UK envoy said that Trump administration is inept & insecure. He needs simple, blunt arguments. He also said that he could still attack Iran. Watch this video to know more.

UK envoy to U.S calls Trump incompetent

If There Is One Thing That's Constant In Trump's Foreign Policy, It Is Unpredictability

Gravitas: From Iran to North Korea, Trump has used the 'Shock & Awe' Policy

U.S seeks increased Defence cooperation with India

US Pushes for better ties with India

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters shortly before departing South Korea on Sunday that a fresh round of talks will likely happen "sometime in July" and the North's negotiators would be foreign ministry diplomats.

Fresh round of US-North Korea talks likely in July: U.S

U.S had proposed aid to Palestine in Baharain Conference. Palestine releases a man who attended U.S-Led conference. Palestine said to U.S that they want statehood not money. Watch this video to know more.

Benjamin Netanyahu Slams Palestine

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - July 01st, 2019

What's common between the right wing Tories in Britain, the centrist Congress in India & the centre-left Democrats in the U.S.? They all lure voters with waivers. But are these big promises even feasible? Don't they betray the narrow vision of the respective parties and the leaders? Here's a report.

Gravitas: Loan Waiver: Big promises, Narrow vision

Facebook to ban ads that discourage voting. Its a move to protect 2020 U.S. Elections

Facebook to ban anti-voting ads in US

U.S has planned to deport illegal immigrant families from Sunday, they will specifically target the recently arrived families in America. Watch this video to know more.

U.S to act against illegal immigrants

The U.S. Senate on Thursday backed a resolution opposing President Donald Trump's plan to complete weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and other countries, in a rare rebuke of the White House by some of his fellow Republicans in Congress.

U.S Senate rejects arms sale to Saudi Arabia, rebuking Trump

The United States is preparing to send additional troops to the Middle East in response to mounting concerns over Iran, which Washington blames for attacks on oil tankers last week, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

U.S. preparing to send more troops to Middle East

US President Donald Trump blames Iran for Gulf of Oman oil tanker attack. Watch this video to know more.

U.S president blames Iran for tanker attack

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, May 16th 2019

China 'deeply regrets' U.S. tariff hikes on $200 bn goods. Watch this video to know more.

News Alert: China 'deeply regrets' U.S. tariff hikes

China's top trade negotiator Liu He said that the first day of a new round of trade talks with his U.S. counterparts, that an increase in U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods "won't solve anything." Watch this video to know more.

Hike comes amidst U.S-China trade talks

Top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks to rescue a trade deal. Watch this video to know more.

Day one of U.S-China trade talks

U.S. President Donald Trump designated Iran's elite force a foreign terrorist organization. Watch this video to know more.

Iran elite force a terror group for U.S

Boeing unveils 737 MAX software fix after fatal crashes

U.S to end preferential trade with India

Israel launched celebrations on Sunday for the U.S. Embassy's relocation to Jerusalem, a move whose break with world consensus was underscored by the absence of most envoys to the country from a reception hosted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Monday's slated opening of the new embassy follows from U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition in December of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a decision he said fulfilled decades of policy pledges in Washington and formalised realities on the ground.

The Palestinians, who want their own future state with its capital in east Jerusalem, have been outraged by Trump's shift from previous administrations' preference for keeping the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv pending progress in peace efforts.

Those talks have been frozen since 2014. Other major powers worry that the U.S. move could now inflame Palestinian unrest in the occupied West Bank and on the Gaza Strip border, where Israel reinforced troops in anticipation of the embassy opening.

Most countries say the status of Jerusalem should be determined in a final peace settlement, and say moving their embassies now would prejudge any such deal.

Addressing dignitaries at the Foreign Ministry, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the president's daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, the Israeli prime minister urged others to follow Washington's lead.

"Move your embassies to Jerusalem because it's the right thing to do," Netanyahu said. "Move your embassies to Jerusalem because it advances peace, and that's because you can't base peace on a foundation of lies."

Netanyahu said that "under any peace agreement you could possibly imagine, Jerusalem will remain Israel's capital".

Jerusalem, which is sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, was decorated with roadside flowerbeds in the design of the U.S. flag and posters reading "Trump make Israel great again".

"Tragically, the U.S. administration has chosen to side with Israel's exclusivist claims over a city that has for centuries been sacred to all faiths," the general delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to the United States said.

The U.S. Embassy move "gives life to a religious conflict instead of a dignified peace," it said in a statement.

Israel said all 86 countries with diplomatic missions in Israel were invited to the event, and 33 confirmed attendance. Among those present were delegates from Guatemala and Paraguay, which will open their own Jerusalem embassies later this month.

Attending the Foreign Ministry gathering were representatives from Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic, but none from western European Union states - suggesting a rift within the bloc over Trump's Jerusalem move.

No-show nations withheld comment on Sunday.

The EU mission in Israel tweeted on Friday that the bloc would "respect the international consensus on Jerusalem ... including on the location of their diplomatic representations until the final status of Jerusalem is resolved".

Outside Jerusalem's ancient Damascus Gate, Israelis danced in another celebration on Sunday, marking the capture of the Old City from Arab forces in the 1967 Middle East War.

Hundreds of Israeli rightists entered Al Aqsa mosque compound, an icon of Palestinian nationalism and a vestige of ancient Jewish temples. Witnesses said some prostrated themselves in Jewish prayer, violating religious restrictions at the site and sparking scuffled with Muslim worshippers.

Israeli police said several people were forcibly removed and questioned.

The U.S. Treasury secretary called the embassy relocation "a sign of the enduring friendship and partnership between our two countries" and also referred to the U.S. withdrawal last week from the Iran nuclear deal, a move welcomed by Israel and some U.S. Arab allies in the Gulf but lamented by other world powers.

The Palestinians plan to demonstrate against Monday's inauguration from Arab districts abutting the Jerusalem site.

On the border with Gaza, Palestinians have also held protests as Israel prepares to mark 70 years since its creation, an event Palestinians call the Nakba, or Catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands of them were displaced from their homes.

More than 40 Palestinians have been killed in the latest violence.

The Trump administration has sought to keep the door open to Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy by saying the embassy move did not aim to prejudge Jerusalem's final borders. The U.S. consulate in the city, tasked with handling Palestinian ties, will remain.

Washington has not asked Israel to initiate peace moves in exchange for the embassy relocation, U.S. Ambassador David Friedman told reporters on Friday: "There was no give and take with Israel with regard to this decision."

Monday's slated opening of the new embassy follows from US President Donald Trump's recognition in December of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a decision he said fulfilled decades of policy pledges in Washington and formalised realities on the ground

Israel launched celebrations on Sunday for the U.S. Embassy's relocation to Jerusalem, a move whose break with world consensus was underscored by the absence of most envoys to the country from a reception hosted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Monday's slated opening of the new embassy follows from U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition in December of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a decision he said fulfilled decades of policy pledges in Washington and formalised realities on the ground. The Palestinians, who want their own future state with its capital in east Jerusalem, have been outraged by Trump's shift from previous administrations' preference for keeping the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv pending progress in peace efforts. Those talks have been frozen since 2014. Other major powers worry that the U.S. move could now inflame Palestinian unrest in the occupied West Bank and on the Gaza Strip border, where Israel reinforced troops in anticipation of the embassy opening. Most countries say the status of Jerusalem should be determined in a final peace settlement, and say moving their embassies now would prejudge any such deal. Addressing dignitaries at the Foreign Ministry, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the president's daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, the Israeli prime minister urged others to follow Washington's lead. "Move your embassies to Jerusalem because it's the right thing to do," Netanyahu said. "Move your embassies to Jerusalem because it advances peace, and that's because you can't base peace on a foundation of lies." Netanyahu said that "under any peace agreement you could possibly imagine, Jerusalem will remain Israel's capital". Jerusalem, which is sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, was decorated with roadside flowerbeds in the design of the U.S. flag and posters reading "Trump make Israel great again". "Tragically, the U.S. administration has chosen to side with Israel's exclusivist claims over a city that has for centuries been sacred to all faiths," the general delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to the United States said. The U.S. Embassy move "gives life to a religious conflict instead of a dignified peace," it said in a statement. Israel said all 86 countries with diplomatic missions in Israel were invited to the event, and 33 confirmed attendance. Among those present were delegates from Guatemala and Paraguay, which will open their own Jerusalem embassies later this month. Attending the Foreign Ministry gathering were representatives from Hungary, Romania and the Czech Republic, but none from western European Union states - suggesting a rift within the bloc over Trump's Jerusalem move. No-show nations withheld comment on Sunday. The EU mission in Israel tweeted on Friday that the bloc would "respect the international consensus on Jerusalem ... including on the location of their diplomatic representations until the final status of Jerusalem is resolved". Outside Jerusalem's ancient Damascus Gate, Israelis danced in another celebration on Sunday, marking the capture of the Old City from Arab forces in the 1967 Middle East War. Hundreds of Israeli rightists entered Al Aqsa mosque compound, an icon of Palestinian nationalism and a vestige of ancient Jewish temples. Witnesses said some prostrated themselves in Jewish prayer, violating religious restrictions at the site and sparking scuffled with Muslim worshippers. Israeli police said several people were forcibly removed and questioned. The U.S. Treasury secretary called the embassy relocation "a sign of the enduring friendship and partnership between our two countries" and also referred to the U.S. withdrawal last week from the Iran nuclear deal, a move welcomed by Israel and some U.S. Arab allies in the Gulf but lamented by other world powers. The Palestinians plan to demonstrate against Monday's inauguration from Arab districts abutting the Jerusalem site. On the border with Gaza, Palestinians have also held protests as Israel prepares to mark 70 years since its creation, an event Palestinians call the Nakba, or Catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands of them were displaced from their homes. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed in the latest violence. The Trump administration has sought to keep the door open to Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy by saying the embassy move did not aim to prejudge Jerusalem's final borders. The U.S. consulate in the city, tasked with handling Palestinian ties, will remain. Washington has not asked Israel to initiate peace moves in exchange for the embassy relocation, U.S. Ambassador David Friedman told reporters on Friday: "There was no give and take with Israel with regard to this decision."

Most foreign envoys absent as Israel, US launch embassy festivities

China will raise foreign ownership limits in financial firms in a step granting access to a tantalizing multi-trillion dollar financial services market, as the world&rsquo;s second-biggest economy seeks to position itself as a major global finance hub.

The move announced on Friday by vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao, comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for better access to Chinese markets in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi is driving broad economic reforms by opening up China&rsquo;s capital markets, internationalizing the yuan currency, and seeking technical know-how through the pursuit of massive inbound and outbound investments.

The latest changes include raising the limit on foreign ownership in joint-venture firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets to 51 percent from the current 49 percent.

They will take effect immediately following the drafting of specific related rules, Zhu told a news conference, adding China is &ldquo;formulating a timetable and roadmap for financial sector reform and opening up&rdquo;.

The foreign business community gave a cautious welcome to the news.

&ldquo;Financial services further opening definitely has been high on our list,&rdquo; said Ken Jarrett, President of American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a step in the right direction. We&rsquo;ll have to see the detailed rules. In China, you always have to pay attention to the fine print to see how quickly it moves, but to finally ease up on the cap is something that is welcome.&rdquo;

Peter Alexander, managing director of Z-Ben Advisors, a Shanghai-based consultant for the fund industry, sees Friday&rsquo;s announcement as a measured step towards bigger changes down the road.

&ldquo;This is part of a methodical and deliberate process. We fully expect foreign asset managers at some point in the next several years to have full control of their own ventures.&rdquo;

The plan to ease ownership restrictions comes as Beijing faces mounting pressure from Western governments and business lobbies to remove investment barriers and onerous regulations that restrict overseas companies&rsquo; operations in its markets.

During his trip to Beijing this week, Trump said that trade between the two nations was unfair, and called for greater market access for U.S. companies.

&ldquo;We really have to look at access, forced technology transfer, and the theft of intellectual property, which just, by and of itself, is costing the United States and its companies at least $300 billion a year,&rdquo; Trump said.

&ldquo;Both the United States and China will have a more prosperous future if we can achieve a level economic playing field. Right now, unfortunately, it is a very one-sided and unfair one.&rdquo;

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Reuters reported on Tuesday that China planned to allow global banks to take a stake of up to 51 percent in their onshore securities ventures for the first time and tie up with local non-financial firms.

China has been sluggish to give foreign players more access to its financial sector, but has promised to quicken the pace as foreign investment into Asia&rsquo;s economic powerhouse slows.

China has implemented strict capital controls to contain capital outflows, while opening up new channels for foreign money to come into the domestic markets.

Foreign financial firms are still small players in the financial sector, and the sheer size of the market is a big lure for overseas players.

Foreign banks account for just 1.4 percent of the total 181.7 trillion yuan ($27.37 trillion) of banking assets in China, according to a 2017 study by KPMG. Their average returns on assets and on equity, were about half the level of their domestic rivals, said the study.

UBS, which holds a 25 percent interest in domestic firm UBS Securities Co Ltd, said the changes were an important step in further opening up China&rsquo;s financial sector.

&ldquo;China is a key market for UBS and, as indicated previously, we continue to work towards increasing our stake in UBS Securities Co Ltd&rdquo;, said Eugene Qian, Chairman of UBS China Strategy Board and Member of the Asia Pacific Executive Committee.

A spokesperson for JPMorgan, which sold its 33.3 percent stake in its China securities JV to First Capital in December 2016, said the company &ldquo;welcomes any decision made by the Chinese Government that looks to liberalize its financial sector further&rdquo;.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Some industry watchers said the changes are too little too late.

&ldquo;This looks good, but in reality it is pretty small and it is too late,&rdquo; said Keith Pogson, head of the Asia financial services team at EY.

&ldquo;If you are an international investment bank, you will be there for the sake of your global franchise and having it as part of your network, not because you think you will make much money in China.&rdquo;

All the same, markets reacted positively to the news, with insurers and futures-related firms rallying strongly.

New China Life Insurance jumped nearly 6 percent after the announcement, while Ping An Insurance &nbsp;advanced more than 4 per cent and China Pacific Insurance Group&nbsp;rose over 3 percent.

China will drop foreign ownership restrictions on local banks and asset management companies, Zhu said.

Full foreign ownership of local firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets will not be permitted until after three years, while full overseas ownership of insurance firms will be allowed only after five years.

For most foreign investment banks, including the likes of Goldman Sachs, the prospect of playing in a huge market seemed too good to pass up.

&ldquo;We welcome today&rsquo;s announcement and look forward to playing a greater role in China&rsquo;s capital markets,&rdquo; a spokesperson for Goldman Sachs said.

&nbsp;

The move announced on Friday by vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao, comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for better access to Chinese markets in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping

China will raise foreign ownership limits in financial firms in a step granting access to a tantalizing multi-trillion dollar financial services market, as the world’s second-biggest economy seeks to position itself as a major global finance hub. The move announced on Friday by vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao, comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for better access to Chinese markets in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi is driving broad economic reforms by opening up China’s capital markets, internationalizing the yuan currency, and seeking technical know-how through the pursuit of massive inbound and outbound investments. The latest changes include raising the limit on foreign ownership in joint-venture firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets to 51 percent from the current 49 percent. They will take effect immediately following the drafting of specific related rules, Zhu told a news conference, adding China is “formulating a timetable and roadmap for financial sector reform and opening up”. The foreign business community gave a cautious welcome to the news. “Financial services further opening definitely has been high on our list,” said Ken Jarrett, President of American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. “It’s a step in the right direction. We’ll have to see the detailed rules. In China, you always have to pay attention to the fine print to see how quickly it moves, but to finally ease up on the cap is something that is welcome.” Peter Alexander, managing director of Z-Ben Advisors, a Shanghai-based consultant for the fund industry, sees Friday’s announcement as a measured step towards bigger changes down the road. “This is part of a methodical and deliberate process. We fully expect foreign asset managers at some point in the next several years to have full control of their own ventures.” The plan to ease ownership restrictions comes as Beijing faces mounting pressure from Western governments and business lobbies to remove investment barriers and onerous regulations that restrict overseas companies’ operations in its markets. During his trip to Beijing this week, Trump said that trade between the two nations was unfair, and called for greater market access for U.S. companies. “We really have to look at access, forced technology transfer, and the theft of intellectual property, which just, by and of itself, is costing the United States and its companies at least $300 billion a year,” Trump said. “Both the United States and China will have a more prosperous future if we can achieve a level economic playing field. Right now, unfortunately, it is a very one-sided and unfair one.” Reuters reported on Tuesday that China planned to allow global banks to take a stake of up to 51 percent in their onshore securities ventures for the first time and tie up with local non-financial firms. China has been sluggish to give foreign players more access to its financial sector, but has promised to quicken the pace as foreign investment into Asia’s economic powerhouse slows. China has implemented strict capital controls to contain capital outflows, while opening up new channels for foreign money to come into the domestic markets. Foreign financial firms are still small players in the financial sector, and the sheer size of the market is a big lure for overseas players. Foreign banks account for just 1.4 percent of the total 181.7 trillion yuan ($27.37 trillion) of banking assets in China, according to a 2017 study by KPMG. Their average returns on assets and on equity, were about half the level of their domestic rivals, said the study. UBS, which holds a 25 percent interest in domestic firm UBS Securities Co Ltd, said the changes were an important step in further opening up China’s financial sector. “China is a key market for UBS and, as indicated previously, we continue to work towards increasing our stake in UBS Securities Co Ltd”, said Eugene Qian, Chairman of UBS China Strategy Board and Member of the Asia Pacific Executive Committee. A spokesperson for JPMorgan, which sold its 33.3 percent stake in its China securities JV to First Capital in December 2016, said the company “welcomes any decision made by the Chinese Government that looks to liberalize its financial sector further”. Some industry watchers said the changes are too little too late. “This looks good, but in reality it is pretty small and it is too late,” said Keith Pogson, head of the Asia financial services team at EY. “If you are an international investment bank, you will be there for the sake of your global franchise and having it as part of your network, not because you think you will make much money in China.” All the same, markets reacted positively to the news, with insurers and futures-related firms rallying strongly. New China Life Insurance jumped nearly 6 percent after the announcement, while Ping An Insurance advanced more than 4 per cent and China Pacific Insurance Group rose over 3 percent. China will drop foreign ownership restrictions on local banks and asset management companies, Zhu said. Full foreign ownership of local firms involved in the futures, securities and funds markets will not be permitted until after three years, while full overseas ownership of insurance firms will be allowed only after five years. For most foreign investment banks, including the likes of Goldman Sachs, the prospect of playing in a huge market seemed too good to pass up. “We welcome today’s announcement and look forward to playing a greater role in China’s capital markets,” a spokesperson for Goldman Sachs said.

China widens foreign access to its giant financial sector

The US&nbsp;government made it tougher on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cuba-undeterred-amid-trumps-tightening-of-sanctions-16924">Wednesday for Americans to visit Cuba and do business </a>in the country, making good on a pledge by President Donald Trump to roll back his Democratic predecessor&rsquo;s move toward warmer ties with Havana.

The restrictions, which take effect on Thursday, are aimed at preventing the military, intelligence and security arms of Cuba&rsquo;s Communist government from benefiting from American tourists and trade, the White House said.

They fill in the regulatory detail on a Trump policy speech in June, in which the Republican president called for a tightening of restrictions. He said then that the Cuban government continued to oppress its people and former President Barack Obama had made too many concessions in his 2014 diplomatic breakthrough with Washington&rsquo;s former Cold War foe.

The regulations include a ban on Americans doing business with some 180 Cuban government entities, holding companies, and tourism companies. The list includes 83 state-owned hotels, including famous hotels in Old Havana such as Ernest Hemingway&rsquo;s erstwhile favorite haunt the Hotel Ambos Mundos, as well as the city&rsquo;s new luxury shopping mall.

&ldquo;All these measures hurt the Cuban people,&rdquo; said Cuba&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry chief for U.S. Affairs Josefina Vidal. She said that government revenue funds Cuba&rsquo;s free education and healthcare systems.

Speaking to reporters in Havana, she called the list &ldquo;arbitrary&rdquo; and the regulations a further &ldquo;setback&rdquo; in U.S.-Cuban relations.

The new rules were criticized as too lax by Republican leaders who favor a hard line, but as counterproductive by those who agreed with Obama&rsquo;s rationale for the detente: that Washington&rsquo;s many decades of isolating the Caribbean island failed to force change.

The Cuban hotels listed included those run by military-linked chains Gaviota and Habaguanex. Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, a Cuban-American, said the list failed to go far enough because it omitted companies like Gran Caribe Hotel Group and Cubanacan that have ties to the Cuban government.

Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy said the regulations were unfair to Cuba, coming as Trump was being &ldquo;feted in Beijing&rdquo; by a Communist government &ldquo;in a country to which Americans can travel freely.&rdquo;

&ldquo;The hypocrisy of the White House ideologues is glaring,&rdquo; Leahy said in a statement.

The US government made it tougher on Wednesday for Americans to visit Cuba and do business in the country, making good on a pledge by President Donald Trump to roll back his Democratic predecessor?s move toward warmer ties with Havana.

The US government made it tougher on Wednesday for Americans to visit Cuba and do business in the country, making good on a pledge by President Donald Trump to roll back his Democratic predecessor’s move toward warmer ties with Havana. The restrictions, which take effect on Thursday, are aimed at preventing the military, intelligence and security arms of Cuba’s Communist government from benefiting from American tourists and trade, the White House said. They fill in the regulatory detail on a Trump policy speech in June, in which the Republican president called for a tightening of restrictions. He said then that the Cuban government continued to oppress its people and former President Barack Obama had made too many concessions in his 2014 diplomatic breakthrough with Washington’s former Cold War foe. The regulations include a ban on Americans doing business with some 180 Cuban government entities, holding companies, and tourism companies. The list includes 83 state-owned hotels, including famous hotels in Old Havana such as Ernest Hemingway’s erstwhile favorite haunt the Hotel Ambos Mundos, as well as the city’s new luxury shopping mall. “All these measures hurt the Cuban people,” said Cuba’s Foreign Ministry chief for U.S. Affairs Josefina Vidal. She said that government revenue funds Cuba’s free education and healthcare systems. Speaking to reporters in Havana, she called the list “arbitrary” and the regulations a further “setback” in U.S.-Cuban relations. The new rules were criticized as too lax by Republican leaders who favor a hard line, but as counterproductive by those who agreed with Obama’s rationale for the detente: that Washington’s many decades of isolating the Caribbean island failed to force change. The Cuban hotels listed included those run by military-linked chains Gaviota and Habaguanex. Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, a Cuban-American, said the list failed to go far enough because it omitted companies like Gran Caribe Hotel Group and Cubanacan that have ties to the Cuban government. Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy said the regulations were unfair to Cuba, coming as Trump was being “feted in Beijing” by a Communist government “in a country to which Americans can travel freely.” “The hypocrisy of the White House ideologues is glaring,” Leahy said in a statement.

US government restricts travel and trade with Cuba

Controversial presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has stepped up his attack on the US media, terming the political press as &quot;extremely dishonest&quot; and even calling a TV journalist &quot;a sleaze&quot;, triggering angry protests from media associations. 
&quot;We have to read probably libellous stories, or certainly close, in the newspapers and the people know the stories are false, I am going to continue to attack the press,&quot; Trump, 69, told reporters at a news conference in New York yesterday. 
&quot;I find the press to be extremely dishonest. I find the political press to be unbelievably dishonest. I will say that. OK. Thank you all very much,&quot; the former reality TV star said. 
He slammed the US media for questioning the USD six million fund he claimed to have raised for veterans on one night in Iowa in January. He had skipped a Republican debate hosted by Fox News and hosted a fundraising event for veterans&#39; charities. 
&quot;The press should be ashamed. I have never received such bad publicity for doing such a good job. I think the political press is among the most dishonest people that I have ever met,&quot; he said. 
Trump pointed to ABC News journalist Tom Llamas and said, &quot;You are a sleaze because you know the facts and you know the facts well&quot;. 
The New York-based real estate tycoon-turned politician, however, immediately faced backlash from the media and presidential candidates of rival parties. 
Without naming Trump, the White House Correspondent&#39;s Association (WHCA) condemned any attack on the freedom of press. 
&quot;The WHCA advocates for access to the president and administration officials to enhance the constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press. We are concerned that any administration or presidential candidate would seek to curb the First Amendment right to free speech and a free press,&quot; WHCA President Carol Lee said. 
&quot;We do not know who will be in the White House in January, but the presidential campaign has underscored the importance of press freedoms, and the WHCA will continue to defend those rights through the transition this fall and with the new administration next year,&quot; Lee said. 
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, 68, meanwhile alleged that Trump had been attacking everybody. 
&quot;He attacks everybody. Is a recipe for gridlock in Washington. And that is what we have got to break and get away with. You know he seems to believe, or at least is demonstrating that insulting and attacks is his mode of operations,&quot; Clinton told the CNN in an interview. 
In another interview to MSNBC, Clinton hoped that voters looked at the full picture of everything she has done in her career. 
&quot;I have faith in the American people that they will make the right choice here,&quot; Clinton added.

The Republican Presidential candidate launched into a fiery attack, slamming the media for questioning the $6 million fund he claims to have raised for military veterans

Controversial presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has stepped up his attack on the US media, terming the political press as "extremely dishonest" and even calling a TV journalist "a sleaze", triggering angry protests from media associations. "We have to read probably libellous stories, or certainly close, in the newspapers and the people know the stories are false, I am going to continue to attack the press," Trump, 69, told reporters at a news conference in New York yesterday. "I find the press to be extremely dishonest. I find the political press to be unbelievably dishonest. I will say that. OK. Thank you all very much," the former reality TV star said. He slammed the US media for questioning the USD six million fund he claimed to have raised for veterans on one night in Iowa in January. He had skipped a Republican debate hosted by Fox News and hosted a fundraising event for veterans' charities. "The press should be ashamed. I have never received such bad publicity for doing such a good job. I think the political press is among the most dishonest people that I have ever met," he said. Trump pointed to ABC News journalist Tom Llamas and said, "You are a sleaze because you know the facts and you know the facts well". The New York-based real estate tycoon-turned politician, however, immediately faced backlash from the media and presidential candidates of rival parties. Without naming Trump, the White House Correspondent's Association (WHCA) condemned any attack on the freedom of press. "The WHCA advocates for access to the president and administration officials to enhance the constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press. We are concerned that any administration or presidential candidate would seek to curb the First Amendment right to free speech and a free press," WHCA President Carol Lee said. "We do not know who will be in the White House in January, but the presidential campaign has underscored the importance of press freedoms, and the WHCA will continue to defend those rights through the transition this fall and with the new administration next year," Lee said. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, 68, meanwhile alleged that Trump had been attacking everybody. "He attacks everybody. Is a recipe for gridlock in Washington. And that is what we have got to break and get away with. You know he seems to believe, or at least is demonstrating that insulting and attacks is his mode of operations," Clinton told the CNN in an interview. In another interview to MSNBC, Clinton hoped that voters looked at the full picture of everything she has done in her career. "I have faith in the American people that they will make the right choice here," Clinton added.

Trump attacks U.S media, calls TV journalist 'sleaze'

Volkswagen&#39;s (VW) settlement with nearly 500,000 US&nbsp;diesel car owners and government regulators over polluting vehicles is valued at more than $15 billion, two sources briefed on the matter said on Monday.

The settlement, to be announced on Tuesday (June 28) in Washington, includes $10.033 billion to offer buybacks to owners of about 475,000 polluting vehicles and nearly $5 billion in funds to offset excess diesel emissions and boost zero emission vehicles, the sources said.

A separate settlement with nearly all US&nbsp;state attorneys general over excess diesel emissions will be announced on Tuesday and is expected to be more than $500 million. This&nbsp;would&nbsp;push the total to over $15 billion, a separate source briefed on the matter said.

Spokeswomen for the US&nbsp;environmental protection agency and Volkswagen declined to comment.

&quot;The settlement for Volkswagen is really the first step that they&#39;ve made publicly after the admission of fault they made publicly in September of last year,&quot; said Patrick Min, Senior Industry Insights Analyst with TrueCar. &quot;So the amount of $15 billion, far and away the largest amount in US&nbsp;history is really the first step in terms of setting aside money in order to repair vehicles or actually buy them back from owners.&quot;

Speaking on condition of anonymity the first sources said that owners of 2.0 litre diesel VW 2009-2015 cars will receive at least $5,100 compensation along with the estimated value of the vehicles as of September 2015, before the scandal erupted. Some owners will get as much as $10,000 in compensation, the first sources said, depending on the value of the car.

The $10.033 billion is the maximum VW could pay if it had to buyback all vehicles, but the actual amount VW will pay could be significantly less if a large number of owners take buybacks.

Prior owners will get half of current owners, while people who leased cars will also get compensation, said the first sources.

Owners would also receive the same compensation if they choose to have the vehicles repaired, assuming U.S. regulators approve a fix at a later date.&nbsp;

&quot;This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what they can expect from other follow-on lawsuits, from certain states such as California that are going to go for even more action,&quot; said Min, on what further legal action VW may be facing. &quot;The impacts are going to continue further with respect to future product development and what Volkswagen can achieve with&nbsp;a diminished budget going forward.&quot;

The settlement includes $2.7 billion in funds to offset excess diesel emissions and $2 billion in VW investments in green energy and zero emission vehicle efforts, the first sources said. The diesel offset fund could rise if VW has not fixed or bought back 85 percent of the vehicles by mid-2019, the first sources said.

The $2 billion in green energy and zero emission efforts will be spent over 10 years, the first sources said, and will include zero emission vehicle infrastructure.&nbsp;

The settlement, the largest ever automotive buyback offer in U.S. history and most expensive auto industry scandal, stems from the German automaker&#39;s admission in September 2015 that it intentionally misled regulators by installing secret software that allowed U.S. vehicles to emit up to 40 times legally allowable pollution.

VW still must reach agreement with regulators on whether it will offer to buyback 85,000 larger 3.0 liter Porsche, Audi&nbsp;and SUVs that emitted up to nine times legally allowable pollution and how much it may face in civil fines for admitting to violating the Clean Air Act.

Reuters reported earlier the initial VW settlement would not include civil penalties under the U.S. Clean Air Act or address about 85,000 larger 3.0 litre Audi, Porsche and VW vehicles that emitted less pollution than 2.0 litre vehicles. A deal covering the 3.0 litre vehicles may still be months away.

The settlement does not address lawsuits from investors or a criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

Owners will have until December 2018 to decide whether to sell back vehicles or opt for&nbsp;fixes that may not eliminate all excess emissions.

VW cannot resell or export the vehicles bought back unless EPA approves a fix, Reuters reported last week.

VW, the world&#39;s second largest automaker, has seen U.S. VW brand sales suffer in the wake of the crisis. VW brand sales are down 13 per cent in the United States in 2016, while sales of its luxury Audi and Porsche units have risen. 
 
(Reuters)

The company had lied on emissions tests, will offer buybacks to nearly 475,000 diesel car owners in the States

Volkswagen's (VW) settlement with nearly 500,000 US diesel car owners and government regulators over polluting vehicles is valued at more than $15 billion, two sources briefed on the matter said on Monday. The settlement, to be announced on Tuesday (June 28) in Washington, includes $10.033 billion to offer buybacks to owners of about 475,000 polluting vehicles and nearly $5 billion in funds to offset excess diesel emissions and boost zero emission vehicles, the sources said. A separate settlement with nearly all US state attorneys general over excess diesel emissions will be announced on Tuesday and is expected to be more than $500 million. This would push the total to over $15 billion, a separate source briefed on the matter said. Spokeswomen for the US environmental protection agency and Volkswagen declined to comment. "The settlement for Volkswagen is really the first step that they've made publicly after the admission of fault they made publicly in September of last year," said Patrick Min, Senior Industry Insights Analyst with TrueCar. "So the amount of $15 billion, far and away the largest amount in US history is really the first step in terms of setting aside money in order to repair vehicles or actually buy them back from owners." Speaking on condition of anonymity the first sources said that owners of 2.0 litre diesel VW 2009-2015 cars will receive at least $5,100 compensation along with the estimated value of the vehicles as of September 2015, before the scandal erupted. Some owners will get as much as $10,000 in compensation, the first sources said, depending on the value of the car. The $10.033 billion is the maximum VW could pay if it had to buyback all vehicles, but the actual amount VW will pay could be significantly less if a large number of owners take buybacks. Prior owners will get half of current owners, while people who leased cars will also get compensation, said the first sources. Owners would also receive the same compensation if they choose to have the vehicles repaired, assuming U.S. regulators approve a fix at a later date. "This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what they can expect from other follow-on lawsuits, from certain states such as California that are going to go for even more action," said Min, on what further legal action VW may be facing. "The impacts are going to continue further with respect to future product development and what Volkswagen can achieve with a diminished budget going forward." The settlement includes $2.7 billion in funds to offset excess diesel emissions and $2 billion in VW investments in green energy and zero emission vehicle efforts, the first sources said. The diesel offset fund could rise if VW has not fixed or bought back 85 percent of the vehicles by mid-2019, the first sources said. The $2 billion in green energy and zero emission efforts will be spent over 10 years, the first sources said, and will include zero emission vehicle infrastructure. The settlement, the largest ever automotive buyback offer in U.S. history and most expensive auto industry scandal, stems from the German automaker's admission in September 2015 that it intentionally misled regulators by installing secret software that allowed U.S. vehicles to emit up to 40 times legally allowable pollution. VW still must reach agreement with regulators on whether it will offer to buyback 85,000 larger 3.0 liter Porsche, Audi and SUVs that emitted up to nine times legally allowable pollution and how much it may face in civil fines for admitting to violating the Clean Air Act. Reuters reported earlier the initial VW settlement would not include civil penalties under the U.S. Clean Air Act or address about 85,000 larger 3.0 litre Audi, Porsche and VW vehicles that emitted less pollution than 2.0 litre vehicles. A deal covering the 3.0 litre vehicles may still be months away. The settlement does not address lawsuits from investors or a criminal investigation by the Justice Department. Owners will have until December 2018 to decide whether to sell back vehicles or opt for fixes that may not eliminate all excess emissions. VW cannot resell or export the vehicles bought back unless EPA approves a fix, Reuters reported last week. VW, the world's second largest automaker, has seen U.S. VW brand sales suffer in the wake of the crisis. VW brand sales are down 13 per cent in the United States in 2016, while sales of its luxury Audi and Porsche units have risen. (Reuters)

Volkswagen will settle for over 15 billion US dollars: Sources

Strong winds and heavy rainfall are&nbsp;expected across the southeastern US&nbsp;on Tuesday even as the centre of Tropical Storm Colin is moving into the Atlantic Ocean.

The storm was 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, at 4 am&nbsp;eastern time (0800 GMT) and moving at 31 mph, the US&nbsp;National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Altamaha Sound Georgia to Oregon Inlet in North Carolina on Tuesday morning. On its forecast path, Colin is to barrel along the coast of the southeastern United States before moving out to sea during the day.

As 50 mph winds are expected in the region, a tornado was reported in Lee County Florida, the National Weather Service said. The storm is forecast to&nbsp;dump as much as 1 to 3 inches&nbsp;of rain as flash flood warnings and watches are in effect across the region, the hurricane centre said.

Florida Governor Rick Scott, who&nbsp;declared a state of emergency on Monday in 34 of the state&#39;s 67 counties, said more than 6,000 Florida National Guard members were activated and ready for deployment.

Flooding and property damage resulting from the fierce winds remain&nbsp;threats into the day, and far beyond the storm&#39;s immediate path, forecasters have warned.

A statement from Scott&#39;s office warned residents to be wary of rip currents and the possibility of 10 foot (3 m) waves along the Gulf Coast.

&quot;It is critical that all Floridians use caution and remain alert,&quot; he said in the statement.

In the St&nbsp;Petersburg beach town of Gulfport and in Charleston, South Carolina, roads were flooded, local authorities said on social media.

About 10,000 customers were without power in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, utilities reported.

Colin is part of a brisk start to the Atlantic hurricane season that runs through November&nbsp;30. Over the US&nbsp;Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Carolinas were lashed by heavy rain and winds from Tropical Storm Bonnie.

Tropical storm Colin is expected to damage property and crops, apart from disrupting normal life.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall are expected across the southeastern US on Tuesday even as the centre of Tropical Storm Colin is moving into the Atlantic Ocean. The storm was 90 miles (145 km) southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, at 4 am eastern time (0800 GMT) and moving at 31 mph, the US National Hurricane Center in Miami said. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Altamaha Sound Georgia to Oregon Inlet in North Carolina on Tuesday morning. On its forecast path, Colin is to barrel along the coast of the southeastern United States before moving out to sea during the day. As 50 mph winds are expected in the region, a tornado was reported in Lee County Florida, the National Weather Service said. The storm is forecast to dump as much as 1 to 3 inches of rain as flash flood warnings and watches are in effect across the region, the hurricane centre said. Florida Governor Rick Scott, who declared a state of emergency on Monday in 34 of the state's 67 counties, said more than 6,000 Florida National Guard members were activated and ready for deployment. Flooding and property damage resulting from the fierce winds remain threats into the day, and far beyond the storm's immediate path, forecasters have warned. A statement from Scott's office warned residents to be wary of rip currents and the possibility of 10 foot (3 m) waves along the Gulf Coast. "It is critical that all Floridians use caution and remain alert," he said in the statement. In the St Petersburg beach town of Gulfport and in Charleston, South Carolina, roads were flooded, local authorities said on social media. About 10,000 customers were without power in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, utilities reported. Colin is part of a brisk start to the Atlantic hurricane season that runs through November 30. Over the US Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Carolinas were lashed by heavy rain and winds from Tropical Storm Bonnie.

Heavy rain with strong wind, to lash southeast US as storm moves into Atlantic

Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners underpriced their 2013 $24.9 billion buyout of Dell Inc [DI.UL] by about 22 per cent, and may have to pay tens of millions to investors who opposed the deal for the computer maker, a Delaware judge ruled on Tuesday. 
 
The ruling, which applies to about 5.5 million Dell shares, is a victory for the specialized hedge funds that have increasingly tried to squeeze more money from mergers using a type of lawsuit known as appraisal. 
 
The lawsuits allow investors who oppose a deal, such as the bitterly contested Dell buyout, to sue and ask a Delaware judge to determine a fair deal price. 
 
Activist investor Carl Icahn urged Dell shareholders to vote down the deal and take their case for fair value to court. Initially around 40 million shares sought appraisal, although the bulk were removed for procedural reasons.&nbsp; 
 
In Tuesday`s ruling, Vice Chancellor Travis Laster said fair value was $17.62 per share, not the $13.75 per share deal price. 
With interest, investors who sought appraisal will collect about $20.84 per share. 
 
The Dell investors presented evidence that fair value was $28.61 per share, which would have cost Michael Dell and Silver Lake hundreds of millions of dollars. The buyers` contended fair value was $12.68. 
 
Dell and a lawyer for the stockholders, Stuart Grant, declined to comment. Tuesday`s ruling can be appealed.&nbsp; 
Laster said the Dell buyout took advantage of a dip in the company`s stock price and its board never determined the intrinsic value before negotiating. 
 
&quot;The original merger consideration was dictated by what a financial sponsor could pay and still generate outsized returns,&quot; wrote Laster. 
The judge dedicated much of the opinion to explaining why deal price was not a fair value indicator, particularly in a management-led buyout. Delaware judges had used deal price in appraisals involving the closely watched buyouts of Ancestry.com in 2012 and BMC Software Inc in 2013. 
 
The added cost to the buyers from Tuesday`s ruling is about $36 million. 
 
About 3.9 million appraised shares were held by affiliates of Magnetar Capital.&nbsp; 
 
A small number of hedge funds have built a strategy of swooping in just before a deal closes, when there is less risk a deal would collapse, and buying stock for the sole purpose of seeking appraisal. 
 
Investors who seek appraisal do not get paid at the deal`s closing, but they collect interest of 5 percentage points above the federal discount rate while the case is pending. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has complained that encourages hedge funds to bring cases because they can earn a return even when a deal price is found to be fair. 
 
One of the biggest losers from the Dell case may be T Rowe Price, one of the few mutual fund managers to test the appraisal strategy. 
Dell was able to knock out T Rowe Price`s stock, which was the bulk of the shares in the case, because the fund manager mistakenly voted in favour of the buyout. 
 
T Rowe Price stood to collect around $190 million if its Dell stock had been appraised. Laster also ruled on Tuesday the fund manager was not entitled to interest on its shares. 
 
&quot;T Rowe Price runs mutual funds and allocates capital, but they may regret trying to do this themselves,&quot; said Minor Myers, a professor at Brooklyn Law School in New York. &quot;This is just one of the pitfalls with appraisal, and it`s not for novices&quot;.

Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners hugely underpriced their 2013 $24.9 billion buyout of Dell Inc, and may have to pay tens of millions to investors

Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners underpriced their 2013 $24.9 billion buyout of Dell Inc [DI.UL] by about 22 per cent, and may have to pay tens of millions to investors who opposed the deal for the computer maker, a Delaware judge ruled on Tuesday. The ruling, which applies to about 5.5 million Dell shares, is a victory for the specialized hedge funds that have increasingly tried to squeeze more money from mergers using a type of lawsuit known as appraisal. The lawsuits allow investors who oppose a deal, such as the bitterly contested Dell buyout, to sue and ask a Delaware judge to determine a fair deal price. Activist investor Carl Icahn urged Dell shareholders to vote down the deal and take their case for fair value to court. Initially around 40 million shares sought appraisal, although the bulk were removed for procedural reasons. In Tuesday`s ruling, Vice Chancellor Travis Laster said fair value was $17.62 per share, not the $13.75 per share deal price. With interest, investors who sought appraisal will collect about $20.84 per share. The Dell investors presented evidence that fair value was $28.61 per share, which would have cost Michael Dell and Silver Lake hundreds of millions of dollars. The buyers` contended fair value was $12.68. Dell and a lawyer for the stockholders, Stuart Grant, declined to comment. Tuesday`s ruling can be appealed. Laster said the Dell buyout took advantage of a dip in the company`s stock price and its board never determined the intrinsic value before negotiating. "The original merger consideration was dictated by what a financial sponsor could pay and still generate outsized returns," wrote Laster. The judge dedicated much of the opinion to explaining why deal price was not a fair value indicator, particularly in a management-led buyout. Delaware judges had used deal price in appraisals involving the closely watched buyouts of Ancestry.com in 2012 and BMC Software Inc in 2013. The added cost to the buyers from Tuesday`s ruling is about $36 million. About 3.9 million appraised shares were held by affiliates of Magnetar Capital. A small number of hedge funds have built a strategy of swooping in just before a deal closes, when there is less risk a deal would collapse, and buying stock for the sole purpose of seeking appraisal. Investors who seek appraisal do not get paid at the deal`s closing, but they collect interest of 5 percentage points above the federal discount rate while the case is pending. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has complained that encourages hedge funds to bring cases because they can earn a return even when a deal price is found to be fair. One of the biggest losers from the Dell case may be T Rowe Price, one of the few mutual fund managers to test the appraisal strategy. Dell was able to knock out T Rowe Price`s stock, which was the bulk of the shares in the case, because the fund manager mistakenly voted in favour of the buyout. T Rowe Price stood to collect around $190 million if its Dell stock had been appraised. Laster also ruled on Tuesday the fund manager was not entitled to interest on its shares. "T Rowe Price runs mutual funds and allocates capital, but they may regret trying to do this themselves," said Minor Myers, a professor at Brooklyn Law School in New York. "This is just one of the pitfalls with appraisal, and it`s not for novices".

US court rules $24.9 billion Dell buyout underpriced by 22 per cent

Actor Mark Salling, who had a supporting role as a high school athlete-turned-singer in the TV series &quot;Glee,&quot; was indicted on Friday on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, officials said.

The 33-year-old Salling agreed to turn himself in on June 3 to face the charges filed in federal court in Los Angeles, the U.S. Attorney&#39;s Office for the region said in a statement.

Representatives for Salling, a Los Angeles resident, and his attorney, did not immediately return calls.

The federal charges against the Texas-born Salling for receipt and possession of child pornography stem from his arrest by Los Angeles police and federal agents on Dec. 29, 2015. He was released on bail of $20,000 and was initially expected to be charged in Los Angeles County court.

But after investigators realized the &quot;scope of the collection&quot; of child porn they had uncovered, the case was handed over to federal prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney&#39;s Office said.

&quot;The traditional stereotype about the kinds of people who commit child sexual exploitation crimes simply doesn&#39;t dovetail with reality,&quot; Joseph Macias, a special agent in charge for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement on the filing of the charges.

Macias added that child pornography suspects can be of &quot;all ages and from all walks of life.&quot;

Salling&#39;s arrest came after investigators received a tip that he was in possession of child porn, Los Angeles police said in a statement at the time.

A laptop, a hard drive and a mobile flash drive from Salling&#39;s home contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography, and investigators continue to review the material, federal prosecutors said.

In the meantime, the charges against the actor center on a still image and three videos of child pornography depicting young girls, the statement said. The two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Salling on the Fox television show &quot;Glee,&quot; which ran from 2009 to 2015, played Puck, a bully and a football player who shows a softer side when he joins the glee club at his high school.

Before that show, Salling had a number of smaller roles, including a part in 1996 horror film &quot;Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering.&quot;

Actor Mark Salling, who had a supporting role as a high school athlete-turned-singer in the TV series "Glee," was indicted on Friday on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, officials said. The 33-year-old Salling agreed to turn himself in on June 3 to face the charges filed in federal court in Los Angeles, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the region said in a statement.

Actor Mark Salling, who had a supporting role as a high school athlete-turned-singer in the TV series "Glee," was indicted on Friday on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, officials said. The 33-year-old Salling agreed to turn himself in on June 3 to face the charges filed in federal court in Los Angeles, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the region said in a statement. Representatives for Salling, a Los Angeles resident, and his attorney, did not immediately return calls. The federal charges against the Texas-born Salling for receipt and possession of child pornography stem from his arrest by Los Angeles police and federal agents on Dec. 29, 2015. He was released on bail of $20,000 and was initially expected to be charged in Los Angeles County court. But after investigators realized the "scope of the collection" of child porn they had uncovered, the case was handed over to federal prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "The traditional stereotype about the kinds of people who commit child sexual exploitation crimes simply doesn't dovetail with reality," Joseph Macias, a special agent in charge for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement on the filing of the charges. Macias added that child pornography suspects can be of "all ages and from all walks of life." Salling's arrest came after investigators received a tip that he was in possession of child porn, Los Angeles police said in a statement at the time. A laptop, a hard drive and a mobile flash drive from Salling's home contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography, and investigators continue to review the material, federal prosecutors said. In the meantime, the charges against the actor center on a still image and three videos of child pornography depicting young girls, the statement said. The two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Salling on the Fox television show "Glee," which ran from 2009 to 2015, played Puck, a bully and a football player who shows a softer side when he joins the glee club at his high school. Before that show, Salling had a number of smaller roles, including a part in 1996 horror film "Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering."

'Glee' star Mark Salling indicted on federal child porn charges

China will &quot;pressure&quot; the United States on maritime issues at key talks in Beijing next week because of Chinese concerns over the increased U.S. military presence in the disputed South China Sea, a major state-run newspaper said today.&nbsp;

China has been angered by what it views as provocative U.S. military patrols close to islands China controls in the South China Sea. Washington says the patrols are to protect freedom of navigation in the region.

&quot;Beijing will pressure Washington over maritime issues during the upcoming Strategic and Economic Dialogue, as the United States&#39; increasing military presence in the South China Sea is among China&#39;s major concerns,&quot; the official China Daily said, citing unidentified officials.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims.

Earlier this month Beijing demanded an end to U.S. surveillance near China after two of its fighter jets carried out what the Pentagon said was an &quot;unsafe&quot; intercept of a U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea.

China will also bring up the issue of self-ruled Taiwan - claimed by Beijing but which elected a pro-independence party to power in January - as well as the situation on the Korean peninsula, the newspaper added.

&quot;The two countries have differing pursuits on major issues at the strategic level. However, the two still have many common interests,&quot; the report said.

&quot;Whether it is on the South China Sea issue or on the Korean Peninsula issue, the two countries have a shared security goal to maintain regional stability,&quot; it added.

China is reclusive North Korea&#39;s only major ally but has been angered by Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear and missile tests and has hence&nbsp;signed up to tough UN sanctions against the reclusive country.

The United States and China are in a disagreement over the South China Sea, with the U.S voicing its concern to a free access to the sea, and China denying the same.

China will "pressure" the United States on maritime issues at key talks in Beijing next week because of Chinese concerns over the increased U.S. military presence in the disputed South China Sea, a major state-run newspaper said today. China has been angered by what it views as provocative U.S. military patrols close to islands China controls in the South China Sea. Washington says the patrols are to protect freedom of navigation in the region. "Beijing will pressure Washington over maritime issues during the upcoming Strategic and Economic Dialogue, as the United States' increasing military presence in the South China Sea is among China's major concerns," the official China Daily said, citing unidentified officials. China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims. Earlier this month Beijing demanded an end to U.S. surveillance near China after two of its fighter jets carried out what the Pentagon said was an "unsafe" intercept of a U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea. China will also bring up the issue of self-ruled Taiwan - claimed by Beijing but which elected a pro-independence party to power in January - as well as the situation on the Korean peninsula, the newspaper added. "The two countries have differing pursuits on major issues at the strategic level. However, the two still have many common interests," the report said. "Whether it is on the South China Sea issue or on the Korean Peninsula issue, the two countries have a shared security goal to maintain regional stability," it added. China is reclusive North Korea's only major ally but has been angered by Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests and has hence signed up to tough UN sanctions against the reclusive country.

China to 'pressure' U.S. on maritime issues: China Daily

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