internet services in Tuticorin have been temporarily suspended from 9 pm on Wednesday until further instruction by the administration. Petrol, diesel prices continue to soar, hit another new high Petrol prices were recorded at Rs 77.47/litre in Delhi on Thursday morning while for Mumbai it stood at Rs 85.29/litre. In Delhi, the price of diesel was registered at Rs 68.53/litre and at Rs 72.96/litre for Mumbai. Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Baramulla district According to reports, Pakistan violated ceasefire early Thursday morning along the Line of Control (LOC) in Kamal Koot area of Uri sector in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla District. Heavy floods, landslides in Sri Lanka at least 9 killed Heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have killed at least nine people as the monsoon season kicked off in the emerald country. Reports said at least 38,000 people have been affected by the rains and storms which have lashed central and south Sri Lanka.

News brief: Big stories of the day

President Donald Trump on Thursday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-cancels-summit-with-north-korean-leader-kim-139490">cancelled the June 12 summit talks with North Korean President</a> Kim Jong Un.

In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant".&nbsp;

The development comes even as North Korea dismantled its nuclear site at Punggye-ri.

Here is the full text of the letter by President Trump.

Dear Mr Chairman:

We greatly appreciate your time, patience and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.

Sincerely yours,

Donald J. Trump

President of the United States of America

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Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim Jung Un. <a href="https://t.co/qEoi9ymUEz">pic.twitter.com/qEoi9ymUEz</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/999667181083295744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was 'totally irrelevant'

President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled the June 12 summit talks with North Korean President Kim Jong Un. In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant". The development comes even as North Korea dismantled its nuclear site at Punggye-ri. Here is the full text of the letter by President Trump. Dear Mr Chairman: We greatly appreciate your time, patience and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used. I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated. If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history. Sincerely yours, Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim Jung Un. pic.twitter.com/qEoi9ymUEz — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2018 ×

Read letter from President Trump to Kim Jong Un cancelling Singapore summit

North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington is "entirely" up to the United States and condemned a media interview by US Vice President Mike Pence in which he compared the North to Libya.

"We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday.

Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim Jong-un that North Korea reconsider the summit, set for June 12 in Singapore, if the United States offends the North's good will.&nbsp

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting.

White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit.

The US delegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea."

But he added: "We'll see."

Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US and North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation.

Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction.

Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months.

Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away.

It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program.

The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

'We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us,' North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister said

North Korea's vice foreign minister said the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington is "entirely" up to the United States and condemned a media interview by US Vice President Mike Pence in which he compared the North to Libya. "We will neither beg the US for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us," said Choe Son Hui, according to a report by North Korea's central news agency on Thursday. Choe said she could suggest to leader Kim Jong-un that North Korea reconsider the summit, set for June 12 in Singapore, if the United States offends the North's good will. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would know next week whether his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would take place on June 12 in Singapore as scheduled, casting further doubt on plans for the unprecedented meeting. White House aides are preparing to travel to Singapore this weekend for a crucial meeting with North Korean officials to discuss the agenda and logistics for the summit, US officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Visiting Washington, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that if the United States seeks peace with North Korea and wants to make history, "now is the time" for the two countries' leaders to hold their first-ever summit. The US delegation, which includes White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin and deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel, was being dispatched after Trump said on Tuesday there was a "substantial chance" the summit would be called off amid concerns Pyongyang is not prepared to give up its nuclear arsenal. Asked on Wednesday whether the summit would go ahead, Trump told reporters: "It could very well happen. Whatever it is, we'll know next week about Singapore. And if we go, I think it will be a great thing for North Korea." But he added: "We'll see." Trump did not say, however, whether the preparatory talks between US and North Korean officials in coming days were expected to clarify the situation. Pompeo said on Wednesday the United States is prepared to walk away from nuclear negotiations with North Korea if the summit heads in the wrong direction. Pompeo said he was "very hopeful" the summit would take place but said the decision was ultimately up to Kim, who the secretary of state has met twice in less than two months. Trump raised doubts about the summit in talks on Tuesday with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who came to Washington to urge Trump not to let a rare opportunity with reclusive North Korea slip away. It was unclear whether Trump was truly backing away from the summit or whether he was strategically coaxing North Korea to the table after decades of tension on the Korean peninsula and antagonism with Washington over its nuclear weapons program. The White House was caught off guard when, in a dramatic change of tone, North Korea last week condemned the latest US-South Korean air combat drills, suspended North-South talks and threatened to scrap the summit if Pyongyang was pushed toward "unilateral nuclear abandonment."

Kim-Trump summit 'entirely' up to US, we will not beg: North Korea

&nbsp;China has found no clues to explain what happened to an American citizen working at a US&nbsp;consulate who reported suffering from " l" sounds and pressure leading to a mild brain injury, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

The US&nbsp;embassy, which issued a health alert on Wednesday to Americans living in China, said it could not link the case to health problems suffered by US&nbsp;government staff in Cuba dating back to late 2016.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China has always safeguarded the security of foreign organisations and personnel of foreign countries, including the United States, according to the Vienna convention.

"China has already conducted an earnest investigation and we have also given initial feedback to the US&nbsp;side," Lu told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

"Currently, we have not found any reasons or clues leading to the situation described by the United States," he said.

In Washington on Wednesday, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was concerned about the "serious medical incident" and raised it with China's visiting State Councillor Wang Yi.

The unnamed US&nbsp;citizen assigned to the consulate in the southern city of Guangzhou had reported various "physical symptoms" dating from late 2017 to April this year, the U.S. embassy in Beijing said in an email.

The worker was sent to the United States for further evaluation.

"The clinical findings of this evaluation matched mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)," the embassy said.

The State Department will send a medical team to Guangzhou early next week to conduct baseline medical evaluations of all consulate employees who request it, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

China's nationalistic state-run Global Times tabloid said in a commentary late on Wednesday that it was "very inappropriate" that the United States issued a public health alert despite only having a "vague understanding" of the situation.

It said it was "inconceivable" that China would carry out targeted attacks on the health of foreign diplomats.

"We firmly believe that there is not much possibility of any 'background' to the American consulate official's 'brain injury'," it said.

The U.S. government in October expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from the United States for what it said was Cuba's failure to protect staff at the US&nbsp;embassy in Havana from mysterious health incidents at one point thought to possibly have been acoustic "attacks".

The staff there reported symptoms including hearing loss, dizziness, fatigue and cognitive issues, though Cuban officials dismissed the idea of acoustic strikes as "science fiction" and accused Washington of slander.

The cause of those incidents remains unresolved.

The Canadian government in April said it would remove families of diplomats posted to Cuba after Canadian personnel there in 2017 also reported similar health symptoms.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China has always safeguarded the security of foreign organisations and personnel of foreign countries

China has found no clues to explain what happened to an American citizen working at a US consulate who reported suffering from " l" sounds and pressure leading to a mild brain injury, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday. The US embassy, which issued a health alert on Wednesday to Americans living in China, said it could not link the case to health problems suffered by US government staff in Cuba dating back to late 2016. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China has always safeguarded the security of foreign organisations and personnel of foreign countries, including the United States, according to the Vienna convention. "China has already conducted an earnest investigation and we have also given initial feedback to the US side," Lu told a daily news briefing in Beijing. "Currently, we have not found any reasons or clues leading to the situation described by the United States," he said. In Washington on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was concerned about the "serious medical incident" and raised it with China's visiting State Councillor Wang Yi. The unnamed US citizen assigned to the consulate in the southern city of Guangzhou had reported various "physical symptoms" dating from late 2017 to April this year, the U.S. embassy in Beijing said in an email. The worker was sent to the United States for further evaluation. "The clinical findings of this evaluation matched mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)," the embassy said. The State Department will send a medical team to Guangzhou early next week to conduct baseline medical evaluations of all consulate employees who request it, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. China's nationalistic state-run Global Times tabloid said in a commentary late on Wednesday that it was "very inappropriate" that the United States issued a public health alert despite only having a "vague understanding" of the situation. It said it was "inconceivable" that China would carry out targeted attacks on the health of foreign diplomats. "We firmly believe that there is not much possibility of any 'background' to the American consulate official's 'brain injury'," it said. The U.S. government in October expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from the United States for what it said was Cuba's failure to protect staff at the US embassy in Havana from mysterious health incidents at one point thought to possibly have been acoustic "attacks". The staff there reported symptoms including hearing loss, dizziness, fatigue and cognitive issues, though Cuban officials dismissed the idea of acoustic strikes as "science fiction" and accused Washington of slander. The cause of those incidents remains unresolved. The Canadian government in April said it would remove families of diplomats posted to Cuba after Canadian personnel there in 2017 also reported similar health symptoms.

Not found any clue on 'abnormal sound' described by US: China

China expects that the summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States will go smoothly with positive outcomes, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The North Korea–United States summit is a planned future meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States set to take place on June 12, 2018 in Singapore.

"We have always been encouraging and supporting the U.S. and the DPRK to accumulate mutual trust through direct dialogue, so as to advance denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through political means," spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing.

Lu's comment came after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted that his scheduled meeting with the top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, originally set to be held on June 12, may be delayed.

"We hope that all the relevant sides, particularly the DPRK and the U.S., will seize the opportunity, meet each other halfway, suppress interference and address each others' concerns in a balanced way," Lu said. "We still expect that DPRK-US summit will go smoothly and achieve positive outcomes."

Lu's comment came after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted that his scheduled meeting with the top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, originally set to be held on June 12, may be delayed.

China expects that the summit between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States will go smoothly with positive outcomes, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. The North Korea–United States summit is a planned future meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States set to take place on June 12, 2018 in Singapore. "We have always been encouraging and supporting the U.S. and the DPRK to accumulate mutual trust through direct dialogue, so as to advance denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through political means," spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing. Lu's comment came after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hinted that his scheduled meeting with the top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, originally set to be held on June 12, may be delayed. "We hope that all the relevant sides, particularly the DPRK and the U.S., will seize the opportunity, meet each other halfway, suppress interference and address each others' concerns in a balanced way," Lu said. "We still expect that DPRK-US summit will go smoothly and achieve positive outcomes."

China expects smooth North Korea-US summit in June

The Trump administration supports India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region, a top US official said today.

Speaking to PTI, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said the ties between the US and India had never been stronger or better.&nbsp;

She was responding to questions on the status of India-US relationship amidst recent trade disputes between the two countries and New Delhi being caught in the crossfire of American sanctions against Russia and Iran.

US President Donald Trump has signed a law, 'The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act', CAATSA, imposing sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The Section 231 of the CAATSA mandates secondary sanctions on those who conduct significant transactions with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors.

"The US-India partnership is rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based order," Nauert said.&nbsp;

"We support India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in our efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity," she said.

According to a second State Department spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis were looking forward to hosting their counterparts for the first 'India-US 2+2 Dialogue' this year in Washington.&nbsp;

Dates of the dialogue are yet to be announced. It was initially scheduled for mid-April but was postponed after Trump fired Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State.&nbsp;

The Indian delegation would be led by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"This engagement will support our efforts to increase diplomatic, security, and military cooperation with India to confront our most pressing global challenges, from Afghanistan and North Korea to the threat of terrorism," the second State Department Spokesperson told PTI.

"We are also focused on strengthening our economic ties, including increasing two-way trade, which has more than doubled over the last decade to roughly USD 115 billion in 2016," the official said.

The official said the Trump administration was trying to ensure that bilateral trade was "fair and reciprocal" and that US&nbsp;Companies have a level playing field in India.

"The strong people-to-people ties between our countries and our common values are a tremendous source of strength for our partnership," the spokesperson said, a day after BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav held series of talks with senior officials of the Trump Administration.&nbsp;

Prominent among them were, Brian Hook, Director of Policy Planning at the State Department, Lisa Curtis, who heads the South Asia in the National Security Council of the White House and Alice Wells senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau.

Later, Madhav had told a gathering of Indian-Americans here that the India-US relationship was scaling new heights as strategic partners under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said the ties between the US and India had never been stronger or better

The Trump administration supports India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region, a top US official said today. Speaking to PTI, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said the ties between the US and India had never been stronger or better. She was responding to questions on the status of India-US relationship amidst recent trade disputes between the two countries and New Delhi being caught in the crossfire of American sanctions against Russia and Iran. US President Donald Trump has signed a law, 'The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act', CAATSA, imposing sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The Section 231 of the CAATSA mandates secondary sanctions on those who conduct significant transactions with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors. "The US-India partnership is rooted in shared democratic values and a commitment to a rules-based order," Nauert said. "We support India's emergence as a leading global power and as a key partner in our efforts to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity," she said. According to a second State Department spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis were looking forward to hosting their counterparts for the first 'India-US 2+2 Dialogue' this year in Washington. Dates of the dialogue are yet to be announced. It was initially scheduled for mid-April but was postponed after Trump fired Rex Tillerson as the Secretary of State. The Indian delegation would be led by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "This engagement will support our efforts to increase diplomatic, security, and military cooperation with India to confront our most pressing global challenges, from Afghanistan and North Korea to the threat of terrorism," the second State Department Spokesperson told PTI. "We are also focused on strengthening our economic ties, including increasing two-way trade, which has more than doubled over the last decade to roughly USD 115 billion in 2016," the official said. The official said the Trump administration was trying to ensure that bilateral trade was "fair and reciprocal" and that US Companies have a level playing field in India. "The strong people-to-people ties between our countries and our common values are a tremendous source of strength for our partnership," the spokesperson said, a day after BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav held series of talks with senior officials of the Trump Administration. Prominent among them were, Brian Hook, Director of Policy Planning at the State Department, Lisa Curtis, who heads the South Asia in the National Security Council of the White House and Alice Wells senior State Department official in its South and Central Asia Bureau. Later, Madhav had told a gathering of Indian-Americans here that the India-US relationship was scaling new heights as strategic partners under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

US supports India's emergence as a leading global power: Heather Nauert

The Trump administration is likely to lift an order banning US companies from selling components and software to China's ZTE Corp.

According to the Wall Street Journal, ZTE will have to initiate significant changes to its management and board as part of the agreement.

US President Donald Trump, on May 14, defended his decision to offer an olive branch to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE. The Trump administration had previously banned from purchasing US components or acquiring American companies.

Following series of complaints from China, Trump has asked his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to look into the issue.&nbsp

"ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from US companies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi," Trump said on last Monday.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp

US President Donald Trump, on May 14, defended his decision to offer an olive branch to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE

The Trump administration is likely to lift an order banning US companies from selling components and software to China's ZTE Corp. According to the Wall Street Journal, ZTE will have to initiate significant changes to its management and board as part of the agreement. US President Donald Trump, on May 14, defended his decision to offer an olive branch to Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE. The Trump administration had previously banned from purchasing US components or acquiring American companies. Following series of complaints from China, Trump has asked his Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to look into the issue. "ZTE, the large Chinese phone company, buys a big percentage of individual parts from US companies. This is also reflective of the larger trade deal we are negotiating with China and my personal relationship with President Xi," Trump said on last Monday. (With inputs from Reuters)

US will lift sales ban against China's ZTE: Report

Lawmakers in the US are having discussions on the potential impact of a new law under which any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia would attract American sanctions, an influential US senator said today.

Senator Tim Kaine, who is on the both Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, said sanctions like Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act (CAATSA) would drive friends and allies away and give adversaries a chance to come together.

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia.

"We worry about it (CAATSA) will drive our allies away and also we give adversaries reasons to come together," Kaine told PTI.&nbsp

Kaine said both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are working to bring in the necessary reform in CAATSA.&nbsp

"We are starting to talk about CAATSA reforms both in the armed services and the foreign relations committees,? he said, but quickly added that ?it is premature? to say what will happen.&nbsp

"But we're having the discussion about the application of CAATSA now and how it would punish potentially punish allies of ours," Kaine said.

Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi having informal summits with the presidents of China and Russia, he said it "does not worry" him.&nbsp

"Of course, they are going to talk to great nations that are in their neighbourhood. Of course, they will," he said.&nbsp

"I continue to believe this administration understands how important the US India relationship is. I don't mind criticising President Trump. But on US-India relationship, I do know that they view it as very important," Kaine said.

"They understand the importance of the relationship. I mean, they definitely do," said the Senator from Virginia, who was vice presidential nominee of the Democratic party in the 2016 presidential elections.&nbsp

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia

Lawmakers in the US are having discussions on the potential impact of a new law under which any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia would attract American sanctions, an influential US senator said today. Senator Tim Kaine, who is on the both Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, said sanctions like Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act (CAATSA) would drive friends and allies away and give adversaries a chance to come together. Signed into law by President Donald Trump in August 2017, the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanction Act or CCTSA imposes sanctions on a country or utility for any significant purchase of military equipment from Russia. "We worry about it (CAATSA) will drive our allies away and also we give adversaries reasons to come together," Kaine told PTI. Kaine said both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are working to bring in the necessary reform in CAATSA. "We are starting to talk about CAATSA reforms both in the armed services and the foreign relations committees,? he said, but quickly added that ?it is premature? to say what will happen. "But we're having the discussion about the application of CAATSA now and how it would punish potentially punish allies of ours," Kaine said. Responding to a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi having informal summits with the presidents of China and Russia, he said it "does not worry" him. "Of course, they are going to talk to great nations that are in their neighbourhood. Of course, they will," he said. "I continue to believe this administration understands how important the US India relationship is. I don't mind criticising President Trump. But on US-India relationship, I do know that they view it as very important," Kaine said. "They understand the importance of the relationship. I mean, they definitely do," said the Senator from Virginia, who was vice presidential nominee of the Democratic party in the 2016 presidential elections.

Lawmakers discuss about impact of CAATSA on allies: US Senator

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have signed a multi-year agreement with video streaming giant Netflix Inc to produce films and series.

Netflix posted on its official Twitter account confirming the same adding that the agreement with the Obamas potentially includes "scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," under the name Higher Ground Productions.

"President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," read the tweet.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features.
— Netflix US (@netflix) <a href="https://twitter.com/netflix/status/998594451378397185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to Reuters, the deal suggests a wider post-White House public role for the Obamas than is typical.

Netflix currently enjoys close to 125 million subscribers worldwide, the collaboration will give the Obamas a voice outside of the traditional public speaking, books and charity work that recent ex-presidents have relied on.

"One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience," Barack Obama said in a statement.

"That's why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix - we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world," he added.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

'President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features' Netflix said

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama have signed a multi-year agreement with video streaming giant Netflix Inc to produce films and series. Netflix posted on its official Twitter account confirming the same adding that the agreement with the Obamas potentially includes "scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," under the name Higher Ground Productions. "President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features," read the tweet. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have entered into a multi-year agreement to produce films and series for Netflix, potentially including scripted series, unscripted series, docu-series, documentaries, and features. — Netflix US (@netflix) May 21, 2018 × According to Reuters, the deal suggests a wider post-White House public role for the Obamas than is typical. Netflix currently enjoys close to 125 million subscribers worldwide, the collaboration will give the Obamas a voice outside of the traditional public speaking, books and charity work that recent ex-presidents have relied on. "One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience," Barack Obama said in a statement. "That's why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix - we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world," he added. (With inputs from Reuters)

Barack and Michelle Obama to produce movies, series with Netflix

The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran.

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran.

Weeks after President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran, his administration threatened to impose "the strongest sanctions in history," and vowed to "crush" Iranian operatives abroad, setting Washington and Tehran further on a course of confrontation.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded sweeping changes that would force Iran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

The speech added to the tension between the two countries, which grew notably when Trump this month withdrew from the 2015 international agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

If Washington sees tangible shifts in Iran's policies, it is prepared to lift sanctions, Pompeo said.

"The sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen for itself and the people of Iran," Pompeo said in his first major speech since becoming secretary of state.

"These will be the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are done," he added.

The European Union largely dismissed Pompeo's speech and said it remained committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal.

Pompeo took aim at Iran's policy of expansion in the Middle East through support for armed groups in countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

He warned that the United States would "crush" Iranian operatives and proxies abroad and told Tehran to pull out forces under its command from the Syrian civil war where they have helped President Bashar al-Assad gain the upper hand.

Iran's president summarily dismissed Pompeo's demands.

"Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?," the semi-official ILNA news agency quoted Hassan Rouhani as saying.

"The world today does not accept America to decide for the world, as countries are independent ... that era is over ... We will continue our path with the support of our nation."

A senior Iranian official said Pompeo's remarks showed that the United States was pushing for "regime change," a charged phrase often associated with the US&nbsp;invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein.

Pompeo warned that if Iran fully resumed its nuclear program Washington would be ready to respond and said the administration would hold companies doing prohibited business in Iran to account.

"Our demands on Iran are not unreasonable: give up your program," Pompeo said, "Should they choose to go back, should they begin to enrich, we are fully prepared to respond to that as well," he said, declining to elaborate.

Pompeo said Washington would work with the Defense Department and allies to counter Iran in the cyberspace and maritime areas.

The Pentagon said it would take all necessary steps to confront Iranian behavior in the region and was assessing whether that could include new actions or doubling down on current ones.

Pompeo will have an uphill battle convincing European allies to sign on to the administration's "Plan B" on Iran after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Secretary Pompeo’s speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran’s conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA. There is no alternative to the JCPOA," the EU said in a statement.

Naming names

Pompeo said if Iran made major changes, the United States was prepared to ease sanctions, re-establish full diplomatic and commercial relations and support the country's re-integration into the international economic system.

Any new US&nbsp;sanctions will raise the cost of trade for Iran and are expected to further deter Western companies from investing there, giving hardliners, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an opportunity to cement their grip on power.

Iran's ruling elite are mindful of recent protests sparked by economic hardship, which is, in part, their calculation for working with the Europeans on ways to salvage the nuclear deal.

Pompeo's speech did not explicitly call for regime change but he repeatedly urged the Iranian people not to put up with their leaders, specifically naming Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

"At the end of the day the Iranian people will get to make a choice about their leadership," Pompeo said.

Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of the Brooking Institution think tank's foreign policy program, said Pompeo's speech did indeed amount to a strategy of regime change.

"There is only one way to read it and that is that Trump administration has wedded itself to a regime-change strategy to Iran, one that is likely to alienate our allies. One with dubious prospects for success," she said.

The administration's approach "explicitly puts the onus on the Iranian people to change their leadership or face cataclysmic financial pressure," said Maloney who has advised the State Department on Iran in the Bush administration between 2005-2007.

Lebanese analyst Ghaleb Kandil, who has close ties to the pro-Iran Hezbollah group, said Washington's demands have previously not worked.

"These are conditions that were tested in previous phases of American pressures, before the nuclear deal, when Iran was in more difficult circumstances than it is in these days, and it did not surrender to these conditions or accept them," said Kandil.

Pompeo outlined 12 US&nbsp;demands for Iran including to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor.

It also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work, he said.

Pompeo's demand that Tehran stop uranium enrichment goes even further than the nuclear deal. Iran says its nuclear work has medical uses and will produce energy to meet domestic demand and complement its oil reserves.

Washington's regional allies, the Gulf Arabs and Israel, who were strong critics of the deal, praised the administration's position on Monday.

European parties to the nuclear deal - France, Britain and Germany - are working to find a way to keep the nuclear pact in effect after Washington's exit.

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking 'regime change' in Iran

The United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes -- from dropping its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war -- or face severe economic sanctions as the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran. Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran. Weeks after President Donald Trump pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran, his administration threatened to impose "the strongest sanctions in history," and vowed to "crush" Iranian operatives abroad, setting Washington and Tehran further on a course of confrontation. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded sweeping changes that would force Iran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The speech added to the tension between the two countries, which grew notably when Trump this month withdrew from the 2015 international agreement aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. If Washington sees tangible shifts in Iran's policies, it is prepared to lift sanctions, Pompeo said. "The sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course from the unacceptable and unproductive path it has chosen for itself and the people of Iran," Pompeo said in his first major speech since becoming secretary of state. "These will be the strongest sanctions in history by the time we are done," he added. The European Union largely dismissed Pompeo's speech and said it remained committed to the full implementation of the nuclear deal. Pompeo took aim at Iran's policy of expansion in the Middle East through support for armed groups in countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. He warned that the United States would "crush" Iranian operatives and proxies abroad and told Tehran to pull out forces under its command from the Syrian civil war where they have helped President Bashar al-Assad gain the upper hand. Iran's president summarily dismissed Pompeo's demands. "Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?," the semi-official ILNA news agency quoted Hassan Rouhani as saying. "The world today does not accept America to decide for the world, as countries are independent ... that era is over ... We will continue our path with the support of our nation." A senior Iranian official said Pompeo's remarks showed that the United States was pushing for "regime change," a charged phrase often associated with the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein. Pompeo warned that if Iran fully resumed its nuclear program Washington would be ready to respond and said the administration would hold companies doing prohibited business in Iran to account. "Our demands on Iran are not unreasonable: give up your program," Pompeo said, "Should they choose to go back, should they begin to enrich, we are fully prepared to respond to that as well," he said, declining to elaborate. Pompeo said Washington would work with the Defense Department and allies to counter Iran in the cyberspace and maritime areas. The Pentagon said it would take all necessary steps to confront Iranian behavior in the region and was assessing whether that could include new actions or doubling down on current ones. Pompeo will have an uphill battle convincing European allies to sign on to the administration's "Plan B" on Iran after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Secretary Pompeo’s speech has not demonstrated how walking away from the JCPOA has made or will make the region safer from the threat of nuclear proliferation or how it puts us in a better position to influence Iran’s conduct in areas outside the scope of JCPOA. There is no alternative to the JCPOA," the EU said in a statement. Naming names Pompeo said if Iran made major changes, the United States was prepared to ease sanctions, re-establish full diplomatic and commercial relations and support the country's re-integration into the international economic system. Any new US sanctions will raise the cost of trade for Iran and are expected to further deter Western companies from investing there, giving hardliners, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an opportunity to cement their grip on power. Iran's ruling elite are mindful of recent protests sparked by economic hardship, which is, in part, their calculation for working with the Europeans on ways to salvage the nuclear deal. Pompeo's speech did not explicitly call for regime change but he repeatedly urged the Iranian people not to put up with their leaders, specifically naming Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. "At the end of the day the Iranian people will get to make a choice about their leadership," Pompeo said. Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of the Brooking Institution think tank's foreign policy program, said Pompeo's speech did indeed amount to a strategy of regime change. "There is only one way to read it and that is that Trump administration has wedded itself to a regime-change strategy to Iran, one that is likely to alienate our allies. One with dubious prospects for success," she said. The administration's approach "explicitly puts the onus on the Iranian people to change their leadership or face cataclysmic financial pressure," said Maloney who has advised the State Department on Iran in the Bush administration between 2005-2007. Lebanese analyst Ghaleb Kandil, who has close ties to the pro-Iran Hezbollah group, said Washington's demands have previously not worked. "These are conditions that were tested in previous phases of American pressures, before the nuclear deal, when Iran was in more difficult circumstances than it is in these days, and it did not surrender to these conditions or accept them," said Kandil. Pompeo outlined 12 US demands for Iran including to stop uranium enrichment, never to pursue plutonium reprocessing and to close its heavy water reactor. It also had to declare all previous military dimensions of its nuclear program and to permanently and verifiably abandon such work, he said. Pompeo's demand that Tehran stop uranium enrichment goes even further than the nuclear deal. Iran says its nuclear work has medical uses and will produce energy to meet domestic demand and complement its oil reserves. Washington's regional allies, the Gulf Arabs and Israel, who were strong critics of the deal, praised the administration's position on Monday. European parties to the nuclear deal - France, Britain and Germany - are working to find a way to keep the nuclear pact in effect after Washington's exit.

US demands Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices".

"US&nbsp;diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet.

As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war.&nbsp;

Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reacted to the United States seeking sweeping changes in Tehran's foreign and nuclear policies. Zarif took to Twitter posting that the Trump administration is repeating the "the same wrong choices". "US diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions and failed policies—dictated by corrupt special interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," read Zarif's tweet. As the Trump administration hardened its approach to Tehran, the United States on Monday demanded Iran make sweeping changes or face severe economic sanctions. The changes called for included requiring Iran to drop its nuclear program to pulling out of the Syrian civil war. Iran dismissed Washington's ultimatum and one senior Iranian official said it showed the United States is seeking "regime change" in Iran. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded changes that would force Tehran effectively to reverse the recent spread of its military and political influence through the Middle East to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. (With inputs from Reuters)

US is repeating mistakes on Iran: Zarif tweets over Pompeo's sweeping demands

The US Supreme Court has agreed to take up an appeal by Indian villagers against a power plant in Gujarat, funded by US-based International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has allegedly resulted in environmental damages.

"Petition granted", the Supreme Court said on Monday. The case would come up for hearing in the next session, beginning October.

The villagers, led by Budha Ismail Jam, along with several other farmers and fishermen, allege that coal-fired Tata Mundra Power Plant has resulted in widespread environmental damages.

Washington DC-based IFC, the financing wing of the World Bank, has provided USD 450 million in financial assistance to the project.

The Supreme Court said it would decide whether the IFC enjoyed immunity under the 1945 International Organisations Immunity Act.

Jam and other petitioners knocked the door of the Supreme Court this year after lower courts dismissed their petitions arguing that the IFC enjoyed immunity, like other foreign countries, under the 1945 International Organizations Immunity Act.

In their petition, the villagers argued that the Tata Mundra Power Plant has failed to comply with international environmental standards. This has resulted in devastation of local environment.

"International organisations play an ever-increasing role in the economic landscape of this country and the world. Therefore, the question whether they are absolutely immune from any kind of lawsuit - no matter how strictly commercial their activities no matter how egregious their actions and no matter the views of the Executive Branch - has great significance," the petitioners argued.

In 2015, the applicants - Indian farmers, fishermen, a trade union of fishworkers, and a local government entity - sued the IFC in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. They brought claims for negligence, negligent supervision, public nuisance, private nuisance, trespass, and breach of contract.

The petitioners lost the case before a district court in 2016 and the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 2017. Both the courts argued that IFC enjoys immunity.

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The villagers allege the coal-fired Tata Mundra Power Plant, funded by the US-based International Finance Corporation, has caused widespread environmental damage

The US Supreme Court has agreed to take up an appeal by Indian villagers against a power plant in Gujarat, funded by US-based International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has allegedly resulted in environmental damages. "Petition granted", the Supreme Court said on Monday. The case would come up for hearing in the next session, beginning October. The villagers, led by Budha Ismail Jam, along with several other farmers and fishermen, allege that coal-fired Tata Mundra Power Plant has resulted in widespread environmental damages. Washington DC-based IFC, the financing wing of the World Bank, has provided USD 450 million in financial assistance to the project. The Supreme Court said it would decide whether the IFC enjoyed immunity under the 1945 International Organisations Immunity Act. Jam and other petitioners knocked the door of the Supreme Court this year after lower courts dismissed their petitions arguing that the IFC enjoyed immunity, like other foreign countries, under the 1945 International Organizations Immunity Act. In their petition, the villagers argued that the Tata Mundra Power Plant has failed to comply with international environmental standards. This has resulted in devastation of local environment. "International organisations play an ever-increasing role in the economic landscape of this country and the world. Therefore, the question whether they are absolutely immune from any kind of lawsuit - no matter how strictly commercial their activities no matter how egregious their actions and no matter the views of the Executive Branch - has great significance," the petitioners argued. In 2015, the applicants - Indian farmers, fishermen, a trade union of fishworkers, and a local government entity - sued the IFC in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. They brought claims for negligence, negligent supervision, public nuisance, private nuisance, trespass, and breach of contract. The petitioners lost the case before a district court in 2016 and the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 2017. Both the courts argued that IFC enjoys immunity. ×

US Supreme Court to hear appeal by Indian villagers against Gujarat power plant

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani says the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign could end by September 1.

Giuliani said the office of Robert Mueller -- the special counsel who is leading the investigation -- plans to end the investigation by then, and had shared the timeline some two weeks ago, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Fox News quoted Giuliani as saying that Mueller told Trump's legal team the investigation could be over by September 1, although the timeline was contingent upon the special counsel interviewing the president by mid-July.

Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November, Fox reported.

"You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election," Giuliani told the Times.

Former FBI director James Comey -- fired by Trump last year -- announced that the bureau would reopen an investigation into Hillary Clinton's misuse of a private email server just 11 days before the 2016 presidential vote, a move that may have helped cost her the election.

Trump, who has repeatedly described the investigation as a "witch hunt," views it as a stain on his presidency and wants it over.

His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his first national security advisor Michael Flynn and an assortment of campaign aides have all been caught in Mueller's investigation, variously pleading guilty, cutting a plea deal or fighting the case in court.

But a year after the probe began, the big questions remain unanswered: Did Trump's campaign collude with the Kremlin to skew the 2016 election? What did the president know and when did he know it? Did he obstruct justice? Can a sitting president be indicted?

Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani says the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump's campaign could end by September 1. Giuliani said the office of Robert Mueller -- the special counsel who is leading the investigation -- plans to end the investigation by then, and had shared the timeline some two weeks ago, The New York Times reported Sunday. Fox News quoted Giuliani as saying that Mueller told Trump's legal team the investigation could be over by September 1, although the timeline was contingent upon the special counsel interviewing the president by mid-July. Giuliani said he wants the investigation over by that time so it does not affect Republicans' chances in congressional mid-term elections in November, Fox reported. "You don't want another repeat of the 2016 election where you get contrary reports at the end and you don't know how it affected the election," Giuliani told the Times. Former FBI director James Comey -- fired by Trump last year -- announced that the bureau would reopen an investigation into Hillary Clinton's misuse of a private email server just 11 days before the 2016 presidential vote, a move that may have helped cost her the election. Trump, who has repeatedly described the investigation as a "witch hunt," views it as a stain on his presidency and wants it over. His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, his first national security advisor Michael Flynn and an assortment of campaign aides have all been caught in Mueller's investigation, variously pleading guilty, cutting a plea deal or fighting the case in court. But a year after the probe began, the big questions remain unanswered: Did Trump's campaign collude with the Kremlin to skew the 2016 election? What did the president know and when did he know it? Did he obstruct justice? Can a sitting president be indicted?

Russia election-meddling probe may end by September 1: Giuliani

The United States on Sunday said it hopes to use strong shared interests that have emerged with its European Union partners in recent months to move forward on addressing Iran's nuclear programme, missile development and role in regional conflicts.

A State Department official said the shared interests could form a 'foundation to continue to work together moving forward.'

Iran said on Sunday that it would join a meeting with diplomats from Britain, Germany, France, China and Russia in Vienna on Friday to discuss next steps after the May 8 decision by US&nbspPresident Donald Trump to exit the 2015 nuclear accord.

It said Washington would not participate in the meeting of the joint commission set up by the six world powers, Iran and the European Union to handle any complaints about the deal's implementation.

The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag cited an unnamed senior EU official as saying there were also discussions about a possible new pact between Iran and world powers that would cover the same ground as the 2015 deal but with some additions to appease the United States.

These could include provisions to address US&nbspconcerns over Iran's ballistic missile programme and Tehran's support of armed groups in the Middle East, the source said.

"We have to get away from the name 'Vienna nuclear agreement' and add in a few additional elements. Only that will convince President Trump to agree and lift sanctions again," the senior EU official told the paper.

Such an agreement could in the future include financial aid for Iran, the report said.

The State Department official said Washington hoped the EU would focus "on the central issue here: &nbspIran's multiple set of malign behaviors with regard to its nuclear program, missile development, terrorism, regional conflicts, and other issues."

Three EU sources who were part of negotiations to keep Trump from quitting the nuclear deal said Friday's meeting would address only the implementation of the 2015 deal, but not offer Iran financial aid in exchange for concessions.

In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi rejected reports of a proposed new agreement as "irrelevant claims", the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

"A meeting set for the next few days for the first joint commission without the United States ... will only cover issues of the nuclear accord between Iran and the other members," Qasemi said.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on state television that the "joint commission ... will be held at Iran's request, and without the United States, to discuss the consequences of America's withdrawal, and how the remaining countries can continue their commitment to the deal."

On Monday, US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo will outline a "diplomatic roadmap" and call for broad support from European and other allies to apply pressure on Iran to force it back to the negotiating table, as well as their support to address "the totality of Iran's threats".&nbsp

A State Department official said the shared interests could form a 'foundation to continue to work together moving forward'

The United States on Sunday said it hopes to use strong shared interests that have emerged with its European Union partners in recent months to move forward on addressing Iran's nuclear programme, missile development and role in regional conflicts. A State Department official said the shared interests could form a 'foundation to continue to work together moving forward.' Iran said on Sunday that it would join a meeting with diplomats from Britain, Germany, France, China and Russia in Vienna on Friday to discuss next steps after the May 8 decision by US&nbspPresident Donald Trump to exit the 2015 nuclear accord. It said Washington would not participate in the meeting of the joint commission set up by the six world powers, Iran and the European Union to handle any complaints about the deal's implementation. The German newspaper Welt am Sonntag cited an unnamed senior EU official as saying there were also discussions about a possible new pact between Iran and world powers that would cover the same ground as the 2015 deal but with some additions to appease the United States. These could include provisions to address US&nbspconcerns over Iran's ballistic missile programme and Tehran's support of armed groups in the Middle East, the source said. "We have to get away from the name 'Vienna nuclear agreement' and add in a few additional elements. Only that will convince President Trump to agree and lift sanctions again," the senior EU official told the paper. Such an agreement could in the future include financial aid for Iran, the report said. The State Department official said Washington hoped the EU would focus "on the central issue here: &nbspIran's multiple set of malign behaviors with regard to its nuclear program, missile development, terrorism, regional conflicts, and other issues." Three EU sources who were part of negotiations to keep Trump from quitting the nuclear deal said Friday's meeting would address only the implementation of the 2015 deal, but not offer Iran financial aid in exchange for concessions. In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi rejected reports of a proposed new agreement as "irrelevant claims", the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. "A meeting set for the next few days for the first joint commission without the United States ... will only cover issues of the nuclear accord between Iran and the other members," Qasemi said. Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on state television that the "joint commission ... will be held at Iran's request, and without the United States, to discuss the consequences of America's withdrawal, and how the remaining countries can continue their commitment to the deal." On Monday, US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo will outline a "diplomatic roadmap" and call for broad support from European and other allies to apply pressure on Iran to force it back to the negotiating table, as well as their support to address "the totality of Iran's threats".

US sees strong shared interests with EU on Iran concerns

The United States cares more about getting a good agreement than quickly concluding the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the US Treasury secretary said Sunday.

An informal deadline came and went this week for reaching an agreement in time for the Republican-controlled Congress to approve it before the November 6 midterm elections.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Friday there was still "wiggle room" in the legislative calendar, giving negotiators a couple more weeks.

US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, however, acknowledged that the sides, though working hard to get a deal, are still "far apart." &nbsp

"The president is more determined to have a good deal than he is worried about any deadline," Mnuchin said on "Fox News Sunday."

"Whether we pass it in this Congress or pass it in a new Congress, the president is determined that we negotiate NAFTA," he added.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the trade agreement if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached.

He blames NAFTA, which has molded trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada since 1994, for the loss of millions of US jobs and dislocations in the auto and other industries.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Mnuchin said the administration was focused on getting an agreement.

"I can tell you I've been in contact with the finance ministers in both Canada and Mexico. President Trump and (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau had a very good conversation.

"We are still far apart but we are working every day to renegotiate this agreement and that's what we are focused on," he said.

On Friday, Trudeau said he was "feeling positive" a deal would be reached, saying, "It's right down to the last conversations."

He described trade in automobiles and auto parts as the last major sticking point in the negotiations to revamp the trade agreement. The United States wants to increase the amount of American content in cars eligible to receive duty-free treatment.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the trade agreement if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached

The United States cares more about getting a good agreement than quickly concluding the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the US Treasury secretary said Sunday. An informal deadline came and went this week for reaching an agreement in time for the Republican-controlled Congress to approve it before the November 6 midterm elections. House Speaker Paul Ryan said Friday there was still "wiggle room" in the legislative calendar, giving negotiators a couple more weeks. US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, however, acknowledged that the sides, though working hard to get a deal, are still "far apart." "The president is more determined to have a good deal than he is worried about any deadline," Mnuchin said on "Fox News Sunday." "Whether we pass it in this Congress or pass it in a new Congress, the president is determined that we negotiate NAFTA," he added. Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of the trade agreement if a satisfactory deal cannot be reached. He blames NAFTA, which has molded trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada since 1994, for the loss of millions of US jobs and dislocations in the auto and other industries. Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Mnuchin said the administration was focused on getting an agreement. "I can tell you I've been in contact with the finance ministers in both Canada and Mexico. President Trump and (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau had a very good conversation. "We are still far apart but we are working every day to renegotiate this agreement and that's what we are focused on," he said. On Friday, Trudeau said he was "feeling positive" a deal would be reached, saying, "It's right down to the last conversations." He described trade in automobiles and auto parts as the last major sticking point in the negotiations to revamp the trade agreement. The United States wants to increase the amount of American content in cars eligible to receive duty-free treatment.

US looking for 'good deal' on NAFTA: Mnuchin

United States has temporarily suspended tariffs on Chinese products, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin informed. The move came after an agreement was reached to reduce the bilateral trade deficit.

In a report aired by an American news channel on Sunday Mnuchin noted, "We are putting the trade war on hold,"&nbsp

US President Donald Trump, in recent weeks, had threatened to slap tariffs on as much as $150 billion worth of Chinese imports seeking amendments in Chinese trade practices. Beijing, in response, threatened to retaliate.

A couple of days of negotiations between the US and China on Saturday in Washington saw both the countries announcing a framework agreement. In an attempt to mitigate and circumvent the risks of a trade war, China agreed to "significantly" increase its purchases of US goods and services.

According to reports, Washington made an initial demand for a $200 billion reduction by 2020 in the trade deficit.

Mnuchin further added that China and the US have agreed on "specific targets" for individual sectors.

The agreement will soon be finalised. China will now import more energy products and agricultural commodities from the US.&nbsp

China and the US agreed on "specific targets" for individual sectors

United States has temporarily suspended tariffs on Chinese products, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin informed. The move came after an agreement was reached to reduce the bilateral trade deficit. In a report aired by an American news channel on Sunday Mnuchin noted, "We are putting the trade war on hold," US President Donald Trump, in recent weeks, had threatened to slap tariffs on as much as $150 billion worth of Chinese imports seeking amendments in Chinese trade practices. Beijing, in response, threatened to retaliate. A couple of days of negotiations between the US and China on Saturday in Washington saw both the countries announcing a framework agreement. In an attempt to mitigate and circumvent the risks of a trade war, China agreed to "significantly" increase its purchases of US goods and services. According to reports, Washington made an initial demand for a $200 billion reduction by 2020 in the trade deficit. Mnuchin further added that China and the US have agreed on "specific targets" for individual sectors. The agreement will soon be finalised. China will now import more energy products and agricultural commodities from the US.

US temporarily suspends tariffs on Chinese products

The United States is actively considering oil sanctions on Venezuela and Sullivan said a response to Sunday's vote would be discussed at a G20 meeting in Buenos Aires on Monday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term in a Sunday election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator. Results are expected by late evening.

The G20 meeting, from May 20 to May 21, seeks to provide an opportunity to discuss the contributions and role of the G20 in support of multilateralism and global governance. It will also provide an opportunity to look at ways to promote fair and sustainable development and prepare for the G20 Leaders' Summit due to take place for the first time in South America from November 30 to December 1.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term in a Sunday election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator. Results are expected by late evening

The United States is actively considering oil sanctions on Venezuela and Sullivan said a response to Sunday's vote would be discussed at a G20 meeting in Buenos Aires on Monday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seeking a six-year term in a Sunday election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by foes as the "coronation" of a dictator. Results are expected by late evening. The G20 meeting, from May 20 to May 21, seeks to provide an opportunity to discuss the contributions and role of the G20 in support of multilateralism and global governance. It will also provide an opportunity to look at ways to promote fair and sustainable development and prepare for the G20 Leaders' Summit due to take place for the first time in South America from November 30 to December 1.

US will not recognise Venezuela election result: State Department

US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues.

Trump has described the infiltration allegations as being potentially "bigger than Watergate", but Democrats say he is attempting to undermine the year-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign, headed by special counsel Robert Mueller.

"I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!" Trump tweeted.

Trump's angry order came amid building pressure from the year-old Russia meddling investigation, and as US media reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigations sent a Britain-based American professor to speak separately with Trump campaign advisers in 2016.

A New York Times report described the professor as "an informant," saying the federal agency was looking into evidence that Carter Page and George Papadopoulos had suspicious contacts with Russia.

The Washington Post called him "a longtime US intelligence source," and said he met with a third campaign adviser -- Sam Clovis -- as well as Page and Papadopoulos.

Trump and his supporters have cast the man as a mole possibly sent by the Obama administration to burrow into his campaign.

The Justice Department tasked its internal watchdog with looking into the issues raised by Trump.

But it paired that inquiry with an existing "review" of the application process for FISA national security warrants, which Republicans allege was abused in connection with the surveillance of Page.

Expanding an 'ongoing review'

"The department has asked the inspector general to expand the ongoing review of the FISA application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election," spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement.

Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the Russia investigation, said: "If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action."

While Trump allies in Congress have demanded more information about the informant, law enforcement officials have refused, saying the source -- not yet officially identified -- could be in danger if named.

Efforts to identify the FBI informant -- and Trump's claims -- have drawn fire from Democratic lawmakers.

"It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," said Senator Mark Warner, the Senate Intelligence Committee's top Democrat.

"Trump's claim of an embedded 'spy' is nonsense. His 'demand' DOJ investigate something they know to be untrue is an abuse of power, and an effort to distract from his growing legal problems," tweeted Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

Joaquin Castro, another House Democrat, responded to Trump's demand for Justice Department action by tweeting: "@realDonaldTrump - Let Mueller do his job. Stay out of it. You need to be subpoenaed for obstruction of justice/conspiracy/money laundering."

"Obstruction in broad daylight," Democratic lawmaker Eric Swalwell wrote.

Trump lawyer Rudolph Giuliani, a former Justice Department prosecutor and assistant attorney general, told CNN on Friday that it was unclear whether an FBI informant had been embedded in the campaign, while adding that the agency "should tell us if there was."

Trump has described the infiltration allegations as being potentially 'bigger than Watergate'. Democrats say he is attempting to undermine the year-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign

US President Donald Trump demanded Sunday that the Justice Department investigate whether his presidential campaign was "infiltrated" or spied on for political purposes, prompting it to announce it would look into those issues. Trump has described the infiltration allegations as being potentially "bigger than Watergate", but Democrats say he is attempting to undermine the year-old investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with his campaign, headed by special counsel Robert Mueller. "I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes - and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!" Trump tweeted. Trump's angry order came amid building pressure from the year-old Russia meddling investigation, and as US media reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigations sent a Britain-based American professor to speak separately with Trump campaign advisers in 2016. A New York Times report described the professor as "an informant," saying the federal agency was looking into evidence that Carter Page and George Papadopoulos had suspicious contacts with Russia. The Washington Post called him "a longtime US intelligence source," and said he met with a third campaign adviser -- Sam Clovis -- as well as Page and Papadopoulos. Trump and his supporters have cast the man as a mole possibly sent by the Obama administration to burrow into his campaign. The Justice Department tasked its internal watchdog with looking into the issues raised by Trump. But it paired that inquiry with an existing "review" of the application process for FISA national security warrants, which Republicans allege was abused in connection with the surveillance of Page. Expanding an 'ongoing review' "The department has asked the inspector general to expand the ongoing review of the FISA application process to include determining whether there was any impropriety or political motivation in how the FBI conducted its counterintelligence investigation of persons suspected of involvement with the Russian agents who interfered in the 2016 presidential election," spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement. Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the Russia investigation, said: "If anyone did infiltrate or surveil participants in a presidential campaign for inappropriate purposes, we need to know about it and take appropriate action." While Trump allies in Congress have demanded more information about the informant, law enforcement officials have refused, saying the source -- not yet officially identified -- could be in danger if named. Efforts to identify the FBI informant -- and Trump's claims -- have drawn fire from Democratic lawmakers. "It would be at best irresponsible, and at worst potentially illegal, for members of Congress to use their positions to learn the identity of an FBI source for the purpose of undermining the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in our election," said Senator Mark Warner, the Senate Intelligence Committee's top Democrat. "Trump's claim of an embedded 'spy' is nonsense. His 'demand' DOJ investigate something they know to be untrue is an abuse of power, and an effort to distract from his growing legal problems," tweeted Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. Joaquin Castro, another House Democrat, responded to Trump's demand for Justice Department action by tweeting: "@realDonaldTrump - Let Mueller do his job. Stay out of it. You need to be subpoenaed for obstruction of justice/conspiracy/money laundering." "Obstruction in broad daylight," Democratic lawmaker Eric Swalwell wrote. Trump lawyer Rudolph Giuliani, a former Justice Department prosecutor and assistant attorney general, told CNN on Friday that it was unclear whether an FBI informant had been embedded in the campaign, while adding that the agency "should tell us if there was."

Trump says FBI or Justice Department may have spied on presidential campaign

US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan's economy, endangering a key goal of the U.S. strategy to end America's longest war.

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbor.

Building Afghanistan's economy would also slash Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban's main revenue source.

But Trump's decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar's viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing.

"President Trump's decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty."

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July.

At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said.

In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan's port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries.

"We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender.

Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan's trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves.

Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers.

"The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan's economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University's Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy."

Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world's poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid.

Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade.

Initially Afghanistan would export agricultural produce – such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said.

Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for U.S. firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said.

"The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former U.S. Army officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy.

"There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can't do it by air, you can't do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar."

In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world.

That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks.

Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating though Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington.

"Now the uncertainty is that we don't know what's going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven't heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp

The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbor

US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear accord and re-impose sanctions on Tehran threatens to derail a project to help build Afghanistan's economy, endangering a key goal of the U.S. strategy to end America's longest war. The Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran is being developed as part of a new transportation corridor for land-locked Afghanistan that could potentially open the way for millions of dollars in trade and cut its dependence on Pakistan, its sometimes-hostile neighbor. Building Afghanistan's economy would also slash Kabul's dependence on foreign aid and put a major dent in the illicit opium trade, the Taliban's main revenue source. But Trump's decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran and penalize financial institutions for doing business with Tehran is clouding Chabahar's viability as banks, nervous they could be hit with crippling penalties, pull back from financing. "President Trump's decision has brought us back to the drawing board and we will have to renegotiate terms and conditions on using Chabahar," a senior Indian diplomat said. "It is a route that can change the way India-Iran-Afghanistan do business, but for now everything is in a state of uncertainty." The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Launched in 2016, the joint Iran-India-Afghanistan Chabahar project already was facing holdups. It has yet to see significant traffic apart from some containers of donated wheat from India, and the first shipments of Afghan dried fruit to India are not expected before July. At least three contracts to build infrastructure at the port now have been delayed, with two Chinese companies and a Finnish group left hanging while bankers seek clarity from Washington before approving guarantees, a person close to the project said. In addition, Afghan traders, who were hoping for an alternative to Pakistan's port of Karachi, now find themselves cut off from funding and forced to rely on the traditional hawala money transfer system, which is insufficient on its own to transform an economy. Hawala is a trust-based system commonly used in Afghanistan that involves the movement of funds between agents in different countries. "We know our correspondent banks would not let us pay for imports coming through that port," said a senior executive at one major Afghan lender. Chabahar is among a number of projects of transport and energy networks projects designed to boost Afghanistan's trade and lay the foundations for a mining industry capable of exploiting its billions of dollars in untapped mineral reserves. Bypassing the border with Pakistan, which last year was closed for some 50 days over various disputes, Chabahar is seen as a way for Afghanistan to consolidate its relationships with India and other regional powers. "The only way to get India more involved" in Afghanistan's economic development "is through Chabahar," said Barnett Rubin, an expert with New York University's Center for International Cooperation and a former adviser to the State Department and the United Nations. "Our Iran policy is headed for a train wreck with our Afghanistan policy." Some 17 years after the US-led invasion to oust the Taliban from power, Afghanistan remains one of the world's poorest countries, highly dependent on foreign aid. Apart from illegal opium exports estimated at some $2 billion by the International Monetary Fund, its main products are dried and fresh fruits, and carpets, none of which amount to more than a fraction of the value of the drugs trade. Initially Afghanistan would export agricultural produce – such as pomegranates and grapes - through Chabahar, utilizing a section of a road India paid for and then an extension to the Iranian border that New Delhi built, experts said. Eventually, those exports could expand to mineral resources, something Trump has expressed an interest in gaining for U.S. firms. For India, this would mean using a planned railroad to Chabahar to export iron ore from two tracts at the Hajigak iron mine in central Afghanistan that it won the rights to exploit, the experts said. "The economic piece is really important to get a glimmer of hope for Afghanistan to move beyond a land-locked, poppy-based economy. We are now shooting that in the head," said Thomas Lynch, a National Defense University expert and a former U.S. Army officer who advised the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on South Asia policy. "There is no other legitimate and reliable way to do that. You can't do it by air, you can't do it through Pakistan because they just extort for everything they do," said Lynch. "The lifeline runs through Chabahar." In addition, by hindering the development of Chabahar, the United States will leave Afghanistan dependent on Pakistan, historically its main trade partner and outlet to the world. That would undermine another Trump goal of pressuring Islamabad to shutter Afghan insurgent sanctuaries on its side of the border and force the militants into peace talks. Afghan officials have lobbied hard for exemptions to the sanctions for Afghan companies operating though Chabahar without success and are waiting for clarity from Washington. "Now the uncertainty is that we don't know what's going to happen with Chabahar," said Atiqullah Nusrat, Chief Executive of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We haven't heard anything so we have to wait and see what happens."

US sanctions on Iran threaten vital Afghanistan trade project

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