US and China clash over Hong Kong in the midst of trade talks. Watch video to know more.

US and China clash over Hong Kong in the midst of trade talks

China summons US envoy after Trump signs Hong Kong Democracy act. Watch video to know more.

China summons US envoy after Trump signs Hong Kong Democracy act

Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Sunday said that two leaders (Narendra Modi and Donald Trump) addressing the ‘Howdy Modi’ event is historic and unprecedented.

Indian Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Sunday said that two leaders (Narendra Modi and Donald Trump) addressing the ‘Howdy Modi’ event is historic and unprecedented. ''It reflects not only closeness and comfort levels in the relationship but also the personal chemistry and friendship between PM Modi and President Trump,'' Shringla added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Houston, Texas on September 22 to address the Indian diaspora in the region. Indian Ambassador to US,Harsh Vardhan Shringla to ANI: Two leaders addressing the ‘Howdy Modi’ event is historic&unprecedented. It reflects not only closeness&comfort levels in the relationship but also the personal chemistry&friendship between PM Modi and President Trump. https://t.co/csNHbNPz3L pic.twitter.com/uhyTyJfPoB — ANI (@ANI) September 16, 2019 × According to reports, as many as 60 US lawmakers will be present at the mega event including Tulsi Gabbard. ‘Howdy Modi’ preludes the United Nations General Assembly in New York in which both Modi and Trump will take part. According to Texas India Forum, more than 50,000 people have already registered for the event which now stands sold-out.

Trump, Modi addressing ‘Howdy Modi’ event reflects personal chemistry between two: Indian envoy to US

The US envoy leading efforts to forge a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-taliban-on-threshold-of-deal-us-afghan-envoy-246925">deal with the Taliban</a> has met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, an official said Monday, as a historic agreement with the insurgents appeared close.

Zalmay Khalilzad has spent about a year meeting with the Taliban in Doha in a series of talks aimed at ending America's 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.

The deal centres on a US troop withdrawal in return for several security guarantees from the Taliban, broader peace talks between the insurgents and the Afghan government, and an eventual ceasefire.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official told AFP that Khalilzad arrived in Kabul Sunday evening and met with Ghani to discuss the latest developments after a ninth round of talks wrapped up in the Qatari capital.

Consultations were expected to continue Monday with other Afghan officials, probably again including Ghani, the official said.

The discussions are significant because the Afghan government has been largely sidelined from talks until now, though any eventual deal would require the Taliban to talk to Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge.

On Sunday, Khalilzad said the US and the Taliban were at the "threshold" of a deal that would reduce violence and pave the way for "sustainable" peace.

But even as negotiations have entered their apparent final stage, violence has continued apace across Afghanistan.

On Saturday, the Taliban attempted to seize Kunduz in the north, and on Sunday, they launched an operation in the city of Pul-e Khumri, the capital of neighbouring Baghlan province.

Afghan officials Monday said Pul-e Khumri had been cleared of Taliban fighters.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has previously said he hoped a peace deal would be finalised before September 1, ahead of Afghan polls due September 28.

Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban's spokesman in Doha, said Saturday a deal was "near to finalised" but did not specify what obstacles remain.

The US envoy leading efforts to forge a deal with the Taliban has met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, an official said Monday, as a historic agreement with the insurgents appeared close.

The US envoy leading efforts to forge a deal with the Taliban has met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul, an official said Monday, as a historic agreement with the insurgents appeared close. Zalmay Khalilzad has spent about a year meeting with the Taliban in Doha in a series of talks aimed at ending America's 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. The deal centres on a US troop withdrawal in return for several security guarantees from the Taliban, broader peace talks between the insurgents and the Afghan government, and an eventual ceasefire. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official told AFP that Khalilzad arrived in Kabul Sunday evening and met with Ghani to discuss the latest developments after a ninth round of talks wrapped up in the Qatari capital. Consultations were expected to continue Monday with other Afghan officials, probably again including Ghani, the official said. The discussions are significant because the Afghan government has been largely sidelined from talks until now, though any eventual deal would require the Taliban to talk to Ghani, whom they view as a US stooge. On Sunday, Khalilzad said the US and the Taliban were at the "threshold" of a deal that would reduce violence and pave the way for "sustainable" peace. But even as negotiations have entered their apparent final stage, violence has continued apace across Afghanistan. On Saturday, the Taliban attempted to seize Kunduz in the north, and on Sunday, they launched an operation in the city of Pul-e Khumri, the capital of neighbouring Baghlan province. Afghan officials Monday said Pul-e Khumri had been cleared of Taliban fighters. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has previously said he hoped a peace deal would be finalised before September 1, ahead of Afghan polls due September 28. Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban's spokesman in Doha, said Saturday a deal was "near to finalised" but did not specify what obstacles remain.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad meets Afghan president in Kabul

The United States is ready to sit down with North Korea to resume long-awaited working-level nuclear talks, a US envoy said Wednesday. Nuclear discussions between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled since a second summit in Hanoi in February ended without an agreement over differences on the extent of denuclearisation and a sanctions relief in return.

The United States is ready to sit down with North Korea to resume long-awaited working-level nuclear talks, a US envoy said Wednesday. Nuclear discussions between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled since a second summit in Hanoi in February ended without an agreement over differences on the extent of denuclearisation and a sanctions relief in return. But anticipation for renewed dialogue has been on the rise after the US and its security ally South Korea wrapped up their two-week joint military drill on Tuesday. "We are prepared to engage as soon as we hear from our counterparts in North Korea," said Stephen Biegun, the US special representative for North Korea, after his meeting with South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon in Seoul. The comments come amid speculation that Americans could meet with North Koreans at the demilitarised zone dividing the North and South to kick start working-level talks during Biegun's three-day stay in Seoul, which began Tuesday. The US envoy denied media reports he would soon take a diplomatic posting in Russia, saying he remained "focused on making progress" with North Koreans and "fully committed" to the goal of the denuclearisation in the North. Pyongyang considers the joint military exercise by the allies a rehearsal for invasion and has routinely expressed anger at the war games. It called South Korean President Moon Jae-in last week an "impudent guy rare to be found" for hoping to resume inter-Korean talks while continuing military drills with the US. Washington stations nearly 30,000 troops in the South to defend it from its neighbour. US President Donald Trump tweeted earlier this month North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed his hope -- in a letter hand-delivered to him -- for resuming dialogue "as soon as the joint U.S./South Korea joint exercise are over".

US 'prepared to engage' with North Korea in nuclear talks: Envoy

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S Jaishankar in which India shared its views on Afghanistan and also backs Afghanistan-led peace process

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S Jaishankar

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S.Jaishankar in which India shared its views on Afghanistan and also backs Afghanistan-led peace process

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S.Jaishankar

The US special envoy for Iran on Sunday urged "all nations to use their diplomatic effort to urge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-war-would-spread-across-gulf-threaten-us-troops-229757">Iran</a> to de-escalate and meet diplomacy with diplomacy" amid soaring tensions in the Gulf.

"We are not interested in... military conflict against Iran, we have enhanced our forces' postures in the region for purely defensive purposes," Brian Hook told journalists in Kuwait City.

In mid-June, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-army-is-ready-to-go-dont-mistake-our-discretion-for-weakness-us-national-security-advisor-john-bolton-tells-iran-229716">United States</a> said it would deploy 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, after a series of tanker attacks in the Gulf it has blamed on Iran despite Tehran's denials of involvement.

The US moves came as Iran set a 10-day countdown for world powers to fulfil their commitments under a nuclear deal abandoned by Washington, saying it would otherwise surpass the uranium stockpile limit mandated by the accord.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-lawmakers-chant-death-to-america-as-us-called-terrorist-229678">Iran lawmakers chant 'Death to America' as US called 'terrorist'</a>

Hook said his talks in Kuwait focused "how to de-escalate tensions that in the region have been driven by Iran and we discussed how we can deepen our cooperation especially around the area of maritime security".

Watch: Trump announces 'major' sanctions amid tensions on Iran

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-announces-major-sanctions-amid-tensions-on-iran-229662/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The Iranian regime is a threat to freedom of navigation and all nations of the world share an interest in the free flow of commerce and there is much work to be done together," he said.

"We need Iran to behave more like a normal nation and less like a revolutionary cause. And if we can imagine a peaceful Iran, then we can imagine the peaceful Middle East," he added.

On Friday in Saudi Arabia, the US envoy said Iran has no right to respond to diplomacy "with military force", a day after Tehran shot down a US reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic waterway for the world's oil transits.

The US special envoy for Iran on Sunday urged "all nations to use their diplomatic effort to urge Iran to de-escalate and meet diplomacy with diplomacy" amid soaring tensions in the Gulf.

The US special envoy for Iran on Sunday urged "all nations to use their diplomatic effort to urge Iran to de-escalate and meet diplomacy with diplomacy" amid soaring tensions in the Gulf. "We are not interested in... military conflict against Iran, we have enhanced our forces' postures in the region for purely defensive purposes," Brian Hook told journalists in Kuwait City. In mid-June, the United States said it would deploy 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, after a series of tanker attacks in the Gulf it has blamed on Iran despite Tehran's denials of involvement. The US moves came as Iran set a 10-day countdown for world powers to fulfil their commitments under a nuclear deal abandoned by Washington, saying it would otherwise surpass the uranium stockpile limit mandated by the accord. Also read: Iran lawmakers chant 'Death to America' as US called 'terrorist' Hook said his talks in Kuwait focused "how to de-escalate tensions that in the region have been driven by Iran and we discussed how we can deepen our cooperation especially around the area of maritime security". Watch: Trump announces 'major' sanctions amid tensions on Iran "The Iranian regime is a threat to freedom of navigation and all nations of the world share an interest in the free flow of commerce and there is much work to be done together," he said. "We need Iran to behave more like a normal nation and less like a revolutionary cause. And if we can imagine a peaceful Iran, then we can imagine the peaceful Middle East," he added. On Friday in Saudi Arabia, the US envoy said Iran has no right to respond to diplomacy "with military force", a day after Tehran shot down a US reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic waterway for the world's oil transits.

US envoy calls on international community to ‘urge Iran to de-escalate’

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy hinted Sunday at a further delay until early November to the unveiling of a White House peace plan for the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-says-two-states-only-solution-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict-225719"> Israeli-Palestinian conflict</a>.

"I think the logic would still dictate that if we wanted to wait until a new (Israeli) government is formed, we really do have to wait until potentially as late as November 6," Jason Greenblatt said in a Jerusalem Post interview.

The Trump administration had already delayed its presentation of the plan until after Israel's April 9 elections, but those polls failed to yield a government and a new election is slated for September 17.

A new government will potentially come into the office in early November, following the selection of a potential premier and negotiations to form a coalition.

"It's no secret that the Israeli elections have certainly put a new thought into our head," Greenblatt said, in a video of the New York interview published online.

"Had the elections not been called again, perhaps we would have released" details of the deal during the summer, he said.

Greenblatt recalled that the Trump administration had already delayed presentation of the deal until after the holy month of Ramadan, which ended in early June.

The Trump administration is organising a conference later this month in Bahrain on the economic aspects of the peace plan.

The Palestinian leadership is boycotting the conference and has cut ties with Washington, over the Trump administration's perceived pro-Israel bias.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy hinted Sunday at a further delay until early November to the unveiling of a White House peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy hinted Sunday at a further delay until early November to the unveiling of a White House peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I think the logic would still dictate that if we wanted to wait until a new (Israeli) government is formed, we really do have to wait until potentially as late as November 6," Jason Greenblatt said in a Jerusalem Post interview. The Trump administration had already delayed its presentation of the plan until after Israel's April 9 elections, but those polls failed to yield a government and a new election is slated for September 17. A new government will potentially come into the office in early November, following the selection of a potential premier and negotiations to form a coalition. "It's no secret that the Israeli elections have certainly put a new thought into our head," Greenblatt said, in a video of the New York interview published online. "Had the elections not been called again, perhaps we would have released" details of the deal during the summer, he said. Greenblatt recalled that the Trump administration had already delayed presentation of the deal until after the holy month of Ramadan, which ended in early June. The Trump administration is organising a conference later this month in Bahrain on the economic aspects of the peace plan. The Palestinian leadership is boycotting the conference and has cut ties with Washington, over the Trump administration's perceived pro-Israel bias.

US envoy hints Israeli-Palestinian peace plan delayed to November

Sudan's new military rulers briefed Washington's top envoy to Khartoum on Sunday about security after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudans-ousted-president-bashir-will-not-be-extradited-military-rulers-209837">army's ouster of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir</a>, state media reported.

Steven Koutsis met with the military council's deputy Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, widely known as Himeidti, at the presidential palace in Khartoum.

The Sudanese deputy briefed Koutsis on the current situation in the country and the reason for forming the military council, the official SUNA news agency reported as state television broadcast footage of their meeting.

"Himeidti told him about the measures taken by the military council to preserve the security and stability of the country," SUNA reported.

Sudan's military council headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan took power after the army ousted Bashir on Thursday.

Himeidti heads Sudan's controversial counter-insurgency unit -- the Rapid Support Force (RSF) -- which rights groups have accused of abuses in the war-torn Darfur region.

About 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur since a brutal conflict erupted there in 2003, when ethnic rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated government of Bashir.

The United States, which has blacklisted Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, has insisted that Khartoum needs to improve its human rights record if it wants to be removed from the list.

Washington imposed sanctions on Sudan in 1997 for its alleged links to Islamists which were lifted in October 2017, but the much awaited economic recovery has failed to materialise.

Sudan's new military rulers briefed Washington's top envoy to Khartoum on Sunday about security after the army's ouster of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir, state media reported.

Sudan's new military rulers briefed Washington's top envoy to Khartoum on Sunday about security after the army's ouster of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir, state media reported. Steven Koutsis met with the military council's deputy Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, widely known as Himeidti, at the presidential palace in Khartoum. The Sudanese deputy briefed Koutsis on the current situation in the country and the reason for forming the military council, the official SUNA news agency reported as state television broadcast footage of their meeting. "Himeidti told him about the measures taken by the military council to preserve the security and stability of the country," SUNA reported. Sudan's military council headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan took power after the army ousted Bashir on Thursday. Himeidti heads Sudan's controversial counter-insurgency unit -- the Rapid Support Force (RSF) -- which rights groups have accused of abuses in the war-torn Darfur region. About 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur since a brutal conflict erupted there in 2003, when ethnic rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated government of Bashir. The United States, which has blacklisted Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, has insisted that Khartoum needs to improve its human rights record if it wants to be removed from the list. Washington imposed sanctions on Sudan in 1997 for its alleged links to Islamists which were lifted in October 2017, but the much awaited economic recovery has failed to materialise.

Sudan military rulers brief US envoy: State media

US and Taliban negotiators <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-taliban-talks-end-for-now-with-no-afghan-peace-deal-202982">wrapped up their latest round of marathon peace talks</a> on Tuesday with "real strides" made but no agreement on a timetable for troop withdrawal, the US special envoy said.

"Just finished a marathon round of talks with the Taliban in #Doha. The conditions for #peace have improved. It's clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted.

Khalilzad said the next step would be discussions in Washington, adding that "there is no final agreement until everything is agreed".

The talks focused on the withdrawal of US troops and assurances that insurgents would not use Afghanistan's territory to stage future terrorist attacks -- one of the initial aims of American policy in the wake of the 9/11 attacks back in 2001.

"Progress was achieved regarding both these issues," said a Taliban spokesman.

"For now, both sides will deliberate over the achieved progress, share it with their respective leaderships and prepare for the upcoming meeting." The Afghan government, which was not involved in the Doha negotiations, said it was pleased with the progress made.

"We hope to witness a long term comprehensive ceasefire with the Taliban and hope that direct negotiations of (the) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban begin soon," said Haroon Chakhansuri, the president's spokesperson, on Twitter.

On the issue of troop withdrawal, it had been previously speculated that US forces could leave Afghanistan within five years as part of a deal to end the nearly 18-year war. 
The Taliban have called for the withdrawal to be much quicker, around six months.

There are some 14,000 US troops currently based in Afghanistan.

The latest meetings follow marathon talks in January that saw the US and the Taliban walk away with a "draft framework" on the two issues.

Discussions also took place between the Taliban and Afghani opposition groups in Moscow in February.

During the current round of negotiations in Doha, violent attacks in Afghanistan continued.

On March 1, at least 23 Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on a joint US-Afghan base in southwestern Afghanistan.

Analysts have warned that the Taliban are likely to ramp up attacks in the coming months as they seek to maintain momentum on the battlefield and leverage at the negotiating table.

It is unclear as yet when the next round of talks will take place. The talks which finished on Tuesday spanned 16 days, which is thought to be the longest consecutive discussions held between both sides.

They bizarrely took place in a luxurious Doha hotel village resort, where the negotiating rooms were located only metres (yards) away from a pianist and not far from a swimming pool where Western tourists bathed and drank alcohol.

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their latest round of marathon peace talks on Tuesday with "real strides" made but no agreement on a timetable for troop withdrawal, the US special envoy said.

US and Taliban negotiators wrapped up their latest round of marathon peace talks on Tuesday with "real strides" made but no agreement on a timetable for troop withdrawal, the US special envoy said. "Just finished a marathon round of talks with the Taliban in #Doha. The conditions for #peace have improved. It's clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted. Khalilzad said the next step would be discussions in Washington, adding that "there is no final agreement until everything is agreed". The talks focused on the withdrawal of US troops and assurances that insurgents would not use Afghanistan's territory to stage future terrorist attacks -- one of the initial aims of American policy in the wake of the 9/11 attacks back in 2001. "Progress was achieved regarding both these issues," said a Taliban spokesman. "For now, both sides will deliberate over the achieved progress, share it with their respective leaderships and prepare for the upcoming meeting." The Afghan government, which was not involved in the Doha negotiations, said it was pleased with the progress made. "We hope to witness a long term comprehensive ceasefire with the Taliban and hope that direct negotiations of (the) Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban begin soon," said Haroon Chakhansuri, the president's spokesperson, on Twitter. On the issue of troop withdrawal, it had been previously speculated that US forces could leave Afghanistan within five years as part of a deal to end the nearly 18-year war. The Taliban have called for the withdrawal to be much quicker, around six months. There are some 14,000 US troops currently based in Afghanistan. The latest meetings follow marathon talks in January that saw the US and the Taliban walk away with a "draft framework" on the two issues. Discussions also took place between the Taliban and Afghani opposition groups in Moscow in February. During the current round of negotiations in Doha, violent attacks in Afghanistan continued. On March 1, at least 23 Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on a joint US-Afghan base in southwestern Afghanistan. Analysts have warned that the Taliban are likely to ramp up attacks in the coming months as they seek to maintain momentum on the battlefield and leverage at the negotiating table. It is unclear as yet when the next round of talks will take place. The talks which finished on Tuesday spanned 16 days, which is thought to be the longest consecutive discussions held between both sides. They bizarrely took place in a luxurious Doha hotel village resort, where the negotiating rooms were located only metres (yards) away from a pianist and not far from a swimming pool where Western tourists bathed and drank alcohol.

US envoy says 'real strides' made in longest Taliban talks

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-back-from-north-korea-after-talks-on-trump-kim-summit-196109">summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a>, a Washington envoy said on Saturday.

Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea, said three days of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-summit-with-kim-to-take-place-in-hanoi-196131"> preparatory talks </a>in Pyongyang that ended Friday had been productive, but more dialogue was needed ahead of the summit scheduled for Vietnam from February 27-28.

Biegun on Saturday briefed South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa on his Pyongyang visit, also confirming the summit would be held in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

"We have some hard work to do with the DPRK," Biegun told Kang, adding: "I'm confident that if both sides stay committed we can make real progress here.

"We don't know where it's going to go, but we are in the midst of a conversation ... our discussions (with Pyongyang) were productive."

Kang told Biegun that the US had South Korea's "full support" for the summit.

The US State Department said Biegun will meet again with Pyongyang officials ahead of the Trump-Kim talks.

Trump earlier announced Hanoi as the venue in a tweet, saying: "I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim &amp; advancing the cause of peace."

At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula".

But progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what that means.

Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV".

On Friday Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim.

"He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him &amp; fully understand how capable he is," said Trump.

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a Washington envoy said on Saturday.

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a Washington envoy said on Saturday. Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea, said three days of preparatory talks in Pyongyang that ended Friday had been productive, but more dialogue was needed ahead of the summit scheduled for Vietnam from February 27-28. Biegun on Saturday briefed South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa on his Pyongyang visit, also confirming the summit would be held in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. "We have some hard work to do with the DPRK," Biegun told Kang, adding: "I'm confident that if both sides stay committed we can make real progress here. "We don't know where it's going to go, but we are in the midst of a conversation ... our discussions (with Pyongyang) were productive." Kang told Biegun that the US had South Korea's "full support" for the summit. The US State Department said Biegun will meet again with Pyongyang officials ahead of the Trump-Kim talks. Trump earlier announced Hanoi as the venue in a tweet, saying: "I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim & advancing the cause of peace." At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula". But progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what that means. Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV". On Friday Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim. "He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is," said Trump.

Hard work still needed before Kim-Trump summit: US envoy

Top Taliban leader Mullah Baradar who now leads the peace efforts with the US, was released by Pakistan at the behest of the Trump administration, a US envoy said.

The special envoy on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, told a Washington audience that Pakistan had a very crucial role to play in the reconciliation process with the Taliban but has "historically not played a positive role".&nbsp;

But there is "a positive change" in Pakistan's attitude in recent times, he said when asked about the role of Islamabad in his ongoing efforts to bring peace in this war-ravaged country.

"The release of Mullah Baradar, which was my request... They (Pakistan) accommodated that because Mullah Baradar has a reputation of being more open, more pro-peace," said the top American envoy who is leading the Trump Administration's efforts to have peace talks with the Taliban.

Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and his successor President Ashraf Ghani have said that Baradar can play a pivotal role in the peace process and that he has tried to facilitate talks between the Taliban and the US, Khalilzad said.

Pakistan, he said, favours inter-Afghan dialogue including between the Taliban and the government.&nbsp;

So, the release of Baradar is a very positive thing, he said.&nbsp;

"We always would like Pakistan, like other countries to do more, but we appreciate what they have done so far and I have indicated and Secretary (of State), (Mike) Pompeo and the president that we want to have good relations with Pakistan, better relations with Pakistan," he said in response to a question.

"What they (Pakistan) do on Afghanistan to facilitate peace and reconciliation, which has been a burden on the relationship, that will be removed," he added.

"Pakistan is an important country with which we want to have better relations," he said.

"The role that Pakistan has played in terms of its relationship with the Taliban and the Haqqani network has been a burden on this (US-Pak) relationship. They say they want peace. We welcome that. We want them to, to play a positive role," said the US diplomat who has had several rounds of talks with the Taliban in Doha.

"Most of the meetings we have had with the Taliban have not been in Pakistan. It has been in other countries. I think the message that I have here is peace in Afghanistan will help our relations with Pakistan," he added.

"Peace in Afghanistan will help Afghan-Pakistan relations... Regional connectivity. Pakistan will be a beneficiary of that. Let's seize this opportunity, this moment for the region for Afghanistan, especially for the obviously long-suffering people of Afghanistan," Khalilzad said.&nbsp;

Top Taliban leader Mullah Baradar who now leads the peace efforts with the US, was released by Pakistan at the behest of the Trump administration, a US envoy said.

Top Taliban leader Mullah Baradar who now leads the peace efforts with the US, was released by Pakistan at the behest of the Trump administration, a US envoy said. The special envoy on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, told a Washington audience that Pakistan had a very crucial role to play in the reconciliation process with the Taliban but has "historically not played a positive role". But there is "a positive change" in Pakistan's attitude in recent times, he said when asked about the role of Islamabad in his ongoing efforts to bring peace in this war-ravaged country. "The release of Mullah Baradar, which was my request... They (Pakistan) accommodated that because Mullah Baradar has a reputation of being more open, more pro-peace," said the top American envoy who is leading the Trump Administration's efforts to have peace talks with the Taliban. Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and his successor President Ashraf Ghani have said that Baradar can play a pivotal role in the peace process and that he has tried to facilitate talks between the Taliban and the US, Khalilzad said. Pakistan, he said, favours inter-Afghan dialogue including between the Taliban and the government. So, the release of Baradar is a very positive thing, he said. "We always would like Pakistan, like other countries to do more, but we appreciate what they have done so far and I have indicated and Secretary (of State), (Mike) Pompeo and the president that we want to have good relations with Pakistan, better relations with Pakistan," he said in response to a question. "What they (Pakistan) do on Afghanistan to facilitate peace and reconciliation, which has been a burden on the relationship, that will be removed," he added. "Pakistan is an important country with which we want to have better relations," he said. "The role that Pakistan has played in terms of its relationship with the Taliban and the Haqqani network has been a burden on this (US-Pak) relationship. They say they want peace. We welcome that. We want them to, to play a positive role," said the US diplomat who has had several rounds of talks with the Taliban in Doha. "Most of the meetings we have had with the Taliban have not been in Pakistan. It has been in other countries. I think the message that I have here is peace in Afghanistan will help our relations with Pakistan," he added. "Peace in Afghanistan will help Afghan-Pakistan relations... Regional connectivity. Pakistan will be a beneficiary of that. Let's seize this opportunity, this moment for the region for Afghanistan, especially for the obviously long-suffering people of Afghanistan," Khalilzad said.

Top Taliban leader was released by Pakistan at the behest of Trump administration: US envoy 

The special US envoy for North Korea returned to Seoul on Friday after talks with North Korean officials in Pyongyang to set up the agenda for the second summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

Stephen Biegun's three-day trip was expected to have explored a wide range of denuclearisation issues in preparation for the much-anticipated summit in Vietnam on February 27 and 28.

Biegun landed at Osan US Air Base Friday evening, foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk told AFP.

It is not yet known whether Biegun met with Kim, with North Korean media silent on his visit. He is expected to share details of his Pyongyang meetings with his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Saturday.

Attention will be on whether the US team have offered to lift some economic sanctions in return for Pyongyang taking concrete steps towards denuclearisation.

Discussions on declaring an end to the 1950-53 Korean War could also have been on the table, with Biegun last week saying Trump was "ready to end this war".

The three-year conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas still technically at war, with the US keeping 28,500 troops in the South.&nbsp;

The US envoy was also likely to have discussed protocol and security matters for the upcoming Trump-Kim summit with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol.

Ahead of his trip, the State Department said Biegun's meetings with Kim Hyok Chol would "advance further progress on the commitments the president and Chairman Kim made in Singapore: complete denuclearisation, transforming US-DPRK relations and building a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula".

At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely-worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula."

But progress has since stalled with the two sides disagreeing over what that means.

Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV".&nbsp;

The special US envoy for North Korea returned to Seoul on Friday after talks with North Korean officials in Pyongyang to set up the agenda for the second summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.

The special US envoy for North Korea returned to Seoul on Friday after talks with North Korean officials in Pyongyang to set up the agenda for the second summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. Stephen Biegun's three-day trip was expected to have explored a wide range of denuclearisation issues in preparation for the much-anticipated summit in Vietnam on February 27 and 28. Biegun landed at Osan US Air Base Friday evening, foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk told AFP. It is not yet known whether Biegun met with Kim, with North Korean media silent on his visit. He is expected to share details of his Pyongyang meetings with his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Saturday. Attention will be on whether the US team have offered to lift some economic sanctions in return for Pyongyang taking concrete steps towards denuclearisation. Discussions on declaring an end to the 1950-53 Korean War could also have been on the table, with Biegun last week saying Trump was "ready to end this war". The three-year conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas still technically at war, with the US keeping 28,500 troops in the South. The US envoy was also likely to have discussed protocol and security matters for the upcoming Trump-Kim summit with his North Korean counterpart Kim Hyok Chol. Ahead of his trip, the State Department said Biegun's meetings with Kim Hyok Chol would "advance further progress on the commitments the president and Chairman Kim made in Singapore: complete denuclearisation, transforming US-DPRK relations and building a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula". At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely-worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula." But progress has since stalled with the two sides disagreeing over what that means. Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV".

US envoy back from North Korea after talks on Trump-Kim summit

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad raised doubts Thursday about the Taliban's desire to end the 17-year war, after the militants refused to meet with a Kabul-backed negotiating team.

While he was certain the Afghan government wanted to stop the conflict, Khalilzad told Ariana News that he questioned whether the Taliban were "genuinely seeking peace".

"We have to wait and see their forthcoming steps," Khalilzad said according to a translation of the interview provided by the US embassy in Kabul.

Khalilzad's remarks to Afghan media following his latest face-to-face meeting with the Taliban echoed those expressed privately by some Western diplomats in the capital.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan also attended the talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, which the United Arab Emirates hailed as "positive for all parties concerned".

But the Taliban would not meet with a 12-person Afghan delegation, Khalilzad said, describing the decision as "wrong".

"If the Taliban are really seeking peace, they have to sit with the Afghan government ultimately to reach an agreement on the future political settlement in Afghanistan," the former US ambassador to Kabul said.

The Taliban have long refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which the group accuses of being a puppet of the United States.

In a message released Tuesday the militants said they had held "preliminary talks" with Khalilzad on Monday.

They also said they had held "extensive" meetings with officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, repeating demands for international forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

Those three countries were the only ones to recognise the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime.

The meetings are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts as Washington seeks a way out of the Afghan conflict, which began with the 2001 US-led invasion of the country that had harboured Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.

While US President Donald Trump wanted to end the war, Khalilzad told Tolo News that Washington's "main objective" was to ensure Afghanistan did not pose a threat to the United States in the future.

While ruling out a "pre-9/11 situation" in Afghanistan, Khalilzad said he had told the Taliban that "if the menace of terrorism is tackled, the United States is not looking for a permanent military presence" in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Khalilzad repeated his desire for a peace deal before the Afghan presidential election scheduled to be held in April, but added it was up to the "government and the Taliban".&nbsp;

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad raised doubts Thursday about the Taliban's desire to end the 17-year war, after the militants refused to meet with a Kabul-backed negotiating team.

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad raised doubts Thursday about the Taliban's desire to end the 17-year war, after the militants refused to meet with a Kabul-backed negotiating team. While he was certain the Afghan government wanted to stop the conflict, Khalilzad told Ariana News that he questioned whether the Taliban were "genuinely seeking peace". "We have to wait and see their forthcoming steps," Khalilzad said according to a translation of the interview provided by the US embassy in Kabul. Khalilzad's remarks to Afghan media following his latest face-to-face meeting with the Taliban echoed those expressed privately by some Western diplomats in the capital. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan also attended the talks in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, which the United Arab Emirates hailed as "positive for all parties concerned". But the Taliban would not meet with a 12-person Afghan delegation, Khalilzad said, describing the decision as "wrong". "If the Taliban are really seeking peace, they have to sit with the Afghan government ultimately to reach an agreement on the future political settlement in Afghanistan," the former US ambassador to Kabul said. The Taliban have long refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, which the group accuses of being a puppet of the United States. In a message released Tuesday the militants said they had held "preliminary talks" with Khalilzad on Monday. They also said they had held "extensive" meetings with officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, repeating demands for international forces to be withdrawn from Afghanistan. Those three countries were the only ones to recognise the Taliban's 1996-2001 regime. The meetings are the latest in a flurry of diplomatic efforts as Washington seeks a way out of the Afghan conflict, which began with the 2001 US-led invasion of the country that had harboured Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. While US President Donald Trump wanted to end the war, Khalilzad told Tolo News that Washington's "main objective" was to ensure Afghanistan did not pose a threat to the United States in the future. While ruling out a "pre-9/11 situation" in Afghanistan, Khalilzad said he had told the Taliban that "if the menace of terrorism is tackled, the United States is not looking for a permanent military presence" in the country. Khalilzad repeated his desire for a peace deal before the Afghan presidential election scheduled to be held in April, but added it was up to the "government and the Taliban".

US envoy doubts Afghan Taliban's desire for peace

A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump slammed each other on twitter, Pakistan on Tuesday summoned American US Charge d'affaires CdA Ambassador Paul Jones.

According to Pakistan to the ministry of foreign affairs release Islamabad registered a "strong protest on the unwarranted and unsubstantiated allegations made against Pakistan".

American US Charge d'affaires was summoned by the Pakistani foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua and conveyed her Government's disappointment on the recent tweets and comments by the US President. The US CdA was told that such "baseless rhetoric about Pakistan was totally unacceptable."&nbsp;

Rejecting the insinuations about Osama Bin Laden, the Foreign Secretary reminded the US CdA "that it was Pakistan's intelligence cooperation that provided the initial evidence to trace the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden."

The Imran-Trump tiff on tweeter started after US President in an interview to Fox news channel justified aid cut to Pakistan and said the country doesn't do "a damn thing" and was hiding Osama.

Explaining the US CdA that no other country had paid a heavier price than Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, Tehmina Janjua said, "US must not forget that scores of top AQ leaders were killed or captured by active Pakistani cooperation."

She also remined "Pakistan's continued support to the efforts of international community in Afghanistan" through Ground/ Air and Sea lines of communication was "unquestionably critical to the success of this Mission in Afghanistan."

Meanwhile, Diplomatic sources told WION that US CdA has assured Pakistan that America greatly values Pakistan sacrifices and needs its support. CdA also told Foreign secretary that diplomatic channels should remain open between Pakistan and US.

Slamming Pak on Twitter, Trump had tweeted, "We paid Pakistan Billions of Dollars &amp; they never told us he was living there.". Earlier, Pakistan's Prime Minister had tweeted that US was trying to make Pakistan a "scapegoat for their failures".

The relationship between the 2 erstwhile allies has suffered in last few years over Pakistan's inaction on terror which has miffed Washington. The first tweet this year by US President this year was on Pakistan saying he is the cutting aid to the country since it has only offered "lies and deceit".

A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump slammed each other on twitter, Pakistan on Tuesday summoned American US Charge d'affaires CdA Ambassador Paul Jones.

A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump slammed each other on twitter, Pakistan on Tuesday summoned American US Charge d'affaires CdA Ambassador Paul Jones. According to Pakistan to the ministry of foreign affairs release Islamabad registered a "strong protest on the unwarranted and unsubstantiated allegations made against Pakistan". American US Charge d'affaires was summoned by the Pakistani foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua and conveyed her Government's disappointment on the recent tweets and comments by the US President. The US CdA was told that such "baseless rhetoric about Pakistan was totally unacceptable." Rejecting the insinuations about Osama Bin Laden, the Foreign Secretary reminded the US CdA "that it was Pakistan's intelligence cooperation that provided the initial evidence to trace the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden." The Imran-Trump tiff on tweeter started after US President in an interview to Fox news channel justified aid cut to Pakistan and said the country doesn't do "a damn thing" and was hiding Osama. Explaining the US CdA that no other country had paid a heavier price than Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, Tehmina Janjua said, "US must not forget that scores of top AQ leaders were killed or captured by active Pakistani cooperation." She also remined "Pakistan's continued support to the efforts of international community in Afghanistan" through Ground/ Air and Sea lines of communication was "unquestionably critical to the success of this Mission in Afghanistan." Meanwhile, Diplomatic sources told WION that US CdA has assured Pakistan that America greatly values Pakistan sacrifices and needs its support. CdA also told Foreign secretary that diplomatic channels should remain open between Pakistan and US. Slamming Pak on Twitter, Trump had tweeted, "We paid Pakistan Billions of Dollars & they never told us he was living there.". Earlier, Pakistan's Prime Minister had tweeted that US was trying to make Pakistan a "scapegoat for their failures". The relationship between the 2 erstwhile allies has suffered in last few years over Pakistan's inaction on terror which has miffed Washington. The first tweet this year by US President this year was on Pakistan saying he is the cutting aid to the country since it has only offered "lies and deceit".

Pakistan summons US envoy over President Trump's tweets

The US envoy for Afghanistan peace efforts met with Taliban representatives in Qatar on Friday as President Donald Trump's administration pushed to find a way to end the 17-year-old Afghan war, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The Journal, citing a person familiar with the gathering, said US Special&nbsp;Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met with Taliban officials in Doha, the second time in four months that American officials have held face-to-face talks with Taliban representatives.

The Journal said it was not clear what the two sides discussed. Khalilzad, who is trying to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, is currently on his first trip as the special representative. His 11-day trip was to take him to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The State Department declined to say whether the meeting with Taliban officials in Doha took place.

"We can't confirm specific meetings or the content of diplomatic conversations," said a State Department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Special Representative Khalilzad held a number of meetings with a wide range of stakeholders as part of his trip to explore how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan," the spokesperson added.

Alice Wells, the State Department deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, met Taliban officials in Doha in July for what were described as talks about talks. A Taliban official who was part of the four-person delegation to that meeting said it produced "very positive signals."

A US-led coalition forced the Taliban from power in 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11 al Qaeda attacks on Washington and New York.&nbsp;

Taliban officials want the withdrawal of American forces and a government in Kabul that reflects the group`s view of Islam.

The US envoy for Afghanistan peace efforts met with Taliban representatives in Qatar on Friday as President Donald Trump's administration pushed to find a way to end the 17-year-old Afghan war, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The US envoy for Afghanistan peace efforts met with Taliban representatives in Qatar on Friday as President Donald Trump's administration pushed to find a way to end the 17-year-old Afghan war, the Wall Street Journal reported. The Journal, citing a person familiar with the gathering, said US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad met with Taliban officials in Doha, the second time in four months that American officials have held face-to-face talks with Taliban representatives. The Journal said it was not clear what the two sides discussed. Khalilzad, who is trying to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, is currently on his first trip as the special representative. His 11-day trip was to take him to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The State Department declined to say whether the meeting with Taliban officials in Doha took place. "We can't confirm specific meetings or the content of diplomatic conversations," said a State Department spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Special Representative Khalilzad held a number of meetings with a wide range of stakeholders as part of his trip to explore how best to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan," the spokesperson added. Alice Wells, the State Department deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asia, met Taliban officials in Doha in July for what were described as talks about talks. A Taliban official who was part of the four-person delegation to that meeting said it produced "very positive signals." A US-led coalition forced the Taliban from power in 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11 al Qaeda attacks on Washington and New York. Taliban officials want the withdrawal of American forces and a government in Kabul that reflects the group`s view of Islam.

US envoy for Afghan peace meets Taliban officials in Qatar: Report

A top US envoy on Iran is headed to India this week for talks ahead of the November 4 deadline set by the Trump administration for countries to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero.

In addition to India, Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook will be travelling to Europe to further discuss US foreign policy toward Iran.

During this week-long trip, Hook will engage "allies and partners on our shared" need to counter the entirety of the Iranian regime's destructive behaviour in the Middle East, and in their own neighbourhoods, the State Department said.

In India, he and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis R Fannon will meet with their counterparts for consultations, and in Luxembourg, he will attend meetings with officials gathered for the European Union meeting of ministers.

In France, Hook and Bureau of Energy Resources officials will meet with the executive director of the International Energy Agency, and in Belgium, he will meet with EU counterparts to discuss the Iranian regime's continued missile proliferation, the State Department said.

Meanwhile, it said it expected all allies and friends to bring down their purchase of Iranian oil to zero or be ready to face punitive sanctions beginning November 4.

Responding to questions on reports that India will continue to purchase oil from Iran after November 4, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said this was not helpful.

"Overall with regard to those sanctions that will take effect on November 4th and you're referring to the oil sanctions for Iran and countries that choose to continue purchasing oil from Iran we have conversations with many partners and allies around the world about those sanctions," she said.&nbsp;

''We make our policies very clear to those countries. We continue to have conversations with the government of Iraq about that particular issue and the implications for the reimposition of sanctions that were previously lifted or even waived under the JCPOA," Nauert said.&nbsp;

The Trump administration has given the same message to all countries around the world, and the President has said that the United States is committed to re-enforcing all of its sanctions.&nbsp;

"We believe that countries coming together and recognising the malign influence that Iran has had around the world is important. We know that Iran and the government of Iran has taken the benefits that it received under the JCPOA and they've poured that money not into their own population, not into the good of the people, not into its medical hospitals and things of that nature, but rather they've used it for its own nefarious programmes," Nauert said.

Noting that she has seen reports of India continuing to buy oil from Iran after November 4, she said this was a topic of conversation with the Indian government when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in India last month.&nbsp;

"The President had addressed it I believe it was just earlier today which he was asked about that question about whether or not India would buy oil from Iran after sanctions are reimposed. And the President said ? and I'm not going to get ahead of the President, certainly but he said we'll take care of that," she said.&nbsp;

"He was asked also about CAATSA sanctions and possible imposition of CAATSA sanctions. And he said, you know, India is going to find out. And India will find out. We'll see. So I'm not going to get ahead of him, but certainly, when we hear about things such as purchasing oil or the S-400 systems, it's not helpful. The United States government just reviews that very carefully," Nauert said. 
&nbsp;

A top US envoy on Iran is headed to India this week for talks ahead of the November 4 deadline set by the Trump administration for countries to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero.

A top US envoy on Iran is headed to India this week for talks ahead of the November 4 deadline set by the Trump administration for countries to bring down their import of Iranian oil to zero. In addition to India, Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook will be travelling to Europe to further discuss US foreign policy toward Iran. During this week-long trip, Hook will engage "allies and partners on our shared" need to counter the entirety of the Iranian regime's destructive behaviour in the Middle East, and in their own neighbourhoods, the State Department said. In India, he and Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis R Fannon will meet with their counterparts for consultations, and in Luxembourg, he will attend meetings with officials gathered for the European Union meeting of ministers. In France, Hook and Bureau of Energy Resources officials will meet with the executive director of the International Energy Agency, and in Belgium, he will meet with EU counterparts to discuss the Iranian regime's continued missile proliferation, the State Department said. Meanwhile, it said it expected all allies and friends to bring down their purchase of Iranian oil to zero or be ready to face punitive sanctions beginning November 4. Responding to questions on reports that India will continue to purchase oil from Iran after November 4, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said this was not helpful. "Overall with regard to those sanctions that will take effect on November 4th and you're referring to the oil sanctions for Iran and countries that choose to continue purchasing oil from Iran we have conversations with many partners and allies around the world about those sanctions," she said. ''We make our policies very clear to those countries. We continue to have conversations with the government of Iraq about that particular issue and the implications for the reimposition of sanctions that were previously lifted or even waived under the JCPOA," Nauert said. The Trump administration has given the same message to all countries around the world, and the President has said that the United States is committed to re-enforcing all of its sanctions. "We believe that countries coming together and recognising the malign influence that Iran has had around the world is important. We know that Iran and the government of Iran has taken the benefits that it received under the JCPOA and they've poured that money not into their own population, not into the good of the people, not into its medical hospitals and things of that nature, but rather they've used it for its own nefarious programmes," Nauert said. Noting that she has seen reports of India continuing to buy oil from Iran after November 4, she said this was a topic of conversation with the Indian government when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in India last month. "The President had addressed it I believe it was just earlier today which he was asked about that question about whether or not India would buy oil from Iran after sanctions are reimposed. And the President said ? and I'm not going to get ahead of the President, certainly but he said we'll take care of that," she said. "He was asked also about CAATSA sanctions and possible imposition of CAATSA sanctions. And he said, you know, India is going to find out. And India will find out. We'll see. So I'm not going to get ahead of him, but certainly, when we hear about things such as purchasing oil or the S-400 systems, it's not helpful. The United States government just reviews that very carefully," Nauert said.

Top US envoy on Iran to hold talks with India, European nations regarding oil import

Pakistan today summoned US Ambassador David Hale and lodged a strong protest over the killing of a motorcyclist in a road accident involving a vehicle driven by a senior US diplomat.

A fast-moving Land Cruiser, driven by Col Joseph Emanuel Hall, the defence and air attache at the US embassy, jumped the red light and hit a motorcycle carrying two men at a traffic signal near Islamabad's Daman-e-Koh area yesterday.

The motorcyclist, identified as Atiq Baig, 22, died due to a head injury while the pillion rider Raheel Ahmed received injuries.

To register its protest over the incident, the Foreign Office summoned US Ambassador David Hale.

"The US ambassador was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and a strong protest was lodged by the Foreign Secretary on the tragic death of the motorcyclist and serious injury to the co-rider in the traffic accident yesterday that involved a US diplomat," Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said that the US ambassador expressed his deep sympathy and sadness over the loss of life and assured that the embassy would fully cooperate in the investigation.

The foreign secretary conveyed that justice will take its course in accordance with the law of the land and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.

According to Dawn, the diplomat had tried to speed away after the accident, but he was stopped at a nearby checkpoint, where police tried to question him. He, however, refused to get off from the vehicle.

The area police arrived at the scene and asked the driver to surrender. Shortly, several locals and foreigners arrived there on different vehicles and introduced themselves as officials of the US embassy.

The diplomat asked the police to clear the way as he had diplomatic immunity, police said, adding that when they refused, the officials put up resistance.

Senior policemen then visited the spot and took the defence attache and his vehicle, as well as a colleague, to the Kohsar police station, the Dawn reported.

Police asked the other US diplomats to submit written statements about the accident and the diplomatic status of the suspect.

The US diplomat was later allowed to leave. The police, however, impounded the vehicle and took the diplomat's cards for verification, the daily said.

A case was registered against the diplomat on the complaint of the victim father, who is a watchman at an Islamabad school. The injured man is his nephew.

The family of the ones who dies demanded justice after the diplomat was not arrested as he enjoyed immunity under international laws.

Several people took to social media to protest against the favourable treatment given to the US diplomat, the Dawn said.

The police responded in a blog stating that they followed the due legal procedure and the attache had diplomatic immunity granted by the government of Pakistan as per Vienna Convention.

"If a blogger has objections on handing over of the diplomat to the embassy, he/she may approach the government of Pakistan to withdraw from Vienna Convention, the blog posted by the Capital City police said.

The incident is being compared with the 2011 incident when a CIA contractor Raymond Davis was arrested in Lahore on charges of killing two Pakistani citizens.

It kicked off a huge diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Pakistani authorities had charged him with murder, but the Obama administration insisted he is an "administrative and technical official" attached to its Lahore consulate and has diplomatic immunity.

Raymond Davis was later allowed to leave the country after a compromise was reached with the victims' family.

This is the third road accident in recent years in which US diplomats have hit and killed people in Islamabad, the capital city police said, adding that they got away with it because they had diplomatic immunity.

A fast-moving Land Cruiser, driven by Col Joseph Emanuel Hall, the defence and air attache at the US embassy, jumped the red light and hit a motorcycle carrying two men at a traffic signal near Islamabad's Daman-e-Koh area yesterday.

Pakistan today summoned US Ambassador David Hale and lodged a strong protest over the killing of a motorcyclist in a road accident involving a vehicle driven by a senior US diplomat. A fast-moving Land Cruiser, driven by Col Joseph Emanuel Hall, the defence and air attache at the US embassy, jumped the red light and hit a motorcycle carrying two men at a traffic signal near Islamabad's Daman-e-Koh area yesterday. The motorcyclist, identified as Atiq Baig, 22, died due to a head injury while the pillion rider Raheel Ahmed received injuries. To register its protest over the incident, the Foreign Office summoned US Ambassador David Hale. "The US ambassador was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and a strong protest was lodged by the Foreign Secretary on the tragic death of the motorcyclist and serious injury to the co-rider in the traffic accident yesterday that involved a US diplomat," Foreign Office said in a statement. It said that the US ambassador expressed his deep sympathy and sadness over the loss of life and assured that the embassy would fully cooperate in the investigation. The foreign secretary conveyed that justice will take its course in accordance with the law of the land and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. According to Dawn, the diplomat had tried to speed away after the accident, but he was stopped at a nearby checkpoint, where police tried to question him. He, however, refused to get off from the vehicle. The area police arrived at the scene and asked the driver to surrender. Shortly, several locals and foreigners arrived there on different vehicles and introduced themselves as officials of the US embassy. The diplomat asked the police to clear the way as he had diplomatic immunity, police said, adding that when they refused, the officials put up resistance. Senior policemen then visited the spot and took the defence attache and his vehicle, as well as a colleague, to the Kohsar police station, the Dawn reported. Police asked the other US diplomats to submit written statements about the accident and the diplomatic status of the suspect. The US diplomat was later allowed to leave. The police, however, impounded the vehicle and took the diplomat's cards for verification, the daily said. A case was registered against the diplomat on the complaint of the victim father, who is a watchman at an Islamabad school. The injured man is his nephew. The family of the ones who dies demanded justice after the diplomat was not arrested as he enjoyed immunity under international laws. Several people took to social media to protest against the favourable treatment given to the US diplomat, the Dawn said. The police responded in a blog stating that they followed the due legal procedure and the attache had diplomatic immunity granted by the government of Pakistan as per Vienna Convention. "If a blogger has objections on handing over of the diplomat to the embassy, he/she may approach the government of Pakistan to withdraw from Vienna Convention, the blog posted by the Capital City police said. The incident is being compared with the 2011 incident when a CIA contractor Raymond Davis was arrested in Lahore on charges of killing two Pakistani citizens. It kicked off a huge diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Pakistani authorities had charged him with murder, but the Obama administration insisted he is an "administrative and technical official" attached to its Lahore consulate and has diplomatic immunity. Raymond Davis was later allowed to leave the country after a compromise was reached with the victims' family. This is the third road accident in recent years in which US diplomats have hit and killed people in Islamabad, the capital city police said, adding that they got away with it because they had diplomatic immunity.

Pakistan summons US envoy over death of biker in accident involving American diplomat

A senior US&nbsp;diplomat met Lebanon&#39;s foreign minister on Wednesday in Beirut as part of a US&nbsp;shuttle diplomacy effort to resolve tensions between Israel and Lebanon over a border wall and energy drilling in disputed waters.

Disputes over Israeli construction of the border wall, Lebanon&#39;s start of oil and gas exploration at sea and the growing arsenal of Lebanon&#39;s Iran-backed Shi&#39;ite group Hezbollah have caused a spike in tensions between Lebanon and Israel, both friends of the United States that regard each other as enemies.&nbsp;

Lebanon this month signed its first offshore energy exploration and production agreements with a consortium of France&#39;s Total, Italy&#39;s Eni and Russia&#39;s Novatek. One of two blocks given to the consortium, Block 9, contains waters claimed by Israel.

David Satterfield, the acting US&nbsp;assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, has been shuttling back and forth between Israel and Lebanon in a bid to resolve the disputes.

He met Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Wednesday in Beirut. The two had last met on Friday, after which Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated Lebanon&#39;s rejection of U.S. proposals to resolve the maritime dispute as &quot;unacceptable&quot;.

This was an apparent reference to a maritime demarcation line proposed by US&nbsp;diplomat Frederic Hof in 2012, which would give Lebanon around two-thirds and Israel around one-third of a disputed triangular area of sea of around 860 sq km (330 square miles).&nbsp;

A senior Lebanese government source said Satterfield did not come with any new plan, and talks still revolve around the Hof line.&nbsp;

A source in the foreign ministry said he discussed the disputed area, how Lebanon can preserve its rights and how to keep exploration and drilling from being affected.&nbsp;

Satterfield left without making any public comments.

The US&nbsp;Embassy in Lebanon said Satterfield &quot;continues to engage&quot; on regional issues and on helping Lebanon develop its resources in agreement with its neighbours.

A senior US diplomat met Lebanon's foreign minister on Wednesday to resolve tensions between Israel and Lebanon

A senior US diplomat met Lebanon's foreign minister on Wednesday in Beirut as part of a US shuttle diplomacy effort to resolve tensions between Israel and Lebanon over a border wall and energy drilling in disputed waters. Disputes over Israeli construction of the border wall, Lebanon's start of oil and gas exploration at sea and the growing arsenal of Lebanon's Iran-backed Shi'ite group Hezbollah have caused a spike in tensions between Lebanon and Israel, both friends of the United States that regard each other as enemies. Lebanon this month signed its first offshore energy exploration and production agreements with a consortium of France's Total, Italy's Eni and Russia's Novatek. One of two blocks given to the consortium, Block 9, contains waters claimed by Israel. David Satterfield, the acting US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, has been shuttling back and forth between Israel and Lebanon in a bid to resolve the disputes. He met Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil on Wednesday in Beirut. The two had last met on Friday, after which Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated Lebanon's rejection of U.S. proposals to resolve the maritime dispute as "unacceptable". This was an apparent reference to a maritime demarcation line proposed by US diplomat Frederic Hof in 2012, which would give Lebanon around two-thirds and Israel around one-third of a disputed triangular area of sea of around 860 sq km (330 square miles). A senior Lebanese government source said Satterfield did not come with any new plan, and talks still revolve around the Hof line. A source in the foreign ministry said he discussed the disputed area, how Lebanon can preserve its rights and how to keep exploration and drilling from being affected. Satterfield left without making any public comments. The US Embassy in Lebanon said Satterfield "continues to engage" on regional issues and on helping Lebanon develop its resources in agreement with its neighbours.

US envoy visits Beirut, mediating in Lebanon-Israel dispute

A Bangladesh court has placed a youth on a two-day remand for giving death threat to the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat, on the social media here on Tuesday.

According to Dhaka Tribune, the Sub-Inspector of Detective Branch of Police, Patho Chatterjee, produced the youth named Sujon Kumar before the court earlier today. The order was passed by Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Sharafuzzaman Ansari.

Sujon was arrested by the country&#39;s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) on December 31.

According to a case filed with the Ramna Police Station, where he was lodged, Sujon gave death threats to the US Ambassador by using a Facebook account named Hasan Ruhani.

He also made provocative comments against the ambassador.&nbsp;

According to Dhaka Tribune, the Sub-Inspector of Detective Branch of Police, Patho Chatterjee, produced the youth named Sujon Kumar before the court earlier today

A Bangladesh court has placed a youth on a two-day remand for giving death threat to the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat, on the social media here on Tuesday. According to Dhaka Tribune, the Sub-Inspector of Detective Branch of Police, Patho Chatterjee, produced the youth named Sujon Kumar before the court earlier today. The order was passed by Dhaka metropolitan magistrate Sharafuzzaman Ansari. Sujon was arrested by the country's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) on December 31. According to a case filed with the Ramna Police Station, where he was lodged, Sujon gave death threats to the US Ambassador by using a Facebook account named Hasan Ruhani. He also made provocative comments against the ambassador.

Bangladeshi youth sent to jail for death threat to US envoy

us-envoy

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

us envoy

US and China clash over Hong Kong in the midst of trade talks

China summons US envoy after Trump signs Hong Kong Democracy act

Trump, Modi addressing ‘Howdy Modi’ event reflects personal chemistry between two: Indian envoy to US

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad meets Afghan president in Kabul

US 'prepared to engage' with North Korea in nuclear talks: Envoy

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S Jaishankar

US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad meets S.Jaishankar

US envoy calls on international community to ‘urge Iran to de-escalate’

US envoy hints Israeli-Palestinian peace plan delayed to November

Sudan military rulers brief US envoy: State media

US envoy says 'real strides' made in longest Taliban talks

Hard work still needed before Kim-Trump summit: US envoy

Top Taliban leader was released by Pakistan at the behest of Trump administration: US envoy

Top Taliban leader was released by Pakistan at the behest of Trump administration: US envoy

US envoy back from North Korea after talks on Trump-Kim summit

US envoy doubts Afghan Taliban's desire for peace

Pakistan summons US envoy over President Trump's tweets

US envoy for Afghan peace meets Taliban officials in Qatar: Report

Top US envoy on Iran to hold talks with India, European nations regarding oil import

Pakistan summons US envoy over death of biker in accident involving American diplomat

US envoy visits Beirut, mediating in Lebanon-Israel dispute

Bangladeshi youth sent to jail for death threat to US envoy