President Abdulla Yameen cast his ballot Sunday in a controversial election in the Maldives just hours after police raided the opposition's campaign headquarters, fuelling fears the vote has been rigged in the China-friendly strongman's favour.

Yameen is expected to retain power and has imprisoned or forced into exile almost all his main rivals in a crackdown his critics say is returning the honeymoon island nation to authoritarian rule.

The process is being closely watched by regional rivals India and China, who are jostling to influence Indian Ocean nations. The European Union and United States, meanwhile, have threatened sanctions if the vote is not free and fair.

Yameen voted minutes after polling booths opened in the capital Male, where opposition campaign efforts had been frustrated by a media crackdown and police harassment.

Before polls opened, police raided the campaign headquarters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and searched the building for several hours in a bid to stop what they called "illegal activities". There were no arrests.

Yameen's challenger, the relatively unknown Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, also cast his vote.

Solih has the backing of a united opposition trying to oust Yameen but struggled for visibility with the electorate because the media is fearful of falling foul of heavy-handed decrees and reporting restrictions.

Mohamed Nasheed, who was elected president of a newly-democratic Maldives in 2008 but now lives in exile, urged the international community to reject the results of the election.

There were long queues in Male and at embassies abroad, where the opposition had urged Maldivians to turn out and vote.

"There is a lot of enthusiasm," said MDP party worker Shauna Aminath.

Afrah Mohamed, one voter in Male, said voters had turned up in big numbers before voting even began.

"It shows how important the election is for the people. It shows no matter what happens, Maldivians still believe in democracy," he said.

Some 262,000 people in the archipelago -- famed for its white beaches and blue lagoons -- can vote in an election from which independent international monitors have been barred. Only a handful of foreign media have been allowed in.

Closely watched&nbsp;

The Asian Network for Free Elections, a foreign monitoring group that was denied access to the Maldives, said the campaign was heavily tilted in favour of the 59-year-old Yameen.

The government has used "vaguely worded laws to silence dissent and to intimidate and imprison critics", some of whom have been assaulted and even murdered, according to Human Rights Watch.

There have been warnings that Yameen could try and hold onto power at any cost.

In February he declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution and ordered troops to storm the Supreme Court and arrest judges and other rivals to stave off impeachment.

Yameen, on the eve of the election, told supporters he had overcome "huge obstacles" since controversially winning power in a contested run-off in 2013 but had handled the challenges "with resilience".

The crackdown attracted international censure and fears the Maldives was slipping back into one-man rule just a decade after transitioning to democracy.

The US State Department this month said it would "consider appropriate measures" should the election fail to be free and fair.

The EU in July also threatened travel bans and asset freezes if the situation does not improve.

India, long influential in Maldives affairs -- it sent troops and warships in 1988 to stop a coup attempt -- also expressed hopes the election would represent a return to democratic norms.&nbsp;

However in recent years Yameen has drifted closer to Beijing, India's chief regional rival taking hundreds of millions of dollars for major infrastructure projects.

A candidate must secure 50 percent of the vote to win outright, failing which there would be a run off three days later, according to election laws, but since there are only two candidates there will be no second round.

President Abdulla Yameen cast his ballot Sunday in a controversial election in the Maldives just hours after police raided the opposition's campaign headquarters, fuelling fears the vote has been rigged in the China-friendly strongman's favour.

President Abdulla Yameen cast his ballot Sunday in a controversial election in the Maldives just hours after police raided the opposition's campaign headquarters, fuelling fears the vote has been rigged in the China-friendly strongman's favour. Yameen is expected to retain power and has imprisoned or forced into exile almost all his main rivals in a crackdown his critics say is returning the honeymoon island nation to authoritarian rule. The process is being closely watched by regional rivals India and China, who are jostling to influence Indian Ocean nations. The European Union and United States, meanwhile, have threatened sanctions if the vote is not free and fair. Yameen voted minutes after polling booths opened in the capital Male, where opposition campaign efforts had been frustrated by a media crackdown and police harassment. Before polls opened, police raided the campaign headquarters of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and searched the building for several hours in a bid to stop what they called "illegal activities". There were no arrests. Yameen's challenger, the relatively unknown Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, also cast his vote. Solih has the backing of a united opposition trying to oust Yameen but struggled for visibility with the electorate because the media is fearful of falling foul of heavy-handed decrees and reporting restrictions. Mohamed Nasheed, who was elected president of a newly-democratic Maldives in 2008 but now lives in exile, urged the international community to reject the results of the election. There were long queues in Male and at embassies abroad, where the opposition had urged Maldivians to turn out and vote. "There is a lot of enthusiasm," said MDP party worker Shauna Aminath. Afrah Mohamed, one voter in Male, said voters had turned up in big numbers before voting even began. "It shows how important the election is for the people. It shows no matter what happens, Maldivians still believe in democracy," he said. Some 262,000 people in the archipelago -- famed for its white beaches and blue lagoons -- can vote in an election from which independent international monitors have been barred. Only a handful of foreign media have been allowed in. Closely watched The Asian Network for Free Elections, a foreign monitoring group that was denied access to the Maldives, said the campaign was heavily tilted in favour of the 59-year-old Yameen. The government has used "vaguely worded laws to silence dissent and to intimidate and imprison critics", some of whom have been assaulted and even murdered, according to Human Rights Watch. There have been warnings that Yameen could try and hold onto power at any cost. In February he declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution and ordered troops to storm the Supreme Court and arrest judges and other rivals to stave off impeachment. Yameen, on the eve of the election, told supporters he had overcome "huge obstacles" since controversially winning power in a contested run-off in 2013 but had handled the challenges "with resilience". The crackdown attracted international censure and fears the Maldives was slipping back into one-man rule just a decade after transitioning to democracy. The US State Department this month said it would "consider appropriate measures" should the election fail to be free and fair. The EU in July also threatened travel bans and asset freezes if the situation does not improve. India, long influential in Maldives affairs -- it sent troops and warships in 1988 to stop a coup attempt -- also expressed hopes the election would represent a return to democratic norms. However in recent years Yameen has drifted closer to Beijing, India's chief regional rival taking hundreds of millions of dollars for major infrastructure projects. A candidate must secure 50 percent of the vote to win outright, failing which there would be a run off three days later, according to election laws, but since there are only two candidates there will be no second round.

Maldives president Yameen seeks second term amid fears of rigging

The US&nbspState Department has brought a group of diplomats home from Guangzhou, China, over concerns they were suffering from a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected US&nbsppersonnel in Cuba, its spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

After confirming one government employee had "suffered a medical incident" in the southern Chinese city, the department deployed a team to screen employees and family members at its consulate there, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

"As a result of the screening process so far, the department has sent a number of individuals for further evaluation and a comprehensive assessment of their symptoms and findings in the United States," Nauert said.

"Medical professionals will continue to conduct full evaluations to determine the cause of the reported symptoms and whether the findings are consistent with those noted in previously affected government personnel or possibly completely unrelated," she said.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the State Department had evacuated at least two Americans who fell ill after hearing strange noises in China.

Last year, 24 US&nbspgovernment employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussions and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department.

The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tensions between the old cold war foes.

Secretary of state Mike Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month "to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents."

"The precise nature of the injuries suffered by the affected personnel, and whether a common cause exists for all cases, has not yet been established," Pompeo said.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the State Department had evacuated at least two Americans

The US&nbspState Department has brought a group of diplomats home from Guangzhou, China, over concerns they were suffering from a mysterious malady that resembles a brain injury and has already affected US&nbsppersonnel in Cuba, its spokeswoman said on Wednesday. After confirming one government employee had "suffered a medical incident" in the southern Chinese city, the department deployed a team to screen employees and family members at its consulate there, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. "As a result of the screening process so far, the department has sent a number of individuals for further evaluation and a comprehensive assessment of their symptoms and findings in the United States," Nauert said. "Medical professionals will continue to conduct full evaluations to determine the cause of the reported symptoms and whether the findings are consistent with those noted in previously affected government personnel or possibly completely unrelated," she said. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the State Department had evacuated at least two Americans who fell ill after hearing strange noises in China. Last year, 24 US&nbspgovernment employees and family members in Cuba displayed the symptoms, which were similar to those related to concussions and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department. The illnesses among the American diplomats stationed in Havana heightened tensions between the old cold war foes. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo released a statement on Tuesday saying the department established a task force last month "to direct a multi-agency response to the unexplained health incidents." "The precise nature of the injuries suffered by the affected personnel, and whether a common cause exists for all cases, has not yet been established," Pompeo said.

Diplomats brought back from China due to mystery illness: US

If the United States wants to improve its ties with India, it can no longer ignore or sideline Uttar Pradesh, a visiting delegation from the most populous Indian state has said.

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Sidhartha Nath Singh is leading the high-powered delegation of top state officials to the US.

"It is important for the Government of the United states to understand that for any relationship with India to go up, obviously other states are important, but Uttar Pradesh remains the most important," Singh said.

"Even if you want to improve the health index of India, for example, India can come up only if UP scores well in this area," Singh said.

Having concluded their trip to the Silicon Valley in California, the delegation was in Washington DC on Thursday, holding meetings with US government officials.

They met with officials from the State Department, the Department of Commerce and USAID and had round tables with the industry representatives, sending them the common message that they can "no longer" afford to ignore or skip Uttar Pradesh if they want to invest in or improve ties with India.

Singh said the BJP government had initiated a series of administrative reforms in sectors like health, agriculture, industry and education so as to make Uttar Pradesh a business-friendly destination.

"In addition, UP offers a huge market for companies," Singh and his delegation said during their powerpoint presentation before representatives of US companies.

He said the American corporate sector had shown interest to invest in defence manufacturing, IT and health sectors in Uttar Pradesh, while some of the top educational institutions wanted collaborative research and problem-solving projects.

During the Investors Summit-2018 in February in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a defence industrial corridor in the Bundelkhand region, saying it would bring an investment of Rs 20,000 crore and generate employment avenues for 2.5 lakh people.

"After recent announcement of defence corridor, a number of US defence companies have shown serious interest in investing in this sector in the state," said Singh. 
He held meetings with representatives of the Lockheed Martin here while a meeting with Boeing is also on the cards.

"US companies have shown big interest in UP's health sector, for which the BJP government has announced ambitious expansion plans, and the fast-developing IT sector in Noida, adjoining the national capital," said Singh.

He also suggested that the state could collaborate with some American universities for fellowship programmes, exchange programmes or research programmes.

"That could be a big, big takeaway for us," Singh said, as he referred to a meeting that the delegation has had with the Stanford University in Silicon Valley this week.

Companies like Pepsico and Cargill have shown interest in investing in the state's agriculture sector. Both the companies have signed memorandums of understanding with UP.

Singh said his delegation has received an invitation from the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to visit the United States later this summer.

"We hope the chief minister visits the US soon," Singh said.

"The US trip is basically to get UP to be known in a new way and also to get investment from US into Uttar Pradesh," Singh said.

The delegation would next travel to New York before leaving for India.

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Sidhartha Nath Singh is leading the high-powered delegation of top state officials to the US.

If the United States wants to improve its ties with India, it can no longer ignore or sideline Uttar Pradesh, a visiting delegation from the most populous Indian state has said. Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Sidhartha Nath Singh is leading the high-powered delegation of top state officials to the US. "It is important for the Government of the United states to understand that for any relationship with India to go up, obviously other states are important, but Uttar Pradesh remains the most important," Singh said. "Even if you want to improve the health index of India, for example, India can come up only if UP scores well in this area," Singh said. Having concluded their trip to the Silicon Valley in California, the delegation was in Washington DC on Thursday, holding meetings with US government officials. They met with officials from the State Department, the Department of Commerce and USAID and had round tables with the industry representatives, sending them the common message that they can "no longer" afford to ignore or skip Uttar Pradesh if they want to invest in or improve ties with India. Singh said the BJP government had initiated a series of administrative reforms in sectors like health, agriculture, industry and education so as to make Uttar Pradesh a business-friendly destination. "In addition, UP offers a huge market for companies," Singh and his delegation said during their powerpoint presentation before representatives of US companies. He said the American corporate sector had shown interest to invest in defence manufacturing, IT and health sectors in Uttar Pradesh, while some of the top educational institutions wanted collaborative research and problem-solving projects. During the Investors Summit-2018 in February in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a defence industrial corridor in the Bundelkhand region, saying it would bring an investment of Rs 20,000 crore and generate employment avenues for 2.5 lakh people. "After recent announcement of defence corridor, a number of US defence companies have shown serious interest in investing in this sector in the state," said Singh. He held meetings with representatives of the Lockheed Martin here while a meeting with Boeing is also on the cards. "US companies have shown big interest in UP's health sector, for which the BJP government has announced ambitious expansion plans, and the fast-developing IT sector in Noida, adjoining the national capital," said Singh. He also suggested that the state could collaborate with some American universities for fellowship programmes, exchange programmes or research programmes. "That could be a big, big takeaway for us," Singh said, as he referred to a meeting that the delegation has had with the Stanford University in Silicon Valley this week. Companies like Pepsico and Cargill have shown interest in investing in the state's agriculture sector. Both the companies have signed memorandums of understanding with UP. Singh said his delegation has received an invitation from the US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to visit the United States later this summer. "We hope the chief minister visits the US soon," Singh said. "The US trip is basically to get UP to be known in a new way and also to get investment from US into Uttar Pradesh," Singh said. The delegation would next travel to New York before leaving for India.

US can't ignore Uttar Pradesh if it wants better ties with India, says minister

A top US State Department official visited Pakistan to review the progress made by Islamabad on regional security and stability and met Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other senior officials, but the meeting ended without any breakthrough, according to a media report.

The US Department of State's Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells visited Islamabad for meetings with Foreign Secretary (Tehmina) Janjua and other senior officials, a statement, issued late yesterday, by the US Embassy here said.

"In her meetings, she discussed the status of the United States' South Asia strategy and efforts to make progress on regional security and stability," it added.

Wells was on a day-long trip to Islamabad to continue her talks in the wake of President Donald Trump's new South Asia and Afghanistan policy, in particular Pakistan's commitment in the war against terrorism.

In Washington, a State Department Spokesperson told PTI, "The purpose of Ambassador Wells' visit was to discuss the relationship between the United States and Pakistan, which is based on a broad range of shared interests, including a commitment to defeat all terrorist groups that threaten regional stability and security, and a desire to build economic and commercial ties that benefit both countries."&nbsp;

This is a follow on of Ambassador Wells' visit there last month as part of its ongoing dialogue on the bilateral relationship and Pakistani support for our South Asia strategy, the spokesperson said.

Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) spokeperson, Mohammad Faisal only shared a picture of Janjua receiving Wells on the micro-blogging site 'twitter', but did not share any details of the meeting.

The two sides failed to make any headway, instead some new issues cropped up during the meeting which may further complicate the already strained US-Pak ties, the report said.

The second round of Pakistan-US talks aimed at getting Islamabad to fulfil Washington's expectations, envisioned in its South Asia and Afghanistan policy, ended without any breakthrough, the Dawn reported.

Quoting a diplomatic source, it said that the agenda of both sides at the meeting at the FO were same as before, with the addition of two new issues - the restrictions on Pakistani diplomats that would come into effect from May 1 and a traffic accident involving US defence attach? Col Joseph Hall, who had earlier this month jumped a red light her and hit a motorcyclist, who later died.

Pakistan has demanded waiver of the diplomatic immunity to Hall, so that he could be prosecuted.

"There was no forward movement. But at the same time we must acknowledge that both sides continue to remain engaged in search of the elusive common ground," the source said.

The US' Afghan strategy has soured the ties between the two countries after they openly traded barbs over deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

The US has been demanding Islamabad to use its influence to bring Taliban to negotiating table and but the latter said that it has only limited control of rebels who now have areas in Afghanistan to live and operate without any foreign assistance.

This was ambassador Wells' second trip in less than a month after her last visit to Islamabad between March 28 and April 3.&nbsp;

Wells was on a day-long trip to Islamabad to continue her talks in the wake of President Donald Trump's new South Asia and Afghanistan policy, in particular Pakistan's commitment in the war against terrorism

A top US State Department official visited Pakistan to review the progress made by Islamabad on regional security and stability and met Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other senior officials, but the meeting ended without any breakthrough, according to a media report. The US Department of State's Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells visited Islamabad for meetings with Foreign Secretary (Tehmina) Janjua and other senior officials, a statement, issued late yesterday, by the US Embassy here said. "In her meetings, she discussed the status of the United States' South Asia strategy and efforts to make progress on regional security and stability," it added. Wells was on a day-long trip to Islamabad to continue her talks in the wake of President Donald Trump's new South Asia and Afghanistan policy, in particular Pakistan's commitment in the war against terrorism. In Washington, a State Department Spokesperson told PTI, "The purpose of Ambassador Wells' visit was to discuss the relationship between the United States and Pakistan, which is based on a broad range of shared interests, including a commitment to defeat all terrorist groups that threaten regional stability and security, and a desire to build economic and commercial ties that benefit both countries." This is a follow on of Ambassador Wells' visit there last month as part of its ongoing dialogue on the bilateral relationship and Pakistani support for our South Asia strategy, the spokesperson said. Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) spokeperson, Mohammad Faisal only shared a picture of Janjua receiving Wells on the micro-blogging site 'twitter', but did not share any details of the meeting. The two sides failed to make any headway, instead some new issues cropped up during the meeting which may further complicate the already strained US-Pak ties, the report said. The second round of Pakistan-US talks aimed at getting Islamabad to fulfil Washington's expectations, envisioned in its South Asia and Afghanistan policy, ended without any breakthrough, the Dawn reported. Quoting a diplomatic source, it said that the agenda of both sides at the meeting at the FO were same as before, with the addition of two new issues - the restrictions on Pakistani diplomats that would come into effect from May 1 and a traffic accident involving US defence attach? Col Joseph Hall, who had earlier this month jumped a red light her and hit a motorcyclist, who later died. Pakistan has demanded waiver of the diplomatic immunity to Hall, so that he could be prosecuted. "There was no forward movement. But at the same time we must acknowledge that both sides continue to remain engaged in search of the elusive common ground," the source said. The US' Afghan strategy has soured the ties between the two countries after they openly traded barbs over deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The US has been demanding Islamabad to use its influence to bring Taliban to negotiating table and but the latter said that it has only limited control of rebels who now have areas in Afghanistan to live and operate without any foreign assistance. This was ambassador Wells' second trip in less than a month after her last visit to Islamabad between March 28 and April 3.

Talks between top US official, Pakistan Foreign Secretary over Afghanistan end without breakthrough

A Pakistani political party placed on the US&nbsp;list of foreign terrorist organisations vowed on Wednesday to continue its political activities and participate in upcoming elections.

The Milli Muslim League (MML) is controlled by Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, who has a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. The group shot to prominence after fielding a candidate in a September 2017 by-election to fill a seat vacated by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The US State Department on Tuesday termed MML an alias for militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), or Army of the Pure, blamed for a bloody 2008 attack in India.

"We clearly state that on US&nbsp;announcements we will not discontinue our political activities at any cost," MML president Saifullah Khalid said, reading from a statement in Karachi.

"Milli Muslim League will fully participate in the 2018 elections and will field candidates from across Pakistan."

Saeed is the founder of LeT, which is also on the U.S. terrorist list and blamed by the United States and India for a four-day militant attack on Mumbai in 2008 in which 166 people were killed.

Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the attack.

Images of Saeed appeared on MML campaign posters during rallies held in two major Pakistani cities leading up to by-elections last year.

The party was subsequently barred from participating in polls by Pakistan's electoral commission, a decision that was overturned by the courts.

"We have confidence in our higher judiciary ... MML will be registered and it will emerge as a big national party in future," Khalid said.

Khalid termed the U.S. decision a violation of basic human rights and an open intervention in Pakistan's internal affairs, asking for the State Department to bring evidence before the courts.

"Make no mistake: whatever LeT chooses to call itself, it remains a violent terrorist group. The United States supports all efforts to ensure that LeT does not have a political voice until it gives up violence as a tool of influence," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

Under pressure from the United States, the United Nations and international institutions to crack down on terrorist financing, Pakistan drew up secret plans last December for a "takeover" of charities linked to Saeed.

Saeed has since taken the government decision to court.

Saeed's freedom in Pakistan, where he holds rallies, has been a thorn in Pakistan’s relations with old rival India and the United States.

The US State Department on Tuesday termed MML an alias for militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), or Army of the Pure, blamed for a bloody 2008 attack in India.

A Pakistani political party placed on the US list of foreign terrorist organisations vowed on Wednesday to continue its political activities and participate in upcoming elections. The Milli Muslim League (MML) is controlled by Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, who has a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head. The group shot to prominence after fielding a candidate in a September 2017 by-election to fill a seat vacated by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The US State Department on Tuesday termed MML an alias for militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), or Army of the Pure, blamed for a bloody 2008 attack in India. "We clearly state that on US announcements we will not discontinue our political activities at any cost," MML president Saifullah Khalid said, reading from a statement in Karachi. "Milli Muslim League will fully participate in the 2018 elections and will field candidates from across Pakistan." Saeed is the founder of LeT, which is also on the U.S. terrorist list and blamed by the United States and India for a four-day militant attack on Mumbai in 2008 in which 166 people were killed. Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the attack. Images of Saeed appeared on MML campaign posters during rallies held in two major Pakistani cities leading up to by-elections last year. The party was subsequently barred from participating in polls by Pakistan's electoral commission, a decision that was overturned by the courts. "We have confidence in our higher judiciary ... MML will be registered and it will emerge as a big national party in future," Khalid said. Khalid termed the U.S. decision a violation of basic human rights and an open intervention in Pakistan's internal affairs, asking for the State Department to bring evidence before the courts. "Make no mistake: whatever LeT chooses to call itself, it remains a violent terrorist group. The United States supports all efforts to ensure that LeT does not have a political voice until it gives up violence as a tool of influence," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. Under pressure from the United States, the United Nations and international institutions to crack down on terrorist financing, Pakistan drew up secret plans last December for a "takeover" of charities linked to Saeed. Saeed has since taken the government decision to court. Saeed's freedom in Pakistan, where he holds rallies, has been a thorn in Pakistan’s relations with old rival India and the United States.

Hafiz Saeed's MML, designated 'terror group' by US, vows to fight Pak elections

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale held meetings with top State Department officials and discussed various bilateral issues, including a shared interest in the Indo-Pacific region and America&#39;s support for New Delhi&#39;s emergence as a leading power.

Gokhale, on his maiden visit to the US as India&#39;s top diplomat, met the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department yesterday.

&quot;They discussed US-India strategic cooperation, shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region, and US support for India&#39;s emergence as a leading power and security provider,&quot; a State Department Spokesperson told PTI.

Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, and Alice Wells, who is currently State Department&#39;s point person for South and Central Asia, were also present during the meeting.

No other details of the meeting were immediately available.

Gokhale&#39;s meetings in the tour were scheduled well in advance and were mainly meant to prepare for the first-ever two-plus-two dialogue between the two countries.

Officials from either side have not yet announced any dates of such a dialogue, but it was previously scheduled for some time in mid-April.

The launch of the two-plus-two dialogue was announced last summer when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a successful meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

The dialogue involves External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and their American counterparts.

Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and nominated CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace him. Pompeo needs to be confirmed by the Senate before he can occupy the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale held meetings with top State Department officials and discussed various bilateral issues

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale held meetings with top State Department officials and discussed various bilateral issues, including a shared interest in the Indo-Pacific region and America's support for New Delhi's emergence as a leading power. Gokhale, on his maiden visit to the US as India's top diplomat, met the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department yesterday. "They discussed US-India strategic cooperation, shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region, and US support for India's emergence as a leading power and security provider," a State Department Spokesperson told PTI. Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, and Alice Wells, who is currently State Department's point person for South and Central Asia, were also present during the meeting. No other details of the meeting were immediately available. Gokhale's meetings in the tour were scheduled well in advance and were mainly meant to prepare for the first-ever two-plus-two dialogue between the two countries. Officials from either side have not yet announced any dates of such a dialogue, but it was previously scheduled for some time in mid-April. The launch of the two-plus-two dialogue was announced last summer when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a successful meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The dialogue involves External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and their American counterparts. Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and nominated CIA Director Mike Pompeo to replace him. Pompeo needs to be confirmed by the Senate before he can occupy the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale holds talks with US officials

Days after<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-optimistic-about-n-korea-talks-says-itll-work-out-35343"> US president Trump surprised </a>everyone, including his White House staff that he was open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, CIA director Mike Pompeo backed Trump&#39;s decision declaring that Kim&#39;s regime was under threat due to the state of the economy.

&quot;Never <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-chinese-president-helpful-on-kim-jong-un-meeting-35334">before have we had the North Koreans</a> in a position where their economy was at such risk, where their leadership was under such pressure,&quot; Pompeo said.

As critics lashed out at Trump for seemingly trying to divert attention over several controversies plaguing the White House, the CIA director said: &quot;The president isn&rsquo;t doing this for theatre, he is going there to solve a problem.&quot;

&quot;Make no mistake: while these negotiations are going on, there will be no concessions made,&quot; Pompeo asserted.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said he won&#39;t be speaking about the North Korean talks as White House and State Department were leading the initiative.

&quot;This is a diplomatically led effort,&quot; Mattis said, adding,&quot;&quot;When you get into a position like this, the potential for misunderstanding remains very high... so I want those who are actually engaging in the discussions to be the ones who answer all media questions about it.&quot;

South Korean official Chung Eui-yong had announced last Thursday that Kim and Trump will meet in May for talks on denuclearisation.

Mattis was among the senior officials present in the White House when Trump accepted the invitation.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said he won't be speaking about the North Korean talks as White House and State Department were leading the initiative.

Days after US president Trump surprised everyone, including his White House staff that he was open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, CIA director Mike Pompeo backed Trump's decision declaring that Kim's regime was under threat due to the state of the economy. "Never before have we had the North Koreans in a position where their economy was at such risk, where their leadership was under such pressure," Pompeo said. As critics lashed out at Trump for seemingly trying to divert attention over several controversies plaguing the White House, the CIA director said: "The president isn’t doing this for theatre, he is going there to solve a problem." "Make no mistake: while these negotiations are going on, there will be no concessions made," Pompeo asserted. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said he won't be speaking about the North Korean talks as White House and State Department were leading the initiative. "This is a diplomatically led effort," Mattis said, adding,""When you get into a position like this, the potential for misunderstanding remains very high... so I want those who are actually engaging in the discussions to be the ones who answer all media questions about it." South Korean official Chung Eui-yong had announced last Thursday that Kim and Trump will meet in May for talks on denuclearisation. Mattis was among the senior officials present in the White House when Trump accepted the invitation.

Trump's North Korea talks not theatre, he will solve a problem: CIA chief Pompeo

US businesses and diplomats are pressing India to cut tariffs, industry and government sources say, after New Delhi&#39;s move to increase customs duties on dozens of products to help its flagship Make-in-India drive aggravated differences over trade.

Ford, which has two plants in India, has sought a reversal of the new tariffs on auto components, while Apple Inc is concerned its iPhones have become even more expensive in the price-conscious $10 billion smartphone market.

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eNDuo3eS5zs" width="560"></iframe>

India and the United States have built close political ties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Washington last summer, bear-hugging President Donald Trump in his personalised style of diplomacy. But trade friction is casting a shadow.

A US State Department spokesperson told Reuters India must lower trade barriers, which were holding back economic ties.

Trump has already called out India for its duties on Harley-Davidson motorbikes, and this month Modi ordered them cut to 50 percent from 75 percent for high-end bikes.

But that has not satisfied Trump, who pointed to zero duties for Indian bikes sold in the United States, saying he would push for a &quot;reciprocal tax&quot; against countries, including U.S. allies, that levy tariffs on American products.

&quot;It is important that India make greater efforts to lower barriers to trade, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, which will lower prices to consumers, promote development of value chains in India,&quot; said the State Department spokesperson, referring to Trump&#39;s comments on motorbikes.

The U.S. Congress has been pushing over the past year for greater pressure on India to dismantle economic barriers, and now House Republicans have raised the issue of the new round of duties with New Delhi.

&quot;We conveyed our concerns to the Indian government last week to raising tariffs above WTO rates &ndash; especially as it relates to information technology,&quot; a Republican aide told Reuters.

Import Taxes

India announced higher import tax on electronics products such as mobile phones and television sets in December, and then on 40 more items in the budget this month. These included goods as varied as sunglasses, juices and auto components.

India says the move is aimed at giving local industry the chance to grow and is part of a broader plan to lift the share manufacturing makes up of GDP to a quarter, from around 15 percent, and create the tens of thousands of jobs needed for a young workforce.

US&nbsp;commerce department referred questions to the US&nbsp;Trade Representative&#39;s (USTR) office, where a spokesman declined to comment.

The Indian commerce ministry did not respond to a request for a comment on the US&nbsp;criticism of the import taxes.

But a senior finance ministry official defended the decision to raise duties, saying it reflected a trend in other parts of the world.

&quot;When all the major economies, including the U.S. and China, are following protectionist policies, why are we being questioned,&quot; the official said.

Trade Ties

Bilateral trade between India and the United States has grown to about $115 billion in 2016 from $20 billion in 2001. The United States buys close to a fifth of India&#39;s goods and services exports and its trade deficit has widened from $13 billion in 2006 to $31 billion in 2016.

The USTR&#39;s office is &quot;fairly negative&quot; on India at this point and is analysing the impact of the customs trade tariffs on various American companies, an industry source aware of the matter told Reuters.

&quot;They are more vigilant than earlier, they are in bulldog mode under Trump,&quot; the source said. A spokesperson for the USTR&#39;s office declined to comment.

Even before the new round of hikes, India has been seen as one of the most protected major economies. The United States had an average tariff rate of 3.4 percent on imported goods in 2016. compared with 13.5 percent for India, according to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

China, which the Trump administration is targeting for its trade practices, had an average tariff rate of 9.9 percent that year.

Apple, whose top-end iPhone costs nearly $1,700 after the company raised prices twice in recent months due to higher duties, is in talks with other firms on whether the issue could be raised at the WTO, an industry source said.

Apple did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Ford and European carmaker Volkswagen have written to Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saying&nbsp;the new tariffs are going to hurt the auto sector and should be reviewed, sources said.

Anurag Mehrotra, Ford India&#39;s managing director, said the company has invested $2 billion in the country and the government&#39;s move would hit the automobile sector.

&quot;Like many, we also see it as the return of protectionism,&quot; Mehrotra told Reuters, adding he expected car prices to rise up to 4 percent due to new duties.

Andreas Lauermann, the head of Volkswagen&#39;s India unit said it &quot;remains a challenge to invest further&quot; because of sudden tax hikes. 
&nbsp;

India and the United States have built close political ties. But trade friction is casting a shadow.

US businesses and diplomats are pressing India to cut tariffs, industry and government sources say, after New Delhi's move to increase customs duties on dozens of products to help its flagship Make-in-India drive aggravated differences over trade. Ford, which has two plants in India, has sought a reversal of the new tariffs on auto components, while Apple Inc is concerned its iPhones have become even more expensive in the price-conscious $10 billion smartphone market. India and the United States have built close political ties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Washington last summer, bear-hugging President Donald Trump in his personalised style of diplomacy. But trade friction is casting a shadow. A US State Department spokesperson told Reuters India must lower trade barriers, which were holding back economic ties. Trump has already called out India for its duties on Harley-Davidson motorbikes, and this month Modi ordered them cut to 50 percent from 75 percent for high-end bikes. But that has not satisfied Trump, who pointed to zero duties for Indian bikes sold in the United States, saying he would push for a "reciprocal tax" against countries, including U.S. allies, that levy tariffs on American products. "It is important that India make greater efforts to lower barriers to trade, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, which will lower prices to consumers, promote development of value chains in India," said the State Department spokesperson, referring to Trump's comments on motorbikes. The U.S. Congress has been pushing over the past year for greater pressure on India to dismantle economic barriers, and now House Republicans have raised the issue of the new round of duties with New Delhi. "We conveyed our concerns to the Indian government last week to raising tariffs above WTO rates – especially as it relates to information technology," a Republican aide told Reuters. Import Taxes India announced higher import tax on electronics products such as mobile phones and television sets in December, and then on 40 more items in the budget this month. These included goods as varied as sunglasses, juices and auto components. India says the move is aimed at giving local industry the chance to grow and is part of a broader plan to lift the share manufacturing makes up of GDP to a quarter, from around 15 percent, and create the tens of thousands of jobs needed for a young workforce. US commerce department referred questions to the US Trade Representative's (USTR) office, where a spokesman declined to comment. The Indian commerce ministry did not respond to a request for a comment on the US criticism of the import taxes. But a senior finance ministry official defended the decision to raise duties, saying it reflected a trend in other parts of the world. "When all the major economies, including the U.S. and China, are following protectionist policies, why are we being questioned," the official said. Trade Ties Bilateral trade between India and the United States has grown to about $115 billion in 2016 from $20 billion in 2001. The United States buys close to a fifth of India's goods and services exports and its trade deficit has widened from $13 billion in 2006 to $31 billion in 2016. The USTR's office is "fairly negative" on India at this point and is analysing the impact of the customs trade tariffs on various American companies, an industry source aware of the matter told Reuters. "They are more vigilant than earlier, they are in bulldog mode under Trump," the source said. A spokesperson for the USTR's office declined to comment. Even before the new round of hikes, India has been seen as one of the most protected major economies. The United States had an average tariff rate of 3.4 percent on imported goods in 2016. compared with 13.5 percent for India, according to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). China, which the Trump administration is targeting for its trade practices, had an average tariff rate of 9.9 percent that year. Apple, whose top-end iPhone costs nearly $1,700 after the company raised prices twice in recent months due to higher duties, is in talks with other firms on whether the issue could be raised at the WTO, an industry source said. Apple did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Ford and European carmaker Volkswagen have written to Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saying the new tariffs are going to hurt the auto sector and should be reviewed, sources said. Anurag Mehrotra, Ford India's managing director, said the company has invested $2 billion in the country and the government's move would hit the automobile sector. "Like many, we also see it as the return of protectionism," Mehrotra told Reuters, adding he expected car prices to rise up to 4 percent due to new duties. Andreas Lauermann, the head of Volkswagen's India unit said it "remains a challenge to invest further" because of sudden tax hikes.

US tells India to cut tariffs as trade friction heats up

The US State Department has designated two ISIS members, Siddhartha Dhar and Abdelatif Gaini, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Section 1(b) of Executive Order which also imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed&nbsp;or pose a significant risk of committing&nbsp;acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals, the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the US.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M7b3O_MSGwY" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Here is everything you want to know about the new&nbsp;&quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-designates-indian-origin-isis-man-called-new-jihadi-john-global-terrorist-30575">New Jihadi John</a>.&quot;

&#39;New Jihadi John,&#39; Siddhartha Dhar is a British Hindu who converted to Islam and changed his name to Abu Rumayash.

Dhar was born in London to a Bengali Family.

Siddhartha Dhar was working as a spokesperson for Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun, an outfit&nbsp;banned in London.

Dhar also owned a bouncy castle rental company, all his property which now has been frozen.

In a video posted on his YouTube, Dhar has called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant &quot;a dream for all Muslims worldwide.&quot;

Dhar was under investigation by British authorities for allegedly encouraging terrorism but he was released on bail, after which he was disappeared.

During an interview with BBC&#39;s Sunday Morning Live, Dhar had said he doesn&#39;t identify himself with British values, &#39;I am Muslim first, second and last, he added.&#39;

Dhar is married to a girl named Aisha, and four children with whom he arrived in Syria in 2014 and now believed to be living in the Raqqa city of Syria.

Dhar has written a travel guide to the Islamic State in May 2015, call &#39;A Brief Guide to Islamic State.&#39;&nbsp;

He appeared in the Channel 4 documentary &#39;The Jihadis Next Door.&#39;

Dhar is believed to have replaced ISIS executioner Mohammad Emwazi after he killed in drone strike in 2015.

Dhar has also been suspected to be a masked leader in a January 2016 ISIS video showing the execution of several prisoners, accused of spying for the UK.

Media reports quote a Yazidi teenager held for a sex slave by ISIS in May 2016 that she was kidnapped and trafficked by Siddhartha Dhar.&nbsp;

Dhar is a British Hindu who converted to Islam and changed his name to Abu Rumayash

The US State Department has designated two ISIS members, Siddhartha Dhar and Abdelatif Gaini, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Section 1(b) of Executive Order which also imposes sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed or pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals, the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the US. × Here is everything you want to know about the new "New Jihadi John." 'New Jihadi John,' Siddhartha Dhar is a British Hindu who converted to Islam and changed his name to Abu Rumayash. Dhar was born in London to a Bengali Family. Siddhartha Dhar was working as a spokesperson for Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun, an outfit banned in London. Dhar also owned a bouncy castle rental company, all his property which now has been frozen. In a video posted on his YouTube, Dhar has called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant "a dream for all Muslims worldwide." Dhar was under investigation by British authorities for allegedly encouraging terrorism but he was released on bail, after which he was disappeared. During an interview with BBC's Sunday Morning Live, Dhar had said he doesn't identify himself with British values, 'I am Muslim first, second and last, he added.' Dhar is married to a girl named Aisha, and four children with whom he arrived in Syria in 2014 and now believed to be living in the Raqqa city of Syria. Dhar has written a travel guide to the Islamic State in May 2015, call 'A Brief Guide to Islamic State.' He appeared in the Channel 4 documentary 'The Jihadis Next Door.' Dhar is believed to have replaced ISIS executioner Mohammad Emwazi after he killed in drone strike in 2015. Dhar has also been suspected to be a masked leader in a January 2016 ISIS video showing the execution of several prisoners, accused of spying for the UK. Media reports quote a Yazidi teenager held for a sex slave by ISIS in May 2016 that she was kidnapped and trafficked by Siddhartha Dhar.

Who is 'New Jihadi John' Siddhartha Dhar?

Former US president Barack Obama had received gifts worth about US $3,000 during his visit to India in 2015 as Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade, according to the State Department.

Obama was the first US head of state who attended the parade in 2015.

According to the Department of State&#39;s Protocol Office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Obama telegram facsimile from the US to India&#39;s Constituent Assembly in 1946 and reproduction of the cover page of a report on India&#39;s Constitutional Debates.

Modi also presented him a framed photograph of Marian Anderson&#39;s radio interview in India and a hand-carved wooden Jali box with a small wooden latch and photo of Marian Anderson&#39;s radio interview in India on the lid.

Among other gifts from Modi were a CD set, title: All India Radio Interview with Marian Anderson, November 18 1957, New Delhi.

Obama also received a hand-carved black wooden Jali box with painting on the lid; blue Shahmina shawl, red Shahmina shawl and beige and cream coloured shahmina shawl. The State Department Protocol Office have estimated their value at US $1,231.

The Rajghat Samadhi Committee presented him a model spinning wheel with white tread looped around the wheel and a cloth scroll listing the Seven Social Sins as articulated by Mahatma Gandhi.

He also received a book on Mahatma Gandhi titled &quot;An Autobiography: The Story of my Experiments with the Truth&quot; and a bronze-coloured bust of Mohandas Karamchard Gandhi on a wood base. The gifts were estimated to be a value of US $929.01.

The then president Pranab Mukherjee presented Obama a book titled &quot;Thoughts and Reflections&quot;, &quot;Winged Wonders of Rashtrapati Bhavan RB Series 2012-2014&quot; along with a Photobook, titled &quot;State Visit of His Excellency Barack H Obama, President of the United States of America and Michelle Obama to India on January 25 to 27 January 2015&quot;.

The gifts were estimated to be US $825.

The First Lady Michelle Obama received gifts worth over US $1500, according to the list. All the gifts have been handed over to the National Archive.

Michelle was given by Modi a hand-embroidered Shahmina shawl, hand-carved wooden Jali box, and assorted Indian tea of an estimated value of US $662. While rest of the items were given to the National Archives, the tea box was handled pursuant to United States Secret Service policy, the Office of Protocol said.

And finally, President Mukherjee presented to Michelle pashmina Shawl with hand-embroidery and specially commissioned tea set, including pot, six cups, six saucers, milk pitcher, and sugar jar, at an estimated value of US $900.

Obama was the first US head of state who attended the Republic Day parade in 2015.

Former US president Barack Obama had received gifts worth about US $3,000 during his visit to India in 2015 as Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade, according to the State Department. Obama was the first US head of state who attended the parade in 2015. According to the Department of State's Protocol Office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Obama telegram facsimile from the US to India's Constituent Assembly in 1946 and reproduction of the cover page of a report on India's Constitutional Debates. Modi also presented him a framed photograph of Marian Anderson's radio interview in India and a hand-carved wooden Jali box with a small wooden latch and photo of Marian Anderson's radio interview in India on the lid. Among other gifts from Modi were a CD set, title: All India Radio Interview with Marian Anderson, November 18 1957, New Delhi. Obama also received a hand-carved black wooden Jali box with painting on the lid; blue Shahmina shawl, red Shahmina shawl and beige and cream coloured shahmina shawl. The State Department Protocol Office have estimated their value at US $1,231. The Rajghat Samadhi Committee presented him a model spinning wheel with white tread looped around the wheel and a cloth scroll listing the Seven Social Sins as articulated by Mahatma Gandhi. He also received a book on Mahatma Gandhi titled "An Autobiography: The Story of my Experiments with the Truth" and a bronze-coloured bust of Mohandas Karamchard Gandhi on a wood base. The gifts were estimated to be a value of US $929.01. The then president Pranab Mukherjee presented Obama a book titled "Thoughts and Reflections", "Winged Wonders of Rashtrapati Bhavan RB Series 2012-2014" along with a Photobook, titled "State Visit of His Excellency Barack H Obama, President of the United States of America and Michelle Obama to India on January 25 to 27 January 2015". The gifts were estimated to be US $825. The First Lady Michelle Obama received gifts worth over US $1500, according to the list. All the gifts have been handed over to the National Archive. Michelle was given by Modi a hand-embroidered Shahmina shawl, hand-carved wooden Jali box, and assorted Indian tea of an estimated value of US $662. While rest of the items were given to the National Archives, the tea box was handled pursuant to United States Secret Service policy, the Office of Protocol said. And finally, President Mukherjee presented to Michelle pashmina Shawl with hand-embroidery and specially commissioned tea set, including pot, six cups, six saucers, milk pitcher, and sugar jar, at an estimated value of US $900.

Obama received gifts worth US $3,000 during 2015 India visit: State Department

The United States is &ldquo;encouraging&rdquo; India and China to &ldquo;have direct dialogue&rdquo; to resolve the Doklam standoff, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said.&nbsp;

&quot;Just that we are encouraging both parties to sit down and have direct dialogue,&quot; Heather Nauert said when asked about the United States&#39; stand on the ongoing standoff between India and China in the Doklam plateau next to Sikkim.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/18669">China shows off troops to Indian journalists, Army says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/18669">withdraw</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/18669">&nbsp;from Doklam</a>

Earlier, the US had said that it was closely following the border standoff.

Last week, a top American defence expert had said that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/18923">India is &quot;behaving like a mature power&quot;</a> in the Doklam standoff.

Earlier this month, China asked India to pull back its troops from the border region &ldquo;no string attached&rdquo;.

India has, however, said that both China and India need to pull back troops from the region.

The crisis began in June when a Chinese construction crew was found to be trying to extend a road in the Doklam region. 
&nbsp;

Earlier, the US had said that it was closely following the border standoff between the two countries

The United States is “encouraging” India and China to “have direct dialogue” to resolve the Doklam standoff, US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said. "Just that we are encouraging both parties to sit down and have direct dialogue," Heather Nauert said when asked about the United States' stand on the ongoing standoff between India and China in the Doklam plateau next to Sikkim. Also read: China shows off troops to Indian journalists, Army says withdraw from Doklam Earlier, the US had said that it was closely following the border standoff. Last week, a top American defence expert had said that India is "behaving like a mature power" in the Doklam standoff. Earlier this month, China asked India to pull back its troops from the border region “no string attached”. India has, however, said that both China and India need to pull back troops from the region. The crisis began in June when a Chinese construction crew was found to be trying to extend a road in the Doklam region.

We are encouraging both parties to sit down and have direct dialogue: US on Doklam standoff

The US State Department issued a travel alert for Europe on Monday, saying US citizens should be aware of a continued threat of terrorist attacks throughout the continent.

In the alert, the State Department cited recent incidents in France, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom and said Islamic State and al Qaeda &quot;have the ability to plan and execute terrorist attacks in Europe&quot;.

The State Department&#39;s previous travel alert for Europe, issued ahead of the winter holiday season, expired in February. A State Department official said Monday&#39;s alert was not prompted by a specific threat, but rather recognition of the continuing risk of attacks especially ahead of the summer holidays. The alert expires on September 1.

Malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, airports and other locations are all possible targets for attacks, the State Department&#39;s alert said.

(Reuters)

It said US citizens should be aware of a continued threat of terrorist attacks throughout the continent

The US State Department issued a travel alert for Europe on Monday, saying US citizens should be aware of a continued threat of terrorist attacks throughout the continent. In the alert, the State Department cited recent incidents in France, Russia, Sweden and the United Kingdom and said Islamic State and al Qaeda "have the ability to plan and execute terrorist attacks in Europe". The State Department's previous travel alert for Europe, issued ahead of the winter holiday season, expired in February. A State Department official said Monday's alert was not prompted by a specific threat, but rather recognition of the continuing risk of attacks especially ahead of the summer holidays. The alert expires on September 1. Malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, airports and other locations are all possible targets for attacks, the State Department's alert said. (Reuters)

US State Department issues travel alert for Europe

A report released by the US state department, on Sunday, has criticised India over alleged human rights violations. The report referred to the police case against activist Teesta Setalvad,&nbsp;encounter of eight SIMI members in Madhya Pradesh, and also the &quot;Vyapam&quot;&nbsp;scam in Madhya Pradesh.

The report titled &quot;Human Rights Practices in India for 2016&quot; highlighted the restrictions on foreign funding of NGOs, dowry-related deaths and female genital mutilation as some of the human rights problems in India.&nbsp;

The report quotes several voluntary NGOs as saying that due to rejection of permits to receive foreign funds, it has become difficult for them to operate in the country.

On the irregularities in the recruitment of government officials and admissions to educational institutions in Madhya Pradesh populary known as the &quot;Vyapam&quot; scam, the report says that it shows &quot;corruption and lack of transaparency in government&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;Investigations and prosecutions of individual cases took place, but lax enforcement, a shortage of trained police officers, and an overburdened and under-resourced court system contributed to infrequent convictions,&quot; the report said.

The report highlights abuse of power by security forces like extra-judicial killings, torture, rape and corruption. &nbsp;

&quot;There were instances of infringement of privacy rights. The law in six states restricted religious conversion, and there were reports of arrests but no reports of convictions under those laws. Some limits on the freedom of movement continued,&quot; it said.

The report mentions trafficking in persons, bonded and forced labour of children, sex trafficking of children and adults&nbsp;for prostitution as some of the serious problems faced by India.

(WION with inputs from ANI) &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The report refers to the police case against Teesta Setalvad, and the killing of eight alleged SIMI members in Madhya Pradesh by police

A report released by the US state department, on Sunday, has criticised India over alleged human rights violations. The report referred to the police case against activist Teesta Setalvad, encounter of eight SIMI members in Madhya Pradesh, and also the "Vyapam" scam in Madhya Pradesh. The report titled "Human Rights Practices in India for 2016" highlighted the restrictions on foreign funding of NGOs, dowry-related deaths and female genital mutilation as some of the human rights problems in India. The report quotes several voluntary NGOs as saying that due to rejection of permits to receive foreign funds, it has become difficult for them to operate in the country. On the irregularities in the recruitment of government officials and admissions to educational institutions in Madhya Pradesh populary known as the "Vyapam" scam, the report says that it shows "corruption and lack of transaparency in government". "Investigations and prosecutions of individual cases took place, but lax enforcement, a shortage of trained police officers, and an overburdened and under-resourced court system contributed to infrequent convictions," the report said. The report highlights abuse of power by security forces like extra-judicial killings, torture, rape and corruption. "There were instances of infringement of privacy rights. The law in six states restricted religious conversion, and there were reports of arrests but no reports of convictions under those laws. Some limits on the freedom of movement continued," it said. The report mentions trafficking in persons, bonded and forced labour of children, sex trafficking of children and adults for prostitution as some of the serious problems faced by India. (WION with inputs from ANI)

US state dept report criticises India for alleged human rights violations

When is a tweet just a tweet?

A debate is percolating in the US&nbsp;State Department, where diplomats measure their words with demitasse spoons, on how to handle Donald Trump&#39;s Twitter commentary if he continues to tweet after he becomes US&nbsp;president on January 20.

By tradition, anything the president says is regarded as US&nbsp;policy and can be repeated to foreign officials without fear of contradiction, at least from the White House.

But Trump has questioned bedrock planks of US&nbsp;policy, such as whether Taiwan is part of &quot;one China&quot; or whether Washington would defend NATO allies, causing consternation at home and abroad.

&quot;I have never hesitated to take anything that POTUS said in speeches, press conferences, and other remarks as anything but policy,&quot; a midlevel diplomat who has served on four continents wrote December 7 on an internal State Department discussion board, in reference to the President of the United States (POTUS).

&quot;But what about tweets?&quot; he asked.

&quot;Given the president-elect&#39;s penchant for using (Twitter) in a much more spontaneous context than most other USG officials, how should FSOs regard those statements?&quot; he added, referring to US&nbsp;government (USG) foreign service officers (FSOs).

&quot;In theory, we all should have a firm grasp of what is hyberbole (sic) and what is not, but in practice we should not be so sure. I for one am done making assumptions in this area for at least the next four years,&quot; the diplomat added.

He then appealed to the State Department&#39;s Bureau of Public Affairs to issue an ALDAC, or formal message to &quot;All Diplomatic and Consular Posts&quot;, clarifying matters.

The post, titled &quot;Is a Tweet policy?&quot; on &quot;The Sounding Board&quot;, a forum on the State Department&#39;s intranet, prompted thoughtful, though equally perplexed, comments.

Another official wrote that he was confident President Barack Obama&#39;s comments are to be taken &quot;seriously and literally&quot;, Trump may want his tweets to be taken both &quot;seriously and figuratively,&quot; he wrote.

&quot;Assuming there is a strategy here, it would seem that it would be to create a sense of ambiguity around issues previously thought to be settled for the purpose of leveraging a better deal to advance USG interests,&quot; he added. &quot;Miscommunication may be the very purpose of the President Elect&#39;s tweets.&quot;

A spokesman for the State Department said it would have no comment on how the next administration and president may use social media.

Obama has tweeted since 2015 from the account @POTUS.

Rather than suggesting specific policies, Obama used the handle to encourage Americans to vote, to cheerlead for Hillary Clinton, Trump&#39;s election opponent, and to remember the recently deceased, including writer Elie Wiesel and golfer Arnold Palmer.

From his Twitter account, @realdonaldtrump, Trump has mocked Clinton as &quot;Crooked Hillary,&quot; attacked a former Miss Universe and sniped at the parents of a Muslim American US&nbsp;Army captain who died in Iraq after the soldier&#39;s father spoke against him.

On November 27, he tweeted &quot;I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally&quot; but provided no evidence for the claim, which electoral officials have denied. Trump lost the popular vote by close to three million votes.

The president-elect has not said definitively whether he will continue tweeting after January 20. Trump&#39;s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A third official said the entire government would need to deal with the issue to &quot;limit the amount of miscommunication a specific POTUS tweet could engender&quot;.

&quot;As the great Bette Davis line goes, &#39;Fasten your seatbelt, it&#39;s going to be a bumpy ride,&#39;&quot; he wrote.

(Reuters)

Diplomats are debating on how to handle Donald Trump's Twitter commentary if he continues to tweet after he becomes US president

When is a tweet just a tweet? A debate is percolating in the US State Department, where diplomats measure their words with demitasse spoons, on how to handle Donald Trump's Twitter commentary if he continues to tweet after he becomes US president on January 20. By tradition, anything the president says is regarded as US policy and can be repeated to foreign officials without fear of contradiction, at least from the White House. But Trump has questioned bedrock planks of US policy, such as whether Taiwan is part of "one China" or whether Washington would defend NATO allies, causing consternation at home and abroad. "I have never hesitated to take anything that POTUS said in speeches, press conferences, and other remarks as anything but policy," a midlevel diplomat who has served on four continents wrote December 7 on an internal State Department discussion board, in reference to the President of the United States (POTUS). "But what about tweets?" he asked. "Given the president-elect's penchant for using (Twitter) in a much more spontaneous context than most other USG officials, how should FSOs regard those statements?" he added, referring to US government (USG) foreign service officers (FSOs). "In theory, we all should have a firm grasp of what is hyberbole (sic) and what is not, but in practice we should not be so sure. I for one am done making assumptions in this area for at least the next four years," the diplomat added. He then appealed to the State Department's Bureau of Public Affairs to issue an ALDAC, or formal message to "All Diplomatic and Consular Posts", clarifying matters. The post, titled "Is a Tweet policy?" on "The Sounding Board", a forum on the State Department's intranet, prompted thoughtful, though equally perplexed, comments. Another official wrote that he was confident President Barack Obama's comments are to be taken "seriously and literally", Trump may want his tweets to be taken both "seriously and figuratively," he wrote. "Assuming there is a strategy here, it would seem that it would be to create a sense of ambiguity around issues previously thought to be settled for the purpose of leveraging a better deal to advance USG interests," he added. "Miscommunication may be the very purpose of the President Elect's tweets." A spokesman for the State Department said it would have no comment on how the next administration and president may use social media. Obama has tweeted since 2015 from the account @POTUS. Rather than suggesting specific policies, Obama used the handle to encourage Americans to vote, to cheerlead for Hillary Clinton, Trump's election opponent, and to remember the recently deceased, including writer Elie Wiesel and golfer Arnold Palmer. From his Twitter account, @realdonaldtrump, Trump has mocked Clinton as "Crooked Hillary," attacked a former Miss Universe and sniped at the parents of a Muslim American US Army captain who died in Iraq after the soldier's father spoke against him. On November 27, he tweeted "I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally" but provided no evidence for the claim, which electoral officials have denied. Trump lost the popular vote by close to three million votes. The president-elect has not said definitively whether he will continue tweeting after January 20. Trump's transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A third official said the entire government would need to deal with the issue to "limit the amount of miscommunication a specific POTUS tweet could engender". "As the great Bette Davis line goes, 'Fasten your seatbelt, it's going to be a bumpy ride,'" he wrote. (Reuters)

'Is a Tweet policy?' US State Department officials ponder

One day before US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump&#39;s first meeting with&nbsp;Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japanese officials said they had not finalised when or where in New York it would take place, who would be invited, or in some cases whom to call for answers.

Uncertainty over the talks shows the difficulties in turning Trump from a freewheeling businessman into a sitting president with a watertight schedule and a fully functioning administration by his inauguration on Jan. 20.

Japanese and US&nbsp;officials said on Wednesday the State Department had not been involved in planning the meeting, leaving the logistical and protocol details that normally would be settled far in advance still to be determined.

&ldquo;There has been a lot of confusion,&rdquo; said one Japanese official.

The meeting was only agreed to last week and Trump and his advisers have been busy in meetings at his headquarters in Manhattan&#39;s Trump Tower in recent days to work out who gets which job in the new administration.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said that to his knowledge, Trump&#39;s transition team had not been in contact with the department either to discuss the transition of government or to seek information ahead of his meetings with foreign leaders.

Trump is expected to use the Abe meeting to reassure Japan and other Asian allies rattled by his campaign rhetoric, advisers to Trump said. But Trump, a brash outsider with no diplomatic or government experience, and Abe, a veteran lawmaker, have differences on policy issues such as free trade.

Several Trump aides did not immediately answer requests on Wednesday for comment about the Abe visit or contact between the transition team and the State Department.

Transition speculation

Speculation about top appointments to the Trump administration has intensified since the head of the team overseeing the transition, New Jersey governor Chris Christie, was removed last week and replaced by vice president-elect Mike Pence.

Transition team officials said on Wednesday night that Trump planned to announce &quot;landing teams&quot; on Thursday that would begin setting up staff in key agencies, like the State and Justice departments.

Trump on Wednesday denounced reports of disorganisation in the team, singling out the New York Times for saying world leaders have had trouble getting in touch with him since his upset victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election. The Republican real estate magnate said on Twitter he had taken &quot;calls from many foreign leaders despite what the failing @nytimes said. Russia, U.K., China, Saudi Arabia, Japan.&quot;

The Times, a frequent target of Trump&#39;s Twitter blasts, said on Tuesday that US&nbsp;allies were &quot;scrambling to figure out how and when to contact Mr. Trump&quot; and blindly dialing in to Trump Tower to try to reach him.

Trump and Pence had spoken to 29 foreign leaders, the transition team said on Wednesday. Trump has mostly stuck to normal practice for a US&nbsp;president-elect with the order in which he has spoken to foreign leaders on the phone since his election victory. But some of his contacts have stretched the limits of the usual procedure.

&#39;Only one who knows&#39;

Despite fevered speculation, Trump has yet to say who will fill Cabinet positions such as secretary of state, treasury secretary or defense secretary. His team said that was not unusual and was in line with the timing of the transition of Democrat Barack Obama to the White House after he won the presidency in 2008.

Trump could add son-in-law Jared Kushner as a top White House adviser, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, has been a central adviser during the campaign and transition. The Trump transition team has repeatedly denied it is seeking high-level security clearance for Kushner.

A federal anti-nepotism law prohibits a president from hiring family members to serve in his administration, but the Journal said it was not clear if the law applied to a position inside the White House. It added Kushner had indicated he would avoid the issue by not taking pay for any White House work.

Kellyanne Conway, a senior Trump aide who served as his campaign manager, said she did not think Kushner was seeking an official role in the White House.

(Reuters)

Donald Trump is expected to use the Abe meeting to reassure Japan and other Asian allies rattled by his campaign rhetoric

One day before US President-elect Donald Trump's first meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japanese officials said they had not finalised when or where in New York it would take place, who would be invited, or in some cases whom to call for answers. Uncertainty over the talks shows the difficulties in turning Trump from a freewheeling businessman into a sitting president with a watertight schedule and a fully functioning administration by his inauguration on Jan. 20. Japanese and US officials said on Wednesday the State Department had not been involved in planning the meeting, leaving the logistical and protocol details that normally would be settled far in advance still to be determined. “There has been a lot of confusion,” said one Japanese official. The meeting was only agreed to last week and Trump and his advisers have been busy in meetings at his headquarters in Manhattan's Trump Tower in recent days to work out who gets which job in the new administration. State Department spokesman John Kirby said that to his knowledge, Trump's transition team had not been in contact with the department either to discuss the transition of government or to seek information ahead of his meetings with foreign leaders. Trump is expected to use the Abe meeting to reassure Japan and other Asian allies rattled by his campaign rhetoric, advisers to Trump said. But Trump, a brash outsider with no diplomatic or government experience, and Abe, a veteran lawmaker, have differences on policy issues such as free trade. Several Trump aides did not immediately answer requests on Wednesday for comment about the Abe visit or contact between the transition team and the State Department. Transition speculation Speculation about top appointments to the Trump administration has intensified since the head of the team overseeing the transition, New Jersey governor Chris Christie, was removed last week and replaced by vice president-elect Mike Pence. Transition team officials said on Wednesday night that Trump planned to announce "landing teams" on Thursday that would begin setting up staff in key agencies, like the State and Justice departments. Trump on Wednesday denounced reports of disorganisation in the team, singling out the New York Times for saying world leaders have had trouble getting in touch with him since his upset victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election. The Republican real estate magnate said on Twitter he had taken "calls from many foreign leaders despite what the failing @nytimes said. Russia, U.K., China, Saudi Arabia, Japan." The Times, a frequent target of Trump's Twitter blasts, said on Tuesday that US allies were "scrambling to figure out how and when to contact Mr. Trump" and blindly dialing in to Trump Tower to try to reach him. Trump and Pence had spoken to 29 foreign leaders, the transition team said on Wednesday. Trump has mostly stuck to normal practice for a US president-elect with the order in which he has spoken to foreign leaders on the phone since his election victory. But some of his contacts have stretched the limits of the usual procedure. 'Only one who knows' Despite fevered speculation, Trump has yet to say who will fill Cabinet positions such as secretary of state, treasury secretary or defense secretary. His team said that was not unusual and was in line with the timing of the transition of Democrat Barack Obama to the White House after he won the presidency in 2008. Trump could add son-in-law Jared Kushner as a top White House adviser, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, has been a central adviser during the campaign and transition. The Trump transition team has repeatedly denied it is seeking high-level security clearance for Kushner. A federal anti-nepotism law prohibits a president from hiring family members to serve in his administration, but the Journal said it was not clear if the law applied to a position inside the White House. It added Kushner had indicated he would avoid the issue by not taking pay for any White House work. Kellyanne Conway, a senior Trump aide who served as his campaign manager, said she did not think Kushner was seeking an official role in the White House. (Reuters)

Confusion shrouds Trump's first talks with Japanese PM Abe

&nbsp;

The United States has suspended bilateral talks with Russia on renewing the ceasefire deal in Syria, the US state department said on Monday.&nbsp;

US state department spokesman&nbsp;John Kirby&nbsp;said, &quot;The United States is suspending its participation in bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain the Cessation of Hostilities.&quot;

The US blames Russia for failing to comply with the ceasefire agreement, so that aid could be provided to Syrians trapped in the besieged city of Aleppo.&nbsp;

&quot;Unfortunately, Russia failed to live up to its own commitments - including its obligations under international humanitarian law and UNSCR 2254 - and was also either unwilling or unable to ensure Syrian regime adherence to the arrangements to which Moscow agreed,&quot; Kirby told reporters during the daily news briefing.&nbsp;

&quot;Russia and the Syrian regime have chosen to pursue a military course, inconsistent with the Cessation of Hostilities, as demonstrated by their intensified attacks against civilian areas, targeting of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching civilians in need, including through the September 19 attack on a humanitarian aid convoy,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s forces and his allies have been&nbsp;aggressively attacking Aleppo since last week, bombing hospitals and water pumps.&nbsp;

The US&#39;s decision comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

However, a senior state department official denied Putin&#39;s decision had anything to do with the suspension of the ceasefire deal.&nbsp;

Kirby assured that channels of communication with Russia will continue to be used to ensure the armies of both countries are safe and to allow them to fight the Islamic State group.&nbsp;

&quot;The US will also withdraw personnel that had been dispatched in anticipation of the possible establishment of the Joint Implementation Centre,&quot; Reuters quoted Kirby as saying.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council began drafting a resolution&nbsp;Monday to try and get&nbsp;the US and Russia to agree to a temporary truce in Aleppo.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

The US blames Russia for failing to comply with their ceasefire agreement, so that aid could be provided to Syrians trapped in Aleppo

The United States has suspended bilateral talks with Russia on renewing the ceasefire deal in Syria, the US state department said on Monday. US state department spokesman John Kirby said, "The United States is suspending its participation in bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain the Cessation of Hostilities." The US blames Russia for failing to comply with the ceasefire agreement, so that aid could be provided to Syrians trapped in the besieged city of Aleppo. "Unfortunately, Russia failed to live up to its own commitments - including its obligations under international humanitarian law and UNSCR 2254 - and was also either unwilling or unable to ensure Syrian regime adherence to the arrangements to which Moscow agreed," Kirby told reporters during the daily news briefing. "Russia and the Syrian regime have chosen to pursue a military course, inconsistent with the Cessation of Hostilities, as demonstrated by their intensified attacks against civilian areas, targeting of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching civilians in need, including through the September 19 attack on a humanitarian aid convoy," he added. President Bashar al-Assad's forces and his allies have been aggressively attacking Aleppo since last week, bombing hospitals and water pumps. The US's decision comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended a treaty on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, Reuters reported. However, a senior state department official denied Putin's decision had anything to do with the suspension of the ceasefire deal. Kirby assured that channels of communication with Russia will continue to be used to ensure the armies of both countries are safe and to allow them to fight the Islamic State group. "The US will also withdraw personnel that had been dispatched in anticipation of the possible establishment of the Joint Implementation Centre," Reuters quoted Kirby as saying. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council began drafting a resolution Monday to try and get the US and Russia to agree to a temporary truce in Aleppo. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US suspends talks with Russia over Syria ceasefire

&nbsp;

US state department deputy spokesman urged India and Pakistan to show restraint and said that Washington&nbsp;is closely monitoring the situation.&nbsp;

Mark Toner&nbsp;said communication is important between the two countries to reduce tensions.&nbsp;&quot;We certainly don&rsquo;t want to see any kind of escalation and any kind of break in that communication,&quot; he told reporters assembled at state department&#39;s daily news briefing.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We&rsquo;re continuing to follow situation on ground closely.We urge calm &amp; restraint by both (India-Pak): US State Dept Dy Spox <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SurgicalStrike?src=hash">#SurgicalStrike</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/782016702976446464">October 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

&quot;We have repeatedly and consistently expressed our concerns regarding the danger that cross-border terrorism poses for the region, and that certainly includes the recent attacks&ndash;terrorist attacks in Uri. And we continue to urge actions to combat and de-escalate &ndash; and delegitimise, rather, terrorist groups like Lashkar-e Talaba &ndash; Tayyiba, rather &ndash; Haqqani Network, as well as Jaish-e-Mohammad,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Toner also said secretary of state, John Kerry&nbsp;was engaged in talks with&nbsp;India&#39;s senior leadership to de-escalate the tension.&nbsp;

In response to Pakistan&#39;s threats of using tactical nuclear weapons against India if the situation escalated further, Toner pointed that nuclear-capable states have a very clear responsibility to exercise restraint regarding nuclear weapons and missile capabilities.

Pakistan has displayed a lack of &#39;no-first-use policy&#39; regarding nuclear weapons. US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also asserted that Islamabad is running at full speed to develop tactical nukes in their continuing hostility with India, a threatening scenario for the entire region.&nbsp;

(WION)

 
&nbsp;

In response to Pakistan's nuke threats against India, Mark Toner cautioned nuclear-capable states to exercise restraint

US state department deputy spokesman urged India and Pakistan to show restraint and said that Washington is closely monitoring the situation. Mark Toner said communication is important between the two countries to reduce tensions. "We certainly don’t want to see any kind of escalation and any kind of break in that communication," he told reporters assembled at state department's daily news briefing. We’re continuing to follow situation on ground closely.We urge calm & restraint by both (India-Pak): US State Dept Dy Spox #SurgicalStrike — ANI (@ANI_news) October 1, 2016 × "We have repeatedly and consistently expressed our concerns regarding the danger that cross-border terrorism poses for the region, and that certainly includes the recent attacks–terrorist attacks in Uri. And we continue to urge actions to combat and de-escalate – and delegitimise, rather, terrorist groups like Lashkar-e Talaba – Tayyiba, rather – Haqqani Network, as well as Jaish-e-Mohammad," he added. Toner also said secretary of state, John Kerry was engaged in talks with India's senior leadership to de-escalate the tension. In response to Pakistan's threats of using tactical nuclear weapons against India if the situation escalated further, Toner pointed that nuclear-capable states have a very clear responsibility to exercise restraint regarding nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. Pakistan has displayed a lack of 'no-first-use policy' regarding nuclear weapons. US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also asserted that Islamabad is running at full speed to develop tactical nukes in their continuing hostility with India, a threatening scenario for the entire region. (WION)

US: Nuclear-capable states must act responsibly

A judge ordered the State Department on Monday to review and determine the potential release of 14,900 documents, most of which are believed to be emails to or from Hillary Clinton, that turned up in an FBI investigation of her use of a private email server as secretary of state. 
 
The documents are part of a cache that the FBI turned over to the State Department at the end of its probe into Clinton&#39;s use of the server. 
 
The Federal Bureau of Investigation found Clinton was &quot;extremely careless&quot; with sensitive information by using the private server but recommended against bringing charges against Clinton. She has been dogged by questions about the issue throughout her run for the White House. 
 
The State Department could make public the first batch of emails in October, weeks before the Democratic nominee faces Republican rival Donald Trump in the November 8 election. State Department employees are due to craft a timeline for the release at a meeting on September 23. 
 
The revelation of more emails after 55,000 pages of emails were turned over by Clinton last year could provide continued fodder for opponents who have seized on the email issue to charge she is untrustworthy. 
 
The announcement by US district court judge James Boasberg, who is overseeing a group of lawsuits seeking to make Clinton&#39;s emails public, came the same day a conservative watchdog group, Judicial Watch, made public a batch of Clinton&#39;s emails obtained through a lawsuit. 
 
Judicial Watch says that the emails show donors to the Clinton family&#39;s charitable foundation seeking the access to her during the period she was secretary of state from 2009-2013. 
 
The 14,900 documents referred to by Boasberg are believed to include emails that were not included among the 55,000 pages of emails that Clinton previously turned over to the State Department after her use of a private email server and private email account became public last year. 
 
The new documents are believed to consist chiefly of emails to or from Clinton, said a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity, and may include a mix of personal and work emails. Some of the emails were found on the servers of people she or her staff were communicating with. 
 
Clinton, who is currently leading Trump in opinion polls ahead of the election, has said she did not compromise classified information and used a private server for convenience, and later apologized, saying &quot;I take responsibility.&quot; 
 
&#39;Trying to pin it on me&#39; 
 
Meanwhile, former secretary of state Colin Powell over the weekend dismissed reports that Clinton told federal investigators that it was at his suggestion that she used a personal email account, according to a media report. 
 
Powell, who served as the nation&#39;s top diplomat from 2001-2005 under Republican president George W Bush, told People magazine that while he did send Clinton a memo about his own email practices, Clinton had already chosen to use personal email rather than a government account while she had the job. 
 
&quot;Her people have been trying to pin it on me. The truth is, she was using (the private email server) for a year before I sent her a memo telling her what I did,&quot; Powell told People on Saturday. 
 
Last week, The New York Times reported that Clinton told federal investigators that Powell had suggested she use personal email for unclassified email when the two spoke over dinner. The conversation occurred &quot;in the early months&quot; of Clinton&#39;s tenure at the State Department, the Times said, citing a forthcoming book by journalist Joe Conason that first reported the dinner exchange. 
 
Representatives for Powell, in a separate statement to NBC news, said he had no recollection of the conversation with Clinton but did write to her. 
 
&quot;He did write former secretary Clinton an email memo describing his use of his personal AOL email account for unclassified messages and how it vastly improved communications within the State Department,&quot; his office told NBC on Friday. 
 
The email exchange occurred in 2009, according to the Times. 
 
Powell and aides to his successor as secretary of state in the Bush administration, Condoleezza Rice, received some classified information via personal email accounts, Reuters has reported. Clinton&#39;s additional use of a personal computer server at her home, however, broke State Department rules, an internal watchdog found. 
 
The FBI last week turned over a number of documents to the US Congress related to its probe into the emails, but this has riled both Democrats and Republicans. 
 
Democrats have expressed concern over the potential for politically motivated leaks by Republicans to target Clinton less than three months before the election. 
 
Republican US House Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz told MSNBC yesterday the documents lawmakers received &quot;are overly redacted&quot; and that they are asking for another version with more of the missing information so they can be made public as soon as possible. 
 
(Reuters)

These documents were apparently not included among the 55,000 pages of emails that Clinton had previously submitted for investigation

A judge ordered the State Department on Monday to review and determine the potential release of 14,900 documents, most of which are believed to be emails to or from Hillary Clinton, that turned up in an FBI investigation of her use of a private email server as secretary of state. The documents are part of a cache that the FBI turned over to the State Department at the end of its probe into Clinton's use of the server. The Federal Bureau of Investigation found Clinton was "extremely careless" with sensitive information by using the private server but recommended against bringing charges against Clinton. She has been dogged by questions about the issue throughout her run for the White House. The State Department could make public the first batch of emails in October, weeks before the Democratic nominee faces Republican rival Donald Trump in the November 8 election. State Department employees are due to craft a timeline for the release at a meeting on September 23. The revelation of more emails after 55,000 pages of emails were turned over by Clinton last year could provide continued fodder for opponents who have seized on the email issue to charge she is untrustworthy. The announcement by US district court judge James Boasberg, who is overseeing a group of lawsuits seeking to make Clinton's emails public, came the same day a conservative watchdog group, Judicial Watch, made public a batch of Clinton's emails obtained through a lawsuit. Judicial Watch says that the emails show donors to the Clinton family's charitable foundation seeking the access to her during the period she was secretary of state from 2009-2013. The 14,900 documents referred to by Boasberg are believed to include emails that were not included among the 55,000 pages of emails that Clinton previously turned over to the State Department after her use of a private email server and private email account became public last year. The new documents are believed to consist chiefly of emails to or from Clinton, said a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity, and may include a mix of personal and work emails. Some of the emails were found on the servers of people she or her staff were communicating with. Clinton, who is currently leading Trump in opinion polls ahead of the election, has said she did not compromise classified information and used a private server for convenience, and later apologized, saying "I take responsibility." 'Trying to pin it on me' Meanwhile, former secretary of state Colin Powell over the weekend dismissed reports that Clinton told federal investigators that it was at his suggestion that she used a personal email account, according to a media report. Powell, who served as the nation's top diplomat from 2001-2005 under Republican president George W Bush, told People magazine that while he did send Clinton a memo about his own email practices, Clinton had already chosen to use personal email rather than a government account while she had the job. "Her people have been trying to pin it on me. The truth is, she was using (the private email server) for a year before I sent her a memo telling her what I did," Powell told People on Saturday. Last week, The New York Times reported that Clinton told federal investigators that Powell had suggested she use personal email for unclassified email when the two spoke over dinner. The conversation occurred "in the early months" of Clinton's tenure at the State Department, the Times said, citing a forthcoming book by journalist Joe Conason that first reported the dinner exchange. Representatives for Powell, in a separate statement to NBC news, said he had no recollection of the conversation with Clinton but did write to her. "He did write former secretary Clinton an email memo describing his use of his personal AOL email account for unclassified messages and how it vastly improved communications within the State Department," his office told NBC on Friday. The email exchange occurred in 2009, according to the Times. Powell and aides to his successor as secretary of state in the Bush administration, Condoleezza Rice, received some classified information via personal email accounts, Reuters has reported. Clinton's additional use of a personal computer server at her home, however, broke State Department rules, an internal watchdog found. The FBI last week turned over a number of documents to the US Congress related to its probe into the emails, but this has riled both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have expressed concern over the potential for politically motivated leaks by Republicans to target Clinton less than three months before the election. Republican US House Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz told MSNBC yesterday the documents lawmakers received "are overly redacted" and that they are asking for another version with more of the missing information so they can be made public as soon as possible. (Reuters)

Judge asks State Department to review new Clinton emails

The US State Department said yesterday that Nusra Front militants remained a fair target for US and Russian warplanes in Syria despite a decision to cut ties with al Qaeda and change its name to Jabhat Fatah al Sham, and it was seeking clarification from Turkey on detentions of journalists following an attempted coup there. 
 
State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters at a news conference that the Nusra Front&#39;s announcement could simply be a rebranding exercise and the United States would judge it by its actions, goals and ideology. 
 
&quot;Certainly see no reason to believe that their actions or their objectives are any different, and they are still considered a foreign terrorist organisation,&quot; Kirby said. 
 
&quot;They are still not a party to the cessation of hostilities and therefore are still a fair target for coalition operations,&quot; he added. 
 
Kirby also said the Russian and Syrian humanitarian exercise around Aleppo on Thursday appeared to actually be an attempt to force the evacuation of civilians and the surrender of militant groups. 
 
&quot;What needs to happen is the innocent people of Aleppo should be able to stay in their homes, safely, and to receive the humanitarian access which Russia and the regime have agreed, in principle have agreed, certainly according to the UN Security Council resolution, to provide,&quot; Kirby said. 
 
The United States understands Turkey&#39;s need to hold perpetrators of the recent attempted coup to account but the detention of more journalists is part of a worrisome trend that discourages public discourse, Kirby told reporters. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re obviously deeply concerned by the reports and were seeking additional information from Turkish authorities. As you well know and as I&#39;ve said many many times from the podium the United States supports freedom of expression around the world. And we have concerns when any country makes a move to close down media outlets and restrict this universal value. We expect Turkish authorities to uphold their assurances that the Turkish government will protect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms,&quot; he said. 
 
The moves follow a failed coup on July 15 in which at least 246 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured. 
 
Western governments and human rights groups have condemned the coup, but they have also expressed disquiet over the scale and depth of the purges, fearing that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan may be using them to get rid of opponents and tighten his grip on power. 
 
(Reuters)

State Department spokesman said the Front is still considered a terrorist organisation and their actions will be no different than before

The US State Department said yesterday that Nusra Front militants remained a fair target for US and Russian warplanes in Syria despite a decision to cut ties with al Qaeda and change its name to Jabhat Fatah al Sham, and it was seeking clarification from Turkey on detentions of journalists following an attempted coup there. State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters at a news conference that the Nusra Front's announcement could simply be a rebranding exercise and the United States would judge it by its actions, goals and ideology. "Certainly see no reason to believe that their actions or their objectives are any different, and they are still considered a foreign terrorist organisation," Kirby said. "They are still not a party to the cessation of hostilities and therefore are still a fair target for coalition operations," he added. Kirby also said the Russian and Syrian humanitarian exercise around Aleppo on Thursday appeared to actually be an attempt to force the evacuation of civilians and the surrender of militant groups. "What needs to happen is the innocent people of Aleppo should be able to stay in their homes, safely, and to receive the humanitarian access which Russia and the regime have agreed, in principle have agreed, certainly according to the UN Security Council resolution, to provide," Kirby said. The United States understands Turkey's need to hold perpetrators of the recent attempted coup to account but the detention of more journalists is part of a worrisome trend that discourages public discourse, Kirby told reporters. "We're obviously deeply concerned by the reports and were seeking additional information from Turkish authorities. As you well know and as I've said many many times from the podium the United States supports freedom of expression around the world. And we have concerns when any country makes a move to close down media outlets and restrict this universal value. We expect Turkish authorities to uphold their assurances that the Turkish government will protect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms," he said. The moves follow a failed coup on July 15 in which at least 246 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured. Western governments and human rights groups have condemned the coup, but they have also expressed disquiet over the scale and depth of the purges, fearing that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan may be using them to get rid of opponents and tighten his grip on power. (Reuters)

US: Nusra Front military target despite name change, break with Qaeda

Kuwait has set a minimum wage for its hundreds of thousands of mostly Asian domestic staff, the first country in the Gulf to do so, local media reported today.&nbsp; 
 
A decree issued by Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Sabah set the minimum wage at 60 dinars ($200) a month and also granted domestic staff a raft of other rights, Al-Anbaa newspaper reported. 
 
Kuwait is the first country in the Gulf to regulate the work conditions of domestic staff and Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have urged others to follow suit to tackle widespread abuses. 
 
The decree, which implements landmark legislation adopted by parliament last year, also requires employers to pay overtime for any extra hours worked. 
 
It grants domestic workers the right to a weekly day off, 30 days of annual paid leave, a 12-hour working day with rest, and an end-of-service benefit of one month a year at the end of contract. 
 
The estimated 600,000 maids in Kuwait are among at least 2.4 million working across the Gulf. They are not covered by ordinary labour legislation. 
 
Human Rights Watch and other groups have documented widespread abuses, including non-payment of wages, long working hours with no rest days, physical and sexual assault, and no clear channels for redress. 
 
In its 2016 Trafficking in Persons report, the US State Department upgraded Kuwait from tier 3, the worst level, to tier 2 while keeping it on watch list, citing an improvement in its treatment of migrant workers. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have urged other countries in Gulf to follow suit to tackle widespread abuses

Kuwait has set a minimum wage for its hundreds of thousands of mostly Asian domestic staff, the first country in the Gulf to do so, local media reported today. A decree issued by Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Sabah set the minimum wage at 60 dinars ($200) a month and also granted domestic staff a raft of other rights, Al-Anbaa newspaper reported. Kuwait is the first country in the Gulf to regulate the work conditions of domestic staff and Human Rights Watch and other rights groups have urged others to follow suit to tackle widespread abuses. The decree, which implements landmark legislation adopted by parliament last year, also requires employers to pay overtime for any extra hours worked. It grants domestic workers the right to a weekly day off, 30 days of annual paid leave, a 12-hour working day with rest, and an end-of-service benefit of one month a year at the end of contract. The estimated 600,000 maids in Kuwait are among at least 2.4 million working across the Gulf. They are not covered by ordinary labour legislation. Human Rights Watch and other groups have documented widespread abuses, including non-payment of wages, long working hours with no rest days, physical and sexual assault, and no clear channels for redress. In its 2016 Trafficking in Persons report, the US State Department upgraded Kuwait from tier 3, the worst level, to tier 2 while keeping it on watch list, citing an improvement in its treatment of migrant workers. (AFP)

Kuwait becomes first country in Gulf to set minimum wages for domestic staff: Local media

Iran today condemned a rally in held France over the weekend by an exiled opposition group it labelled a &quot;stinking corpse&quot; and said it would denounce any country that backed it.&nbsp; 
 
The National Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI) claimed that 100,000 Iranians had attended its annual rally in Bourget, near Paris, on Saturday. 
 
&quot;The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to confront this hypocritical little group and will condemn any government that supports it,&quot; government spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht told the official IRNA agency. 
 
He described the NCRI as an &quot;annihilated terrorist group&quot; and a &quot;stinking corpse&quot;. 
 
The NCRI is a political umbrella coalition of five Iranian opposition groups that includes the People&#39;s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK).&nbsp; 
 
The MEK, formed in the 1960s to overthrow the shah of Iran, fought the rise of the mullahs in Tehran following the 1979 Islamic revolution. 
 
It earned itself a listing as a &quot;terrorist organisation&quot; by the US State Department in 1997. 
 
It was only removed from terrorist watchlists by the European Union (EU) in 2008 and the United States in 2012. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The National Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI), that held the rally, has been tagged as "annihilated terrorist group" by Iran

Iran today condemned a rally in held France over the weekend by an exiled opposition group it labelled a "stinking corpse" and said it would denounce any country that backed it. The National Council of Resistance in Iran (NCRI) claimed that 100,000 Iranians had attended its annual rally in Bourget, near Paris, on Saturday. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to confront this hypocritical little group and will condemn any government that supports it," government spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht told the official IRNA agency. He described the NCRI as an "annihilated terrorist group" and a "stinking corpse". The NCRI is a political umbrella coalition of five Iranian opposition groups that includes the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK). The MEK, formed in the 1960s to overthrow the shah of Iran, fought the rise of the mullahs in Tehran following the 1979 Islamic revolution. It earned itself a listing as a "terrorist organisation" by the US State Department in 1997. It was only removed from terrorist watchlists by the European Union (EU) in 2008 and the United States in 2012. (AFP)

Iran condemns opposition rally in France

Hillary Clinton disputed a scathing assessment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that she was &quot;extremely careless&quot; with classified government secrets, saying on Friday she relied on the judgment of her subordinates at the US state department. 
 
After maintaining for more than a year that she did not send or receive classified information through her unauthorised private email system, she acknowledged in a string of interviews on Friday she may have at least unwittingly done so, three days after the FBI concluded this happened at least 110 times. 
 
Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said she &quot;certainly did not believe&quot; that she was handling classified information on her email system at the time, but emphasised that she followed the lead of her subordinates on whether information was classified. 
 
&quot;I did not have a basis for second-guessing their conclusion,&quot; Clinton said in an interview with CNN, saying she had the &quot;highest regard&quot; for her former colleagues. 
 
&quot;These are experienced diplomats, they have expertise in handling classified material,&quot; she said in a separate interview with PBS Newshour. &quot;They were not careless and the material that they sent, they did not believe that was classified.&quot; 
 
Clinton, who was the department&#39;s most senior classifying authority during her four-year tenure at its helm, did not address the FBI&#39;s conclusion that she herself sent information on topics classified as &quot;top secret&quot;, the highest level, through a private server she kept in her basement. 
 
&quot;I have said, and I repeated, that it was a mistake to use personal email and I regret that,&quot; she said in another interview with ABC. 
 
It is a crime to mishandle classified information, and while FBI Director James Comey said on Tuesday there was evidence Clinton or her aides may have broken these laws, there was not enough evidence of criminal intent for a prosecution. 
 
In an unusual 15-minute announcement explaining the FBI&#39;s findings, Comey ended up dismaying both Republicans and Democrats. 
 
While Clinton&#39;s Republican opponents have fumed at the decision not to file criminal charges, Clinton and her staff have disputed some of Comey&#39;s criticisms that undermine her argument that she has better judgment than Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate. 
 
Comey called her and her staff &quot;extremely careless&quot; and said that any &quot;reasonable&quot; government employee should have recognised that such information should not be aired in emails. Her server was so poorly secured the FBI could not eliminate the possibility it had not been hacked by the country&#39;s enemies, Comey said. 
 
Asked if she agreed that she was &quot;extremely careless&quot;, Clinton told CNN she was not, adding that Comey had &quot;clarified&quot; his remarks. It was unclear what clarification Clinton meant. 
 
In lengthier comments before lawmakers on Thursday, Comey again spoke of Clinton&#39;s and her staff&#39;s carelessness and &quot;real sloppiness&quot;, adding that it seemed she was not &quot;particularly sophisticated with respect to classified information&quot;. 
 
(Reuters)

Presidential candidate was called 'careless', and 'not particularly sophisticated with respect to classified information'

Hillary Clinton disputed a scathing assessment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that she was "extremely careless" with classified government secrets, saying on Friday she relied on the judgment of her subordinates at the US state department. After maintaining for more than a year that she did not send or receive classified information through her unauthorised private email system, she acknowledged in a string of interviews on Friday she may have at least unwittingly done so, three days after the FBI concluded this happened at least 110 times. Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said she "certainly did not believe" that she was handling classified information on her email system at the time, but emphasised that she followed the lead of her subordinates on whether information was classified. "I did not have a basis for second-guessing their conclusion," Clinton said in an interview with CNN, saying she had the "highest regard" for her former colleagues. "These are experienced diplomats, they have expertise in handling classified material," she said in a separate interview with PBS Newshour. "They were not careless and the material that they sent, they did not believe that was classified." Clinton, who was the department's most senior classifying authority during her four-year tenure at its helm, did not address the FBI's conclusion that she herself sent information on topics classified as "top secret", the highest level, through a private server she kept in her basement. "I have said, and I repeated, that it was a mistake to use personal email and I regret that," she said in another interview with ABC. It is a crime to mishandle classified information, and while FBI Director James Comey said on Tuesday there was evidence Clinton or her aides may have broken these laws, there was not enough evidence of criminal intent for a prosecution. In an unusual 15-minute announcement explaining the FBI's findings, Comey ended up dismaying both Republicans and Democrats. While Clinton's Republican opponents have fumed at the decision not to file criminal charges, Clinton and her staff have disputed some of Comey's criticisms that undermine her argument that she has better judgment than Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate. Comey called her and her staff "extremely careless" and said that any "reasonable" government employee should have recognised that such information should not be aired in emails. Her server was so poorly secured the FBI could not eliminate the possibility it had not been hacked by the country's enemies, Comey said. Asked if she agreed that she was "extremely careless", Clinton told CNN she was not, adding that Comey had "clarified" his remarks. It was unclear what clarification Clinton meant. In lengthier comments before lawmakers on Thursday, Comey again spoke of Clinton's and her staff's carelessness and "real sloppiness", adding that it seemed she was not "particularly sophisticated with respect to classified information". (Reuters)

Clinton disputes scathing FBI assessment

us-state-department

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

us state-department