Just a day after US midterm polls, Attorney General <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fears-for-russia-probe-as-trump-fires-jeff-sessions-176156">Jeff Sessions was fired from the Trump administration</a>. US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted out announcing the same, thanking Sessions for his service. Sessions is the latest to hop on the bandwagon of this year's White House exits.

Sessions' exit closely followed former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley's resignation who put down her papers in October. Trump said that she had done a "fantastic job" and would leave at the end of the year.

"She told me probably six months ago," Trump told reporters, adding that she told him that "I want to take a little time off."

"Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations, has been very special to me. She has done an incredible job. She is a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody who gets it. She has been at the United Nations from the beginning with us, right from the beginning, and worked with us on the campaign," the US president said.

Both these exits have joined over two dozens more US diplomats who called it quits at the White House this year, or were forced out.&nbsp;

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....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1060256623439110146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Besides Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's firing in March, the Trump administration asked over a dozen more diplomats to leave this year or had them replaced. Some of the names on the list include FBI Deputy Director&nbsp;Andrew McCabe, Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategy Nadia Schadlow, Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert and National Security Adviser HR McMaster.

Scores of top US officials resigned in 2018, some of the prominent names included White House Counsel Donald McGahn, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Joe Hagin, White House Special Counsel Ty Cobb, and Trump's lead lawyer John Dowd, among a few others.

Trump has often outsourced the job of booting employees to his chief of staff - and then announced the departures via Twitter, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

When Trump decided to fire FBI chief James Comey, the White House released a letter from the president to Comey on May 9, 2017 explaining that he was being dismissed on the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

On Kelly's first day on the job as chief of staff on July 31, 2017, Trump directed him to fire Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, who had been in the job for a mere 10 days.

According to a Reuters report, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was travelling in Africa when he heard by phone from Kelly that the axe was coming, and so cut his trip short. Trump made the firing official via an early morning Twitter post a few days later on March 13, 2018, and then followed up with a phone call to Tillerson that afternoon. The decision came after months of tension between the two men and reports Tillerson had privately called Trump a "moron."

"Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!," Trump tweeted out on March 13.&nbsp;

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Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/973540316656623616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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US media reported the same stating that Tillerson learnt about his dismissal only after he saw Trump's tweet.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump's administration has been marred by a series of top officials' exits. With Sessions' leaving right after the midterms, the shake-up at the Department of Justice has raised concerns about the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Democrats captured the House in the midterms and have their agenda set on achieving better healthcare infrastructure and pronouncing more trouble for the US President, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/newly-emboldened-democrats-want-healthcare-protected-and-trump-impeached-poll-176262">probably eyeing his impeachment</a>.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Just a day after US midterm polls, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was fired from the Trump administration. US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted out announcing the same, thanking Sessions for his service.

Just a day after US midterm polls, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was fired from the Trump administration. US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted out announcing the same, thanking Sessions for his service. Sessions is the latest to hop on the bandwagon of this year's White House exits. Sessions' exit closely followed former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley's resignation who put down her papers in October. Trump said that she had done a "fantastic job" and would leave at the end of the year. "She told me probably six months ago," Trump told reporters, adding that she told him that "I want to take a little time off." "Nikki Haley, ambassador to the United Nations, has been very special to me. She has done an incredible job. She is a fantastic person, very importantly, but she also is somebody who gets it. She has been at the United Nations from the beginning with us, right from the beginning, and worked with us on the campaign," the US president said. Both these exits have joined over two dozens more US diplomats who called it quits at the White House this year, or were forced out. ....We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well! A permanent replacement will be nominated at a later date. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018 × Besides Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's firing in March, the Trump administration asked over a dozen more diplomats to leave this year or had them replaced. Some of the names on the list include FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategy Nadia Schadlow, Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert and National Security Adviser HR McMaster. Scores of top US officials resigned in 2018, some of the prominent names included White House Counsel Donald McGahn, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Joe Hagin, White House Special Counsel Ty Cobb, and Trump's lead lawyer John Dowd, among a few others. Trump has often outsourced the job of booting employees to his chief of staff - and then announced the departures via Twitter, news agency Reuters reported. When Trump decided to fire FBI chief James Comey, the White House released a letter from the president to Comey on May 9, 2017 explaining that he was being dismissed on the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. On Kelly's first day on the job as chief of staff on July 31, 2017, Trump directed him to fire Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, who had been in the job for a mere 10 days. According to a Reuters report, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was travelling in Africa when he heard by phone from Kelly that the axe was coming, and so cut his trip short. Trump made the firing official via an early morning Twitter post a few days later on March 13, 2018, and then followed up with a phone call to Tillerson that afternoon. The decision came after months of tension between the two men and reports Tillerson had privately called Trump a "moron." "Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!," Trump tweeted out on March 13. Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2018 × US media reported the same stating that Tillerson learnt about his dismissal only after he saw Trump's tweet. President Donald Trump's administration has been marred by a series of top officials' exits. With Sessions' leaving right after the midterms, the shake-up at the Department of Justice has raised concerns about the ongoing probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential election led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Meanwhile, the Democrats captured the House in the midterms and have their agenda set on achieving better healthcare infrastructure and pronouncing more trouble for the US President, probably eyeing his impeachment.

Shake-up in Trump administration: Big White House dismissals and resignations of 2018

United States President Donald Trump on Friday stated that the sanctions which will be imposed on November 5 will hit Iran in a big way. While speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-details-new-sanctions-in-maximum-pressure-hit-on-iran-economy-175195">sanctions</a> as "toughest-ever" punitive measures for a "corrupt regime" in Tehran, news agency PTI reported.

"Iran is a much different country since I terminated that deal. That was one of the most ridiculous deals ever made by any country, at any time: the Iran nuclear deal," he said.

"They're very serious sanctions. They're very big. They'll be elevated from there. But, as you know, sanctions are starting on Iran and Iran is taking a very big hit," Trump added.

Trump pulled out of the 2015 landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May this year, terming it as "disastrous".

"And just today, we riposted all sanctions that were lifted under that horrible deal. We now have in place the toughest ever sanctions on a corrupt regime in Iran," Trump told his supporters at an election rally in West Virginia.

Under the Obama-era deal, involving five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, Iran agreed to stop its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

After the US' withdrawal from the deal, Trump signed fresh sanctions against Iran and warned countries against any cooperation with Tehran over its controversial nuclear weapons programme.

Iran has dismissed these charges and maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eight-countries-exempt-from-iran-oil-sanctions-us-secretary-of-state-pompeo-175155">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said</a> that the US will temporarily allow eight importers to keep buying Iranian oil when it re-imposes sanctions to try to force Iran to curb its nuclear, missile and regional activities. Pompeo, however, did not name the eight, which he referred to as "jurisdictions".

China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Japan have been top importers of Iran's oil, while Taiwan occasionally buys cargoes of Iranian crude but is not a major buyer.

"We will ultimately move Iran to zero crude oil. That'll take us some number of months to do that. We've been able to do that in a way that hasn't had a huge impact on crude oil prices. That's a good thing for American consumers," Pompeo said.

United States Special US Representative on Iran, Brian Hook, told reporters that these eight countries are among the top 20 oil importers from Iran, news agency Reuters reported.

"Our goal remains getting countries to zero imports of Iranian oil. In 2019, our projections are that oil supply will exceed demand, and that creates a much better atmosphere for us to bring remaining nations to zero as quickly as possible," Hook said.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump on Friday stated that the sanctions which will be imposed on November 5 will hit Iran in a big way. While speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described the sanctions as "toughest-ever" punitive measures for a "corrupt regime" in Tehran, news agency PTI reported.

United States President Donald Trump on Friday stated that the sanctions which will be imposed on November 5 will hit Iran in a big way. While speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described the sanctions as "toughest-ever" punitive measures for a "corrupt regime" in Tehran, news agency PTI reported. "Iran is a much different country since I terminated that deal. That was one of the most ridiculous deals ever made by any country, at any time: the Iran nuclear deal," he said. "They're very serious sanctions. They're very big. They'll be elevated from there. But, as you know, sanctions are starting on Iran and Iran is taking a very big hit," Trump added. Trump pulled out of the 2015 landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May this year, terming it as "disastrous". "And just today, we riposted all sanctions that were lifted under that horrible deal. We now have in place the toughest ever sanctions on a corrupt regime in Iran," Trump told his supporters at an election rally in West Virginia. Under the Obama-era deal, involving five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, Iran agreed to stop its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. After the US' withdrawal from the deal, Trump signed fresh sanctions against Iran and warned countries against any cooperation with Tehran over its controversial nuclear weapons programme. Iran has dismissed these charges and maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday said that the US will temporarily allow eight importers to keep buying Iranian oil when it re-imposes sanctions to try to force Iran to curb its nuclear, missile and regional activities. Pompeo, however, did not name the eight, which he referred to as "jurisdictions". China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Japan have been top importers of Iran's oil, while Taiwan occasionally buys cargoes of Iranian crude but is not a major buyer. "We will ultimately move Iran to zero crude oil. That'll take us some number of months to do that. We've been able to do that in a way that hasn't had a huge impact on crude oil prices. That's a good thing for American consumers," Pompeo said. United States Special US Representative on Iran, Brian Hook, told reporters that these eight countries are among the top 20 oil importers from Iran, news agency Reuters reported. "Our goal remains getting countries to zero imports of Iranian oil. In 2019, our projections are that oil supply will exceed demand, and that creates a much better atmosphere for us to bring remaining nations to zero as quickly as possible," Hook said. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump calls November 5 sanctions 'very serious', says 'Iran is taking very big hit'

As election seems near in US, suspicious packages sent to Trump foes Obama, Clinton, CNN

Baby Trump protest balloon flies over Los Angeles

American rapper Kanye West has finally broken his Twitter hiatus days after meeting United States President Donald Trump at the White House for lunch on October 12.On Saturday (local time), Kanye returned to social media after deleting his Instagram and Twitter accounts last week and posted a number of videos about mind control.&nbsp; 
 
The `Ye` star posted two short videos and one sound byte before a long selfie video that lasted nearly 10 minutes. In the main video, Kanye spoke at length about the mind and "unprogramming" ourselves. 
 
"I just want to talk about mind control. You know when people try to influence you through social media and try to tell you what to do, or if people post something that`s positive on Instagram it gets taken down if it`s not part of a bigger agenda," he said. "That`s, like, mind control. That`s the poison that`s happening with social media."

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Mind control <a href="https://t.co/YDYXQ45bDL">https://t.co/YDYXQ45bDL</a>
— ye (@kanyewest) <a href="https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1051253667687526400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In the video, he also criticised social media and its effect on users, especially when people care too much about how many followers they have or likes they get on a picture. "Social media is a lie," he told viewers. 
 
On Thursday (local time), Kanye met Trump and held a press conference in which the duo touched upon the 13th and Second amendments, North Korea, bringing manufacturing to the US, and ending stop-and-frisk in Chicago, among other issues.&nbsp;

American rapper Kanye West has finally broken his Twitter hiatus days after meeting United States President Donald Trump at the White House for lunch on October 12.

American rapper Kanye West has finally broken his Twitter hiatus days after meeting United States President Donald Trump at the White House for lunch on October 12.On Saturday (local time), Kanye returned to social media after deleting his Instagram and Twitter accounts last week and posted a number of videos about mind control. The `Ye` star posted two short videos and one sound byte before a long selfie video that lasted nearly 10 minutes. In the main video, Kanye spoke at length about the mind and "unprogramming" ourselves. "I just want to talk about mind control. You know when people try to influence you through social media and try to tell you what to do, or if people post something that`s positive on Instagram it gets taken down if it`s not part of a bigger agenda," he said. "That`s, like, mind control. That`s the poison that`s happening with social media." Mind control https://t.co/YDYXQ45bDL — ye (@kanyewest) October 13, 2018 × In the video, he also criticised social media and its effect on users, especially when people care too much about how many followers they have or likes they get on a picture. "Social media is a lie," he told viewers. On Thursday (local time), Kanye met Trump and held a press conference in which the duo touched upon the 13th and Second amendments, North Korea, bringing manufacturing to the US, and ending stop-and-frisk in Chicago, among other issues.

Kanye West returns to Twitter after White House visit

Trump orders FBI probe into Kavanaugh

US President Donald Trump will receive his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera, late this month for talks on "efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," the White House said Friday.

The Chilean president had planned to visit the United States for the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting next week.

His visit on September 28 to the White House comes with regional concerns growing about an exodus of Venezuelans fleeing their country's economic meltdown.

Trump has accused Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro of leading a "dictatorship" and a report in The New York Times earlier this month said US officials had met with Venezuelan military officers seeking support for a coup.

Pinera will be received by Trump for what the White House described as a "working visit."

Trump and Pinera "will build upon the strong partnership between their nations in pursuit of a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere," the White House statement said.

"The leaders expect to discuss a shared commitment to pro-growth policies, combating corrupt and illicit networks, strategic partnerships in energy and cybersecurity, and efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," it said.

US President Donald Trump will receive his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera, late this month for talks on "efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," the White House said Friday.

US President Donald Trump will receive his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera, late this month for talks on "efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," the White House said Friday. The Chilean president had planned to visit the United States for the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting next week. His visit on September 28 to the White House comes with regional concerns growing about an exodus of Venezuelans fleeing their country's economic meltdown. Trump has accused Venezuela's leftist President Nicolas Maduro of leading a "dictatorship" and a report in The New York Times earlier this month said US officials had met with Venezuelan military officers seeking support for a coup. Pinera will be received by Trump for what the White House described as a "working visit." Trump and Pinera "will build upon the strong partnership between their nations in pursuit of a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere," the White House statement said. "The leaders expect to discuss a shared commitment to pro-growth policies, combating corrupt and illicit networks, strategic partnerships in energy and cybersecurity, and efforts to restore democracy in Venezuela," it said.

Trump to meet Chile's president for talks on Venezuela

North Korea's Kim Jong Un understands that denuclearisation must happen "quickly", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday, warning there will be no sanctions relief for Pyongyang until the process is complete.

Pompeo said Washington remained committed to the "complete, verifiable and irreversible" denuclearisation of North Korea, after the joint statement from the US-North Korea summit in Singapore drew criticism for lack of detail on the key issue.

"We believe that Kim Jong Un understands the urgency... that we must do this quickly," he said of the effort to have North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons.

Washington's top diplomat is in Seoul to brief his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on Tuesday's historic talks -- the first between sitting leaders of the two countries -- after which a triumphant President Donald Trump said the world can "sleep well".

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-got-along-from-the-beginning-trump-says-of-kim-commentators-say-us-prez-got-outfoxed-144089">'We got along from the beginning,' Trump says of Kim. Commentators say Trump got outfoxed</a>

Following the summit, Trump said the US would halt its "provocative" joint military drills with South Korea as long as negotiations are ongoing with the North, an announcement that caught Seoul by surprise.

But the US-South Korea alliance remains "as robust as ever", Seoul's foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha said at a press conference with Pompeo and Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono.

Pompeo is scheduled to fly to Beijing to meet his Chinese counterpart after the meetings in Seoul.

The comment was made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who added that there would be no sanctions relief for Pyongyang until the process is complete

North Korea's Kim Jong Un understands that denuclearisation must happen "quickly", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday, warning there will be no sanctions relief for Pyongyang until the process is complete. Pompeo said Washington remained committed to the "complete, verifiable and irreversible" denuclearisation of North Korea, after the joint statement from the US-North Korea summit in Singapore drew criticism for lack of detail on the key issue. "We believe that Kim Jong Un understands the urgency... that we must do this quickly," he said of the effort to have North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons. Washington's top diplomat is in Seoul to brief his South Korean and Japanese counterparts on Tuesday's historic talks -- the first between sitting leaders of the two countries -- after which a triumphant President Donald Trump said the world can "sleep well". Also read: 'We got along from the beginning,' Trump says of Kim. Commentators say Trump got outfoxed Following the summit, Trump said the US would halt its "provocative" joint military drills with South Korea as long as negotiations are ongoing with the North, an announcement that caught Seoul by surprise. But the US-South Korea alliance remains "as robust as ever", Seoul's foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha said at a press conference with Pompeo and Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono. Pompeo is scheduled to fly to Beijing to meet his Chinese counterpart after the meetings in Seoul.

Kim Jong-Un knows denuclearisation must be 'quick': US

US President Donald Trump has said "we got along right from the beginning" of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.&nbsp;

The comment was made to the Voice of America's Greta Van Susteren after Trump's summit meeting with Kim on Tuesday. Trump gushed some more about Kim in the interview to VoA.&nbsp;

"Really, he’s got a great personality. He’s a funny guy, he’s very smart, he’s a great negotiator. He loves his people, not that I’m surprised by that, but he loves his people. And I think that we have the start of an amazing deal. We’re going to denuke North Korea," Trump told Susteren.&nbsp;

Susteren of course asked Trump if he was certain about his choice of words. Did Kim really "love his people" considering how many he had starved and brutalised?&nbsp;

Trump covered for Kim by telling Susteren: &nbsp;“Look, he’s doing what he’s seen done, if you look at it. But, I really have to go by today and by yesterday and by a couple of weeks ago because that’s really when this whole thing started."&nbsp;

The "we got along right from the beginning" had come in reply to a question about whether Trump or Kim had given each other ultimatums. Trump said there hadn't been one from either side.&nbsp;

“No, not an ultimatum. We’ve been dealing for three months really and we’ve been dealing through our various representatives including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who’s done a really fantastic job. So we’ve been dealing for a pretty good period of time and when we met today, we got along right from the beginning," Trump said.&nbsp;

Commentators however have said Trump was outfoxed in Singapore. And that while Trump has put a stop to the US's military exercises with South Korea — which the commentators add will blunt US and South Korean troops' preparedness for war — North Korea has in return given very little.&nbsp;

They add that Kim might have told Trump North Korea is willing to "denuclearise" but that the country has been saying saying that since 1992.&nbsp;

Trump told Susteren American troops would continue to be stationed in South Korea but that the "war games" are going to stop because they "cost a fortune".&nbsp;

"We are going to get out of the war games that cost so much money. You know where we — cause I think number one, it’s very provocative, and I want to do it, and I think they’re very happy about it because it is so provocative. But it cost a fortune to do it. And we won’t do that as long as we are negotiating in good faith,” Trump said.&nbsp;

Trump went on to say of Kim: "I think he liked me and I like him. And I understand the past and, you know, nobody has to tell me, he’s a rough guy. He has to be a rough guy or he has been a rough person. But we got along very well. He’s smart, loves his people, he loves his country. He wants a lot of good things and that’s why he’s doing this.”

Susteren also asked Trump what he wanted to say "directly to the citizens of North Korea”.&nbsp;

“Well, I think you have somebody that has a great feeling for them. He wants to do right by them and we got along really well. We had a great chemistry — you understand how I feel about chemistry. It’s very important. I mean, I know people where there is no chemistry no matter what you do you just don’t have it. We had it right from the beginning, I talked about that and I think great things are going to happen for North Korea,” Trump replied.&nbsp;

Trump made his comment to the Voice of America after his historic summit meeting with Kim. 'Really, he’s got a great personality. He’s a funny guy, he’s very smart, he’s a great negotiator,' Trump added

US President Donald Trump has said "we got along right from the beginning" of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. The comment was made to the Voice of America's Greta Van Susteren after Trump's summit meeting with Kim on Tuesday. Trump gushed some more about Kim in the interview to VoA. "Really, he’s got a great personality. He’s a funny guy, he’s very smart, he’s a great negotiator. He loves his people, not that I’m surprised by that, but he loves his people. And I think that we have the start of an amazing deal. We’re going to denuke North Korea," Trump told Susteren. Susteren of course asked Trump if he was certain about his choice of words. Did Kim really "love his people" considering how many he had starved and brutalised? Trump covered for Kim by telling Susteren: “Look, he’s doing what he’s seen done, if you look at it. But, I really have to go by today and by yesterday and by a couple of weeks ago because that’s really when this whole thing started." The "we got along right from the beginning" had come in reply to a question about whether Trump or Kim had given each other ultimatums. Trump said there hadn't been one from either side. “No, not an ultimatum. We’ve been dealing for three months really and we’ve been dealing through our various representatives including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who’s done a really fantastic job. So we’ve been dealing for a pretty good period of time and when we met today, we got along right from the beginning," Trump said. Commentators however have said Trump was outfoxed in Singapore. And that while Trump has put a stop to the US's military exercises with South Korea — which the commentators add will blunt US and South Korean troops' preparedness for war — North Korea has in return given very little. They add that Kim might have told Trump North Korea is willing to "denuclearise" but that the country has been saying saying that since 1992. Trump told Susteren American troops would continue to be stationed in South Korea but that the "war games" are going to stop because they "cost a fortune". "We are going to get out of the war games that cost so much money. You know where we — cause I think number one, it’s very provocative, and I want to do it, and I think they’re very happy about it because it is so provocative. But it cost a fortune to do it. And we won’t do that as long as we are negotiating in good faith,” Trump said. Trump went on to say of Kim: "I think he liked me and I like him. And I understand the past and, you know, nobody has to tell me, he’s a rough guy. He has to be a rough guy or he has been a rough person. But we got along very well. He’s smart, loves his people, he loves his country. He wants a lot of good things and that’s why he’s doing this.” Susteren also asked Trump what he wanted to say "directly to the citizens of North Korea”. “Well, I think you have somebody that has a great feeling for them. He wants to do right by them and we got along really well. We had a great chemistry — you understand how I feel about chemistry. It’s very important. I mean, I know people where there is no chemistry no matter what you do you just don’t have it. We had it right from the beginning, I talked about that and I think great things are going to happen for North Korea,” Trump replied.

'We got along from the beginning,' Trump says of Kim. Commentators say Trump got outfoxed

Trump and Kim concluded their first historic meeting — it really is, a sitting US President and a North Korean leader have never met before, not even spoken on the phone — today.&nbsp;

The one-on-one, along with translators, lasted about 48 minutes.&nbsp;

Reuters quoted a body language expert as saying Trump and Kim both sought to project a sense of command as they began their summit,&nbsp;

The body language expert said their handshake, which lasted over 10 seconds, showed both leaders seeking to take charge of their encounter. Trump spoke to Kim during the handshake, while the North Korean leader listened affirmatively.&nbsp;

"Their handshake seems to be between peers," Karen Leong, Managing Director of Singapore-headquartered Influence Solutions, said. "Trump seemed to be very aware of this, that he needed to up the stakes and be seen that he is the leader."&nbsp;

Trump arrived to the summit looking serious, and showed off the power-grab gestures most recently seen during the G7 summit this week. He patted the North Korean leader on the arm twice and also initiated a handshake while talking to the media about the "successful relationship".&nbsp;

Trump did most of the talking and Kim appeared to listen attentively, turning to him three times during their walk towards the library they were meeting in. But he also patted the US President's arm, in an attempt to show control over the encounter.

Trump, who is more than twice as old Kim who is reportedly 34, appeared to lead the way to the library, placing his hand on the North Korean leader's back.&nbsp;

But Leong said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump had said he would be able to work out within the first minute whether his North Korean counterpart was serious about making peace.

"I think that very quickly I'll know that something good is going to happen," Trump said in Canada during the G7 meeting. "I also think I'll know if it's going to happen fast – it may not, but I'll know pretty quickly whether or not, in my opinion, something positive will happen."

The two leaders had, before their sudden thaw, been trading insults for months with economic sanctions on North Korea ramped up in response to its nuclear weapons programme.

A body language expert said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground

Trump and Kim concluded their first historic meeting — it really is, a sitting US President and a North Korean leader have never met before, not even spoken on the phone — today. The one-on-one, along with translators, lasted about 48 minutes. Reuters quoted a body language expert as saying Trump and Kim both sought to project a sense of command as they began their summit, The body language expert said their handshake, which lasted over 10 seconds, showed both leaders seeking to take charge of their encounter. Trump spoke to Kim during the handshake, while the North Korean leader listened affirmatively. "Their handshake seems to be between peers," Karen Leong, Managing Director of Singapore-headquartered Influence Solutions, said. "Trump seemed to be very aware of this, that he needed to up the stakes and be seen that he is the leader." Trump arrived to the summit looking serious, and showed off the power-grab gestures most recently seen during the G7 summit this week. He patted the North Korean leader on the arm twice and also initiated a handshake while talking to the media about the "successful relationship". Trump did most of the talking and Kim appeared to listen attentively, turning to him three times during their walk towards the library they were meeting in. But he also patted the US President's arm, in an attempt to show control over the encounter. Trump, who is more than twice as old Kim who is reportedly 34, appeared to lead the way to the library, placing his hand on the North Korean leader's back. But Leong said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground. Ahead of the meeting, Trump had said he would be able to work out within the first minute whether his North Korean counterpart was serious about making peace. "I think that very quickly I'll know that something good is going to happen," Trump said in Canada during the G7 meeting. "I also think I'll know if it's going to happen fast – it may not, but I'll know pretty quickly whether or not, in my opinion, something positive will happen." The two leaders had, before their sudden thaw, been trading insults for months with economic sanctions on North Korea ramped up in response to its nuclear weapons programme.

Trump and Kim's body language said both tried to show they were in control

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday had gone "better than anybody could have expected", and they would sign a document following talks on ways to end a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula.

Kim stood silently alongside Trump as he spoke to media during a post-lunch stroll through the gardens of the Singapore hotel where the summit was held, but the North Korean leader had earlier described their meeting as a "a good prelude to peace".

Both men walked to Trump's limousine and looked in at the rear seat, with Trump apparently showing Kim something inside. They then resumed their walk.

"A lot of progress - really very positive. I think better than anybody could have expected. Top of the line, very good. We’re going now for a signing," Trump told journalists, without giving details on what would be signed.

Should they succeed in making a diplomatic breakthrough, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of Northeast Asia, like the visit of former U.S. President Richard Nixon to China in 1972 led to the transformation of China.

Both men had looked serious as they got out of their limousines for the summit at the Capella hotel on Singapore's Sentosa, a resort island with luxury hotels, a casino, manmade beaches and a Universal Studios theme park.

But, with cameras of the world's press trained on them, they displayed an initial atmosphere of bonhomie as they met on the verandah of the Capella, a refurbished 19th century British regimental officers' mess.

After a handshake, they were soon smiling and holding each other by the arm, before Trump guided Kim to the library where they held a meeting with only their interpreters. Trump had said on Saturday he would know within a minute of meeting Kim whether he would reach a deal.

Inside, they sat alongside each other against a backdrop of North Korean and U.S. flags, with Kim beaming broadly as the U.S. president gave him a thumbs up.

The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, in which millions of people died, was concluded only with a truce.

After initial exchanges lasting around 40 minutes, Trump and Kim emerged, walking side-by-side through the colonnaded hotel before entering a meeting room, where they were joined by their most senior officials.

Kim was heard telling Trump through a translator: "I think the entire world is watching this moment. Many people in the world will think of this as a scene from a fantasy...science fiction movie."

Asked by a reporter how the meeting was going, Trump said: "Very good. Very, very good. Good relationship."

Kim also sounded positive about the prospects.

"We overcame all kinds of scepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good for the peace," he said. "I believe this is a good prelude for peace."

Trump was joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, for the expanded talks, while Kim's team included former military intelligence chief Kim Yong Chol, foreign minister Ri Yong Ho and Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party.

MARKETS CALM

As the two leaders met, Singapore navy vessels, and air force Apache helicopters patrolled, while fighter jets and an Gulfstream 550 early warning aircraft circled.

Financial markets were largely steady in Asia and did not show any noticeable reaction to the start of the summit. The dollar was at a three-week high and the MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares was largely unchanged from Monday.

While Trump and Kim search each other’s eyes and words for signs of trust or deceit, the rest of the world will be watching, hoping that somehow these two unpredictable leaders can find a way to defuse one of the planet's most dangerous flashpoints.

Body language expert said both men tried to project command as they met, but also displayed signs of nerves.

After the meetings, the two teams and other senior officials met for a working lunch, where beef short ribs, sweet and sour pork and "Daegu Jormin", or Korean braised cod, were served for the main course, according to the menu. That was to be followed by dark chocolate tarts, pastries and vanilla ice cream for dessert. The North Korean leader's sister and close confidante Kim Yo Jong was among the lunch party.

As the cameras captured the moment, Trump quipped: "Very nice. Getting a good picture everyone, so we all look nice and handsome and thin...perfect".

In the hours before the summit began, Trump expressed optimism about prospects for the first-ever meeting of sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders, while Pompeo injected a note of caution whether Kim would prove to be sincere about his willingness to denuclearise.

Pompeo said the summit should set the framework for "the hard work that will follow", insisting that North Korea had to move toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.

North Korea, however, has shown little appetite for surrendering nuclear weapons it considers vital to the survival of Kim's dynastic rule.

Sanctions on North Korea would remain in place until that happened, Pompeo said on Monday. "If diplomacy does not move in the right direction ... those measures will increase."

The White House said later that discussions with North Korea had moved "more quickly than expected" and Trump would leave Singapore on Tuesday night after the summit, rather than Wednesday, as scheduled earlier.

Kim is due to leave on Tuesday afternoon, a source involved in the planning of his visit has said.

One of the world's most reclusive leaders, Kim visited Singapore's waterfront on Monday, smiling and waving to onlookers, adding to a more affable image that has emerged since his April summit with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in.

Trump spoke to Moon and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both key allies of Washington in the region, to discuss developments ahead of the summit.

"I too, got little sleep last night," Moon told his cabinet in Seoul as the summit began in Singapore.

"I truly hope it will be a successful summit that will open a new age for the two Koreas and the United States and bring us complete denuclearisation and peace."

Trump added that he and Kim would sign a document following talks on ways to end a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump said a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday had gone "better than anybody could have expected", and they would sign a document following talks on ways to end a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula. Kim stood silently alongside Trump as he spoke to media during a post-lunch stroll through the gardens of the Singapore hotel where the summit was held, but the North Korean leader had earlier described their meeting as a "a good prelude to peace". Both men walked to Trump's limousine and looked in at the rear seat, with Trump apparently showing Kim something inside. They then resumed their walk. "A lot of progress - really very positive. I think better than anybody could have expected. Top of the line, very good. We’re going now for a signing," Trump told journalists, without giving details on what would be signed. Should they succeed in making a diplomatic breakthrough, it could bring lasting change to the security landscape of Northeast Asia, like the visit of former U.S. President Richard Nixon to China in 1972 led to the transformation of China. Both men had looked serious as they got out of their limousines for the summit at the Capella hotel on Singapore's Sentosa, a resort island with luxury hotels, a casino, manmade beaches and a Universal Studios theme park. But, with cameras of the world's press trained on them, they displayed an initial atmosphere of bonhomie as they met on the verandah of the Capella, a refurbished 19th century British regimental officers' mess. After a handshake, they were soon smiling and holding each other by the arm, before Trump guided Kim to the library where they held a meeting with only their interpreters. Trump had said on Saturday he would know within a minute of meeting Kim whether he would reach a deal. Inside, they sat alongside each other against a backdrop of North Korean and U.S. flags, with Kim beaming broadly as the U.S. president gave him a thumbs up. The combatants of the 1950-53 Korean War are technically still at war, as the conflict, in which millions of people died, was concluded only with a truce. After initial exchanges lasting around 40 minutes, Trump and Kim emerged, walking side-by-side through the colonnaded hotel before entering a meeting room, where they were joined by their most senior officials. Kim was heard telling Trump through a translator: "I think the entire world is watching this moment. Many people in the world will think of this as a scene from a fantasy...science fiction movie." Asked by a reporter how the meeting was going, Trump said: "Very good. Very, very good. Good relationship." Kim also sounded positive about the prospects. "We overcame all kinds of scepticism and speculations about this summit and I believe that this is good for the peace," he said. "I believe this is a good prelude for peace." Trump was joined by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, and John Kelly, White House Chief of Staff, for the expanded talks, while Kim's team included former military intelligence chief Kim Yong Chol, foreign minister Ri Yong Ho and Ri Su Yong, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party. MARKETS CALM As the two leaders met, Singapore navy vessels, and air force Apache helicopters patrolled, while fighter jets and an Gulfstream 550 early warning aircraft circled. Financial markets were largely steady in Asia and did not show any noticeable reaction to the start of the summit. The dollar was at a three-week high and the MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares was largely unchanged from Monday. While Trump and Kim search each other’s eyes and words for signs of trust or deceit, the rest of the world will be watching, hoping that somehow these two unpredictable leaders can find a way to defuse one of the planet's most dangerous flashpoints. Body language expert said both men tried to project command as they met, but also displayed signs of nerves. After the meetings, the two teams and other senior officials met for a working lunch, where beef short ribs, sweet and sour pork and "Daegu Jormin", or Korean braised cod, were served for the main course, according to the menu. That was to be followed by dark chocolate tarts, pastries and vanilla ice cream for dessert. The North Korean leader's sister and close confidante Kim Yo Jong was among the lunch party. As the cameras captured the moment, Trump quipped: "Very nice. Getting a good picture everyone, so we all look nice and handsome and thin...perfect". In the hours before the summit began, Trump expressed optimism about prospects for the first-ever meeting of sitting U.S. and North Korean leaders, while Pompeo injected a note of caution whether Kim would prove to be sincere about his willingness to denuclearise. Pompeo said the summit should set the framework for "the hard work that will follow", insisting that North Korea had to move toward complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. North Korea, however, has shown little appetite for surrendering nuclear weapons it considers vital to the survival of Kim's dynastic rule. Sanctions on North Korea would remain in place until that happened, Pompeo said on Monday. "If diplomacy does not move in the right direction ... those measures will increase." The White House said later that discussions with North Korea had moved "more quickly than expected" and Trump would leave Singapore on Tuesday night after the summit, rather than Wednesday, as scheduled earlier. Kim is due to leave on Tuesday afternoon, a source involved in the planning of his visit has said. One of the world's most reclusive leaders, Kim visited Singapore's waterfront on Monday, smiling and waving to onlookers, adding to a more affable image that has emerged since his April summit with South Korean leader Moon Jae-in. Trump spoke to Moon and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, both key allies of Washington in the region, to discuss developments ahead of the summit. "I too, got little sleep last night," Moon told his cabinet in Seoul as the summit began in Singapore. "I truly hope it will be a successful summit that will open a new age for the two Koreas and the United States and bring us complete denuclearisation and peace."

Trump says summit with North Korea's Kim 'better than anybody expected'

US President Donald Trump will today hold a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, ahead of the historic US-North Korea summit tomorrow.

The meeting between the two leaders will be followed by expanded bilateral meetings and a working lunch.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that the President, Secretary of State, White House Chief of Staff, and National Security Adviser have arrived in Singapore for the June 12 summit.

Kim yesterday held a meeting with Prime Minister Lee. 
He thanked Singapore's organisation of the summit as if it was "their own family affair".

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as the summit and the recent positive developments on the Korean peninsula. Lee complimented the bold and admirable decision by Kim and Trump to come together for the Summit.

Prime Minister Lee wished Kim a success for the summit and expressed hope that the US-DPRK meeting will advance the prospects for peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the larger region.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Singapore on Sunday for a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that could lay the groundwork for ending a nuclear stand-off between the old foes and the transformation of the isolated Asian nation.

Trump flew into Singapore's Paya Lebar Air Base aboard Air Force One, looking to strike a deal that will lead to the denuclearisation of one of America's bitterest foes. He came from a divisive G7 meeting in Canada with some of Washington's closest allies that further strained global trade ties.

Kim arrived at Singapore's Changi Airport after his longest trip overseas as head of state, wearing his trademark dark "Mao suit" and distinctive high-cut hairstyle. He has not left his country since taking office in 2011 other than to visit China and the South Korean side of the border Demilitarised Zone.

Arriving on a plane loaned by China, which for decades has been North Korea's only major ally, Kim was also greeted by Balakrishnan.

The meeting between the two leaders will be followed by expanded bilateral meetings and a working lunch

US President Donald Trump will today hold a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, ahead of the historic US-North Korea summit tomorrow. The meeting between the two leaders will be followed by expanded bilateral meetings and a working lunch. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that the President, Secretary of State, White House Chief of Staff, and National Security Adviser have arrived in Singapore for the June 12 summit. Kim yesterday held a meeting with Prime Minister Lee. He thanked Singapore's organisation of the summit as if it was "their own family affair". The two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as the summit and the recent positive developments on the Korean peninsula. Lee complimented the bold and admirable decision by Kim and Trump to come together for the Summit. Prime Minister Lee wished Kim a success for the summit and expressed hope that the US-DPRK meeting will advance the prospects for peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the larger region. US President Donald Trump arrived in Singapore on Sunday for a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that could lay the groundwork for ending a nuclear stand-off between the old foes and the transformation of the isolated Asian nation. Trump flew into Singapore's Paya Lebar Air Base aboard Air Force One, looking to strike a deal that will lead to the denuclearisation of one of America's bitterest foes. He came from a divisive G7 meeting in Canada with some of Washington's closest allies that further strained global trade ties. Kim arrived at Singapore's Changi Airport after his longest trip overseas as head of state, wearing his trademark dark "Mao suit" and distinctive high-cut hairstyle. He has not left his country since taking office in 2011 other than to visit China and the South Korean side of the border Demilitarised Zone. Arriving on a plane loaned by China, which for decades has been North Korea's only major ally, Kim was also greeted by Balakrishnan.

Trump, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Lee to hold bilateral meetings, working lunch today

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump on Monday said he had committed no wrongdoing but has the "absolute" power to pardon himself, echoing a sweeping argument put forth by his lawyers amid the US&nbspspecial counsel's investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

In the memo to US&nbspSpecial Counsel Robert Mueller, which was sent in January and reported on by the New York Times on Saturday, Trump's lawyers argued the president could not have obstructed the investigation, given the powers granted to him by the US&nbspConstitution.

One of Trump's lawyers on Sunday also spoke of Trump's broad claim to power, saying the president probably could pardon himself but was unlikely to do so.

"As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?" Trump said in a Twitter post on Monday, reiterating his claim that the Russia investigation was a "witch hunt."

"The appointment of the Special Counsel is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL," Trump said in another post.

Several pardons already issued by Trump also have raised questions about his use of the presidential pardon power. Last week he pardoned Dinesh D'Souza, a conservative pundit convicted of campaign finance crimes, and last year he pardoned former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who campaigned for Trump before being convicted in a case regarding racial profiling.

Critics say Trump has undermined the rule of law with pardons based on political considerations.

The rebukes came again on Monday as several Democratic lawmakers pushed back against Trump's claim and noted that Mueller's investigation has already led to multiple indictments, including against several Trump aides who have pleaded guilty.

'YOU'RE NOT A KING'

"You can’t pardon yourself," Democratic US&nbspRepresentative Ted Deutch said in response to Trump on Twitter. "Let me remind you of something, we don’t live in a monarchy and you are not a king."

Harvard Law School constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe called Trump's position "ludicrous" and "legal fantasy."

Trump first opened the door to what he said was his "complete power to pardon" last July in a series of tweets that appeared to be in response to a report that Trump and his legal team had examined presidential powers to pardon Trump aides, family members and possibly even himself.

On a Sunday, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani told on ABC's "This Week" program it was an "open question" as to whether the president could pardon himself but that Trump "has no intention" of doing so. Giuliani said the U.S. Constitution, which gives a president the authority to issue pardons, "doesn't say he can't."

The 20-page letter from Trump's lawyers to Mueller in January came in response to repeated requests by the special counsel's office asking to interview Trump, according to the Times.[L2N1T40CM]

Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Moscow sought to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election to boost Donald Trump's prospects of becoming president. Trump has also said there was no collusion by his campaign.

Some of Mueller's actions remain under seal but so far five people have pleaded guilty, including former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and longtime Manafort business partner Rick Gates.

Mueller's team has also charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies as well as Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has not pleaded guilty.

As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?' Trump said in a Twitter post on Monday

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump on Monday said he had committed no wrongdoing but has the "absolute" power to pardon himself, echoing a sweeping argument put forth by his lawyers amid the US&nbspspecial counsel's investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. In the memo to US&nbspSpecial Counsel Robert Mueller, which was sent in January and reported on by the New York Times on Saturday, Trump's lawyers argued the president could not have obstructed the investigation, given the powers granted to him by the US&nbspConstitution. One of Trump's lawyers on Sunday also spoke of Trump's broad claim to power, saying the president probably could pardon himself but was unlikely to do so. "As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong?" Trump said in a Twitter post on Monday, reiterating his claim that the Russia investigation was a "witch hunt." "The appointment of the Special Counsel is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL," Trump said in another post. Several pardons already issued by Trump also have raised questions about his use of the presidential pardon power. Last week he pardoned Dinesh D'Souza, a conservative pundit convicted of campaign finance crimes, and last year he pardoned former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who campaigned for Trump before being convicted in a case regarding racial profiling. Critics say Trump has undermined the rule of law with pardons based on political considerations. The rebukes came again on Monday as several Democratic lawmakers pushed back against Trump's claim and noted that Mueller's investigation has already led to multiple indictments, including against several Trump aides who have pleaded guilty. 'YOU'RE NOT A KING' "You can’t pardon yourself," Democratic US&nbspRepresentative Ted Deutch said in response to Trump on Twitter. "Let me remind you of something, we don’t live in a monarchy and you are not a king." Harvard Law School constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe called Trump's position "ludicrous" and "legal fantasy." Trump first opened the door to what he said was his "complete power to pardon" last July in a series of tweets that appeared to be in response to a report that Trump and his legal team had examined presidential powers to pardon Trump aides, family members and possibly even himself. On a Sunday, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani told on ABC's "This Week" program it was an "open question" as to whether the president could pardon himself but that Trump "has no intention" of doing so. Giuliani said the U.S. Constitution, which gives a president the authority to issue pardons, "doesn't say he can't." The 20-page letter from Trump's lawyers to Mueller in January came in response to repeated requests by the special counsel's office asking to interview Trump, according to the Times.[L2N1T40CM] Russia has denied U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Moscow sought to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election to boost Donald Trump's prospects of becoming president. Trump has also said there was no collusion by his campaign. Some of Mueller's actions remain under seal but so far five people have pleaded guilty, including former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn and longtime Manafort business partner Rick Gates. Mueller's team has also charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies as well as Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has not pleaded guilty.

As Special Counsel's investigation progresses, Trump says he has 'absolute' power to pardon himself

Singapore will bear some of the cost of the planned summit between US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, its defence minister Ng Eng Hen said on Saturday, a day after Trump put the meeting back on agenda.

Kim's trip to Singapore, which would be the furthest he would have travelled as leader, poses logistical challenges that are likely to include using Soviet-era aircraft to carry him and his limousine, as well as dozens of security and other staff.

The Washington Post reported earlier that some unresolved logistical issues relating to the summit were who would pay the hotel bills of the leader of the cash-strapped country, whose economy has been squeezed by a series of UN&nbsp;and unilateral sanctions for its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Singapore, a small but wealthy Southeast Asian city-state, is determined to successfully host the summit and is willing to foot at least some of the bill.

"Obviously yes, but it is a cost that we're willing to bear to play a small part in this historic meeting," Ng told reporters without elaborating, when asked if Singapore will be bearing the cost of the summit, which is scheduled for June 12.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-summit-back-on-but-who-will-pay-for-kims-hotel-room-141802">Trump says summit back on but who will pay for Kim's hotel room?</a>&nbsp;

Kim Chang Son, the de facto chief of staff for the North Korean government was seen this week at The Fullerton, a centrally located, five-star hotel that is a refurbished government building overlooking the Singapore river. Media reports said he was in Singapore to meet US&nbsp;officials to work out logistics for the summit

The Fullerton was North Korea's lodging of choice, the Washington Post said. The presidential suite may set the government back by at least 8,000 Singapore dollars ($6,000) a night, it said.

The hotel declined to povide the room charge for the presidential suite.

There was no confirmation on the location for the meeting between Kim and Trump although there are a number of sites in Singapore that can guarantee security protection, including hotels that have experience hosting high-security events, local media and a Singapore government official said.

Among the potential venues mentioned as the site of the summit include the Shangri-la Hotel, which hosted Indian Prime Minister and defense chiefs from around the world this weekend, and the Capella hotel on the resort island of Sentosa.

The 348-square meter Shangri-la Suite in the Valley Wing of the Shangri-la was priced at S$10,000 for the June 12 night.

The statement was made by Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen. One of the tricky questions around the summit has been: Who will pay for Kim Jong-Un's hotel room?

Singapore will bear some of the cost of the planned summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, its defence minister Ng Eng Hen said on Saturday, a day after Trump put the meeting back on agenda. Kim's trip to Singapore, which would be the furthest he would have travelled as leader, poses logistical challenges that are likely to include using Soviet-era aircraft to carry him and his limousine, as well as dozens of security and other staff. The Washington Post reported earlier that some unresolved logistical issues relating to the summit were who would pay the hotel bills of the leader of the cash-strapped country, whose economy has been squeezed by a series of UN and unilateral sanctions for its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Singapore, a small but wealthy Southeast Asian city-state, is determined to successfully host the summit and is willing to foot at least some of the bill. "Obviously yes, but it is a cost that we're willing to bear to play a small part in this historic meeting," Ng told reporters without elaborating, when asked if Singapore will be bearing the cost of the summit, which is scheduled for June 12. Also read: Trump says summit back on but who will pay for Kim's hotel room? Kim Chang Son, the de facto chief of staff for the North Korean government was seen this week at The Fullerton, a centrally located, five-star hotel that is a refurbished government building overlooking the Singapore river. Media reports said he was in Singapore to meet US officials to work out logistics for the summit The Fullerton was North Korea's lodging of choice, the Washington Post said. The presidential suite may set the government back by at least 8,000 Singapore dollars ($6,000) a night, it said. The hotel declined to povide the room charge for the presidential suite. There was no confirmation on the location for the meeting between Kim and Trump although there are a number of sites in Singapore that can guarantee security protection, including hotels that have experience hosting high-security events, local media and a Singapore government official said. Among the potential venues mentioned as the site of the summit include the Shangri-la Hotel, which hosted Indian Prime Minister and defense chiefs from around the world this weekend, and the Capella hotel on the resort island of Sentosa. The 348-square meter Shangri-la Suite in the Valley Wing of the Shangri-la was priced at S$10,000 for the June 12 night.

Singapore will bear some costs of Trump-Kim summit: Defence Minister

Trump announced early Saturday morning that his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was back on.&nbsp

He made his announcement after meeting at the White House with Kim's right-hand man Kim Yong Chol.&nbsp

Chol delivered a letter from Kim to Trump, after which Trump said the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/historic-summit-with-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-is-back-on-for-june-12-in-singapore-donald-trump-141676">summit was back on</a>.&nbsp

Trump had only last week called off the summit citing "open hostility" from Kim

Trump and Kim will now be meeting — as planned earlier — on June 12 in Singapore.&nbsp

News reports said the two sides — the US and North Korea — are currently and furiously planning the summit on an island resort off Singapore.&nbsp

The reports said the discussions between the two sides are being spearheaded by the White House deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and Kim's de-facto chief of staff, Kim Chang Son.&nbsp

One of the questions the two sides are grappling with is: Who is going to pay for Kim's hotel room?&nbsp

The reports said North Korea would like for Kim to be put up at Singapore's Fullerton hotel, described as a magnificient neoclassical hotel where just one presidential suite costs more than Rs 4 lakh a night.&nbsp

<img alt="the fullerton.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/the%20fullerton.jpg" width="770" />

(The Fullerton hotel. Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

The reports added that the US is open to paying Kim's bills but that North Korea might view that as an insult.&nbsp

The compromise that is then reportedly being worked out is that the US might ask Singapore — the host nation — to pay for Kim's room.&nbsp

North Korea would like for Kim to be put up at Singapore's Fullerton hotel, described as a magnificient neoclassical hotel where just one presidential suite costs more than Rs 4 lakh a night

Trump announced early Saturday morning that his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was back on. He made his announcement after meeting at the White House with Kim's right-hand man Kim Yong Chol. Chol delivered a letter from Kim to Trump, after which Trump said the summit was back on. Trump had only last week called off the summit citing "open hostility" from Kim Trump and Kim will now be meeting — as planned earlier — on June 12 in Singapore. News reports said the two sides — the US and North Korea — are currently and furiously planning the summit on an island resort off Singapore. The reports said the discussions between the two sides are being spearheaded by the White House deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin and Kim's de-facto chief of staff, Kim Chang Son. One of the questions the two sides are grappling with is: Who is going to pay for Kim's hotel room? The reports said North Korea would like for Kim to be put up at Singapore's Fullerton hotel, described as a magnificient neoclassical hotel where just one presidential suite costs more than Rs 4 lakh a night. (The Fullerton hotel. Image source: Wikimedia Commons) The reports added that the US is open to paying Kim's bills but that North Korea might view that as an insult. The compromise that is then reportedly being worked out is that the US might ask Singapore — the host nation — to pay for Kim's room.

Trump says summit back on but who will pay for Kim's hotel room? 

US President Donald Trump is concerned about China's unfair trade practices and striving to stop Beijing from such practices and theft of American intellectual property, the White House said today.

The White House statement came a day after it renewed its threat to place 25 per cent tariffs on USD 50 billion in Chinese goods in retaliation of the latter's unfair trade practices.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump is having a "good relationship" with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and both are continuing to have conversations when it comes to North Korea.

"The President continues to have a good relationship with President Xi, but what he is concerned about is making sure he stops the unfair trade practices that China has engaged in for decades stopping the intellectual property theft that China has been engaged in and making sure that we no longer allow China to play on a different playing field than the rest of us," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference

She expressed hope that the two leaders will continue to share a good relationship but added that Trump would not stand for any unfair trade policy.&nbsp;

"He's not going to allow American workers to be taken advantage of. He's going to call that out, and he's going to step up and make those changes," she said in response to a question.

Congressman Drew Ferguson applauded the Trump administration for their decision to place restrictions on China's acquisition of sensitive American technology.

"We must not allow this country to overtake the United States and become a leading power," Ferguson said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China, finding that exporters in China received countervailable subsidies ranging from 12.81 per cent to 94.67 per cent.

As such, the Commerce Department will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China based on these preliminary rates.

In 2017, imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China were valued at an estimated USD 22.5 million.&nbsp;

The White House statement came a day after it renewed its threat to place 25 per cent tariffs on USD 50 billion in Chinese goods in retaliation of the latter's unfair trade practices

US President Donald Trump is concerned about China's unfair trade practices and striving to stop Beijing from such practices and theft of American intellectual property, the White House said today. The White House statement came a day after it renewed its threat to place 25 per cent tariffs on USD 50 billion in Chinese goods in retaliation of the latter's unfair trade practices. At the same time, US President Donald Trump is having a "good relationship" with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and both are continuing to have conversations when it comes to North Korea. "The President continues to have a good relationship with President Xi, but what he is concerned about is making sure he stops the unfair trade practices that China has engaged in for decades stopping the intellectual property theft that China has been engaged in and making sure that we no longer allow China to play on a different playing field than the rest of us," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference She expressed hope that the two leaders will continue to share a good relationship but added that Trump would not stand for any unfair trade policy. "He's not going to allow American workers to be taken advantage of. He's going to call that out, and he's going to step up and make those changes," she said in response to a question. Congressman Drew Ferguson applauded the Trump administration for their decision to place restrictions on China's acquisition of sensitive American technology. "We must not allow this country to overtake the United States and become a leading power," Ferguson said. Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China, finding that exporters in China received countervailable subsidies ranging from 12.81 per cent to 94.67 per cent. As such, the Commerce Department will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China based on these preliminary rates. In 2017, imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China were valued at an estimated USD 22.5 million.

Trump concerned about China's unfair trade practices: White House

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in New York&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;to meet with North Korean envoy Kim Yong Chol, the most senior North Korean envoy to hold talks with American officials on US&nbsp;soil&nbsp;in 18 years.

Kim is a former spy chief and trusted adviser to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, playing a pivotal role in preparations for&nbsp;a historic&nbsp;summit between Kim and US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

Sent as Kim Jong Un's envoy to the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February, Kim Yong Chol told South Korean President Moon Jae-in Pyongyang was open to talks with Washington, the first indication North Korea was changing course after months of trading threats and insults with the United States.

Sent as Kim Jong Un's envoy to the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February, Kim Yong Chol told South Korean President Moon Jae-in Pyongyang was open to talks with Washington

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was in New York on Wednesday to meet with North Korean envoy Kim Yong Chol, the most senior North Korean envoy to hold talks with American officials on US soil in 18 years. Kim is a former spy chief and trusted adviser to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, playing a pivotal role in preparations for a historic summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump. Sent as Kim Jong Un's envoy to the Winter Olympics in South Korea in February, Kim Yong Chol told South Korean President Moon Jae-in Pyongyang was open to talks with Washington, the first indication North Korea was changing course after months of trading threats and insults with the United States.

Pompeo, North Korean envoy wrap up meeting in New York

President Donald Trump is running out of time to deliver a revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) he promised for this year and people involved in the talks say the crunch is largely of his administration's own making.

Negotiators, industry lobbyists, trade experts and lawmakers briefed on the talks described how precious months passed before the US team presented its proposals and how the talks stalled because the demands far exceeded what&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;and Mexico had expected and Washington signalled no readiness to compromise.

In the end, an unusually tight timetable allowed little space to bridge differences on the core issues, such as the US&nbsp;and regional content requirements for the auto industry.

Talks started last August with a goal to conclude in just four months, but as a May 17 notification deadline to allow the current Republican-led US&nbsp;Congress to approve a new agreement before year-end passed, US&nbsp;Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer warned a deal was "nowhere near close."

&nbsp;

Time pressure shifts

Up until a few weeks ago, Lighthizer thought Mexico faced the biggest time pressure to wrap up the talks before its&nbsp;July 1&nbsp;presidential elections.

In early May, however, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told Lighthizer in Washington that he would be able to negotiate a NAFTA agreement up until the&nbsp;Dec. 1&nbsp;transition to a new government - even if an opposition candidate won.

Suddenly, it was the United States running against the looming congressional deadline, the Mexican source said.

The Trump administration's negotiating goals submitted to Congress in July 2017 talked of shrinking trade deficits with Mexico and&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;and boosting US&nbsp;auto production.&nbsp;

In contrast, the US&nbsp;neighbours saw the talks more as a "modernization" exercise, proposing, for example, chapters on the digital trade that did not exist when NAFTA took effect in 1994.

Broadly, both were fine with the status quo, so when it took Washington two months to present specific demands the delay played into their hands.

"How can you launch talks to update a treaty and then make everyone wait months before you explain what you want," asked one Canadian official briefed on the talks.

Lighthizer's office said he was clear all along about aiming to "rebalance" NAFTA trade in US&nbsp;favour.

"The United States has been very clear and specific from the start about what we hope to see in a new NAFTA and has worked at an unprecedented pace to negotiate a better deal for America," the office's spokesman said.

When Lighthizer's team presented the demands in October, Canadian and Mexican officials said they amounted to surrendering decades of trade benefits, which they could not accept.

US&nbsp;business groups labelled those demands "poison pills" that threatened to derail the talks and prompt Trump to quit the pact. The key ones were: a steep increase in regional automotive content requirements, a demand for half the value of North American vehicles to originate in the United States and a requirement to renegotiate the pact every five years.

All remain unresolved, despite nearly eight weeks of marathon negotiations in Washington in April and May, focused mainly on autos.

Canada&nbsp;and Mexico had their role in running down the clock. It has taken Ottawa and Mexico three months to produce counterproposals, drawing criticism from Lighthizer they were failing to “engage.”

Canadian and Mexican negotiators argued they needed time to understand the logic of US&nbsp;demands because they came without customary backup evidence and analysis. US&nbsp;negotiators said it was the consequence of the extremely tight timetable.

But US&nbsp;chief negotiator John Melle privately complained to US&nbsp;colleagues that Ottawa was deliberately wasting time on less essential matters, such as proposed new chapters on women's and indigenous people's rights, a US&nbsp;source close to the talks said. Canadian officials deny trying to drag out negotiations.

Speaking at a business event early this year,&nbsp;Canada's veteran chief negotiator, Steve Verheul, described the talks as the "most unusual negotiation" he had ever been involved in, because of Washington's winner-takes-all approach.

"They are looking to strengthen the US&nbsp;and by doing that weaken&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;and Mexico."

&nbsp;

Which Lighthizer?

Trump's threats to quit NAFTA and Washington's uncompromising stance made some involved in the talks wonder whether its goal was to blow up the pact or improve it.

"My boss thinks 40 percent of Lighthizer wants a deal, 60 percent doesn't, and you see both Lighthizers, sometimes in the same conversation," one NAFTA diplomat said.

Lighthizer frequently told reporters and lawmakers that he was negotiating for “an audience of one,” and it was ultimately Trump's call whether to accept or reject a deal.

Talks seemed to gain some momentum in early April when US&nbsp;negotiators toned down their automotive demands - cutting the proposed regional content threshold by 10 percentage points to 75 percent, but with a $16 minimum wage component for 40 percent of autos. Mexico responded with 70 percent and 20 percent, respectively, though Guajardo&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;still put chances of a deal before&nbsp;July 1&nbsp;at about 40 percent.

However, with Washington waging trade battles on other fronts it has been hard to sustain that momentum.

For example, when the United States threatened to hit Chinese imports with tariffs because of intellectual property concerns and talks reached a critical phase in late April, a trade mission to Beijing took Lighthizer away from NAFTA for a week.

And last week, his office launched a national security investigation that could lead to tariffs on vehicle and auto parts imports from North America, Europe and Asia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Reuters&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;the move was intended to pressure&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;and Mexico in the NAFTA talks.

Whether they will yield to that pressure is another matter and in the meantime, the probe could end tying up Lighthizer's stretched resources.

Even with a deal on autos, it could take time to work out other issues, such as intellectual property safeguards for drugmakers, said former US&nbsp;trade negotiator Wendy Cutler.

"Sometimes there's just not enough time to come up with creative solutions."

President Donald Trump is running out of time to deliver a revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) he promised for this year

President Donald Trump is running out of time to deliver a revamp of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) he promised for this year and people involved in the talks say the crunch is largely of his administration's own making. Negotiators, industry lobbyists, trade experts and lawmakers briefed on the talks described how precious months passed before the US team presented its proposals and how the talks stalled because the demands far exceeded what Canada and Mexico had expected and Washington signalled no readiness to compromise. In the end, an unusually tight timetable allowed little space to bridge differences on the core issues, such as the US and regional content requirements for the auto industry. Talks started last August with a goal to conclude in just four months, but as a May 17 notification deadline to allow the current Republican-led US Congress to approve a new agreement before year-end passed, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer warned a deal was "nowhere near close." Time pressure shifts Up until a few weeks ago, Lighthizer thought Mexico faced the biggest time pressure to wrap up the talks before its July 1 presidential elections. In early May, however, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told Lighthizer in Washington that he would be able to negotiate a NAFTA agreement up until the Dec. 1 transition to a new government - even if an opposition candidate won. Suddenly, it was the United States running against the looming congressional deadline, the Mexican source said. The Trump administration's negotiating goals submitted to Congress in July 2017 talked of shrinking trade deficits with Mexico and Canada and boosting US auto production. In contrast, the US neighbours saw the talks more as a "modernization" exercise, proposing, for example, chapters on the digital trade that did not exist when NAFTA took effect in 1994. Broadly, both were fine with the status quo, so when it took Washington two months to present specific demands the delay played into their hands. "How can you launch talks to update a treaty and then make everyone wait months before you explain what you want," asked one Canadian official briefed on the talks. Lighthizer's office said he was clear all along about aiming to "rebalance" NAFTA trade in US favour. "The United States has been very clear and specific from the start about what we hope to see in a new NAFTA and has worked at an unprecedented pace to negotiate a better deal for America," the office's spokesman said. When Lighthizer's team presented the demands in October, Canadian and Mexican officials said they amounted to surrendering decades of trade benefits, which they could not accept. US business groups labelled those demands "poison pills" that threatened to derail the talks and prompt Trump to quit the pact. The key ones were: a steep increase in regional automotive content requirements, a demand for half the value of North American vehicles to originate in the United States and a requirement to renegotiate the pact every five years. All remain unresolved, despite nearly eight weeks of marathon negotiations in Washington in April and May, focused mainly on autos. Canada and Mexico had their role in running down the clock. It has taken Ottawa and Mexico three months to produce counterproposals, drawing criticism from Lighthizer they were failing to “engage.” Canadian and Mexican negotiators argued they needed time to understand the logic of US demands because they came without customary backup evidence and analysis. US negotiators said it was the consequence of the extremely tight timetable. But US chief negotiator John Melle privately complained to US colleagues that Ottawa was deliberately wasting time on less essential matters, such as proposed new chapters on women's and indigenous people's rights, a US source close to the talks said. Canadian officials deny trying to drag out negotiations. Speaking at a business event early this year, Canada's veteran chief negotiator, Steve Verheul, described the talks as the "most unusual negotiation" he had ever been involved in, because of Washington's winner-takes-all approach. "They are looking to strengthen the US and by doing that weaken Canada and Mexico." Which Lighthizer? Trump's threats to quit NAFTA and Washington's uncompromising stance made some involved in the talks wonder whether its goal was to blow up the pact or improve it. "My boss thinks 40 percent of Lighthizer wants a deal, 60 percent doesn't, and you see both Lighthizers, sometimes in the same conversation," one NAFTA diplomat said. Lighthizer frequently told reporters and lawmakers that he was negotiating for “an audience of one,” and it was ultimately Trump's call whether to accept or reject a deal. Talks seemed to gain some momentum in early April when US negotiators toned down their automotive demands - cutting the proposed regional content threshold by 10 percentage points to 75 percent, but with a $16 minimum wage component for 40 percent of autos. Mexico responded with 70 percent and 20 percent, respectively, though Guajardo on Friday still put chances of a deal before July 1 at about 40 percent. However, with Washington waging trade battles on other fronts it has been hard to sustain that momentum. For example, when the United States threatened to hit Chinese imports with tariffs because of intellectual property concerns and talks reached a critical phase in late April, a trade mission to Beijing took Lighthizer away from NAFTA for a week. And last week, his office launched a national security investigation that could lead to tariffs on vehicle and auto parts imports from North America, Europe and Asia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Reuters on Thursday the move was intended to pressure Canada and Mexico in the NAFTA talks. Whether they will yield to that pressure is another matter and in the meantime, the probe could end tying up Lighthizer's stretched resources. Even with a deal on autos, it could take time to work out other issues, such as intellectual property safeguards for drugmakers, said former US trade negotiator Wendy Cutler. "Sometimes there's just not enough time to come up with creative solutions."

Delays and 'poison pills': Team Trump runs out of road in NAFTA talks

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

Finding a middle solution to the prolonged national anthem protest,the National Football League (NFL) announced that it will fine teams if players on the field refuse to stand for the US anthem.

However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added that players who choose not to stand may now remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished.

The new policy is seen as a victory for the United States President Donald Trump, who loudly demanded an end to such protests last year.

He called them disgraceful and unpatriotic and urged the players to be fired.

US Vice-President Mike Pence also criticised the decision and walked out of an NFL game because players from Kaepernick's team knelt during the anthem.

However, the decision to fine players was welcomed by Trump, saying players who don't want to stand maybe they should not be in the country.

"I think that's good. I don`t think people should be staying in locker rooms but still I think it`s good," Trump said.

"You have to stand, proudly, for the national anthem. Or you shouldn`t be playing, you shouldn`t be there, maybe you shouldn`t be in the country," he added.&nbsp;

But there was also criticism of the move.

The NFL Players Association criticised the new policy, saying it was not consulted and that it may issue a challenge should it violate the collective bargaining agreement.

"The vote by the club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by commissioner Roger Goodell and the chairman of the NFL's management council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of the league," the players union said.

The debate over the kneeling protests began in 2016, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem.

Similar demonstrations spread across the league, where most players are African American.

Players who choose not to stand may now remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished.

Finding a middle solution to the prolonged national anthem protest,the National Football League (NFL) announced that it will fine teams if players on the field refuse to stand for the US anthem. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added that players who choose not to stand may now remain in the locker room until the anthem is finished. The new policy is seen as a victory for the United States President Donald Trump, who loudly demanded an end to such protests last year. He called them disgraceful and unpatriotic and urged the players to be fired. US Vice-President Mike Pence also criticised the decision and walked out of an NFL game because players from Kaepernick's team knelt during the anthem. However, the decision to fine players was welcomed by Trump, saying players who don't want to stand maybe they should not be in the country. "I think that's good. I don`t think people should be staying in locker rooms but still I think it`s good," Trump said. "You have to stand, proudly, for the national anthem. Or you shouldn`t be playing, you shouldn`t be there, maybe you shouldn`t be in the country," he added. But there was also criticism of the move. The NFL Players Association criticised the new policy, saying it was not consulted and that it may issue a challenge should it violate the collective bargaining agreement. "The vote by the club CEOs today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by commissioner Roger Goodell and the chairman of the NFL's management council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of the league," the players union said. The debate over the kneeling protests began in 2016, when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem. Similar demonstrations spread across the league, where most players are African American.

NFL teams to be fined if players kneel during national anthem

In a bid to soften his stand, US president Donald Trump said today that different &nbspstructure was needed for trade deals with China as the present one was "too hard to get done."

Chinese and US officials had met last week to discuss import of agricultural goods in Beijing after the US president had turned the heat on President Xi's regime over Chinese goods entering the US.

Deputy Commissioner of Customs Zhang Jiwen and US Under Secretary of Agriculture Ted McKinney discussed access to &nbspChinese cooked poultry products, citrus fruits and date exports and US exports to China of poultry, rice, feed additives and other products.

"Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion," Trump said in his Twitter post.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/999257533327073281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The US president's move comes amid softening of stand between China and the US over trade issues which has riled US officials including Trump. Chinese state media recently said the two countries had huge potential for "win-win business cooperation".

The US has been putting pressure on China to narrow its trade deficit with China which currently stands at &nbsp$335 billion annually. In the early rounds the US had insisted that China reduce its trade surplus by $200 billion, but toned down later.

The US has been putting pressure on China to narrow its trade deficit with China which currently stands at $335 billion annually.

In a bid to soften his stand, US president Donald Trump said today that different &nbspstructure was needed for trade deals with China as the present one was "too hard to get done." Chinese and US officials had met last week to discuss import of agricultural goods in Beijing after the US president had turned the heat on President Xi's regime over Chinese goods entering the US. Deputy Commissioner of Customs Zhang Jiwen and US Under Secretary of Agriculture Ted McKinney discussed access to &nbspChinese cooked poultry products, citrus fruits and date exports and US exports to China of poultry, rice, feed additives and other products. "Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion," Trump said in his Twitter post. Our Trade Deal with China is moving along nicely, but in the end we will probably have to use a different structure in that this will be too hard to get done and to verify results after completion. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2018 × The US president's move comes amid softening of stand between China and the US over trade issues which has riled US officials including Trump. Chinese state media recently said the two countries had huge potential for "win-win business cooperation". The US has been putting pressure on China to narrow its trade deficit with China which currently stands at $335 billion annually. In the early rounds the US had insisted that China reduce its trade surplus by $200 billion, but toned down later.

Different structure needed for trade deal with China, declares Trump

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump is willing to walk away from an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, US&nbsp;Vice President Mike&nbsp;Pence&nbsp;said&nbsp;on Monday, after North Korea called into question the meeting last week.

Pence&nbsp;said North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions from the United States for promises it did not intend to keep.

"It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump,"&nbsp;Pence&nbsp;said according to excerpts of an interview made available to him. When asked if Trump could still walk away from the summit scheduled for&nbsp;June 12&nbsp;in Singapore, he replied: "Well there's no question."

'It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump,' Pence said

US President Donald Trump is willing to walk away from an unprecedented summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for next month, US Vice President Mike Pence said on Monday, after North Korea called into question the meeting last week. Pence said North Korea should not attempt to seek concessions from the United States for promises it did not intend to keep. "It would be a great mistake for Kim Jong Un to think he could play Donald Trump," Pence said according to excerpts of an interview made available to him. When asked if Trump could still walk away from the summit scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, he replied: "Well there's no question."

Trump willing to walk away from North Korea summit: US VP Pence

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

China and the US have agreed to abandon a threatened trade war, the news agency Xinhua reported Saturday.&nbsp;

The two countries have also agreed not to raise tariffs on each other.&nbsp;

The report came after Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He led a high-level delegation to the US.&nbsp;

"The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," Xinhua reported He as saying.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-agrees-to-import-more-from-us-no-sign-of-us-200-billion-figure-138324">China agrees to import more from </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-agrees-to-import-more-from-us-no-sign-of-us-200-billion-figure-138324">US</a>

The state-owned news agency added that the two sides agreed to take effective measures to substantially decrease the US trade deficit in goods with China.

And that China will significantly increase its purchase of US goods and services to meet the consumption needs of the Chinese people.

Xinhua added that the two countries also agreed to meaningfully increase the export of US agriculture and energy products.&nbsp;

'The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," Xinhua reported Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He as saying

China and the US have agreed to abandon a threatened trade war, the news agency Xinhua reported Saturday. The two countries have also agreed not to raise tariffs on each other. The report came after Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He led a high-level delegation to the US. "The two sides reached a consensus, will not fight a trade war, and will stop increasing tariffs on each other," Xinhua reported He as saying. Also read: China agrees to import more from US The state-owned news agency added that the two sides agreed to take effective measures to substantially decrease the US trade deficit in goods with China. And that China will significantly increase its purchase of US goods and services to meet the consumption needs of the Chinese people. Xinhua added that the two countries also agreed to meaningfully increase the export of US agriculture and energy products.

China-US agree to abandon trade war, not raise tariffs: Xinhua

United States President Donald Trump sparked a controversy on Thursday by describing some illegal immigrants as “animals”. Trump further noted that only those with merit should enter America. Donald Trump also vowed to strengthen America's "weak” immigration laws.

“We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in – and we’re stopping a lot of them – but we’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people. These are animals,” Trump noted.

While speaking during a California Sanctuary State Roundtable at the White House, Trump blamed the influx of illegal immigrants in the US on the country’s “dumbest laws”.

“The dumbest laws – as I said before, the dumbest laws on immigration in the world. So we’re going to take care of it, Margaret. We’ll get it done,” he said during the roundtable which was attended by political leaders and law enforcement officials from California.

“We are taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate that’s never happened before. And because of the weak laws, they come in fast, we get them, we release them, we get them again, we bring them out. It’s crazy,” he said.

Time and again, Donald Trump has been seen calling on Congress to enact stricter laws to limit the number of immigrants who come across the US-Mexico border.

Trump said California’s law forced the release of illegal immigrant criminals, drug dealers, gang members and violent predators into the communities.

A secured southern border has been on top of Trump's agenda. The White House plans to beef up border security and create a wall as key components.

“California’s law provides safe harbour to some of the most vicious and violent offenders on Earth, like MS-13 gang members putting innocent men, women, and children at the mercy of these sadistic criminals.

“But we’re moving them out of this country by the thousands. MS-13, we’re grabbing them by the thousands and we’re getting them out,” he said.

“Part of the problem that we have is our economy is so strong that people are pouring up to get into our economy. They want a piece of our economy. And that makes the job even tougher,” he said.

“But we want people based on merit. We want people to come into our country based on merit. We’re not looking to keep them out. We’re looking to bring them in. We need them,” Trump said.

“We have companies moving back into the United States like never before. Chrysler is opening up now in Michigan. We have so many companies actually coming from Mexico, even, and coming back in. So we want people coming in based on merit,” he said.

Trump, last month, signed an executive order directing the deployment of the military along the US-Mexico border in a move that aims to fight illegal immigration. He asserted that the situation had reached “a point of crisis”.

According to the White House, more than a thousand people a day and more than 300,000 a year violate “our sovereignty” by illegally crossing the border.

(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

While speaking during a California Sanctuary State Roundtable at the White House, Trump blamed the influx of illegal immigrants in the US on the country’s 'dumbest laws'

United States President Donald Trump sparked a controversy on Thursday by describing some illegal immigrants as “animals”. Trump further noted that only those with merit should enter America. Donald Trump also vowed to strengthen America's "weak” immigration laws. “We have people coming into the country, or trying to come in – and we’re stopping a lot of them – but we’re taking people out of the country. You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people. These are animals,” Trump noted. While speaking during a California Sanctuary State Roundtable at the White House, Trump blamed the influx of illegal immigrants in the US on the country’s “dumbest laws”. “The dumbest laws – as I said before, the dumbest laws on immigration in the world. So we’re going to take care of it, Margaret. We’ll get it done,” he said during the roundtable which was attended by political leaders and law enforcement officials from California. “We are taking them out of the country at a level and at a rate that’s never happened before. And because of the weak laws, they come in fast, we get them, we release them, we get them again, we bring them out. It’s crazy,” he said. Time and again, Donald Trump has been seen calling on Congress to enact stricter laws to limit the number of immigrants who come across the US-Mexico border. Trump said California’s law forced the release of illegal immigrant criminals, drug dealers, gang members and violent predators into the communities. A secured southern border has been on top of Trump's agenda. The White House plans to beef up border security and create a wall as key components. “California’s law provides safe harbour to some of the most vicious and violent offenders on Earth, like MS-13 gang members putting innocent men, women, and children at the mercy of these sadistic criminals. “But we’re moving them out of this country by the thousands. MS-13, we’re grabbing them by the thousands and we’re getting them out,” he said. “Part of the problem that we have is our economy is so strong that people are pouring up to get into our economy. They want a piece of our economy. And that makes the job even tougher,” he said. “But we want people based on merit. We want people to come into our country based on merit. We’re not looking to keep them out. We’re looking to bring them in. We need them,” Trump said. “We have companies moving back into the United States like never before. Chrysler is opening up now in Michigan. We have so many companies actually coming from Mexico, even, and coming back in. So we want people coming in based on merit,” he said. Trump, last month, signed an executive order directing the deployment of the military along the US-Mexico border in a move that aims to fight illegal immigration. He asserted that the situation had reached “a point of crisis”. According to the White House, more than a thousand people a day and more than 300,000 a year violate “our sovereignty” by illegally crossing the border. (With inputs from PTI)

Donald Trump calls some illegal immigrants 'animals'

Israel's soccer club, Beitar Jerusalem, announced changing its name to Beitar 'Trump'&nbspJerusalem.

The official statement was shared on Facebook yesterday and read that the club wanted to honour US President Donald Trump for his decision to move US Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.&nbsp

The club described Trump's move as courageous and thanked him for recognising Jerusalem internationally.

A number of parks, streets among other public sites have been named after Trump ever since the US President recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and decided to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv.&nbsp

The club described Trump's move as courageous and thanked him for recognising Jerusalem internationally

Israel's soccer club, Beitar Jerusalem, announced changing its name to Beitar 'Trump'&nbspJerusalem. The official statement was shared on Facebook yesterday and read that the club wanted to honour US President Donald Trump for his decision to move US Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The club described Trump's move as courageous and thanked him for recognising Jerusalem internationally. A number of parks, streets among other public sites have been named after Trump ever since the US President recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and decided to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv.

Israeli football club changes name to Beitar 'Trump' Jerusalem to honour US President 

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site.&nbsp;

North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-taking-measures-to-dismantle-nuclear-site-136388">taking technical measures</a>" to dismantle its test site.&nbsp;

"North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th," Trump tweeted.

"Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!"&nbsp;

Trump will be meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12.

The meeting is unprecedented. No American President has ever met with a North Korean leader while in office.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th. Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/995410516129538048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was 'taking technical measures' to dismantle its test site

US President Donald Trump thanked North Korea Saturday for promising to dismantle its nuclear test site. North Korean state media had reported earlier that the country was "taking technical measures" to dismantle its test site. "North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th," Trump tweeted. "Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture!" Trump will be meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12. The meeting is unprecedented. No American President has ever met with a North Korean leader while in office. North Korea has announced that they will dismantle Nuclear Test Site this month, ahead of the big Summit Meeting on June 12th. Thank you, a very smart and gracious gesture! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2018 ×

'Gracious gesture!' Trump thanks North Korea for promising to dismantle nuclear test site

President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, and said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran immediately.

The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America`s European allies and disrupt global oil supplies.

"This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," Trump said at the White House. "It didn`t bring calm. It didn`t bring peace. And it never will."

The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme.

Trump says the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump`s predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran`s ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria.

Trump said he was willing to negotiate a new deal with Iran, but Tehran has already ruled that out and threatened unspecified retaliation if Washington pulled out.

Iranian state television said on Tuesday that Trump`s decision to withdraw was "illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements."

Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system.

The Iran deal may remain partially intact, even without the United States. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Monday that Iran could remain in the accord with the other signatories that stay committed to it.

Trump`s move is a snub to European allies such as France, Britain and Germany who are also part of the Iran deal and tried hard to convince the U.S. president to preserve it. The Europeans must now scramble to decide their own course of action with Tehran.

China and Russia are also signatories to the Iran deal.

Oil prices dived as much as 4 percent on Tuesday as media reports rattled markets with doubts about whether Trump would withdraw Washington.

Trump did not provide details of what he described as the “highest level of economic sanctions” that he is reimposing on Iran.&nbsp;

But he implied that he was going beyond not renewing waivers on sanctions related to Iran’s oil exports and its central bank that were due to expire on Saturday and reimpose all of the other U.S. sanctions that were suspended under the nuclear deal.

Iran`s growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and U.S. Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming.

Trump said the 'disastrous' deal was an embarrassment for the US

President Donald Trump on Tuesday pulled the United States out of an international agreement aimed at stopping Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb, and said he would reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran immediately. The decision is likely to raise the risk of conflict in the Middle East, upset America`s European allies and disrupt global oil supplies. "This was a horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made," Trump said at the White House. "It didn`t bring calm. It didn`t bring peace. And it never will." The 2015 deal, worked out by the United States, five other international powers and Iran, eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran limiting its nuclear programme. Trump says the agreement, the signature foreign policy achievement of Trump`s predecessor Barack Obama, does not address Iran`s ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 nor its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Trump said he was willing to negotiate a new deal with Iran, but Tehran has already ruled that out and threatened unspecified retaliation if Washington pulled out. Iranian state television said on Tuesday that Trump`s decision to withdraw was "illegal, illegitimate and undermines international agreements." Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system. The Iran deal may remain partially intact, even without the United States. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested on Monday that Iran could remain in the accord with the other signatories that stay committed to it. Trump`s move is a snub to European allies such as France, Britain and Germany who are also part of the Iran deal and tried hard to convince the U.S. president to preserve it. The Europeans must now scramble to decide their own course of action with Tehran. China and Russia are also signatories to the Iran deal. Oil prices dived as much as 4 percent on Tuesday as media reports rattled markets with doubts about whether Trump would withdraw Washington. Trump did not provide details of what he described as the “highest level of economic sanctions” that he is reimposing on Iran. But he implied that he was going beyond not renewing waivers on sanctions related to Iran’s oil exports and its central bank that were due to expire on Saturday and reimpose all of the other U.S. sanctions that were suspended under the nuclear deal. Iran`s growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and U.S. Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia. Israel has traded blows with Iranian forces in Syria since February, stirring concern that major escalation could be looming.

Trump pulls out of Iran nuclear deal, reimposes US sanctions

After the Trump bombshell (which was not unexpected), is Iran going to build the bomb? &nbsp;

The million-dollar question and the answer to it may depend on what the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macron-rouhani-agree-to-seek-continued-implementation-of-nuclear-deal-135774">Europeans do</a>. The US is only one signatory to the Iran deal. There are five others — the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China — who still support it. &nbsp;

Top Indian diplomats say the ones to watch are the three European countries. &nbsp;The deal could survive if they stick to it, but for how long? A reading of the US State Department advisory indicates a six-month window for countries to start winding down their Iran connections. These include banking, shipping and oil-related transactions. &nbsp; &nbsp;

All other connections must be shut down in 90 days. So private firms dealing with Iran have that window to terminate their licences "in an orderly way" the advisory helpfully adds.

So what happens to Europe? The advisory mentions dialogue with US allies and partners. That's probably a polite way of saying Washington will bully, intimidate, bend and twist every European arm to ensure they get on board. &nbsp;

Will Europe bend, twist and turn? Probably yes because their stakes in the US are too strong to be sacrificed for Iran. &nbsp;

That leaves the Iranians all the time and space they need to go and build their bomb. &nbsp;There's speculation how long they could take to build one. A few months claim some, more say others.

David Albright of the Institute for Science & International Security, writing in the New York Times, say it would take Iran 8-10 months to rebuild its enrichment complexes and acquire sufficient uranium fuel to make a bomb. &nbsp;This is only a first step, he warns, because the fuel would have to be turned into a weapon.

Recent revelations by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest&nbsp;Iranian scientists have made detailed studies of warhead design. &nbsp;But that doesn't mean they know how to build one. &nbsp;Nor is it clear that they have the missiles to deliver the warheads.&nbsp;

In July 2015, when the nuclear deal was struck, Iran had less than 10,000 kg of low-enriched uranium to power nuclear reactors. &nbsp;But almost all of that had to be moved out of the country. &nbsp;The last inspection by international inspectors indicated iran had about 113 kg of uranium, not enough to make even one nuclear warhead. Nor does it have the uranium required to build a nuclear weapon.

The Iranians may prefer to make haste slowly. &nbsp;They may develop and build new centrifuge models that will then be used to enrich uranium to bomb grade. Iran has at least three uranium mines to make good any shortfall in uranium. So give them a year.&nbsp;But if they end up with something far sooner, you may have to credit some of their neighbours for that.

There were five other signatories to the Iran nuclear deal. Top Indian diplomats say what Iran does next will depend on what the European signatories — France, Germany, and the UK — do

After the Trump bombshell (which was not unexpected), is Iran going to build the bomb? The million-dollar question and the answer to it may depend on what the Europeans do. The US is only one signatory to the Iran deal. There are five others — the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China — who still support it. Top Indian diplomats say the ones to watch are the three European countries. The deal could survive if they stick to it, but for how long? A reading of the US State Department advisory indicates a six-month window for countries to start winding down their Iran connections. These include banking, shipping and oil-related transactions. All other connections must be shut down in 90 days. So private firms dealing with Iran have that window to terminate their licences "in an orderly way" the advisory helpfully adds. So what happens to Europe? The advisory mentions dialogue with US allies and partners. That's probably a polite way of saying Washington will bully, intimidate, bend and twist every European arm to ensure they get on board. Will Europe bend, twist and turn? Probably yes because their stakes in the US are too strong to be sacrificed for Iran. That leaves the Iranians all the time and space they need to go and build their bomb. There's speculation how long they could take to build one. A few months claim some, more say others. David Albright of the Institute for Science & International Security, writing in the New York Times, say it would take Iran 8-10 months to rebuild its enrichment complexes and acquire sufficient uranium fuel to make a bomb. This is only a first step, he warns, because the fuel would have to be turned into a weapon. Recent revelations by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest Iranian scientists have made detailed studies of warhead design. But that doesn't mean they know how to build one. Nor is it clear that they have the missiles to deliver the warheads. In July 2015, when the nuclear deal was struck, Iran had less than 10,000 kg of low-enriched uranium to power nuclear reactors. But almost all of that had to be moved out of the country. The last inspection by international inspectors indicated iran had about 113 kg of uranium, not enough to make even one nuclear warhead. Nor does it have the uranium required to build a nuclear weapon. The Iranians may prefer to make haste slowly. They may develop and build new centrifuge models that will then be used to enrich uranium to bomb grade. Iran has at least three uranium mines to make good any shortfall in uranium. So give them a year. But if they end up with something far sooner, you may have to credit some of their neighbours for that.

Will Iran now make the bomb? Depends on Europe

Iran is readying the first commercial exports of its West Karoun crude oil grade for May or June, two sources familiar with the matter said, even as fresh economic sanctions against the country loom.

Iran has already been shipping samples of the grade to customers since production from the West Karoun oilfields in southwest Iran nearly doubled in the past year to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), the sources said. A new export facility allows West Karoun to be shipped directly rather than blended with other grades.

"Initial cargoes of West Karoun will be sold on a spot basis as the quality of the crude is yet to be established." said one of the two sources.

This means that buyers have no obligation to take regular amounts of the crude as they do under the long-term off-take agreements that are typical for Middle East oil sales.

Iran used to sell crude only under long-term deals before economic sanctions were imposed in 2012, but began spot sales after sanctions were lifted in 2016 to regain market share.

"Some refiners have taken the sample," the second source said, adding West Karoun is new production so Iran "needs to wait for the quality to stabilise".

Iran's effort to develop demand for West Karoun suggests Tehran hopes to sell the oil even in the face of possible new sanctions.

The United States and some European countries agreed to impose the earlier economic sanctions to halt Iran's alleged nuclear weapons programme. The United States, China, Great Britain, the European Union, Russia and France agreed to lift the sanctions in return for Iran halting some nuclear activities and allowing inspections of atomic sites.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the deal by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its "flaws".

Trump is scheduled to announce his decision on the nuclear deal at 2 pm EST (1800 GMT) on May 8, four days before the waiver decision.

Uncertainty over the United States' participation in the nuclear deal has partially fuelled a rally in global oil prices to over three-year highs.

The sanctions cut Iran's crude exports from a peak of 2.5 million bpd before 2012 to a little more than 1 million bpd. The country re-emerged as a major oil exporter when they were removed.

Trump is scheduled to announce his decision on the nuclear deal at 2 pm EST (1800 GMT) on May 8, four days before the waiver decision.

Iran is readying the first commercial exports of its West Karoun crude oil grade for May or June, two sources familiar with the matter said, even as fresh economic sanctions against the country loom. Iran has already been shipping samples of the grade to customers since production from the West Karoun oilfields in southwest Iran nearly doubled in the past year to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), the sources said. A new export facility allows West Karoun to be shipped directly rather than blended with other grades. "Initial cargoes of West Karoun will be sold on a spot basis as the quality of the crude is yet to be established." said one of the two sources. This means that buyers have no obligation to take regular amounts of the crude as they do under the long-term off-take agreements that are typical for Middle East oil sales. Iran used to sell crude only under long-term deals before economic sanctions were imposed in 2012, but began spot sales after sanctions were lifted in 2016 to regain market share. "Some refiners have taken the sample," the second source said, adding West Karoun is new production so Iran "needs to wait for the quality to stabilise". Iran's effort to develop demand for West Karoun suggests Tehran hopes to sell the oil even in the face of possible new sanctions. The United States and some European countries agreed to impose the earlier economic sanctions to halt Iran's alleged nuclear weapons programme. The United States, China, Great Britain, the European Union, Russia and France agreed to lift the sanctions in return for Iran halting some nuclear activities and allowing inspections of atomic sites. US President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the deal by not extending sanctions waivers when they expire on May 12, unless European signatories of the accord fix what he calls its "flaws". Trump is scheduled to announce his decision on the nuclear deal at 2 pm EST (1800 GMT) on May 8, four days before the waiver decision. Uncertainty over the United States' participation in the nuclear deal has partially fuelled a rally in global oil prices to over three-year highs. The sanctions cut Iran's crude exports from a peak of 2.5 million bpd before 2012 to a little more than 1 million bpd. The country re-emerged as a major oil exporter when they were removed.

Iran prepares to export new oil grade amid sanctions threat: Sources

President Vladimir Putin travelled to his inauguration on Monday for a new six-year term in a Russian-made limousine, ditching his old stretch Mercedes to send a patriotic message of self-sufficiency amid increased tensions with the West.

Putin, in power since 2000, wants Russia to reduce its dependence on imported goods and technology, a drive that has gathered pace since Russia was hit by Western sanctions.

Some guests broke into applause at the sight of the car conveying Putin the short distance from his office to the Kremlin hall for the inauguration, Russian news agencies said.

"It's cooler than (US&nbsp;President Donald) Trump's," one guest was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency.

Putin has in the past publicly driven Russian-made cars in front of television cameras in an effort to nurture patriotism and support the domestic auto industry.

Monday marked the first public outing of the new limousine, part of the "Kortezh" series of cars which is also expected to include a sedan, minivan and offroad vehicle.

Under development since 2012, the limousine is being produced by a Russian research institute known by the acronym NAMI, and will be distributed in partnership with Russian carmaker Sollers.

The new limousine is set to become the heir to the Russian-made ZIL sedans that for decades transported Soviet leaders.

Trade Minister Denis Manturov said state officials would be able to switch to Kortezh vehicles when enough of them became available, TASS news agency reported.

The Ministry of Trade said the cars would be marketed under the brand Aurus and made available for sale from the beginning of 2019, RIA reported.

In his inauguration address, Putin said technological innovation and research were essential for Russia's future to keep pace with global change.

Putin's last six-year term has been marked by a sharp downturn in relations with the West over conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, accusations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, and the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England. Moscow denies meddling in the elections or poisoning the spy.

Some guests broke into applause at the sight of the car conveying Putin the short distance from his office to the Kremlin hall for the inauguration, Russian news agencies said

President Vladimir Putin travelled to his inauguration on Monday for a new six-year term in a Russian-made limousine, ditching his old stretch Mercedes to send a patriotic message of self-sufficiency amid increased tensions with the West. Putin, in power since 2000, wants Russia to reduce its dependence on imported goods and technology, a drive that has gathered pace since Russia was hit by Western sanctions. Some guests broke into applause at the sight of the car conveying Putin the short distance from his office to the Kremlin hall for the inauguration, Russian news agencies said. "It's cooler than (US President Donald) Trump's," one guest was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency. Putin has in the past publicly driven Russian-made cars in front of television cameras in an effort to nurture patriotism and support the domestic auto industry. Monday marked the first public outing of the new limousine, part of the "Kortezh" series of cars which is also expected to include a sedan, minivan and offroad vehicle. Under development since 2012, the limousine is being produced by a Russian research institute known by the acronym NAMI, and will be distributed in partnership with Russian carmaker Sollers. The new limousine is set to become the heir to the Russian-made ZIL sedans that for decades transported Soviet leaders. Trade Minister Denis Manturov said state officials would be able to switch to Kortezh vehicles when enough of them became available, TASS news agency reported. The Ministry of Trade said the cars would be marketed under the brand Aurus and made available for sale from the beginning of 2019, RIA reported. In his inauguration address, Putin said technological innovation and research were essential for Russia's future to keep pace with global change. Putin's last six-year term has been marked by a sharp downturn in relations with the West over conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, accusations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, and the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England. Moscow denies meddling in the elections or poisoning the spy.

To send message of self-sufficiency, Putin drives to inauguration in Russian-made limousine

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